Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Katie-

She came out of the bathroom in the robe from one of my dreams that I had never seen in person.

I just sat on the bed quietly under the covers watching her.

Dani: 'Someone will be here tomorrow to fix the shower.'

'I'm sorry about that.'

She dropped the robe and got in bed.

'Ca-can I lay, with you?'

Dani: 'I guess. It's better than listening to you cry.'

I moved next to her not wanting to over do it.

I wanted her to wrap herself around me again, to hold me, to speak to me like I wasn't not a nuisance, but apparently she decided against that.

'When the door is OK again am I going back?'

Dani: 'No.'

Relief spread over me.

'Thank you.'

I lightly laid my head on her shoulder to test the waters.

Dani: 'For Fuck sake just come here.'

She pulled me and rolled me so I was face down on her chest.

I thought to myself that maybe it was just how she was but I was just glad she was letting me be close.

I had never felt that before even though I knew it was the blood but it's the strongest thing I had ever felt.

Words couldn't even begin to explain it.

Just her touch sent waves of comfort through me.

Her voice no matter how bitter was the most wonderful thing I had ever heard.

Everything about her mesmerized me.

'Do you ever eat for fun? Even if there's no point?'

Dani: 'I haven't made a habit of it. Why?'

'I was wondering if I could cook dinner tonight, and if you might want to have some?'

Dani: 'To waste food for no reason?'

'Sorry, I just thought...'

I just stopped speaking and laid there quietly.

Dani: 'So tell me about yourself.'

'Well, I'm a college student, studying microbiology, or I was. I worked at a restaurant near school as a server.'

Dani: 'Thrilling.'

'I'm not really a very exciting person.'

Dani: 'What about your love life? Leave anyone behind?'

'No. I was with someone for two years, but we broke up not long before I came home for reading week.'

Dani: 'What happened?'

'It just didn't work out. Some stuff came up and we went our separate ways.'

Dani: 'I didn't ask for the vague version.'

'Well we had planned on getting engaged after college and married. I got pregnant though and didn't want an abortion. He didn't want a baby.'

Dani: 'So you got one, but still broke up?'

'Not exactly.'

Dani: 'Don't make me ask the obvious stuff. I've told you hate wasting time with bullshit.'

'He started threatening me. Things got ugly, then they just snapped back into place. We went to a really nice dinner, rented a movie, and later that night I started bleeding.'

I swallowed, pushing myself against her.

Dani: 'So you had a miscarriage?'

I shook my head.

Dani: 'What, what did he do?'

Her voice got louder and carried her anger.

'I thought it was a miscarriage but a week later his roommate said I deserved to know the truth. He slipped me the abortion pill ac friend got from his internship at a hospital.'

Her arms wrapped around me and we were both silent.

I hadn't told anyone that, not even my mom.

Dani: 'So, do you want me to kill him? You can watch or help if you want.'

I chuckled.

'No. He's a good guy, who just did a horrible thing.'

Dani: 'I could force him to go to class in a black leather bra and mini skirt. With thigh high boots to match!'

We both laughed.

Dani: 'I'm sorry you had to go through that. Truly.'

'It's OK, it's not your fault.'

Dani: 'So dinner tonight, what are you making?'

'Oh, that's a yes then. I need to see what all there is first. I imagine some stuff needs to be eaten more than others.'

Dani: 'If I let you walk to the kitchen can you promise no injuries?'

'Yes. Plus, I know if anything happens you can get to me fat enough to prevent it.'

Dani: 'OK. I suppose could use a snack.'

We got out of bed and she handed me a robe similar to hers but with different colored designs before going to the kitchen.

'So, where does it come from.'

She paused with a little black bottle in her hand.

Dani: 'Well, a human.'

She said dryly.

'I figured that much. I meant...'

Dani: 'I know. I have a friend who helps manage the blood bank. He distributes it so he can make it where no one notices any is missing. Some people that come herethat I call my guests donate personally as well. If I don't drink from them or drink too much they donate before leaving.'

'Do they remember? The people you bring here to play with?'

Dani: 'No. They only remember that they went out, had a wild night, and must have blacked out. I influence their memory and give them a fake lottery tick they think they actually won along with a large amount of cash.'

'Do you ever...'

I hung my head and turned back to the refrigerator.

Dani: 'Do I kill them?'

'Yeah. On accident or even in purpose.'

Dani: 'If I end someone's life it's not on accident, it's for a reason. Like the guy who attacked you and your mom.'

I had been praying every night that she was OK.

Dani: 'She didn't even have to stay over night in the hospital, just so you know.'

'Really? How did you...'

Dani: 'I have friends in useful places. There's an international network of us and I have several connections to anything I need. So if you wanted to make something we don't have I can have it brought here. It can take a little time though so you should check to see what you want.'

I rummaged through the refrigerator and cabinets to see what there was.

'I'm going to grill if that's OK, I can make a good marinade for these steaks to sit in the rest of the day. I'm guessing you like you're steak rare?'

Dani: 'Medium, actually. I don't like my beef all that bloody.'

I just stood there taking in the irony.