Lonely Boy (B×B)

Chapter 5 - Mushrooms

××Stormy××

I gritted back the anger at the horrid nickname and quickly spoke, "You can't follow me around forever."

"I'm immortal so I think I can," His smirk now showed off unnatural pointed teeth, much like my own but they were in a set of two on both sides. The ones in front being slightly smaller than the seconds. I knew he was only showing off or at least, proving his words.

"I am too. Have fun wasting your life." I countered. It was one of the perks that came with the vampire blood running naturally through my body. I may be only half but it was enough.

A small shocked expression invaded Nitons face and it was my turn to pull my mouth up in a smirk, happy to catch him off guard for once. It was nice to switch the game around.

With Fallow at my side, I started forward, pushing past Niton as I did so. He stepped away, watching me make the trek around and partially over the dead creature. It had turned an ashy grey color and it's blood had begun to evaporate into the air, creating a pungent smell.

I could feel his gaze on the back of my head as I kneeled down to the ground where I spotted a couple of mushrooms. There were bright glowing ones that weren't there the last time I visited so I kept my hands away from them but the short brown ones I knew were safe. And thankfully there were plenty. I didn't want to have to eat more of the sweet bread as a last resort.

"Why don't you help me out instead of just standing there? I'll share my mushrooms with you," I offered, knowing he wasn't going to leave so I decided I would at least be civil enough to feed the man.

"I don't need to eat," was his gruff reply. I rolled my eyes.

"First, you're immortal and now you don't need to eat. Sounds a lot like a demon to me." It was an absentminded joke that I hoped would lift some tension.

Silence was all that followed and I turned around quickly when I heard a loud thump. Niton was no longer standing at the end of the cave's mouth.

I looked down my mushroom filled hands and sighed. I scooted over on my knees, rubbing them uncomfortably against the rock ground and set them in a central area. I pushed the hair out of my eyes, feeling the sweat on my forehead.

The poison in my bloodstream from that creature's burn was taking on a stronger effect. I sat back, deciding to wait on making a fire. I needed to make sure my ankle wasn't going to fall off.

As I pulled up my pant leg, the distinct sound of feet hitting rock brought my head up. Niton stalked inside the cave, now walking towards me with arms full of sticks and a couple bigger pieces of wood.

As Niton set the wood down near my mushrooms, I reached into my bag and produced a pack of matches. The package was a little smushed from sitting near the bottom of my bag.

It was half empty and almost the entire side of the striking surface was rubbed off from continuous use. After setting up the wood, Niton snatched the little red box from my hands. He took a single match out and struck it against the side.

Surprisingly, it took flame after one try and needed no second attempt. I'd never had that happen before, at least not with that box. It was a cheap buy. Niton set it carefully and quickly into the kindling while I just watched, using the distraction.

A slight sting brought my eyes back down to my injured ankle. The skin was red but the bubbling had greatly decreased. I pulled my pant leg up more and noticed the veins near the wound were pronounced and dark blue, darker than they should be.

"Can I see?" Niton asked, sounding genuinely concerned. I glanced up and nodded silently, removing my hands from the area as he inched closer.

His black as night eyes examined the wound. I held my breath as he leaned forward.

I yelped when his hand came down on the injury with a slap. It brought the sting and burn back tenfold.

"That hurts!" My hands immediately went to his wrist, readying myself to pull it away.

I pried at his hand, pulling at his fingers in an attempt to make him stop. The pain only grew the longer he kept his hand pressed down. The more I tried to move him, the more he tightened his grip.

"Stop!" My voice was almost at a scream from the pain.

Then he let go. I felt immense relief from the action.

I pulled my leg back, clutching it to my body protectively. I glared at him, meeting his emotionless stare. I scooted back and when I felt I was far enough away, I leaned down to look at the injury. My hair fell down from where I had pushed it back and it had stuck with sweat.

It was gone. There was a faint pink area where the wound used to be but it was nothing like it was before. The dark veins looked to be slowly going down and changing color.

It was then that I noticed the pain had disappeared as well. The burning, the stinging, all of it was gone. My fear level finally evened out to nothing.

"Thank you," I whispered. When no reply came, I glanced up.

Niton was gone. I looked to Fallow who had his head down and was staring out the cave entrance, to the nighttime sky. Possibly seeing things that I could not.

I sighed, stood and finished picking the mushrooms from the mossy ground. I had enough for today, tomorrow morning and possibly lunch. That was good for me.

I fixed up a makeshift spot to set them over the fire and placed them around the contraption. They roasted evenly, turning a darker brown color. The overtook the dying creature smell easily, allowing me to breathe without grimacing.

I divided them up and set Fallow's share down near where he had his head laid. I brought my own over to the side of the wall, sliding down the side to rest. I watched as Fallow peeked his eyes open at the smell of food near his face. They lit up in excitement and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Niton may have healed me but I was still exhausted. Fallow propped his head up and began eating so I did as well. I would sleep after this and hopefully get an early start tomorrow.

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Aaaaa
Pretend picture is leg