Don't touch them.

Chapter 8

   Blood. Real blood. It tastes so good after so long. My throat's so sore I can only take little sips at a time, but it feels so good in my stomach. So much more satisfying that regular human food.
Sandra heated it up a bit in the microwave in a mug while Heather dished up bowls of chilli. Now everyone's quietly eating in the living room, enjoying the quiet. When everyone else is done, I'm only half way through. It makes me anxious. Embarrassed even. But my throats too damaged to drink it any faster.
   "Is it good? Not too hot?" Sandra asks.    "I've never made blood before. Blood pudding, sure! But not regular blood." She laughs.
   "It's amazing thank you." I take another drink.
   "I can see the color coming back to your face a little." Heather comments, turning on the television. "You guys want to watch a scary movie? How about The Autopsy of Jane Doe?" She asks.
   "I love that one! Oh, Dain your gonna love this. It's about a coroner and his son and this witch they have to autopsy." Anna is extremely charismatic. How is Sam so chill? I'm glad he is anyway. He takes the plates from his mothers and sister and takes them to the kitchen before coming back to sit beside me on the couch. Heather pushes play, and Sandra flicks the light switch behind her chair, engulfing us in the dark. The only light is from the tv, and it's dim to set the mood for the movie.
   Aspen lays down at my feet, also watching. I carefully pull my legs up under me in a more... Secure feeling position. My aches and pains start to fade. Just barely. A side affect of both the blood, and being close to my mate. Halfway through the movie, Heather pauses it. I've finally finished my blood, and I'm more full than I have been in a long, long time. I still feel awkward, being here. Them taking care of me. I can take care of myself, and I feel bad that they are. I think I feel worse for enjoying their coddling...
   I stand up, my legs a little wbbky from sitting on them so long, but limp to the kitchen. Aspen follows. I rinse my mug in the sink and Sandra comes in, pulling out a big, chocolate and strawberry cheesecake already cut up.
   She quickly, professionaly dishes it out, handing me the first large slice. Then another to Heather, then to the kids. I follow Sam back to the living room, to the couch. Where he sits just a little bit closer than before. Where we enjoy the rich, sweet cheesecake. If it tastes rich to me, I can't immagine how it must taste to them. How can they finish a whole slice?
   I'm sucking on a bit of cheesecake, to scared to swallow a whole bite, when there's a jump scare. Sandra and I flinch, but it's not that big of a deal. Heather doesn't react at all. Anna jumps. But Sam-
   Sam nearly jumps out of his skin, landing partially on top of me. I whimper as he hits a particularly bruised area of my side and ribs. He quickly jumps from the couch, looking mortified as I grab my side, wincing.
   "I am so sorry! Are you okay?! Do you need an ice pack?!" He asks frantically. I scoff softy, making my chest ache. I don't think he heard though, as his panic seems to get worse.
   "I'm fine, it's fine." I rasp. He doesn't look convinced. I pat the couch beside me. He hesitates a few moments before slowly, cautiously sitting beside me. Wow, he's really... Careful. Caring? I lean forward and wrap my arms around him, pulling him into my side. He stares, wide eyed for a moment before he grins. I struggle to keep a straight face. His smile is contagious.
   I'm suddenly aware of the attention of everyone else. I don't let go though, and I keep my facial expression hard as I look to the television. A few moments later, Heather pushes play. Sam realeases a breath, slowly relaxing into my side. I slowly start to relax as well. I know he can tell, just by the glances he shoots my way when he thinks I'm not looking. He can probably feel my muscles softening from his position. He seems pleased with himself.
   When the movie ends, Heather turns off the tv, and Sandra rushes to turn on the lights. She stands quickly, looking slightly awmward as she straightens her flannel and goes to stand by Heather, who looks lovingly at her nervous wife, who's easily twice her size.
   "It's bed time." She says. Sandra digs an extra toothbrush out of the cabinet at the end of the hall. I take care of my toiletries and head to the guest room where I slip into some sweats and a long sleeved shirt. It makes me feel more secure I guess.
   I tell everyone goodnight, and Sandra and Heather insist on hugs. I'm hesitant at first, but they don't give me a choice as they wrap their arms around me. They do so gently, careful of my injuries. Sam looks like he wants to hug or pat my back, but awkwardly shakes my hand? Then rushes off to his bedroom with a quick goodnight and a red face. Anna, enthusiastic as ever, yells goodnight from the bathroom, where she's brushing her teeth.
   I wave a bit as I pass. She smiles, but looks unsure. I need to stop scowling all the time. I'm gonna scare someone one day.

   I wake up in the middle of the night to a few odd things. One, I'm warm and comfortable. The bed is soft, and warm
...and soft... Two, it's not my room. It's not musty and dirty. It's clean. And I can keep it clean without the fear of mom trashing it.
   Three, there's a small boy at the foot of my bed.
   There's quiet talking in the other room, but I'm more concerned about the confused looking red head at the foot of my bed. He can't be any older than three or four. He looks kind of lost...
   "Who you?" He asks sleepily.
   "I'm Dain." Aspen sits up beside me, looking around franticaly for a moment before remembering where we are, and focusing on the small boy in front of us.
   "I'm Endellion..." He yawns, climbing into the bed between Aspen and I. "I had a bad sleep." His eyes well with tears. Aspen whines, confused, but I just shrug and lie back down.
   "It's okay. I'll protect you..." He's tired, we're tired, and... He's snuggling up to me, crying. I know I said it was warm, but now... It's too warm.
   I yawn as I slip off my shirt, but pull the blanket over the three of us. I wrap my arm around Endellion. He quickly calms down. And soon we're all drifting off again.