Mind Games

Haters or Traitors?

I open my bleary eyes to find myself in another room, set in a plush chair. My throat aches really badly.

“Hey, sleeping beauty.”

I turn my head towards the voice. A soft creaking sound slips past my lips as I register a severe pain from the nape of my neck that wraps around my collar bone. 

“Don’t move, Marlene.” Mark instructs gently, placing his hand on my shoulder. 

Something smells so good... thirsty...

Mark lets out a slight yelp. I jerk back with a shocked gasp. The sound quickly changes to a pained moan as my neck muscles protest.

“I should’ve expected that.” Mark mutters, rubbing the bleeding spots on his hand. “You’re thirsty. Here.” 

Mark holds his arm out to me, glove off and sleeve rolled to the elbow. I look at his wrist, then up at him.

“No... Can’t... Hurt you...” I creak out. 

“Losing a little bit of blood isn’t going to hurt me.” Mark chuckles. “But the whole loyalty thing is cute. Go on, you need it. The faster you’re on your feet, the faster we can win this.”

I stare at him for a moment, then take hold of his arm. My arms aren’t aching, so I can bring his wrist closer to my mouth without paining myself. The smell is intoxicating; addictive, even. Instinctively, my tongue flickers out and tests the skin. I’m almost disgusted at my own actions, but it helped me pinpoint the perfect place to bite. I dig my fangs into Mark’s wrist. The skin rips easily; blood gushes into my mouth. I suck on the wound, gulping the red liquid greedily. It tastes like metal; salty and bittersweet. It’s so good... 

I force myself to stop, to drag my lips away. The crimson droplets continue to spill from the gashes. I can’t help lapping at them greedily. 

“Take it easy, Marlene.” Mark says. “We’ve got six ex-teammates and four trapped victims. You won’t starve.”

I look up at Mark, feeling my throat and neck heal entirely. 

“Ten?” I ask softly.

“Well, there are a few vampire-ghoul-monster buddies of ours who’re pretty hungry themselves.” Mark admits. “Two of ‘em. They can split the victims; we can have three ‘heroes’."

I lick my lips, nodding eagerly. I stand up and touch my neck, feeling the smooth flesh where there was once aching nerves and jagged gashes. 

“Do the others know we’re the traitors?” 

“I don’t think so.” Mark says. “I think the minions are keeping them from getting back together so far.”

“Idea~” I coo. “You and I are both desirable, high-class figures, no? So there’s always a chance we can distract the others.”

“In a situation like this?” Mark asks.

“Desperate people do desperate things.” I answer. “Especially if they think it’s their last night alive. I mean, you do remember the original Eyes ghost, Mark?”

Mark gives a soft sigh at the memory.

“My beautiful princess, what did they do to you?” he asks rhetorically. Mark then bounces back with his usual grin. “You are a devious woman and I’m proud to call you my partner.”

“Mayor Fischbach, I may disappear into my collar!” I giggle. Mark laughs along with me. 

“So, how do we go about this?”