i end up running wild

“Mmm you unfortunate little thing.” She tilted her head, looking at the girl. “Then tell me… can one truly be alive when they’re dead?”

“No, I try not to see myself as a victim,” she shrugged. “Well, I am standing here as real as you, aren’t I?”

“Oh, i wouldn’t watch those monstrosities. They’re horrible.” She shuddered, thinking about a night where she’d been forced to watch one. “Oh? Aren’t you the most darling thing? It’s a shame that you’re dead.”

“I guess that is the vampire in me,” she shrugged. She liked a little darkness. “I have been told that before. And I also agree with you there. I do miss being alive. But this is my path and I make the most of it.”

“It’s sounds rather morbid. But yes… i think i would like that. I can hardly dress my best…here.” She turned her nose up. 

“It’s just a little fun. How is it any different than watching a horror movie? Game of Thrones is pretty morbid too.” She smiled. “The dressing up is the best part. Miss Fae. You smell lovely. Here does you no justice.” 

“But… why? Although… i think i like the dressing up part.”

“Because it’s fun. It’s all glam, slightly eerie. I think you’d like it.”

“I think… it’s barbaric. That you’re going to celebrate… murder?”

“It’s a party. It’s fun. It’s like a live action board game. It’s not real. You have food and cocktails. Dress up and work out the clues.”

“I think you’re becoming paranoid in your old age, my darling.” Thea walked across the kitchen fearlessly, helping herself to a glass. 

“Look out there and tell me you don’t see that,” she sighed, following the other girl into the kitchen. “There’s just this weird vibe in town lately, don’t you think?”

         “–Saying it’s not from you makes you seem more guilty, darling.” Artemisia gave the vampire a look. 

“It’s really not, judgy girl. I don’t kill people, though I do sometimes imagine snapping the neck of people who annoy me. Shame I never do it,” Bel half smiled. “I was being serious, we should be careful out there.”

“In the garden?” she repeated, nodding as she tugged on her barista apron, beginning to walk around the counters. Casper leaned into the door, squinting her eyes at the dark garden. Note to self: Be careful when walking back home tonight.  “Oh- ah, yeah. okay. That’s no problem- I hope you get some rest miss,” she said as she turned back to the girl, nodding and shaking her head.

“I honestly think it was just a shadow,” she repeated, though her eyes once again focused on the dark shape outside. “Thank you. You too. Are you walking home alone?”

“Excuse me?” she furrowed her eyebrows, putting down the carton of milk she was holding. Immediately, Casper felt the anxiety kick up her gut with the possibility of danger. “Uh- where did you say you saw it?” she asked carefully as she reached into her back pocket subtly, just to make sure she was ready in case of anything. It was the night shift, and to her that meant the worst things could happen. ”Are you okay?”

“In... the garden....” she trailed off. Shit. She hadn’t meant to scare the girl. “It was probably just a shadow. I’m overtired,” she lied, trying to smile slightly. 

“Don’t get your panties in a twist about what I said and try to psychoanalyse me, wrongly so. I simply tried to give you a warning.”

“I’m 900 years old, dear. I don’t need your warning. You sound like a paranoid nervous mess. I’m pretty confident about my life. Your problem, not mine.”

“It could be a plant.” Sam replied, with an amused smile. He tried to see the humour in most things. “No seriously, i was saying this to Claudia. Sometimes vampires see the darkness.. in everything. It’s just a shadow.”

“Look, does that look like a plant to you?” She hit his arm almost playfully when he smiled at her. “Don’t look at me like that. Believe me, I am no Claudia. Though I do admit, I am old. You’re right.”

Ellie jumped, looking behind them. She let out a breath when she saw nothing there. “Hey, it’s possible… it’s been one of those weeks.”

Bel nodded, hand against her chest. “I know, right? There’s... a weird atmosphere... don’t you think?”