Vamp Wars: Chapters 10-16

 

                 Chapter 10

                   By the time I got to the cottage, I was way out of breath from running so far. I opened the door and slowly staggered in, putting all the stuff on the table. Alex was sitting there and he took one look at me. “What the Hell happened to you Ana?” He asked. I looked at him with evil eyes. “I got attacked my some crazy freak in the cemetery! What do you think happened?”

               He walked over to see what the damage was. “Well, the cuts don’t look to bad, but that’s not the point. I hate people who attack my girlfriend! Did this thing bite you by any chance? It doesn’t matter anyway, because when I find whoever did this to you, they are really going to die.” I shook my head. “No, they just scratched me a lot. They did try to bite me though.” One thing going through my head though was, what if they were already dead? It could be possible, couldn’t it?

                  “Do you know who it was? You just don’t know how angry I am right now!” I nodded. I knew exactly who it was. I saw the nails, but only backwards and they said ‘Nairb.’ “Alex, it was Briana. I’m sorry, but it really was.”

          Alex nodded. “I guess when she said she was going to kill you, she really ment she would kill you. You can no longer go out. I’m sorry.” My eyes grew wide with anger. “I can not spend even one day in a house without going outside.”

             Alex took this in to consideration. “Okay. You can only leave if I go with you. Unless I’m with you, you stay here.” I guessed that was the final word.

             We ate our dinners in silence. I put my head down so I didn’t have to see Alex eat. I took three carrots from the bag and started to chew them. I wasn’t a big fan of eating. It was a cheerleader thingy to be thin. Finally Alex broke in to conversation.

      “So, any new in town about your mom? What are people saying?” I shook my head. “Everyone thinks I killed her. They all say, ‘wow! That is a cheerleader gone mad,’ or ‘Anastasia was so nice, I can’t believe she killed her mom.’ It was horrible.” I got up and put the carrots in my bag.

    “Aren’t you going to have any more, Ana? We may have a long night tonight.” Alex asked, also finishing up. “I don’t eat a lot if anything, Alex. What do you mean a long night?” He came over to me. “It’s just a feeling. Hey, maybe nothing will happen.” I always trusted Alex when he was alive. Why not now?

                   Chapter Ten

             Alex and I left about an hour later. During that hour we did whatever. First, we dyed my hair with the black dye I had bought, then, even though I may never go back to school or cheerleading, I decided that I wanted to do some practice cheers. Alex sat and watched me put all my energy into the cheers. I did his favorite one first.

                  “Go Tigers, Lets go!

                    Go for the goal!

                     I say, let’s go, the Tigers,

                    Straight to the goal!

                     Come on!”

             In it were some flips; cartwheels, and one flip in the sky. Then after about twenty cheers in a row non-stop, Alex thought it was a good time to go.

               While we walked through the cemetery, we saw people; yes actual live people, gathered around a grave weeping over a lost one. “Alex, I’m going to go see what happened.” There was a very old pastor, so I was assuming that it was a funeral, {if the weeping hadn’t already pointed that out!}

           “We will all wish Miss Xaiou Caroline Ryan luck and hope our Father in Heaven takes her as his child. We pray you look over the missing girl Anastasia Maria Caroline Ryan and look over the horrible deed she hath done, bringing her forth……..”

             Wow, I thought, Mama’s funeral. I stayed, hoping to listen to the rest of the funeral. “Xaiou Caroline was born to Maria and Xavier Carter in 1972. She married Marc Richardson Ryan who died the day the two’s only daughter Anastasia Maria Caroline Ryan was born, fourteen years ago. She was a house wife, yet spread joy to every person in the town……….” Alex came next to me.

             “What is it?” He asked in a low voice. “Mama’s funeral.” I answered. “Do you have somewhere to go?” To my surprise, Alex nodded. “Yeah. My friend, Jedediah wants me to meet him somewhere. Stay near me though. He’s not a very nice person to strange people. C’mon.” He took my hand and dragged me off.

                  “Wait, Alex. Shouldn’t I just stay at the cottage?” Alex held me closer as we walked. “No, don’t worry. He won’t harm you, I’ll make sure of that. Just be cautious, don’t act afraid and please don’t wander off. If I can’t hold your hand, you’ve wondered off.”

