Call On Me
Chapter 2:
Eric was sitting on the floor; his hands holding his head. Pam had taken up a seat at the bar, she kept an eye on him. Bill and Sookie were seated next to Pam. No one was quite sure what to say to anyone.
Dr. Ludwig stepped into the main room; her hands were clean; but there was blood on her clothes. Eric lifted his head; staring at her. The others watched as the dwarf stopped and looked at all of them.
"I have done what I can. But there is a lot of damage; and she's very ill. I removed the bullet from her side; but I can't do anything now. As it is, she has a few hours left; she might last until dawn. But not through the day."
Eric shut his eyes as if pained by the words. Grief brought lines to his face; he looked very human. He looked older; worn. It wasn't the Eric anyone in the room knew.
Sookie spoke, "What if we took her to a real hospital?"
Dr. Ludwig shrugged, "She might pull through; but they'd have to do extensive surgery on her." The dwarf was silent for a moment, "I have done what I can; the rest is up to you, Eric."
He didn't respond to her words. Pam moved off her chair and the two of them left the main room. Eric huddled back in on himself. Hiding his face away; as if the world were too much right now.
"Bill, what are we still doing here?" Sookie asked softly.
He stared at his Sheriff; he didn't like the man. Eric and he had always been at odds; but he had never seen the Viking break down to this emotional wreck. This wasn't something Bill could answer for right now. All he knew was that Eric was in pain and Bill wasn't going to leave him.
He handed Sookie the keys to the car, "Drive your self home. I am staying with Eric."
Sookie wanted to argue with him; to insist that they leave together. But there was something in Bill's face that stopped her words. She nodded silently and stood up. No one stopped her from leaving. Bill heard his car pull away and focused back on Eric.
Bill picked up his bottle of True Blood and crossed to the where Eric sat. He settled on the floor, folding his legs under him. "Have you considered becoming her Maker?"
Eric didn't say a word.
"There is still enough time to complete the burial process before dawn."
Still silence.
Bill took a drink and studied the bottle.
"She's the last one," Eric whispered, "The very last of them."
"I am sorry." Bill said gently
Eric lifted his head; fresh blood glittered against his cheeks. "First Godric and now Emily…I have not felt pain like this since my human days."
"But you won't make her vampire?" Bill asked.
Eric pulled in a deep breath, "I don't know. I have never hesitated to be a Maker before. But I don't know if I can handle being her Maker. This isn't just some flesh-bag," He stopped, his gaze lost at some point in space. When he spoke, his tone was gentle, almost a whisper. "She's not just a human; she's my human blood line. The last of my human line."
"And you're feeling as though it might be cheating?" Bill asked.
Eric shrugged his huge shoulders. "Godric found me dying; he gave me a choice. I have never had to make it; not like this. It's…" He closed his eyes, emotions raged in him. "She's my daughter, Bill. I can't bring myself to make her like me. My own flesh and blood shouldn't live like I do."
Bill wanted to argue the words; but something made him stop. Both men knew Emily wasn't truly his daughter; she was a descendant of his human line. Eric was more like a really, really, great grandfather. How many great-great-great's would it take to equal a thousand plus years of time?
"It's never easy." Bill whispered, he thought back to Jessica and becoming her Maker. "It's hard for everyone."
Eric sighed, "Pam was easy; she wanted and I needed company. It wasn't hard with her."
"Pam isn't your bloodline." Bill remembered the day he had learned about the Bellefleur family. It had been a shock to his system; he could only imagine what Eric felt.
"I don't know if I can survive her loss," Eric said softly, "I honestly don't."
Eric reached for Bill's drink and he let him have it. The Viking took a sip, made a face, and handed it back. "God, that stuff is awful."
Bill nodded, "Yes, it is."
"Why are you still here, Bill? Hoping to get on my good side? Perhaps find a weakness?"
"I thought you could use a friend." Bill muttered, "I see now that is a wasted effort."
Eric smiled at him; it had a ghost of humanity to it. "It is a waste."
The Viking came to his feet; he stepped around Bill and disappeared down the hall. Bill stayed seated. Eric paused as he reached his office door. His hand resting on the surface; he leaned his forehead on it.
"Godric," He whispered. The image of his Maker came to mind. "I am not strong enough to loose both of you."
It took all his strength to open that door and walk in. he stopped at the rich smell of blood in the air. There was so much of it; and it filled his head like a perfume. He closed his eyes for a moment; over come by it all. Hunger swelled through his being; his fangs snapped down. He opened his eyes and couldn't move. He stared at Emily's face; the way she squinted her eyes as she slept. Her weak breathing as she struggled to keep oxygen in her body.
Eric felt weak with grief as he shuffled toward her. His legs barely had the strength to hold him upright. Making it to the couch he fell to his knees. His large frame made a heavy sound. Her eyes opened. They were blue, like his, and if he looked hard enough, he could see himself in her eyes. Eric reached for her; his hands trembled. His whole body was shaking and it nothing to do with hunger. Emotions threatened to burst his heart; tears burned his eyes. His head fell forward; resting his chin to his chest; he sobbed. Wordless, almost screaming, sounds from the depths of his broken heart.
"Please," He crumbled against the couch, resting his forehead on her shoulder. "Please,"
Emily's hand touched his hair; gently smoothing it back. "Shhh," She stroked his hair; gently, lovingly calming. "Eric."
