by JN Moon
Humans are, after all, our food. But to be human is to love, and some achieve unconditional love. That’s why the love of animals and young children lights us up, because their love is unconditional. But for me, for now, at least I still had some humanity. As for Jamie, he was trying to cling onto his and failing. Rachel, she had all this to come.
In that second, when I looked at Tom and Josephine, I saw Rachel and myself in the future. This is what we could become. I had to stop that somehow. Together we could stop becoming like them. I hoped.
“Anthony, come on. The sooner we can do this, the sooner we can go,” Jamie called.
“I have an ominous feeling about tonight, Jamie,” Eloise mumbled. “I'm going to arm up a bit more. My team will take the east side of the city and meet back in an hour.”
“Sounds good. You get to take our newest members, Eloise, keep a close eye on them,” Jamie warned.
“Do you think that's a good idea? I think they'd be better off under you.”
“I'll second that.” Josephine appeared at Jamie's side. “I'd rather be under you, Jamie.”
“This is no joke, Josephine. The sooner you realise that the better. Now get yourself sorted and don't do anything until I give the order, otherwise, it will be you going back in a body bag. Understood?”
“Whatever you say.”
So, they stayed with us.
We patrolled the west side of the city and sure enough, before long, I spied those strange signs written in chalk on the walls of the city. The circle with the horizontal line. They had become less frequent and maybe it was the power of suggestion, but I, too, had a menacing feeling. Again, we came across those vile creatures that had no speech.
I couldn’t believe there were so many of them, where the Hell had they come from?
Like ghoulish shadows cast across a stage, even though I have encountered them many times, they still sent a chill through my flesh. Empty eyes like black pits and their stench like decaying bodies. But I suppose that is what they are. Shrouds of death lurking in the cities of men, waiting for the chance to steal the blood of the living, the last breath of their victim taken in terror.
“How can there still be more?” I asked Jamie quietly as we watched them lurking around the back streets not far from the theatre.
They seemed intent on something and at first we couldn't make out what it was. In the back streets, there are alleyways, bins, and places to hide even from our vampire vision. Then we saw it, or rather him.
A young man whose hands were tied and mouth gagged.
“He's a decoy,” I said without thinking.
“What?” Jamie said without taking his eyes off the man.
“He's a decoy. It's a trap!” As I spun around a murder of vampires surrounded us and opened fire.
Instinctively I threw myself to the ground, grabbing Jamie with me. He struggled at first, not in his nature to back down.
A blaze of gunfire, hammering in my ears and bullets everywhere. Most lay dead, a few of our guards sent bullets off. They kept firing, and the noise was deafening.
“This is the one we want.” A lean blonde vampire stood over Jamie, a semi-automatic pointing right into Jamie's face. Jamie may be god-like, but not impervious to a bullet in the head. “Take him.” And then I recognised him.
“Adam? Adam, what the fu—”
“Shut up... I might have guessed, Anthony. I was told you were in on this...plan. Always looking out for number one. Well, you have two choices. Do I make myself clear?”
My mouth fell open and I scrunched my eyes as he was proposing to kill me, moving his gun from Jamie’s head to mine. And yet I hadn’t chosen this, I hadn’t chosen any of it.
“You think you can join them and live? You're a stupid fuck if you think that. Take their weapons, handcuff and blindfold them, and get them back to base.”
“Blindfolds won't work, we'll know where you'll take us,” Jamie added strongly.
“Really, then maybe I'll shoot you here, no? Or cut out your eyes, and cut off your ears? Would that help?”
Jamie did not reply.
I saw no cuffs for Tom and Josephine. They simply, quickly exchanged glances with no expression and then we were split up. We were shoved into the back of a van, alongside the bodies of our dead comrades and taken back to their lair.
Insurrection
Anthony
The tunnels under the city are prolific and the closest I ever came to something similar was when I met Sigurd. I knew roughly where they took us because the tunnels mainly occur in such proliferation in two areas of the city, but they are vast and unsafe. We were bound and blindfolded, and I was pretty sure I’d kept my bearings, at least until we got inside.
