Best Served Cold
“I'm feeling much better.”
“I'm sure you are. You're still not coming.”“Why the hell not, Dwayne? I'm the one they attacked!”
“David wants to send them a message.”
“I'm capable of giving them my own.”
Star threw the shawl off, swung her legs around and stood up. She took about ten steps before collapsing. Paul and Marko, who had been waiting for Dwayne, came rushing over to help her back into bed. Dwayne sighed and gave a look telling her not to push her luck.
“Yes, we see you're perfectly capable.”
Paul ruffled her hair before leaving with Marko and Star tried swallowing the lump lodged in her throat. Dwayne squatted next to the bed and held her hand.
“Star, please, do as you're told.”
“I just don't like being helpless.”
“So don't be. Just concentrate on getting healthy again.” Star tried to smile, but it was more of a grimace. She heard Dwayne talking quietly to someone on the other side of her lace curtain. Laddie came in, sat on her bed and watched over her as she slept.
oOo
The boys whooped and yelled as they took to the air, leaving their bikes behind; they didn't need them tonight. They'd left as late as they possibly could, just before the Boardwalk closed for the night. This gave them plenty of time to track down the rival gang at a time when there wouldn't be as many people around.
As they soared over the black waves, reflecting the glittering night life of the Boardwalk, their senses pulled them to the carousel. There were still many people about, but that fact didn't seem to bother the Lost Boys. They made their way onto the carousel - which was already in motion, purposely heading towards their target. David led, followed by Dwayne, Paul and finally Marko.
They were in good spirits, even before they spotted the Surf-Nazi's clustered around one of the seats. They weren't going to kill them here and now in front of all these people; they just needed to get them pissed off enough to come after them later.
David pierced Greg's “girl” with his cerulean blue stare, making his way over to her. Greg didn't even seem to notice they were there, until David cupped the girl's face; as Greg had done to Star. As soon as Greg and the other Surf-Nazi's realised what was happening, a fight broke out. David leapt forward and grabbed Greg's face until he felt something constrict against his neck and pull him backwards.
“I told you to stay off the Boardwalk.” The man holding him said.
None of the boys could believe the same security guard was going to prevent them getting revenge on the Surf Nazis, again. David knew they weren't going to be able to either, with him around. They didn't usually kill familiar faces or authority figures, as it raised too many suspicions. However, this second interference had signed the guard's death warrant.
“...okay boys, let's go.”
David smirked a little. The security guard let go of his baton, releasing David from his grip. David turned to Greg and gave him a sly wink and then retreated with the rest of the boys. As he walked away he heard the guard telling the Surf-Nazi's to get off the Boardwalk too. He smiled once more as he got down off the still moving carousel. The security guard wasn't the only one to ban the gangs from the Boardwalk, and he wouldn't be the last, but neither gang paid any attention. The boys patiently waited for the Boardwalk to be closed for the night, and for the crowds to dissipate.
Vernon, the security guard strolled leisurely to his car. The parking lot was relatively empty, the last of the party-goers and late-night staff had already left. It was a long way to his car and he inwardly cursed Boardwalk Security for denying staff’s request for designated parking. It was all well and good for those on day duty, as they arrived well before the crowds and had their choice of whichever spot took their fancy. However, those on the late-shift like him had to take what they could find. He’d been late for work many times just circling the parking lot looking for a damn space.
It had been an eventful evening. He had no doubt that he would run into one of, if not both gangs again, however if only for tonight Santa Carla was just that little bit safer. He’d rarely had a reason to fear living here, despite its reputation, but now the winds were picking up, and somewhere in the dark he was sure he heard snickering.
Just get to the car… He thought to himself.
There was a strange screeching sound in the air that seemed to be following him, and a malevolent presence in the shadows watching him. He’d heard the rumours of the kinds of evil that manifested at night, just like everybody else in this town. Having never seen anything for himself, however, he’d dismissed them. There was something here now, though, and it was observing his every move. Stalking him…hunting him.
Don’t turn around, Vernon. Just keep walking…
In spite of his brain screaming at him to keep going, he could feel himself turning to see what was behind him. He only glimpsed, but it was enough. The figures looming over him vaguely resembled humans, but no human face ever looked like that. His feet were already carrying him as fast as they could to his car, while the monsters swooped above, cheering and laughing.
