Shadows in the Night

Well its about damn time i got off my lazy ass and wrote something for a change instead of just posting that I have returned.  So here it is, my ramblings that have been taking shape since I entered basic last march.

Shadows in the Night
By Zachary Crabtree

Sarah awoke from her slumber in a near paralyzed panic.  Beads of cold sweat formed at her forehead and gently rolled down her cheeks, landing softly on the thick grey sheets that she had bundled herself into.  As she sat up hurriedly she began to scan the room to find that there had been no changes between the time she laid down to sleep that evening, and now.  As she looked around her small, yet spacious, bedroom her eyes caught on the window of the front yard.  Trees and darkness were the only sights that found her as she stared out the cold glass into the night.  There was a full moon out tonight, though it was veiled by a thin layer of clouds that blanketed the starless sky.
 
“I…I guess it was just a bad dream” she muttered to herself, sighing slightly as she laid back into her mattress.  She tried to calm herself as best she could, taking slow and deep breaths, to lull her back to into her sleep.  Her eyes began to flutter shut and she could feel the welcoming embrace of sleep coming back to her.  

It was about that time that a distinctive pounding could be heard down the hall towards her front door.  Her eyes snapped open again, and once more she bolted upright, the sudden noise taking her by surprise.  Still somewhat anxious from a few moments earlier she moved quickly to get out of bed and fumbled with the small pile of clothes that lay in the floor beside the bed as she tried to find something more than her underwear to put on.  She had no intention of going out into the cold, but she figured she had best be prepared for any eventuality.  Just as she slipped into a pair of gym shorts and a loose tank top, the pounding at her front door came again, making her jump slightly.  As she moved towards the hallway. She paused briefly, and rushed back to her bedside throwing open the drawer and grabbing a rather large K-Bar style knife and sheath from beneath a mixed pile of papers and old photographs. Tucking it into the waistband of her shorts at her left hip, the moved out into the hall and to the front door.  

 “Whoever is at my door better have a damn good reason for waking my up so late at night” she said in a hushed tone, a hint of anger and annoyance floating over each word.  When she reached the door, she stood up on her toes to peek through the small peephole to catch a glimpse of her unwanted visitor.

On the opposite side of the heavy, white painted, oak door stood a somewhat tall man wearing a solid black suit and a red tie.  Even in the dim light of the moon Sarah could make out his almost ghostly complexion and his almost pale blue eyes, which seemed to be staring back at her through the peephole.  He had a short hairstyle that was kept slicked back, and a wide smirk was plastered on his face.  As he stood on her doorstep his hand stayed folded behind his back, moving only slightly to adjust his posture.  Hesitantly Sarah cracked open the door, just enough that she could fully see the man, but still mostly closed.

“Y-yes?” Her voice breaking slightly with nervousness, though she tried her best to mask it with a false confidence.  “Can I…can I help you sir?”

Turning his face towards the crack in the door, the man gave a fiendish smile and extended his left hand forward, palm open, towards her.  “Yes, you may, are you by any chance Sarah Wieczorek?”  He spoke in a calm and collected manner, his eyes seeming to bore right into the very depths of Sarah’s soul.

Sarah swallowed heavily, slowly nodding her head at the man’s question, slightly worried that he knew who she was.  She had lived a relatively solitary life, having few friends and rarely causing trouble for anyone.  She sat frozen as the stranger continued to speak.

“My name is Viktor Kharkov and I belong to a certain organization that investigates secrets hidden within ancient ruins and tombs.  Is it true that you found a particularly interesting one somewhere in the heart of Germany a few months ago?”  

As he spoke Sarah began to study every facet of his face; his eyes, his complexion and most importantly his mouth.  There were a few times during his questions that she thought she witnessed something unusual about his teeth, two pair seemed sharper than normal.  
Giving a few quick blinks in rapid succession and noticing no notable differences, she decided that it was most likely the lack of proper sleep, her mind imagining things.  It was a few minutes before she finally answered his questions, though her mind still prevented her from speaking, so she gave a simple nod in conformation.

