Undying Vengeance

by Burnham, K. L.

  Donovan gazed at the hawk and smiled. This was the moment the two of them had been waiting for.

  Victor picked up Alex and thrust him on the stake. “Bind him.” He said spreading Alex’s arms out and holding him down. “Make haste Armani.” Victor ordered. Victor had his own agenda to take care of once this was over and the sooner the better.

  Armani grabbed the rope, tied it around Alex’s waist and wrapped it up his body ending at his outstretched arms. “This reminds me of Jesus on the cross,” Armani remarked.

  “Is that so?” Victor asked scoffing. “I would’ve said the thief to the left of Christ myself.” He laughed in Alex’s face. “We do have a humorous side.” Victor ripped the duct tape off Alex’s mouth. “I want to hear you scream. It will make me feel better.”

  Alex flinched. It didn’t hurt nearly as bad as his eye being gouged out by that pathetic bird. The socket where his eye had been throbbed and his face burned. Death would be a welcome end from this torment and pain.

  “Hand me the rail road ties Armani.” Victor ordered.

  Armani handed them to Victor watching as he placed them on Alex’s forearms. Victor looked at Armani and smiled. “They have to be placed here because if they were placed through the hands the weight of their bodies wouldn’t be supported.” He snapped his fingers. “All that would happen is a tearing of the hands and they would fall to the ground.” Victor held the railroad ties waiting for Armani to pound them in. “Do it.”

  Armani stared into Alex’s eyes and seethed, “This is for Simone, you son of a bitch.”

  Alex spit in his face. “You’ll never get away with this.”

  “Oh, but we will.” Victor retorted. “I’m an expert and have been getting away with this for over four hundred years.” He stared at Armani waiting for him to strike.

  Raising the sledge hammer above his head Armani tightened his grip and brought the hammer down with force. It met the railroad tie with a loud metallic thud.

  “My God!” Alex screamed his face etched with excruciating pain. Blood flowed out of his hand like a river when the dam is released.

  “He’s going to bleed to death.” Armani stated.

  “That is exactly why we must move with speed and deliberation.” Victor responded. “Now pierce the other hand. Donovan will place the stake in the center of the wood pile when you finish.” Victor flicked his head in Donovan’s direction. “Start the fire.”

  “Yes sir.” Donovan replied. He walked to the large circle, spread gasoline on the wood and set the can aside. Lighting a match, he threw it on the wood and watched it burst into red and orange flames that danced in the wind waiting to be fed.

  Armani pierced Alex’s other hand while Victor placed a kicking and screaming Adam on the second stake. Armani rushed to the second stake and hammered the railroad ties into Adam’s arms. Adam clenched his fists each time the hammer hit the railroad tie. “How does it feel to have your life taken from you?” Armani asked.

  “About as good as it felt when I took the life from you that should’ve been mine,” Adam said, his voice barely audible. Adam raised his head, opened his mouth and shrieked like a crying baby.

  Armani slapped him. “I’ll tell you a secret, Adam.” He waited until Adam was silent. “Simone cherished you as a friend and you killed her, you pathetic bastard.” He stood, raised his foot and stomped on the railroad tie shoving it further into Adam’s hand. “For your crimes you will pay.” He folded his arms and stared into Adam’s eyes. “And I must say I feel damn good right now for the first time in months so thank you for this.” He spit on Adam and walked away.

  Adam wiggled like a mouse caught in a trap. Alex screamed profanities at the vampires. “You sick demented creatures! I’ll see you in Hell.” Alex said, blood pooling out of his mouth.

  Donovan flew above and laughed. “Welcome to the Dark Airlines. We are pleased to announce that today you will be traveling to Hell in first class seats.” He dove down and grabbed Alex’s stake. Victor followed suit and plucked Adams stake from the ground. Armani watched with anticipation. He hoped this would heal his wounds and bring him closure.

