Daisy Sun: Chapter Four- Open Mind

Chapter Four: Open Mind1

She steered me at a pace I was able to keep up with, but my head turned away from the doorway, giving a final glance at the room I hated with a force so grand I couldn’t control. The only eyes I set upon before the stairs took reach were that of Theo’s, and he seemed to follow behind, at a distance, to keep up with my expression. I was unable to keep a straight face. 2

The stairs weren’t long, but the steps were steep. I tumbled up them, finding it difficult to keep a balance when my head was dizzy and my eyes were fuzzy. Josephine opened the door ahead when the light crowded me from beyond. I squinted at its difference in colour, its shade much more yellow, and I realized that it wasn’t a light bulb’s doing, it was the sun. 3

I stepped onto hardwood floors, at a corridor. My eyes instantly scanned my surroundings, finding it arduous to comprehend the fact that this was where I was all along. 4

“Where am I?” I found myself asking, forcing our pace to slow. 5

“This is our cottage.” She simply answered, pushing me forward alongside of her. 6

Everything seemed far too casual to be that of a madman’s lair. It looked the way any cottage should look: cosy and ancient. Everything so small or big as the furniture and little add-ons made the cottage look entirely normal and comfortable. The furniture was actually elegant in its own way despite its variety in colour and mixed patterning. Flower pots and small, decorative tables scattered the corners of every room I passed, as well as antiques ranging from lamps to little statues added very well to the welcoming atmosphere the cottage produced. 7

Although it was normal sized, a bit too small for these type of people in my opinion, it had a lot of space in between. There was something very alluring about the cottage that gave me a far too “homey” feeling. Instantly I relaxed against its exquisiteness, taking in the majestic amount of light that shined through the wide, squared windows. That was one thing the cottage had plenty of: windows. It suited it all too well, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if I really was in great trouble considering everything was so open and easily seen from outdoors. It wasn’t much of a hideout. 8

Along the way, my footsteps creaked against the hardwood, as my eyes continued to take in that of my surroundings. Right before the hallway and the stairway to the second floor, I noticed a deck window beside a large family room. I took notice of trees in the distance, all around. I figured there must have been forestry, and that we were probably as secluded the way a hideout should be. 9

“Is it nice?” I heard Josephine ask. 10

My thoughts reconnected with me as I turned to take in a look at her anxious expression. We began climbing the stairs.11

“It’s very nice.” I answered.12

“I decorated it myself. We’ve been here forever but I still try to keep up a good living.” She explained, though I didn’t really care much for it. “The others say it’s a waste of time, but I don’t think it is, especially on these occasions.”13

“These occasions?” I repeated, feeling my eyebrows entwine in curiosity.14

“When we have guests.” She said, with another smile. 15

Was that what I was? A guest? I highly doubted it. 16

“Where is this cottage exactly?”17

“Cornwell Hills.” She said, taking in my peculiar expression. “It’s a lot far from where you came from.” 18

“How far is far?”19

“Outside the city of Melbrook.”20

I felt a weight plummet to the bottom of my stomach, taking in the answer. Melbrook. That was at least a 10 hour drive from Little Cross. The number troubled me greatly, as the shivers trembled up and down my spine. 21

“Sorry.” I heard her whisper when she noticed my change in expression, but I couldn’t understand what she was sorry for. 22

We reached the top, another level of comfort and elegance. There were four closed doors, most likely bedrooms, and a bathroom at the end of the hallway. The door was half opened, but it was enough to take in the sink. 23

“It’s right this way.” She told me, leading me to it.24

I followed her until we came to a stop outside of it. She turned on the light, and walked in, opening a closet on the side of the wall, where there were towels, soaps and shampoos stored. She took out a green towel and placed it over the curtain bar on the tub. 25

“Your room is the very first one on the other side of the hall. I’ll have your clothes on the bed for you. I’m sure you’re feeling exhausted, so you can rest until tomorrow or whenever.” She explained. 26

“Until tomorrow?” I asked, feeling my impatience throttle me. 27

“Yes. Is something wrong?”28

“Well…” I wasn’t sure how to grasp the words, but I went for it anyways. “How long am I going to be here exactly? I mean, I’m feeling fine, really. I think it’s time for me to go home. Don’t you think?”29

