Kray

by Brooklyn Jones

  “Hey, I totally understand. Do you need some help?” I flexed my arms. “You might need a strong man around.”

  Kelly had a mouthful of pancakes and almost spit them out from laughter. “As much as I want to watch you make a fool out of yourself, this is something I kind of wanted to do on my own. To remember my parents.”

  I put my hands up in surrender. “Say no more.”

  I cleaned our dishes while Kelly went back into the bedroom to change. I tried to find a reason to make her stay but nothing came to mind.

  Kelly came out fully dressed and her makeup touched up. She looked good enough to eat. I stopped her in her tracks and gathered her in my arms. I felt her knees weaken as we kissed.

  “It's going to take a lot of willpower to let you leave here when you look this good.”

  Kelly laughed and flipped her hair. “You're just going to have to survive without me.”

  My missing hunger returned to my mind. If Kelly left, it wouldn't be long before it returned. I'd never gone for so long without blood before. I didn't know how my body would react.

  I could keep Kelly here as my prisoner. That kind of thinking scared me. What would I be willing to do to keep the hunger at bay? She needed to leave before I did something I would regret.

  “Want me to take you home?” I asked.

  “Thank you but I already called a cab.”

  For some reason this felt like the last time I was going to see her. I walked her over to the elevator holding her hand.

  Kelly took a pen out of her purse and bit the cap off. She grabbed my hand and wrote her phone number down.

  “Will you call me later?” she asked, pressing the down button.

  “Nothing will stop me,” I replied.

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Kelly kissed me on the cheek and stepped into the elevator. I felt so helpless, standing there and looking deep into her eyes. I want to memorize every bit of her face in case this truly was the last time.

  The doors closed and I was all alone again.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kelly

  I walked into my parents' empty home feeling happier than I'd felt in a long time. Michael wasn't like any other guys I'd ever been with before. He made me feel like I was apart of him. It sounded weird in my head but it was true.

  I threw my belongings on the ground and lay down on the wood floor, staring up at he ceiling. I couldn't help but giggle to myself. There were holes up there that I hadn't noticed before. I really did have my work cut out for me.

  Nothing could take away my good mood. The sex last night was mind blowing and I couldn't stop replaying it over and over again.

  The temptation to stay with him all day long was strong and I was proud of myself that I didn't succumb to my carnal desires. I didn't want to risk what could be a promising relationship.

  My phone rang in my purse next to my head. I pulled it out and saw Fiona's name on the screen. “Hey there,” I said.

  “You better tell me every little detail. Don't leave even a little bit out, Kelly.”

  “I never kiss and tell, Fiona,” I replied.

  “I'm hanging up right now and coming right over.”

  I sat up. I definitely didn't want her coming over here. “Okay, I'll spill the beans.”

  Fiona had already hung up.

  “Son of a bitch,” I said out loud. The house looked like a hurricane had swept through. Even worse was my appearance. I desperately needed a shower and my hair was begging to be combed.

  Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang. I cursed and tied my towel tighter around my body as I descended the stairs.

  I took in a deep breath and opened the door. Fiona stood there wearing blue jeans with a white t-shirt tucked in. “How did you even find out where my parent's house was?” I asked.

  Fiona brushed right by me and took a look around. “Come on, Kelly. You know me. Information like that is easy for me.”

  I should've known. Fiona's connections ran deep.

  “Big place. Could use some work but nice,” she said, wiping off a layer of dust from an end table.

  I closed the front door. “My parents left me a lot of work.”

  “You know you could always hire a contractor to finish the house.”

  “Yeah with what money? Plus I sort of have this obsession with finishing it myself.”

  “Your funeral.” Fiona walked down the hallway and into the kitchen. She took a seat at the only chair. “Now do I need to force the details out of you or are you going to confess your sins?

  I went to the fridge and checked if there was anything to drink. Nope, completely empty. “Do you want some water.” I wasn't a very good host.

  Fiona shook her head. “Come on. Cough up the details.”

  I took a glass from the cupboard and filled it from the faucet. “There's not much to tell to be honest.”

  She crossed her legs. “You really know how to fling the bullshit, don't ya? I can tell by the way you're dressed that you must've had a long night. It's almost noon and you've only taken a shower.”

  I looked down at the towel that barely covered me. Fiona knew me too well.

  “Okay I give up.” I set the glass down and smiled. “It was an unbelievable night.”

  Fiona slapped her thigh. “I knew it!”