Reaching his car, he tried frantically to get it open. In his panic, he’d forgotten his keys. He wrestled with the door handle as if he could impress upon the vehicle his need to get inside. The car remained locked, mocking his desperate situation.
The monsters were closing in on him. He felt a sharp pain tear across his back. He grasped the door handle tighter and screamed as he was hauled into the air. The force dislocated his right shoulder, and ripped the door from the car. The last thing Vernon Beasley registered, was the pain of his limbs being torn and teeth scraping across his flesh.
oOo
She couldn't gulp it fast enough and soon blood was trickling down the corners of her mouth and neck. Her breath shallow, she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand and tried to regain her composure. Hearing the boys returning, she placed the empty bottle back where it belonged, hiding any evidence of her loss of control.
“Have fun?” Star asked, regretting her question when she saw the defeated looks upon their faces. David stormed past her, and she looked back at the others for an explanation.
“What happened?”
“That fucking security guard is what happened!” yelled David from across the room.
“Which security guard?”
“The one from last night.” explained Dwayne calmly.
“You're joking?! So what about the Surf-Nazis?”
“They're still around. For now.” replied Marko, glumly.
David punched the nearest wall and then headed through the tunnel that led to his thinking place. Dwayne moved to follow him, but Star blocked his path.
“I'll get him. You get some sleep.” She sighed.
Paul and Marko headed towards the chamber where they slept. Dwayne took the comic book from a sleeping Laddie, carried him to his bed and covered him with his blanket. She smiled as Dwayne approached her, placed his hand on her shoulder and whispered.
“Not long until the Sun comes up. Good luck.” Before he followed Paul and Marko.
Star made her way through the hidden passage to David's thinking place upon the jagged rocks, where the sea spray hit you every time the waves crashed against the cliffs. He was sitting lower down than usual, staring hard into the water. She sat next to him watching him sadly. Looking down at his gloveless hands, she noticed blood trickling between his fingers from where he had punched the wall.
“Your hand is bleeding...” She informed him.
His features softened a little as he nodded. Star ripped a length of material from the bottom of her skirt and carefully wrapped it around his hand. It would be fully healed by tonight, but that was not the point of the action. He placed his right hand on top of hers and looked down at his left hand, now wrapped in the glittery material which had been ripped from her skirt and smirked, while allowing a chuckle to escape his throat. She smiled back at him sadly.
“Why are you taking this so personally?” She asked him.
“It is personal. You're one of us, Star, and they hurt you. They need to— ”
“ —so if it was one of the boys, you'd be this pissed?”
“Of course.”
“And you'd keep them here like invalids?”
“Star—"
“No, David! You really insulted me tonight. I know you like me to play 'Damsel in distress' for the masses, and that it gives you some kind of kick to be my dark knight or whatever, but that's not who I am. I don't need you to fight my battles for me.”
“Right, cause the fight with your family went so well.” He retorted.
Star glared at him darkly. He was challenging her again, testing her loyalty. She would have left him there if the Sun wasn't threatening them from the horizon. Plus it would mean that she was giving in to him and she would not give him the satisfaction of winning yet another tug-of-war of their personalities.
“I'm sorry.” He whispered, so quiet that his voice became lost in the wind.
This confused her. David never apologised, it just wasn't in his nature. For the briefest moment, Star saw a flash of fear in his eyes, like he thought she had said that she didn't need him at all. However, the memory of that blood-lust taking her over - not moments before the boys had returned, the fear that she wouldn't be able to make it stop by herself. She knew that wasn't true. She did need him. She needed him to ground her and prevent her from making hasty decisions which always seemed to get her into trouble.
“The Gypsies always taught me that family was everything. That no matter what happened, I would always have them to come back to. I hated it. I wanted to be free, to stand up for myself, not rely on anyone, be independent. I despised not being able to…I'm just not used to having people look out for me the way you guys do. It sounds really stupid, but I don't think I knew what a family was until I came here.” He rolled his eyes at her, shook his head and yawned.
“Come on, let's go inside. Almost sunrise.”
Once they had returned to the main chamber, Star stopped David from heading to the boys' room.
“Wait. Could you stay with me?”
“Why?”
“I had a really bad hunger pang just before you came back. It scared me, David. I don't want to be on my own with Laddie.”
“What happened to being independent?” he smirked. She hit him playfully on the arm.
“I think I could suffer one more night of being your distressed damsel.”
