Here's another chapter! Don't forget to Read and Review!
A/N: I don't own True Blood.
E.V.E.L.Y.N.
The old red truck came to a halt outside of a family owned motel named Winston's, it reminded me more of a bar's name than a motel but it wasn't my place voice that particular opinion. The place was located in a rural area halfway between Bon Temps and Shreveport. Its exterior was simple with faded red brick and rooms that jutted out on both sides of the single story building. Inside there was an elderly woman, possibly in her late sixties, smoking a cigarette between her red painted claws. She coughed heavily when we walked through the motel entrance. I smiled at her which she returned with a hot pinked grin of her own.
"Need a room, honey?" She asked scratching a spot on her grey head.
"Yes, ma'am." I replied then asked, "Do you have a room with two beds?" The last thing I wanted was to sleep in the same bed as Eli. The day was long and we were exhausted, there was no way we were comfortable enough with each other to sleep in the same bed.
"It cost a bit more. Is it just the two of yas?" She asked while coughing up her lungs, sending puffs of smoke into my face. My body flinched as I tried to hide my irritation.
"Yes, ma'am, I can pay the extra money." I nodded confirming that there was enough for the room. Eli would just have to deal with eating cheap foods until The Agency sent us money. The woman went to object when the door to the motel opened. A young man walked in with dark shades and sharp features. He watched us closely as he made his way to the counter. Eli stiffened beside me causing me to give him a curious glance. Then I felt what he must have sensed, the young man was a vampire. The air around him was still as if nature was warning us about the predator. It surprised me that Eli noticed the being first, especially from such a large distance.
"I need a room." He told the old woman ignoring us completely. My eyes shot to him in surprise, was he really that rude. I rolled my eyes looking at the old woman and clearing my throat.
"As I was saying; need a room with two beds." My voice was stern. The young vampire turned to me lowering his shades to get a better look at me. I stood proud not fazed by his piercing glare; I'd killed vamps triple his age. Well, I guess he was young from the main stream apparel.
"Little lady," He paused giving my body a once over, "I've never seen you around before." I ignored his attempt to gain my full attention. All I wanted was a bath and a bed all to myself, no a confrontation with anyone. Eli, however, peeked around me to glare at the vamp. This made him laugh then lean against the counter in a flirtatious manner, eyes lit with amusement and hunger. I huffed becoming frustrated, why wouldn't the old woman just give me my damn room with two beds?
"Ma'am?" I asked getting her attention back to me, "How much is the room?" The old woman looked from me to the young man and rested her eyes on Eli. A smirk graced her face after she took a particularly long drag from her cigarette.
"Where's his Father?" She asked evading the question and watching knowingly as I tensed. My composure was slipping, in just a few moments there would be clots of white hair all over the dirty linoleum floor.
"That doesn't really matter." I muttered reaching in my purse for my wallet ready to throw down a hundred and snatch a random room key.
"Hmm, we're busy tonight and don't have a room with two beds but you can take a suite no extra charge." She stopped with another cough before giving a devilish grin. My jaw clenched as I yanked out my wallet. The old woman lazily clicked her fingers over a dusty key board, smile never leaving her face. "Why isn't that strange?" She looked up to the young man who was still leaning on the counter. "There are only two rooms available and right next to each other at that!" We were the only people at the hotel and she knew it. All of the rooms were vacant but the woman didn't realize the man was a vampire so she tried to set us up. I didn't like my role anymore, people were starting to interfere.
"Fine, I'll take it." I snapped scribbling on the sing in sheet, then thrusting a fifty into the woman's hand. Grabbing Eli's arm I spun on my heel and marched out of the building, forgetting to grab the room key.
Moments later the young vampire rushed after me keeping his true nature hidden. If he really wanted he could have vanished and appeared in front of me. I wondered why he hadn't; it wasn't like vampires were becoming a fad.
"Hey, you forgot this!" He called as if out of breath. Once he reached us he held out the keys with a goofy grin. I took the keys careful not to make any skin contact and began walking again. He began walking behind me acting as if he was struggling to match the strides.
