by Sela Croft
“This is heavy stuff.”
“Tell me about it. I’m not sure what to do. I thought maybe you’d have some ideas.”
Lana stared at the foam in her drink. She twirled the cup. “I haven’t been in a situation like this before.”
“Believe me, I haven’t either.”
Sharing the truth with Lana made it all the more real. I might have had a prayer of convincing myself that I really had imagined part of it. But after telling her, I could no longer ignore the validity of the tale. My life had significantly changed and wouldn’t be the same as before.
There was no way to go back, only forward. Except I was headed into the unknown. It wasn’t like someone had mapped out a path or explained what was going on.
“I’ve read a lot of vampire tales,” Lana said. “And myths and other stuff. For some reason, what you say fits. I’d like to be able to convince you otherwise, to encourage you to move past this.” She scrubbed her hand over her face. “Only I don’t think I’ll be able to.”
I leaned back in my chair and shoved my cup aside.
“So what now?” Lana said.
“Well, you can’t tell anyone,” I said. “I’ll have to learn more…somehow. And I’ll keep you updated. If anything happens to me, at least you’ll know the story.”
“Just make sure that nothing happens to you.”
“I’ll try.” But I wasn’t confident. Too much had already occurred, and so much was at stake. “All I can promise is that I’ll do my best.”
In the following weeks, my mother was more lenient. She seemed to feel that I needed my freedom to deal with what had happened. It was odd that when I’d needed that freedom, I’d found only restrictions. Without Draven, I didn’t have much interest in parties or events.
But the freedom was good anyway. It gave me time to focus on what to do. Unencumbered, I took long walks in the forest. The wilderness was a better place to deal with my thoughts than around people. The solitude enabled me to connect with nature, in the hopes of learning more about myself.
I began to feel different, in ways that I couldn’t explain. I sensed abilities that I hadn’t tapped into, but without someone to teach me, I didn’t know how to unearth them. Yet I felt emerging power from within, which I attributed to more than anticipating graduation.
School was torture. The other students eyed me when they thought I wasn’t looking. Gossip was rampant. The rumors were that Draven had been lovesick and taken his own life. I had no idea how that one had started.
Others thought Draven had intended to push me over the cliff, but he’d slipped and fallen instead. The most inventive theory was that I’d pushed him because I’d been jealous that he’d looked at another girl in school. The whispers didn’t end, but not one of the rumormongers spoke loud enough to have the finger pointed at them. No one wanted to claim ownership of the falsehoods, yet all thrived on repeating the juicy tales.
After some investigation, Draven’s fall from the cliff had been labeled an accident. But his life was shrouded in mystery. He’d rented a room from the Thompsons but had given a false address for his family. There was no way to notify next of kin about the death.
The police had looked into the matter but had come up empty. The few possessions found in his room weren’t revelatory. And there was no sign of the classy convertible that he’d driven. It was as if Draven Petrovic hadn’t existed. Only I had an inkling of the truth, but I wasn’t about to share it. As more information—or the lack of it—came to light, Lana was more inclined to believe me.
Not that Lana had been skeptical. She’d been on my side all along. But as things unfolded, what I’d told her had become more credible. Lana and I shared knowing looks on more than one occasion. It was nice to have one other person who knew what had happened.
Without Draven, the rest of the school year was a downer for me. I didn’t go to prom and refused most offers that involved crowds. My need to be alone increased. Even Lana couldn’t coerce me to come with her to parties. She thought it would be good for me, and she was probably right.
But as the weeks went by, I became more withdrawn. At lunch, I was in a world of my own. In class, I was distracted. At home, I spent most of the time in my bedroom. The truth was that I was heartsick.
In the empty hours, I reminisced. There had been the days I’d had lunch with Draven. The drives in his convertible. The stolen hours together. The outing to the forest, where we’d stood on the fairy-tale bridge.
