by R. M. Garcia
“Since when?” he asked, but he could tell she wasn’t going to tell him.
“Not something you need to worry about.”
“Hmm, OK, so what do you want us to do?”
“Just follow the rules for now,” she answered. “I have to think about what we just discussed. I need to process it and see if it might be possible.”
“OK, just don’t expect me to stay cooped up any longer,” Donnie said. “I need to get out.”
“Fine, just take Abbie with you. Her senses are very sharp,” she replied. “And stay hidden.”
“Deal,” Donnie agreed.
“OK, I need to head inside. We have a new Foundling with us,” Espee said and left, heading into the den. They had discovered a new Foundling; he had come all the way from Savanna. Donnie heard that his name was Benny and that he had only arrived a few nights ago. He would now be trained to hunt and survive. Donnie lay down for the night on a cheap blanket and went deep into thought. Espee had a good point, not everyone here had the training that he and Abbie shared. In many ways, they were better trained and more powerful than most of the Foundlings there. No one was trained to fight, just to hide. After seeing the Reich in battle, he understood why. Donnie suspected that Espee had some sort of ability to find hidden places, but he was hesitant to ask her. She just had a knack for knowing the right place was to bed down for the night. Abbie arrived a few hours before dawn; she had not had any luck finding a meal that night. “Hey, baby, I struck out. What did you do tonight?” Abbie asked as she lay down next to him.
“I escaped,” Donnie said.
“Say what?” she asked.
“I went outside and ran some errands,” Donnie replied.
“Donnie! You know how dangerous that is,” Abbie said. “Why would you do that?”
“I was careful. I didn’t sense any other vampires around,” he said.
“I know that ever since you woke up, you have been able to detect vampires at a distance, but are you sure no one saw you?” His new ability had suddenly just clicked on after his six month slumber. He could, when he concentrated, cover a vast area and sense any vampire near or far.
“It was weird babe. There were absolutely no other vampires around,” Donnie said. “None for miles, except for me and Nox.”
“That is strange,” Abbie said. “So what did you do on the jailbreak?”
“I sent Misha and CeeCee a message,” he replied smiling.
“Really, how did you do it?” Abbie asked excitedly.
“I sent some coded messages. I’m not even sure they will understand them or even be looking for them after five years. If they get them and understand, we might be able to meet up with CeeCee in four weeks at a show.”
“Really, but won’t that be dangerous?”
“Yes, but if I get any vibes, we won’t show, only if it’s clear.”
“I guess we can try it,” Abbie said and then looked away for a moment. Donnie could tell that something was bothering her.
“What’s wrong Honey?” Donnie asked as he turned her face toward him.
“I don’t like it here,” Abbie confessed.
“Yeah, I want to go to Alaska too,” Donnie admitted.
“But Espee won’t let us go,” Abbie said. “She won’t even tell us where the new Tranquility is.”
“It’s not her choice,” he said. “We can come and go as we please; that’s what she tells the others.”
“Donnie, I need to tell you something,” Abbie looked unsure.
“Yeah,” Donnie could feel something bad was coming.
“They forced us to come here,” Abbie confessed. “I know I told you that it was my choice but that was not true.”
“What are you saying?” Donnie didn’t like the use of the word forced and much less when it involved his wife.
“Espee ordered Nox to bring you to her, and I was given the choice to come or go with the others,” Abbie continued. “I refused to leave your side, so I came here. I think she has a plan for you, and I know there is something that she isn’t telling us. I’m sure of it.”
“I’m not getting that from her,” Donnie said.
“Every time they start to talk about you, she and Nox switch to another language that I can’t understand.”
“Well, that’s strange, are you sure they’re talking about me?” Donnie asked.
“No, it’s just a hunch,” she replied.
“Let’s give it another month, if things don’t improve, we’ll take off toward Alaska,” Donnie said.
“How, do we have enough money? Is it safe?” Abbie asked. “How will we find them?”
