Hours passed and she stood in the shadows of an alley, directly across from the bakery café. A wide four lane road was her last boundary to cross. To get to this point she had to take a round about way underneath Academy City. She had been cautious, taking deep breaths, peeking around corners and crawling through small connecting tunnels. . often crisscrossing over the same path she'd taken earlier. And it had taken longer than she had planned. But now, covered in sweat, breathing heavy she was so close to her destination. It was nothing more than a few quick steps away. a few hurried breaths. She looked down at the line of demarcation. The light of the sun pushing the dark of the alleys closer to her. The early morning traffic was beginning, people were filling the sidewalks. And the sun tip the scale rising higher. The avenue now bathed in sunlight, inched its way to the edge of the opening of the alley.
The bakery café was busy. The shewolves working the morning shift had arrived before sunrise and were almost done. The morning crowd was gathering, deliveries were being made. Her mouth watered, her nose crinkled as she smelled the freshly baked goods and coffee floating in the morning breeze. She also felt the warmth of the morning sun settling on her exposed skin as the light blocking gel slowly faded. A comfortable warmth turned uncomfortable, getting hotter.
Fuck! She growled, gritting her teeth, glared at the light pushing away the protection of the dark across her arm. The thought brought back memories, painful memories, uncontrollable shivers ran over her body. A long time ago, the last time she'd been burned by the sun. she'd been foolish. Not realizing the time, bloated from the kill, she'd fallen asleep in the hay of a barn, after feasting on the farmer as he brought the animals in for the night, followed by his wife. She was blood drunk. Intoxicated from the frenzy of the kill, and the aphrodisiac effect of the increased adrenaline in the blood. She staggered and wobbled, chuckling, smeared the blood across her mouth and cheek with her arm, pulled open the doors and the suns rays flood the barn.
Her skin burst into flames, ratcheting though her body with enough force to blow her backwards into the barn, slamming into the wall and it collapsed on top of her, saving her life. A deep horrid chill ached her bones remembering the gut punch of pain and the pain of how long it took to recover.
Despite what you see in the movies, read in books, recovery is not quick and automatic. Limps severed do not sprout like wild mutated vines and form a new limb, nor does flesh, muscle or nerves burned away automatically knit itself together. It does in a way, but it takes time and lots of blood. Think more like actual burn victims, reattached fingers or limbs, but it you grab a severed limb, or body part, slip them close together, yes, the body will mend itself. Vampires have been known to be cut in half and still live. but the recover takes weeks for full mobility to return. Movies and books entertain, but it also helped maintain the aura of a vampire as an unkillable beasts. it has always been that way. Most stories are told and are written by vampires. A little misdirection never hurt, much.
Please forgive me…she whispered, gathering her courage. She'd promise to always protect and be by her Mistress's side. And now, there was the possibility of her breaking that promise. Not that she was scared. But the effect of the sun would be devastating. She rocked back and forth, watching cars and delivery trucks roll by, one…two…she grabbed the brick edge of the building, her fingers sizzled, the brick cracked. Her body tensed, eyes narrowed, and she scowled, three…...flung herself out of the alley, on to the sidewalk and out into the avenue.
It hit her like a sledgehammer, stunning her senses but she lowered her body, forced herself forward. With each step, the heat growing hotter, like an oven turned on high. The smell of flesh burning, her legs moving faster, her heart pounding. Each breath, harder and harder, the hot air taking in burned her lungs.
She reached out her arm, fingers spread wide as if she could grab an imaginary rope and pull herself forward. She focused on the bakery café, the image becoming engulfed in flames. Something hard slammed against her, a car, maybe a truck. She stumbled, tripped, hit the ground, tearing her flesh but still she moved forward. She raised her head, tears steaming down her reddening cheeks. Her outstretched arm bubbled and popped. A final scream raced across her mind, she didn't care. The last year plus had made her life worthwhile. She'd come to terms with herself, had friends, even human friends. she had a future to die for and she would give her life for her queen. she smile softly, the pain rifling through body gone as her nerves burned away, the thought of her queen. the house of mikoto was, is, her home. She felt her throat burn before she could yell, and the world went black.
