Shelby was in the complex when she heard Allie would be meeting with the Elders. She clenched her fist so tightly her hand began to bleed. With no time to lose, she formulated a plan to get rid of Allie and rushed down the halls of Caveena to the cafeteria, looking for the final piece to her puzzle. In the cafeteria, she wiped her hand with a napkin, relishing Allie’s demise.
A small girl with multicolored hair came into the room to have dinner. She was part of the crew of Cavers that watched the nursery overnight. The girl filled her tray with a few items and sat alone at a table and began eating. She was the only Asian Caver at Lucient Central and this was the end of her second year. She could join the Double E Club soon and was in the final stages of her last evaluation.
Shelby smiled when she saw her: her prayer had been answered. She glanced about, but the cafeteria was empty except for the two. Shelby walked over and sat, grinning widely.
Although Shelby was smiling, it was not warm or inviting, and the girl suspected trouble. Shelby’s mother was the Queen of Caveena so Shelby got her way and used everyone around her in her petty plots and schemes.
“Hi, Shihong.”
“Hi, Shelby,” the girl looked to the door as if planning her escape.
“How would you like to help me with a small problem I am having? It will make you look good.”
“Okay.”
“Fabulous! What do you know about the girl named Allie?”
“Sara is training her. She said she is a natural.”
Shelby clenched her fist under the table but kept smiling.
“She is not worthy to join us. Help me remove her and I will reward you. The sky’s the limit.”
Uneasily, the girl said, “I don’t know.”
“How about this: help me and get rewarded, or refuse me and die a horrible death. Maybe instead of killing you, I will put you in with the Artillies, or better yet, the Sleepers.”
The girl gasped in horror at the thought of being locked in a coffin for all eternity with one of the Sleepers or being eaten alive by the cannibalistic Artillies. Shihong shuddered.
Shelby laughed madly as she taunted the young girl. She smiled a malicious grin, licked her lips, and opened them to reveal shining fangs. She saw from Shihong’s face that her threat worked and the young girl would do as she told her.
“Kayo’s testing is tonight, isn’t it?”
“Yes, we will be at a park for her testing phase.”
“No. I have made arrangements for Allie to be at the mall. You will take Kayo there and do the evaluation. I want you to leave her on a bench and wait. Allie is stupid and when she sees you there she will try to talk to Kayo and fall into our trap. You will spring the trap and I will be at the door to knock her down. I am getting rid of that scum tonight. She will never get evaluated by the Elders.”
The more Shelby talked the more Shihong shrank and the darker Shelby’s eyes grew. Hearing her own voice speaking of her enemy’s demise thrilled and excited her to no end. She could not wait for her plan to begin. She gave final instructions to Shihong at the table and hurried off to tell the others what part they would play in her plan of vengeance. If this worked, it would send a message to all the others: she was not to be challenged, or even touched, by the lower species.
That night a vampire boy was in a tree outside Kay Carter’s window. He leaped from the tree and landed softly on the roof. Kay was inside reading a book in her bed. The vampire boy put his hand to the window and focused on the woman inside. Seconds later, she put her book down and sat up in bed with a blank look on her face.
The vampire put thoughts into her head and after a devilish smile, he took down his hand and watched the woman get out of bed and go to her closet and take out a dress. She was already wearing a nightgown, and as she moved to the bathroom she started removing it. She suddenly had an urge to go shopping and hurried to the bathroom to shower and change.
Delighted with the result, the boy leaped back into a tree and was soon out of sight. His mission had been completed and he was on his way to tell Shelby the good news.
Later that night Allie got up and went to the mall with her mother. They were looking at purses when Allie saw the Asian Caver from school walk by with a child. Her cross was in full display and she was wearing the same earrings Allie had.
As Kay fantasized about the expensive purses surrounding her, Allie eased her way to the door and out of the store. Allie’s curiosity was stoked, and besides, she wouldn’t be missed: Kay would take forever, and still not buy anything.
The Caver held the little girl’s hand and led her to a bench, sat the girl down, and told her not to move. She went into a store across from the little girl to do some shopping.
Allie watched the little girl. She wanted to speak to her; she was sure the girl knew Nadia and Lila. The girl never moved from the bench, she sat quietly staring straight ahead. People would come by and the women with children would smile at her. The girl acted as if she didn’t see them and didn’t respond to any of them, not even the young girls her age. She simply stared into the store her minder had entered, like a faithful dog waiting for its master to return.
