Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost Boys.
Author's Notes: 1) I did not intend this story to be this long, but it looks like it will be a five-shot.
2) This is meant as part one in a three-part series. Next I'm writing the side story of Max's second son Curtis which was touched upon in my story Runaway. Runaway is the third part (chronologically) of the series (even though it was the first written).
Warnings: Contains blood, violence, dark/disturbing images, minor swearing, and minor suggestive material.
David woke without the refreshed feeling he was used to. He stood from the bed taking in the sight of the contraptions that kept him hostage for so long. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He stared down at the uncomfortable cot then up at the ceiling. His strained eyes could almost remember waking up earlier that morning, while the sun still slumbered, finding himself inches from the ceiling. He figured he was in an afterdream. After all, people do not suddenly start levitating in their sleep.
Upon eyeing where his clothes were stashed David hurried to the bathroom to change. Now dressed in black trousers and matching frockcoat with tall boots he headed for the door.
Just as he neared his exit a nurse appeared.
"Where do you think you're heading?" she asked.
"I'm ready to leave," David stated pushing her out of the way.
"You have not been cleared to leave, son," she said taking hold of his arm.
"I am fine, I say I can go," David argued yanking his arm from her grasp.
"Must I retrieve the sedatives?" she asked.
David glowered at the woman. She gasped at what she thought were his eyes flashing amber. She shook her head, deciding that perhaps she was working too many hours. His irises were now the same beautiful blue they always were.
David turned from the woman's reach. He slowly approached the window and pulled back the drapes to find an overwhelming stinging in his face. He shielded his face with his hands and hunched over, nearly tripping over a chair. The nurse rushed to his side and helped him back to the bed.
"See what I mean, you're not stable yet," she said.
When David removed his hands the nurse saw the red splotches about his face. They almost appeared to be minor first degree burns. Her fingers stroked the sore skin making David hiss in pain. She apologized with her eyes before hurrying to find some ointment.
David stared at the open window. The rays infiltrating the panes made him cringe. His fingers gripped at his face and ears. The nails transformed into claws, piercing through his left ear. David let out a howl and the claws retracted, leaving a stream of blood falling to the floor. David stared at his nails confused to how something so cruddy and short could have caused such damage.
"And now you're bleeding," the nurse said returning. She placed the lotion down on the table and hurried to the patient's side with a cloth. She held the cotton cloth close to the bleeding wound. "There, we'll make it all better. You sure are accident prone this morning."
David growled at the woman's statement. A delicious aroma filled the room. David sniffed around to find the delectable substance coming from the woman's body. He moved closer and lifted his face to find that the best source of the smell originated from her neck. He squinted his eyes to visibly see the vibrations of her pulse. He began to salivate. David licked away the clear liquid from his lips. She moved closer to bandage his ear. David pushed his nose against her neck and inhaled deeply. His lips parted and the canines slowly extended. He needed to taste that scarlet, sticky substance that wasted itself by flowing through her body. Such a pathetic being did not deserve the privilege of owning her own blood. It was his prize, his rightful belonging. David's mouth opened wide, readying for the bite.
The nurse gave him a hard slap across the face. "What are you doing, you mad man?" she shrieked. David crumpled to the floor, his hand holding where she struck. The previous burn marks had already healed. She tossed the bottle at his feet. "You can apply your own ointment," she said before rushing out of the room.
David stood and kicked the bottle aside. He gripped at his hair wondering why he acted so weird towards that woman. He allowed himself to lay back down on the bed and look up at the ceiling. The dream seemed too clear to be merely a dream. He glanced at his fingernails to see the blood trickling down his knuckles. All those strange thoughts about stealing the nurses' blood started to scare him.
"Maybe I am crazy," David said to himself. I did hit my head pretty hard. There are all those reports in those medical journals of people who suffered head injuries and were never themselves again. David turned over on his side, facing away from the evil window. He considered confiding in Max about these strange occurrences were he to show up later. David laughed at himself. Yes, do let me tell Max about my crazy thoughts. I'll be placed in an asylum so fast. David laughed himself to sleep.
David woke up the instant the sun set. He jumped up feeling energized. He tried to stand only to find something keeping him in place. David observed his surroundings to find his hands strapped to the bed with leather restraints. He pulled to no avail. David growled and struggled harder. He grunted and huffed. Finally the restraints snapped, releasing the boy's hands.
"Gee, I almost bite one nurse and they tie me down," David growled. He rubbed at the sore spots left by the straps. I was never strong enough to break restraints before. What happened to me in that cave?
He closed his eyes as a sudden dizzy spell fell over him. His rumbling stomach told him that he needed to find nourishments and fast. David intended to wait for Max, as there were many more questions he wanted to run by him, but it seemed his stomach had other plans.
David hurried to the window and looked out at the many lanterns illuminating the streets. It seemed as though a light rain hit the town earlier that day. David opened the panes causing the drapes to sway. The salty air beckoned him to come play in the night sky.
