I went up to North Georgia to spend the summer at my grandparent’s villa. The villa was part and parcel to the family business—a vineyard and winery passed down through the generations that allowed my family to live well, but not without hard work.

My grandfather spent that summer showing me the ropes, expecting me to one day assume control of the family business. It was not an unwelcome apprenticeship as the machinery of the winery fascinated me, and I enjoyed how the aroma of the vineyard filled my lungs with every breath. I almost thought it was in my blood to continue their work, but I also understood why my mother went off to college and never came back. His constant judging and harshness towards failure often left me on edge, and he was a bit of a drunkard on top of it. But I do believe he softened with age—or ripened, in the case of grapes.

In June, it was time for my birthday, and I was treated to a bottle of the Lynch Family wine at dinner by my request. It was acceptable for anyone over sixteen to drink within the family, but only a single glass at dinner. It being my birthday, however, I was given the entire bottle to really test my limits. Not even half-way through, I felt the warmth growing inside me along with a false sense of satisfaction at the new experience. My grandmother rightfully took the bottle away since I was already slurring my words, and handed me some ice water. I finished up the rest of my meal with some cake on the side, hoping it would return some sense, and help bring sensation back to my legs. I tried to sit and relax through the rest of the party, but my family had gotten a bit louder, a bit harder to understand, and ultimately became a nuisance to my internal peace. Unable to handle any more, I decided to walk through the vineyard to get away from them and be alone with my thoughts.

Out there, where the vines grow in rows, I watched the sun set behind the mountains. I stood there, in silence, as the encroaching shadows crept over me, knowing that the resplendent vista of the mountains could one day be a normal sight. My solitude didn’t last, however, as an ominous wind rustled the grape vines and an illusion of my aunt, Rosa, appeared before me in a haze of mist. She appeared as a human with red hair, blue eyes, and freckles dotting her face around the nose, though she’s actually a mara—a creature born from dreams, nightmares, and memories. She was the last person I wanted to see, a cruel reminder of Sorrow and my precarious existence.

Rosa’s illusion smiled and said, “Happy birthday, Elliot!”

“I had a feeling you’d come by. But why talk to me with an illusion?”

“Things have been quite busy at the bar; there’s a girl coming to stay in one of the upper rooms. She’s a vampire that’s had some trouble with adjusting to normal life. I’m vouching for her, but I don’t have nearly as much pull as I used to. I’m hoping you can help her out.”

“I’d rather not concern myself with—”

“She’s going to attend Mary Rose as a senior shortly after the school year starts. Keep an eye on her for me. There’ll be consequences if she messes up again… I’m sure you know what that means.”

“Okay… Do I get anything out of it?”

The illusion laughed. “Need I remind you who pays for the house you live in?”

I sighed. “Alright, I’ll look out for her. Will you still be busy when I get back?”

“Probably,” she winked. “I’ll drop by with your gift sometime, I swear!”

With a strong wind, Rosa’s illusion dissipated into nothingness—a misty vapor lost in a sea of darkness. “A vampire…” I frowned and looked back at the villa, walking towards the light.

❦ ❦ ❦

Summer passed and school began again. It was the start of my senior year. Our little group at lunch had become much smaller as everyone went their different ways: Evie graduated, Vivi had a different lunch period, and Blinds no longer had a reason to hang out with us. It was only me and Sam that remained at our booth from the previous year which then came with a certain feeling of emptiness.

I had nearly forgotten the girl I was meant to keep an eye on, only to be reminded the moment I got called to the office to show a transfer student around school. I waited in a corner away from the desk of the main office, and was met by a girl with medium-cut black hair and bangs covering her eyes.

I asked her, “You’re Beth, right?”

She nodded and moved her hair to reveal her silver eyes. She looked me over and said, “I didn’t expect any humans to be here.”

I was a little stunned by the attractiveness hidden by her excessive hair. “Ah, yeah. There’s actually a fair bit of humans here despite the reputation. I’m one of the few seniors, so it’s fitting they had me show you around. And I guess you make one more.”

Beth scoffed. “Don’t equate me to them. Rosa mentioned you know what I really am. Maybe drop the act, yeah?”

