THE VAMPYRE HUNTER

Chapter Two

I made sure I was aware of the Vampyre's movements. From the corner of my eye, I saw him try to hit me like he had done when I ran out from the room.

I ran as fast as I could to the kitchen; the Vampyre reaching his hand out to hit me. At the last moment I twisted to the side, grabbed his outstretched arm and gave him a middle kick at the center of his back, startling him. I knew my kick did nothing to him but all I needed was a distraction enough to let me get the silverware. Fortunately for me, he was so startled from my kick, he froze.

I took the opportunity to run to were the dishes were kept, picked one and smashed it on the floor. The sound of the dish breaking unfroze him. He snarled at me in anger, revealing his two sharp fangs. I picked one of the broken pieces and held it firmly, waiting for him to make his move.

I've never used or turn anything into a weapon before so I had no idea how to use the broken silverware in my hand. My mom always told me to follow my instincts and that's exactly what I was going to do. The middle kick was also part of my instincts since I've never taken self defense classes before.

The Vampyre eyed the weapon in my hand and chuckled deeply. I had a feeling he didn't know the silverware was made of silver. He probably thought it was just a broken piece of a ceramic plate and that almost made me smile- almost-.

"I have to admit, I am quite impressed by that kick even though it did nothing to me; but you're quite strong for someone so clueless. I really want to do this the easy way but you're making it quite difficult and do you really think you can hurt me with that thing you're holding?. Child, you should know by now that it really isn't easy to hurt my kind. You're just wasting both of our time and being stupid so just come with me peacefully while I'm still being nice."

"No", I growled. "I'm not going anywhere with you".

The Vampyre snarled angrily and sunk into a crouch, preparing to leap at me. I held my newly made weapon tightly preparing to attack.

He leaped at me his claws jutting out, ready to tear through my flesh. I stood my ground and held out the sharp edge of the broken dish; I waited until the last minute before thrusting out my hand so the Vampyre wouldn't have time to anticipate my move and change his momentum.

My calculations were accurate. He was so fast he didn't have time to change course and he ended up impaling himself in the chest with the sharp edge of the silverware. I pushed the weapon deeper into him and watch his face twist in horror when he realized that the weapon I held was silver and not ceramic. I smiled cruelly and watched him crumble to dust.

I slumped to the floor, finally feeling the pains and exhaustion I tried not to think about. All I wanted to do was close my eyes and fall into a deep slumber never to wake up again.

I forced myself to stand and walked back to my room. I saw my mother's crumpled body on the floor and I finally broke down in tears.

"Mom", I croaked. I knew calling her name was futile, she couldn't hear me- not anymore- but I hoped, hoped that she would get up and tell me it was all a joke. I hoped that it was just a nightmare and that I would wake up to the smell of cookies, my mom humming her favorite song while drawing smiling faces on them.

I crawled over to her since I didn't have the strength to walk. I felt so weak; my entire body felt like it was on fire but I tried not to think about it.

I wrapped my arms around my mom and placed my cheek on her chest; there was no heartbeat. I let the tears fall now, feeling the anguish I tried to suppress while defending myself from the Vampyre.

My mom's body was so cold, it was like placing my hands on a block of ice. Her lips were purple and chapped, her face whiter than snow. I've never seen my mom look so pale. She was always so full of life, her skin glowing in the sun. She smelled of roses; her scent always warmed me but now she smelled of death. I could smell the decay radiating off her. Her once bright bluish-grey eyes were now empty staring into nothing. I used my fingers to gently close her eyes. I cradled her body to mine and let the tears fall.

I was faintly aware of the door downstairs opening and closing. I didn't move, didn't care if anyone saw me wrapped protectively around my mom. I would cherish every last moment I had with her before the smell became unbearable.

"Maisie", a deep unrecognizable voice called but I ignored it. I just wanted to be alone with my mother, was that too much to ask?

"Maisie", the voice called again but I still didn't respond, didn't act like I was being spoken to. I felt a light touch on my shoulder but I shrugged it off.

"Leave me alone", I sniffed. "I want to be alone".

" Maisie, we need to leave before the rest come looking for you".

I shook my head and continued cradling my mom.

I heard a soft sigh behind me.

"Maisie, your mom wouldn't want you to act like this, she would want you to survive, at least for her"

" What's the point?", I croaked still not looking up.

"I know you feel like giving up but your mom wouldn't want that, she wouldn't want you crying over her at the expense of your safety".

"You know nothing about my mom!", I yelled angrily.

I heard a soft sigh

"Actually I do, I knew your mom, way before you were born. She was once one of us". That got my attention. I raised my head and turned, blinking away tears to clear my eye sight to see who this mysterious person who knew my mom was.

