“Damn,” he swore, “I need to think but first things first.” Going to the kitchen he emptied the contents of the canvas bag into the refrigerator. On second thought I need one of these right now. He withdrew a bag of the dark liquid and, ripping it open, emptied the contents into his mouth. It was gone in seconds as raw power surged through his body. Tossing the bag into the sink he moved with purpose towards the living room where he hunted for the black duffle bag. Finding it under a nearby end table he tipped the bag over, scattering the contents across the floor.
He had an abundance of wooden stakes, a small hand gun or two and a sufficient amount of silver bullets. I really need to get more weapons—a lot more. Picking up his 45, he ejected the clip and made sure it was fully loaded. Silver bullets worked on Dragone’s wolves. Let’s hope they have the same effect on giant hounds. Slamming it back inside the gun he tucked the weapon into the waist band of his jeans. He then withdrew the silver dagger from his coat pocket and laid in on the end table beside the couch where he settled himself for the approaching dawn, revolver cradled in his lap. “Don’t think I’ll get much rest today but I have to try,” he said to no-one in particular but, much to his surprise, he was asleep in a matter of minutes, his hand clinging tightly to the loaded revolver.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Rick’s eyes flew open as the sound of someone pounding on the back door awakened him from a deep sleep. He flew off the couch, gun raised and pointed toward the source of the sound. He realized he’d been sleeping for a few hours when he noticed a hint of golden sunlight peeking around the edge of the blanket he had used to cover the one window in the living room area.
Bam! Bam! Bam! The pounding came again, harder this time. “Open the door, Franco…” came a familiar voice, “…we know you’re in there.”
Slowly Rick lowered the gun but kept it close at hand while moving cautiously towards the back door.
“What do you want—I’m sleeping,” he replied.
“You’re awake now…” came Jaclyn’s response, “…so open this door before I rip it off its hinges, something I’m very capable of doing I assure you.”
Rick was a little surprised by that comment but said nothing as he moved to stand behind the door so the protection of the blanket covering its window would keep the sunlight away from him. As soon as he flipped the locks, the door burst open but Jaclyn hesitated as a wide stream of bright light penetrated the room causing Rick to press himself up against the far wall.
“I know what you are, vampire…” she said, “…so take cover until I’m inside.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice as Rick stayed tucked away in the darkness until she came inside and closed the door. She seemed to know instinctively where he was as she turned to face him, her golden eyes gleaming in the darkness.
“We need to talk.”
“Sure—but you need to tell me something first. Since you know what I am I think it only fair that you tell me what you are because you’re certainly not human,” he said as the strong scent of wolf reached his nostrils.
Jaclyn should have realized that, as a vampire, Rick would figure out her secret sooner or later— but she’d really been hoping for later. Shit, she thought. It looked like the conversation she was hoping to put off until she knew her guest a little better was going to have to take place now. “First you answer my questions. If you answer them to my satisfaction then I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
Since Rick could sense others, probably Roy if he had to guess, surrounding the cabin, he thought it best to do as she said so, “Ask your questions, Jaclyn, and I’ll answer them as best I can. On that you have my word. So far, I have no quarrel with you and I’d like to keep it that way. Shall we go into the living room?” She nodded as she led the way into the other room, Rick close on her heels.
She seated herself in the only chair the room had while Rick sat on the couch opposite her. “Alright, Jaclyn, what’s got you in such an uproar?” but he was certain he already knew the answer to that question.
“First off you can start by telling me your real name. I’m no fool, Mr. Franco. I can sniff out a cover up from a mile away.”
“I never took you for a fool— and my name is Ferrante— Rick Ferrante.”
“Well, Mr. Ferrante, one of the locals was attacked last night. The area around his home reeked of vampire? Since you’re the only one in the area— I need you to tell me what happened and why you were out there.”
“I’m not the only vampire in existence, Jaclyn. What makes you so sure I was anywhere near that poor man’s house?” he asked, a little surprised.
“Because—I know your scent and it was all over the place. I picked up on it as soon as I stepped onto Mark’s property so don’t even try to lie your way out of this one.”
“Mark? Was that the man’s name?” Rick asked, the pain he felt for what the man had gone through growing more intense now that he could put a name to the battered and bloody face.
“Yes, Mark Milet. He and his wife had just returned from their vacation. It was their first night home and he was on his way to the barn to check on his horses when he was attacked. You were there, Rick, so please, tell me what you saw—and tell me why the stinking stench of hellhound was all over Mark’s body!”
Even in the darkness Jaclyn could see the surprise on his face when she spoke those words. “Hellhound—you saw it then?”
“No, but I didn’t need too. I’d know that smell anywhere—a scent so awful it burns the nostrils for days. I’ve met their kind before—a long time ago. They’ve been scarce for quite some time now so I thought they’d returned to the hell hole that spawned them but I guess I was wrong. There’s no question that one was here—right in my own back yard. If it’s here it wants something—or someone—and it will stop at nothing until it gets it. So—I need to know what you know.”
