exaᴍᴘʟes

examples: narratives & threads

Fingers in her hair, twirling one by one wrapping a strand around one after another. Her bottom lip, sucked in her teeth nibbling and chewing. Nerves wracked her, sending one nerve ending to the other and they were intermingling in a dangerous fashion. Her eyes shifted, drifting from the ceiling to the floor and around again. Back and forth, she was rehearsing everything she was going to say. Over and over, she had to remember just what to say.

It had to be perfect.

She glanced down to the hand in her lap, curling around the ugliest sweater she had in her closet. “Ms. Castor?” Her name called over the heads of so many around her, her eyes shot up and her nerves shot through the roof.

He offered her a seat, subtle in a way that he noted that she wasn’t the least bit willing to be there for very long. She struggled, fighting a mental battle that she didn’t know if she was going to win. He looked her over, up and down. She had to admit, most men who looked at her they way he was, made her stomach twist into knots.

“What brings you here?” He asked, licking his lips as he took a seat behind his desk. She hesitated, shifting her booted feet upon the marble floor before she took her seat. Crossing her legs, he took notice - licking his lips as he brought his hands to his mouth. A gold band wrapped around his ring finger, he was married.

Great.

“A loan,” she spoke up as she fought the urge to turn and walk right out of his office.

“For?”

“Business,” she leaned over the side of her chair pulling out a stack of papers she created. Nights and nights of working hard to replace that part of her life. Painful, excruciating as she ignored everything that happened Halloween night.

She handed the stack to him, watching as his hand caressed her own for a moment as he trailed his finger along the top of her knuckles.

She wanted to shiver in disgust.

Ignoring the pain in her chest to snatch her hand away, she gave him the warmest smile she could muster up. His own lips curling into a smile of his own, he reminded her of some kind of twisted villain. She pulled her hand back, resting it comfortably in her lap and remembering she had to wash it as soon as she was done with him.

He looked it over and over again, glancing up every few seconds as that smile twisted upon his face. Curving the edges up ever so slightly that her heart was racing - pounding and beating in her chest. She wanted to scream and run out of there.

She had to fight through it.

“Seems all in order,” he set the stack down between them and brought his hands back to his lips. “But you are asking for quite a bit. May I ask why?”

“I had employees who worked for me,” she nervously twisted her hands over and over again. Thinking of Kennedy and how the young woman despised her now for everything that happened. “I want to compensate them for everything they’ve been going through.”

“Honorable,” he leaned forward on his desk and reached for a card. Flipping it over, he wrote down a number. Sliding it towards her, she knew what would be on it. His fucking personal number. “Drinks tonight, we can discuss more details as to what I…” his eyes trailed over her and she fought the shiver again. “Can do for you and you can do for me.”

She snatched the card out of his hand.

What option did she have?

None.

“Names+Faces,” she said the bar’s name and knew it was notorious for being private but also it was a Vampire location owned and operated. “10.”

He smiled watching as she stood up, her heart pounding in her chest as she grabbed her bag and ran out of his office.

She stood before her closet, her clothing mostly consisting of plaids, ugly sweaters and scrubs. Towards the back was her nicer clothing, ones she didn’t pull out for just any sort of occasion. A crop sweater, black and made up of the softest fabric she had ever felt. Leather mini skirt, with a colorful design that she was attracted to the moment she first saw it. And her highest heels, black with straps laced up the front. What was she doing?

She was an epic failure when it came to flirting.

She was horrible at it.

Now, she had to master it and quickly. With little hope in hell of actually doing this, she quickly showered and rehearsed while music pumped through the shower speaker. She had to drown out everything she was doing no matter who was awake.

Couldn’t take that chance.

Dressing, slipping her thigh high stockings on one by one. She kept rehearsing, hoping that she was at least going to get an offer on the table. Even if she had to show a little… skin to do it. Lola added lipstick, dark plum red and blow dried her hair. Slipping in a pair of gold hoops, a gold bracelet and grabbed her jacket - she gave herself another once over.

“What am I doing?”

His hands were just as slimy as she predicted, the way they grabbed at her thigh rubbing it slowly up and down. He was going on and on about how much life was horrible. His wife was a virtual cow, his children were monsters and he wanted an out. And he thought, openly speaking, that she could be his out. By sleeping with him, he could get out of his marriage.

That was the last thing she wanted to do.

She sipped calmly on the glass of whiskey and soda, the straw keeping her from gasping aloud as his fingers trailed up and down her leg.

How easily she could break them.

“Fine,” she said looking over to him and his look of pure shock melded into pleasure. “I’ll do it, if you sign the loan over to me.”

As if he knew, just knew that she would agree. The banker reached into his bag and produced papers, “We do it first and then I’ll sign.”

No, that wasn’t happening. “No, sign then we do it.”

She wasn’t going to budge and somehow he understood.The banker signed the documents over to her, sliding the paperwork in her direction for her to sign as well.

“Now, shall we do it here or in my car?”

Fuck.

“Meet me out back.”

