Chapter 4
-Choices-
Dathen felt relieved to be home. The smell was welcoming and the breeze uplifted his spirit. The cool night air felt good against his skin. He immediately began to seek out his fledgling apprentice. Along the way Dathen paused, almost sniffing the air as he scanned his surroundings. He sent his mind out into the night. As he searched, his senses told him to withdraw. He felt a presence and backed away, in close with the shadows. Dathen listened with all his preternatural hearing. There were footsteps on the pavement and they were coming closer. He could sense two beings. He focus his gifts and began to read there minds. One was male the other female. He could see the evil and viciousness in the mind of the male. He saw those red glowing eyes he knew only too well. In the woman he saw only terror and panic. Nothing else floated in her mind's eye. Merely death.
As the two rushed toward him, Dathen sank back as close to the buildings as possible. When they had come out into the open street Dathen could see that the woman was battered and torn. She was clutched at the base of her skull by one of the massive paws this guy had for hands. Her lower half dragged lifelessly behind them as he pulled her along. Dathen watched until their bodies had disappeared into the alleyway across from him. Suddenly there came a sound, so horrific it could make the skin crawl, from the darkness. Like skin peeling from bone. A shiver ran through him and the disgust Dathen felt rooted deep in his soul. He moved toward the sound cautiously and stealthily, wary of what he might find. He slowed his pace when, in the light of a neon sign reading "bar", he saw the man. He had his back to Dathen. As he drew closer, Dathen couldn't believe his eyes. Where the man's head should have been he saw merely air and a couple of bloody vertebra. The corpse fell limply to the ground and a mysterious stranger offered his hand to the distraught and crying woman who cowered in the corner at the fate that may have befallen her. She accepted his offer and as he helped her to her feet. Dathen looked hard at the man, recognizing his face but not the emotions he emanated. He thought and it came to him. It was Mercutio. He waved as he approached but Mercutio had not noticed him. Dathen heard Mercutio's soothing words to the woman as he pulled her up. "It's alright. Everything is going to be okay. You're safe." They turned and Mercutio let go of the girl's arm to let her be on her way. Dathen drew in a breath to call out to his friend but before any sound had passed his lips Mercutio's arm had gone up around the woman's chest and he'd buried his face in her neck. He dropped the poor woman in a heap. Blood still flowing from her wound.
"Mercutio...?!" Dathen said almost in whisper.
Mercutio looked up, fangs bared. He didn’t look like Dathen's friend at all. He looked like a monster. The creature who once was Mercutio let out a roar and threw himself at the other vampire. Dathen braced for impact and they both tumbled to the ground, each rolling back to their feet as quickly as the other. They flew at each other catching in a grapple. Mercutio went down, trying to sweep Dathen's legs but the older vampire jumped and landed a hard kick right into the face of his opponent. As Mercutio recovered, Dathen walked toward him with his hand out, trying to calm the fledgling. When he neared Mercutio leaped forward and smashed Dathen's throat with both open hands. Dathen recoiled from pain. He knew that until he healed he wouldn’t be breathing, which luckily for him was necessary for a vampire. Still he tried to coax Mercutio to stop fighting. To tell him what was going on. For his efforts Mercutio sprinted toward him and leapt. Dathen brought his arms up to block the kick he foresaw but Mercutio instead sprung off of his arms and disappeared to the roof of the building behind him.
Dathen dropped his arms and dusted himself off. He peered at the ground, shook his head and sighed, "Mercutio..."
