Tears of Blood
Remember when I said I’d do a mini series? Yeah. Sorry it took two weeks, but it’s here now.
CW: 1st person POV, post- apocalypse, orphans, minor deaths, gun, gun violence, death by gun violence, vampire whumpee, captivity, shady apocalypse survivor group, ask to tag more
———
The thing I can remember most about it my life is being alone.
When I was very young, I lived with my sisters. But when the land started to decay, and strange creatures were found roaming, my oldest sister set out to ask what was happening. She did not return.
For a long time, it was just me and Lola. She forbid me from going outside the far gate, which separated our home from the rest of the world. For a long, long time, I didn’t know anyone my age. I didn’t know anyone at all. Just me and Lola, Lola and I.
And then, suddenly, it was just me.
A man tried to come into our house. He had a weapon that I’ve never seen before, but it made a very loud noise. Lola told me to run to the lake that was visible from our house. She had a shed there. I was supposed to hide there and she’d come for me.
But she never came. When it got dark, I went back to the house. They were both dead in the front yard, stranger and sister, not too far from one another.
So I’ve been on my own ever since.
I learned many things from some of Lola’s journals that I took. Like how, after the land rotted, many people became desperate and wicked. They saw rapidly depleting resources every moment and monsters in the corners of their eyes. It was interesting to learn how quickly people turn on each other when they think they or a loved one is being threatened.
So with the land loosing power and something making people more prone to violence, the world descended into chaos. There’s supposedly still governments and large society, but most people live with just their family or a small group these days.
I wonder why Lola never had us join a group. We could’ve certainly used it over the years. A teenager and a kid living on their own off a dying land surrounded by monsters wasn’t that easy, I won’t lie. Perhaps she was just scared of the thing that got our older sister. I was so young, I don’t even remember her name, and it’s too painful for Lola to talk about. She was twelve at the time.
It must’ve been terrifying to suddenly be all on her own with a toddler to care for and creepy, violent strangers to look out for. She did her best, and I’m proud of her. I really miss her, but there’s not time to think about it. The little game we had at home is too hard to manage by myself, plus I want to join a group. I mean, the house also holds too many memories of Lola, but I’m actively trying to not think about that right now!
…It’s funny. The more you try to not think of something, the more you think about it.
Anyway! So there I was, setting off to a new adventure!
I could only hope everything went well.
—
I ended up finding a group!
So, there I was, walking along the road. I had been for days, and although I had found edible plants here and there, I was starving.
I happened upon a little creek and decided to get some water when I noticed some small white flowers. Wild carrots! They were small, but I took what I got.
After pulling them up and starting to wash them in the river, I heard a tiny gasp. I turned and saw two kids in the forest. Looking further, there was a cautious teenager also in the woods, further back than the kids.
“How did you know how to find carrots?” One kid asked.
“My sister taught me. She told me all about what plants to eat and ones to avoid. Where’d you come from, though? Is there a settlement around here?”
The teen huffed.
“Better question is where are you from? We don’t usually get strangers in our woods. At least not ones with friendly intentions.”
Oh yeah. Probably should’ve thought of that. I put my hands in the air.
“I don’t mean any trouble! My name is Yvette. I come from an area about 6 days walk from here. I was just my family, and after an attack, I left. Now I’m trying to find another group to live with. So, if there’s people here, I’d love to talk with your leader or whatever and figure something out. Please.”
I added that ‘please’ as an afterthought. Some politeness couldn’t hurt.
The teenager considered her for a long time.
“You can forage, right? Can you do it well?”
“Yes and yes. I probably know every edible plant in this area. Like right below your shoulder, there’s some mushrooms on that beech tree. We call it chicken of the woods. Very tasty.”
“We could use an experienced forager. No promises though! I’m just going to bring you to the leader.”
I nodded. I had expected as much.
We go back to their camp. There’s a huge fence with barb wire at the top. Two guards waited at the gate. One nodded to me.
“Who’s that?”
“This is Yvette. Her group got attacked, but she wants to join us. She can forage and stuff.”
The guards looked at each other.
“Bring her to the boss, I guess.”
Eee, I’m so excited and nervous! This is all so weird.
They lead me through the camp. There’s lots of people here! Maybe 20 or 30. More than I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to meet all of them. Their eyes seemed to follow me warily though. One mouths something to me, but I don’t catch what it was. I don’t know much about people, but that seemed unnecessarily ominous. I hope this isn’t one of those weird groups that Lola was always scared about.
There’s a big house at the center of town with a barn attached. An old man sits on the porch, but quickly stands when we arrive. I think he’s the leader.
“What is this? Who are you?”
Everyone looks at me. Apparently it’s up to me to defend myself.
“Oh! Um, hello. My name is Yvette. My family was attacked and I was the only one left. I can fight and I’m fast. I am a experienced forager. There’s so much food right outside your gates that is going unused. I’d do my part and be an excellent member of this group. I’d really like to join, if you’ll let me. Please, uh, sir.”
The man studied me, then glanced at the barn.
“Let me show you something. Then when can talk.”
He started to walk to the barn and I followed. The teenager and the guards looked afraid. One of them even grabbed my arm.
“Are you sure, boss? Isn’t it dangerous-“
“I’m sure. We have to be very careful about kind of people we bring in here. And don’t worry,” he said, turning to me. “I can keep the danger in check. You’ll be fine.”
There’s something very wrong with this place. I don’t like this man or his barn. I would like to leave. Something in me tells me this is my only chance.
“Actually, I don’t think I want to-“ My voice dies in my throat as the doors to the barn swing open.
Immediately, there’s a rattling and the sound of something scurrying. Twin red lights shoot forward at us. The guards swear and jump back, as do I, but the man stands still. There’s a clang, and as my eyes adjust, I see that the thing inside the barn had to tried to run, but a large, thick chain kept it back. The red lights were it’s eyes, glowing scarlet irises staring at the man. It’s mouth was tapped shut, but I knew that sharp fangs lied beneath.
I had heard of this creature only once before, when Lola told me why she thought our oldest sister never returned.
“A vampire… It’s a vampire.”
The man nodded.
“The secret to our success. No one must ever know.” He studied my face. “You seemed so eager to prove yourself before. Will you still stay, dedicate yourself to the group?”
I didn’t really want to find out what would happen if I said no. Besides, I was probably just being paranoid. I had never met anyone outside my family that I can remember. These people weren’t weird or threatening. It was fine, I was fine!
“Yeah. I mean, yes! I will dedicate myself to the group and be a good member. I won’t tell anyone about the, uh, vampire.”
The man eyed me suspiciously.
“Time will tell, child. For now, get some rest. You,” he gestured to a guard. “Take her to her room.”
Despite all my self assurances, I still felt really, really bad feeling about this.
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