standard disclaimers apply
This chapter was rather slow, I'm a perfectionist, but it was hard to describe the complex feelings running through this one, Alexandra is hesitant to scare away the person who finally cares about her, and Lisa wants to understand Alexandra. the tension was starting to get to me
Part of her couldn't believe what she was doing. It was a rather loud part, but it was small, and Lisa didn't pay it much attention as she gave Alexandra a through examination-slash-checkup.
Alexandra's wounds had nearly healed completely, to Lisa's amazement. "Do you always heal this quickly?"
"If I am well…If I get the proper…"
"If you get blood." Lisa finished for her.
Alexandra looked over her shoulder at Lisa, but didn't answer.
"What is it?"
"I keep waiting for you to run out of the room, screaming, 'Monster!'"
Lisa was sad, but not surprised. "I won't."
She sat up, and Lisa sat back. "Why? I don't mean to be rude, but why are you not scared? Everything I've ever been taught about humans..." She hesitated.
"About humans...?" Lisa prompted.
"Says that you should be scared for your life and try to kill me. We were hidden for a reason; every Methuselah knows that if we were found, we would be hunted to extinction." She made air quotes, "'For the safety of humankind.'"
"Methuselah?"
"What we call ourselves. Calling one of us 'vampire' is extremely insulting, like saying, 'Hey, human.' We took the name from a biblical figure—"
"He lived like 900 years, right?"
"Yes, 969 to be exact. He was the father of Noah. Kind of ironic, since we have been considered a scourge on humans, for us to take the name of the father of the person who supposedly saved mankind. We live about the same span, so it seemed fitting at the time."
Lisa's mouth fell open at that. "You live a thousand years? How is that possible?"
Her fist hit the floor with enough force to dent it. "Didn't that stupid DNA test tell you anything? We are constructed differently. You might as well ask how a sea turtle lives two hundred plus years, or why sharks don't get cancer. We're just different!" She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Sorry. I tend to go off when people ask me that." Her voice dropped. "That was all they asked me in the beginning. 'What are you? Where do you come from?' I got so sick of hearing those questions. 'I am myself, and I come from here.' That was always my answer. I couldn't betray everyone, not even to save myself."
Something bugged Lisa. Alexandra was lying about something, she could feel it. The lie was well practiced; the only reason she could tell at all was because she had two teenagers, both very accomplished at the art. However, she didn't push the woman. Alexandra trusted her, and she would respect her secrets.
To break the tension she asked, "How often do you need blood, anyway?"
"Once every couple of months is enough, we can go as long as several years, but it's a kind of starvation. We eat food too, and that we need just as often as you."
Lisa unconsciously touched the bandage on her neck.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"No, it's fine, really. I was just wondering. You have been here six months and you haven't had anything, and I doubt the small amount you got from me will last long. Is there some, stash or something for when you couldn't…erm," She cast around for a tactful way to put it.
"Drink." Alexandra finished for her.
"Yes."
"Yes there is, though it would be difficult for you to get."
Lisa was human enough that she had to ask, "Why?"
"The one who has them is my husband."
***End Chapter 3***
Admit it! You didn't see that one coming!
Lol I love writing this, it's almost as suspenseful for me as it is for you.
