“That’s not the right answer but it doesn’t matter. I have brought a guest to play with us.” Victor turned toward the door, motioned with his hand and said, “Come to me.”
Katrina opened her eyes, blinked twice and saw a man of forty years old walk in. “Who is that?” She asked and rubbed her cheek.
“He’s part of your punishment, my dear,” Victor smiled at Katrina. “He and I are going to act out what The Dark One’s do.” He placed his finger on his lips. “Shhh, this is a private show and I don’t want anyone to ever know what went on here.” He winked and turned toward the skinny brown haired man standing before him. “Speak, you fool.” He ordered releasing the man from the spell he had put him under.
The man screamed and ran in circles around the room. “What are you?” he demanded when he stopped and faced Victor. His eyes caught sight of Katrina and he asked her the same question.
Katrina looked at the man with sympathy. What sort of sick game was Victor playing with them? “I’m not a ‘what.’” Katrina said. “I’m a person. A hostage held by him.” She said pointing at Victor, venom in her eyes.
“You mortals are so amusing.” Victor stated. “To answer your question, sir, I am a vampire. The Master of The Dark Ones.”
The man laughed. “What sort of cult are you in and what drugs are you on? You’re tripping on acid.” He said, matter-of-fact.
Victor jumped him. “You dare call me a liar!” He shrieked. “Then what do you call these?” He asked baring his fangs at the man. “Look into my eyes and tell me I’m human.”
The man lay under Victor as helpless as a mouse in a cat’s death grip. “Shit, I call them eyes.” The man stared at Victor’s red evil eyes, the hatred illuminating where human eyes should be. Swallowing hard he said, “You’re an evil monster. I want to leave this place.”
Victor choked the man.
Katrina ran to where Victor had the man pinned down and pulled on Victor’s arms. “Let him go! You’re going to kill him.”
Victor released his grip on the man’s throat and smiled. “Ah, yes, Katrina I have every intention of doing that.” Shoving her backward he stood and picked the man up by the neck, throwing him next to Katrina. “This is the game you created by defying me. You are going to watch me kill him and if you dare interfere in anyway, I will kill you too. I bet you’re blood tastes sweet, Katrina.” He said licking his lips. His desire to drink blood was hard to control. More than anything he wanted to kill and feel the rush. An innocent like Katrina would be perfect and so satisfying. But, that wasn’t part of his game. He was playing mind games with Katrina and teaching her a lesson at the same time.
“What in God’s name did I ever do to you, Victor?” The man asked.
Victor rolled his eyes. “Oh, you have done nothing to me.” Victor said and stood in front of where Katrina and the man lay on the floor, Victor peered down at them and sneered. “You shouldn’t have to think too hard about why it is that you’re here.” Victor walked a few feet away, turned and ordered Katrina to come to him.
Katrina stood, crossed her arms and answered with a defiant no. “Why would I do such a stupid thing? If you’re going to kill me then you should come to me.” She looked at the man and shivered.“Why should he and I do as you say when we will ultimately die? Why the games? Just do it and be done with it, Victor.” Setting her chin stubbornly, she stared Victor down.
The man nodded his head agreeing with Katrina. “She’s right you know.”
Victor had little patience for Katrina and none for the man. He drifted to where they were and stopped in front of Katrina. He hoisted her over his shoulder. She kicked, screamed and pulled his hair.
“You’re insane you monster!” She hollered at the top of her lungs.
Victor ignored her and placed her on a chair. “Now you are going to sit here and be my audience.” He took a set of handcuffs, clasping Katrina’s hands together. He was impressed at the struggle she gave him but she was no match for him. A weak small frail human could never overpower him. He was the strongest and most fierce vampire to exist, except for his father, Julius. Julius rescued him from his parents and crossed him over to eternal life as a vampire. None of the members of The Dark Ones saw Julius anymore. He was a solitary vampire.
Katrina looked into Victor’s eyes. “Why, Victor? Why?” She asked, tears brimming in her eyes, making their color stand out.
