Veronica was surprised at my question. "Ah...yeah...no, there have been no reported deaths in our generation or since the use of the nanites to introduce the virus at the cellular level, however, past generations suffered greatly for such folly and disrespecting our makers."
"So it is not toxic?"
Veronica ran her tongue underneath the bottom of her top teeth, shook her head the answered. "It will make you sick enough you will want to die and the base will make sure that you do."
We were killers and created for that purpose. The efficiency and hunger for live victims would be diminished if vampires could exist off the dead flesh. Vampires had to kill constantly to stay alive and thus safe guards were introduced and reinforced.
Veronica smiled and opened the door. "I hope you are ready for a night that you will never want to forget."
Chapter 26
The interior of the back room of the Tortured Rabbit was filled with two rows of empty metal hospital operating tables which bisected the room. Along the outer walls were doors, five each side. Across the back wall were plush chairs and couches upon which sat the rest of the members of my team. Each of which were looking very relaxed. In the shadows to the right stood an armed guard dressed in black and toting a Robinson XCR assault rifle, to the left the same. Both were on edge as evidenced from their profuse sweating and rapid heartbeats. A lesser concerned pair of gentlemen sat at a table a few feet in front of Veronica and me.
Veronica led me to the table. She presented her right forearm. "Veronica Stace and Ethan Castel are here to check in."
The eldest of the two soldiers at the table removed a needle containing a vividly yellow substance from a small metal case. The needle was inserted into Veronica's arm injecting her with the liquid.
Discarding the needle to his partner, who placed it into a heavy looking yellow box at his feet; he reached into the case and presented another as he motioned for my arm.
Instinctively, I withdrew my arm. The room got tense as the two soldiers on guard both charged their rifles alerting me to my mistake.
Delivering my arm to the soldier, the man hurriedly finished his duty. He passed off the empty syringe to his colleague then produced a small silver box covered with three buttons: red, yellow, and green.
The shot was painless, but the concern was overwhelming. "What the hell did you just do to me?"
There was no response as he continued about his duties. We were dismissed with a wave of his hand. He pressed the green, button on the metal panel as we walked away. The button triggered the unlocking of the doors to either side of us with a chorus of clicks.
I joined hands with Veronica as we walked to the back of the room. "What just happened?"
She spoke softly, "There is now a tracking node inside of you that allows them to detonate the nanites in your blood if things were to get out of hand. It is a precaution. Consider it the final and ultimate failsafe."
I looked at my forearm as a tiny light blinked momentarily then dissolved beneath the skin. "Shit."
Veronica unclenched my hand as we got closer to the others. "Don't worry that is normal. The diode is active for the next four hours as we feed. After that time period, the transmitter dies then at hour six your body will absorb the remaining organics."
The group looked hungry, but was in great spirits. Logan and Darby were already in character with fangs and eyes transformed.
Chloe was sitting on a couch removed from the group with a pouty expression upon her face. Any injuries she may have incurred from our tussle in the afternoon were healed as were mine.
Liam greeted Veronica and me with a big hug for each. "So glad you came. Man do we have a special treat for you Ethan. Come on."
He pulled me from Veronica toward a door marked with the number four. "This is going to be epic. Be sure to drink plenty because you will need it all tomorrow night."
Why did you have to remind me about that, I wanted to ask? He shoved me through the door into the small room followed closely by the metallic sound of a bolt being reset within the door.
The room was sparse of decorative details and smelled of honeysuckle. There was a lone purple leather recliner, bare grey walls and a single, occupied metal table. On the wall behind me was an intercom that worked by pushing a talk button. In the center of the room was another table, but this one was covered in a stark white sheet. Under the sheet was to be my first taste of something live, my first human.
I walked to the opposite end of the table to the covered head of the victim. A box was embedded into the table top to monitor the vitals of the individual lying on the bed. I scanned the body continuously for several minutes as I waited to see if there was movement. My time and effort was greeted with the steady rise and fall of regular breathing, but no other signs of life. The form underneath was obviously female from the contours of the body.
My mouth was becoming dry and my pulse quickening as I became acclimated to the task before me. A soft classical song began to play through a speaker in the ceiling. I was unsure of the next step.
So I began. The visual stimulation of watching the repetitive nature of the breathing gave way to the sounds of her heart beating in dull resonance. The sound was distant then would drown out all other in the room then fade. I knew it was my mind and the situation playing tricks with me.
It was the simplest of things that were bothering me as I delayed. It was the solitude of the cell which was what I thought of it though it had only been minutes. Had it been only minutes?
I thought the closing of the door had been recent until a robotic voice rattled through the intercom. "Two hours remained."
The beating was loud again. It was rhythmic and patient as if playing a song to me. The sound was the perfect accompaniment to the sounds of piano streaming into the room. The music was soothing at one with the beat of the blood coursing through the body. Then the beat and rushing of her blood was maddening as the tempo would change.
My mind was warping from the stress, I told myself. This did nothing to relive my state of nervousness as I methodically turned down the sheet to shoulder level. My methodical approach turned to desperation as I came face to face with my intended meal.
