Flee

by Caroline Gebbie

  He stretched, showing his neck. The gash had healed at an incredible pace. The recent human blood had regenerated him, bringing him back to not his full strength, but close. “Drive, damn it. You said we needed to hurry.”

  Simon turned away and pulled the Audi back onto the road. Keeping to the speed limit, he turned towards the bypass. The journey was approximately forty miles and would take them the better part of an hour. The twisty country roads and a strong police presence would hinder their progress.

  “Alex, what have you done?” Simon asked again, his eyes on the road ahead. The bypass was before them, and he went straight across the roundabout. The car banked slightly as he kept the speed up and then he followed the A158, signposted to Wragby.

  Alex rubbed his throat. The scar was crusty and dry. Pieces flaked off against his fingers. He watched as a lump of skin landed on his leg. Disgusted he flicked it to the floor. His throat was still sore. It was difficult for him to swallow but considering what had happened, he was in pretty good shape.

  He looked at Simon, knowing his friend would be angry that he had drunk human blood. They had made a pact together, many years ago. That no matter what happened -- they would never resort to taking human blood again. He eased his conscience, reminding himself that he had not taken a life. God, he hoped the nurse was alright, but the criminal James Pearson, he felt no guilt over. “Lend me your mobile.” He held his hand out towards the blond man.

  Simon reached into the pocket of his blue denims and passed the phone across. He sneaked a glance at Alex. He could see guilt, among the other emotions of fear, grief and shock on his friend’s face.

  Alex dialed the number for Louth hospital. He concentrated, making the person at the other end compliant. “Can you tell me about a nurse, brought in last night with a gash on her wrist?”

  “Yes sir, she is in recovery, weak but stable.” The voice was bland, automatic.

  “Thank you.” He hung up, placed the phone on the dashboard and closed his eyes with relief. He was not sure how to handle Simon, and wondered if his friend would still back him once he heard what he had done. But Simon had a secret much worse than this, and he had wondered why Helen had insisted he forgive him, had wondered why he himself had forgiven him. Helen had trusted the man despite what he had done, and she had begged him to trust Simon also, to trust in her judgment.

  He opened his eyes and looked at the younger man. Simon was concentrating on the road. He pushed the car as fast as he could, his eyes forward, his brow slightly furrowed. “With what you’ve done, you can’t question me,” Alex said, the words spoken quietly, almost as if he wanted to take them back.

  Simon glanced towards him, concern marked his face. “That was a long time ago, and we all made mistakes. Believe me, Helen saved me too. I intend to avenge her.” He turned back to the road, and eased the accelerator pedal further down. The car responded smoothly and powered forward.

  Alex closed his eyes, resting, and remembered the first time he had met Simon. It had been June the 21st, seventeen years ago. They had gone to Stonehenge, just him and Helen. Pagan ceremonies were not really a part of their beliefs, but it seemed like fun, and it was the first break they’d had in years. They never expected any real mages to be present, mainly hippies and people who just wondered about the ancient stones.

  They had stayed in a little pub in Berwick St James and had enjoyed a romantic weekend without Jenny, yet missing her at the same time. She had been left happy as anything with Alice, Helen’s mum who loved dogs and horses, and Jenny was already animal mad.

  The weekend was going well. Alex was over his magic addiction, and their business was beginning to take off. For the first time in a while they felt they could relax, ease up a little and just enjoy life. It had taken Helen a long time to get him over Aldona, the process was similar to drug rehabilitation, but now he was recovered and ready to live again.

  Sitting in the restaurant, they had felt Simon’s presence the instant he walked in. A striking figure, approximately sixty five years old, white blonde hair, cut short and styled off his face, he wore plain black trousers and a black shirt, open at the neck. They noticed him at the same time he noticed them. They felt each other’s power. Simon bought himself a drink and crossed to their table. “Mind if I join you?”

  They nodded agreement, and he sat down, placing the pint of lager on the table. They hit it off instantly and became good friends, often visiting Simon at Wyleford Woods, his wonderful home in the Nottinghamshire countryside.