Victor’s gaze softened as he stared into her eyes. What a beautiful creature she was. He could fall in love with this woman but he wasn’t going to allow himself the pleasure or the softening of the heart.
“A better question to ask my dear is why not,” he stated flatly, his eyes hard as stone once again.
Katrina stared at the man sitting across from her.
“Who are you anyway?” She asked him.
He stared at his hands, bending and twisting his fingers and ignored her question.
Victor stared at the man. “You heard the lady. Now answer her question.” He ordered. “She deserves respect from a person of the likes of you.”
Looking up he stared at Katrina. “I’m Gordon. Gordon Appleton. I have a wife and two children. I work full time as a computer tech at the local university. Why do you care who I am? We’re going to die.” He finished averting his gaze back to his hands.
‘You forgot to add the part about you beating your children senseless for the smallest mistake.’ Victor thought. He would make sure Gordon confessed his sins to Katrina before he gave him the final blow of death.
“You are right about one thing, Gordon,” Victor said. “You got your name and information correct but apparently you left out a vital piece of information about who you really are and what you do behind closed doors which is the reason you are going to die.” Victor smiled when Gordon stood and tried to run away.
“Victor!” Katrina screamed. Her body ached. She didn’t think she could bear to watch Victor kill an innocent man. This poor mans death would leave a woman widowed with two children. “Victor, how dare you even think about killing him and leaving his family without a father and a husband. I hate you!” Her whole body shook with hate, fear and sorrow. How could anyone, even a vampire be so cruel and cunning?
Gordon ran to the door twisting and turning the knob. He shook it hard. Frustrated, he kicked the door. Victor watched amused.
“Going somewhere, Gordon?” He asked splaying his arms to the side like Jesus on the cross. “Why not just make this easier on you and me and come to me for your self crucifixion. You did this to yourself.”
“You son of a bitch!” Gordon screamed. “Girl, help me!” He shrieked running toward Katrina.
Katrina stared at Gordon. She never saw so much fear on anyone’s face in her lifetime. “There’s nothing I can do.” She said in a soft voice. “I’m sorry.” She looked past Gordon and screamed, “Look out Gordon!”
Gordon whirled around and was met with a blow from Victor’s fist. Gordon doubled over and held his stomach trying to catch his breath.
Victor picked Gordon up and threw him into a chair. “The first rule of the game is stay away from my woman. Don’t speak to her unless I give you permission. Understood?” He asked his eyes filled with hatred.
Katrina was angry. “I’m not your woman and never will be.”
Cocking his head to the side, Victor shushed Katrina. “Yes you are my woman forever. Accept your fate. It makes things a lot easier for you and for me.” Facing Gordon he asked, “Have you figured out what important piece of information you left out when introducing yourself to Katrina?”
Gordon stared at Victor. “I left nothing out.”
“Liar!” Victor yelled. “Katrina, this man isn’t the man he wants you to think he is.”
Gordon knew he was hiding the truth. He would joke to his wife that he was a computer technician by day and a raging alcoholic by night. It was his best-kept secret. His wife and children dared tell no one because they knew all to well what the consequences would be.<
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Victor interrupted his thoughts. “I am giving you one more chance to come clean, Gordon. Tell her what you do to your family behind closed doors.” Pointing to Katrina he said, “She deserves to know the truth about why I have you down here.”
Katrina spoke up. “You have him down here to prove just how evil and crazy you really are.” She glared at Victor. “I think this man is telling me the truth.”
Victor shot a venomous look at Katrina. “That, my dear is where you are dead wrong. When this is over you will know who The Dark Ones are and what we do. It’s about justice.” He looked at Gordon and smiled. “Isn’t that right, Gordon?” He asked extending his arms and cracking his knuckles. “Something you managed to escape. Correct?”
“Victor, you’re about murder. Cold blooded murder for the sheer thrill of it.” Katrina said. “And just like Dracula, you suck innocent people’s blood for your survival and then you kill them.” Disgusted, she stuck her tongue out. “You do it for the fun of it all.”
