The Ruins Of Us

Partners In Crime

I was folding sheets and towels in the airing cupboard when the door creaked open. I'd already left it ajar but now it was wide open with a Vampir leaning against the door frame. The female creature stood there lazily, its eyes trailing across my body. It was assessing me, scanning every inch of me, sniffing me like a bloodhound. It's blatant observation prickled my skin
until I finally acknowledged it.

Immediately, a smile curled upon its lips, almost proud. The clothes it wore were the usual guard uniform, thick and dark, cut close to its physique as if sewn into the fabrics. But unlike the rest, this Vampir wore a strip of blue satin tied around its bicep. It was almost sentimental but I couldn't fathom it experiencing such.

"You're NN4812" the Vampir began as it casually cleaned its nails. Its English was near perfect, spoken clearly in Received Pronunciation.

"What do you need, Master?" I bowed my head.

"Not much from a savage, but from NN4812? Much, much more", the Vampir finally stepped into the airing cupboard and clicked the door shut. 

"I don't understand"

"Willow told me about your... meeting"

I instantly froze in place, my eyes peeking up to realise who stood before me. Its smirk was thoroughly amused by my shock. I blinked once before having the realisation, that this must be Zaria, Willow's collector and a possible ally of Aleksi. At that moment I didn't know what to feel, to wash away the fear with relief or maintain my guard.

"I'm not here to kill you, don't worry about that" Zaria cooed as it stalked closer. Its steps were delicate despite its size. Despite its words, I still couldn't relax.

"Then-" I swallowed deeply, "Then what do you want?"

Zaria chuckled lowly with sharp, pointed teeth gleaming, "I want to remind you of your place. Of what trouble you've caused. Willow is very hurt by what you did"

"Like you care about her" I retorted. Zaria's eyes appeared to soften momentarily.

"You humans truly believe we are heartless"

"I believe what I see, aliens don't have human hearts"

"And you know that for sure?"

My mind trailed back to the Dr in the facility, how we spoke of family and how I begged to be reunited with Tilly. I couldn't confirm whether or not it was a miracle or its involvement. Either way, it left their existence up to debate.

But I mentally shook my head, if there was a debate it was too easy to speak against it, the evidence clogged my every pour. After all, was there anything human in them at all? It was a question answered in one word, you could ask any human.

"I'll know heart when I see it" I nodded, dismissing the possibilities. These monsters had no justification for their cruelty.

"But if we can't be humans, then humans can't be monsters... We are all inherently good or evil, that's what you think, right?"

I stood my ground with my head raised and Zaria's eyes staring into my own in a fight for dominance. I refused to entertain what it said, refused to agree. I refused to think about the gravestone in the backyard and the couple who were just brushing their teeth. I refused to recall how Jake's hand curled around the axe or the silence that followed. I didn't let the monster wake from its slumber. I wouldn't let Zaria watch me consider it, not for a second.

"I see you find this topic difficult to comprehend-" Zaria patted my shoulder, its hand was huge against my body, "don't worry though, I'm sure you'll see it one day"