TEN
Darkness.
The changes my body was going through can only be describe as a metamorphosis. I was shedding my human appearance to come out as a creature of the night. Every inch of my body was in excruciating pain, every fiber of my existence being transformed. My eyes burned with a pain unlike any other. The iris burned the most. Erik would later inform me that I attempted to gouge my eyes out repeatedly. The teeth in my mouth were not given a reprieve either, my teeth morphed to mock those of predators of the jungle. I was subjected to spasms, the muscle tissues tore themselves to create stronger limbs. The only part of my body that didn't suffer was my heart. It continued to pump but faintly under my rib cage. My heart was cold as was the blood, but the ever changing fibers scorched with the heat of Hell.
Slipping in and out of consciousness I was plagued with voices and visions .
I've been waiting for you…
The time when you and I will meet as equals approaches.
I know that voice.
Ah…so you do remember me.
Who are you?
I believe we have already met. I went by the name, Chris.
I felt my arms being held in a vice grip.
I walked into a dark room, the moonlight playing on the floor through a window. In the corner of the room a girl about my age sat typing rapidly on her laptop. Her face highlighted by the computer screen, her blonde hair graced her illuminated face. I recognized that face. It was Syndie. A creak startled us both to the opposite end of the bed. Her eyes squinted in the dark, affected by the brilliance of the screen. Then they got wide as a cloaked dark figure pulled back the hood, hair spilling out. I could do nothing as Syndie screamed, pushing the graduation present harshly off her lap, stumbling out of bed. The figure lunged, fangs bared, talon like nails reaching for her shoulders.
"SYNDIE!" I screamed in horror as I witnessed Chris slam her against her dresser, holding her wrists away from him. Snarling the vampire attached himself to her neck. I tried to turn away from the scene but I was forced against my will to watch. I screamed again and again. She struggled against her murderer. She fought until the very end. I stared in horror and shock as he let her lifeless body slide off the dresser to the floor. Chris, in slow motion, turned in the direction my vision was and smiled venomously.
Even in my coma-like state, I was able to feel Erik frantically trying to keep my flailing arms at bay as I watched the scene in the confines of my mind. His words sounded as if I was submerged under water. I forced my aching throat to form words, it felt like even the thought of words constricted their passageway.
"Er…ik….Chr-issssss." I cringed as the words cut the delicate tissue. "…ssyn…dieee." I could feel hot trails coursing down the sides of my face. I didn't comprehend what Erik said or might have said. My vision blurred as the corners of my eyes turned black. Now the visions were coming as short flashes now.
Two gravestones under a weeping cherry tree.
A mother and a father embrace their daughter. Piles of boxes line the curb, the trunk of car still open. The mother and father are crying. My friend Meggie is starting college. A short ways down from her family was Aggie and her parents locked in the same embrace.
Wedding bells. Kayla steps out of the church in a sparkling white dress her husband in tow.
A tiny version of myself dancing in the sunlight, dandelion seeds flying all around me. The wind blowing my hair about my face, a smile forms.
I tossed my head from side to side. The scenery changed and these memories were foreign to me.
In a wooded area two young men stand underneath a tree, one leaning on the trunk the other facing him. Jet black and dark chocolate brown hair. I recognized Erik, the other I was unfamiliar with.
"Please Erik, I beg you change me now. I cannot wait any longer." The unknown man pleaded.
"I cannot, you know as well as I do that changing you now would be running away." Erik took a step closer to the young man, a pale hand touched the rosy cheek. "Be patient. When the right time presents itself I will change you." Erik leaned in and kissed him. At that moment I knew that the man had to be Ryan. He clung to Erik like this was going to be the last time they were going to ever see each other.
The sound of glass crashing. What looked to be a priceless vase now laid in pieces in the corner of the study. Colken doubled over in a winged back chair held his face in his hands, his shoulder quaking with sorrow. Evol rushed into the room kneeling beside her brother's knee asking him over and over what was wrong. Erik stood in the doorway with a unreadable expression.
Erik stood in morning at the grave of Ryan Tavis. A single white rose held with such care in his hand. He cried scarlet rivers.
