Veins
Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet
When: Listening to Nero...you should listen to them too~
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any characters...and I'd rather not own this strange world I've created with this AU.
A/N So, let's get corny! Who doesn't love a Dystopian Vampire Romance? A vampyre apocalypse shook the world, leaving few humans alive and unscathed. To preserve their food source, the Vampyres set up human ghettos, such as Storybrooke Humane, where Belle French lives with her ailing father. Life is hard in the slums, especially with vampyre abductions and killings on every street. In order to survive, Belle is left no choice but to work at the local Vampyre club, Vein, owned by the notoriously stupid young vamp, Gaston. However, her life is drastically changed the night she meets Gold, an ancient vampyre with a ruthless reputation.
Belle French was accustomed to life in the confined slum of Storybrooke Humane, but that afternoon the stench of blood was thicker than usual.
Though she usually could stomach the smells of the city, she had to cover her nose with her jacket to keep from gagging. The Stench was a common problem in the ghetto, with so many humans living in cramped quarters, it was no surprise, but this was different.
It was the smell of death.
It was the smell that usually meant that a rogue Vampyre had snuck into the city for a late night snack.
Belle quickened her pace, wishing her destination wasn't so far away. If it wasn't for her father's illness, she would never have dared travel the ghetto by night.
But with her father unable to hold a job, Belle was desperate to make money. There was an annual fee for living in the slum, and if they couldn't pay, both of them would be kicked out.
And being "kicked out" meant certain death. It would take only minutes for a Vampyre to find them...and less than an hour before they would be drained of all life.
Belle's first job, as a librarian at the town's only library, paid very little, but she had enjoyed it. Most people in Storybrooke Humane were poorly educated. There was a school, but most people dropped out so they could work.
Belle had been one of the few to continue her education through High School. Her mother had been a teacher...and it was because of her insistence that Belle finished school.
Belle was glad she had now. Only a week after her graduation, her mother had been killed. Ruthlessly murdered by a Vampyre only a block from their home...
So Belle cherished her literacy above all else. It was the only thing left of her mother. Still, lending books out to children hardly paid the fee, which was why Belle was the first girl to take a job at Vein.
Vein was a Vampyre club, designed to cater to both the sexual and literal appetites of the demons of the world, making it the most dangerous place in the slums.
No one in their right mind would volunteer to work there, despite the large sum of money being offered by it's sole owner, Gaston Thorn.
So, it was a good thing Belle wasn't in her right mind. What girl could be in a world such as hers?
Belle walked nearly two miles to get to work, a hard feat in the dead of winter. Storybrooke Humane was located in what used to be Maine and the cold season was always bitter.
It took Belle thirty minutes to walk to Vein and by the time she arrived, she was shivering violently. She had to use the back door, the one that led directly behind the stage, to enter.
People were running around like usual, frantically trying to get ready for midnight rush.
Belle smiled, she had grown to love most of her co-workers in the past months. They were all extremely close- they had to be.
No one noticed her arrival until the door slammed behind her, letting an icy breeze into the changing room.
Ruby jumped when the winter wind flooded into the room," Belle! There you are, I thought you were going to be late."
Ruby was the favorite of Vein. Her dark hair and attitude were an instant attraction factor for the customers- it gave her an edge with the other girls. Most of them were jealous of her, but she was Belle's closest friend.
Ruby was scantily clad, with only a red studded bra and matching thong to cover her, but she still pulled Belle into a hug," I heard someone was attacked a few roads over. I was worried-"
Belle pulled away, taking her coat off in the process," I'm fine, Ruby. You shouldn't have worried."
"You would have worried about me!" Ruby protested," Oh, and Gaston wanted to see you before the show."
Belle rolled her eyes," He always wants to see me." She pulled on her own attire- it was designed similarly to Ruby's, but was crisp gold in color.
Ruby smirked at her," You're his favorite. He just wants an excuse to stare at you."
"I am not his favorite. I thought Emma was-" Belle gestured to their other friend. She was easily a foot taller than Belle, with blonde hair, and in her outfit, it was plain to see why she would be Gaston's favorite.
