June 6, 2019
I dreaded this day every year that it insisted on coming around. Sometimes I even tried to pretend the entire world would just forget I existed. My family however never failed to make a big deal about this horrible day. I stood in front of a full length mirror, checking over my appearance. The floor length, lacy, white dress did nothing to flatter the assets I wish were of more use to me. My lanky, olive skin toned arms hung loosely at my sides. They were on further display thanks to my lack of sleeves.
Why I allowed my parents to put me through this year after year I couldn't say, but this year would be different. This year I would get my chance to be free. No more dresses, no more grand parties, no more introductions to different suitors. I would get to live as I want for this one year and I was planning on taking full advantage of it.
I smoothed down my dress once more and made sure my dark brown curls were secured nice and tight in the bun on top of my head before I deemed myself presentable enough to leave my room. I turned around to face my bedroom door just as I heard a slight knock followed by a very timid "Excuse me?"
I could hear the rapid heart beat of the person on the other side of the door and smell the very strong body spray that exuded from their body. It was Harper, a long term family acquaintance and pretty much my only friend. "Come in" I called. The door creeped open and she slowly made her way inside. Her bright fire red hair brushed the collar of her white button up blouse. Those brown eyes I was always so jealous of remained cast down at the floor like always.
Harper was always so timid and shy. If you combined the way she acted with the way she looked you would never think that she was 250 years older then me, I guess that's one of the perks of being an immortal. "They are ready for you Fallon." She said in that same small voice I was so use to hearing. Thank heavens for my enhanced hearing abilities. I sighed and looked down at my appearance once more before reminding myself that after today I wouldn't have to deal with this anymore.
"Ok, I'm ready." She lifted her head slightly so she could look over my appearance before giving me a small smile. I took that as confirmation that I was good to go and we both exited my bedroom. That same bedroom I called mind for nearly 50 years and if I had my way would hopefully never call mine again.
From the top of the grand staircase I could hear all of the commotion. There were hundreds of different voices all speaking at the same time and not surprisingly from what I could pick up none of them had me as their topic of conversation. Slowly I took my first step then my next. It wasn't until I had made it half way down the stairs that someone actually noticed my presence.
"I see the guest of honor has finally decided to grace us with her presence." Came the deep baritone voice I'd grown up listening to my entire life. My father, the honorable Ezra Gray, emerged from the crowd dressed in his emaculate, finely pressed tuxedo. His midnight black locks gelled back to give the illusion of the merciful gentlemen that he liked the world to perceive him as. All eyes turned toward me. You would think having this kind of attention for all these years would mean I'm accustomed to it, I am not. "My darling daughter, let me be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday." He held out his hand for me and I hesitated before making my way down the last few steps and crossing the distance to him.
When my hand landed in his the entire room erupted in applause. I knew none of the people that filled the room, but then again I never did. They were always only the people my parents deemed fit enough to invite into the inner circle, but with that being said it never seemed to be the same people every time.
Every time my parents called a gathering, every person in attendance was a new person they struck an alliance with. Who only knows what happened to the people they grew tired of and made vanished from their lives.
"Esteemed guests, I would like to introduce you all to the birthday girl, my lovely daughter, Fallon Gray. Today will be her last day in this house for an entire year. She plans to travel for the time being and return to us in time to fulfill her duties as a member of this family and this community." The crowd cheered again and I even heard a few congratulations and good lucks.
"Now, if I may be so bold as to have this first dance?" He said it like it was meant to be a question, but we both knew the truth. I had no say in anything that was going to happen this evening. That was the deal, I grin and bare it, let my parents do whatever and say whatever they wanted for this last day and they had no say in what I chose to do the year I was away from them. I wanted that freedom, I needed that freedom so for now I would be their little puppet, playing the dutiful, obedient daughter.
I plastered on a smile and bowed to my father before he scooped me into his arms and began gliding me across the dance floor. From the corner of my eye I could see the crowd staring at us in awe. They were really buying into all of this, so much so that it was almost laughable. "Your smile is slipping my daughter" My father whispered to me. I could feel myself clenching my teeth. My temper was starting to get the better of me so I had to reign it in. Just focus on the end goal, freedom, even if it was only for a short while.
"My apologies Father, I must've forgotten my head for a second." The look on his face told me that I was not fooling him at all. He knew exactly where my train of thoughts was leading me.
"Do not let it happen again. You know our arrangement, if you do not hold up your end, your mother and I will not hold up our end." The coldness in his voice told me that he was 100% serious about his threat.
"Of course, it is only fair." I tried to resist the urge to clench my teeth even more. Any harder and I was sure I would chip a fang.
The amount of hatred and resentment I'd developed for my parents over the years was enough to almost scare even me. It started hundreds of years ago and it seemed to only grow every passing day that I spend with them. Some days I've even thought about ending them but knowing that there was no possible way I could do it alone. They were much too strong for me and they had the fear of everyone in our community. I was completely alone in this battle to get out from under their control.
