eternal dread

“I think everyone has those moments from time to time, but not everyone feels it the quite the same,” she said before taking a swig from the new beer. It wouldn’t surprise her to find the baby-faced guy was actually older than perhaps her great-grandparents, not in a town like this anyway, but she also didn’t want to trivialize the sentiment even if he was just another young guy sorting things out. “Because knowing that there’s an end to it all is what makes the journey worth it, at least for some,” Blake replied. If there was no threat of finality, there was no real drive or urgency to do things. She chuckled at his use of her own words. “Perhaps, though optimism in and of itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing either.”

Russell seemed to continually find laughter in the most trivial of things, and this conversation started out as any curious discussion, until it had turned into this deeper meaning. He smiled because he knew he had to, for appearances, but the woman seemed to be hitting the nail right on the head. “Well, I can tell you that I feel it all the time. And I don’t think the feeling will ever go away.” Russell paused himself as he thought about it. “What if you know there’s no end, at least not in sight? Does that diminish the entire purpose of a person’s journey?” He couldn’t say for sure, but he knew that sometimes the lack of motivation for himself came from not having to worry about what came next for him. “No, I think there is modern spirit in optimism, if only it were used more effectively.”

Batty shrugged, keeping her gaze away from his. She didn’t know him, nor did she know why he was interacting with her. “Just want to go up to my apartment.” The girl said tightly. His question startled her a little, her pulse beginning to race. Her body didn’t have a fight or flight instinct any longer, no, it had developed into surrender or hide a long time ago. Still, she wanted to flea up the stairs to the safety of seven locks on the inside of the door to keep the monsters at bay, both the supernatural and the human ones. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but life doesn’t work like that.” She told him, glaring at a spot on the ground. “Nothing in life is free, but if you’re looking for a hooker, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“Not a hooker.” Russell nearly barked out a laugh as the chuckle lingered at the pit of his stomach. “I don’t need a hooker. But you seem like a fine young woman, and I don’t judge too harshly.” There was a point to what he was trying to say, but he seemed to be distracted by the side things. Still, he nodded solidly before finally adding, “It does involve money though. I’m just wondering what your price would be, because it isn’t a...traditionally sought out form of a job.” Before he could go any further, he looked over her, thinning his lips. “I want you blood, from the vein. And I’m willing to pay for it.” 

Spending long hours at work would have made anyone hate their job, yet she loved it. Her days had been limited as of late, wanting to get herself under control before going back full time. The accident helped with her cover story. People didn’t tend to question when she could say she had an injury that limited work. If he was there, though, it would make the time go by faster and she’d never have to part ways with him again. Emma would do the same when it came to his job. It might not have been as gross, but she could watch him from a table all day. “You’re too good of a distraction.” Even now, just seeing him for the first time had her rescheduling plans to be with him. Emma flicked her free hand, “Psh, hang out with you? Why ever would I do that?” She asked in a playful tone. The one thing she hoped so far was that she’d actually remember where to go. “Can I read a book under said large window?” Everything he was listing off would have been on her list of favorites too. She was currently enjoying Alister’s place, happy that she could be so close to someone who was helping her adjust to this new life. Emma looked up at him, the smile planted there as she reassured him. “I will love everything, I’m sure of it. Is it just up ahead?” Her eyes tried to follow where he was looking, trying to pick out which one it might be.

“Am I?” Russell chuckled freely, hearing the words she used to describe him were a bit funny to him. If he were such a good distraction, maybe he’d have to utilize the skill and really distract her from her work some day. He wasn’t too keen on blood bags, but if he would be spending more time there, it might not hurt to actually try something that he would be around more often. Plus, with a lot of the town being supernatural, he could only assume human supply was probably a tad low. But, those were all problems he needed to sort out himself, because despite him telling Emma that he was a vampire all those years ago, he wasn’t sure if she wanted anything to do with that part of him. He knew he didn’t want her to be involved in the supernatural side of things, and yet, she somehow ended up here. “You know you’d love to hang out with me.” He winked back at her before nodding happily. “Of course you can. I’ll make sure the nook is all ready by the time you come to my place again.” He smirked before pointing to the worn looking building. It was placed on a busy street in between other brick buildings, and as they approached, Russell led her up the stairs to the porch. “It’s not entirely done yet, but it’s only because I feel like I just got here.” And he knew that on the inside, it was nothing but wide open spaces, with a second story the held two bedrooms and another bathroom. Opening the door with ease, he stopped himself and turned towards Emma with an eager grin on his face as he looked down at her. Noting how close they were, Russell whispered, “I could...get you a key made. Just in case.” 

