Frightful Reunion

Ch8

You don't really remember much of the drive home. Jerry had been trying to explain something about a ... bonding process? At least, that's what he called it. It was really foggy, but you swear he was attempting to explain what he had been doing to you; why it had taken so long; why you haven't completely turned yet.

No matter how hard you try to concentrate on his words, your mind keeps drifting in and out of some warm, sleepy disorientated state. Although, you almost prefer the foggy state. For some reason, every time your mind seems to clear up you feel sharp pains throughout your body.

Jerry's hand never leaves yours, seeming genuinely concerned as he attempts to provide some sort of comfort through your pain. He seems to understand what's causing it, and through the muffled fog you gather that he's assuring you everything will be okay soon.

Before you can even register the absence of his touch, your door is open, and Jerry is carrying you up to his bedroom, where he gently places you on the bed before rushing back out. He returns only seconds later with a glass of the familiar red liquid.

Carefully, as though he's scared to break you, he sits on the bed and pulls you up beside him where he can help hold you steady. You feel the cold glass in your hand as he tries to help you drink, but you turn your head in refusal.

"Please..." He pleads.

His voice sounds sincere, and you can't help but to trust that he's trying to help you. The fog seems to be fading again, and before the pain can start, you quickly take several long gulps from the glass. Jerry breathes a sigh of relief, but gestures for you to finish the glass.

Once it's empty, you find yourself slowly coming back to your senses.

You drag your thumb across the side of your lip and pull it back to see the small amount of red liquid you wiped away. A sick feeling washes over as your stomach sinks; you remembered this taste, and you remembered what Jerry is.

He takes the glass from you to set it on the bed side table, but when he turns back to face you, you can't help but to flinch away.

"Hey." He whispers, attempting again, more slowly this time, to reach out to you. "I would never hurt you."

His fingers brush lightly along your cheek, and when you don't pull away, he lightly tilts your head up, forcing you to look at him.

"Why are you doing this?" You mutter, your voice barely above a whisper. "Why me?"

Jerry seems to crumple, his eyes searching yours as his shoulders deflate. "I never wanted you to be afraid of me. Not you." He pulls you closer, nuzzling into your neck, and your arms reflexively move around him. Without waiting for you to change your mind, he tightens his grip around your waist, hugging you desperately. "I made you forget the painful parts, hoping it would help you see. I wanted you to know I would never hurt you."

"But why me?" You repeat your question, but this time it comes out more curious than scared.

He pulls back a bit so that he can see you, his mood seeming to have been somewhat uplifted when you didn't reject his affections. "I tried explaining in the truck, but..." He pauses briefly, again searching your eyes as though he was scared to tell you. "Do you believe in soul mates?"

Furrowing your brows slightly, you tilt you head in question. "Soul mates?"

Pursing his lips, he gives a curt nod in response.

"I mean, I like the idea I guess." You shrug. "But I'm not sure how people really know... Why?..."

With a sigh, he seems to muster whatever courage he needed, and clears his throat for an explanation. "Well, we- ... um..." He clears his throat again. "Vampires... We um, we DO know."