2. NEW ADDITION
THREE WEEKS HAD PASSED, AND I WAS STILL adapting to my newfound vampire existence. My recollections were hazy, but slowly coming back to me. I recalled fleeing from the bikers, Victoria rescuing me, and ultimately transforming me into a vampire to join her in seeking vengeance.
As I stood by the newsstand, my red eyes fixated on the newspaper's headlines. It had become my ritual, my way of keeping track of time. Today, as I glanced at the date, March 11th, 2006, a bitter irony washed over me. The news article detailing the ongoing violence had transformed into my own personal calendar, marking the duration of my existence as a vampire.
As memories began to resurface, I recollected a snippet of my life before Seattle. Before I became a vampire. I vividly remembered dashing out of a house and somehow finding myself on a bus headed there.
The more I pieced together my past, the more inquiries flooded my mind. Why did I flee from that house? Did I have a family waiting for me? Would they be concerned about my disappearance? Why did I choose to run away?
I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that washed over me as I pondered these questions. It was as if I had abandoned everything and everyone I once knew, without a second thought. But the memories were still fragmented, and I couldn't grasp the full picture of what had led me to that moment.
Victoria had been created additional newborn vampires for her army, and I had encounter a few existing ones. One of them was Diego, with his thick, curly black hair, full lips, wide red eyes, and a faint olive tone to his vampire skin. He stood at around six feet tall, lean yet muscular, his features enhanced by the transformation. His scent was sweeter than the others, with a hint of spice. Diego excelled in control and discipline, tasked with managing the wilder newborns due to his intelligence and careful nature.
Another vampire I met was Fred, a tall man standing at six foot two, with thick, curly blond hair, broad shoulders, and a muscular build. He appeared older than most of the others, earning the nickname "Freaky Fred" that made everyone avoid him. Everyone except for me, which surprised many of the newborns. Despite all of this, I couldn't deny his striking handsomeness compared to the rest. Fred had a scientific approach to things and displayed high intelligence.
Lastly, there was Raoul, a vampire standing at around five foot ten, with a wiry yet muscular physique and black hair. His imposing figure intimidated the other vampires within the army. Raoul was a merciless and highly competitive individual, known for his explosive temper. Many vampires feared him, but I was not one of them. He had a deluded belief that he was the most important member of the army, disregarding the fact that Victoria had appointed me as her third-in-command long before his arrival.
It goes without saying that Raoul was my least favorite among them all.
Raoul's arrogance and constant need for validation grated on my nerves. He constantly challenged my authority and undermined my decisions, believing that he was more deserving of the position I held. His reckless behavior and disregard for the safety of others made him a liability, and I often found myself having to clean up the messes he created.
Amongst the ranks of the army, there existed female vampires as well. One of them was Kristie, and she possessed a rather unpleasant demeanor. There was simply no other way to describe her. Just like the rest of us, she had sandy blonde hair and striking red eyes. Within the army, she had formed her own "small coven," similar to Raoul's. However, their relationship was far from amicable, as they openly displayed hostility towards each other, making them sworn enemies. Essentially, if you sided with Raoul, Kristie became your adversary, and vice versa.
Jen, on the other hand, was Kristie's closest colleague, and she was even worse than Kristie herself. Unlike her friend, Jen's hair was a deep, almost sinister shade of golden brown, which perfectly matched her cold and calculating personality. Her piercing red eyes held a glint of malice, and her sharp, angular features seemed to be etched with a permanent scowl. While Kristie possessed an unpleasant demeanor, Jen took it to a whole new level.
There were other vampires as well: Casey, Dean, Heather, Jim, Kevin, Logan, Sara and Warren were just to name a few.
Tonight, Victoria and Riley prowled the streets in search of a fresh recruit to join their ranks. They instructed me to linger in the shadows of the alley, awaiting their return with their latest addition. The term "soldier" felt like a gross understatement.
As I bided my time, memories flooded back of a time when I stumbled into a dark alley, perhaps not this exact one, but one eerily similar. The day I took my last breath was the day my life changed forever. I was reborn, marking the end of my human existence and the beginning of my eternal life as a vampire.
A monster.
A predator.
The mere thought of it sends shivers down my undead spine.
I remembered the feeling of my heart stopping, the rush of power that surged through me as I took my first sip of blood. The taste was intoxicating, addicting, and I knew then that I was no longer bound by mortal constraints. I was free to roam the night, to hunt and feed as I pleased.
But with that freedom came a price. The constant hunger, the never-ending thirst for blood that could never be truly satisfied. And now, as I waited in the shadows for Victoria and Riley to return, I couldn't help but wonder if this was truly the life I wanted.
