Burning Sky (Burning Sky Series)

by Noir Duvall

  Trevor laughed and grabbed the bars, and began eating. I turned my attention on the task at hand and I continued rummaging through the first pack, it was one of the three that the men from last night had ever so suddenly abandoned.

  “Aren’t you going to eat something or are you saving the real food for you?” Trevor asked swallowing the last bite of the second bar, smacking his lips in a dramatic way.

  “Not hungry... plus, I don’t eat that stuff. Don’t you know processed food is bad for your health?” I said lightly, finding quite a bit of those bars in the bottom of the back pack.

  “I'm sure that not eating is worse.” Trevor said watching me sort things from the back pack.

  “So, Trevor, what’s a guy like you doing way out here? Kind of far from the safety of the silo, aren’t you?” I asked in an attempt to change the subject, for some reason I was not ready to kill this guy but I didn’t want to free him either... after all he was human.

  “You mean before I was chosen for the role of your sex toy?” Trevor quipped, watching as I dumped the contents of each pack into a large pile in front of me.

  “Sure. Why were you out there in the dark... before I took you as my prisoner?” I felt the smile spread over my lips despite my best effort to stay focused on looting.

  “Well honestly, I was out for a walk. I was just trying to get away from reality, being a SEAL... I have seen enough death.” Trevor said. He stretched out his legs the smile still plastered on his face but I could hear the edge of sadness in his voice.

  “I hate to say it but you sure picked a great night for a walk. You nearly got yourself killed. Ever think of maybe reading a book or something less dangerous?” I tried to lighten the tone of conversation, the memories of last night flashed in my mind causing the tingling sensation between my thighs to spark.

  “Well despite the rough start to the night, I fared ok. I came out alive and met a pretty girl I can't take my eyes off of,” Trevor said as his bright emerald eyes sparkled.

  I glanced up at him. Was he trying to be charming?

  Now that I was looking at him, he cocked an eyebrow up. “Course... I am tied up by her now... kinky.” He chuckled softly.

  I sighed. Finally, I had sorted through all of the contents of the packs; I put the stuff into keep and discard piles. The keep pile contained some clothes, I had managed to salvage a few new shirts, and there was a ton of protein bars and MRE packages. I couldn’t seem to justify letting Trevor starve, so I packed all of the food into one pack and the clothes into another. Trevor was quiet as I stood up and carried the discard pile past the brush, into the trees and tossed the contents onto the remains of the previous owners. A glimmer of light caught my eye; it came from one of the bodies moving closer I discovered a large knife. It was falling out of the leg holster of one of my dinner treats from the night before; I took the blade and returned to my campsite. This time I wasn’t surprised to find Trevor waiting patiently.

  “Why are you always so happy?” I asked. His smile unnerved me for some reason; I did my best to avoid eye contact as I dropped down to my favorite spot by the ash filled fire pit.

  “I guess I just don't see a reason not to be happy. I’m alive... the meteor shower could have killed me but I managed to survive. The men last night could have killed me but... I’m still kicking, well in a manner of speaking. What about you?”

  I said nothing. Instead, I focused my attention to shredding tender into the fire. I was never good at sharing personal business... I had only gotten worse after the meteors.

  “Last night after the 'battle royal' you said you were a bartender before the shower? What is a girl like you doing way out here? From the looks of it, I'm guessing you've been out here for some time.” Trevor said, his voice light.

  I sat silent, my mind returning to the night of the meteor shower... before that, my life had seemed good. I had been living a normal life, then the sky fell, I followed the rules and went with the rest of the people I knew to a so called safety zone. They had refused to let I in, said too many people were inside that I would have to take I chances. The very people that I had trusted to help I had condemned I to I current existence, anger filtered through my body as I thought about my first life. I remembered killing the people who had ran the shelter after I had regained some strength; their blood had been like gold on my lips. Now the only way I survived was by killing the humans I hated so badly.

  Suddenly a surge of guilt spread through my body, for some reason I didn’t want to kill Trevor. I looked in his direction; he was content in waiting for my response. I didn’t want him to know what I was or why, I needed to keep my distance. I didn’t know anything about him other than I was good for sex, and being human that meant he would be good for blood if needed. The idea of draining him brought me back to reality, I couldn’t picture him dead.

  “My past is just that, the past. Don’t ask so many questions, you might not like the answers.” I said jumping to my feet, and advanced on Trevor the knife in hand.

  “Look I’m sorry I didn’t mean to pry. I was just making conversation.” Trevor said a glimpse of adrenaline spreading over his face, as if he was preparing to defend himself.

  “You will leave this place if you know what’s good for you.” I said cutting through his bindings and turning my back on him, something told me I didn’t need to watch him leave.

  “And if I don’t know what’s good for me, what then?” Trevor said standing up and moving to stand behind me, I could feel heat from his skin.

  “Why would you stay? There’s nothing here for you, go back to your sanctuary.” I barked as I spun around, surprised to be face to face with Trevor, I hadn’t realized how close he really was.

