All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire(87)

 

"Sabrina, do you have visitors?" A male patient shuffled toward them. His Batman pajamas were faded to a dull gray, but the gold bat on his chest still gleamed.

 

"Hi, Teddy," Bri answered.

 

Ian groaned.

 

"I'm going to escape," Bri announced, then giggled.

 

Ian stepped close to Toni and whispered, "Keep him quiet. When I come back for you, I'll erase his memory."

 

"Okay." Toni buttoned up her jacket on Bri. "Don't be afraid. You can trust Ian."

 

Sabrina startled when Ian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What are you—"

 

She vanished, along with Ian.

 

Teddy gasped. "Oh my God!"

 

"Not so loud," Toni whispered. "I can explain."

 

"He's a superhero!" Teddy exclaimed. "He rescued her with his superpowers!"

 

"Teddy, are you out of bed again?" a male voice boomed in the distance.

 

"Aw shoot, it's Bradley," Teddy muttered. "I wouldn't have to roam around if he wasn't so—"

 

Toni grabbed Teddy by the shoulders. "Don't tell him Sabrina escaped. Do you understand?"

 

He blinked. "Okay."

 

Toni ran into Sabrina's room, climbed into bed, and covered herself up to her ears.

 

"Teddy, what are you doing out of bed?" Bradley's voice sounded closer.

 

"I–I saw a superhero! He was just here, and then poof! He vanished."

 

"You are crazier than hell," Bradley muttered. "Get back to your room."

 

"I'm not crazy," Teddy mumbled. His shuffling footsteps grew dim.

 

Toni exhaled with relief. Sabrina's escape was still a secret. She froze when she heard a sound. Was Ian back so soon? Her skin prickled as all her senses went on alert. Something was wrong. Footsteps approached her bed. She squeezed her eyes shut.

 

"Sabrina," Bradley whispered and stroked her hair.

 

Bile rose in Toni's throat. Oh God, she wanted to leap out of bed and slam a fist down his throat. But she didn't dare. She couldn't let him know that Bri had escaped. She needed to buy some time to give them a chance to get away.

 

She swallowed hard. Was this why Bri had called her a creep earlier? Bradley must have touched her before while she was groggy on medication.

 

"Sabrina," Bradley whispered again.

 

There was a dull thud, and a body fell on top of her.

 

Toni scrambled out of bed and away from Bradley's body. He was sprawled across the bed, unconscious.

 

Teddy stood there, holding a thick book. "I don't like him. He's a bad man."

 

"Thank you, Teddy."

 

He smiled sheepishly. "I haven't been taking my meds. I knew I needed to watch that creep."

 

Ian zoomed into the room, and his gaze fell on the unconscious nurse. "What happened?"

 

"It's a long story," Toni said. "But Teddy saved me from being molested."

 

Ian stepped toward Bradley. "This man was taking advantage of the women here?"

 

"He's been trying to," Teddy said. "That's why I roam the hall at night."

 

"Bastard." Ian placed a hand on Bradley's head. "There. He'll sleep till morning. Let him explain his presence here in Sabrina's bed."

 

"Cool," Teddy whispered. "You have some kick-ass superpowers, man. What's your name?"

 

"Ian."

 

Teddy frowned. "Dude, you gotta get a better name than that. And you need a cape."

 

Ian chuckled. "Like a vampire cape? I have one of those somewhere."

 

"That would be awesome, man."

 

Ian approached Teddy. "I have to erase yer memory now."

 

Teddy stepped back. "No! This is the coolest thing that's happened to me in ages. I want to remember it."

 

"Ian." Toni gave him a pleading look. She understood how Teddy felt. She didn't want to lose her memory, either.

 

"Toni, he knows we helped Sabrina escape."

 

"Take me with you," Teddy begged.

 

"Nay." Ian shook his head.

 

"Seriously, dude. If you take me with you, then I can't tell anyone what you did. Not that I would, but they might try to hypnotize me or something. I'm not really crazy, you know. I was just depressed, 'cause I didn't have anything to look forward to, but with you guys, I could be really happy."

 

Ian hesitated. "Once ye know our secrets, there is no going back."

 

"Cool."

 

Ian frowned. "You must understand the danger of being with us. We are at war with some evil creatures."

 

Teddy shook his fist. "Awesome!"