Jupiter's Tears

For some strange reason the oddest things seem to happen to me. Why, I am not exactly sure but the whole strange series of events occured six months ago. As ussual I was going through my work day. Being a female operator of a sewage plant along with drinking wells is a challenging task but the family needed help with bills. My husband Mark is kind, stern at times but very motivated. He is more experienced in the same fields of work them I am. You see I was married into a family business contracted to handle these duties of waste water and water jobs. So I got use to the work and was hired to help the buisness and better our family income. Work was getting tight with normal task and two kids to pick up afterwards I am thankful for any help my husband gives around the house. Which in most cases is more than some men I have seen. One morning I went to the wells first, being my usual route to take, I arived at my first gated well. Not alert to my surroundings i grabbed my notepad and equipement and stepped out of my truck. As soon as I closed the door I heard a snap near the trees. Tall pine trees and shrubs surround these well houses. Wind blew strong; blowing that October air straight through me I zipped up my jacket to block some of the wind. Snap! The snap caught my attention. Quick to look I checked the grounds with my eyes. Maybe it was the wind breaking a few slinder branches off. Hard to say for sure what I heard. The leaves dried and crackly rolled by and fell down from the trees. Outside sounds surrounded me from every direction. Confident that it was nothing but usual outdoor sounds I headed a few steps to the well house. Within five feet I heard fast russling of leaves and grass. Before I could turn my head my vision went black. My eyes were covered by something warm and strong. Heavy hot breathes of some man just a inch or two taller than me was suddenly flush with my body just as fast as the blackness engulfed my eyes. Screaming to be heard, now mixed in emotions of fear and anger by this predicament I take my thumb and index finger in between his soft webbed section of his hands. Squeazeing with all I could he let a muffled cry of pain as I moved his hands away from my eyes and waist. Suddenly hitting the cold ground with my knees and hands I grabbed a fist full of dirt and dry leaves. Turning to face him I threw every bit of dirt and leaves at his eyes. "Ahg ahhh." He grunts and moans in agony like an animal trying to get the dirt from his eyes. Taking the advantage I make a mad dash for my truck. I had reached the bumper but he had one eye clear and reached for my Jacket. 1

The force of his tugging slowed my momentum to get to the door down that I was only able to get the door flung open. I struggled to free myself from my jacket. For one second I thought I was free of him. Only to get a hard object striking the back of my head. The force of the blow sent my head forward. My forhead was warm and my hearing muffled. Reaching to feel the warmth, I looked. Bringing my hand down there was blood running down my forhead. I collapsed. He proceded to pick my pockets clean leaving everything I had in the truck. Lifting me up and holding me close he spoke. Being unconcieous I guess he felt he could speak to me.
With a look of desparation in his eyes he spoke to me while out.
"My lady I am sorry, but my lord misses his bride." Walking through the woods he takes me away from my life I once knew.
Hours go by. Normally Mark calls me when he leaves from work. This evening was the first time his heart sank. "Why won't she pick up the phone?!" Starting to panic he dails his father. "Come on, come on. Pick up!"
"What's up?" His father answers.
"Hay, has Nia called you at all today?" Mark's voice is forcefull but flustered.
"No, why, what happened!?" Suddenly confusion and worry sets in his fathers mind. The family was very close the their sons and to Nia. Like a daughter they never had.
" She is not answering her phone and I haven't heard from her since this morning!"
Feeling worse by the minute Mark heads towards the wells to check if she is there. After phone calls to her parents and friends, getting the same answer frustration sets in. Upon pulling up to the well he stopped and his eyes grew wide. “The truck is in the drive but were is she?” In a single move Mark opens the door and runs to the truck. With fear in his heart he looks at the seat to find her wallet, phone, and some change.
"Her stuff is here." as he turns to see if there is something in the woods. He yells desparetly searching the trees. " Nia, were are you?!"
The wind and leaves rustle all around, blowing past him. Reaching to close the door his hand is suddenly cold and wet from the door. Looking at the site of his hand, now wet with blood, his beathing increases. Fear fills his mind. 2

