Episode 8: Plain Truth

“Ready?” asked the Vampiress.

They were all suited up to go to the Castle. Stideous had rubbed on some bird feathers, giant’s saliva and his own old clothes to Gina, Oliver, Theresa and Chase.

“It’s to cover your smell. When we’re travelling, they will only smell birds, giants and Stideous,” explained Tara.

Gina walked over to Chase eventhough she knew he would keep ignoring her, she tried her best to stay positive.

“Be careful Chase. See you there,” said Gina.

It was a dangerous road ahead. Troubles could come after them along the way. The vampires had their robes on. The Vampiress’ robe was black, Tara’s was white, Jocelyn was yellow and Emilia’s was brown. The robes had appeared to be larger than they seemed to be. The vampires covered themselves and the youngsters within their robes and murmured some spell before they went travelling through space.

It was raining, which made their journey harder. Tara was travelling in her own storm with Gina in her protection. Yvonne was riding her dark cloud with Chase. Jocelyn was standing on sands with Oliver while Emilia used water as her transportation with Theresa.

Both of Emilia and Jocelyn took the lower side of Earth while Yvonne and Tara took the upper side. All four of them couldn’t possible used the same mean at the same time or they would attract enemies.

“It wasn’t her fault,” said the Vampiress.

It wasn’t as noisy as the others on the clouds with the Vampiress. She didn’t have to scream so Chase would hear her.

“I know but-”

“From my observation, her feelings are true. Don’t you forget, I can read emotions.”

Chase went silent for the first time. He knew deep down inside he wanted to believe Gina wasn’t lying but it was too good to be true.

“What does she see in me? I’ve been asking about that question ever since we’ve got together, you know. It doesn’t seem right at all. Look at Oliver, he’s way better than me.”

“She had always believed in you. She saw you for what you are.”

Not far from the duo, Gina and Tara were talking about the same thing.

“He’s never going to believe me.”

“We vampires hold on to this phrase strong in our belief, ‘actions speak louder than words.’ If you can’t make him believe through your words, then show him your feelings then.”

“I know he thinks he doesn’t suit me but that’s not true at all.”

“Have a little faith in him. He’s just overwhelmed with all that’s happened.”

Leaving their home was the hardest thing to do. The Sunny Suburb was the place where they grew up. They passed by their school and each said goodbye. The girls wept over it but the boys held up their emotions inside.

“Goodbye school,” bid Theresa.

“Goodbye friends,” bid Oliver.

“Goodbye home,” bid Gina.

“Goodbye Sunny Suburb,” bid Chase.

***

In a dark cell underground, it was dark and vicious. Two middle-aged couple were chained to the wall. They were smacked, kicked and slammed hard by their torturers. The man had dark hair, just like Chase. His eyes were frozen grey. The women on the other hand had brown hair and steel blue eyes like the ocean.

The woman was stripped naked. One of the torturers stepped forward and destroyed any dignity left in her. She screamed as he took advantage of her. She begged them to stop but the harder she pleaded, the crueller they became. The man had no energy left to even try to stop them. He himself was being tortured. Life was being sucked out of him, slowly and painfully.

To his left, his wife cried hysterically as the torturer took a plunge in her neck. The torturer was a vampire. He sucked and drained the last drop of blood in her. She was gasping for air.

“Tell us! Where is he?” asked the torturer.

The woman spat on the torturer’s face.

“You’ve chosen death!”

He ended her life instantly.

“Noooo!” cried Chase.

He was sweating. It was all a dream. Everyone was staring at him, wondering what had he seen.

“What did you see?” asked Tara.

He told them what he saw in his dream. Tara and Yvonne looked at each other. They feared it would happen someday and it already has.

“It wasn’t just a dream right?” Chase asked.

“They were your parents,” revealed the Vampiress.

“My parents?”

Chase had just witnessed how his parents were tortured and died in the hands of the Resistance Clan. They died of protecting him. And he used to think they were selfish for leaving him be. He felt like someone had just kicked him in the stomach. His chest was throbbing with pain and all optimism had left him cold. He looked helplessly at Gina. She held him tight as he broke down on her shoulders.

***

“Thanks,” uttered Chase.

He pretended to be fine when everyone knew hatred took control the best of him. Lately, he was always gloomy, moody and angry. He didn’t say much and during dinner earlier, he didn’t even touch his food. He stared at the food with a murderous look.

The Vampiress was very concerned. She knew how anger could consume a pure heart. Right now, there was nothing left in Chase’s heart except for all the bad things in this world.

“We need to shake him up,” said Oliver.

“His eyes are filled with flames of fury,” added Tara.