Her fear seemed to amuse the stranger at the door as he began to laugh heartily at her small nod.  “Please relax, you’re making me nervous over here” he gave her a reassuring smile, which seemed slightly forced.  “I’m only here to ask a few questions on behalf of my organization.  I do apologize for the lateness of my visit.  I had meant to come around earlier today but ended up tied up with” he paused for a moment, the only time in the conversation that he had broken eye contact with Sarah, “other business.” He finished the sentence on a hard note, his eyes glaring back into Sarah with more intensity than before.

“O…of course” Sarah finaly managed to say in response, swallowing hard once again as she opened the door some more to let the man inside.  Part of her trusted the man meant her no harm, and that he was truly here to simply inquire into the tomb, however, there was another part of her that was still unsure.  None the less, she hesitantly invited him inside her home, leading him into the small front room by the front door.  

Quickly the man made himself at home, taking a seat and getting comfortable in an armchair facing a small couch and plasma television set.  Sarah herself took a seat on the couch before turning on the lamp that stood on a table at the end of the couch.  “So, what kind of questions do you have for me Mr. Kharkov?” She again hid her nervousness behind a small and flimsy smile.  Viktor, however had obviously seen right through the disguise as a similar smirk to the one she saw through the peephole began to appear on his face again.

“It’s nothing much” he replied through the guise of friendship, sinking back farther into the chair.  “My colleagues and I were simply curious as to anything of value, or of note, were in your findings.”

Sarah nodded slowly as she began to attempt to recount her adventures in the ruined tomb..  She stayed silent for a few moments as she recalled every little detail, hoping an abundance of information would make Viktor leave all the sooner.

“Well, the tomb was hidden within the ruins of some old castle, something I have never seen in my life” she began, doing her best to avoid direct eye contact with Viktor.  “As I went further in, I began to see signs of a small burial chamber hidden within the catacombs of the castle.  At the end…there was this heavy-set door, pried open by the looks of it.”

As she spoke, Viktor watched with almost unbroken concentration, moving only slightly a give a nod of approval.  His eyes became fixated on her, blinking very rarely.
Sarah continued, although still reluctant about this chance meeting.  

“When I walked inside, there were some paintings scattered around the room, most torn to shreds.  There were…blood stains on some parts of the stone floor, some as big as puddles, some looking like spurts from a ketchup bottle, though they were long dried up.”  She grimaced slightly as she remembered the blood and the smell of death that seemed to hang over the room.

It was now that Viktor finally broke his solemn silence, interrupting her before she had a chance to continue.  “Was there anything else inside the room, anything intact?  While the paintings are interesting, they won’t do much to anyone in the state that you said they were in.”  His question was direct, and he seemed to be asking about something far more specific than what information Sarah had given him.

The sudden question was enough to take Sarah by complete surprise as she quickly forgot what she was about to say.  “Well…well as I approached the center of the room I saw a pair of open air coffins on a pedestal like structure, both wide open.”  She fidgeted slightly in place, the intensity that the conversation took on made her more uncomfortable than she already was.  “As I got closer I saw this…necklace handing from the side of one of the coffins.  It was strange, there seemed to be no signs of age on it.  The metal was beautiful, and the stones still perfectly cut, with near no flaws.”

Viktor nodded again in approval, the smirk on his face widening.  It was now Sarah’s fears from earlier began to take true shape, her eyes fixated on the now obvious pair of fangs that Viktor had somehow kept hidden during their conversation.  “That’s perfect, it seems you have given me all the information that I desire little one” he said, a slight laugh highlighting his words as he spoke.  

