Chapter 7 -- The Becoming

         When they arrived at the apartment building Carol directed Malone to a space in the underground garage, next to the elevator. Together they helped David to his apartment on the twelfth floor. Once inside Malone said, “You’re home, detective. Just take those pills and go to bed.”

         Half an hour later Carol came out of the bedroom. “He was in so much pain, but the pills seemed to help and now he’s asleep.”

         Malone handed her a cup of coffee. “I hope you don’t mind. I was hungry, so I made coffee and some sandwiches.” He held out a plate to her. “Do you want one? They’re ham and Swiss cheese with mustard.”

         Carol smiled. “Yes, thank you.” She took the plate and sat at the table.

         As she sipped her coffee, Malone sat on the chair across from her. He watched her for a while and then asked, “Doesn’t it bother you that the man you plan to marry is—”

         “—Vampyra?” She finished his question. “No, I’ve known from the day I met him.”

         Malone titled his head and stared at her. “How did you know?”

         “I fell in love with him. It was love at first sight so I knew he had to be Vampyra.”

         “I don’t understand.”

         “When I was sixteen my Uncle Harold told me was destined to marry a Vampyra and that I would know and love him from the moment we met. When I met David, I knew instantly that he was the man my uncle told me about.”

         “Your uncle told you about David when you were only sixteen.” Malone shook his head. “How did he know?”

         “Uncle Harold is a gifted clairvoyant; all of his prophecies come true.” She looked at Malone over her coffee cup. “By the way, he’s Vampyra.”

         “You have an uncle who’s Vampyra.”

         “Yes, He and my Aunt Julie have been happily married for fifty-five years. My friend, there are many more Ordinaries who know and keep your secret than you have ever imagined.”

         “Did this favorite uncle make any predictions about your child?”

         “Child?”

         “You are pregnant, aren’t you? I assume; it’s David’s, though neither of you has told anyone.”

         “Of course, it’s David’s. He says if Santin finds out it would put both the baby and me in danger.”

         “Yes, it would. Be very careful. If I can tell by looking at you, Santin may be able to as well.” Malone saw fear in her eyes. “But don’t worry. Santin doesn’t stand a chance now that David has become. Would you like to see what he looks like?” Malone took out his cell phone and pushed a button.

         “You took a picture?”

         “Yes, three actually, from different angles. It ‘s not every day one gets to see a genuine warrior.” As Carol looked at the pictures, he asked, “Are you sure you can love the beast as well as the man?”

         “Beast? Do you see a beast? All I see, in that face and those eyes, is my David.”

         Malone smiled broadly. “Are you sure you aren’t Vampyra?

         “Yes, I’m very ordinary.”

         “Lady, there’s nothing ordinary about you,” he said laughing. “You’re extraordinary and I hope David truly appreciates what he has in you.”

         “How about you?” Carol asked. “I see a gold ring on your left hand. Is there a Mrs. Malone?”

         “Yes.” He pressed another button on his cell phone and showed Carol a picture of a beautiful woman with brown hair and large green eyes. “Her name is Anna.”

         “Shouldn’t you call her and let her know where you are?”

         “She’s Vampyra. We are linked; she knows where I am at all times.”

         When they finished eating, Carol yawned. “I think I’d better go to bed now. Besides I have a strange feeling that David shouldn’t be alone tonight.”

         “Yes, Anna was with me the night of my becoming. It was a great comfort. The medication has put him into a deep sleep, but he will still know you’re there.” He looked into the living room. “Will it bother you if I turn on the TV?”

         “Not at all,” she said. “But you should get some sleep.”

         “Not tonight. Tonight I’m your watchdog.” His eyes turned red and his face changed.

         Carol looked at the wolf/man sitting across the table. “Thank you, Tim. I’m glad you’re here.”

         As she closed the bedroom door she heard him say, “Extraordinary.”

         Carol woke up with a feeling that something was not right. The green glow of the clock read 3AM. David was lying quietly beside her, too quietly. She turned on the light to get a better look. She screamed, “Malone, get in here. Something is wrong with David. He’s not breathing." She tilted his head back and blew into his mouth.

