The Cure

by Loren Schechter

  “They’ll hoard it for a privileged few,” said LittleHawk.

  “Perhaps.” Harrow leaned back in his chair. “But if some bigwig realizes there are potential patents for automatic healing and immortality, it’s more likely he’ll sell the data to a big pharmaceutical company for a billion dollars and a seat on the Board of Directors. Why didn’t you just turn Quintz when you had the chance?”

  “I offered more than once,” said Bunny. “But he’s stubborn. He didn’t want to give up his life and his precious lab. The man is driven by his lust for the Nobel Prize, and the Nobel committee’s not going to give the prize to a vampire. Quintz threatened not to work with us at all if I turned him.”

  “So what is rose blood?” asked Harrow.

  “A girl’s name. It took me a few seconds to figure it out. Then I had to do a bit of research on-line. Dr. Quintz married his college sweetheart. They had one child, a girl named Rose Mary, but they divorced when the kid was four. According to Facebook and court records, his ex-wife married Peter Blood, a captain in the U.S. Navy. Rose was adopted by Captain Blood, but her natural father maintained visitation rights. The girl’s now in a private school in Massachusetts.”

  “Which one?” asked Kathy. “I’m from Connecticut. I might know it.”

  “Leet and Lucre,” said Bunny. “Did you go there?”

  “A kid from my junior high did. It’s very expensive. They’re big into horseback riding. The girl I know went there because they teach dressage.”

  “Fascinating,” sneered Dr. Baneful. “But come to the point, dreadful half-sister. What is it you want from the Council?”

  “I already got part of what I wanted – ” Bunny pointed at Kathy. “ — a girl who can become friends with Rose Blood and discover if she’s recently received any gifts from her biological father. I doubt Dr. Quintz told her the real nature of what he was giving her. It might not be a tangible object, but a location, or even the name of someone, so scaring her half to death might not work. We have to get to her before the government goons realize that she may have the backup data.”

  Baneful narrowed his eyes at Kathy. “I vote against giving up this girl. She’s still our student and back in our custody. Our Legionnaires want her to finish her murder trial and pay for her crime. With blood.”

  “She’s not been convicted yet.” Harrow focused on Bunny. “You want us to release this girl to your custody?”

  “Yes. I’d also like to recruit a few faculty members to help me rescue Dr. Quintz, so he can continue his work. I planted a tracking device on him and followed as the agents drove him away. He’s in a government safe house in Westwood, a town south of Boston. We can’t waste any time. I don’t know how long he’ll be there before he’s moved again.”

  “It’s very risky to take on the government,” said Edna. “My people can speak to that.”

  “I agree,” said Dr. Baneful. “Let’s not do it. We already have the FBI nosing around the wilderness because of the kidnapping of those kids. And I just sacrificed an IRS agent to Satan to protect the school’s charitable tax status. We don’t need to stir up other government departments. The Satanic Legion, both here and across the country, will fight any attempt to convert vampires into humans.”

  “Fang you and your Legion,” said Bunny. “The cure for our miserable condition is out there. We can’t sit back and let the government misuse or destroy the data.”

  LittleHawk nodded. “I agree. I’ll try to rescue the doctor, assuming he’s still alive. I’m sure Isadore will go with me if I ask.”

  “Wait a minute,” protested Dr. Baneful. “This Council hasn’t given Bunny permission to take the girl. I vote against that.”

  “Duly noted,” said John Harrow.

  LittleHawk raised her hand. “I vote for it.“

  “As do I,” said Harrow. “With or without Isadore, Edna will go after the doctor. Bunny and your snack – ” Harrow smiled at Dr. Baneful. “– are going to Leet and Lucre.”

  Baneful leaped to his feet. “No! This little bloodbucket has to stand trial for murdering one of our students.”

  “She will,” said Harrow. “After she returns.”

  Go without Hector? Kathy shook her head. “Bunny will turn me or kill me before I return,” she said.

  “Would you rather I do it here?” asked Bunny. “Who knows? Out there, you might try again to terminate me.”

  “You’re bigger stronger, faster, and don’t sleep. How can I possibly be a danger to you?”

  “You’re clever and sneaky. You’ll try again.”

