The previous day's occurrences began to fade as present time seemed to envelop me once more. Wesley's snores seemed to soften slightly in the early morning light as I stood gently, the springs of the old bed squeaking as I moved.
I pulled the light-linen curtain back from the small window before me. The day looked to be a cold and cloudy one as I relished at the sun, watching as it tried to edge up from its slumber amongst the clouds.
I turned to face the small cabin, my mouth watering slightly as I remembered my first taste of animal blood from the previous day. The thought had utterly repulsed me at the beginning, but by days end I felt relieved from our discovery of an alternative diet.
"Wesley." I hissed it the morning light as I watched him stir slightly from where he lay amongst the quilts on the floor. "Are you awake?"
Is breathing seemed to change almost entirely as I began to sense his consciousness. His ruffled dark blonde hair looked almost black as it framed his peaceful face, his full lips twitched as he opened them in a loud yawn. I stepped closer, watching intently as he opened his once again piercing blue eyes and looked up at me. I smiled slightly as I watched his sleepiness fade.
"Cat?" He whispered, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. His face was gentle as an angel as I looked back at him smiling.
"I think I'm ready." I replied as he slowly got to his feet, the quilts falling delicately to the wooden floorboards at our feet.
I looked up at him as he towered above me, his head mere inches from the ceiling as he brushed his fingers through his hair. I turned quickly as I pulled matches from my cardigan pocket, my fingers quick as I lit the small kerosene lamp that rested atop an old wooden milk crate in the center of the room.
"I believe we should go into town today." I mused as I turned back to face him, noting his appearance in the lamp's glow. His eyes were bluer than I had ever seen; they seemed to sparkle in the light. I felt my breath quickening as I looked away, resting my eyes on the curtained window I had once looked out of.
"I don't know if that's such a good idea." Wesley pondered as he sat gently at the small round table beneath the window, beginning to pull his large boots on. "Perhaps we should eat first."
"I think we've had enough to eat." I replied, my thoughts returning to the previous day's hunt. "Besides, if we're going to live in the human world don't you think we should learn to be around them?"
He stopped lacing his boots and looked up at me, concern etched on his angular face.
"I'm worried is all." He answered as he finished lacing his boots and sat back in the rickety chair, resting his hand atop the dirty table.
I walked toward him as his eyes found mine. I could sense his hesitation to my words, his anxiousness. I stopped several inches before him, my knee-length skirt resting atop his knee as I leaned over him and spoke.
"Don't worry." I whispered, reaching out to touch his soft cheek. "You shall protect me."
He looked up at me, smiling as he rested his hand atop mine. We stayed frozen for a few seconds before I finally stood up, my hand slipping from his. I turned to look at the kerosene lamp, my eyes intent on the flame that blazed with-in it.
"Alright." He replied as I turned joyfully to face him, my eyes full of excitement. I watched as he stood more graceful than anticipated and pulled his gray cap on over his boyish crops.
"We must come up with a story." Wesley mused as we walked carefully through the snow, our coats buttoned tight against the wind.
"What do you mean?" I asked, feeling confused as I turned to face.
"We'll be interacting with humans Catherine." He mused, eyeing me with a twinkle as he held a long tree branch back so that I could pass without incident. "I'm sure someone will ask questions."
"Right." I replied, my thoughts beginning to race as we walked side-by-side down the overgrown logging road.
"What are you thinking?" He asked, stepping carefully over a fallen tree that had been left for the season. I breathed deeply as I jumped casually over the tree, smiling as I went. He turned to look at me, a smile forming on his lips.
"We should keep the same names." I answered, biting my lip in thought as I walked briskly next to him.
"Perhaps." He mused. "But who are we?"
I continued next to him in silence, deliberating my next answer.
"We could be siblings." He offered quickly.
"Hardly." I laughed as I looked at him, his lips returning a smile. "We look nothing alike."
"Cousins?" He asked, gazing back at the forest before us.
"That might work." I answered, turning back to the snow and trees. "Where are we from?"
"Virginia." He laughed suddenly.
"Why Virginia?" I asked, turning to look at him inquisitively.
"Well. If we say we're from different parts of the country, people will wonder how we came together." He mused, smiling as he looked at me. "Plus it might be difficult for me to cover up my accent."
I laughed in response, my eyes twinkling as I thought about it.
"Many Virginians don't have accents, especially near the capital but some, like me do." He continued. "It wouldn't be hard to believe that we're related, I think."
I looked up at him as I smiled, my thoughts running wild.
"It's far enough away that most humans wouldn't ask questions." He mused as he held out his arm for me to hold. "Besides, I grew up there."
"Alright." I laughed, grabbing his arm. "Cousins from Virginia. It's settled."
We walked silently, arm in arm for several more miles before the sounds and smells seem to find us. I had heard human sounds before of course; in Chicago and a few places on our way north to Crystal Falls but it was the smell that distracted my mind. I could feel my body craving the sweet intoxication, but knew I had to fight against my urges.
"We're close now." Wesley whispered as I gripped his arm tighter. He looked down at me, sensing my anxiousness he smiled in comfort.
"The smell—" I stuttered, releasing his arm as I stopped suddenly. He turned to face me, his eyes gentle.
"It's overwhelming I know." He whispered, touching my shoulder as I looked up at him in fright. "But we can do this Cat."
I stared back at him, my eyes wide. Several minutes danced by effortlessly before I finally nodded in reply, a small smile forming on my lips.
"We can do this." I smiled, taking his arm gently as we began to walk towards the human town.
I saw the large brownstone buildings first. They seemed to come out of nowhere amongst the large evergreens. The road we walked upon led straight through the small town, with several smaller roads leading off in different directions. Although snow had begun to fall once again, the town was littered with people. I watched intently, my hand tight around Wesley's arm as we walked. Several laughing children ran by, causing me to turn as I watched them go. My ice-cold veins throbbed within me as one child, perhaps around nine or ten stopped to look at us, her cheeks rosy from the cold.
"Well hello there little one." Wesley cooed next to me as he stopped abruptly, causing me to stop also. I looked down at the girl, wondering what would come next as my breath caught in my throat.
"Hello mister." She replied, smiling as she looked up at Wesley. He smiled back, his face gentle.
"What's your name?" Wesley continued, crouching down before the child carefully. I moved quietly to the side as I watched the conversation, still holding my breath.
"Josephine." The girl answered, her smile widening.
"Well Josephine, my name is Wesley." He replied, holding his gloved hand out for the girl to shake.
The small girl shook his hand in delight, causing me to breathe once more. I found myself smiling too as I watched the girl. Her long dark curls fell to her waist as she curtsied slightly, a giggle escaping her lips.
"Josephine, this is Catherine." Wesley laughed as he stood up, turning to look at me. I watched as the girl turned to look up at me, her chocolate eyes sparkling.
"Hello." She laughed as I smiled back down at her, my thoughts racing.
"Hello Josephine." I mused, my voice almost musical as I spoke.
"You're wife sure is pretty." Josephine cooed as she continued to stare at me.
I smiled again in response as the girl looked back at Wesley.
"Catherine is actually my cousin." Wesley laughed as the girl's nose crinkled slightly.
"Oh." Josephine replied, as she looked over her shoulder. "I gots to go now." Josephine hissed as she looked back at us.
"Nice to meet you Josephine." Wesley replied as Josephine turned on her heel and ran off.
My breath was slow and even as I watched her go, my smile frozen on my lips. I could feel my entire body finally beginning to relax.
"You see." Wesley murmured in my ear as he held his arm out. "Nothing to it."