by Derek Gunn
Tanya Syn had long ago ceased to concern herself with the pain in her bottom. The cold from the ground had seeped through her as she sat and numbed the area hours ago. Her eyes looked through the fence and over to the other compound, hoping to catch a glimpse of her children. While outwardly she appeared to be almost catatonic, inwardly her mind raced. She took note of the guards as they patrolled, where they walked, how long they took to complete a circuit and, more importantly, how often they disappeared into the warmth of the barracks when they should be on patrol. This only happened during the day, of course, while their masters slept. The colder it got the more often they disappeared.
A few years ago California had enjoyed far better weather and had never really gotten this cold, but global warming had changed many things even before the energy crisis had forced the world to adopt the strategies everyone had avoided and procrastinated over. Even when whole weather patterns had changed so completely as to be unrecognisable and natural disasters seemed almost commonplace, man had not heeded the warnings until, finally, the resources ran too low to continue their rollercoaster run to their own destruction. Now, winter hit the west coast hard with freezing weather that had changed the lives of everyone years before the vampires had come.
Energy came from nuclear power plants that could not output enough power for everyone, and so each plant had become a focal point of influence in the new world. She remembered how travel had been the first thing to be restricted and then it had become impossible as whole communities began to grow evermore insular. Siege mentality reigned and trade became something that only the richer communities engaged in. Instead of growing together to overcome their problems, mankind had decided to play to its own, baser, characteristics and the world had changed in a very short timeframe.
Lack of energy had not been the only reason that travel and communications had become rare. The earth itself had seemed to turn against those who had poisoned her for so long and the weather had grown worse as the planet began the long process of healing itself. It was almost like the planet was trying to reduce the impact humans could have by restricting their ability to move freely. That, of course, had made it easy for the vampires when they had come. Now, she thought ironically, the weather might just work in her favour.
The thralls still came to their cage and took their pick of the people, some to feed the vampires and others for their own carnal lusts. Sometimes they threw these unfortunates back, bruised and battered or dangerously drained of blood. They did not particularly care whether these people lived or died, they had plenty more to choose from. She noted that victims were taken from all the compounds she could see at different times, but it seemed that the cage that she was in was the only one where humans were taken every time the feeding bell sounded.
She knew that something was up. Her cage was the only one where people were not under the influence of the serum, the silence of the other cages and the cries and despair emanating from her own cage was far too obvious to miss. Many times thralls had passed close to her but no one had pulled her to her feet and dragged her off. Some had come close, but, at the last minute, something had seemed to stop them and they had chosen someone else instead.
She looked down at the numerous tracks in her arms where she had been violated numerous times as her blood had been forcibly taken from her. She had little or no memory of the last two years, but the number of bruises and scabs on her flesh testified that she had been taken many times during her captivity.
She had not seen either of her children since yesterday, but at least they had not been chosen as food or worse since she had begun her vigil. If she was to get to them she would need help. She blinked and then began the long process of getting to her feet. Her muscles screamed at her and the blood burned through her veins as she uncoiled her legs. She felt numb and stumbled as she tried to rise. Her left leg was completely useless and she felt herself fall; only to have her decent halted by powerful arms that held her up easily.
“I wondered when you were going to move,” the deep voice grunted in her ear. “I assume you have a hell of a plan to get out of here or has my patience been a complete waste of time?”
“So, have you any ideas?” Harris asked.
Father Reilly sighed and brought his hand to his balding head and scratched. “Peter, I haven’t a clue. It’s just unfathomable that any of us could do such a thing, let alone one of the committee.”
“Is Regan right?” Harris asked as he blew on his fingers to keep them warm. The two men had met at the edge of what was considered safe territory, just inside the range of the wireless protection, though Harris constantly scanned the sky for any sign of vampires. It was early yet, but the heavy cloud cover hid a weak sun and, while it was risky, it was certainly possible for the older vampires to venture out in such light. “Could no one else get to the storeroom?”
“It certainly seems that way. It would be difficult to get to the food, though I wouldn’t want to condemn someone based on it being merely difficult.” Reilly sighed. “Why would they ruin the food? I mean they will starve right along with the rest of us.”
“Either they had orders to do so or they have access to food we don’t know about.” Harris laid down his weapon and blew on his fingers.
“No,” Reilly said emphatically, “there’s no way there is any food in that camp that we don’t know about.”
“Father,” Harris laid his hand on the priest’s shoulder, “they’ve been spying on us for some time now, passing word back to California without us knowing. Hiding a little food wouldn’t be beyond their capability.”
