“Hey where you going, sweetheart? Come over here.”

“Damn, that’s a nice dress. Bet you look better without it though.”

“What’s the matter babe? We just wanna talk to you. You know, I think she likes playing hard to get-…”

SMACK

The sudden sharp noise echoed like a shot in the empty street. The “babe” in question had turned and delivered a swift backhand after one of the catcallers had reached out to touch her arm. The movement had been so fast, he had not had the chance to even blink before the violent blow had struck his face, the force of it sending him sprawling backward.

“I don’t wish to be touched.”

Her tone was cool, indifferent. The woman had turned to face them now and she stood observing them, her gaze passing slowly from one thug to the next with an air of detachment. She looked to be somewhere in her mid-twenties. Her dark, mahogany hair hung in loose curls about her face and shoulders, complimenting her porcelain skin and deep brown eyes, which were currently half-lidded in an expression of bored irritation. The black dress she wore clung to her curves in all the right places and extenuated her slender, hourglass frame. Unfortunately, it had also garnered her this unwanted attention…

“Hahaaaa! Did you see that?! She hit him!"

“Ah yeah! I like ‘em feisty!”

“You goddam bitch, how dare you fucking touch my face!”

The woman stepped to the side as the man lunged forward. He reeked of alcohol. After stumbling to maintain his balance, he cursed loudly again and fumbled for something in his pocket.

So far the situation had been pretty innocuous, and the woman hadn’t bothered to expend any more energy than necessary by simply walking away from them. Her brow furrowed, however, as she saw a flash of metal and realized that the lunatic was brandishing a knife.

Enough was enough. Besides, it was late. And she was hungry.

It happened so fast that the other goons did not see her move. They did not see the curling smirk, nor catch a glimpse of the pointed incisors as they buried themselves into the drunkard’s bulging red neck. In fact, it took several seconds before anyone could comprehend what was happening. Even then, the alcohol in their systems made them slow and stupid.

“…what the-..?”

“Holy shit, did she bite him?!”

Intoxicated blood was not her favorite, but it would tide her over until her next meal. It was actually a relief to get this quick snack, after her attempts to seduce a real prize had failed that evening. She had just left a popular night club, which was the reason for her tight-fitting dress. She had found a girl – a pretty, petite, young woman who had adorably clung to her for most of the night. The girl had talked and talked all about herself and her friends, all the while shooting her admiring looks and playful touches. And when she’d finally leaned close to ask for a name, the older woman had leaned in closer to breathe, “Mila,” …and had then grinned to see a pink tinge sweep across the girl’s cheeks.

Everything had been going so well. That is, until the girl’s friends had showed up to drag her away. Apparently, she was their designated driver. Mila had watched them disappear into the undulating crowd of people with disappointment, her stony expression a stark contrast in the midst of colored lights and upbeat rhythms.

At least she’d found replacements. Albeit, poor replacements. Mila wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand as the last of the men dropped dead at her feet. She had only taken a small amount from each one – their taste had been unpleasant, though it was never very easy to stop. As irritating as they had been, she didn’t particularly like piling up too many bodies like this. But there was no sense in leaving any witnesses. Even if they were too drunk to remember, Mila liked to play it safe. Which was why she would be out of the state by tomorrow. The small pinprick wounds on her victims’ necks would be well healed by the time she was gone.

So – a new city. A new life to begin. Mila’s ageless beauty made it easy to settle into a new location and she enjoyed the thrill of leaving everything familiar behind. As the vampire strolled away from the crime scene, she realized with a smile that her night with the girl might not have been such a waste after all. The little morsel had blabbed about a friend in a neighboring state looking tirelessly for a new roommate with no luck. It was a stretch, but it also wasn’t a bad place to start. Mila doubted it would be too difficult to find the girl’s advertisements online. This modern age made everything so easy in that regard. ‘The Information Age,’ Mila silently mused, licking a spot of blood from one of her fingertips. ‘Social media, faceless interaction..’ How different the world had become.

A few days later...

Mila looked at the address on her phone and back up again at the sign on the apartment’s brick façade.

RIDGEWAY FLATS.

This was it. The address from the girl’s listing. The apartment looked about mid-ranged, price wise. It wasn’t a luxurious building but its location was hard to beat. Located not far from the night life scene, it was a complex mainly populated by young professionals wishing to be close to work and play. The neighborhood was good and the area relatively safe, though somewhat secluded. At the moment, it seemed worlds away from the clubs and restaurants a few blocks over. Not a soul was in sight.

A street lamp suddenly flickered on, casting an eerie yellow glow in front of the stairs. The sun had just dipped below the city skyline, and the autumn air had begun to chill. Mila walked up the stairs a little ways before taking a seat on the cold concrete steps. She crossed her stockinged legs in front of her, high heels slipping slightly askew. She was dressed in expensive-looking business attire – a tight pencil skirt and a flowing white blouse. After a moment, she bent her head forward, letting her loose curls tumble forward to obscure her face. Suddenly everything about her indicated a person in distress. She might have been crying, and yet she didn’t make a sound.

She seemed completely oblivious to the world around her.

The song came to an end and Charlie Summers smiled, an expression of aloof pleasure as she let the last chord strum off and end in a soft hum. There was a moment of breathless silence as she sat there, looking down at her beat up guitar, before her small entourage broke into applause. This broke Charlie from her daze as they flocked towards her guitar case. The sound of coins clinking together as they dropped into the velvet lined case made Charlie's blue eyes light up. “Thank you, thank you.” Her chorus of gratitude rung out in the air as she tried to address every person who gave her some amount of money. She smiled at a middle-aged man who dropped in two twenties, his balding head nodded as he looked towards her. “You're good.” The appraisal made Charlie laugh. “Thank you so much.” She beamed, leaning over to gather the cash out of the guitar case. She stuffed coins and several bills into her bag and started to pack up.

“I mean it, Miss. You shouldn't be out on this street, you should be in some sold out concert hall.” Charlie looked up to see that the man was still there, he wore an official looking suit and was holding a leather briefcase. Laughing bitterly, Charlie shook her head. “I wish. But times are tough, and this is a hard business. I perform where ever I can.” She had gotten her things packed and slinging her old satchel around her chest she looked over towards the guy who was now pulling something out of his jacket. “Listen, I see something in you. I could make you a star, you'd be the name everyone knew. You'd be sensational.” His deep voice told Charlie everything that she had ever wanted to here. She tucked a piece of blond hair behind her ear, looking down timidly as she reached out and took the business card he offered her. “You mean it?”

The man clapped his large, meaty hands together. The sound was sharp and erupted through the now empty street. “Of course I mean it! You've got... something special.” His eyes trailed her body. “The only thing is, sweetheart, fame doesn't come free. It's not gonna be cheap, my services.” Charlie sighed, and there was the catch. Money. After she had left her house at the age of seventeen and moved into the city with a friend, Char hadn't had much cash. It was a struggle to pay the bills every month and she'd never be able to pay for something like this. It must have shown in her body language, because a few seconds later his voice piped up again. “But there might be another way. If you just do me a few... favors, I might be able to help you out with the money issues.” Charlie's head shot up, she wasn't stupid and she knew just what these “favors” would be. Rolling her eyes Charlie looked down at the cheaply made card. “You're kidding me, right? Fuck off ass hole.” Chucking the card to the ground, she quickly grabbed her guitar case and shoved past the man, whose suit she noticed was not so high end after all. “Pervert.” She mumbled under her breath and she stalked away.

The cool night air was blessed against her sticky, sweating skin. That was not far from the first time she had been approached with such a proposition, yet every time something in her clicked with hope. Maybe this time it was real. Maybe this time she would luck out. Yet, she never did. Feeling defeated, Charlie slowly walked home. She enjoyed these evenings, when the streets were barren and it was just her and the wind that blew silently around her. She enjoyed the city life. Fast-paced, noisy, and always bringing something unexpected. However, she sometimes missed the silence that living in a rural area could bring, and she relished the moments when she was just alone in the quiet with only her thoughts for a companion. Sighing in relief, she saw the large, isolated building that was her home. Her brown, heeled boats, that came to her ankles and were decorated with some zippers and laces, tapped lightly against the pavement as she hurried towards the apartment. She wore a light, floral patterned skirt that brushed midway to her thigh and the only thing covering her legs was a pair of thin, black nylons. This was worn with a white, knitted sweater and a brown scarf. Fixing said scarf, she approached her building's steps and slowed when she saw a woman sitting tragically on them.

Charlie was confused for a second. The woman looked completely out of it, with her head bent and her hair shrouding her face. There was something slightly endearing about her, even though she was doing absolutely nothing to draw attention to herself. “Uh, um...” Charlie wasn't sure if she should let the woman be, or if she should ask what was wrong. She wanted to go inside, to get into some pajamas and curl up on her couch and watch criminal minds re-runs until she fell asleep. But this woman obviously needed help and Charlie wouldn't forgive herself if she just left her out here alone and looking so distraught. 'Alrighty.' Charlie thought to herself, sitting down on the steps next to the woman. Timidly, Charlie tapped her on the shoulder, she looked to be very prestigious and Charlie wasn't the most comfortable around authoritative people. Licking her dry lips, she looked at this woman and with a voice that wavered sighed, she asked: “Uh, are you... alright?”

