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Theo stands and walks over, crouching beside the bed. He’s close now, close enough for me to count the freckles on his nose and fall deep into the bottomless black pit of his eyes.

‘Or maybe that’s exactly what you’re meant to do. Maybe that’s why we found each other.’

I don’t know what to say to that.

‘I got these for you,’ he says, gesturing to a bag that I didn’t even notice.

‘Oh!’ I say in surprise. ‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll go get some food.’

He gives me a small smile before disappearing through the door. I rummage through the bag and am relieved to see a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturiser, and a bunch of other essential items that I left behind. Well, I literally left everything behind, even my phone. My fingers move to my pocket, where the black ring that I stole from the house sits. I should tell Theo that I have it, but I’m still unsure whether I can fully trust him.

I’m feeling refreshed and like my normal self again when he returns. He managed to get decent clothes in my size. I’m in black leggings, an oversized jumper, and comfortable slip-on sneakers. I’m quite impressed. I most likely would have picked the same thing out for myself.

‘I would like to stock up on some knives and get a crossbow,’ I say as he places down coffees and pastries on the small table.

He raises a brow. ‘Did you just say a crossbow?’

Grinning, I nod. ‘Yeah. I’m quite good with one.’

‘I’d like to see that,’ he smiles back, flashing his boyish grin, the one he had on his face often when I first discovered him underground. ‘I’m not sure where to get those, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.’

We don’t talk much as we pack up. Theo waits by the door, already dressed, keys in hand. The stolen car is parked just outside, its windshield streaked with condensation. As I walk past him, he doesn’t touch me, but I can feel the space between us hum.

We climb in and drive without knowing where we’re going. It just feels obvious that we need to be further away from Red Thorne. It feels like I might turn around and my family will be there, waiting to drag us both back.

The road unspools in front of us, long and empty. The bushland slips past on either side, sun breaking through mist in golden beams of lights. I glance at Theo as he drives. His hands are steady on the wheel, but his jaw is tight. He hasn’t fed since our shared moment, and I wonder if he’s feeling restless. Or maybe he fed this morning, since he did leave to get supplies.

‘Thanks for getting everything. Food and whatnot,’ I say.

‘All good.’

I tap my fingers against my knees. ‘Are you hungry?’

His gaze slices to mine. ‘Am I?’

‘Yeah,’ I say. ‘You’ve kept me fed and I’m assuming you must need to … er … also eat.’

I sound like an idiot. I don’t know how to word what I’m trying to say. This entire thing is so new to me. I feel like everything I’ve learnt and what I know is a complete lie.

His cheek twitches. ‘I do need to eat.’

‘And by eat, we both mean … drink blood …’ I trail off, shifting in my seat. ‘Right?’

‘You would be correct.’

Running a tongue over my teeth, I nod, looking out the window. ‘Er, right. Can it just be, like, anyone with a heartbeat?’

‘Well, typically, but when we blood shared, I think something changed. For me.’ He looks a little tense as he keeps his eyes locked ahead. His biceps bulge deliciously as he holds the wheel.

‘Changed? What do you mean?’

‘Well, I think I can only drink from you now.’

The hairs on my arms raise. ‘Oh. I see.’

‘I don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. I’ll be fine for a bit.’