by Phil Price
Stephen closed his eyes and thought of his beloved wife. “I love you, Denise. I’m coming to find you,” he whispered. The words offering little comfort. A rough slap across the face made his eyes open in shock.
“Are you still with us Father?” Elias asked.
“Fuck you!” Stephen spat back.
“Defiant to the end. I’ll shall give you that. Now I shall give you this.” Stephen looked on in horror as the vampire bit into the back of his wrist. The grey flesh broke, spewing a black, tar like ooze from the wound. Elias straddled the vicar, pressing the wound to Stephen’s lips. He tried to fight it by turning his head away, coating his whiskers in blood. The first few drops entered his mouth, hitting his tongue like acid. He could actually feel pain as the blood trickled through his lips. He tried to cry out in frustration and anger but it just made more blood slip through his defences. He swallowed involuntarily, almost hear the sizzle of the liquid as it coated the back of his throat. Somewhere in the back on his mind he could hear Eddie sniggering. He tried to block it out, focussing on his wife. He wanted his last thoughts to be of something pure and good. Another swallow made him feel woozy. Father Stephen started to slip away. Away from the world that he knew. Away from this world that he didn’t. Into an unknown place from where there could be no return.
☨☨☨
Jake coasted to a stop, placing his feet on the stunted grass. He looked left at the small gathering of buildings called Fingles. It looked like a miniature wild-west town. He almost expected to see mini cowboys come riding along the street on tiny ponies. The small buildings were all made from wood. Rough brown planking covered all edifices as a constant wet breeze blew in from the grey sea, buffeting them. He felt like he was on the very edge of the world. That the grey horizon would spill into the black void of space. He was planning on heading towards that horizon too. Along a narrow roadway, towards his destination. Shetland. He gunned the throttle, rolling a few hundred yards to the totem-pole type marker at the start of the road. Intricate carving of weird creatures adorned the face of the pole. He knew first-hand what kind of beasts lurked under the forbidding grey sea. Jake was hoping that he would not have a similar encounter this time. The sea marker told him that he was in luck. The tide was low, giving him a clear run towards the spit of land out at sea. He set off, heading into a fierce wind, laced with sea spray.
Twenty-Nine
The cell door clanked shut, the padlock clicking into place. The four vampires walked back into the main chamber, gathering around the stone sarcophagus. They looked at the sleeping form within. Coop lay motionless, his arms across his chest. His once vibrant skin now had a waxy grey sheen to it. Elias pulled back his lips, exposing the fresh fang beneath. “He will wake soon. Eddie. Take Karaa and find some food for us once the sun has set. We must all rest, for it has been a busy day so far. And we have busier days ahead of us. They moved away from the sleeping boy, each finding a place to lie. Elias looked at Alison. “Do you remember anything from your past life?"
She shook her head. “No. Nothing,” was her brief reply.
Elias needed to explain things to her. “The man who came this morning. The young man with the dark hair. He is your son.”
Alison looked at him, her feral eyes not registering the news. “What is Son?”
“He was your boy. You gave birth to him. You raised him. Now he wants to destroy us. We cannot allow that to happen. I am going to his land to bring his kin here. Once I’ve done that, Jake will come once more. He will come to fight. We must make them all like us. Only then will be able to live in peace. We can then roam the lands, feeding on whoever we choose. We can go far Alison. Beyond our world. With Jake and his kin, we will be many, and we will be strong. Do you understand?”
She nodded tentatively. “I think so.”
“Good. Let’s rest.” They all lay down. Eddie and Karaa were already asleep, their bodies entwined. Alison rested her head on her outstretched arm and closed her eyes. Elias laced his hands behind his head, looking up at the ceiling. She doesn’t understand. She is either totally bereft of memory, or stupid. However, she is loyal. Eddie and Karaa are the cunning ones. Maybe Coop too. Let’s see what the vicar brings. Either he become one of us, or he will be destroyed. I’ve never tried to turn a holy man before. Time will tell. He closed his eyes and drifted into unconsciousness, as plans and possibilities drifted with him.
