Authors Notes: Fixed a lot of my spelling errors in the last chapter that I caught while re-reading it. Glad to hear that everyone had enjoyed it, despite it being a slow chapter. Sadly, I this chapter is going to be another slow one, but it will start the ball rolling towards the more dramatic scenes. But first a few shout outs.
Flamechild1998 - You know, you're the first one to guess that the vampire is Valtor. Interesting choice. We shall see if you are correct in a future chapter.
KakaSaku Chan - Icy as the vampire? Maybe. But I think that would be a little too obvious.
MorganRocks236 - Glad you enjoyed the story thus far.
Well, shout outs are out of the way, on with the story!
Note: Made some changes to the ending of this chapter. Wasn't entirely happy with it after re-reading it after it was posted. Hope everyone likes the newer ending.
Crimson Flame
Chapter 3
Two Weeks Later
It had been just over two weeks since classes in Alfea started once again. Each of the students preparing for a busy school year of studies, pop quiz's, and tests. Except the Winx Club girls who were preparing to face what ever darkness would threaten their school and homes.
True to Faragondas word, she delivered the potion for Bloom the day after the young fairy confided in the headmistress. The potions helped considerably. After the first day, she didn't have to worry about her hunger for the most part, though the desire was still there and a morbid curiosity as to what blood would taste like to her. She quickly shook that thought out of her head.
For the most part, she kept to herself. Even though she had been taking the potion every day, she still didn't trust herself around other people for long periods of time. The potion only sated her hunger, not her desire. She knew that she would have to tell them, the guilt was already starting to eat at her. Her main concern of course was how her friends were going to take the news. As the Headmistress had already pointed out, nearly all the magical realms hated vampires.
Bloom continued to walk along the campus of the school. Reaching a large tree at the edge of the school campus. Gazing out across the small meadow that lead into the forest. Closing her eyes, she tried to listen to the songs of the birds in the area. However, for the past few weeks she couldn't hear them like she could when she first awoke after her change on earth.
Opening her eyes, she let out a soft sigh. She didn't know why she couldn't use her other abilities her. Perhaps it was something with the magic in the school. Shaking the thoughts away from her head, she began to focus on how she was going to tell her friends and her boyfriend.
"Are you alright?" Flora asked, snapping Bloom out of her thoughts and causing her to jump. This of course caused Flora to giggle a little.
"Flora!" Bloom exclaimed. "Sorry, I didn't hear you sneak up on me."
"You seem like your lost in thought, is something wrong?"
Bloom hesitated for a second before continuing. "No, nothing."
"Bloom, you're lying." Flora accused.
At this Bloom let out a heavy sigh as she sat down next to the tree. If Flora didn't believe her, she knew the others wouldn't. As she sat down, she brought her knees up to her chest hugging them with her arms. This in turned motion Flora to sit down next to her.
"Look Bloom." Flora began. "What ever it is, I will stay by your side. No matter what."
This reassured the young fire fairy.
"Thanks Flora." She smiled. "But I need to wait until everyone is here. I have something to tell everyone."
The nature fairy nodded and stood up, extending her hand to help Bloom up. Reluctantly Bloom accepted it and stood up along with her friend. She was grateful that Flora said that no matter what it was she would still be with her. However, she had learned a long time ago that what someone says now can mean something entirely different later.
"The other girls and Sky are in the dorm room." Flora said. "I came out here looking for you because they were worried."
Bloom didn't saying anything at first. Only nodding in reply. It seemed like it was do or die now. She had to tell them. Had to get it over with. She wasn't sure if her conscience could take anymore of the secrecy.
The two slowly made their way to the dorms where the rest of the group was waiting for them. Bloom was a bundle of nerves right now. She knew that Faragonda had advised her to wait as long as possible before telling them, but she just couldn't wait any longer. They had to know.
"Bloom!" Musa exclaimed as the fire and nature fairy entered the room. Flora closed the door behind them so that they could have some privacy. Knowing that what ever Bloom wanted to tell everyone had to be serious.
"Where have you been?" Tecna asked a little concerned. "It's like you be avoiding us ever since school started."
"Sorry." Bloom apologized. "I just had a lot on my mind."
This wasn't a complete lie.
"I have something I really need to tell you guys." She started. "But I don't know how to start."
"In that case, just tell us." Stella smiled as she brought Bloom in for a hug.
Bloom closed her eyes, took a deep breath and said. "I'm a vampire."
