Jake gently nudging my shoulder brought me back from my flashback. I realised I had been staring at him and felt my cheeks flush.
"Um just...wondering where Mom and Dad have got to." I smiled, hoping he wouldn't see through my lame excuse.
"Do you want me to find them for you?" He offered, already half off the couch. I laughed; he was always so eager to do anything for me. I pulled him back, my hand lingering on his perhaps a second too long. He didn't seem to notice, as he crashed back down next to me and wrapped him arm around my shoulders.
"I'm sure they're just hunting or something. What are we watching?"
I didn't really hear his answer, I was lost in my own thoughts again. I knew that, when I was old enough, Jake would be in love with me. Romantically. And so it was assumed we would spend the rest of our lives together. I was starting to wonder when that would be.
Would I be ready? I felt so comfortable with him...I missed him when he wasn't around. Was I already in love with Jake?
I tried to imagine kissing him, but the very thought made me tense awkwardly. Maybe not yet.
After about 20 minutes of lounging around the living room, Mom and Dad appeared in the doorway.
"Nice to see you've moved exactly three feet."
The sun cast rays through the glass windows, making my parents' skin glitter. My eyes ached at their radiance and I felt a twinge of jealousy. I've always wished I could sparkle like that. All I get is a faint glow...barely noticable really. Of course, it did have its advantages. I could go out in public in the sun.
"Subtle Mom. I wanted to go hunting anyway. C'mon Jake."
I took his hand as we left, and out of the corner of my eye I could see Mom watching, smiling hesitantly to herself.
We took off running, Jake keeping pace with me. I lost his grip as we darted either side of the trees, but I could always feel his presence...his warmth, close by. I watched him running alongside me, whooping with joy as he raced across the forrest. I loved to see him so happy, so illuminated. He looked so strong, so powerful, and yet so soft. His face glowed with excitement as his muscles flexed, carrying him effortlessly. I could have watched him forever, but we had hunting to do.
I let my senses overwhelm me, guiding me towards a herd of deer. Dull, but easy. Jake phased, and caught scent of them too; we were headed in the same direction. What he had in speed, I made up for in agility. As he paused for me, I easily leaped over him to pounce on the biggest, leaving him to take down the next largest.
No human food could ever compare to this. The satisfaction of warm, sweet, thick blood, trickling down my throat and soothing the faint throbbing that would always be with me. For a few moments I forgot everything and focused only on savouring every last drop.
"Someone's hungry." Jake smirked at my frenzy, as I drained the animal entirely. Hunting never was quite the same for him...it was just food, same as any other.
I opened my mouth for a witty retort, when suddenly, I heard something. Movement. And this definitely wasn't an animal.