Prelude To Insanity

by Timothy P. Carnahan

  “Stop it,” Marissa said sounding weakened but Laila only held onto the young girl’s arm even more tightly refusing to give up her meal. “Laila, that’s enough.” Marissa continued trying to draw her arm away but Laila bit down fiercely into her flesh holding her in place. “I said that’s enough!” Marissa screamed slapping Laila across the face with her free hand and the older girl lost her grip falling to the floor with bits of torn flesh hanging from her newly exposed fangs. Marissa hastily grabbed a long white cloth which she used to stave off the blood flowing from her badly torn wrist.

  Laila choked defiantly realizing that her bloodlust had caused her to fly into an uncontrolled frenzy and had the little girl not forced her away, she knew she would have indulged until the last drop flowed from Marissa’s veins. “You turned me into a monster!” She spat looking at the young girl with hatred in her eyes.

  Marissa regarded her weakly taking a few steps back as if she was making for a quick escape should Laila’s hunger or anger give rise to a full-blown attack. “It’s just new is all. You’ll be able to control yourself more and more as time goes on but, the thirst will always be there.” She assured Laila with a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. “My own reaction to being changed wasn’t quite the same but, maybe it’ll answer a few questions,” Marissa said seeming to draw into herself.

  Laila felt disgusted and horrified, vomiting a small amount of blood onto the floor. Her repulsion became even more nauseating when her mind recalled what she had just done.

  “Let me tell you a story,” Marissa offered regressing. “I was a normal little girl back in London during the 1600’s when my life changed. I was diagnosed with one of the many variations of the bubonic plague and I was left alone to die on the third floor of my parent’s estate,” she paused for a moment, “Funny, I can’t even remember their names. I was visited twice a day by our housemaid who would bring me meals and fresh linens however, other than that I was isolated from the rest of the world. Once doctors were certain I was diseased, my father stopped coming up to visit me and my mother would sneak in on rare occasions with some of the stuffed animals that you saw in my room. I always looked forward to those times but, she wasn’t allowed to come up often. She had to visit me discreetly. My father had all but forbidden her from spending time with me. He feared that by being in contact with me she would spread the disease to the rest of the household. I prayed someone would save me, that I would be given a chance to live the life I was still just becoming aware of and my prayers were answered. One night, when my parents were asleep, I saw an angel hovering outside my bedroom window and I knew that I needed to let him in. I remember him telling me to close my eyes and when I woke up, the sores on my body had vanished and I felt much better except for one minor issue. I was exposed to the sun only briefly when our maid drew the drapes to my room and I instantly began to burn along my unprotected skin. Luckily for me she had the where for all to shut the drapes immediately but, I was left badly scarred and in intense pain. When my father found out about the incident he locked me in the room and left me to die alone. I was deemed to be possessed and my own mother renounced me. I stopped eating as I couldn’t keep anything down but, the hunger seemed limitless and insatiable. For what, I didn’t know. Several days I awaited the angel’s return to let me know what was happening to me but, late one night, I awoke to the door of my bedroom being opened by my father followed closely by the angel. A small hole had been torn in my father’s throat and he was bleeding profusely but, he refused to give in to the wound instead, he attempted to attack my angel. Corin easily held him at bay laughing at my father’s futile attempts to fight him off. He forced my father to the ground and hypnotized him until he became as docile as a sleeping baby although he was still conscious of the world around him. Corin offered my father to me and seeing him prone and bleeding so badly from his throat drove me into a frenzied bloodlust. I remember that first time. So addictive, so utterly delicious, and I found that I didn’t care that I was draining the life out of my own father. He was ready to let me die alone in terrible agony. Why should I have cared? Corin kept me by his side calling me his little sister and looking out for me as my own family never would. He taught me what it meant to be a vampire and how to survive hidden within the shadows of storybooks and nightmares. I was content with feeding on lesser creatures however Corin eventually grew frustrated with our hidden lifestyles. He viewed our species as an evolution to the simplicity of humans and several times we had to move from place to place in order to escape detection because of his audacity. He would have still been a part of our family if that vampire hunter that saved you hadn’t ended my angel’s life.” She choked on her words as if she was realizing the truth of Corin’s passing for the first time but, she managed to compose herself with a look of grim retribution playing across her features. “He should have known better than to attack a vampire at night, especially in their own environment but don’t worry, we’ll be safe here for now.” She finished turning away from Laila.