"Forgive me." He sobbed as he kneeled down he place the rose on top the cold wet stone. "How cruel that you should die and I remain." He ran his fingers over the newly engraved letters.
"I wish I could die, as you have, but there is no other way." Erik glance up at the horizon, the dark blue turning violet. Erik's eyes closed as he fell back. Before the vision faded I saw Colken catch his body and vanish.
I will be waiting for you…
Hey SpaceCadet, let's go!
Lina…
Lina…
"Karolina, wake up." I came to the sudden realization that I was being shaken not stirred. The familiar velvet voice was gentle on my ringing ears. My heavily lidded eyes opened slightly. Everything was blurry. The image of a face appeared before my eyes, the emerald gems were unmistakable. "At last, Lina, how do you feel?" Erik asked.
"…Crushed…" I coughed out.
"Sorry." Erik leapt off of me, I felt the bed give a jerk. "Do you feel normal?"
"Abnormal is more like it." He smiled and helped me into a sitting position. Once upright I rubbed at my eyes, slowly they came into focus.
"You scared me a few times Lina." Erik sat down on the edge of the bed. "How's your eyes?"
"They're focused now, before it was like looking through water." I flexed my fingers and cracked my neck. Which felt so terribly good.
"You see everything fine?" He asked taking a closer look waving his hand.
"Yeah, want me to read the chart?" I joked.
"I believe you." He stared at me. "Is there anything you need?"
I knew what he was asking, he wanted to know if the thirst had set in yet.
"Not yet." I stretched cracking the bones in my spine, realigning the vertebrate. Erik nodded.
"Here, let's get you out into the fresh air."
"Isn't it morning?" I asked. He shook his head. Erik, in one swoop, had me in his arms. I didn't protest, I can always walk later. Erik had me change into new clothes before heading to our destination. I just threw on a baggy shirt and sweats, not really caring. When I was finished Erik picked me up once again.
The night sky was absolutely beautiful, as a mortal the sky was pitch black, but with my immortal eyes the sky was a deep violet. The stars twinkled silver and gold, their clarity magnified by my new vision. I hugged my knees staring at the moon. It was enormous, bigger than I remember. The landscape around me shone in all it's brilliance, looking no different if the sun was above me.
Erik sat opposite of me on a iron patio chair, watching with curiosity at me, a newborn. I stared back at him, his hands lay in his lap on top of his crossed leg. I noticed that he had left his jacket in the room upstairs and his white shirt and skin clashed. His hair danced in the nights' breeze, a strand gently kissing the side of his face before he tucked it behind his ear.
My brain remembered everything that had happened during my changing. I remembered Syndie.
"Erik, Syndie is dead." I stared at my hands desperately trying to keep my composure.
"I sent Vance and Colken to Syndie's. They found her asleep in her room." Erik shifted in his chair. I looked up. "There was no trace that Chris was ever there."
"But I saw him…" I trailed off confused.
"In your weakened state he may have sent you visions in the hopes that you may go looking for him. However I had Colken stand watch while Vance scouted the area all night."
I felt the guilt and sorrow lift from my heart. Syndie is alive. I felt as if I could run around the world, I was so happy.
"When will the others be back?" I asked.
"I will call Colken when you have fed." Erik reached into his pocket and placed his cell on the patio table. "Which shouldn't be too long now."
I ran my tongue over my new teeth. My k-9's had lengthened and became sharp with a slight curve as did the one in front, only it was shorter than my main fang. The teeth directly underneath on my jaw came to point as well. A mouth fit for it's job, to extract blood from the victim but not meant to kill. I opened and closed my jaw several times, getting use to the way the teeth came together.
"I will be right back." He said as he lifted himself from the chair. As he swept past me a strange sensation felt upon me, like nothing I ever felt. It was the Thirst. My stomach lurched and my throat convulsed. My once human body now was awakened to it's new desire. I fell out of my chair and clawed at the ground. A demonic sound reached my ears. It frightened me, that sound was coming from me. I was growling like a monster. My vision turned red, I lifted my head to stare at my surroundings. Everything was the color of blood. I wanted blood.
