Chapter 4

“I have found you.”
She had no idea she was being watched. She was not aware that all Reed wanted to do was embrace her in his arms, kiss her lips and never let go. He had waited centuries for her. She had been taken from him so long ago. Murdered in front of him.
He searched in his thoughts, trying to place his beloved in his memories.
It was lost so long ago. Only the remembrance of her essence and her smell remained with him. His memories scattered before him, like trying to draw a picture. Reed’s mind attempted to go back into his thoughts and think of a moment they had shared. Then her voice echoed within his mind, words that she had spoken to him so long ago.
“Even in death, we will be together. Nothing will separate us.”
She had agreed to become like him, a vampire, to be born into darkness.
Reed began to feel her. Yes, she was coming back to him. He wondered if it was because he had found her. For years, all he could remember was the love he once had for her. He could never remember her name, nor her face, until now.
How could he forget?
No…
He did not forget. He was cursed by a faceless witch, a nameless murderer! But he knew it would come soon. He knew the witch demanded genocide upon his beloved. To have a clean slate with him so that they could be together as it should have been. The thought sickened him. As he continued to stare at his beloved from a distance, certain thoughts came to him. He knew the time was right, it was coming.
Michelle, I have found you.
Reed smiled, her name had suddenly emerged from within. Soon they would unite. He had never lost hope, only his patience.
Years after his beloved’s death, after suffering the agony of trying to remember her face and her name, Reed decided to sleep for a very long time. Darkness consumed him until one night he dreamt of an angel. He was surprised that he could dream, he wondered if he ever could. However, he knew the angel that flew above him had a message. To his delight it was a message he was not expecting, but one he welcomed. He could not see the angel's face. The voice was soothing, almost as if he had heard it so long ago. The light that engulfed him was so bright Reed could only see the silhouette of the angel. It told him to come to Pleasant Colony Island. That soon the veil from his eyes would be removed and everything would become crystal clear. Then he smelled a fragrance, lingering, as his eyes fluttered open: Jasmine.

