C
Cordy*Chase
Guest
Eternity Part 1
If you like/dislike this first bit of my story, can you tell me and give me some pointers please. i can take it if you hate it 😀 Oh and the character of Ellie is NOT Anya*Harris, (okay it is, just don't tell her, he he)
ETERNITY
Legend Of A Vampires Promise
*CHAPTER ONE*
So close"¦ She could feel him all around her. Moving closer, suffocating her slowly, purposely. Wrapping his slender, murderous fingers around her pulsating heart, squeezing it tauntingly. Playing with it during its final beats"¦
She tried to make the nightmare go away. It wasn't as if this was the first time she'd had this spine tingling, terrifying dream. Only normally, she would have woken up around about now; around the time that her body broke out in a cold sweat.
Majandra Elizabeth Taylor tried to scream. "Please no!" she pleaded into the darkness. "Please leave me alone." He stayed, out of sight but definitely in her mind. He cowered behind the rolling mist, and she could only see his shadow. He laughed at her pleading.
"Why?" she whispered into the fog. She could hear the sea crashing against the rocks to her left, knew they were close but that she would never reach them; not alive. Not while she was still sane.
At her question, the grip seemed to lessen on her heart. The mist started to reside, moving away from her. It was going unbearably slowly. She just wanted to wake up.
She gasped suddenly. The shadow of the man was moving towards her, his face still shrouded in darkness. "Who are you?" was all she could manage. The shadow smiled at Majandra. She couldn't see his smile; just sense that it was there.
He took an even, tantalising step forward.
"You could say I'm your worst nightmare. In fact, I could go into one of those long speeches that the bad guys always do in the movie, explaining my wicked plot to you"¦" He paused. "But those are the kind of bad guys that lose. Don't worry. I can wait my sweet." Still hidden, he reached out his barely audible arm, and his hand touched her cheek lovingly. It stung her face. So cold"¦ he was so cold"¦
"Who am I?" he asked, almost mocking her. "You will find out soon enough my sweet."
* * * *
Majandra jerked awake in her bed, her heart pounded. She had to put her hand over her mouth to stop from screaming out. The cold"¦ she could still feel the freezing area where he had touched her cheek. She felt sick. She was so cold. It hurt so much.
Majandra got out of bed, and stumbled around, looking for the light switch. She was still disorientated. She had only been in her new room for four days, and she was still worried about it. She had picked it right away"¦ it was large, and decorated in the most pretty pink shades"¦ She just still wasn't used to it.
She found the switch, and then walked to the door that stood at the far wall, in line with her bed. She ran into the bathroom, the one she shared with her sister Charisma, and she ran to the sink. She splashed water onto her face. She needed to get rid of the awful feeling that was welling up, burning yet freezing her cheek. His touch was killing her"¦ Slowly, the water started to work. She started to calm down once again, and she stood up, drying her face.
Majandra left the bathroom and walked into her room. The bed stood a little way from the door, suddenly cold and unwelcoming. She wasn't eager to fall back to sleep. In case he was still there, waiting for her. She looked at the doors that led to the balcony outside of her room. They were slightly open, and her translucent pink curtains fluttered. She walked over to shut the doors, but she changed her mind. She stepped out and sat on the balcony. The air smelt of salt water. She looked down and smiled at the beautiful view of her new town, Angelsville. There was a road in front of the row of beautiful houses that she had recently relocated to. She could she most of the town. The area around the right was the town. Pretty houses, little shops, and a great looking mall, Angel High school, where she would be starting tomorrow"¦ And to the left, the sea, rolling in to the beach where many beach houses stood glad that summer was back again. And straight a head, mist, but not the mist from her dream. Just mist that covered some old buildings that had probably been there since Angelsville had first been founded, all of those hundreds of years ago.
Majandra's mind drifted back to the nightmares. They had started a bought two weeks ago, when they had started the preparations for moving to Angelsville. At first they had been very vague, but as she had gotten closer to her destination, she had been having worse ones, ones that terrified her and made her afraid to sleep. She knew she was being childish. She was sixteen and afraid of some stupid nightmares; only these were different somehow.
Majandra shook her head. She had to stop thinking about it. She knew what to do. Almost with out thinking about it, she thought of the song her mother had always sung to her and Charisma when they were younger to calm them down and get them to sleep"¦ Before she left.
"If your scared, feeling alone, then look out to the sea"¦" she paused, watching the ocean. "No matter where I am, I'll watch the ocean too, and that is where you'll find me"¦ I'll always be with you when you watch the sea with me"¦" Majandra stopped. And where was her mother now? "Where mother? Probably on some Spanish each with that waiter guy, Carlos." She frowned. "Watching the sea?" She asked her mother absently. A voice to her left startled her. "I don't know if she's watching the sea but I might as well now you've woken me up"¦" It was a voice that sounded very sleepy, and Isabel looked at her neighbouring balcony.
Majandra's sister Charisma was sat on her balcony, smiling sleepily at Majandra. Majandra grinned sheepishly at her, apologising. She looked at her sister carefully. Charisma was a little bit shorter than Majandra, even though she was a year older. She was pretty tanned most of the year round, and her hair was the most beautiful black. It fell down her shoulders elegantly. She had beautiful brown eyes, and was quiet a lot of the time. She was actually a good person, who cared about things that happened to people, even if she didn't know them. The main thing, though, was the fact that Charisma was totally clueless to how beautiful and kind she was.
Charisma Ariadne Taylor smiled at her sister, even though her eyes held concern. "You have to stop thinking about her Mandy. She's been gone for three years." Majandra nodded. She knew that Charisma was right. It's just"¦ she couldn't explain it, but since they had come to Angelsville, she had been thinking about her mother more frequently than usual.
They both sat in silence for a minute, watching the sea. Majandra looked at her new school apprehensively. She was worried about going there. She had had to leave all of her friends, including her best friends, Jennifer Kane and Connor Thomas, back in L.A. It was another world away. Now, she had to go out and make new friends"¦ it was daunting. She was kind of worried about it.
Charisma broke Majandra's thoughts again. "So what's up Mandy? Nightmares again?" Isabel nodded. She had told Charisma about the nightmares a few days ago. Charisma looked concerned. They heard a voice from the balcony below them.
"I'll be your worst nightmare if you don't both shut up so I can sleep!" It was Isabel, their stepsister. Her room was below Majandra's. Majandra crawled to the end of her balcony, Charisma's to hers, and they both peered down. Isabel was stood looking up at them impatiently, a fine, silk dressing gown that her "˜daddy' had sent her from Paris draped on her. She was such a superficial daddy's girl, an she hated Majandra and Charisma. Charisma tried to be nice and she still tried to give Isabel a chance, but Isabel wasn't having any of it. And she hated Majandra with the fire of around a million suns.
She was extremely beautiful and extremely aware of it. Her hair was nearly golden, and her skin was fashionably peach. Her eyes were an unusual shade of grey, which just added to the mystery that surrounded her.
"We better be quiet sis, poor Isabel needs as much beauty sleep as she can get." Majandra looked down at the scowling Isabel. She had given her a chance at first, but she was sick of her now. She only put up with her because Majandra's dad was very much in love with Isabel's quiet mother Zara, who was surprisingly lovely.
"You'd know all about needing beauty sleep, wouldn't you?" Isabel shot back. "Hi Isabel," Charisma said sweetly, but Isabel, obviously jealous of cute Charisma, blanked her. Majandra scowled back, and then asked, "How do you do it Isabel?" Isabel looked at her, her face full of suspicion. Majandra asked curiously, innocently, "How do you comb your hair so that it hides the horns? It's really amazing. If you weren't so mean I swear you wouldn't be able to tell"¦" Isabel turned on her heel and stormed back into her room, her doors crashing behind her.
"Your awful Mandy," Charisma said half-heartedly. She smiled at her, and said, "Night sis. Unfortunately, I do need my beauty sleep." With a final smile, she walked back into her room. Majandra stood up too. She was pretty tired.
She walked back into her bedroom, realising she had been stupid. She shut her balcony door, and crawled into bed, suddenly sure she wouldn't have any more nightmares that night. Seeing Charisma"¦ even seeing Isabel had helped. It had helped to remind her what was real; and that guy in her dream was not real.
So she slept through the night, unaware of the figure that stood watching her through her balcony doors, a careful smile on his face. "Soon"¦" he whispered, before turning and fading into the night.
* * * *
Majandra woke up the next morning, the previous nights dream almost completely forgotten. Although terrifying in the darkness it seemed foolish by the light of day. A distant dream that she only thought about at night. Maybe that was for the best.
Any way, she had far more pressing matters on her mind. It was the first day at her new school, and she didn't no what to wear. What was popular in L.A might look stupid here in Angelsville. She wanted to make a good impression"¦
She decided to just wear what she liked. She put on her black top with her favourite white shirt, and fastened it up halfway. Then, she put on her plain black pants, and left her hair down. She looked in the mirror. It would have to do. She looked cool, and anyway, no one would really care what she was wearing, surely?