As the minutes turned into hours, I began to question my loyalty to my creator and her companion. Was I truly willing to follow them blindly, to do their bidding without question? Or was there a part of me that longed for something more, something different?
But before I could dwell on these thoughts any longer, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Riley emerged from the darkness, their new recruit in tow. I watched as they welcomed her into their fold, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open with fear.
She appeared incredibly young, perhaps only fourteen or fifteen years old. Though I couldn't ascertain her exact age, it was evident that she was younger than me. With her dark hair cascading down to her waist and her delicate frame, she exuded an air of vulnerability. Her gaze was fixed upon me, and her irises were a striking shade of brilliant red. They seemed to shimmer and glow, far more vibrant than the eyes of Victoria and Riley, almost as if they were spinning out of control.
I couldn't help but be captivated by her presence, her aura drawing me in like a moth to a flame. There was something undeniably familiar about her, something that set her apart from the others. As she approached, her steps hesitant and cautious, I could see the fear etched into her features, the uncertainty in her eyes.
"Violet, meet Bree," Riley introduced.
Bree's eyes widened even further at the mention of my name. She seemed to be in awe of me, though I couldn't understand why. I was just another member of their group, nothing special.
As we exchanged greetings, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about Bree. Her presence seemed to radiate a sense of innocence and vulnerability, a stark contrast to the hardened exterior of Victoria and Riley.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards her, knowing that she was stepping into a world filled with danger and uncertainty. I made a silent vow to myself to watch out for her, to guide her through the challenges that lay ahead.
And as I followed them back into the night, I knew that my fate was sealed. I was a vampire, a predator, a soldier in Victoria and Riley's eternal army. And whether I liked it or not, this was my life now.
"Violet...What are you doing... Did I do something wrong?... See you soon, Violet..."
The sound of a young girl's voice lingered in my mind. It had been haunting me for days, yet I couldn't place where I knew her from. She must have been a significant person in my past life.
Every time I closed my eyes, her voice would resurface, whispers and memories danced just beyond my grasp. It was as if she held the key to a forgotten chapter of my existence, a chapter that had been buried deep within the recesses of my mind. Her voice carried a weight of familiarity, a sense of connection that tugged at my heartstrings, leaving me yearning for answers.
Interrupting my contemplation, Bree's voice broke through the haze, calling out my name, "Violet?"
I snapped back to reality, my thoughts abruptly disrupted by Bree's concerned tone. Blinking a few times to refocus my attention, I turned towards her, my mind still grappling with the remnants of that haunting voice. "Yes, Bree?" I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of distraction.
Bree's eyes narrowed slightly, her brows furrowing in worry. "You seemed lost in thought there for a moment. Is everything alright?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
I sighed, attempting to shake off the lingering echoes of the mysterious voice. "I'm fine, Bree. Just... lost in my own thoughts, I suppose," I admitted, my voice tinged with a touch of frustration.
How could I explain the inexplicable? How could I convey the weight of a voice that seemed to hold the key to a part of my past I couldn't quite grasp?
Bree's gaze softened, her hand reaching out to gently touch my arm. "You know, sometimes it helps to talk about what's bothering you," she offered, her voice filled with empathy. "Maybe if you share what's on your mind, it'll become clearer."
I hesitated, unsure of how to articulate the enigma that had consumed my thoughts. But Bree's unwavering support and understanding gaze encouraged me to open up. "It's just... this voice," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "I keep hearing it in my mind, like an echo that won't fade away. It feels familiar, like a piece of a puzzle I can't quite place."
Bree's eyes widened, her curiosity piqued. "A voice? Whose voice is it?" she asked, her voice filled with intrigue.
"That's the thing," I replied, frustration lacing my words. "I have no idea. It's a young girl's voice, but I can't remember who she is or why her voice holds such significance for me. It's like a forgotten memory from a past life, just out of reach."
Bree's expression softened. "I can see how that would be unsettling," she murmured, her voice filled with understanding.
I observed with growing concern as Bree delicately caressed her throat and pressed her lips together. Suddenly, she began to whimper, her distress evident.
"Bree?" I called out, my voice filled with worry.
She turned towards me, her eyes filled with agony. "My throat... it's burning."
I watched as Bree's hand instinctively moved to her throat, her face contorting with discomfort. Her whimper escalated into a low groan, and the pain etched in her eyes was undeniable.
"When was the last time you fed?" I inquired, my voice tinged with concern.
Struggling to speak, Bree's voice came out strained. "F-Fed?"
I nodded, my worry deepening. "Yes, Bree. When was the last time you drank blood?"
