Chapter Text
(this chapter was inspired by @LuminescentEclipse, go check out this writer!)
avid P.O.V.
Things have been hectic—worse than hectic, honestly. The town went and attacked the castle, and even now I still don't know every detail. But from what I heard... a lot happened. Fire. Screaming. People almost dying. Chaos everywhere. It was extreme.
They told me that Shelby is on the side of the vampires now, but I don't believe that. She's too nice, too gentle, too Shelby to ever choose them over us.
I mean... this is Shelby we're talking about. I just hope she's okay. I hope she's not hurt.
I was sitting in my room, trying to calm my thoughts, when I heard the door creak open. I looked up to see Drift step inside—but something was off. Her posture, her expression... Everything felt wrong. She was distant. Closed off. It worried me.
Everyone was still shaken after the attack, so I understood if she was scared. But this was different.
I went down to Drift's room. She was sitting on her bed, staring at the floor, completely lost in her own head. I walked over and sat beside her.
Avid: "Are you okay, Drift?"
I asked, trying to catch her eyes. She didn't look at me at first.
Drift: "Oh—Avid. I'm sorry..."
Avid: "It's fine. But are you okay? You look like you're thinking about something."
Drift nodded slowly.
Drift: "Yeah... I think the attack on the vampires left me speechless. And seeing Shelby fighting with them... I don't know. I feel like we're losing her."
Avid: "I heard about that. But I still don't think she's really on their side."
Drift: "Avid, she was literally hitting Cleo and Martyn when we got there. She made her choice... but I still hate to believe it."
I swallowed. The thought hurt more than I expected.
Avid: "Maybe we can talk to her. Just talk. If we do it quietly—with no one else knowing—we should be alright, right?"
Drift: "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. We can wait near the lake and talk to her."
Avid: "Exactly. I miss her."
Drift: "Alright. Let's leave a note tomorrow. Ask her to meet at night. Only us three."
Avid: "Alright. It's settled," I said, trying to hide how relieved I felt.
I was excited. Nervous too. But mostly excited to see Shelby again. I hoped she would actually come. Me and Drift talked a little more before I went back to my room.
The next day me and Drift did our usual tasks—breeding the animals, cooking lunch. While we were eating and talking about random things, Martyn walked up.
Martyn: "Hey guys, how are you doing?"
Drift: "Nothing much. Just eating and talking."
Martyn: "Oh yeah? What about?"
Avid: "Just stuff. Nothing big. Anyway... what happened yesterday?"
Martyn: "Yesterday? Oh, during the attack? Just those monsters attacking us,"
he said loudly, almost too loudly.
Avid: "Did anyone get hurt? I heard it was extreme."
Martyn: "Nah, just a few scratches. Nothing major. Anyway, gotta go. Have fun, guys."
Avid: "Bye Martyn."
Drift: "Bye."
He walked away, and for some reason we both looked at each other and started laughing. Maybe we were stressed. Maybe we were tired. Maybe both.
After cleaning up, we headed toward the castle. The closer we got, the darker the sky grew—even though it was still midday. The castle was being rebuilt. I hated to admit it, but... it looked incredible. Terrifying, but incredible.
We placed a chest near the bridge with a sign reading "Shelby." We hid it just enough to not be obvious, but visible enough that she'd find it. Inside, we left a book asking her to meet us at the lake.
As we finished, a heavy chill crawled up my spine. The feeling of being watched. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I scanned the trees, the bridge, the cliffs... nothing.
I tugged on Drift's arm and motioned for us to leave. We headed toward the lake, talking lightly on the way. For once, we had time to look around and breathe.
When we reached the lake, we sat down together and waited for Shelby.
—time skip—
When the sun finally dropped behind the mountains, the world went quiet. Too quiet.
Drift: "She's not coming."
Avid: "She will. We just need to wait."
I heard faint footsteps. I turned my head immediately, but saw nothing.
Avid: "Who's there?"
Shelby: "Hey guys..."
Her voice echoed gently across the water.
Avid: "Shelby! Where are you?"
She sighed softly.
Shelby: "I'm invisible right now. Are you alone?"
Drift: "Yes, it's just us."
Shelby appeared in front of us like a ghost materializing. She looked... different. Her hair had turned white. Her glasses were gone. She looked ethereal, powerful, and strangely beautiful. It shocked me.
Avid: "Shelby... you look amazing."
She looked away shyly, smiling despite herself.
Shelby: "Thanks, Avid... But why did you want to meet? You know this is dangerous for all of us."
Drift stepped closer.
Drift: "We wanted to talk. We didn't know how else to reach you."
Shelby: "Alright... what do you want to talk about?"
Avid: "About what happened yesterday. And... about you becoming a vampire."
Drift: "Yeah, we just want to know if you're okay."
Shelby's face hardened.
