Legends Three

The man who had tried to save his younger sister the night before, now carried her warmly wrapped body to an Oldsmobile. Her breathing was labored and she was unconscious. There was a large bite wound on her arm from where the werewolf had attacked her yesterday.

A few tears rolled down the man’s cheeks as he placed his in the car. The thought of a seven year old being trapped into the service of the shadows frightened him.

He wiped away a few stray tears as the engine turned over. As the house disappeared from sight the man started to frantically think who he could turn to. There had to be someone that would help him. The hospitals were no good. He had no medical insurance. True they would treat his sister but every scrap and nose bleed that had money would be seen before the sleeping girl in the back of his car. One thing that hadn’t changed in the past ten years. People were just as greedy and unfeeling as ever.

Racing through the streets, he tried to find the slayers. He knew that they held a meeting once a week and after every full moon. The slayers would know how to help her. He couldn’t loose anymore family to death. And he would die before his sister was lost to worse.

The sound of screeching tires made the man want to cover his ears. Since his car, however, was the one swerving he tried as hard as he could to keep hold of the wheel. The back end of the Oldsmobile fish tailed onto the sidewalk. He was able to stop the car then swung his head around. The girl was still sleeping in the back.

“Are you all right? ” cried an old priest rushing up to the window. The man got out of the car quickly.

“I’m fine. I’m fine. Are you okay father? I didn’t hit you?”

“No. No, I am in perfect shape. For my age anyway.”

“Well . . . that’s good. I’ll see you around then father.” The man turned to get back in his car. It hit him just then. Priests were very involved with the slayers. If anyone knew where he could get help then this priest would.

“Um, Father . . .” said the man spinning around.

“Father Donovan.”

“Father Donovan. I need your help.”

“Oh?”

“Not that kind of help. It’s my sister.” he said pointing to the back seat. “She was bitten last night. I’d go to a hospital, but I don’t have insurance or any real way to pay, and there will be to many people to count trying to get help because of last night. I can’t wait father. Please do you know of anyone that I can go to?”

Father Donovan peered into the back seat. Her lips were white and sweat rolled down her forehead. Nodding he turned back to the young man.

“I know of someone who can help your sister. I’ll take you to her house.” The man leapt back into the car and unlocked the passenger seat in the front. Father Donovan got in and they drove off. “By the way, you can call me Father Don if you wish.”

“All right. I’m Ben.” Father Don looked back at the girl again.

“Do you want me to give her the last rights?”

“What? No She isn’t dying ” cried Ben.

“Are you sure?”

“She isn’t dying. No last rights.” insisted Ben furiously. Father Don sighed but said nothing more about it.

An hour passed but Ben finally pulled in front a very poor house. To his surprise it looked much worse then the one he lived in. Doubt flood over him as he pulled to stop. Getting out of the car he gently picked up his younger sister. The two of them walked up to the house slowly. When they got there Father Don seemed to be distracted and started to talk to himself while his eyes skimmed the ground.

“What the hell are you doing?” asked Ben staring the priest.

“You know I never really understood that.”

“What?”

“What the hell? What does the mean anyway. I understand what are you doing? But what is the point of what the hell?”

“Um.”

“I hope you don’t talk like that when your sister can hear you.”

“No.”

“Good.”

“Would you please tell me what you’re doing and stop playing mind games.”

“I’m trying to find the key.”

“To the house?”

“Well unless you want to break the door in and I don’t think Ivy would appreciate that.”

“Uh huh. That’s another thing. Not to sound distrustful of you or anything father, but are you sure you remember where Ivy lives?”

“I visit her a few times a week every week. I think I’d know by now where she resides.”

“But she is one of the most if not most famous slayer in this town. Don’t you think she’d live in a bit of a nicer setting.”

“No.”

“All right.”

“Think about it. You know she is famous as a slayer but what else do you know about her? Do you know what she likes to eat? Do you know who her friends are? Do you know her favorite music?”

“No.”

“That’s exactly the point. She’s a famous slayer nothing more. She can’t have a social life like other people. She can’t have countless friends. She can’t be above the radar. The risk she’d run by doing that would be to great. Who would think to look for her here.” Ben stood there silently for awhile. “AHA ” cried Father Don. He took four steps out then three steps to the left. Bending down he dug up the earth with his bare hands. About six inches down was a small box. He pulled it out then put the ground back as best he could. Opening the filthy container he pulled out a small key.

