The Guest & The Change - By M. D. Bowden Page 0,63

sleepy eyes fly open as adrenaline surged through his blood. But it was too late, Sebastian was already sucking him dry and the man was weakening against him.

As his heart stopped beating he went limp. Sebastian pushed him away and walked to the door.

Extra confidence was swimming in his veins and he was ready for his next victim. He heard the bathroom door open and a girl stepped out. She was wrapped in a dark blue bath towel. He heard her walking in his direction and waited by the door.

He had expected her to walk past, but she started to push it open. As she did he grabbed her. She only had the chance to let out the smallest squeal before he snapped her neck - then bit - taking in every drop of her blood, absorbing her essence, her power.

He let her fall.

Four victims to go.

***

Sarah awoke to Bea calling ‘Mommy’ from upstairs. She was laying spread eagled across the sofa. She stretched - her muscles sore from lying in an awkward position.

She felt better. With sleep had come a renewed sense of confidence that everything would be ok. She sat up and rummaged in her pocket for a hair tie, then tied up her tangled hair, getting it out of the way. She rubbed sleep out of her eyes and forced herself to get up off the sofa.

She felt pretty good.

It must be the related to the weird new power thing she still didn’t understand, she thought - it couldn’t be a bad thing, at least she was strong enough to fight.

Sarah entered the kitchen and filled the kettle, before making her way to the stairs and ascending to see her kids. She went to Megan first, as she was being a good girl and staying quiet. Sarah knew she was awake because she could hear her singing gently. As soon as Sarah opened the door Megan jumped out of bed and ran to her, ‘Mommy!’ She said, hugging her.

Sarah took her hand and they went together to get Bea, ‘Are you going to be quiet little one?’ Sarah called through her door.

Bea fell silent, so Sarah opened it and was rewarded with a cheeky smile from Bea. She stretched up her little arms, as she always did in the morning, and Sarah picked her up, hugging her close.

Then the whole breakfast routine started again.

‘Oatmeal…’

Sarah rolled her eyes and walked with them down the stairs.

***

Sebastian was steaming with vitality and felt like a fight. He pushed open the next door violently and sprang onto the girl just waking within. She looked pasty, like she felt sick. She smelt like she had drunk way too much.

She groaned as he landed on her and sleepily tried to push him off. He felt frustrated - he wasn’t going to find a fight here.

He bit straight into her neck - draining her blood - finishing her off.

He staggered to his feet, the blood rush making him dizzy.

As he turned for the door he saw another girl; her mouth open in shock. He walked towards her, a twisted smile gracing his lips. She stumbled back, attempting to flee but tripped over her own feet.

He was on her in a flash, ripping into her neck, taking her essence, destroying her spirit.

He heard sounds of movement. Two doors swung into the hall and two teenage boys stepped out, to see what was going on.

‘Come to see me?’ Sebastian taunted.

He sped towards the closest, a stubbly dark haired boy of about nineteen. He struck out his foot and it hit Sebastian in the stomach, but Sebastian was now full of life. He pushed him flat on his back and bit into his neck. He felt the other boy attacking from behind but he couldn’t wrench Sebastian off. He drained the life of the first before turning to his attacker.

This tall boy turned and ran as he saw Sebastian’s eyes flash through those of his former housemate. Sebastian chased him down the stairs and moved so fast the boy couldn’t see. Sebastian was instantly in front of him - blocking his way out of the door.

Sebastian laughed at his confusion and advanced. The boy stood no chance. He ran but Sebastian jumped on him from behind. He fell with the impact and Sebastian drained him too.

He stood up and yelled, feeling power surge within. He felt strong enough to do anything. Strong enough now for that spell to work.

He would find his ashes and seek out the