Life after Death
Two.
Jerry didn't show up the next day, but Jack wasn't worried. He was familiar with the pattern. Most new members disappeared for a day and then showed up ready for group days later. Kim was worried, but Jack assured her it would all work out. He wasn't too concerned.
"I think we should think about a curfew, Jack," Kim stated over a warm cup of O. "I don't like all these new slayer sightings. It is unsettling. After dark, the new vampires are safer here then out there."
"Alright, try and tell a bunch of teens that they need to be home before midnight."
"I'm serious, Jack," she stated, palms flat against the desk in their office.
Jack leant back in the office chair. Jack and Kim shared an office space. He didn't mind. The office used to be Rudy's own private bedroom, but he decided to give it to them. Rudy had been impressed with their leadership and wanted to reward them.
"I'll discuss with Rudy, see if he has any advice on how we should approach the situation," Jack remarked. "Rudy and I run a mini dojo in here and a good portion of the teens attend our lessons. Their self-defense should be good. Training and practicing their newly acquired skills should help them."
"But not everyone wants to learn karate, Jack," Kim promised. "I'm just worried. The slayer organization is growing large and we can't ignore them just because none of our own have been targeted yet. Many vampires have been killed and it is celebrated on the news."
"No one is celebrating anything on the news, Kim," Jack promised. "The government is partially on our side. Remember all the inclusion laws? Before someone would scoff at the idea of allowing a vampire into any form of business. Now, we can roam just as freely. We have shops and eateries that anyone can frequent. I read the Seaford Harold this morning and Tim's Bakery is a hit with the Seaford citizens. Kim, Tim is a vampire."
Kim rolled her eyes. "I've tried his pastries. The review was a little too glowing for him."
"Either way," Jack shared, leaning forward. "I think the world is warming up to our vampireyness. Two months from now a movie will be showing with a vampire male lead. Society doesn't hate us as much as they did back when they were carrying pitch forks and trying to stake us in the hearts."
Kim rolled her eyes. "Why bring up such medieval times, Jack?"
"I want you to know times have changed. Slowly changing, but they'll be good. Now, I'm not naïve. I know that most hate us, but not as many as you think."
"Jack!"
Jack bolted upright in his computer chair. Jack turned his eyes toward the door where Taylor stood. He looked to Kim and gave her a nod. He bolted past her to Taylor. He took a hold of her shoulders, making sure he didn't press too hard. He knew how anxious Taylor could be in situations. It was a result of her gruesome turning.
"Kai," she said.
Jack narrowed his eyes.
"Kai and Carson," she added.
Jack eyes narrowed. "You okay?"
She nodded. "A few of the newly turned were in the lobby. I rushed them to the back as soon as they kicked down the front door."
"Kicked?" Kim asked. "They normally don't use such aggression to get inside."
"They are getting more violent that is why," Jack said, rolling up his sleeves and pushing the door open to the lobby. "Kai, Carson? What the heck do you want?"
Kai looked up from a pamphlet and waved the glossed folded sheet around. "What is this crap? Vampirism and you? Tips on living a normal vampire life? You can still enjoy everything you used to enjoy? What bull are you feeding these vampires?"
Carson eyed them, hands in his pocket. "Let me have one of those. I'm curious about what life I could be living."
Jack bit his lip. Carson and Kai had been coming around for years. They had a large following of unruly vampires. A few newly turned had been enticed by their lifestyle and were pulled into a life of blood, crime, and evil. Jack wished they'd stop coming around.
"No hard feelings," Kai shared, dropping the pamphlet into a waste basket. "About Brody."
Jack glared.
"I mean, it was bound to happen, really," Kai stated, lips turned up at the sides. "Brody isn't like you all, holding hands and singing flowery songs. He wants blood, carnage, and loves the destruction he leaves behind. You know, you used to love that too before you met Miss Peace and Joy."
Kim grabbed Jack's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"It used to be you and me," Kai shared, throwing a couple more pamphlets in the garbage. "Back when vampires were respected and feared. You remember? I know you do. You killed five humans a day. I'm surprised your father is letting you do all this. As an heir –"
"He isn't my father, Kai," he spat. "You and I know that. He turned me and that is all. Turned me centuries ago and slaughtered our family. Don't you remember that? He turned me and his advisor turned you. He isn't my father."
"But, isn't he? I mean you both are still in contact aren't you?"
Kim looked at him, questioning glance in her eyes. "You still talk to him? I thought –"
"Jack is still in contact with the old vampire," Carson said. "We've seen him make his trips. We are very observant. I guess you aren't as 'reformed' as you like all your little vampire friends to think. Maybe you still hunt too?"
