Okay this is officially the last chapter of this weekend (next one will be probably next Sunday)
I just wanted to continue writing so badly. Last night, I even ended up dreaming about writing it! Though what I dreamt is defiantly not going to happen (basically I wrote that Eli was in a wheelchair and couldn't reach some flowers). Yeah…very weird…
Hope you enjoy this chapter ^-^ It's the longest one so far!
Eli heard the slam of a door. He straightened, smoothed down his clothes, and intertwined his hands together. But realized that was a very girly thing to do, so he placed them at his side. The lock turned, and Eli couldn't help but smile as Oskar walked in. He purposely ignored Eli at first, staring at the ground, the wall, anywhere else but Eli. But with great satisfaction Eli watched Oskar look at him out of the corner of his eye, and jolt, and turn. His eyes were wide, and he almost tripped backwards over his abandoned shoes.
"Why the hell are you wearing boy's clothes?" he said, gripping the wall for support.
"You always say I should. Since I am a boy after all," Eli said, moving up and down on the ball of his heels. He was wearing pair of jeans, and navy blue jumper. Both hung loosely of his thin body.
"Yes but you've never dressed like a boy before."
"Well today I'm going to go hunting by myself. So I thought I'd dress like this," Eli beamed at him. But his face fell when Oskar started to laugh.
"What?"
"Nothing. You're just an idiot that's all."
"Well that's not a nice thing to say. And why am I?"
"Because if you're going to go hunting, you'll find it twice as hard getting a victim dressed a boy." Oskar folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "Better to dress as a girl so you can lure some pervert into a dark alley."
Eli pushed his bottom lip forward. "But you always tell me I should dress like a boy."
Oskar sighed. "I know. I know. But seriously, forget about hunting. I'll do it."
"No!" Eli said.
He walked forwards, lifting his head up as high as he could. "I want to hunt tonight. Goodbye Oskar."
He opened the door, but Oskar slammed it shut again.
"Quit messing around Elias," he hissed.
He stepped closer to Eli, and staring down into his dark, round eyes. "You are staying here. You are not going to go outside. You will not even put a toe out of this door. Got that?"
"Yep," Eli said, giving a nod. He stepped back from the door.
Oskar looked puzzled by his obedience, but stepped away from the door too. "Okay now that's settled I'm going to – ELI!"
Eli had just opened the door and disappeared into the hallway. He heard Oskar running after him, calling his name. But Eli just laughed, and continued to run.
Instead of going down the flights of stairs, he hurled himself over the railings and let himself fall to bottom. He landed gracefully, but his legs trembled as he took a step forwards. He gulped, and felt his arms shake too. But he still continued on, running out the door and into the night air.
The chase lasted about half an hour. Consisting of Oskar always being a few metres behind Eli, who had to stop frequently for a rest; he'd crawl up a tree and slump against the trunk, too exhausted to even listen to the fowl words coming from Oskar's mouth below.
Eli finally gave up when he arrive at the old town. He leaned against the stony wall of the archway, closing his eyes as waves of dizziness washed over him. He felt Oskar grab his hood, and yank him backwards. Eli stared up at him. His face was flushed a deep shade of red. He was taking such deep breaths that it was like a warm breeze hitting against Eli's skin.
"Don't…ever…do….that…again," he wheezed.
"Well we're here now," Eli said, inclining his head to the busy street ahead. "Time to start the hunt," he smiled up at Oskar, and slipped easily out of his grasp. He took a step forwards, but his knee's buckle underneath him. Before he hit the ground he felt Oskar's arms wrap around his waist, and pull him backwards.
"See…you can't hunt…you're too weak," he said into his ear.
Eli waited for his vision to come back into focus. "I've hunted when I've been like this before."
"Yes. And that's when you've made mistakes." Oskar propped Eli into a standing position but still kept his hands on his small waist. "And also when you've ended up changing a human…" he dropped his voice to a whisper. "…into a vampire."
Eli bit his lip at the memories. "I'm sorry. I just…don't want you to have to kill tonight."
"I don't mind," said Oskar.
"Yes you do." Eli glared at him. "You hate it. Don't try to lie to me about that."
Oskar didn't. But just stared at Eli.
"O.K," he said. "But only tonight. And you attack who I say you can."
Eli nodded. And smiled again. And to his surprise, Oskar smiled back.