Mila glanced up hastily at the sound of the other woman’s voice, her expression vulnerable as if she had been startled by her sudden appearance. Her face was flushed with emotion and there was a faint smudge below her left eye where her tears had smeared a bit of her mascara. She blinked up at the girl for a split second, looking like her mind was still reeling over whatever it was that was making her so distraught. Then she quickly lifted a hand, partly to wipe away the hot wet streaks and partly to cover her face with embarrassment.

“Oh…god, I’m sorry…I’m j-just…” she swallowed hard to hold back a sob and made to get up, her high heels making a scrapping noise on the concrete steps. The black pencil skirt she was wearing made it awkward for her to try to stand. “I’m in the way, aren’t I…” She glanced over to meet the other girl’s gaze and hesitated suddenly, as if really noticing her for the first time. Instead of getting up, she sank back down onto the concrete step and lowered her head.

“It’s nothing, I’m alright,” she said in quieter, calmer tone. She looked over at her again, her large, dark eyes carefully the girl’s features, as if caught off-guard by the unexpected show of concern from a stranger. Internally, she was pleasantly surprised. The other young woman was quite beautiful. There was nothing flashy about her style though, or anything hint that she was really aware of her charming looks. Mila’s gaze flickered down over her figure, and then back up to her blue eyes.

“I was just…feeling overwhelmed,” she added, feigning shyness. Mila glanced away for full effect, but not before catching a quick glimpse at the young woman’s covered neck. She could imagine the skin beneath the fabric - warm, soft and smooth as the woman’s face. Delicate too, fitting with her slender frame…

Focus.

Mila smiled gently and shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she said with a small laugh that ended up as a half-sob. “I should really try to get home before I start blubbering all over the place – or at least make it to the car.” The small smile vanished again as a fresh wave of emotion clouded her eyes. She lowered her head to let her soft, dark curls fall between them like a curtain. “Honestly, I’m not usually so emotional, especially in front of a stranger, I promise,” she half-joked. She was clutching a black Chanel purse to her chest and now clutched it even tighter as she spoke. The white blouse she wore had been unbuttoned enough to catch just a glimpse of a black lacey bra that held up her ample chest. She looked like she’d just finished work at some high-end office and had let down her hair and unbuttoned a little more of her top to let herself breathe.

“I don’t even live here. I was just looking for…- “ Another sob made her voice swell and she turned toward the woman suddenly, her dark eyes wet and imploring. “You wouldn’t happen to know a Mark Rothers, would you? He lives, well lived, on this floor,” she asked, motioning toward their surroundings. “I know he was here just last week, I spoke to him only last week.” Mila continued to look at her pleadingly for a moment, her hand resting gently on the woman’s knee. Her perfume permeated the small space between them: a sultry, evening scent. Then, as if the whole situation was just dawning on her, she stopped and looked away. She drew back her hand and made to stand up again.

“Wow, I’m sorry, this must be really weird for you. I mean, finding a grown woman crying on the stairs?” Mila tucked her purse under her shoulder and held out a hand to help the other woman get to her feet. “I guess I’ll just tell you outright. This is so embarrassing - I’m trying to find my boyfriend. We had this huge fight and I think he moved without telling me. I mean, he moved. I couldn’t believe it. It’s so extreme. But it’s just like him. He’s so impulsive, I just, ugh!” Mila shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. She cleared her throat with an air of composing herself and brushed away the last tear that had been trembling from her chin. “I was hoping I’d be able to stay at his place tonight actually,” she reached down to smooth her skirt. She was slightly taller then the other girl and on top of that her heels gave her a few more inches. “That’s partly why I was…why I was so upset. My lease ended on my apartment before I could get around to finding another– wow, I’m doing it again aren’t I?” Mila gave a hollow chuckle under her breath and smiled apologetically. “I just keep spouting all my problems to you don’t I? You must look trustworthy. But I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to some stranger go on about herself.”

The chilly air brushed up Charlie's legs, causing her body to shudder in the cold as she instinctively wrapped her arms around her torso. The concrete stairs added to the gelid feeling against her legs as she stared at the distraught woman. Her face was twisted in grief and confusion as her head snapped up to look at Charlie. Despite the doleful expression of this mysterious person, Charlie was still startled by her piercing, dark eyes that threatened to spill glimmering tears onto her flushed cheeks. They were haunting and beautiful and Charlie knew that her hopeless romantic ways would have gotten lost in the depth of her iris' given another circumstance. But this evening she fought of the urge to stare deep into her mystifying eyes and shook her head in an attempt to reorganize her muddled thoughts. The woman went on, and Charlie let her talk, she looked as if she needed a good ramble.

Charlie found herself unconsciously touching her clothes, hair and face. Pulling her thin, blond hair back into a high ponytail that, even though it was sloppily thrown together, made her look cute and dainty. Her round face and large eyes gave her such an appeal of innocence and youth that many people mistook her for younger then she actually was. It worked in her favor sometimes, but mostly it was just annoying and frustrating. Like right now, next to this beautiful, older woman, Charlie couldn't help but think about every single flaw about her body. From the blemishes on her skin, to her flimsy hair didn't hold any kind of curl, or the way her clothes fell off her thin frame making her look weaselly and odd. Charlie looked at the woman and gave her a friendly smile, ignoring her self-conscious thoughts. "Hey listen, if you need me to help you back to your car or something I-" She stopped as the moon fell onto the woman like a spotlight, exposing her exotic features.

'She's beautiful.' Charlie's mind was stunned for a minute as it took in the almost other-worldly beauty that this stranger possessed. The way her dark hair was in contrast to her pale skin, the clothes that made her look relaxed yet sophisticated and more then a little sensual. Charlie silently scolded herself and almost missed the next thing the woman said. "Mark Rothers?" She murmured, trying to think of all the men that lived on this floor. Jared, Wade, Oliver... but she couldn't remember a Mark. "Sorry, I don't think I know him. He must have kept to himself." She knew most people who lived here, except for a few of the more introvert residents who were merely there for a place to live and didn't socialize with the other apartment dwellers much. Charlie was so deep in thought that she didn't notice at first, the weight of her companions hand against her knee. The hand was cool, and chilled Charlie's skin. Yet, just as quickly as the weight had appeared, it drew away.

Charlie watched as the stranger stood up and took her hand when offered. Standing beside her, Charlie rubbed her own arms a bit. The wind had picked up and was whirling around them when the other woman dropped the 'B' word. Boyfriend. Annoying impulsive, crazy boyfriend at that. Charlie could relate, before she had come to terms with who she really was she had her fair share of psycho guys. So she nodded sympathetically and sighed. "Boys majorly suck." Her voice wavered a bit as her teeth chattered in the cold. The woman's eyes were now dry, and Charlie was every bit as shocked as she had known she would be by the full intensity of her eyes. They expressed real grief as she explained about her lease and not having anywhere to stay, then apologizing profusely for her over over share. "Don't even worry about it." Charlie laughed slightly, a sound like tinkling bells. "I'm good at listening to problems." An idea dawned on her then, a way to help this poor woman and maybe even find herself a roommate, at long last.

“Hey, listen.” Charlie interjected quietly, placing a hand on the woman's arm lightly. Her skin was cool to the touch, sending a violent shiver through Char's body. “I've got a spare room that just won't keep a roommate.” She chuckled to herself and shook her head, thinking of all the randoms who had come to check the place out and never called Charlie back. Looking up at the darkening sky, she chewed her lip and thought deeply. She didn't want to come off as creepy or needy but she could tell this woman could really use some help. "If you want a place to stay for the night, you're more then welcome to crash there." This could be her chance to get a roommate who wasn't weird like all the other she had interviewed. It would be nice to finally have someone else to liven up her often dank apartment, and Charlie found herself anticipating the woman's answer. "It's a nice room. Oh, and I'm Charlotte by the way. But you can call me Charlie."

“Charlie,” she repeated, as if the name was pleasing to her. Her gaze had settled on the other girl, calm and confident and even a little playful as she peered at her through heavy, dark lashes. “What a charming nickname. I’m Mila.”

She was standing in front of her now, several inches taller than the younger girl. Mila was close enough that Charlie would have to tilt her chin up a little to meet her eyes; the vampire noticed how delightfully innocent this made her appear. Her own eyes dropped to the girl’s lower lip as she absently chewed it in thought. Something as simple as that made the older woman feel a slight rush of bloodlust. The corner of her lip turned up into a slight smile, despite herself. ‘She’s adorable.’

"If you want a place to stay for the night, you're more then welcome to crash there."

The very words she’d been fishing for. Mila felt a thrill of triumph at the invitation, which she quickly translated into an expression of gratitude.

