Interview with a Vampire
Takes place just before the events of Collateral Damage |
Despite having arrived at the station 30 minutes early for my latest interview, nerves punch into my stomach as I tap my foot against the floor. I shuffle the papers on the table in front of me simply for something to do. I’ve interviewed a few people in my life, mostly musicians while on my Journalism course, but this was totally different.
I’d been delving into the lives of The Paranormal Investigations Team for a while now, spent a little time around them. But to be honest, the thought of having to interview Caitlyn Hardi intimidates me. This woman, this vampire, is the epitome of everything I am not; classy, elegant, beautiful, and deadly dangerous.
I rub my sweaty palms down the leg of my black jeans. I’d made an extra effort today, dressed up as much as I possibly could, but no matter how expensive or as dressed up as I got, it would totally pale in comparison to Caitlyn.
As I glance down at the scuff marks on my well-worn boots, I hear a throat clear and I jerk my head up. Standing in front of me is the woman in question. Dressed head to toe in black, her gunmetal grey eyes study me as I stand up, feeling like I should apologize for my presence.
Caitlyn pulls out the chair across from mine and eases herself down. I scrambled to sit back down, awkward in my movements. I set my phone down on the table and press record. After a few minutes, I realize that I am staring at Caitlyn, my cheeks heat, and I look down at the questions on my printed piece of paper.
SH: Um, Hi Caitlyn. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today.
CH: Think nothing of it, petit écrivain.
SH: What does that mean?
CH: (Leaning back into her chair, her hands resting demurely in her lap) It means little writer. May I ask why you look so uncomfortable?
SH: I thought I was the one asking the questions? (I reply with a nervous laugh.)
When all I get is a quirked brow from Caitlyn, I give her the most honest answer I can, hoping that my honesty will help me delve into the enigma that has plagued me since I started following the team around.
SH: Since I was a little girl, vampires have fascinated me. They’ve been my fave paranormal creatures. When you all revealed yourselves to the world, I was ecstatic. Vampires were real, and I could speak with them and find out what parts of the histories were true. In my experience, some vampires are not like they are portrayed in the books or movies; they’re worse.
I came to the conclusion that, like humans, vampires have evil amongst them. And then some are different. Like you, Donnie, and now Melanie. Good guys who got a bad hand dealt and are trying to make things right; even though they don’t have to.
CH: (A slight tilt of her head, Caitlyn narrows her gaze at me and a shiver dances over my spine.) You are very observant, aren’t you, Ms. Harris? Yes, the world is rife with evil. They do not have to be a creature of the night to be so. If you were an evil human, becoming a vampire will only heighten that.
SH: Does that mean that you think that you are evil? Or are you trying to rid the world of evil by working with P.I.T?
CH: I was not evil when I was human, but I did some unimaginable things when I became a vampire. I cannot repent for some of the things that I have done, but I must try my hardest to live with the wrong I have done by doing some right.
SH: Not much is known about where you came from. All that I managed to get out of anyone is that you were born in France, were a Lady or close enough. Most people shout from the rooftops about who sired them, yet you are quite coy about it.
CH: (Her lips press together in a firm line and I swear her eyes shimmered from grey to black while she considered her words.) My sire is not someone who we need to discuss. He is a sadistic, narcissistic murderer. In relation to your other questions; yes, I was a Lady of my house in Paris. I no longer consider myself as such.
I’m pretty certain that this topic is off the table now, and from the rigid stiffness of her spine, I deviate toward other questions.
SH: Many times I have heard of your wow never to make anyone else a vampire, yet you’ve now made two. Why were these two so special?
Caitlyn folds her arm across her chest. I wait. I’ve been waiting my entire life to interview a vampire; a few minutes of reflection won’t hurt.
CH: Donnie died in a similar manner to my own and I felt compelled to give him the choice I was never given. It was a choice Melanie did not have, but she too has embraced the life more than I feel I may ever.
SH: What’s it like to have Melanie in the house now? I mean, you and Donnie have been living together for two decades and now in comes Melanie. I’m sure it’s been an adjustment.
CH: Melanie came into this life with an effortless ease. There have been some, adjustments, as you call them. The world has changed many times over for me, but being around someone like Melanie, who has not let the fact she was kidnapped and tortured into her second life hinder her. Perhaps, as she has always wanted a life different from her human life, it was easier to adjust. I do sometimes feel as if I have faced a culture shock with Melanie.
SH: How do you mean?
CH: The music she listens to. The movies or TV she chooses to watch. The manner in which she speaks. I had been raised to speak when spoken to, know my place and do as I have been told. I cannot imagine someone like Melanie standing for that.
