See Love Die

Chapter 14

HARRYS POV:

I looked at the charm bracelet on my wrist, and played with the little coffin charm in between staring out of the window of Conrads SUV.

I'd left mine behind unlocked to leave an empty shell for Christoph should he head this way.

We'd all decided the charm bracelets were the most unisex option, and a good trinket for our trip together.

We had all bonded, and even though thee was a deeper meaning to our trip, we wanted to remember the fun parts in case it didn't go to plan.

Each had a coffin, a wizards cloak and a wolf.

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The car slowed and we pulled up in a gas station.

"Just need to fill up" Conrad stated "You guys want anything?" He asked me and Hardin in the back.

"A coke please" I asked, handing him my card.

"No its on me" he smiled, probably in attempts to cheer me up.

My mind really was missing in action today, last night's news and antics were grinding away at me.

We had a 2 day drive out to a lake side warehouse where a mafia were known to distribute and make drugs.

We'd probably spend a night or two in a hotel just the 8 of us, and I was also worried about being the only girl and feeling out of place.

"Hey, download this game and play with me" Hardin smiled, "It's a first person shooter, but it's easy to get the hang of"

I smiled back, it was nice that he wanted to involve me.

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"Sure, okay" I agreed, opening my app store and installing it.

The game was pretty fun, and after a few round I was getting up to 25 kills per match.

"You're stealing all of my kills now" Hardin moaned.

"You asked me to play" I laughed.

As my tag came under MVP he shook his head and sighed.

In a huff he locked his phone.

"Sore loser" I tutted, and Ben and Conrad laughed from the front.

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We'd been on the road for another hour, totalling us at around 6 when my stomach let out a massive grumble.

I didn't hear how loud it was as I had my headphones plugged in, blasting the new Olivia Rodrigo album, it suited my mood to a tee.

It was only brought to my attention when all eyes were on me.

"What" I shrugged, un plugging one ear.

"You sound like you have a wild animal on the loose inside your stomach" Ben laughed.

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I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah I'm kinda hungry" I admitted.

Within 20 minutes Conrad was pulling into a small town.

"It's already 7.30pm, maybe we should stop here for the night"

We all nodded in agreement and unbuckled ourselves.

I got put first, ready to stretch my legs and it felt amazing.

Luke, Jack, Zia and Lucas pulled up next to us in Lukes truck, all seeming relieved the drive was being put to rest for the day.

"Let's eat" Lucas chanted.

"I feel like I'm running on fumes" added Zia.

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We all headed into a small diner, it had a rusty neon sign and plush leather seats, holding on to an 80's vibe it really should have outgrew.

The menus were the same, which I was actually thankful for.

I ordered a milkshake with a burger and fries.

When it arrived I demolished it in minutes, ordering an ice cream sundae for dessert.

"Girl can eat huh?" smirked Conrad.

He was becoming a good friend, and after helping out so much the previous night my respect had grew for him a lot.

My patience, that was questionable.

"I'm THE burger king" I joked.

"Queen" he smiled, but something churned inside my stomach and I didn't like it, the discomfort must have been visible on my face as he changed the subject.

"Only bar around here looks like a dive, you wanna avoid or should we try it?" He asked.

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"I'm not sure it's a good idea after last night" I admitted, my thoughts wondering to Cheryl and Chase and how they were getting on.

Conrad started talking to the boys so I got my phone out and dropped her a text.

How's it going at your sausage fest?

I chuckled to myself knowing she would appreciate the reference, whilst putting my phone back in my bag.

I was running low on blood bags after last night, and splitting the remaining with the other group, I was down to 3.

I'd have to hunt soon, which would be difficult as I never had to.

Luckily I had Ben with me, along with Hardin and Zia.

Ben was used to a mixed diet, and would have to mind control a fee drops from people, but could also help with hunting since he had done it for a few years.

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"Okay we've all agreed, we're going to drink in the hotel rooms tonight keep our heads down" Conrad said, making me smile.

"Okay, thankyou" I grinned.

"C'mon, let's go grab some drinks and snacks and get this party started" he wailed, getting some cheers from the guys.

I picked up my bag and put some notes on the table before heading outside with the guys.

The store was empty, and I looked around for some strawberry pencils and doritos, my go to comfort foods.

Seeing what I wanted, I walked over to the guys.

"What's your damage?" asked Zia.

"Jack Daniels" I smiled, "and cola"

he gasped.

"You brute" he grinned, making me laugh.

We paid for everything and jumped in the cars, for the 10 minute drive to the hotel.

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There were only 2 rooms available, but I agreed to stay with Ben and some others and they would let me have the bed to myself.

We put some music on, and made some drinks, after a few I was tipsy and dancing while the guys played cards.

My phone started ringing.

"Hello" I answered

"Hey babe, you didn't text back so I thought I'd call"

It was Cheryl.

I stepped outside to hear her better.

"Everything is fine, I miss you" I slurred.

"Been drinking?" She laughed.

"A littttle bit" I giggled back.

I spotted an ice machine and walked over, not noticing a group of men from another room in the parking lot.

I took a paper cup and started filling it.

"How was the drive?" She asked.

