“Legrant, you had a good trip?” Legrant nodded. “That’s good. We have placed the new people. We just need to look for some tents for your group.”
“You take care of it, Rash. You’re the one that best knows how to organize these things.”
“Perfect,” smiled the young man with light colored hair. “New people, follow me, please.”
Meryl looked Johana wondering if she should go, but when she took a few steps toward Rash, a strong hand gripped her preventing any movement beyond a step.
“Not you. You’re not going to let her get near, right?” Frank asked in a bad mood. “I told you not to believe her.”
“But Frank, you know nothing, she tells the truth.”
“Nathan, shut up! She’s useless. I refuse.”
“The problem is that you have no power to refuse my decisions, my friend.”
Meryl noticed the power that Legrant had. His word was the law. Frank squinted his eyes at her and sat upright. Showing everyone his enormous anger. She instinctively looked at the boy who had defended her and smiled at him in thanks.
Meryl saw the vast tent. There were a lot of papers and weapons everywhere. However, there was not much beyond that and she could not help but be surprised.
Meryl wondered how they were going to defeat millions of vampires.
“Well, Meryl. The truth is not that difficult to explain. All we want is to be free. To live by and for ourselves,” Legrant began suddenly. “This group was formed long ago by someone who unfortunately is no longer among us.”
“Who?” Meryl demanded with a panicked voice.
“Alan, it was he who founded the cause.”
A sudden calm came over her, because her first thought was that it might have been her brother, and although she couldn’t imagine someone of his character forming a small army. Anything was possible. Yes, George was a quiet and really smart boy. She still remembered the day the principle had called them to explain that they wanted to advance him to two higher level courses. At the age of fourteen, he was about to finish high school and could have gone directly to the university. He was always the calm one at home. The one who with one word could get you to see the world from another perspective.
“Meryl you look tired.”
“Oh no, calm down Johana. I’m fine.”
“It’s been a long journey. You should both go to sleep. It’s late. You will stay in the same tent, is that alright?” asked Legrant.
“Of course. Come on, Meryl. I’ll show you what will be your new home.”
The tent was just five meters away. The people closest to Legrant occupied tents surrounding him in a circle as if they were his war generals. Everything was very humble and welcoming. The people prepared dinner in small groups, and Meryl could not help but remember those family picnics full of laughter, a sense of happiness flooded her suddenly and nostalgia again invaded her leaving a sour taste of sadness.
“I’ll get something to eat. Wait here for me. You might get lost outside.”
Meryl nodded with a smile and sat on the bed, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her legs because of the long journey. She had never been so weary as on that occasion.
The voices of people began to descend slowly, and the night brought calm to the place leaving only soft murmurs, jokes, and anecdotes. They all shared their experiences with the newcomers.
Meryl slightly bowed her head wearily and stroked her neck while looking up again in surprise, because at the entrance of the tent were two males watching her. The two young teenagers looked a little strange.
“Hello, newcomer,” The guy with the dyed red hair greeted her with euphoria. “Everyone in your group has been talking about you.”
“Oh, hello,” Meryl said bemused watching them.
“It’s a pleasure to have a celebrity here.” A hand was extended in front of her. It was the other dark-haired boy with blond streaks and skin white as snow. “You can call me Ed, he is Mathew.”
“Just Mat.”
Meryl nodded somewhat impressed by their arrival. At first glance, they were two bizarre and colorful characters. Mat had a boyish face that made him look like someone out of a teen magazine, and Ed had a completely androgynous face. Meryl wondered if he was a man or a woman.
“You look tired,” Ed said suddenly. “We’ll leave you. I’ll see you out there.”
“Yes, thanks for introducing yourselves.” Meryl felt a little uncomfortable with their presence. She hoped they would leave as soon as possible.
She watched their backs disappear into the darkness outside. Meryl couldn’t help but raise eyebrows in a sudden gesture of surprise. She wondered if more people like them would be in this place.
“A good first impression, Edel?”
“More or less. She’s changed a bit, but I’m not disappointed.”
“I understand she has become Caleb’s little treasure. Doesn’t it make you want to destroy her?”
“Not at all.”
“It seems that she’s caught your attention. That’s unusual,” hissed Mat revealing a lopsided grin.
“Anyway, Epsilon was right. Caleb has finally sent someone.”
“Yes, it seems that this small group of rats doesn’t know how to hide very well. The only one not aware of anything is the old Amadeus.” Mat shrugged his shoulders dismissively and walked a little faster toward his tent.
“Fortunately, if all goes as planned. We will soon cease to be in this stinking place.”
The night was already full and they all rested in their tents among family and friends. Unaware that they were being watched by a small group of four people who had hidden in the woods. Caleb, Jeoff, Pein and Alexander, ensured the safety of Meryl and the other humans who were part of the rebellion. Without knowing that their own enemy was only a couple of kilometers away in the center of everything.
