Unexpected Change

John's Point of View

He slept peacefully throughout the next few hours and he slowly started to wake up around four in the afternoon. I shut my laptop and helped him up.

Ty: Your hand. Did I do it?

John: Well, kind of.

Ty: Oh my, I'm so sorry. Let me help.

John: You really shouldn't.

Ty: I insist.

I watch him get up and hug the wall as he walked. He is trying to ignore his pain and focus on something different. That is how Ty is, he really does not like attention on him. He comes back over with a few shirts and starts to make a make-shift cast around my hand. It hurt a bit but I was not going to stop him because he just wants to make me feel better and I think by doing that it made him feel better.

Ty: I am so sorry.

John: It is not your fault, you had no idea.

Ty: I still did it though and I never want to hurt you.

John: I know that and you had no control over anything when Dixie was doing that. Listen to me, I am not blaming you and I would never be mad at you.

Ty: Okay. She is coming back tomorrow, right?

John: Yeah she will return tomorrow and explain everything but for now she wanted you to rest.

Ty: What is happening to me?

John: I wish I knew.

Ty: What if you leave me because of what she says?

John: I would never. I have known seven years ever since you were nine, well almost nine. Trust me, we have gone through a lot together and no matter what I will always be there and always helping you through.

Ty: That calmed me a bit, but my heart is unusual. Feel it.

I lay my head on his chest and his heart is racing like more than a marathon runner. He has been laying for almost three hours so his heart should be at a resting pace. His skin was also ice cold but he was feeling hot. His mouth started to ache also.

John: That cannot be normal. She said you were special and when I showed her the photo, her eyes lit up. What makes you special?

Ty: I thought special in many ways.

John: Not like that and I know that you’re special but why in her circumstance.

Ty: I don't know. Am I gaining any color back in my skin?

John: None at all.

Ty: I feel so ill.

John: Just go back to bed, I will still be here when you wake.

Ty: Make sure you get sleep.

He closed his eyes and went back into his peaceful sleep. Ty sleeps so peacefully and I look like a mess when I go to bed. I felt his forehead and it felt like I put my hand in fire. My instincts told me to take his temperature and when I did it was reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Something is not right, his skin is ice cold. I decided to call Dixie again because she seemed to know a lot. She said she would be right over and there was no chance I was moving him so she will see our home. I walk out and wait for her.

Dixie: Hi, dear.

John: Hey, sorry for calling again.

Dixie: I need to tell you something, please take a seat.

I went inside the bus and she followed. She started to explain a little.

Dixie: Five years ago I caught a vampire saying he bit a little kid. The vampire said the kid was about eleven and he gave me a good description. And when you showed me the photo, I knew it was him. Listen, the vampire who bit him was the alpha and the most powerful. His powers have transferred to your Ty.

John: Are you saying that he is a vampire?

Dixie: I know, it’s a lot to take in. They usually turn around the age of sixteen and that’s how I knew to give you that necklace. It’s made of lapis lazuli to protect him from the sun.

John: Hold on, I still need a second. I cannot wrap my head around this.

Dixie: I know but I need to need to tell you first. His powers are unpredictable and I have no clue how strong he actually is. My time is running short and I need you to keep this information safe. I don't want him knowing all this yet. Power can go to his head.

John: I have never lied to him.

Dixie: Dearie, it’s just a small lie to protect him.

John: Can you help him?

Dixie: I can look at him. You may also want to know that I am a witch and I am starting to fade.

John: Follow me but do not tell a soul where we are.

Dixie: I can be trusted.

I lead her through the maze of car parts and inside. She takes a look at him and waves her hand over his head.

Dixie: My magic cannot fix him. How is that possible? He is much stronger than I thought.

John: What does that mean?

Dixie: I cannot make him better and I have never seen a transformation like this. I have only seen a couple before but something is different. All I can say is just be with him and try to treat it like a normal cold. Make sure his temperature goes down.

John: Okay, thanks.

Dixie: I will be gone now, my time in this world is over.

John: Wait, do you have anything else to tell me?

Dixie: You will make the discoveries. Bye.

She fades off and I take my place next to Ty. How was I ever going to explain to him? He wakes up again and I decide it’s better to do it now. When he spoke, he sounded so drained and so sick.

John: I have something to tell you. I spoke to Dixie.

Ty: And.

John: You will not believe me but you are a vampire. You were bitten five years ago and just started to turn.

Ty: Not that bad.

John: You believe me.

Ty: You never lied before so I had no reason not to.

John: How are you feeling?

Ty: Awful.

John: Can I take your temperature?

Ty: Yeah.

I take his temperature again and it rose to 105 degrees. Ty notices the worry on my face and starts to worry himself. I do not think that his temperature should be that high.

Ty: Is it that bad?

John: No, nothing to worry about.

Ty: I can tell your lying to protect me, do not be afraid to tell me.

John: Your temperature is at 105 degrees.

Ty: I see now why you wanted to not tell me.

John: I think I am going to go grab some ice.

I walk to that frozen pond and grab a piece of ice to place on his head and hopefully lower his temperature. He had fallen back asleep by the time I got back so I just placed the ice on his head and took my place next to him. I just laid next to him and started to read the many news articles. You would think that our families would know that we are never coming back. I continue to read them until the sun goes down and I look over to see Ty reading too. Did not even know he woke up.

John: When did you wake up?

Ty: About fifteen minutes ago.

John: You’re quiet.

Ty: I know.

John: Feel any better?

Ty: Kind of, my head stopped spinning and my stomach calmed down.

John: That’s good, what about your temperature?

Ty: I don't know.

I take his temperature again and it has sunk to 102 degrees. Still high but lower than before.

Ty: Thank you.

John: No problem, that’s why I'm here.

Ty: Could you tell me more?

John: Yeah, but I only have a bit.

I sit there and explain how he was bitten and what Dixie said but I made sure to leave out his powers. He agreed to everything I said and he had no questions for me. I watched him try and sit up but he failed.

John: Let me help, you are weak right now.

Ty: Thanks, I thought we could go for an evening stroll but I don't know if I am able.

John: We can always try.

Ty: True.

John: Take my hand and I will lead you into the night.

He took my hand and we slowly walked out and into the night. His legs wobbled with every step we took but I seemed to keep him standing. By the end of the night, when we went down for bed his temperature rose again to 104 degrees. Nothing was going to keep it down. I stayed awake all night watching him and keeping ice on his head to keep his temperature down.