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Murgatroid98: Yup, yup, and yup. Though really, everything has an automatic prejudice against everything else. Sad.
Chapter Nine: Ignorance
There were some serious differences between me and Sookie Stackhouse. But, surprisingly, we both had one important thing in common: we were both almost irrationally loyal to our vampire counterparts.
Which is why, without any prompting whatsoever, I volunteered to play babysitter for Sook and Bill's young ward, and she agreed with me wholeheartedly.
Though, I suppose after listening to Bill and Eric argue for what seemed like forever, we'd pretty much agree on anything. The two were fighting about which one would be the hero, and chase down the vampires that weren't Jessica who were terrorizing Louisiana without a second thought, and who would get to stay behind and care for the stragglers (AKA, us) who weren't necessarily equipped for vampire/mortal combat.
It made more sense for Eric to go, but he didn't want to leave Sookie behind. And Bill wanted to leave to make sure the job was actually done to fruition, and not wiggled out of for Eric's own personal gain, but he also did not want to leave Sookie behind. And I'm guessing neither of them wanted to deal with Jessica, who was, much like me, going through sporadic bursts of tears and angry mutterings. It was a lot more pathetic coming from me though, considering I was not a teenager, nor in trouble.
No, I was just a bit… frazzled, after Sam got all pissy and decided to leave. And the more time that passed since he walked out of Eric's office, the angrier I got. What right did he have to stand there and tell me what I did was wrong, and that he hated what I did, and then flip-flop and tell me he loves me, and then fucking leave? He had no right. It was fucking stupid. It didn't help things, of course, that Bill and Sookie and Jessica just had to arrive then, when I was mid-cry, because I loathe crying more than anything else in the world. It's wet, and unattractive, and just plain annoying.
I know, it sounds like some lame, "I must never show emotion," shit. And it kind of is. As I'd been repeating to Eric prior to the Not-So-Holy Trinity's entrance, I was pretty fucked up.
But at least I knew that I was right, and Sam was the one with the problem. At least, that's what I decided. How I felt about him didn't matter anymore. I thought that by now, someone would be able to get over all of that racist bullshit and move the fuck on. It's a dangerous world, and if people like Sam keep on not trusting the already-outed Supes, we're all fucked.
So he can deal with his own problems. I was going to be fine, after awhile. And if I just kept telling myself that this crushing feeling was only temporary, and I will once again be able to function without Sam Merlotte, everything will be okay.
I wished I wasn't so invested in him. But he was such a welcome change of pace, in my crazy, crazy life. And it hurt, I guess, that he thought that way about me, like I wasn't to be trusted. I understood that I didn't have the most fantastic past, but if he really cared about me it shouldn't matter.
But I was so sick already of thinking about all of this, that after hearing Eric and Bill argue for the mere minutes they did so, I suddenly blurted out, "I'll stay with them, both of you go!"
Eric turned to look at me, "You're sure?"
"Of course I am," I said, grabbing my bag and motioning for everyone to leave the office, "Go. You don't have much time anyway."
I shut my eyes as I opened the office door; the music was suddenly so very loud and so very obnoxious that it made my head pound. I turned to look at everyone expectantly, pulling my hair up and untangling a curly strand before tying it all back, "What?"
Eric answered, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," I said, stopping, "No. Actually, I'm pissed. So, so fucking pissed. But, I will be fine." I waved forward, "You guys coming or what?"
"What happened?" Sookie asked, whispering, but not doing so effectively.
I turned, "I'll explain in the car."
"She was dumped," Eric said, walking past me and raising his eyebrows.
"Well," Sookie said, "Good for Sam."
Eric looked back at her, "Ouch," he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, "She is so insensitive."
"Hardy har har," I mumbled, shrugging his arm off of me, "As if you're Mr. Sensitivity."
"Of course," he smiled. It was a little weird, but I smiled too. "His loss, hm? I personally find you quite trustworthy."
I looked up at him, "Are you… Are you trying to make me feel better?" I laughed a little, "That's so sweet, Eric. But, your finding me trustworthy is our problem."
"I heard," he said, "You're not quiet." Fantastic. Possibly the entire bar heard our fight. Maybe even my irrational sobs. And my self-loathing quips of emotional pain. Fuck. Eric went on, musing, "I think he's jealous of our relationship."
"We don't have a relationship!" I said, shaking my head, "You need to go catch those rouge vampires, and I need to go order pizza."
"Yes, I suppose you're right," he said, "Try to be nice to Miss Stackhouse, hm?"
