Green Eyes

As I lay in the darkness, I tried to concentrate on where I was. Had what I’d experienced been real? Surely it had been a figure of my imagination, a hallucination – anything. Was it going to happen again? Was I going to wake up?

I tried to open my eyes but they felt too heavy to move. I could feel my heart pumping steadily within my chest, signifying that at the very least I was alive.

I felt pressure on the left side of my body and I tried to move myself towards it, ignoring the aching in my body.

‘Kayla? Can you hear me?’

The soft, musical voice filled my ears and I felt my heart begin to beat faster as I tried once more to open my eyes, longing to meet the exquisite green ones I missed. I fought the weight of my eyelids as I struggled to push them open, squinting when I saw the light.

My vision was blurry as I slowly opened my eyes as far as I could, trying to register them to my bright surroundings.

My eyes slowly focused on his green ones staring down worriedly at me, and I watched as they twinkled with happiness. ‘Hey. How are you feeling?’

I sighed and opened my mouth to speak, relieved when I heard a low croaking sound. At least I could talk. And hear.

‘Sore.’ I croaked, and I felt Zacky’s cold hand on my face, surprisingly refreshing me. He leant down to place a kiss on my forehead and I smiled the best I could, taking in his features once more.

Once my eyes registered themselves to the light I could feel my whole body strengthening, as my other senses came back to me. I looked around the room, recognising it immediately as the room I had stayed in earlier. I slowly forced myself to sit up, using Zacky’s arm to steady myself.

Once I was fully up I looked up at Zacky, and seeing the smile on his face I leant forwards and placed a soft kiss on his lips. He placed his arms around my head and held me closer, rubbing his cold hand up and down my back. I pulled away and smiled at him, and his hands remained resting on my back. ‘Are you going to stay awake this time?’ he teased, stroking his thumb across my cheek.

Furrowing my eyebrows in confusion, I looked up at him. ‘That really happened? I thought it was a dream.’

He chuckled. ‘You tend to scream a lot on your dreams?’

I frowned. ‘I thought I couldn’t speak.’

He laughed and placed a kiss on my cheek. ‘Well I think you managed to get everyone up here.’

I smiled awkwardly. ‘Whoops.’ I muttered, looking down.

Zacky lifted my chin up with his hand and brought my eyes to meet with his, smiling. ‘Kayla you kn…’

‘Well it’s about time.’ Matt exclaimed, barging in through the door. The others followed soon after, all running over to my bed.

Jimmy shrieked loudly and appeared in front of my bed, grinning at me madly. ‘Kayla bear! You’re awake!’

I grinned back at him. ‘Sure am Jimbo.’

Johnny was next at my side, shoving an angry Jimmy out of the way. He took my hand in his, stroking it with his thumb. ‘You ok Kayla?’ he asked, his voice laced with worry.

I smiled at him and nodded. ‘Sorry about the screaming though.’

Matt laughed. ‘Yeah well I think you succeeded in giving everyone a headache.’

I pouted. ‘I’m sorry Matty.’

He smiled and walked over, pulling me into a hug. ‘It doesn’t matter Kayla.’

I pulled away and smiled at him, turning away when I felt another cold hand over mine. Turning around, I saw Kaylee looking at me, her face overcome with sadness and shame. ‘Kayla I’m so sorry. I should have seen it coming. I was the only one there and I should have been able to…’

I cut her off, shaking my head. ‘It’s not your fault. I can’t expect vampires to have my back all the time.’

She smiled at me and I smiled back, before looking away. I saw Brian walking towards me and I glared before turning away from him, purposely trying to ignore him. I heard him sigh and walk towards where my eyes were facing, so I turned the opposite way. ‘What did I do?’ I heard him huff, trying to make me look at him. I looked up, glaring at him with as much anger as I possibly could.

‘Look Brian I think it’s fairly obvious that you don’t like me much so please don’t come over here to pretend that you do.’

Brian looked shocked by my outburst, and looked at me in disbelief. ‘You think I don’t like you? Why would you think that?’

I scoffed and hardened my glare. ‘You’ve been ignoring me non stop for the past few weeks. You haven’t said a word or even looked at me in ages. I don’t know what I’ve done to you but I sure as hell don’t appreciate being ignored.’

