The Lost Boy

Sighing, she unlocks her door and walks inside. Her warm and comfortable apartment greets her with open arms. She smiles as the door swings shut behind her, shedding her coat and tossing it on a chair along with her purse.
I’m not going to think about it. I’m just going to change into my pajamas, make some tea, and snuggle up on the couch.
Nodding to herself, Monica makes her way to her bedroom. She unbuttons her dress and shrugs out of it, letting it fall to the floor. Then kicks her shoes off and rolls her socks of her feet before tossing it all in the hamper. She then grabs her rumpled pajamas off of her messy, unmade bed and shimmies them on.
Deciding to curl up on the couch, Monica grabs one of the blankets from her bed and drags it out with her while trying to make up her mind about what kind of tea to brew.
Standing on her tiptoes she pulls out a box of sleepy time tea. She takes out one packet of the tea and returns the box to its shelf and moves to grab a mug next. Her mind wanders back to what she said to Harry and she frowns again, not wanting to think about it.
I can’t believe I frightened him enough to make him run away. Though… I was pretty forward. God, what am I supposed to say when he comes back?
Monica’s microwave beeps loudly at her, knocking her out of her distressing thoughts. She takes her steaming mug out of the microwave and drops in the tea bag. She busies herself by stirring the tea bag around in the mug with a spoon. Placing the spoon in the sink, she picks up the mug and her blanket and makes her way to the couch.
Settling down, she wraps up in the blanket, sipping her tea. As she sips her tea she becomes increasingly sleepy. Before she knows it, she has already dosed off.
Not long after she’s suddenly awoken when her mug slips from her hands. But it doesn’t crash to the ground. Monica blinks in the darkness that is her apartment. Her eyes immediately travel to the window letting in the only source of light. She jumps when she spots Harry looking back at her from the window, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
“Sorry I woke you. You almost dropped your tea.” He looks frightening and hungry the way the pale light falls on his face.
“H-how did you get in here?” Monica asks, sitting up.
“The door was open.”
“Is something wrong, Harry? You look… different.” Monica shifts, looking worried. He peers down, a small pained smile crossing his lips.
“I just ran into an old friend, that’s all.”
“The one who you were talking about earlier?”
“No.”
“Oh, well, did you drink?” Monica asks. Harry shakes his head, his gaze returning to the window.
“I just wanted to get out of there.” Neither of them speak. The clock above the television ticks loudly with each movement of the red hand.
“I’m sorry for scaring you off earlier.” Monica finally says. “I hope you can still stay.” Harry glances over. He doesn’t answer until many ticks later.
“I didn’t know how to react. So I ran away. I’m the one who should be sorry.” He pauses. “I don’t have to stay here if you’re not comfortable with a vampire hanging out in your apartment.”
“No, no!” She says a bit too quickly. “I want you to stay.” And then she blushes and clamps her mouth shut. Harry smiles.
“Then it’s settled.” His gaze returns to the window. He furrows his eyebrows as he peers out, his smile quickly disappearing. “You know, another reason I ran away was because I could smell you.”
“Smell me?” Monica asks confusedly.
“Your blood. Your heart was pounding so hard and your blood smelled so good.” He says wistfully.
But glancing over at Monica he realizes that he has freaked her out. Her heart begins pounding again, but this time out of fear. His fangs push through his gums. He so badly wants to taste her.
“I’m sorry.” Harry says before closing the blinds.
Monica grabs her blanket as they are immersed in complete darkness. A moment later the lamp on the end table beside Monica flicks on. She jumps when she finds Harry looming over her. Her heart pounds in her ears, her legs begging her to run.
“I- I” She can’t seem to get the words out.
“I need to leave for now, but I’ll be back by morning.” Harry speaks for her. She just nods. And then he leaves as silently as he came.
Still on edge, Monica checks and locks all of her windows and doors. She locks her bedroom door behind her before climbing into bed.
Why was he acting so scary all of a sudden after coming back? What happened out there in the shadows?
Monica dwells as she pulls her comforter up to her chin. It takes a long time for her to finally calm down enough to fall asleep.
She is awaked by the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying.
I swear I locked all the entrances…
Monica yawns and rolls out of bed, rubbing her eyes. She unlocks her door and trudges into the dining room. Harry glances over his shoulder to flash Monica a smile.
“Good morning, sunshine!” He crows while flipping the bacon over.