She gathered up her things, watching as the banker scrambled to his feet. He was excited, for what she hadn’t the slightest clue. Lola had gotten what she wanted, even if it disgusted her. She downed her drink, ignoring the looks from around the bar. Vampires easily sniffing her out, knowing what she was. The look of disgust was always prominent on their faces, clear as day and she only smiled as she set her glass down upon the counter and left out the front door of the club.

She unlocked her car, moving to get into the driver's seat when a pair of hands grabbed her.

“I knew you wouldn’t follow through!” The banker’s hand collided with her face, hard enough that it knocked her to the ground. She was not expecting that. Over and over again, he kept hitting her.

She felt anger swell up in her chest, but she fought it. The man was human, nothing more and she could easily take him. But Lola was fighting an inner battle, one that she had been struggling with for years. She hated what she was and despised what she could easily do with it. Instead she let him win. He grabbed the back of her hair, dragging her around the corner of the bar.

As soon as they were out of the sight-line of the public he stood over her, enjoying the look of pure defiance in her eyes.

“We had an agreement,” he said kneeling down as he pried her legs apart. His slippery fingers trailing up along the inside of her thigh. “An agreement I would hope you’d remember. I really don’t want to do this.”

“You touch me,” she leaned in taking one hand of his into her own. “I break your hand.”

She squeezed hard enough to feel the bones in his hand come together with such force that she felt the bones break.

Control your breathing.

She had to control her breathing.

Her once brown eyes flashing, drifting to the hallow yellow as they reflected in the light of the alley. “I will break the other if you take back the loan.”

He snatched his hand out of her own, staring at her like she was some kind of monster.

She felt like one.

The banker ran from her, holding his hand with the other shouting nonsense as she moved to her feet. Ignoring the easily splintered lip, the bruise slowly forming on her eye and her cheek. Lola walked back to her car, pulling her skirt down as she slid into the driver’s seat.

Tears formed, welling up as she slammed her fist into the steering wheel. She wept the entire drive home, hating everyone and everything in the world.

She wanted an out.

The rest of the evening, until sunrise she sat in her car as she tried to come up with a way to explain everything to the one person she cared for more than anything else on this tiny blue planet.

Warmth cast itself across her bare flesh as she felt soft tickle across her clavicle. Her eyes fluttered open, slowly as the sunlight bared down across her sightline. The taste of dirt coated her mouth, mixture of blood and fur clung to her teeth as she slowly sat up. The city skyline sparkled off in the distance, as the realization of where she was and what she’s done came swimming back to her. “No,” she looked down to her hands as the shook before her. “No, no, no, no…” that singular word sung in her mind as she tried desperately to remember what happened last night. She moved to her bare feet, slowly she tried to catch herself before she toppled herself over.

Lola drifted through the woods as the crunch of gravel, dirt and leaves shivered beneath her feet. She walked slowly, running her fingers through her dirt, blood encrusted hair. Kennedy’s innocent eyes swam into her mind, she realized what she had done though it had taken a few moments. Was the young woman even still alive? Did she seriously kill her? Oh god, tears swelled in her eyes as she leaned against a large pine tree. Sap covered her finger-tips as she wiped away a stray tear. “Please, please tell me we didn’t kill her?”

“Cesar was a good boy,” her neighbor handed her the thick corded leash, along with the bag of food she was given for the evening. Lola knelt down before the large over-sized German shepherd, his eyes studied her and as if he could sense what was happening internally. “He seemed to have trouble sleeping,” her neighbor added. “I hope there’s nothing wrong.”

“He just missed me,” Lola finished that thought as she stood up, taking the leash in her hand and giving her neighbor a slight smile. “Thanks for watching him,” she added as she slipped the woman some cash and led the dog back to her place.

“Cesar,” Lola’s hand ran through the shepherd’s fur as he curled up into her lap. He may have been oversized, large and incapable of speaking his mind; but he showed her his love with each gentle lick into her hand. “What did I do?” she may have been a werewolf for over a decade, but her humanity still clung to her soul. Guilt still danced around her thoughts, swimming back and forth; mingling with her internal war as she struggled to remember what happened the night before.

She texted the young woman just as soon as Micah dropped her off at her place. She dodged his questions, his prying into what had happened to her. Why she was covered in dirt? Why she was covered in fur and blood? What did she do? She left him in his car, as she tried desperately to struggle with the urge to tell him the truth. But she didn’t, she bit it back and held her tongue as she wrapped her arms around the large animal in her lap.

Kennedy’s quick response to see if she was okay, was urgent and laced with something attuned with fear. Lola struggled to get dressed, Cesar lounging on her bed chewing a large meaty knuckle bone she purchased at the same time she purchased her own meal the night before. It kept him distracted, long enough for her to shower, put her shoes on and find her car keys.

“I’ll be home as soon as I figure out what happened last night at the clinic.” She comforted the large beast, patting him upon the top of the head as she walked past him. His gentle whimper tugged at her heartstrings, Lola was tempted to bring him along with her. “Fine,” she caved inwards. She moved swiftly towards her jeep, unlocking the driver’s side door she let him jump in first to get settled.

