The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

She slept as the soft sounds of the news station filled the car. It felt right, hearing it again. It reminded her of the rainy days of listening to the staticy whispers of the radio, while reading with her mother. She glanced over at Carlos, who was calmly gazing out of the windshield. Fawn closed her eyes again, and before she knew it, Carlos was gently shaking her awake. Her eyes snapped open, and she slowly lifted her head. He handed her a cup of coffee, and helped her out of the car. She wrapped her sweater tightly about herself and looked around. She did not know what time it was, but the only light came from the dim street lamps lining the sidewalk.





"What time is it?" she asked sleepily.





Carlos checked the clock on the dashboard.





"About three in the morning." He pointed to a small burgundy house at the corner of the block. "My sisters' place is right there."





As they walked toward it, Fawn noticed that the house was mostly covered by willows, making it seem uninviting. Carlos pushed back the long branches and led her up the worn, cracked stairs. He stuck his hand inside the mailbox next to the door and pulled out a key, carefully unlocking the door. Before he went inside, he whispered for her to stay where she was, and poked his head around the door, looking around. He then motioned silently for her to enter.



"What was that about?" she whispered.



He quietly chuckled.



"One of my sisters can be a little-"



Before he could finish his sentence, they heard the sound of a gun being loaded. The light flicked on and a girl wearing sweatpants and a tank top stood a few feet in front of them. She was pointing a small handgun directly at Fawn, who was still in a bit of a sleep induced fog. When she saw Carlos, she breathed a sigh of relief and dropped the gun onto the small table standing next to her. She folded her arms and looked at him.





"Y'know, you COULD call before you come busting in. You're lucky I didn't shoot, man." she said.





Carlos chuckled again and shrugged. She walked toward them, and it was then that Fawn got a good look at her. Her dark hair came down to her shoulders, which were broad and wide set. Fawn noticed that her irises were red. Was she a vampire also? Carlos hadn't mentioned anything about that. Her thoughts were interrupted by the girl's voice.



"Who's this?" she asked curiously, cocking her head to the side.



Fawn looked up at Carlos, as if a child would look to their mother for assurance. He smiled and nodded slightly. Fawn turned back to the girl.



"I'm um, I'm Fawn." she stammered.





The girl smiled.





"Hello Fawn! I'm Forsythia." she said, holding out her hand. Fawn took it, looking curiously at her.





"Forsythia....isn't that a flower?" she asked.



Forsythia laughed.





"Yes it is. Fawn....isn't that a deer?"





Fawn smiled shyly and looked away. She felt like a child, although she was older than the both of them. Forsythia swept her hand from one side of the room to the other.





"Well, make yourself right at home! I'll put some tea water on, and I think I have some cookies. Wait, do I? The ones with the marshmallows and the- Oh whatever I'll just check. Sit down, sit down, make yourselves comfy!" She walked into the kitchen, and Fawn looked around the living room.



She was still tired, but she noticed the heavy purple drapes covering the windows. There were also very peculiar paintings on the walls. Each one gave Fawn the same, yet a different feeling. One was of a girl, in a yellow dress, seeming to be dancing in a beautiful field of green grass and cherry blossoms. Another was of something Fawn couldn't quite make out. It seemed to be a dark room, with a door in the wall. There was someone going into it, but it was barely visible. She sank further into the couch the was sitting on and looked sleepily at Carlos. He sat, with his hands folded, in the black recliner, very similar to George's. He smiled.



"So you still haven't explained to me our reason for running." he said.





Fawn sighed and sat up.

Fawn and Carlos sped down the highway in silence. Carlos had no idea where they were going, but was afraid to ask, as Fawn still had glass sticking out of her side. She had refused to let him remove it. He felt the tension between them growing, so he reached for the radio. Fawn angrily slapped his hand away.





"Ok what's your problem? Why are you mad at me?" he snapped.





Fawn turned in her seat to face him.





"Do you think Carlos, that MAYBE I just might need to get in touch with you when you're away. DO YOU THINK?" Now she was furious.





Carlos gripped the steering wheel tighter.





"You told me you'd be fine, FAWN. You waved me away and told me to go, FAWN. So therefore, FAWN, you really shouldn't be shoving all the blame on me, FAWN. And you aren't the only one that's upset. I won't ever get to see Sheri again! Ever..."





Fawn stared at him, too angry to say anything. Finally, she found her voice.





"We are speeding down the interstate after having ditched basically everything we have, and all you can think about, is your girlfriend." she said.



Carlos swerved the car across three lanes and screeched to a halt at the side of the road.





"YOU HAVE NOT EVEN TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED BACK THERE, FAWN. I COME HOME AFTER HAVING THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE AND YOU IMMEDIATELY DRAG ME OUT OF THE HOUSE AND TELL ME TO DRIVE! SO WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG HERE FAWN? WHAT?" he screamed.



Fawn was shocked. She had no idea that he could be so hostile. She herself, was tired, worn out, and angry. Tears sprung in her eyes, silently trickling down her cheeks. Carlos' expression softened, and he wiped his hand across her cheek.





"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you just now. It's just...I.....I just....I'm sorry." he said.



Fawn wiped her eyes and nodded.



"You should drive." she said.



He sighed and slowly pulled back onto the road.



"Just tell me where we're going."



Fawn began to cry again. She thumped her head against the window and stared out into the night.



"I don't know.." she said softly.



Carlos blinked, puzzled. He thought she would at least have somewhere to go in mind.



"Um..ok." he said, "Well I have sisters down in New York....maybe they'll help."



Fawn nodded. They drove again in silence for a while, and this time, when Carlos cautiously reached again for the radio, Fawn just watched.