Insimenator.org

Hello, it's me again. Apologies for my first attempt at posting this opening up a can of worms - all I'll say about that is, when you've dated a sixteen year old at twenty and a half, the line becomes a little blurred.

But anyway, after thinking of a way to get round the problem, I decided to make the adult a teen instead - in fact, even though I've had to re-write parts of it to accomodate, overall it makes for a better storyline :D During the editing process I got carried away and changed the first three chapters too, since I wasn't that happy with them in the end.

So with no further fuss, I present to you all an improved, less controversial Broken Dreams, now with more chapters and a bigger initial posting binge ;)

Well, they say everyone has a story to tell about their life. So here goes – there's certainly enough material here to keep me going for a very long time. I could think of better content for my first novel, but then what better inspiration to draw on than your own life?

My name's Evan Turilli, and I'm fifteen. Well, I was last time I checked, anyway...



Before I get too carried away, allow me to introduce the rest of my family; those I live with anyway, since they're just as important to this story. Especially this guy:

 

This is Luca, my Dad. He's fifty five there – doesn't look it, does he? Something you'll find out very quickly about this town we live in; it's weird. I'm not sure who it was, but someone discovered this elixir of youth, and since it got made readily available, everyone's been supping it like water. Including Mum when she needed it:



She was a little younger there, and so was I – that's me in her arms. My twin sister Amy is being held by a young Johan, or Joe as we call him. I think he was about sixteen then; pretty young to be delivering babies, but that's what he ended up doing. He also has a twin sister called Diana, and they left for University when we were growing up, so I don't remember them much, more hearsay from my parents. One of whom we share, but in different ways; without getting too technical, Luca has been a father to me and a mother to him. Nature may have never intended for men to grow babies inside them, but that never stopped aliens finding a way to make it happen.

So welcome to Alpinloch; home to a growing litter of half-aliens, adults who don't age... and, more importantly, vampires. Grand Vampires lurk in a busy outskirt town close to Sim City, and it all started when a man and his twin sister moved here quite a long time ago. Kieran and Erin, their names are. The spooky thing is, she looks just like Mum. Darker dressed maybe; both twins like to dress like that, but Kieran took it a stage further when he got friendly with one of the Grand Vampires. He was always fascinated by them, so when she sired him he saw it as a great honour. Erin meanwhile preferred the human life.

 

Trouble is though, although they're twins, their mentalities are completely different. Erin settled with someone called Manuel and went on to raise a very large family with him. Kieran on the other hand likes to add notches to his bedpost, male or female. One of his lovers is a man called Alex, one of those people you only have to look at to realise you don't mess with him... and Manuel's brother. Another significant part of the story, indirectly; you see, Alex is a friend of the family. Both Mum and Dad are into all sorts of strange things, from giving birth to aliens right through to experiencing what it is to be a vampire. Alex feels the same way, and made that clear to the first vampire to stalk Alpinloch's nights. He soon became the second.



He invited Mum over one night. She let her curiosity get the better of her, and came back very different in the small hours of the next day. We were all taken aback at first, but apart from her needing to sleep during the day instead of the night, there wasn't really any other difference. She didn't eat with us, although she did try at first. When she realised that, no matter how polite she tried to be, there was no getting round the fact she needed another diet, she would just sit with us for a while, enduring the smell of food to give us some quality time before tending to herself. She'd even started cooking us breakfast at about ten to six, so by the time we were up and getting ready for school, the aroma of omelette teased our senses as we came down the stairs.

Dad, although naturally curious about the idea, was happy to stay human, however he'd often ask her what it was like. As Amy and I got older we began to show an interest too, and despite her refusing to glamorise, the whole idea was becoming more and more appealing to me. Just like it had Joe, who she'd ended up indulging at his graduation party. I hadn't seen him for a long time, so it was left to my imagination to attempt to envisage how he looked nowadays.

I was pushing fourteen when it really started. We began to notice wolves taking an interest in our surroundings, and being the animal lovers we all are, none of us could resist ruffling their fur. Wolves are supposed to be fearsome beasts, but all I could think of them was how cute they all were. We even started to give them names; Rags, Tiffany... There was one wolf who showed up occasionally however - Dad christened him Balin – who despite being affectionate, I felt distinctly uneasy around, and whenever I saw him I'd slink upstairs to my room. There was something about his glowing eyes that gave me a sense of foreboding. It wasn't nice, and I felt wary whenever I saw Dad petting him.



One night I went downstairs after feeling confident that the black wolf had gone, but noticed the bathroom door was left slightly open. The light was on, and I spotted Dad doing something over the basin, so I went to investigate.
   “Dad?”
   He looked up, taken aback at my voice. “Oh, Evan! Hi...” So saying, he hastily swept something into the basin, and on noticing the movement I recognised contents of our first aid kit.
   “Is everything alright?” I checked, “What's happened?”
   “Nothing...” he stuttered, “Really, it's fine.”
   His shaking hands told me otherwise, however. Something had happened, and he was in shock. Dread built up inside me as I approached, my face heavy with concern.
   “Please Dad, you can tell me... something's happened, I can tell.”
   “I'm fine, really...”
   “Bulls***,” I sternly told him, “Did you get attacked?”
   His head spun sharply towards me. “Why do you say that?” he asked suspiciously.
   I couldn't help but stare back at him, suddenly feeling scared. “Your eyes...” I uttered feebly, “They've changed...”
   He then frowned. “Changed?” he checked, before looking at the mirror. “Oh good Lord, they have!”
   It was then I noticed his hand. I clasped it as I examined the bite-marks, before releasing it without warning. His hand was looking much hairier than it did earlier, and his eyes were yellow. I'm not talking an ill looking, jaundice yellow either, I mean the irises of his eyes; instead of hazel they were now a creepy yellow. And it wasn't just his hand that was more hairy, it was spreading to his arms, his face...
   “What the hell is that Balin you liked so much?!” I challenged, “Glowing yellow eyes, and now your eyes have changed too? Strange co-incidence isn't it...?”
   He frowned. “What are you...” He suddenly paused, his posture becoming rigid as he gave a pained yelp, almost as if he was trying to contain himself. It didn't last long before a full-blown scream escaped his pain-ridden being as he crumpled to the floor.

I had never felt so helpless, or so scared, in my whole life as I did that night. My eyes were fixed to the writhing heap on the floor as I slowly backed away, hands travelling to my mouth in an attempt to suppress the anguished noises I was barely aware of making. Dad's body was stretching and twisting into a different shape, and his screams were slowly becoming muffled and more animal-like. Hearing half-human snarling was what finally tore me from the bathroom and, closing the door, I sprinted outside, screaming at the top of my voice.
   “Mum!!”
   Thankfully both her and Amy were outside. But it also meant they hadn't heard either of us scream. They were soaking in the hot tub, and they looked up at me in surprise when they saw me.
   “Evan?” she remarked, getting out, “What on earth...?” I noticed Amy getting out as I struggled to calm myself, but I was shaking more than Dad had been.
   “Mum it's Dad,” I whimpered, feeling her hands on my shoulders.
   “Look, calm down... Take a deep breath. Now, what's happened?”
   My hazel eyes locked onto her red eyes as I replied gently, “Dad's a werewolf Mum, I've just seen him change...”
   “What??” Amy retorted, “Don't be...!”
   A chilling howl ripped through the night air, slightly muffled by the walls containing him, but still clearly audible. Both girls stared in horror at the house as my apparent ramblings were now proved true.
   “Oh my God!”
   “You two, stay here,” Mum commanded as she made for the back door.
   “Mum, don't!” I cried out, advancing.
   “I'm immortal, you're not,” came the harsh truth. So saying she went inside, leaving us two alone in the night. I didn't feel too safe outside either, especially if it was Balin who did this to Dad; supposing he came back for us?

The back door eventually opened again, revealing Mum coming through apparently unmarked, but that told us nothing given how vampires rapidly heal.
   “It's okay now, it's safe,” she beckoned.
   “No way,” I refused, shaking my head, “I'm not going back in there.”
   “He's got something to eat now. He'll be alright, honest.”
   Slowly I went in after Amy, and found the wolf-like being who once was my Dad devouring a plate of salmon, presumably which had been prepared by Mum. I was just glad he hadn't found our cat Angel, as we saw her slowly crawling out from under a chair later on. Poor thing must've been terrified with all that howling.
   “Dad...?” Amy checked once he'd finished. He rose from his chair and turned in the direction of her voice, his features softened as he spotted us. There was still something of him there in that ball of fur it seemed, as he slowly beckoned to me. Not Amy but me, and I guessed immediately why that was as I gingerly approached.
   “I'm sorry if I scared you earlier,” he told me gently, slipping an arm round my shoulder. I flinched involuntarily, not knowing whether or not I could yet trust him, but as he began to stroke my hair and pull me closer, it slowly sank in that all he wanted was a cuddle. I began to wonder which of us was more frightened as we clung to each other.

Over time, Dad began to change. Not just physically, he did that every evening, but it seemed every time that happened a little more of his true self was lost. His affection, his sensitivity, all those things I'd loved him for and was even exhibiting myself, were slowly fading from him. At least that's how it seemed to me. The others seemed to either not notice or not mind, so I decided to brush my initial misgivings aside for now. That was until my half-alien half-brother invited us to his wedding – Amy and I were about fourteen and a half by then.

Now, this was a man whose graduation gift was immortality, something I learned he'd passed onto who would now be his bride. With two vampires getting married, and whose guests included the groom's embracer, the wedding had to be in the evening. Ironically it was booked for Hallow e'en night; something to do with a mixture of his dry humour and her outright silliness. Nevertheless, knowing what we now knew, we were in for one hell of a ride that night.

Mum had commandeered Dad's car for the evening, since once the moon was out he'd be in no state to drive. I wished it was me sat in the front instead of him; despite us all now used to seeing him change, I was still far from happy having to watch.
   “Five minutes later than the last time you checked,” Mum replied dryly, after I checked my watch for the umpteenth time.
   “Yeah yeah,” I grumbled. I couldn't help it – I was nervous, and the cathedral they'd booked was still nowhere in sight. I tried several times to try and picture the happy couple instead, since I had no idea what she looked like, and only a vague picture of him as a teenager. The fact it was Hallow e'en busied my imagination even more as my mind's eye attempted to envisage the clothes they'd chosen.
   “It'll be fine!” came Dad's cheery voice, “How about some music?”
   “Oh yes please,” I eagerly agreed, not only to take my mind off what was coming, but also in the hope it would drown out his screams. The opening bars of Kinslayer blared through the speakers and we all cheered – our parents' taste in music was infectious. I was inwardly pleased when Dad turned up the volume and our singing had to grow louder to compete, although even that wasn't enough.
   “Aaaahh!!”
   I stifled a groan as my gaze lowered. I wasn't in the mood to watch that evening.

When we pulled up, they were already outside and waiting for us. I hastily got out of the car as Dad lay slumped against the back of his seat, and Mum went foraging for the huge pack-up he now needed. When I spotted them however, they were a welcome distraction indeed as I approached; I don't know what I was expecting, but the clothes they chose were beautiful! I didn't know where to look for the best on seeing her, but one look at his red satin shirt and I was hooked.



   “Wow, Joe!” I greeted, “You look great!”   
“Thanks!” he grinned in reply, revealing elegant fangs. “We don't usually dress like this, but given the occasion...”
   I chuckled. “Oh, you should see Mum these days,” I replied, “Where did you get that shirt?”
   “I don't think it comes in your size,” came the sad news, “How are you, anyway?”
   “Oh,” I half-smiled, “Could be better...”
   He frowned. “Why, what's wrong?”
   “It's Dad... well, your Mum, he...”
As if on cue, the others got out of the car. I looked apologetically back at him as I noticed the look of horror on his face.
   “What the...?!” he began, before they came over. He adopted a different look as he folded his arms, a teasing expression on his face.
   “Hi Joe!” came the happy greeting. Joe, understandably, wasn't so amused.
   “Look Mum,” he replied, “I know it's Hallow e'en, but isn't this a little extreme?!”



I left them to their banter as more cars pulled up, and the street became more and more crowded. I recognised the lad in the white jacket as my nephew Karl, and we had a good chat before we got called in. It wasn't all pleasant however, as he noticed the well-toned beast walking back towards the crowd after talking with Joe.
   “Who is that?!” he spluttered.
   I nervously cleared my throat. “That's Dad,” I confessed. Karl eyed me in disbelief; I guess I would too if I'd been told my Granddad was a werewolf.
   “I beg your pardon?”
   I raised an eyebrow, trying to make light of the situation. “Welcome to life as a Turilli,” I remarked dryly.
   “Come on Evan, this isn't funny!” he spat. This coming from someone who was more of a clown than his father – normally, anyway – was enough for me to drop the act myself.
   “Yeah, tell me about it(!)” I retorted, “I've been living with it, imagine how I feel!” Without realising my voice had raised, and I sheepishly lowered my head. “Sorry,” I muttered.
   “No, I'm sorry,” Karl apologised, “It's just a shock, that's all.”
   “Yeah, I know,” I said, before noticing the crowds disperse. “Better get inside I s'pose.”
   “Look,” he offered as we moved off, “If you ever need to talk...”
   I smiled gratefully as we walked down the aisle to our seats. “Thanks,” I accepted, “That'd be great.”   

   “And with this ring, I thee wed...”
I barely noticed when it was over; I was too busy struggling to stem the flow of tears. I know, it's stereotypical to cry at a wedding, but I couldn't help it. In fact, looking about me it became clear soon enough that I needn't bother fighting, so out it came.
   “You are a soppy sod, huh?”
I looked up to see Marco; Karl is the spitting image of him. Aside from one important difference, however...
   I chuckled at the sight of his glassy red eyes. “Oh sure,” I replied, “Look at you!”
   “I know, I know,” he smiled as he self-consciously dried his eyes. We then both gave a surprised yelp as we came close to having a heart attack; a very loud yet familiar noise had reverberated through the building.
   “What the...?” Marco questioned, but I was now glaring at the source of the sound.
   “Dad!!” I growled, turning to face him, “If you're gonna do that, go somewhere else!”
   Dad looked about him, noticing more and more people staring at him. “Oh very well,” he complied as he sloped off.
   “That's Luca?!”
   I looked back at Marco with a raised eyebrow. “Yep, that's my Dad,” I admitted.
   “Okay...” he remarked, before starting to move off. “Come on, don't want to miss the cake do we?”
   A mischievous glint appeared in my eye as I followed. “Oh no!” I agreed, rubbing my hands together in eager anticipation. As I stepped outside I noticed Dad talking with a man with long, very curly brown hair.
   “Who's that?” I asked.
   “Oh Adrian?” Marco replied, “He's your new brother-in-law.”



   Now there’s someone who enjoys cleaning!
I watched the groom disappear with the cake stands, smiling to myself - Amy’s the same as far as cleaning goes. I went back to what was left of my cake and my networking before suddenly feeling glad Joe was the tidy type – was that the sound of someone fighting I could hear?
   “Dad!” I heard someone shout, “Stop it! Please!?”