David stepped up onto the windowsill. He looked down with wide eyes, suddenly feeling a bit blue in the face. He was a few stories above the ground. There was no way he would make his way out of the hospital without being seen. His mouth watered to taste some real food that the street vendors had to offer. With a deep breath David leapt from the fourth story window. The wind slowly escorted him to the concrete below. David opened his eyes to find himself in a kneeling position just outside the entrance of the hospital. David looked himself over for any injuries. Upon finding none he continued on without any protest from his body.
David walked along the main street taking in the sights of a town he was only supposed to visit over the span of a week. He now had a strong feeling that this city was to become his new home.
A woman passed by wafting strange scent in David's direction. David turned to follow her movements with his eyes. It was the same aroma the nurse gave off earlier that morning. It made him hungry and the longer he was deprived the more his head would spin.
A familiar sight sat in the distance. David was grateful this establishment was spared from the earthquake's wrath.
He stepped through the doors of the tavern taking in the scent of beer and liquor. Many men crowded at the wooden tables. The regulars were hunched over the bar gulping down beer after beer. Several of the customers sported injuries.
David made his way to the front of the bar. The bartender, a man in his mid-forties with a long beard and beady eyes smirked at the kid.
"Hey, ain't you the one who survived the hotel?" he asked handing the boy a drink.
David took a long swig. "Good stuff," he said with a sigh of relief. "Yes, but I wasn't the only one."
"You were all in the papers," the bartender said with a hearty laugh. He remembered the kid from a week ago. It baffled him how one so young could outdrink two others who had been practicing for years. Nonetheless David won the contest earning him a free meal the next time he visited. "Just get out of the hospital?" he asked.
David nodded. "They wanted to keep me a bit longer, but I wouldn't have it."
The two laughed. He nudged David in the shoulder. "I like you, kid. Always one to stand your ground."
"That's me," David said between sips. "Never going down without a fight."
The bartender nodded and put his hands on his hips. "Well, you won the contest. Here to cash in your free meal ticket?"
David drummed his finger against his cheek. "Why not?" he asked. "Been a while since I had something good to eat."
David accepted a refill then surveyed the room for somewhere less crowded to sit. He saw a secluded table in the back and decided it was as good as any. He sat down and brought out his box of smokes complete with a matchbook. He struck the match and lit up watching the foolish mortals go about their drunken business. David took a long drag wondering why he referred to the other customers as "foolish mortals."
He was not allowed much time to linger on the thought as the barmaid sat a plate in front of him. The night's special a barbecue sandwich with crispy chips sat before him. He glanced up at the woman. She was nearing thirty and missing both front teeth. Still she had that same alluring smell as the other two he encountered.
"Hey, why don't you sit with me?" David offered, motioning with his hand for her to take the empty seat.
"I gots to get ta work," she said with a snort.
David wrinkled his nose. On any other day she would not have appealed to him, but right now he was so mesmerized by that smell. He was no longer interested in the food. His stomach seemed to be aching for something else, something he could not attain from normal food.
"But I guess a few minutes wouldn't hurt," she said sitting down, crossing one leg over the other. David found himself fascinated by women's legs. Perhaps it was the fact that so few chose to show them out of fear of being viewed as improper.
They sat and chatted as David finished his meal. He patted his full stomach. However the cravings increased. He shifted his shoulders and cracked his neck. Nothing would satisfy the pangs growling and clawing at his stomach. The crumbs left on the dish repulsed him. He inhaled deeply with his hands on his face. That alluring scent wafted into his nostrils.
David glanced up at Harriet. She smiled and lifted an eyebrow. David stood. He knew that look too well, he knew what she was hinting at. While she was not his usual type he was not one to throw away free goods. David tossed an arm over Harriet's shoulder and led her towards the exit. The bartender glanced up and smiled while shaking his head at the bold kid's behavior before resuming his task of washing the glasses.
Harriet released a hearty laugh. David lit up a cigarette and handed it to the robust woman. She inhaled a long drag then released the smoke in the form of rings. David smiled. For certain Harriet was not a looker, but she was by far the most interesting of his many flings. David lit another cigarette for himself. The two smoked in silence for a few minutes, merely enjoying each other's company. The scent of tobacco filled the air.
David tossed the butt on the ground and smashed it with his boot. Harriet followed David's lead. She stepped forward and snuggled her face against his next. David wrapped his arms around her waist. He gently kissed her face. Harriet kissed David's chin then lifted to his lips. Both their lips met. David opened his mouth to allow the woman to slip her tongue atop of his. He tightened his grip on her body. He wanted her for his own. David's hands ran up and down her back, grabbing at her skin. He gripped at her dress. He accidentally pulled her hair. Harriet released a tiny yelp, but the boy was not willing to cease the yanking.
"David," she whispered.
"Shh," David replied as he placed a finger atop her lips. He replaced the finger with his own lips. David's hands fiddled with the clasp on the back of her dress.
