Chapter 4

One would say that one isn't mad until you meet them. For me, the madness I fucking owned was with that chick dressed in black. I was able to see her as I slept but I wasn't mad where love was in the air. Valentine's day wasn't a day where I had my best chances. Instead, the love I owned was madness for her. A madness in which I had no control. I was damnit losing myself every time she left me fucking behind. I wanted to know more but why did I want to know more? How good, yet mad it seemed, I'll tell you what happened next.

Oct. 10th, 20XX

That cat kept screaming in my ears or whenever Laura was gone, she screamed in my head. I was out, no like I had finally got out of fucking Dominic's due to my health. Thank Laura for that damn mess, and now, I have another job as a backup plan. There was a radio station I listened to when I was a kid: 105.9 Rockstar Radio was the name, and the dude that worked there was a pro even at a young age. That was the new job and my schedule was pretty crazy but I knew adjusting would work. Just getting there would take an hour if I got lucky with traffic. I started around 7 AM after the early morning news would play. By the time I got there, the dude known only as 'The DJ' would let me take control until the 12 PM news. After the 12 PM news session was over, it was back to the two of us working it out until the night shift began. Before the late rush began, the 6 PM news would be on. The DJ would slowly start shutting shit down around the later hours, nearing 10 PM, and let this weird shit known as 'lo-fi music' play throughout the late night until starting all over again.

I was doing rather well but the dude with his old-fashioned clothes from the 2000s, his hair dyed blue and white with headphones fit for a DJ jam party was acting odd. I noticed while the two of us were working or selecting songs for the hour. It was like he saw something murder his family or something like that. So, I was about to see him go off but I decided to butt in. I knew that the dude was my boss but I was also his coworker when it came to jamming for the viewers. I glanced outside from the studio window, seeing the slowly setting sun and the dude knew that he'd get me to do the 'Rebel Hour' (AKA playing 80s rock and metal bands or even freaking rap and hip-hop) while fetching takeout dinner.

"Yo, Triss, what's with ya shit suddenly? Dinner's gonna get cold, man!" The dude was around late teens but was around my height. Just off by a few hairs but I didn't give a shit. I blocked the doorway while he flipped off his hologram sunglasses that made him cool. I looked at those wide dark brown eyes amid his medium-brown colored skin crease in shock. I was no racist but I knew I had a problem, "You're hiding shit from me." "Triss, I gave you everything you need for the hour. If you wanna square up with me, I ain't doing that shit." He was getting annoyed, "Like I said, I only had you for the last few hours and you're jamming up a storm, man. Don't go hard on me now." He pushed me out of the way while tossing some of my black hair like some curtain. I wanted to follow him but Rebel Hour was going to be on pretty soon. Just had to keep the news folks downstairs happy with their shit. I checked on them thanks to DJ's laptop which held a tiny camera on one of the cameras they used for their work. I knew it'd take awhile for the dude to get back up here so I began selecting some of the Rebel Hour. Variety, after all as the DJ says, is the spice of life. He seriously sounded like a fucking old man, and I had taste in the metal and rock. Well, we owned different viewers and listeners from every gender and race. Had to keep them happy. I checked the mics and adjusted the seats while the speakers blared the news. Still, more people were going missing, but they found someone earlier today. It was a male around his 30s, Latino race, and he was found dead in a dumpster with a large gash in his throat. Nasty shit too and I felt sick. I didn't catch the name but the family was devastated. It'd be the same for the shithead Robbie and his family as well. For now, the news folks downstairs were calling this shithead some weird ass killer name in which I didn't get either. What was it? Nightstalker 2.0? I had no fucking clue, and I didn't give a shit. As long as I wasn't involved, I wouldn't get into it. Yet, Laura did mention, and I didn't pay attention sometimes since I'd fallen asleep, that people in her town, Allerdale, were disappearing as well. Now, reasons, you bet, seemed strange. They'd own some sort of debt and they'd drink some weird ass wine or spirit. Again, I didn't get all the details but I knew I'd have to speak with her again. The only problem was that she was always available at night. Like I'd care but this chick shithead would give me the creeps. I was about to try and at least sneak out but he came back. He had a look on his face that said pure satisfaction all over it and drive girls crazy

"Trissy, my man~," DJ came walking in with piping hot food, "I got dem foods! Ready to chow?" I rolled my eyes while searching through the hundreds of rap and hip-hop CDs, "You're keeping quiet about your ways." "Ha! The DJ giving ya a hard time, huh?," he placed the takeout orders on the breakroom table, "Getting the bad vibes from the autumn season already or is it the rap tunes that give ya the blues?" "Oh ha ha~" I rose with a few CDs in my hands, "Very funny. Here's what the doc ordered." "Good choices~" He laughed while taking a few rap CDs out of my possession, "But I think it's you who's acting all shitty." Looks like I'd have to play detective. Wish I had the look on me as well but I wasn't that sort of guy that was into noir jazz. Oh well, looks like I had to play the part.