“What now, Adam?” a gentle-voice spoke to him.
“We will bargain them of course, especially this one. Jamie, Tyrell's top dog. He will be worth something, I am sure. Yes, we have seen you and your Elite squad blasting away the lives of our friends. You are a traitor to your own kind. And who do we have here? Anthony, you and me, on different sides. I wouldn't have thought you a killer of vampires.”
I smiled and waited for Adam to approach me. “You smell good as ever. Untie me and I’ll tell you how I managed to end up in this mess.”
“Oh, I don't know about that, Anthony. I prefer you blindfolded and bound. You sicken me. Not long ago we shared blood and ran together on the streets. Now you are just a lap dog to Tyrell, doing his bidding in order to save your own paltry life. You are worthless to me dead. But Josephine and Tom, you did well. We have Jamie. So powerful, so beautiful. I can see why they would be protective over this specimen. Too bad we will send him back in pieces.”
I could hear Jamie shuffling at the mention of being returned in pieces. But he remained silent.
“You're not going to ransom us?” I asked.
“Depends, are you worth anything to them. Anthony?”
“I'm not worth shit to them. But they have Rachel, and I will kill anyone who harms her.”
“Am I supposed to know who she is?” Adam questioned.
“She'll be with Nathaniel now,” Josephine added. “And you know Nathaniel. Who can resist him? But you're right, Anthony; you are worthless to the Elite, just another vampire. I heard you were not very good in the militia. Rachel was Anthony's human lover, Nathaniel turned her for him. It's all very romantic,” she added sarcastically.
Adam, it seemed, ignored this information and went on, “We need Tyrell and his cronies to stop this bloodshed. We have all lost friends. You, Anthony, you were a friend once, but you switched sides.”
“Tyrell won't accept any demands from you, you're too low in society, his mission is too important. If you kill us or if you don't, he will set his army on you, hunt you down and destroy you. All of you. If you cared at all, you would’ve stopped the blood from spilling into the streets yourselves. Don't you see, unless we stop this, we will all be slaughtered, and I for one want to live. I admit I hate the killing of my kin. Not that I feel compassion, much. But we have to cull the unwanted, the dying, and the vicious.” Jamie added.
“And who are you to make such decisions?”
“I am the head of the Elite squad, chosen by Tyrell and the Elite themselves. Chosen by Emidius. I am one who had never killed before. I know who I am. Who are you?”
“I’m Adam. I am a vampire, a predator. I’m not a prestigious leader from an inbreed Elite. I am a killer and that is my nature. I have no inhibitions, no regrets, and until recently, no fears. I am top of the food chain and I despise all those who try to kill me for it. Would you kill a lion for hunting a deer?”
“You're not a lion; you were human with reason and intellect. Continue to kill humans and the authorities will have to act. If humans find out...”
“Humans have known for centuries, Jamie. Some know. Yes, I'll admit things have gotten out of hand, but that does not justify the genocide of all that don't fit Tyrell's ideal. And those he keeps alive are either forced to be
come drones in his army, like you, or are experimented on. You've seen this first hand I take it, and you think this is justice?”
Jamie fell silent. There was no doubt that the ones experimented on underwent horror on a level unprecedented by any imagination.
“So, I see. You have seen them and your silence tells me you don't agree. And what is done with them? Used for his purposes or cast out to live between worlds? Unable to feed on animal, plant, or human blood. We, Jamie, we have seen them.”
“So, what do we do?” Jamie added coldly.
“We? So, I take it you will now switch loyalty so fast? Why?”
“Because I want my own life back. I am more than happy to wipe out those who overstep the line. But I am not happy to live my life under orders. Nobody's orders. Not Tyrell's, not Emidius. So, what's next?”
I stood there listening. I knew Jamie spoke the truth and I myself had known my days of obedience were numbered. As an artist and a vampire, I was caged in with authority. Trapped and crushed.
“We have to get Rachel out, and Nathaniel,” I added.
