The Rapture

Evie, still carrying the weight of her recent experiences, pauses the game, her Maleficent figurine momentarily forgotten. Mia, playing as Ursula, watches her friend with a mixture of concern and curiosity. Ursula's latest contract gleams on the board, a promise of power just waiting to be fulfilled.

The revelation hangs in the air, heavy and surreal. Evie's confession is a stark contrast to the lighthearted game they're playing, the colorful villains on the board suddenly seeming less fantastical.

Mia sets her Ursula card down, a flicker of worry crossing her face. "So... vampires are real?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "And you're a vampire?"

She leans forward, her eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and fascination. "What does that mean, Evie? Like, do you... drink blood?"

Evie nods, a hint of sadness touching her eyes. "I do," she admits, her voice soft but steady. "But I'm not some bloodthirsty monster like you see on TV shows. I only need to feed once a week."

A small smile curves her lips. "And I can still taste and enjoy regular food. It just doesn't... keep me alive." She pauses, searching for the right words. "Well, maybe 'alive' isn't the best word, but you get what I mean."

Evie's shoulders relax slightly, a sign that she's starting to feel more at ease. "Do you have other questions?" she asks, tilting her head. "I'm sure you do. What am I saying? Any questions you have, ask away."

She offers Mia a reassuring smile, encouraging her friend to voice any concerns or curiosities she might have.

Mia moves Ursula's figurine across the board, skillfully negotiating a new contract. "Are there other creatures?" she inquires, her eyes darting between the game and Evie. "Like, werewolves?"

The question hangs in the air, mirroring the suspense of the game. Maleficent, poised to spread her curses, represents the hidden world Evie has just revealed, a world where the lines between fantasy and reality blur.

Evie shakes her head, her expression thoughtful. "No, I've been told that if there were other creatures like werewolves, they've likely become extinct." She pauses, her gaze turning serious. "There are demons and angels, though."

A shiver runs down her spine as she recalls the recent encounter. "Arlo actually killed a demon after we left my parents' house. They try to persuade people away from Jesus, who everyone knows to be God's son."

The game pieces on the board seem to hold their breath, reflecting the gravity of Evie's words. Maleficent's curses, spreading across the board, echo the insidious influence of the demons she describes.

Mia's eyebrows furrow, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "So God is also real?" she asks, her gaze fixed on Evie. "And his son died for all our sins?"

She hesitates, her fingers tracing the edge of a contract card. "It's just... a lot to take in, you know?"

The game board, once a playful distraction, now seems to symbolize the complexities of faith and doubt, of the unseen forces at work in the world.

I nod, trying to keep my expression serious, but a smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth. "Well, the angels and demons both think we're already damned," I explain, leaning back against the couch cushions. "So they don't bother trying to convert us, as long as we stay out of their little squabbles."

Mia raises an eyebrow, her Ursula figurine paused mid-move. "Little squabbles? You mean like, the Crusades?"

I chuckle, a genuine laugh bubbling up despite the weight of the conversation. "Exactly. A three-way war where humans got caught in the crossfire. Not exactly a highlight in anyone's history book."

"And on top of all that," I continue, a playful glint in my eyes, "one of the vampire lords is, like, 5,000 years old. Can you imagine the stories he could tell?"

Mia's eyes widen. "Five thousand years? That's insane!"

I shrug, a blush creeping onto my cheeks. "Yeah, well, I don't remember all the details. Arlo was trying to teach me about vampire history, but I was a bit... distracted." I bite my lip, unable to suppress a giggle. "He's a pretty hot teacher, you know?"

Mia bursts into laughter, the tension finally breaking. "Oh my god, Evie!" she exclaims, wiping a tear from her eye. "You're unbelievable."

I grin, relieved to see her smile again. "What can I say? Even vampires get distracted sometimes."

"So if God is real and Jesus died for our sins, you then are damned to an entirety of hell?" Mia's voice wavers, her eyes searching yours for answers.

Mia's question hangs heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the eternal damnation that supposedly awaits me. "I'm not sure," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. The fear, buried deep within me, resurfaces, threatening to consume me.

"It seems most believe this to be true," I continue, my gaze falling to the game board, "but Arlo... he's different," I recall his gentle words, the hope he offered in the face of my despair. "He believes everyone with a soul, or as we call it, an aura can be saved. That's who we truly are."

My heart aches with a longing I can't quite name. Could it be possible? Could there be a chance for redemption, even for someone like me? The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating, a glimmer of light in the darkness that has become my existence.

A chill runs down my spine as I recall Arlo's warning. "Oh, Mia," I say, my voice taking on a serious tone, "I also must have you promise that you will not leave this apartment without me and do not buzz anyone into the building or let them into your apartment."

Mia looks at me, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "So one of the things about vampires is that they must be welcomed into a home?" she asks a hint of disbelief in her voice. "Really? That's real?"

"Apparently so," I respond, a shiver running down my spine. Thinking back, I realize I've never just walked into a home without someone letting me in after becoming a vampire.

Mia's face falls, a frown replacing her curiosity. "But... I need to get to work," she protests, her voice laced with concern. "You can't come with me during the day."

"The sun won't kill me instantly," I explain, trying to ease her worry. "But it's incredibly painful. It might be a good idea to take some time off if you can."

I reach out and gently squeeze her hand, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine here. Just be careful, okay? And don't let anyone in."

"The sun won't kill me instantly," I explain, trying to ease her worry. "But it's incredibly painful. It might be a good idea to take some time off if you can."

I offer her a reassuring smile, hoping to alleviate her concerns. "We'll figure this out, Mia. I promise."

