The Grateful Boys

by Françoise DuMaurier

  “Yer gosh darn right!” one more voice yelled.

  “Therefore, I would like to promise each and every one of you that we will be increasing our policing presence at the school during school hours. We will have a full-time deputy assigned to your school each day.”

  “That’s more like it!” someone yelled. And the crowded applauded. Sheriff Zeddman wavered his arms for them to remain quiet.

  “In addition, we will also be increasing our presence upon the streets of Corpus. Particularly our night patrolling. We want to keep everyone as safe as possible in Corpus.”

  The crowd clapped again.

  “Guess I’m not all bad, right?” he laughed. “Getting feedback from constituents has always held the utmost importance to me. I respect every opinion of every citizen of our town. We will also be looking into restricting a curfew if we feel that will keep our citizens safe.”

  The crowd of parents and other townsfolk booed at the suggestion of a curfew. It was clear they wanted no part of it.

  “Big gov-ment can’t control us!” someone shouted.

  “The Sheriff’s Department is not big government,” Sheriff Zeddman corrected them. “I’ve always worked to ensure that our citizens have the highest level of freedom as permitted by the law. We all value our right to bare arms. And it is now that we probably feel the most need to protect ourselves.”

  “Just bought my gauge!” another person shouted.

  “And I ain’t mad at you for that,” Zeddman chuckled. “May we all just remember to exercise our gun rights with caution and care.”

  The crowd booed. This was the country all right. When the audience settled down for the third time – at least it was the third from where Zeddman was counting, he agreed to field questions.

  “So what’s this stuff about a government conspiracy?” a large woman in a floral dress asked. “And is it true that you’re a sleeper from D.C.?”

  “I promise you, ma’am. There are no conspiracies,” Zeddman told her. “And I am from right here in Georgia. Most of you know that. Let’s not allow prejudice of any kind play into our politics. Next question.”

  Another person stood up to and shouted, “Then how do you explain James Snow on the Radio!”

  “I promise you,” Sheriff Zeddman responded. “Mr Snow is sadly mistaken. I know he would love to dredge up some crazy concocted story about me being in league with ‘Big Brother’ to help sell his podcast and peddle his smut. But there’s no aliens or monsters being unleashed from a government lab.”

  “How can you be sure!” a man in red hat yelled. “The way this world’s going, I don’t put anything past the government! And are you an Islamic terrorist sent by the Democrats?”

  Sheriff Zeddman was, frankly, in total shock. At least a portion of the town apparently believed the government was running a secret facility with blood sucking monsters and controlled by him, a radical sleeper terrorist. Truly unbelievable.

  I’d truly question the decision making and critical thinking done by this town right now, Sheriff Zeddman thought. But seeing as I’m one of those decisions, I better just stick to the standard answers.

  “Frankly some of these statements are not even worth the dignity of a response. Thank you everyone and now I’m going to turn it back over to Principal Dawkins.”

  The Sheriff shook the Principal’s hand and walked off the stage. As he was leaving, he looked over his shoulder and saw a somewhat hostile crowd as they began to jeer the Principal.

  “I’m not into the heckling type,” Zeddman said aloud to himself as he left through the side door with a big EXIT sign above it. It was dark outside. But warm. That was Georgia for you, he thought. He sighed and pulled out a cigarette from his jacket pocket as he approached his cruiser.

  He placed the unlit cigarette in his mouth. Just as he flipped open his zippo lighter, he heard a loud screech. It was a wicked sound, not the type made by any normal animal in Corpus.

  The next sound he heard was just as unusual – the flapping of wings. He looked up and there he saw – a giant bat. Its enormous gothic wingspan was the largest he’d ever seen. Its body was nearly six feet long. Its feet hooked. Its face, horrific. The gigantic bat was flying far above him, silhouetted against the moon when it peered down at him.

  Zeddman’s cigarette fell from his lips as his mouth fell agape. The creature looked down and its eyes met the sheriff’s own. But these were not the eyes of a bat. No, these were the eyes of man.

