Easier to Kill, Harder to Heal

Nine-thirty came quick. I met Alex outside of his job, where he was locking up the doors.

His face lit up and he smiled instantly when he saw me. He was really something, my god… “I’m surprised you actually waited.”

I let out an awkward, faint laugh, “Yeah, well how would that make me look if I were to just bail?”

He seemed to be catching my eyes more and more with each passing minute I spent around him. From his soft voice to his to his shy, introvert composure. I hated to admit it but he was very attractive. This was the first time in decades that I've felt excitement like this without needing to kill someone, or fuck someone. Even a good lay couldn't begin to compare to this, and I wanted more.

Alex turned and tugged on the door to make sure it was locked. His chains that hung off his black skinny jeans clanged together as he made his way towards me, “So, uh where are we gonna go?

“Let’s go to that park. You know, the one by the huge lake?”

He looked at me for a moment with his big green eyes which began to narrow in worry, “It's late though, it's like almost 10 at night...It’s dark.”

I could sense the fear in his voice. Was he really afraid of the dark?

“Aw, is wittle Alex scared of the dark?” I taunted, hoping he wouldn’t notice how hard I was trying not to make anything awkward.

“No- it’s just that it’s cold....and what if it’s closed?”

I actually laughed, “Okay, good thing the park doesn’t close you dweeb. And I’ll give you my jacket if you’re cold., I owe you anyway.”

He stopped walking as we got to the main exit. I walked in front of him and held the door for a few seconds before letting it shut. “What's wrong?” I questioned, walking back into the mall.

He looked at me before opening his mouth “You're like, not going to kill me right? I'm not going to say anything to anyone if that's what your worried about. I pinky promise, okay.” He held out his pinky.

“W-what?” I was slightly disheartened with his assumptions. I mean, here I was putting myself out there, acting like a complete loser, acting probably the most respectful I’ve acted towards a human in who knows how long and he still thought I was going to kill him? Christ. Maybe it was me he was scared of after all, not the dark.

“I'm not going to kill you. If I wanted to kill you, I would have saved myself the trouble and ended your life right there and then with the rest of those little fuck heads.” I shot with annoyance in my voice as he flinched.

“I'm sorry. I know, I'm sorry” He said quickly, “I'm not really good at this whole hang out thing. I have a couple of friends and that's it really. I'm what you would call the town freak.”

I stepped closer to him and looked down into his eyes “You're not a freak.”

I watched the words sink in as he took in his surroundings, frantically, looking everywhere but my sharp, grey eyes. I caught his gaze land on my lips for what must have been a half of a second, and thoughts ran wild in my mind. He flinched as I swiftly moved my hand towards his and locked our pinkies together.

“Everything will be alright, okay?” I promised, as he stared at our entwined fingers.

I quickly took my hand, which obviously had a mind of its own, and stuffed it my pocket. He shook his head in dazed agreement, as I turned to open the door with my free hand. I gave him a playful 'after you' motion and watched him reluctantly walk out of the mall, arranging his bangs so that his eyes were no longer completely visible.

“I uh, also may be a little scared of the dark too... so you know.” He mumbled, obviously embarrassed.

“No need to be scared, I’ll protect you from any monster that crosses your path,” I gave him a crooked grin, flashing one of my fangs.

“Right,” He took a deep breath, “So, um, uh, where’s your car?”

I took a moment, thinking about my 2003 Honda Civic, “In my garage. I walked here.”

“You can’t be serious, the park is like twenty minutes away by car, we can't walk that far, no way.” he actually sounded a little annoyed.

“Fine, we can take the bus, the stop is right over there.” I darted my finger to a run down, bus stop that had several people lingering around it.

He didn’t protest as we started walking towards it. And we immediately got stares as we sat down on the decaying bench. I guess we were both pretty used to the odd gazes because neither Alex or I minded them any attention.

The bus arrived shortly after. I paid for Alex and myself, and we sat down towards the back. There weren’t many people on the bus, maybe five or six plus the few that got on with us. Alex sat but I preferred to stand. Although the bus was practically empty, some asshole decided that he had to sit, breathing down Alex’s neck. The guy was all suited up and drunk, probably coming home from some miserable nine to five office party. He had all the room in the world on the damn bus but no. He was eyeing Alex like some perv, practically sitting on top of him.

I could tell for sure the he was getting more and more uncomfortable with each passing second. If only I could be that close to him, hah. I was trying to be on my best behavior, gripping the bus handle so hard it would probably break. After all, I had to make a good second impression since my first one wasn't so pleasant. I tried, I really did but as soon as the man touched one of the chains hanging off of Alex’s jeans and whisper “These are cute” I snapped.

I grabbed his wrist and twisted it so fast, even the asshole didn't know what was happening, “If I were you, I would seriously advise you to keep your hands and your comments to yourself, dick.”

Almost everyone’s head turned to look at us. When the drunk finally realized what was happening, he winced and yelled in pain. I turned his wrist a little more until I started to hear cracking.

“St-stop! You're going to fucking break it!” there were tears in his eyes now. I started to smile as I heard the pleas, enjoying each and every moment of the mans despair.

I looked over at Alex, whose eyes wide in terror. My creeping smile fell abruptly and I let go. “Fuck off. Now.” I seethed as I plopped down next to Alex.

