An Eternity of Glass

To the reader....

Dear reader,

this is the first book I've ever written in English.

Sometimes my words fall into place easily, sometimes it takes weeks... or even forever.

This is just an idea, not a fantasy (novel).

If you have any comments or thoughts, please leave them in the review so I can grow on your criticism.

PROLOGUE

London, Present

And none of it is a lie? No, answered the young man. His narrow lips were slightly parted as if he were just waiting to begin.

He turned to the window.

Motionless, he stood by it for a while, gazing down at Trafalgar Square. The summer night was clear, and a pleasant breeze carried the laughter and voices up to them.

It happened in 1626 here in London, he finally began. I can still vividly recall that day. It was one of the coldest December days I've ever experienced.

1

England in the year 1626.

I stepped through the door into the cold. With trembling fingers, I tightened my scarf around my neck and pulled my hat lower over my face. It was going to be a harsh and long winter.

An empty horse cart rushed past me, making me step back in surprise and nearly lose my balance. Irritated by the coachman's carelessness, I buried my hands in my pockets. Nevertheless, I felt the cold all over my body like tiny needle pricks. My breath left a white cloud that hung briefly in the air. To keep warm, I stomped my feet on the ground a few times. Annoyed, I turned around.

My sister, a seven-year-old brunette girl, appeared in the doorway. Clumsily, she draped a warming woolen shawl over her shoulder. I'm ready, she grumbled, not particularly thrilled about going out in this cold. Eleonora's gaze shifted from the tattered basket covered with a shawl in her hands to my face. Vincent, you know very well that I hate it when you call me that! But you only have this one name. How else am I supposed to call you? Sister dear, perhaps? I grinned lopsidedly from behind the scarf. However, my sister didn't find it amusing at all and lightly nudged me in the side with her elbow. 

That's not funny. How about... She tapped her right index finger on her lower lip, a sign that she was thinking hard. After a short while, a warm smile appeared on her lips, and her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Elly, she whispered the name along with a little cloud. I nodded in agreement. Alright, then you're Elly Bates from now on. Or do you not like your last name anymore? Elly didn't respond to that. Come on! I urged her friendly, and we disappeared into the shadow of a dark alley. The smell was unbearable, and the squeaking of the rats was painful to the ears. Elly clung shivering to me. 

Are you still afraid of rats? I teased and kicked one forward with my foot. With bated breath, Elly watched as the rat sailed through the air in a high arc and landed in the middle of a half-frozen puddle. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. I'm not afraid of them, she bravely defended herself. I just can't stand them because they're so disgusting. I pulled my right hand out of my pocket. What are you doing? Elly asked me with a shaky undertone in her voice. 

With my fingertips, I picked up a rat by the tail and let it dangle in front of Elly's face. The gray creature squeaked loudly and tried to bite my finger. Vincent! Stop that! Elly screamed hysterically and instinctively took a step back. In doing so, she stepped on another rat that squeaked loudly and bit into the right ankle of my sister in shock. Disgusted, Elly tried to shake off the creature. When she finally succeeded, the rodent crawled into a pile of garbage. The girl screamed shrilly. This thing bit me! she hissed angrily. However, her anger-distorted face quickly turned into one streaming with tears. She repeated it more quietly than before, It bit me. 

I had by now let the rat fall and patted her reassuringly on the shoulder with my right hand. It's not that bad, I reassured her. You're not going to turn into vermin just because it bit you. I took the basket from her. Or do you also believe in those silly legends from Southeast Europe? Elly looked up at me with teary eyes, as a little sister would at her big brother. What legends? she asked in a whimpering voice. I knew that if I told her a few of them, she would momentarily forget her fear of the rats. 

And that would be of great use since we had many more such alleys to traverse. I quickly checked the position of my knife, which I had concealed at my belt for defense. You never knew who you might encounter in such areas. I'll tell you as we walk, I said. Elly quickly wiped away the last tears with the back of her hand and walked beside me. In a hushed voice, I began, So, there they believe that some people come back after they die. And what does that have to do with the rat bite? Elly interrupted me impatiently. 

