Bred For Extinction

Cianna's Torture

Mochan and Cianna's feet have barely left traces on the dry soil, when a central structure finally begins to present itself above the rest as they progress deeper into the village.

"Do you see my home?" Cianna questions, knowing Mochan's sight cannot miss the looming structure that stands out above the rest of the rundown shacks.

"I see a church...white cross on top, central to all the homes. That is what stands out to me."

"Then you have seen my home."

Disbelief floods his brow, "Your home? A church? A vampire living in a church?"

"As I stated before, you know little of the truth. You are the most powerful of the wolf breed I have ever met, but your knowledge lacks much. Don't worry, I will continue to explain."

Closer they stroll towards the building Cianna has stated as her dwelling, "Here marks my second beginning, the beginning of my immortal life." Her vision drifts disappointed, "But as I look about there is nothing here anymore. No people walk the streets. Where has everyone gone?"

A square plaza graces the land in front of the stone church, concrete benches line its' sides, each with the name of a descendant Trevino. Mochan, perplexed, finally decides to answer her last question, "It is late. Why would anyone be out this late?"

"No, this land is abandoned now...I sense it. In the past, this plaza would be full of nightly visitors to the church. I have been gone too long. They have all left and given up hope." Fingers slide up to her cheek as a worried look scans the surroundings, "Not a candle burns, nor a whisper heard. My home is empty above and who knows what exists below. I have left my people alone...and they have fled or have been taken."

Mochan wonders at her words before questioning back, "What exists below?"

"I am sorry wolf, I have gotten ahead of myself. It is just I am surprised at the nakedness of my home. Come, sit with me as I explain deeper." Her hands gesture to one of the benches in the plaza, the concrete structure still warm from the day's heat, as the backrest displays the name of Elida Trevino.

Mochan again questions as they sit, everything seeming alien to him, "These names? What are their meanings?"

"They are family, all of them, family that came to me with prayers. In homage of my servitude and help did they donate and build these benches in commemoration of what I had done for them. But again, I run ahead of the story. Let me start from a time that will make things much clearer for you."

She halts, words delayed, then begins anew her story which is accompanied by a deep breath as the past begins to overflow in her mind, "As I had stated, the land here was in a dire situation, and without our protectors, the elders knew that the vampire would come...but none of us were prepared for how they would come or in what form they would present themselves." She continues, eyes darting across the landscape, "Time had passed on since my remembrance of the first devil-child and now I stood an adolescent of sixteen. This church did not yet stand...nothing stood here except cactus and burned soil. Then, one night, a wagon bumped its' way over the ruined ground, and came to rest here. Its' inhabitants were two dusty cloaked men, tired and weary from a seemingly long journey. Their cloaks were brown and monkish, and around their necks each brandished a chain from which dangled a single silver cross. They appeared as missionaries, hoping to bring the new religion of Christianity to pagan villages such as this one." Cianna stares deep into the soil at her feet, swallowing hard, "Do you see the connection? The land was horrid...the people starving...the timing perfect." She lifts a tear stained eye to Mochan, wondering if he has yet to catch the significance.

Still, Mochan appears hard, fingers stroking mustache as the story is absorbed. He reaches into his vest pocket to retrieve a cigarette that is quickly lit and as the smoke is exhaled, he pushes her on further, "I'm not catching what you mean...move on."