Hi, all! This is the first story I write. If you like this, I will develop it more in the next chapters. Enjoy reading.
The day was like any other in school- praying that you don't get an exam; passing notes in class, pretending you listen. But this Thursday completely changed my life. If I knew this would happen, I would pretend to be sick, hide in my home all day, marathon TV shows. But the fate had other plans for me.
My name is Kamelia Owens; I recently turned 18 years old. And I live in a world, ruled by vampires. Yes, those creatures with sharp canines, who can transform into a bat and a wolf, fear silver, are real. And they had taken over the world as we know it thirty years ago. Suddenly those blood drinking monsters got tired of hiding in the shadows, the darkness, and invaded the towns in huge groups, killing thousands of innocent people and taking over the leadership.
Men fit for fighting tried to oppose, and had managed for nearly 6 years, but in the end those creatures won. My mother had told me about this, how grandma hid her in the basement, so the vampires won't abduct her, how granddad died protecting the family. My mother- Lisa became orphan at the age of 14, but luckily the neighbors saved her, slicing the head of the vampire, who was holding her. They together fled the town, and moved here. The towns everywhere were a battlefield, historical monuments ruined, blood on the streets. Every day was fight for survival, endless hiding, training how to shoot. Mother always cries when she speaks about the past, and how she wished that my childhood was different.
Since vampires became rulers, taking every place in the politics, the world changed. There was a rebellion five years ago, and I still tremble when remembering the news reports, the slaughter. Luckily we still had TV and internet. To punish the nation for this act of treason, there came a law, which I feared every single day since I became 18. Every male vampire had the legal right to pick himself up to 5 girls over 18 for his companions. He has to live with them, and choose one who will become his bride, and he will turn her. Female vampires can select three young men. The vampire dictates the rules, the meetings with the girl's parents; her whole life will belong to him. This is a very cruel law, and I was hoping that I won't get chosen. Nobody knows how the vampires select the girls- appearance, blood, or just on a whim. It could happen anywhere- at the store, in the café, in school, on the streets. If a bloodsucker chooses you, you have to come; the punishment if you run will be death for your whole family.
I know girls who were taken. My neighbor, Natalie, 20 years old, was selected three weeks ago from her work. She had the great luck to be taken by a kind vampire, something so rare. The blood sucker allows her more time with her friends, and to keep her job, although he has the right to forbid her. I had spoken to Natalie, when she comes to visit her parents, and from her words, the immortal acted civilized, and tries to earn her trust. But other young woman wasn't so lucky – Sandra, the daughter of a friend of my mother. She was engaged when she was taken, and her fiancé rescued her, but they couldn't reach the airport. The guards of her vampire master had tracked them and killed her beloved in front of her eyes. Then her whole family, friends, and at last- her. Any relationships with boys were forbidden as long as the girl is still the vampire's. When he releases her, narrowing his search for a bride, then she could control her life again. There were hundreds of cases of abused girls, families slaughtered as punishment for running away. Only very few were all right in that situation.
People had learned to obey, and continue living, adjusting to this new world. They still go to work, marrying, but it's not the same. The fear is always present. The blood suckers can now walk on sunlight, thanks to a serum, invented by a league of every top scientist, picked from all around the globe. Nowhere was safe for girls my age.
So when the headmaster entered during our History class, I got the strange feeling that something bad was gone happen.
'' Girls, pack your things and follow me. A very important person wants to meet you. ''- Glancing at my schoolmate-Beatrice, I hurried to put my notebook and pens in the schoolbag. Every girl in the room was doing the same, whispering.
'' Tell me, that's not what I think it is.''- My friend said as she waited for me.
'' I can't, Trish. God.''- Putting a lock of curly blond hair behind my ear, I walked to the door. Outside the room were the others girls my age from our small school- we were three classes. Some of them looked scared as me, the others- little excited. I got dizzy and leaned on the wall, as we waited for the others to gather around.
'' Who do you think will be? I hope some dreamy guy, with fancy car, and a house, and…''- My eyes widened as I heard what my schoolmate Djina one of the cheerleaders, spoke of as she run her fingers through her red hair.
'' Can you believe this girl?''- Trish tied her black hair in a ponytail.-'' I hope she gets selected, so we can get rid of her. ''
'' Me, too.''- The headmaster motioned us to follow him and we did.-'' We can hide somewhere, reach the staircase and run home.'''- I casted a sad look at Anthony Harper, the boy I began dating recently. He was standing with the other boys and he looked as scared as I was. His kind brown eyes caused tears to appear in mine.
'' They will hurt us if we do.''- My friend pointed at the vampire guards, who were near the huge group. All of them were dressed in black, and we wouldn't stand a chance. They can outrun us, posses ten times our strength.
'' Great.''- I entered like in a daze the hall; we usually have school plays in, celebrations. But the very important vampire wasn't here yet.
