Mac stared into the distance blankly, his breathing growing faster. I looked over at him, tears in his eyes and running down his cheeks. His leg bounced vigorously. I frowned.

Poor Mac.

“Why us?” I asked, not taking my eyes off Mac.

“Because of Mac’s ability to sense inhuman creatures.” he answered. “ I decided to bring you because you would know that and care if Mac disappeared. No one will be looking for either of you this way.”

Now my eyes burned as tears threatened to form. Not from panic but sheer self pity. No one gave a shit about me except Mac, and vice versa. I looked down to save my dignity. How did he know that anyway?

“Fair enough.” I said calmly, “Why did you erase our memories? What did you erase?”

Rafael glanced at Mac,

“I believe your friend can tell you about that. When he is feeling a little better, of course. Mac, do you want some xanax?”

Mac nodded.

“Y-you probably want to suck my blood right now, don’t you? I smell like fear...” his words were somewhat hard to decipher due to his panic attack.

Rafael got up, “You are safe from me. My self control is quite strong.”

Goosebumps formed once again. So he was a vampire… I wondered who else were vampires. Then I realized why there were so many people with “eating disorders” here. I’d have to keep that in mind and make sure I appeal to the ED gang. Unfortunately, I wasn’t scared of them; there had to be another way to make them show their true colors. What were the others? I’d need to find a way to tempt them to hurt me too.

I was, however, scared that they would hurt Mac. I couldn’t have cared less if they hurt me. I wanted them to kill me. Mac would just have to get over it if they did. I felt bad thinking that when he was constantly miserable anyway. Hell, he was having a panic attack right now. There had to be something I could do to help while the xanax was kicking in.

“What can I do to help, buddy?”

Mac was a mess at this point. Rafael came back with a white pill and a glass of water. Mac shakily took the items and swallowed pill.

“I… don’t know… I don’t want to die, Howie. I’m going to die. I’m going to die! You’re going to die and I’m going to be alone with these monsters!”

“That’s not going to happen, they need us alive.”

“He is right, you know. Also, it would be appreciated it if you did not call us monsters. It is better to say supernaturals.”

“They’re monsters…” he whispered shakily, “So are you.”

Rafael didn’t seem fazed.

“We may seem that way now. You should give us a chance. We are still people, we just have certain challenges that most do not deal with. Everyone here is here with the goal of protecting humans like you.”

“So… the others are here by choice?” I asked.

Rafael nodded.

“Strange choice.” I muttered.

“Can I go to my room now…” Mac asked.

Rafael shrugged, “ I suppose.”

Mac got up and went to open the door. When he did, Daren and Yosef stumbled back from the other side of the door. Mac’s eyes widened in fear. The hunger in their eyes flickered and revealed shame.

“Daren. Yosef. GO.” Rafael hissed. They each backed up into the common room, watching Mac. Mac ran to his room and slammed the door. Rafael closed the door again, but then turned to me.

“Unless you have more questions, you can leave as well.”

“How safe are we? Really?”

“There are several variables. Your actions, for one. Antagonizing someone causes a variety of problems. For another, timing. The full moon is tonight, so for Sam and other werewolves, self control is very difficult. Another higher risk time is before meals.”

Did Rafael know he was giving me the secrets to sabotaging myself?

“So who’s what?”

“I cannot share that with you, you will need to consult them personally.”

So, that was the first mission.

“Okay, I’ll come find you if I think of more questions?”

“Sure.” he replied.

I got up and opened the door, looking into the common room. Everyone seemed to have continued about their business as usual. Ashely and Dayo were cleaning up the blood. I sat down next to Tyler, who had returned.

“So, what are you?” I asked bluntly. I saw no reason to save his feelings. He wasn’t human.

Tyler looked taken aback.

“I’m a person. What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. He told us everything. You’re not a vampire. What are you? A werewolf?”

Tyler sighed and looked away,

“You guessed it. I guess that’s all that matters to you.”

I moved my head back. “What? Did you think we were still friends?”

“ I thought maybe… Ugh, you know what? Nevermind. That was stupid of me, sorry.” His voice was full of annoyance.

“Ah, okay, so who else is a werewolf? Let me guess… Vince? Your little group is all werewolves?”

He looked over and glared at me, “Leave me the fuck alone. Today is not the day to piss me off.”

I smirked a little at him, meeting his eyes with confidence,

“Oh yes it is.”

I debated whether I wanted to push Tyler more or move on to re-meet everyone else. I sat next to Mabel.

“So you’re a vampire, right? You squirmy brainless leech?”

Mabel frowned and looked down, “Why are you being so mean? We didn’t do anything to you.”

I raised my eyebrows at her, “Because all of you fucking lied to me and Mac! You aren’t like us. I don’t give one shit about any of you anymore. You’re all monsters, it doesn’t matter what you do or don’t do.”

Some patients looked angry, some looked ashamed. Tyler looked especially tense.

“You’re asking for it, Howie.” Tyler growled.

“What? You guys are supposed to learn how to control yourselves, I’m making you practice,” I explained. “So let’s see. I know Daren and Yosef are vampires. I’m guessing Mabel and Keith are too, since you guys hate eating. What are you, Ali? Julia?”

“That’s enough, Howie,” warned Dayo.

“What are you gonna do? Kill me? Do it. I dare you.”

“How about I take your mattress? How about solitary confinement?”

I opened my mouth, but closed it. It was going to be a problem if they weren’t going to let me start shit.

“I just want to know what you guys are. I’m just curious.”

Daren spoke up, “ Ali is a siren, Julia is--”

“AH! Ah-ah-ah.” Julia cut him off, “It’s a secret.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked at me, “It’s a secret,” he said flatly.

I raised an eyebrow as well.

“Oh? Interesting.”

“Now settle down, everyone.” Dayo ordered.