Chapter 5
“Thanks for picking me up,” Portia said, opening the door to Sage’s black-on-black G-Wagon. She slid into the black leather seat and buckled herself in.
“It’s nothin’.” Sage waved off her appreciation.
“Benny’s out for the next few weeks. His daughter caught Rispenitis from sneaking out to feed,” Portia said sadly.
“Damn,” Sage said, shockingly. “I’m sorry to hear that. My brother caught it too. So I know it must be hard for him and his family.”
“Oh my gosh,” Portia held her chest in shock. “I am so sorry to hear about your brother. How’s he doing?”
“He’s fightin’ day by day,” Sage sighed deeply. “Kaliyah has been working overtime to get him everything he needs.”
“That’s good that he has you all around to support him,” Portia said.
“Yeah, he’s gonna be alright,” Sage said. “We’re all just taking it one day at a time.”
They both sat in silence for a few minutes, allowing the somber mood to settle in.
“I’m sad for Benny and his family,” Portia said, lowering her gaze. “It can kill us in seventy-two hours after hitting our bloodstream. Vamps are built to survive anything, but this is something bigger than anything our existence has ever seen. It’s ending so many lives.”
Sage nodded, absorbing it all. She wasn't too fond of vampires because of her father's experience. However, in getting to know Portia, she began to see them differently. Still, she harbored reservations because they took the lives of humans purely to survive.
“Can I ask you something?” Gripping the steering wheel, Sage contemplated what she was going to say next.
“Sure.” Portia gave Sage her undivided attention. “What’s up?”
“It’s hard to sympathize with so many vampires losing their lives when you all have annihilated half the human population to survive. Do y'all ever feel bad about it?” Sage said, concerned. It was a tough question to get off her chest, but she had to know.
Portia was taken aback for a moment because that wasn’t what she was expecting to hear.
It actually got her thinking. Did vamps feel bad for killing humans to survive?
It had been their way of life for centuries, and yet empathy wasn’t a feeling that they necessarily felt often towards civilians.
But what she did know was that the elite vamps lived a different lifestyle from those of the general society population.
Portia took a deep breath before answering Sage’s question. She paused, considering her words carefully to ensure they weren't insensitive.
“I can’t even be mad for you asking, y’know? I’d wonder the same thing if I were human.” Portia began. “I can’t speak for all of us, but what I can say is, as a member of one the most elite families in the society, we practice a different way of living.”
Sage raised her eyebrows in curiosity. “Like how?”
“The elite families in the society believe in a code of ethics that allows us to live fairly amongst humans. We have been here for as long as you all have. So not only is the common ground to be respected, but the beings as well. We have been trained to feed, but not to the point where we’re sucking the lives out of humans. We feed not feast.”
“Oh... Wow,” Sage exclaimed in shock. She hadn't known what kind of answer to expect, or if she was ready to hear it. But Portia's response was far from what she had expected. “Feed, not feast. Got it.” Sage nodded, making a mental note of the insight.
“Yeah,” Portia said, smirking as she nodded her head. “We’re not all bad. Now there are vampires that have a field day with feasting because they’re just plain greedy. But those aren’t the vamps we usually get down with. Damn, I’m giving you all the tea.”
“Listen, I’m just gonna stay on your good side ‘cause I don’t wanna be fed or feasted on anytime soon,” Sage nervously joked.
“Staaaahp. I would never,” Portia chuckled. “Plus, things have changed around town now since the outbreak. It’s forced our population to approach things differently. We now have to survive off vials.”
“And you know what, that may be the best option for everyone,” Sage laughed softly.
Portia nodded in agreement as they came to a red light.
“You wanna take a detour?” Portia asked. “I don’t wanna go home just yet. Shit’s been boring at the house since I can’t see my girls.”
“As long as it ain’t a bar,” Sage said, side eyeing Portia.
“Oh, shut up!” Portia said, playfully pushing Sage’s shoulder. “I just wanna get some fresh air.” She threw her head back to express her eagerness to step outside.
“I know a place,” Sage said as the light turned green and she pulled off down the road.
“Wow, this is beautiful!” Portia said, looking around as they pulled up to a small cabin that overlooked a crystal clear lake surrounded by trees.
“This was my grandfather’s fishermen cabin,” Sage said as she stepped out of the car. “He passed it down to my pops, and now we come up every summer as a family.”