A feeling of dread built up inside, and I felt my stomach churn as I slowly turned towards the source of the scuffle. A hand clamped over my mouth as my eyes picked out the bundle of fur who answered to my name of “Dad.” I was mortified – was this really the same man who spawned me?!

Once it was all over I purposely strode over to him.
   “What did you think you were doing?!” I exploded.
   Dad folded his arms in reply, cockily I thought. “He asked me to,” he told me.
   Okay, fine. But there’s just one little problem…
   “At your son’s wedding?” I challenged.
   “It’s Hallow e'en!” came the innocent reply, “It was as much his idea…!”
   “It’s a family wedding!” I repeated, “Doesn’t that mean anything? Couldn’t you wait?!”
   “It’s also during the evening,” he reminded, “If we’d left it any later I’d be back to normal. So no.”
   I sighed angrily to myself, grateful that werewolves aren’t telepathic.
   Now which of us is meant to be the immature one here? I’m fourteen, and I’m the one who thinks savaging someone at your son’s wedding is tactless! Especially when it’s the bride’s brother!
   I walked away, trying valiantly to not let it get to me that much – it wasn’t my problem, after all. But then in a way it was; if Dad wasn’t the one who’d been bitten by that wolf, and he’d seen someone else tear into someone on their son’s wedding, he’d have reacted in the same way as I had. Maybe that’s where I got it from, I don’t know. All I knew at the time as I left him was, he just wasn’t the same any more, that was certain now. And it was starting to tear me apart.

School became a real struggle. Sometimes I’d confide in Karl about my troubles, since we grew up together at school. At first he listened, but as time wore on he became distracted. Now he had his own problems, and the reason I listened, apart from returning the favour, was to remind myself that I wasn’t the only one with troubles.

 

His Mum is Jeanette, a sister of mine I met at the wedding. Marco's his Dad (hence his looking so much like him) and my meeting with him, as brief as it was, was enough for me to see why. Marco’s a lovely guy, and Karl takes after him a lot. Jeanette’s nice too, but she struck me as insecure – I could think of no other reason why she liked to sleep around as much as she did. But long after both of them became vampires themselves, Karl was now worried about the state of his parents’ relationship.
   “Dad wanted to be sired for a reason,” he explained, “He’s been doubting Mum’s feelings for him lately, and from what I’ve noticed these days the verdict isn’t good.”
   “Ouch,” was the best I could offer.
   “Yeah, exactly,” came the reply. From watching him I started to wonder if, just by being a Turilli, he’d inherited Dad’s past over-sensitive ways. Just like me, Gino… even Joe and Carlos had, I heard. But why not the girls? They were either bordering on indifferent, or as Jeanette was starting to be, a bitch! It wasn't anything to do with Mum, since Joe's twin Diana was the same.
   “I’m starting to wish I could hear thoughts myself,” I remarked, “Dad’s driving me crazy lately, and Mum is by not noticing!”
   “She may be noticing more than you think,” he offered.
   “If she is she doesn’t care,” I grumbled, “That incident at the wedding just took the p***.”
   “Try talking to her,” he said, “It’s the only way you’ll find out for yourself.”
   “Yeah, s’pose.”

I couldn’t wait when I got home. After checking my watch and satisfied that Dad would be in bed by now, I went upstairs, slung my exercise book down somewhere, and rapped my knuckles hard on the lid of Mum’s bed.
   The coffin opened and Mum sat upright, resting her arms on the sides. “Hi Evan,” she smiled, before frowning, “Something wrong?”
   “I need to talk to you,” I replied simply, moving away from the coffin so she could get out. We ended up going in my room; I felt safer talking in there.

 

   “What’s up?”
   I came straight to the point. “Have you noticed anything strange about Dad these days?”
   Her mood dropped. “Honestly?” she began, “I can’t put my finger on it, but…”
   My ears pricked up. “But?” I encouraged.
   “I’m sure he’s not the same guy any more,” she pondered, “he’s not so… in control, if that makes sense. There’s more aggression there, I’m sure of it.”
   Hallelujah!
   She stared at me with a look of concern. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she quizzed.
   Whoops. Keep forgetting that.
   “That makes perfect sense,” I answered, ignoring the habit she had of answering my thoughts as though I’d spoken them. “The way he just went for Adrian at the wedding, even though he asked for it…”
   She scoffed. “That’s been the least of my concerns lately,” she said, frowning again.
   “What do you mean?”
   “He’s lost his gentleness, I’m sure…”
   “Have you confronted him about it?”
   “Oh I’ve tried,” she sighed, “He was concerned at first, but now…”
   “…it’s like talking to a brick wall?” I finished.
   She lowered her head, and I sensed a rising sadness. “It’s so hard,” she admitted, “We’ve been together for so long; you met Gino didn’t you?”
   I nodded, wondering what connection he had with our conversation, apart from the obvious of course; Gino was Joe's best man, and my oldest brother.
   “He’s pushing thirty three now,” she told me. Indicating how long they’d been together?
   My eyes widened in surprise. “Thirty three?” I echoed, before pausing and checking my theory. I’d been right.
   “Wow,” was all I could say.
   “Exactly,” came the reply, “It gets a lot harder to end a relationship that’s gone on for that long. I have been trying to accommodate; it’s not like he can help what he is. Even if he now cured himself he couldn’t get his old traits back.”
   “I know,” I solemnly replied, tears welling at my eyes, “Pity.”
   “Yes, I know,” she said.

 

I don’t know why but all of a sudden, I began to cry. It was as though I was grieving, and that was very possible the more I think about it now. This man living with us now wasn’t the same person who’d brought about my existence nearly fifteen years ago at the time. As harsh as it sounds, it felt as though my true father had died, and someone else who looked like him had taken his place.

Things went downhill very quickly after that. For some reason Amy managed to take it all in her stride, while Mum and I spent more time together as we shared our grief in private – if the others couldn’t notice, they were better off not seeing us when we got upset. What I couldn’t tell her though was how much my studies were suffering. Classes became little more than an excuse to meet my friends, yet I couldn’t confide in anyone; all my friends were related in some way or another to Marco, and with Jeanette being my sister the last thing they wanted was me landing my problems onto them. And the last thing I expected was for their problems to turn up on our doorstep. But that’s exactly what happened according to Mum.

The first we knew of it was when we saw Mum sat at the breakfast table one day, some time after I turned fifteen. She often sat at the table with us so we got some time with her before she disappeared upstairs to bed, so we thought nothing of it at first. Although something about her sullen manner told me something was wrong.
   She kept up the “everything’s fine” act for a while, and let us finish our food before she dropped the bombshell. They’d split up – Dad had left the night before.   
   “But why?” Amy asked. It was time for me to drop the act just as Mum had.
   “You remember all that time ago, when I asked you if it was me or had he changed?” I checked.
   “Yeah,” she replied, before pondering a little. “I’ll be honest, I really haven’t noticed much.”
   “Much?”
   She paused again for a while. “Well, okay he’s been a little different…” She frowned. “Maybe more than a little…”
   Has she been living in denial?
   “A lot more than a little,” I said, “At least to me… it’s been like a different person for a long time.” I then looked at Mum. “I’m glad you finally found it in you…”
   But Mum shook her head. “It wasn’t just you,” she confessed, “It was Marco.”
   “Marco?” I looked at her puzzled. “What does he have to do with this?”
   “He came round last night,” she explained, “He’d finally made the break from Jeanette, and he was not only upset, but also kicking himself that he hadn’t heeded our warnings – when I say “we”, I mean, not only me and your Dad, but also his uncles…”
   Remember I mentioned Erin and her large family with Manuel? Marco is part of that family, meaning his uncles are Kieran and Alex, both of whom are Jeanette’s lovers. One of them had fathered her first child; if anyone had reason to warn him away from her it was that guy. Yet he hadn’t listened, and gone with her anyway. I recalled what Karl had said about him “wanting to be sired for a reason.” Funnily enough, it was Mum who did the honours.
   “We had a talk,” she continued, “The subject of our marriage came up…” At this she paused awkwardly for a moment, at which I frowned.
   “Go on,” I coaxed her.
   “At that point I was picking up strange feelings from him,” she told us, “He thought he loved Jeanette when all the time, I found out, it wasn’t real love at all.”
   “How do you know?”
   She eyed us apologetically as she struggled to answer. “Because he loves me,” she stuttered, tears welling at her eyes, “I don’t know how long this has been going on for, but it all came out last night.”
   I suddenly didn’t like where this was going. But before long the bus arrived, and Amy made Mum promise to carry on when we got back. As Amy moved off and beckoned for me to follow however, I couldn’t find the will to move.
   “You go,” I told her softly, “Send my apologies to the teachers, I just can’t face them today.”
   Amy looked towards Mum, but she just nodded her approval.
   “I’ll gladly write a note for them if I have to,” she said, “Catch you later.”
   As Amy shrugged and left, I slumped into my hands. “I’m sorry Mum,” I mumbled through my hands, “if it weren’t for everything else I’d be happy for you…”

 

   I felt her arm round my shoulder as I continued to make sense of everything.
   “I know,” she said, “I’m not expecting anything from you right now; just remember I’m not trying to replace your Dad with someone else okay? Marco’s a different person, but he’s just as much a gentleman as he was. That’s what drew me to him in the first place.”
   The words washed over me in a haze. It was one thing finally making the break from Dad, but another entirely when it took Marco’s affections for her to do it.

Dark pictures alert! >_<

*****

With no one to turn to, I began to skip lessons on a regular basis, choosing instead to lock myself in my room. I tried to keep a diary but it only helped to a degree, and my social life was suffering; I couldn’t face anyone, as all I’d do was bring them down with me, and despite myself I didn’t want that. Any thought about my future flew out of the window – forget studies, I couldn’t even focus on a book or TV. Music was often playing from my stereo, and more often than not I’d just lay back on my bed and drift into a trance as the melodies filled my ears.

 

I couldn’t sleep either. But after hearing the front door close one night, and not for the first time, something in me jolted me from my bed, and before I knew what I was doing I was fully dressed and slinking out of my room, hoping to not disturb my sleeping sister as I too crept out the front door and into the night.

 

I had to swear the taxi driver to secrecy, but it was worth it. I found this bar that played my kind of music, and nervously stepped inside, smiling to myself as I began to absorb the atmosphere. There were adults as far as I could see, unfamiliar adults, which after everything was what I needed. After approaching the bar and ordering a soft drink, I retreated to a table and began to sip at it, sometimes looking about me in awe of the place. It certainly looked like fun, something I hadn’t felt in the mood for in a long time.

   “Hello.”
   Mm? What?
My head turned in the direction of the gentle voice, and for a moment I was transfixed. This girl with red eyes was staring down at me, the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. She was about my age - which took me by surprise - and wore this gorgeous black velvet dress, with long black hair that cascaded over her shoulders. Her skin was pale, but the make-up she wore complemented it nicely. What with Joe’s wedding outfit and now this, I was fast developing a taste for this kind of attire.

 

   On seeing me however, she frowned. “So late for a youth such as yourself to be out, is it not?” she asked.
   Ignoring the question, I became bemused. “You speak different,” I observed curiously.
   “I have been around for a very long time,” she smiled, “I believe you refer to such times as “The dark ages,” or “medieval” times.”
   Wow, that long?
   What with her apparent longevity and her red eyes, I just couldn’t help but ask. “Are you a vampire?” I checked, already sure in my answer.
   She merely nodded in reply, re-igniting the fascination I’d always had.    “Cool!”
   That explains why it's okay for her to be out here.
   “It has its advantages and disadvantages,” she told me, “much like any other state of life.”
   I scoffed as my heart sank once again. “Like being a werewolf?” I replied bitterly.
   “I presume you refer not to yourself?”
   I shook my head, and summarised Dad’s new life as best I could, already feeling a little better. Finally, someone I could talk to, and she didn’t know me either. That in itself was wonderful.
   “He becomes an animal at night, it is to be expected is it not?” she asked when I’d finished.
   “If it was only night time I could understand it,” I explained, “But during the day?!”
   “Daytime also?”
   I sullenly nodded, and she paused for a moment. Before long though, the conversation changed.
   “Beg your pardon,” she apologised, before offering a hand, “I am Emily. And you are?”
   I smiled as I gave her my name, shaking her hand and marvelling at her tender touch. Her skin was like silk, her elegant fingers decorated with a black nail polish.
   “A charming name,” she remarked. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I felt my cheeks beginning to burn.
   “Thanks,” I smiled, before returning the favour. “So’s yours.” I meant it too.
   “Why thank you,” came the reply, before she changed the subject back to what I’d told her before. “My mother met a woman some time ago, she said she was married to such a person…”
   I only knew of two werewolves in town, so I checked with her who the woman was. On finding it was Mum she was talking about the topic switched to her, and I explained the position with her, so relieved that she was listening without passing the same judgement one of my friends would. As my mood plummeted again she laid a hand on my arm, and in my state of mind I reached to clutch hold of it for support. She responded by returning the grip on my hand, and it became an outlet; all the pain within me rose to the fore again, and in the company of someone new I finally had a release. I clasped her hand like my life depended on it, for as far as I was concerned it did.

Same as before - some pictures are a little too dark, sorry about that >_<

*****

I got to bed later than usual that night, and as a result slept in until long after Amy had left and Mum had gone to bed. I had the house to myself not for the first time, but as before I didn’t do much with it. I turned on the stereo in my room, and ended up writing the past night’s events into my diary.

 

“She may be a creature of the night, but she has the warmest touch I’ve ever known, inside as well as out. Being able to talk to her in that way was just the tonic I’d been looking for, and I really hope I can see her again. Not just to talk heavy stuff, in fact I don’t want it to centre around that all the time, but I thoroughly enjoyed her company last night, more so than I did with other friends of the same age as me. Why that is I don’t know…”

I decided to leave it there, as I began to ponder that question for myself. Why was that? I didn’t really fancy any of the other girls either; don’t get me wrong, they’re all really nice looking. But I wasn’t interested romantically in any of them. As for the guys… all they seemed to talk about were superficial things, like what was on the TV last night, who’s winning at what, not to mention the biggy for all teenage guys; sex. Or rather, wondering what it’s like. I don’t know why it’s such a big deal for them. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed last night so much, talking with someone who'd been around so long about different things, even if she did look out for me more like a parental guardian would. I guess in those times you had to grow up quickly.

That night, again I lay up in bed waiting for the front door to close, and spent about an hour doodling into my diary to allow for Mum to ride off to her beauty spot. I checked my watch after a while.
   One thirty in the morning. Should be safe now.
Jumping up from my bed, I crept out of my room and the house as again, I called the taxi. I sighed to myself as I peered into the window; it was the same driver.
   “Again?” he greeted.
   “Hey, I live for the nights these days,” I replied as I got in.

