"Hungry proves the soul to be with lust for blood and sex. It creates a schism in the mind, overlapping both desires. It's never wise to explore these dark paths in oneself, it could prove fatal."  Click, and the television was cut off. Vespera laid sideways in her chair, sinking further into it and looking forward in the darkness. She usually hid away from others, keeping quiet and having sparse relationships. They led to nowhere but unwanted pain and so she tended to flee the moment things began to lose their rose gold tint. When she saw their true colors, actions and understood fully what they had actually meant. Vespera never stayed in one town for long for fear that one of them may find her again. This time, she knew they couldn't.

Out of country, under a pseudonym and a whole new look. Something she could enjoy as the person she longed to be. Tonight, she couldn't hide away from anyone.

Series Six, An Untold Story laden with uncertainty. She adjusted her slip with care, the piercings had finally healed. Vespera rested her hand around her neck, sighing softly to herself. It was a safe quiet, nothing out of the ordinary and no one behind a corner waiting to jump out. She stood up from her chair and pulled the slip down carefully. Her dark eyes adjusted to the lack of light, blackout curtains keeping any amount out. She slid her hand along the wall to safely make it back to her room. She was going out with some friends, so she needed to get ready. It was almost instinctual to be careful, despite them being healed so well. She let her slip fall to the floor and took a moment to check them over.

They turned out so well! She smiled happily to herself for a moment before the smile faltered. It began to turn into a frown, examining her body and face. Ever so critical of her features, each and every one of them. She shook her head, attempting to shoo away the critical voices in her head. None of those for tonight, it's going to be a good one.

She pulled out an outfit, placing it on her bed then disappearing to her bathroom. An hour spent in the shower, to ease her nervousness and to wash away the day. Afterwards, cutting the water off and stepping out, she wrapped a towel around her body. She tapped her fingers against the counter of the sink then reached for her toothbrush, two minutes then onto her makeup, her outfit then out the door she goes. She wandered back into her room, picking up her phone to check the time. 7:47 pm, almost four hours had passed. She got dressed, her phone went off again. Vespera Picked up, One unread message. She finished dressing and opened the message. "I'm out waiting for you - Lucretia" She slipped on her boots then headed for the door. Vespera stepped out, waving to the other woman. She moved to the car and slid in.

"Are you ready", Lucretia asked, "there's supposed to be this band playing at the club tonight, about eight-thirty." "Have they said who yet", Vespera asked in response. "No, I suppose they want to make it a surprise", Lucretia grinned, "and maybe you can dance to the music with the guy from last time." "If he's there tonight", she sighed, resting the side of her face on the back of her hand. "You're right", Lucretia admitted, "There were two men dancing with you last time, if I remember correctly." "I'm surprised you remembered last time", Vespera chuckled, "You were fucked up." "Oh, I know", she laughed, "it was a good time! I think he's gonna like this little number you've got going on." Vespera rolled her eyes, "Which one?" "Maybe both of them."

It was a five minute drive from her house to the club, "Wasn't Zeromancer there last time?" "I'm not sure." "Oh right, 'cause you were busy making out with some woman, Cretia." "She was hot and we were both consenting", Lucretia rolled her eyes, pulling into a parking spot. "Yeah she was but wow, you two were going at it like you guys were suffocating." "Let's get in there, now", Vespera. "LET'S FUCKIN' LOSE IT", Lucretia yelled with excitement.

She always hated large venues, how crowded they got and the amount of people crammed in and moving around, for lack of a better term, like worms in a jar. But hell, if her friends were there then all would be well. Both women slipped out of the car and made their way inside, it was almost empty at the moment. Other people were making their way in, Vespera and Lucretia made their way to their circle of friends. A giggle escaped someone's mouth, "someone's got her tetas out!" "Veronica, you've seen them before", Vespera responded. "I know but it's a surprise when you decide to show the world your tetas."

"Chinga tu madre, puta." Lucretia laughed almost immediately. "No, but I'll fuck yours", Veronica hissed, grinning. "She's dead", Vespera responded. "Oh fuck, lo siento, perra." Vespera cracked a grin, stifling her laughter. "Is she or is she not dead?", Veronica asked. "Yeah, yeah she is but damn did your mood change like hell. Shoulda seen the look on your face." Aubrey pointed to two figures, her own grin playing at the corners of her lips. "Watch them, they're fuckin' hot", she said, her voice was cool and steady. "Your blonde is showing, babes", Veronica hummed, looking up at the taller woman beside her. "You know you love it", Aubrey smirked, her eyes narrowing. Veronica's face reddened slightly, crossing her arms over her chest, "Keep bedroom things in the bedroom!"

