The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (89 page)

“Finally, after many minutes, I could see in the moonlight a small dark shape…” Augere squinted, as if seeing the same thing again at a distance just now. “Small and dark, no more than a dense shadow at a distance crouched low to the ground. I stood and observed it for several minutes, and I came to realize it was observing me as well. This intrigued me. I felt its gaze, one that seemed intelligent, upon me.

“I moved closer to take a better view and perhaps to frighten it off, or if it posed danger, to kill it if necessary. As I approached, I could see a white luminous glow where the creature’s face should be. There was a head and shoulders in the shape of a child or person of small stature but mostly it was a black amorphous shape. As I continued to approach, the form rose slowly until it was fully the height of a tall man, and then rose further still, to an even more imposing height. No face nor features were discernible…”

Here Augere paused, staring vacantly off in the distance. Jason had no doubt Augere was now mentally reliving the same event as clearly as he had originally experienced it.

“I stared at it in wonder. I still could see no face nor features, nor could I stare directly where those would be, as the white glow in place of these was too intense. The very air seemed charged to me, as if the recent thunderstorm and the flare of lightning were still present in the air around me.

“I could sense it possessed intelligence. It did not appear to be animal nor human. Then I began to sense something menacing from it, as if it meant harm. I suddenly became fearful of it. I raised my weapon and stood firm, ready if it made any move to attack. I was determined to stand guard until it was gone or destroyed.

“After several minutes it appeared to shrink back from me and to decrease in stature until once more the whole of it was closer to the ground. I lowered my weapon then.

“In an instant it sprang at me, covering the distance between us incredibly fast. It leaped upon me, and though I could not feel the weight of it, as if it had no substance, it was able to knock me to the ground. I did not observe any limbs on this being, yet it held me fast; I was not able to remove it from me, nor regain my stance.

“It peered into my face and regarded me with a curious intensity, though how I could know this without seeing any features I cannot say. And I did not sense any malevolence in those moments just then; rather there seemed to be a deep sadness present, a despair that emanated from it. It was as though I could feel its strong emotions: regret and grief and a deep sorrow. This lasted for several moments.

“But in the next instant the being attacked me viciously, tearing into my throat, with what I could not say since I saw nothing that could cause such searing pain. With a feeling of horror I felt my blood rush from me and I knew immediately I had suffered a grievous wound. And then suddenly the being was gone from sight. I saw, and then felt, the full absence of it. The air around me had felt charged with energy, and then all was as before, calm and still again. And I was alone.

“I was able to slowly stagger to my feet, my hand at my throat to try to assess the damage. It was impossible to staunch the flow of blood. As I made my way to the cabin, I tore off my shirt with difficulty and held it at the wound. I already felt near to fainting; I had no way to summon help. I would not be able to saddle the horse much less ride; I knew my life was over. I lay on my bed waiting to die…”

Jason imagined the scene vividly. He had no clue as to what had attacked Augere. He had never heard of any such being nor come across any descriptions of anything like it.

He listened, fascinated, but had no time to wonder.

“But I did not die.”

An ineffable sadness suffused those words, as if it pained Augere greatly even to say them. He began speaking in what sounded like French then, but so softly Jason had no hope of hearing or understanding what was said. The tone was plaintive, almost pleading. Even without understanding what was being said it was very emotionally painful to hear it.

Augere began speaking English again, softly and slowly and with a great weariness as though it took great effort for him to do so.

“I doubt I slept but I must have lost consciousness. The next thing I was aware of was pain and stiffness at my neck and a great thirst. The smell and stickiness of my own blood lay everywhere. I was very weak and I was surprised to be alive still. Perhaps the wound had not been as severe as I had thought. Taking much difficulty I sat up and reached for a shaving mirror at hand. There was evidence of a great deal of blood lost. I should not have been alive. I managed to stand weakly and brought a small cup of water and my torn shirt to the task of washing the blood away to assess the wound. The horror at actually seeing it nearly caused me to faint. I would not survive; I felt certain now. The wound was horrific—large and ragged; I had lost too much blood, enough to certainly kill me. Surely infection would have taken me if the shock of blood loss did not.

