Chapter 1I remember that day so clearly. It was raining, and I just stared in awe at the sight before me. Her cold, lifeless face. The blood that covered the bricks beneath her. And the cops surrounding her. Oh Bridgett. Poor, poor, helpless Bridgett. What had I done? I don't know what happened. She told me she was leaving, we fought, I must've lost my temper and then the next thing I knew she was dead. We were both street rats. I should have been more understanding about her leaving me to work for some stuck up prick. I couldn't help but stare, the whole ordeal was frightful. I took a deep breath and managed to look away from the grotesque scene. The police hadn't seen me yet. I was hiding in the shadows. It wasn't till my eye's wandered over to a strange man, that I stepped into view. He was beautiful. He had grey eyes that reflected the colors blue and lilac. His hair was a bright blonde that looked white in the correct lighting. It took a minute for me to realize that he and I where making direct eye contact. I nearly panicked, he could see me, see the blood on my clothes. He knew I had done it. But to my surprise he winked at me and put a finger to his lips. As if to tell me 'Calm down, I won't tell'. I quickly ran off and hid in one of the abandoned hut's that lined the street. Who was that man? And why had he spared me? Little did I know then that, that man, wasn't a man at all. And that all my questions would be answered in due time. It wasn't long before night fell and I became cold. It had been a harsh winter that year. I probably wouldn't have survived it. As I lied on the cold stone floor I wondered if I would go to the depths of hell for the crime I committed that day. Or would god see that it was only an accident, a moment of pure unbridled rage, and permit me into the gates of heaven. The sound of heavy boots interrupted my thoughts. I sat up and looked towards the door. There was he man I had seen earlier. "No need to be frightened my dear." He said. "I let you run off for a reason." "Who are you?" He smirked. "My name is Lestat De Lioncourt." I tensed up more as he kneeled next to me. His eyes stared straight into mine as though he was trying to read my thoughts. It seemed to last forever as we stared at each other, neither of us blinking. He finally broke eye contact, and helped me stand up. "Such a brave thing to do, killing a person." He said. "It was an accident! I swear!" My voice echoed through the small hut as hot tears streamed down my face. This seemed to amuse him and he gently ran his knuckles against the side of my cheek. His gentle manner was then replaced with sadistic glee, as he gripped my face to make me look at him. "Unfortunately for you I'm much more enraged by the fact that you killed my food source for the night." He hissed. I was pushed down to my knees. He once again kneeled beside me. And before I knew it, fangs were sinking into my neck. Chapter 2I could feel the warm blood run down my neck, dripping into my dress and onto the floor. I went limp and let the cold hands of death embrace me. Lestat finished his drinking and looked at me in the eyes. His eyes showed the amusement and curiosity that of a small child. "Fear not my dear." He whispered to me. "For I am going to give you the choice that I never had." He pulled my head into his lap gently, brushing the locks of red out of my face. "Live as a creature of the night...Or die a slow and painful death." I looked up at Lestat. What did I have to live for? My parents died of the plague, I killed my best friend, and I had no place to call home. And somehow I wanted to live. There was something about this man that made me want to keep living. Perhaps it was his good looks. Maybe his seductive nature had worked on me. I might never know what pulled those fateful words from my lips that night. "P-please....Life." Lestat's grin widened. He bit his wrist and held it out to me. His blood dripped into my mouth and suddenly I craved it. I grabbed ahold of his wrist and drank the metallic substance he offered me. A sudden pain ragged through my body. It felt as though I was being burned alive. The pain was to much for me to handle and I blacked out in Lestat's arms. Chapter 3I awoke in a room I didn't recognize. I was in a comfortable bed with fluffy blankets that were the color of tree leaves at the end of a warm summer. The sheets were like silk and a beautiful gold color. I looked around in complete amazement. I had never seen such a beautiful room. I looked in the mirror on the vanity, and noticed my change in appearance. My messy red hair had smoothed out and had a glossy look to it. My eyes were no longer green, they were now a grey color that would reflect the color green. My skin was as pale as marble. The door opened, revealing Lestat. He walked over and sat beside me. "How are you feeling, my Dear?" He put his arm around me, and ran his fingers through my hair. "I-I'm a bit hungry." He smiled at me. "Yes, well that is to be expected." He got up and spread out his arms flamboyantly, gesturing around the room. "Look around, Ayin! This room is yours now. Get dressed and I'll take you out for a bite." With those words, he left the room. And I did as he said. And I did as he