“What now?” I finally asked.
The three vampires were still whispering amongst themselves, but they were also intently watching the police station across the street.
“Why are you so interested in the police station?” I asked.
“We enjoy their reactions,” Lorcan answered in a low voice.
“Humans in peril are often entertaining,” Ciaran whispered loud enough for me to hear him.
I looked at Derry, who turned and caught my gaze. As if reading my mind, he offered me his hand, and together we walked deeper into the park.
“I saw horrible things,” I said.
“I know,” Derry said.
“I don’t think you were honest with me before,” I said.
Derry said nothing, and the two of us continued our stroll in the park.
“Do you hurt people, Derry?” I asked.
“Sometimes,” Derry answered.
“Do you plan on hurting me?” I asked.
“No.”
“Can you control Ciaran?” I asked.
“I can,” Derry answered.
“Very good,” I said. “Don’t mislead me anymore. If I’m going to stay with you, I need to know the truth.”
Derry said nothing, but he was listening.
“What are we going to do now?” I asked.
“We’ll wait a bit,” Derry answered. “After all the excitement dies down, we’ll probably just move to a new place and start over.”
“Where will we be waiting?” I asked.
“We’ve already found a new place,” Derry answered.
“Where?” I asked.
Derry stopped walking, turned to look at me, and opened his arms. I moved into his embrace and relaxed tremendously when his cold arms wrapped around me.
“Stop worrying,” Derry whispered.
I melted in his embrace, and in doing so, I gave up all my fear and anxiety. To hell with everything, why should I worry? I had three creatures of legend to keep me safe.
We stayed in the park for hours.
Ciaran and Lorcan wouldn’t budge from their vantage points. All they needed was a tub of popcorn, and they’d look like a couple of teenagers watching a movie.
“Why are we still here?” I asked, Derry.
“We’re learning,” Derry explained.
“What are you learning?” I asked.
“The police think you might be dead,” Ciaran explained. “They aren’t exactly sure what happened, but they aren’t about to give up just yet.”
“Well, that’s not good all things considered,” I said.
“Your father arrived about a half an hour ago,” Lorcan added. “He’s telling everyone that any involvement on your part was forced. The police are intimidated by him.”
“He’s a pretty powerful man,” I said.
Derry let out a soft chuckle, and Ciaran immediately looked in his direction.
“They’ll be looking for her big time,” Ciaran said to nobody in particular, “I can’t believe we just did that.”
“Not if they think she’s dead,” Lorcan said.
“There’s no body,” Derry said contentedly before stepping away from me. “They’ll be looking for her until they find one.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
Derry laughed softly, and I took a step towards him. He took another step away, and in doing so, he practically glided over the soft grass beneath his feet.
“You’re very tricky,” I said with a smile. “Do you really think you can get away from me?”
Somehow, all my fear and all the terror that I had just witnessed began to melt away as I focused on Derry’s face. Then again, how could I not focus on such a handsome face, the shadows were bringing out Derry’s true beauty. They gave his slack face a liveliness that the light did its very best to hide.
“Can you catch me?” Derry asked with a humorous tone in his voice.
I jumped at him, and he lifted off the ground only to float just a few feet in the air as he moved away from me. When he landed, I slowly made my way closer to him.
“Come here,” I demanded.
I had everyone’s attention. I could feel the gaze of both Ciaran and Lorcan. The two brothers made me nervous. I could tell that they weren’t exactly happy to have me with them, but Derry was with me.
I ran after my love, and he rose a good ten feet into the air, before once again landing only a small distance away from me.
“If I could fly,” I laughed. “I’d knock you right out of the sky.”
“Perhaps you should teach her to fly,” Ciaran laughed.
“Behave,” Derry snapped.
I chased after Derry again, and this time he let me grab the strings of his hoodie as he floated away from me.
“Come back down here,” I said as Derry’s face hovered only inches above my own.
Instead of landing, Derry reached out his hands and lifted me into the air. I felt a small gust of wind, and the two of us were flying higher and higher.
By the time we reached the tops of the trees, both of us had begun to dissolve into mist. I wasn’t afraid. I understood the power, and I reveled in its touch.
We moved rapidly through the sky. I tried to see everything, but in the end, I really saw nothing but a blur of lights. We landed softly in front of a small house, on a quiet, dimly lit street.
“This is your new home,” Derry said. “Do you like it?”
“I do,” I answered. “How did you find this place?”
“We’re borrowing it from the owner,” Derry said.
“I see,” I said. “Does the owner have a say in any of this?”
Derry only looked at me.
“She’ll take care of you when I’m not around,” Derry said.
“Who will?” I asked.
“Her name is Gwen,” Derry said. “Don’t harass her. Just let her do her own thing. Too many questions will just confuse the poor girl.”
“Okay,” I said. “When can I meet her?”
“Tomorrow,” Derry said. “She’s sleeping now.”
We walked inside the home, and I noticed that Derry didn’t need an invitation. Had he already gotten one? How long does an invitation last? Can it be revoked?