“Could she be dead?” “God let her be ok!” Tears fall from his eyes as his body shakes with frustration. Wiping his face to see the phone he dials the police.
Operator answers,”911. What is your emergency?”
Gasping to sound clear. “Yes, my wife has been missing since this morning.”
His voice cracks a little tring not to cry.
“ How long has she been missing?”
“She not answered he phone since 9:30 am.”
“ Her truck and personal possesions are here at her work, and there is blood on the driver door!” Now unable to control his composure he snaps.
“ I need a cop here NOW. She has been taken from her job!”
“ Calm down sir an officer is on the way.”
“ Thank you.”
Waiting for the police to arrive he paces searching the woods at a distance for some evidence of which way Nia was taken.
“Mark Butler!” Announced by an officer as he approached with his flashlight.
“Yes sir.” Turning to face him. Eager to explane all that he found he rambles.
“ Her stuff is in the truck, blood on the driver door, distur…”
“ Sir, it will be ok I have an officer closing the drive to this site and our ferensic on the way.” “Now, What happened?” His eyes roamed around the site to take an inventory of everything.
“Sorry. I just want my wife safe at home. I have not heard from her since this morning. I left work and came here to find this!”
Glancing at his hand the officer sees the blood. “Did you touch anything out here?”
Realizing what the officer saw Mark explanes what he touched to prove he did not do this.
“ Yes, I touched the driver door. I got here and it was dark. I saw the truck and her things inside with the door open, I called for her and reached to close the door. That is when I found the blood and called 911.”
“O.k. sir.” The officer takes his statement and proceeds to ask questions and talk him through everything they will do to find Nia.3

The forensic team arrive twenty minutes later. Walking up to the truck and Mark they took samples of everything. Nia’s items that were left there got tagged and photograph were they lay. Hair and blood samples. Including the blood on Mark’s hands. After all the processing and photographing Mark was escorted to the police station to give more information and her truck hauled away for further analysis.
Fearing what happened. He sits quiet. Looking pale in the face he shuts down inside his mind. All fears imaginable run in his mind raising his heart rate. The more the officers try to talk to him the less responsive he becomes. After hours of attempting to get more information Mark’s father arrives to help and give his son some hope.
With all the work being done in the woods and at the station. It seemed like their plan worked.
With my head throbing with pain I slowly gain conciousness. Voices of women mumble as I open my eyes. "So this is her!" one said as she got closer. My eyes still blurred I turn my head to their voice.
"Milady, here is some water. We are so excited you are here."
As my vision comes and goes I see three women in black gothic clothing. Some look as young as fiffteen others about twenty. Looking around I am on a bed with see through black satin curtains. The bed lined with black and silver satin sheets. The room is of an nineteenth century style mansion. A fireplace burning in the middle of the room with candle opras on both ends. The furniture elegently crafted in victorian style. The windows are covered by thick forest green curtains.
"Where am I?" I asked to the oldest.
She replies, "You are home now."
Stunned by her words I look upon her with such confusion. "What do you mean home? I live somewhere else!"
The youngest in heavy black makeup stands up. "This is your new home now." As she goes through the dresses in the closet. "Lord Tevarus has given all of us a new home and has been searching for the love he lost years ago. You're the one he has been searching!" Seeing the expresions on their faces you can tell they believed this man and hung on his everyword. I found myself held hostage by some kind of gothic vampyre cult. 4

They continued to comb my hair and paint my nails. Getting me ready for some big event. Still bobing my head from the headache I now feel weaker than before. My sight blurred again I start to mumble,
"His lost love! But I am married!"
As I lay back on the bed again out from my injury the ladies get to work. Back and forth they move around the room finishing my hair, putting on makeup, and getting me dressed. They work through the daylight hours to have time for them to get ready before the sunlight sleeps again.
"Hurry we still have to get ourselves dressed and the rest of the household down to the ballroom!” Footsteps cross in front of the bedroom door. Some sound fast some slow. Voices echo the halls filling the air like an army of thousands living in this old mansion. People opening and shutting doors to get ready in their nicest clothes of suits and dresses. Old crystal glasses are carried into the ballroom and set on a table off to the side. Dark green bottles with a light chain mesh cover them. They are placed behind the glasses. Chairs of cherry wood and red velvet cushion line by the hundreds facing the back of the room. Two stands with a diamond shape bouqute of black and red roses. As the sun fades behind the trees candles are being lite throughout the house. Everyone moving faster like rats scurring the floor to get it perfect.
The night sky starts to lite up with stars and silence fills the mansion. I open my eyes and sit up in one continuous motion. Looking around the room I find a full size mirror. Sliding my feet off the bed I walk over to look at myself. My eyes grow wide and my hand raises to my mouth. Breathless at the sight of myself. My hair up and in curls with an onix and ruby beaded headband. Makeup lightly done to soften my skin. A dress of grey ash in color flowing the floor. My shoulders open as the straps draped across my arms. Dark graphite grey lace lines the upper torsoe of the gown coming to a point at the waist. My hand no longer carries my wedding band. The door opens in the mirror as two men step in dressed in black and grey suit. “ Come my lady. It is time.”, as they extend their hands to me. I turn to them. “Where…,” one puts his finger to his lips. Sshh. Not knowing what is going to happen I look around the room again. One answers “ There is nowhere to go. Now my lady you are expected.” They both look at me while waiting for me to take their hands. Trapped and knowing they will take me out the room by force if they have to I bow my head and take their arms. 5