“I took a small sip of the water, now tinged with my own blood as I recall, and lay back upon my bed. I wept to think I would die alone in this place, so far from home and all who knew me.”

Tears began to well in Jason’s eyes. None of the story was anything like he had expected. Then again, he had not known what to expect. It was horrifying and heartbreaking.

“I lay there weak, exhausted and helpless, and in despair, knowing my death was at hand.

“I must have slept through an entire day. I could not reckon time. But I was still alive. When I was able to summon enough strength to sit up and examine the wound again, it appeared smaller.

“Over the next few days, I slept, awoke briefly to take water, and slept again. My strength returned slowly; the wound healed more quickly and completely than it should have, with no fever as I recall and no sign of infection.

“By the fourth day, I was able to walk about and tend to my neglected and starving horse, which now acted frightened again. It appeared I had recovered and had returned just as I was before.

“I was forever changed by then, though I did not yet know it.”

Augere fell silent again. The same faraway look remained in his eyes, fixed on a point in the past. Jason followed his gaze. And then suddenly he knew: this could be the place where it had all actually happened! This exact location! He surveyed the area with keener interest now. His mind recreated the small cabin, the frightened horse; the strange unearthly creature which Augere bravely had been no match for. It had all taken place right here…more than 200 years ago. Incredible.

Augere moved away from him now, turning his back on the direction that had steadily held his interest. He walked to the bench nearby and wearily sat down.

We need to get out of here,
Jason thought, looking around, awareness prickling the hairs on the back of his neck. It did not seem at all a safe area to be, and it clearly held painful memories for Augere. He did not seem to be himself.

Jason walked over to him. “Mr. Augere? I think we really should go now.”

Augere made no sign he had heard him. He was speaking softly, in French now, and it seemed to Jason he was repeating phrases over and over, almost as if reciting something to himself.

In the distance, but within a few blocks of them, a car drove by and slowed as it approached them. Raucous music blared from the car radio; there was the sound of drunken laughter, and then the car sped off. It made Jason very nervous, in the company of vampire or not.

“Please—can we leave now, Mr. Augere? I think it would be best if we go.” Jason anxiously glanced around. With Augere so distracted, Jason worried he might not be able to get them back safely. Augere didn’t seem to be attentive to their present surroundings exactly, and Jason began to feel worried and vulnerable, for both of them.

He could get no response, no acknowledgement from Augere. “It is not a good to idea to stay here any longer. It would be best for you—both of us—if we just leave here now.” His tone was insistent but it had no impact. Augere was silent now, staring down at the ground though not appearing to see it. He seemed oblivious to the present, and Jason did not know how to bring him back. He needed Augere’s help to get them out of there. He had no idea which way to turn, which direction to go. They couldn’t stay here all night.

In the distance, loud music thumped from the car that had passed before; it worried Jason that the car would return and he suspected its occupants would not be anyone who would offer help to them.

They needed to go—now. They had to start walking. It was not safe to remain here in the open, inviting trouble. It seemed highly unlikely they would find a taxi. He had no idea how far they would actually have to walk to get to a safely populated area. He was growing more nervous by the moment.
Why can’t I just be back safe in my bed
? he whined silently.
Why am I not asleep right now? How did I let myself get into this situation?

“Please, Mr. Augere—this is not good. We have to go right now—I need your help—we can’t stay here any longer… please…”

Augere was mute, his stare vacant.

Jason heard another car, or maybe the same one—the jarring music was similar—and this time it came closer, only a block and a half away. Someone yelled something at them, and then loud laughter erupted from the car. It sounded like several different voices. Jason could not make out the words, but the tone had been jeering, taunting. His mouth was dry and his limbs were shaky. He didn’t know if he could run if he had to—and what about Augere? Could he just leave him if he had to?