“Yes, we have more than enough money,” Donnie said, chuckling. “We’ll get a van, get a few pigs, and drive across the country. We don’t stop in any town.”
“How do we find them?”
“We ask Espee to tell us, and if she refuses, we go anyway,” Donnie said. “I doubt she will let us risk the trip without helping us. I really believe that she cares about all of us.”
“It sounds like a good plan,” Abbie said. “Let’s get some rest.”
“I’ll help you hunt tomorrow,” Donnie said. “We’re to go out together from now on.”
“Finally, I didn’t understand why she insisted on keeping us apart on the outside,” Abbie said as she rested her head on Donnie’s chest.
“Me either, she’s extremely cautious,” Donnie said. “I think the pressure might be getting to her. She looked exhausted, and she said that she had been doing this for a very long time.”
“How old do you think she is?” Abbie asked. “I mean really?”
“Who knows, but I once heard that she set up a den back in 1803,” Donnie said. “That would make her over two hundred years old.” Donnie and Abbie went to sleep. He would have a talk with Espee tomorrow and demand some answers. What did she really want with him?
CHAPTER 34
The Patron
THE NEXT NIGHT Donnie and Abbie went out hunting along with two other members of Los Nomados. Espee required that when hunting, they went out in groups for safety. After about an hour, they ran across a pair of skinheads in a dark alley. They were beating up a small Haitian boy. Donnie walked into the alley and confronted the pair, and within a few moments, they were both unconscious. The boy came up to Donnie and thanked him before running away. Abbie and the others descended on the pair and drank blood from them. Once again Donnie could not detect any other vampires in the nearby area.
“Donnie, aren’t you going to drink?” Lily asked.
“No. I’m good,” Donnie replied as he continued to keep an eye out.
“I’ve never seen you drink,” Lily said. Donnie looked at her and bared his fangs to her.
“If you would like to go hungry tonight, keep talking,” Donnie warned. Lily shook her head quickly and went back to drinking. Lily had been with the group for almost a year; she had curly red hair and was from Virginia, and unfortunately she and Abbie had gotten extremely close during the six months he had been asleep. Abbie shot him a look and shook her head in disappointment. Donnie let out a sigh; he thought Lily was extremely annoying, but Abbie loved her like a sister. All Lily did was ask questions and not even intelligent ones. She reminded Donnie and Abbie a lot of Rebecca, a little chatterbox, with no common sense. Abbie had taken a liking to her right away, and Donnie just had to accept it and put up with her. Once everyone had drunk their fill, Donnie propped up the men against a wall, and they all returned to the den. That night, they were staying in an old mobile building. Apparently, it had been used as an outdoor classroom as there were chalkboards, several desks, and chairs inside. It was a tight space, and everyone would have to sleep elbow to elbow, but Espee was confident it was safe. Donnie pulled Espee aside and they went outside. “We need to talk.”
“Very well, what’s up?” she asked.
“Me and Abbie will be leaving soon,” Donnie informed. He expected an argument, but instead Espee remained calm.
�
��When do you plan to go?”
“In about a month,” he replied.
“You can’t go,” she replied. “At least not yet.”
“We want to go back to Tranquility,” Donnie said. “I hope you’ll tell us where it is now.”
“Donnie, I need you here with me,” she said.
“Abbie was right. You do have some sort of hidden agenda.” Donnie crossed his arms and stared at her. “Why did you force me and Abbie to come down here? I want the truth Espee.”
“It’s not as nefarious as you’re making it sound,” Espee replied.
“Then just come out and say it,” he demanded. Espee took a deep breath and looked at Donnie warmly.
“I want you to take over for me here in Miami as the den leader,” Espee replied, and Donnie was left speechless. “I’ve been here long enough. I need to move to a new location and start a new den.”
“What? You want me to take over as leader?” Donnie asked. “What about Nox? He’s the logical choice.”
“I’m taking Nox with me,” she replied. “You have shown to be a very powerful Foundling. I think you can handle things here.” Donnie was surprised by the statement.
