The man still hadn’t lost his attitude completely. “How dare you speak to me like that. Do you know who I-”
“You’re Lord Randall of Asshole-land. Thanks, got it, don’t care. Just sit down while Mason and I actually try to do something constructive.”
Randall shook with anger, glaring at Joe as if he were excrement on his Ralph Lauren loafers. Fortunately, it seemed he had finally run out of patience though and stormed off down the corridor. Joe took the opportunity to glance over at Danny, wondering if he should go and check on him. His son had lain himself down across the brunette woman’s lap and was nearly asleep. Joe decided to leave him alone for a few minutes more.
He turned back to Mason. “That guy was a jackass.”
Mason nodded. “Investors always are. Still, he has a right to be angry after what has happened today. No doubt he is correct about the zoo’s future being rather bleak.”
“How could this happen, Mason?”
“I really can’t say. Nothing like this has ever happened before. All of the dangerous animals are kept inside high-security enclosures. The only way in or out is through twin-layer fences. You enter one, close it, and then open the second. There’s no way an animal can escape.”
Joe nodded. “I understand the type of thing you mean, but, whether it’s plausible or not, the lions got out somehow.”
“Indeed they did.”
Joe waited for further comment, but it appeared that the curator had none to make, so he spoke instead. “Okay, just keep trying to reach someone on your radio. I’m going to go check on my son.”
Mason nodded and Joe left him alone under the bright lights of the corridor. Over on the bench, Danny was still lying on the brunette woman’s lap – the one that had been trapped between the two snack machines only minutes before. Now that she was sitting in the harshly-lit corridor, Joe could see that her wounds from the attack were shallow and already healing. She’d been lucky. “Hey,” Joe said to her as he approached. “Thanks for looking after him.”
She smiled at Joe, and it was then that he saw she was in fact just a girl and not a woman. Dark bags beneath each of her eyes gave the impression that she was older, but her smooth white skin betrayed her real youth.
About twenty maybe?
“Least I can do after you saved my life,” she said to him.
Joe blushed. “Wouldn’t go that far.”
“I would.” The girl offered out her hand. It was slender and recently manicured, but many of the painted-pink nails were chipped and broken. “I’m Grace.”
Joe also noticed a recently-healed scar that lined the back of her wrist, along with several older, faded ones. He didn’t want to be rude by staring, and averted his eyes. “Pleased to meet you, Grace.” The two shook hands. “I’m Joe and this is--”
“Danny. Yeah, I know. He told me before taking a nap. He was worried about you out there. You shouldn’t be such a hero.”
Joe acknowledged his selfishness. If he’d been hurt then Danny would be all alone in this fucked-up situation. What the hell was he thinking, running around out there like Joe-the-lion-tamer? He couldn’t risk leaving Danny alone again.
I won’t.
“Mind if I wake him?” he asked.
Grace laughed. The sound was delicate and fragile. “He’s your son. Be my guest.”
Joe knelt beside Danny and gently shook one of his tiny legs. “Hey, little dude! You awake?”
Danny opened his eyes slowly, pupils widening gradually like ink stains on cloth.
“Everything is okay now,” said Joe. “Daddy’s back.”
Danny smiled and closed his eyes again as if wanting to get back to some wonderful dream. He muttered under his breath, “Can I stay here with Grace?”
Joe raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t like Danny to form bonds so quickly – not since the divorce – but he supposed it couldn’t hurt. Joe looked up at Grace. “That okay?”
Grace nodded. “Sure. Could kind of do with a rest myself.”
“There’s a quiet-room on the right,” said Mason, approaching from down the corridor with walkie talkie still in hand. “It’s where we put visitors when they’re not feeling well. There’s a sofa-bed inside.”
“Excellent!” said Grace, her face lighting up like a beacon. “Come on, Danny.”
Joe watched the girl lead his son to the room on the opposite side of the corridor before disappearing inside. For some reason, he trusted her, and relaxed knowing that Danny was in her care. Maybe it was the feeling of having a women’s support that made him feel that way.
Mason placed a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “I couldn’t reach anyone.”
Joe raised his eyebrows. “No one at all?”
Mason’s stiff expression gave nothing away about his feelings, but Joe had a feeling the man was beginning to crack. Slender creases at the corners of his eyes seemed to widen as he spoke. “There are a dozen zoo keepers here today and they all carry walkie talkies – just like this one. Not one of them is picking up however. I can’t imagine what that means.”
“I can,” said Joe, “and it’s not a nice thing to think about. You tried phoning anyone outside the zoo?”
Mason shook his head. “That was what I was going to do next. There are phones in the offices upstairs. I should be able to call right through to the administration building at the rear entrance. Office staff don’t generally work the weekends, but there’s usually one or two people there on a Saturday. Mr Randall said he was here this morning for a meeting, so perhaps the members of the board are around too. They may be able to shed some light on the current situation.”