We leave out the room and there is two other men in the same color suits following behind. Coming upon some stairs there is a room to my left with four women dressed in a shoulderless dress of ash grey and small bouques of black and red roses. Three of these woman were the same ones that took care of me in the room. The fourth is about the same age as me and holds a small and large arrangement of flowers. She places the large arrangement in my hands. "This way my lady.” They bow and lead me to stand between them as the men go in the room first through the farthest door. A piano plays in the room soft and yet a little disterbing. Next the women go in and march to the front. I am left out of the room with the oldest woman and a man standing at each doorway to the room. The piano plays louder and they move away from the doorway taking my hands to escourt me in. The doors open and candle lite chanaliers light the room. A sea of faces both young and old focus on me with smiles and nods to my presence. Nervous and scared I close my eyes for a second praying it is just a nightmare that I will soon wake from. Opening my eyes a tear falls down my face as we take a step inbetween the rose pillars. The man standing beside me turns to see me. In astonishment I take a step back. He extends his hand out. “It is time my love.” He smiles startling me. Frozen were I stand he takes my hand. We walk closer together. A man from my past thought to be crazy and consumed by the thought of being a vampire stands infront of me. He turns to speak to the crowd sitting before us. The glasses now poured with a red wine are passed to each person. “Tonight our mother has been found. The home will now be complete and grow as a family. Father I have found my lost love that has burned my heart for eternity. Bless us tonight in our union as Lord and Lady Tevarus.” Wanting to step back I feel my muscles stiffening as he holds me close. Fear has frozen my voice as he reaches closer to my neck. I feel his teeth pierce my skin. My neck feeling warmth down to my chest as the blood flowed like rain. Suddenly weak again I fall in his arms as he hold a glass up. All raise their glasses. “United by the night forever.” He brings the glass to my lips and pours. I taste the liquid on my lips and tongue. Such a strange and sudden craving for this almost metallic taste I drink. Everyone in the crowd lower their glasses to drink to our union. 6

I look at his smile and the teeth pertrude past his lips. The wine is not wine I thought as my throat starts to close and pain surges my body. Before letting go to this torment the whole mansion starts choking and twitching. I let my life go to die in this monsters arms. Praying this will be my only freedom. To die.
I am carried by him to a room on the other side of the mansion. He places a victorian style diamond and sapphire ring on my finger. Kisses my forhead and moves my hair. “ Rest my love. Our life together will start when you rise again.” Once the door is closed he goes back down to gather the rest and place them in their rooms. One by one they are layed down. Each baring the same bite mark as mine. After all is done he returns to the ballroom to play the piano. He rises to leave to the master bedroom as sunrise is almost near. The sun appears over the trees revealing the grounds and gardens of this old mansion. 7

