by Kim Turrisi
Ah. That. “It’s ‘they,’ not ‘she,’ and I don’t know. LaFontaine isn’t here, Perry.”
“No, she … they … have to be. This has to be some kind of a joke. But I’m not laughing. Because it’s not funny.”
I’m lost.
She babbles nervously. “LaFontaine’s side of the room is a mess, and this was stapled to the door.”
I take it from her and read it out loud. “ ‘Your nosy little friend no longer attends Silas University because (a) she meddled in things that were none of her business, (b) did you really think we wouldn’t find out what you were up to? (c) we are ancient and terrible and (d) none of you are safe. Exit procedures have already commenced. No action on your part is required.’ ”
Carmilla shoots up. “Shit.”
Perry is freaking out, pacing in circles. She might just wear a hole in the floor. “It’s the vampires. They could have taken them anywhere. They could be doing anything to them. Awful things. We have to find them before it’s too late.” Her voice rises with fear.
Carm attempts to calm her. “My money is on LaFontaine being with the others who are missing. They’re down by two and need bodies.”
“What are you saying?” Perry asks.
“My mother and her posse. They need five girls for the ritual. They have Betty, Natalie and Elsie. They lost Sarah Jane, you know, since they killed her, and I’ve kept them from taking Laura, so they need two more people,” Carm explains. She points at my bracelet.
Oh God. Now I see what that was all about. Unfortunately, Perry does, too.
Perry flips out. Like, I never knew she could be so loud. “So because you protected Laura, they took LaFontaine!” she shouts. “Why didn’t you give them a bracelet? How could you not protect them?”
I just stare at Carmilla, waiting for the answer.
“No matter who I help, my mother’s group always takes more. It’s just the way it is. I had no idea it would be your friends. I told you I wasn’t a hero, cupcake.” An unmistakable melancholy fills her voice.
Perry isn’t finished. She turns and blasts me next. “You did all of this! Alerting the would-be kidnappers at every turn. They know your every move, thanks to that vlog. I hope you’re happy. What if they’re implanting parasites in LaFontaine’s brain? What if the last thing they remember is that I was awful to them? I want to take it all back,” she whimpers. Tears pour down her face, and I help her to the bed, where she curls up in a ball.
I turn to Carmilla. “Is this all my fault? Did they take LaFontaine because you protected me? Did they really see the videos?”
Carmilla has no patience for this. “This is a bad look, cupcake. Don’t be so naive. Unless you kidnapped a bunch of girls for some unthinkable evil, nothing that’s happening here is your fault.”
“Really?” I am ridiculously relieved.
Carmilla points to herself. “Former minion of evil here. Yeah, you’re good. This is on my mom. All of it.”
I sniffle. “We have to warn anybody who might be in harm’s way. They still need someone else.” I step toward the computer, but Carmilla grabs my arm.
“Why must you continue to do this? Just say no to the webcam. My mother must be ripping her hair out in clumps she’s so pissed. Which is the only good thing about the videos.”
I speak directly to the webcam. “Silas students, you are all in danger. All of you.” I know I sound unhinged but people are dropping like flies. (And I like to have the last word.)
“Laura, quick question before you implode,” says Carmilla. “Did you happen to tell that big puppy who follows you around that his BFF is a vampire?” Will, her brother.
My eyes bug out. “Oh my God, Kirsch.” I fly out the door, Carmilla at my heels. We race across campus and find Kirsch in the quad playing Ultimate Frisbee. When he sees us, he flexes his muscles.
“Does that work?” Carmilla asks. Her arms are crossed as she sizes him up.
“Not on me,” I say.
Kirsch swaggers over. “Did you hotties come to watch me destroy the Sigs on the Frisbee field?”
I just cannot with the “hottie” right now. Carmilla cocks her arm back like she’s going to clock him, and I barely stop her by grabbing her elbow. “We need to talk to you.”
“You changed your mind and want to date me?”