  Horrified, Sheriff Zeddman fell back against his car in disbelief. He reached for his gun but the creature continued its flight pattern. Before he could draw or aim, the hell spawn flew over the school and disappeared into the distance.

  “Jesus,” Sheriff Zeddman said aloud, shaking. “Coleman’s not gonna believe this.”

  ***

  Hailey, Madison, and Tara arrived ready to party. They’d driven several miles past the school in the thick of night and found themselves staring down nothing but a row of cars along a dirt path. The road ended. There was nothing else. No street, no path, nothing.

  “What’s this? Where do we go?” Tara asked.

  “Look at all the parked cars. It’s gotta be around here, right?” Madison said with uncertainty.

  “Remember,” Hailey reminded them. “The flyer said you had to stop along the woods and walk the rest of the way.

  So Madison parked her car near another – there were almost two dozen. They got out and Tara spotted a flag in the ground. “Over there!” Tara said. They followed her as she walked near the flag at the entrance of the forest. The flag led them along a narrow path through the woods.

  The walked the path for a few minutes and came upon the other side. In the distance they could see the iron gates, and behind it – a giant pink mansion.

  “Oh… My… God!” Tara exclaimed.

  “Right this way, ladies!” a voice called out.

  They approached the figure in the distance near the entrance of the gate. He was an elderly man in a tuxedo. White gloves completed his look.

  “Ah, yes. You three will do just fine. Just what the hosts are looking for,” he bowed. “Welcome to the Manor,” he said, not using the manor’s full name. “Names please.”

  “Hailey Lane.” “Madison Sewell.” “Tara Carter.”

  “Right this way, ladies,” the butler said.

  “Who are you?” Hailey asked him. “And where is Percy?”

  “I am Sheridan. The gentlemen’s gentleman. You know Master Percivell, do you?”

  “I do,” Hailey said with conviction. “Very much so.”

  “Then he will be most pleased to welcome you. Enjoy ladies.”

  The iron gates swung open and the girls walked through. Hailey thought she heard a low screeching sound from above. But she looked up and saw nothing beyond the pale moon and trace of stars.

  The girls stepped along the dewy grass and onto the entrance area of the manor. The closer they got, the louder they could hear music coming from the back.

  The ornate double doors at the front of the house swung open. A blond-haired young man dressed in a black leather jacket, matching leather pants, and no shirt greeted them. Hailey immediately remembered him as Alobard.

  “Greetings, ladies. Welcome to the Manor,” he said. With his icy grip, he grabbed each of them by the palm and gently kissed the backside of their hands.

  Tara gasped and blushed “Your grip is so cold.”

  “And yours so warm, my dear.”

  Each of them entered the house. They stepped into the enormous foyer with a raised chandelier. Unbeknown to the girls, the house’s sole mirror that resided in the foyer had been taken down.

  They stepped along the marble floors as Alobard escorted them through the house. They were headed for the backyard.

  “As for you, Hailey,” he said. “Brother Percivell is surely expecting you.”

  They passed the ornate living room, the immaculate red dining room of fine china, and the beautifully adorned Mor
occan room. They reached a set of double doors with a gold knob that led to the backyard. By now the music was louder than ever.

  Alobard opened the door and unveiled what could only be described as a party that could have rivaled that of the Great Gatsby’s.

  There was not one but two giant pools, an enclave with a small waterfall, multiple hot tubs, and decorations abound.

  The entire backyard was littered with teenagers in bikinis and swim trunks. Day-Glo lights lit up half the area as teenagers danced, swam, and ate from a buffet area. The party atmosphere was in full effect.

  “There’s even food!” Tara exclaimed.

  “Everything you could ever dream of,” Alobard smiled to her.

  Madison noticed Sheridan, the elderly butler, walking around, serving trays of food and picking up behind the guests.

  “Wait, how could the butler be back here? He just greeted us at the gate,” Madison said, confused.

  “He’s quite fast, isn’t he?” Alobard smirked. “Now ladies, I hope you have come with the proper attire.”

