“Or all four of us can go back. Two by two; I might enjoy that.”
I gawked at Daemon.
Are you that worried about me?
“I just want to be sure no one gets hurt if someone is overzealous.”
That’s so sweet.
Iggy started unbuttoning his jacket.
“Fine by me. Let’s get this party rocking.”
The four of us retired to the cramped sleeping area while privacy curtains were pulled shut. Cal’s voice reached us faintly from the front of the chamber; he distracted the other men with conversation. Iggy was half-nude in a minute and wearing a jackal’s grin. Todd lay back on one of the bunks and beckoned Daemon to him with one finger.
I stopped Iggy’s hands from undoing his pants, pulled his eyes to meet mine, and he was under my thrall almost immediately. His jaw hung loosely and his pupils waned as I cast my glamour. Todd struck a similar pose. Daemon left his prey on the twin bed.
“Is he under? Like really, thoroughly under?”
“Yeah, why?”
Daemon thumped Iggy in the crotch. The dazed man’s eyes watered, but he remained motionless.
“Was that necessary?”
“No, but it made me feel better. I don’t like how he looked at you. If you’d been human still, he would’ve...”
“I know what he would have tried, but I can take care of myself. Besides, I’m not human anymore; you of all people should know that.”
I kissed him and nudged him towards the waiting Todd. Even under the mesmerism, he still displayed an impressive pup tent.
“No fair distracting me with a kiss.”
“Eat your dinner.”
I fed from within Iggy’s elbow to avoid his coarse beard and the intimacy of his throat. Daemon repositioned himself to do the same to avoid bumping against the man’s erection. Todd let out a low gasp when Daemon drank from him. Once done, we planted the false memory of a hurried but pleasant encounter and the suggestion that they were both exhausted.
We wiped our lips and switched out with Cal as he took Herb and Nolan in back. I put Zeke under and shared a little dessert with Daemon while Cal got his fill. I felt a shudder as the Sun rose outside our concealed shelter. Tension was noticeably lower when the trio emerged. Nolan sported a bite mark to the left of his neck, Herb’s wasn’t visible. My eyebrow rose as I searched for the wound. Cal smirked and tapped his inside thigh when no one was looking.
“He was already offering that area, I decided to oblige him and drink from his femoral. I only wish he hadn’t been so...relaxed by my feeding.”
Daemon giggled when he found the wet splotch on his mentor’s shirt.
I guess he tried to wash it off first. I think I’ll stick to the neck and arm.
Our hosts made small talk for another hour or so before they all gave over to exhaustion and slumbered. None woke before we left at dusk. I shut the heavy capsule door behind me and gazed at the sheen of snow and frost.
The winter is nearly done. Soon, we will have everyone safely free of this nightmare.
Daemon teased Cal about his date with Herb. Cal chucked a snowball at him and mumbled as he took to the clear night air. I took a deep breath, letting it chill my lungs and shake off the urge to drowse. Daemon nuzzled my earlobe and pulled me skyward with him.
A wonderful night to travel.
CHAPTER 30 MARCH 5TH - YEAR 2
I lost another block of time. I think it was around thirty-six hours, but I can’t be sure when I mentally checked out. There are flashes of melting icicles, urban areas overrun by barely mobile Dead, and sitting around a low fire listening to Daemon and Cal chat. Everything’s a haze, but I know something must have happened, because neither of them will look me in the eye.
We’re in some forest ranger cabin. I recall helping nail blankets over the windows to block out the sunlight, but not when or how we found the place. A note is sitting on the table of the sparse room; Reggie was hid here for a few hours one night during a storm. He left us an atlas to guide us to Buffalo.
For some reason, the fact that we are almost to the boundary has my companions on edge. Cal keeps making small talk and Daemon just sits beside me. He hasn’t made a joke all day. Something is wrong. We talked about dreams and they both got silent when I told them I dreamt of riding a river whichever way it flowed.
“Guys, c’mon. What’s going on? It’s just a dream, why do you want to hear about my daytime brain farts anyways?”