She walked down the stairs an walked into the kitchen. Her dad had already gone to work, and she guesses that Zara was at the shops stocking up. She always bought lots of food, and dad often joked that she was preparing for a flood. Everyone else laughed, but Majandra always stopped after a second, because that was very possibly something Zara would do. She was always extremely cautious.
Charisma was sat at the table, eating her cereal. Majandra's only other close relative, her brother Alexander Adam Taylor, was stood by the toaster, waiting for it to pop. He was wearing boxers and a black t-shirt his hair tussled. "Morning," he said quietly. He had been very pleased with himself, because he had graduated the previous year. He loved gloating to Majandra that while she was in school, he would be sat on a beach. But then her dad had told him to get a job if he wanted to stay in his house, and now he had to work at a local café, Roy's doughnuts. It was Isabel's turn to gloat.
The toast popped and Alex put it on his plate. He smothered it with butter, and then turned away to get the jam. Majandra took the plate when he wasn't looking she took a bite of the toast. "Thanks Lexxy," she said, sitting at the table with Charisma. He turned angrily, and was going to say something when Isabel walked in. He smiled at her. "Morning Izzy Pop." She smiled her greeting. Alex was the only member of the family that Isabel would allow her self to associate with.
Isabel slaughtered in, black pants and a red, strapped top that looked great against her golden hair. She nearly always wore red. She knew it suited her, and Isabel's motto was "˜Why mess with perfection?' So she stuck to it.
Isabel walked out if the door. She had found her self a coffee shop the other day when she had gone to look around the village, and had proclaimed that she would be having her breakfast in there from now on.
Isabel sat talking to Charisma. She had gone for the natural look, wearing a pretty pink gypsy top and white pants. They talked for a while. They were going to walk to school together, until they got used to the town.
Before they left, Alex looked over at Majandra and Charisma and laughed. But Isabel pointed to the hat he had tossed across the room, a hat with stupid dog-ears saying, "˜Dough!' instead of "˜Doh!' in a sad Homer Simpson impression. "Have a good day at work," she laughed as they ran out of the door, Alex scowling behind her.
* * * *
The three girls had been sat in the head masters, Patrick Ferris's stuffy office for what seemed like forever. It was hot and humid, and Majandra fidgeted nervously, bored out of her mind. Mr Ferris was automatically directing all of his explanations at Charisma, because she gave off that motherly, sensible air that parents could spot a mile away. She sat nodding her head politely, agreeing with what ever he said.
Isabel was sat inspecting her ails. She normally tried to ac like an adult when she was around adults to get into their good books, but she was obviously bored out of her mind as well.
Isabel couldn't take it any more. She left her nails, and interrupted Mr Ferris as he chortled at a joke he had just told Charisma. Isabel asked impatiently as Majandra watched on, "So are we going to our classes then?" Mr Ferris looked quite put out, and his bumbling old face tried to smile. "Why of course. I apologise Miss Taylor"¦" he began slowly. That was a mistake. Isabel hated people calling her that. She wanted to stick to the name her father had given her, Isabel Jodie Travis. Majandra was surprised when Isabel stayed quiet. She didn't try to correct him or anything.
"Well," Mr Ferris said as he stood up. The three girls did so also. "Isabel and Miss Charisma are in the same class, which I will take you too around the school and then to your lunch time you will go. And young Majandra is in the grade below, so I have chosen a student from your next class to show you around. Then you can also go to lunch. Your afternoon classes will go along as normal lessons."
They moved towards the door, and when they came outside of his office they were greeted by a pretty girl, staring at the floor, bored out of her mind. She looked up as they came out of the hall. "Majandra, this is Ellie Harris. She's going to show you around." Ellie grinned at Majandra, her brown hair pulled back in a cute ponytail. "Hey," she said, grinning. "Welcome to Angel High." Majandra smiled her thanks, and watched as Isabel and Charisma walked out of the door with Mr Bumble as she had decided to call him.
* * * *
"So you're going to show me around the school?" Majandra asked quietly. Ellie smiled. "No way. Well, yeh, but not the school. The people in the school. Much more important that you know who to steer clear of, right?" Isabel nodded; relieved they had sent her someone nice.
They started walking when Ellie said slowly, "I'll just warn you, I babble a lot of the time." Majandra was relieved again. They'd also sent her a fellow babbler. Thank God, she grinned to herself. Jenny had been a babbler too.
So they walked around, and Majandra was introduced to Angel High.
"Okay," Ellie said, pointing at a girl in one of the classrooms. "That is Amy Clarke." She was pointing at a little, frail girl in the front row of the science room they were peering into. "She's in the year below us, but I know her because she lives next door to me. She's really sweet. A bit geeky though, and everyone makes fun of her because of it." Amy had cute glasses, and short red hair that was tied up loosely. She was sat at the edge of her chair, listening to the teacher intently, as though scared to miss a single word that she said.
Majandra asked curiously, "Why's she so"¦ you know?" Ellie asked evenly "Why does she look like she'll drop dead if she gets less than an A+?" Majandra nodded, as she watched Amy's hand shot in the air. Ellie sounded said. "Her parents. They argue none stop, and the poor kid is the one that everything gets blamed on. So she tries to do really well in school so they will show her at least an ounce of respect from them. Especially her father. You see, he's a teacher here, and if she did anything that made him look bad"¦" She trailed off. Suddenly, little Amy looked up and saw Majandra and Ellie. They both waved, and Amy looked anxiously at the teacher. Once she was positive she wasn't looking, she gave them a quick wave and a nervous smile. Then she looked back at the teacher, all in an instance. "Poor thing," Ellie said caringly, and then she started to walk on. Majandra quickly followed.
They talked as they made there way down endless corridors, and the Ellie pointed to a door to their right. They walked over to it and looked in the little window at the top of the door. She nodded towards a guy in there. He had dark hair, glasses and a gorgeous smile. Ellie grinned. "That's Adam West. Everyone calls him West though. And I must say he is gorgeous and lovely. Don't get me started on him, but let's just say he has a girlfriend, who happens to also be my worst enemy, plus, he is gorgeous"¦ Wait did I mention that? Anyway, the list of his greatness goes on forever, so let's move on before I babble some more."
"Do you want to see our class?" she asked quickly. Majandra nodded, smiling. Ellie talked as they walked outside, pointing out certain trees or bench's, with stories like, "˜Oh that's where Jodie Wigan slapped Danielle Parks,' or "˜Oh Paul Evans threw up there the other day, so don't sit there.' Majandra nodded in amusement. She had to admit that the school was pretty cool, to say it was, you know, a school.
Ellie was walking towards a window on the bottom floor. Majandra guessed it was their classroom. She could see vague figures, some walking around, others listening to music, and some messing about. Ellie saw her look of confusion and laughed. "This lesson is art, and the normal teacher, Ms Jackson, is on maternity leave, so they normally send in a substitute teacher, Mr Klinke. He doesn't really pay any attention, just sits at the front of the room and reads his little romance books." Majandra asked slowly, "Okay, but the people in your class are cool, right? They aren't really mean, the type that pull loads of pranks on the new girl?" She tried to sound light, but she really did want to know. Ellie shook her head, and then stopped. "You should be okay. The class has some biatches, but don't all classes"¦ Then there are the jokers. The main one is Tom Jasper. He lives at the other side of my house with his sister Angelina. They are both pretty cool, but Tom is an idiot. He might wind you up when he sees your hanging out with me, so ignore him. Then there is my brother Jake"¦ and this real wild child Fawn, but I doubt she'll be in class. She doesn't go to art; she knows there is no point. It's a shame really, I saw this picture she did a while ago, and it was pretty cool"¦" Majandra smiled as Ellie babbled. She normally babbled a lot as well, but she was way too nervous to say anything. Ellie must think she was such a bore.
They reached the window, and Majandra smiled as she looked in. There was a guy sat by the window they were stood by, daydreaming. He looked so cute. He had raven black hair and gorgeous emerald eyes; eyes that looked like something from a painting, too perfect to be real. Ellie whispered beside her, "That's my brother Jake." Majandra felt herself blushing for no reason, and then she told herself to stop it. She was being stupid. She wasn't normally this quiet"¦ it was just something about this town"¦
Ellie tapped on the window by Jake. He turned, and he smiled when he saw Majandra and Ellie. He pushed open the window, and then stood up. The girls both stood just inside the window. He held out his hand politely. "I'm Jake Harris. You must be the new girl." He was joking, and she smiled and took his hand as well. "Majandra Taylor. You must be the brother?" He smiled, and then asked, "You two coming in?" Majandra looked at Ellie, who nodded. "Come in and meet the gang." Majandra smiled, and climbed over as Jake helped her into the room. He lifted her own, and then Ellie clambered over it.
"Okay," she said loudly. The teacher, Mr Klinke, looked up, and he smiled sweetly at them. He was old and quite adorable. He squinted behind his glasses. "Why hello Ellie. Who is your friend?" Ellie smiled at Klinke and said confidently to him and the rest of the class, "Just a flying visit sir. This is the new girl, Majandra Taylor." Mr Klinke smiled kindly at her. "Welcome to the class." Then he went back to reading his book, "˜Purple Roses.'
