[color=gray]Dreda led Lily away from the scene. First, to the subway. Then onto a train. Then off. She quietly shepherded the younger vampire down the street, keeping close, ready to clasp the girl’s hand.

[i]72 Cedar St.[/i]

The building wasn’t much to look at—not quite a slum, but far from nice. Dreda held the door for Lily and beckoned her in from the rain. 

The door slammed shut behind them. Two flights of metal stairs later, they arrived at the door. With a click, Dreda unlocked it, then beckoned Lily in.

The flick of a light switch activated the dull lights affixed to the popcorn ceiling. Dreda pointed with her keys towards a well-worn couch as she began removing her coat. She shut the door behind Lily, and finally spoke again.

[color=#B66466]“Why don’t you get comfy, and I’ll get you fed, alright?”[/color]

The rest of the apartment was similarly bleak. Only a few pieces of furniture lined the far wall, leaving the remainder of the studio apartment a barren sight of linoleum floor and beige wall. 

Comfy.

The word echoed in Lily’s mind. It slid behind some invisible veil that covered her eyes and slowly disappeared.

What did that word mean?

Her body, slightly slouched, afraid to show herself to the room. It was simple and…

Her mind stretched and reached, trying to find the word for the feeling. 

Feeling. She was feeling something. It wasn’t fear, terror, horror. It was needed, though. But, she couldn’t grasp exactly what it was.

Her body folded onto the couch. Slowly, her eyes studied the apartment. There were no dead bodies. No broken mirrors. No screaming memories.

Her hands trembled as she sat on the worn couch. She couldn’t remember the last time slanting had felt so soft against her skin, except —

Their skin. Beige velvet pressed against her lips. Rose colored silk draining down her throat. 

Quickly, she buried her face into her hands and began to sob, once again. [color=white] “We were just…”[/color] Her crying became a choked sob. 

[color=white] “Where are we?”[/color] 

The question lingered like some riddle. 

Dreda was crouched, pulling out a small electric burner and a pot from a drawer. As she rose, she glanced behind her at this sobbing creature. 

[color=#B66466]“We’re in my apartment. We took the subway to get here. I’m warming some blood for you.”[/color]

She set the burner on the drawer and walked past Lily towards the bathroom. She set the pot in the sink and turned on the faucet. She came out from the bathroom again, crouched, and grabbed a glass jar full of red fluid from the mini fridge positioned nearby. The pot was overflowing. Dreda shut off the faucet and poured some of the excess back into the sink. She crossed the room again, carrying the pot and the jar. She set the jar in the water, and the pot on the burner. She plugged the burner in, turned it on, and removed the top from the jar.

Lily’s eyes glossed. A small smile made a faint appearance and disappeared as soon as it was made visible. 

She knew where they were.

She remembered.

[color=white] “I remember, now,”[/color] her head hung low. Her knees pushed together, hands gathering white, torn fabric around her. 

Words jumbled in her throat. They were clawing to get out. They weren’t bad words. They were nice. Thankful. Praiseworthy. 

Each word wanted its turn, but they choked on each other before she could say anything. 

A pause. 

She drew in several breaths. Staring at the floor. So plain and comforting. She never wanted to leave. 

[color=white] “Wh-what’s wrong with me?”[/color] She finally asked. It was a timid question, waiting for the nightmare to be over. 

Was Dre-da her exit?

Dreda stirred the contents of the jar with a thermometer. Its beep punctuated Lily’s question. Dreda turned again to look at Lily. This time, she approached the Spawn. She approached slowly. Her eyes scanned Lily with every step. [color=#B66466]“You just need to eat something.”[/color] She stood a few paces from Lily, and waited to catch Lily’s gaze. When Lily’s eyes met hers, she pointed to the pot. [color=#B66466]“I’m warming some blood up. It should be enough to get you feeling more like yourself.”[/color] She folded her arms and let a warm little smile emerge. [color=#B66466]“Now, did your Sire ever teach you to hunt?”[/color]

Lily’s eyes gazed over the other being. She was listening to the words. They tinkered, like piano keys. Each syllable brought her closer to an answer… that never came.

Her mind riddled. A quivered smile. Broken... holding back something or [i]someone[/i]. 

[color=white] “We just try to save them.”[/color] Her broken smile cracked even more. Her head tilted. Curious at her own answer and the response of Dreda. [color=white] “I don’t have anyone.”[/color] A moment of clarity. Refinement. Eyes piercing past Dreda and to the blood. 

[color=white] “J-just [i]It.”[/i][/color] 

Her gaze shrunk into itself. Fear scribbled all over her face. And, her head tilted downwards. Small breaths. In. Out. Hands trying to grasp at something. Close to her chest. Fingers twitching. 

She wasn’t looking at anything anymore. 

Dreda remained motionless. This would be harder than she’d thought. There was a mind left, no doubt. But the damned thing was a mess. Dreda’s little smile slowly faded. It would take more than a few good feedings to make a coherent vampire out of her.

[color=#B66466]“Can you tell me more about [i]It[/i]? If you feel up to it. Nothing can hurt you here, but I understand if it’s too much for now. We have all the time in the world.”[/color]

[color=white] “She’s not telling you anything!”[/color] A roaring voice erupted from Lily. Her face was contorted, angry like a rapid animal. 

The seething teeth paused, and her face fell. As if a demon had momentarily possessed her and then jumped to another instrument. Dreda sprung back. Her arms unfurled and her hands formed fists.. 

The Lily that Dreda was getting to know had returned.

No shock.

No embarrassment.

Yet.

[color=white] “I have… time…”[/color] Dismal eyes melted into the help she so desperately needed. She understood this. Forever had been torturing her for as long as she could remember.

Dreda stepped back towards the pot, without turning her back on Lily. Though her body language softened overall, her hands remained tense. This Spawn was unstable. Her problems ran deeper than hunger. Teasing them out was going to be a headache.[/color]

[i]Cowrite with [@Mole][/i]