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‘That is a human being you just stole from and left!’ she cries, throwing her hands up to show her frustration.

Sighing, I look back at the man, who is now on the phone.

‘Look, he’s calling someone. He’ll be fine.’

I can tell she has more to say but I throw the car into reverse and speed away from the petrol station. The world passes us by in a blur and she grips the car door like she’s about to go flying.

We don’t talk much on the drive. The fog thins the farther away we get from Red Thorne. A silence falls between us. Neither of us knows what to say. I don’t even know where I’m going. All I do know is that the more distance between me and that cell, the better. A hot shower sounds pretty good too.

Tara keeps stealing glances when she thinks I’m not looking. I catch one and she doesn’t look away this time.

‘What?’ I eventually ask.

She hesitates, tapping her fingers across her thighs. ‘Do you feel it too?’

I don’t need to ask what she means. The connection between us. A bloodborne thread that neither of us wanted, that is now consuming us.

‘Yeah,’ I say, turning my eyes back to the road. ‘I feel it.’

By the time we reach the coast and find a motel, it’s nearly dawn. The sky is a pale blue, the air warmer already now that we’re away from Red Thorne. It’s easy to get through reception and up the stairs when no one questions a word I say. I must look a little crazy in my ripped, dirty clothes, with blood and grime streaking more of my skin than not.

Inside the room, Tara stands by the window, arms crossed, like she’s holding herself together. I take a seat on the edge of the bed – there’s only one – head bowed, as I try to think.

‘I think they made me forget,’ I murmur, rubbing slow circles into my temples. ‘Your family. The men that would come in. They injected me with something and now I can’t recall important memories about my life. Like whatever was going on before being imprisoned doesn’t exist anymore.’

She gnaws her lip, seeming unsure of what to say. I get to my feet. The ache is still present behind my eyes, but the fuzzy feeling is more bearable now.

‘I’m going to go get some things. Clothes, for starters.’ I scrub a hand down my jaw. ‘You’re probably going to be hungry, at some point. Any requests?’

Her face softens a little. ‘Anything you can find will be great. Thank you, Theo.’

‘Will you be all right here?’

‘I’ll be fine.’

I linger for a second, not wanting to separate, but not understanding the feeling. This tug to be near Tara feels weird, given I don’t know her. The blood sharing has messed with my head and now the memory loss has me all disorientated. I need the space to get away and think, but the thought of leaving her makes my stomach turn.

Pushing through the urge to cross the room and take hold of her, I step outside, passing the car. I don’t need it, I’m fast enough on my own.

The streets are empty this early. The cold bites at my skin as I walk, a sharp contrast to the heat still burning in my chest from Tara’s blood. It’s strange to feel human again. I can’t remember the last time I felt the wind or the temperature, but her blood is making me feel like I can. I keep moving.

This town doesn’t look like anywhere I remember. But then again, what do I remember?

The buildings are run-down, paint peeling from faded signs. There’s a newsagent, a takeaway burger shop with chairs stacked on tables, a bakery with its lights just flickering on. It’s quiet this time of the morning. It’s peaceful, as if the town is still asleep.

A shop window reflects my face as I pass, black eyes and messy hair, my clothes ripped and hanging off me. A morning jogger comes toward me and their foot catches when they take in my appearance. They cross the road, keeping their eyes on me as they pass by on the other side.

Spotting a clothes store, I slink around the back of it. Smashing my hand into the window, the glass shatters. I climb inside and wait a beat, expecting a blaring alarm, but nothing comes. A small town like this might not have much security. My eyes scan the surroundings and I spot a camera in the corner. As fast as I blink I yank it off the wall, only to realise nothing is connected.

Dropping it to the ground, I head into the shop and grab two of the tote bags hanging on the wall. I fill mine with a few items of clothes, shoes, and for the hell of it, a couple of cool rings and bracelets. Moving to the other side of the store, I grab a bunch of different things for Tara, not knowing what size she might be or what style she likes. After filling the bags, I head back outside.

The sky is pale and colourless, the car park empty. I scan the road out of habit, when a strong scent washes over me. My head whips to the side as I notice the jogger from earlier, who has looped back around. He’s slowed to a walk now, breathing hard, hands braced on his hips. After a quick glance around, I quickly confirm there’s no one else nearby. I tell myself to turn away, to return to Tara who is waiting for me, but hunger is a brutal thing. It doesn’t care about anything else, and I have been denied fresh blood for too long. Having a taste of Tara was not enough. I’ve been insatiable ever since.

He looks up, startled when he notices me watching, the unsettled expression from earlier returning to his face.

‘Morning,’ he says, voice strained as he awkwardly appraises me, understandably wary.

Stepping closer before I can stop myself, my hands move quickly to give him a subtle push. Nothing too forceful or cruel. I can do those things if I want to, but I don’t care for that right now. His focus slips, eyes glazing as they lock onto mine. He doesn’t resist when I guide him into the thin strip of shadow beside the building. I lean in.