  “This is for you, Simone.” He said softly, tears escaping his eyes. “I love you and may you now rest in peace.” Wiping the tears away he watched as Victor and Donovan descended, stakes in their powerful grasps, each setting a stake in the middle of the fire. Victor and Donovan secured the stakes in place, ascended into the sky and descended to stand next to Armani. Victor waved his hand and the fire erupted like lava from a volcano. Donovan smiled, draping his arm over Armani’s shoulder.

  “This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, my friend.” Donovan said. “Watch closely, think of Simone and let go of the hurt. This is avenging her death. Release and let go of the pain and allow the closure to take hold of you and your heart.”

  Victor stood in silence, his face like stone, eyes black as a starless midnight sky and full of hate.

  Armani watched the flames dance around Alex and Adam like a predator toying with its prey. Alex and Adam screamed trying to wriggle out of the way of the flames lapping at their ankles.

  “How long does this last?” Armani asked. He assumed they would die within a matter of minutes.

  Victor answered the question. He had lived for over four centuries and had witnessed many executions of this style. “It all depends. More than likely they will burn for some time before death takes them, either by heatstroke, shock, loss of blood or thermal decomposition of body parts. Some people die from suffocation and they are the lucky ones, I’d say.” He paused and watched as Alex and Adam’s calves and thighs caught fire. “The fire is starting to devour them.” He said and rubbed his hands together like a child anticipating a gift. Victor turned to look at Armani. “Pardon me,” he said, “The longest I’ve seen someone suffer is two hours.”

  Armani nodded and watched Adam and Alex suffer. The pain they were going through was unbearable. Adam stared at Armani screaming and moaning. He tried to move but it was no use. Armani smiled at him, his fangs protruding. He was trapped, a prisoner of the flames of Hell now. Alex’s face turned blue and his breaths were labored. His mouth opened to scream but nothing came out. His torso burst into flames. He moved his head from side to side a few times, his body shook and his head went limp.

  “Alex just passed away.” Victor stated. He looked at Armani and then to Donovan. “He was what I referred to as one of the lucky ones.” He averted his gaze back to Adam.

  Adam called out to his father but it was no use. “You killed my dad!” He screamed his bound body bouncing on the stake. Adam’s forearms were in flames. His body buckled, his face wet with sweat. He looked at Armani. “Please. Help me!” He shrieked. His eyes grew large as the flames lapped at his face. Donovan, Armani and Victor watched as Adam’s face crinkled and sizzled like steak, turned black and melted off his body. He was dead in seconds. They continued to watch the flames engulf the dead men burning them to nothing but ashes.

  “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust may you two burn in Hell forever.” Victor prayed and did the Hail Mary. “Well done, my sons. It is finished.” He shook Donovan’s hand and turned to face Armani. “Congratulations on your first kill. This one was for the purpose of revenge. You have avenged the death of your one and only true love.” He placed his hand on Armani’s shoulder. “The Dark Ones stand for justice and peace as you know. From this day forward your kills will be for justice alone. You are a vigilante vampire, shining a light into the darkness by ridding the world of evil and wicked people.” He paused allowing Armani time to process the information. “Do you understand?” He asked.

  Armani nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

  “Good.” Victor replied. He bent over and wiped his hands in the snow. “Donovan will be your guide for a time.” He stood and stared at the fire still burning strong. He slicked back his jet-black hair and secured his cloak. “Donovan will help you clean up the ashes when the fire is out. The evidence will be burned away
so no need to worry.” He reached out to Armani and embraced him. “I’m proud of you, my son. Welcome to my family, The Dark Ones.” He released Armani and stepped back. “If you’ll both excuse me I’m famished and have some business to attend to.” He bowed and was gone.

  Donovan glanced at Armani. “Are you doing alright?” He asked, concerned.

  Armani shrugged. “Yes. No. I don’t know.” He replied staring at the fire, his heart pounding out of his chest. He felt relieved, happy, sad, empty and guilty. He had so many different emotions swirling inside him like a blue sea that he thought he would drown. “I just need a moment of silence.”

