Day 132 - Given Story

Given Story

Matthew Ryan Fischer

Eva never knew what would happen when she put her lips to flesh; she knew what she wanted to happen and what was supposed to happen, but she never really knew for sure what would happen until it started happening. And at that point it would be out of her control. That was the problem with physical contact, there was always supposed to be a purpose, but the purpose sometimes got lost on the way there and the flesh would have a mind of its own. Some people craved the flesh and lusted for something more to happen. Eva was not one of those. She had no great affinity for the physical, but was secretly a little in love with the spiritual side. That too could be addictive, perhaps more so. She was quiet about that and never asked anyone else about that. She assumed it must be a good thing and didn’t want anyone else to come along and ruin it. It wasn’t as if feeling something and gaining some mystical transcendence was forbidden or sinful. It just wasn’t talked about all that much.

Eva never broke flesh when she bit down. She didn’t bite hard and she didn’t draw blood. There was always a chance though. And in that unknown there was always the possibility for something more to get out of hand. She knew that and tried to keep a clear head. She knew the blood could be addictive. She had heard the stories and seen the fits. She had no desire to turn into that.

She never stopped to wonder why the two actions were so close together – why the flesh connection was so vital and so dangerous at the same time. It seemed like a rather poor design, but she didn’t question such things.

Evan never fit in well with other people. He was awkward and shy and got nervous easily. He was smart, but never knew what to say in a conversation. He had no idea what was interesting to other people and assumed that whatever he was interested in was not it. He never learned to have a proper conversation. He could answer questions in very brief succinct sentences. But he didn’t have that ability to keep a conversation going. He didn’t know how to ask the right questions or answer questions in a way that led to more interaction. He was a very utilitarian communicator. He could speak with great passion and at great length about a personal interest if allowed, but that wasn’t really holding a conversation.

Evan didn’t know where he fit in.

Eva was one of those people that had an overabundance of life. She was a perfect embodiment of energy and happiness. Her capacity to experience life fully seemed limitless. She had hope and optimism and connected instantly and intimately with those she met. People were drawn to her. She was the light in an otherwise drab experience. She was a figure in the shadow that was most other people’s lives.

Perhaps she was a projection, an icon made up of what other people wanted to see in her.

Evan was attracted to her the moment he laid eyes upon her, the same way most everyone was attracted to her. People wanted her. They wanted her in their life because she made their lives better. They wanted her.

Eva felt something for Evan. She was good at sensing people’s pain and picking out those with potential for more whose lives somehow kept getting in their ways. Those were her favorites. She helped lots of people and always enjoyed the special bond that occurred, but her favorites were the romantically fragile and tragically awkward. She always thought she had the most to offer them.

She told him she could make him experience life in a whole new way. She told him she could give him an experience like none other. He thought she was trying to sell him something illicit or lascivious. She smiled at his naïveté. He was extremely embarrassed and that almost ended their relationship before it began.

It was easier to show than to explain so she took him to a private spot and bit him on the neck.

For a moment he thought she was crazy, but then the feeling of ecstasy took over.

She explained that she gave energy, gave life. It was like a form of symbiosis. She was overflowing with life and was a willing giver.

“Sort of like a reverse vampire,” he jokingly suggested.

“Yes. But I can be much more dangerous than you think.”

He should have found that more alarming or at least curious. But he was high on her life and he wasn’t thinking straight. He thought he was in love with her, but she said that was how everyone felt at first. She said it would wear off and then he would come looking for her.

“Sort of like an addiction?”

“A little mental maybe. But certainly not physically.”

She told him she could turn him. It would be the greatest experience of his life and sort of like vampire mythos they would be bound forever.

“As lovers?”

“No. Sorry. I’m not that into you. But we would always share in a joy and passion that no one else would ever know existed.”

She made it sound good. She made it sound enticing. She was enticing. She was addictive.

Evan wanted that world. He wanted that life. He couldn’t imagine a world without feeling like he was feeling right now.

Then he noticed the red stain on her teeth. It was blood. His blood. She had drawn blood when she bit him. Suddenly he sobered up and took a step back from her.

She could see it in his eyes – the fear and horror. She had been a monster and would always be a monster. She was an outcast whose curse was to remain separated from others. She saw the wound on his neck for the first time. She hadn’t realized it when it happened. She hadn’t intended to do it. She could tell the change was already happening inside her.

“Run,” she whispered.

Evan did not move.

“Run!” she screamed.

Evan ran. As fast and as hard as he could. Eva tried to contain herself but wasn’t sure it would do any good.