"No," Tish replied too quickly. Now she had to come up with an excuse why. "I think its best that you stay home and get some rest. Your mom will be there the whole time, right?"
"Yeah, she's here. She's actually been great. But she's not you, Tish. Besides, you shouldn't be alone either. I'm going to come over."
"I'm not alone. Don't worry about me."
"What do you mean? Who's there? I thought you said your parents went to work?"
Tish struggled with a response. "Yeah, they did. But they had a guy from their work come over." It was getting harder and harder to keep things from her best friend. "He's just doing his work downstairs, hanging out to keep my parents at ease."
"I don't understand. Do they think you are in danger? Why would they send him there?"
"I don't know, Susan," Tish said, feigning irritation. "They just did. Hey, I have to get off the phone and take a shower. I've been laying around all day and I think a shower will make me feel better."
Susan sounded real sad to be dismissed like that, and it made Tish feel guilty for doing it. But how could she keep secrets if she allowed Susan to keep prying at her? She pulled off her colorful socks and tossed them in the hamper, along with her t-shirt. Her sweatpants she tossed over the desk chair in case she wanted to put them back on later. Standing there in white cotton panties and a basic white bra she stared at her body in the mirror. Gently she ran finger tips across the skin of her belly, trying to simulate Aaron's touch. It didn't work.
Then the bedroom door floor open, and Thomas rushed inside. Tish screamed. Covering her chest with her arms she backed into her dresser and yelled at him, "Get the fuck out of here! How dare you?"
Thomas stopped in the middle of the room and stared out the window like he was listening for something. "Shut up!" he demanded, holding up his hand signaling for her to stop talking.
"You don't tell me..."
"Quiet, bitch!" Thomas cut her off. "There are vampires outside! In your yard! Let me do my job."
Tish was shocked. Could they really be out there? Or was this some kind of trick to get in her room while she was undressed? Was this what her mom was warning her about? Keep her wits, she had said. "This better not be a trick!"
"It's not," he said, still staring out the window. "I have no interest in seeing your private areas. Now shut up so I can hear."
Tish listened to, but heard nothing. After a couple minutes she whispered, "Did you hear them out there before?"
"Yes." Thomas was getting impatient with her.
"What are they doing?" she couldn't help but ask.
Thomas faced her then, with anger in his eyes. "They are trying to decide how best to come in here and get you. Now go into your bathroom, lock the door, and let me do my job."
He took a step toward her as he pointed at the door. Tish was worried that he would grab her and force her into the bathroom, so she darted in there before he could. Locking the door behind her she collapsed onto the floor with her back against the sink. Knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs and pulled them close. Then she listened.
For what seemed like forever, she listened closely without moving. A couple times she heard quiet movement in her room, floor boards creaking. She couldn't tell if Thomas was still there. Wondering whether or not he had called her parents already, she tried to remember where she left her phone. She was pretty sure it was in the middle of her bed. She could quietly open the door, grab the phone, and then come back in the bathroom to make her call. Surely that would be okay? Thomas would have to allow it. Why wouldn't he?
First, she peeked through the keyhole. It didn't reveal much of her room, but as far as she could tell there was no one there. Tish silently unlocked the door and twisted the knob. Pulling the door open slowly she watched the room for movement and shadows. Where was Thomas? Had he gone back downstairs? Did the vampires get into the house? Was his priority to catch those beasts or to protect her from them? She wasn't sure, but she figured there should be more than one man doing the job. A phone call was her priority.
She spotted the phone on the bed, just like she remembered. On tip toes she moved slowly in that direction. There was no one in her room, and she couldn't hear any noises from inside or outside of her house. Maybe Thomas was chasing them away. Or maybe they killed Thomas already, just the way they did Hunter. Her father said these aliens were really strong and fast because they came from a planet with a heavy gravity. How was Thomas supposed to protect her from that? Did he even have a gun? She did not see one on him. He probably wouldn't even be able to pull the trigger before they were on top of him.
Her bedroom door was still wide open, and she looked that direction as she slowly moved toward the bed, reaching for her phone. When a shadow moved in the hallway she stopped. The shadow moved again. Someone was definitely out there. Was it Thomas or a vampire alien? Even as she whispered his name she knew it was a bad idea. She would be drawing attention to herself either way. "Thomas?"
Swiftly the shadow grew in the doorway and a tall creature stepped in, dipping to miss the top of the door frame with its head. The face was just like the one in the hologram. Long, narrow skull, with gray skin and huge black eyes. Her scream caught in her throat. It was the most scared she had ever been in her life. She knew she could not run away fast enough, assuming her body hadn't just gone rigid from fright. The blood red pupils bore into her as its head lowered further, bringing its face within inches of hers. The movements were completely inhuman, with a weird jerky flow. She imagined it was how a giraffe would look when it danced, if it danced. But this was no dance.
