Somebody in Boots

[dirtywhiteboy]

Years ago, Ruben had wondered how long it would take for the sun to burn him into ashes. It had been a random notion, one he hadn't seriously entertained, but he thought of that time every now and then. For a man who couldn't see himself in a mirror, he was strangely reflective.

It was three a.m. The bars had announced last call an hour ago. Even in Las Vegas, some laws still held. If you wanted to drink after two in the morning, you had to go home or somewhere else.

He was stepping over the legs of the dead man in the alley, heading towards the sidewalk. He'd learned to eat quietly. Someone would probably find the body eventually, most likely an unlucky garbageman. Nevada was warming up, careening towards summer.

There was a pale moon trying to shine down through the light pollution, and Ruben turned his face up towards it. The moon was cold, remote, but it was also kind. It wouldn't burn him.

Comments

[dirtywhiteboy]

"Mmm."

It was a considering noise, and Ruben's long legs carried his weight over the bus stop bench where the dead girl had slumped over farther. She was now lying on her side. Cool hands cupped Dorothy's warm cheeks.

If he was death, so was she, he knew that now. The vampire leaned down, his blue eyes looking into her brown ones. She could not stop his heart. That deal was long done.

His lips brushed her forehead on a chaste kiss. She was Other, and that meant she was not for him, but she was like him, and that was enough. His hands moved from her face to her shoulders.

"If'n ya need, I can help get ya home."

[dori_bell]

“Don’t worry,” she said with her eyes closed. She was glazed over but competent. “I have a brother. He’ll let me stay the night. He’s around somewhere…” Dori looked up at the tall buildings of the neighborhood and knew that she’d find her way to James and his front door in short order. He’d take one look at her and know what Dorothy had done, but there was nothing to be done for it.

She placed her hands over Ruben’s. “You should go inside before the sun comes.”

Because he had done it, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek, which was pale and cool but not smooth. The rough beard hairs prickled her lips. “Have a good night.”

[dirtywhiteboy]

The vampire stepped back, tucking his hands int his coat pockets. He hoped he didn't have to throw his shirt out because of the blood on it. Shopping was difficult when you couldn't go out in the day.

"Safe journey, Dorothy," he said, executing a strange little half-bow in her direction. "Mind late-night traffic."

Ruben turned and started to walk away. His stomach was so full that he knew he wouldn't have to eat tomorrow night. As he put more distance between himself and the girl, he began to hum 'Rock of Ages'. Even without the words, it was a fine old song.