☨☨☨
He made good progress, his bike navigating the rutted track with little difficulty. He passed by the lone tree that had recently been his refuge for the night, marking the highest part of the track. He could now see Shetland ahead of him. It was partially obscured by the sea mist, but Jake could clearly see that more buildings had been built. He felt a swell of hope radiate through his chest as he rolled down towards the end of the track. “You have been busy,” he said as he came to a stout wooden bridge that stretched from the track, across the ford to the island of Shetland. The wooden beams and planks protested lightly as his bike rolled across them. As his bike hit the other side he twisted the throttle, propelling himself towards the main building.
“Jake!” Wilf exclaimed as he walked around the front of the main house with arms full of logs. They fell to the ground as he strode quickly to the younger man, who was propping his bike on the stand.
“Hi Wilf,” Jake said as the two men came together. They embraced fiercely. “It’s so good to see you. We never knew if you made it to safety.”
“It’ll take more than a few ghosts in old Amatoll to get rid of us.” The older man suddenly looked wary. “Katherine?”
“She’s at home, along with our daughter.”
Tears peppered Wilf’s eyes at the news. “You had a daughter! That’s the best news I’ve heard since I’ve been here.” He clapped Jake on the shoulder. “Come inside. We’ll get wet through if we stand here gassing all day.” He turned and picked up the fallen logs, leading the younger man into what was once Wilf’s great grandfather’s house. Jake walked through the porch, his mind flashing back to the last time he was stood here. It was the first time he’d met Katherine. On that night, Elias and his cohorts had tried to kill them all. The giant vampire succeeded in snatching Katherine away from them which in turn lead to a cat and mouse chase across the strange land. As Jake walked into the main living area he remembered Wilf and Cedric’s sister, Mo, who’d was ripped to pieces by two of her own pigs out on the porch. Elias had turned them into monstrous beasts that had chased Wilf and himself off the island. Jake often thought that it was the single craziest twenty-four hours of his life so far.
“What happened to Mo’s body?” Jake asked it without thinking, realising it was a bit blunt.
The older man didn’t flinch. “When we came back, Mo’s bones were still on the porch. Most of ‘em anyways. We gathered them up and buried her at the far end of the island, next to her animal pens. It’s what she would have wanted. This was her home. Now it’s ours.”
“I’m glad you all made it out here safely.”
“So are we,” Wilf said as he placed the logs into the dying embers of last night’s fire. He stirred them with a metal poker, sending flaming motes billowing out across the room. “But enough talk of such things. You’re not here to ask me about my herb garden. What has happened, Jake?”
“I think we may need to sit down. Because I have much to tell you.”
Wilf sat at the table next to the window and poured two large mugs of nettle tea, adding a good helping of honey and cream to each one. “Then let’s get to it.”
☨☨☨
Some time later both men sat looking out of the window at the grey sea scape. Jake had told Wilf about how after leaving him at the doorway, they had sought out Father Stephen. The family friend and vicar had removed the fang from Jakes’ leg, dousing the wound with holy water. He recounted how they had moved far from the doorway, to a house by the sea. How little Alicia had come into their lives and filled it with joy. Jake’s face had turned ser
ious when he filled Wilf in on the strange happenings in Rednal and Cornwall. Wilf reached across the table and squeezed the younger man’s hand when he learnt how Jake’s mother had vanished from their home, only to turn up in the Vale as a monster. He also uttered gasps and curses when Jake described his meeting with the cannibals. How they had tried to kill him, ending with Wilf’s former home being burnt to the ground. Jake described the battle in the Vale. How a man from his world, along with dear Mungo and Bertie had died trying to free Father Stephen from the vampire’s stronghold. The older man had accepted the news stoically, showing little emotion on the outside. On the inside he died a little, hearing the news that his old friend from Culnae was no more. Bathurst now knew that Jake was here to help his friend. A friend who was worthy of helping. The older man’s story was far simpler. He told Jake how after the doorway had closed, he and the two strange demons had headed for their village. He explained how the forest had come alive with spirits, shivering when Jake told him that they still roamed there. He told him how most of the villagers had followed Wilf out to Shetland. How the Finglers had helped build a new home for them by the sea. All in all, it was a happy recollection. The older man seemed at peace with his lot. Jake knew that he was now deflating that big happy bubble.
