Barely Legal

Part 1

Breaking News! A world summit has decided that the Vampires be given full legal statuses.

"Vampires given legal status after five year legal battle!"

It's official. The dead walk freely among us. Vampirism isn't a new concept. You've seen it in movies, read about it in books and heard about it via folk lore. The vampire community has worked hard over the last five years to prove that they're nothing like the movies. They tell us there is no blood lust. That the crazed frenzy around the sight of the red stuff is a lie. They're lying... I'm proof of that. 

*****

I was turned accidentally. I spent three horrifying days trapped in an old pantry after a night out gone wrong. It was the typical girl meets vamp story. We knew they existed but they didn't really intermingle with us. This vamp was a strange one. I was out celebrating my 21st birthday celebrations with my friends. We'd planned on a purely girly night just us. I saw him watching me from the corner of the room and I just felt pulled to him. He asked to buy me a drink, and then we danced, and one thing led to another and we left together. He took me to his home, an old Victorian building on the outskirts of the city, and once there he changed. He wasn't the sweet guy I'd met in the club. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not naive. I know what happens when you go home with a guy you meet in a club and in my drunk state I seemed more than happy to go along with it. I won't go into the nitty gritty but part way through he bit my lip and became frenzied. He sucked on the wound until it bled freely and dripped down. Then he attacked. After three agonizing days of taking small amount of blood as often as he could manage he gave some back.

When I woke up I didn't know what had happened but the world was clearer and brighter even in the shadows. I was still in the dark but I couldn't see him so I chanced it and I ran. I ran straight back home and found I couldn't get into my front door. As soon as I stepped over the threshold my limbs uncomfortable and felt more so until I entered my bedroom and it felt like they were burning. Walking through the house was like trying to move through honey, as if the air was trying to pull me back. Exhausted I decided that the only reason for this was my ordeal. I contemplated calling my parents to let them know that I was fine; home. Then I was pulled under into intense sleep. Almost like the dead.

*****

I dream I am on fire. That I am burning. I am getting hotter and hotter. I attempt to rip my clothes of but it only makes the burning worse. I open my eyes and scream. The pain is immense and my skin is blistering before my eyes. I drag myself from my bed huddling in my duvet and throw myself into my wardrobe slamming the door. I hear my parents frantic screams of "FIRE" and they rush into the room. They call out for me. 

  "Evie? Evie, are you in here? Are you home, lamb?"  

They walk into the room and I feel it; the burning need. Their heartbeats are thrumming through my skin. My mothers short gasp comes as shock as she finally realises what is causing the stench of burning. It all comes back to me. All of a sudden the memories hit me. The fear of being in that dirty basement. Of the man with his bleeding wrist pressed to my mouth. The look in his eyes that reminded me of a new mother. The adoration in his eyes. 

"Don't come in! Don't touch me. I...I think.... I've been turned" I cry.

*****

Due to the recent publicism of vampires my parents luckily know how to react. They call a crisis team. The national papers had recently published a 'What to do' guide on vampirism. It was carefully constructed with phrases like 'Get out of the house before nightfall if you can' and 'call for a blood delivery of the vampires blood type to leave in a safe place'. I emerged at full dark to a strange woman in my bedroom who introduced herself as Bridget. I didn't listen to niceties. I was ravenous. She held a pint of blood. It was cold and tasted almost like plastic. It wasn't very appealing at all but I couldn't help myself from tearing into the bag. I was a monster. It took 3 bags before I finally felt like a person again. I felt almost human. I could feel the blood thrumming through my veins. The sensation was strange. My heart no longer beat but I could feel the suction of blood to my extremities. I began to feel warmer and almost human. Almost.

As if sensing the moment when I became capable of speech Bridget said "I'm to be your guide into the vampire world. The first point of call is to take you to a place when you can be safe. I will be your counselor and hopefully your friend. We also need to find out which rogue turned you as there are procedures in place to prevent attacks like yours."

"I... uhm okay... where is a safe place? When will I be able to see my family again? Do they even want to see me again", I started to panic. I began to feel frantic and distraught. My gums began to pinch and teeth started to extend from my gums. This made me feel even worse.

"Don't fret" Bridget attempted to comfort me "The more worked up you get the faster the changes. Please don't worry we'll take care of you!"

I noticed she didn't answer any of my questions but I was determined not to be pushy. I figured that getting me to a safer environment was her first priority. 

Walking past my bedroom mirror I stopped to look. I was a wreck. Contrary to popular belief vampires can easily look in the mirror. We have a reflection and we are not distorted. We also do not magically look 100x better after the change. My eyes are still the same dark grey they have always been. My hair is still the same long wavy blonde although it seriously needs a good brushing to revive its shine and luster. I stand tall and examine the dark circles under my eyes. I raise my hands to my face and spot the chipped nude nail varnish I painstakingly applied before I left my house nearly 4 full nights ago. My red dress is blood spattered and the hem has been torn but remarkably I don't look that bad. I mean I could probably do with a shower and a change of clothes and all I want to do is curl up in a comfortable hoody and some sweats but I will pass for a person for now. After all I've been through a lot. I deserve to throw my hair into a messy bun and be makeup-less and be a slob for the day/night. 

Bridget on the other hand is immaculate. She is one of those women who on first glances always groomed to perfection. Her wavy chestnut hair is pulled up into a high bun. She is incredibly business like in the clothing she wears all pinstripes and tailored lines. Her skin is darker than standard for a vampire and her nose is a little large but it is well framed by her bulky hipster style glasses. The only thing that gives her away is the daring cut of her full fringe and the three small studs across the cartilage of her ear. As far as first impressions go; she's definitely made one.

I throw a smile on my face before turning to Bridget. "Am I okay to pack a few things to take with me? This is all stressful enough without having some of my comforts with me?"

She stepped from the room to allow me some privacy. I instantly wish she hadn't as I realised I had no idea what I needed. I threw my hair brush, my electrical's, clean clothing and underwear into a duffle and all was fine... That is until I walked into my en suite and all the questions began surging. Do vampires sweat? Do they get plaque? How often will I need to shave my legs? This then led to thoughts like... if I cut myself will I bleed? I laugh and then become hysterical. Then I stop and run my tongue over the place where my fangs emerged last time. Interesting, good emotions don't make me into a hormonal mess. Perfect. I decide to just throw anything I'd normally need for a week away into my bag. I'd be back soon, right? With that attitude I walk out of my bedroom door closing it firmly behind me. I can do this.