The situation I was currently in was unlike anything I had found myself in before- and being a vampire, that is saying a lot.
I was standing in a room where a woman had just revealed herself to me as a vampire and threatened to rip me from limb to limb if I didn't leave immediately. My struggle to break free from her grip had resulted in nothing but a cracked arm and a bruised ego- not to mention immense curiosity towards this woman and her situation. I had come here expecting to find my old vampire friend Olek but she was the vampire scent in the village instead.
Just when I thought the woman had me cornered, Olek burst in the room and ordered- yes ordered- the woman to release me from her grip. It was a situation both embarrassing and relieving at the same time.
Olek was so happy to see me that both the woman vampire and I were completely caught off guard momentarily.
Now that the moment of shock has worn off, I was swarming with questions. So was the mystery woman.
"You know this intruder?" The woman asked Olek with accusing eyes. Olek smiled warmly and crossed the room to her, smoothing her hair for her and motioning for her to sit on the bed. She obliged.
"Edward and I are friends from several decades ago. His father, Carlisle, and I go way back from old times." Olek told her gently. This seemed to calm the woman down. Her thoughts were still angry and she was more worried about me exposing Olek and her than anything else, but she relaxed her posture and settled down further onto the bed.
"What brings you here, Edward?" Olek asked me. His red eyes crinkled at the edges with friendliness. Olek could easily pass as a native here. Although Olek was Albanian by heritage, his skin was dark and olive toned and he kept his hair in what Americans refer to as dred locks- long clusters or strands of hair stuck together in an almost braided fashion. He had a short goatee to complete his dred lock look. It was a look that suited him well- Olek was a free spirit.
"I came looking for you!" I smiled. "I needed a vacation, a good time. Thought I would explore South Africa and see what your adventures had to offer."
"I see."Olek returned my smile, but his thoughts were lined with complications. My visit would make things difficult for him.
"I am sorry if I came at a bad time." I told him, glancing at the girl. She had been watching our conversation with total curiosity.
"No, not at all. Its just that Meena here worries about being exposed. She trusts no-one." Olek reassured me. His thoughts seemed to hide something, but Olek knew about my power and would be careful of his thoughts.
He addressed his next words to the girl: "Meena- Edward here is our friend. He will not expose us, and he does not feed on humans, so you needn't worry, dear." Again the authority was in Olek's voice. I was curious about that, but thought it was far too early to be asking questions about his personal affairs.
We left the room and did some local sightseeing after that. Olek showed me around his little village. It was rather nice, a quaint little place with everything one would need to make a home. He told me that Meena and he had been living there for about ten years now off and on, and occasionally would pass on to another village a few hours away and come back every few years. People here didn't question much about foreigners so they didn't wonder about things like aging. They felt at home here, but would probably pass on in a few years, as we all do. Meena wanted to get every last second out of her stay as possible, as she felt most at home here. Something in this made me feel that this was her first home as a vampire, but I didn't ask.
When the locals started turning in for the night, we returned to Olek's house. It was a little hut type house towards the back of the village, but held quite a few ameneties considering its size. It had more than any vampire would need. We stayed all night, telling stories from the old days, amusing Meena with tales of past visits, and Olek amusing us both with tales of his and Carlisle's adventures together. It was a fun time.
I will write again tomorrow. I am sure it will be adventure-filled, as Olek has promised me something fun. I am also going to start asking questions and being nosy. What I can't uncover with my thought-digging, I will with my questions. I am too curious about Olek and his new friend. It is a rather interesting relationship. Be back soon.
