by P. A Ross
The two days past, and it was the night we were to meet Barry again. The day light was receding back, and I was already awake and nervously lying in bed next to Thorn. I was Day Jonathan with Thorn fast asleep and the sun in the sky, but could feel Night Jonathan creeping slowly into my thoughts. I was nervous and scared of what would happen tonight, and he was excited and eager.
“Tonight is the night for our final revenge,” he, Night Jonathan said.
“Revenge doesn’t mean we have to kill him,” I said.
“It does, there is no other way. He knows what we are.”
“True, but who would believe him anyway. Let’s just give him a beating and tomorrow we can be free and back with Scarlett.”
“Free, we are free you idiot. Scarlett betrayed us remember.”
“No, I am sure she can explain. We can forgive her,” Day’s fading voice replied.
“Explain! You are too soft. If you weren’t such a push over none of this would have happened. You could have saved Giles at those gates,” I, Night Jonathan said.
“No, we were out numbered.”
“So what a few bruises and a couple of computer games would have been worth it to protect your friend? After all he and his family did for you, when your own father was too busy to notice,” I said.
“But, it wasn’t like that.”
“You are weak, and pathetic, I despise you. Once Barry is dead, I am telling Thorn everything about your betrayal. I will ask her to help me get rid of you once and for all,” I said.
“No...” Day’s voice trailed off into nothingness.
“Thorn loves me, and I love her. Scarlett only ever betrayed us, there is no explanation that can wash it away,” I said disgusted at his weakness, and there was no reply.
The light of the day had passed, and Thorn was stirring from her sleep, Night pushed Day away, and I had changed again. I was Night Jonathan, and I wasn’t interested at all in escaping and despised Day Jonathan for such weakness. I didn’t want to see Scarlett again as she had betrayed me with Barry. I could still remember the picture of them together. I was excited at the thought of another night with Thorn and the final destruction of Barry, looking forward to revenge and to be a vampire again. I was consumed by my love for Thorn and enjoyed our life together, why would I want to leave? I didn’t care what Day Jonathan thought as I knew my love for Thorn was real.
Thorn smiled at me “You talking to someone,” she asked, stretching out in bed.
“Just myself,” I replied and kissed her on the cheek.
I busied getting ready, nervously flitting back and forth as I choose my clothes and constantly changing the music. I wanted to wear the same clothes, I wore on the night I first changed into a vampire in the park, but I had grown through the 3 previous injections and the training. The jeans didn’t fit anymore, too short and tight, I put on some new black jeans and a new pair of black boots. The black t-shirt I wore before was slightly too large, but now was snug across my new muscles, and I decided to keep it on as posed in front of the mirror pleased with my new developing body shape. The leather jacket was too large before, but now it fitted perfectly. As I looked at myself wearing the mix of old and new I realised how far I had come, and realised tonight would reveal a new me, as I completed my revenge and freed myself of my fears.
Thorn was also excited and must have tried on 3 different outfits until she finally decided on her black leather cat suit. She saw this as a special night, the completion of our mission. Once Barry was taken care of we were free to leave London. She was holding back waiting for me to complete my training before I learnt more about vampires, and could travel to her other houses across the world. I watched Thorn slid her self into the cat suit and pulled on a pair of black, shiny knee high length boots. I walked over and knelt in front of her, squeezing the sides of the boot over the tongue. They squeaked and rubbed together as I laced up the boots on either leg.
“Thank you, darling,” she said.
She applied black eye make up, red lipstick and then sat on the edge of the bed painting her finger nails black. She finished off and went in stood in front of the mirror, flicking her raven tousled hair about, waving her nails dry and generally preening.
“Okay?” she said.
“Definitely,” I responded.
I had never seen her as excited as this before, or dressed quite so provocatively. It was if she wanted to be seen as a vampire tonight and was revelling in the imagery and the myths.
We packed the car and drove to the meeting place, the alley where Barry and his gang had mugged me. We arrived, and Annabel was waiting in a car with the driver Thorn had employed. As we watched I tapped my fingers repeatedly on the arm rest unable to contain the nervous energy twitching through my system. I pulled out a newspaper clipping from my jacket pocket, “Gang revenge attack,” the headline read from the Leeds chronicle. It didn’t describe the details enough for my liking, but stated the police believed this was linked to a gang revenge attack. The O’Keefes had other enemies, other gangs in the area had their own motives, although the police were surprised by the brutality of the attack. Thorn had gotten the newspaper clipping and insisted I kept it in ordered to relive the moment and enjoy the revenge.
“It will be a trigger for the future and reminder of your true power,” she said.
It seemed like the right time to look at it again before we tackled Barry.
Movement at last, Barry was walking down the alley way and looking around for Annabel. Annabel climbed out of the car.
“Barry over here, I got us a lift into town,” she said and waved him across.
