Society Of Night

An ANN THE VAMPIRE story.

     The two girls who were in their early 20s were soon vampires. Tyler was relieved his girl survived his first feeding as a vampire and woke as one. Her name was Julie and the other girl that Justin had fed upon's name was Sammie. Julie was thin with shoulder length hair and pale blue eyes. Sammie was just a little overweight, with long black hair and brown eyes.

     Where Tyler and Justin had easy transitions Julie and Sammie didn't. The violence of their turning, Ann and Eddie knew, was part of the problem. They offered their love and support as did Tyler and Justin. Julie was adjusting nicely to her new condition but the same couldn't be said of Sammie. It seemed something within her was damaged by the attack then the turning.

     “Now listen.” Ann said. She stood in the living room while Tyler, Justin, Julie and Sammie sat on the couch and two recliners. Eddie stood with her. “It's a lovely night and I think we will work on your flying. As you noticed, the darkness is growing longer and winter will be here soon enough. You'll need to have your strength and skills at flying well developed very soon.”

     “Yes.” Eddie added. “Sometimes if not all the time we need to fly far to find a meal.”

     Julie giggled. “I love flying.”

     Ann looked at her, “You've mastered it well Julie. I'm proud of you.” Then she looked at the other three newborns, “You've all come along nicely. I'm proud of you.” She looked at Sammie but her gaze didn't linger. She wished it were true of Sammie but it wasn't. She was too fragile.

     “Me too? Are you proud of me?” asked Sammie. Her eyes were too bright, as if she were suffering from a fever but vampires couldn't get sick, at least physically sick.

     “Yes we are.” Eddie told her.

Sammie smiled, the lingering sadness in her eyes was heightened by their feverish gleam.

     Ann sighed internally, wondering if keeping Sammie alive had been a good thing. She didn't know if vampires could suffer depression but if they did Sammie suffered it. Tyler was only concerned about Julie, not Sammie. And Justin wasn't concerned too much about either Julie or Sammie.

     “Can we go fly?” Julie asked.

     “Yes, let's go outside.” Ann led the way out the front door.

      Once outside the huskies in their large outdoor run started whining and barking excitedly. They jumped about, tails wagging and tongues lolling, wanting to join the activity.

     “Too bad we can't take the dogs.” Tyler said.

     “We'll be flying.” Ann said.

     “I know Mom. We haven’t been sledding for a while. I miss it.” Tyler said.

     “It hasn't been that long son. You'll be out sledding in no time. Can't let your trap lines go unchecked too long. It wouldn't be humane to the animals you've captured.” Eddie said.

     Tyler nodded in agreement.

     “Okay, let's focus.” Ann called, drawing their attention to her.

     They stood around Ann. “Listen now. We've all flown short distances. Now we are going to go further. We will be going in circles only we'll be close to home if anyone gets in trouble.”

     In the distance they heard wolves howling. Ann paused to listen. She smiled, Werewolves. Jake's pack nearby. Closer to them a pack of coyotes started yapping. The sky overhead was clear with millions and millions of stars glittering in the dark sky overhead. A half moon hung in the sky, it's shimmering glow mingled with the stars' silvery light creating a magical sheen.

     The night sky is so beautiful, Ann thought, it's so magical. Then she returned her focus to her clan. “Okay everyone. Take to flight... follow me.”

     Ann shot up into the air, her black feathery wings unfurling gracefully.   She hovered there, watching as first Tyler took to the air, then Julie, followed by Justin. Sammie stood there, looking up with a distressed expression on her face.

     Eddie stood beside Sammie, “Sammie, what's wrong?”

     “I don't know if I can do it this time.” She wrung her hands in her distress.

     “Let's circle.” Ann said to Tyler, Justin and Julie. “Tiny circles. We'll give Sammie some time.”

     They circled overhead waiting for Sammie to join them.

     “Sammie you're a vampire. You can fly. All vampires can fly.” Eddie said to her in encouragement.

     Sammie looked at him, her distress turning to anger. “I didn't want to be a vampire.” she hissed. “You tried to kill me. You and Ann.”

     “We didn't kill you Sammie. You have eternal life now. Perpetual youth. You'll never suffer old age or disease or death. Yes. We were going to kill you. Would you rather be dead?” Eddie asked her.

     “I lost my life! My family, my friends, my dreams!”

     “We've given you a new life. Getting a new life isn't unusual for humans.   You do it all the time. Your life is changing all the time as a human. So, what's the real difference here? But we can end your new life, if that's what you want Sammie? Will that make you happy?” Eddie's expression and voice was very harsh by the time he got to the end of his speech.

    Sammie looked at Eddie, seeing he meant what he was saying. Fear hit her deep and twisted in her gut. She started shaking her head back and forth, blood tears pooled in her eyes.

     Overhead Ann slowly circled, waiting and watching as did the other three vampires. Ann was holding her breath, wondering what Sammie would do.

     The huskies in the outdoor pen fell silent, as if they too were waiting to see what Sammie's answer would be.

     “Well Sammie? What will it be?” Eddie asked, pushing her for an answer.

     Sammie threw back her head and screamed, “No! No! No!”

     Ann rose higher up into the night sky, signaling the others to rise up with her.

     “What's wrong with her?” Julie asked.

     “I'm afraid bringing her across has traumatized her too much. Her mind is broken.” Ann answered.

     They all looked down, watching Sammie as she collapsed to the ground in a tormented heap. Ann sadly shook her head.“Stay here.” she said, going back down. She landed beside the crumpled Sammie. Eddie stood beside Ann. “Kill her?” he asked.

     Ann shook her head. “No. No. Take her back inside and put her in her bed. We'll find something for her to feed on. I'm going to take the others on their flying lesson.”

     “Okay Ann.” Eddie scooped up Sammie and carried her inside.

     Ann rejoined the three circling newborns. “We'll continue now with our flying lesson. Sammie won't be joining us.”

     “Okay Mom.” Tyler said. He was glad Sammie hadn't been killed but wondered what was going to happen to her. If she couldn't adjust to being a vampire like Julie had would they have to destroy her? What else could they do?

     Ann was thinking the same thing. If Sammie wouldn't adjust they'd have to kill her. They couldn't take the time to deal with a vampire with serious emotional problems. And no other vampires could or would either.

Author's Note

In memory of my sister Ann Margo Kline.

Reviews

[Eric Cox]

A cool write. Hope Sammie can overcome her crisis and take flight as vampire. Very nice pen upon this piece.

[Star Wolf]

Oh, that Sammie!
Very awesome addition to Ann the Vampire story collection. I enjoyed this awesome chapter!

[Black Cat Fever]

Nice story about Ann the vampire. A troubling one but I enjoyed the story and conflict in it.

[Wolf's Dark Song]

Another wonderful edition to Ann the Vampire series. Reading this I end up being concern for the newborn vampire Sammie. I can't help but wonder what is going to happen to her.