"Adriane, my goodness! What are you doing out here? You should be inside resting up!" Gran scolded as she closed the door and made her way over to me.
I gave her a soft smile and lied, "I just needed some air."
Gran was finally close enough to pull me into a momma-bear hug and squeeze me tight. I sighed as my head rested on her shoulder. Even though the position hurt my back a little, this was the hug I needed earlier. No judgement, her worries elevated by holding me like a mother would. Yes, this was the type of hug I needed.
Poor dear, probably so scared.
"I would have thought you had more than enough fresh air for some time," I heard Bill's voice as he exited the driver side of the car.
I quickly released Gran's embrace to stand fully straight and look at him. Bill's eyes trailed from my feet up to my head slowly. The gaze unnerved me a little bit, he was evaluating me for some reason.
"I couldn't sleep," I lied again to him.
"I see," Bill replied and approached us.
"Well let me make you some warm milk, that will put you right to bed," Gran said patting the side of my face.
"In a moment Ms. Stackhouse. I was hoping I could speak with Miss Martinowski-"
"Why?" I sharply spat.
"Adriane," Gran scolded.
"I wish to discuss the events that transpired last night," Bill replied narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Don't' worry Adriane. While that other vampire might have not been that kind, Mr. Compton is a full gentleman," Gran did her best to reassure me.
"Hmm," I buzzed, Gran patted my shoulder and began making her way to the house. I didn't turn my back to him, but waited until I heard the screen door close to speak, "What did you want to 'discuss'?"
"Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere less open?" Bill asked, the warmer tone he had when Gran was around was dropped. There he was, the darker vampire he was trying to hide from everyone else immerged. He gestured towards his house across the cemetery.
"Hold up! I've seen this movie! Girl follows guy into creepy house. Girl gets murdered," I crossed my arms over my chest and stood there defiantly.
"I'm not going to kill you," Bill expelled a deep sigh.
"That's what a killer would say," I replied.
"If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead. Now please follow me," Bill said heading towards the graveyard.
"That's what they all say," I followed but loosely behind.
Our trip through the graveyard was silent. I gave him a wide birth, making sure to leave some distance from myself and him. Just in case should turn on me and attack. Well…not that, that would help. The second I would start to turn around, Bill would be able to leech onto my throat and drain my dry. Which begs the question. Why was I able to stand up to Bill but not to Eric? Was it I saw Eric as a more potential threat to myself the Bill? Well, Bill was trying to integrate into the community. Killing a friend of many of the locals wouldn't get him that.
Bill held the door open for me as I entered the house. Once inside, I was able to survey the place he was "living". Not that I could make out much of anything, it was dark inside, the only light came thorugh the tattered curtains. Even in the dark, the place was in much need of repair. It almost looked like a good wind would knock the place over. The grayish white paint that coated the inside of the foyer and attached rooms, was chipped away in many places exposing the aged wood that looked almost burnt. Bill removed his jacket and started working in the fireplace, I couldn't see exactly what he was doing but I could assume he was starting a fire so I would be able to see. Once he had a small fire going he stood up brushing his pants off.
"Do you want something to drink?" Bill asked, "I have Fresca's."
"No thank you. I'm okay," I replied looking into the fire.
"Very well," Bill replied and motioned for me to take a seat on the loveseat across from his armchair. I eyed him carefully and took a seat. Bill leaned back in the chair and steepled his fingertips and I practically let out a groan. Of course he took the armchair, he was a vampire and wanted the appearance of strength.
"What did you want to talk about?" I made sure to as much distain and exhaustion as I could into the question.
"You do not like me very much do you?"
"I don't like your kind very much," I corrected.
"Why that?"
"Well, lets see? The first time I meet a vampire, he appears to be gentlemanly but proceeds to flirt incessantly with my friend in front of me on our way to the club."
"I had assumed you were to be our chaperone for the evenings affairs-"
"Sookie doesn't need a chaperone, no one uses chaperones anymore on dates. Sookie is old enough to handle herself. Besides Sookie had asked me to come along so there were two of us listening in on what was going on. I didn't think I was intruding on date night."
