I laughed. “We’ll see, Benji.”
As we lay there together in a warm pile, an urge rose to the surface of my consciousness. “Let me tell you something, if you’re willing to hear it.”
“What?”
“It’s about the night of my turning.”
Benji’s eyes widened, and he nodded gravely, fully focused on me.
I hadn’t told the story to anyone - not for a very long time. To reach the memories I dug deep within my consciousness and hauled them up to the surface. With some effort, I collected my thoughts and began.
“I was leaving the clinic when it happened. Normally, I don’t say personal goodbyes to my patients, but that night was a particularly heavy session. I wanted to ensure she made it safely to the main road, as the office backed out into a narrow alley. You see, back then it was difficult to find rental space to accomodate a psychiatrist’s office. People simply didn’t take mental health as seriously as they do now - and should.”
Benji nodded but didn’t interrupt.
“In any case, a feeling in my gut urged me to watch her leave. I’m glad I listened, because out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure lurking in the alley and waiting to attack. Thankfully, he didn’t notice me, so I was able to intervene.”
Benji gasped. “Oh my god! What happened?”
“I couldn’t let my patient be harmed,” I told him. “So when he lunged for her, I got in the way.”
Benji’s brows furrowed and his breathing quickened. His fists were balled up in his lap. “And?”
I shot him a grim smile. “It didn’t end well. He wasn’t pleased that I interfered, and he took out his anger on me. It didn’t matter to me. All that mattered was that my patient escaped, and due to my actions, was able to call the cops.”
The gears in his mind turned. “Wait, that scar on your stomach…”
To confirm his suspicion and lifted my shirt. His fingers gently traced the scar.
“Yes. He gutted me with the pocket knife he carried,” I explained before letting the shirt fall back down. “That was the worst of the injuries, and the only one not to heal when I turned.”
“So, what happened then?” Benji asked, eyes wide.
I had to laugh. “I was at the right place at the right time. Or, the wrong place at the wrong time is more accurate. Margaret happened to be passing by that night, and witnessed everything. She killed the man, sucked him dry right in front of me as I lay dying on the ground, then turned her attention to me. I thought I was delirious.Vampires aren’t real,I thought. Then Margaret kneeled by me, told me she was sorry, and plunged her fangs into me.”
Benji winced. “I’m guessing it wasn’t pleasant.”
“It was the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt,” I admitted. “She pumped me full of venom, and as I was writhing in agony, she picked me up and leapt away. The cops never found me, but they did find the man’s corpse.”
“Good,” Benji muttered. “So what did Margaret do?”
“She put me in a room in the mansion. Left me alone to turn. There was nothing else she could do, really. The process takes days, and you’re so crazed with pain you would lash out at anything around you.” I sighed. “When it was finally over, she returned with blood wine and explained the situation. I suppose the rest is history.”
Benji shivered as if cold. “That’s an insane story. I can’t imagine going through all that.”
“Then be glad you don’t have to.” I smiled and held him close, enjoying his warmth seeping into me.
“I mean, I’m notgladit happened to you, but…” He nestled closer. “If it means I got to meet you, then I guess I am kind of glad.”
I pressed a kiss to his hair. “You know what? I’m glad, too.”
19
Benji
It happened in the dead of daytime - when all of us should have been asleep.
A sharp pain flashed through my body, making me jolt upright with a gasp.
