The Tylonol did it's job. As soon as I'd swallowed the pills, I'd felt a blessed, numb relief sliding over me once again. God, did that feel good. Never mind the fact that Shane would probably be going into a panic attack right now. I felt good for the first time that day. Granted, I was probably dreaming now, but that was beside the point. If I couldn't feel good in real life, then I could at least feel good in my dreams. No! Shit… the numbness was dragging me under. Gah….
When I woke up, that numbness was gone. I was shivering all over, and I was aware that something warm was lying close to me. I instinctively nestled closer to the source of warmth, and hear Shane's strained chuckle.
"So, the Sleeping Beauty awakens?" He asked in a whisper, pressing a warm kiss to my scorching forehead.
I managed a small smile, than began coughing. "Ow. That hurts." I complained, burying my face in his shirt. "I'm freezing…." I added, shivering violently as I groped for the blanket. A small whimper escaped my lips when I couldn't find it, and a hot, frustrated tear rolled down my burning cheek.
His face softened considerably, and he wrapped the blanket around me, then his arms. "Sh, Claire, don't cry," He said soothingly, pressing his face against my hair. "I can't believe you're cold. You're burning up." Shane's brow furrowed a little as he lifted his face, releasing me for a moment. Before I could whine about that, he pulled back to me, a Coke in his hand. "Drink." He commanded me, holding the icy can to my lips.
My mouth opened obediently, and I swallowed the sweet, icy soda as it was slowly poured into my mouth. A moment later, while the soda was still trapped in my mouth, Shane kissed me, his tongue teasingly licking a few drops of Coke off my tongue. "Eeep!" I wailed in protest, then winced slightly.
"Sorry. Couldn't help myself." Shane snickered, looking down at me with an impish smile.
The glare faded from my eyes, and a smile fell in it's place. "You're lucky you're so loveable." I warned him, closing my eyes again as I nestled closer against his warm body. "Otherwise, I might just have to kick your ass when I get better. Don't worry, though. I'll teach you a lesson as soon as I get better." My voice held a teasing lilt to it, and yet I hoped he would hear the wistfulness in it, too.
Apparently, he had. He looked pleased, yet determined at the same time. "Not until you're eighteen, Claire. I made a promise to your Dad, to you, and to myself. I'm not going back on my word, no matter how tempting you are." His lips pressed against me neck, and a shudder of delight passed through my hormonal sixteen year-old body.
"You tempt me, too…." I pouted as he pulled away, brushing a strand of messy hair out of my eyes. "It isn't fair… and now I'm burning up." Beads of sweat were collecting on my forehead, and squirmed away from him, groaning a little. I shimmied out of my pants, then saw the look on his face as he looked up at the ceiling. "Shane, chill. I'm hot, okay? Just chill."
He nodded wordlessly, closing his eyes quickly as he waited for me to slip out of my sticky clothes.
"Over reacting…." I muttered as I tossed my jeans against the far wall, then adjusted my boy shorts a little. I then took off my shirt, then my bra, just leaving a camisole on, and my underwear. I balled the shirt and bra up, then tossed them towards the wall, too. "I'm finished." I added, wriggling under the sheet, my cheeks tinged pink from embarrassment, and my fever.
Shane's eyes opened, and he looked down at me, lust in his eyes. "Don't look so smug," He warned me as he watched my small smirk play across my lips. His arms snaked around my waist, pulling me towards his chest as he rolled over onto his side. I noticed his hand brush lightly against my thigh, then wrest against the small of my back.
"I don't mind," I assured him, snuggling closer as I closed my eyes. "I think I'm going to try and take another nap. When I wake up, I'll go downstairs and eat." I added before he could turn over-protective again.
He relaxed visible, nuzzling me hesitantly. "No, I'll go get you something from downstairs when you wake up." He objected, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. "I'll be here when you wake up, Claire. Now, go to sleep."
I didn't need to be told twice. Within moments, I was fast asleep, still held in the arms of Shane.
