“Why do they always want death to be special?” Nodin said.
“As though they don’t all end up rotting in the same ground,” Delia agreed.
“I’ve seen many deaths,” Edmund said. “Some were special.” Aloud, he added, “But because he is human and lacks resolve, he gave up.”
Brett tried to defend himself. “I did stake him.”
Nodin snorted. “In the shoulder.”
“Tell us what happened in your words,” Delia said.
“I felt like Landon and I were the same,” Brett said. “I know he loved vampires the way I do, but he didn’t have a chance to be one because he was too young. It seemed like I would be able to honor him by being the one to end his suffering.”
Edmund let his fangs show. “What honor is there in a botched attempt?”
“You failed both to drown the boy and to stake him,” Chaz said.
“I was a little freaked out,” Brett said. “It’s harder than it looks. Killing someone, I mean.”
“We told them that before the challenge, didn’t we?” Delia asked flatly.
“We told them,” Nodin agreed. “At some point.”
“I remember the first one I took,” Edmund said.
“I don’t mean that. I know you’ve killed lots of people,” Brett said. “I’m sure you’re all great at killing people. I just meant for me. It was a first. And you know, he was a cancer kid, so there’s that. Have you guys ever killed a cancer kid? I mean, not that I think it’s required of you. To be good vampires. I don’t think anythi—”
To the humans, it looked as if Edmund suddenly appeared with his fangs in Brett’s neck. The vampires had been able to track his leap off the altar, the seizing of Brett, and the bite, but they were letting Edmund blow off some steam. Chaz gave it a ten count and intervened.
“Are you finished?” Chaz asked once he’d detached Edmund from Brett’s throat.
“If he is finished speaking,” Edmund said. “I found him offensive. I required him to contribute something of value as expiation.”
“You asked him a question,” Delia said. “Leave him be.”
“Happily,” Edmund said. He returned to his throne in a great swoop and sat. He was as dignified as one can be with a trickle of blood on one’s chin.
Brett tried to stagger back into line, but Delia forestalled him. “Why did you not stake the boy in the heart?”
“I meant to,” Brett said. He kept trying to look at Delia, but the force of her gaze daunted him. He managed to hold his eyes steady on her left knee. Both hands were on his neck containing the trickle of blood. He was grateful to realize Edmund had barely pierced the skin.
“I’d be shitting myself right now if I was that guy,” Mike said. “Grab me another beer, would you?”
“Then you’re a fucking pussy.” Nick downed the second half of his beer and let out a thunderous belch.
“Stay classy, man,” Mike said. He reached up and caught the beer Nick launched at his head.
“It’s just a show; it’s not like they’re going to do shit.”
“Seriously, you dumb fuck?” Mike said. “The smart, hot one just beheaded a kid. Be-fucking-headed. How’s that for doing shit?”
“There’s a smart, hot one?”
“There’s a smart, hot one and a slutty, hot one,” Mike confirmed. “Emily and Lola. Do you not remember when we went over this? Pay the fuck attention, man.” He let out a belch that surpassed Nick’s.
“How do you know the slutty one isn’t smart?” Nick said.
“I just don’t see it,” Mike said.
“Like you have any experience with smart girls.”
“Because I’m fucking smart.”
“I couldn’t do it again,” Brett said.
“You did not do it the first time,” Delia said. “A flesh wound has no significance when the challenge was to take a life.”
“A life freely offered,” Nodin added. “They are a disappointment. The task could not have been easier.”
“Do you remember the first life you took?” Delia said.
“I do. What of it?”
“It’s significant to anyone who isn’t a sociopath,” Delia said. “A milestone if you will. And the challenge was completed. Go easy.”
“This one did not complete it,” Edmund said. “Dismiss him.”
“I do not remember my first,” Vlad said.
“I’m sorry,” Brett said. “I’m doing my best. I am.”
“Aye,” Nodin said. “There’s the rub.” His hope that the audience would chuckle at his reference was dashed.
