After The End Read online

  “Hi fellas, I have new calendars for you both.” I stated as I held out the new donation schedules. “I rewrote these this afternoon. Daemon, some of the community is a little wary of how much blood you may need, so the first five names are all volunteers. After that, everybody has agreed to the regular rotation; but if any concerns arise, the five of us will have to be specifically your donors and everyone else will take turns as Cal’s entrée. If that happens, they’ve agreed to cover some extra guard shifts in case we start to get too drained.”

  I think I forgot something again. Flicking away the love bugs, I pressed on.

  “By the way, Sunny is on this list but Chase insists you feed on him instead if the Hunger is particularly strong. Also, I’ll be assisting Caelinus while you get situated, so if you need anything or have a question that doesn’t need super powers or centuries of wisdom to answer, let me know.”

  I noticed Daemon was staring at the loose-leaf paper in his hand like it was a puzzle with the pictures face down.

  “Um, Daemon, is everything alright?” I looked to the other vampire for insight, but he just shrugged. Daemon opened and closed his mouth twice before communicating a response.

  “How do you have a calendar? It’s a real calendar with exact dates and days of the week; I get knowing the time, watches are still running with the batteries from before, but a calendar? Why would anyone grab a calendar of all things while fighting or running from flesh-eating dead dudes? Seriously, where the hell did this come from?”

  I gawked at him, dumbfounded. The whole thing amused the bejeesus out of Cal; he clapped my inquisitor on the back exclaiming,

  “By Jupiter, you will add some entertainment to our drab existence!”

  Daemon abruptly appeared sheepish and a high-speed prattle flooded from his mouth.

  “I’m sorry. I just tend to fixate on random stuff and it seemed so odd to me. And you came up all professional and I don’t have a clue who you are and you hand me a calendar with names of my next week’s meals. It was too surreal that with all this serious survival crap that you have, like, office supplies.”

  Cal continued laughing and I watched a pair of the flying pests narrowly miss being swallowed by the Roman as he guffawed. After being distracted by Cal, I tried to follow Daemon’s parading explanation.

  “...sort of freaked me out by making drinking a stranger’s blood sound like a corporate merger and there was even paperwork and I got all confuzzled in my head and all joking aside how did you keep up with the correct date in all this mess? I can’t even get power to charge my phone.”

  By this point, the Roman was bent over in stitches and I struggled to restrain my own snickering. Cal composed himself long enough to breathe out,

  “That is Squirrel.”

  Daemon excitedly looked around asking “Where?” and it was too much for us; I let out a fit of giggling and the ever-serious Caelinus of the Roman Legion snorted and wiped his eyes. Some of the camp was beginning to gather nearby at the sight; their confusion matched the expression on Daemon’s face. After several minutes, I was able to catch my air inside my aching ribs.

  “My mistake. I’m Squirrel, that’s the name I go by around here.” I forced the hilarity from my mind. “I completely forgot to introduce myself. The calendar thing is a long story and it’s a bit hard to explain why I kept one; I’ll tell you another time, I promise. For now, let’s just go about our evening. We need to show you around the fort and get you acquainted with our Nova Nocte.”

  The newbie interrupted.

  “Why do you guys refer to this as Nova Nocte? I mean it sounds kind of cool and all, but why Nova Nocte instead of Awesome Ville or Camp Badass?”

  The elder vamp answered first.

  “It’s my phrase. We spoke one evening about the need to start fresh instead of attempting to regain what is already lost. The words translate roughly to fresh new night; each night we help one another is a new chance to remake our existing civilization.”

  Cal noted the fledgling’s nods and changed the subject. “Perhaps we should all get some supper soon so we can take a tour of the area. Afterward, I can show you how we uphold our end of the pact.”

  The two vampires looked at their calendars like tourists reading a theme park map; I half expected one of them to ask what time the three o’clock parade was. I grinned at the mental image; Daemon’s current attire lent itself far too well to the imaginary scenario.

