Sunlight streamed through the windows and past her bed curtains warming Arra on the face. Her eyes fluttered open and she sat up in bed and stretched letting out a big yawn. She glanced at her clock that said 5:50 am. Smiling she got out of bed and started practicing yoga.
After ten minutes of yoga she went into her closet and changed. She glanced around her room as she walked over to her plants. Her room had a serious make over. Posters, art projects and paintings lined the room. She now had a CD player, computer, bookcase and so much more. Her room was that of a teenager's. Glancing at the clock she saw it was only 6:15. She flung open the windows and jumped on her bed before pulling out her diary. Turning to a blank page she began to write.
"Dear diary, it's me again. I have so much to say. So much has happened to me in such a short amount of time. First off it's been two months since I turned from a vampire into a human. I guess that's why I like waking up so early. I have to feel the sun on my skin and know that I'm human now.
My clanmates sorry "siblings" and I have finally completed our community service. Business is booming at Vampire Manor. People just love Bloodstone Funeral Home and Mortuary services. I'm busy with school, friends, and art club. I have a wonderful life. Dr. Harris is still my primary physician even though Selena has far more experience than him. Plus Officer Jessup has finally gotten off my back. I almost feel completely normal but not everything is perfect."
Despite what the courts say and all the legal say I still don't feel like a family. I still feel like were a clan. Sometimes we slip and do things the way we use to do them before we changed. I know it will take time for me to get use to this but still. I can't even call Victor and Demetra, Mom and Dad, because I still remember my parents. I can't pick a new religion because I still believe in my old one. I'm just not sure I can handle being human.
"I haven't told anyone but sometimes I wish I still was a vampire. I miss it. Not the blood sucking part but the powers. I hate feeling so slow and weak. I want my old senses back. But most of all I wish I was telepathically bonded to my mate still. Well I got to head downstairs for breakfast. I'll bring you with me incase I want to write more." Arra finished writing before hurriedly closing the small diary. It was brown with gold binding and her name on it. It even had a lock so no one could get to it.
Arra headed down the stairs and into the bathroom to get ready for school seeing as how the boys always hogged the upstairs bathroom. Finally she was ready for the day. Exiting the bathroom she stopped to pet the kittens who purred with content before she headed into the dinning room were her family was eating a breakfast explosion. "Morning everyone."
"Morning Arra dear. We have pancakes, muffins, toast, cereal, eggs, milk and orange juice prepared for you. Eat up its going to be a long day isn't?" Demetra said as she served everyone breakfast. She seemed to have settled into the role of wife and businesswomen quite nicely.
"Can you believe this? No school tomorrow because of Teachers Institute and then one week off while they renovate the place. How lucky can we be?" Kathren asked laughing happily.
"It will be our first vacation ever!" Siba exclaimed nearly chocking on his toast. Merton hit him on the back till he started breathing right again.
"Don't forget children. Demetra and I are heading to Midway City for a weeklong seminar on being successful business people and we have counseling sessions at night to help us get use to being human. Will be spending all of next Saturday together and be back about ten or eleven Sunday." Victor informed them as he leafed through the paper.
"That won't be a problem. The debate team is heading to Metropolis for right after school for a big competion. We get to spend all next Saturday having fun. I'm thinking of hanging out at cafes." Merton stated.
"That's nothing. You're looking at the next USA teen chess champion. I'm bound to win at the tournament at Gotham. After all I have 598 years of experience under my belt." Cassandra said evenly.
"Your not the only Master in this family. The chorus is performing in a festival over the break in Central City. Yours truly has not one, but three solos. I'm going to awe my audience." Kathren said sincerely.
"I wish you luck Kathren. While your singing your heart out the Green Team will be working on about ten different enviermental projects in Keystone. My favorite one is we volunteered to clean up the cities parks and plant some new flowers and trees." Siba replied.
"I'm lucky then. Both the Computer Club and Science Club have sponsored a joint trip to Jump City! Were going to be touring museums, computer facilities, and then there's a convention. Man I love it when two of my favorite things in the world coincide." Selena told them passionately.
"Well while you guys are off on your adventures I'll be wrestling for the title and training at camp in Steel City. It's going to be one intense break." Vanez added.
"Clearly none of us will be home till next Sunday." Demetra observed.
"Actually I'm not doing anything. My club already put on an exhibit last week at the art museum. So were not doing anything. I could watch over the Manor and business. The staff knows how to handle the day to day manners and I can take care of myself." I told them hesitantly.