The clinic was destroyed, the front door barely hung on its hinges. The walls leading to exam room one was covered in long dragging claw marks. And the smell of fear still held itself in the air. “What am I going to do?” She muttered to herself, slipping her bottom lip between her teeth. Cesar moved swiftly through the mess, not caring as to what happened the night before but as to what happening now.

Everything she had ever worked for was destroyed, she had no business… she had no place to see clients and now she felt at a loss. Cesar stopped in his tracks, barking off in the distance down the hallway from where Lola stood. She bent over, picking up her diploma amidst the debris. With her free hand she wiped away the dirt and dust that clung to her past.

“What am I going to do?” she repeated as she looked up, meeting Cesar’s gaze and she held it. “Don’t tell me you know what I can do now?” He barked again, his muzzle curling into what she assumed was an attempt at a smile. Lola moved towards his destination, knowing that it was the basement he was heading for.

Where the chains once where are gone, ripped from the cement walls and as they settled upon the floor. They were in a large pile, mixed together with the clothing she wore the night before. Lola bent down, lifting up her lab coat. She pressed it to her nose, the smell of sweat and fear clung to it. Dropping her coat, she moved up the stairs slowly and stepped past the large metal door, it was bent in half and was buried half-way into the wall directly across from the doorframe.

“I guess I can’t keep you locked up anymore,” she muttered under her breath as she felt a soft lick against the palm of her hand. “I was stupid to think I could do it.” Those of her kind, many who were far older could hold onto their humanity. Lola was one of the few young one’s who could muster up the strength at times, to hold on to it. “I don’t have anything anymore,” her hand brushed against the top of Cesar’s head. His ears flickered back and forth as she tried to think of what to do.

“You need a job?” The young bartender, though she was young, she was far older than anyone else in Vitae. “What the fuck happened, wolf?” Lola softly sucked in her breath, as she tried to figure out a way to word what really happened. “I… destroyed my clinic.” Lola looked away for a second, then back to the young woman. “What the fuck!” She laughed, she laughed rather loudly and smacked the top of the bar top. “How the fuck did you do that!”

“The wolf got out,” Lola smiled a little. She wanted out of that regular, normal life she thought she wanted. The wolf knew. The wolf craved the freedom that Lola once fed it on a regular basis. “She destroyed everything, it would cost me a fortune to fix it.”

“So, you need someway to make some cash in the meantime?” the young woman looked around for a second, before she met the eyes of Lola once more. “You can work here, we need someone who can run the bar during the daytime at least.” That was all it took, Lola knew she’d owe her a large favor for giving her this job. “Come by tomorrow, our… human will show you the ropes.”

narrative coming soon

my response
their late night conversation, was a damn near revelation for her. the only conversation elisa ever held was with a human, was when she was poking them with a needle. there was that temptation, to drink from them everytime she poked them and drained them, as she called for “medical practices”. being a vampire in her position was perfection at it’s finest, she drained them an extra bag each time. no one questioned her, no one had the need too. she was the only one who worked that late and the humans, glamoured, had no idea why she was doing it. they had no need to do it. but when she spoke with micah that night, it was a damn near heartbreaking revelation. he wasn’t side-eyeing her from a distance like everyone else who’d see her.

tonight, tonight was one of the rare evenings she has off; just as she had the last night they spoke with one another. she woke up from her daylight nap, pulling back the blackout curtains on her room. normally those of her kind slept in coffins, in the ground or in a cubby somewhere. for elisa, she slept in a secret cubby she created in her closet. though it was upright, she didn’t seem to mind all that much. but the blackout curtains, she enjoyed the idea of having that ability to walk around during the daylight. though that was rare.

elisa opened her fridge, passing the counter that held a large stack of micah’s mail. something that he asked her to do for him since he was staying with his friend. she grabbed a bag of a/b-, reaching for a short tumbler glass she poured it in and set it in the microwave. letting it heat up for a minute, she chewed idly on her nails. the noise from his apartment had virtually died away, the ghost must only really act up when he’s there. “poltergeists,” she muttered them like a curse under her breath.

the beep of the microwave chimed, bringing her dinner to the right temperature. popping the door open she gripped the hot glass, and a straw to go with it. just as she was about to take a drink, she heard a rustle from next door. the sounds of keys jingling and the door opening. so, he came back. did he get the help he needed? or did he simply forget something? she didn’t care, his stack of mail was getting a little out of control and it was annoying her slightly.

she grabbed the pile, zipped out of her apartment with her drink still in her hand and knocked on his door. she waited calmly, sipping on her straw for him to answer.

their response
my response
that singular wave, the rush of the feeling of being allowed entry into a human's sanctuary was a remarkable feeling. she attuned it to being a natural predator, well not natural she was created and turned into what she was. but still, that feeling clung to her as she touched the knob to his apartment. a sudden rush came over her, goosebumps covered her arms from that overwhelming feeling of something dangerous in her proximity. crossing the barrier into his apartment, she eyed the place carefully before she smiled. "hey," she looked around for a second before her eyes landed on him. setting her half-drank glass upon the counter top she leaned on her heels. "hey, so did you get your uh... situation taken care of or you back for some stuff you forgot?" it had to be the last bit, obvious since his arms were holding all the items he probably forgot to get on his way out before. she shivered a little setting his mail down on his counter. a gust of something brushed over her cold skin, sending that shiver from her head to her toes. it had been so long since she felt this feeling.