  “Maybe I just want to stick around, see what it likes out here. Does it bother you that someone may want to hang around?” Trevor showed a smile that practically lite up his in Emerald eyes, he was being condescending again.

  “No by all means, you’re free to do what you want.” I said, holding a look of blankness on my face.

  I stood on the spot confused about his motives, and decided to stay on guard. I couldn’t afford to allow any human to break the barriers; he may not be what he seemed. Trevor was moving around the campsite shifting things around, making himself at home.

  “What are you doing? Find your own camp, this one is taken.” I said watching Trevor’s body move with cat like smoothness.

  “No I think I will stay here, I like the current occupant. Before I get comfortable though I am securing the campsite then I’m going to make a fire and a shelter you may like to sleep out under the sky but I prefer not to, never know what the weather is going to be like.” Trevor said as he moved the log that I was so fond of hiding behind.

  I began to ponder about the reasons why I had let him live, he was messing with my things. The day passed with idle chitchat, both avoiding any subject of personal consequence. True to his word Trevor he made a shelter out of tree branches and leaves, it wasn’t much but it looked cozy. It cast a large shadow over the trees when the light from the fire became golden; next to the burning abyss was a large pile of wood that He and I had collected together. While Trevor’s Seal skills made my camp seem more like home, I was still trying to remain conscious of his actions. I kept thinking about why he would have stuck around as I sat on a pile of leaves leaning on a new much larger law that I had carried into the camp with the assistance of Trevor, though it was unneeded.

  “I have to say you out did yourself; I never thought camping could be comfortable.” I laughed, as I looked at the shelter.

  “I do what I can my lady. Makes me miss tents, and cots though. Funny how then I missed beds and houses but now look at us.” Trevor said a smile on his face even with the somberness of the comment.

  I watched his face, it looked happy and charming but I still wondered. Trevor began sifting through the food pack and pulled out a MRE, he opened it and started to hand it off to me.

  I waved it back, “
No thanks.” I said the smell of the prepackaged food was grotesque and I ate blood.

  “You have to eat something.” Trevor said, but began eating it himself.

  “I had a large meal last night, besides I prefer much fresher food.” I gestured to the prepackaged food, as if it were lethal.

  “Well I’ll take what I can get.” Trevor said, finishing off the last of the gruesome smelling food.

  Once he had tossed the paper from his food onto the fire they set together talking about how hard it was to come by decent food. Various subject floating into the conversation and finally landing on hunting skills.

  “I love to hunt, I can teach you if you like.” Trevor said his emerald eyes narrowing as he looked at me, who did he think he was.

  “I already know how to hunt but thanks anyways.” I said laughing; something in the breeze caught my attention.

  A snapping sound in the trees made both of us go silent and still, out of habit I sniffed the breeze. I could tell there was a man in the trees, he was hidden from view but I could feel his blood pumping. I was on my feet facing in the direction of the intruder in the darkness, Trevor followed suit. His eyes were on me, I could feel them burning into my skin, he must have noticed the speed with which I had moved. I needed to be more carefully, or I wouldn’t have a choice but to kill Trevor.

  “Show yourself, or we will shoot first and ask questions later.” Trevor called, his sawed of gun pointed in the direction I was looking,

  He moved up beside me, looking from me to the woods. I felt the man’s pulse jump and knew he was nervous, what he was plotting. I was about to lunge into the trees and drag him out, when a voice rang out.

  “I’m unarmed. I don’t mean anybody any harm.” It was a man’s voice calling, just as I had suspected.

  I stood ready to pounce as he walked out of the darkness, his appearance told me to kill him. Dressed in black, a hunter’s pack strapped to his back. There was no way he was unarmed, he was hunting something or someone. He was tall and lean like Trevor, but looked more rugged and worn. His eyes burned brown as he closed in on the campsite, the fire light up what had been hidden.

  “What you want?” the words slipped from my lips before I even realized it; even I could hear the venomous edge.

  “I mean no harm young lady. I’m just trying and find a warm place to bunk down for the night. Maybe I could come and warm myself by that fire.” The man came closer, his hands up as if to ensure his innocence.

  “You got a name mister? “ Trevor asked his voice was suddenly full of southern charm, it sent a chill across my skin.

  “Yes sir. My name is Zachary.” His voice was robust as he spoke he lowered his arm showing his muscular frame in the fire lite.

  I didn’t like the looks of him, but Trevor seemed to be accepting him. If I wasn’t hiding the fact that I was a vampire from Trevor, this man would already be dead.

  “May I sit by the fire?” Zachary asked he was already moving forward.

  I didn’t want him here, “No.” I spoke to fast, judgment on my voice.

  “Sky, it’s OK. We can’t leave him out there without a place to keep warm; come on the camp is big enough for one more.” Trevor reasoned, beckoning Zachary forward.