I screamed.
I was scared.
Then there it was. The scent of blood. My head jerked to it's direction, Erik was standing a few feet away with a crystal glass in hand. My fingers gripped the stone, I made claw marks into it's surface. My stomach ached, my tongue danced behind my clenched teeth, an unearthly growl erupted from my throat. As much as my body wanted to attack him for my desire I forced my self into submission.
What have I done? I've turned into a monster.
I started to shake, in hunger or grief or maybe both. I fought with my new urges to stay glued to my spot. Erik came closer.
"Lina, if you suppress your hunger you'll only end up attacking anything to get what you need." He set the glass on the table next to his cellular phone. He picked me off the ground and placed me back in my chair. My limbs, however, did not move freely. He kneeled in front of me, keeping eye contact as he leant back to fetch the crystal. I growled. I told my body that I didn't need it. I didn't want it.
"Drink." Erik offered the glass to me. I gripped the arm rests and clenching my jaw shut. My eyes stared at the red liquid within it. " I promise it will go away." He raised the ruby liquid to my quivering lips. I tried to resist, but the Thirst had consumed me.
I drank. The blood was flavored by iron and coursed down my throat like water. My body thanked me for being weak, I gulped gladly. I had drained the crystal glass dry in a matter of seconds, licking my lips as he took it's brim away from me.
As he promised the beast crawled back from whence it came leaving me to my normal demeanor. Though the beast was tamed I wanted to crawl into a tight, enclosed space and sleep. When Erik was certain that I was satisfied he hit speed dial on his phone. I listened to the one-sided conversation with Colken, his back turned to me.
"Yes, she's fed…No…Are you sure?…You have my word…How is Lex?…Whenever you're ready head on over." He hung up. I heard him give a deep sigh before returning to my side.
"How are you feeling?" He asked rubbing my arm up to my shoulder, giving a gentle massage. I shrugged. "You have to tell me if there is, I can't read your mind unless you will that power to me."
"I'm scared." I whispered. He crouched down to look up at me.
"That is normal, and to be expected." His hand squeezed my arm. "What frightens you?"
"Will I always be like th-that?" I asked as I look over at the empty glass.
"No, the first few times are always the hardest, but each will get better. I promise. You're body will get use to it's urges and you have to have the knowledge of when you need to feed to control the…" He searched for the right word.
"Beast." I helped.
"Don't worry about it."
"You said that if I don't I could attack humans, what if I'm not strong enough? What if I kill…" I swallowed my next words. What if the creature I saw killing Syndie was me?
"I will not let that happen, and neither will you. I will help you and teach you so you never become the monster that Hollywood makes us out to be."
I nodded. Erik did so as well.
A long silence passed between us. Erik got up and took the tinted red glass back inside then paced the patio before falling back into his chair opposite me.
"Tell me more about Ryan." I said at last.
"Excuse me?" He asked. Apparently catching him off guard.
"While I was changing I saw you and Ryan, I saw you at his gravestone. What happened to him?"
"I, um…there is nothing else to say." He didn't look at me.
"Evol told me that Colken killed him, is that true?" I straightened up.
"Colken told me himself he killed him, I saw him with his body!" Erik stood up, paced and then put his hand to his face. I could sense the anger swell in him.
"Please don't be angry with me, I was just curious."
"How did you know I was at his gravestone? No one knows that." He whipped around.
"I just saw it!" I yelled back at him. He rubbed his temple taking a deep breath, composing himself.
"I apologize, I'm not angry with you." Erik took his place opposite me again. "What exactly did you see?"
I recounted all that I saw to Erik, I watched as several emotions played on his face. Most were unreadable but he was astonished at what I saw. "That's all I witnessed."
"I don't understand how you saw that." Was all Erik said. I heard the front door open, the others had arrived.
In truth I wasn't in the mood to see any of them, not even Alex. I just wanted to go back upstairs and crawl into my plain bed and sleep. I don't know why. Erik left me on the patio, alone to my thoughts and moon.
