by Andrew Lynch
I had to tell someone. I was so excited! I pulled out my phone, which was almost dead – another sign I’d been asleep in the bunker far longer than I’d thought. Oh no. Twelve missed calls from my parents.
I had to get home, now.
Chapter 20
Reliquiae
I jammed my keys in the lock and swung the door open.
“I’m back, I’m here!” I shouted into the house.
Immediately my mom thundered into the hallway. “Where have you been!?”
Okay, she was really pissed. Also, her eyes were red and her cheeks puffy.
I rubbed my own eyes and took a deep breath to collect my thoughts before I explained everything. Leaving Peter and Bhav to go off by myself and explore a graveyard seemed like weeks ago, not yesterday evening.
“I just forgot to text you, I’m really–”
“Why are you covered in blood?”
Damn it. I’d forgotten again. “Don’t worry, it’s not mine!” Perhaps that hadn’t made things any better. She covered her mouth in shock as I continued, words tumbling out as I tried to explain. “I went to the cemetery after cheerleading yesterday, because I… smelled something, or whatever, and then I found it in a crypt at the back of the place, and I felt that I had to prove something, that I could control myself, but I couldn’t, and then–”
“What did you find in there?” she whispered.
“Umm, I don’t know. It was huge and smelled of dead things, and it was like a huge mound of flesh with boils all over it. I’ve never seen anything like it. I don’t know.”
“And you fought it? That’s what covered you in blood, right?”
“Like I was saying, after that–”
“Because if that’s human blood, Rel… If that is human blood, then I have to report it.”
“What? To the police?”
She pushed past me and slammed the front door shut. “Let’s clean you up. Quick.”
She marched me up the stairs and into the bathroom, running the shower.
But what did she mean she’d report me? She’d turn me into the cops? No, no, my mom would never do that. No way! “Report me to who?”
“The Masquerade.”
“The who?”
She wiped her face and stopped me from taking my clothes off. “Get in the shower with them on. Wash them too.”
Okay, this was scary weird now.
I stepped in the shower, leaving crusted dark smears wherever my hands touched in the pristine white bathroom. It didn’t even look like blood anymore. Just dirt.
She swept some towels off a chair, sat down hard, and started talking as I scrubbed myself clean. This wasn’t a relaxing shower, this was purely functional. Mechanical motions to remove the blood of the mistake I’d made. The hot shower water hid my tears, as I listened to my mother’s voice.
“We keep you children out of it as much as possible. SCIM polices us–”
“I know what SCIM is,” I muttered.
“You’ve heard of SCIM, I know. But they’re much more important than you think. They police us, and have ultimate authority. Judge, jury, and executioner. That’s part of the deal. We get to live normal lives, but to make sure of that, we have something called ‘The Masquerade’. That’s why you can’t tell any humans about your real nature. Because it would upset the balance we’ve managed to establish. Yes, some humans know we exist, but most of those don’t trust us and want us dead. So we hide. And we can do that thanks to the Masquerade. It’s easy for you kids, you can pass for human, that’s why we leave you out of it. But, around this time, when you start getting your powers, we start requiring you to go to our weekly meetings so you know how deep everything goes. Just how important SCIM is. You went to one once, remember?”
I nodded weakly, still scrubbing.
“You were too young, and a lot of what was said went over your head, so your father and I decided to not drag you along to any more until you got to the proper age. But you came into your powers so quickly… If only we’d told you more about everything earlier, but I wanted you to be able to be – uncomplicated – for as long as possible! There are other places like Sanctuary. One on each continent. Supernaturals don’t instinctively congregate and live all together like this…” She sighed. “But that’s not relevant right now.”
