Author's Note: Santa Carla is a made up town so I made up Rosaria for the name of the new town Marco moves to.
--
The town just outside of Santa Carla was another much like the previous in terms of architecture, style, and culture. This new town, much smaller than the last, which too called itself a beach town, was known as Rosaria. The entrance to Rosaria's border happened to be located a good twenty miles from the cave he once called home.
He stormed through the populated streets not caring for the vast number of humans he nearly ran over. He laughed at their faces as they leapt, with piercing screams, to get out of the way of his motorcycle. After a few minutes, swears, and threats later Marco thought it was best he ended the game, for it was not a good idea bring too much attention to himself the first night in town.
This was only stop number one, just somewhere for him to rest for the day and take up again the following night if he found it to be below his standards. Before making any decision he thought he should further explore the choice.
After a few minutes of searching for a spot he found a secluded area behind a hardware shop to park his bike. He hopped off the cycle and adjusted his jacket and backpack. Behind him rested a number of cliffs overlooking the ocean, each of them containing several caves. In front of him stood a town just waiting for him to take control of.
Marco strolled down the main street of Rosaria soaking in everything around. People stood all over the sidewalk, proving the town had a plentiful source of food, something every vampire needed to take into consideration when moving to a new location.
Everything anyone would need for a night out found its way on that street. Just on that one road he found: a bookstore, two coffeehouses, two pizza restaurants, a candy store, a music store, three nightclubs, five bars, two ice-cream stores, four clothing stores, a nail salon, two hair salons, and numerous chain fast food restaurants. Almost every two blocks a vender from food stands tried to sell something to the passing stranger. There was a tiny amusement park next to two mini golf parks and a movie theatre. The amusement park held several rides, which did not look too sturdy, and some snack stands. Its size and lack of attractions would take some getting used to after being spoiled by the one in his old city.
The nightlife of downtown Rosaria did not seem as vivacious as the Santa Carla boardwalk, then again, it was only a Monday night.
A group of middle aged women, who still pretended, and dressed like, they were still in their young twenties, stared, giggled, and waved at the young vampire. Marco flashed a fake smile, not hiding the disgust in his face, then cackled when they were ways away. The young, pretty women who were out did not take much notice to the new guy walking around in their town.
Marco's first impression: Rosaria was no Santa Carla, but it would do for the time being. He decided to stick with the town for a week or two and if he liked it he would stay, if not he would continue on his merry way to the next town.
For the first time in weeks Marco felt content. The best thing about being in this new city meant there would be no one to boss him around.
A few times since he arrived he felt a little guilty for selfishly leaving Paul and Dwayne without a proper goodbye, hoping they could find it in their hearts to forgive him. Maybe one day, the day he became a strong and powerful leader of a mighty vampire group, he would return to Santa Carla in hopes that the two of them would leave David to join his band. Anyhow, that was a long ways away and for now he just wanted to enjoy his new life in this new city.
A group of four young men stood on the other side of the street eagerly waiting for trouble to come their way. Just two hours earlier they robbed a convenient store of beer, cigarettes, and beef jerky. They now leaned against a brick building whistling at the women who strutted by.
Marco just happened to walk into their viewing range. Hugh, the talker of the group, gently punched two of his buddies in the arm. Their names Nick and Pete, looked up and chuckled at what they thought to be a pathetic excuse for a human being looking around their town in admiration. Ralph, the leader, chomped down on a stiff piece of beef jerky and grinned at what would soon be their next victim.
"Fresh meat," cackled Ralph.
"Is that guy for real?" laughed Nick.
"Never thought I'd see a guy in this town who'd be brave enough to wear glitter," snickered Pete.
"Drifter, you think?" Hugh asked eyeing the backpack.
Ralph shrugged, "Either way we should welcome him our way."
The other three grinned.
Ralph nodded and the four of them, in their matching leather jackets, marched proudly on their street. Ralph snapped his fingers and together they began to stalk Marco.
Marco walked around with a large grin on his face. Never before in his undead life has he felt so alive.
Very soon he caught the feeling of someone following too closely. It was the same feeling he had felt the first time someone who claimed to be a vampire hunter almost killed him.
Marco had only been a vampire for two weeks when said incident occurred. The slayer witnessed Marco feeding on some arrogant punk and stalked him closely for nearly a mile. When in perfect range the assassin threw a trap at Marco's feet that's purpose was to trip and distract the vampire. While Marco struggled to remove the trap from his foot, the hunter pounced on him with a stake aimed for his heart. Marco did not even have time to scream. If not for David being on guard and stepping in between Marco and the slayer, Marco would have been dead before he had time to even think of defending himself.
David tossed the stake away breaking the hunter's arm in the process. He then proceeded to kick him in the knee caps, breaking them both. David gave an evil smile and slowly ripped the mortal's throat out with his teeth. David took a glimpse behind him to find an abandoned bonfire. He grabbed the helpless human and tossed him in the flames, alive, and listened with a smile as he screamed.
