Normal User
Posts: 18
|
DEATH’S KISS - Under Construction
By Zoie (Me)
Prologue
Life is like light. In the end, a light cannot shine forever. Light may try so hard to outshine the evil darkness that threatens us, but it is no match for the dark that tints our life so much. The light begins to falter. To flicker and wither away, until the darkness consumes the light…until the light becomes darkness itself.
Chapter one
“…so far there have been 23 deaths in just one month. The detectives are frantic as they search for clues; anything to help them find the serial killer responsible for so many deaths. California Detectives quote that the causes of the deaths are ‘unique’ and those they have never had anything like this. Professionals advise citizens to stay indoors after midnight, as all the deaths which have occurred so far happened late at night. The only clues the detectives have on this case are the odd slash marks on all the victims’ necks. Some people are starting to claim that the deaths are the work of a vampire. View this photo of the latest victim’s, Hannah Forger’s, neck. Would you look at those marks? Vampires… Who knows? Well, Phil, let’s hope the detectives can pull through and find this serial killer!”
I watched the big, bold, letters: “Vampire Serial Killer?” flash upon the screen once more before I pressed the off button on the remote. I continued to stare at the screen as dull thoughts raced through my mind. Outside, it was warm, but not hot and there was a slight breeze. I’d sat at home all day watching T.V. This is what I’d been doing every weekend since school started again. I didn’t even have a boyfriend currently, not that I could even get one if I tried. As I stretched, I stole a glance of myself in the mirror hanging on the wall on the other side of the room. I wasn’t satisfied with what I saw. A rather short, thin girl with olive colored skin and long, fine, blonde hair stared back at me. Her hazel colored eyes were blank and her petite, little, lips were pulled back in a small frown. I huffed a sigh. I should do something with myself, I thought glumly.
A bead of sweat trickled down the back of my neck. I was rather hot even with the air conditioning was on full blast in the tiny house. I lugged myself into the kitchen, where my mom was cooking dinner. The smell of roast chicken was in the air. She didn’t glance up from her intense cooking as I seated myself at the table. I had just about gotten so bored I’d rather be up in my room, when something caught my eye. On the round table was a pile of mail, and on top, was a letter for “Rachel Vice”. Curiously, I reached for the letter. The envelope was a hot pink, and the addresses on the back were written in elegant handwriting. I opened the envelope, and began to read:
Dear Rachel,
What’s up? Scratch that, I don’t really care, lol! Anyways, you’ve been invited to my amazing birthday party! Everybody will be there, even that guy I know you have a crush on! (I rolled my eyes) The awesome party will take place at my place; you should know where it is. It’s that HUUUUGE mansion down your road. Everybody is coming! I even invited you, lol! (I rolled my eyes again) Anyways, bring me a nice gift and the party starts at like 10pm! You should so come!
Lots of love,
P.S. Rebecca Star
Don’t let me know if you
can’t come.
Great, I’d been invited to that great snob Rebecca Star’s party. Rebecca was probably the most popular girl in my whole school, not that I couldn’t admit I was slightly jealous of her. She was beautiful and rich. Rebecca had always bragged that her last name was “Star” because she would to grow up to be a “star”, a famous actress. I’d always thought that was really cheesy. I rolled my eyes at the thought of her ranting me when I had told her that. Rebecca and I had never been “best of friends”. In her mind, we were probably two different species: The popular girl, aaaaand… the geek. I sighed. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel flattered that I had been invited. That was a first. Maybe she was starting to like me… I reread the letter. Never mind.
My parents had said I could go. Well, actually, I hadn’t wanted to go, but they pleaded and insisted I get out of the house for once. It was fall, and my skin was actually more of a pale olive, since I’d remained in the house mostly even during the summer. I wasn’t a very active person.
The days dragged by slowly. As time flew, I found myself beginning to actually look forward to Rebecca’s party. I began fretting over what I was going to wear, and I begged my mom to let me buy myself something to wear, but I didn’t have to beg long; she’d smiled hopefully and said I could. I’d gone and bought a frilly, blue, shirt. I was reluctant to buy it, but I didn’t have anything “worthy” to wear at Rebecca’s party. I usually didn’t dress up. Maybe I really did need to work on my fashion (Rebecca was constantly “commenting” on my clothes”).
I was fully prepared as the clock read 9:45pm on Rebecca’s birthday. I’d worn a pair of fancy sandals with heels that I had once worn to a wedding, and I’d curled my hair. I’d spent an hour in the bathroom, struggling with the tubes of mascara and the trays of blush. Finally, I shouted, “I’ll be back later!”
Since Rebecca only lived down my road, I decided to walk. I struggled uncomfortably in the sandals I’d worn as I walked; regretting wearing them. It was surprisingly warm, though it was late. I was glad I didn’t bring a jacket. The smooth road twisted and turned, a car passing occasionally. Soon, her mansion was in sight, though I was still a distance away. I began to feel nervous. I arrived at her mansion in ten minutes. A stab of regret hit me in the chest as I saw all the people at her party. The house seemed to quiver as the loud music boomed from inside. There were people strewn across her huge front lawn, and some people were in her swimming pool, laughing. I gulped, and I felt extremely self-conscious as I headed for the mansion’s front door. The double doors were wide open, and I cautiously walked into the room.
