CHAPTER 4: 4 - AWAKE

I extend my hand with the water. She looks at the Sippy cup like it’s going to bite her. When it doesn't,

she snatches it from me and drinks the water. I step back so that she can relax a bit.

"Hi I am Christian." I tell her once again when she has emptied the Sippy cup. She must be really

thirsty.

"Hi.... I.... I am Niana." She whispers.

"Niana. That's a beautiful name." I smile. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

She looks at me covering in the corner.

"You must be hungry Niana. Do you want pancakes and maybe some fruits?" I ask her, from where I

am.

She shakes her head but her stomach growls.

"They are really really yummy." I tell her, trying to tempt her.

She just looks at me.

"You want some?" I ask her hopeful that she'd say yes.

She looks at me, wondering what to do. I know she must be really hungry.

"You don't have to eat it if you don't like it." I tell her, trying to bargain her into saying a yes.

She nods imperceptibly.

"Okay. Cool. Great! I am going to come there and pick you out from your crib okay?" I tell her softly, so

that she is not startled.

She freezes and backs up against the wall.

"And then?" she asks softly.

"And then I will take you downstairs to the breakfast table where there is yummy food and juice. Ok?"

She looks around wondering what to do.

When she doesn't refuse, I walk up to her and pick her up. She weighs no more than a kitten. I carry

her downstairs to the breakfast table.

I sit her on the highchair almost waiting for her to protest. None came. I put two pancakes and some

fruits in front of her which she gobbles down in a matter of minutes.

"You want some more?" I ask her.

She nods, some colour returning to her cheeks.

I smile and put another two which she eats away.

"Want more?" I ask her.

She shakes her head. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome baby girl" I smile at her.

She was waiting and looking at me, expecting what I have no clue.

I was waiting for her to ask questions so that I could answer them or to cry or act out so that I could

comfort her.

"You want to have a bath? Huh?"

She looks at me wondering what the fuck is going on here. I almost laugh out at her look.

"When can I go back home?" She asks me softly.

I swallow.

"Umm.... about that.... "

"I have my friends and my books are all at home.... " She muses mostly to herself.

"I don't know about that.... " Telling her she wasn't going home ever seemed a bit harsh right now.

"I miss my.... Why did you bring me here? I don't know you, do I?"

I take a step towards her and she pushes back into her chair. I close my eyes and take a couple of

deep breaths. Why is so scared of me? She's not even aware that I am a vampire yet.

"Let's get you all cleaned up first okay?"