Page 1 of Love Bleeds Red
PROLOGUE
My heart bleeds in the dark.
One step closer, but so far to go.
Every breath torture.
Every beat, another cut.
I'm hollow.
Unraveled.
Without you, there's nothing but
The void you left behind.
Blood on my hands.
Your name on my lips.
This hunt won't stop
Until you're back at my side.
Burn it all to ash.
Set the world alight.
I'll destroy anyone
Who dares stand in my way.
Love bleeds red, darling?—
And I'm drowning in it.
PART 1
BAILEY - MAY 23RD
Jasper’s friend keeps looking at me. Not like staring in the same creepy way Doug from third period does. More like glances when he thinks I’m not paying attention. I know it’s not scientifically possible but I swear I can feel his eyes on me.
Like yesterday, I was laying out by the pool before work. It was so nice out, not humid and gross like it has been. The pool’s been freaking freezing, so I haven’t really taken advantage of it much. Mom keeps nagging Dad to call someone to trim the tree in the backyard, it’s blocking the sun from warming the water. Anyway… I was laying there, some random summertime Spotify playlist on in my AirPods, eyes closed, when there was a tickle on my skin. For a second, I swore there was a spider crawling on my arm.
When I opened my eyes, I spotted him turning to walk back inside from the deck.
Leon. That’s his name. We’ve met before, but not much more than saying hi or sitting across long dining tables when we’ve gone out for birthday dinners and stuff for Jasper and Damon. He’s British. That accent is OMG. But he’s been here since classes ended, staying downstairs in Jasper’s stupid bro-tel. At least Leon’s quiet compared to the other two big idiots. They’re lucky I love them. Mom’s been running herself ragged, making sure they have enough food and clean towels while still working overtime. I’ve been trying to help without her noticing… like restocking the downstairs mini fridge and doing extra loads of laundry when she’s at work. With Leon too, just like offering him drinks and stuff so he feels comfortable. Of course, Jasper and Damon never do stuff like that. They probably expect everyone to feel cool with rummaging the fridge of someone they barely know.
I know you’re literally paper and not a person but what should I do? I guess I’ll just wait and see… I mean, he’s probably too old for me. And he’s Jasper’s best friend. Plus, why would someone like him even notice me? Jasper’s boring little sister. It would never work.
Right?
CHAPTER ONE
BAILEY - BEFORE
I’m prettysure there’s a scientific limit to how many times you can listen to your roommate fight with her boyfriend before you snap. Like,literallysnap—the kind that lands you on thoseI don’t know what happened, I was fine and then suddenly I was standing over her with a bloody knifeshows where they interview your neighbors about howquiet and normalyou seemed.
