26. Poor Chris

Juliet

Chris passed out on me! “Weakling.” It took me a while to get him fastened with the seatbelts so he didn’t fall out as I sped down the highway. I didn’t understand why he needed to go to Sita’s grandfather in such a hurry. I was just glad I didn’t leave after we spoke. Seeing that he was done with Sita was reward enough. I fixed the front seat to my settings so I could keep driving; staying next to the highway with him passed out wasn’t going to happen. I checked his phone. Held it up to his face, having to get past his security to get to his contacts.

I thought back at how stupid I was to give him such an expensive gift for his birthday the previous year. I had noticed he used an old, outdated phone and wanted to do something for him—from afar. I was so happy that day to hear about it from everyone. How he immediately took to it. I would’ve wanted to buy him something else that year. Something that could get him that excited again.

I checked for Sita’s grandfather’s location pin. When the route came up on screen, I pulled onto the highway. He had been driving for half an hour; I would have to go just as far. It was fun driving for a change. Glad he didn’t drive stick. I wondered how long it would’ve taken for my parents to buy me a car of my own. Not that I could blame them… They kept me on a tight leash.

I stopped outside a closed gate. It meant I was going to have to get out to open it, and I was afraid of being on a werewolf plot. I’d never been up close to one or met one in human form... But I had… Jerry was a freaking werewolf, and Louis knew it was Sita that night at the bridge, “Argh!” He lied to me about everything! I reluctantly opened my door. Sita killing me was a possibility. I heard growling from the other side of the gate. Four eyes glowed brightly in the reflection of the car’s headlights. They were enormous and almost Chris’s size. They transformed when they saw how scared I was. How ripped up my arms were. They knew who I was. I relaxed a bit. The two boys opened the gate and saw Chris in the back seat, concern evident in their features, “What’s wrong with him?”

“Your dart gun, of course… You had that one planned all along. Maybe you went a little bit overboard… He’s been like this since this morning.”

“You were there. You saw him. We needed… overboard. You can be glad we were close. Now that he’s manifested, we can all breathe easier.”

An older man came out the front door. The house was situated away from the gate and driveway. He didn’t venture off the porch, leaning on his cane, “Who is it, Francis?”

“It’s that vampire girl we have been watching and Chris. He is still knocked out.”

The old man shook as he tried to stabilize himself on the thin piece of wood, “Let her come in and tell her to park to the side.” I did what I was told. The two boys unclipped Chris and carried him inside. I was thankful that things seemed to be going rather well so far.

I held open the bug screen with the rock placed on the floor. I helped with the front door so they could pass through, following to ensure I knew the house’s layout and to take note of where they laid Chris down for the night. Not that it would help me if I wasn’t welcome; going invisible there was redundant—they could see me. My strength, speed, and hearing abilities had not kicked in yet… not even when Jerry was attacking me. One would think that if Chris had manifested under dire circumstances, maybe my body could have performed the same miracle to help me. “Come sit, child,” the man said after observing me.

I obliged and helped him into his seat. He patted my shoulder and pointed with his arm for me to a chair across from him, “You must be Juliet.”

“I am. Thank you for letting me into your home, Sir.”

“Call me Mr. Moore. Or Nicholas. It doesn’t matter to me, whatever you prefer. Thank You for bringing Chris here.”

“To tell the truth, I was a stowaway. He didn’t invite me… But then he passed out halfway and… Yeah, here we are… I’m a little scared that Sita might be here,” I glanced around the house.

He chuckled, “Don’t worry, she’s not.”

I relaxed and sat back, breathing out. He held out an A4 brown envelope to me. I was surprised. Another person, including me. Taking it, I removed the contents reading the heading. Divorce papers… for Sita Rheed and Christopher Rheed. Everything about it made me cringe. Frown lines must have creased my brow.

He smiled, “You don’t like what’s going on… Yes, my granddaughter is selfish… And I have a soft spot for Chris. I have to be honest as well… I am a little irritated with her. How she handled everything… You were only a vampire we needed to track when you came into the picture. And then you and Chris met. Everyone reported something was going on. I was a little angry at Sita for not committing to Chris.” I didn’t say anything. Sat there dumbfounded at his declaration, staring at the signed papers… What they meant for Chris and me? He continued, “You love him very much…? Want to get married so young? Maybe why your parents introduce Louis to you? I would have done the same if we were vampires… There is a little bit more lust in your veins. Drive for power. Want and needs that have to be met.” I blushed a little. It was true. His words made me stare at him. Nicholas knew something I couldn’t even figure out. My parents introduced us. They let us hunt together and pushed us to spend time together… After Marcus… I had thought they would hide me away forever. “Want to be Juliet Rheed instead of Du Pont? Well, you might get your wish granted; from today, Sita is the ex-wife….”

