i'm back, baby

episode 6; the blood

I play games with you because I'm losing myself.

"Hey, you weren't answering my calls, are you okay, what happened with Madison?" Ethan showed up at Benny's house after many calls that were just sent to voicemail. He had a bloodwork appointment anyway.

"Uh, yeah everything was fine," Benny lied.

"Really? You don't seem too sure."

"Yeah. She headed out a little while ago but she should be back any second," Benny told him, heading for the door.

"Wait- you're not staying?"

"No way dude. You're on your own, I already have to live with her."

"But- come on! She's going to be taking my blood! that's- B please!" Ethan pleaded.

"What? Sorry, I cant hear you," Benny pretended he couldn't hear Ethan's begs. He opened the door with a slightly amused smirk on his face only to meet eyes with Madison. She stood on the other side of the door smiling.

"Awe, leaving so soon?"

Benny swallowed hard and looked back at Ethan giving him a quick, "have fun." He then shot past Madison and she rolled her eyes and shut the door behind him. "Ugh, what a geek."

She locked eyes with Ethan and began to grin again. "Who's ready to be my little blood bag for the next week?" she asked cheerfully.

Ethan stuttered out a jumble of responses and Madison chuckled, "I can hear your heart beating.  Just take a seat, you'll be fine."

In the blink of an eye and a small gust of wind, Ethan saw a chair in front of him. Madison cocked an eyebrow and motioned for him to sit. Ethan greatly hesitated. "May I remind you that I-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Ethan eagerly took a seat and gave her a thumbs up. "Atta boy."

Ten seconds later and almost magically- well, duh, magically- everything Madison needed to take Ethan's blood appeared.

"Wait, you're a vampire, how are you going to take my blood without, like, eating me?" Ethan questioned.

Madison squatted in front of him and began to ready the needle. "I'm not sure, but we'll find out."

Ethan let out a low squeal, struggling to hide his fright.

"I remember your fear of needles that one time I went with you to get your flu shot. I'm sorry it has to be this way," Madison told him. Ethan furrowed his eyebrows. "You remember that?" He wasn't going to ask again why she needed his blood.

Madison scoffed. "Jeez E, just cause I became a vampire doesn't mean I lost my memory."

"Well if anything, my trypanophobia has gotten even worse."

"Here, maybe I can help with that." Madison stared into Ethan's chocolatey eyes and he hesitated to look into hers. "Ethan just look at me, my eyes won't burn you."

"Y'know I really want to believe you-"

Madison grabbed Ethan's jaw and forced him to stare into her eyes. "You are no longer scared of needles, they don't hurt you." She then let go.

Ethan blinked a few times and looked even more confused than normal. "I-I'm sorry, what was the point of that?"

"You'll see. Are you ready for me to put the needle in? It's a big one, I'm not gonna lie."

Ethan winced. "Yeah just do it, oh god oh god oh god oh god. If I don't make it through this, tell Jane that I stole her $20 she got for Christmas."

"How is Jane anyway?" Madison asked. "I sure miss that little nugget. She's always got a good blackmail."