Blood of the Past
eight

“They’re pissed. Trying to replace a way to get to you with the least amount of casualties,” Marcos said while leaning against the wall.

I nodded a bit, looking at my stomach. “Well, this baby isn’t growing any slower.” My bump had grown some, telling me it had been a while since I’d seen the light of day. I missed the warm sun against my skin, and the breeze in my fur. I missed the feel of nature.

Marcos was silent for a moment. “I did have family, before all of this went down that is. Before I became a vampire.”

Looking at him, I gestured for him to go on.

“I became a vampire to spare my sister. Where I come from, we are told the tales of vampires lurking in the dark. We’re warned never to be outside past dark.” He laughed. “It sounds like just a children’s scary story. But my sister was stubborn, like you. She would insist on breaking the rules. She didn’t believe in folklore. She thought vampires were made up.”

I drank some water to stay hydrated.

“She snuck out one night to go to a party. She had so badly wanted everyone to like her so she would do anything to go. When our parents found out, they made me go, too, just to make sure she was safe. So I found out where the party was and I found her having sex with one of the boys. Turns out he was her boyfriend. Mom and dad would never allow that, much less allow her to even have sex.” He inhaled sharply. “But I kept her secret for her. I promised I wouldn’t tell if she would at least come home with me. It wasn’t the best experience to catch your little sister in that position with another boy, but she was at least safe. She wasn’t dead on the streets.”

“Were you always close?”

“Always. Two peas in a pod.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “So when some guys stopped us on our way home, I didn’t hesitate to protect her. They were disgusting. Vile. Talked about all the ways they could play with her, like she was some rag doll. They were fast, though. Too fast… they had her in their arms in seconds. I tried to fight, but there were so many of them and they were stronger. I panicked when they had her face pressed against the brick wall. I told them they could do whatever they wanted with me if they just let her get home safely.”

I swallowed, getting a good idea of what they would have done to her. Vampires were brutal.

“They agreed.” He nodded a bit. “They turned me to make sure I wouldn’t run or go back on my word. But that wasn’t the worst pain I’ve felt.” Something tragic hung in his eyes. “My parents lost two children that night. They lied to me. I tried to stop them, but they were too strong. They made me watch as they all took turns with her.” He choked on a sob. “I can’t get her cries out of my head. She kept screaming for me to help but I couldn’t protect her. And when their sick game was over, they snapped her neck.”

Tears sat at the brim of my eyelids. “Shit, Marcos. I am so sorry…” I got off the bed and walked towards him. “You did not deserve that, and she certainly didn’t deserve any of it either.” I reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him to me. I hugged him as tight as I could, letting him cry into my shoulder. He had more reason to hate the vampires than we did. They ripped his sister from him. They made him watch.

Marcos gripped my back, holding on like I was the sister he had missed so much. I wish I had been.

After some time, he let go of me, lifting his head. “I never got a chance to protect her from the evil, so I want to protect you and your baby. If I can just save you…”

I reached up and grabbed his face. “You can’t pin any blame on yourself. There were too many of them and they were stronger. I’m sure she’s looking down on you right now, and I’m sure she understands.”

“I don’t know if she does…”

“She does, Marcos. She doesn’t blame you for trying to protect her.”

He inhaled. “If I had not taken her home, she would have stayed at the party until everyone left. She could have gotten a ride home.”

“And they would have found her all the same. She never would have known how much you tried for her, or how much you loved her. She would never have seen you sacrifice yourself for her safety.”

All hope and love left his eyes, leaving behind sorrow and tragedy. I wanted to help him. I wanted to bring her back. I wanted to do something other than stand here, but I had no power.

Marcos leaned forward, resting his chin on the top of my hair. He didn’t say a word, and neither did I. I let him stay there because the best I could provide for him was to be the arms that embraced him when he needed it most.

Footsteps grew louder the closer they got to the door, and Marcos wrapped both arms around my waist. “Pretend you’re passed out,” he whispered. Just as the knob turned, I fell limp in his arms and closed my eyes.

“What the hell is this?”

“She passed out from dehydration.”

“Why does it smell like piss then?”

“I think she’s been drinking it to stay alive.”

“Fucking nasty.” The door shut behind him.

I was laid on something soft and as I opened my eyes, Marcos squeezed my hand, whispering, “Thank you.”