The Childe (The Childe Series, #1)

by C. A. Kunz

  “Well, I’m going to have a look,” Cat said and then let go of Kirsten’s hand as she walked toward the group of trees.

  “Cat, wait up! I didn’t say I wouldn’t come with you! I just think we should wait for the others.”

  “Why? You said they’ll take forever, and I don’t have forever, my ride’s coming at midnight.” Kirsten sighed and caught up with Cat.

  After reaching the trees, they walked inside the barren clearing. Cat realized the ground within wasn’t completely empty. A large concrete foundation stood in the center. It looked identical to the one in her nightmare. Cat felt a chill race up her spine. I’ve seen this place before, she thought. “This is too weird!”

  “What’s too weird?” Kirsten asked.

  “Oh nothing,” Cat answered, her attention being drawn back to the foundation. She slowly approached it, feeling the need to run her fingers across it. What am I thinking? Why do I keep putting myself in these situations! She stopped short, intending to turn and go back, but something pushed her to move closer. She scanned the slab of concrete. Looking for the trap door from her nightmare, Cat was astonished when she saw it in the middle of the foundation.

  “Cat, what are doing? Are you crazy? Do you want the ghost of that witch to curse you?” Ignoring Kirsten she knelt down, preparing to grab the handle of the trap door.

  “Kirsten!” A voice called out of the darkness. Cat turned, her concentration broken, and saw Jessica and Tonya standing at the edge of the clearing. “What are you doing? We have your drinks!” they wined in unison.

  Cat felt Kirsten tug on her arm and groan, “Come on Cat, the two dorks found us. Funny, I don’t remember walking this far into the clearing. Oh well. Jess, quit yelling, you sound so common!” she yelled back at the two waiting for them. Cat didn’t budge. “Whatever,” Kirsten muttered as she walked off to join the other two.

  Cat continued to fiddle with the trap door. It wouldn’t open, it was stuck. “Here, let me help you with that.” A deep, eerie voice came from the darkness. Startled, Cat looked up and saw a dark figure emerging from the trees in front of her. Her heart began to race. As she moved backward too quickly, her foot caught on a branch, causing her to fall. Despite the sharp pain, she quickly jumped to her feet as the man moved closer.

  “Don’t be frightened little girl, I don’t bite.” His very pale face and devilish grin could be seen clearly as he was suddenly bathed in the moonlight. “You’re such a pretty little thing, aren’t you? Oh, please do forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself.” Bowing slightly, “My name is-” he began, but then paused. “Well, on second thought, I never do introduce myself to food. Silly me,” he laughed menacingly.

  Cat could swear he was floating toward her. She noticed his eyes were jet black as he watched her intently while licking his lips. She continued to move away from him and glanced down quickly to make sure she wouldn’t trip again and when she looked up he was gone. Terror ripped through her as she felt him grab her from behind, his breath on her neck. She spun around to face him and gasped. Cat felt paralyzed as he tenderly ran his pasty, long, and sharp nailed finger over her lips.

  “Shhh,” he whispered. She gasped, feeling a chill from the touch of his ice cold skin. He slowly moved her hair back and pressed his nose against her neck.

  He laughed softly. “Oh, you smell absolutely divine.”

  Cat could feel his cold breath, but she couldn’t move. She was completely frozen with fear. He reared back and Cat saw his bright white fangs glistening in the moonlight. As if someone had flipped a switch, Cat realized she could move. She threw an elbow into his gut, shoved him back, and then immediately took off running into the woods. All she could think of was getting the hell out of there.

  “Ohhh, I love fast food!” he said as he watched her move from his sight.

  Cat noticed the trees were flying by quickly, like as if she were driving in a car. She had no time to think about it though, her flight response was initiated. In the far distance she could see the bonfire. Vampire…that was totally a vampire! What the hell’s going on! She tried to gather her thoughts while still moving quickly toward the party. Cat heard branches crack in the near vicinity, but didn’t turn to look. Keep running! Her instinct yelled at her. Hearing more noises behind her, and then just above her, she picked up the pace not daring to risk looking, afraid of what she might see. Common sense told her she could trip and fall, but her overwhelming need to get out of the woods fast won out. Trying to speed up, Cat realized she couldn’t. It felt like she was running through thick mud. She felt something touching her hair, like fingers combing through it. She screamed.