“She didn’t lose her grip on reality,” Carmilla cracks.
Kirsch looks hurt. “You’re mean,” he says.
“This isn’t about who I want to date. It’s about Will.”
“My main bro.”
Frisbees whiz by and Kirsch cranes his neck to watch.
I wish I could soften the blow, but there’s no easy way to say this, so I just blurt it out. “Your main bro is a vampire.”
Kirsch takes a step back like he’s been punched in the gut and throws his arms out. His jaw drops open. “No way. Why are you lying to me? I’ve always been so nice to you.” He glances at Carmilla. “Even to her. Mostly. Will is my guy. And he was your dudescort.”
His heart is breaking, but I can’t mince words. I rest my hand on his shoulder. “Sorry, Kirsch, it’s the truth. Will is a full-blown vampire. He snuck into my room to kidnap me like he did the others. He practically admitted it. Carmilla saved me.”
“Dude. Just no. He came with me to Sarah Jane’s memorial. Who would do that?”
“A vampire,” Carmilla answers. “Vampires can be very shady and sneaky. Trust me, I know.”
He’s so still that he could be hypnotized.
“I’m really sorry, Kirsch.”
He’s lost in his own world. “The memorial is so nice. A little rock with her name on it. I’ve been visiting it every day. Bringing pink flowers. Pink was her favorite color.”
“I know this must be difficult for you to understand,” I sympathize.
Poor guy. He tilts his head to me. “I get that you want to help me out because you think I’m dumb. I might not know a lot about math or science but I do know bros. We would walk through fire for each other. That includes Will. He might be a vampire but he’s a Zeta bro first.”
He’s convincing, but Carmilla cuts him off. “That isn’t the way it works, stud.”
“Well, he’s never tried to bite me,” he argues.
“He almost killed me,” I counter.
That’s when Kirsch completely changes the subject. “Maybe you should take a break from fighting evil. The Zetas are having an end-of-term party on Friday. We’re wrapping the goat in bacon this year. Gotta get back to it.” He waves as he heads out to play Frisbee, not a care in the world.
Carmilla shakes her head. We tried, the flash in her eyes says. “You can send a dude to college but you can’t make him think,” she cracks.
* * *
•
When we get back to the dorm, Carmilla locks the door right away. “We have got to curb the traffic in here.”
I like where her head is at. No interruptions. For once.
She places her hand on the small of my back. “You okay?”
“I was thinking about Kirsch and his brothers. It might be nice not to have anything to worry about except going to parties. That must sound silly to you. With all the grand parties you’ve been to all over the world.”
“Yeah, but for most of them I was bait in a vicious supernatural game. That takes the fun out of it. You know?”
“Good point. What did kids do for fun back then?” I ask.
“Same as now. Got drunk. Danced our asses off. The booze wasn’t as refined. There wasn’t any flavored vodka. Waltzing was practically forbidden.”
“Hold up. Waltzing was scandalous? How can that be?”
Carmilla takes my hand and tugs me up, into a waltzing pose. I smell the chocolate cookie on her breath. Her eyes meet mine.
“Partners face to face, chest to chest. Not
a piece of paper between them.” She whirls me around. “Spinning round and round the dance floor. So close. In 1698, it might as well have been sex.”
My head is still spinning, though we have ceased whirling around the room. The butterflies in my belly are on high alert. She is sexy. This is sexy.
I’m all in.
• FOURTEEN •
Sitting on the steps of the library, I call my dad. It’s the time of the week where I check in, and my dorm is too chaotic for this talk. It’s quiet here, plus I can bend the truth without anyone commenting.
“Hi, Dad, how’s it going?”
He’s having the family room redone. That’s nice. I’m battling vampires and he’s picking out sofas.
“Yep, classes are great. I just left the library. I’ve been there all day.”
I listen. He’s proud of me. Great.
