Written by: iliketowatch Feedback to: iliketowatch02@aol.com CHAPTER ONE 1600's I sighed as I walked through the woods. It was nice to be alone and be able to think over things. If my family knew I was alone in the woods at night, they would kill me. Strange things have been happening in the village lately. Women's' bodies have been found, in the woods, completely drained of blood. There is talk of demons or witches. I laugh at the idea of demons or witches, there has been no proof of them...only the word of the people "attacked". My Life is really complicated at this moment. I love this girl, but my family and hers don't get along. I sigh, as I pause and look up at the sky. There are absolutely no stars in the sky tonight, making the woods even darker. All of a sudden, the woods are silent, no crickets or night animal sounds. A prickling feeling runs over my neck, as I feel as if I'm being watched...or maybe hunted... My heart hammers in my chest, as if it is a caged bird trying to escape. I exhale the breath I hadn't noticed I'd been holding. Slowly, I turn around to head back toward the village. Turning, I run into someone. I let out a blood-curdling scream, pulling my knife out of my beltloop...preparing to strike. "Whoa! Take it easy! I'm not going to attack!" The man throws his hands back, to show he has no weapons. My heartbeat slows down to a more normal rate. "For the love of God!! What the HELL are you doing sneaking up on people in the middle of the night!?" He cocks his head to one side, a smirk forming on his face, "I was going to ask you why you are out here in the night, alone?" I shake my head, "Trying to clear my head." He smiles, dimples forming halfway across his face, "I'm Brian." "Nickolas" WE shake hands . I quickly pull away, his hands are freezing! I look him over. He's shorter than me, with short curly blonde hair, and blue eyes. His body is wider...not fat, but stocky...I guess that's the way you can describe it. His face is very chiseled and his eyes have a very kind shine to them. I like this guy. "So, Nickolas, what exactly are you doing out here?" I look at him as if he's crazy. Tell a complete stranger about my problems? Before I can stop myself, I pour everything out to him. "My family and this other family...the McVay's have been having a feud for the past 100 years. We don't even remember how it all started. Bad thing is, I'm in love with the youngest daughter...Emily. We have been secretly seeing each other at night. If her older brother Mark ever found out I was with her, I'd be killed on the spot." My eyes widened, as I realized I had told a complete stranger my problems. Brian laughed, seeing the shocked look on my face, "It feels good to get that off your chest doesn't it?" I look at the ground, nodding. He smiles, "Nickolas, I really think that you shouldn't pursue this young lady, you are risking your life. For all you know this isn't love, but lust." I look at him, rage in my eyes. How can he say I'm in love or not in love with Emily? He doesn't even know me! He isn't even much older than me!! "How the hell can you tell me who I love and don't? I don't know you...you don't know me. Hell, you aren't even much older than me!" T he friendly smile disappears, as he frowns, "You are 20...right?" "Twenty-two." "I'm 27. Yes, I'm not many years older than you, but I still have 5 years seniority and know what I'm talking about." He sees the death glares I'm giving him, "Look, I have loved, too. But what you have is lust. She is forbidden to you, so you pursue her. It's natural for all men to do this." I blink at him, he's making sense. "Maybe you are right, but I do love her." He shakes his head, "Stubborn..." I quickly change the subject, "Are you new here? I haven't seen you before." Immediately, Brian begins to show signs of being nervous, "I traveled here, because there was a strange outbreak in my village, killing my family. Then, there happens to be something strange going on here, too." I nod my head, "People believe it's demons or witches. I don't believe any of it." Brian smiles, "You never know what supernatural beings are out there." I roll my eyes, "What? Like vampires and werewolves...right..." A strange smile spreads over Brian's face, "You never know..." I shiver, not from the cold, but from the way Brian said that. Brian's eyes widen a tad, "I better go, it is almost dawn. You better go, before your family finds you awake." I smile sticking my hand out, "Good-night, then" He takes mine in his and we shake, "Hopefully I'll see you again." We say good-bye, and I depart. **********Brian's POV******** I snarl, my fangs slipping out, as soon as Nickolas leaves. How could I have let my guard down? I almost had him. My