by Dylan Keefer
Nothing happened.
She looked at her hands and noticed she couldn’t extend her claws.
“What’s wrong?” John must have seen panic on her face because he was worried.
“I can’t extend my claws or my fangs.” Prue looked from her hand to John.
“Maybe it’s a side effect? You know, because you gave some of your vampire-ness to Charlotte?”
“Mickey still had his.” Prue thought back. Maybe they grew back? But on the other hand, it might have something to do with her being half-human. What if they didn’t grow back? Could she feed? Defend herself?
“Who’s Mickey?”
"Oh, a vampire that told me about turning," Prue said that without thinking. She was glad she didn't say ‘another vampire I killed.'
“Oh, a friend.” John’s voice lightened.
"Well, no." Prue hugged her knees. "He led a gang in New York. His girlfriend killed a friend of mine, and I kinda set their house on fire. With him in it."
John looked impressed. Prue expected him to run, so this confused her. He seemed to look her up and down, but in an assessing way.
“Wow, you were busy while away, and now I’m wondering if you really went all out on us when we held you back. Are you going to turn superhero on us?”
Prue narrowed her eyes. “I understand all of those words separately.” She said.
John laughed. “All I’m saying is that you seem to be using your abilities for good. You saved people, and now you will most likely save our friend too. Sure, it’s unorthodox, and it will take Rick some time to get used to the idea that there are people as strong as you around, but as far as I’m concerned I’m glad to have you on our side.” John’s tone was friendly and genuine. Prue almost wanted to cry. She instead leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling.
"And don't worry about Philip. He's the type to snap at people when he's worried. I think that's why Charlotte likes him. Needless to say, he doesn't have a lot of friends" John continued. "He'll calm down once Rick schools him, and Charlotte is conscious."
Prue nodded and tried to smile. She didn’t know if it worked. Truth be told she wasn’t worried that much about Philip, even though it hurt that he was so hostile. She just wanted her family to be okay.
CHAPTER THREE
Waiting was excruciating. Prue worked on keeping her breath steady. Philip was back, a cup of coffee in hand. He stood opposite of Prue, staring at her. Milo sat next to him, hands on knees, staring in front of him. Prue avoided his glances; she didn't know what she would say to him. And she didn't want to see his eyes filled with fear. John hadn't left Prue's side, and Rick had joined him, a cooler full of blood right next to him. They all sat leaning against the wall. It was silent support.
Just as Prue thought that maybe Charlotte wasn’t going to wake up today, she heard a faint groan. She shot up on her feet right away, and everyone’s eyes were now on her. She slowed down, reminding herself to not fly inside the room.
Prue put her hand on the doorknob. Philip got up and almost pushed through.
“Don’t.” John caught his hands right before Prue said anything. Prue opened the door, glad that Philip’s glare was now not on her.
Charlotte lay on the bed, heaving. Prue couldn’t see the light anymore, but she could hear Charlotte’s incredibly faint heartbeat and deep breathing. She seemed okay, so Prue relaxed. Prue noticed Milo had walked ahead, followed by Philip. She let them pass her, electing to stand at the ready in case something happened. She didn’t feel right being a part of this reunion now. Milo and Philip didn’t like her changing Charlotte, what if Charlotte herself didn’t like it? What if she was mad? Prue shook her head to focus on the moment. She needed to stop panicking.
Philip walked up to Charlotte, brushing her hair away from her face. Charlotte didn’t have her fangs and claws out. “Babe, you okay? I know everything is new, but you’ll be fine, we’ll figure it out.”
Charlotte's head rose up, and she stretched her neck by moving her head. During that, her fangs and claws emerged. Prue thought she would get up from the bed, but she noticed a strange glow in Charlotte's eyes. It was a glow she'd seen before, but she hadn't seen it be that loud. Prue was about to open her mouth, but Charlotte bolted out of the bed and grabbed Philip by the neck. She slammed him on the floor and was about to bite him.
“No!” Prue screamed and grabbed Charlotte by the waist. Prue lifted Charlotte up, allowing her feet to lift off the ground. This was where being taller helped. Philip could finally breathe and scrambled up from the floor, wheezing. Prue was glad his windpipe was not broken.
