Sweet Blood Ch 1
Here I am once again, a new place, new people and most importantly a new family. I have been doing this ever since I can remember: I would live with one family until they realised that they didn't actually want a child; my social worker was then called and another temporary family would take me; then the whole process would start again. You've probably guessed by now that that I'm a foster kid; you know the one with the bad attitudes, which end up with a criminal record before we are 16. Some of them might be like that, I wouldn't know, but not me... though you could say that my story is in fact worse.
"Hey Alicia," I was startled out of my day dream by my social worker. And I knew, by that tone of voice that whatever she said after would not be good and as usual I was right.
"Ok I haven't told you where we are going yet but that is because you're going to England. I have run out of placements that are willing to take you here, so you're going to go and live with the Mason family. I have been assured that they are a lovely family but you have to put some effort in and none of the... you know... funny stuff." This all came out in such a rush,
"What did you say at the end?"
"So," she paused for a minute to collect her thoughts "You're moving to England, a small country town called Radstock to be exact. You're going there because there are no placements left in Scotland that are willing to take you and we believe that a change of scenery would be good for you"
"Yes I got that but before you waste any more of my time what was the last bit? you said something about funny stuff?"
"Well you know..."
"No I don't know that is why I am asking you!" I sighed exasperated, wishing she could just answer me truthfully.
"Just don't do anything silly. Every placement I've put you in things have always ended with a report that something happened, something strange,"
"Why does everybody assume that it was me? I did not cause Harry's concert tickets to disappear or Lucy's Iphone to break in half and I definitely wasn't the person Ben freaked out about being in his room."
"Are you sure?" my social worker replied "We know that you have attention seeking problems but you need to own up to the things you do."
"But I didn't do..."
"Lissy just tell the truth that is all we ask," She sounded annoyed now. I didn't do anything but everybody thinks that I do it's so unfair!
"But I didn't do it, I have told you this time and time again but you don't listen do you?" My social worker then just decided to ignore me; obviously regretting bringing up the conversation. My mind then turned to what she had said. England. It wasn't too far away but moving from the Shetland Islands at the top of Scotland would be different. I mean there would be so many people! It already took ages to get the boat to where we were now but then I had to take the flight to Bristol airport I think it was called and then the hour drive to our final destination. Couldn't they have found anywhere nearer?
Soon we arrived at the airport and I was ushered onto a plane with my social worker reassuring me that there will be someone to meet me when I arrived at Bristol airport and there definitely was…
The plane journey was uncomfortable. I sat in front of a family with two little boys that wouldn't shut up. It was so annoying. There was also a huge delay due to turbulence and by the time we arrived. I was so happy to touch the ground I ran off the plane.
I quickly spotted a lady in her mid 30's, with curly red hair that stuck up in all directions. She was wearing a multi-coloured skirt with a bright yellow t-shirt and in her hands she held a bright green sign with the words 'Alicia Prior'. I reluctantly walked towards her feeling anxious. If this was my social worker then what would my family – which she picked out – be like? I reluctantly walked over and before I had a chance to say a word...
"Oh my gosh I'm so happy you're here, I've been needing the toilet for ages and I couldn't go because your arrival time kept on changing. But now you're here." She thrust her bags into my arms, and without another word she took off, pushing past people to get to her destination with only a "Don't move," flung over her shoulder before she disappeared into the crowd. I looked around for a couple of minutes and on seeing a bench I walked over to it and sat down. I was caught up reminiscing when suddenly.
"Hello is this seat taken?" I looked up to see a boy. He had short brown hair, which was the colour of melted chocolate and sticking out in all directions. I slowly looked down to his chiselled face. He had striking eyes, they were the type that you could stare into for hours and not get bored. He had a relatively small nose and his mouth was in a straight line. I could tell just by looking at him that he was the type of boy that girls fall for in an instant.
"Um excuse me?"
"Oh no don't worry I just arrived and am waiting for my social worker to come back from the toilet," Where did that come from? I usually only answer questions to the barest minimum, let alone tell people I am in care.
"Oh ok I'm just looking around, my family live in a small town near here and when I meet up with my friends I like to come here to think."
"Are you allowed to do that?" I enquired
"I don't think so but that doesn't stop me does it? Where abouts in Scotland are you from? I am assuming you're Scottish due to your accent."
"The Shetland Islands at the top of Scotland," and before stopping to think about what I said next I blurted out "The Scottish officials seem to have gotten bored of me so they sent me here," I forced out a laugh.
