SO, I’M STANDING THERE, swaying like a palm tree in a hurricane, and I can't help but wonder, “What in the world is going on these days?” I mean, I thought I had mind-controlled this guy to mind his own business, but apparently not. Is it because I've been chugging animal blood instead of the human stuff? My mind-control mojo seems to be going down the drain. First, it was Chloe—although maybe Casper really did break the mind compulsion on her—and now it's this kid. So, now any random teenager can resist my compulsion? It's getting ridiculous!Suddenly, one of the customers pipes up, “Hey, what gives you the balls to bother our man?” The boy let go of my collar, and the angry customer hops down from his stool, standing between us like some kind of bouncer. The kid who'd grabbed me is now face to face with a burly dude, whose unbuttoned grey shirt reveals a chest covered in a tangled mix of grey and white hair. He's all up in the kid's face, his nostrils flaring like a bull ready to c
So I pushed open the front door, easing my way into the dark living room, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. And there he was, Casper, sitting all cross-legged on the couch, his face bathed in the eerie glow of the muted TV. I tried my damnedest to tiptoe past him, but, well, the guy had the ears of a bat, I swear. “I wasn't expecting you to come back,” he said, all casual-like. I rolled my eyes and frowned, trying to keep my voice down while still being my usual snarky self. “Maybe your brain's cogs are just a little rusty. You did invite me back, remember?” He smirked, looking all smug. “Oh, my cogs are just fine, thank you very much. But I do recall telling you to come back early, not in the middle of the damn night.” I pouted, lying through my teeth. “I got drunk and lost my way. It's not my fault, you know.” Casper just shrugged, like he didn't give a rat's ass. “Alright, whatever. But hey, come take a look at this.” He waved me over, and I figured I might as well play
I was perched on the edge of her bed, holding her delicate hand in mine, tracing gentle circles on her soft skin with my thumb. Her chest rose and fell like a calm sea, the faintest whisper of breath escaping her parted lips. Even in sleep, her face wore a sorrowful expression, like a painting of a forlorn princess.Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't like I was trying to be Prince Charming or anything. Truth was, I felt more like the villain in her story - the big bad wolf who'd huffed and puffed and done some serious damage.Just as I was getting used to the whole sleeping beauty scene, her eyelids began to flutter. Panic shot through me like an espresso straight to the veins. "Oh, no, no, no... don't wake up!" I pleaded silently, every muscle in my body tensing like a cat about to bolt.See, I didn't exactly want her to wake up and see me looming over her, my face just inches from hers. Let's be real, it's not the prettiest mug to wake up to, especially after the whole biting fiasco
A NURSE STRIDES IN, and let me tell you, she was a sight for sore eyes. With fiery red hair pulled back into a no-nonsense bun and a smile that could light up a coal mine, she was a welcome distraction from the tension in the room. Her crisp white uniform rustled as she moved, and the faint scent of disinfectant followed her like a shadow.As she got to work poking and prodding Chloe with those injections, I had to look away. I mean, the last thing I needed was to catch a glimpse of blood and have my inner vampire come roaring to the surface like a teenager at a K-pop concert. No, thank you!Once the drip was set up, the nurse gave us a little nod and swept out of the room, her shoes squeaking on the linoleum like a chorus of anxious mice.Just as the door swung shut, Winter and Scarlett burst in, all smiles and energy. "Angel Gabriel!" they chimed in unison, and I couldn't help but grin. Scarlett gave me a quick hug, the scent of her floral perfume tickling my nose, before thanking m
THERE I WAS, catching some much-needed sleep when a blinding brightness made me squint like a newborn kitten. Blinking furiously, I found myself staring at two huge boots that looked like they could kick down the gates of Mordor.Before I could say “Nice footwear,” a meaty hand snatched my collar, and I was suddenly airborne, dangling like a piñata at a birthday party. I let out a baby-like whine, which quickly turned into a howl as a spank lit up my butt like a fireworks display.In a flash, my brain snapped to attention, and I found myself face-to-face with a man whose face was redder than a sunburned tomato. This guy looked like he'd just found out that his winning lottery ticket had gone through the wash. His eyebrows were scrunched together like two caterpillars having a head-on collision, and his nostrils flared wide enough to suck in a small bird.My eyes darted around, and I realized I was still in the bar. I must've nodded off after my crazy night of drinking. My teeth clench
SO, HERE I AM, sprawled out on the cold, damp floor of a dark cave, naked as the day I was born. My tiny hands are cuffed with these gigantic chains that look like they could hold down a whole friggin' ship! I let out a groan that makes a wounded bear sound like a whimpering puppy. Every bone in my body screams in agony; it's like a sledgehammer-wielding madman has gone to town on me.As I try to move, the pain just won't quit. I reach for the keys to freedom, lying oh-so-close on the cave floor. But my hands are shaking like leaves in a hurricane, weighed down by the chains and that ceaseless, pounding pain. I have to wait it out, waiting for my secret superpowers to swoop in and patch me up. I know they'll stitch my broken bones, mend my torn flesh, and silence that shrieking pain.So, I lay there, wincing and writhing on the ground, my eyes tracing over the bloody remnants of my, shall we say, “transformations.” The cave walls are splattered with dried blood, like some abstract pain
I'LL BE HONEST, FOLKS—my blood runs colder than an Arctic river at that moment. This isn't going to end well.I cock my head to the side, my lips forming a thoughtful 'O.' Now, what have I called him again? Oh, right—Mr. Bean Head and his glorious bald dome. I've really gone and stirred the pot now, haven't I?“I say I want a mug of beer!” I chuckle nervously, trying to backpedal faster than a clown on a unicycle. But my new friend isn't buying it. Not one bit.“No, no,” he growls, his chest heaving like a stormy sea. “What did you call me?”I clear my throat, scrambling for a way to defuse the situation. “Uh, I said, Mr. Blonde Head!” I lie, hoping he'll buy it.“But... I'm not a blonde,” he says, his brow furrowed in confusion.Well, if he wants the truth, I'll give it to him. My lips curl into a mischievous smirk. Oh, this is going to be good. “If you're not a blonde,” I say, drawing out the moment, “then that means you're a...”I pause, letting the tension build like a pressure co
SO HERE I AM, FEELING like the cat that got the cream as I lap up the rich, honey-like blood. My serpentine tongue savors every sweet drop, like it's the nectar of the gods. I can't get enough, but eventually, the poor guy's body goes limp in my grasp, so I let him drop. His glassy eyes stare up at me, so I gently close them. I'm not a complete monster, you know?I let out a long, satisfied breath, then hop up onto the bar counter, my gaze sweeping over the rows of glittering bottles. So many choices! I can't decide which one to go for, so I do a little “eeny meeny miny moe” until my fingers land on a fancy-looking bottle of Johnnie Walker. “Aha!” I exclaim. The thick, curvaceous glass and the swirly pattern on the label catch my eye, so I figure, Why the heck not?I grab the bottle, jump back down to the ground, and crack it open. As I take a long, deep swig, the sweet, bubbly liquid dances on my tongue. I can't help but let out a contented sigh. “Next time, you won't argue with me w