said for years and years. I never aged. And I realized that Lestat never aged either. Sickness never came to me. And death never came either. I never truly recognized what we were till 1791. I had been alive almost 110 years by then, and it never occurred to me that death should have come long before then. I wasn't human anymore. And yet I gave off the appearance of one. I fed off of my own kind, or rather, what once was my own kind. Blood was the only thing that satisfied me, Lestat was kind enough to help me get it. Of course I knew he killed them. Surprisingly, I had no trouble with that fact. I stayed by Lestat no matter what. He was my maker and I owed him my life. So when Lestat told me we were moving to New Orleans, I was completely beside him 100%. The city was beautiful. The people eccentric and amazing. I instantly fell in love with it. Lestat bought us a beautiful plantation, and hired servants. The servants were, of course, food sources. But pretty soon Lestat got tired of easy prey. After we had exhausted our servants blood supply, Lestat and I would walk the streets at night. Lestat mostly preyed upon young women. But his absolute favorite was aristocratic blood. "Such a strong flavor" he would say. I myself usually fed after Lestat had drank. But if I had to I preyed on the unaware. Like the myths and legends of vampires I preyed on those who slept, being to timid to seduce my prey. But most of the time there was never a need. It was a night like any other. The French Quarter was alive with music and laughter alike. Lestat and I kept to ourselves as we sat in the second floor of a local pub. So far nothing out of the ordinary happened. Lestat and I sat at a table, he had fed twice that night and hid the bodies in the back room. I had not been particularly hungry that evening and was anxious to leave. You could imagine my delight when Lestat stood up. I assumed it was time to go, so I stood and walked to his side. It was then I realized the night was far from over. For Lestat was staring at a young man sitting below us. This man had brown hair that was almost black. His eyes were a crystalline blue. Lestat looked at him with an infatuation I had never seen in him before. Yes, this night was far from over and it would be the beginning of many nights to come. Chapter 4Louis De Point Du Lac. At first I hated the man with a passion. He was everything except grateful to Lestat, and yet he had the audacity to stick around him. One night Lestat brought home the man from the bar. That man was Louis. "Ayin. This is Louis, he is one of us now, and you will treat him like you would a dear friend." Lestat said. I smiled and held out my hand to Louis. "A pleasure to meet you Louis." Louis took my hand. "The pleasure is all mine." There was no smile on his face, only guilt in his eyes. Lestat had told me to treat him like I would a friend. But I had killed the only friend I'd known. Lestat could sense my unease so he came to my room that day. "Oh Ayin. Sweet, sweet Ayin." He said as he sat beside me, and ran his fingers through my hair. "What's troubling you my dear girl?" "Lestat...Are you sure about Louis?" I asked. Lestat laughed heartily. "Whatever makes you say that, Ma chérie?" My eyes wandered to the mirror in front of us. We both looked like beings out of a fairy tale. Lestat smiling that devilish smile, and me with my pale skin with slightly pink cheeks and lips. "It's nothing Lestat, I'm just being silly." I smiled up at him. He didn't believe a word. I could tell by the look in his eyes. The way he stared me down. His arm snaked around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. "Cherie, what have I said about lying to me?" I trembled slightly. The look he gave me was menacing-no dangerous. "It's just a feeling I have..." I said, just above a whisper. Lestat's gaze softened. "Your afraid of change my dear." I gazed up at him. Afraid of change? Perhaps that's why I didn't like Louis. Perhaps I was afraid that Lestat had found some else and had lost interest in me. Perhaps I was just being selfish. Over the course of a day and a night I slowly warmed up to Louis. Though I wasn't quite fond of him I respected and admired certain aspects about him. He became part of our little family. About three nights after Louis arrived. Lestat got an invite to one of the aristocrats parties. "What a perfect opportunity for Louis!" He said to me. I happily nodded. "Indeed it is." Lestat laughed and spun me around. "Oh, happy day! Dress your best Ma Cherie!" It warmed my heart to see Lestat in such a good mood. I dressed my absolute best (pic above) and we where off. The plantation we arrived at was beautiful. It was surrounded by lush gardens and the windows were ablaze with light. Laughter and joyous cheers could be heard, as many fine dressed men and women danced. It wasn't long before Louis and Lestat locked on their prey. Lestat found a fine looking young man, while Louis focused on the lady of the manor. Lestat, knowing I was squeamish, promised to bring me back some blood. I wandered around the first floor, trying my best to not bump into people and draw attention to myself. Soon I felt a tug on my dress. "Excuse me miss." A handsome little boy around