Fates (On Hold, Rewriting)

Chapter 11--UPDATED

Chapter 11

When I turn on the television in the morning, this is the first thing I hear:  

"Breaking news," the reporter says, "At 9:45 p.m. yesterday, the Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, exploded. Vessels are combating the massive fire and the United States Coast Guard is searching for eleven missing crewmembers. Most workers were evacuated by lifeboats or airlifted out by helicopter..." 

Fire. The first part of my dream has happened. A picture of the oil rig pops up on the screen. It shows big boats trying to put out the blaze, but it doesn't appear to be working. Black smoke towers over everything and bright, orange flames blaze below.  

I angrily shut off the television, not able to handle another second of watching my 'vision' come true. Perhaps it's just a coincidence. Only time will tell. 

Saturday rolls around quickly and when I realize just how angry I've been at Jason lately, I wonder if it's a good idea I go with him today. I set my angry feelings aside, reminding myself that he thinks he's doing the right thing by protecting me. Jason had told me to dress very comfortably. "Jeans and t-shirt comfortable" were his exact words. I had detected a hint of playfulness in his voice as he said it, which makes me wonder what exactly it is he has in mind for today.  

Jason picks me up at exactly eleven to meet his family. I'm not worried that they're going to hurt me. I'm worried what they'll think of me, a vampire hunter, dating their son. So much about this could go wrong very quickly. My anxiety level increases dramatically the second he turns down the long, winding dirt driveway. It wasn't all too long ago that I was running stealthily down this very driveway, determined to find out the truth about Jason. Waiting inside of the magnificent brick house is the rest of his family, no doubt. I've never been inside a house full of vampires to chat with them.  

Jason leads me inside the house, shaking his head no when I try to remove my shoes. The inside of the house is much more extravagant than I expected. (I was expecting a simple house, considering they do not really need a kitchen or any of the fancy products humans do). The floors are some kind of stained wood. I follow behind Jason as we come into the living room, which includes a flat-screen television mounted on the wall, a glass coffee table, a leather couch, and a couple of leather loveseats.  

Caspian, the dominant male vampire of the household, is dressed nicely and his black hair is styled with gel. Arra, his wife, wears a pale blue dress top and light gray pants. They rise from their position in the loveseat when we enter the room. "So this is the vampire hunter that's been looking for us," Caspian remarks as he approaches. I do not know whether he is threatening me with this remark or not, so I remain cautious. "Nice to finally meet you, Lilly." I hesitate to shake hands with him, but eventually give in to the polite gesture.  

Jason shifts uncomfortably. "Caspian, please. You promised you'd be nice." 

"I am being nice," he snaps. "I didn't kill her for trespassing that day, did I?" 

I shudder at his tone, but speak up. "Sir, I am sorry for the differences we have, but hunting is all I have known. You can't expect me to completely forget years of training. It's part of who I am and why I'm still alive." He stares at me for a long time, and I match his gaze steadily. "Are we going to have a problem?" I ask, subconsciously widening my stance. 

He stares for a few moments longer and then breaks into a smile. "I was just testing you. I'm sorry. You have nothing to fear from us." 

"Trust isn't something I give easily, if you'll forgive me for that." 

"Of course. I don't blame you," he says earnestly. "I respect you. You're not afraid to speak up, even in the face of potential threats. That's a good characteristic to have."