Preface
Victoria looked down on the young agonized male she just tortured. His scream pierced her ears and rang about the empty alley. Normally she would silence a human and deliver death in an instant. But she hesitated.
She stared deeply at his face and saw familiarity in it…
James, She thought.
Ever since James' death, Victoria lived the last several months in rage and denial. Her hatred for the Cullen's grew huge and dark each day. Victoria knew she couldn't exactly hold them entirely responsible for the incident. She blamed herself too for not being at James' side in his time of need.
If only I'd accompanied him, he'd still be here. And I wouldn't drive myself crazy being lonely.
It was a huge complication to roam around alone for Victoria. But she had to live with what she had now, herself. Shortly before the incident that ended James' life, Laurent, another coven mate of theirs, fled. In fact, Victoria didn't really trust Laurent, neither did James. She had suspected a hint of unfaithfulness in Laurent and when he decided to run away, it was no surprise. The only thing Victoria loved about Laurent was that he was easy to use. A tool. A pawn. No more than that. Thinking about Laurent made Victoria angry. She imagined a day coming where she'd cross paths with him.
He'll get his soon. But first, the Cullen's must pay for the damages of their actions.
She glanced around the alley making sure it was free of any supervision that might trigger some type of "RED-ALERT" in the city tomorrow. As expected, it was safe to satisfy her thirst. Victoria smiled and stared into the eyes of her victim.
"Who are you? Please! No-" The young man screamed.
She smiled. "Sweetheart, you won't feel a thing," She replied.
She gripped his head and slightly positioned it so her teeth had a clear path to his neck.
The young man let out a scream when Victoria flashed her sparkling white teeth at him and slowly brought her face next to his. He knew his life would be over in a matter of seconds.
Just as Victoria was about to sink her teeth into his neck, she paused, and pulled her face five inches from his neck. She thought about the possibilities and questioned herself.
Would he serve well as a partner? Would he be gifted like James was? And then there was the benefit. He would fill in the gap, I wouldn't be lonely.
…What if I were to turn a few more humans besides him?
"May I ask you something?" She stood straight looking down at the terrified young male.
"W-W-What?" He managed to say.
"First things first. What's your name?"
"R-R-R-R-" He stuttered.
Victoria took a look at him and couldn't help but to erupt into laughter. The young man, confused, continued to cry from the injuries and pain delivered during Victoria's vicious attack on him.
"So your name?" She asked looking straight into his eyes.
"Riley!" He cried out.
"Riley. I like it. Tell me about yourself. I only know so little. I've been watching you. You interest me. And you're from Forks. Hmm." She smiled.
"How did you-"
Victoria interrupted, "Like I said. I've been monitoring you for a few weeks. Your blood smells rather appealing but yet I don't think I have the strength," Victoria chuckled, "to kill you."
Awestruck, Riley stared into the face of the beautiful woman who, for the past half hour, tortured him. He was completely distracted by the beauty of the pale skin, and brilliant bright-red hair. Victoria sensed a change in his expression when his eyes bulged right at hers. Frightened by the crimson colored eyes, Riley tried desperately to shift his body to safety, but instead his jaw just dropped. And he froze.
"Riley, I know you must be frightened by me. But truth is, I'm not going to harm you. My name is Victoria. And to answer the question in your head, yes, I'm not human. I am a vampire."
"What?" He asked, frightened.
"A vampire. An immortal. An evil demon. What ever you prefer to call me." She replied.
"…And what do you want with me?" He cried.
"Well, I did want to kill you, it's my job to do so," Victoria hesitated, "but looks like I made a last minute decision to spare you for better use."
Riley noticed as Victoria started to smile. Suddenly the rain came to a stop. The wind calmed down. And silence filled the alley.
"It's time Riley. When you wake up you will no longer be who you are now. Sweet dreams, because they'll be your last. Don't worry, you and I are going to be good friends. Nothing to fear, honey."
Frightened, Riley continued to stare.
She brought her lips to his neck and felt him trembling.
Another breath and then her teeth sunk into his neck. Victoria held her bite in place for a few long seconds, being careful not to suck the flesh out of him. She pulled her head back in time before the need to thirst overtook her and watched as young innocent Riley writhed in pain.
