by Zac Zara
“I know! I was there too! I lost people as well!” “They need to know and become stronger so they can face this evil when the day comes!” ishmael said hugging Helen. The two passed Uthyxeth as he was walking the grounds. He was listening to their conversation. Deacon and Desmond were still up talking.
“I bet I kill an old one before you do!” Desmond said. “Not if I kill one first!” Deacon replied. The vampire prince broke from the memory. He understood very well what is out there. He took off with the others.
Then the party went on as usual. The guest were enjoying themselves while hanging over them was this large painting of an army of warriors fighting a horde of nightmarish monsters coming from what seemed to be a portal in the sky.
Back at Wolf’s Hollow, Weldon and Luther were getting showers and getting dress. Luther came out in a towel around his waist showing off his tone body. They were both in Weldon's room in the Crimson Estate. He had a big window that viewed the entire lake. He loved that view. The room was made of logs just like the rest of the house with the walls covered in rock posters, Three days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, A Perfect Circle, and Nirvana. There was also massive claw marks in the walls and on the bed.
There was a stop sign with a huge bite mark in the side right next to the deer head mounted over the door. That was from Weldon’s first transformation. He was 14 and and was a nasty one too. He tore up an entire semi truck and destroyed a barn by himself.
“God you were a pain to catch! Old man Mars was pissed about that barn too!” Luther said.
“I don't remember a thing that night. Odd isn't it! It’s like it’s not really you the first time.” “Mine was way worse. I devoured a whole butcher plant full of meat. I was throwing up for days.!” Luther said. On his dresser was this picture of mine and his parents when he was young. He was 6 when that picture was taken. Luther was there too. Weldon was putting on a cutoff shirt and jeans. The cutoff was an old football jersey from high school. It had the number 12 on the back. That was his number. His lucky number too.
“Dude! I thought you were getting dressed?” Luther said. “You still wearing your hillbilly attire there!” “This is me getting dress! You won't ever see me in a suit and tie. Not even dead! We took a shower. That should be enough!” Weldon said. “You should just come like that in a towel! Probably get more girls that way.”
“Yeah! Girls like werewolves right?” Luther said. “Guys too you know! You got to love Twilight for that!” “Don’t remind me!” Once the two were dressed, they both leaped from the window and to the ground. It was a two story drop. They were getting on their motorcycles and were ready to head off to the city of St. Charles. The two speed off out of the village and to the interstate. One of the wolves, the Newsman went over to the Receiver who was still checking out the trophies.
“Do you know where Weldon and Luther are off too?” He asked her. “I’m not sure! I believe they said something about going out to St.Charles for a night out! Something like that! I wasn't paying much attention you know!” She told him.
“Great! Those two are going to get in trouble ithe the damn vampires there!” He said.
“What’s the big deal? They don't own that territory!” “Neither do we! It’s a free for all out there. Plus god knows what else it lurking around the backstreets!” The Newsman said. “Nothing we can do about it now! They're smart kids! Maybe they're bring back some more bounties for me!” The Receiver said.
“Well I’m so glad that you don’t care about the treaty! This could turn ugly!” The Newsman said.
“Then I guess I’ll be collecting plenty of vamp jaws and skulls the summer!” She said. Now the two were off and about to face a destiny and adventure that would take them to the edge and back and it will change them forever. They had no idea what was waiting for them. It will all happen in the city of St. Charles, their romance, their fight.
St. Charles, MO, it was a city on the outstriks of St. Louis and quite beautiful place too. It wasn’t too big for crime to be ramped and still busy enough for it to be thriving. It’s biggest attractions were the old streets of St. Charles that was a line of shops, restaurants, and old buildings from the 1800s. It also was right next to the Missouri river with st., Louis on the over side. This was also a historic city for it being one of the many stops Lewis and Clark made during their journey out West. There’s a statue between the river and the old streets.