  I took a deep breath, looked at Trevor to see a welcoming smile. His hand was touching my shoulder, in an effort to subdue my temper. It only mad me angry, this is why I didn’t like humans... they were too easily swayed by their emotions.

  “Now look, I don’t want to upset your friend.” Zachary said, but he still made his way to the camps edge.

  Anger was boiling in me, but I let it go... for the moment. I turned and dropped into my seat, leaning back on the log I was growing fond of. I felt an evil smile turn my lips... the good part was if good ole Zach pulled anything, I would get to eat two nights in a row. The bad part... I glanced at Trevor as he played host.. The bad part would be that Trevor would know the truth. I wondered how he would react.

  Zachary entered the camp, tossing his pack on the ground and falling to sit next to it. Trevor moved to sit so they were in a triangle around the fire. So much for a quiet night. Zachary and Trevor began talking as if they were old friends; war was the subject of choice. I sat quietly, watching them bond over there manly stories. Zachary moved closer to Trevor, he seemed safe enough but my instincts said he wasn’t. I couldn’t handle listening to their jabber; my mind was already full of voices all yelling to just kill the hunter. Trying to void my thoughts, I rolled up in a ball against my log, and pretended to fall asleep.

  I watched the two talk, through barely open eyes; they of course assumed I was sleeping. As time passed, the two had managed to move close enough to be talking in whispers, tossing twigs into the fire. They talked of war neither of them noticing me, I could tell something was wrong by the way Zachary kept looking in my direction. I stayed as still as I could, waiting, to see what Zachary was going to do. Trevor didn’t seem to notice anything was wrong. He was too trusting; after all he had stayed with me, another silly human flaw.

  “You have been an awful good storyteller, I love to hear about others who went overseas to fight for freedom. Though fighting doesn’t seem to have done us much good, at least since the meteor shower hit. Yet we seem to still be fighting... now it’s here for our survival rather than for freedom. I wish you were going to be around to chat with again sometime.” Zachary moved like a cat on the prowl, his muscles spring loaded.

  “I’m sure I will be around.” Trevor said smiling, he looked in my direction and I knew what came next.

  Zachary moved fast, you could see the training in his movements. Trevor was suddenly on the ground; his gun was in the shelter so he only had his hands. Zachary, on the offensive, had a knife in his right hand, and his aim was Trevor’s throat.

  “You should have listened to your friend over there, once I’m done with you I will make sure and let her know how right she was.” Zachary said. I hadn’t moved... yet.

  I laid there watching as the two wrestled on the ground, the only way I could assist Trevor was to forfeit my secret. Since Zachary had a weapon, he automatically had the upper hand. Trevor could only lie on his back and try to fight the bastard off.

  I needed to kill the human. A tingling of hunger began to spread deep inside my body; suddenly my muscles were aching to move. I hoped that Trevor would understand, but I had doubts that he would.

  In a flash, I was on my feet and a snarl erupted from my chest. Trevor glanced at him... his eyes growing wider. He would soon know my secret.

  I let my fangs flash as I grabbed Zachary from behind, lifting him off of Trevor with little effort.

  “What the hell?” Zachary said, lunging at me with his knife.

  I glanced his blow, using his own momentum to pin him in the dirt. I twisted his arm behind his back, tossing his weapon out into the trees.

  “Looks like the tables turned on you now, you fucking prick. I hope you relish true pain,” I smiled wickedly. Before Zachary could utter a single syllable, I sank my teeth into his shoulder.

  He screamed for a moment, trying to fight against me as I drained him. Soon, his body went limp. I stayed sitting over his body, bathing in the glory of my kill.

  I suddenly realized that I had momentarily forgotten about Trevor. I glanced over my shoulder, expecting the worst. He was sitting across the fire, his face warped with astonishment. I'm sure I looked a sight too, with blood running down my lips... holding the old bastard to my body. I closed my eyes, wiping a droplet of blood from my chin and dropped the husk that had been Zachary to the ground.

  “Sky...” Trevor’s voice was hushed... I imagined it was because of the horror he had just witnessed.

  A grimace formed on my lips as I stood, turning to face him.

  Confusion was clearly written on his handsome face. Amazingly, there was no fear in his eyes. I could tell that he was trying to wrap his mind around something... I imagined he was trying to decide if he should stay or walk backwar
ds out of the camp.

  “Thanks.” Trevor said a smile forming on his lips.

  I gasped... did he really just say thanks? I didn't expected him to thank me for being a killer. I just stared at him for a moment. “Are you... okay? You're not... frightened... of me?”

  Trevor slowly shook his head.

  I frowned. “Why?” My body began relaxing as I stepped closer to the fire, shielding the dead body behind me.

  A soft smile spread over Trevor’s lips as his emerald eyes gleamed at me. “I know that you didn't choose to be what you are now. It's happened to many people, believe it or not.” His he tilted up as he watched the treetops blow in the slight breeze. “I'd probably be dead now if you hadn't leaped on him.”