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Shelby in the two hundred years had not found as many supernatural creatures as she hoped she would. Who could of guessed that most of them are great at hiding when others try to find them. Even now Bigfoot aludes them (but she knew in her heart one day she will find him).
But she knew vampires were real (obviously). And she knew werewolves are real (even if she didn't believe her dad, Pearl was more than enough to prove them real).
And now she knew demons were real too. Not only that but they can curse humans into becoming demons. Avid was walking proof of this.
Seeing Avid alive in the flesh after feeling her fledgling die two hundred years ago at Pyro and Owen's hands, it was the best surprise ever. She and Drift were in tears and Scott himself was also emotional at the sight of Avid.
Things have been really good since Avid came back. Being able to show Avid the modern world and let him just live in an environment that doesn't enable his uh- his more manic qualities was really nice.
However there has been... well Shelby wouldn't call it a problem but Avid would. They have since minute one quick to assure Avid that they don't care about him turning into a demon. But they knew that Avid himself was not happy about it.
He chose to become a vampire to escape this curse that was placed upon him as a child. And now that curse is a the only reason he's alive and that maybe Elle is somewhere in the world. The demon curse had turned half his body into something different. His skin was as dark as the night sky and he now had a demon horn and an yellow eye to go with it. And everyday his body is and more overtaken by the curse. Shelby thought he looked really cool but that was besides the point.
Avid was also very worried about his hunger for flesh and raw meat, specifically the episodes he had even before his body changed. It scared him. No matter how much they all assured him that he would still be Avid and their friend no matter what, it seemed to eat him up inside.
Shelby was thinking about this as Avid raided her fridge.
They were just watching TV together when Avid in a flash went from calm to suddenly breathing heavy and quickly scrambled to her fridge. Shelby lamented her loss of a warm pillow for a second before following Avid.
Scott and Shelby made sure to stock their fridge with raw meat even before Avid returned. It's no blood, but raw meat did sustain them well enough.
With the speed Avid devoured all the meat Shelby could very easily believe that Avid did kill all of Cleo's cows back in Oakhurst.
"Hey Avid... want me to call Scott and Drift to buy some more from the butcher while they're out?" Shelby asked.
Avid flinched at the sound their voice, looking more akin to an animal being spooked while eating than a human, before he shook his head.
"I-I'm fine. This is fine. I'm just a little hungry." Avid responded.
Shelby still texted Scott to get more food to restock the fridge anyways.
"I understand what that's like." Shelby smiled slightly.
Avid wasn't really paying attention to her though. Once there was nothing else to eat, he stood up and immediately walked to the front door.
Shelby was quick to stand in front of the door, blocking Avid.
"Avid you should probably stay here for a bit until you're thinking a little less about eating." She advised.
"Shelby I'm still hungry. And there's so many people here in this city. I could just eat like a person or two and no one would know."
"Avid you told me yourself to not let you. C'mon let's just continue watching TV."
"It's- It's just a human. It doesn't matter if they die- I just need a little more to eat." Avid pleaded.
"Well I'm not letting you leave."
Avid's desperately pleading stopped as his expression contorted into a snarl, sharp fangs bared as he growled as he leaned over her.
Shelby was unperturbed by this and just crossed her arms.
"Avid no offence but like... you kinda remind me of a angry puppy right now. So please just don't do this and just sit down. You don't want to make me do this."
Avid seemed to still be out of it as he ignored her and tried to slash at her with his claws. Shelby was quick to grab his wrists and pulled them behind his back. Avid thrashed and bucked, making some really demonic growls and noises. But Shelby did not yield.
Shelby didn't know the power scaling scaling for demons, but Shelby doubted that in Avid's half demon form he could easily overpower a stage 3 vampire. Not without strategy at least. And seeing how Avid was acting all feral they doubted that they would have to worry about that.
"I'm sorry Avid." Shelby apologised.
She kicked Avid in the back of his knees, making him fall onto his knees. She just held him place. Shelby didn't know how long she held Avid down. Time got a little hard to track over the centuries. But she let go when Avid stopped snarling and started crying.
She quickly crawled to in front of him and reached to hug him. But Avid jumped back, eyes filled with fear.
"Shelby- I- Oh my god- I'm so sorry- I-"
"Hey Avid, breathe. Copy me. In... and... out."
She didn't need to breathe of course, but these exercises were great for calming stuff. Avid copied her and eventually calmed down. Well it was the Avid version of calmed down since he was still shaking and eyes kept darting around, but Shelby would take twitchy over him having a panic attack.
"Okay... Everything is fine Avid. You're fine and I'm fine." Shelby spoke softly.
Avid's hands dug into the carpet as he looked at Shelby.
"I... I almost hurt you. I'm so sorry."
"You didn't hurt me, so there's no need to apologise."
"How can you just say that?! What if I scratched you and you got cursed too? Or what if I killed you?!" Avid shouted as he leaned forward on his knees.
"Avid you're not going to kill me." Shelby stated calmly.
"How can you sound so sure?! I'm a dangerous feral monster! Just like when Elle-" Avid cut himself off, staring at his own hands.
Shelby reached over and grabbed his hands, their fingers intertwining with his, giving his hands a reassuring squeeze.
"Avid I appreciate you being worried about me but like... this idea of me being defenceless was old even two hundred years ago. I can handle myself."
"... I hate losing control of myself like this. I just don't want to lose you. Or Drift. Or Scott."
"You won't. Look maybe this demon thing will be like a fever? You know where it gets worse and worse until it breaks then you're fine-"
"More likely I'm becoming some feral thing that will just go eat people. Not even a person."
"Even if that was the case, I wouldn't care. I will not lose you Avid, and you won't lose me. I'm sure together we can figure out what's happening and how to help you. But no matter what happens, I'm here for you Avid."
Shelby hugged Avid, and they could feel Avid returning it. She decided not to comment of the silent crying he's doing in her shoulder and just quietly consoled him.