My ears were greeted with uncomfortably loud music. Nobody paid attention to me as I made my way across the huge living room. The room shook as people danced and mingled. The laughing and joyful shrieks were almost as loud as the booming music itself. The room was dimmed, but it had an odd pink glow. The room itself was… what I expected. There was a huge music system with a DJ rapping like a pro, there were at least three huge televisions, and large, fancy tables set in the center of the room were topped with trays of expensive looking food. On the other side of the room, Rebecca was hanging out with several other popular kids. They were all laughing hysterically and loudly, and their cheeks were bright red. They’d been drinking.
“…And so, I was like ‘hiya!!’” Rebecca shrieked, bursting into a mad laughter, her minions laughing along. “My dress is like kung fu!”
I didn’t know anybody else, so I slowly made my way over there. I stood there awkwardly, blushing and casting glances at them every once in a while. I didn’t have the nerve to speak. Suddenly, Rebecca’s loopy eyes fell upon my face. She stumbled towards me, laughing and pointing at me. “Heeeeeeeeeey… Mr. Rachel came after all!” She laughed, hiccupping and laughing louder; her minions cracking up as she referred to me as a male.
My face felt like it was burning, and I knew that if I looked in a mirror, my face would probably be a deep scarlet color. I whirled around and turned to run. As I ran, I could still hear their mad laughter behind me. I knew that they were drunk, but I still felt so embarrassed. My eyes were getting teary as I shot out the open double doors and onto the lawn. People making out stopped to glance at me as I raced by. People laughing in the swimming pool paused to stare. I don’t think I’d ever been more embarrassed in my life. My vision was terribly blurred as I shot across the mansion’s lawn. My makeup was probably horribly smeared all over my face by now. I forced back a sob, and kept my eyes away from the cold faces eying me as I ran. I had to get home, I had to get— My head suddenly hurt, and everything began to spin. I uttered a pained gasp, and I crumpled to the ground. Then everything went black.
Chapter 2
“Hey, I think she’s coming through…” Slowly, I opened my eyes. I uttered a small gasp as I realized several people were leaning over me, staring at me with wide eyes. Once that shock went away, my head began to throb. I let out a groan and closed my eyes tightly. I opened them again, and I suddenly realized I was flat on my back. I suddenly sat up… to quickly. I moaned as it felt as if an intense pressure was shoving me back down. I lay back down but kept my eyes open.
Somebody spoke. “Uh, you ran into a tree.” As the group above me began to chuckle, I felt myself begin to blush. I ran into a tree? A tan guy, the one that had spoken, was hovering over me, a comforting grin on his face. He looked about sixteen; my age. He was tall and muscular; it was still easy to tell through his loose, football jersey. He had cropped brown hair and perfect, sparking teeth which he showed as he smiled. Our eyes met, and I couldn’t help but stare at his vivid green eyes; they were practically sparkling emeralds. He looked strangely familiar… I continued to stare as he asked sympathetically, “Uh, do you want to get up now? We could get you a pack of ice to put on that nasty bump…”
I groaned. But not in pain this time. I had a big bump on my face? Great. “Thanks,” I mumbled hesitantly. “I could use some ice.”
The boy grinned and kneeled down beside me. And then he did it. I uttered a surprised cry as he lifted me up in his big arms and started to walk towards the mansion. “Hey, what are you doing?!” I shrieked, wriggling in his arms, though it was no use. By now, the group of watching people who were watching before began to lose interest, and now they were heading back to their earlier activities.
He looked down at me with genuine surprise, his dark green eyes wide. “What do you mean? I’m carrying you because you might have a concussion!” He exclaimed innocently. “You look pretty dizzy right now, missy.”
I stopped wriggling. I had to admit, I was feeling pretty whoozy right now… I sighed and waited as he carried me back to the mansion. Impatiently, I closed my eyes. “What’s your name?” He said suddenly, smiling sweetly down at me. “My name is David. David Renton. I’m a quarterback at Carven High School.”
I stared up at David in surprise. He went to my school. I looked up at him, and I began to wish I hadn’t worn so much makeup. I was positive I had black streams of eyeliner rolling down my face right now. Embarrassed, I quickly mumbled, “Um, my name is Rachel Vice…” I forced a half-hearted smile. “And I’m a geek at Carven High School.” He laughed at my joke, though I didn’t find it quite as amusing. His strong arms held me secure, but my stomach flipped as he hopped up the mansion’s front steps. I gulped, so I tried to focus on his cheerful face instead. It helped.
“Really, you go to Carven High School? I’ve never seen you around!” David said, in a genuinely puzzled voice.
I stared at him blankly as he called out greetings to the people he walked past. He’d never seen me around, and I’d never seen him; figures. I sighed.
We reached the front steps of the mansion and he carried me through the double doors. The living room hadn’t changed… much. The music was louder than ever, and people were still dancing and mingling, but the living room was much messier. But this time as we entered the loud room, people paid attention to me… or David. “Hey, David, man! What’s up? Who’s the girl?” A guy said as he winked at David and me. I uttered a small cry and began to blush.
I glanced up gratefully at David as he spoke. “Hey, not now; she might have a concussion and I’m gonna go get some ice for her. Nothing more, Randy.” He explained in a disapproving voice, narrowing his eyes at the lanky, freckled-face, Randy.
“Hey, man, no way, I was just sitting, I mean kidding around.” Randy said in a slurred voice, a crooked smile on his face while backing away to let us pass.
I stared up at David thankfully. I mumbled thanks, but I’m sure he didn’t hear it over the booming music. David attempted not to move me as he made his way swiftly through the room. He trotted down the hallway on the other side of the room and took a left, then a right, then another right, and a bright light hit me in the face. I squinted my blurry eyes shut; my eyes taking a moment to adjust to the brightness. David suddenly glanced down at me with a worried look in his face. “Do you think you can stand for a second while I grab the ice?” David asked me, starting to lower his big arms slightly.
