Melanie
Another day, another dead body. As if all of this wasn’t so fucked up already. Sookie and Tara’s screams were still echoing in my ear from when they found here. Police had arrived shortly after. They had asked us all questions, clearing out that any one of us might be a suspect but with Rene dead, that meant that there was a new murderer out there.
I had barely gotten any sleep that night, images of the dead body in the car would come into my head, followed by random passionate sex with Eric, then going back to Gran’s blood smeared all over our kitchen. With everything that had happened to this town in the last year, it was hard to keep going, but I knew Gran would’ve wanted us too.
Sookie was downstairs, probably cleaning like she did every time something was wrong. I’d ask but the thought of listening to her complain about one more thing Bill did bored me. Instead, I showered, put on some fresh clothes and walked down the hallway into Gran’s room. We hadn’t been in since she’d passed. It was weird how normal it looked. As if she’d just left for the store and would be back any minute. Her bed was unkempt, her glasses with her medication and a cup of water still by her bedside. Her knitting still on her couch with flowers still very much alive and vibrate by the table.
Picking up the knitting, I held it against me and breathed it in. It still smelled like her. Life kept going after she passed, but her room seemed to be frozen in time. Basked in the comfort she’d left behind.
“I miss her so much.” Sookie’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
Turning slowly, I saw her at the doorway, too scared to fully cross the threshold. Putting Gran’s knitting back down on her couch, I walked over, wrapping my arms around her, letting her head rest on my shoulder. I felt the wetness of a single tear on my shirt and I squeezed her tighter around me before it was followed by another and another. Her soft sobs filling the room. I could feel her pain and see every memory she was seeing.
“Shh, you gotta be strong babe.” I whispered against her messy hair. “Gran would want all of us to be strong.”
She pulled away, wiping her tears before she stepped further into the room. “Do you mind if I take this room?” She asked timidly, not turning to look at me as she took in her belongings.
I shook my head. I could hardly be in this house after Gran’s passing, much less sleep in her bedroom. “No, you go ahead. Do you want help cleaning it out? We’ll have to start eventually.”
OOO
“Hey Mel, is Sookie here? I need to talk to you guys.”
Jason approached the bar, leaning over the counter to plant a kiss on my cheek. He hadn’t been around to much after Gran died. I knew he got hooked on V but it was never spoken about. After he got with Amy I watched as he was spiraling out of control. Amy wasn’t bad but she was a psychopath, I believed that with everything in me. She didn’t deserve to die like she did but I was still glad she was out of his life. He seemed like a whole new person after that.
“Sorry, hun. Just missed her. She’s spending quality time with Bill’s kid.”
“Bill has a kid?” He asked, sitting on the stool.
“Kinda? She called it a progeny. It’s some 17 year old girl he had to turn into a vamp.”
He scrunched his eyebrows but said nothing further about it. “After you guys gave me uncle Barlette’s check, I decided I’m going away for a week. I’m going to this leadership conference.”
“A leadership conference, huh? What church?” I crossed my arms, leaning forward on my elbows.
“Marlboro Baptist. In Baton Rouge. It’s only for a week. It’ll give me the chance to get away from everything.”
Reaching over, I brushed his hair back before placing a kiss on his forehead. “You deserve it. Have fun at Church Camp.”
“Thanks.” He smiled before leaving the bar.
The bar got busier later that night. The new hire Daphne kept messing up orders and breaking things. Arlene was ready to throw a fit and customers kept complaining. It was to much to handle all at once. Leaving Tara to man the bar, I walked out to the back to get some air. Sam’s head was peeking out over the bushes and I made my way over to see him sitting on the steps of his trailer drinking a beer.
“You alright?” I asked, taking the seat next to him.
“Is anything ever alright?” he scoffed. “Do you know how busy it is in there? And your sister decides she’s too good to work here.”
I lowered my head to chuckle at his bitterness, taking the bottle of beer from his hands to take a sip. “You always let her.”
