Ren Vampire Spy (Book 1 of the Ren Series)

GOOD MORNING EVIL

Ren and Dani rode together on the bus to school.  They wanted to talk about what happened at school yesterday but were afraid if anyone heard them there could be trouble.  Big Bobby Smithton the bully came over to where they were sitting and said, “Ain't it great we're capturing those freaks.”

Dani let out a low growl until Ren poked her in the ribs.  “Yes, it's about time.”  Dani put a fake smile on her face and looked at Bobby.  Bobby smiled back.  He actually was crushing on Dani and Ren.

Ren asked, “So what's the plan?  I had to leave early yesterday cause of my aunt being sick and all.”

Bobby puffed out his chest proud of the fact that he knew something Ren didn't.  “They are going to start testing students tomorrow.  Each student will be put in a cage and then silver will be placed into the hand of each student.  If it reacts they will lock the cage.  The plan is to have all abnormals removed from the school in two days.  Hey where is your button?”

“Button?” For a moment Ren didn't understand.  Then it dawned on her.  She smiled and took the offensive button out of her pocket.  “I meant to put this on before I left for school.  Dani where is yours?”

Dani grabbed her backpack and flipped it over so both Ren and Bobby could see the button attached to the strap.  “I put mine here so I wouldn't forget it.”

“That's good cause according to Mr. Bronson we are supposed to be careful around anyone who isn't wearing theirs.  I'd hate to have to turn such lovely ladies in.”

Ren was fuming underneath the smile she had pasted on her face.  “I know right, like here they are a ware-wolf and a vampire ready for pickup Mr. Bronson.”  She then giggled and elbowed Dani to play alone.

“Ya right, Mr. Bronson here are freaks you are looking for.”  Dani then joined the giggling. 

Bobby smiled at the girls once again then took his seat.

Dani said, “What the heck was that?”

Ren again gave her an elbow and shushed her.  “Not so loud.  I didn't want him to think we were abnormals.  It's best to just play along and that means reporting any normals without buttons.”

“You are so evil,” Dani said.  “I'm glad you are my friend.  Because if you ever got mad at me you would be a force to recon with.”

Ren smiled and looked out the window.  This was going to be harder than she thought.  She hadn't even made it to school and already she was fighting the urge to bite Bobby and make him an abnormal.  Se how he would like to be hunted.

When Ren arrived at school there was a note that Mr. Bronson wanted her to come to the office.  Ren marched down the hall not knowing what she was going to do.  She put her hand on the taser.  She knew her speed would allow her to attack before Bronson could do anything but she also knew if she tased him she and her family would have to run.  The last thing she wanted was to have to leave school and town.  She opened the office door and asked the receptionist for Mr. Bronson.

“One moment dear.  Have a seat over there.”  She pointed to a row of chairs against the wall.  Ren took a seat and waited. 

Now waiting is one of the hardest things anyone has to do, especialy is you are waiting for bad news.  Inside Ren was bouncing off the walls but on the outside she remained calm and collected.  She kept telling herself to be an adult and not an impulsive child. 

Mr. Bronson came out of his office and said, “Lauren?  You don't mind if I call you Lauren?”

“No I don't mind.  Everyone calls me Ren if you would rather.”  She smiled at the man she despised.

“Ren it is then.  Come on in.”  He stepped out of the way so Ren could enter his office.  It was a dingy little room not impressive at all.  The one odd thing was the chairs for visitors were old wooden chairs.  Rather than having a basket weave pattern on the seat it had been replaced with a piece of metal.  Not just any metal but silver.  “Please take a seat Ren.”

Ren thought Boy this clown doesn't give up.  A silver seat.  What next?  Ren walked over to the chair and made a show of lightly brushing of the silver plate before she sat down.  Silver will hurt vampires but only if the contact is long enough.  It takes about three seconds of constant contact before it starts to burn.  Ren knew this from her tests in her room.  She had found an old silver spoon last summer and had played around with it.  She got so she could pick it up and toss it to her bed then using her vampire speed sh'e could again pick it up and put it in her desk drawer.  She was glad she had done that because Mr. Bronson's eyes went wide when she brushed off the chair.

“Anything wrong,” Ren asked?

“No nothing.  Have a seat.”

Ren plopped down in the silver chair knowing that through her jeans the chair would feel warm but not burn her.  She smiled her best gotcha smile and waited while Bronson walked around the desk and took a seat. 

“Well Ren I just wanted to ask you about your Aunt.  Did she pass?  I know you had to leave early yesterday and I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

Ren wanted to scream You just wanted to see if I would burn in your special chairs.  But instead she answered, “We thought that she was going to yesterday but she is still hanging in there.  We spent five hours waiting for her to pass.”

“Well I'm sorry you had to sit all afternoon and evening in the hospital but it's good she didn't pass yet.  Isn't it?”

“Ya it is.  I really love her and it's going to hurt when she goes but she isn't in any pain so each day we have with her is a blessing.”

“I'm sure you're right.  Well that's settled.”  He slapped his hands on the desk and stood.  “You better get back to class.”

“Thanks for asking about Auntie.”  She paused for a second and said, “Is it true you want to know about anyone not wearing their button?”

“Yes it is.  We want to weed out the abnormals as quickly as possible.  Do you know someone?”

Ren hesitated trying to look like she was unsure of whether or not to say anything.  “Ummm....Well Dennis Zidon didn't have his on this morning.”

Bronson took a note pad and wrote down the name then looked back at Ren.  “Well thank you.  I look forward to talking with you again and if you see any others just let me know.”  He reached in his pocket and out a hall pass.  It was already filled out.  It allowed the bearer to exit any class any time to come see him.  “Ren I'm going to give this to you.  Only special students who help us get them.  You can come to my office any time.  No one will stop you.”

“That's great.  You mean if I see someone without a button on I can just come down here and let you know?  This will really help us get rid of those abnormals.  Thank you Mr. Bronson.”

“You are welcome Ren and you are the first person in the school to have a pass like that.  Only special people will get them.  If you know of anyone who would like to help us let know and I will give them a pass as well.”

“Well my best friend Dani wants to help too.  She is a little scared about what the abnormals might do to her if they knew she was helping.”

“You tell Dani that she has nothing to worry about.  I will guarantee her safety.  She can count on me.”  He reached into his pocket and took out another pass.  This is great I have already checked out Ren and she wants to help us.  I'm good.  

Ren took the second pass and placed them both in her pocket.  This guy is an idiot.  How could he possibly be in charge.  “Thanks again Mr. Bronson.”  Ren headed out the door and back to class.