the age of 9 looked up at me with big brown orbs. I smiled and kneeled to the child's level. "Whatever is the matter child?" He took my hand. "Wanna dance?" I smiled and nodded as the little boy led me to the center of the room. For such a small boy he danced well, and we continued dancing for quite a bit. Until a shrill scream reached my sensitive ears. "I'm sorry little one, but I hear my father calling, so I must go." The small boy looked up at me curiously. But he let go of my hands and bowed slightly, thanking me for dancing with him. I curtsied and rushed to the backyard of the large estate. The lady of the estate was screaming "Murderer!" at Louis, while Louis was trying to calm her down. Lestat rushed over and snapped the lady's neck, quickly silencing her. "Are you insane Louis?!" Lestat yelled. "Did you ever think about what would have happened if you were caught? Did you ever think about me or Ayin?!" Louis glared at Lestat with a hatred I've never seen before. "You condemned me to hell!" Louis yelled back. "You don't know any hell." Louis grabbed Lestat by the front of his shirt and rammed him into a tree. Lestat began laughing as he was once again rammed into a tree. "Yes Louis! Raw, unbridled rage!" He shouted. "But you can't kill me." It was then I intervened. I rushed over to them and managed to pry Louis away from Lestat. "Stop it! You two are acting like a couple of right neddys!" Louis glared at Lestat and then ran off. "Your life would be hell without me, Louis!" Lestat yelled, anger apparent in his voice. I placed a hand on Lestat's shoulder and he grabbed my wrist. "Let's go." He growled. Chapter 5Months passed. Louis came and went, agitating Lestat. Louis refused to drink from a human, he viewed it as murder. But Lestat insisted he drank from humans. I never understood it. Lestat insisted on getting blood for me or, if I was with him, I would feed from the same human. And yet he was forcing this on Louis. It almost seemed unfair. Finally in the beginning of a cold December, it seemed as though Louis wouldn't come back. And I must admit I missed his presence in the house. "That's it I'm going to look for Louis." Lestat said, standing up from the piano. "I'm going with you." I replied. That night was cold, many people were dead on the streets because of a plague outbreak. We looked throughout the winding streets of the French Quarter, and yet there was no sign of Louis. Lestat grabbed my hand and took me to a small house. He dragged me inside. There Louis was, sucking the blood out of a small girl. Lestat slowly started clapping and began to laugh. "Oh yes!" He laughed, causing Louis to turn towards him. "Ah, my philosopher, my martyr "Never take a human life". Well you must admit it is funny. Or is it merely touching? I'm not sure." Lestat grabbed the little girls dead mother and began to dance with her, all the while singing in French. This caused me to giggle a bit and I almost joined in. But the look on Louis's face made me think twice. He looked so sad, so guilty. Louis ran out of the house, pushing me out of his way. Lestat ran to the edge of the porch. "Louis! Come back! You are what you are!" He yelled. Lestat looked back at me and pulled me to him. "Ma Chérie, grab the girl she is not yet dead. I have a plan to get our dear Louis back." I picked up the girl. "Such a beautiful wee lass." Lestat stroked her cheek. We took her back to our plantation. I laid her down in a bed and stroked her hair. Lestat smiled at me and sat beside me. "Do you like her my dear?" I nodded. "I want to give her a home." "Oh she will have a home here. And Louis will come back to" he said. "Will that make you happy again, sweet Ayin?" "Aye, I want to be a family again." I said. Lestat kissed my forehead. "We will Ma Chèrie." It wasn't long before Lestat sent me to look for Louis. It took awhile, New Orleans is a big place after all. I eventually found him in the sewer, surrounded by the corpses of rats. "All I need to find you Louis is follow the corpses of rats." I said. He turned toward me. I placed a cloak around his shoulders, and helped him up. "What are you doing here?" He asked. "Lestat asked me to find you." "You follow him blindly, you know not what he is." "You're wrong. I know exactly what Lestat is." "Then prey tell what is he?" "He's my savior." Louis looked at me with disgust. "That monster is no savior." "Louis please, Lestat is sorry." I said. "Come, we have a present for you." Louis looked at me with curiosity, and got up. We headed to the plantation, Lestat waited in the bedroom with the sleeping girl. "I thought I killed her." Louis said. "Fear not Louis, she is perfectly fine." Lestat said, as he began to shake the sleeping child awake. "Claudia, Claudia, listen to me. You're ill, my precious and I'm going to give you what you need to get well." Lestat cut his wrist and let Claudia drink the blood. Louis and I's hearts skipped a beat. "Lestat! No!" Louis yelled. "She's only a child!" Louis slumped in a chair obviously in distress. The girl started writhing in pain and I had to look away. When I glanced back at them her golden hair was curled, and her skin was as pale as the surface of a pearl. She was looking curiously at Lestat, Louis and