Blood

"Nala!" A roaring, hoarse voice stabbed me with its power. The voice belonged to a man—a man I knew. Other sounds followed, but they were too distorted. A wheeze, a rasp, and then a loud wailing sound. They assaulted my ears when all I wanted was to sleep. I felt too tired. Unable to open my eyes and immobilized by the pain, I shut down the noises in my head. I wanted to drift into nothing.

"You need to drink!" The thundering sound jerked my entire body. I didn't like that order, but someone parted my lips, and then I felt thick, oddly sweet drops falling down my throat. A weak moan left me as the liquid heated my insides. More of it fell down my throat, and the fever spread to my limbs. "That's it, drink, Nala." The voice became softer, coaxing. "You will live," the voice told me. "I will not let you die."

I might have smiled upon hearing those words. I swallowed another portion of sweet and thick liquid. It tasted smoky, decadent… It tasted wicked, but it also tasted like life. I dr