Through Kate's eyes…

I spent the last few days hiding away in my room. I didn't want to see anyone and it seemed the safest bet just to isolate myself.

I purposefully slept at night and woke up with sun, at least that way I had the place to myself. Seth usually was up all night with Richard so even though he wasn't Culebra he was on their schedule.

It was almost sun down and I had found a nice spot in the back of the building. The desert stretched out for miles. I would sit and watch the sun go down, smoke a cigarette and sometimes practice my control on this power. I'd lift small rocks a few feet in the air then throw them or let them drop. It was secluded and I was pretty sure no one knew I was there.

Tanner and his harem, which was about five female Culebra's in scantily clad clothing and a couple rough looking bikers, were living in my Dads old RV that sat in the parking lot. God only knew what had gone on in the past year in that RV. I just imagined turning on a black light in there and seeing the room light up like some perverted crime scene on a law and order episode.

Tanner had said that the Santa Sangre spirit would send me a sign. A vision of some kind that would indicate where and when I was supposed to prepare for the sacrifice and yet nothing had happened.

I slept and I ate. I showered and tried to keep busy but, nothing seemed to come. I kept having the nightmares though. So many times I had woken up in the night screaming. I was always afraid of someone coming to check on me but, then I remembered the bar, the band and the steady stream of humans and Culebra's. There was no way anyone would be able to hear my screams over that ruckus.

I would get up and try to walk off the nightmare, to no avail.

I inhaled the cigarette and watched as the sun dipped below the horizon line. I still hadn't seen Scott. I think he had come to my room several nights before. I saw the shadow of someone's foot prints stop in front of the door. At first the shadow moved as if he was contemplating knocking then they were still, before long they disappeared. I was almost positive it was my brother.

I didn't know what to say to him. I know that I had said that my love for him was lost but, that wasn't true. I was angry at him and myself. I had tried to change his very nature because I couldnt understand his decision. I was angry at him for being selfish but, I still loved him. He was all I had. I had asked Seth about Scott and he explained what he had done the night Carlos was dismembered and how Scott had stepped up in the last year. He told me that Scott had tried to do well in my honor. Maybe my death was what needed to happen to save Scott? Maybe it wasn't in vain?

Still I wasn't sure how to approach him. The choice was taken out of my hands as the backdoor to the hotel opened and Scott stood there. The sun had dropped into the horizon. Had he been waiting on the other side of the door for it to be safe?

I didn't get up from the ground but, I did drop the rock I had hovering in the air. Scott stared at me and I stared back. After a moment I defiantly looked away, took a drag my cigarette and then threw it to the side as I exhaled.

"I didn't want to push it but, I knew you'd been coming back here," said Scott as he sat down next to me with both are backs pressed against the wall.

"I'm sorry I didn't try to see you before, I just didn't know what to say," I said. I couldn't look at him so pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my head on them. The sky slowly turned from deep red to dark blue, then purple and finally a black veil with bright stars.

"Not manning the gas station tonight?" I asked Scott. I wanted to sound casual even though the air was thick with tension.

"No. Seth lets me have nights off so I can, you know, feed," replied Scott. I nodded while looking up at the sky. Even though I hated that my own brother had to take lives to survive, I was getting better at hiding my discomfort.

"Kate? What's it like, dying?" asked Scott out of nowhere. I scoffed.

"It hurts, especially when it's a bullet in your gut, but it's also peaceful. The thought of moving on. Getting away from this world with all its problems. And it's sad because you realize you won't have a hand in solving the problems that are left behind," I replied.

"Why?" I asked thinking of our Dad. He had died by my hand and though he begged for it I knew the stress of guilt. I wondered if Scott felt that way.

"I just wondered. Did you see dad?" he asked me in a small voice.

I shook my head. I couldn't tell Scott about my nightmares. I didn't want to make him worry. I looked at my adopted brother then and saw the pain on his face.

"All I saw was darkness," I said. I picked up my pack of cigarettes and lit one. I handed the pack to Scott and he too lit one.

"So there is no heaven?" he asked sounding disappointed.

"I think there is, I just didn't make it far enough," I joked. Scott smiled.

I took my brothers hand in mine.

"Scott, I was angry at you and at myself. I just wanted to show you that you have other options and ways of living. My stupidity got me killed, that and Richards ambition. I love you Scott, no matter what I said in the past," I said giving his hand a squeeze.

Scott hugged me unexpectedly.

"You're all I have Kate. I'm glad your back!" he said into my shoulder and I held him as I felt his tears drop.

It was almost ten at night when I got up from where Scott and I had been sitting. We had just been talking about everything that he had been doing in the year that I was absent.

"Richards not bad. He can be a tight ass but, he is good with dealing with the other Culebra's" Scott said. I nodded. I knew Richie would take the role of Lord and make it his best job yet. He was smart when it came to things like that but, that didn't mean I trusted him. If it came down to my death and the sacrifice which would he choose? I knew the answer but, I just didn't want to admit it.

