The Net: "The Need For Blood": Chapter 2
A/N: I should also place a thank you to those who have comments on the previously unedited version! Thanks! You guys rock! (And help me to keep my pen in gear on the paper!)
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Jacob nearly choked when he heard Trelawney's words. "Pardon me?"
"You heard me. And from now on, that's the only thing that will keep you alive."
"Wh…wha….what?"
"We changed your genes to that of a vampire. Vampires, as you know, drink blood, and only blood. But we made you a little special. Not just any blood will do for you. We took a sample of Angela's blood awhile back when she'd been shot. Yeah, she left quite a bit of blood lying around. So, we took some and formulated your genes to her blood. So, you're slightly different than that of a regular vampire.You have to have Angela's blood and no one else's. Or you will die."
Sean took the restraints off Angela and left the room with the doctor. Jacob got off the table and backed cautiously away from Angela.
"Please tell me I didn't just drink your blood! Please tell me I didn't!" he begged, looking very frightened to know that her blood had tasted so good.
Angela gulped. "You did." Jacob wilted to the floor on the spot. She ran to him and knelt over his body. "Wake up! Come on Jacob! Wake up!"
Slowly he opened his eyes and looked up at her. "Angel, I'm scared. I don't want to drink your blood!"
"It's OK. Don't think about that now! I just need you to help me find away out of here."
"um, yeah, OK."
Angela helped him to his feet, and they left the room, finding no guards in the hallway. They searched for a way out, finding an unguarded door not too far from the surgical room. They slipped out into the inky black night. They found the way back to their hotel room and both collapsed wearily on the bed.
"That was too easy an escape," Jacob commented.
"Of course it was. Now he doesn't have to keep chasing us. With you the way you are now, we're both guaranteed to die, no matter what happens to him. And maybe because you're different light won't affect you. If you go out into light and die, that leaves me still alive, which defeats his purpose."
Angela shivered. She'd said it so calmly, as if she were talking about Louis and Lestat from Interview With a Vampire. But then the reality hit her. She wasn't talking about some characters from a novel or a movie. She was talking about Jacob. Her best friend. This wasn't fiction. This was real life.
"Angel, it's not true. What he said. I'm not going to believe it at all. What I drank was just cranberry juice, or something. Now, I am going to bed and when I get up in the morning I'm going to have a huge plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. And I'm going to enjoy it! Good night, Angel."
Jacob promptly turned over and fell asleep. Angela got up and went over to the other bed. She slowly got underneath the covers and turned out the light. Lying on her side, she watched Jacob's outline rise and fall as he breathed, before she too, fell asleep.
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The next morning Jacob had his plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon for breakfast. Angela had a bowl of cereal. Afterwards, they packed their things and went to another hotel in another town.
"God, I am so hungry!" Jacob exclaimed.
"But you practically just had breakfast!"
"I know, I know."
They sat around the room until it was lunch time, with nothing else to do. Jacob ate THREE ham and cheese sandwiches along with a tall glass of milk. Several days went by. Jacob kept eating regular food, and lots of it. But something was wrong. He was getting weaker, staying in bed more, and his clothes seemed to be getting too big for him.
"Jacob, what's wrong?" Angela finally asked.
"I don't know," he spoke as if something was in his mouth.
"Come on, sit up and I'll massage your back and shoulders for you."
Jacob weakly sat up. Angela put her hands on his shoulders, but immediately pulled them away.
"What?" There was still something in his closed mouth.
She cautiously touched his arm and drew back her hand in horror.
"Jacob, can you take your shirt off?" he shook his head. "Do you mind if I?" He shook his head 'no' again. Gently, she lifted the shirt, but before she was able to get it off, it dropped back into place. "Oh my God. Jacob, you're….I can clearly see each of your ribs! And every other bone you've got! How come you never told me about this!" He just looked sadly at her, his mouth closed. "Jacob? What's in your mouth? Why won't you talk to me?" He said nothing. "Open your mouth." He shook his head. "JACOB! NOW!" He only shook his head harder. "Jacob! Please!" she begged.
Slowly his mouth opened to reveal a set of vampire-like fangs. Angela jumped back and he closed his mouth.
"I didn't want to scare you," he said.
