The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

The ship docked and I awoke from my long slumber in one of the comfortable crates available. I peered over the side of the ship and saw a statue of a green woman wearing a strange dress, sandals and a crown holding a scepter. Apparently, those in this country didn't mind sculpting queen-impersonations. No matter, this was my new home and I had to be grateful. The other passengers left the ship down a ramp while I leaped from an open porthole and slunk into the shadows. I walked through the streets of this grand city that seemed royal but peasant-fit at the same time. I quickly charmed a shop-owner to "lend" me some new clothes, as my tailored, cotton dress was drawing too much attention. After hours of wandering through endless allies and scaring rowdy teens with a flash of my fangs, I came to an abandoned house that seemed perfectly fit for my accommodations. Easily, this became my new "castle" and a few of the bats became my new pets. I slept comfortably in the rafters of my new home, ready to brace this new world of imitation purses, cheap shoes and spray-painted shirts.

As I rode Coureur to the only ship-port of Troye, I heard the wailing of the wind behind me. It was as if all of the darkness was grieving for my mother. I stopped near the edge of the town, too small to be on a map, that bordered the dock. I took off Coureur's saddle, bridle and reigns. I kissed his muzzle and waved him farewell, he would not accompany me to this new country. I had no idea what we would meet there, so I hugged my dearest pet goodbye. After a few minutes of running at my fastest, I reached the main dock and blended into the crowd of merchants, sailors and tourists. When it came to be my turn to board the ship, the "Ocean Coureur" (how I missed my steed just then), I slipped away from the line and hypnotized a young gentleman to kindly "donate" his ticket for my greater cause. I found a place to call my own during my time on the ship, and asked that no room service be sent during the several week trip. I wouldn't be needing any . . .

I ran through the forest of my home and never once stopped playing the sickening scene of my dead mother over and over in my head. My head swirled with thoughts of, How could he? and Why?. I only stopped running once I reached the stables and climbed atop my favored horse, Coureur. His dark brown mane flew in the wind as I raced for my only hope of survival, my grandmother. I arrived at her doorstep near cocks crow and leaped into the second-floor window she left open for me. When I walked into her living room, she was staring into her crystal ball and spoke without looking up, "You have come, only to leave." She laughed softly. "In the drawer you will find tickets to America. You can hide there. Now go my, girl. I will miss you." With that I took the tickets and raced to Coureur.

It was a long time ago to human memory, but to me it seemed like only yesterday. I had returned from a walk through our neighboring forest when a sudden scream took me by surprise. It was the voice of my mother. I ran to our front-porch and leaped to the second story window. I jumped through and stared in horror as my mother faded to a dust and was carried by some supernatural breeze out of the window. I looked to find my step-father gazing, emotionless, at me as my uncle sobbed and my father's servant cleaned his knife. My step-father smiled coldly as the first of drops of blood from my nails digging into my palm dropped onto the white marble floor. . .