HUNTERS OF THE NIGHT
Chapter 4 – Surprise
The large town looked just like the small one except bigger, Gabrielle concluded after walking around a bit. The buildings liked ragged like the people and everybody stared at her. She made her way to the inn, trying not to squirm knowing eyes were glued to her back. She quickly opened the door and walked inside. It was somewhat dark and musty though it looked better on the inside than the outside. Is anybody in here?
“Hello there lass.”
Gabrielle spun around. She could just make out the bartender looking at her.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” he said.
She walked slowly to the bar and sat down on a stool. “A glass of Ale would be nice.”
He nodded his head and reached under the counter. He seemed to be in his early fifties or so. His close-cropped hair had a few gray streaks in it. The silver-gray eyes were as beautiful as a full moon.
He handed her a glass with a nod. “Are you planning on staying here?”
“I don’t know. It seems like I wouldn’t be welcome from what I can see.”
“It has not been very good for us lately.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Let’s just say this town is not very fond of visitors.”
Gabrielle took time to think about that. Are there looters who come? Vampires of Werewolves? A disease? “If I’m not welcome then I’ll be on my way.” She tossed a coin to him for the drink and started to walk toward the door.
“Do you know what time it is?” came his voice.
“No. Why?”
“It is nearly dark. You should not be outside at this hour.”
“Why’s that?”
A loud screech pierced the air.
“That’s why.” he said.
The man ducked behind the counter only to reappear with two guns. “You should stay inside.” he said as he raced for the door.
“Why?” she asked but he was already outside. Curiosity grabbed hold and guided Gabrielle to the door. Gunshots could be heard as well as people screaming. She ran out, grabbing a dagger that was lying on the bar. The sight she saw was unbelievable. The bartender was shooting at a grayish-whit thing flying in the sky. All the people of the town were running for shelter. The white thing swooped down aiming at a child. Gabrielle ran as fast as she could toward the screaming child. Once beside it she turned to the direction of the flying creature and made a slash through the air.
The creature looked at her with interest before hovering closer. Gabrielle had never seen a vampire in real life before so you have to understand that she was curious. It was a girl with long black hair and black eyes. The past looking skin seemed to have to stretch to cover all of her body. She landed a few yards from Gabrielle and started to change shape. What was the white skin was now a nice flesh color. She had a beautiful assortment of clothes on. It seemed like part of it was a dress and the other a temptress outfit.
“Who are you.” asked Gabrielle.
“You must be new here if you don’t know who I am. Please hand over the child.” The child behind Gabrielle started to cry.
“I cannot do that.”
“Oh? Well if you don’t hand him over then I’ll have to get him myself.”
The vampires ran at the child but Gabrielle picked him up and dodged the attack.
“Why, you little brat. I’ll have you for dinner instead.” The creature lounged at her again but failed to reach her.
“Lass get out of there!” came a male voice. She recognized it as the bartender. He was walking toward them with his pistols aimed at the vampiress. When the creature looked at him, Gabrielle set the child down and told him to run home.
The creature started laughing as she changed shape into her bat-like state and took off. She circled around them as the bartender started shooting. No bullet struck her. Gabrielle could see the man shaking; therefore, his aim was messed up. She would have taken the gun out of his hands and shot at the vampire, but she had never used a gun in her life.
“Leave us alone Kathleen!” shouted the man. “Go hunt animals.”
“But why?” Kathleen the vampiress asked. “You humans are more fun!” Cold laughter filled the air. She dived toward Gabrielle and the bartender. They moved just in time. Kathleen rose in the air laughing. “You see? You’re fun to play with.”
“Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to play with your food?” asked Gabrielle.
The vampire’s gaze shifted form the bartender to her, anger in her eyes. “Don’t bring my parents into this.” she said fiercely.
“Why not? You scared?”
Kathleen screamed and dived toward Gabrielle. Gabrielle dodged the attack. The bartender tried to shoot but he was no good. Soon, he stood frozen in fear. Kathleen dived again. When Gabrielle started to dodge, the vampiress changed direction and knocked her down. Blood oozed from Gabrielle’s cheek where Kathleen struck her with claws. The winged creature came around a second time but instead of Gabrielle for a target, she chose the man. He tried to run but was too slow. Kathleen knocked him down with a fling of her arm. She then changed back into her human-self and picked the man up by his shoulders.
