The Vampire Joy by Alisa Freund (fox in socks read aloud .txt) 📕

herself get light headed but forced herself to stay conscious up until the moment he left.
“joy,” he started, “I never once saw you as a toy. I love you, I just want to protect you.”
“really? Then where were you when I actually needed protecting?” it was a low blow and she knew it. The hurt in his eyes told her that she had gone too far but she was stubborn and stood her ground.
“im sorry. I wasn’t here and that is something that I will have to live with, but tell me this.” He said looking into her eyes, “has David ever said that he loves you.”
She was stunned. No he hasn’t she realized he always says things like he cherishes me and he calls me Corazon which means heart. But never love. “that’s none of your business!” she shouted. He got up and walked to the door but before he left he whispered, “silly me. All this time I thought it was.”
With that he left and joy was free to lose consciousness once again. When she awoke the next time it was night the moon peeped into her window casting light into the room. She looked around and saw Adrian standing in the corner. He rushed over to her side. “you’re awake!” he said the excitement in his voice bubbling over the top.
“how long was I out?” she asked in a raspy voice. Her hand reached up to rub her dry throat and she realized she was attached to an iv drip.
“nine days. This Friday is the ball and we were all anxious to see if you would be awake by then.” He said grabbing her hand.
“what happened?” she asked her throat still raspy.
Adrian reached onto her dresser for a glass of water and handed it to her. She finished off the glass in mere seconds.
“I’m sorry I heard the crash and I tried to stop him but he was just too strong.” He started his eyes filling up with tears, “Sabrina was able to stop him.”
Joy reached up to her neck in fear, “don’t worry.” He said, “he didn’t bite you, you’re still pure.”
“Adrian,” she said with a sigh, “sometimes I think it would be better if I weren’t.”
Adrian’s mouth fell open, “don’t say that. You have no idea what’s going to be offered to you.”
Joy just rolled her eyes. “can we just stop talking about this until then?”
“but we can’t.” Sabrina said from the doorway, she had a knack for knowing exactly when to come into any conversation, “because you my dear don’t have an escort to the ball now.”
“cant I just go with you?” joy said and Adrian looked at Sabrina worried.
“I have already promised to escort Adrian. That wouldn’t be fair if I took you instead now would it?” She said. Joy thought about David and Alex and shook her head.
“I guess I’m just not going then.” She said looking down at her comforter.
“ma’am!?” Adrian shouted in protest.
“my dear of course you are going and I will provide an escort. Emilio!” she yelled and in only a second joy heard a voice say, “are you sure she’s ready ma’am.”
“Emilio are you questioning me?” she said in her demanding voice.
“no ma’am.” He said and stepped into view.
Standing right beside Sabrina was… “Billy?” joy asked confused.
“Emilio actually.” He said looking ashamed, “I was instructed to watch over from a Sabrina four years ago. I have been monitoring you since.”
“get out! Everyone!” joy yelled. She was so angry her head was getting light again but she refused to lose consciousness again.
Sabrina just laughed, “I like your spirit but you must be crazy to think you can instruct me to do anything.”
“my entire life has been a lie thanks to you and your little game. I’m done! Adrian, I give you permission to bite me.” Joy said and everybody’s eyes widened.
“I can’t do that. Not only because I am instructed not to but because you would regret it the rest of your life.” He said regrettably.
“fine then while I appreciate your hospitality I must take my leave.” Joy said starting to get up but she was too weak to get to her feet.
“you must understand child that I love you and that is why I can’t allow you to do something as foolish as that.” Sabrina said.
Everyone gasped and looked at Sabrina. “that’s right everyone I love this child and that is why I’m relying on all of you to protect her from herself.” Then she redirected her attention to joy, “ you will attend the ball with Emilio. Is that understood?”
“yes ma’am.” Joy said in defeat. “may I please have a moment with him?”
“of course.” Sabrina said and continued, “Adrian you have been neglecting your chores anyways.”
They left the room leaving Emilio and joy alone. Joy didn’t waste any time, “so was our entire friendship a lie.”
He looked her in the eyes and said, “no I was only instructed to watch you but I grew found of you. So much in fact that I started to harbor a crush on you but that was extinguished the moment that I realized that not only were you promised to David but Alex was after you as well.”
“alright if you are going to accompany me to the ball we need to lie down some ground rules.” She said and he nodded in agreement. “first one don’t let me alone with either David or Alex. Number two you have to protect me. As you know I am a lamb going into a lion’s den. And the last rule you have to save me at least one dance.” She said smiling.
Emilio smiled, “you’re going to be the death of me you know that right?”
“that’s the plan.” She said laughing. They laughed and talked for awhile then he left to let joy get some rest.