I laughed, "Make my night, Eric."
"For me, please," he grinned as he walked away, and waving Bill over, "Goodbye, Adelyn."
I walked over to my car, opening my door and unlocking the rest for the others. "Bye, Eric!" I said loudly, getting in my seat and rolling my eyes. Sookie sat next to me, and Jessica got in the back, pouting.
Sookie spoke first, "So… what happened?"
"Sam and I got in a fight."
"What about?" she asked, looking out the window as if she was only half-curious. Sneaky, sneaky, Stackhouse.
I pulled up to a red light, and rested my head against the wheel for just a second before looking back up, "Does it matter? It's good for him, isn't it?"
I glanced over at her, and she had frowned. "Well, excuse me for stating my honest opinion. Sam doesn't know how to handle a vampire like Eric, and you and Eric come together hand in hand."
"Not really," I said, even though I just told Sam that Eric and I were 'a package deal.' Well, I guess it depends on who I'm talking to, how close Eric and I are.
"Then what was all that?" she said, motioning to the bar, "It's like you two are friends or something."
I laughed, "I can't be friends with Eric? I don't see the big deal, you and I both know that he's not that bad. He's sneaky as hell, and he's an asshole, and he sees something in you," I shot her a glance, "But… there's a part of him that's decent. Everyone has that side to them, Sookie. And if Sam refuses to see that, he's just blind."
"Maybe he knows better than to even start lookin'," Sookie muttered, "It's not like you seem very beat up about it anyways."
I turned the car a bit sharply, without braking, and sent her flying to the left. Well, I was partially pleased that all the commotion meant she hadn't seen my erratic, teary state. On the other hand, I was pissed that the bitch could even say such a thing. "He actually stood there, and fucking reamed me for kissing Godric, of all people. And then told me he loved me, and got pissed 'cause I couldn't say it back. Because he hates that I work for Eric," I took a breath, "Which makes sense, I suppose, but this is what I do. It's my job. And I kinda like it. It's who I am, and if he doesn't like that, then he needs to reevaluate whether or not he likes me. I'm not going through this shit, and I'm most certainly not crying my stupid fucking eyes out like some idiot teenager just because my boyfriend's feelings are hurt."
"Jesus, Adelyn," Sookie said, "You kissed Godric?" Why is that always the part people get hung up on? It was a big deal to the drugged up me who partially believed I actually loved him, but that girl was also very young, very naïve, and slightly drunk. Now, probably due to the fact that it's been years since the Blood-Swap Attraction, and the fact that Godric was gone, it didn't seem like such a big deal.
I mean, we were both lonely, we were attracted to each other (well, I hope so) and we trusted each other. It was a moment of weakness that was erased almost as soon as it was written. It didn't need to have such heft to it. That didn't make sense.
"He kissed me," I snapped, "Not that it fucking matters. He's dead."
She was quiet, "I'm sorry."
"Thanks," I said, softer. I took a minute to compose myself, remembering that I must be nice this evening.
"Do you think I'm crazy?" I was starting to think it so. I didn't know whether to be angry or sad or just get over the whole thing. Maybe, deep down, I was just hoping that he'd come to his damn senses, and realize that he was so obviously wrong—and missing out on me, which couldn't do much for the guy.
He said he loved me, after all. I'd venture to think that if ya really loved someone, leaving them would suck. At least, that's what I've learned from TV and movies and a boatload of cheesy old love songs. I don't really think those are comparable here, though. Sam and I weren't really the a-typical relationship, so maybe we wouldn't have an a-typical ending.
There was this funny thing about saying that you actually loved someone. Some people just say it, like the words were as simple and uncomplicated as saying, "Hello." But, I didn't think they were. I'd never really seen rock-solid, true love, anyway. How many people actually have? What if something like love isn't even a possibility for me? I just don't see that sort of thing happening, and even if it were, I'd think that admitting something like that to another person would be a big deal.
And for Sam to just throw it out there like that, it scared me. And I hate being scared, so naturally, I got defensive, and my mind started racing, and as much as I wanted to tell Sam that I loved him too, I just couldn't do it.
But that's no reason to get all pissed off!
I understand that he's worried about me, I'd be worried too if I were in his shoes. But he could at least trust me enough to know that I know what the hell I'm doing.
It was all so frustrating! And as we entered Bon Temps, I took a long route in order to purposefully surpass that stupid bar, even though I doubted he'd even be there now.
"You're not crazy," Sookie didn't answer, but Jessica did, "Sounds like your guy's an asshole."
