Amelia+Takai



The Barens

 The doorbell rings once again. “Ugh, do you think that’s her again?” as Michael rubs his temples. “It’s the third time today, Michael, who else would it be!” Scarlet exclaims as she buries her head in the pillows.

 The banging on the door dulls Ann’s yelling voice, “Michael! Michael!” she waits for an answer, “Fine! I’ll come back later tonight. You better be here when I do!” she, again waits for any type of response, but leaves without a reply. The neighbors watch as Ann manages down the broken path and open the tipping gate.

“What does she want with the Barens?” the widowed neighbors loved to gossip over their fences. “That girl has been coming every day, and night, for about two weeks now. One just wonders why,” questioned the gardener Vonda. “They aren’t the social type. They’ve even shuttered all the windows.”

“A strange sort, them Barens are. A girl like that shouldn’t be messing with them,” expressed the older madam, Lorna. “Never coming out during the day, making all that raucous at night,” annoyed and appalled, “and living with the opposite sex? Unmarried!” Lorna hissed. “I already warned her of them before.” The two ladies shook their heads and went back to their lives as Ann had disappeared from their sight and minds.

Michael and Scarlet listened to their neighbors, when out of their basements darkness a voice says, “Sounds like my generation doesn’t quite approve of us living on their street.”

“Sounds like it, doesn’t it,” Michael yells down the stairs. “Sorry Lori, but we can’t be having anymore home deliveries,” he says half-jokingly as she sits down next to him. “We need to lay low for a while. Meaning leaving the house till morning.”

“Humph. That’s ok, I’d rather go out and dine,” Lori chuckles at the seriousness. She notices the disappointed looks she was receiving and responded by saying, “oh, what, Michael can eat and get caught, but I can’t even make a joke?”

“Lori, we all know that when it’s about feeding, you don’t joke. You’re always hungry. Michael made a mistake, which could have happened to any of us for holding out as long as he has been,” Michael looked at scarlet in a thankful response, “not saying that as an excuse for Michael, but as a probability for all of us. Plus, Michael will fix his mistake tonight.” Scarlet proclaimed while staring at Michael. “So let’s all go down into the basement and wait for that girl to come back.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ann walks up to the Barens door expecting to pound on it, but it swings open revealing an irratated Michael, “took you long enough. My-” he staggers, “my family wanted to get out and stretch in the moons light.” A couple of college students slither pass them. Ann studied them as they did. “Well? Are you going to come in or just stand there? Because there are other things I’d rather be doing than waiting on you.”

She half laughs, “I bet,” She enters the house and slops down in a chair, kicking her feet up, “like lurking around in an alley?”

Michael takes a breath, “Make yourself comfortable.” Closing the door. Michael takes a seat across from her. They stare at each other in silence. Hearing the clock go tick, tick, tick. Until Michael finally speaks, keeping his tone, “How do you do it? How can you be this calm after seeing what I did! What do you want from me?” The clock then waits for Ann’s response.

“It’s simple,” still sitting comfortably, “I want you to bite me, I want to become a Vampire. If you don’t, I will tell the world that you guys exist. And I’ll include a description.” Ann sat there, still relaxed.

Completely stunned at her request, “Are you joking! No! That’s ridiculous. Why would I change you?” Michael calmed and spoke again, “Anyhow, no one would believe you and who’s to say I won’t kill you right now!” Like a Doberman, Michael flashes his teeth with a low growl.

“True, except the police are looking for the murderer of the young woman found in a certain alley a couple weeks ago, that I, so happen to witness. All I have to do to get the polices attention is give an anonymous tip and description and they will hunt you down. Your face will be all over television,” Ann sat in complete confidence, “and you could kill me if you didn’t have neighbors that love to talk.” Michael sat in silence trying to collect himself.

A voice then comes from the basement, “wow she’s got you beat. I think you should just change her.”