As I stepped inside the bar again, I looked about myself for a different reason, scanning the bodies before me for signs of that beautiful black dress. I beamed as I spotted her, and she came across. It was as though she’d been looking for me too.

 

   “Hello Evan,” she smiled.
   “Hi Emily,” I replied, “Was kinda hoping you’d be here.”
   “Me too,” she confessed.
That did take me by surprise. Mind you, we got on so well the night before, maybe she enjoyed my company too. She even bought me a drink, but refused to make it alcoholic. She let me try some of hers, but that was as far as it went. Still, we had a good chat together, and it wasn’t heavy this time thankfully.

After about a week of this, a conversation we had about clothes got me thinking. The following day, again I slept in, with the house to myself by the time I woke. Only this time I had plans, and they involved going out so I had to be careful in my movement. And this time when I called the taxi it was during daylight hours, so the driver (someone else!) had no cause for suspicion. Apart from “why wasn’t I at school” of course…
   “It’s all legit,” I told him, and I wasn’t lying, “Mum phoned the school saying I needed some time off.” It was the truth too, she’d done that the first time I’d told Amy she’d be going alone.
   “And now you’re heading out?”
   “It’s the first time I’ve wanted to in weeks,” I told him, still not lying. He said nothing about the nights.

In fact this was the next step in my recovery. The first was meeting up with Emily, now as I browsed the clothes store I was set on finding something better for myself. If I was drawn to outfits like Joe’s shirt and Emily’s dress, why was I still wearing this?
   “Our attire is an expression of ourselves,” she’d said, “We are at our happiest in clothes that we can truly feel wonderful in, that tell the truest tale about the person inside.” She’d then played with the sleeve on my jumper. “This does tell a lot about you; safe clothing that displays maturity, yet you hide something, both from the world and yourself.”
   “What’s that supposed to mean?”
   “If you are drawn to a style, then embrace it,” she’d told me, “Release your inner passions, even if it is only through clothing; you will feel much relief from doing so.”

 

When the shopkeeper asked what I was looking for, I summarised that conversation while claiming my friend was someone I knew at school.
   “And right she is,” she said, “If you’re here for a change don’t hold back, just go for what pulls you in the most.”
   I smiled and nodded, before looking around. It didn’t take long for me to find a better pair of trousers, but for shirts the choice wasn’t great. A lot of them were either an acquired taste or downright awful. In fact one top I found at first fit into the second category.
   Fishnet sleeves?! Eww!
After browsing some others though, I don’t know why but something pulled me back to it. The sleeves extended into gloves, so everything from the shoulder down would be encased in a fine mesh.  

 

   “Release your inner passions… if you are drawn to a style, embrace it…”
   Hiding from myself? Is that what I’ve been doing all this time?
This something was a part of me I didn’t even know was there. It was now crying out for me to change my style of clothes, and if that meant this shirt then so be it. It even pulled me to other such things too, to the point where I was consumed by an overwhelming desire to change when I got home.

*****

The reflection done in this chapter mirrors my own musings, from the change of style to attitudes about teenagers and their view on life - I was a late developer ;)

“Oh yeah!!”
I don’t know what I looked like to some, but I didn’t care. It all just felt right, and after changing and checking how it all looked, I was glued to the mirror. It looked like a different person at first, but he was definitely happier than I’d been the past year. I had done the right thing, that was for sure, and I felt a renewed sense of confidence as I accustomed myself to the person staring back at me.

 

By the time I got called to dinner, reality hit for a spell. Mum dresses like that herself these days (that’s probably where I get it from!) so she just gazed at me with intrigue, but Amy…
   “What the hell is that you’re wearing?!” she spluttered.
   I merely shrugged with a smile as I sat at the table.
   “Well, it’s the first time we’ve seen him smile for a long time,” Mum observed, “If he’s happy dressed like that, leave him be.”
   “Thank you(!)” I replied.
   Amy shrugged as she began her meal.
   “It’s true though,” said Mum, her tone softened, “You have perked up lately. Maybe you can go back to school tomorrow?”
   I smiled in reply. “Yeah, maybe,” I found myself agreeing.

It seemed to have that effect on Emily too. Her eyes widened when she saw me that night, but she was also smiling so it must have gone down well.
   “Now that really is you!” she grinned.
   I laughed in reply. “Thanks,” I said as we sat down with our drinks. I ran my finger around the rim of the glass for a spell, idly eying the black painted nail move along its path.
   “Something wrong?” she asked.
   I smiled. “No,” I began before eying her, “In fact Mum said just today, how I seem to be a lot happier these days.”
   “And so you do,” she agreed. The smile on my lips grew wider and wider as I continued to gaze at her almost heavenly features.
   “Thank you,” I said simply, feeling a wave of emotion envelope me.
She merely smiled in reply, affectionately stroking my hair.



“This is gonna sound awful, but after that brief boost with changing my image, I’m starting to sink again. Not for the same reason as before, it’s worse this time… it’s Emily. I can’t stop thinking about her, I live for the nights when we can meet, and when we do lately I’m starting to feel awkward. If I’m honest I want things to go further; she’s done so much for me, and I’m growing so fond of her now it’s painful.

Is this love? I don’t know. All I know now is, I need more now than ever to see her, but now it’s more than that; I need her touch, her warmth… and I long for her kiss. I need to see her, but at the same time I need to stay away from her to stop this feeling growing more intense than it has already… but I fear it’s already too late. I often wonder if she picks up anything; vampires can hear thoughts so I’ve had to be careful, but I’m only human, so I could have let anything slip without knowing. That’s another fear I have – if she has, what must she be thinking?”

I did go back to school for another couple of weeks, but I felt myself regressing. I had to pull myself out of bed in the morning, and my friends were noticing the bags under my eyes. I had to force myself to get through the day, again not being able to concentrate – I was too tired from my late nights and muddled over my feelings for Emily. I quit my part time job and retired to my room almost as soon as I got home, sleeping for the rest of the day to gather my strength for those now essential nights. One of those nights was to change my life forever.

Only one dark picture this time - I've since learned to work around it ;)

*****

Still no alcohol flowed in my direction, but I didn’t need any; I was high on the atmosphere and, more importantly, her company. We chatted, we laughed, we teased each other, but somewhere along the line that playfulness between us disappeared. As we stared at each other, even looking into each other’s eyes, it became plain as day what she truly thought of what I’d tried to play down as raging teenage hormones.

The tension became unbearable as I realised there really was a chance for things to develop. She was trying to fight against it, but I had to show her that it was alright, that I wanted this to happen. My eyes lowered to her arm, and I allowed my hand to travel along her forearm until it reached her hand, which I then took hold of and began to caress. I was so happy to find her returning the touch, and we just sat there for a while as we looked back at each other. I kissed her hand, but as I glanced around I felt we really needed to be by ourselves.




   “Ah, this is better,” I smiled to myself as I looked around. I figured the rear of the building was our best bet, so I’d taken us both there.
   Not a soul in sight. Perfect.
Our arms slipped quickly around each other, although being so close was starting to make me nervous.
   Hold on, I’ve never done this before…
   “You are alright with this?” she asked.
   I keenly nodded, my heart racing. “I make a good pupil,” I told her with a smile.
   That seemed to be enough. She smiled back and moved closer, softly kissing my lips. My eyes closed, blocking out the world around us as finally my dream began to come true. I became grateful for being a fast learner, as things got very heavy very quickly. I grew aware of a feeling I’d never had before, and the closeness between us seemed to help, in a strange way…




   When I next saw her eyes, they burned with desire. I could feel her fingers exploring my long hair, and when she spoke it was in a hushed tone.
   “Do you wish to travel back with me?” she asked.
   I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

Her home was comparatively small, but it was cosy. She offered me a drink, but I smiled as I declined.
   “Your mind’s not on drinks,” I teased as we sat down.
   She chuckled in reply. “Perhaps not,” she replied, her arm moving across my shoulder. A subtle gesture, but enough to stir our feelings again. We moved closer together, and before I knew what was happening we were locked together in a firm embrace and a passionate kiss. It didn’t end there either, in fact it was just beginning.




I would say I won’t go into further details about what happened next, as you can probably guess. Yet even during that time there was more to come, even though at the time I didn’t know it.

There were a few times when her head would dip down towards my neck, the mere sensation of her breath adding to my already intense feelings at the time. Sometimes she’d kiss my throat too, and once she did that we were approaching the end, if you get me. Only this time it felt very different, much firmer than before, and it was enough to finish it for sure.

I’d always heard that afterwards you feel a little washed out, drained maybe, and that’s certainly how I was feeling by now. Only it felt… I don’t know… weird. In fact it was like I was about to pass out, and I might well have done, I don’t remember to be honest. I remember waking up though.

   How long have we been here?
I didn’t know. I wasn’t even aware I’d been out, or remember dressing or anything. The sight of her pretty face gazing down at me was enough to soothe my thoughts however. Happy memories of previous events flooded through my mind, and I beamed widely at her as I sat up.





   What’s that weird feeling in my mouth?
   “Hello,” she greeted.
   “Hey,” I replied, running a hand along her cheek. I wanted to kiss her, but her look changed.
   “You must go,” she said apologetically, “It will be daybreak soon.”
   Pardon?? Surely it’s not…
   “Daybreak…?” I checked, before looking at my watch.
   Five forty five in the morning.
   “S***!!” I gasped, suddenly in a panic, “Mum’s gonna kill me, I just know it!”
   I can’t believe I’ve left it this late! She’s bound to be back by the time I get there…!
   Although as I stood by the front door, I couldn’t help but look back at her. She smiled as she walked up to me, and we embraced again. My eyes closed as I savoured the moment, wishing we could just stop the clock. I didn’t want to leave.




   “I have to say,” I said with a smile, “That was the most amazing night of my life.”
   “For me also,” she replied before pecking my forehead. Reluctantly I left, feeling thankful that she was a lot closer to home than that bar. As I checked my watch along the way I broke into a run, faster and faster, willing the front of my house to materialise. It did sooner than I thought, although for some reason I hadn’t noticed the exertion. Was I really running or merely striding? Or had I just become super-fit lately?

umm.... whoops? :oogle:

Indeed ;) Nice to know there's an interest :)

*****

Having got home, I was faced with the task of trying to make my entrance with as little noise as possible. After delicately unlocking the door and opening it, I crept inside and struggled to gently close the door, before locking it and creeping across the hallway to my room.
   “Evan?”
   S***. I hope it’s not…
   “Evan, is that you!?”
   I looked up to see the figure in the distance. It was her alright.
   Damn, rumbled.
   “Damn right,” came the observation, “Come here.”
There was little else I could do but comply. I dragged my heels as I approached, my head lowered to avoid her accusing gaze.




   “Look at me Evan.”
I reluctantly obliged, but as I did so her face fell. I suddenly felt a vice-like grip on my chin as she lifted my head upwards, staring into my eyes for some reason I right now didn’t care for.    
   “Mum!” I complained, pulling her hand away, “What’re you doing?”
   She then went into this bizarre spiel about my throwing my life away. I couldn’t help but ask what the hell she was on about.
   ‘Doesn’t he know?’
   Is it me, or did she just say that without moving her lips?
   “Know what?” I asked innocently.
   ‘Oh good God. He doesn’t know!’
   Know what??
Without answering, she seemed to become calm as she hooked an arm round my shoulder. I watched her incredibly confused as she led me into her room, and twisted my head to face the mirror on the wall.
   “Take a look,” she said simply as she did so.
   She wants me to look in the mirror?! Oh very well…




I suddenly stopped in my tracks. My heart skipped a beat or three as my eyes told my brain there was no reflection in the mirror. At all. Mum I could understand, but surely…
   Hold on, I take it I am here in front of the mirror? I’m not a ghost am I?
My hands rose to my face, lightly slapping my cheeks and feeling for my hair.
   No, I’m not a ghost. So what…?
   Hold on. That weird feeling in my mouth…
My index fingers began to poke around in my mouth, running along the edges of my incisors in opposite directions to my canines.
   I’m sure when I did my teeth this morning they weren’t that long…
My mouth fell open as I continued to stare at the mirror, the penny finally dropped.




Oh my God!!
I couldn’t believe it. She bit me? But how… when??
   “You tell me,” Mum simply said. I looked up at her, wishing I could answer. “Come on young man,” she said, leading me away, “We need to talk.”
   I wearily nodded as I followed her into the front room.

As I slumped into the sofa, my head was spinning as I tried desperately to find answers. Mum then made a little statement, interrupting my train of thought for now.
   “You know, I can only speak from experience,” she said, “but usually if a vampire bites you, you know all about it. The flesh along your throat is thinner and more sensitive, both to pain and pleasure.”
   Pleasure…?
My elbows propped up by my knees, I leaned forward to support my head in my hands. This was ringing alarm bells big time, and the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.
   I’ll bet it was then… she didn’t mean it, I know it. She wouldn’t do something like that on purpose.
   “Who’s she?”
   Oh s***… I’m dead.
   “Evan,” she nudged.
   I looked up at her with pleading eyes. “Look, I don’t want anyone in trouble,” I told her, “She never took advantage, she’d never buy me alcohol…”
   “Who’s she?”
   I sighed in resignation as I mumbled her name.
   “Who's Emily?”
   “She's from the dark ages... she said her Mum knows you.”
   “Oh, you mean Nadia?”
   Oh okay, so that's her name.
   “Yeah, that's her name,” she replied, “We met at this nightclub.”
I shook my head briskly in annoyance; this was starting to get on my nerves.




“Will you stop doing that?” I bit.
   “Sorry,” she apologised, before continuing. “It’s a little hard to miss though, it’s like you’re speaking out loud. You’ll find that out yourself very quickly.”
   My mood softened as I then realised, when I’d thought she’d spoken without moving her lips – she hadn’t spoken, she was thinking. I’d done the same as she had without even knowing it. Bit by bit she coaxed the whole sordid tale out of me, although I tried my damnedest to spare her the worst of it. But I blundered.
   “We were just friends, honest,” I told her, hoping to alleviate her concerns. But in fact I’d made them worse.
   “Past tense?” she challenged.
   Oh hell. Is it morning yet!? I may as well step outside now and get it over with.
   “Don’t be silly.”   
   “I’m not!” I relented when she eyed me still in a calm manner. “Oh alright…” I carefully explained how I’d been feeling about her lately, but her next question told me I wasn’t careful enough.
   “Did you sleep with her?”
   Game’s up Evan.
   I meekly nodded, before starting to ponder aloud to myself, although also for Mum’s benefit. In my mounting anxiety I chewed at my lip, but felt something – one of my new fangs, no doubt – pierce the skin. I felt a trickle of blood, and used my tongue to wipe it away, although the taste wasn’t how I remembered it from my days of cutting myself while cooking. It had an odd tang that wasn’t at all unpleasant.
   “Welcome to vampirism,” came the dry reply, “Unless of course you want a cure…”
   Thoughts of my recent performance at school came flooding back into my mind, as well as the related emotions running high at the time. The mention of a cure was enough to strike terror into my heart for that very reason. At least now I could bide my time, get my head back together… maybe all this happened for a reason.

