Falling Petals Chapter Four

Chapter Four: Death’s Lover

London, Spring 1653

        I was in London that year. I was eighteen for the moment, a rare dark beauty in a room of sun-bleached blondes. It was a ball for some girl’s coming-of-age, somewhat like a modern girl’s sweet sixteen. We had been in what amounted to a charm school together. That was not to say I knew her that well. No, that era’s idea of proper etiquette had forced her to invite me. Elsewise she would have been frowned upon as unsociable.

            It was a macabre affair. The decorations were frilly and lacy and they covered every possible surface. The band was under-talented and most likely over-paid. The men all wore their nicest suits, which were mostly patchy at best. The women were in heavy fabrics and corsets tightened as far as possible. It was sickening. Then there was the way they behaved. They were loud, unabashedly rude and shamefully inappropriate. The men farted and the women burped. Rarely was an ‘excuse me’ worded aloud and only as a jest and followed by mulish laughter.

            My fellow charm school graduates and I sat with noses wrinkled. The poor girl for whom this party had been arranged could be seen crying into her handkerchief in the corner. I could almost excuse her. The girl’s family was poor, almost penniless. She had worked herself to the bone for years to save up enough money for the party. In England, however, taste was inbred within rich families. Unluckily for the girl, men from many of the richer families in London had come. The poor girl had no chance with them. But next to her the rest of us looked beautifully normal. The other girls received a fair share of dances. Most of us turned down the men from the host family, unless the girl was ugly or desperate. The rest of us had higher aspirations.

            Well, they did. My reasons for attending were simple; normalcy and hunger. Appearing at social events such as these made me seem like a normal girl. Plus these balls were great places to hunt. All I had to do was sniff for the men who smelled like alcohol. They were the least likely to be mourned.

            “Would you like to dance?” one of the men came over, smiling at me. His suit was in good condition, and he looked generally clean. And he smelled like alcohol. Then he belched loudly, and I grimaced.

            “I’m sorry. I have a partner for this dance. My dance card is full.” I fibbed quickly. The other girls gasped and tittered at my lie.

            “Oh really? And who, may I ask, is taking your hand for this dance?” the drunken man sneered arrogantly. The girl behind me cried louder and I remembered the man was her father. I searched quickly for a name, any name, and was spared by an unlikely savior.

            “That would be me, Alfred.” a young man took my hand to help me up. I thanked a nonexistent god that I’d remembered to wear my gloves that night.

            “Ah. Please forgive me Mr. Wolfe. I didn’t mean to offend you or the beautiful young lady.” Alfred stuttered, flushing a mottled red.

            “Of course Alfred. That was an honest mistake. Ladies.” the handsome boy winked at my ‘friends’. Then he swept me away to the dance floor. He placed a hand on my waist, keeping mine in the other, and we danced.

            “Thank you Mr. Wolfe.” I murmured, just loud enough for him to hear. He smiled charmingly.

            “I’m a fool for damsels in distress and you, my lady, seemed to be caught in a crisis.” the young man twirled us around gracefully. He was about nineteen, maybe twenty. The boy had longer, silky black hair that sometimes fell into his eyes. He was tall too, maybe six one to my delicate five two.

            “You look quite handsome tonight Mr. Wolfe.” I remarked.

            “Please, call me William. You look very beautiful yourself. An interesting dress…” he mused. I flushed. I was wearing a very light dress that clung to my figure at the top and fell in graceful waves. It was a rich scarlet embroidered with gold figures. To a human eye it would look meaningless, but a trained eye could see the delicate and inauspicious pattern of swords and flames that marked me as vampire royalty.

            “Thank you. It is Egyptian silk, quite rare.

            “And also quite expensive. What is your name?”

            “Shadow. Shadow Viguié.” I gave him my real name without thinking. The girls knew me as Elizabeth DeLaney. Hopefully he wouldn’t ask them about me.

            “Ah. An unusual name to go with an unusual girl.”

            “Thank you. I have a partner for the next dance. Forgive me.” I curtseyed and left him on the dance floor, staring after me. There were three more dances before I was free again. The first and third were with Old Granger, one of the well-behaved relatives. The second was with the hostess’s betrothed, Jeremiah. I had a feeling Jeremiah would be leaving his fiancée after that night.

