Harrington's Journal

Chapter 12: March 15th - Endure

March 15th

If those who are reading this now do not believe that a blood sucking creature exists, then I shall tell you that the entries in this journal had happened and that I am very much alive. But, I cannot believe that I had survived through these tormenting events. I must be lucky.

Importantly, what amused me when I first saw these creatures was that they do not strike their prey immediately. They would wait until the time is right, at a time when they truly thirst for blood. I realised that I had opened up a gate so widely for Rose, inviting her in to drink my blood. Ever since I had given Roseangela the opportunity to cut me and drink my blood, Dravis stayed well away from me. It was likely that Roseangela's stench on me seemed to work. Although, I knew that he was willing to hold in his desires for me later, and I found that sort of act to be rather odd. If he had the chance to drink my blood, then he would drink it; even when I'm asleep. But there were no bite marks on my body. It made me curious as to why he had not attacked me. Even Dovian held not desires for me.

I stood outside on the balcony, peering over the lands that had brought me here. I could see the darkest part of the forest; a black infectious spot like the black plague where I had fallen under the witch's power. Beyond that, the forest became a lighter shade of green in which the twins had nearly slaughtered me. I am sure that if I kept going straight, I would return back home.

Roseangela was out with Dravis, attending some sort of business, which I did not know of. The one who had to look after me was Dovian. I did not know if this was Roseangela's or Dravis's request, but Dovian was following me wherever I went. As I leaned on the rails of the balcony, he stood behind me, both arms behind his back in a proper manner.

"How much longer do I have to stay here?" I asked impatiently.

"I do not know for certain. But perhaps months or even years."

"Years?" I repeated. "I cannot stay here for years."

"It was your own doing to come into a dangerous world, Harrington. It is not under my power to keep you here. But, if you go out there, you will die."

I sighed. He was right. I will be unprepared and most likely fall into the same trap. To simply put it, I will be walking out there as a blind man.

Since I will be staying here for quite some time, I managed to acquaint myself with Dovian. It wasn't easy. But he holds answers, which I am dying to hear. 

To quench my curiosity, I asked Dovian, "How do you hold in the desire for blood?"

He looked at me with both eyebrows raised. "A strange question for a mortal, but if I were to answer, then I must answer it honestly." Dovian cleared his throat before continuing. "If you really want to know why I can endure my cravings for blood, then consider that you need a lot of patience. In fact, most vampires don't and that is why they are so easily killed, so easily destroyed. If you don't have a hard stomach, how could you ever live? I, however, had been training myself for years to endure this desire, until I feel nothing. But," he walked closer to me and I turned to face him, "No matter how much you hide the stench, I will always find it. If the smell of blood is just simply too overwhelming, then there is no knowing when a vampire might chomp."

I was slightly shaken by the latter. Could it be that he was hiding his hunger from me after all? I am human of course and there is no doubt that I am some sort of gem to these creatures; especially towards Rose.

Even so, I noticed that his expression sort of changed, as if he was amused? I am not too sure. I continued on with my prying. "Vampires are immortal correct?"

He nodded.

"If you're wounded, then you are given no other choice but to drink another's? Even your own kind?"

Dovian slightly hesitated before he answered. "Yes, if it comes down to that. Unless you are kind-hearted, then you may choose to die rather than killing another. Only the nobles drink the lesser ones to survive, but I had never faced such dilemma to answer exactly."

It was indeed peculiar, how vampires are not monsters like the twins. They have a system, rules, and regulations. But I have not met any vampires other than the three. They visit others but others do not visit them. Dovian explained that they do not like visitors, especially when they were uninvited.

I was brought in here and was treated to be as one of them, thanks to Rose – otherwise I would be dead. But by being here makes me all the more uncomfortable.

At night, I felt a strange feeling as if someone was watching me as I slept, a paranoia that elevated after I had slept here on the first night. The wild winds and the crashing of waves outside the castle made the place quite suspenseful, and I shrunk in my bed – shivering. Why am I afraid? Why do I tremble so much as I slept in the heart of the castle? Well, it was a sleep that I had not slept before.

A storm was raging outside and when thunder tore the night sky with a brilliant shock of white, it lit up pale faces that were filled with horror. Their mouths were nailed open and their eyes were carved out as a hollow cave. They stood at the end of my bed, their arms stretched out towards me, and I could hear their woeful moaning, like the sombre cries of a beggar. Their tears turned into blood and their naked bodies were bent in awkward angles.

Suddenly, some had vanished after the light had dissipated and when darkness consumed the room. It was not over as they reappeared at both sides of the bed, their cold hands gripping onto my wrists. This time, their expression became menacing, and they enjoyed watching me writhe on the bed hopelessly.

A pain welded up in my stomach and I could not do anything but scream. It felt as if my skin and organs were being torn apart. Then, popping out between the ripped flesh was a face of pure evil – strands of hair dangled in front of her face. She smiled and I screamed even more as she began crawling out of my stomach – revealing a small body that was covered in my blood.

"I want those eyes," she snarled and her wet hands smacked onto my cheeks, forcing me to look up at her horrifying face. "Show me. Show me! Show me what lies behind those beautiful innocent eyes!"

Everything went black after lightning struck for the last time.

My eyes opened and the pale faces were gone. I sat up quickly, my fingers clawing at my nightshirt that was drenched in sweat.

A nightmare. It was all a nightmare. Oh but it felt so real. A bloodcurdling dream that lingers on forever in my head. I do not know why these dreams were occurring, but it certainly got Roseangela worried. I did not want her to be worried of me. It pains me to see her so troubled by it, and all I said to her, "it was all but a dream". Though, these dreams that were happening once in a while were killing me, and I do not think that I could handle them for much longer.

I need to go back home. I have to. But I cannot. I must endure. I must. Otherwise, this quest will be pointless and will have nothing.

Harrington. H