I couldn’t believe that with all I’d told her, she hadn’t exploded once – that woman has the patience of a saint after that. But after explaining why I didn’t want a cure, and after we hugged for a while, Mum had one more thing to say.
   “Just bear something in mind, now you’re not a boy any more,” she said.
   I raised an eyebrow as I looked up at her, waiting for her to continue.
   “Vampires are still fertile,” she reminded, “And you’re gonna be fifteen for a very long time.”

Ah yes, one of the drawbacks of being a vampire. Well, not if you’re fully grown, but it explained to me why she’d never wanted us to succumb too quickly to this lifestyle. But I had to learn the hard way; I was going to be in a fifteen year old’s body for the rest of eternity, or however long it would take me to finally lose patience and buy a cure for myself. Still, fifteen isn’t too bad. If I was only a child it would be a different story.

*****

This ties in with my Miss Midnight (http://www.insimenator.org/showthread.php?t=31321) posts at this point.

My god WOW!! Love it love it love it! update soon please.

Update coming soon, I've just been taking a break from it for a bit - the picture-taking was starting to drive me nuts :lol:

Thanks for your comment though - in fact that made my day, seeing that :D

“What’s going on?”
   As Mum turned around, my eyes closed in resignation. Checking my watch confirmed it was indeed morning, and Amy was up and getting ready for school. Something that to me was now a thing of the past.
   “I’ll go order my new bed shall I?” I offered; it was bad enough getting confronted by Mum, I didn’t need it with Amy too.
   Mum shot me a knowing look, before slowly nodding. I moved quickly upstairs, feeling a little weak; nothing bad, but last night after the initial blackout passed, I felt on top of the world and full of energy. Now that energy was ebbing away, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I had to concentrate my efforts on sitting in front of the computer – there was no other way I could do this – and scan the pages of the shopping site for a coffin.
   Ooh, I even get to pick the lining colour? Hmm…that’ll do.   
I barely waited for the order confirmation page to load before I rose from my seat. I didn’t want to fall asleep in a bed and end up staying there until nightfall, so while I waited for the bed to arrive I went back downstairs, waiting until Amy had left before entering the front room.
   “Done it,” I remarked.
   Mum turned round. “Oh good,” she replied, standing up, “I’m off to bed.”
   “Yeah,” I smiled, “I’ll just doze on the sofa while I wait.”
   Nodding, she left. “See you tonight,” she said on her way.
   “Yeah, see you,” I replied as I sat down, quickly curling up on the sofa and allowing myself to drift into a quality of sleep I’d never before experienced.



It wasn’t the delivery men that woke me from my almost comatose state, but the school bus. Although when I woke there was no drowsiness; no needing to head into the kitchen for a coffee, or slumping wearily over the kitchen table as the body slowly got used to the idea of being awake. It didn’t even feel like I was asleep in fact – I was instantly alert, and the sight of the school bus outside was enough cause for me to groan. Amy was home, and to make matters worse she’d brought a friend. I recognised the long, flowing red hair a mile away too. Rowan Staropoli, one of quads and Amy’s latest flame, not that she had any before mind you. Still, it all made me wish I had time to make my getaway, but they were already inside… and heading for the front room.



   “Hello stranger!”
   I looked up with a sheepish grin and gave a little wave. “Hi,” I greeted casually, smiling to myself as the look on his face changed to one of mild bewilderment.
   “Wow, look at you!” he remarked as he moved over to the sofa.
   I really hope she hasn’t told him.
I self-consciously averted my gaze as he sat next to me and began to curiously pick at my clothes. He picked up my wrist and studied my nails.
   “Black nail paint too?”
   “Yep,” I replied, pulling my hand away, “That other look just wasn’t me.”
   “Why do you say that?”
   I shrugged. “I don’t know,” I admitted, “I only started thinking about it after talking with a friend.”
   I noticed the knowing nature of her smile as she sat on the other sofa, and felt reassured that she hadn’t told him.
   Phew. Thanks Amy.
Still, it wasn’t helping with Rowan being so close. If I looked straight at him, he was bound to notice the colour of my eyes.
   “What friend is this? Not someone at school?”
   Put your fishing rod away Rowan.
   “No,” I carefully answered, “Just someone I met.”
   “Male or female?”
By glancing sideways at him, I noticed a glint in his eye as he asked.
   Don’t do this, please, don’t do this…
   I merely shrugged, trying to dismiss the question as irrelevant. “Does it matter?” I challenged.
   He paused for a spell. I felt Amy staring at me too; it seemed Mum hadn’t told her everything.
   “She’s female isn’t she.”
   “Maybe,” I shrugged.
   He then burst out laughing and playfully nudged my leg. “Whad’ya mean “maybe”?! She is isn’t she!”
Oh come on cheeks, don’t do this to me(!)



I awkwardly nursed my face, trying unsuccessfully to hide my blushes.
   “Come on, who is she?” Amy pushed, “Or he?”
I smiled at the reference; when your Mum’s bisexual and your brother’s gay, you learn very quickly to keep an open mind. At least that’s how I saw it.
   “Alright, it’s a girl,” I relented.
   “Is she hot?” Rowan asked.
   Okay, we’re in laddish speak now are we?
   I nodded briskly, a widening grin appearing on my face. Predictably both of them were now making teasing noises.
   “So come on!” Rowan encouraged, “Did you get very far?”
   Oh, here we go.
   I half-shrugged, refusing to answer.
   “Is that a yes?”
   “Maybe.”
There was a significant pause. I just wanted this to be over; I was quickly learning that I’m not the kind of guy who basks in the glory of his sexual activities.
   “You did didn’t you!”
   “Please,” I eventually complained, “Will you stop it?!” In doing so I nearly forgot myself and looked straight at him, but I remembered just in time.
   “Hey it’s cool, we’re just curious,” he replied, before the gleam returned to his eye. “You’re talking to a couple of virgins here, after all,” he finished with a wink.
   I couldn’t take it any more. In a flash of frustration I sprung from my seat, striding away from them. “That’s enough!” I bit. The magic of the night before had long faded, and faced with the reality of what I’d done, I had crashed back to earth with a force that shook the ground nearby.

   I felt his presence behind me, and his hand on my shoulder.
   “Something’s wrong isn’t there,” he stated, “Why won’t you even look at me?”
   I wondered when he’d notice.
   “I can’t,” I stuttered, tears trickling down my cheeks.
   “We’re meant to be friends,” he protested, “What’s happened to you?”
   My eyes stung, and I was feeling all manner of mixed up emotions concerning the night before. I snapped, and spun around to look him squarely in the eyes.
   “Too much has happened,” I began, “And I’m a male Turilli. Put the two together and you get one f***ed up kid.”
   There was a knock at the door, and Amy excused herself to answer it. Rowan glanced in her direction before looking back at me. For a second time I felt pressure on my chin as he lifted up my head.
   “You’ve gotta be kidding…!” he remarked, a slow grin spreading across his face.
Ignoring him, a look of relief and longing appeared on my face as I watched the coffin being carried upstairs. Rowan watched its progress fascinated before looking back at me.
   “You’re a vampire?” he checked, beginning to cackle with glee, “Wow! That’s so cool!”
   “It has its disadvantages,” I told him, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to try out my new bed. G’night, or rather, afternoon.”



I’d never known such a comfortable bed. Okay, I only noticed it when I awoke, but still. I was quickly getting used to this new gift of telekinesis as I used it to open the coffin lid with barely a second thought, feeling more refreshed now than I ever did before. Once again I felt ready to tackle anything in my path, and with a happy smile I strode downstairs, greeting Mum on the way down.
   “Evening,” she smiled, “Sleep well?”
   “Oh yes,” I grinned in reply.
Amy had served them both dinner, and we sat at the table with them. I sat next to Rowan, and gently nudged his arm – I had some explaining to do.
   “Hey there,” he smiled.
   “Hi,” I replied gently, “Look, sorry about earlier…”
   “Oh, that’s okay,” he dismissed, his air turning grim, “Amy’s been filling me in. I didn’t know it’d all hit you that hard.”
   My mood sank momentarily. It didn’t help that the smell from their chops was wafting in my direction; before I would have been drooling, but now I wanted to gag. It smelt awful, and coupled with a growing gnawing sensation in my stomach, I was beginning to feel ill. Mum’s mobile rang and on answering it, excused herself from the room.
   “Marco,” I mused.
   With Mum gone, Rowan’s playful air returned as he nudged my arm. “So what’s it like?”
   I eyed him with mild suspicion. “Are we talking about that again?!” I checked.
   “Hey, you know more than us,” he replied, the sparkle reappearing in his eye. “I mean, the way you were evading the issue earlier; that gave the game away big-time!”
   “Yeah yeah,” I grinned, before it faded a little as I eyed him, “It’s worth waiting for, that’s all I’m saying.”
   “So how come you didn’t?” he teased.
   “I got lost in the moment,” I replied vaguely, “And got left a souvenir of the evening, too.”
   “Souvenir…?”
I pulled up my upper lip with a finger in reply, indicating one of my fangs.
   “Wha… is that when that happened?”
   I just nodded in reply, stifling a groan as I nursed my aching belly.
   “You got bitten during…?”
   “Hello again,” Mum’s voice drifted from the doorway. “Sorry about that, just arranging dinner.”
   I stared at Mum with a pained expression. “Please, don’t mention dinner…!” I groaned, “I’m starving!”
   “I knew you would be,” came the reply, “That’s why I told him to expect one extra. Come on.”
   I frowned. “Won’t I be treading on your toes a little?” I checked.
   “Hardly,” she smiled dryly, “You’ve got lessons to learn, and this one can’t wait.”
   Shrugging, I rose from my chair. “S’cuse me guys,” I told them as I walked off.
   “Bon appetit,” Amy called out as I left.
I approached Mum with hunger burning in my eyes. It wasn’t until I was on the bike with her that I remembered what dinner entailed, and grew a little uncomfortable. I’d never thought about her eating habits of late, and I cared not to know. Now I’d be experiencing it first hand.

damn ... i'm totally hooked.  keep it up! :)

Wow, thanks guys :D Makes all this work worthwhile - especially these ones :smt120

Now's the time to say I have a very different take on vampires here - some of it includes legends, some of it I made up, but then don't a lot of vampire authors do that? ;)

*****

I looked about myself as we stepped through the park, and couldn’t help but smile to myself.
   “You come here for your meals?” I breathed. I’d always liked the tranquillity of these places.
   “We certainly do,” came the reply as we walked, “It’s quiet, it’s secluded. Perfect location for our feeding grounds, in more than one way.”
   I frowned, about to question what she meant, but another more important one took priority. “Does he know it’s me you’re bringing?”
   “Not yet,” she said, “The phone’s not really the place for that kind of talk.”
   “Fair enough,” I shrugged, before I spotted the figure sitting patiently on the bench a short distance away. As he rose and approached us my stomach began doing cartwheels. I lingered behind as I watched Mum stride ahead and greet him with a hug and a kiss. They seemed to be talking for a while, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they were saying.




After a short time she beckoned me over. My stomach lurched as I nervously tugged at my shirt before walking over, meekly waving at him.
   “Evan?!”
   “Hi,” I mumbled shamefacedly in reply.
   “When did this happen?”
   “Last night,” Mum answered for me, “I caught him sneaking in after I got back.”
   “Can’t we do this later?” I complained, “I thought we came here to eat?”
   Marco scoffed lightly. “It’s not that simple I’m afraid,” he told me, “Come on, we’d best sit down. I have the feeling we’ll be here for a while.”
   “Why do you say that?” she asked as we sat.
   He frowned as he looked around. “It’s too quiet,” he mused, “Maybe they’re getting wise to us.”
   I couldn’t help but nudge Mum. “What’s he on about?” I asked, “Who’s they?”
   She eyed me knowingly. “Take a guess,” she replied with a raised eyebrow.
   Suddenly I heard a scream from somewhere. This animated the couple sitting with me, and Marco grinned as they rose.
   “Or maybe not!” he acknowledged happily, rubbing his hands together in glee.
   “You ready for this Evan?” Mum checked, beckoning me to follow.
   “I guess so,” I frowned in reply, more bemused than ever. Why were they waiting for a scream?
   He then took off, like a rocket from the ground. I had barely any time to gaze in wonder at the now floating character before Mum clutched my arm. Without warning she followed, and I let out a surprised yelp as we flew into the night sky.
   “What the…?”
   “Just focus on the task at hand,” he said as he flew off.
   “You alright?” she checked, slowly releasing the grip on my arm. “Think about hovering, like you have rockets attached to your feet.”
   I tried it, and swayed a little as I struggled to control myself.
   “That’s it!” she grinned, before looking back, “Come on, let’s get some while it’s there, huh?”




Flying soon became as effortless as walking, but landing was a different matter. Especially at the sight that greeted my eyes as I approached the source of the sound. There was this group of men, who looked like they were causing trouble… were they attacking someone? Was that the scream I heard? And Marco was feeding from one of them. It was then it clicked.   
   Hey, wait a minute… Mum’s meals are bad guys!?
I felt so relieved, and my hunger returned with a vengeance as I nearly crashed into one of them, using the movement to grab one by the chin, and quickly sunk my fangs into his throat as I regained my foothold on land.
   Mm, that tastes good…
Once I started to drink, I couldn’t stop. His blood tasted a little different to mine, more savoury and bitter, but it was still a lot better than that awful smell coming from my sister’s plate earlier. I had to stop eventually though, and stood there dazed for a moment as a warming sensation flowed through my being. It felt amazing.
   “Break his neck!”
   I shook my head briskly as I tried to locate the source of the yell.
   “Huh…?”
   Suddenly the man was yanked from my grip. Back to reality, I stared at the sight of green hands gripping his head and viciously twisting it until I heard a sickening crack. I watched the corpse crumple to the ground, before slowly staring upwards at the owner of the hands, my heart skipping a beat and dread building up within me as I was met with a familiar pair of huge red eyes.

My half brother and I eyed each other for a while as the rest of the commotion washed over us. I swallowed a lump in my throat as he crossed his arms, eventually raising an eyebrow questioningly.
   “Didn’t expect to see you out here tonight,” he cooly observed.
   “This seems to be my week for confrontation,” I bitterly replied.
   “Are you surprised?! There’s a reason we don’t bite kids!”
   “It was an accident Joe,” I protested, but immediately wished I hadn’t. After glancing at the other two vampires present, he turned back to me and beckoned behind him with his thumb as he backed away with a suspicious air. Sighing, and gritting my teeth as I prepared myself for interrogation number three, I followed him as we moved further into the undergrowth.