"We were not on a date-"
"If that's true then I wasn't needed as a chaperone," I replied giving Bill a poignant look.
"Very well," Bill narrowed his eyes again, "What happened from there?"
"Why's it any of your business?" I barked.
Bill sat up and leaned forward so his elbows were resting on his knees, "Miss Martinowski, I am doing my best to be civil. I do not want to fight, I understand your prejudice against my kind. Sookie explained very little of what happened after we left Fangtasia. I was just hoping to get your side of the story. So that I may be able to help protect you."
"Protect me from what?"
"From forces you would not be able to handle."
"Like what? Eric?"
"What happened after you were separated from Sookie and myself?"
I sighed as I flopped my head into my hands and rubbed my face, "Fine. Whatever be all secretive, have to protect some sort of vampire secrets or whatever. Eric decided to take a little flight and scared the shit out of me. After I insisted, he dropped us down in a clearing. Then he decided to have a little chat about my telepathy."
"Is that how the contusions occurred?" Bill questioned and directed his hand at the large bruise on my ankle.
I tucked my hands into the pocket of my hoodie, trying to hide them a bit more, "Yes."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Northman should have been more gentle with you. He has very limited interactions with humans and is not used to being tender."
"What kinds of interactions? Why would anyone want to interact with him?"
Bill looked at me and slightly raised his eyebrow. I gave him a confused look, then it sank in.
"Oh! Oh," I felt my nose flush as I looked away. Of course people would want to interact with him that way. For a vampire he was fairly attractive, you'd have to be blind to not see that. Even while we were at Fangtaisa that man offered himself to Eric only to be turned down. Eric oozed sex from every pore. I bet he couldn't be sexual if he tried. Which explains why he was that way with me.
Bill cleared his throat, bringing my attention back to him, "What happened then?"
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Bill jumped forward in his seat a bit and turned towards the noise. He looked on edge. I began to sit up to answer the door for him so he would have a second to collect himself.
"Stay here, I'll get it," Bill said quickly.
Well that second must have happened, because he was up and at the door before I could fully stand.
"Good evening, Sheriff Dearborne, Detective Bellefleur; how can I help you this evening?" Bill asked inviting the two into his dilapidated foyer.
"Mr. Compton, were sorry to call on you this late," Andy replied walking in first.
"Its quiet alright I just got home. I spoke at the Descendants of the Glorious Dead this evening," Bill replied, "I believe I saw you there."
"Yes we were in attendance," Sheriff Dearborne replied.
"Adriane! I'm surprised to see you here," Andy exclaimed looking me over.
"Sorry, I wasn't feeling up for the DGD this evening," I replied as I watched Andy walk towards the fireplace.
"Yes, Miss Martinowski had a few questions about the event, she wanted to ask me. After the day, she had; she didn't want to be around others. I personally do not blame her. But I believe I answered them all," Bill lied so smoothly I was caught off guard by it, and he was covering for me too?
Was he trying to hint at something. I was fully able to answer that for myself. I looked up passed Andy and the sheriff towards him. Bill lightly tilted his head towards the front door as soon as he saw he had my eye.
"Yes, I should get going," I replied standing up.
"Well this is actually convenient. We were going to ask you similar questions we were going to ask him," Andy interjected playing with the cast iron fire-poker that sat next to the fireplace.
"Oh," I replied and sat back down on the loveseat that desperately needed a new upholstery.
"I already offered Miss Martinowski something to drink. It would be rude if did not do the same for you two. I have Fresca's here in the house, but not much else. Would you care for one?" Bill asked, I image he would make an excellent host if he were to fixup the house and have a party.
"No thank you," The sheriff replied holding up a hand.
"Thank you, I would appreciate it," Andy replied.
Bill nodded, "I shall return."
With that he left the room. Andy paced around the small living room as he came up to the fire place. The fire he noticed the few cast-iron pieces along the brink trim. Picking up an odd looking piece that was long and had a four prong end set along an iron strip. Eyeing the piece, Andy held it up and turned it toward Bud.
