Do You Like Scary Movies?

‘Actually, I don’t care. How many times have I told you to be careful and avoid those people?!’

You showed him your best innocent face and shrugged in Dwayne’s hold.

David shook his head. He took his time smoking and then flicked the cigarette away. ‘Let’s just take you back to the cave and patch you up, for now,’ and extending a hand towards you but talking to Dwayne: ‘Pass her here.’

The dark-haired one complied reluctantly, and once you were far enough for other people to see them fly, David picked you up bridal-style. 

You all flew back in silence, his jaw still locked.

When you got there, he deposited you onto the large four-poster bed and sat in his wheelchair as if it were a throne. 

‘Go get some disinfectant and bandages,’ he ordered. 

You knew they only kept them in the cave for you. It wasn’t the first time they had to use them either.

Marko and Paul were quick to follow their leader’s orders, while Dwayne sat up against the headboard and pulled you back into his arms. When you let your head fall back against his shoulder, he almost purred, the sound vibrating through your chest. 

When the other two came back with everything, Paul caressed your injured leg, his eyes on that trickle of blood.

‘It’s true we’ve just fed,’ he began, lifting your leg, his tone a mixture of cheeky and apologetic, ‘but this would be such a waste.’

And he licked it, all the way up to your knee. 

Marko took your arm, also cut by someone’s switchblade knife. ‘Yeah. You taste way too good,’ he commented, right before you felt his tongue on your skin, too.

They didn’t bite you but you could feel them sucking even after they drank the initial blood.

‘That’s enough,’ David commented in a tone that didn’t leave room for objections. ‘Don’t make her feel even weaker than she already is.’

‘’m not weak!’

David tilted his head to the side and showed you a flat smile. ‘Well, you certainly didn’t look strong during that fight, did you? Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had to come and rescue you after hearing you scream. In fact, what would you have done, if we hadn’t been around?’

You grunted, locking your jaw, even though it pretty much turned into a childish pout.

‘Aww, poor thing,’ Paul commented, tracing your lower lip with a finger. ‘’s okay. We’ll take care of you. You ready?’

You bit your lip, nervous, but nodded anyway. 

Dwayne started caressing your hair with one hand while his other thumb traced soothing patterns on the skin underneath your t-shirt.

As Paul poured some disinfectant onto a cotton ball, Marko held your legs down and Dwayne’s grip around your waist got tighter. 

Paul started to clean your wound. It fucking stung.

You winced.

‘I know, baby. I know,’ Dwayne whispered in your ear in a patronising tone. 

Paul proceeded to bandage your leg while Marko did the same with your arm.

‘Like new,’ he commented, stroking the gauze.

‘She did so well, didn’t she?’ Dwayne commented, kissing your temple.

‘Stop praising her,’ David hissed, standing up. ‘Not after she put herself in danger. Again!’

You pouted at him, this time more dramatically.

‘You know that doesn’t work with me,’ he went on, walking to the bed and sitting next to you and Dwayne. 

You sighed. ‘Are you angry at me?’

He didn’t answer. Instead, he kept looking straight into your eyes, his blue hues as cold as ice.

‘I’m gonna turn you sooner than we agreed on, Y/N. You’re too fragile as a human.’

‘David, I’m not read—’

‘I wasn’t asking for your opinion.’

Nobody dared to speak. 

The silence amplified your thumping heartbeat.

‘We’ll talk about it tomorrow,’ the leader said, leaning back against the headboard but keeping his distance. ‘Just sleep, now.’

You sighed again and curled up against Dwayne’s chest, and he promptly wrapped you into his arms. 

Paul and Marko lay down next to your legs, their hands on your thighs and ankles. 

After sitting with your thoughts for a few minutes, you threw a glance behind your shoulder. David already looked asleep.

You turned back towards Dwayne, whose lids were also lowered.

‘They insulted us,’ you whispered, so low you weren’t even sure you had actually said it out loud.

But Dwayne heard you. ‘What was that, baby?’

You lowered your gaze and played with his necklace to distract yourself from your prickly eyes. ‘The people at the bonfire… They said that what we have is messed up. And that I… I’m a slut for being with the four of you.’

‘Fuckers,’ he locked his jaw and shook his head. ‘Don’t listen to them, baby. We love you.’

‘I love you, too,’ you said, welcoming his kiss.

David’s arm sneaked around your waist from behind, taking you by surprise.

He pressed a kiss against your temple and finally softened his voice, even though it was a big contrast against his words. ‘I’ll kill them tomorrow night. Nobody speaks to our human like that.’

-----------------------------------

He doesn’t miss the way you shift, he doesn't miss the slight longing in your eyes. You mask it well, though. You have the same wide, happy-go-lucky smile as usual. Nobody else notices but him. When your friends swallow the little pills with the alien head stamped off center it’s with familiar ease and you're - as always - the silent spectator.

You’ve said no so many times that you’re not offered anymore. Funny, even as the newcomer to your group he can see it.

