Authors Note:
From here on out the chapters will be dated, until I say otherwise. They're dated for a reason; you'll soon see why they're dated. Also! I fail at math and I also did a little work on this story before posting it. Delilah's birthday is actually October 31st 1989 and she died on October 31st 2007 so we're not going back in time! I'm sorry for the confusion.
I'd also like to give a huge, huge thanks to FrozenSolider for talking to me and nudging me in the right direction and giving me the faith to post this story on here. AND for being the first one to review the story. Paula you my dear are AMAZING! And I hope I answered your questions without giving too much away!
I'm looking for a beta reader and a banner for this story would be great. I'll post a link on my page showing you what Delilah looked like as a human and as a newborn. Warning: My editing is shitty and it was done on picnic lol. So it's not the best. For everyone who is reading this, thank you! Don't be shy leave me a review so I know what you think. That's all! 3
Oh also, the title to this story comes from the song 'Haunted' by Taylor Swift. Where the story is not based on the story, it is based on part of the lyrics. When I was writing the description (First Chapter) and chapter two I was at loss to what to call it. So I thought about Delilah and how she'd feel. And the song happened to come on my iPod and the lyrics 'I can't turn back now I'm haunted.' Stuck out to me and I knew then that's how Delilah would be feeling and would feel for a while simply haunted by what happened to her. And haunted by the fact she can't remember being human or remember the man who did this other than in her visions. She's haunted for many reasons. I hope this gives you a bit more information on the story and Delilah!
October 31st 2008
One Year Later, One Year Old.
My feet made a soft pitter patter as I walked down the side walk in my costume. Oh yes I was celebrating Halloween, it was my birthday after all wasn't it? This year I would have been the sweet young age of nineteen. That simple thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. I was dressed as Snow White; something had drawn me to the beautiful costume. The dress looked like it was out of the movie. Children, teenagers, and parents all ran around me on the streets. They're moods all happy and excited.
'If only you knew the danger that lurked among you.' I thought to myself rancorously. I had no intentions of killing any of these humans around me. I just wanted; I wanted to see someone happy on this day. I myself couldn't be happy on this date. Even if it was my birthday, but it was also the date of my death. The day I'd been brought into this world, taken out violently and reborn as monster. I laughed bitterly myself. Today children and grownups alike all dressed as different monsters that they feared. If only they knew at least one of them existed. If they only knew vampires lurked this earth. Taking the sweet luscious innocent life that they held so dear to them.
I watched as kids screamed in glee darting around me their plastic pumpkins bouncing around at their sides full of sweets and other treats. I racked my brain to remember what my favorite candy had been when I was human. But I couldn't come up with the answer. I couldn't even remember what candy tasted like. Had I even liked the stuff? Surly I had, I mean what child doesn't love something full of sugar? Pain shot through my core as I was once again reminded that I knew nothing about being human. I remembered nothing of what my life had once been like. I had no memories whatsoever. I only had small memories of the night of my death. Those horrific memories came to me in the forms of visions.
They came to me at the most random of times. Sometimes something would trigger them, like seeing someone's eyes full of fear for whatever reason would more than often trigger a memory. That's why I chose not to look into someone's eyes unless I had to. I continued to walk down the street watching the world around me silently. I made no interaction with those around me, even if they spoke to me. All of these humans were far too young, even the parents. I didn't want to risk killing one of them because of their fucking mouthwatering sent. I didn't want to see what a bright future they held.
I knew I was being reckless by being around so many humans. The venom was already pooled up in my mouth. My throat ached and I wanted nothing more than to find someone and drain them of their sweet nectar. But I wouldn't I refused to take a life on the day my own was taken from me. I was cut off from my bitter and caustic thoughts by a slight tug on my dress and the sound of a child's whimper.
My body stiffened as ungodly sweet sent filled my nostrils. My nostrils faired as I halted my breathing. Slowly I looked down and saw a small girl dressed as Cinderella crying at my feet. She looked so lost and scared; it pained me to see her in such a state. Without taking a single breath I spoke softly.
"What's wrong sweetie?" I asked my musical angelic voice filling the air. It blew in the wind sounding like an angel had spoken. Ha. I was far from that, I was anything but an angel. The girl trembled not in fear like I'd hoped but because she was cold.
