Chapter Eight. Curious Changes.

 

Time flew by.   Lindsay did continue to see Paris, in between study commitments.  She didn't always have time to keep her hair done in the practical, short cut she had favored since running away from home.   Paris claimed she liked it better that way, softer and more feminine.  Since she started dating, Lindsay began to feel a little less tense around people.  A little.  She actually developed a reputation as a kind, helpful girl.  Someone it was good to know.  It didn't hurt that she was smart too.

Then in the final weeks of her third year, Lindsay began to feel...  off.  Maybe it was stress, maybe she was coming down with something, but Lindsay didn't feel herself.  Her jaws ached and sunlight seemed to stab her eyes.

"Well, we can't find anything seriously wrong" the nurse practitioner at the campus clinic stated in what were meant to be reassuring tones.  "If your teeth are bothering you, perhaps you need to see a dentist..."

"Thanks" Lindsay bit out, not really comforted.

With a clean bill of health, Lindsay had little choice but to solider on.  Final exams and graduation were coming.   As exciting as that was, the rules stated that only current Foxbury students could reside in the dormitories.  That meant Lindsay was going to have to find a new home and soon.   With a little help from her friend Tina Tinker, Lindsay applied at the bank for a mortgage.   Based on the job offers Lindsay was considering and her employability with her upcoming degree (boosted by her meager savings and a rather generous loan from Eloise and Tina) she secured enough for a modest first home.

Lindsay secured the services of Cleo Jacobson.   A young real estate agent with some clout and a bearable commission rate.  Cleo was actually a nice lady and Lindsay got to know her pretty well as they toured homes in various neighborhoods.

Things got worse as the clock to qualification ticked down.   Not even Lindsay's favorite cinnamon roll and latte could calm Lindsay's roiling stomach.  Somehow Lindsay got through the necessary exams.

Two nights before graduation the terrible thing happened.  Woken from a deep sleep, Lindsay found herself invading one of the larger, single rooms.  A blonde she hadn't met was awake, listening to quiet music.  He startled when Lindsay, clad only in t-shirt and underwear strode in.  Then Lindsay embraced the strange young man, tilted his head in a slow, loving gesture and bit down on his exposed neck!

Fangs that hadn't been there a moment before pierced the pale skin.   Lindsay felt a warm sensation and a strange relief in her abdomen as a steady trickle of blood pumped from the wound into her waiting mouth.

Coming to herself suddenly, Lindsay was mortified.

"Oh my gosh" she told the dazed fellow in front of her "I don't know...  oh, I wish this wasn't real.  I hope this isn't real.  I must be dreaming.   You won't remember any of this because this never happened."  And Lindsay found herself staring into green eyes, mind and body intent on erasing the incident from both of them.

Then Lindsay fled to her room, hiding under the covers.  She tried desperately to convince herself she'd been having a nightmare while straining to hear footsteps in the hall or even an outraged cry.  She sobbed as soundlessly as she could, willing herself to return to sleep while tensed in fear of the morning.  Hours later, she found incriminating red splotches on her pillowcase when the sun rose.