“Step back,” Chaz said.
“Let Stewart come forward,” Delia said, “and tell us of his experience.”
“I’m a father,” Stewart said.
“Yes, he has managed the spectacular feat of procreation, and it has changed him forever,” Edmund said. “Fascinating. That was, perhaps, something he might have considered before his arrival here.”
Delia turned deliberately toward Edmund and showed her fangs. “Peace.”
“You’re right,” Stewart said. “I should have considered. Except I did. I came here because of my kids, because I wanted to make them proud, and I wanted to reach out to them by being part of something they love. But, this isn’t the right way. I’m not the right guy to be Creature of the Night. I’m not grand or dramatic, and I don’t want to live forever. I don’t want ever to watch my kids die.”
“You could choose to turn them,” Nodin said. “If you were victorious.”
“I could,” Stewart agreed. “But, I wouldn’t. No offense, but I think there’s a lot to be said for humanity.”
“The implication being he was exercising his humanity when he declined to participate in the challenge,” Edmund said. “Now he wishes to sit in judgment of us? Such loftiness in such a low creature is excruciating.”
“I didn’t put it that way to myself,” Stewart said. “I just knew I couldn’t do it. I know you see that as weakness, but I don’t think it is. And I’m not judging anyone.” He looked at Emily. “For me, it was impossible.”
“Do you think that constitutes strength?” Delia asked.
“I think it constitutes humanity,” Stewart said.
“You humans kill one another indiscriminately and constantly,” Nodin said.
“Not like that. Not children,” Stewart said. After a moment he added, “Not most of us.”
“Get rid of him,” Edmund said.
Chaz indicated Stewart could return to his place and that Portia should step forward.
Edmund refocused his ire. “Ah, the actress. How ever did she find the fortitude to fleetingly put her hand on the dreariest of implements?”
“Edmund wants to know what you were thinking during the challenge,” Chaz said.
Portia flushed. “I know I didn’t do well,” she said. “But, I think there’s so much more to being a vampire than killing children. Please give me the chance to show you I deserve to be the next Creature of the Night.”
“Would you do anything differently if you had the chance?” Delia asked.
Portia smiled. “I would do everything differently if I had the chance.” I would be a freaking schoolteacher if I could go back. I would stay in Pennsylvania, marry Brad Smith, and give birth to five goddamn kids who would destroy my body. I would choose to be nothing spectacular, and I would be content with it.
“Step back, please,” Delia instructed. “Donovan.”
Donovan stepped forward. “You initially appeared determined,” Nodin said. “But when the wild one knocked you aside, you ceased your attempt. It was as though you were hoping for an excuse to fail.”
“No,” Donovan said. “No, sir. I never hope to fail. It was all so chaotic, and everything was over before I knew it.”
“Emily,” Delia said. “Step forward. No, Donovan. Stay where you are.”
“She is so fucking horrible,” Gina said.
“You’re crazy.” Kip poked at her with a
toe. Gina slapped his leg. “She’s that kid’s hero.”
“She didn’t do it for him,” Gina said. She grabbed a pillow and flung it across the room. It took out a vase that shattered when it hit the floor, sending glass, water, and irises everywhere.
“Feel better?” Kip said.
Gina shook her head. “Sorry.”
“Look, he benefited, didn’t he?” Kip said patiently. “He was suffering and now he’s not. Does it matter why she did it?”
“He’s dead,” Gina’s ire drove her from the couch. “How is being dead beneficial?”
“Count your blessings, darling,” Kip said. “The ability to sincerely ask that question is a luxury lots of us don’t have.”
Donovan and Emily stood side by side in front of the judges. “Explain how you acted so swiftly you deprived this one of his chance to take the boy.”
“It didn’t seem like that to me,” Emily said.
“No,” Delia agreed. “It did not seem so to any of us.”
Donovan didn’t dare glare at Delia, so he settled for Emily, who didn’t give him the satisfaction of noticing.