"You guys didn't even seem to notice her piercings", Aubrey hummed. "Piercings? Where?" "Boobs!" "Oh fuck, when?" "Six, seven months ago. I don't appreciate it being pointed out", Vespera sighed. "Yeah, I forgot you were wanting to see how long it'd take for them to notice. My bad. Where are the men", Aubrey murmured "They're going to be fashionably late, per usual", Aspen said, breaking their silence for once. "I nearly forgot how your voice sounded, hun", Lucretia admitted, "Why are you so quiet?" "Observing is more my thing, always has been", they smiled.

The club began to grow crowded, cramped even. It went dark for a moment then lights began to flash. The club was filled to maximum capacity by the time the lights came back on. The group disbanded for the night to get lost in whatever they could. Vespera and Lucretia made their way to The Pit, as was usual for the start of the night. Aubrey and Veronica went off to the catacombs, Aspen to the lounge. The music was loud, the air had a new energy as movement was encouraged. Lucretia had stayed with Vespera this time, for the most part.

Time seemed to pass on by rather quickly, other bodies dancing around and creating walls of humans. Lucretia slipped to the other side of the crowd and Vespera towards the bar. A breather, she needed out of that crowd. She sat down and rested her head in her arms, against the bar. Her eyes were closed as she took in a few heavy, deep breaths. She felt someone was close to her, opening her eyes to see who it was. Ah, just a stranger waiting for the bartender for a moment. Finally, She sat upright and folded her hands together. Another person moved by, she saw them pass in her peripheral and she turned to see if it had been Lucretia or Aspen.

Neither of them. Shaking her head, she let it go as she began to wonder if her claustrophobia was starting to get to her. Vespera had been hesitant about tonight, anyways. It came and went, some nights were great while others weren't. She fidgeted with the zipper of her jacket, contemplating the outfit decisions she had made. She zipped it up and pulled her MP3 player out, hoping to be able to slip out of this reality for a while or until she was able to shake the cramped feeling. The night just felt wrong somehow, making her ancy and wanting to leave for cool air. Just for a moment, just a little while. She slid back into her seat, almost trying to make herself smaller and non-noticeable.

She closed her eyes again, a memory surfacing for the first time since she had moved away. Deftones being blared throughout an old house, a drunken voice screaming along. Vespera recognized the screaming voice, someone she had once loved. All they saw in her was a body and nothing more. She couldn't make their face out, but she knew who it was, Slam! Her head hit the bar top with a loud thud. It felt like forever but she came back to reality, a shadow stood above her from behind the counter. The stranger beside her exchanged concerned looks with the bartender, "Are her eyes dilated? This is a rather thick slab of marble and that was a pretty hard hit", the bartender spoke. "I can't tell, she's looking towards the floor", The stranger responded.

"Let's get her outside to fresh air, I'll have my manager cover for me. Wait here, I'll be right back." The bartender left to go find their manager and to explain the situation, then returned with the manager in tow and an ice pack in hand. She hopped over the counter and the stranger. "Take as long as you need, Ataraxia, we'll take care of everyone else, okay?" "Yeah, okay", Ataraxia replied, helping the stranger in carrying Vespera out for air.

Another six months passed since the incident at the club. A few people stuck around, Lucretia, Ataraxia, and Caine. Everyone else had left and moved on. It was temporary yet the two left found themselves in the company of two new people. It was definitely better than being alone together for however long it had been. Well, until the others decided to make their comeback, unceremoniously and uncaring. At least Vespera knew who she could trust and vice versa. She couldn't remember much of what happened that night. Caine was the stranger at the bar who helped Ataraxia carry Vespera out while she had a concussion.

Something about him was familiar, like she had met him before that night. She couldn't get him out of her head. Her bedroom was almost silent, there was a faint ringing lingering in the air. There had been a recent scare about...What was it? They weren't named, these creatures. She knew that they could enter a house at random, the idea of whatever they were just appearing in her home was terrifying alone. Much worse was their method of hunting, taking the form of someone the victim adored or had an attraction to. She knew that they would watch their prey for however long they chose, in order to create a panicked and paranoid state of mind.