Bree's eyes widened in realization, and she winced. "I haven't..."
My still heart sank as I realized the severity of the situation. As vampires, we all relied on blood to sustain ourselves. Without it, our bodies would weaken, they would deteriorate, and the pain she was experiencing would only intensify.
I quickly moved towards her, my instincts kicking in. "Come on, Bree. We need to find you some blood, now."
She nodded weakly, her hand still clutching her throat. I guided her towards the door, my mind racing with thoughts of where we could find a suitable source of blood. We couldn't risk going out in public, not with Bree in such a vulnerable state. We needed a solution, and we needed it fast.
Eventually, our search led us to an abandoned cannery on the Seattle harbor front. As we approached the area, a sudden commotion erupted.
CRASH!
A newborn vampire crashed into the wall, causing the bricks to crack. He collapsed onto the ground right in front of Riley, who swiftly turned to face another newborn.
"Anyone else who starts a fight will have their arms ripped off!" Riley's voice boomed with authority, his words echoing through the abandoned cannery.
The other newborn hesitated, his eyes darting between Riley and the fallen vampire. It was clear that Riley was not to be trifled with.
Stepping over a feeble human man sprawled on the ground, his life force barely flickering, Riley's presence drew the attention of a dark-haired newborn, their hunger palpable as they hungrily observed the light-haired vampire feasting upon the remnants of the man's dwindling existence.
Within the confines of this forsaken sanctuary, a dozen more newborns of various genders indulged in their primal desires, alternating between feeding, lounging, and engaging in fierce battles. What united them all was an unyielding ferocity, an unparalleled strength, and an insatiable thirst that consumed their every waking moment.
And so, I bore witness to this captivating spectacle, day and night, as the cannery's walls whispered secrets of a world hidden in shadows.
A world where the line between predator and prey blurred, where the laws of humanity no longer held sway. In this forgotten realm, power reigned supreme, and survival was the only law that mattered.
Riley approached us while I settled Bree in the corner, her knees drawn up to her chest. As he knelt to examine her, she suddenly sprang to her feet, pressed against the wall, disoriented and clearly thirsty. Her hand instinctively went to her neck where she had been bitten.
"What—what have you done to me?" Bree gasped, clutching her neck.
I noticed the two newborn vampires squabbling once more, reigniting their fight, much to Riley's growing annoyance.
"I'm so - so..." Bree struggled to speak.
"I know, I know," I reassured her. "We'll find you someone to feed on. The thirst will subside in time. I've been a vampire for a week now and I'm managing."
I had to maintain control over myself, much to Victoria's surprise. She had expected me to succumb to the primal instincts that came with being a vampire, to become a mindless predator driven solely by the need to feed. But I refused to let the power consume me. I refused to let survival be my only imperative.
I was different. I had always been different. Even as a human, I had never been one to conform to societal norms or blindly follow the rules. And now, as a vampire, I refused to let the crazed side define me.
Just then, the dark-haired newborn tore off the light-haired newborn's head completely. Bree screamed and I held onto her arm. Riley shook his head, frustrated.
"Bree, focus on me," I urged, my voice filled with concern. "We need to get out of here. It's not safe."
Bree nodded, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. She clung onto me tightly as we made our way towards the exit, trying to ignore the gruesome scene unfolding behind us. The sound of bones cracking and the sickening scent of blood filled the air, but I focused on keeping Bree calm in the chaos.
"Keep her safe," Riley muttered, casting a wary glance in our direction. "If she keeps panicking like that, she won't survive out there."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving us to fend for ourselves.
I knew I needed to have a serious conversation with Victoria about this.
The events of that night had shaken us to our core, and I knew that we couldn't continue on like this. Bree was clearly not cut out for the dangers of our world, and it was my responsibility to ensure her safety.
As we made our way back to our hideout, I made a mental note to speak to Victoria about Riley's handling of the situation and possibly finding a suitable role for Bree within our army. She was too valuable to lose, but she needed to be protected and kept out of harm's way.
I knew it wouldn't be an easy conversation, but it was necessary for the survival of our group. We couldn't afford to have any weak links, especially in the face of the growing threats against us.
But for now, my priority was to get Bree to safety and make sure she was okay. The image of the gruesome scene we had witnessed would haunt me for days to come, but I had to push it aside and focus on the task at hand.
As we finally reached the safety of our hideout, and managed to find her someone to feed on, I made another silent vow to do whatever it took to protect Bree and keep her out of harm's way. And with that determination in mind, I knew that I would have to confront Victoria and make some difficult decisions for the sake of our army's survival.
