“Jane” there was relief, pain, fear, panic, impatience and…joy? In his voice. I raised my arms searching to make sure he was there, before I started into my questions. His cool hands laced into mine

“Eric” I sighed. “Are you alright?” I panicked and started launching into questions; my eyes fluttering open during my frantic questions all centered on his well being. His hand reached out and stroked my cheek gently, but his fingers were stiff.

 “Ssshh” he calmed me “Of course I’m fine” he said a bitter edge to his voice. His hand disappeared, and I whimpered in protest. He laughed a hard laugh and intertwined his fingers in mine as a replacement.

“Who was that?” I questioned, my voice trembling. He sighed.

“An old friend” he said, though I could tell the key word was old, due to the anger in his tone.

“He tried to kill me? He tried to kill you?” my voice rose in pitch at the end. He rolled his eyes. I

 “I’m still alive” he grinned suddenly “roughly speaking” I smiled weakly back.

“But why?” I asked not sidetracked by his heart-fluttering smile. His smile hardened in place and he sighed again. Then I froze…he hadn’t said I was alive…had he changed me? My eyes widened

“Am I alive?” I asked in a panic. He went into hysterics for a second then realized my question’s serious edge.

 “Oh.” He said then he rushed his words “No, of course you’re alive, I mean yes you’re human” he seemed to add a bitter edge to the word human. “I wouldn’t…” he trailed off and he looked down “I wouldn’t do that” he said as if he was trying to convince himself. It didn’t bother me that he was sitting there wondering if he would change me, I just hated to see him in pain. One of the annoying things about being in love, my love became my weakness; I turned into the sop machine.           

“It’s okay Eric,” I said “I wouldn’t mind” I lied. He looked up at me sharply searching my face. I think he saw the lie there. Or maybe he saw the lie in my mind. He sighed again. Then I remembered my previous question.

 “Why was he trying to kill us?” I repeated. Another sigh. Disappointed he couldn’t distract me I bet. He smirked a little then answered