I. "I want more." She said in the cutest voice. Lestat rang for a servant. The woman came in and Claudia drank her blood. Lestat told her to pace herself and sat beside her, his arm around her. "Where's mama?" She asked. "Mama... mama has gone to heaven, Chérie, like that sweet lady right there. They all go to heaven." Lestat explained, pointing to the dead servant. "All but us." Louis hissed bitterly. Lestat pouted. "Shh. Do you want to frighten our little daughter?" A pang of shock went through my heart. Daughter? Lestat was using Louis past against him. I had half a mind to scold him. But one look at Lestat's face told me that he was truly happy, and who was I to spoil that. "I'm not your daughter." Claudia said, looking curiously up at Lestat. "Oh, yes, you are. You're mine and Louis' daughter now. You see, Louis was going to leave us, he was going to go away, but now he's not. Now, he's going to stay and make you happy." Claudia got off the bed and hugged Louis, whispering his name. "You fiend." Louis hissed at Lestat. Lestat motioned for me to sit next to him. As I did he placed an arm around my shoulder and looked at me. "One happy family." He said, with a smile only the happiest person in the world could muster Chapter 6When Claudia first saw me she climbed in my lap and started playing with my hair. She seemed fascinated by my fiery red locks and stared up into my eyes. "So bright." She had said. "Like fire." Lestat had laughed at that. "Yes just like fire." Claudia was a sweet child. She would sleep with Louis and cling to him when she was afraid. Lestat doted on the girl. He had special dresses tailored for her and he taught her piano. I remember the time she had fed from her piano teacher. Lestat had walked into the room. When he saw the dead teacher he placed his hands on his hips. "Claudia! What have Louis and I told you?" He said sternly. "Never in the house." Claudia replied. It was then that Lestat decided to teach her the piano himself. My relationship with Claudia was different, I wasn't exactly a mother figure but yet I wasn't a sibling. I taught Claudia to read, dance, and draw. And Claudia taught me how to sew and sing. We decided to move in the summer of 1817. We traveled to Maine, and stayed there. There Louis changed, he began to feed off of mortals. This pleased Lestat, however I was a bit worried. Every time Louis took a life he'd lock himself in his coffin and he wouldn't come out for awhile. I believe he did this for Claudia's sake, as to not make her feel guilty for feeding from humans. I missed New Orleans. Maine didn't have same magic. Not to mention the blood wasn't to my taste. It took 30 years for us to go back to America, back to New Orleans. As soon as I smelled the Louisiana air I knew I was home. Lestat took a deep breath as we got off the boat. "Lord, what I wouldn't give for a drop of good old-fashioned Creole blood." He said. "Yankees are not to your taste?" Louis asked, amused. "Their democratic flavor doesn't suit my palate, Louis." He answered. "What of you Ayin? What do you prefer?" Louis asked me. "I agree with Lestat." I stated. "Well then we are in for a treat." Louis laughed. Lestat scoffed. "Coming from a man who used to eat rats." "Rats? When did you eat rats Louis?" Claudia asked. "It was a long time ago, before you were born." Louis explained. "And I don't recommend them." We walked the streets and Claudia suddenly stopped. Her eyes widened in a look of admiration as she stared at a lady in a window. "Now that is pure creole." Lestat said. "Trust Claudia to find her." "What it is it my dear? Do you want her?" I asked. Claudia gazed, transfixed. "I want to be her." Lestat looked shocked and Louis looked troubled. The silence was heavy. "Claudia! Come look here child!" I said, leading her over to a jewelry stand. "Pick one." The next few days went by without incident, everything seemed normal. I was taking a bath with Claudia, the evenings had begun to get cold and the warm water was a nice feeling. "Ayin." "Yes Claudia?" "Have you ever disobeyed Lestat?" I couldn't help but think this was an odd question, but I answered never the less. "No, I don't believe I have." "Why not?" "I've never had the desire to, besides." I leaned closer to her. "He's quite the hot head." We giggled a bit. "He does seem a bit spoiled." Claudia whispered. "He hates it when things don't go his way." I said. "It's cause he's a spoiled little rich boy." We both tried to contain our laughter and washed each other's backs. "What about Louis?" Claudia asked. "He's more understanding and calm with things." Claudia nodded. "What about you?" "Well I guess..." I stopped. Who was I to talk? When I killed my best friend out of anger. I was the worst of them all, and I knew it. Claudia looked up at me with her eyes full of concern. "I...wish I could say I could control my anger." I finished. We finished our bath in silence. Claudia skipped off to find Louis. I went to my room and got in my coffin. Bridget. I hadn't thought about her in years. I laid there wondering who she was going to work for. How excited was she to get out of the streets? And how I was the monster that took that away. Needless to say I didn't sleep well that night. I awoke to