Ariana's POV
"Who is the cutest, most mysterious creature ever? You, yes you, Carrie." I cooed at Carrie, beaming a toothy grin.
I named her Carrie. I thought hard before coming up with the name, it reminded me of the unconditional love and care I have for her. I dipped my oily fingers into the small bowl of fried steak I minced myself, plunging my hand into her mouth to feed her, but she kept ducking and shaking it away. Three pieces remained in the bowl and I needed her to finish them, I'll be in school for the next seven hours and she'll be all alone here, with no one to feed her.
I plunged harder and I felt her fangs puncture deep into the palm of my forefinger. Her eyes temporarily turned dark like the shrouds of the night as I flinched and scurried away from her, holding my finger as the blood seeping out threatened to stain my uniform. I looked at Carrie in disgust and somewhat fear, after everything I had done for her – the shelter, warmth, food, affection, care, and this is how she repays me.
There was a gentle knock on my door, the knob jiggled but it wasn't opening, I had locked it.
"Ariana. Sweetie, you're gonna be late for school. Please be quick." Mum implored. She went away and I heard the steps creaking as she darted down.
I rushed to my first aid in the cupboard. The pain stung as I cleaned it with a swab of methylated spirit. I swathed it in gauze and finished it up with a thin strap of plaster. I prayed my parents wouldn't see it because if they did, I might be in trouble.
I guarded Carrie into the pet carrier I had for my first pet – Kitty, I ransacked the entire storeroom very early in the morning before I found it. I latched it and draped the top with a thick blanket, leaving the sides uncovered for Carrie to breathe. The carrier screeched as I pushed it with my feet to the lower side of my bed.
The fork which I didn't use clanged in the bowl as I grabbed it. I dashed out and locked my door with my keys, making my way to the stairs. Suddenly, I felt pain lance in my stomach as I clutched it, bile rose to my throat and I tasted it with my tongue but I didn't vomit. The lights seemed brighter, making my eyes burn. My knees gave up underneath me and I crumpled to the floor, the bowl shattering to pieces.
I woke up on the living room couch with an aching body, I was still in my uniform. A terrible headache banged against my forehead. I placed my right hand on my forehand, hoping to solace it but it grew worse. It spread to my temple and ran to my neck, making it stiff and almost difficult to turn.
"Ahhh!! Mum!!." I yelped out in pain.
I heard the clamping of her feet against the stairs as she descended, her dishevelled hair covering the sides of her face. A damp towel hung on her left shoulder, slightly wetting that side of her chiffon blouse. She must have been dabbing the towel on me to cool my hot temperature as my uniform buttons were undone, showing my bare chest.
"Yeah, honey. How're you feeling?" She asked as she scooched down on the couch, making my head rest on her thigh. She patted my forehead and gently dabbed the damp towel on it.
"What's wrong with me mum?" I asked with a muffled sob. "I have this terrible headache and I need to get to school, I have a huge history presentation today in school."
"No school for today Ariana," she said. "If the aches and fever persist after today, I'm taking you to the doctor. Let me get something for the headache." She rose, placing my heavy head back on the couch. I wished she'd stayed longer, her thighs were comfortable.
"Oh. What's with the plaster on your finger?" She asked turning back and pointing to my injured finger.
A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed hard. I dug deep into my mind in search of the perfect white lie to tell.
"It… it was an accident," I almost stuttered. "I was mincing the steak when it happened."