Barry walked past Thorn’s car and over towards Annabel. I opened the door behind, and he glanced around and did a double take, head swinging back around again as he recognised me.
“You,” he said in a panicked voice and started to run for Annabel.
“Quick into the car,” he shouted.
Annabel got in, shut the doors and her car drove off. He stopped in surprise and turned around to see me approaching. Thorn had already raced around the outside of him blocking his path in the other direction.
“Leave me alone,” he said, hands out in front as I approached.
I marched on happy to see his face full of fear.
“Remember this place, Barry?” I asked.
“Get lost,” he shouted and ran away into the path of Thorn dressed in her black leather cat suit. He gazed at her lost for words, his fear replaced by the desire she created. She unzipped the front of the cat suit down to create a large cleavage and walked towards Barry.
“Hi, can you help me? I am lost?” She asked.
“Yeah,” he grinned at her, hypnotised and totally forgetting his current peril.
She walked up closer with her cat walk swinging hips and smiling. Barry was grinning broadly and looking her up and down, taking it all in. Thorn walked right up to Barry and placed her hand on his arm gently, and then punched quickly to his head knocking him unconscious with the other hand. I walked back to the boot and opened it, and Thorn slung him over her shoulder like an empty bag and ran over to the boot depositing him inside. I tied him up and got back into the passenger’s seat, and Thorn got in, smiled and started the car. We drove off with the stereo thumping out loud guitars as we screeched off down the road.
I watched the stars and the full moon flashing in and out of the trees and bushes as we drove at dangerous speeds through the country side. I had become use to the way Thorn drove now. She drove like someone who couldn’t die and had lightning fast reactions. I thought about what would happen after tonight was finished, and what I would do the next day. I knew, in the morning, I would have to make a decision, stay with Thorn, or leave and try and get back with Scarlett. Sooner or later I knew I had to decide who I was, Night or Day, and what I wanted in life. For now I just enjoyed the wind rushing in through the open window, and the music shaking the car, as Thorn swung the car about wildly down the dark country lanes. I looked around at
her, and she smiled, cranked up the music and began singing along. I joined in, and we hurtled along the roads enjoying the cool night air and revelling in the anticipation.
After half an hour drive, Thorn turned the music off, and we pulled down a country lane. Then turned again and we bumped along for a few minutes down a rough track path until it ran out at falling down old wooden fence.
“Ready,” Thorn said.
“Yes,” I replied, and we leant across the inside of the car and kissed.
We got out the car and walked around to the boot and opened it.
Barry was still out cold, and Thorn picked him out of the boot. I grabbed the camera equipment, and we walked into the woods. It had been raining during the day, and the mud was squashing under our feet as we tramped through the undergrowth and trees. The full moon provided enough light in order to follow Thorn as she made light work of carrying Barry. Walking through the woods her feet barley touched the floor before springing forwards and over the branches, mud pools and slippery roots. I slipped and squelched through the mud and tree roots behind her, desperately trying to keep her in sight and in comparison I felt like a clumsy oaf.
We reached a large circular area in the middle of the woods empty of trees and bushes, and the ground had a reasonable covering of grass. The open sky allowed the extra light from the full moon to illuminate our activities. Thorn kicked down a small wooden fence blocking our way, and it smashed across the clearing leave a gap for us to walk through. We tied Barry to a tree, and set up the camera on the tripod, and put a lantern next him to give light to the filming. He started waking up and taking in his new surroundings.
Barry recognised me instantly, “you,” he said surprised.
“Me,” I answered.
“You’re vampires aren’t you?” he asked.
“She is,” I pointed, and Thorn took a theatrical bow, “I can be sometimes,” I added.
“The injection!”
“Yes, just worked it out did you.”
“What do you want from me?” he said trying to wriggle free of his bonds.
“Guess?” I asked and pointed at the camera.
He looked up at Thorn.
“Make me a vampire, I would be much better at it than this wimp,” he said.
I didn’t expect that offer, but I knew I was safe. We had deal Thorn and me.
Thorn turned to me, scrutinised me and viewed my reaction. She seemed to be weighing me up. I was horrified she was actually taking this offer seriously. My whole world suddenly span out of control, and I was transported back to the scared teenage I once was. My stomach tightened as she looked at me and I tried to think of something to say, but couldn’t.
She turned back to Barry again, “Why?”
He was pleased this was being considered.
“I am ruthless and hard already, I would be your loyal servant. We could rule the night you and I.”
Thorn smiled enjoying the attention.
She stared over at me again, “and you?” she asked calmly.
I stared at her and back at Barry again utterly stunned, “what?” I asked in a frightened voice.
“See he isn’t worthy of you,” Barry added, beginning to enjoy the situation.
“Shhhh meat,” she said to Barry and extended her finger at him.
“Why should I take you, instead of Barry?” she asked.
My mind raced through the options. What was she looking for? What did she want? I didn’t truly know what she wanted! All I knew was how I felt.
