Eleven

      Shannon and Kevin dragged the dead bull elk to the house where Glen and Jamie gratefully accepted it. They set about cutting up the flesh into long strips which they placed on a rack Glen had made just for drying the meat. One of the downstairs bedrooms they put to use for drying the meat at night to keep it away from the predators and so as not to draw predators to the house. They also discovered just like with so many of the other animals the hair on the elk that looked spikey and hard was actually really soft.

      After they delivered the meat the two vampires slipped into the forest. “Let's run and stretch out our legs.” Shannon suggested. Kevin was agreeable. They took of running fast and swiftly through the surrounding forest. The thrill of just running as fast as they could was powerful and exhilarating. They leaped into trees then back down to the forest floor again. Shannon laughed at the pure fun of this overwhelming feeling of freedom. They leaped over boulders and fallen trees. They came to a roaring river and didn't hesitate but leaped. It felt like flying to Shannon and she let out a wild whoop as she sailed over the river and landed on the far side. It was no small river. Seconds later Kevin landed beside her. They'd covered miles of wild forest land and decided to halt their carefree flight through the forest beside the river. They paused by a small stream that fed into the river and both vampires noticed small silver metallic rainbow fish darting about beneath the shallow waters of a small pool that was part of the stream.

     Neither vampire was tired. It just felt good to them to stretch their legs and move quickly, to experience first hand their strengths.

     “We should look for some of the Elite around here. Find their burrows and pull them out. Make them face the monsters they made. I want to deliver to them their Judgement Day.” Shannon said. She leaned against a tree trunk while Kevin was stretched out on the mossy forest floor. The roar of the river and gurgling of the stream were backdrops for their conversation. Little birds twittered in the underbrush.

     “That sounds like a cool idea. I'd like to feast on human blood.”

     “You can have all their blood you want. I'd try it. I'm a blood sucker who's never fed on a human.”

     “You'll like it.”

     “It's not addictive, is it?”

     “Don't be concerned. It's not. We're blood suckers but not like in books and movies. I'm sure you already know that.” Kevin said.

     Shannon smiled, “I do know we're not like vampires in the books and such. And I'm glad we don't get addicted to human blood once we've tasted it. I don't ever want to be in a situation where I'd even consider hurting my human family.”

     “You notice yet that they're changing in a serious way?”

     “Yes. The kids are getting stronger and healthier. So are Glen and Jamie. They even look healthier, younger.” Shannon said. “It must be that their changes take much longer to happen than the changes for the rest of us did by what ever the government people released into the world. I'm certain it was by design.”

     “Me too. It could be the nanotechnology changing them. I read about it before all this happened. It could effect change on a cellular or DNA level.”

     “That sounds like little computers.” Shannon said.

     “Something like that. I read about it way back then so can't recall all the details now. These nano things go into the body and alter it. It was put in food, water and cosmetics and stuff. I'm sure it was put into the air too. Chem trails and all.”

     “Yeah. I remember the chem trails. The governments around the world poisoning their people from the air. Lots of people didn't want to believe and now look at our world.” Shannon paused a moment then said, “I wonder what happened to all the people. There were so few when I woke after the bombs fell. I never saw dead bodies everywhere either. Just Flesh Eaters wandering about mostly.”

     Kevin made a little noise then said, “Probably vaporized. You know, instantly evaporated in the radiation heat wave. Nothing left. We could conclude that they didn't get infected so there was nothing there to keep them alive and going. They weren't altered but killed instead. That's my way of thinking anyway. The Elitist wanted to reduce the human population by something like....oh, I don't know, 50 million or billion or more. Look at the world they've got to control now.”

     “You're probably right. Makes sense.” She stepped away from the tree. “We should start hunting for the hidey holes of our local politicians now. Right away. I'm eager to get revenge.”

     Kevin leaped to his feet. “Okay. We should be able to sniff them out no matter how far underground they ferreted themselves.”

     Shannon laughed, “Yup. Their activities underground and the stench of their bodies should be permeating the area, around the opening to their lairs. With the stench of their presence being so powerful they just can't hide.”

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

The story is heading into a new direction. I like it. I like the finding of the new odor. I look forward to see where you are taking the story. Thank you for the excellent chapter.
Coyote

[Coyote Song]

Good chapter. Good dialogue. We get further into the head of Shannon and see what she is like on an even deeper level. She's a very likable character and keeps reader returning to see her and what she is up to now.

[Tina Kline]

Thanks!

[Craig2591]

I like the way you introduce facts of the story to the reader through the two characters' conversation. It's much more interesting that way than just explaining things straightforward.

[Tina Kline]

Thank you very much!

[Star Wolf]

Parts of this are chilling and others are very understandable for the need of revenge. It's good to see how concern Shannon is in regards to her human family's safety, even from her.

[Black Cat Fever]

Another interesting chapter. This story is well worth reading.

[Wolf's Dark Song]

Yes, revenge is sweet and full of tasty human blood for them. Looking forward to more of your story.

[Eric Cox]

Cool and interesting chapter. Excellent work.