Little Kisses by Cybrita Walking along the shore of the Mississippi Gulf, the water rolling over my feet, I glanced at the looming twilight skies. Why did I come here so often? Did I believe that he would sense my presence? Was I as drawn to him as he was to me? Did I love him? Was there more involved? I needed to think about all that had happened. I was much younger then. I remember skipping on the damp sand by the gulf, hurrying back after an afternoon of frivolity. I don't remember exactly what I had been doing, but it must have been quite fun, since I was so happy and carefree. I can still feel the smile that was on my face. Night was falling soon, and I needed to get "home" as soon as possible. My mother was a stickler for punctuality, even on our vacations away from the shore; being late for supper was anathema! How many hours would I need to endure her constant harangues if I didn't appear on time? I didn't want to imagine the possibility, but it was there. Seemingly from nowhere and yet, from everywhere at once, a young man appeared and stopped me to ask for directions to the nearest town. As I looked at him to reply, my voice caught in my throat. I felt strange, unsettled, uneasy. What was alarming me? He looked nice enough. Perhaps it was only because he had interrupted my joy and that fretful rush to return home. For a few moments I stood peering into his eyes, then, more relaxed, answered with clear directions to my home. Why did I do such a thing? I was shocked. Of course, he knew exactly what I was doing, although I could never had admitted such a thing to myself. He smiled lightly, touched my shoulder to calm me, then held my chin as he tilted my head back to look more directly into my eyes. "I will see you later tonight, but you won't remember that you have met me. Until then, my dear Ginneveive..." I blinked my eyes, he was gone. How did he know my name? Then it was a who? Then, what had happened? I did not remember anything but a mist.. I looked around. A mist? Today? Silly. I looked at the sky. What was I doing? I had to get home! I hurried. I was in time for dinner and it was quiet and pleasant. We had a good evening talking about the countryside. Sleep eluded me that night, regardless of the fact that I was so exhausted from my busy day of fun and a vague feeling of unanswered questions. In the dimness, I looked across my room glancing from the antique armoire to the French doors leading to a sheltered, secluded patio. Realizing how lifeless the pastel colors of my chambers now appeared, I resolved to address that issue with fresh paint the next day. I needed to sleep, but I couldn't do so. I began thinking about meeting someone. A smile blossomed on my face. Almost immediately I began to relax, then lightly doze. At some point, a light penetrated my awareness. Knocking on the patio doors bathed in light was a young man so handsome that I believed I was dreaming. He knocked again, and I discovered that I was rising and going to the light without thinking. I couldn't be dreaming such a vision! As I opened the doors, he reached across and pulled me to him. He kissed me so ardently that I knew I could not be imagining his presence. It seemed like destiny. It was my first kiss. I was an adolescent,15, and… what a kiss it was! Dreaming, wishing for that moment never prepared me for its exquisite bliss. My body leaned into his, and I wanted it to last forever. He touched my face, withdrawing for a moment. His lips then lightly touched my forehead, my eyes, and my chin. As his hands groped my yet underdeveloped breasts, he swept me up into his arms. Ripping my blouse open, tilting my head to the side, he pinched my skin with his teeth and began to suck at the blood that appeared. It hurt. I tried to wrench loose of his grip, but to no avail. I was helpless, nearly unmoving. Wanting to scream, yet unable to do so, I began to lose consciousness.. The room faded from my vision... Pain jerked me from my sleep. My hand grasped at my neck not knowing why, then just as quickly pulled the hand away. What had happened? Mother and Father rushed to my side when they discovered I was awake. "Darling, how do you feel?" my Mother cried in fear, her eyes puffy and red. I angrily pushed her hands away, declaring that I was perfectly fine. "Why are you so upset? You never seem to be here any other morning." I felt cross. My father sternly looked into my eyes. "Please, Ginneveive. Your mother and I have been stricken with worry and grief throughout the past night, not even knowing if you would live until the morning." "What happened for you to be so concerned? I only went to bed. What frightened you?" What else could I say? I was flabbergasted at their emotions. Nothing had happened. I slept like the dead. I paused seeing their concern. It was real. They weren't fussing at me over one of my misdeeds. "Did I become ill in the night?" They just looked at me, like I should know. I was disgusted. Did I scream in delirium, calling for their help? This was ridiculous! I threw the covers off, to stand up and put on my dressing gown. I never got that far because I fell to the floor in my pitiful weakness. Lying on the floor I wondered. Maybe I did have a fever...maybe I was quite ill after all. Maybe something was wrong. My parents insisted that I rest for a few days. Considering their frightened condition and my own weakness, I agreed. About the third day, I began remembering bits and pieces. The kiss returned to memory. Could I have imagined such a thing? I do not think so. After four days, my parents felt it was time for me to become more active. Although they watched my every move when they could, they never knew how often I went to my patio, wishing with all my strength that he would be there again. Without knowing, I began to look for him at dusk and at night. Several nights later, without preamble, he appeared and pulled me into his powerful arms. A kiss I never thought could be duplicated was repeated. My smooth neck once again felt the pinch of his tender bite. This time there was no pain. He healed the wound, himself, immediately. At last, before I could faint, he released me and tenderly led me to an overstuffed chair for my comfort. "You will remember me now, all of it," he said. "You will long for my appearance and my touch. You will never tell another person of our wonderful experiences. You will always contrive that semblance of normality." With those words, a brief knowing smile, and a small mist, he was gone. So my life has continued with these "little kisses," for many years. My parents are dead, all my friends have long passed. He has granted me a longer life, but it is so lonely without them all around me. I am resolved. I will have a family again. Although I have never become the vampire that he is, now is the time for that change. I will accept nothing less. I cannot help but desire to be his equal and to share in his knowledge, his depth and grasp of humanity. For, without the specter of death, his vision cannot help but clear my own. Will he give me this "new life"? I do not know, but I am prepared for failure. The folds of my skirt hide a wooden stake; a small hammer is in my pocket. I simply wait for him as I walk on the beach by the Mississippi Gulf. ©08/13/2010 CVN and Cybertown have first electronic publication and archival rghts . Thereafter all other rights revert to the author.

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