“So, does she have anyone she can talk with?”

“I just told you that I visited her a few times a week. Am I no one to you?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know what you meant young man. And yes she has one or two friends; I think.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“You can but that doesn’t mean I will be able to answer.”

“What kind of a person is Ivy?”

“Well. I’m not really sure how to describe her. You’ll find out soon enough. All I can tell you is she won’t be to happy to know that someone knows where she lives.”

Opening the door Father Don ushered Ben in to the living room. He had the young man place his sister on the couch. Right at that moment a large black dog lunged out from behind the couch. He faced Ben growling viciously.

“Mars behave.” said Father Don firmly. Whining a little Mars walked over to the little girl. He laid down on the couch putting his head on her body. Ben scoffed at the dog. He wasn’t fond of the species, but Mars liked little Mia so the animal couldn’t be all bad. Sitting next to the dog Ben looked back up at the priest.

“How do you know Ivy?” he questioned folding his arms.

“Ivy came here about a year after niece’s parents were murdered. Actually Sam is the whole reason Ivy is here. Sam made sure I was the first to know about Ivy. Ever since that time Ivy and I have kept in close contact. Actually Ivy was the one that pulled together all the slayers with in these past ten years. Ivy brought us into help with the slayers as well.”

“Us?”

“All the men of God so to speak.”

“And what is it that you do Father? Offer moral support?” questioned Ben a little arrogantly.

“You are a very rude person you know that young man?”

“Sorry.”

“Yes we are there for moral support. We are there to fight as well.”

“You fight?”

“You didn’t think we just sat around doing nothing all day and night did you?” Father Don looked down at his watch then glanced back up at Ben. “I have to leave soon Ben. I you want me to stay until Ivy returns, then I can call my associate pastor to take care of it.”

“No. It’s fine.” shaking Father Don’s hand he handed over the keys to his Oldsmobile.

“You can take my car for now.”

“What if I don’t meet up with you again?”

“Then I suppose the car will be yours.”

Father left and locked the door behind him. Thinking about it for a moment he chose to hold onto the key for the time being.

Ben gazed at Mia for a second then buried his face in his hands. Mars whimpered and crawled over to Ben. Nudging the man with his nose the shepherd placed his black head on his lap. Looking down at the dog Ben stroked his silk fur slowly.

The lights were fairly bright as Ivy paced down the steps of the Old Pottery store. The business had extended it’s basement large enough to fit around five hundred people. There were only three hundred slayers total but it didn’t matter. Chairs were set up in neat rows, and there was a sound system in the front of the room. When everyone was settled in there places Ivy went to the sound system and got everything set up. Handing the microphone to Lou she sat down on the stair case and picked up a large brown box.

“Hello? Hello? Can everyone focus please ” called out Lou sitting down. His eyes were dim and his limbs ached horribly. Everyone took a seat and faced forward. “Now I know that everyone is tired, so I will try to make this as quick as possible.” All the slayers were now completely silent. “I have been informed that the Vampires do intend to launch a final strike. I think that it’s safe to assume, they have some tricks up their sleeves. It also now apparent that the werewolves are conspiring with the vampires. The matter has become more serious then anyone here realizes.

I know you all don’t want to hear this, but that means we’ll have to train longer and harder. Ivy will be going to as many of you as she can get a hold of. She will do sessions one on one with you, as will I. We don’t have much time.

Unfortunately we are not fully aware of what they are planning. We have to be ready.”

“How can we be ready?” shouted out a middle-ages man. He rose up so all would clearly see him. “There is an agent hiding among us at this very moment. It could be you.” he continued as he pointed directly at Ivy. There was a small pause and Ivy’s eyes flashed. “It could be me, or even one of the children that help us on occasion. This traitor is with us and has been for months. They leak everything that is said in this room.” Lou rubbed his eyes to tired to fight with the man. Looking to a reluctant Ivy he handed her the microphone.

