Peter said nothing.Instead, he neatly parallel parked on a street lined on either side with trees in their green summer foliage.
“This is where I live.”Peter looked out the passenger side toward a townhouse painted a light gray.There were large flowerpots at the top of the stairs, and in one, someone had stuck a red and white plastic windmill.“We can have a private conversation inside, or I could drive you home.Entirely up to you.But just so you know, my IT setup is in there.One way or the other, I’ll have to take your laptop inside.”
Theo bit his lip.He hated this.The choices were abysmal, and not just about going into the vampire’s house or going home.If Bernard had found Theo at the university, Bernard could find Theo at home, he could find him at Celeste’s.
Theo wouldn’t be able to go back to university.He couldn’t go home, he couldn’t make any money to get away, and even if he had the money to leave town, there was no way to make sure Bernard wouldn’t just grab him then.
I ran away from him once, and it only took him two months to get to me.I can’t keep doing this.I’m not going to find someone like Celeste just around the next bend in the road.
Theo blew out a trembling breath.Tears threatened to blur his vision.
Peter unbuckled his seat belt.“You’re panicking.I lack the skill set to talk you through a panic attack, so please try not to have one if at all possible.”
“Fucking…vampires.Who the fuck are you to tell me not to have a panic attack when this shred of a normal life I tried building here just went up in fucking flames?”
Peter nodded.“Perfectly fair question.You’re right to criticize me.Any chance you could see yourself yelling at me instead?”
Theo looked at Peter, tears running down his cheeks as he moved.When their eyes met, he felt the compulsion lift, and everything came flooding back in, though with less force than at the university.
Theo opened his mouth, but he couldn’t even bring himself to scream at Peter.He looked at his bag, distantly aware that his tears were falling on the back of his right hand.All my work’s in there.My life, pretty much.
Peter cursed under his breath and got out of the car.Just as well.Theo was okay with losing it in the vampire’s car, and crying all over the interior would be satisfying.
The passenger door opened.Theo jumped in his seat and looked up at Peter.
“At least come inside if you’re set on falling apart.It will be more comfortable for the both of us.”
Theo sniffled.His nose was getting clogged.“Comfort.Ha.”
“Well, I have chocolate too.I make hot chocolate.You could give that a try.”
Theo didn’t have the energy to resist, not right then.He got out of the car, trembling all over, his bag clutched to his chest.
“Doesn’t even matter anymore.”His voice came out broken.“Won’t be able to go back to university anyway.”
With a hand on the small of his back, Peter gave Theo a small push to make him move.
“As I said, I feel confident most of your data is retrievable.You’d be surprised what you can still get from a damaged drive.”
Theo spun.“Not that.Bernard!I can’t go back there because of Bernard!”
Peter motioned for Theo to continue up the stairs.
“That’s his name.I see.Do you have a last name for him?”He unlocked the front door and held it open for Theo, who was no longer sure whether he was angry, scared, or just pissed off.To make matters worse, his stomach rumbled loudly, adding very hungry to the list of possibilities.
Peter’s face brightened.“Ah.You’rehungry.I know that can make a person cranky.The hot chocolate is going to be perfect while you sort through the delivery menus.”
“Huh?”Chocolate did sound really good right about now, so Theo crossed the threshold.
Peter shrugged and let the door fall shut behind them.
“This is a vampire house.I have a large selection of teas, coffees, liquors, and chocolate, the latter for…well, I keep hoping a friend’s fiancé drops by to sort my bookshelf.Anyway.There are few humans who do not like chocolate, so I have them order food.Come on.”He waved Theo deeper into the house.
Theo shivered as Peter led the way through what Theo could only describe as a foyer.The floor was black and white tile, set in a chessboard pattern, and a staircase curled up to the second floor on the left.On the right, there were doors, but Theo couldn’t really focus on them.He still felt like his vision had tunneled, and he desperately wanted to curl up into a ball and just…shut out the world.
Before long, he found himself seated on a wooden chair at a round kitchen table, in a fancy kitchen big enough to cook for twenty people.His breathing still came fast and rough, and his heart was pounding.He was beginning to feel dizzy.
Peter eyed him as he took off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of another chair before retreating behind a counter.
