The lights were on in the farmhouse when Sookie pulled up to the house and cut the engine of her car. It had been a long few days. On top of it being a busy night at Merlotte's, Maudette had been found dead this morning and the vampire, Bill Compton, had almost been drained by the Rattray's last night. What Sookie needed now was a hot bath and a cup of tea with Gran.
Sookie got out of the car and walked up the porch steps. Fumbling a bit with her keys, she finally unlocked the door and walked in. She was barely through the front door when Gran got up off the couch and gave her a hug.
"Look who's come back to Bon Temps, Sookie!" Gran said, pulling away and gesturing to the living room.
A lot of unexpected things had happened over the last couple of days, but this was one that was truly pleasant. Sitting on the faded floral couch was one of Sookie's best friends, Ariane Bellator.
Ariane had been adopted by a nice couple when she was six years old and she had become fast friends with Sookie and Tara. The three of them were practically inseparable and quite often their summers were spent at Gran's doing anything and everything they could think of. Ariane had left Bon Temps after she, Sookie and Tara had graduated high school eight years ago and she and Gran only got the occasional letter from her.
Ariane stood and walked over to Sookie and Gran. "Hey, Sook," she said shyly with a small wave.
Sookie immediately wrapped her arms around Ariane and hugged her tightly. "I missed you so much. I'm glad you're safe."
"Ariane'll be staying with us while she's here, since the Bellators died a few years back," Gran mentioned. "She'll be staying in Jason's old room."
Sookie pulled away from Ariane. "That's right, I forgot your parents died. I'm so sorry for your loss."
Ariane smiled. "Thanks, Sookie. That's actually part of the reason I'm here. I figured it was time to come see them."
Sookie smiled. "I've got tomorrow off, so why don't we head to the graveyard then. Okay?"
Ariane nodded.
"Well girls, I'm off to bed," Gran said, heading toward the stairs. "Don't stay up too late, now."
"Don't worry, Gran," Ariane said. "We won't. Sleep well."
Sookie smiled at Ariane. "I'm gonna go take a quick shower, but do you want to catch up afterward? If you're not too tired, of course?"
"Sounds good. I'll meet you in your room once you wash the smell of Merlotte's off," Ariane said, wrinkling her nose.
Sookie laughed and headed upstairs. She took a quick shower and hopped out. She was drying her hair when she realized something. How did Ariane know Sookie worked at Merlotte's? Sam hadn't come to Bon Temps until three years ago, well after Ariane had left. Oh right, Gran had probably told Ariane where she worked.
When Sookie walked out of the bathroom, she found Ariane sprawled across her bed, reading one of Gran's romance novels. A half-naked blond Viking was on the cover with a stormy sea behind him.
"Good book?" Sookie asked as she quickly put on a tank top and a pair of pajama shorts. That was one of Gran's favorites and the evidence of that could be seen on the poor worn spine. It was so worn you couldn't even read the title of the book anymore.
Ariane shrugged. "It's alright, I suppose. I've read worse."
Sookie jumped on the bed, making Ariane bounce and laugh. She set Gran's book on the nightstand and gave her friend her full attention.
Sookie sat cross-legged on the bed. "Where have you been all this time?"
Ariane shifted, getting comfortable. "Well, I went to college and got a Master's in History and another one in Law. Then I travelled the world, working where I wanted, when I wanted. I met so many new people and did so many new things. I really hope you get to do that too, Sookie."
"Well I don't see myself being able to handle college. High school was rough enough with everyone else's thoughts invading my brain," Sookie said. "I suppose it would be nice to get out of Bon Temps for a while though. I did meet a new person last night though. He's a vampire named Bill Compton. I knew he was a vampire as soon as he walked into the bar. The crazy thing is that I can't hear his thoughts."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's like a void of just…nothing."
"Hmm, maybe it's because vampires don't emit brain waves since they're dead," Ariane mused.
"How is that possible?" Sookie asked. "The vampires move and everything. They seem to be alive, minus the whole heartbeat thing."
"Blood and electrical impulses animate humans, but vampires are animated by magic," Ariane said.
"Magic?" Sookie asked.
Ariane nodded. "Since magic animates them, there's no need for a heart, lungs or electrical impulses to and from the brain. They feed on blood because blood is high in nutrients and magic alone isn't enough to sustain both their immortality and heightened activity levels. Plus, blood doesn't require a stomach to digest it. It just flows through the body like it does in humans."
"How do you know so much about this?" Sookie asked.
"I worked for the AVL for a year or two before the vampires came out of the coffin. As one of the human ambassadors between the vampires and world leaders, I needed to able to answer their questions about the vampires."
Sookie yawned and Ariane smiled. "I think's time we both head to bed. I'll see you in the morning, Sookie."
Sookie nodded and Ariane grabbed Gran's novel and left Sookie's room, gently closing the door behind her.
Ariane padded down the hall toward Jason's room. The old farmhouse creaked and groaned a little, as if it were settling down for the night as well.
Jason's room was the smallest in the house and he still had clothes in the closet. Mostly jerseys from high school and a couple old t-shirts. Ariane walked to the window and moved white lace curtain aside.
Over the trees and the graveyard, she could just barely see part of the old Compton place. Lights were on and Ariane felt her stomach churn.
Bill Compton.
Just the name was enough to make her mouth sour.
Ariane turned away from the window and lay down on Jason's bed. She flicked the lamp on and continued to read Gran's romance novel.
The next morning Ariane was up before the sun. She made coffee and took a cup of it out onto the porch and sat on the steps, watching the sun as it came up over the trees and washed the Earth with a warm light.
The screen door opened and Ariane wasn't surprised a whit when Gran came and sat down next to her with her own cup of coffee. Gran placed her hand on Ariane's knee and smiled at her. "Today's gonna be hard, hun, but you'll be okay. It's time for you to grieve and finally let it all out."
Ariane smiled at Adele Stackhouse. "Thanks, Gran. You're right, it's high time I air out the laundry."
"Gran, have you seen Ariane yet this mornin'?" Sookie called, opening the screen door. She was dressed in her white Merlotte's t-shirt and a pair of black denim shorts. "Oh, there you are. Sam called and needs me to work a double. Jason found Dawn dead this morning and Sam decided it would be best to keep the bar open so folks can have a good stiff drink."
"Oh my." Adele placed a hand to her chest. "Two young girls murdered within a week. That's unheard of in Bon Temps."
"I know, it's awful." Sookie looked over at Ariane. "I'm sorry, but this means I can't go to the cemetery with you today."
"That's alright, Sookie," Ariane said with a smile. "I honestly don't mind putting it off a little longer. I have a couple errands to do today, so I'll meet you at Merlotte's this evening?"
Sookie smiled. "Sure! I'd loved to introduce you to Sam." Sookie bounced off the porch and out to her car, starting it and backing out of the driveway. Soon she was nothing but a cloud of dust.
"Hm, Sookie was awfully happy after finding out her coworker just died," Ariane mused as she took a sip of her coffee.
Adele chuckled. "That's just Sookie's way. I'm sure that she's just happy so everyone else's low spirits can be a lifted a little."