Short Stories: 10-31-18

For Charity

Chase laid in his bed, resting. Krista walked into the large oak room, her green eyes saddened as she laid them on him. This was all her fault, she thought. She didn't think about her own safety, letting Chase risk his.
  It all started about an hour ago. It was a family reunion, and since Krista was a good friend of the family, she was invited. She chatted along and they were having a blast. Suddenly, Chase's cousin Nico went after her, tackling her. Chase ran in, and him and Nico fought. Chase was brutally abused, and even though him and Nico were practically brothers, Krista felt like she worsened their relationship.
  She felt completely guilty.
  Chase moved a little in bed. Krista took a seat in the dark red chair right next to him. She held a glass of some sort of juice. She placed it on his nightside table. Chase's eyes opened up a little, his brown eyes drearily looking around the room until his eyes landed on Krista. She smiled a little.
  "Hey," she whispered. "How're you feeling?"
  Chase groaned as he slowly sat up. He was bandaged all over the chest and stomach. Krista tried her hardest not to cringe. "Better, I think," he replied tiredly. "Where's Nico?" Krista played a little with his dirty blonde hair before responding. "Your aunt and uncle took him home before another fight could happen."
  Chase sighed quietly, and as he tried to get out of bed, he groaned in pain. Krista kept her hands on his shoulders, gently. "Don't get up yet," she said. "You need rest."
  Chase looked at her, then at the glass. "What's in there?" He asked. The small shot glass was filled with half a shot of a red liquid. It was thick.
  "I think you know what it is." Krista replied, and she rolled her sleeve up to show him a small white bandaid on her arm. Chase shook his head. "Krista," he began. "I'm not going to."
  Krista appeared angry, but she remained calm. "Listen," she started. "I know you're against this, but you need energy."
  Chase gave her a bit of an angry look. She was only trying to help!
  "I don't need to drink your blood, Krista. Not in a million years."
  "I know, but-"
  "I'll get addicted you know."
  "Of course I know!" Krista was five seconds away from losing it. He's too weak without blood. "Please, don't make this harder than this has to be. You need this."
  "I. Do. Not!" Chase hit the glass in a moment of anger, sending the glass flying into the wall and shattering all over the floor. Krista looked in shock, then she glared at Chase. "I can not believe you just did that! You wasted decent blood!"
  "I'm not drinking it Krista!" He fires back. "There is no way I'll safely drink your blood without getting addicted or hurting you!"
  Hurting her, huh?
  "Chase, listen to me, okay?" She kept her sleeve rolled up. "I don't care if I get hurt right now. I need you to drink something. I'm sorry if I'm pushing it, but understand that I'm trying to help you. Now please," she showed him her bare arm, in which is eyes started to glow red. "Take a bite."
  Chase hesitated for a while, but Krista knew that he can't object now. His canines become sharper, and he tries to puncture his teeth into her skin gently. She flinches, but she knows she'll be okay. She can feel the blood going, but she knows he won't take every last drop. Chase felt the blood streaming into him. He never felt more alive. He gained some color in him, and he licked the mark he made in her skin. She rolled up her sleeve and gave him a hug. He hugged her back tightly.
  "Thanks for the blood." Chase said jokingly.
  Krista chuckled. "Anything for charity."