The Immortal 5 The Beginning: Rena's Story

Meeting up with Anton

She woke up with a start. The plane had begun its decent. She was a little disorientated but was relieved to find that she was in New Orleans. The plane touched down safely. And they were waiting to be told that they could disembark Rena watching itching to get off the plane. The door was opened and people moved into the isle causing a slight jam. Making Omri and Rena wait to even get their overhead baggage. This was a good thing because it allowed Rena to wake up fully. They were the last off the plane. They walked together to the baggage claim. Neither one speaking due to the fact that they were both tired. Rena’s nap hadn’t helped her at all it just made her frustrated because she hadn‘t slept very well on the plane. They got their bags and headed for the entrance which was teaming with people. It was early evening when they exited the airport. Once outside in the warm muggy Mississippi air hit her with a force bringing back feelings she never wanted to face again, they were feelings of loss and regret. Omri went to hail a cab. Rena was standing there when she thought she saw Xander, a vision from the past which she wanted to forget. She shook her head and when she looked up he wasn’t there any more. She had to be dreaming. Now was not the time to think about that.

Omri called her name. She looked over to see that he had gotten the cab. She moved over to him. She was unaware that she was being watched. That Xander had seen her looking at him. He watched as she climbed into the cab with her male companion. As the cab pulled away from the curb Rena saw him again and this time he waved at her. All she could do was stare and she stared until he was out of sight. Seeing him was not a good thing. All the hurt, all the fear and all the anger came rushing back. This was not happening not this week. She couldn’t deal with this right now. She had other things to deal with before she dealt with him and her past.

“What did you see that made you go so pale?” Omri asked in concern.

“Nothing. I thought I saw someone I once knew. But it couldn’t have been him, he died along time ago. It must have been my imagination. I’ll be fine; I think I’m just tired. It has been a very long day.”

Omri agreed but he wasn’t convinced that she was telling him the truth. But he knew her well enough that she would tell him when she was ready. They made their way through the crowded city streets to the hotel/casino that they were staying at. It seemed that tonight was the night that everyone was out partying. As they pulled up to the front doors a man was there opening Rena’s door and was helping her out. Another man was getting their bags. They were escorted to the doors which where opened by two other men with smiles on their faces.

They entered the cool interior of the hotel. Rena stopped and allowed the cool air rush over her skin. She had forgotten that it was hotter the Hades this time of year. She saw Omri heading for the desk to check in. Since she was just standing there doing nothing she followed him as well. There was no problem with the check in and soon they were on their way up the elevator to the fifth floor. They were lead to separate rooms that

connected through a small door. Rena thanked the bellhop and gave him a tip. He said his goodnight and left her. She went to the door that led to Omri’s room and opened it. Only to find that he was already standing in the doorway.

“Well, we have a big day tomorrow. I am going to call Kali to let her know we got here safely. I want you to take a cool shower and the get in to bed. Our day starts early. So I’ll say goodnight.” he kissed her forehead. And then he moved to close the door to his room. But was stopped when she spoke.

“I just wanted to say thank you. You didn’t have to come with me. But I am glad you did. And I wanted to tell you that I love you. I guess now I’ll say goodnight as well. I’ll see you in the morning, little brother.” he smiled at her and closed his door. She closed her and leaned against it for a second. A shower did sound good right now. So she pushed herself off the door and headed for the bathroom. Taking her toiletries with her. Once in the bathroom she set her things on the counter and went to the tub. She turned on the water letting it warm up. She began to undress. She caught a look at herself in the mirror. She looked tired and very worn out which was not like her usual self. She took a last look in the mirror. Moving to the stall she stepped in and turned on the shower head. She stood there letting the water rush over her tired and aching body. It felt good just letting the water flow over her. It was like it was taking every thing away and dragging it down the drain.

