Hi, author here. Before you start reading, THIS IS A SEQUEL! If you have not read my first book, "Holding Breath", do not read this one. It is highly recommended that you read that story first. I do not want to spoil you for anything. There is a small recap in the first two chapters for the last book, it contains major spoilers of said book. If you want to be spoiled, go ahead, but don't say I didn't warn you.
1-Prologue
Maddy's POV
I wake up this morning thinking yesterday was a dream. There's no way Maya can be a vampire. It's just not possible. I must be trying to come up with a reason for why Maya acts the way that she does. But, when Mom asked how my date with Kai went, I knew it was real.
I walk to the bus stop worried. I don't know what'll happen today. Lilly and Alexa walk a few feet in front of me. When we arrive, I see that they aren't here yet. But they arrive a few minutes later.
They are really upset. I understand why. They watched their mother die right in front of them. I should know, I was there. I shouldn't bring that up though. I put on a happy face for them and walk over.
"Hey." I say.
"Hey." Maya said. She's not fully convinced that she can trust me with this. I can be trusted. I won't tell a soul.
"Hey." Kai said with much less enthusiasm than both of us. "How are you?" Kai asked.
"Fine. I made it home okay." I say with a chuckle. I'm the only one who laughed. Lilly and Alexa are in their own conversation a few feet away. So, they are oblivious to ours.
"You are okay with all of this, right?" Kai asked.
"Yes." At least I have an answer to my endless questions of why? Why doesn't she talk to anyone? Why doesn't she eat anything? Why is she afraid of everyone? Because she's a vampire. "I have no reason to not be, right?"
"Well there's always a reason. Me being around is a danger in it of itself. But I promise that I won't do anything." Maya said. Then she mumbled something that I couldn't detect.
"What time did you and your dad get home last night?" I ask Kai.
"10:30." He said. I widen my eyes.
"It was that far?" I ask.
"Yes." Maya replied.
"Why did Nathaniel take us that far?" I ask.
"Because he knew that I could find him there. I go there to hunt." Maya answered.
"Why do you go that far?" I ask. There are forests all around here.
"It's the most sufficient for me. 274 miles." Maya said.
"How often do you have to go?" I ask. I hope I'm not asking too much.
"It depends. Back in Washington, I went once every few days. But, now that I'm in school, I've been going every night. Other than that, one, minor, setback. I haven't since Thursday. So today will be interesting. Anyway, over time I won't go as often. I'm sure when I'm not a newborn, my thirst will decline." She said. She's really comfortable with saying all of this. Or she doesn't want me to ask questions.
I nod my head and the bus came. I follow Maya and Kai to the back. Maya's at the window, Kai at the aisle, me in the next seat. Nothing happens until lunch. Homeroom was just me and Kai talking. Maya was reading. I don't have a class with them in the morning. Lunch is when I see them again.
I sit down next to Kai. Maya is across from him. They are both at the ends of the row.
"How's your day going?" I ask them both.
"Maya has been freaking out all day." Kai said.
"Why?" I ask.
"I haven't had a drop of blood since Thursday. It's a long time." She then said something really quickly and I couldn't hear it.
"Slow down Maya. You lost us." Kai said.
"I feel like I need to break something." She said. "Or kill something." She said. I don't know why, but I get nervous after she said that. She won't do anything. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that." She said noticing my fear.
"It's fine." I say.
"I use that excuse more than anybody. I'm sorry." She said sympathetically.
"It's okay, Maya. I get it." I say. She doesn't respond. I really hope that we can be friends. I don't want it to be awkward.
"Let's not talk about it." She said.
"Okay." I respond. The rest of the day goes as usual. Maya always looks really uncomfortable. Before I was curious, but now I know. I know the reason. It just all makes sense now.
We don't talk much, none of us do. They're going through a really hard time. But it's not like they can tell anyone. If anyone knows that their mother died, they're going to ask how it happened. What would they say? Her arm was ripped off and she bled to death? It was so quick. Within a second. And they can't tell anyone.
The one thing I still want to know is why Maya ran off that night. Kai came to school the next day without her and he looked totally freaked out. Why? I shouldn't ask though. I know Maya is tired of me asking questions.
On the walk home, Maya and I are on either side of Kai. I'm on his left, she's on his right. We bid goodbye when we reach my house. They keep walking. Lilly and Alexa are right behind us. Alexa goes her way and Lilly follows me inside.
"So, who are they?" Lilly asked me.
"You know them. It's Maya and Kai." I say to her. Mom isn't home from work yet.
"Yeah, but who are they?" She asked.
"What do you mean?" I respond.
"Are they friends or..." She said.
"They're friends. Kai and I went on a date but I don't know what will happen." I say.
"Okay." She said in a sing-song voice and she walked upstairs. I shake my head and grab some water.
My mind wanders to Maya. I take a sip of the water. What does this taste like to her? Does it still taste like water? What about other food? Is blood the only thing? I assume so, but I wonder what would happen if she ate human food?
What's going to happen with me and Kai? I like him and I think he likes me. Maya said she was fine with it, but how do I know if she was telling the truth? What if Kai and I break up? Will she still be comfortable with me knowing?
I'm glad that I have my answer, but I wish it wasn't true. I had no reason to believe in vampires until yesterday. It's just a very extravagant reason. It's a huge secret that I'm a part of. I can't tell anyone. I don't know what the consequences are if I do, so I'm not going to try.
We'll see what happens. I start my homework and let tomorrow come.