by Slay (epub)
“These documents will get you into Canada. From there you can go to Europe. I’ve heard they don’t hunt your kind there. A few people actually worship you.”
For the last two years I had existed in a daze, thinking of nothing but feeding. It never occurred to me that I was being hunted. I never considered leaving Atlanta, let alone the country. But if what the woman said was true, I was marked for death.
The woman tossed me the keys to the Jeep.
“Take it,” she said. “I won’t need it for a while.”
I looked at her and at the man. He breathed deeper and color had come back to his skin.
“He’ll get hungry,” I said.
She looked hopeful. “I know.”
“Give him the fruit.” I advised. “Never let him bite a person, not even you.”
She looked at me and smiled. “Thank you.”
I turned away and headed for the door.
“My name is Maria,” she called out.
“Goodbye, Maria,” I said.
“Goodbye, Telisa,” she replied. “God bless you.”
I hesitated, and then stepped out the door into the night.
* * *
-3-
* * *
Sometimes enough is enough. It’s like you look around and realize you made a very bad mistake. At that point you know you have two choices. You can go back to where you started, or you can continue forward and hope for the best. But one thing you can’t do. You can’t sit still because if you stop, you’ll die. It’s that simple. Or at least it should be.
I’d never driven through snow. I spent my entire life in the South and the only snow I ever saw occurred before I could drive. So, I was surprised at how well I handled the heavy snowfall as I travelled through Michigan. I was on my way to Detroit. If all went well, I’d cross into Windsor, and after a few more days I’d be on my way to Europe. Maria supplied me with the documents I needed to get into Canada, and I’d done the best I could to change my appearance. The DIY perm job was bad, yet good enough. I sobbed when I compressed my afro, but pride had to give way to survival.
For days I’d been living out of my car, afraid to check into a hotel and be discovered. My name and face were everywhere, as well it should be. The blood fruit didn’t satisfy me any longer. I craved human blood. Sometimes I managed to break into a blood bank and steal bags of plasma, but they were only a little more filling than the artificial blood pod designed to keep me and those like me in check. Kerry said he was liberating me that day; he said he was showing me what I truly was. I curse the day I met him.
I booked a hotel on the outskirts of the city. I was sure of my disguise, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I was only a few miles from freedom, and I wasn’t going to muck it up. The check-in clerk, an older woman with pasty skin and thinning hair, barely paid attention to me as I gave her my false information and paid for my room in cash. But I paid attention to her. I could feel her blood pulsing through her veins. A sharp pang in my gut caused me to wince.
“You alright, honey?” she asked.
I looked into her ruddy eyes and felt her concern.
“I’m okay,” I replied. “Just a little hungry.”
“There’s a diner a mile down the road,” the woman replied. “It’s open twenty-four hours. The lunch and dinner menu suck, but their breakfast is to die for.”
I stared at the woman a moment longer then forced a smile to my face.
“I’ll be okay. I’m going into the city.”
The woman shrugged then handed me my key card.
“Have a nice stay. If there’s anything wrong with your room, give me a call.”
I took the key card then hurried to my room. By the time I reached it, my hands trembled so bad I could barely insert the card into the slot. I finally unlocked the door then stormed in. I flung my backpack onto the room, closed and locked the door then hurried back to my car. I needed to feed.
It seemed like hours before I reached the city. I didn’t know anything about Detroit, but I’ve been hunting long enough to find what I was yearning for. I made a left turn off the main thoroughfare and found myself in the club district. A long line snaked from a non-descript building with a glaring neon sign. The name made no difference to me; I focused on the club goers waiting to enter. I parked in the nearest parking lot then fast walked toward the club. I didn’t have to complete my journey; a man entered the parking lot, whistling as he strolled to his car. I hurried toward him, a smile on my face. He smiled back; apparently, he thought I was attractive.
“What’s up, baby girl?” he said.
I pushed him against the nearest car then sank my teeth deep into his throat. He struggled, but I was stronger, much stronger. I drained him then dropped his body like an empty shell. But I was still hungry. A woman entered the parking lot, her eyes darting about like women do when walking alone. She saw me and relaxed; I almost felt sorry for her. I pounced on her as she opened her car door. I pushed her inside to the passenger side then bit into her neck. Her screams subsided quickly as I drank. I left her limp in the seat.
I hurried back to my car, the bottom half of my face and the front of my shirt covered in blood. I was sloppy, my hunger making me careless. There was no way I could stay the night at the hotel. I would have to pack my things and find another crossing point.
I drove slowly until I was out of the city then sped back to the hotel. As my hunger subsided, the guilt settled in. I killed two people. I wish I could turn things back. I wish I could start it all over again. But I couldn’t. A glimmer of hope pierced my darkness when I thought of Europe. Maybe there was something going there that would quell my hunger without taking anyone’s life or changing them into what I am. That was probably why they accepted our kind.
I saw the commotion before I reached the hotel. The parking lot teemed with unmarked cars. Inquisitors and clergy swarmed, inspecting cars and knocking on doors. How did they find me? Did the clerk suspect something? It didn’t matter. I had to run.
