Ren Vampire Spy (Book 1 of the Ren Series)

CALL OUT THE GUARD

Bronson had left town in the early evening.  The wolf watchers figured they had won the battle.  The security force went with him.  Spirits were high as the wolves reported the activity to Alpha.

“Elvis has left the building,” One of the wolves shouted.  “My mate will be thrilled.  She was beginning to think I liked Bronson more than her.”

“No more nights in a cold car watching someone else sleep.”

“I just might get feeling back in my toes before spring.”

The general mood was one of victory.  The rise in hospital patients ended as abruptly as it started.  Alpha was beginning to breath a sigh of relief as he called Jeremy and Leader at VIC.

“Don't celebrate quite yet,” Jeremy warned.  “We just got word from our contact at the capital.  Bronson is trying to get the Governor to declare a state of emergency.  They want to call out the  guard to round up all the abnormals.  The Governor is said to be considering it.  She is getting pressure from Washington.  We have our people working to change the Governor's mind and deny the request.  It would help if we could organize a local contingent of people to protest the idea.”  Jeremy and Alpha talked for another half hour then Alpha had to break the news to his men.  Both knew it wasn't going to sit well with both the wolves and the vampires.

Abby Harris-Rice was a pleasantly plump fifty 'ish' women who ran the local magic supply store.  She sold poultices, charms, spell books, and most other stuff the average abnormal needed to survive daily life.  Abby was loved by both the wolves and the vampires.  Of course she had no idea either lived in her town.  She wrote it off as new age influence in the area.  Being it was a Saturday morning Lauren was making her usual trip to Abby's to get the supplies  Grandpa needed.  Abby loved Ren and always had some fresh cookies for her visits.

“So Ren what's going on at school?”  Abby asked from behind her counter as she balanced her head in her hands with her elbows on the display case.

Ren loved it when Abby had time to talk.  Abby always talked to her like an adult and seemed genuinely interested in what Ren had to say.  “Well we have this new guy at school, Mr. Bronson.  He thinks there are were-wolves and vampires in town and is testing everyone.  My Grandpa says to just ignore him, but I'm worried.  They take kids right out of class and some of them never come back.  Most of us are scared.  He works for the government for a group called ACTS.  It stands for Abnormal Capture and Transport Services.  They make us wear these buttons and you don't want to know what happens when you forget your badge.

“That's terrible.  This is still America,” Abby fumed.  “They have no right to do that and to scare young children is just plain unacceptable.”  Abby's roots went back to the late sixties when she wore tie die shirts and flowers in her hair.  She loved a good protest.  The cause really didn't matter, wales or witches it was all good.  “What is that man's name again sweetie?”

“Bronson, Mr. Bronson.”  Ren put on her best smile while Abby worked herself into a tizzy.  This was going better than she had hoped.  Abby wrote all the information down and started looking up those names on the internet.  The more she read the madder she got.  “I have to get back Abby, Grandpa wants to try something this afternoon.  I hope you don't mind my cutting our visit short.  With getting yanked out of class and questioned all the time my homework is seriously behind.  I'll see you next week.”  Ren smiled and grabbed the sacks full of stinky stuff.  She smiled and headed for the door.  “Thanks Abby.”  The door slammed closed behind her as she headed for home.

True to her roots Abby  dug up information on Bronson and ACTS.  She printed out several pages and started making phone calls.  She even found out that Bronson was at the state capital trying to get the national guard involved to seal up town and round up abnormals.  Abby's fist call was to the mayor at home.  Abby was a power player in town she owned a local business, was a member of the chamber, and served on several public service commissions.  Many considered Abby a weird duck but she was a well connected duck.  By the time she was done on the phone there was a meeting scheduled for the school gym at 7:00 PM Monday night.  The local paper was looking into ACTS and Bronson.  Fliers were being printed and a local chapter of  scouts was going to get a sizable amount of cash for their annual camping trip for posting fliers all over town on Sunday afternoon.  Abby smiled to herself and said, “Abby girl, you still got it.  Thirty years later you still know how to bring an issue to the eyes of the people.”  She went back to work. 

Jeremy met his daughter at the door, “Well how did it go?”

Ren smiled and said, “When I left Abby she was reaching for the phone.  She was fuming and going to put a stop to this Bronson guy taking kids out of class without parental notification or consent.”

Grandpa came inside from parking the car and announced, “Abby's done it again.  I just got called by the prayer tree and there is a special meeting Monday night to discuss this Bronson guy violating kid's rights.”

Jeremy smiled at his daughter and they pounded fists.  “I love it when a plan comes together.  Now for part two.  You ready Ren?”

“All set.” 

Jeremy took his phone and dialed the number his contact in the governors office had given him.  Then he handed the phone to Ren.  “Remember Ren be respectful.”

“I will,” Ren said as she rolled her eyes.  The phone rang three times before it was answered.

“Yes?”

“Excuse me, is this the governor?”  Ren politely asked.

“Yes, who is this?  How did you get this number?”

“Oh, I'm sorry but I called your office and they transferred me to this number.  I hope I didn't do anything wrong.”

“How old are you young lady?”

“My name is Ren and I'm nine and a half.”

“Well Ren you got through so what can I do for you.”  The voice on the phone softened.

“We have been studying the election process in school and my teacher told me that when we have a big problem with government that we should call our elected official and ask for help.”

“Your teacher sounds smart.  I'll be glad to listen Ren, go ahead.”

“Well me and a bunch of my friends are very scared.  This man Mr. Bronson came to our school and put some students into cages with electricity running through the bars.  They make us hold these silver things and they take us out of class to talk to us.  They even have guns when they come to take you out of class.  They also have these tacky buttons they want us to wear and if we don't then they drag us down to his office and he scares us real bad.  We need your help.  This guy now wants us to watch other kids in our class and report anything out of the ordinary.  We want to know if we are going to be put in those cages for life like he says.”  Ren was faking a great sob as she finished her story.

“Ren honey, you stop worrying right now.  No one is going to put you kids in cages.  I will stop him from doing anything to scare or harm you .  Ren let me talk to your mom or dad.”

“Ok,” Ren said and handed the phone to her father.

“Yes, this is Jeremy.”

“Jeremy this is Governor Billings how are you today?”

“Fine governor to what do I owe this call.”

“Your daughter tells quite a story.”

“I'm sorry?  My daughter doesn't tell stories.  If she says it is happening then that is what is going on.  In fact I have spoken to several other parents and they are telling the same story.”

“I apologize I didn't know you had checked this out.  I want you and your daughter to know that I am going to look into this right away.”

“That is good news Governor.  We have a meeting on Monday evening with parents and school officials to discuss this issue.  You certainly are welcome  to attend.  I can make the arrangements for you.  Do you fly by helicopter?”    

“I do Sir.  That would be great.  Can you arrange for me to be picked up at 5:00 PM.  I will be at my office downtown.  There is a helipad on the roof.”

“I'll see you at 5:00 PM thank you Governor.”

“I look forward to meeting you then.  Have a good day.”  The connection was broken.

Jeremy looked at his daughter and father and said, “Well that worked.  The Governor will be there.  I'm going to call my contact in the Governor's office and make sure it gets put in her schedule.  Then a quick report to Leader and the rest of the day is ours.  Well Ren you did it again.  Nice work.”

“You're welcome father.  I do my best.”