He was a tall and broad man with really dark hair cropped close to the skull. He had small blue eyes that wrinkled at the side since he was smiling down at me. He skin was tanned and looked smooth; his smile revealed a dimple on his left cheek. There were three jagged scar across his face but they were starting to fade and were light pink in color.

"Hi Maisie", his smile broadened. "I'm Royce, your mother's once before best friend. It's nice to see you again after all these years. You probably don't recognize me but I knew you when you were just a baby, couldn't have been more than three months old".

His gaze flicked to my mom's body and he suddenly looked sad. "It seems I was too late, I'm so sorry Marie"

"A...re you them?", I asked. My voice husky from the tears. He gave me a confused look.

"My mom kept saying she had to take us to them that they'll protect us and take us to a safe place, so are you them?"

A knowing look flickered across his face. "Yes", he nodded for emphasis.

"So...", I sighed. "Are you here to take me to a safe place and how did you know we were in danger and where exactly do you plan on taking me and what's going to happen to my mom's... body?". I choked on the last word.

"Slow down Maisie. But to answer your first question, yes that's what I'm here for. The vampyres won't be able to get you were you'll be going. To the second one; your mom called me".

"S... she did?", I asked shocked.

He nodded. "Yes, she felt something was wrong and called me. She sounded scared so I came as fast as I could but..... I wasn't fast enough". His gaze moved back to my mom's body and he exhaled heavily.

"We'll take your mom with us, she'll be given a befitting burial since she was once one of us".

"What do you mean by 'one of you'?"

"I'll tell you on the way but we need to leave now before they come, we don't have much time. Speaking of which, what happened to the Vampyre?"

"I killed it". He opened his mouth in shock.

"Y...you killed the Vampyre after he had fed?". I nodded.

"Wow!, You're stronger than I thought. The academy could use someone like you"

" The academy?"

"Come on". He pulled me up, separating me from my mom; though I was reluctant at first. "I'll tell you all you need to know on the way".

I was in the SUV with Royce driving and three more guys who were just as tall and broad as he was. One sat in the front seat with Royce, while I sat in between the two other guys at the back. Their hairs were all cropped to the skull. The one in the front had blonde hair; the one sitting by my left had dark hair but not as dark as Royce's and the other one dyed his hair blue. Their skins were all tanned.

The one with the blonde hair name was Jake, the dark haired one was called Dan and the Blue haired one was called Sam.

"So..umm Mr. Royce"

"Just call me Royce"

"Right, Royce. About this academy you're taking me to, what type of academy is it?"

"It's a Vampyre Hunting Academy, a place were we train special kids like you...."

"I'm not special", I mumbled, cutting him off.

He chuckled but continued as if I hadn't spoken. "To hunt down and fight-to kill- vampyres"

"I've never heard of such a place"

"Well we tend to keep our dealings from unaware humans. As you've noticed not everyone believes vampyres exist, they all think it's a myth"

"I once thought they were myths too", I sighed

"Your mom never mentioned anything to you?"

"No, she didn't"

"Hmm, she really took this protection of a thing to the extreme. If she had told you about these things, things might have turned out differently, but it's too late now"

"Yeah, it is". I could feel the tears threatening to fall again but I forced them back, this wasn't the time. "Do you hunt vampyres Royce?"

"Yes I do"

"Did my....mother?"

" Yes, but she gave it up. She wanted a life that didn't involve killing, she got tired of it all. She wanted a family of her own so she fell in love and then you came. I'm surprised she was murdered so easily, your mother was one of the best Vampyre hunters, better than even me. I wish I had been able to convince her to bring you when you turned fourteen but she didn't listen. She wanted a normal life for you. I miss her so much".

"Do you think they'll accept me in this academy?", I asked trying not to dwell on his words.

"You killing a Vampyre has already earned you enough points not to add your mom being one of the best Vampyre hunters, they'll be thrilled to have you attend"

"You make my killing of a Vampyre sound like a big deal", I snorted.

" But it is Maisie. Most trained Vampyre hunters don't get to kill a Vampyre till they turn eighteen. You're sixteen and you're not even trained, yet you were able to kill a Vampyre that had just fed. Of course it's a big deal. Even your mom didn't kill a Vampyre at the age of sixteen. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who did actually"

"Oh". I rested my head on the seat and winced.

"You're hurt". Royce said, taking on a worried tone.

"It's nothing, the Vampyre just kept flinging me like a rag doll".

Royce chuckled softly. "They enjoy doing that. Guess I'll have to stop by the infirmary for treatment for you before taking you to the Dean's office. How about you take a nap, it's still a long way from the academy."

"Okay". I closed my eyes and drifted off to unconsciousness anticipating my arrival at the academy.