Life after Death
Three.
Street lamps illuminated Kim's pale face as she strolled along the sidewalks. Neon signs passed overhead while she conversed with Jack on the phone. Her attention strayed to the grocery bag in her left hand. She frowned. Their party was going to be on the modest side as usual.
"I'm just saying that maybe this year we could actually get some help from our human supporters," Kim shared. "I know you want to keep them out of our problems, but I think it is time to try something different. Don't you think we should open our door a little?"
Grunts of refusal drifted toward her ear. Kim wasn't bothered. She was certain one day Jack would see reason. While the location of Life after Death remained unknown, there was more talk of the support group amongst human citizens. Despite their secrets, word traveled fast.
"I'm not saying we invite any humans in, Jack. It would be too risky," she said. "I just think we should accept their charitable donations. We can accept their money out in public or private and bring it back. We don't have help from our fellow vampires. They rather pretend we don't exist. We are weaker vampires in their minds. If we even had old century vampire supporters, their too afraid of –I know just – Wait hang on, Jack."
Soft whimpers drifted toward Kim's ears. A lone car rested to her right and a few humans traveled past her. She wandered toward an alley nearby, trying to avoid the sour scent emerging from the area. The smell of iron permeated the air, distracting her, before she bolted down the alley. The alley continued until an opening came upon her immediate right. She turned, determined to figure out the mysterious smell's origins.
She dropped her bags.
"Jerry?"
She rushed forward, dropping to her knees. Jerry lay, dazed and confused, head resting against a wall. She placed a hand upon his crumpled tee and sighed. She focused on the scent from before, searching. Her eyes widened. Not too far from them was a female slumped against a dumpster.
"Oh, no, Jerry," she whispered. "Please tell me you didn't."
Newly turned vampires were a danger to anyone around them. While the transition was different for each individual, eventually even the most intolerant of human blood lusted for it. She left his side and walked to the female. Brunette locks lay across her bare shoulders, cascading just past her waist. A steady pulse thrummed beneath Kim's finger as she checked for signs of life. She hovered just before the woman's ear, pleased by the puffs of air.
Kim took several steps back and began to think. She shot her eyes toward the opening of the alley at the sound of footsteps in the distance. Her grocery bag and cellphone lay several feet away. Her call with Jack disconnected. Before she could dial Jack's number, the phone sung and vibrated with an incoming call.
"Yes, Jack," she replied. "No, I'm fine. I found him. Who? I found Jerry in an alley with a human woman. Yes, I smell blood, but the woman seems relatively unscathed. I'm going to get her to the hospital. Have Paul pick up the grocery when he comes for Jerry. Thanks."
Kim pocketed her phone, glancing at the lone bag in the alley and then at the occupants. She sighed, eyes on Jerry. "I hope after tonight, you'll feel compelled to see what support has to offer."
She turned to the woman, hooking an arm beneath her knees and neck. She could have called an ambulance, but that would involve the authorities. Society had enough ammunition against vampires lately. She wouldn't be the one to add to the fire. Jerry rested against the wall, head titled back and eyes closed. She frowned and kept her thoughts of Jerry on hold as she focused on the woman in her arms.
XIXIXIXIXIXIXIX
Jack paced up and down his office, hands in the pocket of his pants. He looked to Kim and then Rudy. It wouldn't be the first time they received anyone from the allies. Recruiters swept through the allies every night for new vampires. Either way it didn't stop him from worrying his lip between his teeth.
"Constance has him," Rudy shared. "Once he wakes, we are going to see if we can get some blood in him. He is beyond reasonably pale for a vampire, not a good sign."
Jack sat on the edge of the mahogany desk, eyes on Kim. "You stated there wasn't much blood. He didn't bite this woman?"
"I scented some blood," Kim stated, recounting the event. "I think it was from a struggle. If he had bitten her the scent would have been more overpowering than that."
Jack nodded, comforted by the facts. He sighed, running fingers through his hair. They received new vampires from the alleyways all the time. Years ago, they decided on designating one room for their alley rescues. The room in the office was labeled the infirmary. They didn't have medical equipment, because vampires healed at a faster rate than humans. Despite vampire's healing ability, they required large amounts of blood after an injury or after long periods of hunger.
"Jack, I assure you this could have been worse," Rudy promised. "He is a lucky vampire. I must warn you any further resistance from here on out will lead to trouble in his case. His blood aversion won't overpower basic need any longer."
