Page 6 of Thicker than Blood

Meredith gives me a sympathetic look.Yeah, how could we?

“I’m gonna collect some samples.” I brush past the lingering sadness mention of the war always brings.

“It can wait,” Meredith says. “The Collectors will be here soon and we’re going to bring all the bodies back to the facility.”

“Just one or two. I won’t be able to sleep now, so I might as well get started.”

She nods. “Very well.”

I hurry back into the park to gather blood and tissue. I’ll be looking for disease or antibodies that differ from our baseline samples. We’ve identified the exact gene mutation that causes the vampirism but not yet when it shows up. We’re fairly sure it’s not present immediately following being turned, but develops over time as the vampire’s blood takes over the body. None of these people were turned, but the blood is fresh and will give me new samples of attack victims for later comparison.

Cringing a little, I focus on the task and not on the familiar faces I see around town. Greg from the butcher shop, Sue Lin from the bakery, and I think the man in the green jacket is Henryfrom the post office. Innocent people who were just living their lives. At least they didn’t attack any kids.

I shove the specimen slides into plastic bags and tuck them inside my camera bag. I always keep a few sample collection bags handy just in case. Three vans arrive just as I’m walking back to Brenda to go to the lab. The Collectors, a group of volunteers, will gather the bodies into bags and transport them to the lab.

Back in my car, I drive to work, my focus torn between navigating the snowy roads and the events of the evening. It doesn’t take long for visions of the war to return. Not a single night goes by that I don’t relive the worst moments of it. All because a group of teens with smartphones captured a vampire attack in the park and posted it on social media.

Our eyes were opened to the existence of the supernatural world, but my beliefs were just confirmed. My fascination with the world beyond the veil was a constant subject of torment for me. From my parents to the teachers to my classmates, everyone thought I was weird and let me know it.

I didn’t have time to feel vindicated though in the face of hundreds, maybe thousands of vampires around the world stepping out of the shadows and revealing themselves. I was stunned to learn there were so many right here in Paloma Park. People I interacted with every day at the grocery store, the shopping centers, the businesses I frequented. Vampires in Wisconsin. Go figure.

It didn’t take an advanced degree to realize life as we knew it would never be the same, but I never anticipated the massive impact it would have on my own. I shake my head to keep the thoughts at bay. I have work to do, and I don’t have time to wallow in memories of things I can’t do anything about.

Pulling into the parking lot of the research center, I dip my head to look out at the five-story building, checking for any signsof danger. If I were a pissed off vampire, this is one of the first places I’d come. At least, that’s my thought. It’s because of the research we do that we’ve created so many of the rules that keep the peace between the two groups.

Finding the snow undisturbed and nothing but silence, I carefully exit the car. Not to say that a vampire couldn’t be stealthy. That’s kind of their schtick. I reach into the car and grab my camera bag, then walk briskly to the front door, where I use my keycard to buzz myself in.

Carina and Paul, the two night guards during the week, are at their posts as always, one at the front door and one near the back. Both are looking down at their phones, following the attack, I assume.

Carina looks up first, flinching at my presence. “Geordi.” She blows out a breath. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Sorry to startle you. I was purposely being quiet. Any activity here?”

She shakes her head. “No. Do you think they might come?”

“No idea, but you know the protocol if they do. Head for the safe room.”

She nods, her face revealing the fear she’s feeling. I wish I could reassure her, but I’m just as worried.

I wave to Paul before pushing the elevator button for the third floor where my workspace is, anxious to get the samples under the microscope. Maybe I’ll find a clue that can help us. We were unprepared the first time, but we have a lot more information on our side now.

I can only hope it makes a difference.

CHAPTER 3

Elias

After touring the city with Benicio to see the damage firsthand, I return to my home, only to find a large gathering of nervous vampires. They all turn to me as one, their glowing eyes and agitated energy hitting me in a wave.

I hold up my hands as I approach, saying, “I know as much as you do. Did any of you witness the attacks or recognize the vampire who spoke on the broadcast?”

“I might have.” The voice comes from within the group, and as they part, a man appears. He has a slight build and isn’t very tall, but he carries himself with quiet confidence. “I’m Titus.”

I nod, surveying the vampire. I sense that he’s not very old, and his energy toward me is positive. “What do you know?”

“I think I recognized the vampire who spoke. He’s changed since I last saw him, but I swear he used to live in Barcelona in the early nineteen hundreds.”

Ah. Older than I thought.

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