I opened my eyes to a completely different world after what seemed an eternity. I couldn't refresh my mind to determine how I got to this dark place, but as I thought my eyes suddenly came across a stunning figure in the dark shadows of the room.

"I'm glad you have awakened," the voice of the figure whispered into the darkness. As I come to think of it, that is the first noise I heard since I woke. Well, that must mean I am in complete isolation, no where near any other people or objects.

"Aren't you going to question what you are doing in here?" I recognized the voice was that of a woman and I knew I wasn't kidnapped. Then, I realized that maybe I was kidnapped and my memory was partially erased, but logically it could possibly be nothing more than head trauma. That lead me to believe I was injured and brought to this place for treatment and recovery. Although, I didn't feel relaxed and secure here, it was too suspicious.

A door opened in the dimness of the room, and another figure walked in. The person was tall, and look immense with the broad shoulders. It had to be a man. Then a deep voice came from his direction. "Ahh. The young girl is finally conscious. How has she reacted to the medicine?"

"She isn't entirely healed, which makes me wonder why my powers aren't working on her. She appears to be frightened, but I can't interpret her thoughts. They're completely protected." Interpret her thoughts… completely protected? Those words sounded familiar, as if I had heard them in the past. My head hurt trying to remember who had mentioned those exact words before.

"Where am I," I groaned. My throat felt terrible, as if I had swallowed a bagful of salt water.

"Young lady, how are you feeling?" She sounded worried, like a mother caressing her child after being hurt. Thinking of mother-figures, it reminded me of someone else, but I felt my head might explode.

"Awful. But somehow I can't remember anything, and it makes my head hurt badly. But you didn't answer my question. Where am I and who are you people?"

"Welcome, to the House of Night young child." Why did these people call me young and a child. Of course I know I am definitely about 19 years old, but I couldn't recall my name. What is The House Of Night?

"House of Night?" I asked.

"Darling, you have never heard of our community? Or is it your injury that is making it difficult to refresh your memory?"

"No, most of what has happened so far reminds me of the past and it makes my head hurt from thinking about it. I have absolutely no idea what the House of Night is." Honestly, I had no knowledge of this place which is what she called it. It is more like ROOM of Night, with what I have seen so far.

"Well, that is odd. Every human knows of our existence, and I wonder how and why you don't," her voice was bewildered.

"What are you? Who are you?" I was just as bewildered as she was.

"Well, my name is Neferet, and I am the High Priestess at this school."

"High Priestess? School?" So this was some kind of school, or religious school, that has a priestess?

"Well, first, you must know that we are vampires. Second, to become a complete vampire, fledgings spend 4 years at this school, learning about their change. Imagine it being like a high school. I am the principal of this high school. Here a freshman is a third-former, a sophomore is a fourth-former, a junior is a fifth-former, and a sixth-former is a senior." She took a deep breath to check if I was paying attention, as if she was a principal giving me an important lecture. "So, here things can always change unexpectedly, such as a fledging rejecting the change. It is something that doesn't occur to every single fledging. But once a person completes the change after the sixth-former year, he or she becomes an adult vampire."

"Whoa." That was all I could say, her story or lecture had left me speechless.

"So, why don't you tell me about yourself?" I felt her eyes on me. Speaking of I still could sense the presence of the man who had come in earlier. It was still dark in the room and cold, although my skin was cold as well. It was eerie to think that they had a school full of fledgings/ vampires beyond the walls of this room. I still couldn't see anything but shadows and the small amount of light coming through the door that was cracked.

"Why haven't you turned on the light of the room?" The question was directed for Neferet, but the mysterious man answered me.

"It could cause your eyes to hurt after a long time of unconsciousness and the dark you have experienced so far. Would you like me to turn the lights on?" He surprised me with his knowledge, and so I assumed he was the doctor here. It reminded me of another doctor.

"Yes, please. I am tired of the dark, it makes this room feel unpleasant." Immediately after I spoke he turned the lights on. Fortunately, my eyes didn't sting or hurt whatsoever.

"I'm fine, sir. My eyes feel perfectly fine." He didn't respond so I searched for him in the room and saw him staring straight at me, his eyes wide open.

"Umm… Sir?" At the same time Neferet said, "Darius?"

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry. I was just… just… her eyes Neferet. They are a unique color." He was still staring at me, but now I realized he was staring at my eyes.

"Oh my goddess!" Neferet exclaimed. She too looked straight at my eyes.

"What's wrong with my eyes?" I was feeling really scared something bad happened to my eyes.

"Nothing. Don't be scared. It is only the fact that we inspected your body earlier, and your eyes were golden brown. Now they're dark. Actually black as coal." What Neferet explained left me frozen. They had inspected my body! They said my eyes changed color!

"What?"

"Well, honey, I am confused just as you are. I have never known any human to have a complete change in eye color." I guess Neferet must be some type of doctor like the man, who'd she called Darius. Earlier she had a conversation with him, in which she had said "She isn't entirely healed, which makes me wonder why my powers aren't working on her…. I can't interpret her thoughts"

"Ma'am, do the vampires at this school have special powers? Like being able to change the eye color of a person." Or like being able to read minds and heal.

"Actually, I forgot to mention that our Goddess, Nyx, grants her children with special abilities, but they vary. Sometimes a vampire may never receive any powers. I have been given the talents of healing and I am able to read the thoughts of others." She paused her explanation and looked at Darius then back at me. "I am curious about you, young one. I don't know what you are thinking at all and I can't heal you. You have been here for a week and you have recovered dramatically and rapidly. It seems quite unnatural for a human like yourself. Or maybe we have enough evidence to indicate you are something extraordinary." Something extraordinary?? Is she saying I am abnormal?!? Obviously she is.

"Yes indeed, you have a point Neferet. This girl is unusual, but very special." Darius spoke with deep interest towards my queer but special abnormality.

"Um, I am very hungry," I blurted out. I actually was hungry. It wasn't just plain hunger, it was more like a strange thirst.

"Concerning your sudden request, I'm afraid you mustn't leave this room, until we're sure you are safe." He spoke to me as if I was a science exhibit not ready to be shown to the public. But aren't I secure?

"Well, I just need something. You can't bring me something to eat here?"

"Oh yes of course. I am truly sorry for the rudeness. But I am being serious young lady. I'm not sure you can leave here until we do some research on your kind." So now am I a species who can be studied without permission!?

"Darius, you are pressuring her. Darling I will be right back with some eggs and ham. Is that okay?" Is it barely the morning?

"Ok. Please bring me water. I have a sudden thirst." As soon as the words came out of my mouth, Neferet left the room in a swift movement.

Darius didn't speak a word. He just sat there in a chair, thinking. I doubted he was thinking of something else other than his science experiment.