Living with Granthrax
Granthrax’s fangs started showing after that. I can’t believe I thought he was just some normal guy. How stupid could I be?
His first night back in town, we went out as a couple. Invited to an above ground layer, we climbed into the tomb and sat crunched with a few other people. Intoxicants were passed out, intoxicants I was not used to.
I tried to say no, but they insisted. “You didn’t say no fast enough. You have to try a shot from this bottle.”
Shot glasses full of crimson liquid were passed around the group. I had a bad feeling, but peer pressure sucked it down. My stomach turned.
Another round was poured, and my body felt weak. I shook my head no, but the glass re-appeared in front of me, full. “Just one more with the group; you can handle it.”
Glancing around the group, smiling fangs dripped with blood and glee. Was I the only one having a problem here? What was this concoction being given out to the group?
They lifted their glasses in cheers. I could barely lift my glass to clink the others. Everyone gulped theirs down and looked at me, eyes intensely burning into me.
Closing my eyes, I slurped down the liquid. My body shivered in response. Whatever the substance, my body was not agreeing with it.
The group shouted in excitement, rowdy from the substance. Why was everyone else pumped while I was queasy? People stood up to exit the tomb layer.
When I stood, I felt what I had not felt in a long time, a stomach uneasy enough to vomit. The substance rose back up in my throat, and I struggled to keep it down. I was not sure how long that would be kept at bay.
Of all the people in the group, one long-haired gentleman seemed to notice my predicament. Our eyes locked, and I could see his sympathy. Granthrax pushed me past him to walk out.
The layer was hidden in the open, like many things in New Orleans. The group filed around an iron staircase that twisted like my stomach. The exit of the tomb was surprisingly next to The Dixie Tavern, a club the rest of the vampires had planned to terrorize for victims, shady enough to not be detected by the rest of the world.
Upon my first breath of night air, I could hold it back no longer. I tried to steer clear of the rest of the group, at least a stumble out of the way so they could walk around me. There, on the steps of the tomb, the red liquid escaped from my stomach.
Granthrax’s eyes burned red, and his fangs flashed in anger. He walked away without saying a word. Others in the group also walked past, as if nothing was happening.
I clung to the flimsy iron rail of the entrance. “Somebody should move her, so she doesn’t give away the entrance,” a voice snarled. My head felt light, as if unattached to my body that threatened to give out from under me.
“She’ll be fine, just leave her. She knows where we’ll be at. She doesn’t need a babysitter.”
My knees began to knock, and my head fell forward towards the rail. As my body gave way, I felt a hand protecting my head and another around my waist. The hands guided me a sitting position on the step.
Vision blurred, I could not make out shapes any more, only one grey shade before me. The liquid kept flowing up and out of me. Breath became harder to catch.
I felt my hair being pulled back ever so gently. Each strand was individually pulled back from my face, tender and lovingly. A band secured it, controlled by large hands that seemed careful to not inflict any further pain.
My insides continued to expel until dry heaves began. After a few minutes, breath returned in between passing phases of heaves. I struggled to control my vision, trying to make out the individual shades of grey.
I felt the presence of somebody next to me. When color returned to my eyes, I struggled to lift my head and make out my savior. It was the long haired guy from inside the tomb.
His face looked vaguely familiar, and I knew I had met him before. Was it the same guy I had helped only a couple weeks before on his birthday? A flash came into my head of a man in almost a similar spot, weak, curled up and shaking; I had slit my wrist for him.
He had lapped up my blood enough to put him into a peaceful state. It was all I could offer. What was his name?
“Jerry?” The name escaped my lips without my brain comprehending it, not fully being able to put the pieces together for my entirety to comprehend it. “You’re Jerry, right?”
The long sandy blonde hair reached down past his shoulders, about to the center of his back. He smiled and stroked my hair. “No, I’m Pat.”
“No, you’re Jerry,” I insisted. “I remember you. Jerry.”
He laughed and shook his head negatively. “No, Sweetie, I’m Pat. You have met me before, but my name is Pat, not Jerry.”
“Yeah, Jerry,” I tried to smile weakly. “I thought so. I knew you looked familiar.”
“I am familiar,” he urged my brain to remember. “I’m Pat, but it doesn’t really matter what you call me, as long as you know me. Did Granthrax just leave you?”
“He’s not here, is he?” I tired to look around, but bile began to rise up and out again, splashing along the steps where they meet the sidewalk. My body began shaking again, more violently.
“I’m gunna go see if I can find him for you,” Pat offered. “Are you going to be okay for a few minutes? I’ll be right back, I promise.”