  As Cat burst out from the trees, she realized no one had heard her above the music. When she reached the top of the path, Cat finally looked behind her and saw no sign of the pale man. Moving forward, while still looking for any movement in the trees, she collided with someone. She screamed and then realized the person holding on to her was Taylor. A shocked look was on his face and the faces of his friends standing with him.

  “Whoa, Cat! What are you doing here?” he blasted her. “Do Mom and Dad know you’re here?” Cat shook her head, her lungs burning, not able to speak. “I didn’t think so. After your little episode last night, I didn’t think they’d let you out of their sight. What lie did you tell them to allow you to go out tonight? Or did you just sneak out?” he asked, angrily crossing his arms and glaring at her, not realizing how scared she was.

  “Taylor…there’s someone…in the woods! He tried…to attack me!” she said breathlessly, her tone frantic, her sides aching.

  “What? Someone attacked you?” Trish asked concerned.

  “Yeah…I think he had fangs…and was going…to bite me,” Cat wheezed.

  “We’ll go check it out,” Jonathen announced, motioning to the others to enter the forest.

  “Now Cat, calm down, it was probably some frat boy in the forest playing a Halloween prank,” Trish explained, trying to comfort her.

  “Trish…I know…what I saw…he was a-”

  “What? A vampire?” Taylor joked, interrupting her. “Cat it’s Halloween! I knew one day watching those silly horror movies would catch up with you,” he said, laughing.

  “Hey Taylor, what’s up man,” Matt hailed from behind them. “Man, Cat, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Did you see Kirsten without her makeup on or something?” he asked jokingly. Amanda hit him on the arm. “What was that for? I thought you didn’t like Kirsten?”

  Amanda shrugged her shoulders and smirked, “Habit I guess.”

  “No, she saw a vampire,” Taylor said dryly, using air quotations.

  “A vampire? You do mean a person in a vampire costume…right?” Julie asked.

  “Yeah…it was probably someone in a costume. They jumped out and tried to scare me in the woods,” Cat said frazzled, finally catching her breath, and realizing that the thought of it being a real vampire was crazy.

  “Must’ve been one heck of a costume to scare you, Cat!” Matt exclaimed.

  “Yeah, he looked pretty real,” Cat replied, glancing back at the dark ominous forest.

  “There you are, Cat. I’ve been looking all over for you,” Kirsten called out. “Oh, hi Taylor,” she said batting her eyes at him and putting her arm around Cat, completely ignoring Trish. “I’ve been taking good care of your little sis.”

  “Apparently not that well, she was chased by a vampire,” he said sarcastically, staring at Cat.

  “A vampire?” Kirsten asked with a blank stare.

  “Yeah, you know, the fanged undead that feast on human blood?” Matt quipped, making fangs on his mouth with his fingers.

  “Where?” she asked, looking around. Matt rolled his eyes at Kirsten as a few giggled to themselves. A buzzing noise came from Matt’s pocket. He pulled out his phone, “It’s Sara, she’s here. We’ve got to go.”

  “Straight home,” Taylor ordered, looking at the group and then focused on Cat.

  Without a word, Ca
t took off and the others followed behind her.

  “Well, that was a little rude, no goodbyes or anything!” Kirsten said, turning to Taylor. She huffed when she realized she was talking to herself. Taylor and Trish had walked away to rejoin their group who were emerging from the forest. “Rudeness must run in the family,” she murmured, stomping her foot and walking over to her two lackeys.

  “So did you see anyone?” Taylor asked Jonathen, a grim look on his face.

  “No. But I don’t think Cat was making it up. I believe she definitely saw something, I can smell it,” Jonathen replied, looking just as grim as Taylor.

  “I smell it too. We need to keep a closer eye on Cat from now on. My parents and Aldon might be right,” Taylor said, shaking his head. “Let’s go, we need to follow the brat pack to make sure they get home okay.” Everyone agreed quickly and made their way to their cars.

  Cat opened the car door and collapsed into the back seat. “Rough night, huh?” Sara inquired.

