Watching the Ghosts

[Cody Lambert]

If I was your vampire,
Certain as the moon,
Instead of killing time,
We'll have each other
Until the sun

I sat in a back room of the club that I ran. I had turned Blood Reign into my haven and a safe place for all species. True, it had been quiet recently because of the summer weather but it still ran smoothly. Of course, the ranks of the Angels with Scabbed Wings were empty aside from me. It was unfortunate really, that the town had become so unpopulated with those who believed in the existence of the night creatures. Even those who discovered our existence mocked us because of the recent vampire fad that had spiraled out of control. It portrayed vampires as brooding creatures that held convictions about taking human blood and sparkled in the sun. I sneered disdainfully at the thought. It was disgusting. We are proud creatures, and these new vampires that the human mind has created only serve to anger the population and make humans less vigilant to the predators lurking in the shadows. I hold no malice for humans; I regard them as friends yet these ideas that they come up with are deeply disturbing.

I stood from the lounge chair. I needed to walk to rid myself of the agitation. Besides, I had business to attend to. I walked into the crowd of people that populated the club. Assorted girls reached out and ran their hands down my arms and back, attempting to get me to join them and dance. I smiled charmingly at them before moving on. I had a very important visitor on the way. I reached the door as soon as officer Hanley appeared at the door. I bowed with a flourish, mimicking the old customs of the court jesters. I smiled crookedly as I did so. "Why officer, what a pleasant surprise. Have you decided to finally let loose a little and have some fun with us?" I straightened, knowing very well why he was here. He shook his head in an exhausted manner. "Cody, you know very well why I am here." I sighed, a little disappointed. "I see, the same old business. Come with me." I led him back to the room where I had just been. We did this every month and every month he steadfastly dodged my offer to join in the fun. I counted out the sum of money that had been agreed upon years ago, rubber banded it and handed it to him with a smile. 'You know Cody, you might want to keep an eye on the ungrouped vampires that roam around here. People are beginning to get suspicious." My smile fell and was replaced with a look of concern. "Oh?" Hanley nodded. "I'm having trouble convincing them that the recent deaths are not connected to you. Your livelihood could be in danger." I nodded gravely. "I understand. I will look into it." "See to it that you do." Hanley made to leave before pausing with a final message. "I might stop by in soon to check on you. Can't have you getting too lonely." I smiled as he left. He had been the buffer between me and the anti-vampire groups these last few years. He knew that my business depended on me being able to keep in good spirits.

I returned to the crowd outside the room and sat on a corner of the bar. I enjoyed seeing these people happy and it was a problem that lesser vampires were putting that in jeopardy. I took stock of the people who were of mixed species on the floor in front of me. Anybody who didn't know me wouldn't be able to tell me from them. I was dressed in a black button down shirt and dark jeans. I didn't dress lavishly or out-of-era. I liked to be part of the fun.

Death waits for no one
Hold my hands
Across your face,
Because I think
Our time has come

Word Count: six two eight
Song: "If I Was Your Vampire" - Marilyn Manson
Notes: None

[Alyson Parol]

Steeping out of the shower there was a wisp of cold that touched my pale skin. It was hard to make out the reflection in the fogged mirror. Taking my hand to it I wiped away the condensation in once spot. At the edge of the circle pattern the fog pooled together and ran down the mirror in a tear like fashion. The sight caught my attention for only a moment, not much longer after that I turned my gaze back to my reflection strongly displeased by the makeup-less thirteen year old appearance I saw. Ugh it amazes me how cruel genetics can be... In one swift motion I grabbed a towel and wrapped myself in it to dry.

What seemed like a hour later my hair was dry, my makeup was on and I was headed to the club Blood Reign. It was my home away from home. The beat was always loud and just my style. For the most part others avoided me, or rather as I avoided them they wouldn't bother me. In a dark pair of skinny jeans and a black graphic tee with white wings on the back was ready to just let the weeks stress melt away.

When I entered the club I was swept in by the music and lighting immediately just as every time before. Quickly I milled to the back where it was still loud enough to hear but not as populated. The ritual movement began and my senses to the outside world were no longer on duty. At least no other sense but my hearing which was currently taking in the welcoming sound of the clubs music.

