The day was like any other, it was 10 p.m and we were all making our way through the crowds, laughing and raising hell. Like usual i was behind Dwayne, my hand lingering on the necklace he had given me a few days prior. It was a leather string, that wrapped around my neck multiple times, with two feather charms on the ends that usually laid right at my cleavage. He explained "Each feather represents one of us, and how free we both our, and the leather ties us together." For someone who doesn't talk much, he was the most romantic person i had ever met, and i hadn't taken the necklace off since he handed it to me.
Me and Dwayne had spent a lot of the past week apart from the boys. We would go out for pizza, see a movie, or just hang out in the cave together, listening to music. It was our thing, and i never felt more close to him than in those moments. We had grew into one person, and he looked out for me. He knew what it was like with Bina, and he made sure to be his best self around her. The other boys, not so much, she wasn't as fond of them. But then again, she hates us all together.
But there we were, 10 p.m, running around like lunatics. But something was different, Dwayne and the boys seemed off to me, it was the first red flag. The second flag was raised when i tried to playfight with Marko, something we did often around the cave, he wasn't in the mood i guess but he had turned to me with the most sinister look on his face and...growled? I don't know what it was but i could tell he was mad at something, i just didn't know if it was me or not. It wasn't the sound that started me, t was when Dwayne pushed me aside, grabbing onto Markos Coat. If it weren't for David standing to my left i would feel right onto the concrete. Dwayne and Marko just stared at each other, nose to nose, but their eyes said something. Something i couldn't even begin to imagine.
The rest of the night went definitely as usual, but there was this tenseness around all of them, so i tried keeping my distance.
It was around 11 now, and me and all four boys were standing to the side of a small crowd of people, listening to a small band play on the sand. I stood beside Dwayne, his arm was draped to his side, not around my waist like we usually stood. I was shifting from side to side with the music, not caring if i stood out among the other four statues. If they wanted to be in a rough mood so be it, i was gonna have fun.
"I'm gonna go to the bathroom" I turned around and faced Dwayne, putting on a quirky smile to cover the fact that i had lied through my teeth. He just nodded and his attention went back to the crowd. I did a small shrug and leaned up, pecking his cheek, before practically sprinting away. I made my way to where the bathroom areas were, which were in sight of the boys, and i could see Dwayne's head turn to me a few times, and as soon as he looked back to the beach i bolted. I ran through shops and crowds of people, laughing to myself and looking around trying to hide. In my mind, i was playing hide in seek with the boys, but that was before i knew.
I ran down to the beach and found a clear area away from anyone, it was near a smaller dock, with empty stores lining it. I stopped running and just stood in front of the water, letting the breeze blow my hair back, the sea air filling my nostrils. I was at peace here, but it was taken away all too quickly.
Before i could even register, two extremely strong hands gripped my arms from behind,pulling me back and throwing me on the sand. I landed face-down, sand sticking to part of my left cheek. I quickly turned toward whoever grabbed me, expecting it to be one of the four boys i had left, but it wasn't. I didn't know this man, he was tall, with tan skin and short, cropped dark hair. He seemed older, maybe in his late twenties, but he was terrifying. I couldn't breathe, i couldn't think and i couldn't move. His face wore a grin that made my body shiver, and droplets of sweat formed across my forehead and neck.
I tried backing away, but before i got too far he started walking towards me, he didn't run, and the way he looked at me...he looked as if he was stalking prey. I finally snapped out of my trance and turned quickly, pulling myself up before taking off across the sand. I got four feet, four feet before i felt his arms wrap around my waist, throwing my back onto the sand. I tried screaming for anyone that could hear me. Before i could get anything out he was on top of me, one hand holding my arms down, the other over my mouth.
I did the only thing i could think of, and sunk my teeth into his hand, feeling the metallic-tasting liquid run down my chin. He yanked his hand away and cussed at me, swinging his arm back and bringing his fist down hard on my cheek. His hand was on my neck in seconds, squeezing down until i couldn't breathe. I was too busy clawing at his hand to fight back as he ripped away my shirt, completely ruining the Motley Crue logo on the front. I began crying, my face felt hot and i could barely squirm under him.
This was it, it was over, i was going to die...and maybe i deserved it.
My vision started to go cloudy and before i could accept the darkness, the weight of his body disappeared. I could breathe again, and it didn't take long before i was on my side, coughing as hard as i could tears streaming down my face with sand stuck to my body. My ears were ringing and i could make out faint yelling.
I slowly pulled myself up from the sand, and turned around cautiously, gawking at the sight that i was faced with. My hand covered my mouth, my other hand, held my bare stomach in attempt to keep myself from throwing up. I couldn't believe anything now.