Her expression tightened into that of a forced cordiality. She hesitated, her lips opening and then closing every few moments. Finally, she let out a sigh, and heaved a shrug.30

“You know, I can’t really say anything right now.” She admitted. “I would like to, but I don’t think Ruth would appreciate that until the right time.”31

“Right time for what?”32

“For the truth.” She sighed once more at my exasperated face. “Look, just do what we ask, and you will get your answers. It’s just difficult for us to try to take care of you and keep you secure as well.”33

“I don’t need anyone taking care of me.” I retorted, raising my aching voice a bit, but reasonably. “I don’t even know what’s happening, or who you are, or what you want-”34

“You need to be patient. I know how scared you must be. I know because it happened to me, and it was life altering, but we adjust and we move on.” 35

I forced my mouth shut, but only because I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere with the questions. I watched her look about the bathroom, almost trying to keep her own mouth shut too. There was a tender countenance on her face, and it eased my fears in the thought of angering her. 36

“Whatever you think we are,” she then said, as her closing statement to the conversation, “whatever we may be, you must know we won’t hurt you. If anything, we’re trying to protect you.”37

Her words reminded me of Theo’s own words. His promise in not hurting me. His sounded sincere, but it wasn’t enough to calm me. Hers, on the other hand, sounded and felt sincere, giving me the reassurance that she was telling the truth. 38

“Anyways,” she almost whispered, “I’ll leave you to it. Take as much time as you want, the water’s all yours today.”39

She gave me another smile before swiftly walking out, closing the door behind me. I stared at the white door for several minutes, taking in its splintered lines and cracks, but my mind was mostly elsewhere. I was alone again, and I hated the ambience it brought on like a thick, unseeing fog. 40

Eventually, I turned away, suddenly very anxious to clean myself as much as possible. I hadn’t felt so dirty all my life, and I couldn’t imagine how I looked after all that occurred. Of course the reflection in the mirror was terrifying for me to grasp fully. My hair was knotted, greasy and puffy in all different directions. My eyes were unusually dark, a very deep shade of brown, nearing black almost. Beneath my eyes were dark circles, there to remind me how much I needed sleep. My skin was paler than the last time I had seen it, and it didn’t suit me well at all. There were some bruises on my face, though some were already faded, others were more vivid, like the round one on top of my left eyebrow. When I touched it, it stung as the pain seeped further into my skin. 41

It was surprising how fragile I appeared, and felt as well. One touch would probably be enough to break me, or at least give me a serious bruise. My skin, so translucent now in the light, made my hair look extra dark, and my cheekbones stand pointedly outwards. I looked rather dead. and quite simply, I felt very ugly. 42

I exhaled, turning away from the mirror quickly, not willing to spare more time on my appearance. I began taking off my clothes, and each bend brought on a tense, soreness in every limb of my body. It took me an extra minute climbing into the tub. I shuddered wildly at the cold surface, and closed the curtains, as if shielding myself away from anything unwanted.43

Despite it being September, I showered in hot water, feeling immensely cold for no rational reason. My fever had gone down dramatically since the last meal, but I wasn’t in high hopes of it being gone forever. I scrubbed every part of myself that I could with the soap, and each time I washed it away, I marvelled at a new contusion. All down my back there were deep, purple-bluish bruises, as well as scrape marks on the side of my body. It was excruciating adding pressure down onto it, but the warm water helped in overcoming the after pain. 44

I took my time as I was advised, standing about for nearly half an hour before I laid down, changing my shower into a welcoming bath. I felt every sore muscle separate, and ache against the surface of the tub, but it felt so relaxing. My eyes shut against the running hot water, and my eyelids even seemed to massage itself now that it was closed. I did my best to remain awake, but the truth was, I was very exhausted.45

After a while, I forced my eyes open, ridding the urge to sleep. They took a turn about the tub, and the ceiling and the walls. There was nothing to really concentrate on beside endless, spotless tiles, and the scent of my shampoo spread about the entire bathroom, smelling of fruits.46

I sat up, feeling the need to get out now that the water was getting cold. I took hold of the towel and dried myself, letting the water drain away into the tub. I was quick about drying my hair, not really concerned about the condition it was in. I wrapped the towel around me, and threw my clothes into the empty laundry basket before opening the door.47

