III
Gasping in surprise, he made a move to step back, but she clamped her hand over his shoulder, keeping him in place. It took her a few minutes to realize what she was doing. Their lips were inches apart, the dagger still pressed against him, but he made no move to ward her off. He only smiled maliciously. “And hello to you, too…”
Caught off-guard by his relaxed tone, she released her grip, and presented him his weapon, hilt first, in an experienced move she never knew she had. “I…” she swallowed thickly to moisten her parched throat. “I’m sorry. I must be slipping into madness.” His eyes closed, provoking a comical effect, sending a flush on her cheeks.
“I am sorry if I startled you but you are vital to us. My name is Mike, and I would very like you to follow me…”
She gasped, taken aback and examined him doubtingly. “What makes you think I will follow you? How do you know of me?”
He considered her with a light of amusement in his eyes and snorted. “Because I know very well why you’re here and I am sure that is what you’re searching for!” He challenged her with uncontested eyes and jerked his chin so as to urge her forwards. Aware of the misgivings of following a totally unknown stranger, she chased after him, forgetting Ryan and hurrying out into the street.
“Was that you out on the road to the village, near that old well?”
He stopped in mid-stride, and since she had been trying to catch up with his swift pace, she stumbled into him. His features instantly darkened, eyes tinged with dark brown, frown forming a crease on his perfect forehead. “No… It wasn’t me… Come, before night falls. You would not want to know what happens at night, these days.”
“Oh yes, I heard of Lord Sirius and he lives of in the Eastside woods…”
His eyes widened when he heard this, clutching her hand. “Who told you that?”
“Some guy named Ryan. He said Lord Sirius was a strange character and…”
“Forget about him now. He’s dangerous…”
“But, if you’re a mercenary, why don’t you try to kill him?”
Mildly surprised by her question, he paused to look back at her in wonder. “We have… We have, but he is just too strong…”
“By the way, why would I be vital for a mercenary group? I don’t even know how to handle a weapon…”
He gave her a teasing smile. “That’s not what I thought when you were about to slice my throat.”
Eyes wide, she recalled the event. “Oh yeah, I forgot about that…” She thought back to it, renewed with amazement. “I don’t even know I was ever able to wield a weapon…”
He chuckled softly, leading her into a nondescript house. “Of course, you know how to wield one. We would just have to reawaken your conditioned memory.”
“Conditioned memory?” She questioned him with a forceful frown. “What is that gibberish?” She expected an answer, but instead, he just made her sit in the far corner of the dark room. It was a vast living room, except nothing obstructed the room, and the unused fireplace gaped back at her. “What is this place?”
“If you will stop with the questions,” He shot back in annoyance. “Maybe you will have answers.” He turned to the shadows, and talked expectantly. “I believe we have our new recruit, Master.”
Someone materialized out of the dark mass of shadows. She nearly let a cry at the vision of it, but restrained herself in time. The man in front of her was tall, lithe in form, and incredibly slender, yet animated with a smoldering innate force within him. In his calm gray eyes, she sensed silent patience and slow burning energy, his stunning features severe, yet softened by the sensual curve of his lips. He inclined his head in deferent respect and the silk mane of his hair gleamed ebony black in the surrounding dim lights. He seemed at ease with darkness, coalescing with it and befriending. She squirmed under the careful scrutiny and flinched at the sound of his smooth voice.
“Hello, Juline. My name is Leo Krishna and I welcome you to the clan of Vampire Hunters, or otherwise, mercenaries. I am Master of this house, and Mike Rivers next to you is a student at my school, if you want to call it this.”
The blunt speech he gave slammed into her with reverberant twinkles. “Excuse me, but did I hear you say
Vampire Hunter?”
He nodded, giving an amused grin and chuckled at her wide-eyed amazement. “That is right, Juline. You are a Vampire Hunter, and if I daresay, very valuable for us. I know you must be very shocked but…”
“Wait a minute! You’re telling me you have vampires in this world?”
He challenged her with a cold gaze and affirmed. “Of course. We have an infestation not too far from here, by the way. And yes, they do exist, even in your own world, but you were never aware of them. I even believe they have guilds of their own.”