“Really? Are you sure? That would be great, I…I can’t thank you enough!” She looked suddenly apprehensive. “But are you sure it’s ok? I’m not interrupting any plans you had tonight? A cute girl like you, it’s hard to imagine you’re spending a night alone.” This time Mila took no pains to disguise the admiring look she swept over the girl, taking everything in. That Charlie’s blonde hair was pulled up into a ponytail was such a tease, since she still wore that scarf around her neck. Mila could imagine herself reaching out to grasp it and puling it slowly away to reveal the smooth, pulsating skin underneath. Instead, she just touched the ends of the scarf in an absent manner, gently massaging the material between her fingertips, the act bringing them a little closer together. She had a way of doing things like that without coming across as invasive. Rather her movements spoke of a kind of practiced grace - languid and poised. And maybe just a touch possessive…

“I’ve just had the worst night, and you’re being so nice to me. I really appreciate it.”

Another chilling gust of wind swept over them as they stood by staircase. “You must be freezing right now,” Mila said, her brow creasing with concern. She crossed her own arms in front of her, as if to shield herself from the cold. Of course, she was unaffected by the temperature – it was just one of those pretenses she had to remind herself to keep up. A human thing. Despite the calculated gesture, she still looked a little too much at ease in cool air, wearing only her thin white blouse and tight black skirt.

“I hate to keep you out here like this. Shall we head up?” Mila moved to link arms with Charlie, bringing them close in one effortless, graceful move. “You poor thing, you’re shivering!” Her cool body temperature would do nothing to warm her up of course, and her sweet smelling breath would be cool on the girl’s cheek as she leaned just a bit closer to murmur cheerfully, “Here, we’ll share body heat~”

Her eyes were dry by this point and her posture had straightened. She was looking less shy and more confident by the second. It was very subtle, but it was as if her entire personality was shifting into someone else’s – someone comfortable with herself, assertive even, not at all the type to be devastated by some loser boyfriend’s actions.

“Which apartment is yours?”

'Oh my god, her eyes.' Charlie's cheeks flamed red as she stared at Mila's dark eyes, hidden slightly behind her dark lashes. Charlie's mind, which was artistic and constantly on overdrive, was currently in a daze. She'd known attractive women before but there was something about Mila that brought beauty to a whole knew level, although, Charlie couldn't quite pinpoint what that 'something' was. Never the less, when Mila stood closer to her and absently played with Char's scarf, she swooned like a school girl on the playground. “But are you sure it’s ok? I’m not interrupting any plans you had tonight? A cute girl like you, it’s hard to imagine you’re spending a night alone.” Cute girl. Charlie laughed suddenly, looking down and shyly breaking eye contact with Mila. “Yeah, it really is fine. My job doesn’t exactly pay well,” she nodded towards the discarded guitar case that still sat on the steps. “So I don't really 'go out'.” She shiver again and nodded. “You're right, it's cold let's go up...” her voice caught as she felt Mila's arm interlock with hers. “Stairs.”

“My apartment is on the third floor.” Charlie explained, her voice rambling as she led Mila into the building. The lobby was clean, sterile even, with a plush carpet and a small front desk. Except for the two elevators that were set against the back wall, the rest of the lobby was empty. “Here we can take this elevator, the other one isn't as quick.” Her voice trailed off as the door beeped open and they stepped inside. It was made of a darker wood and the buttons next to the door were a dull grey until they were pressed, causing them to turn yellow. Charlie smiled over at Mila, a shy expression that made her eyes glitter. The ride up was quick and quiet. “Here we are.” She breathed as the door slid open, showing a plain looking hallway decorated similarly to the downstairs. “It's that one.” She pointed towards the second door down the hall and guided the other woman towards it.

Charlie flicked the lights on to reveal a quaint, lived in apartment. The front door opened into a small living room/kitchen area that was only separated by a change in flooring, from carpet to tile. and a small island that's seats were halfway in the living room. The living room in question was decorated with a second hand couch set Charlie had gotten off e-bay. The set included a longer sofa, a love seat and an arm chair that were a dark leather and placed neatly around a small television. In the middle of the ensemble was an old, stained coffee table that held an assortment of junk: Magazines, papers, books, jewelry, even dishes. “Uh, I meant to clean up in here.” Charlie murmured, as she took off her scarf and jacket, hanging both up in a hall closet and then rubbing her shoulders exasperatedly.

She rushed towards the table and gathering an armload of dishes. “Make yourself at home, the bathroom and the two bedrooms are down that hallway.” She pointed to a long hall that travelled left when you walked in the door. “You're room would be the first door on the right, it's got a nice view and even it's own half bath. It's a little bit extra a month but, you seem like you'll manage.” She nodded towards her fancy attire, Mila looked as if she had just stepped out of some fancy business office and Charlie wondered what it was she did anyways. She decided to ask later and let her guest get settled instead. Hauling her dishes towards the tiny kitchen, Charlie started filling the dishwasher in an attempt to make the place look a little bit less like a disaster area.

The kitchen was a little more orderly then the living room. On the left, it had a fridge and a stove side by side with some counter space that stopped just before it reached a dining room (the table of which was also piled so high with crap that there was no way people actually ate at it). On the other side was more counter space and a sink, with the island right behind that. Above everything hung cabinets. It was crowded and small, yes, but homey and inviting just the same. “If you want to go freshen up, you can use my shampoo and stuff.” Charlie had grabbed an apple from the fridge as she spoke. “There are clean towels and face clothes in the hall closet that you can use.” She took a bite of the apple, making a face as her teeth bit off a bruised piece that tasted sour and disgusting. “And we're about the same size, so you'll probably fit into some of my pyjamas for the night.” She chucked the half eaten apple into the green bin that was underneath her sink and then leaned against the counter, looking at this strange, exotic woman with a petite smile. “Oh, and if you want to eat I can make us something.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Mila laughed, as Charlie apologized about the slight clutter. “It just looks lived in. Cozy. I think I could…” her words gradually slowed as her attention shifted from the quaint apartment to the young woman’s slender neck as Charlie removed her scarf and coat. “…I could see myself living in a place like this,” she finished softly, closing the door and turning the lock.

She felt a sudden split second of intense temptation then, as the door lock clicked into place. In that brief moment, while the girl’s back was still turned, it would have taken no effort at all for the vampire to move forward, take what she wanted and be done. How fast and easy it might have been to press her roughly against the wall, tilt back her chin, and sink her fangs into the supple skin. She imagined the girl putting up a short struggle, until that overwhelmingly pleasurable sensation sank in, the one every victim felt from a vampire’s bite. Then she would go soft and limp and submissive. She might even beg her to continue. Mila could feel her incisors begin to sharpen as the scene played out fancifully in her head…

But instead she willed the temptation away. They were in the privacy of the apartment now, but that didn’t mean someone wouldn’t be able to hear them should the woman scream. More than that, if Mila struck now, that would be it. She’d have to finish her right then. And it might be satisfying for a moment, but it would be over too fast. Now that she’d possibly found a permanent living arrangement, it would be foolish to take the spoils now. There was a certain thrill in catching her meals by surprise, but it paled in comparison to the thrill of the hunt – the delight of circling her prey slowly, encouraging them to give in to her charms little by little until she had them ensnared. If blood intoxicated by alcohol was the cheap stuff, blood intoxicated by lust was the crème de la crème of her unnatural cuisine. And it was certainly worth the effort it took to control her impulses.

“I’m serious,” she added, bending to remove her high heels and place them by the door. She moved into the living room and took a seat on the dark leather sofa. “This place is even closer to where I work than my old apartment.” Mila watched as the girl began clearing a few dishes from the table, admiring her petite frame, through lazy, half-lidded eyes. “If you’re really looking for a roommate, I’d love to take you up on your offer. I’m sure it’s within my price range.” She laughed pleasantly and added, “I mean, you don’t have to decide just now, I’m sure you’ll want to get to know me a little first.”

Mila gave Charlie an appreciative look as she offered to let her use her shower things and even her PJ’s, all to make her feel at home. “You’re so sweet,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. I guess I’d have been forced to check into some seedy hotel around here.” Mila gave her a wink and an enchanting smile. “You’ve really come to my rescue. I’ll have to do something to make it up to you.”

“Oh, and if you want to eat I can make us something.”

A sudden flicker of amusement played across her features at Charlie’s offer. ‘I would love to eat,’ she thought silently to herself, her eyes becoming just a touch darker. “That’s alright, I’ve already had dinner.” ‘I’m famished.’ “I had a quick meal right after work.” ‘I haven’t eaten in two days.’

Two days was doable, but any longer than that and Mila had trouble keeping herself in check. She got lazy when she let herself get too hungry. She became too impulsive, too dangerous. She much preferred to have a snack every night, than to go on a binge after several days of fasting. As long as she played out this situation with Charlie just right, she’d be able to eat regularly for a good long while.

“But please, go ahead and make yourself something if you haven’t eaten dinner yet,’ she said politely. “And then maybe you can show me where I can find those PJs? I’d love to get out of these clothes.” She ran her fingers over the opening of her blouse and undid one more button. “There’s no such thing as casual Friday over at Avon,” she added with a grin. “That’s where I work, by the way. I’m a secretary over at that design firm a few blocks over. What do you do?”

