The Mortician's Daughter

I stared at the open History book. I should be studying and doing homework before I go to the morgue but I couldn't focus. My attention nor my eyes would focus on the work I had to complete.

My mind wandered from one thing to another without any warning. My eyes kept wandering to the window where I wanted to exit and escape the house for awhile. Testing my speed and weaving through obstacles. My muscles kept flinching, preparing to take off but I only held myself back.

I knew Evan and his family were out hunting and my body begged to run with them again. I wanted to listen to the not so innocent meal's heart race and the sound of his/her's blood rushing through their veins. The sound of their weight shifting quickly from foot to foot. Their weight crashing down on the ground as they ran down the alleys and streets trying to get away before death could catch up.

The sound of our own bodies out running our reality and thoughts. The ache that ran through my joints and muscles when I had pushed myself past my limits successfully. The feeling of pride when my still human heart could keep up with these full blood vampires and their prey.

"You know you want to." Evan said sitting on my windowsill. I looked up. I wasn't frightened by sudden movements much anymore. I wasn't frightened by Evan's sudden appearance because I could smell his scent from a mile away and I had gotten used to him appearing from out of nowhere.

"I can't. I have homework to do." I replied tapping my pen against the ink-less, wordless notebook page.

"You know if you don't, you're just going to drive yourself crazy. Come on. We still have a chance before the sun rises. You'll be able to focus more tonight." He stated. I bit my lip and looked past him at the barely lit sky. I tapped the pen against the notebook rapidly. I wanted to go so bad but I knew I needed to do my homework then go to the morgue but the desire to go hunting with Evan over rode the have to to do homework.

He held his hand out. A grin spread across his face. "Come on. I'll have you at the morgue by the time the doors open good. I promise." He said. His hand waiting for mine.

"Okay." I said excitedly throwing the pen in the History book and snapping it shut. I grabbed my jacket off the back of the desk chair I was sitting in, my phone off the desk by the books and took Evan's hand. "Let's go." I smiled. The window was already opened and we jumped out.

Casen and Derek were waiting outside as we landed. My body twitched and shook from excitement. Derek's lips twisted into a grin as Casen smiled warmly. I had a bad feeling about Derek every time he looked me in the eyes. I wanted to trust him because he was Casen's best friend but something told me not to trust him too much.

"Annabelle, my big sister." Casen greeted. "Casen, my little brother." I smiled. He smirked. "That's going to take some getting used to." I said. "Yeah. It is. We've only known each other a short period of time and now, to know we're brother and sister, it's odd." He replied. I nodded.

"Let's get this show on the road!" Devan exclaimed walking up. "Would. You. Shut. Up!?" I hissed. Devan was more happy and loud around me now. He wasn't so... grumpy anymore.

"Why?" He asked joining us. "Because my mother is still inside and she could hear you!" I answered firmly. "Don't worry about that. Come on. We've got to get this hunting started. Sunrise isn't far behind.'' He stated. "Let's go!" Casen said eagerly. Devan clapped his hands and they started off. I started to follow them but Evan stopped me by grabbing my jacket sleeve.

I looked at him curiously. He reached in his pocket and pulled something out. "I want you to have this." He said pulling my arm out. I flattened my hand out as he placed something in it.

I looked at what he had placed in my hand. A worn silver chain with a coin in the middle lay in my hand. I held it up to take a closer look. On one side, a wolf sat quietly with his tail rested on his leg and on the other, there was an eagle with his wings outstretched as if he were flying.

Evan caught the coin as it swiftly moved back and forth. He turned the wolf side to me. "The shy wolf. She sits so quiet, staring at the world. Hiding all that's known. She waits for her own. When time passes her slowly, she sits and cries. Her cries for help, to rescue her from her own cruel self. Her eyes shine like the sun.
"So in love with what she knows. Her knight in shining armor on his way. When he arrives, out of the clear blue sky, she greets him with a warm smile but yet too shy to say hi." He said softly as I stared at the wolf engraved in the silver coin.

Then he flipped it over where the eagle was facing me. "The eagle so high in flight. Finds the freedom in which she deserves. Finding flight in times of terror. Facing her fears, and facing her past. She takes on the world at last. So divine, so much time, so much beauty and not enough shine. Her skills and talents are unseen, but her heart is so clear." He said. It was as if he was telling the poem to me. Not explaining what the pictures on the coin meant.

