In the Beginning
When I think of death, I picture a warm light embracing me in my sleep at a very old age. When I experienced death, it was completely different…
The hot red flames that exuded from the fireplace had a calming effect on my nerves. It was winter; through the frosted window in the lounge room I could see the thick blanket of snow that covered the ground outside. The cool air blew under the front door, cooling my skin after the burning heat warmed it.
“Did you pass your math test?” Mum asked.
“Barely…” I mumbled, inching towards the fireplace, attempting to absorb more of its heat.
“What happened?”
I opened my mouth to explain but three loud bangs thundered on the front door and my words were caught in my throat as Hank, my stepdad, burst through the door and zipped over to us.
“Run, Ruby!” She shrieked in pain as he grabbed my mother by her hair.
A cold sweat ran down my forehead, it wasn’t sweat from the heat of the fire but sweat from the anxiety that grew in my chest. My heart pounded like a drum and I flicked my eyes, searching for possible exits. The door seemed like the only logical exit. I tried to run for it, but my legs didn’t work. All I got was a twitch in my calf muscle. I was frozen, staring at Hank's new appearance. The usual cheerful smile that played upon his face was contorted into an evil grin. His face was void of any warmth, any life. His usually tan skin was a deathly pale color and I could see veins run and pulsate underneath his translucent skin.
“You never have listened to your mother,” said Hank.
His long fangs stuck out from beneath his smirk. It was the creepiest thing I had ever seen, until I met his eyes.
Look away, I urged myself, but I couldn't; they were too alluring, too black. They had an almost devious gleam to them, as though he knew something I didn't.
“What do you want, Hank? I’ll give you anything, just let Ruby leave,” Mum begged.
“Oh, Meredith…” Hank chuckled. "You know what I’m here for; you knew the moment I kicked down the door."
When I was sixteen, Mum explained to me that a newborn vampire needs to feed off a 'pure’ being. In our world, that meant either a guardian angel or a god/goddess. If a vampire feeds off one of these 'pure' creatures, he receives a more human-like appearance. This allows them to walk with humans at night without being too noticeable. If an already normal-looking vampire feeds off a 'pure' being, he becomes stronger. If Hank drained my mother right now, all the creepy new changes he had would disappear. I couldn't let that happen. I lunged forward in an attempt to save her, but before I could even move an inch, Hank grabbed me by my throat with his free hand. I kicked rapidly when I could no longer feel the ground. I tried to scream but the tight grip around my throat made it harder for me to breathe. I’d read about vampires and how strong they were, but I had no idea. I also read about their insane bloodlust and how they would kill anyone to satisfy it, family or not. They’re pure evil.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mum extend her hand towards the fire. It seemed a failed attempt on my part was all she needed to conjure a fireball from the fireplace.
My mother was an elemental goddess; she could control and manipulate the four elements of nature. I inherited those abilities, but given the fact that I go to a human school, I haven't learnt how to use them yet.
A ball of fire flew out of the fireplace, not stopping until it came in contact with Hank’s face. He grunted in pain as the ball of flames connected with his skin.
Suddenly, the cold surface of the wooden floor rose to meet me, connecting solidly with my body as he dropped me. I sat, forcing as much air into my lungs as I could. A warm hand took my arm and I stumbled slightly as I was abruptly pulled to my feet. I forced my legs to move one after the other towards the door. If it wasn’t for the adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream, I probably wouldn’t have budged. We made it as far as the front door and I dove for the handle, but my face hit a wall; no, my face hit a cold, dead, hard body.
“Too slow.” Hank chuckled, blocking our exit.
I grunted in pain as he backhanded me to the floor and slammed a foot down onto my head, pinning me to the ground. The pressure was intense; any harder and my head would no doubt be crushed. I strained my eyes to see out of my peripheral vision. He had my mother by the hair again; I could see her as she fought against him. She extended her hand, once again, towards the fire.
“If you do it Meredith, I will pulverize Ruby's skull.”
“Please!” I cried out as he pushed down harder. The pressure was so intense and the pain was just as bad. It felt like I had dived into the sea and my ears had popped a thousand times. I could feel my brain pulsating and that was not a good sign.
“Okay, okay stop!” she begged. “I’ll do it.”
Mum smiled at me and tears rolled down her face. It wasn’t a happy smile; it was an apologetic one, a smile filled with sorrow and regret. Hank pulled her hair harder and pressed her back against his chest, exposing her neck.
“No… Please don't!” I sobbed.
His long white fangs flicked out further and he ripped into her neck. My stomach sank into my intestines and my heart shattered into a million pieces. A loud sob escaped my lips as her warm blood sprayed my face. Squeezing my eyes shut, I prayed for my own death. I prayed for something to come and relieve me of this sick, twisted nightmare. Mum’s pain-filled grunts turned into a blood-curdling gurgle as her life was drained from her. I squeezed my eyes tighter and felt a few more drops hit my face.
It felt like an eternity had passed before I heard Hank toss her body away. She hit the floor; he empty eyes were level with mine. I put my hand over my mouth to stifle a scream; I could hear my heart hammering in my chest as it rattled my ribcage. My lungs ached and I realized I was holding my breath; I eased the air out of my lungs slowly. He removed his foot from my head and the adrenaline kicked in again. I started crawling frantically away from Mum, towards the kitchen.
Hank grabbed me by the legs but I kicked free; one of my blows hitting his face. He was no longer human so of course it didn’t affect him. screamed as he grabbed me by the hair, lifting me off the floor. He then switched hands, grabbing me by the throat. His fingers curled around my neck, pressing harder. A strangled scream fell out of my mouth as I kicked my legs in an attempt to break free. Hank’s hands continue to squeeze, making my ragged breathing turn to gasps. My heart, once quickly beating, slows in tempo. My arms and legs droop to my side as all energy escapes me. I locked eyes with my stepdad and chills rolled down my spine. The veins that recently ran under his skin had disappeared. His complexion was deathly white but no longer translucent. His eyes were still pitch black but no bags hung underneath. It was true; in order for them to look normal again they had to kill 'pure' beings.
“Please, Hank, don't,” I managed to squeeze out.
My lungs burnt with every word due to the lack of oxygen.
“You’re useless, more or less; a snack,” He growled.
He pulled me closer and bared his fangs. I began squirming in his grasp but he squeezed harder, blocking all air from my lungs. I flinched as his fangs penetrated my skin, the pain was excruciating. I wanted to kick and scream but I was paralyzed. He lessened the grip on my throat and air flooded in. With the new found energy, I tried to thrash and wriggle out of his grasp but I just couldn't move. Seconds later, the pain subsided and I could feel my body growing weaker once again. Hank pulled away from my throat and smiled ravenously at me.
“Delicious.” He drank hungrily from my neck again and I was left to wonder about his question. He knew what I was, he just drank my mother.
The pain that came from being bitten became tolerable, then it became pleasant.
Am I dying? I tried to get my bearings but my head was spinning. I no longer knew where I was.
A burning pain tore through my veins as what felt like a rather thick liquid forcing its way into my bloodstream from Hank’s fangs.
He was turning me.
Out of shear panic I tried to fight it him off but I couldn't the pain was too much and I was paralysed; I couldn't move.
My entire body became overwhelmed by pain as if I was doused with gasoline and set alight but beneath it all; a weird tingling sensation started in my toes and began working its way up my body, coming to a stop at my heart.