“Dreams have meaning, Squirrel. They are not merely ‘brain farts’ as you describe them, but guides into your mind. A mind you continue to dwell in almost more than reality.”
“We’re worried about you. Reggie won’t let you into Canada, into the rest of the vampire community if you’re still not right in the head.”
“But I am.” They stared at me. My Dad used to give me that look and I caved every time. “Well, I’m not perfect, but I’m doing fine. I promise it’s just a dream.”
Cal stood and put another log in the fireplace.
“And you remember yesterday? You weren’t off in some fantasy or memory or whatever?”
Well, I was remembering how much high school wasn’t the absolute worst part of my life anymore, but that doesn’t mean I’m damaged.
“Most of it. We got here, found the note and atlas, pinned up the blankets and hung out for the day. Oh and we slept. Did I forget anything?”
Daemon covered his eyes and sighed.
“You found the park ranger in the bathroom and went into a frenzy. What we hauled out of here didn’t even resemble a person. Even the fleshies looked better.”
Daemon’s words were low and tapered off. I looked at both for signs of a prank or a test. There was only the creaking of boughs dropping their snow and somber expressions. I wracked my memory for the event; all I found was that I had no hunger after almost two days without nourishment.
“It can’t be true. I don’t think it happened.”
I sank onto the padded wooden chair. Daemon reached out for my hand. I took it to be sure this moment was real.
“But it did. You found the ranger and he cut himself shaving and you went feral on him. Cal and I had to practically knock you unconscious to get you to let go. We had to clean him up with bucket and mop. What was left got poured onto a fire we lit out back. You didn’t even respond when I talked to you.”
Glimpses of carnage stirred in my memory. I tried to hold on to them, but was so disgusted I hurled up blood and bile.
“Don’t push the thoughts aside. If you do not deal with the truth, you will never be able to maintain a hold on reality. I don’t want to put you down; I love you as a daughter.” Cal stroked my hair while Daemon grabbed a bucket and mop. “But a rabid creature must be euthanized no matter how beloved it is. Please do not keep partitioning these thoughts. Face them.”
My love gave me a bottle of water to rinse my mouth and cleaned my mess. I looked to him for a response to Cal’s advice and warning. He simply kissed my forehead and disposed of the vomit.
“I’ll do my best. I won’t ignore them anymore. Just tell me everything I may not remember.”
They did. And I sobbed until I cried myself to sleep. My dreams became nightmares. The pull to stay in them was minimal.
Maybe Cal is right to be done with me. It would be best for Daemon and him if I were gone. I probably wouldn’t even know it was happening.
Daemon’s arm pulled me close and I stirred from the terrors of my mind. Dust glided through the slim streak of sunlight that burgled its way into the room. I pressed my ear to his chest and listened to the rise and fall of his breathing. The sound became hypnotic and I drifted back to sleep.
No. I won’t give up. I’m a fighter and I’m stubborn. I’ll manage this problem. I can’t put them through that ordeal. They’re my family.
###
I’ve kept my mind focused on each moment since waking. It’s exhausting and I have to face the memories that keep popping up. My escorts seem
relieved and optimistic. We’ve been flying all night and just reached the Buffalo city limits. A big yellow message was on the top of a building for us.
-Wait here for Reggie-
We landed on the roof and saw discovered the message was made of reflective tape. Someone -- likely our guide -- had scooped off the layer of ice and slush recently to make it visible.
“Well, we shall have to remain for the day. Should we let ourselves in?”
Cal tugged the steel door open and we trudged down the black stairwell. No groans met my ears.
“At least there doesn’t seem to be any zombies in here.”
Cal’s disembodied voice responded from several flights down.
“I’m sure Reggie cleared them out before choosing this locale.”
“How did you get down there so fast?” Daemon and I leaned over the rail.
“Jumped of course. Just land quietly and get down here. I can smell something burning.”
With a shrug, we hopped into the chasm. Daemon landed with a soft thud.
