Dark Famiglia

Chapter 5

Kason notices that Sabrina is feeling uncomfortable and becomes concerned.

“Are you okay, Sabrina? You look uncomfortable.” Kason asks in concern.

Sabrina smiles apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I’m not used to sitting in the cafeteria. I usually try to avoid sitting in cafeterias because I’m claustrophobic.” Sabrina confesses in an attempt to hide why she can’t stand being in school cafeterias.

“I see. I’m sorry,” replies Kason.

“Don’t worry about it. Next time, let’s have lunch in the school courtyard.”

“Okay, then,” replies Kason.

Sabrina, Kason, and Miguel talk about their day and which classes they liked and disliked. This helped Sabrina be distracted from giving in to her thirst for human blood. Lunch break ends and the three friends go to their final class for the day. Sabrina heads for the art room while Kason and Miguel head for the French classroom and the science lab. As students turn in their drawings, Sabrina silently thinks about her conversation with Brett earlier. The teacher pins up each student's drawings on the bulletin board after she does the attendance call. One by one, the teacher calls out to a student to explain the details of their drawing. Thirty-five minutes go by when the teacher finally calls Sabrina’s name.

“Sabrina, can you please describe the person you drew to the class?” the teacher asks.

This pulls Sabrina out of her thoughts and answers the teacher’s question.

“This is a drawing of an old friend of mine while I still lived in Phoenix. Her name is Turaya. She has an oval-shaped face, almond-shaped eyes, long hair that cascades down to the middle of her back, and the color of her eyes is a beautiful blue-gray.” describes Sabrina.

The whole class is stunned by the pure beauty of the drawing and the teacher was impressed by Sabrina’s finesse.

“I see. You are quite talented at drawing. If you work hard enough, you could very well get an art scholarship,” the teacher says with a smile.

“Thank you very much, but drawing is only a hobby. I have something else that I am interested in. I love reading about ancient legends and myths.” replies Sabrina.

“Very well, then. Just keep up with the hard work,” the teacher replies as she calls out to the next student.

Once done with the drawing review, the teacher assigned the students to work in pairs of two and draw a picture of the vase of flowers she had set up before class. This time, focusing on light perspective and shadows. Eventually, the school bell rings and Sabrina meets Miguel and Kason in the hallway. They start walking towards the exit.

“How was your day, Sabrina? I had a pop quiz in my calculus class. That teacher is brutal,” says Kason, exaggerating about the pop quiz.

Both Sabrina and Miguel laugh as they look at a pouting Kason. As they pass the nurse's office, Sabrina is hit with a powerful scent. The vampire that she sensed, other than Jayden, on the first day of school is nearby. Sabrina stops walking and looks at a wooden door to her right. Both Miguel and Kason stop walking and turn around to face Sabrina.

“What’s wrong, Sabrina?” Miguel asks in confusion.

“Which teacher uses this room?” Sabrina asks curiously.

“Oh. That’s the nurse’s office. He’s only been at this school for a year or two. He’s a cool guy. Though, he does tend to be by himself a lot and hardly comes out of his office.” replies Kason as he gives Sabrina a wry smile.

“I see,” replies Sabrina as she resumes walking.

Kason and Miguel catch up to Sabrina and walk home together. In the nurse's office, the nurse sighs in relief. He never thought that a third vampire would be at the school. He had sensed Sabrina’s presence earlier in the week and was thinking of a way to explain that he wouldn’t harm anyone. All he wants is to live a peaceful life. By the time Sabrina returns home, her endurance to keep her thirst under control is gone. She uses her vampire speed to rush into her bedroom and lock the door behind her.

She runs over to her mini fridge and takes two blood bags out. She chugs them down like her life depended on it. Even though she’s been a vampire since she was seven years old, it’s still hard for her to control her thirst for human blood. After chugging down the bags of blood, Sabrina wipes the blood off of her chin as she disposes of the empty bags.

“That was a close call. I nearly lost control of my thirst.” Sabrina says as she sighs in relief.

Now that her thirst is under control, Sabrina sets down her book bag and plops on her bed. She looks at the time and it’s only three-thirty.

“Maybe I should explore the town a little bit. I have yet to see much of anything after moving into the house.” Sabrina says as she stands up off of her bed.

Sabrina walks to her closet and pulls out a Victorian-style jumper skirt and white blouse. She changes into the outfit and lets her brunette hair down. Her hair compliments her outfit perfectly. After meeting one of Brett’s few acquaintances, Sabrina saw several Victorian-style outfits she adored. As a gift, the acquaintance gave Sabrina a few outfits. Ever since then, that person has sent prototypes to Sabrina, and she takes back the ones Sabrina says would make good sales in her store. Sabrina knows no one is home, so she leaves a note on the dining room table in case someone returns home while she is out roaming in town. Sabrina leaves the house and ventures out into town. Cars drive by on the road and people walk about on the sidewalk. Several minutes go by and Sabrina comes across a café.Sabrina looks up to see a slightly rundown building and smiles.

“It’s a café. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone inside a café.” Sabrina says to herself.

Sabrina decides to take a break from walking and venture into the café. The bell atop the door rings as Sabrina walks into the café and a cheerful young lady pipes up.

“Welcome! How can I help you today?” the young lady asks cheerfully.

“I’d like to sit at a table, please,” replies Sabrina.

“Sure thing. Follow me.” replies the young lady.

Sabrina follows the young lady and is led to a small table by the back window, which reveals a hidden garden. Sabrina smiles at the garden's beauty.

“No. Not as of right now. I just want to look at the beautiful garden. I can tell you take great care of the flowers, which means you’re a kind person. I know this sounds silly but hear me out. It’s a little poem that a friend of mine told me once.” replies Sabrina.

'The flowers that bloom in spring are flooded with sunshine

In my heart, their splendor remains

Even on the days when I see the morning rain, the light passes through the clouds floating in my chest

Happiness and sadness, I will embrace everything and continue on;

My love strongly connects my hand and yours

Autumn is when leaves fall from the trees

Like tears, they fall elegantly to the ground

Winter is hidden between the tips of the branches

This is kindness deep inside this world

Every night we unleash a prayer, so that we can welcome each day in peace’

Sabrina says as she finishes reciting the poem that Turaya once told her.