Issaquah, Washington,1951
My name is Norma Mae Rollins. I’m fourteen and an illegal vampire. I miss my mom, but new ghoulish appetites force me to remain with my creator.
Bill didn’t mean to transform me. At least, that’s what he claims. His frightening temper, relentless lies, and morbid scientific experiments makes it hard to know what to believe. However, someone snitched about Bill’s experiments to a nearby coven. Now both of our corpses will burn.
Bill won’t run. He is curious what happens to a vampire after final death. I don’t want to die again. It hurt so much the first time. Bill thinks his vampire boyfriend might shelter me. I must brave an eternal existence with elder vampires and other monsters who don’t think I ought to exist. Oh and figure out who I am allowed to eat.
A vampire’s reality is nothing like the movies.
Prolouge
November 17, 1951
Dear Diary,
Hi. My name is Norma Mae Rollins and I don’t want to die again. It hurt so much the first time.
I found you in my new desk in my new home. Vampires love to document everything. Their library holds many diaries. I’m pretty sure they will keep you if I fill you out. If they destroy me, I won’t be forgotten.
I was born at home on February 8, 1938. I am fourteen, the only child of Margret Anne Rollins, née Rici, and her deceased husband, Robert Michael Joseph Rollins. I don’t remember my real dad, but I loved my mom.
My vampire dad, Bill, plucked me from my life when he stole me from my friends.
The Paper Flower Consortium took me from Bill. Before he faced execution, he said I needed to be strong, and no matter what, I must stay with Derrik, his progenitor. I wish Bill told me more about the coven vampires.
For now, the coven agrees. I don’t have a choice. The coven doesn’t trust me. They think I’ll break a pipe or something.
Wait. Maybe I shouldn’t write it’s my home. It’s Derrik’s home. He might not like if I claim it. I have to be careful until I figure what sets him off. I keep scrolling through films with vampires or rich, fancy people. None of it fits. I don’t know who I’m supposed to be here.
I admit Derrik’s been pretty nice since we met tonight, but his bloody tears are chilling. His sorrow washes over me and I want to weep too. He loved Bill. Now he’s stuck with me. I wish I could go home to my mom.
I guess I ought to start with the night I became a vampire.
Chapter 1
June 21, 1951
Dear Diary,
The last night of my life, I felt more alive than I ever had in my fourteen years. The stars twinkled above the grassy field. The air was perfumed with summer grasses, pine, and fruit trees…
Careful I didn't interrupt Janice and Perry or Betty and Matt, I slowed my pace to let Teddy catch me. Every inch of skin felt alive as he squeezed my wrist. He playfully pulled me close. His lips tasted of beer and Wrigley's Doublemint gum as they brushed against mine. I wanted to kiss Teddy forever. Still, our lips parted.
I giggled and darted away like the other girls did. The girls ran. The boys gave chase. I did the same. After all, one had to be careful not to ruin one's reputation.
Icy fingers, too big to be Teddy's, gripped my arms.
The Fuzz, I thought.
The sheriff would call Mom. I’d had a few sips of beer and smoked, but I wasn't blitzed. At worse, Mom would be "very disappointed" and give me extra chores.
My feet lifted from the ground. Wind bit the bare flesh of my arms, legs, and face. Branches whipped past me in frenzied movement. Nothing made logical sense. I seemed to fly underneath the dark shape which held me. I was dropped onto the concrete floor of somewhere cold that smelled of rotting meat and filth.
A vampire's fangs loomed in front of me. Vampires aren't supposed to be real.