"So what's your name?" He asked in an awkward fashion we walked to the room. Eli gave me a quick glance then let go of my hand running a head. I could have choked him; the kid did that on purpose, enjoying my discomfort.
"Can you just leave me alone?" My eyes never met his as I quickened my pace, if that were even possible without running.
"Look, I just want to know your name, what can that hurt?" He laughed tightly. I was beginning to irritate him; it was easy to hear it in his voice.
"Evelyn." I told him in an agitated huff. "Is that all?" He flinched at my cold tone but I wasn't finished yet. What I did next was very reckless and something that was going to start trouble. "Or are you so intoxicated by my smell that you are going to try and follow me into my room. For heaven's sake I'm a hard working single mother and wish to stay that way. Go have your fun elsewhere." Finally reaching the door to our temporary home, I almost jumped with joy.
"You should watch what you say, human." The way he said the word held a heavy threat. I smirked taking a bold step closer to him staring into those cheap sunglasses. Eli ran back to us standing beside me with his fingers lacing with mine.
"I'm not afraid of you, little vampire." My voice held just as much of a threat. The young vampire went stiff, his body showing its true nature before he let a fang laced smile fall across his lips.
"I like you." His body withdrew from my space then he said, "Good night, Evelyn." I let out a breath I didn't know was being held. Eli looked up at me with an annoyed expression. I'd created another obstacle to our mission, that vampire was not going to stop his pursuit.
The inside of our motel room was simple and extremely small for a honeymoon suite. There was nothing romantic about the room what so ever. The bed had bright yellow floral sheets and it was positioned almost directly in front of the entrance. There wasn't a dresser in the room but a small cubby stood on the opposite end of the bed. A small television hung on the wall over the cubby. Further back stood a desk with a coffee maker on top and phone book. Across from the table was a small bathroom with its black and white checkered tile and matching stand up shower.
Eli stood in front of the television, annoyance still etched into his features. I watched him shift uneasily on the balls of his feet then stare up at me with fierce blue eyes. "Did you have to make a mess? Now we're going to have another problem!" He didn't raise his voice but I could tell Eli wanted to. I suppressed a grin, who knew I'd be the one getting scolded.
"He isn't going to be a problem. The vampire is only a few years old I can tell by how he approached me." I said honestly. The young vampire was much more open, meaning he was from this century. Older vampires seem to have a formal aura. They are the type of people that feel as if you've meet them before or they have an unnatural amount of wisdom especially for someone who appears to be twenty years old.
"He will be listening to everything we do." Eli sighed, brows knit together in frustration.
"So, let him listen. There's nothing he can and I am not elite because of my looks." I turned from him with a huff. Was I seriously letting a five year old get me upset? A thought crossed my and I voiced it in a teasing tone, "If you're that concerned, I could terminate the creature."
The sharp expression on Eli's face made me laugh. His eyes darkened into anger and before I knew it he was in the bathroom slamming the door. I sighed heavily, disappointed in today's events. Plopping on the bed I reached for the remote control and turned it on, not paying any attention to the program but happy for the white noise.
Something in me had changed, I realized this as I listened to the shower water run. Usually whenever I worked with someone (which wasn't very often) I didn't communicate with them unless it was necessary. I was actually trying to understand Eli or at least make him comfortable around me, I was his mother after all. Weren't mother's supposed to have some kind of natural bond with their children? I shook the thought out of my mind. Yes, I was his mother but we weren't humans, our purpose was to only serve as protectors to the human race. We were their only hope if the vampires ever created an uprising. We were not created for anything other than taking orders from our creator. I wouldn't allow a foreign emotion to hinder my performance; this was a mission not an opportunity to rekindle severed bonds. Even if we never had any to begin with.