He pushed her down gently onto the bed, and kissed her teasingly along her neck, his stubble brushing against her skin. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest, drifting into sleep as the sun rose.
“Star?” David whispered in her ear.
“Hmm?”
“Why don't you take Laddie out tonight? Have fun, just the two of you.”
“Don't you mean with one of you following my every move?”
“No.”
“So where will you be?”
“I need to go and see a friend. He might be able to help us with the Surf-Nazis.”
“Okay...” She wanted to ask more about this “friend,” but sleep already had a hold of her.
oOo
They walked leisurely to the edge of the beach. Spying a couple of homeless guys under the pier, Star gestured for Laddie to wait nearby. David was still unsure about allowing Laddie to become a full vampire. So for now, Laddie was to watch and learn until David felt he was ready.
It was impressive how quickly Star took both of them down. However there was a viciousness in her actions that surpassed even what the boys were capable of. Laddie watched uncomfortably as the girl he considered his friend, tore into stringy flesh with her teeth. The sounds of her slurping and sucking from both corpses beneath her, was enough to make anyone feel queasy. After a considerable amount of time, Laddie prompted her, which earned him a snarl.
“Star?” He asked, worriedly. As her eyes met his, her features softened and her bared teeth dwindled into a smile. She licked the blood from her fingers and savoured the taste. The bums had been intoxicated and the alcohol that had resided in their blood now burned through Star’s veins, making her feel dopey. She could hear music, in the distance. The was an open-air concert further up the beach and she felt a sudden urge to dance.
“Wanna go dance, Laddie?”
He nodded and she took him by the hand, skipping towards the music in a hazy stupor. Star followed Laddie under the stage and holding tightly onto his little hand she danced through the warm bodies surrounding her, to get a better view of the band. It was liberating to be among this throng of people. Her improved senses magnified the experience. Their energy and joy became hers and the music enveloped her, as did a freedom that she’d never felt before. She made a mental note to thank David for this gift, despite what his reasons may have been. He was hiding something from her - that much she could tell, however her inexperience with mind searching, prevented her from finding out what.
Somewhere within the crowd, Star felt eyes scrutinizing her. She scanned the people below and noticed a boy staring at her and for all intents and purposes; had his tongue hanging out. Star ignored him and went back to dancing. She was used to these kinds of looks, especially when luring food for the boys. Star felt his stare upon her, feeling unnerved; she glanced back, but not out of interest in him. She could feel her blood-lust rising again.
Oh no, not here! I've just fed; how can I still be hungry?!
No matter how much she argued with herself, the craving just wouldn't die down, in fact it was getting worse. The rhythm of the music had been replaced by the collective pulse of the crowd. Laddie tugged gently on her hand, noticing her distress. If she was losing it like she had earlier, he needed to get her out of there fast. He shuddered, remembering how she had snarled and then smiled at him like nothing had happened. If she lost control in front of all these people, no one would be safe, maybe not even himself.
“Star? Are you okay?” She shook her head. Remembering the boys' note saying where they would be waiting for them, she gestured to Laddie to move, and they disappeared into the crowds.
oOo
“I hope so. I can't bring her to see Max yet. He wants her to gain more control before she learns about him.”
The boys entered the store in their arrogant way, earning them a growl from Thorn, Max's hound. They made their way to their usual talking place. When David looked up, he was annoyed to find Max in deep conversation with a woman, who had just walked in asking about a lost kid. His frustrations mounted when he found the boys - Paul, in particular - flirting with Maria. He approached Max, the boys following behind.
David: Max, we need to talk.
Max: Not now, can't you see I'm busy?
“I told you not to come in here any more.”
Max answered simultaneously, telepathically and verbally. David looked at the lady Max was “flirting” with and then smirked at Max. He could hear Paul sniggering behind him and thought it best to leave and come back later before Max got too angry.
They rode to the entrance of the Boardwalk; the place they said they would meet up with Star. He doubted she would have passed up a chance to spend a night without them, so they got comfortable and waited for her arrival.
oOo
She silently begged the shadow she had gained since leaving the concert. Star could hear his pulse, pounding in her head and a red mist hazing her mind. It cleared as the Surf-Nazis barged past her. Enough was enough, she decided to turn around and face her stalker. Maybe if she killed this guy, she wouldn't have to worry about getting hunger pangs later.
“Are you following me?” Star asked him, smirking.
