“Yes?” I said.
The door opened and the nurse from earlier appeared. “Here, I brought you something to ease the pain,” she said, holding two white pills and a small cup of water.
“Thanks,” I said, talking them from her.
“You might feel a little sleepy,” she said, staring at me as I swallowed them down. “But at least the pain will subside.”
“What did the doctor say about my head?” I asked.
“You have a slight concussion, nothing too serious.”
“Okay. Does that mean I can leave soon?”
“Yes, the sheriff is talking to the doctor now. I’m sure you’ll be checking out soon enough.”
“Cool.”
“Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thanks nurse,” I squinted to look at her name tag. “Jennifer Gardener.”
“You’re welcome Chelsey. Relax and wait for the sheriff.”
After she left, I grabbed my cell phone. When I noticed that there was a message from Melody, I sighed in relief. I quickly dialed my voicemail and listened.
“Chelsey- it’s Melody. Listen, you’ve got to get out of the hospital, now! Don’t go anywhere with Sheriff Caleb, he’s one of them Chelsey. A freaken vampire! I’m serious… don’t say anything to him or go anywhere with him. Meet me in the parking ramp. Fourth floor. Don’t tell anyone, especially the sheriff, Caleb.” She began to cry. “They’ve already gotten to our parents, Chels. They’re dead! Please, hurry and get your ass out to the parking lot!”
Caleb was a vampire?!
Our parents were dead?!
Choking back a sob, I grabbed my purse and rushed to the door. Just when I was about to open it, someone knocked from the other side.
Crap, crap, crap!
Trying to remain calm, I pulled the door open, and stood face-to-face with Sheriff Caleb.
“Oh good,” he said, beaming a bright smile at me. “You’re ready. Perfect timing because I’ve been told that you can leave as long as you’re under my protection.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’ve already signed you out, so we can just go. I take it you’re all set?”
I swallowed hard. “Uh, actually, I’m almost ready, but my stomach hurts. I think I have to go to the bathroom. Can I just meet you in the lobby?”
His smile fell. “Uh, sure. I can wait for you there.”
I smiled in relief. “Good. I won’t be long, Sheriff. Thanks so much for doing this.”
“No problem. You know,” he looked at his watch. “I need to call a friend of mine anyway. Tell her I’m running late.”
“Good idea.”
After he left, I waited a few minutes and then snuck out of my room and down the hallway. I then followed the signs until I found an exit that led to the parking ramp. When I reached the fourth floor of the lot, my eyes scanned the cars, but I didn’t recognize any of them. Sighing, I pulled out my cell phone to call Melody, when an old black Firebird with tinted windows turned the corner of the lot and headed towards me, its engine rumbling with power. My heart began to race and I almost turned and ran, but then the passenger window rolled down and a hand waved at me.
“Melody,” I said, sighing in relief as the car stopped next to me.
She opened the door quickly, got out, and pulled the seat back. “Hurry, get in before someone sees you.”
When I noticed who was driving, I stared back at her in horror. “What are you doing with him?”
Slade looked up at me from inside of the car. “Get in, Chelsey.”
“No way,” I said, taking a step backwards. “You’re a fucking vampire.”
Slade smiled grimly. “Yeah, I’m a vampire, but I’m also you’re only hope. So, get in if you want to make it out of here alive.”
Melody’s eyes were haunted. “He’s right,” she said. “We’re both dead without him.”