Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost Boys, MacBeth, or Dracula.
Author's Note: This is the first story in the Santa Carla Chronicles. I will be uploading the second story in this series called Curtis in a few days. It's a side story to my main story Runaway. The story Runaway, which is actually the third story in the series (at least as of now, I might add more later on), is what sparked the Santa Carla Chronicles.
I hope you enjoy!
David stopped just short of reaching the outskirts of Santa Carla. His palm rested heavily against the tree trunk. He leaned his sweating forehead against his arm while panting. He glanced down at the bloodstains, still appalled and frightened of what he was capable of. He closed his eyes and leaned his entire body against the tree. That image of Max's transformed face replayed like a silent film behind his lids.
He gripped his arms and sank down to the soil. His own fingers sprouted hideous claws. It reminded him of that lycan folklore he read about in those books his mother disapproved of. David shook his head trying to rid his brain of the image of his impaled mother. He looked up at the moon wondering if these horrid memories would ever leave. It was not every boy who watched his mother die in a most gruesome way. It was also not every boy who found out in his haste he accepted the blood of a vampire and was at that very minute sired by that very vampire.
David lifted himself to his feet. He glanced down at the blood on his palm, suddenly understanding how Lady Macbeth felt in that famous scene. He wondered how long it would take for him to wash away the stains. Even when the water rinsed the scarlet liquid, the memory of what he did would forever remain.
David wiped the sticky substance against his jacket.
He looked back up at the moon. By that moment David had regained control of his lungs. He glanced around the woods. The stone trail gave him a safe pathway to follow. David ran a hand through his hair. He wondered if his blonde strands were now ruined with red.
Thrice he read Stoker's best work and it had not prepared him for the current situation. The memories of the passages in that book, several of which frightened him, pushed their way to his unconscious. His mother chided him for reading that novel at the young age of twelve which caused him to have nightmares. Of course David would never admit that the disturbing images within the text were the reason he dreamt of being locked within Dracula's castle with the grotesque figure chasing him about the many corridors. He knew if he was caught he would be bled and left to die with the lecherous brides dancing about his fading carcass.
This is not the way it was written. The thoughts stopped David in his tracks. He examined the bloody clothes once more. He lifted his hands to his face and laughed. At first it was a small chuckle, but with each breath the laughs increased. In time he was laughing heartily to the night sky. Several squirrels scurried away from their shelter. David leaned against one of the trees, holding his aching stomach as he guffawed.
I'm so silly. Of course I'm not a vampire. With those thoughts David looked out into the clearing. He would now take refuge in this forest along with the other loons. David dawdled down the pathway. I've lost my mind. The doctors had a good reason for strapping me to the bed. I kill a woman and automatically believe I'm a vampire. David stopped both his feet and thoughts. He surveyed the dark area, not sure what he was looking for. He resumed his gaze straight ahead. I'm a murderer, a coldblooded killer who doesn't care who dies and who shows no remorse. He laughed at his previous notions once more. To think I thought I was a vampire.
He laughed into the shadows. He laughed at how he imagined Max there standing before him, explaining how he turned him into one of the undead like himself.
David noticed something glistening on the side of his index finger. He held his hand out in front of him to see that he missed some of Harriet's blood. He brought the scarlet liquid to his face to have a better look. No doubt it was the real thing. He murdered an innocent woman. Come tomorrow the police would be out looking for him. It was only a matter of time before they stormed the forest and brought him into their custody. David grimaced at the thoughts of being shackled to the floor behind bars in some insane asylum. Those who marveled at his survival story would look to the heavens and ponder why the only person to survive the rubble was some deranged murderer.
The scent of the blood plastered on his finger reached his nostrils. David inhaled the sweet aroma. He brought his finger to his mouth and sucked on the edge of the appendage. Its bittersweet taste pulled David into a temporary realm of elation. He suckled on his finger like a newborn baby greedily feeding.
"David," a voice said pulling the boy from his rapturous state.