My head stuck out first, looking about the vacant hallway in case someone was there. I didn’t want to face walking around in a towel in the presence of one of the strangers, much less the males. I suppose they wanted my privacy, for there was no one on the floor, and not one sound reached my ears from below either. 48

I stepped out, walking speedily towards the first door on the hallway. My footsteps creaked with every movement, and it made me feel very predictable knowing they could hear my every action. I opened the door and hurried in, closing it shut behind me. I turned to take a look at the bedroom, no longer taken away by its elegance like the first time. It was fairly unique, decorated with all its antique furnishings that looked like it came straight out of the 1800’s. It was no doubt luxurious, but, again, homey at the same time. 49

There were clothes on the Queen sized bed, all finely laid out for me. I wasn’t entirely enthused about the nightgown, but it was better than nothing at all. I hurried into them, feeling unsure throughout. The bra was small on me, and the gown itself felt tight from the top and spacey from the bottom. I stood before the dresser mirror, not sure whether I liked what I was seeing or not. I did appreciate the fine designs the gown had, giving it a very old-fashioned feel, but I didn’t think it suited me right. 50

I turned away with a sigh and collapsed into the bed, tugging the covers from beneath me. I wrapped them tightly around my body, taking in its distinctive scent and teeming comfort. My eyes shut heavily, and my body rested into the bed. The light from the window brightened the darkness of my closed eyes, but it wasn’t a distraction. I fell, inevitably, into a very deep sleep. 51

I dreamt of nothing. It was the usual colourful swirls that tossed about the black scene, almost taking its shape into a dream, but never accomplishing it. I felt so dreary and deep, yet I was partly semi-conscious about my surroundings, knowing still where I was. It felt like a very long nap that I estimated, by the time I woke up again, it was probably the middle of the night. 52

The darkness swept through the room like the thick blanket over me. No more sun, no more light. My mouth felt dry and sticky, and my cheek was sweating against the billowy pillow. My eyes opened as I took in a deep breath, feeling the need to stretch as far and wide as possible. It felt nice to my limbs to be moving, and the soreness was lessening now that I had regained more strength and sleep. My eyelids no longer pained against the exhaustion, and my head felt more alert and in tune with reality. 53

I didn’t know whether I wanted to get out of the bed or stay in until the morning. I wasn’t sure what was waiting for me beyond the room, and whether I really wanted to know the truth. I was more aware of what I was thinking, and my thoughts no longer drifted off incomplete. I rolled on my back and stared up at the ceiling, taking in the breath of events I befell. 54

What happened to me that night brought me here, I thought. So what did happen to me exactly?55

One minute I was walking down the street, and the next I was flying into an alley. How was that possible? Something grabbed a hold of me, but what was that something? Clearly, given the bite on my arm, it meant to hurt me. Why did it bite me though? Why not cut me up instead if its intentions were to kill me? 56

Given the little knowledge I had -- Well, I had no knowledge at all of anything really-- I was left to only piece things together in theory. I didn’t want any big surprises when the truth was told, I wanted to feel it was coming rather than be put off guard by it. 57

I had very little memory of the night, because everything was so dark and my mind only seemed to be concentrated on my death. What I could understand though, by the way the events unfolded, was that one second I was embraced tightly by a creature, and the next it was off me, hissing. 58

Yes, I thought, the hissing sounds. 59

The memory of that sound sent shudders through me. My heart accelerated in fear at the thought of being enclosed in the arms of a monster. I fully believed I was being killed by a monster, not by a human being with normal strengths, but by a fully, supernatural creature. It didn’t sound so bizarre, not after being in the cottage with strangers who I didn’t feel were humans either in the first place. 60

No, I didn’t want to think about what these strangers were. I wanted to know what happened to me that night, and why I was victimized. There were other people at night, walking about as well. Why was I the one it had to pick? I know to think that was selfish, yet I couldn’t help but wonder whether I was a specific preference to its liking. 61

I focused once more on my train of thought, on specifically piecing together what I did remember. It had been on me, and then it wasn’t. Something else pulled it off. Another creature? Perhaps, but its intentions were not to harm me despite the possibility of being the same kind of creature. 62