Fifteen minutes passed when Eli came out of the bathroom. My eyes watched him pad across the floor, leaving wet prints behind him. Eli stood beside wrapped in a white towel, staring at me darkly. I rolled my eyes guessing it was privacy he wanted. A smirk crossed my lips, what did a five year old have to hide. It wasn't like we had never bathed together; in fact everyone had seen one another naked at some point in time. In fact the bathing facilities were coed, which only added to my amusement.
"You're acting has improved." I told him ignoring his heated expression and need for solitude. He was going to have to get used to me being around so might as well start now. "I remember when you started training," I laughed imagining his little face scrunched up in frustration. "You couldn't keep a single expression hidden. We read you like a book!"
"I'm sorry we can't all be as perfect as you, Mother." The ice in his voice immediately caught my attention.
"I'm not perfect." I told him firmly, "If anything I get even more pressure than you or any other assassin." He didn't know what I had been forced to do. How many innocent lives had I taken, just because of an order? How many times had I given my body to someone who never truly appreciated it? He would never know.
"Hmph, in Dr. Hill's eyes, there is no one better than you." He mumbled with hatred. I knew then why he resented me so much. Eli was defiantly a child, he didn't realize they way Dr. Hill praised me was for lusty reasons. I was recognized because of Hill's obsession with me, only after I became elite did I have to truly work at our shared talent. It wasn't an easy task either every situation I faced could have killed me in those days. Elite training is excessive.
"You shouldn't talk about things you don't understand." I turned away from him, no longer interested in the discussion.
"Why don't you explain then?" He challenged, "Mothers are their children's teachers' right? I should be striving to be more like you." His lip twitched at my discomfort. If he had known how badly that comment hurt, I wondered if there would have been regret.
"2001, as a superior I restrict you from discussing this subject any further." I turned to face him my face void of all emotions. "Is that understood?"
"Ma'am." Those were the last words he said for the rest of the evening.
The next morning we prepared for the work day in silence. I could tell Eli was still upset about the night before but he wasn't old enough to hear of his conception and I wasn't ready to tell him.
We reached the restaurant around three that evening. It wasn't opening until five for the dinner crowd and it was our job to make sure it was ready for the evening staff. Waiting for us was a young blonde woman, she held a bright gap toothed smile and had a habit of cocking her head to the side as if she was confused.
"I'm Sookie Stackhouse, welcome to Bontemps. Sam wanted me to help ya'll fit in around here." She said in a loud southern accent. Her brown eyes studied us with a hidden expression. It seemed like she was looking for something but I had no idea what it was. Something about her didn't feel right, yes, she seemed nice and harmless even pleasant but I didn't trust her.
"You must be Eli, it's nice to meet ya!" She bent down to Eli's level and extended her hand, his eyes flew up to my face waiting for the okay. I hadn't seen her past and I didn't want him to feel the pain she might unleash. I pretended to soothe him by ruffling his blonde curls, sending him the image of a shy little girl. He hid behind me rubbing his face in my lower back, playing the part perfectly.
"He's shy around new people." I told her with a soft smile on my lips. Sookie straighten and shook hands with me releasing all her memories. The pain that flitted though me was harsh but nothing I couldn't handle. Sookie had an interesting past and she wasn't completely human. I had met a few of the Fae, the appeared to be beautiful but were often rather nasty creatures. The Agency had no interest in them so neither did I.
That expression from earlier was on Sookie's face but this time it was more open. I could tell she was about to voice her concerns. "This may sound weird but what are you?" My heart was racing then, the other Fae couldn't sense that we were different, how could she.
"W-What do you mean? I'm just a woman trying to get by in life, same as you." I tried hoping she would dismiss all of her suspicions.
"I can't ya'll. It's like ya'll ain't thinkin' or something." She whispered as if it weren't only us.
"What are you implying?" I needed for her to say it. I'd seen her memories so it was evident that she was a telepath. All her life the poor woman had been plagued with other people's thoughts. Eli and I knew how she felt but it was a blessing that we didn't have to constantly hear them.
