Who Wants to Be a Vampire Hunter?

by ID Johnson

  He was right to be suspect, but I remembered what Elliott had told me, and the fact that Cadence had introduced him as her boyfriend had not escaped me, despite my lack of focus due to Lucy’s weirdness and their unexpected visit. Deciding it was best to play nice, I stepped forward and gave him a quick hug, trying not to inhale so I wouldn’t have any reason other than his pristine blue eyes to be sucked into his trap. I wanted to make that signal people do to let them know you’re watching them, where they use their first two fingers and point at their eyes and then at the other person and then back again, but I abstained.

  Once there was a reasonable distance between us again, I came to my senses. My heart caught in my chest as I asked the question that had been nipping at the back of my skull like a rabid pit bull since we’d seen the Lamborghini out front. "Why isn't Elliott here?" I asked, looking around.

  My dad, who is about as suave as a bottle of ketchup, chose this time to speak up. Stepping around my sister, he put his arm around me and started to guide me to the living room. "Cassidy, sweetheart, how was camp?"

  While I attempted to formulate a response that didn’t include the question, “Why did you just change the subject?” I heard my mom say, "Lucy, thanks so much for bringing her home. You're such a good friend. I bet your parents will be so excited to see you, sweetie."

  I glanced over my shoulder at my friend who replied, "Oh, yeah, I guess I should be getting home. I’ll see you later, Cass. Call me.” I turned and looked at her, enough to let her know I would. “Bye Cadence. Bye… Aaron,” she muttered. “See you later Mr. and Mrs. F.” her eyes were still glued to Aaron as she fumbled for the door handle and finally made her way out of the house. I wondered if she was as worried as I was, but then, I hadn’t told her how odd the last conversation I’d had with Elliott was, so I doubted it.

  My mom and dad started asking me questions about camp, and I muttered responses to them while I strained to hear what my sister and her new boyfriend were talking about. I thought I heard Aaron say something about Lucy having a lot of hair, and I noticed they were holding hands. My stomach rolled.

  “How was the competition?” my mom asked, and I realized I would need to actually answer that question.

  My trophy was in my bag, and while I’d wanted to get it out and show it to everyone, I wasn’t going to let them get away with sidetracking me this time. I’d had just about enough of being left in the dark. "We came in fourth, which isn't bad, but I really feel like we can do better next year," I said quickly. Then, turning my attention to Cadence, who was just entering the room, I said, "So, you didn't answer me. How come Elliott's not here? Is he at the hotel or something?" I was praying she’d give me a quick “yep” and we could all move on about our business, but I realized the hole that was forming in my stomach didn’t have as much to do with Aaron as I wanted to pretend it did.

  My mother stood. "You know what, I was just about to put some cookies in the oven. Eli, darling, can you help me?"

  Without a word, my dad got up and followed her out of the room. I could tell by the way Cadence’s eyes were moving that she was talking to Aaron, though he was so much subtler, and he kissed her on the cheek and followed my parents into the kitchen.

  Cadence took a very deep breath and sat down on the other end of the couch. It was then that I noticed there was a box of tissues on the coffee table. Those are never there unless someone thinks they’re going to need them. The pain in my stomach was now rivaled by an ache in my heart.

  It was taking way too long for my sister to answer my question, and in light of everything that had been going on recently, I needed an answer. Now. "Cadey, you're scaring me. What's going on?" I looked down and realized I was absently twisting the ring on my finger, the one Elliott had given me.

  Cadence swallowed hard and brushed her long brown hair over her shoulder. I hoped she wouldn’t beat around the bush anymore and would just get on with it already. I knew in my heart now that I realized what she was about to say, though I had no idea how it could be true. Finally, she opened her mouth and said, "Cass, there was... an incident... at work, a few days ago.”

  No longer able to stand the tension, I blurted out the only thing I could think of, the one thing I didn’t want to hear but knew to be certain. "Cadence, is Elliott... dead?"