I'll get to that, I explained to her. These immortal beings have different names. The locals call them revenants or vampires. The fear reflected in Elly's eyes was hard to overlook. They rise from their graves at night and look for a victim. And when they find one, they bite them on the neck and suck their blood until the last drop. Elly, unsettled, glanced briefly over her shoulder. She was so captivated by my story that she started imagining things. 

When my sister looked forward again, she said, But the rat only bit me briefly, and besides, it didn't get a single drop of blood from me. I whispered back, But it only takes a very quick bite to... I made an artful pause to put Elly on edge a bit. To what? she whined impatiently. I abruptly stopped and leaned down to her. To become one of those creatures, I whispered. Elly's eyes widened like marbles. Apparently, she was playing out this scenario in her thoughts and didn't want to believe that something like that was possible.

I couldn't help but smile. She really believed in it, she replied irritably as she noticed my grin. She just left me standing there and continued on her way. Effortlessly, I caught up with her after a few steps and positioned myself in her path.

Solemnly, I placed my right hand on my chest and said, I swear I didn't make it up. Elly looked at me incredulously and retorted, You know a Christian shouldn't swear. Especially not to lie, reminding me of our mother's words.

I know, I replied, a little annoyed, as she always took everything our mother said so seriously. We continued on our way. But how else am I supposed to convince you? I didn't let up. She walked beside me with folded arms. Where did you hear about this anyway? she inquired. I overheard a conversation between two traveling merchants a few days ago. One of them had been in this part of Europe, I explained. Elly nodded and seemed less skeptical now.

Eventually, we arrived at London's most popular gathering place, the main aisle of the partially decayed Saint Paul's Cathedral. He must be somewhere around here, I muttered, looking for our father. In the side aisles, traders conducted various businesses. Customers had to pay for their purchases at the baptismal font of the former cathedral. Lawyers gathered with their clients at the columns, and the unemployed looked for employment.

Among them was our father. However, Elly had a different goal in mind: the churchyard. It was the center of the book trade in London. My sister, although, like many others, she couldn't read, was fascinated by the countless books offered for sale there. I'd rather be somewhere else. But where am I supposed to get the money for that? I sighed in my thoughts. Before my curious sister could set off, I held her by the wrist. First, we find father, then you can go to your books. Offended, she freed herself from my grip, holding her aching wrist.

All right, she muttered meekly and followed me without saying another word. So we pushed through the countless people. Suddenly, Elly whispered, Vincent, and discreetly nodded her head to the right. I felt a mix of heat and cold. It was too late to escape; she had already seen us and smiled in my direction.

A girl with hip-length raven-black hair, worn loose on one side, confidently made her way towards us. It was Grace Holmwood. She had had her eye on me for a long time. We had known each other since childhood, and she was firmly convinced she had found her true love in me.Her dark brown eyes sparkled like diamonds when our gazes met. As she reached me, she seductively tossed her hair back. How are you, Vincent? We haven't seen each other for a few days. I was worried, she began immediately. I'm fine, I was busy helping my mother, I replied gruffly.

Can't your sister handle it on her own? she teased. For this remark, Elly gave her a look that even scared me. Grace's confident smile, however, did not disappear from her lips. Anxiously, I looked around. Hopefully, no one who knew us saw us.

I could still vividly remember the conversation between her father and me. I still felt the bruises all over my body because Grace belonged to one of the most respected and wealthy families in London. I, on the other hand, came from humble circumstances. Besides, unbeknownst to her, she was already promised to another man.

Behind her back, Elly made a face with a kissy expression. I, too, couldn't stand Grace's manner. Let alone feel anything for her. I took a few deep breaths. Grace, I stammered to make it clear once and for all.

Her cheeks turned slightly red, and that was certainly not because of the freezing cold. I don't think we both... Is it because of my father? she interrupted, dismayed. Her smile quickly disappeared from her face. I looked behind me; the way was clear.I opened my mouth to say something like We just don't fit together, but not a single sound came out of my throat. I'm sorry, I managed to say somewhat confidently before I turned around and disappeared into the crowd. I never saw Grace again after that.