  “The man lives in loft apartment with the best view of the city.”

  “So this guy must be loaded then. I'm betting he's a CEO of some Fortune 500.”

  “Actually he doesn't work anymore. He said he made some good investments and he's semi-retired.”

  “Who cares how he got rich. The only thing that matters is that he's got money.”

  “You know money isn't everything, Fiona.”

  “Yeah in a close second comes sex.” Fiona flicked her tongue out at me. “Tell me the dirty details. I want to know all about it.”

  “You're disgusting, Fiona. Is your mind ever out of the gutter?”

  Fiona scoffed. “No never. Now spill it.”

  I couldn't win with her. “I'll just say that it was damn good. Like best I ever had.”

  Fiona leaned in, her eyes big. “Are you going to see him again?”

  I couldn't help but smile. “I hope so.”

  “Well consider myself super jealous. I don't know if I've ever encountered a man like that before.”

  “I don't think I have either until now.”

  Fiona shook her index finger at me. “Don't screw it up. Trust me, the rest of the men out there are bottom of the dumpster material.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “You know clubs might not be the best place to pick up guys.”

  “You think I haven't tried other avenues?” Fiona began to count on her fingers. “Dating apps, blind dates, and even Craigslist.”

  “Craigslist? I didn't even know you could find guys on there.”

  Fiona held her head in her hands. “Big mistake. Just take it from me.”

  I let out a laugh and Fiona joined in. We laughed so hard tears streamed down my cheeks.

  Fiona blew her nose on her sleeve.“So enough talk about men. How's the house repairs coming along?”

  “Slow is a word you could use to describe it.”

  “Do you need help?” Fiona asked.

  I bit down on my bottom lip to hold back the laughter. “You...doing housework?” I couldn't hold back and doubled over laughing. Fiona getting all dirty and grimy was an amusing thought

  Fiona grinned. “I don't know what possessed me to ask that. I know you have a lot of work so I'll let you get to it.”

  I followed her to the front door and we hugged. “Thanks for coming over, Fiona. It was nice to share the good news with someone else.”

  “I was thinking of going to club tomorrow night. Wanna join me?”

  I tried to think of an excuse to let her down gently. “I'm not sure.”

  Fiona picked up on it instantly. “Say no more. You want to keep your plans open in case Mr. Right calls.”r />
  I gave her another hug and opened the door. “You're the best.”

  “Remember that when I come back asking for more details.”

  I let out a big sigh of relief after Fiona had left. I had actually enjoyed talking to her but I felt like talking anymore about Michael would jinx the whole thing. We'd only been out together once and Fiona was already planning what type of wedding dress I should wear.

  I only hoped he would call soon.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Michael

  I thought I would be fine after Kelly left but I was dead wrong.

  The hunger returned with a vengeance. I had made it a few hours and felt pretty normal. But then that thirst resonated throughout my entire body. By the time it got really bad, all the blood banks were closed.

  I wouldn't be able to rob any until the next morning and I didn't know if I could make it that long. The hunger had never been so bad before. It was so debilitating that I could barely think straight. My body felt so weak that I had to lay down and not move.

  My skin began to sweat buckets. My eyes went red.

  Kelly being around only masked the symptoms. She didn't fully take away the hunger. If she had stayed all day like I wanted her to, I might've died the moment she finally left.

  I needed blood and I needed it fast. Getting to my normal hunting grounds would be almost impossible in my position. No girl at a club would be even remotely interested in me for me to get close enough to feed.

  It was after midnight and my building would most likely be deserted. Roaming the halls looking for a victim would sap the rest of my energy.

  Calling Kelly for help crossed my mind. But that would mean confessing my deepest darkest secret. I knew I'd have to tell her eventually if I ever wanted any real future with her. But now it was too soon. She'd run straight for the hills if she saw me for who I truly was.

  I had to find another way.

  My only option left was to pick someone off the street and hopefully not be seen. It was a huge risk but one I'd have to take.

  I stood up and the room immediately began to spin. I put my hand on the kitchen counter to steady myself. This was worse than a hangover. It was more like being drunk and having a jackhammer in your head at the same time.

  I took a few wobbly steps to the door and knew that my mission was futile. Even if I did make it outside onto the streets, I had no strength left. It would be next to impossible for me to grab someone and drain them.

  I fell onto the hardwood floor and flipped over on my back and stared up at the ceiling. I tried to control my breathing to keep the hunger at bay. It was the only thing I could do to try and stay alive.

