All Is Fair In Love And War

Chapter 1: The End1

“A girl’s sweet 16 is the most important birthday of her life! War or no war, we are going to celebrate your birthday and have fun! Those stupid lobsters aren’t going to spoil it,” my mother said a little too optimistically and carefree. She is 5’-4’’ with auburn, wavy, shoulder length hair... like mine. She has soft, brown eyes and a warm smile that could melt the snow on the iciest winter day.2

“Now Mom, don’t act like the war isn’t a big deal. Sure, we can celebrate my birthday, but it’s not a carefree celebration. I worry everyday they’re going to come busting in here and arrest dad for helping the other patriots,” I said.3

“I swear, Lex, you need to act your age! You are going to be old and gray before you turn 17! You are too mature for your age!”4

“One of us needs to be…” I said under my breath.5

“Hey! I heard that,” she said, trying to sound hurt. My father entered the room.6

“Hey! How are the two most beautiful girls in world? I will bet those lobsters are jealous they don’t have any girls, gorgeous as you two, waiting for them to come home,” he said smiling warmly as he put his arms about our shoulders. My father is 5’-10’’ with dark brown straight hair, almost black. He has strict, but caring green eyes, with a visible glint of laughter in them. He has an average build. The worrisome atmosphere faded as soon as he smiled. My father had a way of making people feel better, although he had no idea what was going on. The party was great. We talked, laughed and listened to Dad tell jokes that had us laughing until our stomachs hurt. The night was soon over and my parents were cleaning up. I donned my jacket and headed for the door.7

“I’m going for a walk before I turn in. The moon is full, the sky is clear and it’s such a beautiful night. Is that okay? I won’t be but a minute.”8

“Go ahead … go on…. Don’t be …gone too long… though,” my mother said between laughs, courtesy of my father. I stepped out into the moonlit night, closing the door quietly behind me. It was a cool, beautiful, starry night. I walked along a trail that ran through the woods. I could hear a brook not far off. A cool, comforting breeze blew my hair about my face. I heard the dense layer of autumn leaves crunching noisily beneath my feet as I strolled through the woods with carefree buoyancy. The moonlight cast eerie ghostlike shadows across the landscape, but I didn’t notice. I loved this place so much. I strolled along gaily until I reached the brook. The running water soothed like music. So tranquil, so beautiful. I closed my eyes and listened to it run past me. I took off my shoes and stepped into the cool water. It flowed past my ankles with ease. I relaxed. All my worries flowed downstream disappearing over the distant rocks, and I released a stressful sigh. 9

Suddenly, I heard a terrifying scream from the house... my mother’s scream! My eyes snapped open. A gun went off three times. BANG! BANG! BANG! My father bellowed with rage.10

“… OH, NO… the redcoats!” I rushed back to my house as fast as my legs could carry me. As soon as I got to the door, I stopped. What would be waiting for me on the other side? I hesitated in fear at the thought of what might be on the other side of the door. I took a deep, quivering breath and slowly turned the knob and opened the door. The room was dark, so I lit a candle and light filled the room. I screamed in horror. On the floor, their blood seeping away, lay my parents. Terror still etched on their faces... the whites of their eyes wide. I put my hand over my mouth to muffle my cries as I leaned into the wall. My knees threatened to give way. 11

How could redcoats do something like this? They may be our enemies, but were they this vicious? I had left them no more than ten minutes ago, laughing and goofing around, smiling despite themselves. How could this happen so fast? What if they came back? Worse, what if they were still here? I had to get out of here. I turned away from my parents and came face to face with a nightmare. 12

Standing in the frame of the doorway, was a monster. He did not move. He did not breathe. He just stood there... staring. I was frozen in fear, but also captivated by his beauty. He was tall, with silver hair faintly iridescent in the moonlight, yet he had a face of youth. His eyes were black... deep, dark pits of hell. Oddly enough, I could not take my eyes off him. There seemed to be a thirst in his eyes. His face was shallow with high cheekbones. He had a very muscular build and was wearing black that outlined the planes of his broad chest. He was covered in blood...my parent’s blood. He moved slowly towards me, towering above. To this day, I do not know why, but I could not move. Perhaps I was frozen to the spot with fear, or maybe I knew there was no escape. Perhaps it was a combination of both. I was shaking like a maraca. Cold sweat trickled down my face. My mind commanded me to move, but my body would not obey. “Move you idiot! Run,” my mind commanded. It did no good. 13

He was standing in front of me. His face full of malice and thirst. He put his face close to my throat and inhaled deeply as if to smell the scent of a wondrous bouquet of roses. The predator smelled the fear, confusion and boiling blood surging through my veins. Fear caused a prickling sensation that felt like a thousand ice cold needles stabbing me in the back. A shiver went up my spine and tears began streaming down my face.14

“Shhh…” he soothed, toying with my hair, “ don’t be frightened. It won’t hurt for long. I promise. It will be quick. You won’t even know what happened.” I cast a furtive glance at my dead parents, knowing that whatever happened to them was now my fate. He must have noticed.15

“Don’t worry. They did not suffer. It was done in less than a minute. Your father is a brave man. Too bad, he never had a chance. Neither did your mother. No matter, you’ll soon meet their fate,” he said, matter of factly as he stroked my cheek with his long, slender fingers. They were ice. I cringed away from them like a hurt animal. He laughed at my fear. He took my face in his hands... forcing me look into his bloodthirsty eyes.16

So young... so full of life... so beautiful. I may just keep you for myself, but the smell of your blood is so enticing,” he said, looking into my eyes as if he were searching for something that was not there. He pulled me closer to him. His face was just inches from mine. His breath was warm and smelled oddly good... enticing, seductive, almost comforting. He leaned in and kissed me. My head swam with fear and confusion. His lips were cold and hard against mine. He went lower to my throat. His hot breath hitting my throat with urgency, impatience. He kissed my neck ever so gently, ever so gingerly. My breath increased as my heart rate accelerated. Fear radiated through me like a heat wave. He made one last humorous chuckle and then sank his fangs into my exposed throat. Pain shot through me causing every nerve to scream in protest. It burned so badly. Blood poured from me and he drank it greedily. My heart raced faster until it gradually slowed, getting weaker, fainter, and then it ceased. Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum Bum…Bum, Bum…Bum, Bum…Bum, Bum…17