“If nothing is done, his heart will turn dark and he might become one of them,” Yvonne added.

Everyone in the room knew by making false hopes, they would only make things worse. And the current environment wasn’t helping either. The Castle was dead. Here, the sun weren’t shining, the clouds are dark and the winds are heavy. No one could figure how to cheer Chase up.

“Let me talk to him,” Theresa volunteered.

They didn’t believe she could talk to him.

“I think I understand how he feels.”

They let her try. She saw his eyes were empty and dead, unlike before. He didn’t even smile. He never talked unless necessary. He was still as a statue. And he was heartless.

“Can I sit there?” she asked.

Chase was sitting right in front of the fire place. And like the burning fire, his anger was flaming too.

“Thanks for saving my life. I’ve realised I haven’t thanked you yet,” she started.

She took a seat next to him. He didn’t say a word. His eyes were focused on his heartache. Unlike Tara or Gina, Theresa had always talked straight to the point.

“I know how you feel.”

Chase wanted to protest but he remembered she had witnessed her family burnt down in their own house.

“When the Skeleton Man was dragging me, I thought that was it. I hope God had killed me at that time. But when I started giving up, you showed up. And you charged at him, empty handed.”

“What’s your point? That I was an idiot?”

“Well, you are an idiot. But, I thought to myself. If you were willing to fight to save my life, why shouldn’t I?”

It was actually awkward enough to be having a heart-to-heart conversation with Theresa, a person he had never talked to in his entire life but sharing a near-death experience made it okay.

“Think about it, our parents sacrificed their lives to protect us so we should work hard to protect ourselves too. We owe it to them. And to others too.”

Her eyes pointed to the rest. His heart sank. He was torn apart.

“I know you’re mad. But guess what? I am mad too. And so does everyone! But you can’t let that get the best of you. You can’t keep it to yourself. Don’t fall to that dark side.”

He scoffed. He thought she was just being ridiculous. The ‘dark side’? What a bull!

“What are you talking about?”

“Why do you think we have enemies? The Resistance Clan, it’s been about like what-forever? And they still hold grudges against us! Their hearts turned dark. And if you don’t do something about your anger, you’ll be just like them! At that time, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill you!”

She got under his skin. He really felt like strangling her but he was upset because she was right. He can’t deny it. It was the truth.

***

Chase walked over to the assembling vampires. The Council was having a meeting with the Vampiress and her sisters but he didn’t care. He wanted answers and he deserved to know.

“What did Theresa mean by the ‘dark side’?” he asked.

“Does it mean I could become one of them?” he continued

The Vampiress seemed reluctant to answer his question. The men from the images of the bat were there too; all three of them. The Vampiress looked at the Council for approval and they nodded their heads.

“You should sit down,” she said.

But it was more like an order than a suggestion.

“Sit down or I’ll make you.”

He knew better than to argue. He pulled a chair and sat down.

“Mr. Verdict, we haven’t had the pleasure of a proper introduction. My name is Rousseau Colvit, but you can address me by my first name. The fat one is Mr. Bloody and the other is Mr. Sucker.”

They shook hands.

“He looks just like his parents,” Mr. Bloody blurted out.

“Wait, you know my parents?”

He looked at the Council.

“I’m sorry about your loss. But you should know that your parents were the bravest people I’ve ever met. They stood by their beliefs right until they died,” Mr. Rousseau consoled.

His heart was torn apart. It was like he’s hearing he was the reason his parents died.

“And what did they believe in?”

“They believed in you.”

“That’s ridiculous! How was that possible? How could have they know anything about me?”

“Because you are their son. Why do you think the other Clan wants to kill you the most?”

He shook his head.

“Why?”

“Charles Rousseau is the leader of the clan and also-my own father.”

“Your-father?”

He stopped. For the first time, he had a facial expression on his face. He seemed sad. Who wouldn’t be when your father was the villain?

“I know it seems very ironic of me. Everyone says I’m quite the opposite of him.”

He managed a chuckle.

“He might be the villain but he is still my father. No one knows him like I do. And I know that deep down inside he doesn’t want this anymore than we do but something is stopping him. You are the only one who can change his mind-with your heart.”

Mr. Rousseau pointed to Chase’s heart. It was beating slow and hard.

“Now, your family wasn’t chosen to lead this fight because they were powerful. It’s because they saw things others had failed to see, especially the clan.”

“Forgiveness,” corrected Mr. Rousseau.

