Mike PoV
Sierra's story makes me smile. I haven't done much of that since leaving Phoenix to this hell hole. I then laugh about the coffee not falling over.
"A hot cup of coffee? I guess he wasn't worried about having children again! Oh man, I could almost feel that hitting my lap. I like roasted nuts, but only if they come in a can. That's just crazy, and yeah, seems like Santa Carla's full of nutters." When she mentioned the rat girl, I laugh again. "Oh man, I saw her when my mom was driving on into the city, she was out on the sidewalk tonguing the thing. That was gross, like eww those things have disease, but I guess it's one of those in the pet shop, so maybe not; but, shit, what if that thing just reach over and bit he tongue? Then again, it doesn't look like it has diapers on, so I really don't want to know what she uses as a toilet for it. She smell like rat piss I'm guess?"
I make a face, but chuckle. I can't imagine walking around with a nasty rat peeing on me all day. The thought of kissing and tonguing one makes me shudder.
"And yeah, no contest. I agree hundred percent: Santa Carla's full of crazies."
"I didn't go to many parties, but the ones I did go to were hilarious. I think there's only one party that is really vivid and memorable though. Two of my friends are brother whose parents own this yacht, and since his parent's where out of town, a day after we started summer break, they decided to have a party on this yacht to celebrate. You had people getting drunk everywhere, jumping off the boat, and we're talking right in the middle of the ocean next to this little island where practically everyone apart from me and a few of my other friends slept for the night. My friend and I drank a little too much, and we started drunkenly singing Like A Virgin together and dancing around these poles! Bad thing is, my friend had a video camera with him, and filmed the whole thing. Yeah, that was interesting watching that a week later. Sounds like a pretty wild party you went to though, how did the guy end up naked... wait, that's kind of obvious. So, how did he end up with a rash?" she asks, giving me an insight to her wild life.
"Hey, sounds like yours was wild itself! Well, the guy got high and drunk and we set him up with a girl that had a unibrow. Not sure about the rash, but the Doctor told him he gotten poison oak. Guess one of the spots he had to put the ointment on?" I start laughing. I don't know what happened, but it was funny that it somehow ended with the guy naked in the closet after his night with the chick that could pass for a man. "The funniest part was that the guy's mom found him passed out in the closet. The mom of the one who had the party." I grimace at the thought of drunks singing to Like A Virgin. "Yeah, not a Madonna fan. She's, well, a freak and I just don't like her music. Sam will listen to it sometimes and sing, he can't sing."
"Thank you, I'm not really wanting to be a dancer though. Sure, dancing's fun, but I'd like to be a dance teacher or choreographer. Dance helps me release a lot of negative energy, so I like the notion of doing the same for other's when they feel upset or down. Plus, I like teaching others new skills. You're from Phoenix? I didn't think you were from California, you have a different accent. But sports, wow, sports is pretty cool" Sierra tells me, neutral yet intrigued by where I come from.
" Yeah, I like sports, but it's a game, for fun, not many people can even make a career out of it, but can be enough to get into college, learn something useful, well was. Not really a worry anymore and I'm not sure what to think of that really." It is true. I had mixed feelings on the not going to college and doing like every other person and work till I die. Not really a fun idea to look forward to, working till your dead. "Yeah, made captain, guess can say I was pretty good. Typical jock, aside I never saw any fun in going after geeks. My brother's a geek, or dork, he gets picked on a lot because his nightmarish fashion sense and that he's a geekish kid. Couldn't put someone else through what Sam would go through. Sam also be all pissed off at me if did."
"Shit, is he okay? Listen, we have to keep Sam away from Thorn. Thorn knows what Sam did, and so, it'll be even more dangerous for him" she says, concerned for Sam.
