Chapter Seven

Sookie stumbled onto the street as she ran outside. A car skidded to a stop as its bumper came inches from her leg. She looked up at the frantic driver who thought he was going to hit her. The sounds and sights of the nightlife were all around her and she took off.

She ran at vamp speed until a delicious scent got her attention. She followed her nose and then stopped outside a blood bank. Fear and disgust ran through her. The scent still aroused something primal in her. She quickly ran across the street to a nearby park. She could hear a bunch of teenagers sneaking around. She remembered when she and Jason would do that with their friends. They would find a good place in the woods to drink beer and smoke pot. An updraft of wind caught her by surprise as her fangs descended and her eyes zoomed in on the group of teens. It was like she could see each individual vein pumping blood through their bodies.

She was transfixed and literally salivating as she watched them. She hid behind a tree as her nails dug into the wood, splintering it.

"As much as I applaud your enthusiasm, Sookie. They are kids. We don't drink from them. Most of us at least." He shrugged.

She looked back at him and then at the kids. She could barely concentrate she was so hungry.

Moments later she was being pinned to that tree by Eric's weight pressing into her. "I said No!" His tone was sterner than she had ever heard before. Her eyes got wide as realization began to hit her. She was about to attack those kids and to be honest, she didn't even care at that moment. She didn't worry about them being someone's child, brother, or sister. All she saw was food. He must have noticed the change in her look because he loosened his grip. "Knowing when to be bad and when not to be is something that is learned through time but never kids."

She shook her head and then the tears began to fall.

"Hey, look at me Sookie." He pushed her chin up.

"I can't be this person. You need to just kill me."

"When I first turned, I killed an entire village of people. Children and women. It didn't matter. All that did, was my hunger." He sighed and she felt her dead heart ache for him. She was pretty sure no one had ever seen this side of him before. It was even different from his no-memory emotional wreck vampire self. This was raw emotion. "You only thought about killing them and now maybe you will think twice before trying to take out kids."

"How do you live like this." Tears streamed down her face.

"I am going to pretend that didn't sound like you were just judging me for my actions over the last thousand years." He looked hurt and she swallowed hard. "The first thing you need to learn is control. You can't go attacking people that smell good to you." His voice was softer now.

"I could just do blood bags then, right? There is a bank close by." At this point, she would rather drink blood out of a bag than out of a person.

"Well as of last year, the good ole government of ours put a ban on selling blood products to our kind."

"What? They can do that?" Her eyes got wide.

"I can tell you all about it but we should probably get out of this park before we cause a scene." He smirked. "It's never a good look for us to be lurking in dark parks at night."

She put her hand on her stomach as pains raced through it.

"But let's feed you first. I know the perfect place."

They stood in the alley next to the packed bar.

"I don't see how this is any less creepy than being in the park." She smiled.

"Well, this is more of our age group." He spoke and then a drunken guy came out. He walked over to the side of the building to relieve himself. He fumbled with his pants. "Pay attention." Eric looked at Sookie and then seconds later he was next to the drunk man who still hadn't figured out how to unzip his pants. Eric touched his shoulder as the guy gasped and turned. "Don't scream. I'm not here to hurt you. In fact, you are not scared at all."

"No, I ain't scared." The man smiled drunkenly.

"Come on." He called over to Sookie who was having her own dilemma. This man smelled fucking amazing, like her favorite alcoholic drink. She walked over cautiously. "Fangs out." His clicked as she swallowed hard again and then hers descended. Her eyes were fixated on the exposed neck of the guy. She could see the artery there and her eyes began to water with anticipation. "Good girl, now come next to me." Eric kept his grasp on the drunk man. Sookie got beside him and then gasped at the scent now. It was so potent that fear raced through her. She jerked back instinctively but Eric grabbed her arm. "He won't feel a thing and I won't let you kill him."

"What if I can't stop." Tears filled her eyes again.

"You may be tough Sookie Stackhouse but I'm a thousand years old. Trust me when I say, I will stop you." He smirked. She moved closer. 'You don't want to just tear into it. We're not mutilating people unless it's necessary." He watched her and she slowly inched closer to his neck. Her eyes zoomed into the vein and the blood pumping through him. She could smell a hint of bourbon and a martini. She swallowed the saliva in her mouth. "Do you remember that first time you let me bite you? I didn't have my memory back yet?" He raised an eyebrow, and his words snapped her from blood-lusting.

"Yes, I was worried it would hurt."

"Did it?"

"No, not at all."