Reilly paused as he considered that and then rubbed at his eyes. Harris could see the strain on the priest’s face. His eyes were far more sunken than the last time he had seen him. His face was grey and the lines which had given him his craggy, stern distinction were now merely heavy jowls which seemed to weigh him down. His thin, wispy hair was matted and hung limply against his skull and his shoulders, once straight and powerful, were now bent slightly. Harris was worried about his friend. He had never fully recovered from his injuries and he pushed himself far too hard. He considered asking him to move to the cave but he knew that that would solve nothing so he kept quiet.
“How do we catch him?”
“It could be a woman, remember,” Harris cautioned him. Reilly was about to object and then thought better of it and merely nodded. “If we knew what was driving them we might be able to narrow it down. Do we know the background of all the committee members?”
Reilly looked at him quizzically.
“As I see it, this person is acting for one of two reasons. Either they are being coerced through some form of blackmail or they are acting purely out of greed. We need to see who has close family that are still missing; maybe Von Richelieu is holding them to keep our traitor compliant. On the other hand, we need to see who is more likely to act in their own interest on such a scale as to sell us all out. You’ll need help to cover all of them. Are there enough of those you can trust with this type of work?”
Reilly nodded. “As the only priest in the community I am in a unique position to see a part of those who come to me that most others never see. Unfortunately not everyone comes to me.” He sighed and then forced a smile but Harris could see that it did not reach his eyes. Don’t worry, my friend, there are enough for what I need among the community.” Reilly paused and then suddenly began to pat his pockets. “I nearly forgot.” He smiled again and this time his eyes sparkled with genuine humour and it transformed his features. “It seems that love transcends all barriers. How is that young boy…man, I should say, Ricks?”
“He’s coming along nicely.” Harris took the folded note. “He has a good head on his shoulders.”
“Mind you keep it there or there will be a very angry young woman in camp. I promised her you would keep him safe. Will you pass this on to him for her?”
“Of course.” Harris placed the note in his jacket. “How did she know to give the not
e to you?”
“Love will always find a way.” The priest smiled again but it was more tired this time.
“Be careful,” Harris warned. “If she can identify you as the conduit to me then so too can the traitor, especially after you announced it to the committee. You are a threat to them and they know it now.”
Reilly was about to make light of the danger but he saw the worry in the younger man’s face and he merely nodded and patted Harris on the hand.
“Speaking of danger,” he asked, changing the subject. “What mad caper do you have planned now?”
“Oh, nothing much,” Harris smirked. “We’re going to blow up some nuclear waste.”
As the two men parted with a warm hug, Father Reilly walked slowly back toward the community with a heavy heart. His worry for Harris and the others weighed heavily upon him, but they all played a dangerous game and there was danger enough for all of them. He set his mind to his own task and began to compile a list of people he could trust. He was surprised that the list was still quite short by the time he entered the familiar halls of their main living area. It seemed that he did not really know the majority of the community’s residents as well as he had thought he did.
Except for a few notable exceptions, he lived among a few thousand strangers, any one of whom could be their quarry. He had been so busy of late consoling so many people that he had not had time to forge strong ties with anyone. He had a lot of work to do and so little time to do it in.
The destroying of the food indicated an escalation in whichever agenda their traitor was working toward, and he needed to bring together a strong force to first identify and then combat whatever they had planned. He needed a group of trusted agents who could travel invisibly among the community to follow and compile information on their chief subjects. He thrust his hands into his pockets and suddenly thought of the young Logan girl and her little band of adventurers. He quickened his stride as his excitement grew.
The figure watched as the priest and Harris parted. If they acted quickly they could probably take them both of the figures out. The figure brought the pistol up and sighted along its barrel but a sound to its left made the figure stop. As they scanned the ruins of the street they picked out two men walking through the rubble. The figures appeared casual at first glance but the figure noted that their weapons were held ready and their heads constantly scanned the surrounding area.
Harris had brought company. The figure cursed. For a moment they considered firing anyway and making a run for it. There was a chance that they could lose themselves in the ruins, but, equally, there was also a chance that they would be caught. And that couldn’t happen. Reluctantly, they lowered the gun. There would be another time.
For a moment they considered following the priest and breaking his neck before he got back to safety. It would be so easy; the old fool was so frail his neck would snap easily. But it might be better to let him live for now and take note of who he spoke to. Identifying those who would plot against what must be was paramount. The priest was still needed to lead the way to all those involved in the plot. Then they would be able to eliminate all of the conspirators. The figure melted back into the shadows and followed its prey.
Chapter 12
“Where do we even start?” whined Robert Seager.
Father Reilly pursed his lips and sighed. “Maybe I was too hasty, bringing this to you.” He began to get to his feet, “I’ll go to some older…”
“Don’t mind him, Father,” Emma interrupted as she reached out to stop the priest from rising any further. “Bob is just a little slow.” She turned and shot a glare at Seager that dried his intended retort and left him open-mouthed and silent in the corner.
