Bite Me

Thirst

“I don’t want any of this.“

“You don’t have a choice anymore.“ he said. He bring his wrist closer. The metallic scent hits her. Sienna’s mouth waters and her pulse screams in her ears, deafening her.

“I-I can’t—“

“You can.” He said with finality.

He steps closer. The space between the two of you narrowed. She noticed that his hand trembles. Ysander looks at her sadly.

“Sienna… look at me.” She looks at him. Sienna notices his eyes. They are full of sorrows and gentleness at the same time. Her body moves before her mind can stop it. Sienna leans forward. And before she knew it, she already bit his neck. The warmth of his skin grazes her lips.

When her mouth closes over the wound, the blood floods her senses. Ysander exhales as Sienna clutches his sleeve. The hunger claws its way out. When she finally pulls away after satisfying her hunger, she trembles.

The dizziness Sienna feels fades.

“What… did you do to me?”

“I kept you alive.” He said, standing as his sleeve falls back over the healed skin. She stares at it and notices that not a single trace of the cut remains.

“Can I still go to school?” He looks at her, his eyes lift in disbelief.

“School? You were almost turned into a vampire, and that’s what you’re thinking about?”

“I have to. I can’t just hide here forever. I want to live… like a normal person does.” Ysander silently studies her. He looks at her softly.

“You’re stubborn. Fine, you can go back to school. But I’m telling you, it’s dangerous. If you feel thirsty—“ Sienna didn’t let him finish.

“I’ll deal with it.” Ysander sighs. He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a something.

“Take this.”

“A necklace?” she asked in confusion. It’s silver necklace with a pendant that shaped like a tear.

“It’s not an ordinary necklace. If you ever feel thirsty that you couldn’t control it anymore, touch it. I’ll be by your side instantly.”

Sienna was about to refuse taking it when he spoke. “It’s the thing that will keep you alive, trust me.”

Ysander clasps it around her neck himself. His fingers brush the base of Sienna’s throat which sends a strange shiver through her. “And if he ever appears… call me. Don’t face him alone.”

“Yaros? The one who bit me?” Sienna asked, brows are knitted in confusion.

Ysander nodded, “Yes. He’s unpredictable and dangerous. I’m sure that he won’t stop until he finds you again. He might appear at your school.”

Sienna nodded. She was about to leave when he spoke. “I’ll fetch you tomorrow. I’ll also send you home after class. It’s not safe for you to walk alone anymore.”

Sienna sarcastically chuckled, “So, I’m being babysat by a vampire now?”

“It’s called supervision.” Ysander tone softens as he continued, “Rest early, Sienna. You’ll need strength. The world won’t look the same tomorrow.”

Sienna was about to ask him some questions when he turns to leave. The candlelight flares then dims as he disappear instantly. Sienna exhales as she keeps processing everthing. She doesn’t know what’s more dangerous anymore—the monster who bit her… or the one who just save her.

The next day, Sienna’s bag felt heavier than usual as she slid into the empty seat beside Zadhie. Her mind kept on replaying what happened last night—the bite and Ysander. Zadhie leaned in, her eyes are sharp. “Hey, where were you yesterday? You missed the whole morning?”

Sienna didn’t attend classes yesterday, afraid about what will happen if she does get hungry. Fortunately, she didn’t feel anything unusual on her body. She shrugs at Zadhie’s question while trying to keep her expression neutral. “I wasn’t feeling well,” she lied.

Zadhie’s eyebrow shot up, reading through her. As if she’s trying to connect the dots. Sienna starts to sweat, nervous that her friends would found out she’s lying. “Don’t tell me you actually had s*x with him?” Sienna blinks. Multiple times.

“What?! No! Of course not! Nothing like that happened, okay? Geez Zadhie.” Her friend leaned back slightly but her expression looks like she’s still suspicious.

“Okay. It’s fine if you both did it. Just don’t lie to me, Sienna.” Zadhie sincerely said. Sienna rolled her eyes while fighting the urge to reply sarcastically.

“I didn’t okay? I’m just…sick. It’s just a headache, nothing serious.”

Zadhie frowned, not buying her reason but she let it go. Seconds later, Zhadie leaned closer and whispers, “So… how was the date?” Sienna swallows, she’s trying to answer her friend question casually.

‘How could I explain what happened that night without sounding insane?’ Sienna thought.

“It was…fine. We just had dinner. That’s it, nothing special.” Zhadie seems like she’s not satisfied in her answer.

“Fine,” Zhadie said not insisting more details about the date. “But you sounds off. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Sienna nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine.” She forced a smile, though the memory of Ysander’s wrist lingered on her memory.

BRRRINGGGGG!!!

The bell rang, dragging her attention away from Zadhie’s worried face. As you walked with her in the hallway, series of questions keep clouding your mind.

‘How long before the thirst started? And when it did, could I even resist it? Could I even resist calling him?’ Sienna thought.

She’s on the cafeteria with Zadhie when she felt something strange. Her throat felt dry, even though she already drank lots of water earlier. Every swallow left Sienna craving for more. It wasn’t an ordinary thirst. It starts to feel painful. Sienna’s fingers trembles slightly as she drink water. Her vision starts to blur.

“Sienna, you look pale. Are you okay? What do you feel?” Zadhie asked, worrying.

She answers, brushing the extreme thirst she feels, “Yeah, I’m just… tired.” Speaking starts to become harder for her. “I didn’t sleep well.”

That made Zadhie’s eyebrows shot up, getting more curious this time. “Mm. Are you sure you didn’t—“ Sienna didn’t let her finish.

“Didn’t what? I told you I was sick!” She furiously answered. The warmth in Sienna’s chest grew. It spreads on her body in an unfamiliar way. She felt her heartbeat quickened. Sienna could feel a pull inside her. It was subtle but insistent. Her lips tingled and her tongue feels dry no matter how much water she drank.

Sienna knew it isn’t normal. It’s like something is calling her. “You’re scaring me, Sienna.” Zadhie looks at you, shocked at her behavior. Sienna shakes her head apologetically then lowers her eyes.

“I’m sorry, but I told you I was fine. Didn’t I?” But Sienna knew she wasn’t. The sensation builts, she can feel it through her veins. It makes her senses sharpe, at the same time restless. Her ears starts to caught distant conversations with piercing clarity. Sienna’s skin tingles. The hunger she felt wasn’t for food and her thirst wasn’t for water. She clenched her fists, trying to brush it off. Ysander’s words started to replay in her mind.

‘Bite me’

‘Bite me’

‘Bite me’

Sienna could not hold it anymore. The thirst pressed at her ribs until she feels like her lungs were not enough. She stands up, scraping the chair before running away from the cafeteria. Sienna found a storage room at the back of the building and shoved herself into the nearest corner. The metal shelves smells bleach and cardboards. Sienna’s heart hammers. Her hands shakes. She presses her palms to her mouth as if that might stop the hunger and thirst she feels. Until someone grabbed her from behind.

It was Ysander and he looks furious.