by J. G. Wilson
Max pulled a squirt gun out of his pocket and trained it on Melody.
"Don't!" Melody screamed.
Chapter 18
Melody felt the water hit her forehead and roll down her face.
"Look," Max said, "your skin still looks perfect. You are not a vampire."
"You jerk," Melody said, hitting him playfully on the shoulder. She suddenly felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her and she could breathe more easily.
"Glad to see you smile," Max said. "You know, you're beautiful when you smile."
Melody could feel her cheeks getting warm and knew she was blushing. She stared out the window, at the road ahead.
She suddenly felt Max's hand on hers, and she sighed.
"You'll see Valery again. I promise."
"I trust you," Melody said, smiling.
"That's Luke's house right there," Max said, pointing to a huge Victorian house in the distance.
It was the first house Melody had seen in awhile.
The Mustang stopped in the driveway and Melody and Max walked up to the porch. Right before they reached the steps, someone dropped down from the house.
Chapter 19
"Gothca!" Luke shouted, a black cape draped over his shoulders. He howled with laughter, opening his mouth to reveal a pair of cheap, fake fangs, the high pitch of his laughter causing birds to rise from the trees. "You thought I was a blood sucker! You should have seen your faces!"
"Knock it off," Max said angrily. "We don't have time for your goofing off. We need to get to that island as soon as possible."
Luke nodded and took the plastic vampire teeth out of his mouth. "The boat's ready to rock and roll, man."
They marched to the dock, where a small, gray motorboat was tied. Max jumped aboard first, the boat rocking unsteadily.
"Give me your hands," Max said, reaching out for Melody.
Melody grabbed his arms and put one foot over. The boat swayed. She closed her eyes, and took another step.
"There you go," Max said, motioning her to sit down.
Luke untied the boat and hopped on, sitting at the rear of the boat. Melody watched the water from the center as Max lowered the trolling motor into the water from the front and led them away from the dock.
"Did you know this is fresh water?" Luke asked. "Most people figure it's salt water, but it's not."
"Oh yeah," Melody said, not even trying to hide her disinterest. She spotted an alligator on a sand bar and shivered.
"Yeah, we're at the mouth of the river. Once we get past some of these tree stumps, I'll lower the motor and cruise us on into the ocean. The island isn't too far from here."
"That's nice," Melody said, her thoughts once again turning to Valery. She thought of the huge bat with the burning red eyes, her cousin being lifted from the ocean and carried to the island. The Island of the Dead.
"Pull up that trolling motor," Luke said.
Max nodded from the front of the boat and Luke lowered the motor into the water.
The boat flew across the river, slapping the water, small waves pushing away from the vessel as the engine hummed. The wind and water hit Melody, chilling her to the bone, her copper hair whipping back.
They hit the ocean, and she could see the island in the distance, near the jetties, almost as dark as it had been last night. It was straight out of a horror movie. Melody watched it near as the wind whipped her hair back and salt water sprayed her face.
Luke was laughing like a lunatic, his high pitch ringing in her ears like shotgun blasts. “There it is,” he said excitedly. “Yes, yes, yes!”
The boat slowed as they reached shore, Luke killing the engine and tossing out an anchor. Melody looked at the distance between the craft and the land, the distance of a football field, and wondered why they’d stop so far away.
“Can’t risk getting the boat too close,” Luke said as if reading her mind. “I’ll stay in here while you and Max go find your cousin.” He tossed Melody a life jacket. “Try to come back in one piece.”
Max stood up, the boat rocking, and put a hand on her shoulder. “You ready?” he asked.
“I guess so,” Melody said.
“Good,” Max said, jumping overboard.
Melody watched as his head went under, then reemerged moments later. “Hardly cold at all,” Max said, smiling. He was standing, the water coming up to his waist. “Your turn.”
“You can take your clothes off and leave them here if you want to,” Luke suggested.
