Chapter 21
Part One:
George saw the changes in Demetri's face as he looked as though he was on steroids or hormones.
"No, I'm as serious as cancer George," he said.
"You're scaring me. Cut it out Demetri," George said still thinking, if not hoping there was a punch line.
Demetri explained his past and about his mother adding,
"I didn't believe in them either. Now I'm in love with Alexis. She's a true vampire; not one that was changed like my mother was. I know it must sound crazy to you but I love her and want to marry her.
"I just wanted to tell you what I'm about to embark on. I and my life are going to be very different and I don't know if I'll ever see you again, at least not as a human. I wanted to wish you the best with Connie and if you were shocked in discovering her secret; you can imagine how shocked I was in finding out about my mother and that vampires can be lovable when they want to be."
"Are you sure you're not, you know, a little sick. I mean you look different," George said as he wrestled with the silliness of the notion.
"My physical changes are due to ingesting Alexis's bodily fluids when they have predisposed me to vampirism. My cells have begun to change and I can feel the internal changes taking place as her vampire cells are taking over. I won't be completely changed until we are married and she changes me; injecting her substance into me. I don't know what's in it but she said it was like a genetic signature that would remain within me forever, when we would have an eternal bond.
"I know it must sound horrible to you but it's what I want. I no longer believe in humans and think they have created their own 'hell-on-earth'; not only for themselves but for the entire planet as well.
"Maybe one day I'll be able to stop what they're doing in some way."
"You mean like a super-hero," George said with tongue-in-cheek hoping Demetri wouldn't catch his ill-timed humor.
George rubbed his thigh repeatedly and nervously looking at Demetri over his glasses, still thinking this was too strange to be true.
"How do you know this is all real? I mean you might be hallucinating when your imagination has taken over. Maybe Alexis has done something to you and has some weird power over you, altering your mind in some way."
Demetri rolled up his sleeves saying,
"Look at my arms George."
There were scattered patches of hairlessness as he explained they were evidence of his changes.
"My transition has begun, brought on by my willingness and repeated drinking Alexis's unique vaginal discharge; not from her biting me on the neck as we're taught," he said noting his arms were beginning to look more muscular too.
"But that can be explained by a strong belief in something. There are people that bleed through their hands and feet on Good Friday because they have convinced their bodies of something. It's like the Buddhists that have learned to slow their heart rates through self-hypnosis and concentration," George said trying to offer some likely explanation.
Demetri wasn't sure why he felt called upon to prove it to George but he did.
He looked over at Alexis until she felt his stare; when suddenly she looked at him. She knew his focus was on her but she didn't know why.
For the first time he used his mind to call to her. He saw her pat Connie's hand as he was totally amazed in seeing her come to him. It gave him chills in knowing they had such a beautiful and unbelievable connection. Whether it was because she was a vampire or if it was due to their love; he couldn't say. He only knew if they could communicate in such a way; it was wonderful.
When she neared, Demetri stood holding her arms as she looked expectantly at him.
"I want George to believe me but he's not easy to convince. He thinks I'm crazy. Do you think you could show him your fangs and perhaps your eyes," he said knowing she wasn't wearing contacts under her very dark sunglasses. When she agreed he walked over to George pulling him up off the bench saying,
"Come here, I want to show you something; so you don't think I'm crazy."
The three of them stood in a close circle. They looked around as though they were making a drug-deal, making sure they were alone when Alexis bared her fangs looking at George intently, if not ferociously.