Part Three of TRUE BLOOD: YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL

The small lady walked over to their table. She was wearing a tye-dye shirt with a dirty apron over the top. She had green Capri’s on with croc sandals.
“What can I get for ya this evening?” She asked.
“We will have two black coffees with two of your best cinnamon rolls. That will be all.” Felts ordered.
“Will do. That will be out in a bit.” She turned and left out of sight behind the counter.
Felts then turned back to Miko. “Alright, I believe it is time to discuss our very existence, and the beginning of our race. It is long and arduous, but I will skip over most details. Many of the folklore you hear from the humans is rubbish, however some of it is derived from actual history. In ancient Romania, in a village hidden in the mountains, was a man who ruled over the village as what we call a mayor. He was chief, and took care of his people. His name was Nosferatu, and the man was well respected. However, hard times hit his village, and the people began to starve. It came to the point of cannibalism, where one person would fall to the ground in exhaustion and the surrounding people would maul him, tearing his flesh from his bones and drinking the blood. Nosferatu saw no other alternative, but to feed on other humans. He knew of other villages nearby, and decided that they would attack. He brought his decision to the council. But most of them thought it barbaric, and disagreed. So Nosferatu compromised that they should only drink the blood, and not harm any other part of the body. The council agreed and approved. Silently one night Nosferatu led an ambush group into a village and infiltrated homes, where they would begin their drink. This became custom to the village, and soon they thrived again.” Felts paused while the lady brought their coffee and pastries. “You see, after several years of the village continuing this custom, the generations began to evolve into what we are now. Their bodies changed to better accommodate their needs to satisfy their thirst. Blood is now our rejuvenate drug, making us stronger, faster, longer stamina, and live longer. The council became the first House of Elders. And now the Elders stay in power to maintain order within our community. They monitor each of us making sure we don’t go out of control. Any questions?”
“We have evolved from humans? So we started out as a small coven in the mountains of Romania who were starving so they drank their neighbor’s blood?” Miko asked.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Well, what about werewolves. How did they start?”
“Much the same as us, but that is for another time.” Felts directed the conversation away from werewolves. “I heard you have begun your training again. Do you think that is wise?”
“I figure that I am ready to begin again. It has been seventy years; I think I have trained my mind enough to control myself.” Miko explained.
“Well, you are a tremendous fighter Miko; just don’t let it get out of control.” Felts warned.

Miko returned to his shabby little apartment, where clothes littered the floor, as well as an assortment of garbage. He collapsed on his bed, and shut his eyes and drifted to sleep. The clock read three thirty four, and the blinking red lights mesmerized his mind. Soon his thoughts turned red, a flowing thick red which poured from the neck of a helpless young boy. Soon he saw more, more red oozing from the bodies of ravaged men, women and children. Miko then saw himself, standing over them with a large smile and fangs hanging out over his bottom lip. Blood drenched his face where he had forgotten all manners and devoured his food. “You aren’t an animal, Miko, but a hunter.” Those words echoed in his head.
Miko awoke with a splitting headache. He was no longer on his bed, but was looking up at the white cracked ceiling, lying on the floor beside his mattress. He turned over to his stomach and pressed himself up with his hands. He lightly leapt up to his feet, and checked around for his clock. Its blinking red lights read two in the afternoon. He began to massage his temples, trying hard to forget the images he had seen in his sleep. His past continued to torture him, perverting his mind with disturbing images of rampage and massacre. Miko couldn’t stand it any longer, he needed to go back and confront the past which he had ashamed himself of, the one he could only vaguely remember. The only person he had ever told, the only person he had ever spoken with about his past was Felts, who seemed to understand and even know about the incident. Miko was pleased to know that he could confide in someone his fears and mistakes.

