Chapter Fifteen
Eric awoke to the sound of alarms going off. For a moment he thought he was dreaming but then he heard the screams all around him.
He jumped up and looked at the chaos unfolding.
"Eric, watch out!" Pam yelled as he turned and was nearly staked by a rogue vampire. He moved out of the way quickly and grabbed the young vampire, tearing its head off in one swift move. Seconds later Pam screamed as he looked at her. His eyes got wide as another vampire dove a stake right through her heart. He couldn't even comprehend what was happening until she was nothing but bloody remains on the floor.
"NO!" He charged at the vampire responsible, tearing him in two.
"Eric!" Jesus yelled out to him. Bodies lay all around. Human and vampire alike. "ERIC!" He yelled again and it finally snapped him out of his stupor. He ran over quickly. "We don't have time. We must do this now." Jesus began to chant. A portal opened next to him. "Stop this from happening." He yelled as Eric killed another vampire. "Now, GO!"
"What time am I going to?"
"I don't know." Jesus looked at him with fear in his eyes. A vampire charged at him and seconds before Eric jumped through the portal, he watched Jesus get torn in two.
"Fuck!" He yelled as everything went black.
Eric felt a sudden jolt as he was thrown through space and time. He found himself disoriented and in pain as he lay on the ground. His head was spinning, and he struggled to make sense of what had just happened to him. He tried to get up, but his body was unresponsive, and he collapsed back down onto the ground. Two very important things were happening simultaneously, not only was he in pain but his body was not healing.
"Dude, are you ok?" A voice neared him as he looked up. The shape of a young guy coming into view. "Dude… your legs are broken." The guy looked at him with wide eyes. Seconds later Eric grabbed him without thinking as his fangs sunk into flesh. The guy's screams echoed in the air.
His body began to heal as he sat up and pushed the limp body to the side. He hadn't fed like that in quite some time and the feeling coursing through his body was euphoric. He stood and looked around the nearly deserted park. Where was he and better yet, when was he?
He wandered onto the first road he could find and he was pleasantly surprised to see the familiarity of it. He was outside of BonTemps and from what he could tell, life went on like normal. No sign of the apocalypse. The spell must have worked. He knew where he needed to go. He needed to find Sookie.
Eric was desperate to find her and couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. As he made his way to her place, he could smell her sweet scent, but to his disappointment, she was not there. He decided to follow the scent and it led him to Bill's place.
Fear raced through Eric as he charged into the large place, not knowing what he would find. As he entered, he saw a scared Sookie and a confused Bill, who had been making out when Eric barged in.
He was taken aback by the sight.
"Eric?" Bill walked over as Sookie adjusted her clothes quickly.
"I'm sorry who is this?" Sookie felt her heart race as she looked at the large blonde man standing in the doorway of the living room. He looked frantic and it made her uneasy not to mention she was literally seconds away from losing her virginity to Bill.
Realization hit Eric quickly. He had gone back too far. She didn't even know him yet. He could see the fear in her eyes, and he hated knowing that he put it there.
"Um, this is uh. Eric Northman. Sheriff of this area." Bill had a perplexed look. "This is Sookie. Can I uh help you with something?"
"Oh um." Eric tried to find the words but they were lost to him.
"You're a vampire too." Sookie swallowed hard. She went from not knowing one vampire to meeting two in as little as a month. To say she felt overwhelmed was an understatement.
"I was planning on stopping by Fangtasia and announcing my relocation," Bill spoke anxiously. Apparently, he was under the impression that was why Eric showed up. Anytime a new vampire made their residence in his district it was common courtesy to let the sheriff in that area know.
Eric decided to go with that. "I got word that you were back in town." His eyes lingered on Sookie. He forgot just how carefree she was then. Part of him wished she could stay like that always.
As Sookie looked at Eric standing there, she couldn't help but take in his appearance. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His hair was blonde and styled in a sleek, modern cut that framed his chiseled features.
But it was his eyes that really caught her attention. They were a piercing blue, intense and magnetic, and they seemed to look right through her. Sookie couldn't remember ever seeing eyes like that before, and she found herself getting lost in their depths.
Eric's clothing was also striking, she noticed. He wore a dark leather jacket over a black shirt, and his jeans fit him perfectly, accentuating his powerful legs.
Sookie couldn't deny that Eric was an attractive man, but it was more than just his physical appearance that drew her in. There was something about the way he carried himself, with an air of confidence and authority, that made her feel both nervous and intrigued.
As she tried to make sense of her feelings, Sookie couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had never felt so drawn to someone before, and she didn't know what to make of it. But despite her discomfort, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special about Eric, something that set him apart from anyone else she had ever met.
She quickly looked away from him.
"I um, should go." She looked to Bill.
"Wait. Are you sure?" He had a look of disappointment in his eyes. She looked nervously over at Eric and then back at Bill.
