by H. T. Night
My emotions went from euphoria to absolute terror. I was thousands of feet above the earth. And now I was dropping at a speed that I couldn’t even fathom. The night was completely dark and I felt as if I were falling into a black hole. But I knew better. I was falling to the earth—an earth that would crush and destroy me on contact. What the hell was I to do?
I need to fly! I was going to make contact with the ground soon. The fear was indescribable. I couldn’t think clearly. I knew I needed to transition. Was this a faith issue? Was this a test by the Triat? Was I falling to the earth because I was allowing fear to beat me? The wind was choking me. I decided to look up and take in a giant breath of air, as if I were going underwater. I gulped as much air as I could and then I looked down. I concentrated on becoming the eagle. Nothing was happening! Why wasn’t I transitioning? I remained calm. I looked up and took in another gulp of air. I spread my arms out and began flapping them, praying they would turn into wings.
I looked down. It was no longer a black hole. There was a sea of lights below me. I was drawing closer to the earth. Dear God! This can’t be the way this ends! I straightened my legs as if I was doing a jackknife into a pool. I raised my arms straight up. Then something miraculous happened. I felt my body slowing down, as if I were a race car driver that had taken my foot off the pedal.
As I slowed down, I could see shapes as well as lights below me. I knew I was making my way closer and closer to the ground. With all that I had, and every bit of will, I stretched my arms out as hard as I could. I had nothing to lose; if it didn’t work, I was going to die anyway.
Then it happened. I could feel my body taking control of my speed. I had control. I freaking had control! I was no longer falling. I had somehow changed direction again. I was now going up again. I needed to reel this in.
I couldn’t let myself rise out of control again. I wasn’t going to let it happen. I had some bearing of control this time. It was like trying to ride an out-of-control horse. The problem was, I was the horse. I concentrated, breathed and did all that I could to recall the feelings I had had as the eagle, to try to control my flying. I had seen Superman and Greatest American Hero. They made flying look easy. I needed to relax. And relax I did.
The more relaxed I was, the easier it was to control my body. I was now flying, I was finally in absolute control. I was flying! Not as an eagle, but as me, Josiah Reign. I felt power underneath my feet. My energy was allowing me to fly. It was the most amazing feeling I had ever experienced. This was more exhilarating than flying as an eagle. I could see my own arms, my own legs. It felt similar to swimming, but a lot more freeing.
As the eagle, I had felt light and delicate. At times, I picked up on the sense of power when I struck a person or an object. But flying as a Mani felt like the dreams I used to have when I was mortal. I felt powerful and alive. And yes, I felt like Superman. I tilted my arms and leveled out my body so that I was flying parallel to the earth, Superman-style. I allowed myself to drop and then I would ascend. Flying felt like having ten orgasms back to back. It was the biggest rush I have ever had. It was more exciting than all my experiences combined. I felt like the most powerful man in the world. That was the problem. I was no longer a man, I was a vampire—and now I could fly. In my Mani body. I was jubilant.
Chapter Six
I flew around for the next two hours in my Mani form, arms and legs flapping in the wind.
I noticed that I was less anxious about flying when I was lower to the ground, but I was risking being seen by the public. So, I was going to have to find a happy medium with all this flying business. I needed to fly low enough to feel comfortable and high enough to not be seen by the naked eye.
The sun would be coming out soon. I decided once again to go find Lena. I knew I had left her and everyone else stranded a mile down from the ranch. I doubted she was still there. I checked there anyway, just to be sure. I scoped up and down from the sky and saw no one within two miles of the ranch. I decided to fly over to her trailer community. Hopefully, she had gone back home. I arrived at the trailer park in minutes. I spotted her mobile home from the air and noticed a car parked in the driveway. Her parents must have come home.
