Annabel
by Francesca

Annabel's best friend had just moved into a new neighbourhood, and like any other major time at Susan's Annabel was there. Susan and Annabel where inseparable. Ever since they were two they had done everything together. The only other person that they trusted as much as each other was Annabel's neighbour and Susan's ex-neighbour, Tobey. All three of them had vowed to be friends forever, but soon this vow would be challenged.
After Susan's family had been settled for a few weeks they decided to have a house warming party so they could get to now there new neighbours. They had al ready meet all of there neighbours since they had come round to welcome them, all except one family that was. They had been on holiday when they had moved in and weren't returning until a few days before the house warming. This didn't deter Susan's family; they just posted a letter through their door inviting them. They also route a little note saying that they hoped they would come because they were looking forward to meeting them.
A few days before the house warming, while Susan, Anna, and Tobey where a taxi pulled up outside their neighbours' house. They had returned from holiday, the infamous family. First the parents got out of the car, they where each quit tall. The mother had long blond hair and glasses and the father had short, slightly spiky, blond hair. The next to emerge from the taxi was a young girl of an age about seven. She too had long blond hair and like her mother she wore glasses. The last person to leave to taxi was a boy the same age as Anna, maybe slightly older. He was totally different from his family. Unlike his family, who had blond hair and blue eyes, he had jet-black hair. As he rose from the taxi he glanced over to where they were all stood. Even from across the road they could all see his shock green eyes. Anna was immediately drawn to the way he looked. He was so different from his family. Even as they stood outside their house he stood apart from them. She instantly wanted to get to know him better; she wanted to know the person that was hiding behind those eyes.
The next day, while Susan's mother went to get food for the house warming, Anna came to visit Susan. Tobey, for once, wasn't with them. He had to go out with his parents. Susan had to do some things upstairs before they could go out so Anna went and sat on the lawn and waited for her. While she was waiting the boy emerged from his house. He spotted Anna sat down and he walked to where she was.
"Hi there," he said smiling, "I'm Jason. Is this your house?"
Anna quickly stood up to face him, "no but it is my best friends house. My names Annabel by the way, but you can just call me Anna. Everybody else does."
Susan slammed the door loudly behind them making Anna jump forward almost landing right in Jason's arms.
"Are you going to introduce us or not Anna," Susan walked forward so she was level with Anna.
She was smiling stupidly at Jason. Ann recognised that smile anywhere; she was trying to look cool.
"Oh, er, this is Jason. He's your new neighbour."
There was awkward silence following the introduction. No one knew what to say next. As the tension began to rise the phone rang breaking the silence not to mention the tension. Susan went inside the house to answer the phone and left Anna and Jason stood looking in total different directions to each other. Jason was the one to make the move and break the deafening silence.
"Will you be at the house warming tomorrow?"
Anna turned to see him smiling, "yes I will. Do you really think that Sue would let me stay away? She would drag me here if she had to."
At that they both laughed and the atmosphere became more comfortable. In fact they carried on talking and laughing all the time while Susan was inside. Just before Susan came out Jason made a remark just loud enough for Anna to hear.
"I'm glad Susan moved here," he paused for a moment and turned to face Susan's door, "because you will be coming down."
Anna couldn't help but smile as Susan came out the door, "what's with the dorkey smile now?" Anna just shrugged her shoulders not wanting to tell Susan what he had said.
She didn't want to tell Susan what he had said because it felt to privet to tell her. He hadn't said anything while she was there. He had pacifically waited for her to leave and when he did say something he said it in an almost whisper so she couldn't hear.
Jason, Anna and Susan spent a few hours sat on the grass talking and getting to know each other better. Anna spotted a ring that he had on that was interesting. It looked very old and it had the strangest emblem on it. It was a sun with what looked like a stake through it. This interested Anna since she liked anything that had the slightest relation to vampires. She recognised the symbol but couldn't place it.
"Can I have a look at your ring? It's very strange. I think I've seen the symbol somewhere you see."
"You can look but I am afraid I can't take it off. It is stuck on my finger, it has been for a while."
Anna took his hand and looked at the symbol. She could remember seeing it but she had no idea where. She remembered it as being something important to do with vampires. Maybe it was a symbol of a group, but she didn't ask because she guessed he wouldn't know anything about it.
