I can't believe how fast the year is flying by. They say time does that when you're having fun, but I've not had a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong, I've had some fun, but with working on gathering information about Levi, then my real job, fun isn't something I have a lot of time for.
I got a package in the mail today from my parents. I wasn't sure what it was for until I opened it up and saw the birthday card and the crazy hair accessories slip out, with some other things my dad picked up for me. Things I can only get in Japan. I think it's his way of trying to get me to come back home, but that's not happening any time soon. I've been so busy I almost forgot it was my birthday. Isn't that crazy? I guess I haven't given it much thought since I've been busy with everything at work and then with Levi.
And so, when I sat there reading the card, I realized that I should do something because it's my last birthday before I hit the dreaded 3-0. That's what the ladies at work say. That it's all downhill once you hit the big 3-0, but I think age is all relative. It's how you approach it. I still feel like I'm twenty five, maybe twenty six, but not almost thirty. And then I thought about what I would do or could do since I'm off work the day after my birthday, and who I could or should spend my time with. Honestly, three people popped into my mind initially, but then two more entered. One of them being absolutely ridiculous and only cropping in my head since I know or him and only by default of knowing the first two. Yeah, it was Louvel and Jude, but then it's during the week and August probably has school things and Jude has August commitments, so I discredited him right away due to the short notice thing too. While Louvel isn't as big as a dick as he once was, I'm not sure I'm up for hanging with him one on one yet. Then, there was of course Levi. Which was initially innocent enough, but yet another potential opportunity to gain information throughout the night. By default Alaric popped into my head, but one, he's a vampire, two he's a stranger to me still, three, he doesn't speak any language I speak and four, he might eat me. Who knows. I don't. And then there was Leonie too, but then maybe she might suggest Louvel and Jude coming and then I feel guilty that they're out here with me, rather than doing their own things. So, I think I'll just buy a movie from the cable company, grab some sushi and have a night in. Bowling sounded nice, but I'm not a very good bowler, and no one should bowl alone.
I expected to do nothing with my birthday, especially after working almost eleven hours. But, much to my surprise, Levi gave me not one, but two, presents. A diary of sorts and then a certificate to a place in town that sells a lot of wine. Somehow, he found out my name isn't Heather, but is in fact Hannah. I can only assume that since I received a package from Japan a couple days before my birthday, that was what gave away my secret. I don't think he was mad about it, but it definitely had me in a panic. I could just imagine the absolute worse case scenario when it came to my family, and had to react. Maybe that's not the entire truth, but it's what I'll tell the Serpents should they find out about the diabolical.
I went to the store before it closed, bought two bottles and more or less forced Levi to spend the night with me. Maybe forced is a strong word, because I don't think he felt forced. He doesn't need a reason to drink someone's wine, even if it's on his dime. It was nice to be able to talk to him without having to wonder of worry what the Serpents were picking up. I'm still positive they have my apartment hacked, or whatever it is people call it. Whatever it is, it's completely illegal. Anyways, for a shaky beginning to the night, it didn't end that bad. It didn't end bad at all, really.
Misao called me today. She told me that dad bought her ticket and she'll be here for eleven days. I'm almost starting to regret asking her to come visit, because I don't think Harper Rock can handle her here for these many days. Still, it will be nice to see her. I've attempted to take a couple days off while she's here, and hope Adam approves them. I know he'll do what he can, but I also know that I have to be realistic. Snow and ice makes for oodles of patients that we normally don't see during the other months.
Reminder: Find a bottle of whiskey for Levi's birthday. Deliver it by the tenth.
I've got the bottle of Whiskey. Correction, I got the bottleS of Whiskey. I'm not a big Whiskey drinker-in fact, I know nothing about the liquor. What brand is the best; in terms of what is the best to drink alone, and what is the best to drink with something else accompanying it. Levi seems like he would be the type to drink it by itself-but, I don't know much about the guy. So, I went for what the guy at the store told me. 'Black Velvet,' which is some Canadian version of the liquor and then some brand I know I've never heard of. It all added up to a pretty penny-not to say he isn't worth it. I'm just not sure the liquor is worth it. In the end, I figure it's free and he'll drink them both, because that's what he does-supposedly. Levi is on a fast track to liver failure-not that I've been helping with that.
