Usha woke up feeling exhausted.
Her mouth was dry, her muscles were heavy. She tried sitting but a pain from her side pulled her down.
She looked around her and found Josh, Matt and Marie in the room sleeping. Outside it was day, she remembered it was night when she was brought inside Josh’s house.
Another pain stroke. This time it was hunger. She was starving. How long has she been without eating? She opened the window next to her bed. She knew what had to be done, what would cure both her hunger and injury.
She took a deep breath and pulled herself out of the window. Her stitches were probably gone, but it wouldn’t matter.
The house was not far from a main highway. After failing to stand up straight, she dragged herself into the woods. The human body is so weak she thought frustrated. Normally, if she was human, it would take her a month to get well. But being a demon took just a sip of blood and she was just as new.
But at what price.
Finally she saw the highway. Cars were rushing past and behind her. She thought about going in the middle of the highway to stop a car. But in her current state, she might even get killed.
She so waved for cars to stop. After a few that went past her, a green pick up stopped a few meters after her. A figure came out and as it got near she realized it was Matt.
“I knew you wouldn’t get far, come on I’ll take you back.” He said smiling taking her by the arm. She pushed him away irritated.
“Just go away. I’m not coming. Your medicine is useless on me.”
“Come on” he tried to take her arm again, but this time she was fast enough to move.
“Go away.”
Matt remained silent. Usha took a deep breath and continued waving to the cars. He wouldn’t leave her. He was too stubborn and good-natured.
Many cars went by. How could human advocate charity and help others when they wouldn’t even help a bleeding woman.
As she thought that a car stopped just next to her.
“Are you ok? Do you need help?” A young woman asked. Sitting next to her was a man looking apprehensively at her. While at the back two children curiously shared one window.
Usha was once again divided at the sight of children. Her demon side thought they would be the best dessert; unpolluted fresh blood. Another, her human side, thought this was just wrong.
But the pain on her back made her difficult not to rationalized. It had to be done.
“Yes” she said slowly breathing heavily, “I need to go to the hospital.”
The man saw her wound and got out of the car quickly. She opened the door and said to the children to make space for her.
But before the man closed the door, Matt took his arm.
“Wait” Usha looked at him. She knew he wanted to stop him, but he was too naive to come up with a better explanation.
“Don’t worry” Usha said “I’ll call you from the hospital.” She took the door and closed it her.
The man quickly ran to his seat, started the car and drove off to the hospital.
Usha looked behind her and saw Matt standing motionless.