"Okay," Ellie said sweetly. "I'll introduce you to the nice people in the class." Majandra smiled, and said, "Thanks a lot, but you don't have to." Ellie waved it off with the toss of her hand. She moved to the back of the classroom, where a girl with pretty black hair sat humming along to her Walkman. She looked up and took the headphones off. "Hey," she smiled. "I'm Angel," she told Majandra. "Well come to the class. It's not too bad. If you stay away from that jerk," she said, pointing to a guy sat behind Jake, as they chatted away. "Who's that?" Majandra asked Angel. Angel grinned. "That is my brother Tom." Majandra smiled. The guys had spiky brown hair, and a unique smile that lit up his face. Majandra remembered that he was the "˜joker' of the class, according to Ellie. Ellie started to move Majandra over to Tom, muttering something that sounded like, "Better get it over and done with."
She stood in front of Tom, and Majandra joined her. Jake and Tom looked up, and Tom grinned. "Good lady," he said carefully, "Welcome to our humble town." He took her hand and kissed it gently, and Ellie said, "Give it a rest Tom." Tom stuck his tongue out at her and she did the same.
"Okay, I'll be serious. Why've you come to our humble town?" he asked. Ellie was about to tell him to stop being so nosey, but Majandra stopped her. "It's fine. Really. My dad got a job down here, and thought it would be a good place for our new family to bond. Which is idiotic, because there is no way I'm bonding with Izzy." They looked at her. Ellie sat down next to Tom, so Majandra sat on the chair next to Jake.
"Job?" Jake asked.
"Izzy?" Ellie asked.
"New family?" Tom asked callously.
Majandra smiled at their bafflement. "Sorry, you have no idea who I'm on about, which is weird because everyone new her where we used to live." They smiled at her, and she was glad that they didn't yet seem to have deemed her as an idiot. She might as well tell them. She thought Ellie was nice enough, so there was no point in lying.
"It's a long story. Well, my mum left, dad got remarried and we moved here"¦" She paused. "Guess it wasn't such a long story." Tom laughed and Ellie grinned at her. Jake smiled silently, almost to himself. "But anyway, this women my dad married has a daughter. Isabel Travis. Total biatch. So here we are, our happy family. Dad, his wife Zara, Isabel, and my brother and sister, Alex and Chrissi."
Majandra was surprised to see they were actually interested in her life. "Do they all come to this school?" Jake asked her quietly. She shook her head, and Ellie said, "Let me guess. Just Isabel and that Chrissi, right? Those girls you were in the office with?" Majandra nodded, happy that Ellie had been paying attention to her. "What about your brother?" she asked.
"No, he's working at this doughnut place"¦ Roy's I think." The three nodded in recognition, and then, Ellie sighed. "It's a shame. We could do with some cute guys around here. I mean all we have are guys like Tom. We're so deprived." Majandra laughed, and Tom said, "As if her brother would look twice at you munchkin." Ellie scowled. "Don't call me that Tom." Tom looked at her to say, "˜Yey, you asked so of course I'm gonna stop.'
"He's called her that since they were five." Jake said to Majandra. Majandra grinned, but was also a little sad. Watching these two making fun of each other reminded her of Jenny and Connor. Angelsville was cool, sure, and these guys seemed really nice. Only she'd been a best friend with Connor forever, and with Jenny since she was five. She really missed them. She'd have to ring them when she got home that night. She really missed all of Connor's dumb jokes, and Jenny's stupid fashion critics of all the people that walked past.
She'd drifted off. She looked up when the bell rang. "Lunch," Ellie told her as she stood up. "You brought your own, right? The school stuff is rubbish." Majandra nodded. Charisma had made her some tuna sandwiches, which Majandra had taken as a really sweet gesture.
"So," Ellie said, "Do you want to have dinner with us?" Majandra grinned and nodded. "Yeh, thanks a lot." They made their way out side, sat and the lawn, and all in all, Majandra had a very enjoyable day.
* * * *
Majandra laid on her stomach on her bed, a book in front of her lay open. Her portable phone was at the side of the book, and she was trying to decide whether to ring Connor or Jenny. They would probably be out or something"¦ they wouldn't want to hear from her.
Her hand reached for the phone, and she automatically dialled Connors number, which she knew better than her own at the moment. It rung three times before his familiar voice answered. "Hello?" he asked. Majandra smiled at his voice, the voice she had really, really missed.
"Hi C," she said slowly. She could almost hear Connor's happiness as he recognised her. "Well there you are Taylor. Took you long enough to ring." She was confused. "Hey, you could have rung me." Connor asked her slowly, as though she was ill, "Hey Taylor, you remember before you left, and you said, "˜I don't know my number, so I'll ring you when I get there and get it.' I thought by that you meant that you didn't know your number and you'd ring us to give us it." Majandra suddenly remembered. They had been at the station, getting ready with all the good byes, and she had said that. How the hell had she forgotten that? That was so weird.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly to Connor. He sighed, and his reply was teasing. "Well I don't know Taylor. You've been gone for a week and you've already become a member of Angelsville's cult. Tut tut. Thought you were stronger than that." She smiled to herself.
"How is everyone? Jen? The gang?" She was anxious to find out. Connor smiled to himself, all the way in L.A, where he too was sat on his bed, a picture of Majandra, Jenny and himself on the table next to his bed. He looked at his best friend sadly. Then he continued, "Taylor, you've been gone a week. How much do you think could have changed? You feeling home sick or something?" Majandra thought about it, and realised she was. She missed L.A. Although Angelsville was a lovely place, something about it made her feel plain uneasy, and she hadn't realised it until she had rung Connor. But then again, the night was coming back. The time the nightmares began. "Oh wait, I'll give you my number," she added quickly.
Isabel looked at the picture at the side of her bed. It was the same one at the side of Connor's. She looked at her friends, and sighed. "I want to come home Connor. It's nice here, but it's just not home. I miss L.A." If Majandra had been able to see Connor then, she would have seen a look so full of concern and love, her heart would have broken. "I miss you," she finished, and realised how true it was.
"Maybe you need to give it time"¦" He said. Then, he joked, "Any way, surely you don't miss us that much. I mean, Mr Kay, the evil clown want to be head master. And the ***** of our high school, Chloe"¦ well, even she's been quieter since you left. You were her favourite enemy. To be honest, even she misses you." Majandra laughed. She almost missed Chloe, who had picked on her since first grade. Connor sighed. "I'm not helping your home sickness much, am I?" Majandra smiled, and realised he couldn't see her. "No, you are. You're dulling the pain a little. I like your voice. Some times I forget that this is the same voice that used to read me stories when we were little and I was sick. I miss you Connor." She was surprised when he said, "I miss you too Taylor. But I'm coming down with Jenny in the next hols." She smiled. "I'm counting the days."
Connor frown deeply as his brother walked in. "Yo Con, we're gonna be late for the game if you don't hurry up. Get a move on." Connor glared at the jock Timmy as he walked through the door.
"I have to go. We're playing the Bulls tonight." Isabel nodded to herself. Her team, the Owls, were playing. She'd loved going to watch the games with Connor and Jenny. Oh God, she was being so stupid"¦ it was just"¦
"Good night Connor. You'll ring me soon, yeh?" Connor laughed at her, and replied, "Are you kidding. You won't be able to get me off the phone now Taylor." He promised to say hello to Jenny, and then she said, "Night then." He smiled sadly. "Night kid. Sweet dreams."
As Majandra hung up, she wondered if she would ever have sweet dreams again.
"You swore you would always be mine Elizabeth. But you were lying." Majandra looked around, and her heart stopped. She had returned to the mist, the mist in which he squeezed her heart, playing her heartstrings like a guitar.
Majandra tried to look at the owner of that voice. She could once again only see his shadow, only this time it was almost easier to see. "My name isn't Elizabeth," she stated through the cold. The voice cackled, that terrifying, yet enchanting sound. "You are not any more, no"¦ but I am not talking about this life my sweet Elizabeth. You are not yet mine in your life new life, where you go by the name of Majandra. But you will always be Elizabeth as far as I'm concerned. And soon, you will be mine in this life as well. James can not save you now."
Majandra felt sick. What was he on about? She wasn't Elizabeth, who ever that girl might be or have been"¦ and who was this James character? And most of all, why did this man want her?
"Why do I want you?" he asked, as thought reading her mind. But then Majandra realised it was very possible that he had done just that. After all, if he could invade her subconscious like this, of course he could hear her thought as well.
"Well, you do not remember me yet, my sweet Elizabeth, so I shall fill you in slightly. You see"¦ you were always an obsession of mine. The most beautiful girl in the castle. You swore you would be mine because you feared me"¦ and you betrayed that promise. You have already forgotten about your promise Elizabeth, after only a few hundred years. But do not worry. The time for you to remember and keep your promise is near. I am getting stronger. You can sense it, can you not? I can hold you in my dreams for longer than I used to be able to do."