I don't actually have the day before, the day of, or the day after his birthday, so I'll just have to leave these at his door. Not that he invited me to come over, anyways. I sort of implied it, but I don't like Whiskey and I wasn't actually invited, so...I'm not one of those kinds of people. The self-imposing kind.
We haven't made any solid plans about our swimming 'thing.' At this point, I take it that we're going to have to go to some sort of indoor swimming place, or a completely different country. I'm not sure how the Serpents will feel about that, but before they know what's going on, I'll be in another country. What can they do? Unless Levi's just flat out chickened out, which is possible. Everyone can have some doubts about their own abilities. Even Levi D'Amico.
I decided to take the offer, or at least listen to what is being offered. I need to get the Serpents off my back, because let's face it, I've not given them anything worthwhile in a long time. I can't imagine they're too happy. In fact, I can't remember the last time I heard or saw from Takano. I would like to believe that no news is good news, but I'm a little skeptical when dealing with crime lords of the underworld. I'll let Gino dispatch of them, and then worry about him a little later. I'm not thrilled about either 'leadership,' but if he's telling at least half the truth, it seems like it might be 'easier' or 'better' to work for him than the people that want to off my family if they're not happy with my progress.
I've only managed to get four hours of overtime, instead of seven or eight. The new woman Adam hired seems to be working out fine. Better than fine. She doesn't mind working as hard as Adam or me, and comes in on her days off if we're swamped. Maybe Christmas won't be so bad when Miaso comes. Maybe, I'll be able to enjoy her visit and make sure she's staying out of trouble.
I ran into Leonie while shopping for Christmas gifts. I'm still going to try and avoid a large group of that family, it always seems to go better with one or two of them at a time. By now, I hope Alaric doesn't think I want to hurt him, or anything like that. I haven't even really thought of the guy, or the fact that he's a vampire. It's not even that big of a thing anymore. It's more interesting to meet a human these days.
I really don't know how to leave some crime lord a 'sign,' but I improvised and did the best I could. Either, they haven't seen it, or they just don't get it. I can't very well leave flashing lights outside my window living room window saying, 'sign me up for team mafia.'
I'm pretty sure that today is Levi's birthday. He said it was around the tenth, but I'm just going to take it at face value. If it's tomorrow, who cares if Levi gets his booze a day earlier? I'm sure he won't mind. Not that it matters. Since I don't have off tonight, or tomorrow, he's getting it in a basket and left at his doorstep. Since I doubt he'll be in the apartment. I'm going to knock on the door and see before I dump and ditch, but I'm pretty sure he won't be there. He'll either be at work, or doing whatever he does when he's not here. I'm pretty sure that if I wanted to call him for a screw, I'd have to text him and ask me to pencil me in at three p.m. or something. I'm not complaining, at all. It probably reads like that, but I'm not. It's sort of--no--it is a total turn on with how ambitious and determined he is. Even if he gets lost in that ambition.
So, I'll knock, but I don't suspect he'll be waiting around for me to drop anything off for him. Like I said, he's probably working or--. What? What else does he do when he's not at work? I'm sure it's a rare phenomenon, but still...He's not spending time with 'uncle' Gino--oh. OH. Shoot. Double shoot. I just realized-I've been so busy defending Levi and--....If Gino is Levi's 'Uncle,' just how involved is Levi in the things his 'Uncle' does? Does Levi...dispatch of people?
I didn't knock on his door. I just left it by Levi's door step and slipped off. I couldn't not give him his birthday gift-but it had been tempting to not give it to him. I mean, I knew Levi wasn't a stand up citizen, but I never thought that he might kill people. Is it possible he could kill someone? Sure. I think anyone is possible of killing someone in the right circumstances. I'll even admit that I could, or at least would try to kill someone if it came down to a me, versus them scenario. I mean, I don't know what I thought Levi was in trouble for with the Serpents, but...did he kill someone in the group? Fantastic! I have a crush on a guy who kills people for a living. Or second living. I'm sure he really does run that security company--Jesus Christ, Hannah. It was literally staring me in the face. 'Security.' Right. Sure. That's what they call it, I'm sure. You can't just go around and say, This is Levi DAmico, who puts a few bullets in someone. No, instead refer to him as 'security.' And the best part is, not only did I suggest or allude to wanting to screw him a couple weeks ago....well, anyone with half a brain can figure out how that suggestion ended. What a disaster.