“I’m just, so tired of charring my ass on her back burner.” He sighed. “She’s either yelling at me or apologizing over something. It’s too much to deal with. I don’t know how you do it.”
Eric:
With Pam up my ass about new clothes, I found myself at the mall. Throughout the last hundred years with her by my side I’ve learned that it’s easier to give in some of her demands in order to keep the peace. What I didn’t expect from this trip was to run into Bill.
I watched as he went through a few racks of women’s clothing before a redheaded associate approached him. He must be looking for his child. As much of a joy as being a maker might be, dealing with a baby vampire is nothing but a nuisance. Either way, I had business to take care of.
“Good evening, Old sport.” I approached the two, interrupting another meaningless conversation he had struck up with a human.
“Eric?” He turned, looking surprised by the short hair and lack of a suit.
“It’s the new me.” I cocked an eyebrow, “You like?”
“I do.” He smiled, amused.”Very much.”
“We need to talk.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he followed me as we started walking through aisles. “What about?”
“As you know, the Sheriff of area 9 in Texas has gone missing. Have you heard about that?”
“I hadn’t.” Bill shook his head. “But I know the vampire of whom you speak. His name is Goddrick, correct?”
“Indeed. Now it goes without saying he needs to be found. Which is where Melanie comes in.”
“No.” He growled under his breath, coming to a stop.
“As you insist on playing the role of guardian for her and her sister. I’m asking your permission to take her with me to Dallas.”
“Eric, you can do whatever you want with me but I’m not putting Melanie in this position anymore. I cannot and I will not allow you to bring her into these matters anymore. Sookie would never forgive me.”
“I’m only asking your permission out of respect. She’s had my blood. If I want her, I’ll simply take her.”
He wasn’t going to back down, but it didn’t matter. Fact of the matter was, he could stare me down all he wanted, Melanie was going to come.
“Is no your final answer?” I asked once more.
“It is.”
Melanie
“Melanie, it’s Sookie. I- I can’t feel my body.”
A cold shiver ran down my body as Sookie’s thoughts filled my head. It wasn’t uncommon for us to communicate this way but the pain and fear she felt almost brought me to my knees. Trying hard to concentrate. I closed my eyes.
“What happened?! Where are you?!”
“Fangtasia, hurry.”
“Woah woah, Mel you okay?” Terry called behind the window.
“I gotta go.” I yelled back as I dropped the bottle in my hand, running for the door.
It was hard not to let your mind wander when your sister’s screams filled your head. With the company she kept she was constantly in trouble, but this – this was a sense of pain I’d never felt from her. It was physical, almost torturous.
The car couldn’t get there fast enough and driving on bare memory alone, I was surprised I found the place at all. I got out of the car and ran to the locked door, slamming my fists as hard as I could. I could hear Sookie’s thoughts louder and clearer and it was much worse than I thought.
The door opened slowly and Eric’s 6’4 figure appeared on the side. He looked surprised but his usual smirk took over his face. It had been months since I saw him in person but I had dreamed about his so vividly every night since. He stepped forward, opening his mouth to speak but Sookie’s screams in the background silenced him. I shoved past him to get inside only to see Sookie in the middle of the room, lying on a table with blood drenching her tank top. A person in scrubs seemed to be pouring an acidic substance on her while Bill held her down.
What the actual fuck.
“Sook!” I ran over, pushing the Bill and the random person away before catching a glimpse of the large scratches down her back. “What the fuck have you done to her!”
I sank to my knees next to her, wiping the tears from her cheeks while the pseudo doctor and both vampires stood around us.
“Melanie, you must let Dr. Ludwig do her job. She’s been poisoned.” Bill commanded.
“How could you let this happen!?” I screamed at him, taking a better look at the blood bubbling from her wounds.
The doctor huffed as she waited patiently. “The longer we wait, the less of a chance she’ll have.”