            When the third song finally ended, I ghosted over to the refreshment table. It was set against a wall of mirrors. Suspended in time for a moment, I watched my chest rise and fall, watched all the human things it had taken me thousands of years to learn. Unlike most of the women in the room I had forgone the customary corset, presenting an innocent and natural look. I wore kohl to darken my eyes and bring my pale skin into sharper contrast and my lips were painted red. The sleeves of my dress ended just past my elbows where they were met by my gloves, which were gold and shimmered in the light.

            “I would recommend the caviar.” William placed his hands on my waist from behind. Together we would be a perfect match, if it weren’t for his eyes. He had striking, midnight blue eyes streaked with gold.

            “Hm. I prefer the blood sausage.” I laughed, knowing he wouldn’t understand but not able to help myself.

            “Really? You are a rare sort of woman.” William said quietly. I laughed again, a very human melodic chime I had been practicing for years.

            You have no idea, kid. I thought gleefully.

            “Thank you.” I answered aloud. Another song started up.

            “May I have your hand in this dance?” William bowed, then held out his hand. I took it and let him twirl me back out into the ballroom. We were the envy of all as we spun gracefully, weaving between the other couples. William held me too close for it to be proper, but I couldn’t bring myself to object. The old women who always gathered in a corner whispered to each other. I could hear them, and I was disconcerted.

            “-must be evil-”

            “-not a normal person-”

            “-those eyes-”

            “-not natural!” one woman exclaimed. I frowned slightly.

            “I wish they would stop talking about me like that.” William sighed. I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.

            “They’re talking about you?” I asked flatly. William smiled

            “Yes. They always are. They don’t like my eyes. Supposedly, dark blue eyes are doors to hell or something ridiculously superstitious like that. Plus I’m left handed. I know, it’s stupid.”

            “Yes it is. I would hope they would have a good reason to accuse you before doing this Oh, now they’re talking about me.” I grinned.

            “-devil woman-”

            “-seductress-”

            “-evil eyes, so cold-”

            “-parents are strange-”

            “-that dress, no corset-”

            “Whore!” William stiffened and I gasped. The music had just stopped so everybody heard the old bat’s accusation. There was an immediate reaction as I burst into tears. My ‘friends’ gathered around me in a protective circle. William flushed an angry red and turned on Alfred.

            “I think it would be wise to escort these ladies out of here. Before the rest of us do it for you.” William said coldly. The old bats gasped as if they were offended. Alfred hurried them out before a fight could start. Their husbands followed them, apologizing as they went. One of them put a hand on my shoulder, and another spoke to me.

            “I’m very sorry about this. Judith means well but she’s a little, well, brash. She doesn’t mean to hurt people.” he looked at me with brilliant green eyes begging for forgiveness.

            “Thank you. You’re very kind.” I sniffled. A murmur of approval spread around the room. The old man smiled gratefully and left. There were a few more moments of silence, then Alfred coughed.

            “Well then, back to the ball.” he announced, clapping his hands together sharply. The musicians jumped into action, picking up the song they had been about to start next.

            “Would you like to dance again or has your evening been ruined?” William questioned gently. I smiled at him and wiped the tears out of my eyes. Though it was hard to believe, I was still a virgin. I’d always thought of humans as food and vampires didn’t generally have sex with beating hearts. So I was easily hurt when it came to that matter, which was amazing considering my genuine apathy everywhere else.

            “I’d like to dance.” I answered, holding out my hand and biting my bottom lip. We danced slowly and I held myself as close to him as possible. Nobody whispered about it, assuming I just needed comfort. The truth was that there was something stirring inside me, some strange feeling I’d never know before then. It was begging me to get closer to him, to do whatever I had to do to stay close. We danced again and again. The people in the ballroom began to talk about us.

            “-such a cute couple-”

            “-things like this bring people closer together-”

            “-no doubt they’ll be married by winter-”

            “- their children will be adorable-”

            “-can’t wait to see the ring-”

            William looked happy as can be, but I was a little uneasy. What if these people were right? Could I possibly be falling in love? Finally the guests all started to leave, and I looked up at William.

            “Would you like to come home with me?” he asked hopefully.

            “But- what will people think of us?” I asked, worried. A great part of a successful vampire’s life is fitting in, not being noticed. I had really blown that idea to shreds.

            “They’ll think we’re charming.”

            “Ah. C’est la vie.”

            “Tu parles francais?”

            “Oui. Je suis de Paris.” It was a close enough answer. I wasn’t born there, but how was I supposed to tell him I massacred thousands of people and harnessed their language through their blood?

