Raz

Damian

I had to get out of there. The smell of her period starting was sending my predatory instincts into overdrive. I’ve been outside her house before when it started, but that was some distance between us. I’ve never been that close to her. It didn’t help with the s*x dream from last and the teasing was riling me the f**k up. I’m going to have to feed before I go to that party tomorrow, so I won’t tear everyone apart.

I quickly grabbed everything blindly as I shoved my fangs into my lower lip, piercing myself as I struggled to even be downstairs from her. I swiftly left, walking with such purpose I almost knocked over Mrs. McNair, who was heading to her car.

“Oh, excuse me, Mrs. McNair,” I quickly apologized when I bumped into her.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, dear. And since you’ve been a savior for us, you can call me

Sally.” She giggled as I nervously smiled at her. I found my eyes tracing her veins in her neck. f**k, I need to feed or I’m going to kill someone...

“Oh! Mr. Locke, I’m throwing a Christmas Eve party tomorrow. Care to stop by?” she slyly asked me, as I ran my hands through my hair, my throat burning.

“Y-Yes, I’ll stop by,” I hastily responded, tilting my head as I walked by her. My steps were quick as the sun started to peek through the clouds. Ugh, great. Just what I need. The sun doesn’t hurt me, it weakens me slightly, making me want to feed more. And me as worked up as I am now... I might just...

I halted. I ended up leaning on my knees as I ground my teeth together. I’d end up ripping Poppy’s door off its hinges and draining the poor girl if that happens. I quickly pulled myself together with what will I had, glancing around.

No one was here. I quickly used my speed and flew through my house’s opening, reaching the fridge in no time. I ripped the door open, grabbing the last pack of blood I had. I didn’t bother with a straw this time. I just shoved my teeth through the packaging.

‘Sheesh, someone’s on edge!’. A thought rang out from behind me as I quickly spun around.

“Raz-What the hell?” I muffled out as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. He leaned against my back wall, grinning. Raz was a two-hundred-year-old man child vampire. I say this because he dresses like a gothic child from a rave, his hair blonde and his build is a slim, muscular build like a track runner. It doesn’t help his demeanor is playful, which irritates the absolute s**t out of me

“Oh, little Dammy has gone and boarded the crazy train!” He clapped his hands like a child as he hopped towards me.

“Raz, I’ve always been crazy.” I stuck the rest of the pack in my mouth, sucking on it like a juice box. Raz took a seat in front of me, leaning on his elbow playfully.

“Yea, true. I remember when you single handily tore apart a biker gang because they spilled your whisky!” He chuckled as I rolled my eyes. I did that before I was turned. That doesn’t count.

“But this is different, my little Dammy!”

“Dude, I’ll add you to that list of people that are in the ground if you don’t stop calling me that.” I hissed at him as he plopped his hand over his mouth, saying oops.

“This is different though Damian, you completely have ignored your post.” He shook his head as he wagged his finger at me.

“Yes, I know, I-I just need to... get my head clear.” I signed as I threw the empty pack into the trash can. I just don’t know how. ‘Mmm hmm, you know I saw your browser history, right rookie?’ Raz slipped his rainbow like vibes thought into my brain.

“DAMN IT RAZ! I’m right here, just talk to me!” I hissed as he giggled. “Stop snooping, I shouldn’t have to clear my cache in my computer all the time just because you want to snoop.”

“Oh, but Damian, if I can see what you’re doing, then so can THEY.” His expression dropped into a serious one.

“No, THEY can’t I’d know. I have a software set up just for that.” I flatly responded. He was referring to the vampires we hunt. I’m made sure that if they ever found out who I was or were curious, I had safety precautions set up. I just recently got into the hacking game for the group, but I’m not a rookie.

“So, let’s get to business!” Raz clapped his hand, snapping my attention back to him. He took the pack he was wearing off, setting it down on the counter as he pulled out a laptop.

“So, Tanzen is going to be brimming with girls to sink into. The owners Darren and Nox are throwing a huge New Year’s Eve party. It’s the talk of the town!” He flipped the device towards me, showing me the party announcement with that ass hats face on it. My eyes narrowed onto him as I felt a low grumble roll in my chest.

“I take it you already met him?” Raz turned the computer back around.

“Yes, he had his hands all over...” I clamped my mouth shut. Raz raised a brow at me.

