He could do nothing but stand there and wait to be torn to pieces. Paul just hoped it was over with quickly.
That annoying little zombie rushed in first and sank its sharp teeth into his thigh. Paul felt the flesh rip away from the bone and he screamed in agony. A vampire latched onto him from behind and plunged its fangs into the top of his shoulder.
One by one the creatures came in for their piece of the action. Another zombie took a bite out of him, ripping away Paul’s right cheek. He felt blood gushing from the wound like a geyser. It sprayed crimson all over the face of another vampire that was moving in for a bite. Instead of attacking him, the vampire was content to just stand there with its mouth agape, letting the blood pour down its throat.
Paul could do nothing to stop the assault. His entire body remained paralyzed except for his head. And that was like some cruel joke. He couldn’t ward off his attackers, but he was given a panoramic view of them and was able to see every single one of them moving in for the kill.
What had he done in life to deserve such torture? He hadn’t been a bad person. Why had his soul been doomed to endure this?
The assault continued. Bit by bit his hapless body was torn to pieces until he was just a gore-covered skeleton standing in the centre of the clearing. Eager tongues licked the blood from his bones. There were constant, disgusting sucking and slurping sounds as the undead fed on whatever it was that he’d become.
Then suddenly every one of them was gone, retreating into the forest with the sound of rustling bushes. All fell silent. There was nothing left of Paul now. He was just a skeleton with two eyes that still worked.
As he stood there, paralyzed, butchered and all alone, he felt the final threads of life ebb from his being.
Twenty Eight
“Welcome to my world,” Michael said with a beaming smile.
Paul and Kelly had completed the turn now and were awake. Both lay on their respective cots, clothing and bed linen drenched in sweat.
“That was really tough, I know,” Michael said. No one understood the process of the turn and the agonies to be endured better than he did. “But I assure you the worst is now over. You are probably both feeling a bit weak and giddy right now, but that’ll pass.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Paul wanted to know.
Michael beamed again. “Your creator. You don’t remember last night when your car had a flat tyre? You were chasing something around the forest. That was me. I attacked you, I bit you and now I’ve turned the pair of you into marvelous, all-powerful immortal beings like myself.”
Neither Paul nor Kelly could comprehend what this stranger was on about at first, but then both of them started to recall the events of last night. Paul nodded slowly. He got off his cot and nestled in behind Kelly, protectively wrapping his arms around her.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Michael assured them. “Why would I do that when I’ve gone to all the trouble to turn you two into vampires?”
Paul scowled. “Into what?”
“Think about it,” Michael crooned. “Look deep inside yourselves and you will see the truth of what you’ve become.” Michael started pacing the floor, a dim, bare bulb dangling down from the ceiling providing the only light in the room. “But don’t fret. You’re both going to relish this new life I’ve bestowed upon you. You’ll see. In a few days time you’ll be thanking me. Trust me.”
“Trust a guy who tried to kill us,” Paul scoffed.
“Believe me, if I wanted you dead, I would have killed you last night..” He started pacing again and smiled. “Well, that’s a bit of a paradox, because technically you two are dead. Dead in the human sense, anyway. But you’ve been reborn to a better life and a richer existence. Once again you can trust me on that.”
Kelly and Paul were sitting up now, the sweat in the clothes starting to dry out. Both of them appeared much calmer and more relaxed as they came to terms with things and their racing minds settled down into regular thinking rhythms.
“I’m really hungry,” Kelly said softly. “But I don’t feel like eating food.”
Michael nodded knowingly and squatted down in front of the pair. “You need blood, Kelly. And Paul, so do you. Let’s go out into the forest so you can have your first feed. You’ll both feel much better after you do.”
* * *
Chelsea and Travis were in the back seat of the BMW. They were still parked up on Point Danger, only now the car park was empty apart from themselves.
They were tonguing furiously. Two sets of hands were running rampant, exploring various body parts as they kissed passionately and unabated. Chelsea felt incredibly turned on. It wasn’t the first time she’d been in this situation. Although not an experienced lover, she was no virgin.
She pulled her mouth away from Travis’ and sighed heavily. Her eyes were half closed with desire as Travis continued to explore her body. When he slipped a hand beneath her underwear, she reluctantly closed her legs tightly together and gently pulled his hand back out.
“Are you worried I’ll hurt you?” he asked her.
Chelsea nodded. “A little. You might lose control in the heat of the moment. As much as I so want to do it with you, I think it’s too risky.”
Travis nodded. “I understand. I think I said something like that to you last night.”
Chelsea sat up and adjusted her clothing. “If you turn me, Babe, then there’s no danger.”
He nodded again and pondered her words for quite some time.
“I’ll think about it,” he said finally.
* * *
Michael, Paul and Kelly were out in the forest. Paul was feeling much better now and the more time that went by the more he was starting to embrace his new life as a vampire.
“Kangaroos are best,” Michael whispered as they moved stealthily between the trees. He paused to listen. “This way.”
