Chapitre 71: Chapter 71: Willpower Like a Unmoving Mountain
Jensen PoV
"Drew?" I called out again, my voice barely above a whisper.
As I descended the stairs, I felt a sense of unease wash over me. I reached the bottom and took a moment to listen. The house was still, but then I heard another low groan, this time coming from the back of the house. My heart pounded as I crept toward the sound, my curiosity piqued and worry gnawing at me.
I turned the corner into the kitchen, and there, partially obscured by the shadows, I spotted Drew. He was hunched over, his back to me, and I could see the outline of his shoulders trembling slightly.
"Drew?" I said again, taking a cautious step forward.
But then something caught my eye. As Drew turned slightly, the moonlight illuminated his face, and I gasped quietly. There, glinting in the pale light, were what appeared to be fangs. His expression was strained, as if he were in pain, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
I froze in place, my mind racing. What was happening? Was Drew… a vampire? The stories I had read in books flooded my thoughts, and I couldn't shake the sense of disbelief. It felt absurd, yet the sight before me felt all too real.
I stayed hidden behind the wall, my instincts urging me to remain silent. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the situation. Was this some kind of joke? Or had I stumbled upon something far more serious?
Drew groaned again, and I watched as he gripped the edge of the counter, seeming to fight against whatever was causing him distress. I wanted to reach out to him, to ask what was wrong, but the sight of those fangs held me back.
What if I was right? What if he truly was something other than human? The thought sent a shiver through me, but even more than that, I felt a deep concern for my friend.
I couldn't just stand there, but I was paralyzed by a mix of fear and confusion. I needed answers, but I also didn't want to confront him directly. What if he didn't want me to see him like this?
As I continued to watch, I fought with myself, torn between stepping forward to help and staying hidden to protect myself from whatever strange transformation was happening. I could only hope that whatever was going on would resolve itself, that Drew would return to the friend I knew.
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[Present]
Drew gulped. "Why do you think it was me who left that bite mark on Sylvester's neck?"
I sighed and pulled him to the side, away from the others who were still laughing and joking nearby.
"Remember when you sleptover at my place during eight grade? During the night of the blood moon? Well, I heard you making grunting sounds. I was worried about you, so I went to look and I saw..."
Drew sighed. "So, you figured what I was before even I could."
I gasped. "Huh? You didn't know yourself?"
He sighed and turned away. "As rediculous as it sounds, yeah. I didn't recall those episodes. I would just find myself confused as to why I was someplace else. I would also feel very tired, as if I had trained overnight."
A smile crept onto my face despite the gravity of our conversation. I remembered that night vividly. Kid Drew, with his determined brow furrowed and his fists clenched, struggling to control whatever was happening to him. It was like he was fighting against something that wanted to break free.
"You know, I admire your willpower. Even back then, I could see how hard you were trying to keep it together. You didn't let it consume you."
Drew shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips. "I'm not that amazing, Jensen. My willpower gave up this year, Sylvester was bitten because I couldn't control myself."
"Hey," I said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I'm surr you were doing your best. It's not your fault that something like this happened. You're still learning how to manage it. Just like on the court, you can't expect to be perfect every time, right? It takes practice."
Drew looked at me, his expression a mixture of gratitude and sadness. "But I didn't want to hurt anyone. I thought I could handle it, but now… now I've put Sylvester in danger."
"Stop," I interrupted gently. "You can't keep blaming yourself for things that are out of your control. You didn't choose this, and you can't predict how it'll play out. What matters is how you handle it from here on out."
He sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to ease the tension. "I just don't want to lose my friends because of what I am."
"You won't," I promised, my voice steady. "We'll figure this out together. You're not alone in this. I'll be right here with you, no matter how tough it gets."
Drew nodded slowly, a flicker of hope sparking in his eyes. "Thanks, Jensen. I really appreciate it. I just wish things were simpler."
"Yeah, me too," I admitted with a smirk. "But where's the fun in that? If life were simple, we wouldn't have all these crazy stories to tell."
Drew chuckled softly, and for a moment, the tension eased between us. "I guess you're right."
I snickered and patted his head. "Of course I am! I'm always right!"
He scoffed. "Your ego really hasn't shrunked over the years."
I laughed as we walked together. "And yours has only grown since we met!"
He looked up at the sky and smiled slightly. "I guess so. I blame you for it."
"Me?!"
He chuckled. "Of course, who else? You're the one who said competition was good!"
I sighed. "Yeah, but I think you took that way too far. Competition should be fun, not a chore!"
My friend sighed. "I know, but my thinking is rock solid. It won't budge."
I sighed. "No wonder Wilt and you butt heads tok much! You both cling to your existing worldview, unyielding and resolute."
He sighed and looked down. "Perhaps, but that's what makes one strong. Having flimsy motivations and moving wherever the wind blows results in weakness."
I hummed. So, that's how he managed to endure his own vampiric blood until now. Haha. Drew truly was a scary guy. How did he ever become friends with a guy like me?
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