The Scent Of Danger

It finally happened vampires have revealed themselves to the world. They're coming out the day was a defining moment in history. They claimed they wanted nothing but peace and prosperity alongside us humans. For people like me who are a skeptic, we sleep with stakes under our bed. For the more trusting fools, they were like lambs to the slaughter. There are two types of vampires like there are two types of people good and bad. I learned about that very fast.

How may you ask? Well, that's easy. I work for a wonderful vampire named Marvin. He owns an athletic supply store in town and when he told me what he was it explained a lot. Especially how a scrawny man like him could lift so much weight. Then there are my two coworkers Emma and Sean. Emma has always been the mama bear type since we met. She later told me I reminded her of her little sister who passed in the plague. Yes, that plague. As for Sean who still talks with his Irish accent he said he would be a great guest at a school to explain why you should save yourself until marriage. His partner turned him back in the 1400's as he experimented with his sexuality.  These vampires are my family. They were there for me when I discovered just how bad humans and vamps could be.

Until the Vampires revealed themselves I was married to Andrew and we had been trying to have our first baby. The Doctor said that there was no reason I couldn't get pregnant it just takes time. So I patiently waited as we tried for our baby.

Then came the moment that the Vampires revealed themselves. I found out about my coworkers and was okay with the news. We also found out about some of Andrews employees. Things were okay at first we kept trying for our baby. Then Andrew started staying out later and later. Then he wouldn't even come home some nights.

I was at work one day when I received flowers and an envelope from Andrew. In the letter, it stated that he had fallen for a vampire who found his scent irresistible. He said he had filed for divorce and that I could have everything in the accounts, the cars, and the house. My world had come shattering around me. After five years of marriage, I had been thrown away like I was nothing but trash.

Emma and Sean sat me down and explained about the scent a vampire can be attracted to. The actually laughed when they said Twilight had one thing right when Edward was attracted to Bellas smell. But it wasn't to drink her blood but it is almost like a sex smell. Most vampires ignore human smells because if they want to keep their human they have a choice let them grow old or turn them to be like you. The vampire powers that be are very critical of the whole turning thing now that they are public. You have to get permission or it has to be proven a life or death emergency. Vampires have been starved and killed in vampire prisons if found guilty. As for Andrew, the scent does nothing he just decided he wanted something new and left me.

I was upset but Emma and Sean wouldn't let me fall. They were with me at work and would visit me at home all the time. They helped me in my garden all the time and half the time one normally took the couch or guest room. Eventually, they just started living in the house with me.

One day Emma was running to the store and joked did I need lady stuff and I froze. It had been three months since Andrew had left and I had been so stressed I didn't realize I had missed a few periods. I never saw Emma go to the store so fast and come back even faster. She handed me the test and told me in her stern mom voice "Go pee now." It didn't take long and the little blue stick showed that I was pregnant. I was in such a state of shock Emma had to carry and lay me on the couch. By the time sean came home, Emma had gotten me to sit up and eat a sandwich. Emma asked what I was going to do? My reply was easy I was going to have my baby. Or so I thought.

The following week I went to my obstetrician with Emma and Sean. I think they were more excited than I was. The doctor did the normal exam than did an ultrasound. It was real and there was my little miracle on the screen. I was in awe. The doctor told me from the size of the baby I was about 19 weeks along. Almost halfway through the pregnancy.  We all left the visit giddy with excitement. We stopped at my favorite restaurant for food to celebrate. Yes, vampires eat real food just like humans however they need to drink blood as well to survive.

That's when we saw Andrew and his Vampire Madeline. Madeline led him right to our table when she heard Sean say that we needed to start thinking about a nursery for the baby.  She started to make a comment as Andrew looked at me and asked how far was I? When I had told him 19 weeks he knew the baby was his. I assured him the baby would be mine alone to raise and he could run along just as he did a few months ago. Madeline dragged Andrew out and from where we sat we could see him arguing with her outside. I wrapped my arms around my belly afraid of what was to come.

The next day was a beautiful sunny day and I decided to work in my garden when I heard a car pull up outside. I listened for the front door to open thinking it was either Sean or Emma coming home from work. I turned to go back to my tomato plants and Madeline was right in front of me. I took a step back as she looked me head to toe. She started speaking telling me that I was going to sign over my baby to her and Andrew. She told me if I argued with her she was going to make sure there was no baby. I told her that she took my best friend and husband and she was not getting my baby too. I turned to walk away and go inside my house when she grabbed my arm. She started to rant telling me I was a stupid human and she always got what she wanted. As I tried to draw my magic I screamed at her to let me go, that she was hurting me. She put her hand's around my neck and asked one last time was I going to let her have my baby. I told her to leave because it was my baby and she wasn't taking it.  She leaned in and whispered in my ear that I couldn't have the baby either. With that, she threw me across the yard into an old oak tree. I remember the pain shoot through me as I landed on the ground with a thud. As she walked by she kicked me in the stomach with her boot. The pain that came was so immense I blacked out. When I finally woke up I was in the hospital with Emma on one side of me and Sean on the other. They were both slumped over and I knew that Madeline had killed my baby.