There was a commotion in the back of the house, and then the curtains in the kitchen blew about wildly as two black clouds followed us inside. Shadows melted into shadows, and the black clouds were soon nowhere to be found, but I could hear Derry’s younger brothers whispering back and forth in another room of the house.
“Can we turn on the lights?” I asked.
Derry obliged me by lighting a candle on the far side of the room.
“Vampire lighting,” Derry explained.
“This will take some getting used to,” I said with a smile. “I’m a girl that’s used to the sun and light, but it makes sense that a vampire would prefer the darkness. Maybe that’s why I like you so much. You’re so different from me. You’re different from everyone.”
Derry and I entered the living room.
The television was the only light in the room, but I could still hear Ciaran and Lorcan whispering at one another. Derry laughed, but for some reason, I couldn’t easily spot either of his younger brothers.
“They’re arguing over the remote control,” Derry explained.
“Where are they?” I asked. “I can’t see them.”
“Focus your eyes on the chair in the back of the room,” Derry said.
I did as he asked.
At first, I couldn’t make anything out, but after what seemed a long while, I felt as if I could make out the vaguest outline of either Ciaran or Lorcan.
From there, I cast my gaze towards the ceiling. There sat the other brother, defying gravity as if the laws of nature meant nothing to him. I started laughing out loud, and Derry joined me, but my laugher wasn’t natural, and I couldn’t control it in the slightest.
Before I completely understood what was happening, I found myself suddenly sobbi
ng along with all my laugher. I couldn’t stop. I could only laugh and sob loudly as I stared at the vampire boy on the ceiling.
I felt all eyes upon me as I did my very best to embarrass myself in front of my new family. Derry wrapped me up in his arms, and I felt the others silently move closer in the darkness.
“I have you,” Derry said. “You’re safe now.”
“She’s not going to make it,” Ciaran whispered.
“Stop that,” Derry said calmly. “I don’t want you frightening her.”
“She’s not reacting very well,” Lorcan said.
“This will take her a bit of getting used to,” Derry said. “I have everything under control.”
“Come now, Selma,” Derry whispered. “I bet you’re tired, aren’t you? You’ve had a very busy day.”
“I’m not tired,” I said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m so ashamed.”
“You’ve nothing to be ashamed about,” Derry said. “I’ve got you now. If you feel like crying, go ahead and cry. I’ll take care of you.”
I felt myself being gently lifted, but I did nothing to resist. I wanted to give up control. Everything was so confusing, and after looking into Derry’s eyes, I felt an unrelenting exhaustion spread throughout my limbs.
“You need to sleep,” Derry said. “Tomorrow morning, everything will be different. You’ll see, I’ll do great things for you. I’ll keep you happy. Remember what I said about Gwen. Don’t harass her with too many questions. She doesn’t know much.”
“I’m so tired,” I whispered as Derry tucked me into a stranger’s bed.
“Sleep now, my summer girl,” Derry said.
“Yes,” I whispered by way of a response. “Sleep.”
In the morning, I awoke to the smell of coffee.
It took me a moment to gather my wits about me. Most of the smells and sounds were completely unfamiliar to me, but I understood good coffee. Someone was moving about the house.
Gwen.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet her after my unfortunate experiences with Bob, but Derry said I’d be safe. I left the bed and softly padded my way into the kitchen. Gwen was a slightly chubby young woman who appeared to be in her late twenties, and I startled her into dropping the dish she was viciously scrubbing.
“I’m so sorry,” Gwen said.
“That’s fine,” I said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Please don’t apologize, miss,” Gwen pleaded. “I’m here to serve you. Would you like some coffee?”
“I’d love some coffee,” I answered.
Gwen had red, puffy eyes, and her hair was stringy and unwashed. The woman before me contrasted severely with the woman I saw in all the hallway pictures. The woman there seemed confident; perhaps even brash, a young businesswoman on her way to the top.
Not anymore.
“So, what do you do?” I asked. “It’s Gwen, right?”
“Yes,” Gwen answered with downcast eyes. “That’s my name.”
“I thought so,” I said. “So what is it that you do?”
“I don’t think I understand, miss,” Gwen said.
“I was asking about your job,” I said. “I was just being curious.”
“You’re my job, miss,” Gwen said. “The young masters told me to take care of you, and that’s what I’ll do. You won’t get any problems from me. I promise.”
“I believe you,” I said with the brightest smile I could muster.
The woman was terrified. She was shaking. She was having problems speaking, and of course, I noticed her frantically wiping away the occasional tear.
Derry told me not to harass her.
He wasn’t kidding. Simple questions completely flustered the poor girl.
“Do you have anything to eat?” I asked.
“I can make you anything you’d like,” Gwen answered. “If I don’t have it here, I can always run out and get it. The supermarket is just down the street.”
“I feel bad about having you do that,” I said, “but I guess I won’t be making any public appearances any time soon.”
Gwen only smiled at me.
“Bacon,” I said. “Maybe some toast if you have any.”