The lipless mouth opened then to reveal razor sharp teeth. She had smelled cucumber she realized, when exiting her bathroom, but hadn't given it any thought. The smell was strong now. It was coming from the beast that was about to eat her. As its moist breath brushed over her face another scent attacked her. Something like rotten cabbage. She gagged as it tried to talk. The words were barely recognizable as English. Apparently, our language was very difficult to speak with the alien mouth.
Drops of vampire spit made her blink her eyes as she figured out the words it was saying. "I told you to stay in the bathroom."
She jolted back then, confused. It stepped toward her again and repeated the sentence, this time attempting to be as clear and understandable as it could. But she had understood the words the first time. "I told you to stay in the bathroom."
"Thomas?" she finally choked out. It nodded. Rather, he nodded. It had been a trap after all. Thomas was one of them. Her parents had made the mistake of leaving her in the care of this alien vampire. Or was it a mistake? Perhaps her father knew what he was. But surely her mother did not, though she was suspicious of him.
It was then that she noticed his body. It was a full two feet taller than before, but he was wearing the same clothes. His legs extended past his gym pants to reveal skinny gray limbs, matching the arms that were pointed in odd directions around her. His belly was gray also, and very slim. If not for the disgusting skin she would have been jealous. Then he backed away two steps before grunting in pain. His arms flailed as he dropped to one knee, his face looking at the floor. Bones cracked and skin flaked as his body became a blur. A few seconds later it was human again. It was indeed Thomas.
He stood up to face her looking just the same as he did in the TV room earlier. Except now there was a bloody tear running down one cheek, and exhaustion on his face. His clothes fit again, but the shoes would not be much good. They were pretty much shredded at the toe.
Tish nearly felt sorry for the obvious pain he had endured changing back to human form. Then she was confused. Why wouldn't he just stay in vampire form? It would be much easier to kill her that way. Why hadn't he killed her already?
A million questions could've flew from her lips at that moment. Are you going to kill me? Are you the one that killed Hunter? Or crushed my Aaron? Or, what did you eat to make your breath smell so bad? Instead, she was confused that he went ba
ck to human.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Some of the anger returned to his eyes, replacing the exhaustion. "I changed back. I only went Sanguillen so I could hear better. To sense them. There were two of them, one at each door. But they sensed me, too. And they ran. Right now they are in the trees past the swing set talking about what to do."
"You mean, you are not one of them?"
"No," he responded agitated. "I'm Sanguillen, a vampire, but I'm not a rogue. What did your father tell you?"
Tish started to relax, just realizing from the pain in her muscles that she had been incredibly tensed up. But she was still scared. "Not near enough, evidently. Are they going to come back?"
"Maybe, but I doubt it," he said proudly.
She wanted to laugh at him. "You said there were two of them. There's just one of you. Is there help on the way?"
He was offended, "No. I didn't need any help. They know who I am. And they know not to mess with me."
"Oh bullshit," she said, pulling her arms back up to conceal her breasts. "What really happened? Is there even anyone out there? Or did you actually do all this just to see me in my underwear after all."
That enraged him, causing his eyes to bulge black. "Fuck you, bitch! Your charm don't work on me! I don't give a shit about your scrawny little titties. I am what I said I am. And I did what I was supposed to do. You stupid ungrateful twit! I should have let them take you. Your parents don't have any idea what a spoiled brat you are, do they?"
She was in complete shock. No one had ever talked to her that way before. She was not spoiled. Why would he say that? And did he really think her tits were scrawny? She had thought her breasts were her most attractive feature. She let her arms drop to her side, and her eyes to the floor, ego deflated. When she looked back up he was staring at her chest smiling.
"You asshole!" she screamed, attempting to slap him. But his reflexes were fast, and he blocked her effortlessly, grabbing her wrist. He laughed in her face, humiliating her. Struggling to pull free she tried to kick him in the crotch, but he moved just in time to block the kick with his hip. Then he pushed her backwards.
"Get dressed," he demanded. "Just in case they come back. I'll call your father to let him know you are okay." Then he slithered out of the room, with an arrogant strut. She wanted to hit him in the back of the head with something, but there was nothing within reach that would do any damage. Just tiny, fluffy pillows on the bed. And he would probably dodge it anyway. Perhaps, a little gratitude was starting to seep in, too. Her instincts told her that he was telling the truth. There was two of them out there, and he did protect her like he said he would. She wanted to be angry at him, but it was fading away. But he was still an asshole.
17 - The Interview
Detective Bell sat in his car parked along the curb in a residential area. He was less than two miles from his own house. The suitcase in the back seat seemed silly now. He had thought he would be chasing clues all over the country again. Maybe he soon would be.
He received the call from dispatch an hour ago that someone had spotted a vampire in this neighborhood last night. They actually used the word vampire. Normally he would figure it a hoax, or an active imagination. But considering there was an attack in the area recently he was obligated to check it out. Questioning the old lady gave him very little information. He was about to consider it a waste of time.