The face was all too familiar. The girl I had saved today was to become my nourishment tonight.
Now I knew what Liam was so jovial about. He had managed to get Sunnie to the base for the feeding. I knew he meant well, but I had been apprehensive before I knew who would be quenching my thirst.
I looked away then back. I had hoped when my eyes fell upon her again that it was a case of mistaken identity. Maybe I had identified with Sunnie so strongly today that I was projecting her face onto the poor soul before me. Studying her intently, I came to one conclusion I didn't want to acknowledge. It was definitely her.
I tried again as I ran my hand across her face. Her eyes were closed so I couldn't determine eye color, but her smile was fresh in my mind still. The smoky eye makeup was gone and there was no lipstick, but it was her. The pumped up hair was not as meticulously placed and the textured tresses not as sharp, but it was her. Damn, it was her.
The piano refrain tinkled in the air as I traced my fingertips across her lips. Closing my eyes, I found myself stroking her cheek. At least thirty more minutes had passed.
Sunnie was so peaceful and beautiful lying on the table.
My thirst was building the more I touched her. Soon I was shaking. My fangs started growing without me having to think them into place. The animal in me was in control. I wanted her more than I needed her blood.
I seemed removed from my actions as I cradled her head in my hands. Sweeping her hair away, slowly I lowered my mouth to her shoulder touching the delicate white skin with my mouth. Opening partially, the flesh parted as the fangs pressed into her. She never acknowledged any pain nor did she wake. There was a moderate change in the subtle sounds coming from the monitor. It eventually stabilized as her heart rate leveled back into a resting rate.
Blo
od started filling my mouth in drops then a flowing stream rolled across my tongue into my throat. Deliciously, the rate of flow increased bathing my mouth and face in warm, wet blood. A little escaped, falling onto the table. The taste was stirringly salty and coppery with a hint of metallic aftertaste, but it was the smell that was exhilarating.
Sunnie's was a mix of aromatic scents backed with the smell of pomegranate. Inhaling deeply as I drank, it hit me. The smell in the room wasn't cleaner or piped in atmosphere. The Inhibitor was no longer working which was fueling my desire for her.
Through the speakers another time reminder from the robotic chimed. "One hour remaining."
I was no longer thirsty though I continued to consume her as I stroked the skin of her neck and shoulder. The touching had become automatic as I drank. The added sensation was exquisite.
I had to stop. Sunnie's vitals were fine, but I wasn't sure how much more I could take from her without injuring her.
Disconnection wasn't as easy as I expected. My mind moved back and forth between the rational thought that I was bleeding her dry and the need for survival. The thought that I needed to stay was possessive. The blood was calling to me. She was calling to me. Further into her I fell, I realized I was unable to stop.
A heavy thud at the door saved her life.
Liam slurred, "Dude, come on now. We are almost out of time. Shit, I need some more. Give me some more."
Another voice I wasn't sure of responded, "I think you have had enough. You have to leave some for us."
I heard him and others giggling as I disengaged. Rising partially from her shoulder, I admired her slumbering. Intuitively, I lapped at a single rolling drop of blood as it fell down her shoulder, catching it before it slipped onto the table. The blood was starting to cool, but still the faint scent of honeysuckle was present. It took all of my self-control to not drink from her again.
My hands were covered in blood and there was a surety my face was as well. Looking around I noticed a basin of water and stack of hand towels on the second level. Taking a towel, I used the water to cleanse my face and hands.
When I had finished, I turned to Sunnie. The wounds I had inflicted on her shoulder were already closed. Blood was dried to her skin which I gently scrubbed away. Tenderly, I repositioned the hair and began to recover her face when a new feeling took hold of my heart. There was a new bond between us that was unexplainable.
There was another lighter knock on the door.
The taste of her blood still upon my lips, I contemplated a possible new future, but as I smoothed the skin of her face one last time I knew the truth. Knowing the monster I had become, I knew that might never get the opportunity again to be with her. I bent to feel her lips against mine. I tried to step away, but I stumbled. The blood had made me drunk though not as bad as when I had drunk from Darby. Regaining my composure, I recovered her face before turning to the door.
Staring at her, I realized the weekend was going to be incredibly long.
Adjusting my clothing and checking to see if I had missed any blood during the cleanup, I mumbled, "Liam was right. This night has been epic, though I hope he was wrong about tomorrow night."
Chapter 27
The Running had begun violently as four rather nasty looking wolves in human form roused me from my bed. It was explained to me what was happening and that I must do as I was told. I was permitted to dress, but not allowed to drink any blood. When I was dressed, I was taken outside into the middle of the street to be alongside Veronica, who was a few steps ahead of me.
She too was escorted by wolves. Arriving at the center of the street, and without a fight, Veronica turned and allowed herself to be tied a metal post that had been bolted to the pavement.
The leader of my escort wolves did not speak, but insisted I take up the same position at another recently erected pole. A wolf bound my hands behind my back as other GV16s gathered around to watch the spectacle.
