Page 102 of Fallen Thorns
Rani rested her chin in her palm in a sulk. “But our training was going so well! And we have Arlo to protect us. Arlo has helped me so much — Arlo andyouand Marianne. You’ll be unstoppable!”
She’s so foolish.
She’s strong.
False hope.
“LucykilledArlo!” Mars snapped, their fist hitting the wardrobe door. Rani stared at them in horror, making them rub their hands self-consciously, then mouth an apology.
“But he’s not human anymore… she won’t be able to do it again.” Her voice grew quiet, less confident.
“Exactly my point. We’renothuman andyouare.” Their tone settles somewhat. “I would hate to see anything happen to you and your girlfriend.”
“I…” Rani ran out of words.
“I just… have a feeling we’re getting close, that’s all. And yeah, I suppose I do feel a little unprepared. It’s not exactly how I saw the end of the year panning out.” Mars strode over to join me on my bed, curling their hand around the base with a sigh. “I’m just so fucking tired.”
“Everything will be fine.” My eyes wandered to them, then to Rani who looked ready to up and leave. “You’ve got me.” I smiled.
It’s so easy.
Rani endedup staying the night and the three of us decided to watch a movie. A mundane thing.
She also stayed in the room when we took our evening dose, much to Mars’ protests.
“It heightens our senses you know? We prefer not to do it in front of vulnerable people,” they said, pulling out the cooled sachet from their bag. (We had to catch and drain rodents this day, much to Mars’ discomfort. Not a pleasant activity, but no one suspected a thing.)
“I know, but I trust you both. I need to get used to these things, to normalise it.”
Mars shrugged in effortless defeat. “Fair enough. Don’t flinch then.” They poured out a portion for each of us and the two of us stood in the centre of the room, Rani between us on my bed, staring intently. Arlo would have been too embarrassed at this. It was too private a venture.
“Cheers,” Mars joked, lifting their mug. We clinked and drank; the soft liquid sliding down my throat in less than a few gulps, and my head tipped back in elation. I gasped and wiped my mouth with my sleeve, eyes all seeing, and body rejuvenated. I sensed Rani’s presence so much more vividly and I turned to her, her eyes having never left me throughout it all. She was trying not to look horrified, and it was like the realisation had only just kicked in. We werenothuman.
“Wow,” she finally said.
“Not ideal, but it’s our safest option,” Mars stated, placing their mug down on the table and stretching their back out, rubbing their gums.
“So, you do this every day? Morning and night?”
“Would you rather we used people?” Mars joked lightly, without scaring her.
She threw her hands up in protest. “God no, it just looks… unfortunate.”
I was hyperaware of her still. My mind craving more. That wasn’t going to be enough tonight; after all, I had two minds to feed.
I think Mars knew what I was going to do before I moved. Saw my eyes perhaps, followed my senses. Their arm shot out to hold my body as it leapt out in Rani’s direction. She threw herself back onto the bed in terror, face instantly drained of colour as she pulled her legs up to her chest.I’m still hungry.
“Easy, Arlo,” Mars asserted into my ear, strong arms pulling me back. I tried to break free from their grasp, but they were exceptionally strong. But so was I.
I strained a little harder until their clasp broke and I prowled free, diving for Rani. Mars reached out and grabbed my legs as I growled in frustration that I still. Couldn’t. Reach.
“Rani, out! Now!” Mars screamed, Manipulation in their voice. She backed into the wall, then managed to scramble out. A knee drove into my back, and I fell to the floor. I doubted she looked back as her feet clambered down the stairs, my mother’s startled and confused voice calling out from underneath the floor. She’d be coming up in a few seconds, wondering what’s going on. Confused why her son’s best friend is running from her house in tears. Wondering in horror why, when she enters my room, she sees Mars straddling my back and holding my arms back in arrest. Why were my eyes red? My neck strained, and my teeth a little too long for my mouth? Why was there fresh blood on my lips? She’ll want to know why she can’t remember the reason she came up into my room in a second because Mars will reassure her and tell her to go back downstairs and enjoy her quiet time as they open up another bag and force me onto my back, pouring the blood into my mouth with their knee firmly on my chest. I will gag and choke on it, but welcome it as it warms my insides, and I am sated. Mars will then scold me and tell me how worried they are for me. Express how they don’t think I can control myself still and that I’m weak and pathetic and—
“You’re staring at me Arlo.” I was still standing beside Mars, Rani still comfortably cross legged on my bed. An empty mug in my hand.
“Sorry.” I put my mug down beside Mars’ and scratched my head.
“Still getting used to the feeling, aren’t you?” Mars laughed.
