Bloodlust

T W O

"My name is Adrian," was the first thing the vampire said when Vincent woke up. Vincent yawned. He nodded and grabbed his things for the school day. College was a mess. He was a mess. Moral of the story: he never wanted to do this again. 

Adrian simply followed behind him every step of the way. They were in the same classes so he just used Vincent's things. People glanced in their direction. Adrian had a peculiar appearance, it was no wonder that people stared. Vincent had a strange appearance too, for that matter. They were a match made in heaven.

Vincent hadn't answered Adrian. He ignored him for the most of the day. The vampire didn't need to ask to borrow a pen or a book or anything. Vincent offered every time. Instead of a servant, this male was more like a pet. A dog that followed Vincent around. He wasn't that useful. Vincent didn't regret his decision though. In time, he might.

"Are you going to live with me?" Vincent asked. It was the first thing he had said all day. Adrian blushed underneath his fringe.

"Can I?" he asked.

"Of course not," Vincent sighed. "I can barely afford my own living expenses. I can't take care of yours too."

"I don't need human things," Adrian insisted. "All I need is you."

"Quite the romantic," Vincent laughed. "The answer is still 'no.'" Adrian looked down at the ground. He wanted to stay but if he wasn't going to be allowed to, he needed to return home. His parents were kind. They'd forgive him for being gone so long. But, for some reason he just didn't want to leave Vincent alone. The guy gave off this vibe...Adrian didn't know how to explain it. He just seemed hurt. He didn't want to be alone but he was pushing people away. Adrian wanted to help but he didn't know how.

Adrian grabbed Vincent's hand. "What are you doing?" Vincent asked him.

"I thought a hug might be too bold of me," he confessed. So, I'm holding your hand," he explained.

Vincent pulled his hand away. This vampire was strangely clingy. "Go home," he said. Adrian reluctantly left. He didn't want the human to get mad at him and end up breaking his promise. Vincent thought that Adrian was only concerned with his blood, but that wasn't necessarily the case. Adrian had fallen for Vincent. It didn't take much.

With the vampire gone, Vincent worked on his homework for the day. The apartment felt quiet without the vampire around. Too quiet. Vincent remembered the room his mother had put him in as a child. She was so concerned with her science that she forgot Vincent was her son, and not a test subject. He remembered the needles. Day after day. He remembered them. Vincent cringed. He half wished that Adrian had stayed. But, he didn't regret telling him to leave. Vincent was used to being alone.

There was a knock at his door. Vincent rarely got visitors. He stood at the door and debated on whether he should open it or not. Ultimately, he did. His mother stood there with her traditional grin. It was the standard expression she gave all of her subjects. "I need you," she gestured for him to follow her.

"What makes you think I'll come with you so willingly?" Vincent spat. 

"It's simple, you have no other choice," Claudia smiled and gestured to the boy standing beside her. "Your wife is dead, Vincent. Your son is in my care because you weren't around to claim him. Would you rather him be the test subject?" Blackmail. Leave it to his mother to use such a thing. "I birthed you into this world, Vincent. I have the right to take you out of it," her eyes revealed no emotion except for her lust for science.

"I have classes to attend," Vincent tried to find a proper excuse.

"You'll make more money serving my needs than you ever would with an educated career," she smiled. Vincent knew she was right. "I'll take care of everything. No need to worry about your apartment, school, or anything else, just come with me," she held out her hand for Vincent to take. He refused to grab it. He simply closed the door, not even bothering to lock it, and followed his mother.

"My boy," Vincent offered his hand for the child to take, "Do you remember me?" he asked. The boy hid behind his grandmother. He had no memory of this strange man that stood before him. He must be about three years old now. Vincent felt his heart break in two. Ever since the car accident, Vincent hadn't been able to cope with Rachel's death. He'd gone away to college to try and become something new. He thought his son had died. No one had ever tried to reach out to him. He didn't know his son had survived until this day. The boy was beautiful.

"Sebastian," Claudia called. A boy dressed in black walked down the hallway to greet Claudia. He didn't look more than two years older than Ciel. "Take Ciel to the car for me. My son and I have some conversing to do." The boy nodded and grabbed Ciel's hand. Claudia employed children now? Such madness!

"You will not speak to Ciel without my permission. You will not see that boy without my permission. He isn't yours any longer, Vincent. He is mine. The version of you that I always wanted. He is perfection. You are swine," Claudia faced Vincent with raw malice. "You are nothing more than a science experiment. Do not think highly of yourself because a few years have gone by."

Vincent repressed his anger. "I understand," he replied. His mother nodded and continued to walk. Vincent followed. He was completely defeated. What about the vampire? Would they ever see each other again? No. He couldn't. His mother would only subject him to tests. He wouldn't allow that. If there was one thing that he must successfully protect in this world, it would be Adrian. He'd failed to protect Rachel. He'd failed to protect his son. He wouldn't fail to protect Adrian. He mustn't.