Chapter 7 - Stirring up the Exorcists (1)
As they emerged from the shower, their bodies slick with water, the couple dried each other off with fluffy white towels. Returning back to the suite's main room, Carl, only wrapped in a bathrobe, walked toward a comfortable armchair by the side of a coffee table containing a coffee dispenser along with the coffee capsules.
"Do you want any coffee?" asked Carl looking at Jeanne who also changed into her bathrobe, but her expression, unlike his casual, calm one, she seemed to be in the post-climax clarity and questioned everything that happened tonight.
"Sure," she responded, sitting on the couch opposite him. "What would you recommend?"
Carl gestured towards the selection of coffee pods, moving his hands as if he was a magician presenting a trick. "Just pick whatever flavor you prefer. I usually go with dark coffee."
Jeanne scanned the options briefly before choosing a dark roast blend. "This sounds perfect," she said, seeing how Carl placed the capsule into the machine, acting nonchalant, as if their hot night was an afterthought.
Was this how a Vampire operated? She could feel that he grew colder and reserved, but his expression wasn't hostile or 'predatory', it felt like a charming villain thinking on how to take over the world.
As it whirred and clicked, Carl took a sip of his own coffee, savoring the bitterness before setting it down. 'Not good, I don't know how to begin. Where do I even start? Should I tell her that she's at risk of becoming my Thrall?'
[The risks are low on the first consumption. But, it's a fact that the 'Bloodbound Domain' amplifies the Vampiric Curse, such that unlike normal Vampires, your powers are more potent. She'll freak out and you'll lose a good blood source and possible companion.]
'Well, that's life. Life always sucks ass, always taking away. Still, if we reach that stage, I'll take care of her if she turns out to transform into Thrall.'
While discussing with Nosferatu on how to begin the inevitable conversation and also about the possibility of Jeanne being infected with the Vampirism Curse, and start her transformation into a Thrall, the silence continued to grow between himself and her.
The silence between them felt heavy, loaded with unspoken words, and the tension thickened like fog. It was almost palpable. Their gazes met again, neither one able to break away first. Finally, Jeanne coughed softly, breaking the silence.
"So how can someone like you exist?" she asked quietly, staring at Carl with wide-eyed curiosity. Her tone held a mix of awe and trepidation; fear of what this man might do next.
"I have never met anyone like you before, though, I've seen some ghosts in the past." she admitted, looking at Carl intently. "How do you survive out here? How come you've gone so far with your 'prey', and why am I still alive? Aren't Vampires usually going to kill their targets to satisfy their blood thirst?"
Carl smiled at her slightly, a glint in his crimson eyes. "Well, nothing that I've told you so far is a lie. I do feel a connection with you, and I believe most of your information is based on online stories. Why should I kill you when it doesn't serve a purpose?"
"Think of it like this instead, Jeanne. When in nature, predators don't go around killing all their prey. They kill only enough to sustain them. It's a survival instinct, though. Same happens for Vampires who predate on humans? We only kill at last resort."
"There's a lot more to me than meets the eye regarding this subject."
Jeanne nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. Her heart raced as she tried to comprehend Carl's words.
"So, I've become your prey," she repeated. "Curious, how many times are you doing this? Feeding on people? Haven't you thought of other methods of acquiring blood that don't require biting people's necks?"
"The last time I remember, you were about to climax from biting your neck. You shouldn't complain when you felt so good from my bite." Carl grinned devilishly, his fangs peeking out from beneath his lips.
Shock rippled through Jeanne's veins, her jaw dropping open momentarily before snapping shut abruptly, she could tell that this Vampire had a thick skin. "And why did you just bite me without my consent? I thought it was just a teasing kiss whenever you would run wild there." she demanded, feeling a surge of anger rise up inside her.
"Ohh that? I couldn't hold myself down, after years of starving down. It must've been an accident," Carl retorted smoothly, shrugging nonchalantly, but also revealing some hints about his story, if she was smart as he thought, she might be sharp enough to put the puzzle together.
