Vampire Takeover

by Jez Strider

  “There’s a gas station a few blocks north. Let’s fill our cans and get the hell out of here.” Howard said, leading the way outside and up the street.

  Alex had confided in me the secret reason for the gas run. Everyone knew we needed the fuel for backup power in case of problems with the solar panels, but our leader was prepping vehicles at locations varying distances from the base. It was an escape plan. The secrecy was to keep the others feeling safe. Unfortunately, it was his responsibility to think of those worst case scenarios.

  We were all surprised to find that the gas station was still in working order. The odd and confusing part was the pumps worked without any sort of payment. I was sure we would have to break in and press some sort of button to activate them.

  “Guess the vampire society doesn’t work like ours. Honor system?” Jose asked and I chuckled.

  “None of those creatures have honor.” Captain Howard said harshly, once again ruining a brief moment of lightened mood.

  The day was getting away from us, so we finished our task and started the several hour walk back to our home. I glanced back at the city. It hadn’t been as dangerous as I thought, then again, I had no idea what was going on beneath the surface. Who knew how many bloodsuckers were sleeping in wait of their nightly feast?

  Carrying gallons of gasoline gets hard fast. My arms were rubbery and weak before we had even halfway completed our return trip. With about an hour of travel time left, we paused for a break. Jose passed out some granola bars and then pulled a pack of beers from his backpack. He tossed me one and then tore another free from the plastic for Captain Howard.

  He caught the can when it was thrown in his direction. “Soldier, this is a waste of precious space. You could have carried something far more important.” Howard cracked open the can and lifted it to his lips. After a few gulps, he made a disgusted face. “Skunk beer. You should have grabbed a bottle of vodka.”

  With reluctance, I drank the old beer. I wasn’t about to tell these seasoned veterans that I’d never had any before. The world ending at age fifteen leaves little time for the normal teenage experiences. It was awful, so I tried to cover the taste by taking bites of the breakfast bar.

  “I would have, but it was a pharmacy, not a liquor store.” Jose said, grinning. “It ain’t that bad, man.”

  Howard grunted gruffly in response.

  “You know, we passed a lot of places. What would you guys pick up if you were going for what you wanted instead of what we need at home?” I asked.

  Jose answered immediately. “The liquor. Definitely the liquor.” He chugged down the rest of his aged beverage.

  “Nothing for me. Taking care of the group is what I want.” Howard said.

  “Come on…nothing?” I asked.

  He thought for a moment. “Nothing.”

  “What about you, Pres?” Jose gave my arm a squeeze. “Steroids, I bet. You’re getting buff.”

  “Steroids?” I laughed and shook off his grip. “This is all natural muscle. Seriously, though. I wish I could get Darcy something really nice and unexpected.”

  Jose pulled a cigarette from his bag and lit it up. Apparently he had grabbed those as supplies, too. He exhaled a cloud of smoke in my direction and I waved it away from my face. “Wedding ring? Yeah, I saw you eyeballin’ that jewelry store.”

  “What? No. I mean. I never thought about that considering the state of the world. Marriage doesn’t mean much.” I stammered over my words since I was caught off guard.

  “Son, marriage always means something to women. Even if it’s just the promise of it.” Captain Howard said.

  I looked from Howard to Jose, who nodded. “The old fart is right.”

  “Yeah, well. Darcy knows how I feel.” I stood and picked up my stuff. The conversation irritated me even though I had asked the question that started it. “We better get back before dark.”

  Thankfully, the others dropped the subject and we made our way back home with little trouble. I worried that they were right, though. Darcy needed proof of my love. So I thought, anyway. If I hadn’t been so dumb and young, I would have realized I had proven it many times over.

  Darcy was sitting on the common room sofa when I descended the ladder. I dropped my bags to the floor and walked toward her with open arms. She ran into them and I picked her up into an embrace despite how tired and weak I felt. The soft caress of her lips and gentle touch of her fingers playing with my hair drove away all other concerns. Every day with her was a good one. Apocalypse or not.

  My next “mission” was assigned a few weeks later. Alex had discovered a seemingly reliable car about a mile from the path we had taken into the Nashville. As far as I knew, I was still the only person who knew about the escape vehicles.

  “Do you think you can go out there and fill the tank with gas without any help? I really want to keep this between as few people as possible.” Alex asked me one day when we were out setting traps.

  “Sure. I know the way. I’m sure I can find it.” I secured the trap and placed the bait. “I still don’t understand why it’s such a big secret. We may never even have to use the cars.”

  Alex sighed and adjusted his cap before we headed back to the base. “People would twist my motives. Especially my ex-wife. We don’t want any insubordination or anything. Howard doesn’t like me either since he actually outranked me in the real world.”

  “I understand. Besides, we don’t want anyone sneaking out there and trying to use the cars just because they were mad or something.”

  “You’re a smart, kid. Maybe one day I’ll turn the reigns over to you.” Alex said, giving me a pat on the back.

  I had wondered why Alex had spent so much time helping and training me. It was starting to make sense. If something happened to him, I would be able to take care of our people.

  “Thanks. You’re still calling me a kid, though.”