To this news, Juline stared back at him in disbelief. They all moved away into the city, further into the forest, and she realized she was being brought back to the forest, probably to their lair.
“Wait, how can you be sure I am one of you? You must be completely mistaken!” Juline protested as they were on the verge of a clearing.
“You will have to take everything in stride, but you are a Vampire Hunter. You cannot avoid that because you were born from a vampire hunter, and you did not land in this land by accident. It was intended and we have been waiting for your arrival. The portal you have gone through was an accidental flaw between the materials of both your world, and ours. Mostly, none do exist, for it is too strong to breech, but sometimes, small accidents happen. For this portal, only hunters are able to pass through, and not even vampires can go through.” She stared back at him in incredulity, but he tapped his head. “I predicted your arrival…”
Juline dropped her mouth in amazement. She just couldn’t grasp what was in front of her: it was just too much to grasp and she was starting to feel the effects of homesickness.
“I understand your confusion and reluctance, but we really need you. You have a lot of things inside you, you haven’t discovered yet, and I am willing to give everything to train you.” He paused at the edge of a small clearing with a stream and a group of tents.
She paused for a while, contemplating the view in front of her, wildly attempting to take a decision.
I want to help these people, but am I ready? The two young men, aware of her indecision let her unscramble the knots that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere in her mind.
Settling down against a tree trunk, by the river, she tapped she drummed her knuckles on her knees, pondering this.
This seems tempting, but I have to see about Bobby and Mom. They might… Yet, I’m sure Bobby can cover for me and this world seems much more interesting than back home. And I can discover what’s really hiding inside my myself! I won’t be the clumsy fool, leper of Karin Green High! Decision Her mind coursed towards a decision so she rose in search of the master and his student, Mike, but she could find neither of them. She browsed through the tents, gasping when she came upon a tent full of deadly weapons.
Timid, yet branded by curiosity, she carefully picked up a fair-sized fencing blade. It should have been heavy for any regular girl her age, but she was different. It felt light, suddenly alive in her experienced hand and the rugged hilt of the sword invaded her senses, flaring up to her brain and activating something deep within her memory. Before she could even recover, she was gliding smoothly across the floor of the tent, eyes closed and blade singing in the air.
“I didn’t expect you to catch so fast…” Juline let out a cry of surprise, but did not lose control of her sword. She finished her form in a dramatic sweep and ended up tipping her sword at the tall man’s throat, handsome with his long, rich velvety black hair. His expression was unfathomable.
“I accept your offer, Master…” But she let her sword linger there, scratching a small wound, until blood trickled down his neck. “If you stay true to your word. I have other responsibilities in my own world, so I wish to travel back there…” His dispassionate eyes slowly drove in her heated emotions, aware that both were still and that he was unmoved by the threat poising over his throat.
“Master, we…” Mike burst in with another group of teenagers. They all gasped at the scene. Slightly embarrassed, and realizing what she had just done, she withdrew her blade, sheathing it.
“My utmost apologies, Master…” Juline whispered bowing to him and presenting him the sheath hilt first.
“It is forgiven…” He admonished, placing it back and designing the wide-eyed group with a sweep of the hand. She grinned at their astonishment, discerning a tall graceful young girl about her age, with a willowy frame, strikingly beautiful with wavy golden curls, spilling down on her shoulders. High cheekbones enhanced the small porcelain face along with her smooth complexion and her stunning sapphire eyes threw the great force of her emotions. Her soft-sculpted mouth widened in a warm smile, revealing perfect denture. Another boy with similar structure shook her hand but his hair was fiery, as bright as his gray eyes.
“This is Issa and Theodore Roya, but we call him Ted.” Leo explained, with a mischievous smile.
“Well, I didn’t expect such a charming young lady…” Ted gave a broad grin, spreading a flush over her face. His sister chastised him with a slap. “If you need a hand, you know who to call for…”
Juline blushed further, but Issa saved her. “Ted! Stop it! You’re embarrassing that poor girl!” The beautiful girl flashed Juline an apologetic smile and immediately toured her around. Soon, she found the girl pleasant, confident, and utterly talkative.
“I was shocked by what you just did! Nobody dares to raise a weapon at the Master and you just broke the rule!”
