A Soul in Torment

by D. J Marteeny

  “Thank you—the feeling’s mutual.” Then, looking a little confused, he decided he had to ask, “Jaclyn, if Roy took the SUV just how will you be getting home—or is he coming back for you?”

  “No, he won’t be returning tonight. But you needn’t worry about me,” she said just as the neighing of a horse, somewhere nearby, shattered the silence of the night. “There are other means of transportation at my disposal. Shall we take a look around and then I’ll leave you to your solitude. Come on, I want to introduce you to an old friend.” She led the way down the steps of the porch and over the wooden bridge. Swerving sharply to the right, she led him towards the back of the cottage where a round corral was barely visible in the waning moonlight.

  Jaclyn walked up to the fence and dipped her hand inside a large bucket that was hanging alongside the gate. With a loud whistle she called out, “Here Midnight, come along now.” Rick looked around but, even with his extra-ordinary eyesight, he couldn’t see a thing inside the corral until—there it was—a slight movement. He heard the sound of a horse’s hooves and then, seemingly out of nowhere, a giant of a horse, black as night to blend with the darkness, stood before Jaclyn’s outstretched hand. It bent its massive head to nuzzle something she held in her palm. Leaning forward, she rubbed her face along the horse’s neck. Then, as if she’d suddenly remembered they had an audience, she turned to Rick.

  “Rick—come and meet Midnight.” As Jaclyn stepped back to make room for Rick to approach, she watched with great interest as man and animal sized each other up.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea, Jaclyn.”Rick started to say. He had no idea if the horse would sense what he was and react badly. Most animals did.

  “You really do have a problem with animals, don’t you Rick? First the wolves and now Midnight— I wonder why that is.”

  Rick knew he had to do something before her questions became too numerous so, with a deep breath, he moved up to the fence. “Hello old boy, want to come and say hello to a stranger?” he whispered softly, soothing the agitation he could feel was building up inside of the animal. “Here, see what I have for you,” he said as he grabbed a hand full of oats from the same bucket Jaclyn had. The horse hesitated only a moment before strolling over to Rick, nuzzling the vampire’s hand as he’d done to Jaclyn’s earlier.

  A great sense of relief flowed through Rick along with the first touch of happiness he’d felt in a long time. Here was a creature that seemed to accept him for what he was without hesitation. He began to stroke the horse as the big stallion stood calmly, head bent, enjoying Rick’s attention.

  “Congratulations—he likes you and that’s rare for Midnight. It’s highly unusual for him to accept a stranger so easily. He must sense the goodness in you.” Jaclyn said watching Rick closely.

  Rick stepped away from the fence and turned to walk back towards the cabin. “I don’t think its goodness he senses. He smelled food, that’s all,” he said abruptly as he walked past her. Jaclyn’s eyes followed him all the way to the porch before she joined him there. Moving past him, she opened the door and entered the cabin.

  “Come on, I’ll give you a quick tour of the house and then I’ll take Midnight and leave.”

  “You’re going to ride him home?”

  “Don’t sound so surprised— I do it quite often.” She led the way inside the cabin which was actually larger than it appeared. There was a small foyer which led into the kitchen that contained an apartment sized stove and refrigerator. From the kitchen, they stepped through a doorway into the dining room where a large, hand-made wooden table took up most of the open space. This room ran directly into the living room which had one comfortable looking chair and a long couch as well as a small TV. There was rough cut wood throughout the entire dwelling giving the place a rustic feel. A wood burning stove was situated in the far left corner of the room, spreading warmth throughout the first and second floor of the cabin. Not that I’ll need it, Rick thought bitterly. There was a short hallway to the right of the dining room which led to a bathroom and another door to the right of the living which led outside. Off to the left was a large bedroom with a staircase leading upstairs where there were two more rooms used for sleeping as well as storage.

