‘That was really strange Uncle Terry, didn't you wonder about it?’ Laura asked.
‘No. Malcolm liked attention and had a tendency to make things up. He was a bit of a Walter Mitty.’
‘As well as that, he has always been secretive Laura, that's the way he is. He is always saying things that are enigmatic and not telling you the full story but tempting you to constantly ask him about it. Then he won't tell you and you keep asking. He has always been the same.’ Sally added.
‘Yes that is his way. I thought if he wants me to know he can just bloody well tell me, but I'm not going to play one of Malcolm's games. But I got too worried. I didn’t hear anything from him for nearly two days. Then I went to visit him. He didn’t allow me to enter the house. I stayed at the door. He said the place was untidy. Why he thought I would mind, I don’t know. It was always untidy and I had never mentioned it. It was obviously not the right reason. I asked him about his addiction, and what it was again. Malcolm said that the addiction was still there, but perfectly fine and that he could probably see that at some point, I would have it. He didn’t hint as to what it was and naturally, I thought it was the drugs messing with his brain.’ Terry put his hands over his face. ‘Why didn’t I see this? I could have stopped it. I could have saved him.’
‘No. You could not have worked this out’ Laura said to Terry. He looked a bit devastated, as if he should have been able to pre-empt this situation.
‘You didn’t know about the cut that didn’t bleed. Sally and Kathy didn’t know about him saying he had a strange addiction. Also the reality of what has really been happening in Melden has only hit you within the last couple of days, since you have seen us. There was no way you could work out what was going on with Malcolm. Everyone had one piece of the jigsaw.’
‘There is something else I need to tell you. I just want to check what is going on at the front.’ Terry tip-toed out of the waiting room to join Pat in the corridor. He touched her shoulder gently.
‘Anything going on?’ He whispered.
‘She hasn't said anything to me. She is still watching.’ Pat replied bluntly. Wee Renee stepped back and turned her head towards them. She could hear them from the window even though they were talking in the quietest tones. Wee Renee shook her head as if to say there had been no movement.
Terry walked back into the waiting room, slightly closing the door behind him. The other’s waited to hear for any news.
‘Nothing yet, they are still in the bandroom.’
‘So what else has been going on then, Uncle Terry?’ Laura asked.
He sat on one of the chairs opposite the group and took a deep breath. Rubbing his hands across his face, he took a deep breath, before speaking.
‘Two days ago a strange case presented itself to me in the surgery. I attend to all of this particular family’s teeth, and it was the son, that had the problem. His mother told me that only the previous day she had seen an unusual tooth starting to form in her son’s mouth. He had come to her complaining that his mouth was hurting and when she looked she had seen the point of a new tooth, cutting through the gum. He seemed to have a fever and was very tired. She had given him children’s paracetamol for the pain and he had gone to bed. The next morning, the tooth was fully formed on the corner of his mouth here,’ Terry pointed at his own gum, ‘at the side above the canine teeth. There was the start of one the other side too, in exactly the same place. So she called the surgery to get an emergency appointment, as she was extremely worried about how quickly these teeth had appeared. Her son was in quite a lot of pain. When she presented the boy I witnessed an unusual tooth indeed. All I can say is that it was more like a fang, rather than a tooth. I did not remove it, but gave him some antibiotics. as there certainly was swelling on the roots of both new teeth. Until I could reduce his infection, I wouldn’t see how far the root system went. Also, regretfully, my x-ray machine had broken down and the technicians obviously couldn’t get to me, to repair it. I booked him in for an exploratory today, with a view to having the teeth removed. Or to check the growth of both of them, if I couldn’t. I also was going to refer the boy to the hospital. The child looked generally unwell, and I saw on his neck a superficial wound, but I thought there was nothing unusual about this at the time. However, I told them to book an urgent appointment with their Doctor as the fangs, weren’t the only symptoms he was presenting. But these were the only ones I could deal with.’
‘How old was he?’ Laura asked.
‘He was eight years old.’
‘Did you notice anything else, besides his neck and the fangs?’
