Chemistry Pt. III

I awake in a cold sweat with no recollection of the night prior. I feel my neck and it's covered in blood. Nate usually isn't that aggressive with biting, and he certainly wouldn't have turned me. I don't think anyway. I just couldn't imagine being a vampire—not because I think I'd be bad at it, but because of the bloodlust. I can sense that I'd have a hard time controlling myself.

I stumble to the mirror to inspect my neck and the puncture marks are gone. Fuck. I go to check my pulse and sure enough, I don't have one. Great. I go back to bed to awaken him and find that he is nowhere to be found.

"Nate?"

I search the apartment, looking everywhere for him and he is nowhere to be found. Looking at the time, it's 7:30 PM and I should really shower and get ready for my shift. I start to get ready, maybe Nate will be at the club anyway. After showering I head to work and one of the dancers there actually talks to me.

"Hey Elliot, you okay? You're looking really greenish and pale. Are you sick?"

"Gee thanks, I'm fine though. I just got a rough start. How about you?"

She seems stunned by the question, most of the dancers have more of a competitive approach so we don't really talk to one another. I'm surprised she noticed I looked pale at all with the lights being how they are.

"Umm... I'm fine, I guess just thought I'd ask since you seemed not well."

"Yeah... look... I have to get on stage now, are you off?" I replied.

"Yeah, got some good money though. I made just shy of $3,000!" Roxy exclaimed.

"Damn, looks like we have some good clients tonight then."

"Looks that way! See ya later, Elliot!"

I go dance and somehow I feel better than ever. Like every step, breath, and movement is a thousand times enhanced. Maybe being a vampire isn't so bad. Suddenly, it dons on me. I haven't fed on anyone yet. I was amazed at the lack of restraint I showed with Roxy. Probably because I was just focused on getting up and dancing. I really enjoy it; it makes me feel free. Also, I feel a lot more selective than usual. Like I want to enjoy the first feed so a male is preferred.

When the hunger strikes suddenly, there is a brief pause and I think a few of the clients noticed it, too, because I got a few weird looks. Once I continued, they seemed to forget. When I'm done with that song, I go out on the club floor and head straight for the bar.

"You looked pretty good up there," an unknown man commented.

"Thanks." For some reason I was really bitchy. I realized I should probably be more seductive, seeing how I haven't fed or anything. But I just was really moody and drained.

"What are we having?"

"Moscow mule?"

The man orders three, all doubles.

"Woah. Three?" I commented.

"I've seen you drink before, I know one won't be enough."

"I'm flattered that you pay attention. After these, do you want to visit a paradise suite?"

"You bet."

After we finish the drinks, we head into the paradise suite and I start dancing for him. I don't feel that sense of guilt that I normally would; I guess the sense of hunger outweighs the feeling of remorse. When I'm grinding on top of him, he tilts his neck and moans. My fangs elongate and I can't help but smell his neck. I expected him to react strangely to it, but he doesn't.

I hate when guys do that. When you have this specific kink like smelling their armpits or running your fingers through their hair and they make a weird face/comment on it. Like damn, just lemme do my thing.

I really force myself to resist the temptation of taking a bite, I know that there are security cameras in the paradise suites and I REALLY don't want to have to explain that one to my boss. Too bad the Purge isn't real.

Just before I'm about to give in, I feel my phone vibrate and it's Nate. Finally, who just turns someone into a vampire and then ditches them like that?!

"Hey, sorry to cut this dance short, I gotta run."

I go to get up and the man grabs my wrist.

"I don't think so," he says, flashing three $20 bills.

I scoff and turn to leave.

"Look, I have my priorities. I'm sorry. I'm working tomorrow so you can save that for then."

He grips my arm tighter.

"I bought you three drinks, I at least deserve another dance."

I start to get upset. I grab his wrist back and twist it. My fangs pop out and I tilt his neck back and drink deep. I was worried about the first feed, worried that I would drain them completely. But I didn't. I felt his blood flow and his pulse all at once during the feed, so I was able to hold back just enough short of killing him.

His body looked pale and close to lifeless, he just sat in the chair groaning; left with barely enough energy to get up. I tilt his neck once more and lap up the remaining blood. I ended up taking the $20 bills.

I look up at the camera. Fuck. Now I'm going to have to come up with something. Then I remember, Nate mentioned something about compulsion. I start to have brief flashbacks of him compelling that red-haired gentleman and myself, so I decide to try and give it a shot.

My hand grasps the stranger's head and I look him dead in the eye and I pull him into my gaze.

"I danced for you, it was the best dance that you have ever received. You gave me a $60 tip. On your way home a cat jumped and bit you. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Thank you for the dance."

He gets up so mechanical like; like something I've never seen before, and goes on his way. I started to feel really accomplished and proud—but then I remember the security cameras. I go to the bathroom to wipe the blood from my face and call Nate.

The phone call is short, but he tells me to go to my boss and compel him to erase the security tape. I get extra nervous, a nameless morsel whom I'm probably never gonna see again is one thing, but my boss who I have to see everyday is another.

I nervously approach him and do my best doe-eyed look.

"Hey, I have a huge favor to ask."

He turns to me and I try to do the same thing I did with the client.

"I'm gonna need you to access the security footage in Paradise Suite Number Three and erase the entire footage from today. There was a terrible spill of champagne and it went all over a client. I took care of it, but we'd hate to have something bad happen."

"That sounds reasonable."

He leaves and goes to erase the footage. I swipe my brow and I start to feel relieved.

I have nothing to worry about now. I return to my apartment, drained and craving more blood. A knock on the door occurs and I go to peek through the door. A part of me hopes that it's the agents—I'm starving and I'd love to test out my new abilities.

It's Nate. I open the door.

"So you just turn me into a vampire and then ditch me? Nice."

"I didn't mean to turn you. I just got really hungry and couldn't stop feeding. I was worried I drained you too much, then gave you some of my blood. But you wouldn't have turned unless you died."

"Well... you've fed from me before. I'm sure if you would have known better in order to kill me."

"Right. Something else must have happened."

"I mean... I took some antidepressants..."

"How many?"

"Umm... I'm not sure. I had a really bad episode and so I just took a few..."

Nate goes to the trashcan to find the bottle empty.

"There were 22 last night."

"Oh."

He grabs me and pins me against the wall.

"Do you think your life is a joke?!"

I want to fight back, but can't. He is much stronger than I am. In the moment with everything so heightened, he kisses me.

"I'm glad you're not dead."

A knock on the door is heard.

"Open up vampire scum. Tonight you and your boyfriend die."

"I guess I spoke too soon..."

This is a short original story that I'm working on. I may or may not do another.