Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa

by JG Cully

  She's so young...looking.

  “Alright.” she said as Alyssa started to get control of herself. “Tell me your story.”

  Victoria liked to build up the persona of 'hard-ass' but she found that some responded better if she pretended to give a damn. Or actually gave a damn; she still wasn't sure which it was right now. Part of her did actually care, whilst the other part was demanding to know why she wasn't taking the opportunity to floor the girl; or shoot her; or gut her; or all three for that matter.

  Alyssa removed her glasses again, wiping her eyes with her tunic sleeves.

  “It was a year and a half ago I think.” she began, her voice still a little broken. “Just before the peace. He took me from my bed in the orphanage.”

  She sniffed, swallowing. Victoria suspected this tale was going to awaken old emotions.

  “I awoke but he used some kind of water to put me to sleep again.” Alyssa continued, absent mindedly rubbing her arms. “When I woke up again, he'd already changed me. I don't know how. I...I felt awful.”

  Her eyes took on a distant look, obviously searching her memories.

  “He said I could no longer eat or drink normal food, that I'd have to drink blood. Human blood. I was horrified, said I'd never kill anyone. But he said that I didn't need to, said I would not kill. Only drink enough to function. The killing, he said, would come later.”

  She looked over at Victoria and smiled with a touch of embarrassment.

  “That wasn't a comforting thought.”

  This story sounded very much like one the girl hadn't told many or perhaps anyone at all.

  “He seemed so kind,” Alyssa said next, looking away to stare off again. “like he regretted changing me. Said that I was special. I liked that part at least.”

  Her face darkened. “That was before I realised he was a liar.”

  Victoria wanted to ask just who she was referring to, but she let the girl continue

  “Go on.”

  Alyssa shrugged.

  “A couple of days later, the heroes arrived. I remember because I was in the throne room. They burst in. They were so fast.”

  Alyssa swallowed. “It was so...brutal. They killed anyone who got in their way, with magic swords and fireballs. He stepped forward to fight them. I watched them kill him. Watched the others change back. I thought it was all over, thought I was free. Then I must have fainted, I just blacked out. Next minute I know I'm lying in a coffin in a warehouse near the docks.”

  Alyssa screwed up her face. “That...wasn't fun. I never did find out how I got there but I got out right and quick. I had a note with me. It just said 'You're the last'.”

  “The last vampire.” said Victoria.

  Alyssa nodded.

  “As far as I can tell anyway. I've not met any others.”

  Neither have I, thought Victoria.

  “Some of the things he or his lieutenants taught me before they killed him.” her tone had changed, speaking the word killed with more venom than Victoria had expected.

  “Avoiding sunlight, drinking blood, my aura.”

  Aura?

  The girl seemed to read Victoria's expression of confusion.

  “You know...the bad feeling you get around me.”

  Victoria had forgotten the feeling of dread she experienced around Alyssa. Probably because at first she had been at her mercy and then she just started to feel sorry for the girl. But come to think of it the feeling of revulsion was still there. Like a pressure at the back of her mind.

  “You feel it don't you?” asked Alyssa, her mournful face betraying a certain hope that the answer would be no.

  “Yes.” Victoria said plainly. No use in lying

  Alyssa nodded solemnly, sighing. “Figures.”

  “Since then.” Alyssa continued. “I've just been sort of existing.”

  Timidly she fixed her glasses again. She hugged herself, face cast down.

  Victoria saw her chance.

  I need to ask some straight questions

  “Did you kill the fat drunk?”

  “No!” Alyssa looked up immediately. Her little face seemed horrified by the very idea. “I've never killed anyone. Honest!”

  “What about when you're...” she pointed to Alyssa's jaw, not believing the girl could even do that. With her teeth.

  Yuck.

  “Oh no.” Alyssa shook her head vigorously. “I just drink enough to survive, I never drain anyone. I wasn't going to drain you either!”

  “So you've drunk before?”

