The Violet Line

by Bilinda Ni Siodacain

  I closed my eyes tight, worried I might hurt him with my power accidentally – in situations where I’m flustered, I’m not exactly the best at controlling it – but nothing happened. I opened my eyes in shock. “What’s happened,” I thought, scrabbling through my mind for an explanation to the absence of my gift. I looked into his eyes again. The shock must have really shown on my face because first a grin spread across his face and then he started to laugh, a deep resonant sound that was almost touchable. I felt it wrap around me in a velvety hug. I had loved his laugh from the first second I heard it, but I also think I loved him almost as quickly.

  I felt his voice in my head like a rustle through the autumn trees; it sent a shiver of anticipation up my spine. “I’ve been looking for you,” he whispered. I watched his mouth move but I didn’t hear him. Concern crossed his face and I snapped back to reality.

  “Are you ok?” he asked, holding me tight in his arms once more. He seemed reluctant to release me and as I began to disentangle myself, I felt just as reluctant to part from his embrace. But the mortification of behaving like such a ditz forced me to stand on my own.

  “I-I’m f-ine” I managed to splutter out, stuttering and avoiding his probing green eyed gaze. He extended his hand towards me in a familiar gesture of friendship.

  “I’m Sam Frances, at your service,” he said, laughter edging his voice. Gingerly taking his hand in mine, I shook it. His grasp was cool to the touch but it wasn’t unpleasant; it felt comforting against my own too hot skin. I knew he was a vampire; well, I was almost positive of the fact, I thought.

  “I’m Jade Snow,” I told him, still avoiding his eyes. “I’m waiting for my friend.”

  His face fell. “Oh, your boyfriend, is it?” He made the question sound like an accusation.

  “No…” I answered, a little surprised, meeting his gaze finally and once again falling into his beautiful green pools. Suddenly, his eyes darkened and he ripped his hand out of mine and clutched it with his other. It was his turn to look shocked and his eyes had become just eyes once more.

  “What are you?” He gasped, as he rubbed his hand. I realised a little ironically that I still had my gift and I had just made him feel it. Sometimes it appeared at the most inconvenient of times and this was definitely one of them. I hadn’t even tried to use my gift on him or wanted him to feel any of the pain that I could inflict. Once more, the humiliation forced colour to mount my cheeks at an alarming rate.

  “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled as I turned and began pushing my way out through the crowds of dancers.

  “Wait,” he yelled after me but I didn’t wait or turn around, even though I wanted to. Instead, I stumbled for the exit and out into the night…

  Hugging my arms around myself on my sofa, I realised that I had curled up into a protective ball at some point during my reminiscing about Sam. I hadn’t gone back to him that night when he’d called after me; just like he didn’t come back when I called him the night he left me. But he had found me and I would find him. He left to die; to kill himself… the thought invaded my head. I had pushed that knowledge away since he left, not wanting to think about it. The pain of it rendered me incapable of anything other than just sitting there, holding myself as it threatened to rip me apart. My Sam; my beautiful, wonderful, talented, kind and gentle Sam had tried to kill himself to protect me from them. Did he not know that if he died I would, too? What would be the point in continuing? I couldn’t live knowing he wasn’t sharing this world with me; it would become a much darker place without him. I held onto the tiny piece of anger that had begun to form in my gut. They had almost cost me my soul mate; they had forced him to make that decision. They had caused Sam to leave. The anger grew; I needed this emotion. Clean and pure, it pushed me to think strategically, made me hate them for what they had planned for me and because of what they had made Sam do for me. I stood up and made my way into the kitchen.

  It was pretty basic really, but for what I was paid in my job as a typist, it was grand. Mom and Dad had wanted me to study law and become some sort of barrister or what not.

  “It’s not that you don’t have the brains,” they’d inform me often enough.