I decided to land in the park across the street. It seemed like it was the best spot because of the large amount of soft grass. I circled the park as I had done earlier in the night. It was different this time because I wasn’t circling the park as an eagle, but as a man. I was showing vast improvement when at landing as the eagle. This was a completely different ball game, trying to land with legs. As an eagle, I could pull back and delicately hit the earth, my wings lifting me at the last moment of touchdown. I had no idea at what speed I should hit the ground flying as a Mani. I didn’t want to crush my legs on impact.
There was a barn at the far east end of the park. It was some sort of petting zoo for kids in the area. As I circled the barn, I could see some bales of hay to the left of the barn. I decided to aim my landing in that direction. Hay on top of grass was double the protection.
I continued to circle around the barn, each time making the circle smaller and smaller. Each time I circled, I inched my way closer and closer to the earth. I was about twenty feet from the ground. I needed to land and I was becoming apprehensive. I dipped my legs down a tad, as if I were jumping off a roof of a house. That was not a good idea. I pulled back my motion as I drew closer and closer to the ground. Right next to the barn was a scarecrow and I used it as my focal point. I pulled up hard, but I knew my speed was still too fast. I hit the bales of hay much harder than I intended to. I instinctively curled my body up into a ball to protect my vital areas. All that did was make me roll instantly when I hit the ground. And roll I did. I rolled out of control and crashed directly into the barn. I had hoped the barn would stop my momentum. No such luck. My body broke through the wooden walls as if I were a tank. I wrapped my hands around my head on contact to prevent further injury.
Finally, I stopped and lay there flat on my back. I looked up and saw a brown horse looking down at me. It stared at me with a bewildered look as if to say, ‘Who the hell are you?’
I rose to my feet as quickly as I could. My body ached all over. I had put my body through the wringer tonight. Although I was in immense pain, my adrenaline was still off the charts. I felt like I had just downed ten Red Bulls.
I wiped off the dirt and hay, cracked my neck, and walked out of the barn. The cold morning air hit my face. The sun would be up shortly. I walked across the grassy field and headed to Lena’s trailer park.
I felt like a superhero as I exited the park and went across the street. Cars passed me and for the first time, I had the feeling of immortality. Ultimately, I felt that nothing could hurt me. It felt insanely great. It was the high of highs. The surge of power was beginning to make me realize my own potential as a Mani.
I wasn’t even sure if Lena was home. Lena’s parents were home and that changed everything. I went to the side of the house and tapped the window to her bedroom. After just one tap, the lights in her room came on. Lena pulled back the curtain and I saw her face. She looked concerned and beautiful.
She opened the window just enough to be heard, “Josiah,” she whispered, “are you okay?”
“I’m more than okay,” I said, louder than I planned to.
“Shhhh, you’ll wake up creepazoid.” She opened the window more.
“Screw him. Let’s get out of here!” I whispered back.
Lena looked behind me. “Where’s your car?”
“I’m not going to need that anymore.”
Lena looked at me puzzled.
“Get some clothes together,” I said. “Let’s get out of here.”
Lena had a spark in her eye. “Really?”
“Of course, really. You don’t need to live here anymore. I have plenty of room, you can stay with me.”
Lena’s face looked like a child’s on Christmas morning. “Hold on!” She left for a moment and came back. She already had a su
itcase packed with clothes in her arms and handed it to me through the window.
All of a sudden, I heard a deep voice. “Who the hell are you talking to, little woman?” Lena quickly jumped out the window and fell into my arms. We swiftly hid behind the trailer. We could hear Lena’s stepdad in her room. He was walking around. “That little whore snuck out again!” he said in a loud voice. He turned off the light.
I looked at Lena and I couldn’t help but have the biggest smile on my face.
She could see the excitement in my eyes. “What the hell happened tonight? Did you fight?”
“Yes.” I must have had a lot of scrapes and bruises.
“Did you win?”
“Yes and no,” I said.
“Well, you’re alive. That’s the only thing that matters.” Lena looked at the back of my head. “Josiah, your head is cracked open. Do you feel alright?”
