Chapter 7
He shifted under the covers, burrowing deeper below. He groaned as the phone started ringing. Damn, who was calling him so early in the morning? Reaching out, he blindly grabbed at the phone. "Lo'?" He muttered.
"AJ? Tell me you're not still asleep?! We have a radio interview in an hour! Get up!" Kevin yelled into the phone.
He groaned. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be there." He hung the phone back up and sighed heavily. Damn but he was tired. He felt like he hadn't slept in ages. He turned onto his back and squinted against the sun. It seemed brighter than usual. Sitting up, he scrambled for his sunglasses, putting them on, his eyes quickly adjusting to the dimness. He slowly slipped out of bed and headed into the bathroom.
Turning the water on, he splashed some on his face and, grabbed a towel. Slowly he brought his head up to look in the mirror and stopped. He blinked, he must be real tired or he would've sworn that he could see right through his reflection. He brought his glasses down and looked. No, he could see through his reflection. He stumbled out of the bathroom, what in the hell was going on? He flipped the light off in the bathroom; quickly finishing up, but he didn't look in the mirror again. Grabbing his wallet off the dresser, he snatched his card and started down to the lobby to meet with the rest of the guys.
**************
"So guys, how's work on the new album going?" The DJ asked.
"It's going good. We've been messing around with some different sounds and we've got a good start already." Brian explained.
AJ sat there passively. He wanted to sleep, god he was so tired for some reason. He shouldn't have stayed out so late last night. He closed his eyes, thoughts of the previous evening's events coming back to him. It was all still a blur for some reason, he couldn't remember exactly what'd happened after leaving the society. Why couldn't he remember?
"AJ? Hello!" Howie called, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Huh? What?" AJ snapped back to find everyone staring at him.
"Hope you're not getting sick man, you look awfully pale." The DJ chuckled.
"Yeah, I hope so too."
The DJ cut to a commercial and the door opened and in came an intern with a tray of assorted breakfast foods.
"Please, help yourself guys." The DJ smiled.
All the guys grabbed at something, pouring orange juice and coffee.
"AJ look, they've got your favorite, mocha cappuccino." Nick announced, handing him a cup.
AJ pushed the cup away. He was hungry and thirsty, but not for food. He didn't understand it. "No thanks man. I don't want any."
Nick stared at him. "You ok? You really don't look well."
"I'm fine, didn't get much sleep last night." He wanted something, but he didn't know what that something was. He sighed heavily, slumping in his chair.
"Ouch! Damnit!" The DJ yelled, bringing his hand to his mouth.
"Papercut?" Brian grinned.
The DJ nodded, grinning. "Hate the damn things." He brought his hand down from his mouth, the blood welling up from his finger. AJ looked over and stilled, his eyes riveted to the blood on the DJ's finger. He swallowed hard. Suddenly there was a rumble as his stomach growled in hunger. Everyone's gazes flew to AJ.
"Ya know, there's food here if you're hungry man." Kevin announced, looking at AJ strangely.
He shook his head, he didn't want food. He continued to stare at the cut, licking his lips hungrily.
"AJ, man what are you looking at?" Nick questioned, trying to look through the glasses. He brought his hand out and waved it in front of AJ. "AJ?"
AJ's hand darted out deftly and snatched Nick's hand, turning his gaze to Nick, staring at him coldly. "Stop...it." He whispered.
Nick's eyes widened as he pulled his hand away. AJ looked around at everyone; it felt like the walls were closing in on him. He had to get out. He bolted out of his chair, ripping the headphones off and stormed out the door. **********************************************************************
He ran down the hall into the lobby, taking deep breaths. It was happening, he was becoming one. When the DJ cut his finger and he saw the blood, everything he couldn't remember from the night before, came rushing back. The zombie that had followed them on their way back from the society. It had taken them by surprise, Araida and it had started fighting, and it knocked her down and then... AJ stilled. He'd been stabbed; the zombie had stabbed him.
He felt his head spin as everything consumed him. He was sure he was going to die, but then there was Aradia, just like always. She'd saved him somehow, and at the end he'd...oh god they'd done another blood exchange, but this time, she hadn't taken from him. It must not have mattered because he was showing all the signs. The sun, too bright. Food didn't interest him, but blood...oh god he'd craved it so bad.
"AJ?"
He stopped.
"AJ, you ok?" Brian called softly, coming up behind him.
AJ walked away from him, staring out the window. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"You scared the hell outta us in there. What in the hell happened? I've never seen Nick so scared in my life."
"I dunno, I told you I wasn't feeling well."
"Did you take something for it?"
"Believe me, what I need there's no medicine for."
"What do you need?" Brian asked, coming up closer to him.
AJ turned and looked at him. He heard a dull thud. "Listen, do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"That noise, it's like a drum beat."
Brian stared at him, walking closer to him. "You're scaring me here man, come on."
It only got louder as Brian got closer. AJ backed away.
"AJ?"
No, oh god no.
"What's wrong?! Are you ok? Why are you looking at me like that?"
He took a step towards Brian; his gaze focused on his neck.
"AJ, stop it!" Brian called harshly.
But he couldn't, he couldn't stop the longing, the hunger. He grabbed Brian by the arms, holding him tightly.
"Stop it! Leggo!" Brian yelled.
The beat became louder, stronger, faster.
"AJ!"
Finally he brought his gaze to Brian's, he was looking at him, his eyes wild. Cursing softly he shoved him hard, causing Brian to stumble. He had to get out of there. Turning, he ran from the room and out of the building. It hadn't been a drum he'd heard; it'd been a heartbeat. Brian's heartbeat.
************
The rest of the day went by and AJ stood out of sight. He'd confined himself to his room. He couldn't not go to the concert that evening; it was the last one before they left early in the morning. He couldn't be around anyone right now; the temptation was too strong.
He had no one to talk to, no one he could trust. Aradia, could he talk to her? It was afternoon, would she be up? It was worth a try. Now, how did he do it again? He concentrated. "Aradia?" He waited, nothing. He tried again. "Araida? Please, answer me. It's an emergency." He rubbed at his eyes, it was hopeless.
"I'm here Alex."
He stilled. "Araida, what's happening to me? What? How can I stop it?"
"I'm so sorry Alex, I had hoped it wouldn't be so bad or this quick, but you must've taken quite a bit last night and sped up the process."
"I'm...changing, aren't I?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so."
"What do I do!? How can I stop it?"
"You can't AJ. It'll wear off as long as there isn't another exchange."
"How long does that take?"
"I'm not sure, a couple of days I would imagine."
"Wholy fuckin' shit! I can't do this! I don't have a few days! I have to perform tonight! I can't perform when all I'm thinkin' bout is biting one of my friend's fuckin' necks!" He yelled.
"Do your best AJ. Try to eat as regular, it may take some of the edge off."
"But don't you get it, I'm not hungry for food damnit! I want blood!"
"Alex, nothing else will do. You're going to have to hold off till I can see you tonight."
He groaned, god it was torture.
"Be careful Alex, I'll see you tonight."
"Araida...please...help me."
"I wish I could Alex. I'm sorry. I'll see you tonight."
He felt her leave and slumped back on the bed. He'd make it till tonight, he had to. He had no choice.
