Being Human by Patricia Lynne

explain it to me.”
    “It's tainted because of what happened,” he replied, a hint of fear in his voice. He refused to look at me, keeping his attention on the boxes. “People died here and while that may not affect you, it affects me. Memories haunt me and I’m afraid I’ll lose myself to them.”
    “We should go then.”
    “Just a second...” His voice was muffled as he leaned over a box. “Aha! Got it!” He straightened up, holding a book.
    I wandered over, peering at the book. Photos lined the pages, dates written in a quick hand under each one. I instantly recognized my brother in the photos. The two older humans were our parents, but I barely recognized them.
    “Is that?” I pointed at the last human.
    “You.”
    I touched the image, amazed. A wide, happy smile filled my face, life in my eyes and cheeks. I was alive in this picture! That concept fascinated me. I was curious to know what had been going through my human mind at that moment. What had made me so happy?
    “I was human, a happy human?”
    “Mostly. You were a stubborn jerk sometimes, but then again I was too.” My brother watched me, a hopeful look on his face. “Does this spark anything? Any memories?”
    I shook my head and he looked away, sadness replacing the hope. He had been hoping the pictures would jar my memories. That maybe a human memory survived, buried deep beneath the vampire instincts.
    “Please,” I asked. “Don't ask me to be someone I'm not anymore. I can't be him. I don't remember or know how and–”
    “And you don't want to be,” he finished.
    “Yes,” I replied, staring at him.
    “What?” he sullenly asked.
    “What am I thinking?”
    “I dunno, that I finished your thought?” He looked at me, a light shining in his eyes.
    I smiled slowly so he wouldn't miss the action. “I'm not human, but I'm still your brother.”
    “Unfortunately,” he teased.
    We looked up as lights illuminated the empty living room. A car engine cut off and footsteps crunched on dirt. A loud knock echoed through the empty house.
    “Tom–” my brother started, but I was already hidden. From my perch, I watched him answer the door. “Hello, Officer William.”
    The human strode in and looked around. “Hello, Danny. Received a call there was a car parked outside and movement inside.”
    “Just me,” my brother answered.
    “What are you doing here so late? Don’t you have school in the morning?” The human's voice was scolding.
    My brother clutched the photo book to his chest. “I wanted to get something and couldn't sleep until I got it. Sorry.”
    The human looked at the book, his stern look softening. He placed a hand on my brother and I twitched at the contact, unsure what it meant. “We'll find the vampire, don't you worry, Danny. We'll find it and it'll be destroyed for killing your parents. They were good people. They didn't deserve that death.”
    “Yeah, I better get going,” my brother awkwardly replied.
    “I take it that means you didn't tell your aunt and uncle about this nighttime trip?” the human asked with a slight smile.
    “No, sir.”
    “I'll give you an escort back to the city then. Can't have you driving alone at night.”
    My brother cringed. “You don't have to. I'm sure–”
    “Nonsense, it's part of my job.” The human led the way out, head turning as he scanned the night. He stopped, hand going to the gun on his hip.
    “What?” my brother asked, panic raising his voice.
    “Thought I saw something move,” the human replied. “Come on, in you go.”
    I stayed in the shadows as I watched the two cars disappear down the road. With a sigh, I headed back into the empty house. The photo book lay on top of a box and I picked it up, wondering if my brother knew he forgot it.
    Maybe he left it on purpose so I could take it with me. Even though I felt no connection between my human and vampire life, it had been the truth when I told him I was curious. Tucking the book under my arm, I took off into