"But I enjoyed every minute of it!" He grinned broadly, showing off his sharp, deadly fangs. "Look, I understand you're angry now, but I haven't harmed you. Whatever pain you're feeling now, will subside. Give it some time."
Jeanne stared at Carl, dumbfounded. She couldn't believe how crooked her luck with men was, last week she was devastated to find out that her fiance cheated on her with one of her 'best friends', and now when wanting to forget about all of her nightmare, she had stumbled upon this supernatural creature that truly grabbed her into Hell.
Yet, this Hell was rather sweet, almost toxic to be true. It made no sense to her, but at the same time with her past experiences at her workplace, she believed in the supernatural, and seeing a living and breathing Vampire that made love to her, didn't seem that far stretched.
Seeing how he was dismissing most of her worries in a calm tone, there was something undeniably intriguing about Carl.
As the weight of their conversation settled over them, Jeanne felt a nagging sense of unease gnawing at her. Despite Carl's assurances, she couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that lingered in the air.
"Carl," she began tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to ask you something."
Carl turned to her, his gaze filled with concern. "Of course, Jeanne. What's on your mind?"
"It's just..." Jeanne hesitated, her words catching in her throat. She knew she had to voice her concerns, no matter how uncomfortable they made her feel. "Am I in danger when I'm with you? I mean, now that I know... now that I'm your... 'prey'."
The weight of her question hung in the air, the tension palpable between them. Carl's expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding.
"I won't lie to you, Jeanne," he replied solemnly. "There are always risks when involved with a Vampire. But I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."
Jeanne nodded, her heart heavy with apprehension. "But what if... what if you lose control? What if... you can't stop yourself from... hurting me?"
Carl reached out, gently taking her hands in his. "I won't let that happen," he said firmly, his voice laced with a comforting calm. "I've lived with this hunger for so long, Jeanne. By this point, it became something I can control. You have nothing to fear from me."
Jeanne studied his face, noticing the slight tension etched into his handsome features, as he was breaking the ice between them, explaining himself, while she didn't extract her hands from his gentle hold.
"Thank you, Carl," she murmured softly, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "It means a lot to me to know that you're looking out for me."
Carl drew a deep breath, steadying himself. "You might feel disgusted, fearful, but that's who I am. I'm a Vampire." he confessed quietly. "I feed on human blood to survive. Cursed by God with an insatiable thirst for human blood."
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't recoil. Instead, she reached out and placed her hand on his arm. A slight chill ran down Jeanne's spine, reminding herself how he fed on her neck, but she quickly banished the feeling. "I appreciate your honesty, Carl," she told him sincerely. "And it will not change a thing between us."
Carl stared at her incredulously. "That's shocking. Really?" he asked. "I imagine that most women run away screaming when they find out I'm a vampire."
Jeanne shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe most women don't understand you," she suggested. "But I do." Jeanne squeezed his hand, looking up at him with understanding acceptance. "I've seen things in my life that others wouldn't believe. Things that changed my perspective on reality. Like when I saw ghosts..."
Carl blinked, surprised. "Ghosts? Ahh, that's right, you mentioned something regarding ghosts. How come? Aren't you a simple human?"
"... Wait, do you believe me?" Jeanne inquired, staring into her mug of coffee before shifting with a shocked expression at Carl's face.
"Why should I disagree with you? If a Vampire like myself exists, why shouldn't a Ghost exist? It isn't that strange when you think about it."
"That's right! Wow, finally someone who understands me, and doesn't call me crazy and nuts." Jeanne affirmed, nodding emphatically. "Remember, I told you I worked as a nurse in a hospital. Well, one day, I swear this is true. I saw a ghost. A patient's spirit is stuck in the room."
"I tried to warn the doctors, but no one believed me. Still, somehow I managed to convince the hospital staff to call the Priests to perform a specific ritual for spirits." she said, her voice quivering slightly. "After that, the ghost vanished peacefully."
Carl's eyes widened slightly before narrowing into slits "Heh, I bet they continued to appear, since the death rate in a Hospital is high."