“Sit down Adam. Now.” she thundered at him frustrated. Adam glared at her but did as she told. “Look, I understand the situation . . . as does Lou and everyone in this basement. That is why Lou and I never reveal everything to you. I also know that one of us could be the spy, but you’ll just have to take that chance. You know we have undercover agents of our own.”

“Why should we be silent? Why should we trust you?” he retorted making a fist.

“Because you don’t stand a chance against me.” replied Ivy calmly. She gazed directly in his eyes.

“What happens if this traitor is found?”

“You bring them back to Lou or me, until something can be done.”

“To hell with that. The spy should die for putting us at risk!” Well the rest of the slayers had, had enough of the silence. Almost half the room erupted in agreement with Adam. The other half defended what Ivy had been saying.

Ivy’s weary gaze fell on Lou. Reaching under her chair she picked up a blow horn. She handed it to him and nodded.

“Care to do the honors?” she asked. A smile spread across his tired face. Ivy covered her ears and waited. A few moments later a huge blaring ring made the entire room jump back in surprise. Silence took hold of the group once more.

“Now you listen and you listen well.” she snapped walking swiftly to Adam’s seat. “You will find, and you will detain, but you will not harm. If I discover a dead body because of this, I will find out who killed them. I will hunt down who it was, and I will kill you the same way you killed the spy. You took oaths. All of you did. If you don’t like the rules, then there’s the door.” she said pointing up the stairs. Turning she grabbed her brown box disappearing up the stairs.

“I think that’s all.” said Lou. “Go home, all of you. Sleep, spend time with your families. You won’t see much of them in the coming days.” The meeting soon broke up. Everyone dispersed quickly. Father Don stood next to the basement door in silence as the crowd slowly left. He searched each face with speed. Soon a young woman appeared in front of him. Her straight blonde hair was pulled back in a bun, and her soft green eyes glimmered. Throwing her hands around his neck she gave him a loving hug.

“Hello Uncle Don.”

“Hello Sammy.” he said returning the hug. Samantha walked behind the front counter. She worked at this Old Pottery house. That was part of the reason why the basement had been extended for the slayers. “How did the meeting go?” he asked following Sam to the counter.

“Adam was causing trouble again. I’m worried he could be leading people in the wrong direction with his good intentions.”

“Ah well. Just make sure that Lou keeps an eye on him. Sammy?”

“Yes?”

“You can’t keep doing this. There isn’t enough time. The slayers need to know.”

“I know, I know that. I just need a little more time.”

“Sam!”

“I just need to finish collecting some things. I have to make some preparations.”

“How much longer?”

“A few days, maybe a week at most.”

“It will be easier for you, this secret is revealed.”

“Maybe not. If the vampires find out, then they’ll be able to trace . . .”

“And if you don’t then no one can help protect you.”

“I’ve done fine the past ten years.”

“You’ve had some close calls.”

“Fine, three days. Just three days.”

“All right. OH! Before I forget, something Ivy might want to know” the conversation was interrupted abruptly by a young teenage girl. She ran to Father Don in tears pleading him to come to the hospital.

“Go on. Whatever you have to say can wait.” said Sam getting back to her work.

“Yes, it can wait.” Father Don said goodbye then left.

Ivy rode in silence back to her house. She drove a large rusty van, and though it looked bad the engine was still very good. The back seats of her vehicle had been removed. Those spaces were now reserved for any weapons she carried. Ivy glanced in her rear view mirror. It was getting hard to see again. Dusk was approaching, and nerves were in the air.

Not many, however, hid tonight. They continued doing their jobs while the slayers patrolled the streets. No where near the number attacks occurred tonight or any other night that occurred under the full moon.

Stopping the van about a block from her home Ivy glanced all around. Finally satisfied that no one was near by she got out and rushed back to her house.

A small fear dove into Ivy’s stomach. She looked at the ground like she always did. Someone had found the key. Ivy couldn’t recall one person that knew about the key. With a quick motion of the hand a gun was in her palm. Gripping the weapon tightly she entered the house.

Mars started to thump his tail but remained by Ben. Looking down at the shepherd Ben rose to his feet. No distinct sounds could be heard. He stepped forward shivering as a cool breeze brushed by him. The next moment a cocking gun rung in his ears. A cold piece of metal pressed up against the base of his skull.

“Who are you?” hissed the voice.