I blew out an exaggerated breath and pushed the papers back into the envelope, “I have decided only to love where I’m loved in return. Men have a funny way of looking at it. All logistical and think things through. It doesn’t seem like I know what love is anyway. And Chris… Isn’t in love with me.”

“You protected him with your life. Everyone told me the injuries you sustained in the attack… Seeing you now… It is much worse than I thought… If that’s not unconditional love, what is?”

“It wasn’t a decision. I just did it… like I did with that cub I heard in the bag.”

“You have a lot of room in your heart, Juliet. A trait not many people or creatures can boast of. As if justice is the most important thing to you… and to be happy?”

I smiled because of the compliments. It was the truth. I really… just wanted to be happy and make someone else happy in return. Something else my parents understood. I was surprised at the acceptance I was getting from Nicholas. The two boys that were busy in the kitchen came over with a tea tray. They went to sit down in front of the TV not far from us, “You’re not angry at me?” I asked nervously.

“No Child! Sita gave up that right when she decided not to show up last night. She used excuses for years. Left the envelope here and got in her car. She didn’t even stay with him… To see if he would be okay… I was so angry. We were on our way… sent some people over, but we couldn’t reach him.” He picked up his cup and sipped at the warm liquid, “I saw it coming... Tried talking to her a few times. Sita kept burring her head deeper in the sand. After a while, I let her be.” While he was talking, I watched the two siblings. All of us were just leading everyday lives, trying to anyway… I was suddenly glad Sita and Chris had no kids. There were no other connections between them. “My sister’s two boys. Francis and Jack.”

“How many children are still listed?”

“We have twenty across the country… We try to focus on those close to us. The other continents must care for their own. We are so widespread worldwide it is hard to tell of those who are in hiding… But we have come to a number… There are only about a hundred kids all together.”

“A hundred! The vampires have thousands.”

He nodded, “The cub you saved was the child of close friends of ours. But Jerry would make the count back to ninety-nine now.

“I’m sorry about Jerry….” I gripped the brim of my nose, forcing myself not to cry again. Sick of crying.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Nicholas said. He seemed sincere and patted my knee in a fatherly fashion.

“Jerry was a jerk, and the species is better off without him,” Francis said out of turn.

Nicholas sighed, “I wish I could correct him. Say that he should show some respect. But all species have evil ingrained in their DNA… It’s a choice of how you want to live your life… I want to thank you for saving that cub and putting yourself in danger for his sake.”

Francis and Jack got up. Francis took my hand and pulled me towards him to put his forehead on mine, “I want to thank you, too.” His brother did the same, and I smiled nervously.

“We Werewolves have a little bit more soul than you vampires.”

I laughed lightly, “That’s for sure. The family unit is always warmer with warm bloods than the cold of having a tiny amount. But we can’t choose how we’re born.”

“You are right about that! But luckily, our species live so amicably together. I have even met Louis a few times over the years… It is to our credit that the nonhumans are standing together,” he took another sip of tea, “But what I would like to know is how you feel now after being given that poison?”

I got choked up for a moment. Everyone knew what I had done. Thinking about that night… I was proud of myself for getting in the car. I had done one thing right, and someone did notice. People did care. “To tell the truth… I’m scared. I seem to have been affected to some degree. The consequences are infrequent. Different in severity every time… I get these spells,” I air quote my last two words, “He is creating vampire killers, but I still don’t know everything that happened after. Louis and my dad sorted out the… zombie. What it entailed, they wouldn’t say. I’m not included in everything yet.”

“Didn’t you grow up at the compound?” Nicholas asked.

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“For a while… Then I was … put up for auction… Things happened, and my parents took the other route.”

“They chose exile?” he insinuated, “Yes, we all heard something about what happened with Marcus. Wasn’t really sure.” Nicholas eyed me suspiciously. Like he wanted me to tell him.

I didn’t know how much they knew about what really happened, “It’s been a few years since we moved. I wanted so desperately to go to school. And I did, with humans. I met Charlene and Carl.” I felt a little bad about changing the subject. But I didn’t even want to think about Marcus, let alone talk about him or the compound.

“I can see where you get your heart for the truth. Your parents must love you very much. Doing that for you. Not an easy thing, they say,” Nicholas kept prodding.

“Vampire women at the compound don’t really get to choose their lives… You’re taught to keep out of sight and not speak. Women are treated—” I couldn’t finish my sentence, “Maybe a little of that had sunk in for the fifteen years we were there. That’s why I don’t ask too many questions… When my parents don’t tell me everything.” My voice was all choked up again, thinking about how much my parents had lied to me but also did for me.

