J.R. Rain's Vampire for Hire World_Fire Warrior

by H. T. Night

  I spent the week after Halloween rereading the notes I had made from the book from Chile. I went over every piece of paper and detail that was in the case file. I had no clue how all these pieces, including the addition of the Cherufe creature, fit together. I didn’t know why I thought I could solve this. I guessed I’d thought having a mother who was such a phenomenal detective would have rubbed off on me at some point.

  But right now, I was more confused than ever.

  I decided to go for a walk and think. There weren’t too many places to relax outside the walls of the Academy. I decided to head over to the courtyard and call my mother.

  I sat down and pressed ‘MOM’ on my phone contacts.

  She answered in five rings.

  “Who is it?” she asked. She sounded like she was in the middle of something important. And why didn’t she see my name on her phone display? Something felt odd about that.

  “Mom, it’s Anthony. Can you talk?”

  “I was hoping it was you. Hold on, I need to take care of something first.” My mom apparently set down the phone.

  Once again, I could hear everything.

  I heard the sound of a language that I didn’t know. The odd part was that the two people speaking were a man and my mom. Then I heard a commotion. I should have been more worried, but by now, my mom had proven that she’d always come out on top. She was like Wonder Woman and Dracula all in one.

  Suddenly, I heard three gunshots. Then I heard what seemed to be a woman singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

  Where the hell is Mom? A sports stadium?

  My mom picked up the phone and said, “You there, honey?”

  “Yes, I’m here. Are you okay?”

  “I’m peachy,” she said.

  “Can you talk?” I asked.

  “Always for you, my little skid mark.”

  “I have asked not to call me that.”

  “I forgot. You have a girlfriend now. How is that going?”

  “As far as she and I are concerned, everything is great.”

  “Then, what’s the matter?”

  “Her mother’s murder. I have a lot of information, but I can’t seem to piece it together.”

  “Do you need help?” My mom was an amazing detective. It wouldn’t hurt to hear what she thought about the Cherufe.

  I told my mom about my encounters with Archibald Maximus and about the creepy book from Chile. When I was finished telling her everything, I knew why she was quiet for a considerably long time. Her wheels were turning. I had to admit, it always excited me when my mom would go into full detective beast mode.

  She said, “Chile has a massive mythological history. The tricky part is deciphering which is myth and which is truth.”

  “Well, Archibald Maximus thinks it’s truth or he wouldn’t have sent me on his wild goose chase.”

  “Archibald Maximus is an intriguing fellow. I’m impressed that you were able to see his door to the Occult Room in the library without having me with you. That tells me a lot about how the supernatural world views you. You are already on the radar.”

  “Yeah.” I paused. “Do you have any theories about how the Cherufe ties in with the murder?”

  “I have lots of theories, son. None that I feel strong enough to share with you. I don’t want to confuse any momentum you have in this case with my assumptions.”

  “Assumptions? That is a more active word than theory. Please, give me just one of your assumptions, so I can at least weigh in on it.”

  My mom was once again quiet. Then she said, “You mentioned that the Cherufe gains its power every eighteen years. Son, it has been eighteen years since your girlfriend’s mom’s murder. If the Cherufe is indeed the creature that attacked her mother, the beast will be freed soon.”

  A spike of fear struck me. Not for myself, but for Kat. “So, what are you saying?”

  My mother was again quiet. “Maximus is no dummy. His finger is on the pulse of all things in this world and beyond.”

  “You think Maximus is expecting the creature to be freed at any moment?”

  “Yes,” my mother said plainly.

  “So, you feel Maximus knew Katherine would make contact with me?”

  “I do.”

  “He told me that he didn’t know that we would fall for each other.”

  “So, he told you.”

  “Not in the manner you explained it. What you’re saying is that the Cherufe will be freed soon. Or maybe it already has been?”

  “Perhaps, but why would the Cherufe go after Katherine?” Mom asked. “It has already sought revenge on her mother.”

  “She has her mother’s necklace. The Cherufe didn’t retrieve the necklace when it killed her mother because Katherine was wearing it.”

  “Does she wear this necklace now?”

  “No,” I said.

  “Good,” Mom answered. “Have her throw it deep into the ocean if you guys can.”

  “That’s not the plan,” I said. This was the first time I was to contradict my mom when it came to something this serious.

  “What’s the plan?” she asked, shocked.

  “I’m going to wear the necklace.”

  “Why?”

  “Archibald believes the only way to be rid of the creature once and for all is for me to destroy it.”

  “And you’re being used as live bait.”

  “Bait for myself? I’m going to kill this fucking thing, Mom.”

  “Wow,” my mom said. “That is a lot to take in.” She heaved a large sigh and said, “Anthony, I’m coming to you. This has become too big. You’ll need my help if this creature decides to attack you.”

  “I don’t need your help,” I said. “I can do this.”

  She relented. “At least, allow me to send Kingsley to you.”

  “What? I’m going to have a chaperone for the next few weeks? I would rather not. Mom, you know better than anyone what I have been through. I have defeated some crazy, random creatures over the past few years.”

  “Son, I know you have. I’m just a worried mother.”