“Did you… buy groceries?” Monica asks as she eyes the white plastic bags on the counter.
“Yeah. You didn’t have much of a selection for breakfast so I went out and got some stuff.”
He’s oddly cheery now, a complete turnaround from last night.
“Are you okay, Harry? You were acting really strange last night.” Monica says slowly. Harry begins to flip the bacon onto a paper towel covered plate.
“No need to worry about that. I’m taking care of it, okay?” He sounds so uncharacteristically cheery.
“Right…” She answers slowly. Harry just continues making breakfast, cracking an egg into the hot pan. “Did you cook in your life before?” Monica asks curiously, approaching him.
“Mostly for my family, yes. I am an amateur but I love seeing the looks on my family’s faces when they take a bite out of my food.” He says as he flips the egg. Monica creeps closer to get a good look at his face. His lips are pursed and he appears distressed. He quickly notices her and changes the subject.
“Would you like a banana? I picked up a bunch.” Monica scrunches her nose.
“No thank you.” She crosses the kitchen and climbs onto the bar stool at the island and watches as Harry as he slides the egg out of the pan and onto a separate plate from the bacon. “Why are you making breakfast, anyway?” Monica asks suspiciously.
“Well, you can’t go to work on an empty stomach. And since I can’t sleep, I might as well busy myself.” Harry explains. He transfers some of the bacon to the plate with the egg and picks it up. He turns and places in front of Monica. “Eat up!” He smiles, handing her utensils.
“Uh, thanks.”
“Is something wrong?” He frowns.
“No, I- it has just been a long time since someone made me breakfast.”
“Change is good every once and awhile.” He leans over to grab the bananas and rips one from the bunch.
“You’re telling me.” She murmurs before taking a bite of her egg. They just sit and eat together without speaking.
Glancing at the clock, Monica realizes what time it is. “Oh my god, I’m going to be late!” She bolts upright and stuffs another strip of bacon in her mouth before turning to run to her room.
“Wait.” Harry grabs her wrist. He was not standing that close just a few seconds ago. The two make eye contact and for a while it seems like he forgot what he was going to say.
“Uh…” He falters. Monica’s face flushes because he keeps staring at her and she can’t look away.
“I really need to get dressed.”
“Can I drink from you?”
The two speak at the same time, their words tumbling over each other.
“What? Drink from me now?” Monica asks. Harry nods quickly, hungrily. Monica sighs, looking around for an escape.
I really can’t do this right now.
“I’ll make it quick and as painless as possible. I swear!”
“Sounds like you want to kill me.” She grumbles under her breath. He frowns.
I want to say no but… he’ll only ask later.
“Fine.”
“Really?” Harry perks up, tugging her closer, sitting her down on the bar stool.
“Okay, how do we do this?” Monica asks nervously.
“Well, you’re going to tilt your head to the side, for starters.” She does as she is told. Harry reaches over and gently brushes the hair off her neck. Monica watches his face as he does this. He appears… almost loving. “You have to relax.” Harry grins, catching her watching him. Monica blushes in embarrassment and for the first time, sees his fangs peeking out from his mouth. “I’m sorry. You look frightened.” He frowns. She hadn’t even realized.
“How could I not be?” She laughs nervously.
“Try closing your eyes maybe?” He suggests. Closing her eyes, she relaxes.
“Just… get it over with.” Harry happy obliges by once again brushing Monica’s hair off of her exposed neck.
He doesn’t hesitate puncturing the soft skin. Monica tenses up, emitting a cry of pain and clutches a handful of Harry’s shirt. Harry only steadies her by placing a hand on the back of her neck as he begins drinking, gently sucking her skin all the while doing so. She relaxes after a minute, releasing his shirt. One of her hands slide down to his thigh, the other wrapping around his bicep of the arm holding her. A soft, happy sigh escapes her lips as Harry begins to suck on her neck a little harder. But then he quickly stops himself, his face flushing as he pants quietly. Monica slumps forward for a moment before righting herself.
“What’s wrong?” She frowns, looking disappointed. Harry wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, leaving a streak of blood behind.
“Nothing’s wrong.” He smiles tightly. “Go get dressed and I’ll get a cup of coffee ready for you, okay?”
She nods, looking out of it, but slides off the stool. A sudden dizzy spell washes over her when her feet hit the floor. Grabbing for something, anything to catch herself, she stumbles backwards. Harry swiftly catches her, holding on tight.
