Silver Silhouette

by Rodzil LaBraun

  "So, they are not dead people coming back from the grave?"

  "No," Charlie replied. "And they don't sleep in coffins. But, they do pose as humans." Pam opened her mouth to add a comment, but Charlie waved her silent. "We don't want to overwhelm you with details about these creatures. But I thought it best that you know what they are so you can understand why I must ask you certain questions. Think of us like the vampire police. Okay?"

  Tish smiled briefly, then felt it grossly inappropriate. "Okay. What do you want to know?"

  "Did it look like they were attacking the group to get to you?"

  Shaking her head she answered no. Charlie relaxed at the response, but Pam was relieved almost to the point of tears. "Why did you think they would be after me?"

  "Sweetie," her mother said, voice full of emotion, "we were worried that they knew you were our daughter. That they were trying to get to you to get to us."

  Nodding, Tish thought back to last night's events with new clarity. "No. They could've easily got to me without attacking the others. Aaron and I were outside alone. In fact, we were real close to the woods. They had to practically ignore us to get to the house."

  "That's awesome," Pam said. "I'm so glad that they didn't recognize you."

  "Wait," Tish said, remembering. "Right before they disappeared into the woods one of them stopped and stared at me. It was only for a second, but otherwise they moved so fast. That's how I noticed it saw me."

  Pam stiffened and reached for her husband. "Oh no, Charlie. They know who she is. She's not safe now."

  "Don't worry," he answered confidently. "I'll assign a team to her. They won't come near her." Pam did not look convinced.

  Tish wondered what kind of team could protect her from vampires. Those things moved so fast! "Hey, how come they move so fast?"

  Charlie stared at her for several seconds before answering. Pam stared at her husband unwilling to answer without his consent. "The reason they are so fast, and strong for that matter, is that they are used to a planet with a much stronger gravity. Their world is also concealed in cloud cover, which explains their sensitive eyes."

  "Holy shit!" Tish snapped, then apologized to her mother for her language. "They are aliens? From another planet? Are you kidding me?"

  A vibration sounded from the other side of the table and Charlie reached for his phone. He asked the person calling to hold on a second. "Tish, I will have some more questions for you soon. But right now I need to organize the hunt, and arrange for your protection. Pam, could you help Tish to her room?"

  "I don't need help to my room."

  "And she hasn't eaten yet either dear."

  "Fine," he responded impatiently. "Get her some food and let her rest. I need some privacy for my phone calls. Thank you both." Then he turned his back on them to speak to the caller. Pam hurried her out of the room to the kitchen, and asked that she not ask any more questions just yet. She said it was for her own good.

  As Pam fixed her daughter some lunch Tish tried to remember more about the previous night. Her memory was starting to fade. She could not remember the details as well as she thought she should. As she recollected her memory of the blurred attackers something extremely weird happened. Images floated through the air to both sides of her, then were gone. She looked around for them, but there was nothing. A few seconds later and it happened again.

  “What was going on?” she asked herself silently. Was she going crazy? Is this what traumatized people experienced? The next time they appeared she was able to catch a better glimpse. The images were just lines in the air, in the shape of animals. She thought one might be a bear, and another an ape. The next one was definitely a vampire, or Sanguillen as her mother called it. Only there was no face, no body, and no color. Only silver lines squiggled in the air, like silhouettes.

  15 - Close to Home

  Susan couldn't stop crying. Chelsea tended to her like a new mother, holding her grief struck daughter to her chest, kissing her hair. The girl's pain came and went, reminding her to take the pain killers. The scratches weren't real bad, though she was certain they would scar. It was sad to think about nasty marks on the smooth skin that she had cared for so diligently with lotions and supplements. But that wasn't why she was crying.

  Her best friend had called hoping to make her feel better. But it only started a sobbing fit that lasted a half hour. Chelsea had to apologize to Tish and promise to have her daughter call her back when she was able. Tish's boyfriend had been seriously injured in the attack. She said he would be in the hospital for a week or so. Susan knew that Tish and Aaron had been very close childhood friends before she came to town. Susan had eventually taken over the role of Tish's best friend in Aaron's place. Early on she was jealous when Tish spoke fondly of him. She could hear regret in her best friend's voice and did her best to distract her from him. It worked quite well, until recently.

  She had come to care for Tish so strongly over the last couple years that she could not stand to keep her from happiness. In her heart she truly felt that Tish had been in love with Aaron. He did not deserve her, of course. He was immature, not handsome enough, not near popular enough to be with someone so great. Tish deserved the best. And Susan had tried to get her interested in someone else, even begged her to start dating while she was no longer hanging out with Aaron. But it wasn't until Aaron was back in the picture that Tish had agreed to go out. It was obvious that she wanted to be with Aaron. And Susan would not be able to keep her from him. So, she told herself, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And while she had Hunter she was happy for Tish too.

