4
Vicory and Cayden made their way to the back of the underground shelter where Will and Eve had escaped to immediately following dinner. They still weren't comfortable in their company. It still wasn't dark, so they had the underground to themselves.
"How much have you told them?" Cayden asked as they walked.
"Nothing. I've only shown them around is all. I think you should tell it. I've said it so many times, I leave important facts out."
Cayden sighed. He was in for a long night.
"Why do you want me to tell it?
"It'll be a good experience for you, Jamie." She said evasively.
They came to stand outside the couples curtained off area in the back corner. They had wanted to be together only one pew could be found anyway. Cayden could see the edges of the multicolored blankets creeping out from under the curtain. There were other curtained areas all along the rest of the back wall that served as their makeshift hospital.
Cayden gave another heavy sigh as Vicory pushed him in.
Hi." Will and Eve looked up at his anticlimactic greeting. They were sitting cross-legged on the blankets. One particularly colorful blanket was bundled up between them into a small, improvised crib.
"Hello. Are you Jamie?"
"Cayden."
"But Vicory sa-"
"It's Cayden, she calls me Jamie. I don't think I ever found out your names…?
"Will."
"Eve. And this is our daughter, Libby."
They were silent for a moment, unsure how to begin.
"Vicory has been refusing to answer our questions about your history here. Apparently your version is much different from our governments?"
"Yeah. A bit." Cayden said with his eyebrows raised. He ran his tongue over his teeth, thinking about where to begin.
"Are you really a vampire?" Eve prompted breathlessly, Will shot her a look. Cayden gave a small smile and shrugged.
"Well, I like garlic." The couple starred at him, Eve was not at all appeased by his answer.
"No," he said, making his answer more clear, "That was just the media having fun. Listen, I have something, give me one second." He left quickly through the curtains, his pointer finger up.
Cayden walked to his pew and began searching. After some time, Allys voice popped clearly and mockingly into his head.
You've never been very good at looking for things.Cayden straightened up, bothered, from looking under his pew and closed his eyes, trying to remember where he put it. It was in a book that had a particular title so as to help him remember. His eyes snapped open as he made a mental note to tell Ally he found something on his own. He dug up his copy of Interview with a Vampire, chuckling at the irony of the title. Swiftly, he opened the cover and slid out the newspaper clipping.
Walking back, he handled the clipping carefully; it was so old it was like tissue. He approached the curtain again and lifted a hand to pull it back when he heard hushed whispers from the other side.
"They're not normal, Will!" Eves angry hiss came. "That boy, he's sixteen and some sort of leader. And you saw that little girl move that car to get her toy! She had to be only four of five! They're dangerous, Will!"
"You don't know that," his whisper was calm, but uncertain, "Let's just listen to what he has to say."
"But what about Libby? Is she going to be like them or like the ones who attacked us? I don't want her to be different at all! We'll have done this to her, Will! If she is different…"
Cayden could tell that Will didn't know what to say to that as the silence grew behind the curtain. He steeled himself to go in and pretend he hadn't heard anything. He took a deep breath.
"Got it." Holding up the clipping. They both had jumped at his entrance Will tried to wipe the emotion from his face with a small smile and reached out for the clipping.
Cayden handed it over and watched critically as their eyes swept across to huge headline: "Vampirism: War Halted" Cayden heard Eve give the faintest whimper, even her husband couldn't have heard it as they sat hovering together over the newspaper.
With a resigned sigh and a look at his wife, Will began to read the piece.
"Last night, word from Washington reached the ears of this country. The president has put a halt to the war and soldiers are being sent home. A temporary treaty has been negotiated between our two powers allowing China to clean up an internal conflict that is sweeping their country. Though the war has been suspended, this is not the time to let our guard down.
The conflict in China was first realized by one of its soldiers on the frontline. A translation of his account follows: 'We were getting ready to man the turret, orders had come through that American planes were heading our way. Suddenly, the soldier next to me fell over in pain, but nobody was shooting at us. I ordered another officer to help him while I loaded the turret. He jumps up, his eyes were completely black, and attacks the officer there to help without a gun, ripping and biting at him. He died. Nobody knew what was happening, they just knew our officer was dead. Suddenly the soldier begins running toward another man, his mindset was completely savage. Somebody finally shot the savage soldier before he got to anyone else. We still don't know what was really happening.'
