Once I awoke I realized that Bill was still in bed. It was the first time I spent the entire night with him. I rose. Bill rolled and draped over the spot I had occupied while still asleep. I kissed his cheek and left the room in search of the Continental Breakfast. It was lovely, there was an assortment of things to choose from. All of it seemed curated and organized as if it came out of a magazine.
As I got closer to the table I had a view of the rest of the room. I noticed that I wasn't alone...I picked up a knife as I inched closer to the seemingly sleep intruder. I saw blonde hair and a familiar face, Eric. He was sleeping on his back, his face immobile. From this view, he looked innocent. It was unsettling to notice that he wasn't breathing. I've never had the chance to look at vampires in their weakest state.While lost in thought Eric had awoken to see me with the knife in hand.
"If you cut me with that I will retaliate."
" You scared me...what are you doing here?"
" You, scared? Never thought I'd see the day."
"Yes, Eric, I too get afraid at times..."
" You certainly don't act like it. Are you leaving now?"
" No, just having breakfast."
I turned away from him and did just that. I made a plate of eggs, bacon, fruit, and an assortment of other items. Unbeknownst to me, Eric watched as I ate.
" It's been centuries since I've eaten meat..." he moved to join me at the table, I ignored his presence and enjoyed every morsel of my breakfast.
" What's that?" Eric pointed to a fruit that was on my plate.
" I'm not sure, it's very tangy though, almost bitter" I looked at the menu to see if it had any pictures to tell me the kind of fruit it was.
" Why are you awake, it's daytime?"
" As vampires age, you start to need less sleep. Most can rise earlier than one would in the early stages."
"Hmm, interesting. What's it like being a vampire? " Eric thought before he answered my question.
" Lonely, it's why most live in nests. As time moves along you realize that you are stuck. If you don't find purpose you go mad or you meet the sun..."
It was the second time I got a glimpse behind Erics many masks. There are times when he shocks me and others revolt me, but he is never a bore.
" What's it like reading minds?"
"Annoying. At first, it was terrifying. We didn't know what was happening to me. I was convinced that I was insane for quite a while.
I'd do almost anything to get the voices to stop, they would bombard me, eventually, I got the hang of it. Then the other powers. Once those came, it was like it was happening all over again.
Sometimes I'm afraid of myself. I feel this power inside me. A darkness. I know if I'm not careful it will take control. That night with the Maenad it was the first time I felt it. I mean really felt it. I loved every moment, I felt...
" Unstoppable!"
Eric finished for me, clearly understanding the sentiment. I looked into his eyes and nodded silently. There was a knock on the door, it was housekeeping. She came in and cleaned the table, Eric moved back over to the couch. By the time she was finished, he was fast asleep again. Sometimes I wonder who Eric is. If he's the monster he wants people to believe or someone else...
I got ready and prepared myself for the day. My clothes were modest. An ankle-length dress, tennis shoes, and long ankle socks. To complete the facade last night I made sure to clean my hair and braid it down my back. It looked slept on. I placed a headband over it and made sure I had frizzy hair framing my face. I mimicked a fresh look with makeup but made sure it was very bare-faced. Fake round glasses were perched on my nose. The last touch was a gold crucifix. I looked religious and bland. Around noon I heard a knock on the door, it was Hugo, he was Isabel's human. He wasn't too striking but he did have a boy next door vibe. We didn't talk much until we got in the car.
"You take things pretty seriously don't you?"
"I've got a lot riding on my ability to solve problems for my sheriff."
"So you do this often?"
"What do you want?"
"Excuse me?"
"You keep trying to make small talk. What? Have you been asked to interrogate me or something?"
"My partner, Isabel, was intrigued by your gifts."
"Not interested."
"You haven't heard the offer. What's Eric paying? We will double it if you stay, come work for us."
I placed earbuds in my ears and blared music. I turned my head and gazed out the window. I have very limited knowledge about Godric. All I've been able to pull is that most humans don't have much contact with him. Eric wouldn't tell me anything. My mind began to drift. I couldn't stop remembering the young boy. What Eric said about his maker forbidding him from saving the kid. Is he why Eric is so?
I don't have words for whatever the hell is wrong with him. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. I didn't know this man. I don't know anything about any of them. I'm alone, and we're going to infiltrate a cult. Today my job is to search for any evidence on Godric's whereabouts. I decided to manipulate this new bit of information. If the Dallas nest wants my employment maybe I can wiggle out some information.