"I'd shoot myself before I was Gaston's 'favorite girl,'" Emma snapped back, looking offended.
Emma was a special case. She'd lost both of her parents shortly after her birth, and her only chance at survival had been to join Vein. Gaston had found her living on the street...he'd taken her in.
Unlike the other girls, she lived at the club and was paid extra to watch it during daylight hours.
"He's not that bad," Ruby replied, while helping the new girl, Ashley, find her place in line," But we all know you'd prefer Jefferson."
Belle and Ruby broke into a fit of giggles. Jefferson was Vein's most frequent visitor. He was a newer Vampyre, known more for his random outbursts of insanity than his vamp status.
Emma glowered at her friends," It's not like that. Jefferson's just lonely. And he pays well."
Belle laughed," It's not like we'd know, he's too busy with you." Belle allowed herself a moment to enjoy the blush growing on Emma's cheeks, then slipped out the door.
The club was already pulsing with life.
There were Vampyres lining the red velvet walls from corner to corner. Of course, most of them were of the male variety. They usually were.
Belle studied the crowd, looking for the common visitors. She caught sight of Jefferson, who was fiddling with one of his ridiculous top hats, and smiled.
Then she saw Archie, who was probably the kindest vamp she'd ever met- standing alone on the other side of the room. She wanted to wave, but every girl knew it was best not to draw attention to yourself around the Vamps.
Instead, Belle quickly walked past the crowd, trying not to shudder when she felt their cold eyes turn on her. She hated when they stared.
Gaston's private room was next to the entrance door and Belle was relieved when she found the door unlocked- he was waiting for her.
Gaston was sitting behind his metal desk, with his feet propped up," Ahh, Belle. I've been waiting on you."
Gaston smiled, all teeth. He was a handsome Vamp, tall, dark, and handsome.
But he wasn't the smartest man Belle had ever met...and he was a Vamp. Vamps would never date a girl. They would eat a girl.
Belle didn't smile back," Yes, Gaston?"
He stood, moving closer to her," I just wanted to check on you. I know you walk a long way to get here."
He let his eyes roam over her body, then ran a hand through her hair.
Belle tried not to let her disgust show on her face," Gaston, midnight rush is about to begin."
Gaston had bent down to caress her neck, but promptly lifted up when she spoke," Oh, yes. I'll let you go, but first, can I ask a favor of you?"
"You are my employer," Belle replied, coolly," I wouldn't call it a favor."
"Right, well I have a job for you, if you're not too tired after the rush. I need to feed...and you smell delectable."
He licked his lips, and Belle rolled her eyes.
"I'll pay you extra for your...efforts," Gaston added, raising his eyebrows.
Belle nodded," Alright then, I suppose, but you better not cheat me out of my money, Gaston."
"Whatever you say, Belle," Gaston pushed her out the door," It's midnight...and I think you have a job to do. Go line up with the others."
Belle frowned, wishing she hadn't said yes to Gaston. She knew he had to be in it for more than just the blood, and the thought of him doing more...made Belle uneasy. She didn't trust Gaston. He only cared about himself.
Belle was so preoccupied by her thoughts that she tripped over her own feet, a common occurrence for her. She was only a second from face-planting when someone grabbed her by the arm.
His grip was like iron...and he easily pulled her back to her feet.
Belle turned to thank him, thinking it was Gaston. It wasn't though, which she should have guessed in the first place. Gaston would rather laugh at her clumsiness than catch her.
It was a stranger.
He was much shorter than Gaston, though he was still taller than Belle. His face was hidden by shadow for the most part, but his eyes shone through, a deep brown.
Belle knew he was an old Vampyre. There was a certain air about him...it was like tangible power.
She nodded her head at him," Thank you."
His hand was still wrapped around her arm," Just watch where you're going next time, dearie."
He sounded annoyed, but Belle couldn't be sure. He released her arm a second later and stalked away, leaving Belle to stand alone in the dark.
A/N So, what do you think about this AU? Give me a few ideas?