Chase realised he was always angry at everyone and everything these days. He had always had heartache and the next thing he knows, he was punching the wall until he bleeds. But still the rage was still within him. The images of his parents being tortured flashed in his mind. Mr. Rousseau held Chase’s shoulders tight. His touch sucked a part of the anger in Chase’s heart.

“I know what they did to your parents was wrong and unforgivable but you can’t live in this rage.”

“So what? You expect me to forgive them just like that?!”

“I do not expect anything but the best from you. But I believe they intentionally showed you the images because they want to bring out the worst in you. So now, it is up to you to let them win by manipulating your emotions or take what they have given you and become stronger and wiser.”

Truth was never easy and sometimes it hurts. But that’s the best thing about it. Even if it eats you alive.

***

Episode Seven: One Hell Of A Day!

It was the first time Chase had been let in into the meeting room in the basement. It was a lot bigger than the Vampiress’ room upstairs. The surprising part was the decoration of the room. It wasn’t dark, abandoned or creepy. It was too bright and cheerful, in contrast with the Vampiress’ mood. Chase only took a glimpse of the place because he was more focused about what they were about to discuss. He can’t believe the blonde girl with big brown eyes who sat opposite of him was Gina, his girlfriend. And next to him was Oliver, his mortal enemy at school. And they weren’t alone. Tara, Jocelyn and Emilia were there too.

“So tell me again, why Oliver and Gina are here?” Chase asked.

Oliver and Gina looked at each other. It seemed it was Chase the only person in the room who didn’t know anything. Tara, Jocelyn and Emilia stared at Yvonne to explain things to Chase. It was after all, her job.

“I told you Chase, eventhough you are the last person who is still alive in your family didn’t mean you are alone. I do admit I didn’t know about these two others until now. Their presence around you must have made your smell stronger.”

It was the Vampiress’ turn to give a mean glare at Tara.

“I had to hide their identities. If he knew, it would have interfered with the plan,” said Tara.

“What plan?” Chase demanded for answers.

There was so much he didn’t know. So many things were kept hidden from him. He turned at the Vampiress to give him specific details this time.

“As I have mentioned before, it is very crucial to keep you from harm. The Council must have placed Mr. Wood and Ms. Huntington near you.”

“You know about this whole thing from the start and neither of you didn’t tell me anything?” Chase started to sound angry.

Gina looked helplessly at her boyfriend.

“We had to. I wanted to tell you but –cant’,” Gina defended her case.

“Yeah man, it wasn’t easy for me too,” Oliver added.

“Wasn’t easy? You’re the bully! How things are not supposed to be easy for you?”

“Look, all I did was to train you. I was instructed to.”

Chase thought Oliver was fooling him.

“Train me? How? Why?”

“I know I’ve been hard on you bro but it was the only way to keep your reflexes and attention sharp. I had to kick your butt to make you strong.”

Chase didn’t believe a word he was saying.

“Remember that day when I picked on you? You dodged our attack easily. Can’t you see? I didn’t want to hurt you but I’d rather whoop your ass than to see you get killed out there!” Oliver responded.

“It’s true Chase. He’s not lying,” Gina pleaded.

“So all of it was just a ‘cover’?”

They nodded.

“And everything you told me that day was a cover too? Let me guess, when you said you liked me, that was a lie too? Yeah thanks. I feel so much better now.”

He felt betrayed. Gina tried to tell him but he was listening.

“Sister, I think you ought to tell him what the Enchantment Spell was about now that all is out in the open,” suggested Jocelyn.

There was more? It was all too much to take for a day for Chase.

“There’s more? Oh God!” moaned Chase.

The Vampiress hesitated to tell. But he told her to continue.

“Just shoot it out.”

“The spell actually broke off our deal. And it was to stir up your smell.”

“And?” Chase suspected there was more.

“And it allows me to kill you.”

He thought it would be good news but no, it was a terrible one. He sunk his face to the level of the round table. But then, they were interrupted by a bat who was hanging by the ceiling. It gave out a loud shriek.

“It’s the Council. They sent us a message,” said Tara.

The bat drooled and the saliva built up a white smoke before an image appeared in it. Three Council Members, who had streak of grey and black hair, wore tuxedo. Although they appeared in their 40’s and had no wrinkles, the look in their eyes showed how much they had seen in this world.

“Time is running out for the three youngsters. They must be immediately transported to our castle and undergo an intensive training. Our resources have confirmed that the Resistance Clan would be looking for them soon enough. They need to be isolated from other mortals now. Delacruz, we put our trust upon you to train and protect them with your lives. And one last order, find the fourth member.”

Right after the message ended, the bat exploded like the bomb does. But there was no trace of meat or blood anywhere. It just disappeared.