The aged vampire sniffed the air and caught the still fresh scent of the young one; he raced up the building and followed after his fledgling apprentice. Dathen placed a hand on the edge of the roof and swung his legs over. They immediately began to propel him toward the other side. He peered into the darkness, seeming almost unnatural up here. He saw Mercutio looking back at him as he ran almost three buildings ahead of him. For all his experience Dathen had never been very intuitive about structural surroundings but he had locked on to Mercutio's emotional output, he could still track him even if he lost him over the rooftops. He saw Mercutio drop from view and almost instantly pop back up across the large emptiness separating two apartment buildings. It appeared that the young vampire had gained control over his new found power and speed. As he neared Dathen felt Mercutio hiding his fear and letting out all his evil thoughts. The older vampire wondered why he would be doing this. He reached for his friend and at that moment Mercutio Turned and looked him in the eyes. Dathen stopped for a second. "Mercutio." He said taking a step. The fledgling then leapt backward, flipping once and landed on a lawn. There were men all around, clad in black, beer in hand. Loud music and chatter came from the party inside the house past the grass. As Dathen looked down he sensed in these men, the same evil that he had in Mercutio. He wouldn't. The words ran through his head as he realized these weren't men at all, they were vampires. To his dismay, the vampires ran from Mercutio. He crashed through the front door of the house and vampires scattered from the place in all directions. Dathen lost him in the chaos. All the villains gave off the same feelings. He went after Mercutio, barreling through the house. He heard his friend laugh and plow through the back door. By the time Dathen arrived at the threshold Mercutio had left the property and was out in the open. A grassy field that bordered the newer development. The aged vampire gathered up all his will and propelled himself through the air like a bullet after the fleeing fledgling. In an instant Dathen was close enough to smell the death on him. He braced himself for the impact. Less than an inch separated teacher from student when the young one shot straight up, as if from a cannon. Mercutio chuckled as he disappeared into the night sky. Fed up, Dathen needed information. He headed back to the now empty house where the music still blared. Plastic cup and mugs leaking alcohol were strewn about. The entire place was in disarray. He was surprised at the way some of his kind chose to live. Dathen cleared his mind and tried to imagine what happened. He could see a dozen vampires, perhaps more. They were scattered around drinking and talking amongst themselves. He strolled into the living room where one particularly popular vampire sat telling tales of long ago when he ruled the streets of Chicago and took from and tormented whomever he pleased. He stood just under six feet tall. He was pale skinned and bald. His flesh seemed to gleam in the iridescent lighting. He wore his sunglasses indoors. Of course. He was sturdily built with wide shoulders and Dathen could see his muscles around the tattered tank-top he wore. A small chain hung from his hip and disappeared into his back pocket. Above it was a larger chain holding up dirty jeans which were black as was all else this being possessed save for the steel toe on his huge leather boots and of course the sinister radiance of his red eyes behind the glasses.
Suddenly the door crashed open and panic ensued. A female somewhere in the vicinity screamed. Bodies charged through the unobscured portal and the menace was known. Mercutio in the center of the chaos, pushing past the frightened party guests. He tackled one at the front of the fray and the two slid along the hall in a tangled heap. The party crasher freed himself and leapt off the other vampire and threw himself feet first toward the wall. He pushed off, spinning himself in mid-air and passed through an open ____ targeting baldy who ducked under the assault just in time. Mercutio plowed into the couch bouncing and then smashing a table in the corner. The punky blood-sucker reached around toward the small of his back and the hand came back with a gun. Dathen didn't know what type it was having never used one and not believing in the necessity of such knowledge. The gun fired four maybe five times into the mass of wood and flesh. Dathen didn't count. He knew as well as any vampire that guns were not fatal to their kind but still, they stung like hell. Maybe a shotgun firing a wooden slug could kill a vampire but the scenario had never presented itself. Vampire hunters tended to be cautious and sneak in while a vampire was sleeping and trap it somehow. Either dragging it into the sun or staking it with a long pole. The gun then disappeared back from whence it came as the vampire dashed out of the domicile. Mercutio now rose and grabbed for a female vampire still cowering amongst the debris. He grasped her by the ears and bashed her head against the wall. The bone shattered like porcelain. A large gap appeared on the skull from which blood and brain matter spattered everywhere. A male then came at Mercutio and with one quick movement the attack was thwarted. A boot came up caught the vampire by the throat and pinned him standing upright. Dathen was amazed. He watched the poor creature's life fade as the careful pressure slowly tore the nerves away from the brain. Mercutio let the body fall to the floor, the head attached merely by strands of skin. He tore out of the room and out the back door. Dathen looked toward the smashed in entrance in the front of the house and saw himself enter and begin his aerial pursuit. He turned back to where the gun-toting vampire had fled caught his emotional scent and gave chase.