The bakery café becomes alive and filled with the sounds of workers, just before sunrise. The bakers arrive, prep and prepare. Others come and get the inside ready stocking freshly baked goods, cleaned and organized. And the outside patio is checked, rechecked. The café style chairs and tables are checked and if need be, repaired on the spot. And why not, with the strength of a shewolf, bending a little misshapen metal is child's play. The shrine is checked, bow their heads, clasp their hands together, lost friends are told good morning, told exaggerated stories of last night misdeeds on whatever. Stories to make one blush, even shewolves. this is the way of the wolves in Academy City.
As the inside and the outside of the bakery café are prepared, those on guard, on the roof prepare. Since the baron's invasion of Academy City, necessary supplies are stocked on the roof. Lessons learned from the past. Automatic weapons, such as the 30 mm seven barreled Gatling gun style cannon known as the beast by the elder wolves who wield it, ammo boxes, and medieval weaponry, favored by the shewolves on guard at the time. Refreshments, blankets, medical supplies are also kept and neatly organized and accounted for.
There are always four wolves on the roof. Usually elder wolves but today, because of a special event occurring somewhere in the wolves' territory, the elder wolves would not be in again today. Special events such as royal coronations, elections, birth or deaths are attended by elder wolves. The term elder wolf has different meanings. One concerning the relationships between the shewolves and elder wolves. In other words, great grandmother, or many great grandmothers. Shewolves are a very long lived species. Many theories abound concerning their life span. While death does come for us all, it is said most elder wolves live long because death fears them. and much to their chagrin they will say with a big smile, death will never come face to face within them, it always comes from behind, with a gentle tap on the shoulder. Even then, some might refuse. But wolves do not fear death.
And the other is breeding. Elder wolves are old in their genetic makeup. And many will breed with wolves like them. (remember the scales of the wolves.) Mating is arranged between ranks which allows them not to fade away. and the results of breeding. Mass birthing's. Wolves will mate at certain time of the year, and will give birth, together as a pack in a special location only known to that particular pack. And the birthing grounds are protected by Elder wolves. So today, shewolves, otaku favorite in looks are standing guard over the bakery café, getting ready for the day.
Everything looks good…. she said, holding a clipboard, keeping tabs on the inventory. She fretted her brow, growled in disappointment. Problem? she groaned, clicking the pen, letting her arm holding the clipboard drop to her side. Hey you! She turned her head slightly glared at the shewolf standing at the edge of the roof, looking away.
Mel, Am I boring you with this…she said to the shewolf standing at the edge of the roof.
She's wearing normal everyday form fitting battle armor. the same worn by many of the wolves. Unless working their shifts at the bakery café. Her long hair pulled into a ponytail fell to her hips. She was slowly shaking her head, her sky blue eyes showed an uncharacteristic sense of what the hell is she doing?
What she doing? Mel asked with out turning around. Confusion and a little concern could be heard in her voice. She sighed, shaking her head, scatterbrain…she whispered about her pack sister. What is who…. doing? Sierra questioned, took a few steps over. The other two shewolves, hearing their two pack sisters question walked over to the edge and stood by Mel.
That little vampire…she motioned with her head.
A small vampire, maybe nine or ten was standing in the alley across the avenue. She was rocking back and forth. The four of them, looked over, across the avenue. Each one thinning their eyes, fretting their brows.
Sierra thinned her eyes, her belly began to twist into a knot, oh…. please don't? She said, as if warning the others not to look. something was telling her, warning her. experience, wisdom from the Elder wolves or the telltale sign of a little girl getting ready to run
She's not….one the other two spoke. they looked down to the front of the bakery café, the patio wondering if anyone else was seeing this. But the morning crowd was settling in. the normal Academy City early risers were sitting, others were entering the café. No one, except them with their high line of sight knew what was about to happen.
She's not a daywalker…Sierra said to no one. She's not…. the others repeated, Mel spoke, why is she out…then…is she being chased? A sense ofurgency overtook their concern. Another attack? Maybe.
Non day walkers stayed inside, underground or used the ally. And light blocking gel was a must.
Involuntary quick sniff revealed nothing. The wind was light. Eyes and ears focused, the sound of the traffic and growing crowds muted their hearing, but each one could barely hear the words. And a sick anticipation filled them. she's not going too….
One…. two…fuck, Stella get me a blanket now!
Sierra leapt of the roof, snatching the blanket as she dropped, clear me a path!
Positions! Mel yelled. The wolves reacted.