The Lost Boy

“Wait… so you’re telling me that Nora didn’t just come to beg you to return to the vampire court. She also came to warn you about the vampire who attacked me?” Monica’s voice rises as she continues speaking.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away.” Harry says with his head down. “Besides, it seems like you’ve healed up nicely.” One side of Monica’s mouth goes up in an unimpressed look.
“Don’t try to flatter me, Harry. That may have happened a few weeks ago but I still have questions. God-” She bolts up from the couch, a hand in her hair. “I can’t sleep without feeling like some vampire is going to show up to finish me off!” She paces quickly around the furniture in her apartment.
“Monica, I don’t see why you worry about that so much. I keep watch all night long on your couch.” Harry sends her a worried look. She stops pacing and places her hands on the back of the couch, leaning over it.
“What I want to know,” she says, ignoring what Harry previously said, “is what that other vampire meant by your ‘powers’.”
“His name is Zayn- you know that because I told you all about him- and I told you he was delusional.” Harry evades eye contact.
“Why are you avoiding my question, Harry?” He doesn’t respond or look at her. She moves on to another question. “Did you use your powers on me, Harry?” She demands.
“Yes.” Harry answers quietly.
“What?”
He turns to her. “Mind control.” He finally says. “I only used it on you a few times. I-” He takes a deep breath, not wanting to watch Monica’s probably horrified or most likely disgusted or angry face. Monica takes this opportunity to ask more questions. “How many times? When?” She explodes. He doesn’t speak right away and Monica doesn’t push him.
“When we first met.” His voice shakes. He pauses. Takes a deep breath. Lets in out. “I used mind control to get you to lock the door and sit down at the diner.”
“Why?” The anger in her voice wavers.
“I intentionally drank more than I should have from you to keep you from going to work because I saw Nora lingering outside your window the night before. I thought you’d be in danger. So I drank from you and ‘persuaded’ you to take a nap. I wanted to keep you safe.” Monica’s face reddens and she rounds the couch to stand in front of him.
“Are you fucking kidding me? How could you intentionally do that to me, you bastard! I- I let you stay in my home- oh my god, I invited a vampire into my home.” She sits back down on the couch, her head in her hands. Harry ignores the annoying vampire stereotype and continues.
“It wasn’t entirely intentional-”
“What else haven’t you been telling me?” She snaps. Harry sighs, suddenly tired.
“Besides Nora and Zayn? Well, I’m sure they will be coming after me- us.”
“Because I poisoned Zayn?” He shakes his head. He finally peeks over at Monica who is now watching him.
“Uh, no.” He frowns. “I’m certain Nora will blame it on me.”
“Why? Why is she so obsessed with you?”
Again he shakes his head, this time sighing. “I don’t know. But she’s the one who dumped me.”
Monica looks away, wincing.
“I need to get some air.”
She stands and begins walking to the door when she suddenly stops half way. He shoulders hunch, a small strangled sound coming from her mouth.
“Monica?” Harry asks quietly, concerned. She turns to him, her cheeks wet with tears.
“I- I wish we never met.”
Harry’s eyes widen in surprise. “Mon-”
“This is just too much for me.” Her voice cracks. He stands to say more but she’s already making her way out the front door, letting it click shut behind her.
Monica wipes her eyes, sniffling.
“Monica.” She whips around, startled.
Nora stands a few feet away on the balcony. She looks awful. She’s much paler than Monica has ever seen her before. Her eyes look sunken and… so dark and hungry. She smirks, tilting her head down only slightly.
“Why do you look so scared, dear?” Nora asks. Monica takes a step back, preparing to bolt.
“What are you doing here, Nora?” She tries to keep her voice steady without succeeding.
“I have an opportunity for you.”
“Aren’t you planning on killing Harry?” Monica asks warily.
Nora’s face changes. She smiles sadly. “I have something else to talk to you about.”
“Well… what is it?”
“Would you like to become a vampire, Monica?” Monica scoffs, laughing.
“Why would you think for even a second that I would want to become a vampire with all this shit happening?”
Nora only sighs before folding her arms and leaning against the creaky railing.
“What’s your motive?” Monica asks suspiciously.
Nora shrugs, avoiding her gaze.
“God,” Monica scoffs, with a laugh, “you’re as bad as Harry.”
Nora’s eyes snap back to Monica’s.
“What do you mean by that?” She asks venomously.
“You two never directly answer my questions. Frankly, it’s getting really annoying.”
“Don’t compare me to him.” Nora spits.
“You’re obsessed.” Monica says quietly.
