Chapter Four: Default
"Lucia…Lucia?" the voice asked sweetly.
"Yes?" she replied.
"I love you," the voice sang.
Then there was pain. Her body stiffened and my back arched, a painful howl escape from my lips. My neck seared and burned like there was fire in my veins. Stupid venom. My legs collapsed from under me and I thrashed like a madwoman. I continued screaming long after my voice gave out. So my voice was just a gaping hole with nothing coming out. Funny, funny funny. The pain traveled from the left side of my neck, down to my organs and down to my toes. My nails raked at my skin until it bled and I rammed my head painfully against the tiled floor. Stop the pain. Stop the pain. Who the hell is burning me? Strong cold hands pinned my chest down and cushioned the back of my head. The person used one arm to pin both of my upper arms down horizontally and placed his weight on my legs. Is not amazing what pain can do to you?
"Sssshhhh, Lucia," the person whispered intensely. The scent of oak was there again. Gentle lips brushed my cheek. His breath smelled like liquid copper. The pain intensified when his lips traveled toward my neck and my open wound. I found new strength and saliva inside to scream. The inferno slowly subsided and a cool rushed came into my brain as my body relaxed and I let the cold take me. I could hear my heartbeat slow down. What happens when you sleep in your dreams, do you wake out there?
His voice crooned a lullaby in my ear. "Oh night thou was my guide/of night more loving than the rising sun/Oh night that joined the lover/to the beloved one/transforming each of them into the other".
I remembered someone crying. Warm tears skated down my face, but the tears were not mine. My eyes fluttered opened and let out a soft "oh!" Gabriel's tortured expression stretched and marred his beautiful face. He was beautiful, my saddened Adonis. He cradled me in his arms, whispering sweet apologizes that healed nothing. I smiled meekly and mumbled that it was okay. Everything was okay and the same, yet slightly different.
My nostrils were filled with new scents that I never smelled before. My eyes caught details that once escaped my human mind. Did I use the word "human"? Yes and yes, I believed I commented Gabriel was beautiful, but I was entranced by the candles. Even though Gabriel and the candles are both smoking hot. Their spirits shimmered like belly dancers and they felt so warm. The shadows leapt onto the walls and provided temporary entertainment. It made the stuffed animals more eerie though. I cooed like an infant, exhilarated by this new sense of adrenaline. Gabriel half-smiled at me, thought the smile did not reach his eyes.
"Lucia," he called painfully.
"Yes?" I answered mildly. I purred serenely and placed my head against his chest. There was no heartbeat, but then I did not have one either. One except a person who is technically dead, but is still living. That person should be in panic right now, terrified of what she has become: Some zombie freak with a blood fetish. Speaking of blood. I am famished. I silently quoted in my mind, First—Chill—then Stupor—then the Letting go.
"Gabriel, I'm hungry," I commented innocently.
"Hmmm…you're taking this very—very—very calm," Gabriel replied, arching an eyebrow. I nodded; somehow this skin suited my better. I delicately boxed those pesky human emotions and rejoiced inside. I was reborn—strong, gorgeous, and immortal! I managed to wiggle out of Gabriel's arms and got to my feet.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" I urged him excitedly. Gabriel rose slowly to his feet and glided to the door, holding it open for me.
"Ladies first," he muttered flatly. I dashed out the bedroom door through halls and doors I did not recognize. I did not even notice when I left the house entirely. I followed my nose. Woof. The woods blurred past me, I was a blonde and white streak in the woods and I savored every moment of it! Gabriel trailed behind, his expression passive. I giggled with joy, the freedom was exhilarating. I breathed in the crisp night air and soaked in the moonbeams. I vaulted up one of the evergreen trees, arched my back and allowed myself to freefall from the canopy. Whee! Then the scent hit me. Food.
I dashed madly after the scent, foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. See, vampirism is not always a pretty picture. I blame Hollywood. I gasped in delight, I could feel the heat emitting off of the meat bag. A rather hunky meat bag with pulsing blue veins that just wanted to be drained completely! I landed softly from the freefall and left the tiniest rustle in the bushes. I was still learning. Anyways, It was leaning on one leg, one hand on its hips and took a long drag of its cigarette. I wrinkled my nose at the smell of burning nicotine. I was tempted to sneeze, but I held my opinions to myself.
One, two, buckle my shoe. Three, four, kill some more.
I pounced.
The meat bag did not even get a chance to open his mouth.
His neck snapped cleanly. Down went my fangs. Up came the warm and glorious crimson nectar. I drank deeply, losing myself to hunger and thirst. The underwater ballet song kept playing in my hand. Hahah. My head spun and my senses went numb. I could not stop. The blood kept coming, it kept gushing like Mars' Fountain! I did not want to stop. The blood deliciously scalded my throat and the metallic taste lingered on my tongue. I detached myself from the body and tossed it nonchalantly aside. I stared at my blood-caked hands, blouse and wiped my stained lips. The blood wanted to come back up.
I wanted to cry. I wanted to purge myself of this. The wonderful feeling vanished and just an empty pit remained. I broke down into tearless sobs. I could bear for my filthy hands to touch anything.
"Lucia," Gabriel called to me softly. I stared at his clear blue eyes, horror-struck. He walked slowly towards, his smile meant to be reassuring/ He could have said it was okay, that everything was going to be all right once I wake up. He said nothing of the sort.
"Lucia, what did you do exactly?" he inquired innocently.
Five, six, break 'em like sticks. Seven, eight, drink 'em up straight.
"I—I was hungry—and I killed him," I replied, surprised how calm my voice was.
Nine, ten, do it again…
He stopped in a mid-stride. His expression froze and his hand rose and grabbed air. He slowly uncurled his fist and blew on the palm of his hand.
"Lucia. Leave. I don't care where you go, but leave," Gabriel said, his honey-like voice hard as amber.
"But—I," I started to argue.
His eyes flickered to mine. His deep, rich violet eyes bore into mine. He boomed "LEAVE!"
I ran. The pathetic blonde, new fledgling of a leech ran. I streaked past hills, towns, people, and states until I was exhausted. I would have to feed again soon. I slowed my run to a halt and glanced over my shoulder. He was long gone. Now we are even, Gabriel; we both lost someone dear to us. I lost Darian and now you lose your precious Lucia!
Nine, then, do it again! Nine, ten, do it again!
My lips curled into a smile of a well-fed cat. Meow.