Life after Death
Eleven.
Jack straddled the unwanted visitor, one hand tightened around the stranger's neck. The incessant chatter and shrieks of the others receded into the background. Jack's vision blurred. Despite their vehement protests, he didn't care. The redhead beneath him was a threat and needed to be removed.
"Jack!"
He paused. A voice broke through the thick cloud of rage surrounding him. He loosened his grip and moved away. The male lay upon the ground, eyes wide. Jack narrowed his eyes as Rudy helped the male to his feet.
"Get out," Jack ordered.
The male's expression fell. Jack could care less. Two weeks ago they experienced the largest tragedy support had ever seen because of people like the redhead. No, the lab coat wearing monster wasn't welcome. He didn't know how the male found their location, but Jack was already thinking of new and better locations. They couldn't keep entertaining surprised guests. Support needed stability and security.
"Maybe I shouldn't have started with an introduction," the male stated.
"What brings you here, Milton?" Kim asked.
Jack shot Kim a glare that she ignored.
Milton rubbed at his neck, regaining his composure. "Please, I know we are on different sides of the line. My people hate you and you hate us. But he –he needs your help and I know I can't get through him."
"Who?" Kim questioned.
"Jerry."
Jack trailed behind the group as Rudy led the way toward the unoccupied conference room. He gritted his teeth. He couldn't believe they were inviting the man into their safe haven. Rudy entered the room first, offering Milton a chair.
"Talk and then get the heck out," Jack said, eyes narrowed.
"I knew about Jerry," Milton stated, hands folded in his lap. "I knew when he was turned. The boys back at headquarters were talking about what happened. I was shocked and concerned. See, slayers they have a set of laws. Slayers go out there and make the world safe, but if they get turned then there is a problem. You have two options. You are staked on the spot or you could strike a deal."
Kim gasped, hand upon her mouth.
"Jerry wasn't supposed to live," Milton remarked, eyes on his shoes. "I didn't expect him to be alive when I heard he had turned, but I heard good news from the team he went out with. Despite all I heard, I was suspicious. I found out later that Eddie had been on his team and bargained for his life for him. Eddie saved Jerry's life and doomed it at the same time."
A few obnoxious car horns blared outside, but the room of occupants remained focused on Milton. Jack scoffed, ready for the unwanted guest to leave.
"Eddie bargained for his life," Rudy stated. "Why would Jerry be in trouble? It seems like the slayers have an understanding."
Milton laughed, shaking his head at the comment. He played with his fingers, eyes on the ground.
"No, not exactly understanding. Our leader doesn't care for vampires, never had and never will," Milton continued. "When you bargain for your life that is asking for an extension. At the end of the day, no vampire actually lives. Of course, there are probably many runners that escape. But even when you work for the slayers as a vampire, your life isn't guaranteed."
Jack glared, eyes set on the man before him. He couldn't believe he was letting the monster speak. Milton was a researcher for the slayers. He specialized in vampires. He ran tests and gathered information slayers could use against them. Milton never said his subjects survived. And yet, the man had excellent information on the mysterious Jerry. Excellent and troubling information.
"So, I was right, then," Jack stated, arms in the air. "Jerry is a freaking slayer. He set them on us, Kim. Oh my gosh! We let him stay here, sleep here, and eat here!"
"He didn't betray any of you!" Milton interrupted. "When Eddie bargained for his life, Jerry was unconscious, going through the change. After they approved of the bargain, Eddie was able to get Jerry back to his place. Eddie didn't have the heart to tell him about what he had done, until much later. Actually, after he was turned, I began to see him in our labs. Jerry and I didn't have as close of a friendship as Eddie, but still we were good friends. He was one of the only guys who treated me with any respect. We had lunch often, but I could tell he was on edge. I suggested he look for vampire support. I didn't know how to help him. "
Rudy hummed, taking a seat beside Milton. Milton looked to the older male and flinched at the fangs. Jack noticed and snorted. Milton didn't trust a bunch of vampires, well didn't matter. Jack didn't trust a vampire torturer either.
"Milton, why are you here?" Kim asked, voice soft.
