A Full Moon

-Chapter 4- Averie: 2B Jasmine Suites

I blinked, a swoosh of air, and Caleb's calloused hand was holding mine. Super Speed. He was still carrying my dog, Biscuit, in his other arm. While I'm at it, I pulled into him for a one-sided hug. I could feel his taut muscles. It may not look like it because Caleb has a slim physique, but he sure is tough.

I moved to give him a quick peck on his lips but he coaxed me for a deep kiss. With his hand at the small of my back, I could not help but embrace him. We kissed slowly. Unspoken words hung between breaths. Losing ourselves to the passion, we moved ever closer toward each other. Till a pained whimper started at our chests. I forgot Biscuit was still in Caleb's arms.

I pulled away and looked at those intense gray eyes. Then we laughed together, the bubbly sound erasing away all worry I carried onto these past few days.

"I know you want answers but please, eat first." I said to him.

He nodded as he let me go. He turned and crouched to release Biscuit and she happily ran away, sniffing out at the corners. I sauntered to the kitchen tables where a finished salad is laid on a bowl.

"I made salad for you, Babe. Lettuce, tomato, walnuts, Plasma Fruit, and all in plasma fruit vinaigrette. No onions or garlic." Being a foodie like me, I had to make something not only appealing but also satisfying to him. I hoped I made it right. I'm not good at cooking, unless frying fries and chips is considered one.

"Anything you have is good, my love." He replied, as if reading my mind.

But strangely enough, Caleb is a good cook. Most vampires I know don't care about food. But Caleb... his love for food is something he never let go. His foodie blog on Plasma Fruit recipes paved the revolution for the many uses of the fruit, from tea to salads.

It made me rethink my decision to make this Plasma Salad. It's one of his first recipes... I have been following him on Simstagram before I personally met him. After my short stint as a mixologist a year ago, I moved to work as an art and food critic for the San Myshuno Times. Of course, the stuff I write about is stuff the masses like. And Caleb's about the high-end foods the snobby rich people like. So that's how we met, critics for the local paper. And as they say, the rest is history.

The pay was not enough, though. I only get paid as per article or project. I left being a critic to join the regular workforce. Being a scientist has been my dream, so I grabbed the chance when a position in FutureSim Labs opened.

But Caleb didn't need money, having lived for so long. He's still one of the sought after food critics. People eat whatever he says. Humans trust his amped vampiric taste buds and vampires long for more of his Plasma Fruit gourmet infusions.

So he simply could not 'disappear'. He's way too popular not to be noticed. I knew his password in his work account. He may be famous, but I'm the better writer. I wrote articles for him when he was gone, hoping that I copied his writing style enough to convince his followers. I didn't feel a tinge of guilt at all. I spared him a side glance, wondering if he can read through my secrecy.

I saw him at the center of my place. This flat is not big. It's already the living room after the door. He took a look at the worn-out red sofa. The small flat screen TV and the old coffee table it perched upon. Stacks of old magazines at the side. It seems like Caleb had just discovered this place and is taking it all in.

Most of the furnishings here are from the flea market, an event of the Spice Market. And since I live here, I get the best deals. This stuff maybe secondhand, like that old Persian rug on the floor or this brown mixology bar... but they still looked good.

He smiled at my City Poster collection posted at the chipping gray walls. He eyed with excitement at my Snow Globe collection at the shelves. Curiosity filled his expression upon looking at the Crystals by the coffee table. Caleb has a high taste for art but he still found my stuff impressive. And the way he was so impeccably dressed here made him look out of place.

"Don't you remember you've hosted a lot of parties here before?" I said as I carried the salad bowl, sauntering to the old mixology bar. My place is too small for tables and chairs.

"Quite lovely. But perhaps not of my own interests." He smiled politely at me. We understood each other. And we have respect to support our hobbies. He once gifted me with a rare Age of the Dinosaur snow globe. Not that he could remember it, however.

I placed two salad bowls on the bar and sat on the stool. There's a quick movement of wind that sent some strands of my hair flying. Then Caleb was seated next to me on the other stool.