Emma and Sean went to the vampire police and a search was put out for her. But it seemed her and Andrew had disappeared. They promised to keep up the search and when the detective came to see me I told him he better find them before I do.

They later explained that Sean had arrived home first and found me broken and bruised where that monster had left me. He called 911 but with the amount of blood, he had already guessed what had happened. 

The following weeks were a blur to me. I walked through life like a shell of my former self. Thankfully I worked in the back office of the store so I didn't need to interact with anyone. 

Sean and Emma did everything they could to cheer me up but I spiraled into a larger depression. I arrived home one night and found the door wide open.  I pulled up the video feed for the living room and couldn't see anything.  Seam and Emma pulled in behind me and ran up to the door.

"Kara what's wrong babe," Emma asked.

"The door was open when I got home," I said.

Sean moved in front of me as we heard sirens behind us. We turned to see the vampire police pull up. The area detective Marcus walked up and saw the look on my face and gently took my phone, "It's ok Kara, We know they are here we were tracking them.  Go with Emma and Sean behind the police car and stay down."

Emma and Sean dragged me away from the door. I stopped and looked at Marcus. "Don't kill her if you can because I want to take her head.  I want to invoke my right of life for a life."

Marcus nodded and pointed for me to get behind the car.  Emma and Sean stood like guards on with side of me.  We saw Marcus and the Vampire police enter the property guns drawn and ready.  We heard a few crashes and items breaking as well as gunshots.  The first person they pulled out of the house was Andrew.  He was a freshly turned Vampire.  The police told him to calm down or they would end him. A few minutes later Marcus came out with a very beat-up Madeline. He pushed her down to the ground. 

Madeline looked up and said, "Aww no more baby.  I was gonna drink it anyway."

I smiled as I walked towards her.  Emma walked up to me and handed me my family sword, "I am glad that I cleaned and sharpened her this week."

"Madeline I could have forgiven you for taking Andrew," I said. "Anyone too feeble to be an honorable and honest person deserves what he got.  But you took my baby and any chance of me having children ever again. I could torture you. But you do not deserve the life you have. Neither does he for allowing you to come after me. Do you have anything to say before I take your life?"

Madeline looked at me smirking, "He didn't want the baby either he just wanted to take it from you."

I turned and looked at Andrew and said, "Is this true."

He looked up at me and said, "Yes I was gonna drink the brat."

I looked at Marcus and said, "They were both involved."

He nodded, "Yes we found evidence that stated that. She turned him 2 days ago and did not feed him so they could kill you today. The life for life extends to him as well."

I looked at Madeline, "Did he ever tell you I am trained in swords. Did he ever tell you what I really am? Did you ever really love him or care?"

"He is my all," She said.

I looked at the officers who stood to the side more while holding Andrew. I looked back down at her and said, "Well you took my all."

With that, I raised the sword and took Andrew's head off in one strike.  Behind me, Madeline screamed. I turned around to face her and she was crying bloody tears. "Oh are you sure he did not tell you what I was?" Madeline looked at me with anger and confusion. "Kill me so I can be with him."

"Tsk tsk", I smiled a sad smile, "Oh no Madeline. See I am Karalina Michela from the Gedegerski Clan. Last living descendant. Daughter of the witches you could not burn. Madeline, I curse you. Your soul will never find peace and you will never be united with Andrew in death. This curse will span millennia and is unbreakable. I request this of the gods and goddesses of old."

With that Madeline broke free of her captors and ran to me, "I steadied myself and in a flash, I took her head.  The moment I took her head her curse was confirmed with a brilliant lightning storm."

I looked at Marcus and said, "Thank you."

"Are you really a witch?" He asked.

"I don't lie," I said continuing with, "Have you seen my garden?"

Marcus shuttered and then said,  "I always wondered about the garden.  Should I be worried about anything/"

Emma walked up to me and took her sword from my hand.  "Kara is the most dangerous creature around.  You should be thankful she is a good person."

I smiled at Emma, "No Marcus, I do hide what I am because my kind is still hunted.  You would think the witch trials had my people scatter to the wind and we all hide in secret. But here we are still being hunted."

Marcus looked at me and said, "So this garden is not just a garden huh?"

"Would you like a tour Marcus?" I asked. "If a witch has a garden I assure you that the garden is not just a regular garden."

