by Lea Davies
As they started moving, Isabella leaned forward and closed the black velvet curtains that covered the windows to each side of the carriage. He felt confused when instead of anticipation of what he knew was about to happen, his instincts screamed for him to run. “What sort of woman would act this way with a gentleman on their first meeting?” He thought.
Feeling increasingly uneasy, he tried to think of an excuse to leave. "On second thoughts,” he said, “I live on Sedan Street. It's not too far from here, so I think I'll walk if you don't mind, Isabella." She turned to face him, and he felt as if she were looking deep into his soul. "Nonsense," she said, "It's cold, and you don't want to get a chill, do you?" She laid her hand on his upper leg. "What’s wrong, Matthew,” she asked, “you seem a little uneasy; Tell me your thoughts."
He was astounded that she would have the audacity to ask him such a question and stared at the hand resting on his leg. He quickly removed it. "Miss Marshond,” he said firmly, “I don't wish to appear rude, but what do you think my thoughts are?” She smiled at his discomfort, and it accelerated his irritation to the next level. “And judging by the look of amusement on your face,” he continued, “you are very well aware that I am quite naïve when it comes to a situation such as this, especially when it’s with someone I barely even know. This is no way for a young lady to behave, and I think you should be ashamed of yourself."
Unaffected by his harsh words, she lifted her skirts and straddled him. Again, he found himself completely powerless to stop her as she leaned forward and nibbled on his ear. "Be calm, Matthew,” she whispered seductively, “while I explore your body and touch you in places that will make you scream in ecstasy?"
From that moment on, he found it impossible to speak and gasped as she rubbed her body against his groin. He raised his bottom to pull down his breeches and allow her access to him, and she ran her tongue along his neck as she lowered her body onto his manhood. Holding tightly onto her hips, he almost cried as he entered her. He had never been intimate with anyone before this and found himself reaching his peak almost instantly.
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly as the torrent of blissful orgasm washed over him and panted with pleasure as he came back down to reality. Fully satisfied and content, he opened his eyes but was terrified at what he saw. Isabella's face was twisted and vile. Her mouth was wide open, exposing long fangs that dripped with blood. He whimpered as he put his hand to his throat and realized that she had bitten him while he was in the throes of lust, and the blood on her fangs, was his.
He tried to scream, but she clamped her hand over his mouth and threw her head back down and again, sank her teeth into his neck. He fought to throw her off, but she was too strong for him. All he could do was lay there while she sucked and drank away his life's blood.
As he felt the last of his life fall away, he became aware that she had her blood-soaked wrist to his mouth and was urging him to drink from her if he wanted to carry on living. An image of Victoria invaded his mind, and he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her alone, and at the mercy of their hate-filled father, so he complied.
Exhausted, he fell back in the seat, and as his head fell forward and down onto his chest, the coldness of death ended him.
Scene Twenty-Two - Shock
Beth reached for her phone as sister sledge’s “we are family” played merrily through the tiny speaker, and drew her eyebrows together when she didn't recognize the caller's number displayed on the screen. "Hello." She said.
There was a long pause before the caller spoke. "Hi, is this Beth Jensen?" They asked. "Yes, speaking,” she said, “how can I help you?" "Hi,” the caller answered, “my name is Tania Wolf, and I'm a doctor at St. Giles hospital in Camberwell, London. I'm sorry to have to inform you, Beth, that your sister Lesley Myers has been involved in a serious assault. She was able to give us your number, and another for her daughter, but we haven’t been able to get through to her.”
Beth's head spun as the woman's words sunk in. "Her daughter’s on holiday in Spain, so that’s probably why. Is she O.K?” She asked, “how bad is it?" She held her breath and waited, dreading what she was about to hear. "The assault was quite severe,” the woman replied, “she has four stab wounds, but we were able to repair the damage from those when we took her into surgery.