“Whoa! Did they just explode?” asked Chase.

“Silly human! The bat is just a pet, a messenger in vampire’s behalf. They do not die until their masters have. For the explosion, it’s their grand entrance and exit,” explained the Vampiress.

Everyone went silent for a while. No one spoke. Chase’s attention was focused to the wooden table while Gina tried to meet his dimmed eyes.

“The order has been given. We should go at once,” stressed Jocelyn.

Tara rose from her seat.

“But we still have to find the fourth one.”

“You mean there’s another one within us?” asked Oliver.

“The information is too vague but I suspect the fourth one is here.”

Out of the blue, Chase’s hands started shaking and his eyes turned white. His body started to levitate in the air. No one knew what was happening. Like he was possessed, Chase started muttering something ancient. The aura of the room turned black and his voice multiplied.

In his mind, he saw images of Theresa crying, her house burnt down and the colour red.

“They are here! They will kill her, the fourth one!” yelled Chase.

The exorcism stopped and Chase fell down on the floor. His body was hot and his sight blurred. All of them rushed to his aid. They called out his name but all he could think was about Theresa.

“Chase? Are you okay?”

“Theresa! She’s in danger!” cried Chase.

Without wasting time, Chase pushed the circle of people that they fell on their backs. He quickly ran out of the mansion.

***

“Let me go! Let me go!” screamed the helpless Theresa.

A black hooded man was pulling Theresa by her hair. She was dragged from the pathway into the garage in her backyard. Her house was burning in fire and her face was all bruised up. She begged the hooded man for mercy. Tears fell from her eyes.

“Please, let me go! Whatever I did, I’m sorry! Please don’t kill me!” she pleaded.

But the hooded man didn’t say a word. His face couldn’t even be seen under the hood. But she caught a ray of his red eyes. They were evil.

“Let her go!” yelled Chase.

Without thinking, he ran and knocked down the hooded man with a great strength. Still, his hand wouldn’t let go of Theresa hair. She was crying even louder because some of her beautiful hair had fallen. She was in pain. Driven with a mysterious powerful force, Chase pulled the man’s fingers that they broke. The funny thing was the fingers seemed to be easily broken and there was no sign of pain. But his robe was torn apart. Feeling it was a disgrace, the man took off his robe and burst into laughter as he saw the frightful eyes of his victims.

“Fool! You ruined my robe!” said the man.

For a moment, Chase panicked. He saw what was underneath the hood. Theresa screamed like she had seen a ghost. The man had no face, no skin. He was a skeleton. His eyeballs were hanging by the skull. The skeleton man rose and was at least seven feet tall. His right hand grabbed Chase by neck and raised him up in the air. He couldn’t breath. Chase tried to kick him but it didn’t seem to have any impact at all. In fact, Chase’s feet were hurt by the kick. It was like kicking a huge rock.

“You think you could beat me? Fool!”

The skeleton man was all caught up with mocking Chase, his grip on Theresa’s hair was loosened. From the corner of his eyes, Chase signalled Theresa to make a run for it. She nodded and slowly backed away. Then Chase remembered something, he had a blue pen in his back pocket. If he could just reach it... He needed a distraction. As if Theresa had understood him, she lifted a big rock from her mom’s Japanese Garden and threw it at the skeleton man.

“You broke my rib cage!” said the skeleton man.

He wasn’t hurt. The humongous rock managed to crack a few of his rib cage but didn’t really harm him. But that was a good distraction because Chase pulled his pen and used it to stab the skeleton’s right eye. He cried in agony and bellowed in rage.

“Argh! My eye!”

Chase landed on his back when the skeleton man let him go. Somehow, Chase thought of the idea to target at the skeleton’s man cracked ribs. He thought about the day when Oliver picked on Patrick and grew mad.He picked up the same rock that Theresa had thrown and charged with all his might at the skeleton man. He remembered how to pitch in his baseball game and threw like it was his last. It hit the skeleton man’s rib cage.

Crack.

Theresa closed her eyes but Chase wanted to see what happened. Pieces by pieces, the skeleton man started to fall apart as its bones cracked. He tried to reach for Chase’s shirt but had exploded into black dusts before he could have touched him. Chase coughed the dusts off his mouth and spit them out. It was disgusting enough to swallow normal dust but was even worse when it was the skeleton man’s ashes. Chase fell to the ground. He was exhausted. Some of the ashes stuck to his white shirt. With a wounded leg, Theresa limped her way to Chase.

“Are you okay?” asked Theresa.

Chase just nodded.

“You?”

She looked at her house, all destroyed now and cried on Chase’s shoulder.

“My family...”