  “I understand.” Donovan said. “I’m going in the house. Once the fire is out I’ll take care of the clean up.” He rubbed Armani’s back in a soothing manner. “Take all the time you need. Let go of the negative emotions. You did the right thing. All vampires experience the guilt you’re feeling. Don’t be hard on yourself. You, my friend made yourself and the world a better place.” He smiled and walked toward the house stopping at the door to look at the branch the hawk was perched on. “Watch over him, my guardian and friend.” He whispered. The hawk nodded in acknowledgement.

  The fire crackled and snapped. Armani watched the fire, amazed that just a while ago there were two men burning in the middle of it. The fire warmed his cold body but not his heart and soul. He closed his eyes praying to a God he knew would never forgive him for his transgressions.

  A gust of wind blew over the fire making it dance in circles. Armani watched his eyes wide. What was happening? A surge of energy swept through the trees and they waved and danced in the wind like people celebrating a new life. The fire beckoned him to come near. Armani looked from left to right and walked toward the fire. He watched as the fire took on a life form. It twisted in a circle forming a spike at the top, flames flying rampantly around it. A human rose from the flames with outstretched arms. Armani squinted holding his hands above his eyes. Who was this? He wondered. It was a woman. A bright white light illuminated around her beautiful curves, her long brown hair blew in the wind. Simone. Armani held his arms out to her. “Simone . . . .” He whispered his cheeks damp from tears.

  Simone was three feet above the fire staring at Armani with love in her eyes. “Armani, I have missed you.” She said. A tear fell from her eye.

  Armani was breathless. Simone was the most angelic beautiful woman he had ever seen. “Now that it’s over, I just want to hold you. Please come to me, Simone.”

  Simone smiled. “We will be together in another lifetime. When it’s your time I’ll be waiting for you in Heaven.” The light surrounding her grew brighter and two angels appeared to the left and right of her. “You have set me free and for that I am grateful. I love you, Armani.”

  Armani tried to smile but his face cringed and he couldn’t stop crying. “Please don’t take her from me. Give her to me.” He looked from one angel to the other.

  Both angels were silent.

  Simone put her finger to her lips and blew a kiss to Armani. “Good bye Armani. I’ll see you on the other side.” She whispered. The bright light surrounding Simone dimmed like a flickering candle being blown about in the wind.

  Armani reached out to her wanting to touch her, longing to hold her and never let go. He smiled, red tears falling from his eyes like a downpour of rain. His heart ached. Armani watched as Simone held hands with each angel. She smiled and they ascended to the Heavens.

  Armani watched until they were a speck in the sky. Placing his head in his hands Armani dropped to his knees and wept. He lifted his head to the Heavens, grabbed a handful of hair and screamed. “God, why did you take her from me? Why did you let this happen?” Desperation washed over him. “I can’t live with this pain and agony!” He sobbed. Armani sat and stared at the place where Simone had just been. He had freed Simone by avenging her death but he didn’t feel closure. He felt empty and alone and always would without Simone in his life. “I can’t live with the choices I’ve made.” Armani said watching the fire burn out. “We will be together soon, Simone.” He whispered, wiping the tears from his eyes. Armani stood, wrapped his cloak around himself and turned to look at the house he used to call a home. He knew what he had to do next and nothing and no one was going to stop him.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Donovan was lying on the couch when Armani walked in. Armani paused and looked around his house. It amazed him how something so majestic and glorious could feel so cold and empty. He grasped the necklace around his neck and rolled the engagement ring between his fingers. Putting the ring to his lips he tenderly kissed it and placed it against his heart. How he ached for Simone. Killing Adam, Alex and Gabe brought no peace. Revenge only made his pain worse. He could not live as a vampire with these feelings for all of eternity. Armani thought about waking Donovan but decided against it.

  He slipped quietly passed Donovan and glided up the spiral staircase stopping at the top to meditate. Seeing Simone was magnificent but served only as a knife stabbing deeper into his heart. How can one have closure when you’re not willing to let go of the past? Surely avenging Simone’s death was to bring him this idealistic term thrown about so easily by humans. ‘All you need is closure and the pain will be healed.’ Armani thought and swore. What did they know? People appeared to know nothing. Death was closure, not the mere righting of a wrong. Being a vampire in The Dark One’s was not the life Armani wanted or needed.