  “Don’t be. I’m confident that I know who and what killed her. I just need to know how it was done.”

  “I’m not afraid you won’t solve this case. I’m afraid this damn Cherooby creature is going to kill you.”

  “It’s Cherufe. I have it under control for now. I promise if this gets out of hand, I will reach out for your help.”

  “Anthony, just promise me one thing. Don’t be ashamed to turn to the Fire Warrior when you see the first sign of trouble.”

  “I promise. I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too, Anthony. Be safe.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  It was the week of Thanksgiving and the deadline I gave Kat to solve her mom’s murder was approaching. The Academy gave the students the entire week off. By Sunday, there wasn’t a soul on campus and it stayed that way until the following Saturday.

  On this Sunday, almost everyone had left the campus. Everyone except for three people: Kat, Barry and me. An odd threesome to say the least. All loners who basically needed each other. The Cherufe was heavily on my mind. The case wasn’t any more solved than it was two weeks ago when I had talked to my mother.

  I woke later than usual since it was a non-school day. I was in the mood for a soda. We didn’t have any cold ones in the dorm room. For that, I would have to go to the vending machines near the restrooms.

  When I reached outside, I looked at the sun. Ever since the Fire Warrior had become a part of my life, the sun seemed about a hundred times more interesting. In all my fascination, I wasn’t stupid enough to stare into it. Instead, I would look toward it with my eyes closed and allow the sun to drape my face with its warmth and strength.

  I walked over to the vending machine. I was in a mood for something different, but a soda nonetheless. Dr. Pepper would fit that desire. Three of them to be exact. Cans were 75 cents. That was fair enough, considering they could price-gouge us a lot wo
rse. We were out here in the boondocks with very few other options.

  I reached and grabbed my last soda. I turned around and nearly smashed one of my sodas across a person’s face for popping up behind me so suddenly and secretly. I was glad I hadn’t. It was the big cheese himself: Archibald Maximus. He was a tad taller than me and much thinner. He was wearing brown khakis and a white dress shirt. His shoes were black. Sharp. The guy dressed too conservative for my taste. I was wearing gray sweats and a dirty blue t-shirt. So, I wasn’t one to judge how a man dressed.

  “Hello, Anthony.”

  I stepped three feet back to give us some space. I was definitely not a close talker. “Hello, sir,” I said. I never knew how to address him. The way I saw it, ‘sir’ was the best in this setting. He was the dean of the academy after all.

  “You’re still here? When are you planning on going home for the holiday?” Archibald asked.

  “I’ll be home by Thanksgiving. I’m not sure which day, though.”

  Archibald nodded. “This side project of yours that you have taken on is a concern of mine.”

  “In what way?” I asked.

  “There are many things I see, and other times, I’m given just a glimpse. Anthony, tonight, you must drink all the fire potion you have hidden away.”

  “You know about that?” I asked.

  “I know everything that goes on around here.”

  “I have at least two gallons’ worth,” I said.

  “How long will that give you the ability to use its power?” he asked.

  “Two gallons?” I laughed. “The most I have ever digested was 16 ounces. I was farting smoke for three days.”

  “How long did 16 ounces give you the ability to shoot fire from your hands?”

  “Thirty minutes,” I answered.

  “Well, then my advice is for you to drink all of it by 6 p.m. tonight.”

  “Two gallons?”

  “Yes.” Archibald looked me dead in the eye and was as serious as a heart attack.

  “Are you going to tell me why?” I asked.

  “Like I said, in some cases, I only see glimpses. Drink the potion. Have your Fire Warrior on standby.”

  I looked at Archibald Maximus and I knew something was going to go down tonight. It was all going to come to a head with this fucking Cherufe.

  “Anthony, I believe in you.” And with that, Archibald walked away behind the building where he no longer could be seen.

  I decided to go to Katherine’s dorm and insist that she spend the day at my dorm. It was a hard sell because Barry was there. She liked Barry. But, Barry took about a year for anyone to fully understand and appreciate him.

  After some coaxing, she agreed.

  The Cherufe had murdered Katherine’s mom on a city street in broad daylight. So, the beast did not care about the location when it attacked. I figured if something was to go down, it would be better if we had the fight out here. Everyone had gone home for Thanksgiving holiday, and this battle needed to take place far away from the public.

  I wanted Katherine close to me at all times. The Cherufe would likely still be seeking revenge for the lava rock necklace once again, or I wouldn’t have been brought into this mess by Archibald Maximus. I was going to be the one to wear it, but this creature’s revenge might be so all-consuming, the beast might want to still kill Katherine. Regardless, if she was wearing the necklace or not. For that reason, I would not let her out of my sight.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Kat and I were lying on my bed in an unromantic way while Barry was browsing the web on his computer ten feet away.

  Kat looked at me and whispered in my ear. “You’re acting funny. What is going on?”

  “I just want to spend the day with you,” I answered and gave her a light peck on her lips.

  “We have been cooped up in here for over four hours. Can we at least go on a picnic? I seriously need to go outside.”

