Destined

Polly broke into a wide smile, grinning from ear to ear, displaying her beautiful, white teeth—the exact smile that Caitlin remembered. It was uncanny. And it felt so good to recognize someone. For the first time, Caitlin didn’t feel so alone.

“Well, you sure know how to fight, don’t you?” Polly asked. It was the same accent, the same voice, the same mannerisms. Polly examined Caitlin for a moment, and something like recognition seemed to cross her face, and then quickly went away.

“I’m Polly,” she said, extending her hand. “And to whom do I owe the pleasure?”

Caitlin didn’t know what to say. She was really shocked. If there was anything more uncanny than seeing Polly again, it was having Polly not recognize her, as if she were a complete stranger, as if they had never met, never shared any of their experiences on Pollepel.

Of course, Caitlin knew there was no reason why Polly would remember her; after all, Caitlin had come back in time, not forwards. Still, Caitlin had known her so well, so vividly. It was completely eerie. She almost wondered if Polly were kidding, just testing her?

Caitlin reached out and shook her hand.

“Polly,” she said, “it’s me. Caitlin.”

Polly stared back, and her face wrinkled in confusion. Finally, Caitlin realized that it was true: Polly really had no idea who she was.

“I’m sorry,” Polly answered, “have we met? I’m afraid I don’t recall. Forgive me if we have. I am terrible with names and faces. Caitlin is your name? That’s a pretty one. Anyway, now that we’ve officially met, I’m sure glad to meet you. You really saved me,” Polly said, surveying the three unconscious brutes, still lying in the alley. “They were a rotten sort.”

Rose came running over to Polly, whining and wagging her tail hysterically.

Polly’s eyes opened wide in delight, as she bent over and petted her. “And what have we here?”

she asked.

“Her name is Rose,” Caitlin said. It was clear Rose remembered Polly, and it was equally clear that Polly didn’t remember her.

Still, Polly showed Rose as much affection as she once had.

“Rose,” Polly said, hugging her as Rose licked her cheek. “What a darling name.” Polly laughed.

“Now now, Rose!” Polly said. “My God, she’s so excited! You’d think that she knew me!”

Caitlin smiled. “Yes, you would think,” she said.

One of the unconscious men groaned, and Polly suddenly surveyed the alleyway. “Let’s get out of here,” she said, and took Caitlin’s arm in hers, and guided her out the alleyway, Rose by their side.

They walked, arm in arm, like new best friends, down the side streets of Venice, Polly leading the way. Polly was so happy, she was practically skipping, and Caitlin was thrilled to see how happy Rose was. Even though Polly didn’t remember, it still felt like they knew each other forever. Just like the first time they’d met in Pollepel.

“I don’t know how to repay you,” Polly said. “Those men didn’t mean me the best, to put it lightly. It’s my own fault, really. Aiden warned us to never venture out alone. Safety in numbers, that’s what he says. I’m strong— don’t think I’m not—but today I’m not at my full strength, and they caught me off guard. I’m much stronger at night. It would’ve ended badly, I’m sure of it. At the very least, it would have put me out of commission for tonight, and that simply wouldn’t do.”

Caitlin tried to keep up. Just as she remembered, Polly talked so fast, she could barely get a word in. It warmed her heart to be back with her, to be back by her best friend’s side, even if Polly couldn’t remember. She hoped that maybe, over time, Polly would remember. If not, she’d be more than happy to begin their friendship all over again.

More importantly, Caitlin was struck by her reference. Had she said Aiden? Could it be?

“Did you say Aiden?” Caitlin asked.

“Why yes,” Polly said. “Do you know him? Of course, there’s no way you could. You haven’t been to our island, have you? No, no, of course not. I would have known, of course. But you’ll see it now. I have to introduce you to everyone. Humans are not allowed, of course. Just our kind,” Polly said, looking over at Caitlin. “Of course, I can sense you’re one of us. I knew the second I saw you.”

Caitlin tried to speak, but Polly cut her off.

“You don’t have a coven here, do you? Of course you don’t. I know every vampire in town.”

She grabbed her arm, pleading, “You have to join ours. You have to! I’ll talk to Aiden. I’m sure he’ll let you in, especially after he hears how you saved me. Oh, I can’t thank you enough! Talk about timing. It’s like it was destined.”

Polly led them down an alleyway, into another small square, then down another side street, and underneath a small, stone arch. Caitlin found herself crossing over a foot bridge, over a narrow canal, and then back down the other side. Polly seemed to really know the back streets.

Caitlin thought. It was always hard to gather her thoughts around Polly.

“Polly,” she said, trying to catch her breath, “you said you know every vampire in town?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say every, but most of them, for sure. Venice is bigger than you think. Has loads and loads of islands, and some, I hear, hide out on small islands I’ve never heard of.”

Caitlin’s heart pounded with excitement. “Have you heard of Caleb?” she asked.

Polly furrowed her brow.

“Caleb…I’m sorry, that’s not ringing a bell…No, can’t say that I know him.”

Caitlin’s heart fell. Maybe he really hadn’t survived the trip. Maybe her sensing friends in Venice only had to do with Polly. Maybe Caleb really was gone.

“So, will you?” Polly asked

Caitlin looked at her, puzzled. “Will I what?”

“Come with me? To our island? It would be so fun. Please. I can use the companionship. It gets so boring there. And I can hardly let you just go, especially after all that. Come on, you don’t have any other place to go, do you? Please, make a girl happy.”

Caitlin thought. She didn’t see why not. After all, she had nowhere else to go. And she really wanted to spend more time with Polly, too—and meet Aiden again.

Caitlin smiled. “Sure. I’d love to.”

Polly squealed in delight. “Perfect! We have an extra room, just for you. Great views of the water. Right next to mine. And Rose,” Polly added, bending over and petting her, “of course, there’s a room for you, too.”

Rose wagged her tail, and then started whining hysterically.

“Oh, poor dear,” Polly said, “she’s ravished, isn’t she? And you look ravished, too.”

Polly yanked her down a side alleyway, and Caitlin was disoriented, barely able to keep up with all the twists and turns. She wondered how she would’ve found her in way Venice without her.

Polly stopped before a villager roasting a pig, slicing off pieces and selling it to customers.

Rose smacked her lips at the sight.

“Two, please,” Polly said, reaching into her pocket and handing the woman a coin. “And one jug of your special,” she winked.

The woman nodded back knowingly. She sliced two huge hunks of meat, and handed them to Caitlin. She then handed Caitlin a small, ceramic jug.

Caitlin reached down and fed the strips to Rose.

Rose, famished, could hardly wait. She leapt up and ate them in the air, and devoured them, smacking her lips. She immediately whined for more, staring hopefully at Caitlin.

Polly laughed. “OK, Rose, I get it,” she said, and handed the woman another coin. An even larger slice of meat came off the pig, and Polly gave it to Rose with a laugh.

Caitlin examined the jug. It was filled with a dark, thick liquid.

“Drink it,” Polly said. “You’ll be happy you did. It’s just for our kind.”