Lucy shrugged again as she kept walking, trying to ignore his laugh. Of course he wasn’t a demon. He was something though, she knew that at the least. He wasn’t human and part of her didn’t want to find out what. At his last question her pace slowed. I mean, yeah, she was kind of afraid of demons, she knew one nice half demon but there were still stories, the dark, corrupted magic that flowed through them “That would be stupid if I had a disdain towards anybody not human, because technically I’m not.” Lucy’s voice had gone soft, hoping this guy wasn’t someone that hunted other non humans. “It’s more of a fear of things that would want to kill me.” To be fair that could have been anyone, human or not. That was one of her most deep rooted fears, death. And fire, those were the top two things she lost sleep over but everything was fine. No one wanted to kill her or set uncontrollable fires, right?

“There’s a complex that comes with being not human.” Russell started out with a brief shrug. “Maybe you think you’re a monster. Or maybe you think you’re better than humans.” He knew he had seen both with in others, and he could even feel that in himself sometimes. He had always hated being immortal, and yet, always was too coward to admit to himself that he didn’t want to die either. “And who, pray tell, do you think is going to kill you?” The question seemed rhetorical, at least when Russell heard himself say it, but he wanted to know what she was so afraid of, specifically in the building they had gotten into. “It’s just you and me in here. And I know I’m not going to hurt you.”

She looked back at him “That makes you sound like you are one, and I feel like you have the stereotypical attitude to match.” Lucy shrugged a little bit before turning away, hoping that he wasn’t one, demons weren’t on the top of her list of things to deal with, right up with faerie, werewolves and vampires, not after all the stories about them her mother had told her growing up. “I suppose a demon would have been able to locate this place on their own though.”

“You think I’m a demon?” Russell chuckled nonchalantly before he merely shook his head. “I mean, apart from the obvious answer, my parents were both a bit demonic if you ask me. But no. Not a demon. Nice try though.” Russell practically barked out a laugh before adding, “I’m not too aware of any demon presence these days. But, I’m sure there are some still crawling around out there. Do demons scare you? Or do you just have a general disdain towards anybody not human?”

“I know it far better than you realize. While I do seem to hold on to that part of myself, I’m well aware of it.” He recounted softly, to keep that aspect of their lives a secret. It was better that way, there would never be a time when what they were would be seen other than a Halloween gimmick or a fascination of teen girls and women’s erotica novels. “I know bloody well you aren’t here to judge my taste in wines. I’ve disclosed by preference to you before and I stand by it. Fresh is no better than what I consume and far less clingy, but to each their own.”  Alister would take what he could get.Whether he got it from the butcher, the morgue, or a blood bank–it didn’t matter. It was mostly the same to him and he survived all the same. “Take a break?” Alister almost laughed at the idea. “That does not seem much like you, but I suppose it was only a matter of time. I would advise you be careful, there are a reason our…kind like to hide here and stay hidden. But you are well aware of how that is, aren’t you?” He let it lie there as he picked up his cup of coffee, more so for an appearance, but he missed the warmth.  “Where are you staying? I can guess your brother is with you as well, is he not?”

