Serendipity - Caleb Vatore TS4

02

This was the third time I had checked the clock in the past ten minutes. "Time flies by" is clearly not true, at least not in this case. Everything seems to be moving in slow motion

Lilith and Caleb left thirty minutes ago, I have no idea what to do with myself, waiting in suspense has not gotten me anywhere thus far. What could Caleb possibly need to tell me that his sister shouldn't hear. That's not even question number one, question one is how would she have been able to hear us. I'm exhausted, maybe I should take a nap, yes that's exactly what I'll do.

*Knock*

I fell asleep for too long, it's 10:50 he's definitely been knocking on my door for the past three minutes.

As I walk to the door I hear Caleb greet someone.

"Hello Vladislaus." Caleb says coldly with no expression in his voice, it sent shivers down my spine, that's not the Caleb I was with earlier.

"Hello Caleb how are you and the little sister?" Vladislaus had an ancient sounding voice, it was gentle but also tough, as if he was ready to fight Caleb if he said anything out of line.

This must be the other neighbor Caleb warned me about.

"We're doing quite well, I'm just coming to meet our new neighbor." Caleb responded once again with no emotion in his voice.

"We think alike brother."

"I'm not your brother Vladislaus, and I will never be associated with you."

"But Caleb we are of the same kind, we can work together."

"We may be the same monster, but I refuse to act like what I am."
"You're too kind to them, it makes you weak." Vladislaus paused, "Next thing you know you'll be enticed by one of the pitiful things."

"Vladislaus, I'm not going to argue with you about this, she can hear us. You know that."

"Very well."

After their conversation stopped I opened the door. When the door opened I was immediately welcomed by Caleb, his warm smile equipped once again

"Hello, I'm Caleb." He reached out his hand gesturing me to shake it like I had no idea who he was.

"Arabella Gina, very nice to meet you." I pause and look at Vladislaus. From his hair you would think he was 99 years old, but somehow his face was still young and youthful. He had a very strong brow and nose, he was extremely skinny. He stepped in front of Caleb, "Vladislaus Struad, nice to meet you as well miss Arabella." He tilted his head down and kissed my hand. I made eye contact with Caleb as he did so, Caleb looked anxious as if he was worried about me.

Vladislaus snarled under his breath, "Human." in a sharp voice. He spoke up to me, "I will not be staying but you can expect visits from me in the future, I'd love to get to know our newest resident more." Vladislaus smiled and left around the corner.

Caleb practically pushed me inside the door, "Get inside now." he ushered.

"Caleb what the fuck are you so worried about,"

"What am I so worried about?!" Caleb's voice rose, "What am I so worried about?! Oh, I'll tell you!" He lowered his voice after realizing I had taken steps back, "I'm sorry, sit down. We need to talk." His words were calm, but still had an ounce of anger and fear in them.

Webith sat down at the table, Caleb pulled out a purple fruit and started peeling it as he began speaking, "That was Vladislaus, Vlad for short." Caleb sighed, "This is going to sound like a crazy question, but I want to know. Do you believe in vampires?"

I sit there looking at him for a second, "I'm sorry what does this have to do with anything?" 

"Listen Arabella, you live in a ghost town with only three residents." He took a deep breath, "Why do you think there are only three residents?"

"It's an incredibly small town, I knew it was small when I moved."

"Yes, but what you didn't know was that the three residents are vampires."

I gasped, this was what they were talking about with monsters and working together, this is why the only time I had ever seen Lilith smile was when she spoke of cooking dinner, when Caleb wrote down what he needed to tell me on a paper instead of speaking because Lilith would've heard him. Why Vladislaus muttered human under his breath when he kissed my hand, why Vladislaus had such an ancient voice and spoke in a manner only one of the past would. Why he called Caleb brother. Everything hit me and made sense.

"Caleb," I whispered, "I .. What should I do?" I looked up at him, he looked anxious as he has recently.

"I'm not sure, Vladislaus will not like a human in town, those visits he mentioned could mean something, something I don't want to even think about."

Once again I gasped, I knew exactly what Caleb was implying. Vladislaus would try and turn me into a vampire.

Caleb lifted my head with his hand, "Arabella, everything will be okay, I have a feeling. My sister and I will protect you, no harm will come to you." He paused, "Everything will be alright." Caleb dropped his hand from my face and began eating the fruit he had peeled minutes prior.

"Can I try it?" I asked.

"You won't like it."

"Let me try it."

Caleb sighed and handed me a small slice of the fruit. Before eating it I ask a question, "I thought vampires can't eat human food?"

Caleb laughed, "Oh, this isn't human food." He paused, "It's Plasma Fruit, satisfies a vampire's thirst, the same as a human would."

"Interesting," I took a bite, it was bitter and had a metal taste to it. Similar to blood, "You're right, it's not my favorite. My response made Caleb laugh again. I looked up to him after finishing my piece of plasma fruit. He was very handsome, but if it were up to me I'd get rid of the earring, on his left ear, the purple didn't really match his vibe.

"Why only one earring?" I ask.

"It's a fashion statement, similar to how you wear several necklaces."

"Oh so it's not some sort of very secret vampire code?"

"No," He exhale, "You're very beautiful Arabella. Vladislaus was right. I am enticed by a human, but for now this must wait. My sister will be back from hunting in a few minutes. I must head back." He looked at me and for a split second I saw everything he wanted in his eyes. I stood up to open the front door for him. He walked with me.

Before leaving the doorway, he turned back, "Goodnight Arabella, sleep well."

"Goodnight." I watch as he walks away, "Wait, Caleb." I call and as he turns around I ask him a final question, "Same time tomorrow night?"

"Same time." He laughed, and was at his front door before I could even blink.

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1161 Words <3