Mia's voice softens, a wave of empathy washing over her features. "I can call in sick for a couple of days, and stay with you, like I did today," she offers, reaching across the game board to squeeze your hand. "We'll figure this out together, Evie. I'm not going to let you face this alone."

A wave of gratitude washes over me, warming my cold heart. "Thanks, Mia," I whisper, squeezing her hand back. Her unwavering support is a beacon of hope in the darkness that surrounds me, a reminder that I'm not alone in this terrifying new world.

A genuine smile graces my lips, the first one I've felt in what feels like an eternity. "I appreciate it more than you know," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "Having you here means the world to me."

Mia's warmth and unwavering support are a balm to my wounded soul. Her presence is a comforting anchor in the storm of confusion and fear that rages within me.

"So, Evie," Mia's voice breaks the silence, pulling me back to the present. "What's the plan?"

The question hangs heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the daunting reality I now face. My mind races, torn between the burning desire for revenge and the cold logic of self-preservation.

"I... I don't know," I admit, my voice faltering. "Alistair... he needs to pay for what he's done." A surge of anger courses through me, but it's quickly tempered by a chilling realization. "But he's too strong, too well-protected. We can't just rush in blindly."

Mia nods, her expression thoughtful. "So, what then? We can't just sit here and wait for him to come after us."

"No, we can't," I agree, my resolve hardening. "We need to get stronger, find a way to protect ourselves and the people we care about."

My gaze drifts to the window, the sunlight a harsh reminder of my new limitations. "But first," I say with a firm voice, "we need to survive. We need to find a way to make sure everyone is safe."

The game ends, and a sense of normalcy briefly returns as they put the pieces away. The contrast between the colorful villains and their grim reality is stark, but the shared activity provides a temporary respite.

Mia's voice breaks the silence, her tone gentle. "Have you talked to your parents?"

A wave of panic washes over me. "Shit," I mutter, my mind racing. "What should I tell them? I can't tell them everything, but I need to make sure they're aware of the dangers without actually being aware." I feel a knot forming in my stomach, the weight of this new responsibility bearing down on me.

Mia's hand rests gently on my shoulder, her touch grounding me. "Hey, it's okay," she soothes, her voice calm amidst my inner turmoil. "Let's just give them a call and see where things go."

Her words bring a sense of clarity. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. She's right. I can't keep avoiding this. It's time to face my parents, even if it means navigating a minefield of half-truths and unspoken fears.

I pick up the phone, my fingers trembling slightly against the cool plastic. A nervous glance at Mia seeks reassurance before I press the green button, initiating the call. My mind races, grasping for a plausible excuse.

"Maybe something like... a sleepover, like we used to have in high school?" I suggest, my voice barely a whisper. The idea feels both familiar and comforting, a nostalgic echo of simpler times. It might just be the perfect cover.

With a deep breath and a final nod of encouragement from Mia, I press the green button. The phone rings, each tone amplifying the nervous anticipation thrumming through me.

My parents' voices on the other end of the line are a familiar comfort, yet the weight of my secret casts a shadow over the conversation even before it begins.

"Hey, Mom," I say, my voice coming out softer than I intended. The raspiness betrays my attempts at normalcy, a subtle clue that something is amiss. I can practically hear her maternal instincts kicking in, her concern palpable even through the phone line.

"Evie? Honey, are you alright?" Her voice is laced with worry, confirming my suspicions. She always knows something is wrong.

"Arlo and I got into a bit of a fight," I admit, the lie slipping out with surprising ease. It's not entirely untrue; our encounter with Alistair was definitely a fight, though not the kind my mom is imagining.

"I'm at Mia's right now," I continue, "but I was thinking, with all my things still at your place, maybe we could just have a sleepover like we used to? At least until I figure everything out."

My voice trembles slightly, the vulnerability I feel seeping through my carefully constructed facade. I'm not sure if she'll buy it, but it's the best I can come up with on such short notice.

My father's voice booms through the receiver, his protective instincts in full force. "He didn't do anything to you, did he? I'll kill him!"

"No, Dad!" I interject quickly, my heart pounding. "He didn't do anything. I just need some space, maybe." I take a deep breath, trying to calm the both of them. "Is it okay if we come over tonight?"

I wait anxiously for their response, hoping they won't press me for more details. The last thing I need is for my dad to go on a vampire-hunting rampage.

Relief washes over me as my mom's voice softens. "Of course, dear," she says. "We still have your room just as you left it. You both are always welcome to stay as long as you like."

"Thank you, Mom," I say, my voice filled with gratitude. "It won't be too long, maybe just over the weekend."

I end the call, a mix of emotions swirling within me. Guilt for lying to my parents wars with the relief of knowing they're safe, at least for now.

Mia springs into action, efficiently packing a bag with her essentials. I rummage through her closet, finding a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that, while not a perfect fit, will suffice for now. The act of changing into her clothes evokes a flood of memories - the countless times we'd borrowed and even stolen each other's clothes back in high school.

One particular incident flashes through my mind: Mia 'borrowing' my favorite shirt without asking. I was furious at the time, but now, the memory brings a bittersweet smile to my lips. How trivial those teenage squabbles seem in the face of my current reality.

I turn to Mia, my heart overflowing with gratitude. "I love you, Mia," I say, my voice thick with emotion.

Her smile widens, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "I know," she replies, her voice soft but firm.

At that moment, surrounded by the remnants of our shared past, I feel a sense of peace amidst the chaos. Our friendship, forged in the fires of adolescence, has endured, proving its strength once again in the face of unimaginable darkness.