  It would be just starting to get busy at work right now. The tour groups from Brazil, kids from schools that get out early in the year, and business folks from the conventions would be swarming the parks if the zombies hadn’t already beaten them to it this season.

  Arriving at the cabin we found Cal’s donor waiting. They were in and out of the building in only five minutes. The human pressed his hand to his neck to stop the trickle of vital fluid and the Roman’s skin had become flush. As they exited, I walked inside, Daemon trailing behind me like a stray following a child home.

  Aware that a question was coming, I explained.

  “It feels less awkward for everyone if the feeding is done privately. We clear out of the cabin at dusk except for the person donating that night.”

  He was shifting his weight back and forth, fidgeting with his hands.

  “That makes sense. It just feels kind of strange for me; this is really intimate and I almost think people outside are wondering if we are making out or something. It’s sort of odd.” He blushed and looked around the room, “So, I just bite you?”

  “Unless you can suck out blood from there, yes. You drink what you need, I get some dinner myself, and then we get our chores done.”

  He took a step forward, tripping over his feet a bit before baring his fangs. This guy really was young; he seemed so nervous it was as though he’d never fed before. It was cute seeing this powerful being so flustered. I felt Daemon’s breath on my neck as he lingered a second and then the familiar twin pricks.

  He was right, despite efforts to make this just another necessary chore; the act of sharing your lifeblood like this is very personal. The fledgling vampire drew several large gulps and I sensed the tug on my veins.

  I started to feel lightheaded and considered what he said about the calendar to distance myself from the intimacy of the moment; the room went out of focus as I remembered what it took to track the dates. I felt myself floating back to that day as the room tilted away.

  I don’t know why the exact passage of time matters so much, so abruptly. I simply need to get a calendar. I slip through the library door and my backpack gets wedged in place. Pulling myself inside I curse. The calendar should go a few years ahead just in case. In case of what, I don’t know. It feels like not knowing what day actually would be my birthday, or Christmas, or the anniversary of the recent day of rising death would be as unbearable as laying naked on asphalt in summertime.

  I scamper to the computer stations. Power is still on in the building, so maybe the Internet still exists too. It’s only been three days. Maybe. Maybe I could search up a printable calendar for the next five years. Hit the power button. Thank goodness for a buzz and glow and glimmer. “Load faster you out of date piece of junk.” Searching and found. “Good signal for an apocalypse.”

  Why this even exists I don’t know but I could weep for the comfort of it. It’s like knowing time will still exist. Print to station 1. “Enter print credit code? Crap-tasticness on a Communion Wafer.” Circulation desk must have an admin override. Search the desk, toss a book, open the drawers. “Under the register maybe?” Manual for operation of register and blank code cards in a file. “Pay dirt.” —thud thud crash— “Really? More zombies, ugh.” Outer door. Lights are off in the lobby. I must’ve made too much noise (knew there was a reason to be quiet here). Basic instructions… scan card add $1-5 to card with admin code 0037. Enter twice, scan again, —Thud Thud— “um okay, not good” agree to terms. Okay done. “$2 max for new card? Whatever, fine, just do it.” Again button b
utton yes $2 and on. Bolt to the computer and enter code…printing total is $3.60. “Dammit” sprint back to register —Thud THUD crack scrape— I’m not looking, not looking, just move quickly “hurry hurry” $2 added. Dash to station. “Computer printing…faster faster”—THUD THUD Crack scrape moan— “Time to bail like the bar tab is coming” and… printed. “YES!” Four years of time. If I can get out, I have four years.

  How to leave? “Ouch! Stupid chair”. Looking looking… meeting room window! Any fleshies out this side? Nope. Clear and climbing out. Lower the bag as silently as possible. Two books on wilderness survival and medieval weapons fall out. Okay here I go. “Ummph. Big drop, little legs.” Made it. Stuffing the tomes back into my pack. Sword out, backpack on, hauling ass towards the woods. No Dead are following and I’ve got all I need for now. I feel better just knowing today is September 19th.