"Actually, it's for the best. We need to talk, Bill." Eric interjected before she could. He wanted nothing more than to get her out of Bill's place and away from him. He couldn't help how protective he felt even if she looked at him like a stranger.
"I'll call you tomorrow?" Sookie swallowed hard and then walked past them both as she left.
Eric watched as she left and then Bill cleared his throat, getting his attention. "Can I get you a drink?" Bill's tone was filled with annoyance as he walked past him and toward the kitchen.
"What is todays date?" Eric couldn't help but ask as Bill turned and looked at him. He had that perplexed look again. Eric stared unwaveringly.
"September ninth." Bill looked at him. "I'm sorry did I do something wrong? I just got in town last month."
"And already you have a human acquaintance. I thought you were mainstreaming." Eric couldn't hide the anger in his voice. Part of him wanted to kill Bill right now, at least Lilith would have to find another vessel.
"I am not feeding on her," Bill interjected as he pulled out a True Blood and held one out to Eric.
"No thanks." He walked across the kitchen. He needed to figure out some way to get Bill out of town for a little while. He tried to think back to what was happening at that time period. He just needed Bill out of the picture while he figured all of this out. "The queen is going to want to see you since you are back in these parts." He knew if anyone would waste Bill's time then it was the queen. She would have him stuck playing Yahtzee for days, weeks even if he was lucky.
"The queen? I know I didn't come to see you right away but…"
"No buts, Bill. She wants to see you and you know how she gets." Eric walked past him.
Bill sighed with frustration. "Ok. Fine."
Eric made his way out of the room. "You should leave tonight. You have enough time to make it there before daybreak."
As Sookie entered her home, her mind couldn't help but replay the image of Eric in her head. There was something about the way he looked at her that felt almost familiar like she had known him for years. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thought, but it lingered like a ghost.
She walked to her couch and sat down; her thoughts consumed by Eric's piercing gaze. It was as if he could see right through her, into her soul. She couldn't deny the attraction she felt toward him, even though it made her uncomfortable.
She tried to shake off the feeling, telling herself it was just the stress of the situation with Bill and Eric's sudden appearance. But deep down, she knew it was more than that. She couldn't explain it, but there was a pull toward Eric that she couldn't ignore.
Eric pushed open the doors of Fangtasia, and the sound of the club's music and chatter hit him like a wave. His eyes scanned the room, and he took note of the various vampires and humans that filled the space. He couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity wash over him as he walked towards the bar. Pam was tending to the customers with her usual dry wit and charm. Eric approached her and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace, surprising her.
"Eric, what the hell?" Pam pulled away, looking at him with confusion and suspicion.
He noticed the other patrons looking in his direction and he knew he had to somehow explain his unusual show of emotion. "I was just checking your reflexes, which are shit by the way. Did you gain weight?"
"What? No? Do I look like I did?" She looked over her body with confusion and shock. "Is it this top? It's new?" She touched the leather halter top.
"You should probably change it." He turned from her.
"Fuck. I thought it looked cute!" She huffed.
Eric couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as he walked away. He knew what was to come for her in the future, and it was painful to see her so full of life and vitality.
He made his way over to Long Shadow next. He couldn't help but hear Jessica's voice in his mind. "I could be human again. Stop me from going to that party." The first step in that plan was to get rid of his long-time friend, the same one who had been stealing from him for years.
"What can I get ya, boss?" Long Shadow grinned.
"You can get the fuck out of my place."
"What?" Long Shadow laughed nervously.
"I said get the fuck out." Eric's voice was serious as his fangs descended.
"Eric, what the fuck?" Pam walked over.
"Make sure he is gone." He turned and walked across the bar.
"But Eric, wait!" Pam called out.
"Just get him the fuck out of my club!" He yelled now as the club got quiet. He nervously looked around. "What the fuck are you looking at!" He yelled as everyone quickly looked away.
Eventually, Eric made his way into his office, closing the door behind him. He needed to focus and figure out a way to get Lilith's blood. His mind was racing with ideas and possibilities, and he spent the next few hours poring over ancient texts and manuscripts, searching for a solution to his problem.
He leaned back in his chair. He couldn't just go to the authority and take the blood. They had it hidden away. He was going to have to be smart about this and then his mind went to the one person that could help him. Godrick. He was still alive at this time. He closed his eyes and used his powerful connection to his maker. He called out to him, begging him to come to Fangtasia.
Pam knocked on Eric's office door, and it snapped him from his thoughts. She walked in and was followed by the new dancer named Yvetta, who was scantily dressed in a revealing outfit. He had forgotten that this was around the time that she had come into the picture. Back then he was more than happy to show her a good time but now things had changed.
"What?" Eric asked, eyeing Yvetta with annoyance. He didn't have time to deal with her.
"She's our new dancer," Pam replied with a smirk.
"I don't care," Eric said dismissively, turning his attention back to his paperwork.