            “Ah. La belle fille Noir.” he said. My heart fluttered in my chest as I blushed yet again.

            “Merci.”

            “So will you come home with me?” he asked again. Looking up at him with his eyes shining and his perfect lips parted in a soft smile, it would have been next to impossible to say no.

            “Yes.” I said instead. He almost jumped with joy.

            “Wonderful. I’ll show you to my carriage.” he took my hand and gently lead me out, making sure I never fell behind. I gasped when I saw the carriage. It was not the sleek black wood or the sweeping design that drew my eyes. It was the animals pulling it. They were magnificent, huge black horses with proud heads and stout bodies. They were well groomed and almost gleamed in the starlight. I practically tripped in my haste to get to the nearest one. Running a hand through his mane, I whispered softly to him in French. He perked up his ears, then pushed his head against my chest. I stroked his neck, happily humming to him.

            “You have quite a way with horses, ma belle.” William said quietly. I turned to find him right behind me.

            “They are beautiful. I love horses, and I think they know it.” I gushed, face alight with joy. William’s eyes darkened and he put his hands on my waist. Then he leaned down slowly and kissed me. Startled, I stiffened. William pulled away quickly, looking up at the stars.

            “I’m sorry.” his voice hitched.

            “Don’t be.” I reached up to put a hand on his cheek. When he looked down at me I stretched up and kissed him. William smiled at me, a little dazed, when I pulled away.

            “Sir, are we to be leaving soon?” the driver called down. He was middle-aged and he waved at me warmly. I blushed again. For some reason that had been my reflex reaction all night.

            “Oh yes, Arnold. We’ll be going home.” William answered, shaking his head to clear it.

            “And the lady, sir?”

            “She’ll be coming with us.”

            “Congratulations, sir.” the driver tipped his hat to us. William opened the door for me. As I got in, the driver spurred on the horses. William had to dive for the door to make it in. When the door closed, we laughed together. The driver made a sharp turn, throwing me into William’s lap.

            “I- I-” I stuttered. The carriage lurched and William put his hands on my shoulders to support me. My breathing quickened almost imperceptibly. We leaned toward each other until our lips met. The kiss was tender and hesitant. Then the carriage pulled to a sudden stop, causing me to slide on William’s lap and press my body against his. From the waist up, anyways. William groaned and kissed me harder, ignoring the driver’s shouting and twining his hands in my hair. I became fluid in his arms, my own curling around his neck. My mouth opened beneath the pressure of his lips and we shared breaths.

            The carriage began to move again as I kissed along William’s jawline. My lips travelled down the curve of his neck and I could feel him trembling beneath me. I found the place where his pulse beat strongest against my lips and prepared to take what I had come to the ball for. But I couldn’t do it.

            It dawned on me as my fangs sheathed. Some deeper feeling was keeping me from doing it. Maybe it was love or maybe it was something else entirely. Whatever it was kept me from sinking my fangs into his neck and drawing out his lifeblood. Whatever it was made me feel things I never thought I could. For the first time I was feeling something for a human other than the bloodlust and the helpless anger that came with it. I was feeling something that scared me, but made me ecstatically happy at the same time. And that was why I was meeting his parents half an hour later.

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                    *

London, Summer 1653

        We were married in June of that year. It almost didn’t happen, too, because I’d kept something very important a secret. The music that was my cue had started but I was still in my dressing room, crying. William came up to find me, angry, but he had sorrow hidden deep in those shocking blue eyes.

            “Why Shadow?” he begged for my answer, holding both my hands in his. I shook my head, desperately trying to clear the lump in my throat so I could speak. My mother stood in the doorway, grimly happy. She’d warned me against marriage to a human. Naturally she thought I’d finally heeded her words.

            “I’m not who you think I am.” I sobbed, staring out the window. The stars twinkled in the clear night sky.

            “I know who you are Shadow. Please don’t leave me. Not now.” he pleaded, furiously blinking away his tears.

            “But I haven’t told you the truth.” I whispered, shaking my head again.

            “Then tell me the truth.” he said quietly. William searched my eyes for the answer.

            “I can’t. I-” I looked up at my mother. She had a tortured look in her eyes. She seemed to waver. Then she smiled, just the tiniest bit, and nodded. I smiled through the tears, relieved. My mother had given me permission to reveal our secret.

            “Listen William, my parents and I are-” I began, but he cut me off.

