Chapter 3

Jacob crossed my mind a lot after that. His betrayal served to make sure I thought hateful things for him. It took me weeks before I stopped remembering how he felt walking next to me, or how I always knew when he was watching me. It was a lot longer before I forgot the sound of his voice. And now, I can still see his eyes perfectly.

A new coffin was stolen soon enough and a new place of residence established. But the only thing that really changed for me was a promise. I would never make another fledgling. I would never allow myself to be so close to another soul. Never. So I lived on. My little book keep died and I went to her funeral, though no one would remember me being there. It was a peaceful death in her sleep, and I was glad for that. She was too kind. The little bookshop was sold by her family and replaced by a specialty store I never looked at, disgusted. Then again, that did make it easier to repress bad memories.

So here I am now, years later and writing a story. A true story, but still a story none the less. For how many would believe this to be a true story anyway? To most, it will simply be a fairy tale. That’s fine with me. I cannot change the world’s view. Very few people can. And those who can are usually those who should not. So I am content in being put down as a fantasy. As long as it makes you feel safer at night.

Why did I start with the story of Jacob? I suppose it was simply that he was the last. And it showed you just what a wicked person I am. I am not a good woman. I am not a heroic vision. I am not the angst ridden protagonist. I’m the villain of this story! And you should think no differently.

But, I am again getting away with myself. I am suppose to be writing a story. A very, very old story indeed, because it begins many years ago when the years were countless and time ran without full measure. Why bother remembering that far...? I don’t really know. I suppose I’m bored. Actually, that’s probably the only reason. I tend to get bored very easily. And it isn’t my fault. You humans are about as exciting as a history lecture. Which is just what I’m about to give, isn’t it...? Well damn. I’ve become a history teacher. Is there no worse a fate?

Back to my story. Where to start? I certainly won’t make you listen through my actual childhood. That would be far too boring for even me! So where to start? Where to start indeed. I suppose I should tell you how I was born. And then skip the annoying and embarrassing childhood. Who would ever wish to know that? Hm. Pointless nonsense.

I was born in a very odd way. No, I don’t mean that I was born strangely, but under strange circumstances. My mother was a hardened woman, the leader of our clan. Yes clan. Not that we called it that, but it’s the best word I can think of. It was that long ago. I don’t remember how big it was, nor many of the faces. But I remember we were we. That’s about it.

My mother went on a hunting trip with a few others, mostly men, when she met him. She was pregnant with me, but refused to be left behind. A more stubborn woman you’d never know. Even pregnant, she was more than a match for any of the men. That is what ruled you in those days: pure strength. I suppose that is why he chose her. He being the Vampire. Or whatever he was. I suppose he would have had to be a Vampire, as he was destroyed with the morning sun...But I am getting ahead of myself. Suffice to say, he saw her and chose her. He would have turned her immediately, but her pregnant state stopped him. She wasn’t around to tell me why he didn’t just turn her and force the miscarriage as her body died. Instead, he merely fed from her, never enough to kill, just enough to sate himself. Mother didn’t tell the others of him. He had already taken too much of her for my mother to ever be her own again. She even lost her title as leader after he started to come to her. Most believed it was merely the pregnancy messing with her mind and body.

It was the venom. All vampires secrete venom when they bite, and he was no different. It was the venom that coursed through her veins into mine that began the change. And it only progressed when he allowed her small amounts of his blood to keep her healthy. For he had fallen in love with my mother, this vampire.

When I was born, there was no outward sign of my difference, except for the slight sharpening of my ears. Longer, more delicate. The others passed it off as merely a defect, nothing to be trifled with. We were not the suspicious kind that most became later. We were too primitive for that. My ears were pointed! So what? As long as I grew healthy and strong, and could bear children, I was fine.

My mother disappeared as soon as I was weaned. The selfish wench went after the Vampire, I suppose. But I never found her again. It’s better that way. I would have hated her for leaving me. Then again, I don’t even remember what she looked like so why bother? The clansmen raised me well. I was the spitting image of my mother apparently, messy curls of scarlet and large blue eyes with a stronger spirit than anyone else. They taught me everything I needed to survive, and I thrived.