Meryl was sleeping peacefully next to Johana. They had both spent hours talking about what had happened. They talked not only about what happened, but their childhoods, bitter memories and it was nice to share things with a friend she could trust. She almost felt like she was at a summer camp. Like those organized by the schools. This left a bitter taste in her mouth when she woke up the next morning. It was rainy, and only a low light came to earth. It wasn’t warm enough. Johana brought breakfast and Meryl was tired. Nightmares had haunted her dreams.
“You look horrible.”
“Oh, thank you!” Meryl acted hurt. “Well, you look great.”
“I heard you when you were sleeping.” Johana sat down beside her. “Did you have nightmares?”
“I think so. Although, I don’t remember anything and I think I prefer it that way.”
“Well, I guess it’s been a big change for you, but you’ll get used to it.”
Just a few minutes after they both ate, Nathan, the boy who had defended her the night before appeared in the tent and shyly asked Meryl to see Legrant when she had a moment.
The room was empty, and he waited quietly sitting on an old chair as he looked over some papers full of handwritten notes.
“Meryl!” He seemed suddenly surprised. “Come in, come in. Excuse the mess. I was checking some things.”
“You wanted to see me?” Meryl asked.
“I’d like to talk to you about one little thing.” He lowered the tone of his voice as he showed off a small smile. “How do you feel about children?”
“Well, I believe that, good.”
“I’d like for you to tell them about how the world was once. Or read them a story.”
“I think that I can do that.”
“We have many children here and we think it’s something that you could help with. Do not misunderstand me, but we try to all help out so that things work.”
“I think it’s logical. We can’t sit and wait for days to go by.” Meryl reasoned
honestly, “And children are at the end of the day our own future.”
“Yes. Then I’ll give you a small group who does not have someone to look after them.”
Meryl left the tent happy. She loved children and feeling useful filled her with a renewed energy. However, she wasn’t sure if she should tell them about the past. They were just kids. Some had only known misfortune, and she was convinced that giving them too much hope talking about a wonderful world was not all good.
“And?” Johana asked, curious at the small gathering.
“It was nothing. He only asked me to take care of some children.”
“I see. I did that too when I arrived. It’s like an initiation ritual.” Johana laughed. “But it is very simple. Although, you have more things to tell them than I did. I just spent time making up games and teaching them to read, because my group came from the suburbs. Surely you will get free children.”
“Free children?”
“Yes, there are children here who are born free.”
Happy with her new task. Meryl decided to take a walk in the vicinity of her tent to get accustomed to the place. It was really huge, a city of small and poor households, she was surprised at the joy emanating from everyone. Especially the young people rescued that were near her own age. They all seemed mature. Some even had horrible scars all over their body.
Meryl walked near a group that spoke animatedly next to a fire. They were just teenagers. She decided to get a little closer to them and listen to their conversation.
“What zone are you from?” asked a girl with orange hair.
“I’m from Sigma, but I was very small when my father managed to leave me with the rebels. It cost him his life.”
“You must be very proud,” said the same young woman candidly. “I came from Omega one year ago.”
“How unfortunate. I’m from here, Alpha, but I’ve heard horrible things about your zone,” said another boy, joining the group.
“I assure you. Everything you’ve heard falls short. Epsilon is evil personified, seriously, there are no words to describe him. In appearance, he’s a kid and is very capricious. If he thinks you’re his enemy or have done something that bothers him. He won’t hesitate to have you killed. Even older high-class vampires fear him.”
“Have you ever seen him?”
“Just once and the smile on his face caused me nightmares for more than three years. All who come from there have lost someone because of him.”
“Whatever they say, the Alpha Zone is the safest area. Caleb enforces the law, and without evidence does not condemn anyone.”
Meryl decided to sit near them to hear more calmly what they were talking about, and hearing how they talked about Caleb filled her heart with pride.”
“That’s precisely why Epsilon hates him so much, and because he is like a son to Amadeus. He can’t do anything about it.”
“Has anyone ever seen Amadeus?”
“No, he is only seen by the big four and Caleb.”
“By the way, you are from the Gamma Zone. Right, Mery Ann?”
“Yes, but there is not much to say. It’s fairly quiet except when Adara Ajax’s second is enraged. She is half crazy.”
When the group began to change the conversation Meryl decided to continue her walk. She realized that most people shared their experiences regarding the zones where they had lived. The large number of different accents was overwhelming, but almost everyone spoke the same language. Some young guys commented excitedly about the future that awaited them. The freedom to live a peaceful life without fear of anything. Of course, what most shocked Meryl was what she heard about Omega Zone. Epsilon, one of the four greats along with Amadeus, was barbaric, cruel and ruthless. Although some curiosity overcame Meryl, she wanted to see him. Just hearing about him caused her dread. The descriptions that had reached her were overwhelming. Apparently, he looked like a child. With pale skin, dark eyes and black hair like the deepest night, but the real gem was his devilish smile. They said it caused tremors in the bravest person.
