Night and blood - Chapter 4

Andy woke up late startled by the sound of a car horn. She slept on the couch after being awake for hours disturbed by the vivid nightmare. She could remember running in the woods, being chased by a threat that she couldn't identify. She screamed for help, but nobody listened. She left the couch and stretched her body, her muscles cursing the restless night. She tried to remember once again what had happened. She knew there were people in the dream, she called for them, but she could no longer see their faces. She shook her head and prepared to confront her daily routine. She paid some bills and responded to emails. After that, she went to her favorite restaurant to meet her most faithful friend, Doug. He was already waiting for her and she found herself involved in an affectionate hug. They sat, ordered their food, and while waiting, Andy made an attempt to tell him about her dream. Doug listened attentively, with a concerned look on his face.

"You should see other doctors, there must be some medication you can take to treat it. This has to stop sweetheart, you have been suffering for what? Five years now? The dreams, they only get worse, can't you see?"

"I know, you are quite right, but I don't know what else can I do, I'm so tired… At least it didn't affect my job and that consoles me …"

Doug smiled and said: "Work is a really good way to escape, but I still believe that you could find better consolation in some beautiful woman's arms. I love you honey, but lately you've been acting strange, you look like, I don't know, a hermit, or something."

"Doug, could you please give me a break? I told you that I am not prepared to get along with anyone. It's too early for another relationship and these nightmares would scare any normal girlfriend."

Both laughed and Doug insisted. "Ok, you're right, but being alone does not mean having to stay at home the entire weekend, ok? I miss you, Lily misses you…look, let's go dancing tonight? I won't take no for an answer. I'll drag you along if I need to!"

Andy winced but smiled in agreement. "You're right, I need to spend some time with you guys and it won't hurt me dance a little…

"That's my girl! Pick you up at 9. "

Andy said goodbye to her friend, and went to the University. She worked on a few details of her report and attended meetings with her students. In the evening she went home, rested a bit and prepared to go to go out with Doug and Lily.

She lookedat herself in the mirror, choosing her clothes carefully. She had intended to find in her wardrobe the perfect outfit that could express "don't look at me and, by the way, if you do, I'm not available" She dressed in a black dress pulling her hair into a ponytail. Her doorbell rang and she opened her door to find Doug smiling in her doorway.

"You know what? You try hard, but you can't be less than gorgeous! Shall we?"

…

They met Lily seated at table near the dance floor. The house was full and Andy felt a little dazed around so many people.

It was the "girl's night" and she found herself surrounded by women flirting, dancing and having fun. In the company of Doug and Lily she finally felt safe to talk about her problems. She drank moderately and even had some fun, listening to Doug's hilarious tales.

After a while she was flooded by a strange feeling of being watched. She looked around, searching for anyone who could be observing her. Nevertheless, all the women around her seemed oblivious to her presence and her discomfort. She returned her attention to the table, but couldn't release the feeling. At some point Doug stood up and took her hand, pulling her to the dance floor. She loved to dance and allowed to be led by her friend. Doug was being wonderful because she knew that she was not a good company at all.

She suddenly notes a cute guy flirting with Doug and smiles. Andy knew it was a great effort not to flirt back and thanked her friend for the thoughtfulness. Close to his ear she says:

"Look, I appreciate what you're doing. Do not worry, you can dance with him, I'll get a drink okay? "

Doug smiled and replied, "None of that! Tonight is friend's night and I'll not leave you in the middle of the dance floor."

Andy hugged her friend and gave him an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

"You're the best friend in the world, but the last thing I need is you throwing back in my face that you lost a guy because of me! I'll get even more depressed. Don't worry, I'm not leaving, I'll just and buy a drink. "

Andy went into the bar, trying to move between bodies in motion. More than once she had to stop to refuse someone's flirtations. Two women took her by the hand, offering drinks. She thanked them all and continued until she reached her destination. At the bar she ordered a beer and leaned on the counter, simple watching the dance floor. She smiled for a moment, feeling the simple joy of the moment, of being surrounded by happiness. It was a strange feeling, so different from the sorrow that had become her second nature.

Suddenly she felt again, the latent feeling of being watched. She quickly scanned the crowd of bodies, trying to find the source of that strange energy. Just a few feet away a woman looks intensely at her.

…..

Miranda woke up early in the evening, leaving her refuge. Her thoughts were dominated by Andrea and she felt the urgent need to see the woman. She bathed and dressed in dark clothes that would give her better chances to hide in the dark. She was pale from the lack of blood and before heading to the girl's apartment she walked the streets looking for food. She wouldn't, under any circumstances, be around the young woman while hungry. She couldn't jeopardize Andrea's safety.