I sat on the breakroom table with my feet on one of the seats and taking a drink from the bag, "Really, so why ya acting like that while we work, hm?" Time to speak his lingo and go deep with it. I felt a brow of mine raise a little into a serious look that was twisted on my face. DJ looked pretty pressured while trying to get his food, "Look, I'm worried about cha, Triss. I've been working here since forever, see?" If only a cigar was in my mouth, but no smoking was allowed. "You sound like you're lying." I knew a liar when I heard one. I knew you'd ask me where I lived and all I'd say would be the shitty dump out alleys of Brooklyn and New York. It's how I lived those long hard years: Hearing the homeless bums shout while shots rang out through the night from either a shitball or a blue collared cop. I learned the tells of one: A twitch of their body or sudden change of pace. DJ had them and didn't know I lived in the dumped up streets just to learn them. I heard him fucking retort and hide it with another lie. I wasn't buying it. Why don't you fucking spill the beans and get it over with, DJ? Time's ticking and we're going to lose money on both our ends if we don't get down with the bops for 'Rebel Hour'.

"Okay, okay, but you promise that damn asshole of a mouth ain't going to tell anyone else?" DJ finally spilled it. Just my luck and I smirked, "Got yourself a fucking deal. We do this after the hour ends, got it?" I hopped off the table while taking my food. I looked back and DJ was still pretty shook. I knew what I owned was going to be good.

~~~

Late hours were coming and the mood was right to tell a fucking tale or two. The rain outside from the last few hours slowed down to a light drizzle. I made sure the two of us weren't going to get caught by any shitballed police before I began my little rumble with DJ. I also made sure that DJ would keep this little rumble as a little chemistry thing. I wore a hoodie and so did he. The two of us decided to have a little fun at an alley and thank fucking God that no homeless shithead wasn't there. I was about to slam DJ to the wall but he had a mood to keep him going.

"Okay, like I said, but we should've picked somewhere else." It was late and DJ had to head back home. For me, I wasn't going to have that shithole of an excuse. "I know you have it too, Triss, but know that I ain't spilling everything." I frowned while the rain continued, its light drizzle against my head and back. I wasn't having it but he knew something was up. "Okay, there was someone here before you and he went missing. You might know the dude." My eyes went wide. Was he talking about Jamie or someone else? "Who was it?" I wanted him to shit everything from that mouth of his, "Who was here before me?" I knew that my hire was pretty quick and if I said a wrong word or did a wrong move, I'd be out on the first day. "Look, I got my shit with past workers but I can't just--Ah!" I was quick to slam him against the wall, "Who was it? Answer me!" "Okay, okay! I'll talk. It was Robbie! Robbie was the last person that worked for me."

I was quick to back away from him. I was shocked. Robbie? That damn kid who was into ghost hunting? I didn't understand! "Robbie was the last person who worked for me. He was looking for a job to get some quick cash. The dude had taste!" DJ crossed his arms confidently, "When he didn't show up, I was quick to put him out. Good kid, ya know what I mean. Worked for me for a few good years." "How long?" I needed more but DJ wasn't fucking budging. He may have been there since I was back in our early years at high school. The dude was older now but now he was gone like the dust or so I thought. I had no idea that he was there with DJ. It was how he got the equipment in the first place. DJ must've paid him well. "Look, the dude would play the pop scene for some good amount of time here at the station. His attitude was definitely better than yours when it came to working the mic, bro." I didn't care about my attitude at times since I had to smile just to get things to work out well. "Listen, that's all I know. I'll tell you later when the time gets better again, okay? Gotta work on being the best, dude." It was my first day but I knew that Robbie was the first thing I'd know. I'd try calling him just to get an answer but nothing. What? You think that I just do this damn boring life with nothing but the shit you've seen now? I've been calling and texting that bitch when I'm off the clock. I have to know the answers, okay? It's not easy being the bitch that just witnessed him going off scene! It's fucking shit and it's fucking nuts!

"Tell ya what," DJ pulled out his phone, "I'll make this one payment for your ride. I wanna know why you're doing this. You know the po-po boys can take care of this." I frowned while backing up to the wall. Well, the answer is obvious: They don't give a fuck about a missing person case, in my opinion. All they care about is the stupid lowlife shitheads that do all the robbing, drugs, and killing. For now, he did have a point, but I wanted to get one thing straight. I hope to at least find out why this was happening. The police did find that shithead on the streets and probably blaming some other guy for it while the real fucker is getting away with it. I had to leave DJ behind for the next day and see if Laura was okay. I did thank him for the ride. I'd have to leave that in my hands for the pay back.

Oct. 11th, 20XX

Damn that chick! She ran off again! Where did Laura go? I was already done for my session with DJ but Laura wasn't at my apartment. She did leave me with something to eat, and man, the shit was fucking good. It was a New York strip steak with some red wine reduction sauce, some biscuits, and, according to the note, said it was done 'confit style' which I have no idea what it was but I didn't care. It was delicious! I felt full after the late night dinner was over. Well, I know that the owner would go looking and thinking why the frick I had a wine bottle with me? If you're also wondering about that dead cat, I did what Laura told me. I threw the ashes to the wind but the screaming and scratching it did on me left scars. Unfortunately, I wanted them removed but they'd cost a lot just to get the surgeries or treatments. I just hoped that it'd never happen again. I crashed to my couch and fell asleep after taking care of my teeth.

Oct. 12th, 20XX

I began my morning like normal but my stomach felt sick. I checked myself and noticed nothing seemed wrong. I looked at my stomach and nothing was there but when checking my leg where that wound was, it looked fine but the smell that came off it was gross. I hope this won't get in the way for today. It seemed Laura didn't leave any breakfast for me. Guess DJ would have to cook something up when I get to the station.

