Shore Blood

By Capri Mills

Katella and her dog Ghost moved to North Wildwood, New Jersey over the summer. Her life was going great until tragedy struck and she was attacked by a vampire. For a while, she thought herself to be a monster, but found that she could do good by hunting the bad vampires. The question is: can she manage a normal high school life on top of vampirism?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098350192

Book preview

before.

JULY

Thunk... Thunk… thunk... echoed through the neighborhood as my family’s pompous realtor hammered the bright yellow SOLD sign into the ground. A tiny smile was on her face, satisfied with herself for being able to sell our house for $5k more than it was originally on the market for. For that reason, my parents liked her, whereas I thought she was arrogant.

I suppose it was easy for me to find anything to be annoyed at these days. I hated the fact that we were moving, so I was constantly bitter. Earlier that day I had snapped at my mom for simply asking what I wanted for lunch.

However, I’d lived in this house my whole life, so I cut myself slack for being upset. The rooms were filled with memories and the walls were covered with pictures of them. It did no good to blame my parents, since they just wanted to live closer to the ocean. But it really seemed as if they were trying to pull me away from my friends and family. We were moving more than two and a half hours away- Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to North Wildwood, New Jersey. Makes it kind of hard for people to visit. Obviously, I had no say in these decisions. And I couldn’t change anything about it. My dad had gotten a job as the elementary school’s principal, a position he had always wanted. He and my mom kept insisting that I’d make new friends. But that’s easier said than done when you’re moving to a town that has a population of 3,500. A true ghost town.

The one good thing is that for the past five years, we had a shore house in North Wildwood that we stayed at for a few weeks during the summer. And as a result of me being a surfer- I knew a handful of people going to school with me from catching waves with them. Ryan, Nina, Amy, and Liam were my closest friends at the shore, and they had already eagerly promised to show me around the secret corners of the town and help me navigate the walls of Theodore Roosevelt High School. Plus, I had my dog Ghost, a magnificent white lab, who’d been my best friend since fourth grade, when I got him. I’d already bid goodbyes to my friends in Valley Forge. It wouldn’t be the same after I moved, and I’d be foolish to think otherwise. Accept and move on was the mantra I chanted to myself.

The first week of living at the shore was filled with endless unpacking, and hanging out with friends. However, it did go better than I expected. The second day I was there, Amy and Nina came over to take me out to lunch, and the day after Ryan had taken me surfing. We did a group hangout with Liam two days later.

Another surprise I faced was one of the wonderful perks that my parents forgot to tell me about in our new home: my bedroom was in the attic. Apparently they thought that I would enjoy it, and get more ‘alone time’. Easy for them to say when they have a master suite that is cut off from the rest of the house. And yeah, maybe the prospect of having a room the size of a whole floor sounds pretty rad, but trust me, it looks better in the TV shows. In reality, it involves a whole lot of dust and moths. The first day it took me eight hours to sweep, vacuum, and dust the whole place, plus two cans of febreeze after that. A great way to start my new life in the Wildwoods.

I was definitely being pessimistic, but it was hard not to. There wasn’t that much to love about this town.

AUGUST

Ok, living at the shore wasn’t so bad. Or at least the summertime wasn’t. Summer was full of tourists and so much to do. Nina, Liam, Ryan, Amy, and I went to the boardwalk for rides and out surfing more times than I can remember. They all warned me to not have high expectations for school because I’d only ever stayed down for the summer before and I’d never seen the winter emptiness.

I believed them- almost every property down here was a rental. But, I figured I might as well enjoy the summer festivities while I could. It took my mind off of my old friends, who I only called a few times since moving. I figured that letting them go was the best option. It’s unwise to want something you can’t have.

As the month neared the end, I began to get ready for school, buying a backpack and the books the school required. Then I spent the last weeks of freedom out catching waves. The one truly blissful place I could go.

