Post by Elisabeth Stone on Dec 13, 2013 13:15:21 GMT -8
The air surrounding her was cool and crisp- leaving everything brittle and clear. Susceptible to the quietest of footsteps or the most distant of voices, even the cold brought her no words from him. Much to her disdain, it had been that way for some time now. Only occasionally would Elizabeth wake with a start, hoping that it was his voice she heard calling. But of course not. Only a pesky neighbor, or the low rumble of the street that seemed to drone on endlessly.
When they had first disappeared- first her dear, sweet Tiberius, and then the whore that came after to collect his things... She had been fine. Taken in, to be cared for by a young rose. But then, like any of its kind- the rose had sent her stumbling into the brambles of some other man so that the rose might flourish. One she couldn't come to so much as remember the name of. But he, too had vanished from their deceitfully immortal existence. And then nothing. Not one came to collect her, or to finish her as she had so frequently feared. But perhaps they were waiting for her; understanding of the inevitable thirst.
From the richest of wines, to lowly dregs and now only a limited and shady vintage- she could feel the hunger growing inside. At first it only reminded her of the distance between Tiberius and herself. That it would be so long before she could reach out to him; feel his caress as those who stood before them fell. 'Soon, soon'.... He would whisper to her. But when? It was growing only colder, and there were no more options left. She had to survive. 'You need to be strong. You need to hold on only a little longer. I know you can do it. You're a bright girl.' She knew this... because of him. Still, she cried out to him asking why wait? What was it she was to do? When would she have him again?
Finally, the hunger grew to be too much. It had been so long now, that Elizabeth could feel herself weakening even with her limited activity. There were no more flickers of her angel, no more gravel murmurs of reassurance. She had to risk going out. But to where? Where would it be, in such a bitterly cold night, that she would find what she needed? It struck her then. Why bother looking when she knew? Setting out from her haven, she headed north- bundled but shivering in the midnight air. North to Seattle with no doubt in her mind.
Not half hour of walking passed before the hum of a luxury car broke the silence of the residential streets around her and spooked her from the distant thoughts. As Elizabeth turned, a woman jumped out of the car and began after her. Fear shot through Elizabeth, scolding herself for having taken such a risk. She never should have come out. The bastards up north had been waiting for her, of course. That bitch, she knew.
“Wait! You're.... hungry, ain't you?” The noisy mess yelled at her, throwing exaggerated motions around as though she were hailing a cab. For all Elizabeth knew, the woman had- for as she did so, the luxury car idled closer. It made no sense... how the fuck would she know? This obnoxious woman didn't know her from Eve. Let alone- “I wanna help!”
Elizabeth's lip curled into a snarl. Why the hell would she want to help? No one wanted to help- not now, not ever. Everyone was in it for themselves. Then the way the woman stared at her sunk in. That look... It was like the woman knew her. The woman... she knew. Knew the hunger, knew the pain that the once happy ghoul was going through. And she had known to come at the exact moment that her hunger could afford no more patience.
“Are ya gonna let me help?”
The question lingered in her mind for a moment, before Elizabeth's expression softened and she nodded slowly. Behind the large, dove like eyes a spark of realization ignited so that the fire might burn afresh.
' My dear Miss Stone, how could you ever doubt me?'
((Thank you Julie for helping me with this. I'm no good with words))