Hey everyone,
I'm sure a lot of you are a little miffed that I'm not going where the action is. But I have a good reason as to why I'm staying in the clearing for now. Merlock still has a lot to explain to Sarah and the others when it comes to him and his kind and I really want to get the good stuff about that out of the way. There is still much our little Sarah has to learn about the Vampire ways and in this story, they even affect her interactions with Merlock.
Read and enjoy,

Venquine1990

Chapter 05
Adam And Merlock

3rd of May 2418
The Clearing, Tama City
Merlock's POV

Dino and Mite exclaim how the knowledge of the council means that either Adam or I might be collared by the witch. But Petra glares and declares: "Not if I can help it. Mite, get me my scissors, on the double." The former frog looks at his former snail friend confused, but then the two shrug and Mite complies. He pulls a pair of scissors from his pocket and hands them to her. Petra apologizes to Adam and then starts to make cuts in the back of his robe.
"Oh, I get it. Those are peepholes for Bubblegum and Mosbee to look through. That way, they can hide in Adam's cloak and use the element of surprise instead of the witch. It's brilliant!" Dr. Goodman exclaims while Petra works and she sends him a proud grin and cheeky wink. She finishes shortening the robe and Flint exclaims: "Alright! Mosbee, Bubblegum hide in Adam's cloak and let's go!" But Adam turns to the young man sternly and says:

"No Flint, I need you to keep to your promise." The little guy looks confused and so Adam elaborates for him. "You said just now that you will help Merlock keep Sarah safe. For that, I need you here, with Merlock and with Sarah. You need to protect her, you need to protect them both." Flint rubs the back of his head confused and Adam smiles at him as he says: "Please, trust me. I am the Elder of the Vampire clan. This is my job.
If you stay here, the others can stay here as well. That way, the council won't get a chance to get to them and I won't have to worry for them while I do my job. Do you understand?" Flint nods at him, a look of personal pride and a confident grin on his face. Adam then turns to the other Vampires and me and instantly I notice the change. An aura comes to envelop Adam and it almost makes him look a few inches taller.
Everything about him that makes him big, strong and powerful seems also enhanced by the aura. The look in his eyes looks stronger, the depth of his emotions looks deeper, the rough edge of his jawline looks sharper and his muscles look thicker. "Stay here. Keep each other safe. Do not leave this clearing until I return. Do you understand me?" Even Adam's voice holds the same power as the aura and his form.

And while I had disobeyed him only minutes before when he ordered me to step aside and let him have Sarah, I no longer feel that way. Instead I follow David and the others and bend my knee to Adam as the five of us chorus: "We understand, Elder. Good luck and be strong. We believe in you." But then I suddenly realize that there weren't five voices speaking in sync with mine; there were six. I tilt my head and my eyes widen.
Sarah is bowing down beside me. She has her head tilted down and with her hair tied up in her braid, her neck is even exposed to Adam. She was also the seventh voice that spoke. I feel shocked at this as the orders of an Elder only affect others of his kind, so Sarah bowed of her own free will. She made herself vulnerable to Adam, who she feared just minutes ago.

Adam has also noticed this as he sends Sarah a warm, loving and grateful smile. He walks over to Henrietta and whispers something to her. He does the same with Sandy and with Sarah. And the third time, because she is so close to me, I can hear him. "Stay with him." It's just three words, but I feel like they have a world of meaning behind them. Part of me feels uncomfortable that he put such a burden upon her shoulders, another feels proud.
Then Adam moves himself over to Unita-Master and swiftly jumps upon his back as he calls for Bubblegum and Mosbee. The two happily fly into his robe and hide within it. Wing also flies over to land behind him and Pterry lands on his shoulder. Adam looks at him in concern and Pterry says: "Don't worry. I'll hide myself until you capture her and take her with you. But you need me to erase her memory when we get to the village."
Adam nods and then he tells us that he'll be back. He turns his head to Petra and lovingly adds the words For you to the end. Then he reigns Unita-Master into action and the lot of them disappear into another portal. For a few minutes silence hangs over the clearing like a blanket and Petra mumbles: "Please come back. I can't lose another man. Not so soon. Not after losing the first to lies, falsehoods and manipulation."

