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Two: One Second of Insanity
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Tiny's advice proved to be true. I did as he told me, following the direction of the sun for two days – and indeed, I found my way out of the wilderness, and back in civilization. The town I came across was a small one, discreet, with not many travelers passing through – though it did own one small motor inn. After a further, more thorough search of the bag given to me by Tiny, I found some money, which bought me a room, some food, and some warmer clothes.
But shelter, warmth, sustenance – they could only go so far. There was something else I needed – something I didn't want to want. But I couldn't help it. Everywhere I turned, everywhere I looked, I could see it, smell it.
Blood.
I stayed in this little town for quite some time, recuperating and getting my thoughts together. It was not the best of ideas, however.
Because of what I was.
Because of what I needed.
I would watch, unwillingly, peoples' veins pumping blood away under their skin. I would hang around the small butcher's, watching as they carved their meat. There was even one time when I saw a little boy fall over and cut his knee – it took all my will power to turn around and walk away.
With every passing hour, the craving for blood within me swelled.
I fought against it as hard as I could. I tried to take my mind off it by occupying myself with other things: some exercises Perri had taught me, by searching for a job, eating, anything. But not matter what I did, it was always there, in the pit of my stomach, bubbling away.
Soon, I began to feel the toll it was taking on my body.
When I was first blooded, I had felt… different. Stronger, maybe, swifter, my senses more highly attuned. But now, only three weeks later, I was beginning to feel weaker than I had ever felt before. I would feel so groggy – at times I would lay in bed all day, and at other times I had to make sure I walked near something stable in case I fainted.
And all the time, that craving boiled within me.
But finally, my control, my determination and will power failed me.
I had been out walking after dark, hoping the nighttime air would help clear my head.
He stumbled out of a pub.
Turned around and swore in German.
I stopped as a smell hit my nose.
Strong.
Heavy.
A coppery metallic smell…
The man turned around.
There was a jagged cut on his arm – a bar brawl, broken bottle probably…
And then -
It had me.
The craze.
I couldn't stop myself.
A misty veil of thick velvety crimson had encompassed me.
Enveloped me.
Sinking itself into the crevices of my mind.
Completely controlling me.
I couldn't stop.
The man fell down.
Scrambled.
Tried to get away.
But I didn't let him.
He was mine.
And I was hungry.
Oh… so…
Hungry.
He went to scream, but my hand lashed out, covered his mouth, muffled his cry. With a strength I had thought deserted me, I dragged him into the darkness, and then –
And then –
I could feel my body moving, but at the same time, I couldn't. It wasn't me controlling me, but someone else, something else, the monster within. I watched in horror as the thing within wrapped Its hands around the man's neck, tightening in a ferocious grip. The man's eyes were wide, wider than tennis balls.
The thing within leaned forward. Its hands – Its claws – were digging into the man's neck now, making rivulets of blood swell and run.
Lick. Taste it.
The taste drove It further.
The man let out a weak cry.
Look up sharply and –
See my reflection in his eyes.
It was my reflection that stopped me. In his wide, blood-shot eyes, I saw a monster, an ugly, horrible thing, face twisted in a horrible leer. But worst of all were the eyes – the monster's eyes.
They were mine.
I reeled back in horror, the red veil retreating. The man lay on the ground, the shock entering his system.
I was equally as shocked – staring from him, to my hands, and back at him.
I let out a small, pathetic cry.
And then I turned and ran.
I ran as far as I could, running, stumbling, crying, pushing passed people and against walls, anything, trying to run away from the monster within me. But I couldn't run far enough. The monster ran along with me.
It ran along inside me.
I don't know how long I ran for – it would have been only a few minutes – but suddenly the faintness was back. I knew my feet were touching the ground, yet at the same time, I felt like I was flying, floating, hovering, drifting. The giddiness overwhelmed me – my sprint turning to a jog, then a walk.
so
I came to an absolute halt, swaying on my feet.
tired…
The world.
Why does the world spin so…?
Fall down.
There it was.
That darkness again.
Threatening to take over me.
But before it does –
Footsteps.
A voice.
A face – fading in and out. Gentle grey eyes behind frameless glasses, brown hair, a bit of shadow along the jawline, face filled with concern…
And his voice – warming, and gentle, and oh so deep…
"Sind Sie gut fühlend?" He was saying… fading in and out… like that old radio we once had that wouldn't work…
"Nein." I replied.
And then I was gone.
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A.N That was so baaad… -dies- I'm sorry it's so crappy, but I had the urge to write, so write I did… bleh… ebil school… it's killing my already mediocre abilities. Sigh. The world is an evil place.
curls up into a little ball and cries-
(Don't mind me, I'm in a depressed state at the moment… have no real idea why though… I need more slash in my life… sniffsniff.)
But in any case… Yay! Kiefer finally arrived! –glomps her lovable little German guy-
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Next Chapter:
Three: White Song
"Um… Ich bin Auslander… und… sprechren nicht gut Deutches?" I tried tentatively, trying to remember what I had learned at school.
That nice smile of his spread.
"Ah. Then, shall I try English?" He asked. It sounded like he was fumbling too. I nodded vigorously, but stopped when my head began spinning. His smile softened. "Do not move too quickly. You are still… how do I say… weak?" He offered another smile.
"Where am I…?" I asked softly.
"In my home."
"And… who are you?"
"Oh! How - rude? - of me! I am Doktor Kiefer Wilhelm – that is, I saw you…what is the word… collapse? Ja, ja, collapse, and I brought you here."
His smile was almost mesmerizing.
