Never Let Me Go

Sunday night found Ethan making his way quickly through the streets. A glance to the church clock told him that he had little time to waste. He nodded greetings to several as he made his way to find Brit in the library. As he passed the Haven, he glimpsed Kylean down the street which caused him to pause. He had wanted to relay information regarding the island resort, but it would have to wait. It was, after all, Sunday night.

It had been years since Sundays held any significance to Ethan. However, in the past year, he had taken to viewing the new episode of True Blood, an American television drama series based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries, with Brit when the show ran its season. In fact, it had become a ritual that Ethan found he enjoyed. Brit was not in the library, but was with Rosalie in her shop.

Rosalie offered him a seat, but Ethan refused. Brit’s soft voice excitedly explained why they could not linger. Rosalie’s asked in astonishment, “You are hooked on a soap opera?” Ethan’s eyes narrowed as his old friend taunted him with her bemused look while feigning interest in Brit’s explanation of the show.

Ethan reminded Brit that they must leave less they not see the show when it was aired. As they left the shop, Ethan paused and turned to Rosalie to say, “How better than to educate my wife about the nature of our kind than to correct media misinformation?” After seeing the wisdom of his words was comprehended Rosalie, he ushered Brit toward their resting place.

Brit was practically drug through the streets as she kept pausing to discuss prior episodes starting with Season one. The show was based that vampires had progressed from monsters to citizens overnight due to the creation of synthetic blood. In the first season, the characters were defined. Brit was fascinated by Sookie, a human telepath who falls in love with a 173 year old vampire. The first season surrounded murders of women who were considered “fang-bangers.” Ethan cringed as he heard his wife say the term.

“A dreadful word, Brit. It’s not one I have heard prior to the creation of this show,” Ethan growled. He did not mention that he would likely gun down anyone who dared to say such a thing within his hearing. Other curiosities emerged from the show. Brit and Ethan had discussed chylders and sires (called makers in the series.) Also there was a storyline regarding addiction of humans to vampiric blood, and even a storyline regarding shape-shifters and werewolves.

Ethan beamed as he could not have asked for a better conversation focus than the show – even if he did have to endure the horrific accent representing the good people of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Season two had several overlapping plots. Bill, Sookie’s immortal lover, had been forced to turn a teenager. A new creature had emerged: a maenad named Mary Ann, whose actions allowed Ethan to discuss mythological stories of these creatures. The church group, The Fellowship of the Sun, opened the door for Ethan to discuss prejudicial ideas and religious zealots.

Once they had settled, Ethan set up his laptop that allowed the show to stream. Brit snuggled in his lap. It was hard for her to wait until the show was over to start asking questions. He knew they would likely review bits and pieces of the show over the following week. Brit wriggled excitedly as Sookie explained to Bill, “You’re different. You’re not like them. You have a heart whether it beats or not.” Ethan struggled not to groan at the campy dialog.

His inward groan changed to a grin at Brit’s happy squeak when Sookie told Bill, “I want you. In every which way. I just want you.” Turning to Ethan, Brit lisped, “I know what she means.” Ethan’s eyes widened and he tilted his head to look at her with big eyes that blinked as hers often did. Brit kissed him softly and returned to watching the show.

A sleepy rendition of “Never Let me Go” played while Sookie and Bill shared an intimate moment. It was not the Curtis Mayfield version and Ethan tried to place whether he had heard it before. Ethan stood pulling Brit to her feet. As the credits rolled, Ethan pulled Brit to him and danced slowly and lazily. Prior to resting, he had patiently responded to each of her questions before kissing her hand softly. Turning her hand gently, he felt her press her wrist to his lips. Keeping his eyes on hers, he bit into her succulent flesh and drank slowly from her wrist.

As they rested, Ethan briefly wondered whether the show might tell more of Erik, the Sheriff of Area 5’s turning or of his sire.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwlHExxp5XM

Summer Alternatives

Brit watched the street from the vantage point of the upstairs window just outside of their resting place. The sun was setting, she noted as she watched the street below. As the sky grew darker, she heard the door behind her open followed by the sound of familiar footsteps. Strong arms embraced her and she felt soft kisses on her temple before she turned to kiss Ethan’s lips. “Good evening, princess,” murmured Ethan.

