Child of Shadows (A Sekh Vampire Novella)

"Salve"

    Seius Antonius Nicasius squatted against the wall in a narrow alley. A small lip of the roof above provided him some shade. Even in the relative safety of the ledge's shadow, his skin felt like it was bubbling just underneath the surface. His ivory skin was quickly becoming inflamed with red splotches. Sweat beaded in his long, platinum blonde curls that draped his forehead. The droplets plummeted onto the dusty stone street below. He didn't have much time left. He knew that, but continued to press his small cheek against the wall of his temporary shelter anyway. He was straining his poor eyes to watch the kids just ahead in the main street, playing with a ball.

     "Pass to me!" one boy called as he waved his hands in the air. The ball was kicked in his direction and he trapped it with his foot, dribbling it back and forth with little difficulty. He attempted to kick it over his head and catch it behind. The ball launched in a neat parabellum of air. He overshot. The ball bounced off an angry hawker's cart....and came right for Nicasius. 

       Unfortunately, Nicasius was nearsighted, and so did not see the ball until it was already a blur in the air above his face. His mouth let out a tiny gasp as he rapidly backed away, falling back on his hands and buttocks. His storm blue eyes were wide in fear and surprise. He continued to back up as the ball bounced once, twice, and several smaller times, unerringly heading straight for him. The kids would notice his presence! They had already alerted the foolish boy who was the catalyst of this mess. The fool had begun to look around when the others came fully into view of the alley. They now pointed down at it. Down towards the ball and Nicasius. He continued to retreat, but his right hand reached back and felt- searing pain. He cried out and turned his head. He was at the end of his protection. He frantically searched the sky above. The sun was only just beginning to leave its zenith and the clouds hadn't covered it for some time.

       "There it is...Who are you?" a child's voice called. Nicasius whipped his head back around, clutching his inflamed right hand to his chest. The ball had stopped right at his feet, and a boy who looked to be no more than seven years old with tawny skin, coal-black hair, and warm brown eyes looked down at him. He knew that look. Despite being part of the greater Roman Empire, where everyone was mixed, Nicasius stood out with his distinct appearance. He was a native of Tripolitania like this boy. Yet despite his Nubian nose and jaw, despite his natural corkscrew curls, he was irrevocably different. He could lay against a Roman column and blend in. His eyes were like the sky just before a storm. He couldn't stand in the sun for more than mere moments. His parents had said he was fragile because of his appearance. His mother had used the word fragile. His father had called him weak. Unlike the rest of his family, he did not have natural protection from the sun. He did not tan either, only burn. In the relentless African heat, it made him practically useless for he could not go out easily during the day. Others only saw him moving in the shadows like a ghost.

      "Can I have the ball?" the other boy suddenly asked. Nicasius blinked and realized he had forgotten how to speak. He was being asked questions. Another child was speaking to him. How long has it been. . . he wondered. The boy began to approach and Nicasius's eyes grew wider. He swallowed some of his fear and got off the ground, picking up the ball and handing it to the boy. To his new potential friend. The other child smiled. "Thanks," he added. Nicasius nodded back. His potential friend thought for a moment then offered more. "Do you want to come play with us?" Nicasius studied this new friend. Standing at his full height, Nicasius was only slightly taller than the boy. He would be turning nine this year, but was still considered small for his age. According to his father he was small. He didn't know any kids his age to compare. Perhaps he could start now. He gave a large grin to the smaller boy and nodded again. His throat was still stuck and his tongue felt dried up. The boy grinned back.

"Nakisisa!"

      The other boys had joined them. They crowded the entrance to the narrow alley, pointing and yelling, "It's Nakisisa!" His grin vanished. They had seen him hiding before. He couldn't sneak out often, especially during the day, which was safer for a kid like him than the night. When he did escape, it was only to watch other children from shaded areas. That is why they called him Nakisisa, Child of Shadows. No one knew how much he hated this fact. How he wished he could play under the sun! He would sit and imagine laughing and sweating with other children until sundown in fraternity. Maybe he could even train with his siblings, he thought. Maybe then his father would be proud to call him his son.