SH: (I smile.) A different age for different kind of person. Much has changed since you were a Lady, Caitlyn. But you know that more than I ever will.
Caitlyn returns my smile, even for the briefest of seconds. I put the list of questions under my files. I know now, having spoken with Caitlyn, that asking Caitlyn similar questions to the ones that I asked Ricky, just before Skin and Bones came out isn’t the way to approach this. Asking Caitlyn what she likes or dislikes about herself, or what qualities she looks for in a man seem childish now.
CH: I can see your mind whirling.
SH: My mind is always whirling. I had a bunch of useless questions that I knew readers wanted to have answered, but I decided against them. I mean, most of us already guess what you most find attractive in a man… I mean… we hope anyways.
To my surprise, Caitlyn chuckles. There is a light in her eyes, I’ve only seen a few times before. And she’s been around a certain vampire.
CH: Melanie has informed me of, what is the word she said… (She taps a well-manicured fingernail against the side of her head.) Ah shippers…that’s the right word isn’t it?
SH: (I can’t help it, I burst out laughing, totally in shock at this gorgeous woman who looked as if she stepped out of a fifties pin-up calander using a word like shippers.)
CH: I could never understand this need to know everyone’s business. Posting pictures online of your lunch, or the excessive need to inform the entire world about every aspect of your life. I am a private person, Ms. Harris, and you will never have to worry about writing a book about my life.
SH: Are you sure about that?
She doesn’t answer me, simply raises her eyebrow, and I hold my hands up in defense.
SH: I just say it like I see it. Twenty years is a long time to wait for a woman. You can’t just tell me there’s nothing there.
CH: Donnie feels obligated to remain by my side. I have told him time and time again that I am not right for him. Simple as that. My story will never be one you have to tell.
The door opens and the person in question pops his head in. Golden hair almost trimmed down to the skull and a playful smile on his lips, Donnie O’Carroll is eye candy for the soul. Full lips now grow into a confident smirk and I blush.
DOC: Sorry to interrupt ladies but Cait, we gotta go. Derek’s in trouble.
Caitlyn is on her feet in a blur of motion that I almost missed. Donnie salutes me and ducks out. Caitlyn pauses at the door and turns back to me.
CH: My story will never be a happy one to tell. I am dark and twisted on the inside, and even my demons are afraid of me. I pray you never have to see inside my mind, for I fear you will not come out unscathed.
She leaves me then, and I release a breath. The day didn’t end out how I suspected it would, but despite her warnings, despite her trepidation, her final words left me with a feeling that I haven’t felt in a long while; hope.
I’d been delving into the lives of The Paranormal Investigations Team for a while now, spent a little time around them. But to be honest, the thought of having to interview Caitlyn Hardi intimidates me. This woman, this vampire, is the epitome of everything I am not; classy, elegant, beautiful, and deadly dangerous.
I rub my sweaty palms down the leg of my black jeans. I’d made an extra effort today, dressed up as much as I possibly could, but no matter how expensive or as dressed up as I got, it would totally pale in comparison to Caitlyn.
As I glance down at the scuff marks on my well-worn boots, I hear a throat clear and I jerk my head up. Standing in front of me is the woman in question. Dressed head to toe in black, her gunmetal grey eyes study me as I stand up, feeling like I should apologize for my presence.
Caitlyn pulls out the chair across from mine and eases herself down. I scrambled to sit back down, awkward in my movements. I set my phone down on the table and press record. After a few minutes, I realize that I am staring at Caitlyn, my cheeks heat, and I look down at the questions on my printed piece of paper.
SH: Um, Hi Caitlyn. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today.
CH: Think nothing of it, petit écrivain.
SH: What does that mean?
CH: (Leaning back into her chair, her hands resting demurely in her lap) It means little writer. May I ask why you look so uncomfortable?
SH: I thought I was the one asking the questions? (I reply with a nervous laugh.)
When all I get is a quirked brow from Caitlyn, I give her the most honest answer I can, hoping that my honesty will help me delve into the enigma that has plagued me since I started following the team around.
SH: Since I was a little girl, vampires have fascinated me. They’ve been my fave paranormal creatures. When you all revealed yourselves to the world, I was ecstatic. Vampires were real, and I could speak with them and find out what parts of the histories were true. In my experience, some vampires are not like they are portrayed in the books or movies; they’re worse.
I came to the conclusion that, like humans, vampires have evil amongst them. And then some are different. Like you, Donnie, and now Melanie. Good guys who got a bad hand dealt and are trying to make things right; even though they don’t have to.
CH: (A slight tilt of her head, Caitlyn narrows her gaze at me and a shiver dances over my spine.) You are very observant, aren’t you, Ms. Harris? Yes, the world is rife with evil. They do not have to be a creature of the night to be so. If you were an evil human, becoming a vampire will only heighten that.
