markdown-monster-club/chapters/chapter_23.md

# Chapter 23

The sun finally disappeared behind the horizon and Ashley was free to become Asher again. With his strength returned and his wounds almost completely healed, Asher looked quite satisfied. The others were all beyond excited to see him back. Abraham, however, couldn’t help but shoot glances at the still unconscious Michelle. How long would she be out cold? She had to wake up some time right? It worried him to see her like this…and it made him feel guilty to consider that all of this could have well been his fault.
“Something on your mind, Abraham?” Sarah asked, walking close to him. “You keep staring at Michelle like you think she’s going to run away.”
“No it’s just…”
“Just what?” Sarah asked, lowering herself down onto the warm sand with him. The moon gazed down at them all and Abraham could hear Asher, Calypso and Katie playing in the tides while Tamil listened from the sand. He didn’t like the water that much. Abraham looked at Sarah and suddenly saw how short her hair had been cut from the attack and again felt a twinge of guilt. Sarah touched her hair, realizing what he was looking at. “What, this?! It’ll grow back, Abraham. It’s just hair. Besides, I think it makes me look cute.”
“It shouldn’t have happened at all. It got chopped off because you were trying to save me from Michelle.” Abraham grumbled sadly.
“Abraham, you can’t blame yourself for any of this. Michelle can’t control herself when she’s like that.” Sarah reassured him.
“But if I could just stick up for myself…protect myself…then you all wouldn’t be burdened by me.” Abraham snapped. “Maybe it would have been better if-”
“Don’t you dare say it!” Sarah snapped angrily. “You’re part of our family now. We’ll always look out for family, whether you like it or not! I don’t want to hear you being down on yourself like this again.”
“But-”
“No ‘buts!’” Sarah pushed, giving a playful shove. “Things’ll be okay. You’ll see.” As Sarah got up and turned to go Abraham rose to his feet too. As much as he was grateful for her reassurance, there was still a great fear that nagged at him. Michelle would turn again in a month…and in that time, would he have to be saved again by the sacrifices of the club? Would they have to keep putting their lives at risk to protect his? He looked to Asher and Calypso, who were helping carry Katie back onto the sand, as she was having trouble maneuvering in the water. Abraham suddenly had an idea and walked to the three of them.

“Hey Abraham.” Katie spoke up. Her voice was kind…not harsh. For once, it seemed like Katie had forgotten (or at least put aside) her hatred for humans. Abraham smiled at her and then looked to Asher.
“Hey…could I speak to you…in private?” Asher blinked for a moment and nodded.
“Yeah sure, come on.” Asher waved to Calypso and Katie and walked off with Abraham up the beach behind a large tower of rocks. They were completely out of earshot or sight of the rest of the club. Asher stared up at the sky and breathed in deeply.
“Gotta love this sea air, right? Feels great!” Asher laughed.
“Yeah…it’s great.” Abraham answered absentmindedly.
“Abraham, if this is about me drinking your blood, I’m sorry…I wouldn’t have done it if-”
“No, it’s not about that at all.” Abraham gasped, smiling sheepishly. “You were exhausted and needed blood. I understand.”
“So…then what’s bothering you?” Asher asked. Abraham twiddled his fingers unsure of what to say, or how to say it. He knew what he wanted to ask…but it was such a big question.
“Asher…last night when Michelle attacked…everyone put their lives on the line to save me. Sarah and you were nearly killed trying to protect me.” Abraham muttered.
“Abraham, it’s not your fault.” Asher sighed.
“But it is my fault. Katie said that werewolves are more drawn to humans than any other creature. Michelle was going after me when the others had a chance to get away, they knew I was too weak to take care of myself, so they all tried to save me and got hurt!” Abraham barked. “This IS my fault.”
“Abraham, what are you getting at?” Asher asked.
“I saw you fight…you’re amazing.” Abraham whispered. “With powers like yours, you’re not afraid of anything. No one has to protect you…” Asher’s eyes flashed for a moment.
“You want me to teach you how to fight?” Asher asked.
“No…I want you to make me a vampire.” There was a brief pause…a moment as the words sank in. “Please…I just want to be able to be fearless and powerful like y-”

“SHUT UP!”