I reached the edge of the square and leaned relieved against a house wall. I put the basket down, buried both hands in my jacket pockets, and hoped that Grace would finally leave us alone. It didn't take long before my sister came running with a malicious smile.

Elly's braids flew through the air as she covered the last few meters toward me. I skillfully avoided her, and she landed just a few inches from the house wall on her feet. I thought you were going to catch me, she pouted, offended.

I let my gaze sweep over the square. Grace hadn't followed me. Her new perfume is killing me, I grumbled and took a deep breath. Oh, come on, said Elly, standing next to me. I think it smells good. As she spoke, she looked up at me and grinned, I want one like that someday.Keep dreaming, Elly, I burst her dream bubble with the sharp needle of reality. You'll never be able to afford something like that in your life. If you really want a fragrance, go to the Thames; there's plenty of it there. Disgusted, she wrinkled her nose. Ew, she cursed, I might as well... She stopped abruptly.

Vincent, do you see that too? I followed her gaze but couldn't spot anything unusual. There's nothing there, I explained. Eventually, Elly pointed to a nearby alley. Only from our vantage point could the end of the alley be seen. Twilight had already set in, casting deep shadows within.

Excitedly, Elly murmured, There, the man and the girl. I covered her eyes with my hand and scolded, You're not supposed to see that; they're kissing in public! Elly tried to forcefully remove my hand, protesting, Vincent, stop it! and stepped a bit away from me. They're not kissing; he just bit her neck! she corrected.

Impatiently, I pulled on her arm and explained, Elly, stop this nonsense. There are no vampires. They're just silly legends. Come on! Stubbornly, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. No, Vincent, she said firmly. I knew her well enough to understand that she wouldn't take a step forward until I proved it to her. So, I countered, Alright, I'll walk past them. If you're right, you get half of my food today. If not, you'll bring bread to Father alone for an entire week. Deal?

Elly agreed, saying, Deal. Determined, I handed her the basket and started walking. I had been so sure before, but with every step, my confidence dwindled. First, I saw the lifeless girl, then the blood on her right shoulder, and then... I swallowed hard as I looked directly into the ice-blue cold eyes of the man. Glassy and lifeless, they protruded from his pale eye sockets.

I estimated the man to be in his mid-forties and slowed my pace. Could the legends really be true? But what irony it was to see it with my own eyes now, just after I had told Elly it was all a story. The air seemed even colder near this undead creature. I was about to turn back, but it was too late. The vampire had already noticed me. Good evening, he greeted monotonously and carelessly pushed the girl against the house wall. I flinched at the dull sound of the impact.

Likewise, I replied as calmly as possible, but my fear was evident in my trembling voice.

The vampire stepped out of the shadows. His clothing was dark, appeared refined and elegant, seeming expensive. His dark brown shoulder-length hair had streaks of gray resembling silver threads. I was trapped. I risked a glance at the lifeless girl. The vampire laughed mockingly. Suddenly, he grabbed me and pushed me against the wall. Threateningly, he hissed in my left ear, You shouldn't stick your nose in other people's business, boy. The vampire stepped back. The undead creature smiled crookedly and slowly merged with the darkness.

Before he completely disappeared, I heard his final words, Otherwise, you might regret it one day. All colour drained from my face. I stared fixedly ahead as if my gaze alone could dispel or fend off this demon. Vincent! It was Elly's voice trying to wake me from my trance. What happened? she tried to extract from me. I slowly shook my head. It must have been a nightmare. Sweat ran down my temples.

Every muscle was tense and ready to defend.

Elly panickedly grabbed my right arm. Vincent! What's wrong? Talk to me! Please! she pleaded. For a brief moment, I closed my tired eyes to collect myself. Vincent? her voice was now just a fearful whisper. I'm fine, Elly, I mumbled, took her arm, and dragged her out of the alley. I didn't want to be associated with the dead girl, but what could I tell the watchmen?