That voice sounded so familiar. David turned to see the man he had come to know well over the last few days slowly approaching him. David groaned and resumed walking from the lead vampire.
"David!" Max called, following after the boy. David soon realized that his strides were no match for the speed of an elder child of the shadows.
"What do you want?" David asked. "Why can you not leave me be?"
"I'm afraid that is impossible, son," Max stated. He leaned against his cane. David knew it was only a prop and that the man was perfectly capable of walking.
"Did you not see what I did to that wench back in town?" David growled. Max merely smiled at that statement. The man's smirk frightened him, though he would never openly admit to that. David shrugged, finding the awkwardness of the situation somewhat humorous. "That is not quite the reaction I expected," said David.
Max placed a firm hand on David's shoulder. "My child, I am proud at how well you went about your first feeding, but I'm afraid until you learn the rules I cannot let you out of my sight."
David jerked himself away from Max's hold. "I'm serious, you need to stop with these oddities."
Max chuckled. "Oddities, David?"
"Yes, and stop calling me son," David snapped.
"What would you rather me call my child?" Max asked. "I mean it only to show affection, not to insult or belittle you."
"I do not know you and would appreciate it if you stayed away from me," David said. He smirked, "Besides, if I'm a lunatic who murdered that woman with my teeth what makes you think you are safe in my presense?"
Max replied with a heavy laugh. He returned David's fading smirk with a full one of his own. "I am certain that you could never harm me, David." His eyes dared the younger to challenge him.
Usually David was more than willing to fight, but there was something about Max that warned him to keep his distance. The man appeared to be a middle-aged rich man with extensive eccentricities. Beneath that mask hid a monster just waiting for his chance to shred the lowlife who dared to test him. Despite this dangerous aura surrounding Max, David felt safe in the older man's presence.
Max slung his arm around David's shoulder. "Come now, son, this is no place for two gentlemen to converse." His amber eyes stared into David's. "You would be much more comfortable at my home."
David pushed away. "What the hell is going on with your eyes?"
Max sighed, "David, we have gone over this. Must we speak on this matter again?" David hunched over and clenched his fists. Max laughed, "Relax, David, I have no intentions of ever harming you, my child." David felt a soothing sensation surround him and he obeyed Max's orders.
"You're really a—I'm not imagining it?" David asked short of breath.
Max nodded. He leaned on his cane. "You will grow accustomed to it before long."
David began to shake.
"You're shivering," Max said with a click of his tongue. He smiled up at his son. "Listen, I understand this is difficult for you to understand, but please." He reached out his hand which caused David to back away. "I would appreciate it if you came with me now. I do not wish to abduct you by force."
"Why did you do this to me?" David asked as the truth settled in.
Max placed a hand on David's shoulder. David's eyes met with his. Max's eyes showed sincerity as he spoke, "I felt a connection to you since the day I met you. I knew it was fate that you were meant to be my son." He squeezed David's shoulder. "It was the only way I could save your life that night."
David looked down at the ground. "You should've let me die with the other humans."
Max tightened his grip on David's arm. "Now that is not how you show gratitude," he said. David let out a cry of pain as Max began to drag him. "I have much to explain to you and if you don't mind I would like to return home before dawn."
David managed to break himself from Max's hold. The elder vampire allowed this as long as David continued to follow. He hated using such force on David, but would carry him back to his house if it ensured David's survival through his first night.
The two walked in silence for a good five minutes. They eventually stepped out of the forest and found themselves back behind the tavern. David glanced down at nearly gasped when he found a vacant spot where Harriet's body once laid.
"Where is she?" David asked. He looked about the area. He was certain that this is where he ended the pitiful woman's life. "Was she not really…" David trailed off when he heard Max laughing.
"No, you did a fine job with your first kill," Max said. He clapped the boy on the shoulder. "That is what I wanted to explain to you." He pointed the end of the cane in David's face. "Rule number one: you must only kill those who do not in a high position. Strangers, drunks, burdens to society, the ones who are not likely to be missed."