  Rick was in awe. He’d always dreamed of having a place where he could ‘get away from it all’ or bring friends for a week-end of relaxation. This place would’ve been perfect. It’s quiet serenity was made for soothing away the stress of everyday living but—that had been in another lifetime and those dreams were just that—dreams—hopeless dreams.

  “Is this to your satisfaction?” he heard Jaclyn ask.

  “Yes—yes, it’s just what I need.”

  “Good—here’s the key then and we can settle up when you decide to leave. I’ll have Midnight back in the morning. All I ask is that you feed him at dusk and make sure he has fresh water and you can ride him whenever you like. You do ride, don’t you, Rick?”

  “It’s been a long time but, yes, I do.”

  “Great, well, I’ll say goodnight then. I’ll stop by in a day or two and see how you’re getting along. If you need anything, just contact Roy and he’ll take care of it. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Jaclyn—and thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” she said as she walked back through the kitchen and disappeared from view.

  Seconds later Rick heard Midnight neigh and then the sound of pounding hooves. Much to Rick’s surprise he realized that Jaclyn and Midnight had ridden off towards the mountain and not back down the driveway where he was watching for them from the kitchen window. He stepped out onto the porch but couldn’t see any sign of them. She must have ridden that horse through the woods near the lake. Where, in God’s name does she live? he wondered. Shaking his head he went back inside. He decided to do a quick exploration of the tiny house before he had to hunt for the night.

  Off in the distance, about five miles away from the cabin, Jaclyn pulled Midnight to a halt as she saw two large grey wolves approaching from the left. Closer and closer they came until they were mere inches from the horse and rider but neither woman nor horse showed any fear. Instead, Jaclyn looked the animals straight in the eye, her own golden orbs shimmering in the moonlight. “Patrol the grounds, my friends, but not too closely. Keep an eye on him. He may wish to hunt. Allow him to do so as long his choice of food is not human. After all, he does have to eat, right. As long as he follows the rules, we’ll leave him alone and protect him during the daylight hours. The minute he breaks one—we take him down.”

  * * * * *

  As he walked around, Rick couldn’t seem to get Jaclyn out of his mind. Back in Winwood, he didn’t know that many women who would be brave enough to ride into the woods at night alone and unprotected. But this woman was different. There was something decidedly special about her and he intended to find out exactly what it was. But first he had some work to do.

  He went through each room of the cabin, searching through cupboards and drawers until he found what he was looking for. A closet in one of the upstairs bedrooms had an abundance of quilts and blankets that would serve his purpose well. He took a number of dark colored ones to the downstairs rooms and proceeded to cover the few windows that the cabin possessed.

  Then he checked all of the locks on the windows and doors, making sure they were all secured tightly. The two entrance doors of the cabin locked by key and also dead bolt. When he felt certain no-one could get inside to disturb his rest in the morning hours, Rick decided to continue his exploring outside. The people of this town seemed friendly enough but his instincts were still sending off warning bells. If he’d learned one thing since his transition it was to trust no-one. It was the only way to ensure his survival in this new life of his. He’d just take a look around and see what he could find out about the locals. Maybe then he could figure out why he felt that something was amiss around here.

/>   He stepped out onto the small porch and scanned the area around the cabin. Something told him that he was not alone but he couldn’t see anything that would confirm his suspicions. He figured Jaclyn—or Roy—would have him watched for awhile. It only made sense and he would’ve done the same thing. They didn’t trust him but she, at least, was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt—for now at least. I’ll just have to show them that I mean them no harm. All I want is to be left alone—and find some peace if that’s possible. But then another thought occurred to him and he realized he would, once again, have to depend on Julian’s benevolence to come to his aid.

  If they’re watching me, I don’t want to hunt on their grounds. I’ll have to contact one of the blood banks Julian notified for me and get a fresh supply of blood to last me for a while. “Damn!” he said under his breath as he went back inside the cabin and picked up the duffle bag that he’d dropped upon the floor when he’d arrived. Pulling out a small notebook, he searched for the nearest blood bank with ties to the Reynolds’ empire. Good, there was one in Wilkes Barre which was about a thirty minute ride by car—or a ten minute run for a vampire.