'' Now, girls, stand like this.'' – And the headmaster arranged us in rows, and I took my place, eyes still darting towards the door. The freedom was so close, but unachievable. Those guards would probably break my legs. –'' Now, listen. You must keep your eyes and head down. When he approaches you, you will lift it, but your eyes must remain downcast. If he asks you anything, you will answer. Unless you won't speak at all.'' – I wiped my tears, smiled at Trish, who was in front of me . Forcing myself not to run and stand still.
'' Come in, sir. I hope you find something to your liking. ''- My breath hitched as the vampire entered, although I couldn't see him.
'' Thank you, Director Simons. I hope so.'' – The voice was pleasant, but it gave me chills. The next minutes I had tried to focus on other things- my homework, my home, Anthony. But I still could hear everything around me- the obnoxious Djina was selected, also Elisabeth from the other class-a brunette, editor at the school's newspaper. The footsteps came nearer and my heart was about to burst from my chest. I had listened to the vampire's question, but I was praying like I never did before. Please, God, don't let it be me! My best friend got chosen and I nearly screamed but bit my lips just in time.
The blood sucker was in front of me now; I could see his nice shoes and a hand with a golden wristwatch on. I tried not to shake visibly as the vampire was studying my face. My mind went completely blank.
'' Look at me, girl. '' – I felt a finger lifting my chin and I had no other option than to meet the monster. And I recognized him. The man in front of me was Daniel Turner, the new mayor's son. His face was all around the news and no wonder why our headmaster was still nervous. The vampire was surely gone rule the town after his father. Maybe tomorrow the school would receive a huge donation. My blue eyes met his green as his gaze moved to my hair, body. His hair was black and curly, and if he wasn't a vampire, I could say he was very handsome. But my blood had run cold.
'' What is your name, girl?''- The vampire let go of my chin and smiled.
'' Kamelia Owens. ''- My voice sounded foreign even to me.
The mayor's son smiled again and said.-'' I will take this one, too.''
I sobbed and thankfully Beatrice supported me.
'' At least we are together.'' – After that everything was like a dream. The director excused us for school today and tomorrow. We were guided down the stairs. The whole time I was blinking through my tears. I barely registered the limo, in which I got up, and Daniel Turner asked each one of us for our addresses. I said mine, looking at the floor. I knew what was gone happen. Natalie told me. Each girl has to pack her luggage and say goodbye to her parents. Not knowing when they will meet again. It all depended on her new master. Daniel Turner asked us if we had other siblings, and I answered, meeting for the second time his eyes. The car stopped and the vampire exited with Elisabeth and waited patiently for her to prepare.
'' You are no competition for me.''- Djina fixed her hair. By the glances she was giving the monster, she was already enchanted by him.
'' It's up to him to decide. ''- Trish answered.
'' He probably picked Owens out of pity.'' – I couldn't take it anymore and I splashed my classmate with the water, and before we go into a fight, the vampire returned. He offered Djina something to wipe with, and handed me another glass.
When the limo reached my house, I got dizzy.
'' Come on, Kamelia.'' – The mayor's son motioned me to follow him and I obeyed.
'' Honey, what are you doing so early at home? Are you sick?'' – My mother froze when she saw the vampire at my right.-'' Not my baby!''
'' Mom, I am so sorry. ''- I was sobbing too.
'' You will see her again, I promise Mrs. Owens. ''
'' Why should I believe you?''- But Daniel Turner stopped his guards before they do something bad to my mother.
'' Mom, come on.''- I guided my mom inside and up the stairs to my room. Packing was hell- my hands were trembling, I was wiping my tears. The clothes, favorite books were piling in the suitcase. I took my makeup, some plush toys, one which I got from Antony, a cute white bunny.
'' Maybe you could…''- But the fearful looking guard, never taking his eyes off me, was dismissing every thought of escape. I had run to the bathroom, threw up couple of times, and brushed my teeth.
Letting go of my mother was the hardest, I only got her in the world. My father left us when I was little. Later they got divorced and he got married, but I was his only child. A year ago, I learned that my dad, Cole Owens, passed away. So it was only me and my mom.
'' I'm going to miss you, Kami.'' – My mother was placing kisses on my cheeks. –'' My baby girl.''- I had witnessed how the other selected girls parted with their families, the tears, the begging. Beatrice was holding close her little brother Jeremy, and ruffling his hair. The fathers were trying to oppose, and one of the guards broke Djina's dad hand. It was heartbreaking to watch this, and now I couldn't breathe from the choking me tears.
'' Me, too, mom. I love you. ''- She was standing at the door, eyes glued on me.
'' After you, Kamelia. '' – Daniel said softly as he waited for me to sit next to Trish, who immediately grabbed my hand. At least we had each other. The guards had checked my suitcase for anything sharp, silver.
The mayor's son closed the door and ordered the driver to take us too his home. I was looking at my mother and my home, until it disappeared. From this day I had to live with this monster, other three girls. My life wasn't mine anymore. Daniel Turner was my master.