The Hunt 8

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PART EIGHT: 2

It seems I have been nominated impromptu leader of this situation, whether I want to be or not.  No one else in the convent seems to know how to deal with vampires, my father included.  He wanted to chase after them directly and tear them apart strip by strip.  At this point I calmly asked if he liked his babies chopped into bits, because that is what would happen.  I feel like I’m playing at being Sherlock Holmes or something ridiculous like that, because now I’m questioning everyone here to find out if anyone knows why vampires would want the baby.  My father seems to think it’s obvious. 3

“They want to take over the world!” he exclaims, pacing.  The mother (I still don’t know their names, I realize), is sitting up in bed, blanched white and silent.  I suppress the urge to mock him, and instead ask what is on my mind, which is the business of their names.  I expect something overused and clichéd, like Damian.  My father looks at me like I’ve caused a misfire in his brain, which perhaps I have.  I resist the urge to chuckle. 4

“My name is Derrick,” he says.  Huh. An ordinary name, imagine that.  “The baby in the hands of the vampires is dangerous indeed.  She could prove to be a devastating weapon.” 5

I frown, pondering.  How did the vampires know that the baby was here?  For all intents and purposes my father looks like an ordinary person, but someone had to have known.  I decide to start at the beginning, and start by chasing the nuns out of the room.  They protest at first, but I’d rather have a private chat with Dad, and I can be very persuasive when I want to be.  All I have to do is give them an evil-looking glare and they exit hastily, pulling the heavy wooden door shut behind them.  I’d like to kick the mother out too, but I’m not that cruel.  Give me some credit, here. 6

I pull up a chair and sit down in it, while my father sits on the edge of the bed.  We stare at each other for a few seconds before either one of us talks.  This is going to be strained. 7

“So,” I say, lifting a hand in emphasis of my words.  “Why don’t you tell me about you?”  I can tell that my manner puts him off a bit, and I’m glad for that.  He narrows his eyes at me, but begins to speak. 8

“I’m not from this world, but I have been trapped here for two thousand years,” he says, and I can tell he’s told this story before.  God, could he sound any more pretensious?  I hope this doesn’t take long.  “My two brothers and I were exiled here for nothing more than a harmless prank pulled on a council elder…” 9

“Brothers?” I interrupt.  “You mean I have uncles?” 10

He looks at me, confused for a moment.  Apparently he’s not used to people interrupting his oh, so fascinating monologue.  He blinks, then speaks. 11

“Yes.” 12

“Oh, that’s just great,” I say, unable to keep a bit of the bitterness and hurt out of my voice.   “And I suppose I have some cousins, perhaps some nieces and nephews no one’s ever told me about, too.  Let’s skip the life story, Pops.  Why’d you come to this convent?” 13

“My wife was ready to give birth, and as you well know I can’t take her to a normal hospital.  This was the closest convent, and I had heard the legend of the demongirl that was born here.  So I came here, and brought Megan with me.  I began speaking with Sister Francine, and that’s how I found out about you, and your brother.  Speaking of which, is he on his way too?” 14

“Legend?” I ask, confused.  Since when was there a legend?  My father smiles, and I see that his fangs are just like mine. Well of course they are.  It’s not like I got these from my mother.  15

“There are a few tales told around this area of a demongirl that was born in this convent.  Mothers tell their children that if they misbehave the demongirl will come and devour them.” 16

”Oh, that’s nice,” I say, but I feel a bit amused.  Imagine, Matteo or me devouring a child.  Highly, highly unlikely.  “So, where are my uncles at?” 17

“Oh, here and there,” he responds vaguely.  “We rarely keep in touch, but we can always find each other.” 18

“Well, Pops,” I say, and I can tell that the nickname is starting to perturb him.  “Perhaps you should call your brothers.  I have a feeling that there is something really big going down here, and it’s not a good feeling.” 19

I stand then, and my stomach growls, very unladylike.  But then, since when did I ever claim to be a lady?  Never, that’s when.  I smile. 20

“Matteo should be here in a few hours, but in the meantime, I’m going to go find something to eat.  If you can think of any reason for the vamps to steal Precious, come find me.  Besides your whole take over the world theory, that is.”  And with that I leave the room, to find Sister Francine again and figure out where to get some food.21