The thought of this made me cringe. I can't afford to waste any more minutes with him.

"Tell me more." I asked desperately, not caring what he said, just wanting to hear his voice again.

He looked at me quickly, shocked by the change in my tone, "You want to know more or something?" ”

"Tell me why you hunt animals instead of humans." I suggested, still with a hint of despair in my voice. I realized that my eyes were wet, and I resisted the grief that was trying to suppress me.

"I don't want to be a monster." His voice was low.

"But animals don't satisfy you?"

He paused: "Of course, I can't be sure. But I can compare it to living on tofu and beans. We call ourselves ......vegetarian-eaters,' and that's our private joke. This does not fully satisfy hunger - or rather, thirst. But not too often, it can make us resist. ”

His tone began to be reserved. "Sometimes it's a little more difficult than others."

"Is that difficult for you right now?" I asked.

He sighed. "Yes."

"But you're not hungry right now." I say with certainty - a statement, not an inquiry.

"Why do you think that?"

"Your eyes. I told you I had a theory. I've noticed that people, especially men, are more irritable when they're hungry. ”

He chuckled, "You're an observer, aren't you?" ”

I didn't answer. I just listened to his laughter and etched it in my memory.

"Did you go hunting last weekend, with Dysonka?" I asked as we were quiet again.

"Yes." He paused for a second, as if deciding whether or not to say something. "I didn't want to leave, but it was necessary. When I'm not so thirsty, it's easier to be around you. ”

"Why don't you want to leave?"

"It made me ...... Disturbed...... Because it's not with you. "His eyes were gentle, but a little nervous, almost crisping my bones." Last Wednesday I told you not to fall into the sea or trip over, and that was not a joke. I've been restless and worried about you all weekend. And after what happened tonight, I was amazed that you were able to make it through the weekend unscathed. He shook his head, as if remembering something. Well, not completely unscathed. ”

"What?"

"Your hands." He reminded me. I looked down at my palms and saw the abrasions on my wrists that were almost healing. Nothing escapes his eyes.

"I fell." I sighed.

"That's exactly what I came up with." The corners of his mouth curled. "I expected that it could have been worse for you—and that was the source of the pain that had tormented me the entire time I was away. It's been a long time. Dyson Card was almost annoyed by me. He smiled miserably at me.

"Three days? Didn't you just come back yesterday? ”

"No, we'll be back on Sunday."

"Then why don't you all go back to school?" I was frustrated, and I was indignant at the thought of not being in the torment of so many disappointments I had endured.

"Well, you asked me if the sun would hurt me, of course not. But I can't go out into the sun—at least, in any way where I'll be seen. ”

"Why?"

"I'll show you sometime." He assured.

I thought about it for a moment.

"You should call me." I said with determination.

He was confused. "But I know you're safe."

"But I don't know where you are. I-" I hesitated, my eyes lowered.

"What?" His velvety voice urged.

"I don't like that. I can't see you. It also makes me very uneasy. "Saying it out loud made me blush.

He was quiet. I glanced at him apprehensively and saw his pained expression.

"Ah," he whispered. "This is wrong."

I can't understand his reaction. "What did I say?"

"Can't you see yet, Imia? It's two different things entirely: for me, it's me who makes myself so miserable; But for you, you shouldn't be so deeply involved. He looked away at the road with his painful gaze written down in it, and he spoke so fast that I didn't understand what he meant. I don't want to hear you feel that way. "His voice was low, but urgent." This is wrong. It's not safe. I'm in danger, Imia - please, understand that. ”

"Nope." I struggled very hard not to look like an awkward child.

"I'm serious." He roared.

"Me too. I told you, it doesn't matter what you are. Too late. ”

His voice suddenly rang out, low and piercing. "Never say that."

I bit my lip, glad he wouldn't know how hurtful it was. I looked at the road outside the car. We must be almost there now. He drove too fast.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, his voice still cold. I just shook my head, unsure if I could get it right. I could feel him staring into my face, but I was just looking ahead.

"Are you crying?" He sounded terrified. But I didn't feel the fluid in my eyes coming out of my eyes. I quickly wiped my cheek with my hand, and indeed, the traitor tears were there, and they betrayed me.

"Nope." I said, but my voice was hoarse.

I saw him hesitantly extend his right hand to me, but he stopped, then slowly put his hand back on the wheel.

"I'm sorry." His voice burned with remorse. I know he's not just apologizing for those words I have.

Darkness flew through us in silence.

"Talk to me." After another minute, he asked. I could hear him trying to keep his tone softer.

"Say what?"

"What were you thinking tonight, before I turned the corner? I don't understand your expression - you don't look so scared, you look like you're focused on something. ”

"I'm trying to think about how I'm going to thwart my attackers - you know, self-defense. I was going to slam him in the nose and punch it in his head. "I thought of the black-haired man, and I couldn't help but feel disgusted.

"You're going to rebel against them?" It made him uneasy. "Haven't you thought about running away?"

"I keep falling when I'm running." I confess.