It was then that the fire began to take over Riley's body. He began to scream, echoing the alley, but then stopped.
Riley watched Victoria stand above him. He tried to scream again but knew the fire had destroyed his larynx. He desperately wanted to beg her to put an end to the flames scorching him. He twitched tremendously as the unimaginable pain ripped through his body. Paralyzed, Riley shut his eyes and slipped into darkness to try and avoid the tormented agony he was experiencing. He felt as if the devil got a hold of him and he was slowly, and painfully, being dragged to hell.
Victoria watched as Riley shook and jerked uncontrollably. To her surprise, he was not screaming. Instantly, she was proud of herself. For the first time in her immortal existence, she had turned someone into a heartless creature without creating such a mess or disturbance.
Very simple, She thought.
Just then she smelt the scent and heard the sound of humans nearby coming from the other end of the dead end alley way. Why the hell would anyone want to wander into an area like this? Victoria quickly realized they were local teenagers. Without hesitating, she quickly scooped Riley up into her arms, took several steps back, and ran towards the dead end. Within a foot of the wall she launched herself and flew over to the other side landing on both feet.
There's lots of work to be done, Victoria thought. Even with the unlimited time Victoria was granted with as a vampire, she chose to spare no moment and ran off into the night with Riley tightly secured in her arms.
Riley was only the beginning of what Victoria had in mind…
Chapter One.
Three days later, young Riley awoke to a stinging burn in his esophagus and was not familiar with his surroundings.
Where am I? Did I Pass out? My throat, it's burning!
Riley felt lost, confused, and most of all, thirsty. He had a sudden urge to chug down the first beverage he could get his hands on and maybe even more. Still, he couldn't get over how thirsty he was and how irritating it felt.
How'd I get here?
He reached for his pocket and noticed his cellular device was gone. Aw, crap! Don't tell me I left it at the bar! Frustration built inside him. He remembered so little and didn't know where to begin. As it was, he couldn't even think straight.
I went to the bar, walked home alone, the alley…Riley instantly stopped backtracking.
He suddenly remembered being followed. The beautiful woman with bright-red hair. The pale skin.
The red eyes…
It all rushed back to him. He remembered trying to outrun an incredibly fast predator, Being knocked to the ground, his left leg being snapped below the knee. Bleeding profusely from the torture delivered from the beautiful pale woman. The blood on his gray T-shirt proved that he had not dreamt the nightmare of events. He lived through it. And survived.
She left me alive?
Riley's eyes scanned the abandoned docks. He noticed everything was clear, more defined, and he can see well past the harbor. Suddenly, he was on his feet. In the same second he thought about getting up from the ground, he had already done so.
What the?
Just then he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.
Riley spun around and faced the beautiful woman he had a horrible encounter with. There was a 40 foot distance between them. The pale, beautiful, and bright red headed female smiled at Riley, happy to know he was awake.
"Well, well, well. Look who's finally come around." She said.
Riley kept his distance. He was afraid to reply to the woman who stood before him. Afraid to ask her what was going on. She stared Riley down and began pacing her way toward him. His eyes bulged and he let out a gasp when she took five steps and then appeared right before him.
He flinched at the fast movement.
"The speed is something isn't it?" The woman said and smiled.
"How did you do that?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Riley, must I explain things again?"
"What?"
"Do you remember my name?"
"No…I only remember you chasing me"
"That's unfortunate. Would have been nice to have been greeted the appropriate way. What else do you remember?"
Riley searched around through the dim memories. Once again he remembered Victoria, her torture and pain she'd inflicted on him, the pale skin that covered her body, the red eyes, and most frightening, she had told him what she was. Vampire. She's a vampire.
"I remember…" He said, trembling.
"Start from the beginning. Just so I know there's nothing you're missing."
"I remember walking out of the bar…" He whispered.
"Go on." She urged.
"I was walking home and then I seen something move fast in front of me. I got scared…and…I was running. Um, you beat me. You broke my leg and," Riley looked down towards his left leg and was shocked when he'd barely realized his leg was perfectly fine and he was standing on both.
Victoria smiled. "Keep going."