yelling. Claudia's voice rang across the house, yelling "which one of you did it!?" I rushed to the living room. Claudia was furious, yelling at both Lestat and Louis. I was about to back away and go back to bed, but I felt small hands grab my dress and drag me into the dimly lit room. "Was it you?! Was it you who made me this way?!" Claudia yelled at me. I fell to my knees in front of the girl and rubbed her cheek. "No Claudia, I could never do such a thing to a child." "But I wasn't always like this! I had a mother and Louis had a wife." Claudia said, close to tears. "I'm so sorry." "I trusted you!" Lestat stood. "You would have died from the plague if I hadn't saved you." He hissed. "You've been spoiled, you need siblings." Louis stepped forward. "Come here Claudia." And off they went. I glared at Lestat. He was the reason we were all like this. He was the reason we were monsters. I stood up, ready to kill Lestat if I had to. But a little voice within stopped me. He was the reason I was alive. He was the reason I had a family. He was the reason I had clothes on my back. "Are you going to leave as well?" Lestat asked. "And here I was thinking you were different than the others." "Others?" "Yes. There were others like you. Others who blindly followed and left out of fear. Though I must say out of all of them, you Ma chérie, have stayed the longest." "Who said I was leaving, prey tell?" Lestat looked over at me and raised an eyebrow. I walked over to him and grabbed his hands. "My maker, my angle with devils wings. I'm very cross with you but I could never leave. You've given me a home and a family, and even though I treated you so very poorly in the first few years you showed me kindness. I owe you my life, I won't leave till my debt is payed." Lestat ran his knuckles against my cheek. "Ma Chérie, everything will be clear in due time." A night later Louis and Claudia came back. Louis went up to his room, and I dropped to my knees in front of Claudia and hugged her. "Claudia. I'm-" she cut me off. "My dearest Ayin, I'm not mad at you." She went to the living room and began talking to Lestat. My gut told me something was wrong. I read a book for a bit but I couldn't shake the feeling. I walked to the living room and heard Claudia say. "I killed them unfortunately." Lestat was on the ground, crawling like a worm. "Ayin! Louis! Help me to my coffin." Lestat said, reaching out to me. I went to grab his hand but Louis held me back, as Claudia slit Lestat's throat. It took me a moment to register the awful scene, as Lestat's blood flowed towards me. Claudia looked at Louis. "Should we burn him?" Louis shook his head. "The bayou." Claudia said. We went to the bayou. I was silent all the way there. I was shocked, afraid, upset and yet weirdly calm. I watched as my makers body was thrown into the bayou. "Ayin, why are you crying?" Claudia and Louis were looking at me, concern etched into their faces. I realized that tears were gushing down my face. "He was my maker. He gave me a new, better life." I sobbed. "It's just hard to see him go." I wiped away the tears. Louis and Claudia helped me back to the house. And the next night we left New Orleans, and headed to Baton Rouge. For two nights everything was fine, but I couldn't shake the helpless look Lestat gave me that night. It was a warm night. I snuck to the bayou, I needed to help Lestat. I knew he wasn't dead. I came to the spot where we dumped Lestat's body. "Lestat." I whispered. Hearing no answer I looked around. Nothing. My heart sank to my stomach, causing tears to form. Lestat couldn't really be gone, could he? I jumped into the waist high water and began frantically feeling around for Lestat. "Lestat! Lestat where are you?! Lestat!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Water began to splash around me as my search became a mental break down. He was right, life was hell without him. I was drawn to him, I was always by his side, and now he might be gone forever. I soon felt a hand in the water. The hand was cold and clammy, but I grasped for it. I quickly pulled Lestat out of the depths of the bayou. He coughed and sputtered. His skin was gray and clammy, and his hair was thin and stringy. Despite this transformation, I knew this was the Lestat I was looking for. "I found you." I whispered. I noticed that the sun had begun to rise, and quickly helped Lestat to his feet. We then trudged off to find shelter and some coffins to sleep in. Chapter 7 Once night fell Lestat and I made our way out of the Bayou. I found an old mansion to nurse Lestat back to health in. There was no possibility of him getting back on his feet on his own. As I laid him in the bed I thought on how I would go about doing this. I hadn't really gotten this far in my plans. I plan was to get Lestat back, anything after that was fair game. At this point Lestat's condition was grave, blood would be the only thing that could help him. But first I had to take safety precautions. I quickly found some old curtains, stitched them together and then hung them up in the room Lestat was in, so the daylight wouldn't get through. That night I hunted and killed for blood for the first time in years. It didn't bother me, I was used to it. How