A wolf from the group that had bound Veronica read from a piece of paper. "These two have violated laws that were put in place by the elders of the many tribes that inhabit the Farm under the protection and guidance of the United States government. The violations are deemed egregious and harmful to our existence. Hereby, the two known by the human names of Ethan Castel and Veronica Stace shall remain here without aid or comfort until selected punishment is dealt with at the severity of the choosing by the elders of the tribes. Therefore these two are sentenced to The Running tonight one hour after dusk."
The voice of the GV16 known as Braden Lynde shouted, "What about your kind? What about the John that started the altercation to begin with?"
The other GV16s joined in grumbling loudly about equal treatment and the definition of justice.
The wolf spoke with fire and conviction about his brethren in order to silence the growing unrest. "It is not your concern what the council of elders, and in this case the humans deal as punishment, but I will nonetheless answer your concerns. At the meeting last night, the leaders decried that his sentence is executable at once. His punishment was twenty five lashes with a silver tipped whip.
The answer did not quell the voices.
Avery Archer yelled out, "They could die for their indiscretions and he gets off easily. That is preposterous!"
Chloe echoed her sentiment as she looked past him and onto me, "How can we expect to live under rules that are so arbitrary? He should be here with our friends. The John should be sharing in the responsibility for what they all have done!"
A round of applause began immediately.
I wasn't sure about what was going to happen tonight, but I was proud of my Generations.
As quickly as the applause began, it ended when a black Humvee arrived from down the street and it was soon followed by another.
The passenger door opened and out stepped an aged man I had never seen before. He was human from his heart rate and smell, but he commanded obedience from all as he approached even though he walked feebly. The man was casually dressed in a red polo, beige baseball cap and chinos with a pair of dark, wire sunglasses obscuring his eyes.
Taking up residence between Veronica and me, he spoke, "Tonight we will be having an event here that has only happened two other times in base history. This event should not serve as punishment nor as entertainment, but as a lesson about our true purpose and how we can jeopardize our intent. Tonight should be a celebration of how far we have strived and how far our creations have come. Now I understand that Nathaniel was assigned to read aloud the instructions and secure the participants, and a fine job he has appeared to have done. So what is the issue for which I was taken away from my golf match to deal with?
My mouth opened without my knowledge, "How did you know there was a problem here?"
The man glanced at me then at the others. "Actually, I was about to depart when the call came about your squabble. I know you and your friends cannot be naive enough to think Chadron and the U.S., who have so much time and research, and least we forget money invested, not to constantly be monitoring the animals in this zoo. We always know."
Everyone was silent as they contemplated the ramifications of what was said until Darby raised her hand.
The man recognized her, "Yes Darby, what is your question?"
Darby paused then asked, "Mr. Jericho, sir, we feel the punishment is two severe to fit the deeds. That is the issue that is causing the unrest."
Mr. Jericho replied with a gentle yet firm answer, "Thank you for your honesty, Darby, but by rule, the council and the base officials have decided this is in the best interest of you all. Now you must all return to your homes and await tonight."
Noah responded, "We appreciate the discourse, but what if we don't want to stay in our homes until The Running."
Mr. Jericho shoved his hands in his pockets then said, "I am afraid you do not get a choice."
Down the street could be heard the moans of the GZs as they were being lead down the road leading into town behind a Humvee. T
he GZs were in three columns. Each chained together and gnashing implanted metal teeth as the procession neared the city.
Mr. Jericho made a swirling signal and the Humvee he was riding in started anew. "Get to your homes or suffer the same fate as your friends, or possibly even something much worse."
The GV16s were discouraged as each made his or her way back home.
The wolves stayed on location to help the humans oversee the placement of GZs at each house and lamppost along the street. Soon the sound of moans and deep, lumbering screams echoed from one end of the street to the other.
Veronica smiled at me. "It is going to be fine. The best thing we can do in the immediate future is get some rest."
I wanted to believe that was true. Who wouldn't want to believe everything was going to be alright, but when surrounded by snarling zombies, the ability to embrace positivity gets excised.
Veronica picked up on my bad vibes. "The sun will get hotter as it gets later in the day and the longer we are exposed to the sun we will get weaker. You need to save your strength. Concentrate on going to sleep. Block out all of the things around us and you will nod off."
Closing my eyes I said, "Thank you."
Surprisingly upbeat she quizzed, "For what?"
Veronica had been right.
I imagined myself with Sunnie again as the early tingling sensations of my sleep state started. "For everything."
Chapter 28
Veronica awoke me with a shout, "Time to get up. Ethan. Ethan wake up."
My eyes flickered open. Night had come and the Town was abuzz with GVs lining the street in anticipation of The Running. The GZs were gone as well as the wolves. Several of the buildings that were normally dark were filled with light.
The smell gave away the locations of armed human sentries stationed atop the buildings. More soldiers guarded the entry ways of the Main Street General Store. I determined it housed the elder council which was made from different generations and species. The number of individuals inside included humans. The humans were possibly the leaders of the base.
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