I sat up now, and rested my hand on my right, wounded arm. The dried blood had all been cleaned up and washed away in the shower, so it looked more clearer. I could see the bite even in the dark, and worse, I could feel burning sensations run through it like lightning bolts. I did recall, after examining it closely with my fingers, the coldness that ran through it after I had been bitten. I imagined a knife cutting along the path of my bite, and up my arm, for that was what it felt like. Shortly afterwards, I had been carried away. 63

I put my hands to my head, rubbing my temples. I no longer felt the motivation to continue the pointless pondering when the answer was downstairs, lurking in the thoughts of four individuals. 64

Four things, I managed to think, although flinching at the sound of it. 65

I reluctantly threw the covers off of me. Stepping off the bed, I trembled and nearly fell, cursing myself for the lack of balance I could barely muster. I tiptoed to the door as quietly as possible, although I wasn’t sure why I wished to be so silent in the first place. 66

When I opened it, my head stuck out, staring all around me. It was dark, and not a sound reached my ears. I stepped out and hurried to the stairwell, glancing over the closed doors, wondering whether anyone was in there. I had no idea what time it was, or whether anyone was up or not, but I had a feeling someone was. 67

My footsteps creaked beneath me as I descended the stairs. My heart beat louder and quicker against my chest. By the time I was at the bottom, I immediately noticed lights on at the end of the hallway, in the living room. I stood for a long while, wondering whether I wanted to proceed or turn back. My instincts begged me to turn away and make a dash for it, but my mind reminded me that whoever was in there probably heard me and knew where I was. There was really no point in chickening out now, not when my thoughts would inevitably lead back to its corners. 68

I took my time moving, feeling the nerves rattle against my skin. Each step sunk into the ground, weighing me down, unwilling to advance further. The light brightened more before I realized there were several lamps turned on, and the silence was interrupted by whispers and paper shuffling. 69

I entered, and stopped, staring directly forward to the four who were huddled around a long, glass table. Oddly, my nerves faded away at the natural look before me, no longer feeling a threat of fear ensuing. Ruth was in the middle, on a long couch, staring down intently on a stretched out map. Her fingers were scanning an area, as her eyebrows folded into each other in deep thought. She knew I was there, but she didn’t bother to look up. Beside her, Niles was looking at a completely different side, locating something entirely different than her. On the side couch sat Theo and Josephine, both expressions combined deep thought and boredom, a strange mix of course. 70

Theo’s eyes were the first to look up at me, fully aware of my presence as the rest of them. I felt awkward being stared at suddenly, his glare went from my face to the nightgown I was uncomfortably dressed in. I could already sense humour behind his face, yet he guarded it with seriousness. Josephine followed his gaze and smiled at me, nice and wide like before. 71

“Come sit down with us.” She said.72

Niles looked up to catch her excitement, and his eyes flashed on mine for a split second before returning to the map. There was less concentration plastered on his face, as if something had hit his mind. He turned, hardly, in Ruth’s direction, but she ignored. 73

I shifted my weight from one foot to the next, budging no further. I decided I wasn’t going to sit, but my actions mystified me. I could feel my expression darken, as my heart continued to battle against the demands I knew I was going to express. 74

“Is something the matter?” Josephine asked, her smile faded into worry. 75

“Yes.” I firmly answered, unable to restrain myself any further. 76

Niles looked up once more, this time fixing his eyes on me for a long while. Ruth exhaled suddenly, as if knowing clearly the direction I was on. 77

“I want to go home.” I let out, feeling most of my body shake with my words. 78

“Maybe you should sit down.” Josephine said, standing up quickly. 79

“And then what?” I replied, taking a step back. “You can’t make me stay here against my will.”80

“We never said we would.”81

“Then you’ll let me go.”82

She didn’t reply. Her head turned to Ruth, who clearly was still avoiding my presence, and then to Theo. Niles remained motionless, being of no help there, and Josephine almost appeared trapped, unsure of what to say. 83

“What are you people?” I found myself asking, my voice trembled, fading in places. “Why don’t you just let me go?”84

I could feel my tears begin to well up in my eyes, as the lump in my throat formed. How was I going to talk if I was already breaking down?85