Smiling, Brit replied, “Good evening, Ethan.” Quiet followed. Brit had acclimated to the quiet and knew the reason. Ethan’s thoughts broadcast his unhappiness over the shortened days. The summer before, he expressed frustration. This summer, she could feel deepened unhappiness over an occurrence in nature that he could not control. Summer nights were short and there was nothing Ethan could do about it.

Brit sensed his mood and could see the thoughts behind it. His thoughts were filled with resentment toward not having more time at night with her. It never bothered him in the past. Now, he was entertaining options that he would have never considered in years gone by: Moving to the southern hemisphere for the summer months would place him in a region entirely unknown to him. Ethan’s thoughts flashed anger that, in 1500 years, he had not bothered to venture there making the option unattractive without contacts or knowledge. “We could go to the library and look up wherever you wish to go, Ethan,” offered Brit.

He blinked realizing she was linked to every thought. “No, baby. The information I wish to obtain would not be found there, I fear.” Ethan caressed Brit’s arms and pulled her against him again after turning her to the window in hopes that the view would distract her for a moment. Ethan had made inquiries, but information obtained was sketchy to him. The unknown was unsettling. It had been many years since he had experienced such feelings.

Ethan reflected on Latin America. Ethan had no intentions of staying in a rainforest tree house as Brit had excitedly suggested. The strict Roman Catholic religion and American baby-napping rumors associated with organ harvesting also made him realize that logic was not always first and foremost in villager’s minds. Chile, Brazil, and Argentina had some nice cities, and he had requested more information about them. Regardless, most information that he had obtained revealed tight-knit families, which could prove difficult.

Brit was also excited about the concept of visiting Africa. Jungle cats and safari came to her mind. Ethan had not burst her bubble that safari activities usually were daytime options. Draught, disease, smugglers, and weak medical care for his mortal wife were all concerns. The many local religions also made him pause. With a shake of his head, he cleared the image of him becoming tribal chieftain of the gourd people though he did think Brit would look cute in a grass skirt.

The intense poverty of many areas of southern Asia coupled with the highly diverse religions did not make a visit favorable to Ethan. He sighed pulling Brit closer to him. Again religious extremism and lack of tolerance for outsiders would prove problematic. Besides, the last news report that Ethan had seen on a television reported piracy and drug running was prevalent in some of the more interesting locations.

Europe, like North America, had shortened days. Ethan yearned for some locations in Europe. Places he had stayed and known. If only nights were longer, how lovely it would be to take Brit there. “Perhaps we will spend Christmas in Salzburg, Brit,” he said wistfully as he arranged her hair away from her face. “Salzburg is beautiful when the snow falls,” he whispered picturing the longer nights of winter with Brit on his arm. The image of her bundled in a fur-lined hood with her nose reddened by the cold night made him smile.

“There is a castle there,” Brit replied. Ethan smiled again knowing there were many and wondered which she meant. His mind returned to the problem at hand and he considered other locals. Polar caps were simply out of the question. He had running water and livable conditions 1500 years ago. Needless to say he was not giving that up in the new day and age. Brit tilted her head curiously at a glimpse of penguins in his thoughts.

“They do not fly,” she said remembering yet another book she had read. He grinned kissing the top of her head and felt his mood lift a bit. Looking up to him, she needlessly clarified, “Penguins do not fly.”

“Perhaps next summer we could venture somewhere within Oceania, Brit,” said Ethan. “Sydney is said to be pleasant enough and New Zealand, I have been told, is bearable.” Ethan paused silently vowing to kill the first person who called him ‘mate.’ Ethan reflected on what he had read about the city of Sydney. “Australia. We could go to the opera, perhaps.” His eyes narrowed thinking of the beautiful opera house in Vienna, but he placated himself with the promise of longer nights.

Brit perked, “They eat bugs there! I read it in the library. You can order a plate of bugs at many nice restaurants.” She giggled at the thought of bugs for dinner, but her smile faded at the decidedly un-amused expression of her husband. “No bugs,” she lisped questioningly.