"Dig in." I gestured to his salad. I observed him eat, with all the finesse I could not expect of a rabid vampire. But then again, Caleb was always in tune with the human lifestyle. He glanced at me, eyebrows raised.

That's my signal to eat my plate, too. I looked at the glowing pink salad. It almost looks like alien food. And when I took my first bite... my foodie personality disagrees. It's too sour, like a combination of berries were tossed in. I cringed and looked sideways at Caleb. If I didn't like it...

"Not up to standard. But satisfying." He humbly said. I was sure it was hell for him, having to magnify the sourness a hundredfold. "Here let me have your bowl, too." He added, hands outstretched.

"I think there's leftover Siopao in the fridge," I said as I passed him my bowl. I walked towards our small kitchen and opened our black fridge. Nope, this one was bought brand new. Food is something I care about. True enough, there are two more siopao buns on the shelves. I bought them earlier outside. Now this, even Caleb will totally rave about. It's because of me that he has been trying street food stalls recently. That guy didn't know what he has been missing.

I glanced at him over my shoulder. And found him looking passionately at me. Had he been following my movements?

Suddenly conscious, I averted my eyes and pretended to carefully put the siopao buns in the microwave. I watched it light up and rotate inside. And after the beep, I pulled it out and walked back to the bar, aware of Caleb's eyes on me the whole time.

We ate in silence, Caleb occasionally looking at me and at my simple apartment. Biscuit sometimes begged us for food. Caleb happily obliged her, taking a piece of my siopao and spoon feeding her with his hands.

"I think you have to sit this through..." I hesitantly tell him.

Caleb, lying on the floor, his eyes look upward. And he gasps for breath as his eyes close.

"Hey, my love?" Caleb called me out of my memories, concern and horror in his eyes.

"I was scared, Caleb, Lilith told me hibernation is indefinite. It can be a few hours to hundreds of years." I couldn't imagine how relieved I was when Caleb woke up. I kept on thinking what if... it might take years before I see him again. I felt lost.

He must've sensed my fear for he mirrored it in his face. "I think you should also sit through this, my love."

He carried me from the barstool and super sped to the worn out red sofa. Caleb tenderly placed me on it and sat beside me, his left arm locked in a protective embrace. I leaned on his chest and I felt him kiss my temple.

"Shhhh... it's going to be okay." He said. He rocked me with all the gentleness he could muster until I calmed down.

I slowed down my breathing and I got a hold of my myself. I didn't know if I could tell him tonight. I was not ready to relive that horrible night of gore and hate. But Caleb deserved to know... for he saved my life.

Caleb looked at my mixology bar and he said, "Will a drink help you calm your nerves? I can make your favorite drink, Zebra Fizz, it won't be as good as Lilith's..."

And then I pulled him to my lips. I kissed him fiercely, never wanting to let go of him. And he seemed to know, for he took the lead and he embraced me tightly, like he was afraid of losing me, as well.

I rested my head on his shoulder after. Looking at his eyes, I noticed that it was not the usual bright gray. Now, it's more like dusty gray, and some of his skin is flaking at the cheeks. Caleb looked unhealthy. 

Without a second thought, I lifted my right arm, offering him my wrist. He looked at me intently, understanding in his eyes. Caleb's head turned upward. His body stiffened as if he's drawing energy from within. Tendrils of black smoke suddenly covered his body. The purple nerves around his eyes protrude as his eyes dilate. Spider veins appeared at the side of his mouth. His fangs elongated and then he turned to look at me. I am not scared of his Dark Form, the true Caleb. 

I nodded at him and he gently lifted my wrist to his mouth. I winced from the sting of his fangs. And the moment he sucked out my blood and he tasted it, a jolt of electricity hit us. A human contact. Blood as the bridge. A bond. The difference between a willing loved one and a prey victim. I felt my blood flow to him. After a few sips, he looked at me with sharpness in his eyes. I see shock, worry, clarity, then understanding. And then I knew, I didn't need to say anything, for Caleb already remembered.