Vampire P.I., Double Trouble

Chapter 8: Reminisce

*Claire*

The trip to the airport is a quick one. All in all, I did not think that a trip could be planned so quickly. Not only had Nathaniel managed to secure plane reservations for a flight that was happening in the next three hours back home to Detroit, but he had also managed to get a refund for the other reservations for plans and activities we were going to participate in later in the week.

While Nathaniel did get a refund, he immediately turned around and donated the money to the staff which was supposed to be divided equally among them. He told the people that they needed to consider it a generous tip for the people who would have served us while we were enjoying ourselves.

I smile to myself as I think about Nathaniel and his generosity. Always a gentleman and ready to serve at every turn, I think about how fortunate I am to have someone like him by my side.

Our fingers lock together, entwined and fitting together like perfect puzzle pieces, as Nathaniel drives us quickly from one area to the next until we finally arrive at the airport. I glance at my watch as we get out of the rental car.

Only an hour before boarding. Are we going to have enough time?

Nathaniel must notice the subtle shift from enjoyment to mild concern, but he simply smiles charmingly and grasps my hand.

“Fret not, my love," he whispers. “We will have enough time."

We make it to the front desk and check our bags before making our way to the crowd of people trying to get through security. I can smell the lingering odor of sweaty feet and the tension is practically tangible as people try to quickly make their way through security to catch whatever flight they are trying to reach.

Once there by the crowd, Nathaniel tenderly kisses my ear and guides me through the VIP security line. My eyes widen as we skip a massive line of tourists and travelers and get through security within a matter of minutes.

“Remind me to not question you about travel plans again," I mutter as he pulls my bag off my shoulder and places it onto his own. He chuckles, though I can tell it is half-hearted. He is distracted but is managing to keep himself composed for the time being.

“I shall certainly ensure you have nothing to worry about," he says reassuringly. “Our flight is at the third gate on the right. Do you require anything before boarding? We packed rather quickly. Do you need breakfast or anything?"

I shake my head and lean into him. “No thank you," I say. My nerves are keeping me sustained for the time being, but I am certain he can tell by scent alone that I am feeling a bit jittery.

It feels like only a few minutes tick by but, before I know it, Nathaniel and I are sitting side by side in a first-class booth right by the window. Nathaniel, naturally, gives me the window seat and takes his place faithfully beside me.

The entire time, I know his mind is churning and working through everything that he was told by his friend, Christopherson. I want to address what is going on, but it is not until we are up in the air after takeoff that I finally muster the right words to ask him.

“Nathaniel," I say. His eyes, which were closed in a meditative way, instantly flick open and snap over to me. I can tell his senses are functioning at maximum capacity, trying to detect if something is going on with the plane or if I noticed something but, when he detects nothing, he lets himself smile in a tired, thoughtful sort of way.

“Yes?" he asks.

“I… I was wondering if I could ask you something. Well, a few somethings," I say, knowing Nathaniel's cheeky response would be something along the lines of “You just asked me something." He nods, inviting me to continue.

“Now, remember you don't have to, but I was wondering what you could tell me about Samuel." Nathaniel's body becomes visibly rigid for just a moment before he relaxes again.

“What I could tell you about Samuel?" he repeats.

“Yes," I say. “I mean… you said the two of you were close. He was like you, after all, so you must have known one another for quite a while. I was just wondering what he was like. How did you two meet?"

Nathaniel averts his gaze, which looks as though it is filled with a million memories and nods slowly.

“Undoubtedly a way to assist in coping with the loss of a friend," states Nathaniel. “Thank you, Claire." He pauses for a moment before continuing, “Well, the two of us met early on in our new lives. Both of us were coping with the… lifestyle change… and attempting to find a way around our recently acquired condition. Admittedly, he was a bit more willing to experiment and push the boundaries than I was at the time."

“So, he's the one who found out about the anima—I mean… supplementing your diet?" I ask. Nathaniel chuckles and shakes his head.

“Not quite. I was able to discover that independently. Samuel's experiments consisted more of how long someone… like us… could go without requiring sustenance. He thought he could try and condition his body to go longer between… replenishment," says Nathaniel.

His voice is hushed, and I know he is trying to keep himself from being overheard, and I must admit that he is being very clever in how he addresses each topic. It is not like he can say these things out loud and not be heard, especially in the confined space of a plane. Even here in first class, we must be careful, and he is doing an excellent job.

“So, he was kind of like you," I conclude, keeping my voice just as soft as Nathaniel's voice. Nathaniel's puckish grin returns to his lips for a fleeting moment before nodding.

“Yes, I suppose he was like me in a way. He would argue…" Nathaniel stops himself and clears his throat, which I can tell is constricting ever so slightly, before continuing, “I mean, he would have argued that he was the more dashing between the two of us. He jested that he never played with a full deck in his other life and that it was obvious that he got my missing jokers. Samuel was more humorous than me, admittedly, but he had other skills. He would say he was the brawn, and that I was the brains. Two of a kind, but in different suits."

“Did he like to play cards?" I ask, and Nathaniel raises his eyebrows in curiosity.

“Yes, but how were you able to discern that?" he asks quietly. I smile and bump his shoulder.

“Because he sounds like he was a card player, talking about two of a kind and suits and stuff like that," I state plainly. I feel my detective and policing skills itching to go into full investigative mode. Not wanting to top Nathaniel's reminiscing, however, I keep tight on the reins and continue asking questions.

What else did he like to do?

When was the last time Nathaniel saw his friend?

Whom were we going to be expecting at this gathering once we made it back home?

The more Nathaniel talked, the more I was able to glimpse into his reality and his existence as a vampire. He talks about how losing human friends and death are things he almost feels numb to now and that, somehow, the death of a vampire had a harsher impact. The seemingly endless years and stories he possessed made my head spin, but I enjoy every story thoroughly as we jump onto our connecting flight and make the final trek home.

Once we land and walk back to the car, a new thought enters my mind for the first time.

This is going to be the first time that I have encountered a vampire other than Nathaniel since the incident several years ago with The Drainer, which was the first case Nathaniel and I worked together.

What would these other vampires be like? More importantly, what were they going to think about Nathaniel and I being together? Nathaniel was able to obtain human friends through the years. Others would do the same, wouldn't they? Surely, they would accept me, right?