Chapter 87About Dire Drinks

We walked outside and there was our greatest obstacle. Getting down to the street. I was in no state to make the jump down and I was sure Khuna couldn't fall down with me next to her. So how?

"We'll jump together, carefully." She held on to my hips.

I nodded. What other choice was there.

We stepped to the edge and looked at each other. This was it. We jumped down and for once the rushing air was no solace. Forcing myself to stay calm we landed on the ground. My legs couldn't cope with the impact and gave in, sagging through them I waited for the streets' hard embrace.

She caught me.

Holding me around my waist now she caught me just before I was about to hit the street. I was grateful but there was no rest for the wicked. We headed toward town immediately, going for the late night places where hopefully youth can be found. But not inside. I wanted to be outside, the air was nicer here. Inside would be so pressing, so humid, so thick. I wanted fresh air.

Khuna kind of understood me without me ever needing to tell. It made me happy. Even better was that she, just like on the first night she picked up a boy from inside a disco to kiss with me. Even though I was in no state. She just went and picked up a guy that looked tall and juicy and would have lots of thick, rich flowing blood and...

Stop it!

My mind was running amok with the thought of blood.

It was all kind of a blur with the moment of feeding so close, but I remember Khuna acting as if I still needed to learn how to kiss. As if she was my bigger sister, something few people would even second-guess, and learning me to get to know guys. The guy was eager to let us. I 'learned' Kiss him on his lips and in his neck. He never expected what I would do. Pure reflexes prevailed as I bit him in an animalistic urge. The blood called me.

The blood was boiling. I felt as if I hadn't felt it in years. I drank and I drank as only I did on the first day I was here. His memories, not very eventful but strange in their own way, played out to me like little movies. It was the heat of the first bite combined with the sensations of the last. I felt on fire, the world spinning around me and only heard Khuna when something hurt my throat.

"Stop" She was pinching my neck painfully.

I let go, almost forgetting to close the wounds. Still on time. I closed them and noticed the guy just staring blankly into nothingness. As if he'd faint any moment. All the better I felt for it I may have taken a bit too much. He was really wobbling even when standing.

Stupid. Stupid! If she wasn't here I would have drained him dry. Without even sparing a thought on his life. The weakness and the hunger combined had driven me crazy. How much did Khuna and Valerie drain me yesterday? Did Valerie feel like this when she took life so long ago? I didn't want to feel that guilt.

Khuna spoke before I could thank her. "Careful." She took him by the arm as she smiled at me.

She led him back to the entrance where he fainted and dropped to the curb almost as soon as she turned her back. Other people were already rushing toward him, mostly girls, ironically. Just worried and things. Khuna had turned around, faking care, until the crowd could mask her escape.

I felt better for the blood flowing richly in my veins but worse for the damage I had done to the guy. I mean, he probably didn't have much experience with girls and all and we just gave him one of the strangest experiences ever. If he would remember it. I hoped he wouldn't, I hoped he would forget most of it before the evening was even over.

At least my body felt alright again. Strong.

Kind of.

Everything slowly came back to me as the blood was flowing through me. My senses sharpening again. Not that they felt dull before but now I felt alert and present again. Back in control. Back to being aware. Like a blanket had been lifted from my mind. Also, questions started rising. Where was Khuna?

I saw her, talking to a boy, seducing him. Taking him aside and kissing him. It almost looked like she felt guilty for the other guy as she took her time making him feel nice and all. He seemed to enjoy it, for even as she bit him he had a faint smile on his face that was obviously one of pleasure. She even kissed him goodbye and gave him a pat on his bottom as he left.

She smiled a little as she walked back to me. Looking better than I felt, as I could drink a lot more. But it was better if I forced myself to take it easy. First things first.

"Khuna, will you tell me now?"

She looked surprised. "Tell you what?"

"Why were you left for dead in that pool."

"You won't believe me."

"Try me?"

"Isabel."