• She was dying.
    She was dying, and he knew that. He had heard the doctors, talking in their hushed tones. He had heard the pain in her soft voice, her humble reassurings which held nothing for him. Because he knew.
    And yet he didn’t know, couldn’t face the last option, that would save her life by taking it away. He couldn’t even think of that. His gaze drifted back to her, in the white hospital bed. The IV in her arm fed her a steady supply of painkiller, which hardly did anything for her anymore.
    He wandered to the window and glared at the gray world outside. It took a lot of concentration to keep from looking at her, as much as it pained him. His mind wandered, remembering the times before she had gotten ill. Before the cancer took over and ravaged her body, wasted her away.
    Zhivago returned to the room and stood next to Louie, “She can’t go on like this forever.” He said quietly. Louie looked at him in agony, knowing all too well how true Zhivago’s words were. “You have to do it.” Zhivago said calmly.
    “No!” Louie replied angrily, “I don’t want to do that to her! No!” Zhivago looked at him in disgust, “So you’d rather watch her die?” Louie hung his head in guilt, “I can’t cause her more pain.”
    “It’s your choice then, I think it’s foolish to let the one you love die.” Zhivago sighed, and glanced at Shea; who was sleeping calmly. “It only takes seconds, Louie. She probably wouldn’t even feel it, with all the pain she’s in already.”
    “I can’t.” Louie said quietly.
    “You’re weak…it’s what you’re meant to do! You’re a vampire for God’s sake!” Zhivago exclaimed, “It’s just one little n** on the neck, it’s not that hard!”
    “It’s too hard! I can’t force her into the world of the undead! It’s a like a living hell! I don’t want her to suffer!” Louie said in frustration.
    “LOOK at her! She’s suffering NOW! You need to do something NOW! If you don’t bite her at least get her home, a hospital is no pace to die.” Zhivago said, his voice softening.