            We walked for a half hour, stopping at a grave tomb. “Well, where is he?” I asked. Alex moved back, taking me with him. “He lives underground. It takes him awhile to dig.”

            Alex and I stood there for a while, Alex telling me what to do and what not to do. “Don’t be the first one to talk. Don’t give anything away that you are a mortal. To him you’re a weak, mere mortal. To him your also dinner.” Finally, we heard scratching at the earth and there stood a boy either a year older or our age.

           Alex walked over and did a handshake thing. “Hey Al, How’ve you been? I can’t remember the last time I got out of there!” Jedediah was tall with brown hair and hazel eyes. He wore a black torn tux.

             “Hey Jed! I’m all right. Wow, you look good for being in that coffin for so long.” Alex said, putting his arm around my waist. “This is my girl, Ana.” Jedediah nodded. “Yeah, Ana, right. Anyways, Alex, I need to get something to drink.” He looked around anxiously. “I saw some people at a grave site when we were coming up.” Alex said.

               My first thought was, why would Alex do that? They were all worshipping Mama. Then I remembered that we were supposed to cover up the fact I was human, and walked with the guys to Mama’s grave.

                        Chapter 11                  

                When we got there, I saw that there was only my family there. “Ana, could you go get someone for me?” Jedediah asked as nicely as he could. I went over to a person who turned out to be a guy. “Excuse me sir, could you please help me? I think I lost my cat over there.” I asked. The guy got up and turned around. It was Uncle Jon. “Sure young lady.” He answered with a smile.

               I led him behind the tree Jedediah was behind. When Jedediah attacked, the last words I heard from Jon was, “Is this a joke?” I turned around so that nobody would see me cry. It was enough that Mama died, but now I lost my favorite uncle too. Alex came and gave me a hug. No matter what the situation, he always made me feel better. Jed came behind us.

        “So, when did you start hanging out with mortals, Al?” My eyes widened. “How did you-----?“ Alex started. Jedediah shrugged. “It doesn’t matter how the Hell I knew. I don’t even care. This cute mortal looks strong enough. Don’t worry. I can feel that she is really you girlfriend, but why does she prowl around with vampires? She looks more like she dances with preps.”

                    “Why don’t you ask her yourself, Jed? Ana has a voice. She can speak.” Jedediah looked towards my way. “Well?” He asked. “I dated Alex for years before he died and I won’t let death take him away from me.” I said. Then I quickly added, “Mama thinks it would be good protection too.” Jedediah nodded. “Exactly!” He exclaimed. “Protection! Why else would a mortal try to hang with vampires and get close to them?”

                  “Jed, stop. I want to protect her and Ana’s not like that at all. I don’t think she’s a normal mortal anyway. She’s too cute.” Alex said. I blushed. He always said things that made me blush. “She’s going to help tonight.” He put in. “What kind of protection, Al?” Jedediah asked. “Oh, halfies and the ‘Group of Four.’ Nothing much.” Alex said. Jed spat on the ground. “I hate halfies.” He said. I looked at Alex. “Help?” I asked. He nodded and we kept walking.

               “Alex, what am I going to help with?” Jedediah sighed. “How much does she know, Al?” Alex shrugged. “That we were coming to see you and hang out. I was going to go to details soon.”

                   “When? When we got there and there were other vampires around her? Geez! I guess I have to tell her then.” He turned to me, walking backwards. “We are having two wars very soon and we, meaning the vampires, get together and hunt witches. First we are fighting halfies, the half vampires and we move on to witches.”

                 “Why fight against witches. They don’t cause harm.” I said. Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. “They take things and do experiments on them. They have killed so many of our people, it pains me.” I looked at Jedediah and saw anger in his eyes. We were coming up to a group of vampires, ghosts and goblins gathered around one gravestone where another vampire was making and obviously important speech.

             “Tonight we gather ‘till the sun comes up to capture witches and do to them what they have done to us! Tonight we will kill and conquer. Fear and tremble, because we are all out to get you!” there was a loud rupture of laughter and everyone started to break into groups.

            Chapter 12

               Jedediah, Alex, and I held each other’s hands until we were out of that part of the area. “Now we look around for the witches.” Jedediah said with a grin. “Are you sure they are out tonight?” I asked. Alex nodded, looking around. “They are out every night. “ I also looked around, not sure exactly what we were looking for.