Her voice really sounds incredibly vulnerable and Sandy walks over to lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Adam is a lot, but he's not a liar. If he says he'll come back, he'll move time and space to do so. It might sound crazy, but even his irrationality helped to boost his determination over all these years. He'll be back. He has you now, Petra, and he will definitely do everything to make sure he can stay with you."
Petra thanks her softly and then suddenly a new sound rings through the clearing; a loud rumble. Everyone looks shocked and yet while the vampires look around for the noise, my friends and I grin and turn to Flint. The boy turns red as he caves through his legs and grabs his stomach. "I guess it's a good thing that I didn't go with Adam. I didn't realize I was so hungry." George and the gang look shocked, but my team and I just laugh.
Tony holds up the basket I gave Flint at the start of all this and asks: "Here, Flint. Merlock prepared this whole basket of food for the picnic, remember?" And the team laughs as Flint almost dive jumps into the picnic basket and gulps down the food. One sandwich after another disappears down his throat as Tony sets the basket back down on the ground. The other vampires also start to laugh after a few minutes of watching Flint eat.

"So the little guy loses his strength if he's hungry? How strong is he exactly?" George asks and I grin as I challenge him to find out. George nods, yet we wait for Flint to gulp down a few more of the sandwiches. Then George calls him over and when Flint's in front of him, George sticks out his hand and says: "Go ahead. Try to squeeze my hand with all your might. Show me your strength, Flint, and don't hold back."
Flint looks a little troubled and turns his eyes my way. I give him a confident smile and a reassuring nod of encouragement. Flint nods back and accepts the challenge. He takes George's hands and instantly starts to grunt as he squeezes with all his might. But even from the distance from which I'm standing I can tell that George isn't in any pain. Still, there is an impressed look on his face as he watches Flint try harder and harder.
Rocky also encourages his son and Flint seems to try and squeeze even harder. Sarah looks on worried and I pull her closer as I say: "Don't worry, my love, if I know George, Flint's not even spraining a muscle with him." And George laughs, startling Tony and Dr. Goodman, before he says: "You got that right. Though I'm still quite impressed. This kid has some real strength. He could make for one nice opponent growing up if he keeps this up."

Flint is obviously ecstatic over the compliment and George asks him if Flint wants him to show him his own strength. Flint nods and Sandy quickly warns George to be careful with Flint. George smiles at her and says: "Don't worry, babe. I've got a great idea. The kid will love this, trust me. Ready Flint?" Flint nods and George flicks his wrist upwards. Immediately Flint is launched into the sky and the high heavens.
Everyone on the team gapes as they hear Flint's scream fade away into the distance and Tony exclaims: "Wow, I think George just launched Flint further than that time that Super Ninja gave him that swing while we were trying to get Bugsy back." I grimace at this as Flint had hit me and sent me flying as well that time. But then I remember the beautiful yellow and blue wings Sarah had been given when Bugsy turned her into a butterfly.
Then Flint's voice starts to be heard again and Sarah exclaims about how he's about to fall onto the ground. Instantly I get an idea to have some fun and say: "Don't worry, Sarah, I'll make sure he has a nice soft landing that will amuse him." The girl looks confused, but I crouch down, put pressure on my legs and release the pressure. Instantly I jump straight into the sky. I summon a rose and from it my cane as I reach Flint.

"DIVE BOMB!" I shout for the world to hear and hit Flint just right. His direction as he falls changes and as I land, he too hits the water with a splash. Luckily enough he hits it with his head full of hair first. Sarah exclaims my name in anger, but then Flint comes back up and spits out some of the water before he starts to laugh and shouts: "That was great! Thanks, Merlock! You too, George! That was so much fun! Can we do that again?"
Sarah blinks a few times while the rest of us laugh as the boy swims out of the brook. Then she giggles and asks why she even bothers. Flint wildly shakes his whole body and the water shoots off of his form in all directions as he does. Then Sandy turns to the others and asks them if they want to learn more about Vampire culture and about us in general. The others all nod and Tony says: "Yeah, that's why Merlock invited us in the first place."
Instantly George grins and nudges me just like he did when we met at the stream. "Let me guess, it was meant to help your One understand her role in your life?" I growl and angrily knock the elbow out of my side as I retort: "Yes, as well as how my vampiric side affected certain events that we went through as members of the Time Police. And if you must know, the first kiss we shared today was indeed our first – ever."

Flint and the others look confused as to why I am putting emphasis on that last part, but my brethren understand. George sweat drops, Sandy and Henrietta look at me with motherly and sisterly concern and David puts his hand on his face as he moans Merlock, you didn't. Again I growl in annoyance and snap: "I didn't have a choice. The circumstances were hardly ever in my favor. I was able to protect Sarah and keep her safe, but nothing more.
Every time I would try to go further than some sweet words and a compliment, something would happen that would pull or push me away from her. And besides that, what she said is true. We constantly met while on a mission. We were fighting against evil, mind-controlled Time-Shifters that had been forced to transform into beings of monstrous proportions and size. The situation constantly made her safety more important than my desires.