Word Count: 276
Notes: None

[Cody Lambert]

Big blue blind black bird
standing by, behind a breeze of boasting
Big blue blind black bird
standing by, under the sun you're roasting
Big blue blind black bird

I pushed myself off the bar. The girls were beckoning me to come dance with them. I never danced. Odd that I would choose a night club as my home but dancing wasn't my thing. Yet, I still let them pull me out to the floor. Thankfully they had placed themselves near a wall that I could lean against. I was happy here, it pleased me that I had created a place that provided so much entertainment for so many people. I was able to pick out different individuals of each species and I knew most of the regulars. Most of them however, had no idea that I was the owner of the establishment. I made it a point to try and get to know the regulars without them finding out I ran the place. I was abruptly brought out of my thoughts when a girl ran into me, flattening my back against the wall. She wrapped her arms around me, giggling uncontrollably. I sighed mentally. Hybrids. Often thought they were God's gift to vampires. Wrong, very very wrong. Most hybrids I could tolerate but it was the young ones that made me want to hold them under the water until the bubbles stopped. Even though it would take eons.

I gently pushed her off of me with a smile. Time to move. I walked along the wall until I noticed what seemed to be a regular I had not spoken to. Very flashy, and hard to miss. I meandered my way to her, curious about why I had not spoken to her before. It looked like she was alone. Very strange. I quickly spider walked my fingers across her shoulders to get her attention. "What are you doing here alone, sweetheart?" I smiled devilishly, making sure to keep the fangs hidden. Fangs. Must. Not. Be. Seen. I had made that error to many times in my ventures. I leaned delicately over her shoulder so I could see her expression. I placed my hands in my pockets, not wanting to seem threatening.

Standing by, beyond the bathroom window
Big blue blind black bird
standing by, you hide behind the rainbow
Fly away from me

Word Count: three four one
Song: "Blackbird" - Benassi Bros
Notes: None

[Alyson Parol]

A nearby eruption of giggling caught my subconscious attention. It wasn’t like I wanted to hear it, but it just couldn’t be ignored. I just turned to face a direction elsewhere so that when I opened my eyes there was no chance I would see the owner of the obnoxious sound. There was a chance to save my peace time, that was until a gentle stroke of fingers over my shoulder; followed by a voice that was too suave to belong to anyone I would have known.

“Sweetheart? Umm I think you have the wrong girl.”

I pulled away from the stranger only to see that for a creeper he was rather attractive, all the more reason to be weary of his actions. Although I was sure he had the wrong person it was highly unlikely that he saw my pink hair and mistook me for one of his bimbo friends.

I almost wondered for a second if it would be better to just leave all together, but it’s not like I had anything better to do. Which is why I was inwardly hoping deeply that he would just leave an pretend he had not come up to me at all.

Word Count: 200
Notes: Nice post! :3

[Cody Lambert]

Three Evils

I smiled in an almost predatory manner. She was gonna play the tough one. Well fine, I'll just push harder. I had the strange ideal that when a challenge was presented, I was required to take it and win. Therefore, I would not allow myself to be denounced quite so easily. A fight she wants, a fight she gets. "Oh, I think not, Doll. I'm pretty good at identifying people. I just noticed that you come here often but you always come alone." I was typical vampire. Everything about me screamed, 'Don't trust me!' in the loud obnoxious voice. It was often hard to convince a prey item to be your friend. Even if they had no suspicion of the existence of vampires, natural instinct told them to stay away. This one seemed to be an out-of-the-box type so maybe she would give me a chance.

"Would you like to come sit with me for a while? Try giving some company a chance maybe?" I probably seemed extremely forward for a stranger but that was my personality. Can't live forever and be shy at the same time. But then again, being too outgoing can get you in trouble too. Or arrested. Then you have to go through all the trouble of filing forged documents and handing over a driver's license that has a birth date 500 years behind. Oh joy. I didn't want tonight to end like that. Besides, I hadn't visited my friend who arranged for my documents in a while anyway. Probably not the best idea.

Embodied in Love and Shadow

Word Count: two five seven
Song: Title - Coheed and Cambria
Notes: TY. Sorry this took so long

[Alyson Parol]

I hadn’t known him for long, but I could already feel my anger rising chiefly due to his forthcoming personality that he had chosen to express no more the ten seconds after meeting me. I kept to myself for a reason.

“Okay look pal I was going to try and be nice about this but you clearly have not even the faintest concept of subtle leave me alone lines, so let me try again. No I do not want to sit with you, you pompous jackass…”

If I would have had a jacket or something to grab I would have simply to turn tale and leave with a more dramatic manner. Not to make a fancy exit like the plastics, but more so to make a final closing point.