Jack laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation. Yes, Jerry's blood aversion won't keep him from blood for long. Usually someone with a low tolerance for blood kept away from it for as long as possible. There must be some stressors in Jerry's life to lead him to blood so fast after his turning. Most vampires with an aversion to blood kept away from it for days, maybe weeks.
"Jerry seems to be under some kind of stress. We will discuss with him later," Rudy confessed.
Jack nodded. "Right, for now we wait for him to wake up."
"Don't have to wait for much longer."
Jack turned to the doorway. A women sporting a grey sweater and distressed jeans leant against the doorframe. Dark brown locks fell around her shoulders, framing an oval face. Jack smiled. Constance had always exuded a comforting presence despite her vampire nature. She had been around since Rudy opened the center. He was relieved.
"He is blinking and murmuring," Constance shared. "He'll be up in less than a few minutes. Already got a whole bag of O ready for him. What is his story?"
Jack opened and closed his mouth, uncertain of the full details himself. All he remembered was Kim ushering in a wild eyed Jerry the first day they met. It hadn't been too long ago. He shook his head, leaving her questions unanswered.
"Well, there is some blood aversion," Kim remarked.
Constance furrowed her brows, calculating expression on her face. "How high? What have you noticed?"
"First night, we calmed him down and brought him to group," Jack said. "We convinced many of the new ones to take at least a sip while the regulars guzzled cups down. We couldn't convince him. He left without a single drink."
"How long had it been since he turned then?"
"Two days," Kim replied.
Constance nodded. "It could be worse, but I can tell no blood is doing him no favors. He'll need some good mouthfuls before he can function. He should be a little more willing from what you've said. If he is already seeking out human blood, his aversion shouldn't stop him. I can't make any firm promises though."
Rudy arose, wiping his palms onto his jeans. "Let's got check on him then."
Despite Rudy's trust in them, Jack appreciated his presence during sensitive cases. Jerry was new and hostile. It was best to arrive in a group because of Jerry's condition. There was no telling how a new vampire's mind processed new information. The most horrific hallucinations came from blood deprivation.
They walked five doors down from the meeting room. Constance unlocked the door and headed inside. Rudy, Jack, and Kim stood in the doorway. The max capacity of the room was three individuals. A male lay upon a ruddy mattress, yellowing from the dumpster they fished it from. Jack winced at the condition. They had linens for the mattress at one point, but had used the extra for the new members sleeping further down the hall. They simply didn't have enough to spare anymore.
"Poor guy," Constance stated, running soft fingers through Jerry's hair. "He is a young one, you know? I say eighteen or nineteen. Basically the age of you sprouts."
Jack bristled at the comment. "We may look young, but we are older than you Constance."
Constance nodded. "Right, vampire age. Don't be too angry at this old woman. I've only been a vampire fifteen years. I'm not well versed in all things vampire quite yet."
Eyelids fluttered open and a gasp erupted from cracked lips. Jack stilled, eyes focused on the Jerry. The male shot up into a sitting position. Jerry's eyes widened as he fidgeted in place. Constance grabbed a hold of his shoulders as his body jerked. She pushed him back to the lumpy mattress, shouting for someone to get the blood nearby. Kim shoved past him and searched for their tiny storage unit of blood.
Constance's fangs elongated before she ripped through the thick plastic. Red liquid gushed from the bag as she forced the opening toward the opened mouth. Jerry calmed. Jack heaved a sigh of relief at the relaxed figure.
Jerry shoved the bag and Constance back. She stumbled from the mattress, cursing at the large red stain on her blue blouse. The new vampire sputtered and coughed, droplets of red spraying from his lips.
"You okay kid?" Constance questioned, no longer concerned about her attire.
"What the heck are you doing?" he questioned. "Where the heck is this?"
Jack sighed. He was familiar with the confusion. For a few days, Jerry had been in a daze. A few drops of blood could clear up any confusion. It would take a few seconds for things to catch up with him. Soon everything would fall into place.
"Jerry, you are here at support, remember?" Kim shared, voice soft like the first day. "You've been going through a daze I'm sure. Constance gave you some blood so things should clear up a bit more. You'll have to drink a little more if you –"
"She gave me what?" he hollered, eyes wide and wiping his lips. "Is that what that smell is?"
Jack frowned at the crude response, but understood. He too had been less than pleasant when he discovered he had turned. Jerry's eyes landed upon the flatten bag. He leapt from the mattress, crashing into some shelves and howled.
"I wouldn't dance around in here," Jack shared, arms crossed. "This is practically a broom closet. It is executive, but still smaller than an office."