She stayed in the shower just standing there for what seemed like an eternity. Them she grabbed the shampoo poured some into her hand. As she put the bottle down she smelled her favorite smell that always seemed to calm her down no matter what. She raised her hands to massage the sweet smelling soap through her hair. She rinsed her hair and as she did she thought about Xander. That couldn’t have been him she thought. He was dead she was sure of that. She washed her body trying to figure out why she saw him. She rinsed her body and bent to turn off the water. But all thoughts where driven from her head as she stepped out of the shower. A wave of exhaustion slammed through her body almost toppling her. She wrapped herself in her towel and stumbled to the bed. She didn’t care if she slept clad only in the towel. She needed sleep. She climbed between the sheets. Laying her head on the pillow. She was almost a sleep when she thought she saw someone in her room. Too tired to care her eyes slid closed as the man came to stand next to the bed. He watched her sleep. Xander knew what he had to do. And she wasn’t going to like it when what was going to happen did finally happen. He watched her sleep for a moment longer before he moved he brushed a stray lock of her wet coffee colored hair from her forehead and then moved to the window. He had to tell Adrian that she was here.

The next morning Rena woke feeling refreshed and a little uneasy. She thought about the dream of seeing Xander here in her room. Maybe she dreamed him up. She saw no sign of anyone having been in her room. So she left it at that. It was just a dream. She got out of bed and moved to her bag. Taking her clothes into the bathroom with her she did the normal morning routine. As she came out of the bathroom there was a knock at the door that connected her room to Omri’s. She went over and unlocked it. As she pulled it open she saw that he had gotten dressed as well and even ordered some breakfast. She

propped her door open so that she could go back into it before they left. She entered his room and noticed that his room was almost exactly like hers. She moved to the room service table. She picked up a piece of buttered toast.

“How did you sleep?” Omri asked as he went to pick up a piece of toast.

“I slept like the dead. But I dreamed some guy was in my room as I fell asleep. It was weird. It was almost like I knew who he was because I wasn’t afraid. But when I woke up this morning there wasn’t any sign that there was some one there besides myself.”

Omri was a little confused but it brushed it off as a dream as well.

“I called Claire this morning. And told her that we were here. She is going to meet us in an hour at the corner of Bourbon Street and Canal. So when ever you’re ready we’ll head down stairs.”

They finished off the rest of their breakfast in silence. Omri put the cart out by the door in the hall as Rena went to get her purse. She didn’t want to take it because she remembered all to well what could happen. So she took out her id and some money. She put that in her front pocket along with her room key. She walked back to the door and told Omri she’d met him in the hall. She closed and locked the door. She took one last look around her room. Seeing that everything was in place. She moved to the front door, opening she stepped into the hall. She looked up to see that Omri was already waiting for her as she closed her door. They moved down the hall to the elevators. Reaching the doors Rena pushed the down button. They were joined by another couple waiting for the elevator as well. The doors opened with a whoosh. They entered the small compartment. The other man pushed the ground floor button. The doors closed and the elevator moved downwards. The other girl giggled as her companion said something in her ear. The elevator slowed and stopped. The doors opened to a very busy lobby and the noise bombarded them. It seemed that everyone wanted either to check in or out.

They moved amongst the crowded room towards the exit. Rena reached them first with Omri right behind her. The doors were opened for her. She smiled her thanks. They stepped out into the street and were assailed with a blast of heat. That instantly brought a sweat to Rena’s brow.

“I had forgotten how hot it was down here. Boy, I would rather be inside right now. But you know something it is only going to get hotter. So let’s get a move on this. The sooner we get inside the better. Oh and drink a lot of water. It will help you stay hydrated.” she knew she sounded like a mother

Omri smiled as he put his hand under her elbow and begun to move to the crosswalk that happened to be located in front of the drive way of the hotel. They were surrounded by more people who intended to cross as well. Omri glanced at his watch. The light flashed the crossing signal. They made their way to the other side only to have to cross again. The light seemed to take forever, once they where finally on the right side they made their way down the street weaving their way through the people who where window shopping or who where just standing in the middle if the sidewalk. It took them at least fifteen minutes just to get to the spot where they were meeting Claire.

“You, my dear Omri, are two minutes late. But I forgive you.” a softly accented

voice spoke from behind them. Omri turned to see Claire smiling at him. He let go of Rena’s arm to hug the woman Rena assumed to be Claire. Omri stepped back and introduced them.

“Claire, this is my sister Rena. Rena, this lovely creature is Claire. So, my dear, where are you to meet this Anton? And where are we to hide as you conduct your business?”