Reed stood hidden, blanketed by the darkness. She stood there, tall and slender with shoulder length wavy golden blond hair, big animated dark green eyes and creamy pale skin. She wore a baby blue spaghetti strap blouse, jean skirt and white sandals. He watched as she smiled up at a huge sign above a clothing store called Nuri’s. Reed could sense her heart. It beated quickly with excitement. He heard her speak. Her voice brought a warm feeling inside his cold soul.
God, she is beautiful, he thought.
“A dream come true!” His beloved spoke to the girl next to her. Reed heard her say “Marcy” as she placed both hands on Marcy’s arms and squeezed as she cried in excitement, a big smile on her face, exposing her perfectly white teeth. She was perfect.
Marcy’s face contorted as she attempted to push his beloved away.
“Ow! Nuri, that hurt! You’re really strong, you know that?”
Nuri, he thought. Her name was different. She scoffed with annoyance.
“C’mon. Don’t be such a weak link. I’ve already dealt with one this week,” Nuri said as she pulled away.
“I’m going to be bruised, like that last time!”
Nuri rolled her eyes. “Why do you always ruin my mood? Why do I keep you around.”
Marcy looked at her strangely but did not say anything, as she rubbed her left arm.
Reed frowned. Nuri felt different. She seemed to have no remorse for Marcy. Reed knew this was something Michelle did have. Remorse and kindness. He didn’t understand why but he held back from getting closer. Something bothered him, yet, he could not put his finger on it. He decided, then, that he would have to watch her before he approached her. Was it possible things could change? Different eras, different times.
“I don’t even know why you own a place. You’re rich! Or at least daddy is,” Marcy said.
“I like fashion! It gives me something to do,” Nuri interjected.
Marcy did not respond, as she did not believe her. This was just another way of showing off Daddy’s money. It made her sick.
Reed could feel the disgust in Marcy’s essence. It reeked of sulfur.
He desperately wanted to go up to his beloved, Nuri, and tell her he had finally found her and that he wanted to change her like him, so that they could be together and let nothing come between them.
Do you remember? Reed thought. He knew that it was not possible. Michelle had died and been reborn as Nuri. All memories are dormant.
For now, Reed thought.
She would remember their love for each other and nothing else would matter…
A dark thought hovered over him. The wretched witch! She was a strong and evil witch. He knew she would come and attempt to murder his beloved. He was not going to allow this to happen no matter what it cost him. Then a memory flashed before him.
“You bitch!” Reed had spat at the witch’s face, gripping onto her raven long hair.
He felt his blood boil within his veins, his teeth bore down as the memory manifested. The witch’s face was not visible but he could see the outline of her smile, the laughter that echoed within his ears! Reed had wanted to drink her life away. But stopped himself from doing so. He didn’t want her blood percolating through his veins. The thought repulsed him. The memory was dissipating quickly, but not before another smell emerged.
Reed inhaled deeply, as if the witch was still within his grasp. The witch smelled of sulfur. But he could not remember anything else. His thoughts were a blur, consumed in darkness.
Nuri’s laughter brought Reed from his thoughts.
He watched his beloved and Marcy walk into the clothing store. They had disappeared to the back. Reed wanted to follow, to see what they spoke about. He wanted to call out to her, hoping that she would hear him.
Reed looked back at the clothing store. The lights were low. He wanted to continue to spy on Nuri. But something caught his attention. A white Jeep pulled up to the store. The passenger window rolled down and as it did, Reed’s attention became alert.
That voice, he thought venomously.
“You gotta be kidding me!” She spoke out loud with annoyance. There was silence, then the voice laughed: “Is this a joke?” She spoke with sarcasm.
Reed’s rage immediately spiked up. That laughter, it belonged to the wretched witch. She was here as well. He clenched his hands into a tight fist, wanting to smite her life swiftly. He took a step forward but stopped. She was not alone.
“Forget it, Morg.” Reed heard the driver say.
What an odd name, he thought. No matter. She could have been called many names but there was one thing for certain. She was still that wretched witch. The one that he swore he’d kill the day they met face to face.
The Jeep revved and then took off. Reed growled as he realized that he was about to lose her. He moved, almost as if flying he chased them from the side of the road, in the darkness. The wind picked up all around him as he followed the Jeep. He could hear their voices.
Morg spoke with nervousness: “You know I hate heights! I can’t.”
“C’mon. It’s just a Farris wheel!”
“Rae, you know I don’t like it. I get dizzy just going down the stairs!”
Rae scoffed, threw her head back with slight irritation.
“It’s not that bad. Besides, I will be there with you!”
Morgana groaned. She wrapped her arms around her chest almost as if trying to protect herself.
“Stop it!” Rae said.
“What?”
“You’re already creating scenarios that don’t exist. You do that all the time.”
“What do you mean?” Morgana said defensively.
“That! You overthink things and then get upset when I point it out.”
Morgana’s mouth dropped. She wanted to interject, say something that would give her confidence. Instead, she stood quiet like she always did, feeling frustrated with herself. She looked forward as the ferris wheel that loomed in front of her. Morgana swallowed, her mouth dry, her heart racing. There was silence for a brief moment. Morgana felt depleted. She looked over at Rae. She was looking up at the ferris wheel. Morgana wondered what she was feeling at the time. Was it disappointment? No, maybe regret. Did Rae suddenly regret bringing her here? They were supposed to and have fun, but all Morgana felt she was doing was messing things up.
Why do I make things so difficult, Morgana thought as she tried to muster the courage to get on the ferris wheel.
“Morg, we don’t have too. I was only teasing.” Rae said, reaching over and squeezing her shoulder for assurance. Morgana stared at her. She knew she was lying.
“I’m sorry I’m not adventurous,” Morgana said at last.
Rae smiled.
“Come on. Let’s go get food! I’m famished!”
“Now that is something I can do!” Morgana replied.