Dathen drew near. The emotional signal becoming stronger. Among the trees. This was a small wooded area he was unfamiliar with. All the better to catch the other vampire by surprise. He peered through the jungle as it were but saw nothing. Then he heard something. "Thump." Dathen moved toward the sound searching with his eyes and with his mind. He caught nothing. "Thump, thump." It was louder now. He was almost on it. He saw something.
Something small and red. "Thump-thump." He stepped into a small clearing. There was a tiny fire faintly smoldering. Near it was a make-shift tent. Nothing but a tarp draped over a branch and held up by some rope. In it lay a homeless man sleeping soundly, empty liquor bottle in hand. Helps to keep the body warm. Dathen thought and was glad he need not fear the cold. Something moved. Sounds seemed to echo in this little alcove. He looked down at the sleeping man. "Thump." Nothing had changed. Then he sensed something. He looked up and caught a nervous fear in his mind. He took a step toward the sensation. With a rustle of dry leaves a body moved within Dathen's sight. It was who he'd been searching for. With a powerful thrust from his legs Dathen was on him. He reached forward and grabbed the chain hanging down. He pulled and flung the creature against the tree he had just passed. The gun was drawn and Dathen grabbed the arm and folded it back. He snatched the gun away. His opponent reached for him with his free hand and Dathen fired. The middle finger of the approaching hand went flying off into the nether. He tossed the gun away and grabbed both his enemy's arms and pushed back, holding him in place. The fight was won. The vampire stopped fighting him. "I need information."
"I ain't got nothin to tell." The nine fingered fiend responded.
"You're gonna tell me what you know of that creature." Dathen assured.
"Who? That bastard who destroyed my place? He showed up a while back. Not long. Nobody knows where he come from. He 'n his woman ya, first dey started in on our territory. Feedin' on our streets. So we gave 'em a little grief. We told dem to get goin' before sometin' bad happen ya know. So we didn't see 'em for a while. All was good. Then the food started mysteriously dyin' off. We knew why, that's our business. So we went lookin' for 'em. We found 'em out in nowheresville just gorgin' 'emselves. Davey, he walk up to the guy. You know, that piece of shit. He tell 'em "Hey, we told'n you ta leave ya? This is our town 'n you're tresspassin'." He pulled out a knife. "Maybe we'll hafta gi you a reason 'uh? Maybe we'll stick you and sen you on your way and keep your little woman here as a souvenir. I've been wantin' a new pet." Then that guy grab up Davey's hand and the sick bastard stuck 'imself. He reach up and there was a crack 'n Davey was lookin' at us, but his body was still facing the guy. There we eight of us and he just take out any that come at 'im. Only me 'n one other guy got away." He paused. "We went to get more help."
"That’s it? How did he know where you all were? Why was there such a commotion down there tonight?" Dathen inquired not nearly satisfied.
"Nah man, after that they started stalkin us. They would watch our food and wait to ambush us. 'N da girl got in on it too. She was even worseden him. I mean dey would torture who ever dey caught. 'N we know torture. But dey were awful man. Dis one guy dey cage 'im and tied his arms 'n legs to da curtains so when he try'n escape each time he pull on a cord part the curtain pull back and da sun would burn a different part." He took a breath. "You'd think 'kay why don't he just wait till da next night and do it den. Well behind 'im is an open window, he gotta get out before da sun come in dare. Those are sick ones dey are."
"So that's why you were all afraid when he came through." Dathen said in thought.
"I wa'nt afraid." He defended. "I was just gettin out in the open where there was more room to kick 'im 'round."
"I see." Dathen said sarcastically.
"So why you wanna know all dis? You plannin' on goin' afta him? What'd he do ta you?"
"He's my friend. I've been away for a while."
"You're friend?! That son of a bitch is you're friend?! Didn't look too friendly the way you guys were actin'."
"He's my friend and I'm going to find him."
"Well ya know dey hang out at dat ol' busted up church down dat way." He pointed off toward the southeast. Dathen thought hard trying to remember any church out that way. He was sure he'd remember it if even vaguely. "But you better hurry 'cause me 'n my boys'll be afta 'em soon enough."
