Ella wasn’t exactly gifted with the stealth of a fox before she was bitten in the neck by something she couldn’t name, never mind come to terms with its existence. Ella was amazed she was able to convince the doctor to discharge her and sneak out before Nurse Nancy could catch her. She didn’t want to be escorted to the bed and breakfast and coddled. She had work to do at the house, and she needed to call her parents. They would be worrying where she’s been for the last two days.

She made sure to leave at first light and did her best to walk as fast as she could through the town in the blue hospital scrubs they had leant her. Her pink onesie was stained with blood so she said they could bin it. Looking at it made her feel sick and recall the sensation of sharp teeth at her throat.

Ella was dizzy by the time she made her way through town, up the dirt path and into the forest. She had to stop several times to catch her breath and was constantly wary of the time of day. By the time she reached Deer-view again she was staggering up the porch. Panting and leaning against the door frame, Ella collected herself. I’m okay. I’m back, it’s still light out, I’m okay. I’m safe. She caught her breath and then pushed the door open. Still unlocked.

Ella shuffled across the threshold and barely over stepped in time to avoid stepping in blood. She stared at the dry pool and in her mind saw the creature again holding it’s middle and nursing it’s gun wound. Right before it pounced on me. Ella swallowed thickly and trudged on.

As per her plan, the first thing she did was lock all the windows and doors. She found the iron key where she left it last on the kitchen counter. Once the house was secure she decided to never be without the key again. She got a long piece of string and fastened the key to it to wear around her neck.

After a much needed break, a cup of tea and some biscuits later, Ella had a wash and a change. She no longer looked quite as pale or like she’d made a quick escape of hospital, now she wasn’t in scrubs. Trainers, jeans and a warm thick green sweater made her feel much more like her old self. She brushed her curly black hair to get the knots out and tied it back like she meant business. Alright. Where is my cell?

Ella found her cell phone on the floor by the kitchen door. Must have skuttled away when I dropped it. When…it bit me. Again her mind replayed the attack and made her blood run cold. She shook it off and took it up to her bedroom to find her portable charger. At the moment she was having to use batteries to charge her phone. Until I can get an electrician out here. Hopefully the mains comes out this far and it just needs connecting. Or we’ll have to invest in a generator.

Slowly she returned to her comfort zone as she gingerly tidied up and added to her list of repairs the house would need. Once her phone was charged her parents did both give her an earful for being out of touch for 3 days. She told them she had an accident and passed out. There was no way Ella was telling her parents that a monster attacked her and drank her blood. Her mother whittled over her wellbeing and her father lectured her about being more careful. 2 hours later, that obligation had been achieved, and Ella could get back to the task at hand.

Finding out what the hell that furry devil was. More importantly? How the hell I protect myself from it if it ever comes back.      

Ella decided to visit the public library. Her cell was charged, it was now 1pm, and she had at least 4 more hours before the sun started to go down. Now armed with her Toyota, she could easily travel back to the house with plenty of time if she set off at half 4. So she pulled up outside the nearest library and headed directly to their IT suit. It was cute, to call it that. Really it was one long desk with four computers on it you could use. None of them were being used so Ella took the one at the back of the library. I don’t want anyone to see me looking up blood sucking furry monsters.

Ella sat down and did her due diligence with work first. She sent Clinton her appraisal of Deer-view so far. What repairs it would need and realistically how far the approved budget would stretch. She requested more funding in light of the fact it would either need a full rewiring to the mains or to a generator. Which they’d have to also pay for the unit and it’s instillation.

Then Ella started to look up furry blood sucking devils.  

She started with vampires because it bit her and drank her blood. She soon found herself looking at sinfully beautiful men and women with one set of sharp fangs. They burn in the sun and only come out at night, which could be in line with the thing that attacked her. From talking to various residents like Aiden and Nancy, it only came out at night…but other wise it didn’t fit the profile of a vampire. From the many pricks in the bite mark at her neck, all his teeth were sharp. Not just one pair. It also had black fur, horns, snake eyes and rabbit ears. No vampire she found looked like that.

Next she looked for something with horns. Is it a demon? Most of the things on here with horns are demons. Some demons apparently drink blood during rituals, but the thing that attacked me just bit me. No ritual. Just…pain. Ella held the bandage over her neck and grimaced at the screen. No, not a demon. It had horns, but there was nothing satanic about. It didn’t try to possess me or curse me. It wasn’t a demon.

Ella groaned and rubbed her temples. She dropped her blue gaze to the bottom corner and saw the time was 3pm. I’ve been at this for 2 hours? Between work and my research, my eyes are starting to hurt. Ella was still not quite herself again. Even after a transfusion her body was weak from the ordeal of being drained. She was really struggling to focus and fight off the urge to sleep. I think i've reached my limit. Maybe my search will have to wait for another day. The last thing I want is to be stuck in town at night in two hours time because I’m too tired to drive. At least I’ve eliminated vampire and demon off the list of potential suspects.

With a stretch and a groan she got up and headed back out to her car.

To find Aiden O’Hara leaning his backside against it and waiting for her.