Goliath apparently had done a number to the back of my head. She continued, “Let’s get out of here. We need to take care of that.”
“Okay,” I said. “Put your arms around my neck.”
“Why?” Lena looked at me curiously.
“Just do it,” I said. Lena wrapped her arms around my neck. “Hold on tight.” I raised my arms as if I was a superhero preparing to fly.
“What the heck are you doing?” Lena gasped. I raised my arms again, this time with some oomph. I had a small problem. Nothing was happening. Lena looked at me as if I had lost my mind.
“Uh... Josiah. What are you doing?”
“Hold on,” I said. “Watch!” I raised my arms again; this time I made a fist as if that would help. Again, nothing happened.
“What are you trying to do?” Lena asked, laughing.
“I’m trying to fly,” I stammered.
“Well,” Lena said sweetly, “you’ll need to transition to do that.” Then we heard someone open the front door. “Transition, Josiah!” Lena immediately transitioned into a red hawk.
Dammit! I wanted to show her I could fly! Why couldn’t I fly?
Lena flew away, leaving her suitcase behind. I could hear Lena’s stepdad coming closer. I transitioned to the eagle. I grabbed the suitcase in my beak and flew out of the area like a speeding bullet. Yeah, now I was the superhero.
Chapter Seven
We both landed in my front yard and the sun was peeking up over the horizon. It was a beautiful thing to see. It would be something I couldn’t enjoy anymore. It made me sad to know that the sun was a deep fryer for vampires who had the stupidity to stand outside in it.
We both transitioned into our Mani forms on my front porch. I picked up the suitcase and grabbed a key that was hidden under a pot by the door. I knew any idiot would check there first if they intended to rob me, but I really didn’t care. I had homeowner’s insurance.
I unlocked the door and we went inside. I looked around quickly to see if Tommy had shown up. There was no sign that he had been in the house; everything was the way I left it.
“Let’s re-duct tape the curtain drapes and blinds,” I said to Lena. “Light has a funny way of slipping inside.” I grabbed two rolls of duct tape off the table and handed one to her. I went around my house, reapplied duct tape on all areas where light could sneak in, and Lena did the same. In a few minutes, we had finished. We were sure that no sunlight could make it in under any conditions. But then, neither could air.
We both went into my kitchen.
“So what happened?” Lena asked.
“With the wolves?”
“Yes, we all showed up at 3:15 a.m. and you were nowhere to be found. We transitioned and flew toward the ranch and saw Goliath finishing off one of his own, the way he did to Tommy. We all hoped it was because you worked him good. We flew around looking for you for a little while and just figured you had split.”
“Was Tommy there?” I asked.
Lena wasn’t sure what I knew about Tommy and just nodded her head. After a moment, she said, “Yari drove Tommy in on her Kawasaki bike.”
“So, Tommy was there?” I pressed.
“Yes, Josiah. He is alive.”
I nodded my head knowingly. Then I decided to explain why the group was late for my fight. “I might have fibbed about the time.”
“Why would you do that?” Lena asked, surprised.
“I wanted to take care of my own business. And protect my friends.” I walked past Lena, went into the living room, and sat on the couch. Lena turned and followed me.
“Look, you’re going to need protection. Everyone does. No one expects you to fight 30 Carni all by yourself. That was preposterous, what you did.”
“Well, I did fine.”
“You can’t see the back of your head. It’s dented! Why are you being so stubborn?” Lena wasn’t messing around. She was becoming upset. “You don’t have to do this alone.”
“Maybe I want to do it alone,” I said defiantly.
“Then you’re going to get killed. You might have been Chosen, Josiah, but don’t forget we all were. We have been called to help you. Serve you.”
I looked down at Lena. I needed to tell her the real reason why I gave her the wrong time. “I told you the wrong time because I didn’t want you to get hurt.” Lena raised her head and gently looked up at me. I looked down at her and for the first time, showed how vulnerable I was in her presence. “I don’t care what I have to do; I’m always going to make sure you’re safe.”