"Then why don't you cry out for help?"

"I'm going to do that."

He shook his head. "You're right - I'm really fighting against fate and trying to keep you alive."

I sighed. We began to slow down and crossed the border of Victoria. It took less than twenty minutes in total.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" I pleaded.

"Yes—I also have a paper due to be handed in." He smiled. "I'll leave you a seat at lunch."

It's stupid. After everything we've been through tonight, this little promise can make me so uneasy that I can't speak.

We drove to Chuck's house. The lights are on, my truck is still in the old place, everything is completely normal. It's like waking up from a dream. He stopped the car, but I didn't move.

"You promise to be there tomorrow?"

"I promise."

I thought for a moment, then nodded. I took off my jacket and took one last breath of the aroma.

"You can keep it - you don't have a jacket to wear tomorrow." He reminded me.

I handed it back to him. "I don't want to be forced to explain to Chuck."

"Oh, okay." He grinned.

I hesitated, put my hand on the handle, and tried to stall my movements.

"Imia?" He asked in an unusual tone—serious, but hesitant.

"Huh?" I looked back at him too eagerly.

"Can you promise me one thing?"

"Okay." As soon as I finished speaking, I immediately regretted that I had agreed so absolutely. What if he wants me to stay away from him? I can't keep that promise.

"Don't go into the forest alone."

I was completely confused and looked at him in confusion: "Why? ”

He frowned, and when he looked past me to look out the window, it was fascinating.

"I'm not always the most dangerous creature there. Let's stay away from it. ”

The gloom in his voice fascinated me slightly, but I was relieved. At the very least, it's an easy promise to keep. "As you wish."

"We'll see you tomorrow." He sighed. I know he wants me to leave now.

"See you tomorrow, then." I reluctantly opened the door.

"Imia." I turned around, and he turned to me, his pale face just a few centimeters away from me.

"I wish you a good night's sleep." He said. His breath brushed my face, making me dizzy. Like the smell on his jacket, there was a sweet aroma, but it was even stronger. I blinked, completely in a trance. He's already gone back.

I couldn't move until my brain was back in action. I had to hold on to the door frame before I awkwardly stepped out of the car. I think I heard his chuckle, but it was too quiet for me to be sure.

He waited there until I got to the front door and tripped over it. Then I heard the sound of his engine quietly accelerating. I turned around and saw the silver car disappear around the corner. That's when I realized that it was cold now.

I mechanically pulled out the key, opened the door, and walked inside.

Chuck shouted from the living room, "Imia? ”

"Yes, Dad, it's me." I walked in to meet him. He's watching a football game.

"You came back early."

"Really?" I was surprised.

"It's not even eight o'clock," he told me. "Are you girls having fun?"

"yes - so happy." My mind raced at high speed, trying to remember everything I had planned for a girl's night. "They both found their dresses."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm just a little tired, I've walked a lot."

"Okay, maybe you should go up and lie down." He sounded worried. I want to know how my face looks.

"I'd like to give Mary a call first."

"Weren't you still with her just now?" He asked, surprised.

"Yes - but I left my jacket in her car. I want her to bring it to me tomorrow. ”

"Okay, but first give her a chance to get home."

"Okay." I agreed.

I walked into the kitchen and sat down in a chair exhausted. Now I really feel dizzy. I wonder if it's only now that I'm starting to shock and go shock. Cheer up, I told myself.

The phone rang suddenly, startling me. I pulled the handset off the landline.

"Hello?" I asked, holding my breath.

"Imia?"

"Hey, Mary, I was about to call you."

"You're home?" Her voice sounded relieved...... Also surprised.

"Yes. I left my jacket in your car - can you bring it to me tomorrow? ”

"Sure, but tell me what's going on!" She demanded.

"Uh, tomorrow - trigonometry class, okay?"

She understood it immediately. "Oh, where is your dad?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Okay, I'll give it to you tomorrow, then, goodbye!" I could hear the impatience in her voice.

"Goodbye, Mary."

I walked slowly upstairs, a heavy numbness enveloping my mind. I went through the process of preparing for bed, and I didn't notice what I was doing. It wasn't until I showered – the water was so hot and burning my skin – that I realized I was freezing. I pounded vigorously for several minutes until the spray finally made my muscles relax. Then I stood under the showerhead, so tired that I didn't want to move until I was running out of hot water.

I stumbled out and wrapped myself in a bath towel with peace of mind, trying to retain the heat from the hot water so that the pain would not happen again. I quickly put on my pajamas, got under the covers, curled up into balls, and hugged myself tightly to warm myself. A slight shiver spread throughout my body.

My brain was still spinning dizzily, filled with images I couldn't understand, and some I struggled not to see. At first, I couldn't see anything clearly, but as I gradually lost consciousness, a few specific images became clear.

There are three things I'm pretty sure of. First, Roger is a vampire. Second, a certain part of him - I don't know how effective this part can be - "carried" my "blood". Thirdly-

- I fell in love with him without reservation or hopelessly.