Chapter 2: Home Again

"Hey, you up?" Cherry called, knocking on the door.

"I'll be out in a second," Kal yelled, rolling out of the closet. She'd distinctly remembered falling asleep in the bed, only to be woken a little later by a terrible pain in her fingers. The warm afternoon sun had snuck through the crappy vertical blinds and found its way to her exposed skin. She'd retreated to the dark comfort of the cramped walk-in closet and fallen back asleep.

Kal examined herself in the mirror and wrapped her dry hair in a towel. At least that would hide the unusual color. Her long t-shirt and comfy sleep shorts seemed presentable enough. Not like she was planning to go out. However, she still had no idea what to tell Cherry about where she'd been. 

She looked around her room for the first time, noticing everything was packed into boxes. The only exception being a few items on the desk. It seemed like Cherry had almost given up on her ever returning. That makes two of us. 

Kal walked into the common area, gently closing the bedroom door behind her. It, too, was full of boxes. A black cap and gown were thrown haphazardly into a box near the door. Oh, she graduated. I'm not being moved out; everyone is moving out.

"So…uh…congrats, I guess," Kal said.

Cherry turned away from the stove, pressing an overfull teacup into her friend's hands. 

"Thanks. You should've been there." She smiled weakly.

Kal stared at her reflection in the red-brown liquid. The face that looked back almost looked like it should. The strand of hair that had slipped out from under the towel was nearly the right color. We were supposed to graduate together.

"I'm sure it was nice. Did you apply to grad school?" Kal asked.

"A couple. Got accepted to my first choice." She smiled.

"Wow, nice," Kal sighed. "I guess I failed last semester."

"I think most of your teachers dropped your final grade, and you ended up passing. I did have to send Mom after one of them, though." Cherry grinned.

"You didn't?!"

"I did. I mean, it's not like you chose to miss your finals."

"Thanks."

I can imagine Ms. Sullivan, attorney at law, explaining to my professors why they should give me a pass. Cherry's folks had always been a second family to her. Thinking about how worried they must have been was upsetting. I will have to thank them properly the next time I see them, whenever that is.

Kal took a sip of the tea. The taste was unexpected like she'd taken a drink from the wrong cup. It wasn't wholly unpleasant, but it didn't taste like tea. She set the cup on the counter.

"Where have you been?" Cherry asked, playing with the handle on her cup.

"I don't remember," Kal lied. I should have thought this through better.

"You've been gone for six months, and you have no idea where you've been? We had the police out looking for you. No one had heard anything." Cherry raised her voice.

"I honestly don't know. Before last night, I only remember getting jumped in the parking garage near my car. It didn't feel like six months," Kal paused, her eyes tracing the patterns on the rug. "I'm really sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I was just worried. We all were. Worried the next time we saw you, you'd be…you know…." Cherry trailed off.

"Dead?" Kal asked.

"Yeah." Cherry nodded.

You're not too far off. Kal shifted uncomfortably on her stool. 

"Seth was so happy when I called him." Cherry continued.

Seth. My brother. I shouldn't have come; this is a mistake. He can't see me like this.

"Kal?" She asked.

"He's not coming here, is he?" Kal took a step towards the door. I have to get out of here. A loud knock echoed through the small apartment like a gunshot.

"It's open," Cherry called out. "Kal, what's wrong?"

Kal looked at Cherry and back to the door, like a wild animal trapped and looking for a way out. He couldn't be here. He was in danger. I could sneak out the window if I could get to my room.

The front door opened. Time seemed to stand still. Seth was standing there; his lips curled into a cheery smile, his blue eyes fixed on her. He ran one hand through his spikey, auburn hair before opening his arms wide for a hug. The sound of his heartbeat pounding in her head.

Kal covered her ears, trying not to hear it. The wet spring wind picked up, carrying with it the scent of rain, fresh grass, and blood. His blood. It was more potent than anything she'd smelled in the few short months since she'd changed. It was calling to her irresistible. Every happy memory she had of him ran through her mind. Birthdays and holidays. Bike rides and video games. She wanted to experience that joy all over again through him. Through his memories. Through his blood.

Kal turned away, desperate to focus on anything else. The apartment was silent, those few seconds an eternity. She felt her fangs against her lips. His heart beat louder, the only thing she could hear. Her body turned on its own.

Stop. He's your brother. 

Kal took a step towards the door.

You don't want this. Not him.

Another step. She wasn't in control, watching herself from the outside. She took two more steps. Slowly. Everyone's eyes were on her, but hers never left Seth's throat. His expression had gone from one of joy to unbridled fear. Kal was so focused on him that she didn't see Cherry move or hear her speak.

Everything happened at once. Kal sprang across the living room, crossing from the kitchen to the door in the blink of an eye. Her hands closed on nothing, the door slammed in her face, and she was outside. The warm spring rain dripped on her hair. The pain in her chest brought her to her senses. It felt like a sledgehammer had hit her. The animal inside wanted to tear through the door, but she was in control again. She could hear voices coming from inside the apartment.

"What the hell just happened!?" Seth yelled.

"Which part?" Cherry replied as she slumped into the couch. "Where your sister is a vampire? Or where she tried to kill you?"

I need to get away from here. Far away and never come back. Kal took off across the dark parking lot. She wasn't sure where she was going but anywhere was better than here.