Doctor Wolf paused, allowing Beth to absorb the information. “Do you have anyone there with you,” she asked, “or is there someone you would like me to call?" Beth shook her head. “No,” she said, “Please, just tell me how she is.” Dr. Wolf silently wished that she didn’t have to do this over the phone. It was the one aspect of her job that she hated with a passion.
“She has two broken ribs, and other injuries that, although are quite nasty, are more superficial in nature and in no way life-threatening. We were quite concerned about a stab wound in one of her lungs at one point, but as I said, we were able to correct it with surgery."
Beth began to hyperventilate. "Take some nice deep breaths for me,” Dr. Wolf said. “Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.” Beth followed her instructions, and a few minutes later, her breathing was back to normal. “Better?” She asked, "No," Beth whispered.
Doctor Wolf continued. "On a positive note, her condition at present is stable, and I see no reason for that to change. The police have been informed and are waiting to interview her, but that won't be until I tell them that she's well enough. Do you know of anything in her medical history that could be detrimental to her recovery?" She asked. "She's an alcoholic,” Beth replied, “I don't know how long for, but she went to pieces and turned to drink after her marriage ended last year. Can I see her?" She asked. "Yes, of course,” Doctor Wolf replied, “but first, I need a little more information. I'm sorry to have to ask you this, but does she have any other addictions that I should know about, such as drugs? There are no evident needle marks, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t indulged. We’ve done a tox screen, and as far as we can see, she’s clean, but some chemicals only stay in the system for a few days after taking them, so I thought I should ask.
Beth closed her eyes, ashamed on Lesley’s behalf of what she was about to reveal. "No drugs as far as I'm aware,” she said, “but I've recently learned that she has turned to prostitution." A brief image of Ruth appeared in her mind, and her eyes filled with tears. Dr. Wolf's voice was full of compassion as she spoke. "O.K. Beth,” she said. ”You’ve been very helpful, and again, I'm very sorry to have to break this news to you, especially over the phone, but try not to worry; we're taking good care of her." "Thank you, doctor,” Beth replied, “I'll let her daughter and the rest of the family know. Thank you for calling."
She disconnected the call and only just made it to the bathroom before emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet. Beth felt so sorry for her sister but wondered if this would be the turning point she needed to get her life back on track.
Scene Twenty-Three - Rage
Callie pursed her lips as the screen on her mobile phone lit up and displayed a picture of her mother smiling back at her as it rang. She looked over at Ruth. "Oh no," she said half-jokingly, "it's my mum." As she answered, she put her finger over her lips, silently reminding Ruth to stay quiet.
She put her mother on speakerphone. "Hi, mum,” She said cheerily, “wassup?" The smile quickly disappeared from her face when she heard sobs on the other end of the line. "Oh mum,” she said, “what's wrong?" Beth continued to cry. "Mum, you’re scaring me now,” she said. “what’s happened?” Finally, Beth spoke. "I’ve just had a call from a doctor in A&E.” She said. “It's Lesley. She's been viciously attacked."
Ruth quickly rose from her seat and stood next to her cousin. "Is she alive?" Callie asked. "Yes,” her mother replied, “but it was a really bad attack, Cal." Callie's voice broke. "How bad is it?” She asked, “Do you know what happened?" "I didn’t ask,” Beth replied, “so don't know the circumstances of where or when. I think I was in shock; It's not every day you get a phone call
like that is it." "Don’t worry, mum,” Callie comforted, “just tell me what the doctor said."
Beth cleared her throat. “Well, she said that she'd been stabbed four times. One of them punctured a lung, but they were able to fix it during surgery." Callie held out her hand to Ruth, who took it and squeezed. Beth broke down and cried again. "I'm worried about telling Ruth,” she sobbed. “The doctor said they’ve tried to call her, but they can’t get through.” "Don't worry, mum,” Callie reassured, “I'll call and tell her; You just get yourself to the hospital and be with your sister."