Juline hid her uneasiness with a noncommittal shrug. “I didn’t know what I was doing and I guess my conditioned reflex arose…” Issa let out no reaction but just picked off to another topic. Later on, they changed into combat clothes: a pair of black trousers made of soft material, a clinging black turtleneck and a wraparound jacket, complete with a bright red sash for Juline. All wore just about the same outfits but Issa wore a turquoise blue sash, Mike a yellow one and the Master a black one. The hunters led Juline through basic exercises with all sorts of weapons: knife, sword, bow and so on.
By mid-day all were taking a break by the river and Juline recalled her time with her cousin who had initiated her to Tae Kwon Do for about 14 years. Yet she didn’t confide this in any of her companions out of discretion. She arranged her departure with her Master, who assigned her Mike to look after her.Mike’s elusiveness irritated her and it was almost impossible to get something out of him. He had barely intervened when she had talked with the rest of her companions.
“Why do you assign me to him?” She asked Leo before he could dismiss her. “Why not Issa?”
A mild frown creased his perfect forehead. “Why, because two women on the road are more prone to get into trouble than if you were with a man. Roads are very unsafe here, and Mike is my best student for now…”
She expressed her dissent by crossing her arms, but his gaze was unwavering. She finally had to give in to her superior. “I understand, Master, and I will not question your decisions anymore.”
He grasped her shoulders, gently enfolding her in an embrace. “You are very dear to me, and you have a special gift within you. When you came back to us, I will show you how to master it.” With a light rueful smile, he tapped her shoulder and sent her away.
Somewhat unsettled by his enigmatic speech, she went to say her temporary goodbye. Issa promised she would wash her old clothes and squeezed her warmly. With a horse provided for them, they both rode on one horse, Mike riding in front and her in the back. The trip was deceptively silent, though she was itching to ask about the similar boy she had met.
“Who is that guy? Are you related?” She attempted anyway, trying to force the truth out of him. “Fine, if you’re not going to talk, then I will make the assumptions. I assume he must be your twin brother, yet he is not with you in the Vampire Hunter team, so I am guessing that he is working somehow against us: for the vampires. Am I not wrong?”
His silence indicated that she had guessed right.
“You see,” Juline went on in a confiding tone. “When someone bears a pain that he is trying to hide from all the others, it just becomes more painful, but it can be manageable if that persons shares it amongst the people who care for him, and that is us, Mike. I know I haven’t known you for a long time, and that I know nothing about you, but I want to help you because I know what it is to not be understood.” She paused, waiting for a reaction, but he gave none. “But I guess you don’t want my help, so I’ll just shut up and…”
“No.” He broke in, halting the horse so that he could turn to face her. To her surprise, his face was gentle and open. “Please, go on… It is something that no one has taught me for these past seventeen years, and you are the first one who has had the courage to reveal it. I apologize for being so cold, but I am not used to let others know what I think and I am pretty reserved. But you, on the other hand, you are passionate and you clearly express your words. I appreciate that quality in you.”
She gave back a cordial smile. “This is the longest phrase you have said since I’ve met you. I guess I am trying to open you up a bit…”
He agreed somewhat uneasily and spurred the horse on. “I am not ungrateful that we have new vampire hunter on the force. You are different from all the people here, and it feels good to be in contact with original people…”
Blushing from the compliment, she gave hesitant thanks. “That’s very nice of you. It’s been a long time since anyone’s given me a kind word. Especially coming from a stranger. In fact all of you are very understanding and nice. I owe so much to all of you so I will try to make my best as a hunter.”
“Why do you say that?” He asked in instant curiosity.
“In my world, I am not so well respected and since I am somewhat different, people mock me, fear me and insult me: at least, at my school. But that’s not your problem. I should put my problems aside and help you guys. The only reason I’m going back there is to explain my absence to my family.”
He nodded, looking up as they approached the well. He jumped down, helping her down and stood there speechless, looking into her eyes. “Well, I hope you get everything sorted out there. Thank you for the advice, and keep safe…” He was about to leave, but she pulled him back, enveloping him in an affectionate hug. He stiffened from shock then relaxed.