Majandra stopped"¦ She was in his dream? What"¦ she could"¦ The mist was making her dizzy, and she could barely comprehend what he was saying. What did this entire thing mean? She didn't understand.
"You will do soon." He whispered. She fell to the ground, sinking from fear and pain. She clutched at her heart, at her chest, where he squeezed and toyed with it. "˜Please let me go,' she said, only this was in her head, the last pleas of a dying child.
He laughed at her. "You will be mine again," he said confidently. "Only this time, I will not let you escape. I will wait until you are afraid to sleep; until you can no longer close your eyes from fear. Then I shall pounce, much like a watchful, patient lion. You can not see me, but I am every where."
Majandra started to cry. She was so scared. She couldn't do this. He was killing her. "˜Let go,' she whispered again. 'Please.'
And he did, laughing evilly like a mad scientist in one of the old horror movies she loved watching. He was trying to drive her insane. She knew that now"¦ He was so obsessed with her, so desperate it make her his, that he was willing to wait until she was insane.
Majandra woke up, tears streaming down her eyes. She kept them shut, afraid of what she would see if she opened them. She hid under her covers like a child, tears gushing down her cheeks. "Leave me alone," she begged him quietly, like a child scared of the monster under their bed.
Only this thing was much worse than that monster. This monster was real. And as Majandra wept, a few miles away from him, he cackled at his recent torment. This had been the first night in a hundred years that he had been strong enough to leave the castle"¦ And he watched her house in the distance, a smile lingering on his thin lips.
He dropped the dead girl whose blood he had just drained. She had been extremely sweet. Only a child of about seven. Well, her parents didn't deserve her, for looking away for that whole second. And her throat had called to him, the blood singing it's melancholy song. Blood"¦ the giver of life. His food, his energy source.
He grinned. Soon, he would feel Elizabeth's sweet blood caressing his tongue again"¦ The feeling he had been recalling for hundreds of years. Of course, being a vampire, he could not go out in the day. But he could stalk her in the night. Until tonight, only in her dreams. But now he was strong enough to do some real damage. He would have managed the first time, if it hadn't have been for that damn James"¦ but now"¦
"I'll stop you again," James said from behind him. He turned to the other vampire. "I swore also. I swore to protect her to the end of her days. I will not let you hurt her William Drake"¦ Not again"¦"
James disappeared, his handsome features twisted in anger as he watched his sire in disgust. William grinned at the foolish child. So much to learn. It was a shame"¦ he would have made a great vampire, if he weren't so damned stubborn; so in love with William's Elizabeth.
But that no longer mattered. Because Elizabeth was his again. He would take her, and make her his queen once more.
He laughed as he heard her whisper, "Leave me alone." And then, turning as he heard his next meal, a homeless man, walking down the road, he thought of the taste of her blood once again.
He grinned wickedly at her house, where he could see her crying even though she was miles away, and he whispered, "Let the games begin."
_____________________________
*CHAPTER TWO*
Charisma walked into Majandra's room the next morning to make sure she wasn't late for school. Charisma loved her sister a lot, but it was tiring, taking on the role of the mother figure; but it had been her choice to do so after all.
Charisma gasped as she saw Majandra. She wasn't laid in her bed. She had pulled off her covers, and had walked over to the bathroom door. She was asleep, her head touching the door, and she looked awful. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair was a mess.
Charisma rushed over to her, and shuck her awake. Majandra slowly opened her eyes. She started to smile, and stopped, as though remembering something that had happened.
"You look awful, Mandy" Charisma said, her voice full of concern. She hated seeing her sister like this. "Thanks a lot," Majandra said as she pulled herself into a sitting position. She rubbed her head. "Are you poorly or something?" Majandra shook her head. "I'm fine"¦ really. I just need some breakfast I guess."
Charisma looked at her evenly. "You're fine? Then why are you sleeping next to the bathroom door when your bed is a second away from you?" Majandra tried to think up an excuse. She asked sheepishly, "Sleep walking?" Charisma shook her head and gave her a look that said "˜Your going to have to do better than that.'
"Wait"¦" Charisma said, catching on. "Another nightmare?" Majandra nodded, muttering, "It was nothing, really. I just got freaked out." Charisma looked at her, sure there was something else. "Okay, I get that you were freaked out, but I'm still not making the connection of you sleeping on the floor."
Majandra stuck her tongue out. "Give it up with the first degree!" Charisma shook her head and stood up, sure that if it got really bad her sister would tell her. "Okay"¦" she said cautiously. "But hurry up or you'll be late for school." Majandra stood up, and said, "You know sis, I'd probably get ready a lot quicker if you left me to get changed." Charisma smiled and went downstairs.
But she had a thought as she reached the kitchen, something she had forgotten to ask Majandra. Why had Mandy looked like she'd been crying all night?
* * * *
Majandra watched the scenery blur past her in a whirl. She once again felt stupid for the way she had acted the previous night. Crying like a baby. For some reason, the light of day seemed to make everything a lot clearer. That stupid dream had been her subconscious reminding her to do something. It was probably a message from beyond"¦ "˜Don't forget to do your history paper"¦' it told her mockingly.
She heard a call behind her, and spun around. Ellie was stood a little behind her, her school bag slung over her shoulder. There was a girl next to her that Majandra recognised. It was the girl in the year below them that Ellie had pointed out yesterday. Amy Something or other"¦Majandra smiled and Ellie ran up to join her. "Well hi there. Turns out you only live a few blocks away from us." Majandra grinned.
She looked at Amy. The girl was playing with a lock of her red hair nervously. Majandra suddenly found the sight quite funny. Not funny ha ha, but funny weird. Bright, timid Amy, hanging out with friendly, entertaining Ellie. It was nice"¦ kind of sweet really.
Majandra smiled sweetly at Amy, who blushed and said, "Hello," in a voice that was a little bit squeaky. It was probably her nerves. "Hi," Majandra said as they started to walk. "So, your Amy, yes?" Amy nodded, looking at the floor. "I'm Majandra. You can call me Mandy if you want. It's what my sister calls me." Amy looked really pleased, as though not used to calling people nicknames"¦ or maybe it was the fact that Majandra was being nice to her that surprised her. Ellie looked at her, as though thinking. "You don't look like a Mandy to me"¦ more exotic a name is needed me thinks. I think I'm going to go with Jandra." She smiled, obviously liking the name. Majandra shook her head, and smiled. "Call me what ever I want as long as I don't hear you," she joked. Amy giggled, then stopped abruptly. The poor kid probably didn't get much of a chance to laugh.
"Oh, I heard a joke last night," Ellie said quickly. Majandra smiled, and Amy grinned, and for a second, she looked really very pretty. "Oh great"¦" Amy looked at Majandra, and said, "We do this every morning. One of us has to look out for a joke, then we tell it in the morning, and it wakes us up." She smiled sweetly, seeming to come out of her shell a bit. Majandra grinned. "Sounds cool. So Ellie, what's the joke?"
Ellie grinned, obviously happy for the attention. "Okay, English man, Irish man and a Scottish man"¦"
* * * *
James watched from the old mansion, hidden in the shadows. She was so beautiful. Still so very beautiful, even though she was supposed to be a completely different person. And her smile was amazing. But her eyes were the best things. They were still a beautiful blue, the same blue that had mystified him the first time he had set eyes on her.
She was walking with friends, laughing at something the blonde was saying. It was marvellous to see her in the sunlight. At least when she was in it, he could be sure she was safe. Only when night came did he have to worry. Because of William.
He had thought he had time. William had been unable to leave the house, had been too weak. But William didn't stay down. You could knock him down, but he would never stay there. And know he was mobile again, and he was out for the kill.
It had already started. Two deaths the previous night. That was just a tart. He knew William, and he knew that two wasn't even a snack to him. It would gradually get worse and worse, and with each kill he would get stronger, until he completely got his powers back. James wasn't sure he would be able to stop his sire again.
William had a real lust for the kill. But something separated him from other vampires. Most vampires just grabbed a snack. But not William. He liked to take his time; he may have had his many faults, but impatience wasn't one of them. And he had obsessions, and a mad drive that meant he would never ever give up.
He still hadn't given up on Elizabeth. Possibly his biggest ever obsession. He had been besotted with her, loving someone he could never have. But she had not loved him. She had loved James instead, and that had lead to James's is turned and her death"¦ but luckily, it had also led to the temporary fall of William.
And now he was back. James didn't know what to do. Could he really stop him? The first time had been a fluke, a gift from the Gods. James could not forget that William was his sire, and that he would never be as powerful as him. For he, unlike William, was a good guy. As good as a vampire could get. And what had kept him good. Elizabeth. For he had been made a vampire to save her from William, and something about that had made him special. That had separated him from the other vampires William had given birth too. That had kept him pure. And his love for her was still as strong as it had been then, all that time ago.
He watched her from the shadows where he was shrouded, a barrier between him and his love"¦ a love that did not even know that he existed any more.
He watched her as she smiled. Things were going to get tough for her. He whispered, "I will stop him," and then continued to watch her, having fun like a normal teenager should do. He found himself praying to a God that he didn't even really believe in. Give me the strength to protect her"¦
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Story never completed.