Since this firsthand account from the frontlines, many more have been turning up throughout Asia, mainly from soldiers. Some accounts even tell that some don't go savage like the soldier in China. Accounts will also tell of abilities gained by a man, suddenly able to throw heavy shrapnel miles away or spot enemy aircraft too far away.
This epidemic is being contained and dealt with by some of Chinas best scientist. A study from which explains common symptoms from those infected. Included among them are increased strength, heightened senses, stronger bones, faster healing rate, faster metabolism, and longer teeth.
Washington has completely suspended all traveling to and from China in hope that this epidemic will not spread into the Western Hemisphere. CONTINUED A-4'
Everyone was quiet for a moment as Will finished. He looked at his and put his hand on her wrist.
"That article was written about two years before the virus was known in the United States," said Cayden.
"But," Will started, "Even behind the Wall we know the U.S. government was responsible for the creation of the epidemic. Was it created to be a weapon against the Chinese?"
"That's what China thought in the beginning. But assessing blame didn't really matter much at the time. The virus was spreading fast through the country. People were being infected by the hundreds daily. China was already on the United States bad side because of the war. If they started pointing fingers or going on the offensive in any way, the war would start again at full force. China needed to deal with domestic issues right away, because the virus was spreading very fast.
"But no. It wasn't a war weapon. I suppose that is where this all starts," he said as he took a seat in the opposite corner, "With why the government made the virus in the first place."
Cayden leaned his head back, closing his eyes. How to start was always the problem. Finally, he licked his lips and took a deep breath.
"There was a secret government funded society- isn't that how all those stories start?" The couple looked confused, "Sorry, I read a lot. Anyway. They were developing a way to make a soldier more battle hardy for war. The government didn't think a soldiers life warranted more expensive armor or protection." Cayden leaned back against the wall, getting into the story, forgetting about Will and Eve.
"They were trying to change people biologically, make them …better. That's where they went wrong. The guy in charge, I think his name was White, had this big dream of a bunch of undefeatable American soldiers. They tested it on animals at first. But White was friends with a bunch of important people. Laws were passed, making it legal for human testing. But only on soldiers employed by the United States about to go into active duty on the frontlines." Cayden gave them a significant look, motioning his head at the article.
"I think it was seventy-two percent of those tested with the strand reacted successfully, at first. For everyone that they deemed a successful case, their symptoms were the same as those in the article, except a bit diluted. The rest -the other twenty-eight percent- their bodies couldn't handle it, they went crazy. They weren't human anymore…. That's why they only come out at night and they're so violent. We call them 'vampires' because they're actually monsters.
"White was so eager to show off a successful case, he sent them straight to the front lines without hesitation. The virus is passed through blood and wars aren't short of that. The virus spread. Far and wide.
"Into China." Eve said breathlessly, her voice shook. Cayden nodded.
"The United States pretended to be surprised at Chinas misfortune just like the rest of the world. They pulled out of the war with the pretense of care and concern. But they really just wanted to stop before anyone found out it was them that made it. They could keep it under wraps until they figured out a cure.
"But other countries couldn't contain those whose bodies were unable to handle the disease, the savages. Their symptoms are far more extreme than ours are. They have to live in the dark, their eyes are so sensitive, and they're far more violent and much stronger. They're the reason this epidemic grew so fast and so wide. They were so bloodthirsty. Every time they raided a city, most of the population was killed or changed. Humans shunned those that were changed. The Chinese government fell apart because nobody wanted a vampire in charge, thinking this new species would rule.
"The virus was still spreading. Other nations were getting it. Travelling wasn't being closed down fast enough. Once the virus was in, people would close their borders and it was too late by then.
"The United States, on the other hand, were watching other nations fall apart with their doors closed, they couldn't help and didn't want to in case someone found out their secret. It'd destroy everything they had left. Their soldiers had come home from the halted war and were told forcibly to keep what was done to them quiet. But slowly it began to leak out. The disease was passed to their children and loved ones. Some of them went savage, the odds weren't the best. Just like what they'd been hearing on the news from the foreign nations. It began to slowly happen in the United States. It followed the same pattern. The vampire population grew and the humans died at their hands or were changed.
"Soon enough, the entire world was in a state of sheer panic. This would be about seventeen years after the article. A new symptom was noticed sometime along the way. Life span was…short. A lot shorter. You get nineteen or so years left from when you're infected. But it was only for those that changed without the violent symptoms. The savages outlived them easily. So even if you were changed, you died soon after. Gradually, the world is being slowly taken over by the savages.