When I became of age, I was ‘married’ off. There was only a small ceremony, as we did not waste so much time with things of that nature, and I was left to adjust to my new lifestyle. My mate was kind to me and I was grateful for him. I had been very afraid of living with a man, as I was only a young girl at the time. In those days, we were adults by our twelfth or thirteenth year, just as soon as we were mature.

I remember him being a handsome man. He wasn’t beautiful, but rugged and strong. Strapping. I don’t even remember what he was called, really. Hell, I can’t remember my native language either. Why bother when it was replaced? In any event, he was my mate and he was good to me. He allowed me to grow into my womanish body before ever wondering of children. Older than myself, he was expected for produce offspring, and I to give them to him. Still, even with the others pressuring him, he waited for me. I could never thank him enough for that.

In the meantime, I went on hunts with the others. I was an agile and smart girl, and very quick. My ‘rank’ in the clan rose with each venture. Skilled as I was, my mate was just as proud for me. But he also resented my abilities. He was the man of our home. He was suppose to care for me, to protect me, to provide for me. But I didn’t allow him to. He never forgave me for it. But I digress...That isn’t very important. What is important was when I was finally with child. My mate was overjoyed, and I knew that he secretly hoped I would stay behind from hunts now until I bore his child. And after that, I would be burdened with keeping the baby while he left and did his duty to me. I knew it wounded him to have such a wild woman, but I could no sooner change my nature that take the sun from the sky. I hunted until the last time of my pregnancy. After that, I was forbidden from leaving my home.

I gave birth to a boy, but he was stillborn. The birth left me weak and very ill. My mate was completely devastated. I would have given him a male child. He did not forgive me for it and blamed me for the child’s death. He was so enraged that he nearly killed me that night. However, he bit off far more than he could chew. Sick as I was, I twisted his own knife until he was motionless on the ground, blood flowing freely from his chest.

There were no other suitors after that. I barely got away with the murder. They didn’t exile me. It was seen as self defense, as an act not of murder, but of self preservation. So I continued hunting for my clan, continued preparing the meat, continued making clothing and blankets. It was my lot and I was pleased with it. There was no talk of my place. My place was where I was, as I was strong enough for it.

And then he came. He being the Vampire.

I was stalking my prey as I always did, using my utmost care to make no sound. But then I noticed something strange. It took me a while to finally figure it out, but as soon as I did the hair on the back of my neck stood. The birds. The birds had gone silent. All around me, there was no sound. The muscles of my body tightened, readying for attack. I could hear my breathing though I tried my hardest to silence it. A twitch at my shoulder. Someone was looking at me. I slowly turned my head to the side, glancing back without moving another muscle. And there he stood. He was motionless so I didn’t see him at first, but once I did he stood out so much it was impossible not to stare. My body turned about to face him unconsciously. The hand at my knife was tight. He radiated danger. Simply saturated the land around him with it. And I was coiled and ready.

"Don’t return home."

That was all he told me before he was gone, vanished. My prey was long away. However, even though he was not there anymore, the sounds had not returned. I could feel something horrible in my gut. I knew something was very, very wrong. Immediately, I was running as fast as I could. Wind bit at my eyes and soon my muscles were screaming. I was a sprinter, not a long distance runner. And then I reached the large hill overlooking my home. Fires. There were fires everywhere. Panicking, I raced down, running on pure adrenaline. I could see the raiders running all about, murdering and being murdered all the same with my own people. Screaming a war cry, I plunged head long into the fray. I didn’t care about my own life, nor that I was armed only with my hunting knife and precious little protection the furs gave my body.

I fought. I fought and killed and murdered and just kept doing it all until I thought my body would fall apart. Bleeding and bruised, I was at the end of my time when I felt the sudden heat and white pain blinding me. I couldn’t understand what had happened until the raider pulled his blade from my back with a savage jerk. I crumpled, my eyes wide and body not responding. My head was getting fuzzy and I still did not know what happened. But I could smell my blood and it forced me to look at the gash at my stomach. His blade had cut right through me. I was dying. But I refused to believe it. My body protested, but I rose again. I was shaky and barely able to lift my knife again, but I got up. My breath wasn’t enough to utter another cry of battle, but I didn’t care. I fought on as my body let me. My limbs were heavy and barely responded, and I was getting cut more and more often.