  “Listen, Katherine, I can’t tell you why. But I feel the safest place for you to be is in my dorm with Barry and me.” That alerted Barry’s ears and he turned around on the swivel chair where he had been looking at his computer.

  I nodded my head at Barry as if to say something might be going down. I had a feeling that whatever was to happen, the Fire Warrior would probably be making an entrance today. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for either Barry or Katherine to know that secret about me.

  I decided I was going to keep private the information Maximus had given me earlier. No need to freak out these two unnecessarily. I had been through so much in the last six years that this felt like business as usual.

  “Why so vague, compadre?” Barry questioned.

  “I’m not being vague,” I said.

  “Then, elaborate when you say the phrase... and I quote, ‘The safest place is here in our dorm.’”

  Like I said, I wasn’t ready to tell them. “I was just saying that she needed protection from your stinky ass. You can let out some ass haymakers and I wanted her to be ready.”

  “Farts?” Barry asked. “We are talking about farts.” He wasn’t buying it.

  “Farts or whatever gross smell comes from your direction,” I responded.

  Puzzled, Barry looked at Katherine. Then the two of them looked at me, trying to figure out if there was more to my statement.

  I quickly said, “You two hungry?”

  “I was until you started fixating on Barry’s farts,” Kat responded.

  “I’m starving,” Barry replied. “You guys want to head into town and see what is open?”

  “We have food here,” I said. I didn’t know how I felt about us driving around with the knowledge that had just been bestowed upon me.

  “Anything in this dorm that would be classified as food is either too warm or expired.” Barry laughed. “We need to go shopping.”

  I nodded and looked at the clock. It was nearing five o’clock. Maybe this was a good idea. If just the two of them left, it would free me up to go drink the potion. I had to run a mile and dig a hole, which would take at least an hour.

  “Why don’t the two of you go downtown and check it out,” I suggested.

  “Without you?” Kat asked in dismay.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Because Barry and I have never been alone together. Not one time. No offense, Barry.”

  “None taken. I think.”

  “Not by my choice,” I said, jumping in. “I’m not the jealous type.”

  Kat gave me a look as if to say it was her choice not to go with him. I was going to now have to try to convince Katherine that it would be okay to be alone with my socially awkward roommate.

  I had to think fast. “You guys know what I like to eat. I seriously need to catch up on laundry.”

  “Laundry?” Barry questioned. “You want to do laundry now?”

  “Better time than any. Nobody is in the laundry room. I can use all eight washers if I want to.”

  Both Barry and Kat looked at me and tried to see what I was up to. I was a horrible liar. Hopefully, I’d manage to convince them to leave.

  “Okay,” Kat said, hesitation still in her voice. “Make a shopping list.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  I made a grocery list for Katherine. I put tons of items on it that I knew were all over the store. I needed them gone for at least 90 minutes.

  At 5:15, Katherine and Barry left for the grocery store, which was twenty-five minutes away. I hoped that the long, weird grocery list would take them an hour to find everything, giving me enough time to do what I needed to do.

  The moment I saw Katherine’s car drive out of sight, I ran to the tool shed. It was locked. Of course it was going to be locked but I needed a shovel.

  Maximus had been the one who had warned me, after all. If he wanted to punish me for breaking the lock, so be it.

  I knew I was a strong motherfucker. I grabbed the lock and twisted it as hard as I could until the lock busted completely in my hand, which freaking hurt
my palm and fingers. I opened the door to the shed and grabbed a shovel. I turned in the direction of my running trail. I ran as fast as I could, awkwardly holding a shovel. I knew I had two gallons of the potion hidden away. My little adventure with Barry last month now made complete sense to me.

  In about seven minutes, I reached my burial site. I found the giant rock just off the trail and began digging beside it to reach the potion. It didn’t take long to reach the metal chest where I’d placed the potion. I carefully lifted the chest out of the hole and placed it gently on level ground.

  Inside the chest were the two large sealed flasks I socked away. They contained about two gallons of Fire potion. I hadn’t consumed anywhere near the amount of Fire potion that Maximus had asked me to ingest this day. He wanted me to drink all of it.

  I looked at the strange green potion. All the ingredients came from my experiences. This was my baby and if anyone was to abuse the potion, I guess it should be me.

  I took the seal off the first flask and raised it to my lips. I knew how it tasted. It was bitter and unforgiving. I laid the flask’s opening on my lower lip and drank as much as I could, which was about half a flask. It was an easy-enough effort—just ask my mom, I had a hollow leg. The problem was in the digesting. I was able to drink down the first flask but I started sweating. The potion ignited fire and my digestive system was feeling it.

  It took much longer to drink the second flask down. But I was able to do it. I pulled out my phone and saw that the time was 5:58. I drank all the potion before 6:00 p.m. I wasn’t sure if there was any significance to it.

  After I drank the last drop, I rolled over on the ground and lay on my back. I looked up at the sun and allowed what was left of the day’s rays fill me.

  I sat up. I looked around at my surroundings and about a hundred feet in front of me, something caught my eye. It looked like someone had started a fire on the trail and split the scene. That was very, very strange. As I approached the fire, it expanded quickly, but it seemed to be in control. A very odd combination.