Thursday, October 21, 2004

Together Forever
Darkness.

Nothing but darkness.

Darkness everywhere. Even the shadows were engulfed in the darkness.

Two trees that formed an arch with their branches hid in the shadows. But they also held a dark secret.

~~~

I ran. I ran fast.

My legs were starting to feel like Jell-O. Whatever was chasing me wasn't behind me anymore, but I wasn't sure, so I kept my pace. In a few minutes, I was sure my legs would give out completely, but, until then, I ran.

A few more minutes passed; I was right. My legs gave out and I fell to the ground, tumbling and rolling--down a hill that I was grateful was not steep. When I finally tumbled to a stop, I grumbled, getting up and brushing myself off.

A dim light illuminated the area. I looked around, wondering where I was. A long rose bush stretched out in front of me. Oddly, the roses looked black. But I didn't have time to ponder this. I tried looking through the bush, to see what might be on the other side, but it was just too thick. Trying my luck, I walked alongside the bush, hoping I might find an opening large enough for me to crawl through.

I wasn't quite so lucky. I did find an opening, but it wasn't very big. Satisfied with at least this small opening, I lowered myself onto my hands and knees. As I crawled through the small space, thorns cut my clothes, cut my arms, cut my sides.

I had expected the bush to be maybe only a foot or so thick, but it seemed to be miles thick. By the time I reached the other side, my dress was ripped in many places, and my arms and sides were bloodied, as were my clothes because blood had seeped through.

I looked around at my surroundings. It didn’t seem to look any different than the side I had just come from. Only, backwards. Not wanting to go back through the bush, I began forward. It seemed to only get darker as I walked farther ahead. My cuts were still fresh, so I felt a burning, stinging sensation each time I moved. I needed to tend to my wounds, but I didn't have any materials--especially since my dress was already ripped enough.

It continued to get darker and darker, and I wished I had a match so I could see where I was going. It was getting irritating not being able to see. So, I had to walk very carefully not to trip and worsen my already bad wounds.

Hours seemed to pass as I continued to walk through the darkening darkness. But, thankfully, I saw a light in the distance ahead. A faint light--a torch light, maybe. I walked towards it instinctively.

I didn't notice that I passed under two trees whose branches formed an arch because it was still too dark to see much of anything around me. The light was brighter now, but I still was oblivious of the trees, and even if I had seen them, they wouldn't have been of any meaning to me.

I quickened my pace and ran towards the light now. I was right. It was torch light. But, to my surprise, I also found that these torches were planted on trees, and they were lighting a cobblestone path towards a building that I couldn't quite make out.

Shelter, I thought. And maybe people, too. Maybe there will be someone who can dress my wounds ....

Without hesitating, I broke off into a run towards said building. In no time, even though I still felt a burning, stinging sensation in my arms and sides, I came within a few feet of the building.

It was five stories tall, from what I could tell. And it was such a magnificent building. It’s beauty captivated me for a moment. But then I realized what I had run all the way for, so I tentatively walked up the steps to the mahogany double doors. A torch was lit on either side of the doors, so I could easily see the large knockers on both doors. I lightly touched one of the brass knockers before I let it do the job it had been named--knock.

Within seconds, as if I had been expected, one of the doors opened. I stared into the face of the most beautiful person I had ever seen in my life. The first thing that caught my attention was his unnatural golden-black eyes. How could a person have such an eye color? It was implausible. But, he made it plausible because his eyes were that color. I seemed to be caught in a trace, as I stared for what seemed like hours. I know it is rude to stare, but how could I not when such beautiful eyes are staring back?

A slight breeze blew around us, and it was only then that I realized how long and captivatingly black his hair was. The small amount of moonlight that reflected on his hair made it shimmer with a silvery brilliance. His hair swayed slightly in the gentle breeze, and I wanted to reach out and touch it, but I seemed to be immobile. I wanted him to say something now ... anything. I wanted to hear his voice.

"Those wounds are fresh, I can tell." His voice was as gentle as the breeze. I wanted to hear it again. "I can also tell you've been traveling for a while. If you come inside, I can tend to those wounds, and you can rest." He smiled. If I were a candle, I would have melted from the warmth his whole body radiated when he smiled.

Somehow, my mouth managed to form words. "Thank you," I said, accepting his offer. He motioned me inside, and I stepped into the large foyer, gaping at how vast the interior was.

He put his arm around my shoulders and led me into a medium-sized room to the right of where we were standing. "So, tell me," he began after he had instructed me to lie down on what looked like a plush operating table. It had a back rest, so it wasn't exactly an operating table .... He started rummaging around a cluttered table full of medical things--medicines, antibiotics, bandages, and the like. "Did you have to face that terrible rose bush, too?"

"How did you know?" I asked, my voice almost quavering.

"Oh, just a lucky guess, I suppose. And, anyway, those wounds look like the work of thorns. I should know--I've got somewhat of a rose fetish, especially for black ones, like on that bush, and I get cut all the time. I guess it's just my carelessness, though--that gets me cut."