The girl laughed. Placing her hand on his arm as she did so.

“My darling, Omri. I am to meet Anton at this charming little place where they serve the most delicious littler fried donut things covered powdered sugar. I cannot seem to remember the name. But anyway I am to meet him in about ten minutes. So come along. We can talk as we walk.”

On the way to the charming little café Claire outlined what she was going to do and what she wanted them to do. She also told them the sign she would use when she wanted them to come over and do their thing as she put it. They made their way inside the café. She pointed to a table that had a clear view of her table. She chose it because they could watch her but not be seen by her companion. She moved to her table and sat down. They took their seats. They didn’t have to wait very long for him to show. As soon as they took their places he entered the building. They watched as he surveyed the room. They saw him spot Claire. And make his way over to her. They couldn’t hear what was being said. But it wasn’t even ten minutes when Claire gave them the signal. They rose from their seats and made their way to her table.

“Hello Anton. It has been a long time since I saw your sorry behind.” Rena said as she reached the table. The man visibly stiffened. He turned his head to look at Rena.

“It couldn’t have been that long my dear. It seems like only yesterday that I saw you. And who is this?” he said looking over at Omri.

“No body you need to concern yourself with. We seem to have a small problem.”

He laughed softly.

“No, my dear, it seems your out for revenge against me. But you know something child. I have out run you this long what makes you think I won’t do it again?”

She looked him straight in the eyes when she spoke.

“Because, you slimy little weasel, where ever you decide to go I will find you. I found you this time. I will find you again. It seems we can settle this like adults or you can take the cowards’ way out like always. The adult way is to meet me tonight on the river walk in front if the river walk mini mall. Or you can run and keep looking over your shoulder wondering if I’m right there behind you.”

Omri watched as the man swallowed. He had grown paler with every word Rena spoke to him. He reached out with his mind to try and read this guys’ thoughts. But they were to hectic it gave him a headache just trying. So he pulled out of his head. The man began to fidget with his cane.

“I shall endeavor myself to meet you this night. I wish to end this thing you have against me. So tonight we shall end this. So, my dear child, what time shall I enter your presence?”

She couldn’t believe the way he was talking to her. It was the old world way of

entering a duel. Which she had the pleasure of watching many times, but never competing in herself. It was like he was telling her what she wanted to hear but his words had another meaning. One she couldn’t figure out.

“I will look for you at the stroke of midnight. And remember if you run I will be right behind you. You can run but you can’t hide forever.”

The man rose from his chair. Taking a small package with him. Tucking it in his jacket pocket. He nodded to them and turned to leave. He stopped and turned to look one last time at Rena.

“You know my child, that girl was nothing. I took great pleasure in killing her right in front of you. Pity it took you this long to find me. Well, I shall say my goodbyes.”

He bowed slightly from the waist and turned away again. He made his way through the crowd but was soon lost amongst them. Rena watched until she couldn’t see him any longer. She knew in the back of her mind that he was going to run. She took his seat. Claire had begun to talk to Omri. But she heard no of it. Her mind was in another time. When this was over she had some ghosts to lay to rest. She had some soul searching to do.

Claire had said something that caught her attention. She turned and looked at her with a confused expression on her face.

“What did you just say? “

Claire looked at her for a moment and then repeated what she had just said.

“I said the vampires are back in full force. They seemed to have died off about a thousand years ago but we have seen some killings that are unexplainable. At least to the mortal officials. Bodies drained of all their blood; they say it’s a sacrificial ritual. Scares the crap out of the people who live here. But we know of the other side of immortality that can only explain these strange killings. Why do you ask?”

Claire and Omri watched her as she searched for the right way to answer that question.

“I knew a vampire once. He used to live in this area. But he was killed a long time ago by a hunting party. I was just wondering anyway.”

They seemed satisfied with her answer. Because they didn’t question her about it any further. It was a few minutes later when Claire excused herself saying something about some other business, she had to take care of. She told Omri she would be in touch with him before they left. Omri turned and looked at Rena. He was concerned about her but knew better then to ask her because she would say she was fine.

