The Guest & The Change

chapter 3





Sarah awoke the following day to no sign of Jo. She was feeling more worried now, although still pretty annoyed. Megan and Bea kept asking after him, but she had no answers to give. She’d even called the police and reported him missing, but they hadn’t been much help.

She had dropped Megan and Bea off at her parents’ to have some time to herself, to think about where Jo could be, and to go looking for him. Alice and Keith had agreed to have them overnight and take Megan to school in the morning, so she had a decent chunk of time in front of her to try and work out what was going on. She had started by calling everyone she could think of who had any connection to Jo. That meant calling his family, his work, anyone he’d ever been friends with.

Jo’s boss said he had been at work on Friday and left about six. His sister said he never turned up at her house for dinner on Friday night. His car was missing. That must mean he’d driven somewhere, he probably wasn’t close. Basically, she had no idea what to do next.

Slumping down on the sofa for what felt like the hundredth time in the last two days, Sarah wondered what to do. She decided there was no point staying in and was just putting on her jacket when the doorbell rang. Puzzled, she walked to the door and pulled it open.

There in the morning light was Daniel, standing on her doorstep. Momentary lost for words, she felt relieved. Daniel. Here. She was so glad to see him.

‘Hi Sarah,’ her heart skipped a beat when he said her name. ‘Your dad said your husband is missing? I wondered if you would care for any help in your search?’

‘Yes, please Daniel,’ and she took pleasure in being able to say his name, to his face. ‘Come in’.

He stepped over the threshold and leant in towards her, gently kissing her cheek. He lingered as he did and squeezed her shoulders towards him. Sarah stood frozen, not responding, but she breathed in his scent. He smelt masculine and civilized, yet woody and vaguely of pine.

As he pulled away she felt heat rising - urhh, why did that have to happen? She looked away, trying to pretend she wasn’t as affected by his presence as she blatantly was.

‘I was just about to head out, but I don’t really know where to start.’

‘Shall we walk and talk it though?’

‘Yes, that would be great.’

Sarah walked into the living room, sat down and pulled on her worn brown boots and she opened the door for Daniel. As he walked down the steps she admired him from behind. He was wearing the same leather jacket as when she met him, but his other clothes were more casual - he had on faded ripped jeans and black rugged boots. As she locked up she felt his eyes on her, but didn’t know if it was wishful thinking. He’s here.

They walked up the drive next to each other and Sarah explained the little she’d worked out so far.

‘What do you think, town or woods?’ she asked him.

‘How about town first?’

As Sarah turned right Daniel followed her. They walked down the wide street towards the town centre, past garages and grocery shops. She was so aware of Daniel, and so surprised by his presence. I want him to touch me, she thought. Yet she had said to herself she wouldn’t try to see him again. And she hadn’t, but she hadn’t asked him to leave either. And here she was with an irresistible man and Jo was missing.

Daniel interrupted her thoughts, ‘Shall we ask after him in bars?’

She wondered how much Daniel knew about Jo, or suspected. With their history, Jo going to bars was on her list of worries, what may have happened if he had, who he may have met. But that didn’t explain why his car was missing.

‘Yes, I brought a photo with me,’ she tugged a slightly rumpled picture out of her back pocket and showed it to Daniel. It featured Jo holding Megan tight. Daniel looked at it closely. As Sarah watched him she felt a ripple of unease as she thought she saw a hint of recognition in Daniel’s expression. Why would he recognize him? Maybe she had imagined it.

He handed it back to her and they walked on past more small shops. The town, Hartland, was quite big. It sprawled out in front of her towards the square, but most of the bars were further on away from the main shops and cafes. Being a Sunday the town was quite quiet, with a few families walking together and most shops shuttered up. Bars would be open though and they kept walking towards the grottier end of town. As they reached it Sarah eyed the odd broken window with unease. They entered the first bar they saw, it was dark and smelt of stale smoke. Her boots stuck to the floor as she walked. An old man worked the bar, probably the owner, but he was no help.

They went in bar after bar, finding no clues at all.

She looked at Daniel, he had taken over asking, sensing her frustration. ‘Daniel, I think this is the last place,’ she said, as they walked in.

This one was slightly nicer, it was dark but there were candles on tables and rock music played from an old duke box. There were a few people eating in corners and, even at this hour, people drinking at the bar. Sarah stood back in the shadows and let Daniel approach the bar alone; she was feeling unsettled and annoyed.

