Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 3

As Perry navigated the winding streets of Savannah, the van's headlights cut through the inky darkness, illuminating the shadowed, historic neighborhood. The tension inside the van was palpable, everyone's attention fixed on the faint signal of Carmilla's location.

— Where do you think she's headed? - LaFontaine asked, their eyes glued to the map on their phone, scrolling through the narrow, tangled streets of the old district.
— No clue, but wherever it is, we need to get there fast - Laura replied, her voice tight with concern. Her hands gripped the edge of her seat, and her eyes flicked between the GPS and the road ahead. - That girl was terrified.
— She's not just scared - Mel leaned forward from the back seat, her gaze sharp as she peered out of the window. - She's running from something. Or someone.
— Maybe she just needs help? Maybe she's a good vampire? - Kirsch, always trying to lighten the mood, suggested with a hopeful tone.
— Maybe - Perry said, though her tone was laced with skepticism. - Or maybe she's leading us straight into a trap.
— Carmilla and Danny can handle it if it is - Laura said, her voice wavering slightly despite her attempt to sound reassured. - I trust them to know what they're doing. But we need to be smart about this. Charging in blindly could make everything worse.

The van continued to jostle over cobblestones as the buildings around them grew older and more decrepit. The elegant charm of Savannah was slowly replaced by a darker, more ominous atmosphere. The signal on Laura's phone blinked, indicating that Carmilla and Danny had stopped moving.

— Stop the van - Laura ordered suddenly, her urgency making everyone jump.

Perry slammed on the brakes, the van screeching to a halt just outside the wrought-iron gates of what looked like an old cemetery. The gates were twisted and overgrown with ivy, and the flickering streetlights cast eerie shadows over the gravestones and mausoleums.

— This doesn't feel right - Mel muttered, her eyes scanning the shadowy expanse with suspicion.

Laura pushed the van door open and stepped out, the cool night air hitting her like a brisk slap.

— We need to find them. Stay close.

The group followed her lead, moving cautiously through the open gates and into the cemetery. The oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant cry of a night bird.

— There - Perry whispered, pointing to a clearing where Carmilla and Danny stood, their backs to the group.

The tension in the clearing was palpable. The girl was screaming, her voice filled with anger yet underscored by palpable fear.

— Why are you following me? - she shouted, her eyes wild with desperation.
— We just want to help you - Danny said, her tone gentle yet firm, trying to bridge the gap between them.
— Help me? I don't need your help! - the girl's voice cracked as she spoke. - I just need to get as far away from here as possible.
— Why? - Carmilla asked, cautiously inching closer, her eyes filled with concern.
— Because she hates me - she whispered, her anger giving way to a deep, wounded pain. - She'll do anything to kill me.
— Who's trying to kill you? - Laura asked, stepping forward, her voice soft but insistent.
— Who are you? - the young vampire's fear spiked again, her body tensing defensively as she bared her fangs.
— We're friends - Laura said, reaching out to take Carmilla's hand. - We just want to help.
— I have no one - she sobbed, collapsing to the ground. - I betrayed my family, my only friend is leaving, and Cal... she hates me.

Carmilla knelt in front of her, her voice tender and soothing.

— I've done terrible things in the past. But these people - she gestured to the group, - They never let me give up. Maybe we can help you too.
— There's nothing left to give up on - the girl murmured, her voice hollow and resigned.
— Let us be the judge of that, okay? - Carmilla said with a reassuring smile. - Let's start with names. I'm Carmilla.
— And I'm Laura, her wife - Laura added, her tone warm and inviting.
— I'm Danny, and back there are Kirsch, Mel, Perry, and LaFontaine. They're our friends - Danny introduced, nodding toward the others who were watching with a mix of curiosity and concern.

The girl hesitated, then sighed deeply.

— I'm Juliette. Juliette Fairmont.
— It's nice to meet you, Juliette - Laura said with a warm smile. - We just got here today, and it looks like we've already made a friend.

Juliette wiped her tears and glanced around at their faces, searching for sincerity.

— How did you find me? What family are you from?
— Family? - Laura looked confused. - Carmilla's a Karnstein, but that's more of a European thing. The rest of us are from Canada.
— You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? - Juliette's voice was tinged with disappointment.
— Not really - Laura admitted.

Juliette shook her head, a flicker of despair crossing her face.

— I think I've said too much.
— Wait! - Perry spoke up, catching Juliette's attention. - Are you talking about Lilith's families? The legacies?
— Yes! So, you know! - Juliette said, relief flickering in her eyes. - You've heard of them?
— How do you know that, Perry? - Laura asked, turning to her friend, her brows furrowed.
— There was a word Laf and I couldn't translate in the book. It kept popping up whenever Lilith and the legacies were mentioned. I just made a guess.
— Book? What book? - Juliette's fear returned, her feet inching backward.
— Wait, we can explain! - Laura said quickly. - Carmilla and Danny are half-made vampires. We're trying to undo that.
— You want to make them human? Is that even possible? - Juliette's voice wavered with uncertainty.
— That's why we're here - Laura said. - To find out. We didn't expect to find you running like this.
— Oh... yeah, that - Juliette said, her voice trailing off.
— Why don't we head back to the van? - Perry suggested, trying to soothe the girl's nerves. - We can make some hot cocoa and talk somewhere less... full of dead people.
— Yeah, I panicked when I realized I was being followed - Juliette admitted with a weak smile. - And going home wasn't an option.
— Hot cocoa it is - Laura said, grinning. - And don't worry, we've got vegan blood stocked in the fridge.
— Vegan blood? - Juliette asked, bewildered.
— We've got a lot to teach you, little one - Carmilla said with a laugh, squeezing Laura's hand.
— I told you she could be a nice vampire - Kirsch chimed in as they headed back to the van.
— Lesson learned. I'll never bet against you, frat boy - LaFontaine said, giving Kirsch a playful fist bump before climbing into the back seat.

The van pulled away from the cemetery, the headlights cutting through the darkness once more. Inside, the atmosphere was lighter as they made their way back to their temporary base. Juliette seemed more at ease, though her eyes still darted around nervously.

As they drove through the quiet streets of Savannah, the weight of the night's events hung heavy, but there was a sense of cautious hope. They had made a new ally, and with Juliette's knowledge, they might be one step closer to unraveling the mysteries that had brought them here.