“I’m honored, really, but I’m not an elder, and I’m certainly not wise.”
“That is exactly why you should take over.” Espee smiled at Donnie and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Our leadership needs new blood, new ways of thinking. You said so yourself, this way of life is not working.”
“I don’t know, Espee,” Donnie said. “Maybe someplace else, but here in the lion’s den. The Reich is still looking for Abbie. I just don’t feel safe here, and I fear for Abbie every night.”
“Let’s make a deal,” she said. “I’ll show you everything I know about this area, and after a month, if you feel the same way, I’ll tell you where Tranquility moved to.” Donnie considered the offer carefully. He really had nothing to lose, and learning one-on-one from Espee could have its advantages.
“I need to discuss it with Abbie,” Donnie said. “She has a say in this too.”
“I would expect that you both would take care of the den together,” Espee said smiling. “She’s probably listening to us anyway.”
“We still need to talk it over,” he said. Espee nodded and turned around and went back into the classroom. Abbie crossed paths with her as she went out to meet with Donnie.
“Did you hear?” Donnie said.
“Yeah,” Abbie said with a pensive look on her face. “What do you want to do?”
“Hell if I know,” he said. “All I have ever wanted was to keep you safe and happy.”
“Well, let’s take her up on the offer,” Abbie said. “We can always leave in a month anyway, if we don’t like it.”
“I just don’t feel that you will be safe here.”
“It’s the last place they would look for me, I think,” she said. “Plus, if we take over the den, we can always move it. And your ability to sense vampires will keep us safe.” Donnie pressed his lips together and started thinking.
“OK, let’s learn from her, and in one month, we’ll make our final decision,” Donnie wasn’t sure, but maybe after learning from Espee, he might feel different.
“OK. Sounds like a plan,” she said. Over the next four weeks, Espee kept her word and began teaching them everything that she knew about the city. Donnie and Abbie were surprised to find out that Espee had over three hundred safe houses scattered across the city. There were sewers, cargo containers, empty warehouses, lofts, and boats. She kept all of that information in a ledger that was always on her person. That is what Espee did at night; she scouted for new locations to stay and placed them into the ledger and into the rotation. She also had an elaborate pattern on how they migrated. To the casual observer, the path would seem random, but Donnie could see the pattern clear as day. He started feeling more confident about the safety of the city, and he involuntarily started thinking up ways he could improve the safe houses. Abbie also started getting excited about the prospect of being able to train new Foundlings. She had started teaching Benny fighting techniques and found many of the other Foundlings watching and taking mental notes. Nox was happy to see that her skills were up to par with his. At Espee’s request, he followed her lead and began helping her teach more aggressive combat maneuvers.
The deadline for their final decision was almost upon them. Donnie and Abbie would have to make their choice in a few nights. Espee had brought them to an abandoned barge to rest for the evening. It appeared to have once served as a restaurant. There were many tables and a kitchen on the top deck. It was still moored at the same site where it once proudly served the community in its heyday at the end of a long pier. It was very secluded now and offered ample security. On the interior, it was big; Donnie and Abbie could have some privacy when they returned to sleep for the day, which was always good. Donnie and Abbie headed out for their evening alone. Lily had wanted to come with them, but Donnie told her that he wanted to spend some alone time with Abbie, and chased her away by throwing a rock at her.
“Donnie, I wish you were nicer to her,” Abbie scolded. “She thinks you hate her.”
“I do hate her,” Donnie said, hiding his smile from her. “I think I will chew on her one of these days.” Abbie punched Donnie in the arm in response to his comment.
“You will not, she is not that bad!” she said angrily. Donnie burst into laughter and wrapped his arms around her.
“I bet my IQ would drop if I drank from her anyway.” Donnie couldn’t stop laughing. Abbie tried to resist but then also laughed.
“You are terrible,” she said still laughing. They reached the venue where they hoped to meet up with CeeCee. They were still not sure if they would be let in or not. The venue was a large building that looked like an old ice factory converted into a theater of sorts; it was called The Patron. Donnie did a quick scan for vampires and got a few hits, but they were quite far off.