  My sister looked shocked, and at first, I hoped that this was because she was going to tell me how ridiculous I am, and of course, that’s not why she was there. But the longer she held my gaze, the more I began to realize she was surprised because she wasn’t expecting me to know. She had no idea how I’d figure it out. It only took one word to crush my soul. "Yes."

  At first, I thought this had to be some sort of cruel joke. I thought perhaps he’d pop out of the closet or come crashing in through the window. But Cadence had just confirmed for me what I’d known was true since the moment I saw that car parked out front, what Elliott seemed to suspect was going to happen when he’d been here only a week ago. As I burst into tears, my sister wrapped her arms around me, and I heard her whisper, “I’m so sorry, Cassidy.”

  I could hardly breathe, my throat was constricted, and I felt like my soul was on fire. I began to mutter incoherently. I wasn’t even sure what I was saying at first, statements of disbelief, of denial. "How is this possible? I just talked to him, like, last week. He was here... right here... on this couch, giving me a hard time about how short my cheerleading skirt is, and this stupid boy at school, and now, just like that, he's gone?"

  My sister’s voice was soothing as she smoothed my hair and likely struggled to make sense of my rambling. "I know," she agreed. "Believe me, I'm having an extremely difficult time accepting it myself, Sis."

  It suddenly occurred to me that I was being extremely selfish. In all of that time, all of those months that I’d argued with myself that Elliott belonged to me, that he was my friend, my protector, my brother, he had meant just as much to my sister. I knew that. She had to be hurting as much as I was, though she seemed to be keeping herself together. I managed to pull myself back a bit, take some deep breaths, and swiped at my tears with the back of my hand. Now, I needed some answers. I was done pretending, done being sweet Cassidy who never causes any problems and is always compliant. Whoever had done this was going to pay, and I had some questions. I wasn’t going to act like I didn’t know anymore. There was nothing left to lose.

  "What happened?" I asked, my tears still real but not as abundant.

  Cadence pulled a few tissues out of the strategically placed box and handed them to me. She seemed to consider my question and weighed it for a moment before she chose not to trust me. "I can't really go into detail, Cass. But, sometimes our job is dangerous. "

  I wasn’t willing to accept that answer, of course, and it sort of enraged me a little bit. If she wanted to continue to pretend, then I was going to push back. I shook my head at her, forging ahead. "Cadence, why do so many people you love die?"

  That question seemed to catch her completely off guard. "Ha!” she exclaimed, suddenly seeming emotionally exhausted. Cadence shook her head and turned away from me as she said, “If you had any idea how many times I have asked that question myself lately, Sis.... I don't have an answer for that, I honestly don't. I wish I knew..."

  She did know, though. At least, she had some idea. I wouldn’t have asked the question if I didn’t already know the broader answer. People she loved died because she was a vampire hunter. Vampires tend to kill people. But I needed to know what had happened specifically to Elliott. I remembered what he’d said about the titanium bullets, about hunters not being able to kill other hunters. "Was it an accident?" I asked, hoping she’d crack this time and just tell me the truth.

  Clearing her throat, Cadence scooted back further on the couch and finally turned to face me. I fully expected from that initial reaction that she was going to try and blow me off again. So, when she answered, her response was no surprise. "No, it wasn't an accident. But I really can't say much else, Cass. I
'm sorry. I wish I could explain everything to you, but I'm not allowed to. It's just part of my job."

  Mentally exhausted and no longer willing to play this game, I put my hand on my sister’s knee, and leaning forward, I said the only two words that made any sense under the circumstances. "I know.”

  She didn’t understand what I meant, though. Her response was a sigh of relief and a, "Good, I'm glad you understand.”

  Frustrated, I let out a groan to end all groans. "No, I mean, I know, Cadence. I know!"

  An awkward silence hung between us as she raised an eyebrow at me, and I met her stare, unwaveringly. As she spoke, her words were measured. "What do you mean, you know?"

  Choking back my tears and swallowing the giant lump in my throat, I replied, "I mean, I know that you're a... vampire hunter. I know." I knew there was a chance someone would come in now and take all my memories away, but I needed to tell her everything. Besides, I had no doubt it would be impossible for anyone to take my memories of Elliott away from me. Not now. Not ever.