   “Pull up a tree trunk,” he invited, his dry sense of humour rearing its head as he found a place to sit. I found somewhere nearby as I continued to eye him awkwardly, drawing the back of my hand across my mouth as I became aware of the traces of blood on my lips.
   “Look,” I started, “I’ve already had this twice in the space of about half a day…”
   Joe shrugged casually in reply. “Doesn’t bother me,” he said, “I can always try out this other gift we have if you don’t fancy repeating yourself…”
   “Other gift?”
   “Yeah, mind reading,” he explained, “Like hearing thoughts, only more in-depth.”
   On the one hand I didn’t like the sound of that. But on the other, maybe he’d pick up more than the others did, and so understand the situation better. Whether or not that would be a good thing I had yet to decide, but what was the alternative? I risked yet more misunderstanding no matter what choice I made.
   “Okay,” I said quietly as I came to a decision, “Do it.”
He smiled gently as he beckoned me over, standing up. My heart began to race as I rose and advanced, watching as his arms lifted his hands to my head. As he placed his fingers on my temples his eyes closed, and when he next spoke it was in a hushed tone.
   “Just relax,” he told me as he drifted off.

That was pretty hard to do at first as I felt a strange sensation in my mind, like a probing mist, creeping into whatever crevice it could find. But it also brought its own calm in a strange way. It was also unearthing memories I’d tried to bury for my sanity’s sake, and all those emotions I felt at the time came flooding back. By the time his hands started to slip down my face, his work done, I grasped at his wrists and pulled them away myself as I struggled valiantly to contain myself, but despite my efforts I soon found myself sobbing uncontrollably into his chest.




It seemed like an age before all the pain was released and I stopped crying. I was fast realising why Gino had bonded with him so well as I found myself doing the same, yet in a different way. I could now understand why he had such a strong longing for children; he has a paternal instinct a mile wide, which was showing through now in the way he spoke to me.
   “Why couldn’t you tell one of us all this?” he asked, “I mean someone outside the house…”
   “How could I?” I replied, “We’re all caught up in this some way or another…”
   Joe sighed and hung his head. “I know,” he acknowledged, “I just wish I could’ve known what was going on… I could’ve done something.”
   I stared at him, amazed that he seemed to be blaming himself for some of this. “Hey,” I began, “This isn’t your fault…!”
   “It’s not that…” He raised his head again, looking sad. It was starting to dawn on me that the pain etched in his face was caused in part by me. Tears of guilt stung my eyes as I felt another lump in my throat.
   “I’m sorry Joe…” I uttered, “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
   “Of course you didn’t,” he replied, a flicker of a reassuring smile appearing briefly on his face. He bit his lip, but shuddered as he forgot himself. A drop of forest green fluid trickled down his lip, and an emerald tongue flickered out to brush it away.
   “What do you think about what happened with Mum?” I asked. I had to know if it was just me taking it all so badly.
   “You’re referring to Marco, I take it?”
   “Yeah.”
   He shrugged. “To be honest, if Mum hadn’t changed so much I’d have taken it a lot harder. And yes, I did hear what he got up to at my wedding.”
   I smiled briefly as I let him continue.
   “But as it stands, I’m not really that surprised. Maybe because I could pick things up from Marco, and because I know Sarah wouldn’t have returned his affections if she thought there was any hope left in her marriage. In fact it’s extra support in a difficult time, if you think of it that way.”
   I cradled my head in my hand. In my confused emotional state at the time, that hadn’t occurred to me at all. A hand laid on my shoulder, before in the corner of my eye I noticed his head move. I looked at him; his eyes were fixed on something behind me, and he was wearing a sympathetic smile. My head turned in that direction and found them both walking towards us.
   “I’ll leave you all to it,” Joe said, “I’m off back to my own family.” Before he left however, he nudged my chin. “And the next time you need a shoulder to cry on, call me, okay?”
   I just nodded as he took off into the night, watching him go with tears once again staining my face. Even now I still can’t get over how lovely that man is, and how lucky we all are to have him in our family.

But I had further lessons to learn that night. After an emotional moment with Mum, Marco took me by surprise in his own way by offering me a hug himself. But that was just the start of it.
   “I think we need a talk,” he offered, “We can go back to my home if you like.”
I found myself nodding, still feeling a little drained from that crying earlier. As we approached our vehicles however, I couldn’t help but ask something.
   “If we can fly, what do we still need cars for?”
   “Because not everyone we go out with are vampires,” Mum replied, “Besides, it’s fun!”
   “In more than one way,” he replied with a mischievous grin.
   “Hey you, behave!” she playfully chided. He merely laughed as he got into his car, while Mum and I hopped onto her bike. As we rode off, I was reminded why Mum still rode her bike – I made a mental note to look into riding lessons at some point.

I stared in awe at the large house we pulled into. Marco was propped up by the side of his car as she parked in his driveway, waiting for us to dismount. He led us both into the sitting room, but he surprised me when he made us all drinks. I got a taste for red wine from Emily’s glass, but wasn’t expecting him to now place the drink into my own hands. It wasn’t in a traditional wine glass either, but a large beaker. And it was generously filled.
   “Aren’t I too young?” I checked.
   He smiled as he settled into the sofa next to me. “Alcohol’s all we can drink,” he explained, “Needless to say, we can’t get drunk.”
   That’s got to be the best excuse for boozing I’ve ever heard!
   He broke into a giggle as I took a sip from my glass, which without my knowing quickly became large gulps. I hadn’t realised how thirsty I was.
   “Okay,” I mused a little later, “So, a liquid diet and alcohol for our only drink…”
   “Welcome to our world,” came her dry reply.
   I looked up at them with a puzzled look. “What was that about “breaking his neck”?” I asked.
   “Ah,” she said, “That’s to make sure you don’t end up with nasty vampires floating around.”

I silently listened as, between them, they explained the difference between good and bad vampires. Apparently we still feel and care because we still have our souls; the kind of people who prefer to cause trouble – the nature of their, well, our meals – are the kind who lose their souls if they become vampires, and would become more dangerous as they also lose whatever trace of conscious and humanity they might have had before. By killing them before our ‘virus’ had a chance to take hold, we stopped the threat before it started.

   “Fair enough,” was all I could say in reply. The thought of such vampires being around, and even worse, likely to be a danger to my friends and (half) human family, was enough for me to tattoo that rule into my brain so it wouldn’t leave.




   But Marco suddenly became serious. “Your Mum’s explained the situation as best she can,” he started, “But I have my own concerns, and there’s only one way I can answer them…”
   I looked puzzled, wondering if I liked the direction this was heading in.
   “With permission, I need to read you…”
   I shook my head slowly; I couldn’t deal with another sudden influx of emotion. “Oh no, not again,” I moaned.
   He eyed me quizzically, sensing my dismay. “I don’t know what Johan was doing, but I’m looking for something specific. It’s for your own good I do this.”
   I didn’t really have a choice in the matter. I shrugged in resignation as his hands rose to the sides of my head, and I steeled myself for what was to follow.

This was very different to my experience with Joe. The memories brought back into light this time were all centred around Emily; our meetings, even my diary entries were being analysed. And for some reason, our night of passion came under particularly heavy fire. The related emotions being re-energised this time paled the result of Joe’s probing into insignificance, and even before he was done I had to pull his hands away.
   “Stop, please,” I begged him, lowering my gaze to avert his eyes. His next remark was enough for me to stop in my tracks, however.
   “You poor, poor man,” he said simply, without a trace of sarcasm.
   I looked up at him bemused. His eyes were laden with genuine pity.
   “What do you mean?”
   “The answer to your question is yes,” he said, “This is love you’re feeling.”
My blood ran cold as I realised what he was driving at. I felt weak, and broke into a cold sweat as I stared solemnly at him.
   “So this is how it feels,” I breathed.
   He slowly nodded. “You hear many fairytales about how love ideally feels, but while some of it is true, the reality is often very different. It can not only blind, but deafen and deal great pain.”
   You’re telling me(!)
   Unlike Mum, he chose to ignore my passing thoughts as he continued. “I need to explain something to you at this point,” he told me, “There is a fine line between true love and infatuation – at first I thought the first was true with your sister, but it turned out to be the second instead.”
   “And it took Mum for you to realise that?”
   “Yes,” he softly replied, becoming distressed himself, “In all this time I’ve known her, it has only been recently I’ve woken up and considered my true feelings.” He began to sound angry, and I guessed immediately that anger was directed at himself. “I wasted years of my life thinking it was Jeanette I wanted to be with, even gave her a child, yet when it came to a head with her, leaving was one of the easiest things I’ve had to do. My only regret is Karl being involved in all this.”
   “Does he know any of this?”
   He nodded. “I broke it to him shortly after it all happened,” he told me, “Thankfully he’s very mature and sensitive for his age. He’s told me ever since I did the right thing.”




   My heart sank as did my head. I’d been so hard on them both, not to them but in my mind. The more Marco spoke, the more I could see how Mum, in her state of mind, fell so deeply for him so quickly. I was so caught up in my own feelings I’d not considered why the love affair between them started in the first place. Now he was telling me his feelings for Mum were real, and was even sympathising with my feelings for Emily. No judgement, no “you can’t see her any more.” Dad would’ve been livid – well, maybe not before he changed, but he certainly would now.
   “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
   Marco just hugged me in reply. After a while we broke away, and I eyed him helplessly.
   “What can I do?” I asked gently.
   “All you can do is tell her how you truly feel,” he said, “A daunting task I know, but you’re a vampire. Your mental senses are more acute, so whatever her reaction will be, you’ll know if you’re wasting your feelings or not.”
   I nodded before checking my watch. “There's still time,” I acknowledged, “Can I go now?”
   Mum nodded. “Just don’t be too long,” she told me, “You need to be back before daytime, remember.”
   Again I nodded, rising to my feet. “Thanks,” I said, before looking back at him. He bade me good luck before I left, my heart pumping so hard I could feel it thudding against my ribs. I’d never felt so nervous in my life as all sorts of outcomes flashed through my mind – how would she take this? Did she feel the same way, or was I just a casual fling?

“Emily, I love you...”
   Nah.
   “I really care about you...”
   Hmm, better...
   “I need you to know, I'm really fond of you...”
   Ah man; sounds like you're proposing marriage!

All the while I was walking, I kept rehearsing different ways of breaking it to her, but every time I tried it just sounded more and more... cheesy? Clingy? Desperate? There was no denying the latter, but I couldn't let her know that... or could I? It would certainly convey my real feelings, but at the same time I risked making an even bigger fool of myself. But before I knew it, her house was yards away, and the lights were on. I hoped her Mum wasn't in as I tentatively approached the front door, and rang the bell before stepping back a little, my hands to my lips as I tried to compose myself.
   “Evan?”
   I turned round, and hid my dismay on seeing Nadia at the door.
   “Hi,” I began, “Is Emily in?”
   “She is, yes,” came the reply, “To speak the truth, she cannot face you.”
   At first I frowned, before I realised what she meant. “Look, if that's about last night...”
   There was a pause, and it seemed as though she was keeping a mental ear open for the nature of my thoughts, before she finally stepped aside. “Very well,” she conceded, “What happened once you returned?”
   “Mum was there waiting for me,” I confessed, “She was about to ask where I'd been, but she must've noticed my eyes 'cause she took me straight to the nearest mirror after that.”
   “And now, all is well?”
   “As well as it can be, yeah,” I smiled sadly, “Now I've realised what a d*** I've been to my folks lately...”
   Nadia merely laid a hand on my shoulder, before inviting me to take a seat while she went to call on Emily. I looked about me anxiously, before noticing a faded stain on the sofa I was sitting on. I smiled knowingly to myself as I recognised it as the remnants of a stubborn bloodstain.




“I will leave you two alone,” said the distant voice that drifted through the air. I looked up and saw her, a distressed look on her face as she kept her distance. The longing within me grew to new proportions as I rose from my seat, overcome with emotion.
   “Hey,” I greeted, “I need to talk to you.”
   Her expression didn't change as she advanced hesitantly. But as the distance between us narrowed, I started to pick up all manner of confused feelings from her.
   “Forgive me Evan, I did not mean...”
   “I know,” I interrupted as I held out a hand. Unable to contain myself, I moved closer and allowed my hands free reign of her soft face as I continued to speak. “It's okay, I don't hate you for it... in fact you did me a favour.”
   This seemed to relax her a little. “Really? How so?” she asked.
   “This has all given me time to sort myself out,” I explained, “I've been so screwed up lately... No, my remaining family weren't amused at first, but they're used to the idea now. In fact Mum took me for my first meal a few hours ago.”
   “I see,” she smiled, and as her arms glided round my waist the air was thick with different signals. I wanted nothing more at that moment than to taste the sweetness of her lips, but I knew I went there that night for a reason. Despite that we nuzzled each other for a spell, before she uttered something I had only dreamed that I would hear.
   “I love you so much.”
   My head moved away for a minute, as I eyed her in happy disbelief. A smile played upon my lips as I thought how best to react.
   “Wha... seriously?”
   She merely nodded in reply, her red eyes becoming glassy. My smile grew until my mouth began to hurt, and felt tears trickle down my cheeks as I struggled to speak.
   “I love you too Emily,” I stuttered, and we clung tightly to each other, all sense of time gone as after a while our lips met.




I'd never felt so good in a long time as I did after that. We began to properly date, and I even invited her to meet Mum and Amy. Meanwhile I heard Dad was starting a new life in his new house too; after learning of Kieran and his robotic companions, he decided to buy one for himself and named her Nadia. Apparently these “servos” took on the personality of whoever initialised them, so to him it was like finally he'd found a soul-mate, someone who could take him as he is now. And yes, those were his words; they cut like a knife. It was as though he was alienating himself from us – couldn't he understand how it felt from our end, having to watch?

The final straw came about a month later. Just as I'd guessed, he wasn't happy about my relationship with Emily; I put it to him that, if we'd met up normally there wouldn't be a problem so why should there be a problem now, but he retaliated with “You should never have been creeping out in the first place.” Damn, werewolves can be predictable. To make matters worse, Joe's twin Diana had been cursed too, although her house-mate – Gino –  had sent her for preventative treatment right away, terrified that she would eventually become a real bitch otherwise. For that I owed him my eternal thanks; at the time I didn't know how grateful I would end up being thanks to bitter experience.

I grew concerned about Emily – she was looking green around the gills of late, but she tried to put it down to a bug. It might have worked if she was mortal, but vampires don't get ill. They do however get...
   Hey, wait a minute.
   “Um, Emily...” I mentioned one day, when the thought occurred to me, “I think you need to go to the doctor. And I'm coming with you.”
   “Why?” came the bemused reply.
   I swallowed hard, Mum's warning to me resounding through my head.
   “Vampires are still fertile...”
   “Vampires don't get ill,” I reminded her softly, all the while considering the enormality of our carelessness, “But they do get morning sickness...”
   “Morning sickness? What on earth is that?!”
   Of course, she wouldn't know.
   After gently explaining to her the urgency of the situation, she hastily agreed and an appointment was made in the next few days. Well, not with a doctor, they don't open at nights, but there was still the local clinic.