Mark now restless and worried turns his lack of communication into efferts to find her himself. With the grandparents watching the children Mark goes out to find something they may have missed. Any possible clue to lead him to her. Through his desperate plees the families gave no clue to release his fears. With every shut door and I’m sorry spoke he sank to the pit deep within consuming his hope. Last efferts exhurted with pictures scattered throughout town Mark prays for the first time in his life someone will call. Returning home and setting the keys on the table he reaches for the phone. “ One more call. Maybe they found something new on the case.” As the phone rings he paces the living room floor. “ Hello Officer! This is Mr. Butler. Have you heard anything new.”
Officer staying calm to not raise his hopes he answers. “ Mr. Butler, we are still doing all we can. No, there has not been any new information from ferensics yet.”
Frustrated and wishing for better news Mark’s voice changes. “Ok, Isee.”
Officer feeling his hurt appologizes. “I am sorry I can’t give you any good news but it is too early to tell. You have a good night sir.”
Setting the phone on the reciever he gets up and goes to the kitchen. Reaching for the cabinet next to the refrigerator Mark throws open the door. As tears rise in his eyes to run down his face he grabs the whiskey and pulls the cap. 8

Tossing the cap across the room he flips the bottle upside down and begins to empty part of the bottle. Wondering over to the couch he falls to lay down on it. Finishing the rest of the whiskey down to lossen up so he can sleep it begins to slip out of his hands. Starring at the ceiling as he has done many times before during times he has been down his eyes slowly close. Before completely going out a grin forms on his face to his drunked vision of her smiling face. Head drops to the side as the alchohol knocks him out. 9

Back at the mansion Tevarus sits in a chair across from her bed. The moon rises to its peak. Illuminating through a window beside me the light covers my body. This night, my awakining was different than the rest. As the moon shown down the planet jupiter was in line with it that night. Tevarus watched in such aww that he could not move as changes happened right before his eyes. My rise to the night was like no other he has ever had. My skin was pale like the moon. My hair went from dark brown to a shimmering silver of mercury. I open my eyes to see this new life before me. Lifting to sit up I turn to face Tevarus. Jumping to his feet and starring wide eyed at me. Not a single step was taken or word said as he continued to look at my eyes. Confused by his reaction I look at my body to see my hair is different. I panic! I feel for the bite on my neck. It was not a dream and I had become his monsterous bride. Remembering the ceremony I find the ring he placed on me. I drop my head knowing my death has removed me from the life I had and handed me deaths gift. Sad and silent holding myself Tevarus suddenly comes closer. “ My love! Don’t be sad. Master said my true love would be special.”
I thought to myself how could I be special just because my hair is colored. Turning my head away from him my eyes look upon a mirror by the dresser. Seeing my lunar hair shine like liguid metal my mouth opens in amazement drawing my attention to the teeth that can pierce a persons soul. These changes facinated me as well as disgussed me. I changed to this beautiful and scary monster. The evil now free inside enjoyed the sight of the new me but my old self still had remorse for human life.10

Tevarus still fixiated at me burned into my mind caused me to turn back to him. “ Why do you stare so strongly for?” He comes closer to sit down on the bed beside me. Placing his hands on my shoulder, he leans closer to my ear. “The alignment of the moon and jupiter aided in your rebirth. The transformation to a vampire was my doing yes, but the other changes were but your powers alone.”
Confused by his words I look at myself one more time. “ What do you mean? What powers?” I start to breath faster and heavier. Reaching out to point at the mirror Tevarus answers. “ Your eyes!”
I rise to my feet to stand closer to the mirror. Raising my hand to my face I start to shake. What I saw could not be explained. My eyes, hair, and lips were all mine and not altered by man. My lips light grey compared to my hair. Most of all my eyes were like looking at mercury marbles. Clenching my fist I turn to him. “ What did you do to me!” I screamed at him. My voice echoed the halls as every candle flame flickered and grew taller to the sound of my voice. Furiated at him I did not remove my eyes from him. He rises from the bed and walks over shaking his head. Even in my fury he stayed calm. Taking his hands to hold my fist he looks deep into my hatred eyes. “You are reborn as a vampire. This I take blame for but you carried within yourself powers. You are connected to the powers of jupiter more than you know. A vampire like no other. Lady Tevarus, mother of this clan, and my true love.” Angrily I pull my hands from his and turn to head to the window. “Well if I am powerful then I will leave to my family and …” Interupting his voice turns more serious. “ You can not leave! The sun will burn you before you get there. They are alive and their heart will beat within your mind till you break down hurting those you care most. I love you! I always have and I knew I would find a way for us to be together forever!” Tears of blood now running down my check to wish his words were not true. Deep inside I knew better. Facing the outside I look at the night. “ So you sold yourself to the devil.” 11