Demetra and Victor looked at each other and consider this. A few months ago this would have been no big deal. But now that they were human something could happen. Finally they nodded in agreement. "Your old enough to take care of yourself. Besides your clan mates sorry siblings are leaving right after school and will be gone at five. I'm sure you can handle being on your own for a little over a week." Victor told me.
"Thanks. That really means a lot to me." I told him. It did really. Victor is the closest thing I have to a father and in many ways he is my dad. Glancing at the clock I saw we better get moving if we didn't want to be late for school. Ten minutes later everyone luggage and butt was piled into our modified Hearse and we were off.
While the rest of her friends gabbed and chatted about their exciting trips Arra just looked out the window in amazement. The sights, sounds, and smells of Dakota always amazed her. No matter how long she lived it was always fun to a normal teen. They finally arrived at Dakota Union High and she got out smiling. The rest of the clan ran inside the building but she paused at a table to write in her diary.
"Most kids think high school is a death sentence or a punishment. For us it was kind of the last thing we had to do to make up for all the trouble we caused when we first arrived in Dakota. I don't mind much at all. I think schools fascinating. All these different classes, and then theirs my friends, and lastly I have art club. All in all this signifies that I'm a normal human girl and that I don't have to leave a place after staying there for a month. I can live in Dakota for the rest of my life. I have a life for the first time since the destruction of Vampire Mountain."
Arra twisted her locker open and pulled out her books and things for her morning classes. She had History, which was a snap for her since she lived through it, then Advance Algebra, followed by Gym, and last Art. She was excellent in all her classes but she still had a little trouble adjusting to authority figures. She was use to being in charge. She spotted Frieda, Daisy, and Shenice talking and walked over to chat with them. "Hey girls. What are you all doing on this long break?"
"Hi Arra glad I ran into you. Guess what? I'm going to be visiting my grandparents. I haven't seen them in two years because they live in another state. I can't wait to see them again." Daisy told her excitedly.
"That's nothing. My parent's and I are going to Florida! The sun, surf, and cute guys will totally make this a the best family trip ever." Frieda interjected.
"Well my family going on its first family vacation ever. Were doing all the stuff we missed out on when I was little like going to games, zoos, and amusement parks. It's going to be so cool! What are you doing Arra?" Shenice asked
"Well the rest of my family will be away with their own business so I'll be all alone except for Midnight and Moonlight. I throw a party but I guess no one will be around. I got to go girls see you later." I told them as I hurried to class.
"Morning classes are tough but I manage them pretty well. Its so hard for me in history not to correct the teacher about what really happened during the period of time were discussing. I'm such a math whiz that my Algebra teacher is thinking of putting me in trigonometry to keep my interest. Gym is a little difficult. I'm use to having super fast reflexes and abilities. Being only human has some disadvantage in gym but I make up for that when we play dodge ball. Art is mainly the class I unwind in. I'm able to explore all of my art interest here not just origami. After art I have Biology. I didn't qualify for Chemistry. Still I think I have enough credits for graduation. Now that's a dream I really want. Now its lunchtime and I'm just waiting for my mate I mean boyfriend Richie Foley to join me. Richie is the smartest, kindest, coolest guy ever. He can never replace Larten but he is my other half. I hope he can help me with a problem I've been having lately."
"What are you writing now? You've been writing an awful lot lately. Here I got you a salad. So want to tell me what this little book is about?" Richie asked while eating some BBQ.
"My diary is private business Richie. What I write in it is none of your concern. Thank you for the salad. So how's patrol going lately with Virgil?" I ask concern in my voice. Ever since the second Big Bang things have been rather hard on him. He nearly lost his powers and for Richie that would have been like a death sentence. I'm glad he got to keep his powers. They're a part of who he is. But lately he seems withdrawn. Like there's something he's hiding from Virgil and me.
"Shuu. Not so loud. Everything has been really cool lately. No major crimes or Metahuman activity. In fact why don't you stop by after school today at HQ? I have a special project I want to show you. Now what was it you wanted to talk about?" he whispered to me.
"Well its just.." and that's a far as I got before Virgil had to interrupt us with one of his jokes and sitting down with us. I really like Virgil. He's funny, smart, not mention brave but sometimes I just want to kill him. He interrupted my big moment!
Afternoon classes flew by and soon it was the end of the day. I got the keys to the Hearse from Merton and said good bye to my friends. Some people think it's strange for adoptive brothers and sisters to be involved with one another but screw them. I decide to head to the Community Center before going to HQ. I want to talk to my councilor Sharon Hawkins.