That's when the nightmares began. I was running, running for my life. That much was clear. In Morganville, Texas, you got used to running for your life. I did it almost every day. But, I also knew what I was running from. A vampire, obviously. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that much out. Or a Physics geek, like me. No, this was to easy. But which vampire was I running from? The answer quickly came once the vampire came into view, gracefully loping behind me.
Brandon. Stupid vampire bastard.
He'd been targeting me ever since he had first saw me in Common Grounds. Why me, I still don't know. It's not like I'm that pretty. Well, Shane would argue that point, but only because he was my boyfriend.
"Going somewhere, Claire?" Brandon asked as he appeared in front of me, fangs showing. He grabbed my wrist, lifting it towards his mouth with amusement. This was all a game to him. A game at my expense. A game that I wasn't willing to play. But.... a game you have to play if you live in Morganville.
"Yeah. To see my boyfriend." I snapped, trying to pull away from his tight grip. Of course, he didn't release my wrist. No. He brought it closer.
He tsked. "You should dump him. Now, I can show you a good time." His smirk grew more pronounced as he lifted his wrist to his mouth, then ran his tongue over one of her veins.
"Okay, that's just gross. You need to stop. Now!" I yelped, struggling hopelessly. "Shane! Help! Help me!" I sobbed, tears pouring down my cheeks. "He--"
Brandon sank his teeth into my wrist, and a bloodcurdling scream escaped my lips.
I woke up to Shane shaking me, and Michael and Eve crowded against the edge of my bed, eyes wide.
"Claire! Claire!" Shane shouted, then scooped me up, forgetting the fact I was only wearing panties and a camisole. "God, you were screaming loud enough to wake the dead. No pun intended."
Michael was averting his gaze, staring down at the floor instead of joining Shane's rant.
"Nightmare...." I shuddered, shrinking against his warm chest, wiping at my tearstained face. "About Brandon. I was running from him, and he caught me. I was yelling for you to help me, and he bit my wrist. It hurt..." I whispered, then glanced down at my wrist. Another scream escaped from my lips, and Shane wrapped his arms tighter around me, confused. I lifted my wrist up wordlessly, numb with shock. I was barely aware of the shrieks from Eve, the yells from Shane, or the shouts from Michael. I was falling, and I didn't realize it. I fell limply into Shane's arms, not quite aware of the stinging my wrist was giving off, or the blood that was now staining my bed. I only felt shock, numbness, and fear. How had this happened? It had all been a dream, hadn't it? How could someone harm me in my nightmares? It just wasn't logical....
Several hours later, I felt someone wiping my forehead with a cool wash cloth. I opened my feverish eyes, looking up at Eve. I opened my mouth to speak, but she shook her head warningly.
"No, Claire Bear. Don't talk right now. You've been hallucinating for hours now; you kept screaming, 'My wrist is bleeding, my wrist is bleeding!'. But, Claire, we looked. Nothings wrong with your wrist. It was just nightmares." Her gaze flickered to the door, then back to my face. "I'll be right back. I'm going to have Shane bring you up some food and a Coke. Don't move, okay?"
I nodded.
She disappeared out my door, and I pushed my blanket down to my hips, still aware that I was only wearing panties and my blue camisole. So, that part hadn't been a dream. Just the bleeding wrist part. I shuddered violently, still frightened about that part. That had been way beyond creepy. Scarier than Brandon chasing me and Eve in her black Caddy.
What had the dream meant? What would happen to me the next time I saw Brandon? A small whimper escaped my lips, and a tear rolled down my cheek. As more tears escaped, the sobs began tearing violently out of my chest. I heard feet pounding up the stairs, and worried calls from Shane , Eve, and Michael. Agonized wails began escaping through my lips, and then everything disappeared.
All sounds disappeared from my ears, everything I had just seen in my room was gone.
Everything was dark, blank. I slipped into the darkness, wishing I wouldn't resurface. Hoping that I wouldn't, actually. Morganville was a hell hole. I hated the vampires.
And yet....
I'd miss everything if I didn't resurface.
I would miss Shane, with his warm kisses and love for video games. Eve, with her cute gothyness.... And Michael, for being like the big brother I'd always wanted. I would miss them all.
No one get's their wishes. I should know.
I resurfaced....