Within the Cards (12 page)

“So you two have a past together. Are you still involved with each other?” Brit asked as she looked at each of the others when she returned with a drink. I could see the deepness in Trish's swallow as she anticipated her fears of Daught's and my past would be true. I felt enlighten.

“No, he is the past.” I spoke. I felt my body tense. I couldn’t stand the thought of a mere vampire touching me. I heard the thoughts of Trish during the conversation I engaged in with her friends.

“This bitch thinks she can have every man in this school. She apparently has slept with Daught at some time, and now she is trying to hit on Michael. What does she have that I don't? I am prettier than she is." Trish’s thoughts were forceful.

I enjoyed the torment that was going through her thoughts. She was such an insecure human. I turned to look in the direction I last saw Michael, but he and his friends had left. Now I had missed my chance at getting him alone so I could show him who was going to hit whom.

“If you're looking for Michael, I’m sure he and his friends went to the weight room. All they ever do is work out and shoot up steroids. Damn junkies, I’m shocked they didn’t ask you to go with them” Meg spoke while she laughed and moved the cups around on the table.

“Excuse me, I don’t have to work out, and I don’t do drugs. That crap is for losers.” I replied. I felt the fumes rise from my head. My normally cold body temperature rose, as I tasted the venom that increased in my mouth. Why would she insinuate that I would be a drug addict? They were just jealous that my body was perfect. These little bitches were getting on my nerves. I don’t need anything to get high, but of course her blood with an adrenaline rush would make me feel high right now. Jen’s squeaky little voice interrupted my thoughts.

“So would it bother you if Trish asked Daught out?” Jen asked. I rolled my eyes in the direction of Meg. She knew she had pissed me off. She looked over at some other students that were celebrating a high score on one of the machines these humans play.

“No not at all.” I replied. The venom was still thick in my mouth. I couldn’t stop with that answer. I don’t know why I felt a repulsive feeling to keep Trish away from Daught, but I didn’t want her anywhere around him.

“He's open to anyone, but I'm not sure you really want to be with him.” I stated looking in Trish’s direction. The four human females looked at me with question in their eyes. This was going to be fun.

“Well he has this problem.’ I spoke and stopped. I knew I had their undivided attention.

“What?” Trish asked.

I looked in all directions. I then looked again on both sides of myself and pretended to see if anyone over heard me. I leaned in close to the four insecure humans. They listened to my every word, ready for any bit of gossip I could tell them. Poor Daught laid in his dorm minding his own business, but he was the topic of our conversation and my insults. I did wish he would walk in right now so I could enjoy seeing the look on his little vamp face. His face would have the expression of terror if he saw us right now.

“Well, he has an odor problem.” I spoke. I smiled to myself and felt pride in tearing him apart.

Trish looked at me in wonder. She looked in the direction of the other girls and then in my direction again.

“What do you mean, like he doesn’t wear deodorant or something?” She asked. I smiled because I knew that I made her think again about trying to talk to him. Why was I doing this? I couldn’t believe I was trying to keep her away from him. After all, he would just kill her and suck her blood. This would take care of her so I could spend my time slowly killing the rat named Michael.

“Well something like that, it’s more than a body odor or being unclean. It’s more of a scent that you can’t get rid of.” I replied. Again, I felt the pride rise in my body.

Trish looked at the others. I saw the bewilderment in her mind. She saw him as the gorgeous male that held her interest, and now she wondered if he took a shower or just plain stunk. Trish was thinking twice about her interest in him. Now that I ruined her fantasy, I decided to make my exit.

“Well girls it’s been nice chatting with you. I’m glad I got the chance to meet you, but I have a big day tomorrow. I must get some sleep.” I stated. I got up to leave, and as I walked away, I could hear their whispers about Daught and his odor problem. One of the girls insinuated I just didn’t want Trish around Daught. What was wrong with these girls? I was a witchyre, and he was a mere hybrid. I was better than his kind would ever hope to be. I walked out of the door of this place called ‘The Union’. I was proud of what I had accomplished even though I didn’t get to kill the rat tonight.