"What the-" Riley said in disbelief.
"Okay Riley, look at me." She demanded.
"My leg…it's…not…broken?"
"Riley, I was going to kill you that night-By the way, it's been three days-I followed you after you left the bar because your scent was appealing. I tortured you to make it easier for you when I would eventually murder you. To be honest, you're the first human I've ever spared. Your leg is no longer broken because the venom healed you completely."
"Venom?"
"Riley, I told you that night what I was. A vampire, remember?"
It was all clear now. Everything that occurred that night was being put into its right place. Riley, I know you must be frightened by me. But truth is, I'm not going to harm you. My name is Victoria. And to answer the question in your head, yes, I'm not human. I am a vampire. Her voice replayed in his head and he dropped to his knees.
He tried to keep balance but his body was making a trip towards the ground. There was a loud clash as his knees came in contact with the surface of the ground. He looked down and seen the harsh imprinted dents his knees made in the concrete.
"There's a lot you need to know Riley. Well, let's start with one that may be obvious. You're a vampire now."
Riley straightened up, and looked into Victoria's eyes. His vision was so advanced now that he could see a pair of his own crimsons looking back at him through hers.
"You're not a human no more Riley."
For Riley, it was hard to take this in. No such thing is possible! This has got to be a god damn joke! A cruel one! I've got to get away from this woman…
Victoria continued to stare down at the confused young boy.
"You. Turned. Me. Into. A. Monster?" He said through his teeth.
"Well, if you look at it the right way, at least you're a charming one." She smiled.
Confused, and angry, he began to tremble and his fists balled up. Without warning, he swung directly at Victoria. He felt the air brush his arm, and Victoria was no where in sight.
"If you're going to be attacking me, I can always kill you. Simple thing to do when you've got decades of experience as a vampire." He slowly turned around and spotted Victoria about 20 feet from where she'd originally been.
"What the?"
"That's the thrilling, yet magnificent, part about being a vampire. The speed. The Strength. The enhanced abilities. And of course, the beauty. Put it all together and you've got one hell of an amazing eternity ahead of you. Obviously that's just my opinion. What's yours? How do you like your new life so far, Riley?"
Victoria stared at Riley awaiting a response.
"This doesn't make sense!" He shouted. "Vamps are not real you psychopath deranged woman!"
"Yes they are Riley." Victoria protested, paused and stared at Riley's face. " Did I tell you that you remind me of someone. That night I caught up to you I immediately felt some regret after inflicting and putting you through much pain. Such an ironic act for someone like me. As much as I wanted to end your life that night, I couldn't."
The young man Riley stood motionless not knowing what to do, or what to say. Many emotions ran wild in his body. Anger. Confusion. Sorrow. The list went on. He noticed his breathing ceased and yet his body wasn't struggling for nor demanding oxygen. He didn't need to do so. He understood that he was a brand new and different Riley. Still, he feared what this new life had in store for him.
The strength, the vision, the speed, the pale skin…The red eyes.
Riley thought back to the moment where he'd watched Victoria appear right before his eyes in a flash. Every ability that took some or great effort seemed too simple, enhanced, and his vision was crystal clear. All the injuries inflicted on him that one night seemed to have healed. His left leg was no longer snapped below the knee. The broken nose felt good as new. The only piece of evidence left of the brutality was the mess he was and the blood on his shirt.
Then the memory of the pain he'd gone through that night came back. He remembered Victoria biting him and the great agonizing pain that he dreaded.
He lifted his right hand and brought it up to the right side of his neck. Slowly, he brushed his fingers and ceased movement once he felt a texture that was neither deep nor big.
"It's faded to a point where it's hardly noticeable…To humans of course." Victoria chuckled. "Of course I can see it from all the way over here."
"I'm going home." He said. But he really didn't know what to do.
"That's not a good idea Riley. It really isn't. I mean I'm not stopping you but if you want your family to live, then I suggest you stay away."
"And why's that?" He shouted.
"You're a newborn vampire Riley. You can't control yourself. If you were to return home I wouldn't be shocked to find out that you've massacred your whole neighborhood."
"Massacred? What?"
Victoria hissed and stomped her left foot on the ground in frustration. The cement cracked loudly.