“Quite right,” said Ethan with a decisive nod. He blinked again and visibly shook his head. “Bugs are what one eats out of necessity, Brit. You have no need to consume bugs.” Sensing her confusion, he glanced at her thoughts and waved his hand dismissively. “Just because someone deemed it a delicacy does not mean it is good or something you should ingest, princess.”

Brit nibbled her lip, “Maybe they are not real bugs.”

Ethan replied, “Then they should have called them something else. We do not call fish ‘sea kittens,’ do we? Of course not. They are fish. And bugs are bugs.” Seeing her puff her cheeks slightly, he grinned again giving her a playful squeeze. “Do not let me dark mood upset you, Brit. I am unhappy over the short night. If you having bugs for dinner will allow my summer nights grow longer, I’ll consider it.” Brit grinned, which caused him to chuckle. Kissing her, he mused there would be no bugs in her future without a call to the health department. “Shall we go see Kylean? Perhaps he can assist us in making inquiries about Oceania.”

They prepared to leave the Shelter and Brit paused at the door. "Don't perish anyone if they call you 'mate.' Okay?" she asked.

Ethan grinned again at her glimpse into his thoughts and motioned her toward the door.

An Ocean Cruise

Binx’s ears were flattened and the tip of her tail whipped with rapid attentiveness as she watched the pale man escort his lady into the waiting boat. Kylean was given an envelope and the skiff slipped silently into the water and, within moments, both Kylean and the boat were gone. Klaws’ paw reached for Binx and found only her tail. Grabbing it, he whisked her into his cardboard castle quickly hushing any protest.

Once out of sight of the city, Ethan relaxed comfortably on the skiff gazing at his wife who was leaning over the side trailing her fingers through the clean ocean water. He sometimes wondered about her thoughts as she moved to the other side to again dip her fingers into the water. He was tempted to peek within her mind in times such as this: Her random repetition of simple actions. What held her attention so? To him, both sides were the same, and so he watched with amusement as she moved from side to side as though she were making multiple new discoveries.

The waning gibbous moon caused the night to seem quite bright. Brit looked over her shoulder catching his gaze. The gentle breeze ruffled her hair a bit and her mossy green eyes glowed from the moonlight. She looked much as she did the night on the rooftop, where she first invited him to view within her mind. At first, he thought she was teasing, but he quickly realized that she had no idea what she was offering. The invitation was too enticing to refuse and, once inside, he noted that there were no barriers or filters on the chaos of her thoughts regarding the constant flow of information. And though he wondered how she functioned within the rapid stream of consciousness, he marveled at her lack of guile and stark honesty. To him, she was like no other he had encountered and, unlike his encounters with any other, he was compelled to kiss her.

Since that night, she never closed her mind to him, however he felt her thoughts were private and hers. Brit continued to watch him and Ethan wondered whether she sometimes could see within his thoughts which caused him to shift uncomfortably. Would she think him horrid if she saw the thoughts in his head? The sounds of her heartbeat and the air moving in her lungs beckoned him. Would she turn away if she understood the beast within all that were like him? He could easily find out. The temptation grew - to peek just for a moment - just to see her thoughts. Her body shifted and she slipped next to him impulsively pressing her blood-warmed lips against his. He froze for a moment before slipping his arm around her and returned a deeper kiss before simply holding her close. He closed his eyes to regroup and opened them to see the glow from the mainland city, which gave him a new focus.

“A cruise?” said an incredulous Ethan to the gentleman who greeted them on a dock. “Cruises were quite nice once upon a time,” continued Ethan who rummaged through the information given to him, “but I fear that time is long past.”

The nosferatu dressed in the dark cloak replied, “Once upon a time, you were quite fond of cruises as I recall. It was not until…1947?” Noticing Ethan’s glare, the cloaked man continued, “As if anyone knew the ship would run aground, Ethan. Come now, and tell me that you do not miss the grace and elegance of an ocean cruise.” With a gesture toward Brit, the nosferatu added, “And it will be an opportunity to share a gentler time with your lovely wife.”

