What started as a soft whisper grew louder and louder until they were both faced with the answer.
“You’re not my Evelyn.”
“You’re not Clara.”
They said this at the same time, but neither were done just yet.
“No… an earlier version of Evelyn.”
“Something that never was…”
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
“Those two have been at it for a while,” Evelyn said. “I’m not into men normally, but you have to admire his stamina.”
“That’s creepy,” Clara said upon realising that Evelyn had an uncanny ability to follow her thoughts… Unless I’m so out of it that I don’t remember mentioning it?
That signature smile faded from Evelyn’s face which in turn made Clara’s heart sink. Clara reached out and intertwined her fingers with the vampire’s… while it didn’t the sting subside…
They both stiffened visibly as a thought took root in their minds. Who had the initial though Clara had no way of knowing, but it was like an echo in reverse. What started as a soft whisper grew louder and louder until they were both faced with the answer.
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
Clara was sure that statement was not literal. The vampire wore a black loose-fitting gown that managed to show plenty of leg. The headband, pearl accoutrements, and use of feathers were all tied to an era.
To confirm her conjecture, Clara quickly scanned the room. Men and women were having the time of their lives on the dance floor. There was even a twenty-man band complete with a sultry signer crooning into a microphone.
She was about to return her gaze to Evelyn but noticed that she could peer into the shadows. While she could not see colour or composition, the outlines of a couple were clear… They are doing a lot more than petting…
“Those two have been at it for a while,” Evelyn said. “I’m not into men normally, but you have to admire his stamina.”
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
“What’s with the off-time jive?” Evelyn asked.
That was a distinct piece of slang. Unlike Clara, the vampire was always careful to use language that applied to the era… I’m the only one who speaks like that…
“…off-time jive?” Clara questioned to give herself more time.
The background music fit in with the era, as was the acrid cigarette smoke. It was so thick and blue that Clara could taste it in the air. She grimaced and tried to scrape the taste from her mouth with her teeth, but the flavour was not going anywhere… just ducky…
“We were out hoofing it on the dance floor, and you started fading,” Evelyn said.
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
Clara had the distinct impression that those emotions were being transferred directly to her instead of being inferred… You’d think the world was coming to an end…
While peculiar, what concerned her more was a distinct lack of a heartbeat. Sure, there were plenty of hearts nearby, including one right before her, but her chest was still…
“Exactly, Mon Amour,” Evelyn said.
The vampire made no attempt to hide her emotions as she had done before. This time Evelyn wiped her eyes dry even while lower lip trembled. She then kissed Clara on the cheek tenderly… She’s not cool to the touch…
“What’s with the off-time jive?” Evelyn asked.
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
“Mon amour?” Evelyn said. (My love.)
The effect that voice had on her psyche was the equivalent of dropping an anchor while running the engines at full steam. It arrested her momentum even as her body and mind actively fought against it. Clara found herself hating the speaker for taking away from this quiet place.
What makes the world go round?
“Nothing but love,” Clara whispered in sync with the music.
She opened her eyes in a flutter and focused on those emerald, green eyes. There was water welling at the edges of the eyelids, as though something had gone wrong… wait…
Clara had the distinct impression that those emotions were being transferred directly to her instead of being inferred… You’d think the world was coming to an end…
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
Day is ending, birds are wending…
The lyrics from a song reached through the depths of her mind. With it came many memories of nights spent hoofing the night away, breaking the hearts of men who wanted to make her their latest conquest.
Those memories set a dreamy smile on her face, appearing as though she had far too much giggle juice. Without realising it, Clara was humming along to the music.
Back to the shelter of each little nest they love…
Clara had no idea what was going on, but she enjoyed being this state. She was comfortably numb, free to dive into her memories of a time that was never more apropos for her… the scent of vanilla makes me think of...
Nightshades falling, love birds calling…
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
The sensory disconnect between her senses and what her cognitive expectations threw her for a loop. Clara slowed down, falling out of sync with loud rhythmic thumping in the washed-out audio.
Just ahead a black-haired blur got bigger for reasons she could not yet grasp. After two more thumps, Clara experienced the feeling of being totally weightless while her heart tried to escape through her throat.
A pair of hands grabbed onto her arms, and while completely unaware of it she was whisked away.
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
The last time Clara died, she ended up in a room devoid of stimulus and bathed in blinding white light… it might have driven me batty…
Like the last time since falling into the bubble in space and time, her senses recovered at different rates. The sound filtering through her ears was like being underwater as a concert went on above. It was distorted, and as her mind reconnected with her vision everything before her was blurry… It’s like I’m spifflicated while trapped in a gallery of Impressionist art…
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
“Clara? Say something?” Julia said.
The voice inside her head distracted her and she nearly missed grabbing onto a pew to steady herself. Clara’s heart was beating wildly, her veins pumping adrenaline as quickly as she produced it… feels like I’m a hare running from the fox!
Right by the door there was Jack holding his nose as a fresh dose of crimson poured out through his fingers… Why didn’t I question myself about him even being in this town?
Clara had no way of knowing which way he entered nor if someone else was here. So she ran for the main doors and used her shoulder to open them hard. The heavy oak doors slammed against the wall but there was no one there to greet her.
With her third option expended, Clara ran towards the sea… I might be able to sell myself in exchange for safe passage out of here…
It was hardly a desirable option but having hunters after her was a factor she never considered.
“Horse… fucking… feathers,” Clara swore in between breaths.
Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.