He seemed to read her mind about the ring, "I got it of a close friend. He told me it had a symbol of importance to vampires on it. He gave it me because he knew I had an interest in them."
Anna looked up at him he was smiling again. This time though she saw something strange behind his eyes, like he was hiding something. Susan got up to stretch her legs and walked into the back garden to get a ball. As she turned the corner Jason's mother called him in.
He lent down and whispered in her ear, "I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I might be able to talk to you by yourself."
With that he got up and walked away. Everything he had said had made her more interested in him. She would find out what that symbol was and then she would learn why it meant so much to him. Susan came round the corner bouncing a ball.
"Has he gone in then?" Anna nodded not looking at her; "well can I tell you something then?" She nodded again, "I think, already, that I like him."
Anna got up slowly and looked at her. She was feeling strange inside, not jealous or anything like that, it was something else. She just smiled and gave a small laugh. It was forced but it sounded all right. Then it hit Anna; if Susan liked Jason and she found out that he liked Anna and not her she would hate Anna. She decided there and then that if he did say he liked her then she would do her best to hide it from Susan, this was her first mistake, but she wouldn't know this till later.
When Anna got back from Susan's she went on the computer and was writing in her diary when she got an email. It was from Jason, but she hadn't given him her address so how had he sent it to her.
The email said, 'I see you took an interest in my ring, is it 'couse you thought it was cool or is cause it is a vampire symbol. I thought that you recognised it for what it was when I saw your face. Your friend just thought it was cool. Well if you do like it you never know one day maybe I will give you the other one I have.
Jason.
PS. I got your address from Susan, in case you were wondering.'
This made Anna feel even worse about what Susan had said to her. Even though Jason was his next-door neighbour to him she was just her friend.
The next day Tobey came and picked up Anna to take her to the house warming. Anna couldn't stop fidgeting she was so nerves. When they arrived she calmed down, until Jason came in. He came over and gave Susan a present and introduced himself to Tobey. Tobey and Jason stood talking while Susan pulled Anna away.
"Do you think I should see if he likes me?"
"No," Anna said without hesitation."
This made Susan jump, "well why not?"
"Well causes you have just met him haven't you. He barely knows you. Wait a while and then see what he thinks."
She smiled and thanked her for the advice and went and returned to the boys.
When it started to go dark outside Susan's father set up a few lights outside and the sound system near the door so they could have music outside. Tobey asked Susan to dance and left Ana and Jason alone. Ana sat watching until Jason tapped her on the shoulder.
"Would you like to dance?"
Anna couldn't resist herself, so she said yes. As they got up Susan's dad put a slow song on. Susan clinged to Tobey laughing so loud that everyone in the neighbourhood could hear. Anna felt nervous though; she had said yes to dance so she couldn't back out now. Jason took her hand and led her into a dance. As they were dancing and Anna felt his arms around her she felt like she had done this before even though she had only met him a few days ago. As the song ended she pulled away from him and went around the front. She had danced with him like he had asked so she didn't have to stay with him any longer. She stood on the lawn catching her breath as he came through the gate and put his arms around her. She didn't jump because she wanted him to hold her she felt relaxed around him, especially when he was close to her. Then she realised what he was doing and pulled away. If Susan saw them together that would be the end of their friendship forever.
"What's the matter Anna? Have I done something wrong," he almost seemed upset at her for pulling away.
"It isn't you Jason. It's just that, well Susan likes you."
"I don't like her, so what's the problem."
"I know you don't, but if she sees us together she will be heart broken. I would love to be together with you, in fact I could be. But on one condition, you don't let Susan know."
"OK, I will do anything as long as I can be with you."
He came over to her and kissed her on the check. His lips were like ice. They were so cold that it sent shivers down her spin. He took her hand and placed something in it as Susan came round the corner.
"There you are. I've been looking for you. Are you coming back round?"
"Sure," said Jason and he followed her.
Anna looked down at what he had given her. It was a ring like the one he had but instead of the back round being red it was green. Why did his ring mean so much to him and why give her one like his? Anna didn't put it on instead she took the pendent of the necklace and slipped the ring on it and put that on. Anna stood on the green watching some birds and thinking, when Tobey came round to talk to her. He had sensed how nervous she was earlier and now how distant she was and he felt worried. He had never seen her like this before. She would always talk to him if there were something wrong. She would talk to him about anything.
