For the last five weeks I did the same thing. I went to school. Then to "Sara's Pet Shop" to get a rabbit. Then to the manor to feed Marcus. Marcus and I never spoke to each other when I came to feed him. He would just take the rabbits blood as I held it still and I would wipe his chin and leave. He never seemed to want to talk to me but I always had the urge to say something to him but never do. It was my curiosity and fear mixed together.
It was Friday now and I was walking out of the school with Lucinda. "Want to come sleep over at my house tonight?" Lucinda asked me.
"No. I have things I need to do." Like feed a vampire, but I wasn't about to tell her about that.
Lucinda stopped walking and glared at me. "Why? You never want to do anything with me anymore. You always say you have things you need to do and that you have to do it alone. Why?" It was true. Ever since I started going to see Marcus. But it took a lot of my time to get the rabbits and sneak into the the manor without any of the scientist seeing me and the time that I'm not with him I have to sleep. But I wasn't surprised with the way Lucinda was acting. I knew that this would change my life in different ways no matter how big or how small.
"Because I have things to do." I said. "Bye!" I ran off to "Sara's Pet Shop", leaving Lucinda dumbfounded.
I walked into the store, Sara immediately seeing me and walked over.
"Here for a rabbit?" Sara asked.
"Yes. As always." I replied.
Sara grabbed a box off the table and pulled out a little gray rabbit. "How's this one?"
"It's cute. It's perfect." I said, handing her my money, which was running low so I'd have to figure out what to do about that.
"Take care of that one." Sara called to me as I left the store. I hade her convinced that I was finding families out of town to take the rabbits and give them a good home. She thought I was an angel for it. If she knew what I was really doing with them I couldn't imagine what she would think of me.
Now I just have to wait.
-x-
I held the squirming rabbit in my hands as Marcus drained it of blood. I held my breath as soon as he pulled his mouth away from it, tossing it in the box. I pulled the tissue out of my pocket and wiped his mouth and tossed it in the box with the rabbit.
"What is your world like?" Marcus asked so suddenly it made me jump. It was the first time in a long time that he spoke to me.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I was a vampire my whole life. I was never human. What is it like?"
I suddenly felt dumb. How was I going to explain being human?
"Um… It's not that interesting. At least not around here. I go to school, take my classes, play with my friends, and go home to my mother. Then I come here. The thing is there is never anything to do but get into trouble. I guess that's how I met you. I snuck in here because I was bored. The truth is my life wasn't interesting at all until I met you. I mean it's not everyday that you meet a vampire and you spend all your time with that vampire." I tried explain how life as a human but the truth of it all is its boring.
"What is that like? What is your school like? Your classes? Your friends? Your mother?" Marcus asked, seeming bored and interested at the same time. It was surprising to think that a vampire was interested about the lives of humans. But I told him anyway. I told him about what my school looked like. I told him about all of my classes; I didn't tell him about Mr. Meyer, afraid that he would tell me to stop coming. I told him about Lucinda and the different games she and me would play. I even told him about Renee and how childish she is and how it was like I was the mother. I knew I shouldn't have been telling him all this but once I started I couldn't stop.
"I'm sorry." Marcus suddenly said. I was taken aback. I couldn't think of what it was he could be apologizing for.
"For what?" I asked.
"I've been keeping you away from your friend Lucinda. I've started a rift in your relationship with her haven't I?" he asked.
I had to consider my words carefully before I answered him. "It's true that Lucinda and I have been spending less and less time with each other now that I've been coming here but I choose to come here. I choose to leave Lucinda after school and bring rabbits to you. It's what I choose."
"Don't you find your choice foolish?" Marcus asked.
"Wh- what?" I didn't understand his question.
"You had a normal, and as you said "boring", life that you at some level enjoyed with your mother and friends but it's all falling apart now that you are helping a vampire, which is also a little reckless." He explained.
"Well I like being reckless." I said defensively.
Marcus's chest moved as if he was laughing at what I said. "Well I need you to be reckless if I'm going to be fed."
"That's right." I said, folding my arms over my chest.
Marcus lifted his hand up as far as he could, which was just above his waist. "Come here Bella."
I stared at his hand, unsure of what I should do. It will be okay, I told myself. He's not going to hurt me. He needs me.
I walked over to him and carefully placed my hand in his. My body jolt as I touched his hand. Whenever I fed him or wiped his mouth I always made sure I never touched his skin. It was so cold.
Marcus wrapped his cold fingers around my hand and then I felt something sold fall into my hand.
"I had this in my pocket. I want you to have it Bella." Marcus said, releasing my hand. I removed my hand from his and looked to see what he dropped in my hand. It was a Star of Udolpho Pendant. It was silver with purple jewels embedded into it. It's so pretty, I thought to myself, feeling my face grow warm.
"I know it's a strange thing to give to a six year old girl but I want you to have that Bella." Marcus said.
"Thank you." I said, tucking it into my pocket so I wouldn't lose it.
"It's getting late Bella." Marcus suddenly said. It must be close to 3am and I was feeling tired but I didn't want to leave.
"Go home. Bella." Marcus said. "You can com back tomorrow just remember its Saturday then and you need to be extra careful when coming here."
"Okay." I replied, yawning. I picked up the box with the rabbit in it and turned to the door.
"Good night Bella." Marcus called to me.
"Good morning Marcus."