Charlie looked down at the chipped, tiled floor. She was a little shocked that Mila had actually purposed to move in, and a lot happy. Maybe she would finally get that normal roommate that she had wanted ever since her old one moved out. "Really? You'd want to live here?" She had a hard time keeping the amazement out of her voice, sure it was homey but this apartment certainly wasn't ideal. "If you want the room, it's yours. The landlord is kind of a prick, just to warn you, but most of the neighbors are nice; Mrs. Walton from across the hall makes the best pies and Teresa Daigle and her kids are just the sweetest." She smiled and roughly pointed in the directions where their apartments were located. "You'll get along great with everyone! Oh and trust me, you're the most normal person I've had look at this place, most people are just weird and honestly kind of scary." Charlie shivered and let out a laugh. "So, yeah, really. I'd love it if you'd stay."

“You’ve really come to my rescue. I’ll have to do something to make it up to you.” Charlie blushed slightly, turning around to face the wall so the pink tint on her cheeks and neck, that made her look sort of like a tomato in her opinion, didn't show to the other woman. “Uh, yeah.” She shakily laughed, trying to be cute and perhaps flirtatious, although she would never admit to that one. “It's the least I could do. I wouldn't just leave you sitting there.” Wringing her hands, she willed her face to cool down a bit before she turned once again and looked towards her new roommate. “That's just not the type of person I am.” Her voice was gentle as she pushed away from the counter and walked down the hall and into her room calling back with her voice slightly raised.

“I'll get you those clothes now. Just a second.” Her voice murmured as she entered the bedroom. Her cluttered room was like an obstacle course as she hopped over CD cases, piles of clothes and other random oddities that littered the floor. Biting her lip, Charlie made a mental not to shut the door when she left, if the living room was bad this was a toxic waste area. The only neat things were the two guitar stands in the corner, one with a fresh looking acoustic guitar in it and the other one empty. Passing by the stands, Charlie quickly grabbed a long shirt and a pair of loose shorts from her top drawer. Folding the clothes delicately, she hugged them to her chest and brought them back into the living room

“Here you can change whenever you like.” She said, sinking down into the chair gracefully beside Mila. With a smile, she tugged on her pony tail to smooth it out. “I'm honestly not that hungry. I'll eat later or something.” Charlie shrugged and crossed her legs, the smile on her face faltering a little as Mila undid a button on her shirt. Automatically Charlie's eyebrows raised and she bit her lip. “Um, uh, Avon?” She stuttered, trying her hardest not to seem weird and awkward. 'Boyfriend, remember Charlie!' She reminded herself sternly. 'But that doesn't mean she can't play for both teams...' Discarding the thought Charlie tried another faltering smile, feeling the blush creep back into her cheeks.

“That seems like a good job. It must pay well, but honestly I can't imagine being behind a desk all day.” She really wasn't the desk type of person. Charlie liked motion, action. She couldn't be stuck in an office all the time, even if it was something interesting. “I'm a part time waitress at a local diner, and I play for tips a lot.” Charlie smirked sarcastically, the smile seemingly almost cynical on her face. “It seems kinda lame in comparison, but I've been doing as many gigs as I can, it's a hard field but I'm determined.” Her optimism was clouded somewhat by the rejection that she had received daily ever since she had come to the city. It was getting more and more difficult to go out everyday and play for pedestrians who most of the time didn't even leave a tip. Shaking her head, Charlie sighed. "But that's life."

Mila couldn’t help but smirk as the girl turned away to hide that rose-colored blush on her cheeks. She was so adorably self-conscious. It didn’t matter of course that her face was hidden; the vampire was all too aware of the sudden rush of blood in her prey. She could sense it from across the room - warm and sweet and enticing. It was enough to spark that temptation again, that irresistible desire to move forward and taste that warmth for herself.

‘But that will come soon enough,’ she thought pleasantly to herself as the girl hurried off to her room to fetch something for her to sleep in. In the meantime, it would be fun to see how often she could coax that delicious shade of red back into her new roommate’s cheeks. Mila moved a little to make room for Charlie as the girl sat down next to her.

“Thanks, those will be perfect,” she said, taking the shirt and shorts appreciatively. “Mind if I just slip into these now?” She had noticed with delight Charlie’s subtle reaction to the unbuttoned blouse. It was just too much fun to see how far she could play with her. She casually began changing without really waiting for a response, still seated.

“Wow, so you’re a musician? That’s amazing.” Mila undid the rest of the buttons and slipped off the blouse to reveal a lacy black bra. “I’ll have to come watch you perform sometime.” She slipped the t-shirt over her head and began tugging her skirt down. “Better yet, it’d be great if you could sing for me sometime.” Mila gave a her a teasing grin, just as she began slowly stripping her thigh high stockings from each long, slender leg. “You must be really good.”

Despite thoroughly enjoying her little strip tease, part of her was musing about how much the world had changed in some ways. The society she had been born and raised in had been much more strict, not to mention in regards toward women and their freedoms. ‘Isn’t it wonderful that women can pursue a career such as yours? A musician: previously a male domain,’ was what she would have liked to say. But Mila had long since discovered that saying those kinds of things any more was considered a bit odd in recent decades. It was taken for granted now that men and women were more or less equal in the arts, sciences, politics.

“I think your career path is inspiring,” she said matter-of-factly. “My job is the one that’s lame by comparison. Actually, there’s not much to say. I’ve been doing it for a while and it pays the bills, especially a high-end company like Avon. To be honest, my parents were very, ah, conservative…especially for today’s standards. I went to a finishing school, instead of a university, if you can believe it,” she chuckled. “As a girl, I could have never imagined myself taking on such a skilled profession as yours. But I think I could do more… In this day in age, I should do more. Well, I’m still young. I have time to try something else.” She looked suddenly contemplative, but at the same time there was a flippancy about her, as if changing careers were as trivial as changing one’s outfit.

And for someone destined to live for eternity, it might as well have been. Everything she had told Charlie about her childhood had been true – she’d just omitted the small detail of it all taking place in late 17th century. That and the fact that working as a secretary had its practicalities for her unusual, nomadic lifestyle. It was never difficult for someone like her to apply, she could find a position in any city she came to, and it wasn’t something she had to be entrenched in to make money. No need to network with other professionals, or have her name known. Until Mila could find a relatively long-term living situation, she simply wouldn’t be able to move up the corporate ladder. Perhaps, that was about to change, if she played her cards right.

She pulled the loose shorts on and adjusted herself so that she was sitting with her legs tucked underneath her, that action bringing her just a touch closer to Charlie. “Your hair looks cute like this, by the way,” she said with a careless smile. The older woman reached out to take the ends of her ponytail between her fingers and twist it playfully. It was difficult not to let her fingertips continue down to the girl’s neck. The smooth skin there just begged to be caressed. “Sheesh, cute and talented. I’m sure you must have a dozen secret admirers in your audiences. Come on, the guys aren’t falling out their seats for you? And maybe some of the girls too?” She laughed lightly and readjusted herself again, and now her knee was just barely touching Charlie’s thigh, although she didn’t seem to notice. “And waitressing. How’s that?”

The sky outside had darkened since they first met on the stairs. The apartment was lit only be a dim light that emitted a soft yellow glow and illuminated the two women sitting on the couch. Charlie pursed her lips and glanced away from Mila as she slowly started to take off her clothing. "I-I'd love to sing for you sometime." Clearing her throat she felt an awkward rush of embarrassment heat her body. She wasn't usually like this around people, she was usually the one making the other person flush and giggle. Among the feelings of attraction were that of jealousy. Mila was incredibly beautiful the type of beautiful that Charlie wished she could be; instead of just the quirky "cute" girl that everyone just loved. It was frustrating sometimes, being seen as cute or adorable instead of beautiful and sexy like every woman craved to be. She felt incredibly inaccurate as she nervously wrung her hands and sneaked small glances at Mila who was confidently changing beside her.

"I guess I'm okay." She started, trying to keep her mind away from all of those confusing thoughts that sometimes surfaced themselves. "I've been singing since I was a kid, and I use to play my dad's guitar. When they noticed how well I picked up on it, my parents sent me to classes. My teacher was the one who really instilled the love of performing into me." Smiling, Charlie remembered her days at the dusty old building where her classes were held. Miss. Dyer was young and incredibly beautiful, she would sit delicately at the piano or with the guitar creating the most devine music Charlie had ever heard. As she grew older, she feel more and more in love with music and, in her graduating year, made the difficult decision to graduate in January instead of June so that she could go to the city and start her career early. That had been almost six years ago and Char still wasn't anywhere. "I guess I'm just waiting for my big break." Whenever that happens.

Charlie leaned back on the couch and propped her legs, darkened by the nylons, onto a clear spot on the coffee table. Her hands fumbled nervously on her lap and she tried not to watch Mila as she daintily readjusted herself, tucking her long slender legs beneath her (somewhat of a pity in Charlie's mind) and started twirling the soft pony tail of Char's head. She fought down the blush that once again threatened to darken her cheeks yet another shade of red and gave Mila an arresting smile. "Thank-you." She unconsciously chew on her lip, glancing up at Mila's striking eyes and then back down again at her own hands. She couldn't exactly feel the way that her companion played with the tips of her thin pony tail but she could sense the cool hands in close proximity to the back of her neck, sending a chilled sensation down her spine. "I don't know how far I'd go on the talent thing." Charlie's voice murmured, risking bitterness as she finally gained the courage to look up at Mila. She caught the woman's eyes and forced herself to keep it. "I just mean, sometimes it gets discouraging but that's life."