“Well, we seem to have quite the while before you meet Anton tonight. Shall we walk around or go back to the hotel for a swim?”

She looked at him and smiled. She didn’t want to go back to the hotel right now.

“Let’s take the trolley. I have some places I want to show you. Like there is this park surrounded by the most beautiful houses. There are some places that even the people who live here didn’t know existed before their time. And I want to show you some of them today.”

She rose and held out her hand. He rose from his seat and took her small hand in

his. Together they walked out of the café. Neither noticed that there was some one following them. Rena took him to all her old hide outs that where now condemned or torn down. Some even were remodeled the changes in them were very surprising to see. The stories she told about each place gave Omri a insight into the person she had been before everything that had happened to her life. She was carefree for at least one afternoon. And he realized that liked this side of her. She let herself go. She was acting as if she had never left this place she once called home so many years ago. By the time they got done seeing all of Rena’s old hang outs it was dark. More people seemed to come out of the wood work as the sun went down. And most of them weren’t the friendly sort you wanted to hang around. They made their way back through crowd of walking drunks and other people out to have a good time. Rena looked around as they walked. She caught a glimpse of the same guy from last night . The one she could have swore was Xander. She then she turned to look at Omri. But when she looked back he wasn’t there. She searched the crowd. But she didn’t see him anywhere. She continued with Omri towards the hotel but she still had the feeling she was being watched. Entering the cool interior of the hotel Rena sighed her relief as the cool air rushed over her heated skin. They made their way to the elevators. They stood for just a moment before the doors slide open. Stepping through the threshold Rena leaned back against the wall allowing the coolness soak through her shirt. She was a little tired. But she had a long night a head of her. She closed her eyes only to have to open them again as they reached her floor.

The doors opened and they made their way down the hall to their rooms. Omri stayed until she made her way inside her room and closed the door. She moved to her bag and removed her clothes that she was going to wear tonight. She chose black jeans and matching black t-shirt, the signature color of the samurai wore when they wanted to blend into the night. She went in to the bathroom. She brushed her hair back into a neat ponytail. Clearing her mind as she prepared for later. She undressed from the clothes she had worn all day. They were damp from her sweat. She replaced her underwear with fresh clean briefs. She slid her legs into her jeans revealing in the coolness they had from being in her hotel room all day. As she slid into her t-shirt she wondered how she was going to feel after tonight. With no one to go after when she killed Anton. But she did have her family. And after tonight she could rest easy knowing that he couldn’t hurt her family again.

She walked over to the connecting door when she finished dressing. She opened it to find Omri’s door was already open. He was sitting in a chair watching the television. He looked up as she entered the room.

“I see you’re already to go. I want you to be careful Rena.”

She smiled and walked over to him. She looked down into his upturned face. He looked so young sitting there looking up at her.

“I’ll try to be careful okay.” she leaned over and kissed his forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning. Try not to worry I’ll be fine.”

With that she went back into her room closing the door behind her. She went to her bed and picked up her jacket. She pushed her arm through the sleeves. Once her jacket was on she glanced at the clock it said that it was just after eleven. She made her way to her door. Opening it she tried to become calm. As she walked down the hall her body became relaxed. Her mind thinking of the events to come tonight. She would finally avenge Justine. And save her family in the process and at that point nothing else seemed to matter. The doors of the elevator were opening as she came to stop in front of it. Two men exited the compartment. She had a vague feeling she knew them but shook it off. She stepped into the elevator and pushed the lobby button. As she looked up she saw that one of the men stood staring at her but she couldn’t make out his face because the doors closed as she looked up.

The ride down was uneventful. Their doors opened to the sounds of people entering the casino. She made her way out of the elevator and into the crowd, it was almost impossible to get out of the hotel. But she finally did stepping out into the muggy night air. She looked for the time. It was almost eleven thirty. She made her way to the crosswalk. Seeing no cars she walked across the street. The street lights cast an eerie glow as she walked along the stair way that lead to the ferry dock. She felt the breeze from the river. It seemed to be caressing her face, like a longtime lover welcoming her back into his arms. The smell of the water was murky and slightly muddy. She reached the railing as the clock rang with the time being a quarter to twelve.