by I D Johnson
“Do you want me to have a look at those?” he asked, gesturing toward her arms.
“Nah, just little scratches,” she said, rubbing absently at her arms. “Did you see what I did there, though? That kick? It’s called a roundhouse. You should learn it.”
“Right,” James nodded, wondering if Cornelia would be teaching him such a maneuver once he started his training with her. “I shall do my best to imitate you in all ways.”
Margie rolled her eyes. “You’re such a little jerkface,” she said, crossing back toward the fire escape behind him.
“What?” James asked. “I meant it.”
“You still think this is a joke, don’t you?” she asked, stopping to face him. “You still think that everything we do is… silly and unimportant.”
“No, of course I don’t,” he replied, wondering why she would say such a thing.
“You think that because you’re a doctor, you’re somehow more significant than any of the rest of us.”
“Margie, of course I don’t,” James said, but he could see in her expression that there was nothing he could say to convince her otherwise. Helms clapped him on the shoulder, as if to say he understood what it was like to fight a losing battle with Margie, and James followed the pair of them to the fire escape. Margie got about halfway down and then jumped the remaining six stories, landing on her feet and casually walking the thirty or so paces over to where their uncle stood waiting.
James preferred to walk down, taking his time. Why was Margie still so angry at him? He felt like there was absolutely nothing he could do to convince her that he was on her side, that he wasn’t out to get her. She was having an animated conversation with Uncle Culpepper when he made his way over, filling him in on what had happened, and their leader seemed quite proud of her, congratulating her for such a quick kill. Margie beamed at him, happy for the praise, and the team turned to head back to headquarters, James in the back, pondering the possibility that maybe now would be a good time to find another team to join. After all, Margie had been a part of the Boston team for longer, and clearly, she wasn’t comfortable having her brother as part of the group. Maybe Uncle Culpepper should talk to Jordan about sending him elsewhere after all. Even though the thought of leaving Boston didn’t sit right in his gullet, if that’s what made his sister happy, he was all for it.
Chapter 13
Boston, Massachusetts, 1887
Cornelia was taking him through his paces, again, and James was doing his best to keep up with her. At this rate, he felt like he’d never master the moves the older woman with the bright orange hair seemed to have down pat.
“You’re getting there,” she said reassuringly, though he wasn’t sure that was the case. He had grown more accustomed to her accent at least, so he didn’t struggle to understand her anymore. “Just keep workin’ on it.”
James noticed she was looking past him and turned to see Culpepper had entered the room. A bit embarrassed to be so incompetent and uncoordinated in front of his uncle, James stopped.
“Don’t quit on my account,” Culpepper laughed. “I see a lot of improvement this month.”
James held back the comment that he’d hate to see what he looked like when he first started working with Cornelia, so he held back. “I’m doing my best.”
“You’re doing great. Believe me, the true test will come in the field, when it has to.”
He had a feeling his uncle was right. Surely, in the heat of battle, he wouldn’t hesitate, and he’d be able to do the moves that were expected of him. “I hope so.”
“Well, we’re going to find out.” Culpepper patted him on the shoulder. “We’re going on a hunt tonight, and this one is personal for you and Margie.”
“What do you mean?” James asked, but he was fairly certain he already knew. His stomach began to knot up.
“We found him,” he replied. “Now, I know that your sister is hell bent on being the one to take him down, but she’s gonna let you get in there, too.”
James’s eyes were wide. He knew exactly who his uncle was speaking of. The Vampire he’d seen as a child, the one who’d lived in the alley near his house for so long, the one they’d been chasing the night Margie almost died, and they’d both began the Transformation process. “Where is he?” James asked, glad that his voice didn’t waver with the question.
“In another alley on the other side of town,” Culpepper replied. “We’ve been hearing rumors that he’s been in the area for a while, but we just got visual confirmation a few days ago. The thing is, he seems to be fairly law abiding. Sure, he feeds, but mostly on the underbelly of society—hobos and miscreants, prostitutes and the like.”
“Can we take him out, then?” James asked, remembering the rules as they’d been explained to him. As far as he knew, they were only allowed to kill non-compliant Vampires, the ones that killed innocent people.
“We sure the hell can,” Cornelia piped in, stepping over.
Culpepper nodded. “I’ve cleared it with Jordan. He said considering the circumstances, it would be best to go ahead and end him.”
James nodded, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. What had the Vampire done to him anyway? Sure, he’d set James on this path, but only because he was attempting to preserve himself. Now, his first test would involve a creature he wasn’t sure he wanted to destroy.
“We’ll leave around midnight. You, Marge, and Helms will take the lead. We know he’s fast, so we’ll make sure all of his exits are closed off. This time, I’m sure he’ll recognize the pair of you himself and try to get away.”
“And I’ll finish him.”
James looked up to see his sister, dressed in fitted trousers, standing in the doorway.
“All right, but you let James have first crack at him, you hear?” Culpepper asked, turning to look at her.