  Simon helped them with their business, passing along clients he was too busy to deal with. He would visit Alex and Helen with his daughter Cherry. Cherry also loved magic. Working alongside her father, the two of them were inseparable. She was a happy girl, twenty five and full of life, strikingly beautiful with her father’s white blonde hair and pale complexion. She was a constant chatterer, always asking questions and never still. The two mages worshiped Sophana, the same goddess that Helen had brought Alex to. Once again, Alex felt he had everything he could desire.

  Then several years later, Simon withdrew, keeping away from the Stephens and not answering their calls. It was six months before Alex decided to visit him unannounced. He arrived at Wyleford and drove up the track between the woods to Simon’s house. He exited the trees and saw the house before him as beautiful as always, a mock castle built around a modern house overlooking a huge lake. The lake was nestled against a back drop of magnificent trees, oaks, sycamore, rowan, beam and many more, a kaleidoscope of green. Lawns surrounded the house, providing a light oasis nestled between the sheltering woods.

  There in the garden was Simon. He drove the car past him and turned in shock as he saw Simon properly. He was looking at a man twenty years old. My god what had he done?

  Alex had lost it. He jumped from the car and fought with his friend, beating him to the ground and pounding him to a pulp before eventually releasing him. He wanted to kill him that day, but the two were matched in power, the fight ending in stalemate.

  Alex had turned and left, leaving it to Helen to try and find out a reason for Simon murdering the daughter he appeared to worship. Alex just believed he had been drawn in by the power, feeling his own life slipping away, that he had succumbed to the black arts.

  Simon had never told him why he sacrificed his daughter, but had shown them a letter from her. It asked them to forgive her father and said that it had been her choice and that they should forgive her.

  Alex and Simon had been enemies for several years. It had been Helen that insisted he make the pact with him, neither of them to ever drink human blood again. She had also told him that what Simon had done was right, and he must forgive his friend. It had been hard and the two had always had this between them, even now, fifteen years later, he wondered if he could really trust this man. Yet, in the end, it had been Alex that had broken that pact. He knew Simon could smell the blood on him. The question was would he understand and would he forgive him?

  Helen had been clever. She had also sworn the powerful Simon as Jenny’s sponsor, preventing him from harming her. The ritual tied the two together, meaning that if Simon was to harm Jenny, he would cause the same harm to himself. It also meant that hurt to her would weaken the mage and was a strong incentive for him to protect the girl. But Alex figured he had other reasons to protect Jenny. Alex had seen the way Simon looked at his daughter.

  Watching his friend steer the powerful car, he longed to confess. “Simon, you tell me your secret and I’ll tell you mine.”

  Simon stared out at the road ahead, watching the white lines streak beneath the car. He did not answer.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Robert was feeling pretty bored. He wandered around the cellar, wondering how long it would be before the pasty Simon found him. He picked up a book and threw it back onto the desk. The heavy object slammed down, the noise harsh in the quiet of the basement. Simon had never been to his house, the two of them not seeing eye to eye. He had to make a
token protest when the platinum geek had reappeared on the scene, all those years ago.

  Simon had appeared back into the Stephen’s life, thirty years younger, with a body like a martial arts expert. Robert had been intrigued, and jealous as hell. He listened to all the crap about him being Simon’s, nephew from America, also called Simon, of course. But he let Alex know that he had an idea that unlawful goings on were about, and that he did not approve and would not work with the family if they continued. Alex had reassured his friend that he would do nothing illegal, and that his business was good and moral. Robert had laughed deep inside, wanting to slap him and shout have some fun, you idiot.

  Robert had already been deep into magic, learning as much as he could. He watched which texts the Stephens used and then acquired them himself. He was pleased to find he was a natural and picked the skills up quickly and with little effort. He had joined a local black arts group for a while but soon left them behind, with their incense and coffee mornings.

