Jacko guffawed, slamming the table with both hands before clapping them together slowly. “Bloody 'ell, we got ourselves a right thicko.”
Entropy grimaced, not appreciating her friend’s last comment but still refusing to give him the satisfaction of her exploding in anger. She instead continued to address Sam. “No, just me. These guys are all one hundred percent human. Well, except Jacko. The jury’s still out on that one.”
It was everyone else's turn to laugh now, with Jacko as the butt of the joke. He didn't find it as funny and Sam was too busy contemplating the existence of vampires to join in.
Alice had believed in the supernatural as a child, and Sam had seen things in his life that he couldn't explain since meeting her. And then there was the fact that he was back from the dead. That was too recent and far too crazy to deny. He didn't put much stock in rumours, but perhaps there was more to the world than the average human being was aware of. “So… am I a vampire too? Like you?” Sam really wasn't sure anymore. His existence had been turned on its head and he lacked a sense of direction.
Any potential answers were denied by Entropy’s words as she tried her best to help Sam through his identity crisis. She squeezed his leg lightly and forced a half smile. “I honestly don't know. Something about you is different and I can't place it, but…”
She cut her own sentence short, causing Sam’s interest to peak. “But what?”
Entropy bit her lip before replying. “We have a friend who might know more, but we need to bring him a gift.”
Chavz chimed in for the first time. “Guess I'm goin’ shoppin’, eh?”
Inclining her head to look at the bulky armed man, Entropy nodded her head with thanks. “I’ll owe you one.”
Sam was intrigued. “When can I meet them?”
She looked back at him, a real smile returning to her face this time. “Tonight! We’ll go as soon as we have what we need.”
Sam couldn't believe his luck. He had stumbled upon a group of people who could possibly give him the answers that he needed, or rather they had found him in an alleyway. By the end of the night he might have a real idea of who he was now and what he had become. It was now his turn to grin. “Great. I can't wait.”
**********
Sam hadn't realised what the gift was until Chavz returned with a small cage containing a couple of rats. He was now sitting in the darkness of a small room, staring at the rodents as they ran around behind bars under the unnatural glow of a large set of computer monitors. The rats were just as innocent as he had been on the way to the downtown apartment, unaware that they were being offered up as a sacrifice. Payment for services from an antisocial child who preferred to be left alone.
The child, who went by the name of Jonah, was apparently much older than he appeared, or so Entropy had claimed. However, Sam had a hard time seeing him as anything more than a six year old boy. It was more than a little creepy hearing the kid speak with a vocabulary beyond his years, the underdeveloped vocal cords still high pitched, his voice never having broken.
Sam didn't know what was more unnerving, the fact that the boy was older than him or the fact that the rats were going to be his dinner. He couldn't stop staring at them as they played with each other, innocent and ignorant of their ultimate fate. Jonah had barely acknowledged the rodents, as if the gift meant nothing to him but it had been Sam and Entropy's ticket into his domain. Whether you had an appointment or not, you didn't turn up at Jonah’s place with questions unless you came bearing a gift.
All of the other band members had stayed at the club, not wanting to brave the streets at night as they had seen what the darkness of the city held. It was only Entropy that went out that late out of necessity, unless they had a concert that they all had to attend. The band wouldn't have even been in Loco territory or have found Sam at all if it hadn't been for the set they had played at a local bar that same night. It seemed that lady luck had well and truly been on his side. Who knows what would have happened if someone else had stumbled upon his lifeless corpse.
Entropy seemed to sense Sam’s discomfort, placing a cool hand on his arm as she watched from an office chair next to him. The entire place was spartan, with the only furniture in the room looking as though it had been stolen from an office supply store. Unsure about what else to expect, he remained pensively quiet, awaiting whatever information the kid could find.