  Listening to Marissa’s story, Laila actually felt a misplaced sympathy for the younger girl until she considered her own life’s events leading up to her change. “You were dying and you had no reason to remain human from what you said. My life was just beginning and you took me away from the man that I loved. How can you console that? How can you even hope to rectify that?” She asked growing emotional from the realization that she may never see Cole again.

  Marissa turned and slumped her shoulders seemingly at a loss for words. “You said you would be my sister and you cared for me more than Corin had for nearly a hundred years. I guess I just wanted to know what it was like to be loved again.” Marissa admitted grabbing a section of wall with two handles that were set deep within its mass before pushing it to one side causing wind to blow gently into the catacomb.

  “Am I just supposed to wait here?” Laila asked not liking the prospect of being sealed inside a cave. Marissa ignored her question as she moved to the other side of the wall sliding it back into place and leaving Laila alone in the dimly lit room with her thoughts of Cole and how her life had been completely turned upside down.

  * * * * *

  Cole spent a couple of days blind save for a few brief moments when a nurse would come and redress his wounds; applying new bandages that covered his face and eyes once they had finished. He hadn’t spoken to the nurses while they performed their duties and the lighthearted conversation they offered only made him less inclined to respond. His mother, Dana, had visited him during his stay at the hospital several times with Donovan and each time proved more depressing than the last. He had hoped to hear that Laila had escaped from Marissa’s clutches but each time he asked about her, his mother told him that she hadn’t seen the young girl since the last time she had seen them together. He was visited once by a man claiming to be investigating the events that occurred at the sheriff station, however, Cole simply relayed that he had no recollection of any events that had transpired and he wasn’t questioned further on the issue. Doc Jon had checked on him periodically during his stay and the day he removed the bandages from Cole’s face himself he told the teenager that he was being released to go home. He remembered that day vividly being a Thursday, Dana Larson picked him up from the hospital and the moment he got home he yearned to begin his search for Laila but, he was informed that arrangements had already been made and their family was to move by week’s end. Dana unveiled that the necessity for them to move was solidified the moment she learned that Cole had been hospitalized. The negative publicity that now shrouded the town of Los Olivos had destroyed the small community and drove most of the residents to seek a life elsewhere. Cole protested her fiercely but she naively stated that the move was to provide Donovan and him a better life and she was making a sacrifice for the change. Not them. His home was empty and quiet with the majority of their lives packed haphazardly in a moving truck that now occupied the driveway and his family had taken the liberty to pack his things for him wh
ile he had been in the hospital. Save for a single sleeping bag unrolled in the corner, his room was empty and its quiet desolation seemed to personify how he felt inside. His opportunity to find Laila was a fast shutting door and he resolved to search the only place he could think to look for her before his family left for their new found life.

  * * * * *

  Cole stepped under the police line and looked around the rubble of the burnt structure with complete disregard for his safety. He paid no attention to the soot that now covered his jeans and shirt as he pushed aside framework and other debris. He wasn’t surprised to find that the house was barren, stripped of anything that may have survived the fire by forensic crews and possible looters but, he continued to cling to the hope that he would find some evidence that Laila, or Marissa, had been there recently. He hoped he could find a clue, anything that might tell him what happened to Laila. His efforts proved fruitless after an hour of searching and he stoically scanned the property which was little more than an open field full of debris now. Everywhere, the once beautiful home lay in torn pieces at his feet. He couldn’t even begin to speculate where to look for Laila and he dropped to his knees in frustration. He felt a wayward nail slice open his pant leg leaving a minor cut bleeding from his knee but, he didn’t care. He continued to kneel amidst the ash for a long moment until he heard the sound of a car engine making its way up the driveway. Cole wanted to believe that Laila had somehow escaped from Marissa that evening and that it was her pulling in the driveway in search of him but he knew that his hopes were naive. When the vehicle did come into view he dreaded who he was going to have to face, covered in ash and sitting amongst the debris of a crime scene. He had never seen the large white SUV before and the tinted windows provided him no clear view of the driver so he continued to wait simply observing the vehicle as it slowly came to a stop facing him. He watched the driver’s side door open and for a brief moment he closed his eyes picturing Laila running over to him so swiftly that he wouldn’t have time to react to her embrace but when the car door slammed shut he snapped back to a much more latent reality.

