13 Dried Sunflowers

Rayne sits wide-eyed on the floor, shocked at the sight of Drake standing next to her. He glances down at her. His jaw grits with anger when he sees the blood under her nose . Fletcher groans in pain on the other side of the living room.

"Who the fuck are you?" he coughs, trying to stand back up. He tucks his injured organ back into his pants. Drake steps over Rayne to stand in between her and Fletcher, his fists are clenched tightly at his sides. Fear washes over Fletcher's face as he realizes Drake is unhuman. He holds his palms out in front of him defensively. "Woah, hold on…" he says nervously but Drake rushes forward at an unnatural speed and grasps Fletcher by the throat. He lifts him against the wall and off the ground. Rayne stands up and cups her hands over her mouth with horror. Fletcher gurgles and struggles to pull the vampires hands from his neck but Drake is too strong. He slams Fletcher into the wall over and over, causing his head to smack hard into the wood, leaving it blood kissed. Fletcher nears unconsciousness when Rayne yells out.

"Stop, Drake, please!" she screams. He turns to look at her. The rage on his face softens when he sees the terror in her blue eyes, which pool with tears. "Please don't kill him." She pleads, shaking fearfully. Drake loosens his grip around Fletcher's throat and looks him close in the eyes.

"If you ever touch another woman again, I will find you and rip you up limb from limb. Do you understand?" He whispers to him. Fletcher nods frantically. Drake lets him go, dropping him to the floor. He holds his throat and lets out harsh, raspy coughs before scrambling to his feet and out the door. Drake looks at the frightened young woman. He steps forward, reaching his hand toward her. She flinches which makes him sad.

"Rayne…" he starts. Her name drips from his thin lips. "come with me?" He stares at her with his intense black eyes.

'What did he just say?' Rayne thinks to herself. His words spin through her mind, making her lightheaded. "Go with you?" she asks, her voice shaky. He nods calmly at her. "Where? What are you gonna do?" Rayne continues, wary of his intent. Drake's brows crease at her question.

"Only what you wish." He answers smoothly. His honey dipped voice makes her stomach flutter. "Rayne leave this poor village. You deserve better and I can give it to you. You won't see me again if it's what you want but please let me settle you in Hasting's first. I can give you all that you desire." His face is soft but serious as he propositions her.

'He wants me to go to Hasting's Mountain?' she ponders to herself. 'He wants me to leave the village, to leave…' her thought trails as she remembers she no longer has anyone close to her. 'Plus, Fletcher will tell everyone you associate with a vampire.' Her mind reasons. Surely, she would be outcast but still, how could she go with him? 'He is a murderer.' She recalls.

"What about Mr. Hytop a few months back? Or Frank just weeks ago? Did you kill them?" she accuses angrily. Drake's face falls and he looks down at his feet, shoving his hands in his pants pockets. 'He looks ashamed.' thinks Rayne.

"Yes I did that." Drake admits. Rayne's heart sinks. Drake continues, "But you don't understand. They were putrid beings." His face twists as his disgust intensifies. "I won't tell you about it, it's repulsive. Please, just trust me Rayne." His voice is calm when he addresses her. Rayne doesn't know why but she does trust him, on some level any way.

"What do you want if I go with you?" She asks.

"This isn't about me. It's about you being happy." He answers. His words make her heart skip.

"Okay, I'll go." She decided impulsively. The anger falls from his face and his lips to twist into a smile. He steps toward her.

"But," she says, putting up her hand to stop him, "I need to know why you did it or you won't see me again after this. I can't associate with murderers." Drake frowns but nods understandingly.

"I will tell you sometime." He says. Rayne agrees and puts on her coat and shoes. She packs some outfits and essentials into a small bag and grabs a necklace that was Clementine's. Rayne clasps it around her neck, the wire-wrapped orange stone falls between her breasts. Its color matched Clementine's hair almost perfectly, which is why she kept it after her death. Rayne makes her way into her grandmother's old room. She stands there looking around once more and breathing in the familiar flowery scent. She grabs a few dried sunflowers, Grandmama's favorite flower, and packs them gently into her bag. She steps into the living room where Drake waits for her. His back is turned to her while he examines the small cabin. She peers quietly at him, her eyes exploring his nice suit which fits perfectly to his lean, toned frame. He turns and grins upon seeing her standing there. He glances at the necklace laying on her chest.

"Moonstone." He states, pointing to it, "Beautiful, I've never seen an orange one before."

Rayne blushes, "Thank you. It was Clementine's." she reaches up and twists the pendent between her fingers. Having no idea herself, she's impressed he knew what it was and curiosity at this strange man dances in her eyes.

"Are you ready?" he questions. She nods silently. Drake steps close to her. Rayne can smell his cologne is expensive and the fragrance makes her knees feel weak. "May I?" he asks thoughtfully, his arms outstretched toward her. She nods again and he wraps his arm around her small waist, pulling her close to him. She is surprised to feel that his body is warm. He leans down and swoops her up under her knees. Having vampire strength, he lifts her with ease. She wraps her arms loosely around his neck, holding the bag in her hand. Drake carries Rayne out of the cabin and into the rain. He lifts off slowly off and they disappear into the nighttime clouds.