Eye For An Eye

Jennifer Cribb

She shifted on the barstool, aware that she did so eyes watched her skirt ride up to her stocking tops. She cursed herself for deciding to wear such a short leather skirt and crossed her legs. She picked up her drink and scanned the dancefloor trying to see what her friend was doing. Muttering to herself abou the smoke that was gushing onto the area blocking her view, she slid off the stool and strutted her way to the edge feeling eyes following her again as she did so. Through the haze and between the flashing colored lights, she made out the dim image of her friend.

"Lauren", she called but there was no response and it was not surprising when he came into view. Sasha sighed and wondered how her friend always managed to get the most handsome guy in the place time and time again. Maybe it was the scarled red hotpants that she was wearing tonight but Sasha knew that it wasn't. It was the sheer vitality and fun that her friend oozed from every pore.

Sasha made her way across to where they were dancing, dodging flying elbows and sweating men. She pulled Lauren to her, glancing at the man that she was with at the same time. She threw her long brown hair over her shoulder and shouted right into Lauren's ear.

"I'm going home. This place bores me. I'll see you in the morning, lauren." and then as an after thought she shouted at the man whose back was to her.

"Guess I'll see you in the morning too" and made her way back across the dancefloor. She turned around briefly to see if her friend had minded her premature departure but as she could not work out where Lauren ended and the man started, she guessed she wasn't going to be missed.

It was 3am when Sasha woke. Then she heard the front door slam. Smiling that the man had left before morning, Sasha wondered sleepily whether it had been anything to do with her last sarcastic comment and fell back to sleep.

Squinting against the light, Sasha looked at the clock by her bed. It was midday, She buried her head back into the pillows and then she sat up with a start. Instinct told her that something had gone wrong last night. She remembered the man leaving but where was Lauren? SHe was an early bird and always brought her a cup of tea about 10am so that they could gossip abou the nights events. She was very late. Lauren rolled over and fell out of bed, scrambling for her wrap. She slipped her feet into her slippers and padded downstairs after a brief look in the mirror told her that she had been too drunk to take her make up off the night before and it had all taken up a new residence on her cheeks. Scraping her hand through her hair she picked the mail up from the doormat and flicked the kettle on. Everything indicated that Lauren was not up yet. This will be a first Sasha chuckled to herself, me taking tea up to her. Five minutes later she was carrying two mugs of steaming tea upstairs but they were not ot remain in her hands for long. They fell onto an untidy pile of clothes as she opened Lauren's bedroom door and saw the dead body of her best friend on her bed.

Sasha did not need the police doctor to tell her that Lauren had died after intercourse and that she had bled to death. That was apparent from the two holes in her neck and the satisfied smile on Lauren's pale face. Sasha knew that the anger that was consuming her would not be abated until she had not revenge for her friend's death and she knew just how to do it.

The research that Sasha conducted was useless. The idea of wooden stakes and garlic were ridiculous and besides, it all sounded too quick. She wanted her revenge to be slow and painful. Vampires everywhere needed to be warned that they could not get away with this slaughter anymore. And Sasha knew just how to go about catching a vampire.

6 days later she had a final check in the mirror and was surprised to see that her face betrayed her nervousness at the atrocities that she intended to commit that evening. In order to dipel her fear, she picked up one of the police photos of Lauren and she felt her anger and hurt spread through her body like a shot of brandy and she warmed to it. Anything was better than the emptiness that she had felt since the death. She picked up the keys and checked that she had her housekeys too. The taxi hooted outside and she swung and front door open full of resolve about the night ahead. She directed the taxi driver to the club where her and Lauren had spent their last night together and winked cheekily at the doorman as she paid her entrance fee.

"Haven't seen you for a while, love," he said to her as she checked her coat.

