Dania Beach- Chapter 7

By

Christopher DeRoche

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          She expected the lights to dim and flicker when she purified the souls. Instead it was a simple rush she felt in her own body followed by an ache in her muscles. It was a quick process in her body. The muscle pain faded as the soul dissipated back into the atmosphere; back into the world as pure.

          Kara relaxed after sifting, sitting in the far corner; furthers from the dead body in the room. Tracy took a set next to her on the floor.

          “Not as bad as you thought?” Tracy asked, crossing her arms and stretching out her legs.

          “Not really. It’s a weird feeling but tolerable. I thought it was going to be something different but I am glad that it is just easy. I don’t think I can take too much more tonight. This is a trip.”

          “Yeah, it’s a trip alright.” Tracy laughed.

          “So I have to ask. What do they do with the body? I mean, that mark on her neck is a dead give away to the existence of vampires.” Tracy inquired.

          “This room is a drain room but it is also an acid wash. The melt the flesh of the body; liquefy it and then crush the bones into powder. They have no use for the bone powder so they usually just toss it off the pier. That’s why they like to stay close to the coast and the ocean; so they can get rid of all evidence.”

          “That makes sense. There’s so much to understand—“Kara gasped as the door swung open and then quickly closed with a loud slap of the door against the frame.

          When the door was closing it was just a dark blur because of the speed but after the loud clap the blur slowed and took the form of the Vampire that was previously in the room; draining his victim.

          He made evident eyes at Kara. She stared back at him; strangely attracted to his features. He had dark hair and light blue eyes set proportionate with his high cheek bones. His nose was slightly small and made his cheeks look bigger than they actually were. He gave her the same devilish smile that he had previously thrown at her in the bar room. His eyes then shifted to Tracy.

          “Hello little sifter, isn’t it past your bed time?” He sneered.

          “What do you want Erebus?” She asked as she rose to her feet.

          “I just wanted to meet your new friend. She is quite stunning.”

          “She’s taken. She’s off limits to you. Just get out of here; I can’t stand seeing your face right now.” Tracy’s voice had elevated and the anger in it was apparent.

          Erebus gestured his hand flat and vertical toward Tracy signaling for her to stop. She has ended her sentence and remained quiet, giving him the opportunity to say why he had come in.

          “I come not as an enemy but an ally. I know we had our issues Tracy and I am apologetic for that.” There was seriousness but also a lack of empathy in his voice.

          “There has been some talk that the dark day is near for mankind. I wanted you to heed warning before the revolt happens then you and the Reapers will be busy.”

          “That’s enough!” Tracy said firmly.

          Kara glared looking confused.

          “It’s time for you to go. I don’t need to know this and you don’t have to tell me.”

          “I bid goodbye my love and a farewell you beautiful new Sifter.” With his parting statement he became a blur again, moving too fast for the naked eye to focus on and then he was gone.

          “Umm. Who was that creepy guy?”

          “My Ex-boyfriend.” Tracy stated without emotion.
          The words echoed through Kara’s head. She was dealt yet another social in accuracy in physical terms that she had to comprehend and accept. Tracy had the body of a twelve year old but she was much older than that. This Vampire looked as though he was thirty years old. Kara was having difficulty fathoming the physical connection that she and the Vampire had. In normal life or in the views of mortals that was taboo.

          An Immortal Pedophile.

          “We dated of and on for about 50 years. I don’t think he will ever be capable of real love. I just want to forget about him.”

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          “What is the Dark Day he was talking about?” Kara asked.

          “That’s a myth really. It’s when the Sun goes black for an entire day giving the vampires the freedom to roam. It is the day they will reveal their existence to the world to try and integrate them into society instead of being on the outskirts. Vampire feels that they need to instill fear in the mortals but having a revolt and they are planning to have it on the Dark Day.” Tracy explained.

          “So they are going to kill a lot of people?”

          “Yeah but then the Sun will get bright again. It’s been talked about for a long time but still has yet to happen. Erebus has been saying it’s been coming for the past 10 years. Personally, he’s got a screw loose and I want to vomit every time I see him.”

          “It didn’t end on good terms I am assuming.” Kara said.

          “Let’s just say that Vampires have a tough time being monogamous and he was no exception like I thought he might have been.”

          “That’s too bad because he is really good looking. I mean, I am not interested because I have Max. Oh my god! Max. What time is it? I have a flight to catch at 9:45; I have to be there early for check in.”

          “Its 4 a.m. Sunrise will be soon and this club will be closed. We better get going anyways.”

          They walked out of the drain room and back into the bar. The room was clearing out and the bartender was out cleaning tables. The few vampires that remained didn’t seem to be in any hurry to exit. Kara assumed that they must have had residence close to the bar to avoid the sunlight.

          “Listen Kara, you have learned all you need to know for now. I remain here in Dania Beach because it is my territory. I know that you are going back to Portland, Maine and that will be your territory to Sift. You know the rules and have a good insight of what to do. I am always here for you and I may visit soon to check up on you. You will learn more about yourself and you feel your powers mature. There’s a lot more that we can do but you need to grow into it. You will know.” Tracy said extending her arms for a hug.

          Kara embraced the modest youngster. She felt a connection with Tracy after the evening that she spent. She was also her maker and that made Kara wonder if this relationship that she felt was like a parental bond.

          “Thank you for everything Tracy. You have given be another chance.”

          “There is one thing Kara.”

          “What is it?”

          “You can never reveal what you are to anyone other than an immortal.”

          “Keep it a secret?”

          “Yes, we can’t have our existence as Sifters known. The religious and scientific world would be turned upside down.”

          “What if someone finds out? Will something bad happen?” Kara inquired.

          “There aren’t any consequences for someone knowing but it is a rule that we must try to follow. Just please try to keep it a secret as long as you can.”

          Kara nodded in agreement and they separated once they left the metal door to the bar. Kara felt a chill in the Florida night and decided that she wanted to run. She had plenty of time before she had to catch her flight.

          She ran down to the end of the street. She turned and found a longer street to run down. Without getting tired, without breaking a sweat, she kept a steady place and ran around the city of Dania Beach with all the thoughts of what she has become spinning in her head.

          It was 7:30 a.m. when she was able to get another glimpse of the time.

          I have to run home and say goodbye to my mother. She thought.

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