Undying Vengeance

by Burnham, K. L.

  Dear Victor,

  I’m sorry but I cannot stay here with you. I assume you left the door open as a choice for me to stay or leave. I will not be with a vampire by force. Many questions I had for you remained unanswered and still do like those disturbing paintings hanging on the wall in the hall on the fourth floor of the little battered and abused boy. You told me they were your life. What did that mean? Please forgive me for the choice I have made. I will not tell anyone about you if you promise to leave me alone forever.

  Sincerely,

  Katrina.

  Victor crumpled the letter and threw it on the floor.

  “What did the pictures mean? She asks. I told you they were my life because they were the life I lived as that young boy and those events made me what I am. They are my life then and now.” Victor stated, walking out of the kitchen. “All Katrina had to do was use logic and put the pieces of that puzzle together.”

  It was late and he needed to get back to Armani’s. He didn’t have time to analyze and think about what he could’ve or should’ve done differently. He turned off the lights and locked the front door.

  Victor sat in the truck and stared at his house before leaving. How he wished he would see lights on in the house. While Katrina was in his house, he felt hope and a possibility to love and be loved. Something wet ran down his cheek. He wiped it away and saw it was blood, a tear. His heart ached with loss and sadness. He placed his head in his hands and for the first time in four centuries, he wept.

  His body was cold. Rage, anger and hatred swelled inside him like a flood drowning what little love he had left.

  Victor gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. He gritted his teeth and screamed. He pulled down the visor and saw his cold black hollow eyes staring at him as if they weren’t his own. His face streaked with red bloody tears.

  “Love and hope are illusions! From this day forth I will make all of mankind, the guilty and the innocent suffer as I have endured suffering my entire existence.” He shoved the visor in place and sped down the driveway, the truck trailer bouncing and swerving behind him. “Madness has taken over and it shall now be my Master.” He laughed shrill and evil. A wolf howled in the distance, birds scattered in a rush and the wind blew hard making the trees bend and twist like a hurricane had struck. “My reign is about to begin.”

  Chapter Forty

  The black hawk spread its wings, puffing out its white chest, reared its head and screamed.

  Donovan jumped. He was staring at the darkness that surrounded Armani’s home.

  Armani stopped pacing to look at the hawk. “What’s the matter with him?” He asked lines of concern on his face. “Is he sick?”

  Donovan faced Armani. “No, he is not sick. Something is wrong. The hawk can sense these things.”

  Adam had his head on the table cradling his broken hand, rocking back and forth. He didn’t bother to see what the hawk was doing. Alex stared at the hawk, his eyes bulging out of his head. A trickle of urine ran down his leg pooling underneath the chair. The sounds of his mmm, mmm, mmm were all he could say thanks to the duct tape.

  “What could possibly be wrong?” Armani asked. “Everything seems to be going as planned so far. As long as Victor doesn’t take much longer, that is.”

  Donovan stared hard at Armani. “That may be the problem.” He pivoted, staring out the window again. He couldn’t tell Armani his fears about Victor turning evil.

  “You can’t just make a statement like that and turn away without an explanation.” Armani said. “Tell me what the hell is going on.” He demanded.

  “Now is not the time or place for this discussion, Armani.” He said in a case closed tone. “Ah, I see headlights in the distance. Prepare yourself. The games are about to begin.”

  The hawk screeched its eyes glued on Alex.

  “I’m glad. I have seen enough of these two men and I am more than ready to kill them.” Armani said and impatiently tapped his foot.

  Victor walked through the door. “Honey’s I’m home!” He yelled and laughed. He barged into the kitchen and slapped Adam upside the head on his way to the refrigerator. “I got all the tools necessary for the revenge kill.” He snapped open a beer and guzzled it before turning around. “Yeah, you’re welcome.”

  “Thank-you,” Armani said. “Are you going to help me set it up?”

  Victor whirled around, his cape whipped behind him. “Naturally I will as well as Donovan. Isn’t that right Donovan?” He asked. “I want the kill to be successful. Not some botch up half ass job.”

  “Are you saying that I may not do it right?” Armani asked.