“Quickly,” she pushed for an answer.
“Because, because,” I stalled, “because I saved you life,” I answered and she nodded in agreement.
“And,” she pushed for more.
“We have a deal,” I added.
“And?” she asked again.
I looked down at the floor, what else was there, what else could I say.
“And,” she repeated again getting impatient and crossed her arms.
Barry was smiling and thought he had won. I have to say something, or all was lost I thought.
“I love you,” I finally said softly still staring at the mud, and I was sure this was a worthless and pointless answer to a vampire.
“Louder,” she said.
I knew she must have heard. I looked up at her and stared straight into those sky bright eyes.
“I love you,” I said again with a confidence, meaning and passion.
She smiled at me, and her lips parted a little showing her fangs just underneath.
“Good,” she answered.
“See Barry, he loves me. You have your answer.”
Barry was now unsure, was this yes or a no.
“You, on the other hand, are a mindless and dull thug,” she stated.
I breathed a sigh of relief; she had been playing with me.
“However, it could be interesting,” she said walking over to Barry and loosened his bonds.
Barry smirked and wrangled free getting quickly to his feet. I staggered backwards heart pounding and ears ringing, everything went dizzy, and the woods span and her words echoed in my ears. I couldn’t believe she turned on me after everything we had been through, what happened to our deal. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised she was a vampire, but still it came as a shock. Thorn pulled out a knife and threw it in the middle of the clearing.
“Fight for me,” she said smiling and walked over to the side of the clearing with the camera.
I looked about for an exit and so did Barry.
“No running,” she shouted baring her fangs and claws as a warning.
There was no hesitation from Barry, and he pushed me over and dived for the knife. I was already toppling over from the shock of her decision and was easily knocked over, and landed on my arse in the wet mud. The wet landing and sudden smack across my back side jolted me out of my shock. Barry picked up the knife and came back at me smirking and throwing the knife hand to hand.
“New boy, times up, no special drugs this time.”
I found part of the fence and grabbed it as I jumped back on to my feet. Barry moved forward slicing the air before him, and crouching down and ready to spring. I held the stick out in one hand ready to try and block the knife. I didn’t know what to do. In Leeds when I hit Dave, I knew I had Thorn just behind me. I knew if it went wrong she was there to protect me. All the other times as a human Thorn were always there to rescue me or scare them off. At the nightclubs, she would step in at the last moment saving me from a beating. Even a couple of days ago in the park I only fought one person who ran off after Thorn decimated the rest of his gang. The other times I was a vampire, I had superior strengthen, and speed and instincts than those I killed. I didn’t stand a chance against Barry. I knew it, and he knew it. Thorn must have known it, but I again reminded myself, she was a vampire, and I had allowed my love for her to cloud my judgement. Day Jonathan was right; I had to escape if I survived tonight.
Barry lunged and to my surprise I was able to react and block with the stick. He tried further slices and stabs, and I swung the stick in time to parry the blow or distract him from his task. Barry circled and charged, and I stepped quickly to the side moving out of reach. Again he charged, and I stepped out of the way. I knew I couldn’t keep this going forever, but I was just trying to survive hoping that a miracle happened, else the outcome was inevitable. Barry had a reputation, that was how you became a gang leader and he wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty, I should know.
Again he moved forward and stabbing at me. I backed off swinging the stick. It was followed with a stab and slice, and he relentlessly came forward and I continually circled backwards thrusting the stick to block the knife.
“Come on fight me,” Barry shouted.
Thorn watched on interested by the cat and mouse game, following our movements with the filming camera. Maybe I could just tire him out. I thought maybe he would make a mistake eventually. His face was in a rage, he wanted revenge for the death of his friends and
fear he lived in since I killed them. I hadn’t thought about his desire for revenge, just mine.
Again we moved around each other in the centre of the clearing. Barry then kicked a pile of leaves up and charged in behind them. I was distracted by the leaves and shielding my faces from the dirt that came flying with them. He hit me full on, and we crashed down into the mud. I felt a pain shoot through my left shoulder and put my hands up to protect it. It was too late. I could feel the metal blade pushing through my flesh. I grabbed at the handle and at Barry’s hand, trying to push it out. We rolled around in the mud coating our clothes and faces, fighting for dominance over the blade. I couldn’t push him away, but I was stopping it going in any further. We rolled again, and Barry was on top his face full of fury, and he was bearing his weight and strength on to the blade to drive it all the way in. I used all my strength to hold it steady, but I couldn’t last forever. It was only a matter of time before it plunged through the rest of my shoulder. The pain would be too much, and he could cut me to pieces and take my place at Thorn’s side.
“Boys,” Thorn said, “Something extra,” and she threw a needle of the vampire formula on to the ground a few meters away.
We both looked over at it, and I wondered what to do next. Maybe if I could get to the needle I could transform, and it would heal my wounds.