"Anna are you all right you seem far of some where. Is there something you want to tell me?" Ana could detect a note of concern in his voice.
"I'm… fine. Don't worry I just miss how easy everything used to be. Everything was much simpler. You never had to hide anything." At this point Ana was close to tears.
" What are you hiding from me?"
Anna spun around and looked into his eyes, "nothing."
She knew he didn't believe a thing that she had said. There was something wrong with the way she was acting. Tobey could spot one thing that was of with her even if it was just her missing her breakfast. If she knew Tobey as well as she clamed to then she knew he was going to try and find out what was the matter.
Tobey turned to walk away and whispered, "I will find out what is the matter."
Anna returned to the back garden to find Susan sat talking to Jason. As soon as Jason saw Anna he didn't take his eyes of her. Anna cold feel him watching her. To any other person this would have unnerving but she felt reassured by him watching her. Tobey saw the way that Jason was looking at her and got the feeling that something was going on, so he went and got Susan from Jason. When Susan left Jason he went and sat with Anna. When Anna saw Tobey and Susan go into the house she moved closer to Jason and he put his arm around her. She finally felt all right. He had the strange effect of taking all her worries away. But unknown to them Tobey and Susan where watching them. They first thought it could just be that she was tired and was leaning on his shoulder. That was until he kissed her forehead and she smiled. They knew now something was going on. Why hadn't Anna told them what was going on? They decided to wait to see if she told them anything.
Near the end of the party Susan asked Anna and Tobey if they wanted to stay over since her mum and dad were going out and she would be alone. They both agreed and they rang their parents and asked could they bring their things down. Tobey had to go home to get his so Susan went with him and Anna stayed behind with Susan's parents.
"Anna do you mind if we go now or we are never going to get there on time?" asked Susan's mum
"Of course not, they shouldn't be to long. I'll be all right," She gave them a reassuring smile.
"Thanks love. Be sure to look after yourselves. Oh, and tell Susan that she has to watch out for that Jason. His parents are going with us and his sister is at her nan's so he will be by himself to," Susan's dad said on the way out, "tell you what why don't you tell her to invite him round then he wont be alone."
"Er, OK I'll tell her for you."
"Thanks love," and with that they both left and Anna was alone in the house.
Even though it was a friend's house she couldn't help feel scared so she decided to wait on the front. She found the spare key they had left for them and locked the door behind her. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and by then it was totally dark. They're where no street lamps around and the only light was coming from a few curtained windows. She sat down on the grass and looked at all the stars. She was there for quit a while when she saw something move out of the corner of her eye. She looked up to see Jason stood there. He looked different even in the non-existent light. His skin was very pale and he had something dripping from his mouth. He wiped his mouth on a tissue he had, and helped Anna to her feet.
"I didn't expect to see you out here so late," he said.
His voice seemed different as well, harsher some how.
"What's the matter your lip seems to be bleeding," Anna went to put her hand on his face but he pulled away, "what's the matter?"
He smiled and came into the twisted light. He looked as if he had done something terrible to his lip. He had blood running from the corners of his mouth. Anna stepped back from him. She knew why he had seemed so twisted. This wasn't the Jason she knew he had changed some how.
"I won't hurt you. I've had my fill. Come on Anna I didn't mean to scare you."
What did he mean by 'I've had my fill?' Anna started to walk away from Jason but then as she turned away he collapsed to the floor. She rushed back to help him, but he pushed her away.
"You now I think its better if you do stay away. I'm to weak to control my self."
Now she was worried, "do you need my help? I could get a doctor for you. Just tell me what you need."
"You can't give me what I need, I would probably kill you if I took what I need."
At that he passed out. Anna ran to his house to see if the door was open, luckily it was. She helped Jason to his feet and led him through the front door. She turned a light on in the front room and sat him on the couch. She left him to sleep while she waited for Susan to come back. When she had entered the room she had noticed no pictures of him and there was none in the other rooms. She also noticed no mirrors around except for one in a corner in his sister's room. She looked in the kitchen for something he could eat. She opened the fridge to find that there was nothing there. There was nothing in the cupboards or in the pantry. Why had his parents gone and left him with no food? She went back in the front room to see how he was. She found him stood up near the fireplace.
