Streetlights whizzed by behind the reflection of my face in the window of my Fastback. While I owned the car, I hadn’t ridden shotgun for a while until Gavin came around a few weeks ago. Now it seemed like I was doing all the time.

Charice was having a hard time driving because she had to pull the seat up to reach the gas pedal and the brakes, but with her wings as large as they were pushed her up close against the steering wheel. The smell of Chinese takeout lingered, reminding me that this was supposed to be a date night.

I reached for the CD player. “Who were we listening to earlier? Oh yeah, Death.”

Charice batted my hand away with a soft push.

“But I want to listen to In Human Form.”

“Not right now.”

“Where did Nehemiah go?”

“He went home, remember?”

“Where’s Tain and Rob?”

“We’re right here.”

“Oh.”

The silence got awkward.

“Sorry about the Chinese food. I’ll bring you on a better date next time.”

“Don’t worry about it. The food was really good.”

“Sorry you didn’t get to do more flying.”

“You don’t need to apologize. None of that was your fault, Sean.”

I let the silence hang for a minute, judging if I should say what was really on my mind. “I thought I saw my dad.”

Charice stole a glance at me then focused back to the road.

I filled the lingering quiet with more talking. “They never found the body you know. Mom threw a funeral anyways. Nehemiah was part of the Shepherds Guild with my dad though. Gavin told me so. I was stupid to think my dad was still alive, huh?”

Tain brought his head close to mine between the seats and licked my ear.

Charice struggled with the steering wheel turning hand over hand like they teach you in the DMV.

“It wasn’t my dad though. I guess I look more like my dad then I give myself credit.”

Charice still did not take the conversation bait.

“I saw myself, Charice. In the old Toys R Us.”

Charice rubbed my hand and her soft skin felt good on mine. “You’re sick. Try not to think too hard about what your mind imagined.”

I raised my voice. “I didn’t imagine it. He was almost as close as we are now. I heard his footsteps. I saw his shadow. I looked at me, and me looked back.”

“Okay, Sean.”

“You don’t believe me.”

She did not want to argue, and pretended not to hear me.

An itch welled up in my throat and I flew into a coughing fit. I wiped spittle from my lips the continued. “Wait. I thought Nehemiah was going to help make me better.”

“He’s trying to figure out what to do. I’m gonna take care of you in the meantime.”

“That’s nice of you guys, working together. Which is cool because you both have Bad Luck powers.” I laughed. It seemed super silly to me.

Charice did not giggle, so I gave her a playful punch on the arm.

She kept driving. Why was she ignoring me? The night started off awesome. We shared dinner. Charice beat up José. I even convinced her to try flying, and wouldn’t you know, she loved it! Then the stupid Korrigs went and sicced Nehemiah on the vampire trail.

And then I’d gotten bitten.

Re-cursed all over again. Everything would have been fine if we left the stupid vampire alone. He still turned a few civilians into servants for the Dearg Due anyways. I’d risked my life for nothing.

That had to be it. Charice did not want to talk to me because she was scared of me. Even Nehemiah had explained that my Keening was in a different class all of its own compared to her wings. She’d been mutated, and not even completely at that. I’d been cursed. And bitten. Now Charice didn’t want anything to do with me. I knew it. Nehemiah wasn’t even looking for ways to help me. That’s why he left.

“Why did we stop?”

“We’re at your apartment now.”

“Oh.”

No, I was tripping. The vampire bite went to my head. Why would Charice bother to bring me home if the sight of me scared her to death?

I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened my door. “That was fast.”

“Wait for me to help you out.”

I closed my eyes, smiled, and put my hand up. “I got this.”

I took one step and fell face flat on the pavement.

Charice and Rob helped me to my feet and got me into my shared apartment.

“We don’t have to worry about explaining this to Eddy. He works in a graveyard, so he won’t be here all night.”

Rob furrowed his bushy orange eyebrows. “Don’t you mean he works the graveyard shift?”

I smiled and gave Rob a noogie. “That too.”

They took off my jacket, shoes and socks, then lay me down on my bed and tucked me in. No sooner was I covered under the blanket did shivers rock my body. My teeth chattered. “Itssss, really, colddd.”

“Feels like you have a fever. And you’re super pale too.” said Charice with nothing but care in her beautiful eyes.

“Read me a story like Mom used to.”

Rob came back with a wet washcloth and Charice washed my face.

“You’re super pretty and I want to kiss you.”

“You’re sweaty and delirious. I’ll pass.”