Michael’s voice caterwauls as he stands, “Lori!” Michael breathes before speaking again, “it’s not that simple. I thought you left”

“Well I came back,” rolling her eyes, “and why not? Our creators simply bit us and casted us aside. At least she’ll know who it was. Hell, she’s the one searching us out. Besides, have you not been listening to her heart? She’s terrified,” circling Ann, playing with her hair, like a vulture peaking at its newly found lunch,” yet she’s here. She knows the risks.” Lori looks at Michael, “Maybe instead of trying to scare her out of it, listen to her reasons, tell her //your // reasons.” She looks back at Ann, whose nerves have started to unravel, “I’ll leave you two alone.” Lori leaves into the dark, early night. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - -- -- -- - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Sitting outside on the Barens steps Ann’s heart began to settle, “she’s right, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just burst in here asking you to bite me, when you probably didn’t want to be bitten, I just didn’t want to take no for an answer.” turning to look at him, standing in the door way. Ann sat there thinking about what Lori said and began, “you see, the reason I want to be a vampire is because I’m fearful of death. I’ve coward into my pillow many nights thinking about when my time will end. I don’t want to live a life and then just disappear from the world. Not to exist, to be forever in pure darkness, or just not anywhere. I’m not here, I won’t see, I won’t be able to speak. To disappear,” she begins to hold herself, keeping the emotions from taking over, “that’s what I fear. That there is no light, that there is no heaven and that there is no God.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Michael sits next to her, “I’m sorry, but that doesn’t make much sense to me. You’d hate to disappear from the world and be caught in a forever darkness of some kind; yet you’re willing to, technically, die and be bound to hide for the //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sun // for as long as the world keeps rotating to stay, somewhat, alive?” He chuckles. “That just doesn’t make sense.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She sighs and wipes her tears, “I know what you mean. But the point is I can move in this darkness,” she stands, holds out her arms, and twirls, “plus, it’s a beautiful darkness, lit by a beautiful moon.” Ann looks back at him and with an unsure look she says, “It’s because I want many things in life that no human can accomplish. I want to be a vampire so I can do all the things I have been limited as a human citizen. I want to learn different languages, all of them maybe. I want to play the piano,” acting like she’s playing the keys, “the flute, the cello. Instruments! I want to learn them all. Play all the games available to man. I want to sleep without the conscience of time. Maybe learn different sports. Learn different skills, like drawing, like singing, like math and science,” she laughs. “Space, I want to travel space.” Ann notices Michael become distant in thought, “so why don’t you want to turn me?”

“Well, none of us have been using our time like you want to but, it’s mostly because I

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">believe in God.” He watches her sit, keeping eye contact, “we can’t die,” he notices her about to say something, “Naturally! If we step out into the sun we turn to ash or into a corpse or into an old lady.” Michael can see the confusion in Ann’s eyes, “we don’t just die in the sun. The sun is a symbol of a new day. If we step out in the light we will continue our time or our time will end. If I step into the sun, it’d be like suicide. Anyway I think of would be considered suicide. If someone were to hold me out in the light my life will be on their hands, murder.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I don’t plan on dying anytime soon, I could push you.” Ann tries to make him smile.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sure you could but I already have blood on my hands,” looking down at them. “Having you commit a sin would be a waste on your good soul. I do not want you in this endless cycle of thoughts on how to end your own life. I’m sorry, I just can’t.” Michael tries to crack a smile, “please enjoy your life. If you could excuse me, I need to go and enjoy mine.” He walks in the house and the door closes after him.

“But I don’t believe in God.” Ann sits there and thinks for a while before leaving. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - -- -- -- - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Sirens are going off in the distances, just an annoyance to the immortal ear.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“My song?” Michael questions as he opens his eyes.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What?” Scarlet looks over at him, “Michael, I hear her coming again. I thought you ended this last night?” she approaches him as he lies on the couch.