Marcus started to look a bit uncomfortable, "Kara I will take a raincheck on that tour. You planned my night of paperwork when you decided to go all ninja on those two."

Sean laughed and said, "Be thankful she didn't do worse. Kara can have a temper." 

"Kara," Marcus said. "You need to be careful Madeline had a lot of supporters."

"Marcus I am not afraid of them," I said. "Besides I think I forgot who I was before and now I remember I will no longer allow anyone to do what Madeline did to me ever again. Now do I need to handle the bodies or do you all have that."

"No Kara we have a disposal team for that," Marcus said.

"Oh good, Are we done?" I asked. "I want to get some dinner and have a early night. That and clean up the mess you all made."

Marcus knew not to push as Kara was a silent player in what was about to come, "No Kara your all good. You have a much better evening."

I went inside with Emma and Sean. After we went inside I sat down and looked at them, "I hated showing my hand like that but it needed to be done."

Emma laughed, "Girl you not only showed your hand you raise the whole middle finger."

Sean shook his head and said, "Well little one you showed your hand and I am hungry so what do you both want for dinner?"

Emma laughed saying, "Sean seriously?"

"Well, Emma I kinda agree," I said. "I do not want to cook though so how do you feel about sushi? Well Sushi and all the extras Yangs is open till 3am so I can place an online order?"

Sean said, "Nah you ladies deal with this mess and I will go get it my treat. Emma I know you want extra wasabi and at least 4 different rolls and Kara I know you want Tempura vegies and at least a crunchy shrimp roll as well as miso soup and sashimi."

With that he was out the door so quick we could not say anything. Emma shook her head and said, "Want to clean room for room starting with yours?"

I nodded and walked into my room. Looking around it was not bad until I looked in my bathroom and Emma came up behind me and said, "What the fuck."

There were glasses next to the tube and rope on the edge of it. In the middle of the room there was a video camera aimed right at the tub. Emma took the camera and ran it out to the vampire police as they finished everything outside. We finished cleaning up and I cast an enchantment to cleanse the room of bad energy and we finished the rest of the house.

By the time that Sean came back with food he went to get. Looking at him Emma and I couldn't help but laugh because Sean had a large amount of food compared to what he said he was getting for everyone. Emma and I sat down at the kitchen table and started pulling all the food out of the bags. Looking over all the food Emma and I started laughing as we made plates. Sean looked at us and said, "You were both way to calm and had me worried so I overbought."

That launched us into more giggles and Sean joined in, Emma looked up and said, "So what now Kara?"

I gave a shrug and said, "I don't know. I was thinking I need to take a vacation."

Sean looked up and said, "What about us?"

Emma leaned over and smacked him, "Sean!"

"Like I could leave you both alone? If we could get off of work at the same time I would like to travel for about 2 weeks. Not that I need the money. I never touched anything from my Grandmother's from my dad side or parents estate. Ugh we need to clear out the storage units I spend 400 a month and to be honest I have no clue what is in them anymore. "I said as I grabbed a shrimp roll.

Sean looked excited and said, "Where do you want to go?"

Smiling I said, "Well I have a secret to tell you. My Grandmother from my mom owned a house on the Canadian and USA border in Maine. The estate pays a local guy to maintain the house and property. The house is full of items and I had considered moving there a few times. Its a beautiful cabin home and its secluded and paid for. I kinda want to check it out and see if its worth it move to the woods. And when I say me I mean we can move to the woods together."

Emma and sean got mischevious grins and said, "Yes!!!"

For the remainder the time eating we discussed driving to maine to check out the house and to see if we are making the move. I looked at my calendar and said how about next week the store is supposed to be closed for vacation I bet we can make it to and from within the week especially since there will be three of us driving.

The following morning we went to Marvin and explained we were going to take a vacation. He smiled and said he was going to talk to us about shutting the store down earlier anyway. So we planned to leave the following day instead to head to main. We decided it would be best to take my SUV as its the largest car and loaded our luggage up the night before. The following morning we checked all the windows and set the gardens automatic sprinkler. We locked up the house and headed north. 

This road trip was the first vacation I had taken in years. We decided the route to go through some historic areas so we could also be accidental tourists. We crossed over Florida to get to the east coast then stop through St Augustine. When we got to St Augustine Sean was almost in tears as he said, "I have not been back here in almost 100 years. She is still as beautiful as ever."

We hugged him as he looked over the city. I said, "We have time to walk around if you want."

He wiped his eyes and said, "Nah I will be a bawling baby. I really want to see this home your Grandma left you. Plus we can always come by here is we decide to move north."

We grabbed some take out and sat on the beach watching people swim and I said, "Will you be okay moving with me if this works out?"

Emma and Sean both said a resounding, "Yes."