I ate my breakfast while Gwen sat across from me. It was incredibly hard to talk to her; she just wasn’t in a good frame of mind, but she also refused to leave me be.
“Surely you have something you need to be doing,” I said. “I’d hate to take up all your time.”
“My days are solely devoted to you now,” Gwen said with a forced smile.
“Go to your room, Gwen,” I said as softly as possible.
Gwen’s eyes grew wide.
“Have I offended you, miss?” Gwen asked.
“No,” I answered. “I’d just like some alone time.”
“I’m not sure about that, miss,” Gwen said. “The masters told me to look after you. I’m not supposed to let you out of my sight.”
“I thought I was in charge,” I said. “It sounds like you’re in charge.”
Gwen began to panic. She started stuttering and stammering, and I couldn’t make out most of what she was saying, but I knew I was frightening the poor woman.”
“What have I done wrong?"
“Nothing,” I said. “I just want to be alone for a bit.”
“The masters will be so angry with me,” Gwen said. “They warned me over and over. If I displease you…I just don’t know…I must keep you safe and happy.”
“I’m already safe,” I said. “Now, if you want me to be happy, leave me be for a while. I’d like to gather my thoughts. I’ll speak to Derry about how much attention you need to give me.”
Gwen protested, but in the end, she collected herself and went to her bedroom. The experience was like dealing with a blackmailed drunkard. She could barely conceal her hatred of my presence, but she was also strangely committed.
I looked out the nearest window into the garden like backyard. The sun was shining, and hummingbirds were buzzing about the red feeder. I grabbed a bottle of bourbon from amongst the other alcohol bottles in the kitchen and sat outside.
This was as much freedom as I could enjoy. No longer could I take a walk around the block or head to the beach. The entire world was looking for me.
My life was never going to be the same.
I cried.
I was already missing my friends and my freedom. I was only a teenager, and I hadn’t wanted any of what had transpired. I only wanted to love someone and be loved in return.
Derry told me not to worry about anything.
Was that even possible?
What could Derry do to improve my situation?
He could turn me into a vampire, that’s what he could do. Did I want that? I wasn’t sure, but I certainly didn’t want to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life.
The police would find me eventually, and if that happened, Derry would once again make his presence known. Things weren’t looking so good.
The sun was warm and bright, and all in all, Gwen’s little house was cute and tasteful. Part of me wanted to watch the news, but I refused to give in to that desire. Nothing good could come from watching the news.
I was getting sick of worrying.
I wanted Derry.
Derry could keep the fear away from me. I just wasn’t sure I liked his methods. Hurting people wasn’t something I was ever going to be okay with. There had to be another way, but even if I could get Derry to settle down, Ciaran was something completely different.
Ciaran was a walking nightmare.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the blood splatter all about his mouth and chin. Yet, he still offered me his hand. He could have killed me easily, but he offered me his hand and removed me safely from the building.
Vampires were protecting me.
I fell asleep.
Gwen woke me up a few hours later with a cold glass of lemonade.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“It’
s late afternoon,” Gwen answered. “You poor thing, you must have been exhausted.”
“It’s been an exciting couple of days,” I said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
“You go ahead and get as much rest as you need,” Gwen said with a smile. “I understand how the masters prefer the dark and the damp.”
“Do you?” I asked.
Gwen looked nervous again.
“What do you know about the masters?” I asked.
“Forgive me, miss,” Gwen said. “I don’t know much about anything.”
“Do you know what they are?” I asked.
“I know better than to questions such things,” Gwen said quietly. “Please, miss, I’m not supposed to…”
“That’s fine,” I interrupted. “Don’t trouble yourself. I was only trying to make conversation.”
Gwen nodded, but she was still reeling as if I’d struck out at her.
“Could I fix you something to eat, miss?” Gwen asked.
Lunch wasn’t anything to write home about. Gwen wasn’t the greatest of cooks, and I ended up eating a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Afterward, I went into the living room and played some music on the stereo next to the television.
I didn’t listen to the radio. I stayed far away from any news channels. I didn’t want to think about my sorry state of affairs. Derry told me not to worry, and I was doing my very best to believe in him, but seriously how does someone in my situation not worry?
As the afternoon wore on, Gwen became increasingly agitated. At sunset, she was visibly shaking. I couldn’t take her nervous presence any longer.
“Gwen,” I said. “Why don’t you go to your room? I won’t be needing you for the rest of the evening, and you’ve been so good to me.”
For the first time in the entire day, Gwen seemed a touch relieved.
“Are you sure, Miss?” Gwen asked.
“Absolutely,” I answered. “You’ve done a great job. Thank you so much for spending the day with me.”
Another hour went by, and another hour after that. I turned on a weak lamp in the living room and I lit candles in the kitchen. The house was dark and full of shadows.
Sometime after eleven, I saw the figure of a boy in the backyard. I knew it was Ciaran from his blonde hair, and I was hoping that Derry wouldn’t be too far behind.
The Forgotten: A Vampire Story Page 18
