The Birth of Vengeance (Vampire Formula #1)

by Ross, P. A.

  “They deserved it. They were just as bad as their brothers were. Don’t you remember?” I replied.

  “Of course but they were asleep in their beds. They never hurt you, maybe others but not you.”

  “Some others can’t defend themselves. It’s up to me to bring justice.”

  “That’s not your job. You should have gone to the trial and not gotten mixed up with vampires. Justice would have been done.”

  “They always get away with it. You wanted the power just as much I did at the beginning. You wanted to be free to walk in the day not afraid anymore. You have that now,” said Night.

  “Maybe but at what cost. People have died. Yes, the gang and the O’Keefes were bullies but did they deserve that? A beating maybe and prison but to be ripped apart, it wasn’t right.”

  “But the slavers, we saved those girls,” Night argued as his voice began to fade as the daylight grew brighter and I could sense Thorn had drifted off to a deep sleep.

  “Yes but the trail has run cold. Think how many more could have been saved if they had been captured and imprisoned. Those girls saw you two rip those men apart. Those memories will haunt them as much as the abuse they suffered. Annabel and Lucinda are now in Thorn’s pocket as well and could come to worse harm,” I said, my voice growing stronger every passing minute as Day pushed Night away, and my body and face began to relax.

  “But Thorn will protect us,” he said.

  “Like she was able to protect herself from being captured by the Hunters. You have been lucky up to now. Eventually your luck will run out, and she will turn on you, or fail you,” I, Day Jonathan said.

  “No I love her, she won’t fail us.”

  “You are a fool. It’s her powers you are in love with, not her. She made you fall in love with her. It’s not real.”

  “It … is,” Night’s voice quietly whispered as he finally disappeared again for another day.

  I took charge now, Day Jonathan and the daily passing and ritual of argument was finished again, until Day receded and Night returned. My body had reverted to normal, muscles relaxed and the scowl on my face receded to a nature state. The dark marks under my eyes faded away and the skin regained its normal colour. The constant anger and adrenaline dispersing back to a calmer, more thoughtful state of mind.

  I went on the computer to practice the escape route home once more and noticed I had received an email message from Annabel and Lucinda. The girls had settled in at Miss Jones’s house and were to be enrolled into college at the start of the next academic year. While we hunted the O’Keefes, Thorn had employed them to keep an eye out for Barry, and try to lure him out of hiding. Thorn performed a makeover so they would pass as eighteen and hired a driver to take them on a tour of night spots. She paid them well for the work, and they seemed happy to see Thorn again and be of use. The message on the email told me that Annabel had attracted his attention on a night out and could arrange a date for us to capture him. They had scouted out the house of Barry’s cousin, Terry, and the Hunters had gone. I arranged it for two night’s time, giving us time to formulate a plan. At last, we could finish off what I had started, and I could then escape.

  I went upstairs and checked all parts of the escape plan were ready. I had found the spare keys to the BMW and had enough experience to be able to drive it. I went into the loft to check the small rucksack with everything prepared, and that everything was still inside. In the bag was money, mobile phone to call ahead, a silver knife I had purchased from a pawnbroker, a UV light I had made myself, and finally the map of the route. I wanted the rest of the needles but they were locked away in the safe in the walk-in wardrobe. I went to practise the route once more on Street View, and I estimated it would take just over an hour. I knew I couldn’t leave the house until the normal time of the day in the afternoon, as it would be too out of the ordinary. I needed to stick to my normal routine for it to work, which would only give me three or four hours to return in the daylight. It should be enough but I was preparing for any eventuality. As Day Jonathan, I looked forward to returning home and seeing Scarlett again, even if it meant betraying Thorn and leading the Hunters back to her.

  The two days passed, and the night we were taking revenge on Barry approached. The daylight was receding, and I lay nervously awake in bed next to Thorn. I was Day Jonathan with Thorn fast asleep and the sun lowering in the sky but could feel Night Jonathan creeping slowly into my thoughts. I felt nervous and scared of what would happen tonight but he felt excited and eager.