Felts stopped by around four. Miko enjoyed his company as he sat planning out his trip. Once his bags were packed, and money in his pockets, Miko sat down on his torn and ripped up sofa. The springs creaked as he flopped onto it. On the table next to him was a bowl of small chocolates. Miko tried to keep his chocolate supply full, as he loved the taste of its decadent richness and the feel of how it melts in his mouth. He quickly unwrapped one and popped it into his mouth.
“You plan on just arriving there and going sight seeing?” Felts asked.
“I just feel like I need to see the place again, to overcome these fears. I must confront my past then get on with my life. This has gone on too long.” Miko replied.
“Alright then, if you must. Let me know when you return, I would very much like to speak with you about you trip.”
“I will.” Miko stood up and swung his bag over his shoulder. He had an hour and a half till his plane took off, but it would take him forty five minutes to reach the airport.
With only a handshake between the two of them, Miko left his apartment. When he hit the sidewalk, he began to signal for a cab. Within a few minutes of standing on the curb, waving like a lunatic, a cab finally pulled up. Miko stuffed his bag into the trunk and gave the driver directions.
At the airport, Miko quickly checked in and stood in line for the security clearance. It seemed to take forever just to reach the metal detectors. He unstrapped his belt, unlaced his shoes, and threw off his jacket. When he finally made it through the detectors he had to redress. He felt responsible for holding up the line, but then realized that every other line was just as backed up as his. When he reached his terminal he realized he still had a few minutes to relax. To pass the time he pulled out a book, one of his favorites, and fell into it. As he read he hardly noticed anything that was going on around him, he was capable of escaping the noise and confusion.
The lady at the desk finally called his number, and he entered the plane. Miko strapped himself in, and then laid his head back to fall asleep. The eight hour flight to Edinburgh would be a nice time to catch up on sleep. He shut the blind on the window, and closed his eyes. Through out the flight he could occasionally feel the turbulence rumbling the jet. Miko didn’t worry. He knew it was normal for a plane to jerk and bump. He could hear the heartbeat next to him jump and pump rapidly. Miko slightly smiled. Humans are pathetic with their attempts to cheat death. Like a simple intake of breath will do anything to save their lives if the plane crashed.
Miko’s thoughts suddenly turned to the tattoo he had seen on Felts neck. The mentor normally wore high collared clothing as to hide it, but Miko was allowed a quick glance from afar last night. The councilor had one as well. Maybe they are a part of some group together. Miko tried out the options of what it could possibly mean. He looked out the window down into the blue ocean. Its sheer mass made Miko feel like he was going to be swallowed by its massive waves and currents at any time. Clouds went in and out of vision, hiding all visual.
Suddenly large patches of brown and green came into view. Miko could see large hills and rocky mountains dotting the ground. The plane began its decent, slowly lowering towards the cities. First Glasgow came into view, and then Miko spotted the grand jewel of Scotland: Edinburgh.
Once off the plane and into the crowded city, Miko began his trek to get a better view of his home country. He hiked up Poet’s Seat, and from atop the hill he could see all of Edinburgh. The docks, Edinburgh castle upon its grand hill, Murray Field, he couldn’t take it all in. A sharp breath caught him unaware, and he lost his balance. He sat down upon the rocky surface and felt the strong wind whip across his face, stinging his nose and ears. There were tourists taking pictures on the edge, gaping at all the sights. One of them turned to him.
“Excuse me sir, are you from around here?” The man asked. He was wearing a thick jacket with blue jeans and a furry hat.
“Yes I am.” Miko responded.
“Could you help us get to Aberdeen? We have lost our map, and can’t seem to find our way around.”
“Aberdeen is a four hour train ride north sir.”
“Oh is it now? Well, do you recommend the visit?” The portly man asked.
“Of course sir. I was raised not too far from Aberdeen. Its gorgeous hills and country lands are beyond beauty.”
“Really? Well then, we will have to catch the next train. Thank you very much sir.” The man turned his back. Just then a strong wind kicked up. It carried a strong scent of blood into Miko’s nostrils. Miko jerked his head towards the tourist. For one wild moment, Miko lost all consciousness. He felt his upper lip raise, and a low growl escape his throat. Miko’s hands clench the rocks below him. He lowered himself into a pouncing position ready for the kill. Miko quickly reeled himself in, and calmed all intentions to kill this nice fellow.
Miko decided it was time to climb back down. He found a small motel in the city with a bar underneath where he spent the night gulping down large amounts of whiskey.