  He had used a glamour spell on Helen, sleeping with her and planting his seed deep in her belly. It had been exciting, and one of his most adventurous spells. At the time it was just a way of getting one over on Alex. He liked the guy, but he had everything and that was something Robert could not abide. So he impregnated Helen, planning to just sit back and laugh as the couple cared for his child. But after he saw the change in Simon, his own plans had changed and he had longed for the day when Jenny, his child, would reach thirty.

  And in one short day he would reap the harvest of that planting. He had sat aside, watching Jenny grow up never suspecting who her true father was.

  Helen had continued as normal. She never knew what happened to her, and his plan just ticked away nicely in the background. He later had his own family, children he loved and protected. Sending them away whilst he sacrificed their half sister was part of his love. He thought of his family and wondered whether to call them, but decided he would leave it till later. An idea hit him. He left the cellar and headed back to the garage.

  He retrieved a jar from the workbench and went into the house, his best joker grin wide on his face.

  ***

  Robert bounced jauntily back down the stairs towards his captives in the cellar. They stood there like shop mannequins waiting for someone to set up a display. For a second he thought about doing just that. Arranging them in amusing patterns would pass the time. He decided against it, knowing it would drain his power and not wanting to do so. Holding the four of them was already a strain. He did not know how strong Simon was, or if he could best him, and each time he used magic he reduced his own power.

  He walked past Doris and pulled the velvet cloth from her fingers. It dropped to the ground, her eyes moved vigorously in her frozen head. He bent to pick it up and pushed his nose into the curly hair between her legs. He pulled back, wrinkling his nose at the smell of urine from when he forced her to empty her bladder. “You really need a bath, Doris old girl.”

  Picking up the altar cloth, he crossed to Jenny. Running a hand over her head, he enjoyed the silky touch of her hair. “Well, Jenny, my dear girl, I have to tell you something.” Bringing his hand to his heart in mock horror, he continued. “This is very hard for me, one of those awkward conversations. Boo hoo.”

  He moved to the altar and sat on it. He crossed his legs in front of him and draped the velvet cloth over his shoulder. “You see dear, I killed your dad, only there again I didn’t. I slit his throat, and drank deeply of his blood. It was really quite good.” He licked his lips and closed his eyes in mock ecstasy. He could not decide whether to tell her Alex was alive. As much as he would like to see her face knowing her precious dad was a murderer, it would pull her down a peg or two. It may also give her hope, and it was too late for that.

  Opening his eyes, he said, “You see, Alex was not your daddy. I am. Yes, dear, that’s right. I am your dear old dad.” He jumped up and crossed to her. “Give us a hug.” Engulfing her in his arms, he could feel minute shaking as she tried desperately to shake free of his spell. He hugged her tight. His arms around her back as he pulled her head to his shoulder which rubbed his chest against her breasts. He rubbed his half erect penis against her groin and enjoyed the revulsion in her eyes as she frantically struggled against him. Feeling himself harden against her, he smiled. “Now don’t go doing that to daddy dearest, it’s not proper.”

  He let her go and strolled back to the altar. She swayed slightly as he turned his back on her. He jumped back onto the marble and swung his legs into the crossed position.

  “You never knew little old Helen was a goer, did you? Oh, yes. Me and her, we pounded like steam trains racing through the night. Hot, sweaty, two speeding engines throbbing with passion as we climbed that hill of ecstasy.”

  He swung his legs and paused for a moment. “And dear old Alex, well neither of us told him, would have broken his heart, just like his first wife. Did you hear about her?” He waited for Jenny to reply. “What dear? I can’t hear you. Oh no of course, you can’t speak, never mind.”

  Robert crossed his ankles, hands on his lap. “His first wife had a little, teensy, weensy indiscretion. Slept with a local bum, made him the laughing stock. Good ole Alex never overreacted one bit, oh no not him. Just what do you think he did?”

  He paused again, waiting for Jenny to reply, mouth open, eyebrows raised in expectation.

