Brynne, Non-Vampire (The Non-Vampire Series) Read online

  “You’re doing something stupid.”

  “I just want to talk to them, Jessica. I’m not fighting these people, okay. I’ll be fine.”

  “They’re monsters, honey. Do you understand that?”

  “Jessica, I think I understand this situation better than you do. Look, I’ll be back in a couple of days. I promise.”

  “You better be.”

  “Hey, I swear it’ll be okay.”

  “Okay.” I didn’t know she was crying until she sniffled. “Be careful.”

  “Jessica, I swear it will be okay. I’ll see you in a couple of days. Love you, Jess.”

  I spent the evening and night walking around the seedier neighborhoods, sneaking around as much as possible, trying to find them. I tried going places I would go to hunt, if I were going to, but it’s been so long that it just doesn’t come naturally anymore. I wound up by some college dorms before I gave up around dawn and headed back to the hotel.

  Wednesday May 18 Jess said she had an interesting time coming up with excuses for me at school. She’s so worried, and she keeps telling me she’s going to come over here if I’m not back soon. That would be very bad. She said she’d be bait. Like I need that to worry about on top of everything else, right? I wouldn't be able to survive if something happened to her. I am not putting the one person I care most about at risk like that.

  I spent another night wandering around in the trees, waiting and watching. I was certain that an attack would come, but I was also fairly sure it would be across town from where I was at, no matter where that would be at the time. My odds of finding them were really pretty slim, but I couldn’t give up.

  And I wasn’t giving up, not completely, but I was going back to the hotel for the night. And so I stepped out onto the sidewalk and headed back across town. I would come looking for them again tomorrow, I told myself. Except that's when they found me.

  I could hear them. At first it wasn’t much, just movement in the bushes. They were being careful, stalking me. There was nobody else around, so they would be attacking soon, I figured. I stopped on the sidewalk.

  “You can come out now.” I said. I hadn’t turned toward them. “I hear you.” I waited, but the movement had stopped. They were waiting. “I know what you are. I’m like you. Come out. I just want to talk about the attacks.”

  It took another minute of waiting, but eventually a woman and a man came out from the brush. She was probably almost a foot taller than me, and skinnier than even I am. He’s huge. Not much taller than her, but he has to weigh three hundred pounds and it looks like it’s all muscle.

  “I’m Brynne.” I said.

  “This is Joanna.” he said, nodding toward her. “I’m Julius.” “It’s nice to meet you.” I said. I was just being polite, because I’d really rather be anywhere except here. “So where can we talk?” “We have nothing to talk to you about.” the woman said. “Find

  your own place to hunt.”

  “I don’t hunt.” I said. These two scare me. Really scare me.

  “That’s what I want to talk about.”

  “How do you manage that?” he asked.

  “Blood banks.”

  “Ugh.” she muttered. She looks disgusted to even be in my

  presence.

  “Listen, you do know there are people out there that would kill

  us if they knew where we were?” I said.

  “So?” she said.

  “Bring ‘em on.” was his response.

  “Look, if you can’t deal with the blood from the blood banks,

  then maybe we can talk about how to do this without killing them.” “Or we could talk about you staying out of our business.” she

  said.

  This is getting nowhere. Great. I hate this! Why do they have to be so difficult? “So how long have you been around?” I asked her. “That has nothing to do with this.”

  “Yeah, I... I’m just curious.”

  “Fifty years.” she said. “About.”

  “And you?” I asked him.

  “Same.”

  “So... so who did this to you? I mean... is he still around?” “Somewhere.” he answered, shrugging.

  “I was told I was the last. The one who changed me, he said he

  was the last before me. So when he died, I thought I was it. I haven’t seen another like us in well over a century.”

  “There’s a lot of us out there.” she said.

  “Do they all kill?” I asked. I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter right now. What I’m trying to do is talk to you about this. Because it’s coming down on my head. Those people, the hunting squad or whatever that is looking for us, they’re going to see what you’re doing and they’re going to come here. And that puts me at risk.” “So move.” he said.

