Horatio staggered slightly as he went to stand from his office chair. Frank stuck his arms out when the man started to fall over.
''H,did you sleep last night?''
''A little...I'm just tired...but I'll be alright.''
Frank helped the redhead steady himself before he stepped away.
''You sure? You're lookin' a little pale.''
''I'm fine,''Horatio reassured with a gentle smile. Frank didn't believe him and examined his boss carefully.
Horatio's hair was slightly disheveled,his skin was white as a sheet,and he appeared dizzy.
Hell,the man was anemic.
He seemed thinner,too. Almost underweight. It scared the Texan that his normally live and strong friend looked like the smallest breeze could blow him over.
Suddenly Horatio collapsed to the floor;Frank managed to stick his arms out again making sure Horatio's head didn't hit the floor.
''You're not fine,H. I'm getting Alexx in here.''
''Frank...You don't need to...'' The man was already on the phone with the ME.
''What's going on,Frank?''
''Yeah,Alexx? I need you to have a look at Horatio. He ain't doing too good.''
''Now? I'm trying to finish a report.''
''Yeah. Now. You can finish the report later.''
Horatio muttered something incoherently about not needing Alexx,but Frank knew otherwise.
Frank hung up and tucked the phone away. Horatio felt one arm slide under his knees,and the other around his back.
The redhead wasn't exactly happy about being lifted bridal style,but at the same time,he didn't have the ability to walk. Alexx came in just as Frank was placing Horatio on the couch,and she immediately grew concerned. Frank stepped away and Alexx saw her boss's pale face.
''Frank,I'm gonna ask you to stand outside for a moment.'' The Texan stared confused for a minute before he left.
Alexx pulled Horatio's computer chair around from his desk and sat down next to the couch. Horatio looked at her with foggy eyes. The brunette placed her hand on his forehead and became confused.
Pale skin and dizziness were often signs of a fever,which Horatio did not have.
She went to one of his wrists to find a pulse,and was shocked at what she found. Horatio's wrist was ripped open,scabbed over,or scarred,as if he'd been restrained.
''Have you been eating?'' The redhead nodded. ''More than I usually do,though. I can never get my energy back for long.''
Alexx looked at his other wrist. It was in the same condition.
''Are you living with someone?'' She had to ask. There was no reason for his bloody wrists otherwise. ''No...''
''Well,someone's been getting to you.''
Alexx moved to Horatio's neck for a pulse since there was no way she could find one on either of his wrists.
Horatio winced and groaned when he felt two of her fingers come down gently over his skin. Alexx felt a warm fluid drip onto her fingers and she took her hand away.
''Horatio...You're bleeding.'' Horatio closed his eyes,a memory that was only a few months old came flooding back.
...
Horatio looked up at the full moon. It wasn't often that he got to see the night sky. He was mostly an indoor person.
It was quiet,and he was walking alone. The day was unusually cool in Miami,so he decided he'd walk back from work.
He was enjoying his walk when he heard more footsteps. He was the only one outside,or at least that's what he thought.
''You walk alone much?'' The voice hit Horatio's ears,and his heart skipped a beat. It was dark and laced with a slightly dangerous tone.
''Not really,no.''
A figure slightly taller than him walked up next to him.
''You're new here,aren't you?''Horatio asked,his own voice darkening slightly. Something was off about this man.
''Not really. I've been in Miami longer than you have,and I know you grew up here.''
Horatio's eyes darkened. This person was claiming that he knew Miami better than he did,and that he knew about his childhood.
''Your father's house...He certainly couldn't be bothered to keep up with maintenance.'' Horatio glared. The stranger had stopped to look the old grey house across the street. It was then that Horatio got a good look at the other male.
He wore a black leather jacket and black jeans. Short brown hair blew gently in the wind. Brown eyes scanned the crumbling structure. Pale skin reflected the moonlight. Black leather boots gave him an extra inch in height.
''Do you mind if I look around inside?''
''Be my guest. I have to get home.'' Horatio turned to walk away and was relieved that he didn't hear anyone walking behind him.
He got in the front door of his house and kicked his shoes off before he made his way upstairs to his bedroom. He collapsed onto his bed without changing and started to drift off.
''You don't lock your doors often,do you?''
Horatio launched up to attack. He was pushed down with inhuman strength.
''What the hell are you doing in my house?!''Horatio demanded. The attacker pinned him to the bed with one hand and tilted his head with the other,as if looking the redhead over.
He examined his neck and found a pulsing artery. He smiled,and before Horatio could fight back anymore,the intruder bit down into his neck.
Horatio gasped in pain. He suddenly noticed his world was starting to blacken around him and he tried to push the vampire away.
He faded into unconsciousness and then the attacker pulled away. But in his darkened world of pain,Horatio heard the man whisper something in his ear.
''I'll be back for your blood again.''
...
Horatio looked up at Alexx with his blue eyes.
''Alexx...There was someone...who...''Horatio passed out.
''FRANK,GET AN AMBULANCE! NOW!''
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Chapter 2 is next.
