The Eternal - Part 1 - Awakening

The next morning, I wake up without any hangover whatsoever.
In fact, I feel amazing. I look over and see Julia's sleeping body. She looks just as amazing as last night. It definitely wasn't just the booze.
I use the bathroom, and then I'm about to make my way into the kitchen to whip up some food.
Wait, I'm not wearing my glasses. And I took off my contacts last night before going to sleep. I remember that. And my vision. It's great.
The fuck's going on?
My skin - it's actually darker. Darker than Pablo's. What drugs...
I'm sure I'm not wearing my contacts. I look into the mirror carefully, and I don't see any traces of them.
What happened to me?
"Okay, Dante, don't panic," I say aloud to myself.
I hear a knock on the door.
Shit. I can't scare her away by talking about this - I'll figure this out later.
I open the door to let Julia in, while I head to the kitchen.
I fancy myself a half decent cook. So I try to impress, and make my version of Shakshuka. Egg, tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapeño, butter. With some French bread - also toasted with butter. And strong coffee.
As I'm finishing up, she walks into the kitchen, half dressed. It seems like she found some of my clothes. She makes them look...sexy somehow.
I'm tempted to go for another round before eating - but I think better of it.
She kisses me, "mm, that looks and smells amazing."
There isn't much space for a dining room in my tiny kitchen - so I direct her to the living room, where we sit in front of my sofa, and eat off the coffee table. Hey it's NYC - we all make do with what little space we have.
"God, this really is great," she gushes, "where'd you learn how to cook like this?"
I shrug, "I guess I just like food," I say nonchalantly.
"I'd marry you, just to eat meals like this," she says teasingly.
My heart rate jumps. Inwardly, I instantly jump to a fantasy with wedding bells and everything. Thankfully, outwardly, I just play it off real cool, and just laugh.
After we eat, and wash up - she gives me a look, while playing with the t-shirt of mine that she's wearing. She's twirling it seductively with her fingers. "sooo...I don't technically have anywhere to be today."
I need no other invitation. I lift her up. Wait - I lift her up? How? She doesn't look like a light girl. I'm surprised at my own strength. From her eyes, I'm pretty sure she seems surprised too. But, I don't have time to question how I'm breaking the laws of physics - it's enough that I am. I carry her back into the bedroom, all while holding her, her legs wrapped around me, and us making out hungrily.
I need some of that ass. I put her down on the bed, and roll her over, and sort of guide her into position to show her what I need.
Side note: Why don't American's wash after taking a dump? I'm probably the only American that does. The rest of the world washes with soap and water. If I'm thankful for inheriting anything from my ancestors - it's definitely that habit. Even if you're not sexually active - why would you not want to be clean down there? But I digress.
If that put you off from reading the rest of the scene - then good - I hope you learn something.
We almost finish in that position, but then I spin her around and pick her pick her up, with her legs wrapped around me. The physical exercise will help me last longer I figure.

I'm still not sure how I'm able to pick her up so easily. But I resume pumping rhythmically. She leans back, and pulls her [see: my] shirt off.
I'm still able to keep holding her steady. I don't even feel a slight change in balance.
"You're so strong!" She says.
I want to bite her.
The thought comes unbidden. But once it's there - I can think of nothing else. I look closer to her neck. And tentatively, I bite her shoulder. Lightly. But she likes it. At least I think she does. "Yes, yes, more, more," she continues to cheer me on.
And so I oblige. I bite harder. And harder. And suddenly, I'm drinking her blood. And she's moaning so loud I'm sure the neighbors can hear.
She tastes like heaven.
We both arrive at the same time.
I lick her shoulder clean, and set her down.
With a bit of cognizance returning to me, I notice that after I licked her shoulder clean - there's no marks.
And as for Julia herself - she seems mostly oblivious. I mean, I suppose it's hard to look at one's shoulder. But she doesn't even seem to want to check on her wound. Instead, she just kisses me.
