A Vampire's Love
"A Vampire's Love" (By: Lisa Hansen) [3 Jan. '99; 8:34am-12:09pm] Many centuries ago there lived a man named Alexander. Alexander was half immortal. He was part vampire and only he knew how he became that way. He never found reason to share his secret with anyone before, for fear of being treated as a monster. Through the years, he met a lovely woman, Bella, and fell in love. They were married, and lead a rather normal life. Except Alexander never went out during the day; only during the night. Bella questioned this at one time and Alexander told her it was what he preferred and nothing more. Years went by and they were a happy, normal couple. They had inherited a fortune from both sides of their families and lived in a wealthy environment. Things were wonderful between them, and they had everything they could ask for. But one night, Alexander was walking through the village on his way home and came across a crowd of villagers with torches gathered around a large pole in the middle of the village. Alexander went for a closer look, and as he neared the pole, he saw a man tied to it. The villagers were chanting to him and cursing him. Alexander knew this man was of his kind and he yelled to the villagers ordering them to set the man free. The angry villagers turned against Alaxander and shouted that if he dared stand up for the evil man they have captured, then he must be evil as well. And before Alexander could turn and run, someone threw holy water at his face. Alexander fled, holding his burning face. He felt as though he had ran miles from the villagers, who continued to persue him. Finally, he managed to lose them, and they retreated back to their sacrifice. Alexander arrived home and staggered into the house. Bella came from upstairs to greet him and was astounded at what she saw. Alexander caught his breath and proceeded to explain what had happened. Bella, still standing at the bottom of the steps, listened in awe. She slowly backed up the stairs as Alexander began telling her what he was. He told her that there was no reason to fear him, and that he is still, after-all, half human. Bella obviously didn't believe him, and she continued up the stairs, with Alexander slowly following. He told her that many, many years ago, his family and another were very close and he became friends with a man called Vallen. Vallen's family and Alexander's family were the best of friends. Vallen's family was pure vampires. When his family was caught up in a terrible vampire hunt by the villagers, he was the only one who escaped the slayings. Ever since then, Vallen had a hatred towards mortals, and he swore never to befriend another common man. But he remained true to Alexander and his family, only after he attacked Alexander for saying something about the evil in him. Vallen did not believe he was evil, but he did believe the mortals were. When he took his anger out on Alexander, he bit him and gave him the blood of evil. Alexander did not want to be like Vallen and he insisted he undo the matter, but Vallen could not. When Vallen became less enraged, he realized what burden he had placed upon his friend. He gave Alexander two choices. One, Alexander could become a full vampire and live the immortal ways of Vallen. Or two, Alexander could remain only half vampire and continue to live his life the same as a mortal, as he has always done. Alexander chose to stay half mortal. This meant that he did not half to feed on only blood to stay alive, but he could not go into the sun, and he could die as both a vampire could, as well as a human. So he had no immortal powers within himself. After that incident, Vallen left the land, but not before he made more vampires to secretly infest the village. These vampires lived among the villagers and were, for the most part, trusting and friendly. They did, however, have to feed on blood and there were many deaths in the village, but all were done skillfully. It appeared that people just vanished. Of course, some vampires made mistakes and were caught feasting. These unfortunate beings were captured, and destroyed. By the end of Alexander's explaination, Bella was in total shock and she had made her way up the stairs and around the railing. She was slowly etching towards her bedroom, but Alexander told her not to hide from him. He said he had no intentions of harming her. She feared him greatly, but she stopped backing away. Alexander gradually approached her and as he reached out for her, she screamed and shoved him away. She did not know her own strength, and the shove caused Alexander to stumble back and fall over the railing. Bella, realizing what she had done, ran down the stairs and rushed to Alexander's side. He had landed on a small statue affixed to a stand below the railing. The statue pierced his side, and he lay there dying slowly. Bella took his hand and held his head up. She begged him to live and apologized for what she had done to him. He looked up at her with the last ounce of strength in his body and whispered to her that she will forever be his true love. And with that phrase, he took his last dying breath. ***** Some time after that day, Bella was in a depression. She now knew that the man she had killed, her beloved husband, loved her with all his heart, and would never have hurt her. She knew that he never told her the story of what he was because he feared he would never find true love. All those years together, he never once caused her pain. And now, he was gone. But she soon found out something that would rid her of her depression. She was carrying Alexander's child. ***** Months passed and she had given birth to her new son. She named him Zane, after Alexander's great-grandfather. They had often talked of having a child and that is the name they both agreed on many years ago. Although Bella was happy to have a new person in her life, and she was ridded of her