"Yeah, he's alright. He and those Frog kids went after Thorn. They thought they had him killed, but he got up. Sam had put an arrow threw its head. Sam was so close and looking him over, so Sam was the one he grabbed while the others shot the dog with more arrows and knocked the bastard over and put a knife in its leg. Only thing kept it from being able to go after them once they got Sam away. They called the ambulance and claimed a stray attacked Sam. He got a lot of stitches, but he won't scare badly as long as he doesn't scratch them, otherwise he's fine, just glad he didn't get himself killed." Though on what she said next on her being the 'bait' to make sure those Frog kids and Sam don't get hurt. "The gate has to be left open for the dog to get out. It needs to be distracted trying to kill someone while someone else gets inside and locks the dog out. What makes it difficult aside my grandpa will likely be ticked from taking the car is that it is a convertible. The thing figures out the tops rippable, he's going to tear through it"
"Just the thought of killing someone, I just can't bring myself to even muse over it, let alone carry out the action. Sometimes I think to myself what I would despise the most, surrendering to this whole thing or actually killing someone. I don't condone killing, what person would? But, it almost horrifies me how I could even think that way. There's this thing in me just saying 'Do it, you'll feel better' but then there's this other voice commanding me to resist. It's so confusing and irritating I could just scream. I almost killed my brother one night because the hunger got so bad. If it wasn't for me quickly locking my door, he'd be dead. Shit, I mean, this thing wanted me to kill my own brother. He only had a little blood from a paper cut and this thing just invaded completely for that little drop of blood. I was desperate for it. I'm scared I'm going to give in. God, I'm just frightened I'm going to end up killing someone I really care for. My brother, my own -" Sierra stops talking for a second, drawing in some air as her voice shakes.
As much as I want to, I couldn't feel for her pain. I understand though and want to pull her closer, knowing what it's like, though I have only been at it four or five nights before coming to this inhuman end.
"I know, I know the feeling. I almost killed Sam, it just hit me hard while he was taking a bath, nothing provoked it, I just went up and was going to eat him, but his dog jumped me, knocked me down the stairs and had bitten my hand, which snapped me back to myself. It scared the shit out of me. It's horrible feeling it inside you and the pain. For me it's over, it's not the outcome I would want, but I don't have to deal with fighting with it and its desires. The part of me that denied them is gone. I hope if you do lose it, that it's not someone you know, hope you're spared that. Yeah, I'm glad I still am me in some way, I still care for my family. That's what I dreaded most; would I even be me and care for them?" It had been a chance, but one I couldn't see any other choice. That and David would likely forced me anyway. I have a feeling he would have just done it to get it over with, with the danger my brother posed.
Sierra PoV
"I've talked to her a few times, she's a nice enough person, just the whole dating a rat thing is strange. She actually takes the rat to the bathroom with her. I remember I was doing my make-up in the bathroom one day and my friend pointed out that there was a rat peeing in sink closest to me" I shudder a little as I can recall viewing the rat relieve itself only inches away from me, frowning in disgust before releasing a slight laugh. "I'm all for people being unique, but that, that was just, well it was ew" I laugh, then hearing his opinion on Madonna with a diverse thought on it. Not everyone has the same tastes though, and I accept that. "Nah, I love her. She isn't my favourite though, I'm more of an Echo and The Bunneyman, Journey and Apollonia 6 girl"
I bite my lip, as if the pain of the inflammation from poison ivy is distressing my own skin. The thought of having that pain in an area so sensitive is enough to make it virtually aching, even if the person in the matter is the opposite gender to me.
"Ouch, guessing the guy found it hard to pee for a while?" I ask, expecting the answer to be a definite yes which leads onto me questioning whether asking was really necessary when requiring a response. "You were captain? Woah, that's pretty cool. I'm captain of the cheerleading squad at my school, but I'm thinking of quitting when we go back in September, got too much other stuff to be doing"
It was sincere, though I may not have gone into the justifications of working three part time careers, caring for my brothers, studying for final qualifications that will assure a place in college and developing more skills in dance that will accompany the secured college placement, it has been a lingering thought for a while. It's only now I realise that I'm being totally oblivious to the fact all of those justifications may be ceased anyway if I do succumb to whatever is clawing at my stomach currently to generate an insensitive agony. The whole concept of my aspirations, plans for the futures and duties being dashed by that one craving for blood is worrying. Everything I've dreamed of, just one by that one droplet, that one kill the monster commands me to take, one life, could become extinct. I shake my head, ridding the thought completely, instead focusing on what Michael reports on his brothers health.
"Well, at least they're all okay. Yeah, arrows won't kill Thorn. Shit, no kid should have to go through that" I cast my sight downwards, shaking my head at this situation. It isn't fair at all, especially to three kids who have no experience of this and are desperate to help. "At least Sam and the others are alright, and you're still yourself and caring for your family. I can imagine it frightened you though, hell, the whole prospect is frightening. It's over now though, you don't have to be in pain anymore. I'm just hoping it doesn't get to the point where I decide to submit myself to it and go out seeking out to kill someone. It almost happened once until my brother's took the brave move in shoving me into the bathroom and barricading the door. That's the thing I hate the most, the fact it's not only me going through this, but it's inflicting my brother's as well. I may be a pretty stubborn girl, but I even have my limits. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I can't be like this forever. I mean, I can feel whatever's inside of me wanting to do something I wouldn't even be able to concoct in my dreams right now. I don't know what would be best, turning into a vampire or staying like this" I sigh, stroking the grains of sand with the flat surface of my boot, the black fringes sweeping along with the movement. "Sorry about that, telling you my whole life story and everything"
It almost horrified me, the potential that I may have to end this painful journey and surrender in the reality of the origin of my blood may not be killed. Like I said to Michael, I have my limits when it comes to my nature. I'm not a selfish person, but I don't want to be feeling like this for much longer. Two whole weeks I've been feeling like this, and admitting it just made the words seem more horrifically credible.