Something slammed into my car from behind. I didn’t look to see, I just jumped out my car and ran. Someone grabbed my arm and I struck out, hitting something hard. The person let go of me; I took a few more steps before I was tackled. I rolled and shoved the person off of me then clambered to my feet. A blinding pain flashed in my back and my limbs went limp. I collapsed to the ground; my vision blurred.
“We got her,” I heard someone say.
“Let’s get out of here before the others see us,” another voice said.
“Hit her again,” the first voice said.
Piercing pain swallowed me, and I blacked out.
I woke in a white room strapped to a hospital bed raised to a sitting position. A gown covered my body and an IV was attached to my right arm. An Inquisitor stood at the door facing me; he frowned when he saw me conscious then exited the room. I tugged at my restraints. A few minutes later the Inquisitor returned with another one and a few others. Two were doctors, one an older woman with a graying afro and a suspicious grin, the other a tall man with short cropped hair and a serious stare. The man carried a tablet; the woman went to the instruments and studied them.
“Well Miss Telisa, you’ve been a difficult person to find,” the woman said. “I’m Dr. Felicia Garrett. My colleague is Dr. Samuel Phillips. It’s an honor to finally meet a true vampire.”
“Where are the clergy?” I asked.
“The clergy have nothing to do with this,” Dr. Garrett replied. “This is a private operation.”
“But the Inquisitors?”
“Holy Protectors in uniform only,” the doctor replied. “They work for us.”
“And who are you?” I asked.
“An interested party,” Dr. Garrett replied. “You possess abilities that our clients are very interested in.”
“I’m a vamp,” I said. “There are plenty of us out there.”
“But none quite like you,” the doctor said. “You’ve developed a taste for human blood, thanks
to your boyfriend.”
My chest tightened.
“How . . . how is Kerry?” I asked.
“Kerry is dead,” the doctor replied. “But you knew that, didn’t you?”
I did, but to hear it crushed me. I held back my tears.
“But he didn’t die in vain,” the doctor continued. “He showed you what you are, and he showed us what you could become.”
A nurse entered the room with an IV bag filled with a red fluid.
“No thanks,” I said. “I already ate.”
Dr. Garrett laughed out loud. Dr. Phillips smirked as he continued to type.
“Yes, you have,” Dr. Garrett replied. “And you left quite a mess. I believe our people are still cleaning up.”
The nurse replaced the IV drip with the bag containing the red liquid.
“What is this?” I asked.
“It’s a reunion of sorts,” Dr. Garrett said. “You see, no other created vampire has reacted to human blood consumption like you. When given a choice, they do prefer human fluid, but they have no problem with blood fruit. But you crave it. We think it has everything to do with your relationship with Kerry.”
“What are you saying?”
“He infected you,” Dr. Garrett said. “But what he did to you was only partial.”
The nurse began the drip.
“Today we see what happens with a total immersion. This serum was created from Kerry’s blood. We found some interesting things in his genetic code, and you seem to be particularly sensitive to his . . . secretions.”
“No . . . wait!” I yelled.
A burning sensation began where the IV needle pierced my skin then surged throughout my body. The pain became so intense I scream and convulsed, my arms and legs tugging at my straps. I felt like I was expanding like a balloon, growing so large that I was about to explode. Another scream escaped my mouth. The straps holding my arms snapped and I sat up. I looked down at Dr. Garrett and the others and saw their terror-filled eyes.
“Shoot her! Shoot her now!” Dr. Garrett screamed as she fled the room.
Through my agony I focused on the guards. Their faces were twisted by fear, and that pleased me. I yanked my legs free from the restraints before they could act then pounced at the guard to my right. He raised his lance and I batted it aside with my right hand then slammed my left hand into his throat. His eye bucked then closed as he slumped to the floor.
I looked at my hands. They were larger, with each of my elongated fingers tipped with talons. What had they done to me? I looked at my body and staggered. I was taller and thinner, yet hard muscles creased my skin. I dared not look at my face.
Something hit my chest and I staggered. I looked up to see the other fake Inquisitor aiming at me with his lance. I jumped the gap between us then stabbed my talons into his forehead. He dropped the lance as his arms fell to his side, his dead eyes locked on mine. I shook him free then tried to leave the room. Something held me back; I turned to see large wings protruding from my back. The sight made me weak and angry. Whatever they had done, they had turned me into a monster!
The rage consumed me again. I rampaged through the room, destroying everything in sight. I hunted for Dr. Garrett and her assistant, but they were nowhere to be seen. I had to get out. I had to get away. The room had no window, so I forced my way out the door and into the hallway.
Guards crammed the corridor. They fired their lances, striking me all over my body with little effect. Whatever was done to me had made me stronger. I sliced through them with my talons, hunting for the exit. When I finally found it, my way was clear except for one person standing in the way; Dr. Garrett. I ran at her consumed with hate. She kept her composure until I was almost upon her, then her fear broke through, radiating from her eyes. I grabbed her throat and lifted her to eye level.
“What did you do to me?” I growled.