Margie nodded, but James had a feeling he’d have to fight her off if he wanted a piece of the action, and since he wasn’t sure that he did, he was almost glad the situation would turn out this way after all. Perhaps his competitiveness with his older sister would drive him into the fray more readily than if she were not there or if this particular Vampire had no meaning for her. Clearly, he did.
James continued his training with Cornelia for several more hours. He didn’t tire as easily now as he had even when he’d first Transformed, unless, of course, he was called upon to use his healing powers. Then, he still felt completely drained afterward. When Culpepper called them together that evening for a pre-hunt planning meeting, James still felt anxious. When it came down to it, would he be able to fight? Would he be able to end a being’s existence?
Culpepper’s directions were simple enough, and James followed the rest of the team out of their meeting room, fingering the knife he carried at his waist, wondering if he’d need it. He’d seen Margie and Helms decapitate so many Vampires, it seemed the way to go if possible. Of course, he was supposed to leave the kill for Margie, but if he had the opportunity, he should take it, shouldn’t he? His stomach was still tight, and now his mind was also churning.
The streets of Boston were nearly deserted this time of night, and James wondered if they knew for sure the Vampire was even there. What if he was out looking for his next meal? Before the thought was even fully formulated, a young man came running up to their group in a blur. Once he came to a stop, James recognized him as the newest member of the team, McElroy, who was barely seventeen and looked like he was much younger.
“He’s there,” the boy reported, not even out of breath despite the sprint. “Exactly where you thought.”
“Good, good,” Culpepper said, patting the young man on the shoulder. “Go ahead and report back to your post.” McElroy, who was a Hunter, nodded. James was certain he would be acting as a lookout of sorts and wouldn’t see any action, and he envied the other young man.
“Should we get into our positions?” Cornelia asked, clenching and unclenching her hands.
“Yes, let’s do,” Culpep
per nodded. He gave some directions to the team members who would be heading the monster off should he try to flee, and then he began to walk again, leading Margie, Helms, and James toward the opening to the alley.
As soon as he saw the alleyway off in the distance, James’s stomach restricted even more. Memories of sprinting across the opening to the alley near his house as a boy flooded back to him. He’d feared the darkness then, feared the unknown, convinced there was a Vampire lurking there. Now, he knew that was the case, and even though he was almost certain this bloodsucker couldn’t actually harm him, he was more hesitant to attack and fail than he was nervous to be harmed. He was also unsure whether or not killing this particular beast was the right thing to do.
The decision had already been made for him, though, as James approached the narrow walkway. The two buildings on either side looked to be businesses of some sort. No one appeared to be in either building, and their grime covered windows were darkened, though no shades were drawn over them. There were a pair of windows in the alley as well, on either side, and James absently wondered if anyone was covering those potential exits.
He didn’t see the Vampire at first, but as they drew closer, a shadow drew his attention. There was movement behind the refuse bins, as there had been the last time they’d been in contact with each other. “Go get him,” Margie prodded, shoving him forward.
“Give me a moment, won’t you?” James protested, staggering forward. He straightened his jacket and made sure his bowler hat was still sitting atop his head correctly. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, this time on his own accord. “Come out now, won’t you?” he shouted. Margie broke into a fit of giggles behind him, and he heard Culpepper tell her to shush. James glanced back over his shoulder, giving her a stern look, before turning back to face the darkness.
He could see in the dark better than he had been able to before the change, but it was still difficult. It was only when the monster stirred that he could see his outline. Trying to sound more confident, he cleared his voice and shouted, “You there! We know you are here. Now, is the time to come out and fight.”
James advanced a bit further, watching as the shadow shifted. The Vampire seemed to be gaining his feet now, and as James drew closer, the figure began to back away, his hands out in front of him, as if he were attempting to wave his attacker off. James could see his long, dirty claws even from here. Visions from that night flashed before his eyes—watching as Margie sprinted after the monster, seeing the trolley strike her, her blood spilt all over the street, her cranium in pieces in his hands.
As his feelings morphed into anger, James launched himself at the Vampire. Perhaps seeing him coming, or possibly deciding to retreat anyhow, the monster took off down the alley, but James caught him by the ankle as he struck the pavement, landing hard on his stomach. His breath was knocked out of him, but he didn’t let go. Eventually, he gulped down some air and pulled himself up on top of the Vampire, hand over hand, as the bloodsucker fought to get away.
“Please, please,” the Vampire cried, his voice high-pitched and squeaky. “I haven’t done anything.”
“You have,” James argued. “You caused all of this. You took my life from me. If it weren’t for you, none of this would have happened.” His words were choppy, coming out in gasps as he struggled to gain a grip on the monster.
“Let me in!” Margie shouted from behind him, but James was fully on top of the monster now. He shoved him to the ground and pinned his flailing arms with his knees. A quick glance over his shoulder told him Culpepper was holding his sister back, though she struggled to get a piece of the fight.
“I didn’t…” the Vampire protested. If James could see anything behind his nearly-black, lifeless eyes, he thought it might be a plea for mercy, but it was hard to recognize any emotion at all in those decayed orbs.
