I found Eric sitting on the steps of my porch. As soon as I came into view, he stood up, and before I could blink he was standing before me. His eyes traveled down my body, but rested once again on the scar on my thigh.
"Tell me about how you got that," he asked.
"That's a story for another time," I said shaking my head. I already had so much on my mind with the pictures, and the fact that a vampire knew what I was, that I didn't really feel like delving into this matter right now. While it had happened a long time ago, I still remembered all of the details like it was yesterday.
I could tell he wanted to know now, but something stopped him from pushing. His fangs were still out, and as he took a step closer, I firmed my grip around the stake in my right hand.
In the darkness of the night, I had to admit, Eric was rather handsome. The light hit his face exactly in the right way, enhancing all his features, and even in the shadow his eyes seemed to shine. I never had a relationship of mutual respect with a vampire before, and it was scaring me.
Eric took another step forward, and began to lean in, cocking his head ever so slightly. His fangs were all I could concentrate on, and a nervous feeling took hold inside my stomach, making my mind spin. He was so close now that I could smell a faint hint of cologne lingering on his skin. I came to the conclusion that he was either going to kiss me, or bite me.
I let my jeans drop to the floor and pressed the stake against his chest. While I felt weirdly captivated by Eric, I couldn't allow this to happen. Both kissing and biting went against everything I believed in. He was a vampire.
Eric looked down to the stake, ruffling his brows, before an amused grin replaced the confusion.
"I can't allow you to do this," I explained.
"I wasn't going to do anything," Eric defied, but his fangs told me otherwise.
The stake didn't seem to scare him. He remained in the exact same position he had been. To show I was serious, I pushed a little harder. It would need a lot more pressure to drive it through him, but I wasn't trying to kill him. Just a solid warning that I was off-limits.
"You've seen a mermaid in the flesh, that is enough excitement for this night," I said, raising my eyebrows. "Besides, don't you have an investigation to return to?"
Finally, Eric stood up straight again. He chuckled. "You're right. Although I can't deny I'd love to see more of you. Perhaps we can do this again a different time?"
"Perhaps," I echoed.
"I'll come back when I know more."
"You better be back tomorrow then," I was able to get out before he disappeared again.
These nightly outings with Eric really started to take toll on my body. Once again, I didn't fell asleep until very late as my mind kept replaying the evening over in my head. I wanted to applaud myself for my courage by showing Eric the real me, but at the same time I wanted to kick myself for being so stupid. Vampires were my number one enemy, what the hell was I thinking?
Not to mention he had been either trying to kiss or bite me. I wasn't sure what I would rather want it to be, admit I would be attracted to a vampire, or end up as a late night snack. I mean, I couldn't lie. Eric was very attractive, charming, and he had a sense of humor I had never encountered in a vampire before. Plus the fact that he seemed to have met someone like me before made me drawn to him.
I couldn't allow myself to let this happen, and I promised myself I would only go to Fangtasia, or see Eric when absolutely necessary. No exceptions.
I slept in until it was almost time for me to leave for work. While my body was still tired, I didn't mind going as it would at least keep me busy. But as the bar filled with guests, I couldn't help but feel a little paranoid. Never before did I ever wonder someone would might know who I was, but every time someone so much as glanced my way I felt my heart starting to pound. It always meant they just wanted a refill, yet I couldn't control myself.
Apparently, my worry showed. After a couple of hours Sam pulled my aside and asked me if there was something wrong. I wanted nothing more but to to clear my conscience as I had no one to talk to. At least he was a supernatural being as well, perhaps he would understand… But what was I going to tell him? I was being stalked by someone who found out my age old secret and I was growing closer with a vampire, not sure if he was interested in me for myself, or for the fact that I was a mermaid and he just wanted my blood?
Instead of confessing everything that was on my mind, I shook my head and told him I had a rough night (which technically wasn't a lie) and that he shouldn't worry.
"If any of the guests give you any problems, they have me to answer for," he told me, and I had to admit it made me feel better. If anything, Sam was a fine boss and I knew that I could trust him.
My make shift stake became my accessory of choice when darkness fell. I didn't went home until everyone apart from Sam, and my colleague Arlene, had left, and I was very much looking forward to sleeping again. I had kept a close watch on my phone, but Eric hadn't called me. The lack of progress was making me rather annoyed, but there was nothing I could do about it. In fact, perhaps it would be good to not see him for a day.
