Post by demona on Jun 7, 2010 15:08:31 GMT
Hi Guys
Sorry its taken so long but I had quite a bit of stuff to deal with recently. But here is part one to the final chapter of my vampire high second season. Hope you enjoy and that you want to read the second part - which i promise to post soon!
dxx
VH Season 2 – Finale – Past Lives
Marty lay on his back along the Mansbridge common room sofa, his arm tucked neatly behind his head, with his eyes closed he listened to the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Marty felt Merrill shift her weight slightly as she nuzzled his neck laying half by his side, half on his chest. His legs entwined by hers, he used his other hand to gently rub the small of her back, feeling the soft fabric of her top.
“I never thought life could be so good.” She said contently.
“Well, that’s because you didn’t know me before you came here.” Marty said cheekily, Merrill smiled in response.
“I think it is because I did come here,” she said as she began gently tapping Marty’s chest with her free hand, “We’ve learnt how to live without killing for blood, and make actual connections with others, mortal as well as vampire, we know how to live amongst humans and be a part of the human world. For the first time ever I feel like I have a future, not that I merely exist.”
“You sure it’s got nothing to do with me?”
Merrill’s finger tapping turned into a playful slap across Marty’s chest. She lifted her weight slightly with her supporting arm, and moved her head upwards, to look down at Marty. He slowly opened his eyes, revealing his ice blue irises, a smirk on his lips. Merrill moved her head down to kiss the vampire below her, and Marty kissed her back. Lost in the moment the pair failed to sense that they were not alone, until the English accent sailed through the air from above them, causing them to break the kiss and look at the man leaning on the back of the sofa watching them.
“Hello Jack, haven’t lost your touch with the ladies, I see.”
***
For the vampire change comes when necessary and is not always welcome. Personas are changed over the centuries to allow them to fit in with the current era, leaving past lives to history. Humans too change with the times and can also use new identities to hide from the past. However whether mortal or immortal those past lives and secrets have a tendency not to remain buried forever.
***
Merrill stared up at the vampire clad all in black peering down at her and Marty. His eyes were not the usual vampiric ice blue, but a pale emerald, his dirty blonde hair lay tussled across his head in a casual way; the intruder was not unattractive. Merrill could not take her gaze off him, she felt as if those emerald eyes were boring straight into her soul. Marty abruptly sat up, breaking Merrill’s trance, she stood up, quickly followed by Marty, who protectively moved so that he was stood between her and the sofa, where the stranger was looking up at them from his leaning position.
“No introductions Jack? That’s poor show old man.” The vampire said pushing himself up from the sofa back to stand tall, he was at least 6 foot.
“Jack?” Merrill questioned looking at Marty from behind.
“Merrill, go down stairs.” Marty commanded.
“But...”
“Just go!” Marty interrupted, peering over his shoulder. Merrill acknowledged the seriousness in his eyes, and reluctantly moved from the common room and into Murdoch’s office. Marty watched her every move until she was out of sight; then brought his attention back to the vampire in front of him.
“Hell mate, if I had of known there was going to be babes here, I would have fought you for this assignment,” the stranger said.
“Not lost the accent I see.” Marty said folding his arms across his chest,
“Nah, it drives the women wild,” he said as he walked slowly around the room surveying every nook and cranky, constantly under the gaze of Marty. “It’s a nice set-up here mate, not bad.”
“Why are you here?” Marty asked.
“Why are any of us here?” The stranger said with a smile, he looked at Marty’s serious expression and shook his head with a snort of laughter, “When did you get so serious? I’m just following orders mate, same as you. But I can see this ‘experiment’ thing”, the stranger made quotation marks in the air, “has really got you, hasn’t it? Don’t say we’ve lost our fun loving Jack?”
“What are your orders?” Marty’s interrogation continued in monotone.
“To get you mate. We need you back.” The stranger paused in his wanderings and stared at Marty, his tone equally as serious.
“Not gonna happen.” Marty accentuated each word with a slight pause between them; his eyes turning red.
The stranger continued his meander around the common room, his tone growing serious,
“This is big mate, the orders come from the top, it’s not like you’re abandoning your post or anything; we are onto the final phase now, the game has changed.”
“Leave, and never come back here. I’m not what I was when I came here, I’ve changed.” Marty stood his ground, his arms crossed showing defiance.
“Have it your way,” the intruder said holding his hands up in surrender, “for now at least. But you know they don’t take no for an answer.” He added, and silently walked away through the main doors. Marty watched him leave and then let out a huge sigh. He ran his fingers through his hair, lifting his face to look at the ceiling, he growled to himself. His hands dropped like dead weights to his sides, making a faint slapping noise, allowing his agitation to melt away. Marty reluctantly turned to see Murdoch’s office door and briskly walked towards it and the entrance to the basement.
***
Marty looked at the collective stare of his four fellow Mansbridge vampires as he walked down the slope into the basement.
“What?” He asked aggressively.
“That’s what we were going to ask you.” Essie said half sitting, half leaning on the central table.
“How did that vampire know you were here, and why was he calling you Jack?” Merrill asked sitting at the table, her hands clasped, her mind searching for answers. Marty mentally shielded himself from her prying mind-reading abilities. He shifted his glance to Drew, also sitting at the table, his fingertips forming a pyramid in his lap as he waited for the answers. Karl stood a little way from the table, his arms folded across his chest. Marty felt like he was in the Spanish inquisition, again.
“Oh right, so we’re suppose to share everything, now we’re just one big happy vampire family.” Marty snapped back, “Well I’m not playing.” Marty headed for the sanctuary of his coffin.
“Tell us now or later when Murdoch gets back from talking with the Elders.” Drew’s deep voice sailed across the room, the sentence stopped Marty in his tracks.
“The Doc ain’t here?” he asked spinning around to look at the group he was in the middle of leaving behind him.
“He got called away to visit the Elders during the day, he left a note saying he’d be back at midnight.” Merrill informed him.
“He went to the Elders? During the day?” It was Marty’s turn to do the asking.
“I think they might be discussing the fact that Dillon.” Merrill added more forthcoming with answers than he had been.
“See,” Essie chimed in, “it’s easy to share.” Essie said sarcastically.
“Or the Fury.” Marty whispered under his breath, but not as quietly as he had have liked.
“What about the Fury?” Karl joined in the interrogation, coming up besides Marty.
“Nothing.” Marty said shortly.
“What has this got to do with the Fury?” Karl was not letting the conversation drop.
“Hey big guy, drop it.” Marty snapped at the larger vampire to his side, “You know nothing about the Fury; you don’t even know what the war is about so go back to pretending you’re human so you can go make out with your little, well whatever Dillon is.” Marty stalked off to his coffin and shut the lid, silently praying that Karl wouldn’t come after him to make a macho point, the last thing he wanted right now was to blow the cover he had so carefully concealed for almost two years.
***
Dillon re-read the opening sentence of the letter she received a few days ago for the umpteenth time. ‘I don’t expect you to forgive me’ it read. Dillon mentally sighed, d**n straight, she had thought on the first read through but now her heart was melting. ‘I know what I did to you was wrong, and if I could take it back I would; and I am willing to do anything to make this up to you. Karl.’ Dillon closed her eyes and tried to suppress the memories that part of her wished had never come back to her. Memories that were lost to her, only finding a voice in her nightmares, and the revelations that occurred only a few nights ago that brought those memories to life. The night she learnt what caused all her weird symptoms, the night she learnt what her true connection to Karl was, the night she learnt that he and the rest of Murdoch’s college tutees were vampires.