"I'm scared, I lost my mommy!" She wailed tears falling from her beautiful blue eyes. I took in the tiny girls' appearance and it was startling how much she could have passed of being a tiny Cinderella. She had long curly blond hair and bright vibrant blue eyes. Her skin was milky white and I could see her ve- NO! I would not think of her in that way! I refused to do such a thing.
"Will you please help me?" She whimpered holding her tiny arms up to me. I paused for a moment thinking if I could do this without killing her. I swallowed the venom in my mouth and scooped her up gently in my arms wrapping the cloak I had, had on around her. She sniffled and curled up into me. I stiffened a bit and stopped breathing all together, even as I spoke.
"Where did you last see them baby girl?" I asked softly stroking her face and wiping away the tears.
"I was getting candy down the street. I ran off with my friend and now I can't find anyone!" She wailed getting upset again. My unbeating heart broke and rocked her on my hip shushing her softly.
"Shh, sh sweetie we'll find them I promise you." I said picking her pumpkin up off the ground and holding it. She calmed down a bit and rubbed her nose. She looked around her eyes frantic. Her fear reminded me of my own, when I… I had to stop myself thinking.
"What do they look like sweetie? Were they wearing costumes?" I asked softly still halting my breathing. I would not harm her; she was too young, too sweet too innocent. And just by touching her I'd seen her past, and she'd fought so hard to be where she was now.
Annabella Lee Everson, born Christmas day 2001. Age seven, born three months premature weighing only half a pound. Spent five months in a NICU and had almost passed away twice. At the age of two she came down with leukemia, battled that for two years over came it and was sick on and off until the age of six. Just started Kindergarten this year and is at the top of her class. She will excel in all classes through out her school years including College and Grad School. Will be gifted in science, soccer, swimming, ballet, and gymnastics. Will have three younger siblings. Two sisters and a brother. Will receive a full scholarship to Harvard, where she'll meet her husband. She'll graduate with top honors and as valedictorian. She'll go on to become a doctor and scientist, and help find critical information for curing cancer. She'll have six kids, three girls and three girls.
I was still startled that I had this gift, I guess you could call it. Blinking I shook my head. Her future was far, far too bright for me to end, no matter how delicious she smelled. I wouldn't end her life like mine had been ended I'd rather go through all the pain I'd gone through ten times over than to harm this angel I held in my arms.
"My momma has blond hair like me, but she's small like you. She's got pretty blue eyes and she's wearing an evil step mother costume. My daddy is really tall his hair looks like a strawberry! And he's got blue eyes too! He's dressed as the prince, because he is one!" She said whispering the last part and I couldn't help but laugh softly at her innocents.
"Well let's go down and look for them, I'm sure we'll find them soon and you'll be happily back to trick o' treating." I smiled taking my first breath. Fire lit through my throat but I swallowed it thinking of her future.
"Thank you for helping me miss, my name is Bella!" The girl said smiling brightly up at me before kissing my cheek.
"It's nice to meet you too baby girl, I'm Delilah and I'm more than happy to help." I said softly before asking a question that dawned on me.
"Sweetie what's your last name, maybe I could call out for them" I asked.
"Everson, my dada's name is Paul and my momma's is Rachel." She said smiling proud of herself, I chuckled softly. We walked in the opposite direction we had been, towards where she came from, her calling out mom and dad and myself calling out their first and last names. We walked for about twenty minuets and I was growing worried we wouldn't find them. The fear struck in that I'd have to take her to the police station where so many humans would be. But that fear was cut short when I saw two humans talking to a cop that was patrolling the area. One had long soft curly blond hair; the other the man had strawberry blond hair.
They had the costumes little Bella had described. By this point Bella was asleep in my arms sucking her thumb her hand resting on my cheek, playing with a lock of my curly hair. I smiled down at her, and had the oddest sensation. I wanted to take to run away with her keep her as company. But I knew I couldn't, she had a family to go home to. Plus I was a monster, just because I hadn't hurt her tonight, didn't mean I wouldn't ever hurt her. I sighed softly looking across the street before crossing, more for the girl's sake than mine. I walked slowly but swiftly walked across the street towards them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Everson?" I spoke softly approaching the couple. They quickly turned around and rushed over towards me.
"Oh my god! My sweet Bella!" The woman cried softly.