“Yeah, I am.” He replied. At least, he was honest.
“Did you wanna talk to me?” Laddie was looking up at him, curiously.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Well talk.” She smiled, sweetly at him.
“How are you?” Before she could answer, a kid - his brother, she assumed - with a weird fashion sense walked up to her stalker.
“Mom's here.” He said, without taking his eyes off her.
Great, a family outing.
It was definitely time to get out of there and back to the boys.
“Was nice talking...” She said before leaving.
The crowds eventually thinned as they found themselves at the entrance to the Boardwalk. Star noticed the boys were all ready waiting for her. She suddenly felt a stab of guilt for letting her hunger spill out yet again and slowed her pace. David immediately picked up on the residual panic she was giving off and nodded in her direction. She rolled her eyes at his concern. Couldn’t she get through one night without disappointing him?
David: What's wrong?
Star: Nothing. I'm just tired. Can we go home now?
David: Sure...get on.
Paul: All that partying wear you out, girl?
David: Leave her be, boys.
David thought, smirking at Paul, as he helped a weary Star onto his bike and Dwayne lifted a relieved Laddie onto his. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could have kept Star under control.
Star wrapped her arms around David in anticipation of the speed with which they would leave the Boardwalk. However, the boys were busy looking at something behind her.
Marko: What the fuck’s his problem?
Star turned around to see who he was referring to, and her eyes met with her stalker and his brother. David studied the newcomer with interest.
Star: Oh no!
David: Who is he, Star?
Star: I don't know. Just some guy.
Laddie: He was watching Star at the concert.
Dwayne: Ha, Star's caught another one!
Star: Shut up!
Her embarrassment of being a lure had always amused them. They sniggered as they watched the boy's interest change from lust to disappointment, before they sped off into the night. Star couldn't help, but glance back at him as she heard her dead heart beating in her head. It wasn't out of curiosity, nor love, but hunger. The ride back to the cave was spent trying to control her pangs, but as soon as they got inside she lost the battle. She fell to the floor, body shaking and joints seizing.
“Bring her over here!” David yelled to Dwayne, who carefully picked up the writhing Star, and laid her down on the couch.
“You want me to get her a bottle?” asked Marko.
“No. Bottled blood isn't going to do it this time.”
David removed his left glove and severed a vein in his wrist, then held his wrist over Star's mouth. Her body convulsed in his arms, and she jerked her head away from his wrist.
“Come on, Star. Drink.” She gently took his wrist and closed her mouth over the blood flow. Her strength slowly returning, she drank deeper, biting down savagely and making David cry out.
“Star, stop!” The more he struggled, the harder Star would bite and grab onto his arm. Unable to take any more, he knocked her out with his other hand.
“Dude, what the hell was that?” asked Paul in utter bewilderment as he watched David try to repair the damage done to his shredded arm. He sighed as he tried to think of the easiest way to explain to them what had happened.
“She was turning feral. That's what they do. The need to feed overwhelms them so much that they don't care what it is they're feeding on. Human, animal, mortal, immortal, it doesn't matter.”
“Then how do we stop it?” Marko asked.
“First we need to get her to feed on fresh blood.”
“How do you plan on doing that if she's not stable enough to hunt?” Dwayne queried.
“We're going to have to get her take-out.”
The boys circled the night sky for easy prey and what prey they did find.
oOo
“What was that?” she asked Greg.
“What was what?”
“I thought I heard something.”
“Forget it— ”
The next thing Shelly knew, the roof of the car was violently discarded, and Greg was lifted into the night air. She was able to scream one last time before she too was carried away into the night, however she wouldn't live as long as Greg.
“Do you remember me, Greg?” David asked in a sinister voice as he entered the closed-off chamber where they had dumped Greg's body.
“What do you want? Please, don't kill me!”
“Oh I'm not going to kill you, Greg. She is...”
“What?”
David left the chamber and replaced the barrier to stop anything from escaping, save Greg's cries.
“What's going on? Don't leave me here!”
His eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light of the room. In the far corner, he saw a female form, and he approached it carefully.
“Shelly? That you? What have they done to— ” Before he could finish his question, the form leapt at him with the face of a monster and fangs tearing deep into his neck.
“That should keep her busy for a while.” Paul laughed at the sound of Greg's terrified screams.
“I'm going out to see that friend...” David murmured, wary of Laddie watching him curiously. He left without another word.
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