“Well…” He shot me a cautiously optimistic glance. A shy smile spread across his lips. “I wanted to, um, be a writer.” He paused for a beat and the color in his cheeks deepened. “Because of your books. That’s how much they inspired me.”
He wants to be a writer… because of me? Because of my novels?
It was a sweet sentiment, of course. A bit predictable, but that was the way humans were. What I didn’t want to tell him was how difficult it could be for a new author, how much work it went into each book, the costs, the mental strain -
When we hit a red light, I hit the brake a bit harder than intended from the surprise. Even with the seatbelt on, Caleb lurched forward in his seat. “Whoa!”
“My apologies,” I said. “That wasn’t intended.”
“It’s okay,” Caleb mumbled, but he was clutching at his side as if in pain.
“What’s wrong?” I demanded.
He shook his head. “It’s nothing. Ever since the surgery, I get these random little pains once in a while.”
“Have you told anyone about this?”
“Yeah, the doctor said it was normal… Anyway, about the college thing.” He bit his lip. “If - hypothetically - Ididgo to school for it, do you think I would have a chance?”
I barely heard his question. I was still focused on his mysterious pain. Why hadn’t I heard about this earlier? How long had he been living like this without telling anyone? Frustration bubbled inside me. Humans, especially young male ones, wereterribleat taking care of themselves!
“Um… Adriel?”
Caleb’s voice snapped me back to attention. “Sorry. What did you say?”
Slumping in his seat, Caleb mumbled, “Nevermind.”
At that moment I pulled up to the curb of his workplace. It was a surprisingly upscale convenience store, nothing like the run-down ones we passed on the way. With one look at the logo and company name,Midnight Run!, I knew exactly how everything would fit into place.
Caleb gathered his things like he was in a hurry to leave. His cheeks were tinged red and he avoided my gaze.
“Wait, Caleb,” I said firmly.
“What is it?”
“Where are you going?”
He blinked. “Um… I’m going to work?”
“Did you forget something?” I asked, feeling frustrated again. “You can’t be left alone.”
The shock on his face was evident. “Huh? But - even atwork? It’s so far away from Margaret!”
“Caleb, listen to me,” I said seriously. “My brothers and I have known Margaret for longer than you and have been alive. Her behavior is not normal. We have no idea what she’s capable of. Leaving you alone, even for a second, could spell death for you.”
“But - “
The frustration welling within me turned to anger. I needed Caleb to understand the severity of the situation. The image of Margaret, crazed and out of control, soaked in human blood, flashed before my eyes. I shut them to erase the image before I looked at Caleb again.
“The last time we went hunting, she completely lost control of herself,” I told him firmly. “She doesn’t see humans as living beings, just a disposable source of blood. She’s already proven that she wants to harm you. We don’t know if she’ll go out of her way to hunt you down. Do you understand?”
After a tense moment, Caleb nodded miserably. “Yeah.”
“Good.”
“So what does that mean, then?” he asked. “You’re gonna be with me at work, too?”
“I suppose it does, yes.”