"My name is Delilah, I found your daughter walking down the street. She came to me upset; she said she lost you guys. I promised to help her find you both. We'd been looking for nearly a half hour, she's just fallen asleep. If I hadn't have found you now, I had planned on finding a police officer to help me find you both." I spoke softly and once again stopped breathing as their scents hit me with full power. God I wanted to taste their sweet blood on my… I cut that thought off and quickly handed the sleeping child over her mother.
"I can't, we can't thank you enough! We were so worried and scared that something horrible happened to her. With tonight being Halloween there are a lot of dangerous people out here." Her father spoke smiling at me with thanks. Oh if you only knew the real danger your daughter had been in just by being with me and the danger you now are in. I thought to myself bitterly, but smiled at the couple still refusing to breathe.
"What can we do to possibly thank you and repay you for returning our daughter safely?" The woman spoke looking up at me tears still in her eyes. I smiled at her shaking my head softly.
"Oh there is no need to thank me, it was nothing really she was scared and needed help. I was happy to be able to help her and return her to her family safely. You don't have to repay me in any way." I said softly as I handed over the girl's plastic pumpkin bucket full of candy.
"But there must be something we can do." Mr. Everson said placing a hand on my arm. I stiffened slightly his sent hitting me more than before. God he smelled so good! I could only imagine how he would taste. Delilah stop this, you know how bright the child's future is, and you know that her parents still have a bright future ahead of themselves as well! I scolded myself and I swallowed the venom that had pooled in my mouth.
"No really, it's fine I'm just happy I found you both and was able to return her." I said without breathing.
"Are you sure dear?" Mrs. Everson said as Bella stirred in her arms. I smiled softly and shook my head.
"I'm positive, she's a sweet girl and I can tell she has such a bright future, knowing she's safely back with you both is enough for me. I must be going now, I'm sure my parents are wondering where I am." I said lying at the end. I had to leave now, because if I didn't I wouldn't be able to control myself around them much longer.
"Alright dear, thank you so much again. And if there is ever anything we can do, please come find us." Mr. Everson said hugging me, Mrs. Everson doing the same shortly after. I stiffened even more and forced a small smile nodding and quickly turned around and took off. After I was out of site of any human I took off into a full run breathing in huge gasps of air.
I didn't stop running until I was downtown, and away from all of those humans. I walked around in the dead of the night my throat burning. I knew I would need to feed soon but I would hold off as long as I could. I didn't want to take a life, not tonight. Not on the night my own life had been taken. Soon I was sadly mistaken as two mouth watering scents hit me causing me to stagger slightly.
My thoughts ran wild, and I had no control over them, or my body and its actions. I could actually fucking feel my eyes darken. A frenzy took over my brain and I walked without even noticing I was moving. Soon I was at the entrance of a dark alleyway. A young teenage couple stood deep in the ally. The girl was pushed up against the wall as they made out. Their increased body heat and heart beats along with their emotions and hormones only made their scents stronger and more mouth watering. I had to have them. I was no longer thinking as Delilah, I was thinking as the monster I was.
Silently I creped towards the couple moving silently through the alleyway with cat like grace. I slipped farther and father down the alley, their scents getting stronger with my every step. The fire in my throat got worse and I could feel the venom pooling in my mouth. The first sent came from the boy, his blood smelled like coffee, vanilla and strawberries. It was an odd combination but it drove me absolutely crazy. The girls sent was so much better and I wanted her the most. She smelled of mango, peaches, vanilla and the floral sent of lilies. The way he had her pinned in the corner made this all the more easy for me.
As I finally reached the couple, my form being hidden in the darkness, I smirked. My cold pale hands grabbed his neck ripping him away from his girlfriend. He tried to fight and shake me off. Even though he was a good two feet taller than me and easily weighed a good seventy pounds more than I did he was no match for my lethal strength. I quickly sunk my razor sharp teeth into his neck sucking the blood as it poured out and into my mouth. His girlfriend's screams faded out as the boy's life filled my vision.