After we ate we headed to the state line and with three of us driving we made quick time of arriving in North Carolina. We decided to stop in Ashville for the night and after we checked into the hotel the manager told us there was a event being held at the Biltmore estate. He told us he knew we had been driving all day and they are offering carriage rides to and from the hotel for free to guests in suites, We took him up on the offer and went to check out the beautiful estate and found a food truck rally going on along with vendors selling different items. We ate and before long decided to head back to the hotel for a solid night sleep.

The following morning we had breakfast in the main ball room and decided we would definitely have to stay at this hotel on the way back home. We were getting ready to leave when a man in a fine suit walked up to us and said to me, "Mrs I am sorry to bother you but my employer wants to give his regards and states your scent is intoxicating. He was wondering if he could have a moment of your time."

Smiling I said, "Please tell your employer I am flattered but the scent of blood has destroyed a large part of my life and I respectfully decline his offer. I hope you have a good day but we are on the road again for a very long trip."

The man bowed and moved aside saying, "Take care Mrs."

As we walked out to our car Emma whistled and said, "Dang Kara you said no in the most elegant way possible."

Climbing in I said, "Whoever it was offered what he said as a compliment. It would be rude to be mean. However you are the only two vamps deserving of my time and blood if a emergency arose."

Sean stuck his head between the seats and said, "Aww Kara I knew you loved us."

Laughing we headed north to Maine. After a while I got tired driving and pulled over at a rest stop to switch with Emma. As i napped Emma got us all the way to Washington DC and we stopped for the night. After having dinner in a local diner we walked to the Lincoln memorial and explored till we knew it was time to head to the hotel to sleep.

By the time morning arrived it was raining. We took our time packing up and loaded the car. We decided to have lunch at the hotel before we made the final leg of our journey. We ate our food and headed out and by dinner time we were two hours from the house. We stopped and grabbed a quick dinner at a seafood restaurant and headed to the home. When we pulled up sean said, "Man Kara you have been holding out on us."

Walking up the stairs we headed to the front door when Emma and Sean put me between them and Emma called out, "Who are you?"

A man walked out and said, "I didn't mean to scare you. I am max and I am the care taker."

I got out from between them and said, "Your also a Vampire Max and thats why these two are a bit protective."

Nodding he said, "No worries I like to keep to myself and take care of the house. I give you my word that your safe here. When I got your call that you were almost here I did set up three rooms fireplaces and started the fires so you would be warm."

"Thank you Max it is a bit chilly here, nothing like Florida." I said. "As I emailed the other day I am here to look through the house and see about moving here."

"Well," He said, "I talked to a friend who owns Benson Antiques and resale. He said he would set up a day if you have items you want to sell and he would put them in his store or buy in lots from you."

"Thank you," I said. "In the morning we will have to go to the store."

Max nodded and said, "I would suggest that you get some all terrain tires while your out. We are supposed to have a weather system come in this week and the roads get rough here. They said we may even get snow flurries."

Emma and Sean groaned and said, "Oh no not snow."

I laughed and said, "Its better than melting in the oven. Lets go in and enjoy the warmth Max has for us."

"If you all need anything I left my cell number on the fridge," Max said.

We walked into the house and the home was warm due to the fireplaces in the living room, kitchen and bedrooms going. We walked around and noticed how beautiful the home was. We went upstairs and found the master bedroom and the beds were made with fresh sheets and a note from Max saying welcome home. Emma and Sean found the same notes in their rooms and Sean came back and said, "Damn Kara this house is amazing. I know you said clean it out but there isn't very much things to clean out."

Laughing I said, "Thats because you have not seen the attic, basement or barn yet. Plus a local storage unit had 3 large trailers in storage for us. I think I am going to call them and have the trailers brought to the property. For now lets get the stuff we brought for dinner and enjoy the fire downstairs and get a good night no wake up call rest."

We headed downstairs and Shawn ran out to get the cooler out of the car. When he walked into the house he said, "Its starting to snow."

Emma and I were like kids and ran to the door. I looked out over the property watching the snow flakes dance in the air and said, "Guys I think I want to honestly move here."

Sean said, "I guess we will be building a green house and I mean a big one. Are you going to pursue your writing full time as well as your painting?"

Nodding I said, "Yeah I think I may."

Emma and him put their arms around me and Emma said, "Well then I guess we have to go home after our vacation and getting the house ready and be ready to move once it sells. I bet with a little work we can pot and transport a good portion of all the plants in the garden."

"You will come with me?" I asked.

Emma said, "We are family and yes we go where you go."

We sat and watched the snow for a while more and Sean pulled us back and said, "We can watch this from the warmth of the fireplace while we are eating."

We opened the curtains next to the fireplace and sat and ate the food we got. I felt at peace for the first time since this whole mess started and knew I was home. After a while we all looked at each other and started to yawn. Laughing I said, "Okay lets get the food in the fridge and its time to get some sleep."

