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Avid didn't like to think himself careless, but he could admit that the confidence he had in his abilities was misplaced this time around. He had gotten cocky, wanting to protect the people in Oakhurst enough that his self-preservation was momentarily forgotten.
Now, he had gotten himself lost in the forest, darkness clouding his surroundings. Avid clutched his crossbow close to his chest, finger shifting back and forth over the trigger. He swallows hard, his eyes tracking the shapes in the dark. Avid walks carefully, the grass crunching under his feet, the sound seeming far too loud in the oddly silent night.
Avid jumps as he registers a second set of footsteps behind him, turning around wildly to face whoever is stalking him.
Nothing.
Avid takes a breath, trying to calm his pounding heart.
“And what are you doing out here all alone?”
Avid startles again, a silver bolt shooting out from the crossbow in his panic. Scott stands in front of him, where he was most definitely not before. He's smirking, amusement clear in his gaze. Avid's hand clenches in his shirt, taking a step back. He swallows again nervously.
“S-Scott? What are you doing?”
Scott tilts his head at him, his blue eyes gleaming oddly. “That's what I was asking you.”
Avid shifts, glancing between his crossbow and Scott. He doesn't trust Scott's intentions in the least.
“...I don't feel like telling you.” he mutters.
Scott's eyes narrow at him, though his smirk remains. He looks so completely at ease that it's making Avid uncomfortable. “That's rude, isn't it? I was being so polite too.”
Scott takes a step forward as Avid takes another one backwards. “Why so nervous, Avid?”
Avid's eyes dart behind him just as his back hits the trunk of a tree. Scott corners him, getting so close that Avid is pressing his back firmly against the tree in an effort to create some space between them. He reaches into his pocket, trying to get another bolt, only to wince as Scott grabs his wrist, his grip tight.
“You know, you accused me of being suspicious, but you're being quite tight-lipped yourself.” Scott says, looking very pleased with himself. Avid's eyes widen, his breath catching in his chest as the last of the distance is breached.
“You are suspicious! I know something isn't right with you!”
Scott's smirk only widens. “Again, rude.”
Avid lifts the crossbow only to have it batted away from his hand, his other wrist seized tightly in Scott's other hand. His nails dig slightly into Avid's wrists.
“I wouldn't try that if I were you.”
Avid glares at Scott. “You aren't helping your case, you know!”
Scott hums pleasantly, grinning sharply. Much too sharply. “With you? I already know I don't have to bother.”
Avid gulps. “I knew it,” He whispers. “You're a vampire.”
The hands around his wrists suddenly feel very constrictive and Scott's proximity feels dangerous. Avid twists in the hold, but Scott doesn't budge. He looks amused at Avid's distress.
Avid continues struggling, unable to stop his fight response no matter how useless it clearly is. “I'll tell everyone–”
“And who would believe you, hmm? Everyone else already thinks you're crazy.”
Avid clenches his fists, his breathing picking up in pace. “Shelby and Drift–” he starts.
Scott interrupts him again, chuckling in amusement. “They're only indulging you, Avid. No one here would believe you no matter what you told them.”
Avid's mouth shuts with a click. He knows Scott's right. No one believed him before, and there isn't any way they would change their minds now.
Scott runs his tongue over his fangs, an action which makes Avid shudder. “Now, stay still.”
Scott lifts Avid's head, his hand holding up his jaw. Avid grabs Scott's hand, but doesn't have anywhere near the amount of strength he would need to stop him. Scott's hand trails down to Avid's neck, sharp nails carefully pulling his collar down and unwrapping the bandages around his throat.
Avid squeezes his eyes shut, panic welling up inside him. “Wait– please! Please don't!”
Scott doesn't listen to him, leaning his face down towards Avid's bare neck. Avid starts struggling anew, kicking and scratching as hard as he can.
Scott scowls down at him, his blue eyes glaring red. “If you don't stop that, I'll have to get my hands dirty. I don't think either of us wants that, Avid.”
Avid breathes in sharply, his lungs screaming in his chest as he heaves. Scott's nails run along Avid's throat and he freezes.
Scott's smirk returns. “Don't fight me. I think we both know it won't end well for you. I don't have to make this easy.”
Avid nods slowly, tears stinging his eyes. He can tell how much stronger Scott is than him and he knows how easily Scott could make it hurt. Avid trembles as Scott presses his fangs to his throat, shivering miserably. He whimpers as Scott's fangs sink into his neck, sliding into his skin as easy as a knife.
He can't quite help but squirm in Scott's hold, the sensation of being feed on painful and overwhelming. Avid's vision blurs around the edges, his breathing coming out in rapid puffs. Scott seems satisfied with his fill as he lets go of Avid, letting him crumble to the ground. Avid's whole body trembles on the forest floor.
Scott leans down over him, lifting Avid's chin, forcing Avid's unfocused gaze to meet his eyes. “You're a lot more tolerable when you're scared and confused.”
Avid swallows, unable to make his mouth work. He slowly lifts his hand up to where his neck is bleeding sluggishly, but Scott intercepts him. “Wrap it up before you go back to town. You don't want people asking uncomfortable questions, now do you?”
Avid shakes his head, blinking up at Scott with wide eyes. “I… you're letting me live…?”
Scott smiles down at him condescendingly, as if Avid is missing something obvious. “While killing you would be convenient for me, I think it would be much more fun to keep you around. For a little while longer, at least.”
Avid blinks again, his eyes feeling heavy. When he opens his eyes again, Scott is nowhere to be seen, gone just sudden as he appeared.
Avid leans back against the tree, lifting his shaking hands to rewrap his bandages. The fabric absorbs the blood, red slowly blossoming along the white.
Avid pulls his collar over the wound, staring up as the sunrise starts to paint the morning sky. He needs to get back before Drift gets worried.
Avid closes his eyes again. He'll go back soon. He just needs to rest for a moment.
Just a moment more.