When I tried to shake my head affirmatively, more red colored liquid sloshed out of my lips and onto the sidewalk. The flimsy iron railing seemed to support my life, the reality between two worlds, hard, cool and threatening to snap off. What was that liquid that caused me to be in a state like this after only two shots?
The answer did not matter, as my body had replaced the liquid to a new home on the sidewalk. For being so close to a club, it was surprising that more people had not noticed me in this sort of state, but I guess those in New Orleans are used to such a sight. It seemed strangely odd that nobody seemed to pass by, not that I could remember anyway.
Not sure how much time passed, I only remember Patrick coming back. He had brought some napkins to make me more presentable. Like a father to a child, he cleaned my face.
Granthrax was nowhere in sight. The Dixie Tavern is really not that big of a club, so if he was in there, I knew Patrick had seen him before coming back out here. Reality hurt my head.
The violent spasms of my body had lessened into a shiver, which was odd for how humid the summer night was. My body curled up instinctively, as if in the womb, and my eyes wanted to close. Patrick was the only reason they stayed open.
“I know how you’re feeling, I’ve been there before,” he cooed. “That drink is not made for everybody, especially young ones. You’re just coming to grips with what you are, and they should not have given that to you.”
My eyes focused on his face. I tried to smile. “Thank you for helping me.”
“People have done it for me many times; it’s the least I can do.” My head threatened to fall forward into the iron rail, but he grabbed me around the shoulders and pulled me close, away from the danger of the iron rail. “I can try to make you feel a little bit better.”
His right hand had one long nail. With the razor sharp object, he sliced a small cut over the vein of his left wrist. Blood dripped slowly, and he held it to my lips.
“Drink,” he commanded. Too weak to move, he guided his red stained wrist to my parched lips. When the liquid touched my tongue, my stomach eased.
Instead of flowing liquid out, I know sucked it in. The first swallow was ecstasy, calming the pain within me. The second swallow eased my shivers, putting my body at peace.
Still, I did not have the energy to gulp as eagerly as normal. Though it helped immensely, my body had still suffered a hard hit. A few more sips, enough to make me breathe easy, and I gently pushed his hand away.
“Are you sure you’ve had enough?” He cocked his eyebrow at me. “Take one more sip, just to be sure.”
Not in a position to negotiate, his wrist was guided back to my lips. Swallowing three more delicious gulps, I pushed his hand back away. Dizzied by the sudden change, a smile crossed my lips, and my tongue reached for an excess drip at the corner of my mouth.
I laughed silently, but in a way that he could see. Far from normal, his gift had taken away the majority of the suffering. Standing still did not seem like that great of an option.
He seemed to understand. “It’ll take a while until you feel like your everyday self, but a good rest will get you to that point. You need Granthrax to take you home.”
“What did they give me up there?” My eyes pleaded for him to tell me. “What was it?”
“Let’s just say some vampires get bored, and they like to experiment with how close they can brush with death. They say we’re undying, but some like to push the limits. We can die though, you know that, right?”
I nodded slowly, not that I had really thought about it much, but I was keenly aware how it was possible. “I don’t know how I can say thank you enough. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“Just think of it as what comes around goes around,” he grimaced. “Like I said, others have helped me out in the past. Maybe you can help somebody else out in the future, or perhaps you’re helping somebody is coming back to you now.”
“Yeah,” I grinned, thinking of Jerry, who I still was convinced was Patrick. Karma worked oddly down here in New Orleans. Literally, I had only helped him a couple weeks ago in almost the same spot, about the same condition.
“I still can’t believe Granthrax left you out here. I mean, you’re a beautiful girl. He should be worried that somebody might try to do something to you or something.”
“It’s becoming more and more obvious that he doesn’t care.” I bit my tongue on explaining the other flowing blood that had occurred less than a week before. “What can I do about it?”
“He should have never let them give you that drink in the first place,” Patrick sighed. “I mean, you’re still so young, yet strangely old at the same time. Either way, he should be protecting you; you’re his girl.”
“Not really,” I muttered. “Let’s not get into it right now, but let’s just say there’s no more honeymoon. I don’t even know where we stand, other than I’m stuck living with him for three months.”
Patrick looked at me quizzically. “You paid rent in advance or something?” I nodded a confirmation to his question.
“This is the beginning of the end. In my heart, I know it has already started. It’s only going to be downhill from here.”
“That’s surprising, because he seems like such a nice person, so easy going,” he commented. “I guess those are the types that are like that, so laid back they don’t care about anything, including people close to them. It’s too bad, because if you were my girl, it wouldn’t be like that.”
Our eyes locked for a moment, expressing love without saying a word. It was better than sex or even a kiss. Unfortunately, we both knew it was not possible, for reasons that could not be expressed with words.