I nodded as he sat me down on my feet, feeling slightly dizzy at the motion. My eyes wide as I stared in astonishment at the amazing room surrounding me. Fancy lights hung from the ceiling and a beautiful, diamond, chandelier hung from the center of the room. The counters filling the center of the gigantic room were polished, white, granite and the smooth, tiled, floor gleamed. Several refrigerators were lined up on the side of the room, and on the other side of the room was a large pantry. Several famous portraits hung on the wall and I continued to gap in amazement as David shuffled around in one of the refrigerators for ice. Suddenly, a question popped into my head that made me feel uncomfortable.
“Um, David? How do you know your way around Rebecca’s house so well?” I forced myself to say, trying to sound as casual as possible.
David didn’t reply at first, but let out a small sigh of triumph as he pulled out of the huge fridge a small, aqua-colored packet of ice. I wondered if he had heard me as he rushed back to me and gently placed the ice against my head. Slowly, I moved my hand up to hold it in place as he removed his own. I sighed as my head began to feel numb, and the dizziness began to fade. “Thanks, David. That—“
Suddenly, David interrupted me and said so quickly I could barely make it out, “Well, Rebecca and I used to go out a while back.”
“Oh.” I managed to say as I continued to press the pack of ice against my throbbing head. I stole a glance at David. He didn’t look bothered or upset. I sighed in relief.
David watched me as I awkwardly stood there pressing the ice against my temple. He sucked in a deep breath before he spoke. “We-eeeeeeeell… I guess I’ll be going now.” He glanced at the clock. “It’s almost one in the morning. The party should be ending soon, especially with the host unconscious.” He snickered at the last part, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
Chapter 3
David and I shared one last smile before he patted my shoulder and returned to the party. The pain had subsided from my bruised forehead and my parents were probably wondering if I would be home soon. I removed the pack of ice from my forehead and placed it in the kitchen’s silver sink. Might as well go home, I thought as I started to move out of the kitchen. It took me a couple tries to get back to the party, but it was better than a hundred. I noticed several people had left the party and the music had been turned down to a lower volume. Rebecca and her minions were still unconscious, and several empty beer bottles were scattered around their snoring bodies. I looked around for David one more time, but didn’t spot him. A cold breeze blew my blonde hair back, and I inhaled deeply. I shuddered as I made my way down the mansion’s concrete steps. There were only a few couples in the pool, and the lawn was deserted. I shuddered and wrapped my frail arms around me. I should have brought a jacket anyways… it had been warm earlier, but now frost covered the lawn grass. The sky was starry and I gazed at it as I quickly strode.
I didn’t glance back at the enormous mansion as I started down the road back to my house. It was late. Too late. I had an abrupt flashback of the news reporter saying that detectives “advised citizens to stay indoors after midnight”. My eyes flicked around me uneasily, searching for any movements. I began to speed up, wanting to be home in my room, in the warm safety of my own house. I glanced behind me, the mansion now the size of my fist in the distance. I whirled back around. My house was still a while away. I gulped. I should have gotten a ride home. Riding home with a popular snob would be better than this. And then it struck me.
I screamed as it slammed me to the ground. I was on my stomach, writhing and screaming for help, but a cold hand clamped around my open mouth. I gasped, my eyes rolling back into my head as I gave up and went limp. I heard a hissing sound. I closed my eyes shut tightly and prayed. HIIIIIIIISSSSSSS… So close now. I slowly opened my eyes and uttered a soundless scream; the cold hand stifling my scream. Two wide, silver eyes were an inch away from mine. Was he blind? No, his eyes weren’t a milky white like blind people’s eyes should be. They were an icy, dead-looking, silver color. My attacker was a male; the man’s bony face was a sickly white color, and his mouth hung open, and oh… oh, his teeth were unnaturally and viciously sharp. Ragged breaths escaped his mouth and saliva dripped down the side of his jaw. Messy, light ashy-blonde, almost silver, hair fell across his sweaty forehead as another intimidating hiss escaped from his open mouth. I closed my eyes, praying that death or whatever was about to happened next would be quick. Please, please, please… I begged, not knowing who I was begging to or what I was begging for. Suddenly, I heard a loud shrieking noise, and a loud growl of an engine.
My eyes snapped open. The weight on top of me was gone. I scrambled to my feet to find my attacker standing in front of a dark blue, rusty, Ford. The car lights were shining upon my attacker, giving me a good view of his strange form. He was dressed in a grey sweatshirt which appeared to large, the sleeves rolled up. His dirty, black jeans were the same way. His hands were curled into rigid claws and he was hunched over like an animal. It was impossible to tell how old he was. The pale man was shrieking and hissing, his bony hands clutching his head. His eyes were on the Ford’s headlights, which seemed unnaturally bright to me. And then the man was gone.
I stood motionless, my wary eyes searching for the man. But he had fled into the forest on the side of the road. I squeaked a small whimper as I crumpled to the ground, just barely conscious. It seemed like there was an unseen force crushing me. There was the noise of a car door slamming shut. The last thing I felt were two strong arms carrying me before I slipped away into a deep sleep…
Chapter 4
It was so dark. Or maybe my eyes were closed. I couldn’t tell. I couldn’t feel my body. What was going on? Was I dead? Maybe I dreamed everything… maybe… No, that can’t be… Somebody saved me. Saved me from that man… no, that thing. And then I heard it. The voice; the sweet, familiar voice: “Rachel…? Are you awake?” And I knew I wasn’t dead.
