Guidelines #2
“They’re not cool?” Her smile faltered for a second, then returned at the sight of my own. I couldn’t help it. Her excitement was kind of adorable.
“My full name’s Emery, but I go by Emy. I like it better.”
“They’re both really pretty.” Mikaila paused before vibrantly adding, “I like them both.”
“Aw, thank you.” I caved at her never ending cheerfulness. She was starting to grow on me already, which was quite a feat. I’d never met a kid I enjoyed.
“When I grow up I wanna dress just like you,” she said, looking at me as we passed a dim light. “You dress fun and you’re really nice.”
“You can grow up to be nice, but don’t dress like me. You really shouldn’t.”
“But you’re like one of my dolls. She’s a ghost doll from a school with ghosts and vampires and all the fun Halloween things!
You’re not wearing as many clothes, but what you have on is what she would wear.
But you’re in half as much. Her skirt would be here,” she pointed to mid thigh, “and her shirt goes longer to here.” She pointed to the waistband of my skirt.
“And higher! Up to this bone.” She touched her collarbone. “But I like yours better.”
“Thanks, I guess?” I pulled my skirt down, suddenly self-conscious of how skimpy it was.
“My mom doesn’t like the dolls very much, but they’re my favorite.
I like spooky things.” She peered at me, taking in every detail.
“You’re kinda spooky. But not as spooky as my doll.
Probably because you’re not a ghost. But your eyes are a lot like hers!
Except they’re darker. And your hair is really long with purple, too!
Except yours is darker. And your makeup is almost the same.
” She squinted at my eyes. “Except darker.”
I laughed at all the ‘except darker’s she kept having to add. “Is that all?”
“Yes.” She skipped before spinning to face me. “Do you like colors? ‘Cause I can’t tell. You kinda do look like a ghost, I think—”
“How old are you?” I interrupted. This conversation was starting to go from cute to a little insulting.
“I’m seven and three quarters.” She spun again and pointed to an upcoming house.
“That’s where I live.” She ran ahead and I fell into a light jog, careful to keep an unsuspicious pace.
We stopped at a blue house near the park where I’d first met Dennis.
She marched up the steps and started digging through the pockets of her jeans, then turned to me with wide eyes. “I think I locked my key inside.”
“Hold on,” I said, patting myself down in search of something useful. “Can I use one of those?” I pointed to Mikaila’s hair.
“This?” She touched a decorative pin. I nodded. “Sure.” She unclipped one and handed it to me.
“Perfect. Thanks.” I bent it out of shape, then squatted to examine the lock at eye level.
I inserted the pin and strategically moved it around.
A few seconds passed before there was a quiet click.
I stood and pushed the door open. “All done.” I fixed the pen and gave it back to its awestricken owner.
“How’d you do that?” she asked, re-clipping her bangs to the side.
“Magic.” I smiled as she continued to stare. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Anything!”
“Promise you won’t go on anymore nighttime walks?”
“I pinky promise.” She held up a pinky.
I hooked mine through to seal the promise. I normally only did these with Ari, but this girl was so cute and sweet I’d make an exception. “If anyone asks, you had your key,” I added.
She dropped my pinky and squeezed me in a hug. I laughed and hugged back. She barely reached beneath my chest. “Thank you, Emy.” She pulled away and beamed. “I won’t tell anyone. And if they ask, I had my key.”
“Kay, good.” I waved as she went inside and shut the door. I waited until the lock clicked in place before walking down the steps. “Who knew kids could be cute,” I said, glancing over my shoulder. I faced forward and jerked backward. “Jesus fuck!”
“Did I scare you?” Dennis asked as I clutched my heart. “I thought you heard me following.”
“No, I was busy talking to Mikaila. I think I need to drink soon.” I licked my lips. The craving was starting to come back.
“Normally I’d go to the bar this late, but I’m not in the mood to run into Kiro again. There is a heartbeat up there…” Dennis seemed torn.
“What?”
“There’s a heartbeat up there,” he repeated cautiously, “that would be a quick meal. I don’t know why he’s lingering, though. There’s nothing to do over there.” He ruffled his hair, frowning. “If you’d rather go back to the bar, we can do that. I’ll deal with Kiro if he’s still there.”
“Let’s see what’s up there. If it’s a bad situation we can handle it, right? It can still be a quick meal.”
“Sure.” He shrugged and we headed toward the heartbeat.
“Can I go alone? That way we don’t scare the person and cause a scene or anything?”
