I do not own any characters from the Southern Vampire Mysteries or True Blood, just my own and my mistakes.

Chapter 1

It was raining, it was freezing and I was soaked but it didn't matter. Despite how late it was in the night, the sky was bright red and yellow and the heat coming from the blaze was enough to keep me warm. It looked like as if the sky was on fire.

I moved my heavy and wet hair off my face unable to look away. I was mesmerized by the strength I was witnessing but a shadow out of focus at the corner of my eye took me away from my bewilderment.

"I am sorry Sam" I said to the man standing at my side as we watched the flames engulf everything he had worked for.

He didn't reply and I couldn't blame him. What do you do when in an instant, you lose everything? Your life, your job, your house, gone in a moment of distraction?

I slipped my hand into his, holding it as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Sam had been a friend for a very long time. It was easy to be around him, easier than the rest of them. His mind was not silent but it was fuzzy making it effortless to resist the temptation of reading it.

You see, my name is Sookie Stackhouse and I am a freak. I am able to read people's thoughts and believe me when I say there is nothing glorious about it.

Over the years, I managed to build shields to protect me against people's worst thoughts and desires but I was human and sometimes, it was harder to keep them up. With Sam, it was easy. Because of the fuzziness, even if I slipped, I still wouldn't get any thoughts in focus right away so I could simply chuck it off and put them back on.

He doesn't know about my condition, because if he had, he would have never offered me a job in his bar as a waitress. You see, being a waitress doesn't only mean customer service and food deliveries. It also mean therapist, punching bag, comedy act even sometimes brave fireman.

"I wish you didn't pull me from the kitchen, Sookie" he said to me taking his hand away from mine.

"Don't you say things like that Sam Merlotte" I scowled him hurt he would even think this way. "I am not going to pretend I understand how you feel" I said turning to face him. I grabbed both his hands this time and I was not going to let him break away. "But believe me when I say, we are all here for you and we will rebuild your bar no matter how long it takes."

He was not looking at me; I knew it was too much for him. Sam needed time, a lot of it but he was one of my best friends and I was not going to let him hit the bottom of the barrel without holding his hand. He brushed off a lock of blond hair from his face with the back of his hand, his green eyes searching for a place that was safe to stare into. Sam was medium build but it didn't stop me from having to look up when I spoke to him.

"What are you guys going to do?" he said looking down, clearly upset from the event of the night.

"Don't worry about us, we will find something in the meantime. Where will you stay?" I wondered and he pointed at Lafayette who waved at us when we were both looking.

Even when he had lost everything Sam was still thinking about others. He was a very generous man, and a great friend. I knew from time to time, Sam had wished for something more between us but I couldn't imagine it. Not with him, not with anyone.

My condition simply did not allow for it. Knowing someone's deepest thoughts made everything so complicated and I had accepted a long time ago that I was destined to being alone for the rest of my life. It had scared me at first but now, it just made sense to me. I was a freak, one with a secret so grave that I would never be able to share it without anyone but my family. Even for them it had been more out of necessity then anything else. I was sure my closest friends suspected something but we never spoke of it nor did I want to change that.

"Come on handsome, we need to get out of this rain" Lafayette said to Sam as he wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

I smiled because Lafayette's flamboyance was what we all needed at that moment. He was a kind hearted man with a different taste in nature and of course no one would talk about it in the open, it would be something inappropriate and against God's words but most of us accepted him for who is was, not his taste. Let's just say he was a great loss to the female community and the unspoken taboo. Not only was he kind and hilarious but he was good looking; tall, well-built and a shade of dark skin that just made his eyes and lips brighter.

I watched them leave the scene after letting the Sheriff know, and then proceeded to my own car. It was late, and I needed to get back home to reassure my Gran that I was okay and that we would be okay. We didn't have a whole lot of money and sure the farmhouse, where I was leaving with my her, was all paid for but it was old and it needed a ton of repairs.

I pulled up in the long gravelled driveway turning the headlights off of my 1964 beetle in case Gran was sleeping in the living room. I didn't want the bright lights to shine through the main window and wake her in the process. My car was old but it had its perks, including driving without any lights on.

I quietly closed the door and headed to the back porch that opened to the summer kitchen. The floor boards were squeaking under my weight but I did not let it stop me from reaching the main stairs after locking up behind me. As I reached the first step, however, I heard movement in the living room and the light turned on.

"Sookie?" my Gran asked and I walked over to see her.

"I am sorry Gran; I didn't mean to wake you up"

"Oh dear" she said bringing her wrinkled hand to her mouth. "My poor child, you look awful".

Gran was my father's mother which obviously made her my grand mother. My parents had died in a car accident when I was a little girl and she had been the only one stepping up to the plate and raise both my brother and I. I was very close to her, thankful she was in my life and I hated seeing her so worried.

