by Yirak, Laura
“Oh my god.” Monica flipped her hands up, “I heard her opening the door into the stairwell, but that’s all. The Constable already interviewed me. I think I was the first.” Monica anxiously twirled her red hair.
“Now don’t worry. I know you two are close. They’ll find her. We all just have to focus and let the police do their jobs.”
“I canny, I’m so distracted with everything,” Monica said frazzled.
“You need to try, I can’t have you spacing off now. You have the busiest group. I’ll come down in a bit and help you once I get everything caught up in here, now off you go.”
“Yes….. uh…..okay. Focus, Monica, focus.”
Monica squeezed back down the hall through the groups of men, talking seriously, but not actually doing anything. One man smiled at her but Monica looked away. She picked a line and dialed out.
“McKenzie Manor House. This is Judy, how may I help you tonight?”
“Ahhh…..Judy…..yes. It’s Monica.”
“Oh hello Monica. Alesta’s not here, she’s at work. Do you want me to take a message?”
“Actually, I’m at work. Something’s happened. It’s Alesta…….. She’s missing.”
“Missing?”
“Well I can’t give you the details but if it’s on the news, you’ll hear.”
“Oh my. What should I do?”
“Nothing right now, they are searching for her.”
“Who is?”
“The police. Listen, I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything.”
“Yes do, please. Oh my god.”
They said goodbye and Monica just sat there, with the call bells beeping, worrying.
Blood was all Alesta could think about as she lay on the dirt, her anger at Ro had temporarily passed. She needed blood soon to heal quicker, but she didn’t want to move in case her neck split more. The blood was being held in only by the pressure of her hands and she had so little anyway. It was serious.
The hoards of police sirens had arrived earlier; she assumed there would be a search. Of course there would, but she didn’t want to be found in this state either. Explaining to them why she wasn’t dead wouldn’t be easy. Her identity must be protected at all costs, she thought.
The decision to risk moving burned in the front of her mind. She debated how to do so. She decided to pinch the skin at her throat tightly and slowly roll, but to where? Bushes and trees surrounded her. That won’t work she thought. She must somehow stand up. The risk was worth it.
Alesta pinched the raw wound tight, while trying to hold pressure and rolled on her side. She let the wound go and quickly stood up using one arm only, blood spurted out as she did so. Dizziness and weakness slammed her as she tried to balance and redo the pressure hold at her neck. It was a success, but she had lost more blood in the process. The front of her green uniform was a shiny dark red. Invisibility was also unattainable being this weak. Blood she needed blood. Desperation set in.
The car lot ahead of her was partly full with patient parking; she slowly made her way between each car ducking as she saw police searching. At least there were no dogs, otherwise she would be screwed. Alesta spotted a dark figure ahead fumbling with their car keys, as they were distracted watching the police as well. Being a witness to a dramatic incident was always a great story to many. Alesta’s stomach growled as she quietly approached the figure from behind.
The starved, frail vampire pulled the person to the ground and sunk in her sharp fangs. She drank and drank and drank almost relieving the innocent bystander of their life, but graciously stopped. It was enough to get her back to where she needed to be and her neck wound closed over just as quickly as it had been made. Whoever it was would live and although it was against her rules of conduct, she had no choice. Alesta carefully pushed the limp body under the car and after placing the car keys back into their hand, left. Invisibility was now at hand.
She disposed of the blood covered debris and her uniform back in the woods down a storm drain, picked up the phone she had dropped and then headed towards the hospital. The locker room to her ward was empty. Alesta wiped off all the blood from her hair, neck and body. Blood was very thick and hard to get off. It took a while. Alesta redressed making sure to look like she had when the whole ordeal had begun and then ruffled up her hair a bit. The trickiest part was next.
The doors to the critical care ward opened with a mechanical sound. Mary was not at her usual spot and the police were thinning out a bit. Alesta walked in like nothing was out of the ordinary. There was only an hour left to her shift. She was glad to get out of there, but not looking forward to explaining herself.
Alesta looked into her patient’s room. The girl looked just as she had hours before, with her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, and her pale angelic face. Alesta sighed, thankful that nothing had changed.
“Who’s there?” Mary called without turning.
“Mary, it’s me Alesta.”
“Oh my, look at you. We’ve all been so worried.” Mary hugged her. “What happened?”
“Well not what I expected that’s for certain,” Alesta said.
“Are you okay, are you hurt? There was blood on the broken window, but when I looked out there was no one there. What happened?”
“I heard a crashing sound in the stairwell and I followed the sound only to see a dark figure outside, I decided to follow, although I know I shouldn’t have.”
“Are you daft, you broke protocol?” Mary said.
“I know, I know, but all I heard was the tiny baby’s cry and I had to go. I had to. So whoever it was ran out towards the woods, the crying came closer and closer and I saw the baby lying there on the ground. I picked it up and then all I saw was black. I was struck on the head but I didn’t see anything else.” Alesta told the story flawlessly.
Mary gasped, “Oh my…..you didn’t see them then?”
“No, just a dark figure,” Alesta said.
“Well the Constable is still here, wrapping things up, he will want a statement from you. And your head?”
