JPOV

A thousand stars may cause eyes to wander and see a meaning in light. But those same stars above us, are mocking me. They make my arms reach up to the night sky and pull and tug a black emptiness that is unconquerable; no meaning, just scattered flames of fury sent to set the night sky alive by some greater power. The stars taunt, they laugh…causing me too long for something out of my reach. But, that's life.

The rain had begun to pour from the sky, it was pounding the pavement below my feet, and hitting my head, slowly dripping down my face, and drenching my clothes. I had no umbrella… and I looked more suspicious then a penguin at a rodeo. I gouged people's reactions towards the rain…some people ran into stores, while others danced, spinning in circles, letting themselves loose, and slowly falling into the arms of loved ones. Then there were those who had the mental intelligence to bring an umbrella… well, what option have I? Shall I dance? Skip around in circles, squealing in delight as the water tickles my legs, jumping in puddles… sure… then I could become a princess… not happening. But, I had no umbrella, so the only reasonable option for me was to take cover in a store.

I walked down the nearly empty streets, taking in the scenery. I had to admit, it was beautiful. The sky was a deep blue, and the rain made it look as though I was floating in the ocean, just below the surface…looking at the watered and distorted sky above. The stars were little gold fish. Floating around me…laughing and playing in the water. I could hear voices in the distance, and they were getting closer. Two people...a man…and a women…I would guess by the sound of her laugh that the women was no older then 20, the man no more than 24.i could sense they were happy. Overjoyed... They wouldn't be that happy if I killed them. I most certainly had the strength, no doubt about it. But what good would it do me to become discovered simply over my uncontrollable bloodlust. My throat ached, and my animalistic instincts took me over. But, I had to resist. It was too public. I would wait for the rain to slow, and I would hunt, though it pained me.

I walked down the faded sidewalk, half under the eaves from closed stores. It was just past 10 pm, and all hopes of coverage were now closing down. I scanned the area… a record store…closed. A women's department store? Open, but too public for my liking. I would surely lose control. Philly's Diner…Sounded promising… I looked at the parking lot, expecting it to still be half full, as the lights were on, and I could feel the movement of blood. Surprisingly, it was half empty. Lucky me.

"Com'on Jasper," I said to myself "Let's go get some dinner." I picked up my pace slightly, trying to look as though rain was a bother to me. I stopped at the door, to tilt my hat (covering my coal colored eyes). I pulled the door open, and a bell chimed.

A young waitress turned in my direction, smiled, and walked towards me.

"Howdy there Cowboy…" she said as she laughed quietly.

I nodded, not interested in her human games whatsoever. He blood smelt slightly of alcohol, and I had to wonder if her sober self would be this intrigued by a good ol' fashioned Texan cowboy. "Just one." I tried to hide my southern drawl, but it slipped out…she smiled, but gave me a quizzical look, but I ignored it. She shrugged, and led me to a booth in the corner, handing me a menu. "Chocolate Shake..." was all I said, handing her back the menu. It was the classic diner food, so I thought. She smiled, and walked over to the bar, to tell the chef. She wiggled her hips as she walked, and it irritated me. Why were humans always either dull, or hormone driven nowadays? I got my shake within two minutes, and the waitress left quickly, sensing my annoyance. I watched as she sat in a chair behind the counter, pouting. How pitiful…An older waitress walked over to her, handing her a glass of water. The younger worker pointed over at me, and the older waitress' mouth dropped… she ran over to the telephone and started talking quickly into the receiver.

A very tired little girl and a young father sat down in the booth in front of me. She demanded candy, and the dad laughed, denying her the simple treat. I had to hold my breath. She was a temptation… And way too young to die.

As I was looking out the window on my left, the front door's bell chimed, and a scent unlike none other hit me as hard as a bullet… Vampire. I flinched...Stay calm Jasper…

"Hey there Lil' Mary!" a female worker walked over to the source of the scent, and I turned to look as well… I looked away quickly. But I saw what I needed. A tiny figure, sickly skinny, under 5 feet tall, with dark auburn hair waving to her waist. She resembled a fairytale character…some little fairy from a brother's grim tale. Her skin was white. She was Vampire. She was…well...she was…what was she? She was… well…wow. I blinked…I couldn't control my own emotions for once in my life. The older waitress leaned over the counter to talk to the tiny female…and then smiled and pointed in my direction…she hopped off of her bar stool, heading in my direction. I had to leave, now. I was intruding in on her territory… I stood, up grabbed my coat, my hat, and my wallet (leaving money for the Shake) and headed for the door.