SEPTEMBER

Tomorrow is the first day of junior year, tomorrow is the first day of school, was all I kept repeating in my head one night. It was hard to believe that I was starting my junior year. My outfit was already picked out, some black skinny ripped jeans and a t-shirt from a random surf shop in the town. I was never one to dress up that much, nor care what people think, despite knowing that all of the girls wearing pretty dresses were definitely going to be thinking something about me, the new girl.

Of course, I’m not totally insane. I was a bit nervous. I mean, who wouldn’t be- the first day of school in a new town. Ryan already said he’d drive me and that we’d sit with Amy, Nina, and Liam at lunch. So, technically, there was nothing to be super worried about. I was only in 3 AP classes, and I probably wouldn’t need to study much, since I usually got good grades with little effort.

Still, even after denying all of my ridiculous concerns, it took me thirty minutes to fall asleep, and that was only after daydreaming about the waves.

The next morning, it only took fifteen minutes to get ready, and I spent the other fifteen free ones thoughtfully chewing waffles, wondering what my teachers would be like. If they were assholes, I wouldn’t be the one to kiss up.

Ryan had said that most of the teachers were older, and I believe that there’s a positive correlation between the age of teachers and the amount of asshole they are. Maybe it’s because they have more to be bitter about. However, this town was by far elderly; most of them retired, and the rest teachers.

Out of the whole group, I was definitely closest to Ryan. He was a ray of sunshine, the kind of person who was oddly always happy. He had dark brown skin, warm eyes, and a light that exuded from his entire body. He was built like an athlete, as was the whole group. One of the perks of surfing so often.

I was happy to be going through school with these friends, especially since we had gotten closer over the past few weeks. Ryan even decided he’d drive me to school on the first day. Like I said, a total ray of sunshine.

In the middle of my wandering thoughts about my friends, I heard a loud and longer than necessary honk in front of my house and whipped my bag on.

Bye Mom, bye Dad! I called out to them. They were upstairs, getting ready for work, and probably just happy I could fend for myself.

I heard a faint goodbye back as I gave Ghost a quick pet and then dashed out the door.

Sure enough, Ryan sat waiting for me in my driveway. He was laughing at himself and I smirked. You think you’re sooo funny. I got in and nudged him.

It was funny! Admit it, he protested, grinning goofily.

Just drive.

He pulled out and began to fill the ride with easygoing conversation. It was nice to talk to him; he was just so happy, and the kind of person that you don’t get bored with. By the time we got to school, I was completely confident that the day would be wonderful.

And like the gentleman he was, he opened the door for me right in the middle of the school parking lot.

You are really taking this chauffeur thing seriously. I smiled, despite the fact that the other people in the parking lot were all shooting curious glances at us.

Of course, my lady, he bowed and I laughed for the first time.

What, you guys on a date or something?

I turned to see Nina and Amy walking up, Nina laughing at her joke.

Amy rolled her eyes at Nina, and then smiled kindly at me, Are you excited for your first day, Kat? Amy had straight brown hair, pale skin, and powerful green eyes. She was shy but very sweet, and when she did speak, everyone listened. She always seemed to have people’s best interests in mind and was the one who always inquired about my life and truly cared.

Eh, not really, I shrugged and slung my bag over my shoulder.

You should be! You’ll love it.

You’ll especially love the food. Delicious. Who doesn’t love slimy week old chicken? Nina added. She was nearly the opposite of Amy. Her dark curly mane of hair highlighted with whatever colors she chose that month made her hard to miss. It’s like she knew she was striking- eyeliner against light brown Spanish skin and nearly as tall as me. You either loved her or hated her, though- her snarky comments made sure of that. However, deep down, even if she didn’t want to admit it, she was a real sweetheart.

Yeah, I’ll skip that part. I’m vegetarian anyways. I never thought that killing animals was morally right.

You’re a lucky duck then, Nina grinned at me, winking. I laughed at her expression.

Yo, Liam! Ryan said, as a black Honda sped in, pulling in beside us.

