Fatherless Child

The days slowly churned ahead, day turned into night and then dawn would inevitably arrive again. Matt felt lost without Eric. He hadn't heard from his father since their last conversation he realized he had no idea if he was even still alive. Other than keeping Tara from killing some of high school buddies that had gone into the woods to make out he hadn't done much of anything. She was a vampire possessed yearning for human blood, he had to get kind of rough with her to get his point across.

"Tara," Matt said, his hand around her throat squeezing hard, "you cannot draw attention to yourself in this manner. You may feel you are very strong, and you are, but I am stronger and I am my father's son," Matt explained as teenagers began to run away screaming. "Drink True Blood, or take it far away from, here and choose only those that deserve the fate of death."

Tara, her eyes huge was completely surprised by Matt's capabilities. She merely nodded.

"Pam needs to keep a better eye on you." Matt said as he let go. He looked at the area, now vacated and realized his secret was out. He hadn't returned to school since his illness and had no plans going back now. Despite the fact that he had saved them, they would all hate and fear him now.

Tara turned to leave, but Matt stopped her. "The AVL is serious; the true death is handed down to those who can't follow the rules. No eating my friends or anybody else. Am I clear?" Matt asked sounding just like Eric.

Tara nodded and took off like she was shot out of a cannon. She had felt some freedom with Eric out of the picture, but had suddenly realized that the son was indeed very much like the father.

Despite his fun with Tara Matt felt lonely. He had remained at Bill's house with the exception of one necessary little trip, but decided that he might as well stay with Sookie, since there was no one to tell him he couldn't. Besides he had to figure out how to find Russell and why not have some company while he did so.

He headed that way wondering what Russell Edgington was up to and where he was holed up. He hadn't heard any reports from anyone and hoped that Alcide was taking his job seriously. Matt thought that it certainly wouldn't hurt for him to hang around as well and help out, after all, three thousand years of power isn't anything to sneeze at. But then again neither was he, even at his tender age of four hundred and sixteen. Despite Eric's warning Matt couldn't help but have a strong desire to end this bully's reign once and for all, even if it cost him everything.

Dusk had fallen and it was officially sunset as Matt stepped onto the porch of what he considered home. It would feel good to be back, to sleep in his old room. He had been trying to call Beth the last several days to check on, but she hadn't been responding to his texts or phone calls so he thought he would try and have Sookie call on his behalf. He had been with many girls and even some women, Sookie notwithstanding, in his long life, but he found that he still had no better understanding of them than the typical man. He shook his head back and forth as he opened the door, but suddenly his attention was taken up by something much more immediate than relationship issues.

He could sense Sookie's fear and he could also sense a stranger, a commanding stranger. "Matthew," Sookie shrieked as she saw him.

Russell had his fangs precariously close to her neck, seconds away from a bite. With Matt's entrance he paused in his endeavor and looked up. "And who might you be?" he asked sniffing the air.

"Matthew," is all he would say not wanting to give up any extra information.

Russell continued to sniff the air. "You're different, different like her, but yet not the same."

"What?" Matt asked. "Nobody can speak clearly anymore. I personally blame texting, all the short cuts have caused our brains to be rewired and not for the better either."

"You have a vampire scent, but something else as well," Russell clarified.

"Oh, that would be me not showering after exercising," Matt joked. Suddenly Russell was sniffing Matt's hair and body. "Personal boundaries dude, they can bring you up on charges in several states for this you know."

"I've never smelled this before, it's delicious yet…well I'm not sure. It also feels so taboo as well."

"Then back off," Matt said stepping back.

"Well what's a fella to do then? You see I'm very hungry and in need of some sustenance from somebody," Russell said looking from Sookie to Matt.

"Just take him somewhere sunny and dump him," Sookie thought hoping Matt could hear her in his head. She knew of the possibility as they had done it when they had first met.

"I can't take the risk, he is very powerful and traveling may be different, if it doesn't work, he will come back and destroy the whole town." Matt beamed back, clearly hearing her.

"Well you are making my decision so difficult," Russell said eyeing the two of them. "Why is it, you look so familiar to me?" he asked staring at Matt. "So familiar," he cooed as he stepped back towards Matthew. He began to stroke the boy's cheek. Suddenly it seemed to hit him. "What is your surname?"

