The Lost Boy

Monica breaks out of Harry’s grasp, pushing him away.
“Tell me it’s not true.” She begs.
He stops, doesn’t speak.
“I wish I could.” He finally says slowly, quietly.
“Stop it. Stop it.”
She covers her ears.
Squeezes her eyes shut.
No. No. It’s not right. She’s not a vampire. Stop lying to me.
“I- I’ve known her since about the same time you started coming around.” As soon as those words leave Monica’s lips she knows it to be true. She faces Harry again. “But why?” She asks. “Why did she show up after you did?”
“You should stay away from work until we can figure this out.” Harry says instead, looking away from her.
“Harry.” Monica demands. “Why did Nora start coming around after you did?” He neither answers her nor looks at her. “Harry.” She grabs his wrist. His eyes meet hers. “H-”
“Because she is the insane ex-girlfriend.” He explodes in sudden anger. He twists out of Monica’s grip, taking a few steps back.
“What?” She asks quietly.
“She’s the insane ex-girlfriend I told you about. She won’t leave me alone.” He pauses. “And I wasn’t lying when I said that she’s dangerous, reckless, and jealous.”
“Wait, wait. You’re telling me that you dated Nora and now she wants to kill me because I started talking to you?” Monica asks incredulously. Harry tilts his head side to side.
“To sum it up.” He says. Monica sits down on the couch, folding her arms in frustration. “Look,” Harry begins, “I didn’t anticipate Nora to react like that upon seeing you only talking to me.”
“You came home with me.” She points out. He opens his mouth to respond but she cuts him off. “You said she was jealous. Why wouldn’t you see something like this happening?” Harry stays silent.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I was in pain. I didn’t think she would act out like that.” She doesn’t look at him, her arms still folded.
“Can I drink from you?” He asks suddenly. Her eyes finally meet his.
“Are you kidding me? Now?” She raises her eyebrows.
“You said yes earlier.” He grumbles under his breath.
“Yeah, before your ex-girlfriend came to spy on us.”
“Hey, that wasn’t a part of the plan.”
“You have to answer some of my questions.” Harry’s eyes light up in glee.
“So that’s a yes?”
“Only if you answer some of my questions.”
“Okay how many?” He asks hungrily.
“Five.”
“Four.” He bargains.
“Fine.” Monica agrees. Harry lowers himself onto the couch beside Monica and she raises her legs and plops them into his lap. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t dare protest against the girl who would be giving him warm blood.
Clearing her throat, she begins the questioning.
“Okay question one… how long did you date Nora?”
“Oh my god. You are so jealous.” Harry scoffs.
Monica repeats the question, louder this time.
“How long did you date-”
“Fine, jeez, a few months.” He folds his arms across his chest. “Next question.”
“You make it sound like a long time.” Harry appears offended.
“Just because I’m a vampire doesn’t mean I’m hundreds of years old.” He pouts.
“How old are you then?” She asks curiously.
“About 21 or 22 or so?” He hums. “Time goes by quickly in the vampire court. I can’t keep track. Next question.”
“How did you get kicked out of the vampire court?”
“Didn’t I answer that already?” Monica purses her lips.
“You mentioned it but didn’t go into detail. Spill it.”
“Pushy.” He grumbles. “They wanted me to drink human blood from the source and I soon refused to drink from the blood bags so they kicked me out.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“Why?” Monica asks sympathetically.
“Well because if you don’t follow the rules then-”
“No, why wouldn’t you drink from a human?”
Harry doesn’t speak for a long time.
“Humans are…” He starts. Stops. Waits. “I used to be human.” He finally says. “I don’t know how the others do it. How they can just drink and not think about the person they are drinking from. All that person is for them is their meal.” Harry meets Monica’s eyes, which have softened for him. “They have no regards for human life.” His eyes darken. He looks away. “I’ve witnessed so many lives being taken because of other vampires. I don’t want to be like that.” Pause. “So I would rather get kicked out of the vampire court then join the others and drink to kill.”
“I thought you said that the vampire court kills rouges like you.” Monica furrows her brow.
“They only kill vampires who commit crimes like killing humans for purposes other than drinking.” Harry replies. “Another one is showing a human their vampire form.” He adds.