I opened my eyes very slowly. My vision was blurred, but I could tell that I was staring up at a blue ceiling. Not my bedroom ceiling; my bedroom ceiling was white. Then where was I? I sat up, and let out a small cry of surprise to find David standing awkwardly at the edge of the bed I was laying in. I felt dismayed, but relieved, at the same time to see him. “David?” I asked in a puzzled voice, my voice sounding unusually high-pitched.
David was wearing a baggy, blue sweater over black jeans and boots. His dark brown hair was sort of messy and it was spilled across his tan forehead. David stared down nervously at his feet while mumbling, “Uh, hi, Rachel. I… I don’t know where you live, or your number, so I just took you to my place. You should probably call your parents… and the police.”
I stared at him blankly for a moment. Suddenly, surprising David, I tore off the bed covers to stare at myself. I was still in my clothes from last night. I let out a sigh of relief. I quickly glanced up at David again. His eyes seemed distant, and the skins under his eyes were purple. He coughed and didn’t say a word.
My head was starting to work, and my vision was gradually beginning to sharpen. I took in a deep breath before saying, “David… thanks for saving me last night. I… I was so scared!”
David looked up at me. A crooked, but tiny, smile formed on his face. He looked tired. “No problem. I… I’ll show you where the phone is.” David said in a quiet voice.
I nodded and crawled carefully off the queen sized bed. My sandals were on the floor beside the bed. I slid my feet into them and stood up, stumbling and blushing. I glanced up, but David already out of the room. His house smelled strongly of lemon, probably scented spray, but it only smothered the smell of cigarettes. I asked David if he smoked. He said no quickly, and then said nothing more. I felt awkward and a stab of disappointment. I’d hoped to start a conversation. He seemed so much different from last night; last night he’d been talkative, outgoing… but now… I studied the house as David silently led me to the kitchen. I didn’t study much; his house was rather small, neat, and modern. David slowed to a stop, and I blinked quickly. The kitchen was bright compared to the rest of the house. It was also large. Two refrigerators sat in the corner of the brightly lit room, and on top of granite counters were cooking books and plants. I stared questionably at David. He cast me a small grin. “My mom spends most of her time in the kitchen. She’s a chef.” David answered my unspoken question, slumping into more of a waiting position. “The phone is right there.” He added, pointing to the wall where a wall phone was.
I nodded thanks and made my way across the kitchen. It suddenly dawned to me that I must look horrible. I muttered and kept my back to him as I picked up the phone and began to dial home. The phone had barely rung once before somebody answered.
“Hello?” A woman’s voice answered, her voice sounding stressed. It was my mom.
“Hi, mom.”
“RACHEL!!” I heard her shout to my dad. I think she was crying.
“Yeah, mom, it’s me. Sorry… last night—“
My mom interrupted. But this time her voice sounded a little stronger.
“Rachel!! Your father and I have been worried sick!! Where have you been?!”
I sighed. “It’s a long story…” I began.
My mom interrupted again with a growl. “No, I don’t think so. No using the ‘It’s a long story, let’s just say’ with me again. Not now anyways. You are coming straight home and you will tell us everything!!” My mom nearly shrieked. Before speaking again, she calmed herself. “Now where are you? Your father and I are going to come and—“
This time I interrupted her. “Actually… I don’t know where I am. I’m at a…” I trailed off and glanced at David, who eyed me warily. “…a friend’s house.”
David smiled wryly at me from across the room and told me the address. I told my puzzled and suspicious mom the address. She said she would be there in five minutes. I sighed and hung up.
For a while, David and I stood in silence. A wave of sleep deprivation slid over me. I glanced at the clock, and was surprised to find it was only five in the morning. I yawned and casually, well, tried casually anyways, walked across the room. David stared as I pulled out a chair from the counter, and slumped into it. I began to feel uncomfortable as David, still motionless, stared. Abruptly, he blinked a few times, and strode quickly to the counter and pulled up a chair next to me. “Soooooooo…” I tried to break the uncomfortable silence.
David, who had his head rested in his hands, turned to me and asked, “Soooooooo… what?”
For some reason, I giggled and he smiled. The smile that I’d hoped to see. “What?” He asked.
“I don’t know…” I shrugged, still stupidly smiling. “I don’t know.”
Chapter 5
We lapsed back into the awkward silence. It wasn’t long until we heard the car engine outside. Mom must have been driving; she was a crazy driver. Then there was a thud, and the sound of arguing voices. There was a loud slam as a door somewhere in the house was thrown open. The voices grew louder, and the sound of shuffling feet was heard. Then my parents were in the kitchen with me, my mom smothering me with kisses, my dad suffocating me with hugs. David stepped out of the way and watched with a blank ex
pression.
“Oh, Rachel, baby! We’ve…We thought that… and the news…” My mom trailed off, as she started to sob, squeezing me tighter in her arms. I stood there, stiff and motionless as my mom tightened her iron hug around me.
My dad cleared his throat and shifted his weight awkwardly. I knew he wasn’t pleased that I was at a guy’s house. I watched as he and David avoided eye contact. Crying wasn’t a guy thing, I knew. Finally, my mom sniffled and released me of her tight grasp, speaking as she backed away, “Sorry, dear, we’ve just been so worried! When you weren’t home by one, we called Rebecca’s house and somebody answered saying you weren’t there… by then your father and I were already worried… so we decided to wait for you to come home… and while we were waiting…” As my mom continued, I noticed the dark purple shadows under her eyes. “… We turned on the TV and there was news of another mysterious murder just around this area… and when they said it was a young woman, and they wouldn’t release the identity yet…” My mom started to sob again.