"That's a toaster," Bill replied pointing at the object in Andy's hands, "You used to stick the bread in between the prongs and place it over the fire."
Andy nodded, set the object back in its place, and took a seat next to Sheriff Dearborne on the opposite loveseat from me.
"Can either of you, account for the nights or the 23rd, 27th, or 30th?" Sheriff Dearborne asked whipping out his notepad.
"Well I was in Ohio, I have only been back for two nights," I stated and turned to Bill, "I was at my parent's in Ohio one night. The other two I was home alone."
"I was at home those evenings," Bill replied.
"I know you used to work with Dawn, and were friends with Bethany. Did you know Maudette all that well?" The question was directed at me.
"No I did not," I replied.
"Did you know the girls, Mr. Compton?" Andy asked.
"I know Bethany and Dawn worked at Sam Merlotte's place but I unfortunately did not know Miss Pickens," Bill said smoothly.
The two quickly wrote down our comments on their scratch paper.
"Did you know that these girls were known to be involved with vampires?" Bud asked directing the question more towards Bill.
I had known Beth was involved with vampires, since Eric knew her. I wasn't surprised by their statement about Dawn, she could be more sexually promiscuous than myself. I didn't know Maudette well enough to say anything either way.
"I did not. But it is more common than you would think," Bill replied smoothly not fazed by their questioning.
They paused again to make note of his response.
"I know Bethany is currently missing, but do you happen to know if either of the other girls were exsanguinated?" Bill asked.
I eyed him carefully. Why would he ask such a question? Did he want to look like the murderer? Why would he want to know if they had been drained of their blood? It was common knowledge that both girls were strangled. I wasn't even in town for the events and I knew about it.
"Drained of their blood?" Bill asked once he saw their confused looks on his terminology.
"We're not at liberty to release that kind of information," Andy stated and nodded looking back towards his note pad.
"Because if they were not. I doubt that a vampire was involved. A fresh corpse, full of blood. I daresay that I would not be able to resist such a sight. Nor any other vampire," Bill replied looking off into the hearth as he stated his reasoning. He looked creepy as he finished his sentence. I saw his irises dilate at the mention of blood, I hoped the police officers did not notice that little change in his demeanor.
"I believe that is all of our questions, we will be off then," Bud said quickly and the two stood and practically ran for the door.
Once they were gone and their car was no longer in sight. I turned to look at Bill who was leaning against the hearth staring at the old toaster looking a bit lost in thought.
"Why would you ask that kind or question. If they didn't have you pegged as the murderer, you might be now," I said from my seat on the loveseat.
"Because they needed to know. If every time there is a murder in this town, I want them to not automatically believe that I was the one who committed it," Bill replied pushing up from the hearth.
"You didn't have to say it all creepy like," I returned to leaning against the back of the couch.
"I believe it is time to walk you home," Bill sneered at me, "We can finish our conversation another time."
"I can walk myself," I replied and stood.
"I will not let something happen to you now that Eric is patrolling the area," Bill stated and grabbed my arm.
"Hey! Let me go!" I replied as I was practically dragged towards the door, "Maybe I'll call those two back and let them know your man handling me!"
Bill turned and growled in my face throatily, "I will tell you this Adriane, vampires well to being threaten."
I felt the color drain from my face as I looked at his mouth and saw his two fangs protruding from his exposed teeth. I stepped back a bit, frightened by his sudden change. He must have seen the look in my eyes, he almost immediately let go and shot back a few steps.
"I'm sorry Adriane, allow me to walk you home. I would be besides myself if something were to happen to you on this short distance to the house," Bill replied sounding more like his old southern manners self.
"Okay, just don't do that again," I replied as I rubbed the place he just had his hand subconsciously.
"Do what again?"
"Practically drag me out of your house, no one likes being man handled. Besides it's rude," I replied, trying to recover from being growled at as quickly as I could.
"Well then do not be rude whilst under my roof," Bill smirked at me.
"Touché," I replied pointing a finger gun at him and away.
"Perhaps we can finish our conversation on the way back to the Stackhouse's?" Bill suggested and held out his arm towards me.
