“I can’t wrap my head around this,” he mumbles, staring down at the body. A few tears had begun to spill down his cheeks, landing in my hair as they fell. I wrap an arm around his torso.
“I can’t either,” I echo, looking around to survey everyone. The kids have made a little flower bouquet, sitting it on top of his bloated chest. His face had swollen, his skin taking on a red tinge. You couldn’t really make out any of his features; I knew I wouldn’t be letting the children look at him. His tongue had swollen and stuck out of his mouth, maggots had infested his eye sockets and his ripped open throat. It was a horrific sight.
“I thought he would have been smarter about leaving here alone. Surely he would have at least had a weapon on him?” Xavier runs a hand through his knotty hair.
Everyone had been on the lookout for Cassius a few days after he’d left. Luckily no one had seen me leave with him; otherwise I’d have had a lot of questions with no answers. I’d have been their number one suspect. I hadn’t known how to defend myself at all. It could have easily been me lying on this sheet with people gawking at my decaying body. I shiver; Xavier pulls me closer to him.
They’d moved Nardia to the cells near the river, so trekking to visit her twice a week kept me on my toes. She’d talked to me briefly about my air manipulation, saying it was meant to be invisible and that is was extremely rare to see it form.
This, of course, only left me with more questions. Questions that might never be answered. I sigh and step out of Xavier’s embrace; I had to go see Nardia.
“Hey, I’m going to be off…” I trail off, avoiding looking at the corpse a few feet away from me. Xavier nods and gives me a sad smile before going closer to pay his respects. I shiver as I walk away; in the time I’d been here, I’d barely seen Cassius. Only on the patrols, and even then, he always seemed off, like something was nagging at him. I couldn’t put my finger on it.
What was with his eyes turning green? What had he taken to have that sort of effect? Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. I needed to figure out what it was, and now. It could very well be me next.
I trudge along the path towards the vampire prison, pausing here and there to check my surroundings. The forest around me was unusually quiet today, not even a trace of wind could find me here. I frown as I walk further into the thicket, taking the usual bushy trail that led me to the dirt wall.
I pause swiftly, not daring to move. Something was ahead of me. I quickly scale the closest tree, perching myself high on a thick branch as I hug the trunk. The thicket opens to reveal Luke and Artur.
“Well, now that Cassius is gone we’re screwed,” Artur says, angrily shoving his hands into his pockets. Luke pauses under the tree, catching his breath.
“We can always find someone else. He was our best test subject yet, I’m not sure who would be able to survive it. We’ve been giving Ali large doses and boy she was not impressed, she’s been showing amazing progress even though she’s been in sulking.” Luke murmurs, scratching his head in thought. Artur comes closer to him, leaning in.
“Maybe you need to give her more, really pump it into her. Who would miss her anyway? She’s a sewer rat,” Artur nods eagerly, I frown down at him.
“That isn’t the worst idea, but I don’t know.” Luke looks around before turning back to Artur.
“I doubt she’d agree to do it willingly, so that means we’d have to lock her up. I’d have to feed Xavier some very good bullshit story as I doubt he’d believe she left on her own accord.” Artur nods. My blood boils in my veins, my power threatens to burst out and destroy them both.
“With the rate the vampires are dying we need someone desperately. Although I hate the bitch, she’s improved strength-wise since being here,” Artur grunts; sounding annoyed that he’d had to admit that out loud. Luke steps away from him with a sigh.
“She’s been acting strangely lately; I think she’s up to something. Ever since that big vamp grabbed her in his shadows she’s been off,” he adds, raising his eyebrows at Luke.
“When we get back we’ll track her down. Just tell her I want to meet in my tent and apologise for my behaviour. She’ll come running,” Artur grins like a madman as he hurries to catch up to Luke when they continue on their way. I freeze in the tree. If I went back now, I would be kidnapped and experimented on like a wild animal.
I had nowhere to go, they’d find me if I went back to my old home. I lean against the tree hopelessly. I had to leave, I couldn’t go back. But I’d be taking Nardia and as many of other vampires as I could with me as I could as a final ‘fuck you.’
I leap from the tree and blur my way to the dirt prison, only stopping once I was outside Nardia’s cell. As I clench the bars she looks up at me, her eyebrows creasing in confusion.
“Nardia, we need to leave. Right now,” I say hurriedly, fiddling with the lock. She creeps forward and leans against the bars.
“What’s happened?” she asks as I pull at the lock. The metal refusing to give way to my superhuman strength. I growl in frustration.
“They’re on to me. I overheard them and they’re going to kidnap me and experiment on me. The game’s over. Na-da.” I try the lock again and she looks towards the cement building.
“I’m sure that building would hold something you could use to break the locks, maybe even a key.” She points a delicate finger and I turn my attention to the cement building. I nod at her once and run for it, leaping over the rushing water and skidding along the bank on the other side.
I keep low as I stalk towards the building even though it had no windows on the side facing me. I press against its cool surface and creep around the corner, keeping an ear out for any sudden noises. There is one wooden door in the middle of the next wall so I scurry quickly towards it. As soon as Luke gets back the camp and realises I’m not there he’ll know exactly where to look for me; I had no time to waste. I kick at the door, each thud slowly splintering it. With a final kick the door bursts open.
