The Human-Undead War Trilogy (Book 1): Dark Intentions

by Jonathan Edwardk Ondrashek

  Brian sniffed and scrunched up his face. Kerosene.

  “Sir, I told them we mean them no harm,” the green-eyed vampire said.

  “You have done nothing wrong, Adam. However, your last remark to my guests was offhanded and uncalled for.”

  Adam smiled crookedly and shrugged. “Just a bit of Undead humor, sir.” He looked past his imposing leader. “I apologize to the both of you for my crude behavior.”

  Ruby nodded once, and Brian followed suit.

  “Now, Adam, please open your shop. I am in need of my evening delight.”

  Adam darted through the open window and flicked a switch inside the meat shop, then disappeared from view.

  “We have our own wind-powered electrical plant. The facilities have electrical power, as does the Keep,” Barnaby said. He glanced over his shoulder at the two scientists and winked. “It just felt homier to have the torch and kerosene system installed. A gothic setting is more suitable for us.”

  Adam reappeared, clutching a brown paper sack. Blood dripped from the corners.

  Barnaby reached out and took the sack. “Thank you.”

  Adam smiled, exposing his teeth. One fang was chipped but still glinted like a knife in candlelight. “You’re welcome, sir. Enjoy.”

  Barnaby beckoned to Brian and Ruby, and they set off, meandering through the growing throng of fanged creatures bustling about on the cobblestone path. Many glanced furtively at Barnaby, offered a short smile, and sped away.

  Kind of like with Strajowskie and the human race, they both feared and revered their leader. Though given their hasty avoidance of Barnaby, Brian guessed it was more the former than the latter.

  “The citizens of Haven use the American dollar, but I have free rein over any product or service in the community,” Barnaby said. “I wish to eventually adopt the policy your leader has enacted, though I am fearful of the repercussions it could cause in our infantile society.”

  “The No Money Resolution?” Brian asked.

  “Yes.”

  President Strajowskie had introduced the Resolution in 2043. It was a neo-Socialist pact which allowed humans to exchange hours worked for clothing, vehicles, and any other product or service they desired. Societal classes in the United States had become less distanced, but the nation had never gotten close to the prominence it experienced at the turn of the Twenty-First Century. Adopting such a policy could indeed cripple a budding community.

  “Why?” Brian blurted out.

  “Haven folk are respectable citizens who uphold jobs to support their families and themselves, just like humans.”

  “Yet you kill humans with savagery on the battlefield.”

  Barnaby turned around. “Your kind also attacks on the battlefield with savagery, Koltz. Is it so hard to believe we are all alike?”

  “Yes.” Brian crossed his arms over his chest. “Look at what you’re clutching.”

  “You will soon see the errors of your preconceived notions, Koltz.”

  Barnaby disappeared from sight. A group of unkempt male vampires converged at the center of the pathway in the leader’s passing wake. Brian reached back and Ruby gripped his hand. He quickened his pace, determined to not lose Barnaby in the throng of vampires. Though the armor given them was substantial and sufficient enough to deflect most mortal wounds, he didn’t want to test them.

  He smiled. He’d changed much in the past few days, from a humble-minded scientist who abhorred physical contact to a man who thought only of physical confrontation. It wasn’t a giant metamorphosis, but to have such thoughts was the beginning morsel of personal growth. He liked it. The sense of security, the confidence. It was new and exciting, and it was already working wonders on his relationships.

  He bumped into a solid figure and his musings dissipated.

  A huge, heavyset man looked upon him with cold, gray eyes. His beard was scraggly, with white streaks running through it. He wore a leather coat that was far too small, and a plain black stocking cap was tilted on the side of his head. “Watch where yer goin’, scumbag!”

  Brian averted his gaze. With Ruby in tow, he had walked into a group of large vampires. Not nearly as large as General Hammers or Cannopolis, but formidable and imposing nonetheless. Several of them closed in from behind, forming a crude ring around the two scientists.

