Big Bad Me by Aislinn O’Loughlin

Author:Aislinn O’Loughlin [O’Loughlin, Aislinn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781915071040
Publisher: Little Island Books
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

23. Still Evie

Pain crushed my chest.

I was vaguely aware of Kevin saying, ‘Evie’. Putting his arm around me, I think. I dunno. Maybe not. It didn’t matter, nothing mattered. I just –

Something gasped. No, wait! Kate gasped.

My heart leapt, as the world snapped back together.

‘Katie!’ I pulled away to look at her, and regretted it immediately. She was so pale and glassy-eyed. So dead. She gasped again and gagged horribly.

‘Katie? Kevin, what’ve we done? She’s –’

‘She’s fine!’ Kevin grabbed her from me, ripping his wrist and putting it back to her mouth. ‘She just needs more.’

He couldn’t know that, but he sounded confident; that was good enough. Katie seized Kevin’s arm with both hands and crammed it between her lips. I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh, cry or throw up as she guzzled Kevin’s blood.

‘Sure, now she can’t get enough of you,’ I sobbed.

Kevin chuckled, then winced, then tried to smile. ‘Not exactly how I wanted to win her over but – ouch! Whatever it takes, eh? Good work, Red.’

‘It’s your blood.’

‘But she couldn’t swallow, like you said. Then you pulled her upright and – OW!’

Kate pushed herself up on one elbow, leaning in to drink even deeper. Kevin flinched, and I guess I looked concerned because he smiled again.

‘It’s OK. She just – ow – needs a lot. Wow, she’s strong, though!’

She was starting to look better too. My hi-def vision could make out some colour returning to her cheeks. Still, I couldn’t help wondering how many toothbrushes it would take to scrub tonight’s imagery out of my brain.

‘She’s gonna be OK, right?’

Kevin nodded. ‘I mean, she’ll have to call me Dad, but …’

He stopped and blinked hard.

‘Are you OK?’ I said.

‘Uh-huh, just – ow! – woozy. Don’t think I’ve lost this much blood since I died. OUCH! OK, Kate, we’re done.’ He reached over to prise his wrist from Katie’s mouth, but she didn’t want to let go, so he loosened her grip with his fingers and slid his hand free. ‘Kate, that’s enough!’

She sat up and giggled. ‘I feel funny.’ She looked at me drowsily and giggled again. ‘Heeeeey, Evie!’ She booped my nose. ‘I love you. Did you know that, Kevin? I do, I love her. She’s the cutest –’

She stopped. Her stomach gurgled loudly. For a second she looked like she might throw up, but she didn’t. She did turn slightly green, though.

‘Is that normal?’ I asked.

‘Probably?’ Kevin really did look groggy. ‘There’s a lot going on in there – she just chugged a few pints of magic blood.’ He blinked hard again, then smiled. ‘Come on, let’s get her home.’

He tried to stand, lifting Kate with him, and didn’t quite manage it.

‘Pfft! Can’t even walk,’ snorted Katie. ‘’S easy, look!’

She wriggled out of his arms, leapt to her feet, then crumpled. I caught her just before she hit the floor.

She chuckled. ‘Oops! OK, not like that.’

Kevin pushed himself up, steadied himself on the lid of the tomb, then glanced at me. ‘Don’t worry, I’m fine.

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