"I see but I thought they just sent you to a 'home' when they got bored of you moving around" He joked. I was surprised he hadn't come up with a reason to stop talking to me. Usually when people find out I'm in care they make a hurried excuse and leave.
"Nah I can't even fit in there as the kids all accused me of stealing and destroying their stuff. But it wasn't me. I don't know why, everywhere I go strange things happen around me," Why was I saying this. I had only just met this boy and I was telling him my whole life story. There must be something wrong with me!
"Well I have that sometimes, my brothers and sister are always accusing me of something or other as well. But maybe they have a reason for it." He said the last part under his breath but I still heard. Quickly, as if to pretend he didn't say anything he added in "I'll tell you a secret, I'm adopted"
That surprised me and I looked at him again revaluating everything about him. He seemed to notice my pause,
"Sorry I didn't mean to say that. I seem to not be able to keep my mouth shut while talking to you"
"Yeah, me neither and don't worry, it doesn't bother me, I'm just surprised." At least it wasn't just me that couldn't shut up.
"No wonder, people look at me and see this perfect boy, with the rich parents that have brought him up well. They'd never guess what I'm really like."
"And what is that? Not as charming as you may think I assume,"
"That's about right, this right here is not just a pretty face." I laughed at that.
"Are you sure you're that pretty?" I responded. Though in my mind I was going yes, yes you are, I totally agree with you.
"Of course I am, I mean who wouldn't want to go out with this?" At that he struck a pose.
"Anyway back on topic, you spoke of your family as if they actually were. How long have you been with them then?"
"Ever since I was seven, I remember stuff before then but they will always be my real family."
"That must be nice. Being sure of your future and all,"
"I wouldn't say it was nice but I am very grateful for the upbringing I have had. I suppose I am lucky but it doesn't feel like it when your parents are always getting at you to do homework."
"At least you have parents," I mutter under my breath.
"Yeah I guess so." He must have heard me.
We sat awkwardly for a while until he started talking again.
"So where are you going? Not trekking across the Sahara I hope,"
"No," I let out a small laugh "don't you know that it isn't in England?"
"Of course he replied," looking offended "I was only asking where you are going."
"Its fine" I reply before he decides to walk off. "And to answer your question I don't know, my social worker picked them out so I'm hoping they aren't too bad"
At that moment my social worker appeared bouncing towards me. "Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear," I whisper to myself and I hear the chuckles coming from next to me. How the hell did he hear that? I think, but before I could ask him my social worker started talking
"Ok Lissy I'm done. We've got to get moving if we are going to get there in time…Oh!" She evidently had just spotted the boy "Who's this? I hope you're not going to be one of those girls because I really am not up to dealing with any babies," I blush beet red and quickly look over to the boy next to me, he also looks self conscious.
"Any way I better be going, I think my friends will be waiting for me," He rushes off quick.
"Oh sorry, I probably shouldn't have said it," Now she thinks about what she said.
"To late for that," I retort rudely.
"Don't be moody; you still need to meet your new family. It's about an hour away if I remember correctly." She starts to rush off again but before she can go anywhere I grab onto her arm.
"Introductions are in order, I know you know who I am but can we pretend you don't, it will be a lot less awkward." And before she starts talking again I add in,
"My name is Alicia Prior and I am fourteen years old" I sounded kind of weird with my thick Scottish accent. She looked at me perplexed for a minute before saying,
"My Name is Macy Hawthorne and I am your new social worker. Like I said before, we have to go, I promised I'd get you there for six and it is five already?"
"I need my suitcase,"
"Of course how can I forget?" With a sweeping movement, she starts to bounce through the crowds like before. She grabs my small brown suit case, which is the only one left, and rushes back to me. "Come on," She glides past me just having enough time to grab onto my hand and pull me along.
"Hurry up; we need to get to your new home in time. First impressions are vital. And you need a good one if you are going to be staying here for the whole of next year,"
"A year?" I asked. That would never happen, the foster family would grow bored of me after a couple of months or something would go wrong - just like usual.
"Yeah didn't your old social worker say? We have decided to put you on a new plan, seeing as you struggle with staying in the same place for any length of time. You will stay here for a year; the Masons have agreed to keep you for that long. Whatever you do."
"Ok," I sounded worried; this was a new revelation to me. So however much I might hate them or they hate me I will have to stay there.