  He laughed. “That’s right. I did say I would stop after your birthday. I should keep my word.”

  “I’m just messing with you. I know you don’t mean anything by it.”

  “Good. So are you taking care of that tomorrow or do you have other plans?”

  At that moment a dangerous idea formed in my mind. One that would ruin the peace I had found. “I’m going to do a bit of hunting in that area when I’m finished.” I lied. “I’ll probably be back late.”

  “Alright. Just be careful.”

  That night I told Darcy that I was going to be leaving early to hunt. I think it was the first time I had deceived her. We were in bed and she was looking into my eyes. I just couldn’t stand the way it made me feel to lie.

  “That’s not true. I’m sorry. Alex wants me to fill a car he found with gas. It’s an escape plan, you know? If we were to need it.” I broke eye contact with her.

  “Thanks for telling me. I won’t tell the others since I’m obviously not supposed to.”

  I smiled. She wasn’t angry. What a wonderful, understanding woman. “I might have something special for you when I get back. Don’t get your hopes up too high in case I can’t find it.” I told her.

  “Hmm.” Something was different about her and I wondered what she could be thinking. “Okay. I have a surprise for you when you get back, too.”

  If I had known what would happen the next day, I would have tried to talk her into telling me what the surprise was. Of course, if I had known what was going to happen, I would have never left. At least the last words I said to her were “I love you.”

  The car was easy to find and I had finished filling the tank with gas early in the morning. This left me with plenty of time to go after Darcy’s gift. The guys and I had run into no trouble in the desolate Nashville streets, so I was confident and proud as I made my way back to the city. It was a comfortable trip. The sun shone brightly, but it wasn’t too hot and the breeze kept me cool. At my quick pace, I could be back at the base before dinner.

  After taking a wrong street, I backtracked and found the one with
the jewelry store. The door, painted with that strange symbol like many of the others, was ajar. I peered through the windows. It looked safe enough even though the register had been looted as well as much of the jewelry. Carefully, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

  Without rush, I searched for the perfect ring for my girlfriend. Several were scattered on the floor, others on the counter. Then, there it was. The perfect ring to propose with was sitting on a display shaped like a finger near the back of the store. I picked it up and headed outside to examine it in the sunlight.

  “She’s going to be so happy.” I said to myself as I closed my hand around the shiny token of my affection. Unfortunately, I had failed to pay attention to what was going on behind me. A sharp pain shot through my head and I was falling to the ground. My eyes stayed open long enough to see the ring bouncing across the sidewalk. I extended my hand outward for it before losing consciousness.

  The ground was hard beneath me when I started to come around. I coughed and particles of dust filled my nose. With effort, I lifted my head. A strange taste filled my mouth. My lips were caked with dirt from lying face down. Placing both hands on the ground, I pushed myself up to sitting. The back of my head hurt when I gingerly touched the injury.

  “Where am I?” I said, but my voice was hoarse.

  I crawled forward and coiled my hands around metal bars. My captors had thrown me in some sort of cage fit for an animal. Panic started to overwhelm my senses. The sun was setting and I was in a prison. It was in a sports stadium. Across from me and as far as I could see to my left and right, the arena was surrounded with cells similar to mine. I lost it. I pulled on the bars and then kicked them with my feet. They didn’t budge, but the exertion sent my aching head throbbing and I passed out again.

  Darkness had fallen the next time I awoke. Voices were speaking outside my cell. Strange tones and ancient accents drifted down to my ears. Evil was outside my door. Vampires.

  “The Master requests him so he can be interrogated.” One voice said.

  “Why can we not just kill him?” Another asked.

  The first growled. “Must you question all? He will make a good fighter in the human arena. We must also determine if there are others like him in hiding nearby.”

  I scrambled to the back corner of my cell, as if I could hide. Hands with slender inhuman fingers and long nails inserted a key into the door and opened it slowly. My mind was racing. What was a human arena? I was shaking with fear. No training or experience could have prepared me for the encounter.

  “To my side, child.” The chilling voice instructed.

  “Just kill me. I’ll not be a slave to a vampire!” I called out with much more confidence that I actually had.

  “If you wish.” He bent down and bared fangs at me. His face was contorted and vicious. Red eyes bore down on me as he stepped into the cage and grabbed me by the throat. I probably went nearly as pale as he was, but instead of biting me he tossed me with force to the ground beside him.

  A vision of Darcy flashed through my mind and I held up my arm to block him. “No. Don’t.” I said. Death was staring me in the face.

  He walked toward the exit with the patience of centuries, no hurry to any graceful movement. “Follow.”

  I did as I was told. A faint hope of escape was still within me. The other vampire stayed behind to tend to the other prisoners as I was led across the street to a large building. Thralls walked the streets, drove cars, and were…working. Their red eyes flickered everywhere. The city was bustling. Alive with those that should be dead. It was more terrifying than anything I had ever witnessed.

  My head still throbbed and my arm ached from the hard impact with the ground. I braced it against me with my other hand. Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, but I managed to keep them at bay. We entered an elevator. The vampire didn’t speak and I didn’t dare. The towering monster was dressed in all black clothing to match the night. Either he was very still or he wasn’t breathing. I shuddered involuntarily.