their response
my response
it happened in mere seconds, she felt the presence but it was one that she had already felt only moments before. but this time, it sent a shock-wave through her as the lights went out and his breath hovered between them. "fuck," she whispered as the smell of blood hit her nostrils. they flared as her fangs dropped, if her heart could beat it would be pounding in her chest. she gripped the counter, just as micah fell to the floor. elisa moved, flashing over him in a single blink. "leave him alone!" she shouted, not knowing what she was shouting at but she knew it was there - she could sense it. "i'm getting you out of here, now." it was easy for her as she slipped her hands under his arms and sped him out of the apartment. the door closed as soon as the pair were in her own. he was bleeding, his heart was pounding but it was dying off. "no, no," elisa struggled not knowing how she could stop it. she dropped him roughly on the floor of her kitchen as she ran to her bedroom grabbing a bed-sheet she kept on her bed. in mere moments she was pressing it against his chest, trying to stop the bleeding as she struggled to not bend over and end his life. "micah," she was desperate to keep him alive. "micah, if you can hear me... i can help you, but you have tell me it'll be okay." she could feel his blood seeping through the sheet. the only thing she could think of was to turn him. normally she'd let them die, drink them to finish them but when he talked casually about that friend of his. even she was smart enough to tell that he cared for her, and elisa knew that feeling. she wasn't going to let him be taken from that special person of his. no matter what. "micah, please."

their response
my response
elisa's eyes studied his mouth as he tried to find his voice, he struggled to make out the words he wanted desperately to form. if she had a heart, it'd be pounding something fierce. panic swelled into her thoughts, things were not how she pictured her evening going. "okay," she repeated aloud once more and a millions times over in her mind. she's never done this before, she also knew that at this rate he'd die in mere moments. fuck! the smell of his blood was immensely powerful, without much effort she pulled him into her arms. she needed to drain what was left, to bring him closer to the edge. "i'm sorry," she said just before she sank her fangs into his carotid artery. she drank, she took what was left into her and as she pulled back as he came to the edge. she licked her fangs as she released for a second, taking a very deep heavy breath inwards. "i'm so fucking sorry," she repeated again as she bit in her wrist sinking her fangs deep enough to get a steady flow going. she lifted the wound to his lips, cradling him so he could drink. "i need you take it," she pleaded with him.

their response
my response
he drank a lot, more than she thought he was capable of in his state. she let him fall from her lap, as his eyes closed and as she did so she pulled the sheet from the wound. it was already threading itself, healing in a way that she knew all too well. what the fuck did she just do? elisa was terrified, scared out of her mind as she settled back on the floor. "shit," she cursed as she grabbed him under the arms again and dragged him towards her cubby. it was still early evening but she knew exactly how this worked. she remembered waking up next to her maker, the feeling of hunger swelling and the craving to just eat. "i am so fucking screwed," she settled him in the cubby. she had fucking idea what she was going to do. without hesitating she contacted evie, texting her that she did something stupid. the woman wasn't going to care, but she was elisa's last hope. swallowing her fear, she slipped into the cubby with him. turning her back on him, she went to sleep trying her best to not freak out. the following night she felt him stir, that feeling of him struggling and knowing what he was going through. she turned around, her eyes seeping with sympathy as she reached over and unlatched the cubby. "you were gonna die," she let out as she pushed open the door and leaned over to offer him her hand. "i did the only thing i could think of." which was change his life from mortal to immortal. "just relax, let me get you something to eat."

their response
my response
his questions, she knew he'd have them no matter what he was thinking. she had them, she was desperate the first time and her maker knew what to say and how to say it. elisa was a fucking loss, as she took the iv hook-up off the bag and poured it into a glass for him. he may have been turned into a monster, an immortal creature of the night but he wasn't going to be a savage. that was the last thing she needed at this point. she released her fangs, as she slid him the glass and she reached for her own bag. the benefits of being someone in her position, it was also a good way to make money. "i'm a vampire, as i assumed you were going to ask before you were attacked." she looked down as she poured her glass, "you were dying and you were well past the point that i could do anything to save you." the glass filled up and she tossed the bag in the garbage. "so, i made you into one of us." she said the last bit, softly and quietly. "there are rules, some you need to understand before you bust out of here like you're on fire." she took a long drink from her glass, she set it back down and looked him over. "first eat," she nodded towards the glass. "oh and to answer your oh-so pressing question, it's just been one night."