Reed sneered at Morgana’s innocent demeanor. He could feel his insides boil with hatred. How he wanted to snap her head off her shoulders.
It would be so easy, he thought as he watched them get out of the Jeep and began their way towards the pier. He stood far, above a boulder, the ocean water hitting it with enough force to spray the warm night air. Any human staring from the distance in which Reed stood, would only see colors. However, he could see Morgana as if she was standing right in front of him. He could see her smile, how she embraced her friend, as they walked and talked, enjoying their presence.
Lies! Reed thought as he jumped off the boulder and began his way towards them. The world around him slowed as he lifted up into the air, feeling the warm and salty breeze, and flew towards the pier.
So easy, Reed thought as he was now by the Jeep still watching them from a distance. He watched as they neared a booth. Morgana laughed up towards the sky as they ordered their food.
It made him sick to see her so carefree. His fangs bore down his mouth. He envisioned sucking the life out of Morgana before she had the chance to hurt his beloved. No, that would only please the witch. He could see himself twisting her neck all around until he heard every bone snap and break. He wanted to see her eyes roll back into her head where they would remain. The thought pleased him.
Yes, that is what I want to do, Reed thought.
He sniffed the air, he wanted to smell her, to smell the wretched soul that consumed her essence. He inhaled deeply but stopped. A memory was manifesting. He could see his beloved on a dark horse, galloping on a grassy field. She turned to him. But her face was not visible. Just the color of her hair. At first it was blond, blowing in the wind, her laughter echoing within his mind. It brought a warmth to his soul. However, as he continued to concentrate, her hair began to change into a raven color and her laugh became that of the witch.
That is not possible!
Reed was confused. What was going on?
He sniffed for the sulfur that would belong to Morgana. Yet, the fragrance of jasmine invaded his nostril. He shook his head.
The witch’s spell is trying to trick me!
He sneered with rage! She was trying to separate him from his beloved!
You’re too late! I got you! I will end you!
He gripped onto the Jeep, his eyes glowed, blazing blue, and with an intent to kill. Teeth bore down, he charged swiftly flying up into the air, moving at a speed that no other could comprehend. Reed was close to her.
Morgana could feel the wind pick up around her. This alarmed her for a moment as she looked around trying to figure out what was going on. Rae tossed the ball towards the glass bottles. It made contact. Rae shouted with excitement, throwing her hands up. It brought Morgana back to reality for a brief moment. She half smiled.
She felt it again. The wind, it embraced her with a chill. Morgana looked around to see if anyone else could feel the chill. But everyone was going about their business. The rumble beneath her feet made her heart beat fast.
“Whoa, what is that?” Morgana said with alarm.
“Huh?” Rae wondered as she took her prize, a stuffed animal. “What do you want to do now?”
But Morgana did not answer her. She was trying to find the source of the rumble beneath her feet and the chill around her. She didn't know why she felt scared all of a sudden.
“Morg, are you okay? What is wrong?” Rae wondered with concern.
“You don’t feel that?” Morgana said, reaching for Rae’s arm. She gripped at it, hoping for it to help her racing heart.
I must be going insane, Morgana told herself trying to calm herself.
You’re going to die, Morgana…
Morgana gasped as she heard these words.
“Morg, you’re worrying me. Are you okay?”
Morgana could hear Rae speak but her words sounded far away. She could hear something coming, much more prominent than Rae’s words. It was the rumble, at first, then it began to crescendo as the sound deepend to a growl. Morgana’s eyes searched the area. People seemed to move slowly, her heart pounding in her ears. She quickly moved her head from side to side, attempting to focus on whatever was coming. Morgana could hear her name being called but it did not remove her from her state of alertness.

Reed moved swiftly and quickly. No one would notice. Morgana was going to die! She would crumble and fall. The crowd around him moved slowly as he got closer to her. He could see she was alarmed. It brought him a particular satisfaction to his deadless soul. She could sense a dread of doom coming. “You are going to die!” Reed whispered.
He was now inches away, he could practically touch her hair.

Morgana cried in pain as she heard a loud sound echo inside her head. The pain had her cup her ears, attempting to subdue the screeching sound. What the hell is that? Morgana thought.
The sound stopped Reed from reaching for Morgana.
That sound? He thought. It sounded so familiar. He had heard it so long ago. It was a scream of terror and sheer pain. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. The realization had him retrieve back a few steps. That sound once belonged to his beloved as she was being murdered right in front of him! The memory was coming to him only in pieces. She was tied up to a wooden pole, crying for help. Reed could not see her face, only her hair…blond, vibrant, like the sun. As he continued to focus on her face, her hair began to change, raven.
NO! Reed thought. What was happening? He heard someone gasp in shock.
“You?”
Reed was staring into the eyes of Morgana, the smell of jasmine consumed his nose.
“I’ve seen you before!” Morgana said.
The scream continued. The sound made both of them clap their ears in perfect unison. This surprised them. They stared at each other for a few seconds, trying to understand what was happening. Reed did not know what to do. What he was certain of was the confusion he felt. He knew he had to get away.
Morgana blinked several times trying to comprehend what was happening. The stranger that stood before her, was a ghost of her dream. The dream came back to her like unwanted memories. There, in her dream, standing behind her as she stared into the mirror, his face contorted with hatred and disgust.
“Who are you?” Morgana whispered.
But there was no answer as the stranger had disappeared. She looked around. Everything was back to normal.
“Morgana!” Rae shouted as she shook her shoulders.
“What?”
Morgana shook her head. The loud sound was gone and so was the stranger.
“Maybe we should go back to the house.”
“No, no. I’m fine.” Morgana assured her. She half smiled. “I was just thinking of…Guy.”
Rae rolled her eyes. “You really need to stop allowing that pompous ass to ruin your time.”
Morgana stared at her for a moment. She always had strange words to express herself.
“Pompous ass? What is that?”
Rae took a moment before she started to laugh heartily. “Let’s go get some ice cream.”
“Yeah.” Morgana agreed, happy to have changed the subject. As they walked to an ice cream shop Morgana could not help but wonder of the scream she had in her head. It sounded so familiar.
Where have I heard the scream from? Where?