The man responds a robotic. “I was a great help.”
Bastien tells him, “You should go home and get some rest.”
The man nods slowly. “I should go home and get some rest.”
Bastien helps the man to the door, uttering his agreement. “You should, man. Thank you.”
The man responds. “You’re welcome,” then putters down the hall and out of sight.
Looking around, Bastien closes the door behind him, locking it and leaning against it. “Shit, Em, I’m sorry. I ruined our anniversary.”
Why isn’t he acting like he’s done something wrong? What the heck is going on?
He steps forward, directly under the down light. “I’ve been meaning to tell you. I have. But I-”
Red at the corner of his lip has me stepping forward. “Honey, you’re bleeding.”
Bastien swipes at his lips, looking down at the blood smeared across his fingers. He looks me in the eye before responding carefully. “It’s not mine.”
Confusion mars my face. “Were you-” I shake my head. “Did you bite him?”
He swallows hard then looks away. He shrugs lightly. “A man’s gotta eat.”
I force a harsh laugh at the statement. “That’s crazy! What are you saying? That you’re a vampire or something?”
I expect him to laugh and deny it. I expect him to react. But he does nothing. Just stares at me with an expression I’ve never seen Bastien wear.
For the first time since I’ve known him, Bastien looks afraid. “I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
He can’t be serious.
Suddenly, I’m pissed. “You seriously want me to believe that bullshit?” I roll my eyes as I tighten the belt on my coat. “I don’t care if you have issues. We can work through anything. I love you enough to let you explain what I saw happening here instead of running off into the night and dumping all your stuff out into the street, and that’s what you go with?”
Running his hands down his face, he lifts a hand to scratch at his head. “I know it’s hard to believe but if you’d just listen-”
Now I’m not even pissed at him. I’m just pissed at myself. I start lecturing myself. “Fuck a duck! You know when they say a guy is too good to be true, they aren’t kidding. He’s got it all. The looks, a heart of gold, he loves me to the ends of the earth, but wait! He’s bat-shit crazy. Of course, he is! That’s life, doll.”
Pushing passed Bastien, I unlock the door and walk out, clomping my heels as I go.
“Emma, honey! Wait! I can explain!”
Unshed tears sting my eyes. I sniffle as I make my way out the door and onto the street, hailing a taxi. I manage to get one in seconds and in less than ten minutes, I’m home again.
I don’t allow myself to cry until I reach the deserted elevators. As soon as the doors close, I let my tears fall freely.
I love Bastien, but it’s obvious that he needs help. He’s clearly delusional. Regardless of that fact, he is my husband and I will do whatever it takes to see him well again. I love him. He’s everything to me.
The elevator door opens and I swipe away stray tears.
I unlock my apartment door, step inside and switch on the light.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you, Em.”
Spinning around, I hold a hand to my now-heaving chest and stare wide eyed at Bastien, sitting on his manly armchair.
How the hell? “How did you get here so quick?”
Instead of answering me, he stands and steps closer to me. “It’s not like it makes me a different person or anything. I can’t help being this way. Believe me, I’ve tried. I tried to tell you before the wedding,” he sighs, “but you looked so damn beautiful and I didn’t want to ruin our day with my bullshit, so I thought I’d wait till we got home. But then we got home and every time I tried to do it, I bit my tongue because,” his voice turns quiet, “because I didn’t want to lose you.”
He really believes this.
What am I supposed to do here?
I do the only thing I can think of. I play along.
I take a step closer to him, holding my hand out. “It’s okay, honey. You won’t lose me. I love you.”
Placing his hand in mine, he pulls me closer to him, wrapping me in a bear hug. He sighs in relief. “Oh shit. I was so fucking scared when you walked in on me feeding. I thought you’d run screaming but I knew deep inside that if I just got to talk to you, you’d understand.” He pauses a moment. “We were meant to be, Em. You’re my soul mate.”
My mind singsongs, “Psycho.”
I rub his back. “Of course I get it. And we are meant to be. Come Monday, we’re going to talk to someone about this. We’ll make sure the vampires never bother you again.”
His body stills. He pulls away from me. “You think I’m crazy.”
I shake my head emphatically. “No, I don’t. I think you’re a good man. My good man. A good man who sees vampires.”
He rubs the back of his neck in restlessness. “I’m not fucking crazy, Em!”
I shush him. “I know, honey. I know. But we’re still going to see the good Docto-”
That’s when Bastien jumps.
He jumps high enough to touch the ceiling. In fact, he does touch the ceiling.
And he doesn’t come down.
Glaring down at me, he calls out to me. “There? Believe me now? I’m not crazy, Em.”
Staring up at him, mouth gaping, I pull out a chair from the dining table and sit. I can’t think right now. I don’t believe what I’m seeing.
Maybe Bastien is right.
He’s not crazy.
I am.
My gaze falls to the floor. I stare down at my pumps.
A hand on my shoulder lifts me from my many thoughts. “Em? Honey? Talk to me.”
I swallow hard, blinking up at him. “I need help, Bas. I’m going crazy.”
He chuckles humorlessly then talks to himself. “Tell her, they said. She’ll understand, they said.”
I’m suddenly parched. “I need water.”
Bastien disappears from my side. In less than a blink of an eye, he’s by my side, holding a full glass of water.
Jumping back, the chair topples behind me. “How- how are you doing that?”
Holding his hands out in a placating gesture, he places the water on the table and steps towards me. “Baby, I know this is hard to understand, and I promise I will answer any questions you want answers to, but you were right the first time.” He breathes in deep and utters on an exhale. “I’m a vampire.”
Oh yeah. I’ve gone bananas.
I mutter under my breath. “Right, right. Okay.”
He lifts the fallen chair and sits me down. He takes a seat across from me. “Ask me anything.”
My first question is dumb. In my defense, I believe myself to be borderline high at this point in time. “Are you going to kill me?”
His face screws up as he hollers, “What? No, I’m not going to kill you, Em. Shit! I love you!”
I nod. “Okay. That’s good.”
Taking my hand in his, he holds it tight and vows, “I will never hurt you. Never. I’m still the same guy.”
The same guy. Just now he drinks blood.
The second question comes easier. “So you drink blood?”
He seems relieved by this question and answers immediately, “Yes. I don’t need it often but I still need it at least once a month to replace my lack of red blood cells.”
“Did that man know what you were doing to him?”
He shakes his head. “No. Vampires can hypnotize a person before feeding. It’s easier this way. It’s cleaner and faster.”
Okay. “Did you hurt him?”
His eyes soften, as does his tone. “No, baby. I release venom into the bloodstream that acts as an anesthetic. He didn’t feel a thing, and I never take too much.”
I’m not sure I want to ask, but curiosity gets the better of me. “Have you ever fed from me?”
His hand squeezes mine. “Never. I would never do that to you. Never without permission.”