Really annoyed at Jo, how could he do this to them? She was going to be so angry when he came home. But she was also angry at herself, why am I being so selfish? Why aren’t I just plain worried? It would be the more appropriate emotion at this point.

Daniel was taking longer at the bar this time. She looked over in hope that he had found something out, but he was approaching with drinks in hand.

***

Jo felt his jubilation subsiding as effects of the blood rush wore off. He jumped down from his branch, landing smoothly on the forest floor and wandered back to the redheaded girl lying dead on the ground. Her eyes were staring and her throat was bloody. He leant down to inspect her, drawn by the blood, but it was no-longer fresh. It had started to dry and clot on her skin. He reached down and touched the blood, bringing his fingers to his lips to taste it. But it was now stale and didn’t satisfy his hunger.

At this point Sebastian relinquished his branch to the birds and swooped out of his tree, landing on the floor beside Jo and taking his human form. Jo smiled up at him, drawn by his mystique, his powers and their bond. Sebastian laughed, he loved the instant obedience turning someone (usually) created.

‘Who are you?’ asked Jo.

‘I’m Sebastian, and, as you may have surmised, I am also a vampire.’

Sebastian watched Jo look hungrily at the blood.

‘So, you want more do you?’ asked Sebastian.

Jo simply replied, ‘Yes’.

‘I will take you hunting later, but first I need to explain some things to you.’

‘OK,’ said Jo, in Sebastian’s thrall.

Sebastian knelt down so he was at Jo’s level, by the girl, and looked intently into his eyes. ‘You will do as I tell you and you will not draw unnecessary attention to yourself. You will not feed in public; you will only feed on victims in private, or in front of me. You will not return to your human family home.’

‘I will do as you say,’ Jo replied evenly.

He hadn’t even thought of his family up until this moment but now they swam in front of his mind. Sarah, Bea and Megan. The thought of them made him hungry, he longed for their blood.

‘You will stay here now, until I come back for you tonight. Then we will go hunting. For now; sleep.’

Jo nodded to Sebastian, he climbed a tree and found a wide branch hidden from exploring eyes, he sat, legs hanging either side and leant back against the trunk - closing his eyes.

***

Sarah laughed, her emotions getting the better of her. If she hadn’t laughed she would probably have cried. She was glad to see Daniel had bought her red wine, a large glass, which she took thankfully and quickly drank some. It didn’t taste great, wine from dingy bars - not the best, but she needed it. Not just for the frustration of Jo, but it might help her feel a little less awkward around Daniel. He sipped from his own glass. She admired him for choosing wine too - it showed confidence to drink wine in this kind of bar. Jo would have chosen beer or spirits. Drinking some more, she looked up at Daniel and smiled. He smiled back his beautiful smile, making her feel warm inside.

‘Shall we get a table?’ she asked. ‘I’m pretty hungry, how about you?’

‘I would like something,’ he said. She followed him through a side door into another room where there were candle lit booths. With an amused look he gestured for her to sit down first. She slid in and he sat down next to her, their knees touching again. Sarah felt tingles swoop up her body and felt her heart ache.

The wine and the atmosphere, they were doing things to her. She didn’t know what she was doing but it was so automatic - she leant in towards him and placed her head on his chest, reaching up and embracing him.

For a second he froze, then freed his arm and pulled her in closer. She felt him squeeze her again and he leant his head down and Sarah’s heart raced as she heard him inhale, smelling her hair. Emotions were getting the better of her. They were sitting alone in this dark booth, feeling anonymous with music to cover their voices and flickering light only just revealing their presence.

Sarah felt tears rise in her eyes again, from the intensity of her feelings, her attraction to Daniel, her worry about Jo, her frustration with Jo, and with Daniel. He was here, and oh God, she wanted him to be, but she shouldn’t be here.

Daniel reached around with his other hand and stroked her hair while still holding her close. Sarah felt tingles engulf her, she could hardly breathe. Then Daniel loosened his hold on her and she started to move away, but he brought his hand round, following the line of her jaw with his fingers. Sarah looked into his face in the dark. He was so close, she could feel his breath on her lips and she saw that predatory look in his eyes. She wanted to kiss him but they just looked at each other, her heart melting - tingles rising in waves from where his knee pressed against hers, and descending in waves from where his hand held her chin. Then he traced her lip with his fingers and she pulled away. Knees still touching she put her back against the seat, took a deep breath and picked up her glass. Then she looked back at him and he smiled, that utterly devastating smile, making her actually laugh.