“No thanks,” Melody replied, closing her eyes. She pinched her nose and leapt into the ocean.
The water was cold, and her hair was matted over her face when she surfaced. She flung it back. Max took her hand and led her ashore, wading through the water.
The island was more horrific than she’d imagined. There were no trees, no grass, no sign of life at all. The soil was dark. Oddly, though, she begin feeling comfortable with the place. As Max led her up a steep hill, the island seemed like a home, like she’d just returned to the very place she’d been raised. Suddenly Valery wasn’t very important. Melody smiled as she enjoyed the hike.
Max turned and noticed the smile. “What’s with the sudden happiness?” he asked.
Melody shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You’re a strange chick,” Max said. “You’ve been stressing over your cousin since you woke up, and now that we’re in the most dangerous place we can possibly be, you seem to be on some kind of pleasure excursion.”
Melody shrugged. She suddenly felt strangely alive, like anything was possible. The air smelled sweet, the dark soil was soothing on her feet like a pair of slippers.
“I’m glad you’re so happy,” Max said. “I think you’re beautiful when you smile.”
Melody blushed. “Thanks,” she said, appreciating the view as they reached the hilltop. “Wow, you can see everything from here. Look how far away Luke is. Luke!” Melody screamed, waving her hand. “Hey Luke, we’re up here.”
Max laughed, tugging on the back of her shirt. “Come over here, crazy, I want you to see something.”
Melody giggled and leaned into Max, feeling his body warmth against her. He really was a nice guy. Cute too.
“You see that hole?” Max said, pointing to the ground.
Melody looked down and saw a huge crack in the hill. She walked to the edged and peered inside the hole. She could hardly see the bottom.
“That’s where the vampire took her,” Max said. “And this is where he’ll claim you!” Max shouted, pushing her down into the hole.
Chapter 20
Melody fell down the cavern, landing hard, headfirst, on the cold floor of the cave. She sat up, dazed, her fingers running though her hair, seeking out the wound.
Nothing.
She looked up, shielding her eyes from the blistering sun, saw the small crack in the cave’s ceiling, and figured she must have fallen twenty feet. On her head!
She stood up, checking to make sure her arms and legs worked. No broken bones, no bashed in skull. It was a total miracle. I should be dead, she thought, looking around the cave.
Water dripped from stalagmites that hanged from the ceiling like fangs. There was a musty smell, an earthy smell that comforted her. She realized she was relaxed in the cave, not scared at all.
With the exception of the small slit of sunlight pouring through the crack in the ceiling, the cave was completely devoid of light. So why can I see everything? she wondered. And why does everything have a red tint to it?
She rounded a corner of the cavern and the ceiling suddenly got much higher. It was noticeably colder here, she could see her breath like smoke, and a foul odor permeated her nose.
Melody stopped, her breath catching in her throat. Hanging upside down from the ceiling was a huge bat, maybe 9 ft. in length, with its wings encasing its body. The head was massive.
“That’s the Creator,” a voice behind her spoke.
Melody jumped, spinning around.
&n
bsp; Chapter 21
Colton held his arm, and Melody winced at the dried blood on his shirt. “I’m really glad you’re not a perfect shot,” he said.
Melody glared at him.
“We should probably leave now,” Colton whispered.
“Not without my cousin.”
“Now is not the time,” Colton hissed. “The only way to save your cousin is to kill that thing. I don’t see any weapons on you.”
Melody lowered her head.
“Let’s get off of this island. We can come back, better prepared tomorrow morning.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Melody said.
“You can trust me,” Colton said. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“What choice do you have?” Colton said. “Look, if I wanted to kill you, isn’t right now the best time?”
Melody shook her head. “I just don’t know what to think anymore or who to trust. Everything is just so crazy.”
Colton put a hand on her shoulder. “It’ll be okay,” he said. “But right now, we really have to go.”
“Do you think Valery’s down here?” Melody asked. “Do you think she’s alive?”