Charlie unconsciously leaned towards Mila. The blush on her cheeks had settled to a slight pink tint that made her look lively as she became more comfortable in the situation. "As for the admirers? In my dreams! The only people falling head over heels for me are creepy old guys looking for a 'good time'." She rolled her eyes and laughed morosely. "I wouldn't even go there even if men interested me." She flipped a small fly away from her face and addressed the next question with a growing ease for this woman. "Meh. It's okay, pays the bills more then performing does. But some people can be the biggest jerks ever but most of the time costumers are good and they tip really well."

With a small exhale of breath, Charlie leaned back her head which suddenly felt thick and heavy. She wanted to stay up, to talk all night with this person who Char cold see herself considering a friend, but her body wasn't having any of it. She was so use to being in bed promptly by eleven so that she could get up to work the morning shift at the diner and then go out and play all day, so it was like she was programmed to be tired at that specific time. Glancing over at the glowing clock on the stove she noticed that it was well past midnight. Charlie suppressed a yawn, a losing battle, and looked up at Mila. "Man, If I feel this tired I can't imagine how you must feel after a day like today." She referred lightly to the crazy boyfriend drama and put a comforting hand lightly on Mila's shoulder. "We should probably get some sleep, come on I'll show you the room."

She heaved herself off of the couch and helped Mila up as well. "That's the bathroom right there, that's my room at the end of the hall," she listed off the doors as they entered the mouth of the hallway, her feet dragging lazily on the floor as she pushed open a wooden door and revealed a quaint, normal bedroom. "This is the guest room. Well I guess your room now if you still want it." She quickly grabbed some spare blankets from the closet and nodded towards a slightly ajar door. "That's the bathroom right there, it's only a half bath so we have to share a shower but otherwise you have complete privacy." She set the sheets lightly on the end of the bed and looked up at Mila, a questioning look on her face. "Whatta ya think?"

"I've been singing since I was a kid, and I use to play my dad's guitar…”

Mila noticed the faint smile on Char’s face as the girl seemed to recall some distant memory from the past. It struck her suddenly that she could empathize with that kind of nostalgic feeling. As the years went by, it became more and more difficult to remember certain details about her childhood, her parents… But every once in a while, something would trigger a memory and she would slip into some dreamy reverie about her past life. Now, as she studied Charlie’ s distant expression, she wondered if her own eyes ever became as pensive as the girl’s were now. So wistful and far away. For a brief moment, she stopped looking at her like she was a meal and found herself studying those blues eyes in an entirely different way…

Another rush of blood across the girl’s cheeks quickly snapped her out of it.

It was one thing to admire her blush from across the room, but quite another to be seated so close to her and to feel that heat flare across her skin. The only type of warmth she could detect now. Mila clenched her jaw, willing the bloodlust to subside for just a while longer. How long had it been since she’d practiced this kind of restraint? She hadn’t kept a pet in at least a few decades, maybe longer. She’d lost track.

It was rare for someone of her kind to keep a human the way she was planning to – without the girl even knowing it at first. While most of the vampires she had come into contact with over the years fed only once or twice from their prey before moving on, she had met some with pets. Their methods were much different than her current plan. The humans they ensnared were treated strictly as playthings. They always kept several at a time so that if they were accidently too rough with one, there were plenty of replacements. The humans they kept were always pale and thin, since their cruel masters hardly thought to let them regain their strength before another feeding session. The most unusual aspect of the arrangement was that the humans stayed willingly. Mila was all too aware of the intensely pleasurable sensation of a vampire’s bite for its victim. Apparently for these “pets” it was enough to keep themselves enslaved. Like meth addicts, they became addicted to the pleasure of the bite, offering their own necks pleadingly in hopes of another fix.

She felt conflicted about those arrangements. On the one hand, it sounded delightful to have a few humans to wait on her hand and foot…but sometimes those situations could be complicated and messy, not to mentions problems with jealousy and favorites. Mila was convinced she could create a better set up with Charlie – even if she would be laughed at by her peers for behaving so civilly to her food.

But sometimes behaving civilly could be difficult to do, especially when her food had such large, appealing blue eyes that were currently peering into her own. Mila could see Charlie make an intentional effort to hold her gaze. The vampire stared steadily back at her, amusement and desire flickering across her features. It felt like there was a magnetic force between them, drawing them closer together. She was aware that Char was leaning in closer and she did the same, constantly resisting the urge to glance down at her neck, her lips.

"The only people falling head over heels for me are creepy old guys looking for a 'good time.' I wouldn't even go there even if men interested me."

Mila raised her eyebrows a little with interest. That was another thing she loved about this day in age. There was still prejudice in the world of course, but it was more acceptable now than ever to be open about things like sexuality. It was a non-issue. “I’m sure they’re not the only ones falling for you,” she laughed. “They’re probably just the loudest and most obnoxious.” She suddenly pictured a group of sleazy guys making catcalls at the girl, catching up with her after a performance. Her face stiffened. “…But if any of them harass you – tries anything at all – just…let me know, will you?” she added, and although she said it in an off-hand manner, there was a note of steel in too - a weight behind her words.

As she watched Charlie suppress a yawn, Mila glanced at the clock as well. “Yeah I’m pretty beat too. It’s been a long day.” She stretched, feigning a look of fatigue, which of course was something she couldn’t feel and hadn’t felt for over three hundred years. She vaguely remembered enjoying sleep at one point in her life. Now it was just another pretense.

She followed Charlie to her new room and examined it cheerfully. “It’s just perfect. You were right, the view is great.” She turned to her new roommate and beamed at her. “I know I keep repeating myself, but I just can’t tell you enough how grateful I am.” She reached out and took one of Charlie’s hands, giving it a squeeze before letting it drop again. “You’re the best. I think we’ll make great roommates.”

Mila sat down on the bed, still smiling at her. “I guess I’ll say goodnight now. It’s Saturday tomorrow, do you have to get up early? I don’t work tomorrow myself, but I’ll probably run some errands, grab a few of my things. Visit the main office too, so I can sign my new apartment lease~.”

She would wait silently now, until she was sure Charlie had drifted off into sleep. And then, finally, all her efforts for the past two days would be rewarded. All she had to do now was be patient…

Charlie suppressed another yawn, willing herself not to rub her eyes like a five-year-old. The floor beneath her feet felt cool as she slowly shifted her weight from foot to foot. “I know I keep repeating myself, but I just can’t tell you enough how grateful I am.” Charlie smiled. "It's really not a problem, I'm glad your h-here." her voice stuttered slightly as she felt Mila's icy hand slowly weave itself through her own. 'Why does she make me so nervous?' Charlie tugged unconsciously at the edge of her skirt, a nervous habit she had gained sometime during her childhood. She could remember constantly being scolded by her mother for playing with her clothes and ruining most of her pretty skirts and dresses not that she had been an overly dressy kind of child. Realizing what she was doing, Charlie laughed slightly releasing her skirt and linking both hands in front of her. "I agree. I think this will be a good thing."

Slowly, and somewhat reluctantly, Charlie started making her way towards the door. "Tomorrows my day off, too." She murmured, stopping in the doorway and turning around. "I was going to spend the day cleaning and practicing, but if you need any help...?" She trailed off and leaned against the door frame, rubbing her neck slightly. "Anyways. We can talk more in the morning." Her voice cracked with a tired yawn. "G'night." Charlie shifted out of the room and pulled the door shut behind her. The audible click as it latched into place threw her into a silence that was very familiar in her apartment. Actually, today was probably the most action this place had seen in a while, unless you count Mrs. Walton dropping by with one of her delicious pies or some other bake good that lasted all of one day considering Charlie had no concept of 'self control' when it came to sweets.

She stood outside the room, rubbing her her face slightly before turning towards the bathroom just across the hall. It was late and her body felt thick with fatigue as she quickly ran a toothbrush over her teeth and peeled off her sweater and skirt. The long day had made the clothing limp and warm as they dropped to the floor by her feet and she pulled on her housecoat. Char pulled the door open, listening to the squeak of un-oiled hinges and padding slowly down the hallway, flicking off some lights as she went, Char pulled open her door and stepped into her messy room wit a disdained moan. It felt wrong to have the house so messy when there was another person there, even if the mess was mostly centered around her bedroom. Still. she couldn't help but pile the clothes in the hamper and put away some of the other obstacles that had somehow found their way to her floor.

