She Was Brave (7th Part)

Not a good sign. Don’s car wasn’t in the drive way or the garage. Traci was desperately trying not to panic. Would he have run off with the kids? It seemed highly unlikely. Something was wrong though…she could feel it. Almost touch it.

Who knows, maybe he had taken the kids to his mother’s house to try and scare her. That was just as unlikely as the first thought. Don was, if nothing else, a creature of habit and he didn’t like other people breaking his routine. Fighting had become fairly routine for them and it wasn’t like him to run off to avoid one.

The door was locked and all of the lights were out. So they hadn’t been home yet or one of the kids would have left their room lights on. Maybe he had gone to his Mother’s house. Well, at least she knew that the kids would get a decent meal over there. Traci had an average relationship with her In-laws. As in, the grandchildren were their world, their son could do no wrong, and they made polite conversation with her. Still, it was more of a family than she had ever known.

Traci hung up her coat and keys then strolled up the stairs to her bedroom. A shower…or better yet, a hot bath! That’s what she needed. A nice, long, hot bath. God, what she wouldn’t do to be able to have the opportunity more often!

She glanced at the phone and thought about checking the voice mail but, decided that whatever Don had to say could be heard after her bath. There was a feeling of drastic change that she couldn’t shake. The thought of a bath gave her hope that she could rinse away that feeling…that foreboding ache. With that thought, Traci headed towards the bathroom. They did after all have a huge tub. Why didn’t she use it more often? God only knows she has enough bathe-salt to start her own store.

The water felt so good. Traci sat there letting the conditioning treatment set in her hair and thinking. Yes, this was the end. There would be no more them…no more Don. No more excuses and silly explanations to the children about why their father couldn’t (more over wouldn’t) make it to their important events. It would be sad for her babies but, together they would work through it. Her babies were strong and smart. They deserved better too.

Time had passed so quickly that Traci hadn’t even notice her bath had gone cold. Toweling off and throwing on some PJ’s she stole up her strength and picked up the phone.





The sun had only been down for a few hours now but, Devyn had been up far longer. He’d felt it again. That strange ache and loneliness and something else. It was so strong that he dressed and headed out in the daylight.

Lore had it that a vampire could not go out in the sun without meeting their deaths. This was not so and yet it is. During the day they are like mortals and are depleted of their strength. The young ones can indeed meet their deaths in the suns rays for they have no strength to spare. It is only the older and more powerful of their kind whom can walk in the light. Not such a gift though as they were comparably likened to an old man! Though given his powers and abilities Devyn was pretty sure he was more comparable to a thirty to forty year old. Not so many vampires could boast as much.

The feeling was strong and yet with the day light beating down on him he was not able to home in on it. Frustrated, Devyn wandered about the city HOPING that he might happen upon the source. Yet, the sun was now set and he was still wandering. And wondering. What the Hell was wrong with him? He was chasing a feeling?! Though, what else did he have to do? Century after century and well, it had to be boredom. And loneliness? To Hell with that, he wasn’t lonely! Devyn needed no one. He was simply making sure that this, this…feeling wasn’t a trap of some sort. Then when he was sure that everything was right or after taking care of the problem, which ever the case may be, he would leave.

For now Devyn needed to restore some of his strength. The sun had definitely taken its toll on him. Yes, and he wouldn’t have enough strength to continue his search if he didn’t “refill” so to speak.

With that Devyn dropped down in front of what appeared to be a very active club. Very nice. He would be able to have his fill and be in and out faster than a drive-through. Or maybe he would find him a couple of sexy young ones to play with for the night. Ah, so much depended on his moods lately…but, if the mood struck him…well, no one had refused yet, or was able to refuse was more to the point.