A/N: and it's been like a year since I've posted a new chapter...and I'm sure everyone who 'was' following the story is either pissed or has completely forgotten about it by now lol. I apologize If that's the case, and for the lack of updates. But this is kind of a practice story anyways...regardless, to those who are reading I hope you enjoy this 4th installment to Dämmerung and...yea.
"Hello Alice." she paused, her eyes soft, but hesitant as well. "Would it be alright if we went for a walk?"
The sun was setting in the distance as they circled around the cafeteria, following the stone path into the courtyard that resided between the East and West wards. Vivian could make out the intricate details of the trees from across the yard, smell the faint breeze that traveled up from the coast some hundred miles away. The serenity of the whole thing was a complete contradiction to how she was feeling at the moment.
She glanced down slightly in Alice's direction, noting the lingering tear stains on her lightly flushed cheeks. 2 weeks she had been in the asylum, and already she was catching the attention of more than one monster...
"Vivian, one of the patients in East ward seems to think there is someone lurking around the vicinity." Evan spoke calmly as if it were a common occurrence. It probably was given that most of the patients were extremely prone to paranoia. "Should I alert the authorities, or just make a couple rounds to check if this 'someone' is really even a someone." She said knowing full well that he would simply have her check the grounds. As she predicted " Just take a look. It's most likely nothing, but I told him I would have someone check it out. You weren't busy were you? I could have Anthony check it out if you have other pressing matters..." She quickly shook her head, not particularly anxious to get back to Alice and have to endure her acute observational skills. She would have to think about how to play off her slip-up later. Right now this was the perfect excuse to put it off. That girl was gonna be the death of her.
If only she had Alice's insight, she might know how closely her thoughts touched on the truth...
"No nothing...pressing. Just checking on a patient. I'll get on it right away." before she could leave Evan smiled knowingly.
"Alice, right?" he asked with just a hint of amusement in his voice "You've become quite attached to her, haven't you?" She gave him her full attention now, as his face and voice took on a resigned tone. "You know how dangerous that is Vivian. I know it's hard to keep things impersonal all the time but...I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment, heartache if it keeps going the way it is. She's here for a reason."
"I know the dangers Doctor." More than you will ever know. she thought somberly. "I should check on that uninvited visitor I think." He only nodded in understanding as she silently left the room. "Don't go getting yourself hurt Vivian..." She was already down the hall when he spoke those words, but heard them regardless, and replied to no one but herself in turn. "It's not me you should be worried about."
vampire. That was Vivians first thought as she scouted the area just outside the East ward, closer to the trees. And she wasn't speaking of herself. There was another in the area that she had failed to notice before, so wrapped up in her Alice. Her Alice? Since when was the pixie-like girl hers? Shaking the thoughts she scanned the area once more. He had been frequenting this part of the property the last 3 or 4 days judging by his still lingering scent. She followed the invisible trail as it got closer and closer to the building, growling protectively when she found the area that his scent was strongest at. Just outside of Alice's bedroom window. Pure rage coursed through her at the thought of another vampire being so near to the girl she had come to care for so much in such a short time. The air practically vibrated with the poorly constrained fury that she was experiencing at that moment. This was a fury like she hadn't felt in over 200 years. And as the images of possible ways to destroy this vampire flashed before her minds eye she relished it. She would unleash it on him, Just like she had on the one who killed her family and made her what she was. She would destroy him, and any others who dared to threaten Alice. Her lips pulled back into a snarl as she twisted around, inhumanly fast in her attempt to track the one who could destroy all that she held sacred to her un-beating heart. It was a shame that her gift was not one of destruction she thought as she glided through the forest, following the scent that became like a fuel to her rage, driving her further and further towards the death of this one man. If he could even be called a man now...
Alice's sigh brought Vivian out of her reverie. She took this as her cue to begin the conversation.
"Alice, I...want to apologize for my behavior before, and for my absence the past week." She started as they stopped near a bench that faced the center of the courtyard. She sat and motioned for Alice to follow. She did, then tugged at a strand of hair behind her ear. Vivian recognized this action as one of nervousness from the smaller girl. "There's no need to apologize Vivian. I understand you have a life outside of working hear with us crazy folk." she smiled nervously up at Vivian. Vivian however, didn't smile back. Her honey colored eyes bore into Alice so deeply the younger girl felt she could see right into her soul. She wanted to look away but she couldn't.
"Alice." Vivians voice rang throughout the now tense air. Her expression softened as Alice seemed to shrink back at the seriousness in her tone. Finally Alice looked away. She obviously upset Vivian with something she said. "sorry..." she whispered "I didn't mean-"
It was Vivians turn to sigh this time. "Alice," she repeated in a much softer voice. When the smaller girl failed to look at her, she lifted her hand to the other girls cheek and gently guided her face so that she was now looking at her once more. " You are not crazy. " she said with so much sincerity that Alice couldn't contain the tear that slipped down her cheek, caught midway by Vivian, who tenderly wiped it away. Alice didn't know why hearing that out loud from someone else effected her so deeply so suddenly, but it did. And she believed Vivian. There wasn't a trace of doubt in her velvety voice. Only certainty. Vivian wanted so badly to make her know that what she said, she meant. But she couldn't think of a more appropriate way to show her that she was sincere.
"You believe that." Alice stated, which surprised Vivian. She would have expected her to question it.
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't." She said with a small smile. Alice smiled brightly in turn, then as her bubbly self again she lunged at Vivian with what would have been a bone crushing hug. Okay maybe not bone crushing considering her size. She lingered there, unwilling to pull away, especially when Vivian wrapped her cold arms around her waist to return the hug. She sighed in contentment then lay her head on Vivians shoulder, her breath hot against Vivians neck. " I believe you." The pixie said softly into her neck.
Vivian allowed herself to relax in the dark haired girls embrace, forgetting for the moment that anything was wrong. That she never found the other vampire after searching for nearly a week. That she was a monster and Alice, this pure and beautiful human girl, trusted her completely...one thing she couldn't forget though, and she was done denying it. She was falling in love with her. And that was quite possibly the most dangerous of all.