She pointed at her house. Her family seemed to have not survived. The house was completely burnt down.

***

He slowly opened his eyes. His cold hand was held by Gina, who had stayed by his side all the time. She was glad to see Chase had regained his consciousness.

“You’re finally awake,” said Gina.

Chase tried to get up but he felt a great pain on his back. She persuaded him to stay still.

“You’re not still healed. You need to rest.”

Then his head felt really heavy, like he was having the worst migraine ever. His memory came back to him. He remembered about Theresa and her dead family.

“Where’s Theresa?” he asked.

“It’s okay now. You’ve saved her life. Tara is healing her.”

It was true after all. He thought he had been dreaming about all of this but realised this was the real world and he wasn’t dreaming. He wanted to feel safe and believed her but he remember what she had said about her ‘cover’. He pulled his hand from her. She was taken aback.

“Chase...”

Her eyes were red. She seemed weak and troubled.

“You don’t have to pretend anymore. There’s no one around,” said Chase.

“But...”

“I get it. It was all just a cover. You had to do what you had to do.”

She was heart-broken but she knew he needed his time and space with all these things. So many things had taken place in just one day. She didn’t want to push him any further.

“You need to heal. I’ll leave you be.”

She tried to kiss him on his cheek but he deflected her. When she turned around, tears fell from her eyes.

Episode Six: Getting Mature

“We’re telling you Yvonne, his smell is getting stronger! Can’t you smell it?” argued Emilia.

“And why did he disobey us? You ought to give him a lesson!” Jocelyn added.

Yvonne did nothing but smiled. She was actually proud of him for standing up against her sisters.

“Why should I?” Yvonne questioned.

“Because he is a mere servant! A slave he is!” said Emilia.

“I had made him mine. He does not belong to anyone else. He might be a servant but he is mine, not yours.”

“This is a disgrace to the family’s name!”

Yvonne ignored the insult. It didn’t affect her in any way possible.

“Does he know the true meaning of the Enchantment Spell? Tell us!”

Yvonne shook his head.

“He doesn’t. And I want it to stay that way.”

***

Gina started spending more time with Chase lately. While he didn’t mind some company, some rumours were spreading about them. As they walked together from school, people started whispering and looking at them.

“You can’t let them get into your nerves,” said Gina.

He was still nervous whenever they were together but they became friends and that fact eased him up a bit.

“How do I know you’re not hanging out with me just to gain popularity?” he joked.

“But I do! I’m only making Theresa jealous,” she claimed.

Then they passed by Theresa and her gangs who were just getting into her car. They watched him with eagle eyes.

“Ha-Ha, very funny,” said Chase.

Once she had managed to make him a little less shy, Gina started to see a side of Chase that no one thought existed.

“You don’t believe me?” she asked.

“Not a bit.”

“Okay, wait here!”

She went to Theresa’s pink Beetle and called out her name.

“What do you want?” Theresa asked.

“Just want to let you know that Chase and I are dating now.”

With a crooked smile, Gina walked away from Theresa, whose jaws dropped. Chase burst into a laugh. From far, Theresa cursed Gina in Spanish. Something that might have meant ‘whore’ or a ‘bitch’.

“I told you.”

Gina glanced back and gave a flying kiss to Theresa. She took Chase’s hand and held it tight. She pulled him to walk right beside her.

“We’re dating now?” Chase asked.

“Yes, we are!”

Chase was confused. As far as he knew, nothing had happened between them. Sure, they had gone to lunch, spent a lot of time with each other and been trading stories but he thought all of those things didn’t mean they were dating. Chase thought hard.

“Were you serious back there?”

“About what?”

First she said it out loud and now she didn’t know what he was talking about? Chase became more confused.

“You know-what you said to Theresa.”

They were sitting by a bench, near the library. It was a quiet afternoon. There were birds and trees around but other than that, they were completely alone. She stared into his eyes, making a serious face.

“What if I was? Would that be a problem?”

He didn’t know what to say.

“I like you, a lot. Do you have any feelings for me?”

Suddenly he was amazed with the birds on the trees. She rolled her eyes and scooted over to him. She turned his head so they would face each other and looked into his steel blue eyes. He was sweating like a pig. His words were lost but his shyness reappeared.

“Chase?”

He didn’t answer. He was about to die. Having a girlfriend to grief over him wouldn’t make it any easier for him. She took it as a no.

“I thought- I thought you were different from the other guys I’ve met. I thought at least you would tell me the truth.”

She took a deep breath and stood up.

“You’re a coward after all.”

She left him all alone by the sidewalk.

