Blinded by Eternity

Chapter Five - Heaven in Hell

Chapter Five

"Oh my God..." There was commotion in the air. My body did not breathe. Did not bleed.
My essence was everything and nothing at the same time. "Tania! Oh God... She was
bitten." Hands locked above my chest, trying to restart the drumming in my chest. "Simon..." My heart did not beat, but my eyes opened.
"Oh thank God. Tania... Can you hear me?" My breaths didn't come, yet I spoke. It came out a silent whisper.
"What did he do to me..." I started shaking, surprised myself with the tears I was able to produce. Carmen held my body in a hug. I clung to her form, crying. I felt 50 pounds lighter, walking on air.
"He bit you sweetheart. Oh God I am so sorry..." My chest heaved; crushed, from my sobs. I wailed, clinging to the woman. "Jesse. Come here." Jesse jumped onto the bed in his wolf form, transforming into a human next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Carmen... is she gonna be... one of us?" I sniffled. Jesse took Carmen's place and wrapped me in his arms. "Hey, you're okay, Sweetheart. He's gone now."
"Simon bit her... my guess is she'll turn in the next day..." Turn? Into one of them? But then I'd be immortal, and my entire life would move on without me. My mother, father. My friends and family. All gone, and I'd have to watch them die. "Tania, look at me." I lifted my head from Jesse's shoulder, gazing at Carmen. "You're gonna start turning into one of us. It's a live or die process. It prepares you to be a survivor. We don't know if your body will be able to handle the process." I swallowed hard.
"What happens...?" My hand travelled to my bite wound but Jesse pulled my hand away. He shook his head for me not to touch it.
"You'll start to get sick. You'll have cold sweats, fevers, you'll be nauseosus. You'll feel like your entire body is on fire. The pain can be unbearable. And most who don't survive the process do so of their own means. If you... understand what I'm-"
"I know. I don't... I don't wanna die..." Jesse's grip on me tightened, his hand brushing my face to look at him.
"Yer not gonna die, Tania." He pulled me into his chest, stroking my hair. "From just seein' ya this past week, I know yer gonna make it." My tears stained his chest, and from his breathing, it sounded like Jesse was holding back tears.
"She was bitten by the ingrate, yes?" I still clung onto Jesse, recognising Gabriel's voice. "It's a shame. Child, do you wish to be one of us?" I turned from Jesse's chest, looking at Gabriel.
"I... I don't know. Being with you all... minus the whole vampire reveal and panic, it's been amazing. But my family. My friends. They're all going to die without me." I wiped the tears from under my eyes.
"As is the curse of immortality. But you be forever young, forever beautiful. You may lay claim to any soul you wish. Any any heart you may take for your desires. Life will move on without you, but you, if you so wish, you may transform those who you love most." I shook my head in disapproval.
"That's not my call to make, Gabriel. They need to live their lives as intended. This is just the path I've been steered to take. And that's okay. And you know what? I've always wanted to visit Paris. When are we going there?" I smiled weakly.
"Wait did she just..." Jesse grinned like a madman. "You're staying?!" I nodded. "Aww man... yer joking! You... Booyah!" Jesse jumped off the bed in a back flip.
"Ooh, Sweet Pea, I gotta say, I'm happier than a gator in Florida!" Carmen hugged me. "Now, you're livenin' up because the adrenaline it takes to accept the blood is going crazy. I remember when I first turned, in the 3 hours afterwards, I was absolutely off the walls. You're gonna get real hungry too. But maybe... you wanna try to get some sleep?"
"How could I? Besides, Jesse here would probably keep me up all night with how excited he is!" I laughed as Jesse wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Ooh! After Hawaii, we're gonna go to Japan! I'll introduce you to my Demon friends!" I ruffled Jesse's hair.
"Sounds like my Heaven in Hell."