Had it only been a few nights ago that Karl thinking he was human admitted to her that he too fantasised about drinking blood? But once that had begun to exchange the most intimate of fluids their memories had come flooding back, blasting them with the truth that Karl had once drunk her blood before and contaminated her with the vampiric virus turning her into what she was now.
That night Drew had held her while she sobbed in his arms crying as the torrent of emotions struck her one by one, anger at Karl for doing this to her, relief that she now knew what was going on, sorrow for the life she had lost and fear for the unknown yet to come. Dr Murdoch had spoken to her until dawn, explaining the experiment, the reason Drew, Karl, Marty, Essie and Merrill were living in the basement in the school; the war between the Fury and the Convocation, how the Elders were trying to find a way that humans and vampires could co-exist. She had understood the reasons why and even agreed it was a good idea but still she could not face his ‘evening tutee’s’ whenever she had seen them, not even Drew.
The pale teenager opened her eyes and looked at the guy scrawl on the paper in front of her. Karl’s handwriting was not as neat and fancy as Drew’s was; a sign of the different era’s they were born in; Drew being at least 100 years older than the former. Her mind reeled at the thought she could potentially live for that long. Her vision focused on the words in the letter that Karl had written, full of remorse for his actions last summer, when he had bitten her and caused all of this. He had explained what had occurred that night, the appearance of a vampire called Bridget, his weakness for human blood. Karl now vowed to help her in any way possible, to find a cure for this half state she was in, torn between the vampire and human worlds, and if it were the case she turned fully, that he would be there for her. In previous reads of the letter, Dillon had burned with hatred for him, and ached with pain asking why her, and a steely determination that she would deal with this on her own; but tonight was different. Tonight the feelings of relief that she wasn’t going crazy took to the fore, and that for once she didn’t have to be alone; a sense of calm that there was someone there that she could perhaps trust with her secret.
“So where do you think Murdoch’s gone?” Mimi sat crossed legged on her bed, interrupting her room-mates thoughts. Dillon looked up from her book she was holding disguising the letter she was reading and eyed her lilac pyjama wearing friend. She tried to make it look like she was thinking of a good explanation, in truth, Murdoch had pulled her aside that afternoon to tell her he had been summoned to the council of the Elders, to warn her, in case whatever they wanted was not favourable to her. However, to tell the truth would mean to explain to Mimi that her friends were vampires, and so much more besides, so a little white lie would have to do.
“Maybe it’s something to do with the exams. Maybe we don’t need to sit them, wouldn’t that be great?” Dillon said trying to muster some enthusiasm.
“Oh yeah, great, I’ve been cramming for nothing!” Mimi complained. Dillon smiled at the girl on the opposite side of the room. “I’m beat, I’m turning in.” Mimi said getting into her bed.
“Me too,” Dillon turned off her bedside light. Silently she lay down on her bed, and re-read her letter from Karl memorised word for word in her mind.
***
Marty sat alone in the solarium, having sneaked his way past his vampire brethren. He needed time to think, his past was catching up with him. He wondered what the Elders were telling Murdoch, whether they knew about him. Should he come clean to the others? Would they turn against him? Surely they could see he was no longer the same vampire he once was.
“Hey,” The whisper was soft, gentle, caring. Marty turned to see Merrill carrying two blood packs, neatly cut at the corners, with straws inserted. She held one out to Marty.
“I’m not hungry.” Marty turned his head away.
“You not wanting blood, I don’t believe it.” Marty closed his eyes, willing her to leave. It didn’t work instead she moved closer to him, quietly sitting on the table in front of him, a faint smile on her face. He opened his eyes to look at the vampiress in front of him, and sadness filled his heart as he noticed the concern and love in her eyes.
“Merrill...” he began, he paused trying to find the words he wanted. “Seriously Merrill, what is this? You get a bit of attention from a guy and you suddenly become all Stepford wife?” he taunted.
“Marty?” The smile on Merrill’s face lessened as questioning replacing it.
“Come on Merrill, I thought you were clever. Don’t you get it?” Marty said standing up and walking away from her.
“Get what? Marty what’s the matter with you? Is this because of that guy?” Merrill stood up following him. Marty paused, his back to his girlfriend. He felt the touch of her palm on his shoulder, and yet he did not turn to face her, instead he looked directly ahead.
“I’m bored with you Merrill.” The touch of her hand was gone. “Surely you didn’t think I’d stay around forever. Look we’ve had fun, but that’s it. I had Essie last year, now I’ve had you...” Marty shrugged.
“Marty? But you said...” He could hear the tears in her voice, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at her, to see the hurt on her face, her heart breaking, again. “Look at me, you coward!” Her voice still loaded with tears, was edged with anger. Slowly Marty obliged her, for a mere second they stood facing each other, it seemed like a lifetime and then in an instant it was broken as Marty looked away. He raised his hand to gingerly touch the burning sensation across his cheek that her slap had cause, he couldn’t bring himself to look at her again, less she see the tears in his eyes, then he was alone, as Merrill ran from the room.
***
“Drew, what are you doing?” Karl asked the older vampire as he rummaged around the box that contained Marty’s clothing.
“Looking for answers,” He stopped and looked up at Karl, “Marty’s hiding something, and I want to know what it is.”
“Come on I know he’s a jerk, but...”
“but what?” Drew interrupted, “We don’t know anything about him or the life he used to lead before the experiment.”
“I could say the same about you.” Karl said sternly, “Is this because of that vamp that came here?”
“No one is supposed to know we are here Karl.” Drew made his point.
“But what if he was one of the convocation?” Karl argued.
“Then why didn’t Marty just say that.” Drew said standing up and looking around for another hiding place. Karl cast his gaze to the floor and shuffled his foot along the floor.
“He has a small box he keeps down the back of his coffin.” He whispered.
***
Essie looked through her rail of clothing wondering what to wear; faint footsteps in a hurry approached her from behind. She turned as Merrill tore aside the curtain and rushed into the dorm. The blonde vampire saw the tears streaming down the others face, she shook her head half in pity for the young vampire before her, half, in annoyance at Marty.
“So what has he done this time?”
***
Dillon held her breath, listening in the darkness. Mimi was breathing deeply and regularly, a sure sign she was asleep. Dillon silently pulled back the covers on her bed and slipped out of the room.
***
Marty marched down the slope to the basement, his steps mimicking the heaviness he felt in his heart. He had made his decision, it was time to go; the experiment was no longer the place for him. The vampire lifted his blue eyes towards the group staring at him; a sense of déjà vu hit him. He looked around the group, Merrill’s eyes were red, but not from vamping out, they were bloodshot due to crying. Essie stood staring at him, and he knew she was thinking about scratching his eyes out. Karl looked slightly sorrowful, like he didn’t want to believe what was happening; and Drew held a sly grin on his face, a look that said he knew the truth about Marty and he had proof.