Alesta rubbed the back of her head, “Just a headache, I’ll be fine.”
“Well, go home after you speak with him and call in sick for the next couple shifts. I think you’ll need some down time. I’ll mark you off the sheets and leave the Ward Sister a message about all of this. I know you look fine now but the trauma of all this will hit you later.”
“I know. I don’t know how to feel about it all right now, all I can think about is that cry. I just can’t believe it.” Alesta rubbed her forehead and her eyes.
“Let me page him to the front desk. Off you go then and if I don’t see you before you leave, take care.” Mary pressed the steno phone and paged the Constable up front.
Alesta waited only a few minutes until she saw a very short dark-haired gentleman appear at the front; he had serious dark eyes and the face lines to match. He was dressed in a perfectly pressed white shirt, tie and navy blue pants, displaying a shiny gold badge.
“You must be the Constable,” Alesta said with out a doubt.
“Yes and you are the brave nurse.” He shook her hand.
“Well I wouldn’t say that,” Alesta said embarrassed.
“Certainly you are, Alesta. We are all glad that nothing more serious happened to you. One of the hired guards is missing. We are expecting the worst after the story I’ve heard about abduction.”
“Oh, so someone saw him?” Alesta asked.
“Yes, well I can’t divulge the details, but they are doing up another sketch, hopefully this one is better than the one we just had in the paper.”
“Yes, I saw that.”
“So I need a statement from you about everything that happened. I need you to be as detailed as you can.” The Constable pulled out a tape recorder and a note pad. “Shall we go somewhere more private?”
“Yes, sure, this way.” Alesta led him to the nurses break room.
The television was blaring and the lights wer
e off. Alesta turned the lights on and the television off and sat down across from him. She watched him intently preparing and then began her story. Every word was the same as she had told Mary.
“So he knew he was being followed and took you out as well. And that is all?” The Constable asked scratching his head looking at her with scrutinizing eyes.
“Yes.”
“What time did this all happen?” he asked.
“I’m not sure exactly, maybe between ten and eleven.”
“Well that fits the time reports I have been given by others.” He scribbled some notes on his pad, “Oh and you said you blacked out after you were struck?”
“Yes I did.”
“Well why is your uniform so clean?”
“Oh well I changed when I got back to the ward.”
“Uh hmmm…….. And you never saw the man?”
“No I didn’t, just a dark figure.”
“Odd,” he said.
“How so?” Alesta asked.
“Well you’d think platinum blonde hair would be more noticeable.”
Alesta shrugged and said nothing.
“That is all I have for now. I may have more questions later. Here is my card. Call me if you remember any more details, or I may call you. How can I get a hold of you?”
“Oh, just call the McKenzie Manor House.”
“You’re staying there?” he asked surprised.
“I’m the owner.”
“Oh, wow, and you’re a nurse too? You must be very busy.”
“I find the time and I have good help.” She smiled. “Okay then, well maybe we’ll talk again. Till then.” Alesta stood up and shook his hand. “Oh I hope you catch him.”
“Oh we will, we have a sample of his blood.”
Alesta’s heart skipped a beat, “Oh well that’s ….good.”
She closed the break room door behind her and paused.
“Oh no!”
She realized whose blood they had.
Chapter 6
Allister had been waiting most of the night to see his new client. It was ridiculous, but the client was paying his firm an extraordinary amount; he kept reminding himself of that fact. Then there were the expensive accommodations with all meals paid as well as all transportation costs. So Allister sat waiting patiently and tiredly with dawn approaching.
“Mr. Abernethy, Lachlan will see you now,” a female voice said from above.
Allister jumped awake, “Uh, right yes!” He straightened up his blue tie and smoothed out his shirt as he stood.
He followed the almost perfect looking blonde female through the shining new office halls illuminated by florescence all the way to the very last office door, which read, “Mr. Lachlan, Chairman” in shining gold letters. She opened the door and Allister entered. The room did not look at all like the rest of the building, all dark tones, dark carpets, low lighting. A tall brown leather chair swung around behind a large glass table to face Allister. The man was perfect looking just like his secretary, expensive suit, not a black hair out of place.
“Mr. Abernethy, welcome. We apologize for your wait, but some very pertinent business arose that needed my immediate attention. Again our sincerest apologies.”
Allister stunned at the smooth and unfeeling voice paused and then said, “Mr. Lachlan, no need to apologize. I am here at your service. My firm strongly believes in client satisfaction and we intend to deliver results.” Allister extended his hand and they shook.
Mr. Lachlan folded his hands together and said, “You were recommended as the best and I only hire the best. Since we will be working together for some time, I prefer to go by just Lachlan. Please help yourself to some tea over there….or some Remi.”
“Certainly, thank you.” Allister needed an extra jolt settling on tea.
“Are you enjoying the Manor?” Lachlan asked
“Yes, yes. Your recommendation is perfect, the views, the people are very friendly. The service superb.” Allister stirred the tea and took a large sip.
“Wonderful. I’ve stayed there myself.”
“You have excellent taste and the owner, quite a woman.”
