Lamia's Dream

Chapter 15

Valerie intercepted me on my way to the library.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked with a playful smile.

“Aren’t we going to the library to talk about… stuff.”

Her smile grew wider in amusement.  She took my hand and led me in the direction she had been walking. 

“I said we’d meet after school, but not in the library.  C’mon, I want to take you to somewhere special.”

We went out the side door that led to the student parking lot. 

Once inside her MINI Cooper, Valerie put on a song by the Fray.  We proceeded to the main road.

“So, where are we headed?” I asked.

“If I told you, it would ruin the surprise.”

“I think I could take it.”

It came out more annoyed than I had intended, and Valerie picked up on that.  She took her eyes off the road for a moment to capture my gaze.

“I’m sure you know of Spencer Mountain.”

I nodded.  Spencer Mountain was about twenty minutes away.  It was one of those old country towns that probably had a population of less than fifty people.  There was an old, run down mill on edge of town.  The mill stood by itself, no houses or anything beside it.  My grandparents had worked there before it closed.

"I am sorry about all the mystery,” she said.

“Am I the first guy you told?”

She nodded.  “No one else ever picked up on it.  How could they?  I’m very good at being normal.  Actually, I think I am normal, just with a small issue.”

“And that is?”

Valerie turned the music down.  Her head bobbed a little bit, as if she was mulling over how best to deliver the news. 

"Look, I’m willing to accept anything at this point.  As long as you're not like a 100 year old vampire who still goes to high school.  If so, that's grounds for breaking up."

She smiled at that.  “No, I’m only 17.  And I’m not a vampire.  But, there are some similarities.”

I looked at Valerie, requesting her to continue.  The car eased to a stop at the light.  Her hazel eyes held my gaze.

“Technically, I’m a Succubus.”

That I hadn’t expected.  My knowledge of a Succubus was limited.  I knew they were the female version of an Incubus.  And I knew Incubus was an awesome band from last decade. 

I didn’t know what to say, so I continued to stare at her.  Part of me wanted to laugh.  The thought of her being anything but human seemed absurd.  I had gone to school with her since pre-Kindergarten.  While she had always been there, our interaction had been little.  Most years, we didn’t have classes together.  When we did, she had always sat with the more popular kids.  It wasn’t until French class last year that she discovered me.  And I discovered her way of making me feel worthwhile. 

“And Succubusses aren’t demons?” I asked.

I needed the clarification.  Some RGP video game I played a while ago featured a demonic looking creature called a Succubus as one of the enemies.  There was also Wikipedia.com.  But that didn’t help me separate fact from fiction.

“According to human legend, Succubi are thought to be demons.  And, while we have a demon form, we are born as humans.”

Valerie saw the look of complete confusion on my face before checking the light.  It was green.