"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. Why, then, belike we must sin, and so consequently die." - Doctor Faustus, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.
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It was fear I saw. The fear that plagued her light brown eyes as she stared at me in utter stillness, in silence. She was curled up in the fetal position in the corner of the bathroom. She looked innocent and childlike among the brown filth and green mildow that coveted the entire room. She could not move. She would not move for that fear engulfed her every senses, I could see it now. I could feel my blood run cold, goose chills ran down my spine, down my entire body. It compelled me to move in lightening speed toward the last remaining stall; the door, broken from its hinges, laid in pieces on the floor.
Blood; that was all that covered the walls of the stall. Dark, thick red blood. The body was seated on the toilet. It was comical, the position of the body, the way the man died. He looked as if he was going to use it. His eyes bulged out of the sockets, his mouth still wide and oval shaped. The bastard didn't even have time to scream. She was swift. It was over and done before he even knew what was happening to him. I could feel the rage swell within me like vomit. Yes, rage and remorse. Remorse for what was to come after this incident. My pupil. My idiotic, young pupil, who still laid on the floor like a child, has fed for the first time. And it took every single thing; cell, fiber and spirit, within me not to kill the girl right then and there.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it." Her voice was soft, choking on her own tears. She covered her face, for fear of my wrath. I couldn't stay angry at her, not her, the young simpleton fledgling, who has no idea of the darkness of our world. Or the beast that laid inside her. We needed to leave from this place. They will discover the body very soon, the partygoers.
I could feel her weight, heavy in my arms, as I carried her from the bathroom, her face covered in my jacket. I looked down the graffiti hallway as I kicked open the swinging bathroom doors, the pulsating music masked our ears, deafening and electric. We needed to leave but no one must know we were ever even there. Two bright young girls; blonde and obviously drunk; stumbled down the hall, paying no heed to our presence. I hid in the corner of the hall, under the shadow. I thanked God that the lights were broken, except for the one small bulb that blinked in the middle of the hall. They slipped away, clumsily, into the women's bathroom; their high pitched giggles echoed the hall.
I slipped out of the darkness. The exit was right behind me. Balancing Kasey, I managed to open the emergency door almost with ease; slipping into the foggy streets of the city.
*
It was a sensation, a vibration that ran through my body. It cool my blood, stilled my heart. I stopped in my tracks, still holding on to the now sleeping girl. I could feel my body breaking out in a sweat. It was that damn fear again. Something was watching us, hunting us. I looked around me, up at the black vacant windows of the abandon buildings around us. I could hear its heart beating fast. I could feel its breath on my neck. I needed to hurry. We needed to leave.
I could see the car ahead of us; its red taillights were a beacon of hope and safety. Safety from whatever was hunting us. The engine was still running; its driver situated in the backseat, her bare feet hung out the window of the car. Her leather coat covered her upper body as a blanket. The sight angered me to no end. The carelessness of these two women was astounding.
"Wake up!" My voice came out as a growl, the anger was taking control, and the beast was being unleashed. She popped her head up, the coat slipping off her body like silk. At first we stood there, eye to eye. I could see the confusion in her face and the shock. I knew what she was thinking, she had no idea what had conspired this evening. She had no clue whatsoever. Without uttering a single word, she swiftly opened the door, slowly pulling on Kasey's feet as I placed her gently onto the seat. Nelle wiped the blood from her face with her fingers, licking the excess with her tongue. I glanced back at the duo before I entered the front seat and drove off into the dark city landscape.
*
She will never be the same. Kasey will never be that young lively restless girl she once knew and grew to love. With each kill, a part of us dies. The humanity that is left within us. Her body was slumped over, her head laid on Nelle's shoulder. Her eyes were glossy and distant, the thrill of the hunt still persisted over her like a drug. It was a high for her and this was the first time she ever experienced it. Kasey kept muttering in Nelle's ear as we entered the dilapidated, dark place we called home.