  Immediately the girls pulled off their jeans and shirts, revealing their brand-new bikinis.

  “Excellent. Most excellent,” Alobard smiled. “What beautiful creatures of the night you are, and shall be. Now, go forth and reap the spoils upon which we provide.”

  When he outstretched his hand, Hailey noticed something she hadn’t paid attention to before. His fingernails were long, sharp, and shaped like razor blades.

  They made their way from the patio into the stretch of backyard that formed the party. On the left, Hailey could see a throng of girls surrounding the mohawked Gabriel. He was wearing the same open leather jacket and pants as Alobard. Each of the vampires were dressed nearly the same. And looking closer, she saw that he, too, had razor-shaped nails.

  Gabriel was holding court over the pack of adoring girls. Unable to hear his conversation over the music, she saw only his hands gesturing in a manner that told her he was telling great tales that enthralled his audience.

  “Catch you in a bit, Hailey!” Madison said as she pulled Tara along to the buffet table. It was filled with ribs, chicken, steak, potato salad, macaroni, and fruit. Then there were the deserts – pies and cakes of every flavor – pecan, lemon strawberry, among others. There were cakes and cookies of every variety.

  Near the drink area were bowls of punch and lemonade being poured by the butler. He used a dipping spoon to move the drinks from the bowl into individual glass cups for each person who passed him by. Apparently this guy was doing everything. And boy, was he fast.

  Hailey looked around again, taking in all the sights. There was surely no other party like this in Corpus – or perhaps in Georgia, or even the world. Extravagant and opulent – there was laughter, music, and dancing. So much so, it was overwhelming in its excess. It was almost like a teenager-only amusement park.

  “I’ve been expecting you,” said a familiar voice.

  Hailey turned around and there he was. His presence drowned out the overwhelming excess of the crowd. Suddenly he was all she knew. All she’d want.

  “Percy! I came here for you,” she smiled.

  “And you look amazing. I knew I made the right decision.”

  “What decision?” she asked.

  “I’m referring to you.”

  “Do you… do you do this often?” Hailey asked. “This kind of party, I mean.”

  “Why? Do you like it? Should we do it more often?”

  “Um, I don’t know. But it’s pretty amazing. The best I’ve ever been to. And I only just got here.”

  “I’ll be frank. This little festivity is not without its purpose.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean my brothers are using this as an opportunity to find themselves a consort, so to speak. But you’ll see more of that… later.”

  A teenager with long black hair and black clothes approached them. Hailey hadn’t seen him since the very first day she ever laid eyes on the vampires in her school.

  “Hailey, this is Jacobus.”

  Jacobus smiled. His eyes bright yellow. He looked as if he was happy to be back home.

  “The pleasure is mine, Hailey,” Jacobus said with a slight bow. “I’ve been gone for what? A week now, I believe. Breaking vampire code can hold harsh punishments. But the Order takes mercy on their young.”

  “That’s right,” Percy said. “Jacobus was made a vampire only two decades ago. He is still but a baby. Twenty years is but a nap for me.”

  “Wait, you’re the one who killed those people?” Hailey asked, her eyes widened.

  “It has been difficult for Jacobus due to his age. But he will learn with time to control himself better. He has since made many assurances. If he hadn’t, the Order would not have allowed him back with the Chancellor. If anyone’s decision can be trust entirely, it is the Order’s.”

  “Well, it’s just…,” Hailey stammered. “That’s kind of scary. If he killed someone. Two people.”

  “You have to trust me, Hailey,” Percy told him. “It will not happen again. You must understand who and how we are. If you were a vampire, you would be given the same leniency and understanding.”

  “I trust you then,” Hailey said, grabbing his hand.

  “Leave us, Jacobus,” Percy told him.

  Together, Hailey and Percy walked around the backyard toward the gazebo area. The music and sounds of the crowd dimmed the further they walked away from the party.

  “Hailey,” Percy said. “If there is one thing I now know for certain, it is that you and I were destined to know each other.”