***

Gina was gathering books from her locker when she spotted Chase heading her way. After his silence, her heart fell apart real bad. But Chase screamed for her name in the high wave of people.

“Gina! Gina!”

She had to stop. The crowd was staring at her.

“What?”

He finally caught his breath after all that chasing.

“I need to explain something.”

“You don’t have to explain anything. It’s fine.”

She tried to turn around but he grasped her wrist and pulled her in. He kissed her. Everyone gasped and started to take pictures of them. Some were recording it with their phones.

“I do have feelings for you. You were right, I was scared but I’m not anymore. I want to go out with you.”

She was still overwhelmed by all of it.

“Come on, say something. You’re embarrassing me,” he pleaded.

“No.”

Chase thought his heart had stopped beating. He thought she had ripped his chest apart with that simple ‘NO’.

“Why should I go out with you?” she asked.

His face was red.

“Why should I go out with you when we’re already dating?” she paraphrased.

The crowd cheered. Chase finally took his breath. He was very relieved when she threw her arms at him.

***

Chase was pacing across the room and it annoyed the Vampiress. She snapped her fingers and he was thrown into the couch. It was weird seeing her during daylight. She usually slept like a baby in her bed. She was only awake because she had her sisters visiting but they were gone.

“Asking me to sit down would have been enough!” cried Chase.

“I believe actions speak louder than words,” said the Vampiress.

Chase was at dead end. He wanted to find out the truth. Before leaving, Jocelyn had warned him about living for too long. He didn’t understand what the warning was all about but he needed to know.

“I need to know something.”

She was silent.

“Excuse me?”

She didn’t move. She was too engulfed with the papers. He despised being ignored the most. Then he did something unexpected. He pulled the papers right from her hands.

“Human! No disturbing while I’m reading!” she yelled.

“Now you talk. I thought you were deaf.”

“What do you think I am? Disabled?”

“Could be...”

“No one threats the Vampiress and get away!”

“Watch me.”

He tore the papers into four and crumpled them as hard as he could. After that, he tossed the paper to the floor. One of the things that annoy the Vampiress the most was littering, especially in her own house. He took a split. He tried to reach for the door but was stopped by the Vampiress. She grabbed his collar.

“Wait! I only did it to get your attention!”

She didn’t believe him.

“I need to know why everybody keeps saying I’m in danger.”

She released him.

“Who told you?”

“Jocelyn.”

“That is none of your concern!”

“And what’s thing about my smell? What? Do I have a body odour or something?”

She came up to him and used her fingernails to cut his skin.

“This is your smell.”

She was referring to his blood.

“Other vampires who are uncivilised would do anything to get their hands on you; or should I say fangs!”

“Cause my blood is rare?”

“Because you are from the Verdict family!”

That wasn’t close enough to an explanation so he demanded for more.

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“It is everything! Your parents didn’t abandon you on purpose. They had to leave you to a safety. They knew what was coming?”

“What is coming?”

“Your ancestors have been hunting down vampires since the Middle Ages. But somehow, it had come to their attentions that vampires were good too in eliminating and decreasing the number of your population. Some humans are born evil and this ‘kind’ had to be killed. So your ancestors made a pact with our leader. We may live and hunt humans but only the ‘corrupted’ ones. When the number of bad people had come down to zero, some of us refused to go by the law. They attacked and killed whatever prey they came across with. It caused a great war and half of us ceased to extinction. Those of the resistance clans vowed take revenge upon your family. One by one had gone missing and the balance of the world fell apart. To make safety, my family had given our blood to you. It made you strong and invincible. It was my duty to search for you, to keep you safe. I didn’t recognise you the first time we’ve encountered but that night, when I took a plunge on your skin, I immediately knew who you are.”

“What?”

“Tara looked at your memories of the past and had confirmed about you. She saw what happened during the night when your parents had given you away to Miss Brat. That’s why she had to leave early. She had to report about your whereabouts to the Council.”

“What?”

“I know this is hard to believe but explain the odd events in your life. How did you survive my vomit? If you were a mere mortal, you would have died instantly! How did you think Tara and I are able to stand the sunlight? I’ve gained strength from your blood while Tara became more powerful when you-hmm-kissed.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry to say but your bloodline has perished. Although you are that’s left, there are still more out there.”

“What?”

“Your family isn’t the only one that received the blood transaction, there were few others. Jocelyn and Emilia haven’t found any other yet. But there is something that’s bothering me.”

“What?”

“Your smell is getting stronger by day. I don’t have an explanation for that.”

“Whoa, back off! What are you saying now? That I’m involved in some kind of conflict between humans and vampires?”

