by Rocky Grede
I stuff a spoonful of cereal into my mouth and it is only then I realize how hungry I actually am. I shovel the rest of the cereal into my mouth like a starved banshee until I have rinsed my plate clean. I push my empty plate away, feeling refreshed.
“You said you’d answer my questions,” I say, looking directly at Elis.
Elis nods, his face calm and impassive, “But I didn’t say I will answer them all. But considering the events that have transpired, it is best if you know the truth, so you can be alert.”
I feel a stab of annoyance, but rush on to the first question, “What was that thing?”
“That was a creature from the Shadow Zone,” Elis replies in flat voice.
“Why was it after me?”
“It wasn’t, until it found out you were human.”
“Then, who was it…” I trail off as the answer presents itself in my head like a bright red cherry atop of a cake. “The creature was after the new guy?”
Elis nods in affirmation. I turn my gaze to my empty plate, before looking back up and asking my next question, “How did it get here? And where is it now? And why was it after the new guy? And what is the new guy doing here?”
Maxwell rubs his chin, his black beard thick and coarse. “It somehow slipped through the borders unnoticed.” He exchanges a quick glance with Elis, and unspoken words pass between them. “I initially kept it at bay, Elis held it off. We regrouped and killed it.”
“As for why it was after the new guy, mind taking a guess?” Elis says politely.
My mind is buzzing with Maxwell’s words, and it takes a moment for Elis’s words to register.
“How am I supposed to know? I snap. “You said he was a fugitive, they were trying to take him or something?”
“Yes, they were trying to take him. But have you wondered why he had been assigned protection?” Elis says, ignoring my rude attitude.
“So he doesn’t eat me?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“He’s human.”
It takes several moments for the words to hammer home, and when they do, my jaw drops open. “No way.”
Elis walks over and takes the seat opposite me, placing his elbows on the table. “The Kron Vampires initially held him prisoner. They were using him as a blood harvest machine. Lexus rescued him and brought him here.”
I sit up straight and swallow the shock. “So…how did they get him? And how was he rescued?” The words ‘Blood Harvest’ echo around in my mind. So they had been using him as…as a blood bank?
“Lexus undertook the rescue himself. So to speak, he took him from under their noses,” Elis says. “Of course the Krons eventually figured it out, but they never knew who kidnapped him, until now.”
“So they sent those creatures to get him back?” My voice comes out as a small whisper.
Elis brow creases and he nods. “Yes. And that is the most disturbing part. Somehow, the Kron Vampires have forged an alliance with the Valkyries.” Seeing my stunned and confused expression, Elis elaborates, “The Shadow Zone is home to various mutated creatures. When the humans were waging wars, nations used biological and chemical weapons against one another. They also used human weapons.” He pauses and glances out the window. The sun is setting in the sky, and orange and yellow flames are spreading across the horizon.
“The creature you encountered is a by-product of the actions of humans,” Elis says turning his gaze back to me. “Once those creatures were humans, but radiation exposure has altered them into monsters.
“The Shadow Zone is cloaked with an impenetrable mist of darkness. The creatures that reside their sparsely leave the confine of the mist that surrounds them.”
I try to gather my scattered thoughts, which are blowing around in my mind like gust blown flower petals. “How come these humans…I mean creatures, how come they don’t come after us?”
“The Shadow Zone is their home. But most importantly, they cannot bear sunlight. We leave them alone, and in turn they stay away from us,” Elis says. “But now, it seems that has changed.”
I don’t know how long we sat there in silence, wondering in our own thoughts. I think about Zack. He was assigned protection for his own sake; he wore glasses because his eyes were not red rimmed; he kept a distance from everyone less someone figure him out, he never spoke in case it gave him away. It all makes sense now.
“So this was the issue Lexus was referring to?” I say as the pieces fit in place. Zack wasn’t the threat, but the Kron Vampires were, and my proximity to Zack would have placed me in danger. So that was why Lexus told me to keep away from Zack.
“Yes,” Elis says.
I nod, and ask him about Lexus.
Elis scratches his chin with one long finger. “He departed without notifying us of the reason.”
“So you don’t know?”
Elis and Maxwell shake their heads.
“How about Gregory?”
“He knows as much as us,” Elis says, though his tone is careful.
I stuff my hands in my pockets, and feel something smooth brush against my fingertips. I take out the sheet of paper, realising it was the note that Lexus had left me. I look back at Elis, “What did he say in the letter he gave you?” For a moment I think he is not going to tell me, but to my surprise he extracts a letter from his own pocket.
“Here,” he says, handing it to me.
I take it, and slowly unfold it.