Lena reached out her hand and rubbed my arm. “Please let me help you; it’s what I’ve been called to do.” The slightest touch from Lena made me melt. She looked at me lovingly. Dammit, I was falling hard for her. “There is just so much I don’t understand,” I said and took Lena’s hand in mine.
“That’s why you need all of us. We all need you, too.” Lena sat next to me on the couch. Her legs were now touching mine.
I turned to her and said, “It’s hard for me to trust a bunch of people who were trying to kill me a month ago.”
“I know it is. But, you need to remember, you’re one of them now. We both are and we’re all in this together. Wyatt and Hector have had amazing lives. They are good men. They have seen and done things that would blow your mind. You need to trust them. And I don’t have to tell you about Yari. All of them will lay down their lives for you, the same way they were prepared to do for Atticai.” After Lena said ‘Atticai’, she stopped and stared straight ahead.
“Do you still love him?” I asked.
“That kind of thing doesn’t just go away.” Lena let go of my hand.
“Look, I know that there is this beautiful romantic part of you that wanted to live forever by his side. But, you are aware that he was only using you?”
“I know.” Lena held back tears. “I’m just confused.”
“Why?”
“I had my own visions, Josiah. I had amazing dreams where I was this beautiful angel watching over The Chosen.”
“Was it visions? Or wishful thinking?”
“All I know is that I felt so much love when I was watching over him.” Lena shook her head with disgust. “You’re right. It was just some little girl fantasy that got into my subconscious.” Lena now looked defeated.
I couldn’t let her feel this way. “Lena, don’t be upset with yourself. You are this amazingly beautiful woman inside and out. Your heart and soul is why the Triat chose you for this venture. Just because the details weren’t what they seemed, doesn’t mean anything less. You’re a spectacular woman.”
“I guess I’m still that.” Lena looked at her body. “I may be a Mani, but I’m still a woman.”
I looked at Lena and she was as beautiful as ever. “That you are.”
“The sun is up,” she said.
“Yes, it is. We should probably get some rest.”
I stood up and Lena laid her legs across the couch. She closed her eyes. I went to the closet and pulled out a blanket out for her. It was an orange and white cover; one that my grandmother had made for me when I was five years old. It
was my favorite blanket. I walked over holding the blanket and looked down at this beautiful young woman lying on my couch. Why did I have such intense feelings for her?
Lena opened her eyes and looked up at me. She gave me a warm smile. “Do you need something, mister?” she asked in a sweet, innocent voice.
“Do you want a blanket?” I asked.
“That would be nice.”
I laid the blanket gently on top of her. I then sat on the floor and leaned my back up against the couch. I closed my eyes and sighed aloud. I just wanted to be near her.
Lena said softly in my ear, “Before all this happened, Josiah. What did you believe in?”
I sighed again. “I don’t even know.”
“Really? You didn’t believe in anything?”
“Do you mean like God, heaven, and hell?
“Yeah. Did you believe in any of that?”
“I remember going to a church youth group when I was a sophomore in high school with a girl I was dating at the time. The pastor guy asked if anyone wanted to come forward to be prayed for. I remember wanting to believe in what he was saying so badly. I even went forward and got prayed for. The guy prayed with me. I had to admit, it was intense.”
“So, what happened?”
“Nothing happened. I started wondering if what I felt was more of a belief in a Creator or for something greater than myself.”
“What do you mean exactly?” Lena sat up again. She seemed keenly interested in what I thought.
“Maybe what I felt was a hope that a God could exist and that my life had a plan.”
“But it does have a plan,” Lena said with conviction.
“I know now that it does. I’m trying to figure out what my stake in this is. I guess I can accept that I am needed to help make a change. But I still need guidance. I feel like I’m dangling. I feel the Triat, or whoever is leading this life, has left me to figure it out on my own.”