Chapter 5

Hailey's pov; 

"What's up with this clothing? Are you a member of a cult or something?" Riley made fun of me. 

I didn't pay attention to her since I was preoccupied with my burger and Austin, who was sitting quietly in a corner eating. No one called me annoying before… in person. Why does he think I'm annoying? I simply had a few inquiries out of curiosity. Is it wrong to raise questions against him or something?

Riley placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "I asked you a question." 

"And I disregarded it." I grinned at her and bit into the meal while looking at Austin.

She asked again, "Have you finished the assignment for Mr. Grey?" 

"Already handed in to his office."

"Why didn't you notify me in advance before sending it? Why did you submit it without me?"

"You know that I don't like talking while eating, don't you?" I set the burger down on the table and informed her of this. "So why do you still do it? Who exactly is the most annoying person here, I wonder?"

"Are you sure you didn't run into your ex-boyfriend on the way to the cafeteria?" 

I gave her a side-eye while munching on my burger. And when I glanced at Austin, he wasn't there. He was nowhere to be found when I looked around the cafeteria. Where did he go? How could he just vanish like that. In less than a minute after I last looked away from him, he had already vanished from my field of view.

I remember chatting to him on the rooftop and in the infirmary, he vanished in a moment. Was it a superhuman ability of his? Yet how is he accomplishing this? 

"Are you still there?" Riley waved her palm in front of my face. She shrugged her shoulders as I fixed my gaze on her and said, "If you're sick, why didn't you stay home and take a rest instead of coming here acting like a weirdo?" 

"See ya." I then got out of my seat when I'm finished with my lunch. 

"Where are you going?" she questioned. 

"Let's meet at Mr. Gray's class." then brought my tray to the front to be emptied. 

 

I looked to my side as I exited the cafeteria for Austin, but he wasn't there. How could he vanish so quickly? Where might he have gone at this point? Why even consider the person who called me annoying? I accidentally kicked the door without realising that it was made of metal. When I stumbled into the discomfort, someone grabbed my arm. I recognised the girl I saw yesterday on the pitch when I turned to look at them. 

"You're…" I said while pointing at her. 

She promptly replied, "Sophie. We got together yesterday. at the play area."

"Yeah, I do remember you." I got to my feet and thanked her for helping me. 

"Is your leg okay?" she inquired as she nodded. 

"Yes, it's alright."

"Shall we go inside?" asked the male companion standing next to her. Why does he seem so familiar to me?

She grinned at me before following him into the café. I noticed that guy's side profile talking to her as they entered the building hand in hand. That person... As I recollected who he was, I found myself breathing heavily. He was the one who drank a girl's blood last night. I did not budge as I stood motionless, watching them. 

Riley, "You mentioned going somewhere, didn't you? What are you doing here still?"

"I changed my mind."

"Okay, then, let's go to class together," she remarked while holding my hand. "Let's go." I didn't even blink as I kept staring at him as Riley dragged me away from the cafeteria. 

I was thinking about the guy from last night as I was making my way to class along with Riley. I couldn't see the girl whose blood he was consuming since it was dark. Was it Sophie? She would have remembered it if it had been her. What if he removed all memory of the incident? I should have checked her neck for the markings, shit!

Riley, "You've been drifting off frequently today. What are you thinking so deep?"

"Nothing", I replied while shaking my head. "Simply a little worn out."

"Tired of what-" she halted before continuing. "I'm still mad at you for turning in your schoolwork by yourself."

"Why are you still holding my hand if you're mad at me?" 

"This is not included." I kept thinking about that person as I walked silently after that. What did he intend to do with Sophie? I ought to protect Sophie from him. Though I can't defeat a vampire by myself. How can I go about this? Austin. Yeah, let's ask him then.

Riley and I arrived at Mr. Gray's class and took our usual seats in the back. Austin was sitting in his customary spot, too, I saw. If I speak to him in class, Riley and the other students will find it unusual. When should I do it? 

I remained in my seat while everyone left the room after class. Riley asked, "Why arenyou still sticking to the desk? Come on, let's go."

"I'll be right behind you. You may proceed."

"Okay." along with others, exited the class. 

When I noticed Austin among other classmates walking away, I grabbed my bag and followed him from a distance. It appears that he is invisible to everyone in the hallway because no one has yet approached him since he exited the classroom.

I pursued him until I discovered a vacant classroom, at which point I dragged him in. He reached out to strike me, but I blocked him and said, "It's me! Hailey. Your classmate. Hailey!" Although I noticed that he lacked expression, I wasn't prepared for him to try to hit me.