chest and stomach tighten, causing me to double over. I haven't fed tonight. There is no time now, dawn is quickly approaching. I will NEED to feed tommorrow night. Shaking my head, I know I can't feed off of Nickolas. He's young and nieve. To him I am 27, but in reality I am 100 years old. I "died" at 27 and am now what I am. The deaths in the village are from me. Even at 100 years old, I still sometimes lose control. The others are older and have better control and can feed, so they just have enough. A wave of pain hits me again. I let out a sound that is close to that of an animal. My fangs slip out, as my "monster" takes control. I need to feed!! I dig my fingers into my palm, as another wave of pain hits. Half-moon shapes form on my hand where I dug my nails in. Blood slowly drips form the scratches. I lick the blood. Finally as I ride another wave of pain, I leave and go to my night resting-place. CHAPTER TWO ~~~~~~BRIAN'S POV~~~~~~ I wipe the blood off my lips with the back of my hand. Staring down at the body I know Alex will have a fit, once the body is found. Tonight, I lost control. No, tonight I was an animal. The girl's throat is pratically ripped to shreds. I know why I lost control and became an animal...Nickolas... Last night I had been hunting him...I was to feed off of him, but I had been off guard....watching Nickolas. He saw me and I then couldn't feed off of him! You don't understand how hard it is to not lose control, with a human standing before you. There were so many times I wanted to grab Nickolas and drink him dry. Eventhough I am still young for a vampire, I have some control...but as soon as the blood is drawn...you don't want to be around then. I really hope I see Nickolas again, I need to talk sense into him. ~~~~~~NICK'S POV~~~~~~ I can't believe this! I'm walking through the woods hoping to see Brian again. No one in the village has ever heard of him, or seen any one of his description. It's been just about a week since I saw him the first time . The night after I met Brian, another girl was found dead...her throat was pratically ripped to shreds. Apart from the blood that was all over her neck, there was absolutly no blood in her body. People are still saying demons, but I think it's a wild animal that is feeding off of those that wander into the woods. Hence, the knife that I am always carrying around now. Sighing i listen to the sounds of the woods, wanting not be caught off guard if the wild animal attacks me . From behind me I hear footsteps. Turning around I see Brian . A smile spreads over my face. Why am I so excited to see him? "Brian." He smiles back, sticking his hand out for a shake, "Nickolas" "Where have you been?" Brian's demeanor changed, "I have not been feeling well." I raise an eyebrow not knowing what to think of this. We ignored the question and started to talk about random things. Whenever I bring up his family, he is always quick to change the subject. ~~~~~~A WEEK LATER~~~~~~ Brian and I had gotten together in the same spot in the woods to talk. I learned a lot about him and I have come to like him as a friend. Somewhere in me, a different feeling stirs whenever I see him. After talking for what seems like hours, Brian asks a question I was hoping not to answer, "So, what are you doing about Emily?" I gulp, before speaking, "I'm going to meet her tommorrow night. We are going to...well..." A blush creeps over my face, as I try to figure out how to say it, "...profess our love for one another." Brian grins at me, "Basically you will make love?" Heat rises to my face as I blush more. He shakes his head, "You are risking your life. All it is, is lust. What are you going to do if her brother sees you two together?" I pause, I had never really thought about that. Looking at Brian I shrug. He sighs, "He will surely kill you on the spot..." "I can defend myself." "What if your family becomes enraged with you enough, that they won't protect you?" I glare at him, "No matter what you say, I am still going to meet with Emily." Brian sighs giving in, "I can see that no matter what I say to you will change your mind..." ~~~~~~BRIAN'S POV~~~~~~ It saddens me to know that Nickolas is going to risk his life to see this girl. I laugh outloud to myself. Who would have thought that a vampire could become friends with a human...our prey? Never had I thought I would befirend a human, let alone let a human befirend me. Nickolas looks at me, as I sadden. I smile, "Tommorrow night, after you and Emily have met together...meet me back here, so I will know that you are alive..." Nick cuts me off, "Why are you so worried?" I glance at him, "Because, like I have said many times...you are risking your life. It is sad to see you risk