16An: Okay. I know it's been a long time but here you go. Thanks so much to all my reviewers – I wouldn't have kept this up if it wasn't for you. I hope you like this chapter. I really put a lot of work into it.
: Of Scarlet Dewdrops :
Part I
Amongst the Orchards
Every night I sat under the stars and prayed for you to come. It has been years now and my skeleton is still waiting there.
It was the thirst that woke me up. As soon as my eyes relaxed and slowly opened, I couldn't help but smack my lips together. The inside of my mouth was ridiculously coarse, and no matter how many times I tried to swash spit around – I couldn't. My tongue had been drained of all liquid like a sponge; I needed something…very cold. The noise my coffin made as I pushed the top away seemed too loud. I could feel it clearly reverberate in my head. This wasn't like me. Loud noises should only bother a vampire when they are first turned - I was probably just weak from the lack of blood. I wouldn't make it. I knew I couldn't wait to find some sort of victim; I needed something else to convince my thirst for the time being.
Right at that very moment was when I sensed an unbelievably appetizing perfume. It instantly hit me that a human was lurching around in my home. But before I could even investigate, he walked right into my lair. He dropped whatever it was that had been in his hand and just stared at me. I couldn't help but smile at his innocence. He was a middle aged man, possibly around his late thirties, with an extraordinarily tired face. I could see the bags under his eyes from the edge of my coffin – I could also see his lively green eyes. Oh and were they beautiful. They hadn't been so lively at first; it was when he saw me, had he properly woken from his daze.
Immediately he started sputtering out foolish nonsense. I could hear every syllable and letter his tongue was tripping on; he hadn't even spoken an accurate sentence through all his gibberish. I had to hush him. My head was about to explode.
"Sshh," I put my right index finger to my lip and let it linger there for a while. I wasn't trying to scare him (really I wasn't) – I just needed time to think. When he finally did quiet down I took my finger away and continued to speak. "Now…there is no reason to be afraid," I saw his eyes slightly relax, "I won't bite." And what a lie I had told. But what could I have said – 'I will indeed bite.'
"I-I'm uh…I'm one of the caretakers sir," he quickly averted his eyes to the floor; oh I wished he wouldn't talk so loud. When I replayed what he had said in my head, I nearly screamed from anger. He wasn't mine to take. Well he was. But I knew I couldn't have his blood. He worked for me and that meant he was off limits. I knew it would be much too much work to find another person to hire; so I wouldn't take my chances. All of the humans I had hired were in some way related to each other and they knew my secret – I couldn't risk that, it would be too much trouble.
Despite my dismay, he continued.
"I apologize sir. I was just coming to clean up and I hadn't known you'd returned," he lowered his head a bit before meeting my gaze once again. I could see the fear as much as I could smell it. It was disgusting. Of course I had imagined some sort of fear (and I also found it respectful) but this much just showed him reckless. Wasn't it clear that I wouldn't (or more so 'couldn't') do anything. "I'll leave you now." - Obviously not.
Suddenly something stopped my continuous thoughts. Something very important. "Before you go," he cautiously turned around, "I would be grateful for some cold wine." That would satisfy me for at least a while. I didn't care where he brought if from, I just needed it. He gave a quick nod and disappeared from my sight.
Now that I had finished my wine and put on a new set of clothes, I was ready for the streets. My first concern was my hunger; I knew the wine wouldn't hold me for long and I didn't want to deprive myself any longer. The only problem was this 'new' century. Before, I could approach nearly any individual and make them my meal (Not that I did - I'm actually quite picky). But now, just by the look and feel of this 'smarter' world – I couldn't do that. I was almost positive that murder was a bit harder to get away with. I knew in my case it wasn't exactly murder; it was a survival instinct. However, humans did not know this. I would never just murder. Vampires do not murder – That's one of the worst things we could be convicted of.
However, in the end, I had no choice. I would worry about rules later, right now I needed food.
Luckily it didn't take me long. Sooner or later I had found a rather young man; he was sturdily built and I could almost see the blood rushing through his veins. Humans are such beautiful creatures. I don't understand how anyone would think otherwise. The man had just parked his car and was heading towards one of the buildings. It didn't take me long to catch his attention; his mind had been so weak – It was so easy to sway. And when I felt the blood curdling down my throat I realized just how famished I had been.
I knew I couldn't let his body just lie on the ground afterwards. It was dangerous of course. But more so, I didn't want to look at him lying dead on the floor. Humans are only beautiful when they're alive. I had just robbed him of that glory and I didn't feel like basking in that fact. I guess you could say I felt guilty – but I highly doubt that's the word to use. With so many centuries of feeding on living things, guilt was far out of my reach. I rummaged through his pockets and fortunately found a box of matches. I lit one and threw it on his body - Soon enough he was nothing but a ball of flames. And that's how I left him. There was nothing to watch; and nothing I wanted to watch.
When I reached a part of London that was a bit more crowded, I found out what I needed to do next. I needed new clothes. The clothes I had picked out had been from many centuries ago and the stares that some of the humans were sending me plainly revealed my mistake. I probably looked odd. A beautiful man dressed in an outrageous costume. If only they knew that this 'costume' had been clothes a long time ago. Very beautiful and expensive clothes. Normally I would have searched through London with some sort of transportation – but it was such a nice evening, walking would be much more pleasant. I curiously turned my head left and right as I strolled down the streets; my shoes clicking and clacking as I went.