I watched him as he got up and moved to the other end, cradling his wrist to his chest. People quietly apologized for me being a “maniac” and asked if he was okay, or if he needed the cops called. I ran a hand through my black hair and let out a deep breath, “Fuck. I did it again.” I whispered under my breath to no one in particular.

Alex just starred at me, stunned. As if he didn't witness me murder a group of kids the night before. “What?”

“N-nothing.” he forced.

Just great. Whatever progress I made with him was now lost. The rest of the ride was quiet, and Alex had started to drift off. We were the only two left when the bus came to it’s final stop.

“Hey, get up.” I said gently, slightly shaking him.

“Wha- oh hey, we’re here.”

We stood up and walked off the bus, Alex shaking as soon as he hit the cool air outside. It was a clear night, with the moon lighting up our path. We passed by several houses, with simple seasonal decor. We walked through the big iron gate, and headed towards the swings. I could sense something else in our presence, but I wasn’t telling him that. I didn’t need the kid shitting his pants the first time we hung out.

The swings creaked as we swung back and fourth. Things were a little more awkward now, I needed to break the ice somehow.

“Listen, about what happened on the bus, I-”

“It's okay, I was just startled that's all.”

I stopped the swing with my feet and we sat in silence for a moment.

“I don’t want you to be afraid of me.” I watched him, waiting for him to say something, anything. But, he didn’t.

I had to get rid of this tension, “ah, so, Alex, how old are you?”

“I'm Eighteen, you?”

I smirked, “A hundred and fourteen.”

“Oh, uh, um, seriously?” he questioned with his eyes wide in amazement.

“You know what I am right? I'm technically not allowed to say it, and I'm supposed to kill any humans that find out, but like you know, right?”

His body tensed.
“But like I said, I'm not going to kill you.” I continued, “I was turned at 21, and so 21 I've remained.”

Alex stayed silent.

“I look good for my age, huh?” I laughed as I watched Alex blush under the dim light that was emitting from a nearby streetlamp.

“Y-you do.” he said quietly, probably hoping that I didn’t hear what he said, but I did and I smiled to myself. I was acting like such a girl I can’t.

“I like...your piercings.” He peeped.

I stuck my tongue out at him, “People tell me it's girly but everyone I've been with seems to adore it.” I said jokingly, as I gave him a quick wink.

Alex's face got red once again as he quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck, “Oh, well I mean I i-its not girly. It's nice on you I think.”

Flirting with Alex was weird. Not weird in a bad way, but just different. It was like an adventure watching him react to me.

“You know, I can’t put my finger on it but there's something about you that I find mesmerizing...”

He was stunned at my honesty. He tried to cover his grinning but he couldn't hide from me.

That other presence was still lingering, making me slightly uneasy.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked, quickly.

I was looking around, making sure no one else was there, “Nothing.”

Then, I heard leaves start rustling behind us. Alex jumped nearly five feet in the air, and ran so that he was completely behind me. He pushed up against my back, clinging on tightly to my fitted leather jacket.

“Why don't you stop fucking around and show yourself, before I make you wish you were dead.” I walked closer to where we heard the leaves, with Alex still holding on tight to my clothes, but I couldn't see anyone.

I watched the dewy leaves carefully for a moment until I spotted where the crinkling was coming from, “Stay here. Don't move, alright?”

He nodded his head, gently releasing me from his grasp.

I stood in front of the pile of dead plants, watching them move. I kicked some of the leaves away with my foot, and caught a pair of tiny gold eyes looking up at me. I smiled a bit when I came to a realization. I hated most things, but I've always have a soft spot for cats.

“What is it?!” Alex shouted from a few feet away.

I bent down and picked the freezing kitten from the cool foliage. A tiny mew came out of the fuzzy white creature as I placed it delicately against my chest.

“I don't know, Alex. I think it may be after us, probably here to harvest our organs.” I laughed, walking back towards him.

“Stop playing. Really, what is it?”

I stepped closer to Alex, putting a finger to my mouth with my free hand ushering him to be quiet.

“Here, hold out your hands. Its going to freeze to death if it doesn't get to some warmth.”

He winced as I put the tiny kitten in his hands.

“Oh man, it's so tiny!” he whispered as he unzipped his hoodie, putting the animal so that it was snug against his chest. He zipped it back up so only the kittens head was visable, “What are we going to do it with it?”

“I have a cat already. She doesn't like other cats, though. You'll have to take it for now, until I can find it a home.”

Alex let out a sneeze “I'm allergic.”

I played with the cats tiny ears for a while, “Well looks like we have to just leave it here in the freezing cold then. Oh well, circle of life right? It's so frail, it probably won't make it another hour out here. Look, I think I'm starting to tear up a little.”

He rolled his eyes at me and let out a sigh and a reluctant “okay, fine.”

I took my jacket off and gave it to Alex to wear since he looked freezing, and the cold didn't bother me.

“What time is it?” I asked, watching as he pulled his phone out to check the time.

His face dropped as soon as his screen lit up, “shit, oh no.”

“Huh? Whats wrong?” I was concerend.

“Oh! Uh, nothing. It's 12:43” He looked stressed, or scared even.

His phone started to ring but he quickly sent the call straight to voicemail. “I think I should leave now. I'm sorry.”

“Where do you live? I can walk you home or we can take an Uber if you live far.”

“No, its okay, really. You don't have t-”

I interrupted “Yeah, actually, I do.”

He opened his mouth to argue but I wasn't having it. I needed to make sure everything was alright.
Why was he in such a rush? Who was he afraid of?