Paul and Kelly tailed him through the woods, letting him lead them to a food source. Paul was surprised how well he could see in the darkness. It was amazing. Everything was crystal clear. Although the scene still appeared gloomy to his eyes, he could discern shapes and objects ten times better than he could do as a mere human. And his ears were just as sharp. Every sound was amplified if he concentrated. His body felt extremely fit and lean and, apart from the deep-seated hunger than burned within him, he felt incredibly alive.
Kelly took his hand in hers. It was stone cold, but that seemed totally natural now. The skin of her face was paler, but that suited her somehow. She smiled at him as they continued to follow Michael through the forest.
A cloud drifted across the moon above, extinguishing its subtle light. It still didn’t affect Paul’s vision. Michael paused to listen and all three of them heard something hopping through the forest not too far away.
“Sounds like it’s only the one,” Michael said softly. “You’ll have to share it. I’ll capture it and hold it while you two feed on it.”
“I have a dumb question,” Kelly whispered. “How do we get our fangs to come out?”
Michael grinned. “It’ll just happen naturally when the hunger takes over. Trust me.”
They crept up to the edge of a small clearing and peered out from the cover of low-lying foliage. A large kangaroo stood on the other side, probing the bushes for food.
Michael sprang like a lion and leapt onto the marsupial’s back. It’s started hopping around in a mad panic with Michael trying to wrestle it under control.
“Come on!” he yelled. “I can’t kill it for you or the blood won’t pump through its veins.”
Kelly and Paul moved in as one. As soon as he sensed the heat of the struggling animal and smelled its blood, Paul felt the fangs drop down from his upper jaw. He acted purely on instinct and latched onto the animal’s narrow throat. His fangs pierced the furry flesh and found the blood supply. He started to suck, eyes rolling back in his head like a shark feeding. Paul sensed Kelly beside him doing exactly as he was. The blood was warm, viscous and tasty.
The British backpackers drained the animal’s blood supply completely before stepping back and letting the animal drop to the dirt with a dull thud.
Paul felt incredible now, more alive than he’d ever felt in his life. Strength and euphoria pulsed through him. His head was so clear. His body felt like a supreme athlete’s. Beside him Kelly was sucking in deep breaths of the clean night air.
“I loved that,” she said. “I still can’t believe it, but I actually really loved that.”
“How about you, Paul?” Michael asked. “Did you enjoy your first feed?”
Paul nodded and grinned maliciously. “It’s a way better hit than any drug or alcohol I’ve ever had,” he admitted. “What’s it like to drink human blood?”
“Much more satisfying than that of a kangaroo,” Michael told him. “It’s a more potent hit.”
Kelly moved in close to her man and said to Michael, “When can we hunt some people then?”
Twenty Nine
Jack Jones called Ryan just before nine the next morning. Ryan was in his hotel room. He was already up, showered and dressed when he got the call.
“Meet me at Southgate again,” Jack instructed him. “There’s a cafe right next door to the bar we were at last night. I’ll shout you breakfast. Ten o’clock.”
“I’ll be there,” Ryan said and hung up.
He hadn’t yet eaten so breakfast would be good. At nine thirty he left the hotel and slowly walked the busy Melbourne streets en route to Southgate. The morning was sunny and warm, not a cloud in the sky. This place was famous for having four seasons in one day. Hopefully today would be a full day of spring weather.
His mouth tasted ashen from last night’s cigarettes. By the time he’d parted company with Jack he’d smoked five. Today he was determined to get back on track and refuse any tobacco smoking offers.
Jack was where he said he’d be when Ryan arrived right on time.
“I recommend the toasted chicken and avocado bagel, washed down with an espresso,” Jack said as Ryan took a seat opposite him at an outside table.
“I prefer milk in my coffee,” Ryan replied. “But the bagel sounds good.”
A waiter took their order after furnishing the table with plates, cutlery, glasses and a jug of iced water. Ryan poured himself a glass of the water and sipped it.
“What have you got worked out for me?” he asked Jack.
Jack slid a hand inside his jacket and laid some badges and ID cards down on the table. “Today we’re scientists.”
The coffees arrived, espresso for Jack and a flat white for Ryan. Ryan studied the cards as he idly stirred sugar into his coffee.
“Doctor John Stanton,” Ryan read from his ID card. “Where did you get this photo of me?”
“From your Facebook page,” Jack said simply.
“And who are you going to be?” Ryan said and picked up Jack’s fake ID. “Professor Robert Norton.”
“We probably won’t need to explain our credentials to anyone,” Jack said. “It’s more so we look the part and look official, so hopefully we can roam freely about the Institute.”
“Won’t we need some sort of uniform?”
“In my car.” Jack got stuck into his bagel as soon as it arrived. “I also have some toys that might come in handy.”
“Like what?” Ryan attacked his own bagel.
“Lock picking devices and scanners, if needed. Stuff to hack into the good doctor’s computer, if we get that far.”
“We have to get that far. That’s what I’m down here for.”
Jack shrugged and swallowed a mouthful of food before replying. “Well, it’s kinda hard to know what to get when you don’t really know what your client wants you to get.”
“Any research to do with blood disorders is what she’s most interested in.”
