Chapter Text
Shelby’s giving me her serious face. No giggles, not even when I try to make her smile. “This is no time for jokes,” she chastises, "especially considering that Scott is turning a beacon not 50 feet away.”
“Since when were we on a time limit?” I ask, then pause. “And…since when did you know that it was Scott who turned that beacon neutral?”
Her face pales even more than its natural color - or, was it natural? Was she always that pale? “See, that’s….that’s the thing I need to tell you. Scott kind of…turned me.” she finishes lamely.
I stare at her. “Turned as in…turned you off? H-he does tend to have that effect on people-”
She cuts me off. “No, Avid, as in…as in he turned me. I’m…a vampire.”
Suddenly everything makes a lot more sense. The pale skin, her lack of appetite, not to mention the fact that whenever I take her hand her skin is ice cold.
She chews her cheek, looking at me. “Are…you going to say something?”
"I…why didn’t you tell me sooner? I mean, I-! thought we were best friends, or at least, just, friends who told each other things?”
“I was going to, I swear!” She protests. “I just…kept not wanting to, and it never seemed like the right moment, and so…I never did? Until now.”
“Why…why now?”
Her face gets serious again. “I didn’t…I don’t know if I can hide it any longer. I’m so hungry, Avid. And scared. Avid, I’m scared I’m going to hurt someone. I’m scared that the poor animals aren’t enough.”
I believe her. She looks scared, a frightened animal herself. And in that moment, that singular moment, it seems…easy. I turn my head. “You can have some of my blood.”
She steps back at once. “I- no! Of all the people, I told you so I wouldn’t hurt y-”
I interrupt her. “You’re not going to hurt me, Shelby. I trust you. And I’m giving this to you. Take some.”
She looks concerned for only a second more, but then cautiously takes a step forward, putting her mouth to my neck. I can feel the moment her teeth - her fangs - touch my skin, and the moment after when they pierce the flesh.
She begins to suck my blood, carefully at first, but then ravenously. It’s something out of one of her monster books, letting the thirst take over her, yearning for more, taking and taking and I remember that I am the first human she’s ever siphoned from as she takes and takes and I remember that she doesn’t know what she’s doing, taking and taking
and
taking
and
taking
“SHELBY!” An accented voice pierces the air, but I barely recognize it, my vision growing fuzzy. They are arguing now, Shelby and this person, about me, maybe?
Something about a rule I broke, or, or that she broke?
Everything is very blurry
When did I get on the ground? I don’t remember sitting down
“The humans
coming.
get him
of here”
Scott says. No…Scott? I panic, no, not him, he’ll kill me,
I reach for my cross
but can’t move
Did he say
the humans? They can help!
I try to speak
“I’m
human…
…they’ll save me
from…
from…
you…”
--
Scott stares at the face on the ground. Of all the humans to turn…
“I’m…human….” Avid tries to speak.
“Unfortunately not anymore.” Scott deadpans, shooting a side eye at Shelby.
“I- I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry, oh, Avid, I’m so sorry” she wails. Blood still coats her lips and she wipes it with the back of her hand.
Scott sighs. “Well, I suppose we also can’t leave him here. He should at least be able to make his own decision to join the coven or stay with the town. IF he could ever find the courage to do so…cowardly thing that he is.” He gives the now-unconscious Avid another once over, before rolling his eyes, and swinging him up into a bridal carry as he and Shelby dash away.
--
I’m moving so fast
I shouldn’t be able to move this fast?
Who
who is carrying me?
--
I’m lying on a couch
A very annoyed face is looking at me
A very
Annoyed
Beautiful
Face
--
“You’re very hot” Avid mumbles before passing out again.
Scott allows himself a smirk. “I know,” he replies, even though he was sure Avid couldn’t hear him anymore. It couldn’t hurt to have that tidbit to hang over Avid’s head when he wakes up.
Scott waits beside the couch, rolling a diamond between his fingers lackadaisically. He’d decided not to discipline Shelby for her error, as she seemed to be punishing herself enough, and had sent her to her room (despite her pleas to stay and watch over Avid). He’d known letting that friendship persist would be detrimental, either to Shelby or the coven, and he was right on both counts. And now Avid was…a vampire.
Scott couldn’t wait until Avid would wake up, and he could be rid of him. Yes, Avid would make the decision himself, but he was the one who started this silly ‘feud’ in the first place. He’d of course want to leave. Which was alright by Scott. He didn’t want to have to babysit Avid in his own castle for much longer anyway.