your life at a young age.' "You aren't much older..." "Yes, I'm not much older...but I fear for you." He smiles at me, "I can take care of myself if Mark catches me and Emily together." I place my arms around him, pulling him close into a hug. My face is near his neck, where I can feel his pulse and smell his blood. I have to pull away, once I feel the temptation to sink my fangs into his neck and feed off of him. I have already fed tonight, but the need is still there in me...bubbling towards the surface. The feel of him hugging me back, makes me want him. My body reacts to this. I have come to realize that I am attracted to Nickolas. This is not new to me, I have always been attracted to men. I hunt women becasue they are the easier prey, and are easlily caught off guard. I step back, the temption to kiss him, then feed off of him is too strong, "Just promise me, you will meet me here tommorrow night, after you and Emily meet." Nickolas smiles and opens his mouth to joke, but stops once he sees how serious I am, "I promise." He pulls me into a hug and I sigh as I hold onto him, as if this might be the last moment I see him. CHAPTER THREE ~~~~~~NICK'S POV~~~~~~ I easily guide my horse through the stormy night. Rain plastered my hair to my face and my white button up shirt to my body. The McVay's are the richest family of the village and live in a three-story house, set at the edge of the village. My horse and I near the end of the woods, surrounding their house. Once I reach the McVay property, I slow my horse to a walk, not wanting to make any more noise than necessary on the cobblestone. Looking up, I see that the only lit room is Emily's. Smiling to myself I dismount, turning my horse to the side of the house to hide. Going from the ground to Emily's balcony was a ladder that guided the rose bush to grow the right way. Rung by rung, I climb up to Emily's room. Lightning illuminates the sky, causing me to freeze, not wanting to be spotted standing on Emily's balcony. I softly knock on the door to her balcony. Before I can even wait for a response, the door is flung open. Emily grabs a hold of my wet shirt and drags me into the room. For being a lot smaller than me, she is forceful. She forcefully kisses me on the lips, pulling me close to her body. Her hands wander all over my chest and back. I hold her out at arm length. Emily's big brown eyes stare up at me, full of want and need. She is a lot smaller than me, standing to my chest. Her dark brown hair falls past her shoulders in waves. Emily's nightgown barely leaves any to the imagination. The nightgown is white and falls to her ankles, the neckline of it is usually tied by string to close it, but is left undone...revealing the curves of her chest. I kiss her gently on her lips, "I love you." As soon as those exact words slip out of my mouth, I hear Brian's voice in my head telling me it isn't love but lust. Emily smiles, burying her face into my chest, "I love you, too." Her voice is very breathy, as she says it. She kisses my jawline and neck, hands fumbling at the buttons of my shirt. I laugh to myself, seeing how eager she is. In a quick movement, the buttons of my shirt fly across the room. Emily stares at my ripped shirt, shocked that she had done it. She is soon distracted by my bare chest...her hands wandering over it, licking her lips. I can't take it any more as I swiftly lift her off of the ground, and move her to the bed. I gently lie her down, lying myself down over the length of her body...kissing at her neck. My hands wander to her shoulders as I push the nightgown off them, leaving her chest bare. She laughs as she wraps her arms and legs around me. ************************************************************************************************** I lie on my back completely exhausted. Emily's head is resting on my chest, one arm wrapped around my waist. She kisses my chest, as she looks up at me. I kiss the top of her head, "I need to go." She sits up, pulling the sheet up to her chest. I try not to laugh, seeing how modest she is...when, not over two hours ago I saw her whole body naked. "Why?" "I really don't want Mark to find us here like this." She lowers her head sadly, wrapping the sheet around herself tighter. I kiss her tenderly on the lips, "I love you." She smiles, kissing me back, "I love you Nickolas." I sit at the edge of the bed, pulling my pants on, along with my ripped shirt. Eventhough the ripped shirt doesn't cover anything, I'd rather wear it, then leave it in her room where it could be found. As I'm lacing up my boots, Emily's arms slip around my shoulders. She kisses at my neck and gently bites down on my shoulder. "Be careful." At that exact moment the door to her