Hunger
The water rose up to his chin, his hands clutched as close to his body as he could get them. He tried to focus on something; anything but all he could think about was the pain that was engulfing his entire body. He could feel his senses going crazy. Even though Leni was in the other room, her heart beat and that of her child pounded in his ears. Mick slowly closed his eyes, slipping into some kind of unconsciousness. He let the water rise above his head, trying to preserve what energy and strength he still had.
He didn't know how long he'd been submerged. He didn't even know if he was hallucinating or not. He opened his eyes and saw Leni sitting on the edge of the tub next to him. She looked worried. But all he could pay attention to was the delicate network of veins and arteries in her neck. He knew it would be wrong, she was an innocent and he didn't hunt innocents. Mick felt a sensation course through his body, no doubt the effects of the prolonged sun exposure. It felt as though electricity was shooting through every nerve.
"Mick?" she called out to him. She sounded so far but her heart beat was so loud. He didn't think he could stop himself. He needed what she had. He couldn't fight it much longer. He sat up and sunk his fangs into her soft flesh. He needed to satisfy that gnawing, aching hunger with him.
His eyes opened for real this time and he was alone. He heaved a partial sigh of relief. He hadn't attacked her. But still…that feeling had increased. She may have been left unharmed but he was still left with that feeling…
Hunger.