"Thank you," I said.
Sookie shook her head, "I can't believe Sam said all that."
"Well, think about it," I said, "Every fight you two have is about…"
"Bill, and missing work—"
"To be with Bill," I said, "The fact that he was crazy in love with you probably didn't help the whole hating-vamps thing. You wanna know what's even more fucked up?"
Sookie nodded, "Actually, yes, yes I do." A glance in the rearview mirror confirmed that Jessica was also nodding her head with interest. I looked over at Sookie real quick, and she looked like she was partially enjoying my little rant; I didn't know whether to be relieved or offended. I think I was a little bit of both.
"I can't stop thinking about how hot he was when he was so pissed off," I said, laughing a little embarrassedly. And that embarrassment funneled into a quick, sharp, and acidic, "But that could just be Eric hypnotizing me into such a feat, in order to use Sam for his oh-so special powers."
"Don't mock me," she said, frowning and crossing her legs, "It was a legitimate fear."
"Yeah, so is a bunny rabbit," I laughed, "If Eric wanted Sam, he had much, much easier and more sure-fire ways of gettin' to him."
"Like what, exactly?" she asked, with a tone that said I was full of shit.
"Usin' you," I said, "Would be one really easy one."
"Right," she said sarcastically.
I nodded, "Right. You know he already owes Eric a favor, don't ya?"
Sookie's head swiveled faster than a broken merry-go-round, and said sternly, enunciating each syllable, "What are you talking about?"
"Chill, Barbie," I said, "He went down to Fangtasia—with Arlene's kids, mind you—to ask about how to hack apart that little maenad problem. Eric went to the queen for him. How the hell did you think they knew each other?"
"I don't know, I guess I just figured that—"
"All supernatural beings do not know each other, Sookie. You should know that by now, since you can read minds."
"You are so rude," she said angrily, "And Sam thought we'd get along."
"He said the same thing to me. Though it turns out he doesn't know shit about me. Otherwise he wouldn't have fucking yelled at me like some psychopath!" I yelled that last part out the window; Sookie winced.
"You realize the more you whine about this, the worse you make it sound," Sookie muttered.
I laughed, "No shit. I don't think I've ever been this mad before," I was speeding, so, I hit the brake a bit roughly on the turn leading to Bill's place. "It's kind of nice. Invigorating."
"Can we please get out of the car now?" Jessica asked, "I'm feelin' less safe by the minute."
Instead of pointing out all that was technically wrong with her statement, I laughed again, "You're just sayin' that 'cause you don't know me." I hit the break hard, and shifted my truck into park, jerking open the door, "I'm Adelyn. Nice to meet you." I opened her door, taking a breath, "I'm sorry about all this, but you did kill a couple people. That's not so good."
"You don't seem worried," Jessica said, raising an eyebrow.
"Go ahead," I said, leaning my head to the side and exposing my neck, "You think you're in trouble now, just wait until I'm on your victims list."
"Touché,"She giggled a bit, walking towards the house.
I looked over at Sookie, who was looking at me like I'd just jumped in front of a train. I needed to calm down, I'll give her that. But, did she really think that Jessica would attack me? No. She was just against anything I did simply because I did it. Hell, and I keep saying she's narcissistic.
But, I could fix this.
"Just admit he was an ass to me, please," I said, walking towards the door, "And, you know what," I turned, "We'd actually agree on something. Maybe we could even be friends. God knows that'd make Sam happy." And, it wouldn't hurt Eric, either. Of course, she didn't need to hear that little tidbit.
Sookie smirked, "Knowing that I think he was an ass would make him happy?"
"Knowing that we can stand each other would," I said, "And it'd make this night easier. I'm offering a truce, Stackhouse. I already fight enough with Pam, anyway, and really, you aren't that bad." I walked inside, "This place creeps me out."
"Weird, considering you spend your nights—"
"With Lafayette?" I joked.
"In Fangtasia," she clarified, laughing a little. "And Bill's house is not creepy."
I turned, "It is, just a little." It was so dark in here, eerily so. The paper on the walls was all crinkled and withered with gaps in between, looking like someone went all stir-crazy with a kitchen knife. I knew it was age, but the thought of Bill going ape-shit on his living room walls made me smile involuntarily, like maybe I wasn't the only one around here slowly losing my sanity.
Actually, the whole house screamed crazy. Not for a vampire, I supposed, but if a regular person were living here, with the old smell of dust and the rough, splintery wood, well they'd probably change a little. Maybe with each little creak they'd start hearing the house whispering their name, and with each thunder of rain on that thin little roof they'll start hearing footsteps. And sooner or later, one night when everything's quiet, that empty, lonely quiet when one feels the lowliest solitude… they'll snap, and take out some nice old lady down the street.