“You mean- her?” He flipped his computer back around, showing a picture of Poppy smiling next to Jess in a graduation gown. I felt my facial expression drop as her image stared at me.

“You have till New Year's, Damian, get this obsession under control before the rest of the group arrives.” He shook his head as he took his laptop back. I stayed there, staring blankly at the countertop.

“Raz...” I started as I pushed off the counter, standing up. “I don’t know how. I don’t know if it’s the thrill of the chase, the fact that this is someone I want- no- I NEED...” I paused, staring at the floor.

“Damian, it’s in your nature. It’s in all our nature. It can’t be helped, especially for you.” He closed his laptop. “You have exceptional control... NOW, but you can’t forget at one point you didn’t and THAT will always be a part of your nature.”

“You don’t understand Raz. I- it’s every day! It’s all night! I’m either outside her house or breaking into it to push her closer to me!” I ended up pacing back and forth, frustrated.

“Mmm, sounds like you found your bond.” He raised his eyebrows at me, smiling.

“No, vampires only bond with vampires,” I replied, halting in my steps. He shook his head.

“Naa, you got that part wrong. I met my partner Avery when he was human. I damn near almost went feral before he was turned!” Raz let out a chuckle as he put his laptop away. “Vampires go feral when they’re alone and over feed on humans, or they go feral when they find their bond, but don’t seal it. Even if that bond is with another vampire.”

“What- in the world are you talking about ya buffoon?” I gawked at him. How did I not know this information? Did I sleep through vampire orientation? Was there a vampire orientation? Maybe I shouldn’t have murdered my maker as soon as the deed was done.

“When did these insane habits of yours pick up?” Raz tapped his fingers on the counter, staring at me.

“Three and a half months ago...” I mumbled, folding my arms. He stood up, knocking his chair over.

“Aye! Three months!? Damian!?” He looked at me, shocked. His eyes then drifted to my fridge.

“How many packs have you had a day?” He swiftly strode to the fridge as I counted on my fingers.

“Five?” I guessed, as I shrugged. Raz turned to me, his expression grim.

“Damian, you can only go five months without linking once you’ve found your bond!” He shouted at me. I stuck my pinky in my ear as I winced away from him.

“Ugh, relax, I’m fine!” I was, in fact, indeed, not fine. I was still ravenous and was thinking about sucking on an elk at this point. Not to mention this whole time he was chewing me out, I was thinking about Poppy the whole time.

“DAMIAN!!” He snapped his fingers in front of my face.

“Yea, yea, no problem.” I turned to head off to my room. I needed a break from all this noise. I paused as my phone went off. I pulled it out, seeing a news notification.

“ALERT! Body found on the side of Highway 101! A John Doe has been found, clawing his way out of a ditch by a motorist! More at 2 on Channel 13 news!”

f**k! I stuffed my phone into my pockets as Raz’s irritation rolled off towards me. His foot was impatiently tapping on the floor.

“Daaammmiiiaaannn!!??” He dragged out as I flung my head back, sighing in frustration.

“Yes, MOM?” I looked over my shoulder at him as a look or irritability drew over my face.

“This is serious! We can’t have you go feral...” He lowered his voice as he headed to grab his pack.

“I’ll go grab more blood for us...” He flung the bag over his shoulder. “YOU...” He angrily pointed at me. “Stay here and STOP following your unhinged instincts!” He huffed as he turned, turning his nose up in the air. He disappeared from my sight in a blur as I ended up leaning into the wall.

My phone went off again as I pulled it out. It showed Poppy’s phone was coming close to my house. I quickly went to my window, peeking out it as her mom’s car drove by. They must be heading to the bookstore. I stood there, tapping my fingers on my thighs. Should I follow? Will she figure out I’ve been stalking her if I do? Can I stay here, cooped up, knowing she’s out and about in town? I opened my front door, peeking out from behind it. The sun was hidden behind the clouds again.

I ran my tongue over my canines as I stepped out, closing the door behind. I took my time walking down the street, taking in the cool breeze as the bare branches of the trees swayed. I halted at the end of the shopping area where her bookstore was. She was helping her mother bring in supplies for tomorrow. Jess was with them. They all looked so happy.

I got lost in the picture in front of me. I took a step forward, then decided to head back home. Right now, being around her is impossible for me. With my back turned, I could feel the pull to her, like a magnet. Every fiber of my being wanted to go to her, to be around her.