There was a sudden noise, and Melody turned her head to the bat, watching the massive creature stirring.
“Time to leave,” Colton whispered.
The bat fluttered its leathery wings and yawned. Rows of scalpel teeth emerged.
It opened its eyes, its burning gaze training on Melody.
Chapter 22
“Run!” Colton shouted.
She felt his hand wrap around her wrist and yank her behind him. They took off, fleeing through the tunnel.
Melody risked turning her head and saw the bat fall from the ceiling. It flipped around, its massive weight hitting the ground, sending an echoing boom throughout the cavern.
It screeched, and Melody’s ears started ringing. She ran faster, and she could hear those wings working, hear the wind as the bat sliced through the air.
“Hurry!” Colton screamed. “Head for the light.”
Melody kicked her legs as hard as she could, her side hurting, Colton’s hand tightening around her wrist. The light drew nearer. The wind from the bat’s flapping wings howled from behind.
Colton flung Melody, and she hit the floor hard sliding directly under the crack in the ceiling. The light tortured her eyes as she spotted the bat right behind Colton, gaining fast.
“Colton!” she said as the bat slammed into his back. Colton went hurtling through the air, slamming into the rock wall. He fell on his back, light spilling over him.
Melody leaned down. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t step out of the light,” Colton groaned.
The bat screeched, and Melody felt her ears pop. She spotted it at the edge of darkness, the huge eyes burning bright red.
“Don’t look into its eyes!” Colton yelled. “It will hypnotize you. Stay in the light and you’ll be safe.”
“It’s right beside us!” Melody said.
“There’s a rope on this island,” Colton said. “I’m going to fly up and throw it down to you. Okay?”
“Alright,” Melody said.
“Don’t look into the eyes,” Colton warned. He disappeared before her eyes, a small, fluttering bat rose to the cave’s ceiling.
“Hurry!” Melody screamed.
Your cousin is with me! A voice inside her head snarled. Come with me, and we’ll all be together. Down here we’ll all be together!
She stared at the massive head, the teeth that protruded from the mouth like daggers. The eyes were like glistening garnets. Fire was leaping from the eyes, licking at the edges of the light. She tried to blink and found herself immersed in those fiery pits.
Look into my eyes, child, the bat communicated. Now step away from the sunlight …
Chapter 23
Melody took a step toward the darkness, and the bat’s eager tongue darted out, running up and down her face as she neared.
So sweet, so sweet, it chanted in her head. Yes, yes, yes! Melody told herself to quit moving forward, but her feet would not obey.
The tongue caught fire and withdrew into shadow.
“Melody!” Colton shouted, jumping down the hole, the rope in his hand. He grabbed her moments before she stepped out of the sunlight.
You! The bat screeched.
Colton threw Melody over his shoulder and climbed the rope. He reached the surface and lowered her to the ground.
Melody felt dizzy. She looked at him questioningly. “The bat was talking to me.”
“I know,” Colton said quietly. “It can communicate with anyone who has been bitten.”
“Am I vampire?” Melody asked.
Colton laughed. “No. No. You’re a ghoul.”
“A ghoul?”
“Yeah,” Colton said. “The process has to be completed before you become a vampire. Your maker will have to drain you to almost your last drop of blood. And then you will receive everlasting life by drinking from his veins.”
“But I could see in the dark. I fell down that hole, landed on my head, and had no injury,” Melody said.
“A ghoul has some similar powers to the vampire, but right now the vampire poison is eating away at you. You’ll slowly deteriorate into nothing. Unless you become a vampire, or you kill your maker within 48 hours.”
“Kill my maker?”
“If you kill that huge bat down there, you and Valery will be the same way you were before you came down here.”
Valery. The name of her cousin brought tears to her eyes. She started sobbing, trying to control herself as her jaw quivered.
Colton held her to him, letting her cry on his chest. His arms wrapped around her—like wings, Melody suddenly thought.
