New Things, new ways

A Chapter by Tina Kline

An ANN THE VAMPIRE story.

The werewolves howled in the distance. Ann stood at the glass wall of her and Eddie’s 2nd floor bedroom gazing out. Light snow was falling and the aurora borealis hissed and crackled overhead, shifting and twisting like curtains blow by the solar winds.

She could hear Sara and Julie on the first floor talking. Justin and Tyler were out side in the front yard exercising the huskies. They still pulled a sled but Tyler and Justin had quit tapping. Being vampires had cured them of their interest in trapping animals. They still hunted to feed their huskies wild game, but they did it as vampires now.

It didn't matter to Ann if her two sons continued trapping as long as they took care of their huskies and they did. She took a deep breath and let it out. She loved this beautiful and exquisite land, the northern lights and loved living in Alaska. She was happy here. So far no vampire hunters were around. They all kept a watch but so far, no signs of any. But after what happened to Sara's clan they'd be keeping a look out for a long time.

Ann turned around from the window. It was November and close to Thanksgiving. Since becoming a vampire Ann had never celebrated Thanksgiving, only birthdays and Christmas. But not Thanksgiving.

Sara, however, had been celebrating Thanksgiving with her former vampire clan. But Ann wasn’t so sure about it this holiday that centered around eating and feasting and eating. What could they all do to participate in the Thanksgiving feast? Drink different types of blood? Ann smiled. If Sara wanted to celebrate this feasting holiday let her tell them about what she had done to celebrate this holiday. Ann, herself, was interested in learning.

Ann left her room and headed downstairs. She sensed Eddie approaching the house. He had been out hunting and out looking for some ideas of how to acquire blood without having to go hunting every night.

Ann liked the idea. Tyler, Justin and Julie were newborn vampires and the idea of hunting was still fresh and exciting for them.

“Hi Ann.” Sara and Julie greeted as she entered the room.

“Hi guys.” Ann replied. “We have a beautiful aurora outside and its starting to snow.”

“Oh, I love it when it does both.” Sara jumped to her feet.

“Lets go out and enjoy it.” Julie said.

The three vampires went outside. Eddie was talking to Tyler and Justin. The huskies were rushing about their curled tails wagging, tongues lolling whining and nipping each other in their excitement.

“Look at the dogs. So excited.” Ann said.

Julie laughed and whistled. Her husky came running over to her and sat before her, looking eager to please.

Overhead the green aurora flickered and hissed. It danced its colors though the bare tree limbs from where the vampires watched below. Ann sighed at the beautiful sight. Julie petted her husky while she watched the northern lights overhead.

Tyler, Justin and Eddie looked up. “Nice.” Exclaimed Eddie.

“Yeah.” said Justin.

“There is no place like living in Alaska.” Ann said.

The werewolves song rose, high into the cold night air, higher and higher. Light snow continued to fall. Eddie went and put an arm around Ann's waist. She looked up at him and smiled. He gave her a kiss.

“Learn anything about a new source of blood we don't have to hunt for?” Ann asked.

“Yes I did. Blood banks.”

Ann looked at him in surprise. “Blood banks?” she repeated.

“Yes.” Eddie said. “We head for a big city and raid blood banks and bring the blood back here. We purchase a big refrigerator to put it in. We filled it up on a regular basis.”

“Oh we can't do that. Have a refrigerator delivered here.” Ann protested.

The other vampires gathered around to hear what Ann and Eddie were discussing. As the snow continued falling and the aurora continued flickering overhead and the huskies still dashed about in play the vampire clan discussed how to get a refrigerator to store their stolen blood in.

Finally Tyler said in a loud voice, “We steal it. Like we did the supplies to expand our house underground.”

“Yes.” agreed Julie. “It should be easy. We take it from a restaurant or cafe or something. Plenty of places in small towns.”

“I agree.” said Ann. “We do that and give bagged blood a try. See what we all think of it.”

After they all agreed they went back inside and settled n their living room. Several huskies followed them inside. Julie's husky settled at her feet.

“Now, Sara can explain how she and her former clan celebrated Thanksgiving. Well celebrate it if its something we can do.” Ann announced.

“It really is very simple.” Sara started her explanation of how she and her former clan celebrated Thanksgiving.. “It centers around decorations, really. Fake autumn leaves, vines with autumn leaves, fake pumpkins, real ones too. Turkey knick knacks, pine cones and autumn leaves. Indian corn. We'd decorate our home with all these things. Sometimes we'd get a couple bags of spine cones scented with cloves. We'd go shopping in Anchorage or Fairbanks.” A sad look came into her eyes as she glanced at everyone in the room who were watching her in return.

“Oh.” said Ann. “We can do this.”

“Yes.” Tyler agreed. “This decorating is something we can do.”

“It will be fun.” Julie said.

Sara smiled, blinking away blood tears. She felt the pain of loss of her former clan yet felt the happiness of the acceptance of her new Vampire clan and their willingness to do this for her. “It can become part of our traditions, huh?”
“Oh yes.” Ann said to Sara, “It will. I like the idea.”

Everyone agreed. A new celebration for Ann and her Vampire Clan. And Ann was sure more new thing s awaited them.

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