When I got to the Community Center Sharon was in her office talking on the phone with her collage friends about wedding plans. Adam Evens proposed to her about a month ago after he lost his powers. Sharon eagerly accepted. I get the feeling that she's been waiting for Adam to propose forever. She finished her conversation and began to clear her desk of wedding magazines. "Hi Arra, how are you doing?"
"Okay I guess. You seem pretty excited for someone who only got recently engaged. Listen I need to talk to you so do you have a minute to listen to me?" I asked.
"That's what I'm here for. So what's up? I thought you be on some trip with this break." Sharon replied.
"Everyone else in my family is busy. But that's not what bothering me. I'm use to being alone. What's really bothering me is I'm not sure I can do this human thing. I mean I barely remember being human. I mean I still think and act like a vampire in many ways. I don't follow any of the regular religions, I still think of my family as my clan mates, and lastly I constantly miss my powers." I asked desperate for an answer.
"That's a huge problem I'll admit. You have been a vampire for so long that it's become a part of who you are both physically and mentally. All I can tell you is it will take time for you to adjust to your new life. You told me that you became a vampire during a pretty dark time in your life. Your reluctance to change isn't uncommon. When the time is right everything will work out. I know from personal experience with Virgil and my own power trip." Sharon told her gently. She looked at her sympathetically.
"So this is what it was it like this for you? I mean when you changed back from Sparkles to plain old Sharon again? How did you adjust to being normal again after you experience all that power? I mean when Virgil nearly lost his powers forever he went a little crazy. Not as much as Richie but still when you have powers or grow accustomed to something it's hard to just let it go." I told her trying very hard to make her understand the dilemma I was going through.
"Arra you have a lot of potential as a human being. The road ahead of you is paved with a lot of obstacles but you have to meet them head on. You will get through this hardship in your own way and your own time. I hope that helps you out." Sharon said. She got up from her desk and led me out. I knew it was time to go. I thanked her for her time and drove to Static and Gears HQ for some alone time with my mate.
I parked the Hearse three blocks away and walked the rest of the way so no one watching would discover the truth about the abandon gas station. I knocked three times on the door, paused the knocked twice more. That was Richie and mines secret knock so he knew it was me and not Static. He let me in and I sat down at the table. "So do you have anything to eat? I'm starved!"
"I got some hamburgers and French Fries help yourself. Now come over here and take a look at this. Backpack just finished downloading the newest data results from my experiments from project VB." Richie told me showing me a computer display. My eyes opened in amazement as I read the text and watched the model twirl around in front of me.
"I'm impressed that you've come this far in such a short time. If this keeps up you might just win the Nobel Prize. The information you've gathered from all these tests will benefit a lot of people in the long run. And it's all thanks to me." I told him my eyes sparkling with pride.
We sat down to eat our dinner and talk. I brought up what was really bothering me. "What I wanted to talk about at lunch is this. The honest truth of the matter is I don't know who I am."
Richie frowned and put down his burger. "What do you mean you don't know who you are? Your Arra Sails, a sixteen year old girl who attends Dakota Union High and is my girlfriend. Not to mention a fabulous artist and botanist."
I shook my head in sadness. "No that describes me, but doesn't explain who I really am. I'm no longer Arra Sails the vampire who handled public relations. But I'm not Arra Sails the human girl either because I don't know who she is anymore. It's been so long and even with my photographic memory I can't recall what I was like before I was a vampire. It's just so confusing. Man why can't I figure this out!" I shouted pounding the table with my fist so hard I bled. Strange the sight of blood use to excite me, now all it does is disgust me.
"Wow don't go breaking the furniture. This isn't just about who you are. Your still having trouble adjusting to our relationship this way. Your use to hearing my thoughts in your head. Now you don't." Richie informed me.
"If you think I compare what we have to what I had with Larten you don't have to. Larten was special to me. He was the best mate I had but I love you as much as I loved him. Come over here so I can prove it to you." I told him seductively. The next thing I knew we were on the gas station floor kissing and hugging passionately. How long we were like that I don't know. The next thing I do remember is someone coughing. Startled we both looked up.
Static was standing there looking a little embarrassed but mostly mad. "If I knew we were doing make out sessions I would have brought Daisy."
"Static! Uh duh I was suppose to join you on patrol. Sorry I got a little hung up." Richie told him sheepishly. He was blushing furiously.
Static glared at me. "I can tell. Arra you can't keep coming here. Someone is bound to see you and figure out the truth about this place. Why don't you go home?" he instructed me. Like I was some little kid!