“What makes you think I know anything—even if I was there? I’ve never heard of these—these—things before except in the Bible. I’ve met abominations in my time, plenty of them— things straight out of your worst nightmare— but nothing even comes close to what I saw last night.”
“Tell me.”
With a deep sigh, Rick settled back against the couch and began his story. “If you know what I am then you know I need blood to survive.” When she nodded, he continued, “I went out last night. I knew I was being watched—you?” he asked with a questioning glance.
“Yes, I had to be sure you were no threat to me and mine. We’re sworn enemies, vampire, why— I’ll explain to you later. That being said, I could tell you were different. When I looked into your eyes I didn’t see the bloodthirsty killer that is the trait of most of your kind. If I had, you would’ve been killed on the spot when you first arrived at the Inn.”
“Thanks—I guess—anyway as I was saying, I needed blood and, since I was being watched, I didn’t want to hunt on your land and risk a—confrontation. So I called a contact in Wilkes Barre and went to get a supply from a blood bank my people have an arrangement with.”
“So, your people as you call them—their influence is far reaching?” she asked with real concern.
“You have no idea,” he told her, “But you have nothing to fear from them. If you trust me, you can trust them.”
“Well that still remains to be seen, doesn’t it?” she pointed out.
“I’m no threat to you, Jaclyn. I told you before all I want is to be left in peace—and I meant it. But, since we’re being so honest with each other it’s only fair to warn you that if I’m provoked I will retaliate.”
“Fair enough. My people won’t be a problem unless you step out of line which is why I need to figure out exactly what happened to Mark. We’ve lived in peace in the state park regions of Red Rock and Ricketts Glen for quite some time now. Then—you come to town and we have a violent attack on on
e of the locals the second night you’re here. And what’s even worse is the fact that you were there when it happened. What would you think if the roles were reversed?”
“I’d think you had something to do with it.”
“Exactly—so if you want my help with the local population as well as my own people then I need to hear the rest of your explanation—and it better be good.”
Rick nodded then continued with his story. “Right—well as I was saying, I picked up the blood supply and was heading back home. I slowed down when I came to Moon Lake because—well, because I wanted to enjoy the peace and tranquility of such a beautiful area. Those are two things that have been lacking in my life recently so I was indulging myself, I guess. Anyway—that’s when I heard a scream. I ran towards the sound and what I saw when I got there was…” he paused for a moment, searching for the right words to describe what he’d seen. “You know, Jaclyn, I’ve been a vampire for over a year now, and I’ve seen my share of evil in that time but this creature…”
“I know—you don’t have to explain to me. This creature is unique unto itself. It has no equal in evil, cunning and the destruction it can inflict,” she explained.
“When I reached the place where the screams had come from it was already too late. The cries had stopped—Mark was already dying. When I saw the beast hovering over his body I lost all reason. I pulled out a dagger and was about to attack when it sensed I was there. The thing was enormous—a huge brown beast with a mouth full of sharp, bloody teeth. As I stood there it turned its head and looked straight at me with those strange yellow eyes and then…””
“Yes?”
Rick raised his troubled eyes and looked directly into Jaclyn’s, “…it spoke to me.”
“It’s one of their many abilities. Still, it’s surprising. These creatures don’t talk to just anyone. What did it say?”
Jaclyn leaned forward with great interest. “Rick—what did it say?” she repeated when he seemed hesitant to answer.
“It said, Here you are priest—or should I say vampire? I’ve been searching for you. My masters will be pleased when I return with news of their prize.”
“What—it knew you?”
“It would seem so.”
“Amazing—did you know what it was talking about?” she asked.
“Not a clue—listen Jaclyn, up until a year ago I was living a very normal and happy life. All that changed when I found out vampires and werewolves were real and not some figment of my imagination. Since then I’ve come across a lot of different creatures but never have I seen anything like that hound. I don’t know how it knew me or how it knew what I was.”
“What’d you do next?”
“I aimed my dagger and threw it but the bloody thing was too fast. It was gone in a split second but…” he said as he leaned towards the end table to retrieve the dagger. “…I did knick it. I heard it howl and when I pulled the dagger from a nearby tree there were traces of a foul smelling black liquid covering the blade,” he said as he handed her the weapon.
She took one sniff and tossed the weapon back on the table, turning her head as she covered her nose. “Oh lord—it’s a hellhound alright.”
“And just what is your description of a hellhound?”
“It’s a demon—some sort of supernatural dog that works for the Lord of the Underworld. Supposedly their duties are hunting down lost souls or guarding a supernatural treasure. In some of the European legends seeing a hellhound or hearing it howl can be a sign of impending doom. So—the big question is what would such a creature want with you?”
“Did you say they hunt down lost souls?”
“So legend has it.”
“Damn.”
“You’ve remembered something. What—what is it?”
“But it can’t be him. He promised he wouldn’t harm any of us.” Rick said almost to himself but Jaclyn had heard every word.
“Who promised?”
