The Vampire Killer

∆{~5~}∆

I slowly came back to consciousness.

In a bed.

Uh oh.

I sat up quickly. I was in a small room, with nothing but a dresser beside the bed and a small window, as well as a small table on the other side of the room. I got out of bed (with mild pain in my back) and looked out. My window overlooked a green lawn. Other children were playing various games, spread out all over. Faint laughter floated up as I pressed my ear to the glads. The sun was high in the sky.

I guess the Searchers did find me unconscious after all. I was at an orphanage somewhere around the area.

The real question was, had Janus recognised me?

I absentmindedly tried to put my hands in the hoodie pockets, only to find I wasn't wearing it anymore. I looked down at myself. I was dressed in a simple white nightgown. I looked at my hands. They were really clean, for once.

I sighed and looked around the room. I spotted my normal clothes, cleaned and actually patched a bit, with a note on top.

I picked up the note. In big, loopy handwriting it said,

Hope you awoke well and refreshed. Change and come downstairs. I wish to get to know you better!
                  - Ms. C.

I rolled my eyes, but I changed. It felt good to be back on my normal clothes. Made me feel more relaxed.

As I wound the scarf around my neck I wondered if they had seen the marks. I hoped they hadn't.

I walked out. I was in a long corridor filled with doors, with a room number on it. My own number was A - 27. I walked down the hall, toward a staircase that I assumed lead downward.

I descended the staircase, somewhat apprehensive. The staircase ended in a grand foyer, with double doors leading to the outside. To the right was a sitting room. To the left was a kitchen and a dining room. The whole place was big. Most likely a repurposed mansion, converted to an orphanage.

I heard a slight rustling to the right of me and I turned. A woman was sitting there, smiling at me. Her Auburn hair was tied back into a bun, and she was wearing a pink flower pattered dress and a shawl. "Ah, you're awake!" She stood up, and I discovered that she was only a little taller than me. "It's nice to see you on your feet. I'm Mrs. C. You can call me Mrs. Clare, if you want. I run this orphanage with my wife, Mrs. Lauren, or Mrs. L."  Her smile never faltered as she walked up to me. "Are you hungry? I can ask the cook to make you something!"

I decided to play along for a while. "Yes, I am....thanks." I gave my best smile. She took my hand and led me to the dining room. "I'll be back in a moment, sweetie." She sat me down, and bustled off to the kitchen, presumably to talk to the cook. I looked around, taking in how many windows there were and if there was any vents. That would be critical in my escape.

I planned to escape. I didn't want to spend my life here. I didn't want to become a blood slave.

My thoughts began to wander back to Janus. Had he recognized me? If so, what had he thought? Why had he brought me here?

My thoughts were interrupted by the rearrival of Mrs. C, carrying a plate that had a stack of packages and a small fruit bowl. "Here. You look terribly malnourished." She placed it in front of me. I said thanks, smiled, and dug in with the silverware next to the plate.

"I'm glad you're eating - the benevolent Searchers who brought you in expressed the fear you might be suffering from some disease...but you seem alright."

I paused, after swallowing. "Did they say anything else about me?"

Mrs C. nodded. "One of them, a Juinor Searcher, seemed very interested. He asked to come back later to talk to you. I already sent a call, he'll be in this afternoon." She studied my face. "In fact, he said you looked a lot like that Fiammetta girl."

"Huh?"

"Everyone knows the story of the Fiammettas. Sad story." She sighed. "Their house burned down. Unexplained causes. Their daughter's remains were never found." She laughed. "If you really are the Fiammetta girl, the long lost daughter, you'd cause quite a stir!"

"Unfortunately, I'm not a Fiammetta." I said quickly. "My last name is....Rose. My first name is Shelly. Shelly Rose. That's my name." I hoped I didn't sound suspicious.

Mrs. C. raised an eyebrow. "Well, we'll just have to see when the blood test comes back."

My heart nearly stopped. "Blood test?"

"Oh yes. It's something that all orphanages do. We try to ID your family using your DNA."

My heart was racing. If they found out...if Janus found out...I'd never get a moment of peace. I'd never be able to accomplish my mission.

I tried to appear calm. "Ok. Well...I'm very sure I'm not a Fiammetta."

Mrs C. Just smiled. "We'll see. Now finish up eating and then come outside. The other orphans want to meet you. There's always a stir when a new child comes in."

I nodded, and, finishing breakfast, I stood up and walked outside, with my hood up. I tried to come off as shy.

A whole crowd of kids were outside - probably like ten. They all stared at me, as I stepped outside. Mostly boys, with about three or four girls.

"Uh..." I swallowed nervously. "Hi...hi. I - I'm Shelly. Shelly Rose." I smiled awkwardly. I hoped I was playing the "nervous kid" part well enough.

It seemed to work. A few people smiled awkwardly back. I saw sympathetic stares. Some whispering.

Then they all broke back up and dispersed into the field.

All but one, a short, blonde girl who held out her hand enthusiastically. "Hi! My names Cynthia. Cynthia Warner. Nice to meet you!!"

I took her hand, hesitating a second. "Why do you have a last name...? I thought you were an orphan."

"Oh! Well, I used to not have one. Well, not one that I know. My parents died of sickness when I was really young. But... When I came here, I had access to a TV, and I watched this cartoon I really liked. The last name of all the characters was Warner. So I just adopted that as my last name!" She smiled and pumped my hand up and down enthusiastically. "Things can be a bit intimidating here at first, but once you get to know everyone you'll love it here!"

"You've been here practically all your life?" I asked, a bit incredulous as I pulled my hand away.

"Yeah! I mean...kids have gotten adopted before me and stuff, but...I'm not jealous. I just have to wait for my time...or I just stay here, and become a blood slave to some nice vampire family! I heard in the vampire world blood slaves are held in high regard." She was still talking happily, but there was a note of sadness in her voice.

"You don't really like it here, do you?"

Her shoulders finally slumped. "...no. Not really. I'm lonely here. Mrs. C is nice and all, but...there's really no one to talk to. And I don't want to become a blood slave. I really want to be adopted...but no one will. I mean...all the other kids have done something notable that they could advertise to potential parents. I haven't done anything"

She sat down, and I with her. "What do you mean, something notable?"

"Oh you know... something big. Like I remember this kid. Aaron. He busted a robber. He was adopted the next time a couple came around because Mrs. C. told them about him. Or this girl named Kayleigh. She saved another girl that used to be here from committing suicide. She was adopted too." She sighed. "Once I do some big deed...I'll be noticed. I'll be adopted."

I patted her back. "Don't worry. You'll be noticed eventually."

She smiled a little. "Thanks, Shelly."

We talked for a while longer. I was beginning to like her. But I could never take her with me when I escaped. No. Not ever. I'll do my mission alone.

Cynthia would never get it.

And as we talked escape plans were forming in my mind.

Tonight I would run away. I'd wake up at like one AM, and, because the mail would already be there, I would take the results of the blood test (Which was bound to be in tomorrow) and destroy them. Then I'd make my escape.

I couldn't wait to be free of this place.