My dad started from where my mom took off. “We assumed the chances of it being you were… rather high. Your mother and I even called the police department demanding to know the identity of the latest victim… they wouldn’t tell us.” My dad said gruffly, his eyes tinted with sadness at the thought. A small smile flashed across his pale face. “But now we know that you’re okay.”
I forced a smile for my poor parents. “Don’t worry, mom, dad… it’s okay. But…” I hesitated; my parents eying me, waiting for me to continue. “Actually… I was attacked while walking home.”
That set off the panic alarm. My mom let out a gasp and lunged forward towards me, letting loose another attack of hugs. Now my dad was even frantic as he leapt towards me spitting out questions and searching my body for injuries. How nice in front of David. My parent’s faces were terribly concerned as they questioned me viciously. I sighed and patiently stood still and answered their questions as my parents panicked and hovered over me for the next five hours.
We’d gone straight from David’s house to the police department (I wasn’t pleased that I was still in the same clothes from last night). The detectives and officers had hungrily soaked in the information I’d given them… what the man looked like, what time it was, where I was, how he ran from the car lights…and so on. I’d found it irritating how they kept on making me repeat the story over and over. Is he deaf or something? I remember thinking as the officer asked me what happened for the fifth time.
“I told you, he had really pale skin, he might have been in his twenties or thirties, he had super light-blonde, almost silver hair, and he sort of looked crazy— what? No, he wasn’t dressing crazy!! He had sort of this wacked out look on his face—what? Did he smell like he was high? Well, gee, officer, how am I supposed to know what a high person smells like?! No, I wasn’t drinking that night! And yes, for the hundredth time, there was only one attacker!!”
The officer grumbled when I told him that. I guess they didn’t like the idea of one person causing so many deaths in one month.
I felt sort of guilty for being so irate with the officers, but they were really getting on my nerves. What’s to get? A pale, crazy, silver hair guy attacked me around one in the morning and the car scared him away!
I was happy and relieved when we finally left the department (leaving dissatisfied officers, who insisted I stay over the night for exams and more questions) and headed for home. As soon as I got home, though I hadn’t eaten all day, and it was only six o’ clock, I slumped down on my bed and fell asleep.
Chapter 6
The next day, I was happy to hear that I was going to skip school. The happiness faded as soon as my parents gave me the news that I was not to leave the house after six and they would be driving me to and from school each day. I groaned and began to argue, but decided against it when I saw the desperate looks on their faces.
It was Monday, and I hoped that we weren’t doing anything important in school. My grades were falling, and I couldn’t bear to miss another assignment or fail another test. I tried to keep my mind on school while I sat alone in the house on the couch, but the image of my attacker kept snapping back to my head; like a rubber band being stretched out for too long. I shuddered uncontrollably as I remembered his dead, unnaturally, silver, crazy eyes. I didn’t understand why that feature of his continued to blaze in my head. Out of boredom, I began to feel numb with tiredness. Sighing, I pulled a blanket on the side of the couch on top of me and curled into a ball on the couch.
Without realizing it, I found myself thinking about David. I suddenly remembered my confusion towards his distant, dark mood the morning following my attack. He’d been so cheerful and lively the night before. And even if he was worried about me, he just seemed too different. Did it have something to do with him saving me from that… thing? I was too frightened to call my attacker a vampire; I didn’t believe in that stuff. But my perspective of reality had wavered ever so slightly that night.
I felt so horrible when my parents forced David to come along with us to the police station. I felt even worse when they questioned him, asking him insane and embarrassing questions and making provoking remarks at his answers. He’d been so good about it too… I sighed. My mind flickered back to something else for a brief moment.
Thinking about my interesting stay at the police station made me tingle with irritation. It looked so much easier and simple in the movies, rather than the detectives in real life questioning you until you snap. But I guess I couldn’t blame them. The death number this month had skyrocketed thanks to the serial killer, or killers, out there. Though only one person had attacked me, I overheard the detectives summarizing that no matter what, there had to be more than one person responsible. The detectives didn’t know what to make of the man I described. They suggested maybe he was on drugs, but my hysterical desperation to get them to understand that there was something wrong with the distorted man, finally paid off. I know that I would never forget the distorted, figure of the man… his sick, white skin and sharp teeth… his wild, silver eyes… I inhaled deeply, trying to regain myself. The main thing was: It was over.
My mind was beginning to become fuzzy from all the thinking. I pulled the blanket over my shoulders and grabbed the television remote. The television turned on to the news. I was just about to change the channel, when a News Update popped up on screen about the Vampire Serial Killer. I quickly fumbled with the remote until I found the volume button and turned it up. The News Reporter began speaking. I froze and listened intently, leaning back into the couch, now sitting up.
“…the detectives and police were called down to a suspicious scene of the Vampire Serial Killer by a 911 call, called by a young woman walking in the park late at night, who says she missed the bus and was walking home from work. Two bodies of young teenagers, Katie Traven and Nicholas Henderson, were found at the scene when police arrived. The surprise is somebody besides the 911 caller was found at the scene, but they escaped. The police managed to locate a video camera across the street in a store across from the park, where they just managed to get an image of the suspect fleeing the scene.”