When you all get to the club, they’re off. Raving, sweating, dancing, bodies pulsing. They’re a mess. A happy mess. Then he sees your smile as you look away from them and he sees contentment. You’re happy with your choice and his curiosity is piqued. You want it, you’ve rejected it and you’re sold on your decision. It's interesting. You hold your drink, join in with the randoms who've attached themselves to your group and he's struck by how comfortable and at ease you look. But then a lot of things about you seem to strike him.

When Marko had introduced him and the others to your group, Dwayne hadn’t been interested. It was too easy, too boring. A group of college kids on summer break, how unique, how thrilling. But at the prospect of a long hunt - one filled with deception and infiltration - he’d been sold. It was fun, sometimes, the psychological element of it all.

Befriend, betray, feed.

He’s glad he came around to it because he’s sold on you, too. In a different way, though. You don’t seem to fit? Not with your group, not with his, yet you move between both with ease. You’re welcomed. You’re wanted but still on the outside and it’s by choice.

He’s interested in you.

He’s connected to you.

He wants you.

He nudges Paul, a nudge that says 'give me some peace, yeah?' and the blonde goes without protest or comment. Easy, understanding, difficult to offend. Paul slides out of the booth and the hangers on follow him. Just like the pied piper leading the rats, they’re drawn to him. On to the dance floor, following his lead.

But again, not you.

It’s like you know Paul is danger. On some level, you know. You keep your distance. You don’t call after the others though. You don’t try to stop anyone else from going.

The table and booth is dark and empty, just you and him now along with a collection of mostly untouched drinks. He looks at you, moves to sit closer and then asks you directly, his voice clear despite his low tone and the music of the club. He wants to know why you didn’t take anything.

"It doesn’t feel safe?" is all you say, "besides, I want…I don’t know..."

You grin, like what you’re going to say is stupid but he encourages you. Nothing you could say to him would be stupid.

"I want it to be like the movies? The chill high, the gentle one?"

You look over at your group. They're raving, sweaty, some of their moves fluid, some jerky. They're on a trip, not a high and Dwayne nods. He understands. You’re still mortal and while you’re not entirely risk averse -you’ve been on his bike one addicting time - there is a hesitation about you.

You’re cautious.

It’s almost painfully cliche but he can’t help but compare you to a deer. Beautiful, curious but aware of danger, stopping at the first hint of it.

You hadn’t gone with your friends when the pack had invited you to theirs. Not the cave, of course. The cave was reserved for the final kill, it was too big a risk that someone would run their mouth otherwise. They had a shitty little apartment, courtesy of Max but you'd said no. Everyone else had gone to party and you'd gone home alone.

Your entire nature was in stark contrast to his. Sometimes he wonders if that’s why he’s so drawn to you. Lions don’t befriend lambs, David had told him with a knowing smirk but he can’t help himself.

The night passes as it always does and the days move along with it but the guys are restless now. Summer is long and your group is getting boring. The long hunt has been fun but they're ready for the next. It's good though. Dwayne has had the time to think, a deadline gives him the final motivation he needs.

He can’t see you die like your friends but he can’t stand to leave you, either. The two of you are entwined now. Back at the cave and amidst the muted, mellow rock Paul was playing, he makes his intent known.

"She's off limits" he tells the guys, voice flat, daring someone to make an issue out of it.

Marko rolls his eyes, "like we didn't know that?"

David makes a bleating sound from his corner of the cave.

Paul tells the two blondes to fellate each other then tells Dwayne he’s got you a section of the cave eyed out.

Dwayne tries to hide his smile.

You’re in.

The next time he’s sees you it’s on the beach. Late into the night, so late that it’s actually morning, you’re sat before the glowing fire. You’re alone. Your friends have gone with the others, led away by David and Marko and Paul. He thinks their days are numbered now. It could be tonight, could be tomorrow but it's coming.

He doesn’t care about them but he worries about you. He'll see you through it.

"You don’t have to be stuck with me" you tell him pleasantly as he comes to sit next to you.

The sand is cold.

"I like you" he replies, simply and honestly.

Your eyes catch his and he can see you searching for his meaning. He didn’t miss the jump of your heart, hopeful and happy. Maybe he won’t have to see you through sadness or pain. He thinks you feel the same as he does but he feels like he’s flying too close to the sun. He doesn’t want to get his hopes up but he can’t help but let them soar.

He reaches inside his pocket and pulls out the small baggie. A gift from Paul. Fuck the lion and the lamb bullshit. Go for it, the blonde had said and Dwayne was always apt to agree with Paul.

"It's the good stuff" he tells you, "like in your movies. If you want to…”

You want to. You very clearly want to.

When you smile it’s bright, your cheeks up high and your eyes almost shining. You look touched. Funny how the gesture of illegal narcotics can bring about this tender moment but Dwayne finds himself wanting to chase this feeling.

He’s made you happy.

He feels proud that you’re at ease with him. You’re tense, guarded with the others but not with him. You’ve never been that way with him.

"I’ll keep you safe" he promises and he means it.

He'll keep you safe, forever and always.

"What do I do?" you ask him, "it’s not? It’s not too strong?"