“No, I’m not going out, I’m studying tonight. Just going to pick up a salad or something healthy for dinner.” I nod as he describes the dimensions of his new TV. “Yeah. Love you, too.”
I lied. I’ve never lied to my father before, unless you count the time that I filled his vodka bottle with water after my friends and I raided the liquor cabinet when he went away for the weekend. I blamed it on my uncle Lester.
In my defense, lying was the only option. Explaining that I haven’t had much time to study, given the fact that I’ve been dodging death and hunting for missing students, would land me in a heap of trouble. I’m committed to an all-nighter that doesn’t involve investigating anything.
On the way back to my dorm, I stop for provisions at the campus market, psyching myself up for all things English lit and American history. A six-pack of orange soda, cookies, candy, beef jerky and a family-size bag of chips. I skip the dip. That would be gluttonous.
I pass Perry in the hall on her hands and knees scrubbing the baseboards, and I manage to get by without her noticing. For some reason she’s fixated on a spot in the corner. I feel bad trying to avoid her but she’s been guilting me every chance she gets about LaFontaine, and tonight I just need a break.
Opening my door, I’m greeted by multicolored twinkle lights and soft music. The room has been transformed. Carmilla steps out from behind the door in leather and lace, holding a bottle of champagne. She throws her hand out. “Welcome to Chez Vampire. Anyone can meet you at a cheesy restaurant.” That makes me warm all over. She’s got the table set with candles and votives lighting up our room. It’s beautiful.
Like her.
“Wow!” is all I’ve got.
“You like?”
“You’re very romantic — for a vampire.”
She grins. “Years of practice.”
She takes the six-pack of orange soda, setting it on the nightstand. She replaces it with a glass of bubbly. She raises her glass to mine. “To an evening without interruption or that webcam.”
I raise my glass and gently clink hers. “Something smells amazing. Did you cook?”
She slides a chair out for me to sit down. I remind myself that she’s a vampire and may be setting me up. The way I did to her. She places a plate of pasta with sauce and meatballs in front of me. “Family recipe that dates back to the 1800s.”
“How many times have you made this?” What I really mean is how many girls have been seduced with this very same meal. I mean, she’s been around for a long time.
“Once. Today.”
Vampire or not, she’s getting under my skin. In a good way. Silas surprises me at every turn. When I arrived, love never even entered my mind, and now it’s right in front of me.
Carmilla settles in across from me with those come-on eyes. “Taste it.”
I twirl my fork in the pasta, making sure to cover it in sauce. It tastes like Italy. “Mmmm. This is the best pasta I’ve ever eaten. The sauce is phenomenal!” I lose a strand or two on my chin.
“My turn,” she says, using her thumb to wipe away the red droplets. “Wait till you bite into a meatball. My great-grandmother was known for them. It’s how she lured my great-grandfather in.”
I chomp down one of these balls of amazing. “Is that what you’re doing to me?”
“Only if it’s working.”
I drop my fork and go to her, moving her chair back.
She takes my hand in hers and asks, “Waltz?”
Her arms go around me and she pulls me close. I let her.
She has her answer.
• FIFTEEN •
I’m not going to lie. Last night was pretty spectacular. Like on a scale of one to ten, it was a twenty. I’ve never before felt the feelings that are consuming me. I’m willing to overlook the whole vampire hiccup for the sunshine warming my heart.
My phone dings. Another text. I ignore it like I have all the others. It’s Perry. Again.
“Do you want coffee?” I ask. I pop in a pod for me. Sumatra, extra bold this morning. A look at my phone tells me that it’s actually afternoon. We stayed up all night watching a marathon of Doctor Who on my laptop. I had to explain everything to her. I didn’t mind one bit.
“Just you,” Carmilla purrs. That makes me blush.
Perry texts so many times that the dinging finally gets to Carmilla. “What does she want now?”
I read the texts aloud. “She doesn’t like being in their room alone. She claims she ‘sees’ LaFontaine everywhere and feels their spirit.”