“I’m going in to say something to Granthrax,” Patrick stood confidently. “He’ll get his ass out here to take care of you even if I have to pull him out by his ear. Trust me, he’ll be right out, so you just hang in there, okay?”
I nodded slowly. “Thank you. Patrick, right?”
He smiled sheepishly. “You know it now, so don’t forget it again, okay? I’ll be seeing you around.”
He turned to walk away, but I chirped up. “Thank you for the hair tie. I really mean it.”
He turned back around, “I couldn’t let you get that in your long pretty hair.” Grabbing a lock of his own hair, he chimed, “I know how badly that sucks. You take care, Sweetie.”
My hand still clung to the rail as he disappeared around the corner by the entrance of The Dixie. It only took a couple minutes for Granthrax to stumble around the corner, grumbling as if he had been thrown out. His fangs grew and his eyes glowed a deep red.
“Look at you, sitting out here like a fat whore,” he bellered. “Get your ass up and stop embarrassing me! You’re fucking useless.”
Reaching down, he grabbed under my armpit with one hand and reefed me up and onto my feet. Not allowing me to catch my footing, he dragged me down the street and around the corner to a small dark tomb, about the size of a closet. Pushing me inside, he locked the door.
Not comfortable in somebody else’s tomb, I was uneasy at best, and my body began the signs that a claustrophobic might have feared. I tried all my strength, but my body was too weak to break the lock. I was stuck inside.
Two First Names
“They say you should never trust a man with two first names,” Charlie grinned, wiping a dot of blood from his chin, “and that’s what Granthrax is, a man with two first names. His last name is a first name, but what if it’s not really? What if it’s really his second name, have you considered that possibility?”
I set down the goblet of red liquid that Charlie had given me. “Now what do you mean exactly? A second name?”
“I’m saying he has a second identity, and I think if you look deep within yourself, you will realize that. He has this brooding mannerism to him. I mean, sure he’s polite, as the vampire in him ensures of that, but he also has this second side to him.”
“Charlie, I don’t understand. I mean, I see what you’re saying about him having two sides to his personality, but what are you getting at?” I looked at him quizzically, “Many people are different in public than they are at home; many people have a dark side to them.”
“But his dark side is more than just a dark side, can’t you see that?” Charlie poured himself another drink. “Just look at his unruly hair, is that common of a well groomed vampire?”
“Well, no,” I contemplated. “Ya know he is rather standoffish at times, a tad more aggressive than the stereotype. I thought that just had something to do with his upbringing…”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about! His blood is not the same as ours. He’s not pure vampire.”
“Charlie, that’s ridiculous,” I sipped my drink and cocked a crooked smile. “How can somebody not be pure if they’re a vampire? Doesn’t the vampire blood take over an entity once it has entered?”
“Not if there’s another blood inside. What if he’s only half blood? What if there’s a whole ‘nother half that you know nothing about?”
“Charlie…” I started to protest and then stopped. “What are you getting at? Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“He has a tendency to get grimy, to just not care. He can be hurtful, and his hair grows really fast. He’s so hairy, one might almost think that he’s a werewolf.”
“No,” the goblet almost slipped out of my hand. Reflexes caught it, “is that possible? Could vampire and werewolf blood co-exist in a body?”
“If it were bred as such, why not?” Charlie waltzed around the couch and put his hand on my shoulder. “If a whole blood and a whole blood bred together, why couldn’t there be a half-breed as such? Both are equally as powerful.”
Looking deep into my eyes, he sighed, “it’s when there is an unequal balance that they cannot co-exist together, such as if you two were to have a baby. Three quarter vampire blood would beat out the quarter werewolf.”
“Wait,” I thought about the blood flowing upon the statement of his harsh words over the phone. “Why couldn’t it exist as such? If there can be a half-breed, why not a quarter-breed?”
“Like you said, vampire blood usually takes over, especially in the case of an unequal balance. If there were an equal balance, it could thrive into a new life form. You’re suffering was not as you thought.”
“Charlie, I lost the baby when he was mean to me. It was the stress of not knowing my situation, the stress of moving, then when he said those things to me, I just lost it. I was already a wreck being alone, but when he said that to me, that added insult to injury, more stress into an already stressful situation.”
“That’s what you want to believe, but let’s look at this logically.” Charlie sprung up and lit a cigarette, “you were only a few weeks into the pregnancy. That’s the stage that if something is absolutely not going to work, it aborts itself.”
“You don’t think it was from the stress? You don’t think it was because I was not taking the best care of myself? What are you saying?”