"You and Isabel seem close."
"Yes. We've been together nearly going on five years. "
"Oh?"
Hearing that made me think about how long I've known Bill. Eight months. Give or take a few days. Nearly two months of that we weren't even together.
Since I've met him, my life has been hit after hit. A slight pang of regret, I love him, but I can't stand that I've never had a moment of peace. I have chosen this life, I chose to spend my time around them. Vampires. It's not just Bill. It's all of them. I've been alone my entire life. Yes, I had Jason and Gran but they weren't like me! Whether it was how different I looked next to them.
The looks I got from strangers. Judging me because they knew about my parents. Knew that my pa stepped out, that momma got stuck raising a kid that wasn't hers. Especially, a ' mulatto' child. I can't tell you how many fights I got into because some girl thought I was flirting with her Lil 'boyfriend', and they got beside themselves. Since Bill and all the rest have entered my life I haven't felt so alone!
" The vampire you came with is he your lover?"
"Yes, Bill is. "
" He would be welcomed with open arms, that is if you changed your mind?"
"What's Godric like?"
"Ah down to business, finally mustered up to ask. He's not particularly pleasant to be around. Most of them aren't. He's heavily repentant. Possibly to his detriment. Some are starting to circle if you know what I mean. "
"Let me guess, Farrell"
"Isabel would rather meet the sun than allow him to usurp Godric."
There was something about his tone. I couldn't tell if it was resentment or jealousy. Just as I was about to ask a more personal question. The car pulled up to the church. My gut lurched as I read the signs around. The Fellowship resembled a 'mega church' compound, there were copious amounts of anti-vampire propaganda hanging about. I felt a bead of sweat form on my brow.
I took some blotting papers out of my little tote. It was the only pop of color I had on. It was bright pink, well more on the coral side of the pinks. Inside it, I held a hidden blade. It was in the shape of a pink comb. I also had a perfume bottle of pepper spray. I've seen documentaries, I'm not getting snatched today.
" Lazarus too rose from the dead" Hugo spoke breaking the silence.
"What?"
"The sign. It said that Jesus was the only one to rise from the dead. That's incorrect. Lazarus rose too."
I tried to remember the Bible verses that my mother made me read as a child. Scanning them over in my mind. I snickered once I realized he was right. My views on vampires are still a bit unbaked. Most of the interaction I've had has been negative, but then I'm in love with one. I don't hate them, I just believe they are deeply scarred people. It's not natural living that long. I mean even the time we get as humans. That's long enough to start wars. I couldn't imagine living multiple lives over and not losing my mind.
The inside was quite pleasant. The head of the organization was a married man. You know the type. Little miss southern belle and upstanding godly man. They run a tight image, they do make an attractive couple but I don't buy it. Something stinks about this place. There was a pretty blonde woman at the front desk. There was a name tag just above her strapped-up tits. The bra she was wearing gave her points. Like the retro bras. Yeah, this must be her. Sarah Newlin.
" Can I help you?"
" Why yes, you can. You see, me and my husband here, well we're tired. Just darn tired of these vampires and that drug!"
I made sure to swing my tote around a bit as I talked. Keeping eye contact with her as I admonished the vamps. She chuckled at my enthusiasm. She handed us both brochures and began a tour. She wore a cute little cropped double-breasted blazer and a pair of pleated high-waist pants. A tortoiseshell belt around her waist gave her that cinched look.
She was giving Joan from Mad-Men in the body. As she walked us down the hallways I caught myself gazing at her perky ass more than once. Even though I'd never touch anyone other than Bill. I still couldn't help myself from looking! Sometimes I criticize Jason too much, I too have 'hoe' like desires.
All the doors were open, showing various people doing activities. What shocked me the most was watching the children play.
They were running around playing 'Stake the vampire', Sarah explained. It made my stomach roll once again. I couldn't shake this feeling of dread. I kept smiling and pretending to be interested. Even stopping a few times to show my 'honey' something I found. As far as I knew, no one seemed to know that I was acting. The building was larger than I thought. It would be. We crossed a second large hall that led to a supposed second wing.
Suddenly the vibe changed in Sarah. So far she had been charming and informative. Until we crossed her husband. Steve Newlin. He took the torch after his father's expiring. It was covered in the news for weeks. The fellowship rallied because of the conceived covering up of how he died. His father's death was classified as an accident. Steve openly accused vampires as the culprits of his murder.