Abraham was thrown backwards by the unbelievable punch Asher gave to his cheek. He practically flew backwards and landed against the rock. Before he could recover, Asher grabbed him by his neck and held him against the rock wall, his eyes glowing a dangerously angry red.
“DON’T YOU EVER SAY THAT AGAIN!!” Asher snarled.
“A-Asher!!” Abraham gasped. He’d never seen Asher this angry before…this furious.
“Do you realize what you’re asking!?” Asher snapped. “Do you know what you’re asking me to do!? You just wanna throw away everything you have just like THAT!?” Asher let go of Abraham and he sank to the sand, clutching his throat.
“Asher, I was just-”
“Abraham, you have no idea…you have no earthly idea what it means to be a vampire!” Asher snarled, practically shaking with rage. “Yes, I have power…power that would make any man shake in their boots and whimper like babies. But at too high a cost.” He held up his hands to his eyes, as if looking at them for the first time. Looking at himself. “I can never walk in the sunlight again…I can never feel the warmth of a summer day. I am free to eat normal food, but it cannot satisfy my never ending thirst for blood. I must feed once a week to keep up my strength. Every day, I fear that I will lose myself to the thirst…that I will become a savage beast. I dread when the day comes that I enter a blood rage and never come out again. Then who will I hurt? Who will I kill in my need for blood? Do you know how much that thought terrifies me?” Abraham could only stare at Asher as he lamented.
“I…didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Abraham,” Asher muttered darkly, as tears rolled down his face, “you can never know how much I envy you…how much I wish I could be human again.”
“But I’m so worthless…” Abraham retorted.
“No! You give us hope, Abraham!” Asher cried. “Do you even know why this club was created?” Abraham shook his head no. “We created it as a safe haven for monsters…a place to hide from the rest of humanity. We feared humans…hated them, because they hated us. But then you came! Rather than fear us, you dine with us. Rather than try to kill us, you open your hearts to us. You live among us, despite what we are…and that fills us with hope! Hope that we are not monsters, cursed to hide from humanity like garbage…but that we can exist with humans once more. You prove that we do not have to hide from all humans and that humans CAN live alongside the supernatural.” Abraham listened and his eyes widened, never once realizing how much his presence meant to the club. “You’re a braver person than any of us, Abraham! You accepted us as family…something that many of us were hesitant to do for you. But if you become a vampire…if I blood you…what will that say? What kind of message will that send to us?” Asher snapped.
“It…um…” Abraham struggled, trying to contemplate what kind of image that would bring.
“It would mean that everything we’ve done…and all we’ve worked for…have been for nothing. It would prove to all of us that humans can’t live alongside monsters. That either the human must destroy us, or they must become one of us.” Asher explained. Abraham gasped and sank to his knees at these words. Asher was right…what other way could it be interpreted.
“I had no idea…” Abraham whimpered.
“If I made you like me, you would have power…but you would be cursed. Not only that, but any hope you gave to us about humanity…about living in peace with them…would be dashed. Do you know just how much of a change you’ve brought to our family? Tamil, who was always reserved about himself and his past, opened up to you! Calypso, who fears humans like a plague, has brightened up and begun to show a more confident side to herself. And Katie…a girl who hated humans with a deep passion that you could never comprehend, now smiles when she sees you…and speaks kindly to and of you! Don’t ever tell me how worthless YOU are…when we can see the impact you’ve left on ALL of US!” Asher bent down next to Abraham and pulled him to his feet, grabbing his shoulder gently, but with a strong grip. He looked into Abraham’s eyes and smiled…it was a warm and loving smile. The anger was gone, and deep down Abraham could see sympathy…and a bit of pride shine in his eyes.
“You are our family, Abraham…just the way you are.” Abraham smiled in response and took Asher’s hand, shaking it firmly.
“I’m sorry for…you know.” Abraham said sheepishly.
“It’s okay…just don’t ask me again, unless you need another reminder.” Asher said, shoving his fist playfully at Abraham’s cheek. The two laughed like brothers…and what other word could be used to describe them? They were brothers, if not in blood, then in bond.