He groaned, and I jumped in front of him as he tried to exit the room, shouting, "I saw him! I ran across the person last night."

"Did he identify you from last night?", he asked me as he raised his head to face me. 

"No," I replied, shaking my head. "not in that way. He was with my friend. That's how I saw him… I'm scared he'll cause trouble for my friend. Because he is a... a vampire, I can't do this by myself. Since you are a vampire as well, I need your assistance."

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this." 

"Why? Why won't you assist me? Aren't you all related somehow?"

"Are you and Riley from the same family?" 

"No." I paused and asked, "Are you telling me that you're close with that vampire?" 

"You know what. You're really annoying." 

I grabbed his shirt and asked, "This is the second time you're calling me annoying. What did I do to annoy you? I was just asking for your help. If he's not your kind, I wouldn't have asked you in the first place. By the way, I don't need your help. I can do this alone." I gave one last stare at him and left the classroom. 

Does he think of himself as high? Who needs his help anyways? I will save her all by myself. But can i really do this alone? 

Before Austin left, I entered the classroom again and closed the door behind. I crossed my arms and asked, "What's your weakness?" 

"What?" 

"I mean what weakness does your kind have? Since you said garlic and silver doesn't do the thing. I'm just here to acquire some knowledge to stand against that vampire. So, tell me. What are you scared of?" 

He let out a smile to my surprise. Did he just smile? I thought he didn't know how to smile. But it faded away in a few seconds.

"What's your friend's name?" He inquired.

I thought for a while and asked, "Why are you asking me?" 

"I'll talk to her. What's her name and which department she's in?"

"I don't remember."

"You don't remember your friend's name?"

"I only met her twice. How will you expect me to remember her name already?" 

"And you're trying to save her?"

"Hey, we stand up even if we don't know each other. It's a human thing. You won't understand. Now tell me your weakness." 

 

"You're right. Since we're all the same kind, I shouldn't expose our weaknesses to people like you." After that he opened the door and left. I didn't know there was so much emotion inside a muscle mannequin. Cursing, I hit the table next to me. 

 

 

When college was over, I sat near the playground to talk to this girl. This time I should remember her name. The soccer girls came and gathered in one place. I went to them after spotting this girl among them. I was standing near them when the team leader was talking to her team. The girl who I was waiting for waved me over and the girl next to her called her name and then remembered her name was Sophie. Sophie, it is. 

When the announcements were ready, I asked permission from the manager and took this girl out of the group. 

 

"Senior, did you come to watch my game?" She asked me excitedly. 

 

"Um, I'm here to ask you something?" 

 

"Yeah, what is it?" 

 

"Do you remember when we met for lunch?" 

 

"Yeah, I caught you when you slipped in front of the cafeteria." 

 

I nodded in embarrassment, "Yeah, you helped me. You really have a good memory power unlike me. Um, the guy you were with…" 

 

Before I could finish she replied, "Are you talking about my boyfriend?" 

 

"Boyfriend, huh?"

 

"Does he have problems with you?" she asked anxiously. I shook my head and nodded and said, "Yes. But it's okay. It doesn't matter anymore. I didn't know he was your boyfriend. I'm a little surprised to see you with him. That's why... I asked you.” 

 

"I'm sorry, whatever he did. I told him not to get in trouble, but he hasn't been himself lately."

 

I patted her on the shoulder and said, "Hey, it's all right. You don't have to worry about it. Go play with your friends." 

 

She nodded and apologised again before returning to her friends. 

 

Boyfriend? Why is she so naive as to choose someone like a… I mean vampire to be her boyfriend? Does she even know about him? Or is she fine with him being a vampire? It is still dangerous. What if he suddenly drinks her blood to death? 

I stayed to watch the game and also to watch this vampire boyfriend. 

 

The game is over. When everyone left the country, Sophie came and sat next to me with her bag. I handed her my bottled water and said, "You played very well. I can see why your team leader is like that." And let out a chuckle. 

"Thank you, senior." She paused and asked, "Did I make you watch the match?" 

 

"No, I have nothing to do at home, so I had fun watching you play. Thanks to you." 

 

As we talked, Sophie stood up and looked behind me and said, "Jason's here." 

 

"Who?"

 

"My boyfriend. Don't you know his name?" 

 

"I really have a bad memory power."

That means the vampire is heading straight for us. I stood up and slowly turned to look at the vampire. The figure I saw in the dark last night is now approaching in the light. My heart started beating fast as he approached us. 

 

This guy gave Sophie a bright smile and asked her, "Shall we go, dear?" And took the bag from hee.

