by K M Smith
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Humiliated and messy, Drew set out to do as he had been told. He pushed himself to his feet after the bossy vampire walked away, clotted blood sliding down his leather jacket and sticking to his blue jeans. His pride bruised and his hands, arms, and face a bloody mess, he looked around to figure out what the hell he was supposed to do with this man’s body. He raised his arm to run his fingers through his hair and stopped short before he made an even bigger mess of himself.
“Shit!” he hissed and shook his hand to fling some of the clotted blood off it. He stepped over the dead man and peered around the corner of the vestibule. A crowd of late-night revelers was stumbling down the sidewalk in his direction. “Shit!” it was a whisper this time. With the evening as cold as it was, the blood had coagulated close to the body, but it still wouldn’t look great—even in New York City—for Drew to be caught hovering over a bloody mass of limbs and clothes. He bent down and hoisted the dead man over his shoulder, glanced down the sidewalk toward the crowd, and took off at vampire speed toward the Hudson River.
The dark pool of blood went unnoticed by the laughing revelers as they passed by.
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Drew made it to the edge of Pier 45 on the Hudson without incident. He knew these downtown streets inside and out and used his speed, along with his memory, to safely navigate the late-night traffic—avoiding bars and after-hours eateries along the way.
At the river’s edge, Drew dropped the dead man on the ground. He paused and breathed heavily, his hands gripping the cold metal railing as he looked out at the lights in Jersey City reflecting off the choppy river.
Drew hung his head as he reflected on the absurdity of his current situation. How did he get here? Not on the Hudson, but vampire, killer, super fast runner? And the woman, who was she? And, just who did she think she was, threatening him in his own city? If he ever saw her again he’d…what? Let her push him around again? Maybe she would end it all for him; put him out of his misery. But, to run like that: so fast, no muscle aches, no losing his breath. Maybe this vampire gig could be fun. Resting his head in his hands, he laughed. Shoulder-jumping, belly-aching laughter bubbled up from deep within him. He couldn’t help it. Nothing that happened to him these last three months had made any sense. Unwillingly thrust into this world, he had no idea how to manage it. His only guide was untrustworthy at best; vengeful and murderous at worst. He was in this alone and how he dealt with what was yet to come was entirely up to him.
There were so many things he was missing out on now that he was undead; experiences he’d never get to share with his family. Maybe if he hadn’t known he was about to be a father he would’ve reveled in the change. Lord knows his human life hadn’t been going as he’d planned. But, having the change forced onto him made him loathe it. Had he not been overwhelmed by the smell of blood and nostalgia in New York, he would’ve wasted away and eventually died from starvation. He wondered which was worse: eternal damnation or entering the void? At least in the void he wouldn’t feel so awful. He wouldn’t feel at all.
Shoulders hunched and staring at the concrete, he worked loose a pebble with the toe of his shoe. The pebble hit the dead man on the cheek and he never flinched. Drew grimaced as it hit—there was a brief moment of concern, what if he had created his own progeny? Alas, the man’s eyes remained blank and unfocused. He was actually dead. I killed that man. Shaking his head, Drew squatted to have a closer look. Did he have a family? Sure, he’s a crook, but maybe his children were starving. Deep in thought, Drew didn’t hear the footsteps of the vampire approaching.
“I told you not to dawdle,” she said and stopped in front of him, taking in the scene.
Drew snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of her voice and he lifted his head to meet the eyes of the vampire who had chastised him earlier. “I know. I uh…”
She cut in, “You were lamenting the good ol’ days, back when you were human, and your life made sense.”
“Something like that,” Drew rubbed the back of his neck and winced. “But less after school special-y.”
She nodded and gestured at the man on the ground, “Were you going to toss him in the river?”
Drew looked down at the dead criminal, his limbs akimbo and his neck at an unnatural angle, “Uh, yeah, I guess I was.”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“I’m not.”
