I know this has taken almost a year for the next chapter, I've just been going through some hard times, and haven't been able to write like I should. Thanks to all of the wonderful feedback and I promise to get the next chapter out in a month or so. Thanks for reading!
*
Sophia stood in the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror.
She still didn't feel entirely safe. Even though she was in Gabriel's house, she had expected to feel like everything was going to be ok, but instead she felt on edge, and more than a little scared.
Sitting down on the toilet seat, she dropped her head into her hands. She wanted to have a good long cry. She wanted to scream and kick. She wished this was a dream and she would wake up soon and none of this would have happened, and she would be safe at home.
She really wished this wasn't a dream.
She really hoped that Gabriel was real and that soon he'd be here to take her away.
If she was brutally honest with herself, she really wanted him to kiss her again.
At that thought, Sophia jumped up.
You shouldn't be thinking that! He could be crazy, like the rest of them, he could be their accomplice.
But I don't want him to be,
she argued with herself.
She started to pace angrily the small space. Tub to sink to toilet and back to the tub.
She paused at the sink and looked down into the drain. She could hear the Asian lady in the hall outside the door.
She sighed and looked back up at her reflection.
Should I trust him? I want to, but…
Didn't I already go over this in the alley?
she asked angrily at herself.
Didn't I decide that I'd see what he had to say, and then decide if I wanted to or not? Didn't I say I would for now?
Yes.
..
She sighed again, and turned on the water. She washed her face off and wiped it dry with one of the big white towels on the rack.
Taking a deep breath she stepped out of the bathroom.
The Asian lady was instantly at her side.
"Come on sweetheart. Let's get you some tea," she said, steering her towards the back of the house.
The house was large.
Sophia realized that she hadn't really paid attention to the decoration or the layout the house.
I should pay attention, just incase,
she told herself. But her head was too full to notice much. So she just sighed and allowed herself to be lead down a long hallway, past several rooms, some with doors wide open and others with the doors shut.
She noticed that the rooms were in all different colors. One room had different shades of green and another had different shades of pink and red.
When they finally made it into the kitchen, the Asian lady shoved her into a chair at the table and started to fiddle with the tea pot and cups.
Sophia thought the lady wasn't nearly as sweet as she looked. She was pushy. She wondered how Gabriel put up with it.
As she sat there, she looked around the kitchen. It was very large, all black and chrome. She had half expected it to be similar to her mother's kitchen. There was a refrigerator, and a stovetop, but no microwave, and no oven.
"I hope you like green tea," the lady said.
"That's fine, thank you."
The lady smiled and brought over a try with a tea pot and two cups. She served the tea like someone who had done it their entire life, but was out of practice of serving others.
"My name is Lin by the way. How are you feeling dear? You've been through a lot tonight. Drink your tea. Do you want anything to eat? I believe I have some leftovers in the fridge."
She said all of this in a rush, as if the words were fighting each other to get out. Sophia had to smile. The little lady was so much like her grandmother. It felt a little like she was at home.
"Yes, I'm ok. I'm not hungry right now, thank you."
"What's your name sweetheart?"
"Sophia, ma'am."
Lin smiled at her sweetly. "Gabriel asked me, in his letter, to explain this whole mess as best I can. Now, mind you, I'm an old lady and my memory is not what it was.
"After I tell you this, you may think I'm a little bit crazy, and that both Gabriel and I need to be locked up in the nut house. But if you think about it, and look back on all you've seen and heard tonight, you'll know it's true.
"Drink your tea, Sophia, and let me tell you a story."
*****
I might as well start with the most hard to believe.
Gabriel is a vampire.
He has been for close to 400 years, and for the time I've known him, which is close to 40 years, he has looked like a 27 year old. What I know of him is what he has told me himself. He has more of a flare for storytelling than I, but, then again, he has had years of practice.
Gabriel was born in the south of France in the year 1627, to a count and countess. He was the youngest of 7. He can't really remember much of his younger years, but, if you were 400 years old, could you?
He does remember that as he grew up, he was fascinated by learning and he wanted to attend school. His father thought that reading and writing were for females and forbid him to learn, but his mother understood. So she taught him in secret. His father would have been furious if he had ever found out.
It was a great secret between him and his mother, and it brought them closer. His mother spoiled him and he loved her dearly. His father was always jealous of their relationship.
When he turned 17, his father sent him to Paris to live on his own. Just as he had done to his brothers and sisters before him, with the hope that he would find a bride.
Gabriel had lived in Paris for 3 years when he found a young lady named Sophia, and fell deeply in love with her. His fathers wish was granted when, in the summer of his 20
th
year, they were married.
They lived happily in Paris after they were married. They enjoyed the high life, always at the best gatherings and, sometimes throwing their own lavish parties.
After two years of marriage, Sophia became pregnant and gave birth to twin boys, Rudolph and George. They ceased their partying and settled down to raise their sons.
I think those 5 years, after his sons were born, were the happiest in Gabriel's life. He was content with his life, his wife and his sons. He was a doting husband and loving father.
Then They came.
They had been watching Gabriel for months. They wanted to bring Gabriel to them. Who knows why they wanted him, Seth and his mentor, but they did.
They slaughtered his family one night when Gabriel was out celebrating with a friend.
When Gabriel came home and found their lifeless bodies, he was stricken with grief. He started drinking heavily and wished for nothing but revenge on their murderers.
When he was close to the end, Seth came to him.