"For a while Eddie and I stopped seeing Jerry. We were unable to look for him," Milton stated, "Two weeks ago, Jerry showed up at my apartment, pale and sickly. I let him stay with me and I tried to help him. One time, I was brave and offered my blood."
Jack's brows furrowed. Milton worked for slayers and was practically one of them. Yet, he offered something precious to Jerry. He didn't understand it. Slayers shouldn't want to help vampires. Vampires shouldn't help slayers.
"He rejected me every time," he continued. "He would head out into the night and return early before my shift. I just didn't know what was going on, but just four days ago he came to me, wild and unstable. He said he had a solution. He said that things were going to make sense soon. I knew he was going to destroy himself. Anyone with an early expiration date would act that way. But he was acting stranger than usual. I followed him and – he was with a bunch of vampires acting nothing like himself. I ran. I ran here."
Kim nodded beside Jack. Jack narrowed his eyes. A bunch of vampires and Jerry. He growled.
"Kai. Jerry is with Kai, Kim."
Kim shook her head. "No, no he can't do that. He was doing so well with us."
"Please," Milton begged. "I know if Jerry can lay low, maybe he'll be able to escape with his life. I am aware you are no fan of me, but Jerry needs help. He is going to do something he'll regret. Or he could get killed. Ty and his night team make rounds this time of night. I just –please, please. He survived one encounter with Ty. I'm not sure he'll survive the next."
Kim turned to him, eyes wide and pleading. "Please, Jack. You heard Milton. Jerry didn't do it. Jerry didn't cause the attack."
"Are you kidding me, Kim?" Jack asked. "Read between the lines. Jerry bargained for more time and agreed to work for the slayers. He was being followed. Those slayer planned it form the beginning. Jerry would have died that night, but they kept him around. They hoped that idiot will show them the way. He led them right to us and over eighty of us died that night! Kim, we lost so many good friends. We lost so many staff."
Milton stilled, eyes furrowed. "No, you got it all wrong. Jerry didn't make the bargain for his life. And after the bargain they never told him what they wanted from him. He had no idea what they were going to do!"
Jack shook his head. "I find that hard to believe."
"Jack Brewer, look at me," Kim ordered. "You can either dwell in the past or you can ensure the future is brighter. Everything will work out if you stop holding onto this ball of rage you tote around. I see how angry you've been getting. You choked Milton as soon as you heard what he did for a living. Choked him Jack!"
Rudy nodded. "Jack, violence is never the answer unless it is a dire situation and defense is required. You know that. I taught all the staff that, you need to remember what you've learned."
"I don't want to remember," Jack spat. "We protect our own."
"Then do it," Kim stated, grabbing his wrist, eyes narrowed. "Protect our freaking own, Jack. Don't leave Jerry behind. You have to and if you won't I'll go it alone."
Jack gasped, heart in his throat. "Kim."
"Jack, you remember Jerry's progress? Or do you forget all you and I wrote down?"
Kim disappeared and reappeared, smashing a file into Jack's chest. He eyed the file. Kim grasped his hands, eyes soft. Jack shook as he opened the file, reading through notes and notes of progress. He winced at Jerry's decline. His lips twitched at the note he circled many times in pen. The note stated Jerry was a potential staff member in the making.
"Jerry helped so many here. His bright outlook gave others hope," Kim stated. "And sure he wasn't doing so well his last few days , but Sam looked up too him. And Sam hasn't been the same since he left. Jack, please."
"Kim, he killed vampires before us," he whispered, ignoring the stares. "He went out and destroyed vampires, new and old."
"I know, but Jack you killed humans before all this," she reminded. "We both did and then we learned that the brutality was unnecessary. Remember when we met? I was just deciding to take a new approach to vampire life, but you were submerged in the darkness of it. We helped each other. And we were strong ever since. Jerry needs our strength. All the lost and new vampires do."
Jack looked around at all the faces. He saw some skeptical faces like his own, but he returned his gaze to Kim. He shook his head, stepping back, remembering all the death he witnessed. In the corner of his eyes, Milton gasped. Kim let go of his hands as he moved away. She sighed. Jack reached out to her the last second, but she shook her head.
"Come on, anyone interested let's go," Kim stated. "We may find more than just Jerry tonight."