"LISTEN! You are a newborn vampire. You're already aware of that! That burn in your throat is the need to drink. No soda pop, cold glass of water, wine, or beer will satisfy that thirst. Only the blood of a human."
"What if I don't kill them? I could probably live a normal life. Something I should be still doing right now. Maybe you're the one who can't control yourself!" He shouted back.
"Real smart Riley. Sure, maybe you can live amongst your family still, but the differences are noticeable. For one, you have RED EYES! Two, they're going to realize you're not human when the years fly by and you haven't aged! And three, you can't control yourself! Your instincts will take over and you will feel nothing but regret while you're draining the ones you love of their flesh! I highly doubt you will have that much self control. It's impossible to even resist the scent."
Riley dropped his head towards the ground. He began to believe Victoria and she sensed it. He stared long and hard at the ground, emotional pain ripped through him. My family. My friends. My life. MY HUMAN LIFE! She took that away from me…Why?
The realization sunk in. And he knew that his humanity was forever gone. An immortal he was and there was no cure, nor action he could look into that could reverse it.
Familiar faces began to flicker through his mind. His father whom he will never plan or share a bike trip across the country with. His mother who he once promised to bring grandchildren home to. His little sister who he promised to teach swim lessons to. And last, his young toddler brother who he cared so much for to take him bowling each day of the upcoming summer. None of it will ever happen. And most certainly he wouldn't want to be the last face their eyes seen while suffering a gruesome death.
She's right. I wouldn't want to hurt them…
"You'll get used to the loneliness, Riley. But on the Brightside, they're a lot of benefits to this life." Victoria said.
He glared at Victoria for the longest moment. What the hell is she saying? Get used to being a damned monster?
"Get used to it? THERE IS NO BRIGHTSIDE TO THIS LIFE YOU PSYCHO! Why did you do it? What did you see in me? There are millions, no, billions of men in the world! Why me?"
"I can see you're not happy, Riley. I apologize. But I was so lonely and ever since James-" She hesitated and turned to face Riley with a Saddened facial expression. "I think it's time you heard my story Riley. Then you would understand."
"The year was 1920. It was fall. I had barely turned nineteen and began my first year at Harvard University. Into my second month studying there I began to make friends with many students. The city was everyone's getaway, so after long hours of studying most of us would drop the books immediately and get to the fun.
"I remember that night clearly. A friend of mine, Lindsay, had took me to a bar near the university, about twenty minutes away. We met up with others we knew and began the night dancing, toasting, laughing, and having fun after a day of hard work. While me and Lindsay were swaying to the beat of the band music, I noticed a man. A beautiful one. It was hard to believe that he showed no interest in any of the women around him.
1952
Victoria eyed the beautiful man. The beauty was breath taking and she couldn't find the strength to take her eyes off of him. When the man looked up at Victoria, Victoria let out a gasp and hid her head on Lindsay's right shoulder.
He so beautiful! She thought.
"Victoria, he must be looking at you! This is your chance to start a conversation with him."
"No. I don't think he's looking my way. And besides Lindsay, I don't even know the gentlemen."
"Oh come on Victoria! Remember, you'll regret it later on. He sure is something to look at. Never have I seen such a pale skin tone so attractive."
"Stop it, ha!" Victoria smiled, blushed, and continued to move to the band music, keeping pace. During the dance her eyes often glanced at the pale man and still the pale man didn't break his focus off of Victoria.
The night came to an end and they both exited the bar and started walking back to the university. Victoria often flinched at the pain in both of her feet. Next time I shall wear comfortable footwear. Ugh, my ankles!
Lindsay grabbed a hold of Victoria and quickly pulled her behind a bush.
"Victoria! He's right there!" Lindsay whispered. Smiling. Blushing a little.
"Who?" Victoria replied.
"The man from the bar, the one who couldn't take his eyes off of you. This is your chance. Go for it. He's a looker and he might even be wealthy."
"Don't be ridiculous, Lindsay."
"Okay, maybe we should say hi to him at least."
Victoria and Lindsay emerged from the bushes. They continued walking the way they were headed before when the pale man spoke from a nearby bench. It was then that Victoria noticed his pitch black eyes. She didn't doubt Lindsay had noticed them too.