“We can do this,” Emma assured him and swept her hand in a motion for him to continue.
The priest seemed to consider this for a moment and the kids held their breaths while the older man made up his mind about whether they were up to the challenge. He could see a few of them shoot the boy Seager dark glances as they thought he might have blown it for them. Reilly played his part well. In reality, these kids were his only hope of keeping an eye on the committee members without them finding out that they were under surveillance. These kids were the only ones who could remain invisible in the community. No one paid them any mind at all as they raced around doing who-knew-what. Everyone else in the community had a job and would be noticed if they weren’t where they should be.
He hated to put these children in danger, but he had no intention of letting it get that far. All he wanted was for them to keep an eye on a few of the main suspects and report back to him. No one should even know they were there.
“Well, okay,” he sighed with as much reluctance as he could muster, “but you must promise to stick to the plan and go no further. There is an element of danger in this so you must stick to the script.” He glared at each child in the room to try and impress upon them the seriousness of this task, but he could see by their smiles and glazed eyes that they were already caught up in the fantasy of agents and spies.
“Don’t worry, Father,” Emma Logan interrupted his thoughts, “I’ll take care of them.”
He looked at the girl for a moment. She was the only female in the group and seemed to play the role of mother as well as designated leader, though he could see that the larger boy, Seager, considered himself to be in charge. He chuckled to himself as he realised that most men thought the same in their relationships, but it was rarely the case. Young Miss Logan was most definitely the driving force of this group.
He had met her mother and he marvelled that this girl could be so well balanced with a mother who only cared about where her next drop of alcohol would come from. It hadn’t taken the men of the community long to learn where they could find a warm bed for the price of a bottle of spirits. His heart went out to this poor girl who had to live in the same room where her mother entertained her callers. He had tried to offer her accommodation with another family but she had refused, saying that someone had to take care of her mother.
She had had to take care of herself, her brother and her mother during the hard times before the vampires had come and she still saw it as her role to take care of them now. He wondered how she had managed to survive the early days when technology had broken down and before the vampires had come. Those days had been filled with death and depravity. The breakdown of law and order had seen many revert to their baser instincts and many people had been killed, raped or abandoned as humanity struggled to come to terms with an existence without the technology and the easy living most had come to know. The fact that she and her family had survived at all was a testament to this young girl’s abilities.
He could see that she had grown up without the delicate hand of a mother, though. She was a very pretty girl, but she dressed like a boy, hung around with boys and wore her amber hair stuffed inside a baseball cap that she wore constantly. He could see errant tresses stick out here and there, but she seemed to be trying to deny her true self behind this tough image.
She was on the cusp of becoming a woman and seemed determined not to allow that to happen. It was obvious to him that this was because she did not want to be like her mother. It was just a pity that she did not know that she could be her own person and a woman at the same time. He would have to have a talk with a few of the more enlightened women in his flock and see if they could help her through this difficult time.
“Okay,” he said at last and almost smiled when he heard the numerous exhalations of breath around the small room. He had come to them in their comic shop headquarters. They had been surprised to see him as they had thought their secret hideaway was actually a secret. This was his biggest worry in involving them in his mission: he had to impress upon them that growing into adulthood did not always mean that one lost all one’s intelligence, despite all the evidence contradicting this.
At their age they saw themselves as reflections of the heroes that filled the walls around him. They may not wear th
e lurid spandex of these costumed heroes but they considered themselves every bit as indestructible. He would have to impress upon them the reality of their situation.
“But this is not a game.” He took a moment to fix each of them with as serious a glare as he could manage. “This is a very dangerous task; if anyone discovers what you are doing there will be very serious problems. What I have told you about the food stores is not known by many people, and must not become general knowledge. We are in a very delicate position at the moment and people must believe that there is enough food for everyone or people will start to hoard food and people will die.” He paused and nodded as he saw smiles slip and faces turn pale. He was getting through. Good!
“You can’t tell anyone, not your parents, not even your other friends. Understand?” He waited till each child nodded. “Now, no one knows that I have told you this so I trust you to keep it quiet. Someone in this community deliberately turned on the water sprinklers and ruined all that food. I don’t know why, but, by this act, they have ensured that some among us will die, unless a miracle happens. So whoever it is will have no problem keeping a child silent to protect their own skin. You follow these people, but that’s it. Stay in pairs, stay in touch with the others, and don’t follow anyone past the populated areas.”
“But then how do we find out what they’re doing?” Robert Seager interrupted and ignored the glares from the others. “I mean, it’s not like they’ll be doing anything suspicious in front of everyone. We’re only going to see anything useful when they’re away out of sight.”