We headed to our rooms and looking around I realized that Max had set up the master suite for me. I remembered all the times I would visit my Grandmother. She would sit me at the edge of her bed and brush my hair and tell me that one day the house and all its magic would be mine. I never understood her then but as I grew older I did start to understand. I felt the magic in the building as I laid in bed and started to fall asleep. Laying in bed I fell into a peaceful and content sleep excited about the future.

The next morning I woke up when I caught Emma and Sean peaking in the door. Laughing I said, "I thought we were going to sleep no alarms?"

Sean came over to the bed and said, "Kara we were letting you sleep. We went to the food store and got groceries and picked up take out for lunch it is 1 pm and we were making sure you were still breathing."

"Seriously," I said. As I sat up I asked, "Why didn't you wake me?"

Emma curled up against me and said, "Kara you have been running on fumes for weeks now. We did not have the heart to until we got back and put everything away. Lunch for us is in the oven. We found this amazing pizza place and we may have over bought but we wanted to try everything so its either in the oven or on top of the counter staying hot and cold."

I stood up and looked out the window and I said, "We will need to find a place for tires that snow is a foot deep."

Shawn laughed and said, "No maam we already did that and stored the other tires in the barn when we got back. While we are eating you can arrange for the storage place to have the storage units brought here and placed under the barn entrance as that is blocked from the snow."

I stretched and said, "Good idea and I am hungry so let me use the bathroom and then I am ready to eat."

They went down to the dining room and when I joined them they had the food on the table. I looked at all the boxes and asked, "What did you buy?"

Sean said, "Cheese pizza, peperonni pizza, a supreme calzone, pasta with meat sauce, three orders of garlic knows because they smell so good. Large basic salad, large italian pasta salad, large antipasta salad. Then we ordered chicken parm, meatballs, veal scalapini, shrimp scampi, lasagna, stuffed seafood shells, vegetable alfreado, then a large italian sub, a steak pizziola sub, chicken salad sub, a large order of fried calamari, mozzerella sticks and every meal came with a side so I asked them to make them different so we can try everything and each meal also came with garlic bread."

"Sean you were hungry weren't you?" I asked.

"Yeah," He said. "We also stuffed the fridge and the freezer and pantry. So we have plenty of food to cook and eat."

I looked at the food and said, "Will we have room for whatever we do not finish?"

Emma laughed and said, "Yes I kept a shelf in the fridge open since sean was starving  I swear all I did was run into the dollar tree to get some paper plates, garbage bags and cleaning stuff. By the time I got there it was to late to reign him back."

"Oh and I got desert," He said. "Taramisu, cheesecake, cannolies, cookies and fruit pie."

I sat down and said, "Well lets eat. Your right Sean these garlic knots smell wonderful."

We sat for over an hour trying a little of everything. I loved their cheese pizza and the italian sub was to die for. I looked at them and said, "Well I guess we are having the leftovers from last night and now for dinner and tomorrow."

When we were done eating Emma combined some of the meals and put all the food away. We sat in the living room and Emma said, "So Kara since they will be delivering the units later today then we should be figuring out the house first then the units. So do you call the guy for the stuff or do we bring it to him?"

"When I called him during lunch he said he will drop off a can for us to fill at our leisure," I said. "He gave me a few options so I may just fill the van as we go and then have him just price it fairly."

"Well set it up and we will work in the house first," Sean said. "You may want to tell him we have a lot and ask for the largest truck he has. Also do you want the home cleaned out before we leave?"

"Yes I do," I said. "So what do you think about getting into the basement today. It should be warn down there due to the furnace."

The resale store said they would drop off the biggest truck they had and a few extra if they were available withing two hours. They also said they would take anything back we already sorted. We found a few empty boxes in the basement and started to first walk the house. When we were walking I realized that the main house was perfect the way it was and we went to the basement. We had stacks of boxes ready when the owner came by for me to sign the contract. He was a nice older man who was also another vampire. When we sat at the dining room table he said, "Kara I am so happy to be helping you with everything. Now the way it works is you will have a twenty foot by 10 foot mini store inside our store. If we come across anything you may have over looked. Such as something that seems like a heirloom we will call you. You will receive eighty percent of the sales.:

"Thank you Mr. Carmichael," I said. "We will be here to get everything sorted and ready for us to move here. I have to put my house up for sale when I get home."

"Well the last form you can decide how you want the funds transferred to you," He said. "Alot of people use Paypal or Venmo. But if you wish we can do a wire transfer."

"Paypal will be fine," I said. "I have a business account that I use for my dry herb business. Of course its closed right now so I have to get things set up to have a greenhouse built."