"It was sooo long" I replied "But I learnt how to play Duty Fire on my phone with Hardin, I beat his ass" I giggled.

She laughed down the phone.

"How was yours?" I returned the question.

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"Same, me and Chase are just watching a movie and gonna rest before the drive again tomorrow"

"Aww I hope you guys-"

My phone fell from my hand as a forceful hand wrapped itself around my wrist.

"What the" I mustered, before my eyes met a sweaty, bearded guy with a tattoo under his eyes.

He was inches away from me.

"Well, what's a fiiine lady like you doing in these parts?" His thick accent and strong beer breath hitting my face like an autumn breeze.

"Let go of me" I shouted, stumbling on my feet.

"And why would I wanna go do that now sweetpea?" He smirked, his expression dark and twisted.

"Because if you don't, I'll take your jugular and connect it to your lower intestine" I smiled, sweetly.

The full power of the whiskey courage hitting me.

"Oh darlin' it would please me to watch you try"

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I saw the hesitation in his face, and then the smirk fade as I felt my eyes burning, changing into their glowing orange state.

My lips raised into a smirk as I felt power surging through my veins, and hunger beginning to bubble as my sharp fangs broke through my gums.

His grip loosened, and as I was about to lunge for his throat, I heard my name being called.

"Come on Harry" he shouted, breaking my concentration on the guy.

I looked over at Conrad, who was only a meter away from me.

The guy had dropped my wrist and started walking backwards, but I couldn't control myself, I moved toward him and grabbed him by the hair, exposing his neck.

"Harry" Conrad shouted again, but it was too late, I was already moving toward his neck with my teeth fully exposed to everyone in the parking lot.

Just before they touched his skin, I was going sideways towards the pavement, but stopped abruptly before I hit it.

The adrenaline was different now, I wasn't sure what was happening until I was turned and looking up at a pair of emerald green eyes.

Conrads face was inches from mine and his hands around my neck and waist.

I could feel his breath on my face, it smelt like tequila and lime.

I had surges of electricity making their way from my head to my toes.

I felt my fangs retract and my eyes simmer down to normal along with the hunger.

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He lifted me up to stand again, and I couldn't break the eye contact, until he did by looking around us and pulling away.

I looked around too, and noticed Zia and Hardin compelling the guys to forget everything.

Conrad turned to face me once more.

"You okay?" He asked, looking concerned.

I nodded, embarrassed, and rushed back to the room, grabbing my bag and locking myself into the toilet where I could release the sobs that cried out to take over me.

It was only a few minutes before there was a knock at the door.

"Harry, it's Ben, are you okay?" He called out.

I couldn't answer, I could barely breath.

"It's all okay, we fixed-" He paused to reword "We got it all sorted" he said, sounding concerned.

Another sob broke free from my chest and the tears fell.

"Harry please, come out, let's talk" he pleaded.

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I tried to calm myself down, I was worrying people and I didn't want to be some drama queen.

"Just give me a minute" I croaked.

I took some deep breaths, and splashed my face with cold water before looking at myself in the mirror.

My eyes were red, and puffy.

My face red and blotted from the crying, lack of oxygen and the embarrassment.

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I splashed it a little more and decided to put some pyjamas on, before brushing my hair out and putting it into a ponytail.

I finally had the courage to open the door, and when I came out it was just Ben sitting cross legged on the bed texting.

"Hey" he said softly.

"Hi" I smiled, still unable to look him in the eye.

"Want a cuddle?" He asked.

I nodded, sitting next to him and putting my head in his neck while he wrapped an arm around me.

"We all get weak sometimes Harry, and that's okay" he paused, and I just listened.

"You were defending yourself, and you acted on impulse, we all do that in life, we just don't all come with glowing eyes and sharp teeth" he giggled, wiping away a stray tear that had found itself beside my nose once more.

"I almost fed from him, and I had no control" I breathed, a voice not able to be formed.

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"Hey, shh" he said, softly.

"We've all been there, you saw how Chase got yesterday and he's had years of training"

I nodded.

"It's not about how many times you slip up, it's about how you get back up again, and you'll keep getting back up until your feet are rooted to the ground.

You're young, and new to this" he soothed me.

"This is why I wanted to wait" I sobbed.

He held me tight until the cries slowed.

"What do you mean? I thought you asked to be turned?"

I shook my head, that was buried under Ben's neck.

"He took it from me Ben, everything, he stole it" I sobbed, dampening his shirt.

"Christoph? Why didn't you tell anyone?" He pleaded, lifting my chin up so I could look at him.

"I did, Chase and Cheryl know" I couldn't meet his eye. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you" I added.

"Hey no don't apologise, its hard I get that, but you can trust me with anything Harry" he said.

I pulled myself back into his chest, and he hugged me once more.

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It felt good to tell somebody else about it, like a weight lifted off of my shoulders, and it would hurt less when the truth came out to everyone eventually.

We stayed like this for a little while, and then I got into bed while he knocked on the other room to let Zia and Hardin know they could come back in.

He slept on top of the duvet with me so that I felt better.

I was appreciative of his help tonight, and felt grateful that I had such good friends.