Hunter's Moon

Chapter 19

            Matthew walked down the stairs to Robert's basement. The group had ordered Chinese food to be delivered and Taylor and Robert were filling Juli and Ed in on details about vampires. Information he'd already gotten.

            He wanted to check on Simone. She'd been down here a few days and was still locked away. He walked over to her cell and saw that she was watching him. She'd been watching him since he entered the basement.

            “You. I remember you,” she said, a slight crazed look in her eye. “You were my knight in shining armor. You should help me out of here. The old man locked me away and is starving me to death.”

            Matthew frowned. “Simone, we both know you're being fed. The old man has made sure you get enough food. –“

            “But he doesn't feed me!” she screamed. “I'm so hungry. I can hear your heartbeat. Feel your blood pulsing through your body. Free me and I'll save you like you saved me. I'll free you from your pitiful mortal existence.”

            “No, no,” Matthew chided. “You know this is for your own good. If we can find the one who turned you . . . you can get your freedom. Both from this cell, and from the curse.”

            “It is no curse. It is a blessing. I've thought it through. Eternal life and youth. Not just youth, but physical perfection. Oh, you should feel it. I can feel the change you know. I can feel my body wanting to complete the transformation, but it just needs one last ingredient. You could be the key. You could unlock the door for me. Are you sure you won't save me once again, my knight?”

            “Simone, I'm not here to give you what you want. I'm here to give you what you need.”

            At that, Simone's face changed, becoming feral, more menacing. She hissed and pounded maniacally on the glass wall. “RELEASE ME! RELEASE ME NOW!!!!!”

            Matthew backed away slowly, shaking his head. “Be patient, Simone. I know the real you is in there somewhere.” He turned and climbed back up the stairs.

            “You're sure you're going to be all right from here?” Matthew asked. They were back on campus, and standing in front of Juli's apartment.

            “Yes! We're already here,” Juli replied.

            “Well, okay. But if you need anything, you have my cell number.” Matthew said.

            “Good night.” Juli said, a hint of exasperation at her new bodyguard coming through.

            Matthew nodded and turned to head back home. He was happy he got to spend time with Juli, but trying not to be too excited by it.

            And failing miserably, I might add, he thought.

            Then Matthew changed his mind. Instead of going back to his apartment he decided to go for a run.

            Ed walked out of the robotics lab. After dinner at Robert's, the group had come back to campus. He had run back to the robotics lab to take care of a few loose ends from the “testing” they'd done earlier in the afternoon. The preparations for the contest were going great. He really liked their chances at not only surviving the robot challenge, but possibly winning it as well. There was still work that needed to be done, but the progress they'd made today was enough. He needed to get some sleep. He made his way across campus to his studio apartment. As he walked he noticed out of the corner of his eyes a trio of men in dark navy pea coats following him. The only illumination was from the various lampposts strategically positioned around campus. A slight fog covered the night air, impairing visibility beyond fifty yards or so.