“Son of a biscuit-eater nipple clamp.”
I managed to land on my arm. A loud snap announced the fracture.
“I second that.”
Cal lifted us both to our feet and reset my radius without warning. Blinding pain seared through me as the broken bone was shoved back under my skin and started to knit. I was at a loss of words so deep that thoughts failed to process. Daemon pulled off his belt and rigged up a sling for my mending arm while casting a scowl at Cal.
“You two suck at being undead. I’m really going to have to train you both better before you embarrass me among our kind.”
The elder vampire shook his head in mock disappointment and led us down a hallway. The aroma of singed wood and an amber glow called us. We moved like ghosts towards the open door to apartment thirty-seven. I chuckled at the unintended Clerks reference. I pointed at the number and Daemon paused before suppressing a chuckle of his own.
When we get out of this mess, we are going to have to have a week long movie marathon. It’ll be nice to relax on a couch watching flicks with him like a normal couple.
A loud thwack tossed away my reverie. We hustled inside the unit to discover Cal prone on the marred carpet and Reggie holding a right-angled putter. He dropped the golf club and offered a hand to his old friend. Caelinus accepted but murder shone in his eyes.
“You foul inbred cactus bugger. Why did you hit me?”
“Because you dragged me into this venture. It should’ve been a couple of weeks of guiding you and a couple of others to the border and setting up new identities. Instead, I’ve had to spend all damned winter dealing with mortal drama, gory corpses ruining my clothes, and the fact that an improperly turned vampire is still alive and I’m expected to deal with it.”
I twisted my arm to test its progress healing; best to be prepared. Cal held Daemon back with one hand and walked to the low fire with his friend. We stayed in the doorway, ready for an earthquake to strike.
“I assure you, I didn’t realize things would become so muddled. I appreciate your aid, we all do. For what it’s worth, we will return for our human counterparts without you.”
“And I’m doing much better.”
Reggie tilted his head at me with the expression I’d give if a puppet were to suddenly offer me a gold-lined coffin.
“Oh, that’s helpful coming from you. Squirrel, no offense, but you are truly and technically fucked in the head.”
Daemon was quick to my defense.
“Is not!”
Not a good defense past the age of eight, but a good sentiment nonetheless.
“Daemon, please do be quiet.” Cal rubbed his eyes. “I didn’t know vampires could get migraines. And yes, Reggie, Squirrel seems to be doing better. By the time we’ve gotten the rest of our friends settled beyond the quarantine, I think she will be well.”
Reggie stormed over to his friend and put a finger in his chest.
“And you are willing to stake our lives on it? You know our laws and why they must be adhered to. If she is not fully recovered by the second return, you or the boy will have to handle the situation.”
Cal’s eyes saddened and his head sank.
“I know. Dear friend, I know it more than I can bear, but there is still time and she is battling the demons within. I take responsibility for Daemon and by proxy for her should he be unable.”
Our host pulled the Roman into an embrace and patted his back.
“Very well, Caelinus. It is a burden I wish you would not take, but it already hangs about your shoulders like a mantle of lead. Forgive me the blow and hold out hope as long as you are able.
The pair warmed themselves by the fire. A map was laid to the side and they plotted where to cross the border. Daemon and I shared a look of puzzlement.
“I think they just agreed to give me a stay of execution.”
“Me too.”
We eased down beside our elders.
“So, this kind of violent outburst is normal within the vampire community?”
Cal sighed.
“Mostly with old friends. It’s fairly common for interactions to turn either violent or sexual. Sometimes both, but I prefer to keep my contact with Reggie violent or calm.”
“You know you want me.” Reggie teased as he vogued and batted his eyelashes.
I gawked and focused on not picturing the pair in any other poses.
“As long as things aren’t weird or anything.”
CHAPTER 31 MARCH 6TH - YEAR 2
We made it! We flew straight across the city as soon as twilight was upon us before stopping a mile from the quarantine border to wait to cross. Reggie insisted that we wait for the night to get darker and we stay far enough away not to be mistaken for Dead by the sharpshooters along the barrier.