  Something was different; there was a handsome vampire half-holding me and Cal stood over us. My senses were coming back to my body. Daemon, that’s his name. I tried to remember, but my mind was foggy.

  He must have drunk too much; when had this guy last fed?

  It felt like forever before I realized Cal was spooning me stew and feeding me pieces of orange. All I heard was the young vampire apologizing profusely while holding me upright; his grip on me was delicate and warm.

  I vaguely understood him say he’d been without nourishment for over a week and hadn’t wanted to worry us before.

  I would’ve rather been given a warning.

  I took the remaining fruit from Cal’s hand and finished it on my own as the silver-haired vampire gave a sigh and leaned back. His worry for me eased for the moment.

  “We will work on your control first, I think.” Cal announced to his student; it was as close to a reprimand as I heard. Daemon nodded quietly, his expression penitent.

  Soon, I had completed my dinner and my focus returned. I joked with the overwrought vampire.

  “Okay, that wasn’t a bad trip, but it wasn’t much fun either. Let’s not do that again; if the hunger is that strong, give me a heads up next time, alright?”

  He still wouldn’t look me in the eye, but remained crestfallen and almost whimpered; he was a scolded puppy.

  I tried to lighten the mood.

  “I’m fine now. Let’s just pop out of the cabin and knock out the rest of this tour. If anyone asks, you just asked a ton of weird questions about your new powers and about taking guard shifts and raids or whatnot. We’ll be the only ones who know how much you drained; no need for any alarm, it was only due to the lack of meals. Let’s go outside all happy and you two can compare fang-size or whatever.”

  The sad little puppy beamed so much I checked for a wagging tail.

  Not a bad view.

  After a cursory tour of the camp, our trio ambled over to the gate to initiate Daemon’s vampire practice – he referred to it as bloodsucker boot camp. I placed items Cal instructed me to pick up on the ground just outside of the gate. There was a candle, a steel rod, and some arrows placed in a straight line.

  I sat on the ground nearby with my hand on the grip of my sword; I took no chances, even with a sentry watching from the gate and two vampires to protect me.

  Watching Cal attempt to instruct Daemon in the finer points of being Undead became a great source of amusement in the coming months. I have to assume that the elder vampire had never brought across anyone who asked so many questions. It reminded me of a t-ball coach dealing with a child who keeps asking why he should hit the ball, instead of just grab the ball and run. His experience as an Under-Commander in the Roman Legion was evident in the way Caelinus initiated the training.

  “Primarily you will be learning the following: flying, glamour – also referred to as mind control - and how to control both your feeding and your strength. As you progress, I will also assess any secondary powers you may develop over time. This would be skills such as telepathy, animal control, telekinesis, and in rare cases shape shifting or pyrokinesis – control of fire.”

  Daemon raised his hand, cutting short his teacher’s spiel.

  “So can I get X-ray vision and invincibility like Superman?”

  The elder answered in a soft tone.

  “No, this is not a comic book. While it is difficult to kill one of our kind, we are not invincible; we merely heal at an accelerated rate so long as we have fed enough. We will still be injured and the pain is likewise quite vivid. As I was saying…”

  “But are there Werewolves or Leprechauns or Dragons out there too, because I still haven’t seen any. Creepy pulse-less guys doing leper impressions, yes, but none of the cool entities.”

  Cal pinched the bridge of his nose as he spoke, aggravation coloring his voice.

  “Again no. This is reality; there are only humans and vampires, no radioactive superheroes or aliens or magical beasts. Just us.”

  Before I had time to think I blurted,

  “And the zombies, don’t forget they’re real, too.”

  He glared at me, eyes shimmering a bright green with scarlet flecks.

  “Yes, and the Dead. Thank you for reminding me.”

  The fledgling chortled as I shrank back on my seat; the phrase ‘seen-but-not-heard’ resounded sharply in my head. When Cal looked for the source of the muffled laugh, he saw a hand again in the air; it fell as soon as eye contact was made.