But even in a small city the town was full of life especially at the second St. Charles attraction on the river, the Ameristar Casino. It was a River boat that was converted into a building with a massive hotel tower standing over the entire city. You can see the tower and it’s glowing red logo for miles, especially at night. Interstate 70 run through the city like veins through the body, people stopping off there either to blow their money at Ameristar or to grab some to eat and go partying. It was still growing bigger with it expanding more and more.
This city acts as a neutral ground between the Nightworth Legion and the Crimson houses. Both races are allowed but still expected to behave themselves when in the presence of the latter. It was a whole nother world at night In St. Charles. The bars would light up with neon signs while the most black leather outfits you’d see in your life would be worn by anyone after sunset. Ladies of the night would be prowling the streets or gentlemen of the night and not all of them were human either. When you walk the streets, it’s hard to tell if the person you passed is human, vampire, werewolf, or something else. Though that doesn't mean you don't see flashings of their eyes as you look at them. You might even see something flying in the sky but it isn’t no helicopter or airplane you’re seeing. But there was a whole nother darkness lurking earth even that world. Something foul and seedy was waiting there and it was waiting to be unleashed. You'd see signs of it in the newspaper like the one blowing across the street saying, ‘More graves robbed and bodies missing’.
On the bridge across the Missouri river, cars passed by without a thought as to looking up top. If they did, they might see four college people jumping around and moving across the metal beams. But then they would have crashed. Sitting a the very top was Deacon Nightworth just chilling and admiring the view of the entire city of St. Charles. This was his favorite place to be. He could see the whole city from there, even back into St. Peters and the country beyond. The other s were hanging from the beams and having fun. While they were busy, Deacon pulled out his phone and got on grindr. He was looking down the list of guys. There were so many and most were probably human. Most vampires wouldn’t use Grindr. He kept searching. But he wasn’t sure which he’d pick if they even reply back.
“Come on my man! Just toss out the pole and see who bites! Don’t worry about it!” Slickman yelled from the other side of the bridge. Deacon continued to go through the list.
Meanwhile, our two werewolves, Weldon and Luther had drove into St. Peters to get some gas for the road. They stopped at the Quicktrip by the interstate.
“I’m going to pay inside!” Luther said. “I’ll be here!” Weldon replied. Hile Luther was walking up, Weldon ws getting out his phone and checking Grindr. He was searching through guys too.
“Come one! In a big city like this, there gots to be a winner somewhere.” Weldon said. Both were checking the list when Deacon came across Weldon’s profile.
Who is this?” Deacon said. The young vampire licked on the pic of Weldon posing in a gym mirror in his cutoff and it the fire symbol next ot the name.
“Damn it’s cute!” Deacon found him gorgeous and buff as hell. His heart grew heavy and his eyes widened. It was like a guy from his dreams. But he wondered what he was like personally.
“I hope he’s not a douche or anything like! He sure looks like one! I shouldn't say that! He could be nice!” Weldon immediately got the notification and some Deacon’s like. The werewolf checked out profile with Deacon posing next to a brick wall in his favorite tight white long sleeve shirt. Weldon was instantly taken by Deacon. He had never been so attra
cted to a guy that wasn’t on the internet.
“Well hello there! Please don’t let me get catfished!” Weldon said. Then Luther came walking up behind Weldon and looked over his shoulder.
“Nice! Redheads!” Luther said.
“Get lost scrub!” Weldon said shoving him back. “Just saying!” Deacon started to message Weldon. “Hey!” Deacon said.
“Hey there! How u tonight?” Weldon said.
“Pretty ok I guess! U?”
“Not bad! U looking to meet up?”
“Sure! But don’t just want a hookup? Looking to meet a friend or more!” “Me 2!” Weldon messaged him. “Where u want to meet?” Deacon had to think for a second. The others were right behind them seeing what he was going to say.
“The suspense!” Slickman said. Deacon figured out a place. “The walking bridge overpass by the Lakeview apts. and the cemetery.” Deaon message him. Weldon looked up wear that was.
“Got it? Can't wait to c u?” Weldon replied. Both guys were excited to meet one another and had no idea of each others true nature.