  “I have to.” Alyssa's said in a regretful tone, “To stay alive, or exist, or whatever you want to call it. I drink from, well, bad people.”

  She gave a little smile, attempting reassurance. Victoria looked back with a neutral expression and Alyssa cast her eyes down again as she continued to speak.

  Interesting knowing that the look works on vampires as well as humans

  Victoria took a certain satisfaction in that.

  “Muggers, thieves, even murderers and crime bosses.” said Alyssa as she explained. “I normally go for them when they're asleep, or unconscious. I drink enough to keep me going, but not enough to kill. I figured, if they're weak, well, they won't be able to be as bad.”

  You had to admire the child-like logic.

  “A public service?” ventured Victoria

  Alyssa smiled, a proper smile this time as she met Victoria's gaze.

  “Yes. I try. I'm not really that good at it though”

  There was silence for a few moments.

  “What will they do to me?” Alyssa asked.

  It was Victoria's turn to be lost for words.

  “I don't know.” She managed, as she looked away. “Prison probably.”

  Victoria heard the girl swallow. A nervous gulp from a creature that was supposed to have the strength of ten men if archives were to be believed.

  “I don't think I'd be very good in prison.”

  Based on looks alone, Victoria had to agree. Alyssa was far too nice, far too shy and far too beautiful for prison. She'd be eaten alive. That or she'd do the complete opposite. You could never underestimate the cornered rat syndrome. Not that the girl looked anything like a rat. Victoria knew a pretty face when she saw one. Studying the girl now, Victoria noticed something very unusual about Alyssa's body. Something not right about her silhouette in the half moon light.

  “Alyssa?” She questioned.

  “Yes?”

  “What are those in your back?”

  Alyssa reached behind her.

  “Oh”

  Victoria watched as Alyssa's hand found the protruding flights of three closely grouped crossbow bolts in her lower back.

  She cast Victoria an embarrassed look. Victoria almost returned the look.

  Should have noticed them earlier!

  “Sorry. I didn't know I'd been shot.”

  She didn't even feel them? No wonder we couldn't stop her!

  She had assumed Malak had just missed or even winged the girl. Instead he'd been as accurate as his reputation suggested; in any other situation it would have been a good kill.

  “Erm” Alyssa began, a little unsure. “What should I do? I mean, should I take them out?”

  “I think so.” said Victoria though she was unsure herself. Just how...how did that work? How the hell was the girl not dead or at the very least, bleeding? In fact, how were the bolts embedded in her? Surely the damn things were armour piercing?

  “I can help” said a voice.

  Victoria spun on her heel as she stood, her pistol drawn in a flash. Her weapon found itself aimed at Katy, the little girl with the cutesy pigtails.

  How the hell?

  Katy's eyes went wide.

  “I'm sorry!” she said hurriedly, taking a step out of her hiding spot by the end of the alleyway, eyes regarding the pistol barrel with deep concern. “I...I didn't mean to listen in!”

  “Katy” breathed Alyssa before covering her mouth. “Oh please Katy.” Her tears star
ted again.

  Katy looked from gun to Alyssa and back again. Tense moments passed and then, completely ignoring the gun, Katy rather brazenly rushed over to Alyssa and hugged her tightly. Victoria saw Alyssa's expression over Katy's shoulder. Victoria and Alyssa exchanged confused expressions. Victoria lowered her pistol as Katy spoke.

  “I'm sorry,” she began, releasing Alyssa looking to Victoria. “I followed you from the tavern. I saw you running off after Alyssa. I wanted to stop you.”

  That was impressive considering neither Malak nor the Darnhun had managed to track her, or stop her.

  The youngster is full of surprises.

  “I know you're a good person.” Katy said next, turning back and taking the other girl by the shoulders. There was great conviction in her voice.

  “I just know it.”

  She looked back to Victoria again, an intensity filling the young girl's eyes.

  “I know she's telling the truth. She didn't kill that man and she doesn't want to remain a vampire.”

  Victoria holstered her weapon but her expression was one of resignation.