“What do you think we are?”86

Ruth’s voice caught everyone by surprise. She looked up from me with her solid glare, with hardly an expression to decode in her fade. I didn’t quite know what to say right away. It took me a few long seconds of looking towards each of them, trying to uncover their possible actions if I told them the truth of my thoughts. 87

“You’re not…” I gulped, unwilling to let my words trail off, “you’re not like me.”88

“What are you?” Ruth asked, stressing every syllable with curiosity lurking beneath her tone.89

“Human.” 90

For a quick second I regretted my answer, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. Yet it diminished as quickly as it had come when I detected their firm facial exchanges. 91

“You’re half right.” I heard Ruth say, yet her words were distanced under the pounding of my heart.92

True fear gripped me this time, the type of fear that really motivated me to get away. There was no place to go, not in front of them anyways. Despite the fear though, I felt anxious for the answers, for everything to make sense. 93

“Perhaps you should sit down now.”94

Her tone made it difficult to go against what she suggested. I took a quick glimpse at the space between Josephine and Theo, but felt very opposed in being anywhere close to them. 95

“Away from us, if you’d like.” Ruth added, easily reading my expression as if I was a book. 96

I looked towards the other side of the table, where the green armchair was. It was the farthest seating place from them, yet it still looked close. Without giving it much thought, I rushed over to it, as if I were skidding on top of knives, and collapsed into it. My knees instinctively shot up against my chest as a means to protect myself, though it did really no change in my situation nor my unease. 97

All their eyes were on me, I felt them hard. It was very discomforting feeling so absorbed in such a clueless state. I knew, regardless of my previous while of creating theories, that I was going to be taken by surprise whether I liked it or not. Nothing could possibly brace me for the truth. 98

“You really must keep an open mind to what we say.” Ruth started, her words at an even pace. “We’ve been through this many times before, and taken in many like you, so it won’t surprise us if you bolt for the door. Unfortunately for you, it won’t get you far, so I would advise you sit tight in that chair.”99

In the corner of my eye, Josephine took a seat, turning her gaze to Ruth’s. She was clearly less tense in not having the responsibility to be in Ruth’s place, so there was a calmness in the air around her. Theo remained motionless, looking as still and untimely as a portrait that the only thing that said otherwise were his lively eyes. 100

Ruth sat up slightly, clearly unaffected by the burden that was placed upon her, as if she was the ring leader of them all. It wouldn’t surprise me if she was given her strong characteristics that left me feeling tiny and unimportant. 101

“Now,” she said, looking over to me with unmoving eyes, “there are two versions to the truth. The first is a long one, there to prepare you along the way to the unexpected. It would help build what’s coming. The second is a fairly, straight out explanation, but I guarantee you’ll most likely discard it by its impossibility.”102

“Personally,” Niles chimed in, looking suddenly alive, “I’d choose the first version just because I’ve seen the reaction to the second one too many times.”103

“Second version.” I said abruptly after him, barely having listened to him to begin with.104

He frowned, returning to his grave expression. None of them liked my answer, but it appeared they expected it nonetheless. 105

“To put it simply then,” Ruth began, much to her dislike, “you were attacked and bitten. The bite could have either potentially killed you, or made you into one of them.”106

“And what are they?” I urgently asked, feeling my heart tighten in anticipation. 107

Ruth paused, looking towards her rivals, as if searching for something that might help her. They clearly offered nothing in return, as if seeing the impracticality towards the truth themselves and not wanting to be the ones to say it. She eventually turned away; frowning, her eyes met mine, and with a short sigh, she blatantly said,108

“Vampires.”109

The word echoed through me, prolonging the moment for what felt like forever. Instantly there was a sceptical response in my face and inside me, but there was also an unavoidable terror that seeped its way into my core. I simply froze, feeling every sore muscle and limb clench together. This could have easily been mistaken as a form of trauma, but I still felt a measurable amount of sanity somewhere. 110

“Vampires?” I managed to utter much to my shock.111

I couldn’t get passed the word. It sounded so far fetched and out of the blue. I wasn’t sure whether I hallucinated the moment or not. 112

Their expressions, on the other hand, remained the same: firm and grim. It definitely suffocated any potential positive aspect. 113

