Page 37 of Clouded by Envy

Brenik’s eyes flickered as he walked down the stairs, hands trembling against his jeans—Jeremy’s jeans. He brushed away that thought.Walk. Walk. Walk.He had to tell himself over and over to keep on walking. He had to feed—now.

He knew. Heknewwhat he would do this time and where he would go, because Jeremy was the wrong person to have stolen life from. Even though the aftermath had helped Brenik, Jeremy’s face haunted him at night. Brenik was nothing but a stranger to him, and Jeremy had been kind enough to invite him into his home. And then look what happened.

Brenik shook the regret away.

Instead of turning right to head home, he took a left. Tall trees bordered the open area, and he lifted a branch out of the way, ducking under it. The city park was dim, and there were several people asleep up ahead—without anything or anyone.

An older man of around fifty with a graying beard sat at the edge of an iron bench. His head leaned all the way back with his mouth wide open, soft gurgling snores escaping.

Reaching a finger out, Brenik tapped him softly on the shoulder. He didn’t stir. The putrid combination of alcohol and filth reeking from the man’s body filled his nostrils.

Scowling, Brenik shook the man’s shoulder. The stranger’s eyes fluttered opened as he stirred awake, his body flinching to the side when he saw Brenik hovering over him.

“Hey, man, I was seeing if you could help me with something,” Brenik said.

The bearded man squinted one of his eyes, and his whole face contorted into a confused expression. “What do you need help with?” he asked and scratched the side of his balding head.

“I was in the forest earlier and somehow lost my car keys. If you help me search, I’ll give you fifty bucks.” Brenik patted his back pocket and tilted his head toward the wooded area.

“Even if we don’t find them?” the man asked, perking up.

“Yeah, but we need to hurry. I have work in the morning and don’t want to be out here all night.” Brenik could feel himself getting antsier, and if the man didn’t come with him soon, he was going to have to drain him right there on the spot.

Scanning the area, Brenik made sure the few other people around were still asleep, and then he motioned the bearded man forward.

After walking for about a minute into the wooded area, Brenik couldn’t take it anymore and whirled around. Before the man could yell, Brenik pushed a hand against the man’s mouth and dove his already protruding canines down into his victim’s neck.

A small chirping sound escaped the man’s throat, his heavy breaths fading as Brenik drank. This wasn’t like before—not the least bit lust filled—but the taste was ever blissful. Even with the grime of the man’s neck pressing against Brenik’s lips.

The smell of the dirt and the odor from the homeless man was making Brenik sick, but he couldn’t stop because the blood was wonderous. The taste charged every nerve throughout his body and filled him with complete repletion.

When the last drop was in his mouth, Brenik gently lay down the body. The blood tediously sat in his mouth, and he wanted to swallow it, but he held it there.

Not many people ventured into those parts of the forest, but he dragged the body farther back anyway. He found a large bush and rolled the man underneath to cover him completely.

A hint of remorse ran through Brenik again, but he didn’t know what else he could have done. It was either the old man who had nothing or Rana by accident. Brenik felt satisfied with the choice he had made.

He ran the rest of the way back to the cabin, hurrying to his bedroom. Before glancing up at the portrait, Brenik held his hand in front of his open mouth and let the blood drizzle into his palm.

Running his fingertip against the wet liquid, Brenik lifted his index finger and pushed it onto the painting.

The bright red fingerprint sat there for a moment, but then turned lighter and lighter before it vanished. Brenik shifted his eyes from the portrait to the mirror, watching as the tiredness of his eyes faded away and his face seemed to tighten back to its pristine beauty.

Attempting to smile at his reflection in the mirror, Brenik knew now how he would be able to live a life and get what he wanted. Even though it would eat at him.

14

Bray

“You are home early,” Bray said to Wes as he walked through the living room door.

“I’m on my way to pick up Luca, and I wanted to see if you’d come eat with us at the park. If you want to?” Wes asked.

Bray loved going to the park. Most of the time she would sit in the trees and watch families spending time together or people walking their dogs. The day and nightlife of the park were literally like night and day—after dark, the people who had no homes would gather and seek companionship.

Clapping her hands together, she smiled brightly. “What are we going to eat?”

Wes rolled his eyes. “Luca wants McDonald’s. I can’t stomach it ninety percent of the time, but we take turns picking where to eat. Maybe I should tell him it’s your turn.”

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