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Chapter 2
When Taylor stepped quietly into room number 116 of the motel, Sonya was seated on the bed, her legs crossed, a man lying behind her on the bed. She looked at the clock, then back at Taylor, “Well, that was a bit longer than two hours, but at least you gave yourself an hour before sunrise.” She stated. Taylor’s eyes slid to the body behind her, “Did you kill him?” She snorted, “Of course not. |
Only you or Melanie would do that. So, what did you do while you were out and about? I can see that you’ve fed. In fact, it appears that you’ve fed very well this evening.”Taylor sat down in the chair by the window, a smile on his face, “I just went to see a couple old friends of mine.”
She shook her head, “Why is it you like to bite your friends? Doesn’t it complicate things for you?”
He raised his eyebrows, “Why would it? All you gotta do is just pull a little Jedi mind trick on them, and they don’t know what hit ‘em.”
Sonya stood, and began to brush her long blonde hair, “That movie is so over-rated.” She said, knowing it would make the hair stand up on the back of his neck.
“Ha! You don’t know shit about movies. I guess you like stuff like, Clara Bow or Mary Pickford.” He replied.
She turned and sat the brush down on the table, “Well, not really. I never liked silent movies that much. Though, “Nosferatu” was very entertaining to us at that time.” She smiled and walked up to him, gently pushing his bangs out of his eyes.
Taylor looked thoughtful for a moment, “Are there any vampires that look like that?” He asked, “I mean, you know…that are monstrous looking? Like in the movies?”
“Well,” she said, gazing at his face, “a few of the very very old can have an odd look about them, but nothing that ridiculous.” She sat on his lap, “Of course, none of the others are as beautiful as you.” And she ran her finger along his jaw line. He smiled and put his arms around her. She leaned in very close, so that their noses nearly touched, their eyes meeting, blue to green, “So, what exactly did you do this evening?”
“Mrs. Robinson,” he grinned, “you’re trying to seduce me…”
“Is it working?” She asked, pulling back and looking at him.
“I don’t know, it depends on what you want.” He said, leaning back in towards her.
For a moment, she just looked back at him. Then, she let it out, “I want to know what you were doing tonight!”
Taylor laughed, “And you want to know so badly, you’re willing to have sex with me?!”
“Not in this lifetime.” She said, standing. She turned and jerked the man up by his arm, his head falling back. “Besides,” she said, hoisting him over her shoulder, “I’ll find out whether you tell me or not. As soon as you get a little sleepy…” she looked at the clock, “which should be in about 30 minutes—I’ll just look into that pretty head of yours and watch it like Seinfeld.”
“Why do you care?” Taylor said, opening the door for her.
Sonya stepped out the door as the heat of the summer hit her, “I guess I just don’t trust you. You don’t always use your head Taylor. You know it’s true.”
“This coming from a woman walking out into a lighted parking lot with a dead man thrown over her shoulder.” He said, following her.
She stopped and turned to look at him, “Well, first of all, he’s not dead. And I do use my head. I can tell you where every living person who is not asleep right now is located, and none of them are anywhere near this area. Except of course for you and I, and that whole “living” thing is still up in the air.” She then turned back to her mission, walking towards the dumpster.
Taylor rolled his eyes and jogged to catch up with her, taking the man from her with ease. “You are not going to dump this poor guy in the dumpster. What if they come along and empty it? They’ll crush him, and it’ll be on your head.”
She shook her head, “So, what? Are you going to take him to the lobby and get him a room?” She smiled.
Taylor turned, “Was he a total asshole?” He asked.
She put her finger on her cheek, feigning deep thought, “Hmmm…. nope.” She said.
“Well then, I’ll just take him back where you got him from. Where was that?” He asked.
“Um, there’s a street in town with a lot of bars on it. That’s where I got him. And it’s probably not a good idea for you to go all the way back there, I don’t think you’ll have time, and I don’t want to have to report to Beatriz that you got a major sunburn from returning to the scene of the crime with my dinner. He’ll be fine. Just sit him there beside it, if they empty it, he’ll wake up.”