  He led me through some doors into a large room. Three vampires and a thrall were inside. The leader, whose presence was so oppressive that my escort seemed kind, a thin female vampire with black hair down past her waist, and worst of all…a vampire with his eyes seared shut.

  Monserat. I was staring at the very same vampire who had executed my father without hesitation. The thrall turned to me slowly, Monserat’s head followed. When he saw me he bared fangs and lunged in my direction.

  “Halt!” The commanding voice of the leader called out loudly and the voice echoed around the room from all directions.

  “Master Costel! This is the whelp that blinded me. It is my right to exact revenge!” Monserat said.

  The master vampire stepped closer to me, circled me, and gripped my face in hand. “Did you attack my subject, human? Are you simply a boy or do you possess special powers?” He asked.

  “That evil bastard murdered my father. I was doing what was necessary. The human spirit is more powerful than you monsters realize.”

  The thrall’s eyes stayed locked on me in fury. I realized that Monserat was using the slave as a means to see since I had taken the ability away.

  “Tell me. Are there more of you or are you a lonely stray?”

  I cleared my throat. “I have been alone since my father was killed.”

  Master Costel released my face from his grip and extended one finger. The nail was like a razor sharp talon as he slowly sliced through the flesh of my cheek with it. He lifted the finger to his lips after gathering my blood on it and licked the dark fluid. I retched as I watched, but nothing came up.

  “Tastes human.” His fangs had extended and he licked his lips. “What do you think, Rahela?”

  The woman vampire came close to me. “I think he’s in love so there must be others.” She extended her hand and I saw the ring I had lost on the street in her palm. “Why else would the boy be after this and not food?”

  Costel waved a hand dismissively. “Humans are sentimental creatures. Our patrols are thorough enough. Even if there is a girl she will surely die on her own.”

  “True.” She circled around me. “I want him, father. My favorite fighter died during the last fight. He was delicious, but now I have no toys.” She unfastened the necklace she was wearing and slipped the ring onto it before replacing it around her neck.

  It infuriated me that a vampire wench was wearing the ring I wanted to give the love of my life. “Want me for what?” I asked.

  They both ignored me. “How could I deny you a request?” Costel said.

  “I will not stand for this.” Monserat yelled and charged at me once more without permission. This time, Rahela caught him and forced him down to the ground in front of me. Her fingers entwined in his hair.

  “Prove to me you have what it takes to be a champion and you live this day.” She told me while her father watched on proudly. “Monserat is sterile. He is of no worth to us.”

  The vampire master handed me a cross with the bottom fashioned into a point. My hand was shaking as I accepted the stake, but once it was in my hand all the fury and hatred came boiling to the surface. I lifted it with both hands and struck the vampire who had taken my family from me in the heart. The wooden weapon pierced more easily than I had expected and I knew just how much of a weak point the heart was on a vampire. Blood spewed forth and Monserat began to dry up instantly. Rahela dropped him to the floor and kicked at what was left of his body. The impact point crumbled into dust.

  The thrall Monserat had been controlling started screaming. His eyes no longer glowed and he appeared to be a normal human like myself. The death of the vampire had set him free, but only briefly. Costel was across the room and had the man in his grasp. He bent the head to the side and bit, slashing the flesh and gulping like the blood glutton he was.

  I had lost grip on the stake once I had stabbed Monserat. I went for it again, but Rahela stopped me. “Do not try.” She said.

  Gurgles and
groans came from both Costel and his victim. I turned away from the sight and covered my ears. Then, I felt Rahela’s hand on my back as she escorted me out of the room. She led me to the football stadium without speaking. I was shoved back into my cell.

  “The more you win; the more privileges I shall grant you. Lose and you shall be drained by my kin.” She turned and walked out of the stadium with swaying hips.

  The stadium prison top was open so I had a full view of a star filled night sky. Part of me was exhilarated because I had avenged my father. The strange woman vampire had given me that despite what her intentions had been. The sense of accomplishment faded fast as I stared up at the sky and knew that I would never see Darcy again. Never touch her hair or kiss her lips. My heart broke and I cried for my loss until the sun rose to dry my many tears.

  “Hey.” A voice called out to me. I groaned a little in protest. My body hurt all over from sleeping pressed up against the bars of my cage. “Hey!” He said again.

  “Hi…” I had been so distraught the night before that the thought of talking to anyone else imprisoned didn’t even cross my mind.

  Cloth was draped over our cells so we couldn’t see each other very well. Only the front remained open. I crawled with difficulty to the side he was on so I could hear him better.

  “So you’re that vampire bitch’s new fighter?” He asked.

  “From what I understand, yeah.” I said with a wince.

  He reached into my cell, underneath the cloth, and I saw he had a piece of bread in his hand. I snatched it without hesitation and began wolfing it down. I was starving, far too hungry to have just been there a day or so.

  “You’re welcome.” The man said with a snort and chuckle. “They brought you in a few days ago. Thought they might have hit you too hard and you’d never wake up.”

  “A few days?” I let out a long sigh. “Is there any chance of escaping this place?”