“Is this a joke?” I belted out, without thinking through my words. 114

“It’s not a joke.” Josephine said in a near whisper. 115

I believed her much to my detest, only because the atmosphere was far too serious and gentle to be trifled with. However, apart of me inside continued to hope for the possibility of it being a great joke. Either way, it wasn’t something to laugh at. 116

“What, like Dracula?” I let out again, breathlessly. 117

They exchanged another set of glances. 118

“I personally don’t know a Dracula.” Niles sounded, looking towards the others. “Have you met him?”119

“Certainly not.” Josephine replied, slightly humorous. 120

“Well then I suppose we missed out on him. Maybe in the near future we’ll locate some unmarked coffin-”121

“You said vampire.” I interrupted, reminding them that they were being ridiculous, not me. 122

“This isn’t a horror tale where vampires sleep in coffins and rise in the night to suck the blood of humans.” Ruth said, slightly exasperated in her tone. “What you know of them is barely a gist of the actual truth. Nevertheless, how else can you explain what happened to you?”123

“You were victim of a very hungry vampire.” Josephine said, so naturally and effortlessly, as if she had done so many times in the past. 124

“A very powerful vampire.” Niles uttered, appearing lost in thought. 125

“The bite on your arm,” Ruth motioned to it, “it says enough. Go on, look at it.”126

I did. Seeing the bite marks and ruptured line immediately repulsed me. Thinking about it only made the stinging pain more, and all I wanted to be doing was forgetting it. 127

“The bite was just his first. He was in a hurry, you see. Though, given the considerable amount of blood you lost, I’d say he had a fair share of the taste. He wasn’t as successful as he’d hoped.” Ruth explained, examining it from afar as well. 128

“What do you mean?” I asked, not really sure what part of her speech I was referring to.129

“You were saved.”130

“By who? One of you?”131

“One of them.” She paused, and then shrugged slightly. “Well, he doesn’t necessarily say he belongs anywhere.” Her eyes then flickered shortly to Theo. “He prevented you from a full transformation. If you remained like that, alive with that infection, you’d have been one of them already.”132

“Damien did well.” Josephine whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.133

“He did do well.” Ruth agreed. “But he got himself in a sticky situation.” 134

I wanted to ask who she was talking about, and what the sticky situation involved, but the words continued to throw me off. My eyebrows tightened against each other, feeling very lost. Apart of me was already disconnected with the rational side, allowing this dream -- this had to be a dream -- take over. 135

That’s what it is, I thought, a dream. 136

“So I’m not one of them?” I asked, already gazing away into outer space.137

“No.” She answered. “You’re not.”138

“So then what happened to me afterwards? Why all the pain if I’m not infected?”139

“You are still infected, but you’re not one of them. There’s a step involved in making you into them, but that part wasn’t made. This is the bitten infection itself that’s left you with the effects. It’s more of a rejuvenation if you will. There are others like you.”140

“Like me?”141

“Yes.”142

“And what am I exactly?”143

“You’re what we call a Rare Blood. You were bitten by a vampire, but not made into one of them. However, you carry with you some of a vampire’s traits.”144

I blinked several of times, unable to feel the words sink in. 145

“What traits?” I managed to ask through shuttering teeth.146

“Most we can’t fully know until afterwards. You still have a long way to go for a complete change. It ranges from 6 to 12 months.”147

This alarmed me greatly.148

“So more pain?” The thought of it crashed against me wildly. 149

“Possibly.” She admitted, softening her voice. “But I doubt it’s to the previous extent. There will be rough days.”150

I couldn’t reply. My mind already led me back to the room below and to the mind numbing experience I was deathly scared of. 151

The tension in the room was deepening as the silence invaded for a long while. Their eyes remained on me, patiently waiting for the impact to feel real to me.152

It truly surprised me how quickly I was able to put their truth into perspective. Whether I believed it or not, it was certainly an explanation that fit the inexplicable events of the last few days. 153

“What are you,” I found myself asking, with a wave of curiousity, “if you’re not one of them?”154

There were several more facial exchanges. Though, by now, I was ready for the ultimate impossibility. I easily braced myself. 155

“Well,” Ruth started, shifting her position a few inches closer to Niles, “if you think about it, what are the typical, mythical enemies of vampires?”156

I stared blankly ahead, clueless.157

“I don’t know.” I answered.158

“What creature do you know morphs into a giant dog under a full moon?” Theo said suddenly, finally speaking. 159