"I thought you should have it. Its been in my family for centuries and every time I look at it, I think of you." He explained as I lowered the necklace down so I could look at him.

"You shouldn't trust me with it. What if I lose it?" I asked. "I'm not worried about you losing it. I want you to have it. It will make me happy to see you wear it." He answered. "Are you sure? I m-" I started but he cut me off. "If you won't put it on, I will." He said taking the necklace from my hand.

He walked behind me and I held my hair off my neck as he placed the loose hanging necklace around my throat. He snapped the necklace chain back together and I let my hair fall down. He walked back around in front of me and looked me over.

"Adds to your beauty more." He said. I smiled as my cheeks took on a rose pink color. "Evan! Annabelle! Come on!" Devan called. Evan glanced in Devan's direction then looked at me, a half grin on his lips.

"I'll race you." He challenged. I smiled. "Where to?" I asked. "The park. By the huge Oak tree on the hill." He answered. I nodded. Without warning, I started running. "Hey!" He exclaimed. I laughed as I ran.

We raced down the streets and over hills. Jumping over any obstacle that stood in our way. Smiling the whole time. It seemed as if time was froze. The sun rising in the distance. My heart raced faster as we ran. Pushing myself faster and faster with each step.

Without warning, my cell phone started ringing in my back pocket of my jeans. When I stomped my foot down to stop, it hit a patch of water and I tumbled to the ground.

"Annabelle, are you okay?" Evan asked when I stopped rolling on the pavement. I looked at my knee. There was a small hole in my jeans and a few drops of blood. Evan got on his knees by me.

"Are you okay?" He repeated. "Yeah. Just a little blood." I answered. He grabbed my wrist and turned my hand over, palm up. "Your hands scratched up." He said. "It's okay. My phone was ringing. Hang on." I replied. I reached in my pocket and pulled my phone out.

Ten missed calls from Dad was on the screen when I unlocked the keys. I quickly hit the green call button to call him back. I waited as the line rang.

"Annabelle? Why haven't you answered my calls!?" My father asked firmly. "Sorry. I didn't hear the phone." I answered calmly. "I need you over here at the morgue right now!" He said firmly. "Can I go by the house first?" I asked. "No! Get to the morgue right now, young lady!" He snapped. "Okay." I replied quietly. I heard the phone snap shut as I removed my phone from my ear.

"I have to go." I told Evan standing up. "I'll drive you." He said. "How? Your car-" I started but noticed his car pull up beside us. Devan got out of the driver side.

I hurriedly got in as Evan flashed around to the drivers side. He got in and we buckled our seat belts. I was a little shaky knowing my father was angry with me. I was afraid that he would restrict me from going anywhere with Evan for a while. That's what scared me.

I stared out the window as Evan sped down the highway. "You look worried." He said. "I am." I replied. He must have suspected why I was worried.

We got to the morgue. I hurried up the steps, in the doors and down the hall. Evan trailing along beside me. My father waiting in the doorway with a stern look on his face. He motioned for me to come in with his index finger. I glanced up at Evan and walked down the hall. Leaving Evan standing in the hall.

We walked in the morgue, my father slammed the door rather hard and I flinched a little.

"Why didn't you answer my calls!?" He demanded. "I didn't hear the phone." I stated looking at the floor. "Do you realize how worried me and your mother was?! Ten missed calls, Annabelle! How do you not hear that phone ringing ten times!?" He asked angrily. I continued to look at the floor.

"Sorry..." I said quietly. "Sorry's not going to cut it, Annabelle! What if you're hurt or something and we try to call? We're just going to think you're out with Evan! I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but I'm about to put a chain on it. Sneaking out at night. Not answering phone calls. You're becoming one of those wild teenagers..." He trailed off. My heart sunk when he revealed that he knew about me sneaking out at night.

"One more time, Annabelle Lahay and you'll be grounded until you can get your act together." He warned. I nodded. "Okay." I replied quietly. "We have an appointment with a couple whose daughter was killed in an accident. They want to talk to you about her make-up and hair." He stated more calmly but still firm. I nodded.