She feeds sparing their lives. To begin, she approaches a couple, drinking their vital essence, confusing them with her mental abilities. She enjoys the warm feeling of fresh blood in her veins and when she finishes she occults the bite marks with an old and efficient subterfuge. She uses a few drops of her own immortal blood, blessed with regenerate properties, to heal their parted skin, occulting any traces of the attack. She uses the same procedure to feed from other three victims that crossed her path and, feeling satiated, goes to the young woman's small apartment.

Hidden in the same balcony, she was determined to investigate the mystery, in order to find answers to so many tormenting questions. In the middle of the night, while watching the beautiful sleeping figure, she clearly heard herd the woman whispering her name. She was stunned and unable to formulate a coherent theory.

She saw a woman identical to Madeleine, who seemed to be plagued by nightmares that brought her lost memories. If she had not embraced the inert body of her beloved so many years ago, she would believe that somehow her Madeleine was still alive, living somehow in an immortal body. But the truth was that Madeleine was gone and that girl was nothing more than human, fully human.

Miranda felt anxious and could not wait to see her again. She intended to spend some time in her apartment, looking for possible explanations for that strange phenomenon. She would investigate the girl, understand her routine. She seemed to live alone. Miranda had not identified the smell of other people in the apartment, only the sweet scent of Andrea.

She could see the woman moving inside the bedroom and the sweet fragrance of modern feminine products. She distinguishes the fresh smell of soap and perfume, that combined with Andrea's scent made her almost irresistible. Miranda was happy with her decision to feed before meeting her again, avoiding the temptation offered by her blood. The desire she felt for the young woman was almost uncontrollable, although she knew, deep inside, that she would never hurt her, despite the circumstances.

She observed Andrea as she dressed, wondering where she would go. She knew she should investigate the house, but decided to do it later. Now she would just follow and protect that beauty.

Andrea left with a young men and Miranda followed them to a nightclub. The vampire entered the establishment, realizing that she was surrounded mostly by women. She saw humans dancing and talking, the strong sense ofwarmth and the feel of their bodies moving in the rhythm of electronic music. She was suddenly jealous thinking that Andrea might feel attracted to these women and that she could be looking for company. Miranda's eyes adapted quickly to the dim light and she found the young woman at a table across the dance floor.

Miranda found a corner near the bar counter to watch without being seen. Her supernatural beauty always attracts humans of both genders and she had to refuse gracefully a few invitations to drink and dance. Her desire for blood was stronger in a place so crowded with people and she had to keep a firm will to resist to the fragile human flesh. Tuning her attention to Andrea, she watches her movements and as time passes she gets more convinced that the girl was related to Madeleine. The gestures, the shake of her head, her smile...everything, absolutely everything reminded her of Madeleine. Miranda was fascinated, unable to divert her gaze. Twice Andy turned toward her, as if sensing her, but Miranda managed to hide quickly, before being seen. After a while, one of her friends got up leading Andrea to the dance floor. Miranda smiles as Andrea dances and laughs, thinking how wonderful would be if she could approach and flirt with the girl. She wondered if the girl would refuse her offer as she had avoided so many women that tried to talk to her.

Miranda orders a drink, trying to appear more human. Turning again to the dance floor she is startled, realizing that she lost sight of the girl. Her friend was dancing with a young man and Andrea was nowhere to be found. She searched frantically trying to find her and was surprised to see that Andrea was only a few feet away, leaning in the counter. Their eyes met, and Miranda was not prepared for the flood of emotions invading her as she saw those eyes again after two centuries.

...

Andy looked at that pale face, framed by silver hair. For a moment Andy forgot to breathe and felt a deep pain in her chest, an ache of recognition. She was the woman of her dreams. The poor lighting of the club prevents her seeing the color of the woman's eyes, but she knew by intuition they were blue. The woman looked at her intently, as if she was too, dumbfounded. Without thinking about anything Andy began to move towards her. The woman stood motionless, watching her faltering steps. She stops a few inches away from the stranger, who stood motionless. They stared intensely and Andy felt a tear roll down her face. Before Andrea could say anything a movement behind pushed her body abruptly forward. Without thinking, Miranda took the young woman in her arms.

Nothing had prepared her for the effects of that simple gesture. Her entire body reacted to Andrea, from head to toe. There was no doubt Madeleine was again in her arms. Their eyes met and she was frozen as she felt the soft hand of the girl touch her cheek tenderly. Miranda heard the angel in her arms says. "You're here and you're real."

TBC