As she kisses me, I remember how she tasted like heaven. Heaven. Where had I hear that before?

No - where had I tasted that before?
The drink that her friend had given me.
What the fuck? Did he give me blood? Or was that blood mixed with alcohol?
"You're like a vampire," she whispers in my ear, and giggles. So, she did notice it? She doesn't say anything else, and simply starts to dress again. I'm tempted to stop her. I want to taste her again. Taste her blood again.
Oh what the fuck.
I leave her to go look in the bathroom mirror again.
Shit.
The tan is still there, and I'm still seeing without contacts or glasses. And I look...even more different somehow. It's like this uncanny valley thing - where I know something is off - but I just can't put my finger on it.
You know when something is off with your appearance. I mean, you look in the mirror everyday. So, when the slightest thing is off - you notice. And this isn't even that 'slight'.
And, I still don't know what it is.
Well, apart from the skin color.
But - I mean - I look more attractive I suppose? I just don't really know why. I mean I've always found myself attractive. The problem is noone else ever has. But - I somehow look more attractive.
Am I a vampire? I mean I can see my reflection. So probably not. The blood thing was weird though. And the super strength. Vision. Wait, stop stop. Maybe it's just some other drugs that Pablo laced me with. PCP? Would that do this? PCP and LSD together maybe?
Sounds a bit ridiculous. But so does being a vampire and the fact that Julia's blood reminds me of the "Heaven" drink from last night.
I go back to the bedroom. Julia has the TV on, and she's scrolling through Netflix. "Hey," she says, as she sees me. And gives me another seductive lip bite. Does she want to go again? I guess I could, but my thoughts are still troubling me. I join her on the bed though, and we cuddle. She just continues scrolling through Netflix. It's impossible to find something to watch.
I try to relax - I'm now essentially sitting in bed, leaning back on the headrest. She's lying/leaning on my chest. My left arm is around her. And my hand snakes inside her shirt, and finds her belly. Mmm...I begin massaging her there. Very lightly.
She sighs in pleasure. Not so much a sexual sigh, as a relaxed one.
I'll take it.
It feels a bit like petting a cat I think. I've never pet a cat before though. But keeping up with the analogy, I imagine if I touch Julia the wrong way, I'll get scratched.
I don't touch her the wrong way though. My massage is taken well. And after she finds something she wants to watch - she sits in my lap, so I have to lean to one side to see the TV. But now, both of my hands can massage her. I stay on her stomach though. I have no interest in anything else. It's soft, the perfect size, and I find it relaxing to have my hands there. And clearly, so does she.
Lost in her warmth and comfort, I almost forgot that I had a question for her.
"Julia - who was that guy from last night? The tan asian guy - the one with the bottle of alcohol?"
"Oh - that was just Kenji," she says.
"Did you drink any from that bottle?" I ask.
"Oh - no. He doesn't like to share that. He has a weird thing with allergies, and it's supposedly the only alcohol he can drink. He doesn't even let anyone taste it - he says he doesn't want to run out," she explains.
"Oh," I reply. I think about how he had no qualms sharing that drink with me. I wonder if Julia noticed that. If she did - she doesn't say anything.
"I mean he buys us a couple of rounds though to make up for it," she says brightly. "He's really the nicest guy. Just has some health things."
"Health things." I say, mulling it over. "Like what?"
"Oh - well, just his allergies I suppose," she says.
I wonder if there's more to it. There's got to be. But I don't press her. It's weird enough already - and I'm just trying to figure out how I can meet this Kenji guy again. I could just ask her. But that would come across as weird, I'm pretty sure of that.
"We'll probably go out tonight again," she says absentmindedly, but it's also almost as if she read my mind. She looks back up at me, with her beautiful eyes. "Do you want to come with? Or I could just stay here with you."
Wait. Go out? Again? The next night? What is this girl's life?
We spend the next several hours just getting to know each other.
