Spark
I was depressed. There was no other word for the feeling I harbored in my chest, my heart.
Philadelphia was overcast, wet, since I had arrived the day before. I walked down the street, letting the raindrops hit me, trying to ignore the niggling thirst that roared for satisfaction. Very few people were out on the street, those who were wore trench coats and held bright umbrellas.
Whenever someone walked by me, I would shudder slightly in restraint. It was...different...to be out in the day. I couldn't remember the last time I was out in daylight just to be there. The beast within me growled softly when a little girl holding her mother's hand walked by me. The girl stared openly at me as I stopped and stood on the street corner. She was curious, naturally. But she was also entranced with my looks. Quickly, I looked around, hoping to spot a store or a restaurant. Someplace where I could get away from the child. I spotted a nearly empty diner a few doors down and nearly sprinted to the door.
As I walked in, I ducked my head, hoping no one would notice my dark eyes. The hunger blazed behind them. I took a breath and smelled her. Another vampire was in the diner. I looked up towards the front of the diner, to the swiveling stools at the counter, and saw a pixie-like girl watching me. She was smiling as she watched, her body completely at ease. This left me confused and tense. I was preparing myself for a fight, but the emotions from the girl were...mind-boggling. I felt contentment, ease, and a sense of pride coming off if her in minuscule waves. Not a trace of anger or animosity came from her.
She hopped off her stool and practically danced over to me. I was at a loss for words. The female had walked directly up to me, totally at ease and vulnerable. Even with her vampiric abilities, I doubted she could have stopped me from breaking her tiny neck. As I assessed her behavior, she smiled a genuine smile at me and the feelings coming from her grew stronger. I was silent, but she decided to speak.
"You've kept me waiting a long time."
I automatically responded, "I'm sorry, ma'am." I ducked my head in apology, the rain in my hair dripping to the tile.
In my line of view, I saw her hold out her hand to me. Once again, my body took over for my brain and I saw my hand reaching for her own tiny one. I glanced to her and felt something in my chest. It was small, but growing. My brows furrowed in confusion, but I concentrated hard to figure out what I was feeling. It made me think of a fire; starting as a spark, then growing steadily, if fed the right things. This feeling made me feel warm, though I knew my heart was still and my being cold.
The pixie girl smiled at me wider, squeezing my hand. When I squeezed back, I finally could identify the feeling in heart.
It was something I hadn't felt in more than a hundred years. Something I couldn't believe I was missing before, but glad I had captured once more.
Hope.