Chapter Nine: Hector

Hector gets up and searches the bathroom. A few bottles of cleaning supplies, towels and soaps are what he finds when he opens the cabinets. He gets into the shower and washes his body. It leaves him feeling refreshed after his last encounter with the maze. His mind drifts to Kelanar and what she could be doing.

Hector is so lost in  thought that he doesn’t hear the knocking on the door until Ruby is standing by the shower yelling at him.

“Hector, hurry. I need a shower and we are going to be late!” yells Ruby.

“I am coming,” Hector calls out. He is breathing hard after being scared. Quickly shutting off the water, he dries off and goes into the room with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“About time, Hector,” shouts Ruby.

Ruby goes into the bathroom, and he hears the shower turn on.

Hector gets dressed. He wears the vampire uniform. By the time he is dressed, Ruby is out and dresses herself. He looks away to give her privacy.

“Tell me,  what you were so distracted about that you didn’t even hear me come in?” Ruby asks.

Hector looks a little worried.

“Umm, my girlfriend, honestly. I know I am supposed to forget my past, but it is really hard. She is the love of my life,” he confesses.

“Look, Hector, I won’t tell you it gets easier to leave your family behind, but it gets to the point where you know you can’t go to them. We are not able to control ourselves and we would likely kill them,” says Ruby.

Hector turns to look at her now that she is dressed and she is putting her hair into a ponytail.

“Come, we're going to be late,” calls Hector.

They leave the room and head to the kitchen, where they see Rex, Ash, and Trevor waiting.

“Well, it's about time. You two have no blood right now. Your next lesson is controlling your hunger. So we'll be heading over to the field to work on this, but I need you all hungry for it,” orders Rex.

The four vampires follow Rex to the field of dummies.

“Control your hunger so you don’t kill anyone we don’t want you to kill,” says Rex.

“How are you going to do this? How does a vampire learn to control one’s hunger?” asks Hector.

“Well, I know you’re hungry right now, so you will not get any blood for a few hours. You must not kill my dummies; they will have blood pumping through them. If you attack the dummies, you won’t like it, to put it simply. You will learn to control your hunger.” 

“Let’s see, Trevor, you're up first. Then we got Ruby, Ash, and Hector last. I see the look on all your faces. They are dummies. How hard can it be? Well, you're about to find out. The rest of you stand over there.”He points to the shady area away from the dummies.

There is a small target practice field outside the castle. Hector sees many stuffed dummies throughout the field. Hector looks at the fake people and thinks this will be easy. He stands with Ruby and Ash and watches Trevor.

“Ok, Trevor. You will walk through the field and if you attack a person within the span of ten minutes, you will start over. If you attack them, you will not like what you face. Are you ready?”

Trevor thinks he can handle it just fine. “I got this Rex,” boasts Trevor.

“Begin then,” orders Rex.

 While Trevor goes, Ash, Ruby and Hector all talk by the tree.

“So can I get my date tonight after all this Ruby?” asks Ash.

“I think it depends on how bad this training is going to be today. If we're sore I don’t think I will feel up to a date. Besides, it's not like we can leave the castle grounds. Where do you suppose we will go for a date?” 

“Well, it is a surprise, but I had a few cooks and demons help plan something for us,” says Ash .

Hector watches them argue, too tired to really get into it with them.

“What about you Hector? Are you starting to get used to being here?” asks Ash.

“No, he is still thinking about his girlfriend and took up most of the hot water this morning,” taunts Ruby.

“Shut up, Ruby. I didn’t talk all the hot water and I keep your voice down. I don’t want Rex hearing you,” orders Hector.

Ruby goes to make a comment back when they hear Trevor yell. They see him holding his mouth and spitting out blood.

Rex and Trevor come over to the group.

“I told you. You wouldn’t like it,” says Rex with a laugh. “Each of the dummies has blood in them, but it is laced with something that will hurt you. It will teach you self-control.” 

Trevor goes to stand by Ash. 

“It will stop burning in a few minutes. Next, Ruby you are up,” says Rex.

Ruby goes to the field. Trevor doesn't speak at all.  His lips are blistered and sore.

“That girl gets on my nerves Ash, why do you like her so much?” asks Hector.

“She is not that bad once you get to know her. Ruby has a tough outer shell, kind of like you Hector,”  says Ash.

“Will you two stop talking? I get stuck with the friend zone guy, the jackass, and the princess. How did I get so unlucky?” Trevor grumbles.

Before anyone can respond to Trevor, they hear Ruby scream. Rex and Ruby rejoin the group; her lips are red and swollen. 

“Well, you got a little farther than Trevor. Ash you are up.” orders Rex.

Ash walks away with Rex.

Hector is quiet, not wanting to piss these two off. After about three minutes they hear Ash scream. 