Julia is an art student. All her friends seem to be. And I don't necessarily understand the specifics - but they are talented enough to do well, without actually attending classes.
And so with the extra time they find themselves with - they seem to be living a hedonistic lifestyle. I mean, I suppose that's typical for great artists anyway right?
She shows me some pictures she has on her phone. It's pictures of paintings and other art she's made. Her work is good. Like really good. Professional good.
I tell her as much, but she just laughs it off.
She's not sure what she really wants to do after graduating - but she doesn't have to worry too much about money. She clearly comes from money, and her parents just want her to live her best life.
Lucky.
Despite our differences in social backgrounds, we connect a bit.
I tell her about my app, and she thinks that's amazing. It's totally not done - but she's in love with the idea, before I've even finished outlining all the specifics.
She gets me talking a lot about it. I don't think I've even talked to Pablo this much about it. But she genuinely seems enraptured by it, and I'm glad to share what I've been working on.
We talk about leveraging her art skills and creating a videogame or something together.
Eventually, night falls.
And, apparently that means we're going out.
"We can leave early," Julia assures me. I think she could tell I didn't really want to go. But I do sort of have to meet this guy, and ask him what the fuck "Heaven" is.
And, I don't think I can have sex with Julia again without drinking her blood again. That concerns me. The feeling was just so...exponentially better. And something tells me that it was the same for her too. That alone, confuses me.
Aren't vampires supposed to hurt their victims? Maybe my powers work differently because of the way I feel about her. It sounds ridiculous - but that's what my gut says.
And yes, I notice that I'm just casually admitting I'm a vampire.
Fuck, this is ridiculous. I really need to talk to this Kenji guy.
So we end up back at the same club. And lo and behold - he's there again. All her crew is. And, wait - Pablo is here too.
I totally forgot about him.
Instinctively, I check my phone. Ah shit. 20 text messages. I can't believe I didn't check my phone until now.
I scroll through his messages real quick. They're all about how this new girl, is great, and he's dumping his other gf. At least there was nothing urgent in there. I feel prepped to talk to him now, so we walk up and greet them. Pablo's new girlfriend's name is Zarina. And - well he seems to like her. So good for him.
We're sitting in a booth, and we're all just catching up. Everyone is on their phones, but also talking to each other at the same time. Socializing is weird.
Julia is in my lap, kissing me here and there, and so with everything going on, I find it a bit difficult to broach the subject with Kenji. Although, I do note that he's drinking from his own bottle again, like Julia said.
I feel like I need to get him alone. And I get my chance, when Kenji offers to buy everyone a round, just like Julia said he would. I offer to go with him. "Thanks man," he says, and as he gets up, I follow him.
Once we get far enough away from the rest of the group - I waste no time. I don't even give him a chance to order any drinks yet.
I pull him aside before we even get to the bar, and say "Bro - I need to talk to you."
"Sure, what's up?" He asks. He seems unfazed. "You want some Heaven?" He asks with a knowing smile.
"Yes." I say without thinking. "No." "I mean, what is that?"
"You know what it is," he says.
I look at him blankly, which gets him to reconsider. He's looking at me differently now, as if sizing me up for the first time. "Wait - are you a new convert?"
"Convert?"
"Yea. Who made you?" He asks.
Oh shit. I've seen enough teen vampire TV to see where this is going. "No way. No way."
"You ARE new!" He sounds excited to have gotten it right.
His eyes narrow in slight suspicion. "You don't know who turned you though."
I don't know if I thought it was a test, but stupidly I ask "Was it you?"
He laughs. His face genial again. "No, no. I wouldn't want that kind of responsibility."
He seems to look at me expectantly. As if he's sensing I have a million questions, and I only have but to ask.
"So, this 'Heaven'," I start. "Do I really need to drink it? How did this happen? How have I changed? Can I not go outside in the day anymore?"
