Vampire
It had been a year since my change. Since I left my mother at the hospital. I felt bad about that, but I couldn't have gone back there anymore. To much temptations. And I changed to much. I couldn't even call to ask how she was doing. My voice wasn't the same either. But I was at piece now, in control. I watched my reflection in the water. My eyes had a golden yellow colour now. I liked it much more than the scarlet red. I walked into the lake until the water reached my chest. Then, I started swimming, just enjoying the strength and speed of this body.
The sun was getting stronger now, almost piercing the clouds. The snow was late this year. Not that it mattered, if a human saw me now. For them it was cold, almost freezing. And I was in a bathing suite. It was old, but in decent shape. I traded it with some kind woman for some meat. She probably wondered why I wanted that thing. But she didn't argue because she got enough venison to fill half her freezer. I saw her shaking her head before I disappeared between the trees. She must have been thinking; what strange girl, out here on her own with little possessions.
But I was fine, didn't need much. Plenty of caves around to find shelter. And I had my leather clothing, which were water-resistant. I'd been so lucky, meeting good people, who often had what I needed. My clothes were hand made by a skilled old man. He made them for me, from the skins I gave him. Hans had been one of a few I stayed with longer than a day. He liked my company, being out there alone most of the time. He didn't question my looks or why I was out here.
I did odd jobs around the house for him. Gathered wood and stuff. But I couldn't get to attached. As he made the finishing stitches, I placed some dinner on the table. Taking the coat and pants to the back room, I came back and twirled around to show him his handy work. He was pleased and then sad as I told him I had to go.
It wasn't a graceful exit, but as soon as I was out of the house, I bolted. I needed to run or I would go back. I banished my memory of him to the back of my mind. Way back, locked tight. Not a nice thing to do, for sure. He didn't deserve that. But I couldn't let my emotions get out of control. I would do something stupid. Show him what I could do really. And then he might freak out and have a heart attack. Now he was just sad for a while, before he would go on as usual.
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Ah, this train of thought had ruined my swim. I started to walk out and then froze. A strong cinnamon and vanilla scent assaulted my nose. My muscles tightened in response and I looked around to determine the source. There was a man in the distance. He noticed me too and stopped moving a moment. Though not for long, he came towards me, to fast. No! I'd always been so careful, avoided places with many humans. Because the one that bit me could be there or someone like that. Feeding, killing. I was in doubt, what to do? To late to run, so defending myself was the only option. Crouching down, baring my teeth, I let out a warning growl.
That helped, he put one the brakes and left ten yards between us. We studied each other. He was a nice looking man, around six foot tall, strong shoulders, short blonde curly hair. But his eyes, their colour wasn't what I expected. They weren't red like mine had been, but not golden either. They were kind of orange, in between. Was he really like me? Everything pointed to that. His face read curiosity, a gentle look, non threatening. Instantly I relaxed my pose. He noticed and mirrored me, while putting his hand up in greeting.
"Hay, he said in a low voice, I didn't mean to startle you. "I'm Nick and I'm surprised to see another vampire out here. "Especially one with golden eyes." I raised an eyebrow and questioned him; "Vampire?" Was he kidding me? They don't exist for real. Right? He seemed surprised at my reaction though. "Yes, he replied, that's what we are, right?" After a few seconds he continued, seeing that I wasn't convinced. "You really don't know you are a vampire? He asked me. "What did your creator tell you, you were then? "And what did you think when you killed people to drink their blood? "How long have you been a vampire anyway?" Hold on, easy with all the questions. I shushed him with my hands.
"I don't know anything about any creator," I told him. "All I know is something bit me a year ago and now I'm like this." I marked my body. "And I've never killed people to feed, only animals." He stared at me in disbelief, his mouth popped open, like I suddenly grew a second head. This irritated me and I crossed my arms. He saw this, closed his mouth and shook his head. "I'm sorry, he said, it's just hard to believe." You're a newborn, on your own and in control." Hmm, maybe I should believe, the Volturi haven't heard of you, or they'd been after you." He suddenly scouted the area, inhaling the air as if there might be danger. My muscles tightened in response. Those Volturi must be dangerous.
"No, he breathed, it's alright, we're the only ones out here." He looked at me and realised he needed to explain more. And he did, tell me the whole deal. First he told me most things from books and movies were dumb and made up, to keep humans in the dark. He clarified what did describe a vampire accurately. The pale skin colour, the hardened skin which sparkled in sunlight, the strength and speed, the venom and last the not aging. Vampires were frozen in time, physically, I couldn't get pregnant ever, but we were immortal, so…okay. Hmm? I just stood there listening, dumbstruck, arms limp along my sides. I never thought about life really. Well, certainly not since my change. Why was that? Was I that content with how I was living now? Or should I call it surviving, because that was what I'd been doing, I now think.
I realised he stopped talking and pulled myself from my thoughts. "Okay, I said dazed, assuming you're telling me the truth, what about those Volturi, why should we be afraid of them?" If we're immortal." Who are they?" I paused a second before adding my last question. "And what about our eyes, you said my eye colour surprised you." I took a deep breath and sighed. He rolled his eyes before answering me. "You're still not convinced about being a vampire? He asked with a sigh. Then he shrugged and continued. "Well, to answer your first question, the Volturi are an ancient group of vampires, they've been around for millennia." They're kind of royalty to us, they've set rules and they enforce them when needed."
