Winter Paradise

A Chapter by Tina Kline

An ANN THE VAMPIRE story.

It was snowing, heavily. Big white flakes twirling down to the ground, creating inch after inch of snow on the ground until it was feet after feet. The dark shadowy pine and Douglas Fir forest was strangely bright. The sky overhead was a slate grey. The nighttime forest was strangely quite. Even the usual singing of Timber wolves or the werewolf pack was absent.

Ann and her vampire sister Tina stood at the edge of the dark forest looking over a meadow that glowed and shimmered with the eerie light of the snow.

“Wow, impressive winter. It's never like this with Seattle winters, nor Portland winters either. It's mostly cold rain” Tina said. She'd gone back to Seattle for a short spell then returned to Alaska and Ann.

“I'm sure of that. Wait until you see some real spectacular aurora borealis shows. They're much more impressive with snow on the ground.”

Tina smiled, “Even more impressive than the ones I've already seen?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“I”Ill wish for some great pagan god to blow the storm on its way then.”

Ann laughed, “You do that. God will get angry.”

“We won't worry about God right now. We’re just having fun.”

“Yes, that's all.” Ann agreed.

“Do you ever see any big foots around here?” Tina asked suddenly.

So unexpected and so outrageous the question sounded to Ann that she broke out in laughter. “Really sister!”

Tina pushed her and sent her flying backwards into the thick snow. “Ann!” She mocked Ann's voice.

Ann sat up in the snow, “Big foots, indeed!”

“Well, have you seen any? This wild part of Alaska would be prime big foot territory.”

Ann struggled to get up in the snow. “Really?”
Tina held a hand out to her younger vampire sister. Ann clasped it and Tina hauled her up. Ann brushed the snow off of her clothing. “I don't know anything about big foots around here. Ask the boys. That's more their style.”

“Alright. Maybe I will. I don't know how you couldn't have come across some evidence of them. Even hear their cries.”

“Maybe they don't like us blood sucking vampires. You never know.” Ann was more serious now.

“Hmm. You could be right.”

“You're not some sort of big foot hunter, are you?”

Tina chuckled, “No. But I am interested. I listen to radio programs that talk about stuff like that. Skin Walkers. Upright Waling Werewolves. Dog men. Giant black cats. Stuff like that.”

“It all sounds terribly interesting.” Ann rustled her black feathered wings. “Do they ever talk about vampires on these radio programs you listen too?”
“Yes, they indeed do and those who come on claiming to be vampires have it all wrong. They're just fakes passing themselves of as e real thing. Disgusting, really. The worst ones are the humans who call and claim to be vampires but of a different sort. They are humans who like to drink blood. Have a bunch of rules they must follow. Have tattoos, were nose rings and have rings priced into other parts of their bodies and play at bondage.”

Ann snorted, “Sound like monsters but not vampires.”

The snow continued falling heavily around them. It landed silently on the snow already there and on the two vampires.

“It is lovely here in Alaska.” Tina said, gazing into the depths of the snowy night.

“When are you going to move here permanently?” Ann asked.

They stood, facing each other. “I don't know Ann. I like it here. I'd be part of a clan, huh?”

“My clan. And no, it isn't like some feudal king or queen, where you have to obey my orders. We live as a clan to protect us from other unfriendly vampires or werewolves who aren't so friendly and humans who might discover us accidental. And protect us from vampire hunters too. In a clan we have companionship, friendship and knowing there are others who care for us. That's all.” She gazed hopefully at her vampire sister.

Tina smiled, “Who knows? I've lived in Seattle for some years. A change wouldn't hurt.”

Ann smiled so broadly her fangs were all exposed, “Great! I'm happy to hear you are moving in with us!”

Tina took Ann's hands in hers. “Just for a while. Just to see what it is like. I am a city girl, a city vampire, not a country one.”

Ann laughed happily, “I think you'll like it here in Alaska. You use to always want to move to Alaska and see the Northern Lights nd hear the wolves and see them. Now you can. Lots and lots of times.”

Tina smiled, “Sounds heavenly.”

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