“Fine you get none of this.” I puckered my lips.

As she sat next to me rubbing my forehead, I felt super bad for her. “You had to undergo your crazy transformation. You didn’t have anyone to take care of you. That’s messed up.”

“Shhhhh. Try to rest Sean.”

“You should leave and let me suffer alone. It’s only fair.”

I tried to keep my eyes open but my eyelids sank like an old helium balloon.

Charice’s hand left my face.

I forced my eyes open. “Are you gonna go now? No, don’t go. Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She kissed my cheek and by the time I opened my eyes she was gone. Rob hovered over me along with Tain at my side.

“Did she leave?”

“Yeah like an hour ago.”

“Crap I hate being sick.”

As I lay their sleep evaded me. Doubts gnawed at my mind. If I didn’t figure out this vampire Keening two-for-one combo, would Charice still be my girlfriend? I argued back and forth with myself playing mental ping pong until at some point I passed out.

---

I awoke with a start. I blinked once and I didn’t need to rub yellow crust out of my eyes. Stale apartment air rushed into my nostrils. I felt good, like I’d gotten the best sleep I ever got in my whole life. My stomach rumbled. Hunger took me hostage.

I jumped out of bed and ran for the fridge not even bothering to grab utensils or a plate. One by one tupperware from the fridge piled up on the counter. “What to eat?” I asked myself aloud.

All of it looked good. It smelled even better. Better eat all of it.

My tongue salivated and I started digging into all the leftovers I could get my hands on. Popeye’s chicken wings, Costco pizza, half of a Sac’s hotdog that belonged to Eddy, some refried beans, scraps of old broccoli. I grabbed a half full two liter of Dr Pepper, also Eddy’s, and my other hand grabbed a gallon of milk. Yep. Eddy’s too. Oh well. I’d get him back later. I downed the Dr Pepper, then chased it with the milk. At the end of it I was still thirsty, still hungry, still famished.

Rob rubbed his eyes. “Sean, how are you feeling?”

“I’m starving. Otherwise I feel great! Thanks for asking, Rob. Pass me the strawberry jelly would you.”

The hob handed me strawberry jam along with a spoon. “It’s quarter past 1 AM. What’s wrong with you, Sean?”

Nothing was wrong with me so I ignored that question. “I said jelly.”

“We only have jam.”

“Bread then please.”

He handed me the bag of wheat bread.

I got the peanut butter and a knife out. I lathered on a thick dollop of tan creamy goodness, then got three heaping spoonfuls a jelly and smeared it on the other bread then slapped the sandwich together.

“I’m missing something.”

“Looks like a standard PB & J to me.”

“Aha,” I threw a pointer finger into the air.

I dug into the back of the fridge and pulled out the mayonnaise.

“What’s up, boss?”

I grabbed the peanut butter knife without even bothering to clean it before dipping it into the mayonnaise jar and smearing the salty goodness on top of the sandwich. It didn’t look like there was enough so I added more. “Nothing. Hungry is all. Why do you ask?”

I flipped the sandwich upside down so that the mayonnaise would hit my tongue first. A huge amount of it fell to the floor like raindrops splattering everywhere mingling with the jam.

“That’s gross even for me,” said Rob. “I think you’re still sick Sean.”

“Nonsense,” I said between bites. “I’m just really hungry.”

In his sleep Tain let out a low growl, then several muffled barks. He must have been dreaming of chasing cats. Or monsters. I eyed him with fond affection.

Rob continued. “Your skin still looks pale. Maybe even more pale than last night.”

“Well, I am white, and Irish at that.”

“And your hair looks lighter. Did you color it?”

“Psssh. No! When in the heck would I have time to do that?”

The hobgoblin shrugged.

“You’re tripping buddy. Now clean this mess up,” I pointed to the floor and countertops.

Rob glared at me, but did as he was told. He was my servant for life anyways. “Did you get enough sleep?”

“Of course I did. Look at me. I feel great.”

“There’s really dark bags under your eyes. Maybe that’s why you’re so grumpy.”

“I’m not acting grumpy.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

I hit the ground and knocked out twenty-five pushups like it was nothing. “See. I’m all good.” An itch snuck into my throat and I cleared it as discreetly as I could, stifling a cough.

“You know, boss,” said Rob as he discarded all the trash into the garbage, “I think it’s time for the weekly visit to your mom’s house and recharge at the Ole’ Oak Tree.”

“I don’t see why.”

He wiggled his eyebrows for emphasis.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt. Get Tain up and let’s go.”