"What happened?" She asked, coming in closer. 

"She crashed her bike." Tyler said, an arm at my back with the other acting as a human crutch. Mrs Lockwood turned looking frazzled. She rushed over pulling out a chair from the kitchen island gesturing for me to take it.
I sat as directed, exaggerating with a grimace. Mrs Lockwood moved away out of sight.

"Can I get you a drink of water?" Mayor Lockwood asked. I nodded out of politeness as Mrs Lockwood rushed back, her phone in the palm of her hand.

"I'll call you an ambulance." She said, hand trying to frantically key the right buttons.

"No, I don't want an Ambulance." I blurted.

She looked up, shocked.
"I really think..." I noticed her eyes switch gaze to Tyler, any counter- decision being quelled by whatever he was signalling.
"Are you sure?" She looked to me now, a forced smile on show. I nodded politely.

"Really, I'm fine. My injuries are superficial."

"Are you sure we can't change your mind?" Mayor Lockwood asked as he placed the glass of water on the benchtop.

"I'm sure." I kept smiling, letting them know I wasn't as bad as they feared.

"Would you like to use the bathroom to clean yourself up then?" Ms Lockwood asked.

"Yes, please."

I turned in the chair, Tyler helping me up again. I was hit by a tingling of light-headedness. Steadying myself, I realised my mouth had gone dry. I lost too much blood at the crash site. My body no longer had ample supply and its ability to function was finally being affected. Walking to the house drained me more than I thought it would.
Tyler directed me down the hallway to a small room, closing us both inside.

"What now?" He mouthed.

I feed my thoughts screamed.
I ignored the urge. I promised him I wouldn't hurt him. I couldn't hurt him. 

"Just go along with what I say."
 I stopped in front of the bathroom mirror; the true extent of my situation only now being realised. I was an utter mess and that was more than I had thought at the accident site. I looked like a tired, demonic being who had just emerged from a cauldron of blood.

"I don't think your jacket made a difference."
The blood had dried making my skin a dark crimson complexion in places. Dirt patched on any clean skin that I had left.
"You could have told me I looked this bad."

He shrugged, a crooked grin appearing,
"Well, you can have a shower if you want."
I glared at him. Showering would reveal my little secret. Going from this extreme to another would arouse suspicion.
I couldn't fathom Mrs Lockwood's thoughts as she first saw me hobble through the door. The shock of my reflection had tied a knot in my own belly.


"No, I'll be fine. It's best I don't stay too long." Or I might do something I regret.

"Well, come out when you're ready. I'll have the phone." Tyler left, closing the door behind him.

As it clicked shut, I fell to my knees, pressing my hands to my face. I couldn't fight it. The urge was too great. I felt the fangs emerge. Cradling my head in my hands, I begged for it to stop. I staggered to the basin, waiting for the beast to stop its lust for blood. It would pass. It always passed.
I dipped my trembling hands under the running water, the cold cascade pleasant on my skin as it turned to red in the basin. I brought them to my face and rubbed my palms into my cheeks, wiping the blood and grime till I could see some semblance of skin. I steered clear of my bandaged forehead. That had to stay the way it was.
Tyler's jacket, which was wafting a very delicious human scent in my face still covered my arms. I couldn't take it off. It would only reveal the smooth, pristine skin below. I stared back at the red eyes watching me. I closed my eyes, willing myself to calm down. The throbbing in my face started to pass. Brown eyes slowly but surely looked back at me now. I would have a half hour tops before the next wave of bloodlust came. I reached into my waistband where the note was. I needed to call Stefan.

I walked back into the hallway, the smooth pine floorboards slippery under my bare feet. I kept my arms at my side as I approached the island once more. Tyler sat adjacent to his parents at the marble countertop.

"Hopefully now you can see my face."

Both smiled sympathetically.

"It's fine, dear." Mrs Lockwood replied. Tyler held out the glass to me. I respectively emptied its contents before passing it back, the Mayor taking it this time. I waited for a burning effect but none came. There wasn't vervain in their water supply. It was best I left though. The longer I stayed, the more questions would get asked and the less I'd be in control of my actions.

"Tyler, can I borrow your phone? Mine's dead."

"I wouldn't blame it," Mayor Lockwood interjected, chuckling to himself. Tyler's mum gave him a stern look. Tyler rolled his eyes.

"Sure, Val." He slid a small Samsung along the benchtop to me.

"Thanks."
I hobbled to the front door, dialling the number on the note.

"Hello, Stefan's phone." Damon chirped through the phone.

"Seriously!? You use Stefan's phone." I retorted, trying not to speak too loudly.

"Well, whose are you using?"

"I'm using Tyler's. Mine died."

"Ooh!"

"It's not like that, okay. I crashed the bike."

"Oh my God, are you okay?"  I didn't like his tone. He was making fun of me. I wished I could get to him through the phone right now.

"Can you just come and pick me up please?" I hated to beg but this was urgent.

"Sure, where?"

"The Lockwood's estate."