“I’m guessing you want to meet this guy on your own?” Sonja said.
“Yeah! You guys go on without me!” Deacon said. “Looks like our boy here might catch the love bug!” Slickman said.
“You going to be find on your own man!” Mason said. “What if you run into some freaks?” “Be more worried for the freaks who do!” Deacon said. The young vampire leapt down from the bridge and down to the shore of the river. The others all went leaping off the bridge and took off for the casino. Meanwhile across the city Weldon and Luther were getting back on their bikes san getting ready to ride out.
“Hope you don’t run into a creep! Scratch that! Hope he doesn’t run into you when you find out he’s a creep!” Luther said. “You want me to come along with you!”
“Thanks but no thanks! I like to have some privacy! Go find you a babe and have a night of fun and whatever you do in your room late at night.”
“Oh, I will but call me if you need help or in trouble! I'll be there!” Weldon was fixing his hair real quick.
“How do I look?” Weldon said. “Like a handsome punk ass werewolf! He’ll love you!” Luther took off for a different direction while Weldon took a deep breath. Both were doing this for the first time. Their lives haven't really given them the chance like this. But it’ll be all worth it!
Deacon was leading against the chain fence of the overpass hoping that the guy he talked to on Grindr was real. Or at least the guy he said he was. The cars were all lighting up the interstate as the drove back and forth. There were only a few people out on the sidewalks. They are all human. Deacon wondered if they had any idea about him. They go about their lives not knowing what was out there. There were times that Deacon envied them. There was something they got to see that he or most vampires don’t ever see. They got to see the morning sun without dying. Deacon never even saw the sun set on the the horizon. He thought it would be neat to see from this overpass. But he could see the full moon setting.
It was then Deacon started to smell something. It was a smell that he only melt a few times in his life. Mostly when Uthyxeth was teaching him about the smells of different creatures out here. One of those smells was that of a werewolf. Deacon became altered and turned to the right only to find Weldon standing there, staring at him for the first time. Deacon knew the smell was coming from him. He had a stunned look on his face. Weldon had the same look too. It was a look that almost turned to rage. The two was just staring at one another for what seemed to be forever. Their eyes were locked like it was some kind of stand off. Most vampires and werewolves n the area just avoided each other like the plague but they continued to stare at each other just a few feet between the two.
The truth was that they didn’t know what to think. For the both of them, this was the first time seeing a vampire or a werewolf, up close that is. Now one was right in front of the other.
“So..you’re a…?” Deacon tried to say.
“Yeah! You a……..?” Weldon couldn't’ finish his sentence. “Guess so!” Deacon and Welden walked up to one another and stopped only inches from the other. When they first saws the other there it was not just rage they felt but another emotion. One much stronger. Both saw that the other was far more handsome in person. They did see the horrible monster their parents Made them out to be but jhsb a kid standing there just as confused. Deacon slowly put his hand near Weldon’s arm and slowly touched it till he reach the shoulder. Weldon didn’t stop him either.
“Sorry! I thought you guys would be….”
“Hairer!” Weldon finished his sentence.
“Sorry! I shouldn’t have…”
“No! It’s ok! You’re not as cold as I thought either! You feel nice! Damn that sounded weird! Yeah! Crap!” Weldon said. “Thanks!” Both are smiling at each other in a awkwardly way.
“Sorry! That was rude...I should introduce myself. I’m Deacon!” The young vampire held out this hand.
“Hi….Deacon! I’m Weldon! Please to meet you.” They shook while trying not to be too awkward and weird out! “Well, I didn’t expect this!” Deacon said. “Me either! But…. you want to go somewhere to talk! I promise I’m but going to kill you or….I shouldn't say that!” Weldon was having trouble saying words!”
“No! I’d love too!” Deacon said.
“Great! You don’t seem scared?”
“Why should I? It takes more than a handsome lythopero to scare me!” Deacon said with a smile.