“Nathaniel can take care of himself and if he made Rachel, I doubt he'll let her come to harm. Nathaniel is quite possessive. You haven’t known him as long as we have. Trust me; he won't stick around that long.”
“What about Sigurd?”
“Sigurd's there? Fuck me, that's a blast from the past. I'm surprised you've come across him. Last I heard he ate his human lover. They'd been together nearly a decade.”
I was confounded at this, horrified. “You're joking right?” I wailed.
“Why would I joke? Oh...” And here Adam drew his words out to emphasise his point. “You thought he was a good guy.”
I could hear him saunter over to me, each step against the stone floor taken slowly and deliberately, then gradually he removed my blindfold. It was dark and cold inside the cavern with only a few lanterns lighting the area we were in. Tiny flashes appeared before my eyes whilst they adjusted to the dim surroundings.
Looking me up and down with his cold dead eyes he said, “Let me tell you something, Anthony. You are way too trusting of vampires. You know the only vampire you can trust?”
I shook my head.
“A dead one. Sigurd has been fooling young vampires like you for centuries. It's almost an initiation. He's old and he can be very charismatic, but he's also deadly. Remorseless. We've all been there, and we've all learned the truth eventually.”
I couldn't believe him and I certainly didn't trust him. “I stayed with him and his human lover for weeks! You're wrong. He showed me only kindness and never once did I feel any malice from him. You're the liar, Adam. Why would he show me such civility?”
“Believe what you will. He did eat his lover and you will find out that I am telling the truth. A few weeks may seem like a long time to you, as you're so young, but it's nothing to him. A mere blink of the eye.” And his tone suggested that he hadn't realised this news was so upsetting to me. I had thought of Sigurd as a friend, as someone I could trust, rare to find. I’d thought to perhaps go back there again at some later time for solace.
“Look, I don't have the time or inclination to explain every vampire nuance to you, my innocent Anthony.” As he said this he brushed his hand over my cheek and then held his hand firmly around my chin. He stared directly into my eyes. “Are you with us? This is all I need to know. But know this, if you cross me I will have your Rachel, I will make you watch as I drain her. So, don't be a stupid vampire and cross me. Decide now.”
“And if I say no you will kill me now? You think Nathaniel would let you harm her?”
He smiled and stepped closer to me and whispered in my ear, “I don’t think he could do a damn thing about it. He’s not stronger than me. Refuse if you will, then I kill you now...my friend.”
“I will join you. I hate Tyrell. And I hate his son even more. And afterwards?”
“Afterwards, we will be hunted. You will do as you will with your woman. And Nathaniel. He won't let you two go easily. Unless you find him another young innocent man, or woman,” he laughed.
“And you, Jamie? I had reasoned on bargaining your life for others. What shall I do now? Why should I trust you? As you’ve just said, you were chosen by the Elite themselves.”
“You can trust me as I now offer you my blood. It is ten times more powerful than yours, though I cannot vouch for the effect it could have on you.”
“By blood? How exquisite and antiquated. My, I am shocked by an offer from one so young!”
It was at this point I thought older vampires like hearing themselves talk. I doubted we’d ever do anything other than engaging in the polite conversation where the older vampire mocks the younger vampire using words as flamboyant as possible and droning on and on about the age difference. But I thought it probably wasn’t wise to point this out.
Then to my surprise, Adam said, “Now this is the plan.”
Smoke and Mirrors
Anthony
The imposing black iron gates opened slowly after Jamie announced us on the intercom back at the Elite’s headquarters.
As we drove the old SUV in, a small sports car sped out, the driver I saw was Nathaniel and with him, Rachel. It screeched as it cut around the corner and was gone in seconds.
Jamie blurted, “That was Nathaniel and Rachel. Look, we have five minutes from the moment we leave this vehicle. You get the bikes ready. You will have to do that in three minutes. Are you ready?”
We were trying to remain composed. But in truth, we were scared. If we timed it wrong...