What was wrong with me? They were right I didn’t want Trish near Daught. I couldn’t believe what was happening to me. I went to entice a male out so I could feed on him, and now I was leaving without a meal and delighted that I had ruined the intentions of this girl called Trish. I didn’t want her anywhere around Daught. Hmmm, she would be in class in the morning. I think I will sit next to him. That would make her jealous and drive him crazy at the same time.

Once I was outside, I looked around to see if anyone was looking. As soon as there were no humans around I snapped my fingers, and I was back at my dorm. Yes dear Daught, I will sit next to you in the morning and drive you crazy. I hoped I could stand his smell, but after all, he did smell somewhat sweet. I had missed the chance to feed tonight, but I found out some fascinating things that involve Daught. This Trish was such a pathetic little mouse. She could never compete with me.

Daught was driving me crazy, as well. I didn’t understand the pull he had over me. I had never felt these feelings before. I knew why I wanted to kill this worm named Michael, but I didn’t understand the feelings of rage I had for this mortal girl named Trish. I just knew I didn’t want her anywhere around Daught other than to watch him kill her. Maybe being insane was contagious. He had infected me with his mental illness. I knew I had to go see my sister Dee soon. I had to find out if he put some kind of spell on me, or if his insanity was contagious. Oh my god, I hate that sick vamp. I think.

Chapter Ten

SAVING ELLIE FROM HERSELF

After finding out Ellie had gone out last night, I knew I had to watch her closer now. I had to protect her against her own urges to kill this girl named Trish. If Ellie’s memory ever did return, she wouldn’t be capable of living with herself if I allowed her to kill this girl just because she irritated her. I wouldn’t be able to stand myself if I stood by and let her do this heinous act to an innocent person.

I had to find out where this Trish lived because I knew Ellie would entice her into a fictitious friendship. She would then kill her when she had the opportunity. I went to the registration office and walked up to the admission's desk hoping to catch no one at the long partition that separated the make shift waiting area from the office area. I hoped I could quickly scan through the files, get what I was looking for, and leave before anyone could catch me in the act of stealing this girl’s address. I looked up only to see what I hoped wouldn’t be there, the receptionist.

Standing behind the partial makeshift wall was a bleached blonde woman in her mid-twenties with hair as high as her head was long. She had large, bright red lips. They were a perfect accent to the rest of the contrasting makeup that covered the features of her face. This face, if accented in the right way could be immensely attractive. She had no confidence in herself as she looked up at me. I could tell she was a shy person just as I tried to appear to these humans.

This over made up woman seemed to be terribly lonely. She only wore her hair and makeup this way because some drunken man from her past told her she looked better this way. I had to turn on the charm to get what I needed, and for some reason, there was something in me that wanted to help this female.

“Hello, ma'am, you look nice today.” I addressed this woman. I smiled with a nervous glance downward as if I were trying to let this woman know I was interested, but too shy to ask for a chance at her affections.

“Hello, can I help you?” She asked blushing as she lowered her head.

“Yes, ma'am. I'm looking for one of the students in my government class. She dropped her jump drive, and I wanted to return it to her.” I explained as I tried to act nervous in order to make her feel sorry for me.

“Well, I'm not supposed to give out a student's living address.” She again looked down as she explained.

“That’s alright, ma'am. I just wanted to return it in case she had saved something on it that she may need tonight,” again I looked down with a slight smile almost flirting.

“What's the student’s name?” She asked with a smile.

“Trish, I think. She's in my second block government class” I replied and smiled in her direction.

She looked around to see if any of her coworkers were around. The room was clear. She typed a few letters on the keyboard to the computer that sat in front of her.

“You can drop it off at Delmont Hall. She lives in the dorms.” She batted her eyes and blushed again.

“Thank you, ma'am. I do appreciate your help.” I said. I started to walk out of the office, but I turned back to her instead. I flashed a smile in her direction.