~~~

I was jamming to my tunes and having a good time but I stopped suddenly on my walk. The station was close after getting my ride. Just had to walk the stairs or use the elevator but my stomach was acting strange. I felt sick after I did something before leaving. It was nothing but a little quick snack before heading over to see DJ. I passed last night's little shit session as a dream. I began feeling even more sick as the minutes passed with my head becoming dizzy. I leaned against a wall and eventually fell on my side. The pain in my stomach was hard and I threw up on the floor. I coughed but froze when I saw whatever came out of me. I saw what looked like my fucking blood staining the carpet. I shook and looked at the back of my hand turning pale. No no no! This isn't real!

"My God!" I heard someone and it sounded familiar. I turned and saw that chick standing there, "Laura! Where the hell--" "Easy now. I'll try to get someone." She began leaving me but I called her out, "Where do you think you're going? What's stopping you from seeing me?" It was the first time for me to see her in broad daylight and it shocked me. She looked worse than before with that dress showing more skin that looked like it was rotting but the veil didn't reveal her face. What surprised me was that she didn't come near me. She seemed afraid to step near the autumn sun passing through the window. Who was this girl? A fucking vampire chick? I remained pinned to the floor and blamed myself for this shit. I wasn't going to die. I needed to stay alive. There was too much going on right now!

"Dude! What the hell?" DJ came to my side and began looking for something or someone, "Where--" "Who?" I held my hand against my fucked up stomach, "Who or what are you fucking talking about? Get me up!" "A girl! There was a girl that told me about you while I was having the jams, Triss. What the hell?" I felt DJ get me up from the ground and quickly carry or fucking drag me to the nearest elevator. I looked at the cameras but noticed that they weren't working. They looked fucked up. Was that Laura's doing? If so, thanks for the cover up but I know the security or janitor would be looking for me for fucking up the floor. I began looking around for Laura by the time DJ got me to the breakroom. I wasn't going to fuck this shit up. "I'll get the first aid!" DJ was quick and left me here, "Don't move!" Sure I won't fucking move! I felt like shit! Whatever was inside me made me feel like shit! I fucking hated the music blaring from the speakers but I wanted to know what the fucking hell was going on!

"It's happening, isn't it?" I turned and saw Laura hiding in the shadows. Why the hell was she doing that? "You need to leave." Her voice was full of worry and fear. How dare this motherfucking chick tell me what the hell to do? "You don't have a say in this! You did this, didn't you? You put something in that meal you made--``''What? I didn't do it!" She was quick to interrupt me and I was shocked, "Excuse fucking me? What the hell do you mean?" Her veiled face moved a little and for a second, she seemed angry. I didn't mean to screw with her but what the hell? "What do you mean you didn't leave that out for me?" I tried standing up but Laura was quick to stop me, "Stay down, please!"

