Steph was feeling great. She hadn't felt so great in a really long time. She had a boyfriend, she was on good terms with Rissa, she had a great job… for once, everything was going great.
She had just finished working at the restaurant and decided to go see Alf. Steph went to the bar, hoping to find him there. She came in and found him. Right in front of her. She was surprised by this, but it was sweet. They kissed. Stephanie tried to come inside, but Alf stopped her:
-Hi, Salvatore.
-Hi. Can I come in? You're kind of blocking the way.
-Before you come in, you should know something.
-What?
-There's… a slight problem.
-How slight?
-Not that slight. Okay, come in. But slowly.
She did. Slowly. But that still didn't help with what she saw. There, in the middle of the bar, surrounded by pretty much everyone who was inside, dancing and singing on a table, was Rissa. In her hand, there was a bottle of bourbon. In her other hand was a mic.
Everyone was cheering, laughing. It would've been easier if they had been compelled to listen to the singing. That way, she could've been sure that they'd go home, remembering nothing. But no. This wasn't compulsion. This was Rissa. Her voice. It was beautiful, and that was undeniable. But right now, that wasn't good. Right now, Steph had to take her home and find out what happened.
-How long has this been going on?!- she asked Alf.
-She barged in an hour ago.
-Why didn't you tell me?!
-It's 5AM. I thought you were asleep.
-No! I was working late.
-Does this happen a lot?
-Whenever she's upset.
-Is that a "yes"?
-Yes,- Steph laughed. Ugh, no, she had to focus! She had to get Rissa home. She had to find out what happened. Everything was so great. Rissa was so happy just hours ago.
Stephanie came over to the table her little sister was on.
-Oh! Look who it is, ladies and gentlemen!- Marissa yelled into the mic.
-Rissa, what are you doing?
-Well,- she put away the mic and kneeled down to look her sister in the eye. -I was drinking, but then you interrupted me. So now I'm… oh, look, still drinking!- she took an exaggerated sip from the bottle.
-Rissa, get down!
-Lemme think… NAH!
-Rissa, please, this is embarrassing.
-For you, maybe, I just think this is fun!
-Marissa!
-Yeah, you're right.
-Thank you…
-This is FAR not fun enough!- with those words, Rissa jumped off the table and came over to an attractive man. She looked him in the eye. -Don't move.
Rissa fed on him. There, in front of everyone. And it wasn't subtle, either. The crowd that, just minutes ago, was cheering, was now backing away. Alf, too. Steph stayed next to her sister, who dropped the body onto the floor. People started to realise he was dead. Most ran to the door, only to be blocked by Rissa, blood all over her face.
No, no, no, no, no! This wasn't supposed to be happening! What could've possibly happened in a few hours that turned Stephanie's sweet, baby sister into this!
-What is going on?!- Alf asked Steph, just as scared as everyone else.
-Let's just say, you're not the only supernatural being in this room.
-No, let's not "just say" anything! What is she, Salvatore? What are you?
-I'm human, Alf, I swear, but Rissa…
-What? I won't tell anyone.
-She's a vampire.
-Vampires…
-Yes. I'll tell you more later, promise.
He kissed her.
-Alf, I need a favor.
-Sure. What?
-I'll take her and go. You seal the door with magic and call this number.
Steph grabbed a napkin and scribbled the number on it.
-Who is it?
-My aunt. Tell her everything. She'll know what to do.- Steph pushed through the crowd, opened the door, grabbed Rissa by the arm, catching her off guard, and pulled her outside. She expected her sister to kick and protest, maybe even bite her, but thankfully, that's when the alcohol kicked in and Marissa nearly passed out. She leaned heavily on Steph's shoulder as she led her home.
When they got to the apartment, Stephanie nearly passed out herself. The place looked horrible, especially Rissa's room. She expected a mess, of course, but not… this. Then she saw a note on the counter. "Out. -Rissa".
-You were supposed to get the note first…- Marissa slurred, still leaning on her sister. Steph looked at her own room, expecting the same mess. Instead, she found the entrance blocked by a closet. She set her sister on a chair, making sure she doesn't fall, and moved it out of the way. Her room was perfectly clean. Whatever happened here, the closet blocked it from all impact.
Stephanie carried her drunk, little sister into her own room and tucked her in. She sat on the bed next to her, absentmindedly stroking her hair, wondering where that great feeling went.