"You two are sure beautiful." He sniffed. "You both smell beautiful too." He said smiling.
"Thanks." Victoria replied, shooting him a smile back.
"You both local?" He asked.
"Yes, we attend Harvard." Lindsay answered.
"Amazing."
"So what's your name?" Lindsay asked.
Before Lindsay could get a response Victoria quickly turned her around facing the opposite direction of the pale man.
"Lindsay! We don't know him. For all we know he could be a freak!" Victoria whispered.
"Victoria, it's okay. Besides I've seen him many times at the bar."
They turned around facing the pale man again.
"…So before I was interrupted," Lindsay paused to glance at Victoria, "I was asking of your name."
"Federico. Federico Coalstone."
"Your name is amazing." Victoria said. Lindsay also smiled too.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to know the names of two beautiful women standing before me."
"I'm Lindsay, and this here is Victoria." Lindsay answered.
Victoria felt uneasy about her friend socializing with a man she had never met before. In fact, she realized they hadn't even known him ten minutes. She knew the conversation had to be ended. But how? Victoria was already aware of Lindsay's being. Lindsay could talk to the man for days.
"Look, we must go. It was nice to meet you Federico. But I don't think Lindsay and I are fond of waking up restless. Maybe we'll see you around. Let us go Lindsay."
"Bye, see you around…Federico." Lindsay smiled and then exhaled in frustration while looking at Lindsay.
"This will only hurt just a little." Federico smiled back.
"What?" Lindsay and Victoria said at the time.
"Don't bother to scream, or run away." He warned.
Before Victoria could ignore the pale man, he appeared right before them. Her and Lindsay both let out a gasp. And seconds later Federico's head was at Lindsay's neck. She let out a piercing scream before it began to fade. About ten seconds later, Federico tossed Lindsay to the ground. Victoria noticed a bite mark on Lindsay's right side neck. It wasn't the only thing she noticed. She realized that Lindsay was laying on the pavement…lifeless.
Federico tilted his head towards Victoria and wiped the excess blood mess from his chin with a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. Victoria quickly turned and ran back in the direction of the bar. Before she could scream she felt a tight grip on her left leg, and was instantly thrown back fifteen feet. The impact dazed her because the back of her head had came in contact with the ground first. Victoria looked around her surroundings and was horrified that Federico was no where in sight.
"What do you want?" She screamed.
A loud sound like wind gush came from behind and she turned around just in time to see a shadow racing by at a speed so great. It became clear to Victoria that Federico wasn't human. He was a Vampire. And she was his dinner.
Confused, she ran as fast as she could towards the main streets. Once again her body was thrown back. She didn't give up though. It took only a second for Victoria to quickly get on her feet again and make a run for it one last time.
"Help me! Somebody please!" She screamed, echoing the deserted street.
"No one can here you, my dear. So please be kind and not anger me. I am not going to kill you but I might consider it if you don't keep calm."
After hearing the last of his words, Victoria's running ceased. She slowly turned around to face Federico. There was a foot length distance between them.
"What?" She asked, confused, and frightened.
"I'm not going to kill you. However, your friend smelled rather magnificent and I couldn't refrain." His eyes met Victoria's and instantly she felt as if he had her paralyzed. Every muscle in her body went numb. She noticed his eyes were bright red.
"Victoria, do you know what I am?" He asked.
"…A vampire!" She cried.
"Yes, my dear. But as I said before, I'm not going to hurt nor kill you. I want to offer you a gift."
"A gift?"
"That's what I said, but in order to obtain such a gift, you must leave your present life behind."
The events that followed were of Victoria's new life as an immortal.
"…There was no other pain like it. I can only imagine and compare it to being dipped in acid and thrown into a scorching oven. For three days I laid on the ground with my eyes closed, feeling and hearing nothing but the pain and my screams. It was a relief when it was over. Honestly I know how you felt going through that pain without any help. I didn't even get any answers. I knew I was different the second I opened my eyes.
