Veronica lightly touched my bicep. "There is nothing to worry about. It is another of us who is a little nosey and over protective. If she doesn't come in to meet you then she will definitely introduce herself when we get into town. Come on let's keep going."
Turning to her, I nodded I was ready to proceed.
She removed her hand and allowed me to set the speed at which we were to walk. The hunger pangs had been reduced so I walked at a comfortable clip. The odor of limes moved at our pace, maintaining her distance. Occasionally, I would hear a very quiet girly giggle, but I tried not to let the vampire with me become a distraction because there was so much I wanted to ask Veronica before we neared what she called town.
The girl beside me appeared normal. I tried not to stare as we walked silently. Sheepishly, I would glance at her every few steps. She would slyly smile whenever she caught me. Once she tucked her hair behind her ear without me realizing allowing me to see how truly beautiful of a vampire was helping me to safety. Momentarily, I thought we were flirting. There were a few shared grins and stolen looks until I reminded myself she was a creature that needed my blood to survive.
She broke the silence that had dominated the last mile of our walk. "So what shall we call you? I mean you have to have a name. Do have one you prefer? Fabio, for instance, or Bill?"
She stopped walking and doubled over laughing. There was even a hearty laugh from a female somewhere in the dark.
Undeterred and unsure of how to act, I answered. "Give me some time to mull over your suggestion. Not to hijack this conversation, but I have a question that has been nagging at me.” She allowed me to continue. “What is a changeling?"
The scantily dressed vampire did not stammer with her answer. "You are becoming one of us. Your transformation is not final, but from the changes I can smell within your body, it will not be long after your first drink that you will fully move into your place here with the rest of us. Listen, we are about to come upon the GV1s territory and we will have to be careful. We will finish this conversation when we carry you to meet Walter. We have to be quiet for the next little bit."
I heard the careful part and the GV1s. Those were more questions that we would have to discuss. My thoughts were climbing over her answer. The answer did not catch me off guard. I had really expected that to be the case. I had wanted her to say it. I had to hear her say it. I had known for the better part of the walk that I was more like her than I cared to admit. Why else would she have protected me and not killed me herself? Why else had she treated me with kindness and patience when none was warranted? I was family.
Chapter 8
Soon the long walk through the forest had given way to a vast open field littered with burning torches. Fifty feet away was the curve of a paved roadway that was in a state of repair. Paving equipment sat idly by awaiting another day of use. The sight of the massive machines sitting empty surrounded by the burning torches was an eerie site.
Before us the pavement cut through the middle of the plowed earth. The roofs of some dilapidated farm houses and buildings could be seen in the distance. The structures were dark. I try not to let my mind wander into thoughts about what could be making its home there. Past those, lit street lights were visible. The lights were miles away.
Tempted as I was to ask the obvious question if that was our destination, I held back at her behest.
She anticipated the question. Placing her finger to her red lips to remind me to be quiet, Veronica simply pointed in the direction of the lights then nodded her head.
Satisfied, I held my tongue.
Stepping from the cover of the trees onto the pavement, she placed her hand on my chest to make me stop then pointed at the ground to signal to me that we had to wait.
The wait was short. Veronica pointed to my right. I had forgotten in the sea of details that this strange nightmare of a world had presented to me, the shadowy giggle who had lurked just outside my view for the last several miles. I watched with Veronica as a smiling girl hopped quickly from the trees and onto the road.
Our new quest grabbed Veronica and the pair hugged before she surprised me by wrapping her arms around me and squeezing me so tight I thought I was going to have my head explode from my body. It was only when she sat me back down after we had spun around did I realize that she had lifted me easily from the ground.
She let go, and I had to side step to keep my balance as our new guest stood before us smiling. The girl was about the same age as Veronica. Only a fraction of an inch taller than my guide, her hair was a golden blonde which sported a very charmingly elegant weave, bound with a pretty bow of light purple. She was preciously cute and smelled of fresh limes which reminded me and made me wish I was somewhere else. My mind wandered as I inhaled her scent. I caught myself drifting and realized it was part of the vampire lure, it was disarming. Springing back to the road, I found she was dressed in stylish leather boots that ended a couple inches below her knee, retro hair band, jeans and a cashmere purple sweater; the image of a perfect high school sweetheart.
I was perplexed as I looked back and forth from the new girl to Veronica. I wondered to myself why was Veronica dressed like that? Not that I was complaining, just curious.
Realizing what was happening in my mind, both silently laughed and smiled before Veronica shook her head in and sighed.
Busted, I hid my face in embarrassment by looking at the ground. Seconds ticked by before I looked up to see the two walking hand and hand down the road. Scared of being left alone in this world filled with monstrous dangers, I broke into a jog to catch up.
Following close behind the girls as they still held hands I watched as they huddled close to each other to whisper I assumed about me. Neither said I word to me. I chose to mirror the tactic unsure of the need. I knew if two vampires were afraid enough to be this cautious then I knew something bad must be out past the orange hued torches.