And the kisses. I couldn’t forget the feel of Draven’s lips on mine, or the sensation of his silky hair filtering though my fingers. Thoughts of him heated my blood and warmed my soul. My reactions were such that I couldn’t conceive that he was dead. He must be alive, or I wouldn’t feel as I did.
I was connected to Draven in a way that I hadn’t been bonded to any other. I sensed his presence, though he wasn’t there. Endlessly, I replayed the memories of the night he’d entered my bedroom. That had been the first time I’d known he was a vampire.
It was possible that Draven had intentionally revealed what he was. He’d wanted me to know. Maybe he’d been afraid that I would reject him and wanted to see how I’d react. Or maybe there had been some other reason.
Draven was from another realm. And he’d been taken from me. I had to find him, so prayed that an opportunity would present itself. My life stretched before me, and I wanted to live it with my true love by my side.
Chapter 5 – Mirela
I began to get a better sense of what was beyond life as I knew it. At school, I went through the motions and managed to take my exams. It was fortunate that my grades didn’t suffer dramatically, since I planned to go to college.
Possibly, the instructors felt pity and went easier on me. Or maybe my studies had sunk in and I’d answered the test questions correctly. I was too focused elsewhere to be concerned. But graduation was coming up within a matter of days, and I was to be part of the ceremony.
Meanwhile, my efforts to solve the mystery of Draven had ramped up. When at school, I half expected for him to appear, to tell me that it had all been a big mistake. I’d imagine seeing him in all the usual places: at my class, at lunch, in the parking lot to offer me a ride.
Yet his ghost was merely one I’d conjured up. Draven didn’t show up and didn’t return to speak to me. Irrationally, I continued to hope for a sign. Conflicting feelings fought within me. I was pulled to accept that he was dead, lost to me until the end of time.
But a bigger part of me refused to believe that. The bond I’d formed with Draven hadn’t been broken, and I sensed the connection. Life had been different from the moment I’d met him—I’d been different. Deep inside, newfound strength stirred.
It was strength I hadn’t had before. It was related to my link with Draven, and that link endured. Yet I couldn’t put a name to it. And was unable to define it or clarify its boundaries.
Yet it was the one thing that gave me hope. If I could tap into that strength—discover abilities and encourage their development—then I could leverage them to learn the truth. I’d have a chance of overcoming any barriers to finding Draven.
My mother grew used to me being alone for long periods. Whether I was walking in the forest, or sitting in the window seat in my room, she didn’t bother me. There wasn’t anything she could say anyway. And I knew she thought that I’d just get over it—eventually.
Sometimes I’d turn to see an unearthly creature looming over me, only to realize that it wasn’t there. In those last days of school, my skin crawled as if I was being watched. I’d whip my head around or suddenly turn corners, in the hopes of catching the stalker in the act.
Yet I hadn’t seen anyone or anything. It was unnerving, and I began to think I was losing my mind. At night from my bed, the mural on the ceiling moved and changed. Scary illusions appeared, making me close my eyes in fright.
A few days before graduation, the haunting of my life reached a peak. I corralled Lana and took her on a walk
with me. Near the school, there was a path through the trees. Classes had let out early, and the buses hadn’t arrived yet.
“I have to talk to you,” I said.
“You have been awfully quiet,” Lana said. “I’ve been leaving you alone. I assumed you’d let me know when you figured stuff out.”
“Strange things are happening.”
“Like what?”
I took a breath. “You’re my friend. You’d tell me if I’m crazy, right?”
Lana frowned. “Just tell me what’s happening.”
I recited some highlights of the recent couple of weeks. When I described various creatures I’d imagined, even using hand motions to demonstrate their size and viciousness, Lana appeared taken aback.
“I’m no psychiatrist,” Lana said, “so I wouldn’t have a clue if you’re crazy or not. I’m sure there’s some diagnosis related to stress after witnessing your boyfriend’s death.”
“But it all seems so real.”