depression, she still couldn't rid herself of the guilt of taking the life from her baby's father. She decided to raise the child alone, rather than hire help. She felt she should take total responsibility and do everything by herself. She wouldn't have an outsider come in a raise her only son. It was a struggle at times, but she continued on. When Zane was a year old, Bella was doing much better with her guilt. Until, one day, there was a knock at the door. Bella went to answer it. As she opened the door to reveal the visitor, she fainted. Moments later, she awoke and found herself on the couch. There, next to her, she saw the face of Alexander. She sat up quickly and asked how this was possible. Alexander told her that when he was buried, he had a dream. In this dream, he was visited by Vallen. Vallen told him that even though it was a dream, it was still real. It was a way for their kind to communicate at times such as these. It was like a code to deceive the mortals. Vallen told Alexander that if he was willing, he could continue to live, but he must live as a full vampire. Alexander knew that this would be the only way he could return to Bella. So, without hesitation, he agreed. Vallen told him he must only feed on blood, but he will live forever, unless Vallen should be captured by the villagers and destroyed. If something should happen to Vallen, all the immortals would cease to live. Vallen vanished from Alexander's dream. Alexander woke up in his coffin, and dug himself out of his grave. He fed on the blood of a villager that night. He was consumed with guilt, and so he retreated to a secluded place and hid out for months. How could he face his beloved Bella in such a state. He was a murderer. He no longer had any mortal presence inside him. Finally, one night he was visited by a fellow vampire who told him that Bella had a son. It was some time before Alexander got the courage to go see for himself, but he managed to force the journey upon himself. After telling all this to Bella, he told her that he understands if she is afraid and he would leave if she requested it. But Bella wanted no such thing. She started to cry and begged Alexander to forgive her for taking his mortality away from him. He said she had every right to do what she did. He had unleashed a terrible secret onto her that night and should have never done it. She embraced him and they held each other for the longest time. Then Bella remembered the child, and she told Alexander he had to see him. They went upstairs to the baby's room where he was sleeping. Alexander was amazed at how big he was at only a year old. He was over-joyed. Just then there was a knock at the door. They went down to answer it. But Alexander hid in the nearby room in case he should be recognized. Bella opened the door. There was a man asking for Alexander. He stated that his name was Nerinth. Alexander came from the other room to greet Nerinth. He was a vampire as well. Alexander asked what was wrong and Nerinth said he was glad he found him here and that he must come to the village right away. The villagers had captured Vallen. Alexander said that Vallen had left the land many years ago, but Nerinth said he had returned. Alexander grabbed a disguise and told Bella that he must go free Vallen, or he and the others would die. Bella told them to be careful. . He told her he would be back shortly and that he loved her. She kissed Alexander and confessed her love for him as well, and shut the door behind him. Hours later, Alexander returned. He stumbled into the house and collapsed onto the floor at Bella's feet. He told her that they managed to free Vallen, but Nerinth was killed. They ran a stake through his heart as he was helping Vallen escape. Bella noticed the scars upon Alexander's face and skin. He told her that they poured holy water all over him and burned him with crucifixes. He said he had no strength left in him to go on. He didn't have enough power to heal himself. Bella asked about Vallen and why could he not save him. Alexander said that Vallen fled fast and was not aware of how bad the wounds were. Bella said she could go looking for Vallen, and Alexander told her there was not enough time. He was slipping away fast now, and he wanted to share this last moment with his wife. Bella began to cry at the knowledge that this would be the second time and the last time that she saw her husband die in her arms. She said she would never forget him, and would always love him no matter what the circumstances. He smiled, and said goodbye to his only love. That same night, Bella buried Alexander herself. No one else could do it since it had already been done once. It took hours to complete the task, but she finished soon after 3am. She went in and took a long bath, and then went to bed. Soon after she fell asleep, she had a strange dream. She dreamed she was in a forest, and in front of her stood Alexander. He was dressed in white and was nothing more than a warm glowing figure. He said nothing, and nor did she. Just then, she awoke from her sleep, and caught a glimpse of a white glow exiting her bedroom. She jumped out of bed and rushed to the hall. She whispered Alexander's name, as she saw the glow enter Zane's room. She went in and saw Alexander's spirit hovering over the child. Bella stood and stared at the fulfilling sight. She then spoke Alexander's name softly. He answered, saying he was now no more immortal than he is mortal. Bella insisted that he promise to always be with her. And with a twinkle in his eye, Alexander told her that he would never leave her and he said he would love her forever more. Bella sighed with relief and in that moment, Alexander's spirit wirled around Zane and disappeared. Bella went over to Zane's crib and looked down at him. She saw that same twinkle in Zane's eye, as she saw in Alexander's. And she knew Alexander would be with her forever more. The End.