Taylor shook his head, “No, just give me a minute, we’ll do like you said and get him a room—“
“You’re paying for it.” She said, putting her hands on her hips.
“You are so cheap.” He said, turning and handing the man over to her. “Doesn’t Beatriz pay you?”
Sonya balanced the man on her shoulder, his limp arms nearly dragging the ground, “Not nearly enough. And certainly no where near what rock stars get paid.”
“Hmph.” He snorted, “Rock stars don’t get nearly as much as people think—it’s the executives that get those gazillion dollar paychecks, not the grunts like us.” He walked away from her, leaving her to wait to deposit her victim in a nice clean bed for the night.
~~~~~
Roberto walked into the living room of Beatriz’ apartment. He took in the place, comparing it to the last time he was there. “My Lady, pardon me for saying, but your quarters look a bit…lived in, these days.” And a wry smile crossed his face.
Beatriz sat down on the sofa, her hair was pulled back and she was dressed in casual, but expensive clothing. “Oh, you have no idea. I can’t believe what I’ve allowed myself to be pulled into.” She looked around the room, where Taylor’s shoes had been kicked off and shoved under the coffee table, Melanie’s bag lay in the chair, and jackets and such were strewn here and there. “And that includes this little plan of yours.” She said, motioning for him to sit across from her.
“So, where are your charges tonight?” He asked, bending his long body into a sitting position.
She smiled, “I have no idea where any of them are, except for Taylor and Sonya, and I only know they are in Tulsa.”
Roberto furrowed his brow and sat back in the chair, relaxing now that he knew they were alone, “Why are they in Tulsa? If I remember correctly, and I always do…you’ve forbidden him any contact with his family, correct?”
“Initially, I did. But, this is actually a self-imposed thing with him now. He’s afraid something will happen to them if they are around him.” She sat up and gazed into his eyes, “And frankly, after those three hellhounds set upon he and his brothers the last time, I can’t blame him.” Roberto made no reply, just raised an eyebrow. “Of course,” she continued, “I’m sure everyone in this city knows, I’d be most upset if anything ever happened to any one of them…”
“Of course.” He answered. “So, then what is his business there?”
She shook her head, “I think he just wanted to be near them for a little while. So, I told him to go, and to take Sonya with him. He doesn’t always make the best decisions on his own.”
“And of course, there’s those little…mishaps he has.” Roberto added, a tone of mock sympathy in his voice.
Beatriz looked at him coldly, “Actually, he’s been free of any “mishaps” for quite a while.” She said.
“Well, that’s good to hear.” He said, leaning in, “Because he is the key to our plan working. For some reason, many of the young ones are pinning their hopes on a new regime, and it seems they believe Taylor will be the one to lead them.”
Beatriz sighed, then looked out the window, “I don’t know what you’ve been telling them, but Taylor has no interest in being a leader.” She turned her eyes back to him, “And that must upset you so, that they are looking to one so young, since I’m sure you have wanted that position for a great many years.”
“I’ve been loyal to the elders.” He said.
“Of course you have. But I’ve never believed it was because you actually agreed with their ways.” She answered.
“Well then, we sort of find ourselves in the same boat then, don’t we?” He said.
For a moment, she just stared back at him, reading him. “I suppose we do. I’m just not certain yet, what exactly you are wanting to get out of this whole thing. I don’t believe for one minute that the inequality of male to female, or young to old is what concerns you. Especially since you are male and old, and therefore, favored.”
“Well, I’m sure Taylor will need help leading.” He smiled.
“I won’t allow you to use him or to hurt him.” She said, bristling.
Roberto looked at her, “What exactly do you feel for him? He is just a boy. He is powerful, but he doesn’t know how to use that power!”
“He will learn. He is learning.” She said, her dark eyes serious.
Roberto leaned back, “That doesn’t exactly answer my question.” He sighed, “Make no mistake, if this rebellion is successful, you will be a queen.”
“I don’t want to be a queen. I just want things to be fair.” She said.
“Oh, I’ll be fair.” He answered.