Meryl still did not quite understand the hierarchy of this new world. Those who controlled it were one step below Amadeus. Who allegedly carried out the attack and the beginning to the new era. Then there was Epsilon, which a few years ago had broken records getting that position based on bloodshed. Elizabeth, the lady of Sigma, was still a mystery to Meryl, and finally, there was Ajax, from the Gamma Zone. Which she heard was not a bad place to live either. Behind them was another person that belonged to Caleb and they were the ones who managed their zone as they wished. Although there were exceptions and then there was Epsilon who took it upon himself to transform the lives of all of the citizens of his zone into a nightmare.
However, what most caught Meryl’s attention were the comments made about Gamma Zone. Apparently, there were two people occupying that same post, but the information did not go beyond that. She wanted to keep listening to sate her curiosity, but she wasn’t able to gather the courage to ask each of them questions. They had gone through so much and Meryl knew she had to be satisfied with hearing their conversation while hidden behind the tents.
As the days passed more small groups arrived from across the planet. Boats were their salvation in helping them to reach old New Zealand, and during that time, something began to bother Meryl.
Why was the rebellion at that location? The world was very large and Legrant himself had told her that his travels had taken him all over the globe. Meryl’s mind thought about it over a thousand times but wasn’t able to reach a conclusion. She imagined that they had counted on Caleb protecting them and that made her feel like someone was choking her. Although, Meryl knew that Caleb wanted to help them. She knew he would be one vampire against many. Including the four vampires in charge. Just as powerful as Amadeus.
“Today you seem nervous,” Meryl heard behind her. “If you don’t feel well tell me.”
“Legrant.” Meryl was surprised by his voice. “I’m well. Just thinking.”
“What about?”
“Well.” Meryl had her doubts but tried to be courageous and looked innocently at Legrant. “Why are the rebels here and not another location?
“That’s a good question. Maybe I feel nostalgia, you know?” he asked. “I was born in this zone and on this same island. My skin is brown because my family is descended from a tribe.”
“I would never have imagined.”
“Of course, there are many other reasons why I want to be here, but they have nothing to do with the rebellion.”
Without giving her more time to ask questions he excused himself with the reason that he was ravenous, but Meryl could feel that he had avoided the main question by telling her something irrelevant. Then she realized that he was hiding something, something big and important. That only fueled her worry.
That night she slept dreaming of Caleb. Meryl missed him so much that she began to despair, that cold look that hid goodness, the evil and cruel aspect of the man was a façade, because at her side he became another person that only she knew. What she didn’t know was that he was closer than she could have imagined. Protected on the edge of the forest by his trusted men. They all had a bad feeling, rather a horrible feeling, because the breeze that night almost smelled like fresh blood.
Melody no.11
Epsilon
Meryl had spent a month living with Legrant’s rebels. It was rare to find one of them who didn’t know her. The rumors had run through the camp like wildfire and every two to three days another group appeared waiting for Meryl to tell them marvelous stories about the past.
Meryl had integrated into the group perfectly and felt like that valley filled with tents was home. However, she knew that this situation would not be forever. Sooner or later she would return to Caleb’s side.
“They make my hair stand on end.” Johana was seated next to Meryl near the entrance to th
eir tent. “They are always nearby. In one way or another. If it wasn’t for the information they gave to Legrant they would be dead.”
“I don’t like it either. Every time I turn around they are right there. It’s a little bit sinister.”
“Whatever they say. I don’t trust them. Ed seems somehow familiar.”
Both Meryl and Johana looked at the duo with distrust. They weren’t the only two that weren’t comfortable. Johana had observed that they were always nearby and every time she looked at them, specifically, Ed, was near Meryl stalking her and waiting for a chance to act. Meryl felt a sensation of danger when she talked to them. Her instincts warned her that they were dangerous, but neither of the girls could do anything. Every time Johana tried to talk to Legrant about them he smiled and told her that paranoia was getting ahold of her. If only they had suspected who they really worked for. Then things might have turned out different.
Due to winter, the weather was turning extremely cold. The night of the full moon was a little clearer and the people ate happily while the breeze brought with it a scent. Caleb didn’t say anything, but the three of them were tense. It felt like they were waiting for something to happen. The hours passed and the hustle of the camp decreased leaving sepulchral silence. Everyone slept peacefully until they heard a noise from the north side of the camp.
“Meryl?”
“What happened Johana?” Meryl asked while rubbing her eyes.
“I heard yelling. Get up.”
Scared Meryl got up quickly and the both of them ran to Legrant’s tent. Where he stood with a shocked expression.
“Damn it, Legrant. Did you hear that?”
“This… this shouldn’t be happening,” he said.
Meryl felt her heart beat accelerate because she could hear the yelling. The cries of the panicked people broke the night’s silence. The people nearby ran to their leaders’ tent without knowing what was happening.
It was a sudden and quick attack. A group of vampires had entered the camp on the north side and killed everyone they found. Fortunately, the rebels numbered in the thousands and it would be difficult to kill all of them.
Melodies of Blood I Page 16