            “Vampires. Yes, I’ve known since I met them.” William said, bewildered.

            “No, no they’re… wait, what?”

            “Um, Shadow, it’s obvious. They have red eyes and they kind of have, uh, fangs.”

            “Oh. Well that was easy.” I sighed, then started to laugh. With the laughter came tears, streaming down my face.

            “Ma Noir, what’s wrong?”

            “I’m just really happy I’m not dressed yet. Seeing the bride in her gown before the wedding is bad luck.” I started to giggle again as my happy tears dried up.

            You are insane!” William exclaimed, but he laughed with me.

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                    *

Later that night…

        We were a little hesitant as we kissed. The little cottage we were in had been bought especially for our honeymoon. Our new house was over in the Americas, a quaint little village called Boston. We would be leaving in two days.

            “Are you okay?” William asked, watching me carefully out of the corner of his eyes.

            “Sorry. I was just thinking.” I answered truthfully.

            “About what?”

            “You.”

            “Mmm…” William wrapped his arms around me from behind. I relaxed against him as he kissed my neck then buried his nose in my hair.

            “Don’t we have something to do?” I asked timidly.

            “Only if you want to.” William said steadfastly. But his thumb was moving in small, soothing circles on my stomach, which was covered only by the thinnest silk nightgown I had been able to find. I wiggled around to face him, then raised an eyebrow, scrunching my nose delicately.

            “Is your brain turned off?” I asked, tapping him on the forehead.

            “No! Why do you ask?”

            “I just swore that I would love you forever, right?” I asked, watching the growing confusion in his eyes.

            “I assume so, since we’re married.”

            “And to consummate that marriage we have to…”

            “Make love?”

            “Yes William, make love. Make love. What two people do when they love each other. And two people get married because…”

            “They love each other.”

            “Yes!”

            “Wait, I’m confused. Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” William asked, grinning at me. I sighed with relief and kissed him. He kissed me back tenderly.

            “Yes.” I said against his lips. William pulled us down so we laid back on the bed, trapping me beneath his weight. His shirt was on the floor in seconds, as was my nightgown and his pants. William rolled us over.

            “Your mother told me it would be… better… for you if you… bit me.” he told me tentatively.

            “Bit…you?” I asked, confused.

            “She said the blood would make it… better. For both us.” William explained. He watched my eyes carefully while he waited for me to understand.

            “I- I’ve never-”

            “Bitten someone you care about. I know. Another first, right?”

            “I…”

            “Please Shadow.”  he said seriously. I nodded, blocking back the tears. All of my tears had been happy that day and these were no exception.

            “Yes!” I choked out. A dazzling smile spread across William’s face, lighting his eyes. Then his expression softened and he leaned back into the pillows. I kissed my way down his neck until I could feel his pulse, just like I had that night in the carriage. My fangs snicked out, delicate and deadly. I opened my mouth and bit down gently. William shuddered then relaxed completely as I drew blood from the wound. I sucked harder and he groaned and ran his hands along my body. I knew exactly how much blood I could take without hurting him. But by the time I reached the point where I should have stopped, I couldn’t. Tears started to fall from my eyes but I couldn’t stop until his breathing almost did.

            I yanked myself away from him, wiping the blood from my mouth. Listening to the faltering beat of his heart, I got desperate. I searched around for something sharp. Nothing truned up. As a last resort I tore open my wrist with my teeth. The blood flowed from the gash and I pressed my wrist to William’s lips. His mouth opened reflexively and he swallowed as my blood pooled in his mouth. I let him drink until I grew weak then pulled away again. I sat for hours, waiting for him to wake up. Finally he did. He twitched and then his eyes flew open. William’s eyes, previously that strange dark blue, had turned black as obsidian. They were still shot through with gold but the streaks were more vibrant, more liquid.

            “William?” I asked hesitantly. His pulse beat in his chest, slower than normal but still there.

            “Shadow? Oh god, I’m like them now aren’t I?” he gasped. When his tears fell they were tinged with blood like mine were.

            “No, god no. Feel your pulse William. Feel your chest move with your breath. You are not like them.” I answered fervently, snatching up one of his hands and pressing it to his chest. Wonder dawned on him.

            “My heart…” he whispered. Then he kissed me passionately, mixing up the traces of blood left on our lips.

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                    *

Arizona, Summer 1973

        I looked out at the night sky. The gold of the stars set in the black velvet of the sky made me think of William. William, who had been gone since eight in the morning and still wasn’t back. It was late.

