A snippet..The Newborn

If you are reading this...Welcome to my blog! This is The Chronicles of Lyra Morrigan. The stories will be out of sequence...and you will find out more about Lyra as I write...This particular installment was inspired my several things:1-my recent endeavors into watching and/or reading the Twilight series and the Vampire Diaries show. There is also a bit inspired by a recent muse, who has tod me that I write about him is flattering. How cute! LOL...well, I hope you enjoy!

I am writing because I am tired of reading and watching the vampire stories that all seem to take place in high school. There is so much more to this world. There is so much more than vampires. There are so many creatures and extraordinary humans out there. I have seen, and lived, through so much of it. They say that vampires are immortal. I disagree. Immortality means you cannot die. To say you’re immortal means that you can live forever. Everything can die; it’s simply a matter of how difficult you are to kill. I am mortal. I have lived for over 500 years, but I can die.

So, let me tell you a story of a vampire I once knew. He was a victim of one of those useless rogues who felt that it was their right to kill anyone they wished and leave them in an alley. Those rogues are usually not careful enough to realize that if you allow your victim to live, the poison left by the bite will create another vampire. They often leave a wake of clueless newborn vampires. Most of these newborns die quickly: some by their own hand, others by starvation, and many at the hands of older vampires culling the herd. This man, this newborn vampire, I happened upon during one of my nightly walks. The night air always soothed me and I had had one particularly boring day. I had caught the scent of fresh blood when I was a block away. From the strength of it, I could tell that it was too late for a rescue, so I slowed my pace as to not surprise a feeding vampire. I really was not in a mood to fight and get dirty. I heard the full predator shuffle away, and I stepped into the alley. The victim was lying still as death on the wet ground. As I stepped quietly towards him, I could hear his soft breaths quicken sharply. I knew what this meant. If he was going to survive this, I had to intercede. I lifted his limp body and carried him to my home. The sight of a woman of my stature carrying a seemingly dead body would cause quite a stir, so I made sure to take the deserted backstreets to avoid detection. I’m not sure what my reasoning was for it, I just felt sick at the thought of him awakening, and dying, that day as a vampire. That walk home was longer than I had realized.

When I got home, I immediately began bathing him. He already had begun to stink of death. I knew once the transition was complete that the scent would change, but until then, decay would permeate my home. When I finished, I carried him into one of my many guestrooms. His hair was dark and shaggy as it clung to his pale forehead. I wondered what his eyes looked like as I laid him into the bed. I had undressed him before the bath, so I covered him with clean linen and a blanket. I smiled softly as I pulled an old, upholstered chair beside the bed. I hummed a soft song to myself as I drifted into a light sleep.

His screaming was what woke me hours later. He was sweating profusely and screaming in pain. His veins bulged, thick with the multiplying poison, as his back arched spasmodically. He was still unconscious as his howls of pain echoed throughout my empty mansion. I silently became thankful for my reclusive nature. No other soul was able to hear him but me. I knew it would be a few more hours before he became conscious, so I quietly stayed by his side. I had to be there to be sure he didn’t accidentally snap a bone during the spasms. He would heal from it quickly, but it was still painful. I thought about what I could feed him when he woke. He would be insatiably hungry. My heart sunk as I realized I would have to give up one of my horses. I quickly decided which one, she was an old mare whom had recently fallen and I was avoiding putting down. This, at least, would be less painful for me than shooting her in the head. I nodded lightly and refocused on my patient. He was a tall man, but he was well-built and lean. As his teeth clamped down, I noticed he had a strong, angular jaw. The sweat beaded and rolled down his body. I put my right hand down onto his chest to hold him down. His skin was scalding hot. I could feel what was left of his blood burning the venom through his muscles. After a while, the heat turned cold. The colder he got, the quieter he became. It was almost over. I got up to stretch my legs and glanced out the window. From my understanding of the process, it should’ve been nearing sunset the following night. As I looked out, I realized that it was much sooner. It was almost noon. I closed my eyes and hoped that the last of the transformation would wait until dark. I wasn’t sure I could carry him to the barn, and vampires, especially newborns, were weak during the day. I sighed heavily and returned to my bedside vigil.

A few hours later he was quiet and still. It was nearing the last leg of the process. I wondered what his name was and if he had a family. What was his job, or his talents? Things I should have thought of sooner. As I at forward in my chair, I saw the corner of his mouth twitch. A sharp twinge of fear ripped through me. I glanced at the sky outside, and I could still see some light. I cursed to myself as I ripped the bedding off of his body and lifted him into my arms. If he became conscious, and I was the only living being there, he would attack me. I didn’t want to have to kill him. I carried him swiftly out to the barn and into my beloved lame mare’s stall. I dropped him heavily and he snapped awake with a mad snarl. I took the dagger from under my skirt and punched it into her jugular. He couldn’t resist. I stepped outside as he fed, and wiped the blood from my horse off my face.

I lay in the grass outside the barn and watched the sun sink below the horizon. The air began its nightly chill, but the ground was still warm. The grass was soft and damp against my cheek. It had been quiet in the barn, so I watched the door. When he emerged he staggered. His eyes were glassy and blood trickled down his naked body. He walked slowly towards me and sat beside me in the grass. He looked at me curiously as he lightly touched my hair and asked quietly, “What has become of me?”