Ruth hastily scribbled onto a piece of paper and handed it to Callie. "Which hospital is she in?” She asked. “I'll let dad know, and we'll meet you there." "St. Giles in Camberwell," Beth replied. Callie had been there before and knew where it was. "Oh, I know it,” she said, “my friend Jill had her tonsils out there last year. I'll be there as soon as I can, mum, try to stay positive." Callie ended the call, and by the look on her cousin's face, she dreaded what would happen next.
Scene Twenty-Four - Leave
1891 AD
Victoria flinched as the front door slammed loudly on her father’s return. She worried terribly about where Matthew had been for the past few days, and her father vowed to make him pay for his absence. Although she desperately wanted him back, she dreaded his return. "Victoria, get down here now," Jacob yelled from the hallway. Her head swam with fever as she stood, and the slight exertion caused her to cough more blood into her handkerchief. She hastily tucked it away under her sleeve before her father saw; She had no desire to brighten his day.
He sneered as she appeared at the top of the stairs. "What are you waiting for woman,” he bellowed. “For just once in your life, make yourself useful; Get down here and take my coat.” Victoria slowly began to descend the stairs, and her father watched her with contempt. “Has your waste of a brother dared to return yet?” He sneered. Fearful of being accused of speaking back to him, she only shook her head in answer.
As she reached the final stair, Jacob Welsh took a step closer to his daughter, and she could smell the ale on his breath. "He's left you here with me,” he said cruelly, “which can only mean he cares nothing for you, girl." At that moment, Victoria thought that her feelings for her father were the closest she could ever come to hating anyone, and before she could stop herself, she bit back.
"Why are you so cruel to us, father?” she said, “Surely you must realize how unfair it is for you to hold myself and Matthew responsible for our mother's death. There has to be some other reason for your hatred of us." Outraged, he stepped even closer and slapped her face. Hard. She raised her hand to her stinging cheek and gasped in shock. Never before today, had he shown any direct violence toward her, only hatred. Once, when she had tried to stop him from beating Matthew, he had thrown her across the room, but it had been done in the spur of the moment; Not like this. This, was direct and deliberate.
"How dare you speak to me like that.” He said. She was surprised when she heard a half sob catch in his throat. “I want you out of this house,” he said through gritted teeth, “you and your bastard brother ruined my life." He turned and climbed the stairs to his bedchamber, but paused and glanced over his shoulder. "You have until tomorrow to get out," he said, “I want the both of you gone for good.”
Victoria could never understand her father’s unreasonable behavior. Matthew, who was a lot braver than her, had once told him that he should hold himself equally responsible for her death for getting her pregnant in the first place, which earned him a beating of epic proportions. Her head pounded as she made her way back to her room and vomited blood into her chamber pot.
Scene Twenty-Five - Returned
1819 AD
The wind howled as she heard the bang on the front door. When she opened it, Matthew stood there looking...Different.
"Don't just stand there, Matthew,” She said. “Come in." She stepped aside as he entered and quietly closed the door behind him. "Where have you been, brother?” She whispered. “You look like you've been sleeping in a barn. I've been worried..." She coughed, “sick.” Not realizing that Matthew could smell the blood, she hastily wiped it from her mouth with her handkerchief and tucked it up into her sleeve. After watching his grandparents go through this terrible illness, he knew what was about to befall his sister, and was devastated.
He pointed to the bloodied linen. "How long has this been happening, Victoria?” He asked sadly, “and why have you not told me? I could have helped you." She smiled. "We both know that there is no help for me now, Matthew,” she said, “my only concern is leaving you alone in this world." He was overwhelmed by her unselfishness. She was dying, but her only concern was for him. He wrapped his arms protectively around her. She was an incredible woman.
He held her at arm's length and peered up the stairs. "Is he here?" he asked. Victoria nodded. "Yes,” she said, “he's in his chambers." There was a long pause before she spoke again. She dreaded telling him what had happened earlier with their father but felt that she had no choice. "Matthew, he wants us to leave this house by tomorrow,” she said, “earlier, he said some cruel things, and when I tried to reason with him about his attitude towards us, he slapped my face.” Instantly, Matthew hissed, and his fangs appeared.