And then I fell. I didn’t have the strength to rise again. I didn’t have the strength even to move at all. Around me, I could still hear the screams of my clansmen and the raiders alike. I closed my eyes and let it all go.

It was dark when I awoke. I was laying on my back as I had fallen before. The village was quiet other that the sound of still burning fires. What I could see was still. I felt very cold and shaky, my breath hard to catch. I was dying and I knew it. But I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want my life to finish so soon. I was perhaps eighteen at the time, give or take a year. I was young, in the greatest part of my life for those days. However, I knew there was nothing I could do for myself now. I had reached the end.

Then he appeared again. He being the Vampire.

He stood over me, a sorrowful look on his white face, and then knelt at my side. Slowly, ever so slowly, he reached out and touched my face.

"I told you," he said sadly. I glared at him and gasped for breath as I fought to stay alive. I would not allow him to see my die. Not now! He gently stroked my cheek. "Such beauty...Your mother was beautiful. I see the daughter is just. I’m sorry that you have to die now...I did try to warn you..."

But I didn’t listen to him. I was staring intently on his white hand. My body was starting to go still. But I did have the strength for one last effort. He was surprised when I grabbed his hand and brought it roughly to my mouth. I tore at his skin, hissing when I came in contact with his blood. I had no control over what I was doing. I didn’t understand why I was doing it. I just did it.

He tried to jerk away from me, but already his blood was awakening me. My hold was firm and I took his life quickly. And then I let go and he fell, now the weak one while I was strong. I sat up, gasping again as I felt the first pains of my body. The gashes and bruises were healing at such an accelerated pace, and it hurt. It felt as if I were being stung over and over and over...

"What have you done?" he whispered when I turned to look down at him. The limp curls of my hair were suddenly healthy once more, their brilliant color returned. My face was paler, but my eyes more alive then ever. I stared at him.

"What have I done?" I taunted, feeling a smile curve my lips before I was on my knees, one hand beside his head. He was shaking, hurt. I had drained him. My first taste of blood. It was awakening parts of me I had never known before. Suddenly, my senses were alive with the smell, the texture, the taste, everything coming to me all at once. I was overrun by the simple desire for more. I looked at him, really looked, and took in his strange appearance. Such smooth, white skin. I had to touch it, and I did. I touched his skin, his hair, his clothing...All of it was completely fascinating. I ignored everything but the feel. And when I finally was finished with that, I felt my lips moving in an answer to him finally. "I am awake."

His eyes grew wide before I leant down, mouth opening. He saw the fangs I did not yet realize were there. Biting into his neck was one of the most blissful things I had ever felt. My body was alive with the sensation of his blood in my veins. I saw nothing but his blood, heard nothing but his heartbeat, tasted nothing else, wanted nothing more. It was only when I finally realized what I was doing that I fell away from him, staring with wide and incredulous eyes. He looked back at me, too weak to lift his head now and his eyes pale.

"The sun," he whispered. "The sun is coming...bury yourself, little one...or you will die."

I ran away from him. I was horrified with myself and ran until I could see the first bits of dawn. And then I finally fell against a tall tree. I knew urgently that I must do as he said. And I did. I dug down deep and found myself comfortable within the cool soil. Then, I slept. I slept more soundly than I had ever before. There were no dreams, just a gentle reassurance. The next evening, I awoke. I dug myself out and stood alone in the darkness, staring out over a world that was completely clear to my eyes. I saw as well as one sees in daylight.

I don’t remember the trip back to my burnt home. There was nothing left but debris and bodies. I picked through it all, looking for...something...but I didn’t find it. I located the place I had fallen the night before. All I saw was what looked like a body made of ash, crumpled into itself.

I knew he had died. He being the Vampire.

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Point Number 1: I am a highschool student and therefore have little real hold on history. This is fiction. I'm allowed to not make sense.

Point Number 2: How's it so far? I hope it's at least enjoyable, though even I realize this chapter was slow and a bit boring...I'll try to make it better next chapter.

Bye for now!