If you like/dislike this first bit of my story, can you tell me and give me some pointers please. i can take it if you hate it 😀 Oh and the character of Ellie is NOT Anya*Harris, (okay it is, just don't tell her, he he)
ETERNITY
Legend Of A Vampires Promise
*CHAPTER ONE*
So close"¦ She could feel him all around her. Moving closer, suffocating her slowly, purposely. Wrapping his slender, murderous fingers around her pulsating heart, squeezing it tauntingly. Playing with it during its final beats"¦
She tried to make the nightmare go away. It wasn't as if this was the first time she'd had this spine tingling, terrifying dream. Only normally, she would have woken up around about now; around the time that her body broke out in a cold sweat.
Majandra Elizabeth Taylor tried to scream. "Please no!" she pleaded into the darkness. "Please leave me alone." He stayed, out of sight but definitely in her mind. He cowered behind the rolling mist, and she could only see his shadow. He laughed at her pleading.
"Why?" she whispered into the fog. She could hear the sea crashing against the rocks to her left, knew they were close but that she would never reach them; not alive. Not while she was still sane.
At her question, the grip seemed to lessen on her heart. The mist started to reside, moving away from her. It was going unbearably slowly. She just wanted to wake up.
She gasped suddenly. The shadow of the man was moving towards her, his face still shrouded in darkness. "Who are you?" was all she could manage. The shadow smiled at Majandra. She couldn't see his smile; just sense that it was there.
He took an even, tantalising step forward.
"You could say I'm your worst nightmare. In fact, I could go into one of those long speeches that the bad guys always do in the movie, explaining my wicked plot to you"¦" He paused. "But those are the kind of bad guys that lose. Don't worry. I can wait my sweet." Still hidden, he reached out his barely audible arm, and his hand touched her cheek lovingly. It stung her face. So cold"¦ he was so cold"¦
"Who am I?" he asked, almost mocking her. "You will find out soon enough my sweet."
* * * *
Majandra jerked awake in her bed, her heart pounded. She had to put her hand over her mouth to stop from screaming out. The cold"¦ she could still feel the freezing area where he had touched her cheek. She felt sick. She was so cold. It hurt so much.
Majandra got out of bed, and stumbled around, looking for the light switch. She was still disorientated. She had only been in her new room for four days, and she was still worried about it. She had picked it right away"¦ it was large, and decorated in the most pretty pink shades"¦ She just still wasn't used to it.
She found the switch, and then walked to the door that stood at the far wall, in line with her bed. She ran into the bathroom, the one she shared with her sister Charisma, and she ran to the sink. She splashed water onto her face. She needed to get rid of the awful feeling that was welling up, burning yet freezing her cheek. His touch was killing her"¦ Slowly, the water started to work. She started to calm down once again, and she stood up, drying her face.
Majandra left the bathroom and walked into her room. The bed stood a little way from the door, suddenly cold and unwelcoming. She wasn't eager to fall back to sleep. In case he was still there, waiting for her. She looked at the doors that led to the balcony outside of her room. They were slightly open, and her translucent pink curtains fluttered. She walked over to shut the doors, but she changed her mind. She stepped out and sat on the balcony. The air smelt of salt water. She looked down and smiled at the beautiful view of her new town, Angelsville. There was a road in front of the row of beautiful houses that she had recently relocated to. She could she most of the town. The area around the right was the town. Pretty houses, little shops, and a great looking mall, Angel High school, where she would be starting tomorrow"¦ And to the left, the sea, rolling in to the beach where many beach houses stood glad that summer was back again. And straight a head, mist, but not the mist from her dream. Just mist that covered some old buildings that had probably been there since Angelsville had first been founded, all of those hundreds of years ago.
Majandra's mind drifted back to the nightmares. They had started a bought two weeks ago, when they had started the preparations for moving to Angelsville. At first they had been very vague, but as she had gotten closer to her destination, she had been having worse ones, ones that terrified her and made her afraid to sleep. She knew she was being childish. She was sixteen and afraid of some stupid nightmares; only these were different somehow.
Majandra shook her head. She had to stop thinking about it. She knew what to do. Almost with out thinking about it, she thought of the song her mother had always sung to her and Charisma when they were younger to calm them down and get them to sleep"¦ Before she left.
"If your scared, feeling alone, then look out to the sea"¦" she paused, watching the ocean. "No matter where I am, I'll watch the ocean too, and that is where you'll find me"¦ I'll always be with you when you watch the sea with me"¦" Majandra stopped. And where was her mother now? "Where mother? Probably on some Spanish each with that waiter guy, Carlos." She frowned. "Watching the sea?" She asked her mother absently. A voice to her left startled her. "I don't know if she's watching the sea but I might as well now you've woken me up"¦" It was a voice that sounded very sleepy, and Isabel looked at her neighbouring balcony.
Majandra's sister Charisma was sat on her balcony, smiling sleepily at Majandra. Majandra grinned sheepishly at her, apologising. She looked at her sister carefully. Charisma was a little bit shorter than Majandra, even though she was a year older. She was pretty tanned most of the year round, and her hair was the most beautiful black. It fell down her shoulders elegantly. She had beautiful brown eyes, and was quiet a lot of the time. She was actually a good person, who cared about things that happened to people, even if she didn't know them. The main thing, though, was the fact that Charisma was totally clueless to how beautiful and kind she was.
Charisma Ariadne Taylor smiled at her sister, even though her eyes held concern. "You have to stop thinking about her Mandy. She's been gone for three years." Majandra nodded. She knew that Charisma was right. It's just"¦ she couldn't explain it, but since they had come to Angelsville, she had been thinking about her mother more frequently than usual.
They both sat in silence for a minute, watching the sea. Majandra looked at her new school apprehensively. She was worried about going there. She had had to leave all of her friends, including her best friends, Jennifer Kane and Connor Thomas, back in L.A. It was another world away. Now, she had to go out and make new friends"¦ it was daunting. She was kind of worried about it.
Charisma broke Majandra's thoughts again. "So what's up Mandy? Nightmares again?" Isabel nodded. She had told Charisma about the nightmares a few days ago. Charisma looked concerned. They heard a voice from the balcony below them.
"I'll be your worst nightmare if you don't both shut up so I can sleep!" It was Isabel, their stepsister. Her room was below Majandra's. Majandra crawled to the end of her balcony, Charisma's to hers, and they both peered down. Isabel was stood looking up at them impatiently, a fine, silk dressing gown that her "˜daddy' had sent her from Paris draped on her. She was such a superficial daddy's girl, an she hated Majandra and Charisma. Charisma tried to be nice and she still tried to give Isabel a chance, but Isabel wasn't having any of it. And she hated Majandra with the fire of around a million suns.
She was extremely beautiful and extremely aware of it. Her hair was nearly golden, and her skin was fashionably peach. Her eyes were an unusual shade of grey, which just added to the mystery that surrounded her.
"We better be quiet sis, poor Isabel needs as much beauty sleep as she can get." Majandra looked down at the scowling Isabel. She had given her a chance at first, but she was sick of her now. She only put up with her because Majandra's dad was very much in love with Isabel's quiet mother Zara, who was surprisingly lovely.
"You'd know all about needing beauty sleep, wouldn't you?" Isabel shot back. "Hi Isabel," Charisma said sweetly, but Isabel, obviously jealous of cute Charisma, blanked her. Majandra scowled back, and then asked, "How do you do it Isabel?" Isabel looked at her, her face full of suspicion. Majandra asked curiously, innocently, "How do you comb your hair so that it hides the horns? It's really amazing. If you weren't so mean I swear you wouldn't be able to tell"¦" Isabel turned on her heel and stormed back into her room, her doors crashing behind her.
"Your awful Mandy," Charisma said half-heartedly. She smiled at her, and said, "Night sis. Unfortunately, I do need my beauty sleep." With a final smile, she walked back into her room. Majandra stood up too. She was pretty tired.
She walked back into her bedroom, realising she had been stupid. She shut her balcony door, and crawled into bed, suddenly sure she wouldn't have any more nightmares that night. Seeing Charisma"¦ even seeing Isabel had helped. It had helped to remind her what was real; and that guy in her dream was not real.
So she slept through the night, unaware of the figure that stood watching her through her balcony doors, a careful smile on his face. "Soon"¦" he whispered, before turning and fading into the night.
* * * *
Majandra woke up the next morning, the previous nights dream almost completely forgotten. Although terrifying in the darkness it seemed foolish by the light of day. A distant dream that she only thought about at night. Maybe that was for the best.
Any way, she had far more pressing matters on her mind. It was the first day at her new school, and she didn't no what to wear. What was popular in L.A might look stupid here in Angelsville. She wanted to make a good impression"¦
She decided to just wear what she liked. She put on her black top with her favourite white shirt, and fastened it up halfway. Then, she put on her plain black pants, and left her hair down. She looked in the mirror. It would have to do. She looked cool, and anyway, no one would really care what she was wearing, surely?
