by Mark Francis
Chapter 4
Daea got out of bed the day after she woke. Eli stayed by her side. He retold the story of the battle versus the Wuurm countless times. In every retelling the monster got bigger and his fireballs more powerful. At one point, Daea argued that she and the others did the most damage, and that he was lucky to be far away from the action. He informed her that she was upset because she got knocked out.
Riley and Mason, after expressing their relief, reprimanded the girl for insubordination. They said that disobeying team leaders was grounds to be held back from future missions.
Over the next few days, Daea began to understand the young vampire routine. They had school during the week. It’s the law that all children must go to school, which applied equally to Childaar. The girl complained that it wasn’t fair. A classroom had been set up in the Getty’s basement to accommodate their needs. They were assigned a teacher who, although not as smart as them, was tasked with ensuring they completed their work. Daea learned that the teacher held the power to keep them off missions should they not pursue their studies. Her favorite part of school was gym, where she and Eli practiced their kung fu.
Class ended early in the afternoon. After they finished their homework, they engaged in leisure activities, provided there was no mission. Daea did the minimal amount of homework she could get away with and then went straight to watching movies and playing games.
She loved supper time. Even though she didn’t have to eat for nutrition, she feasted like a queen. She quickly figured out how to order supplies. The museum staff, who believed the Childaar to be gifted and lucky exchange students, ensured the young vampires had everything they needed and wanted. She asked for every kind of chips, chocolate, candy, sugary cereal, and soda on the planet. While they couldn’t literally fulfill her request, the playroom kitchen and pantry became well stocked with junk food.
In the evenings, Daea and Eli played outside in the Getty’s gardens. Riley and Mason were around, but she rarely saw the former; he had already graduated from school and had duties to attend before his Awakening. Mason liked to read. He always had his nose in a book. Daea said that they were super smart and that he probably didn’t have to read anymore. Mason told her that she might find that the more she learned, the less she’d know. Daea told him that didn’t make sense.
When Eli wasn’t doing homework, he liked to play games. His favorite was a board game named Go, an ancient strategy game played on a nineteen by nineteen grid board. Two players, one with white stones and the other with black ones, place them in such a way as to control as much area as possible. If a player’s stones get surrounded by their opponent’s, they are removed. Daea preferred video games, but would sometimes play it to make Eli happy. It bothered Eli that he and Daea won about the same number of games. It bothered Daea that Eli took so long to make his moves.
They weren’t taken on any more missions, but Mason took them around the neighborhood to show them how to track the Suffering. They found and fought lone monsters lurking in the night.
As dawn approached, the team reconvened at the museum and had a short nap before school. Daea was often late for class because she always ate a big, unhealthy breakfast that her mother would never approve of.
Two weeks after their Awakenings, Daea sat in class watching the clock. The teacher dismissed class right on time. Books and supplies already packed, she ran out of the classroom, and returned to their living area. She found a bag of licorice and began stuffing it in her mouth. A few minutes later, Eli and Mason entered.
Seeing the young girl, Mason remarked, “That’s disgusting.”
Daea tried to respond, but with a full mouth it just came out as a garble. She swallowed and said, “So what should we do tonight?”
“I am going to read,” Mason said.
“Want to play Go?” Eli asked.
“Nah.”
“Video games?”
“How about a movie?” the girl replied.
“What do you feel like watching?”
Then, in unison, both said, “Star Wars.”
Mason sighed. “Again? How many times can you two watch that?”
Daea gave the Quick a funny look.
Eli ran to the theater and asked, “Can I choose?”
“Sure. But I bet I know what you pick.”
“The Phantom Menace!”
“Wooooo,” Daea screamed as she pretended to ride a podracer into the cinema. She turned on the popcorn maker. The kids recited every line word for word. They were pumped up after the show. They recreated the fight scenes, and Eli had Daea rolling on the floor laughing with his uncanny Gungan impressions.
Riley walked in and gathered the Childaar. “No class in the morning,” he announced.
Daea cheered and double fist pumped the air.
The Sovereign continued, “Reassignments have come in.”
Daea frowned. “Are we being split up? I don’t want to. I want to stay here with all of you.”
Riley looked at Daea and said, “I understand. We all get attached to the friends we make, but our resources are finite and we have to do what’s for the best.” He tousled her hair and said, “You understand, right?”
Daea hesitated, and her eyes welled with tears. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
“Mason, you are going to Miami, where you will join a well-established team.”
“I’ve heard crazy things about Florida,” the Quick replied.
Riley then looked at the rookies. “I’m sure you will be happy to know that you two are staying together.”
“Yes!” both kids exclaimed as they high-fived.
“You are being sent to Ottawa, Canada, to join a newly formed B-team.”
Mason’s eyes widened. “Wow, a capital city. Have fun with that.”
Daea held Eli’s hand and said, “I’m not worried.”