Just a Sip

I could barely go to the bathroom without looking over my shoulder that day after my especially freaky, weird ass dream. Waking up and checking my blog, I was irked to find that this 'him' guy was still following me. Showering for work that night, I could barely keep my eyes open. No naps for me, I didn't want to make the daytime as terrifying as the night was.

I lathered shampoo into my hair, scrubbing my scalp until it was numb. I heard a thump outside of the door and froze. The water ran over my face with a steady trickle as I listened out for anymore sounds.

My heart slammed in my chest as I quietly got out of the shower and wrapped myself into a towel. My skin was covered in gooseflesh as I heard another thump from my room this time. I bit my lip. There was no way it was my parents, they didn't usually come home from schmoozing until late. I took my razor from behind the decorations and creeped out of the bathroom. 

The house was silent except for the water running in the bathroom as I tip toed to the den to get my cell and call the police. I felt a presence in my room as I passed. I made a break for it, running into the den, grabbing my phone and hopping behind the couch. I could see my bedroom at a perfect angle from here and couldn't help but cover my mouth to keep my screams in as my door creaked open. A figure all in black emerged, he stood for a moment, walked around and peeked into my bathroom. So it really wasn't my imagination.

There was someone in my house. And he mustve been after me. My thoughts turned to my brother, and I was paralyzed. I watched shaking as the figure drifted down the stairs. I dared not make a sound until I was sure he was out of the house. Sure enough, I heard the front door close and open like it was no big deal.

Shit, I've gotta remember to lock that door. I thought flipping my phone open and dialing nine one one. But then I stopped short. Were they really going to believe me? What evidence did I have? That I was having 'significant dreams'? I thought all of this through, tossing my phone across the room. It hit the wall with a clatter as I looked down and saw that my hand was bleeding. I was so scared that I gripped the razor and it cut into my hand. It was steadily flowing blood as I ran to the btahroom and rinsed it off.

What the hell is going on? I thought sinking to my knees by the tub. After a while I realized that I still had to get dressed for work. Although the intruder was gone, I still couldn't help but keep quiet as I crept to my room and pushed the door open with my forefinger. The room was just as I left it; every book in place, not even a dent in the carpet from shoeprints. I felt nauseous as I spotted a small tester cup by my laptop. It had a cloudy pink liquid in it that had a fragrant aroma even reaching my nose at the door. 

I shivered stepping closer and seeing a note taped to the front. He left me a cup of juice? I thought squinting at the small, but legible writing. 

Drink me.

It told me to drink it. I couldn't help but think about Alice in Wonderland, didn't she grow like fifteen inches or something? Repelled, I threw some fresh panties on and got into my work clothes. But the drink called to me. It was as if it were whispering my name.

"What is this, alcoholics anonymous?" I muttered standing in front of it. Yet my stomach craved for whatever contents it held.

It smelled like tea. Like freshly brewed tea. I swallowed the lump I had in my throat and reached out for it. If someone were trying to kill me, they'd just physically do it themselves right? I thought trying to pull my hand away. 

But I reached for it anyway. The little plastic tester cup felt cool in my hand and I raised it to my lips. The smell was so strong now, I could feel it in my lungs and I almost melted. I opened my mouth and let it spill down my throat.

I was in a castle, but it felt as if I were still in my room. Being a writer, I could visualize places like these when I made stories or poems...but was this real? I thought standing by a stone window and looking out a frost covered night. My vision flickered, as if my brain were fighting to hold onto the dream yet still tied by a string to reality. The cold walls surrounded me as tapestries fluttered with the north winds from outside

"You write about places like these don't you." I heard his voice call out from behind me. I turned around to see Him clothed in a modern black button up. It was too dark for me to see his face still.

"I do." I admitted backing away. I looked out of the window, suddenly frightened of the steepness of the building. "how did I get here?" I asked watching him climb into the window and stand in it. My chest tightened as he hopped from one foot to the other.

"BE CAREFUL!" I yelled hoarsely. He crouched down in front of me.

"You brought yourself here." he said snapping my bra strap. I slapped him and he laughed falling backwards. I screamed running for him and looking out. 

He was gone.

I was back in my room with a shudder, I dropped the cup and held onto the desk for support. He entered my dream by a drink i thought hazily looking at the time on my phone. The dream if I could even call it that felt as if it were hours.

But only a minute had passed. 

As scary as it may have seemed, I was anxious for more. My stupid little stories about dungeons and dragons had become a temporary reality. By a tea? And then it hit me. Tea. Was He the guy from the road? The man from the tea shop? My head throbbed as I hopped in the car and sped to work. The whole way there, I was chewing my fingernails to nubs just thinking about it. Was the tea guy channeling my dreams? How did he do it?

I went into work looking over my shoulder and trying to convince myself. Boldly looking into the tea shop, I saw that he was there helping an older woman scoop leaves into a baggie. She left him and he immediately turned to me as if he knew I was coming.

"Why, if it isnt my saviour. My moonlight mistress! My prima Donna princess if you will!" he said grandly clapping his hands. I stood in the doorway unmoving. I glared at him.

"it's you isn't it?" I hissed as he came closer. He looked genuinely confused as I basically snorted steam.

"Yes I'm here what about me?" he asked in his deliciously thick accent. He smelled like a certain flower, i just couldn't put my finger on it. 

"Dont play dumb." I said disgustedly. 

"I broke into your house and drugged you." he said displaying a row of star white teeth. I was about to argue, but realized that he had just confessed.

"Why? How?" I sputtered dropping my purse. He put his warm hands on my shoulders.

"Come back, after work and I'll show you everything." that touch was all too familiar. The smell...Boganvillia. And then it occurred to me that I had probably had sex with this man repeatedly in my dreams. I shrugged away picking up my purse.

"No. I'd rather not. Just stay the fuck away from my dreams you sick pervert." I said, seriously disturbed. He smirked and let me go.

"You know where to find me." he said as I walked away. And I was scared because I knew I wouldn't be able to resist, in my dreams or out.
•     •     •
     He was right. After the mall had closed, I crept over to the tea shop. Standing outside, nervous and scared I raised my thumb to my mouth and chewed on my nail. He came out of the stock room carrying about 5 heavy boxes like they were nothing.

"Don't chew on your nails my darling." he ordered without even looking at me. My hand went down to my side lightly as if someone had pushed it. I looked down in shock.

"How did you do that?!" I asked still not brave enough to enter the store. He set the boxes down behind the counter and sat on the counter.

"You mean how do I do this?" he said raising an eyebrow and looking at me intensely. "Come here." he said. My legs began to feel tight as one foot crossed the other and made my body follow. Soon I was at the counter under his gaze. I groaned.

"Yeah. That." I said glaring at him. He shrugged pulling a tea leaf from a jar and holding it to his nose. 

"I'm in synch with you. It's not easy to explain trust me." he said hopping from the counter. I followed him as he went to the back room again.

"The staple, the rash, the tea, that was all you?" I asked shakily clutching my hand. He dragged another box from the shelf and moved past me.

"The dreams too. I'm surprised you're just now putting two and two together." he said dropping the box with a thud. I covered my mouth dropping my voice to a whisper. 

"H-how did you do that?" I asked. He leaned close to me, not bothering to lower his own voice. "I'm a vampire and I've chosen you to be my first test subject. Do you want me to draw a picture of my plans? Because I've been around for centuries to master the art of sketching." he said, his eyeteeth now gleaming.