  “How are you so sure that those other beings don’t exist? I mean, I never believed vampires were real until I became one, and I’m sure you didn’t think the dead could rise until they started chomping on people. Why discount the possibility of other paranormals?”

  Cal. Lost. It.

  “WE ARE DIFFERENT! We’re not magical fairy tale creatures, despite what we may have let the idiot masses conclude for centuries. We are legitimate, flesh and blood people. We think and feel and have a history and a culture; those others are just imaginary figments.”

  It felt like I was watching a car plow towards a wall at eighty-eight miles per hour; someone was definitely going to have a bad night.

  “But we used to be human, so how did we get changed? I remember what was done, I just don’t know why it worked if not for some kind of magic. If magic allows our existence, then other magical beings should also be possible.”

  The guard was backing further into the camp, probably alarmed by the sight of a vampire shouting and gesticulating wildly. Cal rebuffed his protégé, his fists clenched and eyes burning red at the edges.

  “It succeeded because that is the nature of our existence; we do not bear children so we must bring across other humans to carry on our lineage. When we turn them, our vampiric DNA overruns and changes their human DNA. Our blood works more like a virus as part of our procreation; hence the reason we can only feed on human blood. Their biological components replenish ours.

  Our species evolved to adapt differently and – unlike other offshoots of mankind that failed — we are able to thrive. We develop powers because of our differing genetics; some abilities are simply tapping into more of our brains and others are far more complex adaptations. Essentially, we maintain a certain amount of stem cells in our blood throughout our lives. They allow us to heal and function at a higher level than our human counterparts.

  It is not magic but simple science and nature at work. That is why we exist, and those supernatural creatures are pathetic stories told to scare children into behaving so their parents can get some sleep.”

  He ceased his rant, fury cascading off of him as he scowled at the fledgling. His nose flared and his final statement was more growled than spoken; the seething could be felt from where I sat staring wide-eyed.

  “Cool. Thanks Cal. So what do I learn to do first?” Daemon asked with the innocence of a toddler.

  My sword hilt jabbed me in the stomach as I rolled over cackling; my eyes watered and sides ached from the laughter. Both immortals looked at me as though seeing me for the first time. I wondered if all sires had to train new vampires like this.


  Probably would limit their population growth.

  Cal strode off towards the forest shaking his head,

  “I’m taking a break. Squirrel, please check the camp’s perimeter and traps with Daemon.”

  In an instant, the young Undead was at my side.

  “You always have to screw with the teacher on the first day; it’s like a law.” He explained with a smile.

  I rubbed my ribs as we patrolled, the pain was minor but distracting. Daemon turned to me. “So what kind of ninja genius were you before the outbreak? Everyone seems to follow you; your skills must be killer.”

  I shook my head.

  “Not even close. I’m just a regular twenty-three year old woman who worked a cruddy job in theme park sales. I had to wear cheesy polyester outfits and have my hair in a ponytail just to work a register. When our little Zombie Apocalypse started and everyone fought over guns, I raided gaming shops for swords and axes. That’s it. I’m the dorky chick who hit up the library for a calendar and some books. How about you?”

  He chuckled and gave me a grin that made my cheeks feel warm.

  “Some girl I met at a party after junior prom brought him across. I only recently tracked her down after she bailed on me; before she got killed of course. Sucky part is, I still didn’t get laid; she was fine with guzzling my blood and changing my species, but a little nookie was pushing the line. That’s why she dipped out. But it’s okay; I figured out how to fly.”

  I raised my eyebrow at him. “Okay, I need some practice, but at least I remember some dirty jokes from high school.”

  We chatted until we heard Cal returning. He was holding a possum and looking more composed.

  “Were there any issues on your patrol?” he asked politely. I told him all was quiet as we looked at the animal in his arms. For a good three minutes, we stood watching Cal hold the struggling marsupial. He took his time before answering the unasked question.

  “We shall continue with training. This time, however, there will be no questions until I ask for them.” He added under his breath, “Probably sometime next century.”