Page 12 of Newly Undead in Dark River

“To Raine, and new beginnings.”

To fresh starts.

Chapter Five

As it turns out, becoming a citizen of Dark River was a lot like a shotgun wedding.

I stood in the courthouse, in a red lace dress. Walker stood next to me, like a proud father giving me away.

The town council consisted of five old vamps. I mean, they didn't look old, one looked like he was twenty. But the weight of their collective age hung oppressively in the small room. I shifted from foot to foot nervously. This was like being called into the Dean's office, times five. Only Catherine smiled at me, the rest of the Council were pointedly neutral.

“Walker has informed us that you have decided to join us here permanently in Dark River. Has it been made clear to you what citizenship entails? Your duties and responsibilities?”

“Yes, it seems pretty straight forward. Start a new life, don't eat humans, don't turn humans. Got it.”

The younger vamp laughed. “I do so enjoy having new blood come into our community. It gives everyone a new lease on life. We might try and stay up-to-date with all the new slang and outlooks, but sometimes we can become so horribly antiquated.” He had a thick accent that sounded like old English. Or maybe he was just speaking proper English. Both sounded foreign to my ear.

“And do you accept these responsibilities?” Another woman asked. Her face looked around my age, but her eyes seemed ancient in a way that only people who have seen a lot of pain and misery can.

I swallowed hard. This was it. After this, there would be no going back to being Mika McKellen.

“Yes.”

Catherine smiled. “Excellent, from this day forth, you will be known as,” she looked down at a sheet of paper in front of her, “Raine Baxter, citizen of Dark River, Alberta.” This time they all smiled, and the effect was almost as terrifying as their silence. They slid a manila envelope across to me. “There is your new identification, including a social security number, driver’s license, and anything else you may need. Angeline tells me that you've accepted the job at The Immortal Cupcake, and rented out the apartment above the store. Is everything to your liking?”

I thought about my first day of work yesterday. Turns out, everyone wanted to come in and check out some books. Or check out me. I'd been so busy that the day flew by. I'd barely had time to suck down a blood bag and maul a cupcake on my lunch break. Every night, well morning, at three A.M, a movie would play on the overhead projector. I'd loved the movie catalog. There had been everything from today's blockbusters, to the classics of the golden era.

Last night had been Casablanca night, and each ticket came with a complimentary themed cupcake. In this case, it was a coconut and rum cupcake with pineapple icing, based on the Casablanca cocktail. I'd eaten four.

Back in the present, I smiled and nodded to the group. “Everyone has been amazing. Thank you.”

A man who actually looked ancient nodded back sternly. Actually, dressed in a black hooded cloak, he looked a little like the Grim Reaper. “Walker tells us that he hasn't made much progress with your murder case. I hope they catch whoever did this. Although we welcome you to our town, we wish the circumstances weren't so unfortunate.”

Yeah, you and me both buddy.

Outwardly, I just thanked him for his kind words.

We headed over to Bert and Beatrice's after the ceremony was over. I'd signed all of the documents, made all the pledges, vowed to follow the rules on pain of death, blah blah blah.

When I stepped into the diner, I stopped dead. The place had been transformed. There were Happy Birthday banners and people wearing party hats.

“We might have to go to Angeline's place. I think they are having a party here,” I whispered over my shoulder to Walker. When he didn't say anything, I turned to look at him. He was grinning widely.

“It's your party. Happy Rebirthday, Raine Baxter.” He laughed at my expression. I could feel the stunned mullet look on my face. Everyone was looking at me intently, and then Beatrice pushed out of the kitchen, followed by Angeline, who carried a huge stand of her cupcakes.

“There she is, the girl of the hour! Sit down Lass, this is your big day.” Beatrice pushed me toward a table that had a balloon patterned tablecloth and a huge pink hat. She snapped the party hat on my head with enough force to sting my chin. Angeline put the tower of cupcakes on the counter and came over to hug me. Most of the faces seemed familiar now. There were only a few hundred people in the town.

“Wow.” I was bewildered, to say the least. There must have been fifty people jammed into the diner. Even Judge was there, tucked in the far back corner. He tipped his imaginary hat to me, and I gave him a wan smile.

Walker's strong, tan hand came down onto my shoulder and squeezed. “I know this is a hard day for you, giving up everything you were. But we wanted you to know that you aren't alone and that we are all here for you. We've all stood where you are today, and know how hard it is. So, we wanted to celebrate, and there's no better way than with a party at the diner.”

I wanted to cry. So I did. Grief and relief warred within me. I dropped my face into my hands and sobbed. This may have been my birthday, but it was also the funeral of Mika McKellen. I had to mourn the girl I could have been.

Walker pulled me into his arms and patted my back until my tears subsided. I took a few deep breaths until I was no longer letting out hiccupy sobs. “I'm sorry,” I told the room.

“Tsch, love, it's fine. It's your party, and you can cry if you want to, isn't that how the song goes? But enough of that. You have a century to grieve for your old life. Today should be a celebration. Unless you plan on being one of those moody vampires the younger ones are always quackin' on about? Edward someone?” Beatrice said, pushing my hair back from my face.

I laughed, then screwed up my nose. NoTwilightreferences, ever.

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