"I'm a telepath but I can't read vampires and apparently you. Do you have any powers?" The question hung in the air. I wasn't sure how to handle this situation. While hesitating I felt this pressure on my skull as if something was pressing on it. I began to hear Sookie's thoughts intrude into my min bouncing through my skull as if they were trying to escape. In an instant the pressure intensified it was unlike any pain I had ever experienced, I felt like my head was being crushed. The pain brought me to my knees and a wail escaped from my lips. I needed for her to stop; I need the silence to escape the intrusion.
"Stop it! Please stop, Sookie!" I begged. As quickly as it came, the pain lifted and Sookie stared at me in horror. Once realization set in, the young woman went to help me up but was stopped by Eli.
"Don't touch her, it only makes it worse!" His words fell on deaf ears as she rushed to my side, her hand clasping my shoulders trying to bring comfort but failing. "I'm so sorry! What happened? Are you alright?" Another wave of pain took over my body causing me to tremble. I wasn't prepared for another onslaught of memories.
"Just get away from me, please!" I began to straighten up brushing her hands away roughly. If there was any chance of us being "friends" I shot down that option. We were going to avoid this woman, she was a danger to us.
"We need to talk about this, what are y'all?" Sookie pressed thinning my patience. All I wanted to do was get away from her. I found out she was telepathic nothing else was of concern. Though I was afraid of her, afraid of what she could do to my kind if she truly wished.
"We don't need to discuss anything," My voice was laced with venom. "Ms. Stackhouse, you may not mind blurting out all of your personal business but I do. I have worked to damned hard trying to protect my family to let some nosey small town ditz ruin our lives." Sookie's head cocked into a defensive position. "I'm not trying to be harsh but please forget tonight's events for the safety of my child." Her expression was solemn, she understood why I needed to keep this hidden.
"Okay, I know you don't want Eli being treated any differently. If you ever wanna talk, let me know." She didn't need to worry about that it was never going to happen.
"So, where's the supply closet?" I changed the subject in a tone that automatically ended any thoughts of the previous discussion. We actually had work to do and Sam needed to be impressed for my plan to work. I needed information about Fangtasia and any vampires in the area. Hopefully with that we could befriend one of them and continue up the totem pole. I had thought about the young male at the motel but it was too risky. I needed someone who didn't see me as prey, a vampire like him was too difficult to manipulate. He would always be suspicious or question my every action especially if I submit to his affections to soon.
Sookie and I cleaned in separate rooms once she showed me what needed to be done. While we cleaned, Eli explored the building working on his own assignment. Later on, I decided I would ask him if it pertained, Sam Merlotte.
Sam entered the bar just as I had put away the cleaning supplies. "Wow," He exclaimed, "I've never seen the place sparkle like this." He glanced at his watch then met my face with a shocked expression. "You did all this a hour!?" I shrugged, it wasn't hard work I'd definitely cleaned up worse messes.
"Well, I guess you could help, waitress or cook if you don't mind?" I smiled at that, it seemed like the appropriate response. He turned to go to his office after giving Eli a pat on the head.
"Sam," I called catching up to him in quick strides, "If it gets busy tonight could Eli stay in your office?" Sam was hesitant but agreed. If the kid's assignment was on Sam, I'd at least help him get started.
Around six other workers started to come in, first was Arlene, the waitress I'd already met. She seemed rather happy to see me, or maybe she was just in a good mood. After her a young woman named Amy came in. She was the average 22 year old tree hugging girl. She had long brunette hair that was pushed back with a colorful scarf. Her large brown eyes showed her age and that she was currently high of off some drug.
Dawn and Lafayette arrived at the same time both bickering at one another with various curses. Dawn wasn't the type of woman that I'd associate with but I always seemed to play a part similar to hers. She had fiery red hair and flawless make on her face. She didn't give me a single glance but made sure to give all of her male customers her full attention. Lafayette intrigued me; in all of my travels I had never met a man like him. It was obvious that his sexual preference was those of the same sex, which was fine with me and none of my business. He was a tall muscular African American man, with dark skin and masculine features. He wore make up or a brightly colored scarf with to add style to the boring green and white uniform. I later met Tara, his cousin, her attitude wasn't pleasant but I enjoyed her company. Tara was a small woman with black shoulder length braided hair. She had dark skin and very soft features but that. Out of everyone I'd met so far she seemed to be the most intelligent in the small town, but her mouth ruined that feature one to many times.