"Vampire raiding parties were forming and they were destroying cities by night, killing or changing everyone by the thousands. People were terrified. Nobody knew what to do, how to protect themselves, where to go. The government couldn't keep uninfected people in office. Dr. White, by this time, had been infected himself. He turned savage. So they had to work on a cure from scratch. But right before he turned, information was leaked of what they'd set into motion. Some said that he wanted his work known before the entire world was too savage to understand how great he was. So suddenly, within all the mass chaos, the entire world figured out who was to blame. But people were still scared, our government knew they could use that if they could find a cure.
"By this time the population was almost nonexistent. Maybe twenty-five percent still remained. When suddenly, our government found a cure! They were the ones calling all the shots again. They pulled buses into every city. People were too scared to argue and got on without question. Except a few of us that couldn't trust the government again. We wouldn't.
"The buses took everyone to the east coast where they gave them the vaccination. People were comforted again. The people who did this to them had saved them. But they had lost family and friends, they would take any ending to stop the death rate.
But the foreign countries were still in turmoil, begging for help. The U.S. sent envoys offering the vaccination to anyone who would give them their allegiance. Foreign governments were too desperate to refuse and evacuated their countries. The entire population of the world, by this point, could fit into the east coast states, from North Carolina, up to Prince Edward Island. The world could breath easy again.
"But not the government. They knew we were still out here, those of us that realized the truth. So they built the Wall, mainly to scare its followers of the dangers still waiting out here and to show that they were their mighty protectors. I heard that news shows air the bomb drop. They like to pretend they're still keeping evil at bay. They order bomb drops at night, so there's always news in the morning to keep fear in the hearts of their people.
"So many years have past since then, the population has forgotten the rest of the world exists out here. They've been told that we're the savages. The government has subtle ways of controlling them. No art, no music, no writing. Freedom of speech is gone. Their motto is 'Strength through Unity.' Their definition of 'unity' being 'conformity.'
Caydens' voice had grown quieter as his story came to a close. He put his head in his hands, lost in thought. Slowly, they became aware of voices outside the small curtained off area. It was getting dark; the others were coming in.
Cayden looked up when he finally became aware of the others outside and took a deep breath.
"I can't say anymore tonight. I'll see you in the morning, if you still have questions. 'Night." After his abrupt ending, he turned to leave. He turned and stared at the couple for a moment. He swallowed hard and left tiredly.
The next morning, the story was still on Caydens mind. As thankful as he was to still have the means to keep his friends hanging on, he couldn't help thinking about the injustice of their even needing to hang on. The event of just telling the story seemed to open up old wounds and the injustice of it seemed to gnaw at his conscience. He'd always known who was to blame for their life out here. But telling the story made it more personal, more real now than it ever was.
And of course, Will and Eve had more questions this morning. More difficult questions. They seemed to be waiting for him as soon as he woke.
"Why is your grandmother still alive? Did she somehow get the vaccine?" "Listen," said Cayden tiredly, "I gotta eat breakfast. 'Sides, I'm sure Vicory wants to tell you her story."
He went up to breakfast, which took place in an old hotel lobby a few blocks from the shelter. In the back, by the stairs, the once shiny wallpaper was peeling off. Huge cracks ran everywhere through the building. The other three walls were nothing but tall windows, most cracked, but all still intact. Years ago, someone had built a huge table for everyone. Unspokenly, the unofficial head of the table faced east and the lobby's windows reached toward the sky.
Cayden took his seat with squinty eyes. Sam sat to his left, Vicory on his right today. She wanted to talk to him about last night.
"So, did you remember everything?"
"I think so. They looked a little more than stunned when I was done. This morning they were asking about your story, why you're still alive. But I figured that was yours to tell."
"My story?" She sounded almost wounded by his simple remark, Cayden looked up at her in alarm.
"Well," Cayden jumped to justify himself, though he didn't know why he needed to, "You're the one who escaped and…" his voice was wheedling.
"Jamie. It's your story. Much more than its mine."
Cayden sat silently for a moment, starring at Vicory in disbelief.
"So, I have to tell them that, too?" he asked, sulking. Vicory answered him with a small smile.
Cayden sighed and turned his attention to the other conversation beside him between Sam and Ally. Sam was speaking.
