Seth's Mess 7b

The light shined so bright that squinting just wouldn't do. I was tempted to close my eyes and cover them with my hands but felt that would that appear as weakness. My eyelids fluttered uncontrolably as I steadily made my way farther into the room; one baby step at a time as to not trip over anything.1

A hand quickly grasped my elbow and pulled my to what I assumed to be Seth's side. I was a little shaken but glad to realize that my fragile eyes were adjusting steadily to the glare.2

I could make out a very large table that took up much of the room we were in. It seemed like all the chairs were full and everyone sitting seemed to remain perfectly still. The room itself had white walls, which only enhanced the lighting, and the floors were wood with an older polished look.3

Seth pulled me up to the end of the table and then stopped. The young girl had taken a seat close to the other end leaving two empty seats. One between the girl and whoever sat at the end of the table and one directly across from it.4

"Please," The voice boomed from the lone seat at the other end. "Sit. We have reserved seats especially for you." I glanced up at Seth and waited. After he seemed done examining our situation he motioned for me to take the seat across the table from the girl. I sat a little reluctantly, afraid that when he left for the other side I might be jumped or strapped down or something.5

Then I felt his hands on my shoulders. "Feel free to take the other seat if you like." The man said countering Seth's action.6

"Thank you, but I am quite comfortable here." They both smiled at each other as if we were all waiting for a dinner party to start. How about I don't think about eating right now.7

Suddenly, I caught the young girl's eye. She didn't look too comfortable with the seat empty on her side of the table. "Please excuse Cor's rudeness. She should know better." The big man at the end of the table called out towards me. I diverted my gaze and he surprisingly smiled back. He was a large man but still fit. Very tall and a decent amount of muscle on him. Sort of a burly guy. He sported a bald head that I'm sure made him look younger than he should and wore casual clothing. "We are all very happy to have you both; Mr. Riphe and Miss DeLane."8

I looked back to Cor who smiled this time. She was quite adorible but I knew that there was much more to her than her little sky blue sun dress was letting on. Her smile faded and my eyes moved on to the rest of the table. Aproximately nine other people were seated at the table. I started to study each of them, but redirected my attention as the large man continued.9

"My name is Dem, and these are my collegues. We make up the section of the organization that has found you a great interest. That orgaization is run by a large team that works as a government in the sense that it controls all regulation and laws of our community. The heads, for our organization is run by five equals are stationed separately throughout the world."10

At this point, I realized that the information being so graciously handed out to our yearning minds, was extremely vague. Seeing that the 'Organization' obviously didn't trust us, and though for good reason, I continued my observations of the other members.11

There was surprisingly five women to the four men, including Dem. I had excluded Cor because though she was seated at the table, she appeared to hold no power. Either way, the majority of people were of the female nature.12

Everyone ranged in ages that appeared from mid-twenties to late fifties. I could only assume that those were the prime ages to turn someone.13

The table itself was a bold mahogany that would match the entrance rug nicely. On it was a single manilla folder in front of all the seats except for Cor's, Dem's, and mine. In front of Dem there was instead a stack of about five folders all close to empty.14

"...Therefore we offer our hospitality openly and ask you both to stay here for that brief time." Dem was gazing steadily at me so as to catch my attention.15

I felt a sudden rush of blood to my cheeks as all eyes focused waiting for our answer. An answer that I couldn't even fathom. I turned to Seth hoping that somehow he could back me up. Even if I hadn't been paying attention, this seemed to me like a choice that I should trust him with.16

Seth stared back at me sternly and troubled, then finally turned back to Dem. "I think that it would be best if I stayed, but Kailey-"17

"Could you please excuse us for a moment as to discuss this?" I grapped Seth's arm and drew him over to to the door. Jason and Todd had at some point come to take their positions on the inside of the doorway and let us pass freely.18

Once outside, I realized my mistake. I should have known that he would do all he could to 'keep me out of danger's way.'19

"What do you think you are doing?" Seth tried to whisper as he spoke but had trouble pulling it off through clentched teeth.20

"I know what you are trying to do, but I can not leave you here by yourself. You should know better by now." I knew what was coming and brought my hand to cover his mouth before he could get a word out. "I know I'm in danger if I stay and I am scared." I fought the tears forming in my eyes. "But as it was demonstarted just earlier today, you need me by your side to keep you in control of yourself."21

I let my hand slide down his face and then to my side. I could read obvious contemplation in Seth's expression, and as sudden as his words stared to flow, a flash of hope in his eyes stung my own. "And what of your mother? You need to be there for her."22

"That's irrelevant." The words spewed before anything could even be thought to be done.23

"How so?" Seth kept his cool in response while I did all that I could to regain my composure. 24

My face beat red and my head spinning, I concentrated on explaining my reasoning coherantly. "Hopefully we will be out of here by then," A deep sigh escaped Seth. "And if not, I think your problems are just a little more severe than my mother's right now."25

