13.2 Misguided

"Satisfied?" You inquire, gesturing to your slightly uneven stitches.

"Getting there." He replies with a roguish smile while using his ripped to wipe blood from his hands.

You quickly turn away, hoping to hide the anxious look on your face. The mix of **** coupled with the sweet scent of blood leaves you feeling flushed with warmth. Needing a distraction, you busy yourself looking for a pack of gauze and tape the hospital sent you home with. You can hear the strange man moving around behind you but continue to ignore him. You've just located the items when you hear your bedroom door open and swiftly turn its direction.

"I'd appreciate it if you don't wander around." You frown when you see the stranger glancing into the small abode. "I mean, I don't even know your name yet."

"Nathan." He smiles again, pulling away and shutting the door behind him. "I was looking for the restroom."

"Other door." You tilt your head in the direction of the half bath in the hallway. "Take this."

Using your good arm, you toss the gauze and tape to the man. He deftly catches the bundle and offers you an appreciative nod before entering the other room. Sighing, you return to the kitchen where you intend to wash the now half dried blood from your hands. As you stand before the sink and reach for the valve you suddenly find yourself hesitant. The fragrant aroma the crimson liquid emits all at once appears amplified. You remain frozen in place as your eyes rake over the partially dry substance. After a moment you break out of the trance long enough to at least turn the water on. Though you still find yourself inexplicably unable to wash the enticing liquid away. Leaning forward, you take a large inhale of the saccharine aroma mixed with an earthy metallic scent. You've just begun to bring the hand to your lips when you hear the bathroom door reopen.

Quickly straightening up, you plunge your hands into the cold water. Glancing at the man anxiously, you see he has also washed off. You're already beginning to think clearer now that the distracting scent has all but dissipated. However, your eyes can't help briefly running across the man's athletic form. Though the majority of his torso is now covered in bandages, you still appreciate the deep grooves outlining his muscular chest and abdomen. Catching yourself, you quickly return your gaze to your now clean hands. Clearing your throat awkwardly, you shut the water off before drying your hands off.

"So, do you live around here?" You inquire, hoping to sound casual instead of prying. "I haven't seen you around before."

"Just passing through." He replies, the sensation of his eyes burning into your skin.

"And that... thing..." The word doesn't sound right but you're not sure how else to refer to what you saw. "I mean what was that?"

"Would you believe me if I said it was an escaped animal?" His tone indicates he already knows your answer.

"Not even a little." You fail to smile at his attempt at lightening the situation. "Please, if there's something on the loose in the area I deserve to know."

"It won't be for long." Nathan offers you a reassuring smile before taking a step forward. "Just know it's trouble and only comes out at night. So you'll be safe as long as you don't do anything foolish."

"What if I already have?"

The man's brow cocks in confusion as he takes in your full appearance more carefully. Slowly, a look of recognition comes over his face and he's before you in an instant.

"This isn't good." He mumbles to himself, reaching forward to run his hand along your exposed jugular.

His cool touch brings you momentarily relief and placidity. Though you're still **** for answers you're equally **** for further relief. You tilt your head back slightly, giving the man a better look at your slender neck. His fingers continue to trail along its length, only tapering off when they reach your clavicle.

"I'm not going to turn into that thing am I?" You whisper, only half serious as you become lost in the distracting sensation.

"No." He replies, his deep tone rumbling in your ears. "Not yet at least, depending on how you progress."

"Hmmm?" Your voice is barely audible as your eyes drift closed.

"I'll explain later." Nathan assures, his fingers resuming their descent and brushing against your upper chest.

You've become completely preoccupied as his close proximity has brought back the sweet scent that seems to cling to his wounds. In turn you find your own hand is now absentmindedly tracing down his taut chest. Somewhere in the back of your mind you know it's completely irrational to give into such base desires with a stranger. Yet you know you're unable to stop yourself from proceeding. His lingering touch provides continued relief though you're aware it won't be enough alone. You're more than agreeable when his hand moves to begin removing your shirt. Feeling bold, you take a step forward leading him in the direction of the bedroom. The smirk on his rugged face tells you he's keen to take things further. Flashing him a coy smile of your own you finish removing your shirt as you enter the room.

"There's something else you should remove before we continue." He gestures to the casts you had to work around to remove your clothes.

"That's a lot easier said than done." You scoff lightly, looking down at the hard plaster that's become any increased annoyance in your life.

"Not for you." He states directly, no trace of humor or irony in his deep tone.

Frowning, you gently run your fingers along the rough material covering your arm. You glance at the man, raising an eyebrow skeptically before slipping them in the gap between the cast and your arm. The doubtful look remains on your face as you tug upwards, expecting nothing to happen. To your complete surprise part of the plaster crumbles beneath your touch.

"What kind of cheap-?" You gasp, easily pulling away the rest of the material.

You're equally surprised to find your arm looks completely normal and not as though it had been bound up for weeks. Your frown returns as you hastily move to remove the cast on your leg.

"You need to stop denying the truth." The man steps forward, running a hand down along your now freed arm. "It's not a bad thing what's happened to you, not if you don't want it to be."

"I don't understand." You complain, tired of the details always being obscured or vague. "Just tell me what I am."

"I'll show you." He smirks, lunging forward and pinning you against the bed.

"W-what are you doing?" You gasp, struggling to free yourself from his grasp despite your supposed strength.

You cry out in pain when his teeth sink into your shoulder, effortlessly piercing your soft skin. Squirming against his embrace you can feel warm liquid running down your shoulder as the sweet, metallic scent of blood fills your senses.