Sarah recoiled in fear, her heart rate increasing exponentially with every passing second.  Trying to conceal her movements she reached back to grab the knife from her back should Viktor try anything, though it was in vain.  In a flash, he was upon her, hand gripping tightly around her neck, his fiendish smile still plastered on his face.  “Go on then, stab me, see what it does for you!” He let out a hellish laugh as he tossed her aside like it was nothing, Sarah unable to do anything except cower in fear.

“What…what do you want with me?!” she said in a quivering voice, terrified for her very life.  “What are you?”

“You have seen too much Sarah, things no mortal was meant to see” Viktor spoke calmly as he moved over to where she lay.  He knelt beside her and smirked again, “Allow me to present you with a little gift, something that should open your eyes.”  Without hesitation, he leaned down and bit into her neck, his fangs piercing the delicate flesh of her neck.  

Pain seared through Sarah’s body and she tried to let out a cry for help, though no sound could escape her lips.  Instead, only a hoarse whisper found a way out and Viktor stayed latched on to her.  Slowly she felt a darkness fall upon her, the light of the room fading away as Viktor continued to drink her warm blood.  Her eyes began to flutter shut as she desperately reached out to push him off.  Soon though, all will left her body and she collapsed, cold and motionless, on the floor.

Viktor slowly rose from her body and began to wipe what little blood remained on his face, giving a silent chuckle as he looked down at the woman.  “I shall return again for you Sarah, let us hope that our next meeting will be more…” he paused for a moment just as he turned to leave, “civilized.”  Saying that word made him laugh slightly, but he did not dwell on it, quickly leaving the room and walking back out the front door, shutting it behind him.

I don't trust this Victor dude. I think he's up to no good.

Tight, tense read Z.

The final piece of Chapter 1 is now up, give it a read. Also I'm working on getting Chapter 2 typed up now, expect it in a few days.

Chapter 2: A Well-Deserved Explanation

Morning dawned the next day and Sarah’s eyes shot open once again, panic still frozen on her face.  She quickly looked around, not entirely remembering the events of the previous night, but remembering a fear that she had never known before.  Her breath came out in short, rapid bursts as she continued to look around her living room, eventually bringing her gaze down to the floor where she lay.  “Did…did he finally leave?”

No sooner had she finished her question, a quite audible laugh was heard from behind her, coming from the kitchen.  Sarah turned in fear only to be met with the same face as last night.  In the doorway that led to the kitchen, stood Viktor again, dressed now lazily in an old looking pair of jeans and a light jacket.  He was stirring a small cup of coffee as he looked down at Sarah with a grin.

“Well that took longer than most, though I expect shock prevented you from waking sooner.”  It was still the same man, still speaking in cryptic riddles.

“What…what the hell did you do to me last night!?”  She quickly raised her voice, grasping at her hip to grab the knife she still had concealed beneath her shirt. Viktor, however, remained calm and unfazed, slowly walking forward towards her.  

At the first sign of his movement Sarah, finding almost a second wind of strength, rose to her feet and backed away, pressing herself against the wall.  Viktor simply shook his head and let out a long sigh, looking down at the floor.  “I understand your apprehension my dear, but you need to trust me now…”
 
“Like hell I will!” Sarah shouted, immediately cutting him off.  “Give me one damn reason why I should trust you!”

Viktor slowly brought his gaze up from the floor, his eyes hardening as he looked back into her own eyes.  “Because without me you will be dead within the span of an hour.” His voice became cold again, his gaze penetrating deep into Sarah, his stare unbreaking.  “Like it or not you must listen to me now, vampire.”

The last word struck her cold, like a dagger to the heart.  Her hand, which once gripped the knife with such intensity, immediately opened and let the blade plummet to the floor.  Slowly sliding down, the wall, Sarah soon found herself curled in a ball on the floor as tears began to form in her eyes.  “No…no you’re…you’re joking.  Vampires aren’t real.  They’re just something made up.”  She kept spoke the phrase repeatedly, hoping that eventually it would comfort her.  Despite her efforts, she found no such comfort, no reassurance, nothing but the lingering word: Vampire.

