Full Moon Rising: Chapter 1

Salina shivered once more at the thought of that lullaby. It had scared her, even as a child. Of course she didn’t believe in Vampires or Werewolves but she remembered the very vivid dreams she used to have of them. They always happened on a full moon. She hadn’t had one in years, but the thought was enough to make the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

“I knew I shouldn’t have stayed at Mom’s so late. I hate walking home at night.”

Salina’s parents had gotten a divorce when she turned 13. That was 4 years ago. Her mother had moved into a run-down apartment. Sal was honestly surprised she could pay the rent, her cocaine addiction had been the reason her Dad asked for a divorce. The only way to reach Sal’s Mom’s house was by walking down a long alley way. Her Dad hated the fact that she had to walk through such a desolate area alone, but he was no where ready to see Melissa again.

The wind began to blow harder and now it was drizzling out. The rain water splashed off the roof tops and on to Salina’s bright red hair. Her parents didn’t approve of the fire-engine red color but Sal loved it. All of a sudden Salina stopped dead in her tracks. There was a noise, footsteps it sounded like. She turned and looked behind her and seeing no one she continued on.

A few minutes later she heard the footsteps again. She stopped, turning all around. Of course she wasn’t going to see anyone. It was almost pitch black and if someone was following her, obviously they wouldn’t want to be seen.

Shaking her head Salina turned around to come face to face with her stalker. He was tall and very pale. The moonlight glittered off his skin and fangs.

“Wait, fangs?” thought Salina, “Oh shit.”

“Yes Salina, oh shit is right.”

“Yo-You can hear my thoughts?”

“Of course.”

His hair was a deep, dark brown. They matched his eyes perfectly. He smiled. Salina assumed it was meant to be friendly, but the stranger failed miserably. His cheekbones were high and his muscles were clearly visible. He wasn’t like a body builder or anything, just like an average man with clearly defined biceps.

“Wha-What do you wan-want?”

“You.”

Salina became increasingly nervous as he suddenly appeared behind her. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck.

“I’ve been following you for the longest time. You never gave me much of an opportunity though. Always staying out of the shadows during the day and never coming out to play at night. We’re not so bad Salina. Its those damned dogs you should worry about.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh Salina, don’t you remember?”

The stranger began to hum the same lullaby she had tried so hard to forget. He lifted a hand to her shoulder, pushing its way past the nylon material that made up her jacket. His touch was like ice, but it seemingly burned her delicate skin.

“What do you want from me?”

“The same thing we all want…your blood.”

“What? Who are you?”

Salina spun around so she was facing him. He was gorgeous, but in such a way that made him difficult to look at. His features were far to sharp. He was terrifying.

“You’re blood Salina. That wonderful, delicious nectar. We all want it. We all need it. But who will you give it to?”

“Who are you? What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense!”

“Oh but I am. You remember your grandmother don’t you?” He kept trailing his cold, pale fingers up and now her fevered skin as they spoke.
“Ye…Yes.”

“That lullaby you hated so much? It was a warning Salina. Your grandmother knew and she tried to warn you. She knew her time was limited. You see Salina, the women in your family are practically royalty. You carry the genes, but yet you don’t have the disease.”

“Disease? What are you talking about?”

“The curse Salina. The need for human flesh and blood. You carry it in your body, but yet it doesn’t posses you, it doesn’t take over your mind and senses. It’s a most peculiar thing really.”

“I…I don’t understand.”

“We need you Salina.”

“Whose we?”

“Why the creatures of the night! Who did you think I was, Santa Claus?”

“You..You…You’re a vampire?”

“Very good. But we aren’t the worst things out there. Trust me, the werewolves are much worse.”

“What do I have to do with any of this?”

“All in due time, my dear. I can’t explain a feud that is older than the dirt we’re standing on in one night. No, I’m afraid you’ll have to come back with me?”

“Back where?”

“To my place of residence of course. I don’t just wander the streets all day.”

“I won’t do it. There is no way I will go anywhere with you,” Salina replied as she attempted to walk away.

He grabbed her arm, “Salina, Salina, Salina. You don’t have a choice.”

He threw her over his shoulder and walked back down the alley from the way she had come. She kicked and screamed the whole way there but no one came to help her. Finally she gave up and relented hoping that eventually she would have a chance to get away.