  “You have no idea,” Cat replied while scooting over so that everyone else could get in the car. Cat closed her eyes, trying to make sense of what she just experienced. She blocked out the conversations that were going on in the car and lost herself in deep thought. Did I really see a vampire? What’s going on with me? It had to be a costume, it just had to be! Vampires don’t exist, right? Cat, get a grip!

  Exhaustion hit her like a wave and the next thing she knew, Elle was shaking her, telling her she was home.

  Cat lay wide awake in her bed after her nap in the car. She couldn’t sleep. So many thoughts were racing through her head. Wanting to occupy her mind, she spotted the journal sitting on her nightstand and opened it up to where she had left off.

  I am writing even as the tears stream down my face. My mother was taken and I am left hiding in an abandoned stable deep in the forest with John. Just like in my dream.

  The light of this old lantern strangely eases my mind. Gazing at the dancing flame is soothing. I need to be careful though as to not have it give away our position. Before we reached our current hiding place we passed several areas that had been ravaged by THEM. The smell of burning wood and flesh filled the air, unsettling really.

  We are on our own now and no one can be trusted nor do I want to put anyone else in danger. I wanted to go with my mother, but she made me run with John. I hid amongst the trees and watched as she was surrounded by members of my father’s coven. She stared defiantly at them as they interrogated her regarding my whereabouts. I was shocked as I watched my father ride up on his horse and stare coldly at her. She stared back and he looked away ordering his men to transport her to the village. That was the last time I saw her.

  Our food is becoming scarce and feeding on small animals has become tiresome. Every time I kill an animal I say a small prayer for it, hoping to be forgiven for my actions. I don’t know how long we will last out here on our own. John is only a few years older than I am, I have always thought of him as an older brother. He is really worried. He is finding it harder to muster the strength to keep it together.

  I am so tired of running and reassuring John that we will be alright even though I know better. He doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation. We are constantly on the move because my scent is growing stronger. They’re like hounds sniffing me out. I try to hide my smell, but somehow they still track me.

  I am being hunted like a wild animal, by fiends that roam only at night. I do have an advantage though, I can travel during the day. John is unaware that the man who ordered my mother to be taken away was my father and that he comes for me now. My father, who I have loved all my young life, hunts me because of the Parliament’s prophecy. All of this because I am a Childe, thought to be the ruin of the vampire race.

  H.B. November 8, 1848

  “A Childe? What is a Childe? And why is it the ruin of the vampire race?” Cat asked herself quietly. She thumbed through the journal trying to find the answer. A scratching noise at the window caught her attention. Cat laid the book on the pillow beside her. Smiling, she let in Jewels, who was a little wet and didn’t seem too happy. She purred as Cat grabbed a towel and rubbed her dry. Jewels jumped up on Cat’s bed to lie on the pillow beside her. Cat didn’t notice as Jewels’ paw pushed the journal under the headboard of the bed. She purred loudly in Cat’s ear as it hit the floor. “Sorry girl, can you let yourself out? I’m really tired all of a sudden. I’ve had things happen tonight that you just wouldn’t believe.” Cat said just before falling into a deep sleep. Jewels moved to the window seat, standing watch over her.

  Across town, a sharp knock came at the door of the Bancroft residence. Ulla Bancroft walked to the door with a bowl of candy in her arms.

  “Damn kids! Damn Halloween! I turned the porch light off hours ago,” she muttered angrily as she flung open the door.

  “Trick or treat,” Andrei said with a menacing smirk.

  “Andrei,” Ulla announced, smiling nervously. “What a pleasant surprise. It’s been ages.”

  “I think I’ll pass on the candy, if you don’t mind,” he said with a laugh.

  “Oh you. No, this is for those little bastards out there,” Ulla said, glaring at some kids as they ran past the house. “Since moving here, we’ve become quite domesticated.”

  “I see that,” he sneered.

  “Well, come in, come in. Make yourself at home,” she said, ushering him into the house. Noticing Andrei scanning his surroundings, Ulla discreetly flipped over a picture of her, Hannah, Isaac, and Lucien that sat on the hallway table.

  “I can’t stay long, Ulla. Actually, I’m here to speak with Lucien.”

  “Oh, well I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you. He’s just down the hall here,” she said, pointing toward the study door, trying to block the picture she had flipped over by standing in front of it.