Time was so strange, everyday seeming a little bit further away from reality than the last, and yet, as things progressed and time continued to pass, it seemed like people were adjusting, including Russell. As a vampire who would more often than not try to remain unchanged, he finally found that life only had one constant in it, and that was change itself. “To each their own.” Russell chimed in at the last moment, trying not to fall in Alister’s bad side. That wasn’t something he was interested in today. Especially if he would be living in the same small town as him after all. “You don’t think I deserve a break?” He asked back, in a merely teasing manner. “I’ve been the way I am for a long time Alister. I don’t think I need a lesson in how to hide myself in front of humans, but thanks.” He stated sarcastically before chuckling out a sigh. “I’ve just bought a building close to one of the busier streets. It was empty, and I thought I could remodel it. With some time, I’m sure it’ll make a grand studio. And, of course Ben isn’t here. Please don’t tell me you told him about this place too?”

“I don’t know!” he exclaimed. “But you are probably right.” The man seemed to know a lot of things he did not, so he was going to listen to everything he said. “I mean, I am sure you are better than okay, I guess I mean just me then.” he chuckled. “I am just okay, you’re good, very good.”

Uriel could see it in the other’s eyes and it brought satisfaction to his brooding soul. When Russell made the comment about the Morgue his lips twisted upward into a large smile. “I work as the town Undertaker. Prepping them for burial is my job.” He says with as much are as if he were a dog walker for job. He wasn’t programmed to care what other people thought. He was programmed to listen to their emotions run rampant and the fear engulf their irises. 

“I’m sure the records have to be around here.. or we could always..” He chuckled darkly. “Sneak into Town Hall. If the records aren’t here. “Uriel pulled his own wallet out and placed a bill on the counter beside Russell’s note.  “And I’ll wager that it’s up to code.” A sinister thought cracks the foundation of his dark mind, and fora glimpse of a second he contemplates just using his Fae magic to light the building on fire.

The only thing that stood in his way was him not being able to lie about it. Uriel turns around and starts to walk towards a pile of papers, kneeling downward to shuffle through them.

“The town undertaker?” Russell was curious, despite the morbidity of the situation. “Geez. Well shit. That certainly has quite the ring to it. But damn, I can’t imagine anybody wanting that kind of job, unless you were really morbid yourself.” He was getting a bit antsy all of a sudden, as if the guy had seen death before, so therefore making him somehow more qualified to kill, which of course, as Russell began thinking about it, he tried to get himself to stop thinking about it. 

As soon as the other bill was on the counter, Russell shrugged. “Well, either way, we’ve got to find them now, just to satisfy my curiosity.” He mumbled as he slid out of the chair to take a look at the other. “Even if we have to sneak into town hall. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” He tried to reassure mostly himself. “There’s money on the line now.” He chuckled cheaply before finding himself looking through the clutter of stacked files. “This ought to be a a great headline if we get busted.” 

Eternity is what they had now, and Emma planned on spending every moment that she could with him. She regretted staying in a relationship that didn’t really matter. The idea of being content with the life she had been living had lead her to continue on with a guy she wasn’t very happy with. Her feelings for Russell at the time were surprising, leaving her confused and wanting to get away from all of it. But, she couldn’t. Emma wanted to continue being friends with him, except when he tried to warn her about the relationship she was currently in. That’s when everything went downhill. having to pick up the pieces herself because she pushed the one person who wanted to be with her away. Now, there was the opportunity of starting what they should have years ago. Even if that meant cleaning up gross things around the hospital. She would do anything with him if it meant getting to be with him all the time. “You would make the day go by faster.” She smiled, “Although, you may be too much of a distraction for me. I’m not sure how much work I would actually get done.” There would be no productivity if he ever came to visit her. Even now he was changing plans just to hang out with him more. Emma walked next to her, keeping close proximity as she held his hand. The simple act giving her butterflies and making her giddy. She hadn’t felt like this in a long time, excited for what there future might hold now that she didn’t have to worry about anything else. Her giggled, “You wanted me to know where you live? What would I need to come over for?” Emma could think of a few things, but she didn’t want to jump the gun if he didn’t want the same things. “An old building sounds exactly like your style. I”m sure it’s wonderful.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out.” He winked back to her, grin pulling his lips up as he continued down the sidewalk. It all just seemed like she wanted to be around him, even at work, and if he was allowed, he would stay and make it work for her, because that was the kind of guy she made him want to be. After their brief closeness, Russell had only ever wanted Emma to find a happiness, because he wanted to give her everything she deserved. But, the fighting over the truth was enough to split them on their separate paths, and if being out of her life was what she wanted, he had to respect those wishes. Even now, as he thought about the past, if she said she didn’t want anything to do with him, he would get away from there, if only to make her happy. Holding her hand was the nice reminded that maybe he’d be able to stay close to her, protect her even from the cruel realities of the world. “Let’s hope I’m at least a good distraction.” He teased. “And, I just want you to know. What if there’s an emergency, and I need you to come over? Or maybe...I don’t know...maybe you’d want to hang out with me sometime at my place?” He offered with a sheepish shrug, looking back over her. “You’ll love it. Open face brick. A really large window. A beautiful place for a kitchen too.” All things that weren’t necessary for him, but maybe she would appreciate it. After all, Russell knew that having a nice space was important for hosting anybody at his house, especially potential lovers. Quickly, he tried to get out of that mind set, as he felt an anxiety fill him slightly. “I mean, all good things that I hope you’ll like.” He uttered as he saw his building up ahead.