"That's exactly what happened!"
Carl listened attentively, absorbing her every word. "What did this ghost look like?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Jeanne hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing in concentration. "It was difficult to describe," she admitted. "Its appearance kept shifting, like it was changing forms. At times, it appeared transparent, barely visible to the naked eye," Jeanne recounted, pausing to sip her coffee. "Other times, it was solid, fully formed with details so real, it gave me chills."
Carl sat up straighter, his interest piqued. "That's fascinating," he said, his voice hushed in awe, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "I feel bad that you have to experience so much trouble from some stubborn maggots that can't live past their failures in life."
"Nonetheless, it's amazing to know that you're capable of seeing ghosts and even communicating with them."
Jeanne brushed off his praise, her cheeks reddening slightly. "It's nothing extraordinary," she smiled awkwardly, her gaze drifting away.
Their discussion moved from topic to topic, after the pandora box was opened by Jeanne regarding her 'ability' to see Ghosts, and clearly him appearing not surprised or creeped out made her more comfortable around him.
He didn't bother to know much about her personal life, such as her backstory, instead, inquired calmly how she got into the Club if she had a fiance? There were some assumptions made by him with his 'discerning' eye, but it was better to come clean so as to avoid unnecessary Drama.
Women in general love drama, and clearly Jeanne wasn't an exception to the rule. She didn't gaslight him, at least this is how it appeared when she told him she got cheated on by her fiancé with one of her best friends.
"I knew something was up," she sighed, stirring her half-empty coffee cup. "But I didn't expect it to be that bad. I found texts on his phone, videos he took of the affair, and the evidence was clear as day. To think he was such a piece of shit."
Carl listened carefully, offering a comforting nod. "That must have been tough," he sympathized. "I can't imagine finding out something like that."
"Yeah," she grimaced, shaking her head. "It hurt more than I could ever express.
I was betrayed by two people I trusted the most," Jeanne revealed, her voice wavering slightly. "I needed to get away. To forget. I was done lamenting on my failed relationship, so, I decided to experience something new, and that's when you came to lift me up."
Carl nodded sympathetically, knowing the sting of betrayal all too well, both in his past life and in the current life. "I hope I managed to instill some peace for you," he assured her. "Well, maybe not so much considering I drank your blood. But we'll work past this together, if you want."
"I always had a deep rooted hatred for cheaters."
Jeanne smiled gratefully, her gaze lingering on Carl for a moment longer than necessary. "Thank you, Carl," she murmured softly. "For understanding. For listening."
Carl's grip tightened around her hand, a sudden rush of warmth filling his chest. "Don't thank me just yet," he said gently. "You'll need a strong drink later."
Jeanne laughed nervously, her gaze darting around the room. "I'm okay. I've been through worse."
Carl shook his head, the corners of his mouth quirking upwards. "Perhaps you have, but this is different. You'll need strength..." Carl insisted, his gaze piercing through her like a laser beam.
He lifted the mug of coffee to his lips, swallowing the bitter liquid with a wince. The caffeine kick was nothing compared to the intoxicating taste of her blood. It lingered on his tongue, taunting him.
"...I've been through worse," Jeanne protested weakly, her eyes meeting Carl's gaze. He smiled wickedly, his fangs gleaming like silver daggers.
"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Jeanne. Don't underestimate yourself."
She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening at the sight of his fangs. "You're scaring me, Carl. Don't flash your fangs at me."
Carl chuckled darkly, his hand tightening around hers. "Huhuhu, that's a nice reaction. Trust me, I won't harm you. I promised."
Lifting up the mood, Carl asks Jeanne her phone number so they could stay in touch, and in case she wanted his help in dealing with her cheating ex-fiance, he would be there for her.
"So, Jeanne," Carl began casually, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "We've reached this point without even sharing our contact info? Since we got to know each other, would you mind sharing your phone number with me?"
"Heh, any ulterior motives for asking a girl's number?"
"Heh. wouldn't you feel sorry for the next woman that might get her neck bitten off once I get thirsty for blood? Jokes aside, it would be a shame to squander this opportunity to spend time with a woman like you."