That is – until Uglinator entered the fray." I sigh in the end as all the emotions I felt when it was over rush back to me. My brethren now look even more worried and Flint asks: "Wait a minute, does this whole vampire thing and your desire to kiss Sarah have a role in when Uglinator controlled your mind? How?" But Sandy and Henrietta stare at him horrified and then George asks: "Someone was able to control your mind? How? Were you collared?"
I laugh out loud at this, yet the laugh is hollow and without a sense of emotion, other than derisive humor and pain. "I wish, George. Oh, how I wish that were the case. No, it all has to do with what David told me, all those years ago. When I was only a few years past my first century of age and wondered about my own One and what I should do if I ever found them. David, if you'd be so kind, could you please quote your statement to me?"

The vampire, who is the second youngest besides me nods and states: "Merlock little one. When you find your One, you'll know. Trust me, you'll know. But please, do me a favor and don't make the same mistake I did. I waited six years before I made my move and it went all kinds of horrific in the end. I tell you this as a guardian and a friend. When you find your One, make sure you share a sign of romantic physical affection at the earliest convenience.
If not, then like me, you'll regret it." I sigh while I hold my right elbow in my left hand and use my right hand to rub my right temple. I shake my head all the while and Tony asks: "Wait, you not kissing Sarah upon first meeting is why the Uglinator was able to control your mind? Sorry Merlock, but I still feel as if I'm missing something vital here." Again, just because I've grown used to it over the years, I sigh through my nose and mutter that he does and multiple.

My time friends look at me worriedly and I say: "It is true that I failed to get a kiss from Sarah the first time we met. This is because Flint sneezed and knocked me away before I could properly receive one. Unfortunately, as time went on and things kept getting in my way from our kiss, the desire began to grow stronger and stronger within me. And where I grew a desire for Sarah for all that she is and has to offer, the desire only wanted her for that, that one sign.
It became like two beings were within me; my own love for Sarah and this desire to have her show her sign of physical affection. I won't deny it, there were even times when I was alone and at home and where I spoke as if talking to myself. The worst is, I talked back – and yet it never felt like I was the one talking back. So you see, when the Uglinator started hypnotizing me, his powers didn't just affect me; they brought out the desire and made it stronger.

It became stronger than me and took over. It was almost as if it was the dominant personality within my body. It wasn't until Sarah cried out to me that I was able to regain control. But then Uglinator stepped in again – and my demonic form came out." The team looks shocked and the vampires look at me in horrified concern. I have gone to crouch down on my knees with my hands fisting clutches of grass and yet I keep my eyes open.
Sarah crouches down besides me and this time she is the one to pull me close against her form as Tony asks me if that form wasn't some monster transformation created by the Uglinator. I shake my head and say: "No Tony, every vampire has three forms. A bat form, a regular form and a true form. You all witnessed my true form come out during that event and somehow, Adam managed to take on a form that is half-regular, half true."
Flint winces and mutters how he thought that Adam had familiar traits to him. George also winces and asks where my transformation took place. I lower my head and tell him that it was in a stadium full of kids. Instantly the other four whiten and I nod as I say: "In that regard it's a blessing in disguise that the Uglinator controlled me. His control kept my inner demon from rampaging, from hurting the innocent, from –."

And while I don't want to, while every bit of me screams at me to stop, while my inner demon tries desperately to seize control and force me to stop, I turn my head. My dead eyes look straight into Sarah's precious blues and I whimper: "From forcing myself – onto you, my Sarah." Sarah whitens and her eyes widen. But then, while I expected her to be horrified and scuttle back, she amazes me and pulls me close against her.
"You wouldn't have hurt me, Merlock. I know you wouldn't have. And even if you would have tried, I know you. I know I would have been able to pull you back. I know I would have been able to give you the means to regain control of your own form. I know you, Merlock Holmes, and I trust you. I love you." And just like the nights the followed that horrific event, I cry hard and loud and many tears as I grab and tear onto Sarah's form.

Instantly the others are also onto me, all of them forming a big group hug around me, both my brethren and my friends. Only Petra, Dino and Mite remain standing, yet I don't care for them. I focus only on Sarah and whimper: "Oh Sarah, my love. Your trust in me is like a balm to my soul. So many nights I was so afraid. It was why I didn't let you in when you came to visit. I was so terrified that I would lose control again, that I would hurt you.
It's why I quit the Time Police." George is momentarily shocked by this, but Sarah isn't. I spare a glance up at her face as she now holds my head on her chest and runs a hand through my hair. There is a loving look of reassurance on her face and she whispers: "But you came back. You came back to protect me and you did. You're my guardian angel, my love." A few last tears run down my face and I lovingly whisper one word in her dress. Always.