With the room somewhat organized (or at least less of a pigsty then before) she was finally able to pull on a loose t-shirt and climb into her crisp covers. The sheets felt good against her smooth, bare legs as she snuggled deeper into the pillows that piled on the bed like the worlds highest pillow mountain. She couldn't sleep without pillows or blankets cocooning her body, even in the heat of summer, there was something about the vulnerability of sleeping without blankets that scared her for some strange reason. However, tonight she just couldn't sleep. Her mind was restlessly going over the events of the day that had started off with her normal coffee and pastry and ended with a stranger sleeping in her spare room. It was a welcome break to her mundane routine that seemed so monotonous now. Flipping over to her side, Charlie's heavy eyelids blinked shut, her reeling mind slowed and she drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep.

“Goodnight, Charlie.”

Half-lidded eyes followed the girl’s slender frame until she disappeared into hall, closing the bedroom door behind her. After a moment, Mila strolled into the half bath and turned on the sink, to give the impression she preparing for bed. One of the greatest perks about her condition was being in a state of immaculate personal hygiene with minimal effort. No matter how long she neglected to groom herself, her hair was always perfect, her breath sweet, teeth white and her skin soft and clean. As she waited, she glanced up at her reflection in the mirror. Three hundred years and the same beautiful face still stared back at her – all to lure pure, unsuspecting souls into her embrace. She studied her own features with an impassive, almost sorrowful expression… Then she flashed herself a toothy grin and ran a tongue over the incisors that were already showing.

‘Not too much longer.’

Flooded with anticipation, she paced the room, her ears perked to catch the noises from the rooms down the hall. She could hear a faucet running, then the squeak of a door and footsteps on the carpet. After a few more minutes of agitated listening she finally lay down on her bed to wait out the last few agonizing hours.

_________________________________________________________________________

The digital clock on her nightstand read 3:29 am.

With stealthy, inhuman speed, Mila crossed the short distance that separated her from the other bedroom. The door gave just the barest creak as she pushed it carefully open and stole through the darkness of the room, easily navigating around any obstacles in her way. In a second, she was at the young woman’s side, her frame bent as she placed one knee and then the other on the mattress to lean over the sleeping form nestled peacefully between so many pillows.

Moonlight shown through the bedroom window. It fell over Charlie’s face and neck, making her skin seem to glow faintly in the darkness. As impatient as she’d felt before, Mila took her time to admire her prize. A loose strand of hair had fallen across Charlie’s cheek as she slept and Mila pushed it back into place with a slow caress. Her cool, slender fingers trailed down along the edge of the girl’s jawline, pausing to gently tilt her chin up to expose more of her neck.

How wonderfully easy it had been to manipulate her way into this girl’s life. The vampire brought her lips to the skin and pressed them lightly, just beneath her jawline. She inhaled. “It would be a shame,” Mila breathed, voice low and husky, cool breath tickling just below the girl’s ear, “to devour you all in one sitting.” It took control to be poised like this, her body hovering only inches away from Char’s. Mila touched the skin with the tip of her tongue and began to suckle at the tender spot. Usually she had to be a little more gentle when she didn’t want to wake her prey, but she could tell that this one was out like a light. The thought made her smirk wickedly against her neck as she continued to suck and nip. She took no pains to muffle the soft moans of delight as she worked the skin. The pulse of blood suddenly felt loud and close. Alcohol had no effect on her any more, but the rush she felt now was akin to being drunk. Mila scraped her teeth against soft flesh and exhaled a shuddering sigh of desire, eyes closed, prolonging the bite for just a second more. The more time she took to savor this, the sweeter the taste.

At last she pierced the skin. Warmth gushed into her mouth and she snarled with delight. For a split second, her only thought was to suck every drop the girl had. But instead she wrenched back after a few glorious minutes, a single line of blood running from the corner of her mouth and over her chin. She was skilled at this. She knew just when to stop so that tomorrow, Charlie might feel a little weak, but it would be nothing serious. Mila licked her lips to catch the last few drops. Then she bent to clean the bite with long slow laps of her tongue. When she was finally satisfied, she rolled lazily off to one side of the mattress, propping her head up with her hand so she could study her prey for a bit longer. The girl was so beautiful. And yet she seemed to have no idea just how enchanting her looks and her personality could be. Mila smoothed some of the blonde locks away from her face, moving them cover the bite. It would be difficult but not impossible to notice the two small incisions on the side of her neck. They were faint and they’d heal quickly. Mila continued to pull her fingers idly through her hair, like a pet owner caressing a cat. She still had some time before the sun would be up. Possibly enough time for another round…

The next morning, Mila stood over the stove in the kitchen, busy cooking breakfast. The smell of sizzling bacon, eggs and fresh coffee filled the tiny apartment. She was dressed and looking a little more robust than she had last night. There was a glow about her that hadn’t been there before.

She looked absolutely radiant.

In her dream Charlie was falling. Gradually at first, like she was in slow motion, travelling at a painstakingly slow rate down a winding dark tunnel that seemingly lead to nowhere. With time she picked up speed; her body went from levitating downwards to falling at full speed. The wind whipped her limbs around like they were that of a child's plaything. Her stomach clenched as she felt air playing violently with her hair, ripping at her clothes like an aggressive lover. The black abyss loomed before her and when she reached a hand blindly forward she found that she could no longer see her slender fingers because the depth of this darkness was too much. Fear overtook her body as she lashed around, hoping to find something solid, something real that she would be able to hold onto. But there was only the wind beating roughly against her face, and the feeling of the free fall as she plummeted faster and faster into the unknown.

It was one of those dreams where you didn't realize you were dreaming. It felt real as the darkness engulfed her like a throat. Maybe that's what this was. Perhaps she had been swallowed whole and was now falling through this throat and into the fatty acid of someones stomach. Or perhaps she was dead and her hell was to fall in this bottomless pit for all of eternity. Either way, Charlie was terrified. Her body was not at all her own and now belonged to this overwhelming emotion of fear and angst as she continuously plummeted downwards. It felt like forever. Forever in this formidable darkness. That is until it was shattered like a piece of glass and all of her fear drained from her body as if someone had pulled the plug in a bathtub. She could feel the emotion slide through her being, washing out of the tips of her toes as another feeling of intense pleasure took its place.

It was like being suspended in the air, dangling there as all the darkness gave way to light; bright and beautiful. She felt relaxed, comforted and, more then anything else, at peace. The tranquility was like a warm summers day on the beach. The waves lapping at your feet in slow, ceaseless cycles as the sun beat down on your skin filling you with warm pleasure. The sand bit into your skin, uncomfortable at the same time pleasant. This was what she felt as she stayed suspended in this white light that enveloped her like a blanket of satisfaction. Her entire body caught in this moment of perfection as the luminosity around her faded slowly, leaving her in the darkness again. However this time there was nothing in the dark. No falling, no beaches, just peace.

The alarm clock at Charlie's bedside table went off, pulling her awake from the deep oblivion that had taken over her. She couldn't remember last nights dream as she reached over to slap uselessly at her clock. All she had was the faintest memory of a the dark and a current feeling of weakness all through her body. She was tired, despite having slept soundlessly the entire night before, and as she dragged herself out of bed she found her legs to be feeble as the connected with the icy floors. Char groaned, pulling the loose hair elastic from her misshapen hair so that she could to pull said hair into a sloppy bun on the top of her neck. She didn't bother to look into the mirror as pulled a loose tank top and a pair of shorts from her closet to replace her warm, sweaty night clothes. Quickly she threw on the outfit, the ill-fitting clothes hanging off her thin frame, and migrating towards the smell of food that wafted from her kitchen.

It was weird, having the scent of something non-microwavable float through her house, which only ever saw real food at Christmas time when Char's sister made an appearance. Her bare feet made soft noises against the tiled floor as she came into the kitchen eyebrows raised. Her body still felt shaken and the food made her empty stomach gargle in hunger. "Oh my god that smells so good." She mumbled, opening the heavy fridge door and pulling out a cartoon of orange juice. "I knew there was a reason I liked you so much." Looking up at Mila she grinned, an expression which faltered some when she saw her roommates radiant beauty in the morning light. Charlie hadn't exactly missed Mila's beauty the night before but her over-exhausted mind must not have been able to comprehend just how gorgeous this woman actually was. Looking down and biting her lip, Charlie felt incredibly exposed and vulnerable. With a deep breath she lifted the carton in Mila's direction. "Thirsty?"

"I knew there was a reason I liked you so much."

Mila laughed. “Fastest way to a girl’s heart, right?” she said playfully. She caught Charlie’s faltering smile, just as her roommate lowered her gaze. There was that adorable habit of hers, biting her lower lip. Mila unconsciously ran her tongue over her own lip in response. The vampire was a little surprised to feel its affect, considering she wasn’t very hungry at the moment. Thanks to last night, she was feeling quite satisfied.

“Thirsty?”

“Mm, not anymore,” she replied absently, still pleasantly musing about the events of last night. She blinked and added hastily, “I mean, thanks but…I’ve already eaten actually. Thank you though.” Inwardly, she rolled her eyes at herself for playing it so smooth. To distract Charlie, and because she looked so charming at the moment in her loose fitting tank and messy bun, Mila reached out to lift the girl’s chin with her thumb and forefinger, gently forcing her to look up and meet her gaze.