He asked, "Have you spoke to Max? Besides being your caretaker here he does construction when things are slow I am sure he can give you a design and quote that way he can start and complete it before you get back."

"Thank you," I said. "I will speak with him today."

I filled everything out and signed the contract. When I was done his helpers loaded up the van they had came in and left us three big box trucks to load. As he was leaving Mr. Carmichael said, "Call us when you fill each of the trucks we will come get them."

As he left I saw Max and called him to join me. We sat in the living room and I said, "Mr Carmichael said you do construction. I want to hire you for a job that would need to be completed before we get back."

"Construction during the winter?" He said. "Depending on what you want that may be difficult."

"I need a greenhouse," I said taking out my phone. Besides writing and being a witch I own a dried herb and vegetable business. I grow year round these are pictures of what I have at home. What I would like is to have a greenhouse with six by three foot garden beds and places to hang my hanging herb baskets. I would also like to put a few wood stoves in here to keep it warm when its overcast or cold out. I understand it cannot be attached to the house but I would like to have it as close as it can be with a covered and walled pathway leading to the entrance from the house."

Smiling he said, "Give me about two to three hours. My job as caretaker during the winter is basically to cut wood and make sure repairs are kept up. So I am free while there is snow on the ground. Did you want this to go to bare earth or did you want a cement ground."

"I want it to have a dirt ground," I said. "That way we can add more beds or area's where I may be able to dig."

"Well give me a while I will go design and price," He said. "How high do you want it? Also how long and wide."

"My back yard is a quarter of an acre if that gives you any idea," I said.

"Got it," He said. "Let me go measure outside and were will I be able to find you?"

"We are in the basement," I said. "You will see us running boxes up packing the trucks here every little bit of time."

He went out the door and we went to the basement. We started a system, I would open the box and pull things out and Emma and Sean repacked it with their vampire speed. Then when we had three boxes Sean would take them upstairs. We had a few empty totes for things I decided to keep. After a few hours we had finished a third of the basement. When Sean came back from bringing boxes he said, "Man I am hungry its almost six and Max is looking for you." 

When I got upstairs Max was at the dining room table and had a pile of papers. He looked up and said, "I hope your ready for this. I walked the property and found the perfect spot where it is not going to block your view as well. If you are looking at the left side of the house there is a massive open field with a small patio that has a fire pit. So starting from that door that leads you our I designed a walkway that would you bring to the greenhouse. The green house is in three sections connecting with a door way. I made it twenty feet larger that you have at home. Its fourteen feet high so then you do not have to worry about extra taxes on the house. The design will be a brick base and the glass windows will fit into the wall. Every other window will be able to open and have screens so you can open the windows by half if you wish. The roof will be a metal roof with glass panes. I also included 2 wood stoves to each green house one on each end which will go out the wall instead of the roof. Each doorway that connects to the greenhouse will have a four foot walkway between. Those four feet are not included in spacing for the greenhouse. This area is mainly flat I also added into the design 4 water barrels that will catch rain water from the  screened gutters that will be on the outside of the entire structure."

Looking over the blueprints I saw the garden beds and then I saw something I did not recognize and asked, "What is that?"

"You said you had hanging plants. Most of the time the space between the support beams is dead space," He explained. "That is using the dead space they are poles that will be welded in so you can hang you plants."

Looking at him I said, "Max I love it. But now the big question how much does this beauty cost?"

He looked worried and said, "Thirty thousand  at the most. That will be me working the supplies and permits. That also includes the planters and the dirt as well."

"Okay let me know if you want cash or check or I can send it via paypal," I said. "When can you start."

He smiled and said," Tomorrow after i do my work here. We might come in under budget because suppliers do not get many large orders this time of year. Oh and your walk way will go right to the doors of greenhouse from the outer door. Just not connected to the house."

He put a card on the table and said, "You can wire the fund to my business account and I will pull the permits in the morning."

Karalina Michela- Main

Emma-Vamp

Sean- Vamp

Max- Caretaker

Mr. Carmichael- reseller

house on the Canadian and USA border in Maine Near fort kent

Marcus- Head cop for vamp police

Marvin- Vamp boss

Madeline/Andrew

Surviving Him

I stood looking at all the people who were walking past and the cars speeding by. I was sitting on a bench in front of where I live. Moving here after he left had left me for his younger girlfriend and getting a house for her. Then he took my daughter with him because he had to maintain control. Him and his girlfriend didn't want her there, They just had to maintain control.  Then the rumors started. He had started telling everyone I was the one who cheated. I worked from home and never went out, But I was the one who was cheating apparently. He cheated on me constantly through our marriage but I was the one who ruined things. He was a fraud who pretended with everyone, however, behind closed doors his masked dropped and I was the one who suffered. When i finally started standing up for myself his narrative changed to I was crazy. Now he took my son and I was alone. I thought maybe if I just ended it the hurt would finally leave me I would be free. I stood up and gaged the cars. I started to step forward and a strong set of arms went around me and I heard, "Trust me that will not stop the pain."

