“Duncan?” I whispered, stepping inside.
The shades were pulled, so it was dark, but I could see him sprawled out on top of his bed, wearing only a pair of black and white striped boxers. He appeared to be sleeping with earphones from his iPod still attached to his head. The music was coming through loud and I was surprised that anyone could sleep that way.
“Hey,” I said, squeezing his arm.
His eyes popped open and he stared at me as if I was a complete stranger.
I smiled. “It’s just me, goofball.”
The next thing I knew, he let out a strangled growl and I soon found myself underneath him with his hands on my throat, squeezing. He bared his fangs and I stared at him in horror, waiting for him to rip out my throat.
I opened my mouth and tried to scream, but it was painfully impossible with his hands squeezing. Just when I thought my life was over, he seemed to snap out of it.
“Nikki?” he choked, releasing my neck. “Oh, God…”
“What the fuck?!” hollered Nathan, rushing into the bedroom. “Get off my sister, man!”
Duncan got up and I rolled away, wheezing and coughing.
“I’m so sorry, Nikki!” cried Duncan, his eyes full of remorse. “I didn’t know what I was doing… I’m…God, I’m so sorry!”
Nathan helped me off the bed. “Are you okay?” he asked, pulling me into his arms.
“Yeah,” I whispered, although my throat was pretty sore.
“What the hell, Dunc?” snapped my brother above my head. “Are you out of your freaking mind?”
Duncan grabbed a pair of jeans from the floor and pulled them on. “I’m sorry. I must have been still sleeping or something. You know I’d never hurt her; not intentionally.”
“Jesus, remind me never to invite you over for a slumber party,” said my brother as he released me. “You scared the shit out of us, bro.”
Duncan moved towards me and touched my cheek. “I am so sorry, Nikki. You know I’d never try to harm you on purpose. You know that, right?”
I nodded. I realized it probably had something to do with being a vampire but I vowed to never wake Duncan up from a deep sleep ever again.
“Come here,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “I can’t believe that happened. I feel like such an asshole.”
I let him hold me, although I couldn’t get the image of his attack out of my head. Then, when I felt how warm his body was, I pushed him away. “You’ve fed,” I whispered hoarsely.
He brushed his dark hair from his eyes and stared at me but wouldn’t say anything. I noticed that his face had more color than the last time I’d seen him and his eyes were even more of a vibrant silvery-gray. Thinking of him feeding from a living person gave me the chills.
“You’ve eaten?” asked Nathan. “Shoot, I was going to take you out for breakfast at Ruth’s Diner.”
Duncan turned towards my brother and smiled. “I had a late night snack, but I could certainly join you guys. I’ll meet you in the living room in a few. Just let me get ready.”
I followed Nathan back to the living room, still feeling shaky.
“You really okay?” he asked,
I nodded. “I’m fine, but obviously Duncan isn’t. He’s warm to the touch.”
Nathan raised his eyebrows. “And…that’s not fine?”
I shook my head. “No, it means he’s fed. He’s had blood.”
He sighed. “Nikki…”
“Ready to go,” interrupted Duncan, now wearing a khaki colored sweater, a pair of brown suede boat shoes, and dark sunglasses.
“Yeah, I’ll drive,” said Nathan.
I was silent as we walked to the car, although Duncan tried grabbing my hand a couple of times. I brushed it away and then stuffed my hands into my jacket pockets. I still couldn’t get over the fact that he’d fed and now that Susan was murdered, it made me wonder. Was he responsible for her death?
Nathan, on the other hand, was talking a mile a minute about Susan and the news report.
“I can’t believe she’s gone, man,” he said in a strangled voice. “I actually made out with her a few times last summer. She was a sweet chick. Shit, I feel sick to my stomach thinking about what might have happened to her.”
“Yeah,” murmured Duncan, who was sitting in the passenger seat so I couldn’t see his expression. “What a waste. I didn’t know her very well, but she seemed nice.”
When we arrived at the diner, it was busy, as usual. We seated ourselves at a booth in the corner and Duncan slid in next to me.
“Hi, kids,” said Rosie, handing us menus. “You hear?”
I nodded. “Yeah, that’s why we’re here and not in school.”
There were tears in Rosie’s eyes. “She was a good kid,” she murmured. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”
“Me neither,” I said. “Whoever did this, I hope they find him and hang him by his balls. He’s doesn’t deserve the air he breathes.”
“It’s not safe for anyone with this psychopath on the loose. You be extra careful, Nikki,” said Rosie. “He seems to be going after young girls around your age.”