Once upon a time, before I knew anything about blood sacrifices or even Culebra's I saw something in Richard. A vulnerability. A humanistic side of him that was hidden under the surface. After he was turned I thought I could still see that in him but, it was all bullshit. He didn't care about me, his brother or even his lover Santanico. None of it mattered, just his ambition.

"I better head to bed," I said getting up and brushing off my jeans.

"Wait! Come watch the band with me," said Scott getting up. I smiled at him and shook my head.

"I can't. I'm really tired. Some other time," I said stepping into the air conditioned building, Scott right on my heels.

"Hey," he said catching up to me as I went to open my door, "you don't have to hide away anymore," he said and the sincerity in his voice almost made me want to cry.

"I've been up since five so I'm just gonna crash. Tomorrow?"

"Sure. Ok night, Kate," and with that Scott headed to the front of the building.

I felt better than I had since showing up here. Maybe talking to my brother would help keep the nightmares away? I could only hope so as I took a shower then climbed into bed, exhausted physically and mentally.


I was moving through a wooded area. It was bright and sunny with birds chirping in the trees. The sun felt warm against my skin and I could almost smell the honeysuckle. As I moved closer to the edge of the woods I saw the pond and knew exactly where I was; my parents lake house.

The house stood on the south end and from where I stood I could see my Dad's old car sitting underneath the elms in its regular spot. The tire swing swayed lazily in the breeze and I was reminded of all the times Scott and I used to play on it. Each of us trying to outdo the other with how high we could go.

My mom and Dad would bring me and Scott up here every summer before bible camp started. It was their way of giving us some family time before we went off with our friends. My Dad loved to fish and every year we would have bets on who would catch the most and the biggest.

"Time sure has a way of changing huh, Katie cakes?"

As I neared the dock I could see my Dad sitting at the end of it in his fold out chair. His back was to me but I knew it was him. He wore that same fishing hat that my mom despised and sat with his pole out in the water, bobbing on the surface of the pond.

"Daddy?" I said as I took a step onto the dock. It was old and the wood creaked which always made me nervous when I walked on it.

"Things sure do change Katie cakes. I never thought I would see the day," he said his voice easy and calming, like he didn't have a care in the world. I was only about two feet away from him and he still had his back to me. Slowly he began to reel in his line.

"See what day Daddy?" I asked. The dock shuddered underneath me. I looked over the edge and in the water I saw the pond was slowly turning a dark blood red. The smell of blood masked the smell of honey suckle and as I looked out at the pond, it had slowly become a vat of blood instead of the water I had seen only moments ago. I couldn't make it out at first but, soon I could see faces and bodies underneath the surface. They were screaming, writhing around one another trying to get up. The knees of these people were disfigured.

"The day that you turn into a whore for the devil!" he shouted turning his face to me. I screamed. His eyes had been gouged out leaving only two black holes. I lost my footing as I backed away from him. The dock shuddered underneath me again and I lost my balance falling into the blood pond. Cold hands wrapped around my arms, my legs and anything else pulling me under the water. Their skin felt like that of a fish, cold, jelly like and mushy. My father stood above me on the dock shouting at them to take me.

When I reached up to grab the deck my father slapped my hand away.

"You deserve this!" he shouted angrily at me. I kept fighting though. When I glanced at the house I tried to call to my Mom or Scott to help me. I looked back up at my Dad and standing behind him was Richard but, he was in his Culebra form.

"Let him go Kate," Richard said calmly, my Father either didn't hear him or didn't know he was there. He grabbed my father by the neck and sank his fangs into him.

I fought back as hard as I could kicking and hitting to get away from the hands that pulled me under but it was no use….

"No!" I shouted as I sat up and slammed into something.

"Kate! Kate! Wake up!" someone was shouting at me but, I was still trying to fight. It took me a moment to realize that it wasn't real. I was in my room, it was dark but I was starting to get my barring's.

Once the relief hit me I let myself break down.

"Shhhh, Kate its okay. It was just a dream." Richie said as he held me, slowly stroking my hair as I sobbed quietly. I didn't even care that he was here or that he had somehow gotten in my room. I was just relieved that it was all a dream and yet I was tired of the nightmares. I was tired of seeing my father shouting at me and calling me names. After I was all cried out I pulled away from Richie, trying to catch my breath. It was three in the morning. It took a moment for my breathing to become normal and my pulse to slow down.

When I looked at Richard I could see him looking at me with pity and genuine concern. I hated seeing it in his eyes. I didnt want him to pity me!

"How did you get in here?" I asked Richard as I reached for the box of tissues, I'll admit I was snappier than I should have been. I started dabbing my eyes with the tissues.

"I was going to my office when I heard you screaming," he replied a little too quickly.

"Oh," was all I could say. I got up from the bed, walked to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face. My cheeks were red and my eyes were blood shot, not Santa Sangre red, just normal red, as if I had been crying. I took several deep breaths, still trying to steady myself. As I towel dried my skin I realized Richard was casually leaning up against the doorway.