So I told him.

“You were attacked by a vampire. He thought he had completely drained you and left you for dead. I found you in that alley and brought you here. That was a day ago. This is my home, and you are welcome here. I can teach you what I know, but I am afraid it isn’t much. Vampires have poison, venom of sorts, if left to run through the bloodstream, will transform their victim into one of them. Most who survive the transformation don’t survive long after that. What I know about them is that the daylight weakens, but not kills, them. They heal quickly, and feed on blood. I have met some select few who do rather well on just a diet of animal blood. That is why I gave you my mare to feed on. I did not want the hunger to take control before I could counsel you. Your heart does not beat. Blood only flows through your veins when have fed. The only use for breathing is for scent. Essentially, by a human standard, you are dead. It may take hours, days, or even weeks for the memories of your life to return. Why that would matter, I do not know. You can’t go back to it. My suggestion would be to stay in the shadows. Go out only at night until your strength can handle the sun. Some, but rather few, vampires gain enough strength to remain in the sun and lead a perceived normal life. I will help you handle whatever you may need to settle your old life. You are not my prisoner and may leave whenever you wish.”

When I paused, he smiled a soft, brilliant smile. I felt my heart skip a little, and if you knew me, you would know that it meant quite a bit. Confused, I smiled crookedly back. Then he spoke in a smooth, deep voice.

“You forgot your name, dear patroness.”

I blinked absently before answering, “Lyra Morrigan.”

“Well, Ms. Morrigan, it is my pleasure thank you for your hospitality. I am gratefully accepting your offer of help. The life I had before was one needing to be lost. I had a wife whom I cared for greatly, in the beginning. It was a marriage of friendship, at best. She is now free to pursue the man she truly loves, and I am happy to give that to her. We have---no, wait--had no children. I was never wealthy. I was in that alley in a drunken stupor trying to find a way to give everyone what would make them happy.” He then laughed softy as he lay on the ground beside me. “I turned it over and over in my brain, but it always came down to the same solution: the removal of me. I didn’t even want anything for myself. So, how does this work? Am I going have to lie still in a coffin as my wife pretends to cry over me?” He turned his head towards me and laughed one of his enchanting smiles at me. His face was just an inch or so away from mine. I was still startled over how cognizant he was. The newborns I had seen were growling, incoherent monsters for days before they even spoke. I gathered my thoughts as quickly as I could and tried to answer his question.

“I suppose I could say I was witness to a murder in which I saw the body taken away. I could describe you and then they could presume you dead. I have some connections with the local law. I suppose then, you wouldn’t have to sit through any funereal. Is there a reason you haven’t told me your name?”

“No reason, I suppose. I guess I’m not sure if I liked it all that much,” he paused as he took a moment to brush his thick forefinger down my face. He smiled sadly as he continued, “My name is Gareth. Gareth Wynnemen.” He sighed heavily as he rolled onto his back. I had heard the name before, but couldn’t place where. I looked at his strong profile for along time before it occurred to me.

“You’re that Innkeeper at the south of town! Someone’s going to be looking for you. I have to cook up something and fast. Becky will not fare well without you.”

“You know my wife?”

“I’ve met her here and there. Her cooking is phenomenal. I’ve seen the brutes that frequent that place, though. Heard them, too. Once they realize you’re not standing over her-Oh, the poor girl.”

“She’ll be fine. Her family is never far away. Then there’s Wayland-“

“Wayland Birch-the woodsman?”

“That’s the one. He’ll take care of her. He loves her, after all.”

“I never would have guessed. It seems I miss quite a bit out here alone!”

“Well, then, I guess it is a good thing I have come along to take you up on your kindness. “ He turned his head towards me, smiling, as he rolled his
body closer to mine. His breath felt like a cool breeze against my cheek as I felt his lips brush my ear. My body tensed as I realized how close his mouth was to my neck. My heart began to pound heavily in my chest. He wrapped hi arm around my waist and pressed against me. After a few long, tense moments, he whispered into my ear, “Please don’t fear me, Lyra. My hunger for blood is sated. Why would I ever want to stop a heart so kind? You have rescued me, not only from death, but from life as well. I owe you everything. I am yours until you release me.” As he finished speaking, he lightly kissed my neck, then my cheek, and he stopped before reaching my lips. He looked into my eyes and I could see everything he was speaking of. I saw joy, peace, and gratitude sincerely given. I got lost in those eyes. I hadn’t even realized he was standing, let alone carrying me, until I felt us move towards the house.

He carried me gently into the house and asked me where my room was. I was suddenly very tired and complacent, and so I told him where. When we reached my room, he put me down standing beside my bed. I could feel his strong hands undoing the back of my dress. I shook my head, trying to clear it. He took my chin in his hand and said kindly, “It’s my turn to care for you, now.” I started to pull away, and I felt his hold loosen. “You need to bathe. I will run you a bath and you may undress. I will have your night clothes ready for you when you are clean, alright?” I nodded and he walked into the bathroom. I undressed rigidly, suddenly I was aware of how sore I was, and I found my robe on the foot of my bed. As I slid into it, I could hear the water running. I detected the light, sweet smell of my bath oils in the air. I ouls also smell candles burning.