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Victor replied eyes black and full of hatred. “When this is all said and done I’m leaving you in Donovan’s hands. I have a few private matters to attend to.” Victor hummed. “And don’t ask what it is because quite frankly, it’s none of your business.” He retorted glaring at Donovan expecting him to be nosy.

  “Armani, if you’ll excuse me a moment.” Donovan stated flatly. “I need to use the restroom.”

  Armani nodded and focused his attention on Alex and Adam. The hawk sat like a stone statue glaring at Alex. Armani supposed it was waiting for the command to eat Alex’s eye. “A few minutes, buddy and you can have your treat.”

  Victor held two glass jars out to Armani. “Take this.”

  “What is it?” Armani asked, confused. He took the jars and stared inside.

  “It’s acid and you’re going to throw it on the left side of both Alex and Adam’s faces.” He said. Walking toward Alex he said, “Burn them as they burned you.” He smoothed his hand over Alex’s cheek and bent down to stare into his eyes. “You’re going to love your new look. And to think you thought the damage to your precious Cadillac was bad.” Victor patted the hawk’s head. “Well done damaging his vehicle by the way.” The hawk nodded. “Go ahead and feast.” Victor commanded.

  Alex tried to push the chair away from the table tipping it over instead. The hawk was on top of him in a flash. Alex turned his head to the left and right trying to scream but all that came out was hmmm, mmm, hmmm.

  “Thank God for the tape. No one wants to hear a coward scream.” Victor laughed. “Watch and learn Armani. You will get a hawk as well that you must train.”

  The hawk used its powerful sharp beak and gouged it into Alex’s eye. Alex’s legs kicked like he was riding a bike. The hawk cocked its head, pushing its beak in further. Alex kicked harder moaning and groaning. The hawk grasped the eye, wriggling its head, pulled back and with a snap the nerve severed and the eye pulled from the socket. Blood gushed from Alex’s vacant eye socket. The hawk flew off Alex back onto the table and chomped the eye like it was an exquisite delicacy.

  Armani cringed. This was the sort of thing he saw in horror movies, not his kitchen. What would Simone think? Had he gone mad? Was he a sociopath now? No, he wasn’t. Damn it, this was revenge and it felt good.

  “Armani, stop thinking, set that damn acid on the counter and get a towel.” Victor ordered, leaning over Alex. “We must stop the bleeding. I don’t want him dying from blood loss.”

  Armani threw Victor a towel and watched him shove it into the hole where Alex’s eye used to be. “There, there, Alex. It’s Ok. This is just an intro to the pain and torture you have coming that you deserve.” He mockingly patted his head like a man would his dog.

  Alex muttered and moaned, cuffed to the chair and rolled side to side on his back like a beetle that can’t turn over and knows it’s going to die.

  “Why must you put us through the torture?” Adam asked. The first few words he spoke in awhile. “Just kill us already.” He said and rolled his eyes. “This is sadistic.”

  Victor grabbed Adam’s throat, squeezing hard. “Eye for an eye, Adam and I mean that literally this time, as you saw,” he seethed pointing at Alex. Lifting his leg, he kicked Adam’s chair over.

  Adam groaned. “Why did you do that?” He asked. Staring at the c
eiling, he prayed aloud this would end soon.

  “Oh Adam, it’s too late for prayers.” Victor straddled Adam’s chair. “God doesn’t want to hear from you.” He smiled. “Armani, it’s time to dowse this boy with acid.” Glaring at Adam he asked, “Why did you kill Simone?” He snapped his fingers and said, “I know why, because you couldn’t have her.”

  Adams face turned red and he screamed. “Fuck you! Fuck you both!”

  Victor punched him. “Tell me why boy,” He ordered.

  Adam spit. “Because I could and my face was the last thing she saw before she died. That was satisfaction for me.” A smug smile was plastered on his face. “How do you like that answer?”

  Victor stepped aside and smiled.

  Armani heard enough. Rage ran through his veins. He grabbed the jar of acid, leaned over Adam and poured it on the left side of his face. “How do you like that response to your answer?” Armani asked.

