First Blood

Prologue

"Mom, I'm leaving for school so remember to pick up the dry cleaning and go to the grocery. We're out of milk, orange juice, cabbages, onions, garlic, mayonnaise, Dr. Pepper, dryer sheets and Ben & Jerry's." I finished.

"Sometimes I wonder if that brain of yours is a curse. Did you write it down? You know I can't remember these things."

"Of course, the list is on the fridge and I'm going to be late for the bus so I'm leaving." I rushed out of the back door and cut through the neighbor's yard so I could make it to the bus stop. This is one of the downside of being a vamp, you have kick ass reflexes but I can't use them. I can actually reach my school in less than 5 minutes without breaking a sweat. I actually tried that during the night when no one can accidentally see me around but actually doing it in broad day light draws too much attention.

I looked around and saw Mrs. Bingley, the seventy year old town librarian chasing her cat, Chestnut well more of skipping after it. The half step, half drag method she employed resulted in an awkward skipping that can only be accomplished through age and rheumatism. I called after her but she didn't seem to hear. She must have forgotten to wear her hearing aid again which is one of the reason I loved hanging out in the library. It's deserted since no one hangs around there so I can pretty much do anything I want without being noticed by the old frail lady. I decided to help so I waved her down and motioned that I would chase her cat for her. She thanked me and caught her breath.

I was too busy chasing after Chestnut to notice that she stopped in the middle of the road and was in the way of traffic. I regretted volunteering once again remembering that as part vampire animals didn't really like us. They usually stayed out of our way or expressly showed their dislike which is happening now with Chestnut who I've masterfully trapped in a corner but is now scratching at me to save his life. It took me several minutes and a lot of scratches before I was finally able to scoop him into my arms when I turned to look at Mrs. Bingley I saw the passing truck and the glimmer of glass about to crash on the old frail lady happily waving at me from the other side of the street.

What I did next might possibly change my life; I took a few seconds deciding on whether or not to help. Keeping my identity a secret at the cost of a person's life just didn't sit well with me and I know I'm going to be in a hell lot of trouble once this is over but she did let me check out all the books I wanted and didn't charge me even when it was already late. I took a quick glance around the area to make sure no one's watching and in the blink of an eye was able to yank her from behind before the glass pane crashed into the asphalt.

Amidst the excitement I didn't notice that my grip on Chestnut had tightened and that he had promptly sank his two sharp canines into my arm.

"Ow!" I let go with a scowl on my face as the cat jumped out of my hand and hissed from a safe distance. The wound immediately started to bleed. I ignored it to check on Mrs. Bingley whom I unintentionally pulled back so abruptly that we both hit the ground. I had one arm around her to try and shield her but she basically hit the pavement full force.