Harriet leaned her neck back just as David sharply inhaled. That aroma invaded his brain, abandoning all other thoughts. His sexual urges instantly diminished. The hunger spiked. David leaned his face against her neck as she emitted a moan. Her hands grabbed at his shoulders. David pushed away and grasped her elbows tightly.
Harriet's eyes flew open. "What are you—"
David grinned and grasped tighter. "Just be quiet," he whispered.
Harriet's heart raced. The blood sped mesmerizing the boy. His head spun at the sound of the rushing liquid beneath her veins. He could smell it, he could taste the bitter metallic delicacy upon his tongue. He had to have it. His brain focused only on that goal. The girl struggled in his grasp which made the battle even more thrilling.
David lowered his lips to her neck and softly kissed the tender skin. The fear vibrated from the artery. His canines increased and he let them penetrate the flesh. David's other hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams. The blood trickled down her neck. It was warm and inviting. David tasted his victory. It was not as bitter as he remembered from his many injuries. It had a hint of sweetness about it, almost matching the taste of ripe melon. The liquid itself imitated the juice cascading from a severed rind. David swallowed. The beverage fell smoothly down his throat like a soft drink he bought from convenient stores back in his hometown.
Harriet buckled and thrashed about. Her efforts were futile against the man's deathgrip. The more she struggled the more the severed skin gushed. David accepted each mouthful. It was addicting. Each swallow satisfied the emptiness within his vacant soul. Eventually Harriet's strength gave in. She fell limp in his arms. David wiped his mouth then threw her broken body against the ground.
David's eyes widened when he took a second glance at the corpse. He stared down at the blood on his hands and shook. His clothes were stained with evidence of her murder. David frantically surveyed the area for any possible escape. Too many witnesses saw her leave with him. His gaze fell on her motionless form in the dirt.
A muffled chuckle sounded from behind. David spun around, barely able to control his heartbeat.
"It's only me, David," Max said stepping into the light.
"How much did you see?" David asked, not hiding the threatening tone in his voice.
Max's grin widened, "I saw it all."
"Do you plan on blackmailing me? Is that what you were after all this long?" David growled. He clenched his fists. If this man had any intentions of harming him he would end up like the woman waiting to become a worm's feast.
Max lifted a hand. "I have no intentions of causing you harm, David," he said.
"Please don't say anything," David begged. That same sense of respect he was overcome with when in Max's presence hit him again. He never revered anyone, especially some fop who took a strange interest in him. Although Max had saved his life. He glanced down at his hands. "I don't know what came over me. I just—" The horror struck him that he not only murdered an innocent woman but consumed her blood. Despite its disturbing nature the reality did not disgust him as much as he thought it would. That truth scared him.
Max replied with a smile. He pointed a finger at the blonde. "Trust me, the last thing I wanted was for you to discover it this way." He shook his head. "If you had only been patient and waited for me at the hospital I could have taken you out for your first feed and guided you along the way." David became speechless. Max added, "The way a father should instruct his son."
"Father?" David asked hoarsely.
Max nodded and approached the body. He gleamed with pride. "You did well with your first kill, I'm impressed."
David slowly backed away from the man. "Hold up, you're not some lunatic are you? You're not like that Jack the Ripper guy, are you?"
Max tossed his head back and laughed. "How silly you are, David." He advanced on the boy who matched his every move with a retreat of his own. Max stopped and eyed the corpse. "No, Jack was a mere mortal. We're of a completely different caliber than simple murder." His eyes landed back on David only they were now glowing a bright amber.
David stumbled backwards, tripping over a tree root. He scrambled to lift himself to a standing position.
Max sighed and let his eyes return to their human form. "Please don't be scared, son," he said extending an arm. David continued to back away. However in the depths of his heart the burning curiosity kept him from sprinting to safety.
"Stop, just stop," David cried holding up his hands. He had backed himself against a tree trunk. "Please, don't kill me."
Max's features displayed concern, "Son, I would never kill—"
"And stop calling me that!" David shouted. "You're not my father. What the hell are you talking about? What the hell are you?"
Max sighed a second time. "I'm sorry, I understand it's hard to digest," he said with a sorrowful expression. "But trust me when I tell you it was the only way I could save your life."
"What?" David asked.
"In the cave," Max answered. "That nasty bump on your head." Max pointed to his own head. "There was no way for you to survive until morning. Ingesting my blood was the only way I could save your life." Max smiled. "Therefore I have given you a new life as your new father."
David's eyes widened. "Blood, when did I take your…" the reality sunk in when he remembered that odd tasting beverage in the flask. David clamped a hand over his mouth.
"I know it's difficult, David, but please understand why I had to," Max said kindly. "I saw you as my own and could not bear to watch you die before me. I only did it to save your life." He placed a hand on David's shoulder to which the latter pulled away. "Please come with me, I have much to discuss with you."
"You stay away from me!" David yelled. He silently stared wideeyed at the man before dashing away. Max stared down with a painful look in his eyes.
There you have it, folks, chapter four! Only one more to go. Please let me know what you think.