His body was shaking uncontrollably. He began to feel hot inside and he was sweating like crazy. He loosened his tie to be able to breath more freely all the while reaching the wall for support. His mouth and throat felt so suddenly dry and his insides started to squirm.
He has to be able to reach his room. The tablets are there. He took one this morning. He wondered why he's still feeling 'this'. Maybe the tablets no longer work? No. It has to work. Or maybe he needs to double his dosage? That's it, he will take two tablets a day.
For now he need to make it to his room. So he tried to move his feet forward but his knees doesn't have the strength to support his weight anymore, and so he lost his balance and fell to the floor.
"Zero?" Called that small voice that he didn't bother looking up to affirm the owner who he knows well enough not to mistake for someone else.
He then heard footsteps nearing him and a warm hand rested on his back.
"What's wrong?" She asked. Worry and panic was obvious on her tone.
Maia kneeled in front of him. He caught her scent and it made the situation even worse. She was dangerously close and he could smell her. Her breath fanning his face as she leans closer and closer... to her death.
His eyes fixated on her lips. They were slightly open as she looked in wonder of what was going on with him.
He has never fed on anyone in a while, aside from the animals that the Chairman delivers to him regularly. Let's just say, he's on a strict 'diet'. He doesn't know how long he'll be able to put up with this set-up before he'll 'die-yet'.
He met her warm chocolate-brown orbs and he knows she was seeing something on his eyes by the way she looks now.
Her eyes widened at the sudden transformation on Zero's irises. From the regular lavender shade it changed to almost blood red.
Zero must be really sick. She needs to get him help right away. Her father is not around to check something on the asylum, he would be disappointed if she didn't help him.
Though they've lived in the same roof for two years now, she isn't friends with the boy. He had put walls around him with no gate at all, that nobody except her father was allowed to climb.
He was sweating so hard and there appeared goosebumps on his arms.
"Zero, are you cold?" She asked as she places her hand on his neck and forehead.
Zero caught her wrist and she gasped as she felt the pain on his grip. "H-help me get to my room." He managed to spout under his difficulty in breathing.
"Come on!" She moved beside him and lifted his arm and placed it over her shoulders to assist him.
Her neck was just too close and her scent was driving him crazy. He can't control it anymore. To hell with his diet and to hell with the association. He's been working his ass off the past two years. He never gave in to the painful thirst, not once since that fateful day he found out that the very person he trusted his life with has been one of 'them' all the while.. a 'pure one' for that matter. The ultimate betrayal...
But today... he's going to give in... just one bite.
He leaned closer to the girl's neck and took in her scent. He wet his lips and opened his mouth as his hand settled at the back of her head and the other on her shoulder to keep her still.
"Maia!" A loud voice called the girl's name like being drenched in an ice cold water and he suddenly pushed the girl with the remaining strength he have. She landed on the floor across him with a surprised look.
Dr. Yanagi was right in front of them right now. Zero didn't bother looking up as he closed his eyes, suddenly ashamed.
"Go to your room, Maia." The doctor ordered his daughter.
"But-"
"Now!" He raised his voice and that sent his daughter running.
After a moment and without a word, the doctor helped him up.
Dr. Yanagi held a small syringe in his hand in the air for his view. There was a pink liquid in it.
"The effect is faster and longer compared to the tablets."
The doctor sat beside him on the bed and without a warning, stabbed him with the syringe on his arm.
It did hurt a tiny bit but after a few seconds Zero felt warm inside as the painful thirst started to subside.
"You're right." He uttered.
The doctor smirked. "Ofcourse. If you just went back early, you could have gotten the first shot."
Zero took a breath. "I got busy." He was supposed to be back four months ago from his mission in Italy.
"You're their favorite hunter now, that's why." Dr. Yanagi commented. "How's Helsinki?"
Zero glared at the man's face.
"Level-E free." He said and stood to get a bottled water from the fridge.
"You've been almost around the world now... don't you miss Japan?"
The bottle on his hand exploded, water drenched his shirt and hands. His back was on the doctor but his shaking body was an indication of an off-topic.
"I have no reason to go back. They have enough hunters to-"
"Very defensive eh?" Dr. Yanagi teased. "Cross misses you. You're not returning his calls."
Zero removed his shirt not caring for the doctor's presence who doesn't seem to mind.
"I'll call him tomorrow."
"No need. He's here."
Zero's eyes widened. The chairman is here in London?