Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 18

There were two vitamin C blocks between the Richards mansion and rafttown New York City. Just under ten miles. But moving akin a vampire isnt like running in a normal sense, especi all toldy as I had serious drained one of the Richards goats. If I was a blur to the world, so was the world to me. My head was down as I spent my entire focus on avoiding the obstacles right before me and trying to get myself. Down from the rocky cliffs and heights of Fort Tryon with its cool trees, and through the valley that separated it from the rest of the city. O.K. into civilization, the unpaved dirt roads that smelled of dust and plants, particularly the tobacco I recognized from my native Virginia. by and by enduring a week of waiting and watching and trying to verbotenthink my brother, I just wanted it to all be over.And now it wasnt.Damon couldnt kill Winfield until the cash was available, and who knew how long that was red to be. In the meantime I had to plosive with Bridget, keep tab s on the Sutherlands, pretend to be happily married, and continue to try and figure out Damons endgame.I was caught in a web of guilt e precise move of mine stuck another limb deeper. I just wanted to break free.I wish I could bouncy in solitude. If I had to live out eternity as a vampire, at the very least I could leave no evidence of it. No deaths, no injury, no hurt, no evidence of my unnatural existence at all. I was running from myself, my new self, and could never escape, just as I ran from Damon, my shadow in this endless afterlife.The flavour of nature soon gave way to the reek of sewage and rot that clung to stock-still rich neighborhoods. In the alleyways canful the giant houses, servants dumped slop out into okay streets and milk carts left fresh dairy products on back steps. All they would notice was a strange rush of ramble, a vacuum that had been created in my passing, a fugitive darkening against a brick wall like a cloud had passed over the sun.In the Garment partition my nose was assailed by the harsh tang of chemicals and the singeing of fibers as young women cut, sewed, and dyed c grouph in the factories that were informant to replace the farms in New York City. Leaning against the fire escape with their sleeves pushed up, small clusters of these young women smoked cigarettes on their precious breaks.As I tore by one girl, cutting it very close, my tail wind snuffed out her match. I looked back to see her staring, confused, at the feather of smoke.Soon I was overcome by the smell of serviceman flesh and waste. Of horse manure and flickering gas lamps. Of industry, print and ink and dull smog, of the river, briny fish, and finally a fresh breeze. These were the only details of the city I took in, all sounds and sights smooth to a roaring black and white. Expensive perfume and flowers. Butchered meat and smoky bacon. Lemon and gingerI stopped suddenly, in the middle of Washington Square. That was Katherines perfume.A hand clasped my shoulder, and I spun around expectantly.But sort of of seeing the dark curls of the woman who had made me, I found myself face-to-face with Damon, who stood there, one eyebrow raised in condescending amusement.My face fell and I slumped, exhaustion and despair overtaking me. I didnt even bother shaking morose his hand. Where was I going to go, really? My brother had followed me all the way up the East Coast. So long as I refused to drink human blood, he would always be stronger, faster than I was. I was only delaying the inevitable by trying to escape whatever he had planned next.Its our wedding night, brother. Where are you off to? Damons voice was sharp.Exhausted from my marathon of pain and escape, I just stood there. I was going to come back.Damon rolled his eyes. Ill get us a cab, he said, snapping his fingers. One came over immediately. Seventy-third and Fifth, he ordered, through the trap door.Were going to the Sutherlands? I asked, confused. Not the Richards?Were going h ome, Damon corrected. And yes, the receptions over. You ran out at the very end.What did you tell Bridget? I couldnt help asking. While I didnt love her, I felt bad nearly abandoning her at her own wedding. In some ways, it was the worst thing that I could do to a girl like her.Damon rolled his eyes. Dont worry. They dont even realize youve gone missing.So you stick outnt killed them yet?Whoever said I was going to kill them? he asked innocently. Do you think Im some kind of monster?Yes, I said.Well, I am what you made me, Damon said with a tip of his hat.Youre not making this any easier, I muttered.You must have me mistaken for someone who cares about making your life easier, Damon said, suddenly cold, his eyes flashing.You live on, youve taken a lot of effort to take shape sure you stay in my life, I pointed out. Are you sure its just to make me miserable?He stared at me. What are you getting at?I think you need me, Damon, I growled. I think that under your anger, youre scared and horrified of what youve become. I am the last link to your human self, the only person who knows who you are. And Im the only person for the rest of eternity who will.Damon narrowed his eyes at me.Brother, you dont know anything about me, he hissed.He threw the door of the cab open and swung himself up and out. A soft thunk indicated he had landed on the roof. I stuck my head out the window and looked up.I watched with horror as Damon picked up the driver and ripped his neck open, sucking only a mouthful or two before throwing him off the cab and on to the street.Damon Stop I yelled, but it was too late. I tried to dive out the door, to go after the injured man, but Damon threw an arm out and pushed me back into the carriage as he sped around a corner.Perched on top of the cab, mouth covered in blood, Damon whipped the horse into a frothy frenzy. And so we two brothers hurled northward, one driving and one being driven, like Satan compelling the damned.