            “Midnight.” I whispered as the grandfather clock began to chime the hour. I was sitting on the front porch with the door wide open. It was always warm in Arizona and the burglars who tried our house never made it out alive. The neighbors waved at me through their window. I waved back, forcing a smile to occupy my face.

            “Drunken hippies.” I muttered as the window closed. It was probably the truth. Just then a car pulled onto our desolate dirt road. I looked past the glare of the headlights and sighed sadly. It was definitely not my car, which William had borrowed that morning. It was a little red car that belonged to Anfanasia Wickam, the witch who live down the street. Instead of the delicate forty-something fiery haired beauty I had expected a blocky brunette twenty-something waved at me and smiled. I watched her, puzzled, as she pulled into Anfanasia’s driveway and disappeared into her house. I was about to go investigate when another car pulled onto my street. The headlights masked a little black convertible with heavily tinted windows. I jumped up and wave wildly, my smile almost splitting my face.

            “Shadow!” William jumped out of the car as soon as the engine was off. He ran up to kiss me thoroughly, running his hands up and down my back.

            “Where were you?” I asked when he let me go.

            “I had to see your mother.” he shrugged. I raised an eyebrow. The scents that clung to him weren’t entirely of my mother or her ‘house’. There were other scents, one I knew but just couldn’t place.

            “Okay.” I allowed while I searched my mind.

            “Have you eaten?” William inquired easily.

            “Yes. You’ve been gone for more than half the day. I wasn’t going to wait and risk attacking the neighbors.” I explained quickly. And I hated animal blood, which was all William could drink. It made me feel dirty.

            “It’s okay.” he laughed, running a hand through his hair. It was down past his shoulders, which was considered high fashion. Truthfully I hated it, and so did Anfanasia. With that thought I finally placed the scent William had not noticed.

            “Why was Anfanasia at my mother’s house?” I asked innocently.

            “Oh, she wasn’t at your mother’s house, really. We went-” William broke off, eyes widening. “How did you know-”

            “You were what?” I inquired, kissing his jawbone. He stiffened guiltily and I backed away from him. From farther away  caught the flush spreading across his cheekbones and the general disorder of his clothes.

            “We were at your mother’s house.” William said firmly. I held his eyes until he looked away.

            “What were you doing there?” I asked, crossing my fingers behind my back. Closing my eyes and biting my lip, I begged for him to tell me a truth other than the one I could see.

            “She was already there. I brought Cam a present.” William shrugged. I cursed the stars and looked at him.

            “You just said you weren’t at my mother’s house. So where were you?” I asked again. William looked away, swallowing hard.

            “Where I was and what I did is my concern, not yours.”

            “It’s my concern if you cheated on me.” I snarled. William’s face went slack.

            “What? How? I-”

            “I can tell William. It’s obvious. I mean look at yourself for god’s sake.” I spun around and strode to the door. William’s hurried footsteps sounded in the silence.

            “Are you crazy?” he asked angrily. I ignored him, taking the stairs two at a time. When I reached our room and wrenched open the closet door. Snatching up a suitcase, I started throwing clothes into it. William grabbed one of my wrists but I yanked it out of his grasp.

            “You couldn’t have just waited?” I hissed, throwing all of my clothes into the suitcase.

            “What?” he asked, confused. I grabbed a duffel bag and headed for the bathroom.

            “Waited for me. The last time we tried, I killed you. Naturally I’d be a little reluctant to try again. But you know what the funny thing is? I was willing to try tonight.” I spat, dumping all of my bath stuff into the bag.

            “You are?” William whispered. A terrible longing suffused his face for a moment, then was replaced by sorrow.

            “I was. But you just couldn’t wait!” I shouted, trying to mask the tears. Zipping up the duffel bag, I went back to get my suitcase. The only thing of mine that still hung in the closet was my wedding dress.

            “Please don’t go.” William begged. I ignored him and walked out the door.

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                    *

Boston, May of Previous Year

            The pain flared in my head. I looked to Sam, who was watching me with concerned eyes.

            “Go.” I told him. Something bad was about to happen. I could feel it in my bones.

            “I love you.” Sam kissed my forehead then shifted and ran off.

            “Love you.” I whispered after him. I cringed as the pain blasted through my head again. It reached a blinding crescendo, and then it disappeared altogether. Two people seemed to appear out of thin air. One was a stranger, a man with greasy brown hair and dark red eyes. The other was someone I knew well.