Niles scoffed. “It’s unbelievable how years of stories about us could fabricate itself to such an extent. We’re not all hairy, and we certainly don’t feed on human flesh-”160

“Werewolves.” I interrupted, unable to form a decent expression.161

Their pause was enough of an answer. By then, my whole rational self was thrown out the window, and all I could do was go along with it. 162

“We’re not dangerous.” Josephine suddenly reassured. “Not to you anyways. And we’re not enemies with the Vamps. Not to the counsel anyways.”163

Ruth frowned. “We don’t know what we are to the counsel.”164

“What’s the counsel?” I asked, feeling excluded already by their knowledge.165

“A higher order for all existing vampires.” She answered, though her mind was already focusing back to the map. “We have to locate a few of their covenants and get this problem settled.” 166

“Higher order? They live by laws?” It sounded fairly far fetched. 167

“Yes. They do.” She simply said. 168

I turned my head towards the others, waiting for their added explanation. 169

“The counsel is formed by the leaders of the seven covenants.” Josephine said, being the only one who cared for my eagerness. 170

“And there’s a problem?” 171

She nodded. “Well, yes. One of them was killed.”172

“Not necessarily.” Theo retorted. 173

“Sheldon was the next in line to lead the first Covenant, Theo.”174

“Byron was never going to step down in the first place.”175

“It doesn’t change anything.” Ruth intruded, agreeing with Josephine. “He’s obviously going to take action given his rank to the rest of the counsel. I heard he and Sheldon had a cosy relationship.”176

“Byron holds nobody close.” Niles replied, shaking his head. “He’s just going to take action because he’s obligated to. The Vamp clearly searches for any form of revenge.”177

I tried understanding what was going on, but there were pieces missing, such as,178

“How did Sheldon die?”179

I wasn’t sure whether they would pay any attention to me after they were clearly taken away with their own thoughts. However, a short pause ensued, leaving me waiting urgently once more. 180

Theo was the only one who fully stared me into the eyes, and I could easily detect an upsetting movement he made when he answered. 181

“He was your attacker.” 182

His words rang in my ears, already troubling me despite not knowing what this meant fully. Now it seemed all too real, the explanation that is. This was clearly important. 183

“He’s dead.” My words weren’t a question, and they failed to make it into one. However, I couldn’t help but feel a great force of reassurance wash over me, knowing I wasn’t going to be hunted by the monster anymore. 184

“Damien took care of him.” Josephine told me. 185

“Damien’s a vampire.” 186

“Yes. He deliberately followed Sheldon, and he stopped your attack. He fought with him, and killed him. Afterwards, he stopped your transformation and brought you here, to be taken care of.”187

“And where is he now?”188

“We don’t know.” Ruth said, a bit of worry was noted in her voice. “But he’ll be summoned by the counsel. Knowing him though, he’ll probably just run.”189

“If there’s one thing Damien is good at,” Niles said, “it’s running away.”190

“This is serious though. We’re not talking about the past, and his other kills before the counsel. We’re talking about Sheldon here. This is Byron’s covenant. Do you have any idea how serious this will be for him?”191

“He’ll show here.” Theo said, firmly. “I give it another two days.”192

“I doubt it.” Josephine scoffed. “The counsel will be here before then.”193

“No.” Ruth disagreed. “They’ll wait for Damien to show himself. They’re going to give him a chance to appear before them, without the hunt. If he doesn’t, then they’ll do the summoning, and if he still goes against that, they’ll give it a few weeks before taking full action.”194

There was a small silence as they all thought it through. I was left to examine their stone expressions, unable to interrupt them. I patiently waited for more conversation, for more information about what was happening and what I was becoming apart of. A piece of me, somewhere sticking to the surface of my past life, was still in a knot of confusion, unwilling to accept the truth that was forced upon me. 195

“You’re forgetting one thing.” Niles blurted out, thoughtfully. They each turned to him. “You’re forgetting the one piece of Sheldon they’re going to want along with Damien.” His face instantly turned to mine, and the rest followed. 196

Ruth exhaled. “You’re right. They’re going to want the girl.”197

“What would they want with a Rare Blood?” Theo asked, a certain edge filling his voice.198