“Those are all factors that are convenient to the mind, but that boy has werewolf in him. I can smell him; I mean it, a mile away. Trust me, they’re wicked little creatures, and combined with vampire, that spells Granthrax.”
“Okay,” I agreed, “I’ll grant you that Granthrax would be an ideal candidate for such a mix, but how can you be sure about all this? What makes you so positive that you’re right? How can you be sure?”
“I just know,” he blew out a puff of smoke. “I’ve spent enough time with him to reaffirm my theory, and I’m sure. Be honest with yourself; it never would have worked, simply pure science.”
“Charlie’s scientific theories, eh?” I grinned and rolled my eyes. “So you’re saying it’s not my fault?”
“It was never your fault, because the two of you were never supposed to be together. His combination was simply assurance that the two of you would not attempt to do something as stupid as you did. Your blood and his vampire blood conquered the werewolf traits, leaving a quarter of the baby unable to form, resulting in a miscarriage.”
“You think this has something to do with the fact that the landlord is a cousin to the guy who wants to marry me?” My index finger toyed with my lower lip, “ya know, I had a feeling she was even trying to break us up the moment we moved in, even before I figured out who she was. I just had this feeling that she was checking him out, giving him seductive looks, not that he was interested or anything…”
Charlie chuckled, “trust me, Sweetie, she is not interested. Well, she might be interested in one of you, but it’s not him. She’s a lesbian.”
“No…” I gazed at him in disbelief. “You lie.”
He took a last drag off his cigarette and butted it in the ashtray, not even half-way smoked. “Trust me, she told me all about her sexual preference when I moved in. That’s why she put me in charge, because I’m gay.”
Slamming the rest of the drink in the goblet, I stood up. “I should let you get ready for the evening. I think I’ve already put you behind schedule.”
“Perhaps a bit, but we queens are rarely known for being on time, as we take so long to get ready. Have fun with hairy boy, and I can’t believe you didn’t know about her. You’re not always that observant, are you?”
“I guess not, Miss Thang.” Charlie snapped his fingers and bobbed his neck in victory of a point proven, and I laughed at him. “I’ll see you a little later, Charlie. Thanks again for having me over for a pick-me-up.”
“Think nothing of it,” Charlie bowed graciously. “You know my house is always open for you, and you’re welcome any time. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Waving farewell, I stepped out his door and around the corner to my door without having to open the protective fence of the yard. Inside, Granthrax was practicing guitar. He seemed oblivious to the fact that I had entered, lost in melody.
To not disturb him, I went into the bedroom and hopped on the bed, waking up my two sleeping cats. Stroking one cat with each hand as a way to excuse the fact that I had disturbed their slumber, I began to think. Perhaps Charlie was right.
Granthrax and I did have dramatic differences. Sure there were similarities that attracted us, but he did have a different side to him. I was fully aware of that.
Perhaps I blamed it on our differences as Northerner and Southerner, but it went beyond that. He did have all the stereotypical werewolf traits, from random body hair that grew too fast to a dark growl. Of course, he had fangs and strong nails.
The more I pondered it, the more it seemed to make sense. Obviously night creatures could have children, because Norris had a child. Any excuse for why I lost the baby was a comfort, as long as it was not my fault.
Not being able to contain myself, I crept into the living room, trying my best to not disturb his practice, only wanting to look at first. Sight confirmed suspicions. Only a few feet in front of him, my lips opened, “Monsieur Loop Guru?”
“Yeeessss,” he answered without looking up at me. “I’m assuming that this means you want to talk,” he stopped, put down his guitar and looked up at me with full attention. “Is this correct?”
Pouncing up next to him on the couch, I felt like a little child consulting an elder. “Has anyone ever called you that before? Loop Guru?”
“Not exactly,” he folded his hands in his lap and sat up straight. “People have described me as a werewolf and called me as such, but not exactly in the words ‘Loop Guru.’ Why, do you want to call me that from now on?”
“I just didn’t know,” I confessed. “I mean, I guess it kind of makes sense now that I think about it, but I didn’t know. I’ve been very confused.”
“Listen,” he cleared his throat, “I never meant to hurt you. I know you’ve been very confused since you met me and all, but I never mean to hurt you. I wanted a roommate, not a lover, but I couldn’t bear to let you leave this city.”
“Why did you lead me on?” I whined, “why did you make me think that we could have a relationship together, that you wanted me in that way? I don’t understand.”
“I’m sorry for leading you on. I’ll be the first to admit,” Granthrax sighed, “I did do that. I’m very sorry for that.”
“That’s just so wrong to do to a girl, especially in a situation like mine. I was all set to leave. Why did you want to make me stay and spend the last of my money on getting a place with you?”
