Fire

Chapter 6

I woke up head pounding. I knew it was going to happen, but I just couldn't stop last night. It felt amazing being care free and just letting loose for once. I notice I'm still in my clothes I wore out and take relief I didn't get too out of control. I reach over and grab my phone to check the time. 1 in the afternoon. Scrolling through the texts, Eric has asked me to come in for my shift tonight at 7. Finally!

Stretching out, I ease out of bed and search for Tylenol and some water. And hopefully a Pedialite to combat this hang over. 

I took a few pills and jumped in the shower to wash the night off me. After stepping out and throwing some sweats on, I curl up on the couch about to turn on the TV when I see my book sitting on the table with my glasses on the cover. I reach over and put them on and open to the next page.

 August 1862

Legislature has called for able bodied men, no less than 500, to gather in preparations to defend the land from the Dakotas. There is much unrest to the north of us. The Dakota claims that their lands and the treaties between the governments have not been followed, and they are owed what is due. The closest report of murders were from a town about 3 days travel by horse if I recall correctly. I overheard the ramblings of patrons at the local tavern. Furthermore, allegedly the Dakota natives are trying to drive out the new settlers in the newly established Minnesota. The men are to be ready in case the battle comes south into Iowa. They've gathered the horses for the men to head out in a fortnight. 

If everything goes the way they state, I may have more choices to feed. Does that make me less human to look at the situation from this angle? I cannot help it. I've been through the whole w***e house under the madam. My needs are met, but the monotony wears on your soul. The fur traders always have a lingering scent of their catch. The predator in me can easily navigate in the night, between my enhanced hearing and sight, I am able to approach their camps soundlessly.

I don't mean to gloat. I am only trying to paint a clearer picture. 

December 1862

The men were never called to action. The war was brief and my yearning for a new hunt still lingers. I have returned from my travels to Mankato were I watched the 38 charged Dakota men be hanged for their crimes. President Lincoln had commuted the other 265 to serve 10 years instead of death. 

I witnessed the ugly side of humans tonight. War brings out the blood thirsty, and selfishness of humanity. I watched as a man cut flesh off the newly deceased prior to them being buried in a mass grave on the riverbank. I did not leave the site until the moon was high in the sky, and by then doctors had canvased the dead to take for practice.

Whether or not they were criminals, there was no respect for the dead. I pray for the future generations that they learn better than these wretched people.

June 1864

They've moved the imprisoned from the Dakota War to the prison in Davenport, and the remaining survivors of tribe have been exiled from Minnesota. They were sent west by steam boat. This is after months of placing bounty on any scalp of a Native proven to be in the state.

The settlers here have managed to maintain civility with our native neighbors, but a whole state out for blood, over a people done wrong after trusting the state's government does not sit right with me. 

1865

Again I've managed to go without writing, but this time it is for good reason. My Rosalie is mine again. It's been a tough road taking care and trying to teach her control, but I think we are making progress. I couldn't let her die. She just gave birth to a son, and she was slipping fast. I reacted on instinct, this beast within me knowing what to do. I felt like a spectator in my own body as I hypnotized a room filled with her mother, sisters, midwife, and the local doctor. She was losing too much blood, and it wasn't even what triggered the beast. I heard her heart start to sputter and slow. My love was dying and I was frozen in fear and sadness. I gave her up for her safety, and she was still dying young. 

I only glanced slightly at every other person, meeting their eyes, and instantly their faces became slack. I made sure they'd have no recollection of what was to happen. I rushed to my love her face already showing a sickly gray undertone. My canines extended as I quickly drained what blood was still pumping through her veins. I cut my own wrist and fill my mouth with my blood. She's already too far gone to try have her drink herself. Once I have a good amount, I lower my mouth to hers and expelled it with such a force it should go straight down her throat. My body is still acting on it's own as my hand finds itself in the canal she just gave birth through. My blood is coated on my hand from the cut at my wrist.

I don't know what happened next, but she went from gray to white, like a porcelain doll. Her pores smoothed out as her breathing stopped. It was at that moment I realized I had condemned her to my way of life, but at least she would be with me. I pushed aside the voice that provided doubt. Somehow my instincts knew to use my blood to seal whatever wound the birthing had caused, as well as doing the necessary steps to transform her. I know I must leave, but my beast has more directions. I quickly tell the doctor to arrange a burial as quickly as possible to have her buried by nightfall.

Three days is all it took for her to dig her way out of her burial plot. She emerged with tangled and dirty black hair. Her red eyes gleamed at me. I know it is her beast recognizing mine as it's creator. I held my hand out urging her to come forth. She didn't hesitate once, and I fed her just enough blood from my wrist to take the edge off. 

I brought her back to my homestead, where I had a meal for her. The first few were drained completely, as is common with newborns. I don't know how I know that, but I chalk it up to my beast once more. 

In the months since the transformation, it has been hard trying to reign in her hunger. I don't recall it being this hard for me, and I had to learn on my own. I will not give up. I finally have my Rosalie, and I will burn this world down before I let it try to take her away again.