“That’s all we ask.” She said, eyeing him dubiously. “Because if you aren’t, you’ll find yourself in the same place the elders are in now.” She stood, “And I have no doubt who will win this little war.”
Taking his cue, Roberto rose and followed her. They would go over all the details of their plan until the sun came up.
~~~~~
Sonya sat in a chair, her legs pulled up to her chest, watching Taylor out the corner of her eye. The television was on and he was trying his best to watch it, but as the sun was approaching the horizon and he’d found himself near to passing out. “Why don’t you just sleep, Taylor?” She said, her voice soft.
He turned to her, his eyes widening as he attempted to keep awake, “Cuz you’ll read my mind and hypnotize me and stuff, and I didn’t do anything wrong, it’s just that it’s my business and none of your business and stuff.”
Sonya smiled, “I’m thinking you had beer instead of blood this evening. At least you sound that way.” She stood up and walked around the bed, kneeling beside him, “I won’t read your mind, alright? I trust you. You can’t lie for shit, Taylor, you never have been able to. I’d already know it if you’d done something to feel guilty for.” She reached over and pulled the two extra pillows he’d stuffed under his head away, then ran her fingers through his hair. She watched as his eyelids grew heavier and she sensed his mind shutting down. The sun was the one thing he couldn’t fight. Every morning, no matter the importance of what he was doing, or thinking, Taylor would fall into a deep sleep that he couldn’t be roused from until the orange orb began to fall below the horizon again. Even Beatriz had tried, and while she may have been able to get him to open his eyes, he didn’t appear to comprehend what she was saying and getting him on his feet was simply out of the question. Finally, his eyes shut for good and she leaned back and looked at the clock. It was 5:41, he was right on time.
Twenty minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. Sonya opened it to find Diana Hanson standing in the warm, yellow light of the dawn. “Um, is he here?” She asked.
Sonya smiled, and backed up, allowing her entrance to the room, “Of course. Come in.”
Diana took a deep breath and stepped into the room. Immediately her eyes went to the bed where her son lie. She hadn’t seen or talked to him in seven months and he wouldn’t have approved of Sonya’s emails to her, and certainly not this visit. She looked over at the woman, and Sonya put her hand on her arm, and pulled her over to the bed. “He won’t know I’m here, will he?” she asked.
“No. When he sleeps, he literally hibernates, like a grizzly bear.” Sonya smiled. “He’s the best sleeper we’ve got.” Diana smiled back at her, then knelt down beside the bed. Sonya slipped out of the room, but went no farther than the little step outside the door. Even if it was with his mother, she wasn’t allowed to leave Taylor completely unattended.
Diana felt tears come to her eyes as she looked at his face. His skin was beautiful and his dark lashes rested on his cheeks. His lips still held the same perfect curve they’d had all his life, and she wished she could look into his eyes. But, she understood and respected his wishes. She had been just as frightened as he at the story Zac and Isaac had told. Still, she couldn’t imagine her son doing the things they’d said he did. He still looked like the young, slightly clumsy boy she’d always known him to be—not a preternatural fighter who could leap tall buildings at a single bound and take on three vicious monsters and live to tell about it. But there was no reason not to believe them. Slowly, she put her hand up to his cheek, stroking it and loving the feel of his skin. She ran a finger through the bangs on his forehead, pushing them away and smiling as they fell back into the same place they had been. His hair was a little darker now, but it had grown back out from the very short haircut she’d given him in New York. She reached up and wiped away the tear that fell on her cheek, and leaned in closer to him, speaking right into his ear. “I miss you so much baby. Me and Daddy still love you, and everybody else does, too.” She sniffed, knowing he wasn’t hearing her, but still, hoping that maybe he could sense her words or at least the thoughts she was having. “I hope that maybe someday, we can be together again, when it’s safe. Please be careful.”
She looked up when the door opened and Sonya stepped in. “I’m sorry,” Sonya said quietly, “the sun…well, it’s starting to get a little bright out there…”
Diana stood at once, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!”
“No, it’s fine. I’m older, it’s ok. I just hated to interrupt you.” She replied. “I’ll just go in the bathroom so you can have some more time with him.” She said, walking towards the little room.