  “Maybe we need to send a referee,” said Harrow.

  “We should not send anyone.” Baneful glared at Harrow. “What is wrong with you, John?”

  Harrow smiled up at him. “Besides being a vampire?”

  “A referee is an excellent idea,” said LittleHawk. “No offense, Bunny, but Kathy might need a bodyguard to get back safely — to finish her trial. I’ll ask Signor Vendetta.”

  “I’ll bring her back,” said Bunny. “What’s the difference if she’s tried as a vampire?”

  Hector andI don’t matter to them. Kathy bit her lip. They’re talking about my life as if I don’t own it anymore. And they’re not even my parents. She blocked her mouth with a fist.

  “It makes a big difference,” said Harrow. “Turning the accused into a vampire before the trial would be imposing a life sentence before a verdict is reached. Even bleeding her would be legally unsound; I might have to declare a mistrial.” He drummed the desktop lightly with his fingertips. “I doubt Vendetta will go. He gave up violence when he stopped working for the Mafia. And he’s preoccupied with getting that boy Worthington ready for his first concert.”

  “I’ll ask him,” LittleHawk said. “The possibility of fixing his genes so he could resume his own concert career might bring him around.”

  “If he won’t go, I’ll ask for another volunteer,” said Harrow.

  LittleHawk shook her head. “No one else here is a match for Bunny.”

  “You said it, babe. And I want to be out of here with Kathy by dawn.”

  Kathy took a deep breath. “I’m not going,” she announced. “Not without Hector.”

  “What an impudent snack,” said Dr. Baneful.

  “You said you’d go,” Bunny scolded.

  “I said ‘a normal girl like me.’ I didn’t say ‘me.’”

  Bunny thumped the desk. “I’ve had it with you. You want to die here?”

  “No. But I’ll die for Hector.”

  “How about ‘with’ Hector?” Dr. Baneful smirked. “It will be so romantic. You can watch each other die sip by sip.”

  “I’ll let Bart have you,” Bunny threatened. “I’ll take a vampire girl, instead.”

  “No you won’t,” said LittleHawk. “I’ll vote against that, and Bart doesn’t want you to go at all. That’s two votes against. It’s either Kathy or no one.”

  Got this! Kathy crossed her arms on her chest. “I won’t go without Hector.”

  “I don’t freaking care about Hector,” Bunny shouted. “I don’t want another warmblood along to distract us and slow us down.”

  “Then let him go home without being turned,” replied Kathy.

  “I’ll be damned if I’ll give the boy up,” said Dr. Baneful.

  “You’re damned anyway,” Bunny told him.

  Harrow rapped the desktop. “Enough! It’s obvious we have a problem here. Maybe we should invite the guidance counselor back in.”

  11

  The Compromise

  “Let’s see how my patient is coming along,” said Dr. Baneful.

  Strapped nude to a gurney, weakened by hunger and blood loss, Hector did not bother to protest. Although the cell was pitch black, he closed his eyes, anticipating pain from the bite he knew was coming.

  The cool end of a stethoscope put against his chest startled him.

  Hector opened his eyes. “What the – ?“

  “Don’t talk!” said Baneful
. “I’m listening.”

  The vampire’s hands were cold but not hurtful as they thumped his chest, poked his abdomen and tested his reflexes with a rubber hammer. Sure there was worse to come, Hector grit his teeth. He’s like a food inspector examining a sick animal to see if it’s fit for slaughter. “Why are you doing this?”

  “I’m your doctor. I ask the questions.” Baneful unbuckled the leather restraint on one of Hector’s wrists. “Sit up and shut up, boy. I want to hear nothing but your lungs moving air, so take deep breaths.”

  Hector struggled to sit up. His head felt like he’d come off a full night on the Whip-Around ride.

  After conducting a perfunctory examination, Baneful put on the overhead lights. Hector felt blinded. Bowing his head, he blinked rapidly.

  “Head up!” ordered Baneful. “I need a few mid-course pictures for my training video.” He used the camera function of his wristwatch to take pictures of the bruises in Hector’s neck and arms, then forced him down to photograph Hector’s groin. Once done, the vampire bound Hector tightly to the gurney and switched off the lights.