The town was busy even at the late hour. Shops were kept open late for the tourists. And the rows upon rows of bars meant that the streets were crammed full of people who could hardly stand. The smell of sick tinged the air, burning Eli's nostrils that he kept a sleeve constantly over them. Screams of laughter kept piercing the air, shaking his ear drums and making him dizzy. He had to rely on Oskar to keep him straight. One of his arms was wrapped tightly around his waist, the other rested upon his shoulder. It was warm and comforting.
He reached a hand upwards to Oskar's. Stroked it. But Oskar's quivered beneath his touch, and he felt the pressure on his shoulder release away. He looked up at Oskar, and found him looking sad again, avoiding Eli's gaze.
He won't even hold my hand anymore, Eli Thought. Why? I don't understand what's changed.
His stomach suddenly felt like it was being stabbed, and he doubled over in pain.
"Eli!" Oskar's voice was full of fright.
"I'm alright," Eli lied. He needed feed soon, or he'd become too weak to even drink.
"What's going on here?" said a gruff voice.
Eli looked up and felt what little blood was in his body drain away from his face. The man was dressed in a black uniform; he was clearly a police man.
"Has this young girl been drinking?" he said, indicating his hand to Eli.
"No sir," Oskar said. "She's just very ill. I've just finished my twelve hour shift and she had to stay with me all day. I think staying in a cold café has just made her worse. So I'd really like to hurry home sir."
Eli tried to look as cute as possible when he looked up the policeman, making his bottom lip tremble and tears spring into his eyes.
"My…my mistake," said the policeman. "Hope she feels better soon." And with that he walked away.
Eli giggled.
"What's so funny now?" Oskar asked.
"Even wearing boy's clothes he still thought I was a girl."
He heard Oskar laugh, and his heart swelled with happiness.
"Come on then," he said and lifted Eli off the ground. "We've got to get you someone to eat."
They stood on the edge of the square, observing the crowd, looking for the perfect target. But Oskar would not agree with any of the people Eli wanted to attack.
"But she's standing alone"
"She won't be for long. She's waiting for someone."
"How do you know that?"
"Because she keeps checking her reflection."
"I don't get it."
"She's waiting for a guy."
"And she's alone just now. So I'll just go and…", Oskar pulled Eli back from walking forwards.
"No Eli. The deal was that I'd get to choose your target."
"But this is taking too long," Eli moaned, and was about to continue moaning when he suddenly saw a boy walk over to the women.
The person she was waiting for…no...
The boy was much younger than the women, perhaps about sixteen, but still taller than the women in her high heels. He bent over her, his long brown hair hiding her face from sight, but suddenly toppled backwards when the women's handbag smacked against his head. She walked away. Eli watched the boy rubbing the place she'd hit him.
"What about him then?" Eli said pointing to the boy.
Oskar was silent for a few seconds. "Maybe..."
"Is that a yes?" Eli inquired.
"No a maybe is a maybe."
Eli sighed and crouched on the ground. He rested his head on his knees while he watched the boy. Then their eyes met. Eli raised his head, and the boy turned his head to side to side in a very animal-like motion. He waved at Eli. And then turned to walk away.
"Did you see that?" Eli asked Oskar. "I think he wants me to follow him. This is perfect," he stood up, his stomach rumbling.
"Fine, fine, go get him," Oskar said giving Eli an encouraging push forwards. "Just don't make a mess. And keep him silent while you do it."
Eli nodded and weaved through the crowd to follow the boy, watching his brown hair bounce with each step. The boy looked back at him a few times, smirking, and Eli wondered what he was thinking. He did seem to want Eli to follow him. What was he planning to do with him? He didn't look like a pervert. But then again, what exactly did a pervert look like? They didn't really have a defined look. But even if he was it didn't matter. Eli could still master up enough strength to overpower him if he needed too.
Luck really seemed to be on Eli's side as the boy walked into alley cloaked with shadows, and completely deserted.
Eli watched the tall shadow bulge in and of the other shadows, feeling the hunger grow inside of him. His fangs pinched his tongue. He opened his mouth. His feet moved faster, scuttling loose stones around the dark floor. He arched his back, ready to lunch. Then blinked.
The tall shadow had gone. Vanished in a second. Eli stared around, confused by this new turn of events. Then a heavy weight slammed into him from above. He fell hard against the floor, crying out as his skin was scrapped and pain leapt through his bones.
Fingernails dug into his neck and he felt something cold and wet tickle against it; a tongue.
A cold breath was blown into his ear. "Sweet dreams," a voice said.
Then Eli felt pain in his neck. And a sensation he'd only felt once before. The sensation of his blood being drained from his body.