I awoke suddenly, gasping for breath. Every cell in my body was screaming in pain. It meant I was alive, much to my surprise. I gingerly smelled the air, catching the mingling of Sylvia's blood with my parents, as well as mine.
"It's so good of you to finally join us." Nadine cooed lazily.
It took almost all my strength just to sit up. What I saw disgusted me beyond description. Sylvia was laying on the couch, her head in Nadine's lap. Her breathing was shallow and labored, her blood dripping from multiple bite marks.
Damien was on the floor next to them, catching small stray droplets of blood that would fall from Sylvia's arm. Nadine would occasionally run her fingertips across Sylvia's wounded neck and lick the blood off her fingertips.
"Just in time to watch the festivities." Damien smiled leisurely. He took his time standing to his feet as Nadine slid from under Sylvia.
"Both of you fed her?" I wheezed, the pain in my chest still an immense burden.
"You helped us." Damien chuckled as he placed a soft kiss on Nadine's forehead.
At my confused look, Nadine feigned the look of a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
"We may have stolen some blood from you while you were indisposed." Her so-called guilt melted away into a mischievous giggle.
"Why aren't you connected with her?" I growled.
"What? And spoil the fun?" Damien laughed along with Nadine. "It's much more amusing to see who breaks and who triumphs."
"You're disgusting." I sneered.
"And you're still so uptight." Nadine stuck her tongue out at me like the child she was.
I shuffled on my hands and knees to Sylvia; It was the most movement I could will my body to have. Seeing her like that, barely clinging to life, shattered me. I couldn't blame anyone but myself for it, either. I could have just left her alone, walked away and pretended that she didn't even exist. No, I just had to hope, didn't I? I had to fall for this amazing, brave woman and completely ruin her life. I had to admit it to myself: I was just as much a monster as my parents, maybe worse.
D-Daniel? The hoarse squeak of her voice tore me from my thoughts.
I'm here, angel. I did my best not to bombard her with my emotions, but words couldn't express how happy I was that she was still with me.
Broken. Her eyes slowly focused on mine as she reached for me. Everything b-b-broken. Tears sprang fresh and fell down her cheeks. Help. Please.
Just concentrate on me, angel. I'm not going anywhere. It was as I had feared. They performed the blood exchange with no connection. This must have been how they broke Edith.
I stroked her hair gently and kept my gaze locked on hers. I knew exactly what was coming next, but I wouldn't leave her side. Yes, she was going to be a monster like me, but she would be my monster. I'd be damned if I was going to let my parents have her.
I heard Nadine mumble something about "bored" and "hungry". I wanted nothing more than to rip that glutton's throat out. I had more pressing matters now, unfortunately; I barely even noticed them exit the house.
Edie? Her worry flooded me.
She's safe. Thanks to you. I sent her the warmest smile I could muster. In all honesty, I didn't know where my little sister was. Sylvia helped her get away, but I didn't know how far away she had made it.
Sylvia managed the tiniest of smiles before her eyes widened. I could feel tides of pain and fear radiating from her. Her hands gripped my arms tightly as her breath came out loud gasps.
"What's...happening?" She asked between breaths.
"Your body's attempting the conversion." I answer somberly.
"Make it...stop! Please!"
I gently pried her fingers from my arm and held them in mine. "I can't." I whispered.
She studied my face for a moment, then squeezed my hands as hard she could. She gritted her teeth, attempting to steady her breathing.
"I won't...let...them...have me." She vowed.
A tiny smile tugged at the corners of my lips and I gave her a nod. She did her best to return the gesture. This woman was more incredible than I had words to express. We held on tightly to each other waited for the hell to begin.
And begin it did.