"I am okay, I promise"

"Colette said you saved Sam's life?" she exclaimed and I didn't know how to respond.

This evening had been like all other Saturday night; busy with pretty much the whole town coming for a night out. Bon Temps was small, and it showed through the way everyone knew each other but also the lack of places to go for a fun night. I was waitressing like always, keeping my shields up with my best effort when I heard a commotion in the back. By the time I reached the kitchen, the fire had already taken the whole room over. I remembered Lafayette grabbing my arm, asking me to get the "fuck" out but I was paralyzed by the impressive fire that kept growing out of control. The crowd left the building faster than you can say "fire in the kitchen" and Lafayette had followed them. I stood still for several minutes before I let go of my shields and heard the quiet hum in the back of my head. It was fuzzy, it was Sam and I knew he was near.

"Sam" I had yelled but I did not get a response.

I had walked over to the kitchen revolving doors only to find him trying to extinguish the flame with a fire extinguisher.

"Sam" I had screamed again grabbing his arm "We got to go now, it could all explode!"

The restaurant used propane for the oven and I was terrified at the thought Sam would stay behind and go with his bar. I think he yelled no, but I didn't listen and I used all the strength I had in me to pull him towards safety. He pushed me away. I fell on the ground in disbelief as he ran into the kitchen, further in the fire. I heard a small explosion which took me out of my stupor.

Without much thought, I ran after him fearing the worst. It hadn't been a big explosion but I wasn't sure where it had occur and whether Sam had been near it. Sure enough, I found him on the floor scratching his head.

"Let's go" is all I said when I grabbed him by the arm and we made our way to the nearest exit.

"I guess I did save his life" I said to my Gran.

"Oh honey" she said enveloping me with her warm and welcomed arms.

I had my shields up but somehow I still knew how she felt. She was relived everyone was okay, but the gnawing of financial problems was already at the back of her mind and threatening to come out raging.

"Gran, I am okay, he is too. Everything will be fine. He will get insurance money, we will rebuild the bar, and in the mean time, I 'll just be a waitress somewhere else"

"Sookie, you have been through a lot. Why don't you go for a nice warm bath and I will make us some tea"

I nodded, not having the energy to argue and a bath sounded exactly like what I needed. I took my time with it, trying to get the smoke and soot out of my hair and skin. I started coughing matches as well probably from smoke inhalation. Every time, Gran knocked on the door to check up on me but I was fine, at least I hope I was.

After our tea, we both went to bed even though we knew we would not find sleep very easily, at least for a couple days If not longer.

-zzzzzzz-

"Damn you printer!" I exclaimed as I punched it weakly. Why was it every time you needed things to go smoothly, they did they exact opposite?

It had been a week since the fire and I had spent them taking care of my family and myself. I had called Sam a couple times but every time it went to voicemail and I brushed it off as he was busy. Our last two weeks of pay was due yesterday but I assume we would not see a penny of it until Sam's affairs were in order and of course that was perfectly fine. I couldn't imagine what he was going through and I was going to be there when he would need me.

Until then, I had been busy finding a new job. The problem with small town is that the work is extremely limited. I had dropped off my resume in more than one shop but it had became clear that I was going to be out of luck because the patrons were nice enough to let me know they were not hiring.

So naturally, I had to look somewhere else, which was Shreveport, the next town over. It was much bigger than Bon Temps with a real city vibe to it and sure I was not thrilled about having to drive there every day but you do what you got to do in life and this was it.

The printer regurgitated the piece of paper that had went through and I cursed again because I was running out of paper and I had no time to buy more, stores were closing. After cleaning up the mess it made and grabbing the sad ten resumes I had managed to print, I headed to my bedroom to get ready.

I was not the most professional person in the world but I was not about to drop off resume dressed like a little girl. So I took off my sundress and decided to wear a light yellow t-shirt and a high black skirt that flared at the bottom. I tucked the shirt in and looked at myself in the mirror pleased with my Marilyn Monroe inspired look. I let my hair down and applied just enough makeup that I would mean business but not enough that I would look like a clown.

On my way out I heard my Gran say goodbye, asking me when she could expect me and I said before midnight. Sure midnight was really late to be driving around but I was going in town, who knows where the night would bring me, especially that it was a Saturday, which meant every bar was going to be jammed pack.

I started off with restaurants but was told again that they were not hiring. Disappointed, I made my way to a couple different bars, some said they might give me a call and I replied thank you. There was only one resume left so I headed over the next bar in line.

It was a well-known establishment that had opened a few years back. It was upscale, with a modern look. I had been a couple times with some friends and although the music was a little too alternative for my liking, we had a great time.

