As Mama tries to comfort me, I feel like a lead weight has been placed ever-so-delicately on top of me, yet is squeezing out everything inside me, including my last breath. Mama's delicate fingers run through my hair, expertly brushing them out of my face and keeping them that way.

Alyx tries to help, but ends up being tackled to the ground by the other boys. Rebekka gets up again, to 'get some blood' she says, but I know differently; she'll cheat on me with another man, just like Sarina, my ex-girlfriend and a human.

Such relationships are very nearly on the verge of being forbidden nowadays, and that's how I like it. When I met Rebekka, she was just a 'freshie' as us Russians call new vampires. The instant I saw her eyes, red from lack of blood after being changed. Immediately, a flashback overtakes my concious mind, and I see that day as clear as if it had happened today:

As I walk down the street, a hand  shoots out from between two garbage cans and grabs one of my pant legs. I look down to see a small woman, no older than 20 years, looking up at me. She begins to cry as soon as I frown. 'Please, sir; do not hit me. I swear I never meant it...' I am now baffled; I have never seen this woman before, nor have I hit her at any time. I hold a hand out, and she takes it. 'What didn't you mean, my dear?'

'T-to take Mister Karlov's cat outside, and... drink from it... I was just so thirsty, sir...'

'Please; call me Frederik. And what may I call you; what is your name?'

'Re-Rebekka, sir... but Mister Karlov called me 'the worthless bitch'; the only time I had any worth was when his sons had their way with me. Missus Karlov was the only one who cared... who understood...'

'I see. Come with me, and I'll take you to my home; my mother will surely help you out.'

'You father won't beat me?'

'No; my father is a sensible, respectful man. He shall not hurt you.'

As we walk into the manor, everyone gasps, including Papa. 'Frederik' he manages to say 'where did you find this young woman; is she terribly hurt?' I shake my head no. 'But she is a very hungry freshie. Might we spare some food for her, Papa?' He nods and says 'Sit down, dear; I'll get you  some food in a jiffy.'

'Thank you, sir; you're very nice... so unlike my employer... I ran away from him a little while ago; he was so very mean to me.'

'Frederik?' I can hear Rebekka's voice, which pulls me out of the flasback almost as immediately as I was pulled in. 'Frederik, are you alright? Please answer, my love...'

'I'm alright, Rebekka, my sweet; I was just remembering the day we met.' She kisses my cheek and embraces me.