“Thank you for being there for me. All of you are the best friends I could ever have…” Winking, she saluted him and slipped down the well, careful to climb her way down. Mike stayed a while, until she reached bottom, then he disappeared.
She gave a half-hearted groan at the prospect having to climb all the way up, but performed it anyway.
It’s good exercise for my muscles, I guess. Develops upper body and leg musculature… On her way over the top, she lay there in the grass, resting her protesting muscles. If she had to do this trek regularly, she would have to survive its grueling climb.
If I’m to be a vampire hunter, I’m going to have to be much more resistant and strong. After a few moments, she roused herself up and headed towards her home. The forest, the little house in the declining rays of the sun provoked nostalgic warmth inside her and she wasn’t unhappy to make it back to her house.
Now the worse is telling Bobby why I’m not going to attend school. The only way I can convince him is to tell him squarely. Coming to a stop in front of the door, she fished around for her key.
“Yo Jules! Where the heck were you?” Juline jumped a mile, violently spinning around and grabbing the unknown person’s shirt in a tight fist. Recognition dawned on her face, replaced by total bewilderment. Lynn Henderson, Juline’s best friend, and her total opposite stood in front of her, with a perfect figure, filling in perfectly her feminine curves. She wore a tight crimson tank top baring her midriff and long silky black pants.
“Lynn, you scared the hell outta me!” The hunter let out a sigh of relief and sagged back against the house.
I thought it was some leech or something. But what is she doing here? Will she suspect me? The jewel blue eyes appraised her, and her plump mouth shaped into a lovely pout. “Why are you here?”
“I’ve been running after you since this morning and you didn’t even notice me?” The blonde girl replied in an anguished voice. “Am I even worth your attention!”
Juline shrugged off her shock and pulled her in a warm hug.
It feels good to have someone from this sane world to lean on. “I’m sorry I ignored you cuz I was so frustrated…”
Lynn grinned, pushing her back and smoothing her hair out in an affectionate gesture. “Poor Jules…Did Simon push you over the limit? No wonder, they’ve been ganging up on you lately, but I didn’t know you’d have the guts to beat the crap out of him…”
“Yeah, it took care of my anger in one swift move, but I’m expelled for three days...”
Lynn put her arm around Juline’s shoulders as they entered. The hunter breathed in the familiar scents, enjoying the safe modern world. She didn’t even smell the stink of decay and feces anymore, nor the smelly horse sweat or excrements.
Gosh, I’m dying for a bath right now. “What’s up with the outfit? Are you playing costume day or what? It’s not Halloween yet.” Lynn’s skeptical face poked for the truth under Juline’s poker face, but she would never let her find out… yet. Dropping her bag, she hurried answering machine. There was one message from her brother, reminding her that he would come down for his fall break, and that his friend would be cruising around. “So what are you gonna do now? Are you going to the principal’s office and beg for forgiveness?”
Juline considered this, waving a potato chip in the air. “Well, I’m going off for a little trip right now, and since the vacation is rolling on just by Friday of next week. Would you do that for me, it would be a very nice favor…” She batted her eyelashes, urging Lynn to corporate.
“Well, if you insist…” Lynn surrendered. Juline cried out in victory. “On one condition…”
This time, the novice vampire hunter froze.
What will she make me do: her homework for the next two weeks? “What is it?”
“You tell me why you’re leaving for so long, and where you’ve been, and also, why you come waltzing around in this weird outfit, ‘cuz I doubt you would put these on, in normal circumstances…”
Juline slumped in defeat and sighed. “Very well, but you’re not going to like it, or you might not even believe me.”
Lynn’s crystalline blue eyes pinned the other girl down. “Try me.”
“Well…” And she went on carefully explaining her situation. How she had dropped into Shadow Land, who she had met, and how she actually would become a vampire hunter.
The blond beauty dropped into the sofa, waving her hand to bat away imaginary foes and whistled. “You’re right: your story seems kinda loony, but I’ll cover for you since you’re my friend…”
“Oh great!” Juline threw herself into her friend’s arms and sobbed. “Thank you so much! It’s not like I’m doing this for fun. I have a responsibility towards them, and I have to go to help them… I owe them a lot, you know…”
Lynn laughed in return, squeezing her tighter then straightening her up. “Glad I could make you happy. You looked so depressed and frustrated today, that I couldn’t stand it. So I’m doing this favor for you… When will you be back?”