  Cadence drew a deep breath. Shocked, she said, "What are you..."

  I interrupted her, looking her dead in the eye, done with the games and the lies. "Please don't pretend it's not true.”

  My sister began to stammer. "Uhm, listen, Cass, I'm not allowed to talk about what I do.”

  Anger began to build inside of me. After all of this time, I’d finally confided in her that I knew exactly what she was, what she’d been doing. Elliott was dead, and she wasn’t even going to confirm for me that I was right? "Why not?" I spat at her. "Don't you think I deserve to know?"

  Cadence stared at me for a moment with her mouth open, and I had no idea what she was going to say in response to my demand, but she didn’t answer me. Aaron did. "I do," he said. Both of us turned our heads to look at him. He was standing a few feet away, and I had no idea how long he’d even been in the room. "Tell her," he said to my sister quietly.

  Still looking a little shocked, Cadence repeated, "Tell her?"

  Nodding, Aaron confirmed that he was serious. "She's been through enough. You can explain it to her.”

  I looked up at him and managed a small smile, despite my broken heart. Never in a million years would I have guessed he’d end up my ally, but I was thankful that someone, anyone, seemed to understand why it was so important for me to know what had happened.

  I wasn’t sure what was going on with my sister. Perhaps she’d gotten in trouble before for wanting to tell me stuff. She muttered, "But what about Grandma's book and..."

  Aaron cut her off. He took another step forward so that he was standing right next to her now. Squeezing her shoulder, he said, "Cadence, I think we're passed all the bull at this point. Tell your little sister what we do." Actually, he said something else, a different word instead of bull, one I’m not allowed to repeat, and then he leaned down and kissed the top of my sister’s head and took a seat in the chair across from my dad’s recliner. I looked over in his direction and remembered that he and Elliott had been very good friends for a long time. Once again, I felt selfish for not thinking about all of the other people who Elliott’s death had affected. Aaron put his elbows on his knees, his hands on either side of his head, and was quiet as my sister took a deep breath and turned back to face me.

  "Okay, Cass. I'll tell you. I am a Vampire Hunter."

  Something about finally hearing the words from my sister’s lips got a reaction out of me. "I knew it!" I exclaimed, just above a whisper.

  Cadence was shaking her head at me again. "So, Elliott didn't tell you?"

  I remembered the last conversation we had had, how Elliott had told me then that if my sister ever asked to tell her he was innocent. Besides, in response to that direct question, my answer wasn’t exactly a lie. He hadn’t outright told me much of anything, though he had confirmed a lot of the information I’d gathered on my own. “No, he wouldn't tell me anything,” I finally replied. She looked skeptical, so I stammered on. “I just... did some research.”

  Her attention shifted to her boyfriend, but he appeared to be lost in his own thoughts. I imagined she still wasn’t exactly sure what she could tell me and what she couldn’t. While I was happy for the distraction of having this conversation, every time she stopped talking, my mind wandered back to Elliott and what had happened to him. I needed answers. "My job is, obviously, to kill Vampires, but only the bad ones."

  I nodded, but I was confused. That wasn’t the answer I was expecting. "There are good vampires?"

  Cadence’s head tipped back and forth as she said, "Well, there are Compliant Vampires. If they follow the rules and only feed on animals or very bad people, we leave them alone."

  It took me a moment to figure out what to ask next. I realized I’d never even asked Elliott what he was, though I knew he wasn’t a vampire. "And was Elliott a vampire hunter, too, then?"

  "No," Cadence answered quickly. "He... was... a Guardian." I noticed her stumble over the word “was.” How could he exist now only in the past tense?

  In all of my research, in months of talking to Elliott, I couldn’t remember him ever using that word—guardian--though he’d said he was there to protect me. Was that part of what LIGHTS stood for? I couldn’t remember exactly. My eyes jumped to Aaron, and I realized I didn’t even know what he was, then, if they weren’t all the same thing. "What is a guardian?" I asked, catching Aaron’s eyes before returning my gaze to my sister. He was at least paying attention to us now.