It took the Caver over ten minutes to return, and when she did, she was carrying a bag. Allie could hear her praising the little girl for not moving. She then saw the Caver leave and this time she went farther down and around the corner. The little girl craned her head to see her minder, but she could not and so resumed staring at the store in front of her.
Allie, sensing this was her moment, went over and sat beside the girl. The girl looked at her and then back at the store front. Allie took out her cross and tapped the girl on her shoulder. She turned and saw Allie’s cross. She stared at the glowing jewel for a moment then looked up at Allie.
Allie had her.
“Hi. My name is Allie. What is yours?”
“Kayo.”
“That is a pretty name, I like it!”
“Thank you, I picked it out two months ago.”
“It’s lovely. Do you know Lila, Kayo?”
“Yes.”
“Where did that girl go who was with you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is she your teacher?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to sit here and wait for her?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that, I will keep you company. Do you mind?”
Kayo looked at her necklace again. She looked deep into the jewel, searching for an answer. She returned her gaze to Allie.
“No.”
“She may be a while. What would you like to do?”
Kayo grinned.
“Can I see the bunnies?”
“What?”
“The bunnies with the white tails and big ears!” the girl said with large twinkling eyes.
“Oh, you mean rabbits.”
Allie looked down the hall; just down from them was a pet store. Its location was ideal; it was in clear view of the bench so if the Caver came back early she would see her, and she could keep an eye on her mother at the same time.
Allie stood and took the little girl by the hand. They walked down to the store and went inside. Though she did not know, Malcolm watched, as did Shelby.
Kayo was excited; she watched a group of bunnies through glass. She touched the glass and giggled as they moved about with her every touch. The store owner brought one of them out to discourage her from hitting the glass and she cradled the small animal and rubbed it on her face. She loved the feel of the fur. When the man tried to take it from her she refused to give it back. Her eyes darkened, and as the man and Allie tried taking her pet, she sneered, leaped up, kicked them both, and they fell backward, crashing into cages. Allie hit her head and stayed down. The man climbed to his feet, furious. He saw her eyes. He picked up a bat next to him and ran at the girl, ready to swing. She sat the rabbit down and lunged at the man, landing on his chest and knocking him to the floor. The man screamed and fought, but she clawed his chest
relentlessly, repeatedly, until he fell silent and still.
Allie climbed to her feet, panicking. What could she do?
Before she could move, Malcolm burst through the door with a roar. Kayo turned around ready to claw him. He put his hand up and the child saw his glowing crest. She panted for a few seconds then became still. Malcolm went over to her, pressed on her shoulder, and picked her up.
The Caver came running down the hall and burst into the room. “What happened?”
“Carnage, lass, pure carnage.”
The Caver closed the door and turned the sign from OPEN to CLOSED. She went to lock the door when it flung open and Shelby stood there, looking at them. Shelby stepped inside, and the Caver locked the door behind her.
“It wasn’t my fault; it must have been her,” said Shihong. She trembled and pointed a shaky finger at Allie. “It wasn’t my fault, Princess.”
“Pull down all the curtains,” Shelby ordered. The Caver did as she was told. Then Shelby moved to Malcolm, who was cleaning the child’s hands as he examined her. “Is she all right?”
“She’s perfect.”
“Why are you here?” Shelby asked Allie.
“We were just looking at the animals when he –”
“Why are you here?” Shelby shouted at her.
“I’m shopping with my mother.”
“Does that look like your mother?”
Kayo was quietly standing beside Malcolm. She was oblivious to the grown-ups talking; she simply played with a doll she had taken from her pocket. She brushed her doll’s hair and hummed, unaware of the implications of what had happened.
“I’m sorry. Malcolm, I saw her and knew who she was. She was just sitting out there on a bench and I thought I would keep her company until the Caver came back.”
“You had no right to interfere!” Shihong yelled at her. “I am not failing because of you! You shouldn’t have been here, and you shouldn’t have interfered with her training. She should be punished, Princess! She broke the rules and put us in danger,” the girl shouted, trying her best to make sure none of the blame fell on her.
“I agree,” said Shelby. “Malcolm?”