"Hold on, hold on," he says with his hand up to stop me. "I don't know how exactly it happened. But the process is the same. A vampire first drinks from you, and then you drink from them. They have to have intent to turn you when they offer you their blood. The steps have to be taken immediately, and you must both drink at the source. It doesn't work if you bleed a vampire and drink that blood later. You can go outside in the day. Most of the stuff that you've heard is untrue. We're creatures of the night - hence the darker complexion after you turn. If you don't tan upon turning - then you will burn in the sun. That generally only happens to vampires with European genes. Or Northern Asian ones. You should be good," he says as he's appraising my appearance.
"You really need to find your maker though. They need to teach you these things - and they must be there as a mentor for you," he continues.
"How can I do that?" I ask, "find my maker?" I can't properly describe how I'm feeling. A large part of me still thinks this is a joke. But, the weird sudden tan, super strength, my vision, and not to mention the fucking blood drinking...the pieces all fit together with what he's saying.
He sees my face, and offers me the bottle. I take it and drink deeply. It tastes just as amazing as the first time. Despite myself, I feel a bit refreshed after that, and I almost don't want to hand the bottle back to him.
He smiles reassuringly at me, as he receives back his bottle.
"Don't worry, it's easy. Almost instinctual. Just close your eyes - and feel for a parent figure. Try imagining one. If it helps, you can start by thinking about any parental figures you've had - but really it's the symbolization that you need."
I do as he says. The procedure makes me wonder if it's sort of like the aura thing. I don't think I've ever had any good parental figures, so I just imagine what I think a good parental figure would be like. Or how a good parental figure would make you feel.
And suddenly, I get an overwhelming feeling of calm. It's complete serenity. And strangely, it is like I know where to go, even if I can't put it in words. Like my body, or brain knows what steps to take, but it only receives them a few steps at a time, without knowing where the final destination is.
As I open my eyes, I can see that Kenji has recognized success in my face. I must really be wearing my feelings on my face. That, or he's really observant. "Good," he says. "Do you know where to go?"
"Not exactly," I say hesitantly.
He nods in understanding. "Once you get better at it - you'll know exactly where your maker is at all times. At least while you're still bonded."
"So...I should go see them then right?" I ask, secretly wishing he'd come with me.
"Yes," he simply says.
I wonder if I should directly ask him to come with me. And I wonder if I should even bother to go see this mystery maker at all.
If they made me and left me - they clearly don't want me to find them. But Kenji said that my maker needed intent. So, clearly this was done on purpose.
Still - this is entirely unpredictable. I could be walking into a dangerous situation. I mean what can vampires even do? The rules seem entirely different from television.
"Can't you just teach me?" I ask. I try to keep the whine or desperation out of my voice. I mostly succeed.
He gives me a sad smile. "No. It's more complicated than that. There are...vampire politics at play. There are councils, and established rules. One does not take on the progeny of another Vampire. Not unless the maker is dead."
"Wait - wouldn't I die if my maker was dead?" I ask.
"No, it doesn't work that way," he answers, "there is much you have to learn." He drinks from the bottle. "Taking on the progeny of another vampire without permission is akin to asking for a battle, or worse. It's a challenge of sorts. And unless I killed your maker, no council would tolerate me."
"How could they tell?" I ask.
"You'll get all your answers once you've found your maker," he replies not unkindly. "Now go," he nods his head assuringly. "I'll let Julia and the other's know that you had to leave. I'll be returning with drinks so they won't think much of it. Remember to text them yourself too, so that they don't worry."
I wasn't worried at all about them worrying. I was too busy worrying about myself. But I take his advice, and text them as he said.
"Bruh, I got to go home - not feeling great," to Pablo.
And "Sorry - I'm not feeling so good - I'm heading home now. I'll see you later once I feel better - don't want you to catch it." To Julia
Hopefully that's enough. I don't bother looking at my phone again for their replies. I head out of the club, and follow the directions that my senses are feeding me.
