Chapter 48Where Learning is Key

I woke quite restless. My thoughts were mostly centered around my mother but I knew I'd have to wait quite a bit before it was time. It was only nine-thirty, so two and a half hours before I could see her. I was feeling so giddy.

I got up, dressed and upstairs. For the first time since I was here I saw Kai sitting behind his computers. It was so surprising to me that it actually got through to me despite my thoughts on my mom.

"Early bird Kai?" I giggled.

"I guess, I'm half expecting someone try and crack my security again, so I want to be ready."

I giggled again, he took my words way too seriously. I looked around and noticed Valerie and Khuna weren't up yet, it dawned on me that my enthusiasm probably woke me much sooner than usual. Ah, no problem, it gave me more time for my thoughts.

Checking if I had the paper with the directions to the Broken Path with me I made my way outside. Closing the doors neatly behind me I happily breathed in the evening air.

It was cooling down. I noticed a hint of coolness in the air that wasn't there before. I guess autumn was riding on the late summer air, caressing and warning the trees of the coming season. It was that hint of bitterness that would make someone appreciate the sweetness more. It complemented the air wonderfully.

I dropped down to street level and started walking. I knew I still had to feed and knew I had all the time in the world to do so. This was the first time I walked alone and I started to notice a few things with each step. I didn't have any way to reach the others, so I needed a phone. Also, I needed to know how to use money and stuff. Ask for a card maybe?

It wasn't as if I wasn't old enough to grow up already. Besides, if I was to stay this way forever, my youth frozen in time, I should at least become responsible for myself. I could lean on them all the time. I needed to be able to run the streets on my own.

At least tonight was my chance to show I could. Instinctively I avoided the whole area we were last night. I didn't want to run in to Hitori. Didn't want him to see me flirt with another guy. Why didn't I? Why did I care so much what he thought of me? Khuna just accepted me as I was and so did Valerie, I think. It was hard to tell. Why did Valerie show me everything like she did. And Isabel...

Isabel! A smile just spread on my lips. I wanted to talk to her before I went to my mom... Or was that bad? Would knowing the future make it any different? Or would it mean you were the one making it happen? What did the knowledge do to you? I didn't know. But I wanted to know. I couldn't resist knowing. Who could?

I decided first to feed myself. I still felt a little extra drained from last night, helping Khuna, and needed the extra sustenance. I walked to a simple pub on the edge of town, closer to the industrial district. I noticed that there weren't any people of my age, just adults. Well, people in their late twenties or much older. I probably looked very out of place here...

Time came for me to learn a very interesting lesson, apparently. Especially in places like this there were people who really wanted a young girl to flirt with, more so if they looked innocent and not... eh... slutty. More surprising even was that this time it was a woman. A woman in her thirties, very well dressed, expensive looking. Almost as soon as I walked in, looking around in surprise, she made her way to me.

It was time for me to learn some lessons.

"What are you doing here cutey?" The woman's' voice was quite nice and welcoming.

"Oh, just looking around really." I had to think fast, a reason why I wasn't with anyone.

"All alone?"

"Yeah, my friends are all boring. Just getting drunk and stuff." I hoped it sounded sincere, because it couldn't have been more cheesy if I tried.

"Join me then, I'm here alone as well and I was hoping for some nice conversation." She smiled warmly.

I looked around in the pub and noticed it was quite light. But it was also busy, even if we were going to do anything no one really would notice. I hope. But even if they did, they'd probably blame the woman first, despite me walking into a place like this. "Okay, I'll join you." As I put up my sweetest smile. I felt guilty for playing with her, but my curiosity, that endless void of curiosity sucking in all knowledge, got the better of me.

"My name is Ilona." She walked with me to a table against the wall. Lucky me.

"I'm Amy." We sat down and she ordered two glasses of red wine. Irony I thought.

Her hand suddenly wandered over my leg, it surprised me a little and made me think of Khuna. Why? "You're quite pretty, do you know that?"

I sincerely blushed. "Eh, thanks." I realised I didn't want this to take longer than needed. The woman gave me the creeps... I wondered why. I looked at her with innocent eyes and snuggled against her. It was a simple idea but it worked. As I was smaller than her my head naturally leaned on her shoulders, my mouth near her neck. It must have looked sweet for outsiders.

She didn't object when I kissed her once before I bit her but shivered in surprise. She probably hoped I would flirt with her like this but didn't expect a reaction so soon. I just didn't feel I had the time to let it run it's course. Perhaps another time I would let an adult seduce me like that.

I pierced her skin with my teeth, as gently as possible and shivered myself as the blood ran through me. It was very different, fuller, warmer, more intense. The age and experience of this woman was very different from that of the boys I tasted before. I could even taste the difference in her because she was female. It was sweeter, gentler, brighter. I even felt the taste of memories. From some of her early memories as a little girl to time at the office she must work. I realised I had felt this with the boys as well, just much much softer. Like hearing music so soft that when it's louder you realise it had been there all along.

She was released and sat back smiling. I stood up and said I had to go. She just nodded and took her glass of wine, holding it to her lips and only sipping gently. Savouring the taste as she was trying to savour the moment. To my surprise and relief she didn't try to stop me. As if she had gotten what she wanted, a moment of attention.

As I walked out of the pub I looked back with but a moment's remorse for this quick departure. But there were other things more pressing on my mind, I shrugged and started walking to the safe-house where Isabel should be.

A strange start to this night.