I turned away, trying to stop the angry tears forming in my eyes. I felt someone’s hand under my chin and I reluctantly turned my head, my eyes meeting Brian’s sad ones. I frowned at him and tried to turn away but his grip was too strong, and I was forced to keep my eyes on his deep chocolate ones.

‘Kayla I do like you. I love you like you’re my sister and I would do anything to protect you. I haven’t been ignoring you and I’m sorry if it seems like I have been. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.’

His eyes were so full of sincerity and sorrow that I sighed in defeat. He smiled and pulled me into him for a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around me. He kissed my head and I unsuccessfully tried to fight a smile, pulling away from his muscular body. He smiled at me and I pouted teasingly, and he leant forward to kiss my forehead. ‘No more ignoring?’

He smiled. ‘No more ignoring.’ He held his pinky out to me. ‘Pinky promise?’

I smiled and shook my pinky with his. ‘Pinky promise.’

The door opened and I heard Zacky growl, causing me to look away from Brian and up at the doorway. I shrank back into Zacky’s arms when I saw Maddy, and he wrapped his arms around me protectively. ‘What the hell are you doing in here?’ he growled, narrowing his eyes at her.

The sad look on her face almost broke me. In my life, I had never seen Maddy reduced to tears once. And now here she was, in front of me, her eyes beginning to water. Her pale skin looked almost green as she stood there, her arms wrapped around her body. Her eyes were no longer red but instead their normal grey colour, and I began to feel less scared. She took a step forward, causing Johnny to growl and step in front of her, blocking her from me.

I got up from the bed and shook off Zacky’s arm, before walking past Johnny so I was standing next to Maddy. The sombre look on her face told me everything and I took a step forwards, taking her in my arms. Zacky leaped off the bed to pull me away but Brian stopped him, which I was grateful for.

I pulled away and smiled at Maddy, happy when she smiled back. Her face turned solemn once more and she frowned at me, sadness masking in her eyes. ‘Kayla I’m so sorry. I feel absolutely terrible. I had no control over what I was doing and if I had of known I would have done anything to stop it. I’m still getting used to what I am now but I’ve learnt how to control things better. Around you especially. I would never want to hurt you – you’re my best friend.’

Smiling, I nodded. ‘It’s ok. I’m ok now. Just don’t do it again.’ I teased, and she laughed.

‘They’ve told me how to control my thirst better now around humans so I should be ok.’ She explained.

My mind switched back to the most obvious question. ‘Um, Maddy, do you know what you are?’

She laughed. ‘Yeah. Vampire. It’s kinda easy to figure out with the fangs and blood drinking and stuff.’

I laughed. ‘Do you mind? I mean, you were dying so we had to make a decision.’

She shook her head and patted me on the arm reassuringly. ‘Not really. It’s actually pretty cool. I understand now why you laughed when I said I could take your boyfriend.’

I chuckled and nodded. The guys exchanged a knowing glance before turning to look at us. Matt smiled. ‘I think it’d be best if some of us take Maddy out for a feed now. Zacky and Johnny have offered to stay here with you while the rest of us go with her.’

I nodded and laid back down on the bed as another dizzy spell shot through me. Zacky pulled me onto his lap and wiped the strands of hair from my face, smiling at me.

The others all bid me farewell before leaving the room. Once they were gone Zacky laid me down so I was comfortable on the bed, and wrapped his arms around my waist. His cool body comforted and refreshed me as I lay there, tiredness overcoming me. Closing my eyes, I blocked out the noises around me and drifted into a deep sleep.

Maddy’s POV

I reluctantly left Kayla’s room after glancing at her slightly. I still felt absolutely terrible for what I had done. That was my best friend, and I had nearly killed her myself! Although I was getting used to being a vampire, I hated what I had to do. I hated that I couldn’t get the memory of her warm, refreshing blood out of my head, and I hated having no control when I felt that way. How many people would I put in danger? Would I kill any? I’ve always been a tough person, but I know when to stop, and I’d never hurt someone intentionally. Well, someone who didn’t deserve it.

Sighing, I hurdled the staircase, smiling to myself when I reached the floor below gracefully. Placing a long strand of my black hair behind my ears, I followed the others out the door and into the fresh air.