Elis
When this letter reaches you I will be gone. I cannot give a time frame in when I will be back. But in my absence, take care of Jake as though he is your own kith and kin. Watch over him and make sure he comes to no harm. Keep him away from Zack. It will only place Jake in vital danger. I have left Gregory to handle affairs in my absence. He will make sure the borders are kept under tight watch. If something goes wrong in my absence, Elis, do what you think is best. But never let harm come to Jake, no matter what happens.
Lexus
I place the letter back on the table, my insides cold and brittle, and stare at it in silence. I sigh and look back at Elis, who had been gazing at me intently. “So what now?” I ask.
“The events of yesterday are taken care of. We spun a story about a Vampire going feral, killing the librarian, and rampaging after you,” Elis explains. “As far as everyone’s concerned, it was just a Vampire losing his mind.”
“So no one knows what actually happened?”
“Aside from a select few, the population is ignorant. There were several witnesses, but they will remain silent.”
“So what happens now?”
Elis and Maxwell exchange a glance. “Now?” Elis repeats, he glances at his watch before looking back up at me, a smile building across his lips. “It is time for you to go to school.”
At first I think he is joking, but when he doesn’t say anything, I think he is serious. “You can’t be serious?”
Maxwell chuckles and weaves his fingers through his short beard.
Elis smiles. “Like I said, everyone believes everything is normal. So yes, I am serious.”
“What about the creatures? Or the Kron Vampires? How about Zack?”
Elis’s face turns serious. “We will take each day as it comes. It may mean war, because the Kron Vampires will never give up in trying to reclaim Zack.”
I nod, the reality of the situation dawning upon me. “Where is Zack now?” I say.
“On his way to school I believe, so you should get ready less you wish to be late,” Elis says getting to his feet. “Don’t worry about Lexus. He is much cleverer than you think.”
I push my chair back and stand up. I look between Elis and Maxwell with a smirk playing across my lips. “So which one of you blood suckers is driving?”
Maxwell points a finger at Elis and we both burst out laughing. Elis arches an eyebrow at us, but joins in the banter with a rich laugh of his own, creating a moment of light in the darkness of the situation. But I know dark times lie ahead of us all
.
The End
Turn over to read the First Chapter of the Second book, Crisis!
After the encounter with the Valkyries, Jake tries to lead a normal life, and keep up appearances within the city. But at school he faces intimidation from Davilon, the son of powerful Vampire Victor. And with Lexus still absent, threats begin to present themselves one after the other, and Jake eventually finds himself in a heart breaking situation.
Crisis: Chapter One
It turns out Elis was serious about me going to school. He said it was crucial I attend, because my absence may give birth to funny ideas in the heads of some individuals; such as I was more vulnerable and easy for the taking; that attempts on my life were worth a shot; that my protection was lapsed. I understood where he was coming from. Keeping up appearances was essential in this world, especially when others around you naturally saw you as food. I didn’t need any more encouragement than that to comply.
I checked my wound before we left. It was now a faint scar, lining the right side of my head, already scabbed over. I applied a fresh bandage and put on a hat, to hide any signs of physical damage. I didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention, because the sight of the blood might just push one of the Vampires over the edge.
Despite Elis’s earlier reassurances - that Lexus can handle him-self - I can’t help but feel a stab of worry for him. When will he be back? The longer he is away the more anxious I am getting. Even though he is the most powerful Vampire I have ever come across, I’m beginning to worry that something may have happened to him. He isn’t indestructible, none of the Vampires are. And we have no contact him with, and he hasn’t contacted us either.
Another disturbing thought is that I might not be so lucky when another attempt on my life is launched. Without Lexus’s presence and with what occurred yesterday, I’m afraid anything could happen. I’ve never left so scared for my own life before. Yes, I was always in danger with my proximity with the Vampires, but it was never like this. Deliberate attempts to kill me were something I never had to factor in, but now all that has changed.
An image of the huge wolf creature - the Valkyrie - flashes through my mind; its eyes gleaming blue; its jaw opened revealing rows of razor sharp teeth; its deep growl resonating through the night, and the way it had launched itself at me, bent on devouring my flesh. So this is another threat I am now facing. The other night was a close call, and if more of these creatures manage to slip through the border…
I sigh and stare out the window as we drive to the school. Buildings zoom by, disappearing into the distance as we leave them behind. I check my wristwatch to find that we are a few minutes late, and as we round the street corner and come into full view of the school, I see Vampires walking through the entrance gates. They pause and glance at us as Elis parks the car on the curb.