“It’s the next step,” she managed to say despite my grip on her neck. She jerked up her hand, holding a syringe filled with a fluid that looked similar to the one in the IV bag. I threw her into the wall before she could stab me and heard her head crack.
“There it is!”
I turned to see more guards running toward me. I dashed out of the building into the night. Despite the darkness I could see like it was day. I sprinted across the parking lot too fast for them to catch up with me, so they began shooting. A bolt struck me in the back, knocking me off my feet. Instead of falling my wings extended and I glided back to my feet. Despite my better judgement I jumped into the air.
“Fly,” I whispered.
My wings flapped. I felt the muscles move that controlled them and I flapped harder and faster until I climbed up and over the trees surrounding the compound. There was nothing but forest below me; I had no idea where I was. I continued flying until I was well away from the compound, then I began looking for some kind of landmark. The lights from a large city emerged over the horizon, a glaring illumination due to my transformed eyesight. Once my eyes adjusted, I saw I was near Detroit. Before me was the narrow strip of water which separated the city from Windsor. It was not the way I planned to cross the border, but at that point it didn’t matter.
I flew into Canada and into freedom.
Days passed before I transformed into my normal self. I spent those days wandering the wilderness, feeding when I could and feeling remorse for every person I claimed. More days passed before my life and body returned to normal. Maria told me of a place I would be welcomed, and she was right. They gave me clothes and a new identity. They also gave me blood. After a few more months I was ready to travel to Europe.
I roamed the continent for a time and eventually settled in France. There were others like me . . . well, almost like me. I never told anyone about the transformations. Most of the time I can control it, but sometimes it takes over. At some point I need to seek help, but for the time being I revel in my solitude. I’ve heard there is a place in Uganda where there may be a ‘cure’ for our condition. They have a long history dealing with our kind, some say.
For now, I’m content. In some ways I am free, and yet in other ways I will never be free again.
Message in a Vessel
V.G. Harrison
Nobody knew how the disease-carrying mosquitoes would affect us. Thirty years later and a food shortage to boot, and we knew we’d pay the price. Authorities harvested those in prisons and on the streets. The ones who wouldn’t be missed. Then they went to anyone older than sixty-five. The younger you were, the more protected you were. If you were like me, who had parents that could teach you a valuable trade, then you survived the Cleansing Era.
I sat back in my seat and breathed in a deep breath. Even though we healed better and aged slower, stress was still a part of our lives.
“You look like you need a break, Dr. Jakande.” Cora walked in like her tight pencil skirt kept her tights taped together. She kept her head held high while confidence leaked from her pores. She placed a food card on my lab table. “You’ve been neglecting your allotted daily nourishment.”
“I’m fine.” My growling stomach probably gave me away.
“This project means nothing, unless you eat.” She placed one of her bright red fingernails on the nourishment card and pushed it to me.
“I’m a little busy right now. I’ll go in a minute. Just let me finish this.” I turned back to my computer to review the bioinformatic collection program my team had been working on for the last year and a half.
“I understand the nature of your work, doctor. But protocols are in place. If you don’t eat now, I must report you.”
I hated this woman. Unfortunately, I would also give anything to be off this project permanently, too. A food break wasn’t long enough.
“Dr. Jakande?” She leaned closed. “Please do not force me to get security to escort you.”
“Son of--” I slammed my hand down on the counter and shoved my chair away from my desk. “Are you going to lick my lips clean while you’re at it?”
She said nothing. She lifted her head higher as though protocols dictated everything right down to her cold-hearted determination to make sure I followed the rules. Every click of her heels on the marbled floors made me want to reach back and break her neck. Security would be down on me so fast and probably stab me with enough silver knives to make sure I could only work from the neck up. This project only needed my brain.
I flashed my hand across the keypad and pressed the cafeteria icon. A flashing arrow directed me to my designated elevator. When I entered, I went to the back and waited as more people entered behind me.
The view from the moon never got old. The Red Giant space shuttle was the tallest spaceship in the solar system and could carry a payload of more than a half million pounds. Because of the engine thrust, it had to launch from the moon and far enough away not to kill anyone. Our base was built miles away from the project to make sure the space program met our needs, including our dietary ones. The ship didn’t look like much on the surface, but it packed a technological punch. It had the ability to orbit a planet long enough to use the gravitational kinetic energy to power the light speed engines for multiple jumps from one solar system to another.
Everyone’s dream was to find an inhabited planet out there, but for a few like myself, it was a worst nightmare. We couldn’t pack up Earth and hope to find food out there, so the plan was to bring food to us. My team’s part was the most devious of all. We would use the scanners to probe a planet with inhabitants who were a close match to human DNA and then stick a flag in the star map. If they were capable of interstellar space travel like we were, then great. Come find us. If they weren’t, then they would become adopted into phase two of our mission. We conqueror them using the Neutron Starship that was twice as big as the Red Dwarf and only a few years out from launch.
I entered the cafeteria. Many of the workers already had their meals and sat around talking. Some things never changed despite our genetically altered state. I stood in line with the others for a quick drink.