I peered into the thawing obscurity at the barrier that protected Canada and its American refugees. I could see how it began as sandbags, concrete traffic barriers, and chain link fence. Behind those mundane obstacles was a sturdy wall around ten feet high. Soldiers and what appeared to be volunteers patrolled the top searching through their scopes for any approaching fleshies. Only one gate was visible for miles and it was thick steel with spikes protruding along the bottom half.
All around the structure lay the remains of hundreds of people. Most seemed badly decomposed; I assume they were zombies and not survivors pleading for asylum.
“Why are there only a few hundred bodies? Shouldn’t there be more?”
Reggie leaned down and whispered as another zombie stumbled past in search of the bright lights on the wall.
“They clear the bodies about once a week. They send a force through the gate and impale the skulls before burning the fiends. There’s a mass pyre half a mile west and another to the east. Gates are every ten miles and the wall goes from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The barrier isn’t as complete out west, but this stretch is small and easier to defend.”
“So why are we crossing where it’s harder to pass?”
“Because it’s closer and we aren’t going through it, but over it.”
Oh yeah, flying. Play it off.
“That makes sense, but what about when we bring the others through; they can’t fly.”
Nice recovery.
Cal intervened as Daemon sliced through the sagging face of a rotund corpse that was nibbling on his sneaker.
“We can fly them over. It will take time, but time is something we have at our disposal.”
“Ewww. Does anyone have a towel or wet nap or something?” Daemon kicked the deceased into the slush. “I really liked these shoes.”
We let our conversations wane and watched the sentries on the wall. They fired only when a fleshie got past the first round of hindrances. None of the roving Dead were put down until they reached the main wall unless the Dead moved in a large enough group.
The continuous moaning and tramping of the infected made me struggle to keep my thoughts on the present. Cal rubbed my
healed arm and gave me a little smile of encouragement after I plugged my ears and began humming ‘It’s a small world’.
The swarm of frostbitten broken cadavers inched past us towards the barrier that displayed living flesh with high powered firearms. At least forty moved en masse in desperation for the guards and their charges. The four of us shifted back a hundred yards to observe the interaction.
An alarm went up along the partition and a half dozen more snipers appeared from the other side. Many went to a knee or lay on their stomach to set their aim. In small bursts the bullets erupted through the heads of those in front. Cranium shards and gray matter gushed into the night air. Confetti of flesh against the trampled snow.
I ceased humming and listened to the precise shots and calm directions as the riflemen worked in unison to dispel the mindless force. The next wave stumbled over their predecessors and tumbled to the earth. Dirt and blood exploded as the fallen were kept down with fractured skulls.
Clouded eyes sat openly staring into mine as one of the Dead fell backwards after the round hit his chest. It extended its gnarled hand and for an instant I recognized the face from late night TV. Two pops and the comedian’s eyes were replaced with a gaping hole. I was dragged backwards by my sire and ducked to cover my head.
The shooting continued for ten minutes. Daemon held me tightly while our companions relaxed against a large tree stump. When the call was made to ceasefire, I fought the desire to become a meerkat and look up. After a few minutes I gave in and peeked at the wall; all was normal.
Reggie stood and gestured for us to follow him away from the scene.
“Time to move. Everyone have their belongings and dressed in decent attire?”
I dabbed at the bits of brain and skin on my jeans with a rag.
“Not anymore. Why does it matter?”
“It matters because we can’t look like we’ve been on this side of the border when we land in Toronto.”
Cal nodded and then abruptly stopped.
“Why are we flying all the way across the lake and into Toronto? Niagara is just beyond the barrier.”
“Not anymore. Most of this next fifty miles is occupied only by soldiers, civilian lookouts, and refugees who are afraid to leave in case loved ones show up. Everyone else booked it last year. Bad property values close to the quarantine.”
Nova Nocte (Book 2): Quarantined in Chaos Page 17