Dewsbury Tales - Amelia Black

I am Amelia Black, a female peasant who has spent my entire life in Dewsbury. 

I was born here, and I spend my days working in the fields and tending to the animals. 

I am also friends with a girl named Eliza Jordan. 

She's a few years older than me, but the two of us get along quite well. 

We spend most of our time together and do everything together. 

I am content with my life in Dewsbury and hope that things will only get better.

AMELIA BLACK

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[Located at the base of a forest near the sea, the large city of Dewsbury is home to many beings led by King Alistair the Defender. It has a local library, which is of great importance to the people of Dewsbury and its success due to its vast collection of rare, old books. The megalopolis itself looks gruesome. Dewsbury has a chilling atmosphere with its murky wooden rooftops, stone veneer walls, and dark woods. The main attraction is farmland. Dewsbury is likely headed into a macabre future.]

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The sound of a horse whinnying snaps me out of my thoughts.

I look over to where the horses are kept and find that they are indeed very agitated.

They're snorting and stomping around their area and won't stay still.

"I think the horses know something is wrong," I say.

"It's probably just a deer or something."

"Deer don't make horses act like that. I think we should go check it out."

"I'm not going anywhere," Eliza says. "It's late, and it's dark. Whatever is out there can wait until morning."

I look over at the frightened horses once again and then back to Eliza.

"Alright," I say. "I'll go check it out."

"Are you sure?" Eliza asks.

"Yeah, I'm sure," I say. "I'll be fine. It's just a deer, right?"

"Just be careful," Eliza says.

I nod and walk over to the horses.

They're so agitated that they start to back away as I approach.

I grab a lantern.

I walk along the path, lantern raised.

I scan the trees around me but see nothing out of the ordinary.

Still, the horses are acting very strange.

"Is anyone there?" I ask.

The wind blows through the trees, rustling leaves.

A twig snaps, and I nearly jump out of my skin.

I continue walking, lantern held out in front of me.

Suddenly, I hear a sound coming from the trees up ahead.

I stop and listen. It's a low growl, almost too soft to hear.

"Hello?" I call.

The growling stops and is replaced by a faint hissing noise.

Whatever is out there, it doesn't sound friendly.

"Show yourself!"

The hissing stops and the woods fall silent.

I wait a moment, listening for any sound at all, but nothing breaks the silence.

Whatever was out there has gone quiet and is presumably still out there, watching me.

"I don't care how scared you are," I mutter to myself. "I'm not going to let you scare me."

I begin walking again, determined to find the source of the noise.

Suddenly, I see something in the corner of my vision.

I turn to look, but nothing is there.

I shake my head.

"Must be the wind," I say to myself.

I continue walking, but a cold breeze hits me in the face, blowing back my hair.

I turn and look into the forest.

I see nothing but trees and underbrush, but I feel as if something is watching me.

I can't explain it, but my gut is telling me that something is there.

"Come on out," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "I know you're there."

I stare into the forest, waiting for a response of some kind.

The seconds pass, and soon it becomes apparent that there is going to be no response.

Something emerges from the underbrush.

At first, I think it's a wolf, but this creature is different.

It's larger than a regular wolf, and its fur is pure black.

The creature stares at me with red eyes, its jaws open wide to reveal a pair of ivory fangs.

It lets out a low growl, and I hear the sound of other creatures joining in.

Within seconds, the forest has come alive with the sound of growling and hissing.

I shout back to Eliza, "RUN!"

I turn to see a dozen wolves prowling towards me.

I drop my lantern and begin running back to the house, but it's too late.

The wolves are upon me, knocking me to the ground.

I scream as they start tearing me apart with their teeth, ripping off my clothes, and sinking their teeth into my flesh.

I struggle for a few moments but soon lose all strength as life is drained from me.

Eliza runs over to where I am.

The wolf-like creatures run into the trees.

Eliza looks at me in horror as I lay dying, blood pouring from my wounds.

"What happened to you?" she asks, terrified.

I try to answer but can't muster the strength to do so.

I struggle to breathe before falling still as death takes me.

I awake some hours later, wrapped in a white cloth, lying on a table in the parlor.

My wounds have somehow healed, and I feel a pang of extreme hunger.

Eliza stands over me, staring at me with her large green eyes.

"I brought you back," she says as I sit up. "You're like me now.

We can be together forever."

"What did you do to me?" I ask, terrified.

"I brought you into the fold.

We can live forever if we stay out of the sun.

It won’t kill us, but it doesn’t feel great.

If we drink a little every few days, we stay young."

"You're insane," I say. "I'm leaving."

I stand, walking towards the door.

Eliza stands in front of me, blocking my path.

"You can't leave," she says.

"Watch me," I reply.

I push Eliza out of the way, but she grabs my arm.