  “Tonight is the night for our final revenge,” he, Night Jonathan said.

  “Revenge doesn’t mean we have to kill him,” I said.

  “It does; there is no other way. He knows what we are.”

  “True but who would believe him anyway. Let’s just give him a beating and tomorrow we can be free and back with Scarlett.”

  “Free, we are free you idiot. Scarlett betrayed us remember.”

  “No, I am sure she can explain. We can forgive her,” Day’s fading voice replied, and with it his overly emotional feelings and calmness.

  “Explain! You are too soft. If you weren’t such a pushover, none of this would have happened. You could have saved Giles at those gates,” I, Night Jonathan said, I could feel my muscles strengthening and tensing as desire to take revenge took hold.

  “No, we were outnumbered.”

  “So what, a few bruises and a couple of computer games would have been worth it to protect your friend? After all he and his family did for you, when your own father was too busy to notice,” I said.

  “But, it wasn’t like that.”

  “You are weak and pathetic; I despise you. Once Barry is dead, I am telling Thorn everything about your betrayal. I will ask her to help me get rid of you once and for all,” I said.

  “No …” Day’s voice trailed off into nothingness. My face had returned to normal and I felt a scowl come across it as I prepared for the night’s events.

  “Thorn loves me, and I love her. Scarlett only ever betrayed us; there is no explanation that can wash it away,” I said, disgusted at his weakness and there was no reply.

  The light of the day had passed, and Thorn stirred from her sleep. Night pushed Day away, and I had changed again. I was Night Jonathan, and I wasn’t interested at all in escaping and despised Day Jonathan for such weakness. I didn’t want to see Scarlett again as she had betrayed me with Barry. I could still remember the picture of them together. Thoughts of another night with Thorn and the final destruction of Barry excited me. I looked forward to revenge and to being a vampire again. My love for Thorn had consumed me. I enjoyed our life together, why would I want to leave? I didn’t care what Day Jonathan thought, as I knew my love for Thorn was real.

  Thorn smiled at me “You talking to someone,” she asked, stretching out in bed.

  “Just myself,” I replied and kissed her on the cheek.

  I busied getting ready, nervously flitting back and forth, as I choose my clothes and constantly changed the music. I wanted to wear the same clothes that I wore on the night I first changed into a vampire in the park, but I had grown through the three previous injections and the training. The jeans didn’t fit anymore, too short and tight. I put on some new black jeans and a new pair of black boots. The black t-shirt I wore before used to hang off my weak body but now fitted snugly across my new muscles. I decided to keep it on as I posed in front of the mirror pleased with my new developing body shape. The leather jacket also now fitted perfectly with my new muscles filling it out. As I looked at myself wearing the mix of old and new I realised how far I had come. I realised tonight would reveal a new me, as I completed my revenge and freed myself of my fears.

  Thorn bounced around the basement excitedly trying on different outfits until she finally decided on her black leather cat suit. This was a special night, the completion of our mission. Once my revenge had been exacted on Barry, we were free to leave London. I knew had to complete my training before I learnt more
about vampires, and could travel to her other houses across the world. I had to prove to Thorn that I was worthy.

  I watched Thorn slide herself into the cat suit and pull on a pair of black shiny knee-high length boots. I walked over, knelt in front of her and squeezed the sides of the boot over the tongue. They squeaked and rubbed together as I laced up the boots on either leg.

  “Thank you, darling,” she said.

  She applied black eye makeup, red lipstick and then sat on the edge of the bed painting her fingernails black. She finished off, went and stood in front of the mirror and flicking her raven tousled hair about, waving her nails dry and generally preening.

  “Okay?” she said.

  “Definitely,” I responded.

  I had never seen her as excited as this before, or dressed quite so provocatively. I guessed she wanted to be seen as a vampire tonight and wanted to revel in the imagery and the myths.

