15.2 Hospital

Though you know it's likely the easier scenario, you can't bring yourself to commit to the idea of potentially harming someone. Despite having little idea how to go about it, you ultimately decide to risk trying the more challenging option. Changing into something more casual, you continue to mull over different scenarios as you wait for the last of the light to fade as the sun slips away. Pacing anxiously, you know you can't stall any longer and head out. Nervously, you lock your door before getting into your car. Adjusting the mirror slightly, you catch a brief glimpse of your reflection. You don't particularly like seeing yourself anymore, barely being able to recognize the foreign face staring back at you. Shaking your head, you quickly turn the engine over and back out. The roads are relatively quiet as you slowly head in the direction of the hospital. You still have no idea how you're going to proceed when your thoughts are suddenly interrupted by the distant sound of a siren.

Glancing again in the rearview mirror, you catch the tail end of an ambulance heading in the opposite direction. Slowing down, your eyes flit around quickly as you begin forming an idea. Cutting the steering wheel sharply, you make a u-turn and begin heading in the same direction. After increasing your speed you can see the ambulance again ahead in the distance and can make a guess at where it's heading. A small pillar of smoke is rising up further ahead and slightly to the side. Taking the next turn, you continue down the street parallel to the one you were originally on. You can see the needle on your speedometer slowly increase as does your speed. Eventually, you can figure out the cause of the smoke, it's a large fire that's broken out in another apartment complex. Pulling over, you get out and go the rest of the way on foot. You can hear the siren's approaching, letting you know you were successful in beating the paramedics here.

Thankfully, it's easy for you to slip through the crowd that has gathered around outside the smoldering building. Slinking behind the neighboring unit, you smudge some soot on your face and rip part of your sleeve open. Keeping an eye on the crowd behind you, you use your nails to tear into your supple flesh. Wincing as the pungent scent of blood fills your nostrils, you hastily slink back through the crowd. The ambulance has already parked and you can see an EMT getting out and gesturing to people to make way for the oncoming firetruck and other arriving emergency vehicles. Making your way over to the worker, you gesture to your profusely bleeding arm.

"This way ma'am." The man quickly instructs, leading you to the back of the ambulance.

He helps you take a seat as he begins examining the wound. You see his brow furrow as he traces his gloved fingers along the jagged edges that run along your forearms length.

"How'd you cut yourself?" He inquires, now reaching over you to grab some equipment.

"Broken glass I think." You mumble as you watch him begin threading a curved needle. "It was hard to see with all the smoke."

"You've lost a bit of blood." The paramedic comments as he sets the needle aside and begins cleaning your wound. "But you'll be fine."

You've grown too light headed to notice the slight sting felt as he runs a sterile pad across the wounds. Your eyes drift half closed as you wonder if your plan may have backfired. While it was a decent amount of blood you've spilt, it should be enough to cause you at this level of fatigue. You suppose it must be due in part to the growing hunger you've been plagued with over the past day.

"Hey, stay with me." The man frowns, reaching a hand to your chin and tilting your head up so he can look into your eyes.

"Mmmm..." You mumble softly, trying to focus on his warm, brown eyes.

You can make out the frown that spreads across his face as he gently lets your head fall back to your side. His warm figure brushes against you as he reaches behind you once more. You can feel his hands move to your other arm and begin rolling up your sleeve. A moment later a sharp prick is felt in the middle of your arm. Your eyes quickly shoot back open as you're instantly filled with renewed strength.

"Woah, take it easy." The paramedic cautions, his firm grip on your shoulder keeping you in place. "Stay here and try not to move. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Nodding silently, you watch as the man goes to assist those actually injured in the fire. You can't help feeling a bit guilty for taking advantage of the situation. However, given how much better you're already feeling you can't say it wasn't worth it. Your gaze slowly drifts over to the bag hanging near eye level, its contents still over half full. Your tongue runs along the edge of your lip as you envision how dark liquid must taste. The only thing stopping you from ripping it down and tearing into it is the crowd that remains outside. Sighing, you close your eyes and try to concentrate on other things while you wait for the rest of its contents to fill you.

"How are we doing over here?"

Your eyes slowly reopen a few minutes later at the sound of the paramedics' voice. Almost dreamily, you look up at him as the warm feeling the sustenance has brought continues to flow through you. Now that you're somewhat more present, you're able to fully appreciate your rescuer's features. Slightly wave curls of brown hair frame his attractive, lightly tanned face. His eyes hold an innocent look of concern and friendliness as he waits for your reply.

"Much better, thank you." You smile, honestly appreciative of his assistance.

"Good." He nods before reaching over to remove the needle from your arm.

You watch as he goes to finish the stitches on your other arm a moment later. Noting how pleasant his gentle touch feels against your flushed skin.

"Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?" He inquires as he begins bandaging the wounds. "They're not letting anyone back into that unit tonight, even if it's undamaged."

"Oh, I don't live here-" You blurt out before the confused look on the man's face cuts your words off. "My friend does, I'm watering her plants while she's out town."

"That was some bad timing for you then." The man offers you a playful smile in an attempt to lighten the otherwise unassuming situation.

"No kidding." You agree, just relieved he appears to have completely bought your fabricated story. "Bad timing has become an unfortunate reoccurrence for me lately."

"Huh, I seem to have the same problem myself." The man admits as he begins cleaning up the blood you spilled around the area. "My shift was just about to end when this call came in. Through, now that I think of it, maybe it was actually good timing."

Your brow raises in mild confusion as you observe the man's slightly hopeful expression. It quickly occurs to you that he's viewing the situation in a much different light. Biting the inside of your lip, you can't help the light flush that quickly covers your cheeks. Despite your changes physically, you're still susceptible to the base desires felt by all humans. Tucking a lock of hair behind your ear, you offer the man a coy smile.

"How do you figure?" You play along, suddenly eager to see where this might lead.

"Well, now I'm now free to give you a ride home." He grins, holding a hand out to help you up. "That is if you want. I can take you to the hospital, though your wounds aren't serious enough for them to prescribe you anything stronger than ibuprofen."

Sliding your slender hand into his firm grip, you slowly slide down the back of the truck onto your feet. Glancing up at the young man, you don't need to guess any further as to what his intentions might be. To your surprise, you find yourself growing increasingly intrigued. While in the past you weren't the type to consider a one night stand or anything similar, you can no longer remember why. It all seems so silly now to deny yourself such pleasures. Pulling your hand out of his, you throw him another appreciative smile.

"A ride would be great."