The twin tendencies never ceased to amaze him, somehow ending up in the same location without even trying. Maybe his brother hadn’t noticed, but Ben had. The running into him in various cities and then not seeing him for a few years. This was the first time they actually spoke, but between the run ins and updates from Alister, Ben knew his brother was alive, which was enough. His arms crossed, looking down at the ground and then back up to the all too familiar face. “Well, I guess we’re both going to be living here together. I start my new job tomorrow.” I was too late to back out now, plus Ben wasn’t to keen on the idea of just up and leaving without giving this town a fair shot. It’s differences compared to his usual locales were drastic, but something about it intrigued him. “Huh, I thought that was you.” He kept track from the betrayal he felt for having been ditched by his brother. There had been a war, but that didn’t mean they were supposed to break promises to each other. Ben gave a dry laugh, “Catch up? I didn’t think you even wanted to be in the same room as me, let alone learn my life story for the past 70 years.”

So, Russell had probably caught a glimpse of Ben every now and then, but it wasn’t like the older twin had made any effort in stopping his brother, flagging him down, or something to catch his attention. Usually, Russell knew how things had ended up, and the last thing he wanted to do was meet up randomly to try and discuss things. So, instead, he opted in ignoring him, trying to skate by without so much as taking another glance back. But, with both of them living in the same town again, the whole situation had only gotten stranger. “Christ! Really? You and I together at last, in this old run of the mill town? I think Hell’s finally frozen over.” He teased him back, before rolling his eyes. “And you’re still mad about all of that?” Russell tried as he folded his arms. “Try me Ben. I’d love to hear about how you’ve been spending the past 70-some-odd years, apparently waiting for the day to see me again so you can tell me how awful of a brother I am while I was off trying to fight in a war.”

Batty was not one for human interaction. If she had it her way, she’d simply live alone on a deserted island, in the middle of an ocean, on a planet far, far away. Unfortunately, science still hadn’t advanced that far, nor had her bank account. “That and common sense.” She agreed, but shrugged again. “Like I said, it doesn’t matter. We’ve all got to die somehow.” She moved back a step towards the stairs, mumbling under her breath, “A gas leak hardly seems like the worst way.”

“You really are ready to go huh?” Russell took the moment as a kind of opportunity for himself as he looked her over, narrowed eyes training on her expression. “If you could have anything right now, anything feasible at all, what would it be?” Russell usually liked to hunt his prey, but, this woman seemed so ready to die, maybe there was another way for them to both get something out of it.

“Spoken like a genuine old soul stuck in a young man’s body,” Blake noted, holding his gaze for just a beat before turning back to the bartender to signal for another beer. “It’s the fascinating thing about general society, isn’t it? Nowadays we’re all pretty familiar with the phrase ‘don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone’ to the point it’s considered a cliche, and yet it still holds true,” she said, her own thoughts thinking about just what would drive everyone to desperation once their expiration had actual set time. “Variety and surprises are two very different things, and once doesn’t necessarily require the other,” Blake pointed out before adding, “Unfortunately, not all surprises are meant to be fun, or meant to have a purpose at all.”