  Hector waited for the door to close. When it didn’t, the eerie silence made him sweat. He sensed Baneful next to him, feared what was coming. The vampire nipped his ear. Hector cried out and jerked against his restraints.

  “Completely helpless, aren’t you?” Baneful taunted. “Build your hate and strength from that. You’ll need it once I turn you. Unfortunately, your lessons must be suspended for a week or two. Consider it a brief vacation.”

  “Vacation,” Hector muttered. The word seemed meaningless. He tried to see through the darkness to the vampire’s face.

  “I’m temporarily lending you out. I expect you back, otherwise I’ll go out to L.A. and feast on your family. Meanwhile – ” Baneful’s large hands jerked Hector’s head to one side. “ — I’ll just have one for the road.”

  Hector screamed as the vampire bit into his neck. The cold face pressed into him, the fangs digging deeper. Hector struggled but couldn’t break free. He could almost feel Baneful grinning at his helplessness.

  Withdrawing his fangs, the vampire scowled. “Your blood tastes like garlic yogurt. What have you been eating?”

  “Only the crap flowers you’ve been giving me,” said Hector.

  “You’re lying. Nasturtiums wouldn’t burn like that. We’ll have to sort that out when you return.” He slapped a gauze pad on Hector’s neck and taped it down. “You can come in and take him,” Baneful called out. He picked up his doctor’s bag and headed for the door.

  Take me where? Hector’s heart skipped a beat. What are they going to do to me?

  “Oh, boy. You look like shit.” Arvin’s voice. Then he was there at Hector’s side, unbuckling the wrist restraints. Even the stink of Arvin’s cologne was welcome because the nerdy vampire kept saying, “Don’t worry. We’re getting you out of here.”

  “To where?” Hector’s voice was hoarse. With a groan, he lifted his arms to rub his wrists.

  “It’s complicated.” Arvin moved to the foot of the gurney to release the ankle restraints. “Kathy will explain everything.”

  “Kathy?” He blinked back tears. “Where?”

  “Out in the hallway. I didn’t know what condition Baneful would leave you in.”

  Hector went rigid. “She traded herself for me?”

  “Nothing like that. She’s free. She’s real eager to come in.”

  See me naked and helpless? “No. Not like this. I stink. Let me at least get a shower and get dressed.” He raised a knee up toward his chest and grunted in pain.

  “Easy, man,” said Arvin. “Before Kathy has to leave, I’ve got to help you clean up and do some stuff.”

  “Why?” asked Hector.

  Arvin’s voice came from below the gurney. “I told you. I hate to see anyone being abused. And they’re going to give me a blood ration every day I play nurse.” The strap across Hector’s chest fell away as Arvin popped back up. “Don’t worry. It won’t be your blood.”

  “No. I meant why does Kathy have to leave? Where’s she going?” Hector forced his body to sit up. He felt lightheaded. His neck and groin burned from puncture wounds, his torso ached from countless bruises. He grasped the metal edge of the gurney for support.

  “You okay?”

  “Okay enough. Where’s Kathy going?”

  “On some kind of trip with Bunny. I’ll let Kathy explain. Here, cover yourself with this.” Arvin handed him a johnny. The paper rustled as he draped it over his lap.

  “Okay,” Arvin called.

  “Aren’t there lights in here?” Kathy asked as she came through the doorway.

  “I forgot you warmbloods don’t see in the dark,” said Arvin. “The switch is outside. I’ll go turn the lights on.”

  “No don’t,” said Hector. “I mean don’t turn them on. Just go out. Please.”

  “Sure. Call if you need room service.” Arvin’s shoes scuffed along the stone floor. He banged the door closed.

  Kathy! He heard her breathing in front of him, felt her fingers stroke his cheek — and smelled the odor of rotten fruit.

  “Uck.” The sound just slipped out of him.

  “You okay?” Kathy’s voice was soft, her tone tentative.

  He put his hand over hers, gently pinning it to his cheek. He swallowed hard, then cleared his throat. “Never better. I don’t know how to thank you for coming back. It was a really stupid thing to do, but you did it.”

