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Return Visit (June)
The aromatic ginger tea was satisfying. Yes, it was morning and she was up. Morning is a strange time for a vampire to be stirring, but Eliza's life had taken a peculiar twist. She had acquired a thirteen year old girl, rescued from a Satanic ceremony, actually. Sofye was a natural night person, a good thing, and Eliza had not had to alter her normal schedule. She just couldn't sleep at the moment. The shades were down, the room was comfortably dim and Sofye was sound asleep, just a couple of hours now, on the single bed. The past three days had been interesting. Remembering her hunt was still a thrill. The cult leader was just so satisfying. He was ready for her. Once he was in her thrall, he seemed to let go and give himself to her. She'd never had that happen before and it has been tremendously exciting. She squirmed a little remembering how good it had been. She definitely wanted to do that again! She'd found an article in the paper that said the attack at the graveyard had been ruled an "accidental" death. "Strange," she thought. "Never had such a clean cleanup." She smiled and wondered what was going on. This could be interesting. The month had passed far too quickly and enjoyably. Eliza, after so many years alone, found the company of Sofye very pleasant. She was an odd mixture of child and adult and alternated between kitten cute and cat wise. Eliza has started feeling sorry for her but ending up respecting her more than almost anyone she'd ever known and certainly more than any thirteen year old that she'd ever met (exactly none). They'd gone shopping, watched movies, giggled late into the night and generally been girls together. It as almost a childhood that Eliza had never really known, and unknown to her, a childhood Sofye had never had. Time does pass, though, and Eliza began to feel the urges of the passing month. Nervously tapping her finger on the table, she wondered how she was going to get out to hunt with Sofye in the house. They'd been together constantly since they'd met, and while she loved being with Sofye, this could be a hunting logistical problem. Oh well, glancing at the calendar on the wall, she realized that there was only three days till the full moon. She really wanted to get back to the bar and listen to what people were saying. A bar was better than local TV. She giggle to herself. When you want to know what's happening, go to your local pub! In the same booth, at the Rusty Nail, as last time, Eliza leaned back and relaxed. She was dead tired. Who would ever think that a thirteen year old could ever have so much energy? She had deliberately awakened Sofye several hours before her normal wake up time and had insisted on going out for an early breakfast. She smiled as she remembered how groggy Sofye had been. She was so out of it that she'd hardly protested. The occasional pathetic whining, "Why?" was about all she could manage. Once she had managed to say, "Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to you?" She'd finally gotten into the swing of things and a trip to the local mall had really gotten her going. Eliza has splurged and given her a hundred dollar bill and told her she couldn't go home until she spent it all. It was so funny. Instead of rushing all over the place buying everything, Sofye had gone from store to store figuring out what she wanted most. She made a list, copied prices down, tried to assign the different things a priority and generally spent several hours of intense work deciding what she wanted to buy. They had crisscrossed the mall several times and Eliza was actually getting tired. They had gone up and down the escalators so many times she'd lost count. Her feet were hurting and she was feeling the pressure of the approaching full moon. Her Pre Moon Symptoms were in full bloom and it was all she could do to keep from screaming. Running after a shopping mad thirteen year old girl was getting to be the last thing on her list of things to do, but it had been worth it. When they'd finally returned home, Sofye had bubbled and gushed for about a half hour, trying on different things and looking at her new acquisitions, then she flopped on the bed and in minutes was making soft snoring sounds. Eliza flopped next to her and herself was sound asleep, but a vampire asleep in the day is not all that unusual. When she'd awakened, around midnight, she left a note for Sofye, just incase she awakened, and quietly dressed and went out. It had been very tiring, but not all that difficult. Nursing her drink, her senses suddenly quivered to full alert. The two men she'd heard last time and had been at the graveyard had just entered. Like last time, they landed in the booth right behind her. Even though she didn't think they'd recognize her, she thought it might be better if she not be too obvious to them. She hoped they'd talk about what happened. They ordered beer and for the first five minutes talked about a new pickup they'd seen. Then the conversation shifted. "How much did it cost you to get the windshield fixed?" "Damn," the other man hissed. "That was three hundred dollars, but I'm here to tell you, I'd have paid ten times that much to be out of there." "Yea, don't you ever tell anyone, but I think I peed on myself." "If that's all you did, consider yourself lucky. I ain't saying no more." Pissy, as Eliza was now thinking of him