6. Nerves

Chapter six

Nerves

T he restless night leaves me with a mix of fatigue and determination. I need to talk to Nolan, to confront him about the vampire revelation, and perhaps, to express my frustration for being left in the dark. With a sense of purpose, I navigate through the house, making a few wrong turns before finally locating his room.

Knocking softly, I wait until I hear Nolan’s voice inviting me in. Stepping into his room, I’m immediately struck by its scholarly ambiance. One entire wall is lined with shelves brimming with academic books, a veritable trove of knowledge that probably rivals the school library.

Nolan, standing from his desk, greets me with concern. “Are you okay, Amelia?” he asks, his expression earnest.

I hesitate for a moment, still processing my feelings. “Not really, no,” I admit, fidgeting with my cuticles, a nervous habit. “I mentioned I was afraid of vampires, and nobody thought to tell me I was living with one.”

His response is a hesitant affirmation, “Yeah.” It’s more of a question than a statement. “Look, I didn’t want to deceive you, but Seth thought it was best if you found out on your own. Why are you afraid of vampires anyway? You didn’t even know they existed until yesterday.”

The question hits a nerve. I want to open up, to share my fears, but the words just won’t come. “I-” I start, then falter. “It’s a long story, and I don’t know how to explain it well. But finding out about Oliver was a shock. I think I may have hurt his feelings too.”

Nolan shrugs nonchalantly. “I wouldn’t worry about hurting Oliver’s feelings. Sometimes I’m not sure he even has any.”

“That’s a bit harsh,” I remark, surprised by his bluntness.

“You say that now, but Oliver’s always been a bit of an enigma,” Nolan explains. “He used to be more open when we were younger, but since coming to college, he’s become more withdrawn. He’s not a bad guy, though.”

I sigh, feeling guilty about my reaction to Oliver’s revelation. “Running away from him wasn’t very courageous of me. Or polite.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. We all have our fears and uncertainties. What matters is how we face them. And you’re doing just fine. If you feel so bad, why don’t you go apologize?” Nolan suggests, his voice tinged with a practical tone.

Apologizing seems like a sensible idea, but the thought of what to say to a vampire I’ve unintentionally offended is daunting. “You said he usually keeps to himself? Where’s his room?” I ask, even though I know the layout of this hall doesn’t include any rooms at its end.

Nolan nods and guides me out of his room. As we walk down the hall, I notice for the first time two doors near the bathroom. Nolan opens one, revealing a staircase leading upwards. “Wait, this place is three stories?”

“It’s kind of like an attic,” Nolan explains. “Oliver’s made it into his own space. Just knock on the door at the top of the stairs. He should let you in.”

I nod, muttering a thanks, and start ascending the stairs, my heart heavy with each step. The thought of what to say to Oliver whirls in my mind. ‘Sorry for finding your vampire nature terrifying’ doesn’t seem like it would cut it. Lost in thought, I barely realize I’ve knocked on his door twice. The door, slightly ajar, creaks open as I push it.

“Oliver?” I call into the dimly lit room, which is bathed in a soft red glow. No response. Taking a step inside, I chastise myself for willingly entering a vampire’s lair. My old fears of vampires, ingrained since my teenage years, resurface despite my best efforts to quell them. Suddenly, a loud bang startles me – the door has slammed shut. Spinning around, I come face to face with Oliver, standing merely a foot away. He’s half-dressed, wearing only dark track pants, his expression unreadable. He doesn’t speak, just looks at me intently. As he steps closer, I instinctively step back until I’m pressed against the door, feeling the doorknob against my back. Another step from him, and he places a hand on the door beside my neck, leaning in uncomfortably close.

In that moment, a mix of fear and fascination courses through me. I’m trapped between wanting to escape and wanting to understand this enigmatic being before me. His proximity is intimidating, yet there’s a part of me that’s curious about the man behind the vampire facade. “Do I even want to know why you’re in my room?” Oliver’s voice cuts through the tension, a mix of irritation and curiosity.

I realize my mouth is still hanging open, a clear sign of my shock and inability to process the situation. It’s essential to say something, anything, but words fail me. My fingers are ice cold, and my feet feel like they’re burning – classic signs of a flight response.

Finally, I muster up the courage to speak. “I just wanted to apologize.” My voice sounds small and uncertain in the dimly lit room.

His expression remains stoic, but his eyes narrow slightly, assessing me. “Why?” he asks simply.

Tension builds in the room, and I feel a stinging in my eyes, fighting the urge to blink. “For running away last night. I’m sure you’re really nice, Nolan said you’re not a bad guy.” My attempt at reconciliation feels feeble in the face of his unwavering gaze.

He scoffs, then chuckles, a sound that seems to reverberate off the walls. Releasing his hand from the door, he steps back, allowing me to breathe a little easier.

“He’s wrong,” Oliver declares, the smile fading from his face.

Confused, I ask, “What?”

“He’s wrong. I’m not a good guy, and you should absolutely stay away from me.”

My words tumble out in a rush, “Are you just saying that because I freaked out a little last night? I am sorry. I just want to be friends with everyone-”

Suddenly, Oliver slams both hands on the door on either side of my head. I instinctively raise my arms, trying to shield myself, though I doubt it offers any real protection. He leans in close, his face inches from mine. His voice is low and menacing. “Understand this. You’re a human, living among beings that humans have feared for centuries. Nolan could have killed you. Mermen drown people for fun. Gargoyles can crush skulls. Incubi can be lethal. And vampires? We crave blood. We don’t care about humans. Am I a good guy? No. Have I thought about killing you? Absolutely. You can’t pretend we’re all going to get along. Most of us have considered killing you. We’re demons, Amelia. That’s our nature.”

His eyes, a vivid green, seem to glow in the darkness. My teeth chatter in terror, my mind racing with fear and disbelief. Could he actually harm me right now?

Then, he steps back, removing his hands from the door. Seizing the moment, I fumble for the doorknob, my heart pounding as I make my escape. I stumble down the stairs, half-running, half-tripping, until I reach my room. Slamming and locking the door behind me, I hurriedly stuff clothes into my backpack. Panic and confusion drive my actions. I need to leave the house, at least for now. The reality of living among creatures that are the stuff of nightmares, creatures that have considered killing me, is too much to bear. I need space, time to think, to process what Oliver has told me – and to decide what to do next.