With the News Reporter finishing, a blurry and small picture of somebody popped up on the television. At first, I leaned forward and squinted my eyes, trying to see the face of the person better. He looks familiar, I thought, studying the face harder, not even bothering to listen to the News Reporter anymore. And as I stared at the face in horror, a creeping feeling slowly swept over me as I realized I recognized the face, the face of David Renton.
Chapter 7
The next day, I returned to school. And life went on as it always did. I concentrated on listening to the teachers drone on for the first three periods. It was fairly easy, considering I was usually a straight A student and a favorite among teachers. I have to admit though; I’m not the most popular girl at Carven High School. Maybe it’s because I’m so short. Maybe it’s because I was a teacher’s pet. Maybe it’s because I’m not as pretty as the other girls. I really didn’t know; not that I minded or anything. I had plenty of friends.
I kept a lookout for David, but apparently, I had no classes with him. When lunch finally came, I grabbed some food and slid into my usual seat; right between Casey Miller and Dawn Bepar, my two best friends, which were seated at a table in the far right corner of the bright cafeteria. Both of them cheerfully greeted me as I distantly began to munch on a bag of chips. I mumbled a distant hello to each of them while my eyes scanned the room.
My first guess of an area to begin to search for him was the super-duper-popular-kid-table. The crowded table was located in the center of the room, with laughing preps and jocks squished together comfortably. I closely examined each face at the table before I realized David wasn’t sitting there. And then, miraculously, I heard a booming laugh which I recognized. My eyes automatically zoomed in on him, sitting with a group of jocks at a table across from me. He wore a dark grey sweatshirt with black jeans and was casually leaning against the wall behind his table. He looked like the same David I had seen when I first met him. Laughing and tossing his head around. I abruptly stood up, my friends turning to stare at me. “Where are you going?” They all asked as I quickly strode across the cafeteria, ignoring them.
David narrowed his eyes as he spotted me approaching. I came to a stop in front of his table, his friends turning around to stare at me in shock. I could only imagine what they were thinking: Why is this loser suddenly coming over to talk to us? My confidence suddenly disappeared and I nervously began to twine my thumbs together. “Um, David? I know that you and I--” I began tentatively, lowering my eyes to the glares that were thrown at me.
The response I received back nearly made me just about fall over. David sat up stiffly, and he said in a monotone voice, “Do I know you?”
His friends had begun to chuckle as my mouth fell open. What was going on? Was this the wrong David or something? I examined him quickly again, and decided not. Then what was going on then? My mouth was now dry as I gulped and snapped it shut. Why was he suddenly acting like this? “Wha…what?” I whispered in confusion.
David’s friends were now doubling over with laughter. “You heard him, he doesn’t know you!” Some of them shouted as David and I stared at each other, our mouths both forming tight lines. “But hey, David! I bet she wants to know you!”
David looked away and didn’t say a word. I opened my mouth to speak, to insist, but no sound came out. And then I muttered a sorry and whirled around, walking in the other direction. I took long strides as I returned to my table; my friends stared at me as if I’d gone insane. They didn’t pester me about it though. They knew the look on my face.
To keep my mind busy, I paid plenty of attention in class for the rest of the school day. Occasionally, my mind would drift back and replay the lunch room scene over and over in my head, but irritated with myself, I would cling to the teacher’s voice instead. I glanced at the clock. Class was just about over. “Please return your text books to the back of the room and turn in the assignment by Friday!” Mr. Garben called as the class shot out the door.
Chapter 8
The buses’ engines had just started as I made my way out the front entrance of the school, my backpack in my hands. A harsh wind blew across the area, and I shuddered. Fall wasn’t showing any mercy this year, apparently. And then I spotted him. My first reaction was anxiety. Should I talk to him or not? I wondered. My second reaction, which took me by surprise, was pure rage. Why was he playing dumb in the cafeteria earlier that day? Without even realizing it, I screamed, “David!” and flung myself down the steps, slamming myself into him.
He uttered a cry of shock as we both fell to the muddy ground. I ignored the dark smear on my white jacket and shakily stood up. He remained on the ground, but he sat up, propping himself on his arms. His eyes seemed understanding as he stared up at me. I was panting. Did I really just heave myself at a quarterback and tackle him to the ground? He sighed and I barely noticed as the buses took off without us. I offered him my hand. He took it and stood up, grunting as he did. “Sorry about earlier, Rachel.” He said, scratching his head.
I nodded. “And?”
He looked puzzled now. “And what?” He asked, tilting his head to one side.
I exaggerated a long groan of irritation, but deep inside, I was feeling a bit nervous. What if I was just about to confront a murderer while all alone? “And… I saw you on the news last night. You were at the crime scene of one of the vampire attacks.” It felt odd to say “vampire”, but I forced the word through my gritted teeth.
David’s face suddenly hardened. I waited for him to speak, but he didn’t. So I did. “I don’t know what is going on with the whole ‘vampire attacks’ and all, but first you rescue me from a ‘vampire’, and then you appear on the news? Maybe I should turn you in, I don’t know, but you—“
“I’m the good guy here, Rachel.” David snapped, interrupting me and surprising me at the same time. “I’m no murderer… but leave it to you to watch the most boring news channel.” He snorted, and suddenly he became the David I had known the morning after I’d met him: distant and cold.
“You know too much.” He said glumly, his eyes meeting mine. A wave of terror swept over me.
I took a step back. “What do you mean?” I gasped, dropping my backpack in case I needed to run.