“If you want.” He slowed to a stop. “Shout if you need me.”
I nodded and practically skipped away, excited for my first drink while fully conscious.
The heartbeat Dennis mentioned was growing closer, coming from somewhere up the street.
Probably far enough that the person wasn’t aware of our presence the same way we were of theirs.
Although they might be aware of mine now, as the clicking of my heels was finally within a human’s earshot.
It was almost jarring against the otherwise silent street.
I glanced around to see no sign of Dennis.
As I grew closer, it became clear why he’d been hesitant to go this route: the human was undoubtedly aware of my approaching footsteps, but for some reason had gone eerily silent.
Their heart rate had picked up significantly.
Their footsteps were slow. Calculated. Something seemed off—almost opportunistic—about how determined they were to catch someone unaware.
I was perfectly aware, however, of the man lingering mere feet away, concealed within the mouth of an upcoming alley.
His ever-quickening heart rate. The smell of beer and his sweat.
The scent of delicious blood. I gasped as I was grabbed from the side and dragged into the shadows.
A disheveled man shoved me against the wall.
I pretended to wince just for the hell of it.
“Gimme your phone, wallet and jewelry. Keep your mouth shut. Make it easy for both of us. Don’t fight and I won’t hurt you.”
“And if I do?” I raised an eyebrow as his gun pressed into my neck.
“Then—”
“Never mind, I don’t care.” I shoved him off and snatched the gun in one swift motion. I marveled its make and model. I hadn’t seen one of these in forever. “Here’s what’s gonna happen,” I cocked the gun and aimed it at his face, “I think I’ll kill you instead.” I smiled as his eyes widened.
“Please don’t, I wasn’t gonna kill you—”
“Why do they all say that like it’s okay?
” I lowered the gun and looked at him in disgust. “I don’t give a fuck if you were gonna kill me or not, you shouldn’t be touching me in the first place.
Traumatizing people and shit. You’re lucky I wanna keep this as a souvenir.
” I released the gun’s magazine and tossed it aside.
“What’re you doing to my gun?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m taking your bullets out so I won’t shoot my ass off when I put it in my pocket. You’re not getting this back.” I paid him no mind as I continued disarming the gun. By the time I finished he was easing toward me, clearly planning the attack again.
I was already bored.
“You do realize you’re unarmed now.” He eyed me hungrily as I slipped the unloaded gun in my pocket.
“Yeah, I know.”
He made a dive but I moved instantaneously, kicking his neck with partially withheld force. His head slammed against the bricks and jerked forward. He collapsed in a heap, alive but unconscious. It wasn’t the original plan, but it would work.
“Nice.” Dennis was at the alley’s entrance.
“Were you following me again?”
“I told you he had bad intentions. I was nearby in case things went wrong. I wasn’t gonna leave you alone.” He walked over and nudged the man with a foot. A small trail of blood was running down his forehead.
“I’m a vampire now. I can take care of myself.”
“I didn’t say wrong for you.”
“You didn’t have to save me this time,” I said proudly. This was nice. I’d missed being self-sufficient. “What do I do? Just bite him like I did with you?”
“Yeah.” Dennis watched as I kneeled and poked the man to make sure he was still out. “Not the neck.”
“I know.” I sniffed a wrist before biting down.
My fangs easily sank in. I took a timid sip and something took over. The craving became insatiable. I wanted all of his blood. I needed it. I dragged the man across my lap, desperate to get every drop. A minute passed while I drank, feeling his life slowly drain into me. It was exhilarating.
“You should stop.” Dennis’ voice was distant.
I tried to shield my meal but he was too fast—he snatched the guy and dumped him aside, then grabbed my waist when I tried to follow. I pried at Dennis’ tight grip as I was dragged away.
“Vixen,” he grunted in my ear. “Focus. You told me not to let you kill again, remember? You already drank too much.”
Something clicked and I stopped fighting. Several seconds passed before Dennis cautiously let go.
“What happened?” I asked, staring down at the limp man.
“You lost control.” Dennis retrieved the gun I’d dropped and gave it back. I slid it into my back pocket. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. I stopped you in time.”
I thought back to the stench of alcohol on his breath. The threat to make it easy so he wouldn’t hurt me. He didn’t do any damage, but what if I were human and I hadn’t cooperated? If I hadn’t been a vampire. If it was Ari instead…
“I don’t think I want him to be,” I realized. “What if he does this to someone else?”