In Blood

VII. Captivated

Theo had just left me with this man, a man who I did not know. I could feel him watching me, trying to figure me out. I could feel something else, coming to try and figure me out, as much as it felt familiar I shield away from it.

It had been a day since Theo left and Adam hadn't left my side since not really only to get me a 'juice box' that's how Theo fed me and that's how Adam continued to make sure that I was being fed. I could hear him coming down the hallway whistling away, some tuned that he had been whistling since he got here. The same tuned was stuck in my head, an earworm I couldn't get rid of.

"I can't believe he's been feeding you like this." Adam said handing me my juice box.

I took it from him, punching the straw in I drank it greedily, hungry and thirsty for more. I wanted more.

"Do you wanna tell me why there's hardly any staff here?" He asked handing me another carton.

I paused taking my eyes off my new juice box. The seconds ticked by as he awaited my response, if I was going to respond. His eyes never left me. "I went on a feeding frenzy killing more than half his staff." I finally said.

He nodded taking in my words and I went back to drinking my blood. "Why are you in this room?" He asked when he spoke again.

Swallowing around the mouthful of blood, I answered, "Theo brought me here, that night to clean the blood off."

"What's wrong with Theo's room?"

"I ruined it, I attacked Theo."

"Why?"

Why did I attack Theo? I thought back, bringing the memory forward, something sparked deep in me awaking the sleeping fury within me. It burned through me coming forward, I looked up at Adam, he leaned back in surprise as he took me in. "He changed me." I finally said, my voice hard.

Adams eyes flashed with something unrecognisable as he clenched his jaw.

We didn't speak after that, I enjoyed the remainder of my drink in silent.

It had been four days without Theo, it was getting easier to keep track of the days now. Adam kept me company as always we'd talk. Today Adam sat across the room, he was on his phone typing away. He looked up his eyes met mine and he sent a smile my way. A smile stretched across my own lips, it felt a little foreign smiling like this.

He put his phone away and made his way over to me, taking a seat next me on the bed he slouched against the headboard. He stared off into the distance, deep in thought and his eyes unfocused. A familiar sensation brushed against me, tingling, it wasn't physical but I could feel it. It's presence felt familiar but I couldn't exactly put my finger on it and because of that I didn't welcome it.

Adam jolted upright, next to me. He turned to me with confusion and intrigue on his face. Silent but curious he tilted his head to the side mulling over his words. I could see it in his eyes that he wasn't going to say what he wanted to. "No offence but you stinks." He said breaking the mini staring competition and silence. "We need to get you showered a cleaned. It's the first step to getting you a little better."

I just stared at him, who the hell did he think he was?

"Come on," he said, his tone soothing and encouraging. I let him lead me into the adjoining bathroom, he switched on the shower. "I'll be right outside if you need me." Adam said waiting for me, to make a move.

I watched him, waiting on me to make a move.

"I could help you get clean," he offered.

I stared blankly as is tried to find the words. "I- I got it." A small smile graced his lips as he exited the bathroom.

I waited until I head the click of the door to start stripping out of my clothes. I don't know how long I had been in these clothes for but he was right they were gross and I smelt and I felt filthy. My movements were robotic and stiff and slow. But I managed to wash myself, cleaning every crook and cranny, exfoliating my face, arms, legs and everything in between. I shampooed thoroughly and conditioned letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. I turned off the shower and stepped out wrapping my towel around me and another around my hair.

I stood in front of the mirror taking in my appearance. Loose hair fell out my makeshift turban in ringlets. My wheatish complexion dull having lost its glow. My eyes sunken with bags, I needed to get some sun on me and take better care of myself, but the fleeting thought of self care was gone just as quick as it came. I still stood analysing myself, my deep brown eyes starred back at me taking me in, drinking in the changes and I was worse for wear, I have obviously seen better days.

I turned to my right taking in my profile and then to my left, something shimmering caught the corner of my eye taking my eyes off the mirror I looked over the desk where it lay. It was bloodied and crusted, I remember vaguely Theo taking off my ring when he cleaned me off. My hands shook slightly as I reached out for it, it was now covered with dried blood, the memories of that day came rushing back as I picked up the ring, and the ring that was covered in the blood of those that I had drank dry and killed.

I ran the tap, the water gushed out at full speed. I examined the ring closer, I could smell the blood, and it was still fresh I could smell them clear as the first day. The scent it me somewhere deep as I inhaled deeply, my mouth salivated, fangs pierced through my bottom lip. I caught my reflection in the mirror, startling myself, I shook my head, clearing my head of all unwanted thoughts and focused on the task at hand. I put the ring under the warm water washing away the dried blood, it was mesmerising to watch the water run red then a pale pink as it washed away the blood. Once completely clean I dried it off and slid it back on my finger, the same finger Luke had placed it on all those months ago.

Luke.

My thoughts drifted to him the man I was meant to marry. the wedding date long gone. A pang of sadness hit me. He was supposed to be my husband. We were supposed to be married right about now. Instead here I was, barely existing, living half a life.

I exited the bathroom, ring on, towel tightly wrapped and the thoughts of my fiancé fresh on my mind. I spotted the bed, freshly made with a set of clothing on top and Adam nowhere to be found. I moisturised and changed into the clothes picked out for me and settled on the made bed.

"Finally you have emerged," Adam said spotting me. "I thought I was going to send in a search team." He tossed me a blood bag my way, I watched it fly through the air and land on my lap. I starred at it in my lap them looked at him, questioningly.

I lifted the clear bag, the dark red blood moved around the bag so freely, mesmerised by the blood I watched it hypnotised. I could smell it and it was tantalising.

"I can't have you drinking from a juice box for the rest of your existence if we want you to start controlling your blood thirst." He said seeing my dazed state. "Drink up."