Episode 16

I heard that bell speak up again, "I told you, Lark. What the hell did I tell you?" It had just a slight ringing to it that was somewhat soothing. She was mixed with something, I am certain of it, but I was weak and getting weaker by the minute. I couldn't tell the difference. I needed to feed, or my condition would grow worse. I heard someone scoff, but she continued, "We shouldn't have sung that stupid fucking song! Shoulda just did what we were gonna do and got the hell outta there instead of telling stupid ghost stories! We were playing with fire, and deep down, we knew it!" Fucking. It was a rather interesting-sounding word, and a lot of inflection was placed on it. I had never heard it before.

The old woman let out a raspy gasp, "Alaric Black the third, what have you done? You sang the Ancient's song at an Ancient's resting place..." There was another pause, and she let out a sigh. The poor woman sounded wholly defeated. I heard someone pull out a chair. Probably her to sit, mull, and ruminate over mistakes and choices made. The pacing began again, and shortly thereafter, so did the tapping, only that was coming in more frequent intervals.

"To be fair, Gran, we had no idea it was a resting site." Baby Fae was trying to save her boyfriend. How generous and sweet! I love listening to good dramas. It would not be long, I knew, before the old woman would retort. "It was supposed to be harmless fun for a little two-person birthday twin celebration. We didn't intend for any of this!"

And just as I expected, "Raelynn, you put him up to it. Don't give me that look! I know how you are, and I know that you did. Now, I don't give a rat's ass what you were even doing down there, but you are luckier than horse shit that I don't call your parents right now, missy! You heard the stories, too. You knew better. You both knew better!" There was then a long, awkward pause. Some people shifted about. Finally, the woman let out another long, defeated sigh. "Our ancestors of Native origin who were here first had their own story behind those caves. I taught you both that most stories are connected and hold bits of truth. I know for a fact that I made sure you both knew that our stories mingle with human lore as well. Sadly, I had assumed it would sink in. Now I find myself highly disappointed in both of you... as well as myself." I could hear her get up out of the chair and move further into the room they were in. The conversation was obviously over.

Now's as good a time as any, I thought as I sat up slowly, my feet hitting the hardwood floor underneath with a soft pat. Even though I moved gingerly, the world still spun a little before me. Vertigo caused me to hold my head for a minute, hoping to slow down the room suddenly swirling around me. It was not helping very much. My skull was still threatening to split as I closed my eyes to attempt to steady my vision. Over a fleeting time, it waned bit by bit and then a little more.

I gathered up the blanket and threw it around my shoulders. It was a little bit chilly in there. The room was odd. Funny looking furniture and décor made of the strangest materials. Synthetic. Disgusting. The space felt cramped and fiercely small, but the structure was sound. Little trinkets and photographs adorned the walls. Shelves were built into the walls that held much the same. A strange glass box was sitting on a table next to those by the far corner. It could not be a mirror. It had a terrible reflection.

This atmosphere was unlike anything I expected to return to when I shared and spread my knowledge. Not all of it, of course, but some. At least to make life easier and more efficient for them. This world was different, but not in the way that I had hoped. Even the clothing seemed odd. It is also made of synthetic fibers, which is appalling! With the sustainability plans, there should have been many more organic and conscious fibers in what they created. I needed more information about this world, but my ability to traverse minds is not on the table currently.

The ache was beginning to become a tolerable pain, and the world was no longer dancing around me. I realized then that someone must have dressed me. Synthetic fibers adorned my legs. It was an extremely flexible fabric that hugged my lower half. It had lace detailing on the sides from hip to ankle. A small shirt, much too small for my frame, was on my top half. It smelled faintly of amber, and it spread warmth throughout my body. The idea of hands on my body made me smile with delight. How hard that must have been getting up close and personal with the bare form of a higher power. The thirst that must have been present for the ambrosia that divinity brings. It was fun to imagine the silent prayers they might have made, begging for the strength to endure.

I noticed then that everything was extremely quiet. I look to my right to find four sets of eyes staring at me. They all looked frozen, not sure whether to speak or move. Nor confident that they would survive past the next three minutes. I decided to be diplomatic. These people were kind, and they meant no actual harm. I could ascertain that from their conversation and the fact that they clothed me and brought me to their dwelling. They were scared, sure, but they were timid doe. Truthfully, I think they meant well with good intentions. However, if they believed I would sit around and wait for David to arrive, they were completely delusional.

After a long and unmoving intermission, I decided I would be the first to speak. Reaching within, I gathered the information I stole from the boy Alaric's language center and used it, "Hello. You have been very hospitable to me, but I must be leaving. There is one other accommodation that I would greatly appreciate. After this one favor, I shall take my leave as to bring no burden unto you." I love that voice. My voice. It was silky smooth and so sexy sounding. I loved everything about this body so far, which was extremely rare. There was usually always something unpleasant about each form I occupied. Flawed in their own unique way.