By this time, Viktor had made his way across the room and now knelt in front of her, his hands resting on his knees.  “It’s a lot to take in I know, but I assure you it’s the truth.  If you don’t believe me, just feel your new fangs.”

Sarah brought her gaze up to meet his and gave a small nod, promptly rubbing her tongue against the inside of her mouth.  Just as Viktor said, she could feel the difference immediately.  Two sets of fangs now adorned her mouth where once perfectly normal teeth sat.  “Why me,” she cried out, tears streaming down her face now, “why did you do this to me?”

The sound of her cries affected Viktor more so than he had thought possible and, soon, he knelt in front of Sarah, a comforting hand on her arm.  “To show you a world the likes of which you could only dream of” his voice was calm, reassuring almost.  The harsh tone that had once adorned every syllable of his speech, gone.  “I came back my dear Sarah, to welcome you to a family that will never leave, and a life that few can ever imagine.”  He punctuated his sentence with a warm and welcoming smile, something completely out of the character had come to expect from him.  “There is much of your family history that has been hidden from you, isn’t there?” He continued to kneel in front of her, his eyes locking with hers for what seemed like an age in and of itself.

Sarah processed the thought for a few moments, her eyes darting around to avoid connection with Viktor’s.  It was true that she knew very little of her family, her parents abandoned her when she was a baby.  Never knowing her true name, there was nothing she could ever dig up.  Finally, she decided to answer, her voice eking out as a hoarse whisper.  “No…I was adopted as a child, I still don’t know who my real parents are.” When she finished speaking, she brought her eyes to meet Viktor’s once again.  The vampire’s eyes had softened considerably, his gaze no longer feeling like daggers to her.

“Then there is much that you will be able to learn from this” Viktor spoke softly now giving Sarah the first real breath of relief she had taken since their first meeting the night before.  He smiled warmly and extended his hand out.  “Now, we should be going soon.  We have much to discuss, and I must get you to the sanctuary.”  

Viktor stood up, pulling Sarah with him, still smiling, as if to reassure her that everything was truly going to be okay.  She still did not trust this man, the same man that had assaulted her, took away her very humanity, and turned her into a creature, a demon.  She knew that she had no choice but to trust him for now, who else could she turn to for help.  People would call her crazy if she sought help from normal humans.  Normal, the word stuck inside her head, like the punchline of some sick joke.  What even was normal anymore, was it the life she led before, or this new one that she was about to enter.  

“Can I have a few minutes to shower, pack a few things?” She took a long breath in, finally accepting that she must leave everything she knew behind.

“Of course,” Viktor replied with a laugh, taking a few steps and settling in the same chair he sat in last night.  “Do not tarry too long though, we will surely be expected.”

Sarah nodded and hurried down the hall to her bedroom.  When she stepped in the bathroom she took a long look in the mirror, noting all the changes that happened overnight.  Her once bright green eyes now shone a pale, and cold blue.  Opening her mouth, she stared at her new fangs, where once perfect teeth sat.  They were not as large as Viktor’s were, but they were going to be noticeable should she hold a conversation with anyone.  Her once tanned skin now paled, as if she had hardly stepped foot in the sunlight.  Looking away from the new reflection that stared back at her, she turned on the water and began to undress.  

Stepping into the hot water she finally began to relax, though only slightly.  Her hair clung to her neck as she did nothing more than stand under the showerhead.  After a few minutes of standing in the water, she began to clean herself.  She had hoped a hot shower would wash away the fear of the unknown, the fear of entering this new life.  It had worked, for the most part, for as she stepped out she immediately felt calmer and more collected.

After about thirty or so minutes Sarah finally reappeared in the living room to face Viktor once more.  She found him still sitting in the chair, face buried in a cell phone.  She had chosen to wear a pair of slim fitting jeans and a loose tank top, and had pulled her hair up into a ponytail.  By her side, she pulled a small rolling suitcase, and on her back, was a camouflage patterned backpack.  She did not know what to take, so she merely packed as if she was going on an extended vacation.