said, "You heard what they said, right? Animal attack. You think that was really some sort of animal?" "You kiddin' me? I ain't gotta clue what that was, but what we saw going on down there was totally unnatural. I can't believe that the cops didn't find anything except one body. And that was Jake Rotter, the president of the bank. I tell you, I've had nightmares about that. And that poor little girl. I wonder if that thing ate her." They droned on and on, speculating and never coming close to the reality of it. Most mortals were not willing to accept the truth that was before them. It's far easier to think the world is safe and predictable. Easier, but nowhere near the truth. It seemed that there were rumors about "things" going on at the grave yard. There has been several complaints, but nothing ever seemed to come of them and those that complained were strangely silent about the matter. Those that still lived here, that is. And apparently the man she'd killed, the master of the ceremony, had been the president of the local bank. Chewing her lip, she realized there was money and power there. Maybe that's why the cover up was so clean. If the bank president was involved, was the chief of police? Who else? The stories of mutilated animal bodies and mysterious screams were whispered around town, but everyone seemed to be afraid to say anything in public or to too many people at one time. The two men discussed what they had seen and theorized in low voice and furtive looks around them. They were clearly worried and afraid. "No," Pissy said, "there is no way I'm going back there." He sighed. "There are some things I don't want to know and some risks I'm not willing to take. This is one of them." The other man grunted, apparently in assent and they fell quiet. The more she thought about it, the funnier it seemed. If the power structure of the town was involved in some sort of satanic murder/sex cult, they would surely work hard to effect a cover up if anything went wrong. She grinned. It felt like she'd just been handed a hunting license. "Time to go, Miss." Eliza was jerked out of her reverie. The bar was closing. The music had stopped, the lights were brighter, and the band was packing up to leave. "Thank you," she smiled at the bar tender. On the way out she stopped in front of the band area. And gazed at the set. Drums, bass, guitar and key board. She could feel herself misting up at memories of another band and other time. She squeezed her eyes shut and felt a tear leak out. "You OK, Miss?" The drummer had noticed her, after all she was not hard on the eyes, and realized that she was different. She shook her head and quickly wiped her eyes. "Yes," she huskily whispered. She looked into his eyes and smiled. "I was just remembering a friend. You guys sort of remind me of those times. The sound is similar." Max, the drummer was fascinated by this strange lady. Her jet black hair and very pale skin was a striking combination, and her eyes seemed to keep shifting color. He noticed her eyes when she wiped the tears from them. When he'd looked back, he realized the he couldn't remember the color but is seemed that it wasn't the same. But, now what the time think of something to say. "Thank you. If the memory you have is a good one, then I thank you. We do concentrate on music and try to avoid gimmicks." Eliza's mood lightened. Yes, this was a musician, a real musician. It was the music. They were concerned about the music, always the music. A smile lit her face making Max's heart pound. "Yes the memories are good and that was a compliment." She held out her hand. "Keep at it." He took her hand to shake it almost as if he was afraid he'd break her, and to his surprise, the cool soft hand that was in his seemed to have an inner steel that he'd never felt before. Briefly he noticed, then the fascinating creature in front of him was leaving and he felt like running after her and following her home. He opened his mouth and held up his hand as if to speak, but hesitated and she was gone. He noticed the lead looking at him. He shook himself back to reality and grinning said, "Hey, guys, we just got a compliment!" One more night to the full moon, the bar was busy but not overly crowded. She could relax a little more tonight. Sofye had sort of pouted when Eliza hand told her she was going out tonight, but she'd finally accepted it. At thirteen, Sofye still liked to be tucked in and kissed goodnight. Eliza had never really had that and was loving being able to do it for someone else. Children never were, and now could never be, part of her life, except like this. She found herself surprisingly grateful for having met Sofye. She was learning things about herself that she'd never expected. And she liked it. The sun had just set and the full moon was rising. A month with no hunting, but she didn't mind. She'd been far to busy to think much of that, but the full moon would not be denied. The thirst, the urges, the unimaginable drive to feed made it almost impossible to ignore. She'd tried when she was younger, but such attempts could only result in disaster. No, it was better to choose and choose wisely. Make a choice that would make the world a better place, make a choice that balanced the scales, that's what she told herself. If you have to murder someone every month, you have to find a way to remain sane and live with yourself. The cool breeze in her face, the solid rock of the