Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 15

As Juliette and Carmilla stepped back into the school, the usual noise of bustling students and echoing footsteps seemed to fade, replaced by an eerie stillness. It was as if the building itself sensed the turmoil inside Juliette, the words Calliope had flung at her still fresh and cutting, each one sharper than the last. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, casting long shadows that made the familiar hallways feel foreign and foreboding.

Juliette walked beside Carmilla in silence, her thoughts looping back to Calliope's parting words, the disdain in her voice, the coldness in her eyes. It was more than just anger—it was rejection, and that hurt more than anything. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of those words was dragging her down.

Carmilla, who had been able to read Juliette like an open book, noticed the change immediately. The usual spark of confidence in Juliette's eyes was dimmed, replaced by a haunted look that made Carmilla's chest tighten with concern. She could sense the danger brewing beneath the surface—Juliette's emotions were a storm threatening to break.

— You're stronger than you think, Jules - Carmilla's voice cut through the silence, a mix of gentle reassurance and firm resolve. - Don't let this break you.

Juliette nodded, but the gesture was mechanical, devoid of its usual conviction. The memory of Calliope's sneer, the finality in her tone, made Juliette's throat constrict, as though she were swallowing back tears. She knew she had to be strong—there were bigger things to worry about, darker forces at play—but all she could feel was the ache in her chest, the nagging sense of being unwanted.

— Do you think you can go back to class? - Carmilla asked, her tone softening as she glanced sideways at Juliette. - We don't have to stay here. The house is just a call away. We can regroup, come back stronger.

Juliette remained quiet, her eyes unfocused, staring into the distance as they walked. Her mind was elsewhere, trapped in a whirlpool of emotions she couldn't seem to escape. Then, as if an unseen force had gripped her, she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, her body stiffening with fear.

— Kid? - Carmilla turned to face her, confusion and concern written on her face. - What's wrong?

— We need to run - Juliette's voice was barely more than a whisper, but it was laced with a dread that sent shivers down Carmilla's spine.

Carmilla's instincts flared to life. Her eyes narrowed as she followed Juliette's gaze down the hallway. At first, she saw nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual stretch of lockers and classroom doors. But then, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the dim light. Tall, poised, and exuding a chilling menace, a woman with flowing blonde hair advanced towards them, her stride slow but deliberate.

— Who the hell is that? - Carmilla's tone darkened, shifting from concern to a low, threatening growl.

— Elinor... My sister - Juliette's voice trembled, her usual strength and bravado gone, replaced by sheer terror.

The name alone was enough to set Carmilla on high alert, but it was the sight of Elinor's fangs, fully extended and glinting under the fluorescent lights, that sent a surge of adrenaline through her veins. This wasn't just a family reunion—this was a predator stalking its prey.

— We're out of here - Carmilla decided in an instant, grabbing Juliette's hand with a firm grip and pulling her towards the exit. - Now.

They broke into a run, their footsteps echoing like gunshots in the eerily quiet school. The walls seemed to close in around them, the lockers and doors blurring as they raced towards the exit. Carmilla threw a glance over her shoulder, her heart pounding as she saw Elinor quickening her pace, her eyes locked onto them with a predatory intensity.

— Get in the van! - Carmilla barked as they burst through the doors into the parking lot. The night air was cool, but it did little to calm the fire of urgency burning in her chest. - Lock the doors and don't open them for anyone, got it?

— But Carm, I—

— I'm serious, Juliette! - Carmilla's voice took on a darker edge, her pupils narrowing into slits as a low, feral growl rumbled from deep in her throat, a sound that sent a clear message: no arguments.

Juliette hesitated for a heartbeat, her mind still trying to process the sudden turn of events, but the look in Carmilla's eyes left no room for doubt. She darted into the van, her hands shaking as she fumbled with the lock, finally managing to secure the door. She turned to look back at Carmilla, but the moment she did, she was met with an empty space.

Where Carmilla had stood just seconds ago, a massive black panther now prowled, its muscles rippling under a coat of sleek, jet-black fur. Its eyes glowed a fierce yellow, a warning to anyone who dared approach. The transformation was seamless, but no less startling for Juliette, who could only watch in awe and fear as the panther—Carmilla—positioned herself protectively in front of the van.

Elinor slowed her approach, her steps cautious as she took in the sight of the panther. For a moment, she seemed almost amused, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. But when her gaze shifted to Juliette, her expression hardened, a cruel glint sparking in her eyes.

— You think you can hide forever, Sweet Little? - Elinor's voice was a venomous purr, dripping with malice and superiority. - Your pet won't always be here to save you. Sooner or later, you'll have to face me.

The cat—Carmilla—responded with a deep, menacing hiss, baring sharp, gleaming teeth that seemed to glow in the dim light. Elinor faltered, her confident stride halting as she realized this was not a fight she could take lightly. The air between them crackled with tension, the unspoken threat hanging heavy.

— Back off - Carmilla's voice, though still in panther form, was clear in its intent, a low growl that rumbled from deep within her chest.

Elinor held Juliette's gaze for a long, unnerving moment, her eyes flickering with something unreadable—perhaps frustration, perhaps something darker. She took a step back, her expression shifting from anger to something more calculated. Then, with a final, disdainful look, she turned on her heel, her form blurring as she sped away, disappearing into the night with supernatural speed.

For a moment, everything was still, the tension hanging in the air like a thick fog. Then, with a final, wary glance in the direction Elinor had gone, the panther turned back to the van. The transformation was fluid, as seamless as before, and in moments, Carmilla was back, her expression grim as she tapped on the window.

— Open up, kid - she said, her voice softer now, but still edged with the remnants of adrenaline.

Juliette unlocked the door, her hands still trembling slightly as she watched Carmilla slide into the driver's seat. The older vampire's eyes scanned their surroundings, her senses still on high alert, as she gripped the steering wheel tightly.

— You okay? - Carmilla asked, her voice a mixture of concern and exhaustion as she finally allowed herself to take a breath.

— Not really - Juliette admitted, her voice barely a whisper as she exhaled, her body sagging with the release of tension she hadn't realized she was holding.

— We'll talk about it at home - Carmilla said, her tone gentle but firm as she started the engine. The van rumbled to life, its familiar hum a small comfort in the aftermath of the encounter. - Let's get you out of here first. You're safe now, okay?

As they drove away, the tension in the air began to dissipate, but the unease lingered, a shadow that refused to lift.

Neither of them spoke much on the way back, the gravity of what had just happened weighing heavily on their minds. The safe house loomed in the distance, offering the promise of security—but for how long, neither of them could say.