“Spill her blood before the covenants.” Ruth answered, simply. “A simple gesture to show Damien how pointless his efforts were. Imagine the delight the Vamps would partake if they took a sip of her.”199

“What?” I could no longer control myself. “What do you mean by taking a sip of me?”200

“Your blood.” She said. “One of the traits you possess is a rarity in blood. When you’re a Rare Blood, the strength of the vampire who passed his infection onto you, carries in your bloodstream. It would give the Vamps a considerable amount of boost in their supernatural abilities.”201

All colour evaporated from my face. I could feel the cold, numbness that was left, stinging my eyes with its bitterness. 202

“That would be a rare delight.” Niles sounded under his breath. “Especially because Rare Bloods are mostly off limits to the Vamps. Only on very few occasions do they feast on one.”203

“Nothing will happen to you.” Josephine said to me, rather too quickly.204

There was an indifference of opinion plastered on Ruth’s face, paralysing me by the loss of support. 205

“Josephine’s right.” Theo said, taking in my doubtful expression. “We won’t allow it, at least not me.”206

Yet I couldn’t feel calmed by his words when Ruth was clearly undecided. The image of bloodthirsty vampires after me made me feel typically nauseous and overwhelmed. If one of them had forever scarred me for life, what would these do? 207

They would take away my life, I thought. 208

“She can’t stay here.” Ruth said, finally. “She needs to be in a haven. That was already decided when Damien came to drop her off.”209

“That’s out of the question.” Theo retorted, his face darkened with redness. “Imagine how easily accessible she’ll be in that environment.”210

“The Vamps won’t intrude on Rare Blood territory.” Ruth argued, clearly annoyed by him. “They’ll be too focused on Damien anyways. That would be their last resort.”211

“With Damien’s exceptional abilities in hiding out, it would clearly make them turn to that last resort, don’t you agree?”212

Ruth threw her hands up in aggravation and stood up. She walked towards the phone, situated on a far table next to the hallway. 213

“What are you doing?” Theo asked.214

“I’m not going to sit here and go around in circles all day discussing what’s going to happen to her. We clearly need Bruce.”215

“I thought he was out on your personal errand.”216

Anger flushed Ruth’s face as she grabbed the phone and hurried out of the room. She disappeared into the darkness. I couldn’t hear her footsteps nor her voice. 217

“Don’t upset her.” Josephine whispered to Theo. 218

He turned away, still angered. 219

I hadn’t realized how long I had held in my breath. I was already light headed and off balance. He seemed to notice immediately. 220

“We shouldn’t be having this conversation in front of her.” He said aloud. 221

Josephine looked at me. “Would you like to go someplace else?”222

Yes, home. 223

“No.” I replied, though my voice was trembling. 224

It was quiet for a few more minutes. They felt long and unsettling. They each looked deep in thought, and I was desperate to know of what, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it. 225

Ruth’s appearance startled me, coming out of the darkness with the phone in her hand. She rested it back onto the table, carefully and slowly. All eyes were on her, awaiting for the response she received on the other end of the line. She turned to them, solid and strong like usual. 226

“Tobias is already on his way.” She said. “Bruce will be here in another 48 hours…with Damien.”227

Their eyes widened, evidently surprised.228

“Damien’s there?” Josephine asked, appearing very dubious.229

“He went there right after dropping off the girl. They were already discussing what to do next. They were just waiting for us to report back on her condition, which clearly has improved into some form of normalcy.”230

“So what do we do until then?” Niles asked.231

“I offered to go there. I thought you might want to come as well.” 232

Niles nodded quickly. “Of course.”233

“It’ll take us merely a day’s run. Theo, I suspect you’ll stay here, and guard the limits, and Josephine, I hope you’ll fill the girl with more knowledge about our existence.”234

Josephine smiled, agreeably. 235

“When are you leaving?” Theo asked.236

“As soon as possible. You won’t be without a third for long. Tobias is simply 4 or 5 hours away as we speak.”237

“Alright then.”238

Ruth turned to me, finally, giving me a severe look. 239

“Try not to do anything funny.” She said, though it sounded like a threat. “Your place is here with us now. In this world. Forget all you knew. It’s over.”240

Her words sent shudders throughout my body. 241