Butterflies of Dementia

The night was cold and the wind blew rain drops on my face making me feel as if I was whipped by nature's wrath. I looked at my hands in the faint moonlight and knew it was time. My skin so pale and my nails like glass – I was sure that any mortal would see me as statue carved by geek sculptors and set as decoration in a museum.

I took off from my hideout and wandered away in the quite town, seeking something to satisfy my needs. My freshly cleansed shoes were stained with the filthy mud from underneath my feet as I was calmly walking towards the entrance of Seely town. Two tall and tough men dressed in clothes alike the ones worn by executioners were guarding the door holding something that seemed to be a large axe. The rain kept falling swiftly, but the wind had stopped giving me the impression that now the raindrops were caressing my skin as a sign of apology to my earlier "whipping" when I felt like I was a slave being punished by something I didn't do and now my master had finally realized he was wrong; but real masters don't do apologies. I stopped in front of the two men and took off my hat.

"May I come in? The rain is awful and my carriage got stuck in the mud. I released the horses knowing they will find their back while I cannot."

I saw them looking at each other asking mute questions. They didn't ask for my name as I'd expected, but they let me giving me a very dreadful look. There was no one there, not even cats or dogs. Filled with dismay I walked in at Jarrod's Inn hoping I'd find someone there. Everybody turned their head when I came in and looked at me as they'd look at any other stranger seeking shelter in their little town. "Good night!" I said while cautiously walking towards the bartender. There was no answer; as soon as I finished my greeting everybody got back to their own affairs as if I wasn't there at all. Such rude peasants – I'm sure nobody will miss them, well… actually, I think I would; it's the closest town I've found by now.

I didn't order anything. I was just enjoying the warmness and trying to tame my hunger. My deep dark eyes searched the room, but I didn't encounter anyone's eyes as all of them gave the impression that strangers were at no interest, but I knew that was a lie. I was sure that as soon as I'd turn around everybody will be staring at me trying to pierce through my mind and read my thoughts.

There was a painting on the wall. I think it was a portrait of the bartender's family as I could recognize his face. He was held by a woman which I assumed was his wife and a young lay was gazing sweetly at me, standing by their side; it was probably their daughter. Such a beautiful girl – I couldn't stop staring at her.

"Pretty isn't she?"

"Excuse me?"

"The girl in the painting; my daughter."

"Ooh… yes, she is." I saw him smile bitterly at my response making me think that something had happened to her. I wanted to ask if there was something wrong, but it's not such a good idea to get too close to people, besides I could make him tell me without saying a word if I really wanted to know. But I didn't. I had other issues to take care of, so I smiled politely as he went off to serve some more beers to a nearby table.

I was hoping the rain would stop, but I had a feeling it wouldn't and if I was right that would have been my third night left famished. I hate autumn; all this rain is interfering with my needs. Times like these made me linger for passed years, but the power I possessed made me feel better.

When I was about to leave I heard a scream coming from afar, but not too far; it had to be somewhere in this town. Nobody else seemed to have heard it which made me think that it was sign. I was not to starve again that night. I got off my chair and said goodbye to the bartender. He asked me if I didn't want to spend the night over at his inn as the rain had not stopped and by his knowledge it wouldn't stop until next morning. I politely refused and asked if he had a horse instead.

"I only have my own horses, but you could go over at Mr. Roderick's place. He might be able to help you. He lives tow houses away from here on the left side."

"Thank you, sir! I appreciate the help."

"Glad to be of service!" he said smiling as I walked out the door.

I wasn't planning on visiting Mr. Roderick until later that night as I had other problems to take care of. I remember I had heard a scream not long ago and was curious to find out from where it came from. It sounded like woman's voice. Only a few seconds had passed and I heard it again only this time more clearly. I ran off to where my senses told me scream came from and found myself sitting in front of an old house. The paint was peeling off the walls and an opened window was screeching in the wind's gentle blow. I made sure no one was looking and got in the house through the window. I heard moaning and crying coming up from upstairs. The inside of the house was very unclean and spider webs were adorning the windows making me think that no one actually lives there, except for the one who was suffering upstairs. I carefully walked up trying to not make any noise when touching the stairs and heard other voices; seemed to be another woman and a man. I got closer to the room from where the voices came and ear dropped on their conversation.

"Please doctor! Isn't there anything we can do for her?"

"No, I'm afraid not… I'm terribly sorry!"

