A Rose of Love Bloomed In Blood, Vampire

    by Seraphine

    Chapter 1
    “Meeting in the moonlight”

    The night was clear and there was a lot of stars in the sky. Everything seemed calmed. The owl hooted, the frogs croaked and the wind was blowing in the reeds. Everybody was asleep, everybody except a woman who had a baby in her arms. Her baby.

    That night, the stars and a red moon witnessed a strange and painful scene. The woman’s walk was hesitant, she was staggering… She was badly hurt, blood was coming out of her wounds. Out of strength, she put the baby down near an orphanage; she had seen the sign “Pony Home”. She had arrived to destination.

    - You’re going to be safe here, my darling. You’re going to be hidden, until you can manage on your own. Maybe some people will find you and watch over you. Forgive me for what I’m about to do. Forgive me for the difficult childhood you’re going to have, alone, different, with no link to your real family… Forgive me darling.

    She took an envelope and put it near the basket where her daughter was asleep. And then, something strange happened. The woman fainted in a cloud of blood, which surrounded the child and seep into its body. There was no trace of the wonder. The woman had sealed her child’s destiny; she knew was condemned by men’s destiny in her state of weakness. Once the phenomenon was over, the child suddenly opened her eyes, big green eyes. She seemed to have understood that she will never see her mother again. She twittered for a while, she put up her chubby arms in the emptiness, her hands desperately looking for her mom. She couldn’t find her, her cries didn’t call her. Tears were coming down her cheeks, and she started screaming with all her strength of her lungs, bawling, bawling so someone would come to get her. Bawling, bawling so they would take care of her.

    Her cries woke the orphanage close by. A boy zoomed out, his eyes still glazed with slumber.

    - Tom, calm down honey

    - I know I heard a baby cry. I’m sure of it

    - Yes, I heard it too

    - Look, it’s over there, he said pointing with his finger. He ran in the meadow and stopped in front of the basket. It’s a little girl, he said turning to Miss Pony and Sister Maria, the two ladies from the orphanage

    Those two approached them and they saw the envelope. They opened it and they read what the letter said:

    Thank you for wanting to take care of my child. Her name is Candice. Please watch over her. She was born on April 14th. This is for her, please give it to her. It’s my family’s emblem, her family, from which she’s the only heiress. One day, when she will be older, she will be able to take the head of the family and look for her origins.

    Let the stars protect you
    And the moon look after you

    - What a strange letter, said Miss Pony looking at by every corner, why ask us to look after the child if she has a family?

    - Yes, indeed. What a strange letter. It’s stained with tears. Why would a mother be forced to separate from her child. That’s inhuman!

    - Ye, but we have a duty to take care of this child. We’re going to raise her and maybe later, we’ll get the answer to our questions.

    - Give it to her, what was she taking about?

    Miss Pony took the envelope back and turned it upside down and a medallion fell in her hand. It was in pure gold for the necklace, and the coat of arms was composed of a ruby rose intertwined with a bramble made of emerald. On both side of the rose, two moon crests made of diamonds, pieces of topaz, ruby and silver finished the piece of work.

    - Well Candy, that a very beautiful jewel, said Miss Pony putting it around her neck, you’ll have to take good care of it, because it’s the only clue which links you to your family.

    She took the little one in her arms, and walk to the house.

    - Bravo Tom, you prevented his little one to spend the night outside.

    **********

    Four years had passed since Candy arrived. This last one had grown and had become a very cute little girl, nice and malicious. She even tied up a family duck together; “So they won’t lose their mommy” she explained to Sister Maria who was scolding her. She also loved above all, climbing the big tree on the Pony hill, “The Father”, like the children call it. However, she had very few friends among the children of the orphanage, or at school, despite Tom’s efforts, who saw himself as her big brother, since he was the one who had found her. She had become as a result, a lonely child, even though she liked the company of other children, when they allowed her to play with them, which didn’t happen very often, to the two mothers’ taste. What always surprised them, and was secretly scaring them, is that Candy would completely change during the full moon: she didn’t like being bothered and would stare the round shaped star, while she held her medallion hard, it never left her neck.

    One summer night, while Miss Pony was opening the faucet to fill pitcher with water before dinner; the water wouldn’t come out.

    - Ah! Sister Maria, we need to call the plumber tomorrow. It seems the plumbing as a problem

    - I’ll go in the village tomorrow to get him

    - Thank you. In the mean time, we’re still missing water. Nobody wants to go out, night is falling soon.

    - I’ll go, said Candy, so I’ll be able to freshen up at the river, it’s so hot this summer!

    - But sweetie, the bucket is too heavy for you. You’ll never be able to carry it

    - Yes, I will! Look!

    And she picked up the bucket without any difficulty.

    - All right, but be careful. With water, the bucket is going to be heavier. I don’t want you to hurt yourself, so take your time.