their response
my response
watching a new vampire, watching that sudden realization of what they had become - elisa knew it all too well. she still remembers that night, she sped around her maker's home like a crazy two year-old throwing a crazy tantrum. she also remembered, very clearly just how many humans she killed afterwards. her maker never truly wanted to show her how to keep from killing them, that she had to adapt and learn on her own. she settled herself back on her heels as she watched him fall back in a chair. "first rule, no sun. there are some of our kind that have a way of walking in the sun, i don't really know how but i guess it exists." she walked around her counter, pulling up another chair as she sat down. "the next, try really hard not to kill a human. we are a very secretive, if the humans caught on - imagine the chaos." she had to think, she had to think real damn hard as to what she was supposed to point out next. "those are usually the main rules, and i'll show you how to properly feed upon someone. there are nights when i don't have enough supply, so you will have to learn how to feed." she paused, her thoughts swirling. he was her first, and she knew how he felt. "if you'd like, we can go out tonight or not, just know that you should be back here before sunrise."

their response
my response
fuck, of course he was starving. she remembered her first feeding, nearly killing the young man before her maker could stop her. but, it was that overwhelming smell of just everyone and she means everyone around them. the smell was damn near intoxicating, she broke down a little at the sight of him. what the fuck did she do? she took his life and changed it forever. "right," she moved to her feet. she zipped out of the main area of her apartment and towards her bedroom. there she changed into a pair of dark jeans, long shirt and a leather jacket that all came together with a pair of boots. with such ease, quickness she tied her laces and sped back to him as she twisted her red hair into a bun at the base of her neck. "we'll start easy," she looked around for a second realizing his blood still caked her floors and without a glance up she knew it caked his shirt. "first, let's see if you can keep up." slipping her apartment keys into her pocket, she locked the door to her place and before he could blink she went out the back and over the balcony. she landed on the ground and looked around then up as she waited for him to follow along.

their response
my response
elisa's thoughts traveled, how - no where was she supposed to start? urgh, she was going to be cursing herself for a damn near eternity. "i know where we can start," the first place and the only place she could think of was an underpass. no cctv, no passerbys that could question what they were doing and more importantly if he killed someone tonight - no one would question what happened. it was a blessing that these places still existed in this world. "good," she watched as his fangs retracted. she waited until there was no one around them and she led the way. passing over obstacles, speeding through the parkways and the sensation of being the ultimate predator was always a bonus being what she was. leading the way, she passed through downtown until she came to a stop. the underpass stood over their heads, small crowds of the homeless, prostitutes and helpless drunks merged together and scattered through out. "many of our kind prefer places like these, especially now that technology has become an ever watchful problem." she sighed a little, as her eyes traveled over each and every one who held a heart beat in their general vicinity. "do you see on you like?"

their response
my response
"you cannot afford to be picky," she remarked calmly, though frustrating that those of her kind were all over the internet. it was disappointing, it was fucking disgrace. she closed her eyes and breathed in, letting her superior hearing take charge. she mentally passed heartbeat, after heartbeat. skipping those that were fast, quick and those that were sluggish and slow. she found a pair, young and normal though they were scared and cold. "follow," she commanded and led the way to the outskirts of the fire from those behind them. her eyes finding their marks, taking in a pair of teenagers as they fought with each other over something pointless, she assumed. "it's my turn," the youngest one - a teenage female - clapped back at the other. an older male, maybe in his late teens. "watch," elisa approached the pair. slowly, predatory as she paused before them. they barely noticed her until they looked up - meeting her eyes. what thoughts were their's were no more. they were her own, she fed them blank thoughts as their faces went slack. "do not scream," she said calmly as her fangs popped out. "do not run," elisa was in front of them, a slender finger running along the cheekbone of the young girl. "do not be afraid," she smiled motioning to micah to approach as she took the hand of the young girl into her own. she passed her to him, never removing the strong glamour she put upon her. moving her eyes upon the young man she turned him, his back to her as she wrapped her arm around his chest and tilted his head to one side. the carotid was the best artery, strongest one. "be slow, gentle as you sink your teeth into her. let the heartbeat be your counter, feel it between your lips and as it slows you slow with it." with that she showed him, she sank her fangs into the boys neck. he tasted of youth, strength and more important he was sweet and pure.

their response
my response
elisa made a mental note, she had to teach him to glamour - a technique that makes consuming fresh blood far easier than just jumping upon them like a wild animal. she pulled back, enjoying the sweet pure taste filling her mouth. the boy under her hands, his breathing was slow and steady mimicking his heartbeat. the taste was overwhelming, she couldn't clearly remember the last time she had fresh human blood. it had all been packaged, refrigerated and at times the microwave just didn't do it's job properly. "slowly," she reminded him watching as he slowly started to drain her. "breathe her in, listen to her heartbeat." she closed her eyes, draining the boy slower and slower until she felt his heart matching the pace. she brought him to the edge and when she pulled away, she set him down slowly with her back to her progeny. resting the young boy down, she slipped off her jacket and covered him with it. turning around, she blanched - far paler than she already was. "micah!" she cursed his name, launching herself at him as she pried him off of the young girl. the girl slumped into her arms, limp and her eyes were glazed. "you fucking killed her," she looked up at him. her eyes narrowing as she stood up after resting the girl on the ground. "what did i say!" she wanted to throw him, toss him to the ground like he was nothing. but she had to remember, he was just a day old. "you have to learn to curb your hunger, otherwise you will leave a trail of bodies behind you." and that was the last thing she needed, to have to drag her progeny in front of the De La Sangre. "get back to my apartment, i will take care of the girl."

my response
The creature within her growled hungrily, as she locked the doors to her clinic early; as it is with every full and new moon. Her phone buzzed, sending that gentle urgent reminder of the time and what she had to do. Though there was a party, a little celebration for the starting of the fall season with the first full moon. She wanted to go, to let loose and just be free. But with the coming moon, she knew what she had to do. She shut her phone off without bothering to message anyone that she was going to be unavailable for the night and for the following few days.