"Can't you give her at least something to calm her down? I can't stand to hear her scream like that."

"I've already administered her some medicine that should make her weary and eventually she would fall asleep, but aside from that there's nothing else I can do. Her sickness, I'm afraid, reached its terminal phase."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Well you see, her hallucinations are stronger and from what she told me I realized that she can't tell reality apart anymore. I'm pretty sure she thought I was just another someone in her head…"

"Oh no! Can I do anything to help her? Anything at all?"

"Well… the only thing you could do is… leave her at peace. Give her these pills when she has another crisis and try to hold her tight while they take effect."

"Doctor… please… tell me the truth. Is she going to live?"

"I don't think she will… the disease won't kill her, but she'll end up hurting herself. I'm awfully sorry."

"I understand… thank you doctor. Send my regards to your wife."

"Good night, my lady!"

"Yes… good night!"

The doctor walked out of the room and fortunately didn't see me in the gloom. I got closer to the door and looking inside through a small hole. A beautiful woman was standing by the window holding a handkerchief decorated with a red rose and the initials E and W. Sorrowful tears were pouring down her face as her eyes stared empty in the night. It isn't like me to do this, but I was really anxious to know more about the other woman who was screaming in a room close to this one. I let the lady bare her grief and went to see the one, who I presumed was her sister. The door was locked, but I saw a key placed on the table. I took it and opened up the door and then locked it back. I stood there still looking at a very slim young woman who was standing on the cold floor. I walked up and opened at window just in case her sister was to try and come in. She put her hands to her ears and started screaming. I saw her suffer with each raindrop that hit the window sill. Our eyes encountered; she had such beautiful eyes – a blue so deep I thought the sea was trapped in her eyes, but her eyes were full of despair. I don't think she realized I was there as she looked at me as if I was made out of crystal clear glass. I drew myself closer to her and whispered "Hello". My voice frightened her and she immediately ran to her bed and hid under the sheets.

"I won't harm you."

"Who are you? Go away!" her eyes desperately searched the room making me feel she was either looking for an escape or looking for something with which she could defend herself.

"My name is Michael."

"What do you want?!"

She screamed as I swiftly grabbed her hand and pulled her into my arms. I didn't want to make her sister suspect anything so I put my hand on her mouth to silence her. She was struggling like a fish yearning for water while left on the burning sand. I had never encountered someone with such great strength as hers. I guess it's true what they say, that madness gives you a wild strength, but she wasn't stronger than me. No one is. I could smell the faint scent of her skin and feel her blood run through her veins. I craved to taste her blood, to dry her out, and I would if it was someone else. But her beauty stood in the way as did her pain. I felt pity for her and sorry that such marvelous beauty is bound to go to waste. No. She was too young to die and I could use a companion to share eternity with. So I decided to save her from this mortal suffering, to release her.

Without anymore thoughts I plunged my teeth through the frail skin of her neck, elated by the taste of her blood. I could feel her heart beating slower and slower and when I knew it was time I stopped drinking her blood. Her eyes seemed empty, but still I knew she suffered. I bit my own wrist and let my blood drops pour on her lips. She rejected it, but I told her she will be free if she took it, I told her she will no longer feel anymore pain whatsoever, I told her… she would finally feel alive. When hearing my words she took my hand, feeling insecure, and started drinking from my veins. At first I saw the disgust painted on her face, but after a few seconds she seemed lost within its taste. Suddenly she pushed my hand away and started feeling sick. It was as if she was suffocating and I could see through her thoughts; she wanted to ask for my help, but I showed no interest in doing that for I knew I had already helped her.

"Don't worry… it's only your flesh that dies." And with these words she closed her eyes as if she fell into an eternal rest, into the sleep of death. I feared she was too weakened by her sickness and would not live through this metamorphosis, but fortunately I was wrong. Her once ashen lips turned to red and the veil of suffering was removed from her face. The rain had stopped not only in her head, but also outside. When I was about to take her in my arms I saw a fragile night butterfly coming inside through the window. It flew swiftly batting its brownish wings and gently landed on her face and, in a few seconds, the room was swarming with night butterflies all attracted by the girl. I stared at this scene amazed and confused. When I took her in my arms they flew away from her body and then around us following us to my hideout.

I've never seen something like this. I had heard many stories about animals or insects being attracted by humans or having a strong bond with them, but I never really saw this in real life. I thought they were fairy-tales.