“It looks good,” Donnie said and walked up to the box office.
“I’m sorry, sir, but the show is sold out for tonight,” the ticket girl said.
“Can you check if there is a pair of tickets left for us?” he asked.
“Sure,” she said cheerfully. “What is the name?” Donnie was at a loss and went for the obvious.
“Donnie Guerrero?” he asked. She looked down on a clipboard and shook her head.
“Sorry, nothing under that name,” she replied.
“How about eleven-year-old kiss or number 26?” he asked. She looked again and came back with the same response. Abbie took a step up to the window.
“Donnie, you need to think like CeeCee,” she said and turned to the girl in the window. Abbie was sure that there was a pair on hold for someone, otherwise she wouldn’t be looking. “How about Mr. Dodo?” The girl looked and smiled.
“Why yes, here you go,” the girl said and handed them two VIP backstage passes. “I’m supposed to get one of the roadies to lead you to the back.” Donnie and Abbie entered the Patron and were met by a man wearing a Solia Tera shirt.
“Oh, Donnie, Solia Tera, this brings back memories,” Abbie said smiling. Donnie nodded as their escort led them to the back. The band went out onto stage and began their set. He opened the door to the band’s dressing room, and Donnie and Abbie were ushered in, CeeCee was inside. She looked up and began to cry as she got up and ran into Donnie’s arms. She looked at Abbie and grabbed her too and hugged them both as she cried uncontrollably. Donnie lost it and began spewing tears as well.
“I missed you so much,” Cecilia said. “You two look just the same.”
“I made you a promise. I came to keep it,” Donnie replied. CeeCee ushered them onto a sofa.
“I have tons of questions, but I know I shouldn’t ask too many,” Cecelia said.
“No, go ahead,” Abbie assured. “It’s been a long time.” A woman walked in carrying a small infant into the room.
“CeeCee,” the woman said. “Donna is getting very
fussy. I think it’s the vibrations from the . . . Abbie?” Cecelia, Donnie, and Abbie watched as Kelly walked in the VIP lounge and just froze in place.
“Crap, I forgot about her,” Cecelia said.
“Abbie, is that you? You’re alive?” Kelly asked as she took a few steps into the room.
“Yeah, but I can explain,” Abbie said.
“Holy shit,” Kelly said. “What the hell!” Cecelia got up and took the baby from her.
“You better sit down,” Cecelia advised and continued, “and get a strong drink.” Kelly sat down next to Abbie and hugged her tightly. Donnie patted her on her back and moved a bit over as Cecelia sat back down. The baby was screaming now.
“Sorry, Donnie, I forgot about Kelly,” Cecelia said.
“No worries, it’s all good, but why is she here?” Donnie asked.
“She manages the band playing tonight,” Cecelia said as she continued trying to calm the baby. Abbie and Kelly held hands as Abbie started to explain what had happened.
“I knew it!” Kelly said enthusiastically. “I knew you were alive. When those thugs questioned me and Trevor, I knew, but I was expecting witness protection not vampires. Come on, Abbs, tell me the truth.” Abbie opened her mouth and sprung out her fangs. Kelly let out a quick yelp and fainted dead away. Donnie couldn’t help laughing.
“Glad you think it’s funny,” Abbie said. “She’s going to be very freaked out when she wakes up.”
“She’ll be just fine,” Cecelia said. “She’s tough as nails.” The baby continued to cry. Donnie looked at CeeCee with eyes wide.
“Can I hold her?” Donnie asked.
“Sure,” Cecelia said and handed the baby over to Donnie. “Make sure you put your hand under her head.”
“Got it,” he said as he looked into little Donna’s eyes. She stopped crying instantly, she stared back, smiled, and giggled.
“Why would you bring a baby to concert?” Abbie asked as she tried to revive Kelly. Cecelia turned to Abbie.