Kim headed out the door, a few older vampires trailing her. Milton gave him one pleading look before disappearing out the door. Jack slumped in an available chair. He should have said yes, but he saw too much. He just wished Kim could have felt the same.
Jack remained seated in the conference room, eyes focused on a spot on the ceiling. He remembered the huge cleaning effort they had to partake in after the attack. For days they cleared grit and grim from floors and walls. Around every corner there was troubling reminders of the tragedy. He closed his eyes, leaning his head back. He was on fire. The idea that Kim ran out there horrified him, but he couldn't bring himself to aide her in her rescue mission.
"Jack."
Jack shifted his attention to Rudy. The elder vampire rested in a folding chair nearby. He was shocked to know the elder hadn't run off with Kim. He guessed he had many responsibilities to oversee. It made sense. He tapped out a rhythm on the ground with his right foot, trying to drown out the memory of the heated conversation he held with Kim.
"Have I ever told you how I came up with Life after Death?"
"Yes, many times," Jack commented, giving Rudy a look.
"Oh, really? Huh, that is weird," Rudy replied. "I mean I was hoping I hadn't. That would have just been a great profound little story, but never mind."
"You kind of talk of a lot, Rudy," Jack reminded. "You always talk about your achievements with us all day long. There is nothing new really for you to say to me now."
Rudy frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Don't get smart, Jack."
Jack snorted, crossing his arms, lips twitching at the sides. Despite Rudy's knack for leadership, he could also surprise anyone with his level of nonsense. Jack enjoyed Rudy's moments of goofiness as much as his well thought out advice. He didn't mind having fun.
"I know you've been worried ever since the attack," Rudy shared. "We all have."
"Doesn't look like it," Jack commented. "I'm the only one talking about screening vampires before they become a part of group. I'm the only one talking about moving support to another more secluded location. It seems I'm the only one who even realizes the big tragic thing that happened two weeks ago. If everyone took it seriously, then they wouldn't be acting like they are now. The only people who understand are the recruiters. When I told them to remove Jerry from the search list, they obliged with little explanation."
"Now, Jack, you aren't being fair. We all felt the pain. We just can't let fear rule our lives. We are Life after Death, vampire support. Screening vampires and putting up bogus restrictions doesn't make us a group of vampires who understand. We support our fellow vampire. And that means all vampires."
Jack scoffed, head turned from Rudy's imploring gaze. "Even, the slayers? It didn't even occur to me that slayers could be vampires. Now it is something to look into, Rudy, don't you think?"
"No, I don't think."
"But you were just as suspicious as I was when I showed you that stake weeks ago."
"It was because safety is important."
"It is important to me too."
Rudy shook his head, hand on Jack's shoulder. "Is it? Jack, you were about to let all of group turn their back on one vampire. It is one thing if they go rogue. We try our best to draw them back, but most of the time it is ultimately their decision. But at the end of the day, if we can get them before it happens then we do."
"We are turning our back on one vampire that was a slayer not too long ago. Look, Rudy, I see what you are doing, but don't forget you were skeptical just like me. I have to go check on some of the members."
Jack arose from his seat, leaving a silent Rudy behind. He paused at the door and sighed. Sam stood in the doorway, thin and pale. Jack frowned. He had his fair amount of conversations with the young vampire throughout the weeks. Everyone was shaken after the attack, but Sam was a child. He knew the attack did the youth no favors mentally.
He knelt before the youth, trying to match his height. He reached out curling his fingers around the boy's right shoulder before pulling him into a hug. Tears littered his shirt as the youth shook and stuttered. Jack closed his eyes, hoping the best for the future.
"Is Jerry coming back, Jack?" Sam asked, gripping him tighter. "Kim says Jerry is coming back, but is he?"
Jack bit his lip, stuffing his own opinions of the teen down. "I don't know, Sam."
"He has to come back," Sam said. "He saved me. He saved my life."
Jack froze. He pulled the youth away until he was at arm's length. There was much Sam hadn't revealed about his experience during the attack. Guilt crept up his spine. He remembered how he hadn't given the boy a glance when Kim was in danger. He had tunnel vision. All he could see at the end was Kim and her pain. He had no idea that Jerry saved their youngest member.