She walked down the stairs an walked into the kitchen. Her dad had already gone to work, and she guesses that Zara was at the shops stocking up. She always bought lots of food, and dad often joked that she was preparing for a flood. Everyone else laughed, but Majandra always stopped after a second, because that was very possibly something Zara would do. She was always extremely cautious.
Charisma was sat at the table, eating her cereal. Majandra's only other close relative, her brother Alexander Adam Taylor, was stood by the toaster, waiting for it to pop. He was wearing boxers and a black t-shirt his hair tussled. "Morning," he said quietly. He had been very pleased with himself, because he had graduated the previous year. He loved gloating to Majandra that while she was in school, he would be sat on a beach. But then her dad had told him to get a job if he wanted to stay in his house, and now he had to work at a local café, Roy's doughnuts. It was Isabel's turn to gloat.
The toast popped and Alex put it on his plate. He smothered it with butter, and then turned away to get the jam. Majandra took the plate when he wasn't looking she took a bite of the toast. "Thanks Lexxy," she said, sitting at the table with Charisma. He turned angrily, and was going to say something when Isabel walked in. He smiled at her. "Morning Izzy Pop." She smiled her greeting. Alex was the only member of the family that Isabel would allow her self to associate with.
Isabel slaughtered in, black pants and a red, strapped top that looked great against her golden hair. She nearly always wore red. She knew it suited her, and Isabel's motto was "˜Why mess with perfection?' So she stuck to it.
Isabel walked out if the door. She had found her self a coffee shop the other day when she had gone to look around the village, and had proclaimed that she would be having her breakfast in there from now on.
Isabel sat talking to Charisma. She had gone for the natural look, wearing a pretty pink gypsy top and white pants. They talked for a while. They were going to walk to school together, until they got used to the town.
Before they left, Alex looked over at Majandra and Charisma and laughed. But Isabel pointed to the hat he had tossed across the room, a hat with stupid dog-ears saying, "˜Dough!' instead of "˜Doh!' in a sad Homer Simpson impression. "Have a good day at work," she laughed as they ran out of the door, Alex scowling behind her.
* * * *
The three girls had been sat in the head masters, Patrick Ferris's stuffy office for what seemed like forever. It was hot and humid, and Majandra fidgeted nervously, bored out of her mind. Mr Ferris was automatically directing all of his explanations at Charisma, because she gave off that motherly, sensible air that parents could spot a mile away. She sat nodding her head politely, agreeing with what ever he said.
Isabel was sat inspecting her ails. She normally tried to ac like an adult when she was around adults to get into their good books, but she was obviously bored out of her mind as well.
Isabel couldn't take it any more. She left her nails, and interrupted Mr Ferris as he chortled at a joke he had just told Charisma. Isabel asked impatiently as Majandra watched on, "So are we going to our classes then?" Mr Ferris looked quite put out, and his bumbling old face tried to smile. "Why of course. I apologise Miss Taylor"¦" he began slowly. That was a mistake. Isabel hated people calling her that. She wanted to stick to the name her father had given her, Isabel Jodie Travis. Majandra was surprised when Isabel stayed quiet. She didn't try to correct him or anything.
"Well," Mr Ferris said as he stood up. The three girls did so also. "Isabel and Miss Charisma are in the same class, which I will take you too around the school and then to your lunch time you will go. And young Majandra is in the grade below, so I have chosen a student from your next class to show you around. Then you can also go to lunch. Your afternoon classes will go along as normal lessons."
They moved towards the door, and when they came outside of his office they were greeted by a pretty girl, staring at the floor, bored out of her mind. She looked up as they came out of the hall. "Majandra, this is Ellie Harris. She's going to show you around." Ellie grinned at Majandra, her brown hair pulled back in a cute ponytail. "Hey," she said, grinning. "Welcome to Angel High." Majandra smiled her thanks, and watched as Isabel and Charisma walked out of the door with Mr Bumble as she had decided to call him.
* * * *
"So you're going to show me around the school?" Majandra asked quietly. Ellie smiled. "No way. Well, yeh, but not the school. The people in the school. Much more important that you know who to steer clear of, right?" Isabel nodded; relieved they had sent her someone nice.
They started walking when Ellie said slowly, "I'll just warn you, I babble a lot of the time." Majandra was relieved again. They'd also sent her a fellow babbler. Thank God, she grinned to herself. Jenny had been a babbler too.
So they walked around, and Majandra was introduced to Angel High.
"Okay," Ellie said, pointing at a girl in one of the classrooms. "That is Amy Clarke." She was pointing at a little, frail girl in the front row of the science room they were peering into. "She's in the year below us, but I know her because she lives next door to me. She's really sweet. A bit geeky though, and everyone makes fun of her because of it." Amy had cute glasses, and short red hair that was tied up loosely. She was sat at the edge of her chair, listening to the teacher intently, as though scared to miss a single word that she said.
Majandra asked curiously, "Why's she so"¦ you know?" Ellie asked evenly "Why does she look like she'll drop dead if she gets less than an A+?" Majandra nodded, as she watched Amy's hand shot in the air. Ellie sounded said. "Her parents. They argue none stop, and the poor kid is the one that everything gets blamed on. So she tries to do really well in school so they will show her at least an ounce of respect from them. Especially her father. You see, he's a teacher here, and if she did anything that made him look bad"¦" She trailed off. Suddenly, little Amy looked up and saw Majandra and Ellie. They both waved, and Amy looked anxiously at the teacher. Once she was positive she wasn't looking, she gave them a quick wave and a nervous smile. Then she looked back at the teacher, all in an instance. "Poor thing," Ellie said caringly, and then she started to walk on. Majandra quickly followed.
They talked as they made there way down endless corridors, and the Ellie pointed to a door to their right. They walked over to it and looked in the little window at the top of the door. She nodded towards a guy in there. He had dark hair, glasses and a gorgeous smile. Ellie grinned. "That's Adam West. Everyone calls him West though. And I must say he is gorgeous and lovely. Don't get me started on him, but let's just say he has a girlfriend, who happens to also be my worst enemy, plus, he is gorgeous"¦ Wait did I mention that? Anyway, the list of his greatness goes on forever, so let's move on before I babble some more."
"Do you want to see our class?" she asked quickly. Majandra nodded, smiling. Ellie talked as they walked outside, pointing out certain trees or bench's, with stories like, "˜Oh that's where Jodie Wigan slapped Danielle Parks,' or "˜Oh Paul Evans threw up there the other day, so don't sit there.' Majandra nodded in amusement. She had to admit that the school was pretty cool, to say it was, you know, a school.
Ellie was walking towards a window on the bottom floor. Majandra guessed it was their classroom. She could see vague figures, some walking around, others listening to music, and some messing about. Ellie saw her look of confusion and laughed. "This lesson is art, and the normal teacher, Ms Jackson, is on maternity leave, so they normally send in a substitute teacher, Mr Klinke. He doesn't really pay any attention, just sits at the front of the room and reads his little romance books." Majandra asked slowly, "Okay, but the people in your class are cool, right? They aren't really mean, the type that pull loads of pranks on the new girl?" She tried to sound light, but she really did want to know. Ellie shook her head, and then stopped. "You should be okay. The class has some biatches, but don't all classes"¦ Then there are the jokers. The main one is Tom Jasper. He lives at the other side of my house with his sister Angelina. They are both pretty cool, but Tom is an idiot. He might wind you up when he sees your hanging out with me, so ignore him. Then there is my brother Jake"¦ and this real wild child Fawn, but I doubt she'll be in class. She doesn't go to art; she knows there is no point. It's a shame really, I saw this picture she did a while ago, and it was pretty cool"¦" Majandra smiled as Ellie babbled. She normally babbled a lot as well, but she was way too nervous to say anything. Ellie must think she was such a bore.
They reached the window, and Majandra smiled as she looked in. There was a guy sat by the window they were stood by, daydreaming. He looked so cute. He had raven black hair and gorgeous emerald eyes; eyes that looked like something from a painting, too perfect to be real. Ellie whispered beside her, "That's my brother Jake." Majandra felt herself blushing for no reason, and then she told herself to stop it. She was being stupid. She wasn't normally this quiet"¦ it was just something about this town"¦
Ellie tapped on the window by Jake. He turned, and he smiled when he saw Majandra and Ellie. He pushed open the window, and then stood up. The girls both stood just inside the window. He held out his hand politely. "I'm Jake Harris. You must be the new girl." He was joking, and she smiled and took his hand as well. "Majandra Taylor. You must be the brother?" He smiled, and then asked, "You two coming in?" Majandra looked at Ellie, who nodded. "Come in and meet the gang." Majandra smiled, and climbed over as Jake helped her into the room. He lifted her own, and then Ellie clambered over it.
"Okay," she said loudly. The teacher, Mr Klinke, looked up, and he smiled sweetly at them. He was old and quite adorable. He squinted behind his glasses. "Why hello Ellie. Who is your friend?" Ellie smiled at Klinke and said confidently to him and the rest of the class, "Just a flying visit sir. This is the new girl, Majandra Taylor." Mr Klinke smiled kindly at her. "Welcome to the class." Then he went back to reading his book, "˜Purple Roses.'
