Aleena Storm

• Only child to a loving mother, some would say I strayed far too easily from a good life. It's all perspective of course. How does one stray when all they know escapes their grasp? I recall my mother well, but not my father. Mother often cried alone at night. She was a seamstress of the finest silks. Her skill with needle and thread provided for us well. Just a few days travel inland from the coast, many would come from far off in search of trade. Mother's shop was no exception. The town's square and market were a haven for these newcomers. It was often rumored that with these newcomers, came the sickness...

• The town fell quickly to disease. The streets reeked of excrement, and rodents ran amuck. Those who were unfortunate enough to be touched with the plague were a horrid sight to be behold. Ghastly welts could be seen on their skin, and were not easily hidden. They would not live long past this point. Death would come, but not before their suffering. The stink was horrid. Fresh flowers would be brought from the vast meadows to the west of the village. This was a futile attempt to rid the stench of the dead. Their numbers grew too quickly. The bodies would would be burned. It was here that I lost my mother. Her and her damn fooled sense of obligation to help others in need. She would be buried in the flames as well. Word of the this plague traveled quickly. My uncle came for us, only to find myself without mother. I was to leave with him at once. In three days time by horse, his home would be mine as well.

• Uncle was an odd character, a man of many trades it seemed. He would work various odd jobs, smithing, tending stables, whatever caught his interest at the time I suppose. All too often he would come home with the stink of ale on his breath, and perfume on his shirt. Drunken beyond good sense, he would often tell me that I was growing into quite a lovely young woman, but never once would he attempt to lay a hand upon me. A womanizer yes, but his promise to protect me stood true even here.

• When uncle was away, or passed out in his drunken stupor, I would slip away. My only reason for doing this? Simply because I could. Some would say that wandering through woods in the dark of night is perhaps not the brightest of ideas, but what do they know. Who are they to judge? Those who point, and stare, and pass judgment. The ones who sit and do nothing. They whine and complain of their pathetic existence, yet they do not seek change. Then there are the ones who stare with more interest. Their eyes betray them, and give light to their desires. Those who call me wicked, yet deny their own sin. Evil. Wickedness. It is more perhaps more a point of view I suppose.

• The darkness it is forgiving. It does not pass judgment. It is welcoming. Where ever the light falls, the darkness would not be far behind. Sometimes even closer than one might think.

• Often I would make my way into the woods at night, and after some time find myself nearing a swampy area. The fog would creep through, and seemed to thicken the closer I came to the swamps. On one such occasion I encountered someone who was lurking about as well. It could be said that I was foolish to not turn around and go back where I came from with haste. I've never been one to fear much of anything though. This one, a tall slender man. Pale skin, and eyes which suggested he was older than he seemed. He was kind, and his presence was soothing. He motioned towards the fog behind me, where a young woman appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Their garments were exquisite, and not befitting of huntsman or thieves. Were I compelled to run away, this would have probably have been the time. I am stubborn though, so I made no effort to run. The woman was young, and her eyes much like his, suggested something just beyond reach. The eyes they never lie. These two made no effort to hide who or what they were. They were creatures of legend, they were vampire. The woman introduced herself as Parthenia. Time seemed lost with the time I spent in their company. So many questions. When one has eternity, perhaps time is irrelevant. Then again, maybe not. Now was not the time to be trapped in my own head. Whilst looking me over, they would often speak in tongues I was unfamiliar with. Parthenia offered me her hand, and escorted me to a place beyond my imagination. The skies turned dark, and the clouds moved quickly. Atop a bridge we stood with many paths before me. She released her gentle grip, and was gone from behind me just as quickly. Here and now, I was alone. Or was I? No matter. Were I to be killed, I probably would not have been standing here now. I do not recall the time I spent here, I only recall waking in my own bed. Perhaps it was all a dream...

• The season brought change as it always does. The trees that looked dead were green with life. The singing of song birds as if calling others to return home. Then there were the flowers too. I did not much care for these. Memories left best untouched would often enter my mind, though I tried not to entertain these. I recall one night quite clearly, this night, my life as I knew it would be forever changed yet again. This night I walked about nearing the forests just outside the village. It was here that I encountered the young maiden Laine, and another whose name I do not recall. What I do recall was the humming of an unfamiliar song. These two were a bit younger than I, and they were quick to befriend me. They followed as I made my way into the woods. They would speak and giggle of all things a young girl would. From time to time, one or both of them would hum their little song. Obviously these two were not as familiar with the woods as I. They followed without question, and never once suggested a different path. We walked. They hummed.

• In time we found a clearing in trees where sat an old small cabin. There was no one around that we could see, and there was no light from the cabin. A hunter's cabin maybe? Many huntsman would make camp deep within the forest. Some were even foolish enough to venture into the swamps in search of game. Some would never return. We made our way towards the old abandoned cabin where we would have a short rest on its steps. Here I sat and better took in our surroundings. I was never one to get lost, but this was a part of the woods that I was unfamiliar with. It would be dark soon, and we would have to make our way back out of the woods. My gaze turned to Laine and her friend, and their humming. They stood apart, took each others hand, and began dancing in circles. All the while humming their song.

• It wasn't long before they asked me to join them in their song and dance. I really had no interest, and not knowing the song seemed to be a good excuse not to join in. "We'll teach you" they pleaded. So I stood and took hands with them, joining in their dance, and they began to sing. "Ring a ring o' roses, pockets full of posies, a tishoo a tishoo, we all fall down!" they sang, and sang, and sang again. The words fell to my mind, and understanding quickly followed. This song they sing was not of joy, or love, or fairy tales. This song they sing is of the plague. Overcome with dizziness and the burning in my throat, I broke free from holding their hands.

• The rustle of leaves nearby turned all our heads. Laine screamed as she were mad, running into the woods in the opposite direction. The younger one stayed close to me as if to follow me lead. Her ridiculous smile quickly returned, and she began to hum again. The burning in my throat came again. My tears followed just as quickly.

• "Why so sad?" she asked.

• Looking up I found no explanation to offer. I found no comfort her innocence, nor her ignorance. Looking up over her shoulder, I found a familiar face from a dream, I found the vampire Parthenia. Once again I took the young girl's hands in my own, and asked her to sing her song to me. As she began to sing, I could fight my tears no longer. I pulled her close into my arms and cried, but never taking my eyes off of creature watching me. The tears on my face gave way to a smile in her direction. I reached my hand out to her. She could take me, and the child as well. It just didn't matter.

• "Greetings" came a voice from the trees. Parthenia made no effort to hide her presence any longer.

• The little one was startled of course. She quickly let go of my hand, bid us goodnight, and went back into the woods the way we came. This seemed of little concern to Parthenia. Instead she came closer. "and what of Aleena?" she asked.

• Still sickened and tearful, I was clearly at her mercy. She took my hand and led me into the mist that surrounded us. Our stroll seemed effortless and we arrived before a stone structure of sorts. It was lavishly decorated with the finest of silks in the deepest color of red. It was here that we stopped. Here she turned to face me. Ever so gently she brushed my hair aside and traced my neck with her fingers. She drew closer, and I could feel her breath on my neck, and then...pain...and pleasure...all at once. Her fangs pierced my flesh, and all that was around me seemed to spin. Here in my weakest moment she released her grip. With the slightest motion, her nails drew blood from her own neck, and she took me into her embrace. My lips found the blood from her neck, and they grew eager with every taste...

• In my darkest hour...A second life, reborn into darkness...All that remains of what once was, now merely an empty reflection.