When I looked at her for a second, I thought the daylight passed through her. I blinked a few times and saw it. She seemed transparent and I saw what looked like spider webs and bags full of dried insects in those webs. She quickly moved away from the daylight and back to the shadows. Was I dreaming? If so, wake the fucking hell up, you idiot! I knew I'd have to question her later about that but for now, I had to keep that to myself. Laura was scared but she had more to tell me. It seemed like that since she had that feeling. I still wished I had the chance to see that damn face of hers! She had this look on her that I couldn't see but she had something to tell me. Well, I thought it was what she just did but she told me something else. She mumbled something I couldn't understand or hear and it sounded creepy. It was like she was possessed by something but I didn't know what. It was some fucked up language I couldn't begin to explain except that it gave you the vibe that something real shitty was going to go down hard. My stomach wasn't helping in the manner either and I felt like something was going to burst out of me. Laura, what the fuck were you doing? I felt my eyes roll back into my skull and I laid on my back. I began floating and heard the blaring music begin to glitch or even fritz out. The music stopped and then began some strange static through the speakers. I passed out when the lights began to dim or even black out. Fuck you, Laura! What the hell were you doing? The last thing I felt was feeling myself flop to the ground and felt my neck crack and my skull potentially on the verge to break.

~~~

I gasped and found myself fucked up on the ground outside a random street. People were passing over and by me and I hoped my wallet wasn't taken. Good, it was still in my damn pocket. My neck felt weird along with my body like I was going through some weird fucked up drug trip. I supported myself against the wall of some shopping mall and looked around. I noticed my music was being played and took off my headphones. What the hell happened to me?

"I apologize for what I've done… I should've known better than to do that but you're feeling better now. I'm glad to see you're well again."

I turned around and saw Laura looking like the day we first met. Everything was normal but I noticed a few spiders crawling from the weird mist against her dress skirt. "What…Did you do?" I wanted answers but I felt a cold finger against my lips, "Not here, my friend. It's best to be somewhere more private. Perhaps you're not open to the feelings you went through." "Wait, what do you mean by--" I felt the ground slip under my feet and I slipped and slid against the ground. I felt myself going on some fucking crazy carnival ride before landing chest first on top of something hard. I looked and noticed that I was like over six feet underground due to the smell. I saw some weird shit around the place like dried flowers and monuments of angels full of mourning. The scene when my horrid past came back to me and I saw Laura moments later. "Not the best place but--" I tried grabbing her, "What did you do?" She slipped through my fingers like she was the air. What was with this girl? "What did you fucking do to me?" I screamed at her and I felt like she was going to be pissed off. I was worried that she'd do another fucking blackout just from that weird blast of energy. Literally, who or what was she? If she wasn't going to fucking tell me, I might as well try to at fucking least get that veil off her face. "If you're going to stand there and continue being a madman, then so be it." I heard the rage in her voice, "I'll leave you here! No one will find you!" "Wait! What did you--``''I bid you on your way to a good slumber." She began walking away quickly as I began trying to chase her, "Wait!"

Before I knew it, she was gone and I was left in the shadows of some sort of weird place. I began kicking and slamming my fists against the door but it didn't budge. No no no! Fucking no! This wasn't happening! "Laura," I kicked the heavy door, "Let me fucking get out of here!" She didn't respond and I continued doing it for a few good fucking minutes. Shit! This wasn't supposed to happen! Why did she fucking leave me like this inside this hellhole? I continued kicking and screaming until I had no energy left in my damn body. I felt exhausted and collapsed to the ground. It was cold and I didn't like the feeling of stone that smelled shitty. I was used to the smell back when I was a kid but not fucking like this. My phone was available but no signal was there. I pressed my back against the wall but grew a bit scared when seeing more of the surroundings. I was lucky that air would pass through but what scared me most were what I thought (and hell yes, they were) coffins lying deep in stone. I shivered from the cold and felt like Laura did this to me on purpose. I continued feeling exhausted and laid down, falling asleep with the dead shitheads as companions.

Oct. 13th, 20XX

My stomach was shit and I tried again while anyone wanting to mourn for their dead shitheads of family members to get me out of here. No one came and I remained stuck in this place. This wasn't what I fucking wanted and I was able to see what the place looked like. Yes, coffins were here along with the smell of something like rosemary or other flowers and herbs. I began to recall what Laura told me about the dead being held back by some sort of bouquet. Death's bouquet, wasn't it? I felt exhausted and dizzy from time to time. I began thinking about that dream or what the fuck even happened yesterday or the last two nights ago. I felt sick inside and I wanted to see a doctor to get whatever happened out of me. My skin was lighter than I thought and some of my hair began to turn silver. My fingernails were turning black and I was afraid of losing them. Was Laura wanting me to be killed by starvation and dehydration? Along with it, insanity was beginning to take a toll on my head. I didn't have any contact with anyone in the last few hours except for anyone getting scared and running away from me. They thought I was a ghost.