“I’m leaving.” Marty said promptly, not giving them a chance to kick him out. He tried to continue his journey to his dorm to pack up his things and get the hell out of there.
“Not so fast.” Drew’s voice echoed round the room. Marty stopped in his tracks, and sighed. Just one last showdown with his rival wouldn’t hurt. He spun round and faced the slightly taller vampire, his perfected gelled hair glistening in the light; his stare, focused on Marty, was deadly serious.
“Com’on D-Man, show me what you got.” Marty challenged. Drew straightened up; his arms crossing across his chest.
“One chance to come clean, that’s all I’m giving you.” The dark haired vampire said. Marty shook his head.
“Come clean about what?” Marty feigned innocence.
“You’re Fury aren’t you?” Drew accused.
“What?” Merrill interrupted their verbal sparring, “No, I would have read it in his mind.” She shook her head, despite her aching heart she could not believe that Marty was part of the Fury, the vampire fraction wanting to rule the vampire nation to have them all enslave humans for their own blood thirsty needs. Drew momentarily looked at the meek vampire in denial; then returned his attention to Marty, one eyebrow raised.
“Well?” Drew pressed him for an answer. Marty stalled unsure as what to say. He had thought Drew would call him a coward for leaving, or be rejoicing at his departure; Marty never thought even Drew would have put the pieces together like this.
“Marty, tell him you’re not Fury.” Merrill urged. Marty allowed himself to look Merrill in the eye, “Marty?” She begged him.
“I know how to shield my thoughts from you Merrill.” Marty answered her, and watched the vampiress shake her head in disbelief some more. He turned back to Drew, who stood there a slight smile of victory on his face.
“Was that an admission?” Drew urged.
“Whatever happened to innocence?” Marty asked his gazed moving past Drew to Karl, who had previously champions their rights. Karl looked up at the feeling of being watched.
“We found proof.” He muttered.
“Really?” Marty mused, “Like what?”
“Like a silver dagger engraved with the emblem of the Fury.” Drew said producing the said dagger, a bat like face edged into the hilt. Marty looked over his shoulder at his coffin in his dorm, he didn’t really need his belongings; he could just start again from scratch like he had done many times over the centuries. He looked back at the group, a sense of regret that the situation had escalated to this point. So much for developing trust and a community, he thought, how easily they had turned against him.
“I’m leaving now.” He muttered, moving around Drew.
“No you’re not.” Drew countered moving to stop Marty from progressing to the entrance. The two male vampires bared their fangs at each other.
“Drew, don’t do this, just let me go.” Marty growled, edging towards the entrance.
“So you can run to the Fury, and let them know all about the experiment.” Drew said in a low voice.
“Get real, they’ve known about the experiment for a very long time now.” Marty said before he could stop himself.
“Oh really, and how would they know?” Drew countered. Marty became silent and looked at the floor, briefly. When he looked up his eyes were red and his fangs were bared.
“We can’t let him leave.” Merrill said from the background, a quick glance up told Marty that both she and Essie were also fanged out and ready for a fight.
“If it’s a fight you want, you’ll get it, but remember you brought this on yourselves.” Marty growled at the four vampires advancing towards him. Marty concentrated all his energy on the mob in front of him, and let his telekinesis do the fighting for him.
The bodies of his fellow vampires flew left and right crashing into each other and walls. Their screams were more of shock that of fear, they had never realised how powerful Marty actually was.
Marty looked back at the four vampires picking themselves off the floor, he knew he had to go now. He moved towards the basement entrance stopping abruptly at the sudden appearance of a human in their lair.
“What’s going on?” The human asked a frown growing on their face.
“Dillon,” Marty growled, “Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you.” He watched as the frown gave way to stubbornness. “Dillon, please I don’t want to hurt you.” Marty whispered showing the girl his fangs. She showed no sign of willingness to move out of the way. Marty growled some more, “have it your way human.” He hissed, walking forward towards his prey slowly, then all was darkness as a sudden pain embraced his head.
Dillon looked at Merrill holding the large leather bound book, tears in her eyes, standing over the now unconscious Marty.
***
Marty slowly became aware of mumbled speech as he slowly came too. He wondered how long he had been out and who had hit him from behind. Trying to move his limbs he found that he was bound tightly to a chair, opening his eyes, he slowly lifted his head, as he heard Essie alert the others to the fact he was awake. Marty saw Essie sitting with Merrill, their opinions of him apparent in their eyes. Essie stood her arms crossed across her chest disapproving of him, looking down on him as only a royal would. Merrill was sat in a chair opposite him, her eyes full of heartbreak, of betrayal, and a hint of anger.
“Mer...” He began.
“Don’t you dare talk to her.” Essie commanded, stepping in front of the brunette, “not one word.” Marty turned his head to see Drew, Karl and Dillon deep in conversation, to which Essie joined them.
“It all makes sense now.” The soft whisper said; Marty turned his head back to Merrill, remaining silent, doing, for once, as he was told.
“Why you arrived later than us. Why you could cast black magic spells so easily. Your powers are far more advanced that you would have us believe. You never displayed any fear of the Fury, and the experiment was always a joke to you. You really are Fury aren’t you?”
“Merrill,” Drew called from the sidelines. She glanced at him, then briefly back at Marty before standing up and joining the others.
Dillon stood listening to the conversation, all of it too fantastic to take in. Only days ago she had learnt that vampires did actually exist, and that a war was raging between those who wanted vampires to remain carnal creature feasting and ruling mankind, and those who wanted to curb their appetite for human blood in order to co-exist with the human world. Now that war was right on her doorstep, and she had barely begun to understand what a vampire was. She looked at Karl and Drew formulating a plan; Karl the vampire that had bitten her, had turned her into some kind of human with vampiric tendencies, or at least that was how her mind could cope with it. After her initial hatred for him, she could not deny the bond they had, the bond between maker and child as the vampire world would put it. Drew a natural born leader if only he would step up to the challenge, he had helped her in her grief and sorrow, allowed her a period of self-pity. In the days that followed all three of them grieved for the human lives they once had, Karl especially needed time after believing he was once again human only to find out that he was a vampire. She looked at the two young men, what were they to her, friends, makers, mentors, lovers? The last took her by surprise, had she really ever thought of either of them in that way? Dillon snapped back to reality as the question cut through her thoughts.
“Ah Jack, my boy, what have you done now?”
***
The same vampire as Merrill saw earlier that night stood leaning against the archway, his arms folded; a mischievous and cruel smile on his lips. He reminded her of Marty in the early days of the experiment, a wild and proud vampire. His green eyes focused on Merrill, recognising her.
“What did he do love? Forget to wash the dishes?” He sblack personed at her as he stood upright and sauntered over to the group, their blood bank catching his eye.
“Who are you?” Karl asked.
“Me?” the stranger asked, “Why I’m a friend of Jack’s, sorry I mean Marty’s.” He said as he pulled the gate guarding the blood allotments from its hinges, and tossed it aside as if it was made of plastic not iron. “It is Marty, isn’t it?” he enquired looking over towards the vampire bound in the chair, before stepping inside and helping himself to a packet. “Seriously, is this all they are feeding you here?” He called from the store.