    - All right! See you later! She said running outside with the bucket moving to her steps rhythm

    - That little one has a heart of gold! Said Miss Pony looking at her go with a smile on her lips

    - And such strength for her age, said Sister Maria

    **********

    Candy was walking, singing, jumping towards the river, stopping from time to time to breathe the perfume of the flowers. The day started to fade, leaving its place to the night. One by one, like sky lanterns, the stars were lighting up. All of a sudden, the moon, mistress of this star dance, appeared in its entirety.

    - It’s the full moon! She exclaimed.

    It’s the full moon. And instinctively she put her hand on her medallion.

    She approached the river. The moon was huge that night, red like blood. She had the impression all she had to do is reach out with her arm and touch it! She arrived at the river; she put her legs in the riverbed to refresh herself while she was filling her bucket of the water. That’s when she saw him. A little boy, her age, with brown hair falling on his shoulders, and his eyes were blood red. That impressed her a lot. He seemed to be floating and around him, there was an aura of unreality. He was looking at her strangely too. Surprise and fear seemed reunited on his face, especially when he saw her medallion.

    - Hello, he said

    - Hello, Candy answered politely, do you live here? I’ve never seen you at school

    - I’m on vacation. I live the house over there, he said pointing his finger in the direction, what about you?

    - The orphanage, she said with no shame pointing her finger in opposite direction

    - Your necklace is pretty, is it yours? He asked intrigued

    - Yes, It’s the only thing my mother left me. It’s a clue to find my family. Miss Pony and Sister Maria told me so

    - Who are they?

    - My two mommies. They take care of us at the orphanage

    - Oh ok. The moon is pretty tonight

    - Yes, it’s its shining under every fire because it’s happy! Maybe there’s a bal on it tonight!!

    - You say the weirdest things, Freckles!

    - Why are you calling me that? I haven’t done anything mean to you!

    - It’s because you have freckles all over. It’s like you’re shining like the sun

    - Ah! Then it’s pretty! My real name is Candice White. My friends call me “Candy”

    - Candy, that a sweets name! He laughed

    - So what? It’s very pretty!

    - Yes, but be careful, someone might bite you!

    - Because you think I’m going to let them do it? By the way you haven’t told me your name!

    - That’s right, I apologise. It’s Terrence Graham Grandchester. My friends call me “Terry”

    She crossed the river to the other side.

    - Friends? She asked giving him her hand

    - Friends! He said shaking her hand

    - I have to go. I have to bring back the water, she said showing him the bucket

    - All right. We’ll see each other again?

    - Yes, I’m going to ask Miss Pony and Sister Maria, said Candy with a shining smile of joy.

    She finally had a friend of her own.

    - Good bye, she said with a big from her hand

    - Good bye

    Terry approached her and gave her a peck on the cheek

    Surprised and embarrassed, with her cheeks on fire, Candy took her bucket and left!

    **********

    Breathless for running, Candy finally arrived at the Pony Home. She stared at the moon again before she got in.

    - It’s true Terry, its magnificent tonight

    And she got in.

    - Candy, are you all right? Asked Sister Maria, did you have any problems?

    - No Sister Maria! I even met a boy, Terry. Can I go play with him during the summer? He’s my friend.

    She had said very fast all at once, looking happy, while giving the to Miss Pony.

    - Well I suppose so, she said, but we need to talk with his parents first. Where did you say he lived?

    - Near the river!

    - I see the house you’re talking about. We’ll go there tomorrow. But for now, it’s time to eat, said Sister Maria taking Candy by the waist and installing her on her chair

    Candy turned around to thank her, but Sister Maria was startled.

    - Candy! She yelled

    And she took her head in her hands and looked at Candy’s eyes intensely, looking for something. Candy got scared.

    - No, nothing. I must be really tired, I’m seeing things! She finally said

    - What did you think you saw Sister Maria, she asked worried

    - For a moment, I thought your eyes were red, like a blood vessel had burst. I got scared… but it’s nothing. Like I said, I must be tired!

    **********

    The next day in the afternoon, Sister Maria took Candy with her to the village to ask a plumber to come to the Pony Home. He immediately went to the orphanage, he realised how uncomfortable the two women were. Then, once that was done, Candy took her to her friend’s house to see if his parents are going to allow them to play together. Candy had so little friends of her age, to say the least. The two ladies were happy for her for the opportunity. But they were hoping that the parents would understand.

    Candy and Sister Maria crossed the river and they walked on a path in the middle of a field of wheat, where farmers were working. The crop seemed excellent this year; they were all radiant with joy! As they were working, they were signing old tunes, talking about the good crops, happy times or simply about love blossoming by the shade of oak trees… after a quarter of an hour of that concert, they finally arrived in front of a big house. It looked very ancient and it seemed well maintained, it was a little lugubrious. Maybe it was because the shutters were closed when the sun was shining high in the sky. Maybe they were not home, thought Sister Maria.