Lola drifted down the stairs, her stomach growling viciously as she walked with each step. Caution drifted into her mind, she had to remember to keep the keys further away. The last time she shifted, she was nearly free. As the wolf inside her was starting to adapt, grow smarter with each passing time and in the end she was afraid of what the monster will do if she gets free. She stripped out of her clothing, remembering to wear the cheapest under clothing she could find. Folding her pants, shirt and coat into a neat pile by the door. Lola locked everything down, hanging her keys up by the door.

What happened next she keeps to herself. Chains and cuffs. Pain and misery. Nothing could quench the thirst she felt as the moon hung over the night sky. Her bones crunched, stretching her flesh out and dark fur creating a soft blanket over her form. Her teeth grew, adjusting into the canines that created a strong enough jaw to destroy whatever she puts between her jaw. It was going to be a long night as it howled echoing into the dimly lit basement.

Three days, it took Lola three days to recover. Shutting the clinic down for three days, she laid in bed and slowly adjusted to her human form. It was this process that kept her from losing her mind. Returning to herself, reliving her actions as a human being and keeping her world from colliding into a mix of insanity. She kept the clinic closed for those days, passing through a normal Thursday, she opened it again Friday morning.

She rolled out of bed Friday morning, feeling back to her normal self and her normal level of sanity. Turning her phone back on, she realized she missed many calls and messages. Mostly from her employees who haven’t gotten used to this strange timeline she had, or owners who wanted to schedule an appointment with her. Those who were her regulars she has come to know on much more personal and familiar level. Making her one of the rarest veterinarians of whom know each patient on a deeper level.

When her world came piecing itself back together, she went to work like usual. Getting her coffee each morning from the same spot, dodging questions from the baristas that knew her face. She only said she wasn’t feeling too well, blaming an almost regular occurance of migraines that seem to happen around the same time each month. Ignoring the barrage of questions, she went to work and let her employees know that she was feeling much better.

After seeing her final patient, a rather sickly small chihuahua, that shook more than it should. She gave him a sweet pat on the head, smiling as he licked her fingers and told his owners to come see her again following week. Strange as it was that dogs in particular seem to like her more than felines, she didn’t seem to question their little canine connection. As the final employee left the clinic she messaged Micah, seeing if he wanted to meet for a few drinks that evening. Maybe calm that nervous twitch the chihuahua seemed to give her.

their response
my response
their relationship was everything that lola wanted, no it's what she needed. someone who was normal... human, made her feel as if she was still on planet earth and under the same moon like everyone else. she was flighty, that she knew it was always clear in how she responded to anyone interested. micah was a little different, he wanted the same thing despite it being different for her. truth be told, she never had a serious relationship. it was harder for her to overcome that little silver of truth when half of her life was spent in a locked room hiding a monster that was deep within her. if she had to run, it was easier for her with nothing attached and the lingering emotional pain would eventually dissipate with time.

when her text was replied back just as quickly as she sent it, apart of her was just happy. sure, she brooded most of the time. covering up her customer service skills with the owners of the pets with a simple smile. when alone, she was quiet and kept everything she was to herself. only a small few knew who and what she was. micah was that normalcy, in his own way, that she needed. she dressed quickly, easily at her office. there were times when she's contemplated just living in the clinic, since she was rarely ever home.

wearing dark clothing, hair up in a tight bun and her coat sitting beside her in the booth. she ordered a gin and tonic, mostly gin and a sliver of tonic and a sliver of lime tossed in the mix. moisture dripped down the side of the glass, clinging her to fingertips as she took a long drink. as odd as it was, she picked up micah's scent before he even approached her in her rather darkened booth. being a werewolf, there were few advantages she has grown accustomed to having.

he slid in, arm draped over the back of the booth and her shoulder's relaxed. his greeting was simple, short and straight forward. there was no question as why it took her so long to respond back to him, no need to know and she enjoyed it. "hello," she let slip as she spun the glass around in her fingers. "my day was calm, how was your's?"