I growled at him and grabbed my yellow jacket. "I don't have to put up with this crap. Next time have the decency to knock. And for your information Gear invited me to spend sometime with him. He didn't want me going home to a big empty house. So just leave me alone Virgil." I snapped at him. He stepped back surprised by my venoumes attack. "I'll see you later Richie. I love you." Then I was gone.
"Virgil drives me so crazy! When he's Static he's all business and no fun. Its like he can't stand anyone else having a good time. But I guess he had a point. So I went home and helped the staff with last minute business before sending everyone home for the night. After changing my clothes and checking on my plants its time for my two hour workout in the gym/dojo. I may no longer be a creature of the night, but I still stay in shape. No one messes with me. And I mean no one!"
The first part of my workout consists of doing exercise such as push-ups, jumping jacks, and pull-ups. Then I spend a half an hour either on the balance beam or the parallel bars. Our gym is so well equipped I know many professional athletes would die for a chance to work out in it. The next half hour is spent fine tuning my martial art skills. I'm a 7th degree black belt in five disciplines. I like judo and karate the best. Its all about focusing your mind and letting your body guide you. The last part of my workout is with weapons. We got to keep all our weapons after we received permits for them.
I took my dagger of the rack and held it loosely. Closing my eyes I begin to twirl and whip around attacking imaginary enemies always making clean marks. Next I used my sword on the practice dummy making deep cuts and neat slashes. Satisfied I drew my last weapon. A jeweled knife with my name engraved on it in gold. The knife was a mating anniversary present from Larten. He gave it to me the year before he died. Blindfolding myself I concentrated hard and threw the knife at a bunch of target 100 yds away. Removing the blindfold I smiled seeing as how I hit the target. Time for me to take a long hot shower.
While I was running the shower I let my mind drift back in time. To nights long gone. When my life was a whole lot simpler, not so complicated by my worries and insecurities. The steam rose around me enveloping me as my memories came flooding back.
Flashback: six months after being blooded.
I was in the Hall of Sports fighting on the bars. It was a game, which consisted of several metal bars being hung all around the cavern's ceiling. They were very narrow and widely spaced. In my hand I gripped a stick, the ends were shaped like a qtip and covered with padding. I looked steadied my feet and glared at my opponent who was two bars away from me on the left.
He was another young vampire, a teen like me. His name was Darren Shan. He had black hair and green eyes and a triangle scar on his left cheek. Like me he was wearing only a tunic. "Come on Arra! Try and knock me off I dare you! What's the matter scared? I bet you are nothing but a coward." He shouted.
Using my enhanced senses I evulatuted the situation. I knew Darren was trying to bait me so that I would jump at him. That's when he would strike hitting me in the stomach and causing me to fall to the floor below. Not going to happen. I never lost at the bars and I wasn't about to start now. "Why don't you come over here and say that to my face. I'll show you who's a coward." I taunted him. I waited for him to make his move.
I didn't have to wait long. Darren recklessly charged me hopping from bar to bar. He jumped and swung with all his might at me, but I was gone. He looked around but couldn't find me. I attack from above knocking him off the bars I had won. I jumped off the bars to the ground and raced over to meet Larten. He smiled at me eyes full of pride. He didn't have his scar yet.
"You won again. I'm proud of you. You're a fantastic vampriss and an excellent fighter. You're going to make us all proud some day." Larten told me. Then he began to play his flute and I watched as his spider friends began to dance.
Flashback: 1705 Georgia.
"Larten I don't trust Kurda. He's staying out till its nearly dawn. He's been erratic, hot tempered, not to mention he's been creeping me out. Larten I think he's misusing our powers. If he's broken our code he must be punished. He is a danger to all of us! Can't you see that?" I pleaded with him. My violet eyes were flashing with anger.
"You don't have any proof! Kurda Smalt is my best friend. I rescued him from a tortures life as an orphan. He's part of this clan and is vital to our continues survival. He would never betray us or kill someone. You're being unreasonable. My little omnipotent one I promise if Kurda has done anything wrong he will answer to me." Larten told me. He held me close and hugged me. I knew he meant what he said. He only used my nickname (his nickname is what my name means) when he truly meant something or was being loving.
"I hope your right. If anything happened to you I don't know what I do. Your always be there for me won't you Larten?" I asked him solemnly.
He gave me his famous lopsided grin. "No matter what happens I'll always be there for you. I'll help you out of any jam. Now come on the rest of the clan is waiting for us." Larten told me. I followed him not knowing that in two weeks Kurda would betray us.