She drank some more wine and picked up the menu, leaning forward to study it under candle light.

‘What would you like?’ he asked, sliding out of the booth.

‘Tapas. How about we get a selection and share?’

Daniel nodded and walked off to order.

Sarah leant back and closed her eyes, but she suddenly felt uneasy and opened them, looking around. She felt like she was being watched, but couldn’t see anyone looking her way. In fact, she was in there all alone, but could still hear low talking coming from the other room.

There were many more booths like the one she was sitting at throughout the room, each with little flickering candles. The doorway they’d entered through was behind her, and there were two windows across the room, each with their curtains drawn. She shivered and sat up a little straighter, still feeling like there were eyes on her. Then she heard Daniel return, light footed and smooth like an animal. He glided back in and regarded her.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

‘Umm, nothing. I’m just being paranoid. I felt like I was being watched,’ Sarah confided, feeling silly.

Daniel looked around though, looking slightly disconcerted himself. He’s probably got a vivid imagination too, thought Sarah, after all he is writing a book about vampires.

He looked back and Sarah caught his eye, she smiled ruefully. He reached out and brushed her hair away from her face, his eyes lingering on her neck. Sarah let herself enjoy his touch and briefly closed her eyes, breathing him in.

She leant back against the seat again and Daniel extended his arm and wrapped it round her shoulders, pulling her tightly to his side. Her whole left side was pressed against his.

I wonder if he’s this affectionate with everyone, she thought. I hope not. But her heart twinged as Jo’s image entered her mind. To be acting like this at all was bad enough, let alone when he’s missing. Yeah, but he might be with another woman. Or it could be worse.

‘So, where shall we go from here Daniel?’ She regretted it after saying it; it may have been open to interpretations she didn’t intend.

He laughed, she looked across at him and he raised his eyebrows, ‘Where do you think?’ And he brushed her cheek again with his finger-tips; they felt cool in the stuffy darkness. She almost gave in and was just starting to lean closer to him when a waiter appeared with their food. She drew back instead and Daniel laughed, lightening the situation. Oh my, he just exudes sleek masculinity.

Sarah inspected the food, it actually looked tempting, better than she’d expected. Daniel had ordered six tapas dishes, some olives and bread. She helped herself to tiger prawns and grilled eggplant, while Daniel took meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and bread. She nibbled on olives, which were delicious and salty, and tucked in, feeling the knots in her stomach begin to loosen. Being hungry always made her more on edge.

‘Well, considering his car is missing, maybe we could go for a drive? We better not get another drink,’ she said tentatively.

‘Yes, that sounds like a plan. Maybe tomorrow, if he still hasn’t turned up, it would be worth asking in garages, seeing if his car’s been picked up anywhere. And maybe check the scrap yard too, just in case,’ he said gently, trying not to upset her.

Sarah ate until she was full. Daniel had already finished, they both took the last sips of their drinks, exchanged a glance and prepared to leave.

When Sarah was standing Daniel turned to face her, he was standing very close. He touched her jaw with those cool fingers and lifted her chin so her eyes met his. ‘You know, you don’t have to do this Sarah.’

‘Do what?’ she asked, confused.

‘Look for Jo. The police are looking for him already, we could just go home.’

‘No. I want to; if I go home I will just feel restless, and angry.’

‘Angry?’

‘It doesn’t matter, we should go,’ she said, looking away.

Sarah led the way outside, and breathed in the cool air. She buttoned up her coat and pulled up her hood, the temperature had decreased while they were inside. She still had that uneasy feeling, like she was being watched.

‘Sarah, it’s ok, why do you feel angry with Jo?’

She didn’t want to tell him, it would seem like an excuse for her behavior. But he raised her chin so her eyes met his again. The intensity of his gaze did something to her; it made her open up inside and the truth poured out.

‘He had an affair when I’d just had Bea. I don’t trust him. I’m angry at him for leaving us now. I can’t help thinking he’s just left us without even bothering to leave a letter.’