Victoria's legs gave way as she crumbled to the floor in a faint, and Matthew caught her before she landed entirely. He picked her up in his arms and quietly carried her up the stairs to her room, then gently laid her down onto the bed and stroked her cheek. Concern covered his face as he felt the warmth of a fever emanating from her.
He whispered in her ear, "Victoria, Victoria, wake up." Her eyelids fluttered open as she came back to consciousness. "What happened?" she asked, but quickly remembered without any prompting and tried to scramble backwards, and away from her brother. "Shh, shh, it's alright,” he whispered, “everything's alright; I'm not going to hurt you. Please don't be afraid,” he said, “I'm still me."
She laid her hand flat to her chest and tried to slow her rapid breathing. "What happened to you, Matthew,” she asked, “What have you become?" He found himself staring at the bloody handkerchief that she had tucked up into her sleeve. "Vampire...I think." His attention was quickly brought back to her as she slumped to the side in another faint, and he jumped up, full of concern. "Victoria," he whispered as loudly as he could. The last thing he wanted was for his father to hear that he was back.
"Victoria. Wake up.” Slowly, she regained consciousness and sat up. “This can't be true, Matthew,” she said, “but I saw......” the rest of her remark hung in the air. “My teeth?” He asked. “It's true; I think I'm a vampire.” “Matthew, this is ungodly,” she whispered. “we have to save your soul.” He smiled sadly. “I'm way past that now, Victoria.” He sighed, “I think I died and came back." "But how?" She asked.
As he began to relay the events of meeting Isabella Marshond, he heard his father creeping stealthily along the landing outside Victoria's room, and he marveled at his new heightened sense of hearing. He put his finger to his lips, signaling for his sister to be quiet as Jacob paused outside her door, and they sat in perfect silence. Relief washed over him as he heard him walk away, but his father turned back and entered Victoria's bedroom without knocking.
His dark eye's landed directly on Matthew. “You look like a vagrant boy,” he bellowed, “and what are you doing in your sister's room in the middle of the night?” Misguided clarity covered his face, and he recoiled, mortified. Saliva flew from his mouth as he shouted. “This is incest,” he screamed, “I have always suspected there was something different about the two of you, but I never thought…” He ran his fingers through his graying hair as he paced the room.
Matthew calmly stood and approached his father, and without warning, grabbed both sides of his head and smashed it down hard onto his knee as he brought it up sharply. He released him, and Jacob staggered backward as blood spilled from his ruined nose. Matthew almost laughed at the look of shock on his fathe
r’s face and took great pleasure in the fact that he never even attempted to make a move towards him in retaliation.
Stepping forward, Matthew balled his hand into a fist and punched his father's chin hard, causing a large gash to appear along his jawbone. Jacob was unconscious before he hit the floor. Matthew looked down at his father, the man who was supposed to love and protect he and his sister, with absolute disgust.
“You are the vilest man ever to have walked this earth.” He said. “How dare you accuse Victoria and I of incest.” Victoria wept loudly into her hands. “What happens now, Matthew?” She cried, “we have to leave before he wakes up.” Matthew's eyes remained focused on the unconscious man lying at his feet. “No,” he said through gritted teeth, “we don't. He's never going to hurt us again.” He looked at her, and the anger seemed to drain away from him. “I promise.”
He looked back down at the man on the floor, and he grew excited as an idea slowly formed in his head. “This is perfect,” he said, “fate has dealt us a lucky hand, Victoria; I can solve all of our problems.” His fingers entwined at the top of his head as he paced the floor, becoming increasingly excited as all aspects of his plan fell neatly into place. “Yes, yes, this will work perfectly.” He said, more to himself than to Victoria. He stopped pacing and took his sister's hands in his; She was surprised at the coldness of his touch.