“Yes she is.”
Allister raised his eyes wanting more details but got no other response from his new client, “I have the latest documents to the case. Would you like to review them?” Allister began to open up his briefcase.
“Yes, leave them with my secretary as you leave and I will review them.” Lachlan signaled him to stop.
Allister surprised at Lachlan’s uninterested tone did as he asked and put them away, “We are certain that the patents have been infringed upon. We will win the case.”
“Of course we will,” Lachlan said all-knowingly.
“Not to…..” Allister was interrupted with the secretary beeping in.
Lachlan pressed the speaker phone button, “Yes Fay?”
“Ro on the phone, he says it’s urgent.”
“Did you tell him I am in a meeting?” Lachlan said impatiently.
“Yes I did, but he was insistent that he speak with you now.”
“Fine, put him through.” Lachlan picked up the phone. “Yes?”
There was just the muffled sound of a hurried voice. Allister waited, noticing that the room had absolutely no windows and suddenly felt stuffy.
Lachlan just listened and raised his eyebrows several times. “Well, I will meet you there.” Lachlan hung up. “It looks like I have to go. I will review those documents and I will see you tomorrow then, same time?”
“Certainly.” Allister leaned down to close his briefcase, and then stood up to shake Lachlan’s hand, but he was gone.
Allister just scratched his head confused. This client was an odd one.
“They have my blood,” Alesta repeated as she drove home. “Hmmmm.”
Alesta wasn’t sure what to do. More information was needed before she could act, but not today she told herself, as soon as she woke up. Dawn was quickly approaching although the night had been long. She hit the gas harder, picked up her cell phone and called in sick formally to the sick line answering machine after parking her Beetle in front of her house. Someone beeped in as she left the message. Alesta clicked over.
“Hello?”
“Alesta, you’re home! How are you?”
“Yes Judy, I’m just fine.”
“Monica called me earlier when they couldn’t find you and I’ve been watching the news. I canny believe it.” Judy was bordering on hysterics.
“Judy, no need to worry. I’m okay. I’m just very tired.”
“Oh Alesta, do you need anything, I can come right over.”
“No, no, just stay there, really everything is fine, I’m fine. I just need you to keep the place running while I go to sleep.”
“Sure, but be sure to call me if you need something hen.”
“Thank you Judy. I definitely will.”
“Right then, sleep well.”
“Oh and Judy.”
“Yes.”
“Does Patrick know anything?”
“No, no, he’s so focused on that exam. He already left.”
“Good, don’t tell him unless he finds out otherwise. I want to tell him myself, you know he worries.”
“We all do now and again,” Judy said caringly.
“And I appreciate it, I do. Well goodnight, I mean good morning.”
Judy laughed, “Take care.”
Her golden refuge was waiting for Alesta, shining and bright. Alesta stepped in and shut her eyes trying to forget.
The exam was finally over. Patrick handed the final product to his professor and quickly left the half-full auditorium. It had been difficult, but Patrick knew he had done well. Scores would be posted online in a few days, till then he would distract himself as best he could.
The train ride home was nice. Patrick sat back, relaxed and closed his eyes a bit. Sleeping upright was not a skill he could do, so he just dozed, opening his eyes every once in a while to make sure he di
dn’t miss his stop. In amidst the dozing he thought about the past few days. Mainly he thought about Alesta.
Alexandria appeared in bright green letters as the train came to a slow stop. Now all he had to do was walk thirty minutes over the hill to the Manor. There was always a taxi waiting, but Patrick preferred the exercise even in the rain, the love of a true Scot. He pulled up his navy blue hood and set out upon foot from the station. It was a very enjoyable walk, with the spring green showing up the ending winter. There were surprisingly quite a few other towns’ folk out walking as well. Each nodded as they passed, acknowledging presences and the weather.
It rained a lot in Scotland. Patrick remembered his father quoting, “There are four seasons in Scotland, four seasons of rain.” Patrick smiled as he pictured him sitting in his favorite old chair eating his piece and cheese. It had only been a few years since his passing. His heart ached, real physical pain, sometimes as if it had just happened and his dear mother had died when he was only a child. She was beautiful and kind in his early memories, it was the smell her hair, her soft warm body as she cuddled him. Fond memories of his family wafted in and out of mind as Patrick crossed onto the gravel road back to the Manor, his home.
The front door jingled open, “Judy I’m back.” Patrick took off his soaked coat and shook the excess outside, then hung it up.
“You’re absolutely soaked Patrick,” Judy said.
“Aye! And hungry and in need of a hot cuppa.”
“How did it go?” Judy asked.
“Fine. I think. How are you? How did it go last night?” Patrick stretched and pushed into the kitchen with Judy following behind him. He had a notion for his Dad’s sandwich.
“Good, good. Everything is well. Allister returned this morning looking quite tired. He was gone all night. He asked for a big breakfast and requested not to be bothered for the rest of the day.”
“Weird, really? He mentioned that he was seeing his new client.” Patrick sliced a big thick piece of cheese.
“He didn’t mention any details. He just seemed sort of irritated.” Judy poured them both a cup of tea, “Milk?”