“She sounds like a weirdo.”
Ryan shrugged. “Well, she’s a very hot weirdo then.”
Jack smiled knowingly. “Got a bit of a thing for her, have we?”
“I don’t know.” Ryan shrugged again and sipped some coffee. “It’s probably not mutual.”
“Only one way to find out, mate. Hit her up when you get back to Queensland. She might be quite open to a bit of romance if you get her what she wants.”
“I don’t even know if she’s single.”
“I’m sure she’ll soon tell you if she’s not. A word of advice, though. Get your final payment from her and in the bank before you make a move. Because if it’s the wrong move for any reason, you don’t want her to muck you about with money owed.”
“Good point,” Ryan agreed.
They finished breakfast and headed for Jack’s car, which ended up being a maroon Mitsubishi Lancer. Jack got in behind the wheel while Ryan settled into the passenger seat.
“Where are we gonna get changed?” Ryan asked. “In a phone booth?”
Jack smiled. “Very funny, Ryan.” He edged the car onto busy St Kilda Road and headed south, away from the city centre. He lit a cigarette as he was driving and filled the cabin with smoke. “There’s a small shopping complex not far from the Institute. We’ll stop off there and use the public toilets to don our new apparel.”
“Is that where you go to hook up with male friends?”
“Very funny again, Ryan. I don’t personally, but you feel free if you get the urge.”
“No thanks.”
Once they’d parked in the shopping complex, Jack grabbed a sports bag from the back seat and led the way to the male toilets. The place was quiet and no one was inside. Together they went into the roomy disabled toilet cubicle and stripped down to their underwear.
“Apparently the uniform of choice at the institute is grey trousers, black shoes and a white lab coat. The shirt beneath doesn’t matter.”
Ryan dressed in the clothing Jack supplied for him. Everything fit close to perfectly. He pinned his ID badge to the left breast of his coat and hung his credentials around his neck where the lanyard held it about halfway up his chest. After studying himself in the mirror, he nodded with approval.
“I think we’ll pass,” Ryan was optimistic.
They exited the bathroom and headed back out to the car. Once underway again Jack took a left, traveled a few blocks, swung right, then pulled into a spacious parking lot that was three quarters full. He cut the engine and they sat there a moment. Jack then reached into the back seat and removed some very small electronic gizmos from a satchel. He stuffed them into the pockets of his trousers and looked at Ryan.
“You ready to do this.”
Ryan said, “Yep. Let’s go.”
The Research Institute was basically a large square of a building with four levels above ground and probably some basement levels as well. It was cement rendered and painted white, with much of the walls covered in glass windows.
As they headed towards the building’s entrance, Ryan adjusted his lab coat and ID badge, feeling just a little on edge. He was about to climb the stairs that led up to the huge glass entrance doors when Jack tapped him on the arm and indicated for him to follow. Jack went to the right, around the side of the building and headed for the back. He stopped at the corner, just before they ventured around to the rear of the building. He pulled his pack of cigarettes out, handed one to Ryan and lit one himself. Ryan hesitated when Jack held the lighter out to him.
“Apparently everyone ducks out the back for a smoke,” Jack explained. “We stroll around there with cigarettes just about done, we’ll walk on in. It’ll look like we’ve just been out for a smoke like everyone else.”
Ryan lit his cigarette and took the shallowest of puffs. Jack sucked hard on his, obviously enjoying the nicotine hit immensely. His burnt down nearly to the butt before Ryan’s was even half gone. It was enough, though, to carry out the plan of entry.
>
When they went round the back of the Institute there were indeed several doctors, scientists, professors, whatever, hanging about the back stairs puffing merrily away. One woman had a coffee in hand, one of the males drinking a Coke. Jack and Ryan just acted casual as they headed towards the stairs.
“Good morning,” Jack greeted the group and nodded. He tossed his butt into a large chrome ashtray that sat at the base of the stairs. Ryan followed suit and the pair walked up to the doors and stepped inside. Jack whispered to Ryan, “Easy as when you act like you’re meant to be here.”
“Where do you find out this information, like everyone hanging out the back smoking?” Ryan wanted to know.
Jack winked at him. “I have my sources, just like you do. You know how it is.”
Inside the air was cool, air conditioners working overtime to keep the temperature at around a constant twenty degrees. Without the lab coat on Ryan would be feeling a bit chilly. It was a welcome break from the warmth outside, though. There was a kitchen through a door on the left. Several people were in there either preparing a morning snack, or making coffee or tea. A doorway to the right opened up into a room filled with lounges, tables and chairs and coffee tables. Another group of workers sat on those lounges sipping beverages and chatting about all things scientific.
“Should we make ourselves a coffee?” Jack suggested.
“No. We don’t want to linger and risk getting caught up in conversations we know nothing about.”
“Good point.”
“Do you know where in this building Becker’s office is located?”
As they walked slowly down the hall Jack took a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and opened it up. “We have to go down to basement level two,” he said. “There should be some elevators just around this corner up ahead.” They went right and found themselves in a short corridor with elevator doors lining both walls. “Here we are.”
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