Page 55 of The Diary of the Vam'pir Jacques

By sunset, we’d saved as many as possible.

Marel had kept count of the youth that we had saved, numbering over five thousand when we fled with a mob on our tail.

We were all good swimmers, fortunately, and swam with ease towards the boats. Then we set sail for Mora.

Angry parents cried and cursed, but we were not taking the children back. Tragically, many of them had to be sedated as they tried to climb overboard into the heaving sea.

Halfway to Mora, a curse struck as a large wave upended one of the boats. We lost fifteen children, but the Vam’pirs had immediately dived in, knowing that we could not drown.Luckily, the boat had only been half full and had three hundred children on board, but to lose even fifteen was a tragedy in itself.

I swear the Creator helped us that night because we made it back through storm-ridden seas and huge waves to reach Mora without any further loss.

That journey would stay in my mind forever. The cries and screams of the children were heart-breaking to hear, and there was nothing we could do to reassure them. It was as if they knew they wouldn’t see their families again.

I didn’t believe in taking youngsters away unless it was absolutely in the child’s best interest. This was one situation that was necessary.

The waves made sailing perilous, and we were lucky only to lose just one boat. They rose higher than the ships, and we were tossed about like matchsticks.

Several times, Vam’pirs jumped in the roiling waves to balance a ship or stop one tipping over. Our strength kept the fleet alive and together. This was a miraculous feat in itself.

Finally, we were glad to see the shores of Mora in the darkness. Some thoughtful people had lit flares that would survive anything the weather could throw at us. The lights were like a welcoming beacon, and we steered for them, relieved to be home and safe.

As we dragged the children onto the beach, there was a bright flare. The impact of the comet in Iceland was so strong that it was felt worldwide. We were all knocked to the ground and prayed nothing more would happen. The children who’d been drugged were wide awake now and hysterical.

We desperately tried to regain order, and we adults feared that something else would happen. Mercilessly, we bullied the children into lines and made them begin to march through the forest towards high ground. Towering above Mora were huge cliffs, and they were what we were aiming for.

Marel, who had made it onto one of the boats, much to our relief, forced the youngsters to jog. He felt that something momentous was going to happen, and panic rose in him. It was best to listen as Marel was not someone to panic needlessly. Three hours remained until daybreak, and Vam’pirs could easily transport to our caves when we needed to. We could wait until the very last minute since it would only take a second or two.

Behind us, there came a loud noise and when we glanced back, there was a huge wave rushing towards us. From our vantage point, it looked to be at least a mile high, possibly even two. The jog broke into a frantic run as we grabbed the babies and toddlers, who lagged behind and screamed at the children to hurry. There was no mistaking a tsunami.

It was a desperate race against time because, although the wave was a way out, it was gaining momentum and getting higher. I thought my heart would burst as the Vam’pir’s transported one and then another child.

We were dizzy but kept going as the younger children who couldn’t run that fast were in danger of drowning. I had just grabbed one of the last who had fallen and hurt his knee when the wave hit.

The scene resembled something from a film.

The noise of it was horrendous and sounded like a thousand planes crashing at once. A roar deafened us and some even burst their eardrums, literally. The noise drowned out our terrified cries, and some children fell unconscious on the floor. They were the lucky ones.

Others watched with fear-filled eyes as the waves hit the beach with tremendous force and wiped Mora completely from sight.

The wave knocked trees and boulders down as if they had been merely daisies in the sun.

I looked, scared, as the wave swept further and further inland, completely wiping any evidence of civilisation away.

I was afraid it would reach us on the high cliffs, and although it came three-quarters of the way up, we were safe. It was fascinating, I must admit.

I was filled with wild, primal feelings; nature was doing what she did best. Cautiously, I hugged the edge of the cliff, watching awe-struck.

The waves were a dark blue, and the white of the swells shone clearly into the night sky. Then, as we looked out to sea, we saw another huge wave coming. Despite our desire to stay, it was deemed that the children had had more than their share. Wearily, we made our way back to our caves while the remaining human adults transported to New Kaltos and told them we needed help.

The New Kaltons were deeply angry and upset at the fact the children had been taken without their parent’s permission. This caused more heated words between the Morans and New Kaltons, but they still took the kids in.

Fortunately for the children, there was at least one person (if not family) that they knew, and so they weren’t housed with complete strangers.

Brothers and sisters were kept together, and that made the experience a little less frightening for them. Vam’pirswerenot monsters and wished to minimise the trauma as much as possible.

I considered the feelings of Mihal or our other children if any of them had been in that situation. I knew his heart would be broken, and he would be terrified of his kidnappers. Logically, I suggested we leave the New Kaltons alone for a few days to let things settle.

Although concerned about the children’s welfare, we were also grateful not to have to look after them.

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