The room remained silent, six pairs of eyes watching his every move as the intruder exited the blood store into the central room. He looked the vampires up and down, and exhaled shaking his head, sending an obvious signal that he did not see them as a threat.
“You know I haven’t seen you this tame since that time you were tied up in Prague.” The stranger said moving over to Marty. He pulled out a chair from under the table and sat down, kicking his feet up onto the table. He looked to Marty to continue the story, but the bound vampire remained silent. “You know, the time you were pretending to be a nice vampire,” he began, tearing open the corner of the plastic pouch, “during the 30 years war...”
“William, shut up.” Marty’s command was short and sharp, stopping the vampire abruptly.
“No need to be like that, mate; it seems like I’m the only friend you got in this place.” William said turning to stare at the group. He raised his eyes brows slightly at the group noting the presence of something he didn’t expect; his vision focused on Dillon.
“Breaking the rules are we?” He asked the group, “I thought you weren’t allowed to snack on humans here.”
“Dillon is not a snack,” Drew said moving forward to stand between the teenager and the centuries old vampire.
“How do you know about the Experiment?” Merrill asked, trying to divert a fight.
“Ah sweetheart, I know everything about you.” William said, punctuating the ‘everything’ whilst his gaze bored straight into her soul.
“William, just go, I can handle this.” Marty drew the attention of the experiments interloper.
“Oh yeah I can see that.” He said smirking sarcastically before draining his blood portion.
“Are you Fury too?” Karl asked, regaining William’s attention briefly before he again looked at Marty.
“What have you been telling them?” William said dramatically, the vampire jumped up from his seat and walked round Marty, placing his hands on his shoulders. “Have we been telling secrets?” He asked Marty, his behaviour becoming more and more outlandish. William again looked at the group and caught the concern in Merrill’s eyes. “I think she still likes you mate.” He whispered into his ear.
“Stop it Will,” Marty growled, “They don’t have a sense of humour.” The old Marty began to return, as Marty saw his ties with the Mansbridge experiment dissolve before him.
“Oh I can see that,” his past friend replied. “I think it’s time to go.” William said addressing the group. He pulled a knife from his boot, and held it to Marty’s throat. He smiled wickedly; then kissed the side of Marty’s head, “As if I would do that to my own.” William swiftly moved the knife downwards slicing through the rope that bound Marty’s hands behind the chair.
“Now, this evens the score a little.” William’s eyes glowed green, as his fangs unsheathed, ready for a fight. He turned towards the band of vampires from the Experiment and saw the two male vampires vamp out, a smile spread across his face.
“William!” The female voice shouted from the entrance way, “Stop it now!” Her command, thick with a Parisian accent, calmed the raging vampire from his fight, immediately he pulled his fangs within. She appeared from the darkness of the corridor, her hair was jet black, shoulder length; her make-up heavy but expertly done; she worn a tight black cat-suit adorned with blades of different sizes. The female warrior vampire sauntered across the basement, watching Marty intently as he stood up from the chair and gingerly rubbed his wrists.
“Mon petit chou!” She exclaimed affectionately, a smile on her face; her arms open wide, as she approached him. Marty received her embrace kissing her on each cheek.
“Adrienne.” He greeted her. The Mansbridge vampires stood bewildered at the scene unravelling before them.
“Comment sont vous mon cher?” She asked him smiling, her arms still hanging around his neck.
“Son non été la nuit la meilleure,” Marty began rubbed his head with his hand, “mais je suis bon.” His French fluent; his accent flawless.
“Mon pauvre bébé.” Adrienne teased as his gently patted Marty’s face.
“Excuse me, what about me?” William interjected. Adrienne cat like smile grew larger as she left her arms hanging around Marty’s neck, but turned to address the vampire speaking.
“I don’t believe you have been bound and tortured by your so-called friends, my love.” She purred her French accent strong even when speaking English.
“But I’ve spent hours without you by my side, surely that is torture enough.” William said with a slight bow. Adrienne beamed with attention, and finally left Marty’s side to saunter over to William. She greeted him with a passionate kiss.
“Better?” She asked; her answer was in Williams smile.
“It’s been what three hundred years now? And you guys are still acting like you just made the declaration.” Marty said shaking his head.
“Four hundred.” Williams answered not taking his eyes from his beloved, whilst he held up four fingers.
“And after this mission, we are celebrating our anniversary by going around Europe for a decade or two.” Adrienne finished.
“Ah the mission,” Marty sighed, “and what pray tell might that be?” he gestured elaborately as he spoke a hint of annoyance in his voice. Adrienne looked accusingly at her partner,
“You didn’t tell him?” The female tilted her head to the side to look up at her husband.
“He threw me out before I got a chance to enlighten him, my love.” William answered kissing his wife’s hand.
“Yeah and I’m telling you now I’m not going to be a part of it.” Marty snarled.
“What you going to stay here? Be a part of the experiment?” William taunted. “Look how your ‘family’ has turned on you.”
“I’m fine on my own.” Marty clarified
“Oh how the might have fallen.” Another voice echoed through the basement, but this time the voice was familiar. Marty saw the confusion registering on his fellow experimental vampires at the voice, then their looks turn to worry as they were truly beginning to feel threatened, and for a vampire that meant one thing, a fight to the death would soon breakout. But even the alarm that the others felt paled in comparison to the alarm and shame he was feeling now. Slowly he moved his gaze from the group of vampires that only recently he called his friends, to the figure from which the latest voice had come forth, the last member of his old team. His mind flashed back to the end of the First World War, the soldier petrified of the fight, of the suffering; a soldier who wanted to die rather than face another onslaught over the trenches. For Marty to bite him, feed off him, kill him, would have come as a blessing to Dalton Newmers; except Marty didn’t let him die. Despite all those he had killed in his undead life, the one most single kill he regretted was the one where it didn’t result in a death, but in life; a fate the victim did not want.
“Hello Father.” Dalton emerged from the darkness, dressed all in black as William and Adrienne were.
“Don’t call me that.” Marty breathed swallowing hard, unable to look at the man before him.
“Right, now then, this makes for even odds, four of us, four of you, unless you think the human can help you out.” William said clapping his hands together; he saw the Mansbridge academy vampires shift in front of him, uncertain in their game plan, and he knew their emergence had knocked them off guard.
“Come on, I thought you were big and brave enough to take on the Fury,” He jeered, “or was that when you thought you only had to take on my boy here?” He exhaled with a smile, as the smaller of the two males took a step forward baring his fangs.
“Who are you people?” Adrienne and William looked at the blonde vampire that had spoken confusion evident on her face.
“They’re all Fury.” Drew answered her question, growling.
“No,” Merrill contradicted, “We’d be dead already if they were.”
“I’m not going to take that chance,” Karl said stepping forward alongside Drew ready for a fight. William merely lifted his head slightly sending all four vampires backwards into the wall, his telekinesis holding them there.
“Stop it.” Marty commanded, but to no avail.
“THAT WILL BE QUITE ENOUGH!” The order boomed from the shadows behind them, within seconds the apparition took form into that of a hooded being.
“Lord Vaakal.” The Mansbridge vampires dropped to the floor, as William, Adrienne and Dalton bowed to the vampire Elder.
“It seems there is much to be discussed.” The familiar voice of Dr Murdoch sounded from the slope.
