Chapter Thirty: Drink Him Dry!

Last night was such a surreal moment. A memory that will never fade and a story that I'll tell myself a million times over. It is something that I'll dream about for the rest of my life, something to look back upon knowing nothing will ever be the same.

That experience with Perry is something I've already wished I could go back to. The short time we've spent together felt like in the moment it could last forever. I full heartedly expected to wake up right next to him. Yet it wasn't what we'd agreed on the night before, and so he was no longer holding me when my eyes opened at midday.

Now still laying in bed after forty minutes of pondering life, I still don't want to get up. I know that when I do the hard truth will become real. We will be telling my family about our plan to leave, and I'll be off to free this man I suddenly want to keep.

I've been looking back to the moment we first met, another significant memory I'll never forget. My fear of him was so high that I was frozen, as well as being awe struck by him at the same time; what an interesting feeling. Now, I'm more comfortable with him than I've ever been with anyone.

At this rate, I'm closer with Perry than I am my own sister or the rest of my family combined. I didn't know shy, awkward, me could ever be that outspoken. Though, there I was finally feeling myself. It was such a surreal experience, talking and then suddenly realizing I wasn't anxious at all.

Perry opened up as well and was just as talkative as I was, even though he's soft-spoken. I shiver, missing the feeling of my head on his chest and hearing his heartbeat. Last I remember it was three in the morning.

We ended up putting everything out on a clean slate, talking about what to expect in his kingdom, and how the situation may go. After a while Perry was sick of talking about his past and his home, not entirely ready to reveal everything yet.

Instead he was interested about me even though I'd felt as if I knew nothing about myself. We spoke about my past in confinement and a little bit about his as well. It was very refreshing having somebody understand me as well as giving me physical comfort. Now I understand that relating to Lynn and Estelle was drastically underwealming compared to Perry, who significantly connects with me on a much higher level.

It comes to mind that the more I put off getting up the less time I have with Perry. So with confidence I slip out of bed, dress, and go search for my vampire downstairs.

****

My family reacting to our plan of leaving Province, sounds more like breaking news to me than a sweet goodbye and quick departure. Our packed bags upstairs may not see the moonlight tonight if my family prevents us from going on our merry little way.

Instead of understanding, like I thought they would, they're of course battering all over the place, arguing and discussing amongst themselves and not even saying one word to me.

My head turns towards Perry, finding that he is already staring at me. I know what he's thinking and so I groan, "This is usual I guess, but I didn't expect it to happen as we leave."

Koda is in a panic, "No, you're not leaving!"

My sister joins in, "Ellie you just got home. We can't let anything happen to you." It hits me when I see the tears forming in her eyes.

My grandmother is stern, "I'm not allowing you to go."

Having this overwhelming sense of dread I stay reserved, afraid of the conflict I'm experiencing.

This time my grandfather speaks up, "What if we send someone to keep them safe on the walk there?"

Luke speaks up for the first time, "Leddy and Abe would keep them safe."

Koda groans, "They're supposed to come back to meet us, not go off to Dibbley."

I look at Perry apologetically, "They're right, we need to find a safe way there. Isn't there any type of transportation? Horses?"

Koda begins, "Province doesn't have horses for people to just rent. We for sure have no carriages in town to take people out of Province."

"So how do you get a horse?"

"You have to own it," Jane laughs, making me feel stupid.

My aunt chimes in, "Province doesn't have a true means of transportation out of the city in order for our safety. If we venture too far, dangers will be brought back to the city."

I'm entirely confused, "So what if you want to leave and come back?"

"Shouldn't Perry have friends or family to pick you up?" She sounds annoyed.

He shakes his head no.

My uncle adds, "Here's the thing, if you don't have your own means of transportation you arrange a friend or family member to pick you up. That is custom here in Province because most people don't leave, so it's not needed."

Koda sighs, "Other than that, you walk."

Late last night Perry and I spoke of this. We assumed the approximate two hour walk to Dibbley would get dangerous in the evening but I thought I'd be safe with such an experienced vampire. On the other hand we have a target on our backs and have no idea who or what we'd run into on the way.

Luke shrugs, "Then you'll have to wait for Abe and Leddy."

"Couldn't that be days?" I question, silently debating on sneaking out tonight despite their efforts to keep us.

Koda replies, "Yes."

After this whole ordeal I want to go upstairs and hide again but I'm stopped by my uncle as I stand from the couch, "Going upstairs?"

"Yeah."

Koda interrupts, "You know, being alone all the time isn't going to help you get to know yourself. It's been creating this endless cycle for you."

Although I know he is right, I feel exposed more than anything. With his words I wonder if everyone's eyes are on me, judging me for not acting like myself. This is why I want to be alone all the time, because I'm not who I used to be. On the other hand this is preventing me from learning about my family and myself.

Even with Perry by my side I don't speak up about my feelings. He as well is quiet, drastically more shy than I am. He as well hasn't opened up to my family a smidge. We almost resemble each other, frightened and unsure.

After yesterday, I've determined I want him to get to know my family and I wish they'd get to see the real him. It's just so unfortunate I have to send him away. They won't get a chance to know each other at all.

My uncle suggests to the family, "Lets go out for dinner this evening, show Ellie what she's missed."

An uproar begins again, and every native Elyrian is arguing or suggesting where we need to go. With this I assume the restaurants are immaculate, especially after having the street food yesterday that easily could've been mistaken for a five star resteraunt.

