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Pyro presses his back to the wall, curled up as tightly as he can get despite knowing already that no amount of making himself small and non-threatening will save him. The human that had broken in had already killed off Pyro's Sire, along with his Sire's coven.
Pyro had only just been turned. He hadn't even asked for it, like some of his Sire's other fledglings. All Pyro wanted was to survive, and surviving had looked like being obedient and compliant for his Sire.
The man had been an elder vampire, hundreds of years older than any other member of the coven. There hadn't been a thing Pyro could do other than bare his throat and pray his Sire was merciful.
He has gotten lucky that his Sire wanted him. Pyro is under no illusion that the same thing will happen this time. A human would have no need for a vampire, let alone one as weak and pitiful as Pyro.
His Sire had threatened before to give him away to the hunters if he wasn't well-behaved enough, telling him in detail how they would dissect and pull Pyro apart if they weren't merciful enough to just put a stake through him.
That was the last thing Pyro wanted. Even being staked was better than being tortured. It seemed like the human that had broken in wasn't the sadistic kind, as the coven had all been dealt with swiftly.
It was terrifying, and Pyro didn't want to die, but he still hopes the human will make it quick.
The sound of footsteps clicking quietly against the wood floor echo down the hallway. If Pyro didn't have enhanced hearing, they probably wouldn't have heard the human at all. The man was almost completely silent, and that scared Pyro more than anything else.
Pyro could see as the man made his way inside the room they were hiding in. He wasn't tall, but Pyro felt like he was towering over them anyway as he approaches their hiding spot. They hold their breath, knowing they could do so as long as it took for the human to leave. Pyro hadn't gotten used to not needing to breathe yet, but they knew they could survive without it.
It's a useless attempt in the end.
The man points his lantern directly in Pyro's face, illuminating their position curled away in the corner. They hiss instinctively at the threat, though quickly slap their hands over their mouth, as if that would erase the noise.
A whine escapes from behind their hands, muffled but still audible in the otherwise silent room.
The human tilts his head at them, though makes no move forward. He doesn't grab his stake or threaten them, and Pyro thinks the lack of anything is almost worse then if he got on with it already.
"Are you going to attack me if I come closer?"
Pyro flinches at the man's voice, swallowing hard. It's stupid, but Pyro shakes their head. They know they don't stand a chance. Fighting back would only make things worse for them.
The human nods, watching Pyro for another moment before crouching down in front of them. Pyro whines fearfully as the human reaches towards his tool belt, but all he does is grab a small vial.
He lifts it up and Pyro has to dig their claws into their arms to keep from lunging. Inside the vial is what's clearly blood, and Pyro hasn't eaten since their Sire fed them that morning.
Was this a test of some sort?
Pyro swallows hard again, a miserable whimper leaving their lips, hot tears burning in their eyes. It wasn't fair. Pyro hadn't asked for any of this, and yet they were suffering just the same as if they had.
There wasn't a choice in the matter. Pyro's turning had been an ultimatum. Either they would be good and let the elder vampire drink from them, or die a horrible, painful death.
The man in front of them clicks his tongue, ignoring the violent way Pyro jolts away as he pulls Pyro's hands away from their arms. "Don't do that. You're hurting yourself."
Pyro's hands tremble, but they listen to the human's order, fidgeting with their sleeves instead to keep from grabbing at the vial.
The man sighs, which makes Pyro wince. They did as he had asked. How had their obedience upset him?
The human shakes the vial in front of Pyro's face, pulling the cork out and swirling the liquid inside. "I know you're hungry. It's why I keep these vials on me in the first place."
Pyro stares at the vial, saliva pooling on their tongue as they try to resist the urge. It was a test. It had to be. If Pyro took the offered vial, the human would put them down like the beast they had been turned into.
"I'm not going to hurt you," the man tilts his head again, dark curls framing his slender face.
Pyro chews on their lip, glad for the first time that they had no blood flowing through them. If there had been, Pyro would be flushed bright red. This human was scary and clearly dangerous, but if he was telling the truth, he wouldn't hurt Pyro just yet.
Maybe he was telling the truth. Pyro wanted so badly for him to be telling the truth.
It's that desperation that pushes them forward, cautiously lifting their hand and taking the vial. When the man gives it to them, nothing else happens. It's quiet for a moment as Pyro waits for a reprimand or hidden stake, but nothing comes.
Pyro brings the vial to their mouth, downing it swiftly. They sigh mournfully once it's empty, startling when the man, now sitting beside them, lets out a quiet huff. There isn't much of an expression on his face, but his lips twitch like he's fighting a smile.
Pyro's cheeks warm as a rare feeling of safety bubbles up inside their chest. It was ironic, to feel safe with the man who killed their coven, but Pyro couldn't help the purr that builds up in their chest if they tried.
The man blinks at him in surprise, though he recovers quickly, raising an eyebrow. "You're a lot quicker to trust than I thought you would be."
He shifts in place until he's standing again, reaching a hand out to help Pyro up. Pyro takes the offer after a moment of hesitation. The human doesn't say anything when Pyro doesn't let go.
He looks back at them, gently squeezing their hand. Pyro can feel the calluses on his palm.
"I can help you, if you let me. I know a place where you would be safe without needing to hurt anyone."
It feels too good to be true, but Pyro wants it so badly that, even if it's stupid, they nod their head. Being able to live, without needing to kill or harm anyone, is all Pyro wants.
The man finally allows a small smile to cross his lips.
"Follow me."