Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 32

As the group gathered in the driveway, the tension was unmistakable. The crisp morning air did little to settle their nerves. Mel slung her crossbow over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the horizon as if expecting trouble to leap from the shadows. Kirsch, standing by the minivan, tapped his baseball bat against the ground in a rhythm that was supposed to be casual but only succeeded in amplifying his unease. Laf stood nearby, flipping through their magic book, the faint blue glow of their biotic eye reflecting off the pages. Danny, ever the warrior, strapped her dagger next to the badge in her belt, the blade catching the light as it gleamed ominously.

Juliette lingered near the van, her movements calm and measured. Unlike the others, she carried no weapon, save for her vampire strength. She had volunteered to be the bait for the day's plan, a fact that weighed heavily on everyone—particularly on Carmilla, who hadn't stopped pacing inside the house.

Kirsch, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, ran a hand lovingly over the side of the van.

— Man, I love this thing! It's got everything! Cup holders, storage space, and check out the sunroof! - He grinned, as if the minivan was some kind of secret weapon.

Carmilla, standing on the porch, rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't pop out of her head.

— Ugh, it's a tin can on wheels - she muttered, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She hated that van. Loathed it, really.

Every rattle and squeak felt like nails on a chalkboard to her sensitive vampire ears. Plus, the idea of Laura being stuffed inside that thing with Kirsch at the wheel made her want to burst into flames more than the sun ever could.

— You say that like it's a bad thing - Kirsch said with a wink, clearly proud of their mode of transportation.

Laura, ever the peacemaker, shot Carmilla a quick glance as she slid into the back seat.

— It's just a van, Carm. It gets us where we need to go.

— It's not the van I'm worried about - Carmilla muttered, but she stayed by the house, knowing she wasn't going to win this battle.

Before Laura could settle in fully, she reached out and gently grabbed Danny's arm.

— Hey, wait a second - she said, her voice soft but laced with concern. - Are you sure you're okay? After everything that happened yesterday...

Danny turned to face her, the weight of Laura's concern visible in her eyes. Her brow furrowed for a moment, before she forced a smile.

— Yeah, I'm good - she replied, her tone steady. - We can't afford to be distracted. I'm ready.

Laura wasn't convinced, her fingers tightening ever so slightly around Danny's arm.

— Just... don't push yourself too hard, okay?

Danny's smile softened, appreciating Laura's worry.

— I won't.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Perry bustled around the kitchen, laying out Laf's security equipment across the table.

— We've got motion sensors, night-vision cameras, the perimeter alert system... - she trailed off, glancing over at a sleek black case she'd just opened. - And Laf's latest addition: wall-mounted dart guns.

Carmilla, who had been leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, straightened up, an eyebrow raised.

— Dart guns?

Perry nodded, clearly impressed as she pulled out one of the devices. It was small, compact, and designed to blend seamlessly into walls.

— Yeah, these little beauties can be hidden anywhere in the house, inside walls, behind furniture, and they're loaded with sleeping darts. Non-lethal, of course, but they'll knock out anything, human or supernatural, for a good few hours.

Carmilla approached the table, eyeing the equipment with newfound interest.

— So, we're shooting people with tranquilizers now?

— More like a contingency - Perry said, placing the dart gun back into the case with a soft click. - In case anyone, whether it's Elinor's mind controlled minions or something worse, tries to get into the house while you're not here. Laf rigged the system so the motion sensors can trigger the darts automatically, or we can control them manually if needed.

Carmilla smirked, appreciating the ingenuity behind it.

— Not bad. So, we're having a house full of traps now?

Perry smiled.

— Think of it as an added layer of protection. Sleeping darts won't kill anyone, but it'll buy us time. If something makes it through the first wave of defenses, these should handle it.

Carmilla nodded thoughtfully, looking over the array of gadgets.

— At least that'll keep Laura safer if anything happens.

Perry's smile softened.

— Exactly. With all this in place, we'll know the second something goes wrong, and we'll be able to react before it gets too far.

Carmilla hovered back near the doorframe, her gaze fixed again on the van outside. Her jaw was clenched, her fingers twitching like they were ready to tear through whatever—or whoever—dared to harm Laura.

— You know, this would be a hell of a lot easier if I was going with them - she grumbled, the frustration clear in her voice.

Perry paused, giving Carmilla a sidelong glance.

— You think Laura can't handle herself? - she asked, arching a brow.

Carmilla sighed, running a hand through her hair.

— I know she can. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Perry softened, her gaze turning sympathetic.

— You're keeping her safe by making sure this place is secure. They need a safe home base. Besides - she added with a wry smile - Laura can handle herself. She's got that stubborn streak, just like someone else I know.

Carmilla let out a low chuckle, though the worry never fully left her eyes.

— Yeah, tell me about it.

Outside, the group finally piled into the van. Juliette sat in the back, her posture rigid, eyes staring straight ahead as if already lost in the intricacies of the plan. Mel slid into the passenger seat, her crossbow nestled comfortably across her lap, while Laf took the middle row, flipping through their spellbook with a focused frown.

Kirsch slapped the steering wheel enthusiastically, grinning at the group.

— Alright, gang! Ready to rock this?

Laf didn't even look up, but they smirked.

— Yeah, yeah, just try not to crash the van, okay?

Laura glanced at the house one last time as she pulled the door shut. Her heart ached, knowing Carmilla was inside, probably glaring out the window. It never got easier, leaving her behind. But today wasn't about her feelings; it was about keeping everyone safe. As much as she hated it, they all had their roles to play, and hers was to make sure the plan went off without a hitch.

The van purred to life smoothly, its engine humming with quiet efficiency, but that didn't stop Carmilla from hating it. Kirsch, clearly proud of the sleek rental, gave the steering wheel an affectionate pat.

— Hear that? Runs like a dream - he said with a grin.

— Let's just get to the school - Mel muttered, her fingers drumming against the crossbow.

As they pulled out of the driveway, the mood in the van shifted. No one spoke. The weight of the task ahead pressed down on them, turning their light banter into silence. They were headed to the school, where the plan would unfold. Fear, adrenaline, and determination mingled in the air as they sped down the road, knowing that whatever was waiting for them, they'd have to face it together.

In the rearview mirror, Laura caught a glimpse of the house shrinking behind them. Her thoughts were with Carmilla, hoping they'd all make it back in one piece.