“No,” Diana said, looking back down at him, “I guess I’ve said what I wanted to.” She smiled a sad smile, “I mean, it’s not like he can hear me anyway.” She laughed then, but it quickly turned into tears. “I’m sorry—“ she said and Sonya came over and put her arm around her.
“Oh, I wouldn’t be surprised if he heard every word. He’s very much a brain sort of person rather than muscle. If you know what I mean.” Sonya sat on the bed across from her as Diana sat beside Taylor, taking his hand in hers.
“Yeah, he’s always been a thinker. It didn’t always get him anywhere…” she smiled again, and sniffed, wiping the tears away from her face. She straightened, desperately trying to contain her emotions, “So, how is it going there? I know you’ve told me there was some pretty heavy stuff…well, at least being talked about. Are you going to be able to keep him safe?” She asked, her eyes taking in Sonya’s.
“Beatriz cares a great deal for him, and she isn’t going to let him get into anything he’s not ready for.” Sonya stated, wanting to reassure her.
Diana sighed, “But, these aren’t teenaged girls wanting an autograph. They’re powerful people who aren’t going to like some new, young,…whatever else he is to them…guy coming in and messing with things. If you people live forever, then why does this have to happen so soon? I don’t understand. Why don’t you just let him come back and live with us until it’s over?!”
Sonya broke their eye contact, looking at the tiny bit of sunlight peeking through the blinds. “The old ones…” she said, looking back and then taking a deep breath, “well, they’ve begun to get a little out of hand. They’ve executed some of us who dared oppose how they do things. People who questioned the way things were.” She paused a moment and looked over at Taylor, then back to his mother, “If they find out about him, he’ll be executed too.”
“All the more reason he shouldn’t be there!” Diana spat.
Sonya shook her head. “They already know of him, he can’t just disappear, and certainly not with you. It’s the first place they’d look. You must know that.” Sonya reasoned.
Diana calmed herself, “But, you just said, they don’t know about him—“
Sonya cut her off, “They know of him, they just don’t know that he is nearly as powerful as they are. And at only a fraction of their years. That will scare them to death, and they just can’t be allowed to find out. His disappearance would raise their suspicions very quickly. That’s why we must leave here as soon as he awakens, and why you can’t tell anyone anything about him, including your family. Especially those who have a bond with him, it would put us all in danger.”
Diana sighed, defeated. She leaned over and kissed Taylor on his cool forehead, and then on his hand. “I know. I just…it’s hard, y’know?” She said, tearfully.
“Yes, I do know.” Sonya said, and then she stood. “I’m glad you got to see him though, he looks good, doesn’t he?”
Diana smiled and shook her head, “Yes, for a sleeping dead person, he looks beautiful.”
Sonya smiled back, “He’s not dead.”
Diana rolled her eyes, “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve heard it all before.” She stood up as well, “Alright, I’m going to let you get some sleep so you can get yourselves back safely. I guess coffee is out of the question.” She remarked.
“I do not need coffee, only sunset.” Sonya said, in a Bela Lugosi tone. She touched Diana on her shoulder, “We’ll be careful. Believe me, he is the most priceless piece of meat in all of New York and he’ll be looked after accordingly.”
“Well, that’s comforting, I guess.” Diana said, opening the door, as Sonya backed away from the sunlight that now poured into the room. Diana watched as she moved so that her shadow fell across Taylor’s sleeping face, and she knew what she’d said was true. They would do everything in their power to keep him safe—but would it be enough?
~~~~~
Breakfast the next morning in the Hanson household was subdued compared to the usual loud, rambunctious affair that took place every morning. Jessica looked back and forth between her sister Avery and her two older brothers. All of them seemed lost in their own thoughts. “Hey Ike, can you take me to the mall today? I told Jenny and Brittney I’d meet them there at 2:00.”
For a moment, he seemed not to hear her, then he blinked and looked over at her, “Um, 2:00? I guess I can do that. I don’t have any plans today.” He said, standing up tiredly and rinsing his cereal bowl.