Jonah was hunched over his keyboard, typing away in his executive chair with a high back that dwarfed his small frame. His computer setup was impressive to say the least, but Sam didn't understand why anyone would need four screens. One of the monitors was streaming videos and another flicked between security camera feeds of the exterior of the building. The other two appeared to be used for chat windows, emails and a confusing variety of different programs and browsers. He tabbed between them with ease, feeling at home at his desk. It was Jonah’s fortress of solitude and Sam really felt as though he was intruding.
Entropy on the other hand was done waiting. “So you find anything?”
There was no answer from Jonah as he continued to type away. Other people were annoyances and he preferred to speak to them through the medium of the internet than in person.
Sam could feel Entropy's inquisitive gaze upon him. Finally pulling his attention away from the cage, he glanced over at her. There was something odd about her eyes and the way they seemed to shimmer in the dark, not from the light of the monitors, but from something inside of her. He still struggled to believe that his companion was an undead creature of the night, as she seemed far too kind to be the sort that preyed upon the living, but maybe there was some truth to the tale. After all, he didn't want to hurt anyone either, it was just something he had done out of necessity.
The childlike voice of Jonah broke Sam’s train of thought, drawing both his and Entropy's eyes to the screens. “According to the hierarchy, you're what they consider to be an undesirable in vampire society.”
Sam couldn't quite grasp what he was hearing. “A what? I'm a vampire too?”
A little annoyed by Sam’s interruption, Jonah turned to glare at him. From what Entropy had explained, it was highly possible that further distractions could lead to a tantrum and so Sam decided to keep his mouth shut from then on. “As I was trying to say… You're not quite one of us and not quite human either. They call people like you the Forsaken, and other vampires in high standing and positions of power will actively hunt you down if they're able. It's best that they don’t discover your existence, for your own sake, not mine.”
The very thought of being hunted and killed by vampires was terrifying. Sam wondered if the men at his parents house had known what he was, and that was the reason they were after him. They couldn't have been vampires themselves, could they? He remembered that they hadn't been affected by the sunlight at all, so from his limited knowledge on the subject he was fairly sure that couldn't be the case.
Jonah continued. “Your maker likely thought that they had failed to turn you, or they simply abandoned you when they realised what you would become. It’s a social stigma to make one such as yourself, however rare the cases may be.” Turning back to his computer, he began to work away. It seemed that he had nothing else to add, but Sam dared not disturb him until he was sure.
Entropy on the other hand wasn't quite so worried as she leaned over Jonah, her head just to his right as she tried to read the screen. The boy was obviously bothered by her close proximity, his hands balling into fists as his extremely short fuse was close to burning out. It didn't take much to anger him, just an invasion of his personal space such as this one. “Get back! Get back I tell you! This is my area, not yours! Mine, mine, mine!!!” Jonah’s face had screwed up into a little ball of rage as red streams began to run from his eyes. Sam hadn't expected that reaction or for blood to fall like tears, and he was understandably freaked out by the whole situation. He sat back in his chair, distancing himself from the desk. What the hell was going on?
Taking i
t all within her stride, Entropy stood up straight and grabbed the arm of Jonah’s chair with both hands. With one swift pull, she whipped the boy around and away from his workspace, facing him out towards where both her and Sam had been sitting. However, she didn't yell at Jonah or berate him for how he was acting, instead sitting back down in her chair where she calmly placed her hands into her lap.
With a forced smile, Entropy addressed the boy in the way you would calm a small child. “How would a few more rats make you feel? If you're good and tell us more about my friend Sam here, I'll come back with all you can possibly eat.”
Her tactic miraculously worked, with Jonah calming down almost instantly. He sniffled, smearing crimson streaks of blood across his cheeks with a brush from his hands. “Really? You mean it?”
Entropy nodded. “Of course. Have I ever let you down?”
Jonah shook his head, sniffling again as he turned himself back towards his monitors. Sam on the other hand was still feeling tense after the kid exploded at them and so he sat motionless on his chair.