Malcolm looked at Allie with sadness. Arguing with Shelby would be a waste of time. He directed Shihong to take the girl back home and assured her she would not receive any black marks on her record.
Malcolm came back to Allie and sat her down. He assured her that she was in no danger and they would work everything out. Allie offered to help clean up the place but Malcolm told her he had it covered. He said he needed a drink and found some glasses in back. He fixed two glasses; one for him, and one for Allie to calm her nerves. She took it gratefully and sat down. She apologized to Shelby for overstepping and asked her for her forgiveness.
Shelby smirked. “Sure, why not?”
“You should go find your mother,” Malcolm told Allie, “before she starts worrying.”
Allie agreed and walked toward the door. When she reached it, Shelby called her name. She turned. There stood Shelby, hands above her head, small white fireball glowing in each of her palms.
Before Allie could move, Shelby hit her with both; she fell back against the door, unconscious. Malcolm carried her out into the mall. He leaned her up against a wall and broke a capsule he pulled from his pocket under her nose. A moment or so later, her eyes fluttered open.
“Your mother is in the store looking at purses. You left the store to go to the bathroom. You are a little sad because your employer called to inform you that they are moving and will no longer require your services. You will spend your time improving your grades because you want to have a career helping children. Go to your mother.”
“Okay,” she said weakly.
Malcolm released her. She walked lamely back to the store, where she found her mother still window shopping for purses.
Malcolm reached into his pocket for his phone. He called a cleanup crew and Demetrie. They arrived several minutes later and began work. The store would open again in the morning.
The next school day, Sara joined Allie at her table in the cafeteria. Sara was anxious to talk to her. Her evaluation had been moved to today, and knowing Allie, she would have a thousand questions about what would happen. Sara came prepared to give her as many answers as she could to put her at ease.
“Hey, girl.”
“Hey, Sara.” Allie smiled real big.
“You ready to be tested by the Elders?”
Allie frowned.
“Tested by who?”
“The Elders. Are you ready?”
“What are you talking about? I don’t have any tests today. My next test isn’t until Friday and that’s in History. What is this Elders stuff you are talking about?”
Sara’s face fell. No one told her. Allie was totally clueless. Sara saw Demetrie standing against a wall, staring straight at them. She knew he served only one purpose and her heart sank. But she could not believe it was true, so she thought of some way of testing her, just to be certain. It cannot be true, not her, no!
“Allie?”
“Yeah?”
Sara swallowed hard.
“Do you know a girl named Lila?”
Allie searched her memories. “Yes.”
“Tell me everything you can about her.”
Allie frowned at the suggestion. “Why on earth would you want to know about that cow? I haven’t thought about her in years. What is going on with you today?”
Sara closed her eyes; she wanted to cry, to cry for herself and for her friend. Tragedy had struck during the night and she wasn’t there to help. A light had gone out in Allie’s eyes. She was normal again, normal like all the rest. And to top it all off, she had no idea what she’d lost, and never would.
Sara stood up. Demetrie watched as she approached. She brushed a strand of pink hair from her face.
“Why, Demetrie?”
“She became unstable.”
“Unstable! Is that what you are calling it now?”
“Shelby said so; you can take it up with her.”
“Shelby hates her!” Sara strongly said without shouting too loudly.
“Allie broke the rules; she’s out. A man died because of her. I’ll watch over her and keep her safe, but she’s out.”
“We will see about that!”
“You are forbidden from saying anything to her about us. You break that rule and you are out as well. I am watching both of you now. Don’t test me!”
Sara turned and left the cafeteria in a huff. She went to the bathroom, locked herself in a stall, and cried.
Allie went to the rest of her classes, determined to be the best student she could be. At the end of the day she rode the bus home. She gazed out the bus’s window, watching all the animals go about their daily lives. Another day had ended, a day more momentous to others than to her.
Malcolm was smiling at her as she walked forward to get off the bus. She thought it was creepy; she had no idea who he was. But she did not say a word. Instead, she kept her mother’s words in mind: he was a stranger, so she did not speak, smile, or even look at him.
She stepped off the bus and went to the back of her house and sat in her swing. Lissy came over and they played together.
It no longer mattered what was going on in the world around her. Allie was happy and at peace, just her and her beautiful cat. An ordinary life was hers again.
Chapter 13
Cavers: A Vampire Tale Page 15