“And now? Are you rebelling? Why did you stow away in Chris’s car?”

I sighed heavily and kept peeking at the door where Chris was hopefully sleeping off the last of the drugs, “I… I’m acting the teenager today... and maybe tomorrow. Throwing a tantrum like my dad would say,” Nicholas laughed, “But then I’m off to France anyway. But don’t tell Chris that.” The two boys were listening intently… We all glanced at Chris’s door.

“What does he remember?” Nicholas asked.

A tear ran down my cheek. I flung it off my skin like it was a perp. “Nothing…” I said, taking a raggedy breath, biting my lip, trying to stop the tears.

Nicholas put his teacup on the side table, thinking about what to do, “Why are you crying?” he asked softly. Francis came to sit with me, rubbing my back.

I wasn’t going to tell them I slept with Chris. That it was my first time, and I was freaking out—feeling like a fool… And I just wished the guy would at least remember. “I can’t say… I’m sorry… Do you know where Sita is?” I asked, changing the subject.

“She went back to the city. She lived there for a long time before she married Chris.”

“What will happen to him? If he is not married to Sita anymore? Will he stay under your protection?”

Francis chipped in, “Well, his first full moon will be very interesting.”

I yawned as he went on and on about everything that could and could not happen to Chris. “Francis, be quiet. Why do you want to scare the child… Take her to the guest room. You can see how bored she is with your nonsense.”

Francis was immediately quiet and stepped past me. I thanked Nicholas and followed Francis, relishing the idea of passing out and sleeping for two days like last time, “Good night, Mr. Moore.”

“Good night, Juliet.”

***

Chris

I had woken up a while ago, recognizing Sita’s old room. For the first time, I was in her bed. Juliet was talking with Nick. I couldn’t really hear what they were saying. I also couldn’t make myself get up. I was tired of wanting to sleep and not being able to get rid of that feeling. The stabbing pain hadn’t returned yet, and I thanked heaven for that.

Juliet went into the guest room with Francis. They talked about the bathroom and where they would be sleeping. The familiar cane sound stopped outside the door. Nicholas checked in on me and went to his room. I remembered courting Sita that far out of town. Back then, I had to sleep in the same room Juliet was in. She was there at my ex’s house. Juliet’s cuts… She had seen me naked. Told me she loved me. My mind was racing, constantly trying to figure out what was going on. She didn’t leave and stayed with me the whole day. I wondered what she did in the house and how she decided to come with me. Why wasn’t she with Louis or just home? Did it have to do with Friday? Juliet drove me all the way there. She could drive… I turned on my side, knowing there was no point in fighting it. I closed my eyes, wondering if Juliet would sneak in to see me.

The following day, I woke up feeling fantastic. Never again would I take a handful of different pain meds and chuck it down my throat. My head was clear. I felt like my old self, only a million times better. I got up to use the bathroom. I almost fell over Francis lying in the hall, “What are you doing here?” I asked him.

He complained, “Have to watch you.” His head came up quickly and fell back down onto his pillow.

“Go lie on the bed. I’m slept out.”

He didn’t hesitate, took his blanket and pillow, and fell on Sita’s bed. I closed the door. At the same time, my gaze drifted across the hall. Juliet was still sleeping. Who was I kidding? It was early. I checked my watch… very early. Passing her door, I hesitated… I put my hand on the lever... I wanted to talk to her. If I went in, I was taking a step towards her… I had written the letter… Gave Sita her time. I first needed the divorce finalized… I opted for coffee instead, not being ready to face these questions before I knew what happened Friday. Didn’t know how Nicholas felt about it all.

The view from the porch was beautiful at that time of the day, and waking up to the mountains in the background was always a treat. Nicholas would already be awake, and I hoped I would find him outside. I could hear his chair rocking before I stepped through the door. He was staring out into nothingness. I made myself comfortable beside him, trying not to disturb his reverie. I placed a fresh cup on the table; he had heard the clang of the cup on the glass and thanked me for the coffee.

“Thanks for last night, Nick. Thank you for taking in, Juliet. I know this must be confusing, but—” he handed me a brown envelope, cutting me off. I hurriedly opened it and instantly knew what it was. I flipped to the last page to see if Sita had signed—she had. I bowed my head, closing my eyes—my lips slightly parted. There was no feeling like that one. I could take back everything she had stolen from me. Nicholas gave me a moment to let it sink in.

“I find it strange that you’re not asking any questions about what is happening. Everybody's reaction has been weirdly confusing since I had woken up from a simple accident. I feel like it’s a secret I’m not entitled to.”

