Selene stood, watching her third sunrise. She'd woken up early to see it, as she had done the days before. It's worth it, Selene thought as she watched the glorious ball of bright, pure light in the horizon. The sight still took her breath away and kept her attention.
How could something that was so lethal be so beautiful?
Selene and Michael were staying at a nearby safe house for the last few days while they were still contemplating on what their next move should be. Everyday, however, Selene had woken up early (Probably still on the vampire clock!) to see the sunrise, half-expecting to not see it. But everyday the sun had risen, and everyday Selene had watched it with immense satisfaction.
The sun was now well above the horizon, yet Selene could not make herself leave the roof of the safe house. She finally forced herself to turn around and open the door, only to linger at the doorway to sneak one more glance at the stunning scenery behind her.
This is ridiculous, Selene told herself as she walked down the stairs. I'm acting like I'm sleeping with the enemy, or something.
Which, in actuality, she was. But she doubted those of her "kind" would give a damn that she was in love with a Lycan/Vampire hybrid, now.
Selene had been thinking about going to the American Coven as their next move, but it seemed too risky. But anything we do next is risky.
After all, their choices were either go to the American Coven or go to the Lycans. Either way, the side they pick would not greet them with open arms. She was an outcast. There is one more option. Selene continued to talk to herself in her mind as she sat in the heavy titanium chair in the center of the main "torture" room. She could hear Michael snoring, and she was shocked to find the sound soothing.
Yeah, but the other option sounds like something out of a fairy tale book! Selene had been having this argument in her head for the last few days, unbeknownst to Michael. The other option Selene had come up with and then rejected just as quickly was, well, in her mind, out of the question.
Why is it out of the question? Is it because it sounds like something out of a Disney movie, perhaps?
Of course, shouted the rational part of her mind. How could she consider just hiding out with Michael in civilization forever? She hadn't been living among humans for six centuries.
While still arguing with herself, she heard Michael getting up out of bed. She put her head in her hands and sighed quietly in frustration. It could be worse, she mused. I could be reigning alongside Kraven right now. Selene shuddered at the thought.
I wonder where the scheming bastard is right now? Being devoured by maggots? Sizzling in the sunlight? Bleeding all over the floor? All of these thoughts brought Selene a sadistic grin to her face.
"What's so funny?" Michael asked, his voice clearly indicating he was still sleepy.
"Mmm, nothing. Just about a lot of things." Selene answered vaguely.
"Like, oh, I dunno… what to do next?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, among many other things."
"Such as…?"
Selene thought briefly about telling Michael about the pleasure she was getting from Kraven's death, but decided better of it. I don't want to scare him off because of my perverted ways. Michael was still innocent, or as innocent as could be expected in spite of all the crap he'd gone through the last few days. Better keep it that way.
"Nothing, just about everything that's happened the last few days." Selene answered, avoiding giving Michael a straight answer.
"Selene, how long are you going to keep this up?" Michael asked, his voice irate.
"Keep what up?" Selene asked, playing dumb.
"This whole charade! I just want to know if it's just me you do it to, or if you're just so shut up in your walls that you put up around your heart to realize you do it."
"It's not a charade. It's a habit."
Michael let out a long, tired sigh. He clearly did not accept this answer.
"Look, I know it's annoying, my 'walls.' But it's what I do. It's not just you; I do it to everybody. It's just the way I am. I'm sorry if it bothers you—"
Selene cut herself off. In all of her years, when people had confronted her about her anti-social behavior, she had never apologized for it before.
"What?" Michael asked, wondering why Selene had stopped talking.
"Uh, it's just that… I've never said that before… to anyone." Selene confessed.
"Wait, said what?" Michael asked, a step behind.
"Apologized for my behavior. Never done that before."
"Oh. Really?" Michael sounded shocked.
"Really."
"Huh."
Selene drew in a small breath. "Look, I've been thinking about our next move."
"Uh huh?"
Yes! I changed the subject, Selene thought triumphantly. "Well, I think our next move should be to go to the American Coven."
"Oh?"
"Yes. I mean -- there's nothing left for us here, except for Lycans. Which, I can guarantee you, would NOT be pleasant."
"You sound like your mind's made up." Michael remarked.
"Well, it's not." Selene snapped. "What do you think about it?"
"I really don't know too much about this whole thing. So I guess whatever you think is correct."
"Fine. We'll go to Ordoghaz first, then."
"Can I ask why?"
"I want to fly out to the American Coven; I don't really trust one of them flying us over there. Putting ourselves at the mercy of a pilot is not a good idea. So we need a helicopter. Which is fine, because I know where they're stored. But we need the keys."
"What makes you sure the keys will still be there? The place burned down, didn't it?"
"The keys are in a special safe in a little building behind Ordoghaz. I doubt Marcus took the time out to burn down the building, too. It wasn't even there when he was put into hibernation, anyway."
"Oh. So we're heading for Ordoghaz, now?"
"Yes. Oh, and Michael?"
"Yes?"
Selene hesitated before speaking. "I think the walls around my heart are coming down. You just have to give me a little time, okay?"
Michael smiled at her, and he seemed to glow with this tiny victory. He glowed like the sun.
Oh, sunrises will not be rare. Soon, a "sun" will rise in my heart, and the walls will fall. Selene thought to herself, as she and Michael left the safe house. She quickly added, But not just yet.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I'm still in a writing mood, and thus the birth of chapter two. I guess I just got inspired…
Anyway, thanks for reading!
KATEB819