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Chapter 2: Transformation
I am in agony. I've never felt anything as painful as this. Being stabbed by Gothel didn't even compare to what was happening to me right now. I don't know how long I've been here. I can't focus on anything. All I'm aware of is the fire in my veins and the fact that I can't scream. I want to, believe me, I want to, but I clamp my mouth shut. I have to protect my love. No matter how bad my pain is, she is more important. I think I lost consciousness. I'm not exactly sure. Everything is a blur.
Eventually the burning sensation started to fade. It's small, miniscule even, but I can feel it. I can move my finger at least. I have been stuck to this spot for who knows how long. Slowly I found more limbs to be unfrozen. The pain is nearly gone now, but something else is replacing it. A different kind of pain. Less raw and intense as the last, but just as prominent. Except now it's in my throat only. I ignore it in favor of testing if I could stand.
I stood, blinked, and everything hits me at once. All senses of mine are magnified. I can hear, see, and smell everything. This is so weird! The sound of running water catches my attention. Maybe it can soothe the burning in my throat!
I run in the direction of the water. I had been running maybe two seconds before I arrived. I skid to a stop and look down at my legs in wonder. What else I am capable of?
Before I can test it, the burning in my throat became more intense. I grasped my neck in surprise and dove towards the water. I drink and drink and drink but it doesn't seem to be helping. I growled in frustration. Wait. Did I just growl?
"Sir, are you okay?"
My head snaps up at the voice. I was about to tell him that I was fine when his scent hit me and suddenly I was not fine. I have a horrifying suspicion I know what it is, even though I try to tell myself otherwise. It smells heavenly. Against my will, a newfound animalistic instinct took over.
I slowly turned to face the man. "Actually, I could use some help. I accidentally dropped some coins in the river. Can you help me find them?" I heard myself say.
The man nodded and knelt down next to me, unaware of my struggle. A part of me knows that what I'm about to do is wrong, but that part is easily overpowered by every other part of me. There is no way I can differentiate between right and wrong when I can hear the blood rushing through his veins so close to me.
"I'm sorry."
"Wha-"
I lunge. My body knew what to do even though my mind doesn't. I easily pin the poor man to the ground. My mouth filled with… saliva? Venom? I don't dwell on the fact. Once my teeth broke his skin, nothing else mattered. The man's blood was sweet and salty and warm in the most amazing combination. I moan in relief as it sooths the burning in my throat.
I become aware of the man still struggling against me. Even though I can hold him easily, it's becoming annoying. I snap his neck and continue drinking. It wasn't until the blood stopped flowing into my mouth that I realized what I had done.
Horrified, I yank my teeth (fangs?) out of the man's neck, leaving a good-sized gash. I fell backwards into the water. I brig my hand up to my mouth and flinch when I feel the rapidly drying blood. I quickly scrub my hands and face in the river, trying not only to rid myself of the blood, but the shame as well. I watched the blood flow down the river and felt the needs to get out of the water. I scramble onto the bank and backed into a tree. I slide down to the ground and cradle my head in my hands.
I just killed a man. A poor, innocent stranger who just wanted to help. He probably had a family. A mother, father, children, a wife… Rapunzel!
I started crying then. My dear Rapunzel, what would she think of me? She'd be disgusted. I've disappointed her. I can never go back. I hugged my knees to my chest as I sob. I can never go back.
I don't know how long I sat here. At one point I lift my head and see the man's lifeless eyes staring back at me. I flinch and curl myself inward, trying to make myself as small as possible. I can't focus on anything. Not with those accusing eyes staring at me. I'm trapped. I'm overcome with guilt and hatred for myself. What kind of person does this?
Not a person, I realize. A monster.
"Hello"
I jump back, cracking the tree I am sitting against. I crawl a few feet away in horror. I look up at the person who had spoke. He has blond hair and the palest skin I have ever seen. The man takes a step forward and I crawl back. He stops and holds up his hands as a sign of surrender.
"My name is Carlisle." He gives a small smile. "Can I ask yours?"
I can't bring myself to answer him. I can't answer honestly. I don't know who I am anymore.
Keeping his hands up, Carlisle took a small step forward. When I don't move, he kneels down in front of me. "What happened here?"
"I… I…" I started crying again. I am too ashamed to speak.
Without a word, Carlisle moves over next to me and allows me to cry on his shoulder. I don't even know him, but his presence is comforting. I guess after everything that happened, having another person here is a relief.
Eventually my crying slows. I lift my head. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Carlisle stared at the wet spot my tears had left of his shoulder. "How did you do that?"
I knit my brows together. "Do what?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. Can you tell me your name now?"
"Oh, yeah." I blinked. "My name is Eugene."
Carlisle smiled gently. "Can you tell me what happened?"
I shakily retold my story, starting with the hunting trip all the way up until now. Carlisle is a patient listener. He doesn't interrupt and waits for me to finish before speaking.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," was the first thing Carlisle said. "I know what it's like to wake up alone and it's very confusing and terrifying. Are you aware of exactly what's happened to you?"
I nod. "I don't want to believe it. I thought v-vampires were just legends they told us to behave in the orphanage. I think I'm still in shock."
"None of that surprises me. I know it will be difficult, but you will adjust to your new life eventually." Carlisle paused. "Are you really the Prince?"
"I barely was," I replied. "I was engaged to the princess."
"Was?"
I scoffed. Is this guy serious? "I can't exactly get married now, can I? I can't go back. I'm not worthy of being the Prince."
Carlisle remained silent for a few moments. He seemed to be pondering something. "Why don't you come live with us?"
"Who's us?"
"My family and I," Carlisle explained. "We live in a house not far from here. We have plenty of room."
"W-why would you want me? Especially after what I did to…to…" A new wave of guilt washed over me. "I don't even know his name!"
Carlisle's gaze is full of sympathy. "I know you're probably disgusted with yourself."
That's an understatement.
"But I forgive you."
I was taken aback. "Why?"
Carlisle smiles sadly. "Eugene, I have done some awful, unintentional things as well. Who am I to say I am any better than you?"
I still didn't understand. "But I killed him! I couldn't control myself and I murdered that poor man! Who says I won't do it again?"
"Which is why you should come with me." Carlisle persisted. "We can teach you to control yourself so this doesn't happen again."
I consider his offer. I can stay here and not have to face the shame and hatred I was sure his family would put mw through, but put others at risk. Or, I could go with them and learn how to accept that this is who I am now and how to stay in control. And maybe, just maybe, I could find some forgiveness as well.
I look Carlisle in the eye. "Are you positive that this will work?"
The man smiled. "It hasn't failed yet."
With my mind made up, I nod once. Carlisle smiled even wider and helped me to my feet. When he started to run, I followed without hesitation. After all, what else did I have to lose?