  But now Hunter is dead. It was the reason she couldn't stop crying. At least at first. She really thought she might have been falling in love with him. He was so handsome, so popular. He was a football god, well at least for that one night. It felt so good to be with him, like she had some kind of disease that only he could cure. He made the ache inside go away. Well, okay, it was replaced by another ache in her body, but still it felt good. She wanted to be a good girl, just like her best friend. She couldn't stand the thought of disappointing Tish, and possibly losing that close relationship. Otherwise, she would have taken Hunter to one of the bedrooms and had her way with him last night. He was a big strong boy. She pictured him reclining on the bed propped up on one elbow. He wanted her as bad as she wanted him.

  That's where they would have been when those crazy people attacked the lodge. Maybe they would both have been killed while they were in each other's arms. That would have been a nice photo for the media. Two beautiful bodies entwined in bliss, then carved up by whatever it was those people in black had in their hands. She shuddered as she remembered, and her mother pulled her tighter.

  Susan missed Hunter badly. She felt it aching in her whole body. He was going to be the physical and emotional completion of herself. At least, that was what she had dreamed he would be. The loss of his life was tragic and she could not believe how selfish she was feeling about it. He had friends and relatives that knew him much better than she did. She was honestly sorry for their loss, but couldn't help missing the physical boy that she was going to turn into a man.

  And now, another sadness had come over her. She wanted to forget Hunter. She knew it was an awful thought. Toss his memory aside so quickly, like it was nothing. But her heart wanted to replace it with that old familiar ache that she had for the last couple years. She needed to be with Tish. It should be her best friend holding her against her chest right now, not her mom. She did love her mother, but not like she loved Tish.

  Her misery was interrupted by the sound of her father clearing his throat. He had been wanting to question her about the attack all night, but mother refused him. He kept trying again today, but would run off when she took to crying. Susan then realized that the tears were no longer dropping from her face. Perhaps she ran out. Maybe she was too dehydrated to cry anymore. She wasn't sobbing either. Her breath had steadied. Now her dad wanted his answers.

  It came as a shock to
both her and her mother when Nick Bell revealed that he was not really an insurance investigator. He apologized for the ruse, and explained how important it was that no one knew that his agency existed. It turned out he was some kind of paranormal police officer, a vampire hunter, or something crazy like that. She wasn't sure that she should even believe him. She asked to see his badge when he first told them. Some kind of proof of this absurd claim. She speculated it was just another lame excuse for why he had abandoned his family, why he wrecked his marriage and sent his wife to drinking every day. It was sad to watch. They had been a happy family before they moved to Leesburg. Before he took this new job.

  From the look of him she wasn't sure he even had a job. He almost appeared like homeless person. But mom said it was his money that was paying the bills, and apparently buying the liquor as well. She tried her best to help her mom from drowning in despair when her father didn't come home at night. But the drinking turned her into something angry. She pushed Susan away like she was ashamed, of Susan or of herself she could not be sure. At least Jenny still got the attention she needed. Her younger sister got almost everything she wanted. But Susan didn't care anymore.

  Susan's life changed for the best when she joined the cheer squad and became best friends with Tish. She had never had someone she could be so close with before. For a while she thought she might be gay. She found herself wanting to touch her friend's skin, pull her close, and kiss her gently. A few times she may have went too far. Tish's reaction would snap her back to reality. She couldn't risk losing this relationship, so she kept herself in check. Then the boys came. As a cheerleader she got a lot more attention than she was accustomed. She started showing more and more skin as her body filled out the curves. And the guys wanted to hold her.

  That's when she knew she wasn't gay. She longed for male company. She tried to think of what it would be like to be with a girl and found it unappealing. Except Tish. Tish was still very attractive sexually. So it must be just her fondness for her best friend making her feel that way. She was definitely into guys, but very close to one particular girl. That all made sense while she was dating Hunter. That had to be why she felt that way.

  But now Hunter was gone. And she longed for Tish again. She knew she could get another guy, and a handsome popular guy, too. It would be disgustingly easy, she thought. Guys were simple. They would want a chance at her body. Even if they thought she was responsible for Hunter's death, she would have no problem getting a date. But it brought her no pleasure. She felt like such a fool. She helped her best friend fall in love with a guy that she was trying to keep her from for two years. She wasn't sure exactly what she had done wrong, but she knew she had screwed up and nothing was going to be the same. She would not find happiness anytime soon.

  Nick sat patiently as his oldest daughter adjusted herself on the sofa. He could not believe that his case had brought him to his own home, to his own daughter for answers. He did not know how caught up in this ordeal she was, but hoped it was just a coincidence.

  Susan answered her father's questions in a trance. He wanted the details of the attack, of course. Each answer brought up a vivid memory. But the pain had dulled, and the memory was becoming more like a movie. He kept asking almost the same things over and over again, like she was concealing something. She couldn't figure out what he thought she knew. She had no idea who or what was the intended target for the attack. His puzzlement made him angry to the point that he withdrew from his family again. He spent the rest of the day on the phone or at his old desk that had been moved into the basement. By evening he had packed a small suitcase and was gone again.