Delia raised an eyebrow at Chaz, who said, “Donovan may step back.”
“Tell us about your hesitation,” Nodin said.
“I was working some things out,” Emily said.
“And are those things now worked?” Delia wanted to know.
“No,” Emily said. “But I’ll think about them later.”
“Or tomorrow?” Delia said.
Emily let out a small laugh and nodded.
“Step back,” Nodin said.
“Do not blame us for the lack of suspense,” Edmund said. “The two who did not compete are eliminated.”
“Portia and Stewart are out,” Chaz said. “And as you may recall, in a Creature of the Night first, the audience managed to come up with the correct result, also voting to eliminate Portia and Stewart.”
The audience cheered their sudden acuity.
“The contestants are going to be heading back to the Manor. Join us tomorrow night for the fifth challenge! And in the meantime, remember to check in with your favorite contestants via the Manor cams!” Chaz paused while Riley and Kiley swept out to claim the contestants. “We’ll see you tomorrow night!”
“Let’s forget it,” Dawn said. “We’re never going to get a table.”
“Although I usually find your pessimism charming, it is getting to be a bit much this evening,” Gavin said.
“I feel a little guilty for being hungry.” They stood shivering in front of the Please Wait to be Seated sign. Dawn pulled off her gloves and rubbed her hands together.
“Have toast.” Gavin handed his sign to Dawn so he could pull off his gloves. His fingers were stiff and pinched with cold. “Besides, I need coffee.”
“Toast?”
“Toast is just toast. Dry bread. It’s not something enjoyable enough to warrant guilt.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Dawn said. “Plus, I like toast.”
“But, you have to admit it’s more sensitive than waffles,” Gavin said.
“You’re a fucking nut,” Dawn said.
“Right this way.” Dawn turned around to find the waitress standing there with two menus in one hand and the other on her hip. Her nametag read Irma, and the purse of her lips made Dawn think she was sensitive to profanity. Dawn would have expected someone capable of handling the after bar crowd at a twenty-four-hour diner to be made of sterner stuff.
Dawn and Gavin followed in the wake of Irma’s yellow polyester uniform and sneakers. They ended up at a large corner booth. It was already occupied. A small pile of Let Landon Live signs leaned against the booth. Like Gavin and Dawn, all the occupants of the booth wore tee shirts immortalizing Landon Jones.
The five people already seated scooted to make room for Dawn and Gavin. Dawn nodded at the two she recognized and slid in, making room for Gavin to sit next to her.
“Hey,” Gavin said. A subdued volley of greetings came back.
“Rough night, right?” Carson said. Dawn and Gavin nodded.
“Fucking bunch of assholes,” Dawn agreed. Irma’s lips clenched tighter. She dropped the menus on the table and left.
“Totally.” Callie ripped open a packet of sugar and dumped it into her coffee. “I couldn’t believe how many people walked by pretending they couldn’t see us.”
“Yeah, that was shitty,” Dawn said.
“You guys want coffee?” Someone indicated the carafe on the table. Dawn turned over a couple of mugs and poured for herself and Gavin.
Irma reappeared with her pen and pad ready for action. “You ready to order?”
“Steak sandwich, please. And a side of bacon,” Carson said.
“Gross. Red meat sounds vile.” The girl opposite Gavin made a face. “Sorry. I just can’t handle any more bloody flesh after seeing that.”
“Can you make the sandwich medium well?” Gavin said.
“Wait. You saw it?” Callie was aghast.
“I watched the clip on YouTube.” The girl looked around the table and cringed. “I just wanted to see what happened.”
“I’ll come back.” Irma stalked away.
“You already knew what happened,” Callie said. “All you did by watching was add to their sacred hit count.”
“One view isn’t going to make a difference,” Dawn said. There was no point in fighting one another.
“That’s the problem with the world,” Callie snapped. “Everyone thinks whatever they do is okay.”