Charlotte tried to break free by shifting her weight to flip Prue over herself, but her feet were not that close to the floor. Charlotte was strong, so strong that Prue swayed and had to over-correct her stance. Prue thought back to the gore in the ambulance as she threw Charlotte on the floor and pinned her down. She had to calm her down, no death. Charlotte snarled, freed one of her hands and scratched at Prue, aiming for Prue’s eyes. Prue tried to hold Charlotte’s body without breaking anything, but it was clear that Charlotte was hungry and not listing to reason. Prue debated whether breaking a few bones would rile Charlotte up more or help Prue keep Charlotte down.
“Here!” John ran up with a blood bottle. Charlotte punched Prue in the stomach and tried to grab John. Prue didn’t falter now and grabbed Charlotte by the hair. Prue had to remember that Charlotte was now a vampire. She was far more durable now. She slammed Charlotte down on the floor on her back and sat on top of her. Charlotte’s hands were now underneath her own body, so she couldn’t swipe up. John poured the cow blood directly over Charlotte’s face slowly.
As soon as the blood touched Charlotte’s face, she stopped struggling. Prue could release her grip a bit. Charlotte’s hands shot up and grabbed the bottle with a growl. John released the bottle, jumping aside. Prue got off of Charlotte, and she curled up in the fetal position, nursing the bottle in her arms. It looked oddly vulnerable and violent at the same time.
“That was… a trip.” John helped Prue up. Prue looked back and saw Milo help Philip up.
“She attacked me.” Philip’s voice was hoarse.
"It's not her fault." Prue hurried to say. She would defend Charlotte even if it meant them thinking she was a monster. "Her body wants blood, and you have it. I was the same way after I woke up. You can't see the person, not really. But as soon as she feeds, she'll come back."
“More blood?” Rick entered the room with another bottle.
“Yes, just keep it coming until she’s back to herself.” John motioned, sliding the full bottle right next to Charlotte, who grabbed it as if her life depended on it. Because, well, it did.
"Will she even remember us?" Philip asked. He was no longer angry; now his face emanated worry.
"Every vampire I have ever met has remembered their life while being human." Prue thought back to Tiffany. She didn't get reborn; she rejected her life consciously because she didn't like being human but thought that being a vampire made her special. Would she feel like that if she hadn't met Mickey?
“What about you?” Philip asked.
“I’m half human. My amnesia doesn’t seem to be because someone turned me. Maybe something happened to make me lose my memory.” Prue cringed when she saw Philip’s neck had some blood on it. She pointed at it. “You might want to staunch that.”
Philip grabbed his neck. He paused and looked at Prue and Charlotte on the floor. “Thanks for getting there so fast. I didn’t even see her move.” He seemed uncomfortable at saying that and ran out of the room.
“She is very fast," Milo said as if he just wanted to say something. He avoided Prue’s glance. He didn’t seem to want to leave Charlotte alone, but also didn’t feel comfortable. Prue didn’t know what to say to him to make him feel better. She heard a faint growl and turned around to look at Charlotte.
Prue decided that she needed to focus only on Charlotte now. Half because she needed to make sure
Charlotte didn't attack anyone else, half because she wanted to be there for her. She had turned her; she needed to make sure that this was something that would not stop Charlotte from leading her life. Prue thought back to how long she'd lived. Unless they turned all of the people in the room, Charlotte would have to live alone sometimes, and only Prue would have to be there for her. Prue sat next to her friend. Charlotte was warm and bright again, the flame flickering. Prue ran her fingers down Charlotte's hair and helped her drink what Prue estimated to be about three gallons of blood.
Charlotte dropped the last empty bottle on the floor and took a deep breath. Prue could see the fangs and claws retracting. She shook for a moment, as if sobbing, but with no sound. Prue bent over and moved Charlotte to her own lap. It just felt like something that she needed to do. As if Charlotte needed comfort. Charlotte's eyes were closed, and she squeezed her jaws together as if she wanted to keep her fangs inside.
“Charlotte, can you hear me?” Prue spoke softly as if waking Charlotte up to start her day. She hugged her friend with all the care she could muster.