Jason was growing desperate. He bent close to Augere’s ear but within his line of vision, though Augere’s gaze was still directed toward the ground. “Mr. Augere?” Then he repeated it again, louder. He attempted to take hold of Augere by the shoulder to try to get him to a standing position, thinking maybe the physical gesture would bring him out of it. The troubling car was still parked at the same place; Jason could hear the motor running and the loud radio. Augere had to have heard it too, but gave no sign of it. The occupants of the car were watching them; making taunting and derogatory remarks with foul language and what sounded like more drunken chatter.

He had never been quite this physically close to Augere before and the intimacy of that sudden proximity, even under the level of stress he was presently feeling, caught and captivated him. It was a strange moment: the pale, translucent skin; coming into contact with the softness of Augere’s hair as his hand rested on Augere’s shoulder. He was close enough to Augere’s face as he spoke directly into his ear to notice the faint woodsy green scent of him; something like sandalwood perhaps, but with something other imposed over that … Jason’s heightened, fear-fueled senses took in these details even as he acknowledged how incongruous and absurd it was to do so in that moment, and even as he worried about being overcome by Augere’s energy—this was definitely no time to be dropped to the ground. They were in a pretty dangerous situation now, or he was, definitely, more so than Augere . He made a stronger effort to try to raise Augere by trying to lift under one arm and taking hold of his opposite shoulder: but he could not budge him. Augere was solidly immovable.
I would have better luck trying to lift this bench with him on it,
Jason thought, shaking his head. He was becoming even more desperate.

He was starting to feel queasy and could not tell if that was Augere’s energy working against him or their situation, the intense fear generated by the car with strangers still keeping them in view. They could be robbed, maybe killed—well, not Augere certainly but himself, unless he had Augere’s help. That he could die here tonight was a real possibility.
I need the full use of all of my faculties if I am to save myself and get us out of this
. It was up to him now.

He leaned in close to Augere’s face again, looking directly into eyes that were not seeing him. “Mr. Augere!” he said sharply and loudly. No response.

“Please…Laurent…please…you have to hear me…you have to listen…please, Laurent, I don’t know what to do…there is nothing for you here…nothing to be done…Laurent, look at me, please…” Jason pleaded softly in desperation.

Slowly Augere’s focus changed slightly; and then he was looking into Jason’s eyes. His gaze slowly acquired an awareness of Jason’s presence. Then he looked around him, with a somewhat perplexed expression.

“Laurent?” Jason said eagerly, encouraged by the minimal but positive response. “I’m afraid for us to stay here any longer. Laurent, please, I need your help to get us away from here!”

Augere blinked.

“Laurent…?” Jason was afraid of losing him again to those dark memories.

“You…have never spoken my name before…never once…until now…” His voice was barely audible.

Jason laughed, a short nervous response, filled with joy. “Yes! Yes, I know! I don’t know why I’m always so formal with you…” he sighed, then laughed a little again, wanting suddenly to hug him with relief. “Can we discuss it later? We have got to get out of here.”

Augere looked around him again. He still seemed vague, distant, not fully grasping his surroundings, but then he stood fluidly when Jason tugged at his shoulder. He let Jason lead him in what was, Jason hoped, the right direction.

Jason was aware of the attention of the still parked car’s occupants, as he had one arm around Augere’s shoulder walking them slowly in the opposite direction. Loud whistles, cat calls and raucous laughter followed them, and the car horn beeped at them over the jarring music.

They were far from safety, but Jason’s attention now was focused on the strange experience of walking with his arm around Augere. It was an eerie, unexpected sensation, yet one he had felt before: as if he had hold of an empty jacket. Moments ago, Jason could not budge him for the heavy solid weight of him, and now he seemed as light as if lacking in any substance at all, as weightless as a feather. And if Jason let go of him, even for a moment, Augere simply stopped walking. Jason realized the picture they made only invited negative attention and risk to them. But it could not be helped.