Chapter 7A Little Information

We stepped into a large room where there was at least some sign of life. Well, you know what I mean.

The ceiling was quite bare, metal girders and cables of different types running across it. Here and there a TL-Tube hanging from those, giving off a bit of the light. One corner on the left was completely devoted to computers and their screens. The guy sitting behind them, just glancing to me while his fingers continued to type. Even with the music on I could hear it clearly.

The other far corner was set up as a tv area of sorts. Simple flat tv with two sofa's, making a corner, in front of it. A girl in a beautiful red dress and ravenblack hair was draped on the right one, closest to the wall. She appeared quite relaxed but raised an eyebrow when she saw us coming in.

A dinnertable or something, closer to us. No food left there or anywhere. The whole place was actually quite clean.

My thoughts got interrupted as Khuna spoke. "Hey everyone, meet Amy."

She led us to the middle of the room. The guy got up from behind the computers after just a few more keystrokes and the girl stood up from the sofa casually.

"We're all vampires as you probably guessed. He calls himself Dikaios Phos. He's a bit of a computer nerd, hacking and stuff. We just call him Kai."

"Hi." The guy, Kai, said. His voice was quite pleasant. He actually looked quite nice despite his slightly bony figure and his unkempt short black hair.

"And in the other corner, Valerie." Khuna said this with a smile.

Valerie just looked at me, judging me?

Suddenly she smiled warmly. "Hi Amy, welcome."

"Eh, hey." I was still a bit surprised by her pause and her smile. She looked quite elegant and strong to me. I looked back at Khuna. "Will you explain now?"

Khuna nodded. "Yeah, but I'll let Kai do it. He enjoys it way more then I do." Her voice was mocking, but not unkind.

Kai motioned to the sofas, walked to the tv and turned the it off. We all took a seat as he kept standing. I sat down next to Khuna on the left sofa. Valerie seated herself in the same way she sat before.

"It all began." Kai started with a deep serious voice. "Naw, just kidding. We honestly have no idea how it began."

"What we know is that we were all turned by a much older vampire. None of us really remember how he, we think it's a he, did it. We've discovered some of our weaknesses but have also found out most of the literature about vampirism is a bit off." He winked to me.

Did he know I used to read a lot?

Kai continued. "We have to sleep somewhere safe during the day, because sunlight will harm us. Fire also burns us rather quickly, so stay away from that as well. Crosses, garlic, holy water and the rest don't do us harm, at all. Almost all wounds heal relatively fast and your whole body will return to the state when it was turned. Your hair will never grow longer or become shorter. Cut off your hair and it'll just grow back within minutes."

Kai smiled. "That's essentially all we know so far. We've been trying to find some other vampires but the only ones we did find are a bit... agressive." He looked quite dark as he said it. "We'll probably tell you about them later. We haven't seen them in quite some time so we think they've moved on for now."

I didn't feel entirely comfortable but didn't want to ask more of them at the moment. It sounded as if 'they' were quite troublesome. Ah well, patience I guess.

Valerie giggled. "You're forgetting about feeding, Kai."

"Oh right. Feeding." He sounded as if it was just a minor issue. "It's hard enough for us to stay secret. Everything can be recorded, everything can be seen. So we still drink blood from humans, but leave as little trace as possible. You seem to have fed already Amy, I hope Khuna was there to guide you?" Khuna nodded as Kai looked at her.

"Good. Then I guess you're all set." Kai concluded.

"Oh no she isn't." Valerie spoke up again. "She simply can't stay in those clothes of hers. I mean look at it!"

I looked at my own clothing and found nothing wrong with it. Simple blue jeans, t-shirt. I mean, what more was she expecting?

Khuna smiled. "You do have a point Val, anything still open?"

I looked from Valerie to Khuna. I really didn't understand. "Why aren't my clothes good enough?"

Khuna turned to me and smiled again. "Amy dear. You'll have to get boys, or girls, to come with you. If you want to feed on them they have to allow you near, have to allow you to kiss them. Preferably somewhere secluded. You can'd seduce or flirt with them in clothes like that."

It sounded so matter of factly. Images of my lips on the boy's throat I fed on came floating back to me. My mind revolted as I suddenly realised I -kissed- a boy! Not on his lips, thank god. But I still had my lips on his flesh!

Ew!

Suddenly I realised I had to keep my cool. I Didn't want them to know I'd never been with a guy.

Valerie turned to me looking serious. "Are you a virgin?"

It came out of nowhere and it completely caught me by surprise. A deep red blush spread quickly from my cheeks to the rest of my face.

"Don't answer that." Valerie said. It was strange, she sounded... Sincere, understanding. As I looked up from my blush I only just noticed the three of them exchanging glances.

"What was that about?" I only just managed to ask.

"I'll explain later" Khuna said. "I guess it is time for you to get some new clothes. We'll have to decide if a dress will fit you."

I never really thought about it. Even though I did notice the differences between Valerie in her single red dress and Khuna who was in jeans and a shirt, but with much more style then mine. I just dressed with what I thought was practical and comfortable. I couldn't imagine climbing up the wall wearing a dress like Valerie.

Valerie stood up, all smiles and punching the air. "Shopping!"

Khuna giggled and took me by the hand. "Guess we're on our way again already." She winked.

I just nodded and let myself being dragged along by Khuna. I saw Kai going back to his computers as we left through the door.

I wasn't sure if I looked forward to it. More changes to who I was.