  “It’s just you’re not applying yourself,” Mom would continue. I applied myself alright, just not the way they wanted. I was artistic. I loved music, all types of it except for heavy dance music; I always thought that was just noise. I could kind of play the piano, but only by listening to a song and then attempting it. I couldn’t read music; mom and dad believed that would take time away from my studies. I could draw and wasn’t half bad at it; what I loved to draw and paint more than anything was dreams. Sam often told me that my thinking process worked the same way as a Salvador Dali painting; it always made me smile because he didn’t see what I saw in such simple things. I don’t know, maybe I’m just a bit mad; thinking about it, maybe that’s what he was trying to get at. I smiled as this popped into my head. My one true passion however had always been writing. In my childhood, it had always consisted of me writing fairytales about magical vampiric princes who always rescued the damsel from the evil clutches of the wicked witch. My stories had grown up a bit since then, but I still dreamed of my prince; only now it was me rescuing him instead of the other way around. Hooray for feminism.

  Taking down a white mug and the cocoa powder, I heaped three spoons into it before adding milk and shoving it in the microwave for two minutes. Cocoa always calmed and comforted me and after this morning’s events, I felt I deserved it. Glancing at the clock, it read one-twenty; maybe I could get some rest before tonight’s fun and games. I ached everywhere. Pulling the mug out and cradling it in my hands, the aroma of chocolate invaded my head and gave me a warm fuzzy feeling that only chocolate can. I headed for my bedroom. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I set my alarm for four-thirty, Lorcan would be collecting me at around five-thirty, or so aunt Emily had said.

  I shuddered as I glanced out the window. Dusk came pretty early this time of year and a vamp could come out in daylight, just not on really sunny days like today. I wasn’t willing to take any chances with Graham; after what I had done to him, I didn’t think he’d just simply let me off the hook for it. He was out for my life now and he probably would have something particularly painful planned.

  I really hoped Lorcan would be interested in helping me. This morning’s near death experience had taught me I really couldn’t go it alone any longer and the more help I got the better. I hadn’t invited any vampires in besides Sam, but I still didn’t know all the rules when it came to the vampires. Sliding under the covers, I sleepily thought it was a crap Saturday. Closing my eyes against the thin line of sunlight creeping through my curtains, my last thought was of Sam just before I drifted off.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Something in the black darkness felt very wrong. I couldn’t hear anything apart from someone’s very heavy and laboured breathing. I attempted to move forwards in the dark but my feet seemed to catch on the floor as though I was walking through thick honey. My feet made a loud sucking noise as I pulled them free one at a time. The breathing quieted and silence filled the air; thick and heavy, it flooded into my ears and filled them like thick cotton wool. I heard something clink and shift on the far side of the room and then Sam’s voice.

  “Who’s there?” His voice rasped and cracked, clearly laden with fear.

  “Sam!” I cried out, my voice breaking free of my lips before I had time to stop it. Something began to move beneath my feet in the thick gooey substance. I stumbled forwards in the direction of Sam’s voice.

  “Jade,” he asked, his voice incredulous. “You’re alive? You have to get out of here; you don’t know what you’re doing.” His voice begged and dropped to a whisper. “Get out while they’ll still let you!” His voice was strained and panicked.

  “I’m not leaving you. I’m going to get you out of here; we’ll be ok.” My hands groped into the darkness ahead of me, trying to feel Sam; he had to be here some
where. My hand brushed something cold and sticky. I recoiled in horror; that definitely wasn’t Sam.

  “Sam.” My voice trembled with fear. “What’s in here with you?”

  The things shifted the ink thick air very quickly around my body, making me feel disorientated. Something grabbed at my legs and waist, its claws digging into my flesh. It hissed, air rushing out between its fangs.

  “Fresssh meat,” it whispered, setting off a cacophony of whispers and hissing around the room. I screamed. There was a distinct tearing noise and Sam’s voice came out gurgling and wet, as though he were trying to talk under water. “Wake up Jade; please, just wake up!”