"Wait!" a tiny whimsical, musical, magical, wonderful voice called to me… I had to turn. The temptation was overflowing, and it was driving me crazy… I had also been standing there, completely still for almost a minute now…

"Please..." it said. I turned and the most elegant creature, clearly an angel was standing there, making this ordinary everyday diner seem as though it was a museum, holding the most captivating sculpture in the world. The room glowed; I was not sure if it was my imagination, or if this little lady actually had that effect on me. I was in heaven. Then, she smiled… and I was overwhelmed, intoxicated. I gasped, and blinked… her milky white teeth were sharp (like any Vampire), but it wasn't her perfect teeth sent me A-wire… it was her lips… the way they had turned slightly upwards, the way the bright red color was most definitely natural… the way her beautifully full, luscious lips sneaked themselves into a heart shuttering smile, that sent my no-existent, not beating heart a flutter. It moved… I'm sure it did. I have not felt that in over a lifetime… literally. My face had its own reaction, and I pulled out my own (embarrassing) Boyish grin.

She giggled…This girl, excuse me, women just kept on getting better… a giggle… simple…yet beautiful… music to my ears… the little boy inside me was showing threw as if she was my biggest childhood crush, and I could tell this person-this outstanding, amazing, brilliant person-had a young soul. I wanted to join in with her laughter... the only problem was that I had no idea who this person was, let alone why they were laughing at me.

She then caught on to my confusion, and cleared her throat. I was tempted to look into her eyes, but I would have drowned. Fell to the floor, in a state of shock. I never believed this was possible...a girl? In my life? Impossible. I had vowed to never love, or let myself be loved. I could not. I was a monster. Maria had trained me to kill. I was a weapon of mass destruction. I was her personal puppet trained to follow orders. I Jasper Whitlock was a murderer.

"You…You have kept me waiting a long time…" it wasn't an accusation, but a fact. She was simply stating this. But, I still felt the need to apologize.

"I'm sorry ma'am..." my accent was as thick as marmalade and she smiled, giggling slightly at my silly accent. So I decided to add to the Jasper Whitlock Texas charm, tilting my hat. I was highly confused at this point. Did I know this woman? I had no recollection of her face, and she did not have one of those faces that you could simply pass by…

"No need to apologize…you did nothing wrong. The fault is mine." She moved forwards, and her shoes clicked as they hit the tiles on the floor… I then noticed her wardrobe… I started at the very top of her head, her hair… it was beautiful… I could sit there for hours playing with her hair… I avoided her face, still afraid to meet her eyes. I took in her dress. Simplicity is truly the most amazing revolution in this world might I add. I had seen some pretty insane dresses, but not on this little Fairy. Her dress had a scoop neckline, and it rested just off of her shoulders, presenting her cream completion. It was black, and slightly poofed at the bottom, coming to an end just inches above her knees…as my eyes traced down her legs, I couldn't help but stare… how could someone so small, have such long legs? Her shoes were unexpectedly bright red, and added at least 5 inches to her height…how short was she? I had to clear my throat, before I responded, and quickly. I was raised differently… I was taught to enjoy the banquet but resist the wine, so to speak. And I believe I had just been caught starring… how rude of me.

"Ma'am, I am terribly sorry, but I have the feeling I could never put you to blame…" she was now standing centimeters away from me, the height of her head barely reaching the top of my chest. I had to look down as I talked to her, but I did not find this to be a bother, as long as she was the one I was looking down too. I laughed at my mental joke, and I got a strange look from the little angel…

"Are you laughing at me? I thought you were more of a good ol' southern gentleman than that Jasper…"

"No Little Miss, I was simply laughing at my own self… I would never be so rude as too... wait… how do you know my name?"

"We best sit down." She motioned towards my booth from earlier, and I headed in that direction, but she did not follow…

"Ma'am? Are you okay?" I was worried, her little face was scrunched up, and she seemed as though she was day dreaming…she shook herself out of her trance, but stayed in place.

"I am fine… one moment, I'll just ask Eliza for the keys; we might be here for awhile… I would need to lock up.

After returning from the kitchen, the tiny creature entranced me with her grace as she walked across the room, and sat directly across from me.

"Now, I believe some much needed explanations are in order, do you agree?" she smiled, and if my heart had been beating, after her smile it would have returned to its present state, unbeating. Completely frozen in time.

I returned her smile with my own, and nodded, allowing her begin her explanation. But, nothing was said. Instead she just sat there, in a trance, staring at me… I was not in the least uncomfortable… I was finally allowed a moment to think.

Who is she? What could she possibly want from me? How did she know my name, when I had no memory of hers…we had never met; Had we? Then it hit me, hard. This feeling… this urge… this beating, fluttering, swimming excitement twisting my stomach into knots…This indescribable feeling was emanating from the beautiful lady, and it was consuming me whole… but what was it? It wasn't anger... Anger was more of a stabbing sensation… it wasn't rage, nor was it hate… then what could she possibly be feeling? What am I feeling? I need to control the fluttering in my stomach before it became an addiction… I love this feeling. I adore it. Mainly because of the person who gave it to me. I feel total adoration towards this…this un-humanly beautiful creature; and I don't even know her name…

As if she had read my mind, the elfish fairy, turned to me, and looked at my face… trying to capture my eyes with hers… I had to give in.

"Mary Alice…" was all she said.

In that instant my heat got heavier… but it was not heavy.