disturbing it is to think that killing came naturally to me, as though it was what I was born to do. When I got enough blood I rushed to Lestat and I's shelter. I found a cup and quickly poured out the canteen of blood. When I got upstairs Lestat was coughing up more water. I placed a bowl on his lap and he quickly spat out water and, to my surprise, a small fish. I took the bowl from him, then helped him sit up comfortably. "Here, drink this." I said, handing him the glass of blood. Lestat took the glass and began to gulp down its contents. I sat by his side, making sure he didn't choke. He finished the glass the handed it to me. His skin had changed back to a pale marble, and his hair had dried out and gained back the waves it had. "Thank you, Chérie." He said, his usually smooth voice raspy. I placed the glass on the nightstand. "I owe you, remember?" His hand grabbed mine. "The other day, you were thinking about Bridget, no?" "Yes, I was just wondering who she would have worked for." I said. "No need to trouble yourself." "Mon Deiu! I thought you would have figured it out by now." He exclaimed. "I was the one who hired Bridget. She was meant to be my meal for the night, but you prevented that. I took you instead, and now here you are with me." I stared at him, complete and utter horror racked my body. Would the life I had now have been Bridget's fate? "So when you saw me?" "Yes, Cherie, I was looking for Bridget." "Why did you spare me Lestat?" I asked, looking at my hands in my lap. "After all I took your food." Lestat pushed some of my hair out of my now tear stained face. "You were interesting to me." "I took the life she could have had, and that's interesting to you?!" I stood up, now furious. Lestat was clearly angered as well. "I gave you a better life, you should be grateful!" He hissed. "Well now were even, Lestat!" I growled. "You gave me life, and I saved yours." "Don't you take that tone with me." "Why? Will you kill me? Because that's all you do Lestat you kill and ruin lives!" "Mon Deiu! You've become like Louis, a sniveling coward of a vampire!" "Why do you do this?!" "I like to do it! I enjoy it! Take your aesthete's taste to purer things, kill them swiftly, if you will, but do it. For do not doubt: you to are a killer, Ayin!" "I know that! And I regret it everyday of the eternal Hell you've condemned me and so many others too!" "And yet not a week ago you were saying that you'd never leave, that you owed me your life." "My maker, I still do. But think not that I will always agree with the things you do, for you are a fool if you do so." He'd hurt countless. Yet I was drawn to him, like a child to her mother, I clung to him. Why? Then I couldn't have told you but now I know it was because he was the only thing I'd known, and I knew I'd be lost without him. Over the next few days, I didn't speak with Lestat. I brought him his glasses of blood, and that was it. By the 4th day I started to feel bad, I wanted nothing more than to say I was sorry and make things better. But no I held my ground. I was placing some clean clothes in the dresser when I felt warm arms around me. "Forgive me, Ma chérie, I was insensitive." Lestat muttered into my shoulder. I forgave him. Why? I honestly don't know. But something told me he was sincere in his apology. I patted his hand telling him all was okay and gave him a glass of blood. He sniffed it first, I guess Claudia's stunt with the 2 dead boys got him a little paranoid. I chuckled a bit. "Don't worry it's fresh." Lestat looked up at me. "You've been such a brave girl, getting this blood for me." I shrugged. "It was required." He smirked and drank the blood from the cup. Once again he seemed to transform, he looked healthier and much more like the Lestat I had known. I couldn't help but wonder how Claudia and Louis were doing. I doubt they would've wanted me going to see them, after all they weren't stupid. I shook the thoughts of them from my mind, and focused on healing Lestat. Chapter 8 I woke up to a burning sensation in my chest. It got more and more intense until I couldn't take it anymore and I cried out. My vision went white, and suddenly I was in a stone room. There was no roof, and the sun was rising. I looked towards the middle of the room, my heart stopped. There was Claudia and a woman I didn't know. I watched in horror as the sun burned Claudia, all the while she screamed for Louis. I cried out to her, tears streaming down my face. "Claudia! No get out please!" I screamed to her. But she didn't listen. It was as though she couldn't hear or see me. I watched in horror and anguish as she slowly and painfully turned to ash. I fell to my knees, tears gushing down my face. I couldn't breath, I wanted to die. Claudia was dead. I watched as Louis looked into the room and fell to his knees, beginning to cry. And I cried with him. I cried and screamed for Claudia to come back. I screamed till my throat was raw, till it hurt to even breath, and even then I wouldn't stop. "Claudia!" I screamed, as I shot up to a sitting position. I was in my bed. Safe at home. Lestat was beside me, rubbing my back. "Ma Cherie, you've been screaming for hours whatever is the matter?!" He asked. I began to cry again. Lestat held me