"Oh ..." was all I could manage to say. He came over to me with antibiotics and bandages and started dressing my wounds. When he applied the antibiotics, it stung, and I had to bite my lip not to flinch. I got used to it after the third or fourth time, and it actually became quite nice having his soft touch against my skin, and his gentle movements wrapping the bandages around my wounds. We did not speak as he worked, and I merely watched his movements, in almost the same trance as before.

When he finished, he put his supplies back where he had taken them from, and he led me to a large dining room. The long table stretched at least ten feet, at the most. "Why is the table so long?" I asked, getting more comfortable around my host.

"Because it's meant for numerous amounts of people gathered for holiday feasts or for large meals after a ball held in the Ball Room," he answered calmly. "And, don't worry, it wasn't a stupid question." He smiled at me again, and then guided me to the seat next diagonally from the seat on the end nearest us. "Please, have a seat. I'll bring you something to eat."

I nodded. After he left the room, I pulled the chair out and sat down. I waited in silence for him to return. When he did, a silver tray was placed in front of me with all sorts of foods on it. "Bon appétit," he said, bowing, and then taking making himself comfortable in the seat on the end.

As hungry as I was, I ever so slowly picked at my food. He was being too kind. I ate some, but I quickly became full. And I soon shoved the tray away. "I'm full, really."

He nodded.

"You speak French?" I asked him.

"Oui," he replied, "je parle le français."

I looked at him blankly. "What?"

"I said, 'Yes, I speak French.'"

"Oh, right."

"Why did you ask?"

"No reason, really."

He gave me a half smile. "My name is Alexander, by the way."

"Alexander," I repeated. "I like that name."

"Thank you. It's Greek, you know."

"Then why do you speak French?"

Alexander laughed. "You're funny. I like people with a sense of humor. Most of my visitors aren't quite so fun. But, then again, I don't get many visitors. Most of the time I only have the animals to keep me company."

"It must be lonely, then," I said sympathetically. "With no one but animals."

"Ah, but the animals are actually quite good company. But, enough about me. You know my name now, but I still don't know yours."

"Oh, I'm Aurora," I said, almost a little flustered. "Aurora Vancouver."

"Isn't Vancouver a place in Canada?"

I looked at Alexander, just a little irritated that he was making fun of my last name. "Yes, but it can also be a last name, thank you very much."

Alexander chuckled. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be ..." I mumbled, crossing my arms and looking at the finishing on the table. "It's not like you're the first one to make fun of my last name."

Regret filled Alexander's eyes. "I'm sorry," he said again, more softly this time. He lifted my chin gently with his hand. I looked into his eyes again. "Please don't be mad."

I stared into his eyes again. The more I looked at his eyes, the more I wondered how they could be the color they were. "What are you?" I whispered unconsciously.



I awoke in a soft bed, staring up into Alexander's eyes.

Those eyes.

What had happened last night? And where was I now? Alexander had never taken me into this room.

"You're awake, finally."

"Alexander? What happened? Why do I feel so drained?"

Suddenly, Alexander bit his wrist. I tried to stop him, but I failed miserably. "What are you doing?"

He held his wrist close to my lips. "Drink."

"What?" I spluttered incredulously.

"Drink," he repeated, this time more fiercely.

"Why?" I asked, bewildered at what was going on. Alexander's blood was running down his arm now as he continued to hold his try and offer me his wrist.

"Do you want to die, Aurora?"

I blinked stupidly. "Not really. I mean, not now ..."

"Then drink!"

"Why?" I asked again.

"I'm not of this world, Aurora. I'm not living or dead. I'm damned eternally. I can't die. I'm immortal. You will become one of me, Aurora. You'll become like me if you drink my blood. You will never die, never get sick. But you will die if you just sit there asking stupid questions."

It suddenly clicked. Vampire. But how? Vampires aren't real. At least, not in my world. But, how did I know that I wasn't in a different world?

I thought about it and decided that I liked Alexander's world--wherever, or whatever, it might be--better than the one I had lived in previously. And no one would notice me not aging except for Alexander, so why shouldn't I become like him? And he seemed so lonely when I met him, and now he seemed so desperate for me to comply.

Tentatively, I took his wrist and pulled it closer to my lips. I let the blood flow into my mouth. I liked the taste of Alexander's blood. It was warm and sweet--just like his personality.

When I felt I had had enough to sustain me, I let go of Alexander's wrist. He seemed relieved. "Merci, Aurora."

"Why didn't your wound heal instantly before?" I asked, using what little knowledge I had of vampires.

"Because I didn't want it to. Aurora, are you sure you're okay with what you are now?"

I nodded. "Of course. If I weren't I wouldn't have done it."

"You have immortality, now, Aurora."

"I know."

"I'm sorry I did it Aurora. I couldn't help myself."

"No, I like it, don't worry. I won't miss anyone from my past life. But, I have one favor."

"What is it?"

"Don't call me Aurora anymore. The name doesn't really suit me anymore."

"Well, what would you like me to call you, then?"

"Renée."

Alexander chuckled. "It means 'reborn' in French. Or 'come back to life.'"

I smiled deviously. "Exactly."

Alexander smiled back. "Yes, I think that fits much better. So, Renée, I think you should get some more rest. But I'll still be here, don't worry. Nous avons pour toujours ensemble maintenant."

I smiled and slowly closed my eyes. Pour toujours, I thought, before drifting off into the nothingness of slumber.

F I N

Translation:
~Enjoy your meal: Bon appétit
~Thank you: Merci
~We have forever together now: Nous avons pour toujours ensemble maintenant
~Forever: Pour toujours
Comments (0)