Free Being Human by Patricia Lynne

all they were gonna do, then I could deal with it. At lunch, the guidance counselor stopped me. He wanted to talk to me, make sure I was okay.” He scoffed, a bitter look on his face. “I wanted to punch him, but I didn't. I said thanks, I was fine. By last period, I was sure I was in the clear. No confrontations, no one yelled names at me. Hell, no one even said hi to me. Then Sally and Justin walked up. Justin announced he and his friends hadn't found you, but they were going to try again.”
    “Justin did this?” I interrupted.
    My brother chewed on his lip, clearly debating telling me for fear of what I'd do. Finally, he nodded. “I tried to explain why I didn't want you destroyed. I thought maybe if I explained it, people would get it. He started laughing. He told me I was a loser and a suck wannabe – that's the term used for people who want to become vampires. He punched me and I got suspended for causing trouble. Aunt Dee and Uncle Dick were so mad at me, wanting to know why I was defending you.” He slumped back against the windowsill. “No one gets it. You're my twin! We were always close, always together. Mom and Dad practically had to tear us apart. You becoming a vampire hasn't changed how I feel. I still feel it. That weird twin bond that girls think is cute and other guys find odd. It's still there, still telling me you're okay. I swear I'd go nuts if it was gone.” For a long moment he was silent, then he looked at me, eyes pleading. “Please tell me you understand. That you feel it too.”
    I slowly nodded. “While I was resting, I felt something was wrong. I knew you were upset over something. I understand for once.”
    He smiled gratefully at me. “Thank you.”
    “You're not going to let me kill him, are you?”
    “No.”
    “Please?”
    He shook his head, still smiling. “I should not be laughing at that.”
     
    ****
     
     
    I needed to stop putting hunting off. It had been over a week since I last fed. I was weak, tired and a bit sick. My focus was scattered, mind drifting to the rhythm beating near me, gums aching as my fangs strained to extend.
    Next to me, my brother chatted nervously. His suspension was over and he would be going back to school in the morning. “I bet I have a ton of homework to catch up on. Do you think I missed much? Where am I gonna sit at lunch? No one's gonna wanna sit with me. I have to talk to the guidance counselor too. Guess everyone is worried about my mental health.”
    “You should move your bed from the window,” I interrupted.
    He looked at me as if just noticing I was outside his window. The bruise over his eye had faded, the black lightening to a softer purple. “Why?”
    I stared into his eyes and pressed my will against his. His eyes turned blank, a hint of shock glimmered in them as he leaned forward, tilting his head. The vein in his neck throbbed, tempting and easy.
    I broke the stare, looking anywhere but at him. “That's why.”
    He let out a breath of air, his voice weak. “Whoa, what was that?”
    “A point,” I replied. “At our home, my bed was by the window and yours was against a wall. That had to be how the vampire got me. It must have looked in my window and made eye contact. I wouldn't willingly go with a vampire.”
    “How do you know that?” he asked, a hint of hope in his voice.
    “It makes sense. Humans don't like vampires and therefore wouldn't go willingly.”
    “Oh… Might as well do it now.” He cleared the way, moving clothing, games and books. Pushing, he inched the bed against the wall. Once it was in its new spot, he sat back on it, looking at me thoughtfully. He jumped up, disappearing behind the desk before dragging it over to the window. “Happy now?” He rolled his eyes at my nod. “You hang outside my window all night. What are the odds of another vampire showing up when you're not here and catching me?”
    “About the same odds as the one that turned me,” I threw back at him.
    “Meh,” he