The road disappeared as we made good time in route to the school. Pulling into the parking lot, The Bash was in full swing. Students and cars hustled around. We narrowly missed a gaggle of seniors who stepped in front of the Camaro as we rocketed down a full isle in the parking lot. If Logan had been human, the students would have gravely injured or dead. Logan's fast reaction time darted us through the now splintered group and into an open space in one move.
If we had needed to breathe to survive, I imagine we would have been grasping for breath at the narrow miss, but instead, we all looked at one another with relief.
Looking down at the hospital gown I was wearing triggered thoughts of getting dressed which brought forth thoughts of dance preparations and Sunnie. "Did anyone remember to contact Sunnie? If she doesn't know I am coming then..."
I was interrupted by Chloe. "It was all taken care of by us."
Startled by Chloe being the one to issue a response that seemed decent and not abrasive, I sat watching late comers playfully running through the school yard. The world seemed the way it should. At peace. If the humans only knew the truth, I thought.
Logan pointed across me toward a door at the rear of the school to my right. "You and I are going to head to that door. According to the information that Veronica gave me, it should be unlocked. Once inside, there is an open locker room for you to get a shower and in which to get dressed."
I took the keys from the ignition and turned to Logan. "No. I am okay enough to cover the distance alone. You take the girls inside and have fun." Addressing the two in the cramped backseat then Logan in turn. "Thank you so very much. I don't think I could ever repay you for putting yourself on the line for me."
Darby giggled and winked at me. "On the line? What do you mean? Veronica got this written up as a field training exercise. Operatives need to know how to act in awkward social settings like normal people."
Leave it to Veronica to find an angle to cover our asses, I lamented to myself.
Stepping from the car, I helped Chloe and Darby from the backseat. Darby waved as the three moved across the grass toward the high school gym. She excitedly hollered back at me. "Save me a dance!"
She was in her element. Hell even Chloe seemed happy. Grabbing the bag from the trunk I did my best to contain the excitement inside of me. This night seemed full of promise and hope as I made my way into the school to change.
Chapter 53
A close inspection of my wounds showed that most were healed so I discarded the bandages in the trash and preceded into the shower. The water felt great against my scared pale skin. Within the bag had been two more units of human blood which I sat in the cutout in the wall that had been designed to hold soap and shampoo. Tonight it was being more than effective at holding the twin bags as I washed away the accumulated filth of lying in a hospital bed for over a week.
Taking hold of a bag, I opened it and drank heartily. The blood was less needed than the bag had been in the car, and I was allowed to savor the flavor since my hunger had been abated earlier. The bag was dropped to the floor when it was empty. I phased and tore the next bag open with my teeth. Spitting out a fragment of stray plastic, I ingested the blood slowly. The bag brought me back to feeling stronger and more alive, but it did not make the painful reminders of the past month go away. I began to wash furiously. The scrubbing seemed to take forever as I tried desperately to erase the memories of the past. The shower could have taken all night if it had been allowed, but I was limited by time constraints. As hard as I tried, my damn mind would not be quieted. Still, I scrubbed until the repetitive action finally settled down the things haunting me as they drowned in the water. Turning off the water, I stepped from the shower with the realization that Sunnie deserved someone free from his demons. Drying myself, I vowed to not let myself get the best of me, not tonight. I was going to enjoy tonight and make sure it was one she would never forget.
Getting dressed quickly, I stood before the lone unbroken mirror in the locker room and admired myself. Through all that I had been through, I was no worse for wear I surmised. I was a little pale, but still standing and getting better every second now that Mathias's drugs were almost out of my body. Certain that I was suitably dressed in a custom tailored tuxedo that Veronica had spared no expense to purchase, I began to walk through the darkened hallways of the school.
There was an eerie solitude as I walked through beams of moonlight that shone through the tall windows lining sections of the hall. I occasionally would find myself looking out upon the school grounds. The only sounds were the echo of my footsteps until I got closer to the gym. I paused briefly to absorb the lonely silence, but was driven back by the sound of a soft ballad. The song amplified the mood I was feeling.
