Chapter 6

Ten Years Later...

We have been living in a Chicago suburb for a few years. We relocated to America a decade ago. First I lived in Ithaca New York then, as my business started to become a bigger success, I wanted to venture to Chicago. Garrett moved to Chicago directly from England. Informing me that he was born here. So, it was like he was coming home. Garrett already being here, made the transition easier for me. Today is a full cloud cover, the perfect day of a Vampire. I am in my office when Garrett walks in. "Hunter, we need to leave Chicago." I stare at him in confusion "Why do you feel we must do that?" Garret scoffs "because if you continue with this killing spree you've been on lately like a mafia leader, the humans are going to become suspicious!" I roll my eyes, it has not been that bad "I have not been on a killing spree, it's only been fifteen men" Garrette shot me a look "exactly, Hunter, why?" I shrugged "Perhaps they shouldn't have pissed me off, some of them were recently fleshly encounters of her and the others seemed like they had information but, wouldn't share it. Next time they should just spill their secrets!". Garrett shakes his head "still, we need to leave, at least until the heat cools down". I have been considering the same, after he pointed it out, I hate to admit that he is right.

Garrett seems elated that I have agreed. "I have an old cabin in the Northern Wisconsin woods, let us seek cover there until the time is a right be open in public again. I nod my head and Garrett continues "besides, I do not want any issue with the coven council, they already do not like you" I shudder at the mention of those fiends. "I know they don't, though surprising, I have heard whispers that they are convening soon, and some are wishing to grant me a place amongst them." "Garrett laughs "That's only because the few women at the table love you and want to jump your manhood". I laugh as well "I cannot help it that I am devilishly attractive and charming". Garrett laughs with me "Do not worry Garrett, I do not give attention to succubus's". He sighs, and we both walk out of my building "Eldridge Books".  I enjoy this area of the city, right outside there are people playing instruments and singing the blues. 

"Let us take the Mercedes to the cabin, it'll be a quicker trip" we both slide inside my car and start driving the trip up north. "Remember, no messing up like you did last time" I laugh out loud. "Ugh! That's not going to happen!" Garrett says, glaring at me "Hunter, I am close to 270, I am more in control than you". "Sometimes you lack, remember the laundry maid?" "Please do not bring that up!" Garrett growled. I laughed at his annoyed look.

We drive for several hours, thankfully the weather is overcast, so we have no reason to fear the sun exposure. We arrive at the cabin, after parking the car, we take off running into the northern woods, right away I smell the air and catch the scent of something lurking in the woods. I sniffed the air along with him. I caught a mildly tolerable scent. We take a deep inhale, right then I catch sight of a black bear. It senses our presence, and hackles its back in attack mode, sensing another predator.

"Garrette, I'll let you do the honors, while I hunt somewhere else". "Thank you". He then disappears into the woods as I run in the opposite direction. I jump over a creek as I catch a wonderful scent, it's sweet, it's so warm and rich...I already know she's human. Just as I crouch, I look up, and see her, she's beautiful. Any other time, I might be shallowly attracted and ask her out but I am so thirsty; I cannot resist. I greet her, making her feel comfortable. She has no idea that I a luring her into my embrace, and her life will soon be given to me. 

"Hello" She's startled and looking like a deer caught in a trap. Her eyes glaze over and she's looking at me with carnal appreciation. I know I am good-looking, I am going to use it to my advantage. "What are you doing out here, beautiful?"

I watch her, She's such a beauty, I would say about 5'8, wavy blond hair, amazing green eyes, full pink lips. Her smell is amazing, a combination of Jasmine and honey. If she were a vampire, I would instantly take her to bed and bury myself in her. She's a human, who is undoubtedly in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I am so excited about it.

"I am a researcher?" She's confused, she's still staring like she can't look away...she's affected.

"I would love to research you, angel," I whisper seductively into her ear. I feel her shiver in response to the attraction I am causing.  I am already within reach of her quicker than she can notice. She's dazed, her lips are parted.

"You're so beautiful" I whisper to her as I snake my arms around her waist. She's already sagging into me. I can smell her arousal. I start to kiss down her throat. She moans and purrs as I continue to work my magic with my lips. "Do you have a place we could take this?" I ask her. "No, it's too far away, we can stay here?"

"Oh, I am so going to enjoy you" another moan and trembling of the lips. I continue kissing her neck, she's moaning so loud as my hands roam up and down her body, giving gentle caresses. I suck on her neck trying to find a good spot then, I bite into her neck. Her warm blood flows down my throat, her moans turn into weak whimpers, and she's laying limp against me as her life leaves her body. "You were so good, I did enjoy you, angel..thank you". I let her body fall to the forest floor. I do not want to just leave her here for anyone to find, and it would be better for nature to take its course being this far in the woods.

I carry her towards a wolf den I see, the wolves growling at me. I throw her into the den. "My gift for you, happy eating!" As I walk back to where Garrett was hunting, I hear the wolves growling. I don't mean to be insensitive but, those wolf cubs have to eat as well. I reach the area where we spotted the bear but, there is no sign of him."Garrette!" I called out, yet I heard nothing. "What the Fuck?" I suddenly feel that something is not right. There is no chance that he would have completely disappeared out of nowhere? or ran so far he could not hear me call him. Perhaps, somehow, I completely missed the signs of him being in danger.

I go in search of him, I know that the bear wouldn't have overpowered him, that's impossible. As I start searching I find the bear's carcass, just as I knew I would. "What the fuck happened?" I whisper to myself. "GARRETT!" I scream. "Where are you?!" I am starting to lose my mind, just then I catch another scent, it's earthy with a twist of sour mud. My nose wrinkles in distaste, I see a bear larger than any I have ever seen come out of the woods. I stared at it in horror, three more joined it, they are as big as mountains! I had no idea what was happening but I took off faster than any speed I had ever used. I heard them close behind me so I instinctually jumped into the trees. I jumped from tree to tree while finding a way around to search for my friend. I sit in the tree, I am at a loss for words as to what has happened. I can only imagine that the universe has taken another loved one from my life. 

I hear someone down below. Just then I see this monstrosity of a bear morph into a man.

They praise each other with high fives. I listen closer, "Nice takedown Darius"! "I had to, and I don't regret it! I saw that monster killing natural wildlife on our land! That disgusting filth! Now, I will have to care for those cubs that black bear left behind". The men talk to him, not sure what to make of Garrett. "I have only heard of such a creature from myth, the humans call them "Vampires" They survive by feasting on the blood of the innocent". They looked as if they would vomit. They start looking around, wondering what happened to me. The leader answers, "He jumped into the trees, he'll come down and we'll be waiting". 'Fuck Off' I think to myself. I have had enough of this. I am not going to attack three gigantic mutated creatures and commit suicide. It is evident they killed Garrett. What I cannot figure out is, where the hell did they put the body? Turning from there, I jump through the trees and dive into the lake.