"Ahh, and also, just in case you ever need someone to talk to or in case you want me to act like your bodyguard when confronting your ex? My services can be quite expensive, but with you it can be something else."
Jeanne blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Carl's sudden request. She didn't hesitate, but her mind raced a bit with intrigue. His playful demeanor and the mischievous glint in his eyes hinted at an underlying depth to his character, one that she couldn't quite unravel.
She couldn't help but smile at his charm, feeling a sense of ease in his presence despite the lingering doubts clouding her thoughts. "Well, you certainly know how to make a girl feel special," she replied, her tone light yet tinged with curiosity. "I suppose I could share my number with you, but only if you promise not to abuse it."
Carl raised an eyebrow in mock offense, his lips curving into a playful smirk. "Me? Abuse such a precious gift?" he feigned innocence, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "I assure you, Jeanne, I am the epitome of discretion and responsibility."
Jeanne chuckled softly, her apprehension melting away in the warmth of Carl's infectious laughter. "Alright, then," she relented, reaching for her phone. "But if I start receiving prank calls in the middle of the night, you'll be the first suspect."
Carl grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched Jeanne input her number into his phone. "Fair enough," he conceded, accepting the device with a grateful nod.
A sense of anticipation tingled in the air, Jeanne handed back Carl's phone, their fingers brushing briefly in the exchange. As she watched him save her number into his contacts, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of staying in touch with this enigmatic man who had entered her life in such an unexpected way.
Meanwhile, Carl's mind churned with a devilish satisfaction as he achieved one of his goals. The thought of Jeanne's cheating fiance and her betraying friend filled him with a deep rooted disgust, and he wanted to make them feel miserable. Yet, beneath his calm exterior, a mischievous smirk danced on his lips, a silent promise of retribution.
"Do you want to torment them, Jeanne?" Carl inquired casually, his tone tinged with an ominous edge. "Make their lives miserable? I could entertain that idea with ease, you know. Show them a taste of their own medicine."
Jeanne shook her head, her expression firm yet resolute, it was better to just walk away without any further Drama. "No," she replied firmly, "As tempting as it may be to seek revenge, I've had enough drama to last a lifetime. It's better to walk away and leave them to their own devices."
"But before I do, I'll make sure they're exposed for the lying, cheating bastards they are," she added, her gaze hardening with determination. "I won't let them get away with destroying five years of my life."
Carl nodded in understanding, a flicker of respect gleaming in his crimson eyes. "Very well, Jeanne," he conceded, his tone tinged with approval, while tapping on his smartphone. "You're stronger than you know. If you ever need my help, though, you know where to find me."
With a silent nod of gratitude, hours passed and they continued to chat, with Jeanne showing curiosity and interest over the Vampire before her, but he didn't reveal too much that would put her in danger. By morning she bid farewell to Carl.
As Jeanne stood in the doorway, preparing to bid Carl farewell, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of parting ways, slight reluctance, as if she wanted to spend more time with him. Despite the briefness of their encounter, she had grown surprisingly fond of the enigmatic Vampire who had entered her life in such an unexpected manner.
Carl, seated on the edge of the bed, glanced up from his phone as Jeanne approached.
His crimson eyes held a hint of weariness, a testament to the fact that he hadn't slept a single hour throughout the night, nor did he feel the need to sleep as a Creature of the Night.
"Hey," Jeanne began softly, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctance. "I guess this is goodbye for now."
Carl nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "For now," he echoed, his tone thoughtful. "But who knows what the future holds? Perhaps our paths will cross again soon enough."
Jeanne nodded in agreement, a sense of hope flickering in her chest. "I'd like that," she admitted, her gaze meeting Carl's with a mixture of fondness.
Carl was looking at Jeanne as she appeared smocking hot even in daylight, and her expression looked cheerful unlike when he first met her in the Nightclub.
'Is this the Stockholm Syndrome? Or are the innate charms of a Vampire that overpowered against women?'