"Not with that friend of yours tonight?" His questions were starting to bother Sasha but she smiled through gritted teeth and replied that she was coming later after she had finished work and with that she walked away from him and towards the bar. She ordered herself a double vodka and orange and surveyed the club. She had come deliberately early so as not to miss him and so as yet, there were few people in there and she could see easily that he was nnot here. She was gambling on the fact that he would come back tonight as the pickings were rick--drunk, pretty women hoping to find a bit of excitement and walk home with a good looking mannn after flaunting him to all her mates. Funny how the mind plays tricks though. Lauren was nothing like that. She slept with different men because she enjoyed them. It was her taking advantage of them, not the other way around. They had had laughed frequently at the men who tried to call the next day with protestations of love and those who sent flowers. Sasha never really blamed them for their weakness, she knew how it felt to be in love with Lauren and she missed that feeling. But, she must not think of those things tonight as she was here to kill the man who robbed her of the only person that she had loved completely. Sasha drank many more double vodkas and orange before she felt her heart jolt with recognition. There he was. Damn, she was too late and too realised that it was in fact a man that he was talking to. She took a cigarette out of the pocket and walked up to him. She put on her coyest face and asked him if he had a light.

"Certainly" he smiled as his hands looked for a match in his pocket. Having found one he lit the cigarette but he did not return to his conversation. Indeed, as Sasha looked over his shoulder, the man had gone. She felt her heart start to beat faster and took a few deep breaths to steady herself.

"What is your name?" The question jolted Sasha out of her regained composure and she managed to stammer.

"Sasha" before she felt like a virginal school girl, neither of which she was. She thought fast, I must look him now as this is my only chance. She knew that he did not remember her as being Lauren's friend as they had only met for a second and although she had his face imprinted on her brain, she knew that he must see so many girls just like her every night and would not remember her face. She gambled on this fact and held out her hand.

"Nice to meet you."

"Durien. Nice to meet you too Sasha." He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze before letting her have it back. She had not realised how attractive he was. In fact, she searched her memory and could not think of any ugly vampires. Perhaps it was one of the benefits. As she thought this a little escaped her lips and was shocked and excited to find it kissed away. She opened her eyes, puzzled that they had been closed in the first place. Looking straight at Durien she opened her mouth to ask him why he had done that but he beat her to it.

"I just couldn't resist those lips. Sorry if I offended you." and with this he bent towards her and kissed her again. But this was a different kiss. It was deep and passionate and a familiar urge began to fill Sasha. Gentle laughter broke through her reverie and Durien asked her if she would like a drink. Accepting with a whisper and slight incline of the head she allowed herself to be led to the bar and placed on a bar stool. He ordered the drinks and then turned to her.

"So, where are your friends then? Surely you're not here on your own?"

By this time Sasha had managed to slightly regain control of her senses and she laughed and replied that, yes she was on her own but she was quite happy about that and only really came for the music. She reached into her bag for a cigarette idly wondering what had happened to the last one. Durien sparked up a match for her to light it from and she inhaled deeply. Looking up she realised that he had been watching her. She smiled up at him and she already knew that he was going to kiss her again and she was very pleased at the thought. Again it was deep and passionate and left Sasha gasping. She took a gulp of her drink and as she swallowed it she ran her finger searchingly around the top of the glass looking for the chip that had cut her lip. Strangely she did not find one but the bleeding soon stopped and she forgot all about it.

"What do you do for a living then Durien?" Sasha hoped to catch him out with the question, not realising that it was one that he was asked all the time and had a formulated answer.

"I amm a landscape gardener." he replied and she saw the logic of the answer because the muscles were obvious through the thin fabric of his shirt.