***
Sorry its taken so long but I had quite a bit of stuff to deal with recently. But here is part one to the final chapter of my vampire high second season. Hope you enjoy and that you want to read the second part - which i promise to post soon!
dxx
VH Season 2 – Finale – Past Lives
Marty lay on his back along the Mansbridge common room sofa, his arm tucked neatly behind his head, with his eyes closed he listened to the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Marty felt Merrill shift her weight slightly as she nuzzled his neck laying half by his side, half on his chest. His legs entwined by hers, he used his other hand to gently rub the small of her back, feeling the soft fabric of her top.
“I never thought life could be so good.” She said contently.
“Well, that’s because you didn’t know me before you came here.” Marty said cheekily, Merrill smiled in response.
“I think it is because I did come here,” she said as she began gently tapping Marty’s chest with her free hand, “We’ve learnt how to live without killing for blood, and make actual connections with others, mortal as well as vampire, we know how to live amongst humans and be a part of the human world. For the first time ever I feel like I have a future, not that I merely exist.”
“You sure it’s got nothing to do with me?”
Merrill’s finger tapping turned into a playful slap across Marty’s chest. She lifted her weight slightly with her supporting arm, and moved her head upwards, to look down at Marty. He slowly opened his eyes, revealing his ice blue irises, a smirk on his lips. Merrill moved her head down to kiss the vampire below her, and Marty kissed her back. Lost in the moment the pair failed to sense that they were not alone, until the English accent sailed through the air from above them, causing them to break the kiss and look at the man leaning on the back of the sofa watching them.
“Hello Jack, haven’t lost your touch with the ladies, I see.”
***
For the vampire change comes when necessary and is not always welcome. Personas are changed over the centuries to allow them to fit in with the current era, leaving past lives to history. Humans too change with the times and can also use new identities to hide from the past. However whether mortal or immortal those past lives and secrets have a tendency not to remain buried forever.
***
Merrill stared up at the vampire clad all in black peering down at her and Marty. His eyes were not the usual vampiric ice blue, but a pale emerald, his dirty blonde hair lay tussled across his head in a casual way; the intruder was not unattractive. Merrill could not take her gaze off him, she felt as if those emerald eyes were boring straight into her soul. Marty abruptly sat up, breaking Merrill’s trance, she stood up, quickly followed by Marty, who protectively moved so that he was stood between her and the sofa, where the stranger was looking up at them from his leaning position.
“No introductions Jack? That’s poor show old man.” The vampire said pushing himself up from the sofa back to stand tall, he was at least 6 foot.
“Jack?” Merrill questioned looking at Marty from behind.
“Merrill, go down stairs.” Marty commanded.
“But...”
“Just go!” Marty interrupted, peering over his shoulder. Merrill acknowledged the seriousness in his eyes, and reluctantly moved from the common room and into Murdoch’s office. Marty watched her every move until she was out of sight; then brought his attention back to the vampire in front of him.
“Hell mate, if I had of known there was going to be babes here, I would have fought you for this assignment,” the stranger said.
“Not lost the accent I see.” Marty said folding his arms across his chest,
“Nah, it drives the women wild,” he said as he walked slowly around the room surveying every nook and cranky, constantly under the gaze of Marty. “It’s a nice set-up here mate, not bad.”
“Why are you here?” Marty asked.
“Why are any of us here?” The stranger said with a smile, he looked at Marty’s serious expression and shook his head with a snort of laughter, “When did you get so serious? I’m just following orders mate, same as you. But I can see this ‘experiment’ thing”, the stranger made quotation marks in the air, “has really got you, hasn’t it? Don’t say we’ve lost our fun loving Jack?”
“What are your orders?” Marty’s interrogation continued in monotone.
“To get you mate. We need you back.” The stranger paused in his wanderings and stared at Marty, his tone equally as serious.
“Not gonna happen.” Marty accentuated each word with a slight pause between them; his eyes turning red.
The stranger continued his meander around the common room, his tone growing serious,
“This is big mate, the orders come from the top, it’s not like you’re abandoning your post or anything; we are onto the final phase now, the game has changed.”
“Leave, and never come back here. I’m not what I was when I came here, I’ve changed.” Marty stood his ground, his arms crossed showing defiance.
“Have it your way,” the intruder said holding his hands up in surrender, “for now at least. But you know they don’t take no for an answer.” He added, and silently walked away through the main doors. Marty watched him leave and then let out a huge sigh. He ran his fingers through his hair, lifting his face to look at the ceiling, he growled to himself. His hands dropped like dead weights to his sides, making a faint slapping noise, allowing his agitation to melt away. Marty reluctantly turned to see Murdoch’s office door and briskly walked towards it and the entrance to the basement.
***
Marty looked at the collective stare of his four fellow Mansbridge vampires as he walked down the slope into the basement.
“What?” He asked aggressively.
“That’s what we were going to ask you.” Essie said half sitting, half leaning on the central table.
“How did that vampire know you were here, and why was he calling you Jack?” Merrill asked sitting at the table, her hands clasped, her mind searching for answers. Marty mentally shielded himself from her prying mind-reading abilities. He shifted his glance to Drew, also sitting at the table, his fingertips forming a pyramid in his lap as he waited for the answers. Karl stood a little way from the table, his arms folded across his chest. Marty felt like he was in the Spanish inquisition, again.
“Oh right, so we’re suppose to share everything, now we’re just one big happy vampire family.” Marty snapped back, “Well I’m not playing.” Marty headed for the sanctuary of his coffin.
“Tell us now or later when Murdoch gets back from talking with the Elders.” Drew’s deep voice sailed across the room, the sentence stopped Marty in his tracks.
“The Doc ain’t here?” he asked spinning around to look at the group he was in the middle of leaving behind him.
“He got called away to visit the Elders during the day, he left a note saying he’d be back at midnight.” Merrill informed him.
“He went to the Elders? During the day?” It was Marty’s turn to do the asking.
“I think they might be discussing the fact that Dillon.” Merrill added more forthcoming with answers than he had been.
“See,” Essie chimed in, “it’s easy to share.” Essie said sarcastically.
“Or the Fury.” Marty whispered under his breath, but not as quietly as he had have liked.
“What about the Fury?” Karl joined in the interrogation, coming up besides Marty.
“Nothing.” Marty said shortly.
“What has this got to do with the Fury?” Karl was not letting the conversation drop.
“Hey big guy, drop it.” Marty snapped at the larger vampire to his side, “You know nothing about the Fury; you don’t even know what the war is about so go back to pretending you’re human so you can go make out with your little, well whatever Dillon is.” Marty stalked off to his coffin and shut the lid, silently praying that Karl wouldn’t come after him to make a macho point, the last thing he wanted right now was to blow the cover he had so carefully concealed for almost two years.
***
Dillon re-read the opening sentence of the letter she received a few days ago for the umpteenth time. ‘I don’t expect you to forgive me’ it read. Dillon mentally sighed, d**n straight, she had thought on the first read through but now her heart was melting. ‘I know what I did to you was wrong, and if I could take it back I would; and I am willing to do anything to make this up to you. Karl.’ Dillon closed her eyes and tried to suppress the memories that part of her wished had never come back to her. Memories that were lost to her, only finding a voice in her nightmares, and the revelations that occurred only a few nights ago that brought those memories to life. The night she learnt what caused all her weird symptoms, the night she learnt what her true connection to Karl was, the night she learnt that he and the rest of Murdoch’s college tutees were vampires.