"I killed Federico about a month after my transformation from a human to an immortal." Victoria paused, and smiled at Riley. "It was amazing. He tried to outrun me. Fight me. But he was unsuccessful. I tortured him slowly. The strength was amazing at first. It only took a slight tug to detach and separate his legs from his body. Hearing him screaming was the best part.
"He had a mate as well. Obviously she came after me for revenge but I killed her too." Victoria smiled and let out chuckle.
"It was an easy fight with her. Too easy. 'Like taking candy from a baby'.
"I traveled by myself for about twenty years before meeting another older vampire named James. Soon after another vampire, named Laurent came along and joined us. We became good friends, very good friends, and traveled together. But our happy times came to an end not too long ago. Just recently, about several months ago, another coven of our kind killed James and I have not seen Laurent since. He and I went our own ways and escaped that fate just in time." She left out many important facts of the story while explaining it to Riley.
The incident that lead to James' demise rushed back into Victoria's mind. From the baseball field where the hunt for the human girl began, to the ballet studio where she found James' ashes smoldering in a pile. Dear Edward, Victoria thought, My god, how you've angered me deeply. A hiss escaped Victoria's clenched teeth, Riley flinched at the sound.
It wasn't just Edward Victoria was angry with. She was more furious the local coven, his family, the Cullen's, who chose to spare the human instead of their own kind. Not once did she ever witness anything like it. The other immortals were different, and, at first sight of them, it wasn't hard to tell.
The yellow eyes. The generosity. Their ability to be so fond of humans that they would keep her nearby.
The details only made it that much more obvious.
"I created you Riley as so I wouldn't live in fear of being alone and constantly stalked by them. They watch my every move," She cried. " I know they're out to get me. This coven has magnificent skills that only makes them that much more of a threat. I don't know if they got Laurent, I'm praying that he escaped." Once again she lied.
Riley sat at the foot of Victoria's shadow. She had a difficult past, he had to admit that, but what the hell was she afraid of? He continued to question himself. What help could he offer when it would only result in him being an additional target to this other coven of vampires?
There was nothing more he wanted to do than to get up and walk away from Victoria. To never look back.
"I'm sorry about your struggles, Victoria. But whatever you have creeping up and around you is your problem. Not mine. You got it? I'll be on my way now. Take my advice and just run. Run and don't stop, not even to look back for the tiniest bit of a second. Do whatever is necessary to get the hell out of dodge." He heavily advised her.
Confusion, replaced by anger built up in Victoria. Her fists balled up, teeth clenched, a hiss echoed the silent boating dock. She turned around watching Riley make his exit.
"Riley. Don't. Or I'll murder your family." She threatened.
After hearing her threat, Riley halted his walking. Slowly, he turned to face Victoria. The smile that flashed across Victoria's face triggered the reaction in Riley.
"You touch my family, I swear, I'll kill you. I'll find that coven, I'll bring them to you, and you'll be killed yourself." He replied.
"Stay. And your family lives." She smiled.
"I leave. And my family lives." He retorted. Teeth clenched.
"Not a chance, honey. Sorry, but that's a very poor compromise."
"Suck it up. And live with it. I don't even know you and you expect me to bow at your commands. How do I know you're not the villain and the other coven of our kind are the ones who are the good guys?"
Clever boy, Victoria thought.
"Look, I'm sorry. Please, all I ask is that you help me find a solution to this situation. Better yet, let me talk things through about this. Come on. Maybe then will you understand the meaning of my fear."
Together, they headed out into the city of Seattle. Riley fed for his first time on a homeless man. He was thankful the man lying next to the garbage bin didn't feel a thing. So this is how I'm going live from now on. Murdering people. People I could helped. Innocent people. Guilt, he realized was one factor that would remain in this new life of his, forever. Only three hours had passed and Riley and Victoria fed from nine homeless individuals. Most of them Riley had killed.
Victoria watched as the murders took place. She was happy that Riley chose to stay with her. However, she was disappointed that he couldn't control his thirst and made a complete mess of himself. I must teach him how to be inconspicuous, she thought. On the Brightside, it felt different to her. She had a better sense of security and awareness. Then again she wondered if the female from the other coven who had visions seen her actions. Did she see the night I created him?
From behind, Riley tossed the body of his last victim.