From inside the house I heard the many voices of all my vampires. My new family. My Coven. I heard steps coming toward the patio doors, I hugged my knees again. The door opened. They didn't speak. I felt a hand on my shoulder and just by the touch I knew it was Colken.
"How are you?" He asked in a shy voice.
"I don't know." At least I was honest. I could feel the tension, I could sense he didn't know what to say. "Is there a way that I could sneak upstairs without anyone seeing me?" I looked up at him, our eyes met. He nodded and offered his hand. Without hesitation I accepted it.
I threw myself onto my bed and curled into a ball. I thanked Colken before he closed the door. I closed my eyes, I wanted to sleep but found it impossible. I assumed that this was something my system would slowly reject. The function of a mortal was no longer apart of my operating system. Sleep during the day and wake at night. I tossed and turned. After several attempts to fall asleep I groaned my way out of bed.
Wouldn't I need a coffin?
I guess I forgot to ask about that detail. Maybe Erik will come up later and show me where I will be spending my daytime.
I glanced around at all the boxes.
"Well you're not going to put yourselves away now are you?" I asked the boxes. As usual with inanimate objects, there was no answer.
I started with my new closet, hanging up everything and amazed that everything fit. I then conquered the book shelf quickly realizing that I was going to need more space. I took out my laptop, it smelled of fresh technology and Styrofoam. I was surprised, however, to find outlets. I figured it was another shopping splurge of Erik's. I wondered where all this money was coming from.
I hooked up the laptop to it's brand new battery and began to charge it. For the first time the little purple light came on signaling the start of the charge. I smiled at it, I couldn't wait to use it. Carefully I placed it on the desk surface and centered it. I filled the drawers with art supplies and my sketch books. The photo albums went next to the laptop, along with a few books I wanted to re-read. A few framed pictures of my friends and my family were placed with the utmost care behind the computer.
A sigh heavily weighed down with depression escaped me.
I would never get use to not having them around.
I tore myself away from the picture to stack the few empty boxes by the door. I told myself that I would post up the posters another night. My stuffed animal's were the next to make an appearance. I lined the head board with them. My stuffed dragon, Stitch, Charizard, Pikachu, Patrick Starfish, Kumagoro, and Shuichi who was cosplaying in a dog costume. I was fluffing my pillows when a knock came at the door.
"Yes?" I called. I still didn't want to see anyone, but I couldn't be rude. The door slowly opened revealing Alex.
"Hey." He spoke softly, he was acting apprehensive.
"Hey." I gave a smile and a small wave. He stood in the door frame, unsure if he should move. "You can come in." I motioned for him to enter. He crossed the threshold but didn't approach me, instead he just stared. I shrugged and gave him a look. I didn't understand the sudden stand-offish attitude.
"How come you didn't want to see us?" He asked skirting my unspoken question.
"I don't know, I just didn't. I don't understand a lot of what I'm feeling." I crossed my legs on my bed, playing with my nails.
"Evol and Vance are eager to see you, though they won't admit it, but they'll wait. However I couldn't, I needed to see you." Alex hesitantly made his way over to the end of the bed.
"Why?" I asked confused, he had an eagerness to his voice that unsettled me.
"You don't know?" I nodded, which should have been obvious because I'm usually the last to know. "Erik told us that your eyes are a blood red."
"What?" I felt the world stop. Alex left the room and returned with a medium size, framed mirror.
"See for yourself." He held the mirror so I could see my reflection. Where there was once blue-grey was now a deep ruby red. I shrieked.
"Why aren't they blue!?" I squeaked. I loved my eye color, I wouldn't have changed it for anything in the world. Scarlet tears ran down my cheeks which made me scream even more. Alex put the mirror down and rushed to my side trying to calm me down. I heard hurried foot falls on the stairs, to the hall then Erik appeared with everyone behind him. Erik accused Alex of being insensitive, knowing full well what he did. I wiped away my tears as Alex left my side to argue with Erik. Evol came to my side comforting me, Vance on the other side.
Everything was a blur.
Colken in the doorway, Erik and Alex arguing, and Evol and Vance trying to console me..
All I could think about was my eyes. Why did they change? My beautiful blue eyes. The eyes my father and I shared.
No more.