Once outside I could feel the lack of sun allowing the temperature sit at a more comfortable level. My night at the club had been ruined, but that didn’t mean I had to go home just yet. Wandering the streets at night seemed more appealing than sitting at home or going back to Blood Reign where the charming creeper would no doubt keep creeping.

Why is it so hard for me to meet normal people.

I took up a lock of my once brown, but now pink hair wondering if maybe changing my appearance back to something more normal would give me better luck with people. It took a moment before I let the lock fall back to its resting place once more.

No I won’t do that…I refuse to change for anyone but myself.

The night was still young but that guy back at the club had filled me with such unpleasant emotions that I wasn’t sure if there was a chance to save the night.

Word Count: 291
Notes: If this is not to your liking I can change it! :3

[Cody Lambert]

Mutilation's the most
Sincere form of flattery
If you want to be me,
Then stand in line like the rest.
Now, do you know what I mean?

Inside my mind, her personality created a major car wreck. I sighed mentally, I always seemed to pick the ones with disgusting personalities. I had thought this one would be friendly, could hold a decent conversation without flying off the handle. Wrong. I wrinkled my nose in distaste as she left. If she wanted to be alone, why the hell was she here? People don't come to clubs to be alone, they come to socialize and meet people. I made a mental note to not try and talk to teenage humans anymore. Too much angst and arrogance for my taste. To say that I was irritated would be a small understatement. People like that could chase away my customers with their bad attitudes. Not something I would tolerate.

I returned to the back room and put some paperwork in order. It wasn't something I often did because it was tedious. After a few minutes, it seemed like a good idea to take care of the idiots hanging around Hanley had told me about. I couldn't have rumors like that floating around. I went through a door in the back room that led to the alleyways behind Blood Reign. It wouldn't be hard to pinpoint the location of the intruders. As I walked through the alleys, I noticed that the usual people who would stay back here were missing. They were just humans who found slight refuge back here and didn't bother anything so I let them be. However, they were not here. I got back out to an empty street. It was dark and devoid of cars. The surrounding buildings were abandoned. I caught a slight movement behind me but ignored it. Whatever it was, it wasn't a hybrid or vampire and therefore was no threat to me. I leaned my back against a wall, taking a moment to scan the rooftops, looking for the source of trouble.

The young get less bolder
The legends get older
But I stay the same
As long as you have less to say
Do you think that I wouldn't say this?
You know that I play this better than you

Word Count: three one seven
Song: "Mutilation Is The Most Sincere Form Of Flattery" - Marilyn Manson
Notes: Well, you succeeded in pissing him off

[Alyson Parol]

For a long period of time there was a lack of traffic passing by and it created a horror movie like scene. There was too much silence in such an open space for my taste and although usually I was not the typical scared child this current moment in time was a lot less then desirable.

In the back of my mind I could almost sense someone lurking in the dark, but that was simply too common to be anything of serious danger. All sorts of homeless folk and other stereotypical characters roamed the streets at night, none of which were reason to worry.

I could hit the park…sit under a tree and watch the stars…maybe even get a wish out of one of them. I pulled my arms around myself all the while forcing myself to believe it was for heat. The truth was I just needed some comfort. Being alone all the time was not really fun, but it was all I knew. I was sure to spend the rest of my life as such and that was fine.

With another block down my paranoia grew so I started to search the alley ways, which I soon found to be a bad idea. It was the second one I looked down that caught my attention. Leaning on a wall was the guy from the club, but what he was doing out here was what had me curious.

I stopped short of passing the alley way and just stared at him. There was nothing to say yet given my scene earlier. I was still miffed, but his company was not the worst I could think of given where I was.

Word Count: 286
Notes: I’m sorry to have angered him :[

[Cody Lambert]

Here in this town, safe and guarded
We call it home, a feeling that we share
Now leave this place, clinging to hope
In this midnight prayer
If we hold our breath, float beyond this
We'll be reborn

I sighed, obviously the intruders were hiding well. They probably had left the area since there had been activity here recently, with Hanley coming up and everything. I glanced briefly to the side, just to check that area when I saw something that caused me to do a double take. It was the girl from earlier. Despite the fact that I was still irritated with her, I was concerned that she was walking around here when there had been recent attacks on humans. I turned to face her. "What are you doing down here?" I made sure the question sounded concerned so she wouldn't take it the wrong way. I had read an article that Hanley had left and there had been three found dead in the area. No doubt vampires or hybrids. I was annoyed because this was my territory and they were causing problems. Especially if they ate my customers.

