He was landing on his back. The ground was stiff but softer than the windy air. Chase was panting so hard he could hear his own heart beating. He was worn out. Chase thought he might as well give up and die there.
“A ten metre course and he’s already dead at the first one,” the Coach complained.
The Coach was the oldest man on Planet Earth. He lived in the woods, far away from people. After failing at everything, the Council had referred Chase to the Coach. He was the best trainer in the entire universe. Words said it, his clients were high-class athletes and they paid him well.
“He’s hopeless,” added the Vampiress.
The Coach made Chase run ten metres in the track but before he could reach on the second metre, he had collapsed. One thing the Coach won’t tolerate was ‘giving up’. He walked to Chase and blew his whistle hard on his ears. It startled Chase enough to get him on the ground again. The Coach was skinny and very muscular for an old guy. His head was bald which made him look fiercer. His eyes were small but sharp to detect any laziness or bad attitude in people. But, he was very good in judging a character. Getting to him wasn’t easy. He only took famous or well-trained people; unlike Chase himself. Of course, he made an exception to Chase. He said he had a good feeling about the guy. And he wanted to test him first before taking him in.
“They told me you’ve ran faster than a horse! They told me you managed to dodge attacks that were coming your way! They told me you were still standing on a four versus one fight! They told me you were something special!” shouted the Coach.
Chase thought he needed to see a doctor about his damaged ear drums.
“Well they were terribly wrong,” the Coach whispered to Chase’s ears.
He managed to get him pumped out. The Vampiress and the Council themselves were watching from a near distance. The Coach bad-mouthed Chase some more but it didn’t break him down. Then he told Chase to do laps while he went to discuss with the others.
“So, how is he?” asked Mr. Rousseau.
The Coach pulled his cap off and shoved it in his tiny pocket. His bald head was shining under the moonlight.
“He’s quite special. He’s...different.”
“So you’ll take him in?” the Vampiress asked.
“Just leave him with me for four weeks and I’ll get him into shape. I’ll find out his strength.”
“But the war is not until four days! Does he even stand a chance?” urged Mr. Bloody.
“Different kids need different methods. I’ll have to use every kind that I’ve got and that will take days. Tell you what, I’ll give him back to you right before the battle. I assure you.”
The Coach sounded convinced. The others seemed pretty sure too. Besides, he’s their only chance.
“You’ve got four days,” Mr. Rousseau said.
“Do whatever you can. As long as he becomes strong,” the Vampiress pleaded.
“God knows what I’m going to do with him!” promised the Coach.
***
“Where is he? Where’s Chase?” asked Oliver.
It had been more than 24 hours since the group last saw him. Gina looked pale.
“That matter is rather confidential,” the Vampiress answered.
Tara, Jocelyn and Emilia looked at each other with alarm. They knew where the Council had taken him.
“He’s with him, isn’t he?”
The gang was wondering who they were referring to.
“Who’s him? Please, tell us! Is Chase in great danger?” asked Gina.
Tara held her shoulder to keep her calm.
“No young ones. Chase is somewhere far from here. He has been taken to see someone who could train him,” replied Mr. Rousseau.
“He might have some concussion, break some bones here and there, but otherwise, he is fine,” said the Vampiress.
“I’m sure she’s joking,” whispered Oliver.
Somehow, he didn’t sound too convinced.
They shouldn’t be wasting time. The Vampiress signalled Tara to briefly explain their plan for the infiltration.
“Chase is safe so now we need to keep our mind to the plan. We have two days left,” ordered Tara.
Gina couldn’t wipe off her worries from her face. Although her brain and eyes were focus on the laid map, her heart was thinking about her boyfriend. If Chase had seen anyone of them, he would have asked them to get some rest. They were clearly exhausted, dehydrated and distracted with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Even Theresa didn’t have the time to brush her hair. Gina looked thinner and Oliver was wounded with his trainings. Everyone was working hard. The Delacruz’s family was restless too.
***
“Get up you lazy fag!” screamed the Coach.
Chase was down on his knees while boxing with the Coach. His face was covered in blood and he had one black eye. He hadn’t had a meal or a drink from the past 36 hours. But his spirit didn’t dim. He tried to stand up but his head was spinning fast. He was imbalanced when the Coach swung his fist fast at him. Off he went flying out of the ring. He wasn’t breathing.
“It’s time to try a different approach.”
The Coach gave him a towel and a mineral bottle. His lips had never felt more relieved than by the touch of the sweet tasteless mineral water. He wiped his face with the white towel although it hurt. The towel had turned red. He was only given one minute rest.
“Boy, you’d better run fast,” the Coach warned.
“Why?”
“Because you’ve got a pack of hungry wolves at your tail!”
Chase thought he was kidding but when he heard the barking wolves, he picked himself up and ran into the woods. Coach was watching Chase’s moves from the sky. He was riding a helicopter. Chase had ran into trees, bushes and deadly traps in the forest but everytime he fell down, he picked himself up back in the game.
“Are you nuts!? They could really kill me!” yelled Chase.
Coach used the speakerphone so he could be heard from below.
“Less talking and more running!”
Then the pilot of the helicopter interrupted.
“Isn’t it dangerous? He’s just a kid.”