Charlotte turned over and opened her eyes, looking at Prue. “Everything’s so bright.” Prue was surprised at how tortured Charlotte looked, and yet she could see the light in her. Charlotte ran her tongue over her teeth, wiping off the blood stains. She grimaced. “What’s that taste?” Prue could hear Charlotte’s breath turning disturbingly steady.
“You were hurt. Dying. So, I did the only thing I could do.” Prue tried to be calm and explain. But seeing Charlotte’s old expression stare back at her, made Prue’s eyes fill with tears. She wanted to cry and apologize.
“I… attacked Philip. Did I hurt him? Kill him?” Charlotte got up and rubbed her eyes. She looked around as if expecting a body on the floor. Prue also looked around the room. John and Rick had stayed in the room, both shocked and on the verge of panic, but both had relaxed the minute Charlotte spoke.
"I'm fine." Philip ran in the door. He had a bandage on his neck. "You just scratched me; I'm fine."
Charlotte twitched at the noise. But as soon as she recognized Philip's voice, she smiled. She then tried to get up but swayed, and Prue helped her by grabbing her arm. "Wow, now I know why ya were so loopy when I found ya." Charlotte smiled at Prue; it was a weak and a bit scared smile. Prue wondered if everyone else saw it.
Milo came over, but he didn’t hug Charlotte right away. He just looked at her. Charlotte let Prue go, signaling to her that she was fine. When she looked at Milo, her expression changed to a carefree smile. Prue was half expecting Charlotte to fall down and convulse, or something. It felt too easy. The smile felt fake.
Charlotte slowly approached Milo, who seemed stiff and shivered. Charlotte wrapped her hands around his body, and Prue saw Milo almost melt in relief. She understood why Charlotte moved slowly. It was like approaching a startled puppy. Prue remembered how slowly Charlotte walked up to her when Prue was next to the ambulance. Charlotte rubbed Milo's back and took a few deep breaths, and Milo wrapped his hands around Charlotte.
"I'm so glad you're okay," Milo muttered. He breathed deeply, and a small smile appeared on his face. Prue kind of hoped he would look like that at her too, but he didn't look at her.
“I’m glad ya didn’t break your stitches.” Charlotte smiled. She let Milo go and ran up to Philip. Well, it was a human run, so Prue would describe it as a bit of a faster walk. Charlotte hugged Philip a little faster and rougher. Philip buried his head in Charlotte’s shoulder and exhaled as if a weight had dropped from his back and he was finally home. This was the first time Prue had seen him be relaxed and happy. John stood at the side with his hands in his pockets. Charlotte let go of Philip and kissed him on the lips, then hugged Rick. Prue hadn’t realized Rick had started crying. He really cared about Charlotte and Milo.
“Okay, shush ya guys, I’m fine ya see? What have ya been doing, waiting up for me all this time? Go eat and shower.” Charlotte let Rick go. She seemed to be her own self again. But Prue kept thinking about the shaking from before.
“You’re going to be okay?” Philip asked.
"You're not just trying to get rid of us, so you can drop your façade, are you?" Rick raised his eyebrows.
"No, I'm just trying to spare my nose. Wow, do vampires have a strong sense of smell. Plus, ya guys are swaying." Charlotte waved in front of her nose. Prue focused on her sense of smell. She could sense some vague sweat, but it didn't overwhelm her unless she concentrated on it. It had never occurred to Prue that Charlotte, being a full vampire, would have stronger senses than her. Or was that just an excuse? Prue had never wished to have her memories back more. Was this how it was supposed to happen? Or was Charlotte turned wrong? Or was Charlotte just lying, like Rick said?
"I'll be right out; I just need Prue to show me how in all hell she cleans her teeth. I can still taste the blood." Charlotte made a face, and her fangs shot out, hitting her on the chin. "Ouch." She pressed hard on her chin to staunch the blood.
That made everyone leave faster. As soon as John closed the door, Charlotte’s expression changed. She started to hyperventilate, and Prue knew she needed to help Charlotte sit down.
“Are you okay?” Prue started, but Charlotte pressed a hand to Prue’s lips.
“Don’t shout. I’m fine. I just… need a moment to process…” Charlotte took a deep frustrated breath. The wound on her chin had started to heal.
Prue realized that Rick was right. Everything before that was just a facade in order to help everyone else feel better. Charlotte was actually not okay. Prue wanted to hug her, but her instincts knew that wouldn't help.