"Are you all right? Why is there no food for you?" She asked.
"There is no food because I don't eat what they eat, I have my own food. I have eaten it all though and its hard to come by."
He turned to look at her and she saw in his eyes how tired he actually was. He looked as if he hadn't eaten properly for days.
"Maybe I could find something for you. Is it like some sort of disease you have? Maybe the supermarket has something for it."
"You haven't guessed have you? You could call what I have a disease. But I don't spread it, unlike some people. I don't eat human food; in fact I live of what gives a human life. Now do you know hat I am?"
Anna couldn't believe what she was hearing. According to what he was saying he wasn't human in fact he was far from it. He was saying that he was, well that he was a vampire. He must be kidding she thought. There were no such things as vampires. It was just a cool legend to think was real. It was impossible for them to exist. Well Jason knew straight away what she believed. There was only one other person who he had told and she never believed him either.
"You don't believe right. I thought because of your interest in them or should I say us, you would believe me. Trust me, I wish I wasn't."
"OK then what is your age," he's going to take ages to answer this while he thinks, she thought any way.
"394, last month actually," he paused, "do you have any idea how many times I have celebrated my seventeenth birthday? Its untrue."
At this he laughed like it was normal to say something like that. Anna stood and stared at him. She couldn't believe it. What would prove him wrong, she needed to think of something. He had obviously practised what he was saying. She asked him any question she could think of. He answered all of them in a split second without thinking. Sort of like if someone asked his name he would answer it straight away. The last question she asked changed everything though.
"What do you look like as a vampire? I mean do you have another face or do you look the same."
"If I show you will you change your mind?" she nodded so he showed her.
His faced morphed into a stranger. His teeth at the top could be seen and they were a lot sharper, he also had stronger muscles in his forehead and cheeks. His eyes also looked cat like. This couldn't be real, she thought, I couldn't be stood in front of a real vampire. She moved forward to touch his face but he pulled away.
"I didn't want you to see me like this. It's not me."
He turned so he had his back to her, "please I can't exactly hurt you can I."
He turned around to her. She placed her hand on his face and he felt the warmth in her hand. That was what seemed strange to her when she had first saw him, it wasn't the true him. This thing in front of her was part of him. He didn't seem so strange now. She felt extremely happy to now who he was, so much so that she was smiling.
"Why are you smiling?" Jason asked.
" Because I have finally seen all of you," she smiled again and kissed him.
While she was in Jason's house Susan and Tobey got back to find an empty home. At first they guessed she went to get her stuff until they found that her parents had brought it. That also ruled out the possibility of her having to go home for some reason. Where could she be? Then they realised the place she would be, at Jason's house. Why hadn't they thought of it sooner? It was a perfect time for her to see him. They weren't there so she could be sure they wouldn't see her and she would have been back in time for them, that is if they hadn't come back earlier. They had got a lift of Tobey's brother because he was coming this way. They rang her mobile and got no answer so they walked over to see if they could find her. They rang the doorbell, but no one answered. There was a small gap in the curtains at one of the edges that they could see through. They saw Anna and Jason kissing and then saw what scared them to death. Jason's face was totally disfigured and right before their eyes it changed back. What was going on? They scrambled to get up, but they made to much noise and Jason heard them.
After Anna kissed Jason his face returned to normal. He had been the thing he hated while he shared the thing he loved. I guess this made him feel better about himself because he was smiling. Not because he had been kissed, but it felt warmer, more happier. Jason turned sharply all of a sudden. He had heard something bang outside the window. He went to the window and opened the curtains in time to see Susan and Ryan run off and into Susan's house.
"We have a problem," he turned to face Anna, "I think Susan and Tobey saw me. I mean as, well you now."
That was a problem. They didn't now Jason like Anna did they would think that there was a danger factor when there wasn't. She ran out of the door and over to the house. The front door was locked, but luckily she had the key she had used to open the door. Susan ran out with a frying pan and almost hit Anna. When she spotted who it was she dropped it and ran to give her a hug. Anna pulled away from her, this caused Susan to become nervous, and she backed away from her.
"Ana what is going on?" There was a small pause while Susan waited for an answer, she didn't get one so she went on, "I saw his face; I've read your strange books. He's a vampire isn't he? Tell me Ana, please."