"Okay," Ellie said sweetly. "I'll introduce you to the nice people in the class." Majandra smiled, and said, "Thanks a lot, but you don't have to." Ellie waved it off with the toss of her hand. She moved to the back of the classroom, where a girl with pretty black hair sat humming along to her Walkman. She looked up and took the headphones off. "Hey," she smiled. "I'm Angel," she told Majandra. "Well come to the class. It's not too bad. If you stay away from that jerk," she said, pointing to a guy sat behind Jake, as they chatted away. "Who's that?" Majandra asked Angel. Angel grinned. "That is my brother Tom." Majandra smiled. The guys had spiky brown hair, and a unique smile that lit up his face. Majandra remembered that he was the "˜joker' of the class, according to Ellie. Ellie started to move Majandra over to Tom, muttering something that sounded like, "Better get it over and done with."
She stood in front of Tom, and Majandra joined her. Jake and Tom looked up, and Tom grinned. "Good lady," he said carefully, "Welcome to our humble town." He took her hand and kissed it gently, and Ellie said, "Give it a rest Tom." Tom stuck his tongue out at her and she did the same.
"Okay, I'll be serious. Why've you come to our humble town?" he asked. Ellie was about to tell him to stop being so nosey, but Majandra stopped her. "It's fine. Really. My dad got a job down here, and thought it would be a good place for our new family to bond. Which is idiotic, because there is no way I'm bonding with Izzy." They looked at her. Ellie sat down next to Tom, so Majandra sat on the chair next to Jake.
"Job?" Jake asked.
"Izzy?" Ellie asked.
"New family?" Tom asked callously.
Majandra smiled at their bafflement. "Sorry, you have no idea who I'm on about, which is weird because everyone new her where we used to live." They smiled at her, and she was glad that they didn't yet seem to have deemed her as an idiot. She might as well tell them. She thought Ellie was nice enough, so there was no point in lying.
"It's a long story. Well, my mum left, dad got remarried and we moved here"¦" She paused. "Guess it wasn't such a long story." Tom laughed and Ellie grinned at her. Jake smiled silently, almost to himself. "But anyway, this women my dad married has a daughter. Isabel Travis. Total biatch. So here we are, our happy family. Dad, his wife Zara, Isabel, and my brother and sister, Alex and Chrissi."
Majandra was surprised to see they were actually interested in her life. "Do they all come to this school?" Jake asked her quietly. She shook her head, and Ellie said, "Let me guess. Just Isabel and that Chrissi, right? Those girls you were in the office with?" Majandra nodded, happy that Ellie had been paying attention to her. "What about your brother?" she asked.
"No, he's working at this doughnut place"¦ Roy's I think." The three nodded in recognition, and then, Ellie sighed. "It's a shame. We could do with some cute guys around here. I mean all we have are guys like Tom. We're so deprived." Majandra laughed, and Tom said, "As if her brother would look twice at you munchkin." Ellie scowled. "Don't call me that Tom." Tom looked at her to say, "˜Yey, you asked so of course I'm gonna stop.'
"He's called her that since they were five." Jake said to Majandra. Majandra grinned, but was also a little sad. Watching these two making fun of each other reminded her of Jenny and Connor. Angelsville was cool, sure, and these guys seemed really nice. Only she'd been a best friend with Connor forever, and with Jenny since she was five. She really missed them. She'd have to ring them when she got home that night. She really missed all of Connor's dumb jokes, and Jenny's stupid fashion critics of all the people that walked past.
She'd drifted off. She looked up when the bell rang. "Lunch," Ellie told her as she stood up. "You brought your own, right? The school stuff is rubbish." Majandra nodded. Charisma had made her some tuna sandwiches, which Majandra had taken as a really sweet gesture.
"So," Ellie said, "Do you want to have dinner with us?" Majandra grinned and nodded. "Yeh, thanks a lot." They made their way out side, sat and the lawn, and all in all, Majandra had a very enjoyable day.
* * * *
Majandra laid on her stomach on her bed, a book in front of her lay open. Her portable phone was at the side of the book, and she was trying to decide whether to ring Connor or Jenny. They would probably be out or something"¦ they wouldn't want to hear from her.
Her hand reached for the phone, and she automatically dialled Connors number, which she knew better than her own at the moment. It rung three times before his familiar voice answered. "Hello?" he asked. Majandra smiled at his voice, the voice she had really, really missed.
"Hi C," she said slowly. She could almost hear Connor's happiness as he recognised her. "Well there you are Taylor. Took you long enough to ring." She was confused. "Hey, you could have rung me." Connor asked her slowly, as though she was ill, "Hey Taylor, you remember before you left, and you said, "˜I don't know my number, so I'll ring you when I get there and get it.' I thought by that you meant that you didn't know your number and you'd ring us to give us it." Majandra suddenly remembered. They had been at the station, getting ready with all the good byes, and she had said that. How the hell had she forgotten that? That was so weird.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly to Connor. He sighed, and his reply was teasing. "Well I don't know Taylor. You've been gone for a week and you've already become a member of Angelsville's cult. Tut tut. Thought you were stronger than that." She smiled to herself.
"How is everyone? Jen? The gang?" She was anxious to find out. Connor smiled to himself, all the way in L.A, where he too was sat on his bed, a picture of Majandra, Jenny and himself on the table next to his bed. He looked at his best friend sadly. Then he continued, "Taylor, you've been gone a week. How much do you think could have changed? You feeling home sick or something?" Majandra thought about it, and realised she was. She missed L.A. Although Angelsville was a lovely place, something about it made her feel plain uneasy, and she hadn't realised it until she had rung Connor. But then again, the night was coming back. The time the nightmares began. "Oh wait, I'll give you my number," she added quickly.
Isabel looked at the picture at the side of her bed. It was the same one at the side of Connor's. She looked at her friends, and sighed. "I want to come home Connor. It's nice here, but it's just not home. I miss L.A." If Majandra had been able to see Connor then, she would have seen a look so full of concern and love, her heart would have broken. "I miss you," she finished, and realised how true it was.
"Maybe you need to give it time"¦" He said. Then, he joked, "Any way, surely you don't miss us that much. I mean, Mr Kay, the evil clown want to be head master. And the ***** of our high school, Chloe"¦ well, even she's been quieter since you left. You were her favourite enemy. To be honest, even she misses you." Majandra laughed. She almost missed Chloe, who had picked on her since first grade. Connor sighed. "I'm not helping your home sickness much, am I?" Majandra smiled, and realised he couldn't see her. "No, you are. You're dulling the pain a little. I like your voice. Some times I forget that this is the same voice that used to read me stories when we were little and I was sick. I miss you Connor." She was surprised when he said, "I miss you too Taylor. But I'm coming down with Jenny in the next hols." She smiled. "I'm counting the days."
Connor frown deeply as his brother walked in. "Yo Con, we're gonna be late for the game if you don't hurry up. Get a move on." Connor glared at the jock Timmy as he walked through the door.
"I have to go. We're playing the Bulls tonight." Isabel nodded to herself. Her team, the Owls, were playing. She'd loved going to watch the games with Connor and Jenny. Oh God, she was being so stupid"¦ it was just"¦
"Good night Connor. You'll ring me soon, yeh?" Connor laughed at her, and replied, "Are you kidding. You won't be able to get me off the phone now Taylor." He promised to say hello to Jenny, and then she said, "Night then." He smiled sadly. "Night kid. Sweet dreams."
As Majandra hung up, she wondered if she would ever have sweet dreams again.
"You swore you would always be mine Elizabeth. But you were lying." Majandra looked around, and her heart stopped. She had returned to the mist, the mist in which he squeezed her heart, playing her heartstrings like a guitar.
Majandra tried to look at the owner of that voice. She could once again only see his shadow, only this time it was almost easier to see. "My name isn't Elizabeth," she stated through the cold. The voice cackled, that terrifying, yet enchanting sound. "You are not any more, no"¦ but I am not talking about this life my sweet Elizabeth. You are not yet mine in your life new life, where you go by the name of Majandra. But you will always be Elizabeth as far as I'm concerned. And soon, you will be mine in this life as well. James can not save you now."
Majandra felt sick. What was he on about? She wasn't Elizabeth, who ever that girl might be or have been"¦ and who was this James character? And most of all, why did this man want her?
"Why do I want you?" he asked, as thought reading her mind. But then Majandra realised it was very possible that he had done just that. After all, if he could invade her subconscious like this, of course he could hear her thought as well.
"Well, you do not remember me yet, my sweet Elizabeth, so I shall fill you in slightly. You see"¦ you were always an obsession of mine. The most beautiful girl in the castle. You swore you would be mine because you feared me"¦ and you betrayed that promise. You have already forgotten about your promise Elizabeth, after only a few hundred years. But do not worry. The time for you to remember and keep your promise is near. I am getting stronger. You can sense it, can you not? I can hold you in my dreams for longer than I used to be able to do."
Majandra stopped"¦ She was in his dream? What"¦ she could"¦ The mist was making her dizzy, and she could barely comprehend what he was saying. What did this entire thing mean? She didn't understand.
