Crave - Teresa Mummert Page 0,24
as I made my way to the borough. The water was lapping at the road, but I made it across safely before the road was covered completely. I stopped at the Valley Tavern and grabbed a couple of six packs before going home. I didn’t want to be left alone with my memories and anger.
Chapter eight
V Positive
I was starving when I finally reached my door. I pushed through and kicked my shoes off and threw my bag and purse on the table. I shoved the beer in the fridge and searched for something to eat. I settled on leftover hog maw and popped it into the microwave. As I waited, I picked up the broken pieces from the bowl I had left in the sink earlier this morning and wiped down the countertops. The microwave dinged and I jumped causing me to slice into my palm with the shards.
“Perfect,” I shouted through clenched teeth as I wrapped a dishtowel around my hand. I ran to the bathroom to clean up my wound. As I slowly unwrapped the towel, I winced at the sight of my blood soaked fingers. My mind flashed to Elijah’s hand the moment before he attacked me; the moment he betrayed me. I shuddered at the thought of how stupid I’d been. I should have known the second a guy like that showed me attention, he had to have an ulterior motive.
The fresh water from the sink made it burn in pain as I dug through the cabinet to find the peroxide. I fidgeted with the cap and dumped the contents onto my cut, watching it bubble and wash away the blood.
“Ouch,” I screamed as the pain shot up my arm through every nerve ending. I sank the floor and waited for the throbbing to subside. Could this day get any worse? I knew it could, and it would. I pushed myself back up and wrapped some gauze around my hand securing at the wrist. I was going to have to suck it up if I was going to get through all of what was ahead. I knew Elijah would return. It was a standard warning on the news that if a vampire attacks you and gets a taste of your blood, they will attack again until they finish the job. I made my way to the kitchen and grabbed my food, taking it in the living room. I flipped on the news and waited for the headlines of the day.
“Local woman attacked at home ends in the death of a burglar. The assailant was proven to be V positive,” the newscaster reported as a picture of my apartment building flashed across the screen. V positive was the blood type assigned to the undead. It was the politically correct way of saying murderous monster. Turns out, even vampires could get their feelings hurt.
“Oh, God,” I said to myself as my cell phone began ringing from the kitchen table. “He was a vampire?” I set my plate down on the coffee table and ran to the kitchen to retrieve my phone. “Hello?” I asked pushing back the tears from my eyes.
“Eva, I just heard. Are you okay?” Grayson asked, his voice riddled with fear. I sighed at the sound of him.
“I-I’m fine,” I lied trying to catch my breath.
“How did he get inside? Did you invite him?”
I searched my memory of the sudden attack. “He worked at a pizza place. He’s probably been invited in a million times.”
“I’m coming over,” he said as my phone beeped with a call from the other line.
“Okay,” I said and switched the call. I wasn’t going to argue with him. Not after the week I’d been having.
“Was it you? Eva, I just saw on the news. Did this happen in your apartment?” my Dad asked frantically.
“Yes. I didn’t want to worry you. I am fine.”
“A vampire attacks you and you don’t think to call us?”
“I-I didn’t know he was a vampire until I heard it on the news. It’s not like they wear name tags.”
“I’m coming over.”
“No, Dad, it’s okay. Grayson is coming and I’m not in any danger. The guy is dead.” I replied knowing full well that Elijah was still out there, but I couldn’t put my family at risk. “I will call if I need anything, I promise,” I said waiting for his response. He pushed out a loud sigh.
“Fine, but I will be in contact with Grayson to make sure you are safe.” I hung up the phone