It's kind of a shame, considering this place was probably pretty once. Freshly painted furniture, newly cleaned windows, they would look great with the sun streaming in through the window. Quaint. It'd be the perfect lil' country home, right down to the perfectly insignificant address of Bon Temps, Louisiana.
I walked away from Sookie in the living room, sitting on the stairs and examining the front door. I'd always half-way wondered, fleetingly, ya know, what it'd be like to never see the sun again. I guess once you have something like that every day you kinda take it all for granted. To not be able to remember what it felt like to have the sun tickle the back of your neck? Fucking crazy, that's what that is.
I whined a lot, but I had no reason to. It could be worse, and I had no one to blame for my problems but me. I'd been running away from my problems since day one, when my mom picked us up and pushed us outta town after town. No wonder I'm such a fuck-up. I could've not run away come my teens, could've stayed in school, graduated, went to college… It's not like I wasn't smart enough. And fuck, I could've just met a nice guy, settled down, and have been normal.
That'd mean no vampires, no adventure, no singing, no bars, no Sam.
But I kinda liked all the danger, and the fact that I was never going to know what was gonna happen next anymore. My life's not predictable. It's not slow. It's not boring. But, it's totally irresponsible, and will most likely be the death of me, literally.
And it almost feels like I'd been waiting around these last twenty-four years for Sam, and I had to go mess that up, too.
Even thinking about him made me angry. I huffed as soon as that last thought passed through my head, looking over to Jessica and Sookie to preoccupy myself.
"It's getting harder to stick up for you when you're out attacking people like some nutcase!" Sookie was saying sharply, waving her arm around to gain a more commanding attitude, like you see parents do on TV when scolding their child. I was expecting to hear Jess's middle name.
But instead, the girl shrieked, "I never asked you to stick up for me! You took that upon yourself. And you at least get to leave this place, I'm stuck here like a lab rat!"
"You are not! Bill lets you go see Hoyt—"
"Hoyt and I broke up, Sookie, months ago." She shook her head, "Bill doesn't even know that."
Ooooh. I felt my eyebrows raise as I stood and walked into the other room, "Don't you guys think that the grounding should happen when the boys get home? There are still killers wanderin' around outside, so I don't think now's the time to start battling it out."
"It's not like you actually give a shit," Jessica spouted, "I've never even met you before tonight."
"Well, I'm not someone you want to piss off," I growled, plopping myself on to Bill's couch and crossing my legs on the coffee table, "So shut your ass up and please help us all get through the night like civilized beings. I don't want to hate either of you, save that for Bill and Eric."
It was all quiet for a moment, because without discussing the apparently uncommon occurrence of a vampire drinking blood, it turns out the three of us have about nothing to chat about.
But, Jessica came to the rescue, "So, who's your boyfriend?"
Okay, strike that. Our hero happened to fall. "Nobody." I suddenly realized that I cared about who I was spurting my personal business out around. I wasn't really interested in letting some bratty kid into my life any more so than I already had. Which, looking back on it, was pretty damn far.
"Sam Merlotte," Sookie said, shooting me an apologetic glance afterwards, "She would've kept askin'."
"The guy who runs the bar?"
"You mean the one that's his last name?" I said, crossing my arms and looking at her patronizingly, "Good job, kid."
"Shut up," she said, "Him? Really?"
"Says the girl who dated Hoyt Fortenberry," Sookie muttered.
I laughed, "Thanks, Sook." Glancing back at Jess, "We have a lot in common."
"Like what?" she asked, skeptical.
"You mean besides the fact that we both turn into animals, or were you being sarcastic?" I wasn't liking Jessica. Of course, I was being slightly confrontational, but that had to be allowed. I had Sookie back on my side, well, we were getting along, so Eric can smile about that for now.
"I don't think she knew about Sam, Adelyn," Sookie said, standing and walking to the kitchen.
I laughed, "Geez. Shouldn't Bill have… debriefed her or something?"
"Did Eric debrief you?" she called from the kitchen, "You want something?"
"Well, no, he didn't," I said, thinking that it would be nice to have known of Sam's species prior to our meeting. "Sure."
She came back in and handed me a bottle of water, "They're shape-shifters."
"Shape-shifters?" Jessica asked, "Like… really?"
I nodded, "You don't believe me?"