‘Yes, I was concentrating on his mouth, obviously, but for a moment, I noticed a strange reflection in his eyes. In addition to that, when he was under the lamp he was also closing his eyes to the light. That is why I told them to get an urgent appointment at their Doctor’s Surgery. Meningitis was at the back of my mind. I was certainly worried though, as we are cut off from all the hospitals at the moment. I don’t know if she listened to me. I think she probably did. Whether they have seen their Doctor or not, I don’t know. How could I? Communication wise we are living in the dark ages.’
Pat then entered the room with Wee Renee close behind her. They shut the door behind them and Wee Renee told them that everyone had come out of the bandroom, disgruntled and had now gone. They could now maybe talk a little louder. Perhaps use the toilet or kettle.
21 – Antibiotic
Pat and Wee Renee sat down and said they were tired from standing up. They needed to rest for a while. Terry suggested that they all have a cup of tea, and relax for a minute. Sally and Kathy asked what everyone wanted and set to work as quiet as they could, putting the kettle on and making teas and coffees for everyone.
Whilst they did this, Terry told the two women that had been in the hygienist room, about the tale of the child that had visited him.
‘The plot thickens,’ Pat said.
Sally and Kathy brought over the drinks. Terry had found a box of cereal bars that his receptionist had had in the drawer. There was just enough for all of them to have one each.
Again Terry looked as if there was something he was going to have trouble imparting to them.
‘We need to discuss something else too.’ The group put down their cups and waited for him to start. Terry gazed at the fish tank from where he sat. At one point Wee Renee thought he had forgotten he was supposed to be telling them something. Then he bought it all out, in one mouthful.
‘You have forgotten that I went to that party too. I ate and drank the same as everyone else.’ Carl felt a knot tighten in his stomach. For the first time that evening, he looked up from his hands and slowly regarded Terry. He pushed himself back against the chair.
‘What are you saying? Are you going to turn on us as well? Have you and Malcolm been planning this? Are you some kind of vampire? Have you been eating cats? Have you eaten my cat, Terry? Is this what you are telling us? Was that child one of your new bloodthirsty mates?’
‘No. Hold your horses, Carl. I’ve never been asked so many questions in all my life! No not at all. It grieves me to have to tell you that I did eat and drink what they were eating. Since then I have felt a bit ill, but I have been very busy in the dentist and until now, I did not realise the severity of it, or recognise the symptoms, or even imagine what it could mean!’ Terry was clearly upset and they could see he was worried. He picked up his cup and took another drink, his hand shook and he had to hold the cup in both hands to steady it.
‘Right Terry, lets sort you out. Have you succumbed to eating flesh?’ Wee Renee asked.
‘No, not at all! God no, I haven't! I have felt strange certainly and had weird dreams. I have definitely been tired in the day, but just drank more coffee. I thought I was coming down with something. I missed my flu jab this year, I thought it was that.’
‘The lady we are living with, Our Doris,’ said Wee Renee, ‘is having those dreams too. But she is so bad that she cannot get out of bed.
She has hardly eaten too. This doesn’t add up. How else have you been suffering?’
‘I’ve just had the tiredness really. Been a little achy, I suppose, but I have been able to carry on working. Since I knew about how this situation was developing, I have been thinking it through. It is great that I haven’t had as severe reaction to it as others, but there must be a reason. I wondered if it is because I was already on a course of antibiotics before I went there. If this is some kind of infection or virus that she introduced to our village, then maybe this is what has saved me. If I consumed exactly the same amounts of virus, it can be the only explanation.’
‘What were the antibiotics for Dad? You never told us you were ill.’ Kathy asked.
‘It is a bit embarrassing really.’ They all jumped to the same conclusion. Pat smiled at Wee Renee and she pursed her lips.
‘Go on Rene,’ Pat said encouragingly.
