Instinctively, Kalista reached her arms out toward Lipton and embraced him, her palms pressed against the silkiness of his white wings. She just wanted to hug him, and share his pain … no one should have to go through this alone. He must have suffered this curse for centuries, and to bear this every day was intolerable, and torture. If only she could find a way to reverse the curse, so Lipton could return to his normal life, and truly be himself without having to transform into Catan for the rest of his life.
Kalista drew her head back, and stared into the stony sadness in those eyes. Lipton was trying hard to conceal it, but it showed. Kalista could tell it, and she could feel inner pain emanating from him.
“Is there a way to reverse this curse?” Kalista finally spoke, after what seemed like an eternity.
Lipton’s shoulders sagged dejectedly, and he disentangled himself from the warm embrace. “I have no idea how to undo this curse … if I knew it, I’d have done it a long time ago. Jacelyn had made sure that she destroyed everything that could undo this curse, and until this day… I have no idea how to reverse this. I’m stuck with it forever.”
Kalista edged closer toward Lipton, and grabbed his hands reassuringly. “We will find a way, Lipton. We’ll find a cure to this curse, so you won’t have to live with this identity switch for the rest of your life.”
“It won’t be easy, Kalista. There’s probably no cure at all for this curse.”
Kalista slapped Lipton hard on the chest. “How can you be so pessimistic? There has to be a cure. I’ll help you find it, I promise.”
Kalista had never felt so determined in her whole life. When she looked into Lipton’s eyes, she felt as though she could cross the sea just for him. No thunderstorm or hurricane could stop her. She had no intention of seeing Lipton in this miserable state for eternity.
Lipton sighed, but he smiled in spite of himself at Kalista’s positive vibe. “Thanks, Kalista.” He stretched his wings outward, and shadows of rustling leaves from the nearby tree danced on the silky feathers in the moonlight.
“Why do you seem to like to stretch your wings?” Kalista asked in a teasing voice, trying to lighten up the mood.
“Well … my wings tend to get a little cramped if they remain stationary for too long. I’m just doing some exercise … it helps to keep my wings agile and strong.”
Kalista chuckled. “That’s a new fact for me to process. So, are they many Wingmen in existence? I’ve heard about Wingmen before in textbooks and stuff, but I’ve never actually seen one. You’re the first one I saw.”
“Wingmen are rare in this new generations. Centuries ago, there were thousands and thousands of Wingmen in existence … but evil vampires and wicked wizards had seen them as threat. Because Wingmen in the olden days were supernaturally strong, they could build a strong army and conquer the world. The evil vampires saw them as a threat to their reign and didn’t want them to rule the world, so they hatched evil schemes to eliminate these Wingmen, one by one. Even though the Wingmen were strong, they were no match for the vampires because vampires are supernaturally fast. The vampires launched sudden attacks from nowhere, catching the Wingmen by surprise, and eventually, the numbers of surviving Wingmen dwindled. There were also evil wizards who cast airborne plagues to destroy these Wingmen, so during flight, these Wingmen were killed by these mysterious plagues. The evil wizards also tried to eliminate the vampires from existence, afraid that these vampires would overpower them. But the wizards and vampires were almost similar in strength and numbers, so it was difficult for them to completely destroy the other race. The evil vampires were smart, and they increased their numbers by attacking more humans and turning them into vampires so that they would join their side. Therefore, with every vampire the wizards killed, a newborn vampire would come into existence, as the vampires went on a wild rampage to turn an entire city of humans into vampires …” Lipton paused for breath, wondering if Kalista could catch up.
When he saw that Kalista understood every word he said with the expression in her eyes, he continued. “So that was the story of the war among Wingmen, wizards and vampires many centuries ago. As centuries passed, the numbers of Wingmen dwindled, so we Wingmen did our best to preserve our race by making sure that the members of our race were protected from harm and danger. We have each other’s back, and made a pledge to protect our own kind. When the new law which prohibits vampires from killing humans or other races came into effect decades ago, the number of Wingmen has been increasing steadily in modern times, but it would take another century or more before our numbers can match the other vampire or human population in this world.” Lipton finally ended his story, and sat on the sidewalk, gazing at the crescent of the moon above him.