“Good,” said Joe, scratching the stubble on his chin. It seemed to have grown inches in just the last hour. “What about the building we’re in? Can we get out any other way than the door we came through?”
“There’s a fire exit at the end of this corridor and we can also enter the cafeteria, which has several more exits. I don’t know if it would be wise to try to leave, however.”
Joe looked up and down the corridor, taking in the images of the frightened strangers. In addition to the rude investor, Mr Randall, there was also an elderly woman with grey hair sitting next to a heavily tattooed, bald man. It was a strange sight to see such opposites placed side-by-side.
“I think I agree,” Joe said after some consideration. “My son and I are going nowhere until those lions are dealt with.”
Mason adjusted his spectacles. “We should get everyone assembled and come up with a plan, even if it’s only to sit and wait for rescue.”
“Agreed,” said Joe. “Is there somewhere more comfortable we can all go? I don’t think people will be able to calm themselves down in this corridor.”
Mason took Joe’s arms and led him a little down the corridor. “There’s a staffroom in this part of the building. It’s a large area with enough places to sit and a few refreshments. I’d say it would be best to reconvene there for now. We can always move upstairs later if we need to. The building is pretty much empty, today being the weekend. They’ll be plenty of room. In fact, I think we’re the only ones here.”
“Let’s get going then.”
Mason clapped his hands together and got the attention of the other shell-shocked survivors. “Okay everyone, can I have your attention.”
Silence from everyone. Glazed expressions and teary cheeks. From the other side of the exit door, the wet smacking sounds of lions feeding on corpses could be heard in vivid detail. Mason continued, despite the lack of audience response. “We are going to follow this corridor down to its end and enter a staffroom beyond. It is comfortable there, warm and safe. We should gather whilst we wait to learn more about this…situation.”
“And what is the situation?” asked the Black man with the grey sideburns. He was still carrying his dented fire extinguisher.
“We don’t know,” Mason answered. “Obviously there has been a breach in the lion exhibit’s enclosure, but as to how that happened, I do not know. I will
try to contact the administration building shortly – and the emergency services of course – but first we need to get ourselves situated.”
“Who are you to give orders?” It was the investor, Randall, again. The man’s mood had obviously not improved.
“I am no one to give orders,” Mason calmly told him, “but as the only one offering practical advice, I see no harm in having people do as I say for the time being.”
“If you hadn’t allowed this to happen in the first place then I would have a little more trust to afford to you, my friend.”
“Mr Randall, if you feel better blaming me personally I am happy for you to do so, but my advice is that we group together somewhere more comfortable. If you or anybody else does not wish to follow that advice then you are free to do as you like. Those that do wish to follow my suggestion may come with myself and Joe, who may I remind you was the one that helped a majority of you in the first place.”
“If that’s your advice,” said the Black man. “Then that’s what I’ll do. I don’t see the point in all this negativity and arguing.” The last comment was directed at Randall who seemed less than impressed at being called out.
“Let’s go then,” said Joe. “I’ll get Grace and my son and we’ll be off in five.”
A heavy thud rattled the thick red door behind them on its hinges. The lions were trying to break through into the corridor.
Joe’s eyes widened. “Or maybe we should get going right now.”
FANGS FOR COMING
Vanessa was nervous. It seemed like an age ago that she’d a man into her home, but the longing for companionship had finally become too much to bare. She’d decided to bite the bullet and put herself out there, online. Dungeon.com: the darker side of dating.
The chance to meet men like herself was too tempting to resist. Most people found Vanessa to be strange and morbid. They disliked her dark make-up, her watery blue eyes, and her velvety black hair. They often turned up their noses at the studded leather outfits that filled her closet. But not tonight; tonight she was going to be spending the evening with a like-minded individual.
She’d been attracted to Coffin16’s profile immediately. His slick black hair framed a flawless face with a pale, ghostly complexion, while pure-white teeth glinted between the thin slit of his bright red lips. He worshipped the darkness, his comments said, and all the things it contained. Coffin16 was a vampire, you see.
Vanessa lit the candles on the dining room table and giggled with glee. After so long alone, the thought of company was a tangible thrill. A fine meal and interesting company was just what her life had been lacking. She adjusted her large breasts inside her purple, lace bra and imagined Coffin16 touching them. Sinking his teeth into them.
She wouldn’t mind him biting her. In fact she welcomed it. Such things were how creatures of the night showed their affection. A bite from a vampire is just a kiss. Hopefully, if things went well, there’d be more than just biting.
The doorbell rang and Vanessa squealed, excitement threatening to spill her bladder. She would have to go to the toilet later to avoid any accidents. She checked over herself and made sure that all of her curves were in the right places. The doorbell went again and this time she wasted no time in hurrying over to let in her guest.