He walked over to the door and snapped it open and waited for me. I walked across the room and out the door with my head held low. I stopped outside and waited for him to get in front of me and lead me to where we was going.

My father silently walked by and I followed. We walked by Evan. I glanced up at him. "Sorry." He mouthed. I didn't say or do anything other than look back at the floor. I couldn't feel any other emotion other than scared.

I wasn't afraid of my father. I was afraid that he would ban me from seeing Evan anymore. THAT is what I'm afraid of. My father had never hit or cursed me in my life but I knew the rules were about to be tougher.

We walked into Stephen's office. A man and a woman were standing there. They turned and faced us as we walked in. The woman's eyes were red rimmed and blood shot.

"Mister and Misses Stone, this is Joseph and Annabelle Lahay. This is the young lady I told you about that is fantastic at her job of cosmetology!" Stephen said proudly. His comment made me feel a little better but I knew I was still in trouble.

"Hi." She said warmly shaking my head. She let go of my hand and reached into her purse and pulled out a picture.

"This is a picture of my daughter. She always done her make-up in such a natural way and every funeral home's work I've ever seen is just so unrealistic. I don't want to take any chances of my daughter wearing bright pink on the night of our goodbye's." She stated handing the picture to me.

I looked at the picture. The girl was smiling brightly. Clearly happy. Her hair was blond and her eyes were deep brown. Her skin was slightly tan. I noticed the eyeshadow above her eyes was a very light brown and her eyeliner just think enough you could see it.

"Do you think you can do it?" Mister Stone asked. I looked up from the picture of their beautiful daughter at them. "Yeah." I nodded. "Thank you so much." She said placing her hand on my forearm. I didn't know what to say or do. I couldn't imagine what it was like to lose your child.

" I'll get right on it." I said. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I trust you. You remind me of my daughter. She was always so kind to whomever she came by." She replied. I forced a smile then looked at my father.

" I'm going to do my work now." I said. He nodded. I held the picture gently and walked out. Evan met me at the door.

"I'm sorry. If I would have known you were going to get in trouble, I wouldn't have made you went." He said as we walked swiftly down the hall. "I wanted to go. And it was my fault for having the phone on silent. Don't worry. It's my fault and I know it. I'm just going to lay low for a few days until he calms down about it and then maybe he'll be reasonable to talk with." I stated as we walked down the hall to the morgue.

"How can I not feel responsible?" He asked. "I talked you into going. And I should have heard your phone. I don't understand why I didn't. I guess I was enjoying the run." He added as I opened the door to the part where the bodies were kept.

I gasped in shock when I seen the young girl sitting up on the table with the white cloth wrapped around her. She looked at me. "I'm not dead." She stated. I glanced up at Evan with a worried look.

We walked in and shut the door. "I'm like you." She said as we walked closer. "You're - a vampire?" I questioned shocked. She nodded. She pulled her hair back and showed us the bite marks on her neck. "Who did this to you?" Evan asked. "I don't remember. I couldn't see his face." She answered. "His?" I questioned. "Yeah. It was a man. He said something to me but I can't remember what." She stated.

"I'll contact you when Annabelle and I have finished our job." My father told the Stone couple as they walked for the door. My eyes widened. The last thing I needed was to help explain how a dead girl was sitting up talking to me. Especially the fact my father had done performed the autopsy on her and she had stitches in her chest.

"Quick! Go distract my father! He doesn't need to know she's alive!" I warned Evan. "He won't-" He started but I cut him off by pointing to her chest where the stitches shone. "Oh." He said. I shoved him towards the door. "Go!" I said firmly.

He walked out the door and shut it. "Are you able to fake the funeral?" I asked. She shook her head. "No. I want to drain the blood from every human that walks by. I had to fight myself while your father done the autopsy on me. I want blood so bad." She stated. "Oh boy, we have a problem then." I replied. She bit her lip as I paced around.

"I need Evan but he's-" I started but was cut off by the door opening. "Right here." He finished. "Where's my father at?" I asked. "My father has him distracted. Don't worry. Is there any more bodies?" He asked. I walked over and checked all the freezers.

"Surprisingly, no." I stated facing them. "I have an idea..." He mused. The girl glanced from me to Evan worriedly. We waited for him to reveal his idea.

