Chapter 66: Origin of the Night

Drew PoV

I grunted as I felt my throat dry up. With the crimson moon coming soon, my thirst increased. My mom would tell me and my brother to lock ourselves up in our rooms whenever times like these arose.

"You okay, Drew?" Sylvester asked, stepping into my room.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, trying to sound casual. The truth was, I felt anything but fine. My throat was parched, and an unsettling restlessness clawed at me, an urge I couldn't quite place. "Just… tired, I guess."

Sylvester raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "You sure? You've been acting off all day. I thought we could hang out or something. Maybe shoot some hoops?"

I rubbed my neck, trying to ease the tension that had settled there. "Nah, I think I'll just stay in," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, a reaction that was becoming increasingly familiar lately.

"Come on, don't shut me out," he said, stepping further into the room. "You know I'm here if you need to talk."

"Yeah, I know," I replied, forcing another smile as I turned back to my desk. I needed to distract myself. The thirst was becoming harder to ignore, like a low hum beneath my skin.

As Sylvester left, I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the silence envelop me. The thirst gnawed at me, and I tried to push it to the back of my mind. It felt strange and foreign, an itch I couldn't scratch. I had never been able to explain it to anyone, not even Sylvester. 

The crimson moon was approaching, and I could feel its pull on my body, a magnetic force I didn't fully understand. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The last thing I wanted was for Sylvester to notice how unsettled I was.

I glanced at the clock on my desk. Time was running out, and I knew I had to prepare. I needed to keep my distance from others, especially Sylvester. I didn't want him to see me in a state I couldn't control.

The room felt stifling, and the shadows began to stretch and twist, darkening the corners of my vision. I moved to open the window, letting the cool night air wash over me. It was a brief relief, but the scent of the world outside—the trees, the earth, and something more intoxicating—made my mouth water.

I climbed unto my bed and pulled out from rope from my bag.

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Sylvester PoV

I sighed. Drew had been acting weird these past two days. He wouldn't go to basketball practice, which was unlike him. It was like he was trying to shut everyone out.

Taking a deep breath, I walked back over to his room and knocked on his door again, my concern growing.

"Drew, you in there?" I called out, trying to keep my voice light. "I know you're in there. You can't hide forever, man."

There was no response, just silence. I frowned, shifting my weight. "Come on, open up. Let's hang out or something. You can't just keep isolating yourself."

Just as I was about to turn away, I heard a muffled sound from inside—a grunt followed by what sounded like thrashing. My heart raced a little. "Drew?" I knocked harder, my instinct kicking in. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

Another grunt, louder this time, and it was accompanied by a thud. I pushed against the door, but it was locked. "Drew! Open the door!" Panic crept into my voice as I pounded my fist against the wood.

"Just leave me alone!" he shouted from inside, his voice strained and almost desperate.

"Drew, please! You can't just shut me out like this!" I yelled back, my concern deepening. "What's happening in there?"

"Leave me alone!" he repeated, but this time it was laced with urgency, almost a growl.

My heart raced as I realized he was serious. I couldn't just walk away. Not now. I took a few steps back and charged the door with all my strength. It splintered under the impact, and I stumbled inside, falling to the floor.

"Drew!" I called out, scrambling to my feet. The room was dimly lit, shadows creeping across the walls, and my eyes quickly found him on the bed, tied up and struggling against the ropes binding him. 

"Drew!" I exclaimed, rushing toward him. "What the hell happened? Why are you—"

"Stay back!" he growled, his voice low and strained. It sent a chill down my spine.

"What are you talking about? I'm here to help!" I said, panic rising in my chest. I moved closer, but he flinched, his eyes wide and wild. 

"Just… go!" he barked, the primal intensity in his voice making me hesitate. "You don't understand! I can't control it!"

"Can't control what?" I pressed, desperation creeping into my voice. I reached for the ropes, wanting to free him, but he thrashed against the bed, panic etched on his face.

"I'm serious! Get out! You don't want to be here!" he shouted, his breathing quickening. I could see the tension in his body, as if he were fighting against something within.

"No! I'm not leaving you!" I shot back, my resolve hardening. "We're friends, and I'm going to help you whether you like it or not!"

His eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition passing through them before it vanished behind a veil of something darker.

He let out a low, guttural sound, a mix of frustration and something more primal. "You don't get it!" he growled, and I could see the struggle playing out on his face. 

"Drew, please! Just trust me. I can help you!" I pleaded, trying to reach him through the haze of whatever was consuming him.

But as I took a cautious step closer, he shook his head violently, the ropes creaking against the bed. "No! You have to leave! I don't want to hurt you!" 

My heart sank at his words, dread pooling in my stomach. "Hurt me?"

He broke the binds and grabbed my by the wrists, pinning me to the wall. I gulped as he opened his mouth revealing fangs. What was going on? Why did Drew have fangs? No, was he a descendant of vampires?

I was stupid... Drew tried to protect me and I didn't listen...