Across the street from the old woman's house was another street. So Nick sat there staring at the street sign. It was the corner Riverfield Drive and Creek Field Circle. Apparently there used to be a waterway and a field around here. Now it was just hundreds of houses. Creek Field Circle sounded familiar so he searched his notes to find that his daughter's best friend lived on this street. That could not be just a coincidence.
The girl's name was Tish Hawkins, and she was at the lodge when the so called "vampires" attacked. Now there is a spotting near her house. Dispatch said there had been no reported break ins or attacks in the area last night, but he wanted to question this girl anyway while he was here. He felt like he was actually getting close this time.
Nick answered his phone. He had been waiting to find out if the girl had gone to school today. Just his luck, she had not. Could he be lucky enough to catch her home? Only one way to find out. He put the car in drive and looked for the correct house. It was nice. Well landscaped, three stories, lots of glass. All the houses on this street were well spaced apart. He guessed nearly an acre of ground per home, which was rare in suburbia. The Hawkins were well off.
The doorbell rang while Tish was finishing her breakfast. Her mother was home with her, but Thomas had been sent in search of the aliens. Tish realized now that the reason he was the best person for this job was because he was one of them. A Sanguillen. A vampire. An alien. She still had a little trouble believing it fully. But she trusted her mother and had to accept that the world was not what it seemed. There had been aliens among us for centuries. Some even worked at her parent's company.
Pam Hawkins did know that Thomas was vampire. That was why she didn't trust him as much as Charlie did. And who could blame her. Hiring an enemy? An alien? At what point would he turn on them to defend his own people. It confused Tish. Her mother's vague answers were not helping the matter.
She was still a little edgy from last night's drama. So, she sat there and stared toward the front door motionless. The bell rang again, and then three knocks on the wooden door. The oak barrier was thick and heavy, so the knocks sounded like distant thuds.
"Tish? Are you okay?" her mother asked from the doorway. Tish just then realized she was there. "It's okay, sweetie. It's best not to answer the door, even in daylight. It's probably the new guard that your father sent over."
Nick was about to turn and walk away when the door opened. A beautiful blonde woman stood in the doorway wearing a Hollywood smile to go with her glamorous dress. She was waiting for him to introduce himself, looking at him expectantly. Perhaps she was expecting someone else.
"Hi. Mrs. Hawkins?"
"Yes. And who are you?"
Nick flashed his badge, "I'm Detective Bell. I'm looking for your daughter, I believe. Tish Hawkins?" Tish froze at the sound of her name.
"I'm sorry, Detective Bell," Pam said, completely composed. "Who are you with? May I actually see that badge, please?"
Nick would normally intimidate his way through this, but this woman was obviously used to being in control. She probably owned some company in the city. She was dressed well enough to be receiving an award. Reluctantly, he pulled his badge back out and examined her face as she read it.
"Special Unit Detective" she read aloud. "What kind of special unit do you work for, Detective?"
He gave her the hint of a tired smile. If you can't intimidate them, let them think you are too tired to play games. "I have some questions for your daughter about the attack at the hunting lodge the other night."
"She's already been questioned thoroughly by the police," Pam answered, and indicated she would be shutting the door soon.
"I understand that, Mrs. Hawkins. But I have a different set of questions for her. I apologize for the interruption, but it will only take a couple minutes." Nick stepped forward like he was expecting to be invited in. He could play that game as well as her. The door did not open, so he had to stop short. Pam stared at him inquisitively. He put on his best honest smile.
"Please wait outside for moment," she said, and shut the door in his face before he had time to respond. No, definitely not easily intimidated. He stood there several minutes wondering if the door would open again. Should he ring the bell? Did she forget about him? Maybe he should just walk away, try to get a warrant. Or catch Tish at school. They would let him question her there, in the principal's office. He couldn't hear any movement in the house so it surprised him when the door opened again.
Pam Hawkins wore the same smile that she originally greeted him with. "Please, come in. You can wait in the living room. My dau
ghter will be down in just a moment."
"Thank you," he said as he stepped into the house. There was a lot of dark wood in the foyer and living room, with matching bulky furniture. The carpet was white and there was no television. It must be nice, he thought, to have a separate room just to have guests wait. Nick was offered coffee. He declined. They made small talk until the daughter finally entered the room from the hall.
Nick stood, "Hi. You must be Tish. I'm Detective Bell." He offered his hand, but she stood there confused. "Is there a problem?" Pam took a protective posture near her daughter.
"You're Susan's dad, aren't you?" Tish asked.
"Yes, actually I am. And I recognize you from my daughter's Facebook photos."
"Why didn't you say that when I answered the door?" Pam demanded.
"I apologize. I'm here on a police matter. I realize now I should have mentioned who my daughter is as well. Please forgive me."
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