            “Looking for me?” A voice said. We turned to where we heard the voice. There stood a beautiful witch. “Not you exactly.” Alex said. “But you will do.” The witch cackled. “You think I would come alone?” She had a point. Then we saw three other witches appear.

             “Ok, Ana, you take the closest one to you. Kendyl. Alex, you take Mary, and I’ll take Madison. Whoever finish’s first can get Charlene.” We all went our ways; me standing in front of the witch that first spoke and appeared.

                    “Hello!” I said. I tried to be friendly. She came after me, knocking me down. “Yeah, hey to you too!” I got up, but she knocked be back down. “Stop! Why do you guys have to be against us?” I asked. She grabbed my hair and lifted me up. “You better stop little girl! You’re really getting on my nerves.”

           “Alex! Hand me my bag!” I called. Alex was dancing around from beating Mary. “Alex! Bag! Now! Please!” I called. Kendyl tugged my hair harder and harder. Alex finally paid attention to me. “Hey, yeah, Alex, you can take your time. I’m just hanging around.”

              I thought personally that all I needed was the bag, but Alex thought differently. He looked through the bag and pulled out a knife. “Here Ana, catch!” He threw the knife and I caught it. I plunged it through the witches’ leg. Kendyl let go of me and I fell.

              “I’ve got you!” Alex cried, catching me just before I got to the ground. “Thank you, Alex.” I said. He put me down and hugged me. Charlene came over to us storming mad with Jedediah next to us. “You hurt my sister little girl!” She yelled. I nodded. “Yeah, and what if I did?” She laughed.” You will feel my wrath!” She said. She put her arms in the air saying a bunch of different words and then disappeared.

                I walked off, leaving Jedediah and Alex behind. “Ana, where are you going?” Jedediah asked. I turned to him. “I am going to an orphan home! I do not belong here!” I turned around and then it went black.

                    Chapter 13

               When I woke up, I saw Jedediah. “Hey.” He said, carrying me. I coughed a bit. “Hey Jedediah. Where is Alex?” He shrugged. “He’ll be at the house soon. He wants us to meet him there.” I nodded and coughed a bit more. This time when I looked at my hand, there were little drops of blood.

                 We got to the house a few minutes later and Jedediah put me down on Alex’s coffin’s top. “How do you feel?” He asked, feeling my face and forehead. “Like I want to die.” I said with a smile. I think the first time I said it, he took it literally, because I saw fear in his eyes. Probably wondering what Alex would say if I said ‘I wanna die,’ to him.

                   “Just stay there until Alex comes back.” I listened to him. I didn’t want to move anyway. My throat hurt and every time I coughed, more and more blood came out. All of my bones hurt, too. I lay there until I heard the door open then slam shut, then I just bolted upright and saw Alex kneeled next to me.

          “Are you alright Ana? Oh my God! They better not have hurt you…” I put my hand up. “Alex, I’m alright. Just don’t come near me. You may get sick.” Alex giggled. “That’s the only thing I like about death is that we can’t get sick.” He too felt my burning up fore head. I <again> coughed up more blood.

          Alex stormed up from his feet and started bashing his hand on the table really hard, cursing. “Oh my f*****g God! They put a f*****g curse on Ana! I am going to tear those b*****s limb from limb!” I got up, staggering in attempt to walk to Alex. “No Alex. This can’t bring you to violence! It may bring you to anger, but don’t let anyone, anything, or any situation bring you to terrible violence. I don’t need you to go to violence!”

          He looked me in the eyes. “Your right Ana. The only bad thing is that we are within violence with them already.” I hugged him. “Don’t make it worse than it will be.” I warned him. “Don’t worry, Hon,” He said reassuringly.

                 For the next two hours we did whatever. Alex and Jedediah talked and discussed about the next move and I did some more cheers. No matter what, I knew I would always be the spirit of the group.

              Finally, we all decided to go to sleep. “Jedediah, aren’t you going to go to your coffin?” Jedediah shook his head. “No, Al said that I could use his spear coffin.” I coughed and nodded. “Ok. I was just wondering.” Then there was a knock at the door.