I stepped out of the alley a bit so she could see me. I could see fine in the dark. Humans, not so much. If whatever was out here was still prowling, she would never see it unless it walked right up to her. I had thought that by now, horror movies had taught people that it's a bad idea to walk down empty streets at night. Especially when there were reports of killings in the area.

Are you still alive? Are you scared inside?
Providence is blind when you're terrified
Are you still alive? Are you scared inside?
When we've reached the end of the road
I will carry us home

Word Count: two two eight
Song: "Terrified" - Story of the Year
Notes: Sorry it's short -eats post-

[Alyson Parol]

Before having been asked the questions I thought I knew the answer, but now I wasn’t so sure anymore. What was I doing out here? What possible reason could a 19 year old girl have to be wandering the streets at night?

“Well I thought I was taking a walk…but now I’m not so sure.”

His demeanor had changed from the club and it was almost eerie given the setting. Could it be there was something I was missing? Earlier I couldn’t stand to look at him but now I was hesitant to look away. Could it be the fact that he seemed a lot less like every jerk I knew to be the male race.

“May I ask what you’re doing out here?”

It wasn’t every day that I spoke with someone twice that wasn’t my boss from work or my parents. Human beings and I didn’t mix, not one bit.

Word Count: 151
Notes: I am SOOO sorry it's so short!! TT^TT

[Cody Lambert]

Still falling
Breathless and on again
Inside today
Inside me today
Around broken in two
Til your eyes share into dust
Like two strangers turning into dust
Til my hand shook with the weight of fear
I could possibly be fading

I shook my head. "It's not the safest place to be alone." I had seen the dark stains on the pavement in the alleys. Places that had been roped off with yellow crime scene tape. They would never find who did it, they were in and out faster than the police could arrive. No fingerprints, no evidence other than a drained body left behind. That's how I knew that it was a younger one though. The older ones were smart enough to hide a body because the vampire hunters get suspicious. They know all the signs and how to track us down. They employ hybrids because they have more of a chance of catching us. Leave too many bodies behind and they start to catch on. The last thing I needed was a crazed group of vampire hunters snooping around Blood Reign because some young blood decided to walk where he wasn't welcome.

She asked me a similar question to the one I had asked her. I thought quickly and decided to give her as much of the truth as I could without revealing too much. "Checking the alleys outside of Blood Reign. There's been some trouble and I don't want them to bother people going to my club." I couldn't tell her that they were likely young vampires known as 'Young Bloods' or that I was concerned because I might be blamed. I could tell that she likely had no knowledge of the existence of vampires. In some ways that was good, but in a lot of ways it was bad.

Or have something more to gain
I could feel myself growing colder
I could feel myself under your fate
It was you, breathless and torn
I could feel my eyes turning into dust
Into strangers, turning into dust

Word Count: two six one
Song: "Into Dust" - Mazzy Star
Notes: is ok, I'm not doing much better

[Alyson Parol]

"Wait...hold on...you're the owner of Blood Reign?"

My mind came to a complete halt. There were no actual words to describe the sinking feeling my stomach got when I heard the words come out of his mouth, the ones that told me that I had called the owner of my home away from home a 'pompous jackass'. Of course I wasn't going to grovel or ask for his forgiveness. There was no room for regret because at the time calling him unnecessary names is what I wanted to do.

On the other hand, now armed with the knowledge I was able to see why he had been so forthcoming and friendly before back at the club. It wasn't a matter of him trying to get anything, he was just getting to know his regulars.

"Well then I guess I've become one of your more undesirable visitors then."

For a second I took to chewing on my bottom lip while wondering what to say next, granted anything was to be said.

"If it counts for anything I'm just generally unplesant...or so I'm told. Needless to say you're not the only person I've flipped out on."

I wanted to walk away now and go bury my head in the soft comfort of my pillow at home, but for once I was being forced to own up to my mistakes, something that was not only scary to me, but also sort of humbling.

