Struggle

The Vampire Ball went very well for Liz. Most of society were dressed in their finest. Everything was nice, but Liz got a lingering feeling that something was off. She looked around to see her brother dancing with a young blonde vampire. She had the most gorgeous gown. Her eyes were like silver. Her laugh echoed from ever corner of the room. Her name was Celia. She didn't treat Liz very properly when they were at school, especially the History class they shared. Liz wore her best dress and matching earrings she bought at a local thrift store. She didn't care the stares she was receiving. Another thing about being a hybrid. Suddenly the music stopped and the whole room froze, except for Liz. She sensed someone behind her. A tall dark stranger strode up to her and looked her in the eye,"Nice running into you." "Did you just do that?", She shouted at him. "I do many things", he answered. Liz was feeling creeped out, even as he moved closer to her. Something made her jump. Before she knew it two other guys came up from behind and grabbed her while she struggled. Then she went limp, and all the world was shadow.

She woke up in the back seat of a truck, wondering how she got there. She reached for her cell, but her purse was gone. She sensed movement up front in the driver's seat. "Who are you?" That's all that came out of her mouth. They were neither vampire nor human. "I'm your guardian, sweetheart," he grinned, "Your going to help us...It's the prophecy." She was confused. What Prophecy?! He seemed to read her thoughts. "I'm an elf with powers to freeze time. I had to get you out of there, and quick," he said. She didn't know elf's existed, but remembered her Nanny telling stories when she was young. Elf's were dangerous folk, her Nanny repeated. Liz said boldly, They'll come looking and when they find me, they'll kill you." "I doubt that!," he laughed. He then said, " I erased their memory of your presence among them." Now she was VERY mad! "They're my family!", She shouted, "You have now right!" He chuckled and felt something sharp prick her. A big gnarled creature stared her down, injecting her with some drug that made her feel sleepy. Soon she fell asleep, again.

Next time she awoke she was in a white room with no windows. She scowled when she checked the door only to find it locked by some sort of energy. Darn those blasted elves! The door knob turned and she was face to face with the creature in the back of the van. In the correct lighting she recognized it as a troll. The beast set a plate of food on the floor and nodded towards it before leaving. Except, Liz stuck her foot in the door quickly, and slipped by the troll. It made a roaring noise, but she was quick. She ran down the hallway, and looked around until she came to a red door. She opened it, and ran in. It was a control room of some sort. There was a figure sitting in a chair pressing buttons. "Why am I here?" She asked. "I thought you'd try to escape. Clever girl!" the figure said. "Your here because we need you to help us get the humans to rebel against the vampires. Your mother was head of our society, but you weren't told that." Liz thought about it, "My mother was in league with you!" "Yes", he replied and turned the chair around. He was an old man with a white beard. HE smiled, " Your mother was killed so naturally you are entitled to finish what she started. You are the one she chose to lead once she died at your father's hand." He looked nice, but could she trust him was the big point she was eager to know.

During the weeks to follow she yearned for knowledge of her mother. They told her in small steps as not to overwhelm her. Her mother was apart of the rebels. She was against the vampires ruling the world, and part elf, as well as human. Her name was Pearl. Liz felt the same about the vampires in the Vampire Court. They always treated her like she wasn't truly apart of them. Now she knew why. She was meant for something greater than the life she's known. It comforted her and troubled her. Her brother and Emilia were still with the vampires. She had to get them out, somehow. Emilia had always known about Liz, she was her protector. She begged to go back and save them. The rebels didn't agree; too risky. But they had no choice if she was to help them. So they planned to bring the time stopper-elf whose name was still a mystery, along for the ride. Although, Liz had to stay behind but she didn't like it. She decided to follow them when the troll came in with her dinner. She  had made a trap to fool the beast. Once she was out she borrowed a car and followed the rebels but remained out of sight. She would accompany them. Besides they couldn't do this without her, right?!

The Chosen One

Elizabeth was a rather reserved person of the Vampire Court. She was the daughter of a full-vampire who had mated twice with humans. Her and her half-brother were "hybrids" as others called them in school. She got made fun off because she didn't enjoy human blood as well as others. People called her out during volleyball. She was never popular. Her best friend Emilia called her "Liz". Emilia was human, captured when she was young by vampire-poachers. She almost died if it wasn't for Elizabeth. She spared her kind from killing Emilia by claiming her as a "pet". Liz didn't really refer to her friend by that name. She never drunk from Emilia because she didn't want to become a monster like her father. Her and her half-brother lived in a shack not far from town. Her half- brother's name was "Hunter". Once she caught him drinking off a human to impress the others at school. She put an end to it and freed the human. The human ran off to the reservations where their kind bred in fear. Liz hated that they couldn't co-exist. She tried to protest to her kind that they weren't a threat. But the President was cruel and abandoned the old-rules. Once there was peace but it was shattered when a human tried to stake all vampires, calling them "demons". A human rebellion rose up but was no match. Liz knew not all humans were like that. Some enjoyed being fed off of. Liz, being a hybrid, ate like a human. She never was tortured by thirst. Naturally, people looked down at her. Her half-brother Hunter hated who he was and wanted badly to thirst. Their mother were human, so naturally they died during childbirth. Her father didn't seem to care much. They were to him, "expendable". But, this tale takes place on the eve of the Vampire Ball. Things were going to occur that would change her world forever.