All valid points, Ethan conceded. Besides, he wanted a world that was suitable and controllable until the city grew calmer. Tapping the envelope in his palm, Ethan shrugged remembering the Queen Elizabeth’s mishap, which was not a huge problem at the time. The problem was the talk of off-loading passengers during the daytime. The envelope shifted hands as Ethan continued to consider. It would be hard for harm to come to either of them while on a ship. Nodding, he said, “Many thanks. Brit shall enjoy it, I believe.”

The nosferatu clasped his hands together and opened them again. “I am pleased that you have determined the selection of your get-away to be satisfactory. You did not give us much time.” Ethan shrugged before forcing a smile and handing over payment. Though unspoken, Ethan felt the amount was more than sufficient for the inconvenience of limited planning.

Brit and Ethan arrived to the ship at 2 AM, which Ethan felt was time enough to settle into the room and take a romantic walk along the topside deck to acclimate prior to sunrise. The perky director happily informed both that their room had been upgraded to a balcony suite. “I require an inside room,” Ethan told her. “I’m quite allergic to sunlight.” The director’s smile fell as she informed him that no inside rooms were remained. The compromise was to swap the sleeping space with the living room so that sun could not aggravate Ethan’s condition. The director’s smile reappeared as a solution was found, and she happily informed them that both had time to make the limbo contest at the poolside bar.

A Change of Pace

Ethan watched the small group of vampires on the corner. Gone were the days when they were boisterous and gaming like a group of second sons from earlier times. Somber and hungry, he thought with a grimace thinking their demeanor was reflected in the night. The blood fountain remained broken, and he was seeing more of the younger ones starting to prowl the streets with each passing day. When the fountain was first destroyed, many citizens offered donations to the vampiric populace. Ethan knew the cycle of disasters: Lots of giving in the beginning, but the public quickly forgets. Now, the suffering was truly beginning for many. Ethan watched the once-charming playboys start to take on characteristics of starving predators.

Earlier, Ethan had discovered, one of the older ones asked Brit to write a letter asking Omega’s assistance in rebuilding the fountain. The vampire’s hunger was so great that Ethan’s daydreaming wife could sense his pain even though the vampire had remained restrained and courteous. Ethan knew how difficult it was to control the beast when starving. His grip tightened knowing that the other likely heard Brit’s innocent heart beating loudly in her body as if it were a dinner bell. At least, thought Ethan, most vampires had to rest during the day when he did, and he silently cursed those who did not as he felt they made the world more treacherous for his mortal wife in such trying times. “Will Omega assist with the re-building of the blood fountain, Brit?” he asked as he stroked a small piece of her hair.

“Of course, she will,” responded Brit who had not yet spoken to Omega, but Brit was positive that the lady would assist anyone in need. Ethan hinted a smile at her absolute belief in the goodness of all people. He doubted that Brit would be proven wrong in the case. It was in Omega’s best interest to have the fountain operational. Sensing someone observing them, Ethan glanced over his shoulder at the female vampire. The bewildered expression told him that this was another young one who was likely lured by the sound of a human heart. Ethan’s eyes flashed red warning the kindred, who wisely left. Watching her go, Ethan knew that, without changes, soon a warning glance would not be enough.

“The night grows late, princess,” whispered Ethan. In fact, the night had several hours left within it, but Ethan disliked the climate of the city tonight. He guided Brit to the door turning left. As they reached the corner, the sirens started to howl breaking the quiet of the night. Ethan turned expecting to see yet another beast having clawed its way from the sewers. Citizens were battling a creature that had crawled from the sea, and another came from the dead woods just south of where they stood. Tightening his arm around Brit, Ethan reached with his free hand and pulled out his pistol before practically dragging her toward their resting place. He kept their backs toward the acid-crumbled bricks when Brit gasped seeing a reaper rise from the street before them. People were pouring into the streets and shots were being fired recklessly. Feeling his arm take a hit from someone’s gun, he grimaced and turned so that his body protected Brit. As the reaper turned to attack a group that was shooting, Ethan took the moment to relocate the two of them a few meters away.

Something was closing in on them fast. Ethan turned quickly raising his pistol again while keeping Brit turned away from the street and ended up pressing it against a male neko’s chest. Both of the kitties squeaked as they were simply scampering for higher ground and were clearly not expecting to face down a pistol with the mayhem on the street. The male neko said nothing, but the female said, “There are at least five of them. Tree-like…froglike…that guy over there.” She gestured at the reaper.

