The goons who had been holding Matt up let him fall to the ground.
It was awhile before Matt could simply breathe again, but even after he had graduated to that point, his body was still radiating with pain.
“So, you were an Army Ranger…?”
He opened his eyes, but Spector was not standing above him, though Matt was sure it was Spector’s voice he had heard based on its high pitch.
The two goons reached down and raised him back to his feet. They turned him around to see their boss sitting behind his office desk staring at a computer screen.
“I thought the Internet went down after the vampires took over?”
“That’s right,” answered Spector, looking in his direction with a gleam of arrogance. “But you’re looking at one of the few on this planet with access to what the vampires put up in its place.”
“That’s great,” said Matt. “Does it have porn?”
The goons holding Matt laughed, but both guards immediately fell silent when Spector turned back to the computer screen without a hint of a smile.
“It says you did two tours. Then you were discharged. You wound up working for some private security firm...”
Matt didn’t respond.
“Look, here, sergeant punching bag,” said Spector. “We can keep doing this until I either bruise my knuckles or you fucking die. Your choice.”
“Maybe if you would let me know what you were after, I could give your knuckles a rest.”
“I want details…”
“Details… I don’t understand? Are you trying to touch up my obituary?”
Spector leapt out of his chair, marched across the room, then slapped Matt hard across the face twice. The second time, one of the goons lost his grip on him.
When Matt was raised up off the floor of the office, both his mouth and nose had begun bleeding again.
“You’re a cancer to my flock.” His words were a whisper, but they were spoken with a balled-up fist ready to fly. “What we’re doing right now, you and I, is trying to figure out how you got here. Did you come into this camp on your own, or were you sent here by someone on the outside?”
His wanted to laugh in his face, but instead, Matt spit out, “I came with Bunny.”
The name got Spector to lower his fist and take a step back.
“We both grew up around here,” said Matt. “Just like you. He told me he knew you, had helped you, and that you would take care of us.”
Spector looked away.
However, his inner reflection lasted only a few seconds. Then he was right back barking at Matt, just a few inches away from his face.
“You must really miss the Internet, because you are not up-to-date on current events. Everything has changed. Now you either start talking to me about how you were captured, or we’re going back in the ring for another thirteen rounds. Now what’s it going to be…?”
“What’s going on here?”
The tenor of the voice caused Spector to whip around in fear.
Everyone looked around, but no one could see a body behind the voice. It meant there was a vampire standing in the shadows of the office.
“Why isn’t this injured prisoner being attended to by one of the physicians?”
Though no one could see its face, Spector knew the voice wasn’t Julian’s. He responded by directing his answer all around his office.
“Sir, this prisoner ran amok during the blood donation and practically caused a riot.”
“Thank you for explaining the circumstances that preceded his incarceration. It still doesn’t answer why a donor, clearly capable of manufacturing blood – I’m basing my assessment on looking at his face – isn’t being tended to by a physician…”
“Sir, you don’t understand; we’re in the middle of an interrogation. After I’m finished, I will return the prisoner to the barracks.”
The vampire not only stepped out of the shadows, he rushed over to occupy Spector’s space. Though neither the head of security nor his goons had ever seen him before, Matt recognized him as his brother.
“Pardon my encroachment,” said Ian. “Apparently my razor-sharp hearing is off tonight. I thought I heard you say, ‘Sir, you don’t understand…’.”
“I did not mean any disres…”
Spector’s sentence was choked off by Ian’s hand, now gripping his throat.
“Ah… so it wasn’t my hearing after all. How unfortunate for you, because now we’re forced to deal with my hurt feelings, which seem trampled upon, and the only one I saw pacing around this office like a frightened mare was you, Ronald.”
“I’m so sorry… sir… but this prisoner ran amok during…”
It was all Spector managed to say before starting to choke…
“Ronny, I can’t believe you wasted your final words simply repeating the same details of this man’s apprehension. We’ve already established my hearing is just fine.”
Spector tried to respond, but he only gurgled, and choked.
Just as his complexion lost all of its color, Ian released him and Spector doubled over and gasped for air.
“Now, what are you going to do with this prisoner?”
When Spector didn’t immediately answer, Ian repeated the question.
“What you going to do, Ronny, with this prisoner?”
Spector was still trying to regain his breath, but it did not matter because Ian grabbed him by the scalp of his hair and struck him hard across the face, causing the head of CCC security to fall backwards. However, he was not allowed to hit the ground, because Ian grabbed him by his jumpsuit, and brought him back up to his face.
“Shall I repeat the question? Or repeat the action meant to increase the speed of your answer?”
“I… return the prisoner to the barracks,” Spector managed to answer.
Ian let Spector drop to the ground.
