Blood Slave

The sun had just begun to dip down below the horizon as I searched for the booth selling cabbage. Squinting through the dull mist that hung lightly in the air, I surveyed the dozens of people strolling through the streets on this peculiar evening. The full moon was bright against the dusk sky, even though the sun had yet to completely disappear. 1

Everyone seemed in an odd hurry to get off the streets, like an invisible force was repelling them. A slight breeze wound its way through the bodies, bringing with it a bizarre scent which seemed completely out of place within the walls of our small city. It burned the lining of my nostrils as it floated into my nasal cavity. 2

My nose wrinkled uncomfortably as it attempted to block out the ghastly smell. Death. Dead and the dying. I'd smelt it before, and this only brought back the horrible memories I had worked so hard to forget. Even though our tiny city was nestled closely against the dark, thick forest of Transylvania. The twenty foot high, three feet thick walls that surrounded it should've kept out that smell. The smell of whomever had dared venture within those trees.3

Father and Mother used to scavenge through the debris and bones that littered the forest floor, searching for the secrets that were surely hidden there. I'd always begged them to take me with them, fascinated by what could possibly be found outside the confines of my own home. They'd tell me no, that it was too dangerous. 4

That's what they'd told me when I asked them why people were always talking about us, how they would back away when we walked by, how the whispers would disappear into thin air when we were around. Father told me it was because of what he and Mother did. That everyone didn't understand why they did what they did, and that it frightened them. I didn't understand, I thought what they did was curageous and interesting. I nodded regardless, knowing I would understand someday. 5

Until one day, when, surprisingly, they decided to take me along with them. I was merely twelve, but I knew much. I spent each day studying books my parents brought back from their travels. They were called upon by many great leaders to reveal their discoveries. So, I knew about what to expect...or I'd thought I did. 6

Something had been abnormal that day they'd taken me into the trees, expecting no more than any other day. I'd been enthralled with everything I was seeing; all the different insects, the smells, and the animals. Straying from the path, I'd lost my way, sending me into a panic as I desperately tried to relocate the main path.7

I still remembered the scream that sent me cowering to the ground in fear. It was Mother, followed by the angry shouts of Father. I ran in the direction of her scream, reaching a small clearing seconds before Mother's body fell to the ground, covered in blood. I didn't notice a looming figure standing above her until Father charged--enraged. The figure seemed to snap his neck with incredible ease, and he too fell to the ground.8

Nearly frozen with fear, I made my way towards their bodies, tears welling in my eyes. When I saw Mother, her own blood smeared across her face and down her chest, I felt the first tear slip down my cheek. Her neck had been torn open, a long, wide flap of skin strewn across the ground neck to where she lied. Blood was beginning to pool beneath her, soaking into her hair and clothes. 9

"Go ahead, touch her." a voice appeared from behind me. "Feel the death."10

When I hadn't responded, he shoved me down, my hands splashing into the puddle of blood. I'd screamed, too, fearing for my life. He pulled me backwards then, cracking my head against a stone lying on the soil. I remembered his face: his pale skin, and horrifying crimson eyes. But the clearest, most painful memory was as he lifted me off the ground, a sadistic hunger deep in his eyes. I could still feel the wet sharpness as his teeth cut through the flesh on my neck. I hadn't had time to scream, the swelling darkness had cut off my senses. 11

After only a few seconds, his face reappeared, a longing expression now on his face. His hand released me, and I dropped to the ground.12

"Amazing," he had mumbled, his eyes moving down to my face. "Fascinating." he stared at the blood dripping from my neck, smirking. "Leave, girl. Now, before I change my mind. Your blood is the sweetest I've tasted in four hundred years, and one day I will taste it again. We will come for you when you've grown, do not forget us. Let that scar be a reminder of your foolish parents." 13

He'd disappeared then. 14

The clap of thunder pulled me out of my reverie, and I found my right hand absent mindedly rubbing the small holes left in my neck from six years in the past. Silent tears had begun slipping down my cheeks as I thought of how the whispers had continued, gotten worse even, after I'd returned and my parents hadn't. 15