  “Cole, what are you doing here?” Detective Martinez asked looking at the teenager with a mixture of concern and controlled suspicion.

  Cole rose to his feet feeling awkward being covered in ash and soot as he was confronted by the detective that had only recently become part of his shattered life. “I could ask you the same thing. Are you following me?” Cole replied indignantly making his way through the debris towards the older man.

  “I went by your house and your mother said that you were out; I figured you might have come here.” Martinez offered as Cole made his way for the older man.

  Cole continued to walk silently until he had, at last, stepped through where the front porch had once been. “Before you started accusing Laila and me of crimes that we didn’t commit my life was normal! Don’t you have anything better to do with your time than continue to harass me?” Cole asked angered by the sheer presence of the older man.

  “Look, son, I wasn’t there when you were arrested by my partner. Was I?” Martinez said drawing a confused look from Cole who folded his arms defiantly across his chest before giving his attention fully to Martinez. “I was a little boy when I first encountered..... one of those things, and until you and Laila told me your story I had forgotten as if it had been nothing more than a deep-seated nightmare but I knew that the two of you weren’t lying to me. Do you really think anyone who hadn’t seen what you two claimed would have even given you the benefit of the doubt?” He asked.

  Cole could feel the weight of the old man’s words bearing heavily down upon him. It was true, no one would believe his story even if he told it a thousand times and with crystal clarity unless they too had witnessed what he had. “Why are you telling me this now?” He asked growing impatient with Martinez who continued to regard him somberly.

  “Because I’ve read the reports and I know that Laila turned up missing that night at the station. I also know that you’re hoping to find her somewhere out here. Am I right or am I wrong?” Martinez questioned, visibly scrutinizing Cole’s response.

  “So what if I am? Am I breaking some sort of law by looking around?!” He replied eyeing Martinez with such ferocity that he wondered if he would be able to control himself should the detective so much as threaten any form of incarceration. Martinez looked away seemingly at a loss for words and Cole began to press passed him until the older man snapped his attention back to the teenager.

  “Are you so blind that you can’t see when someone is trying to make an amends to you? I’m not a cop anymore. I’m just some guy that has a few insiders at the station who are looking into your girl’s disappearance.” Martinez admitted.

  Cole found himself asking a question that he, under normal circumstances, wouldn’t have asked. “Why?” He said and Martinez regarded him stoically.

  “Because it was my mistake involving you two so deeply and if I hear one word about her I want to make sure you know about it.” He offered making his way back to the SUV motioning for Cole to follow.

  Cole remained a couple of steps behind the older man watching as he opened the front door of the vehicle producing a small rectangular card. He flipped it over in his fingers before handing it to the teenager.

  “This is my address and phone number. Keep in contact with me and if I hear anything I’ll let you know. The least I can do is be your eyes and ears while you’re gone.” Martinez said hoping he offered some sense of reassurance.

  Cole figured the prospect of the former detective learning anything seemed almost impossible considering the fact that Marissa and Corin had remained undetected by the local law enforcement. “I appreciate it sir…” Cole began but, Martinez quickly cut him off.

  “I’m not an officer anymore Cole, my name is Mike. Feel free to call me by my first name.” He requested and Cole considered obliging the older man but, his animosity still held firm in his mind as he continued to speak.

  “Once again ‘sir’ I appreciate it but, I don’t think you’ll find anything,” Cole replied shoving the former detective’s card in his pocket before making his way back towards Calkins Road.

  Martinez wanted to call after the teenager and tell him that everything would be all right. They would find Laila and this terrible wrong would be righted. He wanted to but, he couldn’t. In reality, he was very thankful for what the teen did next.

