12 I'm Fine with That
I woke up groggily and yawned. I stretched my arms out over my head and arched my back. When I opened my eyes I saw why my body was so stiff. I was sitting on a comfortable couch with Henry's head on my lap. I looked around and saw Vlad's living room.
How I got there I could faintly remember. I got a call from Vlad to help take Henry home. Yet I fell asleep and apparently we never got home. I smiled and caressed Henry's head of hair as he slept.
He seemed deep into his sleep and I didn't feel like bothering to wake him. Delusions seemed to be a family gene if we are awakened without our own will.
I sighed and slowly lifted Henry's head off my lap. I attempted to be slow and steady so as not to wake him. I was successful and I wandered around the house in search for someone that was awake. I silently walked up the stairway and down the hall. I saw the door to Nelly's room was closed so I figured she was asleep. I went further. Then I was at Vlad's room.
His door was open and he lay on his bed fast asleep. His room was dark but just the right amount, I liked it. I had been in his room many times before on visits but I never looked around.
He had a desk of dark wood, a picture of his parents, posters of bands and vampires, dark red sheets, and random objects lined the floor. I gradually entered his room and knelt by the bedside. I let my hand hover over his shoulder, debating over if I should wake him up or not. I decided against it and choose to experiment with my feelings.
The closer I got to his being the stronger it got, and it was the same with the longer I watched his face. He was cute when he slept, I was certain of that by now. I could faintly see the settings of his facial structures as I imagined the grown man in my dream.
I was positive it was him. Not only because of the similarities, but because of his father. I now was able to freely examine his pictures. I took in every angle I could of Tomas Tod, the man I would never meet. Vlad was like his own little mini-me. I could perfectly imagine Vlad to grow up looking like his father.
I saw Vlad stir and I froze in the position I was in. I saw him start to toss and squirm in a minor nightmare. I hurried over to him, cautious.
I sat down on the bed and found he had rolled over onto his back. His hand gripped his ribs tightly; I wondered if maybe he somehow hurt them. I didn't attempt to pry into those thoughts as I brushed his bangs out of his face. His skin was the normal cool temperature it always was, nothing wrong. I pouted in confusion, maybe it was just a nightmare and nothing more. Still, I should try to stop the nightmare.
I tenderly ran my fingers over his face, since it seemed the warmth helped. I say him suddenly wince away from my touch as I reached his lips. His eyes were clenched tightly together and his jaw was snapped shut.
"I don't want to hurt you." He muttered, started to pant in his fit. Then he woke up and sat up in a rush. It was a startling move that I didn't have time to react to. He sat up causing him to be sitting in front of me but three inches away. "I don't want to hurt you."
He gasped out his pleading phrase once more, seeming to think I was still the dream.
I offered a simple smile. I reach out slowly; he seemed almost frightened as to what I would do. I shoved his bangs away once again, letting my fingers brush his cheek as it fell.
"Then don't."
He just now seemed to realize that I wasn't the dream. "What are you doing here?"
"You called me at like one in the morning. You told me to come over; I fell asleep with Henry on the couch though. What happened?"
"Uh, we went to Stokerton last night, after the sun was down."
"Why Stokerton?" He looked away and fingered his sheets. "I see more secrets." I sighed and he gave me a short, clipped look of guilt. "The longer you have me wait the harder it will be for me to understand."
"Mina, I'm not scared to tell you. And I am not scared of your reaction. I am scared of what could happen once you know." He winced as he tried to move. "Ouch."
"What's wrong?" I asked, my stern expression melting instantly. "Are you hurt?"
"Yeah, my ribs." He continued to sit up, holding his jaw tightly together and a hissing escaping his lips.
"Oh, no you don't. You are going to lie down." I gently pushed his shoulder down.
"You're worse than Nelly."
"You got that right." I smiled. He did as I told him to willingly. Or maybe just want to stop the touches that I used to plead for him to sit down. "And I am guessing the story of how you hurt your ribs is also a secret." I stated what should have been a question. He stared into my face as I pulled the sheet back over him. I ignored that he was watching me, though I was blushing.
"You blush too much for your own good." He also stated, avoiding my question.
"What does my blushing have to do with anything? I have always had an easy blush. Many take it the wrong way; I really don't need you to do the same." I felt my head pick up slightly as I spoke. Though, if he did take it as my liking him, he was right on target.
"I never thought that. I just think you blush way too much for a girl who says she could be around vampires. You wouldn't survive long."
"Well I seem to live just fine. You have no right to push into my connection with vampires. Just because you shed light on them doesn't mean you know how I feel about them."
"From your report it would seem I do."
"Vampires are good creatures! I would defiantly fall in love with a vampire, they are amazing creatures. If I met a vampire Henry thinks I would probably attack him with hugs and kisses! And to be completely honest I don't think he is that far off." I crossed my arms and turned away from Vlad as I sat on the bed.
"No you wouldn't."
I whipped around to Vlad. I saw him lying down as he was before, head turned from me as he stared sadly at a poster of Dracula. I flashed in anger.
"Wow, I was right a few days ago. You really don't know me as well as I thought. Just because I have the same name as her doesn't mean I am her, Vlad. I like vampires while she cringed from them. I want to know how you would react to a vampire!"
"Just fine." He sighed. "What about you? Would you still have open arms if they were close to you?"
"I would say one sentence."
"What?" He challenged. Now he looked back at me. I stood and stopped at his doorway.
"I will turn away from light and embrace your endless night."