She walked over to the railing, taking a turn at looking out over the river at the twinkling lights of the Garden State. She turned around and leaned against the railing. “I wouldn’t,” she said.
“I gathered. What would you do?”
“Well, a dead body, especially one bereft of the majority of its blood, will float. And floaters are found. So, it’s never a smart idea to run through several city blocks, risking being seen with a dead man over your shoulder, only to throw him in the river and have him found before sunrise.” She arched her perfectly shaped eyebrow at him, then pushed off the railing. Crouching down to take a closer look at the dead man’s wound, she continued, “What you need to learn, and quickly if you intend to stay in my city, is the art of redirection.” She brushed her hands together and stood up so that she was level with Drew.
“Redirection?” Drew asked. Your city?
She gave him a hard stare before answering. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked him up and down, making no effort to conceal her gaze. After a moment, she began again, “Redirection, like magicians use. You know, ‘I’ve got a quarter in my hand—oh no, wait, it’s in your pocket!’ That kind of thing.”
“Why would I need to learn that to stay here?” he asked.
“Because even though, thanks to the humans, the murder rate is pretty high right now, too many deaths by exsanguination start to become suspicious. And there are already several vampires who’ve taken up residence in New York with their own territories.” Drew’s eyes went wide. “What?” she continued, “You thought we were the only ones here?”
“No. Uh, yeah. No. I hadn’t thought about it.”
“I know. That’s why I’m telling you now.” She bent down over the body. “See this wound here?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, what could’ve made that – aside from you?”
“I have no idea.” What, am I in school now?
“No, you’re on the street, and you’re being taught how to survive.” The vampire’s sharp tone cut through Drew’s mental pity party.
“You heard that?” he said. She pursed her lips and cocked her head in reply. Drew held his hands up and took a step backward. “Noted.”
“Anyway, you need to redirect the people investigating your kills—and yes, that’s plural. From the looks of you, you’ll need to do this more often for the next few years.”
“From the looks of me?”
Again the vampire paused and stared at Drew. She ignored his question and continued her lesson. “You plant other bits of evidence to mislead police.” She stood up and whistled.
Drew looked around. What the hell is she doing?
“Just wait,” she snapped. A moment later, a mangy, emaciated dog trotted up to her. “That’s a good boy.” She reached down and patted his back. “Lookit here, boy.” She snapped her fingers and squatted down by the man’s wound, getting the dog to step on the man and eventually gnaw at his neck.
“So, the police are going to believe that a two-hundred-pound man was brought down by some stray mutt?”
“No, the police are going to believe that the two-hundred-pound man OD’d on some rank smack and was subsequently attacked by at a stray mutt or, more likely, mutts.” She pulled out a dirty syringe filled with what Drew presumed was heroin, a bent and tarnished spoon, a lighter, and a large rubber band, dangling them over the dead man. “Here, stick ‘im.” She tossed the syringe at Drew.
“Shit!” He lurched out of the needle’s path. It hit the ground and rolled toward the river’s edge. “What the hell?”
“Grab i
t!” she shouted, stifling a laugh. “If it rolls in the water, you’re going in to get it!”
“Funny.”
The vampire shot him a look that told him she wasn’t kidding.
“Okay, okay, I’ve got it.” Grimacing, he picked up the needle.
“Lucky. Now, stick ‘im.”
“Where? How?” Drew held it by his forefinger and thumb, straightening his arm out as though the instrument contained the plague.
“Are you serious?” She stood up and marched over to Drew. She snatched the needle out of his hand. “Number one: we’re not affected by heroin. Number two: this is the last time I clean up after you. Number three: no more hunting in my neighborhood.” She took the needle, stepped over the dead man and stuck it in his arm. She depressed the plunger and some of the liquid made its way by sheer force into his lifeless body. She left the needle hanging from the hole in his arm and placed the other paraphernalia nearby to make it look plausible that the man had overdosed.
Drew watched the woman work. “What about the coroner? It’s going to be pretty obvious this guy didn’t overdose once he gets on the table.”
