1-3
1278 Words
“Because you’re that much older?” I asked.
He smirked. “I’m ancient.”
“How old are you?” asked Melody.
Slade was silent for several seconds and then rubbed the back of his neck. “Let’s just say I’ve been around long enough to witness plenty of unnecessary bloodshed. Most of it through wars that you’ve read about in history books.”
Melody chuckled. “Wow, you really must be old.”
“Like I said before. Ancient.”
“Well, you don’t look much older than us,” I said.
“That’s because I can’t age physically.”
“That would be awesome,” sighed Melody. “To never grow old.”
“It’s a curse. Hell, I’d gladly go back to being mortal if I could. You can’t imagine how exhausting and depressing it is to live this long and watch others around you... die.”
“So, you weren’t born a vampire?” I asked, surprised.
“No.”
“Were you forced into it?” asked Melody.
He didn’t reply and there was a tense silence.
“Slade, how did it happen?” I pressed, intrigued.
“To be honest, it’s something I’d rather not talk about,” he answered gruffly. He turned on the radio. “Let’s find a hotel so you girls can sleep, and I can find out what’s happening with Liam and the others.”
“Great idea,” said Melody. “I’d love a shower, too. Find a place that has those soft, fluffy robes, will you?”
“I’ll do my best. Is there anything else?” he replied.
“A room with a Jacuzzi would be totally awesome, and ... a mini bar? But, don’t go out of your way to make it happen, Slade,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes a little. “I mean, unless you don’t mind going out of your way? I would assume you’re used to staying at places that offer those kinds of amenities.”
He glanced at her. “A mini bar? How old are you?”
“Old enough,” she said, grinning mischievously.
“I doubt it.”
Her smile fell. “Hey, after everything I’ve been through, I could use a stiff drink.”
“She’s eighteen,” I said. “Barely.”
Melody turned around and smiled coldly. “He wasn’t asking you.”
“I know and that’s why I told him the truth,” I replied, smiling back.
She sighed and turned around. “You’re such a buzzkill.”
“To be honest, Melody, drinking alcohol isn’t going to help the situation and, in fact, you need to stay focused,” he answered. “So I suggest both of you get some sleep so you’re on your game tomorrow.”
“On our game?” repeated Melody. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it – the danger isn’t over and you’re going to need all of your wits about you. Faye wants you dead. We’ve left Shore Lake, but they could find us. ”
“You’re going to protect us, right?” asked Melody, wide-eyed.
“I’ll take you somewhere safe and help you locate your family, if they’re still alive. After that, you’re on your own,” he answered.
“What do you mean, we’re on our own?” she balked. “You can’t be serious!”
“We’re going back to Europe,” he said. “The band, that is.”
“What do we do once you’re gone?” she replied, looking back at me and then over to him again. “Neither Chelsey or I have any money. We don’t know where to go. We’ll be screwed.”
I reached forward and touched her shoulder. “Hey, Melody, don’t worry about it. We’ll figure it out.”
“Figure it out? Are you kidding?!” she replied shrilly. “What do you think we’re going to do once he abandons us? It’s not like we can protect ourselves against something like Faye and those... Roamers.”
“We’ll go to the FBI,” I said. “They’ve got to help us. We’ll tell them everything and make them help us.”
“I wouldn’t. I’m sure the FBI is aware of what’s been happening. Hell, they’ll more than likely lock you away to keep you from talking, or worse...” said Slade.
“Worse? You mean they’d kill us?” I asked.
“That’s very possible. We are classified information. Hell, the majority of the people running the government now are immortals or linked to one of us. They’ll definitely want to keep their real identities from going public.”
“I guess that doesn’t surprise me,” I mumbled, feeling hopeless. “Having that kind of power and strength, of course they’d be the ones running things.”
“Yes, so the best thing you can do is not talk about any of this and just... start over,” he said.
“Easy for you to say,” replied Melody. “You’re rich, you know people. You don’t even have to hide. But us... we’re probably going to have to live on the streets until we figure out what to do.”
He was silent for a few minutes and then gave us another option. “You’re welcome to fly to Europe with us. I’m sure we can find you a place to stay. Maybe even a job.”
“Really?” Her face lit up. “You’d let us come with you?”
“If it keeps you off the streets, yes. I’m not that much of an asshole.”
She turned back to me, her eyes twinkling. “Did you hear that, Chelsey? We’re going to Europe!”
I stared at her in alarm.
Had she already given up on our family?
“Not me. Thanks for the offer, Slade, but there is no way in hell I’m flying out of the country.”
“Chelsey, think about it,” argued my cousin. “We really don’t have a choice.”
“Yes, we do. Look, Slade, if you really want to help us, you’ll find our parents. After that, we’ll be out of your hair.”
“My boys are already working on it.”
“Good,” I replied. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
We drove for miles in silence. After a while, Slade turned up the stereo just as the song, She Will Be Loved began to play, by Maroon Five. I closed my eyes and listened to the lyrics, my eyelids growing heavy. Then Slade’s phone began to ring.
“Yeah,” he said, answering it. Someone spoke on the other end and a few seconds later, he swore under his breath.
Melody looked at me.
“Okay. Yeah, I guess I’ll have to,” said Slade, not sounding happy. “See you soon.”
“Was that Liam?” I asked after he hung up.
He tossed his phone on the dashboard. “Yep.”
“Did he have news?” I asked, holding my breath.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush. He found out what happened to your family, Chelsey,” he said in a somber tone.
My stomach clenched into a tight fist. I could barely breathe. I didn’t want him to say the words. The ones that would make it real.
“Well?” asked Melody, not yet getting it. “What did he say?”
He let out a ragged sigh. “I guess there’s no easy way to say it... They are all dead.”
- Writer
