to be some explanation as to why you both hallucinated the same events.”
Two looked at him, silent. Rhes stood up, stretched, paced back and forth a few times.
“I guess if it comes down to one story that’s as weird as another, I’m going to go with the one that you think is the right one. I’m trying to believe you, Two, because I think you’re telling the truth. My head hurts. It feels like my brain wants to abandon it for safer pastures, and I think I’m going to sleep with the lights on for the rest of my life, now, but I believe you.”
Sarah sighed, but nodded. “Yeah. I guess I do to.”
Two looked at them both for a moment, then burst into tears. She covered her face with her hands, sobbing, shaking, unable to control herself. Tori woke at the sound, looking worried. “Are you okay, Two?”
Two sniffled, ran a hand across her eyes, tried to get herself under control. “I’m all r-right, Tori... it’s o-okay.”
Rhes and Sarah were looking at her. Two gave up on control for a bit and let herself cry. She needed it, and it didn’t seem to bother them. Finally she felt she could retain some level of composure.
“I never want to tell that story again. I killed people. Victims, vampires... Sam. I’d do it again. I’d do all that, and I’d do even more if it would keep Theroen alive. I’d murder everyone between here and there, for that. I never expected you guys to believe me, but if you do, I won’t blame you for hating me.”
“Believing you is pretty difficult. Not hating you is easy.” Rhes brought her a tissue, and another beer. Two thanked him, opened the beer, drank half of it in three quick gulps.
“What now?” Questioned Sarah.
Two leaned back, thinking. “What now? Good question. Now, I need to try to relax, and pretty soon I’m going to need to sleep. Also, I need a cigarette. Ashtray still on your porch?” Sarah and Rhes were both nonsmokers, and Two was long familiar with having to step outside for a cigarette.
“Yeah. Might be buried under the snow, though. You want company?” Rhes still looked dazed, but he was coming out of it.
“Nah. Stay inside where it’s warm, and finish figuring out whether you think I’m crazy or not.”
“No offense, Two, but I’m not sure I can figure that out that quickly.”
Two shrugged. She still wasn’t sure herself.
Tori stayed inside, playing with Jake. Two, out in the January cold, pulled her jacket closer to her, huddled against the building, smoked and thought.
Two and a half days. An eternity of promise, and it had delivered only two and a half days to her. She had been a half-vampire for several weeks, had in that time known the taste of Theroen’s blood, known his touch and his kiss and above all his simple presence, always there at the back of her mind. As a vampire, though, the events -- it seemed a year’s worth -- that had led to her return to humanity had lasted only a scant sixty hours.
Two tried to regret it. It would be so much easier to regret it, that brief taste of immortality, than to live with the loss. She couldn’t, though, despite the worry, the horror, the hate. Her experience as a vampire had been filled with wonder and love and joy. Two hoped she could someday bring herself to embrace again her humanity. It seemed now a cold and hollow shell, a dim reflection of what she once was.
There was a police officer strolling down the avenue toward her. Two felt that old, familiar prickling at the base of her neck she’d known during her time with Darren. Cops were trouble, and were to be avoided at all costs. She pushed it away. There was no reason for it now. The officer stopped in front of her.
“Fine night.”
Two nodded. It was. Cold, but clear, without a lot of wind. Tiny, dry snowflakes danced under the streetlights, hovered in the air, caught the lights of the city and turned the night sky brighter than usual.
“Forgive the interruption, but I have to make sure you belong here.”
“I do. My friends Rhes and Sarah live here. They don’t smoke, so I have to come outside.”
The cop smiled. “Fair enough. Still best not to be out this late, not even in this part of the neighborhood. It can get dangerous.”
Two gave him a tired smile and put her cigarette