“I’m not like everybody else,” the girl said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
“No, you fucking didn’t. Whatever. Sorry.” Callie tried to open another packet of sugar. In her agitation, she ripped it in half; scattering the grains across the table.
“It does make you wonder if the ratings would have been better if they turned the kid,” Dawn said. If some big shot was motivated to do the right thing by the possibility of more viewers, she was all for it.
“I’m sure they would be,” Callie said. “But the laws won’t allow it.”
“Not yet,” Dawn said. But someday. They could make it happen. Gavin was right. They just had to stay dedicated.
“Yeah,” Callie agreed grimly. “Not yet. Sometimes, I feel like I’m ready to give up. Nothing we do makes a difference. Tonight proved how ineffectual protests are. And caring.”
“That’s not true,” Dawn said. She reached out for an awkward pat on Callie’s hand. “I mean, I feel the same way sometimes, tonight even, but we do make a difference. It just takes longer than we want it to.”
“She’s right,” Carson said. “And we shouldn’t be fighting amongst ourselves.”
“I can’t believe he’s dead,” Callie said. Landon’s life had mattered. He could have had weeks remaining. Months even. All that time had been stolen.
“I know.” Dawn ran her fingers under her eyes, removing tears but smearing mascara. Sick kids were being denied eternal life, and it was heartbreaking. “It’s devastating. I feel like we should have done more. Like I should have done more, but I don’t know what else I could have done.”
“There was nothing else any of us could have done,” Callie said. “We don’t have the power to make people not be assholes. No one wants to have to think about what’s best for that poor kid because then they’d have to do something besides watch TV.”
Heads nodded glumly around the table.
“Are we ready to order over here?” Irma tapped her pen against her order pad.
“Sorry,” Carson said to the disgruntled server. “We’ve had a big night.”
“So I’ve been hearing,” Irma said. “Are you the ones that are mad because the cancer kid didn’t get to be a vampire or the ones that are mad because they didn’t leave him to waste away in peace?”
Confessional: Emily
“So that’s done. I have no idea how to feel. Besides horrified. Am I an angel of mercy or a murderer? I have no doubt my sister coul
d answer that question. Luckily for me, she’s not here. He seemed happy, the kid I mean. Landon. Landon Jones. I’ll remember his name forever. I’ll remember the blood forever. But if there are others, will I remember them? How many people must one kill before they become nameless? Faceless? Suddenly, I’m more afraid of winning than of losing. It’s not because I just killed a kid. It’s because no matter how hard I try to convince myself I just did something monstrous, I don’t feel it. I feel like I did what I needed to. For both of us. Which brings me back to thinking I must be horrible if I don’t feel horrible.”
Confessional: Cassie
“Poor Emily. I’m probably going to be the only one saying that, but wow, killing a cancer kid had to be hard. I wish I hadn’t watched. I’m sure I would have been a disaster if I’d been there. All I can think about now is, it’s almost over. Of course, we all know what they say about ‘almost.’ Now I’ve put the thought of hand grenades into my head. I hate to be a pessimist, but in this situation, grenades come to mind more easily than horseshoes. I’ll just say, I hope they don’t have people chucking either of those at each other.”
Kannon wished he hadn’t allowed Cassie to convince him to accompany her to the common area to greet the returning contestants. You would think the fact they’d just killed a little kid would be enough to keep the focus off his marred face, but as it turned out, not even close. The kid had died so quickly. Suffering was best enjoyed lingeringly.
Cassie bumped his leg gently with her walking cast and winked when she had his attention. Kannon smiled in spite of himself.
“How are you feeling?” Cassie said to Emily.
“I’m alive,” Emily said. “What more can one hope for?”
Kannon could list a few things, but he knew an answer wouldn’t be appreciated.
“Do you want a pastry?” Madeline pulled a raspberry tart from a pocket. There was some jam smeared on her palm, but otherwise, the pastry had fared surprisingly well.
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