The male recovered from the surprise enough to toss a bit of bravado. “Yeah, man. You might want to save your ammo. Streets are crawling with them.”

Ethan looked from one to the other. They looked pretty thin. Just young nekos with more guts than wisdom, he thought. Sparks flew off of the bricks behind him and he said to both kits, “Follow me.” He picked up Brit and went quickly through an alley. The neko couple struggled to keep up and they both seemed dedicated to getting away from where they had been.

The street nearest to the resting place was quiet but Ethan knew it was only a short matter of time before chaos would find it. He set Brit down in the entry way of a building. The nekos were nervous. Neither had any idea why they followed the odd man who was carrying a human girl. Ethan quickly wrote on the back of a card and handed it to the nekos. “Near the voodoo shop, you can find a man named Kylean. Give him this card.” The neko couple looked at each other and back to Ethan. Rising an eyebrow, Ethan said, “Do so, and return here just before sunrise and I will reward you.”

The girl neko peeked up at the boy neko after giving Brit another look. The male glanced from the girl to Brit as well. “What’s up with her?” he asked Ethan.

“She is not of your concern. Do as I ask,” Ethan replied. Gunfire and screams were getting closer. “Do so now…we have not much time,” Ethan added. The couple took the card and dashed down the street each thinking they had just left a human girl, who seemed dazed to them, to her demise. Ethan directed Brit upstairs and entered their resting place. He secured it with some arcane words before turning to Brit. “Pack, baby. We are leaving town at sundown tomorrow night.”

Brit heard the screams and shouts from outside along with guns and the sound of steel. “Where are we going, Ethan?” Suddenly, she felt fearful as the battle was obviously just outside. “Are we safe?”

Cocking a brow, Ethan said, “Indeed.” He looked toward the street before turning to her smiling comforting. “You are always safe with me, Brit.” She had turned on the small radio he had purchased for her. The DJ at the local station sounded frantic. It seemed the entire city was dying tonight. Ethan switched the device from radio to MP3 player. He brushed Brit’s hair and told her stories to keep her mind off of what was happening outside. His pistols were within reach while he spoke.

The neko couple kept to the rooftops and alleys dodging trouble as best they could. The male, Klaws, took a hard tumble as he tackled something that seemed to be going after the female, Binx, however, it was just someone else trying to run from trouble. “Yeah, sure,” meowed Binx. “Some dude name Kylean is just gonna appear near the VooDoo shop. We are so dead. And why didn’t he go himself? HUH? And you know he is gonna drink that girl until she ain’t nothing but a human husk.” Klaws decided he would worry about it another day. For now, this task took the two of them further from trouble.

Both kitties were surprised to see Kylean sitting near the fortune teller almost as if he was part of a script. Kylean read the card and told them, “Tell Ethan sundown tomorrow is satisfactory.” Binx turned to ask Kylean something, but he was not there causing her to ask Klaws where the man had gone.

Klaws grumbled, “The real question, Binx, why are we heading back to meet this Ethan? We don’t know this guy. And there is nothing but trouble over there.” Both kitties stood watching each other for a long time. Finally, both mouthed hopefully, “Money.” Nodding they dashed back to meet Ethan.

Ethan was waiting when they arrived. They gave him the message. Binx’s nose twitched seeing no sign of the human girl. Ethan gave Klaws an envelope which Klaws opened right then. As Klaws thumbed through the contents, Binx said, “Your name is Ethan right? That is what Kylean said.” Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Where’s your lady?” she demanded.

The corners of Ethan’s mouth tipped up in amusement at the boldness of female neko. Klaws put away the envelope and gave Binx a glare, which she ignored. Ethan replied coolly, “My wife is of no concern to you. Good day to you both.”

As Ethan turned away, he heard Klaws chide Binx while showing her the contents of the envelope. The sassy kit hushed for a moment, but then blurted out, “I didn’t know it was his WIFE, so SHUT UP. Besides….he might have just EATEN her up anyway.” Ethan glared in their direction but noticed the lightening of day break. More gunfire was heard and Ethan was very sure that getting out of town for a short while was a prudent plan.