Part 14 (2/2)

Mr De Luca and his words of wisdom were correct once again.

”You might have lost a few friends along the way, Ruby, but you still have me... and Mila.”

”I know.”

And for that I was truly grateful. I'd be dead without them or worse- a vampire.

As I peered into the darkness, I tried to ignore the feeling someone was watching me. A twisted feeling filled my stomach, making me uneasy.

I had cried so much my eyes grew heavy. I sat forward in my seat, trying to keep myself awake.

”You can sleep; we still have a long way to go.”

”When I wake up, would you like me to drive so you can nap?”

Eli chuckled and glanced at me briefly. ”You drive?”

”I'm eighteen, of course I drive. Aunt Jen taught me when I lived with her.”

”Do you have a license?”

”Yes, Eli, I have a license!”

His lips curled into a smile. ”Okay. You can drive tomorrow, but only if you sleep now.”

I slumped back into my chair and wiggled against the leather. I placed my legs on the dashboard and immediately found my comfortable spot.

”This doesn't bother you, does it?” I asked, pointing to my feet.

”No.”

”Good night.”

”Good night,” he whispered.

I closed my eyes and long sharp fangs filled my mind. I was scared, but I needed to turn that fear into anger. I needed to find something to fuel me, because if I remained an emotional mess, I'd get us killed. I was pulled deep into a dreamless state, forgetting all about the horrors of my reality.

Deja vu.

The smell of a bacon and egg m.u.f.fin wafted menacingly under my nose, waking me up. The sun was bright and the air was hot. It was the perfect weather to go to the beach, but alas I had vampires to work for.

”I didn't know if you'd want sausage and egg or bacon and egg, so I got you both.” Eli smiled.

I wiped sleep from my eyes and grasped the bacon and egg breakfast m.u.f.fin. When I had fallen asleep there was nothing but darkness and Eli and I were alone. Now we were at a pit stop on a motorway somewhere, surrounded by other people and families. It was a relief to see normal people. It had been a while since I was surrounded by humans. As I un-wrapped my m.u.f.fin and Eli climbed into the car next to me, I saw a teenage a girl who appeared to be around my age. She was on her mobile phone.

”Well, she said you texted her. She's my worst enemy, Peter! You're my boyfriend, not her friend!”

I envied her; her problems seemed so miniscule against mine. I wished my biggest worry was if my boyfriend was texting my enemy. What felt like the end of the world for her would be a walk in the park for me.

”One day.”

”Hmm?”

”One day you'll be free from all of this.”

It was like he could read my mind sometimes. ”I will never be free as long as I am what I am.”

The sudden realisation put me off my food but I ate it anyway.

”So, can I drive now?”

It took a little bit more persuading on my part before he managed to hand over the keys.

”Keep your eyes on the road and focus. I don't want to die before getting to the vampire nest.”

”Yeah, that'd be pretty embarra.s.sing wouldn't it?” I giggled.

”This is my favorite car, please don't scratch it.”

”Eli, chill out. I'm not that bad at driving. Go to sleep and I'll have us closer to our death in no time.”

The engine started. If it wasn't for the soft vibration, I wouldn't have noticed the car had even turned on. It was so quiet and smooth.

Eli watched uneasily as I pulled out onto the highway. When he saw I was actually staying between the lines, his eyes closed. A peaceful silence fell in the car and I peeked sideways at Eli. His body was at ease. His chest rose and fell with each breath.

Focus! My mind yelled at me, forcing me to watch the road but it wasn't long until I found my eyes on him again.

”Eyes on the road,” he said, opening one eyelid. His green eyes pierced into my soul and I felt my cheeks heat up. His voice was light and relaxed but it still didn't make me feel any less silly.

”Oh-I ...Uh, I ...” I took a deep breath of air. ”Sorry.”

How embarra.s.sing.

The concrete river curved its way through the bush like it grew there naturally. The trees lining the motorway flew by in a blur of green and black. Before long it was midday and the scorching sun was high up in the sky. I took my foot off the accelerator slightly as I pa.s.sed a 'Take a break' sign indicating a service station and rest area up ahead. I was thirsty and slightly peckish, so I decided to pull in when it came time to turn off. As soon as the car rolled to a stop, Eli's eyes sprang open and he glanced around, trying to get his bearings.

”Are you hungry?”

”It's twelve already? I didn't mean to sleep for so long.”

”That's okay, you needed it and I was having fun driving. Shall we eat in?”

My whole body ached as I slid out of the car. Eli's groan told me he was experiencing the same discomfort I was. After a good stretch and a quick meal, we were on the road again.

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