“Hey, are you feeling alright? You look a little out of it… I hope I didn’t keep you up too late last night.” She was scanning the girl’s features, trying to gauge whether or not her nightly escapades had taken too much of a toll on Charlie. Her eyes dropped down to her neck to look for any telltale markings. When she was satisfied that the wounds had healed, she pulled her hand away again.

“Here. You look hungry. I was hoping I could tempt you with this, as a small way of saying thanks for last night. You were delightful. You really cheered me up.” She slid the bacon onto the plate with scrambled eggs and toast and passed it over the counter toward Charlie. “Don’t worry, I didn’t raid your fridge for this. I ran down to the convenience store earlier this morning and picked up a few things. I suppose I should have asked if you were a vegetarian though…” she said, looking hesitantly at her.

Mila moved toward the kitchen sink to begin cleaning up. “Anyway, I’m going to go pick up my things today, maybe run a few errands. My old place was furnished, so I don’t really own anything in the way of furniture. Just some clothes and few other trinkets. Some books.” She finished scrubbing the skillet and placed it in the dishwasher before turning her full attention back on Charlie. “I should be back around dinner time though. You’ll be here, I hope? I was thinking it would be fun to have a night in, maybe watch a movie or something. You know, to celebrate becoming roommates.” She grinned and leaned back casually against the counter. “What do you think?”

Char nodded, her head bobbing slightly as she kept her gaze focused on the ground. That is until she felt the light touch of her roommates fingers on her chin. She slowly let herself look up and gaze into Mila's dark eyes. “Hey, are you feeling alright? You look a little out of it… I hope I didn't keep you up too late last night.” Smiling gently Charlie shook her head, a slight, unconscious motion as she nervously tugged on her shirt. "No, I-I'm fine. Just not feeling the best this morning, I'm not use to staying up incredibly late." Crossing her arms subconsciously over her chest, she felt the slight pressure of Mila's smooth fingers release her chin. "It's really no big deal. I'll be fine in a bit." As if to prove her point, Char stretched out her arms and rolled her shoulders.

Graciously accepting the plate, Char seated herself at the island with a surprised, casual smile. "Holy. You shouldn't have, this looks delicious." With raised eyebrows she looked up at Mila through thick, dark eyelashes. "You really didn't have to make me breakfast, it was my pleasure and you can thank me in rent." The idle joke came paired with a dainty smile that floated across her lips slightly as she gathered some egg on her fork and gently took a bite. "Damn, where did you learn to cook? This is amazing!" Charlie's eyes widened as the taste of warm, peppery eggs exploded against her taste buds. It was one of the best breakfast she had ever eaten, and that included her grandmother's Christmas extravaganza that took place every year. "Yeah, I tried the whole vegetarian thing back in my hippie days in high school. It didn't last I like chicken way too much."

Charlie laughed, a genuine sound like tinkling bells, and picked up a piece of bacon. "Mm, yeah." She mumbled, trying had not to seem rude and barbaric with bad table manners. "I was planning on cleaning up some and I have a couple songs that I've been meaning to learn for a show next week." She explained after carefully chewing and swallowing her food. Sitting her chatting and making idle conversation felt almost normal, even though Mila was pretty much a complete stranger. Char felt drawn to her, like a moth to a lamp. She had an oddly captivating and interesting aura that made you want to get to know her. "I'll probably also stop by the grocery store and get some stuff." She tried to think of the last time she had actually gotten a bunch of groceries. "I've been a little negligent in that area lately..." Char breathed a slight laugh, shaking her head slowly. "If you want anything, feel free to write it down and I'll go pick it up."

Spinning around, Char hopped off the island chair and made a grab for her dishes, momentarily forgetting about the weakness in her legs. That is until she stumbled slightly, losing the grace she had just before exhibited, and was forced to grab onto the counter to support herself. "Jesus." She swore softly before glancing up at Mila and turning a fierce shade of red. "That was slightly embarrassing." She murmured with a sarcastic laugh. "Not exactly smooth on my feet." By this time she had regained her footing and was making her way towards the sink with her cleared off plate. "This was really good, by the way. You should teach me how to cook sometime." Musing softly she set her dishes in the sink for later. "Oh, and if you need any help her is my cell number." Grabbing a piece of scrap paper and a pen she scribbled the number down and held it out to Mila who was making a suggestion for later on that night.

"Oh, yes! A movie would be great," She had turned around and pulled herself up onto the counter, still not trusting her clumsy self. "And wine, duh. Any good 'night in' slash celebration wouldn't be complete without wine." She absently kicked her feet, letting her heels gently thud against the counter as she thought. "I can pick up some five dollar movies at Walmart today too." She murmured, casually talking aloud as her brain started to compose a mental list of everything she needed to do that day, starting with cleaning up the apartment. "Do you have any movie preferences?"

Mila’s expression brightened as Charlie praised her cooking skills. She always considered it a personal triumph when her meals came out a success. It was no easy feat to cook something without being able to taste test it. Food just turned to ashes in her mouth. Oddly enough, she could still appreciate the aroma of food and drink. But of course, they held no appeal to her appetite now.

“Thanks, I’m glad you like it~” She leaned forward against the island, opposite Charlie. “I don’t cook very often to be honest, although I do enjoy it. I used to sneak into the kitchen when I was just a girl and help the servan-.. ah.. the maids – I used to help them prepare meals. My mother never liked it when I did that,” she laughed. “Anyway, I’ve had a long time to practice. I should cook dinner for you sometime.”

She was turning back toward the sink to finish rinsing and stacking when she saw Charlie stumble out of the corner of her eye. She might have easily crossed the short distance between them to catch her, but such a quick movement would have given her away. Instead, she reacted at “normal speed,” stepping to Charlie’s side and placing a concerned hand on her shoulder.

“You’re sure you’re alright?” she asked, leaning forward to examine her again. It was normal of course, for Charlie to feel a little weak. “Hopefully you’re not getting sick or anything. Do you feel feverish?” She pressed the back of her cool hand to Charlie’s forehead and let it linger there for a moment. Then she slowly moved it to the side of her neck. She could feel her pulse beating deliciously hard and fast beneath her fingers, pumping that scarlet blush across her cheeks. “Well, you do feel a little warm at the moment,” she teased softly, “But I don’t think it’s a fever. I have to confess, there’s a bug going around the office right now. I hope I didn’t give it to you. I’d hate it if it was my fault you felt this way…”

Mila was pleased to see that the girl was actually taking it pretty well, compared to some others she’d “sampled.” No cause for alarm so far, but she would have to make sure to be careful. Charlie was so petite after all. The vampire would be disappointed if she accidently went overboard. She was by no means inextricably attached to this human yet, but the girl was growing on her. And last night she had tasted ..indescribable. The best she’d had in a long time. Still, Mila had learned early on not to get too attached to her food. She always resisted developing any kind of silly, emotional attachment.

"Oh, and if you need any help here is my cell number."

“I’ll text you later so you’ll have mine too,” she replied, taking the slip of paper. “And yes, wine is a must! Oh, before I forget, do you have a spare key I can use?” Mila picked up her purse from the counter and moved toward the doorway to slip on her heels.

"Do you have any movie preferences?"

“Hm, I do have a love for the classics. You know, Hollywood's Golden Age," she said, looking nostalgic. “Gone with the Wind, Casablanca… there was that vampire movie too, I’m forgetting the name. I haven’t seen it in ages. It was so scandalous at the time,” she laughed, then added, “At least, I imagine it was. Something like that might be fun. Or whatever you think looks good. I trust your judgment.” She winked.

“Ok, I’m off.” With her purse tucked under her arm, she turned toward the door. “I’ll see you tonight. Keep the receipt for that wine, I want to split it with you.” She flashed Charlie a smile and left the apartment to collect her things. She had nothing to fetch of course; everything she had was in the car parked downstairs. She would need to go buy a few things to make it appear that she owned more than she did at the moment. Shampoo, toothpaste – all those things she didn’t need. Pajamas too. A mischievous smirk flickered across her face as she wondered what she could get away with..

---

She was back a little later than she said she’d be. It was closer to six when she slipped the key in the door and turned the knob.

With a curious glint in her eyes, Charlie made a mental note to inquire more about Mila's past. She smiled as the other girl reached a comforting hand to help steady her. Char shook her head, a piece of hair fall from her messy bun and into her eyes. "I'm so clumsy." Her laughter filled the air in the kitchen as she tucked the fallen piece of hair shyly behind her ear. "I'll be fine, just a little off this morning. It can't be anything you did." By this time she had herself up on the counter. "By the way, you can cook anytime. I suck at it, so you can take that job." Humor lit up her face and made her dainty features, which at the moment seemed a little hallow, brighten just a bit.

“I’ll see you tonight. Keep the receipt for that wine, I want to split it with you.”