  Susan said her goodbye at the door along with her mother and sister. But she would not miss that man. She had almost let herself believe that his return could possibly repair her mother. Perhaps now she would be even worse. Susan did not know, or really care at this point. She was too absorbed in her own misery.

  16 - What a Face

  Charlie Hawkins struggled to handle his duties from home that Sunday afternoon. With everything going on he really needed to be at the command center in his office in Great Falls. In times like these he wished he was still in the field, chasing down rogues. But he was most valuable to the program in a leadership position. He had plenty of qualified operatives out in the field. After apologizing to his wife he headed to work. An hour later he sent his best vampire chaser to his house to relieve his wife. Charlie needed her to cover some broadcasts. This was when they could really get their viewers.

  At this point Tish and Susan were their strongest leads. Two operatives were already assigned to Susan's house. One with instructions to tail Susan where ever she goes, and the other to watch the house. Susan and her family were not to learn of their surveillance.

  Since Tish had already been informed of the situation she could be more easily watched. Rogue unit leader Thomas was assigned to her. Pam explained the situation to her daughter and apologized for having to go to work leaving her daughter home with a stranger. Charlie insisted on Thomas, but it was obvious that Pam was not comfortable with him.

  "Thomas' job is just to hang out here in case something happens. We're not expecting any problems. It's just a precaution. If there is an emergency situation I want you to follow his instructions. He is very good at protecting targets. However, if he tries to get you to leave the house I want you to refuse and call me immediately."

  "Why would he want me to leave the house?" Tish asked, confused.

  Pam looked flustered as she was in a rush to get out of the house. "I don't know sweetie. Just call me if he does. But I want you to understand that in a non-emergency situation he has no control over you. He's just another man in a house with a beautiful teenage girl. Keep your wits about you?"

  Tish was shocked and suddenly concerned. "What in the world does that mean? Do you think he will try to rape me? Why are you leaving him here if you don't trust him?"

  "I do trust him. Or, at least your father does. He's just a little arrogant for me. But he is extremely loyal to your father. Don't worry. I'm sure everything will be fine. Just don't be naive, okay?" Pam grabbed her handbag and searched for her keys while Tish wondered who to trust. She would trust Aaron, and Susan, and her mom. But it didn't sound like her mom trusted Thomas. Thomas is loyal to Charlie. But did Tish really trust her father?

  "Mom?"

  "Yes, dear," Pam answered as she opened the front door. It was sunny outside earlier but now rain clouds were moving in making the sky dark as approaching nightfall.

  "You say Thomas is loyal to dad, but I'm not sure that I trust dad."

  Her mother looked offended, "Sweetie. Your father is trustworthy. Believe me." It might have convinced Tish if her mother didn't hesitate just then, and take a deep breath before exiting the home. Tish was not sure what to expect.

  Thomas sat in the TV room with the news on, volume too low to hear. There was an accident on the DC beltway again, holding up traffic for miles. Big surprise. He wasn't even watching the TV, though. He was scrolling through something on his cell phone, randomly tapping parts of the screen. She wasn't sure if he was working or playing a game. Tish waited in the room to see if he would even acknowledge her existence. He did not. Not until she turned to leave.

  "Your father is trustworthy, you know. In fact, he is very defensive of you."

  Tish stopped in her tracks. Obviously, he had heard the conversation at the door.

  "And I'm not going to hurt you, despite what your mother has lead you to believe. My job is to protect you. And I'm very good at my job."

  Thomas was smiling proudly at her when she turned around. He wasn't dressed for the job she thought. He was wearing a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt, both color coordinated with his track shoes. Maybe he just came from the gym. After checking out his attire her eyes returned to his face only to see his eyes scanning her body in return. When their eyes met again he smiled even bigger, a real toothy grin. Tish tried to return the smile but her face seemed inc
apable. She turned again and left him there without a word.

  The next half hour was spent on the phone with Susan. They missed each other so much already. With one boyfriend dead and the other in the hospital they really should be spending their time together. Susan begged her to come over. Tish told her she couldn't, but didn't know how to explain why. Her father said not to tell anyone about what she had learned. Vampires, aliens, whatever they are. They exist, they are a threat to mankind, but for some reason people are better off not knowing about them. From what Tish could tell many people already knew they existed, they were just confused on the details. Could setting them straight be so wrong?

  If there was anybody that Tish wanted to tell it was Susan. But honestly, she didn't know if what her father told her was even true. The more she thought about it the more her gut said it was. Surely no one would believe her anyway. Except maybe Susan. The safest choice was to not tell anyone. She could always change her mind later.

  "I'm sorry, Susan. I just can't come over today. I really wish I could be there for you but my parents insisted that I stay home."

  Susan whined, "But I really need you here. I can't stop crying. Maybe I can get mom to bring me to your house."