"Of course I don't," she said, laughing, "That's fucking crazy."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, leaning back on the couch. "It is."
"You could show her!" Sookie said, "Sam showed me, so—"
I suddenly felt the water I was drinking catch in my throat, and I soon sputtered into a fit of coughs, "Showed you?"
"Well yeah," she said, "It was actually kind've an accident, he was sleeping with me—"
"What the fuck happens around here?" I said loudly, getting the feeling that I was never going to fully comprehend what goes on here, even if I never, ever leave.
"Don't get huffy," Sookie said, "He was a dog. And I had no idea he was Sam."
"I'm not getting huffy," I snapped, standing, "I'd be less annoyed if he wasn't obsessed with you like every other boy in this town."
She laughed, "You need to get over yourself."
"Oh, don't act like it's not true," I said, "I don't know what it is about you, but I've met plenty of men in this town, and practically all of 'em seem to have a hard-on for you."
"Don't be gross!" she said, glancing over at Jessica.
"She's seventeen," I said, "When I was seventeen I was living in Texas and applying for a job at a Burlesque club," I laughed, kicking off my shoes, "She knows what a hard-on is."
Sookie was a bit skeptical, "Really?"
I took this as a club shot, not a question upon whether or not Jessica know what a hard-on was, and was okay with the use of the word in this vicinity. "Just another reason Sam's pissed," I sighed, "I wasn't totally honest. Like he's a fucking lie detector or somethin'." I shrugged, putting my hands on the back of the couch for a moment and saying thoughtfully, "But I can't really expect him to just be okay with everything, can I? And he can't sit around and expect me to fall in love with a hypocrite. So we're both wrong. And when he apologizes… it'll be good." Why I felt the need to say whatever I was thinking tonight, I was unsure. Did I do this all the time? Possibly.
I turned, pulling off my shirt and effectively ending that discussion, "I'm only doing this once, Jess," I said, dropping the clothing on the floor, and continuing with the rest of it all, "So don't ask again. I don't care how cute I am, and I certainly don't care how cool it is."
"She'd think that why?" Sookie asked, "Do you do a dog, too?"
I laughed, "Please," I shot her a glance over my shoulder, "Domesticated animals are for chumps. And as much as I love Sam Merlotte, his little puppy isn't necessarily gonna make the cut in the world outside this little town. He told me about the bull, though," I grinned, "He's so clever, ain't he?"
Sookie giggled, "It's so weird to hear someone talk about him like that."
"That's because you take him for granted," I said, "Now, if you'll excuse me," and I took in a breath, and changed.
For a second, Jess thought I'd disappeared, "Where'd she go?" And I thought that was so funny, that I stayed in my position for a moment more, until a flick of my tail gave me away. And so, I walked from around the couch, and sat, looking up at the two of them a little uneasily. "Holy shit," Jessica breathed, "Is that her?"
I was right there. So I growled.
"Yes," Sookie said, "You said you weren't a dog," she thought, "Even though you kinda look like one anyway," I growled again, and she smiled, scratching behind my left ear, which didn't feel all that terrible. When I turned my head a bit to egg her on she laughed, "Yeah, Sam liked that too."
I could understand this, so refrained from any angry outbursts.
"So you're a…" she shut her eyes for a moment, "Fox."
Yep. I thought. Though you cheated.
She laughed again, "Okay, back to normal now. This is creepy." I walked back behind the couch, shifted, and quickly put all my clothes back on, sitting back down on the couch and crossing my legs. Sookie and I exchanged glances.
"How do you do that?" Jessica said, eyes huge, You were—You were just a—"
"Fox," I said again, "Sam turns into a dog, traditionally. But we can be whatever we choose, unlike others. Werewolves and the like, they all have to stick with the one animal. Kinda pointless, if ya ask me," I rolled my eyes, tying my shoe back on the couch.
"And Sam's the one with prejudices," Sookie muttered.
"Werewolves are a whole different animal," I giggled, "Literally. Sam feels the same way 'bout 'em. But, I hated vamps 'til I met Godric. And honestly, if I'm around a vampire I don't know, it always puts me a lil' on edge. You can't change those sorts of feelings, I know that, but you gotta start somewhere, right?"
Sookie seemed surprised by my statement, as if what I'd said couldn't possibly had come from my lips. I don't blame her, though, it's not like I scream idealist intellectual. That's all Godric. I guess it just rubbed off on me.
"Oh, and Jessica," I said, "I'd keep the shifter thing to yourself. I don't think Sam'd take too kindly to me blowing the roof off of his secret."