"Bullshit…" I slid my back against the stone wall. Yet, I was also beginning to think about what was going on and whatever happened with Laura and Jackson. What if, no but yes, these events that happened here were the same? People disappear and end up being killed. I thought about the Peckerton douchebag and the Latino guy. Both were killed in the same manner: A slash against the throat like Sweeney Todd from that book Jamie read back in late August to early September. What was it? 'The String of Pearls?' Odd name… Jamie did say that the barber did the same thing: Cut their throats with a razor blade but what about this one? Was it the same thing? There was no razor blade at the crime scene. Well, the bodies didn't vanish with this one. They were outside and not in…What was it that Jamie said? They got turned to some dish? I shook my head while trying to remember what else happened. I remembered a woman getting killed during that week too but they found vines in her body. I remember seeing that on the news a few days ago. She also was raped but no one knew who did it. No one fit the bill when getting the report. Who was it? What was it? No, I knew Jamie wouldn't hurt anyone! They'd never do a horrible crime! Laura wouldn't do it, right? Well, I didn't see anything except for those spiders and webs on her. Well, more like inside her. Jackson, I didn't know him face to face but there's no way he'd be alive just to do this shit! He'd be a fucking dead man unless his ghost (which I find impossible) is doing it. Well, I'd be locked up in a fucking asylmn if I told anyone a ghost is going through its days as a serial killer. I knew the DJ for a few good days and he was too good. He'd never hurt someone, right? From what I see or hear from the reporters at the news desk downstairs, he came from a poor neighborhood and music would block anything from arguing or worse. Music could motivate someone to do shit but never get a bad rap with metal. Last but not least, I would never do this shit either. I may be a bit of a bad apple but I'd never kill anyone. I wouldn't rape anyone since I owned no taste for girls. No, I'm not gay, pan or bisexual. I don't have any romances in me. I didn't have time for love when I was a teen. Jamie never pressured me to be with a woman and love the girl I'd meet at first sight.

Yet, I wondered about that weird creature I met along with Laura that day. No no…Yes? No! Maybe? I was suspicious about mostly that thing and, sad to say, Laura. Both of them came into my life and what if they were working together? Laura would distract me and her little buddy was the killer. Yet, Laura wouldn't do it, right? I began having second thoughts. My mind was dizzy and felt hungry. I felt a few more hairs on my head turn silver. Not a good sign. I felt even more exhausted. I need sleep. I laid on the floor with the dead shitheads surrounding me. I need more time to think this over. More time to reevaluate everything that I went through so far. More time… To eat.

More time…To sleep.

Oct. 16th, 20XX

Laura didn't come back for me and it's been a few days since I got locked up here. Thanks a lot, you shithead! DJ or Jamie is probably pissed with me not showing my face or worried that I got killed. I'm betting he's trying to call me where there's no signal around here. I found myself annoyed by the sunlight peeking through the tiny vent above my head and relaxed when the moon touched me. More of my hair began to turn silver and skin turned into an ashy gray color. My skin tightened and I was growing even more hungry or exhausted. My nails were longer than I remembered and harder too. I tried again, hoping to leave this place but hunger and exhaustion was getting to me. My throat was dry and my body felt like it was craving not food but something else. I was looking around for a solution and my vision began to act strange. I was able to see things move when they didn't. My eyes saw the moonlight like the sun. I remained locked up in this place while thinking about what happened three days ago. Was that person really Laura? If so, what the hell? How did she do that? She took me away from who I was and I felt like I died? I remember hitting my head and my neck breaking but I didn't die. I fell asleep, right? I didn't remember doing that. I grew hungrier by each day or night and I begged for food. I began screaming and pulling my black hair. I yelled out of pain just to hide the hunger growing inside me. I didn't want to die! I wanted to get out of here! I wanted to know what was going on with me! I laid on the floor a few times while hiding in the darkness with the deadbeats keeping me company. I needed to leave this place. I needed to fucking leave this place behind! I fell asleep again as my body collapsed for the whatever fucking time with the ivy surrounding my body like a cage. Why was it doing that?

Oct. 18th, 20XX

I woke up again and tried freeing myself from the deadman's cage for the whatever fucking number of times. This was getting extremely annoying and I was growing hungrier than before. I already shit myself a few times and the smell of it was getting disgusting that I threw up. I checked my phone but still no signal. How deep was I anyway aside from the fact that light was able to shine through a tiny vent. I tried calling 911 but no answer came to me. I screamed a few more times since insanity was beginning to take its route in my brain. I continued seeing things move above me but they kept running away, thinking I was a ghost.

"Fucking bullshit!" My nails were strong enough to make a mark on the walls but I felt something hold me back. The horrid smell of rosemary or other flowers and herbs was beginning to get into my head. I was starving for food and exhausted from being stuck in this place! I wanted to get the fuck out here! I had to leave or I'd die of insanity! My hair was more silvery than black but grew longer that it went to the ground. My skin was turning from ashy gray to bed sheet white and I was able to see my veins pulsing. My teeth began to itch with hunger. I didn't want this! I didn't want this shit to happen! I began crying a few times from the pain of hunger. I begged for something or someone to give me food but they kept running away. I was thinner than before and felt horrible inside. The smell of shit and pee was worse than before. I was losing myself to this fight of hunger and pain! I collapsed again with the shadows surrounding me along with the ivy coming to me. I heard my heart race or slow down with my body shivering from the cold. Or was that me? The stone felt warmer than normal. I wanted to feel it again but the ivy continued to surround my body like a cage. Someone…Please! Fucking someone get me out of here!