He studies you, thinks on your hesitation. It’s not too strong, it’s good stuff. Paul always had the good stuff. His smile is small - almost dangerous - as he puts the pill on his tongue. He can help ease you into it…

…and judging from the intensity in your eyes, his help is welcome. You watch him, heart thudding and from then, like him, you were lost. He’s waiting for you to make your move, to show your hand like he’s shown his and you do.

You move your body once, such a small little shift, as if your brain was telling you to STOP but you’re reaching for him. Your lips are against his. He hears a scream, faint and filled with terror from off in the darkness. Your hands are on his neck, soft but sure.

Perfection.

I grinned, quickening my pace. "That's amazing! Thank you," I kissed his cheek as he led me down some rocks. As we walked further down, sometimes jumping and climbing, if the rocks called for it, we finally came upon a small entrance.

"This is it. Do you want me to go first?"

I nodded. If he went in first, he could already have a flashlight burning when I got there, and he could catch me if I were to fall. So, on both points, that was a definite win.

"Come on down, you'll love it!"

Carefully, I lowered my legs through the whole in the rocks, gliding in and falling down to the ground. A quiet yelp escaped me as Marko caught me, breaking my fall. The cave was cold, clammy - but between the rocks were tiny gemstones. They shimmered in the light of my lantern, glowing bright purple and pink. I smiled, looking around as Marko led me down further into the cave system. He didn't need the light to navigate, what with him being a vampire and all, but nonetheless, I was very glad I had a little bit of light.

"Did you know this cave was haunted?" He asked as he jumped down some rocks. I shook my head, shaking my lantern. The light was getting weak.

"What happened?"

"A couple of decades back, a group of explorers went missing. They were found a year later, crushed by the stones. They say they haunt this cave ever since."

"And you thought that would be a good place to start my exploring experience?"

"Well, it was the one that was closest by," Marko shrugged, "and I figured you wouldn't mind."

"I guess not. It is kind of unnerving, though. I mean, what if ghosts are real?"

Marko laughed at that, looking at me. "Ghosts aren't real."

"Are you sure? Next, you're going to tell me vampires aren't real either."

"Very funny, hon. Listen, we got to move a bit."

"Why?" Were they unstable? Would they fall and crash us like they did with the previous explorers of this cave? Why would he bring me here if it wasn't safe? I moved to follow him. The light in my lantern flickered on and off, and with a final weak little "bzz," did the light die down completely. I couldn't see anything.

"Marko?" I called, freezing in place. I waited for him to respond, but I got nothing. "Marko, where are you?"

My voice echoed through the cave, but I still got no answer. "Marko?!"

I shuffled forward, my hands stretched out in front of me so I wouldn't walk into a wall of stone.

"Marko, this isn't funny! I'm getting sca-" I screamed as my foot slipped. I fell down, deeper and deeper, until I roughly hit the ground. I cried out, tears streaming over my face. My whole body ached, and one of my legs laid in a very unnatural angle on the ground.

"Marko!" I screamed, finally getting a response.

"Babe? Where are you?"

"I fell, please - it hurts so much..."

Within seconds, he was next to me, pulling a small lighter out of his pocket. The flame illuminated a bit of the cave, and I could see his face. He looked horrified, scared.

"Is it- is it bad?"

Marko nodded. "Don't look, alright, just look at me. Shit, babe," he held me, noticing that I was looking more miserable with the second.

"I need to get out..." I said, whimpering as I moved my leg even a little bit. If we were to get out, I had to be carried. I couldn't walk. Marko looked scared - and I still wasn't sure whether it was because of me and my injury or because of something he saw. And that thought alone terrified me as well. I held on to him tightly, trying to forget the horrifying thoughts that played through my head. Trying to focus on the here and now and still trying to ignore my throbbing leg.

"It wasn't supposed to end like this."

I looked up, slightly confused. "What was?"

"Our date. We'd have dinner, after this. I'd ask you to become a vampire. To stay with me."

I froze. I knew what they were, what he was, of course. But I had never given it any thought. But to become like them? In theory, it sounded wonderful, the eternal life and the possibility to do anything. But could I really kill someone? Could I drink blood? And be okay with that?

"I don't know if I am made to be a vampire," I said quietly.

"You would leave me?"

"No!" I exclaimed, looking at him. "I would never, but I don't know if I could do it."

"That's too bad," his voice turned cold now, as he looked at me. "Because you don't have a choice anymore."

"What?!"

"You're bleeding out. Your leg is practically snapped in half. The only reason you're not passed out right now is adrenaline. If you want to live, you have to let me change you."

No, no - this couldn't be true. Right? But the more he spoke, the weaker I began to feel, the foggier my sight became, the stronger the ache in my head and chest. The more he talked, the foggier he became until he was a shapeless blur.

Marko bit me, fast and deep, forcing his vampire venom inside of me, forcing the change upon me. He forced me to drink his blood, to keep it down. He snapped my leg back in to place, ignoring my screams of anguish, when he continued to force me to drink his blood. I cried out as I realised what was happening to me, but then I lost consciousness. I welcomed the dark, falling into a deep slumber.