“They’re weird.”I laughed at the randomness of it all before turning backwards on the couch.“You guys are all weird.”I kept readjusting until I was right where I wanted to be: laying upside down with my head and arms hanging off the cushion while my legs rested where a head belongs.“What’re you reading?”I read the upside down title when he held the book up.“Ari read that once. I remember. She loves that book.”
“Interesting.”He sounded uninterested as he continued to read.
I want food. Food sounds good. I started playing with my long and currently upside down hair, which reached the carpet and spread a few inches further. It fell through my fingers as I lifted it and ran through the strands. I smiled and did it again. And then again, and again, and again, and—
“I see you playing with your hair. Stop narrating it,”Dennis said.“And go get some food.”
“I can’t. I’m too happy to eat. And I can’t sleep. I dunno what to do.” I beamed as Dennisclosed the book on a finger to look at me. “What?”
“Nothing,” he said.
I started ruffling my hair. It’s really soft when I do this. It feels kinda like one of those fluffy pillows, except it’s hair. And a lot softer.
“I’m going to bed,”I decided. “I’ll just lie down and stay awake.” I tried to pull myself up but it turns out I’m stuck here forever. I gave up and flopped back down, letting my hair spread across the floor while my arms hung over my head.
“Need some help?”Dennisasked, settingthe book aside.
“No.I’m not stuck.Ichanged my mind. I wanna stay here.”
“I swear, you’re the most useless vampire I’ve ever met.” He took my hands and pulled me upright. Which I easily could’ve done myself.
“Disrespectful.”I swung my legs and tried to get off but apparently that’s not gonna work, either. I readjusted again and was about to just roll to the floor when I realized he was still holding on.“Away!” I yanked my hands free and action rolled. I hopped up and continued to my suitcase to grab some pajamas.
“‘Night, Vixen.”
“Goodnight!” Iblew a playful kiss before heading to get changed.
The Kill
Dennis
I paused halfway down the dark hall. Sean’s door was closed. Steady heartbeats were coming from inside—one fast, the other one as slow as my own. Both Vixen and Ari’s breathing were steady. Still sleeping. I continued down the hall.
“Where’re you going?” Sean asked, looking up from his poker game with Mateo. “Nothing’s open.”
“Nothing needs to be open,” I said, keeping my answer vague. It would be more fun this way. Sean loved surprises.
“Let me guess, you’re going to the cemetery?” Mateo grinned as Sean laughed. “Time for a new coffin?”
“What? No. My coffin’s perfect.” I smiled while they kept giving me shit. “I’ll be back.”
I headed into the night. It was deserted. Which I’d expected. It was nearly three in the morning. Close to my favorite time of day.
I flicked on my lighter, my eyes sweeping the streets while I walked. There was no hurry. Dragging things out was actually more fun—I liked it this way. Taking my time. Daydreaming of ways to prolong everything.
I paused at an intersection, then decided to try his house first. Vamps weren’t always home at night, but it was a good starting point. But the house was empty. No heartbeat, no breathing, no scent. I switched direction and headed to my next guess: Melissa’s house. It had a heartbeat, but only one. She didn’t have company.
I set the flame to my thumb and kept walking. The night was annoyingly empty. No humans, no cars, no lights inside houses. Only stars and street lamps. The sound of animals scurrying past, leaves blowing in the breeze, my rattling pockets, humans shifting in their beds. Everyone I’d heard through a window so far was dead asleep. The humans, at least.
Icarried on, absentmindedly passing through neighborhoods until I wound up on Vixen’s street. Finally, a familiar scent floated past. I stopped, considering for a minute before deciding this was the right one and diligently following. Trailing the scent. Honing in on the reason I’d come out in the first place.
A flash of rage hit—I was beside Vixen’s house now. Near her fucking window. And the scent was growing stronger. It led to nothing because no one was here. Probably becauseshewasn’t here.
I killed the fire and left, this time with a sense of urgency. I’d planned to take my time and try again tomorrow if tonight didn’t work, but not anymore.
It only took a minute to find him. He was still near her house, lingering, maybe waiting for her to come home? My fists balled as I trailed him. It made no sense that he hadn’t turned around yet. Or run away. He must’ve heard me by now. But he was carrying on like nothing. Like the arrogant piece of shit he always was. He rounded a corner and I followed.
“What’s up, D?” He grinned from against a wall. We were between buildings. Stores. Both closed, both deserted. Exactly what I’d hoped for. A few seconds passed before he seemed uncomfortable. “Really, what’s up?” His tone was serious now.
