My Apocalypse Mate

1- BRAVE (Laura)

      Today is a sad day. It has been 2 years since I last saw someone alive. By alive I mean anyone who hasn’t been bitten or killed by a vampire. Standing in the top of the lighthouse, feeling the light breeze on my skin and staring at the beautiful sunset, I can almost forget the tragedies of the last 36 months. But they happened, and there was nothing anyone could have done.

        Almost three years ago, some people got sick and started to attack everyone and suck their blood. It was a bloodbath, literally. Those who were totally drained died, while those who still had a little blood in their system became like their attackers. Quickly, my state’s human population were reduced drastically, while the vampire population grew larger and stronger. In three days, the cities were empty as the few survivors fled to the woods, to the countryside and to the coast. After a year or so of manhunt, most of the vampires left the state, as there wasn’t much ‘food’ anymore. I have strong reasons to believe that the entire country or even the world is suffering from the same evil.

        The day it all begun I was 22 years old, and I watched my adoptive parents getting killed right before my eyes. I fought with the monsters that came after me and ran to the woods, where I hid for almost a year. I didn’t encounter any friends or colleagues or family anymore. I think they are all dead as well. Or perhaps they were turned. I miss every single one of them.

        You must be wondering how I was able to escape and remain unharmed all this time. I have a little secret that I have been keeping since the age of 16, when I discovered I wasn’t exactly human. You can imagine how surprised and scared I was when on my birthday someone talked to me in my head. The weird voice said that I am something called a werejaguar, and she, the voice, was Andrômeda, my animalistic other half. Since that day I used to visit the woods at night, and I learned how to shift, run, hunt, climb and fight in my animal form. Considering I am still alive, those training days came to be extremely useful.

        The only problem was that I have never met anyone with that kind of ability. Sure, I have always heard stories about vampires, fairies, mermaids, werewolves, etc. But, so far, only vampires were true. I wonder if, in the current circumstances, it would be more or less likely to encounter someone like me.

        The only people that I knew that could tell me something about me are dead. Yes, those would be my parents. They were killed in an armed robbery when I was little, and I have lived with my adoptive family since then, until they also died. My new parents were really nice to me, but I have never connected that much with them. Later I found out that my animal personality could have been interfering with my human life, as jaguars are solitary, independent, territorialist beings. And, of course, all the things I have been through made me the way I am.

         For two years now, I have lived in an island called Ilha do Mel. It means Honey Island in Portuguese. Yes, Portuguese. I have lived in Brazil since always, more specifically in the state of Paraná. The minute I found out that vampires wouldn’t cross water without a boat, I saw that this was an advantage I had to get. I used to come to this island a lot with both my families, and I knew it would be the perfect place to hide properly. Much better than keep running in the woods, constantly looking over my shoulder. Obviously, I still have to be careful, but the island isn’t very big, which means I can smell any trespassers, and looking out for boats isn’t that difficult.

        Everyday, in the second half of the afternoon, I come to the lighthouse and stare at the horizon for a few hours. I really don’t know if I am expecting something, but Andrômeda urges me to look out and seek… anything. But apart from the breathtaking sunsets, we haven’t had any luck. I really don’t know what she is expecting, but she feels some pull she can’t ignore. I just let it be, since it makes her feel better.

        It’s already dark now, and it’s time to head back. I walk down the stairs of the lighthouse, open the door and step outside. I am now in the top of a cliff, from where I can see the entire island. Even in the nights with no moon, I am still able to see very well, one of the perks of being part animal. Far away, in the other side of the long beach, I see my objective: an ancient fort, that dates back to a few years before the Brazilian Empire Era. I look down the cliff. Taking a deep breath, I jump and land in the vegetation at the ground. In my place now stands a huge jaguar, with glowing green eyes and sharp teeth and claws. My fur is one of a kind, since its color depends on the light. The closer to midnight darkness, the darkest it looks, while the closer to midday light, it turns bright golden with those black patterns typical of Brazilian jaguars. Let the truth be said, Andrômeda is beautiful, powerful and dangerous. ‘I know you love me’, she says in my head. I chuckle, but she is right. She has been the only real company I had for a long time.

        Together as one, we run along the beach, splashing sand and water, having fun while stretching our muscles. I love to feel her power, speed and strength surrounding me, and everyday she overcomes her own limits, becoming even more intimidating to anyone who would dare to invade our territory.

        In ten minutes, we reach our destination. The ancient fort was built above the natural rock formations of the island, with another cliff being the back ‘wall’. The other sides were constructed with stones. The construction was still very solid when I arrived, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough to stop any supernatural attacks. Since I have a degree in engineering, I made my mission, then, to enhance and equip the fort to be specifically anti-vampire. My work is mostly done, but I still have some arrangements left to do. I know it’s possible that I’m found someday, and I want to be prepared.

        I jump the walls using a suspended platform I made for myself. It’s the only way in apart from the secret passage, which I refrain from using and leading the way to anyone, and the front door, which I never open. When I get inside the walls and shift back to human, I retract the platform, leaving the fort impenetrable. I then head to the soldier’s quarters, where I made quite a comfy room for myself, with pillows, blankets, a table and other stuff I brought from the island village. On the wall there’s a mirror hanging, above a bowl with some water inside. I walk in their direction and splash the water in my face, refreshing me and cleaning some of the sweat. Looking up to the mirror, I stare at myself. I have very dark eyes, tanned skin and blond hair. You can say that I am pretty, but my expression holds too many emotions, most of them from the losses, loneliness and stress. I look angry, sad and brave at the same time. It’s a scary sight. Good.

        After a moment, I quit the mirror, change into clean clothes, grab my favorite dagger and head to the fort dungeon. I don’t need any light, but I light up and grab the torch outside the dungeon door, anyway. I take a deep breath and walk in. It’s time to take a look at my prisoner.