Salt and Vinegar: The Loneliness of A Teen Vampire [Ch.2]

“Now where was I? Oh yes, the disease. You see, I was one of the few not exposed to this. By now the people in the cabins knew who I was. Gregory was still in love with me and I was starting to see more around me. People began loving me, just as he did, and I enjoyed all the attention that was brought to me. My father let me run about more now, since I was turning eighteen soon that year. He didn’t like that Gregory was fond of me, but he let us go out together, meddling around town. Mistress Walker wasn’t too happy with the attention I brought. Most white women liked me, since I was full of spirit, even if I was half of what they were full of. The men were furious, my father telling me to keep who my father was a secret. He didn’t want to be shamed by the whole town. My story to most white folk was ‘Father gave me away to Mr. Walker, and was to take care of me since’. They believed it, which surprised me. The black people around the area loved me much more, and I generously gave them my kindness and sent them many presents; a few chocolates, a paper fan, or a real doll to some sweet little girl. Gregory became constantly aware of how the men stared at me. Back then, I was gorgeous as well…” Jay got up, walking about the room. Daniel stared at her, still amazed by her grace. His cigarette was now resting in the tray, finished. Jay’s had been long gone, her breaths taking their toll on the cancer stick. 1

“This is me with Greg” She picked up a framed picture, walking it over to Daniel. He was surprised at the change she’d had since she was younger. Her dark curls were suppressed in a light bonnet, the dress she wore showing off her figure even more. Then he looked at Gregory, the man who had loved her dearly. He wore a black suit, the ruffles barely sticking out. He was handsome, and Daniel was slightly jealous of this. He looked back to Jaylin. Her hair was longer, but the curls still stayed. Her eyes were most likely dark brown when she was younger, so whatever changed her must have made her eyes a bright yellow color. Her body was slender, the curves just the same. “How old are you?” He asked, covering his mouth immediately. The girl giggled, “Oh it’s fine. I’ll answer. If you want to truly know, I should be a hundred and fifty-nine years old. But, I shall keep the look of a nineteen year old forever. What made me this way happened exactly on my nineteenth birthday. I remember it perfectly, the pain and lessons…” 2

She looked down, taking her seat back on the chair. “Please, Jaylin, continue” She got out of her trance, tapping her chin with her index finger. “Well, I guess it started when I was investigating why I hadn’t got sick. The doctors were amazed at how I’d managed not to catch it. I was lucky, but some people weren’t happy of it. Mistress Walker was still hateful towards me. She and her youngest daughter decided to try to dispose of me. Of course, Gregory found out and told father, who immediately had Grace married off and Mistress Walker had a huge argument with him. Gregory took me out into to town, explaining to me that we should run away. I thought he was mad, seeing as he was only a few months older than I, wanting to go off on our own. It was idiotic and didn’t seem logical. I told him no. I wasn’t about to put my life on the line; I knew my father would instantly marry me off to some rich old man if I were to ever come back asking for help. So I let him go. Gregory was going to leave after celebrating my birthday with me, at least to make me somewhat cheerful.” She hadn’t blinked and as she did a tear fell out of her eye, delicately tracing a trail down her pale cheek. Daniel saw it before she began to wipe it, reaching over the table and doing it before she had a chance to reach up. He could see where the story was going now. 3

“Jaylin, would you like a mome-“ She cut him off with a dismissive hand. “No, I would very much like to continue. Now then…my nineteenth birthday. I remember walking out to the cabins, because they wanted me there. I walked towards the orchard, and there stood every person that worked for my father. Gregory smiled, lifting me into his arms with such joy. I heard them all scream my name and sing happy birthday, which I took in with much delight. We partied all night; Greg attempting to get champagne down my throat. I said no and sought to it that he get to bed; he was terribly drunk before midnight. The others wished me goodbye, one nice gentleman accompanying to the main house. We both got him into bed, smiling to him. I told the nice man goodbye; I believe his name was Truman, but I can never be sure. I never asked them their names. I was too busy having fun with them all. Anyways, I went out to check my other family, since I always sent my love to them. I never called them by their names, except for my half sisters. Their names were Tara and Lily. My stepfather always loved my company since I made the girls’ days brighter. Well, I was walking when I saw a white man walking around, almost drunk like. He saw me, and I immediately felt my heart racing. I ran, but somehow he managed to catch hold of me. He lifted me up, bridal-style, covering my mouth. He whispered sweet words into my ear. ‘Hush now, Querida. I am going to ask you something…’ He looked into my eyes. He smelled heavenly. He looked just as good too. I cried though, trying to get my way out of his arms. He was way stronger than me, although his embrace felt more protective than hurtful. The man was Spanish, I could tell by his accent. He then asked me, ‘Querida, how would you like to live forever?’ He released his hand from mouth then. I looked up at him, barely making out his face. What I could see was so beautiful.4

“I asked him how, but he put a finger to my lips. It was feminine-like. He grinned to me, and I remember him asking again. I thought about it. Truly, I did. And I was dumb enough to shake my head to him. He kissed my forehead lightly and he ran to the trees, hearing my name being called out. ‘This is going to hurt, mi Amor’ He said, biting at my throat. I felt myself being sucked alive, and I remembered what my mother had said. I whimpered, which made all the life feel more like it was going away. ‘Now Querida, you need to stay awake. Don’t fall on me yet’ I felt something being penetrated, and when I realized it was his skin I wondered what was going on. Was he some type of bloodsucker?” Daniel’s face had begun to pale now. She nodded slowly. “So he was a vampire?” His lips barely moved as he said the words. Jaylin looked down, her facial expression blank. “Back then, we did not know what a vampire was. They weren’t common, in the United States then.” Daniel jumped slightly. Did that mean that there were far more now then there were more than a hundred years ago? Jaylin stared into his green eyes, seeing the terror flicking through them. 5