Veronica and her new friend appeared alert, heads and noses busily working both aides of the pavement. I tried to mimic their actions. Something unheard or unsettled by me would send them both into curious gestures and a worried glance my way.
A noise or a shape would pass in front of the light from a torch nearby causing me to jump. The girls would cast an inquisitive look in that direction, but never stopped walking. As long as we moved I felt safe. I think the girls felt the same.
The lights neared as we made progress though they still felt so far away. Any safety that was promised to be provided with their shining light would come much later.
I knew the girls were allowing the newbie time to catch and keep up. I stuck my hands in my jeans pockets and trudged behind. The pockets were the first time I had halfway noticed what I was wearing. Looking myself over to pass the time, and take my mind off of the things in the night that seemed to be frolicking past the torches, I was wearing black mid-ankle leather boots, jeans and a grey T-shirt with some script writing. I felt at least I would die dressed reasonably cool. I laughed to myself about how unbelievable the night had been and how with each step it grew.
The traveling was easy and I was thankful. The road was flat underfoot, smooth and unlined, but was wide enough to maintain traffic moving in both directions. Someone had gone to great effort and was continuing to keep the road in working order in the remoteness that surrounded us as witnessed by the heavy machinery we have subsequently passed.
My hunger would make it impossible to function or least it felt like it should, but I fought through it and we kept moving until Veronica and our guest stopped.
I had been so preoccupied with scanning the sides of the road and dealing with thoughts of my situation that I bumped into them both. The blow sent me tumbling onto the pavement causing me to scrap open my hand, the flesh peeled back in strips in four or five places. Dark red colored blood flowed quickly, dripping onto the hard surface. It stung for seconds then dissipated as the skin started to heal. The blood clotted and scabbed giving way instantly to new flesh, regeneratin
g before I had time to complain.
Looking up, I noticed my companions were standing in place, staring ahead into the quasi darkness. My positioning gave me little perspective. Taking the initiative, I peeked between their legs toward our destination which was shrouded in darkness. It was a fresh darkness. My eyes could still see the glow of the lights that had been on previously. The halo of almost invisible light soon fizzled into ether. Through the blackness, the Town could still be seen in the distance, but in between was methodically going black.
I knew the girls could see as well or better than I in the dark, but something was making sure to take the advantage and test our abilities. The orange glow of the still lit torches created a hellish motif which within figures could barely be seen moving in our direction. Soon the shadowy figures would be near enough to be displayed in the light if the light didn't disappear.
The group of whatever it was moved closer in a measured, cautious clip. The metal torches clanked as they were roughly smashed into the ground. The force that was approaching dispatched the torches faster than I could determine how they were capable of doing it without being noticed.
The girls did not speak. Our lurker nervously looked over her shoulder at me then at Veronica, who had not moved. Her eyes franticly searched for a way out. Veronica on the other hand kept her eyes straight ahead, watching. The pair let go of one another's hand as both balled their fists in anticipation of a fight.
Grunts, unintelligible chatter and heavy breathing filled the air.
There was no need for silence; the things were closing ground and would be on top of us in a couple minutes. Whispering into Veronica's ear, "What the hell are those things, and why are we waiting to be killed?"
She did not answer.
It was difficult, but I forced myself between the two vampires. I looked down at our guest. "Will you please tell me what is going on? By the way I would introduce myself, but I am having a little trouble remembering my name."
"I am Darby." She smiled a small smile that disappeared before I realized what had happened, her hand shaking left hand clutching at a thin silver chain upon which hung a small matching crucifix. She noticed my focused attention and quit fidgeting, striking a pose similar to Veronica.
"Darby, it was nice to meet you."
Veronica huffed. "That is enough with the sarcasm and being afraid. I will take care of this. You two just be patient."
The sounds emanating from the blacked roadway had ceased. The forms were standing inside the darkness thirty yards away studying us as much as we were studying them.
A medium statured solitary form of pinkish skin stumbled and fell into the light screeching and bellowing as its skin sizzled from exposure. One of the creature's long pointy ears dangled and flopped as it moved. The grotesque beast was hunched with dull red eyes and a few human like teeth except for a lone long fang that hung over the upper lip. Torn rotting flesh hung loosely from all parts that were free of the tattered rags that were much too big for the malnourished frame the remnants covered. As it rolled and scrambled to fleet away back into the dark. The sound of its continued pained cries could be heard throughout the field and woods as the calls resonated off the far away abandoned homes and barns.
I asked quietly to anyone that would listen, "What the fuck was that?"
Leaning in close an obviously flustered Darby whispered, "This is what remains of a GV1. Most of them look that way now except a couple of the more powerful later models that were created before the next generation was let loose."
GV1? I asked myself. Scared, my heart beat rapidly.
Darby looked at my quizzical expression. "Generation Vampire One."
"Hush!" Veronica quietly commanded as she moved forward.
I wanted to keep her doing something foolish, but Darby grabbed my hand and I could not break free. I wasn't real sure I wanted to break free.