"Put her in her room." I ordered, as I slipped out of my jacket, letting it fall to the floor. With one foot in front of the other, they slowly progressed to Kasey's room, closing the bright pink door behind them. I could hear their voices through the door yet I couldn't quite catch the words that were spoken. No doubt it would be about me and my behavior.
I let out a sigh, my bones and muscles ached from the weight of the girl. I stretched my body before heading into my own room. My own sanctuary.
The room was cool and quiet; the small street lights penetrated through the window, creating shadows among the furniture. There was only a bed, a dresser and a small lamp that coveted the room. There was a small knock at the door. Before I could respond, Nelle entered the room. Something was wrong. I just knew it. I could see it.
I could see it all in her face; disappointment, worry, agony. She looked at me with those daunting, judgmental brown eyes. Her face saying everything her mouth failed to do. I knew what she wanted to say. We know each other well for we have spent such a long time together.
"She was scared, Gregory. Hungry...." She started to say, her arms crossed her chest. I lifted a hand, not wanting to hear another excuse come from her mouth. Lately that's all she's been able to give me; excuses. She approached me, sadness etched on her face. Her movement was slow, cautious even. She was afraid of me, I could tell. No words could express what we had between us. The vibrant connection of blood and soul that irritated her to no end.
The vibe in the room was electric, tense. She sat next to me, not to closely with enough distance between us.
"You must understand. She's new at this. It was her first time."
I turned away. I couldn't help myself but to let out a chuckle at the mere absurdity of the situation, of the coming argument.
"You let her feed on her own. I cannot forgive that. Yes, she is new at this but we teach her. Coach her. We tell her that death for the victims is not the end, only the beginning of a long journey. In this idea, she will not feel as bad killing them than if she knew the truth." I whispered to her. My voice grew soft for some reason.
I looked upon her, upon those thoughtful brown eyes I grew to known and love. It was cold and angry.
"What is the truth? You, still calling yourself a priest yet you have no faith in the otherworld? You, who kill mercilessly his victims? You are the one to talk."
I turned away, the hurt was prevalent on my face. I didn't want her to see it. I hated how she made me feel, how I loved a woman who couldn't love me back. Something prevented the both of us from pursuing our own desires. Maybe it was pride that did so or fear.
I compelled myself to touch her face. Her brown skin was smooth and soft from the years of being a vampire. I ran my fingers through her curly brown hair, she let me do so. She closed her eyes, letting the sensation run through her.
"I am sorry, Nelle. I promise I will make it up to her. I will teach her my ways, our ways." She opened her eyes at the sound of my voice. She nodded, hopefully content with what I have said. She got up from the bed, heading toward the door.
"We can never be. Me and you. You know that right?" I whispered to her, hoping that she understood. She nodded before heading out the bedroom door. Our conversation was over as quickly as it was began.
She left me to my thoughts. My own damned thoughts that seem to always have a mind of their own; shifting from reality of the present to the dreams and fantasies of the past. I pulled it out of my jean pocket. It was cool in my hands, its silver surface glistening from the streetlights. A Crucifix. The only thing that remained of my past. I let the memories take hold of me finally and not for the last time.
"I am sorry, Nelle. I promise I will make it up to her. I will teach her my ways, our ways." She opened her eyes at the sound of my voice. She nodded, hopefully content with what I have said. She got up from the bed, heading toward the door.
"We can never be. Me and you. You know that right?" I whispered to her, hoping that she understood. She nodded before heading out the bedroom door. Our conversation was over as quickly as it was began.
She left me to my thoughts. My own damned thoughts that seem to always have a mind of their own; shifting from reality of the present to the dreams and fantasies of the past. I pulled it out of my jean pocket. It was cool in my hands, its silver surface glistening from the streetlights. A Crucifix. The only thing that remained of my past. I let the memories take hold of me finally and not for the last time.1025Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyl3NZfJLa