He wanted to pull her into his arms; hold her to his body and never let go. He wanted to hear her voice for the rest of time. See her eyes sparkling with laughter, like they used to. There were so many things he wanted for her. So many places he wanted to share with her.
Bill's words echoed in his head, Will you become her Maker?
"Eric, calm your self," She said gently.
He lifted his head, staring into her eyes. "Emily, it's within my power to save you. There is still enough time before dawn."
She ran her hand down his cheek; he turned his head and kissed her palm. She smiled and it almost reached her eyes. "Could you really keep me for eternity?"
"Yes," He grasped her hand in his, keeping her gaze. "I will keep you for eternity."
"I don't know if I have it in me." She whispered, "Some of us just aren't cut out for eternity."
"I need you to try," He said earnestly, "I can't loose you too."
She watched his face; her eyes searched his soul. He could almost feel it; even though he knew she didn't really do it.
"I can't Eric," She whispered, "I am not made for eternity." She closed her eyes, clutching his hand.
Eric felt rage; sorrow and gut-wrenching despair fill his being. He sat on his knees and felt totally helpless. He stared at this human; his last human descendant and felt powerless. It was jus this mind but he could almost hear Death laying at him. Taunting him; as Emily slowly faded away from him, claiming victory over the last thing Eric treasured.
Could you be the companion of Death? Could you walk with me through the world?...Through the dark?
The words rang though his mind as though Godric were standing with him.
"Life," Eric whispered, Old Swedish taking the place of English, "I will give you life." Gently; with love, he picked her up in his arms. Emily's heartbeat was slowing even as he lowered his face to her neck. Eric shut his eyes, tears of blood mixed with her own as he bit down. He drank blood that had once been his own; removed the last few moments of her life.
Bill kept glancing at the hallway; Pam's glare kept him from moving down it. He wanted to know what Eric was doing in his office. He had been gone a very long time. Finally, Bill stood up and Pam blocked his path. They stared at one another; testing the other's will.
The office door opened; Eric stepped out, he leaned on the frame. His large body seemed weakened. Pam appeared at his side. She touched him gently; cautiously.
"Get the shovel," He whispered, "We don't have much time."
Pam disappeared and left Eric to stare at Bill. Blood glittered around Eric's mouth as he wiped his face. His moved slowly; as if too tired to move his own limbs. Bill said nothing as he closed the distance between them.
"She'll hate me in the morning," Eric muttered.
"Maybe not," Bill took a sip of his drink, "She might thank you."
The Viking looked away, staring at the roof. "She chose death, Bill. And I forced her to live. I wasn't ready to let go. I couldn't let go of her."
"And she'll understand," Bill spoke gently, "Emily is a strong woman, Eric. She will see the love of your actions. Give her time and I think she will come to thank you for it."
Eric glanced back at him, "You think so?"
"I do, I know she loved you."
"Really?" Eric frowned slightly, "How do you know that?"
Bill shrugged, "Does it really matter?"
"Yes, actually." Eric straightened as his face setting into familiar lines. His eyes narrowed, as he focused on Bill. "Why would you know that?"
Bill reached into his back pocket. He took out a slip of paper. "Godric gave this to me in Dallas; he said that Emily had given it to him. I don't know how or when they met. I just know what he told me. He wanted me to give it to you at the right time. I think now is a good time."
Eric stared at the note, "Did you read it?"
"I looked at it, but I don't know the language."
He took it gently from Bill's hand.
"And no, I won't tell anyone she's your human family." Bill saluted with his bottle. "But I will help Pam tuck you two in. She's wearing new shoes tonight."
He stared at the note in his hand; the slip of paper was thin, fragile almost. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. Carefully, he tucked the note into his back pocket. Pam reappeared with two shovels and a blanket. He frowned at the blanket.
"She might get cold." Pam nodded to Emily's body, "You know, sleeping in the ground."
Eric smiled softly, "Yes, she might."
Eric climbed into the pit Bill had dug. Pam stood watch over the two of them; her expression solemn. As he moved to lay beside Emily, Pam touched his arm. He looked at her. Silently she handed him the blanket. When she spoke it was in their native language.
"She will understand."
Eric nodded slowly, "I hope so."
Bill waited until Eric was settled beside Emily. He spooned his large body around her; covering her with the blanket. Closing his eyes, he put his arms protectively around her. Bill tossed the first spade of dirt onto them. He was surprised when Pam picked up the second shovel and helped. Her expression was dark and her eyes were guarded, as she covered Eric with earth.
Eric's voice came as a soft whisper, "Lo there do I see my father. Lo there do I see my mothers, and my sisters, and my brothers.."
Bill didn't hear the rest of it because they were now both covered in Earth. He glanced at the sky; the sun was dangerously close. He turned and headed back to Pam's car; only to realize she wasn't with him. She stood at the edge of the gravesite; her hands gripped tight around the shovel.
"Pam, dawn is close. We have no time." Bill called to her.
She ignored him; silently she went to her knees. She pressed her fingers to her lips and then to the earth. After a moment she stood up and headed to her car. She passed by Bill without a word.
The two of them made it back to Fangtasia before dawn. The sun rose over the edge of the world and Eric let the sleep of his kind, wash over him. On instinct he tightened his hold on Emily; silently praying she would forgive him.