  Pulling out his cell phone, Rick dialed the number Simon had written in the notebook. After a brief conversation, he’d made arrangements to pick up the blood supply that evening. Putting the notebook away, he turned to go back outside when a flash of silver caught his eye. Reaching back inside the bag he withdrew a small, marble handled dagger. Michael, he thought as he shoved the dagger into his jacket pocket. Walking outside, he secured the cabin door behind him. Looking up into a clear night sky glistening with millions of shimmering stars, he determined the direction he needed to take and was off in a flash through the wooded area that surrounded the cabin on all sides.

  Minutes later, and miles away, he came to a stop when the woods abruptly ended. Stepping out into a clearing, Rick was pleasantly surprised by what he saw. A large lake, its smooth surface flowing for miles, was spread out before him. As he moved closer to the water, he could just make out a community of houses popping up sporadically among the trees and foliage of the surrounding woods. What a wonderful place to live, he thought as he walked around the lake, his sharp eyes picking up movement inside some of the homes closer to the water.

  He saw a large sign, the words MOON LAKE, printed boldly on its white surface. He noticed other signs in the area indicating hiking trails, camping and fishing. Shelter, exercise and food—everything the locals needed to live happy and contented lives. There’s even an old church off in the distance to take care of their spiritual needs, he thought bitterly as the memory of what he’d been and what he had become came flooding back to him.

  A feeling of longing, as well as sadness, came upon him as he took a step towards the church but stopped before he’d gone very far. What’s the use he thought bitterly? He pulled his gaze away from the long white building just as the sensation of being watched came over him again. “They’re following me…” he said aloud. He wanted to approach the house nearest to him, peak inside and see if he could get a feel for the occupants but, after a few steps, he thought better of it. If I am being watched, they’re not going to be happy if they think I’m spying on them, so he decided to continue on his way.

  After leisurely walking a few more miles, he came to the main road where he saw a sign for next town. “Alright, Rick, you’d better get on with it. Get the blood and get back to the cabin before you find yourself outrunning the dawn.” And, with a burst of speed, he quickly entered the much larger town of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Stopping to get his bearings, he followed the directions the contact had given him over the phone. The directions were precise and he found the blood bank with little trouble.

  Per instructions, he went around to the back door which was well hidden from view by anyone traveling the main road. Knocking three times, he waited. The door opened slightly and a gravelly voice simply said, “Yes?”

  “It’s Rick Ferrante, a—friend…” Rick hesitated slightly as he said the word, “…of Julian Reynolds. We spoke earlier.”

  “Okay, yeah—I’ll just be a minute,” came the reply and the door closed again. Seconds later it re-opened and a young man, tall and thin with long brown hair, handed Rick a large canvas bag with the top zipped shut. “This should last you a while. If ya need more just gimme a call. My name’s Jonas,” he said as he handed the bag to Rick.

  “Thanks.” Rick took the bag, shoving a few crisp fifty dollar bills into Jonas’ outstretched hand. The young man gave him a quick salute then quickly shut the door. With a deep sigh, Rick hoisted the bag over his shoulder then turned to head back in the direction he’d just come.

  When he neared the area of Moon Lake again he slowed down to a leisurely walk hoping to enjoy the quiet evening but, just as he entered the woods on the far side of the lake, the warning bells set off a shrill ringing in his head. He stopped, senses alert as he sniffed the air, his eyes darting from side to side as he searched the darkness around him. Damn! What is that awful smell? The chill running through his body nearly paralyzed him as he realized just what the presence in the woods was. Evil—pure and simple—no other word could possibly describe the creature that Rick knew was not too far away.