  "A Guardian's job is to protect Vampire Hunters from Vampires. When we get in trouble, they can intercede and keep us safe," Cadence explained.

  I needed a moment to process that. After months of wondering, all of this information was finally starting to come together, and the questions began to flow out of my mouth quickly. "So, can vampires kill guardians?"

  "No," Cadence said, which made sense.

  "But vampires can kill vampire hunters." It wasn’t a question. I knew that had to be the case or else there would be no reason for guardians to exist.

  "Yes." She nodded her head as she confirmed.

  Obviously, I knew something could kill guardians, not only because Elliott had told me as much, but also because he was no longer here. Slowly, bracing myself for an answer I felt I didn’t want to hear, I asked, "What can kill a guardian?"

  I watched my sister exchange sympathetic glances with her boyfriend before she quietly said, "Only a Vampire Hunter.

  That response felt almost as much like a punch to the gut as the revelation that Elliott was gone. It just didn’t make any sense. Guardians were there to protect vampire hunters. "But why would a vampire hunter want to kill a guardian?" I asked, shaking my head slowly, thinking there couldn’t be a logical answer.

  My sister sighed loudly. She must’ve been just as puzzled as I was because she replied, "If I knew the answer to that, maybe these last few days wouldn't have been hell on Earth, but I honestly have no idea."

  That left only one logical conclusion. "So, it was a vampire hunter that killed Elliott?"

  "Yes."

  Rage began to well up inside of me again as I tried to keep my voice calm and asked, "And is this vampire hunter still alive?"

  "Yes--for the time being."

  I could tell Cadence didn’t like that answer any more than I did. "But you're going to get ‘em?" It was more a statement than a question.

  The answer didn’t come directly from my sister, though it may as well have. For the first time in several minutes, Aaron interjected into our conversation. “Yes, we're going to get him." We both turned and looked at Aaron, and all three of us nodded in solidarity.

  Cadence turned back to look at me, and my head swiveled around to meet her eyes. She continued to explain, which I was shocked at, but I hung on her every word. "We were in a situation where we were trying to bring in a very dangerous Vampire.” I took that to be Giovani, but didn’t mention that I knew his name. She went on. “And a team of Vampire Hunters that were angry with us ove
r another situation ambushed us. Elliott died protecting my friend Meagan. He died a hero--he is a hero."

  I remembered Meagan, having met her at Jack’s funeral. I pushed those thoughts aside, not wanting to think of Jack right now and open up a whole other floodgate. I took a deep breath and asked, "So, how are you going to find this vampire hunter, the one that killed Elliott?" I asked, hoping she had a plan. I had suspected it must be that Laura person that Elliott said shot my sister, but they had both indicated it was a male, and Cadence still had no idea that I was aware of that situation. I couldn’t tell her without giving Elliott’s secrets away, something I’d promised not to do.

  Cadence’s answer shocked me. "We'll find him," she said, her voice full of assurance.

  Him. She’d said him again. So, it wasn’t Laura. And now I had no way of knowing who had killed Elliott, unless I could get her to let me in. "I want to help." I looked her straight in the eyes and made my demand.

  Her answer didn’t surprise me. It was the same thing I’d been hearing for six months. "I'm sorry, Cass, you can't, not yet. You're not old enough.” She sounded slightly sympathetic, but I still hated that response.

  Of course, my sister had no idea that Elliott had told me anything at all about any of this, so I feigned ignorance. "What? What do you mean?"

  With a sigh, Cadence explained, "You're going to have to wait until you're seventeen to go through the Transformation process and become a Vampire Hunter, if you decide you want to."

  My response was to proclaim the entire situation “bull,” only I didn’t use that word. I used the same one Aaron had used earlier, and my sister looked at me like I had two heads. I couldn’t blame her. I’d never said that word before. I felt my face begin to turn red as I said, “Sorry. I didn't mean... but Elliott was like a brother to me. You've got to let me do something." Despite my less than polished language, I was still committed to being involved. I hoped she wouldn’t dismiss me again.