The Vampire's Hunter

Prologue: 2/2

Tennessee, 2006

Orion gazed down at the mahogany coffins placed right next to each other. The rain was pouring, making rhythmic sounds on the hundreds of black umbrellas gathered around the two coffins.

A young man in his college years held one of those black umbrellas over both him and Orion, shielding the silent 7-year old from the harsh weather.

"They're gone, kid. There's nothing you can do anymore. It's over for them." The college student spoke, glancing at Orion. He wouldn't show it, but the man was worried for the kid; his nephew.

"Mmm." Orion mumbled, his expression unreadable. He'd always been a shy boy, and only ever revealed his true personality, a bright and intelligent ball of sunshine, to his parents and his uncle.

"Can I ask one question, Uncle Drake?" He whispered, tearing his blue eyes away from the coffins to meet his uncle's.

"What do you want to know?" Drake said, but he was pretty sure of what the kid was going to ask.

"What killed them?" Orion asked, his tiny voice cracking at the end.

Drake stared straight ahead, contemplating. Would the child believe what he said?

Of course he would. I'm talking about his parents here.

"Vampires." Drake breathed out, checking to see Orion's reaction.

Orion lowered his head, his long eyelashes catching small droplets of the rain. "I see."

After the funeral, Drake took Orion home. Although it seemed vast and empty without the warm presence of his sister Jane and her husband Max.

"Sit down, kid. I'll make some hot chocolate for you." Drake ushered the boy towards the rocking chair in the living room by the fireplace.

Orion hardly responded, quietly doing as he was told. His eyes were fixed on a picture of him with his parents at the beach. He had been wearing his brand new blue swim trunks, and his mother was covered from head to toe in tanning lotion, while his father helped Orion build his sand castle.

"Hurry, Jane! This nice couple offered to take a picture of our family!" Max called to his wife, pulling Orion to his side.

"Dad, my castle! Promise me we'll finish building it." Orion nudged, a small pout forming on his adorable face.

"Don't worry Ry! We'll finish the castle as soon as we take this picture. JANE!" Max assured his son, and called his wife again.

"Yes, yes you impatient duck. I'm here!" Jane emerged from their right, rubbing in her tanning lotion hurriedly.

"Smile!" The elderly lady holding the camera said, and the old man gazed at her with adoration and love.

FLASH!

Tears pooled in Orion's eyes now as he recalled the happy time. His small shoulders trembled with grief, but his cries were silent.

Orion sniffled when someone draped a warm jacket over him. Drake was watching him with a sorrowful expression, as if to say he felt the same. He knelt in front of Orion, patting the child's head.

"Do you want to learn to fight them?" Drake asked, a thought coming to him.

Orion lifted his tearstained face to stare at the college student questioningly. "What?"

"Do you want to fight the creatures who killed your parents? There are more of them, much more." Drake repeated, his expression serious.

Maybe this boy could join the league and release his pain on those horrible creatures. Drake didn't want to see him suffer in silence any more.

After a few minutes, when Orion remained stone-faced, Drake gave him a sheepish smile. "Never mind, kid. You might be too young and too innocent for this."

Drake ruffled Orion's soft black hair. "Go get some sleep, Orion."

He had just turned away to return to the kitchen when the child spoke.

"I do."

Drake swivelled back to face the child, a questioning look in his eyes. Orion was standing up now, but his eyes were still on the floor.

"I do." He repeated, finally looking at his vampire hunter of an uncle.

Drake was startled by the new expression he saw in Orion's eyes. The child's piercing blue eyes were alight with the passionate flames of revenge.

He wanted to fight.