David nodded, unsure of why he was so interested. He still wondered about Harriet's missing corpse. The police would not have discovered it that soon and he was even more sure that body decomposition was not that quick of an art.
"Rule number two," Max said lowering his cane. He pointed the object in the direction of the blood puddle which was craftily covered with leaves. "You must immediately get rid of the body." He stared David square in the eyes. "I've found that burning the body is the best method, but if there is no fire around, hiding it in the water or burying it are also good options." He paused then stated, "Rule three, the most important rule of all: never leave a witness." He stepped closer to David. "If someone sees you in your vampire form or witnesses your kill you have no choice but to take that person out, is that understood?"
David nodded.
Max smiled. "Good," he said. "Now that all that is clear, it is best we get home before sunrise."
David had many more questions for the man, but chose to save them until they reached their shelter. Max felt it was better if the two of them arrived home on foot. He wanted to wait until they had a full night before them to teach David how to properly fly. About an hour later the two made it to Max's residence.
David stepped back and whistled at the sight of the house. The house was four stories tall, made of bricks, with stained glass windows on the bottom and top levels. The fence wrapped around the perimeter of the house. To David it appeared to be the size of the hotel's ground. A pathway led them to the front door. Max turned the knob to be greeted by barking.
David jumped back when a white dog hunched his back and snarled at the boy. Despite the fact that he had the ability to mince the dog David's natural fear of the creature caused him to slowly retreat.
"Thorn!" Max scolded. The dog looked up at his master and whined. He licked his lips then scampered into the house. Max turned to face his new son with a smile. "Never mind him, David, I'm sure in time he'll get used to you."
David rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm thrilled to be living with one of those demons."
Max turned and crossed his arms. "I'm surprised that you knew," he spoke.
"Knew what?" David asked.
"About Thorn," Max answered. Upon seeing the confused look on the blonde's face he laughed. "I see, you were only joking about my dog." He ushered David inside and attempted to take his coat. David pushed him off and tightened the garment about his form. Max placed one hand on David's shoulder and used the other to guide them further inside. "Thorn is not a regular dog, he's a hound of hell." One look from David required further information. Max smiled, "He's not that much younger than me. An immortal and vicious dog."
David nodded. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted the creature they spoke of. Thorn beared his fangs and growled at the newcomer. David grimmaced at the dog, tempted to show his own fangs. He was soon distracted by the room which Max ushered him.
"This is the parlor," Max said showing David the room with peach wallpaper and a bland furniture set. David wrinkled his nose, surprised he was not already yawning at the sight. A bookshelf sat over in the back, most likely they were books on topics that would not hold his interest. Max moved to the next room. "This is the dinning room. We rarely use this room, only when we have company." He patted David on the shoulder. "We don't have much use for it."
David could not hide his laughter. Max's smile increased, glad there was someone who finally appreciated his sense of humor.
Max hurried about giving David a rushed tour of the house. At long last they reached a closet.
"What's so special about this?" David asked.
Max gave David a sly smile. He pulled a hidden lever to reveal a secret passageway. David laughed. He had read about those pathways in novels, but never seen one in real life. Max led him down the thick, stone path that contained a musty scent. It surprised the new vampire that his eyes were designed for navigating through the dark.
The corridor led to a secret hallway.
"These are our chambers," Max stated. "We're deep enough inside that the sun cannot penetrate these walls."
"So it's true?" David asked. "Vampires are vulnerable to light?"
Max gravely nodded. "Yes, and you must also avoid stakes and anything deemed holy, as both will cause your death."
"I thought we were immortal," David muttered.
"We are," Max replied. David berated himself for already forgetting of his father's impeccable hearing. Max continued, "We will never age, nor die of natural causes." His features and voice hardened. "But we are not invincible. Most injuries will heal on their own, but as all creatures, there are ways to kill us." He gave his son another smile. "Just heed my warnings and you will live a long, happy life."
