in that Stephen King novel . Not like the beautifully tragic ones in Anne Rice novels , and definitely not like the sparkly twits in the Twilight books . Tabitha ’ s something all her own . God only knows how she ended up born that way . God only knows what she will become if she continues to drink blood .
“ Listen ,” Old Man said in a low voice . “ You all have had your chance at life . But you went out and wasted your lives with drugs and sex and being burdens on society . My little girl has barely ever been out of her room ! Her only joys are dolls and toys and books on CD ! Her only friend is her sorry excuse of a dad ! Can you imagine how crappy a life that must be ? But she ’ ll get better . She ’ ll come downstairs and we ’ ll decorate the house together ! She ’ ll learn to swim in the ocean ! She ’ ll go to school and go off to college and be whatever she wants to be ! A baseball player , a scientist , a teacher , a dancer , a writer , a soldier ! Whatever she wants ! She just needs a bit more blood .”
The more Old Man spoke , the louder his voice got . And the louder his voice got , the more the hand holding the gun trembled and shook . Grey kept his eyes glued to the moving barrel , sweat rolling down his forehead as he tried to think of a way out of this mess .
“ Look sir ,” he said , inspiration striking him , “ we can donate blood . We ’ ll do it for free ! Once a week ! We ’ ll come over and give her blood straight from the arm ! How about that ? Your little girl will be on her feet and running around in no time ! So , let us help you . Let us help Tabitha —!”
“ Shut up !” Old Man roared . There was a bang and a flash from the gun ’ s muzzle . Tabitha screamed and covered her head with her arms . Beside Grey , Lita slumped over and fell to the floor . She didn ’ t move .
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