He tried to shake the feeling that something was off. A shiver went through his body. Claire looked at him with concern. He pressed on, though, wanting to get to their destination. He was worried about what they might find. On top of that, he was exhausted.
Chapter 17
H
enry pulled into the driveway of the Cooper’s home. It was a grand Victorian set in the small, well-established village. Nick and Elaina grew up in that home. There were so many fantastic memories there for them.
Since it was late fall, the leaves had changed to the brilliant golds, ambers, and reds, which were quietly falling to the ground, one by one.
Henry and Sophie got out to scope out the area for any undeads. This left Thomas alone with Nick, a fresh reanimation of his former self. Thomas was jerky and nervous, and rightfully so. He was drumming his fingers on the door armrest. Nick was staring at him, watching him and studying him, getting used to the small changes in his senses. He rapidly became aggravated of Thomas’ twitchy behavior.
“Enough!” Nick roared with clenched fists. Thomas almost came out of his skin. Nick was feeling the pain and stiffness of his new body. The blood that he had back at the store wasn’t enough. He tugged at the bloodied strip of Henry’s t-shirt that was tied around his arm. He now had a good understanding of Henry’s rages.
The craving was becoming uncontrollable. And the anger was like an ember that never burnt out in the deepest part of his body. He couldn’t think about anything but tearing open Thomas’ neck and drinking the elixir of life.
“Fuck!” Nick’s rage continued. He threw open the door and slammed it shut. Thomas didn’t leave the truck. He had decided it would be best if he just stayed right where he was.
Henry and Sophie turned around, pointing their Sigs in Nick’s direction. “Christ, Nick! What the hell are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?” Henry jogged up to him. Claire was watching the scene from Henry’s truck.
“I can’t. I can’t do this.” Panic was settling in on top of his rage. He kept rolling his neck back and forth. He was clenching and releasing his fists, time and time again, while pacing like a maniac. He was seconds from tweaking out.
“Listen, I know how hard it is, but we need you. You need to concentrate on the bigger picture right now.” Nick began laughing at Henry’s statement.
Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed Henry by the throat and wrestled him to the ground. Henry easily overpowered him and rolled Nick to his stomach with his wounded arm pinned behind his back. Then Henry jammed the muzzle of his Sig into Nick’s left ear.
Claire scrambled out of the truck, screaming. “No! No! Stop! Please, stop!” She was on her knees, begging.
“Do it! Do it!” Nick yelled, maniacally laughing.
“Shut it now! You’re going to attract undeads!”
Nick laughed again. “Wake up and look around you, motherfucker. We are the undeads!”
“You listen to me,” Henry growled, as he slammed Nick’s body further into the ground. “You are going to shut the fuck up now so we do not get overrun. We’re trying to see if your mum is here and alive!” He held him down, and Nick was growling in pain. Henry looked up at Claire. “Can we tap you?”
“Tap me? Absolutely not!” Claire gave Henry a disgusted look, and scrambled back.
“Claire, please. He needs some blood. If he doesn’t get it soon, he will not be able to control this rage or his drive. You guys will be in danger. Trust me. It will only get worse from here.” Nick continued to struggle. Claire stood looking at what Nick had become. “If he doesn’t get what he needs, I will have to end it. You get me?”
“This is your fault! He wouldn’t be like this if you could control yourself! Look at him!” The tears began pouring down her face. “And it’s your fault Elaina is hurt!” That stung Henry. He knew the current predicament that they were in was his fault, but to hear Claire spit those words to him hurt on a deep level.
“Claire, please. I know. I’m fucking sorry. You have no idea how pissed I’m with myself right now. I’m full of regret, but I can’t turn back time.” Nick was starting to wear thin beneath Henry. “He needs your help. Can you not see that?” Claire was sobbing.
***
I heard the fighting, yelling, and the struggle going on outside the truck. My head was foggy, but I was able to process what was going on. I sat up, using my hands to hold myself steady. Then I saw that we were in front of my parents’ house.
I took a deep breath, focusing on my family home standing silent in all its glory. Someone left the truck door open so I slid out unnoticed. I saw Henry had pinned down Nick, and Claire was off at a short distance away from them, crying.