And there's really no going back now.
Though, the more I think about it...what if Levi doesn't kill people anymore? What if he's turned his back on Gino and that way of life? Can people do that? I don't know. But there has to be a reason they sort of 'fell out.' A reason Gino can't approach Levi, himself. I doubt it's that black and white. It never is.
So, big surprise, Gino is insane. That's right, he's absolutely insane. He finally got my 'message' and figured it was for him after a few days. We 'met' for lack of a better word and had a 'discussion.' I knew he was nuts right then and there, and immediately wanted to change my mind and tell him, 'no thanks,' with a cherry on top. Who in their right mind would jump into something like that?
Well, it seemed my 'olive branch' pretty much stated, I'm agreeing to whatever he suggested, because next thing I know, I'm a 'guest' of his. Only, not a 'guest' like staying at the Hilton or something. Oh, no. 'Guest' as in not leaving unless it's in a body bag, or a brand new Hannah Lynn Woods.
I'm positive I died. At least it felt like it. The first thing I am doing is making sure I don't have some blood disease, like say, HIV or something. Who, other than vampires willingly drinks blood? Who even thought about doing that? Whoever thought of it, must be Gino's right hand man, because I don't even know what sane person would have the thought of 'if I drink vampire blood, I might become some super enhanced human being.'
I've seen a lot of disgusting things. I mean, I volunteer to work at the desk for the emergency room every once in a while, but this takes the cake. How much blood did I drink? Just thinking of it makes me dry heave. It's settled, completely. Once the Serpents are out of the way, Gino's going to have to die. I mean, he almost killed me with his crazy idea. I can see just why Levi has nothing to do with him. And I can see why Levi might kill people, if the people he used to associate with were like Gino Valachi. Dead, he's deader than dead. Especially if he cost me my job at the hospital. I missed five days of work.
Gino needs to die. How, I'm not sure, as I don't go around plotting people's deaths, or know the first thing about killing people, but it's going to happen.
I'm not doing it. Nope. He can't make me drink vampire blood. There's no rule saying I -have- to drink the stuff. Again. Of my own free will and conscious, that is. So, I won't. Because it's gross. If Gino wanted me to do drink it, then he shouldn't have let me go. His fault for letting me leave.
Speaking of which...I still have my job. I don't know how that managed to be, but something tells me Gino had something to do with it. I'm no idiot. I remember how everyone seemed to just vanish from sight when he approached me at work the first time we 'met.' It seems some people can just do whatever they want, while the rest of us are expected to fall in line.
Well, not me. Gino can stick it right where the sun doesn't shine.
I saw Louvel the other day on the streets. I didn't bother saying anything to him, since I'm sure the entire family of Jude's is waiting for some dark foreboding nefarious thing to come to fruit since I -gasp- know Alaric is a vampire. Anyways, as I did my best to avoid eye contact and hurried to the train station, I thought about Jude. I actually haven't seen or heard from him since that night. It's been over a month.
I'll admit I haven't been a very good...'friend', or acquaintance, but I didn't really know what to say or do after that entire awkward thing. I felt it better to sort of keep my distance, because I want my arms and legs and don't want them ripped off by each member of the family as they argue over 'will Hannah reveal the big secret?' With more people arguing that I will, because I guess that's just what people do in Canada? Tell everyone's business.
Anyways, I know Judah said that Alaric was family by some great, great removed...but the fact I haven't seen or heard from him in weeks sort of has me wondering...is Judah even alive? I mean, I'm sure as with people, there are some 'good' or 'nice' vampires and then some not so nice ones. What if he drained Judah dry? Or what if Judah's a vampire now? I mean, the latter is whatever, but the former...
I would go over there, but I don't think anyone wants to see me near the home, or frankly, Alaric. I could text him, but what would I say? 'Just seeing if you still have all your blood?' If he's fine, he might think me a little out there. I'm just going to wait until everything is a little more settled down before I think about reaching out to Judah.