I was a little apprehensive about touching Bill, but he was trying to be nice and put his best foot forward. I could do the same, "Okay?"
"So what occurred after?"
I briefly explained what had occurred after being dragged around the ground by Eric. How I wandered around the woods till I found a road, and Sam taking me back to the house. After I finished the brief story, Bill and I were almost at the cemetery.
Bill paused for a second at the edge of one grave. I followed his gaze at the tombstone, I couldn't make out the name, the stone was covered in greenery and fallen leaves. I slightly wondered if the grave held significance to him or we just randomly stopped.
"What was Eric doing here this evening?" Bill asked.
My head snapped back to Bill. How did he-? Oh vampire sense of smell. Eric had barely touched me but I probably stank of him. What was I going to tell him? He had lied to the police for me. Actually why hadn't they asked about what happened to me? Well whatever, I'm safe now. It doesn't matter. At least they were looking into Beth's case. Beth…Eric didn't want Bill involved in whatever this matter was. I couldn't tell him the truth. Bill would be able to see through my lie but at least he wouldn't know. I have a feeling he wouldn't push. I tugged on Bill's arm and we began walking again.
"He wanted to make sure I got home safely. I guess he was planning on coming back for me the next night if I had stayed still. Whatever he's an asshole," It wasn't a complete lie. Eric did say he was going to come back for me if I had stayed.
"Hmmm," Bill buzzed and looked me over. Yep he knew I was lying, "Miss Martinowski can you promise me one thing?"
I knew what he was going to ask of me. I would have to distract him from it, "Stop calling me, Miss Martinowski."
Bill gave me a smile, "It is only proper."
"No one calls each other by "mister" or 'miss' unless they are being formal. Besides it makes me feel old," I laughed lightly, it was working.
"Very well, you would have me call you 'Adriane'?"
"Yes and I'll call you William."
"Bill if you please," Bill replied, "If we are trying to get away from formalities, I believe a nickname is in order."
"Do not give me a nick name. There is only one nickname from my name, and I hate it."
"'Ann'?" Bill questioned, "That is not a terrible nickname."
"Okay, fine two nicknames from my name. I hate them both. If you call me by either I shall have to throw a cross at you."
Bill gave a hearty laugh, "Crosses have no power over us. It would be silver that would do some damage."
"A silver cross would still work," I pointed a finger at him.
"Very well, I will not give you a nickname and you will not throw anything that could cause harm at myself."
I smiled, "Deal. I think once we get to know one and other better a little better, we could be friends."
"I would very much enjoy being your friend, Adriane," Bill smiled.
"Thanks again for covering for me tonight. I know that was a sticky situation to input yourself into," I said as we approached the house.
"If the situation involves another vampire, I believe it is always better to have such a person who understands the vampire world with you. We cannot have the police getting involved with such a matter. Vampires are very private individuals and some of their lesser known abilities need to stay that way," Bill stated.
"Geeze you could have just said thanks," I teased punching his bicep with my free arm. Bill eyed me without turning his head, "I'm teasing. You don't have to worry about me blabbing. Your kinds secret is safe with me. I may not like all of you, but for your sake I'll keep the secret."
"Much obliged," Bill replied as we came into the vicinity of the house. Bill stiffened and suddenly he was gone.
"Bill?" I called out, I think I saw his blur head towards the house. I found myself running there. Something had happened. I ran inside by the back door. Bill was holding Sookie and beginning to growl looking towards the front door. He released her and was gone.
"Sookie?" I asked as I entered the kitchen as I almost slipped.
I regained my footing and looked down. Gran was on the floor. In a bloody mess sprawled in awkward unnatural angles. There was blood spread all over the floor. I found myself taking a step back out of it. I looked up at Sookie, she wasn't facing me. But her palms and legs were covered in blood. There was a noise that came from the front room. Bill growled and let go of Sookie and charged forward. Bill went to Sookie's rescue but no one had come to save Gran.
DOUBLE UPDATE!
Anyways, as always! Please read, like, favorite and review! Thank you for your patience!