~~~

I remained asleep but my hearing began to perk up when I woke up. The ivy began to retract and I heard something or someone heading near me. Fucking sweet relief! I screamed and begged as someone came close by the vent. Who was it? Jamie? Laura? DJ? The police? The medics? I screamed and clawed at the walls to create more noise. I noticed that the sun was there but I didn't care how annoying it was against my skin. Hunger and pain began crawling back to me. I cried and begged until I saw someone looking back at me. I noticed those silvery eyes staring back at me and I screamed, "Get me out of here!" "Tristan? What the--" It was Jamie! Oh my fucking God! "Dude, how did you--" "Get me out of here! Please!" I began to cry again from the pain and hunger but my eyes began to blur everything and I saw something strange. Was it my tears that did it? I didn't care as I heard Jamie began heading for the entrance to this dump. I heard their foot kicking the door or heard their shoulder against it. The old door broke free and I saw their phone's flashlight. I screamed as it hit my eyes and I blinded it. I heard them dash for me and felt them hug me tightly while asking me hundreds of questions. All of them began to become garbled shit as I heard something else. It was their heart and my hunger began to hit me hard in the stomach. I heard something or someone whisper in my ears as Jamie continued to speak more garbled shit at me.

I hugged them tighter as my eyes saw their throat. My eyes remained locked on it and Jamie began asking more garbled shit. I felt them struggle but my hunger grew stronger. I began hearing them scream garbled shit at me while my head began to lower and my dry mouth opened. Yet, a force took over me and I fell to the ground. I got up quickly and Jamie was the suspect. "Dude! What the fuck!?" I heard them come back to reality and I saw their silvery eyes widen in shock. I looked at them in shock but hunger continued to gnaw at my stomach. Hunger took over me as they backed away. "Tristan, are you okay?" Their voice shook and I saw Jamie's hand drop the phone. I didn't see their body but saw hundreds of blood vessels and their heart racing from shock and fear. I began growling and walking to them with my head becoming lopsided. Was my neck broken? I felt and heard the ivy against my feet as they began to back away more. "Oh my God! Tell me that this isn't real!" Jamie continued backing up and I began to pick up speed. I felt a drool slip from my mouth and Jamie screamed in horror, "Dude! Stop!"

I leaped on top of them and screamed out in hunger. "Get off me!" Jamie continued screaming and felt the ivy snap onto his wrists and waist, "Tristan, stop!" I growled and screamed at them with my mouth ready to lock onto their throat. My body and mind were out of control. I began mentally fucking screaming at myself to stop but my body didn't listen to me. I screamed at Jamie as if I wanted them to shut the fuck up and they grew tense. They kept moving their head as I began ripping off their clothes with my nails. I heard a tense whimper come from Jamie's throat as I licked the bare skin. What was wrong with me? Why was my damnit fucking body doing this? I felt them kicking underneath me but the ivy began wrapping around their ankles. "Tristan, stop! Please! What's wrong with you?" Jamie began crying and I was watching them with not shock but a look of fucking pleasure. I felt my tongue lick away the tears streaming against his face and I heard a growl or purr come out of my throat. I felt my head tilt back to swallow the salty tears and felt a bit satisfied. I jerked my head forward and a smile formed against my mouth. Jamie's silvery eyes widened in horror, "Oh my fucking God! Dude, stop! Your mouth! You're a fucking shark on land, dude!" What was he talking about? I screamed at him but didn't recognize it. It sounded like an animal and my mind screamed in horror. I was sounding like that fucking thing that almost killed me! 

"Get the fuck off me!" Jamie finally kicked me off their body and I felt myself slam against the ground. They quickly got on top of me and I screamed at them to let me go. I felt them pin my wrists and lower body as my mouth snapped at their face. "Dude! Stop! Calm the fuck down! It's just me! It's fucking just me! Get a grip!" I kicked a few times but Jamie locked me. I saw him raise a fist as tears rolled from his eyes, "I'm sorry, dude. I didn't mean to do this." I felt his fist sucker punch me and the last thing I saw was stars and darkness. I heard the ivy retreat and my body relaxed.

Oct. 21st, 20XX

After what felt like forever, I finally woke up but I didn't feel right. The hunger was slowly growing back and my body felt something soft. I looked and saw a comforter followed by a sheet as I rose from a pillow. I was in bed? I looked at my hands and arms and frowned. Black nails and white arms with the veins pulsing underneath. My hair was silvery and the room was dark minus a sliver of light from a window. I didn't know if it was sun or moonlight. My hunger grew harder and I didn't feel right. "Jamie? I called out but no answer. I heard something from beyond the door and felt something poking my lips and chin. My skin felt tight like before and began exploring the room. My eyes laid on a combination of movie and band posters on the walls and stickers on the furniture from drawers and nightstands. I didn't see any mirrors but the smell of the room seemed familiar but odd. I checked in the closet and noticed a few boxes labeled with different years on their lids. I opened one of them and saw the outfit. It was familiar but not so familiar as well. My memory was jogged and the hunger inside me was getting to me. I was starving for food or drinks so I began heading to the door covered in hung up coats and jackets. My eyes began seeing figures in black but their hearts and blood vessels were visible to me. I saw one coming up and I bolted back on the bed to hide.

