Evil Tendencies

Warning: This chapter contains S/A. Viewer discretion is advised.

Poppy

Christmas was uneventful, other than the text message from Damian. I’m guessing mom gave him my number. I stared at it for days as I sat in the bookstore at the cash register. I jumped to my feet every time someone came in through the door. Part of me was hoping it was him. The 25th soon turned into the 30th, as I sat there staring out the window.

I responded to him, told him “Merry Christmas,” but he never wrote back. I took that time to read up on vampires. The events from Christmas Eve were still fresh in my mind. I swear something was off about Damian and I’ll figure it out.

I flipped through my phone, looking at signs of vampirism.

“Contrary to popular belief, the sunlight doesn’t harm vampires, just weakens them. Vampires can survive off blood from the source or stored blood. Blood from the source is preferred, especially if it’s from someone a vampire has a bond with. Blood straight from the source increases the healing factor, blood from a bond makes the need to feed decreased.”

“A vampiric bond is a soul tie to someone, either human or nonhuman. It acts like a soul mate. A vampire who develops a bond displays unhinged behavior such as obsessions and acting on impulse, with it increasingly getting worse until the bond is bit by them. Then they must give their blood to their bond to seal the link.”

“Upon doing so, their bond is linked to them, increasing the vampire’s strength. If the bond shall turn into a vampire, it strengthens the link, enhancing any abilities the vampires have. If a bond isn’t created through the steps above, then the vampire who developed that bond becomes feral, completely losing their minds and self.”

I sighed, closing the website. The information I got differed every time. There wasn’t anything solid on it and the more I looked into it, the more I felt like I was going crazy. I was told their weaknesses are iron, sunlight, garlic, holy water, or crosses. I was told that the only way to kill them is with something made of iron, decapitation, burning, or a stake through the heart. It all was insane!

I twirled my noodles with my metal fork as the bell to the bookstore dinged.

“Hi, welcome to McNair’s bookstore,” I said flatly, my cheer gone. I dropped my fork as my jaw clenched. Jake stood in the doorway, in a suit and tie. He adjusted his tie as he strode toward me.

“Hello, Poppy.” He flashed his teeth at me. There was something off about him.

“Jake? What in the world happened to you?” I stood up as I made my way around the desk to inspect him. He was giving off those vibes the guys from the club were giving off. I found myself fanning myself as I stepped away from him.

“Oh, you know... I had a small accident, was in the hospital for a couple of days.” He kept his eyes locked on me as I my body screamed at me to get distance. I took a step back as I made my way back to my side of the desk.

“Oh, well, I’m glad you’re ok,” I said as I slipped back behind the desk. He moved ever so slightly and ended up right next to me. What in the world? So fast. He grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me toward him.

“Since when... “He leaned down, taking a drag of me like I was a scented candle. Confusion riddled my face. “Did you start smelling so good?”

“Um, Jake... I’m glad you’re ok but... let go of me, please.” I pushed him with my other hand, as fear slowly rose in me. He didn’t budge. Just like how I tried to shove Damian away, this man did not budge an inch from my feeble attempt to escape.

“J-Jake, you’re hurting me...” I winced as his grip got tighter on my arm; I felt a sharp pain prick my skin as he held me firmly. He released my arm, causing me to fall backward, crashing into my chair and knocking everything over. What a f*****g asshole!

He stood above me, sucking his teeth as he glared down at me. I struggled to push myself up, just from the sheer shock of what was going on. He looked around the store, strode up to the front, and locked it. What... in the world is he doing?

“We need to talk- Poppy.” He was hovering over me again as I rose to my feet.

“No, we don’t Jake. You need to leave.” I brushed myself off as I stood straight. I was done being treated like this by him. His eyes narrowed onto me; his eyes dropped from a bright green to a deep dark tone that sent shivers down my spine.

His hand shot out, grabbing me by my throat, causing me to gasp as he pulled me to him. My chest pressed against his torso as his grip tightened around me, cutting my air off.

“J-J..Jake please!” I choked out as he hovered his face above mine.

“No more talk Poppy, you will...” He leaned down, hovering his mouth over my ear. “Do what I tell you.” He pulled back, locking his eyes with mine as he grinned. “Be a good girl and do as you’re told.”

I felt a pull inside me, like something was trying to force me to do what he suggested. But something else fought it, something I couldn’t place my finger on. I dug my nails into his skin as I furrowed my brow at him.

“NO!” I choked out as I kneed him in his crotch. He yelped, releasing me as I fell to the floor. I turned, scrambling to get to my phone on the desk. He grabbed my ankle, pulling me and climbing on top of me.

“You f*****g b***h!” He slapped me across my face, sending stars into my vision and splitting my lip. Something told me to fight. Fight like my life depended on it. I started clawing at him as he pinned my hands down with one hand. His strength was ridiculous! My chest tightened as he reached down, grabbing my waistband and pulling.

“JAKE!?’ I screamed as he grinned.

“I’m gonna f**k you right here on this floor and if people see, so be it! Let them see what kind of w***e you are!” He yanked my pants partially down as tears started to stream down my face. I started to hyperventilate as he leaned down, sticking his tongue out and dragging it across my lip. I kicked the best I could. I even ended up screaming as he ripped my shirt down the middle.

My mother came running from the back storeroom.

“WHAT THE f**k!!! GET OFF HER!” my mother hollered and charged Jake. He released me, standing up and grabbing my flailing mother.

“POPPY RUN!” she screamed as I scrambled to my feet, pulling my pants up. Then turning and running to the back door. I barely glanced back as Jake tossed my mother like a rag doll. I turned my attention back to my escape route, just to be frozen in place as Jake stood there, shaking his head.

My eyes darted back and forth, trying to find another escape route. I managed to drop to the floor as Jake tried to grab me again. I crawled away, struggling to get to my feet as I ran back towards the front.

“Stop delaying the inevitable Poppy. Give me what I want, and I’ll leave you alone... Promise!” He chuckled as he stood at the storefront. I huffed, struggling to get air as I tried to figure out how to get out of this. My eyes fell to the fork that lay on the floor. I gritted my teeth and launched myself towards it. He caught me, my fingertips barely grazing the handle of the utensil as he slammed me on the floor.

The wind was forced out of me as my vision was disorientated. He was on me again, running his nasty hands down my body. I tilted my head backward as my eyes focused on the fork.

“Hmm... you’re still such a prude ...” He rumbled out as he dragged his fingers under my pants line, then to my crotch. He forcibly inserted his fingers, causing me to yelp. My hands flung out, scratching his face as he turned, snatching my other hand with his.

“P-Please stop!” I sobbed as he went deeper into me. I reached back, fumbling around until I felt the cool end of the utensil on my fingertips.

“Oh, Poppy, you know you want it. You’re already so... wet,” he growled out as he moved his face closer to me. I wrapped my fingers around the fork, snatching it and driving it into his eye. He screamed, releasing me and clawing at his face.

I quickly scrambled to my feet, darting and grabbing my phone. I dialed 911 as I reached the storefront, unlocking it and running out as he roared in pain behind me.