“Have you ever been a brunette?” I asked trying to read her thoughts. I knew she would not take offense to my questions. She wanted me to notice her.

“Yes,” she said softly as she touched a small strand of her hair that lingered over her shoulder.

“I bet you looked really nice as a brunette.” I told her as I walked closer to the partition she rested her body against.

“I guess.” She smiled as she twirled the strand around her finger. I knew her blood pressure rose because the crimson color of her cheeks radiated through her skin and the scent of her delicious blood pumped harder through her veins.

“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I have this thing for brunettes.” I smiled almost devilishly. “I think you should try that again. Just saying.” I flashed a quick smile and winked in her direction. I turned to walk out of the room. I could tell she was smiling and watching me. I could hear her thoughts and see her expression from behind.

“Was he trying to come on to me? Do you think he would go out with me if I changed my hair color?” Her thoughts expressed. “Oh my god, I need to go to the store when I get off work.” A vivid picture of an arousing union of us ran through her thoughts. I had to laugh.

***

Delmont Hall was a part of the original college. In the 1930’s, Delmont was a small town given a grant by the United States Government to establish a higher learning facility. This town was then, as it was now still somewhat considered behind the times. Certain officials that didn’t like change controlled the town. They didn’t want to allow this building to take place. However, their appetite for financial gain tempted them to agree so they could skim money from the building fund. They knew if they built a cheaper building, their deep pockets would fill with the excess monies. The government at that time didn’t pay close attention to where people allocated the funds. The thoughts of greed overwhelmed their need to maintain solitude.

At the original time, the college was for males only. I was a student at that time, as well. Women didn’t start attending this college until the late 1950’s. This was when the college expanded and Delmont Hall became the dorm for female.

I ran down to the backside of the campus where Delmont Hall stood. This white building was tall with four floors that needed restoration badly. It over-looked the river that passed through this small community. I watched the students file into the building as they went home to relax or study.

Their day was long and tiresome after filling their limited brains with information that I forgot several times over the past century. I waited and after several short hours, what I saw disturbed me. It was Ellie walking beside Trish. I remembered Ellie’s last words, and I knew what she intended to do. I knew I had to stop her from killing this innocent girl. The closer they got to the building my mind played scenes of mass casualties lying on the ground with large amounts of blood pooling from the areas around their necks. I knew what Ellie was up to, and I couldn’t stand for it. I had to save her from herself. I had to stop her from a mass murder or even the simple killing of this one innocent girl. I knew when Ellie’s memory returned she would see her act as unforgivable.

I stepped out into the foreground as they approached. The artificial beauty of this human called Trish radiated in my direction. She thought I was here to approach her for some insightful relationship that I knew would never take place. Little did she know I was here to save her from the intentions in Ellie’s thoughts. I knew Ellie was using her as a pawn to insight a war with me. She played with her as well as the others standing near like an object on a chest board. I was the king of her opponent, and she intended to get me in checkmate.

“Hello Daught,” Trish greeted me with a giggle and a smile.

She was a made up pretty. There was nothing natural about her. Large amounts of makeup covered her face. The tones were in perfect alignment, but it was nothing in comparison to the natural beauty of Ellie.

“Hi,” I acknowledged her greeting but looked in Ellie’s direction.

“Ellie can I speak with you about the project,” I asked in an almost begging fashion.

“I’m busy at the moment, Daught. Trish is going to show me some of her clothes she thought I might like to use.” Her evil smile proved she knew I was aware of her intentions.

As we stood in front of this vast building, I felt helpless. Ellie took pleasure in my hopelessness. I read her thoughts and knew she wasn’t interested in the mortal’s clothes. Her interest was to make me suffer. She would kill her just to let me know she was prevailing and that I couldn’t stop her. I knew I had to do something drastic to halt this bloodbath. Trish’s thoughts were coming through loud and clear. It irritated her that I was interested in Ellie. However, she thought Ellie was stupid for not acting on my interest. I smiled. Ellie knew why.