"We'll burn this part of the morgue and tell them her body was burned in it." He stated. "I'm not going to actually be in it am I? Where am I going to go?" She asked worried. "No. I have somewhere to send you. Don't worry. You can live with my family." He answered. "But won't it hurt them worse than losing their daughter to know her body burned and they didn't get to have a proper funeral?" I asked looking at him quizzically. "It will but it's needed. She can't fake the funeral and she's a newborn so we can't take any chances. We have to do what we have to do.
"There's a gas tank right outside, lights, electricity and so many other things that can cause the fire. My grandfather's old morgue is right down the road. We have back-up." He explained.

I didn't want to hurt those people any more than they were already hurt. They lost their daughter, the last thing they needed was losing her body, too and not having a proper burial. Any closure they would get from the funeral was about to be taken away. But we had no other choice. The girl couldn't fake the funeral for wanting to drain every human there of their blood so we had to do something. My father would notice when her body was missing and no other plan could be used other than someone stole the body and the police would be constantly searching for her body.

"Fine. Get everyone out of the morgue. I have an idea." I said. "Okay. Rebeca is on her way to get..." Evan trailed off looking at the girl. We didn't know her name. "Maegen." The girl said. He nodded. "My sister will be here shortly to get you. She drives like an idiot but she'll be here soon to get you." Evan told Maegen. She nodded.

"I need a dark place and a lantern." I stated to Evan. "There's a closet thing right over there and a lantern in the office." He replied. "And now the sister has saved the day once again!" Rebeca exclaimed walking in. Evan rolled his eyes. She walked over to Maegen and handed her some clothes.

We turned around while Maegen put the clothes on that Rebeca had brought her. "Make my father go to the store or something. Get him away from here long enough the fire can start good and the fire department gets here." I whispered. He nodded.

"You can turn around now." Maegen said. We turned around all at the same time. I stepped in front of Evan and Rebeca. "Evan," I started. He looked at me, focused and alert waiting for my instructions. "Tell my father he needs to go to the store and get some wire to re-wire a new light. Send your father with him. Make sure no one is around when they pull out the drive." I stated. He nodded. I turned and looked at Maegen.

"While you climb out the window so you won't be seen, Rebeca is going to bring the car around back and you're going with her. She's going to take you to her family so you'll be safe." I stated to Maegen. She nodded while biting her lip. I turned back to Evan and Rebeca.

"Ready?" I asked raising my brow. "Let's get started!" Rebeca said excitedly. "Great!" I replied clapping my hands together.

I watched as my father and Stephen pulled out into the street. I watched as they disappeared and Rebeca pulled her car around behind the morgue. I rushed over to the window where Maegen was standing. She looked at me nervously.

"They won't hurt me will they?" She asked as Rebeca's car pulled into view behind the morgue. "No. I promise they won't. They're good people. They'll help you." I answered. She nodded weakly and opened the window.

Evan came in the door. "We don't have much time." He stated. I nodded as Maegen climbed easily out the window. She landed cat-like on the ground and rushed to get in the car. Rebeca raced the engine and slowly backed up and pulled out the drive.

"Where's the lantern?" I asked Evan reaching my hand out. "Right here." He said placing a large lantern in my hand. The fire glistened on the clean, clear glass. "Go to the front desk and wait. I'll come through the window there." I instructed pointing to the window on the front of the building. "I don't like leaving you in here alone to do this." He stated. "I promise I'll come out alive. Just go. They'll be back soon. We need this whole place in flames as soon as possible." I replied. He nodded. He turned and rushed out of the room, shutting the door gently as he left.

The smell of gasoline lingered in the air from my earlier "soaking" of the room to insure everything would catch fire quickly and easily.

I walked over to the small closet in the edge of the morgue. I opened the door to find cobwebs hanging from corner - to - corner. Dust three inches thick on the floor and shelves.

"I hate to do this to these people." I said to myself as I mentally prepared myself. I took a deep breath and let the lantern fall from my hand. Fire quickly spread through out the room as I stepped back.

I stood next to the window as everything went up in flames. I didn't like burning this place down since this was the first place I had met Evan and had some memories here. Naturally it would break my heart to see this place go up in flames.