[Don't know what you're talking about, kid. But, this reaction from this woman can be interpreted as her finding a 'kindling' spirit in you?]
[Surprisingly, she was connected with the Supernatural without her being in control, and now that she found you, in her perception, you're more controllable than some lost spirit damned to linger on Earth for Eternity.]
'She's quite the interesting one, not going to lie. Which retard would cheat on such a gal? He must have half of his brain fried or something to let go on the blondy. Or could it be that he wanted to be a 'Chad'/'Tyrone' and bounce around women?'
'I'm curious about the guy now. Huhuhu. Right, I can use the Blood Manipulation for a Spying Trinket just like when I escaped from the coffin.'
[You're wasting your time again.]
'Not at all, mister. It can be considered training. Blood Manipulation consumes a decent amount of Mana and of my Mental Energy just keeping the link between the Blood Constructs and me.'
As Jeanne stood there in silence, the weight of their impending parting hanging heavy in the air, Carl's mind was already at work, planning his next move. With a subtle flicker of his fingers, he activated his ability of 'Blood Manipulation', focusing his dense mana on a small droplet of blood that he extracted from his own body.
'What to make? Something small, maybe a fly? Too inauspicious. Aha, that one would do.'
His crimson eyes flashed with an ominous aura, while the pendant appeared around his neck, along with those changes, Carl shaped the blood droplet into a tiny, intricate creature, barely visible to the naked eye. It resembled a miniature spider, with delicate legs and a pulsating core that glowed with a faint crimson hue.
'Good. You'll act as my eyes in case she is in danger.'
Without Jeanne even noticing, Carl planted the blood creature onto her clothes, near the hem of her blouse. The creature nestled into the fabric, blending in seamlessly with its surroundings, its movements imperceptible to anyone but Carl himself.
'Mental Link Established.'
With a silent command, Carl linked his consciousness to the blood creature, establishing a psychic connection that allowed him to see and hear everything that the creature did. It was a crude form of surveillance, but it served its purpose well.
Sorting this problem for now, he flashed Jeanne a small smile while nodding at her farewell. It was an acknowledgment that made Jeanne feel better, and turning to leave, her footsteps echoed softly against the hotel floor.
'What an intriguing man. Despite the appearances, there's something oddly comforting about his presence. His natural gestures make me feel understood and appreciated. Maybe there's more to our connection than I initially thought.'
As she made her way out into the cool morning air, she could swear she felt a gentle breeze brush past her, carrying with it the faint scent of Carl's cologne.
Jeanne couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that lingered in her chest. Though she didn't know what the future held, she felt a sense of peace knowing that she had crossed paths with someone as intriguing and enigmatic as Carl.
She wondered if he was thinking about her as much as she was of him. Her phone buzzed, a text message from Carl's number, reading, "You left something behind. We should meet again so I can return it to you."
Her heart fluttered, and she eagerly replied, "Yes, you can return it to me when we meet at a diner." She smiled to herself, knowing that she would see Carl again. The idea of another rendezvous with Carl excited her, even though she knew that he was a creature of the night with an insatiable appetite for blood.
Yet, he had shown such gentleness and sensitivity towards her, making her question whether there was more to this mysterious vampire than met the eye.
Ordering an Uber from her phone, it didn't take long for a car to arrive and pick her. As she stepped into the Uber, Jeanne found herself nervously playing with her fingers. The driver, a friendly man, noticed her agitation. "Everything okay?" he asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
"It's the city life, huh? Always got you running around," he said, nodding as he shifted gears and navigated the winding streets towards Jeanne's apartment.
Looking out the window, Jeanne couldn't help but muse over how the previous evening had unfolded, leaving her feeling surprisingly lighter than before.
"So, where are we going?" asked the Uber driver, peering at her in the rearview mirror, such a beautiful woman, you would rarely see in town.
"Oh, just drop me off here, please," Jeanne replied, pointing to a row of townhouses down the block.
The driver nodded to indicate he heard her request. "No problem," he said, pulling over near one of the houses.