The man who had attacked me was kneeled down, Paul and David were at his left side, gripping his arms so tight he couldn't move. Marko sat on one knee in front of them, taunting the man. I couldn't even say Dwayne's name before he walked behind the man, gripping both sides of his skull and pressing so hard his face was turning purple. That's when i noticed the faces. Their faces looked all twisted up and...evil. I could barely recognize them. But i didn't have time to scream, or run, because the second i looked into the man's eyes, Dwayne had twisted his head 360 degrees, and tore it from his body, Paul and David following with the arms.
I felt the warm liquid spray across my face and chest, staining my white bra, and i was too scared to look up. My knees were trembling, i was muttering things that even i didn't understand, and my tears were now mixed with blood, making small red dots in the sand. Despite my brain pleading with me not to look, i glanced up, and it got even worse. The four were crowded around the dismembered body, drinking from him.
I couldn't watch anymore, so i finally regained my composure and turned away, bolting away from them. I didn't care how far i had to run, i just kept going. I could hear them yelling behind me but i didn't care, I pushed and pushed, ignoring my pleading lungs and wobbly legs. I cut through the woods back to my house and almost broke the front gate trying to get in. I ran to the door, breathing as if i was about to pass out, and pushed it open, slamming it closed behind me and twisting the lock. I ran around the house, locking all of the doors and windows, managing not to wake my aunt up.
I ran through my mental list "Front door, back door, windows, basement…" and realization hit me as i realized my balcony door was unlocked. I quickly shuffled up the stairs, trying to be as quiet as i can. With every step my heart raced faster, my hands trembled and i could feel my eyes start to water. I slowly reached to the doorknob, turning it slightly.
It made a small creaking noise, i stopped suddenly, before turning it fully and pushing the door open and stepping back. The room was pitch black except for the dim light from the street lamp coming through the balcony door, which was closed. I breathed out and shut the door behind me, leaning against it and covering my face with my hands, trying to calm my breathing.
I was fighting the tears so much i felt at any moment i could have exploded. What were they doing? Was it real? Had i imagined it? Why the fuck did they...drink him…
"We can explain" a voice came from across the room. I instantly screamed and tried to back further into the door, before whipping around and attempting to open it. As i swung the heavy oak open, i was met face to face with David, blocking my path. My mouth dropped and i felt all color leave my face. I backed from him slowly and into Marko. I squaked again and pushed him away. At this point, Paul had turned my lights on and was on my bed, Marko stood in the middle of the floor, David in the doorway...And Dwayne was quietly in the corner, half turned away….he couldn't even look at me.
I was terrified. I couldn't move. And they were going to kill me.
"P-please don't.."i whimpered, tears beginning to stream down my face.
"We aren't going to hurt you" David smiled stepping towards me "Take a chill pill sweetheart"
"Fuck You" I seethed through my teeth at him.
"Listen..Wisty we won't hurt you i promise, please just let us explain?" Marko genuinely spoke, leaning down to look me in the eye. He seemed so sincere...i shook my head
"You killed that man..you ripped him to pieces and you.." I shuddered and felt myself getting sick
"You drank his blood" I cried, letting the sobs out finally. The hot tears were falling down my face and my body felt hot. My breathing became heavy and the tears began to cloud my vision.
"Why..? I choked out between sobs. Marko stepped forward again, reaching his hand out to touch my shoulder.
I slowly looked up through my lashes, seeing the mascara drip down my cheeks. I moved forward and put my hands on his chest, shoving him as hard as i could. "Get away from me!" I yelled. Backing away again, trying to put distance between us. I could feel myself panicking.
"Jules.."I whispered, shutting my eyes tight so i couldn't look at them. "Please.."
"Wisty?..." Paul calle softly to me.. "Its okay honey."
"Shut up.."I cried, sinking to the floor, my hands over my ears."Just go away" i croaked, defeated.
"WIsteria" Dwayne finally spoke as i slowly stood back up, refusing to look at him. He started towards me and with every step he took i felt myself growing more and more angry. Before he reached me i ran at him, slamming my fists into his chest as hard as i could, pushing him away before gripping my necklace and ripping it from my neck, throwing at him.
"What the fuck is wrong with you people!" I screamed again, they weren't listening to me and it was beginning to make me even more upset.
I turned towards Dwayne again, the defeated look again, across my face, "You're a monster" My voice quivered, and it hurt me more to say that than it did seeing what he had done.
He looked me in my eyes, never breaking the connection.."I know".