  The man before Brian leaned in close. “Waid-a-minute,” he muttered, sniffing. “C’rect me if I’m wrong, but ain’t you a full-blooded human?” He smiled, revealing several rows of sharp fangs. He was one of the mutated versions, the ones whose maws resembled those of sharks rather than the typical vampire.

  One of those whom Brian had hoped he’d never have to meet.

  “Yeah, I seein’ it now.” He punched the obese vampire next to him. “Hey Rufus, looks like we got us some humans. Some live ones fer once.”

  The men all chuckled and licked their lips.

  A scrawny, lanky vampire stepped into the circle. Dark bags of skin on his upper cheeks complemented pure-white eyes. “They’re well-equipped. Definitely not sent to spy on our wonderful city.”

  He reached out and pulled Ruby forward by her neck-brace. Brian tensed and stepped forward. The large bearded vampire put his giant hand on Brian’s chest, holding him back.

  “These are Barnaby’s.”

  The other men leaned forward, staring at the neck-brace. The lanky vampire released his hold, stepped to the side, swept the large man’s hand from Brian’s chest, and made a motion with his hands as if he were parting water. “Please forgive our insolence and rudeness. You two are obviously guests of our lord, and you are welcome in Haven.”

  Brian blinked, fumbled for Ruby’s hand, and stumbled out of the circle. He glanced over his shoulder. The lanky vampire stared after him, then turned and strode down the pathway.

  “Is this disturbing or what?”

  “Yeah, it’s a little awkward to be around civil vampires,” Brian whispered.

  “Is it just a show, or is it sincere?”

  “Good question.” Most of them seemed to know beforehand that humans would be in their community that night. It wouldn’t surprise him if they were acting.

  Barnaby suddenly appeared before them. “Please try to stay with me. You still have so many things to see on this beautiful night.”

  He turned, once again leading the way. They were entering the far-left corner of the courtyard, diagonal from their original entrance at the Keep’s drawbridge. Brian gasped when he saw several bars lining the wall. One grand neon sign proclaimed, “Nightly Strippers! $2 Pitchers!” A leg made of light bulbs swayed flirtatiously atop the sign.

  “No fear. They are vampires, I assure you.” Barnaby laughed. “And yes, we drink the occasional beer.”

  “But alcohol would have no effect on your system.”

  Barnaby waggled a finger and laughed again. “Au contraire, mon frère. A miniscule amount to a human can be insanely intoxicating to us.”

  Brian ran his free hand through his hair. He’d always believed blood was virtual alcohol to vampires and had never stopped to wonder if drugs could alter them or not. He’d never seen a point to it. They were, by all standards, dead.

  Ruby cocked her head to the right. Brian followed her gaze and noticed a slim opening between the vampire strip club and another building—a liquor store—next to it. In the cramped alleyway, two figures exchanged handfuls of objects.

  Brian squinted. Money and a small baggie?

  Barnaby held his hand up. “It happens in Smalltown, USA; it happens here. The drug trade is a large one. Even with a police force, I must confess I condone such markets. It is good for our small economy. We have few trading opportunities outside these walls. And, as with alcohol, the effects of even miniscule amounts can be rather pleasurable.”

  Ruby harrumphed and placed her hands on her hips. “I thought you said Haven citizens were respectable.”

  “I never said it was allowed. I simply stated I condone it. I borrowed many human doctrines and
laws in order to provide structure to Haven, and it is still illegal here. But who am I to deny pleasure to my people? Who am I to judge? We do, after all, drink blood in order to survive. The same moral rules that apply to your race do not necessarily dictate the morality of my brethren.” Barnaby smirked. “Nor do such broken moral codes imply we are murderous scoundrels, either.”

  The cobblestone ended, and they hopped onto a beaten dirt path, which ended at a shoddy shack in the farthest left corner of the walled courtyard. Its screen door swayed in the still air, hanging by one hinge. Windows were busted out. Brown, withered grass jutted up along the shambling foundation. No sign hung above it to proclaim what building it was.

  Barnaby stepped to the swaying door and knocked, the brown sack held before him.

  “Who is it?” asked a meek voice from inside.