“I’m sorry. It was the only thing I could think of when I saw you bleeding on the floor.” Prue kept her voice to a whisper. “Are you mad at me?”
“I was hurt?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes, you were dying. You don’t remember?” Prue asked.
"No, I just remember being in the closet, then pain. And then I remember warmth spreading over me, and then pain again, and then hunger. And then me looking at Philip. All I could think was ‘food.'" Charlotte shivered. "Turning into a vampire is far more traumatic than I thought."
Prue was reminded of the ambulance yet again. She could see her tunnel vision again. “I stopped you before you could hurt anyone.”
"The hurting is not what got to me. What did get to me was the food though. Is that how you feel when you are around us?" Charlotte asked. For a moment Prue worried if Charlotte was scared of her, but the tone of voice didn't indicate that.
“No. That is how I felt when I was in the ambulance.” Prue didn’t know if it would help, but she had to be honest. “My vision tunneled and all I could see them as is food packets. But I had no one to stop me. You did, and you will continue to have someone.”
“This might be weird, but I was glad I didn’t catch ya before you fed. I don’t think that anyone could have stopped ya then, after being in a coffin for four hundred years. But I am glad that I found ya after. Thanks for saving my life.” Charlotte wiped her mouth. Now that she was breathing normally, and didn’t put on a fake facade, she seemed okay, if a bit disturbed by the change.
That was all Prue could take. She hugged Charlotte, and Charlotte reciprocated. “You’re my friend and family, I will do anything I can to make you feel better," Prue whispered.
“You’re a sweetie," Charlotte said. After Prue let go, Charlotte cleared her throat and tried to settle. “So, what do we do now?”
“Well,” Prue looked her over. “I could feel your breathing and see a warmth and light in you when you were on the floor. But I can’t see it now. You seem normal. For lack of a better word.”
“I guess I will have to get used to normal no longer applying to me.” Charlotte laughed.
"Let's get you cleaned, and I can teach you to control your fangs." Prue helped Charlotte get up.
“That would be helpful. I can actually feel them in my gums, and it freaks me out. How did ya get used to it?” Charlot
te talked as she and Prue went to the bathroom.
CHAPTER FOUR
Clayton Slade slid his fake photo ID and badge on the counter in front of the police officer and tried to make his face look as labored as possible. He was supposed to be a small-time detective who signed up for a small case and didn’t want to get involved in a massacre. People were much easier to deal with when they underestimated him. Clayton had made his career on this.
The officer on the desk looked the ID over and then looked Clayton over. Clayton knew what the officer saw. Clayton hadn’t bothered to change, or shave just for this occasion. He wore old jeans and a leather jacket, and one could see a pack of cigarettes sticking out of his pocket. He had even made sure the packet was open and gave half of it away. It all fit the image of an overworked, stressed man. Clayton’s fit build was hidden by a baggy shirt, and he could erase any traces of experience on his face by changing his expression. The cop’s eyes skimmed past all of the planted evidence and thought exactly what Clayton wanted.
“Listen, the woman is not here anymore. I even went back to the apartment to recheck. I can’t help you.” The cop talked low. Clayton observed how the cop talked about Prue. He didn’t seem to consider her a threat. She seemed to have fooled this hunter.
“You can give me information. That way I don’t have to go about it another way.” Clayton repeated the words ‘come on, understand’ over, and over again in his head.
“I can’t.” The officer pulled out a file and dropped it on the table, then turned around. “Yo, Stone.” The officer got up and flagged down a female cop. Probably his hunting partner.
Clayton waited for the cop to turn his back, and then snatched the file from the desk with the speed of a frog catching a fly. The cop now had an alibi, and yet the female cop could observe Clayton and make sure he didn’t steal anything. That was fine, Clayton just needed to read this.
Prudence Davenport. The name made him smile every time he read it. It was such a fancy name, with an old-timey charm. What name would better suit a vampire? And one that was rare to boot. He read and memorized the town names. Boston was before she actually showed up on anyone’s radar, and her history there sounded too human and hence made up. Whoever did this was good though. It had just enough detail that it was believable, but sparse enough so that no one could easily find a hole in the story. And car crashes were common.