It took a little while for Jonah to bring up more information, continuing with his explanation. “As I said, it's a rare case, but the actual symptoms seem to vary between subjects. Most age like humans and have some resistance to sunlight, but they aren't fully immune to its effects. You’ll have to work out what your own strengths and limitations are in your own time.”
From what he had experienced, Sam already knew about some of his own weaknesses, but he now found himself wondering about his body aging. Did vampires not change at all? Was he going to grow old, while others like Entropy and Jonah stayed the same? He was concerned about what that would mean for him in the long run. What if his body became frail and he was unable to die? He would be trapped within his body again, yet this time there would be no hope of regaining his independence. It was a horrible thought that he likely wouldn't be able to purge from his mind.
Jonah didn't have time to ease Sam’s worries, nor did he realise that there were any. “All the Forsaken are still cursed with the thirst, but you mentioned something about the issues you had when feeding. It seems that in your case you don't grow fangs, which sounds very inconvenient. That's most unfortunate for you.”
Sam definitely didn't feel at ease as his fingers dug into the fabric of his chair. This was an awful lot for him to take in, but that didn't stop Jonah from blurting out more unwelcome facts. “Three things can occur during the creation process. Ideally, the deceased is reborn as a fully fledged vampire, but in many cases, inexperienced members of our kind end up killing the person permanently. The rarest cases of all are when the process appears to have failed and the maker abandons the body. However, the potential vampire isn’t actually dead and is merely dormant as the process hasn't been fully completed. In those few situations they may return after some time as an unfinished sort of half vampire. Incomplete. Those few are destined to wander the world, shunned by vampires and mortals alike.”
That was it. Sam couldn't handle it anymore, he was in full on panic mode as he jumped to his feet, knocking his chair over in the process. He didn't even stop to see how the others reacted as he bolted towards the door and ran full pelt down the hallway that led to the exit. That was always Sam’s reaction to situations that he couldn't cope with. He had run away from home to escape his feelings for Alice, he had fled his parents house when he saw those men and now he was running away to escape a situation that he just couldn't comprehend.
As Sam scrambled to turn the locks on the door, slide the deadbolt and unhook the chain, he could hear Entropy's calling his name. “Sam! Sam come back!” He fumbled at the door, unable to unlock it fast enough in his current state. As he struggled with the final lock, he felt someone's arms wrap around him tightly from behind, their face burying itself into the fabric of his t-shirt.
“It’s okay, Sam. You're not alone. We can work through this together.” It was Entropy, the combination of her comforting voice, exotic perfume and reassuring touch enveloping him like a safety blanket. She was somehow able to take his fear and shrink it down in size, allowing rationality to take over more. Perhaps he wasn't alone after all. Perhaps they could get through this together. Her very touch eased Sam's suffering and left him wondering how he had ever coped without her. Whatever he was, he knew that Entropy would be there for him.
**********
It was getting late now, and the sun would likely be up soon, but Sam wanted to enjoy the rest of his night with Entropy while he could. Even though it had been a rough few hours, he somehow felt better about it now. They had been talking things over for a while and it wouldn't be long before they had to hide inside and sleep away the day. The pair sat on an air duct on top of the club, a couple of storeys above the street below. The light breeze was warm, with the hum of the nearby air-conditioner creating a soundtrack of white noise. The world around them seemed strangely peaceful, as the average people of Miami began to wake and go about their normal lives. But now Sam’s life was anything but normal.
Leaning in to be close to Entropy, Sam had his arm around her with his hand resting against the small of her back. He felt comfortable there and it seemed that she did too, as she placed the side of her head against his shoulder. His other hand held hers gently, her skin cool and soft to the touch. He didn't want to ever move from that spot, but he knew that they would have to vacate the roof in the not too distant future. The sun’s rays wouldn't be forgiving.