He held me at arm's length looking at her with all the care and concern that one in this situation could. Then he asked her the one question that she had avoided since they had first met.

"What did he do to you to make you feel like you don't deserve life?"

She looked at him with tears in her eyes and said, "More than you will ever know."

He leads her to a bench and sat her down. He needed to know so he could help her. He looked at her and could almost see the darkness that enveloped her like a shroud.

"I want to help you. But to help you though I need to know the truth. You were married for over eighteen years and things are so bad you don't even want to exist. Please I am begging you tell me the story so I can help you."

"Do you really want to know all the baggage? You will think me weak and not worth it by the time you hear everything."

"Tell me please."

"Okay fine but don't say I didn't warn you," She said.

"Its funny when I met him I never would have thought that we would have ended up married with our babies. When I was in highschool I excelled in English. My English teacher asked me to tutor a student that was having a lot of trouble in her class. She told me it would be extra credit that would secure my A unless I bombed a test. So she set up the tutoring and I came in after school. She said he would be there soon so I just started doing my homework and waited. After a half an hour I went to get on my cloths for winter flag core because we had practice before marching band practice. I came back finished my homework and looked at the clock. I looked at my teacher and apologized that I couldn't wait anymore. I went to leave the classroom and was hit by a bus. Well it wasn't a bus but him. Thanked god I had changed because the skirt I was wearing would have been an embarrassing situation . I stood up and walked out and he stood up and went to the teachers desk."

"Not even a I'm sorry."

"Nope. I heard him tell our teacher that he lost track of time. She said his tutor left for the day. When he asked who it was she said that young lady you just pushed down. I kept walking going to my locker. When he finally caught up I was putting my stuff away. I felt bad because his work sucked so I gave him another chance making it clear either he shows up on time or get a new tutor.  Funny thing is after all this time unless it means something to him he is always late. Kids school, my work or appointments that are important to the rest of us but not him. It doesn't matter the time he is always late. That's why people started telling him a earlier time to get him to meet him on time."

"Why is he like that?"

"To be honest? To make himself feel important I guess." 

"Wow he is a real piece of work. Has he ever got better over the years?" He asked.

"Nah to be honest except for his job he is still late to everything. He has lost a lot of people in his life due to the way he is," I said.

"What changed?" He asked.

"We became friends. There was a crush on both our ends but it was never the right time for either of us. I dated my oldest daughter's father and got pregnant and then he met his first wife and they were forced into getting married when her Grandma caught them together. He went and got married and I was with my ex. After he divorced his ex-wife we started a relationship. He was good to my daughter A and acted like he cared."

"You had a handful of kid with him," He said.

I laughed and said, "Your right. My kids are the best part of the marriage."

After we got together I got pregnant with our daughter J. He was so excited to be a first time dad but before hand I should have seen the signs he was not ready to be a husband, father or family man."

When we got home from the hospital the first night after having J it was also Christmas Eve. I had to take care of J after a lengthy labor, Put our A to bed and then get the Christmas gifts out and get them under the Christmas tree. What was he doing during this time? Playing video games. Then when the J woke up he was like well aren't you going to pick her up and change her diaper. After I changed and fed her she was awake for another hour. I looked at the clock and realized that A was going to be up in another three hours. He had went to bed already and I just dragged J cradle into the living room and laid on the couch and napped. Thankfully J slept a solid two hours and woke up to be fed and changed. I was still feeding J when my oldest woke up. I tried waking my ex so we could have presents and he slept. So I distracted A by telling her we were waiting for daddy and her auntie would be here soon. Thankfully my sister in law arrived about an hour later and had A help her make pancakes for breakfast. Then she went in to be a grinch and wake him up. 

I was so tired by then and my sister in law noticed and said, "Go take a shower and a nap I will bottle feed J so you can sleep."

My ex was so full of himself he said, "She doesn't need your help she is not that tired."