    - Well, we’ll see! She concluded by knocking on the door with the door knocker shaped like an eagle holding a lily.

    - Yes, said Candy, clapping her hands.

    She was secretly hoping to see her friend again.

    After a while, which seemed endless, a butler finally opened the door. It was half opened and the nun could see that the whole house was closed, in a semi darkness.

    - What can I do for you?

    - Does Terrence Grandchester live here? She first ask, to make sure they have the right house

    - Yes, as a matter of fact

    - Can I speak to his parents?

    - I’m going to see if that’s possible he said looking at Candy.

    His eyes became wide opened and he added:

    - Come in please, I’m going to take you to the small living room

    He left them in with a lot of respect which intrigue both Candy and Sister Maria. They cross the hallway, and then they entered the little living room. Once the butler went to tell his masters, Sister Maria told Candy that the living room in question was not small at all; half of the Pony Home would’ve easily fitted in it! She also told the little girl that it was decorated with a lot of taste; there was no overload or ostentatious ornaments. On the top of the chimney, a portrait was decorating the wall.

    - That’s Terry, explained Candy, and that must be his mommy and daddy!

    - Yes, said Sister Maria

    - They seem happy, she said contemplating the little boy surrounded on his left by his father, from whom he took the brown hair and his right by his mother, a young woman blonde from whom he inherited beauty and blue eyes.

    That same family portrait entered the room a little while later followed by a maid carrying a tray with tea and little cake. Sister Maria stood up from the couch where she was sitting and Candy faced Terry’s parents

    - Hello, they say

    - Hello, they answered

    - Hi Terry, are you all right?

    - Yes Candy!

    - Let’s have a seat, offered Mrs. Grandchester. We’re going to be more comfortable to discuss. I understand that you want to speak to us, but we don’t know why

    - Yes, it’s about Candy and your son, started Sister Maria. Candy and him seemed to have become friends. Miss Pony and I take care of the orphanage on the other side of the river, are wondering if you could allow your son to play with Candy

    Their attention drifted to the little girl and her medallion.

    - Candy, my name is Eleonor. I’m happy to make your acquaintance. How did you meet Terry?

    - Last night by the river, I came to get some water because the faucet was broken and I met Terry there and we talked

    - You talked about what?

    - We introduced ourselves, we talked and the moon was very beautiful! She exclaimed still in her memory

    - Yes, that’s true. Last night the moon was beautiful, all red!

    - Like it was happy!

    - You’re right, the red moon is a sign of good luck and happiness. You’re very nice, I’m happy that Terry found himself a playmate like you. You agree with me dear? She said turning to her husband

    - Yes, I agree. This little lady is absolutely charming. Sister Maria, she can come and see my son to play with him. There’s no problem.

    - However, said Eleonor, you have to know that here, we’re living to Terry’s rhythm. He’s got a skin disease that stops him from exposing himself to the light of the sun. So we’re all living at night.

    - Sister Maria, said Candy holding the nun’s skirt with her two hands, please

    - Well… We’re in the summer, so I don’t see any inconvenience for now. But in September she’ll have to go back to school

    - Thank you Sister Maria! And she jumped on her and gave her a big hug. You hear that Terry? We’re going to be able to play together!

    - Yes, said the young boy, with a smile on his face. Thank you daddy, thank you mommy, he said hugging them. I was feeling kind of alone. Let’s go Candy; I’m going to show you the house!

    And they both left like arrows. The adults looked at the children go, and Eleonor continued the conversation.

    - I have an idea. Why won’t Candy stay here during the summer vacation. It’s going to be better if she wants to play with Terry. We’ll take care of her and we’ll bring her back to the orphanage a little while before the vacations are over, so she could get her normal rhythm again. What do you think?

    - Well I think it would be better as a matter of fact, answered Sister Maria. Candy and Terry seem to get along very well, that it would be almost a crime to separate them!

    And that’s how the friendship between Candy and Terry started. Every summer, they would live together, at his place. They would play with Terry’s games, they had an hour of summer school with a tutor (bat was his name, go figure!), Candy taught Terry how to climb trees and how to use a lasso, and he taught her how to ride a horse. They completed each other very well.

    Terry’s parents were nice to her. They were treating her like their own daughter. Like her, the family loved staring at the moon.

    Living with them had not spoiled Candy’s generous nature. She was helping the other children with their homework, thanks to the great lessons with the tutor, she taught them how to well behave, and shared with the girls her age the clothes Eleonor had given her during the summer.

    But all good things come to an end, unfortunately… The year she turned 7, Candy was able to bitterly confirm it …

    Chapter 2