“Leave that part to me. Like I said, this is a redirection while we make our way out of here.”
He marveled at her efficiency and her supply of drugs and paraphernalia. “You just carry needles full of heroin with you all the time?”
“I took pity on you.”
“Pity?”
“Yeah. You clearly looked lost when I came upon you in that vestibule.” She wiped her hands on a towel she had produced from the inside pocket of her floor length leather jacket. “I did it for me and my city as much as for you.” She tucked the towel back in her pocket. “Now, let’s finish this,” she said and began walking back toward the West Side Highway and civilization.
“We’re not finished?” Drew called, then jogged after her.
“I thought I told you to get cleaned up?” she said as she walked, not looking over at Drew.
“I’ve been a little busy,” Drew said, trying to keep up.
She stopped short and turned to face Drew, “No wonder.”
“No wonder, what?” Drew asked, huffing.
“No wonder you’re here and your wife isn’t.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He glanced at his wedding ring, turning his hand over and back. A sharp pain shot through his chest at the thought of Sarah. Shrugging his shoulder, he shook the thought away. He placed his hands on his hips and waited for an answer.
“Nothing’s ever your fault, is it?”
“What is it with you people?”
“‘Us people?’” She asked, color rushing to her cheeks.
“Yeah. The asshole who did this to me said the same thing!”
She laughed. “I’m sure he did.” She started walking again.
Drew shook his head but realized he had nowhere else to go, so he wiped the blood off his face and hands the best he could and continued to follow the vampire.
As they made their way back toward Christopher Street, she found her mark. “Officer!” she shouted, running toward the man in uniform, waving her hands in distress. Drew hung back, unsure where she was going with this.
‘Follow my lead.’ Her voice pierced Drew’s thoughts, catching him off guard. Dumbfounded, he stared while she cried and gestured at the officer. She pointed toward Drew and raised her eyebrows, urging him to come closer. ‘Come on!’ The plan finally clicked, and Drew ran over to the officer.
“… and my boyfriend tried to get the feral creature off that poor man, but I think we were too late!” Burying her head against Drew’s chest, the vampire pretended to be distraught. Drew obligingly hugged her tight and rubbed her back to complete the charade.
“Where’d you say this man is?” the officer asked.
“At the edge of the pier, officer. He looked awful. I… I think I saw a needle, too, but I couldn’t be sure. Maybe he’s diabetic.” Drew shook his head as if he truly felt for the poor addict.
“What were you two doing down on that pier at this hour?”
The vampire batted her eyelids and tucked her head down, as though she were embarrassed at the question. Drew followed her lead and tucked her closer to his chest, also feigning embarrassment.
“Why do I ask these questions?” the officer said aloud, to himself. “All right, thank you for reporting this. You two better stick around in case I have more questions and so I can take your statements.”
She perked up and looked the officer directly in the eyes. “That won’t be necessary officer. You have all the information you need to call this in and get the coroner involved. We are free to go.”
The officer blinked and shook his head, “Uh, thanks again, you two, you’re free to go.” He turned to walk away, grabbing his walkie-talkie to call it in.
Drew and the vampire walked the opposite direction, still arm in arm. “You’re a pro!” Drew said, giving her a squeeze and laughing.
She smiled and released her grip on his waist. “That I am,” she said. She stopped walking and put a hand on his arm. “And, I’m serious about my rules, my city.”
“I got that,” Drew said. “And, I’m serious about staying here—in my city.”
The smile fell away from her face. “Do things my way, and you’ll be fine.” Her tone was cold but sincere.
“So many rules with you!” Drew shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and forced out a breath.
She looked him over briefly before speaking, as though she were weighing her options. Drew hadn’t mastered the art of reading thoughts yet, so he stood at her mercy. “You’re going to need somewhere to sleep today,” she said, and Drew quietly exhaled. “You can come with me, or you can make your way out of the city before the sun comes up.” The vampire tied the leather belt of her jacket and straightened her collar. “Either way, I’m leaving now.” She turned to walk away, the sway of her hips impossible for Drew to ignore.
