Love and Riots

It didn’t take long, forty-eight seconds to be exact. Ari knew there and then that the man before her was unlike anyone she had ever encountered. He was forward with his words and actions, unlike others of the same species who often twisted their words like snakes. She observed how his face contorted with various emotions and noticed a hint of love, tenderness, and desire when his gaze was aimed her way. It was peculiar, and over time she learnt that he saw the same in her despite her odd tendencies.

Over time, the less jaded she was, the more human she became. Like a flower carefully tended to, Mason brought out the best in her. The day they affirmed their love, Ari felt it all fall into place. The words they uttered, a vow that was taken. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.

As Mason grew older, Ari remained untouched by time. The yearly conversations they had replayed in her mind.

“Can’t you change me too?”

The knife froze mid-chop, and Ari stiffly turned to face her husband.

“No, you’re not ready.” She chided, before resuming her preparation for dinner.

“You wouldn’t survive,” Ari murmured under her breath. Mason shook his head, exasperated by her words. Or was it desperation? Ari could never tell, but before she could ponder on his words, he continued his fight. Something that hasn’t happened before.

“Better you than any one of them out there. They have been on the rampage, changing people in small towns to gain a cult following. I am growing older day by day, while you retain your youth. One day I’m going to be standing right next to you, and be thought of as your father.”

“And if you died?” Ari cut him off, “And if you died, I’d be grieving you alone. I don’t want to lose you just yet.” Her voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes. With shaky hands, reached out to him, and Mason embraced her, agreeing to drop the topic for now.

True to his words, Mason brought it up once a year. His birthday to be exact. But each time, Ari would start crying at the thought of losing him and Mason would end the conversation.

By now, another ten years has passed. Ari’s beauty remained unchanged, while the black of Mason’s hair turned white and the laugh lines on his face deepened. She began to lament her inhuman attributes that caused the differences between them and wondered if she should have listened to Mason years ago. The news on the television caught her eye and as she watched, her face hardened at the headlines. Things have gotten worse with the changing, people were rioting and the attacks were getting out of hand.

Glancing at the clock, it was already half past six. Ari kept herself busy by cooking dinner, going as far as using her powers to keep the food warm and Mason’s favourite steak tender. The music was softly playing, the candles were lit, and all that was left was the leading man. She could almost see it, the way his face would light up with delight at the sight of her preparation. It was their tenth year together, and Ari had been toying with the idea of changing him.

The hour passed, and then another. It was unusual of Mason and Ari couldn’t help the feeling of dread that rose as the news repeated in her mind. Leaning towards the window, she gasped and stepped back as a fight broke out on the street below. The tensions were finally reaching the suburbs. She watched as the woman picked up a glass bottle and hurled it at the man. As the glass shattered, Ari doubled over and sank to the ground as her legs gave way. Struggling to catch her breath, she pushed herself back up and turned to the faint sound of her phone. It was enough to pull her out of her daze. Something was wrong. Something was wrong with Mason.

Stumbling over to the receiver, she snatched the phone up and briefly registered the person asking for her name over the phone. Moving on auto-pilot, she remembered the way she answered the phone, then took her car keys then fumbled with the ignition. She remembered how she placed her forehead against the cool leather of the steering wheel and took a deep breath summoning all the strength she had left to reach Mason.

The moment she reached the counter and stated Mason’s name, everything seemed to speed up. She was directed to a private theatre, where the doctors spoke to her about his condition before leaving. The look of sympathy on the nurses’ faces haunted her as they opened the doors for her.

Caught in the crossfire.

Beaten to an inch of his life.

Be prepared.

Ari never understood the words that humans used in such situations. But this time she felt the weight of those words. Mason lay in the cot unmoving, the bloodied specks of blood seemed to glow against the paleness of his skin. The only thing that reassured Ari was the beating of the machine he was hooked up with.

“I’m sorry I’m late” Mason whispered hoarsely, then tried to clear his throat but winced at the pain it caused. Ari could see the bandage redden and tried stopping him. But he shook his head.

“I had to grab something. Can you get it, in my pocket…” Mason’s eyes darted towards his right. With trembling hands, Ari gently patted and slid out the item. The box sat squarely in her hand, and Ari stopped breathing.

“It’s been ten years. Happy anniversary, love.” Mason smiled weakly.

Nestled in black velvet was a pearl that winked at her. Ari covered her mouth as a sob escaped. He remembered. She clutched his hand tightly as she tried to find the words. But it was too late.

“I’m sorry, Ari…” Mason murmured, eyes closing. The hand that Ari held onto fell limply and she jumped up.

“No, no, no, wake up. Please, Mason. Wake up.” Crying, she shook his shoulders hoping it would jolt him awake, but he remained so still.