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t bear to see you leave. I can’t fully explain it, but this city needs you. You have to be here right now, and it has to be this way.”
“I don’t understand,” I sobbed. “Nobody seems to need me, not you and not anybody. How can you say a city needs me?”
“You have to stay here long enough for this to be home to you. This city will teach you many things, as there’s a lot of Old Souls to learn from, many that you would never expect it from. Besides, I do need you, as I need somebody to take care of me.”
“What, do you expect me to be some house bitch?” I exploded, “I’m not good at this Mary Homemaker bullshit! I tried, I really did, but it’s just not my style, not me.”
“Listen,” he cooed, “I’ll make you a deal. I’m a big supporter of art, and I know you are a very talented individual. I’ll take care of you, if you take care of me.”
“You’ve showed me how you can take care of me, leaving me all alone.” A tear threatened to cloud my eye, “you made me think you loved me, that I was something special. That lie was the last thing I needed after all I’ve been through.”
“It wasn’t a lie; you are special, and I’ve known that since the first moment I saw you. I’m just an asshole, okay? I’m sorry.”
His large hand stroked my shoulder as he comforted me, “I can be a bad man sometimes, even though I might not mean to be. I love you, I really do. You’ve been very wonderful to me, and I appreciate all you do.”
“You don’t act like it. Actions speak louder than words,” I sniffled. “I just don’t get it.”
“That’s because I do too many substances that I should not do, and I go through mood swings where I take it out on you. I shouldn’t do that, and I realize that. I’d like to try to make peace with you though.”
“And how do you suppose to do that? People have said that I should kick you out. I shouldn’t put up with your bullshit.”
“You’re a woman, and I’m a man, so if you want the house, you can have it. I do have a vehicle, so having me around at least gives you the option of occasional transportation. That bed you sleep on is mine, so me being here gives you the comfort of a bed.”
“Yeah,” I rolled my eyes, “the hard floor would not be too comfortable to sleep on, I’ll give you that. I could get a bed though. They’re not that hard to come by.”
“If you want to do that, it’s your option, and I’ll agree to that if it’s what you want. I also have instruments for you to play with and tools for you to learn from. In fact, I also have money.”
“So what are you suggesting? You want to call a truce and you want me to forget everything? I don’t know if I can just forget.”
“I’ve done you wrong, and I’m truly deeply sorry,” Granthrax reminded. “If you’d like though, I’ll pay you for your services, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and dishes, and I’ll even provide food for you to eat, along with any other essential items you may need. Tell me what you need, and I’ll provide it for you, in exchange for me living here.”
“So you want to support me? Now I’m really confused. How can you have this sudden change of heart?”
“I didn’t have a change of heart; I’m trying to make right for what I’ve done wrong to you. I believe in your talents, and I’m willing to give you a chance to work on them. Hell, I wish somebody would have given me the same opportunity.”
“Yeah, I mean, I’m not really in a position to negotiate too much here. I really do appreciate the offer,” I confessed. “I guess we can try it out, but if you fuck up again, you’re out.”
He nodded solemnly. “That sounds fair. I really never did mean to hurt you.”
Salt and Pepper
Granthrax parked the car just down the street from the club. As we got out and began to walk down the street, I chuckled. “I guess that makes sense that you should hang out at the Howlin’ Wolf, huh Loop Guru?”
“Ha ha ha, you are so funny,” he said dryly, sarcastically. “Have you ever thought of being a stand-up comic? I think you have a real gift of mockery.”
“I was just saying…” My eyes rolled with a sigh, “it’s rather ironic. Don’t you think?”
“If you’re going to keep this up all night, you should be charging money. You should be the one up on stage for people to see. Seriously,” his red eyes flashed in a way that told me to shut up.
Thou it looked it, the moon was actually full last night, and I could tell it was still making Granthrax a tad more aggressive and meaner than usual. I tried to bite my lip to keep things in check. As we approached the Howlin’ Wolf, a congregation gathered outside the doors.
A few of the individuals that dwelled in the tombs near The Dixie formed a circle and invited us in. Small chat incited, and I was passed a joint. We smoked outside on the sidewalk as a defiance, just to show that we could, regardless of the laws.
I felt a nudge in my side, digging between my ribs. “There’s Pepper.” I looked up to see Granthrax nod in a direction down the sidewalk.
When I looked, I saw nothing, other than random people gathered in small bullshit sessions. My eyes stuck in a gaze, I tried to assess the details to find the person he was talking about. Still, nothing.
“Whatever; individuals can roam wherever they want to in this city. I don’t see him,” I sighed. The joint was passed to me again.
