Love Bites

Make or Break

The off-white walls and insipid green floor of the stark hospital corridor was enough to make even Cal sick. Tasha's grandparents sat huddled on grey plastic chairs, clinging desperately to one another as though the chairs may buck and throw them off at any moment. Cal imagined how they were feeling, with Tasha's parents no longer being around they had already tasted heartache and now this. Cal knew he was feeling worse, vampires felt emotions so much stronger than humans but this, this felt a million times worse.

Every time a doctor appeared from behind the double doors they'd been asked to wait by Cal's stomach flipped; Tasha's grandparents sat up expectantly. Yet each time they were disappointed as the doctor bustled past them without so much as a glance in their direction. Cal was trying to maintain his composure, the smell of so much blood was overwhelming and he hadn't fed since yesterday but he couldn't lose control. He wouldn't lose control.

When a small balding doctor swept through the double doors the ritual of expectation started again but this time it stuck. 

"Mr and Mrs Alzenas?" Martha and Charlie jumped up and Cal spun round.

"Yes."

"Natasha is stable," he began and Cal felt the weight he'd been carrying lift a little. "We had to give her a blood transfusion. I'm not going to lie, it was touch and go for a while but we managed to stabalise her. You can come through and see her now." The doctor smiled his well practiced smile and with a pat to Martha's arm he left, obviously a busy man.

Charlie and Martha started forward, pushing the doors open but Cal hung back, unsure of the reception he may receive.

"Cal," Charlie stopped and beckoned him forward. "You saved her life lad. You're not stopping out here."

Tasha's room was the same off-white that the corridors were, though the curtains and the floor tiles were lemon drop yellow, an injection of brightness which did not sit right. Tasha lay in the bed, her hair a dark splash against the crisp white sheets. Her skin was paper white and Cal suddenly noticed  how frail she looked. Two small prongs attached to a long tube carrying oxygen rested just below her nose. A drip of clear fluid connected to her arm and disappeared behind a swath of bandages. Beside her a monitor beeped in sync with her heart. Cal felt guilt and pain squeeze his own heart with each beat.

Charlie and Martha rushed forward, taking Tasha's hand. Her eyes fluttered open and rested on Cal momentarily before moving to her grandparents.

"Hey," she croaked weakly, managing to pull the corner of lips up into a small smile.

"Oh Tasha!" Martha sobbed. "We though we'd..." she stopped and buried her face in her hands. Charlie patted her shoulder gently with one hand whilst mopping his own face with the other.

"I'm so sorry," Tasha whispered. "I just..."

"It's done with," Charlie said, stiffening his back. "Let's just concentrate on getting you better and getting you home, hey?" Tasha nodded gratefully, tears spilling onto her cheeks. "Come on Martha let's get a cup of tea. Do you want one Cal?" Charlie asked pulling Martha to her feet.

"A coffee would be great," Cal lied.

As the door shut behind them Cal suddenly felt nervous and he turned to the window.

"Cal," Tasha coughed after a long moments silence, making Cal turn and lift his eyes to hers.

"Oh God Tasha! I'm so, so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen," he rambled taking her hand which was as cold to the touch as his own. "Nothing has ever happened between Cassandra and me, I swear. She works for my family. I'm not interested in her at all. In fact I pretty much detest the woman." he stopped and looked deep into her eyes. "I love you."