"Why do you still wear the glasses?" I asked not unkindly. I had wondered that before but, never thought to ask it.

Richard shrugged.

"Habit," he replied. I hung the towel up and stood facing him.

"That makes sense," I said sarcastically, a little annoyed by his none answer. I slowly moved past him back into the main room.

"Why are you still wearing my boxers and shirt?" asked Richard as I sat down on the bed. I looked down at the tank and shorts that Seth had given me.

"Seth gave them to me," I said not knowing what else to say. Honestly, I didn't really have anything to wear to bed and this seemed the most logical. Though I was sure I wouldn't have continued to wear them had I known they were Richards.

"It's the most comfortable thing I have for sleeping," I asserted lamely.

"Exactly. It's comfortable, just like my glasses. I've worn them since I was a kid and they are a small comfort to me," replied Richard. I rolled my eyes. It felt like he just wanted to argue.

"Look, sorry about the screaming but, I'm fine now so you can go," I replied trying to dismiss him.

"You wanna tell me about the dream?" asked Richard sitting at the end of the bed and ignoring me. I pulled my legs up.

"It was just a dream," I replied not making eye contact.

"Not the first you've had. In fact I can probably guess that you've had nightmares ever since you arrived," he said. When I glanced at him he was smirking. "Tell me I am wrong," he said.

I shook my head. He must have heard me or was making a good guess. Either way, I didn't know how I felt about this. I wanted to talk to someone without them looking at me like I was insane but, at the same time I didn't know what would happen if I told Richard the truth. Would he use it against me later? Mock me? Say that I am just being over dramatic?

Richard cleared his throat.

"Look Kate, I know you resent me for what happened. You were right, I let my ambition get the best of me but, that doesn't mean I didn't care when you died. To be honest I am familiar with bad dreams, I had them for months after you died," said Richard. I finally looked at him. His ice blue eyes bore into mine and I could see the sincerity in his face. I felt my resolve weaken if only for a moment. I couldn't concede forgiveness verbally so I just nodded.

"The nightmares….are of my Dad and the sacrifices. I see all of them crying out and screaming. I can smell the dirt as if gets piled on top of them and feel their fear!" I exclaimed. Now everything came out in a rush and made my blood boil with frustration and rage.

"I don't know if I can do this! The worst part is, sometimes in the dream, when I am seeing all of these people, I like it. I enjoy it and that scares me Richard!" I cried and put my head in my hands as the tears came. I felt a shift on the bed as Richard moved close enough to me to put an arm around me in comfort.

"You aren't alone, Kate" he said into my hair. Once again he had hit the nail on the head.

"Yes I am," I replied pulling away from him. I stood up and began pacing the floor. He let me and waited while I let my anger stew

"You don't get it! My whole family is dead and now I am forced to kill more innocent people for a stupid blood god who by the way, wont let it go at that but, gives me this power that I am forced to control and I can't take it!" I screeched. The mirror on the vanity suddenly cracked.

"Kate, calm down!" said Richie. If I had been a little calmer, I might have found his expression comical but, I was angry.

"No! It isn't right. And what's worse is I like it Richard! The power. I'm not the weakling anymore when I use it and I like that freedom!" I cried. Richie stood up and placed both hands on my shoulder stopping me from pacing.

"Kate, I'm already paying out the ass for the repairs in the hallway so please calm down so I don't have to do the same in here!" he said making me stop in my tracks. After a second or two we both started chuckling.

"You kind of deserved it," I said trying to smother my smile.

Now it was Richards turn to roll his eyes. We stood in awkward silence for a moment. I sighed heavily.

"Look, thanks for coming in here but, I need to get some sleep. I'm exhausted," I said and was shocked that it was true. Richie nodded and adjusted his tie.

"Kate, I mean it. You aren't alone. You should come watch the band some night. Maybe having some fun will help ease the tension. You'll look forty before your twenty," Richard joked.

"Well good thing I don't look forty then," I said sadly. It wasn't until yesterday that I realized that in the year I had been gone, two birthdays had passed. I had missed my nineteenth and twentieth birthday. I had died three weeks before my nineteenth and my twentieth was four days ago. I hadn't even thought of it until Brandy mentioned the date when she brought me more clothes.

"What?" asked Richard.

I explained to him about my age and he looked surprised.

"Wow, I'm sorry," he said looking a little uncomfortable. This was why I hadn't mentioned it to Scott earlier. I didn't want people feeling bad for me.

I shook my head.

"It's no biggie," I replied with a shrug though deep down I was disappointed.

"Well now you have to come out tomorrow" he said.

"I will, promise," I replied. The look on his face was almost sweet. As if he was genuinely happy.

"Night Richard," I said as I turned back to the bed climbed in and faced the door where he stood. He flicked the light off and all I could see were his glowing Culebra eyes. It didn't bother me, I was used to it.

"Night Kate," he said opening the door letting in a flood of hallway light and shutting it behind him as I let my eyes shut. I drifted off after a time and for the first time in ages I didn't dream.