  Cole had barely walked fifty feet away before he broke into a full run. Tears welled up in his eyes and he felt hopeless and lost. He wanted to be with Laila but if he couldn’t, then he at least wanted to be alone.

  Martinez felt his guilt overtake him as he watched the teenager run out of sight and he couldn’t help feeling partially responsible for the events that had led up to Laila’s disappearance. “I’ll do everything I can to find her,” he swore under his breath knowing it was a promise he wouldn’t take lightly. He looked back to the debris and stared contemplatively at the destruction so recently left in behind. He shook his head solemnly before climbing into the SUV. He buried his face in his hands in an attempt to reclaim his composure. He took a deep breath and turned the key still in the ignition. He backed his way out the driveway. The pepper trees were scorched but they still were easily recognizable. He passed next to a peculiar blackberry bush and something caught his attention. Two sticks rested against the fence. They were unremarkable and seemed to hold no real interest still he lingered, for a moment before fully backing into Calkins Road. A feeling of overwhelming hopelessness fell over him as he shifted the vehicle into drive and the determination of fulfilling his promise became an incredible weight on his shoulders. He made his way slowly, stopping when he approached what had been the crime scene of Mr. Hardcastle’s mysterious disappearance. He desperately hoped he could find anything that may have been missed during the initial investigation. He exited his vehicle and took in the scene. Although most of the area had been picked clean of debris by the forensics team, he was
sure there had to be something, anything that would provide him at least a place to begin his search. For ten minutes he wandered the area, kicking aside rocks and branches that had fallen after the fire had charred them from the trees on the side of the road however it became evident that his search would be futile and unyielding. Martinez released a disappointed sigh at the realization and reluctantly made his way back to his vehicle which sat idling on the road’s narrow shoulder. After placing one hand on the handle he issued a final look at the trees before opening his door. A pen that had fallen between the driver’s seat and the door had been relocated precariously when he had shut his door and fell to the ground when the door was pulled away from its latch. Frustrated by the minor inconvenience, Martinez let out an exasperated huff before placing his hand on his knee for stability and bending down to retrieve his pen from the dirt. When he grasped the pen in his fingertips he provided a complimentary glance down the road to ensure that he would not be blind-sided by a speeding motorist yet what he saw caused him to spring upright so fast that he caused himself to become dizzy. Standing alone on the opposite side of the desolate road was a mailbox with the name “REDFORD” painted crudely down its side. Martinez recalled Laila’s story of the over-prepared old man who had saved them the night they encountered the vampire and he was certain that Mr. Redford and “Red” had to be one and the same. In a flash, he was back in the driver’s seat and reversing recklessly before braking hard as he almost overshot the driveway. He was certain that the old man must know something so he resolved to question him as much as possible. He honestly wondered if the fact he was no longer a detective would hinder or help him. He tore into the driveway causing gravel to fling up noisily pelting into the undercarriage of the SUV. He flew passed the garage until the driveway came to an abrupt end at the humble one-story house. Martinez sent a cloud of dust flying towards the house as he slid to a stop alongside an old station wagon. He cared little that he had parked half into the lawn that was little more than tufts of grass and weeds sporadically placed throughout the dirt. The house wasn’t in much better shape. Still, the old ranch home had managed to endure in an area where all but a couple of original homes had been completely demolished. ‘This is where monsters should live.” He thought taking note of the cracking off-white stucco and overall disarray of the property. The boards that made up the front porch were warped but sturdy which struck him as a little odd. Although the boards looked weathered and very weak, it was incredibly sturdy. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it but, it struck him as odd. He composed himself briefly before rendering a light knock on the battered screen. The sound of creaking floorboards echoed back to him as the man inside made his way to the door and Martinez prepared for the interaction by licking his fingers to smooth out his mustache. An old man appeared behind the screen and offered a startled regard when he saw the face of Martinez staring back at him. “Sir, my name is Michael Martinez. I’m sorry to arrive unannounced but I was hoping you might know something about the whereabouts of this young lady,” Martinez said eagerly producing the picture of Laila’s mug shot that he had taken from her folder prior to resigning from his position. He noted how intently the old man looked at him before reaching into his pocket.