“I am not like him!” Nora shouts. She stands straight, pointing at Monica accusingly. She breathes heavily, shakily, eyes wild. Monica takes another step backwards, startled by her sudden outburst. “I am not like him.” She repeats quieter. “I want to help you, Monica. I don’t want him to drag you down like he’s done to me and Zayn.” Monica laughs only slightly.
“He hasn’t-”
“But he’s done something to you, yes?” Monica looks away. “See? He will always be a disappointment. He’s going to eventually get you killed, dear.” She glances back up at Nora. “That’s why I come to you with my proposition. Changing you into a vampire could save you.”
“Save me from what?” Monica questions slowly.
“From Harry. From the vampire court.”
“What do you mean?”
“You will die if you don’t become a vampire.”
Monica laughs a short laugh. “This is unreal.”
“Humans aren’t allowed to see a vampire’s true form.” Nora snaps. “It is unlawful. You will die because of it. Do not take my warning lightly.”
“You’re so full of shit, Nora. You’ve wanted me gone since Harry started showing up, haven’t you? Since I started showing an interest in him?” Nora’s eyes snap to Monica’s, blazing.
“You will die if you choose not to become a vampire! What part do you not understand?” Nora explodes, suddenly lurching forward. Monica, frightened, stumbles backward. “I’m trying to help you, Monica!” Nora cries desperately. She grabs Monica’s wrists tightly and she yelps. “Why can’t you just accept my help?”
“Please, you’re hurting me!” Monica begs, meekly, quietly, her knees betraying her and tears forming in her eyes.
“He-He’s gone. I sent him away.” She blurts out suddenly, hoping to catch her off guard. She doesn’t appear convinced. “You can leave me alone- let me live- since he’s gone now.”
Nora grins widely. A wild, sick look in her eyes comes out.
“Don’t act dumb, dear. I smell him on you.” She scoffs. Looks her up and down. “Why do you lie for him if he lies to you so often?” Monica wants to look away, but her gaze is fixed on Nora’s, seemingly unable to wrench it away. “Why do you protect him?” Nora’s raises her voice to a roar, squeezing the weaker girl’s wrists, shaking them.
“Please let me go!” Monica cries. Nora snarls at her.
“You are a weak and disgusting human. I don’t see what he sees in you.” Monica doesn’t reply between her sobs and quiet pleas.
Nora takes in a breath, changing the subject. “Let’s play a game. I want to test how quickly he can come to your rescue.”
“Please-” Nora raises her hand above Monica. Her knuckles hit the weaker girl’s jaw hard. Her head snaps to the side with a crack. Breathing hard. Tears. “You’re so annoying.” Nora says with a sigh.
“Why?” Monica pleas. A large bruise begins to form, blood seeping from her mouth. “Why are you doing this?” Nora pulls her up closer so they are face to face.
“He doesn’t belong to you.” She breathes hard. “You’re not allowed to call him yours. You don’t deserve him. You’re just a disgusting human.”
“Th-then I’ll leave him alone. I’ll send him away.” Monica says quickly. Nora laughs humorlessly.
“I don’t believe you. You’re a dirty liar. And a human.” And with that, she wrenches Monica’s wrist almost all the way around, leaving it at an unnatural angle. Her screams drown out any sounds of bones cracking. She falls to her knees, Nora releasing her to sob, curled up in a ball.
Monica’s door abruptly swings open and there stands Harry, his eyes wild after just hearing Monica’s screams.
“Ah,” Nora says casually as she steps over Monica’s crumpled form, “I’m glad you could join us, Harry. I was just talking to our friend here about my theory. My theory being how fast you would respond upon hearing her cries for help.” She tilts her head towards Monica, clicking her tongue. Harry follows her motioning to spot Monica curled up, her jaw turning a dark shade of purple. He turns back to Nora, eyes furious. “Obviously you were slower than I hoped.”
“What the fuck did you do to her?” He fumes.
“Harry,” Nora smiles genuinely, “why don’t you come back now? You’re no use to the court out here.” She approaches him, raising a hand to caress his cheek. He steps away, appalled.
“I want nothing to do with you.” He spits. “You know why I’m not going back, Nora, don’t give me that bullshit. Now what did you do to Monica?” Harry grits his teeth, his hands balled into fists at his sides. Nora notices this but sighs as if she is already bored with the situation.
“Last chance. You’ll both live if you come with me now, Harry.” Harry scoffs knowingly.
“You and I both know you wouldn’t do that.” Nora’s lips curl up into an ugly grin.
“That’s why we are perfect for each other, Harry, we know each other so well.” He merely shakes his head.