She turned the lock and grabbed the handle, then opened the door slowly, savouring the anticipation. What she saw before her was beautiful. In a full-length leather duster was a handsome, dark-featured man. He was a little younger than she’d wished, but then Vampires did not age.
“Evening’s greetings. My name is Coffin. May I come in?”
Vanessa chuckled demurely. “Of course, where are my manners? I have to invite you in.”
“Yes, my beauty. You do indeed.”
Vanessa stood aside. “You are invited.”
“You have my thanks.” Coffin entered into the house and immediately looked around, poking at prodding at anything that caught his interest. He seemed to have a fascination with a wooden wolf statue. “A beautiful creature. A creature of the night like ourselves. A hunter.”
Vanessa took the carving and placed it back down on the side table, looking into Coffin’s eyes the whole time. “A wolf is also a loyal mate. They hunt in packs and protect one another.”
Coffin smiled and a flash of white erupted from between his lips. “Are you looking for protection, my sweet?”
Vanessa shook her head. “I’m looking for a mate.”
Coffin smiled. “Perhaps we should dine before we speak of such things. I would not wish to wear out your heart too soon.”
Vanessa felt like swooning. She was already enjoying herself and sex seemed to exude from this man that she could barely control herself. He was right though: enjoying dinner would only make the evening even more scintillating. She led on towards the table. Coffin followed closely.
“Take a seat,” she said, pulling back one of the chairs of the tall mahogany table. “We’re having…meat.”
“Not human, I take it.”
Vanessa giggled. “Just steak, I’m afraid, but I cooked it bloody.”
Coffin licked his lips and rolled his eyes up in ecstasy. He seemed then to notice the smell of frying meat in the house and inhaled deeply, letting it out in a happy sigh. Vanessa hurried off to get their meals, body shaking with excitement. This is going so great, she thought. He’s absolutely dreamy. I hate to be so presumptuous, but I think he may be what I’ve been seeking for so long.
Vanessa grabbed the plates, filled with peas, mushrooms, and of course a large fillet steak each. Blood leaked from the flesh and puddled beneath the peas. They would taste even more delicious. She walked carefully back to the dining room and set down the plates at the table. Coffin wasted no time in tucking in before she’d even seated herself. It was not rudeness though. A creature of the night could not control themselves around blood-soaked meat. Coffin’s lust for the meat turned Vanessa on, and when she sat down she tucked into hers the exact same way.
After several mouthfuls of tender flesh, Vanessa asked her guest a question. “How long have you been a vampire?”
Coffin put down his knife and fork, apparently satisfied for now. He smiled at her, and for the first time showed the full extent of his fangs. “It has been so many ages now that I forget my rebirth. Memories sometimes visit me, of the man I once was, but they are dim and faded. I believe I was a craftsman from the Renaissance, but perhaps that is just a romantic notion I tell myself. The creature I became long ago is all that is left now.”
Vanessa felt impelled to ask another question, so she did. “Have you…fed recently?”
Coffin narrowed his eyes at her and then looked down at the fillet in front of him. “I take it you do not mean the food I am eating now? I feed…nightly, but to speak of such things to a beautiful lady would be wrong. I do what I must to survive. It is necessary.”
“Of course,” said Vanessa. “Are you planning to feed on me tonight?”
He shook his head. “I do not mix business with pleasure. Your blood is too precious to spill. Perhaps if you allure me sufficiently I will share my gift with you.”
Vanessa raised her thin black eyebrows. “You’ll make me a vampire?”
“Perhaps. Such a gift does not come cheaply. You will have to…earn it.”
Vanessa nodded. “Of course. I imagine you mean…carnally?
Coffin nodded. “If you wish to be my eternal mate, my lady of the night, then you have to prove that you can keep up. The beast inside of me must be satiated.
Vanessa smiled at him and then stood up from the table. “Excuse me for one moment, will you?”
Coffin nodded and a strand of black hair fell loose from his head and hung upon his forehead. It left a black smear against his forehead. Vanessa headed back into the kitchen and closed the door behind her. She took a deep breath in, held it, and then smashed a fist against the wall in fury.
“He’s a god damn fake,” she said out loud, hating herself for being so st
upid. The whole dating site was probably full of horny losers trying to get off on a fantasy. The man in her dining room was a fool to think she would give herself away under false pretences. This was not a fantasy for her. She wanted – needed – the real thing.”
Vanessa took a deep breath and composed herself. She stepped out of the kitchen and returned to the table. Coffin had almost finished the meat on his plate. She realised then that he was just plain rude and that his eagerness to finish the meal was just so he could have sex with her. She had already decided that would not happen.
“You return, my sweet. The seconds without you seemed like hours.”
Vanessa huffed. “Your hair dye is running.”
Thrillobytes: bite-sized horror Page 7