"What is it that you do?" Sasha replied with a smile that she was a student studying at the local university and would be graduating soon. He seemed to be impressed by this and asked her various questions abou the course. But Sasha could not concentrate on the answers and she was too busy thinking what it would be like to have sex with the vampire in front of her. Her resolve was fading fast and she knew that she had to do it soon before she gave up completely and she became his victim instead of him becoming hers. She suggested that they had a dance and threaded her way to the dancefloor after finishing her drink in one go. She needed all the courage she could get, from a bttle or otherwise. As they danced, there was never more than layer of air between them and she found herself enjoying it. He was a competent dancer and as he ran his hands down her bare back, she felt a tingle and as he reached the short pants it was almost unbearable. But to stop him would have been harder and as they danced closer and closer, she saw the lights spinning above her and smelt his expensive afershave, swallowing lungfuls and felt lightheaded. She hardly noticed that they had left the dancefloor and were at the cloakroom. She handed over the plans in her head. She was on the verge of calling the whole thing off but she knew now that either she killed him or he'd kill her and that was not why she had gone there this evening. As he stooped through the doors, she hailed a taxi from the rank outside and gave the address. Leaning back against the seat, she found herself in his arms once more and yielded to his persistent mouth and tongue that was probing for hers. They arrived at the house and Durien paid for the taxi and stepped out. She had planned it carefully and took out the keys of her friends house who was away for the weekend and let them in. As she stepped in she asked him whether he wanted coffee, hoping that he would say no as she did not know where it was in the kitchen.

"I'll pass thanks but could I use the bathroom?" As he went upstairs Sasha felt some of his power lifting from her and for the first time since she had kissed him, she felt in control again. This was all going too well and Sasha smiled to herself. Revenge would soon be hers. She was so caught up in her own thoughts, she failed to notice another car pull up outside. She made her way upstairs to the bedroom and checked that everything was in place. All of a sudden, arms encircled her waist and she fell on the bed with Durien on top of her. Kisses rained down on her and she was scared. But she had let him to his death and despite the fact that he had killed her best friend, she needed him and wanted him. She turned her full attention to Durien who was stroking her neck, probably, she thought, picking his vein for later. She sat up and stretched her arms up in the air as Durien reached behind her hair to undo the flimsy knot that held her outfit together and it fell off and she was there, exposed and suddenly defenceless. He cupped one hand around her breast and stroked her nipple although it was already hard and sensitive. A moan escaped her and she fumbled for the buttons on his shirt. Ripping it off, she buried herself in his chest as he slid her shorts off and started to run his hand down her thigh. He gently laid her against the pillows and moved down her body, licking as he went. Sasha knew that she had to move against him soon before he rendered her powerless. She reached up and, grabbing a handful of hair, pulled him back up to her and expertly rolled them over so that he was under her. She undid the buttons on his trousers, teasingly slowly and eased them off. He was now as exposed as she was and it was time. Swiftly, she grabbed his hands and pulled them over his head. He looked puzzled, a slight smile playing over his lips but that soon changed when he realised that he could not bring them down again. Before he realised what had happened, Sasha had handcuffed him to the wall. Durien struggled for a few minutes and Sasha sat on the bed, her heart pounding as though it was going to burst her chest. She felt cheated at the same time and as she looked at him lying helpless on the bed, she imagined what would have happened if she had not stopped him. He would have continued licking her and she knew that his hot breath would have been enough to have her shaking in anticipation. The moment when he enter her would have been ecstasy itself and as they moved together, pacing themselves. Sasha would have been too emersed in pleasure to do anything except kiss his wet mouth. Then, his very sharp canine teeth would have sunk into her neck at the same time as she climaxed, concentrating all the senses and she would have died a very happy woman. She shook her head to clear the thoughts and although she knew how Lauren must have felt at the time of her death, she was still cheated out of it. Taking a deep breath, she started Durien on the journey to his own death.

"I supposed I had better explain myself." said Sasha as she stood up pulled on clothes that she got from a bag at the bottom of the bed. They were all old and she intended to throw them away when she had finished.

"I had a very close friend up until a week ago and then she was killed. Her name was Lauren. Ring any bells? No, well here is a picuture to jog your memory." She helf a photo of Lauren that had been taken at their May Ball just days before she died. She was smiling and Sasha felt a pang as she looked at it. She put it close to Durien's face and a look of recognition permeated his eyes.

"Thought that might job your momenry. Now, you as well know that I am going to kill you in revenge for Lauren. But as you are a vampire it will be quite hard as th only way I can think of doing it slowly." An evil grin played on her lips as she said this, lips that only a few minutes ago were kissing his with great urgency. Durien watched in horro as she pulled a small scapel out of the bag and a glass basin.

