Chapter 3: The Hunger Awakens
Kavy's breath hitched as the sound echoed through the apartment.
A growl.
A deep, ragged, animalistic sound—coming from her own throat.
Her hands shot up to her mouth in shock. But the sound didn't stop.
It rumbled from deep inside her, vibrating through her ribs, a sound she couldn't control.
No. No, this isn't happening.
Her chest rose and fell in rapid gasps. Her skin still burned, her blood still boiled, but now… there was something else.
A hunger.
It gnawed at her insides, raw and insatiable.
She clutched her stomach, doubling over as a sharp pain twisted through her.
Her entire body ached. Her muscles stretched, her bones felt like they were being pulled apart and put back together in ways they shouldn't.
A violent tremor wracked her frame, and her fingers clawed at the couch—literally clawed.
Kavy choked back a gasp as she saw them.
Her nails had grown again.
They were longer now—black, razor-sharp, unnatural.
Her pulse roared in her ears.
She scrambled off the couch, nearly stumbling as dizziness hit her. She ran to the bathroom, flipping the light switch on with trembling fingers.
The harsh fluorescent light flickered, and for a second, she almost didn't want to look.
But she had to.
Slowly, she raised her gaze to the mirror.
Her stomach dropped.
Her face was hers… but not hers.
Her pupils were wide—too wide. The dark pools swallowed the brown of her irises, making her eyes look almost inhuman.
Her cheekbones were sharper, her skin flushed, her lips slightly parted as she fought for breath.
Her nails gleamed under the light, curved and deadly.
She was changing.
Her heart slammed against her ribs. This isn't real. It can't be real.
Then—another noise.
But this time, it wasn't a growl.
It was footsteps.
Outside. Right outside.
Kavy's entire body went rigid.
She wasn't alone.
Her breath came in shallow gasps as she turned toward the door. The footsteps stopped, just outside her apartment.
The handle twitched.
Someone was trying to get in.
Her pulse exploded.
Who? Why?
Was it a mistake? Some drunk neighbor?
Or—
A sudden, violent thud against the door made her jump.
No. Not a mistake.
Someone was trying to break in.
Fear screamed through her veins, but at the same time—so did something else.
Something dark.
Something that wanted to fight.
She stumbled back, her fingers gripping the edge of the sink.
Another thud. Harder this time. The doorframe rattled.
Her breath shuddered out of her as heat coiled in her chest. The hunger grew.
And then—
The doorknob turned.