And then slowly, he reached into his pocket. I opened my mouth and prepared to scream. What if he pulled out a knife? But instead, he pulled out a small, silver, rectangular shaped ob
ject. It was no bigger than his hand and it had a tiny red, flashing light on it. “What is that?” I asked automatically.
David smiled a little bit. “It’s a memory eraser. It will erase everything you remember about the night you were attacked, and anything about that night. The truth is, vampires exist, Rachel. And the problem is, their population is spiraling out of control. You already know this, since you apparently watch the news. The death rate is skyrocketing, Rachel! It’s up to us, Vampire Hunters, to step in and destroy all the vampires. Two years ago, my father, leader of the Vampire Hunting society was murdered by a vampire; I inherited the knowledge of vampires’ existence, and took his place.
From then on, I’ve been a professional Vampire Hunter. Last night, I was close to being caught chasing one of those filthy vampires. Which is why I avoided talking to you in the cafeteria; I didn’t want you confronting me in front of other people. But when somebody survives, somebody who isn’t a Vampire Hunter, begins to come close to realizing that vampires exist, we have to erase their memory. I’m doing you a favor, Rachel. If I don’t do this, you’ll become too curious. You’ll step in, and the vampires will come and kill you. This is for your own good.” He finished, taking a menacing step towards me.
I vigorously shook my head. “But I don’t want to forget!” I insisted, backing away. “I want to remember! I’m not afraid! And I won’t tell anybody!”
David sadly shook his head and said, “It’s not so much about secrets whether harm done. It won’t hurt or anything, if that’s what you’re afraid about.” He took another step forward. “You’ll be killed. They all die once they find out, unless we step in and erase their memory. You don’t want that, do you?”
“David—oh!” But I couldn’t even get out my sentence before David suddenly grabbed my arm and hissed, “Sssshhh! Shut up, shut up!”
“Mmraaamph-id?” My eyes widened with fear as David, his hand now over my mouth, shoved me towards a black Toyota parked near us.
His pace now picked up as he guided me quickly. And then it looked like David was slapped in the face. His head snapped behind us, his eyes wide with shock, and he whispered, “They’ve come for you!”
Chapter 9
I uttered a small cry of horror. I felt numb as David roughly shoved me into the driver’s seat of the car. Hastily, he slammed the door shut and slid into the passenger seat beside me. He twisted around in his seat to look behind us. “Can you drive?” He whispered furiously, turning quickly to look at me, my face twisted in fear.
For a moment, my mind went blank. “Rachel!” He cried, shaking my shoulders.
“Uh…I have my drivers permit…?” I mumbled.
And then something crashed against the rear of the car so hard, the entire vehicle shook and rocked. I screamed and closed my eyes, snapping forward in my seat. “Drive!” David screamed at me, snapping his seatbelt on and reaching into his bag.
Numbly, I fumbled with the keys. It took a few tries, but finally I got the car running. “Where should I go?!” I asked David in a voice full of panic.
Now David held some sort of unfamiliar and complex looking ob
ject in his hands. “ANYWHERE! JUST DRIVE!”
Obediently, I slammed my foot on the gas pedal. The car shot forward and I screamed as a pale, distorted face crashed into the side of my window. David uttered a cry of horror and suddenly raised the ob
ject in his hand. “Vampire! Duck, Rachel!” He ordered.
Without thinking, I lowered my head, still trying to pay attention to the road. I heard a loud, screeching noise and then the shatter of glass. After waiting a few seconds, I raised my head again. The vampire was gone, and the car window was shattered. I threw a panicked glance at David, who was now talking into a cell phone. “Mom! The vampires are after Rachel! We’re coming to the lab right now! Prepare the shield!” He spoke quickly into the phone, his eyes shooting around.
I slowed down, not knowing where to go. David stole a glance at me and ordered, “Take the next left!”
He hung up. His face was blank as his breathing slowed, his eyes on the road now. “They’re still on our tail, but far behind… they’re wary of the sun.” He explained.
I didn’t reply. For the next hour, David directed me where to go. Other than that, we both sat in silence. His hands were clenched tightly around the weapon in his hands. I shuddered. It was cold in the car. I reached down to turn up the heat, but David’s hand whacked mine aside. I stared up questionably at him. “Vampires are attracted to heat.” He dully answered my unspoken question.
I gulped and nodded, flipping my blonde hair out of my face. “Are we almost there?” I asked in a small voice, afraid to speak above a whisper.
David didn’t reply. His dark eyes narrowed as he stared out the window. “David?” I squeaked, suddenly afraid.
David’s mouth clenched with worry and I shot a worried glance at him. I was about to speak, but he cut me off. “The sun… it’s getting dark. Hurry up.” He said in a low voice, beginning to grip the weapon in his hands and then looking up again. “Here it is.”
I pulled up to a large, steel gate. I pressed myself back into the seat as David leaned across me and rolled down the window. I watched as he quickly pressed a password into a small, metal box lined with buttons. Silently, the gate opened and I steered the car into the long driveway. David uttered a sigh of relief. A modern, large looking house with gray walls loomed ahead. A garage was now automatically opening and I cut the engine as soon as I was inside. Again, automatically, the garage door slammed shut. Now it was my turn to feel relieved. Throwing open the car door, I hopped out and followed David who was wordlessly opening a door in the crowded, average looking garage. He offered a forced smile and stepped back to let me through as he said, “Let me introduce you to my mom.”