By the time we left, both of us were shaken and our minds spinning with all sorts of confused thoughts.
   “Whatever can we do?!” she exclaimed. My heart went out to her – people then were so ignorant. Single mothers of her class were cast out and generally treated like dirt.
   “Look,” I soothed as I put an arm round her shoulder, “Things aren't so bad these days, you won't get kicked out or anything...” I silently hoped Nadia, being something of an outcast herself for being bisexual (and later a vampire) would be more understanding in that field. That and she was a single Mum herself.
   “I am afraid, Evan...”
   I could only offer a hug in reply, relenting as I held her. “Me too,” came my admission. Despite our predicament, neither of us could bring ourselves to include termination as an option.




I couldn't find it in me to tell Mum though. I left her to chat with Amy at the table as I made a beeline for my coffin dead on sunrise, again feeling unable to face anyone. As I woke that evening, my mind still reeling from the news, I anxiously paced about the room for a good five minutes before remembering I needed to eat something. Not feeling any more sociable, I instead opened my bedroom window wide and clamboured outside onto the ledge, before leaping into the night sky.

“Next time you need a shoulder to cry on, call me okay?”
   The blood was still fresh on my lips when I remembered our talk. Mopping up the excess with my tongue, I instinctively took off as I knew what I had to do next. Not being able to tell anyone in fear of the reaction was driving me insane, and with an offer like that from within my own family, how could I not accept?
   After checking my watch to make sure I wouldn't be embarking on a wasted journey, I continued on my flight back towards our deceptively quiet town, and towards the moderately sized house I knew would be home to my sanctuary for the next hour or so. I had barely landed before urgently pressing the button that would alert the occupants to my presence, and cringed at the volume of the sound reverberating inside. That was bound to wake his sleeping children, but it couldn't be helped.
   “Hello(!)” came the naturally surprised reception.
   “Hi,” I greeted Giana, “I really need to see Joe, is he in?”
   “Yeah, he's in,” she replied as she beckoned me inside. On seeing him sitting on the sofa I was over in an instant.
   “Joe?” I said as I went across.
   “Hello!” he greeted, before frowning. “What's wrong?”
   “Sorry for turning up like this, but I didn't know where else to go...” I glanced awkwardly at her as she sat down next to him, but on remembering they're married, therefore they probably know each other's darkest secrets by now, I relented and blurted out my own.
   “I beg your pardon?!” came the anticipated response.
   A rising tide of dread rose inside as I eyed him apologetically. “I know,” I meekly uttered, “I'm sorry, I...”
   I trailed off as he bolted from his seat with a new lease of energy, and stormed off towards the window. He was trying to contain his thoughts, but he was doing a terrible job – I'd never seen him so angry. I managed to stop myself chewing on my lip while praying he wouldn't explode.




I listened intently to his thoughts, and felt slightly relieved on hearing him trying to calm himself.
   'Okay Joe, this isn't helping anyone.'
   An exasperated sigh escaped his lungs before slowly he turned back to face me. When he spoke again his tone was lowered, seemingly as a result of his self-discipline. It was admirable, I have to say.
   “Alright,” he began, delicately nibbling at his bottom lip, “How far along is she?”
   “About a month,” I replied, before pondering aloud. “It was probably that first night.”
   He nodded in acknowledgement. “So what will you do?”
   He was testing me, of that I was certain. But by this point I was ready for him; I'd come to a decision.
   “Only one thing I can do,” I said lightly, “Move in with her, maybe get a new place if we have to, and help her with the baby.”
   “You're fifteen,” came the reply, “And children are expensive. How will you live?”
   “I'll find something to tide us over,” I told him, before smiling a little as I revealed a dream I'd had for a while – must have been from keeping a diary. “Actually I've been thinking of becoming an author.”
   “Oh really?” he queried, his mood lightening temporarily, “You do know that won't pay the bills, I hope?”
   “I know,” I relented, “But for now it's pocket money. There's work out there for vampires... you should know.”
   “I'm an adult. You're not.”
   At this point I crossed my arms indignantly. “I'll still be fifteen when you're past your thirties you know. On the outside of course.”
   He cocked his head. “You think in the end you'll be a man in a boy's body?!” he retorted, “I'm sorry Evan, but it doesn't work that way.”
   My stomach churned as the illusion was shattered.
   Is he saying what I think he's saying...?
   The man was losing patience, and by now I could fully understand why. His tone hardened as he continued to speak. “That's right. That's the reason we don't bite kids; they stay kids forever. You'll never age, you'll never be the grown man you've always dreamed of being. You certainly won't be able to handle an adult's job, although you're welcome to try.”
   I ran my fingers through my hair as the cold reality was laid in front of me. All the dreams I had once; of going to University, getting a well paid job and pursuing my goal with a modest nest-egg to back me up... all that had gone. My life had gone down the pan the moment my studies first began to suffer. I had hoped that sooner or later I'd be able to pick up where I left off; with immortality at my disposal I had all the time in the world to rectify things. Now with a little one on the way, time became a real issue once more. Maybe when he or she was older I could pick up the pieces again, but for now I had an insanely tough choice to make. I enjoyed the powers vampirism granted me; I especially loved the flying, and being able to hear people thinking. Did I now have to give that up? Or was there another way...?

When I got back home it was still fairly early into the night. I started to hope Mum would get back soon; I really needed to talk about these new misgivings with someone... but the more I thought, the more I realised family wasn't the best option. Yet with so many of the people around now being family, I was at a loss for anyone to talk to. I crawled up to my room with a heavy heart, changed into my swimwear and made a beeline for the hot tub, enjoying the womb-like sensation as I floated while contemplating my options, gazing up at the stars and recalling many fond memories of drifting along the glistening backdrop they offered. I so dearly longed to keep hold of this gift I had, and the more I considered its own promises the more determined I was to find a way round the money problem.




Can't handle an adult's job? Who says?!
A smile took hold of my mouth as the answer was all of a sudden staring me in the face.
   I may not be mature enough for an adult's job. But vampires are strong, they can move objects with thought alone... that surely must count for something.
I sat forwards in the tub as ideas came flowing through my mind like a raging stream. After a while I gave a whoop of joy as I realised something very important that, up until now, I'd overlooked completely, yet was so obvious it was a wonder I'd managed to miss it. With the notion fresh in my mind, I sprang from the tub and tore upstairs to the computer in a burst of speed that sent piled papers flying, hoping that I wouldn't be so cruelly disillusioned for a second time that night.

more please!

For some strange reason, when I last tweaked my sims (nothing drastic, just adding body hair to the guys ;)), Marco got pretty messed up. I'm using these (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=113910) fang replacements, but with him no matter what I tried, first he lost his red eyes and fangs, and when I got them back his fangs went back to the default Maxis long ones. I've given up trying to find a solution now, so I'm afraid Marco is stuck looking like a walrus :( Unless anyone has ideas of their own?

*****

My time spent as a writer for the school's newsletter was paying off; it now paved the way for me to start writing articles for real money. In the meantime though, Marco had invited us all to move in with him; not just Mum but me, Amy and even our cat came along with us. I quickly understood why on the first time seeing his house – it was huge, and he was rattling in it. The fact neither of us were his kids didn't seem to make any difference, which was great. Except I was soon feeling very guilty, and one night I confessed to him and Mum that this was all very nice, but it was unlikely I'd be staying long. The test came when they asked why, and it all came out there and then. Understandably it didn't go down too well.




“Good grief Evan... what did I say?!”
   “It was that very first night Mum,” I explained, hoping to diffuse the situation.
   Marco sighed as he tried to calm himself. “Just like my cousin,” he moaned, “One night together and it's one night too many.”
   I lowered my head as I thought back to Jeanette’s daughter. She'd done the same thing I'd now done. No wonder Joe was so mad; he took her carelessness badly, and now he was seeing it happen again.
   “I'm sorry,” I mumbled, knowing it wouldn't make a scrap of difference.
   “”Bit late for that isn't it?” Mum remarked.
   “I know, but what else can I say?” I then addressed Marco as I continued, “I'm not gonna do what your Uncle did though; I'm gonna be there for her before and after the baby's born. I owe it to all of us.”
   “Kieran didn't know about Leanne until she was about five years old,” he told me, “He's kept in touch ever since though. This is a little different.”
   “I guess,” I relented, “But we love each other. We'll manage.”
   “For your kid's sake I hope so,” Mum remarked.

I left a couple of nights later, having found somewhere to start us off. We'd already discussed putting together what funds we had for this place, and on going to pick her up I couldn't help but smile as I saw her. By this time a good few months had passed, enough for her to put on some weight. I hid my concern at seeing just how big she was though, considering there was only one in there... at least I hoped it was only one. Given that I had a twin myself, I started to hope we wouldn't have our hands full.



It took me a long time before I plucked up the courage to phone Dad and tell him the news. But as much as Mum and Marco responded, well, not so great, plus the fear I had at the time that Mount Johan would erupt, all that turned out to be merely a speck of what I would face with my own father. I braced myself for all manner of different kinds of outbursts, but couldn't have expected what he did come out with – he disowned me. Right there and then, over the phone of all places. What frightened me even more was how I responded to such a harsh verdict.
   “Oh really,” I heard myself replying as tears streamed down my face, “Well you know what? You're no father of mine either, you haven't been for years!”
   “What's that supposed to mean?!”
   Even now he doesn't get it?!
   “F***'s sake Dad... or should I start calling you Luca now, since my real Dad died when that wolf bit him?! You've been so different; you know all that time you were still living with us, when you were in bed Mum and I would be locked in my room, grieving!”
   There was silence on the other end as all my pent up emotions were unleashed on what I now knew to be the source of my pain, the reason all my dreams had died in the first place. Yes, Mum's romantic involvement with Marco at such a peculiar time pushed me over the edge, but I was already clinging by the tips of my fingers by then. The slightest trigger would have sent me plummeting into mental oblivion, it was unfortunate it happened to be a lovely man like Marco who did it.
   “We really tried to accept what was happening,” I continued, “We knew it wasn't your fault, but your downright stubbornness to accept what impact this was all having on your own family... what happened at Joe's wedding was what did it. Picking fights with strangers at his son's wedding? My real Dad would never fight period, he'd sooner walk away. He certainly wouldn't pull a stunt like that... it hurt Joe too you know, just as I knew it would. Yet you didn't care! Now this?”
   “No son of mine would be so damn careless with his seed either, did that one ever occur to you?!”
   “I wouldn't be in this mess if my Dad wasn't being such an a***hole in the first place!”
   “Don't you dare blame this on me!!”
   I sighed angrily, my head beginning to feel bruised from its relentless contact with the wall I was faced with. “Have you been listening to anything I've said?” I snapped. “Yes I took it all badly, I'm just like my father used to be; incredibly sensitive. What's to say you wouldn't have reacted any different if you were still the same man who conceived me?!”
   “That has nothing to do with what's happened now.”
   “Oh really?” I queried sarcastically, “And what brings you to that conclusion?”
   “This may be a tough call right now, but you need to think very carefully about all that's happened,” he said, his tone calmer than before, “Your studies suffering, locking yourself in your room, that's fair enough. Sneaking out at night and opening yourself up to all manner of danger, that's borderline. Going home with a girl you knew for about a month and knocking her up that night? That's downright stupidity!”
   Now it was my turn to fall silent as it began to register what he was saying. It was true that by the time I'd started seeing her the dark clouds had lifted from my mind. I sank again yes, but for a different reason... it didn't have anything to do with Dad.

I swallowed hard as the brutal truth slapped me in the face; he had a perfect right to not want anything to do with me. Joe had the perfect right to grab me by the shoulders and shake me so hard my brain would have rattled in my skull, yet despite being tempted to do so he didn't. The more I thought about it, the more I realised why everyone was so angry with me. A hand nursed my forehead as I began to mentally admonish myself for being so stupid. I was just starting to pick myself up again, but now both of us had to put our lives on hold for the sake of however many poor kids I'd brought into being on one act of impulse.
   “S***,” I uttered, “I'm sorry...”
   “Bit late for that isn't it?”
   “Don't you start,” I grumbled, “I've already had that from Mum.”
   “With good reason, don't you think?”
   “I know, I know,” I admitted, “All I can do now is lie in the bed I've made.”
   “Yes... and I gather you won't get a cure either.”
   “I'm getting by on articles I write for the paper,” I told him, “Three to five hundred a time isn't to be sneezed at.”
   “Well, that's not bad I have to say,” he remarked, “But there's more reason for a cure than money alone. Fatherhood is an adult's job and you're no adult.”
   “No, but I have valuable lessons of my own to teach him or her,” I promised, “Experience. If I can make sure my child doesn't repeat my mistakes this whole thing will have been worth it.”

Referring to the unborn as a single child was, as I guessed from the offset, futile. Yet not even I was expecting what did happen when the time eventually came; it wasn't even twins Emily gave birth to, but triplets! A girl and two boys, who we named Joanne, Leo... and Luca, after the man my father used to be – I had to keep his name alive somehow.



I looked about our small house in despair. We had our one cot and the changing table, but our funds were running low. We had to sell our television just so we could afford another two cots, but there was no room for our coffins in the house – we'd moved them outside, and had to race to them before the sun rose while she was carrying, but now we didn't dare use them in case one of them needed attention during the day, so we curled up on our cheap sofa and slept there. Despite it all though, I was determined to muddle through for their sake, although I admitted to those family members I was still in touch with that it was a rougher ride than any of us could have hoped for. But I constantly promised both them and myself that I was going to be a good father to them all, that I wouldn't let my immaturity as a youth stand in the way of providing all that a child needs; love, support... all that I got from my own before everything went wrong.

I was writing articles like there was no tomorrow, whenever there was time in between sleeping and seeing to one of our little friends. Despite myself I was starting to wonder how I still had hair, as was Emily. Not to mention the guilt we both had on leaving one of us alone just so we could hunt, doing what Joe and Giana did since they had young children too, by taking it in turns to leave for some food while the other stayed with the babies. It was just as well we couldn't go to school; well, it wouldn't have been an option if we could. Time to myself or with Emily was becoming a rare moment to treasure. So I wasn't too happy to receive a surprise visit from Mum, despite being otherwise pleased to see her.
   “Hey there,” she smiled, “How's it going? Or is that a silly question?”
   “It's a silly question,” I bit as I invited her in, frowning as she refused.
   “I didn't come to visit,” she said, “I came to tell you to pack your things. Emily too.”
   I looked at her puzzled. “Why?” I asked, “Are we going somewhere?”
   “Oh yes,” came the ambiguous reply. It was then I noticed Joe standing by the car outside.
Shrugging, I told her to hold on as I went back inside to explain to Emily. Luckily there wasn't yet much to pack, just two teenagers' clothes from the wardrobe, then the nappies and whatnot from the babies, although we had to leave the furniture behind. It all fit into the boot of the car anyway, and Joe drove us off to our mystery destination.