“That much is true.” He muttered off, knowing the reality of her statement. “Sometimes it just feels like I’ve lived for hundreds of years. I don’t know where else life can take me.” And while Russell was trying to stay vague about his circumstances, he knew that the variety to life was sometimes the only thing that kept him going. “I don’t think anyone ever expects to lose anything. We’re living in a post-modern world, anything is possible, so why should life not be endless too.” Russ took a small shrug. “I guess so. But, maybe I’m more optimistic than I initially thought because I like surprises and variety in things. Or maybe that’s just the old soul in me talking.”

“I wouldn’t either,”  he shrugged, he wasn’t just saying that, he really wasn’t worried, he has been there many times, he practically knew everyone that worked there, because he was friendly, and usually talked to everyone that was working. Even just a simple hi, or actually talking to them about themselves and their lives. “Yeah, gas leak does smell,”  he was somewhere with a gas leak before. “I at least would be able to, because of my powers.”

Russell was intrigued and he made a short stoic expression as he looked to the other. His curiosity was piqued as he leaned closer at the counter. “Does it?” The vampire had all but forgotten about the conversation before he continued, narrowing his eyes towards the other. “Don’t tell me, you’ve got some super sense of smelling.” He tried to contain the impression, despite learning much more about the town’s residents than he planned to. Still, it was nice to see he wasn’t alone, as he had been led to the town because of it’s abundance of supernatural creatures.

“Yeah, that makes sense.” Elijah wasn’t observant, and he knew that. He never really had been… and it wasn’t that he was stupid, it was just that he wanted to believe the best in things and people, and so he unintentionally put a veil over his eyes to protect the image of others. Already in his life that had caused problems for him. “I can see that, it’s huge. I only moved here about a month ago, but yeah, I’ve kind of gotten used to where everything is. I don’t really get lost anymore.” He said casually, starting up the stairs to the second floor.

Russell easily followed the young man towards the stairs, hoping to find some more information about this town. If anybody had it, he figured it would have to be the library of the town. Where else would records be kept, apart from my city hall. “Guess I could always sneak around town hall if I wanted to find more info about the establishment of this town, huh?” He offered sheepishly, just trying to gain an understanding for what this place really held. “I’m glad you don’t get lost anymore. I hope I’ll be the same way. Seems like a lot of people are all moving here these days.”

“Danger that any town fucking has.” Yes, she was being vague, but she wasn’t dumb enough to break the rules since she didn’t know if he was a supernatural being. As rash as she was, she played it safe when it came to revealing to what she was. Sometimes, she couldn’t due to her temper but she tried. “Ugh. There’s rust everywhere. The fuck is with this place even?”

“Uh-huh.” Russell nodded once, stoically as his mind went to other places. There could be a whole slew of danger around, and yet, the vampire didn’t want to get involved. He couldn’t right now. “Look, it’s just a little outdated is all.” He added after a moment. “A little rust never hurt anyone, right? I’m sure we’re fine, everything’s probably under code, and even if it wasn’t, we’ll deal with it.”

Emma was grateful she couldn’t blush anymore, every small touch or hint of flirting from him would surely have her flushed cheeks being shown off the whole time she was with him. Her head nodded slightly, the growing smile still on her face. “No, it wouldn’t be bad at all.” She hoped it would be nothing short of perfect. Not because of high expectations, but the fact that there was nothing holding them back as there were before. Everything was different now, practically a fresh start for the both of them. Emma felt the light kiss in her hair, closing her eyes to commit to memory forever. There were signs that he felt the same as she did, but a large part of her was still worried she might be making it up. Building a sort of fantasy because of the strong feelings she had towards him. If that were so, at least she could have the happy memories they were creating now. Her hands rested easily at his side, chuckling to herself before answering, “You would even hang out with me when I have to do the really gross jobs at work?” An eyebrow raising at the question with a smirk on her face. Emma took his hand as if their time apart had never happened. “You do? You’ve been here less than me. How much exploring have you already done?” 