“Okay, thanks.” She said. She looked around the table; Zoë and Mackenzie both munched away on their own cereal, each gazing at the back of the box. Avery sat, staring off into space, while Zac did pretty much the same.
As Isaac walked out of the room, Avery looked up, then over to Zac, “Hey, can I use your computer? I want to burn a CD I borrowed from Jen, then Jess can give it back to her today.”
Zac, who ordinarily would allow it, but not without putting up some sort of fight, just to be irritating just said, “Sure.”
“Thanks, Tay.” Avery said. For a moment, they all just froze. “I mean…Zac.”
“What’s going on with you guys? You three have been acting freakier than usual the last couple of days.” Jessica stated, looking over her shoulder at Isaac who still stood in the hallway.
Zac stood up, “Nothin’.” He said, and he walked past her and into the living room, switching on the television. Isaac turned and walked up the stairs, leaving her with Avery and the other two children who seemed oblivious to the tension around them.
“Avie, what’s going on?” Jessica asked her, frustration causing her voice to rise. Now Zoë and Mackenzie looked at their older sisters.
Avery looked over at them, then shook her head discreetly. She then stood and Jessica followed her and they sat down on the couch, close to Zac. “I just keep thinking of Taylor.” She said, her voice whispery. “Like, he’s close or something.”
“Well, is he?” Jessica asked.
Zac turned to look at them, his gaze steady. Avery hesitated, knowing he didn’t like it when the subject came up. “I don’t know. I just feel him or something, and so does Ike.”
“Where’s Mom and Dad?” Zac asked suddenly.
“Um…Dad took the van in to get worked on, and I don’t know where Mom went. She just told me last night she was going out in the morning. She left really early.” Jessica answered, “Why?”
Zac stood up, “Because I’m gonna check out her email.” He said, walking out of the room.
“What the hell is going on?” Jessica spat. Avery shook her head. If the doorbell hadn’t rung, they would have followed him. With a sigh, Jessica got up off the couch and went over to the door, opening it. “Hey, Charlotte.” She said. “What are you doing over here so early?”
Charlotte stepped into the house, carrying a shoebox and a sweatshirt thrown over her arm. “Um, I just brought some stuff back. Isaac said I could keep it, but, I just feel like, it’s not really mine to keep, y’know?” She said, handing the box to Jessica, and then the shirt. It was one of Taylor’s.
“But, if it means something to you, you could keep it. You know he’d want you to have it.” Jessica said softly. She’d felt so sorry for Charlotte ever since Taylor had left them. The girl had no idea that he wasn’t really dead and she’d been grieving for him ever since. But, as much as she wanted to tell her the family’s secret, she knew she couldn’t. It would endanger them all.
“No, I just…it’s time. I need to just let him go.” She said, tears gathering in her eyes. “I sure do miss him, though. But, I guess you understand that, don’t you?”
Jessica did understand. The fact that he was not dead didn’t bring him any closer to her. She hadn’t heard from or seen him for nearly as long as Charlotte. “Yeah, I do.”
Charlotte looked over at Avery, “Hey, Avie. How ya doing?”
“Alright, I guess. What’s been going on with you?” She asked, something about the girl making her uncomfortable this morning.
She smiled. It was the first smile they’d seen on her face for a very long time. “Well, I feel kind of like crap this morning, actually, but I’m also feeling pretty good. Aaron called me last night, so we’re gonna go out tonight.”
Jessica raised her eyebrows, she’d seen Aaron at a party two days previous with his newest girlfriend. “Really?” She asked.
“Yeah. He said he couldn’t get me out of his mind.” Charlotte smiled again. “So, I don’t know…I think we’re gonna give it another try.”
“Oh, well, that’s great, good luck!” Jessica said. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zac and Avery’s eyes as they exchanged some sort of look, she wasn’t sure of. Things just got weirder and weirder in this family, she thought. Taking the box from Charlotte, she waved at her as she turned and walked out the door. She then turned to her brother and sister, hissing, “What the hell is going on?!”
“Awwwww, you said a bad word!” Zoë was standing in the doorway, her hand to her mouth. Jessica sighed, as Zac turned and went up the stairs.