Marco felt a little guilty for all the bitter feelings he had towards David. David had saved his life on more than one occasion. In fact he was the one who convinced Max to give Marco immortality. Marco wondered if he made a mistake in falsely accusing David of hating him and running away from his family.
That feeling subsided when Marco remembered what David did immediately following that incident. After disposing of the slayer's body David turned around and smacked Marco in the face with the back of his hand.
"You idiot!" David hissed. "He could've killed you." David's face hardened as he said, "And I should've let him." Marco looked down in shame. David grabbed him by the hair and snapped, "You be on guard because next time I won't save your worthless hide." David then pushed Marco down and walked on without any remorse.
Later that night in the cave, before they went to sleep, Paul tried to assure Marco that it was David's way of showing affection. While Marco agreed that David was not one to be upfront about his feelings he felt that making him feel as bad as the names he called him was unnecessary.
Marco shook his head, mentally reminding himself if he kept thinking of the memories from his past he would never be able to enjoy the present.
"David's gone. You can be happy now," Marco told himself.
Marco tried to keep his mind on all that he would be allowed to do in Rosaria but that feeling of being watched kept gripping his nerves. Marco only feared that David had found him and was waiting for the right time to attack. Everyone knew David had a fiery temper and could act irrational at times, as his brothers had observed when ridiculous mortals had done or said something to tick him off. Marco knew firsthand that David mostly hated when anyone crossed him. He feared what David would think of him running off and more what David would do if he ever found him.
Marco wondered if he was being paranoid, there was no way David or the others would be able to find him now, nor would they want to. Anyway he felt that the presence behind him was human. The answer to Marco's question would come as he passed a shop mirror. The same four guys that were behind him two minutes ago were keeping right up behind him. He saw in the mirror that their eyes were heavily locked on the location he would be were his reflection present.
Just to be sure Marco decided to stray from the street and head back towards his bike. Besides the night was fading and he needed to use the last two hours of darkness to find a good cave for him to stay in.
Now that he was walking the backstreets he knew those guys were following him. He glanced behind his shoulder to find them hurrying to keep up.
"I think he's on to us," Pete whispered to the others upon seeing Marco peer over at them.
"Even better," Ralph cackled.
Marco walked over to his cycle and was about to get on when the four men approached him.
Marco put the keys back in his pocket along with his hands.
"Nice bike," Ralph said.
"Thanks," Marco replied stepping away from the bike.
"Mind if I take a look?" Ralph asked.
Marco reached out his arm to agree. Ralph smirked and examined the motorcycle from all angles.
"Ralph likes your bike," Hugh said.
"Yeah, it's a really good one," Marco replied.
"Where'd ya get this?" Ralph asked sitting down on the bike.
"It was a gift," Marco answered with a grin.
The other three vampires had stolen their bikes from victims. They then changed the boring appearance of their motorcycles to match their personalities.
Years later when Marco joined the family the older boys teased him by playing around with their bikes in front of him. One night when Paul was drunk he revealed to Marco how they obtained their bikes.
The next night while the other boys were feeding on a bunch of drunks Marco strayed off to find something better than food. There, driving down the road he saw a reckless man tearing up the backstreets on a motorcycle. The bike was beautiful, better than any belonging to the other boys. Marco watched the man scream in joy while accelerating, feeling the vehicle was too good to be possessed by a human.
Marco jumped into the road a half a mile away from the biker. He laid down on the pavement with his hair in his face.
The man swerved around the corner as the headlights shone the figure laying limp directly in front. He squinted until the shadowed figure turned into a the shape of a man.
"Hey, get out of the road, moron!" he called slowing down. He eventually came to a stop a foot in front of Marco ready to cuss him out. His eyes widened when he saw the splattered blood on Marco's shirt, unknowing it belonged to his past victims. "Oh my God!" the biker shrieked. He turned off his motorcycle and rushed over to picked up the motionless body. "Hang on, buddy, I'll get you to a hospital." he said picking up Marco.
Marco opened his eyes and launched his fangs into the mortal's neck. He screamed and struggled to push Marco away only to have his neck broken. Marco quickly swallowed the warm liquid. He and Paul were not as brutal as the other two unless the mortal enraged them or they were having a bad day. Marco wanted to make the attack quick as a semi apology for ending his life and taking his motorcycle.
Marco stole the money from his wallet and the keys to the bike. He then dumped the body in the ocean and walked over to his new vehicle. It took three tries until he found the correct key and tossed the others in the grass.
Marco drove up to the other boys showing off his new toy. After hearing the story, they showed their approval then drove off howling into the night.
Luckily the guy who owned that bike quit his job two days before Marco attacked him and had no family, so no one reported him missing.
"Hey, glam boy, I'm talkin' to ya," Ralph said snapping his fingers in Marco's face.
"Sorry, I spaced out," Marco replied.
Ralph replied, "I really like this bike."
"Me too," Marco said.
