Page 15 of Fallen Thorns
We were in an unfamiliar alleyway but still in the same city. While that was obvious, I was completely disorientated as towherein the city. It was freezing — significantly colder than what I remembered the night before.
We didn’t stop walking until we reached an area I recognised then Mars directed me into a corner for discretion.
“Listen, before I let you go, I’m going to give you my number. I want you to know that you can call me at any time. And Iwantyou to. You need to learn how to feed properly and how to act human. I can’t stress how important that is. Please, hear me when I say you are going to need our support.Mysupport. I did this to you, and I take full responsibility, but now I need you to take some responsibility, too. You will not be able to go through this life alone.”
“I know,” I said solemnly, taking the tattered scrap of yellowed paper. And I did know. I was stubborn, but not stupid. I needed time to wrap my head around everything before my life changed forever.
“I put something in your coat pocket. Call me when you take it.”
I rummaged in my pocket, weighed down by a tightly sealed packet of reddish, almost black liquid.
Mars studied me closely. “Take it when you are hungry. You’ll know when. Mix it with a drink, food, anything you feel necessary. You’ll get used to it quickly. I did. That will be enough for tonight and tomorrow, then you will need more. Call me when you’re ready tomorrow morning and I will meet you.”
I glanced back down at the package. Blood. Human? Animal? I supposed it didn’t matter. I was going to have to drink it regardless.
“Thanks.” I re-pocketed the bag, the viscous substance sloshing around in my hand. “And thank you. For saving me, I mean.”
Mars simply smiled, a twinge of sadness hidden behind their beautiful face.
ChapterFive
Welcome to your new family.
I ran onto the main street, navigating my way back through the cobbles towards my accommodation, whilst my eyes focused only on my trembling feet and hands. I lurched in, panting with exhaustion and slammed my door shut. I thumped my back against it and slid to the floor, head in hands.
You are not alone.
Murdered.
Urges.
After five minutes — or an hour, it was always hard to tell when I was trying to calm myself, I leaned back, shifting my legs in front of me.
I refused to say it aloud, but I knew exactly what I was. Dead. Immortal. A monster.
I unbuttoned the top of my shirt and placed my hand over my heart, the pointless organ sitting under my skin. I controlled my breathing and tipped my head back, staying in that position for a while. Nothing. Still no pulse.
I checked my neck and wrist. Nothing.
How was I breathing? Talking? Functioning? Scientifically, it made no sense, but this was completely beyond science. Beyond human life.
I was no longer human.
How will I ever process this?I had forever — an eternity to try.
My room was pitch black before I finally rose and walked over to my desk, and back again, then back to my desk. All subconscious of course, I had no idea what I wanted to do.
I felt different. Stronger. I didn’t want to experiment withhowmuch stronger, however; the sensation was enough. My back felt wider, and as I stretched my fingers, they felt more flexible. Physically, I didn’tlookany different, but I knew my own body — or more, I knew what my body wasn’t.
Teeth.Would they be longer?I flicked on the bathroom light and stared head on in the mirror. I played around with the skin on my face; colder and softer to the touch. I pulled at my eyelids, eyes the same hazel as before, except they didn’t feelmine. Arlo died last night and now this thing stood in his place. An exact copy of the boy it once was: a head of light blond waves, two annoying moles under its right eye, with teeth that appeared the same, except when I pushed my thumb into them and drew blood — they were monstrous.
Sense forced me to wince and I sucked the small wound clean, but as the drop of red soaked my tongue, I panicked and pictured the pouch Mars handed to me.
‘Take this when you’re hungry. You’ll know when.’
I pulled it from the pocket of the black coat I still wore and stared at the thick liquid within.Is this my life now?
I looked back up and the reflection frowned at me, eyes imbued with sadness.