"Don't worry, it's not too bad, you will be able to stay for at least a year which from my records you have never been able to do."
"No." Eight months has been my longest in any one place, that was with a wizened old lady who was half deaf so didn't realise what trouble I had been getting into at school. That was until she received my report. Let's just say I was out of there quickly.
We sat in silence for the majority of the trip. I pulled my ipod and head phones out of my pocket and started to listen to music. We carried on like this until we pulled into a more built up area and Macy stated,
"We're only a few minutes away. I don't know what the new house will be like but it should be a bit like these," Macy states. She points to the small houses in neat little rows. Each had a small patch of carefully trimmed grass. It was scary how they were all exactly the same.
We sat in silence until,
"What number is it?" Macy asks out of the blue.
"What?"
"Look in my handbag there should be a slip of paper with the address on," I was just about to delve into the depths of Macy's ominous looking handbag, when I looked up and saw a different house to all the houses we had already passed. This one looked at least three storeys high and set back from the grass with a gate to let yourself in. But this wasn't the part that made me look. No it was the banner on the gate which read:
'Welcome to your new home Alicia'
It was surrounded by balloons and as I looked up the drive there were little pink fairy lights glittering in the distance.
"Wow!" I remarked "This must be the place Macy."
"Yeah it has to be," Macy slammed her foot on the breaks and sent me flying forward,
"Come on we don't have a moment to lose."
"Fine I'm coming." I departed the car to see Macy bouncing up and down running to the boot to retrieve my suitcase.
Then we walked up to the house, rapped on the door using the lion shaped brass door knocker and stepped back waiting for somebody to answer it.
We only had to wait a few seconds before a lady answered the door. She had soft caramel coloured hair which cascaded down her back. "Oh hello you must be Lissy. Do you mind if I call you that?"
"Yeah that's fine, I don't really mind,"
"Come in then you must be freezing out there."
I walked in following her. The first thing I noticed was a side table to my left, sporting about ten photos in frames of different sizes. In them I spotted the woman who let us, in accompanied by a man and around them stood three children. There was one girl, with golden blonde hair and two boys each with impish faces and they looked about the same age. The weird thing was that the hat that the man was wearing didn't seem to quite rest onto of his head. It was a ¼ of an inch above it. "Um Lissy?"
"Oh sorry I must have got distracted,"
Only then did I realise that I had been staring at the photo for more than a minute. "Anyway," I awkwardly state. Then on realising I needed an explanation for my staring I asked.
"Who are they?"
"They are our family my husband Ryan, Lucy our daughter who is fifteen Tom and Robert who are both twins."
"Ok?"
"Tom and Robert are adopted but Lucy is our biological daughter."
"That's nice. I mean I'm happy that I'm not the only fostered one." I've had that before and it usually ended with one of the children teasing me and something mysteriously happening to them straight after.
On noticing that I wasn't going to continue, the lady stepped in. "Yeah don't worry, we are all the same around here and we value everyone equally adopted, fostered or not."
"What's your name then?" I enquire. First not getting the airport boys name and now hers. Had England taken away my manners as well as caution?
"Sorry how rude of me, my name is Elsie Mason, but you can call me Elsie and you will be staying with us for the next year."
"Pleased to meet you, Alicia Prior" I replied for the sake of politeness although she probably had seen my whole file.
Macy interrupted; I almost forgot she was still here. "Here's your bag Lissy, I'm sorry I can't stay to see you in but I really need to go. Busy, busy, busy."
"Bye," I mutter under my breath as she rushes off to annoy the next unfortunate person she sees with her constant chatter. I watched her go out of the door, get in her car, give a small wave then drive away. I turned around and Elsie was standing there staring at me "Is there something wrong?" I asked pointedly
"Oh no, sorry I was just daydreaming." I could tell that she wasn't because I know when people are staring at me - I get that a lot. Before I had time to quiz her about it she walked through to a separate room and I followed. This room had a arched ceiling and was lovely and spacious but the main remarkable feature was the glass wall off to one side.
"This is the kitchen and you can take any food whenever you like but make sure you tell me what you have taken. Also we try and have a family meal in the evening. When you get up you can come down and have breakfast there is cereal but if you don't like that then I'm sure we can find something else."
"No cereals fine,"
"Ok, anyway would like a tour of the house now or later? The rest of the family should be home soon so you can meet them then."