Rick watched Jaclyn’s face closely as he replied, “Lucifer,” and wasn’t surprised to see a stunned look flash across her lovely face.
“Lucifer—the afore mentioned Lord of the Underworld?”
“The one and only—perhaps I’d better tell you my story from the beginning.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” she said as she sat back and shook her head in amazement.
For the next hour or so Rick recounted all that had happened to him and his friends in the past year culminating with the unfortunate accident that had caused his present condition. When he was finished, he sat quietly, head bowed, eyes closed as he relived every painful moment. Sensing that he was upset, Jaclyn gave him the time he needed to gather his thoughts and focus, once again, on the present. After a few minutes, he raised his head and gave her a sad smile. “And that’s my story.”
“And an amazing one it is. Okay—you said Michael, the Archangel of God, bargained with the devil himself to get your soul back?”
“Yes.”
“That’s—incredible—but you know, as crazy as it all sounds, I believe every word. I’m sorry, Rick. I never imagined…” Jaclyn stopped for a moment trying to choose her words carefully. “In my lifetime I’ve known quite a few vampires. Most of them were monsters—vicious and cruel. I’ve never met one that retained even a semblance of their former humanity. There was no compassion—no sympathy or kindness. Most of them relished in their new found strength and power and used it to take whatever they wanted no matter what the cost—or whom they destroyed in the process. Thus the reason my people have destroyed them for as long as I can remember. And now you’re telling me there’s a whole coven, maybe more, that actually live and function among their human counterparts and are actually fighting against their own kind to protect these humans?”
“Yes, I know it sounds—impossible—but it’s true. According to Julian, and with the proper guidance, what we were in life follows with the transition. I guess he’s proof of that because he, and the people he leads, risked their lives for all of us. What happened to me was just —well, it was something no-one could have foreseen and, if I know Julian, he’ll beat himself to death over it for the rest of his life.”
“I knew there was something special about you the moment I met you.” Jaclyn told him.
“Special…” Rick said with a bitter smile, “…I guess that’s one way to describe it.”
“Listen Rick; just try for a moment to look at things from my perspective. I realize that, given what you were in your past life, my next words might come as a shock to you but—have you even considered the fact that what happened to you is a blessing in disguise—a very special gift?”
“A blessing! A gift! In what universe? Jeez Jaclyn, I was human—a priest—a servant of God. How could becoming a vampire be a blessing after that? What human would want to come to a church run by a blood sucking demon—no matter how good his intentions were?” Rick shouted as he jumped up from the couch and, agitated, began pacing back and forth.
“Rick, please, let me explain. Just hear me out and then I’d like to tell you my story. I think you’ve earned that right.”
Rick stopped pacing, his fists clenching and unclenching as he forced himself to calm down. He looked at the woman seated across from him. I can’t wait to hear how she explains this one. Still—I should hear her out and I am curious about what exactly she is. Giving her a quick nod, he resumed his seat on the couch.
“Thank you. Look Rick—I know your life as a priest was important to you and you felt you were doing some good in the world. But think about it—if an angel, as well as Julian and his vampires, found their way into your life then I think it’s quite possible you were meant for something much more important than just saying mass every Sunday,” she said.
“That’s what you think? Jaclyn, I’m a monster. What good could a creature lik
e me possibly do?”
“You might want to ask your friend Julian that very same question,” she told him. “From what you’ve told me he accomplished quite a bit of good as a vampire despite his—affliction—so I guess it depends on how you look at things.”
“But I was happy just doing God’s work. I didn’t want to do anything else. I didn’t…” but his voice broke, his anger and frustration getting the best of him.
“I’m sure you served your God well in your former life.” Jaclyn said in a low, soothing voice. “You took care of His human flock and helped them to find their way home to Him. But then you found out there was a whole other world out there interacting with our own—a world of unspeakable terror, trying to spread its evil seed into the very core of our beings. And, no matter what shape this evil may choose to take, it has only one leader and you’ve actually come face to face with him.”
“Lucifer.” Rick stated matter-of-factly.
“Exactly, and his only goal from the day Michael drove him from God’s sight was revenge and turning as many souls as he could against his creator. He wants to keep the cavernous halls of Hell filled to the brim and he’ll recruit any manner of grotesque being to help him accomplish that task. You found out the hard way that a human being, priest or otherwise, was no match for the demons he rules. You know what I think, Rick?”
When she saw the questioning look in his eyes she explained, “I think your new life—the vampire you’ve become—was meant to enable you to continue the work your human counterpart couldn’t do. With your new abilities you have a much better chance of protecting the humans you care so much about and destroying their enemies.”
“Are you trying to tell me that God made me a vampire to save humanity?” he asked incredulous.
“No, of course not but God would show you the good in any situation. Your becoming a vampire was an unfortunate accident but you have a choice here. You can drown in your own self pity or you can turn that accident into something positive and still serve God and humanity.” She waited for Rick to say something but he just sat there—thinking about what she’d just said.
A Soul in Torment Page 9