The old man took a sip of his coffee, “It’s because telling you is difficult. I know what’s going on and about Juliet… Sita told me everything.”

That explained some of it, “Nothing was going on with Juliet and me when I asked Sita to try and fix our relationship.”

“I know, Chris… You don’t have to worry. Juliet and I had a very long conversation last night… And I feel bad that things between you and Sita didn’t work out, but—”

“But?”

“But there are more important things to talk about… I need to tell you something. You need to know the truth… Three years ago… when Sita joined the school where you worked… it was planned.”

I frowned, “What do you mean?”

“Well, we will come to that. More important is… You know about Juliet. That she is not normal….”

I was shocked that their conversation had led to that, “It seems like you knew, Nicholas,” he nodded, “Juliet and I haven’t had much time to talk… I know she is different… I know she has an ability,” I ventured to say.

“Juliet is not human… And neither is Sita… They… No! We are not human….”

The silence stretched between us. My hands were sliding over my face. “Sita… You?” I stood up in disbelief, “Francis and Jack?”

He nodded and cleared his throat, “That’s not all, Chris. Sit down... You will have to brace yourself. There is a lot more to come.”

Reluctantly, I took my seat. What else could he possibly have to tell me? My wife was something. Her whole family was not human… Juliet was something… Her parents and Louis. My entire world around me had been… I didn’t even know what to call them.

“Now, what I am about to tell you… I feel I should have told you a long time ago. But so be it…You… You are not human, Chris.”

It didn’t register. I thought for a moment, “I am. I have no abilities. I was a baby… born like everyone else.”

“Yes… We are races of creatures. All of us are also born. ”

“What creatures? What do you mean races?”

“Different species… Juliet is a vampire. My whole family, we are werewolves.”

I laughed out loud. Half scoffed at his words, “Vampire? Werewolf! You’re joking with me.”

Nicholas’s eyes were cast at the floor. He wasn’t lying… it had to be true. Juliet was there, and they had talked. I was the odd one out. The one that didn’t know what was going on around him. “And you are special too… Friday, something happened to make your race come to the surface… You manifested into whatever you are… Your abilities emerged.”

“I can’t remember anything about Friday! I got knocked out in a fight, and the painkillers I took Saturday made me groggy.”

He shook his head slowly, “No…”

Although I could think clearly, I was floored at the thought of also being a creature. What was I, if not a vampire… or werewolf? I thought about Juliet and Friday… The cuts on her. If it was me that hurt her, I would never forgive myself, “What happened Friday!?”

“Ahm… there was an altercation between Juliet and Jerry, who was also not human.”

Stupefied, I stared at him. So it was Jerry like Juliet had said. She had not lied to protect me, “Was?” I asked. Did he want to hurt her, and that’s when my ability emerged? I was trying so hard to remember what happened. Juliet, Jerry, and me. Sita wasn’t there. It was late. She had not come back for our date.

“I can see you are figuring things out, and you are right… Jerry was about to kill Juliet when you blacked out, and what we call... manifested into whatever you are.”

“What would’ve provoked him to attack her… And why didn’t she just disappear? I don’t believe you, Nicholas… It doesn’t add up. Where was Sita? If she knew about me? Where the hell was she?!”

He sat back in his chair and rocked slowly back and forth, “Think of it like this… If we are not human, then what? What did you think Juliet was?”

I paused, thinking about the cuts on her arms and her legs. Claws… werewolf claws. I pressed restless fingers into my eye sockets, “Why the hell did I blackout and can’t remember! What am I?”

“We don’t know. We call you the hybrid. One of the caretakers saw you manifest before you were two at the orphanage. It only lasted a moment. We have been tracking you ever since.”

“I would’ve known if I was different. Things would have made me manifest, or I would’ve come out before now.”

“Chris, try to breathe. This will be a very long day and will only get more confusing and stressful before it evens out.”

I didn’t want to calm down; I needed air, “In that case, I’m taking a walk… We haven’t even begun to discuss that Sita was planned!”

“I know, and I will tell you anything you want to know… But take a break… Don’t worry about Juliet. She is a welcome guest here.”

I wasn’t even thinking about her and wouldn’t feel guilty about it. She didn’t tell me anything either… Not that I warranted her trust. Did she not push me away from the bridge that night? I remember the sound I heard… Creature... werewolf? … No … It was Louis. He cannot be a werewolf… Surely not? I was angry at everyone. He just told me I killed some kid… I couldn’t even begin to go down the road of Sita lying to me for four f—ing years. My whole life had been a lie.