With the door to the gym within reach, an odor that was reminiscent of a dog wearing human cologne alerted me to the fact that I was no longer alone. "Hello Haley. If you came to fight, I am not really in the right frame of mind to not kill you tonight."
The wolf stepped from the nearby shadows dressed in an aqua blue suit that was ill fitting. "I didn't come here to fight. I just wanted to say I was wrong before. Hell, we all were. The others won't say it, but I will. I am sorry for what happened, and that it had to come down to people from both of our sides dying recently to make me see that we are all in this together." He offered his hand in friendship.
I wasn't sure if this was a way to disarm me or occupy me. An attack was always imminent, so why should now be any different.
We shook. I offered my response to his admission. "I could say that I understand, but I don't. There was no reason for the hate other than selfish need, but I warmly accept your apology and offer my own. I wish that we could live in peace for as long as we work for the U.S. and beyond."
The hand shake completed, and satisfied that at least temporarily I had an ally within the wolf clan, I gestured for my new friend to enter the gym with me. Haley took hold of the gym door. "I cannot speak for the whole of my kind, but for me, you are okay."
We walked through the door together into a sea of streamers, lights and glitter. The music was extremely loud even if I didn't have the ability to detect sounds easily.
Smiles spread across both our faces as we watched the others of our kind enjoying themselves on the dance floor amongst the humans. My time of quiet reflection and growth was over. It was no time to embrace being a vampire. Tonight was our night to be part of what we were created to protect.
We both stood in the doorway taking in the scene as the throngs of teenagers before us writhed to the music. Scanning the room, I saw Sunnie sitting with a cluster of girls at a table on the opposite side.
Placing my arm around my new found friend, I shouted into his ear. "This is our night to shine. Our night to be one of them. Make the most of it."
He knowingly looked at me and smiled. We graciously went our own directions. Making my way across the dance floor to her table, the madly chatting girls grew silent when I stepped forward to take Sunnie's hand. She beamed with excitement as I took her to the dance floor with me. Her short dress of satiny red reflected the sparkle in her eyes.
We settled in. The song ended changing to a slow song which allowed me to pull her near. We didn't speak. We just danced and held each other close until the second refrain.
Tussling with my hair, Sunnie spoke for the first time since we had been reunited. "Long week you have had from what I hear."
"Well you have heard correctly. Who should I thank for keeping you informed?"
Her hand gently stroked my face. "Your friend Darby. I really like that girl. There is something about her personality that is completely infectious. She is so bubbly."
I retorted, "You better watch her, she has teeth you know."
Sunnie smiled and laughed. "Don't you all?"
"Most of us."
We continued to sway to the soft sounds of the female lead who was singing. "I thought you weren't going to make it tonight. I was a little worried when the r
est of the base kids showed, and Veronica and you did not. Thought maybe you had decided you liked her better."
"Let's erase any doubt about who I want to be with right now." I pulled her closer and kissed her lips.
The kiss ended as the song faded to a stronger, faster rock beat. "I am not sure that proves it, but it is a start."
We both laughed as we mutually decided, without saying a word, that we would sit this one out to catch up. She and I rushed from the dance floor to get out of the way of the intense dancing of several teens that were digging the music being played. Sunnie pointed to a remote location in a corner as we stepped from the dance floor. We were quickly yanked back to the middle by Logan and Darby to join in the fun with them. The four of us reveled in the song which became another then another. We danced until Sunnie gave me a look as if to say she needed a break. Pushing through the crowd, we were intercepted by Veronica at the edge of the dance floor. Our eyes locked together. With a wave of her hand to the DJ, the music changed to another ballad.
Veronica spoke, "Sunnie would you be a jewel and let me enjoy this dance with Ethan. We have a matter we need to discuss."
I looked to my date who nodded a tepid yes.
Moving to the middle of the floor, we held each other close. I was sure it was much closer than Sunnie would care to see.
Veronica spoke, "This dance is more than I could have hoped for from you tonight."
I did not reply because I wasn't sure what I should say.
"It is okay if you don't feel the same way. I only came here to protect you."