"Those rules are meant to keep us from exposing ourselves to humans," he added. "And though vampires are very tough, we can die, from fire." We can hurt each other by biting or ripping limbs off." And werewolves can do that too, but they're pretty much extinct from what I've heard." Now I stared at him with my mouth open. Was he serious? Burning to death, ripping limbs off (like that's nothing) and werewolves exist too? I was doubting his sanity now. Come on, it sounded to weird! But I couldn't say that out loud, so I asked a question. "Hold on, I'd like more details please. "You talk about things like that, like it's nothing. "I can only die from fire? "What if somebody ripped my head off?" I shuddered at the thought.
"Well it isn't nothing, Nick replied, but for me it's been a reality for over three hundred years." And though it hurts like hell, your head could be reattached, like every other part of your body." He smirked at me, the dumbstruck rookie. Because that's what I was, compared to his three hundred years. I shook my head, trying to process all this. What should I do with what he told me? I wasn't sure. He used my silence to add a comment; "you know, they often do rip something off before they burn somebody, they die faster that way." I just kept staring at him, forming a silent 'O' with my lips. The way he said that last bit, he had done it himself, kill another vampire. Rip him apart and burn him. Maybe in self defence, because I didn't feel worried about it somehow. He'd been hurt too.
And, as if he'd read my mind, he uncovered his wrist and revealed a scar that wrapped all around it. "See, he said, some crazy newborn ripped my hand off, once, he'll never do it again." He used a certain tone so it was clear what he meant. I nodded in response and he slid his sleeve back in place. "Now, he added, you asked about eye colour too." To answer that; a vampire's eyes are usually red or black." I haven't seen ones with your colour before." It's because of the animal blood, right?" I've noticed mine are changing now, because I've been hunting them too." He was silent a moment before going on. "It hasn't been easy though, staying away from humans." That's why I'm out here, fresh air, no distractions."
He looked at me, questions of his own were on his mind. I could see it in his face. So I decided to tell him what I knew about eye colour. "Well, I think I understand now, I said, how things work with the eyes." They start out red with all of us." I didn't want say 'vampire', I didn't want to be one. "I think if you feed on human blood, they'll stay red. "They'll turn black if we're hungry/ thirsty." I wanted to go on, but he put up his finger to say something. – "They'll also turn black if you're angry or upset." – Oh, I didn't know about that. But then, I haven't been upset much and looked at myself at the same time. Okay, continuing.
"And yes, you are right, I explained, when you feed on animal blood, they'll become lighter over time." My golden-yellow colour I've had for about two months now." I don't think they'll change anymore." If you keep up with hunting animals, yours will be like mine in a few months." I paused, unsure what more to tell. Because I was certain he wanted more. He didn't fail to ask. "Okay, he said hesitantly, you're right and it's good to know what to expect." But I want to know how you did this, all by yourself." Have you been out here all alone all this time?" Have you avoided human contact completely?" Is that the only way?" He seemed sad a such a prospect. So I told him the short version of my life-story. And my ideas on what I thought I was.
It gave him something to think about. With his eyebrows furrowed he came to a somewhat surprising conclusion. "It seems you've been well prepared for this life, he stated, almost like it was faith." I gave him a 'yeah right'-look. I hoped someone didn't plan this for me. If that was the case and if I ever found out, I'd kick his ass and maybe rip something off! Nick shrugged my look and came up with a new question. "Well, he started, seeing as I haven't been so lucky, will you help me?" What can I do to resist human blood while being amongst them?" I like people, I've always been very social, that's why I'm trying to change." He sighed. "I was a bartender once, women flirted with me, sometimes I'd take one home." Now those girls end up dead." I don't want to kill them anymore, it's such a waste."
Then he stopped, finally! Jeez, I didn't need to know all that! I let out an irritated sigh and decided to offer him some advice. "Well, I said, I'm not planning on having you around for long, so I think I'll show you some prey that'll keep you satiated a long time." That should help." He gave me a funny look. "What? I asked him. "You're a nice guy, but unlike you, I prefer being on my own." And I want to move on, see new places." I was really like my father now. Travelling was nice, especially the way I was now. "Okay, okay, he said with a bit of a sad grin on his face, show me what appetising animal I have to kill." I grinned, but said nothing. I pointed to some small islands in the lake a mile away. The seals were resting there. I found out they were very nutritious and fun. Not particularly tasty, but hey, he'd find out for himself. Mister 'I'm-so-handsome'. I laughed internally. Awhh, he wasn't so bad.
"So, we're going for a swim, he concluded. "Good thing I brought dry clothes and towel than." He took off his back-pack and started to undress. I turned away, feeling a little uncomfortable. I was sure he'd keep his underwear on, but still. The last time a male did this, I was eight and it was the boy next door (which was three miles away). Wow, that was a human memory! Just popping up in my head. It wasn't crystal clear, but quite welcome non the less.
When he was ready, I carefully looked at him again. He was build real well and all right, looked handsome in his black boxers. But this 'picture' didn't do anything for me and I was relieved for that. We walked into the water and I showed him what to do. How to approach them, how to knock them out or kill them and where to bite. He was a quick study. After pausing a second because of the taste, he continued smoothly and drained the young bull.(male)
He was pleased with how he felt. Almost as good as human blood he said. He thanked me and I told him goodbye. I didn't need to see him redress and I wanted to go to my cave. The few items I owned were there. I'd dry myself off with the blanket I had and put on my only set of clothes. I gently squeezed the water from my bathing suite and put it in my coat pocket. I loved the feeling of the leather. When I got out of my cave, he was gone. Good. Without him around, I could forget the being vampire deal. I would remember to be careful around fire, but otherwise nothing would change. I saw myself as some kind of hybrid predator, like a mutant. And that was how it was gonna stay.
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Well, did you like this? Was it enough?
Maybe I could write this from Nick's point of view too. Let me know if you do.
His full name is Nicolas Romanov by the way.