Coming of Age

Chapter 5

Dan woke up in a completely black room with one window but no doors.

“Where the hell am I?” Dan asked out loud hoping someone would answer.

“In your mind. You’re dreaming, still asleep in my room,” Phil replied making Dan jump.

“Did you just insert yourself into my dream? Or am I willingly dreaming about you?”

“Well when you put it that way it sounds so invasive.”

“So you’re invading my mind?! Can you read my thoughts? Or know what I’m thinking?”

“Daniel! Calm down! No, I can’t. I can’t read your mind whether you’re asleep or awake, I can only project myself into your dreams. That’s it. No mind control at all,” Phil replied holding his hands up in mock surrender. “You were really worked up so I thought relaxing you would help, but I did it too much and now you’re asleep. But I’m here to answer any questions you might have.”

“I’ve been asking questions and everyone’s been telling me it’s not their place to tell me! Abraham, the fucking leader—thing—couldn’t tell me!”

“That’s because you are not his. But you are mine and I am yours, so I can answer anything you’d like me to.”

“I am yours? What the hell does that mean? Am I some sort of slave now?”

“No, of course not. You are my Daniel, and I am your Phil. We are mates, you and I. We look out for each other, protect each other, love each other. You’re always going to be safe with me, just like I’m always going to be safe with you.”

“What if I don’t want to be your mate?!” Dan screamed slamming his fists on the wall. “It’s not like I had much of a choice!”

“You did, Daniel, and on some level, you do. You retreated from Jillian’s touch but not mine. You shied away from Lilith and Abraham, but you’ve been comfortable with me. You cuddled into me before going to sleep. In fact, you’re hugging my leg right now; you are quite adorable. Even if it’s not on a conscious level yet, you chose me just as much as I chose you.”

“Is this going to be some messed up thing where I fall in love with my kidnappers? If you really love me like you say you do, you’ll take me back home.”

“I cannot do that. You won’t be safe.”

“I was safe enough before your little band cannibals came and snatched me. I’m sure I’ll—”

“Vampires. We’re vampires, not cannibals,” Phil interrupted calmly, not raising his voice in the slightest as Dan only got louder and louder.

“Oh my god, you guys are all fucking insane! Vampires aren’t fucking real! So what, you drink blood and call yourselves vampires? You’re not—you’re just mentally instable humans okay? You need professional help—”

“Daniel, if we were humans, how would we be able to do everything we’ve done? How would we be able to hold you like you weigh nothing or put you to sleep just by touching your forehead? How do you think we can move so quickly? Do you think it’s coincidence that we don’t have windows in the nest? Why do you think I’m so cold and my skin is pale grey? I’m not human, Daniel.”

“But you’re not—vampires aren’t real! There’s-there’s Dracula in the—that book, and the movies—but you! You’re not—you can’t be—”

“Wake up, Daniel. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack. Wake up. Wake up.”

***

 “Wake up, Daniel,” Phil whispered gently shaking Dan.