“Not bad for your first try. Hector you are up.”

Hector and Rex walk over to the field.

“Are you ready Hector? They all have failed and you most likely will too. So no pressure.” Rex laughs.

Hector still thinks he can handle it, nods his head, and walks through the field. The first dummy Hector passes moves, and he smells and hears blood pumping. His hunger spikes, and before he knows what he is doing, he attacks the dummy and gets a mouth full of blood. He spits out the blood because it burns his mouth and tongue. His tongue and lips blister up.

“What was in that one?” asks a very sore Hector, his lips barely able to open to speak.

“It was holy water. Come on, let's join the others for the next round. Once back together, Rex addresses them all.

“I guess, are there any tips to not attack?” asks Ash.

“It shouldn’t be this hard,” says Ruby.

“Stop being babies. We got this. At least I do,” says Trevor.

 “I didn’t think this would be hard and then I heard the blood and smelled it and I just couldn’t stop myself.” Hector sighs 

“Well, the only tip I can give you is willpower. Have the powerful will to control yourself. You will learn. We all learn this way. Next round. Trevor you're up.”

Everyone goes again and soon it is Hector's turn again. Everyone has failed so far.

Hector goes back into the area and tries again. This time, he gets to the second dummy. He hears it and closes his eyes, trying to fight the need to feed. It feels like forever for Hector, but he can’t stop himself and attacks the second dummy. His mouth is on fire, and he spits out the blood again.

Rex appears. “Well, you made it to the second dummy and in three minutes. It is a start, Hector.” 

Hector is in a lot of pain; his lips are red and blistered and bloodied tears coat his cheeks.

“Only three,” he gets out with his swollen tongue.

“Yes, only three minutes and it was garlic this time.” Rex laughs.

“Does this get any easier?” 

“It will, in time. Just keep going.”

“If you say so. I don’t see this getting any easier soon,” 

“It will get harder at each lesson, but time is a-wasting. Get to it. N Next round," Rex calls to the others.

They all go again. Everyone's mouths hurt too much to even make small talk while they wait their turn.

Rex calls Hector. “You’re up, let's go.  Last round for today.”

Hector sighs and heads back into the field as the blood pumps. He tries to think about Kelanar and all the things he wishes they could have done.

Marrying her and taking her on all kinds of adventures. He keeps moving and passes one dummy after another, just thinking of her face and her red lips.  He feels a gust of air and sees Rex in front of him. The sound of the blood is gone. Rex looks at Hector. His eyes are red, and his fangs are extended, but he doesn’t attack.

Rex claps his hands to break Hector’s concentration.

“Well, Hector, you keep surprising me. You have passed this test; you can control your hunger and you will do so for longer as time goes on. Ten minutes is a good start. It gives you enough time to get away from the prey you’re about to kill.” 

“I guess that is good. And what do you mean, I surprise you?”

“I will level with you. Most vampires don’t pass this lesson on the first, second, or third day. I know it sounds bad, but we expect you to fail. Just part of it.” 

“I see.” Hector looks annoyed and his lips are still swollen.

They head back to the others. “Well, Hector has passed this test. You three will meet me here again tomorrow to continue this lesson. Hector, you get tomorrow off. If they don’t catch up tomorrow, then you join another group.” orders Rex.

The other three follow Hector back to the castle. They all grab some blood and go their own ways. Ruby goes to sleep and Ash to his room. Trevor doesn't say anything, he just leaves. Hector goes to look around.

While Hector is exploring, He sees Rex go to a room and hears him talking to Skorn.

Rex goes to see Lord Skorn in his study. Rex walks in and lowers himself onto his knees.

“My Lord, I have news on Hector,” says Rex.

Skorn looks at Rex. He wasn’t expecting a report so soon.

“Speak, what is it?” demands Skorn.

“Hector has passed the maze and the hunger test.” 

“Already? He is much stronger than I thought. Hmm, what is your next test? How are the others in his group doing?” 

“Next is the hunting test, and the others seem to do better since he joined. They are all on the hunger test. Only Hector passed today though, My Lord.”

“Good. Keep me updated. He might be one of your strongest yet.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Dismissed.”

Rex leaves the study. Hector continues looking for a place to relax .Hector goes down another hall and finds a single door. He opens it. A small lady comes out of an office area. 

“Can I help you?” she asks.

“Yes, sorry, just a little lost. I'm trying to find my way around is all. Where are we now?” asks Hector.

“We are at the library. You're welcome to come and look around, but only if you want to read or borrow a book. None of that hiding and making out here,” she says with a stern tone.

“No, ma'am. I love to read,” says Hector.

“Good, I am Mrs. Blake,help yourself and if you need any help, just let me know.”

Hector nods and begins to look around.