These characters are not mine but the bad writing and poor storytelling are.
Oskar awoke and he immediately knew from the excess room in the tub that Eli wasn't there. Nothing new since she always did wake sooner than him and though most of the time she would lie facing him until he woke it wasn't uncommon for her to be up and about. Sometimes she would be sitting calmly in the living room just thinking or she might be listening to some rock tape he had bought for his walkman. He stretched his arms and legs as he freed himself from the confines of the tub, after all it wasn't exactly designed with sleeping accomadations in mind. He yawned as he stepped out of the tub and walked lazily out of the bathroom towards the small living room where he expected to find Eli.
The apartment was small and had only a few pieces of furniture, a kitchen table with a couple of chairs, a small couch and a coffee table in the living room and a double bed with a single chest of drawers in the bedroom. Bare necessities to most but more than enough for temporary tenants. A dark bathroom with a cozy tub was all that was really required.
Oskar found his way to the living room where a small lamp was lit and resting on the coffee table. He noticed a piece of paper displaying familiar handwriting being held securely by the base of the lamp. He yawned again and shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of a still sleepy mind as he reached down with one hand and lifted the lamp just enough to slide the paper out from under it with his other hand. Holding it above the lamp where the light was a more gentle glow and much easier on awakening eyes he read it.
Dearest Oskar,
I feel that this night is right for what we have talked about so
much lately. I know you don't think you're ready but I believe
that you are. You're strong . You're brave. This is as much for me
as it is for you. I've gone out for a little while to let you prepare.
I don't want to push you into this so if you want to wait that's fine,
but I truly think you're ready.
With Love Always
Your Eli
Oskar knew all too well what the note implied and in the moment that it took to read it all hopeful expectations for the night vanished. He tilted his head downward and closed his eyes. Eli was asking him to do something he had never done and wasn't sure if he could. Without looking he lowered the note onto the coffee table and then took a deep breath. As he exhaled he opened his eyes and looked around hoping to find a distraction from the thoughts that had seized his mind. There was nothing in the modest apartment willing to comply. He knew that Eli was right. He knew that she had worried about this night since that moment when they sealed their devotion in blood. Since that night when Oskar became like Eli and they both knew this night was coming.
Oskar went into the bedroom and opened the window, it was the only one in the apartment that wasn't jammed or threatening to break. He looked out into the night sky and saw no stars or moon. The night was exceptionally dark without their light. There was a slight breeze but nothing that would hinder a fledgling with still new and raw abilities. He closed the window slowly. The night would not be his argument. It was consenting with Eli.
Oskar did not doubt Eli. He trusted her fully and if she said the night was right then sure it was. Who else would understand the night better than the one who has known so many? It was his own fear that gnawed at his confidence. He wasn't afraid of failing. He was afraid of seeing disappointment on the face he loved, but he couldn't bear the sight of worry in those eyes either. Such notions seemed more unbearable than the pains of hunger.
As he strolled out of the bedroom he thought about the note. He came to a halt and put his arms firmly by his sides, his hands became fists. He thought to himself, "It's time to suck it up Oskar. It's like she said, this is for her as well as for me. If I don't do this tonight when will I?" With a surge of determination he walked quickly into the kitchen where they kept their clothes piled on the table and began assembling the evening's attire.
Once Oskar had dressed himself he went into the living room and plopped down on the couch. The couch was old and worn so the cushions didn't offer much support or comfort. He eased down into a slouching position and leaned his head backwards so that he could stare at the ceiling. The small lamp on the coffee table was struggling to spread it's light in such a dark room but that didn't matter to Oskar. He could see the cracks in the ceiling clearly because of his newly heightened sense of sight. He enjoyed being able to see so well in the dark, it gave him a sense of security. He liked the idea of hiding in the dark, being able to see while not being seen. His eyes seemed to react to the darkness on their own like an involuntary reflex. The darker it got the better he could see, no effort required. The same could not be said for his other new abilities.
Oskar placed his hands on his thighs with the palms up. He looked down at his hands and stared at them intently. His eyes squinted and his jaw tightened. He took a breath and as he exhaled slowly he muttered to himself, "Claws. Claws. Claws." He felt a slight tingling sensation in his hands as the skin and flesh began to strecth and the bones beneath began to twist and enlarge. His fingers extended slowly and his nails thickened and grew out into points that curved downward. His hands began to tremble and the squinting had become so intense that it was causing him a fair amount of discomfort. With a frustrated sigh he released his focus and closed his eyes to give them a moment of rest. When he opened his eyes and looked at his lap he was discouraged to see two very normal looking hands.
Eli had told him that it would take time to master such abilities but Oskar had witnessed many times how effortlessly she could command her form and he wanted badly to have the same control. He hated feeling inadequate and he wanted to impress Eli with how quickly he could learn. It was difficult for him to think of Eli as centuries old but when he did he realized that long ago her dark nature had become second nature. Still, he wandered if he would ever reach that level of control.
The hunger within did seem to help him focus a little better during the hunts with Eli, as long as he wan't too hungry. He had fed four nights earlier and was just beginning to feel the minor annoyance of hunger turn to a slight craving. He knew that tomorrow night the craving would intensify and the next night the pain would arrive but he could handle it if need be. After all, certain bullies had taught him how to manage pain.
Oskar again clenched his fists in an effort to intimidate his doubts and fears. He set his mind firmly on what had to be done this night and his resolve was strengthened. He only hoped Eli would come back soon before his courage began to fade.
A few minutes later Oskar heard the sound of a door handle turn followed by the creaking of hinges in dire need of oiling as the door to the apartment opened and revealed Eli standing at the threshold. He was never able to hear her approach even with highly tuned and sensative supernatural ears. She was so light and nimble but survival had taught her how to be discreet. He stood up and waited for her as she entered and closed the door. She went into the living room and stood about arm's length from him. Though she was always beautiful in his sight she had fed two nights ago and the fresh blood flowing through her veins always gave her features an even more stunning appearance. She stood with her arms resting at her sides and looked at him with a concerned expression. The moment he looked into her eyes he knew his new found resolve would be tested because now that she was there he didn't want to leave.
"Hi Oskar." She said with the hint of a comforting smile.
"Hi Eli." Oskar replied knowing that after the courtesy of sincere greetings Eli would get down to business.
"I guess you read my note."
Oskar looked down and began to kick lightly at the floor with his foot and answered,"Yeah. I read it."
"Oskar, you know I don't want to pressure you but it's been eight months since I met you in Blackeberg and I'm not sure how much time we have until my next long sleep."
Eli reached out and took Oskar's right hand with both of hers and squeezed gently.
"I have to know that you're gonna be alright when it happens, that you'll be there when I wake."
"Of course I will Eli but does it have to be tonight? I'm not even hungry."
"That's good Oskar because I don't want your hunger to make you careless. I wouldn't ask you to do this if I didn't believe you were ready and I don't want it to be any more difficult than it has to be."
"I know Eli. I know."
Oskar knew that it wasn't easy and would never be easy but all he had to do was think about how she made him feel inside and how he loved her like he never thought he could love anyone and he would be able to do anything.
"We've been here too long Oskar. Tomorrow night we have to leave and it could be days before we can feed again."
Oskar looked up and met her gaze. He took his left hand and and gently stroked her cheek.
"Alright Eli. Tonight I will hunt alone."
Eli leaned in and gave Oskar a gentle kiss and then she released his hand.
"Thank you Oskar."