"Then do it like that. Slowly." She remembered that moment with Eric. It was one that gave them that eternal bond that never went away. They had become one in a sense. She focused on that as her fangs sunk into flesh for the first time. The rush of blood through her body was unlike anything she had ever felt. She assumed it would be equivalent to getting really high on some psychedelic drug. The hardest thing she had tried was pot with Jason when they were kids. This was entirely something else. It seemed like only seconds and then she heard Eric shouting as he yanked her body back roughly. She turned and hissed at him, nearly biting him in the process. "Put those baby fangs away, now." He was back to being stern again. It was like being scolded as a child but oddly different and much more arousing. "Heal him so we can go."

Sookie looked down at her hand. She did what Eric always did for her. She pricked her finger and watched the small pool of blood that rested there. She moved it to the fang wounds on the drunken guy's neck and then it disappeared.

Eric looked at the guy. "Now go home before I change my mind about you."

The guy took off quickly.

Eric looked back at Sookie who had a wild expression on her face. He knew exactly what she was thinking. It was what all vampires thought about after feeding. Fucking. The two went hand in hand.

"We need to go."

Sookie was in front of him quickly as his back hit the wall now and she smiled proudly.

"You have a lot to learn." He groaned and then flipped her around so her back was against the wall. She gasped. "But if we don't leave now, I will fuck you all over this city." She shuddered with anticipation. "Trust me the cops would frown upon it. It's not the sixties anymore."

"You did that in the sixties?" Her eyes got wide.

"It was a wild year." He smirked. "Hold on." Seconds later they were flying into the night.

Sookie gasped as they moved up in the night sky. With her new vision, the city below was like looking at another universe. He brought them down into the woods.

"Can I fly?" She asked with wide curious eyes.

"No. It's something that comes to you over time."

"Do you have a thousand years' worth of memories?"

"Not exactly. It's not like I walk around with a ton of memories floating in my head, but you do have an uncanny ability to remember the oddest things." He walked over to a tree and leaned on it. "Like this place."

"This place?" Sookie looked around at the wooded area and then her memories came flooding back. This was the first place they had made love. She looked up at him as he sauntered over to her. He began stripping off his clothes as he until he was in front of her. Her eyes took in his well-sculpted body.

"I still remember how I felt when I saw you standing there." He closed in the distance just like he had done years prior. "Seeing you like this." He looked her body up and down. "You were meant to be a vampire." His mouth collided with hers as he pulled her clothes off her body. They fell onto the same patch of grass as he entered her body. She cried out as her neck arched. Eric took the invitation and bit down. Her body shook as she came violently. He pulled his fangs out as hers sunk into him.

Hours later they were back at Fangtasia. The sun was about to rise and the idea that she would have to sleep in a coffin freaked her out.

"Can't I just sleep in a bed? I mean you slept in bed with me before."

"We get our most restful sleep in there." He glanced at the coffin. "It has something to do with it being pitch black." He opened it and then looked at her. "You'll sleep with me tonight."

"We're just going to go in and then what? We're like essentially dead in there." She swallowed hard.

"We like to call it, living impaired." He smirked as stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the large casket. He put his hand out to her.

"What if I get insomnia?"

"Sookie, you won't."

"I normally take melatonin."

"Trust me."

She walked over to him and took his hand. He removed the red Fangtasia t-shirt from her body. Her other clothes were officially trashed. She stepped in and he kissed her forehead. They lay down as her head went on his chest, The moment the casket closed her mind went blank.

The following night they awoke to yelling outside of their room. Eric jolted as Ginger could be heard running to the door. He swung it open as her eyes got wide and she looked over his naked body. She screamed as he looked past her and saw Jason Stackhouse storming over. She ran off quickly.

"What did you do to my sister, mother fucker?!"

Eric rolled his eyes and leaned on the wall. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."

"I'm not fucking kidding. Every time my sister goes missing, you're somehow involved!" Jason yelled.

"Not when she was gone for a year though I did stop you from selling the house to a stranger." Eric barred his fangs.

"Enough. Stop it, both of you." Sookie came out of the room, wearing a red t-shirt. Jason looked at her with shock.

"You're fucking him?"

"Eric put some clothes on." Sookie flushed with embarrassment.

"It's not anything he hasn't seen before," Eric smirked and now Jason quickly looked away.

"I can't believe you are fucking another fanger, Sook!" He kept his back turned.

Eric took one last look at him and then went back into the room.

"Jason, we need to talk." Sookie's voice became serious as he looked at her now.

"I just thought that after Bill you were done with all of this." He shook his head with annoyance.

"If you would just let me explain."

"Explain? Those mother fuckers, him in general is going to get you killed one of these days!" He was pissed. "Did you hear about the True Blood factories? This shit is starting up again, Sook. It never ends with them."