"He can't leave!" Sam shouted. "He can't leave because he promised. Being a vampire hurts, Jack, but Jerry was the only one who understood."
"Hey, now that isn't true," Jack stated. "There a lot of vampires here who you could relate to."
"No," Sam remarked. "I can see it, Jack. His eyes always seem so sad."
Jack laughed, tears in his eyes. A wise man once said children can see and understand more than adults or teens realize. Children know more than anyone gave them credit for. He wiped the stray tears from the child's face. He ruffled his dark locks.
"Well, I guess you have no worries because Kim went to get him back."
Sam's eyes widened. "You didn't go? But what if she can't do it."
Jack chuckled at the youth's disbelief. He gave his head a pat before he straightened to his full height. "Don't let Kim ever hear you say that. She is very capable. I'm just a worried boyfriend most of the time."
Sam scrunched up his face, eyes focused on his own. "Gross."
Jack laughed fuller and louder as he moved the boy into the hallway. "Why don't you go find Marty? I'm sure she'd like some company right now."
"No, Marty is annoying and bossy," Sam remarked, hands in his jeans pockets. "She always tells me to do things and she doesn't even like my pranks. Who doesn't like pranks?"
Jack sighed. "Maybe because your pranks are mean. For example, snipping her pigtail wasn't very funny."
"It was for me."
Jack directed Sam down the hall. "Go find Marty, Sam. Rudy and I still have to discuss okay?"
Sam sighed and then smiled. "When Jerry comes back we are going to have so much fun."
Jack's heart stilled at the joy in the youth's eyes. He gave the little boy a pat on the back and smiled. Before the boy scurried off, he handed him a tiny Dixie cup of red liquid, thanking Rudy. The boy eyed the fluid, lips turned down. He shook his head.
"Hey, you want to hang out with Jerry when he comes back, do you?" he asked, watching the boy nod. "Then you have to keep up okay? You haven't been eating well, Sammy. Come on, don't make Jerry even sadder."
Sam nodded, eyes wide, grabbing the cup and chugging the liquid. He thanked Jack and Rudy before darting down the hall. Jack crossed his arms and smiled. Rudy stood nearby watching the teen from the corner of his eyes. Jack noticed the look.
"I'm not going to change my mind, Rudy."
Rudy shook his head. "But you already have, Jack. Kim needs your help. It has been thirty minutes since they left. Think about it."
He nodded. He looked to his cellular device once he noticed it vibrating in his pocket. Rudy's brows raised at the interruption. Often, he thanked Rudy for extending the budget toward a few cellphones for their most regular staff. He picked up the call.
"Kim? Okay, hey, calm down and speak slowly," Jack stated over the phone, eyes on a worried Rudy. "Hey, Kim. Kim you aren't calming down. Okay, just wait right there. I'm coming."
Jack took one look at Rudy. "I'm going, but not for him, for Kim."
Rudy nodded. "I'm coming too. I'll let Greg know he is in charge while I'm away."
Rudy and Jack headed up the hall, letting Taylor and Michael know about their departure. The cool night breeze whipped past Jack's brown locks. He pushed forward, concentrated on keeping his speed steady. One thought remained on his mind, Kim.
Hey everyone! Here is another chapter! Hope you liked it.
Special thanks to reviewers:
XoThatCrazyChickoX, thanks for the review. You loved it? Wow, thanks I appreciate the compliment. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Hopefully, this chapter revealed all you needed to know about Jerry. Thanks for the support.
Vicky2015, thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Thanks for the support.
Guest, thanks for the review. And here is the next chapter! Hope you liked it. Thanks for the support.
Well, the next chapter is 10% (estimated) of the way done. It is a very very very BIG chapter. I know I say this about all the chapters, but I promise this one is a big one. I'm thrilled! I may post the next chapter sooner than later, but it all depends really. So, stayed tuned. Only two more chapters left!
Let me know what you think. Do you think Jack has a right to be this angry? Or is he being unfair? Comment with your thoughts. I'm curious to see what you all think. All comments are welcome about the story, the characters, or what you like or dislike!
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Until Next Chapter,
Bye