End Flashback:
I stepped out of the shower and looked around the bathroom as I toweled off. Marble sinks, Corethin tiles, gold taps. Some bathroom. I was born into poverty but I've lived like a queen practically all my life since I became a vampire. I walked over to the mirror wall and wrote Larten on it. "You promised you take care of the situation. That you always be there for me. Where are you now when I need you the most?" I asked the air. Sighing I left the bathroom and headed to my room to change.
After slipping into something more comfortable I headed to the library to read for a while. Entering the library a feeling of peace and calm entered my body. I walked over to the mythology and fantasy section and climbed the ladder to get a book on mermaids. I frowned as I got off the ladder. I use to just levitate to get a book of the high shelf. It seems strange to me to have to climb for things.
I spent about an hour in the library lost in my book. I laughed at how much of the book was wrong. I've met real mermaids in my days and there nothing like the cruel seductive monsters the older books make them out to be. I glanced at the grandfather clock and saw that the ten o'clock news would be on in fifteen minutes. Just enough time for me to grab a snack. I picked up my knife that I had brought down from the dojo with me and headed for the kitchen. After getting some rainbow sherbet ice cream I grabbed the morning paper that Victor had left on the table and headed to the living room to watch the TV.
I curled up on the couch with Midnight and Moonlight. They purred loudly and I fed them some of my ice cream. I loved being able to have pets. I was especially fond of cats because their blood was deadly to vampires. "Okay that's enough. Get off me I'm trying to watch the news." I said as I turned on the news.
The news came on and I watched fascinated by all that was going on in the world. Suddenly my eyes lit up and I leaned forward. The newscaster had just announced the top story. A girl found murdered in the park.
"Thanks Dave. Early this morning a pair of joggers discovered the body of Irma Cook, a fifteen year old student at Dakota Institute, in a tree grove in the park. The girl had been gone missing after phoning her mother last night around ten thirty. The police have released this information about the murder. The girl had puncture marks on her neck, and was clawed up. Death seems to have been caused by strangulation and her throat had been slit. The police are also puzzled by the apparent lack of blood. According to them the victim was drained of all her blood. Police have linked the Irma's murder with two other's with similar murders that have taken place in the last two weeks. Police are urging citizens to be careful and not go out at night unless absolutely nessacery." Sunny Dale reported. The camera zoomed in to take a close up shot of the murdered victims face. She had a look of pure terror plastered on her face. Suddenly I gasped as I spotted something on her left cheek. Three small scratch marks. All the same size and the same length. I grabbed the paper off the coffee table where I had laid it. On the front page was an article about the murders but that wasn't what shocked me. As I looked at the pictures of all three murder victims I saw the same thing. Each had the same markings on their faces. "It can't be true. It just can't be." I whispered. I was numb with fear and confusion.
I jumped up from my seat, grabbed my knife sheathing it and ran out the room and into the study. Victor used it as an office now. I began ransacking the room. Opening draws, throwing things everywhere, turning things on their side. I was determined to find the object of my quest. "Where did you put it? Come on Victor where is it?" I screamed in frustration. I kicked the desk and suddenly something fell off that had been taped to it. It was a gold key. "Yes!"
I rushed out of the study not bothering to clean up the mess. I get to it later. Moonlight and Midnight followed me as I bound up the stairs and rushed to the third floor. I finally came to the door that led to what use to be my room, the Media Room. Now it just stored all of our vampire relics. I put the key in the keyhole and turned. It wouldn't open. I was desperate to get into the room. I forced the door open and stumbled into the room. Breathing hard I took a deep breath and walked over to the bookcase that held the archives of my former races history.
I scanned all the books and must have gone through a hundred before I found the right one. I was on the edge barely holding myself together. That attack pattern for those murders seemed awfully familiar. I knew what I thought it was, but I frantically hoped I was wrong. I found the passage I wanted and began to read.
" A vampanzee is a creature of tradition. They will never stray from their usual attack patterns. Vampanzees always kill their victims in the exact same way. They mark their victims ahead of time with three small scratches on their left cheek. They then stalk their victim and attack them when their alone. First they claw the victim and then they drain them off all their blood by biting them and sucking them dry. To cover up the murder they will strangle the victim and slit their throat. They are required to dump the body where it won't be found so questions are asked. Vampanzees always kill their victims and are always sure to follow these steps unless they've gone mad."
I dropped the book in shock. I couldn't breath, I couldn't think. I was shaking all over. I just whispered in a voice that was barely audible "How?" I looked out the window at the moon and I heard in the distance wolves howling.