  Adam screamed, closed his eyes and begged for mercy while the skin on his face sizzled like popcorn in oil. He turned his head trying to rub his burning face on the floor.

  “Did Simone beg for her life?” Armani asked. “I bet she did.” He kicked him in the ribs over and over. “It’s just like you’re begging the floor to wipe the acid off your face.” He laughed hard. “It’s too late asshole.” Armani stared at Adam.

  Victor shoved a mirror in Adams face. “Take a look, son. How do you like it?”

  Adam tried to avoid looking in the mirror. Armani grabbed his face forcing him see his reflection. “Do you like what you see?”

  Half of Adam’s face sizzled and purple and red sores protruded out of what used to be flesh. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes. “Stop this. Please.” He begged.

  Victor raised his arms. “The only time we will stop is when you’re dead.” He set Adams chair back in its proper place and released the cuffs. “Stand up next to me, boy.” Victor ordered. “I believe it’s time for Alex to enjoy an acid bath.” He nodded at Armani. “How about we have Adam pour it on his old mans face?” He asked.

  Victor enjoyed poetic justice. He firmly believed in spicing up the kills, making them more fun, interesting and mentally torturing. With Victor it all depended on his mood at the time of a kill. Some were swift and some were slow and deliberate.

  “Pardon me,” Donovan poked his head into the kitchen. “I wanted to let you know that I’ll be outside preparing the kill zone.” He didn’t wait for a reply.

  Adam dug his heels in the marble floor trying with all his might to resist Victor. “Stop fighting me or I will inflict more pain on you.” He gripped his arm tight, digging his nails into Adam’s arm. Drops of blood dripped on the floor like raindrops. “Understand.”

  Adam nodded.

  Armani handed Adam the glass of acid. “Do it.” He ordered.

  Alex lay on his back staring at Adam with his remaining eye. He tried to squirm and wiggle away but Armani stomped on the chair securing it in place. Adam’s hand shook as he lifted the glass, turned his head and poured the acid on his dads face. “I’m sorry dad.” Adam whispered.

  Alex shook his head to the left and right like a child telling their dad and mom no. Muffled sounds of agony came from his mouth.

  Victor picked Adam up and congratulated him. “Let’s get the party started. Come.” He said leaving the kitchen.

  Armani lifted Alex’s chair into a sitting position and unlocked the handcuffs. He grabbed Alex’s arm dragging him behind and followed Victor. The monster within had been released. Evil, hate and revenge filled his heart, soul and mind. The end was near for these men. Armani vowed to visit Simone when this was all said and done for closure for them both.

  Tears fell from Simone’s eyes. What was happening? Armani hadn’t visited her in days and she missed his voice. Violence and dark thoughts plagued her. Her gut instinct told her something wasn’t right. Either Armani was in some sort of trouble or he had gone mad.

  Six feet under and trapped in a coffin, her love was strong for him. She was dead but her soul lived on. She longed for God to take her to Heaven where she would be reunited with loved ones and sing with the angels. Why was God keeping her here? Why wouldn’t He just take her to eternal rest? Unable to move because her body was dead, her soul cried out for mercy.

  “God, why are you torturing me? I can see, hear and think. Why?!” She screamed feeling like a patient with advanced MS.

  God was silent. Simone rolled her eyes. This was not the afterlife she had imagined or been taught about while growing up. “I’m dead! Take me already!” She cried. Her body lay motionless in the small coffin, her hands folded over her chest in eternal prayer. Anguish rolled over her like waves on the ocean. She was in constant and never ending torment. How much more could she endure?

  “What will happen to me? What will happen to Armani?” Simone asked. She stared at the black cloth that lined the coffin lid. If she were granted one wish, she would wish for mobility so she could fight her way out of this coffin. But even if wishes came true, she was dead and no one would see her. She’d be a ghost. She closed her eyes and cried. Gut wrenching sobs filled the dark coffin.

