“We can put Meryl in the meeting place. They will not even notice.”
“I do not like this, but whatever I say no one listens to me. We will be watching, too. In case something happens,” Caleb said with his back to both brothers and hiding a face full of frustration.
Upset, Caleb went to the great library he owned. His stress disappeared in one way, reading. He walked for several minutes looking at the shelves. All the volumes that lay there had passed through his hands several times, he was almost bored. This was what he liked the least of “The Age of Vampires” there was nothing new to read. The reason was simple, more than eighty percent of the world’s population was illiterate and the few that were spared that. Had a low level of literacy that would inhibit them from writing a book that he would enjoy. Something clicked in his head. There was a text he stored under nine keys. His greatest treasure, an original handwritten manuscript of “The Art of War” which he had subsequently acquired before the fall of humanity. He could read it without trouble. In his lifetime full of boredom, he had learned more than fourteen languages and was able to speak and write them perfectly. This helped considering that the Alpha Zone occupied half the territory of the former Asia. He’d had no choice but to learn Asian languages. Caleb knew that the teachings of the manuscript would serve him well for what was coming. He sat at the vast wooden desk and carefully placed the wonderful object there and began to read and forget for a moment his worries.
Several hours had passed and Meryl was eating without stopping to think about what had happened. The mixture of happiness, excitement, and shame completely overwhelmed her. Everything was so new and confusing that she put her hands on her head. The only thing her heart made clear was what she felt. The way in which it beat when he was around. She loved him so much that she was beginning to feel desperate. She also didn’t know what to call their relationship. Were they dating? The mere fact of thinking that caused a silly smile on her face.
Alexander laid a hand on her head knocking her out of her daydream. She looked surprised for a moment and had thought it was Caleb, and though she wasn’t disappointed, she had wished it was him.
“How are you?” Alexander smiled sitting beside her.
“Well, just a little tired, nothing more.”
“Today the rebels will take a few people with them,” he said suddenly getting her full attention, “If you are thinking about helping. It has to be today.”
“Yes,” The confidence with which she answered surprised her. “I will do it. I think that’s what I have to do.”
“It’s dangerous, you know?”
“It doesn’t matter, Alexander. It’s the only way to find out what is really happening.”
“What do you mean?” Alexander was intrigued, as he had detected something in her words.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about all this, and I realized that there is something shady that does not make sense. Everything is related in some way, I, my brother, the vampires, and I think even the rebels,” Meryl explained.
“I think you’re not alone. Though no one has spoken about this we also see that the events stopped making sense long before we knew anything about the rebels. Anyway, you have to prepare. In a couple of hours, we leave for the city. I will take new clothes to your room later.”
Alexander went to the west wing of the mansion while Meryl went back to her room. The window was open and let in a cool rejuvenating breeze. She sat on the couch watching the distant darkness that enveloped the forest outside.
Meryl had to think of everything thoroughly. If they suspected her it would mean the end. They would surely kill her. If someone recognized her they would know she was Caleb’s slave. That was the problem, most people knew he was different, and they wouldn’t think to use her as a weapon against them.
“I think I’ll have to improvise,” Meryl muttered placing her head on her arms.
Meryl was scared, but what worried her most was being away from Caleb at this point in their relationship. Being so close to someone like him, who did not belong to her family, seemed like a dream. She had never been an extrovert. Meryl found it hard to express her true feelings and although since she woke up she had striven to change, she still had a long way to go.
After an hour absorbed in her thoughts. Alexander entered her room with an old dress. If she appeared with new and perfect clothes. They would be suspicious of Meryl and their plan would fail.
“It’s time.”
The car was ready, Pein would wait at home with Alexander. If there were too many people there. They would get too much attention. Meryl went and sat next to Caleb. He was looking out the window with a carefree air and resting his chin on a clenched fist. Meryl felt the nervous beating of her heart, and although she was scared, danger and excitement mingled inside leaving a taste of adventure that she had always dreamed of.
“Stop here,” Caleb suddenly ordered, his position changing. “Meryl, look at that gray building.”
Meryl’s eyes followed the direction he indicated. They were far away, but close enough to see it. The night was already full and there were few lights illuminating the deserted street. While her eyes looked she felt a surge of courage that made her feel like a superhero from a comic.
“I just have to enter, right?”
“Yes, but you must do it with confidence. Even though you don’t know what’s inside. If they ask you. You respond with the first thing that comes to mind.”
“Okay.”
“Listen,” he whispered sitting sideways to look at her with a grave face. “Whatever happens, don’t forget that we are always close enough to save you. If you think yourself in danger. Yell as loud as you can.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll try to see that does not happen.”
“Meryl, you can still back out. No one will blame you.”
For a second she saw in his red eyes a glimmer of hope and though it somehow broke her heart. She would not let that stop her. All they had done for her had to be repaid, and she was willing to go as far possible to achieve her goal.
