The Donor House: John: Making a Decision

[kajones_writing]

Alice looked at John and ran a hand though her hair, showing that she was nervous. “We talked after you left last night and it was a joint decision, which is unusual.” She smiled. “We all think you’ve been a wonderful addition to the house, so we’d like to offer you the chance to move in, because we know that you don’t currently have a permanent place of residence.”

John looked around the dining hall as he thought about what he wanted to do. In the three months he’d been visiting the house he’d found a place he was sure he could call home, but at the same time it had been centuries since he’d put down any real roots. Moving from place to place had been easier for him. A part of him was looking for Pádriac, even though John was sure he’d never see his creator again, and he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to give up the search, no matter how pointless it was.

Living at the house would give John access to Issac, who was trying to put together a family tree for all the vampires. Maybe they could find another vampire who was one of Pádriac’s creations or they might even be able to find Pádriac himself. Some vampires had no interest in their bloodline, but both Issac and John were fascinated by the idea of creating a vampire family tree, and staying would mean he’d be able to work on it more.

That wasn’t the only reason to stay. John had come to care about the vampires and donors he’d spent time with. Especially Alice. He smiled at the vampire, who he could tell was terrified he was going to say no, trying to work out what would be his biggest regret. Would it be turning down a permanent room in the house, so he could have a home again, or would it be giving up a search for a vampire who had left him behind, because that was what vampires did?

“I want to say yes,” John said, reaching a hand out to grasp Alice’s, hoping she’d be able to help him. “The house is the one place I can imagine making my home, but…”

“You don’t want to give up the hunt for your creator.”

“Am I being an idiot?”
“John…” Alice sighed. “I’ve always known who turned me into a vampire and we haven’t parted company since the day it happened. Nick has suggested it a few times, because he thinks I’d be better off without him, but I know how much he needs me. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have him disappear on me having spent a decade together, so I don’t want to tell you you’re being an idiot, and yet from what you’ve told me about Pádriac I can’t imagine wanting to search for him, especially as he was the one who walked away.”

“From the time he first changed me I knew it was going to happen. He was always open about the way he worked and I kept hoping that I would be the one who changed him, right up until the day he left. Then, at first, I just felt relief. I didn’t have to deal with him any longer, or his beliefs, or the continuous debates we had about how different my way of being a vampire was compare to his. Pádriac always wanted to change me into the sort of vampire he thought I should be, when I seemed to be convincing him that he didn’t need to be the vampire his creator trained him to be. It wasn’t until I’d spent a couple of years alone that I really started thinking that it would be nice to see him again, even if it was only for a couple of hours, so I could find out what he’d been up to, but no one I’ve come across has even met him.”

“If anyone can find him it’ll be Issac.”

“That’s what I’m beginning to believe.” John bit his lip. “Even though I have this unending urge to see Pádriac again I wish that I didn’t, because I honestly didn’t like him. He turned me into a vampire because he thought I was pretty, taking me away from the chance to follow my family into whatever afterlife might exist, and brought me to a country that I hated to begin with. England took a long time to grow on me, but it did eventually. Now I can’t imagine going back home.” He sighed. “Especially as it’s changed so much since it was my home.”

“Feelings aren’t logical, John, as much as I wish they were. You connected with Pádriac during the time you were together, even though you didn’t want to, and missing him is normal.”

“I haven’t see him in centuries.”

“Whoever said that mattered.” Alice wrapped her hand around his. “I haven’t seen my mother in thirty years, she disowned me because I became a vampire by accident, and I still miss her. I can’t imagine a time I won’t miss her, so I can understand why you miss Pádriac.”

“Do you think I should stay here?”

“I wouldn’t have offered you a place if I didn’t think you should, but it’s entirely up to you when you take us up on it. If you want to go travelling for a year and then come back the place will still be waiting for you.” Alice smiled at him. “We love you, John. You’ve become a part of the family we’re creating here, we all want you to make this place your home, and we’re all willing to wait for you.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Issac brought it up, because he’s been in the same position you’re in now, and we all agreed that you can take as much time as you need to think about accepting the room. It doesn’t matter if you make the decision now or in a century.”

Mirrored from K. A. Jones Writing.