Chapter 10
I couldn’t help but stare as David guided me through the door and down a long, spiral staircase. Gadgets and machines of all sorts, some so tall they competed with the staircase’s height, surrounded the huge clearing he now led me to. The air smelled oddly sanitary, and the room seemed to have an eerie, green glow. And not quite fitting into the surroundings, were two fridges and black couches plop in the center of the room. I could have walked right into a house without rooms, for the size of the laboratory was astonishing. I only recognized two things in my unfamiliar surroundings; large guns hanging on the sides of the walls (I shuddered), and advanced looking computers. This was obviously the “lab”.
But that wasn’t the only reason I stared. Five people stood in the lab, some meeting me with hostile glares, others with sympathetic smiles. My instant reflex was to look away and study something else. My reflex also turned out to be my mistake. “Ohhhhhh!” With a cry, I tripped on the staircase and went flying; fortunately, I was almost to the bottom of the spiral staircase.
I closed my eyes and waited for the impact, but two strong arms had caught me. I’d thought it would be David, but as I looked up, I met the eyes of a complete stranger. The stranger was a male. He looked like he was in his mid-twenties and he had blonde hair. He wore a black jacket over black jeans and seemed to tower over me. But what surprised me were his milky, pale eyes. He was blind.
While I’d been staring at the man who’d caught me, I hadn’t realized the people in the room had begun to chuckle. I took a step back and bumped into David who was now laughing. “I see you’ve met Carter.” David laughed, patting me on the shoulder and then turning to face the small crowd. “And this is Rachel.”
I felt my cheeks burn as the strangers turned their glares on me. Carter was now loping off casually towards one of the couches where he sat. A couple people greeted me and offered welcoming smiles, two women. One was round, but tall, and had tan skin with long, dark hair. Her face was a reflection of David’s. His mother, probably. The other was short with pale skin and had a pixie cut. Her hair was an orange color, and she looked closer to my age. Her short hair didn’t make her seem less feminine though; she was very pretty and had long eyelashes.
The one, which I’d assumed was David’s mother and was standing closest to me, took a step forward and offered me her hand. I quickly took it and politely shook it. She gave me a large smile, her white teeth sparkling. “Hello, Rachel. I’m David’s mother, but you can call me April.” As if suddenly realizing something, she quickly added, “Don’t worry; you’re safe now, dear.”
I nodded and gave her a weak smile. Nobody else moved or greeted me, and I stood there fidgeting as a silence seeped over the room. Finally, somebody coughed and April abruptly tugged my arm gently. “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get you something to drink.” April murmured, guiding me to one of the empty couches, David following.
As April hurried across the lab towards a fridge, I sat on the couch uncomfortably, David beside me. I was uncomfortable because across from me, was another couch where two plain, scary looking men glared at me. One had scars across his face and long hair, and the other was younger with black, curly hair. To my relief, April was back quickly with a bottle of water and she gestured for David to make room. Wordlessly, I took the water and took a small sip, looking around the lab. April seemed to be the spokesmen or something, because once again, she began to speak.
“Rachel, dear, we need you to make a very big decision.” April began, keeping her serious, dark eyes on mine. “Normally, we would have just simply erased your memory without question, but it seems you’ve gotten a little bit too much involved… Your life might be at risk even if we did erase your memory. And… we want to know if you want your memory erased or not.”
I stared blankly at April. My life and risk didn’t seem to belong in the same sentence. I kept my eyes focused on her face, afraid if the two men across from me were still glaring at me. I inhaled deeply. I wanted to remember, but the idea of my life being at risk wasn’t very tempting either. I peeked under my eyelashes at David, who was staring at me with curious eyes. “Well…” I began.
I didn’t get to finish because one of the men across from across the room, the one with curly, black hair, had leapt to his feet, an angry scowl on his face. “April! Why are you even asking her? Just erase her memory! And if she doesn’t want to…” The man, paused, his eyes meeting mine momentarily. “…Then just hold her down and erase by force! We’ve done so plenty of times!”
I stared at the man in disbelief and hurt. The lab had grown silent again. To my relief and dismay, my cell phone suddenly rang. Quickly, I reached into my pocket and pulled it out and looked at the caller ID: Mom. It was late, so of course she would be wondering where I was. I turned to April, not knowing what to say or do. She stared back at me, her eyes sympathetic and anxious. After the seventh ring, the ringing stopped. April cleared her throat before speaking. “Rachel, as you can see, that is another problem. Of course, we understand why you wouldn’t remember, but wanting to remember is a whole different concept; your parents, your life.”
I stared at her and opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to find David staring at me, his brows burrowed in indecision. “What do you think I should do?” I whispered to David, already knowing his answer: Erase.
His emerald eyes met mine and he inhaled deeply. “I say… you should remember.” He said firmly, tossing his huge head around to face the astonished looking man who’d confronted April.
My mouth literally fell open as I gaped at David in shock. April turned to me; her face seemed to be grimacing in pain. “So you decide to remember? You know you won’t be able to talk to your—No; you won’t be able to even see your family until this whole conflict is entirely over. And that could take months, or years. And if you get killed…”April trailed off and I understood the point.
“I want to remember though… I want to… I don’t want to forget!” I cried in a desperate voice.
April patted me on the back and “Ssssh’d” me. “Rachel, its fine. We respect your decision and we won’t erase your memory. But you do know that this isn’t some story.” April said; her voice turning from soothing to intense. “Your life will be at risk from here on out. You will need endurance and bravery to face the vampires, and most of all; you will need to learn to protect others. People will die, Rachel, and I want to know that you are prepared to handle this. Will you?”
Then, mustering up as much determination and strength into my shaky voice, I firmly declared, “Yes.”
|
