-~introduction~-
"My sweet daughter, how I've kept you hidden."Esther whispers in the doorway of a stone coffin in a decrepit cemetery in New Orleans. A faint golden light from the harvest moon above flooded in through a crack in the wall over the beautiful angel statue's face that laid over the lid. Esther steps up toward the cement cage with her hands folded over each other in her lap, her long blonde waves darkening in the shadows as a single tear runs down her cheek.
"Don't cry, mother. We've found her."Her oldest son Finn says softly from the doorway, his dark eyes sunken in with years of misery and self-hatred. Esther nods slightly, shifting slightly to allow her son room to enter the cramped space. She takes his hand for strength, though he offered little he gave her it all. She flicks her wrist outward and smiles faintly with triumph and approval as each candle around the crypt blaze to life. Golden light floods the area quickly, broadcasting evidence of visitors on the floor around the coffin through dead or dying roses.
"Open the casket, Finn."She says softly, though her voice held authority. Obediently, he shifts around to the opposite side of the coffin and removes the lid with a faint groan. She watches him lie it up against the wall behind him and nods in approval.
"Bring the human in. She'll be hungry."She says softly, motioning faintly toward the doors as she steps even closer to the coffin. Inside laid the limp, nearly lifeless body of her beautiful daughter Anika. Esther leans into the coffin, stroking her abnormally pale skin and long wavy dark hair that laid beautifully over her fair green and crimson dress with a heavy sigh. She straightens, smirking faintly to herself as the panicked heartbeat of a human reverberates through the room, and silently chants her awakening spell. Finn shudders faintly as the cool Fall winds start to pick up aggressively, whipping the candle flames and dead leaves around their feet.
"It's time for you to wake up, my dearest Anika. Awaken and take your place beside your brother and I."She whispers, taking a step back as her daughter's pale hands slowly pull her up out of the casket. Finn steps closer, shoving the fearful man toward his sister. In the golden light, her pale skin seemed like thin wrinkled paper tainted by the hungry black veins under her eyes. She laches onto the man's neck without remorse, draining him completely to the gurgling sounds of his painful struggle. With blood dripping from her teeth, Anika steps out of the casket in a gorgeous ball gown that only further broke her mother's heart with the reminder of her 'death' shortly after fleeing to New Orleans from the Salem Witch trials in Massachusetts. Esther smiles as she watches her daughter's natural tan flood her as the blood rejuvenates her body and long dark hair. She lifts her chin, wiping the blood from her lips, and smiles.
"Welcome home, my dear."She says happily, stroking the thin green fabric that covered her arms. She holds her hands for a moment before leading her out of the crypt.
"I have big plans for you, my dearest Anika."She smiles. Anika looks at her with skeptical golden hazel eyes.
"What year is it, mother?"She asks faintly, her voice cracking slightly as it adjusts. Esther stops under the light of the moon and smiles with wander and joy in her eyes.
"2013, darling. You've been asleep for 310 years, sweetheart, but now is the time. Your father and I need you."She say softly, smoothing her hair as if she were a young child. Finn steps up behind her proudly, a thankful smirk on his lips.
"It's time we rest, sister."He says softly. Anika looks at her mother with pain in her eyes, her blood running cold in her veins as her heart pounds in her ears. Was her mother really asking her to kill her family?