Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the ballroom for Dancing With the Stars Horror Movie Night, performing a very impressive zombie-themed Argentine tango with Jenna Dewan. But, uh, it ended like this:

We can all agree that neck bite went on a loooooong time, and fans were quick to call it out—to the point where Val ended up explaining the moment. Turns out there was a blood bag mishap!

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Val said, “I had a blood bag in my pocket and I couldn’t get it out in time. Usually I had blood gushing out.” He then joked, “I was like, I’m gonna get some real blood.”

Val was also filmed having a chat with Carrie Ann Inaba last night, and told People of the moment, “It felt cathartic relief, you know? I think it was just really important for me to make sure that she feels safe and knows that, firsthand from me, I want nothing but love for her.…