  “You did a stupid thing for me when you cut your wrist to distract all those vampires. Has the cut healed?”

  “No problem.”

  “Why don’t you want the lights?”

  “It would wake me up from this dream of seeing you.”

  “Tell me the truth.” Her tone was half-request, half-demand, clearly driven by concern.

  “I don’t look like myself right now. I need a shower. I lost a lot of weight, but I’ll be okay. With food and exercise, I can get back into shape.”

  “You will.” She gently pulled her hand away. “You’re going to have a couple of days to rest up and get back to eating. Then LittleHawk and Fink will take you out of here.”

  The loss of her hand felt like a lifeline pulled away. “You’re not going to be with me?”

  “I want to, but that’s not the deal. I have to go with Bunny Baneful. She’s Dr. Baneful’s half-sister.”

  “Baneful announced she was coming back. What’s she got to do with you?”

  “Bunny came here looking for a girl to help her get back some scientific data that was hidden. It’s supposed to be for a cure that could turn vampires human again.”

  “Sounds like a scam. Out of all the girls here, she picked you?”

  Kathy groaned. “I volunteered. I had to, to save my life. Bunny’s convinced that the daughter of the scientist who did the work has the data but she doesn’t know it. She’s in a boarding school in Westwood, Mass. I have to become the girl’s friend and find it.”

  “What are you supposed to be, some kind of spy?”

  “I know. The whole thing sounds crazy. But I said I wouldn’t do it without you. That was my price for going.”

  “You’re awesome, chica.” He reached for her hand, touched her bare forearm by mistake. Her skin was soft and warm. She used her other hand to guide his to her waiting palm.

  “I never met a girl like you.”

  “Oh…” She squeezed his hand. “Thanks. l uh…I guess there’ve been a lot of firsts for both of us since we came here.”

  “So we’re going together? I mean to Massachusetts,” he said quickly.

  “No, separately.” She let go of his hand. “Baneful didn’t want to let you go at all. Fink was like a U.N. negotiator, putting a deal together that everyone could live with. To get Baneful to let you go, Edna LittleHawk had to resign from her seat on the Council. Baneful thinks he can get one of his stooges elected and take over the school.”

  “LittleHawk did that for me? I thought the co
urse she taught was a joke.”

  “Maybe you had something to do with it, but I think her main reason is that she believes this cure can change the vampire world. If it works. Anyway, Harrow didn’t want us together because he figured we’d run away.” She rested her hand on his shoulder. “Not a bad idea, huh?”

  The tenderness of her touch was soothing. “Best I’ve ever heard.”

  She gave his shoulder a squeeze, then took her hand away. “LittleHawk didn’t trust that Baneful would leave you alone once she left to find the scientist. So she’s going to let you rest up for a couple of days, then she and Fink will take you with them.”

  His torso sagged under the weight of reality. “So we’re still prisoners.”

  “But out of here. Sort of on parole. If either of us runs away, the other one pays for it.”

  “Shit.”

  “At least we’re not dead. Or turned into vampires.”

  “Yeah, we still have something to look forward to.”

  He felt her hands settle gently on his shoulders, the warmth of her breath on his ear. “Don’t give up hope,” she said softly. “Remember what Soo kept saying? ‘Our spirit cannot be broken.’”

  “Soo didn’t spend more than a week down here with Dr. Baneful.”

  “I’m sorry you had to. And thankful for what you did.”

  Her lips came softly to his, startling him for an instant before bringing love and hope and the joy of being alive. He reached out to embrace her and almost fell off the gurney. She propped him back up as he grabbed the gurney with one hand, the paper gown with the other. Then she giggled, and laughter bubbled out of him for the first time in weeks.

  His chest hurt as he laughed, so he quickly stopped. He put his fingers to his lips. “To be continued,” he said.

  “When we’re done with vampires. But I have to go. Lionel doesn’t have much to pack.”

  “Why is Lionel packing?”

  “Everyone was concerned that Bunny would either turn me or kill me after I found what she wanted, so LittleHawk persuaded Mr. Vendetta to go as my bodyguard. He agreed the mission was important, but worried that with him and LittleHawk both gone, Lionel might get attacked by other students. So both of them are coming with us.”