Andrew Charles Greene, born to Charles and Maryanne Greene. Entering the world at ten oh five pm on April fourth 1991 making him seventeen. He was welcomed into the world by his older sister and brother Amanda and Charlie Jr. Two years after his birth his younger brother Mikey was born. Four years after that his younger twin sisters Molly and Mary were born. The first sport he ever played was soccer, and he hated ever minuet of it only doing it to be like his older brother. When he was seven he broke a bone for the first time, his leg. His brother had shoved him out of their tree house. He didn't cry once while they put the cast on. He failed the first grade where he met his best-friend and future girlfriend Eliza. They reminded friends all throughout grade school, middle and now high school. He got good grades and played baseball. He enjoyed band and music classes more than sports. He already had colleges picked out with Eliza and they would get married just after they finished high school. His first born child would have just turned two a week after their wedding. He'd attend collage to become a graphic designer.
I snapped out of the vision of this boy's life and future as I drained the last drop of his blood. I let his limp lifeless body drop to the ground with a thud as I licked my lips clean. I smiled sweetly at the girl, she was no longer screaming just sobbing and shaking. I stepped over the dead boys' body approaching her.
"Don't be scared sweetie; I'll make this as painless for you as possible. With what you just witnessed I wouldn't want you to have to feel anymore pain." My angelic voice said. But it was no longer me speaking, it was the monster that lived deep, deep inside of me that I hid as much as I could. But it always found its way out, usually at times like this. I pulled the girl to me, she cried out whimpering, I shushed her brushing her hair away from her neck before I snapped it promptly ending her life. I bit down into her neck her sweet blood filling my mouth. I closed my eyes moaning at the taste of it. Her blood tasted so much better that I could have ever imagined. It was so much better than the sent it gave off. Like all of my victims her life flashed before my closed eyes.
Elizabeth Marie Stone, daughter of Thomas and Meredith Stone. Born at six fifteen am April tenth 1992, sixteen years old. She had an older brother Matthew, and a younger brother Christopher. Eliza as she was known by friends and family started ballet at the age of two along with piano lessons. Two passions she continued through her life. She met her future lover in grade school along with her best-friend Christina. She a star athlete starting in Middle School, playing girls field hockey and gymnastics. She had a passion for music, dance and fashion. With her prefect grades and extra circulative activities she would get a full scholarship to her college of choice. She'd marry her high school sweetheart Andrew a few short weeks after they graduated high school. Their son would turn two a week after their wedding. They would have a daughter two years into college. Elizabeth would graduate with top honors and become a music teacher and open her own ballet dance studio. A few blurry images ran through my head as I sucked the last few drops of blood from the girl's lifeless body. I dropped her next to her young lover and licked my teeth and lips. A happy satisfied smile on my lips.
Suddenly I snapped out of the dazed frenzy I had been in. The monstrous person that had taken over so quickly left my body hiding itself deep down in my being. And now I was back to Delilah and what I had just done sunk in. A sob choked out and I feel to my knees beside the dead bodies of the two young teenagers I'd just killed. Their futures, they were so bright and full of promise. And I had taken that away from them just to satisfy my thirst need. But as the last bit of the girl, whose name I couldn't even bring myself to think sank in I wanted to throw up the blood I'd just consumed. For a moment I thought I was going to as I retched and gagged. My stomach churned sourly as I put together what the blurry vision had been. I had pieced it together, I had figured out why it was blurry. It was because a future for the life that had been taken wasn't set in stone because it was too fresh and young to be fully visible. Because when I had taken the girls life, I not only took her life but the life of the unborn child that was in her stomach.
I had killed three young innocent people tonight. If it hadn't been clear before that I was a monster before it sure as hell was now. I was worse than a monster and I hated myself so much more than I had ever had before. Standing up as I sobbed tearlessly I looked at the bodies sobbing how sorry I was. I quickly turned around and took off running at my inhuman pace. I took off down the streets of the downtown, dodging the few people that were out and about at this hour. I ran until I was out of the city, out of the town and deep into the forest. Once I was deep into the woods I dropped to my knees clutching my chest as I sobbed. I fell to my side and curled up in a ball clawing at my skin, hating everything about myself. I had never wanted to truly die more than I did right now.
Ahh! You finally got a glimpse of one of Delilah's powers. She can see their past, present and future. So far to her knowledge it only works on the living. But she hasn't run into anyone like her so far. She doesn't have to drink off of them to see it. Sometimes just a simple touch, like the one with the child Bella can trigger her to see it. Also I'm sorry if you don't like some of the language Delilah uses. Tell me what you think!