Ari could feel it, he was about to die on her, and the slowing of his heart echoed all around. She wouldn’t have the chance to discuss it with him. She had to make a decision. It was now or never.

Stepping forward, Ari drew the curtains. Though she was never one for religion, she uttered a prayer that it would all go right. When she was done, she gently pushed the hair out of his eyes and laid a gentle kiss. It was time.

Ari first worked on his vital organs. To initiate the first stage, Mason had to be in his best condition, but right now he was far from it. Though his eyes remained closed, Ari worked on stabilising his breathing and heart rate. Now, it was time for the second step. Sweeping over his vital points, Ari bit down hard to inject him with more essence. Going through the neck, heart, wrist, and other vital points was the fastest way to circulate it around the body. Akin to a blood transfusion, the immortal’s essence was unique in transforming a human into one of them.

Finally, it was time for the last step. Ari slightly wavered as her eyes lost focus for a second. Her tiredness and lack of essence in her own body were catching up. But she was not done. Leaning over the bedrails, Ari parted her lips and pushed out the very orb that was her life. It formed a blue mist, flowing out of her lips and into Mason’s. The lack of rejection on Mason’s part made Ari relieved and she closed her eyes and pressed on, focusing on the image of her life flowing into him.

In the background, the beeps of the heart monitor started racing and Ari tried to open her eyes to see what was happening.

But she couldn’t.

This time, she panicked.

It wasn’t time. This was why she didn’t want to change Mason. She didn’t want to lose him this way.

Ari almost missed the rustling of the curtains and the gasp that followed. When she heard it the second time, the metallic clinks that sounded against the floor tiles snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Continue what you are doing, we will handle the rest.” A deep voice spoke, startling Ari. But his words calmed her as she focused on easing Mason’s body into accepting her life orb.

Slowly, Ari pried open an eye and saw the doctors working their way around her. They fixed the leg that was broken, placing it in a cast to heal. Then stitched him up, and cleaned up the blood. He looked as though he was sleeping when they were done. Everyone had left, except one.

“He is no longer in his prime, nor was he born with the essence we possess. I only hope you wouldn't have wasted your life orb on him. Good luck, young one.” The same voice spoke again, and with those parting words, he left the room.

It felt like hours later when Ari let the last stream of life into him. She stumbled into the chair that was graciously brought in by the nurses. No longer did she see things in high definition nor were her reflexes as quick. Gingerly moving her fingers, she realised she had retained some of her powers. Walking towards the window, Ari took in her pale appearance and noticed a stray white hair, a first. And she wondered, what would Mason say?

Curling up in the small cot, Ari thought back on memories that she had created with him. The times they travelled, the way he taught her how to be more human, the many firsts that they shared. And in that moment, she felt small.

The nurses came and went, and each gave her supportive smiles. They told her she had done well, and all that was left was for him to wake. They reassured her that he’d be in good hands and she should rest, but she refused to leave. Having lost the battle, the nurses left her alone. Ari took one more look at the love of her life before she fell into a deep sleep, hoping he’d wake in the morning.

It’s been three months since the riots and the mass turning. Much has changed as laws were now strictly enforced. The immortals that went on a rampage were quelled while the newly changed were rounded up for some sort of experiment. Most went under the radar while others fought till the bitter end. Ari shook her head at the teenagers who debated about the law with little knowledge about the issues that ran deeper. The autumn chill had finally swept through town, the cold seeped into her bones and Ari finally understood the meaning of the term 'bone-chilling'.

Sipping on her latte, Ari mused at how the autumn colours seemed muted. Mason would have loved seeing the fiery leaves in high definition. But he has yet to wake. For three months, it’s been her new routine. She changed jobs and spent all her free time volunteering at the hospital. Everything just to be a little closer to him, hoping she’d be the first he set his eyes on.

Today she was late as she entered his ward, the nurses and doctors greeted her with wide Cheshire grins. Recognising her from her visits and volunteer work, she was quite the regular face. But today the greetings seemed different. Though she no longer had as much power as before, she could still feel the elemental shifts.

A nurse-turned-friend saw her approaching and chided, “You're late.”

Ari shrugged, raising the latte in response, but the nurse spoke.

“But, better late than never. Go on, he’s inside.” Ari frowned at her words. Some of the human language still confused her, and it made her miss how Mason would break it down for her.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Ari gently cracked open the door and peeped in. The empty bed stood out like a sore thumb and she swung the door open. But the figure standing by the window barely moved at the sound of the door thudding against the wall. The man threw an apple and caught it in mid-air.

Tears pooled in her eyes as he turned to face her.

“Hey love, missed me?”