“I’ll go and everything will be fine,” Meryl said.
Caleb sighed and smiled. He’d expected that answer full of innocence. Meanwhile, he could force her to stay with him, but it would do no good.
Suddenly he reached out surprising her. As his arms twined around her narrow back she felt completely calm and protected. After responding to the gesture she smiled while opening the door and walking towards the building as she felt Caleb’s heavy gaze on her back. Meryl trusted his words. He would be close if something happened and saved her if necessary. With that, even the smallest doubt vanished. Meryl realized that even hating humans, Caleb was concerned about her.
Melody no.10
Legrant and the Rebels
The rusty door rang loudly when it opened. The air inside seemed stale and Meryl knew that this century-old building had one day served as a factory. It had been closed for a long time. Meryl observed her surroundings. There were thick columns that no longer seemed very safe, some were broken, and if by chance there was an earthquake. It was one of the places at the top of her list to never enter during an earthquake. No doubt it would collapse.
Meryl heard a murmur that suddenly disappeared along with the little light there was. She started walking blindly on the cold concrete floor until she yelled out when she felt two strong arms around her. Someone covered her eyes and lifted her off the ground without any kind of effort, as if she were a doll.
After a couple of minutes, she could see again, she was surrounded by a large group of people: women, men and some children who watched with undisguised suspicion. They weren’t accustomed to receiving strangers at their meetings.
“It looks like someone has crashed our meeting,” A voice behind her said, “What should we do?”
She turned her head slightly as she was still imprisoned by both arms
. She saw beautiful almond-shaped eyes that belonged to a man who looked no older than twenty-five years old. His hair was dark and a little long. With a dark complexion that was highlighted precisely because in that world, there was no sun.
“Very well, miss. You can tell us who you are?” he asked smiling while Meryl was not able to utter a word in her favor.
“I know who she is,” shouted a man in his forties, who lifted an accusing finger at her. “It’s Caleb’s bitch.”
The murmurs filled the room and Meryl’s valor disappeared from one breath to the next. She began to panic. She should think of something quickly or she would end up badly, very badly.
“Is that right?” asked the man releasing her and standing in front of her, “How do you know about us?”
“I…”
“If she is here it means she’s a spy and Caleb knows about us!”
The man intervened once more. “Frank, if you don’t stop talking. We can’t clarify anything.”
“But ...” The man stopped talking when the young man raised his hand indicating that enough was enough.
“Very good, small one. What is your name?”
“Meryl,” she whispered.
“Is it true that you belong to Caleb?” he continued when she nodded. “How did you get here? Understand our position, the danger is great, and honestly. I have seen Caleb with my own eyes. I doubt he treats you badly. In fact, I would say that he is the only one of the vampires that deserve a bit of respect. Well, it’s true that I do not like his character,” he continued talking as if he were alone, “but I have lived in other zones. This is the only one in which there is order and in which we can live fairly well. If you belonged to Epsilon I would kill you without hesitation.”
Meryl felt small, rather minuscule. Surrounded in such a manner and under the watchful eye of the group who seemed to look for the slightest movement to beat her, it terrified her. Although she struggled she mentally repeated again and again that everything would be fine.
“Answer.” The man from before grabbed her shirt.
“That’s enough, Frank. She’s nothing more than a girl.” The dark-skinned young man intervened again grabbing his shoulder to make him let go.
“These kinds of women end up destroying a country, Legrant. Don’t forget my words, because if you trust her. There will come a day that I’ll say. I told you so.”
“Shut up already!” A woman’s voice prevailed before the murmurs. “I think I can clarify some doubts about her.”
Meryl turned her eyes searching for the female figure that spoke. Among the gloom began to emerge a young woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Her features began to take shape in her mind, and although slightly different, Meryl realized she knew her.
“Johana?”
“That’s right my friend. It’s been a long time.”
Meryl brought her hands to her mouth in shock. She couldn’t believe it was Johana. She had been sure that she would never see Johana again. Johana was the sympathetic girl who knew and believed her story before Meryl was purchased by Caleb. The first shoulder she’d cried on when she woke up in that hell of the future and the first smile that was given.
Johana embraced her with a broad smile on her face and the rest of the people did not understand what was happening. Then Johana began to tell of their first and only meeting in the auction room and of where Meryl came.
“You think we’re so gullible we’ll believe that?” asked an unknown voice.
“Believe it or not, it’s the truth.”
“I think we can do a little test,” Legrant murmured, approaching them as he held his hand behind his back. “Very well, girl from the past, do you know what this is?”
“A gun,” she said astonished to see it.
“Very good. Who used them?”
“Well, the police and the military.”
“Answer correct. Although, I guess it’s not quite enough. Anyway, it’s getting late and we have several days’ journey to the camp. We will continue the questions later. If we do not go now. We will have serious problems.”