  “I know but...” Victoria ran her hands through her hair. “Vampires. They're classified 'clear and present danger to peace.'”

  She lifted her head, casting Katy a look that brokered no argument.

  “I'm duty-bound to bring her in.”

  Despite this look (it normally worked) Katy still questioned.

  “Can't you just look the other way?” She suggested. Victoria favoured her with a pitying glance.

  Stubborn little mite aren't you?

  “Youngster.” Victoria said. “It doesn't work that way with the Council of Peace. We don't ever just look the other way.”

  “Why not?” Katy took a step forward, balling her fists. Victoria almost thought the girl was going to take a swing for her. “She's not a bad person. She's not going to start another war.”

  “Yes but,” Victoria shook her head

  Why the hell am I even justifying myself to the likes of you?

  Victoria hardened herself.

  “It's not my call to make, I have my orders.”

  Alyssa was looking on, in mute shook. Her expression indicated she really couldn't believe what was happening either.

  “It is your call.” Katy said. Her face still looked very determined, even though the flickers of uncertainly now clouded her words. “You can pretend you never found us.”

  Victoria chuckled. “Pretend?” She looked away again, shaking her head.

  “Well what would you do if I was to let you go?” she said, crossing her arms. Her eyes found Katy again “Where would you go?”

  “To find someone who can change Alyssa back.”

  Victoria and Alyssa both frowned.

  “What?” they said in an odd kind of unison.

  Katy looked from one to another, stopping on Alyssa.

  “You want to change back to human right?” she said

  “Well, yes but...”

  “Well, we find someone or something that can change you back.”

  Alyssa shrugged, arms out.

  “Katy I...” she began. “I've tried. There isn't any way.”

  She lowered her head. Victoria could see the glint of tears again.

  “I'm stuck this way.”

  Katy approached Alyssa again and put her hand on her shoulder. With her other hand, she gently cupped Alyssa's jaw and brought her head up so that the two of them were eye to eye. To Victoria's mind, it was a very commanding gesture and Alyssa certainly looked shocked by it.

  “No you're not.” stated Katy. Victoria had to admit, she was impressed with the young girl’s resolve, not to mention her tracking skills. She wondered what bloodline had bred this.

  She'd make a good investigator in later life. Well, if circumstances were different that is.

  “We will change you back. There's a place in the Great Library. My dad's a librarian there.”

  Victoria frowned and noticed Alyssa's eyes changing, becoming hopeful again.

  “He says there's lots of books about magic and magical creatures down in the basement. There's bound to be one on vampires. We can find a way.”

  Alyssa's face ran with tears again. Behind her eyes, Victoria could see something being kindled. A hope, she suspected.

  “Oh Katy.” Alyssa embraced her friend “Oh Gods please let you be right.”

  Katy hugged her back, before turning her eyes toward Victoria in triumph. Victoria rolled her eyes.

  “Oh here we go.” Victoria muttered.

  “Please.” Katy begged.

  Victoria looked from one girl to the other.

  “Don't ask me to do this.” said Victoria, hands on her hips, looking away so as not to have to meet the two pairs of eyes. It wasn't that she was scared, or even unsure. Well, maybe a little unsure. But damned if she was going to wreck her career for these two. She hardly knew either of them and no matter how sincere the request; it was madness!

  “We've got a chance.” said Katy, taking another step toward Victoria. She'd the puppy dog look on, augmented by the blond pigtails and pink ribbons; Victoria was used to it. You didn't spend that long in the company of the Larrick City Militia without learning a great deal about the mournful puppy dog look. She had long hardened herself against its influence.

  “I can't.” Victoria concluded.

  Wonder how much of a bitch that makes me?

  “There might be another way.” said Alyssa. Victoria looked past Katy as Alyssa stepped forward now. She put a hand on Katy's shoulder, turning the other girl to face her, whilst her other hand went to her glasses. Making sure they were secure.

  Victoria's hearing just about picked up what Alyssa whispered to Katy.