hill was to her back. Her keen vision covered the graveyard below. If what she suspected was true, she had some time. If what she suspected was true, midnight should be the time of the ceremony. Her time sense indicated it was around 10:30 and she could hear an engine approaching. The sound of the engine stopped out of sight and she could hear low voices. The slam of a car door told her that they would be arriving soon. It was a group of five that walked into the cool of the graveyard. Two men and three women. One of the women was dressed in dark red and had her hands bound behind her and was being led by a silver chain that was looped around her neck. From the way she was walking, it appeared that she could be drugged. Eliza felt a flush of anger. Is this what they had done to Sofye? More people were arriving and when the thirteenth person, not counting the bound lady, arrived they formed a rough circle, faced the full moon and began a low chant. As they chanted, their victim was forced to the center of the circle, forced to face the moon and kneel. The leader stepped forward and the circle tightened, blocking Eliza's vision. From the look of ecstacy on his face, Eliza's imagination supplied what could be happening. The sound of gagging could be heard and the circle opened. Eliza saw the victim, naked, gagging and trying to control herself. Unable to maintain control, she vomited, trying to hold it in with her hands. She seemed to know what would happen if she didn't. As the fluid dripped between her fingers, she stared at it in horror and disgust, as did the rest of the circle. A crashing blow from the leader's staff struck her to the ground and she lie in her own vomit, sobbing but unable to rise. She was roughly picked up and carried to an open shallow grave. Like Sofye had been, she was suspended, only face up, over the grave. Her body twitched and jerked as she tried to clear the choking, burning puke from her throat and she finally manage to inhale a shuddering breath, giving herself a few more minutes of life and sparing herself the death of drowning in her own body fluids. Eliza shuddered. Werewolves hunted and brutally killed, but they did not torture their victims and the kill was to fill their needs, as did vampires. These were human beings that had no such need. There actions were designed to give themselves pleasure and power. What was their excuse? The leader had taken a position at the base of the grave at the victim's feet. Placing the staff at her throat, he pressed, causing a bit of blood to trickle. Her eyes widened in fear and pain, but she froze, afraid to move and cause a deeper wound. He smiled and drew the staff down her body, between her breasts, to her navel and lower. She began to struggle, but he stopped and pressed the point on her lower belly, causing more blood to flow. Her struggles pressed her into the point and she quickly realized that the more she struggle the greater the pain would be. She went limp, sobbing and gasping, unable to figure out a way to save her self or control what was happening. Eliza could almost feel her pain and despair. When her struggles ceased, the leader's evil expression intensified and resumed the downward movement. Her eyes widened, her mouth opened and she screamed like no one Eliza had ever heard and that scream galvanized Eliza. She launched herself, from the hillside, straight at the leader, her intent totally murderous. A vampire is a physical creature, even if they have remarkable abilities and needs, and gravity works the same for everything. Even in a tight position, it took several seconds for her reach the grave site. Her first: mistake was landing short and facing the leader. He was at the base of the grave, she at the head, with the victim between them. He jerked the staff out of her body and from the strength of her struggles, Eliza was sure she was still alive. How long she could remain that way was questionable. Her second mistake was staring the leader in the face and deploying her fangs so he would know what was coming. He dropped to one knee, aimed the staff at her and an explosion was heard. Eliza gasped as the sharp tip of the staff penetrated the base of her throat. A stake is one of a vampires weaknesses. Rarely fatal, except in the heart, and then only sometimes, the pain is incredible and disabling. Eliza clawed futilely at it, slumped to her knees, losing consciousness. Through a haze of pain, Eliza felt herself lifted. Her wrists and ankles hurt but the pain in her throat was unbelievable. She clung to consciousness as well as she could, but her lungs struggled for air and her body seemed not to belong to her. It was as if it was happening to someone else. Consciousness faded and returned, faded and returned She realized that horrible things where happening to her but she couldn't focus. Someone else was screaming. Eliza heard them She wished the would shut up. The sound of the agony seemed so close, almost like it was her. Her eyes opened. And she could see then standing above her. A long crystal knife was being used to open a shallow wound from between her beasts to... She gasped at the pain. This was worse than rape! She tried to feign unconsciousness. The cult was so intent on what they were doing to her that they were not aware that she was conscious, although very weak. They formed a circle around her, standing in the shallow grave that she was suspended over. The