The burning wood crackled and popped as the flames climbed the walls like wild roses. The orange flames were a beautiful, comforting color to me and I wanted to stare at them but I knew soon, if I didn't come out, I would be ash myself.

I busted the front window out with a piece of board that had fallen from the ceiling. I knocked the shards of glass down so I wouldn't get cut. Evan was waiting to catch me as I climbed easily out the window.

I landed immediately with his hand holding mine. "I could hear your heartbeat but I was getting worried about you. I was about to come in there and get you." He said as I looked at him. "No need to worry. I was just remembering this place as how we met. All the memories I have here. Burning in flames. It aches a little." I replied. "I know. Don't worry. It's for the best." He said. I nodded.

The sirens rang loudly in the air as the firetrucks rushed around the corner. My father and Stephen following in our car. But Evan pulled my attention to him as he sniffed the air.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked as he sniffed like an old dog that smelled a rabbit. "I smell blood... Your blood." He stated. "Impossible. I'm not cut anywhere. I don't feel a thing." I said. "Think again." He said pointing to my left leg. I looked at the back of my left leg. Sure enough, blood soaked my jeans.

The firetrucks pulled into the parking lot as did my father. I knew I had to fake some emotion. And there was only one way to bring tears to my eyes... Think of the day Damian left. That instantly made my eyes watery and red.

"Annabelle! Annabelle, are you okay?" My father asked concerned as he approached. "Dad, I didn't mean to! I was looking for something in the cabinets to finish the girls make - up and dropped the lantern then everything burst into flames. Mister Summerland I'm so sorry!" I said shakily with my father's hands on my shoulders.

"It's okay, Annabelle. It was an accident. At least you and Evan are okay." Stephen replied. "What about the daughter of the Stone's? Was her body still in there?" My father asked. I nodded covering my eyes, forcing tears to run down my face. My father pulled me into a hug.

"Annabelle, I have a first aid kit in my car. You need to let me take care of your leg." Evan said placing his hand on my shoulder. I pulled away from my father. He looked down at my leg. "What happened to your leg? Do you need to go to the doctor?" He asked worried. "I just scraped it getting out. No, Evan's going to fix it." I answered. He nodded and patted my shoulder as I walked away with Evan.

I sat down in the passenger seat of Evan's car. I watched the firefighters put out the burning morgue. The flames began to die down a little. I rolled the leg of my jeans up. Blood poured down my leg.

"You don't feel a thing?" Evan questioned looking at my leg. "No. Nothing." I answered. He pressed something to my leg to stop the bleeding. He raised his brow as a shocked look painted itself on his face.

He got some kind of gel stuff out of the first aid kit. "This may sting but seeing as how you can't feel anything in that leg..." He trailed off. He put the gel on my leg and wrapped my leg nicely in gauze.

That night, me and Evan sat on my bed. I sat quietly thinking about the morgue burning this morning. I couldn't imagine the Stone's pain knowing their daughter was forever gone. They nor their friends and/or family got to say goodbye one last time. Now they think there is nothing left of Maegen Stone but ash. But she was alive... sort of. Living with Evan and his family as a vampire. Leading a new immortal life.

"Annabelle, are you okay?" Evan asked catching my attention. I looked at him and swallowed the lump that had gathered in my throat. "Yeah. Just fine." I said forcing a smile. "You don't look like it." He replied. "I am. I was just thinking." I said. "Thinking about what?" He asked. "The morgue. The Stone's. Now they'll never get to lay her to rest. They'll never have that closure. It's heart breaking." I explained. "It is but we couldn't risk her revealing what she is. Her body was crushed by a half - ton truck. If she popped out of the casket and said, 'I'm alive!' they would have every right to suspect something." He stated. "Not if she faked her death or something like that." I replied. "Her mother was in the car with her. She seen her daughter die. She heard her daughter's screams. It wasn't faked." He said. "How did she get bit then? How did she become a vampire?" I asked. "We have yet to find that out. Her memory is still coming back. All she can remember is what she told us this morning." He explained. I went off into thought again.

The moon light lit the room nicely. Evan's sparkling gray eyes looked at me softly. I noticed once again, our eyes glowing brightly. He moved closer. Our faces only inches apart.

"You shouldn't be here." I whispered. "Why?" He whispered back moving closer. Our lips brushing against each other.