“No, he’s right there. I’m not making it up, and he seems to be looking at you, checking you out. I think he wants to make you the Salt to his Pepper,” Granthrax muttered loud enough for only me to hear.
“Oh, shut the fuck up,” I snapped. “I make one little comment, and now we’re at war. Is that is?”
As I put the joint to my lips, Granthrax extended his finger in the direction that I was already looking. A body slumped to the ground, dead, and Pepper stepped passed it, wiping fresh blood from the corners of his mouth as if nothing had happened. I blinked, and he had disappeared.
“He was feeding, Granthrax, not checking me out. Stop fucking with me. If he wants to leave his victims on the sidewalk, so be it, others will clean up after him.”
A group of skinny, hungry individuals swarmed on the already dead body, hoping to suck up any leftovers that might remain within. If they were quick, it still might even be warm. There were no authorities around to think anything of this situation.
Passing the crippie to Granthrax, I felt a tickle of fur on my ankles. My foot wiggled instinctively, causing me to look down at the cause of the sensation. A large Russian Blue cat figure-eighted around my feet.
In a cloud similar to the exhalation of smoke, the cat was gone and a large grin appeared close to my face. The body formed around the smile of the teeth, revealing the scruffy face and silky sand colored hair of Pepper Keenan. “Hello, Darlin’.”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “You still got a little drip right here,” I brushed my chin to indicate a spot of red on his. In response, he brushed his face clean, as a cat would with his licked paw.
“Is it gone?” I nodded, and he smiled. “How’s the city been treatin’ ya so far?”
“Not too bad,” I nodded with contemplation. “I think I told you about all the drama before of my house getting broken into, and things are still a bit challenging. All in all, though, I can’t complain; how have you been holdin’ up?”
A lanky mistress appeared from the door that we were standing in front of, linking her arm through his and handing him a red drink. He grinned like the Cheshire cat, “I can’t complain. I got people waiting in here for me, but I just wanted to say hi real quick; I’ll see you in there.”
“Take care, Pepper,” I smiled at his companion. He lifted the arm that held the drink and embraced me quickly as a goodbye gesture. “Have fun,” I nodded.
The couple walked away, and the hooter was handed to me. Looking back at the group, a few of the smoking partners had their jaws dropped in disbelief. Glancing up at Granthrax, I only noticed him beaming a sly smile.
Puffing on the cannabis that was getting small enough to be a roach, I passed it onward and asked, “are we going to head inside, or what?” The group still remained silent, as if they could not comprehend that such a powerful being had acknowledged my presence. Nudging Granthrax, I toyed, “see, he didn’t want to make me his Salt, he’s got a whole container of Salt, but what’s wrong with a friendly hello?”
The encounter helped me to roll my eyes and walk confidently into the midst of beings from all power ranges. Granthrax stood by me protectively for a few moments, until a sacrificial girl approached him. Before I realized it, I was alone in the crowd.
Scanning the heads of clusterfucked bodies, I spied Granthrax laughing with the floozy, trying to seduce her into safety. He acted as if he was going to shake her hand, but he bit her wrist. With a small mouthful of blood, he tilted his head in the air and howled a high pitch laugh.
“I can’t believe that he would just walk away from you like that, and for what? For that no power holding little lamb who’s been bitten by everybody on the block?” The words were close to my ear, “I would never treat you like that; it’s too bad you got involved with that rude asshole.”
Turning slightly, my eyes locked with the piercing blue ice cubes in the eye sockets of the blonde-haired muscle man I had met on a few occasions before. “Hi, Jason. I know he’s a dick, but we’re not really technically together anymore, just roommates.”
“Really?” His eyes seemed to melt with interest. “You still have my number right?”
“I do,” I teased him by following the length of his chin with one of my fingers. “I’ve just been a little anti-social lately. I’ve been trying to stay a little busy with my books and all, you understand.”
He grinned and nodded. “Would you like a drink? I’d love to spend the evening with you, but duty calls me, a drink is the least I can do.”
“That would be lovely. Thank you,” I watched him disappear behind the bar.
Grabbing Grey Goose Vanilla, he poured me a kamikaze drink. To spice it up, he slit the palm of his hand and colored the drink red before bringing it over to me. “It’s my own mix, a bloody kamikaze; I hope you enjoy yourself this evening and not pay attention to the rude ways of your roommate.”
“Thank you, Jason,” I lifted the drink in cheers and sipped the contents. The slight flavoring was a rush to my senses. “Excellent,” I felt my pupils dilate.
“Only the best for you,” he taunted. “Now if you’ll excuse me,” he turned to the human tugging on his shirt, “I must get back to work. Have a wonderful evening, and enjoy the show.”