"Jason."

"No. We're leaving. I'm going to take you and Bridgette and were leaving the state. We're going to go somewhere quiet and safe until this shit is over."

"I can't go."

"Why the hell not? Did he do that vampire-hypnotizing thing to you? I swear I will beat his ass!"

"I would love to see you try Jason." Eric walked out of the room fully dressed now. He got next to Sookie and put his arm around her.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now, Sook? What the fuck!"

"It's complicated." She whispered and then her eyes went to his neck and the outline of his veins. Her fangs descended and she quickly covered her mouth and backed up.

"What the fuck!" Jason actually jumped back as his eyes got wide. He stared at Sookie and then he looked up at Eric. "You son of a bitch!" He raced over with vengeance in his eyes, but Eric just put his hand out and pressed it on his chest.

"I'm fine. I promise." She stepped in front of Eric.

"You're fine? You're a fucking vampire! My sister is a goddamn fanger!"

"Don't raise your voice to her," Eric warned.

"Fuck you!" Jason yelled as he backed up. He then looked at his sister and his eyes filled with sadness. "Sookie."

"I can explain." She stepped toward him and he backed up with fear in his eyes. "Jason, I'm not going to hurt you."

"I can't deal with this right now." He turned from her.

"Jason, wait." She rushed up to him.

"Sookie, just stay the fuck back. I mean it."

She hated to see the fear on his face. He was scared of her. His thoughts raced. She couldn't even single in on just one.

He quickly took off and Eric put his hand on her shoulder. "Just let him go."

"Did you see the way he looked at me?"

"You get used to it. They all look at us that way. You looked at me that way when you first met me."

"No, I didn't."

He stepped around her and smirked. "You didn't like me then."

"I didn't hate what you were but your personality on the other hand." She walked back into the room and sighed.

"He will come around, Sookie. He's your brother and you both have that uncanny ability to forgive."

She turned and looked at him. "What if you're wrong? What if he hates me?"

"No one could hate you, vampire, or not." He walked over to her and brushed a piece of her hair back.

"I haven't forgotten that you didn't tell me about Bill." She added and now he rolled his eyes.

"He literally killed you."

"He wasn't in his right mind."

"You do hear yourself, right? He killed you and you're defending his reasoning." He walked past her and opened the door to the bathroom.

"I don't want you making decisions for me, Eric."

"Ok, no more secrets."

"I mean it. This is not going to work if you're going to hide things from me."

"Do you want me to pinkie swear or something?" He smiled and she hated that he had such a cute way of doing it. "I need a shower. Want to join me?" He began removing his clothes. She stripped out of hers and they both went into the bathroom together.

After cleaning up, Sookie wore some of Fangtasia's merchandise. It consisted of a pair of grey sweatpants and a t-shirt with a fang logo on it.

"I really need to go home." Sookie finally spoke as she put her hair up in a ponytail.

"We still have a Bill situation happening. Your place is not safe." Eric paced across the room. He hadn't fed in a while and he was feeling antsy. "I wasn't kidding before when I said we're leaving."

"I'm not going to Norway, Eric." She huffed and then he got in front of her.

"You know what a shortage of True Blood will bring. This won't be like last time. It will be worse."

She swallowed hard. Last time she was on the other side of the spectrum. "I have friends and family here. I'm not just going to leave them to be slaughtered."

"I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. Things get bad quickly when we are hungry. You will see that."

"Exactly. I won't let them get hurt. I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Eric sighed with frustration. "This isn't up for discussion." He walked past her, and she followed after him.

"You are not allowed to do that!"

"I will not lose you, Sookie." His words shook her to her very core.

"Then help me keep them safe."

The sound of the front door being swung open roughly had both of them turning as Jessica rushed in. Her eyes locked in on Sookie and she gasped as she looked between them.

"What did you do!" She lunged at Eric, but Sookie jumped in the way as the girls crashed to the ground. Eric watched with amusement. "Sookie. I didn't mean to." Jessica began to apologize profusely.

They both stood up and dusted their clothes off. "You're a vampire."

"It's complicated."

"But…But…" Jessica looked between them as Eric walked over to Sookie and put his arm over her shoulder. "Does Jason know?" Sadness crossed her features.

"Yeah," Sookie spoke quietly.

"Are you ok?"

"Sookie is fine," Eric interjected.

"I hate that you keep saying that. I am far from fine."

"How did this happen?" Jessica looked between them.

Before Sookie could answer. Eric did. "Bill happened."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Bill is back," Sookie added as Jessica blinked in shock.

"I'm sorry I thought I just heard you say that Bill is back?"