  “Always a pleasure, Ulla. I shall see myself out later, thank you,” he said, gesturing to her. As Andrei approached the study, he noticed the door slightly cracked open. He peered in, scanning the room, and spied Lucien lying on the couch with a bottle in his hand. The room reeked of rum. “I see you are in fine spirits tonight, no pun intended,” Andrei stated sarcastically.

  “What do you want, Andrei,” Lucien snapped back, shielding his eyes as Andrei turned on the overhead light.

  “Is that any way to greet an old friend?” Andrei quipped.

  “Friend? I have enemies I like better than you,” Lucien uttered.

  “Now, now, Lucien, play nice. I come bearing greetings from your esteemed relative. You know, your sister, Lisbeth.” Sarcasm dripped from his words.

  “I have no relatives, other than my wife!” he stated, taking a swig from the bottle.

  “Lisbeth would be truly heartbroken if she heard that,” Andrei said, taking a seat opposite the couch. “Such a quaint little dwelling you have here. You must miss the castle immensely.”

  “On with it Andrei, you bore me with your squawking. State your mission and then leave!”

  Andrei grinned widely. “Do you remember the cleansing? Oh, of course you do, how silly of me. Such an unfortunate time for you, old boy, huh?”

  Lucien sat up growling with anger, then groaned at the dizziness and sudden headache that came over him. “You son of a-”

  “My, my, my. Such a strong resemblance to your sister. She also has a flare for the dramatic. Except she breaks glass, falls on floors, and screams instead of groans. Oh well, I digress,” Andrei said with a sneer. “By the by, just curious, have you felt the presence of a Childe recently?”

  “A Childe? They were all wiped out! You and the Parliament saw to that!” Lucien roared.

  “Don’t point fingers, Lucien. You had a hand in it too don’t forget. And it seems your sister believes someone has indeed been foolish enough to break our laws,” he replied smugly.

  “Well, if there was a Childe here, or anywhere for that matter, I wouldn’t tell you!”

  “Really? Is that so? Well, I am sure that in your
current state you would not be able to sense one if it stood right in front of you and told you it was a Childe! You have squandered your gift with cheap booze!” Intense anger overwhelmed Lucien. He clenched his fist tightly around the bottle in his hand. “What have you done to yourself, old boy? Look at you lying around in your own filth.” Andrei grinned while combing his fingers through his hair. Lucien chucked the bottle at Andrei’s head. Moving slightly out of the way, but still running his hand through his hair, the bottle rushed past Andrei and smashed against the wall.

  Andrei laughed under his breath, “Clearly, I have outworn my welcome.” He stood and made his way to the door. While opening it he turned around, “Shall I give your love to your sister?” he asked. Lucien growled and bared his fangs. “I guess not,” he shrugged. “Keep in touch, old boy. Let us know if you sense anything, okay.”

  The door was closed, but Lucien could still hear Andrei’s laughter in the hall. A single tear ran down Lucien’s face as he placed his head in his hands.

  11

  Swim Meet

  “I wonder what I’ll find under here,” Rachel said inquisitively, peering under Cat’s bed. “I bet she hasn’t cleaned under here since last spring! Alas, dust bunnies,” she said, taking the dust mop and sweeping side to side. The dust mop hit an object and sent it sliding across the old wooden floor. Rachel saw that it was a small brown book and picked it up. There was no title on the front cover or on the spine. Flipping through the pages, she noticed the elegant handwriting and realized it was a journal. This doesn’t look like Cat’s handwriting, she thought to herself. Rachel let out a gasp as she read the last line of the page that was ear marked. She dropped her dust mop and ran downstairs to call Sam.

  Sam was still sitting behind his humongous ornate wooden desk, having just released his class. As he surveyed the room, he loved what he saw. He had obtained copies of some of the oldest maps in the world from Aldon and filled one wall with them. They never failed to impress him and his students. Shelves around the edge of the room were filled with artifacts from days gone by. There were books, globes, and dioramas depicting important events from each century. Period clothing was hanging on another wall, of course scaled down, showing what people had worn from the caveman era to present day. He realized most people thought of history as uninteresting, but not when they attended his class. Sam had a way of bringing the past to life.