Had it only been a few nights ago that Karl thinking he was human admitted to her that he too fantasised about drinking blood? But once that had begun to exchange the most intimate of fluids their memories had come flooding back, blasting them with the truth that Karl had once drunk her blood before and contaminated her with the vampiric virus turning her into what she was now.
That night Drew had held her while she sobbed in his arms crying as the torrent of emotions struck her one by one, anger at Karl for doing this to her, relief that she now knew what was going on, sorrow for the life she had lost and fear for the unknown yet to come. Dr Murdoch had spoken to her until dawn, explaining the experiment, the reason Drew, Karl, Marty, Essie and Merrill were living in the basement in the school; the war between the Fury and the Convocation, how the Elders were trying to find a way that humans and vampires could co-exist. She had understood the reasons why and even agreed it was a good idea but still she could not face his ‘evening tutee’s’ whenever she had seen them, not even Drew.
The pale teenager opened her eyes and looked at the guy scrawl on the paper in front of her. Karl’s handwriting was not as neat and fancy as Drew’s was; a sign of the different era’s they were born in; Drew being at least 100 years older than the former. Her mind reeled at the thought she could potentially live for that long. Her vision focused on the words in the letter that Karl had written, full of remorse for his actions last summer, when he had bitten her and caused all of this. He had explained what had occurred that night, the appearance of a vampire called Bridget, his weakness for human blood. Karl now vowed to help her in any way possible, to find a cure for this half state she was in, torn between the vampire and human worlds, and if it were the case she turned fully, that he would be there for her. In previous reads of the letter, Dillon had burned with hatred for him, and ached with pain asking why her, and a steely determination that she would deal with this on her own; but tonight was different. Tonight the feelings of relief that she wasn’t going crazy took to the fore, and that for once she didn’t have to be alone; a sense of calm that there was someone there that she could perhaps trust with her secret.
“So where do you think Murdoch’s gone?” Mimi sat crossed legged on her bed, interrupting her room-mates thoughts. Dillon looked up from her book she was holding disguising the letter she was reading and eyed her lilac pyjama wearing friend. She tried to make it look like she was thinking of a good explanation, in truth, Murdoch had pulled her aside that afternoon to tell her he had been summoned to the council of the Elders, to warn her, in case whatever they wanted was not favourable to her. However, to tell the truth would mean to explain to Mimi that her friends were vampires, and so much more besides, so a little white lie would have to do.
“Maybe it’s something to do with the exams. Maybe we don’t need to sit them, wouldn’t that be great?” Dillon said trying to muster some enthusiasm.
“Oh yeah, great, I’ve been cramming for nothing!” Mimi complained. Dillon smiled at the girl on the opposite side of the room. “I’m beat, I’m turning in.” Mimi said getting into her bed.
“Me too,” Dillon turned off her bedside light. Silently she lay down on her bed, and re-read her letter from Karl memorised word for word in her mind.
***
Marty sat alone in the solarium, having sneaked his way past his vampire brethren. He needed time to think, his past was catching up with him. He wondered what the Elders were telling Murdoch, whether they knew about him. Should he come clean to the others? Would they turn against him? Surely they could see he was no longer the same vampire he once was.
“Hey,” The whisper was soft, gentle, caring. Marty turned to see Merrill carrying two blood packs, neatly cut at the corners, with straws inserted. She held one out to Marty.
“I’m not hungry.” Marty turned his head away.
“You not wanting blood, I don’t believe it.” Marty closed his eyes, willing her to leave. It didn’t work instead she moved closer to him, quietly sitting on the table in front of him, a faint smile on her face. He opened his eyes to look at the vampiress in front of him, and sadness filled his heart as he noticed the concern and love in her eyes.
“Merrill...” he began, he paused trying to find the words he wanted. “Seriously Merrill, what is this? You get a bit of attention from a guy and you suddenly become all Stepford wife?” he taunted.
“Marty?” The smile on Merrill’s face lessened as questioning replacing it.
“Come on Merrill, I thought you were clever. Don’t you get it?” Marty said standing up and walking away from her.
“Get what? Marty what’s the matter with you? Is this because of that guy?” Merrill stood up following him. Marty paused, his back to his girlfriend. He felt the touch of her palm on his shoulder, and yet he did not turn to face her, instead he looked directly ahead.
“I’m bored with you Merrill.” The touch of her hand was gone. “Surely you didn’t think I’d stay around forever. Look we’ve had fun, but that’s it. I had Essie last year, now I’ve had you...” Marty shrugged.
“Marty? But you said...” He could hear the tears in her voice, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at her, to see the hurt on her face, her heart breaking, again. “Look at me, you coward!” Her voice still loaded with tears, was edged with anger. Slowly Marty obliged her, for a mere second they stood facing each other, it seemed like a lifetime and then in an instant it was broken as Marty looked away. He raised his hand to gingerly touch the burning sensation across his cheek that her slap had cause, he couldn’t bring himself to look at her again, less she see the tears in his eyes, then he was alone, as Merrill ran from the room.
***
“Drew, what are you doing?” Karl asked the older vampire as he rummaged around the box that contained Marty’s clothing.
“Looking for answers,” He stopped and looked up at Karl, “Marty’s hiding something, and I want to know what it is.”
“Come on I know he’s a jerk, but...”
“but what?” Drew interrupted, “We don’t know anything about him or the life he used to lead before the experiment.”
“I could say the same about you.” Karl said sternly, “Is this because of that vamp that came here?”
“No one is supposed to know we are here Karl.” Drew made his point.
“But what if he was one of the convocation?” Karl argued.
“Then why didn’t Marty just say that.” Drew said standing up and looking around for another hiding place. Karl cast his gaze to the floor and shuffled his foot along the floor.
“He has a small box he keeps down the back of his coffin.” He whispered.
***
Essie looked through her rail of clothing wondering what to wear; faint footsteps in a hurry approached her from behind. She turned as Merrill tore aside the curtain and rushed into the dorm. The blonde vampire saw the tears streaming down the others face, she shook her head half in pity for the young vampire before her, half, in annoyance at Marty.
“So what has he done this time?”
***
Dillon held her breath, listening in the darkness. Mimi was breathing deeply and regularly, a sure sign she was asleep. Dillon silently pulled back the covers on her bed and slipped out of the room.
***
Marty marched down the slope to the basement, his steps mimicking the heaviness he felt in his heart. He had made his decision, it was time to go; the experiment was no longer the place for him. The vampire lifted his blue eyes towards the group staring at him; a sense of déjà vu hit him. He looked around the group, Merrill’s eyes were red, but not from vamping out, they were bloodshot due to crying. Essie stood staring at him, and he knew she was thinking about scratching his eyes out. Karl looked slightly sorrowful, like he didn’t want to believe what was happening; and Drew held a sly grin on his face, a look that said he knew the truth about Marty and he had proof.