"Tristan…" I heard Jamie's voice as they came inside the room and the smell that came from their body was the same as the room. It matched and I found out it was Jamie's room. But, where were we? An apartment? A dorm? A cul-de-sac? I didn't know where we were and my mind was flooding with questions. I saw their silvery eyes look at me as I looked at them. They jumped back a little, "Dude, how are you doing that?" I tilted my head while rising from the covers. I noticed his shirt was different along with his pants but the smell of their body was good. I came to their side and laid on my stomach like a cat. I didn't want it to happen but it did and here I was with them. "Dude, you need to explain shit to me right now." Jamie looked at me with a worried look on his face. He didn't know that I was able to see or smell him. He left the bed and opened a set of curtains and I backed away into the shadows quicker than I could think. I saw the afternoon sun and I wanted to touch it but my body kept me away from it. They looked at me, "I want answers about what's been happening. You've been acting fucking weird for the last few days." I continued hearing them talk shit about me but I continued seeing not him from time to time but his heart and blood. He was pissed off and his heart told me more. He was worried and afraid of me. I felt my lips curl, "You're afraid of me." "Wait, what?" Jamie looked at me as my eyes glowed, "What did you say to me, dude?" My black and silvery hair hid my eyes in a mysterious way, "You're afraid of me." "What? No! Tristan! I'm not afraid of you. I'm just freaking the shit out after what you did to me. Was that a prank or something? If it was, you made me piss myself!" Jamie's heart was racing and I observed it. They were lying to me? I looked up at them and back at their heart and blood. It was pulsing faster than before. How was I able to do this? They were hiding their fear and they knew that they were afraid of me. Jamie knew that they wanted to end me just to stop the fucking fear but they were afraid to kill me because of our bond. Hunger could tell things. "Look, you're pulling off a good stunt! Haha!" They backed away while I continued observing them, "You're really good with your prank." Jamie's heart continued to race but I began following them. I crawled to the edge of the bed while tilting my head and curled a smile. Hunger was getting me hard in my fucking gut.

My voice began acting off, "Jamie~ I know what you see. Come closer…" My eyes became half-lidded and Jamie looked at me with fear. "No no! I'm…I'm good! Dinner will be ready in a few minutes so you can--!" I was quick to grab his hand and pull them close. I began screaming mentally at my fucking ass to wake up. I placed my finger against Jamie's lips and my nail trailed close behind, "So I can what, Jamie? Miss out on all the fun?" "Okay, Tristan! You had your fun!" Jamie tried pulling away from me but my grip was hard. Hunger continued to control my body as I brought them close to me. I continued screaming inside just to stop but my body didn't have any control. "The fun is only beginning." I sounded like a fucking abusive bitch! This wasn't me! What was going on with me? I moved some of Jamie's hair out of the way but I watched them back away quickly, "Okay! If you're thinking of having it, no way!" I tilted my head again while smiling. This wasn't me! Jamie! Look at me and tell my body to wake up! This isn't me! "I'll--I'll get your dinner, okay? Just stay here!" "Jamie~!" I sounded like I was whining, "Don't leave me." Jamie would joke around and show me the middle finger to make me laugh but they didn't do it this time. They closed the door and left me alone. I screamed and my nails collided with the headboard or pillow. I sounded like an animal and laid on the bed while holding my stomach. I was hungry and sick. I needed food! I needed to eat! I'd eat the fucking mattress just to get rid of it! I didn't care! I began crawling to the door and rose to my feet once opening it. No chain or rope was on me and I began seeing everything. Every heart, every blood vessel, every person that was here. I found out from the faint smell of alcohol, sweat, and people that I was in college dorms. Jamie was behind me and I smelled about ten or twenty more people in the dorm. I was on campus and I saw more people outside just walking along and minding their own business. This was too easy.

I began walking downstairs while hearing a few girls laugh and have fun with some of their boyfriends. I touched the wall but stopped when I heard something cracking behind me. I turned and saw a trail of ice behind me. I was dressed in the same clothes when I went to the radio station so I looked like a mess. I heard Jamie talking to someone while finishing up some sort of damn meal for me to eat. I backed up as the smell hit my nose. It smelled good but also fucking gross. Why was my body like this? I saw Jamie coming back to their room and I ran back upstairs before they noticed. What I didn't notice was someone bumping into me and me landing on the ground.