Tobey came to stand besides her. They both had a look of pure fear on their faces. Anna had to tell them everything. It would be the only way they would accept it. So she told them everything she knew. How he was what you could call a good Vampire and he didn't hurt anyone. Also that he hadn't had human blood from a person that he had prayed on for over two hundred years. Susan seemed to relax but she was still nervous.
When Anna had convinced them he was all right she tool them to see him. Susan insisted on bringing something to protect her so she got a crucifix of the wall. As they were walking across the road they heard a massive bang come from Jason's house. Anna ran through the door to find a group of people stood around the front room where Jason was.
"Ah you must be this Anna we have learned so much about you. Why don't you and your friends come and have a seat," she pointed towards the coach.
Anna led Tobey and Susan to the couch and they sat down.
"Maybe I should introduce my self. I'm Catherine, and these are my associates. You see we have been tracking your friend here for a while. To us he is known as Lucas, but he decided it wasn't good enough for him. He used to be one of us and then he disappeared. But you see it is against are rules for someone to leave us, so we are here to give him his punishment," she walked up and down the room thinking for about five minutes then she snapped her fingers and Jason was brought in front of her.
"I have the perfect punishment. You can stand here and watch you little friend there die. I promise it won't be nice."
She snapped her fingers again and two large men lifted Anna out of her seat. Tobey tried to help but he was pushed back into his chair and held there. Jason began to shout at her but she wouldn't listen.
"I think I should have the pleasure of doing this my self," at that her faced changed.
Looking around the room every person that was with her had changed as well. They where all vampires. She picked Anna up with the greatest of ease and bit hard into her throat. Anna let out an ear splitting scream. Jason lost all sense at this point. He changed into his full vampire state not holding back any of his strength. He threw the two men holding him straight across the room and ran for Anna. It was too late. Just as he reached Catherine she dropped Anna to the floor. Anna's blood streamed from her mouth. She smiled at Jason as he held Anna in his arms. She wasn't dead but she was going to die. He laid her on the floor and ran at Catherine. She tried to stop him but her strength was no match to his at that point. He lifted her right into the air.
"Now you get your punishment," and with that he snapped her neck and she was reduced to a pile of dust.
With their leader gone the other vampire's disappeared. They weren't going to wait around to be finished off. Jason returned to Anna and picked her up. She was barley alive at this point. He took her out into the back garden and placed her on a bench.
"I don't want to lose you, but I don't want to do to you what could save your life," tear drops began to roll down his face.
She turned and smiled at him, " I know what you are thinking. That I won't be able to handle it," she began to cough and blood trickled down her check, "I will."
Jason had no chose at that point. He lifted up his sleeve and bit his wrist. He let his blood drip into her mouth. She sat up and bit into his arm. Tobey and Susan stood at the door watching everything that was happening. They knew what was going on. He was making her a vampire to save her life. They stood and watched their friend die and wondered how it came to this. Jason walked up with her in his arms. He took her to Susan's house and laid her on the couch. He took the necklace off and slipped the ring on her finger.
Jason stayed by her side all night, until she woke up. As she looked around the room with her new eyes she could feel everything around her. She stood up to find that it was day but she was all right. The ring he had given her aloud her to go out into light without being harmed. She walked around the room feeling all the ornaments and looking at everything. It was weird she felt more alive then she had ever done. Jason came and stood by her side.
"Are you ready to leave," she turned to look at him.
She was confused why did they have to leave. He explained that the group would find another leader and come after them. All of them knew there was a new vampire and they knew that it was Anna. She asked for a minute while she talked to her friends. She slipped into Susan's room and woke her up.
"Susan I have to go. We aren't safe, they will come back for use."
"Please don't, we will find some where together. What about your parents, I can't explain to them what has happened."
Anna smiled, "don't worry I will sort that out. I will be back I promise. What would I do without you and Tobey? Both of you are my strength. I will watch over you."
She knelt down to where Tobey was lying and kissed him. He stirred and smiled at her. He had wanted her to kiss him for as long as he could remember but now he wished she would wait because he knew that this kiss signalled her leaving. With that she disappeared down the stairs and was gone.
They never heard of Ana again. She had left a note for her parents saying she would be back some day and that she was safe. They still wait to hear of her, she did promise so she will be back.