Chapter 5
Identity
"You are truly an intelligent girl Annabelle", Elijah said.
He sounded proud. I liked that he was proud of me. I wanted to do everything I could to make him happy. I owed him that. He seemed to like talking to me. He wasn't the only one. Some people seemed to think that since I was unable to speak, I was also stupid. They didn't care what they said when I was present. Who would I tell, right? And then there were those who seemed to be under the impression that I couldn't hear either. I have heard a lot of interesting things. Lies, dirty little secrets, hopes, fears…
I could saw people like they really were. It was fascinating, to see all that darkness behind their masks. They were cheating their spouses, abusing those who were weaker than them, using, lying, killing… Well, the last one was obvious since there were so many vampires here. But not all of them were ruthless killers. Elijah wasn't. His brother on the other hand…
I hadn't seen him much lately. I was spending most of my time with Elijah. He was teaching me how to read and write. I have learned it already on the day he started to teach me but I thought it wouldn't be wise to show him that. He might found that weird. And I didn't want to give his brother any more reasons to suspect me. Not that it really mattered, he was already suspicious. Those people who he sent to find out where me and my "family" came from, returned empty-handed. It wasn't difficult to see that he wasn't too happy about that.
Now I was actually grateful that they had been so careful. Lucian might have been cruel and greedy but he knew how to cover his tracks. I never liked any of them, not even the one who gave birth to me. Not that she liked me either; she always referred me as "the thing" or "it". They all did. They never gave me a name. I like the one that Elijah gave me. Annabelle… It sounded nice.
I believe that a name gives a person part of his or her identity. They never cared about things like that. I wasn't a person to them; I was more like an object. But didn't this body make me a person? Didn't it make me real? I wasn't sure. This was all still very strange to me. All I knew was that this body had needs. It required food, water, clothes and shelter. I wouldn't die even if I wouldn't get those things but it would be very unpleasant.
I knew that from experience. Lucian had wanted to test me. Just in case, as he put it. I definitely wasn't sad that he was dead. Luring those vampires with my blood… Maybe it wasn't very nice thing to do but why would I care? They were never nice to me either. I saw a way out and I took it. Now I just had to be very careful. There were many others who would no doubt want to use me. Elijah could keep me safe. I just had to make sure that he would want to do that.
"I think we have studied enough for one day", he said smiling. "Would you like me to read something for you?"
I nodded. He sat on a chair in front of a fireplace and I sat next to him. I leaned my head to his shoulder and closed my eyes. I really liked his voice. It was so calm and kind. Nothing like I had heard before. He wasn't mean or cold or shouted at me. Those were the only ways they ever spoke to me.
"How sweet."
I opened my eyes and saw his brother. He had just entered the library.
"Good evening Niklaus", Elijah said calmly. "I see you came back from your hunting trip. Everything went well, I trust."
He grinned.
"It most certainly did, brother." He looked at me. "And how are you this evening little girl?"
I smiled at him. He smiled too and touched my cheek.
"As talkative as ever, I see. How nice."
I stood up and hugged him. Surely I had to welcome him back. If I managed to surprise him he got over it quickly and tapped my head. I smiled sweetly when I sat next to Elijah and took his hand.
"It is nice that Annabelle likes you", Elijah said.
"Yes, it really is. Perhaps I should spend some more time with you little girl. Would you like that?"
No, I wouldn't like that but I nodded. He smiled.
"Wonderful. How about I take you to town with me tomorrow? I shall buy you something nice."
I looked at Elijah.
"That is a nice thought Niklaus but I think the journey is too long for her."
"Oh nonsense, we shall take the carriage. And I shall look after her, I give you my word. No harm will come to her."
"Why do you suddenly want to take her with you?" Elijah asked.
Niklaus smiled.
"Why not? It will be a new experience for her and you could finally go and visit lord Raleigh as you promised him months ago."
Elijah hesitated.
"I already gave you my word that I will keep her safe. Do you not trust me brother?"
"Of course I do but…" Elijah turned to me. "Do you want to go to town tomorrow?"
It would have been best to decline. Was he going to hurt me?
"It will be fun Annabelle", Niklaus said smiling. It was the first time when he called me that. "You are a part of our family now so I want to get to know you. And spoil you a little." He winked.
I got to hand it to him, he was good. Alright then, I would play with him. I nodded.
"Wonderful", he said smiling. "I will see you in the morning then."
Yes, I could hardly wait.