11.1 Compliance

Your mind is still racing as the sound of the man's breath continues in your ear. You can sense his impatience growing, though he hasn't said a word. Swallowing nervously again, you note how dry your throat has become. Clearing it softly, you take a deep breath before speaking.

"I know this sounds crazy." You begin trepidatiously, anxiously fiddling with the phone cord as you talk. "But I think I'm healing too quickly."

There's a short pause before the unexpected sound of deep laughter sounds in your ear. Your face grows increasingly flushed as you try to ignore the harsh laugh.

"I'll be over shortly."

You've barely opened your mouth to reply before the sharp click that follows tells you he's already hung up. Your anxiety increases as your mind slowly begins absorbing what has happened. Initially, you tell yourself not to worry as he doesn't know your address. That is until you remember what Jodi said the other night. Though she only gave the vaguest of descriptions, you're certain the Doctor was the unknown lurker she had spotted. Feeling uneasy, you try to distract yourself. After some time, you finally manage to shake the thoughts from your mind. Just in time for the ringing of your doorbell to pull you back in. You consider not answering, however, as the bell begins buzzing again, you know it's not an option. Begrudgingly, you make your way to the door. The bell has finally ceased ringing, but you know he still remains on the other side. Despite this knowledge, you can't help being slightly taken aback by the sight of the man. There's always something just slightly off about the Doctor's appearance. Though he's simply dressed in well fitting, dark slacks and a charcoal gray button up, he looks out of place. As if you plucked someone from the Edwardian era and put them in modern clothes. Something about the look just doesn't quite fit. Dismissing this thought, you rather apprehensively step aside to let him in.

"Doctor." You mumble softly, hoping you made the right decision.

"Lillian." He greets you in turn, swiftly stepping over the threshold.

Closing the door behind him, you watch warily as he moves further inside. His sharp eyes quickly survey the room before turning their attention back to you. He remains silent for a moment while looking you over. To your frustration your blush returns.

"Now then." He announces suddenly, startling you visibly. "What's this about healing too quickly?"

"Right." You nod reluctantly, feeling some regret. "I know it's strange, but just look."

Pulling your sleeve up, you hold your arm out towards him. You see one of his brows raise as he takes a step closer. His hands are just as cold as before as his fingers brush against your skin. A sharp gasp escapes your lips when they reach the area you had been messing with earlier. Half dry blood falls away, causing a stream of fresh crimson liquid to run in its place. You watch in confusion as the Doctor glides his fingers through the liquid before pulling his hand away. Your confusion only increases when the blood stained fingers are brought to his lips. The pit in the knot of your stomach returns as you watch him slowly lick the viscous substance away. You're instantly reminded of that night in the hospital and what you did to the other patient.

"What are you doing?" You breathe out sharply, feeling your heart loudly pounding in your chest.

"Are you truly this naive?" He questions, his lips now slightly stained. "Or simply playing dumb?"

"Are you going to help me or just insult me?" You snap irately, moving to pull your arm away.

"You don't need my help." He replies in a rather amused tone while tightening his grip around you.

You watch in further confusion and horror as he reaches back towards the stitches, his fingers deftly wrapping around the loose thread you broke earlier. Before you can stop him or pull away, he tugs on the thread. Red hot pain sears through your arm as the entirety of the stitches are ripped out. Crying out, you step back, using your free hand to wrap around the wound. Blood gushes between your fingers and splatters loudly against the wood floor. Looking up at the man in bewilderment, you're too stunned to attempt stopping his next actions. Your hand is roughly pried away before your arm is brought up to his mouth. Your eyes widen as his lips envelope the wound and he begins partaking in your blood.

"Stop!" You gasp after a moment, trying in vain to pull away.

Dr. Underwood ignores your attempts for a minute before finally pulling away. The dark smile he flashes you is stained red with blood. Once his grip loosens you quickly pull your arm away and move to inspect the damage. Your blood quickly runs cold when you see there's no damage, only slightly stained but otherwise completely healed skin.

"What did you do to me?" You demand in a low, slightly **** tone.

To your annoyance, the Doctor simply laughs again before reaching towards your face. Despite shirking back, you're not able to move quickly enough to avoid his touch. His cold fingers are still slightly sticky as they trace against your cheek.

"There's still so much blood running through you." He comments, seemingly more to himself than you. "Fascinating."

"You'll excuse me," You retort, pushing his hand away. "If I find none of this 'fascinating'."

The Doctor regards you for a moment before nodding, You're initially hesitant when he motions for you to take a seat but ultimately oblige. You keep a cautious eye on him as he takes the seat opposite you.

"I suppose this is all confusing." He finally admits, his tone softening marginally.

"To say the least." You can't help muttering under your breath.

"Perhaps I can shed some light." He continues, ignoring your remark. "After all, it seems you're here to stay. Though how, I'm not entirely sure."

"Please, stop being so vague."

"Right, let's get to the point." He pauses for a moment to clear his throat before looking you directly in the eyes. "You're dead."

"No, I'm not." You sigh in exacerbation. "Unless you're trying to claim this is heaven, or more likely in my case, hell."

"You assume you'd go to hell if it existed?" He inquires curiously, his brow raising again.

"I can't think what else hell would be," You give him a wry smile. "If not being stuck in this town, with you as my own personal devil."

"You may be more right than you think." He replies in an amused tone, his smirk returning. "However, I misspoke. You're not so much dead as no longer alive."

"That makes no sense." You interject, feeling increasingly impatient.

"Then let me explain." He snaps brusquely before reaching into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes.

You watch in annoyance as he takes a leisurely amount of time pulling one out and lighting it. He takes a long drag, followed by an equally long exhale. He moves to take another drag but by now your patience has run thin. Leaning forward, you swiftly pluck the joint from between his lips.

"Then explain." You hiss through gritted teeth before taking an inhale from the cigarette.

"Very well." He agrees, his eyes now focused on your lips. "As I was saying, you're no longer 'alive' in the way most people understand it."

Your brow furrows as you listen skeptically to his explanation. As he tells it, there is an ancient type of people who are immortal and capable of passing down this power. The way in which they do this is by biting an unsuspecting victim. However, the being and their victim must periodically feed on human blood in order to maintain their power and immortality.

"Are you saying I'm a vampire?" You laugh incredulously, unable to even conceive of such a notion. "Please, Doctor, I've had enough of your games. Just tell me the truth."

"I suspected you wouldn't believe me." He shrugs casually, seeming unmoved to try further convincing you.

"Who would?" You mumble before taking another drag off the cigarette.

"I know you're aware of how strange things have been since your accident." The Doctor's voice grows low as he leans forward in his seat. "You yourself said you're healing too quickly, just look at your arm."

"You did that." You reply, unconvincingly.

"And if I did." He plays devil's advocate for a moment. "How do you explain it?"

"I-" You falter for a moment, temporarily lost in the man's sharp gaze. "You're a Doctor, you did something."

"Think about it."

He smirks again before leaning forward more. You're completely caught off guard when his mouth suddenly presses against yours. Gasping in surprise, your mouth is suddenly filled by his warm, smooth tongue. Your eyes widen in shock and confusing arousal at the lingering metallic taste of blood. Before you can react, the Doctor pulls away. Breathlessly, you only half hear when he tells you he'll be back later to remove your casts. Still stunned, you sit motionless as he leaves.