  Sweat dribbled down my face as I woke up tangled in the sheet. The pillow felt wet beneath my face. It had been a nightmare. Lying there staring up the ceiling, I attempted to return my breathing to some semblance of normality. I’d had dreams of Sam before but not like this and his voice; he sounded so frightened. What was happening to Sam? Did those things really have him or was it just my imagination coming up with the worst possible scenario? After the day I’d had, I wasn’t sure if it was a vision or just a simple dream.

  Sitting up in my bed, I attempted to fix the knotted sheet; it gave my hands something to do as I tried to stop them from shaking. A sharp tight pain shot up my side as I moved, making me cringe. I hadn’t felt any pain there before I got into bed and I had thoroughly examined myself after my run in with Graham. I gently pulled myself out of the bed and headed for my bedroom mirror. Lifting the grey t-shirt I noticed several little tear marks running down my side, each one was punctuated with a small puncture wound. One of them was still bleeding gently.

  “Shit!” I muttered. “I’m becoming a pin cushion for the monsters.”

  My gift really was growing. It appeared the more emotion I experienced, the more things I could do with it. Projecting myself into the monsters’ lair for the second time even though I was exhausted from all that had come before; I had surprised even myself. Realisation dawned then, bright, dazzling and ugly; if that part of my dream was true and had happened, then that meant that Sam had been moved in with whatever had attacked me. I couldn’t understand this new development. Why would they have done that; what had Sam done? An insistent shrill alarm filled the air, knocking me out of my reverie and I jumped, it was only my alarm-clock. Four-thirty, time to get ready.

  By the time five-thirty rolled around, I felt as ready as I was going to be. A small dagger was tucked into the belt of my blue jeans; well okay, it was a kitchen knife but I felt safer with it. My grey shirt was open over a white t-shirt, leaving the knife visible; it was more a threat than a real danger. I wasn’t very good with weapons; I tended to drop them. I hadn’t been very good at sports either; in secondary school, my aim had always been off. I almost always ended up alone on my backside in the muck during a football match or else I took people with me. My P.E. teacher had always despaired of me for my ineptitude and my mother hadn’t been any more forgiving with the way I brought my P.E. kit home. Irish drizzly rain never mixed well with a green football pitch.

  I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I must be getting very vain, I thought. I seemed to be examining myself an awful lot in the mirror these days. I fingered the cross around my neck that I had dug out of my jewelry box; it didn’t really have any powers of protection against the bad guys, at least not against the old ones anyway. I wanted it with me regardless though; it gave me a sense of comfort. Holy water in little glass vials lined the top of my dresser like little brave soldiers kitted out for war. Holy water, on the other hand, did damage the vampires and this morning I had forgotten to bring some of the vials with me. It could kill them if applied in enough quantities, but I’m pretty sure it would have to be ingested for that to happen. I didn’t think I was going to be able to get a vamp to willingly drink it. Anyway, where I was heading to, I was hoping I wouldn’t have much use for these items. Piling the holy water bottles into my shoulder bag, I pulled on my jacket and headed for the door.

  Peering around the corner, I checked for anyone who might be lurking in the hall. All I could see moving was the exit sign blinking at me at the top of the stairs. I made the dash from my apartment to my car in the parking lot. The shadows were beginning to crowd in as the sun set and twilight approached. I slid in behind the wheel of my black Corsa; it was a comfortable car and fit me nicely. It had that lived in feeling that only an old car can achieve. I loved my car; it had become like an extension of me. Sam used to always tease me about the battered seats and broken door handles while I would defend my little car that could. Sitting in my car remembering how Sam would sit patiently beside me, waiting as I would try to start my car, sent a painful jolt through my heart.