“So, what is your plan Jake?”
“I need to go back as soon as I can and try and break him out of there. Then I need to return home. Katherine and Alicia are safe with Dad. But I won’t be happy until I am back there with them.”
“And you’re here to ask for my help?” It was a statement rather than a question.
“Err, I’m not sure. I guess so. When I left the forest, I headed here to find you. I’m not really sure what should happen next.” Jake sat looking down at the table, lost in his thoughts.
“I’ll help you Jake. You’re kin. I’d do anything to help you, without question or condition. However, I would like you to do a favour for me in return.”
“Of course. Anything. What do you need?”
“To see Katherine. To hold your child. Is that possible?”
Jake thought about it for a split second before smiling at the grizzled older man. “Sure. They would love that.”
“Good. So now we need to make preparations. When do you want to go?”
“As soon as possible. Today. Can we make it back?”
Wilf pondered the question, standing up from the table. “I think so. Follow me.”
Jake walked behind Wilf to the white door that lay at the rear of the building. Jake remembered what lay beyond. A sea cave, where Katherine and he had tried to hide from William. He remembers seeing the child vampire being pulled to pieces by the two Orgas that had burst from the dark waters. He felt slight trepidation at the thought of heading down that dark stairwell. Wilf drew the bolt, grabbing a lantern from the ledge next to the door. The door opened with a squeal as tangy sea air filled the rear hallway.
“Hold on to the rail as we go down. It’s a bit on the slippery side.” Jake heeded the warning, grabbling the newly erected wooden rail. They headed into the dark cavern, the volume of the sea increasing with every step. They came to the bottom step, the flame in the lantern fighting against the darkness. Wilf took two torches from the wall, lighting them from the lantern’s flame. He shielded them from the breeze as the flames took hold of them. Satisfied, he placed them back on the wall, bathing the shelving in front of them in a flickering light.
Jake looked at the items on the shelves, curiosity outweighing the nervousness he felt in the cavern. “You’ve been busy. Are you expecting trouble?”
“Always. You just never know in this land. I’ve made more crosses and stakes just in case.” He picked one of the wooden stakes up, handing it to Jake. “Don’t touch the tip. It is smeared with Orga blood. The Finglers tell me the blood burns when you touch it. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it out one day.”
A noise from above made both men look towards the stairs. “Wilf. Are you down there?” It was a female voice that carried down into the semi darkness.
“Aye. Come down Jessie.” The noise of footsteps echoed through the sea cave until a middle-aged woman appeared. Jake remembered seeing her before. She looked at him with a face of concern.
“Jessie, you remember Jake?”
“Err yeah. Good day,” she said, half smiling.
Jake returned the smile. “Hi.”
She looked at Wilf. “We’ve got some new arrivals. Haggie gave birth to six piglets. They’re in the big pen.”
Wilf smiled. “Great news. Six you say? Good old Haggie.” Wilf looked at the woman. In the flickering light, she looked younger than her years. Her chestnut hair was now shot through with silver. She looked at Wilf expectantly, her attractive face always pleasing to his eye. “Could you do something for me Jessie?”
She nodded eagerly. “If I can.”
“Rouse the folk. I need to speak to them. And can someone make food for two hungry men. Enough food for a journey.”
Her face dropped slightly. “You going away Wilf?” Her voice sounded unsteady.
“Yes. Not for long though. Jake needs my help. We will come to the big pen once we’re finished here.” Jessie nodded, before heading back upstairs. Wilf turned, carefully packing items into a rough hessian sack. “Be ready for a few hostilities. Folk are just getting used to a normal life. They will not like this. But I am the Elder. They will have to accept it.”