I spun her around and sensually pulled her back to me by reflex. My body had taken a mind of its own. I was too amazed at what had just happened to realize that the dance floor had begun to empty, leaving us almost completely alone.
"Protect me from what?" I inquired, as I dipped her then sat her upright as my hand moved along her thigh.
Veronica seemed as lost in the moment as I did. "Ethan just hold me close for a moment."
I did as she asked. There was an issue of surrender in her body I had never felt before. She was trembling.
When the song ended, she took my hand and led me back to Sunnie who was on the verge of tears from having witnessed our passionate interplay. The crowd around us grew hushed.
Veronica rested her hand upon Sunnie's shoulder. "Don't worry, he is yours for as long as you love him. I know that now." Veronica placed my hand in Sunnie's and disappeared amongst the crowd.
I could feel the eyes of a couple hundred teenagers staring to see what was going to happen next. I took Sunnie back to the dance floor as the music played.
Though the music was beating hard, I took Sunnie into my arms. We danced to our own melody.
Sunnie whispered loudly in my ear. "What was that all about?"
Thinking for a second I said, "Veronica realized that I don't hold her the same way I hold you."
Sunnie instantly kissed me passionately and wrapped her arms around my neck. I held her in place and swung her around, allowing her feet to dangle as we spun. Sitting her back down on the floor, I steadied her, but we still bumped into Logan and Darby who were standing nearby. Darby had a saddened look upon her face.
Concerned I asked, "What is wrong?"
Logan did not answer. He pointed toward the exits. Filtering into the school were soldiers and the local sheriff's department lead by Walter. The contingent lined the walls and blocked the entrances. Suddenly the music stopped and the gymnasium lights were turned on as Mathias stepped into the room. He was greeted by harsh glares and harsher words from a few braver souls which were discretely silenced.
As he surveyed the room, he was handed a microphone that was connected to a portable set of speakers put in place by two communication officers. "I am afraid ladies and gentlemen the night must come to an end. I am Mathias Dencourt, a representative from Fort Cooper. It seems that we have a possible contagion loose with the building. One of your fellow classmates has been very sick as of late and has chosen to expose you all to the possible dangers of his condition. If you would please follow my team of trained staff outside, you will be administered a round of antivirals that should prove completely effective against the virus. So, if we can begin the process of exiting the building promptly, we can insure that you all our safe from the condition."
Sunnie clung to me tightly as the guards rounded everybody else up in a manner that exposed me as the culprit. The loathing stares as the partiers were escorted out would be nothing compared to how I would be treated across social media and at school if I was ever allowed to return. Mathias was more than amused at his little game. A wide smirk was maintained the whole time as the tide slowed to a trickle. Soon, the only remaining students were entirely comprised of my group mates sans Veronica. Miraculously, Haley had eluded capture.
Mathias began making his way to where I stood when the lights flickered off and the environment returned to its previous state, though not as jovial. A ballad began to play through the speakers. Sunnie and I both turned to see a dark shape duck behind a curtain.
I took charge of the offering of more time. To her surprise, I took her by the hand and guided us to the center of the floor. She curled into my arms as we began to dance. Every eye in the room was upon us as the chorus began to play.
"What will happen now?" She asked through tears.
Glaring around the room at the armed men, Mathias and the others I worriedly said, "I don't know. I really don't know."
The dance continued in silence until she looked at me as the last few lines fluttered away. "I wanted us to have forever Ethan, but we don’t... but we don't."
Stopping as the music faded, I cuddled her into my arms as I stared into the depths of her. "No Sunnie, we don't have forever, but we have right now."
As the soldiers closed in, we shared a final kiss.
About the author:
Shannon Shaw is a native of Alabama and currently resides in Huntsville with his wife Heather, his wonderful daughter and two cats. He enjoys horror movies, fast cars and The Walking Dead.
Created: Book 1 of the Created is the first in a three part series available at multiple online retailers. The second book in the series, Broken: Book 2 of the Created, is scheduled for release Fall 2012.
Connect with me:
Website - http://shannonshawbooks.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ShannonFShaw
Twitter – http://twitter.com/shannonfshaw
Created (Book 1 of the Created) Page 30