The Monster That Is Me

Austin's POV

I sat up slowly clutching my head for dear life. “I feel like fucking shit!”

“You look like shit too!” Tino laughed the corner of his eyes creasing as he did so.

Fuck you Artega!” I roll my eyes at the goofball. I sat up from the couch and I felt like my heart shot up to my head. “God, what is wrong with me?”

“You look overly pale bro!” Phil stated taking placing his arms around my waist to keep me from crumbling to the ground “When was the last time you ate?”

“This morning!” I growled lowly. The pain was so agonizing. My body felt like it was being broken apart into a million pieces. My throat felt like it was visited by the devil himself. “I fucking ate a full breakfast this morning.”

Tino’s eyebrows wrinkled “I thought you ate pancakes topped with blue jay blood. Scrambled eggs with squirrel meat and cranblood juice this morning?”

“I did.” I grinned lightly. That’s my favorite breakfast. Blue jays have some of the sweetest blood out there. “It was delicious.”

“I’m sure it was Aus.” He chuckled lightly “But that’s not what I’m talking about. I mean when was the last time you ate ate?” His facial features suddenly grew serious “You know we have to feed at least once a month.”

I instantly knew what he meant. When was the last time I’ve drunk human. Unlike vampires we don’t have to drink blood only to survive. We can go months without blood. But sadly unlike vampires who are straight ‘vegetarian’ we can’t be. We have to consume human blood every so often to maintain life. Normally, we drink at least once of month. I being an idiot haven’t drunk human blood in about two months.

“Umm, it’s been a couple months.” I say lowly

“Now Ausy you know that not healthy.” The annoying ginger wined “What are you trying to do? Kill yourself?”

“No, I just don’t exactly like feeding off humans. They’re blood taste like water.” I scrunched my nose in disgust.

I don’t necessarily like human blood. It’s not even the fact that it’s disgusting. Just, I don’t like feeding off humans. Finding some human girl at a club that’s normally high or drunk off of God knows what. Using my power of charm on her. Seducing her and drinking her blood which may or may not kill her. I hate doing it, it makes me feel like more of a monster. “Austin it’s not a matter of whether or not you like it.” Phil stated firmly “It’s a matter of life or death.” Phil’s right. If I don’t feed I die. Simple as that “What would your father do if he found out you were skipping meals?”

“He would lecture me to death.” I groaned sitting down onto the bar stool “Please don’t tell my dad…..or my mom.”

“Fine, I won’t tell them.” He said sliding me a glass filled with ice. He pulled a pint of blood out of the mini fridge. “Drink some of this. It’ll make you feel a little better.”

I took a sip of the harsh liquid a cringed “Why does it have to taste so…..blah?”

“You’re asking the wrong guy?” Phil chuckled taking a sip of his own cup

Tino snatched Phil’s cup out of his hand and gulped it down quickly “I happen to think it taste quite delightful.”

Tino and I shared a glance “Vampires.”

I laughed which soon turned into a yawn “Well, I think I’m going to hit the sacks.”

I stood up and took of up the stairs but was stopped by Phil’s firm grip “Where do you think you’re going Mr.Carlile?”

“I wanna go to bed.” I whinnied probably sounding like a three year old

Tino shook his head “Hunt first, and then you can go to bed.” He pushed me repetitively towards the door.

“Okay! Okay! Stop pushing me already.” I grumble taking draggy steps towards the door I walked out the door before turning around to look at Tino. “Can’t you go hunt for me and bring me back some.”

“Stop being such a child.” He shook his head trying to hide his grin “Now go hunt. And don’t come back until you’ve fed.” And with that he shut the door. I was about to turn away before the door was reopened “And Austin….. stay safe.”

“Yeah! Yeah! I will!” I groaned and the door shut again

I turned around and looked out into the darkness letting my eyes adjust. My lungs expanded as I took a deep, long breath. Letting my breath out I opened my eyes and gazed around.

“Well, here goes nothing.” I say to myself before darting into the forest

Notes