“Fuck you!” I yelled but found myself ripped away and in Eric’s arms as he held me back.
“If you want her to live you better listen to her.” He cautioned, not letting me out of his grip.
“How could you let this happen!?” I screamed at Bill. “You promised you’d keep her safe!”
“She wasn’t out of my sight for more than a few seconds!” He replied, guilt written across his face.
Dr. Ludwig quickly got back to work, digging her fingers into Sookie’s open cuts, scooping out as much of the poison as she could. Her screams ringing through my ears and and my head. I couldn’t watch any longer. It was the most useless I’d ever felt. I covered my eyes and Eric tucked me into his chest. As cold as his body was, this was the warmest he’d ever felt.
He didn’t let me go until the doctor finished up. “Alright,” She announced after what felt like hours. “You can give her some of your blood. Her body should accept it. It won’t heal her right away, she’ll need rest, but she’ll be fine.”
Walking back over to Sookie, I sank to my knees, brushing her blood soaked hair out of her face. I tried to listen in, but I couldn’t hear or see anything but darkness. Lowering my head next to hers, I couldn’t stop the tears as they started streaming down my face.
“Mine is much stronger, allow me.” I heard Eric behind me.
“Never.” Bill seethed before taking his place next to me, offering Sook his wrist. “Sookie, can you hear me? You must drink.”
I watched as she latched onto his wrist, drinking as if her life depended on it and quite literally – it did.
“How did you know to find her here?” Eric turned his attention towards me.
Brushing off my knees, I stood to face him. “She called for me.”
“Called for you how?” He stepped closer, intrigued.
Shrugging my shoulders, I looked up as he towered over me. “I don’t know. Just like we’re able to read minds, we’re able to hear and feel each other. She told me she was here.”
“Interesting.” He muttered.
“I need you to tell me what the fuck happened here. What did this to her?” I demanded, looking between Eric and now Bill who had joined us.
“Area’s been scanned,” Pam walked in followed by a hefty looking man dressed in a black suit. Both parties covered in dirt. “Tracks were human, but the smell was distinctly animal.”
“What kind?” Eric asked, turning his gaze from me to look at them.
“A filthy one.” Pam quipped.
“We didn’t recognize it.” The man in suit answered.
“How intriguing. Send an alert through the appropriate channels. Find out what the neighbors know.” He commanded.
Pam and the guy nodded before Bill chimed in. “I don’t want to move her.”
“Of course not. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”
“Fuck both of you. How much did you care when this happened?” I pointed out. “I’m staying with her until she’s healed then we’re getting the fuck out of here.”
“The mouth on this one.” Eric chuckled. “I’m assuming you won’t leave either?” He looked at Bill.
“No.” He shook his head.
“Longshadow kept a coffin in the back. He liked to feed before resting so it might be be a bit messy but you’re welcome to it.”
Bill nodded, looking at me before hanging his head before retiring to the back. He knew he’d failed me. Failed Sookie and he deserved to feel like shit.
“Well, goodnight.” Eric said, going to follow him.
“Eric, wait.” I stopped him, grabbing his wrist. “Thank you. Thank you for saving her life.”
His eyes bore into mine, studying me carefully. “I’m sure there’s a way you can repay me.”
OOO
A nudge to my ribs makes me jerk awake to see Sookie’s smiling face. She looked brand new, like yesterday never happened. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I sat up. Fangtasia has no windows, no clocks, no way of telling whether it was day or night. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she was okay.
Sookie wrapped her arms around me tightly, resting her head on my neck. My arms snaked around her as we embraced. No one should have to see their sibling going through that much pain. No one. The fact that I almost lost her last night made me grateful I got to hold her today.
“There you are! I didn’t know when you two would wake up. I made you both sandwiches.” Ginger’s voice broke us up as she came from the back.
“Thanks Ginger.” I nodded, taking the plate. I still had no appetite after watching that doctor pull skin and tissue from Sookie’s back but it was still a nice gesture.