 

Is that what I saw last night? He drank blood like a hungry animal, but now he smiles in front of Sophie. Must be an expert in playing the dual role. How can I save Sophie from him? 

 

 "Are you Sophie's friend?" He asked me. 

 

 "I-I..." 

 

Sophie answered for me, "She's my senior. She came to watch me play today. Wasn't it nice?" 

 

He nodded and said with a smile, "Thank you for encouraging her today. I wanted to come early, but I couldn't because today is my turn to clean the classroom. 

 

I nodded without looking at him and turned to Sophie and said, "I'll go then." And walked away from them with my head down.

 

When I got to the entrance, I turned and looked for the couple. I couldn't even look him in the eyes, how can I help Sophie then? As I turned away, I bumped into someone.

 

"I'm sorry. I didn't see…" I stopped when I saw who I had met. Austin. 

 

When I tried to leave, he asked, "What were you talking to him about?" 

 

"Aren't you a vampire? Use your telepathy or  supernatural powers to find out what we're talking about." 

"What kind of movies did you watch-" he grabbed my hand and led me away from the entrance. 

I pulled my hand away from his grip and asked, "What are you doing?" 

He silenced me by saying, "Look over there." 

When I looked in the direction, I saw Sophie and her vampire boyfriend. I saw them stop near the gate and talk to each other. As I looked at them, 

Austin asked, "Do you know her name now?"

"Sophie." I said looking at the couple and continued, "I wonder what she sees in him to become a girlfriend to him." I sighed and said, "Can't she get anyone from humankind? What if he's hungry and eats her alive? How can she be careless? I wonder if she knew he was a vampire. If she knew and let it happen, she'd be the dumbest person I've ever met." When I saw this vampire leaning on Sophie, I was like, "Oh! I think he's going to bite her! Why doesn't she run away? What is she standing there?" 

 

As I tried to run over to them, Austin stopped me and whispered, "Look." 

 

"I'm looking at them…" as I turned to see them, the vampire boyfriend pulled back to kiss her. After a while they left in a taxi. 

 

I came out of the shady tree and said, "Don't drag me like that anymore!" "I wonder how they even kiss."

"Why?"

"Won't his fangs be a trouble while kissing?" 

"They just kiss normally so it doesn't get in the way." 

 

"Someone knows about kissing." I teased him. 

He asked, "When you are with him, your whole body trembles and you are afraid to look into his eyes. But when you are with me, you are different. Shouldn't you be more afraid of me  than you were of him after I bit you?" He approached and asked, "Besides, how else do you remember that night?" 

 

"What do you mean by that?" 

 

"The people I drink blood from don't remember anything the next day, unlike you." 

 

"Is one of your supernatural powers making people forget you drank their blood? How do you do that? Do you use hypnosis?" 

 

He sighed and said, "I'm going." 

 

I jumped in front of him and asked, "Didn't you say you wouldn't help me? Didn't you say you wouldn't betray your own kind? What are you doing here, vampire?" 

 

"I came to see a human face, a vampire, but nothing happened. I'm wasting my time." And he continued to walk towards the entrance.  

"I would have punched him in the face, but he was taller than me... And a little scarier... no, a lot scarier. I thought my heart would explode every time he looked at me through those sharp, etched eyes. When he smiled at me, it gave me chills. Creepy." I jumped in front of him and asked, "So you're everywhere?" 

 

"What?" 

 

"I asked how many of you there were. To make sure I didn't hit them by accident." When he didn't answer, I said, "Well, I'll ask your father, if you don't give me an answer. He's a vampire too, isn't he? He must be. Otherwise, how would you be a vampire?" 

 

He paused and said, "There's a lot more than you think." 

 

"What about our school? How many are there? Do you have a secret meeting place for vampires? Where do you meet and talk? What will be the discussion topics? 'Is it like which human we should feed tonight?' Or 'Which-" 

 

Suddenly, it started raining like hell and I felt my heart racing as I was caught off-guard. A sudden panic attack overcame me as I hadn't been expecting the downpour. my breathing became shallow and I couldn't seem to concentrate on anything other than the sound of the rain. 

Austin shouted my name but the rain sound faded it. The sound of the rain was like a deep roar that drowned out any other sound. I could hear him shouting at me, but his voice seemed so distant and muffled. I felt like he was calling for me from a distant world, his voice barely audible through the downpour. I stood there helplessly, unable to move or answer him, unable to make out what he was saying in the deafening roar of the rain. 

As I passed out, the thunderous roar of the storm filled my ears. The wind was howling, and the rain lashed against my skin.