Finding Ave

Part title

Until today Ave had been missing for two weeks. She showed up bright-faced, blond and better than ever.
​Ave has been my best friend since primary. But ever since the night two weeks ago when she went on a hike with her parents we haven't talked or texted; no communication what-so-ever.
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​I never wanted this. I never have and I still don't. Believe me when I tell you I didn't volunteer to become a-a-a vampire. But I can't help it now! Everyone in my family is like me, but why? Why are we like this? My skin, mouth, everywhere has hurt ever since my parents unlocked me. Let out the monster inside of me. I couldn't go back to school until today. Even though I look better, healthier, prettier... I hurt. It felt as if something was taking me over, devouring me from the inside-out. And in some ways, I guess, that is true.
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​Ave has never been ugly, nor pretty, just your average straw blond hair and grey-blue eyes, but when Ave came to school today, I almost didn't recognize her. She looked so... I don't know, bigger. Not fat or anything, but she was just radiating greatness. I almost knelt down and bowed to her. I think that a few of the A/V geeks actually did.
​Throughout the day as Ave and I walked through the halls people stared and looked almost hypnotized, as if they were being compelled to watch us... or more likely, her, Ave.
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​I can barely control my want, my desire, my need. All of these people staring. Why are they staring? I just want. Want! These bright faces, full of vitality and life. And blood. Their staring makes it worsen. I haven't been near this many people since I... since I awakened. My parents said that people would stare. That their little brains, in the smallest part, could sense their, our, my power. And they want it. Oh, they want it. They don't understand the pain and the hurt. Mortals are all power-hungry dogs. They don't think about the consequences for them and others. On the bus this morning I nearly drained this little kid who wouldn't stop staring at me...
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​Ave and I have always agreed that we would leave the town of Drainage, New Hampshire as soon as we could. With its old (and 'rich') history that every member of town council wants to caress and keep. Our town is the oldest in New Hampshire and, in my opinion, is creepy as Hades. The streets, which most people think of as quaint, are cobblestone, but if you look closer it seems as if they're stained with blood and death. Our houses are made of stone that's dark as pitch and they look like mini castles. With their grand iron gates, mini turrets (no idea why anyone would want a mini turret), and fifteen foot dark Oak doors with cast iron gargoyle door knockers.
​Ave and I agree that this town is haunted with the ghosts of the past that no one will let go of. We made a pact to go to New York together, but when I mention it lately, ever since she came back, Ave seems reluctant. As if she doesn't want to, or something's keeping her from, leaving. I don't know what's going on with her, but I need to find out.
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​Last night my dad took me hunting. Without any weapons. He brought me to a little bit of woods on the Wildcat Mountains and showed me a mountain lion den. What he did next will scar me forever. What I did next just might kill me. He had told me to watch him closely, and within two seconds he was not my father.
​He was a monster. His dark and curly hair was caressing a beast. His eyes were bloodshot and surrounded by dark purple veins, his lips had turned almost black and by him holding his mouth open you could see that all of his teeth were sharp as knives. All of them.
​My dad looked at me, and I shrunk back, as if he wanted me to 'transform' as he just did. And as soon as I thought about changing, becoming someone, something else, I felt a tugging, a pull, in my gut, as if a... a thing was trying to pull itself free. To take control of it.
​And I let it.
​I felt my eyes go bloodshot. I felt my veins rise out onto the surface of my skin. And worst of all, I felt my teeth sharpen, turning into mini daggers.
​My dad smiled at me, if you can imagine a shark smiling that's what it looked like. He urged me towards the mountain lion den, pushing me from behind. I took a sharp intake of breath and with it came the smell of blood beneath the lions' skin.
​I wanted it.
​I leaped into their den, some animalistic instinct taking control, and grabbed a mountain lion with beautiful golden fur... then I drained it. My teeth digging into its jugular. Cutting it. Licking up the blood. Enjoying it.
​I smiled. Dad smiled back.
​And then I smelled a human.