Gordon wished Katrina were right but she was wrong. Victor knows what he does at night and how he has tortured and beaten his wife and children for years. Why the game? Why make Katrina watch? “Can we just get this over with?” He asked Victor. “May I ask a favor?”
“It depends what kind of favor you ask.” Victor stated impatiently.
Gordon stared at Katrina and managed to flash a reassuring smile. “I would like the lady to leave the room. She shouldn’t be subject to see you murder me.”
Victor stared at the ceiling and tapped the side of his head, pretending to think for a minute. “Request denied.” He said and walked from one end of the basement to the other. “The reason for that is because she’s here to learn a valuable lesson just like you. Katrina dare defy me and go against my wishes and for that she will be punished by having to watch you suffer and endure great pain.” He said indicating the case was closed with a nod of his head.
Katrina snorted. “I’m learning a life lesson alright. It’s that monsters and sick twisted people really do exist.”
Victor smiled. “You learn quickly, Katrina. I’m more than impressed.”
“Are you admitting that that’s what you are?” She asked.
“Dear child, so innocent and naïve,” he began, “the sick person and monster you talk about is sitting across from you.” He finished pointing at Gordon.
“Whatever,” Katrina replied with a shrug. There was no sense in arguing with Victor. She wasn’t going to win anyway.
“Who would like some popcorn?” Victor asked looking at Katrina and then at Gordon. “We’re going to watch a movie together for a few minutes.” He smiled wickedly as his gaze bore into Gordon. “A home video made by yours truly,” he said nodding to Gordon. “Isn’t that right Gordon? What did you do? Jack off to these the day after you made them? Did it turn you on? Make you feel like a real big strong man?”
Gordon shifted in his chair and wet his lips with his tongue. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Katrina sat in silence wondering what would happen next. Too scared to look she closed her eyes. Her gut told her Gordon just gave Victor the wrong answer. She was right.
Victor punched Gordon’s stomach a few times. Victor couldn’t believe how stupid this man was. “Where were you when God handed out brains?” Victor snorted.
Gordon tried to scream but Victor shoved a sock in his mouth. “No one wants to hear a coward scream, especially not me or my woman.”
Bile filled Katrina’s mouth. The sickening sound of Victor saying she was his woman made her wish she could die instead of Gordon. She opened her eyes and saw Victor tying Gordon’s hands to the chair with rope.
“I’ll be right back.” He said and shoved Gordon’s head backwards.
Katrina stared at Victor. His fangs were extended and the hungry look in his eyes made every fiber in her body go numb and cold.
Victor stopped in front of Katrina and leaned toward her. She dodged him but not fast enough. He kissed her hard on the lips savoring her sweet taste.
“I’m going to make the popcorn so be prepared for an X-rated graphic true story.” He said winking.
‘Victor was a sick, sick vampire.’ Katrina thought. But Victor wasn’t just any normal vampire, he was a monster. She leaned over the end of the chair and spit. His kiss made her stomach turn.
Katrina stood, her hands handcuffed and walked to where Gordon sat. He looked like a decent man. Victor had to be wrong.
“Did you do these things that Victor said you did to your family?” She asked. Of course he couldn’t answer and she wasn’t about to pull the sock out of his mouth. Or should she? A cold hand wrapped around her neck gripping tightly.
“Katrina. Don’t you dare take try to help that monster.” Victor ordered his breath hot on her neck.
How did he sneak up on her without a sound? Her stomach growled. The popcorn smelled so good. She thought about better days when she hung out with friends at the local theatre.
Gordon’s eyes widened. He was more afraid than he had ever been his whole life. Death was his penalty for what he had done in secret for years. How did this vampire find him? He managed to escape the long arm of the law and out of the blue this freak comes along and ruins his world.
Katrina faced Victor and tried her best to keep her wits about her.
His gaze bore into hers. “Come with me honey. I have a seat saved just for you.” Victor took her by the arm and led her to the movie theatre. His loud laugh echoing off the walls. “I’m your evil angel but in a moment you will see that I’m a vampire of justice. I serve the good of humanity by taking out the trash and ridding the world of monsters.” He saw the doubt in her eyes. “I promise you will love me after this.”