"You will leave him to me." Dathen stated confidently.
"Hey man, why all the hostility? I been good ta ya. I told you what you wanted 'n we gotta avenge our brothers too right. So you can go settle up with 'im and then leave 'im to us right?"
"I can't actually." Dathen said threateningly as he stepped back.
"Alright man, that cool. Just mean we gonna have ta mess you up too." He turned around and started to walk away. Suddenly he flung back with a knife in hand aimed at Dathen's neck. Dathen swiftly spun, blocking the blow with his wrist, and lopped off the other vampire's head. The head went soaring through the air and landed near the homeless man's fire. Dathen knew that after the sun came up the head would dissolve. He'd had enough of violence and he was tired. Dathen went home.
Dathen’s eyes opened He could see the daylight creeping past the curtains edges. He knew the sun was already high. It was time to set things straight. The door slammed behind him as he rushed into the day, one sentenced framed his thoughts. The hunt begins. And he knew where to begin. He hoofed it in the direction of old church the vampire had referenced the night before. It was definitely out of the way. Dathen wasn't even positive it was still within city limits. The road curved around the hill on which it sat. He saw the dilapidated gravel drive cutting up the ascent. To his right was the remnants of the church and to his left a small cemetery. It seemed to still be used, he could see shiny newer gravestones. This confused him. The church was run down and left to rot whilst the sepulcher was kept and in running order. Dathen approached slowly. Walking on the grass to hush his advance. He reached a stained glass window which was still intact. Covertly he peered inside. The place was in shambles but nothing stirred within. He noticed a perch above and launched himself up to it, landing as quietly as he could. A good section of the roof was missing here. He slunk up to what appeared to be a support column inside the walls of the compound. Keeping behind it most he could he placed a hand on the railing that entrapped the broken walkway on this upper floor. He peeked an eye out and glanced down. Dathen saw rubble on the floor below. He guessed it was the remains of the missing roof section. Pieces of shattered pews lay strewn about the rubble as well. He searched about the room. He saw an upraised area along the south wall that was conceivably where the preacher would give his performance. There were fragments of a candle stand in the corner next to it. Toward the north of that a few paces was a pile of glass. Dathen saw no place it could have originated. He looked up and across the church and did spot where a window may have been. Sure enough when he looked back down he saw small stones he imagined had been thrown at the window by the town youngsters when the church had fallen into disrepair. He continued his exploration and moved his eyes back along the first floor. He scanned and saw a basin in the north corner which must have held the blessed water of its time. Now if any liquid took refuge there it had surely fallen from the sky as rain. Something seemed out of place. He noticed then the two humanoid figures laying near the basin side by side in a “spooning” position. They were facing away from Dathen but he saw nearest him was a man, tall with dark hair. The other was a female of average height and black hair. These must be Mercutio and Fiona. He silently climbed over the banister. His feet dangled as he lowered himself with his hands. At full extent his body reached nearly halfway to the floor. He let himself drop the rest of the way landing almost without a sound on his toes, bending his knees to absorb the shock. The pair didn’t stir. The vampire tiptoed over to the couple holding his breath, he took great care in the element of surprise. Leaning down he took Mercutio’s shoulder and pulled, placing his forearm down on his victim’s neck with force. Open eyes looked up into his. Cold, dead eyes. Dathen was in shock. He inhaled in a deep gasp. The scent of rotting flesh and flooded bowels enveloped his nose. The smell of death. This was not Mercutio. Nor was the other Fiona, he wagered. These poor creatures placed here to decompose in this explicit fashion. Their heads lay limp as he inspected them, receiving no support from their necks. Broken bones pierced the skin below knee and elbow. Blood had pooled and dried under the bodies, supposedly flowing from these wounds inflicted before the meal was begun. Dathen spun his head around in both directions hoping his presence had not been given away by his display. He noticed a doorway, near the stage, under the walkway he had entered from. Most of the door was missing, what was left was rotted. He looked inside and was surprised by what he saw. Directly in front of the