She stood up and started pacing. As much as anyone could pace in such a small room. “If you had lost control. Which you hadn’t. Then I would have to report you to SCIM. The Masquerade. Mistakes have happened in the past, of course, and every time it’s ended with a death. Normally it’s a human’s death. But because of what you are… they wouldn’t take any risks. I can’t take the chance that it would end with… you. And you can’t hide from them. I wouldn’t be able to hide that I knew, and you wouldn’t be able to hide that you did it. They keep us safe from humans knowing about us, and they stop hunters from knowing where we are, and they pump money into the town so we get a great University and hospital and everything else. But there’s a price.”
I gulped. I could never admit what I’d done. Even though she knew, I could never tell her. Or anyone else. This shadowy organization that I suddenly found I knew nothing about would kill me. Great. I turned the shower off and let the water drip from me now that it was running clear.
“So, what you found in that crypt,” my mom continued. “Did you kill it?”
“No. It was so strong…”
“But you survived.” The concern was written all over her face. She wanted to ask how. She needed to know. But she couldn’t ask, and I couldn’t tell.
“Yes. I survived.” I started crying softly again. What was happening to my life? It was too much. “But, it gets easier, right? I mean, being a teenager is tough for everyone, but then… then it’s easy? Like it was for you and Dad?”
She smiled sadly. “It becomes manageable for most. For a few… they change too much, and they have to live outside Sanctuary. I… I don’t know what will happen to you. I’m sorry.”
Oh. Great. But I couldn’t deal with thinking more than an hour or two ahead at the moment.
“Well. Mom. I think I need to get out of these clothes and sleep. Waking up, optional.”
I sighed before stepping out of the shower, my clothes still damp. What a mess. My life, not the bathroom. Actually, the bathroom too. My mom picked up one of the towels from the floor, put it round my shoulders, and hugged me, not caring that my wet hair dripped all over her front.
“Where’s dad?” I asked, only just registering that both of my parents should have been freaking out over this.
“He just left before you got here. He was worried about you, of course, but he got an urgent call.”
“Oh. Is everything okay?” I asked, not really concerned about what my dad was going through at work.
“I think so. I’ve already sent him a message to let him know you came back. He ran out the door, shouting something about Mr. Anderton needing help.”
I froze.
Shit.
Chapter 21
Mr. Anderton
I hadn’t tried to remove the bloodstain from the carpet. I’d keep it there as a reminder. I hung up the phone.
Hunching forward in my chair, my elbows on my knees, I rubbed my eyes. I had to keep it together. I wasn’t done yet.
I heard a car pull into the driveway and sat up. The cup of tea on the stand next to my chair steamed invitingly. As I took a sip, my hands shook. I hadn’t slept, and I was still coming down from the Lyfe I’d taken when I met the Fiend.
The click clack of shoes tapped up to the front porch. Someone pushed the door open tentatively.
I put my tea down carefully. I reached inside my jacket for the pen that lay there before I realised that wasn’t what I wanted. I must have been really out of it. I moved my hand to the table at my side and picked up the Glock 17. I wasn’t taking any chances.
As Claire rounded the corner into the living room, she froze, eyes fixed on the gun. I put it back on
the table and relaxed. Her skintight, white dress was impractical and made me question my plans involving her, but I couldn’t deny she looked drop dead gorgeous. I would have picked up the tea again, but I didn’t want her to see how much I was shaking.
She winked at me. ‘Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me?’
‘Both,’ I growled at her.
She gave a nervous laugh. ‘I did what you said. I added an IV drip of Lyfe.’
‘Good.’
‘I used my last vial and that’s all of it. I’ll have to make more, and it will take a few weeks. You’re on your own till then. Sorry.’
‘Richard matters more than me. More than anyone else in this place. He gets to live.’ I sighed. ‘How was he?’
‘The same as when you left. Missing too much of his blood, and the neck wound was pretty bad.’ She moved into the room and was about to take a seat on the couch opposite me.
‘Don’t sit there!’ I said sharply.
‘Oo-kay.’ She stood up awkwardly before resting her hands on her hips. ‘Good thing you gave him that vial of Lyfe. That’s what kept him alive long enough to get to the hospital.’
