I was too late. After all that I had done, nothing had been able to stop it, after all...
Quietly, I opened my eyes to absolute darkness. Darkness that was neverending. And that was when I realized the truth; I was dead.
Inside my mind, I screamed.
Chapter 1: Monster
2 weeks earlier, and a few steps to the side...
The monster had been in control for so long, I could barely remember who I was any more. Ever since that one dark night...I shook my head, clearing the emotions from my mind. I couldn't have anything, not even the merest speck of negative emotion, or the monster would rear its head once again...
Almost instantly, like everything she did these days, I flitted over to the mirror in my small room, and stared with horror at my impassive face, framing the terrible red eyes that were the monster's...The tiniest frown appeared on my lips, all I could show of the terrible pain I felt within.
Suddenly, from the other side of her door, a voice called, ringing as clear as a bell; "Are you awake?" A sarcastic laugh followed. He knew I couldn't sleep any more. "Anyway, wanna go hunt? You love it so much..." A cruel smile appeared in his voice.
A wide grin on her face, and the monster fully in control once again, Bree opened the door and smiled up into Riley's face.
Later that night, back in her room once again, Bree took control of her body once again. As she silently walked over to her bed, never used except for Riley's 'visits' now, she felt the strange sloshing sensation that filled her body, a sensation which would have made her sick, could she still get sick in this strange, cold body... Quietly, she lay herself down on her bed, still mussed from Riley's last visit, and began to shudder her tearless sobs, the only emotion she could express without arousing the monster.
I wish...i wish I could sleep, she thought
Just a small reprieve from this terrible existence...
Silently, she rocked herself back into the numbness that was her new normal state of existence.
I was aroused my trance-like state by Riley, who arrogantly pushed into my room. Looking up at him, I silently and gracefully rose to my feet. For a moment, I recalled what I would be feeling if I were still human; my legs would be wobbling, my stomach would be twisting with fear, I might have had to lean against the wall to prevent myself from trembling...
A trembling vampire, that's a good one, I thought for a flash, before Riley stepped next to me, and brusquely dragged my lips to his.
In a flash, the monster was in control again, meeting his lips with passion, while within Bree fought...but not too hard. She had seen what had happened to other girls that had turned down Riley's advances.
Inside, I shook with terror.
But outside, I showed no sign of my inner turmoil, only noticing, once again, the taste of another girl on his lips, another vampire, one I had never smelled or tasted anywhere other than that same place.
I wasn't foolish enough to ask about that, either.
Smiling, he dragged her towards the bed, not bothering to close the door behind him.
It was several days before he returned to the building where she and the rest of the newborns were living. While he was gone, she had attempted to further her control, observing the results of the lack of control displayed by the other vampires...there had been 23 of them originally, but over only the last few days their unstoppable tempers had reduced that number down to 18.
So far, she had only really managed to befriend one of them, the one called Sara. And only a very loose definition of friendship, too; she had saved Sara from being killed once, and Sara had returned the favor. No one wanted to challenge the two of them together, so they had maintained their alliance. However, Sara felt none of the disgust with herself that Bree did, she was perfectly happy in her new, strong body. She had always been the underdog, it seemed, and was glad of the opportunity to pay back past offenses...One of the girls that had been the ringleader in picking on her was currently residing in the city morgue...
Again, Bree shook her head, cleaning it of disgust. That was one advantage of being a vampire, she was very easily distracted. She focused instead on a sweet smell she detected wafting through the door. What could it be? It smelled like...freesia?
Suddenly, Riley came walking through the door, his characteristic smug grin on his face, as if he knew something the others didn't; In his left hand was a red piece of cloth; A blouse? For a moment, she felt remorse at the fate of the girl he had taken it from. She had no doubt as to what the outcome of that confrontation had been.
Quietly, knowing everyone would hear him, Riley spoke:
"Everyone. Come to the Lobby. Now."
There was no hesitation; within seconds, everyone had filed into the room, punctuated with hisses and growls when people stepped too close to one another. Then, once again, there was dead silence, and Riley spoke. "To the south of here, there is a Coven of vampires controlling a town named Forks. They have the town all to themselves; it is isolated, only a few thousand humans! Imagine the possibilities!"
Of course, we already were. I could smell the venom pooling in the mouths of all those around me. A small, isolated town meant we could feed multiple times a day without having to worry about discovery. And when the town was depleted of humans, we could move along, never worrying about discovery.
Why we worried about discovery at all was a constant amusement to us; who could hurt us if they knew? But Riley ordered us to remain hidden, so hide we did.
"The only thing that stands in your way is this coven of vampires; You will be able to tell who they are by their eyes, which are a strange golden color. Also, they they are guarding a Human!" With that, he waved the blouse towards us, sending its sweet, sweet smell wafting over us, a sweeter smell than any of us had ever smelled. Instantly, the monsters in all of us were in control, staring ravenously at the blouse. Inside, somehow I felt the tiniest amusement at what we would look like to an outsider; 20 perfect statues, focused entirely on a piece of fabric. The thought of what would happen to any humans trespassing here quickly dispelled any humor, however.
'Forks' is to the east. You will smell the vampires when you near the town; kill them, and the town is yours! And one more thing..." He smiled evilly, glaring around at us, staring into our bestial eyes, "Whoever gets to the girl first, can have her! She sure is sweet; maybe I'll get her for myself!" The rest of us growled possessively, looking at Riley, for the first time, as a threat. Then, he relaxed from his pose and stood, smiling at our territorial grimaces. "I'll meet you as you near the town; I have some other business to attend to." This was no surprise; Riley always had "other business" to attend to. Generally when he returned, the taste of the strange female was on his lips...
"Now, GO! This will be EASY! Kill the Vampires, Drain the Girl, GO!"
That was all it took. Like a bomb going off, the 18 incredibly powerful vampires streaked away, not bothering to go through the door, but rather running straight through windows, doors, and walls in their hurry to be the first to get to the sweet smelling female.
Behind, Riley stood, laughing as he watched the army he had helped create run off to its doom, or possibly, if they were incredibly lucky, victory. His laughter rang forth again as he remembered the looks on their faces as they had stared hungrily...at a blouse. Suddenly, his laughter was joined by another voice, high and girlish. Still smiling, he turned to face Victoria, bowing slightly as she came near. "Did I do ok, Victoria?" He asked, his voice almost boyish compared to the earlier commanding tone he had projected. "Very well, Riley...very well indeed" Silently, she wafted forwards, placing a feathery kiss on his chin, then running kisses up and down his jaw. Moments later, she spoke, barely a whisper "I believe I spoke of a reward, hmmm?" Riley's pensive smile widened and she pulled him deeper into the building, to find a bed somewhere in the now abandoned complex.