I began to try to stand but quickly fell back onto the couch. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a quick movement by Alaric as if he were reaching out to me at the moment of my descent. Who was this boy? Man. He was a man now. His scent of teak and sandalwood was fresh. Blood gets thinner as it ages, but I've never been one to prey on children. The pure innocence within should not be disrupted before they have a fighting chance. Twenty-five years is when a human body becomes fully developed, give or take. A beast? Eighteen to twenty-one, depending on the species in question. My preference is freshly full. When the scent changes and becomes more fragrant. More scent means more flavor. Delicious. It was hard to resist the urge to pounce. Malaise was slowly taking over me. They are lucky that I am affording them some of my minimal self-control.

The angel was the first to reply. It did sound like someone else had something to say but stopped short once the angel opened its mouth. He made a decent attempt to sound authoritative, "I am sorry, but we won't be allowing you to leave today as you are a potential unknown threat to the way of the world outside these walls." There was an audible falter in his voice, but he stood his ground. "Someone is on their way who wishes to speak with you. He will help you reacclimate to the world and bring you up to speed on its... new ways." He pauses as if waiting for me to speak. I am not speaking. Everything he just said is null and void. Do they think they can keep me? They are out of their minds. He must have realized that he did not answer my question and spoke again, "And what request do you have?"

He puffed out his chest a little and stretched out his wings while awaiting my response. Oh yes, you're such a big, tough man. I roll my eyes at the thought. "I am completely compromised and without energy. My awakening was a bit spotty..." I glanced over at who I now know as Alaric and Raelynn. They examined one another and then immediately cast their eyes to the floor. Defeated is the word I would use to describe it. They knew they had messed up. Alaric moved over to the table and sat in one of the chairs. I returned to our discussion, "I need to be replenished. I require sustenance."

"We have a fridge completely stocked. Whatever you need is yours, honey. Do you want me to make you a sandwich?" The old woman, Philomena, was sweet and caring, but her voice shook slightly as she spoke. She was still uneasy and a bit frightened. She had every reason to be, but she was trying. Aww. So darling.

"Unfortunately for those present, it is not food I require. However, I will... after." Philomena paused at this gaping, and Ryn shifted her weight on her feet. The angel Khaleel's wings started twitching as if he knew what was coming. Alaric was... staring into my eyes. That heat began to disturb my core. It was tough to break his gaze. A perplexing sensation slowly started to bubble from my core with the heat. Another strange feeling assailed my chest. Almost like a tightening. A pulling. What is this?

I looked back to Khaleel. It was hard to break the boys' stare to do so. This is unlike anything I have experienced in any form before. Smiling at Khaleel, I begin again, "It is rather an undesirable and troublesome predicament to be in, and I sympathize with you, but I need to feed."

The old woman who was sipping some drink at the counter sprayed out a mouthful of liquid, and I heard the familiar noise from earlier--a spit, choke, and sputter. "Wha--" Khaleel was the first to speak once again, but he could not seem to get a word, let alone a sentence, out. They all looked at me disbelieving, fear making their odor become more robust and turn foul, stunned by what they were hearing.

No one could speak, so I continued, "Blood is required when I awaken, and I was provided none directly. Intention and lust can only fuel me so far. Lust, once it is gone, does not linger, so it is not a good source. It is my favorite, but not efficient."

I see Ryn's cheeks turn red as Granny and Khaleel look over at the two of them, with the old woman glaring at her and then staring hard daggers at the boy. Alaric's ears were a light shade of pink as well, but he kept his eyes on the floor. Probably smart. Philomena, who must be his grandmother, looked like she wanted to beat him with the cane that she had clutched in her left hand. They were both of age--a young man and woman. I do not see the big deal, but familial ties and relations can be strange. I knew that firsthand.

With my growing impatience, I brought their focus back to me with my request once more, "I require blood. I need to feed. Right now, I am granting civilized and cordial behavior because you have been kind to me. Please do not make me force you into it. If you know of my kind, then you know that I can and will not hesitate to use that ability. I would prefer someone to provide it willingly rather than forcefully. It tastes better when it is a consenting experience." At this, they kept looking back and forth between one another. They seemed to be figuring out who would volunteer first, none being very enthusiastic about the idea. None too keen to address me at all, it seemed.

Except for Alaric. "Forcefully?" He scoffed. At me. He scoffed. He crossed his arms across his chest with a smirk on his face. He was smiling at me as if he had won some battle. Petulant child. Looking at me like... that. Those eyes. They just kept staring into mine. I could have sworn I saw something swirling in them for a moment. All the different shades and tones of green rolling around his iris held some unknown mystery I longed to unlock.