"Maybe we should widen our shelter. I mean, this way of life isn't going to get any better for anyone if we don't do something now."
"Oh no," inserted Cayden as Ally was about to speak, "Not you too. Austen doesn't know what he's doing. He needs to be focusing on the people who are alive now."
"Generations are going to be stuck in this rat race forever if we don't help now!" He snapped, he had taken offense at Caydens words abnormally quick. He pushed away from the table and walked off rubbing his temples.
Cayden and Ally starred at each other in a long shocked silence.
Ally closed her mouth and took Sams seat next to Cayden.
"What was that about?" she asked.
"Dunno," he answered quietly, "Maybe it has something to do with his birthday?"
"Maybe you should go talk to him."
Cayden took a deep breath before he answered. He had a vague feeling he didn't want to know what was bothering Sam. "I have to go talk to Will and Eve again."
They both looked at the couple some ways down the table. They looked quiet and misplaced at the table full of laughter.
"You are being patient with their questions, aren't you?"
"'Course I am. I'm a very patient guy."
Ally snorted into her breakfast just as the couple pushed back to leave the table.
"I suppose that's my cue." Cayden pushed back resignedly and followed them downstairs.
Cayden opened the door to the cellar and walked through the pews. He looked left and right, looking to see who was sleeping late. Macky was in his bed by the door, his mouth lolling open and his head at an odd angle. Cayden kept walking slowly by, dreading talking to the couple. He spotted Sam out of the corner of his eye in the fourth pew. He was lying on his back with his arm over his eyes. Cayden hurried past so as not to start any awkward conversation.
"Cay." Sam sounded weak. "I need to talk to you."
Cayden stopped instantly, starring dead at his brother, but didn't come any closer or make any comment. There was a gnawing in the pit of his stomach he wasn't going to acknowledge. Sam noticed that Cayden wasn't moving and removed his hand from over his face and dangled his head off the edge of the pew to stare back at Cayden seriously. Neither one said a thing for a long time.
Finally, when Cayden felt as if he were going to puke if he didn't say something, he opened his mouth blankly, trying to form a coherent thought.
"When?" He croaked.
Sam took a deep breath and put both of his hands back over his face.
"Day before yesterday." Cayden inhaled sharply, "When I left to find Macky and Flea."
Cayden ran a hand absentmindedly through his hair and slowly began to approach Sam. He felt anger somewhere inside of him and gradually latched on to it.
"That means you only have a day and a half left," his voice was rising, but it still shook, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Sam pulled his hands off his face to look at Cayden.
"I couldn't."
That disarmed Caydens anger, he couldn't use that now; he owed Sam more than that. He swallowed against his swollen throat.
"Who else knows?" He couldn't think about it yet, he wouldn't.
Sam sighed. "Everyone."
In response to Caydens raised eyebrows he said, "Macky and Flea were there when the head pain first came. They told everyone else, I'm sure. But I made him promise not to tell you. And I don't think he told Ally because she would have told you. I made them promise, Cay, so don't be angry at them."
They were silent again for another long moment.
"So…what now?" Sam closed his eyes at his question.
"Dunno."
Cayden let out the breath he didn't know he was holding and went to sit at Sams feet.
They sat like that for what felt like hours when Ally finally skipped down towards them.
"Oh, I thought you'd still be talking to Will and Eve. I came down to see if you guys wanted a game of baseball or something. Everyone else is already out there, ready."
"Ally," Sam cut her off, "I'm dying."
Ally preceded to look as though she'd been punched in the gut.
"What?"
"I'm dying. I don't want to play baseball."
Cayden, who was watching Allys reaction, suddenly jumped up.
"C'mon Sam. Don't be mean. You're still alive, after all. Let's play a game." He held out his hand for Sam. Ally was still starring between them with a stupefied look on her face.
"I'm not being mean. If one of the head pains comes while I'm out there, everyone will be there and I-"
"Shut up and come on."
"Fine, but if one of the pains comes, our team is going to loose."
"Who said you're on my team?"
"Cayden! You're so-"
"Shut up, Al." He snapped.
Sam smiled at their small exchange.
"'Kay, let's go." Sam said, smiling. Ally led the way out the door as Sam got up. Sam lowered his voice so she couldn't hear. "Promise me you'll kiss her before I die?"
Sam walked out without waiting for an answer, leaving Cayden red-faced behind him.