Turning around to walk towards the stage, my steps were halted by the sight of two dark-haired individuals each sucking on the wrist of a willing lady. My feet began to walk in their direction, and I watched the lady’s body drop to the floor. Only the most powerful could get away with such a vulgar display of power.
“Jimmy Bowers, how are you doing this fine evening?” Looking down, he wiped the blood from his mouth with one hand and extended the other in a greeting to me. “And Dani, you look gorgeous as always.”
Dani bowed graciously in greeting and thanks of the compliment, and I shook Jimmy’s hand. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you around, but I’ve been doing fine. How about yourself?”
“All things considered, not too shabby. I was just getting ready to go in the back, but I saw the two of you and wanted to come say hello real quick. Have you been back yet?”
“We were just grabbing a quick bite out here,” he motioned to the lady’s limp body on the ground. “We were thinking of heading back there in just a little bit, actually.” A gentleman tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to smile. “We gotta make some rounds first though, as we just got here.”
“I know how that goes,” I smiled at the guy who had a few eager friends with him. “I’ll probably see you back there or around somewhere before the end. Take care until our next encounter, and the same to you, Dani.”
Reaching out, she gave my hand a quick friendly squeeze. Glancing at the group that had formed around them, she played the gracious hostess. We winked at each other before I turned to walk away.
Within a couple steps, a small voice chirped, “where’s Granthrax? Have you seen him? I’ve been looking for him.”
“That last I saw, he was sucking on some girl,” I muttered without paying attention to who was talking to me. “He’s not really my responsibility. I’m sure he’s around here somewhere though.”
Still walking, a man with shoulder-length unkempt red hair and red scruffy beard appeared along side of me. He held his wrist up to my mouth, causing me to pause for a quick bite. Only sucking for about thirty seconds, I pushed the arm away from my mouth, “thanks, Scott.”
“You looked like you needed it,” I heard him say as my head swam with a dizzy rush. “I saw Granthrax in the back, so you should probably head back there. People still think you’re together, ya know.”
Head bobbing up and down, I stepped forward cautiously. Rubbing my eyes as if waking up from sleep, instinct guided me to the left of the stage, into the back stage area. Nobody questioned me, though many others struggled to get to the same area, stopped by pseudo-authorities.
In an open space, I plopped onto the couch. Granthrax stood across the room, and he seemed to stiffen when I walked in. Tossing me a bag, he asked, “you have that bowl?”
Barely able to keep my eyes open with the quick buzz, I sipped on my drink. Shaking my head clear, I reached inside my corset-shaped purse, pulling out a glass piece. Not feeling up to the task, I handed both the bag and the bowl back to him.
Thomasa also handed Gary a bowl, as if to match Granthrax’s offering. They were the ones who mainly dwelled in the tomb by the Dixie. They seemed at peace with each other, something I craved, mere peacefulness.
No matter where I traveled, I still seemed to have this sense of uneasiness, the waiting for the other shoe to fall. What happened to fairy tales? Weren’t vampires supposed to be happily ever after?
One of the bowls got passed in my direction, and Patrick entered the room. A smile settled upon me without my realization. “That was you the other night, wasn’t it?”
“Outside on the street there? Around the corner from the Dixie entrance? That was me,” he smiled.
“Thank you for the hair tie,” I gushed. “I really wanted to say thanks for all that you did then. I was in pretty rough shape.”
“Like I said, we all get in rare form sometime. Don’t worry about it. Even tonight, I’m in pretty rare form, just a tad nervous, as it’s my first time playing here with these guys.”
“You’ll be fine,” I passed him the bowl. “Just don’t even worry about it. Let your body act without the stress of your mind.”
“I’ll try to remember that. Shit! I think that’s my cue to get up there; I’ll see y’all out there.”
Dashing out, he passed his former Goatwhore member on his way out the door. Granthrax cracked up in a familiar greeting, “Sammy! What’s goin’ on my man?”
While they exchanged pleasantries, my eyes focused on Sammy girlfriend. “Guess what? I found my cat; she came back!”
“Really?” She seemed genuinely excited for me, “I was hoping that she would. I know how much I love my cats, so I knew you had to be feeling pretty upset about the whole ordeal.”
“Yeah, it was the strangest thing, too,” I detailed. “We went over to a party at Tony White’s house last night, and I decided to take a walk to the Masonic Cemetery. As I was walking by myself at night, talking with my brother on my cell phone, I saw these eyes looking at me, cats…”
At a Concert
Shuffling out of the backstage area in one mass, everyone disbursed to the various areas of the club, including Granthrax. Some other floozy had offered him her wrist, and he sucked without shame, not trying to hide. Disgusted, I pushed up through the crowd, forcing people to let me into the front row.