It was a rather large house, set some way back from the street with the surrounding area looking in need of a front garden. I frowned as Mum put something into my hand and invited me to go up and take a look. Shrugging I did so, reluctantly leaving three sleeping babies with a teenage Mum and two members of my family who were still talking to me. The latter two got out of the car and propped themselves up against the side, watching me approach.
   “Go ahead, look inside,” Joe offered.
   I turned back to them, and noticed them smiling. “Look inside?” I checked, “How?”
   “You've got the key,” came the reply.
   “What's going on?” I asked.
   “We'll explain in a minute,” Mum said, “All I'll say for now is, welcome to your new home.”
   I gawped at them both in shock. “Pardon??” I exclaimed, looking back at the house.




I looked down at my hand, finding the key in question, and gently nibbling at my lip I gingerly approached, hardly daring to believe it would fit in the lock. But fit it did, and the door opened invitingly. A smile spread across my lips as I ventured inside, looking about me in awe and noting the presence already of furniture. It was even decorated to our taste!

I must have wandered about the house for a good half an hour or so, gazing at the walls, the desk, the nurseries... Eventually I had to leave though, breaking into a sprint as I flung myself into Mum's arms and planting a big kiss on her cheek.
   “My God...” I uttered, “Thank you doesn't even begin to cover what I'm feeling right now...”
   “You approve I take it?” Joe remarked dryly.
   I looked back at him as I began to drift slowly back to Earth. “Not that I'm complaining, but... what possessed you guys to do this?”
   Joe and Mum exchanged awkward glances before he decided to do the talking, in so doing adopting a stern stance. “It wasn't for you we did this, but for your kids. You mentioned not having room in the house, and I couldn't bear to think how they'd get by later on in such a small place. We had to do something.”
   “It was his idea,” Mum said, “Well, we both decided to have a whip-round. Not everyone in our family are rich, but there's a lot of us. Those who couldn't spare much were compensated for by those of us who could. Luca wouldn't give anything until I reassured him it wasn't for helping you, but the innocent children involved. Not even he could let them carry on in that place.”
   “To say nothing of selling the TV,” Joe finished, “Just to get another two cots for the little 'uns? That's just ridiculous.”
   “Even Luca gave something?” I checked, feeling tears of shame well at my eyes. I was beginning to feel like such a charity case; it took my family to get me out of trouble? It fell barely short of embarrassing. Still, at least now we could go back to sleeping in our coffins. I wiped a tear from my cheek as my eyes flickered from one to the other. “I'll never forget this,” I smiled, “And you can tell the others that too. I just wish I wasn't in the position to make this necessary.”
   “I won't answer that,” came his bitter-sweet reply as he offered a hug, “Just don't make a habit of it. You won't be so lucky next time.”
   Harsh words from such a nice man, but he was within his rights to say them. Just as I deserved to receive them.

So this is where we are now. They say to cherish the time they spend as babies, so here they are:




And they are so right – the years have flown past. Well, us being vampires doesn't help; Emily's still seventeen and I'm still fifteen, but now Amy and the rest of her friends are starting their first semester in University. That would make them eighteen; feels weird being a few years behind your twin sister, both mentally and physically, but that's how it goes I guess. Just as while my sister and friends/relatives pursue their dreams and live new adventures, I'm at home with three kids to look after – that's the price you pay for being careless. And trust me, parenthood has its moments...




However, it's not all bad. It's time-consuming, at times hideous, but it also brings its own rewards, no matter how small they may seem. You've no idea how good it feels hearing your child say their first word, or watch them take their first step, until you've heard or seen it for yourself.




They say everything happens for a reason. I may have suffered greatly through my adolescence, how much brought on myself I don't know or even care any more; I should be studying at Uni with my friends, but here I have a beautiful lady who I love very much and who loves me, and we have three little treasures of our own, part of both of us, and every moment I spend with them tells me there is no use looking back, or contemplating what should be. This is my life now, and I have never been happier. What the future holds no one knows, but I know I'll embrace whatever it may bring.

And with that I leave you, at least for now. I hope you enjoyed my tale, or at least learned from it; I may update later on, I may not. In the meantime, if this baby sells it's a huge bonus – if not, it's at least given me the outlet I so badly needed. I'll keep a copy under my bed for when they grow up, so they can see what a mess their Dad made of his life and know not to do the same.

Take care folks,

(http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9224/evansiggyzv4.png) (http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=evansiggyzv4.png)

Oh my god! That was the best TS2 story I've ever read!

Thanks! :D It'll be worth updating then, I take it? :)

Okay, whether anyone's been following this or not, I'm updating for me :tongue3: I need to stay in practise and get these ideas down, although if any of you have been following any contest threads I've been in lately they may serve as spoilers... which is partly why I'm getting this done now.

Oh, and I've since changed defaults (again >_<); you won't recognise them as defaults 'cause I made them for myself, but anyway...

*****

Hello again! Decided to update after all – our family seems to be jinxed, what with me and other things before I was born. With that in mind, not to mention the sheer personal content of what I was going to use as a first novel, I've decided against publishing it after all. In fact, looking back over it I can't believe I was even thinking of it. Good practise maybe, but getting it published?! Sheesh... ever looked back on your old work and cringed? That's how I feel looking back on that little book I wrote; my writing skills then were... not awful, but certainly not a patch on how they are now. Besides, personal things like this aren't good novel material if you're just starting out – if or when I get big enough through other work I may re-write it as an autobiography, but until then I'll just keep it stashed away on my computer. Not  to mention adding to it like I am now – I decided to set up a website for troubled teenagers, and this story is the meat of it; it's a blog basically, complete with forum where others can meet up, get their worries off their chests without having to fear being judged by anyone. I uploaded the story I was going to sell and now add to it with articles like this one.



... So what's new? Not my age, that's for sure. I will say though, as our kids get older people have started dropping hints about marriage. To be honest we'd been that rushed off our feet with being first-time parents to triplets neither of us had thought about it, although now it's starting to get to me. Just the idea that, well, we loved each other from the off, and not just what grown-ups would call “thinking they're in love”. Oh, I've heard that plenty of times from people, and it's really starting to p*** me off. Marco knew just from taking a walk inside my mind – I wish others would make the effort. Not everyone can go to the extreme he did, but at least stop judging us; yes, a lot of people our age do go through phases but believe me, this is no phase. I'll prove it too... In fact the more I think about it, the more I realise now I'm ready to take the ultimate step. We've been living like a married couple for long enough by now... I'm just glad there's some jewellers open at night. We've been building up a nice amount of money too, thanks to my articles. One big advantage of not ageing is the extra time to build up the skills you need to get through life, and boy have I been making the most of that – I'm earning six hundred plus each time!

Predictably the jeweller didn't take me seriously. I got it in the end though, the only thing I have to worry about now is what she'll say when I propose... thankfully the kids will be starting school soon, finally some time to ourselves! I'm getting ahead of myself though; kids starting school? Yes, it's been that long! I can't believe it myself – they're five years old now. Guess that makes me twenty in real terms. If I was human I'd look it too... and feel it. Joe was right though; I feel no different. I haven't matured in the way I would have done if I'd cured myself. I'm wiser, but that's not the same thing. You hear of people being younger mentally despite being older – Marco is a prime example – but this isn't the case here. I really am still fifteen, despite being on this Earth now for over twenty years. In the main it doesn't make any difference, but try telling that to the people around you. Still treated like a boy, yes I know I still am one, but it also means I'm not taken seriously. Father of three? Buying an engagement ring? I should be out partying every night apparently! ... Give me a break. For a start, not all teenagers are party animals. I never was before and I'm sure as hell not now.

Yes I'm ranting. It's an article though, that's the beauty of these things; this is why they're a good outlet. Rant away to your heart's content and, providing it's worthwhile, post it on-line where others can read and hopefully relate. Join in the debate too, since this is an interactive article. I know I'm not the only teen out there who doesn't fall into society's idea of what adolescence is. It's reasons like this I hate stereotypes. You get them everywhere, be it with race, religion, sexuality – I know Mum gets sick and tired of being labelled for being bi. Now I'm getting it, and I'm starting to realise this is why a lot of us fall under. This is a vulnerable time where we're in between the innocence of childhood and the experience of adulthood, still learning but not wanting to be treated like children any more. There's a reason the age of consent is sixteen... except going by that I'm still technically a minor. So I'm a year off, so kill me. I'm still old enough to raise children, therefore I'm old enough to make a decent husband, yes?! I'm as good as already... actually, I don't know what I'm worried about. I'm twenty! I'm plenty old enough, shouldn't be a problem right?

Famous last words, I muse to myself as I hit the save button. I check the forum every day, and have to periodically clean out my inbox as I tend to get inundated with messages, not just from other teens but also parents, as though a twenty year old going on fifteen is able to help them with their troubled teens. Still, the fact that I'm a parent myself might have something to do with it – rather than give in to the temptation of saying “this is a teens-only site” which is what I'd originally aimed for, I ended up adding a new section to the forum for parents and let them discuss their worries there. I visit that place too... half-hoping my father will post there. Word's gotten about enough about this place by now, and enough people have made use of it. I don't get paid for it, but I don't care; I've learnt to turn my pain into something useful by using it to help others, and it's working.

Yes, after all this time Luca has still shunned me, not even a phone call, and after all this time it's still a weight on my shoulders I could do without. Everything else is going just great, the kids are turning out beautiful... apart from Leo. I don't know where he gets it from, but he's a right little... I decided very quickly to give him some “lessons” if you like, and just like Joe I'm a man of my word. I know I'm not strictly a man, but whatever... fifteen on the inside, twenty on the outside, that's the way I see it. At least that's what keeps me going, stops me going crazy through being stuck like this. Yes I can get a cure, but for the sake of being taken seriously why the hell should I?! As I said before, everything else is fine. It's just that little niggle... I can't see Luca being any closer to taking me back if I was now to get a cure either – that wasn't why he left. Sad really...  that's an idea. Forget the forum for a moment, you haven't finished with the article bit yet.

Thoughts on Fatherhood
All this talk about raising children got me thinking about my Father again.  Even after five years that is still the big void in my life, and for some reason it seems to hurt now more than before. I'd managed to carry on for so long, resigned to the fact that I'd never see or hear from him again, to the point of addressing Marco as Dad. As you can imagine he was taken aback the first time I called him that, but he's been more of a father than Luca has for years. Yet now I wish so much to see him, play with him or hug him, talk to him... anything.

Thinking about it, it's probably been reading through the forum here that's got me going again. I see tales of suicide, thirteen year olds grieving over a parent or friend who's died, people who have died in accidents... and the very fact I'm a “night-stalker” as we're affectionately known has added to that too. In fact this is another big reason I won't buy a cure – how many lives I must have saved since I got bitten I don't even want to think about; the thoughts I pick up from what I can only call food would push me to suicide if I let them – they are that depressing. I've witnessed gang rape, attempted murder, even torture, yet my own father won't talk to me for something as trivial as accidental procreation? I know it's not a trivial issue in itself but come on; what would you rather your teenage son or daughter got up to?

I would say I wish he'd go out and buy a cure himself, but what's the point? It won't make him any less of a d*** than he is now. I know the moon's not as provoking as it has been, that's something. I often wonder how he's doing, whether he's got any closer to Nadia – just hearing Kieran's account of these “servos” is enough for me to forget they're machines, so it's possible. I even check the Space For Rents board for any sign of him – why he'd post there I don't know, but then Mum and Marco have signed up; I ended up creating a separate member group for my family members. Even started the Family Room after spotting others crawling out of the woodwork – we're not so much a family as I found out, but a clan!

There's always room for one more though. I guess that's another reason... no. It's the main reason I want to marry now; not only am I ready for commitment – in fact I have been for years – of all the people I need to convince this was never a passing phase, Luca is the one who seems to need it most. If after all this I still can't call him Dad I'll have to resign myself to that fate, and erect a tombstone in my cemetery to his name. Even engrave an epitaph into it:

In Loving Memory of Luca Turilli
Still alive in body, but dead to his youngest son
Despite attempts to build a bridge between them,
They spend eternity not as Father and Son
But two strangers who stalk the night alone

Is this what you want Luca? Sad really isn't it – still calling you by your first name, and that epitaph is something that's been playing in my mind for years. I even named one of my sons after you, or rather the man you used to be. Try browsing this place someday; I can recommend News From the Undead – it started as a board to house my rants from mealtimes, but it's not just me who posts there. You can say hello to Joe, Jeanette, Alex – they all visit and start their own threads since they're also vampires. If anything on this place can remind you how petty you're still being it's that part. Remind yourself of the scum that still walk this Earth, then ask yourself how you'd rather I turned out. You'd shed no tears if you'd learned I'd had my body drained of blood by vigilante vampires would you? I'd have deserved that fate too if I was to die that way – we're very picky eaters. We, meaning I'm nice enough to qualify as the hunter rather than the prey. The very reason we kill them is to stop them becoming immortal and worse than they already are. If I really was bad enough to be disowned, I wouldn't even be alive by now... oh yes! Here's some food for thought: if I'm so terrible, why would I bother to set up a site with the sole purpose of helping other people? I'm not getting paid for this after all. My pay comes from the articles I write for the paper, and some of it goes into this place. I'm not even asking money from this site am I? See any subscription links or donation buttons? I'm doing what I said I'd do and using my experience to teach others, to help them. When Leo and Luca Jr. are old enough I'll use it to guide them through their teenage years. I'm already being a good father to them all, and that's despite being a “teenage” vampire.

Please Luca... Dad... get in touch. At least answer my phone messages or emails.



Crimson droplets spatter dangerously close to the keyboard, and as I save the article I rise from my chair after clutching a tissue from the box on the desk. With a website like this and being as sensitive as I am it pays to keep a box handy, and this isn't the first time I've reached for it. Wiping the blood from the desk I then take the tissue to my face, which by the time I'm finished drying my cheeks carries smudged reminders of my immortality – vampires cry blood, which is harder to clean than salty water.
   “Evan?”
Smiling to myself as the reason I still keep going enters the room, I toss the tissue into the waste-paper basket, too late to avoid her eye.
   “Writing or reading?” she asks with a knowing smile.   
   “Writing,” I reply, subdued by lingering thoughts of my words on the screen. She seems to pick up on my mood too, as her pale fingers glide along my cheek.
   “What is it?”
   “Oh it's Luca,” I tell her, “I don't know, it's getting to me more than usual...”
   After eyeing me sadly for a moment she smiles. “I know what it is you need,” she says.