As the night went on more customers stopped in giving us a long rush. One in particular local caught my attention. He was a middle age Caucasian man with dark hair and hard features. The man strode into the bar, taking a seat in the far corner. I watched Sookie bounce to and from his table with a wide grin. Replaying her memories in my mind I knew exactly who and what he was. Bill Compton was Sookie's vampire boyfriend. Even from a distance I didn't trust him, his smile rubbed me raw and he watched Sookie much too closely.
"My dogs are barkin'. Sam, when do I get my break? I need to check on my kids!" Arlene hollered as she walked into the kitchen where I had been chatting with the strange cook, Terry. He didn't seem like a bad guy, he had greying brown hair and soft masculine features. Terry was a rather attractive man with his strong build and fatherly aura. I saw his past and the poor man had many troubles. He believed he was cursed when serving time in the military, I didn't necessarily believe that assumption but the memory was slowly persuading the more I thought about it.
"After the rush is over you ca-"Sam started but Arlene talked over him.
"Aw, Sam come on! Sookie has been out there caterin' to one table. And we all know your only lettin' her do that so she will see how nice you are and fall for you." She said in a quick huff then added, "While y'all are flirtin' I'm needin' to call my kids!" I faced the two overhearing the conversation. "You take a break Arlene, I'll take your tables." I shrugged it was really no problem. She was obviously worried about her children and she was being to become someone I enjoyed being around.
"Are you sure?" Arlene was followed by Sam's, "I don't think so."
"Really it's fine." I smiled again because it seemed to reassure them. Sam argued a bit further before giving up an letting me take her tables. By the end of her break everyone stood by impressed, well everyone one except for Tara and Dawn.
"How on Earth is she carrying all those trays?" Amy whispered to Sam as they watched me distribute five different tables their food in one trip. "Aren't you tired?" Amy asked when I walked to the bar making a tonic for someone.
"No, should I be?" I asked honestly making her laugh.
"Um yeah! You've been here for like 9 hours!" I blinked not seeing her point. This work was easy and even though I wouldn't have admitted, it was also kind of entertaining.
The bar closed around 2am. All of the staff cleaned for the morning crew. Eli had fallen asleep in Sam's office chair. There were documents spread out on the table that Sam must have forgotten to put away. Sam stood in the doorway watching as I picked Eli up kissing his forehead. That again was impulsive as if my peck could somehow give him safe dreams or something.
"Thank you for your hard work. You've impressed us all." Sam smiled as we walked through the empty restaurant. Eli tightened his arms around my neck in his sleep.
Sam walked us out to the parking lot and smiled as I reached the old red truck. From the moment I stepped outside it felt like someone was watching. Sam sniffed the air then sneezed almost causing me to drop Eli from being startled. He apologized softly then opened the door which groaned in protest. I slowly placed Eli in the seat praying that he wouldn't wake up. The child hadn't had proper sleep in a few days, he needed to catch up.
I walked over to the driver's side going the long way around so I could try to find the eyes that were watching. Sam followed behind me the entire time with a forced smile on his lips. I wondered if he knew who was watching.
"Well, Goodnight, Sam." I said before opening the door and climbing in. Before I could shut the door Sam cleared his voice and said, "The renovation isn't going to take as long as I thought." I waited for him to continue but when he didn't I asked, "When is it going to be done?"
"I'm thinking in a few weeks. When you come in tomorrow I'll have more information for you." Why would he tell me something that could have waited especially if he wasn't even certain? He must have been stalling.
"Okay, I'll see you then, Sam." I nodded smiling, it was forced but I was smiling.
"Goodnight, Evelyn and be safe." He waved as we pulled off.
Hope someone liked it! :)