Katrina scowled. How dare he mention love at a time such as this? “I will never love you.” She spat and followed him into the theatre and up the steps.
Victor placed her in the center and led her to a chair in the middle. “This is a perfect viewing spot and to make sure you don’t try to get up and leave I’m strapping cuffs on your ankles and securing you to the chair.” He clamped them on her ankles roughly. “I’m sorry but you did this to yourself.” He squeezed one of her cuffed hands.
Katrina watched disgusted as Victor floated down the aisle steps like he was riding on a cloud. It was amazing to watch him but she knew what he was about to do would prove to be too much for her to handle. She stared at what was in front of the movie screen and gulped. It was a hangman’s ensemble; a chair stood under a rope and next to that were a bunch of shiny objects. She leaned forward as far as the cuffs would allow her, squinted and saw there were knives, swords and a chain saw. A sour taste filled her mouth and her stomach churned. She leaned her head forward and puked. Feeling dizzy she closed her eyes wishing this day was over.
“Honey, we’re home!” Victor boomed.
Katrina bolted upright. Speechless and scared, all she could do was watch and pray she could make it through this.
Gordon’s body shook, his eyes filled with tears. Victor carried him to the spot where the noose ensemble stood and shoved him in a chair to the right of it.
“It’s time for the movie.” He stated. “Roll one.”
Victor sat next to Gordon and held his face forcing him to watch the movie. Katrina sat as still as a stone statue unprepared for the things she saw. Shock, horror, terror, disgust and repulsion consumed her like a grease fire doused with water.
The video showed Gordon setting up a video camera, a can of beer in his hand. He smiled and waved into the camera. Katrina knew she would never forget what happened next. The wife walked in through the front door with their two children, both under five years old. The camera showed Gordon guzzling his beer and throwing the can at his wife. The wife screamed, and Gordon jumped on top of her and punches and hits her with the force of a madman. The children sit screaming and crying too afraid and too young to help.
“You sick son of a bitch!” Katrina sc
reamed. “How dare you beat your wife in front of your children?”
Victor turned and shushed her. “Let’s pay attention. Gordon is going to have a test of sorts on this movie. I want him to focus.” He laughed squeezing Gordon’s neck hard.
Katrina flinched and winced and watched in horror as Gordon picked up each of his tiny children and threw them on the ground, screaming profanities in their small little innocent ears. Tears stung her eyes when he slapped the face of the five-year old boy. The boy curled into the fetal position trying to hide and protect him self. Katrina watched shocked as the mother approached Gordon from behind only to have him turn and wrap his hands around her throat. The camera then flashed to the two boys holding each other crying. Their eyes were so full of fear it ripped Katrina’s heart in two. Why? Why would this man do this?
Victor rose from his chair and the movie stopped. “I think we have all seen enough of this sickness.” He turned to Katrina and apologized. “I’m sorry you had to see innocent lives shattered by this monster.” He picked up Gordon and threw him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He hoisted his kicking body onto the chair, wrapped the noose around his neck and secured the knot.
Gordon’s body shook like a dog having a seizure. He stared at Victor and tried to kick him. Victor grabbed his ankle and snapped it like a twig. Katrina winced. The sound was sickening.
“Don’t ever try to do that again.” Victor warned. “Now the games will begin.” Victor picked up a butcher knife and carved a hawk into the left side of Gordon’s face. Blood spilled from the fresh wound. Gordon’s muffled cries filled the room. Victor took the knife and carefully cut off Gordon’s shirt. “I must warn you I’m not a surgeon but I’m going to try my hand at this.” He stated picking up the chainsaw. “When you are about to die and go to Hell I’m going to hold your beating heart in the palm of my hand.”
‘God save your soul, Gordon,’ Katrina thought.
Victor heard her thoughts, turned and laughed. “It’s too late for that. His eternity is secure in Hell where he will burn in flames forever for the sins he committed against his wife and two beautiful children.”
Undying Vengeance Page 22