Blood Bank

A w a k e n i n g - 5

Thank you.

Aera stared blankly at the white ceiling before her. The constant beeping of the monitor filled the room. Her gaze shifted to the needle that was stuck to her arm.

Why was she at the hospital?

Her muscles ached as she slowly sat up. She took the mirror from the table beside her and observed her reflection. Her lips were chapped, she had bags under her eyes and was somewhat pale.

"You're finally awake!" Namjoon said, approaching the girl. Relief washed over his face as he saw a ghost of a smile on Aera's face. "I thought I lost you. Don't scare me like that ever again." He pulled her into a gentle hug.

"What happened?" Aera croaked out. "It felt like... I was in a really long nightmare. I can't remember anything."

"You've been out for 3 days Doll Face. I was so worried." Namjoon mumbled into her hair. She smiled slightly as she felt him kiss the top of her head. "We were on a mission, your first mission."

Namjoon pulled away from the hug and took a seat beside her bed. He placed the plastic bag of fruits on the table nearby. Looking closely at him, he had a couple of bruises and scratches here and there. The bags under his eyes tell Aera he had not been sleeping so well the past couple of days.

Then realization hit her like a truck.

"Where are my parents Joon?" Aera asked. Namjoon's smile faded along with his dimples.

"You really don't remember anything do you." He mumbled. "While we were on the mission, a Nightwalker got a hold of you. He choked you and you passed out. He dropped you on the ground pretty hard too."

"That doesn't answer my question!" Aera snapped.

"I saved you and they told me to bring you back to the car. I hid you there but..." Namjoon sighed as he looked down shamefully. "Your parents weren't around anymore. They went missing."

Aera frowned slightly. She knew Namjoon would never lie to her but something felt wrong.

"What about the red-eyed and pink-eyed Nightwalker?" She asked. Namjoon sent her a questioning look.

"Look I know you hit your head Doll Face but there was no S-Class Nightwalker. And I've never heard of a pink eyed Nightwalker." Namjoon said. Aera bit her lip. "Don't worry, I'll take care of you until we find them, okay?"

Was it all a dream?

Namjoon patted her head before getting up to cut some fruit. Aera, on the other hand, felt so conflicted. It all felt too real to be a dream. She let her fingers graze against the rough wraps around her neck.

"Joon, you won't leave me right?" Aera asked.

"I won't, Doll Face."

^  ^  ^

It's been two weeks since Aera's discharge. She was finally back in school with Namjoon. He recently moved into her home to take care of her and help her plan for her parent's search.

"I thought you two died and left me!" Hoseok cried. He nearly jumped onto the girl as he faked a sob. Aera giggled at his clinginess while Namjoon rolled his eyes.

"You visited me in the hospital Hoseok." Aera said.

"Hands off the lady Hoseok, she still has open wounds." Namjoon scolded. He peeled the energetic vampire off of his friend.

Hoseok was one of the many vampires who attended their school. He helps out the hunter faction by lending his strength and knowledge. His father was a Nightwalker so he was aware of how some things went, but later was rescued by hunters.

"I have a high tolerance Namjoon, don't worry about your girl." Hoseok teased. His eyes glowed red-orange for a split second. "Plus, I'm not interested in her blood. I have my own Blood Bank."

"But still, you could lose control." Namjoon argued.

"Her blood doesn't smell like the way it used to smell." Hoseok mumbled.

"It's so early in the morning why are all of you bickering?" The trio turned and the two boys gasped. There stood there friend, Kim Seokjin in formal clothes. He smiled smugly as he approached them. "I haven't seen you two in a couple of months." They bowed, forcing Aera to bow along with them.

"Long time no see, Commander!"The two said in sync. Aera looked up at the broad-shouldered man in awe.

"We're not at work come one guys loosen up." Jin said. The two straightened up and smiled.

"You've only turned 18 two years ago yet you now hold the highest position in the Hunter faction." Namjoon said. "What brings you here?"

"It got boring at head quarters so I thought I should take part time as a TA." Jin answered.

"Oh god if you're in our class I might as well jump into a pool of silver." Hoseok sighed.

"Why?" Aera asked.

"I don't think I can handle anymore of his lame jokes." Hoseok answered. Jin faked an expression of hurt as he placed a hand over his heart.

"My jokes are amazing!" Jin defended. Hoseok shook his head and looked him straight in the eye. Just as he was about to say something, the bell sounded. "Come on Young ones, Worldwide Handsome will be your class TA."

Hoseok groaned loudly while Namjoon sighed. They all began walking towards the classroom. Aera fiddled with the hem of her sweater as an uncomfortable feeling settled in her stomach. They reached their seat by the window and Aera let out a sigh.

"You okay?" Namjoon whispered. He took his usual seat beside her.

"I'm fine I just... don't feel comfortable." Aera whispered back. Before Namjoon could say anything else, the teacher walked in. The whole class went quiet, letting the uncomfortable feeling in Aera grow.

She looked out the window, hoping to ease the feeling. It had been a while since she had seen the view from her seat and she still found it beautiful. A hooded figure caught her attention. It moved around by the school gates and stopped. Despite the distance, she could feel the person's eyes on her.

Human.

Aera nearly jumped out of her seat at the sudden voice. She looked around trying to see if there was anyone looking at her. To add to her paranoia, there was no one. She looked back outside and saw that the figure was no longer there.

She felt the wound on her neck throb slightly. She let her fingers graze over the bandages trying to ease the slight pain.