Watching From Darkness: My Vampire Stalker

Chapter 15: Sneaking off

POV: May

***

I toss and turn, desperate for sleep to take me. It doesn't come.

I throw the duvet off in frustration, rubbing my face. All I keep seeing when I close my eyes are those of a predator staring back at me. I know that they're familiar, that I've seen them before.

Thinking about it too hard is making my head hurt. I have a glass of water by the bed and I down it in one.

What do I know? Start there.

Something has been haunting me for years.

Lately, my memory around events has been foggy.

And now I'm seeing things that can't exist.

My shadow hasn't been around for a couple of days. Not uncommon, although I've been seeing it more and more lately.

For the first time, I'm not sure I can convince myself it's a trick of the light.

Picking up my phone, I scroll down to my parents. We have a family group chat, used a couple of times a year for birthdays.

M: Sorry it's late. I need to talk to you guys. Can you call me after class tomorrow? 2pm ish?

I have no idea what I can say without sounding crazy but I just need to talk to someone.

The feeling that I'm doing some relaxes me a little. Whatever is happening, I'm sure my parents will help. They can't ignore me for something this important.

That thought is the only thing holding me together as I finally drift to sleep.

***

Twisted dreams haunt me.

I see my shadow looming in the background. I'm running but it keeps pace with me. The only thing I can see in the darkness are piercing eyes.

I'm going to die. I know it.

I wake up with a tight chest and tears drying on my face, breath ragged.

A quick glance at the clock tells me I have an hour before my alarm would go off anyway, and sunlight is peeking around the edges of my curtains.

I grab phone and see a text from Kat, telling me to call her when I get up. No doubt she wants to hear about last night.

I ring her, trying to push the doubt away.

"Hey! You're up early, for once! Is that a sign you're not alone?"

I roll my eyes.

"No, Kat. It's a sign I'm getting old. Kiara dropped me home last night."

"And...? How was it? Don't keep me in suspense."

Words fail me at the level of her excitement. I know I should be over the moon at having any date, and we did have fun, but it just feels like something is missing.

"It was great. The food was delicious and we get on well. She's funny, a bit blunt. I had a really good night. Thumping headache, though."

"I've been telling you to sleep better for months. Now, come on. Was there any...action?"

Memories of the kiss come back to me.

"She kissed me goodnight but it was a bit- I mean, it was nice but-"

"May. That is not how you talk about a mind-blowing snog. What was wrong with it?"

"Nothing! That's the problem. It was gentle and sweets and utterly boring. I need someone I can grab, Kat! Properly."

She laughs down the line at me.

"Stop, it's not funny. What am I supposed to do now?"

"It was one date, she probably didn't want to scare you with too much. You do come across a bit virginal."

"You're hilarious." I sigh. "But you're probably right."

"Of course I'm right."

She's so smug that I'm tempted to hang up. But she's my best friend so then who would I complain to?

"Look, I can't stop. I just wanted to hear about it but we'll catch up properly later. I've got to be in soon. You take care of yourself, May. Love you!"

"Love you too." I say before she hangs up.

I crash back into bed, hoping I can doze for a bit before class. I'm nervous about seeing Kiara again and not the happy-butterflies type of nervous.

I get almost no rest before my alarm goes off.

With a groan, I pull on some easy comfort clothes and throw my hair in a messy bun. I go with light makeup and worn trainers for ease.

The entire drive to the campus I'm nervous, tapping my fingers, turning the music up, driving slightly slower than normal.

I do want to see Kiara but the thudding of my heartbeat drowns out any excitement I might be feeling. Walking into class is excruciating, made worse when I see she isn't even in yet.

What if she knows? What if she could tell I wasn't that into it?

"Well hello, gorgeous."

The whispered breath against my ear almost makes me jump out of my seat.

"Geez, you move like a ghost."

Something flashes across Kiara's face, gone in an instant.

"I'm just quiet. Anyway, how are you feeling this morning? Good night?"

Finally, the knot of tension eases. I can't detect anything sarcastic in the question. I give her a warm smile.

"Yeah, it was. The company couldn't have been better. And I'm sorry about that headache, I don't know what came over me."

"It's ok. As long as you feel better now."

"I do, thank you. Not looking forward to this lecture though."

Kiara flips through the notes that our teacher has put on the desk.

"Wow. Could he make the text any more boring?"

"Just wait till he starts talking."

Kiara grimaces.

"Look, don't you already know this stuff? We've finished exams for the year, what's the point in us going to these for the next few weeks?"

"Yeah, but this stuff will come up next year."

"And I'm sure they'll recap it. Come on, what do you say we get out of here?"

I look at her, wondering how serious she's being. I've skipped class a handful of times over the last couple of years and only when I was too ill to make it.

"Kiara, we can't. We've paid to be here. Plus, we'll be in trouble."

She sticks her tongue out at me.

"Fine. Be a stick in the mud. I'm going for a drive."

She picks her bag up and slips out the door, throwing me a wink as she does.

I sit, stunned. I want to follow her. The thrill of it is tingling across my skin.

And I suppose that I already know this stuff...

Without giving myself time to hesitate, I follow her.