Before we had left, Elis and Maxwell had filled me in on the tiny details of the PR story aired to the rest of the city citizens, about the incident at the library, and the follow up attack on the road. Simply; a Vampire turned feral and killed the librarian; it then chased me through the streets; I had managed to get in the car and drove it through the city, but I eventually crashed it (witnesses can confirm this); Elis caught up and despatched the Vampire in question before it was able to kill me.
The story is straightforward enough, but in the rare occasion that I find myself having to explain the details, I will just quote the official version of events with a straight face.
We exit the car and amble up to the school. I fumble with the strap of my backpack as we approach the main gate. Dozens of Vampires are hanging around the fence. They shoot glances in our direction, and some smirk at me before quickly looking away. Others regard us with blank expressions, their emotions hidden behind their stoic features.
I ignore them, avert my eyes to the ground, and walk in their direction. They move out of our path at the sight of Elis and Maxwell, and turn their attentions back to their friends.
I had been too involved in ignoring the mass of stares, and I hadn’t noticed the lone Vampire striding towards us, until he pauses in our path. A twinge of unease settles in my stomach as I look up at him.
“I heard about the unfortunate events,” says Victor Lakeshore, his tone mild and uninterested. His matte black eyes drift to my head. “Unfortunate indeed,” he murmurs.
I hide my surprise. How did he know I injured my head? The official story didn’t mention any injury. It just said the feral Vampire was brutally put down before he could cause any harm. Perhaps by wearing a hat I have given myself away, but I doubt it. I have worn a hat many times before, so it isn’t anything unusual.
Victor’s pitiless cold gaze fastens to mine, and many unspoken emotions swirl in the depths of the darkness of his pupils; hate, loathing, desire for my blood. According to what Fruz tells me, just over a century ago, a brutal fight took place between Lexus and Victor, with Lexus dismantling and leaving Victor for dead. The story goes that Victor had apparently begged for mercy, and after some consideration, Lexus had granted it, sparing him.
I have my own legacy with Victor. When I was first introduced to the Vampires it was Victor who had voiced his protest in earnest. I still remember his biting words: ‘He’s food, not a toy!’ Lexus had silenced him with a glare, before announcing that whoever disagrees with his decision in adopting me as his son should step forward and announce a challenge for the leadership. No one did. Not even Victor. He had just looked on in disgust and shook his head.
I stare back at him, unflinching, feeling reassured with Elis’s and Maxwell’s presence.
The ends of Victor’s mouth quirk up in a sneer. “Such boldness,” he whispers, more to himself than to me.
“Is there something in particular we can help you with?” Maxwell asks, his voice cold and indifferent, and the tone surprises me. Victor is a very powerful and influential Vampire in the city. I know many fear him. But Artico Destroyers have their own power and influence, and it seems they are not intimidated easily by another’s reputation.
Victor slowly rips his gaze away from mine and looks up at Maxwell. “Maxwell,” he says. “How is your health old friend?”
Old friend?
I look between them. Victor’s smirks, displaying his fangs. Maxwell’s face remains neutral, his hard jaw relaxed.
“I’m fine,” Maxwell replies, those two words conveying contempt and disgust.
Victor chuckles, low and light, and runs his fingers through his moustache. “Good to hear,” he says, though his tone suggests otherwise.
Victor’s gaze switches to Elis, “Elis.” He says it like it is a disgusting word, an unspoken curse. Elis’s face remains unreadable, and he doesn’t return the greeting. But again, I’m surprised at Victor’s tone and Elis’s calm attitude in the face of an insult.
“When will Lexus bless us again with his presence?” Victor says with a raised black eyebrow, his hooked nose seeming to appear more predominant with the subtle movement. I must have displayed the surprise on my face, because Victor’s eyes flick back to me, and a smirk forms across his lips. “Do you know Jake?”
I deflect his question by glancing away, like I have better things to do than talk to him.
“Jake has school to attend if you don’t mind,” Maxwell says, raising his voice an octave.
Several heads turn in our direction, suddenly interested by the sharpness of Maxwell’s tone.
“Of course,” Victor says, stretching the words out like an elastic band. “Ah, here comes my son.”
I look on in disgust as Davilon ambles towards us, a confident aura about him. He pauses next to his father and gives me a look laced with aversion, before turning to his father and saying, “Did you call me father?”
“Let’s go.” Maxwell taps my arm and the three of us walk away from the Lakeshore family. I hear Davilon laughing behind us as we enter the school building.
“Creeps,” Maxwell mutters under his breath, closing the door behind him with a thud, an
d almost breaking it in two as a crack appears through the centre.
I’m surprised at his attitude towards Victor, because Artico Guards and Destroyers tend to be neutral on offering opinions on people. Even so, it seems Maxwell and Victor have some sort of history behind them, and judging by their interactions, it is definitely not a friendly one.