Authors: E.M. Lathrop
“Miche-”
It all happened so quickly that I didn’t see it. The stranger disappears. Instantaneously I feel a yank as my phone leaves my hand. Then the stranger reappears back in the same spot holding my phone. The screen is facing me glowing as he holds it up in one hand. He shakes his head at me as if reprimanding a child before crushing it in one single squeeze of strength that no real human possesses. My phone crumbles sprinkling to the ground like glitter.
“What are you?
My voice is still a whisper as I ask the question. He smiles once again. Unnaturally he cocks his head to the side as he analyzes me. My body fills with adrenaline. My muscles tighten. He lets out a laugh.
“You really don’t know do you?” He hisses.
“You’re… a vampire.” I say.
Disbelief is in my voice but I know I am right. All the signs were there the night I was attacked. Now all the signs stare at me as I freeze in place. Here in front of me is a vampire. Slowly he claps his hands together applauding my correct answer.
“Very good.” The words slither from his mouth. “I can only imagine you came to that conclusion on your own which leads me to believe you don’t know what your Indian is. Tsk, tsk, tsk. He should have told you. You should be dead. My maker should have killed you. No matter, I can finish the job. It is the least I can do to avenge his death.”
He brushes his hands together removing whatever particles of my phone that are left from his skin. He looks at me. His face fills with satisfaction as he prematurely basks in his own victory over me or perhaps it’s a victory over Ty. I brace for the impact. My fists are balled up beside me.
If I can hit him maybe I can buy myself time to run away.
I didn’t need to react as I heard an engine revving to life from a not so distant spot. Racing towards us is a car with its lights off. I watch as the black vehicle pummels into the stranger. He flies straight up into the air landing on his feet with cat like reflexes. He hisses his disgust at the car. The car in return spins around as quickly as it can heading back towards the unnatural creature. The vampire gives me one more longing look. Behind his red eyes is defeat mixed with determination. It is in that moment I know I will unwillingly see him again.
The car drives back at him and the vampire races off. The unknown vehicle speeds off in pursuit of the blur moving off in the distance and I am left standing alone in the dark unable to move. Fear has a hold of me. A few minutes pass before I budge. This time I run. I am going to get out of the darkness as quickly as my body can carry me.
As soon as I enter the main lobby, I see Michelle burst open the door to the stairwell. Her face fills with panic as she runs. She halts when she sees me and I see her body lax in relief after laying eyes on me. She walks up to me and gives me a hug.
“I was worried about you.”
I didn’t know how to respond. I knew the only reason she was worried was because she wasn’t there the time I was attacked. Thoughts begin swirling through my head. I didn’t know what to tell her. For some reason, I knew I couldn’t tell her what really happened. How would she believe me? I am still in denial even with the facts staring me right in the face. All I can do is hug her back.
“Sorry.” I reply. “I dropped my phone and broke it.”
She pulls away holding me at arm’s length so she can look over me. I try to wipe the fear from my face and the panic from my eyes. I obviously am not doing a good job of it as Michelle begins asking more questions.
“Are you sure you’re ok? You look like you have seen a ghost. Who was the guy I heard on the phone before it cut out? He sounded unsafe. That’s why I was running to you.”
“Yea I am fine.” I try harder to hide the fear. “The guy was just someone walking by. Besides, what were you going to do all be yourself if I really was being attacked?”
I try to make light of the situation even though I am shaken to the core. At least in the dark alley I did not have time to think. This is different. This vampire savors each moment drawing it out to an intense agony. In a way I should be thankful. If he didn’t take his time then maybe the car would not have gotten there in time. I have no idea who the person was who rescued me. It is a mystery. Everything is a mystery to me. I give Michelle one more hug and we walk up to the room. As soon as the door opens I am throwing off clothes to go hop in the shower. I need some time to myself and my little water filled fortress of solitude is the only place I can think of.
I close out the rest of the world as I draw the shower curtain. I close my eyes. The water trickles down my body lapping me in warmth everywhere it touches. Tonight’s events come crashing to the forefront of my mind. I steady my heart as I remember I am safe here. I am safe in this space. Are vampires truly real? My mind is having a hard time wrapping around the concept. Yet the proof is piling up. What did he mean about Ty? Is Ty a vampire too? He could not be a vampire. He comes out during the day. Not just that, but his body is so warm. Every time he touches me, I notice how warm he is. What is he?
I want to call him. I want to confide in him, but I cannot. My phone is smashed. I do not know his number by heart neither did I have it written down. It has become the curse of cell phones. You have them on you at all times and the numbers are all programmed. You don’t need to memorize or write down numbers any more. Maybe Michelle has his number. My mind wonders back to the night I was attacked. Everything is still a haze. Just then I remember what he told Andrew. Andrew and Michelle should definitely have his number. I need to call him. I take my time in the shower. The effect of the warm water is soothing. I feel myself relax. I hop out of the shower and wrap in my towel. I walk into the room.
“Do you have Ty’s number?” I ask Michelle. “I need to talk to him.”
“No.” She replies looking apologetic. “I accidentally didn’t save it.”
I can tell she is still worried. I give her a smile to try and ease the situation but I am exhausted. Life as I know it has been altered. No longer can I see the world in the perspective I was raised to because that one is not entirely real. Not only that, but there is a crazy psycho after me and the only one with answers cannot be reached.
“I’m sorry.” Michelle replies. “Are you sure you’re ok?”
“Yes.” I reply. “Could you text Andrew and ask if he has it?”