" Oh honey, look these two lovely people are interested in joining the fellowship."
Her smile looked painful. He greeted us with a hearty handshake and began telling us more about how the fellowship came about. From the way, he tried to stay as far from her as he could. It's mutual hate I see. A man grabbed Steve's attention and he left to consult with him.
I listened in on their conversation. The two men were discussing firewood. It was for some kind of event. They were being sort of vague. Inside their thoughts they were explicit. The wood was for building a pyre. They were going to burn a vampire at sunrise.
"Oh, I forgot. You guys came just in time. Tonight we're having a special event. A lock-in. We all stay at the church overnight and have a campfire. Barbecue, karaoke, watch movies, the whole nine.."
Sarah kept mentioning the lock-in during the rest of our tour. Mentioning how fun it would be and we would get first-hand experience with The fellowship. Things were starting to take a turn I could tell from the energy she was giving off. I kept trying to find a way out of it but she wasn't taking no for an answer.
She mentioned how the a couple had left some sleeping bags from the last lock-in. I felt backed into a corner, Hugo gave in and covered for my apprehension. As the tour came to an end the last room led downstairs. I heard that voice again. It was telling me to go back.
" Honey, I feel faint. It's quite warm in here. "
I clung to Hugo's arm, I pinched the inside. He understood. His hand touched my forehead and immediately replied.
"You are quite warm. I'm sorry Sarah, but we must be going... my wife is sick, this has been lovely. We certainly will be coming back."
"Oh, it's much cooler down here. Let's get you a seat and some water."
Sarah pulled my hand and forced me to follow after her. Despite my panic, Hugo still felt cool as a cucumber. The entire time he's been calm and collected. As we descended, it became clear that this was a bomb shelter. My heart felt like it was lodged in my throat. It dawned on me. How would they know who I was? Or where to find me? The only people who knew Bill and I were here, was the nest. I had been lured into a trap!
I turned around to gaze at Hugo and it all spilled out. His mask faltered for a split second and I was able to glimpse the hatred. He was burning with envy of Godric. He wished for Isabel to admire him. To worship him as much as he worships her. He desired to be with her forever!He was trying to take out Farrell for her. He was using the fellowship in his favor.
Hugo confirmed the beliefs that Theodore Newlin was murdered by none other than Farrell and his boys. This spurred Steve into action, but how do I fit into all this? Isabel was indeed intrigued by me. Her interest started long before I came here. She was there that night at Sophie-Ann's. I was simply a present for his precious Isabel. I was to be held here. He needed a fall guy for my sudden disappearance, especially since as he puts it.
I'm 'Eric's pet.' Thus ensuring the end of the fellowship. He believed that if even a single hair on my head was harmed that Eric would reap vengeance. Godric's disappearance was just the icing on the cake. I couldn't run. There were too many people to get by.
Another woman stood behind me now. Her name tag said Polly, she looked like an aged Barbie doll. She was bubbly in demeanor and her emotions came off loyal and matronly. She kept up her body, it looks like she had a boob lift. She was sure to be in on it. My mind immediately started trying to plan an escape.
Sarah disappeared for a moment. She now stood near a door off to the side. She made three short raps on it. A man came out, he held a strong resemblance to her. These must be her parents.
" Oh, you've brought me, visitors."
His name tag read Rodger. He was excited about something but for the life of me, I couldn't find what it was. His mind was blank but his emotions were rolling off him in waves.
He was a large man. In body and height, he wasn't fat but muscled. He wore Nike trainers and a blue short-sleeved shirt tucked into his pants. The look reminded me of a gym teacher. She whispered something to him. I tried to walk back upstairs without them but Polly stood in my way.
" Oh, you can't leave before s'mores. Let's see if we can't cool you off. "
I heard Rodger say behind me. His tone gave off tv dad feels. I turned around and prepared myself to fight. That was a mistake. It wasn't Rodger that I should have been looking out for. Polly wrapped a piece of leather cord around my throat. As I fought against her we tumbled to the ground, Rodger watched his wife with open arousal.
As I began to lose consciousness. I finally heard the mind of Sarah Newlin. She felt intense fear. She didn't want to do this. She felt that starting a war with the vampires was a mistake. That they wouldn't survive and would all end up like her husband's father.
Dead!