“Yes, for you! For us! All this time you have been what drives me to be able to live like I do. I am an owner of hundreds of blood bank companies. Most of it is sorted and screened for hospitals and other countries. Others are stored for the rest of the family to live without depleting the population. I found it was more trouble to take then it was to donate willingly and help others in the process. In a way I am keeping the food supply in what you would call aboundance. As far as your new powers we will have to learn what they are in time.”
In the distance I can hear and sense the others waking. Doors open as everyone leaves their room to stand together in the main hall. Smiling and laughing to their nighmarish lives come true they talk amongst themselves of how they look and how there open to things around them.
Turning his head to the door and smiling he holds his hand out. “Shall we my dear. Our children wait for their mother.” Wiping the tears from my eyes I take his hand as we walk to the hall. Walking to the top of the stairs everyone quiets down to cheer and clap. Leading me by his side he announces our union.
“Lady Tevarus! Mother of the clan Tevarus!” All whistle and cheer. Tilting to whisper in my ear as I look upon the hundreds like him. “I am the first to be created. You are the second and now they are the remaining in this clan. The others already reborn are our allied clans. All done in one night to take care of my buisness for survival.” Hearing this I realize the vast sea of faces could cover many areas of the country. We are to be equally scattered like the rest of the world. Walking down the stairs hand in hand I still reluctant to fully except this new life. Through the crowd they cheered and some shake his hand as others reached to hug me. Continuing towards the dinning room. All gathered to sit at tables with empty glasses. Seated the wine bottles were passed and glasses filled. Raising his glass Tevarus announced. “A toast. To a new beginning. And most of all to my love. Lady Tevarus.” Everyone with their glasses high shouted. “Lady Tevarus!” The whole mansion celebrated drinking and dancing through the night. I reluctant to drink could not control this hunger growing like a child in a mothers womb. Knowing what it is and wanting it was difficult to accept. 12

Watching my refusal to feed he moves part of my hair laying over my shoulder. “We all must feed my dear. If you do not then the pain will worsen and what you hate the most will take control. Or on occasions we do take to complete our temptations if you would like?”
Frightened at the outcome if I did not and angered that lives are radomly taken to fulfill what we truly are guided my decision. Grasping the glass before me I bring it to my lips. Closing my eyes I drink. I started to take the glass away. Suddenly that warm sweet taste that lingered stopped me and with that touch of the blood to my tongue I felt a satisfaction so strong and deliciously evil that I was confused to what I was feeling. It had quenched the hunger within for a moment and I was compelled to the color and scent bringing it to my mouth once more. Seeing my acceptance to it he nods his head and smiles returning his sight to our children playing in their dance. After my hunger was subdued I walked through the crowd watching their bodies sway. As I approached the far wall I noticed doors to the outside. Revealing more the closer I got. I could see the patio outside the mansion leading to a lush garden. Stepping outside the moon sparkled in my hair as I breathed the night air in. The further I went towards the garden the more I was amazed. Such beauty displayed before me in white, red, purple, and my brilliant blue. Flowers of all kinds surrounded the fountain that rested in the center. A statue of a maiden holding a chalet in an aluring dress as if handing it to someone stood ontop. The fragrances mixed and painted the air as you wonder from flower to flower. The one time since my capture I felt such peace and happiness. In a gazebo next to the garden Tevarus sits watching from a swing in the center. Smiling at my happiness letting me roam about the garden like a little girl. Lost in their beauty and soothed by their scent I lay on a bench next to the fountain to watch the stars. Relaxed I pretend to connect the stars and make out the constellations. As my finger traced the sky a firey line formed for a second and went away. Startled by it, I could not believe my eyes. Smirking as I looked at my finger I tried it again. Starting with the constellation Draco I traced every star as the firey line formed a dragon in the air. 13

Removing my finger from the line it flamed up and a dragon of fire formed like a puppet. Flapping its wings and moving around. Excited of what I did I started to laugh.
“So that is what your powers are.” Tevarus spoke as he got down from the swing. “Your power is the ability to control fire.”
Jumping to my feet as he spoke the dragon flickered away. My breathing increased surprised by his presence. The clouds filled the sky and the thunder rumbled. As I calmed down the clouds grew less. We both looked up to see them come and go. Tevarus smiling at me walked behind me to hold me in his arms.