The Way of Escape

by Kristen Reed

  Augustus turned out the lights and I laid down, letting my sleepiness roll back over me. I heard the soft rustle of fabric as he changed out of his clothing and then joined me under the covers. Within a few slow heartbeats of closing my eyes, I drifted off to sleep, feeling thankful that I had only a couple of nights left on Emmanuel’s nightmarish island.

  CHAPTER 5

  I felt unexpectedly energetic when Augustus woke me up the next afternoon, and I was grateful for that vitality. I guess that feeding kit really works, I mused as I sat up and caught sight of him pulling on his midnight blue blazer.

  “How are you,” he asked.

  “Surprisingly decent.”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better because we have a meeting with the slaves at two o’clock,” Augustus revealed. “If you shower now, your breakfast should be here by the time you’re dressed.”

  I stood up and stretched.

  “Thanks. How did you manage that so quickly?”

  “I spoke with Amy early this morning and asked her to spread the word. The slaves all have one designated hour of free time each day aside from meals. We will be speaking with them during their break in the barracks behind the main house.”

  “If it’s not attached to the house, how are you going to get there while it’s still light outside? I thought the sun was lethal for vampires.”

  “I will be fine with the proper coverage since their home is only a short walk from here. My burns will heal well before dusk.”

  I bit my bottom lip as I fought the urge to push past his dismissal. He was the vampire, so I had to trust that he knew what he could and couldn’t handle. That being said, I still wasn’t crazy about him potentially being in pain … just like I hadn’t wanted him to risk his life dueling Grayson the night before.

  He wouldn’t have scheduled an afternoon meeting if he was really putting himself in danger, I assured myself. He’ll be fine.

  “If you say so.”

  Augustus smiled in response as he finished knotting his silver necktie and took my hands in his.

  “As much as I appreciate your concern for me, it is wholly unnecessary. I will be fine.”

  I nodded and pulled my hands from his grip.

  “I’m going to get ready. I’ll try to make it quick.”

  With that, I left the room to prepare for yet another nerve-racking day.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  After a speedy shower, I put on a pair of jeans and t-shirt before gobbling up the fruit, oatmeal, and juice that Augustus had ordered for me. By the time I finished eating my breakfast, it was time to head to the slaves’ quarters. As I pulled on my shoes, Augustus donned a long black coat and gloves, which would have seemed ridiculous considering the tropical weather if I hadn’t known about his nocturnal nature.

  “Are you sure those will be enough?”

  “These have built-in ultraviolet protection. They weren’t made to withstand prolonged exposure to the sun, but they’re good enough for a quick stroll,” he answered, retrieving a black umbrella from his closet.

  “Do the other vampires here have clothes like these?”

  “I doubt it. They have no reason to brave the sun’s rays since they live in isolation. I have to venture outside before sunset every now and then because my work sometimes involves interacting with humans who are unaware of my nature.”

  “That makes sense.”

  Once I rinsed off my dishes and pulled on my shoes, Augustus and I dropped off my dirty dishes then headed outside. He opened the umbrella as soon as we stepped through the back door, but I still noticed his face becoming redder with every second we were in the afternoon sunlight. Since Augustus didn’t seem bothered by the little sunlight that reached his skin, I silently prayed for his protection before pushing my worry aside and resuming our conversation.

  “What are you going to do if anyone from the coven survives the eclipse?”

  “My first priority after we awaken will be to get you to safety. Once you’re settled in Dallas, I will send the cleaning crew to handle any vampires left on the island.”

  “What about the human survivors?”

  Augustus broke eye contact for a moment as he formulated an answer.

  “Any human who doesn’t leave the island will be killed by the surviving vampires because they will be desperate for blood,” he explained. “That’s why it is imperative for them to understand the importance of following our instructions. Every human on this island will be free or dead by the time this is all over.”

  “Part of me already knew that. I think I just needed to hear you say it.”

  “Are you having any reservations?”

  “Not exactly … We just need to make sure that everyone understands the risk they’re taking before they agree to anything. I know this is their only option, but it’s still dangerous.”

  As Augustus and I passed through an opening in the hedgerow that outlined the expansive backyard, I felt as if I’d gone from Emmanuel’s accursed island to the campus where I’d stayed with my Haiti team only days before. The slaves lived in a large bunk with peeling brown and white paint that looked more appropriate for a missionary’s temporary dwelling than a home for dejected human slaves. However, I knew that I wouldn’t find women laughing and swapping stories of God’s faithfulness in Titanyen over the sound of Christian music wafting from someone’s phone inside the rustic building.

  Instead, I’d find men and women who had been oppressed, abused, and broken by creatures whose existence most humans were completely oblivious to. If my first encounter with Amy was any indication, they would probably be understandably skeptical of anything Augustus and I had to say. After all, he was a vampire and I was planning to become one. Our plan was going to be a very hard sell. As my heartbeat quickened and my palms moistened at the thought of trying to persuade such a tough crowd, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to convince anyone to do anything until I addressed my increasing anxiety.

  “I need a sec before we go in,” I said. “Will you be alright if we hang out here for a moment?”

