Page 30 of Blind Bite
A pause. “You do sound like crap. Need anything? Ginger ale? Crackers?”
The thought of human food made my stomach lurch. Would I ever be able to eat my friends' delicious cooking again? “No. Just sleep.”
“Fine,” she called through my door, “but you’re telling me everything later. Text me if you need anything.”
I listened as she gathered her things and left. The apartment soon fell silent except for Mysti’s soft padding toward my door. I finally emerged from my cocoon, while avoiding the burning sunlight, feeling strangely energized despite everything.
This was my new reality. If I could survive today, I could surely persevere... for eternity, right?
I shuffled toward the kitchen, but froze in the hallway. Sunlight flooded our living room from the wide-open blinds. Amelie must have opened them before leaving.
I extended my hand into the light. Pain seared through my skin like I’d thrust it into boiling water. “Fuck!” I yanked it back, watching in horror as my flesh blistered, then began to heal before my eyes.
Well, that was handy.
Mysti appeared at the edge of the hallway, her back arched, fur standing on end as she morphed into a soot-colored fluff ball. She hissed at me, eyes wide with primal fear.
“Mysti? It’s me, girl.”
She bolted, disappearing under the couch. Great. Even my cat knew I was a monster.
I retreated to my room, sinking against the door. My phone buzzed with a text from Amelie.
* * *
Amelie
Want me to bring home some soup? We have chicken chowder and a lobster bisque on the menu tonight.
Lilith
I don’t think I can keep anything down. I’m just going to stay in my room until it passes. Don’t want you catching this if it’s contagious.
* * *
Next I texted Krista.
* * *
Lilith
Got hit with something nasty. Need the week, will keep posted. Sorry for the short notice.
Krista
No worries, keep your germs to yourself, please. It’s a light week anyway. Check in when you can. Feel better soon!
* * *
Emails to professors followed. Within minutes, responses trickled in—all sympathetic except for Holloway’s curt reply:
“Miss Bensen,
Attached is a comprehensive list of readings and assignments due upon your return. Illness is not an excuse for intellectual stagnation. -Professor A. Holloway”
Typical grumpy asshole. It was wishful thinking to hope he may have had some luck with speed dating after our awkward “date”. Even as a vampire, I couldn’t escape his particular brand of torture.
My stomach cramped painfully. Hunger. An all-consuming, terrifying hunger for blood. If it was a drug, I’d be addicted.
