The Bloody Rose

Chapter Eight

Even after feeding, I couldn't shake the feeling of agitation. I had no idea why but I was feeling so… so irritable today. I sat outside in a cocoon chair, trying to read with Rhys next to me. 

He sighed, "Come on. I've had enough."

He pulled me back inside against my will, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," he smirked. I grumbled the whole way to town centre.

"Okay… what are we doing here?" I asked him, looking around.

"We're here to skate," he pulled me towards the rink. He checked out two pairs of skates and put them on. 

"I still don't see why we're here," I muttered.

"Does there have to be a reason?" he asked and pushed me onto the ice, "We're just here to have fun."

"You're lucky I can skate!" I growled as he urged me further into the middle. 

"I didn't have a doubt in my mind that you couldn't," he laughed. We skated around and around the rink for ages until finally we decided to go before the sun rose too high. We walked back at a moderate speed just enjoying the peacefulness. "I told you you'd have fun," Rhys nudged me.

"Yeah yeah," I sighed and patted his shoulder, "You were right."

He smiled smugly.

"Don't let it go to your head," I joked, "I'll meet you in the dining hall in a bit. I'm going to check on Alexis first."

"Okay," he went in the direction of the dining hall while I went up stairs. 

"Alexis?" I knocked on her door before twisting the doorknob. I heard the tap in the bathroom running. "Alexis?"

I rounded the corner towards the bathroom.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed. Alexis was leaning over the sink, blood pouring out of her nose.

"It's okay," she mumbled hoarsely, "it's just a nosebleed."

"I don't know much about human illnesses but I'm pretty sure that that much blood shouldn't be coming out." I said as I grabbed a few towels and pressed them to her nose. I took her arm and led her back out to the main room. "Sit." I pointed at the bed. She sat down and leant forward, gagging. I pulled down the icon menu and looked for something on nosebleeds. I read through as quick as I could and left it open as I rushed to the kitchen. "Ice," I muttered under my breath. I rummaged through the freezer but all I could find were a bag on frozen vegetables. I came out to Alexis and handed it to her. She slipped it onto the back of her neck and leant forward. She coughed into the towel in her other hand and spat into it. When she pulled her hand away the blood was clotted there. That was all it took. "I'm going to get Gwen." I stood up and rushed out. Gwen was in her room when I knocked.

"Destiny what happened?" she exclaimed as she looked me over. I was covered in blood.

"Not my blood," I said, "Alexis."

Her eyes widened. She followed me all the way to Alexis's room. Gwen sighed as she knelt down beside Alexis. 

"Lean forward and pinch the bridge of your nose," she instructed. Alexis did as she was told. I looked down at myself and went to the bathroom to try to get some of the blood off me. I washed it off and then grabbed a towel. I wet it with warm water and brought it back out to clean up Alexis a bit. Gwen had her lie down on the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Alexis replied, "and my tummy hurts."

"That's probably because of the amount of blood you've lost." she said. "You'll feel sick from the blood you've probably swallowed."

We waited a little longer then Gwen leant forward again.

"Let's see now," she pulled the towel away. The bleeding had finally stopped. "Okay," she took the wet towel from me and used it to wipe the dried blood from Alexis's face. Gwen then pulled down her icon menu and laid her hand flat. A bag of blood appeared and she placed it on the bedside table. Then a needle and tube turned up. She placed the bag of blood hanging on the bed post and attached the needle. "One pint."

Alexis nodded. Gwen took her arm and slipped the needle in. 

"I'll be back in ten minutes. Okay?" she stood up.

"'Kay," Alexis nodded wearily. Gwen beckoned me to follow her outside.

"Is she going to be okay?" I asked.

"She'll be fine," she nodded. "This is normal for someone in her condition."

"Will she be fine for school tomorrow?" I wondered.

"Yeah," she ran a hand through the ends of her hair, "Just let her rest and she'll be fine tomorrow."

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem," she smiled. "I don't want her missing school so I'll wait until the weekend until I run some tests."

I hesitated. "Tests?"

"Don't worry. It's the same as anything she's had before," she sighed, "Just see if you can get in contact with Theodore."

"I will," I nodded and we went back into Alexis's room. We stayed there until the whole bag was done.

"Make sure you get some rest," Gwen said to her. She nodded sleepily. Gwen left and I sat down with Alexis.

"Thanks," she murmured.

"I didn't do anything," I said.

She shrugged.

"Sleep," I stood up, "I'll see you in the morning."

"Night," she whispered.

"Night," I carefully close the door and went back to my room. On the way I bumped into Rhys.

"Hey where have you been? Oh my… is that your blood?" he asked.

"Sorry," I mumbled, "It's not my blood."

"Who's then…" he trailed off.

"Alexis," I pushed open the door to my room.

"Oh is she alright?" a frown crossed his face.

"Yeah," I nodded, "she's fine."

"Phew. Thank God," he sighed.

"I know," I muttered and grabbed a nightgown. "I'm gonna shower."

After a nice shower I came out and talked a bit with Rhys before he left to go to bed. I yawned and hopped into bed with a book. I don't know how long I was reading for but eventually I fell asleep. The next morning I got ready and took Alexis to school. Sydney wasn't there today. I felt kind of relieved. At least Alexis didn't notice. She hung around with Jamie during the breaks and as far as I was concerned she was following along okay in class.  I hoped the rest of the month would stay this way. Knowing my luck, it wouldn't.