The ride concluded without further conversation, and Jeanne thanked the driver as she exited the car. Stepping onto the sidewalk, she felt a pang of excitement mixed with anxiety. She wanted to see Carl again, yet apprehension lurked within her. Would she become a part of his shadowy existence?
Would they share experiences together, perhaps growing closer until their hearts beat in unison? Or would the day come when she'd realize she'd been ensnared in a web of deceit spun by Carl the vampire?
These thoughts swirled around Jeanne's head as she walked up the steps to her house. The door opened effortlessly under her touch, welcoming her inside. With each step, she felt the weight of the world pressing on her shoulders, replacing her newfound smile with a cold, icy look, she could see Richard's pair of shoes.
The same pair that he had used to walk the distance between her and his mistress. He had betrayed her, leaving her heart shattered into countless pieces.
The memory of Carl's soft whispers against her ear still resonated within her, "I'm sorry you have to go through this," he said softly, "but I'm sure you can handle it." She hadn't replied then, how could she? Her feelings were too complicated, too overwhelming, for simple words to suffice. Yet now, she knew that she needed to face this reality head-on.
It was time to confront Richard about his infidelity and move forward with her life. Her eyes drifted towards the mirror hanging by the entrance, reflecting back a face wrought with determination. She knew what she had to do, and she wouldn't allow fear to hold her back any longer.
As she stepped into the living room, Richard sat on the couch, engrossed in his phone. His posture stiffened upon seeing her enter; his gaze met hers briefly before darting away. His expression remained stoic, but the tension crackling between them was palpable.
"Richard, we need to talk," Jeanne began, her voice quivering slightly. Richard glanced up at her, his eyes narrowing.
"About what?" he asked, feigning ignorance. But she saw right through him. "About your new Mistress, Lisa," she spat out.
The name alone seemed to send a jolt through Richard's body. "Who? Lisa? Where's that coming from?" he scoffed, trying to play dumb.
"Don't act so innocent! I know everything!" Jeanne retorted, unable to contain her anger anymore, as she began to share some of the messages she read from his phone related to his direct messages between Lisa and him.
She recounted specific details of their trysts that left no doubt in anyone's mind about what exactly transpired between them. "How dare you betray me like this?" she seethed and added, "What happened to our promise to only ever have each other?"
Richard gulped, his eyes darting around the room. He scrambled to concoct an apology, sputtering excuses and promising to end things with Lisa. However, none of his assurances placated Jeanne. She stood there, trembling with rage, while on the hem of her blouse the small crimson spider revealed a ominous crimson aura, as if watching everything with keen interest.
A hush descended upon the dimly lit room, save for the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows upon the walls.
The air thickened with tension, palpable and suffocating, as if the very molecules of oxygen had condensed into a tangible weight. Richard stood stiff and unyielding, his gaze fixated on the floor, avoiding the piercing intensity of Jeanne's wrath-filled eyes. The audacity of his betrayal had finally caught up with him, and he knew it.
His heart raced, pounding against his chest like a caged animal trapped in a desperate struggle for freedom. His mouth opened, but no words came out; they were stuck, frozen in the bitter cold of his guilt. "Jeanne," he murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper, "I didn't mean…"
Her blue eyes glared at him, burning with a fire born out of hurt and anger. "You didn't mean what?" she demanded, the tremor in her voice betraying the raw emotion coursing through her veins.
"Don't you dare try to spin this, Richard! I deserve better than being cheated on!"
Richard swallowed hard, feeling the bile rise in his throat at the sight of her rage. "Jeanne, please, let me explain..."
"There's nothing to explain!" she roared, her voice echoing in the hollow silence of the room. "The evidence speaks for itself."
He flinched, knowing full well the depths of his deceit.
He wanted to beg for forgiveness, but the truth was, he wasn't sorry. Not one bit. Instead, he clung onto hope, hoping she might forgive him. "Please, Jeanne, listen to me," he pleaded, stepping closer.
But her eyes flashed dangerously, and she held up a hand, stopping him dead in his tracks. "Save it, Richard. Your words ring hollow now.