  “I’m not moving. I’ve lived in Hanton for a long time, I have a home and best friend and I’m not leaving. But you’re bringing people to this area. If you could just not kill them, then it would be okay, as long as you were careful not to be seen.”

  “Don’t tell us what to do!” she snapped. She started toward me, but he grabbed her arm.

  “I’m not telling. I just... I’m asking. Please, stop. These people don’t deserve to die.”

  “That’s not your business.” he told me. “And I think our discussion is over. You should go away.”

  “I can’t let you keep doing this.”

  “Who’s going to stop us?” she asked. “You? You’re just a girl.”

  “I... Please, just stop.”

  “What, or you’ll cry?” she asked, laughing.

  “You don’t have to be like this. You don’t have to kill.”

  “You should go.” he told me. “Now!”

  His look conveyed the message he meant it to, I think, which is that I am very much in danger if I don’t leave. I didn’t want to turn my back on them, so I backed away. I kept my eyes on them until I was probably a hundred yards away, then I turned and ran. All the way back to Hanton.

  Thursday, May 19 I didn’t go to school. I was too tired from running all night, and too upset from failing to change their minds. Something has to be done. Maybe I should take a gun and go kill them myself. Shoot them, then burn or behead them.

  I actually found myself shaking when I heard the doorknob rattle. I froze, there on the sofa, and waited. If it was them I would have been dead, because I didn’t even make a move. Instead it was Jessica.

  “You’re back!” she shouted. She ran over and hugged me. “Are you okay?”

  “No. They wouldn’t listen, Jess. They actually sort of threatened me. I couldn’t stop them.”

  “It’s not your fault. You tried.”

  I told her the whole story of what happened, whining and complaining the whole time. She took it well, stayed calm, and actually managed to calm me down a lot.

  “So why didn’t you answer when I tried to call earlier?” she asked.

  “The phone never rang.” I said, glancing over at it.

  “I called your cell phone.”

  “Oh. I left it in the hotel room. I sort of just ran, like a scared little girl,”

  “You are a scared little girl.” she said.

  “I didn’t go back for it.”

  “Great. So you finally get a cell phone and then you just leave it behind. Great job, Campbell.”

  “Sorry. If you really want me to, I’ll get a good cell phone so you can keep track of me better.”

  “It would make me feel better, hon.” She ruffled my hair. “I worry about you. So what are you going to do next?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I better... maybe I should call someone. Like... I don’t know how to contact them, even. It’s not like I can just take an ad out in the paper saying ‘hey vampire hunters, come here’.”

  “You’re not a vampire.” she said. We both laughed. “So these people, they’re like what, a secret group with the church? Isn't that what you said? Like part of the Vatican, or something?”

 
“I don’t know. Probably. That's what Alejandro told me, anyway.”

  “So there’s your answer. Call the Vatican.”

  “I’m so sure the receptionist knows about this secret society. Hello, can you put me through to the Venator inmortuorum, please.”

  “Well it’s a start. And who knows, maybe if you’re persistent it’ll get their attention.”

  “Yeah.”

  It’ll get their attention and bring them right to my door. To kill me. They’d never believe me if I told them I’m not the one killing people. But I can’t do nothing.

  “Listen, give it a few days and think it through.” she said. “You don’t want to jump into something without thinking it through.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Why is this my problem?” I wiped my eyes. “There should be someone else taking care of this. Like, an adult, or something.”

  “Sucks, doesn’t it?” She put her arms around me. “We’re going to take care of this together.”

  “I think in the past if this had happened I would have just ran off to some place far away from here. But... like, I can’t do that now.”

  “Because of me?”

  “Well yeah. I mean... I never felt like this about anyone before. I mean... I have a best friend now. I can’t run.”

  “Listen, honey, if you need to go, don’t let me stop you.” She is trying so hard to sound like it doesn’t matter if I go.

