Vortex:Chapter 4

I’ve decided to post a chapter a week of my old novel(2011) Vortex. I won’t be editing the story to keep the authenticity of this sharing experiment. You’ll just have to enjoy my young raw developing talent as is.

Copyright © by Jamila A. Stone. Do not copy or repost any parts of content.

I wake up in the morning unsettled with my decision to let Michael live. There’s just something about him that pulls me in. No one not Lance or Zeke know that I have vampire genes in my blood. That’s why I have just a little bit of higher senses and strength then other humans. Not to mention the bloodlust, an enjoyment of killing. My great great grandfather was a vampire and he married a human and had children and their children had children with other humans. My great, great grandfather betrayed his sire by being with a human and having children so he and his wife were killed. It was the start of our family line of hunters. The vampire genes thinned out so much I am very much human. But it’s still in me and I can’t deny it at times.  I go downstairs early afternoon to fix lunch for my boys hopping to make up for last night. I stay quiet as I go into the kitchen and start cooking some burgers.

“Morning sleepy head” Zeke comes into the kitchen to the fridge and grabs a beer his tone lacking emotion making me feel bad.

“Morning” I look down at the pan then gather myself for the unavoidable conversation. “Zeke I’m sorry man. I don’t know what came over me last night I should’ve let ya’ll handle Michael and just kill him. I feel like I betrayed you guys.” Flipping the burger I’m unable to look Zeke in the eye knowing he’s disappointed in me and I hate hurting him and Lance because to me it shows that I might not be fully human.

“Eliza no one knows what comes over you most of the time. You’re a great hunter maybe too great. You become what you kill freely, you don’t fight the darkness you toy with it try to use it as a weapon but you can’t.” He looks at me as if he’s trying to figure me out, if I am really sorry. Scarily probably as if I was really human, the look makes me want to give him some access to my hidden emotions.

“I know what you’re saying but our enemies are evil the advantage they have I use to my advantage. It gets scary though.” I put his food on the table not seeing Lance around so I don’t bother making more.

“I love you girl, you know I do. It just gets scary at times.” The conversation ends that quickly and easy as he sits down and eats.

“I’m going on a little road trip I might be back in two days maybe later. You and Lance will be ok? Things should be quiet since Michael has been taken care of.”

“We’ll be fine Eliza of course it’s you we’re worried about. Come back safely.”

I give him a hug and kiss his cheek. “Of course” Stating if response of coming back safely I leave and go to my car popping the trunk making sure my little artillery is all there before driving off. I couldn’t tell anyone where I’m going, knowing they might catch onto what I’m doing. Michael is slowly dying a painful death and the only way to cure him is a potion that can only be made by witches. The poison was made by them so they’re the only ones who know and can create the antidote. Michael saved my life and he didn’t on multiple occasions kill me when he could have. He could’ve even killed me right when the first chain shot through him or used me as a shield. I just can’t stop thinking about him and how honorable he seems even though he’s a vampire. It’s insane and I continue to tell myself I’m crazy but I need to save him at least try. Michael needs lots of blood to heal himself but the poison in him prevents his body from sustaining blood his body will reject it and make the poison spread quicker. I drive all day until the early evening of the next day to Maine the Appalachian Mountains close to Canada’s Quebec City. The drive is long but the scenery is peaceful. It helps me keep my mind from going crazy. I go straight to the forest that’s close to the home of three witches. Parking deep in the forest as I can I know no one will bother my car as everyone is superstitious and scared of the forest though they have do have reason to be. I grab a bag and walk through the woods weary of the witches and their magic but know they can’t possess or control me as I have a tattoo that protects my body from being possessed or controlled. My mind can still be accessed so I try to keep my thoughts controlled. Moving through the forest gets creeper and creeper as I get deeper in and begin not to hear anything. Once I get a few feet from the house I see a woman seemingly float around me from a far distance and speak to me through the wind.

“Why have you come?” The woman’s voice carries through the wind like a whispering melody.

“I’ve come for help.” Before I can think of something other than my real reason for needing help the woman appears right in front of me and slides her fingers on my chest above my heart.

“You come seeking to save the life of a vampire. We do not help evil but it’s not evil you feel from him is it?” I stare at her mad she read my mind then wonder what she’s talking about.

“Can I get help or not?” I get a bit irritated at not being able to know what she’s thinking when she can read my mind easily. She smiles knowingly at me making me more agitated.

“We do help the matters of the heart. Follow me.” She walks towards the house and I follow inside cautiously.

“Well since you know why I’m here I need the antidote right away. What’s your price?” I know there are two more sisters somewhere and everything comes with a price.

“Dear I cannot give you the antidote. I need to seek the guidance of my sister Zola, see if you can offer something that’s worth saving a leech.”  I follow the witch down to a basement of some kind that lends to a long underground corridor to an open room lit with candles and bookshelves aligning two walls and an area where pillows and throws lay probably for a séance.

The place is a bit cozy but I don’t let it distract me I keep an eye on the two sisters as they give each a look as they are telepathically speaking to each other. I know this because their lips don’t move but their body language is communicative then the one name Zola walks over as if she’s known me for years.

“Am I going to get the antidote or are you guys just going to admire my good looks?” A cocky smirk appears on my face, already grown bored with the wait.

“You’re an impatient one aren’t you?” Zola slides her hand over my shoulder as she walks around me, then leans into my left ear whispering. “Your darkness is intoxicating.”

“Want a taste?” I look at her when she’s facing me, ready to show her just how dark I can be if I don’t get what I want. I’m use to toying with others. I don’t like it when others play with me. She just smiles at me not fazed then leans in and kisses me on the lips and as our lips softly lock images fill my mind of me as a vampire. The images are so real I can feel what’s being seen. Startled I move a few steps back at what I saw, me as a vampire, making love to Michael, and killing. I stare at Zola wondering a bunch of things with what I saw.

“A glimpse of your future if you save this vampire’s life, you are a part of both worlds. I will give you the antidote if you promise to return when you become your ancestors.”

“I’ll take the antidote but I won’t become a vampire. I kill them I won’t become one.” My tone is hard at this witch who has put fear in me. She makes me question saving Michael and my own life. She doesn’t say anything but walks away and beckons with her hand to follow her. I reluctantly follow her to another room where multiple shelves hold bottles. Zola gets what I need prepared and hands it to me.

“Hook the vamp up with this through an IV the antidote will go through him and do its work quick. Every time half of it goes down feed him blood with this elixir two times then he will be able to drink blood regularly again.”

“Fine” I walk out and see its still dark outside so I check my watch and see its twelve twenty in the morning. Many thoughts run rapid in my mind but I shove it away and run to my car so I can hurry and get back to New York. Saving one’s life at the risk of becoming what I hate is something I wouldn’t do but he has touch a part of me that won’t let go of him. My parents taught me that nothing is black and white that like my great, great grandfather not all evil is evil. But all I’ve ever came across in the dark has been evil and once my parents were killed by vampires I just can’t think of them being able to be good. I drive throughout the day until I get to Vermont then I take a stop to eat and sleep and spend the rest of the time speeding to New York.