She breathed out, that was what she thought, but how did he make her confide? What was it about him? He continued to look in her eyes but now it looked as though he was thinking things through.

‘Sarah, that may be a possibility, but I just have this feeling that’s not the case. I’m sorry to say this, but I think something might have happened to him.’

Daniel released his hold on her and stepped back, letting her process what he’d said.

‘Why do you think that?’

‘Well, two reasons. One is - why would anyone leave you Sarah? You’re beautiful,’ and he gave her a wicked grin, her response to which was to blush red and avert her gaze. ‘And two,’ he said becoming more serious. ‘I’ve heard of other people going missing. Here. Recently. I’m worried something is going on.’ This time Daniel looked away, his expression reflecting the angst in his words.

‘How do you know other people have gone missing?’ Sarah said accusingly, she didn’t know why she said it like this, it just came out.

‘I’ve read reports, there have been articles in the local paper. People talk.’

‘Really? I have to admit I rarely read the paper. Or talk to anyone,’ she looked at him, but he smiled a little, not seemingly surprised by this.

‘Well, as a newcomer to this town I have fresh interest in discovering how things work around here,’ and he raised his eyebrows at her.

Sarah laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation she couldn’t stay somber long - not around Daniel, with his quirky smile, charm and melting gaze.

***

Sebastian resumed his form of bat and flew towards town. He didn’t usually go out in the daytime but it had started to rain and the sky was dark. It would only take him minutes to get there as he was a fast flyer. It felt exhilarating flying as a bat. It was definitely his favorite animal form, but he could also turn into a cat and a wolf.

He would have liked to stay with Jo, keeping an eye on him to make sure he coped with his new situation. However, he desperately wanted to see what Daniel was up to before taking Jo into town tonight.

It was typical that Daniel had tracked him this far. How he did it Sebastian didn’t know, but he tended to follow Sebastian and make things hard for him. Once Sebastian reached the outskirts of town he flew into an alley and returned to his own tall self.

He was wearing all black to blend into the shadows, but this wasn’t much help in the daytime. However, town was quiet and he was able to quickly pass into the centre, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of Daniel. He figured he would be out talking to people, rather than staying alone and sleeping like any normal vampire would during the daytime.

He was probably investigating Sebastian. He rolled his eyes at the thought. Daniel wasn’t a serious risk, but he could be a pain. He did have a habit of interfering. And Sebastian didn’t want Daniel to get in the way this time, not with his plans for this town.

Then he spotted him, he was walking some way ahead with a girl who looked familiar. Sebastian ducked into a doorway and watched from a distance as they entered a bar. He waited patiently and it wasn’t long until they reappeared and walked towards another one.

So I was right, thought Sebastian, he must be investigating me. That may mean he’s out tonight, I will have to be careful to keep Jo close.

He watched the couple enter another bar and this time they stayed inside. He won’t have found out anything yet, I haven’t even been to these bars, he thought. The bars would be a fun way to introduce Jo to hunting, but when Sebastian was alone he liked to surprise people who were out, or coax them into alleys or the woods. He could use the power of his mind to influence a person to change their plans, take an unplanned route, even without making eye contact. It was the advantage of having taken so many lives, each life he took increased his power in a way merely drinking human blood could not.

Sebastian left his doorway to investigate the bar Daniel was spending so long in. He walked up and leant against the wall by the window. The curtains were drawn so no-one from inside would notice him. He peered through the tiny gap, focusing through the darkness.

He could see the young woman who had been accompanying Daniel sitting alone in a booth. She looked very pretty with her flowing long blond hair and silky skin, then Sebastian realized with a jolt who she was. It was Jo’s wife. What was she doing with Daniel? Ah, they must be looking for Jo.

So, Daniel must suspect Sebastian’s involvement in Jo’s disappearance. He probably will be expecting to find us here tonight.

He watched as Daniel returned and sat down next to, what was her name? Oh yes, Sarah. He had seen her in Jo’s mind. In fact they looked quite cozy in that booth together. I bet she doesn’t even suspect what Daniel is though.

This could be interesting, he smirked, then, making sure no-one was near, he took flight as a bat and swooped up to hang on a gutter, high above the building overlooking the bar. Daniel is unlikely to notice me up here, he thought, and does it really matter if he does? No, it would irk him as he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it in front of his woman.