Salon Rouge was in the middle of downtown, on the main street and at a great location. The outside was completely black while the windows and doors were outlines in white. The red sign and the red carpet were the only touch of colour to the building which gave it a rich look. I walked past the line and immediately faced the large bouncer who was looking at a clipboard.

"Name" he said without looking at me.

"I am not on the list, I just want to drop my resume off" I quickly explained as he gave me a raised eyebrow.

He didn't say anything right away, looking me up and down as if he was studying me for some experiment. I offered the piece of paper I was holding as proof I was not trying to cut the line.

"Fine" he finally said before unhooking the rope and letting me in the establishment.

It was a pretty big establishment. There was a large black bar on the right of the entrance where the alcohol was proudly displayed on glass shelves. Every wall was painted in red which I guess was the reason for the name; Salon Rouge. In front of the bar were a huge dance floor and a couple of bar tables where people standing could place their drinks. Each of these tables had nice stand up chandeliered in white which gives the place not only class but contrasts as well as it matched the gigantic chandelier in that governed the dance floor.

In the back of the room, there was a stage probably where bands played some night, but not tonight. Instead, there was a DJ setup and large spotlights delighting the dance floor. The room was completed with large red booths with white accents.

I looked over to the bar to find someone who could point me the owner. I was instantly hit with waves of thoughts and I had to stop myself for a minute and I took a deep breathe. I was used to be in crowds but the fact I was tired made it harder for me to keep the shields up. So when I saw a woman having sex in an office with a man, it was very hard for me to shake it off. She was riding him on his black chair and the more they went at it the more uncomfortable I grew. I had no idea who was having these thoughts but I was not going to wait here and find out.

"What can I get you" a woman snickered at me and it took me away from the disturbing images.

She was about my age, tall, black hair and blue eyes. Her skin was a darker shade which gave her eyes more brightness. She looked very fit but that did not take away from her curves which she was happily exposing in a tight leather dress.

"I am not here for drinking. I would just like to talk to your boss to apply for a position, please?"

She glared at me and rolled her eyes.

"And why do you think you would be a good fit for this establishment?" she answered.

"I have waitressing experience and I am always up for a challenge" I answered with my best smile.

What an idiot, she looks so innocent, no way Eric will hire her, the woman thought and I looked away. Well at least I knew the boss' name was Eric.

"He is busy, come back some other time" she replied going back to the bar.

"It will only take a minute of his time" I insisted but she rolled her eyes again and told me to beat it.

I sighed heavily, tired from the night of running around and tired from all the disgusting thoughts I kept being hit with. If people were not thinking of sex then they were thinking of mean and petty things. I started walking over to the door, defeated by the bartender. I felt a hand grabbing my arms so I turned to face who it belong to.

"Don't mind Lexi, she can be a real bitch sometimes" the woman said. She was clearly a waitress from the way she was dress. "My name is Kimberly, but you can call me Kim. "She said extending her hand to me with a genuine smile. Her thoughts were very positive and inviting so I smiled back.

"Sookie" I replied grabbing her hand and shaking it. Human touch usually meant being hit with images of their actual thoughts which sometimes was useful but most time was unwelcomed. She was thinking of a man, he was quiet but his look could have killed someone on the spot. It was the same man in the other's person thoughts. "I am looking to drop off my resume to your boss" I added.

"He is real cranky tonight. You might want to come back some other night." She offered.

"I would rather not and crankiness doesn't scare me"

Well maybe you should be she thought and I frowned.

"What?" she said but I brushed it off.

"Nothing, can you just point me to him, I would be very grateful"

She nodded and pointed at a hallway beside the bar.

"Last door on your left" she added with a wink and then took off to pick up some drinks from the bar. I did not have time to thank her.

I proceeded to the dark hallway and made my way to the last door on the left. It was closed and I wasn't too sure what would be best. Should I knock? Or maybe should I just pass the resume under the door?

What if he was having his fun with someone in there? The thoughts I had read earlier were vivid enough they could have been happening as I was in here. I closed my eyes and focus on the other side of the door to pick up thoughts or presences. As I scanned the room, I did not hear any thoughts at all which meant no one was in the room. It wasn't exactly a bad idea, if the boss was in a bad mood; maybe it was best if I just left the resume on his desk and leave?

I took a deep breath and opened the door without knocking since no one was in the room, well until my eyes met his and I gasped in horror. He was sitting as his desk and had looked up at me when I barged in unannounced. He looked annoyed and amused at the same time but something in his eyes was dangerous, borderline terrifying and as I stood there stuttering some kind of excuse, I felt a chill deep in his icy blue eyes.

Your thoughts are most welcome in the review box below.

Thank you!

Annalise