Fuck - there might be a lot of walking involved. What if my maker is still in Brooklyn? Maybe I should rent a car or something. I think about calling Pablo. He has access to his dad's car. That would certainly be easier. Or I can figure out how this Citibike thing finally works. When these came out I thought they were ridiculous - but I guess I've finally found a use for them. I finagle with my phone a bit, and get a bike that's docked near the train station.
I ride through the better part of the city. It does look like we're heading back to Brooklyn. As I approach the bridge, I think about getting on the train instead. He's likely back in Midwood right? Why would anyone be there if they didn't live there? But, since my super strength is making this ride easy enough, I don't bother with the train.
I wish I could turn into a bat. That's probably a lie too though. As I ride, I wonder if all the misinformation from Hollywood is a conspiracy.
My senses lead me into Downtown Brooklyn. I never really liked this area. It used to be dangerous when I was a kid. And it still sort of is. But now there's this huge hipster presence. And these strange high rise condo's, and generally a lot more wealth. I don't know how I feel about any of that.
I'm starting to feel warmer. Like literally warmer. And as I ride past one of those fancy buildings, the thought unbidden comes to my head, 10b.
Oh great. My maker lives in one of these. And on the 10th floor no less. I wonder if they know I'm here.
I know what building he's in, but first things first though - I have to find a place to dock this bike. Which I do pretty easily - there's plenty of open stations around here. I then realize that I have to grab some dinner.
I know I'm procrastinating. But if this is my last night on Earth, then goddamit I will have some Five Guys.
I try to take my time with my food, and really savor it. It's tough. But, after a delicious meal, I'm stuffed. I forgot to ask Kenji about how we can eat real food. But, it's probably just another myth I guess.
At this point, I realize that I can't find any further excuse to put this off, so I go find that building again.
The same warm feeling comes back as I approach the front lobby. I ring the bell for 10b.
No answer.
I mean it's like 1AM. This is ridiculous. I'm probably going to give some random person a big scare in the middle of the night. If I'm lucky they won't call the police. But, given how modern this building looks, there's definitely got to be some security features here. Wait - is that a camera?
I think to myself about how the person on the other end is likely going "Oh shit a brown guy?" and dialing the police.
I imagine the police will show up and be like "Oh shit a brown guy," - nevermind that I'm like 5'5", maybe 150 lbs. I mean I'm a vampire, but they don't know that. And then the police will likely shoot me dead.
I guess I'm paranoid, but isn't it funny how the police are so scared of brown and black folk? Somehow with all the scary stuff white folks do and have done - they're somehow seen as not scary, and trustworthy instead. But I digress. Dahmer.
Maybe that makes you want to stop reading. I hope that's because you realize, as I do, that we should all be treated by our actions - and not pre-judged.
So, yes, I realize that there's a good chance the person upstairs is not white. And it's quite likely they wouldn't call the police because I'm brown. Obviously a stranger being at someone's door at 1AM is the actual scary thing.
The other stuff coming to my head, is still the world we live in.
I give the bell a second ring. I figure I'll leave in T minus 3. If the person up there is really my maker, then they'll open the door no later than the third ring. Otherwise, I can always come back at a more respectable hour. Kenji did say the burning in the sun thing was not true.
Bzzzt - Fuck I'm being buzzed in.
I go in. I find the elevators. I press the button. The doors open. I go inside. I press the button for 10. And it feels like that was the shortest elevator ride ever because next thing I know, the doors open again, and I have found the door labeled 10b.
I ring the doorbell.
It opens immediately.
That warm feeling? It's greater than ever before. I literally feel like...safe...happy. It's hard to describe. Maybe I'll find better words for it later.
The person in the door is a man. A dark skinned - sort of Brazilian looking dude. He has middle parted dreads that are no longer than shoulder length. His face is...well...beautiful. "Ah - it's you," is all he says. Clearly there's recognition in his face.
He gestures for me to enter, and he closes the door behind me.