Kalista sat down next to him, feeling her heart skip a beat as she edged closer to him. Why was she feeling this way every time she was near him? She loved to be near him for some inexplicable reason. Being close to him made her feel warm and secure.
“That was … really some story,” Kalista whispered gently, following Lipton’s gaze at the moon. “So you mean to say that there are still Wingmen in existence in this world, but it’s just that they’re not so common anymore?”
“Yes,” Lipton replied hoarsely. “There are Wingmen in some other parts of the world, but most of us go into hiding most of the time for security reasons. Of course, there are some of us who like to go out in the open … but most of us would just go into seclusion.”
“OK … so now you must be centuries old? Wingmen are able to live that long like vampires?”
Lipton chuckled as if Kalista had said the most ridiculous thing ever. “You’re really a curious person, Kalista. And to answer your question … no, we don’t get to live as long as vampires. Our lifespan is similar to a human’s … but we get to live slightly longer than humans on average.”
Kalista flicked a glance at Lipton, her eyes widening. “Then how did you get to live this long? You must be now centuries old, right?”
“Yes, I am. Perhaps I’m able to live this long is because of the curse. When my soul was merged with Catan, I copied one of his traits … the ability to live for eternity. Because of that, I’m able to live as long as Catan is still alive. That’s one of the consequences of the curse. I get eternal life like Catan. But if this curse is put to an end once and for all, I’ll surely … die. And yes, I’d rather die that live this horrible curse for eternity. I’ve tried countless times to end my life, but to no avail. I keep living, I keep surviving … because of this curse …”
Kalista sniffed upon hearing time. All of a sudden, she wasn’t so keen on undoing this curse anymore. If she undid this curse, then Lipton would be … gone for good. And she couldn’t have that.
For a long moment, both Lipton and Kalista were quiet, enmeshed in their own thoughts as they gazed at the starlit night sky.
Lipton was grateful for every moment he was spending with Kalista, because it wasn’t every moment that he’d get this chance once he became suppressed and someone else manifested over him. It was nice to be able to share his story with someone as understanding as Kalista. But somewhere in the corner of his thoughts, the image of Jesse appeared.
Deep down inside, Lipton knew that Jesse would always stay in his heart forever, but he also knew that he had to let her go, because he didn’t want to drag her into his own hell. Memories of them flying across the breezy night sky flitted in his mind, and his heart warmed at the thought.
The memories came to an abrupt halt when he felt a hand on his own.
“Are you OK?” Kalista asked softly, the look of concern in her eyes.
“Yes, I am,” Lipton replied tentatively, even though he knew that he was far from OK. Then, he turned to look at Kalista, who was gazing at him with attentive eyes. “Oh, yeah … I’m just curious … what were you doing out here at night? And were you planning to go somewhere tonight?” He gestured at the yellow cab that was parked along the sidewalk.
Kalista’s face fell all of a sudden. She opened he
r mouth, but no words came out. She wanted to forget the reason she had called a cab … to get out of Wartwick and leave all her past behind. And to run away as far as she legs could take her … away from Catan … who was also … Lipton. All her plan had seemed like a good idea at that time, but when she realized that she couldn’t bear to part away from Lipton, she didn’t seem keen on the idea anymore. All she wanted to do now was to be as close as she could to Lipton … the man who had somewhat stolen her heart. She couldn’t explain why she was so entranced by him, but she knew that she really liked him … or maybe it was more than liked.
“What’s the matter?” Lipton asked, when he saw the gloom on Kalista’s face. “Did I ask the wrong question?”
“No, you didn’t,” Kalista murmured, her heart thumping again when she gazed into Lipton’s eyes. “It’s just that … well … I wanted to leave town tonight. That was my plan. I wanted to leave this town, and start a new life all over again. I wanted to be as far away as possible from …” Kalista trailed off, as if she couldn’t bear to mention his name. “I wanted to be far away from Catan. That was the main reason … I knew that he was coming for me … for my life. God knows what he would do if he found me. I think he’d want to kill me after giving his identity away to Rellie.”