  “You don’t understand at all. Jess, I’ve been alone for so long, and I’ve never had a close friend. That’s important to me. I’m not leaving.”

  “Does that mean you’ll come to college with me?” she asked. She smiled. “'Cause I’d really like you to.”

  “If you want me to.”

  “Yay!” She threw her arms around me. “Thank you!”

  “But the dolls come too.”

  “Of course they do.” she laughed. “And you need to come to my house to pick up Jenna. She has been missing you.”

  “Yeah, uh, just because I have conversations with my dolls it doesn’t mean you need to.”

  “What, you think I can’t tell that she misses you? By the way, she said next time you pack her in a box you really better put some padding in there, because the cardboard isn’t comfortable.”

  “Yeah.” I laughed at her. “She never liked that. Hey Jess, thanks.”

  “Come on,” She ruffled my hair. “Let’s go get your dolly.”

  Saturday, May 21

  I was invited over for burgers this weekend. Mrs. Sloan didn’t ask about my parents this

  time, at least. I hate lying to them. At least it wasn’t sunny. “I thought Tony was going to be here.” Mrs. Sloan said. “He’ll be by later. He’s bringing his cousin along.” Jess told her.

  “Who is his cousin?” Barney asked her.

  “He’s visiting for the summer. From Georgia. His name is Andre, he’s eighteen, and Tony said he’s a real nice guy.” She elbowed me and smiled.

  “Don’t even think about it.” I said.

  “What?”

  “You’re trying to set her up with Tony’s cousin?” Barney asked. He started laughing.

  “I’m with Barney on this one.” I told her.

  “Brynne, you might like him!” she complained. “Though he may not be your type, I guess.” she said, kind of staring at me and frowning. “I didn't think about that.” She so knows.

  “She’s not going to like some dweeb with a southern accent.” Barney told her.

  “That’s not very nice.” Mrs. Sloan scolded.

  “Probably true, though.” Mr. Sloan said.

  “Can’t you all just behave around company?” Mrs. Sloan asked. “Brynne, I’m sorry my family are all so rude.”

  “That’s okay, Mrs. Sloan.”

  “I still say she’s gay.” Barney mumbled.

  “Barney!” Mrs. Sloan snapped. “Brynne, I’m so sorry. Please forgive my very rude son.”

  “That’s okay.” I smiled at the situation. He thinks that not responding to him means I'm gay. Puh-lease! I'd never respond to him, anyway.

  “But if you are, honey, that would be alright.” she said.

  “Nobody here is going to judge you.” Mr. Sloan said.

  “Thanks, but I’m not.” I said, my heart racing at the lie. “Though I did almost go out with a girl once.” Why did I just blurt that out? I'm so stupid!

  “Seriously?” Jessica asked. “You never told me that.”

  “I said almost. I mean... well, it was a long time ago. I was...” Lonely. “Curious. And bored.” Okay, so I’m sure I’m blushing. “She was really nice to me, I just felt bad for turning her down, okay.” Everyone is still looking at me. “Next topic, okay? Please.”

  They dropped it, but I still felt really embarrassed. The time I almost went out with a girl was way back in the eighties. I looked her up once a few years back. She was married to another woman and had three kids through in-vitro. Wow, she’s got kids almost as old as I am now.

  Since it was not sunny, Jess wanted to play volleyball. Only she wanted to wait until Tony and his cousin got here, so we could play two on two. Her and Tony against me and whatever his name is. Great, just what I wanted. I grumbled the whole time we were setting up the net.

  So when they arrived I saw that Andre really was a cute guy. We sat around the table in the back yard and talked for a while, while the boys had some leftovers. He even seems like a nice guy. If I were interesting in being in a relationship with a boy, I might be interested in him. Jess was right. But I’m not wanting a relationship with anyone right now.

  “You realize I’m not letting you win.” I whispered to her. We were both at the net. Tony was serving and Andre was back to return it.