  We packed the car and drove to the meeting place, the alley where Barry and his gang had mugged me. We arrived and Annabel was waiting in a car with the driver Thorn had employed. As we watched, I tapped my fingers repeatedly on the armrest unable to contain the nervous energy twitching through my system. I pulled out a newspaper clipping from my jacket pocket, “Gang revenge attack,” the headline read from the Leeds chronicle. It didn’t describe the details enough for my liking but stated the police believed it was linked to a gang revenge attack. The O’Keefes had other enemies; other gangs in the area had their own motives, although the police were surprised by the brutality of the attack. Thorn had gotten the newspaper clipping and insisted I kept it to relive the moment and enjoy the revenge.

  “It will be a trigger for the future and a reminder of your true power,” she had said.

  It seemed like the right time to look at it again before we tackled Barry.

  Movement at last, Barry was shuffling down the alleyway and looking around for Annabel. Annabel climbed out of the car. Barry looked a bit rougher than normal, his blond hair not shaven as cleanly as before and his face carried a haunted expression with his forehead overhanging with a frown. He wore his normal black puffer jacket, jeans and boots.

  “Barry over here, I got us a lift into town,” she said and waved him across.

  Barry walked past Thorn’s car and over towards Annabel. I opened the door behind, and he glanced around doing a double take, head swinging back around again as he recognised me.

  “You,” he said in a panicked voice and started to run for Annabel.

  “Quick, into the car,” he shouted.

  Annabel got in, shut the doors and her car drove off. He stopped in surprise and turned around to see me approaching. Thorn had already raced around the outside of him blocking his path in the other direction.

  “Leave me alone,” he said, hands out in front as I approached.

  I marched on happy to see his face full of fear.

  “Remember this place, Barry?” I asked.

  “Get lost,” he shouted and ran away into the path of Thorn slinking along in her black leather cat suit. He gazed at her, lost for words, his fear replaced by the desire she ignited. She unzipped the front of the cat suit down to create a large cleavage and walked towards Barry.

  “Hi, can you help me? I’m lost,” she asked.

  “Yeah,” he grinned at her, hypnotised and totally forgetting his current peril.

  She walked up closer with her catwalk swinging hips and smiling. Barry grinned broadly and looked her up and down, absorbing it all. Thorn walked right up to Barry and placed her hand on his arm gently, and then punched quickly to his head knocking him unconscious with the other hand. I walked back to the boot and opened it. Thorn slung him over her shoulder like an empty bag and ran over to the boot depositing him inside. I tied him up and got back into the passenger’s seat. Thorn got in, smiled and started the car. We drove off with the stereo thumping out loud guitars as we screeched off down the road.

  I watched the stars and the full moon flashing in and out of the trees and bushes as we drove at dangerous speeds through the countryside. I had become used to the way Thorn drove now. She drove like someone who couldn’t die and had lightning fast reactions. I thought about what would happen after tonight ended, and what I would do the next day. I knew in the morning I would have to make a decision, stay with Thorn or leave and try to get back with Scarlett. Eventually, I knew I had to decide who I was, Night or Day, Human or Vampire, and what I wanted in life. For now, I just enjoyed the wind rushing in through the open window, and the music shaking the car, as Thorn swung the car about wildly down the dark country lanes. I looked around at her. She smiled, cranked up the music and began singing along. I joined in, and we hurtled dangerously along the roads enjoying the cool night air and revelled in anticipation of the events to come.

  After half an hour’s drive, Thorn turned the music off, and we pulled down a country lane. Then turned again and we bumped along for a few minutes down a rough track path until it ran out at a half-fallen old wooden fence.

  “Ready,” Thorn said.

  “Yes,” I replied, and we leant across the inside of the car and kissed.

  We got out the car, walked around to the boot and opened it.

  Barry was still out cold, and Thorn picked him up out of the boot. I grabbed the camera equipment, and we walked into the woods. It had been raining during the day, and the mud squashed under our feet as we tramped through the undergrowth and trees. The full moon provided enough light to follow Thorn as she made light work of carrying Barry. Walking through the woods her feet barely touched the ground before springing forwards and over the branches, mud pools and slippery roots. I slipped and squelched through the mud and tree roots behind her, desperately trying to keep her in sight, and in comparison, I felt like a clumsy oaf.