She slapped him hard.

“Wake up Chase! Why did you think you are always standing up for the weaklings? How did you assume you had the ‘sudden’ courage and strength to stand up to the bullies? And how do you presume your wounds healed so fast?”

He didn’t know how to explain the questions.

“Those are the characteristics of your family Chase. Sure, you’re a bit different from your ancestors but those good qualities on which you possessed, are because you are a Verdict.”

“It’s true Chase,” said a familiar voice.

They turned around and saw they were visited by unexpected guests.

***

Episode Five: A Competition

Even with Tara’s healing and two days of rest Chase was still weak. His face was white like a ghost and he had lost the appetite.

“It must have been of the spell. His body is still adjusting,” said Tara.

She insisted he shouldn’t go back to school but he refused.

“I only have a two weeks to live. I wouldn’t miss the school for the world.”

It was lunch break and all students headed to the cafeteria. Chase escaped himself to the isolated place in the school, behind the Science Lab. The school’s serving was worse than the Vampiress’ vomit. He sat there alone, watching the blue sky.

“Hello there,” said Tara.

She was wearing her white robe that covered her whole body and wore shades to protect her eyes.

“Tara? What are you doing here?”

“I came to say goodbye.”

Then heavy clouds replaced the bright sun. The place turned dark. Chase was impressed. It was Tara’s doing.

“You can do that too?”

“Amazed?”

“You bet! Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Fortunately, yes. I don’t want to be burdened with great duties. They are gifts, I know but they can be tiring too; at some point.”

She sat right next to him.

“Thank you for last night.”

Chase remembered about the ‘shocking kiss’. It made him smile.

“You said you were leaving. Why?”

“Duties call.”

She looked upset.

“I’ve enjoyed your company. But all good things must come to an end.”

“I guess so.”

“But, before I go, I want to give you something.”

Chase looked excited. He had never received a gift from anyone before.

“But this will hurt.”

“Okay?”

“Give me your right hand.”

She loosened her fangs as he held out his right hand. She took it and bit his knuckles slowly. The pain wasn’t greater than last night’s shock.

“I’ve passed a gift to you; a siren. Whenever you’re in grave danger, bite your knuckles until you bleed and snap your fingers. Help will come. I promise you that.”

He didn’t think he would get into anymore troubles considering the situation now but he said his thanks.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“Yeah?”

Tara kissed Chase on his forehead.

“Enjoy your sun!”

She snapped her fingers and a tornado appeared. She jumped into it and it all felt like a dream. She wasn’t there anymore. He was all alone, sitting on his butt, looking at the sun. He wondered if it was just his imagination or true.

“Here,” said Gina.

Chase was surprised anyone would come down here. It was his secret place. And now people have known. She passed him a set of lunch in a brown paper bag.

“You need to eat something. You don’t look well.”

“Thanks.”

“So who was that girl? I’ve never seen her around.”

“Her? Well, she’s a friend of mine.”

“Just a friend?”

“Yeah, I think so...”

Chase was confused as well. Tara was pretty and she was a good kisser but he doubted they were more than that.

“So, erm, where’s your brother?”

“He got transferred to a new school. My parents freaked when they found out about the bullying thing.”

“You miss him?”

“Yeah. I’ve always had lunch with him. And now he’s gone, I think I’m all alone.”

Chase didn’t believe that. Gina was popular, smart and nice. Everyone in the school would want to be her friend. She wasn’t your typical head cheerleader bimbo type of girl. She was popular because the attitude she carried around. She was elegant and classy in her own ways. Every girl would die to be her.

“What about the girls who’s always with you?”

“Theresa and the others? They’re not really my friends.”

She looked like she was about to cry. Her blonde hair covered half of her face. Chase couldn’t tell if she had tears in her eyes or not.

“Forget Theresa and the others. You’re better off without them.”

Chase heard her voice was stuck in her throat. She tried really hard not to cry.

“You’ve heard?”

Chase had heard a rumour about Theresa backstabbing Gina but he didn’t know the specific details. He blurted all thoughtful things to say to her.

“They’re not worth it. If they don’t want to be your friend, it’s their loss, not yours. You have to remember that. Okay?”

She turned to him. Her eyes were solemn red. She looked like she was about to burst a storm.

“Can you please hold me?” she requested.

Before Chase could say anything, Gina had already thrown herself into Chase’s arms. He knew the appropriate thing to do was to hug her but it was too awkward and he was too shy. He let her hold on to him until the bell rang. As requested, Chase walked Gina back to her class.

“Thanks.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. Really.”

She kissed his cheek, leaving him all flushed in front of the class.