  “Who else would be bringing you dinner?” Barnaby said.

  The door opened. He entered, turned, and gestured with his head for Brian and Ruby to follow.

  The entryway was scantily lit by candlelight filtering in from an adjacent room. Footprints marred its dusty floor. Cobwebs hung like cotton candy from the ceiling. The boarded floor creaked and swayed beneath Brian as he guided Ruby along, following Barnaby at a safe distance.

  They entered the room from which the light filtered. A table missing one leg rested in the middle, a lone candle atop it. Twelve hunched figures buried in robes and seated on overturned crates surrounded the table.

  Ruby squeezed Brian’s hand tighter, undoubtedly believing one of the shrouded figures had assaulted her in their bedroom hours ago.

  Barnaby plunked the sack onto the table. “It has been awhile since you had venison.”

  The tallest figure stood and dumped the contents of the sack out, then pushed back their cowl and shook loose long, black hair. Dark eyes, dimples in her cheeks when she smiled. She had some substance to her, more than just tight flesh over thick bone, as was the general appearance of most vampires.

  “Thank you, Barnaby. Children, you may have your supper after you wash your hands.”

  The seated figures scurried away from their crates and rushed into an adjacent room.

  Brian relaxed. He’d believed Barnaby had bought meat for himself, and that the meat had been some piece of a poor human. Shame washed over him, and he stared at the floor.

  “Koltz, Miss Paige, please meet Stella. She runs the Safehold of Haven Helping House.”

  “An orphanage,” Ruby said with a hint of admiration.

  “Those who are on the battlefield afar and have no other relatives in Haven can rely upon Stella to watch after their children without any concern for their safety.”

  “I thought vampires couldn’t have children,” Brian said.

  “They cannot.” Barnaby frowned. “No, these children were, sadly, turned. Though I do not condone it, entire families are often turned together.”

  Stella stepped forth. Her voice had a melodic lilt to it. “Most of our kind here in Haven have family in America. I myself have a brother over there. This allows me to feel close to kindred spirits, and to provide a sense of family that’s missing from these children’s lives. Thanks to Barnaby, we survive.”

  The children rushed back in, plopping down on their crates, still shrouded. Stella disappeared and returned, a stack of small plates balanced on one palm and a bundle of tarnished forks clutched in the other. Before Brian could discern movement, the plates were set on the table and the venison was unwrapped. Stella produced a butcher’s knife and hacked at the raw meat. Soon, it was distributed and the children sawed at dead deer with their forks.

  One child pulled back his cowl. He was plump with rosy cheeks, a tousle of red-orange hair. Freckles dotted his face. He ate feverishly, gripping the hunk of meat on his plate and gnashing into it with his teeth.

  Stella slapped his hand. “Now, now. You know better than that.”

  The child slouched and released his grip on the meat. Using his fork, he chopped it down into bite-sized pieces.

  Stella smiled. In the candlelight, she looked human. Brian would never have guessed she was an Undead. She was dazzling and didn’t possess the usual Undead characteristics.

  She stepped past Barnaby and the two scientists and beckoned with a nod. They followed, leaving the children to their feast.

  When they were out of earshot, she leaned close to the trio, all joy erased from her face. “I appreciate the food, Barnaby. But we need more blood. I almost went to the moat last night.”

  “I think I can arrange something for you.”

  Brian scoffed.

  Stella squinted. She looked Ruby and him up and down several times, then hissed and bared her fangs. She gripped Barnaby’s forearm. “You bring humans to my home?” she whispered. “Humans?”

  Barnaby placed his hand atop hers. “They are my guests and mean no harm. I wished to show them the inner workings of our community. They came in with preconceived notions, and I hope they leave with the truth of our brethren.”

  Stella released her hold, stepped back, and crossed her arms over her chest. She held her chin out. “Leave. Take your friends with you.”

  “Very well.”

  Barnaby motioned Brian and Ruby to the door. Brian gestured for Ruby to exit first. He paused in the doorway and glanced back.

  In the darkened hallway, Stella and Barnaby stared into each other’s eyes. Barnaby held her hands in his and smiled. They leaned in and their lips embraced.