Mike PoV
"Ummm, well, I don't know, I wasn't curious enough to ask him. I remember the guy bitching about the burn and saying 'Where the fuck do you get poison oak in the middle of a desert city?'" I grin at Sierra, liking her and think again how it wasn't just for looks, she actually is concerned and hadn't been trying to lead me around or use me, and even if she wasn't made a half blood sucker. I doubt she only thought of superficial things. She cares and it isn't faked.
I give a shrug.
"There's nothing wrong in quitting to take care of your future first." The thing is, what is her future? This after four nights had been a mental torture with it persistently wanting to shed blood and the hunger and clawing on the inside. She has gone two weeks, it is mind numbing to think of doing so for so long because it makes you desire food even less, so you pretty much are starving yourself to death in the process. The outlook on her keeping up the resistance without killing is grim, but I have a thought. "I was thinking, before the shit with Max's plan came out, there might be a way to cope with it. It's gross, but you could try getting some blood from the grocery. Cow might be just as good and you only fully turn on making the kill."
My head jerks to look at Marko and Paul who both burst out laughing when I suggested that.
"What? What's so funny."
"She can try, but can I watch her when she does? 'Cause that should be funny to see what happens." Marko starts snickering along with Paul.
"What would happen?" Figures they might be hiding something.
"Don't know, never seen someone last as long under pressure and drink store blood. That stuff tastes like shit." Paul cackles and pushes Marko.
"You guys drank it before?" I am a bit surprised that they would have tried, well after turning anyway.
"Paul did on a dare." Marko then shoves Paul back.
"Tastes like shit, doubt it'll help. But still, let us watch!" Paul yells as he falls over into the sand.
"Yeah, getting late, you two should head over to your brother and wait till David gives the word. Max wouldn't be over there this late." Marko then turns heading towards the bikes, Paul getting up, following him.
"Guess it's time to go. Want me to do the riding and you hang behind me on the motor bike of yours? I can get mine latter." I suggest since she wasn't as used to riding, that and her skills as is with a car is scary, don't want to see her smash into a wall on something she doesn't have much experience with.
Sierra PoV
It made me feel slightly less guilty over his turning, considering David threatened my life during the conversing session as he elevated his lips into a grin, and caused me to be a little more contented and restful. I couldn't help but to grimace at his suggestion of using blood from an animal as a beverage to ward off the starvation. My figure had altered itself within a week of drinking whoever's blood from the jewel-embellished wine bottle. Ribs had commenced viewing themselves more than prior to the cravings, my stomach was completely flat, a thigh gap developed, something which I definitely was not delighted about since I had no issues with the way my body was before this change, and I drastically had a loss in weight, dropping from a healthy 123 lbs to 113 lbs in the two short weeks. If it wasn't for the natural bronzed complexion, I would appear pale and anaemic. However, it wasn't looks I was so apprehensive about, it was my health.
"Yeah, I might just try that. As gross as it may be, I'm worried about my health over looks, because dropping ten pounds in just under two weeks is not good for my immune system at all" I said, repeating the thoughts in a different word structure. That was another topic, if I did make my first kill, which realistically could occur any time soon due to the intense hunger, I wouldn't have to concern over my health. I dismissed the though, not wanting to even imagine surrendering to this. My lips released a giggle at what Paul and Marko asked, and I merely nodded to approve my consent. "Sure, don't see why not"
At their next words about how time is proceeding on into the night, I raise from the sand, dusting the miniscule particles off of the black jumpsuit before sauntering over to the cherry red motorcycle with Michael following.
"Yeah, you can ride. I'm better at riding a motorcycle than a car, believe it or not. But still, just in case something happens, you can ride" Though the words were ambiguous, I was hinting at the pain in my stomach, the claws of a monster pressuring all the precious organs for that one kill. It was growing, and I don't want to challenge the deadened pain by driving at night only to have an episode which may lead to an accident.