"Get out."
Kai dropped the last pamphlet in the garbage, a smile on his lips. "Ah, well, I guess our visit is over, Carson. That is fine. I'm starving. I saw a couple walking not too far from here, maybe if we run we can catch them."
Kai gave Jack a wink that he wished he hadn't seen. He really wished Kai would stop coming around. A gust of wind rustled his brown locks as he rushed toward the door trying to ignore the broken hinges. He cursed beneath his breath. He was certain he could fix the door, but he wouldn't mind a professional. Maybe one of Rudy's construction friends could help.
"Jack."
He pushed the door back into place and moved back. It would hold in place until they fixed it.
"Jack, you can't ignore me."
Jack sighed.
"Are you still talking to Acheron?" she questioned.
He turned to her, arms crossed. "Kim, he is hard to shake. You know how he is? He said he would have destroyed this place a long time ago, but he lets me do what I want. This place is off limits as long as I visit. He said I need to prepare to take his place. But I'm not his heir. He should have bitten someone else. He would get better results."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Jack frowned, emptying the waste basket of the pamphlets and placing them back in the bin. He dropped into a nearby chair, running his fingers through his hair.
"If I told you, then you would question me. After all, the support group was never my idea," he shared. "And you know how I was all those years ago. I was reckless and irresponsible. It wasn't until I met you and Rudy that I began to realize I could use this new vampire life for good."
"Hey, I would have never questioned you."
He tilted his head to the side, brows raised.
"Okay, I would have been suspicious, but I know your heart Jack."
"What heart? Vampires are cold and heartless."
"You aren't," she reminded. "Despite the vampire Kai knows, I know you and the vampire you are now is nothing like before. Stop letting him get to you every time he decides to drop by. He just wants to ruin everything."
Jack gave her a firm nod. "I understand. I shouldn't worry too much."
"Good, now, let's get back to the office. We have to finalize the party."
He smiled, as she dragged him by the hand toward the office. He pushed his encounter with Kai and Carson from his mind. Kim was right. He shouldn't worry too much. He took a seat across from Kim as she sat in the office chair. He looked over the plans on the desk, smiling.
"This party is going to be a great idea. We've gotten a lot of newer members recently. It would be nice to show them what we are about," Jack remarked.
"It would be nice if we had even more money," Kim said. "Imagine what this party could be. All I have on my tiny list is 3 different liters of soda and a bag of chips."
"Don't forget the cheap party streamers," Jack stated, pointing at the item on the tiny sheet of notebook paper. "Nothing says party like cheap streamers and a one dollar bag of balloons."
"Oh well, it is the thought that counts after all," Kim reminded.
Jack agreed. "They'll have fun no matter the price tag."
"Look at you, Mr. Glass half full."
Jack shook his head and arose from his seat at the sound of the door creaking open. A young teen, named Archie, peeked through the door. He opened the door wide. The teen's body shook and his teeth chattered as he stood in the doorway. Jack invited the teen in.
"What can we do for you Archie?" Jack asked.
Jack gestured toward the chair across from the desk. Archie rejected the offered seat, but Kim wrapped an arm around his shoulder, coaxing him into a chair. Jack sighed. Archie was a boy of few words. Jack scratched at the tiny hairs at the back of his neck, thinking. He eyed the list on the table and nodded.
"I'm guessing you aren't up for talking," Jack said.
The teen shook his head, arms wrapped around his thin torso.
"How about you help us plan a party?" Jack asked.
Archie's lips twitched at the suggestion and reached for the list on the table. Jack gave the boy a pat on the back and then took a seat on the edge of the desk. The sound of teeth gnashing lessened. Kim pulled up a chair near the teen.
Archie and Kim broke out into a fit of laughter. His shoulders relaxed as warmth crept throughout his body. Although he had his own doubts about support, he couldn't deny the joy he got from helping others. He couldn't wait to do the same for other vampires down the road. He promised to make sure no one got in the way of their goals.
XIXIXIXIXI
Hey Everyone! Wow! Here is another chapter! A little on the short side, I know, but the next should be longer.
Special thanks to reviewers:
Guest, thanks for the review. I love stories about vampires too. I've done a great job? Wow, thanks! I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Thanks for the support.
Well, the next chapter should be up soon. I'm 10% (estimated) of the way done. Feel free to let me know what you think!
Thanks to everyone reading the story. You all are the best!
Until Next Chapter,
Bye