An ancient vampire, Eilidh Moss, is suffering from The Tediums, a condition that occurs when a vampire has lived so long they are, literally, bored out of their minds. Her human daylighter, Miriam, runs her errands, cleans her home and tries her best to keep Eilidh alive. Or rather unalive. This serialized tale follows Eilidh and Miriam as they come to terms with their new lives. Or unlives.
Our story so far…
Eilidh is consumed with grief and had decided to walk into the sun, however Miriam found her and rescued her. Eilidh is not happy.
Miriam was exhausted. She'd hardly slept last night and she'd had a busy day in the store, despite having Karah's help.
And now, she had to check on Eilidh.
As soon as the sun set, Miriam ran up the stairs and was relieved to see that Eilidh was still lying in her bed.
"Yes. I'm still here. Is there something you wanted?"
Miriam shook her head and made her way back downstairs to her own quarters. Eilidh was obviously not in the mood for visitors and Miriam had learned early on in their relationship that if Eilidh didn't want company, she was best left alone.
Miriam treated herself to a meal break and managed to get a toasted cheese sandwich and yet another cup of coffee in her before she sent Karah home for the night.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay? I don't know how much help I can be with Eilidh but this doesn't seem like something you should have to cope with on your own."
Miriam ran her fingers through her hair and smiled at Karah. "I'll be fine. She just needs to talk, I think. If worse comes to worst I'll ring Flip and get her back."
"Yes, but you look exhausted. There's no point in saving Eilidh from herself if you end up ill, is there?"
"I know, but if I get ill, at least it will be a physical thing and something I can deal with easier. It's mental illness that's really difficult, isn't it? Not to mention the fact that she's a vampire. I didn't think they'd have to deal with things like suicide and emotional trauma. They're so…I dunno…stoic. And nasty. And predatory. Usually."
"I know what you mean but I guess any creature that has a brain and emotions can be subject to Depression. And other mental illness too probably. And don't forget, all vampires were human once. They never truly lose all of that. There's always a small part of their humanity that remains."
"Yeah, some more than others," Miriam said.
Both women were startled when Eilidh suddenly appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Miriam hurried towards her to take her arm.
Eilidh slapped her hand away. "I'm not an invalid, Miriam. I can walk without assistance. Karah? Isn't it time you left? One babysitter at a time is enough for me, thank you."
Miriam and Karah exchanged a look and Karah grabbed her coat and left.
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