Some claimed I killed them, and that may as well have been true. If I hadn't been with them, and even then, had I not strayed from the path, they would not have had to look for me. In so many ways I blamed myself for their unfortunate deaths, but it was long ago, and my memories had begun to fade. 16

After I was left orphaned, the only one I felt I could trust was someone I'd known since before my parents had begun their insane adventures into the perilous forest. 17

Riley.18

I'd never forget his face as I returned, alone and bloody, woozy from the extreme loss of blood. I knew I should've died along with my parents, but somehow the frightening man with the blood red eyes had managed to keep me alive. Only now did I know the name of the terrible creatures that had plauged my dreams with nightmares of pale skin and crimson eyes for six years now. The name that sent chills down my spine whenever I dared think it. 19

Vampire.20

"May I help you, Miss?" the gruff voice broke into my remembering, my eyes snapping to the face behind it. 21

A young man stood before me, muscled but no where near bulky, fairly tall towering a good five inches over my head, wearing blue jeans and a vest over a long sleeved white t-shirt. His blonde hair was disheveled from the howling wind, and his blue eyes were concerned. 22

Quickly, my hand slipped down from my neck, folding itself over the other that clung to the handle of the wicker basket I held. Tucking a lock of my long, inky hair behind my ear, I looked up, discovering he seemed to be awaiting my answer. 23

"Um, no I'm fine. Thank you." I muttered quickly, striding around the man and towards the row of booths. 24

The sound his boots made against the wet stones signaled his following me. 25

Once I'd located the booth I was searching for, I picked up a few heads of cabbage, examining them closely. Although I couldn't quite concentrate on the task at hand, I did my best to find the ripest of the bunch. 26

Handing the vender the correct amount of money, I stuffed the cabbage into my basket and made a quick u-turn back towards my home. The wind whipped through the black bodice of my dress, the white skirt billowing around my feet. 27

A hand caught my elbow as I started back where I'd come, startling me. My head snapped to the left, finding it was the same man from before. Yanking my arm free of his grasp, I straightened my bodice, glaring accusingly at his face. 28

"May I help you?" I demanded icily. 29

"There is something wrong with you." he insisted, cocking his head to the side. "You are obviously in no condition to be walking the streets when a storm like this is on its way."30

I made a shocked sound, I couldn't exactly identify what it was. "Excuse me?" I backed up a few steps, my brow furrowing in surprise. "There is nothing wrong with me." that lie had become so frequent it almost seemed like the truth. But I knew otherwise. 31

"I never imagined you'd admit it." he chuckled. "I was simply pointing it out."32

"I don't need your assumptions. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like you to take your leave."33

"Oh I have no intention of letting you leave, Fae, you must have sensed that."34

"H-how do you know my name?" I stuttered, staggering back a few more paces, my back hitting the barrier wall. 35

"I know everything about you, young Fae." the man cooed menacingly, "I know how you left your parents to die in the forest six years ago, I know how sweet the blood is that runs through your veins--inherited from your father, no doubt--I know who you live with now, how he has to take care of you like a mentally handicapped child, because you are unable to cope with the immense guilt."36

"None of that is true." My jaw set, my teeth grinding together in anger. 37

His chuckle grew louder as he stepped towards me, crossing his arms. "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that." 38

The sounds of the forest pounded in my ears, making me completely oblivious to his quick approach. My attention immediately snapped to his face as I realized there was no where for me to run. 39

"Don't. Touch. Me." I warned, seperating the words deliberately, trying to emphasize the false danger in my tone. I knew I wasn't a threat, and if this strange man should wish to harm me there wasn't a thing I could do to hinder him. 40

I could scream, true, but I knew my voice wasn't anywhere near loud enough to call for help. My bravery was that of a small child, never having grown after my horrifying interaction with the strange man within the confines of the trees.41

My eyes darted around the area, searching for a single passerby who happened to glance in my direction. Every single person seemed to be immersed in thought, strolling inbetween the booths, searching for food to bring home to their families. No one even glanced in my direction for half of a second. They were all oblivious.