Juline shrugged, heading towards the bathroom. “Maybe a couple of weeks, I sincerely don’t know, cuz their time zone is so much different from ours. I’ll see.” Lynn nodded in approval, walking to the door.
“Call me when you get back, and maybe we could catch some fun!” The boisterous girl waved and slammed the door closed. Finally alone, Juline took care to bathe and wash her hair, then brush her teeth. Sometime around seven o’ clock in the evening, while she was packing, considering her oncoming training, the doorbell jolted her out of her fervent reflections.
“Yo, who’s my favorite gal in the world?” The jovial voice burst out. A swell of tears surged into her eyes as she flung herself in her brother’s arms. “Whoa! Ju, are you okay?”
Surprised by the display of warmth, he blinked in astonishment, but this only made her laugh harder. “Bobby, I’m so glad you’re here…”
Because I’m leaving to an unknown place to get myself killed. She didn’t add that piece, for he would have sent her straight to her room for her delirious manners. Jumping up, she tugged him inside, blabbing about.
I love him so much I don’t know how to express it towards him. I’m surely gonna miss him, and he’ll be really worried. “I just didn’t take the time to tell you how much I loved you, and how important you are to me…”
They actually were not biologically related, for her mother who had recently married her father decided to move in with his son, Bobby, who had been fourteen by, then had adopted her, taking her away from the dread forsaken orphanage where she had stayed from the age of five to eleven, with amnesia before the early age of five. She was grateful for this wonderful family that was willing to greet her with open arms, yet her ideal family man had disillusioned her when he left them two years later for committing adultery with another woman, and he now worked abroad amongst many countries, thought she was not too sure of his job.
Bobby, a taller version of herself, although they didn’t share biological similarities, had a shower of light brown hair, complementing his starry blue eyes. His physique won the hearts of many women, although he kindly pushed their offers away. He wasn’t the player type, but he was well respected for his eloquence and maturity, and some older boys would even come to him for advice. Maybe that was why he had decided to go into law, and put that eloquence and maturity to good use. With a good sense of judgment, he made the perfect brother, loyal to his sister’s affection and protective when trouble lurked ahead.
Maybe too protective. He might freak out and forbid me to go back to Shadow Land, who knows? “Why are you talking like that?” He intoned in a questioning voice, brows arched to make his point. He pointed towards the stranger she hadn’t noticed before. Realizing he had heard and seen everything, she flushed deep crimson.
Oh great! I’ve made a big fool of myself, playing the grand sensational dame… “I’d like you to meet Elliot Rogers, my roommate…” He gave a tentative smile, barely uttering a word and came forth, sticking out his hand. She gave her brightest smile and shook his hand in a firm grip.
Well, we might as well be two embarrassed persons. “Nice to meet you. Your brother has been talking about you…”
Furious, she turned to her brother, warning lights blinking in the air. “You didn’t tell him
that much, I hope.”
“No sweat!” Bobby exclaimed, leaning back in the couch and propping his feet up on the table. “Since mom’s not here to coach you, I might as well do the part… A change of scenery helps too, after all the law facts and stuff.”
Her hand came slapping at his face and she snorted. “You’re way out of your league, pal. It’s not because you’re older than me, that you have the right to boss me around. I have to go, by the way…” She grasped her rucksack and headed towards the door. “like right now.”
“Whoa! Hold on a second!” Bobby jumped out of his seat, grabbing her arm. “Who said you could just walk out?”
“Bobby, I said I love you, and I care for you, but this has got to be done.” A tone of ruefulness entered her voice, threatening to quiver at any time. “don’t stop me, or I won’t be able to make it back.”
If this goes on, I might be tempted to never go back and forget everything, but I can’t. It costs too much to ignore it. “What is this about?” Bobby’s words made her realize she had been thinking aloud. “What’s with all the seriousness?”
“If I told you, would you believe me?” She replied, in a straight face, squarely facing his friend and him.