I nodded. That was how close he had come to dying. I shouldn’t have let my guard down. Crossing an ocean hadn’t been enough to get me out of this.
‘Thank you for going to him,’ I said. ‘I couldn’t… I needed to keep my mind clear.’ She hummed an affirmative. ‘I’ve given it some thought, Claire. The last time we met, you said if I needed help, you’d be happy to tag along.’ Her eyes lit up. ‘I’m new in town, and I don’t have any support. So yes, I’d appreciate it. Can you do something for me?’
She practically bounced up and down as she shouted, ‘Yes!’ She stilled herself and cleared her throat, smoothing out her dress. ‘I mean, sure. What do you need?’
I picked up the final object on the table next to me. A metal tube, with a cap on one end. I handed it over to her.
‘Hold this. If something happens, take the top off, and press the button.’
She looked at it quizzically for a moment, checking every angle. ‘What’s this connected to?’
I pointed at the sofa where she had been about to sit. She bent down to look underneath, and before I could lose my focus, she jerked back up, shocked. ‘Why the hell is that there?’
‘A precaution. I want you in the kitchen. Out of sight.’
‘Look, Anderton, I’m not going to use this. You’re too close. The blast will get you.’
I nodded. ‘That’s fine. But you’ve got it in case. And I don’t think you’ll need it. I’m not going to try and convince you, because if you need it - you’ll know.’
I placed my hand on the Glock by my side. ‘Do you know how to use a weapon? I need this one, but there’s plenty upstairs. Help yourself.’
She snorted. ‘Are you kidding? You really think I’m going to know that monsters exist, and there’s one killing people in the area, and not have a gun?’ She reached into her purse and pulled out a Glock 19. ‘Why? Because I’m a girl?’
I flashed her a bitter smile. ‘I’ve met plenty of women far more dangerous than I. Why the 19?’
‘Concealed carry stopping power and reliability. And the raw sex appeal, of course.’ She flashed me a grin with nothing bitter about it. ‘Why’d you go with the 17?’
‘British Army issue. One day, I just realised I was more comfortable with it than any other pistol. It’s my go-to gun.’
‘Have you named it?’
‘Of course.’
‘What’s it called?’
‘Oh, now that would be telling. Only my closest friends know that.’
‘But that means you were in the army? Wow!’ She put her pistol back in her purse, and her face took on the same starstruck look as when I was in her lab. She was digging for information. Well, I needed help, so I guessed I owed her something.
‘No. That’s not where the Scions recruit.’
She gasped. ‘I knew you were one! The only hunters I’ve met before were loners.’
‘Yeah. I was one. With them for a few years. But I decided I just wanted to be a father to Richard. I felt I had to get away from my past, leave the country, and a friend told me about this little town in sunny California. “It’s called Sanctuary,” he said to me. “Great place to settle down, real quiet. Let me know and I’ll set you up.” Needless to say, once I’ve sorted this mess out, I’m going to give him a call.’
I heard another car pull up outside.
‘Time for you to hide, Claire. Be ready.’
She nodded, turned around, and jogged to the kitchen. I allowed my stare to linger. Hey, I was sat right next to live C4 and had just told her to use it. If she would have told me to go to hell… well, I was about to.
I heard Tom’s footsteps as he took all the porch steps in a single leap. He didn’t bother to ring the bell before he slammed the door open.
‘Anderton!’ he shouted, running into the house.
He stopped in the opening to the living room and turned to face me. ‘Hey Anderton, why is it so dark in here? I can barely see.’ He moved confidently in his khaki shorts and navy polo-neck t-shirt. Always so well put-together, even in a crisis like this. Was it because he knew what Rel was, so he didn’t need to worry? He drew back the curtains and saw the bullet holes and the broken window.
‘What the hell?!’ He spun. ‘What’s going on? You said you had news about Rel? She’s been missing since last night. Freya and I are going crazy, she’s not answering her phone, and–
‘Take a seat.’ I pointed to the couch opposite me.