their response
my response
to overcome a hangover so easily, probably not so easily as he would or could claim it was impressive. though, it was nice that he didn't complain even if he did go out the evening before. he didn't put off not wanting to meet up with her despite it. his casual shrug was a calming reminder for her that his demeanor was very casual. she didn't bother with asking how he felt afterwards, it was proof that he was fine but just showing up and answering her simple question. she wasn't pushy, not bothering to ask why or what he did when she was incapacitated for those three days. her relaxed demeanor reflected how she felt around him. "thank you," she replied with a small curve of a smile upon her lips as she took another long drink of her gin. setting her glass down, she twirled it again and let herself lean back against the comfort of the booth they both occupied. "you look good as always," she offered him a soft compliment mimicking his own in lola's gentle way. "you had the day off, that must've been nice at least." their response
my response
Not being in a relationship, not being tied down to someone in such a manner that Lola felt free. He leaned in, closing that small gap that lay between them and his long slender fingers cupped her cheek with his long slender fingers for the second kiss. The taste of whiskey mixed almost too well with the lingering of gin upon her tongue. The smell of the bar dissipated quickly, only Micah existed. Her senses opened up further, revealing others. It was amazing how well those of the supernatural realm mixed into human crowds with ease. She could easily pick up on the vampires of which smelled strongly of blood. She pulled away from Micah, swinging back the last of her gin and set the glass down rather forcefully. “My place,” not a question, not an offer but a statement she wanted to express. Especially after the way he unknowingly sparked the inner creature she harbored within. their response
my response
Lola folded into him, easily as if it was an everyday singular motion for her. As amazing as it was, learning right away that he listened to those podcasts, read the articles and drifted through the random photographs taken of her kind upon the dark-web; she bothered more so to be careful around him, than she was with anyone else. The smell of the night air overwhelmed her nose. The wet heavily humid air of Portland, evaporated into her senses replacing the strong smell of the people in the bar they were just in. “Oh,” she posed her next statement seeing as to what he learned; more so for her own curiosity. “Did you hear anything of interest?” It was a stupid way to form her question, but she was curious.

Portland was always busy from the second the sun came up until the moon hung heavily in the night sky. He nose twitched, still very sensitive from the three days prior of changing. The inner creature, the wolf, craved more and more as the new moon was closing in. It asked for more than what Lola wanted to give her, and that was just grasping for straws. Her steps stopped midway, letting Micah drift a few feet ahead of her. Her nose twitched, that sense of smell she had was stronger than most of her any other supernatural abilities given to her through a bite. Copper, mixed with flowers? She had smelt it before, only moments as they passed the man and woman in the bar they just left. Despite the distance from the bar to her own home not being far, she was tempted to call for Lyft or an Uber. Normally she would be fine alone, but she had Micah.

Without hesitating, the sense of danger only crept up on her slowly as they approached from behind. One separating to round them on the left, the other towards their right. Cryptids were dangerous, more so in pairings than they were in a singular fashion. She was strong, but not capable to take care of them both. Closing the distance between herself and Micah, she faked a smile as she gripped his hand pulling him along behind her with some insurmountable strength she didn’t have before.

their response
my response
The sniff sent shivers down her spine. His statement, clear and precise, hit right on the nail. But the way Micah spat back at the man, she was a little grateful. Ignoring her urgency, she buried it. “Leave us alone,” she curled her free hand into a tight fist. The woman’s smirk faded, looking Lola over with a very disapproving glare. The man stepped away, his nose twisted and scrunched up. Lola was never a harsh, strongly spoken woman. She was soft, quiet and gentle in all of her mannerisms. But when there was danger, she ignored her human instinct of flight over fight. The wolf inside, spoke differently. It had been years since she was in a fight. She didn’t want to break that cycle.

“Micah,” Lola’s next step was to stop this before it got worse. Her hands pressed against his chest, her eyes sparked with urgency. “Let’s just go.” But as soon as the words left her mouth, the woman’s hands nails of blood red and claw like, pulled her away from Micah. “Not on my watch, puppy.” The strength to not give in, drifted away. Anger swelled in her chest, she let her hands free of Micah and grabbed the woman right arm. With a twist she made the woman prone and upon her back. Lola’s lip quivered, her once brown eye coloring shifted to the reflective yellow. “You,” she turned on the man. “Leave us alone.” She was still visibly shaking.

their response
my response
Teen wolf, moon baby, puppy and whatever else; Lola has been called it by all kinds who could easily understand what she was. They took off, their fangs reflecting in the light as she learned quickly that Micah was only human. He saw it all. Would he believe it just being a trick of the moonlight? Maybe if they had drunk more, she could easily blame it all on the liquor. But that wasn’t the case. The case was, he was a witness. She swallowed that edge to bark back at the pair as they took off. She took a deep, deep breath inwards and held it as she closed her eyes. She pictured things that calmed her. Kittens, puppies, flowers and the usual bullshit that she hated to admit she liked. Releasing her breath, she relaxed her shoulders and turned to Micah, looking up at him with her hesitating eyes. “Are you okay?” She asked, posing this question as to his well-being, as to what is going through his mind at this point in time. their response
my response
His response was just as she assumed it would be. Unsurety spoke in his actions as he stuffed out his cigarette under his boot, his words should have been enough. Lola took his arm, willingly without a heartbeat skipped. His motives were calm, unsure as she took his arm. The gentle sprinkle of the rain was a nice calming effect after the events that happened only moments ago.