I step into the dark room and pause a moment, giving my eyes time to adjust. The interior of the building stretches out far and wide in front of me, revealing rows and rows of shelving stocked with supplies.
I run down the first row, looking for anything that could break a lock. The more I explore the more I am filled with dread. Luke is more prepared for this war than I imagined he would be. The next aisle I run down is overflowing with duffle bags; I quickly snatch up three and keep going. The next aisle is stacked with guns and ammo. I grab two fairly large ones and put their straps over my shoulder, grabbing handfuls of boxed ammo as I move on.
I round the corner, not watching where I’m going as I try to zip up a bag full of ammo as I run. As I survey the shelves before me, I realise there is no way I’ll be able to hide the vampires if we are able to escape. They were all on the brink of death and would only slow me down.
I rub my face quickly, gathering my thoughts. Where there’s a will, there’s a way; I’m sure I’ll figure something out. I finally come to a tool aisle; I grab the closest pair of bolt cutters and stuff them into my shorts.
I pass the other aisles, stopping when I spot the blankets. I grab two and cram them into one of the empty bags. I run back down the aisle, scanning for more supplies. I stuff bottled water into the empty bag, filling it to the brim with canned fruit.
“I know you’re in here,” Luke’s voice calls into the dark; I freeze. I quickly duck behind the shelf, leaning against as the building erupts in light. I hear the hum of the generators as each light flicks on.
“Come out, Ali. The game’s up.” His footsteps stop, I take a few deep breaths. I was armed with weapons, but I’m sure he is too. I look around me, quickly grabbing a can of fruit and hurling it in the opposite direction to me. Footsteps go after it. I quickly run to the front of the aisle and peer out. Luke has rounded the corner of a far aisle. It was still too much of a risk to run for the door.
“If you come out now, and give yourself up, I’ll make sure no harm comes
to you,” he calls, his footsteps starting along the backwall of the warehouse.
“The place is surrounded, you know. If you run out there you’ll be gunned down. If you walk out with me we can arrange a deal,” he speaks calmly. I swallow anxiously; I should have just ripped the bars off the cage and taken Nardia. I wouldn’t be in this mess now if I had.
“You know, I really liked you; you had so much potential. Poor little Xavier couldn’t wrap his head around your betrayal. Artur knew what sort of snake you were as soon as you stepped over the threshold. I should have listened to him from the start.” I hold the bags flush against me, a sweat breaking out on my forehead. If I could find a sword I’d have a slim chance of fighting my way out of this.
“We know you killed Cassius. I saw you leave with him, and I saw you come back without him with blood dripping down your arm too. I’m glad he was able to get a decent blow in before you exterminated him.” I grit my teeth.
“I didn’t kill him. The vampire did,” I call, looking back towards the sunlight pouring into the building. Luke’s footsteps stop.
“Why didn’t you help?” he asks. Guilt fills the bottom of my stomach again. I could have just knocked him out; he would have ruined my plan though.
“I couldn’t, he knew too much,” I whisper, ashamed of the monster I’d turned into. Ashamed that Cassius had seen it too.
“So, you let him get mauled to death by a vampire?” he asks, his voice closer to me now, only a few aisles away. I take a deep breath and ready myself. I un-strap one of the guns as quietly as I can, loading it with six rounds of ammo.
“Yes. I did,” I say loudly. Luke walks down the aisle right beside me. I lean into the shadows, aiming my gun forward. He rounds the corner and I squeeze the trigger without giving it a second thought; the blast rings out through the building. The gun kicks back, smacking hard against my shoulder. Luke is thrown back by the impact; blood spilling from his lower abdomen. Yells filter in from outside, I don’t have long. I grab him and drag him to the back of the warehouse, leaning him against the far wall.
“I don’t want to do this, but you leave me with no option,” I whisper, slipping into the darkness. Other members burst in, calling out for Luke.
“Here,” he calls out, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. Multiple footsteps clatter as they run towards the sound of his voice as I run to the front of the warehouse.
I burst through the door and stop. Xavier is standing there, his gun raised and pointed at my head. I let my gun fall to my side as I hold my bloodied hands up. Xavier looks pained, I hadn’t realised how strong the bond we shared had grown.
“Come with me,” I whisper, not wanting to do this entirely on my own. His mouth twists, his hands shaking slightly.
“I can’t.” His voice cracks at the end; he had to make a decision. Let me live and betray the other members or kill me and aid their cause.
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted to help find the missing vampires. It’s a huge mess now.” A stray tear spills down my cheek, the burden of what I had done finally weighing down on my shoulders.
“I can’t let you go. I’m not a traitor,” he says firmly, his eyes full of angst. I step closer, when he doesn’t move I put my hand on his rifle and push it down.
“You know what Luke is doing is wrong. Don’t justify his actions. Not everyone is a monster, especially not you,” I say softly, giving him a small smile.
“You were my favourite. I’ll remember this.” I give him a soft and quick kiss on the side of his mouth; leaving us both somewhat stunned. I turn and sprint towards Nardia’s cell, not caring if he sees my vampire speed. A wild shot rings out, followed by another. I know they weren’t pointed at me though.