  “No idea? Well let me tell you. He sacrificed his firstborn and was made immortal. Of course, he had to tell her, he couldn’t resist. Brilliant, don’t you think? Well, I’ve been studying your dad for years, long before we met. And this plan of mine to sacrifice you, well it’s been very carefully made. So very soon, I will drink of your blood and join your dad. Cool don’t you think? I’m just sorry you won’t be there to see me.”

  He lay back on the altar and closed his eyes, waiting for the fun to begin.

  Chapter Thirty

  Simon stared out of the windscreen as he pushed the car to its limits on the twisty roads. The fields passed by like shadows in the night as he urged the car onwards. He could feel Alex watching him, could feel his eyes penetrating deep into his soul. He knew his friend needed to talk. He glanced left, seeing that Alex was recovering from the ordeal, but deep marks still showed under his eyes and his throat still looked horrendous.

  “Talk to me,” he said, returning his eyes back to the tarmac ahead. They had travelled half of the journey, and were making good time, a simple anti-detection spell taking care of any police presence.

  Alex breathed in slowly, deeply; eyes closed before he started his confession. “You know I killed my first son, all those years ago?” He opened his eyes and watched for any signs of disapproval on the other mage’s face.

  “Your son was a murderer. You need not feel guilt for that. You probably even saved lives.”

  “But, damn it, Simon, your daughter was beautiful and so nice, so good, why did you kill her?”

  “She begged me. She also made me promise I would never tell.”

  Alex paused and looked out the window at the corn fields rushing past. Soon they would leave the mainly arable part of the county. The landscape changed from yellow corn on flat fields to rolling green hills, grazed by sheep and cattle. He loved this place, loved its gentle beauty. “Did you tell Helen?” Alex asked.

  “I didn’t have to. She guessed. It meant I kept my promise to Cherry, so don’t make me break it now.” He looked across, just for a second, and anguish lined his handsome face.

  “Helen accepted you, told me I had to, but I need to know. Damn it, Simon, I knew Cherry. She would not mind you telling me, not now, not under these circumstances.”

  “She did not want anyone to pity her, can you believe that?” Simon’s voice was coarse with emotion. “All right, but you tell me what you did first.”

  Alex leaned back into the leather. He closed his eyes and confessed. “I drank from a nurse. I’m very sorry, but I had to, to survive. I took her straight to the hospital, she�
��s okay.”

  His face was flushed, and the shame at breaking his promise, to Helen, weighed him down. “Damn it, Simon, I promised Helen I would never do that again. I’m terrified I will get addicted.”

  “No you won’t, we will fight this together. What you did was wrong, but under the circumstances, Helen would understand.” Simon reached out his left hand and squeezed his friend’s shoulder.

  The car pulled into Hainton, a tiny hamlet with a great pub. At one time they had enjoyed some wonderful meals there, but those were happier times. The houses were soon left behind as the Audi streaked onwards, back into the countryside. The car's powerful lights illuminated the tarmac, and as they came upon the first straight stretch for some time, Simon increased their speed.

  “And in Lincoln?” Simon asked.

  “Oh God, that was sweet. I’m sorry, but I did actually enjoy that.”

  “I don’t like what I’m hearing.” The car turned right at the end of the straight, and Simon’s voice was stressed by the effort to keep it on the road.

  “I broke into the prison and drank from a child murderer.”

  “Did you kill him?” the question was asked flatly, without emotion.

  “No. I wanted to, but I held back.”

  “I think Helen would still approve. We both need strength to win this fight. To save Jenny and hopefully Doris.”

  “There is something else I should tell you.” Alex hesitated, not sure how his friend would take the coming statement.

  “Go on.”

  “Just before I left, I castrated him.”

  Simon laughed, so hard he had to slow down. He grabbed hold of his sides, as he struggled to suppress the giggles, fighting to control himself before they crashed.

  They continue their drive. The villages rushed by as streaks of light missed by both men who were deep in thought.