When she woke up she seemed like a completely different person. She saw the butterflies and reached out for them as they flew on her fingers. It seemed as if she was talking to them, asking mute questions and receiving silent responses. She looked at me and I smiled.

"Michael?"

"Ah, you remember." I must admit I was a little surprised that she remembered that for the simple reason that I thought she won't recall anything I told her, that those words would be lost along with her past sickness.

"Thank you…" her voice was incredible. Never in four hundred years have I hear a voice as sweet and tender as hers. I would say she was an angel if I believed in them. She ran into my arms and I heard her soft whispers.

"I was sick and you healed me. I'm grateful for that. I only feel sorry for my sister… I know she loved me so much, but it's better that she's rid of me. How can I ever repay you?"

"As long as you stay by my side and share a conversation from time to time… I'm satisfied. Do you know what you have become?"

"Yes…" she said smiling innocent. "Yes, I know. A vampire."

"And do you know about vampires?"

"More than you think."

"Really? How come?"

"Well… they say knowing too much drives you insane and I think that's exactly what had happened to me…"

"Care to explain?"

She sighed and looked away. I was very anxious to hear her story as she made me curious from the start. I didn't want to rush her, but the waiting was overwhelming; luckily for me she began her story quickly.

"Years ago I wandered through the forest in full moon night. I had always enjoyed the peace and quiet of that place. While trying to get to the river I had the impression that something or someone was following me. I thought it was a villager or a hungry wolf though they rarely come near town. But it wasn't anything like that. It was another vampire. I stopped walking and was sitting petrified as he walked towards me. I could see the hunger and lust in his eyes. When I saw that he was ready to jump on me and kill me I managed to get myself to run away as fast as I could and I did it. I managed to run very close to town and he backed away scared that villagers would see him. I told the people at Jarrod's Inn what had happened and they grabbed their guns and lit their torches and scared him off. I thought that was the first and last time I would see him, but I was wrong. Each and every night I could see him standing at my window looking at me. I drove me crazy; all that fear that was building up inside me. I told my sister about this and she spent many nights with me, but he never came when she was around and so, at one point, she started to believe that I was deeply affected by what had happened and I had gone insane. The doctor said I had hallucinations and gave me some medicine that only made me worse. I asked my sister to stop forcing me to take them, but she said I was stubborn and that I should listen to the doctor, because he knows better. And so slowly I started to really be insane. My sickness aggravated daily until I reached this point where I could no longer be saved. But… you saved me."

I didn't know how to respond. There were many things that amazed me in her story. One of them being the fact that another vampire was wandering around I didn't know it. But before I could finish my thoughts she spoke again.

"And now… it's my time to save others."

"What do you mean?"

"I want us to go to a nearby town. There is a hospital there. Well… actually, the whole place is a kind of shelter for the diseased ones. I want to release them for their pain as you have done with me."

"What? No! No, no, no. We can't transform them all!"

"Who said anything about that? Isn't death a relief as well?"

"Oh… well… if you put it that way then… when do we leave?" I said smiling. I was really fond of that idea considering that I was somewhat bored of hunting in the same place all the time.

"Tomorrow night. It's too late now; we haven't enough time to get there until sun rises."

"Yes, you are right. Besides, we both need rest. Oh, one more thing though."

"Yes?"

"You never told me your name."

"Let's say it's… Dementia" she said smiling sweetly and I understood what she meant by that so I would call her as she wished.

And so we both went off to sleep. The next night we set off for this town as soon as we woke up. The road was long, but it didn't seem as long as it would be if I had no one by my side.

We spent a few months there. Each night we would go and kill the ones suffering from dementia. My lady was really happy to be able to save the ones who had no more chances to get well. She felt she was doing a great favor to humanity and I tend to share her opinion although I didn't care that much about mortals, but I cared about her and if she was happy I was. When we had finished off everyone who had that disease we moved to other towns where we heard there were such misfortunate people and saved them as well.

Many years had passed since we continued on doing this and so people said that if you suffer from dementia, before you die, the last thing you see will be butterflies, night butterflies to be exact. Some liked to call them butterflies of dementia and, between you and me, they really were, because they were the same butterflies that had came when I turned Dementia into a vampire. Wherever she went they would follow her. I never really understood why, but I must admit I liked it. I think they added a beautiful part to this disease and made death seem not as horrid as mortals consider it to be.

Butterflies of Dementia… fragile creatures to adorn the death of a fragile mind…