One month later


    After their spur of the moment overnight tryst, Katrina had started living with Sera. She was thrilled to have someone in her life again, someone that cared about her, and she swore to do everything in her power to avoid hurting her. Katrina was still terrified of her Vampiric nature, and sadly having a girlfriend didn’t stop her cravings.


    Roughly once a week, Katrina would take a trip down south to hunt for a meal. She made sure to never visit the same place twice, and she’d gotten quite good at covering her tracks. As far as Sera knew, Katrina was simply traveling around to different farms, bleeding pigs dry to keep herself fed. She felt bad lying to Sera about this, but she had no idea how to share the actual truth about what was happening. How do you tell someone that you routinely hunt people down and drain them dry?


    Katrina was busy cleaning up the place when Sera returned from her trip to the Guild Hall. She hadn’t taken any trips to the city recently, but was still offering her Inspiration services to various crafters in the area. Sera also helped with clothing, patching holes and doing her best to put together comfortable clothes for people with unique body structures.


    “Kat! I’m home!” Sera said, yelling down the hallway.


    Without making a noise, Katrina floated down the stairs and happily welcomed Sera home. After they kissed, she noticed Sera was carrying an unusual bag, one that looked fairly different from her usual totes. “What’s that? Gift from another crafter? More clothes to mend?”


    “Actually… this is something for you!” Sera was blushing profusely, and grabbed Katrina’s hand to lead her to the kitchen. “I, um… don’t know if you’ve been keeping track, but… today is our one-month anniversary!”


    “Is it really?” Katrina’s face turned red with shame. “I… wasn’t really keeping track, I’m sorry. You really didn’t have to do this.”


    “No, it’s okay! I know people don’t really care about the one month, and I never expect them to. It’s just… this last month has been really nice, and I wanted to do something to show my appreciation. To make your life a little easier.”


    Katrina started opening the bag, wondering what on earth Sera meant. Inside the bag, she found something that looked like a lunchbox, or possibly a small cooler. It was definitely designed to keep something cold, and Katrina slowly opened it, taking care not to make a mess of whatever might be inside. When she flipped the top open, she found a large, clear bag, filled to the brim with red liquid.


    “Sera, this is… what did you do?” Katrina asked.


    Sera held out her arm, revealing a large bandage on the inside of her elbow. “I found a phlebotomist in the Guild Hall, and had them draw my blood. It’s not something I can do too often, but… this mean you won’t need to spend all night hunting down pigs this week, right? Plus, I know you’ve said human blood tastes way better, so… happy monthiversary!”


    Without saying anything , Katrina pulled Sera close and kissed her. “Sera, this is amazing. I don’t even know what to say!”


    “Don’t say anything! Just dig in! Apparently, they’ve got these new bags that are designed for races like you, so it’s just like cracking open a juice box. See, you just turn this, and presto!”


    Katrina’s senses immediately filled with the smell of blood, the most delicious thing in all existence. Eager to steal a taste, she grabbed the pouch and took a long, slow sip. It was every bit as delicious as she’d expected, if not more so. This had easily been the kindest thing that anyone had ever done for her since the Change, and she fought back a few tears that tried to fall as she drank.


    She managed to hold off on finishing everything, instead closing up the pouch and moving it to their fridge. Sera crept up behind her, hugging her tight before turning her around and kissing her deep.


    “Is that what my blood tastes like? Interesting… can’t say I love it.” Sera said, giggling.


    “Well, it’s an acquired taste I suppose. Oh! I got so distracted by your gift, I was going to show you my project I started today!” Katrina grabbed Sera’s hand, leading her up the stairs.


    “Oh? What have you been up to?”


    “Nothing crazy, but I just wanted to show you the alterations I made for that Lizardfolk outfit you were working on.” Katrina had been learning to sew in an attempt to help Sera out, and she was rather proud of the skills she’d picked up. Surprisingly, her Bardic Knowledge Feature made learning everything easier, not just music.


    “That’s great! I’m actually supposed to have that out by the end of the week, so that’s honestly a huge help.”


    Katrina picked up the outfit, showing everything she’d changed to Sera. “So, I figure adding the extra fabric here will make it chafe less on his tail, and then over here, I added— Ow!” In the middle of turning the garment around, Katrina had accidentally pricked a finger on one of the sewing needles.


    “Hey, watch yourself Kat. I know this isn’t delving, but you still have to be careful. Here, let me take a look.” Sera took Katrina’s hand in her own, turning it to look at the pin prick. A small droplet of blood had formed, and an idea seemed to form in Sera’s head. She moved Katrina’s hand closer, pulling her finger into her mouth, and slowly ran her tongue over the Vampire’s finger. It felt nice, though it made Katrina wonder if Sera had plans to drag her into bed afterwards.


    “You sure that’s safe, Sera? It’s not like I’ve had my blood tested recently.”