Shelby: "I'm fine. But what you did wasn't okay. You attacked us."
Drift: "We came to get you—"
Shelby: "Get me?"
Her voice cracked. Tears gathered in her eyes.
Shelby: "You kicked me out! I told you I only drank animal blood but that didn't matter. You saw me as a monster!"
Silence. Heavy, painful silence.
Avid: "Are you... happy? With Scott and the others?"
Shelby wiped her cheeks, breathing shakily.
Shelby: "They accept me. So yes. And if any of the town people come after us again—I'll kill you."
Before either of us could react, she turned into a bat and vanished into the night.
Drift and I stood there in stunned silence.
She was right. We did kick her out. I didn't even stop them. She was my friend. And I let her be thrown away. What kind of friend does that?
Drift: "We really lost her..."
???: "Can you blame her? You kicked her out."
I flinched. Someone else was here.
Avid: "Who's here?! Come out!"
???: "I think this is just fine."
A cold breath touched my ear. Someone was right behind me.
???: "I hate to admit it, Avid... but you smell addictive."
I turned slowly—and froze.
Scott.
The moment our eyes met, I bolted.
Avid: "Drift, run!"
She ran one way, I ran the other.
I ran until my lungs burned. Until fear blurred everything else. I ducked behind a tree, hoping Scott had given up. I tried to steady my breathing.
Then—without a sound—Scott stood right in front of me.
I jumped, scrambling to run again, but Scott slammed his hand against the tree beside my head, pinning me.
He smiled down at me—too calm. Too amused.
Scott: "Well hello there, Avid. Why did you run?"
Avid: "You... scared me."
Scott: "I haven't done anything yet."
His voice dropped into something soft and dangerous.
He leaned closer. I shivered, curling in on myself without meaning to.
Up close, I noticed things about him I hadn't before—the white hair, the red eyes, the makeup, the glossy red on his lips. He looks...handsome.
Scott: "What's wrong? Are you scared?"
His whisper brushed my skin.
Before I could respond, he murmured:
Scott: "I've been starving for a while... care to give me a sip of your blood, hm?"
He asked.
He actually asked.
Avid: "Are you... going to kill me?"
Scott paused, then shrugged lightly.
Scott: "That would be a waste, no? How about a deal,you become my personal food source, and I'll protect you. How does that sound?"
Being protected by Scott in exchange for letting him feed on me...
That shouldn't sound appealing. But my mind spiraled anyway.
Avid: "...Fine. But you have to promise not to kill me when you... drink."
Scott smiled slowly.
Scott: "I'll try my best. Now... shall we?"
I nodded. Before I could remove my bandage, Scott's fingers were already untying it gently. When he exposed the scar, I tensed—but he didn't comment. He just brushed his fingers over it softly.
I got a little flustered, closing my eyes.
His lips touched my neck.
Scott: "Let's begin, shall we?"
His fangs sank into my skin. It hurt—but not as much as I expected. A sharp sting, then warmth. I reached up instinctively to push him back, but he caught my arm and pinned it.
Avid: "S-Scott...?"
He paused, still pressed against my neck.
Scott: "What?"
Annoyed, almost.
Avid: "Don't you think you've had enough?"
Scott: "Just a little more."
His voice was almost playful.
Avid: "...Okay."
He hummed and bit down again. The world tilted. I felt dizzy, heavy, and weak. My legs nearly gave out—but Scott pulled me closer, holding me upright as he fed.
When Scott finished, my head was still spinning. He let go of my arm, but his other hand stayed behind my back, steadying me as if I might fall over.
Scott: "Are you okay?"
Avid: "Just... a little lightheaded. I need to go back to town though..."
Scott: "Right. Let me help you."
Avid: "Thanks."
I felt so weak. He had taken a lot—more than I expected. My legs trembled, and if he hadn't been holding me upright, I probably would've collapsed right there. The walk back to town felt strangely long, every step heavy and slow, but Scott kept me close, almost guiding me.
When we finally reached the edge of town, I gently pulled away from him.
Avid: "Thanks, Scott."
Scott: "Hm. Go sleep. I'll come back when I want more blood."
He shifted into his bat form, wings cutting through the air as he disappeared into the shadows.
Inside the house, I noticed Drift sitting at the table. Her face changed the moment she saw me.
Drift: "Avid, oh my god, are you okay? What happened?"
Her voice was sharp with worry. I realized then how pale I must've looked.
Avid: "Nothing. I... got away from Scott. I think all the running just made me really tired."
It wasn't a full lie, but it wasn't the truth either. I didn't want her to panic.
Drift: "Yeah, you should go rest. You really do look tired."
Avid: "Yeah... goodnight."
I went up to my room, and practically dropped into my bed. My whole body felt hollow, drained. The room spun for a moment, and before I could even think about anything else, I fell asleep immediately.