He moved much more slowly now. Cautious. Like prey realising it’s been trapped. ‘Why is my daughter missing? What do you know about it? And why has your window been shot out?’
He lowered himself into the seat, and only once he had sat down did he see the gun on the table.
‘I’m sure she’s just fine. Don’t worry.’ I watched him carefully.
He froze, finally seeing the blood on the floor. That was expected. A normal reaction. But was he scared because he thought that could be his daughter’s blood, or because he knew what his daughter was, and that the puddle of blood could have been her food.
‘Why is there a bloodstain on the carpet?’ he said, voice neutral.
‘Have you heard of monsters, Tom?’
‘What? Yes, of course.’
‘Have you ever met one?’
‘Look, I’d love to wax philosophical with you, but I don’t have time to discuss whether or not men can be monsters, nature or nurture, or whatever you’re talking about. Where’s my daughter?’
Telling the truth, or lying? What reason would a Draugr have to keep its identity secret from its parents? But then, why would a Draugr live with a family that it hadn’t turned? I’d seen Tom in the sunlight when he met me at The Grind, so I knew he wasn’t a vampire. What part did he play in this? Rick had told me Rel was adopted - had Tom and Freya been duped into raising a Draugr child like a cuckoo in the nest?
‘Tom, what if I told you that Reliquiae was a monster?’
‘I’d say that you should hurry up and tell me where she is before I get pissed off.’
I picked the gun up and leaned forwards. With my free hand, I dug the heel of my palm into my eye. Brilliant. I was about to break normal reality for this poor sap, and do it while looking like a strung out junkie. He would probably just laugh at me if it wasn’t for his daughter being in danger. Or what he thought was his daughter.
‘All the things that go bump in the night? I’ve met them and I’ve killed them. Monsters are real.’
He threw his hands up in exasperation. ‘What the hell are you talking about? Are you high?’
‘Not any more,’ I said. ‘There’s a problem, and it’s your daughter.’
‘Finally! Where is she?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Damn it, Anderton! My daughter is missing, and you’ve called me round to look after your hangover?’
/>
‘Your daughter is one of things that goes bump in the night. Well, she’s actually one of the things that go boom in the night. This puddle of blood is from Richard.’
His eyes went wide and he muttered a curse under his breath. ‘What happened to him?’
‘Your daughter.’
‘Hey, Anderton, come on. Tell me what’s going on. You can trust me.’
As he said it, the room seemed a little bit brighter. Richard was alive, after all. Maybe all of this wouldn’t be so bad. I put the gun on the table and leaned back in my seat.
‘Well, your daughter is kind of like… let’s just call her a vampire, okay? And she was hurt. She was hurt really bad.’
‘What? Is she okay?’
‘Don’t worry. I got her out of the crypt.’ I waved a hand casually. ‘Something nasty had messed her up. I think she was close to de… well, she was hurt. But I brought her back here, and I was going to save her.’ My high spirits dropped at the memory. ‘Long story short, it turns out she’s a vampire and needed blood. She took my son’s. I came downstairs, and she was feeding on him. Almost ripped his throat out. He’s lying in a hospital bed, barely clinging to life.’
Tom looked horrified. ‘No. No, that can’t be what happened. Vampires aren’t real, you know that. She’s not a vampire–’
‘She’s a Draugr, actually.’
Tom stopped talking, and stood up slowly. His hands were out to try and keep me calm. Clearly, he still thought I was a dangerous junkie. He took a careful step towards me and placed a hand on my shoulder. A shiver ran up my spine.
‘Do you think you and I can still be friends, Tom?’
‘Of course. And hey, maybe you can even tell me your first name next time we meet, Anderton. But for now, tell me what you know about Draugr.’
This was great! He seemed like a really nice guy. And he was taking the breaking of The Masquerade really well. Most people would freak out learning that monsters were real. Not Tom - he was so calm and collected. Tom was a good friend, and I wanted to help him by telling him everything I knew.