  There had to be a reason for this. She thought about the movies she had seen over the years and remembered seeing how souls roamed the earth until justice was served to avenge the death of an innocent. She was murdered. Was Armani going to avenge her death? Would he kill Adam and Alex, allowing her soul the freedom to leave her body and go to Heaven? Opening her eyes, she had a new hope and prayed that this was the answer to her unrest.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Armani and Victor walked side by side like soldiers marching to war, black capes flowing in unison, jaws set and no emotion on their faces. Adam and Alex followed like puppets on a string.

  Gusty winds blew and heavy snow fell. Armani stopped and stared at the fountain in his yard reminding him of the happy days he once shared with Simone. What was once beautiful was now covered in snow and ice like his heart. He was dead inside and for that these two men would pay the price. He was broken and hated what he had become.

  Victor shoved Adam and Alex toward Donovan. “Hold them.” He ordered. “Armani, come to me.” Victor stated. “The time has come. Vengeance is yours, my dearly beloved son.”

  Armani glanced at Victor and looked to the right of him at the stakes lying on the ground.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Victor asked, wiping a snowflake off his face and gazing at it.

  Armani smiled. “Yes. I’ve always loved snow.” He bent over and picked up a handful of snow examining it. “They say each snowflake has its own unique design.”

  Victor smirked. “I’m not talking about snow or snowflakes. Do I look like a sentimental vampire to you?” He asked.

  “No.” Armani shot back. “But the snow is still beautiful.”

  “Now, that’s beautiful.” Victor said. He pointed at the shrine Donovan set up for the burning at the stake ceremony. “Who’s ready for a pig roast?” Victor asked and laughed loud.

  Donovan laughed. Alex fell to his knees and pleaded for forgiveness. Adam stood still and stared at the stakes. “Oh, God no.” He mumbled.

  “I must admit. This is set up exactly as they used to do it back in the days when they burned witches at the stake.” Armani said. “Impressive.”

  Victor agreed. “Well done, Donovan. Thank you kindly.” He wrapped his cloak around himself. “Shall we get started? It’s getting cold and the fire will warm us.”

  “Let it begin.” Donovan said. He walked to Armani and led him to the wooden stakes lying on the ground.

  Armani cocked his head. “That’s odd. These stakes resemble a cross.” He couldn’t take his eyes off them for some unexplainable reason.

  “Why certainly,” Donovan stated with a wave of his hand. “These men are paying for their sins. Correct?” He smirked proud of himself. “It’s poetry in motion.”

  Victor laughed. Armani grunted and studied the place of execution. There was
bundle of rope, a couple gas containers, a large hammer, nails and a few railroad stakes. Armani assumed they were to pierce the men’s forearms in order to insure they stayed up on the stakes.

  The snow was cleared around the place of execution. Piles of wood surrounded the area like the set up for a bonfire. In the center stood what looked like a large wooden teepee pointing to the Heavens.

  “Once we have them secured firmly to the stakes we place them in the middle of the standing triangular wood,” Donovan explained pointing. “Then Armani, you light the fire and torch these two miserable creatures.” He said and turned to glare at Adam and Alex who were crouched like cowards in the snow.

  “Please, I beg you to let us go.” Adam whimpered staring at the stakes.

  Victor walked to where Adam and Alex were huddled together and picked them up with swiftness dragging them to the stakes. “Let’s begin, shall we?” He shook Adam and Alex and threw them. “I don’t think I can bear to hear one more desperate cry for mercy.” He kicked snow in their faces, folded his arms and waited for Donovan and Armani.

  Donovan held his hand out to Armani and asked, “Are you ready, my dear friend?” He gave him a reassuring smile like a father teaching his son to ride a bike for the first time.

  “More than ready,” Armani responded taking Donovan’s hand. He clasped it for a moment, let go and walked to stand beside Victor.

  The hawk flew above, eyes focused on the group. Satisfaction flooded its soul. What made humans become so evil and vile? Why did they want to hurt their own kind? The hawk circled once more before landing on a tree branch. Armani was a good man and now would make an excellent vampire. Donovan told him so and the hawk trusted Donovan. The hawk cocked its head, staring affectionately at Donovan, his forever Master.