City by the Sea 2

Joseph

I glance up at her and find her eyes a crimson color. Something about them scares me, and I don't dare look away, "Then tell me."

Melissa

I stand up again and turn away. "I want you to promise not to scream of panic." I say. "What you are about to see is something I have never told anyone." I pace back and forth, wondering if I want to do this. "Please, promise me." I say.

Joseph

I hesitate, studying her, "I promise."

Melissa

I still face away from him. "I'm a vampire." I say. I let my fangs come out and turn to him.

Joseph

My heart speeds in my chest, and I swallow, studying her. I don't know what to say, so I stay silent.

Melissa

"Joe, I am a killer and I cannot help it. I left because I did not want to hurt you, I still do not want to hurt you. I know that it was nto good for me to leave and not tell you anything and to kiss you friend. But if I ever hurt you like I have hurt other people, I would never be able to go on." I say.

Joseph

I hesitate before standing and walking to her, daring to rest a hand on the side of her face. My thumb brushes over her fangs.

Melissa

I drop to the ground. "Joe, you can't. I cannot hurt you. I will hurt you in so many ways. I am a killer." I say.

Joseph

I drop to my knees before her, repeating myself, "I love you, Mel. For six years I waited, five before that. Eleven years. I don't think you can hurt me."

Melissa

"Like I told you, I am a killer. When I feed on people, it is hard for me to start. I have killed people and I liked it. I thought I stopped caring, but then I saw you." I say. I touch his neck. "I can hear the blood rushing though your veins I can smell in from from a mile away and my body shakes from lack of self control when I am with you." I say.

Joseph

I move closer and set a hand over hers, "You're not a monster like you say. You're not. I know that."

Melissa

"Joseph, stop it. You are hanging on to what I use to be. I am not that girl." I stand up and pull away from him.

Joseph

"No, you stop it," I argue, bringing myself to stand. "You can't live with all this on your shoulders. You aren't what you think. I see it in your eyes, even if they are crimson. Whoever you are now, you aren't what you think."

Melissa

My fangs come out and I roll my hands into a fist. "If I let my humanity kick back in, I have to see all those faces of the people I killed and if I turn it off I lose you. I do not want to do either of those things." I rasie my voise as I talk.

Joseph

"Then find a balance between," I say, looking at her fangs. "You won't lose me."