This was exactly what he needed. The second time around, he wouldn’t make any mistakes and he would be there every step of the way, comforting her, supporting her, loving her, caring for her, just overall being there for her, because at the end of the day, he knew he wanted to be with her. If he hadn’t realized it in those moment, he definitely had a couple of years to think about it every passing day. She had truly been the one that got away, the one that he thought he’d never see again, and the one that would pass through his thoughts as the biggest regret of his life. He couldn’t beat around the bush, no matter how nervous she seemed to make him feel. It was destiny to meet again, and he couldn’t waste anymore of her life letting her get away. She was only human after all. "On second thought...” He started, with a small teasing smiling aimed in her direction. “You know, actually...I would. So long as I get to spend time with you.” God, he was cheesy, and he knew it, but the truth of the matter was, he had truly missed her and he only wanted to gain a sense of closeness with her that he once had because she had become the girl of his dreams. Though, he wasn’t too sure about how much control he would have over himself if he were in a hospital, blood bags probably littering the supply closets. He’d be able to smell the warm fresh transfusions every step he took inside of any hospital, so maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. “Well, I’ve gotten quite a lot done in my short time around town.” He started, following the sidewalk towards the main street. “And I found a beautiful old building, so I just had to have it. Nothing else seemed to be as good of a place to live than just making my own little studio. Plus, I want you to know where I live just in case you ever need to come over for anything.” He additionally catered with a gleaming smile.

The restaurant was familiar to her, having gone there a number of times since she had moved to town. Now, there was an excuse for her to go by herself when he was working. Her face lit up as he talked about what he did. Emma picked up a small sense of pride for him just from knowing wine. It only made him that much more adorable. There were butterflies in her stomach as he suggested dinner. They had gone out before when they were friends, but this seemed different somehow. Emma wanted to clam up and just nervous laugh the awkwardness she felt away, except she couldn’t brush it off like it didn’t matter. “Russell Montgomery, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were asking me out on a date.” She could only hope, mentally crossing her fingers in the hope that he actually was. “If you weren’t here, I’d consider that a nightmare.” Or a sick joke her subconscious thought she needed for no reason. All of the past emotions she had towards him were all coming back, the good ones being at the forefront since there seemed to be no bad blood between them anymore. His touch was electric, thinking of blushing if she were still able to do that. “I missed you too.” Emma closed the gap between them, arms wrapping around his torso as she laid her head on his chest. “I won’t.” She hoped one day he would be the main one at the top of the list. Emma leaned back slightly, putting a few inches of distance between them. “Is there something in particular you’d like to do? Or just hang out?”

It was as if the world had managed to give them a second chance, the re-do that Russell had regretted since the day the girl didn’t want anything more to do with him. It had been a painstaking process, one that he thought he’d never recover from, and yet, there he was, talking to girl as if the past hadn’t even mattered. They only had the future now. As her words lifted him, a small grin pulled across his lips before he nodded back gently, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear as he looked upon her glow. “Would it be so bad? A date with me?” He asked back, growing a bit weary of his own words and supposed charm he was trying to lay on her. He liked her, a lot, that much he could tell, but did she see it? How exactly did she perceive him? “Rest assured Emma Campbell, I am not a nightmare. At least, I hope I’m not.” He chuckled freely before hearing the phrase of showing a mutual care for each other and loss of each others’ presence due to their time apart. Letting his arms hang over her, he pulled her in close as they hugged, a sense of relief washing over his form. She was his home. He rested his chin on her head, leaning further into her before pecking a small kiss into her hair. As the embrace was let go by both parties, Russell still let his arms drape over her shoulders while looking down at her, goofy grin placed across his face. “You know I could do anything with you.” He started, but he gave a small smirk, and then let his hand fall to slip into hers. “But I think I have an idea. I have a place to show you!”