Word Count: 240
Notes: Well I rambled most of it...but it's longer! And I'm actually just waiting to see what you have in store! XD

[Cody Lambert]

Wrap me in a bolt of lightning
Send me on my way still smiling
Maybe that's the way I should go,
Straight into the mouth of the unknown
I left the spare key on the table
Never really thought I'd be able to say
I merely visit on the weekends
I lost my whole life and a dear friend

When she stammered out her realization, I nodded solemnly. I lowered my eyes to the ground. "That I am. I try to not let people know because they treat me different. I want people to know me for me, instead of knowing me for my business. It's no way to make friends. But, as I'm sure you saw at the club, some people already know who I am. Those girls act that way because they think they'll get something special from the owner, they don't actually know me." Over the years, I had found it very troublesome when people found out who I was. They always ended up wanting favors. "I figure I can trust you with the information, you don't seem the type to ask too many favors." I looked back up when she started talking again. I smiled sardonically and shook my head. "Not so much undesired. You're a bulldozer speech demon, doesn't make you any less of a good customer. Just tone it down a little, you'll scare people." I meant the last part as a joke, but in truth I was curious about what she came to the club for if she just wanted to be alone. I sighed. "You may not be so much unpleasant as misunderstood and quick to misunderstand, if you don't mind me saying so." A lingering dislike of the area we were in nagged at the back of my mind. I couldn't concentrate on her and a possible threat at the same time. Not to mention, if the intruders showed up, the cat would be out of the bag within seconds. No more closet vampire. I didn't think it was entirely necessary to scar this girl like that yet. "Now, shall we try this again? Would you like to come sit with me?" I held out my hand in a welcoming manner and desperately hoped for a better reaction this time.

Call me a sinner, call me a saint
Call me your favorite, call me the worst
It's all that I can say. So, I'll be on my way

Word Count: three two one
Song: "Call Me" - Shinedown
Notes: None

[Alyson Parol]

I had been told all the time never to talk to strangers, but how was one to make any kind of a friend without first sharing exchanged dialog with a stranger. Perhaps I had up until now taken my parents preachings to heart on a level further then necessary. The stranger in front of me in a matter of minutes went from being the kind of creeper I was supposed to avoid to someone I almost felt I could trust and one day become friends with so long as his current demeanor was not indeed a facade.

It was not often that someone experienced a full on fit of mine and then held their hand out to me with a second chance, especially not anyone that mattered. In retrospect I could have handled his hospitality better, but I let my ill-guided temper get the better of me. In this new setting I could see he was older and thus more mature, something I think I needed in my life, which is why this time I planned to take his company into a much greater consideration then before.

"I don't see why not...you have after all given me a second chance."

Tagging an awkward little smile onto the end of my statement I slowly reached out to take his hand. Even without the pressure of it being a romantic gesture it was still relatively nerve wracking to be taking the hand of someone that was in fact not a member of my family. I was for what ever reason worried about whether or not my hand was sweaty or gross. I was also concerned with how I should go about holding it and for how long.

"So this mutual kindness thing is totally uncharted water for me...and I'm kind of nervous about it if you didn't already know."

And that was the final stage...I was now spilling my guts to someone I barely knew, and I'm sure it was totally undermining my mean girl image. Not that I was worried about it anymore.

[Cody Lambert]

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything

I took her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm pretty well known for giving second chances. And third, and fourth." I pulled her hand gently, tugging her delicately into to protective curve of my arm. I was still concerned about the intruders, and at least this way, I could put myself in the line of fire instead. I hope she didn't take the gesture wrong. If I could make some sort of positive impact in her life, I would be happy. I didn't want the appearance of my kind to spoil something like that.

When she told me she was nervous, I smiled charmingly. "Don't worry, sweetheart, I don't mind. Humans are naturally nervous around me." Seconds after I finished speaking, I mentally kicked myself for forgetting that she wasn't aware of my secret. Yet. If I didn't learn to be more subtle, she might be aware in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, it seemed that I had a habit of divulging that kind of information unintentionally. And once that kind of secret gets out, there is no talking your way out of it.

Of course, there were some dangers to letting someone know too soon. Like something I liked to call 'panic mode'. It consisted of the person screeching loudly like a parrot before fleeing and notifying the nearest paranormal hunter. This was soon followed by me moving locations. I had grown to really enjoy Blood Reign and its inhabitants. Really would be a shame to have to leave. Of course it's pretty hard to convince them that you're not going to hurt them. The whole 'I'm not going to eat you, just other people like you' line doesn't go over too well.

I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side

Word Count: two eight six
Song: "With Arms Wide Open" - Creed
Notes: None