****

After the sun has dissapeared behind the hills we leave for another evening out. The sky once again is beautiful but not as stunning as it was last night. It is shimmering a baby blue before the sun sets, and a dark hue is formed in the direction of the sea.

We pass through the main street of Province, this time dealing with Luke and Koda arguing over which food at our destination is top tier.

At first it sounds like nothing to me, only playful cousin banter until Luke scoffs, "Why do you have to keep competing with me? Stop trying to be better than me, you're not going to get your way this time."

Instantly I understand this isn't about which food is better.

"You are great at getting your way, Koda, but back off."

My brother's voice goes quieter, "I didn't know you felt that way, but we shouldn't be talking about this right now, Luke."

My cousin is only more angered by the response, "What the hell do you mean Koda? You know full well what you're doing!"

My aunt in front of me looks over her shoulder, giving her son the death glare. I don't look back at him, but I know exactly that he's going to be more quiet.

"I'm not trying to take over anything." Koda whispers.

"I know you and Lynn sneak off together." Luke's hushed words shock me to the core.

The girls ahead have no clue about the conversation going on in the back. They talk amongst each other becoming somewhat close to Jane. I'm curious to take a glance back at the two cousins but I don't want anyone becoming suspicious, so I force my head to stay forward, though I'm stiff.

Koda does sneak off with Lynn sometimes, I've heard them do so before. It has been days in a row, or even a few times a day. On the other hand this doesn't mean that I can prove he is trying to divert her away from Luke. The jealously is entirely understandable, but doesn't Luke see how caring he has been towards Estelle?

My brother finally replies, "It's not like that Luke."

"Oh yeah? I don't believe you. When have you ever been completely honest with your family, huh? You have been secretive for years now and still had no explanation to where you'd go for months at a time. So why should I believe you?"

The tension arises as Koda stays silent.

"And you don't say anything because you know you can't prove me wrong."

I have this feeling that the silence does say it all. Koda could certainly be keeping something from us and Lynn is somehow involved. He did emerge from the woods with her by his side that night we came to Elyria the first time. I'd taken Koda's word, that he'd found her but now I'm not sure at all.

"Why should I say anything if I know you won't believe me?"

Luke groans, "Because who can take you for your word anymore? We both know at least half this family can't."

In the front of the group they start stopping at a stoop of a building. One by one my family ahead starts to pile in. I catch Luke storming past me and running to catch up with Lynn. His face starts to light up when she greets him.

Suprisingly dinner goes swimmingly, even though Koda and Luke give each other glares from the opposite ends of the table. Eventually it's time to leave and I'm feeling more connected with myself, less stressed. Maybe I do need to spend more time with people?

As we exit the building, half of us get spit up, deciding we want dessert. We find our way to the pastry shop I've visited once before, this time I'm not interested in the vampire treats and find the pastry I'd tried before.

We happily skip out of the building, ready to go on our joyus way. My stride is normal, until I'm instantly thrown off by something my ears pick up, a yelp. Once I hear the commotion coming from our left I know it's the rest of the group. This time though, the loudness is not joy, it's a panic.

Immedietly I start running in their direction, knowing everyone else behind me will follow, and they do.

I limp, finally feeling my injured leg is hurting worse than it has the past two days. I shouldn't be running but I don't stop until I get to the crowd knowing that someone is harassing one of my family members.

Koda, cradles Estelle in his arms as a man stands in front of them not letting them pass; it's her father.

"I am taking her."

Running up behind me my uncle comes to assess the situation, he stands beside me instantly asking what's going on. When my eyes go back to Koda and Estelle I'm shocked to find Perry amidst the group of my family behind them.

My sister and Jarin stand off to the side of the man, standing out of his way. I didn't even notice Perry appearing out of no where with them, yet he was just by my side a second ago as he had been the whole night.

He moves to stand behind Estelle, appearing so innocently, yet silently creeping closer. I know he's getting ready to jump in if he needs to. Out of all of us he would be the first to intervene.

The furious stranger lurches towards Estelle but before my very eyes Perry grabs ahold of her and swings her behind him. Now the stranger is face to face with a hissing vampire and Koda.

Instantly I'm utterly astonished by the way he moved with such agility, so abnormal; so un-human. I'm reminded of his abilities and that his powers are nothing like an Elyrian's, he's a whole other creature. I'd known he's strong and could kill someone easily, but I didn't know of his ability to move within a blink of an eye.

The man stands still as we are surrounding him, "Estelle, I want to talk to you. We have to talk!"

This time, just as the last she rejects his demands. We watch her turn away and as Perry releases her, she's immedietly walking off. Estelle's face is blank, appearing with no care in the world about where she's going or about being alone.

With her back turned against her father he starts running towards her, ready for a chase. Koda flinches forward out of instinct ready for pursuit but Perry beats him to it.

The vampire runs straight into Estelle's father. On impact he almost slams the much taller man to the ground, who catches his footing just in time. Perry hisses, putting fear in the man's eyes.

Koda stops, not even half way to the commotion. His head turns to me with furrowed brows and a mouth falling open, revealing his bewilderment. After Perry adjusts and holds the man as hostage, Koda joins as back up.

"Stop moving or he'll bite you!" Koda gets in the man's face, "Next time you end up following us, my friend here isn't going to be so nice."

"He won't bite me, or I'll turn into a vampire."

Koda laughs, "Not unless he drinks you dry."

Little Jarin starts chanting, "Drink him dry! Drink him dry! Drink him dry!"