‘Aye, Terry. It’s clear you have had a problem with a private area. You are going to have to tell us, we are all friends here. We won't judge you.’ Wee Renee said kindly. Sally and Kathy looked at each other shocked. Carl’s mouth dropped open. Terry was a dark horse, indeed. Pat moved her head forward, a hand on each knee. She didn’t want to miss the details.
‘Go on, love. Spill the beans,’ Pat said.
Terry didn't know what they were trying to say, and then came in at the last minute.
‘Oh right, no nothing like that. I am on about my toe that had gone really septic. My big toe. I have a funny toenail. It keeps happening. I had to have strong antibiotics for it.’ Pat sat back again in her chair, clearly disappointed with Terry’s ailment.
‘Oh Terry, you got me in a proper to-do there. I thought you were going to turn out a right rum ‘un!’ Pat said.
‘Dad,’ said Sally, ‘why didn't you tell us about the toe or about feeling ill. You have been going through all this on your own.’
‘It’s not a big deal. It was a bad toe and a bit of tiredness or that's what I thought. Now I am worried, but I didn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle back then.’
‘What is this infection anyway? Or virus?’ Carl asked, frowning at the others. ‘I am confused as to whether it is vampires or is it werewolves? Surely we can’t be so unlucky as to have both. It must be one or the other.’
‘I don’t really know, to be honest. This is what I can gather.’ said Wee Renee. ‘In Friarmere there is a man named Norman he seems to have been here in Melden before, and it looks like that is when he took Kate. I think Kate is a vampire, a succubus. He then infected our band with wine and food, which contained his blood. Which marked them for his approach. Norman then turned them one by one, apart from one person who fought the compulsion to become one of his. Being a vegetarian helped Liz resist the urge for meat or blood. As far as I know, the people from Friarmere are pure vampire. Now, as well as all that, a farmer had some sheep stolen. They were eaten or mutilated. Both of those things I think. He thought he heard wolves howling. Which obviously now ties in with this. At one point there was a battle, which seems ages ago, but was in fact, only last Wednesday. We lost some good people. At this battle, a Christmas Concert, all the people that had been made into vampires, came out of the woodwork. Between us, we managed to get some of them but we also witnessed them make others. They blocked the village off. We were all trapped. The vampires were now picking people off one by one. We saw two people from the band, The Cooper’s attacking a lady we knew named Mary. We got away by the skin of our teeth. When we arrived here, we spoke to Our Doris. She went to a similar party but there was a lady named Anne, who was the host. Our Doris has never clapped eyes on Norman. Anne also invited the band from Melden. What a coincidence? And it looks like this Anne, infected them with her blood too. Her blood is different though it seems. Our Doris had different symptoms and dreams than Liz. I have witnessed the vampires in Friarmere and the infected people over here in Melden. There is definitely a big difference between them. Physically they look different, stand and walk differently. Plus there is the aspect of the wolves that are roaming with the group of predators and this lady named Anne. They work as one intelligence. I have seen her command them with her mind working them one way and another, shifting like a flock of birds. These people still look to be mostly regular. They are not covered in hair, so are not werewolves. But what the people are, I don't know. From a distance I would say their heads and hands are slightly different, and they walk more crouched or bent over. The vampires in Friarmere are just pale imitations of us. If you saw one from a distance, you would never know. They can act the same as us at will, but are a deceiving bunch of monsters.’
‘So, there is a difference. Would you say the Friarmere lot are clearly vampires, but it is unclear what they are here?’ Terry asked.
‘Yes I would. I am no expert, but I have read a little. Whether what I read is a myth or a truth passed down, I don’t know.’ Sally couldn’t imagine what Wee Renee was going to say next.
‘Some of the books I have read might explain the Melden lot, one way or another. I am not saying what I know is gospel. You must understand. But I admit a lot of things fit with something I have read. I can’t remember it all either. The books are sitting in my wee house right now, with all the answers we need. Just waiting for me to find them!’ Wee Renee said.
‘Tell us please,’ asked Sally. ‘Tell us what you know.’ The room was quiet, the fish tank bubbled every so often. As Wee Renee spoke, there was a feeling that they had been sent back to ancient times, when Old Wives told tales around the fire. Where the world was still flat and anything was possible. Their wide, shining eyes watched Wee Renee. They absorbed every word.