***

Chase sat underneath a dying tree, in the backyard. At first it was sunny but then it turned cloudy. He didn’t want to budge. He needed his space. Emilia and Jocelyn had kept bugging him, he had to get away. They hated being outside because of the sun and it made the perfect spot for him to escape.

He was confused. He thought he didn’t care about his life but now that things are slightly better, he questioned if it really was the right decision to make. He was missing out so much since he was a child. He never knew his parents, was never loved and never had friends; until now.

“Sitting alone? Where’s Tara now?” asked the Vampiress from the back door.

She didn’t have to scream. Her voice was loud enough to be heard by him. Chase wasn’t in the mood to talk. He remained quiet. The Vampiress knew something was bothering him so she went out under the cold weather to sit next to him.

“Someone is emo,” joked the Vampiress.

In normal circumstances, it would have made him laugh but he didn’t.

“I thought vampires don’t joke,” he said coldly.

“Oh we do, rarely.”

Chase managed a scoff. Then from the house, they both heard Jocelyn and Emilia calling Chase about cleaning up their tore down room.

“You’re not going to answer them?” she asked.

“Maybe later. My hands are sore.”

He lifted his hands and they were cut and red. The Vampiress let out a sigh.

“You didn’t have to do what they say.”

Chase looked at her, dissatisfied.

“Really? And you’re only telling me now?”

“Had to teach you a lesson.”

Her face was filled with an evil smile.

“Why? Because your sister kissed me?”

He asked with a child tone, sulking.

“Was she such a good kisser?”

She didn’t dare to look at him. But she was eager to know the answer. She didn’t want to show it.

“Well, maybe. I don’t know. How am I supposed to know? I’ve never been kissed before.”

He had a point but the response didn’t make the Vampiress relieved.

“Ever?”

“Ever.”

He said, reassuring. He tried to look at her but she was looking at the other way.

“Well then, how about this?”

She grabbed his collar and pulled him in as she kissed him deeply. Only this time, he felt no pain when the kiss ended.

“Now, you’ve been kissed twice.”

As much as Chase wanted to believe it, the kiss didn’t really count. Both of the kisses came from vampires, not from real girls. He felt more upset. His jaw was tensed.

“What’s wrong now?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

He looked down at grass, feeling it must have been great to be a grass instead of an unlucky boy. But he couldn’t tell her that. It was not a habit of the Vampiress to be nice to him. He had to enjoy that moment.

“Speaking about your sisters. Did they bring ‘someone’ in two nights ago? Coz the room sure looked like-”

“Like ‘hell’?”

“Yeah, sure, we’ll go with ‘hell’ instead.”

Neither could use the actual word.

“They have companies every once in a while. Vampires have needs too.”

Wow, he felt more like a loser now. Even vampires who lead an eternal life had more fun than him. His curiosity rose.

“When you do ‘that thing’, is it the same like humans?”

For the first time ever, Chase saw the Vampiress was blushing. But he didn’t dare to mock her.

“Well, yes, but far ‘greater’ than yours. It could be really nasty sometimes.”

“Is it so great?”

Then the Vampiress knew about the ‘pure condition’ Chase was in. The Vampires thought of teasing him. She started with a wicked smile.

“First it starts with a kiss,”

Chase as usual, didn’t have a clue to what was going on. But he started to suspect when the Vampiress kissed him again. And she didn’t stop this time. He could only blink his eyes rapidly.

“Then, we move on to touch.”

When her hands slid by his stomach, Chase jumped backward. His small brown eyes grew wide. She stopped.

“But I haven’t got to ‘intimate’ part yet,” she joked.

He got up and started to change the topic.

“Well, look at the time! I have homework to do. See ya!”

He ran back inside and she laughed hysterically. She had a good laugh indeed. It wasn’t everyday she gets to spook him.

“Silly human!”

She said to herself.

“But adorable.”

Then something bugged her. The things Tara had told her were true.

“Sister, do not let this one go. He’s the one for you,” begged Tara.

“What a thing to say when you kissed him.”

“How could have I avoided him? He was so charming.”

“Charming? You’re calling him charming? Really?”

“Sister, I know you. You wouldn’t take him in if you didn’t like him in the first place. He does have an appealing side, doesn’t he?”

Yvonne kept quiet. She didn’t want to comment.

“Win his heart. And I’m sure he’ll bring you happiness. He already has. Anyway, you’ve got competition.”

The word ‘competition’ attracted Yvonne alright. She was threatened.

“Who? You?”

Tara laughed.

“I will be your competition if you let him go. But as the time being, a girl in his school is.”

***