"I want this bike."
"Oh," Marco said. "Well I'm not too sure about this town, but there's a motorcycle shop in Santa Carla that carries this brand and…"
"No, boy, I want this bike," Ralph said cracking his knuckles.
"Sorry, I'm not going to sell it," Marco said with a shrug.
"I didn't say I wanna' buy it, I wantcha to give it to me," Ralph said getting in Marco's face.
"Too bad, it's mine," Marco replied stepping away.
Ralph growled and tightened his fist.
"Glitter-Glam, I think it's best you hand over the keys now," Hugh said.
Ralph smacked his fist into his palm.
"Yeah," Marco said sarcastically grabbing the handlebars to lead the bike away from the strangers.
Ralph growled and snapped his fingers.
Nick grasped hold of Marco by his hair and spun him around.
"You disrespect Ralph, you disrespect us all," Nick said lunging his fist for Marco's face.
Marco grabbed Nick's fist and twisted his hand until his wrist snapped. He then kicked Nick in the stomach knocking him into Pete's legs. Pete fell on top of Nick's knee. Nick sat up and screamed at the sight of his hand being backwards.
"Anyone else?" Marco asked with a smirk, being careful not to let his true identity show.
Hugh backed away trembling. Pete and Nick picked themselves off the ground and backed up beside Hugh.
Ralph smiled.
The others gasped as Ralph walked right up to Marco. Marco clenched his fists and positioned his leg ready to pounce.
"I like you, boy," Ralph said putting his arm around Marco's shoulder. Marco released the tension in his body. "Perhaps I judged you too quickly."
"You did," Marco replied pushing Ralph's arm away.
"Well, you're new here," Ralph said. "You could use a couple of buddies to look after ya, and we could use you."
"I'm listening," Marco said crossing his arms.
Ralph snapped his fingers and Hugh stepped forward.
"Here's the deal, we run this town," Hugh began. "We do what we want, when we want. We take orders from no one."
Ralph growled.
"'Cept from Ol' Ralph here," Hugh corrected.
"Better," Ralph replied with a smirk. Marco's smile faded at the sight of Ralph's.
"I don't think so," Marco said pulling his bike away from the group.
Hugh looked over at Ralph who nodded. Hugh followed Marco and said "Hey don't leave, we're just gettin' to know you."
"Join us, child," Ralph said putting his hand on Marco's shoulder.
"Join your gang?" Marco asked. The others nodded. "Sorry, not gonna' happen."
Ralph raised his eyebrow.
Marco said, "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I moved to gain independence and I'm not going to fall victim to another power-hungry leader."
"I don't allow people to go against my orders," Ralph said lowering his voice.
Marco said, "I don't even know how long I'm going to stay here. And quite frankly, I don't care what you do or don't allow."
All four of their mouths dropped.
"You should watch your mouth," Hugh warned.
"You wanna' make me?" Marco asked, the look in his eyes intimidating the other men, including Ralph.
Ralph frowned for a second then stepped forward and said, "Well, it is your first night, why don't you think it over." He looked Marco in the eyes and said, "I honestly do like you, boy, it be a shame to lose someone like you."
Marco smiled and nodded. He turned on his bike and drove off.
Ralph watched Marco's leave with a smile. He then turned to the others.
"Too bad we never got his name," Hugh said.
"Hugh, Pete, tomorrow night you two will be on either end of town looking for that kid," Ralph said. The two nodded.
"What about me?" Nick asked holding his swollen wrist.
"You're useless," Ralph said. He swiftly reached into his pocket and pulled out a pistol then shot Nick in the forehead. Nick's body plummeted to the ground as blood poured from the wound. He put away his gun and said to the others, "Get rid of the body."
--
Marco found a cave he thought was cozy enough to call home for now. The air was thick and humid, but ventured deep to where the sun could never hope to reach. He parked his bike against the wall and dropped his backpack.
"Ralph," Marco laughed.
Although Marco did not want to admit it there was something about these new guys that made him want to join them. Even more there was something about the coldhearted Ralph that made Marco like him. He shook his head with the reminder of how he despised Ralph's personality.
Marco took off his boots and flew up to the top of the cave. His clawed feet grasped the roof as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Marco's pale eyes shut.
The room felt cold and empty. It was hard to adjust to the fact that he was the only one sleeping in the cave. The emptiness brought upon the room a dead silence that kept Marco from sleeping. The sound of bats echoed further back from where Marco rested.
"I miss them," Marco said to himself. "I miss Paul."
Marco had not figured that leaving home would cause him to feel such loneliness the first night and hoped the homesick feeling would soon pass.
Ralph's offer kept playing in Marco's head. He knew it was too soon to be making a commitment like that. Still, something about being brought into a new group made the level of loneliness sink.
Perhaps I should. They're only mortal. Perhaps I should turn them. Marco knew he was smiling out of malice. He made his decision before traveling on the boat to dreamland. Sorry, Ralph, but your time as leader has expired.