and I curled up in his chest, crying my eyes out. I knew that wasn't a dream, no matter how much I wanted it to be. Claudia was dead, gone forever. What sick entity gave me that vision? Why did she have to die? My poor, precious Claudia. Once my crying was reduced to shaky sobs, Lestat wiped away my tears. He pushed my hair out of my face and rubbed my shoulders. He took me to the dining room and sat me down, placing warm milk in front of me. "What's wrong, Cherie?" He asked. I told him about my vision. About how I knew it was real. By the end of it, he was pale as pale could be. He was distressed. Believe it or not Claudia was special to him, as she was to all of us. "How could Louis let this happen?" He asked. "Don't be a fool." I said. "You know Louis would never let anyone hurt her." Lestat was silent. He had seen Claudia as a pupil more than he did a Daughter, but he loved her all the same. Claudia charmed her way into our hearts and there was no way to get rid of her. Lestat sighed. "I believe it's time we find Louis, my dear." I nodded. Louis was probably the most upset out of all of us. He was so close to Claudia, it was almost as if he was her actual father. A flash of Louis's face from my vision passed through my mind, and I wanted nothing more than to comfort him at that moment. "We leave tomorrow night." Lestat muttered. That day I couldn't sleep, every time I closed my eyes a vision of Claudia's pained face entered my mind. I eventually got up. And very carefully avoiding the beams of sunlight, I made my way to Lestat's room. I didn't bother to wake him up, I carefully slipped into bed with him. I remembered doing this the first few years I was with Lestat. Being in a coffin alone scared me, so Lestat often let me share his. The first few times were quite awkward. Despite Lestat's other worldly good looks and his devilish charm, I had never been that close to a man before. Lestat would often tease me about this. But alas, those times were gone. Cuddling up to Lestat, I could feel my eyelids get heavy. And soon I was in a slumber of my own. A slumber haunted by images of Claudia, and the wish that I had been there with her. Chapter 9 Lestat and I set out the next night. It was rather awkward when we both woke up to find ourselves staring at each other, and so the night seemed to go on conversation-less. We looked everywhere, and yet no sign of Louis. I didn't blame him. Who'd want to be found after they had lost their child? We searched, well Lestat searched. I just couldn't bring myself to focus, Claudia's death was the only thing on my mind at that point in time. I found myself wishing that I hadn't just seen Claudia die, but that I had actually been there. I wished I had stayed with Louis and Claudia. I wished I could have, perhaps, died with her. I hated Lestat for giving me that sad look the night he and Claudia fought. I hated myself for not being stronger willed. And, most of all, I hated the Bastards that killed her. Only God knew how much Louis was suffering. Claudia was everything to him. He loved her like his own Daughter, and treasured every moment they had together. Lestat, however, seemed unfazed by it all. It was as though he never knew Claudia. Like he hadn't doted on her, like he never felt anything for her. It was like she never existed. I hated that he didn't feel anything. I hated him for not caring at all. But honestly, what was I to expect? Lestat only thought about himself. He believed himself superior to man and beast and, dare I say it, even God. He would look down on death as though it were a trivial matter. It was then that I began to understand Louis's distaste for him completely. "God awful bugger." I hissed to myself. Lestat chuckled, a knowing glint in his grey eyes. "I see you seem to side with Louis now, Ma Cher." "Yer' a blonde, heartless, bastard." I hissed at him. Lestat made a soft 'tsk' sound and motioned for me to follow him down the brick street. "You'll come around, they all do." I followed him bitterly. I was about to find something clever to say back to him. Possibly hurt his pride, when I saw a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I grabbed onto Lestat's sleeve, lightly tugging on it. "Lestat." I whispered fearfully. "What? Are you going to apologize to me, for being so rude, now?" He said as he walked into an alleyway. "No!" "Then don't waste your words, Ma Cher." "Lestat! We're being followed!" Lestat slowed his pace and glanced behind us. Sure enough there was a figure following our every move. The figure was male, tall and well built. He was hidden well, but not well enough for us not to notice his presence. Lestat seemed to be studying the man. His gaze locked intently on the dark figure, as I held his sleeve tightly in my grip. My eyes constantly glanced from Lestat to the figure as a heavy silence hung over us. It seemed as though hours passed, honestly I wouldn't have been surprised if they had. But soon Lestat turned pale and his eyes widened. He scooped me up and began to run as fast as he could. "We have to find Louis, immediately." Chapter 10No matter how much I asked Lestat would not tell me who the figure was. And even though I knew not who the figure was, I did know one thing. That