“Vampire form?” She questions.
“Fangs, strength, speed. The whole shebang.”
“Then wouldn’t they kill you for showing yourself to me?” Monica asks worriedly. Harry pauses before smiling sadly.
“I suppose you’re right about that.”
“Okay, last question, and be honest. Why did you really come back?” Monica questions. Harry runs a hand tiredly through his hair with a sigh.
“It’s because… when I realized Nora was following you, I knew things were bad.” Monica frowns.
“That’s it?” Harry grins.
“And your blood is delicious.”
He slides closer to Monica, disregarding her legs on his lap.
“Speaking of blood…” He opens his mouth just wide enough to show off his fangs. Monica opens her mouth slightly, her words getting caught in her throat as he crawls over her. “You promised me.” He whispers near her ear.
Her breath catches in her throat, afraid to move or say anything.
“There’s no one to distract us now.” Harry hovers over her, their eyes meeting. A blush creeps up onto her cheeks as she watches his hungry but almost infatuated expression.
Is he going to kiss me?
Her heart pounds in her chest, that nervous fluttery sensation making its way through her body. He bites his lip.
“I love it when your heart pounds. It’s the best kind of music for a vampire.” Monica lets out a small breath and Harry smiles.
“May I?” He asks quietly, gently. Monica nods once, silently wishing that he would stop teasing and just kiss her.
Harry lowers himself and straddles her hips. Monica sucks in a harsh breath, not expecting him to have done that. He cups the sides of her face in both hands and tilts her head to the side. He leans over and slides his fangs into the soft skin of her neck. She winces. It was not any less painful than it was the first time.
Why the hell was I thinking about kissing Harry while his ex-girlfriend is coming after me?
He sucks her neck gently this time and it feels so good.
That’s why.
She remembers, her eyes fluttering closed.
He’s done all too soon. Harry sits up and licks his lips to catch a drop of blood. Monica peers up her tiredly, or maybe she’s just disorientated, it’s hard to tell.
“I think I drank a little too much from you again.” Harry apologizes. “This is only my second time drinking from a human. I’m not sure how much is too much.”
“Can drinking from me turn me into a vampire?” Monica asks, looking kind of crossed eyed. He smiles warmly and brushes the hair out of face.
“No, you’re safe.”
“I wish.” She laughs weakly. Harry suddenly turns serious.
“I promise I’ll keep you safe from Nora.” Monica tears up.
“Thank you, Harry.” Her voice cracks. Harry brushes away her tears.
“Why are you crying?” His voice is soft and comforting. He finally gets off of her and sits next to her instead.
“I missed you.”
“You did?” Harry seems surprised. Monica nods.
“I’m hungry; can you make me something to eat?” She changes the subject.
“Sure.” He smiles. “What will it be?”
“Spaghetti.” Harry gives her a look that screams ‘are you kidding me’, but can’t help but smiling.
“I love Italian food.” She defends.
“You’re going to kill me one of these days.” He jokes, standing up. Monica smile falters as she watches him make his way to kitchen.
“I sure hope not.” Their eyes meet and Harry grins, causing Monica’s heart to jump in her chest.
Monica watches Harry from the island while he cooks. But when it comes to baking the garlic bread, Harry has to step away from the kitchen to allow Monica to slide the pan into the oven.
“Thanks for cooking for me again, Harry.” Monica smiles as he slides a plate in front of her.
“It’s no problem. I love cooking for you.” Monica blushes, looking down to hide it.
She quietly eats while Harry wanders around her apartment, looking at little things about her life. The books she reads, the trinkets she got on various vacations, pictures of her friends and family.
“How’s the Italian?” Harry calls over his shoulder. Monica nods in return and gives him a thumbs up.
Then a knock comes at the door again. Harry glances over at Monica, who bites into a slice of garlic bread, and offers to get the door.
He hurries over as the knocks become more persistent. He quickly unlocks and opens the door.
Who he sees surprises him.
Harry glances back at Monica who raises an eyebrow in question. He raises a finger and mouths ‘one minute’ before slipping onto the balcony.

Notes