Before Sookie could respond, my phone buzzed on Bill's coffee table. I reached for it immediately, hoping half-way that it'd be Sam, not Eric. But it was Eric, of course. "Yo."
"Hello," Eric said, "How are things?"
"Fine," I said, standing up, moving the phone away for a moment to say, "I'm gonna take this in the other room—"
"Do you mind if I shower?" Jessica asked, standing too, "I'm kind of… disgusting." The blood still on her cheeks spoke that enough on its own.
I nodded, "Sure, go on ahead," and walked into the other room, "How are things with you? Find anything?"
"Not yet," he said, "They seem to be travelling in circles, they can't be all that old. No trained or experienced vampire would take such a route."
"Maybe they know you're following them," I said, "Maybe they knew Jessica would tell?"
"Then they'd be after her, wouldn't they?" he asked, "What's up with Sookie?"
I smiled, "You know that her liking me more won't necessarily mean she'll like you more. It doesn't matter how cute ya are, either."
"Do you think I'm cute?" he teased.
"Eric, please."
"You have been bringing this up a lot lately. I'm starting to think you're trying to tell me something."
I'll admit to one thing: Eric is most definitely not unattractive. But, overruling that was my obligation to him, the fact that he wasn't really my type, and that… well… my feelings for Sam were messin' me up anyway. But I wasn't lying to Sam when I told him that doing anything with Eric would be gross. "You're right. I'm hopelessly in love with you, and want you so bad it hurts, Eric."
"Your sarcasm offends me," he said, chuckling. "But is Sookie…?"
"She's fine," I said, "And I think she's coming around. I offered a truce, waved the white flag," I was whispering, singing in my head as I spoke in order to jumble up my thoughts. I don't know if it'd work, but one could only hope. "And, as long as I keep talking about Sam, even if it is because I'm so angry I feel like any minute I'm gonna turn green and lose all my clothes—that's a Hulk reference, if ya didn't catch that one—she seems to like the fact that I'm so pissed."
"She likes that you care about him," Eric said, "She likes him. He's not a bad guy."
"You approve?" I questioned, suddenly realizing that it actually mattered what he said to this question. Sometimes it felt like my connection to Eric was as strong as Pam's, yet only mine was built on principle, not blood. I couldn't really explain it, and oftentimes didn't even try to. It was a reality I had accepted based upon my own twisted personality. I may be a little eccentric, defensive, angry, jealous, and flat out stupid, but I was loyal.
He laughed, "Of course. Despite his tantrum in my office."
"Oh, joy," I muttered, "How's Bill?"
"He's good," Eric said, "Finicky as always. He hasn't called Sookie yet?"
"I haven't seen her answer any phone," I said, walking out until I could see into the living room, and seeing her on the phone at this very moment, "Oh, well, now I have. She's talkin' to someone now."
"All right," he said, "Keep up the work," he said, knowing all too well that he had omitted the word good. "I'll call you later."
"Okay," I said.
"Any problems, call Pam."
"Of course," I said.
"You know, if you can fix things with Sookie, it shouldn't be hard to eliminate Pam's problems with you, either."
"Eh, it's more fun this way," I grinned, "I should go, catch the end of her conversation."
"I knew there was a reason I liked having you around," he said, "I'll see you later." Click.
I folded my phone and slid it in into my pocket, walking back into the living room and hearing, "Sam, please, calm down. She hasn't done anything but sit around and talk. I'm fine. Eric's off with Bill chasin' down those vampires responsible for all those killin's around here. So, I'm sure she'll be here all night."
I bit my lip and stayed in my position by the stairs. Sookie continued, "Yes, she did. And may I say that you are crazy to just go off like that in the middle of Fangtasia! You could've been killed for looking at someone the wrong way. And honestly, being jealous of Godric is like being jealous because she kissed a puppy, the guy is harmless, and very much so out of the picture."
Aw, she was standing up for me! I suppose I did make a good impression after all. Eric would be pleased. Sookie laughed, "No, I don't suppose so. But she seems pretty hung up on you anyway. I don't see whagt you see in her, though, Sam, she's so… Oh! Hey Adelyn," she said, suddenly louder, "Anything you wanna say to Sam?"
Well, maybe my impression could still use some work.
"Besides fuck you?" I asked, bouncing off the railing and walking to grab my water, "You can throw in that he's a hypocritical, racist jerk."
"Racist?" I heard Sam yell from the phone, "How the hell am I racist?"