I won't fall for your sweet-talking, not again." She paused, giving him a chance to respond - which he didn't, leaving her feeling even angrier. "And don't think that all of this is going to disappear just because you say 'sorry'."
"But I never meant-"
"Oh, really? Then what does 'Lisa' mean to you? Is she your side dish?" She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when that hit home.
"You lied to me, manipulated me, and dragged my feelings through the mud. Well, I've got news for you, Richard. I'm done playing your games. We're over. Done. Finished."
She pushed past him, heading toward the door. He grabbed her arm, desperation clear in his eyes. "Please, Jeanne," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Give me another chance. I swear to you, I'll make it right."
"I don't believe you," she said flatly, yanking her arm free.
"All I hear is empty promises. How many times did you promise me that you'd change, yet here we are?"
"Jeanne, baby," he pleaded softly, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "Let me explain."
She whirled around, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Stay away from me, Richard. Don't touch me."
He recoiled, his eyes wide with shock. "Baby, please, listen to me-"
"No," she snapped, cutting him off.
"I've heard enough excuses." Her tone was harsh, unforgiving. She took a deep breath, gathering herself together.
"If you truly want to prove yourself, then leave me alone," she spoke firmly, "Go find Lisa and tell her how much you love her. Maybe, just maybe, I'll consider taking you back."
"Jeanne, please," he begged, reaching out for her once more. "I made a mistake. Can't you forgive me?"
"Forgive you?" she echoed, incredulous.
"How could you ask such a thing? After everything you put me through?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. She blinked furiously, forcing them back. She wouldn't cry in front of him. She deserved better than to show weakness.
She snorted derisively. "Mend? You think throwing around pretty words will erase the pain you caused?" Jeanne growled, anger flashing in her stormy blue eyes. "I gave you my heart, Richard, and you stomped all over it."
"That's not true," he protested weakly, his hands balling into fists beside him. "I just-"
"Just what?!" she shouted, her voice rising until it cracked in desperation. "Did you think I wouldn't find out? Or worse, did you enjoy hurting me?"
Akin to a cornered animal, he knew he could force his way into Jeanne. He looked her directly in the eye, then lashed out grabbing her by the arm, soon his grip tightening on her arm. The amount of strength a man could muster against a woman wasn't questionable, and akin to a wild beast he reacted by getting physical once his emotional blackmail couldn't pursue Jeanne.
He lashed out at her, saying that he couldn't live without her and if she would live without her, it would be better if no one had her, but him. Jeanne looked at Richard, as if he was a psychopath, worse than trash. She felt pain, and wanting to get away from this lying cheater, she felt his grip tightening harder.
"You're mine, and only mine! So what if I spent some nights with Lisa? She's alright with an open relationship, as long she gets me. Why can't you be like her?"
"Let me go, you bastard! You have some screws loose in your head. Let go!"
As if the world turned upside down for Richard, he snapped, and put his hand around her neck where small puncture marks could be seen. All sorts of thoughts wrapped in his mind, and clearly those were the marks of another man, she wasn't a Saint either.
"You whore, didn't you say to have each other at worse and good? What's that mark? Are you cheating on me?"
The sight was so horrifying that she immediately screamed, "Help! Help me! Someone save me!"
She felt the pain around her neck, making it harder for her to breath, but just in that moment, the small Blood Spider created by Carl using his Blood Magic to protect her before she left the Hotel had enough, lunging out at Richard and it gnashed at his neck, creating a wound that oozes blood.
Richard was in shock as he let go of his chokehold on Jeanne, stumbling backwards and clutching his neck. His eyes widened as he saw the bloody mess, his gaze darting between Jeanne and the spider. "What the hell is that?" he gasped, fear creeping into his voice.
Jeanne staggered backward, catching her balance against the wall. She watched the spider crawl back to her, arriving at her neck around the area where Carl feed from her, and she could feel the spider's legs tapping her felt as if telling her that he was there beside her. 'I made a promise to protect you.'