“Asher!” Asher and Abraham both turned at the sight of Calypso stumbling up the beach towards them.
“What’s wrong?” Asher asked.
“It’s Michelle! She’s gone!”
“What!?” Abraham gasped. “How!?”
“She probably blames herself for the events of last night.” Asher explained. “I’ll go find her. Abraham, you should come too…you might be able to help talk some sense into her.” Asher turned and ran for the woods. Abraham nodded to the worried Calypso and followed him as fast as he could.
They ran for about 30 minutes before Asher stopped and sniffed the air. He looked around and then walked towards the south, coming upon a clearing.
“Wait here, Abraham.” He said. “I’ll go in alone and-”
“No.” Abraham said. “I…I want to talk to her first. Just watch my back.” Asher stared at him a moment and then smiled.
“Alright, but take it slow.” Abraham silently nodded his agreement and then walked out. The clearing was nothing but grass and fallen twigs. Michelle was there…curled up and shivering in the center of it, whimpering quietly and hugging herself.

“Hey.” Abraham said.
“Go away.” Michelle hiccupped. Abraham didn’t move. “I said go back to camp!”
“Not without you.” Abraham argued. “The rest are all worried about you.”
“I saw what I did to them!” Michelle cried. “I nearly killed you and Asher! Sarah’s got such a horrible scar on her shoulder…and her hair…I could have killed you all!”
“But you didn’t.” Abraham defended. “You didn’t….and that’s what matters. Let’s go back, okay? Nobody blames you.”
“They should!” Michelle snapped, turning and glaring at Abraham with her angry, tear filled eyes. “You most of all! You’re a human! I targeted you above the others! As long as I’m around you, you’re in the most danger!”
“Then in that case…it’s my fault for sticking around. I’m putting myself in danger by being around you…” Abraham agreed. Michelle sniffed and rubbed her eyes like a sad little girl “…but I think it’s worth the risk.” Michelle stopped and looked up at Abraham.
“What?”
“You’re right…I don’t know what it’s like to be a werewolf. Being around you is probably the most dangerous thing for me. But I couldn’t imagine this club without you.” Michelle’s eyes brimmed over with tears and she cupped her hands, throwing her face into them, sobbing desperately. Abraham hesitated a moment, and then wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Michelle didn’t hug back, but she leaned into his embrace, crying into his shoulder.
“I went to Asher not long ago…asking him to make me a vampire so that I wouldn’t be so helpless anymore. I saw how powerful he was…and I wanted that kind of power too so that I could be a useful part of the club” Abraham explained. “But Asher reminded me that…I’m not helpless and…that if I accepted his curse, I’d be throwing everything away. So don’t you throw away everything either.” Behind him, Asher was smiling.
“Atta boy.” He chuckled. Michelle looked up at Abraham and wiped her eyes clean. She hiccupped a little and smiled.
“You’re so stupid.” She giggled. “But…you’re also really sweet.” She leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on Abraham’s lips and stood up, leaving Abraham dumbfounded and blushing as red as a beat. She then stood up and stumbled past him towards Asher.
“As for you Asher…” She quickly threw a punch at Asher’s arm causing him to double over.
“OW!” Asher grunted.
“That’s for making Abraham jealous of you.” She snapped. She then grinned and smiled. “But…thanks for knocking some sense into him…and me.” She leaned up and gave him a kiss as well, causing Asher to turn red and step back in surprise. Michelle winked and walked past him. “Better not tell Calypso I did that…she’d never forgive me.” As she headed back toward camp, Asher and Abraham just stared at each other.
“Well come on you two, let’s get home before the sun rises!” Michelle shouted.
“I don’t think I’ll ever understand her.” Abraham said.
“Bro, I’ve known her a lot longer than you…and I still don’t get her.” Asher groaned.