Mmm. What a lovely sound.
After turning my neck this way and that, I found a positively humble shop. What first caught my eye were the luscious ornaments, laces, and festoons it fashioned. It was just unbelievably…hm…what would you call it, cute. Perhaps. The smell my nose picked up as I stepped in was even more pleasing. It was of ground coffee beans and burnt firewood; I instantly remembered the old stores in London. I was doing a terrible thing; I had been doing it for some time now.
I was still dancing around, looking for the lost past.
My fingers were delicately playing around with some cloth when I heard the shopkeeper's voice. "May I help you sir," she called politely from behind me. I hadn't turned around still. I was surveying the feel of the cloth. "Sir," she spoke once more. As nice as she seemed to be, her voice held a rather rough, annoying edge to it. A kind of sound that really ruined one's concentration.
I swiveled around so she wouldn't say 'sir' again and found that she was rather old. It looked as if her legs would give in any minute. "What is this," I scraped the fabric between my fingers a little harder. I think I liked it.
"Oh my," she smiled, "that would be one of our finest silks from Asia." She kept her eyes on me as I went from rack to rack, that far-too stretched out smile kindly placed on her mouth. "Oh," she suddenly chirped, a finger pointed to the ceiling, "I believe I have something just for you." With a hasty turn she went marching down stairs I had not paid attention to before. I lightly lifted my finger from one of the shirts and turned my head towards the hidden staircase. I didn't move. I just listened to all the crashing and toppling sounds. Oh dear. And she was so old.
"I've got it!" She screamed, skidding up the steps. "I've got it!" After about three more seconds she reached the top step – huffing and puffing – her face beet red. She looked up at me with lively eyes and I had to keep myself from licking my lips. Such an elderly woman but still with so much life - It was so unbelievably entrancing. For a second, a slither of hunger found its way back into me. But. It was only for a second (I swear).
"Dear," she smiled once again, "this would look astonishing on you."
I glanced at the ensemble and it was not a minute later I cursed at my eyes. I tried to keep a stable face but I'm almost positive a small grimace slid onto my features. My insides were doing flip-flops like never before. Some very disturbing flip-flops.
"I hear it's quite 'in' with the young people these days," she kept talking, completely missing my distaste for the rags. "And it would so nice on such a handsome figure. Don't you agree?" And if she hadn't placed that overexerted smile on her face I would have told the truth.
"Well," I turned my face back to the cloth racks, "I have something quite like that." I could here her shuffle the leather around, getting ready to place it down. "But I would like to know the price for this." Yes, my mind was set. I eagerly walked back to my first choice and imprinted the fabric once again on my fingers. It was a beautiful black over-top. And it had been modeled (with appreciation at that) on one of the dolls in the corner of the store. It looked so nice together. The black, silk top, the loose coal pants and the fancy blouse. Maybe it was still a bit too grand but…
Yes, yes. I liked it.
I walked out of the store wearing the clothes I had just brought and I must say - I was relatively proud of myself. I left my old clothes at the old lady's humble shop; she told me I should take it back home and said they were beautiful clothes. And just for that - I wanted her to keep it more. She could use it somehow, I knew. So I waved it away and let her keep them. Someone else would wear it one day and they wouldn't even know it was once owned by an immortal. I loved the thought of it.
As I was thinking selfish thoughts a small sound hit my ears. A small but impossibly sweet sound. I unconsciously followed it, turning street corner and pushing past unseen faces. I hadn't recognized it for some time, but, I had added a rather exquisite jut to my walk. And the sound, the music just kept smashing into my eardrums. It became clearer and clearer and I could almost hear the pitches breathe. I paid no attention to the words – only to the tune. The music; the true core.
It was, and I will sell my soul a million times more if I do not speak the truth, but it was – Beautiful. I walked and walked as the area started to get darker and more secluded. The number of people lessened greatly and the moon grew higher, but not once did I stop to look up. The voice just kept luring itself into my head, into my brain. I could feel my heartbeat quicken. I could feel the sounds sink into the back of my head. I could feel them traveling through my brain. It was mad!
I was mad!
And suddenly. Without any warning - I started dancing. I turned and I waltzed (making my way down the streets) and I couldn't stop. My arms opened almost robotically and I circled even faster. If anyone has seen me, they would have surely had a heart attack. That's how fast I was going. I'm not sure, but I think for a split-second I accidentally flew of the ground. Just a bit. But even if I wanted to, I couldn't stop. My mind created imaginary instruments to combine with this luscious sound and my actions only became worse.
Then I knew I couldn't help myself. I opened my mouth as wide as I could and closed my eyes (subconsciously). I listened to the pattern of the music and I picked one certain spot. And with the most force I could beckon, I let out a thrilling scream. One that no human throat could ever reach. As soon as the effects of my wail subdued, everything became quiet. Even the tune I had so absentmindedly fallen in love with was gone.
Completely surprised with what I had done, I quickly lowered my arms, stilled myself and cast my eyes back towards the front. Subsequently, everything became even more still (if that was even possible) and I locked eyes with what stood in front of me. All I could make out (with my bewilderment) was huge, shocked cerulean eyes.
And that is how I met…her.
An: And finally it is done! Review please.