A sense of relief washed over her, followed by a wave of disgust as she stared at Richard who was holding onto his wounded neck.
His eyes went wide with terror as he stumbled backwards, still clutching his neck. "You...you bit me," he croaked accusingly, looking at Jeanne with disbelief. "Slut! How dare you!? I've given you so much."
The spider began delivering a sound of mockingly laughter, while tapping playfully at Jeanne's tender skin. But as the spider continued to stare at the disgusting man, it finally released a threatening sound.
"Get lost from my house you crazy narcist. If you don't leave at this moment, I'll call the police, and you'll rot in jail!"
"Wait," he said suddenly, swallowing hard. "I don't want to lose you. I'll fix things. I'll make amends. Just give me another chance."
"Another chance?" Jeanne scoffed into the receiver.
"Don't insult my intelligence! We're done! After everything you've done just now. Do you want to make this friend of mine take care of you? I can make your life so miserable, just by asking this friend of mine, but unlike you, bastard, I'm a human."
Jeanne spat, venom dripping from every word. "I won't bother calling the cops...but you best leave now before you come begging on your knees for mercy."
"Jeanne, please," Richard whimpered, trying to appeal to her softer side. "I know I screwed up, but I love you. I'll do anything to make it right."
"Like you love me?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm starting to think your idea of love is all twisted up." Jeanne sneered. "Looks like you don't know love at all. Love doesn't equate to control, possession, or possessiveness."
"But I thought-"
"Thought what? That you can hurt me and then turn around and sweep it under the rug? I deserve better than that, Richard. I deserve someone who treats me with respect and honesty. Oh, and I've already found someone better than you, so you can go to Lisa without worrying about me."
"We're done! Now disappear from my life and leave me alone! Pack your stuff or I'll send all of your belongings to Lisa. Now get lost!"
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room. The air thickened with tension. Richard's eyes darted, searching for a way out, and it was already given to him. His 'love' with Jeanne was over, and it was all because of his choices and fake love.
He stood there, still shocked by her rejection and his own wounds, but the neck wound wasn't something threatening, it was just a warning from the Blood Spider. His heart raced with anger and bitterness that churned inside of him.
His lips quivered, he wanted to strike back but the spider kept hissing at him, and he remembered Jeanne's threat, and the image of the crimson spider jumping out of nowhere and biting his neck in a straight line, made him tremble in fear.
"You'd better start packing," Jeanne growled, pointing to the door. "Or else, you won't like what happens next."
Moving into the safety of another room, and closing the door, she took the blood spider in her hands and gazed deeply at the 'Cute' creature, which made her calm a bit, but she was still a mess, with tears flowing down her beautiful face.
'Don't worry. This will be quick… No, I have to call him. I'm in danger around that psycho.' She told herself. But her hands shook slightly as she dialed the number. With a deep breath, she pressed the phone to her ear.
"Hello?" A calm voice answered.
"Carl, it's Jeanne." Her voice quavered, "Can I talk to you?"
Silence stretched out for a few seconds before Carl responded, "Yeah, sure. What's up?"
She hesitated, trying to gather her thoughts. "Richard...he came home today...he hit me...I'm scared, Carl." Jeanne admitted softly, biting her lip.
Her voice trembled, and tears threatened to spill over despite her best efforts to hold them back. "He grabbed me by the throat-it happened so fast. And then...and then this little red spider popped out of nowhere and saved me. Was it you, Carl?"
Carl paused, listening attentively. "Calm down, Jeanne. Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched into his voice. The tenderness of his tone reached through the line, comforting Jeanne.
"I need you here, Carl," she whispered shakily. "Please come over."
He remained quiet for a brief moment, while at the same time, Jeanne could see the little spider look at her with a crooked head. He could hear her quivering, which made him answer softly, "Okay, I'm coming. Be safe until I arrive."
"Thank you, Carl," she sighed, feeling a weight lift off her chest. She hung up quickly, wiping away the tears that had begun to fall. The thought of Carl rushing to her aid brought comfort and safety amidst the chaos.