She actually slept that night and had dreams about the ball. She imagined herself in the center of a grand ballroom and every vampire there had their eyes fixed on her. Their eyes blazing white and their fangs baring down at her. Then from out of the crowd David lunging towards her. She woke up screaming before she could even finish Sabrina rushed into the room.
She was wearing a robe and her hair was in loose curls around her face. “sorry for alarming you ma’am. It was only a nightmare.” She said feeling childish.
“are you anxious about the ball dear?” Sabrina said gently. Joy nodded. “smart girl.” She said leaving. That was reassuring. Thanks a lot. Joy looked down at her watch it was Thursday morning. Its tomorrow evening, I don’t have to sleep till then. She thought and ran a bath.
She stayed in there for hours not thinking of anything. She just watched as the bubbles around her dissolved into the water. She watched as the sun went down into twilight and night reigning over. she was about to get out when she heard the door open.
Adrian stood in her door. ”are almost finished?” he asked holding a towel in his hand.
“yeah.” She said standing up. “I was just getting out.”
“good the tailor is here.” He said.
“tailor?” she asked looking at him quizzically.
“for your dress tomorrow of course.” He said handing her the towel. “no need to get dressed. Don’t worry he is a night stalker as well.”
She walked into her room to find a man dressed in a sharp pin-striped suit. He was pale and gave her a wicked smile. “so you’re the soon to be vampire joy.”
She extended her hand for him to shake. “so you must be the tailor for all the vampires.” She said as he shook her hand.
“no my dear I only tailor the council members but you are the main attraction this year so I simply had to tailor you.” He said smiling again.
She looked over at Adrian. “I’m a sacrifice aren’t I? you guys have a virgin sacrifice each year don’t you?”
Adrian laughed, “stop trying to guess,” then gauging the shock on her face he add, “no alright so please rest at ease. We aren’t that barbaric.”
The tailor stated that his name was Phillip Samuel and told her to remember that so when people asked who she was wearing she could answer properly. He wasted no time in getting her measurements and told her that a day walker would deliver the dress tomorrow before the ball.
He took his leave bowing to joy. Not long after he left Emilio walked in. “I am instructed to brush you up on edict.”
“can I get dressed first?” she asked holding the towel to her body.
Emilio’s face turned bright red, “y-yes of course.” He stammered and left. Joy got dressed in jeans and a pink tank top.
“you can come in now.” He walked back in.
“nope, put on a dress.” He said and left again. Joy rolled her eyes and rummaged threw her closet. She ended up putting on the white tattered dress from her birthday.
“ok come back in.” he walked in and looked her up and down arching his eyebrow.
“I didn’t pack any dresses so it’s either this or I do it naked.” She said and then looked at the expression on his face and added. “if I go out there naked you have to too.”
“wow, you’re kinky but its fine we just have to make do first lets go from the top. At the beginning of the night they will announce your arrival. How do you want your name pronounced?” he asked.
She thought it was a silly question but then thought about how she had been going by David’s last name and she didn’t want any affiliation to him after what he did. “miss joy Marie carter.”
Emilio smiled and said, “thought so.” He said and wrapped his arm into hers. Now you bow to the council members, you’ll be able to tell them apart because they will be wearing a blue and red pin. Now there maybe some people bowing to you. What do you do?” he asked
“I nod my head in acknowledgement. But why would anyone bow to me?” she asked.
“I’m just saying hypothetically. What’s your solo piece going to be?” he asked changing the subject abruptly.
“I’m going to do a traditional poi dance.” She said smiling, “I was thinking of doing it with fire poi but I don’t think the night stalkers would like that.”
“yeah you’re probably right about that.” He said chuckling.
The day went by with Emilio until he was convinced that joy would be fine at the ball. The afternoon came and Sabrina took her away to get her hair and makeup done.
“Stefan I want the picture of innocents for her so do not dye her hair and leave it long.” She said as joy took a seat in his chair.
“you aren’t leaving me with very much room for creativity, you minx.” He said. Joy tried to think of the stern serious Sabrina as a cougar and the thought of it made joy giggle.
“I have faith in your ability Stefan. Just make it work.” She said with a wave of her hand and she was gone. Stefan let out an exaggerated sigh “you think she would notice if I just left you the same?” he asked jokingly.
“yeah, unfortunately.” Joy said in dismay.
“Stefan looked interested in her comment and asked, “so you don’t like getting dolled up?” he asked running his fingers through her hair pondering his project.
“that’s my problem. I’m getting “dolled” up. I’m 18, I think I deserve to look sexy or elegant once in my life.” She said in a huff.
“I know but she’s