I laughed, saying loudly from behind Sookie, "You don't think discriminating against someone because of what they are is racist? Black, white, gay, straight, vampire, shifter, human—it's all relative, Sam!"
"It's not racism if they kill people, Addie!" he yelled.
"Everyone can kill someone else, Sam," I said angrily, "Humans kill, and you don't hate them! Not all vampires are bad, so why group 'em all together?"
"Addie—"
"Sam!" I said, "Are you listening to yourself? Ya know… If this is always gonna be a problem, maybe us splittin's for the best." I hated saying it, but it felt true. After all, it wasn't fair to him to keep him around if I didn't know my own feelings, and was sticking with Eric anyway, if Sam liked it or not.
Once again, I felt like I was gonna cry. But, there were no tears, just a heavy feeling in my chest as I sat next to Sookie on the couch. "Sookie, could you…?"
"Yeah," she said, grabbing the phone, "Sam, we should go."
He had quieted down to normal speaking levels. Sookie could now keep the phone close to her ear, and I didn't hear his response. I did hear Sookie say, "Yeah. Exactly. Bye."
She hung up the phone, and looked over at me, "He obviously feels horrible."
"Well, so do I," I sighed, "But, with all due respect Sook, I have no intention of leading him here tonight with a bunch of crazy vampires runnin' loose. Or, even worse, making this easy for him." He hurt me. Simple as that. And I don't take to kindly to bein' hurt, it's not that I'm easily wounded, it's more like a shot at my pride. I hated that I hated it, but I was much too used to being in control of myself to let this thing ruin me now.
It was stupid, but to me, it mattered.
"And the recent string of disappearances throughout central Louisiana are attracting attention, not only from local police departments, but from popular religious group the Fellowship of the Sun. Fellowship representative Steve Newlin spoke today with Sylvia Hodes on the group's efforts to raise awareness and combat the disappearances." I looked over to the TV, and Sookie had stopped mid channel-surf to listen in as well. The woman on TV disappeared to show another one, a rather uptight-looking black chick with a snug, red, I'm-on-the-news suit. Standing next to the pale and overly smiley Steve Newlin, the woman looked like the devil incarnate.
Steve grinned, as usual, "It's obvious to us that these disappearances are not random, and are not the responsibility of any livin' and breathin' creature."
"Well there are many who would say that that sort of assumption is circumstantial at best," the journalist said.
Steve laughed, "Well, we've stated our opinions on the matter," he calmed a bit, and got down to business, "And we think that this sudden rise of risk throughout this state is dangerous. Did you know Louisiana is quickly becoming a capital for V users?"
The woman shook her head, "No, I did not."
"It's true!" He said emphatically, "And this type of infringement on the lives of these good, Southern families by the vampires that live here is what attracted the Fellowship down here. We've been recruitin' like crazy! There are so many people here who have found solace in our church, and in knowing that they are no longer alone in such an environment."
"Yes, we have heard you've been recruiting," she said, "Our sources tell us you've already received an influx of nearly seventy new members."
"Yep, that is true," he said, "And we're gettin' more and more every day! The light is still shinin' down here in Louisiana! And if anyone out there is interested in finding it, and putting all this business to rest, we are not that hard to find. Just check out our website, , and it'll give you all the info you need!"
"Well, the recent abductions and lack of results are spouting out quite the response here in the state, as you can see. Police currently have no comments on the matter, or any new evidence pointing to the whereabouts of any of the thirteen missing Louisiana residents. This is Sylvia Hodes, New Orleans, Lousiana."
"Thank you Sylvia," the anchorwoman said as the TV leapt back to the studio.
I scoffed, "Freaks."
Sookie giggled, "They're worse in person."
"Isn't everyone?" I sighed, "I shouldn't have yelled at Sam."
Sookie sighed as well, though she was much more louder than I, "Are you always so… indecisive?"
"Yeah, pretty much," I said, "I don't know why so many romantic comedies portray that sort of trait as cute. It's fucking annoying."
"It really is," Sookie said lowly. I smiled. I was fully aware that I was annoying. And that I was indecisive. And that I really, really needed to just shut the fuck up most of the time.
But right now was not the time to change.
Especially when we heard screaming.
I stood almost immediately, head shooting straight up in order to hear more clearly. Sookie reacted with a scream of her own, "Jessica!"