"Uh…I'm done." He said, wiping the dripping blood from his chin.
"Well?"
He stared at her, confused.
"What?" He replied.
"How did you like your first night as a newborn?"
Murdering that homeless man felt very repulsive to Riley. He had never imagined doing any type of act that would affect his own life. The second Riley sunk his teeth into the sleeping mans neck, he tasted glory. Victoria was right, his instincts took over, and greatly too. As much as Riley wanted to stop, he couldn't. But, one thing was for sure, he would rather be sucking the life out of someone he hadn't known, than his own family or friends.
"It…was…alright." He lied. There was nothing more he wanted to do than to have wish he had begged for death that night instead of this new life. Awful. What have I committed myself to?
"You'll get used to it. In a few months you'll have no problem with it."
No problem? Are you kidding me? YOU AND I ARE MURDERING INNOCENT PEOPLE! He shouted in his head.
"Sure…" He muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" She replied.
"No." He nodded. "What do we do now, Victoria?"
"I'm not sure. The sun should rise in about 2 and a half more hours."
Riley felt uneasy about hearing the word, sun, and his eyes widened in didn't know much about vampire mythology, but he knew enough to look back on. Vampire's can't be out in the sunlight or else they'll burn! He darted over to Victoria, her back towards him.
"Shouldn't we be going now? Do you have a place? Hideout?…Coffins?"
Victoria immediately turned around and erupted into laughter. She found it very funny that this boy still believed in myths and tales that the his world was raised on. There was nothing more that she got a kick out of than young Riley's stupidity.
"I'm sorry! That was pretty funny. You know, what you said. Man do I need to teach you more about this life. Okay, Riley. We don't burn in the sun. In fact, when our kind are within the suns exposure, we sort of, well, you have to see it sometime. I can't explain it." She smiled.
"We don't burn?" He asked.
"No. Like I said, you'll see for yourself." She paused and turned her back towards him once again. "It's interesting. If we could pawn ourselves for cash, I think we'd be worth a whole lot."
"I guess I'll see for myself."
"You're going to love it. It's what makes our kind unique."
"Victoria?"
"Yes?"
"About this other coven, what skills do they posses?"
"Very powerful, but deadly skills. They use their gifts for evil. Many other Vampire's are afraid to wander through the area without fearing that they'll be destroyed. This coven, Riley, they want the be the only immortals in existence. I'm still surprised that I'm still standing. But help me Riley, they haven't made their move and that only makes me that much fearful of them. It's not like them to delay their execution plans.
"My…friend James found out, and they knew he knew. It didn't take them long to execute him. I told him not to hunt through their territory and look what happened. Look at the outcome. I tried going into the area to find him but I only came across his scent that was days old. One of the females, I'll tell you about her in a minute, she found out I was in the area.
"They tried to corner me, but I wasn't that stupid. It was a close one, and I got lucky. I ran because it was the only thing I could do. The only thing that was on my mind while they were chasing me was Just run as fast as you can. And I did. I didn't want to share the same fate that James had. He was innocent Riley, and this coven, this trash, those evil immortals killed him for no good reason!
"All I ask of your presence is that you help me escape the state. WE NEED TO ESCAPE! They don't travel out of their territory, so I know they'll give up once we take that last step out of the area.
"Please, I promise that you can go your own way once we've escape these condemned grounds. My friend Laurent may have already escaped, I haven't heard from him. Or worse, he may be dead. I just hope that all is well with him." She finished.
I hope this sob story convinces him, Victoria thought.
For one long moment, Riley stood before Victoria, speechless. He didn't know if he had it in him to trust this woman whom he barely knew no more than 24 hours. But, he was in this too. He was now a target for the other coven to destroy at sight. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.
"I'll help you get out of the area, but I'm staying in the area. I'm not leaving my family here without any answers." He said.
"Look Riley, I know I told you you'd be able to go your own way after escaping but staying local isn't the best idea. You're in the news papers, your photo is on a printed flyer posted everywhere in town, and during this month I wouldn't doubt your family making the news. If I were you I'd remain inconspicuous because if you were to show yourself today, tomorrow, in a week, a month, a year as you are now, you would give the world a huge shock. Not only would they be bewildered that you're alive, but if they see your new eye color, I don't think everyone would be fond of that. They would know your different."