“Brilliant answer. You’re starting to prove how smart you are… well, at least ‘smart’ for someone who has a pulse. Now I strongly encourage you to be the best advocate regarding your intelligence, and follow through on your new strategy…”
Spector barely raised his hand, motioning to his goons holding Matt to take him away. He then turned to spit out the blood that had pooled in his mouth.
When Spector looked back up… Ian had disappeared.
The main door to the prisoners’ barracks building flew open and Matt was brought in, then gently set to the ground by the goons.
A couple of prisoners leapt out of their beds to help Matt, but he waved them off.
He stood on his own, gave those who tried to help a nod of appreciation, then stumbled toward the building’s restrooms.
Standing at one of the sinks, he splashed his face with water, then looked into the mirror.
Behind him, one of the bathroom-stall doors swung open. It was Doctor Dietz.
“My god, you look awful.”
As the doctor approached him, Matt caught sight of the interior of the stall behind him. It was filled with dozens of test tubes, beakers, even a Bunsen burner.“What the hell is all that back there?”
As Dietz explained, he began addressing Matt’s wounds.
“That’s my way of fighting back. Though, I will admit my method lacks the charm of having the bruises and scars that can be used to enliven a good story.”
“What do you mean, ‘fighting back’?" asked Matt.
“Every creature on this planet has a weakness. We are the apex, and we still have hundreds of weaknesses.”
“We use to be the apex,” said Matt. “Not anymore.”
“Yes, good point.”
“Whatever. Are you saying you really have an idea on how to defeat them?”
“No. But I have some theories.”
“What do you need to get these theories to the next level?”
Dietz looked at the paper towel he had been using to soak up Matt’s blood and laughed.
“Blood for starters. No, not yours. Their blood.”
“Matt…”
He turned and saw Tyra standing in the restroom’s doorway.
“… you’re back. I just heard. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. We got Murphy, right?”
Tyra nodded. “He’s hanging in the supply closet... just like we planned.”
“Good.”
“Okay… glad you’re feeling all right. Why don’t we talk before roll call?”
She turned and walked away, but Matt suddenly thought of something and he called out to her.
“Wait… Tyra…”
She stepped back into the doorway.
“Who's the one who ended up taking out Murphy... Juarez or Barrett?”
“Neither… “
Before her reply could sink in, Tyra walked away.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
<
Fellow Shadows,
I’m excited to update the latest on the STAY ALIVE! Care Packages which were dropped across the Uppyr and Vjesci regions last week.
I can sincerely attest to some guarded optimism regarding the entire SA! CP Operation and its goal in recruiting more blood donors.
Kudos to VC members Bernhardt, Lochner, and Dedio for their brilliant idea!
Over 20,000 care packages were dropped in the Vjesci region alone, with the following message attached to all the packages:
You don’t have to be an outlier to stay alive!
Let’s WORK TOGETHER!
Join us in our effort to STOP THE BLOODSHED!
Review the included map and use the portable GPS…
And go to the nearest Donation Transport Station near you!
Simply wear one of the red shirts included in this package.
One of our Outreach Teams.will get you to a Donation Center.
And your FIGHT TO SURVIVE WILL FINALLY BE OVER!
You will be taken care of FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
Your WELL-BEING is our TOP PRIORITY!
Included in this package are:
(2) Boxes of Bandages
(1) 8-ounce bottle of Disinfectant
(12) Sterilized Needles
(6) Needles with pre-loaded doses of Morphine
(6) 8-ounce bottles of Sanitized Water
(3) 8-ounce bottles of 97% proof alcohol
(2) 8-ounce bottles of 100% pure Orange Juice
(1) 16-ounce package of sugar
(2) 16-ounce bags of Beef Jerky.
STAY ALIVE so we can find you and bring you into our care.
Let’s all STAY ALIVE on this planet TOGETHER!
The initial data on the SA! CP Operation has come in, and as I’ve already indicated, there is a reason to have guarded optimism. 19% of the SA! Care Packages have been moved from their initial drop points. In the last week, 37 living donors visited a Donor Transport Station; and 23 have survived long enough to contribute their first two pints at a Blood Donation Center.
I want to acknowledge those of you who have contacted my staff to strongly suggest that we enact the sonar-homing device located on all the SA! Care Packages and begin rounding up the recipients. I will honestly confess to not passing on to the other members of the VC any of your suggestions or objections concerning this operation. The justification for my lack of letting your views be known is because I firmly believe that this operation has just begun, and we must wait and see the results before concluding that it has not been a success. Furthermore, by activating the homing devices to zero in on all of those who have the care package would destroy donor trust and preclude any similar operation in the future.
At this time I simply ask for the patience of everyone who doubts the wisdom of this operation.
To the rest of you; thank you for your positive messages and encouragement!
Stay Hidden, Stay Silent, Stay Sui Generis!