Shock washed over the room. Immediately Stella jumped away from Bloom and joined the other girls who seemed to be inching towards the door. It was then that Layla started laughing. This caused the other girls to look at her questionably.
"She's joking guys." she pointed out. The other girls relaxed a little, looking at Bloom expecting her to say 'Gotcha!'
However, that didn't happen. Bloom stood there and shook her head.
"How did this happen Bloom?" Flora asked. She wanted to give Bloom to explain so that the others would understand how hard this is for the young fire fairy.
"Just two days before I was to return to Alfea, I took a walk in the park near my house." Bloom started, slowly sitting down on her bed. "And then, something came up behind me and attacked me. When I awoke, I was changed."
Tears began to stream down her face at the memory of what had transpired that night.
"Then you shouldn't have come back." Sky stated. Anger in his voice.
Bloom look up at her boyfriend in shock that he would say such a thing. Even Flora couldn't believe what he had said.
"Sky I…"
"He's right." Stella said, agreeing with the blonde prince. "You pose a danger to us all now."
More tears began to spill out of the red heads eyes. This was her worst fear. Her friends were abandoning her.
"Look maybe Faragonda can get you your own room." Layla put in. "Away from everyone else so you don't attack anyone."
"Guys this isn't fair." Flora said, becoming tired of how they were reacting. "You are not even trying to understand how hard this is for her. Sky, she is your girlfriend, you are the first that should be comforting her."
"Girlfriend?" Sky growled. "I will not have a monster taint the throne of my kingdom!"
Sky didn't wait for anymore to be said as he stormed out of the room. One by one the rest of the girls left the room until Stella turned at the door. By now Bloom had her face buried in her pillow as she cried.
"Come on Flora." Stella said. "We are going to go talk to Faragonda about getting her placed in another room so you don't…"
"No." Flora stated. "She is staying her with me."
Walking over she closed the door. Flora normally wasn't a very assertive person, but she was tired of the way they had all reacted to Bloom when she told them the truth. Moving over towards Bloom's bed she gently sat down and put a comforting hand on the young girls sobbing shoulders.
Three Days Later
After her confession Bloom had hardly any interactions with the rest of the girls. Not even showing up for classes. The only reason her grades weren't affected is because Flora would bring her class work and homework. The nature fairy simply explained that she was not feeling well and was resting in bed.
Even though it was never officially said, she knew her and Sky were over. She also knew that right now her only friends were Flora and Mrs. Faragonda. Though Flora had insisted that she could stay in the same room for her, Bloom decided to ask Faragonda for her own room. She really didn't need to give anymore ammo to the rest of the girls to attack her with.
That is where she was now. The room she was given was on the top floor of the school dorms, over looking the entire school grounds. She stood in front of the window looking down at her former friends all huddled together, laughing, and having a good time. It was then that she heard a knock on the door.
"It's open." She replied as she turned to greet her guest. Which was either Flora or Faragonda as they were the only two who even acknowledged her anymore.
"Ah Bloom." Faragonda smiled. "I borrowed this from Ms. Griffen. It should come in handy."
Bloom thanked the headmistress as she accepted the thick tome that the older woman was offering her. As she took it in her hands, she quickly opened it and browsed through the pages. Faragonda only frowned. She knew what the young fairy was looking for, and sadly she would not find it. A cure.
Not saying a word, the older woman left the young fairy alone to read the book she had just been given. While she may not of found a cure, she did come across some other interesting facts. Including a more accurate list of her weakness and such to avoid. Which wasn't as big as she had originally thought.
She could still eat garlic, cast a reflection in a mirror, and even swim in water. Silver of course would have no effect on her as that was a myth that got crossed with werewolves somehow. With this new information, she learned that she could at least have somewhat of a normal life.
Another very interesting fact she came across was that not all vampires could walk in sunlight. From what was written in the tome, only those called 'Ancients' could walk in the sun. This made Bloom wonder how she could walk in the sunlight. She knew she wasn't an ancient vampire, but perhaps the one who turned her was; and thus passed down their resistance to her.
Bloom continued to ponder this as she read. She had a feeling if she dug deep enough she would find the answer, no matter how disturbing they may be.
Additional Authors Notes: Now, I don't think all of her friends would turn on her like that if something like this were to happen. However, I can see Sky acting like that. His character has also struck me as a self righteous person.
Anyways, short chapter but covered some crucial parts that will lead up to things that are to come. As always, please leave a review!