“Are you okay?” He asks, sounding concerned. She shakes her head, trying to push him away to stand on her own but her head spins. Again, she leans on Harry as he guides her to the couch.
“What happened? Are you okay?” He asks again.
“I’m just… really disorientated.” She lays her head down on one of the colorful throw pillows on the couch.
“Do you want your coffee?” Harry offers. Monica only groans.
“I just need to rest before going to work. God, I’m going to be so late.”
“Maybe you can stay home instead.” Harry interjects quickly. “I’m sure there are other waitresses who can cover your shift, right?” He urges, watching her intensely.
Yeah, there are other waitresses to cover my shift.
“Yes.”
“Great!” Harry smiles gleefully. “I’ll make you some soup to help you feel better. It’ll take a while so in the meantime you should get some rest, okay?”
I should get some rest.
“Okay…” Monica replies sleepily. Her eyes droop shut and she drifts off.
“Monica!” Harry snaps.
Monica is startled awake by Harry’s booming voice. He lurks over her looking kind of… vicious.
“Get up.”
“What?” She squeaks.
“I said get up!” He says louder. Monica yelps, scrambling to sit up.
“What-what’s going on?” She stammers.
“My buddies and I are thirsty and you look mighty tasty.” Two more guys that are both definitely larger than herself saunter in from another room and Monica clutches her blanket between her fingers.
“B-but I thought we-” Harry cuts her off with his booming laughter that sends shivers down her spine.
“I thought…” He mimics in a high pitched voice. Her glances back at his friends who chime in with ugly laughter.
“Why are you doing this, Harry? What happened to you?” Her eyes begin to well up but she doesn’t want to risk moving and provoking them.
“We want fresh meat and, well… I have been waiting for the right time.” He grins an ugly, toothy grin, his fangs peeking out of his mouth. But they seem more sinister this time opposed to when he first drank from her. “It’s nothing personal.” He shrugs. “Truth is I should have drained you behind the diner after everyone else left. But to be completely honest… it’s more fun to drink with friends.” Monica’s eyes widen in both terror and surprise. He wasn’t like this before. Why does he keep changing so quickly?
“But you said that you never drank from a human before. Until earlier today.” She says, her voice quavering. Harry furrows his brow in confusion, tilting his head to the side in thought. Shortly after, he quickly shakes his head.
“Stop messing with me, bitch! It- it doesn’t matter! I had to lure you in with my sappy story so I could get you alone.”
“W-why me, though?” Tears spill down her cheeks. Harry smirks at her.
“Don’t you remember? Because your eyes are so trusting.” He begins cackling. Monica forces her head down, squeezing her eyes shut.
This is it. Death by vampire. What will the police tell my parents?
“I knew you’d fall right into the palm of my hand, you stupid bitch.” Monica’s head snaps back up, her eyes hard and fiery.
“You are a monster!” She shrieks in the steadiest voice she can muster.
“Oh, sweetie.” Harry clucks his tongue. “It’s really pathetic that it took you that long to figure it out.” He says in a mock sympathetic voice. His mouth spreads into a grin as he summons his two friends forward.
“But now we feast.”
Together, the three vampires lunge at Monica’s neck, fangs bared. Monica screams and thrashes on impact.
“Monica! Monica, hey it’s okay, I got you!”
Harry’s voice comes through kind of loud but also gentle and reassuring. Completely different from the Harry she was just talking to. His arms wrap around her as she kicks wildly. Her eyes snap open, grabbing Harry’s arms. She breathes heavily, her forehead damp with sweat. “It’s okay, Monica, whatever you saw wasn’t real. It was just a nightmare.”
But instead of giving in to Harry’s coddling, she pushes him away. He appears hurt as she pulls her knees up to her chest. She doesn’t look at him but she knows that he is upset.
“What’s wrong, Monica? I was just trying to help you.”
“I know.” Her voice cracks and she feels a pang in her chest. Her heart races just being near him. A vampire.
How do I know he’s not like the Harry in my nightmare? He had friends, right? Who’s to say they aren’t like that?
“Monica…?”
“Please stay away from me, Harry.” Her quiet voice quivers.
Harry stands wordlessly and heads toward the door. Without looking back he says, “soup’s on the stove,” before leaving.
Monica squeezes her eyes shut after the door clicks shut. She can barely cover her mouth before loud sobs come from her, tears flooding down her cheeks.

Notes