Chapter 34

Instinct jerked him back from the deathly still body. Sitting back on his haunches, his eyes focused, seeing the man before him. His best friend, his brother in life was unconscious beneath him, two bloody streaks withered down the side of his neck, disappearing into his shirt. Staring at him he seemed dead, only his breathing proved otherwise.

Fear and shame slapped him in the face. Grabbing the balls of his shoulders, he yanked him cruelly against him, pleading: “Richie!”

Richie!

“Richie! Richie!”

Pleassseeee brother!

There was not a flicker on his face, no change in his breathing, there was no reaction. None.

Settling him back against the coach, he watched as warm, salty tears, tears of shame and regret plopped onto Richie.

Spreading his palms across the big chest, he felt the thud of his heart, heard the soft breathing.

“Richie…brother. You need to wake up! Please don’t die on me. I cant do this on my own. I need you my brother….Please God, help him. Let him be ok.”

The soft mumbling bubbled from his throat. A swirl of warmth slowly spread on Richie’s chest. Jon didn’t take notice at first but as the heat became stronger he watched in anticipation as he realized the heat was radiating from his palms. Richie’s skin soaked it up greedily, the heat spreading like a wildfire through his limbs, warming him.

Richie, I need you my brother, come back to me.

Jon felt cold, feeling the heat draining from him, invading his friend’s body but he refused to give up. He had no clue what he was doing and what the hell was happening but a tiny moan had slipped from Richie’s blue lips, so something was working!

Looking back at the lips he realized it wasn’t as blue anymore, a tinge of rosiness was spreading slowly.

“Richie….Richie…fight it my man!”

Warmth….its so warm.

Richie’s first coherent thought almost threw Jon off him.

Wake up. Please open your eyes. Let me see you are ok!

A slight flickering brought a wave of hope and Jon felt a slight burning at his hands and….

“OUCH!!!!!!!! Dammit…” Richie’s weak voice broke the silence.

Lifting his hands, two red handprints stared back at him. He had scalded Richie’s skin.

What the hell? Jon….

The hellish feeding rushed back to Richie like a non stop nightmare and his eyes popped open, fighting to focus on the weight balancing on his lap.

His chest was burning like hell! Reaching for it, Jon stilled his hands in the air.

“Don’t touch it.  I’ve singed your skin.” Jon avoided his eyes, staring at the red angry patches on his skin.

A sudden movement and Jon was standing before him, staring down.

“So, you did stop. I thought I was a goner.”

Richie noticed for the first time the tear streaks down his face. Something went down, he wasn’t sure what but Jon never cried, never.

“Did I miss something Jon?”

Staring at Jon’s back as he stalked off to the bathroom, coming back with a cloth and a handful of ice from the bar, he waited patiently for an answer.

His head was spinning like one of those wild rides at the funfairs and truth to be told, he was thirsty as hell, not to mention the fire on his chest. DAMN!

“Sit still. I need to keep this from blistering.”

Scrunching his teeth, he almost halved his tongue as the shock of cold against hot fused in a cruel clash.

The silence became unbearable; Jon nursed the scalded skin, not meeting Richie’s eyes.

“Bro’ what happened? Why are you avoiding looking at me? You stopped, everything is ok .Isn’t it?”

Jon leaped from him, the ice blocks falling onto Richie’s lap.

“I didn’t stop. I didn’t stop.” His hands were tangled in his hair, the words coming rushed and breathy from his mouth.

“I’m here. You did something right.”

He flung himself around, his eyes wild, the tears were back, rivers of tears.

“NO! I didn’t stop! I pulled back because you went slack on me. I thought…..a vampire can’t drink from a corpse. Do you understand what I’m saying?! I thought you were dead and I was too fucking scared to drink from you!”

Falling onto his knees, he yowled like an animal in pain.

“I couldn’t stop...not even for you Richie…not even for you!”

Fear sliced into Richie’s guts as he realized the extent of Jon’s words. He wouldn’t be able to stop…ever. Not Dot, his kids, the band…he was a killing machine, a ruthless, unstoppable vampire with a never ending lust for blood. The chills almost iced his soul.

“Yeah, like that.” Jon’s eyes met his for the first time. He had heard it again, his thoughts of unadulterated terror.

“What is this all about?” Richie lifted the cloth he had gathered from his chest.

Shrugging his shoulders, he turned back towards the window.

“I don’t know. It just came from my hands and it seemed to get you back. So I kept on doing it. Going fucking overboard as usual.” He sneered.

“What now Jon?”

“Now? Now I get my ass to the professor and hope to God he can subdue this fucking demon inside me or I’m gonna die trying.”

He came closer to Richie, his eyes keeping his captive.

“You see now? You see why I was so determined about this? I need this potion Richie, no matter how much I have to pay in pain or everything else. You do believe me now? I need my life back, my wife, my kids, all of you. I can’t have it until I’m in control.”

Richie nodded slowly.

“Yes, I realize now the extent of your problem and I’m sorry I’ve brushed you off so many times.”

“Nothing to be sorry about Rich, I almost killed you today. I need to be sorry. Now the question is, will you stand with me through all this? Will you help me see this through or …or take me out of my misery should this not work?”

For the first time Richie meant what he said as he nodded.

“I’ll support you every step of the way brother. Good or bad, life or death. That I promise you.”

Disappearing into the kitchen, Jon returned a few minutes later, a cup of coffee and a pile of sandwiches stacked on a plate.

“You need to get your strength back. Here.”

Taking it from his hands, he felt an overwhelming hunger and thirst rushing through him.

“Ok, later.” Jon was at the door.

“Where ya going?”

“The professor, remember. Second shot?”

“Oh hell no! You aint going alone.” Holding his hand up, he stuffed half a sandwich into his mouth, chewing quickly. A few quick gulps of scalding hot coffee and he jumped up from the couch. Jon rushed forward ready to catch him as he keeled over, but nothing. He stood there, strong as a horse.

“You recovered quickly.” Jon frowned.

“Yeah, well, I feel great. Hungry as hell, but I’m ok.” Grabbing another sandwich, he led the way.

“Let’s go.”