3

I'm curled up on the bedroom floor, rocking back and forth like a hysteric.

My hand is placed on my neck bruised by the fangs of this monster. I'm like drained of all energy, I don't even have the strength to cry anymore. It all seems unreal yet when I try to forget, the pain in my neck calls me to order. Ian fell asleep instantly after biting me, I took the opportunity to put myself here in a corner, in total darkness.

I don't know what to do...I'm a prisoner of this monster and I think the worst thing is to think that Daniella went through the same thing, for six months, every night. She died and it must have been a release for her, I don't even know if I could last another night.

I get up painfully and on tiptoe, I head for the door that should lead to the bathroom. I'm happy to stumble upon it.

The room is large and luxurious, an egg-shaped bath sits in the middle and on the edges, three sinks and a large mirror window. Vampires aren't supposed to see themselves in mirrors so what's the point of having so many? Actually, maybe it's just myths, "Twilight" was wrong about vampires...it wouldn't surprise me if the mirrors were a lie too.

I find the light switch after feeling the walls in the dark.

I don't recognize myself when I look at myself in the mirror, my red hair is matted, my face is flushed and my eyes are puffy. I touch the mark that proves it's not all a bad dream, traces of blood appear along my neck. I grab a towel to rub and wipe away the dried blood, ignoring the burning in my sore throat. I'm still in my underwear, I don't know what to wear...I don't have anything of mine here and Ian must not care. I am only his slave, his food.. .I stare at my fingers gripping the edge of the cabinet as I try to hold back my sobs. My breathing controlled, I lift my head and jump when I see Ian in the mirror.

I turn and he smiles.

-Are we frolicking? he asks, his voice still calm.

I don't answer and walk past him to return to the bedroom after turning off the light, leaving him in the dark. I will regret this rude gesture.

A split second later he's blocking my way, and I flinch to see him appear so quickly.

So super speed confirmed, mirror eliminated.

-Are you still hungry? I finally asked trying to control my voice.

He cocks his head to the side, a smirk on his lips.

-No, I'm not hungry anymore Aly, hum can I call you Aly? Now that we're intimate.

I glare at him and nudge him so that he clears the way for me. Anger sets in and takes the place of fear. He doesn't move and I feel like I pushed a statue.

-No for you, it's Alyson. Aly is reserved for friends and family, not the monster like you, I spit staring him in the eyes this time.

His smile redoubles and I'm surprised he hasn't pinned me against the wall yet.

-You are the first human who speaks to me in this tone. Um, the venom had no effect on you, weird.

A venom? What venom? I prefer not to think about it any longer and I put on my dress before returning to sit in my corner. Ian is staring at me like he's…worried?

Suddenly he is in front of me, feeling my neck until he finds the place where he bit me. Oddly his fingers are hot.

I wince and clap his hand. He takes it off but slides it under my chin to raise it. I meet his gaze, he seems seriously annoyed and I seriously don't care. I just want him to lift his disgusting fingers from my face.

-Why is the best human I've tasted so far immune to the effects of my venom, you must have hurt.. he sighs.

No, but he really has a problem? He just planted his canines in my neck and he concluded that I had pain? Cheer ! So vampires speed strength 10/10, intelligence 0/10.

Ian disappears for a few seconds before reappearing with a damp, warm cloth. He places it against my neck and I am surprised by this gesture which seems friendly. I stare at him and my heart races when I hear him gently healing me.

He made these marks himself!

My conscience screams and I ignore it, fascinated by this behavior.

The pain slowly subsides and I sigh with relief, but Ian takes the cloth off and disappears again, returning a minute later with a tray of food that looks appetizing.

But I won't touch that, I'm not suicidal. He puts the tray next to me on the floor and sits in front of it, probably waiting for me to do something, like...eat.

- Eat, he says when he sees that I don't react. I shake my head determined.

Ian rolls his eyes, exasperated, and suddenly he shows his canines. I flinch before curling up in my corner again.

- Eat, Alyson! He repeats seeing that his attempt at intimidation didn't work as he hoped.

-No I'm going to die anyway, so stop your charade and kill me! I growled.

-I'm definitely not going to kill a taste treasure like you, so eat I want you healthy, otherwise I'll go to your family..

-Stop! I'm going to eat.

I grab an apple and bite into it angrily under Ian's urgent gaze. He wants me to eat just so he can eat better tomorrow.

-If my venom had had an effect on you, you would feel good, he says.

I look at him for a moment and so does he. After I finish the apple I push the tray away and curl up on myself again.

- You don't want to eat something else? The steak looks delicious.

I back up a bit, shaking my head.

-I'm a vegetarian, now leave me alone.

He still displays his smile and I really want to strangle him. Why is he doing this? I don't want his kindness, I just want him to leave me alone until tomorrow.

-It's amazing how fear gives you courage. Like your little speech yesterday morning. Fear gave you courage, to give them hope, even if your security plan will never work, that impressed me.

I look up at him, he's still crouched on the floor, watching me.

- Were you there this morning?

-Yes, I've been following you for several days, it must be said that your smell is exquisite.

He approaches me and I try to step back, but the wall stops me. Ian sinks his head into my neck and inhales before kissing it, I close my eyes waiting for the pain but he pulls back just a bit and looks at me again. His face is young, very young. I wouldn't say he's over twenty.

-How old are you ?

It came out on its own and I want to bury myself after saying that. But Ian doesn't seem upset.

-I'm barely a hundred years old.

I can't help but smile when he says "barely". I am 17 years old and I can say that I already feel almost old.

- How did you become a vampire?

My question seems to shock him and he answers something that surprises me, to the point.

-Well as you were born human, I was born vampire. Your question is stupid and you are boring me.

He lifts me suddenly and throws me on the bed, I try to extricate myself from it but he holds me back.

- You are sleeping now.

"I can sleep on the floor," I said, struggling against his arms.

He doesn't even seem to have seen that I was fighting with him. He takes my wrist and lies down next to me.

-Why are you doing this? I asked, feeling his breath slow as he fell asleep.

-I don't want you to escape.

- What if I promise to stay? I could sleep alone?

He doesn't answer, but I feel his arms turn towards him so that we're face to face.

His face is terrifying in the dark but I stay calm...well, from the outside. I don't want to show him my weakness.

-I can think about it, but I'm not sure that your word is worth anything to me, human.

He caresses my cheek gently and I pull back.

-You should stop backing away when I touch you, because my patience has limits and I don't like being refused something. Now sleep and maybe tomorrow I'll be kind to you.

He lets go of me and turns around to fall asleep immediately. Me, I don't sleep at night, I think...I think of my brother who must hate himself at that moment, of my parents who must be worried...I don't want them to live in the 'anguish. They don't deserve this, they are such good people. Ian is a bloodthirsty monster who thinks nothing of the harm he is doing by taking a person's life. It would surprise me if he was ever kind to me, but I silently swear to myself that I will fight until the end and that I will never let him take control of me.