Sarah wipes the last few tears from my face as she looks at me. And the look of love, acceptance and pride that is on her face, in her smile and in her eyes is one I had truly not expected and that almost brings new tears to my eyes. Instead of that I lift myself up and run a hand lovingly down her face and she again moves her head closer to mine. The kiss we share this time might only be short and sweet, yet at the same time it's full of emotion.
I can feel Sarah's love for me, her care and her need to help me feel better. These emotions help me calm my raging nerves and I feel my usual cool return to me. Then suddenly a thought occurs to me and it makes me let out a soft snort. The others all look at me and I grin as I say: "It would seem that destiny is finally willing to let me be with you, my love. Normally by now something would have happened to shoot me out of sight again."
The others blink and then Tony, Flint, Rocky and Sarah all burst out laughing. And the sight of Sarah's face full of joy and happiness fills my heart with light and love. Then Flint puts his hands behind his head and says: "It's about time too, if you ask me. Oh, and sorry that I knocked you away from Sarah that one time, Merlock." But I shake my head at the innocent young man and tell him that I never really held it against him.

"So Merlock, anything else you can tell us about you and your culture?" Dr. Goodman asks me as we all pull apart, though I keep Sarah close against my form as I feel a strong desire to just keep her close. I smile at the man as the look on his face proves that he has, in his heart, accepted me as one of his own. And at the same time the tone of his voice conveys his deep love for learning new things. It's obvious he is asking me this both as a friend and a scientist.
I nod and while Sarah lays her head on my shoulder and I send her a short and loving smile, I answer: "I do, Dr. Goodman." But then the man shakes his finger at me and says: "You're my girl's new boyfriend, Merlock, and a close friend of the family. You call me Uncle Bernie from now on, you hear." The statement shocks me and I blink twice, before I smile and give the man a grateful nod. Dr. Goodman then quickly offers the same to Flint, who thanks him.

Then Tony suggests that I just tell them what I was originally planning to tell them. I nod and everyone once again returns to their blankets. This time Henrietta and David join Sandy and George on their own blanket and Sarah happily cuddles against my side as we sit down together. Bindi also joins us on our blanket and Getalong joins Tony, Flint and Uncle Bernie on theirs. And while Flint again dives into the basket, I start my tale.
"As I told you before, I am nearing my first millennium of age. Unfortunately I stopped counting some time ago so I am not entirely sure how close I am. After all, there are only so many candles you can put on a cake before you lose sight of the treat." Everyone had been shocked at first, but they laugh at my joke and Flint laughingly confirms my words. Then Henrietta tells me that in three weeks' time I'll be 32 years away.

I feel startled that she would know this, but thank her. Sarah then makes my heart burst within my chest as she asks whether or not I would enjoy a romantic date for two as a birthday gift. And while I have been gentle and loving with her so far, these words break my control over my actions. And so the next second I have my beloved One lying underneath me, I have my hands in her hair and my lips are happily and lovingly devouring hers.
Sarah lets out a shocked yelp as I push her on her back, but then she moans as I passionately kiss her. And because she is lying underneath me, I can now feel her every form and curve. I feel the poison in my veins starting to stream through my body in a heated way as I feel just how much my beloved is growing into a beautiful woman. Her cleavage is much more impressive than I expected and her hips are also slowly defining themselves.

"She really will be a goddess once she is fully grown. And that goddess is all mine. Oh sweet eternity, thank you. Thank you for blessing me with my One." I think as I pull my lips from hers and push myself up to lean on my lower arms and knees. The sight of Sarah, her lips red and bruised, a sheen of sweat on her skin and her eyes lidded, is almost enough to bring out the demon within me as well as reignite the desire that has been growing strong.
But I forcefully push both back in place and just grin at Sarah as I whisper: "You really shouldn't tempt me like that, little love. I won't be able to tell you and the others anything about my kind if you do." Sarah giggles and the fact that there is amusement in her tone intrigues me. She then raises a hand and gently starts to rub one of my bangs, just like I did when we first met, as she says: "You've waited long enough, Merlock. You deserve to know how I feel."
I smile at her and then move off of her. I retake my seat and Sarah happily cuddles up to me again. I smile at her, remember that Adam called Petra his kitten and mentally I express the belief that this pet name currently fits Sarah and her behavior much better. At the same time I can't really help myself over the fact that I am grateful for all of these interruptions. I try not to let my body tense as I dread what I am about to do.

What's wrong, Merlock?
To be honest, a part of me wanted to make this next bit part of the chapter. But there is so much content coming up that I believed it deserved to have its own chapter instead. And while I admit that I am going to start the next chapter off pretty dark, I promise it will have a much more light-hearted middle and ending. And after that I will probably bring Adam back into the mix. And with him, we are going to finally discover the identity of the witch.
Wait, uh oh,

Venquine1990