I didn’t know what she meant. “She told me a bit about you, but I—”

“Enough.” Beth’s expression quickly changed to annoyance. She grabbed my shirt and nearly lifted me off the ground. She questioned me in hushed whispers as to not bring attention to us. “I don’t know why yet, but you piss me off. You got anything to do with the Arbiters?” She shook me, gritting her teeth. “Answer!”

“N—no.” I said in a similarly hushed tone. “I really am a student here.”

“What’s your relationship with Rosa?”

“She’s my godmother—my aunt with no relation.”

Beth was getting a bit calmer. “She took you in?”

“Yes… After my mother died.”

“I see.” She let go of my shirt yet remained suspicious. “Do what you came to do.”

I nodded and started up my spiel about the layout of the school, which, ultimately, doesn’t matter: “As you can see, the main building consists of two floors in an L-shaped layout. Right now everyone is in homeroom, which is separated by the categories of monsters. On the upper floor, humans and demihumans share the hall across from the library. The magi are in the adjacent hall. And on the ground floor, the liminal are in the hall straight from the entrance. The last hall is for the demons, but you’ll never need to go there, and they rarely ever leave it.”

“Demons are kept away from everyone?”

“For the most part, yeah. Despite the school creed, they can’t break federal law. Most you’ll have is one or two in your elective classes.”

“So, even this place is segregated. And they wonder why some monsters lash out.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. A lot of it is out of justified fear. It’s one thing to bring a weapon to school, it’s another when you are the weapon. It’s not like demons are above prejudice, either… For humans, it’s better this way.”

Beth scoffed. “To think everything is so centered around humans—that we even have to look human just to be accepted. All for them to treat us like terrorists, animals, or second-class at best.”

“All the more reason to pretend to be human.”

Krrrrrng!

The bell to mark the end of homeroom rang loudly in my ears, only to be drowned out by the students filling the halls again. Their chatter made any private conversation impossible, so I looked over Beth’s schedule and showed her to her first class of the day. It was humanities, and to my surprise, it was Mrs. Steward’s class—the same class I was in.

Mrs. Steward, an often overzealously optimistic human, introduced Beth to the class soon after the bell rang again. Beth sat at an open seat in the back near a table for monsters too large for the standard desks. My desk was a bit away, too far to talk, but close enough to hear her quickly make friends with the monsters near her. Suffice to say, she was the subject of the day as it wasn’t often that a human would transfer to Mary Rose. Afterwards, our schedules did not match again, and so I let her figure things out herself until it was time for lunch.

When we reconvened, Beth looked around at the other students who were heading out of class as quickly as they came in. She asked, “So, we go to class, drop off our stuff, and then go to lunch?”

I nodded. “I should mention that our cafeteria is split into two areas. Most humanoids eat in the upper area as the lower one is mainly for the larger monsters with special dietary needs. But you should bring your own lunch if you plan on eating; none of the food accounts for taste.”

“Let’s go then,” she said, tossing her stuff on an empty desk.

We walked to the upper area of the cafeteria where I pointed at Sam who looked at us with a wry smile in the distance. I told her, “We’ve got some space at our booth if you’d like to sit with us.”

Beth smiled. “Sorry. I don’t think I will.” She walked down the ramp to the lower level and waved at me with the back of her hand.

I stood awkwardly out of place due to the rejection and was nearly trampled by a group of lamia heading down to eat. I dejectedly walked over to the booth, sitting across from a chuckling Sam. “What was that about?” he asked. “Lyca moves away and you’re already looking for a replacement.”

“She’s a transfer student. I was showing her around.”

“If you say so, Eli.” Sam stuffed his face with a mouthful of chips and swallowed. “How are things with Lyca, anyways?”

“I don’t know. We don’t really talk anymore.”

He briefly frowned. “That’s too bad. Y’all seemed really close.”

I looked away in response. “Yeah, I guess.”

Sam continued with a bright look in his eyes. “Say, I was wondering how you felt about the fur the therians have down there. Did it ever bother you when you went down on Lyca? Or maybe ya got some serious rug burn.”

I felt blood rush to my face in response to the absurd question. “I’m not answering that.”

