The sky was bright pink with purple towards the bottom. The setting sun casted low long shadows that seemed to stretch as far as the mountains. It was eerie, even for a vampire. Alice held onto my hand. We walked carelessly through the abandon streets of Seattle. Shops and stands were closed for the day and no one lingered on the streets. This put her into a bad mood. Alice was hoping to find at least one store open to shop for clothing. She explained that mine were out dated and filthy so there for need new ones. I felt insulted by her comment but then reassured myself that, that was just how Alice is. We were together for about one week and yet her insults and rude suggestions never seemed to make me angry with her. I was feeding more and more on wild animals but one time I did slip and have a delicious woman. So round and plump, my mouth started to water at the sight of her and my throat burned. Alice wasn't with me; she was in a store purchasing fine out fits for her self. I followed the woman like I followed Jane Aferstane, the last human I had. So carefully did I step until I wanted her to know I was in pursuit. She blushed like any other woman and liked it when I strutted up to her. And just like Jane, was easy to kill not making a sound. Alice found me in the dark ally, the head of my victim on my lap. I thought she would be appalled by me and leave, but she didn't mind. She walked over to me and wiped a drop of blood from my chin.
"I saw you do this. I'm not going to try to stop you if you already made up your mind. I'll let you get this all out. You'll be fine, I promise." Then she leaned over and pecked me on the check. The fine memory still danced in my mind. I wondered that if I hunted down another human then will she kiss me again. I found myself looking on the roads for any victims and found myself hoping that if I did slip again then she would kiss, not on my cheek, but my lips…No! I stopped myself from thinking about that, but a moment too late. I have already started to think that and now it wouldn't leave my mind. her tender lips on my cheek, so soft and smooth and light. Her infectious smile, teeth so white and straight. Everything about her drove me crazy. The scent of lilac and ginger that came off her as she walked had a spell on me. Temptation was gnawing at me and I find myself, even now, wanting to kiss her passionately. I thought I would never feel this way since Maria, that my love for her would still burn inside of me like a fire that was refusing to dwindle. The love is still there, I can feel its echo's stab me every time I think of her name, but it has dwindled by a much bigger fire.
Alice nudged me brining me back to the present. She pointed a dignity finger towards a wooded store front with a sign swinging back and forth in the wind. It read, "Fabrics and More".
"There! The only shop open. How lucky are we?" she giggled and clapped her hands.
I groaned. "Why don't you get yourself something nice? You don't have to waste your coins on me."
She glared at me. "I can not be seen with a man that looks like he's a bum. You have far more class." She smiled not showing her teeth. Still in hand she pulled me across the street and into the store.
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I sat on the curb out side of the clothing store. Alice couldn't stand my "grumpiness" and ordered me out. I was happy to listen. She chatted with the man who ran the shop like they were old friends. I suppose anyone who knows fashion is a friend of hers. The sun had completely gone down and now the darkness surrounded me. I welcomed it. The street looked more normal without the long eerie shadows. I imaged myself walking down this road with a top hat and a cane that clicked as I tapped on the ground. I would have probably been the wealthiest looking man here and still have not a penny to my name. It's all about show, then people will respect. The day dream faded as I gazed over to the horizon. The silhouette of the mountains loomed in the background. I longed to be in the forest once more. Being around people again is playing with my temptation. Just being in the same store as that man watered my mouth. I inhaled a big breathe of air. The night cooled me down quite a bit. I've spent a lot of time in the wilderness and greeted it like my home now. Streets and houses and lamps made me skittish. I looked back and saw Alice hold up a brown pair of trousers with elastic bands hanging from the sides. She pursed her lips, taking her time to choose. The man was behind the counter but kept looking at her, wanting in his eyes. Anger rushed over me suddenly. I felt it knock the air out of me. So harsh, so violent! I haven't felt this emotion since I was with Maria, but here it was, washing over me like a tsunami washing away crying humans. I bit my lip hard and turned away form the window. I took shaky uneven breathes to calm my nerves. Why was I mad? Why do I care so much if a man stares at Alice? I shouldn't, she is not mine and will never be. She is only showing me away to a better life. I am no attracted to her in any sense. I regained my manner sinking slowly back into calmness, thinking of the grassy hills and bountiful of tress. When I thought I had it in control I flipped all the way around, looking through the window. There was the man, staring at her with adoration and aw in his black, beady, selfish eyes. He stared at her back, his chin rested in his palm, but his eyes made their way down to her bottom. I jumped up, rage covering all calmness. It felt good to have that kind of power in me once again. I marched in the front door leaving my beautiful mountains and peaceful night sky. Alice was already there to greet my holding the brown trousers to my face.
"Do you like them? I think that it would look dashing on you." She took my arm and strolled with me over to the shirts. "Now you want a cotton nice fitting torso piece. Blue would be best to complement the pants."
She disappeared through some clothes; her black silky hair was the only thing visible. I pushed my way through the forest of fabrics and found her squinting and a pin strip blue piece.
"I saw you. I saw you come in here and slaughter the nice man." She whispered without looking up.
I gritted my teeth. "I felt his emotions about you. Disgusting animal! You've killed him too if you felt what I felt!"
She put a finger to her lip but I knew that the man could not hear a word. "I know what he was going to do. I saw his future change with each new idea that formed into his mind." she looked up, her golden eyes darkened. "But I would've said no to all of his attempts. I'm with you…right?"
I cast my gaze down word. Her emotions fluttered wildly. She couldn't decide which one she really felt. My head started to hurt and tried to block them out but they kept coming at me, wilder and wilder. I mad them all cease and put a clam anxious atmosphere over us. She still waited for an answer, even though she knew what I was going to say before I say it. I quickly changed my direction and went with a new answer.
"I'm only staying with you until I completely control my thirst. When that happens then we shall depart ways. There is no attraction between us." I gulped. Lies, all lies. I wanted to stay with her for ever and it took me a week to admit it. I didn't look at her but her feelings were enough. She was hurt, probably heart broken. It pierced right through my body, a huge hole forming. Did I really have to do that? Did I really have to cause her pain? A rustle made me look up and I saw Alice hold up another shirt; black as night and thin, not cotton.
"Here. I think this one would be better for you. It fits you perfectly, black and cold…just like your heart!"