ladies began. They leaned over and licked and sucked the blood that was flowing from the wound down her body. As each one had their turn, the next took their place, but moved down to where there was blood still oozing from the wound. As the men began, Eliza realized where this was going. She had to stop this, she could not let it happen. She HAD to stop them As she felt the leader begin the final insult on her body, she tried to struggle free, but the pain in her throat and her weakness, only increased his pleasure. She gasped as an electric shock of pleasure coursed up her body. No! No! This could not be happening. She struggled, but her struggles did nothing but make matters worse. She lost consciousness as waves of intense pleasure rocketed through her, making her forget the pain, forget the danger and forget the humiliation. GOD! IT FELT GOOD! The tearing pain in her throat wrenched her back to consciousness. It all came back to her. She realized the stake was out of her throat and she could breath again. Her strength and will were returning. Spasms of lingering pleasure still could be felt she realized, and felt utter disgust with her self. She felt hot lips on her neck as the leader as drinking her blood. An electric thrill of recognition went through her. She could NOT let him drink her blood and live. She just could not let him do that! She strained and pulled the stakes securing her wrists from the ground. As she fell into the grave, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him with her. Bearing her fangs, she viciously bit into his neck and shoulder. Since she'd not bothered to mask or enthrall him, he felt the full human pain of fangs ripping him apart. He could feel the blood gushing from his body and knew he was being consumed. His struggles were futile and his weakening screams told the other cult members what was happening. None even tried to save him. Rising from the bloody grave, she realized that no one was in sight. They had vanished. She freed her feet and rubbed her ankles. They hurt. Being a vampire did not mean things didn't hurt. His blood suddenly made her sick. She vomited it back so quickly that she didn't even have time to bend over. Her attack on him had been so violent that she ripped him apart. She had his blood and internal gore all over her naked body and she was injured and not healing quickly. She'd not been feeding enough and his blood seemed to have poisoned her. She struggled to her feet, found her boots, put them on and wrapped her cape about her to cover her nakedness. The journey home was a nightmare. The smell of ginger tea was delicious. She had to have some. "Sit up, Mommy. You'll be ok." A strong arm supported her and a warm cup was put into her hand. She took a long, oh so delightful sip and then looked around remembering most of what had happened. Sofye smiled at her. "Feel all better now?" Eliza looked down at her body. Except for a tender spot a the base of her throat and some new scars, she seemed to be healthy. And she was reasonably clean. No blood and no gore, most signs of the previous night seemed to have healed. She shuddered remembering. She wanted to take a forever bath to wash that filth off of her. Sofye smiled at her and handed her a hot, wet cloth. Eliza scrubbed herself, maybe to hard, and Sofye kept handing her another cloth. Finally she lay back, physically and emotionally exhausted and drifted. Steak? Did she smell steak? She sat up and saw an almost raw, blood rare steak being waved under her nose. She bolted up and tore into it. Coming to her senses and realizing that Sofye was grinning like a Cheshire cat at her all she could do was whisper, "How'd you know?” "It’s a long story and you need your rest. I’ll tell you tomorrow, Mommy.” Sofye looked her and laughed. Eliza had steak juice all over herself, but didn't seem too concerned as she licked her fingers. "But, how did I get cleaned up? Who? I mean, Sofye, what happened?” Her confusion was evident in her voice. Surely no thirteen year old child could have accomplished so much and remained so calm. "You came home and you looked awful. I cleaned you up. Ok? What happened to you? You looked so bad when you walked in. I was so worried about you.” Eliza looked at Sofye, tears in her eyes. Had she heard her right? Sofye had worried about her? So many years, so long since a caring touch or word from another human being. Eliza struggled to maintain her composer. "I went to the graveyard to get even with them." She gritted her teeth. " I scre.... I goofed. I mean I was captured." She sighed and took a deep breath. " I shouldn’t be telling you this stuff. You’re far too young." Eliza looked away, embarrassed at the events of the previous night, totally unwilling to even think too much about it, let alone tell it. "They tied you up, didn’t they? They gave you that scar running down between your breasts. They hurt you, didn’t they?" Sofye looked at Eliza, tears streaming down her face. She wiped them away quickly. Eliza was looking at her, speechless. Sofye continued, "It’s embarrassing, isn’t it, being tied over a grave, naked for the world to see?" Sofye looked at Eliza, who was nothing short of in shock. "But, Sofye, how do you know?" Damn, she prayed Sofye hadn't seen that! "Did you follow me there? (Please say no!) Was I babbling as you were cleaning me up? (Please say yes.) How do you know?" Sofye shyly smiled. "Been there. done that." |