I waited for the back lash from my spiel, But after a short moment realized that no storm was on its way. Seth's eyes spoke his understood defeat. "Let's go back in." He flashed a quick smile and held the door open for me. Walking as if on black ice, I made my way back to my seat at the table.26

"Have you two reached an agreement?" Dem inquired. He smiled but without mocking and motioned for me to sit. I did so as Seth began.27

"I will stay here for what ever time you need me." Seth glanced back at me before continuing. "Kailey will stay only as absolutely needed and have freedom to leave if she pleases." In giving the termonology of my preferance, I felt comfortable with said agreement and nodded to Dem in conformation.28

Dem smiled heartily again seeming very pleased with our conditions. The flexability he offered was winning me over a little more at a time. "Good, good. Then let us move on." Dem flipped through the few manila folders in front of him. He slid it out from under the others and then opened it to reveal what looked like permission forms and a safety contracts. He pushed the papers gently over to me. Then from another folder he pulled similar papers out and pushed both those and two pens towards me.29

"The first set is for you Miss DeLane; the second is for you Mr. Riphe." Dem instructed. Seth grabbed his, and I mine.30

The top sheet in my set was an informational form much like the one I had filled out for the police. The second went on about human safety in a vampire environment and had a place for my signature stating that any injury was of my own fault, that I would follow the posted rules, and also that I would not speak of matters inside the house to those not already associated.31

The back of the sheet stated the 'House Rules.'32

Sigismund House Rules
(temporary stay)33

No visitors shall leave the premises without permission from the house staff.
No outsiders will be permitted inside the house without proper admission.
All perminant residents must agree in full to house legalities and penalties. See D8
All perminant residents hold full rights to privacy and will be taken to the E Board if caught violating such.
All hume action will be held accountable by the host.
No hume may stay for longer than 36 hours every week.
No hume may be harmed at the hands of residents during their stay.
Once abjured from the house, there is no returning (any admission afterwards will leave the admitor accountable).
Any elevated problems between residents will be handled by the E Board or taken outside the house.
Any death from within the house will be handled by the E Board.34

After careful analysis of the rules I signed the designated spot at the bottom of the sheet. From what I could assume, as long as I didn't snoop around or get in anyone's way, it seemed relatively easy to stay safe here. Obviously, the inhabitants of the house worked to control themselves well enough to intereact with the general public.35

Seth continued to read his paperwork which seemed to have much more length than my own. I double checked that everything that was supposed to be filled in was and then slid my sheets back towards Dem. He gave them a quick look over before returning them to my folder.36

Ten more minutes must have passed as we all remained silent, waiting for Seth to finish up. I was a little worried that with all the mumbo jumbo Seth might accidentally sign away more than he knew. 37

"Good, good." Dem gladly took the papers from Seth as soon as he held them out. "Let us move onto more current arrangements then. It is getting quite late."38

In my mind, I was quite sure that the problem was actually that it was getting early. Either way, time was passing us by and I too was feeling like much had not been accomplished.39

"You will stay here the rest of the night and day, I pressume. We can begin less official work tomorrow." Dem paused for our agreements. "There is a room all ready for you. Cor can lead you there." At that Cor straightened up slightly and gave Seth another look over, avoiding my eyes.40

Dem stood then and the rest of the table followed. Jason and Todd propped the double doors open and the unnamed guests filled out. Dem took a step closer before speaking. "I hope you find your accomidations to your liking. We will meet back here at 7 pm tomorrow." He then walked out to leave us alone with our guide.41

"Well, let's find your room." Cor walked ahead of us, out the doors, down the first hall, and up the marble stairs. We were all silent down the halls and heard very little in return. At first, I was suspecting screams or some malicious laugh to ring from behind the doors that we passed, but then I came to finally accept that Seth was wrong. He had to me to believe the stories and this was nothing like them.42

"Here it is." Cor tapped the number on the door with her finger; 217. 43

I looked at Seth and then back to Cor. "Thanks." She was off before I could gauge a reaction. Without further hesitation I pulled down on the handle and stepped inside. Though I couldn't see him, I knew that Seth was following closely.44

The room itself was like a very well furnished hotel room. There was a simple kitchen set, small table, television, and queen size bed. They had assumed a lot but for the most part correctly. "Looks nice." I turned to face Seth. He looked exhausted.45

"Why don't you sleep? It's almost morning." I left him to settle while I checked out the bathroom. I wish I would have known I'd be spending the night. Luckily, there were some toiletries laid out for us.46

When I was done inspecting, I returned to the main room. Seth was already under the covers and appeared to be asleep. The clock read 2:19. It was going to be a mess reconfiguring my sleep schedule. 47

The bed was quite comfortable and I felt snug under the down feather comforter. Seth rolled over to pull me a little closer but did not stir otherwise. Surprisingly, it took me a lot longer to fall asleep then I would have imagined.48

I thought about the paper that Seth had signed, and what was going to happen tomorrow. I thought about my mom, and wanting to get things from my house. I thought about Seth's arm around my waist and about how much scarier this must all be for him right now. 49