Taking advantage of the total darkness they were distributed in several groups. Led by the rebels who had gone to look for new members. Meryl would go in the last group, and was now more confident thanks to the presence of Johana. She could think more clearly about what was coming.
Caleb was still in the car without taking his eyes off the door. He worried about not seeing Meryl every time a group of people left. In fact, he was about to break in when at last he saw her with his own eyes. He sighed, his whole body relaxing. For the moment, Meryl seemed to be well and would be safe at least for a few days.
“We’re going home.”
As they walked just outside the city, Meryl told some things to Johana, but without overdoing it. She knew that if she spoke too much they would suspect her and she couldn’t let Johana think she was a traitor.
We want to help them, Meryl thought, if they discover them. They will kill them, and given that Caleb already knows them. Surely, he isn’t the only one who knows.
It seemed like an excuse for her actions, but it was what she really thought. What little Meryl knew of the other vampire leaders was terrible. She couldn’t imagine how they really were. So destructive and cruel that they didn’t hesitate to destroy an innocent child while smiling.
“Johana. What happened when we were separated?”
“Well.” Johana sighed wearily. “The truth is I was not so lucky as you. I was bought by a repellent person. He liked young girls too much. Luckily one of Legrant’s guys was around when my master hit me in the middle of the street so a few days later ...”
“We appeared to her rescue,” Legrant said joining the conversation. “It wasn’t difficult to kill him. He was a wimpy third class vampire. Physically he was not at his best. The good life you understand. We killed him without much effort and we took her. It took more than two weeks for her to recover.”
“If not for them, I’d be dead.”
“I’m sorry.
“Why are you sorry, Meryl?” Johana suddenly laughed. “You were worse than me. My God, just imagining being in your situation encouraged me to keep going every day.”
Meryl flashed a shy smile, but she felt so guilty that it shattered her inside. If she had thought about Johana at least once Meryl could have asked Caleb to save her, but her own selfishness blinded her.
“You know, Legrant,” Johana called for his attention. “The first time I saw Meryl she surprised me a lot. She had a scared expression. That’s why I believed her. She was so scared her eyelashes trembled.”
“The truth is. That had to be a rather difficult situation for her.”
“You can’t even imagine it. To wake up one day and see that everything you knew and everyone you loved is gone. I still can’t get used to some things,” Meryl said.
They discussed the past and Johana was amazed at the wonderful things Meryl told her about. The theaters, great movies, bars, and schools everything was like a paradise, but what Legrant couldn’t get out of his head was the seal that Meryl had on her wrist. He’d seen that red color already on someone years ago. When he’d traveled in search of allies.
“Did Caleb treat you well?” Johana suddenly asked.
“The truth is that, yes. He never hurt me.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but also understand that you want your ancient world to resurface.” Johana patted her on the back.
“It’s the most logical reason, she comes from a different place, and although Caleb is not a bad guy and I had occasion to make sure of it,” Legrant said, in your situation. I would do exactly the same.
“Before there were also had horrible things. I can’t deny that. Children were dying every day from hunger, murders, robberies, rapes. We are not saints, but what is here is so excessive. We can’t al
low the planet to live like this,” Meryl said.
During the days following their departure, Meryl continued telling stories about the past to the rest of the group. The people no longer had doubts, because many had seen books and old magazines that they kept as treasures in their camp. She described it with such perfection that it left no doubts, and gradually she began to become a symbol in the minds of those lost humans who were poor and desperate. They watched her with eyes full of hope and enthusiasm. She was becoming a symbol for them.
Meryl stared open-mouthed the day they arrived at the camp. It was immense, so full of tents that the whole valley seemed like a huge city. She could see smoke from hundreds of fires, melodies of ancient instruments and cheerful voices that came together with the cries of children. As they walked through the crowd Meryl received looks full of love from all the people they passed by. She saw women washing clothes with the water supplied by the river. Having access to the river, they were able to wash their clothes for the first time in their lives.
“There’s so many people here that it looks like a human sea.”
“Yes, when I arrived I said the same thing.” Johana laughed. “But before, Legrant told me there were very few people. In fact, when the rebellion began there were barely twenty.”
“Johana, there is one thing I have to ask.” Johana looked at Meryl raising her eyebrows. “How do you know so much of the past?”
“Well, that’s something complicated. Do not misunderstand me. I’m not the right person to talk to you about it, but I’m sure that sooner or later Legrant will tell you.”
Meryl was surprised by that answer. So much secrecy made her curious because there was still the hope inside her that made her believe the person who was helping them could be George.
They reached the center of the camp. There was a large white tent dubbed by all them as the “Center of Operations” and was where Legrant, the rebel leader lived. There was already a small group of people when they arrived. Including the man who distrusted Meryl. He did not hesitate to give her a cold look.
Melodies of Blood I Page 15