Pam rolled her eyes, knowing that Eric was not interested in the dancers or the business side of Fangtasia, but he was always up for a good time. Yvetta looked uncomfortable and shifted her weight from foot to foot, clearly unsure of what to do.
"Maybe you can show Yvetta around the club and get her acquainted with the regulars," Pam suggested, trying to salvage the situation.
"I can help you relax," Yvetta interjected nervously.
Eric glanced up at Yvetta and then back at Pam, clearly uninterested. "I have more pressing matters to attend to," He replied, indicating the stack of papers on his desk. "Not to mention we have enough dancers. When did this place become a refuge camp?" He looked up with annoyance.
"Eric, what in the hell!" Pam was clearly in shock over his sudden change in demeanor.
Pam huffed in annoyance but didn't push the issue further. She and Yvetta left the office, leaving Eric to his work. He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. He was living on borrowed time and he was worried about the consequences of being back there. Were things changing right at this moment? He looked at the clock and saw that he only had about another hour until daylight. He wasn't going to be able to get anything else accomplished today. He needed rest and tomorrow he would come up with some sort of plan.
Meanwhile the following day Sookie tried to keep images of the alluring blonde-haired vampire out of her mind, but it was becoming increasingly more difficult. She had hoped to sleep in since it was her day off, but Sam's call had woken her up. Dawn was a no-show which in itself wasn't all too surprising considering she did what she wanted most days, but it also meant that Sookie was going to have to cover her shift. She had told Sam that she would go see Dawn and make sure she went to work.
She got to the small house in record time, and she knocked loudly. "Dawn. Hey, Dawn. You overslept." She called out but got no response. She knocked once more, and the door opened as she stepped inside. "Hello?"
The inside of the home was quiet and undisturbed as she looked around. "Dawn?" She called out once more as she neared the bedroom. She could hear the alarm clock going off. "I hate to do this girl but it's my day off and Sam is getting pissed." She knocked on the door and then turned the handle. She expected to see her passed out naked, most likely with some random dude but the sight she saw was horrifying. A scream left her mouth as she saw Dawn on the bed naked and very much dead.
"Help! Somebody please!" She cried out as the alarm clock continued to blare in the background. She walked closer to the bed and looked down at the lifeless body. "Sweetie, what did you get yourself into." She mumbled under her breath.
The sound of glass breaking, startled her as she turned and saw Jason standing there. The vase he had been holding was on the ground shattered. His eyes were wide with shock. "What the fuck?"
"Oh my god, Jason." She rushed over to him and hugged him as he smoothed back her hair.
"It's ok." He was in shock.
"Like hell it is! Look at her!" Sookie yelled with tears in her eyes. "She is definitely not ok!"
"Yelling at me isn't going to change anything." He backed up as he looked around. Seconds later a neighbor was rushing into the room frantically.
"Dawn? I heard yelling." The neighbor began as she looked at the bed and then gasped. "What did you do?!" She snapped at Jason.
"I didn't do anything." Jason blurted out.
"I am the one who found her." Sookie couldn't believe this was happening again. Two women were murdered in BonTemps in a matter of a few weeks. What was happening to their town?
"I heard y'all fighting last night. She took a shot at you as you ran off and now look at her!" The woman yelled angrily.
Sookie looked at her brother in shock. "Jason?"
"Yeah, so we had a fight." He fidgeted nervously. "But I came back to apologize." He held out the flowers in his hand.
"She shot at you, and you came back to apologize?" Sookie looked at him with shock.
"Sook, I didn't do this. You have to believe me." He pleaded with her.
"I'm calling the police!" The neighbor ran out of the room.
"Call 'em!" Jason yelled as he launched the flowers across the room and then he looked back at Sookie. "I had nothing to do with this!" He stormed out of the room quickly.
The rest of her day was spent being interrogated by the police about what she had seen when she arrived at Dawn's place. She hated the thoughts going through everyone's mind. Of course, they all thought it was Jason. Hell, he had been the last one seen with not one but two of the latest murder victims. She was worried about him and she wasn't sure how he was going to get himself out of this.
"Jason is not capable of murder." She told the police chief as he continued to theorize in his mind about Jason. "How long are you going to hold him?" She needed to get answers. She knew her brother and she knew that he may not make the best decisions in the world, but he wouldn't murder anyone. Her mind went back to him talking about the fang marks on her body and how it was probably one of those fangers from that club in Shreveport. It had been the same club that Maudette had gone to. Fangtasia. Her mind went back to Eric. She needed to talk to him. Bill had sent her a text message stating that he had business he needed to take care of out of town. She contemplated telling him what had happened but he had seemed so distracted in his message so she thought against it. She knew what she had to do. She needed to make a trip to this infamous club.
Authors Note: Sorry for the delay in updating this. I had a few different scenarios to work through and this one was the best. I also changed some of the original storylines around to fit this as you can see.