4 Years Later- Leaving

4 Years Later

 

 

 

As Emily packed her things to return to the States, she reviewed all she learned during to time she spent in Greece. She had to admit she was sad to go. But God had paved a path for her, and she must go on it where ever it lead her. Nikki and Lena hugged her like they couldn't let go, letting tears flow. "Do you have to go?", Lena asked. Emily answered, " God has a plan for you as well. Maybe we'll meet again, and if not here, in God's Kingdom. Bless you, Lena." The tears continued to flow on the plane ride. Emily recalled her brief goodbye to Marcus. He seemed stable even when she wasn't. He just smiled at her. "Your going to do much good in this world," he told her. She still didn't know where they stood. Most of her time was focused on preaching that she hardly saw him except for a few rare times. She treasured them. Once she was back on solid ground, Liz came to help her with her luggage, embracing her with a sparkling diamond on her left hand. Emily's mouth formed an O. "I'm marrying him in March." She was happy for her friend, even when she was rubbing her enlarged belly numerous times. "The baby's a girl," Liz commented. She seemed so joyous during their ride back to their hotel. "So what's the next spot?" Emily thought about it. She answered, " I believe, it's Israel. I'm a little scared, though I know God is with me always."

 

 

Emily spent her time with her family back in California, realizing her work wasn't done, and she'd be leaving again soon for somewhere new. She slept in her bed and read her favorite books and listening to the songs that inspired her. When the day came that she had to pack, she broke down and sobbed. "My life is so different from my friends, Momma", she cried. Her mom said, "I know, but your father and I are in here", she replied pointing to Emily's heart that was beating in her chest. " I know," She said, wiping her tears, " If I don't come back...", and then came more sobs. She couldn't speak of it, again. But she knew she was doing the right thing. As she walked onto that plane, her parents and friends waved. Liz smiled at her, and stuck out her tongue. It was blue from the Popsicle she had devoured. That made her laugh, and when the plane started, she kept that memory with her. 

People With Less

I went about my daily meditations the same as any day in Athens. I walked through the market to buy fish from fishermen. Then I came home to spend time with Lena, putting Marcus to rest, and thinking only of God's plan. Late one afternoon, I talked about how Jesus had wandered in the dessert while Satan tempted him. "He did not give in, though. Satan is all the evil in the world. He ruins life. Jesus knew who he was, and so he went on until he found his way out of the dessert. He was hungry and thirsty, but he knew his soul was more important, than earthly concerns." One man rose up, and talked about how he was tempted the other day to steal a loaf of bread because he couldn't feed his family. He had thought God was punishing him. "I know now that the devil had possessed me to steal. What am I to do when the little ones are starving?", The man said."Bring them to Jesus", I replied."Teach them to pray."  I concluded, " Prayer is better than hunger or thirst."

 As I thought about the lecture, I decided to go to the market again. I bought bread, cheese, and water, and lay them on the man's door step. I hurried away so he wouldn't see me. I heard excited cries of happiness as I left. "See how the Lord has blessed us", the man exclaimed loudly!

 Lena met me at the Parthenon, and sat down on the steps beside me. "I knew it was you," she said, " It was very nice." I sighed. "Many are being taxed, and have no food and water."I meditated that night on all I had seen. God was using me as a vessel for his holy work. I liked helping others. I thought of the man, and his children. I did a good thing, but was it enough? There is so much to do in this world. I prayed to God to give me courage in the weeks to come. Right afterwards, my cell phone rang on it's incredibly loud Hunger Games ring tone. I'm such a geek! I answered,"Hello."Hi Bower, It's Lizzie, I wanted to tell you that I'm moving to Florida with Sammy!."

I was happy for her delight, but I missed home suddenly."Maybe you could visit," Liz replied to my silence like she knew my thoughts. "I miss you, Liz," I said. She replied,"I miss you too! I am still trying to get over the fact that your in Greece. I mean,Whoa, when I walk over to your house in the morning, I have to remind myself your not there. But your doing God's work, keep it up!" I smiled over the phone as a single tear slid down my cheek. "There's so much work here!!!"I confessed. Liz listened, especially when I told her of Marcus. She then spoke, "It's OK to be in love and still do God's work. But I understand, love gets in the way. You have always held your focus. You still do, but I think God would want you to be happy while doing his work. He wouldn't want you to give up what makes us who we are." Liz's words held a lot of truth. "What if it doesn't work out?", I said."Well, that's life, Em, whether it does or doesn't, keep holding on to your faith."Lizzie could always say the right things when I was down. That's one thing I loved about having her as a friend. As soon as it struck, midnight, I decided to get some sleep. My dreams varied, but made no sense. Morning came soon!