Victoria pulled a folded piece of white paper from her pocket. She opened it up and showed Riley his family's flyer notifying the public of his disappearance.
Please help find our son!
Our son, Riley Biers, went missing Friday night of November 25, 2005.
He was last seen at a local night club enjoying the night with some
friends of his.
We do believe he had gotten a little drunk and may have wandered
somewhere he shouldn't have been.
Riley if you're reading this, please come home!
We are not angry at you.
These past two days have brought upon suffering for your
father and I.
If any anyone has seen him, please get in contact with us through
The Forks Police Department.
Riley didn't bother to look nor read the rest. He knew his description, and what he wore that night-because he was still wearing it. His gray V-neck shirt only had one use now, to be used as a rag. His denim jeans wouldn't be thrown into a washer, the next destination would be the trash. Darn, I'm a mess.
Victoria was just as silent as Riley was in that moment. Speechless, she turned her back towards him and stared into the dark night. Come on, Victoria! Think! What are you going to do about that human loving coven. Shall I remain invisible from their radar for a few months? Should I rush into Forks at great speed and kill the boy? Stay and fight…for James? Edward! The boy is the reason why my James is dead! If he took James' life…I shall take his! Ha! Wonder how that human girl Bella…
Victoria halted her thoughts, and smiled. The human is the solution.
It didn't take long for Victoria to develop her plan. James was to be avenged somehow and soon! Riley could help me! An extra pair of hands would work wonders. I must find Laurent though, that foolish tool owes me! So much to plan, so much to be done! She laughed, Riley flinched. Okay, Edward. You killed my mate, I'm going to kill yours. There is always a price to pay. Mate for mate is my bargain. Nothing less, nothing more!
"Riley?" Victoria called, turning to face him.
"Yes?" He replied.
"We're going to be hiding out for awhile. Don't worry, we'll still be able to hunt at night. And in a few hours you will see how your body reacts to the sun. But now we must get to a vacant place to talk things through and give you your answers to many of the questions you want to ask. Let us go."
His enhanced ability caught Victoria's running movement.
Riley followed Victoria and a second later he was running through the darkened streets and city as well. He loved the speed, and felt strong. Too strong. This new vision of his caught everything. Nothing was blurred. He smelt the scent of hers and many other odors all around. Dogs, Cats, garbage, etcetera. About a minute later, their running came to an end.
Riley watched Victoria march up the steps of an abandoned post office not too far from where they'd come from. Her hands touched the bulk door and with what looked to be very little effort of force, she tore the huge metallic knob right off and opened the door.
He followed her inside the dimly moonlit remainder the post office building.
"This'll be our place until planning is complete." She said.
"Planning?" He questioned in confusion.
"Yes. You're helping me escape, remember? That was our deal to ensure the safety of your family."
"Okay. So what's going to happen now? What's next? I'm lost. Are you going to tell me about this other coven? What makes them so superior?" He questioned again.
"Easy buddy. One at a time. What happens now is we plan our escape."
"Escape, right." He agreed, still confused.
"This other coven," she began, "they have two members who possess very incredulous gifts. One can read your mind. He can know everything you're thinking, what you're next action will be, or if you're lying. But, there is a way around his gift. As long as you protect your thoughts. One wrong slip and he would then know your true intentions. It takes sometime to stay focused on one thing in your mind. The other immortal is a female who has the ability to see the future. That's why I haven't tried escaping because I know they'll kill me like they killed James. There's also a cheat around her gift as well. Right now we're planning on escaping, she can't see that because we haven't decided or planned a specific time to act on it."
Young Riley listened as Victoria explained the other covens life style. Throughout the explanation, Victoria kept thinking, I just hope this young fool believes all of this…
The sun made its appearance soon after. For the first time Riley seen what he looked like in the sun. He was astonished. "I'm…I'm….Beautiful. Hmm."
"Couldn't agree more." Victoria nodded. Victoria let Riley have his fun for the rest of the day. He toyed around with his speed, his enhanced abilities, and loved every bit of it.
Night Came again, and so did their thirst.