“Cocky are we?” Weldon replied. “I like that!” The two stopped at a local food joint nearby Deacon was waiting outside for Weldon. He was also trying not to attention to himself. The last he thing he needed was other vampiress seeing the prince of the NIghtworth Legion with a werewolf. He couldn’t imagine what he his father would think! His friends honestly wouldn’t think to much of it though but they had big mouths. He was glad they were far off. Deacon wasn’t even sure why he was even waiting for him. He felt like a junior high kid waiting for hs crush outside the classroom. But yet the young vampire prince didn’t mind. Deacon turned around to find his new werewolf friend waiting for him with a arm full of fries and cheeseburgers.
“You want some!” Weldon said.
“You know I’m a vampire!”
“You guys can at least taste food right!” Deacon quickly took a fry and eat it.
“Well yeah but it doesn't sustain us! It’s like eating candy but it does nothing for our bodies!” Deacon said. “The more you know!” Weldon replied. The two boys walked through the walking lot, just talking. They had no real direction of point as to where they were heading.
“So I’m the first real werewolf you met huh?” “Yeah! I guess!”
“Sweet! I think that’s kind of adorable you know! Trust me, I’m as good looking as they get!” Weldon said.
“I bet! Sure they’re not as full of themselves as you either!” “Well that’s their problem.” Weldon said. “So Tell about vampires! What’s some things that the movies made up!” “I’m sure you already know!”
“I want to hear it from you! Come on, tell me! Promise I don’t know and I won’t tell anyone else.” Weldon did this cute msichous face that would make anyone melt.
“Well, that crap about being invited in a house is a lie and so is holy water and crosses hurting us. Plus garlic just smells horrible to us!”
“Olive garden must be like a gas station restroom to you guys huh?” Deacon laughed at his joke. “You’re such a dork!”
“But I bet you like dorks!”
“I do this one!” Deacon said. Weldon smiled making Deacon feel warm. He never had some make he feel like this before. Then a cop car pulled up to the boys.
“You kids doing alright tonight?” the officer asked them. “Fine officer, sir!” Deacon said.
“Well be careful out tonight! We been having a lot of grave robbings laterly. Hasn’t been safe the past few weeks!” The cop car left, leaving the boys by themselves.
They started to walk to this local cemetery that was quite old and large. Most people would dare go through a cemetery at night but for these two, it was a normal thing. Deacon and Weldon went over to a massive one stone and hung out there.
“Man! I can’t waht my my dad would say if he say me with a werewolf. He and my mom would vomit blood at the slight. Especially when he found out I met you on Grindr nonetheless.” Deacon said.
“Mine too. The great leader of the Crimson Hounds, Shane Crimson’s proical son dating a vampire. It sure would get everyone in the village taling. Old Lady Karen would be talking abou it for years!” Weldon said. Then Deacon stopped a french fry and grew a stunned face.
“Hold the phone! You’re the son of Shane Crimson. Heir to the Crimson House.” Deacon said.
“Heir! I never thought fo it like that before! You making me feel all fancy Deacon!” Weldon said.
“Great! I picked the one werewolf who’s the son my dad’s rival.” “Rival! My dad would enjoy hearing that! Mom too! What about you? You must be someone given that claymore on your back. Some kind of hunter or knight or something…” Weldon asked Deacon the question.
“Maybe!”
“Come on! Tell me!” Weldon was making that face again and Deacon took a deep breath. “I’m Deacon Nightworth, younger prince of the Nightworth Legion. My father is Ishmael Nightworth, leader and overseer of St. Louis.” Deacon said. Weldon smirked and crossed his arms while leaning about the tombstone.
“Prince of the Nightworth legion huh? Well what do you know! I’m in the presence of royalty!” Weldon laughed with Deacon iratted at him.
“Great!”
“Sorry my lord!’ Weldon replied mock bowing to him.
“Very funny! Don’t do that! I hate it when the servants and other ass kissing friends of my dad do it!” The young vampire said.
Relax! I’m just joking with you.” Weldon start to rub Deacon's shoulders. He started to feel better.