“Got it,” I replied. “Good luck. I will find Rachel later, I can't think about them right now. At least she’s with Nathaniel. Thank God they're leaving here.”
The bikes were kept just alongside the entrance. My mind played tricks on me. What if he betrayed me? But I would hear his conversation as everything was to take place just inside of the main doors in the entrance of the complex. He needed that time to get out. Did he hear my thoughts? He parked up right outside and just stared out the SUV window. Then he leapt out and strode confidently through the main doors where Tyrell and his minions were waiting for him. I crept out as quietly as I could, shaking slightly. As I got the bikes ready, poised with helmets and keys, I heard Tyrell’s thunderous tones.
“Jamie, what in God’s name? How did you escape?” Tyrell fired questions in quick succession. Jamie paused as if nothing had happened.
“I killed them. They were easy prey, nothing more than vagabonds. I killed them all, I drank their blood, and I walked out. That is what I was designed for, wasn't it?”
I could hear shuffling and sense the unease. I wanted to turn the key. What if it didn’t start...? Would they wonder why Jamie was talking so loud? No, he is acting boisterously, like them...
“Where's Alexander? I need to speak to him.”
“You wish to speak to my son? Where are the others? Something's wrong if that dog Anthony isn't following you.” Tyrell’s voice was irritated.
“Anthony's going after Nathaniel. He's getting his bike now. We saw Nathaniel leave. When Nathaniel saw Anthony and Anthony saw Rachel, Nathaniel gave him the finger. Imbeciles. I'm tired of their games. Alexander?”
“I'm here, what do you want?”
“I was told to give you this from Tom. He said you'd know what it meant.” And this was the moment when Jamie handed Alexander a small package and strolled out.
“Jamie, I require a full briefing,” Tyrell shouted angrily.
“Later, Tyrell, I'm tired. I need some air.” As Jamie walked through the front door, he quickened his pace and jumped on his bike.
In seconds, he and I sped off, our engines roaring.
In the moments that followed we heard Tyrell’s screams, faintly as we sped away. “Get that out, it’s a bomb!”
Too late old man.
We heard the first explosion, the bomb handed to Alexander.
Then the second explosion from the bomb we’d help to p
lant in the SUV, parked right outside the main entrance. The blast shook the main building and shrapnel flew everywhere.
In the distance, Jamie and I pulled over to watch as the main building was torn and blasted apart, the result of the dirty bomb. We watched it fall, the ground rumbling beneath our feet as the impact tore apart that Gothic monstrosity with ease.
Adam and his colleagues had gone for over kill. Ricin and explosives were no match, not even for vampires and just to be sure, we had planted a second bomb.
That was close.
“Too close,” Jamie replied noticing my feelings. “I guess you want to find Nathaniel?” He sounded resigned to that fact and I didn’t feel the relief I expected after blowing them all away. I knew what he was thinking because it was the same fear I had. The fear that we'd discussed with Adam and the others but they had dismissed.
The fear of the ones from the cells. The undying, neither vampire nor human. If they escaped ...well, now that was too late.
“Jamie, we have to do something. We cannot leave the people of this city to those...creatures.”
“I agree with you, Anthony. But what about Nathaniel? If you don't leave now, you might never find her again. You have to make a choice. If we stay, we'll have to go back to the complex and search the outer wing where they store the weapons. Not all of Tyrell's guards will have been destroyed. We could die, horribly!” His expressions were wide and exaggerated with fear.
My eyes felt like I’d drunk four expressos. I was filled with panic.
Rachel—it made me feel sick to my stomach to leave her with him, to leave her for a second time. My soul screamed in angst over this, but I knew at my core I couldn't live with my conscience if I left innocent humans at the mercy of those things from the cells. They would escape after the blast, no doubt about it.
When I had been locked up, their screams had shaken the terror of my core. Out of control, savage brutal wights, fell creatures. They were worse than those that turned me, violent, fast, and unpredictable. They couldn’t feed on man nor vampire, but it was known that they tried, having no wits about them, having lost their minds.