I returned to a darkened drive way. I particularly remembered leaving the lights on when I left, I had done so ever since I had been to Fangtasia for the first time. I told myself not to get paranoid over every tiny little thing, and figured the lightbulb had broken while I was gone.
To be safe, I still carried the stake in one hand, and the pepperspray in my other. If it didn't work against vampires, it would work against everyone and everything else.
I unlocked and opened the front door and went inside to check the switch, but darkness remained. Thinking back, I remembered putting in one of them fancy LED-lights which were supposed to last me years and years. I could scarcely believe it had broken already.
I ventured outside again and went to check the light itself. I stood on my toes to reach it, and was taken by surprise when I felt the warmth of the bulb on my fingers which meant it hadn't been off for such a long time. It was almost as if someone had taken it out, and I wasn't sure why. My brows ruffling, I screwed it back in place and immediately my porch was lit up again.
It wasn't until now that my eyes fell on something on the exterior of my house. I took a step back and cocked my head slightly.
When I comprehended what it actually was, my mouth fell open in horror. The entire side of my house was smeared with red paint, mimicking blood. The separate letters formed a simple, yet terrifying word.
Freak.
My fingers didn't know how fast they could grab my iPhone from my back pocket, immediately dialing Fangtasia's number. When Pam confirmed Eric was on his way I decided it would be wise to take pictures of the artwork defacing my house, figuring it could be of help in the future since I wanted this gone as soon as possible.
Calling the police was a thought that crossed my mind. If Eric failed to help me, perhaps they could. But then I remembered I had to explain why someone would paint the word freak in red paint on my house and I let the idea slide.
For the moment I was very grateful for vampire's super speed ability. Within a couple of minutes, Eric stood next to me, admiring the paint job I had received.
"It had to have happened while I was at work," I started, not bothering with hellos, the potential kiss or dinner that almost happened still burned in my mind.
"I think you need to invest in security cameras," Eric replied.
I considered the suggestion, but then came to the conclusion I couldn't.
"I can't let them win," I stated. "I'm already walking around with weapons every time I go out of the door. If I do this, it means they have won. They're trying to scare me, and so far they are doing a very good job."
Eric turned himself to me, and I was ashamed to admit that his striking blue eyes did something to me. It shook me to my core and I had to look away for a minute and remind myself that he was a vampire and I could become his late-night snack.
"You don't have to be afraid, Serena. I will find out who it is, I promise you that."
While he had always kept his word so far, Eric was definitely taking his time.
"I don't know how long I can keep this up before something gets out. I feel so paranoid at work. Afraid that anyone who looks at me knows. And now this? How far will they go to humiliate me? If this continues it leaves me no other choice but to move away again."
I don't want to move away. It had been years since I truly felt at home somewhere. Bon Temps had managed to keep me safe for a long time. I had friends here, a good and stable job, a nice house, and enough water to relieve me of my needs. This place was good for me, and I couldn't let some practical jokers ruin it all.
Eric lifted his arms and cupped my cheeks with both his hands. The coldness of his skin felt like a shock to mine, and for a mere moment my mind panicked, fearing this was the moment he would finally let his fangs sink in my flesh.
But when I met his gaze I saw something I never expected to see in the eyes of a vampire. Compassion.
"I will keep you safe," he said, almost hypnotizing me. "I just need time to solve this mystery. Anyone who touches you will get hurt."
I could do nothing but nod and believe him. Eric had a way with words, and he could be very persuading when he wanted to, even without glamoring me.
His hands were still resting on my cheek, and I felt myself transported back to the night before. Did I want him to kiss me? One part of me screamed yes, while the other yelled no. This went against everything I was led to believe, but it was also part of the danger that excited me. Whenever a threat unveiled itself in my life, I ran away, and started my life again something else. I had to admit I was tired of it. I didn't want to this anymore. I wanted to embrace my supernatural side like the vampires could, and there was no one else in this world who could help me better than Eric.
Just when I was about ready for him to lean in, he dropped his hands to his side and turned himself back to my paint-smeared wall.
"You should go to sleep," he said, not looking at me again. "I'll get this cleaned up."
Was I disappointed he hadn't tried kissing me? Confused by my own feelings, I headed towards the door. While I didn't know what I was supposed to think, I did know that arguing with Eric was pointless, and honestly, I was glad for a long night of uninterrupted sleep.
"Thank you," I said sincerely.
"Sweet dreams, Serena," Eric replied, the corners of his mouth curling into a comforting smile.
A/N: Thank you so much for the support so far! Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter :) Please let me know your thoughts and take care 3