"What does it matter?" Matt asked knowing exactly where this was going.

"Oh it matters, because if I'm not mistaken you look exactly like a vampire that killed my lover and left a huge hole in my life. Not that I didn't move on, but still it was rough for a time."

Matt remained silent. "Are you a vampire? Did he turn you? A brother, a child?" Russell continued.

"It's complicated," Matt replied.

"Yet, my hunger is not, you son are a mystery and I love mysteries, but the lady, now she is beyond succulent." Russell stepped towards Sookie and was suddenly at her throat.

"Stop!" Matt cried out. "Northman, my last name is Northman, Eric is my father."

Russell stopped, his head whipped back towards Matthew. "His child, oh my, oh my," he said deliciously.

"I'll make you a deal," Matt began. "I'll go with you and be yours…"

"To do with what I please?" Russell asked unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

"Yes," Matt agreed. "But you have to leave Sookie, Bill, my father and everybody else in Louisiana alone."

Russell eyed Matt up and down, obviously liking what he saw. He was back at Matt's side; he began to touch the boy's face and hair and looked deeply into his eyes. "Blond and beautiful, such Nordic features, just like his daddy, it will be like," he hesitated choosing his words carefully, "being with the one who hurt me so."

"He killed Talbot because you and your werewolves killed my grandparents and aunt." Matt pointed out.

"True, but that's water under the bridge and besides two wrongs don't make a right."

"Matthew no," Sookie cried out.

"I don't have much of choice here," Matt said, his face saddened. "Besides, you have no idea the things I've done in my extended lifetime to stay alive."

"And you will feel very much alive," Russell promised. "Or perhaps I will, either way, I'll be happy."

"Check on Beth, please, something's wrong, I can feel it," he said in his mind.

"Of course," Sookie said out loud. "Eric won't let this happen."

"He won't have a choice," Russell said with an evil grin.

Sookie collapsed after they left. She knew she should go to Beth's house and check on her as Matt had asked but she just couldn't seem to move; so many sacrifices around her, because of her. But Matt had been concerned for more than just her; did he have some kind of plan? Was this something he and Eric had intended, calculating a response?

Matt rolled over and tried to focus his eyes. He felt so weak and drained. Russell hadn't left him alone for more than a minute. He had a set-up much like Eric's cubby and even while he was sleeping, Matt felt trapped. He had debated about slipping out, but he feared that if he did disappear Russell would retaliate on a grand scale. The time hadn't been right, yet.

"Sunset, my favorite time of day. The night is young and I am hungry and I have you," Russell said looking down at his captive. "So I have fed on other vampires and I detect that taste, but what compliments that flavor?"

"You have to guess," Matt teased.

"Well if you are Eric's son, then he must have turned you in order for you to be alive, so you must be a vampire, but what accounts for the exotic taste that I have never before had?"

"You should have nailed it by now, after all you have fed on me for days and days, tasting me over and over," Matt said.

"That's what makes it and you so mysterious….delectable even."

"Perhaps it was my sacrifice that made me extra special."

"Yes, tell me why you did such a thing. It is very unvampire like."

"No, not really. I had a good example."

"Eric Northman never sacrificed anything for anybody."

"Think again, he killed Talbot and knew he would pay with his life, just to bring some vengeance on behalf of his family."

"And your sacrifice?"

"To save those I love."

"But life won't sustain you for much longer, then I will be free to take who I choose."

Matt grimaced with pain.

"Now, you didn't really believe that I would keep you forever did you?"

"Of course not, I was well aware that you would most likely use me up and throw me away."

"But you chose to martyr yourself for what then?"

"For the end result of course."

"I see, death, is that your goal?" Russell asked as he grimaced with his own discomfort.

"I wouldn't complain, but before I die I'll tell you what my other half is."

"You must be a vampire, there is nothing else. Show me your fangs," he ordered.

"I can't, I don't have any, I can play in the sun and I need food, which is a big part of the reason why I'm so weak, well that any all the blood you took from me," Matt wheezed.

"Then what are you?" Russell asked, fear leaking through his words.

"Vampire and human."

"There is no such thing, it is an impossibility," he answered as he began to cough.

"Not if you're powerful enough to pull it off," Matt said his blue eyes icy.