            “Shadow Viguié, my name is Jacob Shmeltz.” the stranger held out his hand and I ignored him.

            “What are you doing here, William?” I asked coldly. Hurt flared in his eyes. He came over to help me up from where I’d fallen to the ground. I snatched my hand away and hopped to my feet. Brushing myself off, I glared at him before turning to the stranger with my eyes full of questions.

            “Cam and David are dead. A man killed them two months ago.” William said quietly. I gasped and felt tears burn in my eyes. William reached for me and I fell into his embrace, succumbing to old habits as the tears began to spill.

            “Why are you here?” I asked Jacob.

            “I represent the Lords and Ladies of the Court. I am here to tell you something very important, and to read you your parents’ will.” Jacob answered. I scowled at him. None of those aloof mongrels could ever speak straight.

            “You have to take the throne.” William said simply. I shook my head violently.

            “Why can’t Victoria take over?” I asked, wiping my tears away and trying to make sense of what I’d heard.

            “She had your parents killed.” Jacob said slowly. I blinked at him. But realization dawned on me quickly.

            “Oh god. I’m next in line.” I gasped, clinging to William as if he could protect me.

            “You have a year to decide.” William told me. I balled my hands into fists and shut my eyes.

            “But Jacob here is going to tail me until then?” I guessed flatly.

            “Unfortunately, yes. Young William here will accompany us.” Jacob smirked. I spun away from both of them.

            “My people will kill you!” I exclaimed angrily.

            “Your people? We are your people Shadow.” Jacob said, exasperated.

            “My people as in the United States government. As in me and Anfanasia.” I hissed, not mentioning Lunnette Hawthorne, our newest recruit. The color drained from Jacob’s already ghostly skin.

            “So the rumors are true.”
            “Let me set them to rest. I am part of the Black Roses and I have no problem with killing anyone who threatens that position.” I said, then I was gone.

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                    *

Two Weeks Later…

        “No!” I sobbed. All around me people screamed, trying to escape the building as it burned around them and began to collapse.

            “I love you.” Sam wheezed with his final gasping breath. The tears flooding from my eyes splattered on his colorless face. I knew better than to turn them. William had taught me a lesson and he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

            “You should have listened to me!” William shouted. He laughed as the building fell around us. Against the background of flames he looked like an avenging angel, dark and mischievous.

            “I hate you! I hate you!” I howled, launching myself at him. He threw me away easily and stood over me, gloating.

            “You’ve gone soft. You shouldn’t have stopped drinking human blood when you’re lucky enough to be able to stomach it! Who’s more powerful now, Shadow?” he laughed maniacally and the insane glint in his eyes was as disturbing as Sam’s blood on his lips. William would be sick for months. He would have to find a place to hole up. I wouldn’t have to worry about him for a while. But he would be back, and he would pay for what he had done. If it took until my last breath, I would make him pay.

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                    *

Present Day

            I jolted awake, panting. My bed sheets were twisted around my legs and they restricted my frantic fighting.

            “Shadow!” Lisa was at my side in moments, pressing a bottle to my lips. I downed it in a few gulps.

            “What-” I started to speak but I choked on the air coming down my throat.

            “You haven’t breathed in eight hours. It’s four in the morning. You just started screaming and fighting in your sleep. God, Shadow, I’ve been so worried but I couldn’t wake you up!” Lisa gasped, tears streaming from her eyes. I slowly disentangled myself from my sheets.

            “Shh, shh, it’s okay.” I murmured. Lisa threw herself into my arms, curling up against me. I rubbed her back, muttering soothing words into her hair. Her quick breathing hitched in her throat.

            “Don’t ever scare me like that again. I don’t ever want to lose you. Promise you’ll never leave.” Lisa begged. I understood completely. I’d taken care of her since the government took her from her foster home the year before. I was her mother, her sister, and her best friend. We had a bond that couldn’t be broken, even after we both fell in love with the same guy.

            “I promise. Shh, I promise. I’ll never leave you. I’ll always be here.” I swore. Her breathing gradually slowed. I smiled softly, stretching out on the bed next to her. We curled up with each other, foreheads touching. When her deep, even breathing told me she was asleep I finally allowed my eyes to close.

            When sleep finally came it was deep and dreamless. Lisa’s reassuring warmth pushed me back into sleep every time I started to wake. I slept soundly and didn’t worry about anything until morning.