“Do you think she’s dead?” Melody asked.
“I don’t know,” Colton replied, rubbing her back with a hand.
Melody looked up into his eyes. “Why would Max try to kill me?”
“I was trying to tell you about that guy,” Colton said. “He’s dangerous.”
“And you’re not?” Melody asked.
“I didn’t kick you down a hole and leave you to die,” Colton sneered. “And I’ve saved you from the Creator twice, now. Max wants to be immortal, Melody. Each year the Creator turns five girls and five boys into vampires to bring his food. He cannot leave the island during daylight because he cannot apply sun block. He’s forever in bat form, so he must have a family that can bring him nourishment. He’s forever trapped as a monstrous bat. The leader of us always is. He needs attractive males and females to lure his victims. People like you and me.”
“What does that have to do with Max?” Melody asked.
“The creator agreed to change him in exchange for five beautiful females.”
“I understand Valery, but why me?”
“Because you’re beautiful,” Colton said, gently lifting her chin up, kissing her on the lips.
Chapter 24
Melody gasped, her eyes widening, as Colton pulled away, not knowing what to do. Her first kiss. Her lips felt electrified, and she was shaking, her stomach fluttering.
“You’re the most beautiful girl I have ever seen,” Colton said.
Melody could feel herself turning red. She wanted to kiss him again, but didn’t quite know what to say. Should I just kiss him? she wondered. Melody pondered the options, then decided to change the subject. “Max told me he was a vampire hunter.”
“He wants to be a vampire. He’s no hunter.”
“But what about his girlfriend?” Melody asked.
“She was the first one he sacrificed,” Colton said. “You’ve been marked as a victim, and you know too much. Max is going to have to finish the job with you, or the Creator will not turn him. Instead, he’ll just eat him.”
“That’s scary,” Melody said. “But if Max isn’t a vampire hunter, then why was he carrying vampire hunting weapons?”
; “Those were for me,” Colton said. “To stop me from ending his deadly quest for immortality. That huge bat is the alpha,” Colton said. I and all the other vampires he has turned are omegas. We cannot kill our maker. It’s going to have to be you that does it, Melody.”
“Me?” Melody said.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Colton said. “Right now, we really need to get off this island.”
“But how?” Melody asked, looking out to sea. Luke’s boat was no longer there. She did not see another boat either. “You can’t possibly fly me across. No offense, but you’re not a very big bat.”
“Come with me,” Colton said, taking her hand and leading her to the shore. He looked nervous to her as he waded out into the water.
“I can’t swim back to shore,” Melody said. “There’s no way.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to,” Colton replied. “Don’t be frightened,” he added.
“Why would I be frightened?” Melody asked.
“You’re going to ride on my back across the ocean,” Colton explained, now waist deep in the water. He turned to face her, bobbing with the waves.
“How can you possibly support my weight on your back, Colton?”
He grinned at her. “Don’t be scared.”
“Scared of what? You’re a vampire, you turn into a bat, how can I possibly get scared of you now?”
“Ever hear of the goblin shark?” Colton asked.
“No.”
“Well, it’s also known as the vampire shark because it doesn’t like to swim near sunlight. Anyway, I want you to grab hold of my fin. I’ll keep you above the surface as much as I can.”
“Say what?” Melody asked.
Colton lowered his head below the water.
Melody screamed as a huge fin suddenly surfaced. She could make out the dark shape of the shark in the water. She trembled as she pushed forward and reached her hand out, her fingers feeling the smooth, silky skin of the shark. She held on, and Colton shot through the water like a missile, submerging, then resurfacing, Melody clutching on with all her strength, taking huge breaths of air before going under and gasping when they broke air once more. It was like a nightmare, watching the water speed by, a blue and white blur, and then there was the beach, and she was thrown from Colton’s back, landing on her knees in sand. She stood up, knee deep in the sea and heard Colton’s screams as he made his way out of the water.