  Gripping the steering wheel with my left hand, I turned the key in the ignition. As the car flared to life, a bright white light exploded behind my eyes. The pain seared through my brain as I fell forwards onto the steering wheel. I gripped my head as images began to filter through my mind. It felt as though my whole head might explode with the pressure and the pain. The images flitted faster; people screaming, blood and death was everywhere, and then Sam. He was beautiful, just how I always knew him; my memory couldn’t have recreated him so perfectly. White glowed from the edges of him; he was bathed in this shimmering illumination. He reached his hand out towards me and called me by my name, “Jade.”

  I stared at his image in my brain and tried to drink him in.

  “Jade,” he called again, more insistent this time.

  “Sam, is it really you? How’d you get here where are you; are you o.k.?” My questions came out jumbled and rushed.

  “I’m fine, Jade; it’s you I’m worried about. Why do you keep running from me? Why don’t you just come to me, Jade? I thought you wanted us to be together. I thought you loved me, Jade. Just come to me; you know how to find me.”

  I stared at him. It looked like Sam and it spoke with his voice, but it wasn’t saying the things I knew Sam would say. Sam wouldn’t say this, not after everything we had been through together.

  “What have you done to my Sam?” Anger was plain in my voice. “Well, what have you done to him? Because this vision isn’t of my Sam!”

  Sam smiled at me showing his fangs; it was a predator’s smile. Sam never smiled at me like that. “Clever girl; he said you wouldn’t fall for my… what did he call it again hmmn… ‘little parlour trick’ I believe was the term he used. I suppose he was right; you’re brighter than the average human your age.” His voice rambled on. It was still the voice I could spend hours listening to, but with this monster was using it. I felt myself becoming angry.

  “Use your own image you coward!” I snarled at him. “Show yourself for the monster you are.”

  “Tut, tut, tut; temper, temper, Jade.” His voice took on a scolding tone, like something that would be used on a disobedient child. “Why would I do that when I know it gives you such pain to see me abusing your lover’s body by possessing him? I’m no fool, child, and I quite enjoy your pain. However, enough chitchat; let’s get down to the business at hand. Give me your location.”

  The bluntness of his question surprised me. “You mean you don’t know where I am?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my voice.

  “No. Unfortunately, child, I don’t know where you are despite using some of our most persuasive methods on your friend, Sam. He refused to give up your location. Furthermore, it would appear that your gift protects you from our very best trackers.”

  His revelation of defeat surprised me. “And so you just expect me to give myself up to you, even after Sam has fought so hard to protect me and you have failed to find me? No offence, but are you nuts?”

  His laughter filled me with a cold empty dread. “My dear, there is a great chance that I am indeed, how did you so eloquently phrase it, ‘nuts.’ And yes, I came here to appeal to your better judgement; to ask you to save everyone more pain and heartache and to give yourself up. But alas, I can see from that stubbor
n set of your jaw that you’re not as smart as I had hoped. I suppose I shall just have to find something that will persuade you.” The white glow began to fade from my vision and I could once again feel the pressure of the steering wheel against my forehead.

  I sat in my car like this for what felt like an eternity, staring at nothing. I had wanted to see Sam so badly, but not like that. Seeing him that way filled me with horror and hurt; but worse than that, I felt like I had just made a huge mistake as far as Sam was concerned. What did he mean by more persuasive means? A sudden tap at the window caused me to jump. A frightened yelp ripped from my mouth as I fumbled in my bag for some holy water.

  “Jesus, Jade, are you alright?” Lorcan’s concerned face and voice saved me from pulling my little kitchen knife on him.

  I scowled back at him through the glass. “I’m fine.”

  “I rang a few times on your apartment but I got no answer; I thought I was collecting you from there. So I checked the car park and found you with your head down on the steering wheel. What the hell happened to your face? You look awful.”

  I motioned for him to come around and get in; there was no point in talking through the window, after all. I unlocked the doors as he jogged around and slid in beside me. He pushed his seat all the way back and his knees still sat against the dashboard; it looked uncomfortable but I couldn’t do anything about it. Switching on the overhead car light, he tilted my head and examined my face. I knew the moment he spotted the two small puncture wounds because I watched his face darken.