The beautiful young vampire was nearing the edge of where the shadows covered as much of the road as the light.
I looked at Darby, who was still holding my hand, to gauge her reaction. Feeling her hand in mine, I realized she was shaking. Looking at her cute impish face for reassurance, she gently nodded it was ok and I relaxed. It was good to know I wasn't the only one afraid.
Turning my attention to Veronica, she hand her hands on her hips, the long black cape pushed back, looking totally calm.
It seemed the world was waiting to see what was about to happen. The breeze that has been blowing since before I had been saved from John by Veronica had stopped for the first time all night. The sounds of the night including those made by the creatures that had flittered comfortably around our trio, but just beyond our sight had stopped. The only sound I knew for sure was the pounding inside my chest that was now reverberating in my ears.
An imperceptible step back by Veronica alerted Darby and I that something was about to happen.
Seconds ticked by as we all held our collective breath. A rumble within the masses hidden in the darkness signaled our wait was over. Soon the ugliest monstrosity I have ever seen stepped out to greet her.
Chapter 9
Standing at a height similar to my own was what Darby referred to as a GV1. I reckoned this one must be in some fashion the leader. He was slender with grayish skin and long pointed ears and nose. There were chunks of flesh stripped from the face and the gums were exposed. The face was absent of lips to cover the teeth and fangs. The tongue and nose wiggled in the air searching.
A long, frail hand eased from the sleeve of the thread bare brown robe as a thin skeletal wrist bent and raised the hand to allow a four inch long nail to point at Veronica.
Darby squeezed my hand hard, yanking me closer to her as she spoke softly, "What do you think you are doing? Let her handle this."
Not sure what she was talking about I gave her a queer look that must have sparked her quiet, but stern response.
"Look down!"
Doing as she requested, I noticed her shoes were scuffed and covered in road dust from the pavement. How did that happen I questioned when I realized Darby was no longer holding my hand? It was that moment that I realize we shared a mutual fear. She was trying to keep me from ruining any attempt to become better acquainted with Veronica. Unaware, I had dragged the petite vampire ten feet taking us much closer to the GV1 than either of us would have wanted otherwise.
Veronica acted indifferent to the boney finger in her face. "I am sorry Bayne that we are impeding your progress on the way home from your feeding, but we mean no harm to you or members of your group. We are in the process of rescuing a changeling who was under attack from a wolf. I beg your forgiveness sire."
The red eyes of Bayne appeared hollow, lifeless as he looked at me. His glare lingered as he looked me over from head to toe. He inhaled much deeper than I cared. Finished with me, he proceeded to inspect Darby. Quickly Bayne hissed as he spun and motioned to his legion to proceed.
Squeezing Darby's hand twice to get her attention I bent to ask her a question. "Why does he not get burned by the light like the other GV1?"
Darby looked around as if she was keeping a great secret before she spoke. "The ability was originally sporadic. When the others found out he could tolerate the light, they made him their leader. He was the only one in his generation that had the correct gene to allow him to tolerate exposure, but even his ability is limited to a small concentration of light from lesser objects including lights, sunlight is still deadly. The other GV1s cannot even deal with the glow of a ten watt bulb without burning and scarring. Hence the need to take out the lights as the group progresses on the trip back home. The ones who have a semblance of immunity take them down to spare the others from having to deal with the pain."
Unsure how I should react to all the information, I focused on the large writhing mass of GV1s who were beginning to make noise. The lights on either side of the road nearest to where we were standing were tossed aside casting us into the night.
My eyes quickly adjusted to
the lack of light. It surprised me that my eyes actually worked better in the dark. The former outlined shapes were becoming more distinctive; most were easily divided into one of three groups.
There were the two groups that had made an appearance previously and a new much shorter, stockier vampire. The number of the shorter was close to ten, though I did not take the time to count to be sure, an estimate was enough. The shorter vampires were on average of less than five foot two more or less with short pig snout noses. The sub group members were in various state of undress. Many of the vampires were shirtless or in tattered rags that were stained and covered in filth. The little guys were muscular with light greenish flesh spread tightly across bulging arms and legs. The few that opened a mouth showed empty, toothless voids with an occasional fang dangling by the roots. The tiny hands of the vampire had thin, narrow claws extending six inches past the tip of each finger.
A few were hobbled from bad injuries that never healed properly with bones sticking from caked on blood covered old wounds. A couple had large growths of calcified bone piled underneath the skin where elbows and knees should have been.
The remaining two groups numbered twenty or so for the medium sized pinkish fleshed vampires and six of the grays. There were others that remained out past the torches because of the vampires I had counted none had ever left the pavement. My vision was limited to about sixty feet so whatever was destroying the lamps along the path was past my visual limits.
I could hear their breathing, there were four at least. My hearing was able to pick up a slight difference in variations of bodily patterns allowing me to determine the type. The hidden extras were the shorter pig style vampires.
An interesting fact I noticed was that all three groups were devoid of females or anything resembling females in a since that I knew. The GV1s were all males.
Created (Book 1 of the Created) Page 5