Sienna’s POV:

I felt my phone buzz, a low, persistent vibration. I groaned. My body felt heavy, a leaden, aching mass of exhaustion. I was groggy, my limbs weak as I pushed myself off the bed. A shiver ran down my back, and I clutched the nket tighter around me in a useless attempt to ward off the cold.

I looked at the time. The digital clock on my bedside table glowed a bright, intrusive blue. It was eleven in the fucking morning. I hadn’t been able to sleep till the sun rose because my mind began spiraling. The thoughts were a chaotic, confused mess of fear and dread and a strange, powerful sense of longing.

Apparently, this spiraling is called stress. Something I rarely, if ever, experienced before. The thought made me feel disgustingly human. Was this how Haider felt? Was this how a normal person felt every day?

I picked up the call, not even checking the number. “Hello?” I called out, my voice hoarse.

“Hello, is this Sienna?” A soft man’s voice answered, and I frowned. The voice was calm, but I could hear the undercurrent of irritation.

“Yes. That’s me. How can I help you?” I questioned.

“This is your professor, Shinichiro. Since your Aunt left me in charge of your studies and sybus, I was calling to ask if you would be attending today. You’ve already missed your Intro to Psychology ss this morning. And apart from half a ss yesterday, you didn’t attend any others either.” He sounded pissed. I hadn’t been able to tell earlier because he was trying to keep his voice monotone and soft, but it was clear with how fast he was speaking right now.

“Has my Aunt not contacted yet? I won’t be able to attend sses these next few days.” I said. The line went quiet.

“Unfortunately, your Aunt isn’t picking up her phone.” He said with a sigh, sounding defeated.

I frowned. Sleep had already left me at this point, as I pushed myself off my bed. I felt better than I wasst night. My body felt lighter, the burning, sickening heat fromst night gone, leaving in its wake a strange, hollow emptiness. That made me feel strange. Was I not going into heat? I should be feeling worse, not better.

“I apologize then, but I still can’te today. I’m not well…” I trailed off, my eyesnding on my openptop, the dark screen reflecting my face. I couldn’t help remembering Haider. Could I really not go?

“I understand. But you’re going to have to send me a doctor’s written note if you are sick. So I can apply for a leave for you. This will affect your grades otherwise.” I pursed my lips as I listened to him.

Looking around, I nced at the dressing table. My eyesnded on the piece of paper. I opened it, and just as I expected. It was the doctor’s note. But… why did Anna not send it over? Where was she anyway?

“Alright, professor. I will send over the doctor’s note.” I said, my voice t. And after a bout of pleasantries, I cut the call. I frowned as I looked around. The room was dark, the curtains drawn. Why was it so dark, anyway? Wasn’t the sun already up? I made my way over to the curtains and pulled it to the sidepletely, only to freeze up.

b76 /b

55 vouchers

Oh… my gut twisted. The colors were fading. Already. The bright, vibrant, beautiful colors I was seeing yesterday seemed like they’d been washed with grey. The world around me was turning back into a dull, lifeless ce.

But this had actually been within my expectations. It had been twenty–four hours since I drank his blood. My mind went back tost night. How Anna had given me a new blood bag and I had forced it down like bitter medicine. Even the thought of it now made me want to gag. Thank god, I hadn’t had to insert that damn tube. But that didn’t make it any less painful. She was right. It did hurt. Not in a physical way. It was a mental, emotional pain, a searing, raw thing. It was like my mind was rejecting the blood. Only after I had swallowed it downpletely and a few minutes passed did Ie back to myself. After which I had spiraled, thinking how I would manage doing this every day from now on.

Damn it. I made my way down to the kitchen, to see a note on the counter. I frowned as I picked it up. “Emergency. Had to leave. Don’t go out. Read the brochure and contact them when you’re done choosing.” My eyes followed the brochure on the counter. It was a nightclub brochure. Not a simple one either. I opened the book to find pictures of different men ranging from small and cute looking ones to big and rugged. They were being advertised like products. And my aunt was asking me to choose from among them? The thought made my stomach churn. I scoffed.

Was she serious? Just the idea of it had me gagging. I turned around and threw it in the dustbin before I ran back up the stairs.

I opened the cupboard and nced at the array of clothes I had. ck, ck, and more ck.

I didn’t know what I was doing… but staying at home right now didn’t seem possible to me. I felt like I was going to suffocate. Maybe if I just go and hand over this leave slip ande back after some fresh air, I will feel better?

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