  Brian gulped and exited, hoping Barnaby hadn’t seen him.

  Chapter 14

  Brian stood outside the orphanage and breathed in the cool night air. Stars twinkled, and sounds of activity buzzed in his ears. Several children darted down the cobblestone path, tossing a foam football and laughing gaily. An elderly couple trailed behind them, hands intertwined, the woman’s head resting on the man’s shoulder.

  Brian shook his head after taking in the scene. He was in a vampire community, a community of creatures who could become hostile before he could blink. He wasn’t surrounded by humans.

  He should be on edge.

  Lost in thought, Brian almost didn’t notice Barnaby materialize beside him. He faced the vampire leader and his stomach clenched up. “Turn me. Tonight.”

  Ruby gasped.

  Torchlight illuminated Barnaby’s face as he grinned like a jack-o’-lantern.

  ***

  “My mind was made up when we exited the drawbridge. Before that, actually. I had decided to decline.” Brian sat across from Ruby on his bed, the faint din of the nocturnal community buzzing through the window.

  Ruby’s beautiful face was scrunched up in disgust. “So you changed your mind an hour later?”

  Brian shrugged. “After leaving Stella’s, it was impossible not to get lost in this community. I felt relaxed. Too relaxed. I didn’t feel like I was anywhere I wouldn’t enjoy being.” He reached out and gripped her shoulders. “Barnaby was right. They’re like us.”

  “But you don’t know Barnaby well enough to trust him.”

  “He doesn’t matter. They deserve a chance just like we do. All of them.”

  “Tell that to the people who lost loved ones seven years ago.”

  Brian sighed. “In all technicalities, we started the war after John Ashmore stumbled upon them. The world would’ve continued on as it was, but that’s a dream, an alternate fantasy world that doesn’t reflect our current reality. Vampires are real, and they threaten to overrun the human race. But not all of them are monsters out for blood. Vampire children yearn for their fathers to return as much as any human child. Someone needs to stop all this craziness before both races are consumed by hatred.”

  “And you’ve decided this someone is you.”

  “Seeing those polite children exhibit table manners, the way the trade works here, the mannerisms of the vampires in this community, well, it tore at me, Ruby. I think this is the best route to take to ensure the integrity of both human and vampire existence.”
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  “What about us? You become a vampire. I remain human. We can never have a future together.”

  “That’s exactly why I’m doing this. To make a future possible for everyone.”

  Ruby looked away. “And nothing will convince you otherwise, then.”

  Brian stared over her shoulder. He was willingly disappointing the one person left in the world who cared about him. But couldn’t she see this was the only way?

  The hidden entrance in the wall across from them opened. Barnaby stepped in, smiling exuberantly.

  “Everything is set, Koltz. Miss Paige, I have arranged for you to leave first thing in the morning. Unless you wish to be transformed as well?”

  She snorted.

  “Very well. Koltz, the night is not so young anymore. We should go.”

  Brian stood up from the bed. His shoulders drooped as a great weight settled upon them. He felt like a traitor to his friends and the human race, yet transformation was the only wise decision he could make. He would have the time to perfect the platelet mushroom, and the permission to take volunteers to fulfill the requirements. He would have financial support from Barnaby and all the equipment he needed. He would finally be able to see it all come to fruition. He would finally see the war end.

  He would finally see a world in which co-existence was possible and accepted.

  He stepped past Ruby and walked to the exit, where Barnaby waited with the tip of his finger burning that eerie light.

  “I’m coming with you.”

  Brian turned about as Ruby approached from behind.

  “And I’m staying, too.”

  “Now wait a minute. You—”

  “No, you wait a minute,” she interrupted, her voice stern. “You’re becoming a vampire. You have no idea what you’re in for. I’ll stay by your side—” she shot Barnaby a glare “—whether or not the lord of the castle will allow me to. You’re going to need a human around to keep you grounded.”

  “With all due respect, Miss Paige, you will only be a distraction to Koltz once this is over,” Barnaby interjected.