He pointed to a room. It had a soft blue coat, furnished with a bed, dresser, and chair. David was not satisfied with the color or style of the furnishings. Perhaps the next night he would convince Max to let him redecorate. An eternity looking at the drab space would no likely force him to throw himself into the sunlight.
"This is where you will sleep," Max said. He paused then added, "Yes, you may change the furnishings to match your taste."
"How did you-?" David began.
Max smirked, "Yes, I have yet to mention. We are linked by telepathy. I can hear your thoughts and read your feelings. If ever you need me I shall hear you."
David frowned, not liking his father's ability.
Max laughed, "Fret not, David, I will not invade your privacy." He held up a finger. "Unless you give me reason to suspect, then I will have no choice, for your own safety of course."
"Of course," David replied harshly.
"Something wrong?" Max asked.
David shook his head.
"You can answer, or I can see for myself," Max revealed.
David glowered at the older vampire. Max replied with a smile. After a few moments David finally gave in. He was fatigued and Max showed no sign of letting the boy sleep until they spoke.
"My father died...not so long ago," David muttered. He looked Max in the eyes. All the rage had vanished and was replaced with sorrow. "I'm not sure about having another father so soon." He laughed, "I scared all my mother's callers away."
Max smiled. He nodded then clapped David on the shoulder. "Trust me, David, I do not want this to be difficult for you." He gave him a look of sympathy. "For now do not think of me as a father, but a friend."
"A friend who has authority over me?" David asked.
Max nodded, "You have it." David opened his mouth to protest when Max lifted a hand. "David, it's too dangerous for you to be on your own for now. Perhaps when you've aged you can find your own lodgings, but for now this is your home."
David sighed. He was not used to following orders. Any other day he would have laughed at the idea of complying with such an eccentric man's wishes. Still there was a part of him that forced him to respect Max. David wondered if it had anything to do with the man's undead blood running through his veins.
"I will not force you to do anything you don't want to," Max stated. "I only give you guidelines for your safety and would appreciate if you followed them."
David stared up at him in a defiant stance. He was used to looking at men with that face. Max searched David's feelings and discovered that it was more confusion that controlled the boy's actions. He wanted to reveal everything up front, leaving no room for doubts.
He leaned against the doorway. "I knew from the moment I first met you that I wanted you for my son. There was a bond there. You wanted more than what the world had to offer." David wondered if Max was reading his thoughts. The older vampire continued, "The other injured were already dead, you still had so much fight and life left inside. You desired survival and that's what I gave you. You were meant to be more than a mere human." With those words he lifted himself upright and turned towards his own bedroom. "I bid you good night, David. Rest well for tomorrow you have much to learn." Max nodded at the boy then shut his door.
David lingered in the hallway a bit longer. He glanced around the darkened area while the older vampire's words sunk in. He was somewhat angry and resentful that Max had sired him. He was a rebel who needed no one. Still there was a part in the depths of his heart that felt gratitude for being spared. If showing that thanks meant he had to listen to the odd man for a while so be it.
David laughed at Max's eccentricities once more before stepping inside his own room. He cursed the awful color and the eyesore of the furniture provided. This was not what he was accustomed to, but it was only day one of his new life. David rested on his bed. The memories of the past few days invaded his thoughts. He could not help but think this new life was meant to be.
David placed his arm over his forehead. Perhaps having a new father would not be so horrible a fate after all. A new thought was born, one that brought a smile to David's face, he was now free, no longer bound by human laws. Sure there may be rules for now, but someday he would run Santa Carla and no one, not even Max would overthrow him.
That ends this story. Thanks to everyone who read. Don't forget to leave a review.
Just a note about the relationship between David and Max in my stories. Not much is revealed about them in the movie, other than the fact that Max really trusts David and that David seems to enjoy testing the boundaries. This might come off as too family a story, but I feel that they have more of a father-son relationship. Since it was not stated directly in the movie that leaves lots of room for exploration in fanfiction. I'd like to think that Max is a devoted, caring father, esepcially towards David, so that's what I was going for in this story (and all my stories). Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this.
Until next time!