The Vampire Debt (The Vampire Debt book 1) UNEDITED 1st DRAFT

Chapter 1

It isn't the sound of the front door slamming that wakes me. Or even the sound of father as he drunkenly stomps through the house toward his room to finally collapse face down into his bed just before dawn—those are all noises I've grown accustomed to long ago. But rather the sharp pains of hunger that a deep sleep can pull me from.

I carefully slip my favorite book under my pillow. The leather now worn smooth from use over the years. It's the only one I have left from before. Then I slide out of from bed and tiptoe across the cold wooden slats of the floor, so I don't wake my older sister, Josephine. She stretches out as soon as I'm gone, pulling the blankets closer toward her, and lets out a soft sigh. I pause, not moving, barely daring to breathe as I wait to make sure she's still fast asleep.

Josephine stirs and rolls to her side.

"Clara?" she mumbles, still mostly asleep.

"It's early, go back to sleep," I shush her gently. When she doesn't make a noise or movement of protest I quickly slip into my worn leather trousers and shrug into a thick shirt, not bothering to tie the laces at the hollow of my throat. Then I pick up my boots from beside the door and slip out the door, closing it slowly behind me trying to keep the old hinges from screeching.

I turn to face the small room that serves as out main living area, kitchen and dining room in one. A far cry from the luxury we used to have. The room reeks of spilled spirits, several dirty cups and a mess of gambling tokens are scattered across our table. I wonder how much of our meager stash of money father had gambled away last night.

I shake away the thoughts and blooming anger, it doesn't matter. It never matters. There's nothing I can do to change it.

Plopping down on the bench beside the fire place and the dying embers that barely give off any heat, I tug my boots on. They conform to the shape of my legs perfectly, even if the leather is becoming a little too worn around the seems. If I can make them last through the coming summer then I should be able to stash away enough coin to buy a used pair and not have father or Josephine notice.

My guilt over such things has long since vanished. Especially since it had somehow fallen on me to not only supply all our food and needs, but enough money for father to lose in his near nightly games.

I don't even try to be quiet now as I stand, flinging my cloak over my shoulders. I head for the door, pausing to snatch up a small piece of stale bread left out on the counter. I pull my knife from my pocket and cut off the slightly molded bit and shove it into my mouth as I open the door with one hand, the other snatching up my arrows and bow.

It's chilly in the inky light of morning. Still too early in the spring season for any warmth to remain in the earth before midday. I walk along the dirt road, avoiding the muddy patches as much as possible. The road is mostly deserted this time of day. Though I still skirt around the town and once on the edge, turn heading into the grassy field that separates our small village from the forest.

I crouch low, hurrying through the field trying to keep from being noticed. Going into the forest is forbidden. That territory doesn't belong to us. Though the butcher and the clothier know I go there almost daily. My father and sister have never cared to ask where I get our food or money. They don't care as long as it keeps coming.

Once I hit the trees, I stand to full height and jog until I'm certain no one can see me. I pull an arrow from my quiver and knock it into my bow as I walk with near silent steps, eyes scanning for birds or rabbits, or some other woodland creature that might make a decent meal. And for wild beasts said to roam the forests hunting anyone who dares stray too far into the woods.