  Now Kelly was my only hope.

  I pulled out my cellphone and dialed her number off my hand. I put the phone up to my ear and waited for it to start ringing. I couldn't keep my eyes open. The call began to ring. I just needed to stay awake long enough to tell Kelly to get over here immediately.

  Everything went to black.

  –

  A banging noise woke me up. The sun was out and blinding me. I couldn't remember what had happened or how long I'd been asleep. I saw the phone next to my head and remembered that I was in the middle of calling Kelly.

  I couldn't move my limbs anymore. The need to feed had overtaken me. My brain was only working at ten percent. Based on that I knew I had been asleep for a couple days. It wouldn't be much longer now until I took my eternal rest.

  There was another banging and I realized that it had come from the door. I tried to reach out for it but couldn't. I opened my mouth and it was drier than a desert. I tried to speak but only a whining sound came out.

  You can do this, Michael. Whoever is on the other side of the door will be your next meal. You just need to speak.

  I opened my mouth again and forced out the word help. I didn't know if it was loud enough until the door handle turned. Thank the gods I never locked my front door.

  Kelly came running in. “Michael! What happened?”

  No. Not you. Anybody but you.

  Kelly came to my side and propped my head up. “What's wrong, Michael? Are you hurt?”

  I could hear her veins pulsing for me. “Blood...”

  “What did you say? I didn't hear you. Maybe I should call 911.”

  “Blood,” I said again softly, using every last ounce of energy.

  Kelly leaned over me and put her ear up to my mouth. Her neck was dangerously close to me. There was no resisting it.

  My hand moved without much effort and I placed it on the back of her head. I pulled her closer to me and dug my fangs into her sweet flesh.

  Kelly screamed as the blood flowed down my throat. She tried to fight me off but it was no use. My mind awakened, my strength returned.

  A voice deep down called out to me, “You've had enough. Don't kill her.”

  I ignored it and continued to feed, relishing in the taste. Blood had never tasted so good.

  You're going to kill her.

  The image of Kelly popped into my head. Our long night together flashed before my eyes.

  The fiery red in my eyes dissipated and I released Kelly from my grip. She fell to the ground, lifeless and unmoving, blood slowly leaking from two holes in her neck.

  My heart began to flutter. “What have I done?” I said.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kelly

  A nightmare.

  I walked into Michael's apartment to find a living monster. It attacked me and I wasn't able to get away. He had me.

  I woke up not in my parents' house. I looked around and realized I was laying in Michael's bed. The sudden realization hit me right in the face.

  It wasn't a nightmare. It all came back to me now.

  Michael had called me and I had missed it. When I called back all I got was his voicemail. I thought nothing of it and the next day I tried calling him again. But still nothing. That's when I began to get worried. I didn't know if he was purposely trying to avoid me or something bad had happened.

  The morning after that I decided that I was going to go over to his place and give him a piece of my mind. Nobody could treat a girl that way.

  What greeted me at the door thought was something out of a horror movie. Michael looked pale and dead. When I went to check if he was still alive, the monster attacked me. I blacked out after that.

  Was the monster Michael?

  All I knew was that I needed to get out now before the monster returned. I sat up in bed and felt woozy. My hand instinctively went to my neck and I winced from the pain. I pulled my hand away and a little bit of blood was left on it.

  I got up and went for the door, stumbling over a pair of Michael's shoes. I put my ear to the door and listened. If the monster was still out there, I'd have to find another way to escape.

  No sound. No movement out there. The monster might've gone away. I took a deep breath and turned the door knob.

  Michael stood in the kitchen, behind the counter, stirring a pot. His face lost all its blood when he saw me.

  “Kelly...you're awake.”

  I didn't know what was going on but I needed to get out of there. I looked for the door and knew that I wouldn't be able to make it before Michael would pounce on me.

  Michael took a step towards me. I ran back into his bedroom and closed the door. I fumbled at the handle until I was able to lock it.

  His voice came from the other side, calm and collected. “Can we talk, Kelly?” he asked.

  “What are you going to do with me?” I yelled through the door.

  “Nothing. I just want to explain what happened.”

  “You mean how you sucked my blood like a vampire? You're an abomination.”

  “I deserve that. I never meant to harm you. And I should have told you about my problem sooner. But things were going so well and you have this power over me.”

  I stood there just staring at the door just waiting for Michael to knock it down in a display of super strength.

  He
continued, “My body can't survive without blood, Kelly.”

  “And you kill people for it?”