"Let's do it now."
"Follow me then," Elsie said as she led me towards the door. We toured round the ground floor.
"I can't believe how big it is!"
"Yeah we get that a lot but me and Ryan have always wanted to adopt lots of children so this house is perfect. So far we have four not including you and they should all be really nice but if they are mean to you then just come to me and I will sort them out." I knew I wouldn't do this, I mean who likes a tattle tale?
"Four, I thought you said there were only three earlier,"
"Oh yeah we have another boy called Eric who is your age."
"Why wasn't he in any of the pictures?"
"He does not enjoy having his photo taken; apparently it brings back bad memories,"
"Ok, I understand that, I have bad memories to."
Elsie looked sad at this but recovered quickly
"Anyway shall we carry on?"
"Yes of course how many storeys is this house exactly?"
"Four and the basement."
"Wow,"
"If you want we can do the second floor now and the other two later."
"Yeah that would be better," I replied thinking just how long it might take if we did all the floors now. We headed up the stairs until we came to a long corridor. There was a selection of doors on each side apparently they contained a bathroom, games room, office, library and four bedrooms only two inhabited. One belonged to one of the other children and one was mine.
"Here we go,"
"Amazing," I stated as I took in the room. In the corner there was a walk in wardrobe and a dressing table. The walls were painted a pastel pink and the carpet was a deep red colour. I the middle of the room was a huge bed big enough for at least three people.
"I hope its ok?"
"It's amazing are you sure it's all mine?"
"Yes of course, we want you to feel at home here Lissy."
"Well thanks,"
"Through here is your bathroom," Elsie lead her way through a door on the opposite side of the room which when opening it filled with a huge bath, hot tub and shower.
"Anyway, I will need to go and get ready for the boys when they get in. Call me if you need anything."
"Ok," I answered, as I grabbed my small suitcase and started to unpack. My small selection of clothes only filled one draw in the gigantic wardrobe. I then plopped down on my bed and started to read the one book that I took everywhere with me. I only had a few positions left to me from my parents and this was one of them. I have read it at least fifty times and have almost memorised it. After I had read four chapters I heard Elsie calling for me.
"Lissy can you come down stairs the boys are home."
"Ok," I called back as I marked the page and started to head downstairs.
"Come through into the kitchen Lissy," Elsie said as I walked in. There sitting at the table was… Him? The boy from the airport? No it couldn't be I blinked a few times and there he was sitting at the table.
"You live here?" I rudely blurted out. At that Elsie and the boy turned around.
"Yes this is my house. And no need to be so rude I was just sitting here,"
"Sorry about earlier my social worker didn't mean it, she's like that, blurts out the first thing that comes into her head." I felt that I had to say that before saying anything else to him just to make sure he didn't get the wrong idea about me.
"Its fine, I know a few people like that,"
"Wait you know each other?" Elsie intercedes
"Yeah we met at the airport." I say as the boy shoots me a glare. I shrug my shoulders as if to say what have I done?
"You were at the airport again. I told you Eric not to go there, it's dangerous and if a guard caught you without a ticket you would be kicked out and then we wouldn't be able to go there for holidays anymore. And I don't even know where the next nearest is!"
"Yeah, Yeah fine mum sorry I won't go again."
"Fine don't do it again but to make sure I am taking your phone away for a week,"
"Muuum!"
"And that's final and if you do it again it will be taken away for a month."
"Fine," Eric replied whilst shooting me a look as if to say why did you do that. Sorry I mouthed back at him.
"Anyway dinners ready. The others will be home late, Tom and Robert are at football practice, they play matches for the under seventeen's every Sunday, Lucy is at ballet class practicing for her next show and Ryan will be late home."
"Ok, after dinner can I go back up to my room?"
"Of course that's fine but first come and sit down so you can eat." I sat next to Eric
"What are you doing here?" he whispered to me
"I don't know if you noticed but this is my new foster placement but don't worry with my track record I won't be here long,"
"My mum did mention there would be someone coming. But you? What was the chance of that?"
"Not much."
"Yeah,"
"So your names Eric then? How old are you?"
"I'm fourteen, you?"
"Fourteen. Then you'll be in year 9 like me?"
"Yeah, it's a good school but you have got to make sure you don't get on the bad side of some of the teachers."
"Isn't that like most schools?"
"Yeah I suppose so."
"Do you know when I start?"
