'Bring me my dinner!' I yelled. A minion brought in a young little girl. I licked my lips. She would do nicely. The girl struggled in my minion's arms but it was futile. I walked towards the girl and set my teeth in her neck. Fresh blood flooded my mouth. It tasted delicious! I sucked the little girl dry. When I was done she looked pale. 'Eat the rest for supper.' I told the minion. They loved feasting on Marilion meat. I returned to my play board. The pawns were still useful, I didn't need new ones. At least not yet. Maybe I should invite my sister over. It had been so long since I last saw her. I took the phone from my desk and dialled her number.
*
We ate breakfast downstairs. My mother still wouldn't talk with Mark but the other family members had friendly conversations with him. The food tasted delicious. It was just like back then, before I left them. Then it was time for the ceremony. My mother asked me if Mark had to come. I shook my head. I would allow her to decide. It was of course a family matter. 'Mark, my mother would rather not have you at the ceremony.' I told him and he nodded. 'I understand.' He said. I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before I ran after my family.
*
I looked at Mira as she ran away. I hadn't thought of going to their ceremony anyways. I stood outside of her house. The door fell shut and I couldn't get in. I decided to go for a walk. I walked around the city. It was bursting with life. The grass was greener than any other grass I had ever seen before. The flowers had the brightest colours and the sky was a beautiful blue colour. I breathed in the life. I loved this place already. It was still early in the morning, but the streets were crowded with people. They all had bright hair colours and wings. They seemed cheerful. I didn't fit in with my dark hair and black clothes, yet the inhabitants greeted me friendly. After a while I began my return to Mira's tree. The ceremony should be over soon.
*
'Hey?' I said. 'Hello there sis.' 'Who is this?' 'Your sister, Cassandra. Don't you remember me?' 'So it is you!' I yelled out in surprise. I hadn't spoken with my sisters for years. 'How about you come over here to Marilion. They have the best blood around here.' 'Really?' 'You should drop by. It has been ages since I last saw you!' 'I guess I can come over. I just need to pick up my deink first.' 'Sure!' Cassandra, my older sister, said and she hung up. I wondered what she'd be like. She had started this weird organisation, but I chose to live as normal as possible. But the best blood was tempting. I wanted to try it myself. The bell rang and Elizabeth walked out of the classroom. 'Let's hang out at my place.' I said. She nodded. She would make a great snack.
*
I walked out of the hall. The ceremony had been emotional. My mother had held a speech about their lives. They had burned two flowers that represented their bodies. 'Let those flowers find their bodies and bring them peace.' The ceremonial master said. Then we all got up in silence and walked out. Many members of my family were crying, yet I felt strangely calm. I looked at my bracelet, the last gift from my sister, Luka. The ceremony gave a nice feeling of closure.
*
I walked next to Elizabeth on the streets. We were headed towards my house at the end of Flatstone Street. It was the longest street in the town. Last week rumours had spread about 2 girls flying over. Of course no one believed it, but it was still fun to talk about. We reached my house. I opened the door and Elizabeth followed me inside. I offered her something to drink, but she declined. Then we went upstairs to my room. The curtains were still closed. I opened them and the room lit up in the afternoon sun. I had a messy room. I didn't bother to clean, since there was no one living with me. I licked my lips. I was thirsty. I stepped towards Elizabeth. 'I need to tell you something.' She said and I stopped my approach. I might as well hear her out. 'I think I might...' She stopped talking and her face was red. Did she like me? She opened her mouth again. 'Like you.' She whispered. If I hadn't had such good ears I wouldn't have heard it. 'Really?' I said. I had to act surprised. I didn't know that she liked me, but I didn't really care. Just like my sister, I didn't care about anyone. Except for Sam. Love made a person weak. 'Yes.' Elizabeth said. 'Do you like me?' She asked. I nodded. 'Yes.' I lied. Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears and she jumped towards me. She wrapped her hands around me.
*
I was holding Charlotte in my arms! She actually liked me. I had never thought she would, but she did! I breathed in her smell. But she felt cold. There wasn't any heat radiating of her. She buried her face in my neck and I felt her lips on my skin. I wanted to free myself from the hug. Something was wrong! I felt a sharp pain in my neck. She had bitten me! 'What?!' I tried to yell, but my voice betrayed me. Black spots danced before my eyes and I felt myself getting weaker. Charlotte was still holding me in her arms. She was sucking something out of my neck. My blood! Everything went dark and Charlotte let me go. I fell onto the floor. I started to sink further away. I wanted to struggle against it. I heard laughter. It faded away. The darkness wrapped around me. It dragged me down. Then the laughter died out and everything went silent. I was all alone. Alone in the darkness.
*