Entropy’s voice was soothing as she spoke, with Sam still content enough to just listen to her words. “So what if your scars don't heal? Scars are cool.” Sam just smiled, letting her continue. “And I wouldn't worry about being hunted by other vampires either. Jonah doesn't talk to many people and Miami is a huge city. The funny thing about Florida is that most big shot vamps don't want to live in the Sunshine State. They don't like to get tans!” Entropy chuckled infectiously, causing Sam to join in. He wasn't sure if she was right, but that didn't matter. The important thing was that she had made everything seem like less of a burden.
Sam rested his cheek against the top of Entropy’s head. “Thanks.”
She looked up at him, her big, blue eyes shimmering in what was left of the moonlight. “For what?”
Unable to resist, he kissed her lightly on the forehead. “For being you.”
Entropy really wasn't like anyone that Sam had ever met before, not even close. She reminded him of other people in some ways, his mother and Alice to some extent, but she was still so different that she kept him on his toes. She had a fiery personality, an undeniable charm and the biggest heart of anyone that he had ever met. She was so full of life for someone who claimed to be dead, and yet there was still something that bothered him. A nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Sam never was one to get close to people, and yet he was falling for Entropy faster than he ever thought possible. It just wasn't like him to act this way.
Nuzzling Sam’s neck, Entropy groaned. “We should get inside. I'm not in the mood for baking to death.” She slowly sat up straight, stretching her arms and legs out in front of her.
Sam observed for a moment, the black and purple strands of Entropy's hair falling over her narrow shoulders, one of which had been exposed as her shirt hung loosely from it. Her skin glistened under the fading light of the moon, as the sky behind her began its slow change from black to a blazing, fiery orange. He couldn't help but think how perfect she was, the bright purple of her lipstick a contrast to the world around her.
Mimicking Entropy's groan, Sam prepared himself to stand. “The nights here are way too short.”
Entropy turned her head to peer at him, her teeth visible as she smiled happily. “There’s always another.” She hopped to her feet, twirling to face Sam with her hand outstretched towards him. “Come on, let's go before I burst into flames. Not all of us can bask in the sun.”
Sam took Entropy's hand and she dragged him over towards the metal ladder that led down to the fire escape. She was surprisingly
strong and had no trouble trailing him behind. As they reached the edge of the roof, she released her grip to step over the knee high wall, grabbing hold of the ladder on the other side.
Sam took a moment to peer back towards the horizon, where the sky had been filled with various hues of red that merged with the bright oranges as they swept behind a loose scattering of white clouds. It was a truly breathtaking sight to behold as it lingered over the city like a colourful oil painting, but he was left feeling a little saddened. Sam couldn’t watch the sun rise or set with Entropy by his side. She was bound to the night and didn’t have quite as much freedom as he did. It occurred to him that he might not have drawn the short straw after all. His new existence wasn't quite as hellish as he had originally believed.
Chapter Nine: That sinking feeling.
Aaron hit the ground hard, sliding on his back in the thick mud of the swamp. The impact stunned him, leaving him sprawled out and defenseless as the large figure they had been hunting towered over him. The hunt had started well and they had managed to take the creature by surprise, but it had since proven to be quite resilient and extremely hard to kill.
Staring down at him with hollow eyes that wept green slime, a thick ooze dripped from the open maw of the creature’s toothless mouth. It was the shell of a human, with real flesh worn as an ill fitting suit. However the skin didn't sit right, hanging loosely in some places while stretched tight in others, looking anything but human. As if that wasn't disturbing enough, something shifted just beneath the skin’s surface, constantly moving and changing shape.
It looked as though the skin-suit had once belonged to a man, his balding head and rough stubble still visible. The irregular facial features were asymmetrical, with no bone or cartilage to support them. Grease covered overalls suggested that the man had once been a mechanic in town, yet it would be impossible for him to blend in now as his inhuman appearance oozed from every orifice. This wolf in sheep's clothing had to live out in the wilderness, preying on those who were stupid enough to brave the swamplands of Florida alone. There was no way that it could ever have survived within the city, not looking like the way it did.
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