‘There is no doubt that there are many legends about vampires and werewolves and some of them go hand in hand. There is a Russian legend about a monster called the Strigoi, who is part werewolf and part vampire. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is like him. A Strigoi. Where do the bats come into it? Maybe people saw something else flying in and feeding on people. Something black, and they naturally put it together with the vampire bats that mostly feed on cattle. The engravings of The Strigoi are truly terrible.’ Terry swallowed loudly, before Wee Renee continued.
‘Also there is the Irish goddess of death called The Morrigan, that I have heard of. She can transform herself into a wolf or a crow and signifies death and fate. A crow – they are black aren’t they, like a bat. Is that too much of a coincidence? Imagine this. What if this Anne is a lot older than we think? What if she was in Ireland hundreds of years ago and The Morrigan is her! Tales passed down from generation to generation, changing with each telling. Maybe, she was just a vampire who owned wolves. I don't know, there are so many legends, I only managed to read a few in the first days between us realising what we were facing, and leaving Friarmere. Like Terry, I didn’t know what I know now. I wasn’t looking for a vampire werewolf connection. Just vampires.’
‘Wait a minute. Isn’t Anne’s surname….Morgan?’ Laura asked.
‘Yes,’ Pat answered.
‘Talk about tales being changed with each telling. How much is Morgan like The Morrigan?’
They all held their breath.
22 – Snowmobile
Wee Renee was just about to say something else when they saw her stiffen.
‘Shhh!’ she said. They all listened intently and they started to hear it too. There it was, the sound of a motorbike again. In fact, it sounded like two of them. Wee Renee quickly and quietly got up and walked out of the waiting room. Pat followed her and the others filed in behind Pat. Wee Renee quickly resumed her position of viewing and watched what was going on. She was there for a long half an hour again, watching as quiet and attentive as a cat. Then suddenly they began hearing more voices, and shouting. Wee Renee stepped back a little from the window. Even if they had been speaking at normal volume they probably could not have been heard for the amount of noise outside.
They were all very worried, breathing shallowly, thinking that at any moment they woul
d be discovered. After a short while, the noise seemed to transfer inside. Shouting, bangs and thumping could be heard against the wall that joined the bandroom onto the dentist.
In the next house, they certainly were having a thorough search for the group. Wee Renee came away from the window, shooing the others in front of her. They quickly paraded back into the other room and shut the door slightly behind them.
‘Listen carefully,’ she said before telling them what they most craved to hear. Her eyes were large and her breathing quick. They stood in a circle. The atmosphere was electric. ‘There were five wolves, and six of what I would consider three people infected by Anne, rather than Norman. They were waiting. I don’t know how long they had been there. I take it they hadn’t heard us speaking or else they would be in here now. We will have to be careful. If we hadn’t heard the snowmobiles as a warning, we could have been doing anything in here and given ourselves away. Just as I got there the first snowmobile arrived with Keith and Christine again. Then, I could hear the other snowmobile and they all turned facing in one direction and waited, in reverence. There he was on the second snowmobile, The Beast himself, Norman.’ Wee Renee stopped and touched Carl’s arm. She looked him directly in the eyes for a long time. ‘And sitting behind him, on the snowmobile was your Kate.’
Carl’s knees buckled and Terry managed to grab him quickly at the side. Between Terry and Pat, they got Carl into a seat, where he sat pale, glassy eyed and still staring at Wee Renee.
‘They would have killed us. All that amount of
people.’ Laura said.
I have no doubt,’ Wee Renee said. ‘Norman looked excited and so did Kate. Keith held back all the others until Norman got there. The Beast went in first, whether that was so he would have first dibs, I don't know. They never even glanced in this direction. I’m going to do more beaking now, but it’s no use looking out there now, they have gone inside.’
Silver Banned: Book 2 of the Saddleworth Vampire Series Page 13