SH: Does that mean that you think that you are evil? Or are you trying to rid the world of evil by working with P.I.T?
CH: I was not evil when I was human, but I did some unimaginable things when I became a vampire. I cannot repent for some of the things that I have done, but I must try my hardest to live with the wrong I have done by doing some right.
SH: Not much is known about where you came from. All that I managed to get out of anyone is that you were born in France, were a Lady or close enough. Most people shout from the rooftops about who sired them, yet you are quite coy about it.
CH: (Her lips press together in a firm line and I swear her eyes shimmered from grey to black while she considered her words.) My sire is not someone who we need to discuss. He is a sadistic, narcissistic murderer. In relation to your other questions; yes, I was a Lady of my house in Paris. I no longer consider myself as such.
I’m pretty certain that this topic is off the table now, and from the rigid stiffness of her spine, I deviate toward other questions.
SH: Many times I have heard of your wow never to make anyone else a vampire, yet you’ve now made two. Why were these two so special?
Caitlyn folds her arm across her chest. I wait. I’ve been waiting my entire life to interview a vampire; a few minutes of reflection won’t hurt.
CH: Donnie died in a similar manner to my own and I felt compelled to give him the choice I was never given. It was a choice Melanie did not have, but she too has embraced the life more than I feel I may ever.
SH: What’s it like to have Melanie in the house now? I mean, you and Donnie have been living together for two decades and now in comes Melanie. I’m sure it’s been an adjustment.
CH: Melanie came into this life with an effortless ease. There have been some, adjustments, as you call them. The world has changed many times over for me, but being around someone like Melanie, who has not let the fact she was kidnapped and tortured into her second life hinder her. Perhaps, as she has always wanted a life different from her human life, it was easier to adjust. I do sometimes feel as if I have faced a culture shock with Melanie.
SH: How do you mean?
CH: The music she listens to. The movies or TV she chooses to watch. The manner in which she speaks. I had been raised to speak when spoken to, know my place and do as I have been told. I cannot imagine someone like Melanie standing for that.
SH: (I smile.) A different age for different kind of person. Much has changed since you were a Lady, Caitlyn. But you know that more than I ever will.
Caitlyn returns my smile, even for the briefest of seconds. I put the list of questions under my files. I know now, having spoken with Caitlyn, that asking Caitlyn similar questions to the ones that I asked Ricky, just before Skin and Bones came out isn’t the way to approach this. Asking Caitlyn what she likes or dislikes about herself, or what qualities she looks for in a man seem childish now.
CH: I can see your mind whirling.
SH: My mind is always whirling. I had a bunch of useless questions that I knew readers wanted to have answered, but I decided against them. I mean, most of us already guess what you most find attractive in a man… I mean… we hope anyways.
To my surprise, Caitlyn chuckles. There is a light in her eyes, I’ve only seen a few times before. And she’s been around a certain vampire.
CH: Melanie has informed me of, what is the word she said… (She taps a well-manicured fingernail against the side of her head.) Ah shippers…that’s the right word isn’t it?
SH: (I can’t help it, I burst out laughing, totally in shock at this gorgeous woman who looked as if she stepped out of a fifties pin-up calander using a word like shippers.)
CH: I could never understand this need to know everyone’s business. Posting pictures online of your lunch, or the excessive need to inform the entire world about every aspect of your life. I am a private person, Ms. Harris, and you will never have to worry about writing a book about my life.
SH: Are you sure about that?
She doesn’t answer me, simply raises her eyebrow, and I hold my hands up in defense.
SH: I just say it like I see it. Twenty years is a long time to wait for a woman. You can’t just tell me there’s nothing there.
CH: Donnie feels obligated to remain by my side. I have told him time and time again that I am not right for him. Simple as that. My story will never be one you have to tell.
The door opens and the person in question pops his head in. Golden hair almost trimmed down to the skull and a playful smile on his lips, Donnie O’Carroll is eye candy for the soul. Full lips now grow into a confident smirk and I blush.
DOC: Sorry to interrupt ladies but Cait, we gotta go. Derek’s in trouble.
Caitlyn is on her feet in a blur of motion that I almost missed. Donnie salutes me and ducks out. Caitlyn pauses at the door and turns back to me.
CH: My story will never be a happy one to tell. I am dark and twisted on the inside, and even my demons are afraid of me. I pray you never have to see inside my mind, for I fear you will not come out unscathed.
She leaves me then, and I release a breath. The day didn’t end out how I suspected it would, but despite her warnings, despite her trepidation, her final words left me with a feeling that I haven’t felt in a long while; hope.