"I am assuming you heard about the factories. That is why you are here?" Eric spoke as Jessica stared at him in shock. "Oh yeah and he killed Sookie, so there is that too." He was bitter as he spoke.

Sookie sighed heavily. "Bill isn't thinking right."

"Wait, hold up. Bill, like Bill Compton? My maker?" She looked between them.

"I need to eat." Eric walked past them.

"Wait, where are you going?" Sookie called out.

"Get Jessica up to speed. I will be right back." He left the room and Sookie sighed.

"Please tell me that I am hearing you wrong." Jessica was freaking out.

"Bill is back, sort of."

"He did this to you?"

"Well not exactly. He left me for dead. Eric changed me."

"Holy shit. I need a drink." Jessica began to pace. "How is any of this possible? He is destroying the factories too?"

"Lilith is back," Sookie spoke the words that she hadn't actually said out loud. The thought terrified her.

"But she is dead too."

"Apparently not."

"Sookie." Jessica's eyes softened and then she was hugging her tight. "I am so sorry this happened to you."

"I thought my life was crazy before." Sookie pulled back.

"But with Eric?" Jessica sighed. "You know I don't like this at all."

"I know you hate when I say this, but Eric isn't such a bad guy."

Jessica rolled her eyes.

"And now it's just. You know that connection."

"No, I don't. The last thing I thought about was being with Bill. Gross." Jessica shook her head and then chuckled a little. "How the fuck did we end up like this?"

"I have no idea."

"How are you adjusting? I know when I first changed everything was really wild and chaotic." Jessica watched her. "Have you fed yet?"

"Does it get easier?"

"Over time. You know just because he turned you doesn't mean you are his property."

"I love him."

"Ugh, so gross. Can we get a drink now?" Jessica walked over to the bar and began to pour them a shot.

Sookie walked over to the counter as Eric came walking back in. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"I will take one of those too." He called out as he walked over to Sookie. "You alright?" She shook her head, yes.

"You know I could bring you around with me and teach you the ropes." Jessica ignored Eric and looked at Sookie.

"No offense but you can fuck off." Eric's tone was dry as he looked at Jessica.

"You both are going to need to get along. I won't choose between you." Sookie added.

Eric rolled his eyes and walked behind the bar. He grabbed a bottle of scotch and poured himself a drink.

"We should do that girl's night." Jessica walked over to Sookie and handed her a drink.

"Must I remind you both that there is a homicidal killer vampire on the loose?"

"You know, you really are a mood killer." Jessica narrowed her eyes at him.

"I want to make sure you and Hoyt are safe. Things could get really bad again." Sookie's voice was filled with worry.

"What about your fairy powers?" Jessica asked and Sookie shook her head, no. "Damn."

"Me and Sookie are leaving tomorrow," Eric added.

"I didn't agree to that yet," Sookie interjected.

"Leaving, for where?" Jessica's eyes got wide.

"All you need to know is that it is somewhere safe." Eric sipped his drink.

"So you're not even going to tell me where you are dragging my best friend to?" Jessica was getting increasingly pissed.

Sookie went to blurt out Norway, but Eric spoke before she could. "We shouldn't know where you are going either. It's safer that way."

"I am not just leaving everyone behind." Sookie turned and looked at him.

"Jessica, can you excuse us." Eric narrowed his eyes at Sookie.

"You are being a child." Sookie huffed and walked past him. He followed her.

"We need to discuss this in private."

"I trust Jessica." Sookie sighed heavily.

"No one can be trusted when dealing with Lilith. She can get into our heads. You were human last time. You don't know what it was like." He was stern once more.

"I hate to admit it, but he is right. She was horrible, Sookie." Jessica spoke softly. "I'm going to call Hoyt." She left the room as Eric walked up to Sookie again.

"We have to be smart about this."

"Why can't we just fight this time? If we could get Bill alone."

"There is no goddamn Bill anymore Sookie. He is gone!" He yelled angrily. "He killed you. How much more proof do you need!" Her eyes began to tear up. "Come on, don't cry."

"No, you're right. He killed me and now I am this and the world is going to shit." She went to walk past him, but he got in front of her.

"I promise that I will keep you safe."

"I have lost so many people, Eric." The tears began to fall. "I can't lose anyone else."

He put his arms around her tightly. "Your brother can stay at my villa in Italy."

She looked up at him. "You would do that?"

"I would do anything for you, don't you know that?"

"What about Arlene?"

"I will talk to Keith. He will get her and the kids to safety."

"This is really happening again, isn't it?"

"But this time you have me, and I will die before I let anything happen to you." He hugged her tight again.