“She’s coming unglued. You know that, right?”
“That may be, but I’m responsible for it,” I reply.
There’s a deep sigh from the other side of the room. “Not this again.”
I cross the room to her, get an inch away from her face. “You’re tense.” I move behind her and massage her shoulders. I lean close to her neck, barely touching her with my lips. Not everyone is a biter.
“Not that I don’t love this, but what do you want?”
I feign being hurt. “Can’t I just be nice to you?”
“Anytime, but my spidey sense assures me that there’s more going on here. It’s written all over your beautiful, guilty face.”
“Okay, fine. I think we should invite Perry to hang out here with us. She’s terrified that she’s next on the list and that we’ll never find LaFontaine.”
“Just put a stake in me now.”
“You have to admit that your mother has been noticeably silent.”
“That’s never a good sign. It means she’s plotting.”
What does that mean? We should all be petrified, like Perry?
She adds, “The thing about my mother is that she can be vindictive. She’s spent her lifetime being a powerful player in a dark community. Will is her little puppet and he’ll do anything she tells him to do. I was the only one to defy her and she buried me alive.”
“So she isn’t just going away?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
“Not in a million years.”
Picking up my phone, I send a short text to Perry. Why don’t you come hang out here with us later?
I take Carm’s hand and bring it up to my cheek. Before I can even kiss her hand, there’s a knock at the door. “That didn’t take long,” I joke.
“Was it even thirty seconds?” Carm sighs.
When I open the door, Perry is lugging a mop, cleaning supplies and some pots and pans.
* * *
•
I knew Perry was obsessed with all things cleaning and all things vampire. What I didn’t know was that Perry never sleeps. Never. She must be chugging caffeinated energy drinks by the case.
I hear her shuffling around the room while Carmilla and I try to sleep. I toss and turn. I try to block out the noise. And finally I start to watch her.
At first she’s dusting, tidying, folding the laundry. I pull the pillow over my head when I see her turn on the webcam, but I’m curious now. I keep one
eye open.
“Hello, Laura’s viewers,” Perry whispers. “If you’ve been following along, you know my best friend has been kidnapped and is still missing. I’ve been busy not panicking. I cleaned every surface in this filthy room. It should be noted that it’s no longer a pigpen. I am not panicking.”
She’s totally panicking. I don’t even care that she’s posting on my vlog. I just need some sleep. I’m jarred awake by what you imagine would be the scent of heaven. I roll away from the wall to see Perry sitting on the edge of my bed with a plate of fresh brownies.
“Brownie? They’re warm.”
It’s only 5:00 A.M., but it is a brownie. I hoist myself up, taking a bite of chocolaty goodness. Carmilla is asleep on the floor. She must’ve rolled off the bed in the middle of the night. She does that.
“We need to talk,” Perry starts.
I roll closer, so groggy. “Um, okay. I’m half-asleep. It’s early. I didn’t sleep so well. I kept dreaming about the big black cat sleeping on the floor.”
“It’s just Carmilla,” Perry says, pointing to the floor, waking her up by mistake. “Do you want a brownie?” she asks.
“Get that away from me,” Carmilla snaps. “Be warned, once I’ve had my coffee, I’m going to eviscerate you.”
Perry is unfazed. “Now that you’re both up, it’s time to formulate a plan.”
Carmilla looks daggers at her. “So I woke up in hell?”
“Excuse me. LaFontaine is still missing and we need to take action. We need to put this camera on a delay when we update the students, just in case the kidnappers are watching. No more tipping them off.”
That seems reasonable. “Okay. Easy enough.”
“Maybe call the police?” she continues. “Mercenaries? Bloodthirsty killers for hire?”
I need to calm her down. “Perry, we did that with Betty. The cops won’t come unless they get a call from campus security. And campus security goes through the dean, so they’re useless. They’re all Team Dean.”
Carmilla adds, “I don’t have a directory for killers at large.”