"I bought this espcially as the lable said that it would hold & pints. Shall me try it?" Sasha walked to one of the bound wrists and gently running her long fingernail over it, traced the outline of the vein. All the time she was doing this, she was talking.

"I had to get a book out of the library to tell me where the major veins are but I guess you know that stuff being a vampire. Do you have to learn it or is it instinctive?"

Trent decided that he could not worsen his situation by answering her.

"It is instinctive. You smell where the blond is flowing strongest" and with that he let out a yelp of pain as the scalpe pierced his skin and a claret stream ran across his wrist and into the waiting basin.

"In your experience then." quizzed Sasha as though genuinely interested "how long would it take to drain a body of blood like this?"

Durien thought fast. He was hoping that she would leave and come back later giving him time.

"About 2 hours I guess" knowing that this was far too long but that she didn't know any better herself.

"Right. Thought it might take a while. I have some things to do but I will be back in a while to see how you are doing." The truth is that Sasha could not sit and watch him die. It was gruesome enough already. She checked that the incision that she had made was deep enough and that it would not clot and stop before she got back and watched as the blood made ripples in the basin.

"Just one more thing before I go," she asked as she gathered her clubbing clothes together. "Is it true that vampire saliva can stop bleeding?"

"Yes, it is true. Why do you ask?" replied Trent wishing that she would hurry up and leave. He was already getting weaker as he had not fed that night.

Sash laughed loud and long.

"What a shame I am not a vampire. I could have saved your life by licking it better. Oh well, see you soon Durien." and she was gone.

Sasha walked back to her house, about five minutes away and thought about what she had done. In some ways she was repulsed but she felt better about Lauren now that she had done something about it. She decided to give him half an hour and then she would go back and sit in the lounge until he was dead. She made herself a stiff drink and sat with the television on, not seeing the flickering lights. After the planned half an hour she pulled her coat on and stepped out onto the dark, cold street.

Reaching the house, she glanced up at the front bedroom and the light was still on as she had left it. She opened the front door and, taking a deep breath walked upstairs expecting to see a vampire near death. She pushed open the door to find an empty room. Panic filled her. What had gone wrong? Surely the rubbish about the bats had not been true?? She checked the handcuffs to find that they had been unlocked and so the bat idea was out. The bowl that should have been full of blood was also gone. How had this happened? Sasha sat on the bed and carefully went through everything in her head. She went through the meeting at the club and the taxi ride back to the house and the intimacy that went on there. Then she thought carefully about the minutes before she left for home. Yes, as far as she could see, everything was as it should be and she should be sat looking at a nearly dead vampire instead of an empty bed. A flood of confused emotions swept through her body. First there was a guilt that she had not avenged her friend's death and close on its heels came anger that she had been somehow thwarted. But no sooner had that come then fear filled her. She did not know what had happened or whether he was dead but either way she was in trouble. She stood up and robotically gathered all her things together and went over the house making sure that everything was as she found it. That done, she locked the front door. But where to go now?

It was almost dawn when, exhausted she arrived home and slumped in the armchair. She was wrung of all emotion. She had cried all her tears, walking around the city that night and now she wanted to sleep and worry about the consequences of her actions in the morning. She dragged herself upright and up the stairs which seemed impossible steep. Pausing at the sealed door of Lauren's room she felt the tears well up inside her again but swallowing them down. She pushed open the door to her room and was just a second from collapsing on the bed when she froze in terror when she saw the silhouettes of two tall men framed at her window. So, she hadn't killed him after all and this was revenge getting revenge. She fell where she stood, her fate sealed in the shadows.

As she danced closer to the stranger in the club Sasha smiled ironically to the man who stood just over his shoulder. Contrary to popular belief there was a fate worse than death and at the moment mortality seemed a very long time. The vampire named Durien smiled back at her pleased with how her first kill was progressing. She was good. A natural, if there was such a thing.

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