room flies open. "Emily, Father and I..." Mark stands in the doorway, a look of rage on his face. Emily's face shows nothing but horror, as I'm sure mine does too. "Mark! I can..." Mark's blue eyes narrow as he glares at me, "Nickolas..." I quickly get up racing out of Emily's window. I jump off of her balcony, not even bothering to look back. I can hear Mark's voice booming, "Father! Intruder! Guards on alert!" My landing isn't graceful, as I roll along the ground for a few seconds. I whistle for my horse, not bothering to check myself over. Quickly I mount my horse as I ride into the darkness. Behind me, I hear hoofbeats on the cobblestone. How did Mark get a horse so fast? They're rich enough where they probably can afford stable hands to be up at all hours of the day and night. They also probably have a horse ready to go at any minute. With that in mind, I squeeze my horse's sides with my legs, urging it to go faster. ~~~~~~BRIAN'S POV~~~~~~ I pace back and forth in the clearing, praying that Nickolas is okay. I would never forgive myself if he dies. Questions race through my mind. What he's been caught and they have him? What if they saw him with Emily? What if they have killed him? Quickly, I try to dismiss the last question from my mind. In the distance I hear the sound of hoofbeats. I pause listening, praying I am not hearing things. That is one perk to being a vampire, I have acute hearing. Meaning, the hoofbeats I AM hearing, any human wouldn't hear for another three minutes. Moment's later Nickolas races his horse around the bend before the clearing. He pulls back on the reigns, the horse rearing, as he stops. A smile spreads over my face, "Nickolas! You are okay!" He smiles, "I told you I can take care of myself." Taking a look at him, my smile disappears. I know what he had done with Emily...I can smell her on him. His hair is messed up, his shirt ripped open, flapping at his sides in the wind, and there are small scratches running over his chest. I really don't want to know who gave him those. I pause listening. Nickolas looks at me confused, "Brian?" I motion for him to be quiet. Sure enough I hear hoofbeats. I was too busy looking him over, to pay attention. Nickolas looks at me panicked, as he watches my face, "Brian!?" His horse seems to sense the trouble, as it paws at the ground, while pacing in place. Before I can warn Nickolas, Mark tears around the corner. "Nickolas!" Nickolas turns to face Mark, his eyes widening. Mark lifts his gun, pointing at Nickolas's chest, then fires. "NOO!! NICKOLAS!!" Nickolas's body jerks backwards, as the bullet hits him in the middle of the chest, flying out of his back. His eyes widen as he falls off his horse onto his back. My voice doesn't work for a moment as I watch him try to breathe. His breathing is labored, making gurgling and bubbly noises as he breathes in blood. Blood trickles from the corner of his mouth. My attention is brought back to Mark, as he walks his horse towards Nickolas. "No!" I scream, as he points the gun at him, wanting to finish Nickolas off. Before I can stop myself, I snarl...leaping at Mark. His eyes widen, his shot going off into the dark woods, as I knock us both to the ground. The gun slides across the forest floor. My fangs slip out of my gums, as I bare them at him. Mark's eyes widen, "Vampire!" His hands beat at my chest, having no effect on me. He shot Nickolas! I growl, as I twist his neck to the side . Mark twists in my grasp, putting up a good fight. Angered, I twist his neck, breaking it . His eyes widen, as the pain registers. He's not dead yet, but I want to finish him. I rear my head back, striking his neck. His blood pours into my mouth. I love the salty-sweet taste of it! My anger mixed with the smell of lots of blood, causes me to loose control. My fangs tear at Mark's neck, finding his jugular and latches onto it. I continue to feed, until I feel Mark's life leave his body. I rise and make my way to Nickolas. He's still alive, but in a great deal of pain. I'm not surprised...the bullet went straight through him. His breathing is getting to be more forced, as he tries to hang onto life. Tears start to fill my eyes, as his back arches in pain, "Nickolas?" His eyes open, slowly focusing on me. His eyes widen, seeing Mark's blood smeared across my mouth and my fangs no longer hidden. I lower my head, as I hide my fangs...then look at him again. "Nickolas, it's me." His eyes recognize me, as he tries to talk, "Brian?" He turns his head as he coughs up blood. I smile, tears falling down my face. I lift his head into my arms, as he continues to cough and wheeze. Before long I watch as the life leaves him. BACK NEXT |
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