Bailey sat in the darkness in the corner of Thomas's cell and stared at his weak limp body stretched out across the floor. It had been at least two days since Stephen or anyone else in the house had fed off of him. Bailey had brought him plenty of food and water but his body was taking its sweet time to regain strength.
So far she had deftly avoided the topic of her identity and how all these bloodthirsty monsters were actually her friends but she knew sooner or later she would have to be honest with him.
"Although," she thought to herself, "honesty definitely does not seem to be the prevailing theme of this house. Bailey never mentioned George to me before and Stephen never brought up Michelle."
A faint groan from Thomas interrupted her thoughts. He pushed himself up onto one elbow and smiled at her through the darkness.
"I'm so glad you're safe," he said, the raspy voice emanating from his dry throat. Bailey crawled over to him and held the bottle of cold water in her hands up to his lips. He drank voraciously never once breaking eye contact.
"You should have some too," he encouraged. Bailey gulped and nodded in agreement.
"You're right I should," she said, racking her brain for any excuse not to let the now detestable liquid pass her lips.
"But this is really cold still and you know how I like my drinks room temperature."
Thomas cocked his head to the side not recalling any such thing about Bailey but he had been in here a long time and it was completely possible he had forgotten many things.
"How long have they had you in here?" he wanted to know. He pushed himself up to standing and slowly carefully stretched his legs.
"Oh you know...just a little bit less than they've had you."
"And they let you come and go as you please?" he asked, sounding completely surprised.
"Well not exactly," Bailey said, twisting the end of her ponytail around one finger.
"They let you come visit me at least," Thomas said with a smile. "That's good enough for me."
He walked slowly over to Bailey and sat down next to her.
"I've missed you," he admitted. Scooting a little bit closer he reached up one weak arm and rested it around her shoulders.
"Oh my gosh, Bailey. You're freezing cold," he gasped. "Are you ok? You're like unnaturally cold."
"I uh, I'm fine," Bailey assured him, hopping quickly to her feet.
"I should go. They will want me to finish my housework. They get mad when it isn't done properly."
"Housework?" Thomas repeated. "What on earth are you talking about?"
"I have to go," Bailey insisted. She yanked open the door and then slammed it shut behind her before Thomas could say another word.
"I'm just as much of a monster as Darby or Stephen," she thought to herself. She felt tears well up in her eyes but proudly refused to let them fall. How could she possibly explain to Thomas after not seeing him for months that she was now a creature of the night who no longer thirsted for water but only blood?
"Maybe George would have some ideas. He seems to have a way with words."
Bailey made sure the door to Thomas's cell was locked behind her and made her way quickly down the dark stairwell and outside.
The moon was beginning to fade from view. In only an hour the sun would start to rise and another day would dawn. Bailey hurried across the wet grass to the guest house where George was staying. She knocked softly on the door and waited for an answer.
A soft "Come in" was the response and she turned the knob and pushed the creaky white door open. George and Darby were on the couch hidden under an array of blankets. Bailey blushed slightly and looked down at her feet.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," she muttered apologetically.
"You didn't," George assured her with his typical sweet smile. He patted to a spot on the couch next to hin.
"Come sit down," he offered. Bailey stared at him with wide eyes. She could see Darby in her perriferal, glaring as if she absolutely had interrupted something. Bailey took a step back and settled herself into a light blue armchair across from the couch. She noticed Darby's face relax slightly.
"What brings you to see us?" George wanted to know.
"Well I mostly came to see you," Bailey began. Darby's face creased back into a frown.
"To see both of you," Bailey quickly corrected. "Because I don't know what to do about Thomas."
"Who is Thomas?" George asked.
"A human friend of hers that Stephen has been snacking on. She feels bad for him now but she's afraid he will hate her if he learns she's a vampire."
"Wouldn't a real friend love you for who you are no matter what?" George questioned. Darby rolled her eyes.
"No human is going to love vampire."
"I did," George said succinctly. He stared directly at Darby. She opened her mouth as if to reply but after a few seconds of silence she sunk back against the couch, speechless.
"I understand the fear of telling someone about yourself," George said comfortingly to Bailey. "But he will find out sooner or later. Best to get it over with as soon as possible. If he hates you, you let him go and start healing from the loss. If he doesn't, you figure out how to continue your friendship despite your differences."
"I think she wants more than a friendship moving forward," Darby said with a teasing smile. Bailey blushed again and frowned at Darby.
"Well that's another big step that I'm sure you two can take together if the time is-"
George stopped midsentence and sat straight up. He tilted his head back, put his nose in the air and took a deep breath as he swiveled it around.
"Do you smell that?" he asked Darby. She frowned in concentration and took a deep breath herself.
"I do smell something," she told him. "It seems somewhat familiar but I can't place it."
"I definitely smell it," Bailey chimed in. "I don't know how but it smells like...violence?"
As if on cue, there was suddenly a blood curdling scream from outside. It lasted for only a few seconds and was promptly cut short.
George sighed and leaned his face down into his palm.
"I knew it. I knew he was following me but I couldn't find him. Should have known he would announced himself in his own special way when it was time."
Now it was Darby's turn to sit straight up.
"He? You don't mean-?"
George nodded.
"That's exactly what I mean. Lee is back."