“What time is it?” Sookie asked, putting her plate on the counter.
“Oh, about 5. You all have been sleeping the day away.”
“Jesus Christ.” I sighed. “Sam’s going to kill us.”
Sookie smiled at Ginger as she stared at us expectantly, waiting for us to try her peanut butter and chocolate syrup sandwiches.
“Do they make you stay here everyday?” Sook asked her.
Ginger moved around, picking up empty bottles left behind on the tables. “Well sometimes I just come in for deliveries, but lately I’ve been coming in for -” She paused, catching herself and giggling nervously. “Oh, nevermind that. You just eat up and go back to sleep.”
“Oh my god. I almost told her about her friend Lafayette in the basement. Eric says I can’t tell them.”
Sookie and I looked at each other and I stood up slowly as Sookie stepped towards her. “Lafayette?” She asked her. “Why would Eric have Lafayette in the basement?”
“I just work here.” Ginger back tracked. She tried to step away but I stepped in front of her.
“Please don’t make me use the gun under the cash register.”
Sookie ran behind the counter while I stopped Ginger from running after her. She shrieked when Sook pointed the gun at her.
“Take me to him. Now!” I ordered.
You could see the fear behind her eyes but this was no time for mercy. Sookie yelled once more and she walked us down to a locked door that lead down to the basement. After finally getting the door open, we walked down to see a figure in the darkness.
“Lafayette?” Sookie asked.
“It’s him!” I confirmed after running over to him. “He’s chained.”
“Melanie? Is that really you?” His voice was weak and with the little light that came from the stairs you could see the fang marks all over him.
“What have they done to you?” I cupped his cheek, trying to hold his head up.
Barely holding his eyes opened, he looked at me. “Do I look like a vampire?”
“You look like shit.”
“I feel fucking worse. I guess that means I ain’t a vampire, which is good.”
“Uncuff him!” Sookie yelled over at Ginger.
“I don’t have the keys. I swear!” She screamed.
“Eric’s going to be so mad at me. Jesus have mercy.”
“We’re going to get you outta here.” Sookie promised him. “Come on, Mel.”
“I’m not leaving him!” I stood, pulling my phone out to use as a flashlight. “There’s gotta be something here I can use.”
Bingo.
My light landed on a brick. I picked it up and ran over to him. “Hold on, sweetie. I got this.”
I smashed the brick as hard as I could onto the chain. It took a while but I was finally able to get it to break.
“Come on.” I offered him my hand, helping him to his feet.
“I can’t, that blonde bitch shot me in the leg.” He groaned in pain as he leaned his weight on me.
“Ginger!” I snapped. “Help me take him upstairs.”
Sookie pushed her forward with the gun still in hand and with her help we managed to get him up the stairs. We were only a few feet from the door when Eric was suddenly in front of us.
“I’m not quite finished with this one.”
“Oh, trust me. You are.” I stepped between Lafayette and him, having Sookie replace me under his arm.
“What the hell is going on here?” Bill came from the back room.
“Eric’s been keeping Lafayette down in the basement, chained like an animal and left to bleed to death!” Sookie seethed. “So help me, if you knew anything about this Bill Compton!”
“I had no idea!” He defended.
“This human traded sexual services with a vampire in order to sell his blood. Which you know is a grave offense.”
“His name is Lafayette!” She yelled at him. “And you should be ashamed of yourself!”
“Sookie.” Bill warned her.
“Glad to see you’re feeling better.” Eric smirked.
“Go to hell!” She lunged at him but Bill held her back.
“He’s coming with us and if you even try to stop me, I’ll stake you myself!” I threatened.
Eric’s fangs dropped and he had me pinned by my throat against the nearest wall. “I don’t respond well to threats.” He hissed.
“Neither do I!” I screamed and trying to push him off but before I knew it, that glow came from my hands and I had sent him flying across the room, crashing into tables and chairs.