The laws of the road do not apply to the undead. Marco sped down the highway that would lead him out of Santa Carla doing nearly ninety-five. He screamed from excitement at the numerous times the bike nearly fell over the cliffs. The mist from the ocean sprayed his face. His golden curls flew in line with the wind. Music from the local rock station blasted from the motorcycle radio that Marco poorly installed weeks ago with the help of Paul.
The most exciting part was the knowledge of pure freedom. No one to order him around, no one to tease him, no one to answer to, and no one to threaten him ever again.
While riding like a maniac Marco began to think over his life. Ever since he was a kid he was the tiny boy who everyone picked on. Even when he attained this new life and immortality he still found himself falling victim to David's taunts again and again.
"Not anymore," Marco said to himself. "Now I'm free. I can do whatever I please."
--
The boys drove up to the cave and parked their bikes. David hopped off, still fuming.
"Time to kill," David laughed heading for their home.
Paul and Dwayne kept a close distance on David incase he did something to Marco he would later regret.
The cave birds and bats fluttered around when the boys stomped down the steps.
"Marco!" David called.
"Marco!" Paul called after David, hoping he would be the first to spot him.
"Marco!" David repeated.
The vampires searched the cave for their youngest brother. Paul even checked the fountain to make sure he wasn't hiding from their leader.
"Marco!" called David. "Come out, come out wherever you are." When hunting he enjoyed every second of taunting his victim before striking. He yearned for the smell of fear when attacking, whether it be mortal, or one of his very own vampire brothers. The thought of producing fear gave the vampire a high he could not resist.
"He may be asleep," suggested Dwayne.
The three entered the room to find no one there.
"Marco, you in here, bud?" Paul called.
"Search the place," David ordered venturing deeper in the cave.
"He wouldn't go too far in the cave," Paul reminded. "He's not good with directions."
David ignored Paul's reasoning. Paul and Dwayne split up, Paul staying in the room and Dwayne returning to the lobby.
Paul noticed Marco's closet door slightly open. He figured Marco was hiding inside and opened the door. He gasped upon seeing all Marco's belongings gone.
"Did you find him?" David asked grasping Paul's shoulder making him jump and scream.
"No," Paul replied shaking his head and catching his breath. "All his stuff…"
David pushed Paul out of the way before he could finish his sentence.
"Why would he move his stuff out of his closet?" Paul asked. "Is he redecorating?"
David lowered his eyes and shook his head at Paul's comment. Paul's lips parted as he raised his arms.
David ignored Paul and walked past him.
"Guys!" Dwayne called from the lobby.
Paul and David's ears perked up. David pushed Paul out of his way to follow Dwayne's voice. Paul ran after him.
"What?" David and Paul asked at the same time.
Dwayne held Marco's letter in his left hand.
"What is it?" David asked reaching for the note.
"Marco," Dwayne answered passing it to David.
"That's not Marco, it's a piece of paper," Paul said pointing to the letter.
David and Dwayne sighed and shook their heads.
Before David could read the first line Paul snatched it out of his hand.
"What's it say?" Paul asked trying to make out Marco's sloppy hand.
David smacked Paul in the back of the head and took back the note.
David read:
Guys,
When you turned me you promised a better life than my mortal one. I have yet to see any drastic improvements. I admit we had some fun times. But it seems that I'm underappreciated. Even though I'm the smallest and an immortal, I still have feelings that are constantly danced on.
David, you treat me as a servant not a friend. I mean you order me around and become violent if I don't follow your demands. Tonight you tried to hurt me. I don't have to take that kind of treatment. So many times I was afraid to say what I wanted to because of you. I hate you. I hate you so much that I can't even describe it. You look for ways to hurt and humiliate me and take pleasure in seeing me upset. You think you're so great but you're nothing, at least not to me. I've had enough. As you read this you think I'm a fool. You think I need you to survive. I don't need you and I don't want to be in your group anymore. I don't need you. I never needed you. I'll be happier on my own.
I've already packed and left. I thought about it for weeks but didn't have the courage or motivation til now. I doubt you'll know I've left or even find this note for at least a week. Don't come looking for me. By the time you read this I will be out of Santa Carla. I don't even know where I'm going. Don't expect me back anytime soon. In fact don't expect me back at all. Forget I even existed.
Don't be sad, Paul. None of this applies to you. You were the only one who really cared. You are a great friend and the reason I stayed so long. It won't be as fun without you, but I can't stay here anymore. I'm sure you'll understand. Don't worry about me, I'll be okay. Thanks for defending me earlier. I'll miss you greatly.
Marco
"What's it say?" Paul asked while hopping.
David balled up the page and threw it in the fountain.
"What?" Paul asked.
"He's gone," Dwayne answered.
Paul gasped in horror.
"No! No! He ran away," Dwayne clarified.
Paul sighed at first then pouted his lips.
"When's he coming back?" Paul asked sounding like a child who received the news of a pet running away.
"Never," David answered. "If he think he can survive on his own then good riddance."
"David, he'll die without the protection of the pack," Paul argued on the verge of tears. "We have to find him."
"It's no use," Dwayne protested.
Paul's eyes widened and watered. "Dwayne," he said sadly.
Dwayne fished the note out of the fountain and said, "He said he was leaving Santa Carla. We'll never find him."
A tear fell from Paul's eye. He did his best to hide it beneath his hair before discreetly wiping it away with his sleeve.
David broke the silence, "Well he said to forget he was ever here so forget him, Pauly."
Paul inhaled a deep breath and charged into David with full force. Paul tackled David to the floor and socked him in the face. Dwayne watched in shock. He had never seen Paul act so vicious towards anyone, including his prey.
Paul got two more hits in before Dwayne stepped in. While pulling Paul off David, Dwayne received an elbow jab in the knee.
"Oh, sorry, Dwayne," Paul said turning towards his fallen friend. Paul decked David in the eye one more time before helping Dwayne stand.
Paul glared at David then stomped out of the cave.
Despite the red marks present on his face David chuckled.
"That's all I have to do to make him aggressive," David laughed.
"It's not funny," Dwayne replied. "And I'm not on your side, you deserved that."
David smirked, "Never said I disagreed." He was glad to be a vampire for if not he would have a massive shiner when he woke.
Dwayne rolled his eyes and followed Paul outside.
Paul sat on the edge of the cliff with his elbows resting on his knees and his face resting in his palms. Dwayne sat down beside him and put an arm around him. Paul leaned his head on his friend trying not to cry.
"I just feel I should've done more to keep him from leaving," Paul said.
Dwayne didn't say anything, but sat in silence with him for an hour more. Paul and Dwayne stood up and walked back into the cave to call it a night.
--
Marco sped off into the night right out of town.
"I'm lead vampire now!" he screamed into the darkness.