“Sure.”
She sends a text to Andrew as I walk over to my closet and pull out comfy clothes to sleep in. My mind is a muddled mess of worries and questions that still need to be sorted through. First problem is the vampire who wants me dead. If I learned anything from all the vampire stories it is that they cannot enter your house unless invited. Does that include dorms? It has to. Otherwise he would have just come in and attacked me. Hopefully it includes the whole dorm and not just my room. Am I safe tomorrow? According to legend, they can only come out at night. I am going to give this one the benefit of the doubt and say that I will be safe tomorrow during the day. I walk into the bathroom to brush my teeth and comb my hair. Also, I am going to have to go get a new phone at some point. My mother will begin to worry. I become annoyed at the fact that I will have to tell my parent’s about the phone and ask for money. Asking for money from my parents is like pulling teeth. They have it but they think it shows that I am irresponsible when I ask. No doubt they are going to lecture me. I roll my eyes as I think about the long talk I will get when the whole thing is entirely not my fault. I finish in the bathroom and head out into the room.
“Andrew hasn’t responded yet.” Michelle looks at me apologetically.
“Thank you for trying.”
“Are you sure you are ok?”
“Yes.” I reply forcing a smile. “I’m just tired from studying. I should be better after the biology test tomorrow morning.”
The answer pacifies Michelle. I turn off the light and hop into bed. I would have felt better if I could talk to Ty, but it will have to wait until tomorrow after class. I did not even know how to approach the subject. Either way, I have a test before I see him. I need to get some sleep before then. I close my eyes forcing out scary thoughts as I try to go over my notes in my mind.
I walk into soccer and volleyball class in a daze.
I barely slept at all last night. I kept tossing and turning. Not only that, but my dreams were plagued by images of vampires attacking me. I was at their mercy all night as I jerked awake then tried to go back to sleep. I didn’t even want to think about how my test went. I studied so much that I knew I passed but that unattainable A seems even more unattainable now. The only thing saving me from skipping my volleyball class is the large latte in my hand. I got out of the test fifteen minutes early giving me time for a pick-me-up. The coffee probably was not the best idea to get before exercise but I needed it to get through the class. It was my source of energy and source of courage to do what I know needed to be done. I was resolute in my decision. I needed to talk to Ty.
I watch the door as student after student enters. Each time my hopes would lift as I see the door open. Then they drop when someone other than Ty appears. Michelle came in with a smile waving to me. I give her a smile back with the simple act causing me to be all too aware of the fatigue in my eyes.
“You look horrible.” Michelle comments.
“Thanks.” I respond.
“How did your test go?”
“It went ok.” I reply. “I know I passed but I am pretty sure I didn’t get the A I was hoping for.”
“Yea, you didn’t seem to be sleeping well last night. You kept tossing and turning as you mumbled stuff.”
“What did I mumble?”
“I couldn’t hear. It was too inaudible.”
Michelle gives a shrug then turns her attention to the other students. I am happy that she could not hear my night time ramblings. I didn’t want to spout off things about vampires in my sleep. I have concluded that the less Michelle knows the better. I watch hopefully as the students file into the gym, but my heart falls as the last person to enter is the teacher. Ty is not in class today. I am at my first low in college. I am tired. I was attacked yesterday, and the only person who can bring light to all of it is not here. I have no way of reaching him. I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of going through another night with unanswered questions and the fear of an attacker running through my mind.
I only give minimal effort during volleyball. It is a fact that makes my once again team captain Evan all too unhappy. I shoot him a dirty look when he comments on my lack of hustle. He quickly gets the point and leaves me alone the rest of class. He may be a meat head but my glare is sharp enough to penetrate his thick skull. I glance at the clock counting down the minutes until class ends the whole time we play. I am ready to crash out in my bed and sleep away the day. I even contemplate skipping my last class.
Finally, Coach Lopez blows the whistle signaling the end. After a small lecture about some more rules of the game, we are dismissed. I grab my stuff and begin walking out the door. Michelle is by my side the whole time.
“Are you feeling ok?” She asks for what feels like the tenth time.
Slight worry creases her face. This is a side of me she has never seen before. This is a side of me that I rarely see as well. I know everything will be better with a little bit of sleep. I shrug my shoulders at her as I open the door to the outside.
“I’m just tired. That’s all.” I reply.
“Is everything ok with Ty?”
Michelle is not going to let up. She is just like my mom. The thought of Michelle dressed like my mom wearing a worried look makes me smile. I shake my head at my own personal joke.
There is always light in every dark situation. I think to myself.
I begin to lift my spirits up. Regardless of the cards that life deals there are undeniable truths that give way for reasons to be thankful. Although I am down, my spirit fights to be lifted through silly pictures of Michelle dressed like my mom. Second is that I am done my test and for better or worse, I know I passed. Third is that I am alive. Each breath I take should be that much sweeter. Then and there I resolve to always look on the bright side. There is so much wrong in this world. It is a fact made more obvious by the events of last night. I sigh. We only have a small second to live on this endless world. Why should I waste it worrying about things I cannot change?
“Are you walking back to the dorms?” I ask Michelle.
“Yes, I am going to take a quick shower then go meet up with Dave at the cove for lunch.”
I was having a hard time keeping up with the many guys that Michelle was talking to. Daniel was her choice on any given day but his lack of commitment made her available and ready to date whomever she pleases. It is a fact that she flaunts in front of him at any opportunistic moment she finds while in his presence.