"Is that really blood? Did you psychos really—?" Jerry stated, back pressed to the wall. "I – no, you are wrong. I'm not supposed to be here. I'm not one of you all. I shouldn't be a live if I was."
"Hey, none of that talk," Rudy stated. "Vampires live long lasting and healthy lives. They can be as human as they want to be. Here at support we'll help you with your transition. Which, you obviously need."
Jack nodded. "You aren't alone."
Jerry dropped to the ground. "I—killed someone, didn't I?"
Kim moved forward, cautious. Jack smiled at her gentleness. If anyone could reel in a new vampire, she could. Wide eyes looked around at them. Jerry circled his arms around his torso, pressing further into the wall behind him. He shook in place fingers tapping along his jeans clad thighs.
"No, she is just fine, Jerry," Kim promised. "I delivered her to the hospital and wiped her memory. She'll just think she had a terrible faint."
Jack looked toward the other vampires. "Rudy, Constance? We'll take it from here, alright?"
"You sure?" Constance asked, hand on her hip. "He still seems a bit frazzled."
"Trust us, we have dealt with worse," Jack stated.
Constance shrugged and then looped arms with Rudy. Both adults disappeared from sight. Jack sighed, shuffling into the room. Kim spoke just above a whisper with Jerry, searching for any new information from the male. He hadn't been vocal on his first night of support.
"I have to go," Jerry pleaded. "I can't be here."
"Go, you are kidding right?" Jack questioned. "You've barely had any blood. What Constance gave you was child's play. You should have already been on a careful 8 oz. dosage since the day you turned, which you haven't. You go out there you'll rip out a throat."
"How do you know what I'll do?" Jerry spat. "You don't know me."
"I know Kim found you in an alley with a human woman. Don't get smart with me newbie."
Jerry quieted at the reminder. Jack sighed, kneeling beside Kim. The male looked between them both, before playing with his fingers. Kim's hand settled on Jerry's knee.
"I suggest you stay here for the night," Jack suggested.
"I have a home to go to."
"Most of our regulars do too," Jack commented. "Don't resist, Jerry. We are trying to help."
Jerry scoffed, body still shaking. "A helpful vampire, who would have thought?"
Jack ignored the jab. He was used to humans and their distrust of vampires. He had seen enough from his weekly trips into the city. Despite the government laws, humans still were weary and prejudice. He looked to Kim who mirrored his exact concerned expression.
"People will know if I don't show up," Jerry said.
"Are they the same people who noticed your absence before?" Jack asked. "They did a fine time watching over you. If you made any contact with anyone during this time, you didn't stick around. Don't be embarrassed to say you have nowhere to go. Plenty of the newly turned –"
"I said I have a home to go to, alright?"
Jack stopped, lips pressed in a thin line. It had been a while since he had such a difficult case within their walls. Most of the newly turned were either hopeless or resistant beyond help. Jerry was somewhere in the middle. It was clear he didn't want to be left alone or else he would have stormed out as soon as he could. Then again the only exit was blocked. Jack didn't know why he was so adamant. He rarely forced anyone to stay. He wasn't usually persistent. He guessed Brody made a great impact.
"You can go home after our talk tomorrow morning," Kim promised.
"What talk?" Jerry questioned.
"In the morning," Jack repeated. "Come on, we have a large space where you can sleep. They'll be others there like –"
"No, I rather stay in this broom closet."
Jack looked to Kim who nodded. "I'll get some linen and sheets. That mattress isn't anything to talk about."
Kim re-etered the room with blankets and linen. Jerry allowed her to prepare the lumpy mattress. He miled. Jerry was a tough case, but he was prepared to steer him toward the right path. He hoped tomorrow he would learn more about their new arrival.
XIXIXIXIXIXIXIX
Hello Everyone! Hope you enjoyed chapter three. I enjoyed writing it.
Special thanks to reviewers:
Maddyliza1234, thanks for the review. You love this? Wow, I'm glad you like the idea. I'm glad you noticed Jack's behavior. I wanted him to come across as caring. I'm relieved that it is obvious. Don't worry about not reviewing the last chapter. No need to apologize at all. I'm glad to know you were reading either way. I appreciate this review! Thanks for the support.
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EVanvicky
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The next chapter is 15% (estimated) of the way done. I'm excited to share the next new chapter with you.
Thanks to all those reading, reviewing, following and leaving favorites. I appreciate the support. You all are the best.
Until Next Chapter,
Bye