“Stop your bullshit. What did the court really say, I know you went to see them.” Nora sighs then pouts.
“You never let me have fun.”
“Nora…” He warns in a low voice.
“Fine!” She grumbles. “You left Zayn nearly dead, Harry. That doesn’t send a good message to the court. They want you dead now.” After a moment Harry shakes his head.
“You expect me to believe those bullshit lies? They don’t want me dead.” This sets Nora off. She storms closer to Harry.
“It’s not fair, Harry! Your father reasoned with me that Monica could die because she’s human but all they were willing to discuss about you was to simply extend your punishment! And all because you’re the vampire king’s son!” Harry sends a quick glance over at Monica. Surprise is evident in her eyes but she turns them away, wiping them of emotion. “You broke laws! You are supposed to die!” Nora finishes.
“Classic dad.” Harry scoffs, returning his gaze back to Nora. He throws in a grin as well, knowing it will piss her off even more. It does just that. But instead of screaming some more, her mouth spreads in a huge grin.
“That’s why I volunteered myself to kill the two of you.” She nods to herself, amused.
Harry’s smile slides off his face, replacing itself with an uneasy frown, not knowing what to expect from her next. He quickly peers back at Monica, finding her sitting but appearing very pale and, frankly, looking kind of nauseous.
“I won’t kill you first, of course.” Nora smirks. Harry resumes his attention to her, sickened by how morbid she is. “It will be more fun if I kill the girl in front of you, Harry. You know, play with her beforehand.” She becomes quieter, appearing distressed. “Though, I will probably have to disable you as to not interfere with my work.”
“You’re disgusting.” He spits at her.
Nora squints her eyes, her lips twisting into an uncertain look. She appears to weigh her options as she slowly makes her way over to Monica.
“I certainly wouldn’t label myself as disgusting.” She scoffs. “Her, though…” She trails a single finger along Monica’s bruised jaw, who cringes. “She is the disgusting one. She’s a human. A filthy, no good human. And I am here to dispose of her because someone has to rid the earth of scum like her.”
With the last word, Nora’s hand clamps around Monica’s uninjured wrist and yanks her forcefully upwards. Monica shrieks in pain, tears welling up in her eyes. Harry tries to flit over with his vampire speed, furious for Nora’s actions, but anticipating his movements she quickly spins Monica right in front of herself. Still tightly grasping her wrist.
“Oh, lover boy, I wouldn’t take another step. I don’t want the fun to end now, do you?” Nora grazes her teeth along Monica’s neck, she whimpers, squeezing her eyes shut. Nora takes in her scent.
“Don’t you dare.” Harry warns.
“I haven’t had a drink in two weeks, Harry. Because of you. I think you owe it to me.” She says forcefully, squeezing Monica.
“We don’t owe you anything.” He replies venomously.
Nora scoffs. “We? Why are you so uptight? You used to be fun.” Her lips curl in disgust as she looks him over. “Look at you now.” Harry doesn’t say anything.
Nora changes the topic. “Doesn’t she just look positively delicious? What do you say we drink from her together?” She breathes on her hostage’s neck, causing her to emit a series of terrified squeaks.
She switches so quickly, effortlessly, easily.
Harry swallows. “No. I won’t. She’s my friend.” Nora clicks her tongue.
“Like you haven’t thought of it just now.” She smirks at him. “You can hear, oh my god, hear her heart beating fast. Pounding. Pumping blood. Harry, our life force. I need it- we need it.” Harry remains silent, teeth gritted.
She’s right, of course. Like he’d admit it. Truth is, Monica does smell amazing, but she’s his friend and he promised to protect her from Nora.
“Oh, Harry, the humans have made you so boring.” She sighs after he doesn’t reply.
“I don’t care what you think of me. All I want is for you to let Monica go and leave us alone.” He speaks in a low voice, his fangs protruding. Nora smirks, glad for the power she has over him.
“Or,” She says slowly, “I could do something else that is just as fun.” She suddenly releases Monica, who collapses at Nora’s feet, nearly hyperventilating.
He quickly kneels to her side as Nora takes a few steps back.
“Leave her out of this, Nora.” He commands. “This is none of your business. Whatever business I have with Monica is not yours.” She erupts into loud, cackling laughter.
“You made it my business, Harry.” She replies, suddenly cold and serious. Harry sets his jaw, baring his teeth at her. “Monica, sweetie, stand up, okay?” Nora grins mischievously, her fangs peeking out from behind her lips. Harry freezes as Monica silently does what she is done. He slowly shakes his head.
“Don’t do this.” His voice comes out very quiet.
“Monica, attack Harry, okay?”

Notes