“Oh come on, what’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you so serious. If it’s the tough school business…”
“It has nothing to do with it.” She cut in, dropping the bag.
Might as well reveal it all, or he’ll chase me around everywhere. “What I want to say is, don’t come after me because my mind is set. And you know how stubborn I can be.”
This time, Bobby sobered up, confronting her with dark eyes. Elliot remained silent, listening intently. “What is it you’re hiding from me, Juline?”
She sighed, dropping back onto the couch and running a hand through her hair, only to realize it was shaking. “I kind of got mixed up with this other world. Listen, I breeched through a gate, that brought me to another parallel world, called Shadow Land. This land in question is infested with…” She paused, eyeing her brother and his companion to make sure she had both their attention. Their eyes were wide with anticipation, and the silence weighed tomblike in the air. “infested with vampires,” she went on. “but that’s not the only problem. One of them is monopolizing a town, and scaring its townspeople into a subdued state. Out there, I met up with a special force, which specializes in that area. These vampire hunters have actually been waiting for me, anticipated my arrival, and prepared to train me…”
“Wow, wow! Slow down!” Her brother waved a hand to slow her. “You mean to tell me that you actually fell into another world? And that, vampires exist in that world?”
“But they also exist in our world. I am destined to hunt them and kill them. My Master tells me that I have great potential for this.”
To her words his eyes widened in utter disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?”
She shook her head, checking her watch. It was seven forty five. “No, I’m not. Since these hunters offer to train me, and that I want to help them take care of that town, I am going back. As a matter of fact, I really have to go now, because I don’t know what’s happening right now, but I don’t want to let them down.”
“You must be crazy! They’re just a bunch of loonies! You’re not a vampire hunter, and they do not exist. It’s impossible!”
She gave back his glance with a cold stare, and this literally chilled him. “I am not joking, and I wouldn’t be telling you this if it was a joke. This is very real, real as ever. Real danger, real lives to save, and real vampires.”
Elliot’s eyes narrowed at this, examining her with careful scrutiny. She shivered under those cold icy blue eyes. He was as tall as her brother, with a fine bone structured face, and ebony black curls. “So, you’re saying that these creatures exist inside our world, and even to other parts of this parallel universe?
She nodded to this, appreciating his overall coolness and his poised reflections. “Yes, it is true.”
“I gather that you managed to find a tear between the clothes of both universes?”
“Yes, and only vampire hunters can pass through.”
“So vampires cannot come through, but there still some existing in our world.” She nodded once more. “then why are there some in our world, if you just said that the gate does not let vampires pass?”
Confused by his deductions, she shrugged, taking a step closer to the door. “For now, that is not the problem. I have to take care of what is in front of me, first. Then, I can seek explanations.” She saluted both of them, and made it outside, followed by protesting Bobby.
“Come back here, Juline! You can’t leave now! This is total nonsense!” He called to her, but she was deaf to his pleas. “You’re gonna get killed out there!” He insisted.
“More people will die if I don’t do something to help them!” she whirled around to emphasize her words and pushed him away. “I will do what I must!”
“Come on! You can’t sacrifice your life and your motives for that of so many, especially in a world that is not supposed to exist!”
“You’re being selfish, Bobby. I am just trying to be generous, and that is where my heart is leading me to!” In a burst of anger, she strode further into the copses of greenery and reached the well. Suddenly, she spun around, hugging him fiercely, eyes wet with tears. “I told you, I love you and I’ll protect you from those nasty vampires, once I’m done with the ones back in shadow land.”
”But,” Bobby started, but Elliot pulled him away.
“Bobby, she has made her choice. You cannot even change what she has chosen.” He turned his solemn eyes to her, inclining his head in appreciation. “I respect your choices, and I do understand what you have just told me. Your brother will learn in time…” He waved, pulling Bobby away.
Sighing in relief and pain, she thanked Elliot with a wave and climbed down the gaping well. The darkness and dampness surrounded her, slightly unnerving her. Under her fingers, she felt the crumbling earth and its bugs crawling around.
Gosh, this is worse than I thought it would be. How I will regret my home, family and friends! Already, tears of homesickness and the radiating pain of affection spread from her chest to her head, but what should be done had to be done. And nothing would stop her from that.