Matt turned to face me.

Just follow us. Remember if you need to ask something, say it quietly. We have to make sure no one around hears us.

‘Why can’t I talk in your heads like the rest of you?’ I whispered, gazing at him expectantly.

It takes a while for all of your abilities to come in. One day it will come and when it does, we can teach you how to control it. Now follow us closely and quietly.

I nodded and they all leapt off into a sprint, faster than I’d seen anything run. For a minute I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but when I took off I found I was just as fast.

With the cool wind brushing through my hair and the feel of the hard ground under my feet, I felt incredible, and I just stopped myself letting out an excited scream. My guess was that Matt wouldn’t appreciate that much.

I was feeling on top of the world. As the scenery sped by me I narrowed my eyes, and discovered I could see for miles. Focusing my ears on the noise around me, I heard everything around me; the wind in the trees, people in their houses, dogs sleeping.

Taking a deep breath, I immediately regretted it. The familiar scent filled my nose and overtook my body, sending me in a haze. My vision began to go foggy and I slowed down, feeling my fangs expand. My body tried to fight back as my eyes went red, craving the blood that was surrounding me everywhere.

Fight it Maddy. You’re strong. You have to fight back against the feeling. Don’t let it get to you. Learn to control it.

Feeling my senses overpowering me, I stopped in my tracks, focusing completely on defeating the demon that was trying to take me over once again.

I had to fight it. I couldn’t let anything or anyone get hurt at my hands again. I may be a monster, but that doesn’t mean I like it or I’m going to embrace it.

Clenching my fists, I narrowed my eyes, blocking out the others as they stood beside me, eyes open in curiosity. I focused on everything I could see, and I stopped breathing. I let my hearing go as far as I could, trying to tire my body so it wouldn’t be able to react to the scent around me.

I felt the sensation die down, my vision clearing up and my fangs returning to their normal size. Swallowing, I narrowed my eyes again before taking off in another sprint. Although I did not know where I was going, I figured the others would catch up soon and lead the way. I just needed to keep myself distracted.

Blurs sped past me and I quickened my pace so that I fell in step behind them, once more dodging around obstacles that blocked my path. My body moved as if in autopilot, my mind registering everything before I was aware of it.

We continued to run for a few minutes before I realised we were deep within the woods. The light from the sun was blocked off by a canopy of trees as the obstacles became abundant, but surprisingly my body was able to move around them with grace.

The blurs in front of me stopped abruptly, my body stopping itself a few metres later. Walking back to the others, I tried to ignore the eerie vibe that the woods gave me, instead focusing on my thoughts.

I stopped in front of Brian, who was looking at me thoughtfully. I watched as he sniffed the air, before smiling and nodding at the others. Turning to look at me, he smiled. ‘Sniff the air. Tell me what you smell.’

Cautiously, I raised my nose, breathing in the air around me. Immediately my eyes began to go blurry as a similar scent roamed my body, pushing it into overdrive. This scent was nowhere near as strong but it still sent my body crazy.

Bending down into a crouching position, I let out a growl. Sharpening my senses, I turned to face where the scent was coming from, noticing it was moving slowly.

Go get it. But make sure not to go too far. Remember how to stop yourself if something happens.

Smirking I nodded, and gave in to my senses. The smell became stronger and I growled again, breaking off into a sprint towards it. My mind began to reminisce the feeling of the blood and I felt my fangs pressing against my tongue, desperate to break the flesh. Nothing mattered to me more than having the sensation of the blood down my throat, quenching the ache my body was having, filling the holes my body missed.

The object was my focus. No more thoughts, feelings, judgments, just the knowledge that I had to get to it – my body needed it. How could you not give in to something your body longs for? That would be wrong!

Speeding up, I took a giant leap over a passing river, landing gracefully on the soft ground. Smiling deviously to myself as I thought of the victim that lay ahead, I focused my attention into what I could hear. Sounds of an animal padding across the ground reached my ears and I sped into that direction, the smell becoming stronger.