"I think its tomorrow you'll have to ask mum to check though,"
"Ok, I've finished tea so I'm going to go upstairs you coming?" I ask him even though I don't really want him to be there but it seemed rude not to ask.
"Yeah wait a sec; I'm just need to finish my food,"
"I'll see you upstairs then."
"Yeah I'll be up in five."
At that I departed the table, put my plate in the kitchen and started up the stairs. I walked down the corridor and just about remembered where my room was – I would need to put a sign on the door. I was just about to continue reading when I saw a TV in the corner of my room. I walked over to it and turned it on. The first thing that came up was some news program. I used the controller to skim through the channels until I came across one called 'Mystical beings and the myths that surround them' I don't know why but I decided to watch that.
A few minutes in and they started to describe a being that looks just like humans but they have special powers. The presenter called them Sweet Bloods.
At that moment Eric decided to barge in without knocking.
"You could at least knock you know,"
"But why would I do that?"
"I don't know, maybe to be polite or do people in England not do that?"
"Yeah they do but not me, this is my home after all."
"It's mine as well now, don't forget that,"
"I won't. So what are you watching?"
"It's this program about mythical creatures I can't understand how people can believe this stuff. There's this one beast that apparently looks just like us but with mystic powers."
"Yeah" Eric sounded so worried when he said it that I turned around and properly looked at him.
"You don't believe these myths do you?"
"Um, well yeah there is a lot more out there than you or I know about,"
"Just superstitions."
"You don't know, you can't know. You shouldn't just dismiss this stuff."
"And why is that? Nobody has ever proved anything,"
"And that gives you a reason to dismiss it. Maybe these creatures don't want to be found and are very good at hiding. You don't know everything!" This was all so stupid I couldn't even believe I was arguing with him about this.
"Why are you so passionate about this I understand you believe the myths but why are you getting annoyed if I don't believe them?"
"It's just, just. Oh it doesn't matter you wouldn't understand anyway."
"What do you mean by that, I am quite smart you know and I'm sure I'd be able to understand anything you say."
"I'm not telling you"
"Whatever I don't want to know anyway now shut up or leave me alone."
"Fine, don't get your knickers in a twist, and I will stay and be quiet thank you very much"
"Ok then, but if you say another word you will be out"
I sat down and watched the program. They were still talking about these people called Sweet Bloods. Apparently, there were many of these people that lived alongside us; some didn't even know that they are Sweet Blood. Their purpose in life was supposedly to kill vampires.
I laughed at that. Eric looked at me like I was insane to not believe this. To be honest it was unbelievable to begin with but as soon as you bring vampires into the equation you are just creating a joke.
The TV programme babbled on "Sweet Bloods have the power of speed, super strength and super hearing. They are all very pretty and have sweet blood that lures their prey – hence the name Sweet Bloods" Dramatic pictures of beautiful men and women were displayed on the screen.
This was all stupid I could almost see the photo shopping and plastic surgery gone into these pictures. Nobody could be that pretty.
The narrator continued "All Sweet Bloods have one unique power which is theirs alone. For example one could be able to do mind reading and another could see into the future. The myths say that there is one Sweet Blood that has countless powers as well as replicating any other Sweet Bloods powers. When they become aware of them they will be the person to defeat the Vampire Royalty that was the main problem that Sweet Bloods had killing their prey. The Royalty would always send in special Vampire's that were trained to kill Sweet Bloods."
"Where do they get this stuff, it's so unbelievable?" I laughed and turned to face Eric.
"Yeah definitely unbelievable"
"Are you ok? You look kind of white." I asked. His face had gone pale, and he was muttering stuff under his breath that I couldn't catch.
"Um, are you talking to me? You look like you need to lie down are you sure you are alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine. I'll see you in the morning," and with that he stumbled out of my room. Well that was weird. Does he seriously believe these myths?
The TV show continued with an interview with a Sweet Blood expert. The pompous expert continued even the interviewer seem annoyed now "You spot a sweet blood by their beautiful looks. But it is incredibly hard to as they look and act just like us. They are also our friends; if you ever discover one keep their secret as they could save your life one day." The presenter finally managed to shut him up and announced that they were now going to look at the prey of the Sweet Blood – Vampires.
He talked about how to spot and kill them. Also he mentioned this was so stupid I turned the TV off, got changed into my PJs and intended to get to sleep before anyone else arrived back, meeting Eric was enough for anyone, and school tomorrow.
