Chapter 3
“Here are my rules. Listen up, because I’m not going to repeat them.” I told Anna’s mom, who sat anxiously on the couch. We had been having a talk about what she remembered before her death and about her normal life. She had told me her name was Roberta, and that she was a librarian.
“You will not leave this house without my permission.” I told her, knowing that if she left that there would be unexplained murders all around the city. I did not want to deal with that mess right now.
“And two, do everything I say. I will be guiding you for the next couple of days, showing you the ropes.” Under my breath, I chuckled. Once she caught the scent of a human, her animalistic side would do all the talking. I wouldn’t have to say or do a thing.
I smiled at Roberta. “Got that?”
She nodded eagerly, suddenly jumping off the couch. Her old face didn’t match the childish gleam in her eye. Then she looked at me, those glowing eyes all too friendly and wild. “Can we go outside? I haven’t been outside in forever!”
Suddenly, Anna came into the room looking disturbed as her eyes registered her mom’s behavior. Her troubled face looked exhausted, dark circles had started to form on her already pale skin.
“Mom.” She spoke one word, and Roberta turned in her daughters direction, looking nothing like a concerned mother.
“Anna? How lovely it is to see you,” Roberta smiled in a creepy way, almost as if her daughter was interrupting something. “What are you here for?” Anna’s eyes scanned her mother’s face carefully, almost as if she was trying to find a piece of her mother that wasn’t there anymore.
“We need to talk.” She replied, and just then I started to feel a bit woozy. It was then that I realized that I hadn’t fed in days. Just as the thought crossed my mind, my throat started to ache. I needed to feed.
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Roberta, go with Anna. I have some errands to run.” Anna looked at me gratefully before starting to walk upstairs. She stopped to make sure her mom followed her. Finally, Roberta started to walk in Anna’s direction as I made my way to the front door. The sun was setting on the horizon.
“No one leaves this house while I’m gone. Anna, please see to that.” I said as I walked out the door…and right into John.
“Oh!” I said as my head collided with his chest. “I’m sorry!” I laughed, smiling up at him. His blue eyes looked down at me with laughter.
“So much for being a powerful vampire, Rose. You can’t even walk without hitting someone.” He said to me as he wrapped his arms around me tightly, squeezing me into a hug. John smirked at me through his dark eyelashes. I could tell he had just rested, the dark circles from the previous nights were gone, and his rosy cheeks had replaced his pale color. I felt a butterfly in my chest as I leaned up to kiss him.
It felt so good to be close to him for the first time in a couple days. The heat of his body against mine made by body want to melt against his. And then the ache in my throat began to become more noticeable. I broke away from the kiss, but not wanting to. The last of the golden sunlight glowed on his already beautiful face, making it look like a fire was between us. Then I realized that my eyes had started to see red too. I needed to go.
“John, I have to go.” I said, and he got a knowing look in his eyes. Then he smiled and put his forehead against mine.
“Go, I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” He said with a smile, and I wanted to just stay with him for the rest of the night. I wanted Anna and her mom to get out of the house so John and I could have it all by ourselves. Forever.
“Okay,” I said regretfully, stepping out of his embrace. I flashed him a weak smile as I started to become more nauseous. “Be back soon.” I kissed him quickly one more time as I stepped off the porch and into the cold grass.
As I started to walk towards the city, I could feel his eyes on me, watching until I disappeared into the trees with nothing but the feel of his lips on mine as a reminder that the fairy tale moment at the porch was real.