When I was within metres of it I slowed down to a walk, careful not to frighten it away. Stalking behind I tree, I pushed my eyes further, grinning when they focused on my prey. The wolf was walking slowly, sniffing the ground, unaware of the danger it was in. This pleased me, the fact that in seconds it would be mine, that in seconds I would be holding it down, biting into its flesh and drinking its blood. I would be in power – I would be the strong one; there was nothing it could do to beat me.

Taking in another deep breath, I allowed the strong scent to fill me once more, completely overtaking my body. This was it. There was no turning back. It was mine to have, mine to feast upon, mine to leave lifeless on the floor. And I craved every second of it.

Growling, I laughed as its eyes focused on me, fear flashing through them. It let out a growl and leapt towards me, and I grinned in success as it ran. Dodging at the last minute I laughed as I came up with incredible speed behind it, grabbing it by the legs. It let out a shriek and tried to bite me but I moved my hands away, growling back at it. Bearing my fangs, I watched as it whimpered and tried to scurry away. Picking it up and throwing it to the floor, I pinned it down, breathing in the sweet scent that came from its body. It growled and fought with all its might but I was too strong, too powerful, to incredibly devious.

It snapped at my skin as I ran my nose along its side, stopping when I reached a vein by its neck. Taking in one last breath of the delicious scent I bit down, breaking the flesh, relishing the shrieks that came from the wolf’s mouth. Moaning as the warm blood trickled down my throat, I pressed harder, squeezing the wolf’s body so that the blood was pumping faster into my body. I felt its heartbeat slowing as I continually drank, in absolute heaven from what I was feeling.

The ache in my body was lessening but my body still craved the taste, so I continued to drink, moaning in pleasure. I loved the feeling it was giving me – it was unlike anything I had ever felt in my years as being a human. It didn’t matter that what I was doing was wrong, that I was now a monster, all that mattered was that I got to feel this way.

When the wolf’s body was completely drained I pulled away, letting its limp, lifeless body fall to the ground. I bent down and licked the blood off its wound before licking the blood from my mouth, making sure my body got all of the delicious taste. I felt presences behind me and I growled, knowing what was happening. I wanted to feel the sensation again, and I didn’t want anything to stop me.

Maddy stop. Fight back. Focus on breaking out of your trance.

I growled and shook my head, taking a step towards them menacingly.

Don’t let something happen again. Remember what you did last time? Fight back.

Whimpering, I fell to the floor, forcing my senses to fight back against the longing I felt. I didn’t want anything to happen again. I wanted to be in control.

Blocking out everything around me, I forced myself to focus on fighting back against the sensations. Gritting my teeth, I tightened the muscles in my body, feeling the new strength that the blood had given me.

Slowly, the craving began to go away, and I stood up, relaxing my body. Looking to the others I smiled weakly, still not fully recovered.

Jimmy walked forward and placed a hand on my arm, smiling at me softly. ‘It will get easier each time you do it. Soon, you won’t even have to fight back. Your mind will just be able to control your cravings.’

I nodded slowly, my eyes drifting back over to the lifeless body of the wolf. I truly was a monster. A cold-hearted, emotionless monster.

A single tear fell from my eye and I quickly wiped it away, not wanting to appear weak. I was a vampire now. I was surprised it was even possible for them to cry.

I felt another cold hand on my shoulder and I turned around to see Jimmy, who was smiling softly. ‘The first time’s always hard. But you have to realise that this is how we live. Humans eat animals, don’t they? You’ve just got to think, our body needs it. Better it be stray animals than humans.’

I smiled at him and nodded slowly. The others glanced at each other quickly and nodded, before turning back to face me. ‘We’re going to head back now. You ok?’

I nodded and they took off in a sprint, me following closely behind them. As the wind blew through my hair, I allowed my mind to drift away. I didn’t know whether I was happy or not to be a vampire. I knew it was either this or die, but I just didn’t know how I felt about it. The emotions I felt now were so intense, and although some were absolutely thrilling, others left me cold and sad. And the overall thought that I was a monster, the demon of the earth, was overwhelming. Could I grow to embrace this life, as the others had? Or would I walk this world miserable, hating myself for what I was?

We pulled up outside the house and I forced myself out of the thoughts I was having. It was no use contemplating it. I had no choice – this was what I was, this is what I would be for eternity. Happy or not, there was no way out. This was it – my life, as it would be forever.