"You will do soon." He whispered. She fell to the ground, sinking from fear and pain. She clutched at her heart, at her chest, where he squeezed and toyed with it. "˜Please let me go,' she said, only this was in her head, the last pleas of a dying child.
He laughed at her. "You will be mine again," he said confidently. "Only this time, I will not let you escape. I will wait until you are afraid to sleep; until you can no longer close your eyes from fear. Then I shall pounce, much like a watchful, patient lion. You can not see me, but I am every where."
Majandra started to cry. She was so scared. She couldn't do this. He was killing her. "˜Let go,' she whispered again. 'Please.'
And he did, laughing evilly like a mad scientist in one of the old horror movies she loved watching. He was trying to drive her insane. She knew that now"¦ He was so obsessed with her, so desperate it make her his, that he was willing to wait until she was insane.
Majandra woke up, tears streaming down her eyes. She kept them shut, afraid of what she would see if she opened them. She hid under her covers like a child, tears gushing down her cheeks. "Leave me alone," she begged him quietly, like a child scared of the monster under their bed.
Only this thing was much worse than that monster. This monster was real. And as Majandra wept, a few miles away from him, he cackled at his recent torment. This had been the first night in a hundred years that he had been strong enough to leave the castle"¦ And he watched her house in the distance, a smile lingering on his thin lips.
He dropped the dead girl whose blood he had just drained. She had been extremely sweet. Only a child of about seven. Well, her parents didn't deserve her, for looking away for that whole second. And her throat had called to him, the blood singing it's melancholy song. Blood"¦ the giver of life. His food, his energy source.
He grinned. Soon, he would feel Elizabeth's sweet blood caressing his tongue again"¦ The feeling he had been recalling for hundreds of years. Of course, being a vampire, he could not go out in the day. But he could stalk her in the night. Until tonight, only in her dreams. But now he was strong enough to do some real damage. He would have managed the first time, if it hadn't have been for that damn James"¦ but now"¦
"I'll stop you again," James said from behind him. He turned to the other vampire. "I swore also. I swore to protect her to the end of her days. I will not let you hurt her William Drake"¦ Not again"¦"
James disappeared, his handsome features twisted in anger as he watched his sire in disgust. William grinned at the foolish child. So much to learn. It was a shame"¦ he would have made a great vampire, if he weren't so damned stubborn; so in love with William's Elizabeth.
But that no longer mattered. Because Elizabeth was his again. He would take her, and make her his queen once more.
He laughed as he heard her whisper, "Leave me alone." And then, turning as he heard his next meal, a homeless man, walking down the road, he thought of the taste of her blood once again.
He grinned wickedly at her house, where he could see her crying even though she was miles away, and he whispered, "Let the games begin."
_____________________________
*CHAPTER TWO*
Charisma walked into Majandra's room the next morning to make sure she wasn't late for school. Charisma loved her sister a lot, but it was tiring, taking on the role of the mother figure; but it had been her choice to do so after all.
Charisma gasped as she saw Majandra. She wasn't laid in her bed. She had pulled off her covers, and had walked over to the bathroom door. She was asleep, her head touching the door, and she looked awful. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair was a mess.
Charisma rushed over to her, and shuck her awake. Majandra slowly opened her eyes. She started to smile, and stopped, as though remembering something that had happened.
"You look awful, Mandy" Charisma said, her voice full of concern. She hated seeing her sister like this. "Thanks a lot," Majandra said as she pulled herself into a sitting position. She rubbed her head. "Are you poorly or something?" Majandra shook her head. "I'm fine"¦ really. I just need some breakfast I guess."
Charisma looked at her evenly. "You're fine? Then why are you sleeping next to the bathroom door when your bed is a second away from you?" Majandra tried to think up an excuse. She asked sheepishly, "Sleep walking?" Charisma shook her head and gave her a look that said "˜Your going to have to do better than that.'
"Wait"¦" Charisma said, catching on. "Another nightmare?" Majandra nodded, muttering, "It was nothing, really. I just got freaked out." Charisma looked at her, sure there was something else. "Okay, I get that you were freaked out, but I'm still not making the connection of you sleeping on the floor."
Majandra stuck her tongue out. "Give it up with the first degree!" Charisma shook her head and stood up, sure that if it got really bad her sister would tell her. "Okay"¦" she said cautiously. "But hurry up or you'll be late for school." Majandra stood up, and said, "You know sis, I'd probably get ready a lot quicker if you left me to get changed." Charisma smiled and went downstairs.
But she had a thought as she reached the kitchen, something she had forgotten to ask Majandra. Why had Mandy looked like she'd been crying all night?
* * * *
Majandra watched the scenery blur past her in a whirl. She once again felt stupid for the way she had acted the previous night. Crying like a baby. For some reason, the light of day seemed to make everything a lot clearer. That stupid dream had been her subconscious reminding her to do something. It was probably a message from beyond"¦ "˜Don't forget to do your history paper"¦' it told her mockingly.
She heard a call behind her, and spun around. Ellie was stood a little behind her, her school bag slung over her shoulder. There was a girl next to her that Majandra recognised. It was the girl in the year below them that Ellie had pointed out yesterday. Amy Something or other"¦Majandra smiled and Ellie ran up to join her. "Well hi there. Turns out you only live a few blocks away from us." Majandra grinned.
She looked at Amy. The girl was playing with a lock of her red hair nervously. Majandra suddenly found the sight quite funny. Not funny ha ha, but funny weird. Bright, timid Amy, hanging out with friendly, entertaining Ellie. It was nice"¦ kind of sweet really.
Majandra smiled sweetly at Amy, who blushed and said, "Hello," in a voice that was a little bit squeaky. It was probably her nerves. "Hi," Majandra said as they started to walk. "So, your Amy, yes?" Amy nodded, looking at the floor. "I'm Majandra. You can call me Mandy if you want. It's what my sister calls me." Amy looked really pleased, as though not used to calling people nicknames"¦ or maybe it was the fact that Majandra was being nice to her that surprised her. Ellie looked at her, as though thinking. "You don't look like a Mandy to me"¦ more exotic a name is needed me thinks. I think I'm going to go with Jandra." She smiled, obviously liking the name. Majandra shook her head, and smiled. "Call me what ever I want as long as I don't hear you," she joked. Amy giggled, then stopped abruptly. The poor kid probably didn't get much of a chance to laugh.
"Oh, I heard a joke last night," Ellie said quickly. Majandra smiled, and Amy grinned, and for a second, she looked really very pretty. "Oh great"¦" Amy looked at Majandra, and said, "We do this every morning. One of us has to look out for a joke, then we tell it in the morning, and it wakes us up." She smiled sweetly, seeming to come out of her shell a bit. Majandra grinned. "Sounds cool. So Ellie, what's the joke?"
Ellie grinned, obviously happy for the attention. "Okay, English man, Irish man and a Scottish man"¦"
* * * *
James watched from the old mansion, hidden in the shadows. She was so beautiful. Still so very beautiful, even though she was supposed to be a completely different person. And her smile was amazing. But her eyes were the best things. They were still a beautiful blue, the same blue that had mystified him the first time he had set eyes on her.
She was walking with friends, laughing at something the blonde was saying. It was marvellous to see her in the sunlight. At least when she was in it, he could be sure she was safe. Only when night came did he have to worry. Because of William.
He had thought he had time. William had been unable to leave the house, had been too weak. But William didn't stay down. You could knock him down, but he would never stay there. And know he was mobile again, and he was out for the kill.
It had already started. Two deaths the previous night. That was just a tart. He knew William, and he knew that two wasn't even a snack to him. It would gradually get worse and worse, and with each kill he would get stronger, until he completely got his powers back. James wasn't sure he would be able to stop his sire again.
William had a real lust for the kill. But something separated him from other vampires. Most vampires just grabbed a snack. But not William. He liked to take his time; he may have had his many faults, but impatience wasn't one of them. And he had obsessions, and a mad drive that meant he would never ever give up.
He still hadn't given up on Elizabeth. Possibly his biggest ever obsession. He had been besotted with her, loving someone he could never have. But she had not loved him. She had loved James instead, and that had lead to James's is turned and her death"¦ but luckily, it had also led to the temporary fall of William.
And now he was back. James didn't know what to do. Could he really stop him? The first time had been a fluke, a gift from the Gods. James could not forget that William was his sire, and that he would never be as powerful as him. For he, unlike William, was a good guy. As good as a vampire could get. And what had kept him good. Elizabeth. For he had been made a vampire to save her from William, and something about that had made him special. That had separated him from the other vampires William had given birth too. That had kept him pure. And his love for her was still as strong as it had been then, all that time ago.
He watched her from the shadows where he was shrouded, a barrier between him and his love"¦ a love that did not even know that he existed any more.
He watched her as she smiled. Things were going to get tough for her. He whispered, "I will stop him," and then continued to watch her, having fun like a normal teenager should do. He found himself praying to a God that he didn't even really believe in. Give me the strength to protect her"¦
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Story never completed.