Drew stood staring for a moment. Then, he turned his head and surveyed the area—the buzz of the city streets, even at this hour, was alluring. And impossible to escape. He made up his mind then and jogged to catch up with the vampire. “What do I call you?” he asked as he reached her side.
“My Queen would suffice,” she replied without missing a step. Glancing at Drew she smirked as he blanched. “You’re too easy, newbie,” she reached over and gave his shoulder a playful shove. “My name is Eliza.”
Drew rolled his eyes and sighed, exasperated.
“Drew. I’m Drew.”
February, 2016
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sarah
“Mom?”
Sarah stopped looking off into the middle distance and focused back on her daughter. “Mm?”
“Where were you just then?”
“I was thinking back to just after my accident, when I was first pregnant with you.”
“Did you know you were pregnant before you fell?”
“No,” Sarah shook her head slightly. “No, but truth be told, I kind of had a feeling.” She smiled out of the corner of her mouth at her daughter and raised her eyebrows. “I remember waking up in the hospital and declaring, ‘I’m pregnant!’ to an empty room.”
Alice leaned forward, drawn in to the nostalgia. “You must’ve been scared that night. All on your own.”
“I was, at least I think I was. I remember I didn’t know where I was when I woke up or why I was in the hospital, and the nurse there had this musical Irish lilt to her voice. For a brief moment I thought I was in Ireland!” She ran her hands over the table and picked at a piece of lint sticking off the runner. “The room was dark and smelled like disinfectant. Wires and machines all over the place. And Andrew,” she paused, then looked at Alice, “your dad, wasn’t there. I had never felt more alone in my life.”
Alice placed her hand on Sarah’s and squeezed. “I know, Mom. I’m sorry. I can’t imagine.”
“And I’m glad you can’t.” Sarah had never
talked with Alice about that time in their lives. She had put most of her thoughts and feelings about it out of her mind a long time ago. Those weeks and months were not good for her, and she hadn’t wanted to put those feelings on Alice. But now, she needed to face these emotions if she ever wanted to move on, and if she wanted to get her daughter to stop thinking about vampires.
“You know what else, though?” Sarah began, “I remember a vague sense of calmness. What I mean is when I think back to that night, I don’t think about my accident with anxiety or fear, the feeling of the memory is calmness. Isn’t that odd? Why would I feel calm about lying on the frozen ground, pregnant and bleeding out?”
“I think I can guess,” Alice said.
“You think that’s when I met Adam?” Sarah’s heartbeat quickened, “Alice, I was all alone that night, honey.”
“So, who called 911?”
Sarah shook her head, not wanting to believe it. “The investigators never actually figured that out, they just assumed one of the maintenance guys or cleaning crew had seen me and called it in.”
“So why didn’t they stick around to talk to the EMTs?”
“I don’t know,” Sarah stood and walked over toward the sink. “Alice, this is ridiculous, there are no vampires. Surely you know that?”
“How did the doctors explain how quickly you recovered after losing so much blood?”
“I was a healthy young woman at the time!” Sarah’s heart was racing now. Alice was being ridiculous. Vampires aren’t real.
“Mom, Adam was there. He saw you fall. He saved your—our—lives.”
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Facing the kitchen sink, Sarah gripped the edge of the porcelain basin, her knuckles white with tension. Her vision wobbled, and the air around her became heavy, dreamlike. She closed her eyes, the image of a man sitting on her stairs flashed on the inside of her eyelids. That image melted away into a feeling of calmness, followed by snippets of time: Christmas lights, the flickering of the television, her pillow, the comforting sound and feel of her quilt and sheets enveloping her as she drifted off to sleep. The memory had the same serene feeling the memory of the night of her accident had, but surely, it wasn’t the same night. In this vision, she was upstairs in her bedroom. But there was someone there that night. Who was that man? What was he doing on my stairs?