My sister visibly sighed with relief. I was afraid something happened to you. You disappeared suddenly. Promise me you'll never leave me alone again. Do you hear, Vincent? Never, you're my big brother, she urged me.

Yes, Elly. I promise you, but I had only said it to finally have some peace. Peace from all the noise and clamour. Eventually, we found our father and handed him the basket. Gratefully, he accepted it and sent his two children home again.The question of whether it was a real vampire burned on Elly's tongue on the way home.

But she didn't dare to ask. Since the incident, I had become unusually quiet. On the way home, I didn't joke with Elly as usual about trivial things, didn't play pranks on the baker's dog, and I didn't speak to the old beggar woman, as I usually did. I seemed to be no longer the same. To Elly, I appeared closed off, unapproachable, and distant.

Quite different from the brother she knew. It felt like the more she pondered on it, the less aware she was of her surroundings. Only after a while, she startled, realizing that she didn't know this part of London at all. It was as unfamiliar to her as a soft bed, and I just continued walking as if in a trance. To be honest, I still don't know what was going on with me back then. Perhaps it was a kind of hypnosis or just a common shock.

Slowly, fear crept over Elly. Fear of the unknown, the evil. Somewhere on the rooftops, it lurked, staring down at her with empty eyes. Its sharp claws were sharpened and ready to strike. She cautiously looked up. Fear hit her like a punch in the face. She jerked suddenly against a stone wall. Had she seen something?

Surprised, I turned to her, still in my trance-like state, and asked slowly, Elly? What's wrong? With a trembling finger, she pointed upward. Her lips formed the words: Hide. Suspiciously, I looked up to the sky. Apart from the evening dusk, which hung like a dark veil over London, I noticed nothing unsettling. There's nothing up there, I said in a tone as if I were explaining to a mad person that their imaginary voices weren't real. Vincent, I swear to you, she pleaded and flinched. Please, Elly, come now, I urged and continued my walk into the unknown.

Wait! Elly called and caught up with me. Where are we anyway? This is a shortcut, I explained dryly. A bit intimidated by my cold tone, she decided it was better not to say or ask anything more.

As we turned a corner and walked a few steps, Elly felt a chill down her back. It crawled through her woollen fabric and all other clothing down to her bare skin. Panic-stricken, she whispered repeatedly, so that I couldn't possibly ignore it, Don't turn around. Don't turn around. Don't turn around...

Eleonora, a gust of wind whispered in her ear. She thought she imagined it. But there it was again. Eleonora. Come to me. She shook her head almost imperceptibly. No, she whispered back. Eleonora. She was going mad. Vincent, she whispered, intimidated. Do you hear that too? My name. As the last letter escaped her dry throat, she felt the heavy black cloak of darkness on her shoulders. It pressed her down. Made her legs heavy as lead. Exhausted, she sank to her knees. It was a hopeless struggle.

She couldn't turn around. There was something behind her. She felt it as clearly as the cold, dirty ground beneath her knees. She laboriously reached out her hand to me but immediately let it drop again. All strength seemed to be lost. She was alone. She could have screamed long ago if her throat weren't tightened, as if strangled. A small tear rolled down her hot cheeks.

The deafening silence and terrible loneliness surrounded her. Although, she wasn't entirely alone. By now, she couldn't even move anymore. A living statue of flesh and blood. A faint squeaking sounded behind her. Then louder and louder. Rats. A whole horde of dirty rats had been stirred up by something and was coming towards her. Her nightmare became a reality. The gray four-legged creatures would overrun her and maybe even gnaw the flesh from her bones, while she was still alive. You could hear the tiny countless paws on the stone ground. They were getting closer.

Disgust, fear, anxiety, and countless other feelings overwhelmed her. Elly felt nauseous. One touch would be enough to haunt her for the rest of her days. Every night, she would feel the tiny claws, the naked tails, and the greasy fur on her skin. Eleonora, come to me, it whispered again. Her thoughts raced; maybe a simple Yes was enough to free her from this predicament. Regardless of whoever might be behind that voice, a brief thought of agreement was enough, and she would be free from