  “Take all the time you need.”

  With his blessing, I sat down on the halved log that served as a makeshift bench and clasped my hands as I bowed my head. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel Augustus watching me from the tree he’d sought solace under. Despite having an audience, I pressed on with my silent prayer.

  God, I know I’ve let myself get too wrapped up in my current situation to spend significant time with you the past few days, but I’m coming to you now to ask for your help. I need you to give us the words to inspire the oppressed men and women who live mere footsteps away to trust not just us but first and foremost you enough to place their lives in our hands. Please make sure all of the slaves arrive home so they can grow closer to you and Christ in a safe, loving environment when this is all over. If Augustus and I going through with this plan isn’t your will, please make the slaves reject our plan and thwart our efforts without the coven finding out about it. I’d rather backtrack now before they risk their lives than watch these poor people suffer more than they already have because of my horrible judgment.

  After finishing my prayer, I just sat in silence for a moment and took a few deep breaths to calm my fried nerves and unsteady heart before opening my eyes and standing up again.

  “I’m ready,” I said.

  Augustus stayed in the trees’ shadows to avoid the sunlight as we walked into the cabin. When we stepped inside, the nostalgia continued thanks to the room full of mosquito net-covered bunk beds that greeted me. However, seeing the actual occupants made the pleasant memories of my interrupted mission trip fade into vapor.

  The men and women I beheld froze the instant they saw Augustus and me, and every conversation in the room screeched to an abrupt stop. The only person who didn’t go completely stiff with tension at the sight of us was Amy, but even she crossed her arms and regarded us with some suspicion from her place in the crowd. Thankfully, Augustus cut through the si
lence instead of leaving me to clumsily begin our clandestine meeting.

  “Thank you for allowing us to come into your home this afternoon,” he greeted, removing his coat and gloves. “My name is Augustus Damiani and this is Clara Robinson. I don’t know how much Amy shared with you about the purpose of our meeting, but we’re here to present you with a way to flee this wretched place and to reclaim the lives that Emmanuel and his coven have stolen from you.”

  “Why would you want to help us,” a voice called from the back of the cabin. “You’re one of them.”

  “Because I work for The Vampire League and they have forbidden human enslavement.”

  “But this isn’t just business. Both of us believe that slavery is inhumane and cruel,” I added. “I know we’re strangers to you and that you have no reason to trust us, but this might be the only chance you have to be free again.”

  “If you’re really against slavery, why are you joining the coven,” a woman to my right sassed.

  “According to a prophecy, a dhampir like me becoming a vampire during the eclipse will make the sun shine as brightly as it does every other day and kill every vampire on the island,” I explained. “I may be kissing my human life goodbye, I’m not joining Emmanuel’s coven.”

  “We also plan to prevent the coven from seeking shelter from the sun’s rays by setting the house ablaze,” Augustus added. “During the pandemonium, you will all board Emmanuel’s yacht and leave the island. Now, while this is an over simplification of our plan, we are confident that it will be a success. All we need is your cooperation.”

  The instant the last word left Augustus’ lips, the slaves all began to speak at once. Some of them talked amongst themselves while others tried to shout at Augustus and I over the loud murmur of people conversing and debating. As I tried to listen to the questions and accusations they hurled in our direction, the rhythmic crescendo of my heart throbbing in my chest and the pain of a burgeoning headache drowned out their words. When I closed my eyes and attempted to focus and drive out my anxiety, all I managed to do was get lost in my own racing thoughts and distracted by my quickened breathing.

  What was I thinking? I can’t do this. There’s no way I can pull this off. We should have talked to them sooner. Now, I’ll have to go with Augustus’ suggestion and let him mind control them into going along with our plan. I hate the idea of doing that, but there’s no other way. The Vampire League will just kill them if they have to get involved. Maybe he can —

  “Everyone shut up!”

  My eyes flew open and I saw Amy standing on a wooden stool against the back wall. The crowd quieted and I thanked God for the cook’s intervention as she spoke.

  “I’ve had to deal with those leeches using me to satisfy their disgusting appetites for the past fifteen years, and I know you’ve all dealt with the same thing. We’ve been abused, violated and humiliated more times than we can count. This plan may be the only chance we have to be free.”

  Amy stepped down from the stool, and the room remained silent as she walked across the crowded cabin and stopped in front of Augustus and me.

  “I’d rather die trying to escape this godforsaken place than be treated like a piece of meat for the rest of my life,” she continued. “Rachel and Blanca are back at home with their families now because of these two, so I’m going to give their plan a shot. If you have any sense, you’ll do the same.”

  I waited for the others to argue with her or shout their opinions and reservations just as they had before, but only one person spoke. The Latino slave who I’d seen at dinner each night stepped forward, his tuxedo jacket draped over his arm and his undone bow tie hanging around his neck.

  “What do you want us to do?”

  From there, Augustus took the lead and described our scheme from setting the house on fire to the timing of my change to leaving the island on the yacht. Though the two of us reiterated how vital it was to keep the plan a secret from the personal slaves, we also stressed the importance of helping them escape. Augustus also reminded them that they would have no recollection of their time on the island once they left it. They would be re-entering human society feeling as if they’d only been gone for a few moments despite the months or years that had passed.