“Okay. I’ll stand behind you though. Just in case someone throws a rock at me,” Jake said as he followed Wilf back into the world above.
☨☨☨
Father Stephen woke. His red rimmed eyes looked up at the ceiling, trying to focus. Trying to remember where he was. He turned onto his side, vomiting a black mess across the mattress. He got on his hands and knees as more sour liquid shot from his mouth. It hit the straw, a faint hiss rising into the dank air. He dry-retched until he collapsed back onto the straw. He wiped his hand across his mouth, trying to remove the stench on his lips. He looked up at the ceiling once more, his mind trying to focus. What happened? Every movement was painful to him. Even blinking his eyes seemed to sting him. It came back to him. Elias, feeding him his blood while the others held him down. Am I becoming a vampire? Is this what it feels like? He turned on his side tears falling from his eyes. “Please find me Jake. Find me and kill me, before it’s too late.”
☨☨☨
Jake and Wilf walked across Shetland towards the pens that lay at the far tip. Jake counted six new houses. They looked sturdy and fresh. He was impressed with the work that had gone on here. He could see people gathered by the pens, talking between themselves. Jake noted that even the pens had been given a makeover. A new enclosure had been erected with a wooden shack in the middle of it. He could hear the squeal of piglets inside, making him smile. Seeing the faces of the villagers looking at him made it a short-lived smile. They almost looked hostile.
Wilf sensed it too, placing his hand on Jake’s shoulder as they stood before them. “Folk. I have news. Gather around so my words are not lost on the breeze.” A tight circle formed around the two men, making Jake feel penned in. “You all remember this young man. You all know how he came to us. It was through no fault of his own. Sometimes things just happen. Well he is here now. And he needs my help. One of his friends is being held by Elias and his new kin. They are in the Vale.” A few mutterings filtered through the group. “Jake needs my help to break him out of there. We will leave when our food is ready.”
“How long will you be gone?” a voice said behind Jake.
“A few days if fortune favours us.” He looked at a middle-aged woman who stood in the throng of villagers. “Mima, would you take over while I’m gone?”
She nodded simply. She looked at Jake, her weather-beaten face impassive. He held her gaze for a moment before she looked away.
“Good. Well I’ll be back soon. Carry on with your day. And do not fret. I shall return.” The villagers dispersed, leaving the two me
n stood next to the pens. Wilf looked at the younger man. “They are just worried. Whenever you turn up things happen. Do not let that weigh heavy.”
“Okay,” was all Jake could say.
“Right. Let’s see what Jessie has prepared. We must eat too. The tide is back in. The roadway is cut off for a while. By the time it drops again the sun will be far towards the western sky. Let’s eat, plan, and see if we can get through this adventure in one piece.”
☨☨☨
Elias woke. His red eyes taking focus in the gloom. He thought he’d heard a noise. Sitting up, he glanced at the others. They were all sleeping soundly. He climbed to his feet, walking over to the stone coffin. The boy was still asleep, although Elias knew that he was nearing the point of waking. His skin had turned an ash grey. He’ll rise tonight, he thought as he walked over to the corridor that led to the forest. He froze mid-step as he saw the cell door hanging open. His eyes scanned his surroundings. Stephen was nowhere to be seen. He caught his foot on something, bending down to pick it up. The new padlock had been twisted open, half of the shackle snapped off. He stepped into the cell, noticing the dried black vomit on the straw mattress. What happened? he thought. He must have escaped into the forest. If that’s the case, he is lost to us for now. Elias stood there as a nagging doubt tugged at his thoughts. He hurried down the corridor, up the steps into the forest. He looked about himself for signs of life. Happy that he was alone he ran up the hill towards the track. Seconds later he was stood looking out at the break in the two forests. “The sun is well passed its zenith,” he said as more thoughts flooded his mind. He turned and hurried back down to his kin. As he came around the corner into the main ante chamber he jumped. Alison was stood in front of him, her eyes searching him out.