  Slowly Rick set down the canvas bag, the beast within him awakening with a vengeance. His lips drew back exposing sharp fangs as his claws extended. Sniffing the air once again, Rick turned to the right. Whatever it is it’s there—just a few yards away from where I’m standing. With an inhuman burst of speed the vampire started running towards a thick clump of trees just as a piercing scream shattered the quiet of the once peaceful night. Rick’s keen senses allowed him to deftly dodge tree limbs and branches as he ran even faster towards the source of the sound as the screams of terror continued.

  Coming upon a break in the woods where the property of a small house flowed up to the tall tree line Rick stopped, making sure to stay hidden behind a large oak tree. Peering around the thick trunk he tried to make sense of the scene unfolding before him. A large man, now silent, was lying on the ground, his body torn and bleeding. It was obvious to Rick that the man was dead or dying. His sensitive hearing could barely pick up a heartbeat. The smell of fresh blood was overwhelming to the vampire as saliva literally dripped from his mouth but something buried deep within Rick screamed for vengeance at this senseless act of brutality.

  A growl started deep in his throat as the vampire within him prepared to spring at the dark form hovering over the dying man’s mangled body but before Rick could take a step in their direction the apparition moved—and Rick was frozen in shock. The monstrous creature had heard the vampire’s low growling and was searching the darkness for any sign of the intruder. As Rick stared—sensing the danger and feeling threatened —his growls became louder—and fierce with fury. He’d thought he’d seen it all—every kind of abomination known to man— in the past year of his existence but nothing—nothing—could have prepared him for the nightmarish figure crouching before him now. It was huge, covered in mangy brown fur, its grotesque muzzle full of dagger-like teeth at least six inches in length.

  The enormous head was poised above its victim as it prepared to rip the barely beating heart from the dying man’s chest. But, at Rick’s approach, the beast hesitated, its large head turning as if in slow motion until eyes, yellow and gleaming, bore into those of the vampire.

  “Ahh—herrre you are priest…” the beast said with a deep growl, “…or should I say vampirrrre? I’ve been searrrching everywhere for you. My masters will be pleased when I return with news of their prrrize.”

  Rick stared in horror when he realized the thing could actually speak—and it knew who and what he was. How can that be? He didn’t remember any beast of this sort running with Dragone’s pack and a monster like this he would not have forgotten. At first he thought it was a werewolf but then, after studying it more closely, he realized that what he was
seeing was some sort of monstrous hound and even Dragone’s werewolves couldn’t begin to compare with the evil emanating from this beast.

  Before he could react, Rick heard voices off in the distance. Realizing he had little time to spare, he reached for the dagger inside his jacket and threw the weapon with deadly precision directly at the creature’s heart. But this demon from Hell would not be taken down so easily. With impossible speed, the beast lunged for the trees, disappearing in a rush of wind, a mournful howl the only clue that Rick had actually struck his target. Rushing forward, Rick found the dagger embedded in a nearby tree. Pulling the blade free, he nearly gagged at the stench emanating from the black, tarry liquid dripping from the silver blade.

  Stooping to wipe the dagger on the grass, Rick then turned back to the injured man although he knew there was little or no chance that the poor soul was still alive. Rick could just make out the slight rhythmic beating. “My lord, he’s still alive,” he said but before he could scoop up the injured man and take him to safety he heard shouts—and they were getting closer.

  Someone’s coming, he thought. He could just make out the sound of people running—and he knew he’d better leave quickly before the angry mob pinned this attack on him. They’ll take care of him, he thought, although how anyone can help him now is beyond me. With one last look at the injured man Rick dashed back through the woods and retrieved the bag of blood. Then he quickly headed towards the cabin just as a group of men with rifles broke through the trees and rushed towards the broken body.

  Rick continued running, never stopping until he found himself on the front porch of the small dwelling. He quickly unlocked the door, slamming it shut behind him as he flipped the dead bolt. Leaning back against the locked door he tried to think. That thing was looking for me—and no lock is going to keep that monster from getting in here, he told himself. He found himself wishing for the tools of his old profession. A blessed cross and some holy water would sure come in handy right about now but they’re just as deadly to me as they are to that—that thing out there.