  “Hold on to me. This might be a bit weird.”

  Katy complied, wrapping her arms around Alyssa as Victoria looked on.

  Hold on a moment.

  Victoria had her pistol aimed again

  “What are you...”

  She never got to finish.

  With a sound of bursting fabric, two huge over-sized bat wings suddenly erupted from Alyssa's back, bursting forth in a rain of obliterated fabric. The wings were massive, filling the alleyway, almost too big to be contained. Black grey bat wings, twice as tall as a man, stretched wide on six taloned fingers.

  Where the hell did they come from?!?

  Victoria took a step back, eyes wide in shock. She had read in the archives about vampires having the ability to fly. But this? She never expected this! Where...where did she keep those?

  Alyssa cast her an apologetic look.

  “Sorry.”

  The wings rose with a whoosh of air, lifting high and wide over the girl’s back, then flapped downwards in a blur of motion and to an accompanying thunderous boom. Victoria was blown off her feet as Alyssa launched herself into the air, the wings propelling her upwards. Up, into the night sky.

  Victoria was instantly blown back such a distance that her flight was only stopped when she hit a snow drift, and sank into it. For the briefest of moments there was a human shaped hole in the snow, before it collapsed in on her. Rather quickly, the alley was once again silent, with only a very weak sound of huge wings flapping, slowly disappearing into the night.

  The silence was broken by Victoria's voice coming from the snow drift.

  “Well,” said the muffled voice.

  “Sod.”

  * * * * *

  Malak turned the corner, weapon up and scanning. His breathing was heavy from long periods of running. He'd heard something just now. It had sounded like a muffled explosion, or a gust of wind. He'd been hunting, after he and Victoria had split up. She'd disappeared, running off after the vampire he imagined. Bloody stupid idea that had been, 'cause now he'd lost not only the vampire but Victoria as well.

  He'd run from alleyway to alleyway, street to street, but found no sign. As the minutes had ticked by, his searching had become more frantic; this was bad, very bad. Victoria could kee
p her investigative ways. Malak was a soldier, a hunter soldier. Hunting skills now put to good use in trying to find the vampire or her. He knew he'd hit the vampire earlier. No doubt, he didn't miss. Years on years of practice with his weapon (on alive and not so alive targets) had honed his abilities. He didn't miss, he hadn't missed. It was just that vampires maybe needed more bolts, or bolts in different places. So be it; he'd plug her in the eyeball and see if that did it.

  He moved to the corner of the alley where he'd heard the sound, and peeked his head round slowly, pushing his K-12 out in front of him, it's fresh bolts glinting in the moonlight. Ready to be unleashed again.

  The alleyway was a mess. Discarded boxes and barrels lay everywhere, as if tossed about by a freak gale. Oddly, there was no light from the houses either side of the alley. Either no-one lived in the houses or they slept very soundly indeed. He listened but could hear nothing.

  Then he saw it, something on the ground.

  He moved over carefully, eyes still scanning, weapon still at the ready. Only when he stooped to pick up the object did he let his eyes drop. He realised what it was immediately.

  Victoria's pistol. He knew it well. She'd customized the grip for her hands and the weapon was like new.

  This isn't good.

  He looked around, up at the roofs and up and down the alley. The only other things in the alleyway were boxes, barrels and a lonely looking snowdrift. That seemed to be rippling from within.

  His weapon was up immediately, as he dropped to a crouch aiming for the centre of the snowdrift. His finger tensed on the trigger.

  Hold up he told himself What if it's a civilian? Might not be the vampire about to ambush. Just some poor sod who had a load of snow fall on top of them.

  He relaxed just a little.

  “Who goes there?” he yelled into the snowdrift, expression serious.

  “Malak?” came a muffled voice. It seemed to be coming from the snowdrift. It was very familiar.

  “Victoria?” he replied with a great deal of uncertainty.

  “Malak!” said the voice, a little louder and more commanding now as the movement beneath the snows surface became more pronounced.