  “I can’t get you out of my head,” Hailey admitted to him. “No matter where I am or what I do, I think about you constantly. You pierce my every waking thought. When I kissed you yesterday, it was the most intense feeling I’ve ever known. Not even your blood can compare to your touch.”

  “That is why I wanted to talk to you,” he told her as they continued walking further away from the party. “I need to know that you are ready for this… for me.”

  “Yes, I’m ready. I know I am.”

  “Not until after you know how the human-vampire relationship works,” he paused for a moment then continued. They looked longingly into each other’s eyes.

  “Tell me,” she said after a while.

  “To be with a vampire, in any form, is to devote yourself to the vampire. We are creatures of power, craving, and passion.”

  “I basically revere you and I can’t even explain it,” Hailey said. “You’re unlike any guy I’ve ever met. No one has ever compared to you. How could they?”

  “I can only imagine how difficult it must be for a human. To know the passion of a vampire. Then have to… downgrade, for lack of a better term. But I’m afraid that’s the best way I can put it. A vampire’s passion is unmatched. I would like to be just as devoted to you.”

  “Then yes,” Hailey pleaded. “I want to know your devotion, badly. I need you in my life. Your love, your protection. I swear it’s incomparable.”

  “The sanctity of the human-vampire relationship is built on the foundation of trust. You must trust everything I tell you. You must obey. No command is to ever be questioned. And in return, you will know the fidelity of a vampire. The loyalty of my blood.”

  “Then I’m yours. My only question is… Would you… Would you want to turn me? Into what you are—”

  “No,” he said. “Our relationship has yet to even begin. The possibility alone has not even crossed my mind. And besides… you don’t know what it means to be a vampire. Nor do you know how it must happen.”

  “You have to bite me, right? That’s why you haven’t yet.”

  “No,” he answered almost with scorn. “It’s nothing like that. Forget the literature you’ve read. There is a way for the trait of the vampire to be passed along but it is not by merely biting you neck. That is simply a way to feed.”

  “Then how? If you ever were to?”

  “By the consumm
ation of our union. The taking… of your virginity.”

  “I’ve… I’ve never heard that before.”

  “Nor had you ever met a real vampire before. I told you, it’s not something you’re ready for.”

  “I’m not ready because you say I’m not?” she asked.

  “Exactly. Eventually you will learn that that the knowledge of a vampire exceeds that of any human.”

  “I… I told you I trust you. And I believe you. And I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while now. Can you… read my mind?”

  “No, I have no powers of clairvoyance. But I can smell emotions. Fear. Excitement. Anger. I know them all. And they are all very distinct.”

  “And what feeling do you smell on me, right now?” she asked.

  “Ardor. Tenderness. Yearning.”

  “For you?” she breathed.

  “Yes, for me,” he whispered. “But you must know what you are dealing with when you wish to be a part of… a creature of the night.”

  “After all you’ve told me… I still want you. I still want in.”

  “Then tell me. About Hailey Deanna Lane.”

  “My life has so little to it. I was born on March 10th in Charlotte, North Carolina. My mother was always a stay at home mom and my dad worked as a civil engineer. He died three years ago and our life kinda fell into pieces. Without a job or any income my mom could barely take care of my annoying little brother and I. My grandmother passed a few months ago and we inherited her house. That’s how we got to Corpus. In sixth grade, a girl bullied me so badly that I couldn’t take it anymore after she literally dumped a bucket of paint on me. So we were in the cafeteria one day and she was picking on me. I just totally lost it. I took the lunch tray I was eating from and I hit her with it. The principal had to pull me off of her because I just kept hitting and hitting her with it. I got suspended for a week because of that. Otherwise, I’m a pretty good wholesome girl who’s now fallen for a vampire,” she laughed.

  Percy laughed. “I love when you allow yourself to be… understood.”

  “And I want to know about you,” she said. “I’m sure you’ve accumulated a lot of stories over 300 years.”

  “More you could possibly imagine. And I would love to share them with you tonight. But now, we need to head back to the party. The Surrender is about to begin.”