For Centuries - Season 1 [Completed]

Episode 22

"DUST", Haelos

"So," I said to Valentina. "Since we are talking about music. I heard that you are a very good musician. Drums ?"

We had just organized everyone's schedule for the weeks to come at The Pearl, and Anna, Ahmed, and Valentina were still sitting at my booth while finishing their beverages.  Double espresso for Anna, Earl Grey for Ahmed, and americano for Valentina, as usual. The two new bartenders had got their bearings in the club and there was a frank camaraderie in the group. We had once again talked about music and I wanted to know more about the Italian lady's talents.

Valentina lifted her head and laughed. "Well, I don't know if I play very well but I love drums, yes. I was in a rock band with three other girls in high school. But since I have been in France, I haven't played yet."

"We have drums on stage here. Do you want to give it a try?"

Anna and Ahmed cheered and applauded.

Valentina walked towards the stage and tried the instrument. Starting strong, she then went for the nuances. She could indeed play. I sat at the piano and we improvised as a duo. I was following her lead at first but she got what I was doing and it quickly became a dialogue.

"You are good," I said. "You can play here whenever you want. We could do a tune together one of these nights if you want to."

"That would be great," she said with a giant smile.

"Do you only play rock?"

"A little bit of jazz too."

"Fantastic."

I was going to try the jazz thing at the piano with her and my hands were on the keys when we heard a loud crack above our heads. I turned my head towards the sound and stood up in an instant. One of the spotlights was coming off. I ran to Valentina when it fell on the stage. I pushed her and the hot metal touched my arm before crashing to the ground. Anna and Ahmed rushed to us in a panic.

Valentina was not hurt, but my arm was in bad shape. There was a deep burn and a lot of blood. 

"Oh my God, Elise, are you okay?" Ahmed asked. "I'm calling an ambulance."

I stopped him. "No, no, it is okay. Thank you."

"Are you crazy? It's bad, you have to go to a hospital!" Valentina screamed.

Knowing that I would heal in a few minutes, Anna did not know what to do.

"Listen, do not worry about me. I am fine. I promise."

Anna gave me a wet towel to wrap my arm and Valentina winced. "Oh my god. It must be so painful," she said.

I smiled reassuringly. "I am going to get back home and I will be fine."

"Let me see the wound. We cannot let you leave like that," Ahmed insisted. He tried to lift the towel and I understood that I could not hide the healing from them.

"Alright." I sighed, showing him my arm.

He was stupefied. "But... the wound was... bigger than that. I saw it. I don't understand. Look."

By the time Valentina came closer to see, the wound had almost disappeared. They were stunned. "That's not possible. What just happened?"

I wiped the blood off my arm with the towel and they could see that it was as good as new.

"Fuck, you are a vampire," Valentina said while covering her mouth in shock.

"I am not a vampire, but I am...different."

Ahmed laughed and then stopped, while he saw the seriousness on my face.