As they walked around the cabin, they were met with a breathtaking view of the sun hitting the surface of the lake. Portia took in the stunning sight. She had never witnessed anything quite like it before.
The Washington family lake house was a charming and rustic cabin constructed from lumber and stone.
Situated behind the cabin was a crystal-clear lake, surrounded by a lush forest teeming with life.
Over the years, they had spent many summers kayaking, fishing, and observing the local wildlife, including deer and rabbits, frolicking across the yard.
It was more than just a family heirloom; it was a home filled with beauty, love, and cherished memories that would endure for decades to come.
“I mean…” Portia breathed in the fresh air. “This is incredibly beautiful. Your family definitely has a gem. How long do y’all stay out here? I’d definitely be out here forever if I could.”
“One month a summer. We all come out here and disconnect. No business. No cartel. Just each other. Making memories and really basking in the company of each other,” Sage said.
“I love it here. My Pop Pop used to take us out on the lake fishing and we’d cook what we caught.
” She smiled at that memory. Pop Pop was the glue that held the Washington family together, even in spirit.
Portia watched as Sage’s eyes lit up talking about her Pop Pop. She knew this place was special to her, and that she didn’t bring many out here other than family. It was Washington territory, and she felt honored to witness it.
Sage led Portia to a bench on the deck overlooking the lake, where they could take in the full view.
“Now this is getting air,” Portia said.
Sage looked out to the trees and breathed in the fresh spring air. “I come here when I need to clear my head. Nothing like being in nature to reconnect to yourself. Grounding myself keeps me sane.”
“Can you show me how to meditate?”
Sage looked at Portia, surprised. “Forreal?”
“Yeah,” Portia smiled softly. “You said you’d teach me. I’m ready to learn. Plus, it can’t be that hard sitting out here in all this silence.”
“Okay,” Sage said, nodding her head. “Let’s do it.”
Portia followed Sage to a spot underneath a large oak tree where they sat comfortably in the grass.
“Meditation is what you make it. But I like it best when I’m connected to the ground,” Sage said, removing her shoes and socks to feel the earth beneath her bare feet.
“Placing your bare feet on the ground helps you reconnect with life itself. You don’t have to take your shoes off—unless you want to. ”
“No,” Portia began taking off her shoes. “I want to. Teach me all you know. I have to quiet my mind.”
Sage grinned, fascinated by Portia’s eagerness to learn.
She was excited to share this moment with her because meditation had been a saving grace in her life.
During the difficult times of dealing with the loss of her mother and grandfather, as well as her rocky relationship with her father, meditation kept her afloat.
It allowed her to calm her mind, soothe her anxiety, and find moments of peace.
Seeing Portia’s interest in finding her own peace made Sage happy, and she was glad to introduce her to a practice that might start something new for her.
They both sat barefoot with their legs crossed, preparing for a moment of peace.
“We’ll begin by closing our eyes or lowering your gaze, whichever feels comfortable for you,” Sage began. “In this moment, allow yourself to settle into your body.” Her voice softened, creating a space of relaxation for their meditation.
Portia followed Sage’s lead, closing her eyes and beginning to sit with herself.
“Let’s start with some deep breaths,” Sage guided. “Breath in… and breathe out.”
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
The moment Portia settled into herself, her thoughts became her only focus, running rampant through her mind.
You can’t do this.
I don’t know why you’re trying it anyway. It’s a waste of time.
This shit won’t help.
Why don’t you just have a drink? It’ll make you feel better.
Portia’s heart raced, beating a mile a minute. She instantly felt her breath quicken and her eyes shot open.
“I can’t do this,” Portia said frantically.
Sage opened her eyes and saw Portia preparing to get up. She could tell she had given up on herself.
“It’s okay,” Sage reassured her as she grabbed her hand, bringing her back to the ground. “I’m right here with you. Give yourself grace.”
Portia sat back down, but still felt discouraged. How could she find her darkest thoughts, even when she was trying to do better for herself? The battle wasn’t her drinking. It wasn’t her father’s rules. It was herself.
“Here,” Sage said softly, grabbing her hands. “Face me.” She adjusted her body towards Portia.
Portia turned to face Sage as she held her hands while they sat cross-legged, meeting each other’s gaze.
“Trust me.”
“Trust you,” Portia whispered as she closed her eyes.
Sage led Portia through a deep breathing exercise to help calm her nerves. Their hands remained in each other’s as they fell into a synchronization of breaths.