"Chloe," he looked at me with such concern. He had pinned me to the van, trying to stop me from shaking so hard.
"Y-yes?" I couldn't help but stutter. Apparently, the vampire wasn't following me, so we were safe.... well... for now. But I couldn't get the shock out of me.
"Do I have to ask?" he said impatiently. Well, he had repeated the same question for the last five minutes, while I was trying to calm down.
I took a deep breath and started, "I c-caught a s-scent and," I didn't know how to continue, so I paused to think, chewing on my lip.
Derek raised one eyebrow, "And?"
"I heard something in the forest," I pointed toward the thicket of trees. "I followed the sound and the smell became stronger. And I saw..." I bit my lip. A vampire. Would he believe me?
"You saw...." he made a gesture that told me to continue.
"A v-vamp-pire." I bit my lip again, so hard I tasted blood, and waited for his reaction.
He looked at me hard, his expression sarcastic.
"A what?" he looked at me mockingly. He didn't look scared. Derek never really shows his fear. Unless, of course, he wasn't scared. Which was doubtful, of course. A vampire? Seriously, that was scary.
I waited for him to say more.
"This is just...." he said to himself under his breath. But I could hear it like he was saying it right into my ear. "...crazy."
There was a pause, and in just realizing the very little distance between us, Derek backed away looking a bit embarrassed. I blushed as well, and as usual.
Finally, he spoke up, "Are you sure it was a vampire? I mean really ,Chloe, I thought it was Ed Group or something...." he said. "Scared the hell out of me."
He looked away, starring out into the forest, and looked at me again.
"Chloe, this is insane. You probably were...." he paused. He shrugged. "I don't know, but that couldn't be a vampire, Chloe."
This guy was so unbelievable. How could he not believe me?
There was another awkward moment of silence. I inferred that he wasn't going to say anything, and so I spoke up first.
"So that's it?" I asked, but not conveying it as a question.
"What?" he asked confused. As if he didn't know!
Jerk.
"You don't believe me."
He hesitated, "Chloe, there's no way-"
"That doesn't mean I'm wrong. Just because you think that couldn't have been a..." I struggled on the word. "a vampire, doesn't mean that I'm not right."
"Could you at least let me explain wh-"
I cut him off, "You didn't listen to me, why should I listen to you?" I wasn't usually this stubborn. I did want to hear what he had to say, but I wanted to stand up for myself too.
Time to prove him wrong.
He sighed, "Look, if it makes you feel better we can go check this out. But just liste-"
"No, don't you see? You don't believe me-
"Chloe, come on, this is dumb, can-"
"No dog, because this is a problem, and you can't solve this one with your 'genius' math skills."
There was no fear now, only anger. I was scared out of my mind, still not comprehending what I've just seen, and now I had to listen to his crap about him always being right and me wrong. Or at least that is what I'm taking in from this conversation.
Derek glared at me, nostrils flaring, anger erupting swiftly.
"Well, guess what Chloe? I'm not the only dog around here anymore. In fact, you're probably more of a freak than I am. And you kno-"
No! I didn't want to hear this. I covered my ears, but it didn't help. I could hear every word, stabbing me, ripping me apart. I couldn't take it. He was killing me inside, because it was so true. I am a freak, and, no doubt, more of a freak than he was. I wasn't normal Chloe Saunders anymore. No. I was the genetically modified necro-wolf. Tears spilled over, and I turned and started to walk away.
"Hey, I'm not done here!" he yelled back at me.
"Yes y-you a-are," I barely choked out.
"No, I'm not!" he caught up with me and forcefully grabbed my shoulder. I squealed in pain.
"Get off me ... you..." I stopped to think of an insult. Man if I ever needed one, this badly, it was now.
"What is it? Say it! Dog? Freak? Both suit both of us pretty well, don't you think?"
" You... monster!" I yelled.
And off he went. He tightened his grip on my shoulder and within seconds I was soaring through the air. Everything was spinning, blurs of green brown and gray, and I fell with a sharp crack on the ground. Pain shot up my leg.