doorway there was a wrought iron bed. Above the bed hung a fancy veil. The rest of the room was similarly decorated, complete with a television and the film-disk playing device that Dathen had not cared to remember the name of. It was by no means lavish but it seemed to suffice. He crept past the doorway, careful to avoid anywhere that might creek the floorboards. He kept himself in the shadows, which was not hard to do for the single window in the room was covered with a large black comforter. Slowly Dathen reached the bed. He leered through the veil at the bodies within and this time he could see their faces. It was Fiona and Mercutio. The male had his hair buried in her hair and one arm draped over her. Dathen stood facing the couple contemplating his next move. Fiona was closest. He decided on his action and grasped for the part in the curtain. As it parted the vampire reached in to restrain his target and suddenly Mercutio leapt up and over his confidante at the imposer. Startled Dathen paused then recovered only a fraction too late. He caught Mercutio’s leg as hands were cast about his throat. Although he knew he could never suffocate Dathen remembered from the vampire party the previous night just how vulnerable a neck could be, even if that neck were undead, in immortal hands. He quickly whipped his arm back with Mercutio still in his clutches. Fingers tore loose from him and Mercutio went sailing across the room. Fiona sat looking onward in shock. Mercutio scrambled to his feet and swung at the older vampire who swatted the punch away. Using the momentum the fledgling dropped and, supporting himself with one hand, brought his feet up at Dathen’s head. He connected and Dathen reeled. He arose and found Mercutio with his eyes. The young arrogant vampire stood in a loose martial arts stance. Dathen was tired of this pointless battle. Furious, he caught Mercutio’s gaze. He focused his will at his opponent and demanded “Yield!” At that Mercutio faltered. Dathen wasted no time and took the advantage. He crossed the gap between them and drew back one of the ham hocks he called a hand. Punching downward he hit Mercutio in the cheek, knocking him to the ground. Fiona flew at him screaming in fury, her fingers cured into talons. He let his offhand loose and backhanded the oncoming aggressor. She tumbled into a pile and lay still. Dathen turned his attention back to Mercutio, already beginning to rise. Again Dathen punched him, harder this time. And again and again. Until his will seemed broken. Dathen went to check of Fiona. She slumbered but appeared otherwise unharmed. He turned to see Mercutio standing, broken and battered, bruises covered the vampires exposed flesh but already they were fading. Mercutio gathered his remaining strength and leapt at his enemy. Dathen grabbed him up by the throat. Mercutio heaved for air forgetting in the rage that he had no need for it. "Look at yourself!" Commanded Dathen. "What have you become?" Mercutio broke the hold and caught his breath. He dropped to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes.
"I don't know." He sobbed. “I don't know."
"How did this happen?" Mercutio could still hear the anger in the voice of the other vampire.
"It’s all my fault. How could I have done this to us?" Mercutio whispered to himself. Dathen sighed, the anger beginning to sound more like distain. "I never meant for this to happen."
"No one ever does." Dathen replied. He let out a breath and began to calm down. "Start at the beginning."
"You left. And we hungered. We started with cattle. We felt that was the best way. But after awhile the owners started getting suspicious. We did like in the books and took only the evil doer. But they became harder and harder to find. Slowly we began accepting lesser crimes and by this time it had stopped being a necessity and had become a game. We took those we chose. The beautiful or pig hearted. Those who proved a challenge to seduce. We left the shadows and stalked the streets in the open. People ran though I doubt they knew the truth. We lost our heads and the evil enveloped us. I guess I am evil. I'm a monster."
"No! You lost control. You're young. I should have stayed and taught you. I thought you could handle it." He took a breath. "That’s over. Now you are going to change and I'm going to teach you how to fight the evil inside and then that around you." Dathen paused then continued. "Be prepared for the worse. It sometimes hurts to do what’s right and the hunger won’t be forgiving." He thought for a second and then said, "Bring Fiona. Tell her everything you just said to me and bring her back. Its time to repay your debt." Dathen turned his back to Mercutio and began to walk away.
Behind him he could hear Mercutio's whisper. "I'm sorry. God I'm so sorry."
Coming Soon: Chapter Five
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