  We reached a large circular area in the middle of the woods empty of trees and bushes, and the ground had a reasonable covering of grass. The open sky allowed the extra light from the full moon to illuminate our activities. Thorn kicked down a small wooden fence blocking our way, and it smashed across the clearing leaving a gap for us to walk through. We tied Barry to a tree, set up the camera on the tripod and put a lantern next to him to give light during the filming. He started waking up and taking in his new surroundings. I grinned happily as he woke and my excitement grew as I imagined my final vengeance. Barry had stolen my chance of a normal life. I had finally started to make something out of my life putting the events of Leeds behind me when he decided to interfere. The O’Keefes had been taken care of now and Barry represented the final piece of the jigsaw. I would make him suffer. I let the others get away with a quick and easy death. I would take plenty of time with Barry, torturing him with fear and pain in equal measures throughout the whole night.

  Barry recognised me instantly. “You,” he said surprised.

  “Me,” I answered.

  “You’re vampires aren’t you?” he asked.

  “She is,” I pointed, and Thorn took a theatrical bow, “I can be sometimes,” I added.

  “The injection!”

  “Yes. Just worked it out did you?”

  “What do you want from me?” he said trying to wriggle free of his bonds.

  “Guess.” I asked and pointed at the camera.

  He looked up at Thorn.

  “Make me a vampire; I would be much better at it than this wimp,” he said.

  I didn’t expect that offer but I knew I was safe. We had a deal Thorn and I.

  Thorn turned to me, scrutinised me and viewed my reaction. She seemed to be weighing me up. I recoiled in horror; she was actually taking this offer seriously. My whole world suddenly span out of control, and I transported back to the scared teenage I once was. My stomach tightened as she looked at me, and I tried to think of something to say but couldn’t.

  She turned back to Barry again, “Why?”

  He smiled, pleased this was being considered.

  “I am ruthless and hard already; I would be your
loyal servant. We could rule the night you and I.”

  Thorn smiled enjoying the attention.

  She stared over at me again, “And you?” she asked calmly.

  I stared utterly stunned at her and Barry, “What?” I asked in a frightened voice.

  “See, he isn’t worthy of you,” Barry added, beginning to enjoy the situation.

  “Shhhh meat,” she said to Barry and extended her finger at him.

  “Why should I take you, instead of Barry?” she asked.

  My mind raced through the options. What was she looking for? What did she want? I didn’t truly know what she wanted! All I knew was how I felt.

  “Quickly,” she pushed for an answer.

  “Because, because,” I stalled, “because I saved your life,” I answered and she nodded in agreement.

  “And?” she pushed for more.

  “We have a deal,” I added.

  “And?” she asked again.

  I looked down at the floor; what else could I say.

  “And?” she repeated again, impatiently crossing her arms.

  Barry smiled and thought he had won. I have to say something, or all was lost I thought.

  “I love you,” I said softly while staring at the mud, and I knew this was a worthless and pointless answer to a vampire.

  “Louder,” she said.

  I knew she must have heard. I looked up at her and stared straight into those sky bright eyes.

  “I love you,” I said again with confidence, meaning and passion.

  She smiled at me, and her lips parted a little showing her fangs just underneath.

  “Good,” she answered.

  “See Barry, he loves me. You have your answer.”

  Barry seemed unsure, was this yes or a no.

  “You, on the other hand, are a mindless dull thug,” she stated.

  I breathed a sigh of relief; she had been playing with me.

  “However, it could be interesting,” she said, giving a twisted smile and a red glint flickered in her eyes. She walked over to Barry and loosened his bonds.

  Barry smirked and wrangled free getting quickly to his feet. I staggered backwards with my heart pounding, the woods spinning and her words echoing in my ears. I couldn’t believe she turned on me after everything we had been through. What happened to our deal? I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised as she was a vampire but still it came as a shock. Thorn pulled out a knife and threw it in the middle of the clearing.