I try to pull free but find her grip impossible to break. 

Eliza says that if I stay with her, I can have everything I’ve ever wanted and a never-ending amount of what I now need.

"Just think about it," she says. "We could be together forever.

We could have so much fun."

I stare at Eliza and can't help but agree.

The prospect is incredibly tempting.

However, I’m still wary.

"I'm so hungry," I say.

Eliza smiles and leads me to the basement.

I see a small group of villagers cowering in the dark.

They shy away from the light from the stairwell and look terrified as Eliza and I enter.

"Is this what we... eat?"

I ask, pointing at the group of villagers.

"Yes," Eliza says. "Come on, I'll introduce you."

Eliza walks over to the group of villagers and grabs one by the scruff of his shirt.

He's a young man, probably around my age.

Eliza pulls him to his feet and drags him over to me.

"This is David," she says. "He'll be your meal tonight."

I introduce myself.

My hunger has grown increasingly, and I cannot control myself.

I grab David and sink my teeth into his neck.

The blood is warm and tastes almost as delicious as the steak I had the night before.

I feel a rush of energy and power as I drain the man of his blood.

I look up at Eliza, smiling.

"This is great!" I say with a laugh. "I feel amazing!"

"Of course you do," she says. "Now, we have lots to do.

We need to get you some proper clothes and shoes."

"OK," I say. "But can we finish off the rest of these people first?"

The remaining villagers look at me in horror.

Luckily, they have nowhere to run.

Eliza laughs and nods.

We both pick off villagers one by one, draining them of their blood and adding to my strength.

After a while, I add a rule to my list:

• Never kill with the sun out.

• It's much easier to get caught and much harder to hide the bodies.

After we’ve had our fill, I and Eliza I head out of the house.

I’m wearing a pair of David's trousers and one of his shirts.

I pick up a walking stick that I find in the parlor, and Eliza leads me into town.

"So, what are we exactly?" I ask.

Eliza looks at me, and I can see the sadness in her eyes.

"We're monsters," she says.

We walk in silence for a while before we find a clothes shop and head inside.

I see a pair of trousers, a shirt and a coat which fit me well enough and buy them from the frightened owner of the shop.

I pull my cloak over myself to keep myself safe from the sun as Eliza and I return to the street.

"Where to, m'lady?" I ask, bowing deeply and sweeping my arm to the side in an overly chivalrous gesture.

Eliza giggles and takes my arm.

"Shall we return home?" I ask in a ridiculously posh voice.

Eliza nods, and we head back to the house. 

I walk into the dark hallway, and Eliza closes the door.

"I'll go light the candles," she says. "You sit down and rest."

I head into the living room and sit down in one of the chairs.

I sigh deeply as I feel the weight of the past day's horrors slowly lifting from my soul.

Eliza enters with candles.

She places them around the room, lights them, and then sits next to me.

"So..." she says nervously. "Now what?"

I stare deeply into her eyes and think for a moment.

"I don't know," I say finally. "I really don't know."

I lean in and kiss her softly on the lips.

She kisses back, and I feel a rush of adrenaline hit me.

I’ve never felt anything so amazing before in my life.

"I'm sorry.

We can stop if you like.

I don't know what came over me."

"No, it's OK," she says. "I like you.

I really like you."

We kiss again and end up making love for the rest of the night.

I feel a closeness to Eliza that I’ve never felt with anyone before.

The horrors of last night are all but forgotten as I enjoy her company.

"This is what it should be like," I say. "This is what life is all about."

"I know."

"Are there any others?

Like us?"

"I don't know," she says. "I've never met another.

I've heard rumors, but... I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I've heard rumors about a group that calls themselves the 'Children of the Night.'

From what I've heard, they're a gang of Vampires that rule over the criminal underworld."

"Is there any way to find out more about them? "

"I don't know," she says. "I'd imagine there's a way, but I don't know how.

I'm sorry, I don't."

"That's OK," I say. "I'm just curious, is all."

"I'm sorry I can't help you with this."

"Don't worry about it."

I spend the rest of the night making love to Eliza, and finally, we fall asleep in each other’s arms.

I wake up the following day next to Eliza.

I decide to go into the home library to read until she wakes up.

I grab a book on Greek mythology and begin reading.

I read about the gods of Olympus and how they interacted with humans.

I read about Zeus, the ruler of the gods, and his love for mortals.

I read about Hades, the underworld god, and his relationship with Persephone, the goddess of spring.

I read about Orpheus, a famous poet who had great wisdom.

As I read the pages, I feel as if I’m transported to a different world.

I decided to look for a book about vampires.

I look through the sections and find the book 'Dracula.’

I open it and begin to read.

I read about the author, Bram Stoker, and how he came to write the novel.

It was written in 1897 and is based on a tale that Stoker heard from Jonathan Harker.