Placement found me directly in front of Patrick. Kirk Windstein growled into the microphone, and the crowd demanded hardcore music with eager screams. Nodding my head to the beat, I tried to let my mind escape from my surroundings, wanting to get lost.
Heads banged in the front rows along side of me. Bodies shoved together, moving like a wave. There was hardly room for breath.
I noticed Sammy only a few feet from me, but he was too far to do anything but nod and smile at. He returned my gesture, then closed his eyes to knock his head to the rhythm. Sweat made my hair drip into stringy strands, clinging to my neck.
In between song breaks, various guys commented on my love of hardcore. I shrugged them off with playful grins, sometimes pretending not to hear them. The atmosphere was too loud for in depth conversation.
Though I was in a crowd of people and many attempted to talk to me, I felt alone. I was a stranger in this town, and I did not feel the welcome of home. Even familiar faces began to seem distant, as if a line was forming with me on one side and Granthrax on the other.
This invisible force seemed to alienate me, and I was sick of watching Granthrax slurp on girls. In a violent outburst to the beat of the music, I turned and grabbed the neck of a guy standing behind me. Acting like I was going to ask him a question, I chomped his neck and lowered his body to the ground, where it would lie until the concert ended.
Fuck Granthrax. The full moon was too close, and I didn’t want to find out what lingering effects it had on him. I was already having a good enough clue.
The action was premonition, as Granthrax left with some bimbo without even saying a word to me. Trying to hold a smile on my face when the concert ended, I tried to make out who was friend or foe. Patrick approached me, drenched with the sweat from performing.
“Are you coming to hang out with us? I think there’s a group going to hit up the Decateur spot,” he detailed. “I’m sure you’re more than welcome to come.”
“I appreciate your invitation, but I don’t feel very invited by anybody else. Thanks for the offer though. I really appreciate it.”
“Come on,” he smiled, “just get a ride over with Granthrax. I heard he was planning on heading over there. It’s cool.”
“That’s exactly why it’s not cool,” I sighed. “You know about our little falling out or whatever. Besides, he just took off with some chick, so I’ll just give him his space to do what he wants.”
“He just took off?” Patrick tilted his head to the side as if I was telling a joke, “but he was supposed to give me a ride. I figured I would just go with the two of you.”
“Well, it seems we both missed the ride then,” I laughed. “I’m sure you can find another ride over, it’s not that far. For me, like I said, thanks, but no thanks.”
“I guess I can understand you position,” he flicked his long hair off the back of his neck. “I’m sure I’ll see you around though, if you’ll be here in a bit. I have to help load up real quick,” his eyes greeted the tech that was signaling for his attention.
The Wolf’s Drink
“You’re still here?” Patrick approached with a tired smile. “I thought you’d have left by now.”
Waving goodbye to a group of people I had been chatting with, I turned to face the man who had walked up beside me. “I’m in no hurry to get home to an empty house. I shouldn’t say that though, as my kittens are waiting for me, and they’ll be happy to see me.”
“I guess that means that you have not changed your mind on going down to Decateur to hang out for a bit? I can’t say I blame you though, given the circumstance. It’s pretty cool that you’ll respect Granthrax’s space and all.”
“Yeah, he can do whatever it is that he is going to do for the evening,” I sighed. “Ya know, I have to ask you though, what was that liquid from the other night? I’m still dumbfounded as to why it hit me so hard in only two shots.”
He looked away in almost a guilty manner, “I think they assumed that since you were living with Granthrax that you were like him, if you know what I mean. See, the group is not a coven, it’s more like a pack. Each of them have some line of wolf pulsing through their veins, and that drink was made from pure blood.”
“Is that why my body rejected it? Because it was made from a blood that I was not used to? Sort of a defense mechanism?”
“Exactly,” he nodded. “It’s a strong drink, even for pure bloods, but your body chemistry probably cannot handle it. Think of it as cats and dogs, though their makeup is similar, dogs do not necessarily get off with cat nip.”
“That makes sense,” I smiled wrily. “I guess even the best of us have a weakness, even the supposed immortal. I’ll just have to remember that for next time; hopefully there’s not one.”
“Not with that drink anyway,” Patrick said coyly. “I hope there is a next time for you hanging out though.” He turned his head instinctively when somebody called his name from afar, “I think that’s the signal from my new ride, considering I missed the last one; come on and hang anyways.”
SHOULD BLACK WIDOW GO?
YES, to the Bar
NO, hitch a Ride
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