I do not know what was said because she laid J in the cradle and pushed me into the bed room. After my shower she came in with a plate of food and told me to hide and eat. She made sure that J was okay and was played with A. I woke up a few hours later and felt more awake. However, this was when the family arrived to visit and give gifts. After all the family left he made a comment that I didn't need help and I could do it on my own. Then he complained no one cooked dinner. I made him a ham sandwich and sides from the food our families had brought over and he threw a fit i didn't make a traditional Christmas dinner. I asked him when in the last few days I would have had a chance. He got mad and sat at the computer making a comment of if I really gave a shit about him and the kids I would have made the effort. My last day of work was on December 21. I went into labor on December 22 and was in the hospital till December 24th after giving birth. When J was born both sets of our parents said they would bring food to us as there was no way I could cook on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Even on Christmas Eve his sister came over after we got home with a bunch of take out. She brough Pizza, Chinese, Subs, and Burgers from McDonalds and a Family meal from KFC so we could eat and watch Christmas movies. There were even many leftovers from that. The night before she said she had talked to all the family and had them bringing us food on Christmas Day as she said there is no way that I would be able to cook with a newborn and just coming home. My parents brought us a whole pan of lasagna, a pan with ham and containers of sides. His mom brought a pan of turkey and all her sides as well as a bunch of finger foods. He was not wanting for food but he wanted to find something to complain about."

"I was very lucky the first week after J was born." I said. "My sister in law was off from college and she was a saint. She wanted me to rest and even told him he should get off his ass and help me."

He got mad and told her that I was to picky about the house and he didn't know where anything was. She reminded him not to gently that we just moved into the house two weeks ago and no one knew where anything was. She told him to man up and that I was not his made and he better get his ass off the computer and start helping me.

When J was sleeping I worked on a scarf for my sister in law as a thank you. She went to college in Tennessee and it was cold up there. I was always in the same room as my oldest and to be honest when I was healing my daughter and I did a lot of tv watching as well as games and reading. At night when he went to bed and I was up cleaning as much as I could. I would rest at the computer and  I found survey sites where I could earn extra money and gift cards to stores. I signed up for a PayPal account to have money go into and a Wal-Mart account I could add the gift cards to. I put the account information into my passwords book and hid the information and did not save it as I did not want him to know about it. I figured I could earn extra money in case I wanted something because he was getting very annoyed if I asked him for anything for me. Right before my maternity leave was up I had joked you might want to practice changing diapers because you will have to do that when I go back to work. I had arranged with my job to work around his days off as he worked four 10 hour days. 

He was angry I was going back to work and I reminded him that we needed the income. Then A became sick. My mother in law was a CNA and said I needed to take her to the Doctor immediately. We found out she had scarlet fever. My mother in law took A to her house so her and my father in law could take care of her and not get J sick. The following week J ended up with a unrelated bacterial infection and had to be admitted to the hospital for a week. He still had to work and threw a fit that I asked he bring me up clothes. His Mom ended packing me a bag with everything I needed and a few books so I could take care of J at the hospital. She also drove me to my job so I could submit the medical leave paperwork. J was in the hospital for over a week as the Doctors and nurses tried to get rid of the infection she had and bring her fever down.

The whole time J was in the hospital, he showed up maybe 4 hours. I was so tired by the time we were discharged because I did everything for her when she was in there. If the pediatric ward was slow a nurse would come in and watch over J so I could shower and nap. But she was was fussy and wanted me most of the time. I sat in the chair and the nurse bought me a second that I could put my feet up in. She understood the bed in the room was not comfortable. When J was finally discharged he made a big deal about stopping at Walmart and needing to get a game he wanted. I do not get why he did not just go when I was not at home because his mom had A. Later on I realized that it was his way to control the situation. 

Once we were home I realized he had to have had someone here why I was at the hospital with J. I did not want to push the subject because I was tired and needed real rest. J's crib was in our room and I laid her down when she fell sleep and I took a nap. I woke up when I heard J fussing and saw he was engrossed on his computer. As I made J a bottle and fed her he asked what is for dinner. Looking at him I told him something easy as I am tired and had to go food shopping soon. Looking in the cabinet and freezer I told him I was going to make a basic spaghetti. He said fine whatever. When I finished getting J fed and ready for sleep I went into the kitchen and realized he was not home. I went outside and his car was gone. While he was gone I made A some spaghetti o's and jumped into the shower.gt When I came out he was sitting at his computer eating checkers. I said I thought I was cooking dinner and he said, No I did not want that so I went out and got me food. 

Looking at him I asked if he got me anything and he said, No why would I.

Walking away he said I should have told him I wanted something. I replied you never told me you were going out and you should have maybe thought of me as I was in taking care of our child. I went and made a bowl of cereal and he threw a fit later I did not cook. When I pointed out he did not want it so I ate cereal for dinner he got angry and dumped out a full box of cereal on the ground and went to bed. I cleaned up the mess and fed J again. While he was sleeping I worked on a few surveys to earn some extra money then I went to bed.

The next morning A got up looking for cereal and settled on a quick oatmeal. Thankfully there is a small store at the corner of our road. I ran down and got some cereal for A. What my ex did not know was I was able to get us signed up for food stamps and since he throws his paystubs on my dresser I was able to get food stamps without him knowing so I didn't have to bed for money for groceries.