Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

Could I just say it? I watched his innocent expression as he patiently waited.
    “H-h-how did you know to bring me here? I mean, this isn’t . . . um . . . just any beach.”
    I watched his countenance change from curiosity to sheepishness.
    “How do I make this sound right?” He hesitated. “I just know you . . . I’ve been watching you for so long, I know your habits, your likes, your dislikes, your friends, your favorite hang outs and I have exceptional hearing. So I’ve known ever since you found this place that you’ve always wanted to come here. I figured it would be fun to give you your wish.”
    I hadn’t realized my life was such an open book. His confession should have bothered me, but I was actually flattered instead.
    “Oh,” I said while playing with the drawstring on my sweatshirt. “Thank you.”
    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his eyes light up as he watched me. It truly was a magical place; far better than I’d imagined. I’d never been anywhere so pure; I felt honored to be one of its only inhabitants. As far as I was concerned, this was the closest to heaven on earth I could imagine. All we needed was lunch. I was starving.
    “I was wondering . . .” not really wanting to leave, “do you have plans for lunch today?” I sheepishly asked.
    “Why? Are you hungry?”
    “No, not yet, I was just thinking . . .” I lied.
    “Actually I packed a lunch,” he said, matter-of-factly.
    “Oh . . . you did?”
    “Well, I didn’t know how long we’d be out here and it’s not like we can go out to eat.”
    “Why not?” I asked.
    “Because you can never be too careful. The less people know about us the better,” he said with a very serious tone. “That’s why this beach is perfect. There’s no way anyone could find us here.”
    I felt a wave of pain from him. What had happened to make him be so cautious? I could understand not wanting to be seen at night, but why did I matter in the daytime? Vampires were sleeping, or hiding, or whatever they did during the day. But I’d learned my lesson in the past about prying, so I didn’t ask. I figured when he wanted to share, he would.
    He stretched back on the sand and put his head in his hands while closing his eyes, his thoughts someplace else.
    “Yeah, but wouldn’t someone see your car parked on the cliff?” I asked just remembering his car could tip off our location.
    “I moved it.”
    “You what? You did?” I said a little mystified.
    “Like I said, I’m careful.”
    I knew his actions were all tied to what happened with my mother. Feeling his guilt resurface confirmed my suspicion. I searched his face and wondered why he held onto the past so tightly when her death was an accident.
    I recalled what he told me. He had no family besides his dad and he never spoke of anyone else. I wondered if he had friends or if he kept everyone at a distance like he did me. Was his secret preventing him from living a normal life?
    More than anything I wanted to console him, touch him, run my fingers through his hair and gently caress his face. Make his pain go away. But I knew he didn’t want that type of relationship, so I refrained.
    “You know, if it wasn’t for your super vampire powers, I’d have no idea that you were different. I mean, you’ve even got a cross tattoo. Isn’t that like vampire voodoo or something?” I blurted out and then wished I hadn’t said it after I finished.
    “Oh, you noticed that,” he said looking up at me from the sand.
    “Yes,” I admitted timidly, not meeting his gaze.
    “I got that a long time ago, when I thought I could actually pick a side. I struggle to know where the human in me ends and the evil begins.”
    He laughed at his own sadistic statement, but I didn’t get it. I never felt any evil coming from him.
    “I don’t think that. You’ve been nothing but heroic to me.”
    “I’m honored that you’re so understanding, but I have a very dark side to me . . .” he turned and grimaced. “ . . .and it doesn’t like that I don’t appease its wants.”
    Again, he astounded me. He constantly had to remind me he had a demon inside, wanting to come out, and he suppressed it.
    “My life is complicated,” he murmured.
    “How so?” I said softly.
    “If it was easy, I could just explain it.”
    “Funny,” I said sarcastically. “Try me.”
    “Actually, it’s no big deal really. I guess when I first started my path of vengeance it was exciting and I felt like I’d found my