  By the time we finished explaining and recounting the plan in great detail, it was just past four o’clock. We made our way back to the house with Amy and a few others who needed to prepare for the night ahead.

  Rather than going straight to our rooms, Augustus and I went down to the basement-turned-prison so I could tell Connor our plan as I tended to his newest wounds. He listened intently as he ate the food I smuggled downstairs and only broke his silence when I finished speaking.

  “When in all of that chaos are y’all going to bust me out of here?”

  “Augustus and I will free you and anyone else who’s locked up right before he changes me. That way, you can get the boat ready for the other slaves,” I confirmed. “You still know how to drive one, right?”

  “I learned how to drive my parents’ yacht before I learned how to drive a car,” Connor answered with a half-smile. “That’s not a skill you forget.”

  “Great. This time tomorrow, you should be on your way back home.”

  “And I won’t even remember that you saved me,” he pointed out. “In case I don’t have a chance to say it tomorrow, thank you. You’re giving up a lot to help us get out of here, and I really appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  My spirits fell as I heard Augustus approaching. Since the vampire was no doubt coming to tell me that my time with Connor was up, I reluctantly got to my feet and Connor did the same.

  “I have to go.”

  “Do you mind if I pray for you first?”

  His question caught me so off guard that it took me a moment to respond. Even though Connor and I were friends and saw one another regularly, he’s never actually prayed over me. In fact, I’d never prayed with anyone of the opposite sex other than when we were blessing a meal. However, as jarring as his offer was, it was very welcome. I needed all the prayer I could get considering what was going to happen the next day and the new life I would be beginning.

  “No, go ahead,” I finally replied.

  Connor reached out and held my hands in his as he bowed his head and closed his eyes. I followed suit and cleared my mind, letting his words wash over me.

  “God, your word says there is no greater act of love than laying down your life for your friends, and that is what Clara is doing. She’s giving up the only life she’s ever known and the life she’s been hoping for to help complete strangers. Please protect her tomorrow and help her plan go off without a hitch so that her sacrifice won’t be in vain. More than anything, help Clara continue to cling to you as she begins her new life and give those of us in her life the ability to give her the encouragement and counsel she needs not to succumb to the new temptations she’ll be fighting. I pray all these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Amen,” I chorused, opening my eyes again and blinking away a few tears as I gave Connor a hug. “Thank you.”

  When the hug ended, I flashed Connor a quick smile and he gave me a dreary grin of his own. Then Augustus and I left my friend alone in his cell for what I hoped would be the last time.

  As the two of us walked back upstairs, I could still feel Connor’s hands in mine and see the dejection in his eyes. My friend should have been happy because he would be on his way to the relative safety of human society by the time the sun set the next day, but he probably felt blue for the same reason I did.

  Once we were back home, I would be facing unprecedented temptations without a single brother or sister in Christ knowing about my internal struggle. No one would be sending specific prayers up about my battle with blood lust and all of my relationships would be that much more superficial because I’d never be able to share the full weight of my struggles with anyone.

  James 5:16 said that confession and prayer led to h
ealing, and I’d be missing out on a lot because of my inability to fully confess to them. My closest friends knew me well enough to spot when I was holding back or not telling the truth, and my never-ending secrecy would undoubtedly drive a wedge between us.

  While I loved and needed them more than I ever realized back in Texas, I didn’t want to test that love by dragging them into my dark new reality and making them question everything they knew about the world … and about me. Sure, Connor had accepted the existence of vampires and my fate pretty quickly, but there was no guarantee that they would be as tolerant, cool-headed, and loving … if they even believed me. Leah was a perfect example of how an encounter with darkness could awaken the worst in someone, and I didn’t want to rouse whatever slept in the shadows of their hearts.

  God, please help me find a way not to bear this burden on my own, I silently entreated as Augustus and I stepped into his room.

  “Perhaps we should skip dinner with Emmanuel tonight,” he suggested.

  “Why?”

  “You’re obviously not up for putting on another performance for the coven.”

  “I’ll be fine. Connor gave me a lot to think about.”

  “Care to talk about it?”

  “He just reminded me that my life as a Christian is going to become a lot more complicated when this is all over. Not being able to share what’s really going on in my life with my friends means that they can’t encourage or pray for me the way I’ll need them to.”

  “If you still feel this way after your change, you can confess to me whenever you want. I’m also not opposed to appealing to the powers that be on your behalf if you deem it necessary.”

  I furrowed my brow and tilted my head slightly as I studied Augustus. Yes, he’d said the second half of his offer with a smile and a wink, but I could tell that he was being shockingly sincere.

  “You’re surprised,” he observed.

  “Of course I am. You don’t believe in God.”

  “Even though I don’t fully believe in the Christian God or religion, I do believe that there is something greater than humans and vampires. If entreating that entity would help you, I’d gladly do so,” he explained. “Unfortunately, no amount of hand clasping and eye closing from me will help if having a belief such as yours is the key to having those prayers answered, but you know more about your God than I do.”