“Mister Kharkov,” she muttered, still unsure as to what to call him.  “I’m ready to leave now.”  Ready wasn’t exactly the word that she had wanted to choose, but it was the only word that seemed to fit her situation.  She dreaded leaving her house for what would be the final time, and abandoning the life that she had worked so hard to build.  Viktor, however, only smiled, putting the phone away as he stood up to lead her away.  

“I’m glad to hear it my dear,” still he spoke with utter sincerity, as if trying desperately to make up for his previous actions, and the attack.  “My car is parked outside on the street, it’s a two-hour drive to the sanctuary, so we must hurry.”  His hand reached down and grabbed the handle of the suitcase from her hand, a move which startled Sarah for a moment.  “I’ll take your suitcase, we can put them in the backseat.”  With that, he walked towards the door and rapidly opened it, beckoning Sarah outside.  However, Sarah had frozen in her place, as the way out was blocked by three more unknown persons, a woman with two men by her side; persons whom Viktor hadn’t noticed as his eyes were locked on Sarah as he opened the door.

Viktor seemed puzzled for a moment, until he turned to see just what Sarah was starring so nervously at.  As his eyes met the three strangers in the doorway, he let out a low grumbling, hiding his frustrations under his breath.  “Lady Astrea, Councilman Sulivahn, whatever are you doing here?”

Sarah had eyed the newcomers with fear, judging by the titles that Viktor used to address them, they were clearly more important than he was.  She studied their attire closely, taking note of every detail, just as she did with Viktor.  The woman, whom Viktor had called Lady Astrea, wore a long flowing strapless black dress.  Her eyes were just the same as her own, pale blue, and through her smile she could barely make out the set of fangs in her mouth.  Sulivahn, in contrast, wore a blue button down shirt and khaki slacks.  The top button was left open as he wore no tie with his outfit.  He had similar facial features to Viktor, though he had short blonde hair rather than the pitch-black hair Viktor sported.  

The third person was the one that brought the most concern to Sarah, much more than the two others.  Between Astrea and Sulivahn stood what appeared to be a man dressed in black combat armor.  He wore a black Kevlar plate carrier overtop a long-sleeved black combat shirt.  His face was obscured beneath a black balaclava and Kevlar helmet.  On his left hip, a pistol sat holstered, one hand always near it.  To Sarah, he resembled something more akin to a mercenary than a vampire, however, his eyes revealed he was the same as the other two.  The only part of his face that was visible were his eyes, as they were the same pale blue that Sarah had now associated with vampires.  He was as silent as a statue, though Sarah could feel his gaze piercing into her very soul.

While she was busy studying the three newcomers, her mind had drawn her away from the conversation, returning to reality only when she heard her name being called.  All four of the visitors were staring at her as Viktor called her name once more.  “S-sorry” she stammered out, a tinge of red barely visible on her cheeks. “I must have spaced out for a moment.”

Viktor shook his head slightly, though the smile that he once wore had now disappeared.  “Sarah, I have some business with Lady Astrea and Councilman Sulivahn to attend to, its rather urgent.”  The news hit Sarah hard, though Viktor continued to talk.  “This man here is Nikolas, one of the Nightstalkers assigned to our sanctuary, he will take you there and introduce you to your mentor, Priscilla.”

The man in the armor, Nikolas, bowed slightly before speaking.  “A pleasure to meet you Sarah.” His voice was calm, kind even, much different than Viktor.  Sarah sighed slightly and moved towards the door, giving Viktor one last look, a plead to come with her.  She may not trust him completely, but he was a face she knew, and a voice she was at least somewhat familiar with.  Grabbing the suitcase from his hand she followed the soldier vampire outside and down the sidewalk towards her new fate.

Nice chapter.

I cry because I read the stories of others and nobody seems to read mine.