  “Bring it on, little girl.” she said. We were leading, but Jess tried to spike it at me. I returned it, and was at the net, waiting when Tony hit the ball back. I jumped up and spiked it over the net, putting us one point away from victory.

  “Shorty's got ups!” Andre said.

  “Yeah, but you wouldn’t be winning if the sun would come out.” Jess said.

  She stopped moving and I stopped and she stared at me, her eyes wide. I can’t believe she said that. Around them! “She, uh, has a skin condition.” Jessica explained. “I burn really easily.” I said. “Like, really easily.” “Are we going to finish this?” Tony asked.

  We won on the next point. And then we quit. I made an excuse so I could leave, because I really wasn’t in the mood to be around people all of a sudden. I don’t know, I just get that way sometimes. I just have to be by myself. And sometimes it's hard to see Jess and Tony together and know I will never have that with anyone.

  I sat at home and watched television with my dolls. I had the little stable set up on the table and the horses were grazing around it. Jenna was standing to the side, watching the horses. All her friends were sitting at a picnic table, waiting for their burgers.

  “Jenna, why does life have to suck so bad? If I leave now then I’ll miss Jessica for the rest of my life. And that could be a very long time. And she’ll hate me for the rest of hers. I can’t have her hating me.”

  A new show came on Disney, and I leaned back on the sofa to relax and watch it. And then my door flung open and Joanna and Julius were standing over me.

  “Joanna was quite upset after our little conversation the other night.” he said.

  “I... I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry won’t cut it, bitch.” Joanna said.

  “We decided to have a little talk of our own to explain to you how displeased we are with you interfering.”

  He held me down and she started hitting me, punching my face over and over, and scratching. I tried to fight back, but he was stronger than me, and he held firm. She brought out the knife then. It was huge! She tore at my arms and legs with it, dozens and dozens of tiny cuts, and the she started on my stomach and chest. She plunged the knife into my stomach, poking all the way through me, sticking out my back. She slid it up, then twist
ed, nearly gutting me. And then there was salt. Lots of salt. I guess they know about the salt. I was fading in and out when they ran off.

  “Brynne?” I heard Jess saying. “Oh shit, Brynne!” I felt her hands on me, but it just caused more pain. She has to go! They’ll kill her. They’re going to come back and kill her. Then they’ll kill me. I don’t care if they kill me, as long as she gets out. I can't let them hurt her!

  “You have to run.” I said.

  “What honey? Brynne, what happened?”

  “Gun. Jess. Gun.”

  “What? You’re not making any sense.”

  “Get the gun!” I shouted. She didn't respond as if I had

  shouted, though, so maybe it wasn't as loud as I though it was. “What? Why? What happened, honey?”

  “The ones from Wichita.” I struggled to say.

  “Who? I can barely understand you. Oh my gosh, this is salt,

  isn’t it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What do I do, Brynne?” She’s crying. Why is she crying, I’m

  the one in pain. “Do I take you to the hospital?”

  “No.”

  “Then what? I don’t know how to do this.” I was barely alert

  enough to see her, but I could tell she was beginning to panic. “I have to call Mom and Dad.”

  “No. Dangerous.”

  “You need help.”

  I honestly missed a lot of the following conversation. All I know is that she was holding me up with one arm as we stumbled toward her front porch, and I could see that she had a gun in her other hand.

  “You have to help her!” Jess shouted. I think her parents are here somewhere, but everything is a little blurry. Oh yeah, there they are.

  “Barney, dial 911.” Mr. Sloan shouted.

  “No!” I shouted. Or said as loud as I could, anyway. “You can’t.” Jessica told them. “She can’t go to the hospital.” “What?” Mrs. Sloan asked. “She needs help. She’s bleeding

  everywhere.”

  “She can’t go to the hospital.” Jess said.

  “Tell... them.” I said. I shook my head and everything cleared a

  little. “Just tell them.”

  “She’s like a vampire.” Jess said. “Only not evil.” “Jess, we don’t have time for this.” her dad said. “What

  happened?”