“Huh?” Lipton scratched his head, puzzled. “Rellie?”
Seeing that Lipton was confused and he didn’t know the whole story, Kalista filled him in on all the details, from beginning to end.
“That is why I had to run away from him!” Kalista cried, pacing around in circles. “He’s crazy. Catan’s mad.”
“But you said that he loved you, or loves you, assuming that he still does …” Lipton said, edging closer toward Kalista, who was consumed in her own thoughts.
“Well … he might hate me after what I’ve done,” Kalista said impatiently, weaving her fingers together in a knot. “And knowing how crazy he is … I wouldn’t want to just stay here like a sitting duck and wait for him to come and finish me off.”
“So what do you plan to do now? Are you still intent on leaving Wartwick for good?”
Lipton’s question made Kalista stop moving around for a moment, and she turned to gaze at him. Yes, she had been so intent on leaving Wartwick that she’d even considered joining the witness relocation program if she had to. But the truth was … she didn’t seem keen on leaving anymore … because of Lipton. She wanted to be near him as much as possible, because she was already developing some feelings for him. But at the same time, she was conflicted. Catan and Lipton were the same person … or more precisely … both of them shared the same body. So if she spent time with Lipton, it would also mean that she was spending time with Catan, who was suppressed and could manifest any time without warning, putting Kalista’s life at stake.
She didn’t like the idea of Catan being inside Lipton’s body … the idea of being so close to this murderous vampire just made Kalista want to puke. But she knew that she wanted to be with Lipton, and she vowed to find the cure to this curse so Lipton wouldn’t have to bear sharing the same body with Catan ever again.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Kalista whispered, after a long moment of silence. “I don’t think that I’m going to leave Wartwick anymore.”
Lipton’s eyes widened with further confusion. “But why wouldn’t you do that when your life is in danger? Why would you want to stay here? I can’t protect you from Catan because I’m …” Lipton’s voice trailed off.
“Shhh …,” Kalista murmured, putting a finger on Lipton’s lips. “I know your current predicament … and you don’t have to protect me. I’ll find ways to protect myself. I also want to help you find a cure to this curse that’s binding you and Catan together.”
Anger flashed across his eyes. “Don’t be a fool, Kalista!” Lipton seethed. “There is no cure for this curse. End of story. I’d have to accept this fate for the rest of my life. Just leave this town and protect yourself. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Lipton!” Kalista cried, her heart sinking at the sight of an enraged and upset Lipton. “Listen to me! There is a cure! We’ll find this cure, OK?”
Lipton swirled around, and stared hard at Kalista. “Why do you want to help me so much? Why? What am I to you? No one’s ever cared for me this much … except you.” And Jesse, Lipton added mentally, even though she knew that Jesse had tried not to show concern for him anymore because she thought she was getting too cozy with him and going behind her husband’s back.
Without any warning, Kalista grabbed Lipton’s hand and tilted her head forward, planting a kiss on Lipton’s lips.
Lipton was taken aback by Kalista’s sudden affection that he didn’t know whether to resist or to go along with it. His mind swirled with the memories of Jesse and him that night flying in the sky. He didn’t know why he suddenly had such thoughts, because it was Kalista who was now kissing him, not Jesse. Lipton’s head was screaming in protest, as his conscience tugged at his heart. But he didn’t resist. He just went into the moment, kissing Kalista as though they had both been lovestruck. All he could think of was Jesse’s face, her exuberant eyes when she smiled. He kissed Kalista deeper, trying to erase Jesse from his head.
Finally, the intensity of the kiss faded, and Lipton withdrew from the long kiss, and gazed into Kalista’s eyes. He could see that Kalista was all over the moon, her eyes gleaming with sparks of joy.
But somewhere deep in his heart, he didn’t feel that frisson. That wonderful frisson which he had felt when he was with Jesse, but he tried not to dwell on that.