I straightened my back and tried to talk myself in to not embarrassing my father by cutting this dance short and leaving him in the middle of the dance floor with an absolutely furious expression on his face.
"Father if I might ask, what is it exactly you expect of me this evening. I've put on the dress you wished for me to wear, I've styled my hair as you requested, I've smiled and been otherwise pretty polite. Now, I wonder what it is you hope to accomplish with this over the top birthday celebration that you know I absolutely hate." To say all of that while still trying to maintain that masking smile was a very tiresome task.
My father let out a sigh like just the thought of answering my question was exhausting in itself. "My darling daughter," he said before spinning me out and bringing me back in to dip me. "It almost sounds as if you think I have hidden motives for this evening. Is it not enough for a father to want to spoil his only child with the birthday gathering he feels she deserves."
My smile slipped from my face and I yanked my hands free of his. How could he say such a lie and to my face at that. I took a step toward him and gathered on the balls of my feet so I could whisper into his ear. "I am not your only child." I spat out. He and my mother had been trying to play this game with me for over a hundred years. They tried constantly to erase the truth from my mind. My older sister Faye existed no matter how hard they tried to make it seem like she did not.
They removed pictures, they destroyed every personal item she had left in our home as well as executing anyone who so much as uttered her name on the spot. No, they would not erase her from my mind, I don't care what they tried to do. "The sooner you get it through your head that she existed and now she is gone the sooner I'll stop thinking of you as a sociopath who only cares about controlling those around them."
I could feel the tears welling in my eyes but I refused to let anyone see me cry. The weak girl everyone tried to keep in her place was gone years ago and would never again return. I gave my father a quick peck on the cheek for appearance and once I took a step back I gave a quick curtsy before turning and walking away from him.
I wasn't sure what the look on his face was but I know as angry as I'm sure he was, he wouldn't show it in front of all the guests he'd invited here.
Fresh air was what I needed. This stupid party had only just begun and already I was feeling suffocated. I know my parents were up to something by planning this right before I leave for my year off however, I don't know why I expected to get a straight answer out of them. I made my way out to the back patio. The fact that there were tables and chairs, hundreds of bright string lights and even an entire buffet set up, told me that at some point the party was scheduled to move outdoors.
I paced back and forth across the patio trying to get my thoughts together. My anger and frustration was getting the better of me and I didn't want to risk my parents reneging on their end of the deal and preventing me from leaving. Taking a few deep breaths, I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what the world would be like outside of this wretched compound.
"The birthday girl shouldn't be out here alone at her own party." A raspy voice said from behind me, followed by a slight knock against the wood paneling of the door frame. My back stiffened, I didn't recognize the voice but I really wasn't yet in the mood to play nice with any of my father's suck ups. I especially wasn't in the mood if my father had sent him out here to keep an eye on me and make sure I didn't do anything foolish to spoil his evening.
Slowly I turned to face the man. Blonde, curly hair, dark eyes, incredibly fair skin and a lot of facial hair. If I didn't know any better I could swear he was a werewolf and not an immortal. Father would never allow such a creature anywhere near his family.
"Who are you?" I asked. He gave me a small smile and took a step towards me.
"My apologies, my name is Laurel. I am to be your escort this evening." I couldn't help the growl that escaped me.
"I don't know what story my father has spun for you, but I do not need an escort. Now, please go back and convey that message to him." He could also convey a couple other choice words but I'd rather not poke the bear.
His smile grew wider. "You misinterpret me my sweet," There was a sick feeling that entered my stomach with the way he seemed so familiar when speaking with me. Who was he and why did he feel like he had the privilege of speaking to me in such a manner. "I am one of your potential destined, to be decided once you've return from your year away."
In that moment it seemed as if all the air had been sucked from my lungs. I hadn't heard him correctly, I couldn't have. I was sure this had to be some kind of a joke but the longer I stared at his unwavering smile, I knew that he spoke the truth. My father had once again lied to me. This party wasn't just a simple birthday party for me, it wasn't even his last chance to parade me around in front of all of his subordinates before I took off for the year, no, this was another party full of suitors for me but from the looks of it this time I wouldn't get a say in if I wanted one or not. This party is one big arranged marriage meeting. This was his plan all along, this is what he meant when he said fulfill my duty as a member of this community. I was just another political tool for him.
"Fallon, are you feeling ok? You look a little queasy." Laurel said as he took another step towards me.
I swallowed deeply trying to process everything. "Come near me and I will rip out your intestines and feed them to you." My jaw ached from the force of me trying not to extend my canines and drain the life from his veins. I wanted to kill this man and any every other who was here for the same reason as he, but what I wanted the most was to get away from this and I wanted to do it now. I refuse to wait until night fall, I was leaving the moment I could slip away.