The sun would be rising soon, Lucretia would be stopping by for a visit in a few hours. After Lucretia, Caine would stop by sometime in the afternoon, last would be Ataraxia while she would be on her way to work. At some point during those six months, Lucretia and Ataraxia began going out together. They seemed to be perfect for each other, they were practically insane about one another. Vespera yawned, turning onto her side and checking the time. 4:47 am, she hadn't slept at all and she couldn't. She thought to herself as she sat upwards in her bed. This is getting old, sleeping has been impossible. What the hell is going on? Vespera flung her blankets off of her body, trying to alleviate the feeling of suffocating dread. Swinging her legs over the edge of her bed, she got up and headed to get a shower. She needed one anyways, and hoped it would ease her into a tired state or maybe it would be far too late for sleep.

Stepping underneath the warm, running water, she pressed her hands against the wall. Vespera stood up and moved far too quickly, so she kept herself propped against the wall. She felt the warmth of the water, finally, hitting her legs and torso. Vespera groaned softly, slowly sliding her hands down and back to her sides. She grabbed her body scrub, loaded with a cherry scented body wash, and began to scrub her body. Zoning out at some point, she found herself lost in thought.

I'll tell him when he comes by today. Maybe it would be a good idea – in case one of those creatures materialized in her home and killed her. And to get it off of her chest, even if he didn't reciprocate the feelings. At least it won't weigh me down for however long I could possibly have left.

Vespera had that familiar paranoid feeling welling inside of her stomach, a sense of impending doom. Finally, she came back to reality, sinking down onto the shower floor. She stayed under the water until well after it ran cold, realizing how long she had been in there for. Vespera could see the sun as it had begun to nestle it's own place into the sky. The combination of cold air and having stayed in an ice cold shower for nearly an hour caused her entire body to shake almost uncontrollably. She quickly returned to her room, grabbing some warm clothes and slipping into them. The temperature dropped within the house, how strange. No, she'd text him now and tell him everything.

"There isn't much time left, I'm afraid. Whatever has been claiming the lives of others has made its way to my house. I wanted to tell you, when you came by later today, but now is just as good a time as any... I hope. I understand that feelings are not always reciprocated, anyways. I've had feelings for you for a while now. I don't remember when they began, but I know that with every visit they always return. Often stronger than the last time, they never go away. But now, I fear they'll die alongside me."

In a way, she was almost completely correct. Setting aside her phone, she accepted her fate. Vespera knew there was no point in fighting back or even making the attempt to do so. She took a seat in the center of her bedroom floor. "You're just going to accept it, hm", a voice called out, "Not even a fight? Smart, you know. Adrenaline makes food taste awful." She heard a chair creak from the otherside of her wardrobe and the sound of dress shoes walking along the hardwood floor. A man knelt down before her, "I'm not even going to do to you what the other's do to their food. Inhumane, really. Causing emotional pain on top of an adrenaline rush in the midst of dying", he added, "It's a special kind of fucked up." He spoke with an accent, one that Vespera couldn't quite place. He went silent for a moment, reaching a hand out to her face. "No, no. You'll live."

Vespera looked up from the ground, uncertain if she should be afraid of continuing to live or worrying about dying. The fear had planted Vespera to the floor, as if she had been magnetized in place. She was confused, hearing the uncertainty in the man's voice. She was just about to die but he changed his mind and left.

Lucretia didn't stop by or give a heads up call so Vespera decided to call her friend, to ensure she was safe. When she didn't pick up, Vespera decided she would walk to Lucretia's house. It wouldn't be a long walk, ten minutes at most and this would be the first time in months she had left her house. All the lights were still out, she knocked on the door and waited a moment before knocking again. No response for either set of knocking. Strange, she doesn't sleep in. Cretia is usually up about this time for practice. Vespera decided to check under the false rock that sat by the porch for a key. Lo and behold, that's where it was. She took it out of its slot and inserted it into the lock. "I'm coming in, Lucretia", she called out as she opened the door a bit. She caught a faint scent of iron in the air. Something was beyond wrong, she didn't make another step into the house. She made her way next door to Lucretia's neighbor's house and knocked on the door. She cried as soon as the door opened, an older woman stood before her.