  He walked into the bedroom filled with rage and hate. He pulled the sheets off the bed heaving them into a corner. Why did the angels take her away from him? They were capable of performing miracles if God allowed. Why did He deny him the one thing he wanted most in this world? Armani was afraid he knew the answer.

  ‘The Lord gives and the Lord takes away,’ a voice whispered.

  “Shut-Up!” Armani screamed his face red. His body convulsed and he fell to the floor. Turning his head aside, he vomited. “He’s taken from me for the last time.” Armani said through gritted teeth.

  Armani rolled on his back and stared at the burgundy ceiling. It reminded him of better times when he and Simone would lay in bed talking about their future. Now, here he lay staring at the same ceiling thinking of what could’ve been.

  Hours past and Armani stirred, sitting up to look out the window. It was dark. “Damn it all to Hell.” He cursed himself for falling asleep. He raced to the bathroom with the speed of a gazelle.

  Ten minutes later he was showered and dressed. Hunger pained him but that was the least of his worries. Armani slipped on his black cape and adjusted the collar. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. Cold, dead and empty eyes stared back.

  “I’m a monster and I must save myself from what I’ve become.” Armani said. He grabbed his mask and placed it on the left side of his face. He slipped on his black gloves and stepped into the hallway. What he heard stopped him in his tracks.

  A violin, it’s majestic and glorious sound soothed him like a mother’s lullaby. Whoever was playing was a master of the instrument. The music grew louder as he walked in the direction of the music room. He peeked around the corner and saw Donovan sitting in a chair, violin held to his chin, bow in hand erratically and lovingly playing his violin. Donovan’s body moved with the music with such passion it brought a tear to Armani’s eye. He knew too well how music had the power to move your soul. Armani was tempted to compliment Donovan but didn’t. Instead he turned, floated down the stairs and stopped at the front door. He clutched the door knob and bid his home and Donovan a silent farewell.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Armani tapped his foot while waiting in line at the grocery store. Didn’t these people sleep? It was the middle of the night and there were scores of people shopping. He was on a mission and lacked for patience.

  “Long line, huh?” A man in front of him asked.

  Armani agreed and gazed at the basket of groceries the man was carrying. Milk, eggs, cereal, microwave meals . . . simple bachelor foods. The
tall lanky man noticed and chuckled.

  “Yep, I’m living the single life.” He smiled. “It’s hard to cook for one.” He cocked his head. “What’s up with the mask covering half of your face?”

  Armani wanted to beat this man senseless. Some people seemed to lack in the privacy department. What kind of question was that? “Does it matter to you?” Armani shot back.

  The man shifted the basket to his other hand. “It doesn’t. Sorry I asked.”

  ‘You should be,’ Armani thought. “You’re forgiven.” He stated flatly. “The burn unit at the hospital is a bitch. Enough said. Do you understand now?”

  The man turned his back on Armani, placing his groceries on the conveyor belt. The cashier smiled at him and Armani.

  “You know who that is, don’t you?” She asked the man.

  “No.” The man replied.

  “What cave have you been living in?” She asked. “That’s Armani Belvedere, the lead singer of the band, ‘Faded Cross.’” She gushed and smiled a thousand watt smile at Armani.

  “Ah, ok.” The man responded. “That’s wonderful but unfortunately I don’t listen to rock. Country music for this boy,” he laughed.

  Armani wanted to leave. He had what he needed and wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of here. “Correction, madam, I was the lead singer of ‘Faded Cross.’ Those days are over. The band is dead to me now.” ‘My life was over and soon will be.’ He thought.

  The cashier didn’t respond. The tall lanky man quickly paid for his groceries and bustled out of the store without a backward glance.

  “Forgive him,” she said scanning his purchases. “He’s a regular customer here and quite odd, I might add.” Picking up the dozen roses she inhaled. “Who’s the lucky lady?” She closed her eyes enjoying the fragrance.