                “Jed, put Ana in my coffin! Quickly!” Alex said in a near whisper. Jedediah opened the coffin and gently put me in. “Try not to cough, Ana.” Jedediah pleaded. “Ok Jedediah.” There was another knock at the door and Alex opened the door and Jedediah closed the top.

             “Hey Alex, Jedediah!” A too familiar voice said. Briana! “Hey Briana. What did you come here for?” Briana gave a hard shrivel laugh. “We wanted to come and see why you left early and who the black haired girl was that you were with.”

          “Nobody, Briana. Just some random girl we found. She’s safe at home now and you can’t hurt her.”

           “Was it a girl that I already know?” Briana asked. “NO! NOW GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I PUT A METAL STAKE THROUGH YOUR EVIL HEART!” Jedediah screamed. Briana snorted. “I don’t care anyway.” She said, then the door closed and I came out.

             “I still don’t understand why she hates me so much. I didn’t do anything to hurt her. It’s the total opposite.” I said to Alex. “I know. She just doesn’t have a heart.” Jedediah put his fist in the air in agreement. “Here, here Brother! Got no heart at all and will be the first to die in the battle!” I laughed. This was the time that I realized that I enjoyed hanging with vampires.

           “Time for some beautiful sleep.” Alex said. “You go on first Ana.” I stepped in the coffin, just seeing Jedediah pulling the entrance to the attic down. “See you two people in the morning.” He said as he climbed up. “See ya later Jedediah!” I said as happily as I could. Then I went to sleep with Alex beside me and his arms around me. “Goodnight my sweet.” He whispered. I smiled. Nobody can really describe it, but to be loved that much is so comforting, knowing they will always be there for you when you need it the most. Especially in the worst situations, then we went to sleep. I couldn’t wait to see what we were going to do tomorrow.

     

                           Chapter 11

 “Alex, why does Jedediah hate halfies so much?” I asked. “Because of what happened when he was younger.” Alex explained. “He had a younger sister, in his time. Her name was Belle and she was really beautiful from what I heard. Some girls that turned out to be halfies were angry with Belle and lured her to the girls’ lavatory. One of the girls pulled out a gun and shot her three times. Jed wasn’t able to save Belle, because he was still alive and not a vampire. That’s the difference between Jed and I. I will be able to protect you, Ana. I love you now just as I loved you then.” I nodded my head and fell asleep.

 

                        Knock knock. “Alex! Anastasia! C’mon, wake up! It’s almost eight!” Jedediah had been doing this for six minutes before we actually decided to get up.   

              We got out of the coffin and saw Jedediah with the most bed head I have ever saw in my life. “Have you ever heard of a comb, Jedediah?” I asked, laughing. He felt his hair and then laughed along with me. Alex was just looking around, probably not getting the joke. I went to my bag, got out my hairbrush and handed it to Jedediah. “Thanks, Ana. I need this.” I just smiled.

                “So, where are we headed today?” I asked excitedly. Jedediah shook his head. “You may not be as excited when you hear it.” Alex said. “I am sorry to say that we are doing the same thing as yesterday.” All my happiness went out at once. “A……are you serious?” Jedediah nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t think your coming.”

               “Oh no! I am not letting Ana stay here. This is the first place they will come to get her. She’s coming!” Alex said, holding my hand. “Alex! She will only cause trouble for us!” Jedediah yelled. This dragged me into it. “Excuse me! SHE has a name!”

                We all stormed out of the house silently, me in between Jedediah and Alex, them holding each of my hands. “Ow! Jedediah! That hurts! Your squeezing my hand way to hard!” Jedediah let go of my hand a bit. “Sorry, Ana. Didn’t mean to hurt you.”

               “Its ok.” I said. We walked around the graveyard and went down to the park. “Are you guys sure that they would come this far?” I asked. Alex stopped and closed his eyes. “Shush for a second!” Jedediah scolded me. I sat down on the ground and watched Alex.

               After about six minutes, Alex opened his eyes. “Their here.” He said. I stood up and the three of us looked around. “Oh come oh come where ever you are you whichy twits!” Jedediah called out. “Jed! Stop! If they don’t want to come----.”

                 “What do you mean ‘if they don’t want to come’? Of course we want to come. It has to deal with killing little brain less kids!” Charlene said, laughing. “Ana, get behind me!” Alex said to n me, pulling my am, forcing me to stand behind him.