James positioned his hands around the Vampire’s neck. “You did,” he contended. “I was a doctor.” He began to squeeze. “I was going to save a lot of people’s lives.” He squeezed harder and the black holes protruded from the monster’s face. “Now, you’ve taken all of that away from me.”
If the Vampire was trying to respond, none of it was audible. A few moments later, James’s hands broke through the resistance, and the Vampire’s head came off in his grip. As the body turned to ashes, James found himself sitting atop them on the dirty pavement, his hands in the same position though only grasping at gray powder. After realization kicked in, he brushed his hands off and stood, also running a hand down the knees of his trousers.
It was finished. The creature he’d feared for much of his life was gone now, nothing but a pile of ash floating off in the breeze. He wanted to feel relieved, vindicated somehow, but feelings of guilt and shame also clouded his mind. He’d ended the existence of another, and no matter how evil that being might have been, it no longer occupied space in this world at James’s hand.
“What have you done?” Margie shrieked, finally breaking away from their uncle and approaching him. “You didn’t even give me the opportunity. That monster had just as much of an effect on me as it did on you—more even. If it hadn’t been for that thing, I never would’ve nearly died.”
“And if it hadn’t been for me, you would’ve,” James reminded her, the anger seeping back into his voice.
“Oh, you like to hold that over my head, don’t you?” Margie shot back. “As if there was anything I could do about it. All you did was touch me!”
“You think that’s all there is to it?” he argued, taking a step toward her. “That it isn’t at all taxing? It is Margie.”
“Oh, poor baby, Jamie! Works his magic and has to take a nap!”
“Enough!” Culpepper shouted, stepping between them. “That’s quite enough! Margie, if I had wanted to let you into the fray, I’d have released you. Your brother needed this.” His harsh look made her drop her eyes, though James was sure this would not be the end of it. “Jamie, you’ve done it. You’ve defeated a Vampire in battle. I knew that you could. Now, it is time for your true journey to begin. I’m sending you to New York for a while, a short trip, but they can use your help there.”
James was shocked to hear the news, but he nodded. He’d already resolved himself to take some space from Margie. Maybe this is what they both needed. “When do I leave?” he asked.
“In the morning,” Culpepper replied. “If this works out, there will be other missions. You have a special talent, Jamie, one unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Now that you’re also capable of taking care of business on the battlefield, you have become more of a weapon than I can keep all to myself.”
James wanted to smile at the compliment, but the emotions lingered from taking the life. And Margie was still glowering at him. “Thank you, Uncle. If you think I can help, I’m happy to do so.” He righted his hat and followed the rest of the party back to headquarters, receiving congratulations from the others as they fell in line. He had no idea what might lay ahead for him, in New York City and beyond, but at least he could be his own man there and not have to live in the shadows of his sister or his uncle anymore.
Chapter 14
New York City, New York, USA, 1887
Fall was quickly turning into winter in New York City, and James would’ve probably cared if he still felt the temperature the same way. All the people rushing by them on the streets seemed to be walking even faster than he and Jeffrey were, despite the fact that both Guardians could’ve sprinted blocks in the amount of time it took them to take a few steps had they been motivated to do so.
“We’ll meet up with the rest of the team at the Broadway Hotel,” he said only turning his head slightly. “I think you’ll fit in nicely here, Jamie.”
“Sounds good,” he replied. When they’d arrived in the city earlier that morning, Uncle Culpepper had introduced him as Jamie, and he began to realize that he was never going to escape that nickname. He may as well start referring to himself that way.
Jeffrey appeared t
o be in his mid-to-late forties, though Jamie was certain he was much older than that. He had a handlebar moustache, a style that was quickly losing its popularity, but he likely didn’t care. He was slightly taller than Jamie and a bit rough around the edges. He didn’t have much to say as he walked them around the space his team occupied near Battery Park. They all lived in the same building, meeting and planning for the most part on-site. Jamie learned that there were a lot of what were referred to as independent Hunters and Guardians in the New York area. Technically, they were under Jeffrey’s direction, but they mostly came and went as they pleased, operating in different sectors around the city. Jeffrey commanded a smaller team which answered directly to him. There were seven permanent members, including Jeffrey, and they had gathered in the hotel to stage a hunt they would be embarking on in just a few hours once the night fell and the Vampires came out to play.
Jamie followed Jeffrey into the lobby of the hotel. It was a nice establishment with gold-painted filigree and carved wood. He nodded at the few people they passed coming out and followed Jeffrey down the hall off of the lobby into a conference room.
A cloud of smoke hit Jamie in the face as he entered the room between thick oak double doors. There was roar of laughter, and Jeffrey paused just in front of him as a cigar smoking young man who seemed to be only a few years older than Jamie finished a story. “Then, I jumped on top of him, pulled out my knife, the same knife he’d laughed at earlier mind you, and sliced his head right off. And before he disappeared, I said to him, ‘Not much of a knife, huh?’ Course, he couldn’t hear me by then, but I got the last word in, that’s for damn sure.” There was another roar of laughter from the group, and Jamie tried to sum this man up. He would have to keep an eye on him. He seemed like a bit of a hot head, full of himself, and perhaps a little impulsive.