“I’m leaving.” Marty said promptly, not giving them a chance to kick him out. He tried to continue his journey to his dorm to pack up his things and get the hell out of there.
“Not so fast.” Drew’s voice echoed round the room. Marty stopped in his tracks, and sighed. Just one last showdown with his rival wouldn’t hurt. He spun round and faced the slightly taller vampire, his perfected gelled hair glistening in the light; his stare, focused on Marty, was deadly serious.
“Com’on D-Man, show me what you got.” Marty challenged. Drew straightened up; his arms crossing across his chest.
“One chance to come clean, that’s all I’m giving you.” The dark haired vampire said. Marty shook his head.
“Come clean about what?” Marty feigned innocence.
“You’re Fury aren’t you?” Drew accused.
“What?” Merrill interrupted their verbal sparring, “No, I would have read it in his mind.” She shook her head, despite her aching heart she could not believe that Marty was part of the Fury, the vampire fraction wanting to rule the vampire nation to have them all enslave humans for their own blood thirsty needs. Drew momentarily looked at the meek vampire in denial; then returned his attention to Marty, one eyebrow raised.
“Well?” Drew pressed him for an answer. Marty stalled unsure as what to say. He had thought Drew would call him a coward for leaving, or be rejoicing at his departure; Marty never thought even Drew would have put the pieces together like this.
“Marty, tell him you’re not Fury.” Merrill urged. Marty allowed himself to look Merrill in the eye, “Marty?” She begged him.
“I know how to shield my thoughts from you Merrill.” Marty answered her, and watched the vampiress shake her head in disbelief some more. He turned back to Drew, who stood there a slight smile of victory on his face.
“Was that an admission?” Drew urged.
“Whatever happened to innocence?” Marty asked his gazed moving past Drew to Karl, who had previously champions their rights. Karl looked up at the feeling of being watched.
“We found proof.” He muttered.
“Really?” Marty mused, “Like what?”
“Like a silver dagger engraved with the emblem of the Fury.” Drew said producing the said dagger, a bat like face edged into the hilt. Marty looked over his shoulder at his coffin in his dorm, he didn’t really need his belongings; he could just start again from scratch like he had done many times over the centuries. He looked back at the group, a sense of regret that the situation had escalated to this point. So much for developing trust and a community, he thought, how easily they had turned against him.
“I’m leaving now.” He muttered, moving around Drew.
“No you’re not.” Drew countered moving to stop Marty from progressing to the entrance. The two male vampires bared their fangs at each other.
“Drew, don’t do this, just let me go.” Marty growled, edging towards the entrance.
“So you can run to the Fury, and let them know all about the experiment.” Drew said in a low voice.
“Get real, they’ve known about the experiment for a very long time now.” Marty said before he could stop himself.
“Oh really, and how would they know?” Drew countered. Marty became silent and looked at the floor, briefly. When he looked up his eyes were red and his fangs were bared.
“We can’t let him leave.” Merrill said from the background, a quick glance up told Marty that both she and Essie were also fanged out and ready for a fight.
“If it’s a fight you want, you’ll get it, but remember you brought this on yourselves.” Marty growled at the four vampires advancing towards him. Marty concentrated all his energy on the mob in front of him, and let his telekinesis do the fighting for him.
The bodies of his fellow vampires flew left and right crashing into each other and walls. Their screams were more of shock that of fear, they had never realised how powerful Marty actually was.
Marty looked back at the four vampires picking themselves off the floor, he knew he had to go now. He moved towards the basement entrance stopping abruptly at the sudden appearance of a human in their lair.
“What’s going on?” The human asked a frown growing on their face.
“Dillon,” Marty growled, “Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you.” He watched as the frown gave way to stubbornness. “Dillon, please I don’t want to hurt you.” Marty whispered showing the girl his fangs. She showed no sign of willingness to move out of the way. Marty growled some more, “have it your way human.” He hissed, walking forward towards his prey slowly, then all was darkness as a sudden pain embraced his head.
Dillon looked at Merrill holding the large leather bound book, tears in her eyes, standing over the now unconscious Marty.
***
Marty slowly became aware of mumbled speech as he slowly came too. He wondered how long he had been out and who had hit him from behind. Trying to move his limbs he found that he was bound tightly to a chair, opening his eyes, he slowly lifted his head, as he heard Essie alert the others to the fact he was awake. Marty saw Essie sitting with Merrill, their opinions of him apparent in their eyes. Essie stood her arms crossed across her chest disapproving of him, looking down on him as only a royal would. Merrill was sat in a chair opposite him, her eyes full of heartbreak, of betrayal, and a hint of anger.
“Mer...” He began.
“Don’t you dare talk to her.” Essie commanded, stepping in front of the brunette, “not one word.” Marty turned his head to see Drew, Karl and Dillon deep in conversation, to which Essie joined them.
“It all makes sense now.” The soft whisper said; Marty turned his head back to Merrill, remaining silent, doing, for once, as he was told.
“Why you arrived later than us. Why you could cast black magic spells so easily. Your powers are far more advanced that you would have us believe. You never displayed any fear of the Fury, and the experiment was always a joke to you. You really are Fury aren’t you?”
“Merrill,” Drew called from the sidelines. She glanced at him, then briefly back at Marty before standing up and joining the others.
Dillon stood listening to the conversation, all of it too fantastic to take in. Only days ago she had learnt that vampires did actually exist, and that a war was raging between those who wanted vampires to remain carnal creature feasting and ruling mankind, and those who wanted to curb their appetite for human blood in order to co-exist with the human world. Now that war was right on her doorstep, and she had barely begun to understand what a vampire was. She looked at Karl and Drew formulating a plan; Karl the vampire that had bitten her, had turned her into some kind of human with vampiric tendencies, or at least that was how her mind could cope with it. After her initial hatred for him, she could not deny the bond they had, the bond between maker and child as the vampire world would put it. Drew a natural born leader if only he would step up to the challenge, he had helped her in her grief and sorrow, allowed her a period of self-pity. In the days that followed all three of them grieved for the human lives they once had, Karl especially needed time after believing he was once again human only to find out that he was a vampire. She looked at the two young men, what were they to her, friends, makers, mentors, lovers? The last took her by surprise, had she really ever thought of either of them in that way? Dillon snapped back to reality as the question cut through her thoughts.
“Ah Jack, my boy, what have you done now?”
***
The same vampire as Merrill saw earlier that night stood leaning against the archway, his arms folded; a mischievous and cruel smile on his lips. He reminded her of Marty in the early days of the experiment, a wild and proud vampire. His green eyes focused on Merrill, recognising her.
“What did he do love? Forget to wash the dishes?” He sblack personed at her as he stood upright and sauntered over to the group, their blood bank catching his eye.
“Who are you?” Karl asked.
“Me?” the stranger asked, “Why I’m a friend of Jack’s, sorry I mean Marty’s.” He said as he pulled the gate guarding the blood allotments from its hinges, and tossed it aside as if it was made of plastic not iron. “It is Marty, isn’t it?” he enquired looking over towards the vampire bound in the chair, before stepping inside and helping himself to a packet. “Seriously, is this all they are feeding you here?” He called from the store.
The room remained silent, six pairs of eyes watching his every move as the intruder exited the blood store into the central room. He looked the vampires up and down, and exhaled shaking his head, sending an obvious signal that he did not see them as a threat.