He got out and frowned, Man, I’m always the last one.

Liam was what Nina called a prep boy, though he didn’t remotely appreciate it. He had blonde hair, slightly more highlighted than mine (from surfing all summer), tan skin, and was always put together. Basically a stereotypical surfer. Despite his hardheadedness, he had a relaxed attitude that made you want to be around him. Not always relaxed, though, his forgetfulness (and lateness to places) usually caused Nina to make a snarky comment, and if he was feeling particularly brutal, he’d shoot one back.

Not our fault you’re always the one who’s late. Let’s head in, Nina said. Liam rolled his eyes at her.

I followed them, knowing that it would be a good day.

I was right, it actually was a great first day. I was also right about the fact that nearly all my teachers were ancient. As in one or two would probably fare better in a nursing home. The students were pretty nice to me, but I didn’t talk much to them, not out of spite or anything, but I just had no reason to. Lunch was pretty much the same dynamic as the morning.

Ryan drove me home, talking excitedly about the fact that we had history together.

As we neared my house, we passed a local sandwich shop and he glanced at it. Hey, do you want to stop for a bite? I’m starving.

Sure, why not.

He did a small U turn and pulled into the parking lot. Want me to open your door again? he playfully grinned.

Nah, I think I got it this time, I smiled back and made a show of getting out myself, then headed into the shop.

What do you think I should get? Italian hoagie or Turkey Club?

I like the Italian Hoagie.

I trust you then. He winked.

After we got our sandwiches and got seated, he said, So, tell me how your day was. I feel like I’ve been doing all of the talking.

I like listening. I took a bite of my sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. Today was pretty good. Psych seems really cool. I’m glad we have history and AP bio together. Oh, and it’s sick that during lunch you can sit nearly anywhere in the school. We should totally explore some places.

One hundred percent we should. I’m happy that you enjoyed our teeny school. I was always jealous of you when you got to go to the big middle and high school in Valley Forge.

Oh yeah, middle school was the good old days. I used to wear eyeliner all the time and I thought I was so cool. If only I could talk to my past self now. I could let her know that she was being an idiot. And as for my old high school, well, I was only there for two years anyway.

I, for one, was really into superheroes in middle school. I think everyone has some weird phase when they’re younger. And hey, at least at Roosevelt you can surf all the time. You couldn’t do that in Valley Forge. Look on the bright side.

True... surfing is awesome. Is there a surf team in school?

Nah, that’s why I surf so much on my own. The school’s too small to have one, which is fine, because a lot of mornings I can go out before school even begins.

Jesus. You must be a morning person. I cannot relate.

The morning’s really cool. Sun coming up over the water. Stunningly beautiful. He was so genuine when he said this. This is what I meant when I said he’s just such a good person, inside and out.

That’s sweet. I’m more of a night surfer gal, as I’m sure you know. Adds suspense, I joked.

He laughed, Well, opposites attract. Definitely adds that element of suspense. You know, the possibility of sharks, not seeing what’s under you. Most people would be scared.

I shrugged. The ocean never really freaked me out. You and I both know that, logically, the chances of you ever getting attacked by a shark, especially in New Jersey, are almost zero.

He shoved the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth. Man, he was a fast eater. True.

We should go out at night sometime, change it up, since we always go out in the afternoon. And I’m not letting you drag me into the freezing water at five am.

That’s what full suits are for, Kat he grinned. No, but that sounds good. I’ll let you know soon when. Maybe I can eventually get you into the water at sunrise. Its sheer beauty like you’ve never seen before.

I scoffed, I’d like to see you try.

I took one last bite of my sandwich before I got up to throw it out. He followed me, cleaning the napkins off of our table. Here he was again, being a natural gentleman.

It was only a three block drive to my house, and we sat in comfortable silence, but as he pulled into my driveway, he broke it.

"Wait, Kat. You said today was a good first day. It was for me too. But, I just want