“Please no!” cried the man. He shook his head so violently Gabrielle thought his head was going to come off. The vampiress grabbed his head, forcing it to still. She lowered her head to his neck. Gabrielle could just see Kathleen’s fangs growing into small daggers. She is going to bite him! With strength she didn’t know she had, Gabrielle stood and started to run toward the evil creature. She settled the dagger in her hand for a stab. Kathleen turned her head toward the oncoming girl and smiled. She picked up one of the guns the man had dropped and pointed it at the charging intruder. Gabrielle stopped immediately. Kathleen twisted her head back to the man and lowered her head.
“No!” Gabrielle screamed. She threw the dagger at the creature with all her might. Incredibly, the dagger hit the vampire in the side. Kathleen screamed and dropped the man. He fell to the ground in a lump. The vampire pulled the dagger out of her side with one hand and pulled the trigger of the gun with the other. Before Gabrielle could move, pain exploded in her right shoulder. She couldn’t help but scream as she fell to the ground.
Kathleen started to go back to the man. Just when Gabrielle thought there was no hope, a large black shape crossed the sky and dove toward the devil’s servant. The thing picked up the vampiress and threw her into a wagon. Kathleen jumped up and turned into her bat-form. She looked at her attacker. When she saw who it was, horror filled her face. She took off into the sky in a hurry. After Gabrielle could not see Kathleen anymore, she looked at the attacker. Horror filled her face too when she saw that it was another vampire. It started to walk toward her. She tried to move away but pain exploded in her shoulder. She felt dizzy and know she would faint. The last thing she saw was the dark vampire kneeling beside her. I’m going to die.
He heard the gunshots. His horse reared, key for him to go. He turned into his bat form and took off. The noise was coming from the larger town, Junction. He flew as fast as he could toward the woods just outside of the town where he could get a good look at what was going on. Then he heard another gunshot. When he looked, anger flooded his face. The evil vampiress, Kathleen, had shot a girl, and innocent girl. She bent her head down to feed on a man that was struggling in her grip. He flew out of the trees in a rush. The wind came at his face hard as he shot down and grabbed Kathleen. She struggled in his grip, not knowing what was happening, so he threw her in a wagon. Her eyes went wide when she saw him. He was an enemy of her master; an enemy that her master wanted to kill himself. She flew off in a hurry. No doubt that she was going to report him in the area. He’d better get back to the castle.
Just then, he heard a moan. He turned his head and saw the girl that Kathleen had shot on the ground with blood all over her. He walked over and realized she was the girl that he’d met on the road, Gabrielle. She tried to crawl away from him, not recognizing him because of his present form. Her eyes fluttered and were closing. She was going to faint. He kneeled and caught her before she hit the ground. The smell of blood was more exciting than ever, but he could not bite her. She was an innocent; his cross told him so. He picked her up and turned around. The man that was almost vampire food was not moving; his heart had no beat; he was dead. Well, he thought. I’ll just come back for him and use him to advantage.
The vampire took off into the air with Gabrielle in his arms. He studied her. She was beautiful and strong but was loosing a lot of blood. Her neck was just as beautiful as the rest of her. He wanted to brush his fangs along her neck and kiss her gently. Something brushed against his chest. He looked down and caught his breath. Her cross lay on her bosom, but it wasn’t the shape that bothered him. No cross could kill him. It was the designs that made him gasp. She’s a hunter. But how could she be? His cross looked just the same, but he was dead; she was alive. He wanted to learn more about her when she recovered.
When he reached his castle he sailed through the library window that stretched from the sill almost to the ceiling. He gently laid her on one of the couches.
“Herpen!” he called. A little creature resembling a small human entered the library.
“Yes master?”
“She has a bullet wound in her arm,” he pointed at Gabrielle, “I need you to dress it up please. She cannot die.”
“I’m going out and will return soon.”
“Yes master.”
“Thank you.” He left Gabrielle in his servant’s capable hands.
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