"My goodness! Mr. Jones!" I looked and who did I fucking see? I saw her and was shocked but also angry at her. I pushed her to Jamie's room and slammed the door hard behind me. "What the fuck was your deal of just letting me rot in that hellhole?" She backed away from me, "What? Wait wait wait! I don't know what you're talking about!" "Don't play dumb with me! You put me in there to rot! You made me like this!" I screamed at her and Laura was shocked, "What? No no no! That wasn't me, Mr. Jones! I didn't leave you anywhere!" She came close to me and I felt her hand against my cheek. I was shocked when I felt it. It was…Warm but cold altogether. "My God… Mr. Jones," she sounded scared, "You look horrible. Who…Who did this to you?" "Who do you think? You did it!" My anger grew but she hushed me, "Please, Mr. Jones, you must listen to me. I didn't do it. I didn't lock you in that horrid grave." But what came out of her mouth froze me. At first, I denied everything but she continued to tell me what really happened. When I went to the station and didn't come back, she was waiting for me. She grew afraid and began looking everywhere for me. Eventually, she caught my voice in the wind. I didn't know how the fuck she did it but she rushed to the person I knew too well. She risked sneaking up behind Jamie and telling them what happened. To her, she wasn't allowed to walk in the sun and it'd harm her body. Thanks to her, Jamie found me, and she was in their shadow. "But I don't understand! I didn't see it!" I was a fucking idiot but Laura kept the door shut, "I need to ask some more questions, Mr. Jones."

She began with what happened while I was locked in the grave. I told her everything and what happened but the last question confused the shit out of me. "What now?" I looked at her like she was crazy. She glanced away from me while trying to hide the rot in her arms, "Did you drink from anything or anyone?" I didn't know what she meant but she pointed at one of the posters Jamie had on their wall. It was an old poster from the fifties (I have no idea where they got it) and back at her and repeated it a few times. Vampire or horror monster shit? There was no way I was like that! I shook my head quickly and a sigh of relief came from her, "Thank goodness. I was hoping you didn't accomplish it." "Does this have to do with what I am right now?" She nodded and it seemed that she went through it too. Maybe that's why she was hiding her face? I had no damnit fucking clue but my body felt like crap. "Mr. Jones!" She came to me as I fell to the ground and my hunger was getting to me. I felt her on top of me and rubbed my head like I was a kid, "Easy now…Jamie is almost here. Take it easy, Mr. Jones. Your dinner will nourish your body and you'll be back to normal." How could I be normal? I hated being like this! Laura perked her head and Jamie came to the door. I felt like I wanted to sleep more but Laura kept me stimulated. "Oh my fucking God!" Jamie placed the food down and propped me back on the bed, "Dude, what were you doing? Take it easy." I felt like I was going to throw up but everything was gone from my stomach. Jamie was on top of me and I hated the sick feeling inside me. I needed to stop whatever was going on through me. I looked at Jamie and saw the blood flowing through their body. I looked back at Laura who was watching horrified. I could tell by a heartbeat but it sounded dead to me. I looked back at Jamie and their blood was really pumping. My nails were digging into the bedding and growing longer. My teeth lengthened and prepared to bite anything and my eyes glowed brightly. I heard the voice inside my head to do it. I began having the hunger take over me and I screamed at Jamie. "Mr. Jones, take it easy!" I felt Laura against my shoulders, "I know you're being controlled but you must keep your humanity. I know you starve there but please control yourself." I screamed and attempted to bite the living hell out of Jamie. "Easy, Mr. Jones!" Laura placed my head on her lap and stroked my cheek. My head began seeing things as well and it fucking froze me. Only for a moment, I saw memories of my childhood before my parents lost their lives. I saw myself smile and laugh with them between me. There was no way that these memories could even exist in my head! I saw them laughing and smiling, hugging and playing with me.

I opened my eyes and gained control of myself. Jamie looked at me with a smile so wide that I wanted to punch in the face as a joke. For now, I didn't do it, and I looked at him with a face I couldn't make out. I collapsed and tears streamed against my face. "Hey! It's okay! It's okay! I'm here." They thought I calmed down from the attack inside my head and body but didn't. Laura did it and it was fucking weird. How did she do that? How did she do that? She comforted me and placed a finger against my lips. Only one word came out of her mouth, "Sleep…" My eyes rolled back into my skull again as Jamie watched me with a worried look on their face. Jamie, it's okay. I'll wake up soon. For now, let me sleep. Let me sleep and dream of anything peaceful. Or even better, tell me… Tell me everything! You haven't told me what the hell that thing was that tried killing me and potentially ending Robbie's life. Tell me everything, Laura. I need answers to what's going on with me. Tell me the answers about that thing! Tell me… Tell me!