Safety is Relative

Chapter Ten- Flashback

The light is so bright, so blindingly white, that it doesn't seem to have a colour at all. Like water, I stare into it, through it, my eyes straining to make sense of the nothingness that is there.

Surely if there is no colour, then I should be in darkness?

As soon as I think that, I realise I am thinking clearly again. And almost as soon as I think that, the white mist dims and clears, revealing a sunlit garden. I am neither walking nor floating in the air- it's more like one of those dreams where you just don't think about yourself. All your attention is focussed on the subject of the dream, and as I look ahead, I realise I am not alone.

There is a family sat a little way ahead, sharing a picnic together.

Five dark-haired children, ranging from the approximate ages of 10 right down to the little pink-clad baby resting in the mother's arms. The other girl, around seven years old, is pretending to read a book, but is instead watching her brothers play longingly whilst her mother is preoccupied with the baby's bawling.

'Hush now, my darling Kathy,' the mother croons, stroking the baby's tiny face.

The other three boys are playing catch with a ball; the two older ones tossing it to each other whilst the smaller one, perhaps four years younger than them, tries to catch it in vain. The older ones are laughing at his efforts, but not cruelly. As I watch, the slightly younger one of the two muffs the catch on purpose and is wrestled to the ground by the little boy.

A well-dressed man appears, strolling down the sweeping lawns of the manor house towards the rest of his family, carrying a hamper. A very large hat with a gigantic feather is perched precariously on his head, the feather dipping up and down with each stride. Despite the happy scene, his face looks thunderous, although as I watch, he forces a smile upon his face.

‘Alexander, Thomas, Nathaniel, get over here at once, and stop dirtying your clothes,’ he barks, setting the hamper down next to his wife whilst he pecks her on the cheek.

The three boys scamper over, giggling. He hands them all bread rolls, and they scamper off again, only this time with their sister.

The father only notices she’s run off until they are far enough away to not hear his calls. He sighs, slamming the various dried meat, cakes and fruit into the picnic rug.

‘I thought you were disciplining her?’ he snaps.

The mother looks up, startled. ‘I am. But it takes time, dear. Alice will come round eventually.’

He scowls.

She puts her hand on his arm. ‘What’s gotten into you? Is there something wrong?’

The man sighs, watching his children play in the distance. Finally, he speaks. ‘My brother is here. He tried to see me.’

She gasps, looking frightened. ‘James? But you said that-’

‘I told you the truth. And do not be afraid, my dear. I will not let one single vampire set foot in my house, and of course, without my permission, they cannot enter. We are safe.’

She nods, hugging her baby tight. I shiver, as the wind picks up, and look around nervously. They may be safe in the house, but what about the garden?

Suddenly the dream shatters, splintering like glass, and I feel the grass open up beneath my feet, the ground swallowing me whole. I am falling, falling down a deep black hole, and suddenly-

-I open my eyes.

‘Rue? Rue, can you hear me?’

Lysander’s face is right above me, his head blocking the light.