“You know I haven’t seen you this tame since that time you were tied up in Prague.” The stranger said moving over to Marty. He pulled out a chair from under the table and sat down, kicking his feet up onto the table. He looked to Marty to continue the story, but the bound vampire remained silent. “You know, the time you were pretending to be a nice vampire,” he began, tearing open the corner of the plastic pouch, “during the 30 years war...”
“William, shut up.” Marty’s command was short and sharp, stopping the vampire abruptly.
“No need to be like that, mate; it seems like I’m the only friend you got in this place.” William said turning to stare at the group. He raised his eyes brows slightly at the group noting the presence of something he didn’t expect; his vision focused on Dillon.
“Breaking the rules are we?” He asked the group, “I thought you weren’t allowed to snack on humans here.”
“Dillon is not a snack,” Drew said moving forward to stand between the teenager and the centuries old vampire.
“How do you know about the Experiment?” Merrill asked, trying to divert a fight.
“Ah sweetheart, I know everything about you.” William said, punctuating the ‘everything’ whilst his gaze bored straight into her soul.
“William, just go, I can handle this.” Marty drew the attention of the experiments interloper.
“Oh yeah I can see that.” He said smirking sarcastically before draining his blood portion.
“Are you Fury too?” Karl asked, regaining William’s attention briefly before he again looked at Marty.
“What have you been telling them?” William said dramatically, the vampire jumped up from his seat and walked round Marty, placing his hands on his shoulders. “Have we been telling secrets?” He asked Marty, his behaviour becoming more and more outlandish. William again looked at the group and caught the concern in Merrill’s eyes. “I think she still likes you mate.” He whispered into his ear.
“Stop it Will,” Marty growled, “They don’t have a sense of humour.” The old Marty began to return, as Marty saw his ties with the Mansbridge experiment dissolve before him.
“Oh I can see that,” his past friend replied. “I think it’s time to go.” William said addressing the group. He pulled a knife from his boot, and held it to Marty’s throat. He smiled wickedly; then kissed the side of Marty’s head, “As if I would do that to my own.” William swiftly moved the knife downwards slicing through the rope that bound Marty’s hands behind the chair.
“Now, this evens the score a little.” William’s eyes glowed green, as his fangs unsheathed, ready for a fight. He turned towards the band of vampires from the Experiment and saw the two male vampires vamp out, a smile spread across his face.
“William!” The female voice shouted from the entrance way, “Stop it now!” Her command, thick with a Parisian accent, calmed the raging vampire from his fight, immediately he pulled his fangs within. She appeared from the darkness of the corridor, her hair was jet black, shoulder length; her make-up heavy but expertly done; she worn a tight black cat-suit adorned with blades of different sizes. The female warrior vampire sauntered across the basement, watching Marty intently as he stood up from the chair and gingerly rubbed his wrists.
“Mon petit chou!” She exclaimed affectionately, a smile on her face; her arms open wide, as she approached him. Marty received her embrace kissing her on each cheek.
“Adrienne.” He greeted her. The Mansbridge vampires stood bewildered at the scene unravelling before them.
“Comment sont vous mon cher?” She asked him smiling, her arms still hanging around his neck.
“Son non été la nuit la meilleure,” Marty began rubbed his head with his hand, “mais je suis bon.” His French fluent; his accent flawless.
“Mon pauvre bébé.” Adrienne teased as his gently patted Marty’s face.
“Excuse me, what about me?” William interjected. Adrienne cat like smile grew larger as she left her arms hanging around Marty’s neck, but turned to address the vampire speaking.
“I don’t believe you have been bound and tortured by your so-called friends, my love.” She purred her French accent strong even when speaking English.
“But I’ve spent hours without you by my side, surely that is torture enough.” William said with a slight bow. Adrienne beamed with attention, and finally left Marty’s side to saunter over to William. She greeted him with a passionate kiss.
“Better?” She asked; her answer was in Williams smile.
“It’s been what three hundred years now? And you guys are still acting like you just made the declaration.” Marty said shaking his head.
“Four hundred.” Williams answered not taking his eyes from his beloved, whilst he held up four fingers.
“And after this mission, we are celebrating our anniversary by going around Europe for a decade or two.” Adrienne finished.
“Ah the mission,” Marty sighed, “and what pray tell might that be?” he gestured elaborately as he spoke a hint of annoyance in his voice. Adrienne looked accusingly at her partner,
“You didn’t tell him?” The female tilted her head to the side to look up at her husband.
“He threw me out before I got a chance to enlighten him, my love.” William answered kissing his wife’s hand.
“Yeah and I’m telling you now I’m not going to be a part of it.” Marty snarled.
“What you going to stay here? Be a part of the experiment?” William taunted. “Look how your ‘family’ has turned on you.”
“I’m fine on my own.” Marty clarified
“Oh how the might have fallen.” Another voice echoed through the basement, but this time the voice was familiar. Marty saw the confusion registering on his fellow experimental vampires at the voice, then their looks turn to worry as they were truly beginning to feel threatened, and for a vampire that meant one thing, a fight to the death would soon breakout. But even the alarm that the others felt paled in comparison to the alarm and shame he was feeling now. Slowly he moved his gaze from the group of vampires that only recently he called his friends, to the figure from which the latest voice had come forth, the last member of his old team. His mind flashed back to the end of the First World War, the soldier petrified of the fight, of the suffering; a soldier who wanted to die rather than face another onslaught over the trenches. For Marty to bite him, feed off him, kill him, would have come as a blessing to Dalton Newmers; except Marty didn’t let him die. Despite all those he had killed in his undead life, the one most single kill he regretted was the one where it didn’t result in a death, but in life; a fate the victim did not want.
“Hello Father.” Dalton emerged from the darkness, dressed all in black as William and Adrienne were.
“Don’t call me that.” Marty breathed swallowing hard, unable to look at the man before him.
“Right, now then, this makes for even odds, four of us, four of you, unless you think the human can help you out.” William said clapping his hands together; he saw the Mansbridge academy vampires shift in front of him, uncertain in their game plan, and he knew their emergence had knocked them off guard.
“Come on, I thought you were big and brave enough to take on the Fury,” He jeered, “or was that when you thought you only had to take on my boy here?” He exhaled with a smile, as the smaller of the two males took a step forward baring his fangs.
“Who are you people?” Adrienne and William looked at the blonde vampire that had spoken confusion evident on her face.
“They’re all Fury.” Drew answered her question, growling.
“No,” Merrill contradicted, “We’d be dead already if they were.”
“I’m not going to take that chance,” Karl said stepping forward alongside Drew ready for a fight. William merely lifted his head slightly sending all four vampires backwards into the wall, his telekinesis holding them there.
“Stop it.” Marty commanded, but to no avail.
“THAT WILL BE QUITE ENOUGH!” The order boomed from the shadows behind them, within seconds the apparition took form into that of a hooded being.
“Lord Vaakal.” The Mansbridge vampires dropped to the floor, as William, Adrienne and Dalton bowed to the vampire Elder.
“It seems there is much to be discussed.” The familiar voice of Dr Murdoch sounded from the slope.
***