No answer. Shiiiiit. Eric was gonna kill me. I turned, vaulting over Bill's couch and running up the steps, Sookie trailing after me until I turned outside the bathroom door, "Do not follow me in here and start actin' some moron," I said, "Take my phone. Call Eric — No, call Pam, and then call Eric. I'm not getting burned on a technicality," I muttered, hand in pocket as I opened the bathroom door and pushed Sookie out of the line of sight. Hopefully, if whatever was in there — and something was in there, all that thudding was not Jessica alone, and the screaming certainly wasn't prompted by a spider — was preoccupied enough with a fight, Sookie would go unnoticed.
When I got in, Jessica let out a, "Help!" as she pulled and grasped at some random man's hands around her neck. A silver chain already laid on the ground, and the metal had left distinct burns on the girl's skin. The man was wearing gloves, of course, but was having a hard time controlling the teenager and her frantic thrashing.
"Forward!" I yelled, and Jessica swung herself in my direction, and the male lost his footing, careening towards me, and the metal chain I'd picked up from the ground. I quickly wrapped it around his neck, forcibly yanking his hands away from Jessica.
There, that was easy. My chest was pumping up and down crazy fast with the sudden rush of adrenaline, and as I wrapped up the chain around the vamp's extremities, in order to make sure he didn't move a muscle, my fingers twitched anxiously. I let out a deep breath, looking up to Jessica, "You okay?"
Then I was tackled. Jessica screamed again.
I yelped as well, rolling to the best of my ability to get the thing off my back, my head throbbing from a thud against the cold tile floor. I tasted blood spouting from my lip, too, after taking a sharp bump against the sink. I was forced out flat, head yanked to the right to expose my neck, and my right hand wiggled as fast as it could to reach my pocket, but it's twisted position combined with the weight of myself and my blood bag companion on top of me made it near impossible to move, and each twitch and stretch and scrape towards my shorts hurt like hell.
It was the freak out that occurred after the fangs embedded into my neck that allowed it to spasm forward enough to flick the top of it out from its side, looking to Jessica and hoping and pleading she would just pick up the damn chain and help me.
But she didn't.
I tried to open my mouth to say something about it, but I'd forgotten how to speak. My head was rolling more and more to the side, seeming to get both lighter and heavier at the same time. My eyelids began to slide to a close, and I could feel the warm and oddly inviting pool of blood around my head lulling me away, like falling asleep in a pool of water. The pain in my neck began to subside, transform into a weirdly okay feeling…
I exhaled.
And then I was slapped.
I blinked, looking up, and shutting my eyes tightly. The bathroom wasn't this bright a minute ago.
"Wake up," a voice commanded, "Oh come on, up," it said again, sighing. "I know you're not dead, so stop being so dramatic."
"Pam?" I asked, opening one eye to clarify that I was correct, "I don't… feel so good." And I didn't. It was like a really, really shitty hangover, my head was throbbing, my entire body tensed with each pump of blood, as if this was now a chore. And my neck, shit, it felt like a knife had been stuck in there, and then wiggled around a bit to make matters worse.
"Shh," she said, not sounding as sarcastic as a moment ago, "Sookie. Go grab a blanket, she's shivering. Eric'll be here soon, sweetie," she said to me, "He'll make it better."
I opened my eyes fully, shaking my head, despite the pain it shot to practically every nerve in my body, "No. No, no, no. He can't do that."
"Yes he can," she said, "And he's goin' to whether you like it or not."
I didn't like it. "No."
"Not gonna help," she said, and I had to shut my eyes again. "Just calm down," she continued, "Think about that lil' boyfriend of yours. Or, wagging your tail, or something."
The fact that she was attempting niceties for me was rather kind, but I couldn't appreciate it just now, with all the blood gushing from my body like water from a hose. "Pam," I said, "Don't let—"
"You'd rather I just let you die?" Eric, this time, there was no mistaking that. I wondered how he got here so quickly, since he had to have been far away… they did take a car.
I wanted to answer, but couldn't. When I opened my mouth to do so, I coughed, and tasted even more blood. My stomach shifted in revolt. I shut my eyes even tighter, letting out a breath and suddenly feeling very light…
"Adelyn," Eric said, putting a cold hand to my forehead and shocking me awake yet again, "Keep your eyes open."
I did as I was told, looking up at the ceiling, and then over to him. This didn't feel like it was a good idea. But then again, I'd done this whole thing once before. Eric was all fangs, ready to go. I looked back at the ceiling until I felt that liquid dripping onto my lips. I shut them tighter. "Drink," he said harshly, but the pressure against my mouth was soft, coaxing it open until I'd have yet another life-savin' cocktail.
Maybe I should be a cat. After all, I'm technically now on life three.
There we go. I hope you enjoyed!
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