“That’s where I’d have to agree with you,” Lana said. “What you’re describing, the forms that you’ve seen, fit with the creatures you saw on the cliff that day.”
“They look different, but just as scary.”
“Exactly, that’s my point. Since you had the ability to see the, um…supernatural beings…then it makes sense that if any are lurking you’d be aware of them.”
“You’re right.” I hugged my arms around my body. “But it’s making me question my sanity.”
“It would spook me, too, if strange creatures from another world hung around my bedroom at night or followed me around during the day.” Lana shook her head. “When I was a child I thought they did, but my mother assured me that it was my imagination.”
“Was it?”
“Sure, it was. I was afraid of the dark, so saw monsters under my bed. But they weren’t really there.” Lana sighed. “In your case, I’m not so sure it’s just your imagination.”
“I thought you were going to say that.”
“Listen, hang in there. It’s just a couple more days, then we’ll graduate,” Lana said. “You need a break. And after the summer, we’ll go off to college together. It will be a new start for you. Maybe the creatures of the night will stay where they belong and leave you alone.”
“I sure hope so.” But even if they did, that didn’t resolve the issue of Draven. He needed me, and I still wasn’t certain if he’d been killed—or only captured.
Graduation came and went. It was anticlimactic for me, but I showed up in the cap and gown to accept the certificate. My mother was in the audience with a look of pride, as were the other parents. I realized the event was more for them than for the students.
I skipped the celebrations, preferring to huddle in my bedroom. It seemed the most likely place for those from another realm to contact me. I slept fitfully, then woke to a few rays of sunshine on the first day of vacation. After slipping from bed and getting dressed, I went outside.
As a graduation gift, my mother had bought me a car. It wasn’t much, but it drove and was dependable. I suspected that my father had contributed money for the cause, but he wasn’t mentioned. “You’ll be going off to college soon, and I don’t want you there with no transportation,” my mother had said.
I voiced my appreciation and did my best to show excitement over the extravagant gift. Yet it was the next morning that the car took on new meaning. Its value became apparent when I realized I could drive out to Cape Disappointment on my own.
I had my driver’s license, although I’d rarely been allowed to drive my mother’s car. Now, I had one of my own. It had frequently crossed my mind that a trip out to the cliffs might be revelatory. It was the last place I’d seen Draven, so I might learn something.
My mother had gone to work, so I grabbed a jacket and headed toward the highway. It was a bit of a drive to the cliffs, which gave me a chance to think. I wasn’t sure what I hoped to find there, but at least I’d feel closer to Draven.
The park was busy with vacationers enjoying the beaches during the summer weather. I parked and started up the trail. Wind blew off the ocean, so I put on my jacket. As I walked, an eerie feeling crept over me.
When I’d last been there, Draven had been alive, walking by my side. It was spooky to step along the same path, look at the same trees. Sadness should have overcome me, but I experienced a different emotion.
Draven’s presence was in the forest and on the path. It was as though he was there, that he was aware of my return. Exhilaration rose within me, and hope sparked that I might yet reunite with my love. I was undaunted in my conviction that I would win out, that if I didn’t give up, I’d see Draven again.
Slowly, I walked up the incline to the lighthouse. When I reached the top, it was quiet. The cliffs were to my right, so I went that way. I wasn’t afraid, only curious. Draven had been athletic, strong, and virile. He wouldn’t have slipped.
Standing as close to the edge as I dared, I gazed out at the ocean. Choppy waves marred the surface and scattered clouds above blocked the sun. Breathing in, I filled my lungs with fresh air. It was a beautiful view, a special place.
The last time I’d been there, Draven had stood with his arm around me. I could almost feel it again, as though if I remembered fully enough, he’d reappear. A motion down by the shore caught my attention. A family making sandcastles? Tourists walking along the sandy shore?
As I peered over the edge, a form emerged from the water. It was an enormous bird with wide, sharp-edged wings. I shrieked and stepped back, staring up at the sky. The bird appeared prehistoric, yet not of this world.