Lori steps in front of Scarlet, “She wants to be a vampire.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Scarlet’s vision cut off from her prey, “What?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“The girl, Ann, She wants to be a vampire. Michael tried to talk her out of it. But it seems she’s pretty determined about her decision, and Michael on his,” she looks back at him trying to get him to tell Scarlet. Michael just sighs, gets up and wonders down to the basement.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Scarlet left standing there yells down at him, “Why didn’t you just turn her Michael?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Michael, from the bottom of the stairs asks Lori, “Could you tell her that I’m not here.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“No Michael! Come up here and deal with your own problems!” Scarlet yells down at Michaels request.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The sirens grow louder.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What time is it?” Lori asks but sees that it is 7:03p.m. Satisfied with the time she then yells down to him, “I will.” Scarlet looks at her and just walks away, throwing her hands up. Lori opens the door and the sun makes enough shadow to step out onto the steps. She notices Ann about to cross the street, then hears the screeching sound of three cars turning a corner and down the street. Lori steps out to signal Ann to stop, “ANN,” she screams, waving her hands, but when the sun grazed her hands, it makes them shrivel and old. Lori falls back in pain. The three speeding vehicles headed straight towards Ann.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Scarlet hears Lori in pain and comes out to find her on the steps, she begins to aid her. Scarlet hears the sirens and sees them headed in the direction of Ann, she cries out, “MICHAEL!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Ann hears murmurs and wonders what it is, so she lifts up her head phones and the sirens roar in her ears. Distinguishing the sound, she turns her head to see that she is a prime target for the three vehicles. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The driver sees Ann but doesn’t want to risk swerving, so he honks hoping she’ll move.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The cars honks freezes Ann’s movements, but she feels her body flying through the air. She hits hard on the asphalt, and rolls with another body out of the way. The three cars thunder by. Michael can feel the sun eating away at his flesh, “Are you ok? You should look both ways before crossing,” panting at the pain. He manages a smile as he listens to the song emanating from her head phones, “I thought I knew this song,” falling into Ann’s arms.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ann sees his body deteriorating, “what are you doing you idiot? You need to get back in the house!” she tries to stand and drag him but still in shock, she just falls back down with him. Michaels legs break off in ashes. “Oh God!” Ann can hear Scarlet calling for Michael. “Michael, what do I do?” she cradles him.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">His voice old and brittle, “Don’t be like me,” he gasps, “don’t just survive,” he grasps Ann’s hand, “Live! Do all those ideas of yours.” His arm dissipates in the wind, “I guess suicide was the only option.” Michaels hand crushes in Ann’s.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Fool!” as Michael completely fades, “you saved my life.” Ann’s tears fall into the ashes, “that is not suicide.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - -- -- -- - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Ann stretches in the moon light. Scarlet and Lori join her. Ann says, “your hands are looking better.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Ya, I guess.” Lori replies. “Well, shouldn’t we get going?” Lori and Scarlet walk down the broken path and wait for Ann at the tipping gate.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “Yeah, time for us to head out,” Ann looks back at the house, “thanks, Michael.” She flashes a smile with a couple of sharp teeth.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Flowers of hope <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And truly it was fair enough for flowers, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Such white luxuriance of May, for hours.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose,

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I sit on the couch watching her arrange, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Little rivulets of water chains.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Centuries deep and true, I was wrong and graceless. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All the brightness, which you kept, in the starving winter weather; <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And all the leaves fell into the water of your soul.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Beyond your eyes, fahter on, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All trapped in the newly found bravery; <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">People agreeded not to notice.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remember that the hope is in your eyes, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Your smile will fill them with pride.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rising along with the sun, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To drive away the lowly lonesome.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Waiting <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No flash of light, just the banging of drums. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The cold, harsh droplets fit my mood. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Running down my hidden features, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In misery, in agony.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Even with this unreasonable appearance, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The thumping beat, with loud laughter, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Continues on without my being.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The bumping rhythm, creates more sorror.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On the trunk of my car, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Left, with only me, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Recollections flood the soul.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All the laughs, all the games, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At first, a smile, but only fades.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Burying myself deeper in my arms, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Listening to the songs of tears, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">They cradle my ears, fending off the smiles.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The glistening lilies fall from grasp. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">His favorite sweet aroma, washes away with the rest.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Frustrations seeps throught the mind. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How could he does this, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Where could he be? <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hoping this night is only worse for me.