Chapter Five (Niall)
955 Words
I woke up like I was hangovered. How did I fall asleep ? And when ? These situations tended to occur way too much lately and I didn’t like it. I passed my fingers through my hair. At least, I was in my own bed and I was alone. The clock indicated 2:30.
« I see you’re awake. »
Tommie was standing in the doorframe. She looked like she had a rough night. All dressed up in black, we could still noticed spots on her clothes. What happened ? Immediately the thoughts came back rushing in. The monster, the fight, Tommie, her blood… I closed my eyes shut and started to count. At some point I opened them again and she was still there. So was her gloomy friend.
« Did all this really happen? » I asked
My voice struggled to come out, I felt like my throat had been polished with sandpaper. I really could use a glass of water. The sole thought of drinking brought back all the memories surrounding Tommie and her blood. Mine instantly started boiling in my veins. What was all this about ?
« I’m afraid so », answered Tommie
« What was it ? »
« A ghoul. »
« Like in cadaver-eating-ghoul ? »
« Pretty much yeah. »
« So why did it attack me ? »
« We are working on that point. »
I nodded. I was doing my best to try to process all this but it was overwhelming.
« So ghoul exists. What else ?», I asked looking at her while she was seating on my bed. « What about you ? »
« Vampires, werewolves, elves, witch… pretty much everything you’ve heard of. As for me, I am a witch. »
I nodded again. She was a witch and I tried to protect her. Me, a simple human. I laughed at myself. She might have found me pathetic. But was I really human ? After all, I craved for her blood hours ago. I could still feel its taste on my tongue. I took a deep breathe to try and fight the urge I was feeling.
« Am I… a vampire ? », I questioned , unsure. « Did that thing turn me into… something else ? »
Tommie seemed embarrassed as she was playing with her hair. Probably an habit.
« Well, I might be the reason for this… »
I frowned but kept quiet. I was waiting for her to be more specific because I had no idea about what she was talking about.
« Do you have any memory about Saturday night ? »
« Actually, I don’t. Why ? »
Tommie took a deep breath and started telling:
« Oz and I were chasing for the ghoul near Bloomsbury Street. We were fighting it in an alley when you popped up and tried to stepped in. You tried to save me and it didn’t turn well. You need to stop doing this by the way. » , she added quickly. « I don’t need saving. Never have, never will. Anyway, you ended up deadly wounded and… I just couldn’t let die this way so I used my powers to save your life. »
I stared at the wall for almost an eternity, playing over and over her explanation in my head, trying my best to remember anything. All I could get from my memory was glimpse of scene, that woman with light brown hair…
« And blue eyes », I finished in a whisper.
It was her. Tommie was the woman in my memory. How would she have known I went out in a pub near Bloomsbury St in the first place ? She was there.
« How ? How did you save me ? »
« With magic. I wasn’t sure you would make it out anyway so we stayed with you all weekend, hoping you’d wake up. And you did. We think that you drinking my blood is a side effect but you’re not a vampire, Niall. »
« At best, you’re a leech », her friend said
Tommie glared at him from our side of the room. He just shrugged and said nothing more. That guy didn’t like me much and I wondered why. Did I say something to him that I don’t remember ?
« I assume this was the reason you were at the food truck. »
« Yes, sorry » she said. « I wanted to check on you, to make sure you were alright. Did you feel anything strange today ? Nausea, dizziness ? »
« Hmm, not really. I spent all day starving and I was quite cold. That’s pretty much it. Does that mean anything ? »
« I’m not sure yet. » she stood and came closer.
I could feel her perfume, a mix of citrus fruit.
« Look. I won’t ask you to forget about all this, it’s not possible though I could make you to. But you mustn’t mention supernatural world to anyone ever. »
« Who would believe me anyway ? »
« Much more people than you think. We’re in Scotland. »
She had a point.
« I won’t tell anyone », I promessed
« Good. You’d better rest. You went through a lot these last three days. You’d better sleep and move on with you life tomorrow, okey ? »
Move on ? How was I supposed to do like nothing happened ? I didn’t ask though. By the time I got a hold on myself, she was already at the door.
« Take care », she said with a smile
Before they reached the front door, I was already asleep.
- Writer