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    “Eh, I’ve heard that most Races have fairly Human standard blood anyways. Little tweaks here and there, and I think there’s a new blood type? But otherwise nothing crazy. Besides, you’ve had mine, right? Now we’re bound by blood!”


    The girls smiled at each other, and Sera began moving in for a kiss. Before their lips met, however, Sera winced in pain and pulled back. The pain seemed to grow worse and worse, and within seconds she was writhing in pain on the ground. “Sera! What’s happening?!”


    “I don’t— AAGH!!”


    Katrina watched in horror as Sera’s body began to change and contort. Her limbs groaned and stretched, and her tanned complexion began to grow pale. As she screamed out in pain, Katrina saw her cuspids elongate, growing to a horrifying, supernatural point that mirrored Katrina’s own. There was no mistaking what was happening, and when Sera’s eyes opened again, they were blood red.


    “Kat! What''s happening?!” Sera screamed.


    Falling to the floor, memories of the night of the Change flooded Katrina’s mind. The horrifying pain, the overwhelming hunger that had driven her to become a murderer. The worst thing that had ever happened to her, and it was now repeating itself with Sera.


    Sera’s convulsing began to slow, and a terrible growl left her throat. She tried to crawl closer, but it was clear she was still in horrible pain. “Kat… why?? Why did you do this to me?!”


    “No! I didn’t… I don’t know what’s happening!”


    Katrina moved closer, reaching out to try and help, but her hand was knocked away. Sera''s transformation was now slowing, likely almost finished, and Katrina could tell that Sera was already much stronger. Her pallid fingers now had sharpened nails, and she lashed out at Katrina, who failed to react in time. Sera slashed at Katrina, her new nails drawing blood as they raked across her arm.


    With another horrible growl, Sera brought the blood to her mouth and tasted it. "Hungry... so... hungry!"


    "Sera, please, let me help you!"


    "No! Get away!" Sera said, jumping to her feet. She pushed Katrina down to the floor, jumping over her and running for the front door. When she grabbed the handle, she didn''t just open the door, she completely ripped it off its hinges. The moonlight hit her body, casting a shadow towards Katrina, who flew down the stairs to try and stop Sera from turning into a killer.


    "I know what you''re going through! Please!" Katrina again reached out for Sera, who spun and shoved Katrina against a wall.


    "LEAVE ME ALONE!" Sera screamed. "JUST LEAVE!!"


    Sera''s face was warped, distorted by anger, hunger, and betrayal. Tears clung to her face, the last remnants of Sera''s humanity, and Katrina felt her heart shatter as she saw everything Sera had become. With another guttural growl, Sera ran out the front door, leaving Katrina alone. In a panic, Katrina flew out the front door, trying to get as far away from Sera as she could. She flew for hours, crying the whole way, barely able to see where she was going.


    Why does this keep happening to me?! Why did I think I could live a normal life? I was foolish enough to try, and now Sera is… now she’s a monster, just like me. Everywhere I go, everything I touch, I ruin. How many lives am I going to destroy?


    —


    Eight months later. One year and six months Post-Change.


    Katrina flew out her window, the cool night air filling her senses. There was no joy in flying like there used to be, and she had no idea how she managed to get out of bed each day. She felt every bit as dead inside as the System had made her.


    Six months ago, on the anniversary of the Change, Katrina had once again tried to summon the strength to step into the daylight. Just like on that fateful night, however, she stopped herself at the last possible second. This time, she’d gotten her HP down to 3%. She was still convinced the world would be a better place without her, but she had no idea how to continue.


    The news, however, had begun promising a way out. A way for her to escape the eternal torture that was her own existence. She continued flying, eventually finding a small medical clinic just a few blocks away from her house. The doors opened for her, and her nails dug into her arms as she squeezed herself tight. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, she was so sure something would go wrong again. After all, she ruined everything she touched, right?


    She pushed aside thoughts of Sera, thoughts of all her victims, and approached the counter. Her body was shaking, and she was having trouble thinking straight, as she hadn’t eaten in far too long. She barely even noticed when someone approached the window from the other side.


    A solid pane of magically reinforced glass separated them, and Katrina was thankful for that. The man in front of her was Human, probably in his twenties, with short blonde hair and grayish-blue eyes. His look was full of pity, or possibly sorrow? Katrina was having trouble reading people, she was so hungry. She grabbed the counter, squeezing it tight as she fought to stay in control.


    “I, um… I heard you have… blood?” she asked quietly.


    The man behind the glass nodded. A soft smile appeared on his face, and he spoke in calm, comforting tones. “We do. I can help you set up a donor card, and we even have coolers for first-timers. What’s your name?”


    Katrina’s voice shook as she spoke, scared to believe him. “I’m… Katrina.”


    “It’s nice to meet you Katrina, my name’s Dennis. How about we get you set up, and you’ll have a fresh set of rations in just a few minutes.”