               Jedediah looked my way. “Ana, do you have anything helpful in your little bag?” he asked. I rolled my eyes. “Depends what you want. I can give you a sharp object or a metal banger.” He thought for a second. “A banger. It may be easier.”

              I gave him a brass knuckle and turned to Alex. “What now?” I saw that Charlene had brought not only a few friends, but about ten to thirteen. “We fight.” Alex said. I opened my bag and got out a pocketknife. “I got my weapon. Jed has his too. Alex, what are you going to use?” I asked. He looked at me. “Besides common scene? What do you have?” I looked through my bag and pulled out a small sword. “Here, this shall do you good.” I said and handed it to Alex. “Thanks.”    

                  Alex put his full body in front of me. “Alex! I won’t be able to help if you block me and you can’t really fight if your busy protecting me.” Jedediah was already fighting two witches. “Hello! Any help please?” Alex looked at Jedediah then me. “Fight, but be careful.” I coughed then looked at him. “This isn’t the BIG war yet. I can manage.” He went over to help Jedediah and I faced fear.

                          Chapter 14

                   “Little girl! I'm waiting!” Charlene called. I looked at her and the other six witches she had to go against me. “I really don’t think we need to fight.” I said, trying to avoid any harm to anyone.

              Charlene gave a little nod and all the witches came flying at me at the same time in many different ways. Two grabbed my arms and two my legs. The ones that grabbed my arms made me drop the pocketknife. “Let me go!” I yelled. “Alex!” I saw that Alex looked up and freaked out. “Charlene! Tell them to let her go! She did nothing to you!” he yelled.

              “Oh she did. She hurt my dear sister. Now she will be taken to our boss and probably be tortured to the death. We’ll send you the body.” I was lifted into the air. The last thing I saw was Alex on his knees, begging them to bring me back and Jedediah behind him, threatening the witches and trying to calm Alex down.

                Tears streamed down my face as I was taken into a little tree and thrown onto the floor. “Hello?” I called, but I seemed to be alone. Or at least I thought I was until I heard a call back. “What is your name?” I stood up and looked around. “My name is Ana Maria. Where am I?”

                 I saw a young woman step from behind a large door. “You are at a witch’s lab. A place where everyone belongs.” She came near me and touched my face. “So pretty. I’ll hate to see you die.” I slapped her hand from my face.

                      “What do you mean die?” She gave an evil laugh. “Anyone taken to here is tested on and tortured until they die.” She gave a whistle and two trolls came behind me. The witch looked at a chart. “You look like one of our youngest.” She looked to the trolls. “Take her to the room with Pat and Marisa.”

                   They grabbed me roughly and threw me into a bright white room with two other girls. One of the girls was short with brown-black hair and the other girl was tall with red hair and pale skin. The tall one was the first to talk.

                 “Hi! My name is Marisa. This here, she’s Pat.” She said. “What’s yours?” I thought if I should tell her. “My name? It’s not really important.” She bent down next to me. “Any name is important.” She told me. I sighed. “Fine! If you need to know, my name is Ana Maria. Now leave me alone!”

                 That was the last time I spoke to anyone. The past three weeks after that was hell. They cut random parts of my body, tested my blood, stuck tubes clear though my skin, burned me so much that my hair was all sooty, and cut parts of my eyes out. All this with the occasional (or mostly I should say) beating with random objects. I always sat in a small corner doing absolutely nothing but crying, praying that Alex would come. By the second week, all my hope was lost.

               I fell seriously ill the first day of the third week, but that didn’t stop anyone. It actually made them torture me worse. Finally though, something happened.

                Chapter 15

                One day the ‘hospital’, as they called it, was attacked by the witches’ worst enemy. I was just sitting in my little corner, being very sick, and the door burst open. Marisa and Pat jumped up at the sight of the person. Alex. Yes, after all my hope and dignity was lost, Alex came.