The distance wasn’t too far, one of the reasons she preferred to live closer to downtown than her clinic was (as that was on the outside of Portland). Bypassing the front door to her building, being on the bottom floor was helpful more so in moments like this. Unlocking the front door, she stepped out of her heels and dropped her wallet next to them. Her mind was already set upon the kitchen, the cabinet above the fridge held the item she was destined for. Waiting for him to settle in, with subtle knowledge that he knew her place inside and out. He could have questions or he may just want to drink to forget what happened. Lola had never been in this position before. She never had to explain to someone what they just saw. Would it be easier that he believed in it in some sort of way? Two tumbler glasses and a large bottle of wild turkey in hand, she settled into her couch and waited for him to make his decision.

their response
my response
He was stiff, though relaxed after his long drink. His question was simple, straight to the point and as Lola expected he wanted to know what the hell just happened. She leaned back, swirling her wild turkey in the tumbler. Her soft doe colored eyes following it as she tried to comprehend the best answer. What was the best way to respond? Did she just pointedly tell him the truth? It wasn’t like there were any rules for this. She wasn’t a member of a pack, she wasn’t a key figure in any of the organizations - Lola was a loner and she preferred her life to be that way.

“I don’t know where I should even start,” and that was the truth. Where was she supposed to start, at what point does she say ‘Oh those people with fangs were real, they are vampires and yeah I’m a werewolf.’ No, she wasn’t going to say that. Lola wanted to avoid it, ignoring that sensation to just tell him everything. She buried it beneath the wild turkey she downed in a single gulp. She sat forward, resting her elbows upon the tops of her knees as she set the tumbler down in front of her. “They were,” she paused, swallowing her nerves, in order to continue. “They were once human, like you, only now they are something much more dangerous.” Was that even good enough? Would that help him understand? Lola’s stomach twisted into knots as she tried to not overwhelm him with so much at once.

their response
my response
he was quick to catch on, she led him to start putting the two and two together with her intended choice of words. once human, truthfully that was all she had to say. he was smart, he was quick and when he put the two and two together about herself - lola's stomach twisted into a hard knot. the way he lit up his cigarette, downed glass after glass and her eyes failed to meet his own. her doe eyed gaze fell to the floor, as she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. "i go through it every month," sometimes it was twice a month depending on the new moon.

"you never have to worry," she offered to lessen his concern. "i lock away that side," which was true. she locked herself away, kept that side of her from ever showing. and when it did rear it's ugly head, micah saw everything. the quick change in her eyes, her insurmountable strength and more importantly that desire to rip the vampires apart for coming near them. this was why she desired no-strings, to have no emotional attachment and yet it came out in such a way that lola knew that maybe this would be the end?

"i never, never want anyone to see that side of me. more importantly you or any other human." she was more afraid of how they would take it, but also how she would treat them. she swallowed her worries, burying them inside her chest as she relaxed her shoulders. "i'm just glad you didn't get hurt," the truth left her in such words that the knot grew in her stomach becoming twice the size it was before.

their response
my response
being a catholic, torture both mentally and physically, was how she learned to cope after all these years. his question, she expected it or at least foreseen his curiosity. she had to pause for a moment, take in the mere length of time she had been suffering through this. "eleven years," it had been eleven years since that night. the night was still clear, fresh in her mind and reflected in her daily nightmares. "i was bitten when i was eighteen, by a woman i haven't seen since then." truth be told, after all these years she would never forget the woman's face, nor the face of the monster who took her humanity away.

his honesty was refreshing, after everything they went through within the short period of time was remarkable. sure, he was drinking far more than she was and going through his cigarettes quickly, he was reacting much more maturely than anyone else in his situation. he squeezed her hand, reflecting his worry and concern. now, with his own knowledge of their existence, he knew the truth. somehow, she knew he would keep his word. "to be honest," lola gave him a soft smile. "you're taking this far better than i would have imagined." she would've thought, anyone who was human, would respond differently. though this would be the first time she told anyone, let alone letting anyone see the remote change that occurred in her tonight.

their response
my response
somehow, with micah knowing the truth, apart of her felt a calming sense of relief. there was never anything settled in her mind to ever truly tell him the truth. she had never spoken of it to anyone, not even her own family knew. and that was the point, she kept her emotional fragile distance from everyone else and preferred it to be that way. now he knew the truth and there was no way for her to avoid any questions he may have in the future. she had questions when all of this first started, she heard stories and tales of cryptids so dangerous she did her best to avoid ever meeting them. the vampires were at the top of that very list, and she wished deep down that the pair they ran into this evening would be the very last time micah ever met a vampire.

she folded into him, completing the simplistic puzzle that was shared now between them. lola relaxed, after a week of mental and physical torture, she felt like her normal everyday self. the whiskey had helped more ways than one to return her mind back from panic mode to relaxation of the highest caliber. lola sunk in, slipping her arm over the front of him as she pressed her face into his chest. he smelled strongly of cigarettes, rain and whiskey; a combination she could easily pick up over a crowd. "thank you," she spoke against him, knowing full well the lipstick she was wearing that night would smear into his shirt. "thank you for not running away, or being scared of learning the truth."