Lazily saluting Char leaned back against the cabinets and kicked her legs absently. "They extra key is hanging by the door." She called, pointing towards a tacky "Home is Where the Heart Is" sign that had several small key hooks. "See ya later." Her voice faded off as the front door clicked shut and her oddly intriguing roommate disappeared behind it. Silence lingered for several long minutes later. Char's head rested against the smooth wood of the dish cabinet as she procrastinated idly. A slow, exasperated moan broke the quiet as she nimbly swung her legs off the counter and landed catlike on the tiled floor. Her socked feet cushioned the landed, muffling the thud that sounded when her feet connected with the floor and she grabbed the counter tightly to steady her fall. "Time to clean." The sarcasm dripped in her voice as she reached towards an old stereo and flicked it on. The static laced music pumped cheerfully through the kitchen, giving Charlie the energy to finally start tidying up.

It took all morning, but by the time she was done the house looked spotless. It was hard to believe that the once disorganized mess could actual look like it did now. With dishes washed and put away, magazines and books placed in their respective homes, laundry done and the entire house dusted, it looked like an entirely new place. Char had gotten her cleaning skills from her housewife of a mother who had early instilled the need-to-clean into all four of her children. Charlie had grown up doing her own laundry, keeping her own room clean, and taking shifts doing the dishes and cleaning up the rest of the house. Her parents were always well meaning, but sometimes they pushed just a little too hard; they sought perfection and Charlie just wasn't that.

After a quick shower Charlie left. It was noon at the warm autumn sun beat down on her as she walked down the sidewalk and towards her small buggy that only got use on special occasions. The ugly, yellow car was parked in the residence parking out back and was stark in contrast to the gray surroundings. It sputtered to a start, nearly giving her a heart attack as it jerked forward, ready to do it's duty. Her casual outfit wasn't exactly an eye turner as she went about her errands without much distraction. She took all of three hours to get some groceries, a new bottle of wine and a couple DVDs from the sketchy movie rental place, where the teenage boy at the counter had silently sat there without greeting. His beady green eyes following the only costumer in the store with contempt and distrust, as if she were going to steal one of the movie boxes that didn't even have disks in them.

It was a relief when she finally arrived back home, sweating slightly as she lugged her heavy bags back into the apartment. The radio still played quietly, giving the place a more lively feel as she rushed to put away the groceries. The fridge was more full then it had ever been, bringing back memories of the looming black contraption in her childhood home that was always filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurt and other healthy choices that were only available at the set time of the day. Going near the fridge at any random time was completely forbidden and would result in a "time out" from her mother. The woman had been such a perfectionist, and Char just knew that she suffered from severe obsessive compulsive disorder (even though she refused to go to a therapist, even when Char and her siblings had suggested it to her). With a slight shudder Charlie shut the fridge door with a small clicking noise. Finally she was able to relax for a couple of hours.

When Mila slipped back in the door a couple hours later, Charlie was bent over her guitar. Her blond hair shielded her features as she softly sang the lyrics to "Poison Oak" by Bright Eyes. The sound filtered softly through the air as she lost herself in the music.

“Hey Charlie, I’m ba-..”

Mila interrupted herself as she heard the girl’s voice from the living room, softly singing something she didn’t recognize. She paused at the door and then carefully closed it without making a sound. Charlie was so absorbed in her music that she hadn’t seemed to notice Mila come in. The vampire silently leaned against the entryway wall to listen, her eyes on that golden curtain of hair that hid Charlie’s face from view. Her voice was beautiful. She had real talent. She needed a producer, someone to get her into a good studio, to record a demo, to get her noticed. Maybe if she had someone to help her get her foot in the door, someone who knew how to get people’s attention, how to make the right friends, how to manipulate their way to the top, someone like…

Mila stopped herself. She was being ridiculous. That kind of thinking would only get in the way of what she was here to do, and right now that was to open a bottle of wine and get this girl pleasantly buzzed and deliciously flustered. Plotting ways to help Charlie’s music career would not get Mila anywhere closer to sinking her teeth in her neck. In fact, the longer Charlie continued on as an aspiring artist/part time waitress, the better off Mila would be in this little arrangement. ...And yet, somehow, the thought was unpleasant… She imagined her roommate years from now, still bent over her guitar, her only audience the neighbors and of course the monster that was sucking the life right out of her…

Mila blinked as Charlie sang out the last wavering note, snapping out of her unsettling train of thought.

“Bravo,” she said softly, moving into the living room to sit on the sofa opposite the girl. “Your voice is lovely.” All day she had been musing about how she planned to coax Charlie into playing something and then to gush about how wonderful she was until the girl’s ears turned red. But now, feeling caught off-guard by that passionate song and her own twinge of – what was it…guilt? Impossible. Enough of that. Mila suddenly sat up a bit straighter, her melancholic expression vanishing in a flash. It was quickly replaced by the same sly playfulness that had danced over her features before.

“You can’t tell me you don’t win hearts with that,” she teased, “because I know it isn’t true.” She stood up again and stretched. She was wearing a different outfit now, looking much more casual but still elegant in a black sweater that hung off her ivory shoulders, and skinny jeans that made her seem taller and more slender than ever.

“Brought some stuff with me,” she had already moved to the door to pick up two large suitcases in the entryway and was dragging them to her room. “I have more in the car but I’ll tackle that in the morning.” She came back and sank into couch, sitting next to Charlie this time. “Because I’m exhausted.” She grinned and reached out to gently pluck a string on the guitar in Charlie’s lap. “And ready for a movie night. You must be a little beat too, I noticed you did some spring cleaning. You didn’t have do have to that for me.”

The music swelled around her, like a warm blanket on a cold winters night. It filled her with a sweet sensation of freedom as her voice rose and fell with the notes that came easily to her. She only felt truly alive when engulfed in this serenity of music; her happiest moments were spent locked in this lonely place with only her and her music. The feeling was refreshing against the tidal wave of grim events that at times seemed to submerge her entire life, leaving her cold, empty and hopeless. The music made it better, made her better, even when she was in the darkest of places and felt as if she were being torn apart by the limbs. When Charlie unsure about where to turn, she could always rely on the sweet melody to be her helping hand. The comfort she needed on a dismal day in the darkest of nights. The music slowly faded to an end, the vibrating cord droned off and shook Charlie's bones pleasantly. It was a feeling she was use to, a welcomed feeling, actually, because with it came a wash of what could only be described as rebirth. It was amazing, the power the music had over her.

Her breath came shallowly for several seconds after the song ended, her eyes instinctively shut as she let herself be moved by the moment. “Bravo. Your voice is lovely” The unexpected sound caused the young musician to startle suddenly. Charlie's eyes flew open and her mouth shaped a surprised O as Mila's voice broke the silence. "T-thanks." She mumbled, momentarily stunned out of her fanciful reverie. Her voice was hesitant for a moment, like someone woken from a deep nap. "Thank you." With her voice cleared by a throaty cough, the expression of gratitude came out stronger and more genuine. Without much thought, she offered Mila kosher smile, slowly moving her guitar so that it sat neatly on her knees. The movement was tender, as if what she was holding were some precious item and not an old, beat up guitar that had seen better days. Quickly Charlie tucked her hair behind her ear and chuckled softly when Mila mentioned her music 'winning hearts'. A slight blush crept into her cheeks as she struggled for some witty comeback and miserably failed.

She settled for a pathetic shoulder shrug as her hand moved consciously to her face in an attempt to hide that goddamn blush. "You look good today." Charlie admitted, nodding towards the woman's outfit. "I think I need you as my personal fashion designer because... well..." She waved a hand at her own outfit; a pair of loose boyfriend jeans that were ripped slightly more then they should be due to use, and a large black shirt that was askew on her body, exposing her prominent collar bone. The outfit wasn't all that horrible, it just had properties that were not as sophisticated as most women dressed. Charlie had always been a little bit on the hipster side. "You see what I mean." She laughed humorously, although a bit tensely. She felt the couch sink a little as Mila's body weight added with hers and looked over instinctively with a witty sparkle in her eyes.

“Brought some stuff with me. I have more in the car but I’ll tackle that in the morning..."

"Okay, cool. I can help a bit if you're up early enough." Charlie listened to the note strum quietly and smiled faintly. "I have to be at the diner tomorrow morning by nine," she explained this idly as her hands unconsciously twisted together where they rested on the guitar. "You should stop by for some lunch, they make the best panini's around. They're really great." Her voice trailed off as she carefully placed her guitar back into it's case and stood up, wiping her clammy palms on her jeans and stepping over the case and towards the kitchen. "It was needed, to be perfectly honest." Charlie's voice raised as she casually walked into the kitchen and grabbed the movie cases from the counter. "The cleaning, I mean. This place was a dump and you just gave me the excuse I needed to actually do something about it." Sauntering back into the living room, she fell back onto the couch and smiled.

Holding out the movies she raised her eyebrows in question. "What first? I have Casablanca, I've never seen this one but it looks interesting." She passed over the two clear, plastic cases and leaned back with her hands crossed over her chest. "I wasn't sure what vampire movie you meant, but I was in the mood for something scary so I picked up one of my favorites." Tapping the case gently she motioned towards the dvd that showed a cement looking background with a very cheesy vampire and the words 'Dracula' written in bloody font on it. "It's the original, which is the best if you ask me." Charlie shrugged nonchalantly and grabbed the television remote, flicking the tv on with a small click noise before the screen bloomed to life. "You can pick and I'll pour the wine and make some popcorn."