Very sincerely yours,
Hamil Deane
vc member - davanzati region
***
IAN HAYNES’ JOURNAL
Do you remember Mr. McCutchen? We both had him for science in Junior High School. I don’t think he would have changed his lesson plan in the two years that separated us, so I’m betting you heard about his discussion of vampire bats and how their daily behavior has taught us about the concept of altruism.
Each night, vampire bats leave the cave and look to feed. In the morning some return without any success. Vampire Bats will die if they do not get a meal two nights in a row. That is why the bats who were successful in feeding that night, will then regurgitate some of the acquired blood and share with those bats that need to still feed. Underlying this whole nightly dynamic was that those bats who were successful one evening might not be successful the next night, or next week, so they share, and expect the same kind of treatment in the future. This is what Mr. McCutchen called an example of “Altruistic behavior in the animal kingdom.” He considered it a sign that humans, like most animals, like vampire bats, were altruistic in nature.
However, years after we both graduated, there were new findings that challenged the foundation of the study that formed the basis of Mr. McCutchen’s lesson plan – scientists have documented that the sharing of blood from one bat to another has been shown to only occur when the bats were related, as in the same family: mother to child; child to parent… brother to brother.
This is known as kin selection, not altruism.
I wonder if Mr. McCutchen revised his lesson plan.
I have written many of these entries with the idea that perhaps you will one day be reading this. But I have to say, after last night, I should lower my expectations that you will ever get the opportunity to read these words.
Matt, you should know that what I did for you was beyond the call. And yet, how was I rewarded?
I left Spector within seconds of your exit. I wanted to see if your walk to the barracks building would bring just a moment of recognition of what I did for you. I won’t claim to have saved your life: the head of CCC197 security knows better than to kill a healthy donor.
But still, imagine my disappointment when all I witnessed was a conversation about the Lakers and the Nets between you and the guards. Never mind that everyone that once played professional basketball is dead. I speak of just the very idea that you would engage in a meaningless conversation with two nobodies while my latest effort to save your life goes completely without acknowledgement.
Tonight I put a little “blood” in your mouth so you could live and you would see the love that I still have for you. My effort was rewarded with complete ambivalence.
My entry today is a recounting of what preceded the following vow to myself – I will make no more efforts to help you avoid the fate of most of humanity.
I had set aside the experience of our initial meeting, believing it would be too early to judge any of your words as definitive. But now you’ve had time to reconcile recent revelations and your actions are a testimonial to your feelings regarding our relationship – I died ten years ago… and as far as you’re concerned… I’m still dead.
***
Ian told the Outreach Supervisor working for him that he would depart from the rest of the patrol and search the Morristown Canals for possible donors.
It was a lie so Ian could get away and be by himself.
After everything that had happened recently, all Ian could think about was to hide.
His first choice was a place he remembered playing with his brother Matt when they were younger. Standing in one of the canal tunnels, he hoped to take in the same breath of air they both breathed so many years ago.
When he emerged hours later, a fog had settled over the turbine incline plane near the Stewartsville canal station. It took him a few moments to realize that Winston was standing nearby. Ian was “startled” in a way that only a vampire understands.
Rarely does a human fail to alert another vampire of his presence, long before they share the same space. And all vampires, at least those who have been p
roperly taken under wing, know the essential courtesy of sending a signal of approach before sharing the same space.
“Sir, you surprised me?”
“I am so sorry, Ian,” said Winston. He then shut his eyes and would not open them until he finished with his apologies. “Please, forgive me for not making my presence known earlier.”
Ian replayed back in his head his actions for the last several hours.
Satisfied there was nothing his mentor could have seen that would bring him shame, he replied, “Sir, you did not offend me in the least. Besides, whatever you choose to do, I am here to listen to your reasons…”
It was only then Winston opened his eyes.
“Well, I must confess, that I’ve been here for quite awhile observing you.”
“You’ve never questioned my habits, nor my spirit to serve your desire,” said Ian, as he stepped over some exposed Roebling cable and onto the sleeper stones that ran for miles along the route of the canal. “You must have had cause to observe my behavior,” continued Ian, now standing just a few feet away from his mentor. “As I said, I am here to listen to your reasons…”
“Will you walk with me? Along the way, I will try to explain.”
They moved through the woods, proceeding in such a way that their presence could not be observed, except for a few species with a beating heart.
Their mode of travel covered a great distance. Ian never suspected that Winston was guiding them toward a specific destination as they spoke.
His mentor steered their conversation toward experiences they had shared together prior to the takeover. Ian trusted that Winston had a purpose to the memories he had sorted through, selected and was now recounting. He was certain that everything had been carefully deliberated over.
Winston’s extractions invited Ian to voice his recollections as well. However, the more they recounted their shared past, the more Ian became confused. There seemed to be a bigger point underlining the direction and focus of Winston’s words, but Ian could not deduce enough of his mentor’s aim to imagine the target.
Relict (Book 1): Drawing Blood Page 12