“Why? Vivi and I were discussing it. Turns out she’s really self-conscious about it. I keep reassuring her it isn’t a problem, but I can’t seem to get through to her. Thought I’d get your opinion… You have done it with Lyca, right?”

“I have no opinion… And I’m pretty sure the fur thing is a myth.”

He laughed. “So, she shaves then?”

I didn’t respond.

“Geez, Eli. I’m just messing with you. I didn’t realize you were such a reserved guy—and a virgin.”

“Think what you want, but I’m not going to talk about Lyca that way.”

“Would you rather talk about dick instead?”

I shook my head in disgust. “I really don’t need this right now, Sam.”

He frowned. “Ah, I really made you mad, didn’t I? I thought talking about girls is what guys are supposed to do.”

“I don’t care to brag or boast. How would Vivi feel if she heard you joking around about her?”

Sam looked down in shame. “I’m sorry… It’s just the kind of friendship I have with Vivi—to talk and joke about private things. I wanted to do the same with you.”

“It’s never stopped you before,” I said with some confusion. “Are we not friends already?”

“Course we are. But it’s different now that Lyca’s gone, you know? Now I get to have you all to myself—just like old times!”

Like old times.

But nothing stays the same forever.

❦ ❦ ❦

I saw Beth again on my way out to the parking lot. She was standing off to the side, avoiding the flood of students trying to leave, and looking a little perplexed. I approached her and asked, “Everything okay?”

She didn’t seem too pleased to see me. “I’m just thinking.”

“Ah. Sorry to interrupt.” I started to walk away.

“Wait a second. You never did tell me your name.”

I turned back around to face her. “Oh, I figured Rosa told you. I’m Elliot Lynch.”

“Lynch… then the mother you mentioned is—”

“Dr. Lynch. Is that a problem for you?”

She looked off to the side. “No. If anything, you should have a problem with me.”

“What happened to her isn’t your fault. And in a way… I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

I scratched my head. “Well… for being her son, I guess.”

Beth furrowed her brow in confusion. “It’s not like you had a choice in the matter. We were all born without consent... the only difference is that I was created in a lab.”

“Did you at least get a childhood?”

She shook her head and closed her eyes. “This was a mistake. I should be going.” She hurried her way to one of the side entrances.

I followed her and said, “If you’re going back to the bar, I can take you.”

She shrugged me off. “I prefer to walk.”

“That’s a several mile walk, Beth. Are you sure you don’t want a ride?”

She crossed her arms. “I’m sure. It’s how I got here.”

I wasn’t going to argue with her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

She simply said, “Yeah,” and went on her way.

When I got to my car, thoroughly frustrated with how awkward the day was, I called Rosa and told her all that happened with Beth. “She doesn’t seem to trust me,” I said. “I’d wager she doesn’t even want to be here.”

“Don’t worry too much about it right now. Beth is a neglected plant in need of some sun and water—give her some time to grow. And as long as she shows up, she’s on the right track; even if she fails every class.”

I sighed. “Out of all the possible monsters to torment me with, why a vampire?”

“The Arbiters were going to execute her, Elliot. It’s not about you.”

I frowned. “I see. I didn’t know.”

“Listen. You don’t have to be her friend, but try to be someone she can talk to. You have a lot in common. I think it'll be good for both of you.”

“Alright. But I’m not forgiving you if she bites me.”

Rosa laughed. “I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself, either.”

At that point in time, vampires were still unknown to the public, and had no official categorization. There were rumors, of course, due to various incidents related to Project Scarlet, but nothing substantial outside of the Arbiters’ purview. The Arbiters themselves were concerned that vampires were created as bioweapons, and were still in the process of making that determination. My mother never intended that in their creation, but the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. Humans are flawed, irrational, and often make mistakes in anger; but at least they can’t use magic. Vampires upset that balance greatly, and are especially dangerous if they aren’t bound to the same sense of morality. And in our society, created beings, no matter how humane, intelligent, or aware, are rarely considered people by the public.

Still, I tried to be nice to Beth, even if I was otherwise aloof about the situation. She made no attempt in talking to me in those days after, and despite my attempts at being sociable with her in class, she remained distant and shied away from further interaction. She soon surrounded herself with her own group of friends and became just another face in the crowd—for a time.