   “I love you so much,” I tell her, before something in the back of my mind tells me to do it now.
   “I love you too,” she says, but after pecking her cheek I pull away from her, the need now stronger than ever.
   Looking into her eyes, my stomach begins to do cartwheels. Butterflies have nothing on what's going on down there as I remark aloud that I need to do it properly.
   “Do what properly?” she asks with a frown, watching as I rummage in my pockets.
   “Ah, there it is,” I proclaim with a smile.
   “Emily,” I begin as I take her hand, “Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
   “Oh my goodness!” she exclaims as, understandably, her jaw drops. Opening the box is enough to reassure her this isn't just a passing question. “Of course I will!”



I've never felt such a rush of relief and happiness as I do right now. I don't know which of us fall harder into the other's arms, but one thing's for sure now – I don't know why, but I already feel more confident about becoming whole again.

wowee wow wow! this is amazing, it's a really original idea. And it works really well. can't wait till you update!

Thanks! :D Next chapter's half-written, shouldn't be too long ;)

Yay! More! More!

Wow, I thought this had died! :oogle: Oh well. I'm tempted to re-write the next chapter, we'll see how it goes. It'll take my mind off my other story for a while anyway ^_^

I'm surprised you added on to this magnificent story, and glad, too! More, please!

Oh well, since you put it that way... :D

There's spoilers galore dotted about the site, but in case you haven't seen them I'm not about to say where they are ;) Not so many pics to this one, but should keep you going nonetheless ^_^

*****

This is how supportive Mum and Marco are; when I tell them about the news they offer to finance the wedding... don't get the wrong idea though. Their idea of funding, even planning it, isn't what you might think – put it this way, when they put forward their proposition I get a shock of my own.



   “Did you have an idea of when?” she asks after the excitement both ends die down.
   “I only asked last night!” I splutter in surprise that she'd ask so soon.
   “Well, I'm asking because... well, we got engaged a few days ago, and with Valentine's Day several months away...”
   Now it's my turn to pick up my jaw from the floor. There's more to come though.
   “If you like we could make it a double wedding, what do you think?”
   What do I say first, congratulations or yes?!

“Hey Evan, it's me. You can probably guess what I'll say but here it comes anyway; you do know there's more to marriage than an extended “I love you,” right? I can't justify Mum's behaviour any more than you enjoy receiving it, but you need a better reason to bind yourself to this girl for the rest of eternity than the hope of getting him back. As much as you're twenty years old and she's a few centuries old, as far as the outside world is concerned you're still fifteen/seventeen. Even when you're married you won't be taken as seriously as Lucy and I, think very hard about that okay?

I'm not telling you not to go ahead and ask though, far from it, but you've got to really, truly want it. If Mum was still talking to you would you still want to do this? If people did treat you both as adults would you still propose? If you can answer yes to both then great, go for it. Just remember though, you can say you're twenty until you're blue in the face, but you're not an adult, and as long as you stay a vampire you never will be. You've said yourself you don't feel different. You're still a teenage boy in every sense of the word, and like it or not that is a real issue. The date on your birth certificate will allow you to marry, but how much longer can you endure the woes of adolescence? Remember what Joe went through? You'll still have that when you're technically into your fifties. Vampirism really isn't for anyone younger than twenty one for this very reason.

Good luck whatever happens anyway; we've all tried to talk Mum round to contacting you but so far no go. Maybe if I'm crafty I can get him on here, we'll see.

Ciao – Carlos xx
___

“Wise words from a wise man... I'll forgive him this once for reminding me of the fun I had when I was your age, but he's right. I won't warn you against marriage as he did though – to be honest, from what Marco tells me it was only a matter of time, obviously big brother hasn't heard that part. Still, you remember my two boys, Chris and Andy? You're so right about time flying by – they're about your age now! I'll have to get them on here sometime, even if it's just to talk over their school problems. I've tried, but despite having had it myself it doesn't seem to help. Be careful with those family privileges though; not so much with Chris, but Andy's as bad as his Mum! Or Marco, or Jeanette, or Karl... how'd we end up with so many family jesters, eh? Oh well, see you tonight – good luck with Emily!

Hugs and kisses,

Joe”



Nice to know some of my family care. In fact the comments that follow are from envious kids wishing they had brothers like those two green guys. It's times like this I believe in fate; Dad may say Joe and his twin Diana were an accident, but I've been hard pressed to find anyone as caring, and just plain nice as Joe. I don't know what his sister's like, but he is the epitome of the term “happy accident”. If his two boys are even remotely like him I can't wait to meet them, or at least hear from them. In the meantime there's dinner to contend with. I find various ways to take my mind off whatever nightmarish scenes I'll face, but tonight it's being the bearer of good news for a change. What further cheers me up is the letter I got earlier saying this private school is holding night-time hours!

I send off the slip to say I'll be attending with a dry smile. Should come into effect by tomorrow – I put the kids' names forwards for it too, so we don't have to worry about sitters while we're at school. It'll feel strange going back there though, not to mention feeding in my school uniform! Tonight's the last time I get to attend dinner in my everyday clothes – make the most of it Evan.

“We're gonna kill this guy!”
“No place for fags in this city, we're on a clean-up mission!”
It's one of those? Give me a break...
“Who exactly deserves to die around here?!” I snarl at the man slumped in my arms, “Whatever happened to “live and let live?”” So saying I smile at the irony as I break his neck, before eyeing the bruised and bloody heap on the ground a little way off.



Joe's first reaction as he goes over to investigate is to heave a big sigh of relief.
“Thank God,” Giana remarks as she joins him, “So who is this guy?”
“Who did you think it was?” I ask in curiosity as I go over.
“All the while that scuffle was going on,” she replies as he examines the fallen body, “we were hoping it wasn't either of our sons there.”
“Oh, are they both gay?” I check casually, to which she nods as Mum joins us.
“Yes,” Joe adds, “Chris has brown hair too, but this is a fully grown man... damn, what a mess.” He starts to search in his pockets as he mutters to himself. “Come on Mister, give us a sign... who are you?”
On producing a wallet from the man's pocket and studying it, his expression suddenly changes. Rich green tears begin to trickle down his cheeks as he says but three words.
“Oh my God...”
“What?” I ask, “Who is it?”
“Joe?” Mum asks, to which he passes her the wallet as his jaw trembles.
“I couldn't even recognise him!” he wails as his wife slips an arm round his shoulders.
Mum gives a gasp and a similar cry to Joe, but thankfully it's joined by another word as she also becomes upset.
“Gino??”
I stare back at her and Joe as I make a connection with the name and their distress.
“Gino as in, big brother Gino who was best man at your wedding?!” I check with Joe, feeling a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“The same,” he grimly replies as he scoops him up in his arms, “We need to get him to hospital yesterday!”

I might not know the guy too well, but something about him being my brother keeps me from sloping back home - I want to make sure he's going to be alright before I head off. As it is we have to wait around at hospital while he's rushed into theatre, and all we can do is hope he makes it out the other side.
“How did it go with Emily?”
I look back at Joe in mild surprise. I was holding back on the news for a reason, but it seems he wants to take his mind off what's happening behind those double doors.
“She said yes,” I reply, allowing a smile to flicker across my lips.
“Congratulations,” he smiles back, but it's forced.
“What are you fighting for?” I prompt him, “He's our brother for God's sake, you're allowed to cry you know!”
“I know,” he whimpers, “But when I start I can't stop...”
Saved by the bell, or rather swing of the doors and rattling of the bed wheels, prompting all four of us to rise from our seats.
“Will he be okay?” Mum asks.
“He'll be fine,” the doctor says, “He just needs to spend some time in the recovery room before you can see him.”
“How long will that be?”
“Give it a couple of hours, maybe more,” comes the vague reply, “I can't say any more than that I'm afraid.”
“Okay, thanks,” she says, before looking back at me. “Didn't you say you've started back at school?”
“I start tomorrow night,” I reply, “Just as well huh?”
“Look,” Giana pipes up, “We can't do anything here, how about we get a drink while we wait?”
We all decide it's a good idea and head off. I don't enjoy it though, my mind is too busy tormenting me with flashbacks of those guys and images of how Gino must look by now. I wish it wouldn't; with the pounding he was getting earlier it can't be a pretty sight. All it's doing for me right now though, is strengthening my so-called stubborn refusal to rid myself of vampirism – I just helped save my brother's life tonight. No way would I be able to do that if I was mortal... in fact with monsters like that out there I could end up being a target myself – I may be straight, but I've already been mistaken for different simply because of the way I look. What with Joe's sons now perhaps being vulnerable, I'll be damned if I'm letting myself go that way too for the sake of getting older – that's if I'd be given the chance to age.

Woah. Poor guy.

This story is sweet! I usually don't read Sim stories, but this one is really cool.
Thank you so much for posting it :)

Seriously, eh? It really is fantastic.

Aw, thanks :D I'll have to get back into this at some point, I've been so absorbed in this other story I'm writing. Advance warning though, I've changed skins since some older story pics were taken, so there might be a mix of pictures, depending what ones I'll need :)

Finally, another update! :D Hopefully one of the pics isn't too racy, it's originally from my adult story so I've already had to censor it. Hope that's enough :)

*****

Thankfully now we're allowed to see him, but whether or not that's such a good thing I have yet to decide – he's such a pitiful sight to behold, not just physically but mentally too. Despite being told to not talk and save his energy, he keeps looking about himself and calling out for us.



“Get some rest,” Mum tells him, “We'll be back tomorrow night, okay?”
“No, please, don't leave me here alone...”
I make hastily for the exit as my heart breaks, tears stinging my eyes. Shortly after a green hand rests on my shoulder, and I end up with my head buried into Joe's chest. I never did think much of hateful people like that, never saw the point of being that way, now it just makes me sick. In fact it's times like this that make me grateful I'm no longer human.

Tap tap tap.
“Dad?”
I suppress a groan as I wake to tend my children's needs, going about the daily routine by now I'm used to but in a daze, my mind still spinning from the night before and contemplating how I'll face school tonight. In the meantime there's the forum to check – there's a new face on there (calls himself "Fearsome Pussycat" for some reason!), and from the sounds of things he's one to keep an eye on.


Ah yes, I remember that well, sadly. Things got really ugly in that other thread he started; I felt so sorry for him. He got flamed to hell before I had a chance to intervene, but this time there's no extra posts. Move in now!



If that doesn't do it nothing will. I can't help but wonder however, just how many of those people are the kids he's been having problems with... who knows. Damn yeah, that reminds me, I start back at school tonight! That'll be interesting, wonder what kind of people attend nowadays... if it's the same one this “Fearsome Pussycat” goes to I'm in for a barrel of laughs.

Just my luck; first night back at school and we have PE lessons. Trying to slow down my pace so the others can keep up is a nightmare – we're predators, we naturally move faster than humans, but that doesn't help when you're trying to play a fair football match.
“I can't help it!” I tell the teacher as he stops the match again.
“You're going to have to try,” he replies, “You're the only vampire on the pitch.”
“Lucky me,” I scowl in response, idly sweeping my leg across to kick the ball away before walking down the pitch.
“Alright, that'll do,” he declares after a little while.
Thank God for that. Maybe I should ask to skip PE in future, if I'm going to have this every time. It's not even as though there's enough for vampire-only classes, although there are a fair few green lads among this crowd.

It's not due to expending my energy that drives me to the shower, just the enjoyable feeling of the warm water cascading down my body, my eyes closing in contentment as I allow some to splash upon my face. An angry banter not far away springs my eyes back open as I look in the direction of the commotion.
“Hey gay boy, keep your eyes to yourself!”
My eyes narrow at the reference, and find myself struggling to contain the flashbacks now plaguing my mind as my eyes lock onto the target, a big built lad who looks as though he's been working out for a while. I can only tell it's him when he replies with an equally scathing remark.
“I wasn't looking at you smart-a***!”
That-a boy, you tell 'em!
As he approaches my side however, my mental nose sniffs out an aura of sadness, although for now I can't pinpoint the cause – it seems there's some shroud over his thoughts, as though he's used to the company of vampires. Still, he needs to know someone's on his side at least.



“Don't let them get to you,” I reassure him, “Just 'cause you fancy guys instead of girls, that doesn't make you any less of a person.”
“I know,” comes the soft reply, “I try not to, but it's hard...”
“Yeah, I can imagine,” I say as I scrub at my face.
We shower in silence for a spell, but what he says next takes me by surprise.
“You have a brother called Joe?”
My head jerks in his direction as my ears are alerted to the sound of his name.
“Half brother,” I frown in reply, “Why?”
“I'm one of his sons.”
“Whoa!” I exclaim happily, my heart racing with excitement at finally coming face to face with one of his boys, and a chance to see for myself what they're really like. “Chris?” I check, noting his brown hair, although the other might be the same colour so I hastily check myself.
“No, it is Chris,” he smiles in reply, “Andy's green.”
“Ah, okay,” I acknowledge. That narrows it down for sure, although I wasn't expecting either of his two to be so... big. I'll be honest, if I was human he'd scare me.
“Did you p*** him off?” he suddenly asks.
Wow, this kid has a good memory... wasn't he just out of nappies when I turned up that night?
“That's a very long story,” I tell him carefully, “It's also the least of my problems right now,” I finish with a sullen manner.
At this his mood also falls, but what he says takes me by surprise at first.
“Yeah, I know. I heard what happened to your brother... I'm sorry.”
My head slowly turns in his direction, feeling a pang of sadness but also curiosity. “We didn't get back 'til gone four in the morning,” I find myself asking, “How the hell do you know what happened?”
He could well have found his Dad the next day before he got to bed, but given what state the poor guy was in I doubt that very much – when Joe said once he starts he can't stop, he plainly wasn't kidding. After crying that much he'd have wanted to hit his coffin at the first sign of daybreak.
“I couldn't sleep,” he says, “I was up all night stargazing, in fact that's when I saw them fly back home.”
“I see,” I reply, returning to my cleansing and thinking no more of it. That sadness I picked up from him must have been to do with Gino – if a member of my family came back in the state Joe was in last night I'd be shaken too, to say nothing of hearing that people are out witch hunting now. If I was gay and human I'd be petrified; Chris may be able to look after himself, but he's only a kid – those guys we fed on last night were grown men. He wouldn't last five minutes no matter how well a fight he can put up.

We arrange for him and his twin Andy to come home with Emily and I – there's much to talk about it seems. Just looking at them though it's hard to believe they're brothers, let alone twins.



After a scene in the changing room – again to do with them preferring guys! - I can't leave school fast enough. I'm already regretting going back tonight, although I quickly brush that thought aside when considering the fact that I wouldn't have come across the twins if I hadn't. All I can do now is wipe last night from my mind for now and look forward to a family gathering in the comfort of our home.

*****

I had it all nicely laid out in OpenOffice with the forum posts looking like forum posts, avatars and all. What a shame HTML's been turned off, I was hoping to apply it to the post :(

Hooray for updates! :)

Bump. :(

That's why I'm not bothering to update anymore. Sorry to anyone who has been enjoying this, but there's not been enough interest overall for me to continue.

:( Oh...that's really sad - this is really good!