Nardia hadn’t moved from the corner of her cage, but she turns her head towards me at the snap of the lock breaking. I put the bolt cutters on top of her cage and wrench it open, she falls into my arms.
I slowly lower her to her feet, steadying her as she gathers herself. Her one eye looks around, stopping at the cement building.
“We have to go,” she says, pulling at my arm. When I turn towards the building my eyes widen in terror; twenty or so members had come out of the building and were standing in a single line. Each had a rifle raised and pointed directly at us. Luke was leaning against Xavier; a white bandage had been wrapped around his stomach to help slow the bleeding.
I gather Nardia in my arms as the first shots ring out, and I run; not looking back once.
CHAPTER 19
The sun had sunk below the horizon when I finally stop running. I had found a place safe enough for us to stay the night and recover. The opening of the cave was black, but with my vampire vision I could vaguely see around me. A weeping willow kept the entrance hidden from the outside world, keeping prying eyes at bay. I wouldn’t have noticed it if I hadn’t stopped to catch my breath. I gently push through the leaves and head towards the back of the cave, placing Nardia on the ground, leaning her against the wall.
I gulp in air as I bend over, my lungs scorched and legs barely functioning. They had followed us for a while before giving up, I hadn’t stopped running though. I had to make sure I got Nardia somewhere safe. I need to go back for the other vampires as soon as I can.
“You’ve done well.” She smiles up at me sadly. I sit beside her and look out into the darkness.
“It doesn’t feel like it. I left them all behind,” I whisper. Her cold hand clamps over my own, giving it a comforting squeeze.
“Yes, but Kal knows where they are; he will see to them. You did more than I thought you would. I don’t think any other human girl could have pulled that off.” I look over to her, hoping Kal would get to them in time.
“I could have done more. I should have stayed and fought. I should have planned it better.” I should have just let Luke take me. I would have figured a way around it, I always did. Nardia snorts softly next to me.
“Nothing in this world is ever planned, where’s the fun in that? If you had planned this whole mission, or whatever you want to call it, I think it would have turned out a lot differently.” She pauses, turning towards me with her one good eye. “You saved my life. I can never repay you for what you’ve done for me.” I squeeze her hand. I knew if I could go back in time I would do things the same way; I just wished I’d had more time.
“What was it like?” I whisper, looking back towards the entrance. I keep my ears on full alert, only hearing the occasional wolf howl in the distance. Nardia lets go of my hand.
“It was…awful. At the start, when I awoke in that cage, I wasn’t sure how long I’d been out for, but I was truly scared. They’d come up three times a day and dart us with silver to weaken our systems, the two vampires across from me passed on after their second round of needles.
“On the second day, I did something that didn’t please them. A member got too close and I ripped into him, tearing his throat and eye out. They thought it was only fair to take an eye for an eye. The two strongest vampires tried their hardest to stay and help me figure out a plan.
“They were new vampires that I’d seen around the city a fair bit. One had worked at the local blood bank and the other was on street patrol. They had thrived and they loved their life; it was really sad to see them go.
“By this stage my air manipulation was long gone; otherwise I could have saved them, or at least tried to.” Her voice is gentle as she remembers the two lost vampires.
I didn’t know they’d feel so deeply about losing their own kind. They were exactly like us, except they had different requirements. We sat there in silence, the wind gently rustling the leaves.
I’d nearly killed Luke today; I was nearly the reason he wouldn’t walk this earth anymore. When did I lose that caring part of myself? When did I choose a side? I wanted equality for each kind and for us all to live without discrimination. I never wanted anyone to die. This whole mission had become such a mess; I really wish Zeke had just left me alone.
I’d be at home right now, most likely curled into my warm bed after having a bath in the river and a few pieces of bread for dinner. No, I wouldn’t have been thriving, but I would be surviving. That’s all I knew how to do.
I didn’t know how to start a revolution; I didn’t know how to give the world what it needed. I was just a simple unregistered girl that had only ever looked out for her own survival.
“That boy was fond of you, you know. I saw him let you go, firing two stray shots so it didn’t look like he was,” Nardia says into the dark. I close my eyes and lean my head back against the wall. Xavier was long gone by now, and whatever we’d shared would never be the same again.
“I know. He was a good friend, a really good friend,” I whisper; my throat beginning to squeeze shut with emotion. Xavier had been my first real friend. He’d had my back, even when I betrayed him. I could never be more thankful for what he did.
“It’s a shame he didn’t come with us. He is a strong leader, even if he doesn’t know it. He would have made a good vampire.” I sigh as I readjust my position, lying down so I can rest my aching body.
“What will happen to me once I’ve taken you back to your city?” I murmur; I couldn’t stay in the vampire city. Nardia shifts slightly.
“You could stay; I have more than enough room in my apartment,” she speaks softly, fatigue starting to set in.
“As long as you promise not to make me your personal blood ATM I’ll think about it.” She huffs lightly, causing a small smile to tug at my lips.
“Get some sleep, young one. It’s been a long day.” Her voice echoes around me as I’m pulled into a black void.
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