“What awaits him is far more dangerous than the wolves. It’s a good lesson.”
But then, Chase’s steps could no longer be heard. And the wolves were set on a circle, waiting to charge at his every flesh. Their sharp teeth marked the sign of death for him. Chase had got himself hung upside down from a tree. He had stepped into a trap that must have been set for wild boars. Blood poured to the ground. He was helpless now.
“We must save the kid!” urged the pilot.
“Are you kidding? This is the best part!” said Coach.
“Are you mad?!”
“You will never know how strong you are until becoming strong is the only choice you have. Now watch.”
Chase stared at the winding helicopter, signalling for help. He had almost lost it. Soon it was getting dark for him though it was still day light. He was panting hard, which made his sweats more delicious for the wolves’ meal. Without a second left to spare, the wolves charged and the audience watched in despair.
***
The Council was having a big meeting with the rest of the vampire leaders. They all didn’t look like humans and everyone was eager to the battle. They knew it was going to be the last one. The meeting was joined by the gang too but they were protected by the Delacruz’s family. No one can expect if any of the vampires would attack them and eat them alive.
“Do you not respect us, Council?”
The leader of the North Vampires spoke with a deep voice. Then all eyes were focused on the gang.
“We have a betrayer among us. We could not risk their lives more than they are in grave danger,” said Mr. Rousseau.
“A betrayer? So you suspect that one of us is the mole for the other clan! What a disgrace to be tainted upon our images!” said the leader of the South Vampires.
“Where did you get your sources?! We demand to seek the truth!” said one of the West Vampires.
Then all rose from their seats and pounded the table for the truth. Trust had been an issue within the vampires’ culture. It was not until a century ago when they began to trust each other. There were too many betrayals in the past. And now since the issue had been raised, there was no doubt the unity might be broken.
“Silence!” roared Mr. Bloody.
The meeting was getting out of control.
“Four days ago Lord Colvit himself paid a visit to Mr. Verdict. And he had warned him about a mole within our stands. The purpose of this meeting is to find that mole. The war is near. We can’t go around and being suspicious at each other. We need the strength and the trust to win. So heed this warning and it goes to all; you are to repent now or suffer a deathly consequence later! The traitor please show your identity and be done with it!” said Mr. Sucker.
He surprised everyone. Usually both of them would just kept quiet and sit back and do nothing in meetings but today was the first time they had spoken. Everyone listened attentively.
“We bid you our forgiveness if you shall come forward and let the secret out. We cannot guarantee your safety if you had only come later after this meeting is adjourned,” added Mr. Rousseau.
No one spoke. No one came forward. No one dared to move.
“Very well then. Then from now on, let the betrayer be condemned for the rest of eternity! If we shall find who is at guilt, we would not hesitate to continue with the punishment; regardless of your blood and name,” warned Mr. Bloody.
“Let’s move on then. What’s the news from the vampires of the North?”
“Out of 10000 residence of vampires, 8500 are at our side, 1000 at the other while the rest are still uncertain.”
“The South?”
“1000 are ours while 4000 are theirs.”
“West?”
“2000 at ours while the same number are at theirs.”
“East?”
“500 on ours while 6500 at theirs.”
“12000 at our side and 13500 are at theirs,” calculated Mr. Rousseau.
For a moment, the gang saw the vampires were actually disappointed.
“What’s with the numbers?” Oliver asked.
“The numbers of vampires who will fight in the battle,” answered Jocelyn.
“They have 1500 in advance!” Theresa noticed.
“My brothers and sisters, numbers are mainly figures. The Gatherer wish to present their case,” said Tara.
She came forward with a scroll in her hands. When she laid it on the table, the scroll turned blue and so were all of the vampires’ eyes.
“The enemy might be bigger in number but we are stronger and younger than they are. Look, some of them have slipped through time. Many have lost faith and a few remained as our spies there.”
Except for the humans, the vampires were able to see the rusty and old vampires that were on the Resistance Clan. They didn’t look too good. Some recognised them from a bloodline. Some used to be a family or lovers but got separated in the war.
“This is good news!” said the South leaders.
“As expected, some of them might turn to our side by tonight. We must take them in!” urged Tara.
Vampires started cheering and were ready to celebrate. But the Council stopped them.
“Lesson one; never underestimate your opponents.”
“Lesson two; never think greatly of yourself.”
“Lesson three; never doubt yourself.”
“Those vampires are our fathers and grandfathers. We must not forget that they have advantage of experience and wisdom. They have been in thousands of battle compared to us. I say this is a warning of how hard we will work. Leaders of the Four, try to gather and convince as many as you can to join our side. Gatherers, prepare to welcome and inspect the new armies. We do not need more betrayer than one. As for you humans, you should sleep. One day is left. You’ve worked hard all day.”
The gang nodded in agreement.
“But wait! Where is the fourth one?” asked one of the vampires.
“For now, the whereabouts of the fourth one is only for the Council and the Vampiress to know. He shall return promptly before the fight. As for your concern, he is safe and need not worry. You will meet him when the time comes,” said Mr. Rousseau.
“WE now declare this meeting is adjourned! Dismiss!” said the Council.
***
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