"Ow!" I screamed. "My leg you dimwit!".
Ow, ow, ow! Shit that hurt! I tried to move it. It felt okay enough to stand on, so I tried to get up.
"Oh damn it!" He ran toward me, "Chloe are you okay? Chloe! Oh Chloe, I'm sorry.. I-I didn't mean.. I'm so sorry..."
"JUST STAY AWAY FROM ME!" I glared at him, his face pale, stone-like. "You did enough."
"Chloe, please, let me help. Here-" He tried to help me up, but I shoved him away.
"Chloe... I'm so sorry."
"That's it! I'm leaving!" I blurted out without thought. Wait, what? I didn't know where I'd go or how'd I survive.
How will I save them?
But I knew one thing. I wanted to get out of here. I had to. I didn't wanna be with Derek anymore. It was a mistake to think of him as a friend.
Or more than that...
And after a while of struggling, I got up, limped to the van, grabbed my sack, and headed to... well, I'd figure that out later.
"What the hell? Chloe get back here! Are you out of your mind?"
"Yes Derek. I am." I ignored him and continued my aimless journey.
"AHHH!" he screamed. he kicked the tire of the van. "Look, I'm sorry! But could you let me explain why it couldn't ha-"
"I've heard enough Derek! And apparently felt it!" I gestured to my injured leg and winced.
"You're nuts!" he yelled again, my ears ringing. He kicked the tire again, this time hard enough to flatten it. "Oh crap! Man, thats just great!"
He looked at me and gave me one last scowl, "Fine, do what you want. I don't care anymore."
"Good. Because I don't either." and I left, not taking another look back.
Though you did want to.
Shut up.
I really hated that inner part of me.
And that was that.
I was limping for almost an hour on the edge of the freeway, heading to a cheap roadside motel. At least I had the map with me. And most of the money. Ha. One point for Chloe, none for dog.
I kept walking, or better to say trying to walk. My leg felt better. The pain wasn't as piercing, and I could walk better now, but it was still a bit tender. Healing fast was such an advantage.
It was around noon, nice and warm. Well, warmer than usual, it was still freezing, but tolerable. And thankfully too, since I didn't bring the jacket Derek got me. Or the food. I was so hungry.
Derek. What a jerk. And moron. I couldn't believe him. What nerve!
But what really bothered me the most was that he hadn't believed me. And that I felt bad that he didn't. I don't know... he was.... Derek... was.... something else to me.
My eyes started to water for no reason. I felt bad for insulting him. After what he's done for me? I was so wrong.
But he hurt me.
Yes, but I hurt him first; not physically at least.
Yeah, but he didn't believe you.
True, but I over-did the situation.
Yup you did.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
The more I thought about Derek, the more it hurt me, so I tried not to think about him. He was gone now. Fine. I had to deal with that. I kept walking, holding back the flood of salt water in my eyes, like a tiny dam holding back the sea. Of course the dam would break down, just as I did.
Fifteen minutes later. I couldn't help thinking how stupid I was. And am. And always will be. And no matter how much I tried to defend myself during this whole in-my-head debate thing, I came out wrong. Actually, I had a point to leave, but it was stupid of me too. Great. Now what? I was alone now, no Derek to joke around with, idiotically trying to find my real friends and trying to stop Edison Group, single , I was hopeless. I was nothing. And, I was far from home, which I wouldn't even go back to, though I could with effort.
But this was life I had to live now. The life of a supernatural. On the run. Hiding from danger. Sounds like fun. What excitement! What adventure! Woohoo!
This sucks.
Ugh. Tell me about it.
I saw the motel. It was closer now. Finally, food, a shower, and a warm bed. Score!
I forgot how tried I was after what seemed like years of walking, and ran toward the heavenly sight. But something was blurring me.
"Chloe! I'm so glad to see you!"
I couldn't believe it.
"Liz!"