figure was human, and that human scared Lestat. Lestat De Lioncourt, who feared nothing, was afraid of a mere mortal. Immediately a plan formed in my head. Perhaps this is how Louis and I could break free of his grasp. We did, eventually, find Louis. He wasn't happy to see Lestat, to be honest I didn't blame him. But when he saw me his eyes lit up and he enveloped me in a warm embrace. Louis had so many questions on where I had been and if Lestat had been treating me fairly, I reassured him that everything was well. Lestat seemed annoyed at Louis concern and rolled his eyes in disgust. "Honestly Louis, she's a big girl with an even bigger mouth. She can take care of herself." Lestat said. Louis glared at Lestat. "Have you no manners? I lady should always be watched over, no matter how strong." (A/N: Please note that this takes place in the 1700's. Women were not seen as strong and independent back then. I am a feminist and believe that women are equal to men. Please don't take this out of context! I do NOT believe that men are evil, in fact, some of my best friends are men. I just believe in equality between all genders and races. Now back to the story!) Lestat muttered something under his breath. It sounded like 'Damn you.' But I wasn't to sure. We sat in uncomfortable silence for a while. Louis looking around, Lestat filing his already perfect nails, and I playing with the sleeve of my dress. "We have a problem." Lestat said breaking the silence. Louis looked up at him. "What is it?" "Van Helsing." Both Louis and I looked at each other in bewilderment. "Who is this, Van Helsing, Lestat?" I asked. "He's a vampire hunter. He may act like he believes in the old legends, but that's only to lure you into false security. He knows that sunlight is the only thing hat can bring death upon us, and he works to lure you to it. He'll make you forget the time, and the next thing you know you're dust. . .Like Claudia." Lestat explained. Louis hissed. "You dare speak her name?!" "Louis calm down." I said. "It wasn't his fault." "He's the one who turned her!" Louis shouted. "Like hell he's not guilty!" Lestat just laughed. "Yes Louis, blame me for your troubles." "You belong in hell!" "Oh? And what if there is no hell? What if they don't want me there? Ever think of that?" Louis fell to silence, as did Lestat. I looked at my hands. I knew what I had to do. If I could get Van Helsing to go after Lestat, then this would all be over. Louis and I would be free. Chapter 11 I snuck out a few nights later. At first I thought Lestat had figured out my plan. Luckily I was wrong in my assumptions and all was well. The night was cold and damp. The streets of New Orleans, usually bright and full of life, seemed abandoned. It was like a ghost town, and I, the frightened girl working her way home. Like one of the ghost stories of old that Bridget had read me as a child. I could see my breath, fogged by the cold wind. I searched for Van Helsing, hoping he was around. He had to be around. I was so tired of being under Lestat's rule. It was suffocating. Not to mention the constant arguments between Louis and Lestat, which had begun to take a dangerous turn. As I looked my thoughts drifted to Louis. Would he approve of me doing this? Would he be angry with me? After all I was putting myself in harms way. For all I knew this Van Helsing could want to kill me instead of make a deal with me. Or perhaps Lestat was lying, as he always did, and this man was just some crazy old bat. I seemed to have lost myself in my thoughts, for I was now in an area I didn't recognize. I looked at the position of the moon and hissed, 2 hours till daylight. I turned to go home but realized I had no idea how to get back. I began to panic. Suddenly I saw a shadow of a person and decided to follow it. I seemed to chase the figure forever, as if it were leading me in circles. I ran and ran, forgetting about the time. And I began to smell something, it made me crave blood. I was suddenly so hungry, I needed to feed. I became a rabid animal with only food on the mind. Suddenly I felt a burning pain. I couldn't run anymore. I soon fell to the ground, and saw the sun was rising. I began to sob as I saw a bright light and Claudia's smiling face. Chapter 12 Unknown POV "Wait..." I whispered as I set the diary down. "She's dead?" I stared for a bit at the dusty old leather book I had found in Louis's room. Ayin seemed like such a strange and interesting person, such a pity she was gone. Suddenly the book was snatched out of my hands. Louis grabbed my shoulders and looked me straight in the eye. "Listen to me child." He said. "Never touch that book again." I nodded and Louis put the book up on the bookshelf, out of my reach. "Belle! Come in here Ma Cherie!" Lestat's voice called me down stairs. The nickname he called her echoed in my ears. "Coming!" I called, back. I scrambled downstairs to meet Lestat, most likely waiting to give me a new dress or barrette. Did he spoil her to? Ayin, what was Lestat to you? Were you the reason Louis made me? The End
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AuthorThis is off of the movie Interview with a vampire. Lestat, Louis, and Claudia don't belong to me. ArchivesCategories |