I begin to read the classic book and become engrossed in the story.

I lose track of time as I read about the vampire Count Dracula and his attempt to escape Transylvania and travel to England.

I read about the novel’s characters, such as Harker, his wife, Mina, their friend, Lucy, and the vampire hunter, Dr. Van Helsing.

I am still reading, engulfed by the pages, when Eliza sleepily enters the library.

"I'm sorry," she says. "Am I interrupting?"

"No, not at all," I say. "I was just reading."

I show Eliza the book I am reading.

"Oh, I've read that!" she says. "It's a great book, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," I say. "Have you read much else by Bram Stoker?"

"Just the other novels," she says. "

"Would you say that it is an accurate representation of vampires?

I mean, you have been one longer than I have."

"Oh, I don't know," she says. "I haven't really thought about it.

I mean, it's a story. It's fiction."

"Are there any books that are non-fiction?" I ask.

"Sure," she says. "Lots of them.

They're just not as interesting."

"Do you think I should believe everything that I read?" I ask.

"Well, no," she says.

"I just wanted to learn more about the creature I've become.

Haven't you ever wanted to learn more?

Like, do we have powers?

Are there vampire laws?"

"I suppose I have," she says. "I've never really thought about it, though.

I mean, I don't really think about the future.

I'm pleased just spending every night with you."

"That's very kind of you," I say. "But don't you think it's a bit... I don't know... boring?"

"Boring?" she asks. "How could spending every night with the person you love be boring?"

"I mean, shouldn't we learn more about what we are?"

"I'm fine not knowing what I am," she says. "I'm just a girl who loves you, and that's all that matters to me."

"But don't you want to know more about vampires?" I ask. 

"I suppose," she says. "But I think we should leave those questions unanswered.

I mean, what's the point of knowing?"

"I think it could be quite useful to gain more knowledge."

"I suppose you're right," she says. "We should look for more books."

"Do you know where we could find any?" I ask.

"There's a library in town," she says. "It's not far from here."

"Let's go there, then," I say.

Eliza nods, and the pair of you walk out of the house.

I lock the door behind us, pulling my cloak up to protect myself, and walk down the street with Eliza.

Eliza and I walk to the local library in town and ask the librarian about books on vampires.

The librarian is terrified of us as she sits at her desk.

She's a middle-aged woman with spectacles, and she quickly looks through the database of books.

"Vampires... vampires... ah, here we go!" she says, pulling out a hefty tome and handing it to you.

"I think this is everything we have on vampires."

I look at the book.

It's huge, about the size of an atlas.

The cover is blank, and it seems to be bound in human skin.

"Thank you. May we check out?"

"Yes, of course," she says. "Just put it on the desk."

I place the book on the desk, and the librarian looks through a few pages before placing a stamp on it.

She then hands it back to me shakily.

"There you are," she says, retreating quickly back to the safety of her desk.

I turn and head out of the library with Eliza.

"Well, that was much easier than I expected.

I feel bad for startling that poor librarian, though."

"I know, right?" Eliza says. "I was expecting her to call the police or something."

"Let's go home," I say.

Eliza and I walk back to our house, where we both climb into bed.

I hold each other tightly, kissing each other on the lips.

"I love you," I say.

"I love you, too," Eliza replies.

I drift off to sleep, dreaming about my future with Eliza.

The following morning, I awake and immediately get to work.

I open the book on vampires that I checked out from the library and begin reading.

The book is divided into several sections, each detailing a different aspect of being a vampire.

The first section is on the history of vampires.

According to the book, vampires have been documented in nearly every culture and religion across the world.

The book says that vampires are not mere superstitions or children's tales

but rather an ancient species that has manipulated humanity throughout history.

The next section of the book is on the powers of a vampire.

The book explains that vampires do not have many special abilities beyond the average human.

Vampires can't fly, they can't turn into animals or change their form, and they can't mesmerize their victims with their eyes.

Instead, vampires are only immortal and possess superhuman strength.

The final section of the book describes the process in which a human becomes a vampire.

The process is simple: a human drinks a vampire’s blood, and they are then reborn as one of "the undead.”

The book mentions that most vampires are not created intentionally but rather by accident.

Hunters will often kill vampires, then drain their blood for easier disposal.

Suppose a human drinks this blood before it is disposed of.

In that case, the hunter will have inadvertently turned that person into a vampire.

The book says that hunters use this tactic to kill vampires because for a human to become a vampire,

they must be bitten by one and then drink the vampire's blood.

If a vampire bites a human but does not allow them to drink their blood, then that person will not become a vampire.

I set the book down and think about what I have read.

Eliza enters the library and sees me looking quite serious.

I asked her how she could have me drink her blood if I was unconscious and dying.

"I don't know," she says. "It just happened.