Lipton waited for Kalista to speak, but Kalista just continued gazing at him, the words stuck in her throat. After a moment of silence, she finally uttered, “I think I might have feelings for you …”
Kalista studied Lipton’s expression to see how he reacted, but Lipton maintained a calm demeanor, as if Kalista’s words didn’t affect him at all.
Kalista felt a sting in her heart, and wondered if her feelings for him was unreciprocated. Maybe she shouldn’t have confessed her feelings for him. Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut and just walk away from him right now, far away as possible. Now she needn’t only run away from Catan, but also Lipton as well.
Her cheeks flushed at the awkward moment, and Kalista wished that the ground would open and swallow her up. She felt so embarrassed and stupid, and she could feel the tears threatening to burst out from the corner of her eyes.
Waves of disappointment surged through her like pins, stabbing at every part of her being.
She looked away from Lipton, and decided to flee the place while she could. Yes, she had made the right decision to leave town after all. She shouldn’t have turned mushy earlier at Lipton’s presence … he’d indeed made her look like a fool. She didn’t need to put up with this any longer.
Pivoting on one heel, she whirled around and was ready to bolt when she felt an arm grab her wrist.
“Wait,” his voice said, and she felt him whirl her around, and then before she knew what was happening, his lips already landed on hers with such an intensity that it made Kalista’s knees became jelly.
Lipton was kissing her! And he didn’t stop, as he savored her lips as though they were sweet cherries. Kalista didn’t resist, and could feel the passion emanating from Lipton.
When the kiss finally ended, Lipton tilted his neck backward, and took a moment to gaze into Kalista’s watery eyes.
“We’ll find a cure,” Lipton said, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Kalista had expected him to say the same thing like she did, which was that he had feelings for her as well. But when she realized that Lipton was also reciprocating her feelings, a smile immediately lit up her face.
“Yes, we will!” Kalista gushed, her heart hammering with joy. “We’ll find the cure together. You don’t have to do this alone.”
“I guess I’m only doing this because of you,” Lipton admitted, wrapping Kalista in an embrace. “Thanks for your care a
nd concern … it means so much to me.”
Kalista didn’t need to respond to him. She was so enveloped in waves of joy that she didn’t need to use words to express her feelings or thoughts to him. All the words she needed to say were the gleam in her eyes, and Lipton knew how to read that.
“Let’s go to my house,” Kalista offered, glancing at her house. “I think we’re going to need some rest and then think up of a plan to remove the curse from you …”
Before Kalista could finish her words, a loud, sickening howl thundered across the streets suddenly. Lipton was screaming ferociously, his face twisting and warping into the familiar features of someone whom Kalista recognized.
“Oh, no!” Kalista cried, knowing well what was happening. Lipton was transforming … into Catan again. “You need to resist, Lipton! Don’t let Catan manifest! Suppress him with all your will and power! Lipton!”
But it was useless. Lipton was convulsing violently, his face trembling in such a sickening way that his eyes almost bulged out from their sockets. His form morphed into the the body of Catan, and Kalista didn’t recognize the purity in Lipton’s eyes anymore. They had become cold and soulless, and Kalista knew that Catan was manifesting. Lipton’s wings had retracted and disappeared in a flash.
Kalista knew that her life was now at stake, and she had to make a run for it. Adrenaline pumping through her veins, Kalista whirled around and ran as fast as she could, feeling the wind slice through her hair. Her legs throbbed with pain as she ran, and she tripped on a random litter down the streets and stumbled onto the ground, but she quickly picked herself up again and continued to run, without glancing back.
She panted for breath, feeling as though she could collapse at any moment, as the fear and exhaustion pummeled her mercilessly.
Where could she run to? The long stretch of the streets seemed to go on and on forever, and she felt extremely disoriented.
But she didn’t need to run for long … as she felt someone pounce on her from behind, grab her shoulders and whirl her around like a spinning top. She was face to face with the vampire serial killer, his fangs protruding out threateningly as a grin formed on his face. Catan had gotten to her.
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