Children of the Night

Chapter F I V E

The tall house that stood before me seemed to rock to the loud techno-pop music inside. Kids sat in circles outside, some smoked cigarettes, others drank booze, and most were making out with a lucky partner. Brandi’s house was something out of a movie, it was spectacular.

A lush-landscaped, romantic front courtyard, led to a formal foyer. I walked inside where the lighting was dim and colorful Christmas lights bounced off people’s eyes. The smell once again was overpowering and sent shivers down my spine. A magnificent formal living room with a high barreled wood ceiling set the tone with banks of French doors that led to the front courtyard, backyard patio, and tennis grounds.

The unique formal dining room was plastered with kids my age and older. People pulsed to the music, grinded on each other and drank out of red cups. The great room had a beamed ceiling and a wet bar that flowed easily into the stunning gourmet kitchen. A boy brushed past me wearing a tuxedo and a white mask. I tapped his shoulder before I realized what I was doing and immediately regretted it. Tanner, the young man who had kissed me previously, stood before me dumbfounded. His greedy eyes searched every inch of my body and finally fell on my face.

            “Uh hi, want to dance?” I asked stupidly. I could feel the heat rushing to my face and I looked quickly away to Aliza. She was already dancing on a boy with a farmer costume. I looked back at Tanner, his white nose of the mask protruded outward, nearly touching my face. His pink smile made my stomach do loops, and his ruffled blonde hair begged me to mess it up even more.

“Yeah, sure” He said, as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the dark ocean of sweating bodies. We began to dance and the sweetly sick smell had returned, leaving a tingling sensation in my teeth and gums. I turned to face Tanner, his leg was between mine and we started to move together in a synchronized rhythm only we knew. I turned around again and he put his hands on my hips, slowly rocking me back and forth against him. I reached my hands up to his neck and he rested his chin on my shoulder.           

A sharp pain masked my jaw and I winced, but Tanner didn’t notice, he just kept rocking to the beat. His hands traveled up my waist then back down to my inner thighs. I grabbed his hands quickly and placed them on my hips. His touch was fire to my body. I craved it. Dull thudding pain began to grow on my canines, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything.

Tanner kissed my neck, which sent chills through my body, making me want him even more. His kisses led up to my ear and he whispered to me.

“Let’s go upstairs” he said and dragged me out of the pulsating crowd. He handed me a drink and we walked past the talking people. I took a sip and nearly spit out the bitter alcohol. It’s putrid taste was light and fruity but it tingled on my tongue and tasted like perfume. Tanner looked back at me and I quickly swallowed the drink, smiling at him.

“I hope you like it, I invented it.” He boasted with a grin from ear to ear. I nodded big and took another painful sip. He laughed and tugged me down a hall. We passed four rooms until we stopped at the end room; he opened the door and flicked the light on. We were in Brandi’s room. I panicked, my heart beat fast and I wished he had picked any other room. The pink walls made me sick and I was scared that Brandi would walk in, but Tanner quickly closed the door and locked it.

He quickly picked me up and carried me to the bed, a light grin was on his face the whole time. I told him to wait and he nodded. The drink that was still in my hand swished around in its red cup, almost spilling. I guzzled it down then threw the cup to the wall, satisfied with a light dull ‘clunk’ it made as it hit the floor. Tanner’s mouth curved into an evil smile and he began kissing my neck. I suddenly felt hot and dizzy, and tried to move him away, but was too weak against his heavy barricades of kisses.

His hands traveled up and down my body and a gasp escaped my lips, it was all too real, too good. The dull ache that subsided in my gums came to life once more, making a wail of pain leave from my mouth. He dismissed it as something other, then stripped me of my black sweater.

“Tanner” I tried to say to him. It came out like ‘tavver’, my words slurred, and my head cloudy. Drugs….Tanner…Tanner….Drugged….! Oh my god! I started sweating frantically as he lifted my shirt. “No” I whispered, pushing at his hands. A look of disregard crossed his face as kissed my stomach, sending waves of heat and bliss throughout my body. I could smell the sweet drink more strongly now and opened my mouth to breathe it in. It was so close. I licked my lips, and then my teeth and a whimper came from my mouth when my tongue was cut. I smacked my hand to my head, trying to find my mouth. I was disconnected and fuzzy, losing conscience.

Stay awake, don’t let him do this. Stay awake. Stay. My hand touched my lips and I opened my moist lips, feeling my teeth. The two canines had grown incredibly sharp and pointed, too sharp to press my tongue into. I gasped and tried to scream for help, but Tanner moved over me, pinning my hands above my head. He looked at me with an sinister smile saying how it would be ok.

Tears streamed down my face, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. His lips connected with my neck, all feeling of thrill now gone and replaced with fear. The sick smell was so close that I could almost taste it, and I saw his neck pulsing with a vain that just waiting to be drank from. A powerful energy surged through my body, moving away any feeling of drowsiness, and I rolled over on top of him.

“Miranda, holy shit, your eyes are black.” He said before I snapped his neck and bit the soft skin between his jaw and shoulder. My teeth punctured his skin and within moments, warm blood filled my mouth. It tasted like heaven, so sweet, thick, and rich. My tongue circled his neck, sure not to miss a drop. Reality hit me like a train when I realized what I was doing, and I jumped off the bed. My hands were trembling, my heart was beating, and I had no recollection of where I was. The door jiggled and then the sound off a knob turning…

The door opened and Brandi walked in with a key in her hand. She closed the door and shut her eyes, with her head toward the ceiling she leaned back on her door. I stood by her bed petrified. When she opened her eyes, she led out a blood-curdling scream.