         When Malone opened the door, Carol told him, “He’s not breathing; I can’t find a pulse.”

         Malone said, “Let’s get him on the floor.” He lifted David off the bed, and then knelt beside him and began CPR. Malone counted the compressions and then leaned back on his heels as Carol breathed into David’s mouth. As they repeated the cycles, they talked.

         “What happened?” Malone asked.

         “I’m not sure but the bandage on his right hand is bloody. I think must have something to do with the blood link.”

         “What blood link?”

         “He did a blood link yesterday morning and it went wrong. He couldn’t completely break the link.” She gave David another breath. “He told me every time something happens to Phillip Kent the link kicks in. Shouldn’t we call 911?”

         Malone shook his head as he did the next series of compressions. “No, just keep going. If this is because of the link, this is his only chance.”

         “I don’t understand.”

         Malone continued. “Kent stopped breathing so the link kicked in and David stopped breathing. We have to keep David’s heart pumping and oxygen moving until either the hospital gets Kent’s heart going again or he dies. Which ever happens, the link will break and David should recover.”

         “Are you sure?”

         As Malone watched her blow another breath into David, he decided not to answer. After all he wasn’t sure; he’d never dealt with anything like this before.

         Carol cried as they continued working for what felt like hours. While Malone did compressions, she called David’s name, hoping he would wake up and end the nightmare. She looked at the phone, wanting to call for help, but what if Malone was right and this was David’s only hope. As she bent down to give him another breath David’s eyes opened and he began coughing. Malone pulled him up into a sitting position with his back against the side of the bed and Carol got David a glass of water.

         After a few sips the coughing stopped and David was able to talk. “Call the hospital,” he said. “Santin got into Kent’s room and injected something into the IV.”

         Malone picked up the phone. When he put it back down again he said, “Kent went into cardiac/pulmonary arrest at 2:55 am and was declared dead about five minutes ago.”

         David started pulling at the bandage on his right hand. Carol said, “Give me your hand.” She cut the bandage off with a pair of scissors.

         David looked at his palm. “There’s nothing.”

         “Of course,” said Malone. “Kent is dead and the blood link is broken. Are you sure it was Santin?”

         “Yes, the link kicked in and I was seeing through Kent’s eyes. Santin was standing by his bed with a syringe. He injected something into the IV and then held Kent down so he couldn’t call for help. Just before Kent passed out, Santin looked into his eyes and laughed. He said he like the idea of getting two birds with one stone.”

         Malone nodded. “It sounds like Satin believes he got you as well as Kent. How did he get by the guard?”

         “He’s altered his appearance. He has lightened his hair, shaved off his beard and hidden his scar with makeup. He was wearing tinted glasses, a white doctor’s coat and carrying a stethoscope. The guard probably believed he was a doctor.” David got up and sat on the side of the bed. “It may work to our advantage that he believes I’m dead.”

         Malone nodded. “It may put him off his guard.” He looked at the clock. It’s only four-thirty. You both should try to get some sleep. I’ll call the captain and let him know what has happened.” Malone closed the door as he left the room.

         David leaned back against the headboard and put his arm around Carol. With his free hand he used a tissue from the nightstand to wipe her eyes. “Please don’t cry. Everything is going to be alright.”

         “I was so scared,” she said. “I woke up and you were dead.”

         “Actually, I wasn’t.”

         “David, you were dead! You weren’t breathing, your heart had stopped.”

         “I know how it appeared, but I wasn’t. It was worse. Kent struggled to breath. When he passed out and I suddenly found myself…” David paused for a moment. “I don’t know how to explain. It was as though I was drifting in total darkness. I didn’t know where I was, and I was afraid that I’d never see you again.” He tightened his hold on Carol. “But then I heard you.”

         “You heard me?”

         “Yes, I heard you calling my name. Your voice gave me something to focus on and find my way back. I opened my eyes and there you were, bending over me. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

         They held each other tightly and shared a long, passionate kiss. Then David whispered in her ear. “I don’t care what Malone says. I don’t think sleep is what either of us needs right now.” He turned off the bedside lamp and returned to Carol’s arms.



To Be Continued