"What's wrong", she asked Vespera, "is everything alright?" "My friend, I don't know if she's okay or not. Her house smells like death", she sobbed. "Get in, get in", the woman ushered, her worried expression deepening as she pulled Vespera in, "I'll call the police, why don't you tell me everything? I know you won't be in any shape to tell them when they arrive."

Time seemed to have slowed down yet speed past, everything blurred. Vespera recounted everything from when she left her house until she went to the neighboring house while the older woman restated everything to the police. The entire visit was short, but they stayed long at Lucretia's house. The woman walked Vespera back to her house, consoling her after everything was said and done.

Three days passed between then and when Caine finally visited again. He was behaving strangely, moving around erratically. He paced around, mumbling to himself, wide-eyed and afraid. After a while, he turns his attention to Vespera and moves towards her. She was sitting in her chair, arms pulled tight around her body and her eyes just as wide as Caine's were. He knew something she didn't, though he was afraid she did. Caine slammed his hands down on the arms of the chair, leaning over Vespera and locked eyes with her. She stared up in shock, his expression read as though he were ready to kill her.

It was almost as if he would see right into her mind, every memory she had ever made. Every dream or thought, whatever it was, it was almost as if he could see it and confused him. He grabbed her face and pulled her closer to him, "He was here, wasn't he", Caine asked, "Just nod..." Vespera just stared in silence, which began to frustrate Caine. "I'll take that as a yes, then", he whispered, glaring at Vespera, "You need to learn to speak up. How will anyone help you if you don't say a word?" Caine dropped his hand, stepping away from Vespera, "I gotta go, got things to do." He turned around and headed towards the front door, slamming it behind him as he left. Vespera sank further into her seat, pulling her legs back up to her chest and pressing her forehead into the tops of her knees.

She had spoken up, many times. She was still grieving her friends, her dead friends. Vespera felt smaller and weaker than before, not to mention loneliness coupled with confusion. She couldn't cry, not yet. She let go of her legs and slammed her head against the headrest of the chair, holding back every emotion that came rushing into her mind. Vespera felt as though there was no escape from these emotions, none that didn't end in her taking her own life somehow. She just wanted to be happy for once, to have friends and someone to love. Every turn she took, every path she followed seemed to be laden with misfortune and agony. Where could she go, now? She certainly couldn't return to her home country, she would be found easier that way.

Shakily, Vespera rose from her seat, thinking of what she could do. She looked around the living room for a moment, taking in a deep breath then beginning to unplug every home phone from the outlets and landline wires from their respective outlets. Disconnecting her computer and internet, then decided to find her hiding space. It was a crawl space within her closet, not easy to find. Making a final round to ensure no one could reach her, she nodded to herself and gathered a few things to take refuge in the crawl space. She could last a few days in there, making the occasional trip to use the restroom and get something to eat or drink.

The moment she closed the crawl space door behind her, remembering her confession from the day she thought she was about to die. Oh, how she regretted it. A kind exterior doesn't always mirror the true face of an individual. What could she do within the crawlspace? She knew there was another door opposite to the one she came through. Vespera reached out to the other door's handle, twisting it and giving the door a slight shove. A sliver of dim light shone through the opened door, she pressed her entire body against it to open it completely. She peaked through the door, crawling through it and taking in the new sights in complete amazement.

Dancing lights decorated the sides of a path that led from the door. Vespera stood up and dusted herself off, sniffling a bit. She began down the path, where would it lead her? Vespera stumbled as her eyes adjusted to the minimal light. The further she walked, she could hear voices in the distance. They were faint yet grew louder the more she pressed on. ...Saw a door open from nowhere, it was real odd. Then an arm reached out, belonging to some Broad...

Vespera felt her stomach sink, she looked back and saw that the door she came through had disappeared. She made a disgruntled face, continuing the path. She could make out the voices, which belonged to men. One of them had previously mentioned seeing her crawl from the door, she heard it and didn't really keep it in mind. There were people dressed in dated clothes, different decades as if it were a decade day in school.

Still, Vespera felt a ping of guilt rippling through her as if she had done something wrong. Albeit, she hadn't done anything so significant in this new environment. She felt a hand rest between her shoulder blades before it curled into the fabric of her shirt. She was in the air within a matter of seconds. Ah shit, that was unexpected. Her eyes darted back to catch a glimpse of whoever it was who had picked her up like a misbehaving cat. To no avail, her neck wouldn't turn as a result of the grip the stranger had on her shirt.