             “Girls!” He yelled. “Come on! We are bailing you all out!” Pat ran over to me and tried to pick me up. Alex walked next to us. “Who’s this?” he asked, looking at me. “Her name is Ana. She has had it the worst here, and she never talks. They keep trying to kill her, but she wont die,” Marissa said. Alex painfully picked me up and looked on my neck where two faint wholes were. “Ana,” he whispered, hugging me. He carried me out where there was many people running and screaming. Alex handed me over to another person. “Here, take her! You and Ana get out, okay Jed?” Jedediah took me gently and ran out as fast as he could until we came to the far away cottage. He put me on the floor and looked at me.

           “Is it really you Ana?” he asked. I couldn’t talk to him though. My words have been locked up for so long, I feared they would never come again. “Ana, oh Ana, Alex has spent all this time looking for you.” I saw tears in his eyes. “Can you say anything?” I just did all I could do. Stared at him. “Maybe some other time than? Are you hurt?” I did nothing. “I can see you are,” he said. I tried to sit up, but the pain was too much to bear. It felt as though my bones where bleeding and my skin was on fire.

      It was like this for nights. I would never let Jed near me. Me saying nothing, Jedediah saying everything needed to be said. How sad Alex was, how he prayed to kill the witches, and how he will soon be back. On the tenth night Alex had indeed come home. I was in the little corner and saw the door opening with Alex there. He raced over to me and looked. “Oh Ana, you look so much better.” I turned away, too ashamed of not protecting myself better, failing him, and not being able to talk to him.

         “Ana, its me,” he said. Alex tuned to Jedediah. “Has she said anything to you?” Jedediah shook his head. “Not a word I’m afraid. She’s too scared. Of what, I am yet to find out.” Alex sighed. “Actually, Ana hasn’t even let me go that much near her,” Jedediah said. Alex nodded. “So, I suppose I should feel lucky then, huh? My human girlfriend will barley let anyone near her and I should be so lucky. I missed her so much…”  

         Jedediah walked over. “Does this mean that we are going to leave her here when we leave tomorrow?” Alex shook his head. “No. Never will I do such a horrid thing. We are taking her. Maybe Sabrina can help her.” I perked my head a bit, but then went back down. “Ana,” Alex said, “Sabrina is my cousin. She is also a vampire. Do you think you can meet her when we leave? The three of us are going to their house.” I looked at him with sorrowful eyes and shrugged.

         I spent the morning with Alex in his coffin as usual as though nothing had happened, although my whole body still ached. Night came faster than usual and we got ready to leave.

        “Ana, do you have your bag? We aren’t coming back here for awhile, if ever.” I grabbed my bag and looked at Alex. “Ready?” he asked. I gently nodded and Alex, Jedediah and I walked out, ready for a very long journey.

               Chapter 16

                We walked for at least six hours before getting to a very old two-story house. “Well, here we are,” Alex, said excitedly. I looked at the red house. I was not my kind of house. Dead looking with red paint peeling off. 

           We walked up to the font door where a tall handsome guy around the age of twenty greeted us. He had a pale face and light brown hair.

             “Hello Alex! Jedediah! How are you both?” I went next to Alex and he put his arm around my waist. “I'm good Paul. How are you? Anything new happening?” Paul shook his head. “Vanessa and Sabrina are getting more on my nerves, but that’s about it.” Paul looked at me. “And who is this?” he asked.

             “Ana. She’s here to help.” Paul nodded and studied me from top to bottom. “Cute little thing isn’t she?” he asked, coming inches from my face. Jedediah looked at him. “Back off Paul old buddy. Ana is taken.” Paul shook his head. “Of course she is. And by who else than Alex? No matter. Come on in you three. Sabrina and Vanessa have been waiting.”

              We walked in with me very close to Alex. I looked around the house and saw that the furniture had white sheets on them. I also saw two girls. One around sixteen with dark brown hair and the other girl around our age with light brown hair. The one our age spoke.

        “Alex! I'm so glad to see you,” she said, getting up to hug Alex. “Its nice to see you as well Sabrina.” Alex pulled me closer. “This is Ana. Ana, this is my 2 month younger cousin Sabrina. She is almost the same age.” I nodded at Sabrina as she looked at me. “She is all cut up and burnt…what happened?” Alex shrugged. “I don’t know.” Sabrina took my hand, but then I hid next to Alex. “Mind if I clean you up a bit?” I shook my head. She turned to Alex. “May I?” Alex nodded. “She wont talk though. I'm sure you two will be good friends.” And I was dragged off with Sabrina.