I cut my arm and let my blood dip into your mouth.

I just hoped it would work.

I couldn't stand to lose you."

"Well, I'm glad you did.

Even if I am damned to be a monster for the rest of eternity, at least I will have you."

"I'm glad I did, too," she says. "I love you."

I kiss her and hold her tightly.

"I love you, too," I say.

I spend the rest of the day with Eliza, then retire to our bedroom at sunset.

I climb into bed and hold Eliza tightly as we drift off to sleep.

The next night, I awaken to find that I am still in bed with Eliza.

I stroke her hair, and Eliza begins to stir.

"Good morning, my love," I say.

"Morning?" she asks. "How can it be morning?”

“It feels as though we only just went to bed,” I say.

"I'm going to go see my mother today," she says.

"Alright," I say. "I'll come with you."

I get out of bed and put on my clothes, then head downstairs with Eliza.

I walk outside with Eliza and begin walking towards her mother's house.

"Do you think your mother will like my new dress?" asks Eliza as she models her dress.

"I think she will love it."

We arrive at Eliza’s parent’s house and knock on the door.

Mrs. Jordan answers.

"Hello, Eliza," she says. "Is this the young woman you have been living with?"

Eliza nods her head, and Mrs. Jordan invites us both inside.

"I'm going to go get your father," she says.

I follow Eliza into her parent's parlor and sit.

A few moments later, Mr. Jordan enters the room.

"Hello," he says. "I am Eliza's father."

I stand and shake his hand.

"I'm..." I begin to say before he interrupts me.

"I know who you are," he says. "Eliza has spoken about you on several occasions."

He sits down and stares at me for a moment.

A few moments later, his wife enters the room carrying a tea tray.

"It's nice to finally meet you. Eliza has told me many wonderful things."

"Yes, it is nice to finally meet you, as well," says Mr. Jordan.

"I must say, I was a bit apprehensive about you when Eliza first told me about you.

I was not sure if you were the right sort of person she should be associating with."

"Oh?" I ask.

"Yes," he says. "Eliza is my only child, and I do love her very much."

"I would never do anything to hurt her," I say.

"I'm sure you wouldn't," he says. "And I can see that you truly do love Eliza.

That's the only thing that matters."

I smile and nod as he continues.

"Are you aware of our... condition?"

"Yes," he says. "I am aware."

"Does it bother you?" I ask.

"Does what bother me?" he asks in return.

"The fact that Eliza and I are both vampires?" I ask.

He pauses for a moment and looks at his wife for support before answering.

"No," he says with a smile. "It does not bother me.

Eliza is in love, and who am I to deny her happiness?"

 "Even if we are considered monsters?"

"I do not consider my daughter a monster," he says. "And I don't consider you one, either.

I may not understand everything about you, but I am willing to learn.

That is what love is."

I smile and nod.

"Now," he says. "There will be a small gathering of the town's elders tonight.

I trust you will attend?"

"I don’t think that’s such a good idea," I reply.

"No, I suppose you are right," he says with a frown. 

I look at Eliza, saddened.

"What will be discussed at the gathering?"

"The usual," he says. "This town's problems, and how we can solve them."

"What sort of problems does the town have?" I ask.

"The same ones everyone has," he says. "The plague, for one.

It's been going around, and it's the worst I've ever seen it."

"I've seen it as well," I say. "It's a horrible disease."

"Indeed," he says."

I recounted the terrible night when the wolf-like creatures attacked me.

I shudder as I think about the people who once led ordinary lives, now stuck in this form,

destined to devour anyone they come upon.

"I have heard rumors about the plague transforming the infected into werewolves," he says.

"But I never believed them. I thought it to be the ramblings of madmen and drunks. But now..."

He trails off, and his wife gives him a nudge.

"Now, I'm not so sure," he says. "If even a small portion of what I've heard is true, then we are in danger.

We must do something about this menace."

"They attacked me a few nights ago, back before... Before, Eliza had to change me.

I was wounded badly, and Eliza thought her only option was to change me into a vampire, like her.

She didn't want to lose me."

"I see," he says. "Well, I'm glad you're alright now."

"Indeed," I say. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Think nothing of it," he says.

Eliza and I stand up from the table and head to the door.

We arrive at our home and open the door.

We head inside and find that it's dark. 

I tell Eliza about everything I read in the book about vampires.

She listens intently and mentions that she was aware of most of it.

She is slightly disappointed about the lack of magical abilities. 

"I guess I'm not as special as I thought I was," she says.

"You're still special to me," I say.

We both smile, and we kiss.

I hold Eliza in my arms and feel a sense of accomplishment.

My life has changed so much in the past few days, but somehow it all feels right.

I feel as though things will only get better from here.

I have a strong feeling that I am going to live forever...