The dark-feathered bird swooped high, followed by three others. They cawed, making a noise loud enough to be heard for miles. I cringed, taking another few steps back. The animals saw me, their beady eyes trained to my position.
I wasn’t sure where to go, how to hide. Before I could turn and run, the birds sailed down from the sky toward me. Their beaks were open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. With great speed, the flock jetted through the sky, aiming for me.
In a panic, I dropped to the ground on my stomach and put my hands over my head. A forceful wind assaulted me, throwing my body a foot from where I’d lain. Then it was quiet. Trembling, I hesitated to move. When it seemed that enough time had passed, I opened my eyes, daring to look.
The birds were gone. The cliffs were deathly quiet. The only motion was the trees blowing in the ocean breeze and clouds drifting overhead. My heart hadn’t yet stilled from the trauma, so I took calming breaths.
What I’d seen had been no delusion, any more than the women who’d arrived in black capes and abducted Draven. It annoyed me that I was so human. I was no match for supernatural power. It made me vulnerable and I didn’t like it.
That had to change, or I wouldn’t be able to find Draven—or assist him when I did.
After standing up, I brushed the dirt from my clothes and straightened my shoulders. With courage I didn’t feel, I said, “You cannot scare me away. I will find Draven. You cannot stop me.”
Whether my voice was heard, or there was any creature close enough to receive the message, I didn’t know. But having stated my position, I was committed. The creatures from the depths of the ocean, or wherever they came from, weren’t going to win.
The situation called for toughness and for action. I had no clear direction, but my focus didn’t waver. Draven could count on me. I wouldn’t let him down. And I wouldn’t allow any forces of this world or any other to keep us apart.
That night, I reflected on what had happened. I wasn’t sure if what I’d seen had provided any insight into the situation. I’d already known about terrifying creatures, not of this earth. I’d found out that there were more of them. If anything, it should have overwhelmed me.
On the contrary, it fueled my motivation. I wasn’t about to be bullied by some oversized, frightful creatures. They could scare me all they wanted. I wasn’t about to back off. The more I thought of their intimida
tion, the angrier I became.
The moon cast a soft glow against the window, bathing my bedroom in pale light. Even in the privacy of my own room, I didn’t feel sheltered from the illusions that sought to drive me mad. There seemed no sanctity, no escape.
I grabbed the pillow from my bed and raised it over my head. “Umph,” I said, slapping it against the mattress. Then I did it again.
Feeling only slightly better, I plopped onto my bed, glaring up at the offensive ceiling. I dared it to morph into ugly forms, and challenged the figures lounging against the blue backdrop to try and scare me. I’d had enough.
It was late. I’d worried and stewed about the day at the cliffs, coming up empty-handed. I’d been harassed and scared out of my wits, yet had no better idea how to help Draven. Infuriated, I squeezed my eyes shut.
There was no way that I was going to gaze at the idyllic painting on my ceiling. It had betrayed me, as the beauty of the forest had. The visions that had previously calmed and soothed me had allowed darker forces to intrude.
I was exhausted. The days of struggle had been tiring. I needed sleep that I didn’t often find. But after the day I’d had, I felt bone weary. My head rested against the softness of the pillow, and I relaxed in the silence of my room. I allowed weariness to take me, and my thoughts drifted as I fell asleep.
Cold air from my window chilled the room. My nightgown hung heavy over my body, my limbs pinned to the mattress. I slumbered, sinking deeper into a dream. Forms began to take shape, but too indistinct for me to make out.
Then my heart surged. Draven stood before me, very much alive. His mood was dark, but he didn’t appear harmed. “Draven…”
I wished to say so much more, but my lips wouldn’t move. Desperation consumed me. What if this was my only chance?
“Relax and be at peace,” Draven said. “I am far away from you. Never fear; I am not in your room as before…but speaking to you through your mind.”
