"Hey, Lola. I need a place to stay," I informed. I was overwhelmed with exhaustion; my jelly-like legs wavered in the rain. I'm sure my chattering teeth made it difficult for her to understand, but at that moment, I just wanted to drown in warm blankets and sleep for eons.
"Ronnie, I'm not gonna ask right now. My door is always open for you, Honey."
Ending the call, I looked around for a taxi, but the thick sheets of rain obstructed my vision, and the mist didn't make it any easier to see.
In Ambrosia's Forgiveness, public transport was available 24/7, however, towards the coast, there were barely any cabs available, and they charged extra. I had to walk to the nearest train station, considering Lola's apartment was 20 minutes away, and she's my only friend that I trust.
Nearing her apartment complex- just 5 minuted away- ringing of my phone broke through the shower of rain: it was my sister, Monica, calling. Hesitant to pick it up, my finger slipped and I had to answer it.
"What do you want?" I tried to appear pissed, which I was. I left all of my belongings there.
"Umm, I just wanted to know if you reached Lola's place," her voice was timid, as if she just had realized her mistake.
"What makes you think you can act concerned now?" I raised my voice. I was soaked and cold to the bone; my teeth wouldn't stop chattering, and my feet had gone numb, plus, my sister had thrown me out of her home without a single warning.
"Listen, Veronica-"
"No, You listen. I'm sick of you and your husband's shit. He's an absolutely worthless human being and you know that very well," hissing, I felt like the burden upon my shoulders was finally melting," Don't ever call me again!" Hanging up on a person never felt better.
The rant pulled all the breath out of me, and the chilly air made it even harder to breathe.
While returning my phone in my bag, a black figure stretched past my vision, like it was faster than light itself. Gasping, I gripped my bag tighter, and got dizzy looking for the source.
Was it even human? My brain lied 'yes', but my gut said 'no'. I needed to get out of here- it wasn't safe.
Before I could bolt for Lola's apartment gate (it was so close), a force that weighed a tonne knocked me into an alley, on the cement. Elbows burning from the fall, my legs wouldn't budge, and the reason for that was poised over them, holding them tightly.
"GET OF ME!" With a solid punch to his hooded face, my heart pulsed with joy until my hand felt like it broke against steel. "Oooww," the storm dampened my cry. How hard is his face?
When he came closer, I noticed his eyes glowed red, crimson red. Instantly, my legs trembled to the point I stopped moving away from him. His demonic eyes had frozen me to the spot.
Was it really going to end like this? I cursed Robert and Monica, they're were literally going to be the death of me.
Grabbing my neck with his humongous hands, he restrained my arms with his other big hand. I regretted every self-defense advertisement that I ignored in Ambrosia, and not following a safer route with normal people present, and not like this weirdo crushing my neck.
"STOP, OH MY GOD!!!!" his pretty, scarred lips opened to reveal a pair of deadly fangs, like they were recently sharpened with a filer and ready to tenderize whatever meal near them. My legs were already trembling, and so started my lips-- my nose stung as tears pushed their way out.
"EEeeeeeeee! GET THOSE HORRIBLE TEETH AWAY FROM ME!" I'm sure he was sick of my actions, but did I mention, his nose bridge was absolutely stunning, but what wasn't stunning was the fact that he was snarling, and hissing at me, like I was his prey, which I'm sure I was.
Pushing me onto my back, he climbed over me with his grubby hands. Every time I retaliated with a kick or a punch, he would squeeze my arms tighter; I thought my arms would break from such strength.
My mind fuzzy with fear distracted me, when he sunk his scary fangs into my throat, and sucked my blood like it was Capri-sun. Panic and red hot pain struck me even harder that I flailed my limbs like there was no tomorrow, and it scored me an escape; the man fell from my flailing and his athleticism must be impressive because, next thing I know he's chasing me to the gate.
Unlucky for him, adrenaline aided me in wrenching the gate open and sprinting to Lola's doorstep. My wound was worse than I thought when blood saturated my nurse uniform-my head was floating, but it hadn't expanded yet (I touched it), the confusion of it all made it harder and harder to think, breathe, or speak.
My body dropped with a thud! on Lola's welcome mat, and I prayed she heard me because I don't think I was opening my eyes after this.
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Ears ready to listen to the sound of the living awakened. A constant beep echoed through the surroundings. I was at the hospital. Eyes stuck together like glue, I was scared they would rip if I forced them.
"My eyes won't open," I voiced my concern.
"You're awake," replied Lola. She lifted my lids open. Her long red hair tickled my nose, urging a sneeze."How do you feel?" Her eyes spoke for the hours she cried during my unconscious state: her whites were streaked red, if she cried anymore, she'd have popped an optical vein.
"I feel like trampled garbage-my neck is like... really stiff, and it's throbbing?" I laid in confusion. He didn't bite me that hard, or maybe he did. My memory was blurry, but who and what was he?
"Not surprising. You were unconscious on my mat with blood pooling underneath you," she was calm, but tense at the same time with the way she tightened her fist in pulses.
"Yeah it's not everyday your friend is literally on your door mat," I jested, trying to cool her nerves. Her gaze narrowed, making my heart race in fear. I guess I'll keep that joke to myself.
Silence spread through the room, only a beep was sound from the CRO Machine. My room was a bland grey, with matching furniture. Lola was seated near my legs. Clasping my hand in hers, she carefully asked me,"They found a bite mark on your neck, various hand prints and bruises on your body. Tell me what happened, Veronica."