This will be deleted soon - The Wrong Hope *Complete and Free*

16. Stay Down

Guy

Year: 1983 Summer

I was glad to be heading to the car and out of that God damned diner. Whole thing was way too close to being a s**t storm. Christ, God damn nosey b***h had almost sent the whole plan nose diving into the ground. Maybe I was being a tad dramatic but I never had the patience for this kinda s**t. It was bad enough having to play nice with Sally-Anne let alone every sap we bump into. f**k I needed a smoke. I leant against the car and pulled one out the pack. Sally-Anne stood a few feet away holding her coffee and the to-go box Jo had given her. Well at least that was something. Little snack for me later, no way my little newbie Vamp here was going to be able to choke that down.

Feeling more relaxed now that we were in the open air and the threat of having to deal with the authorities had passed I gave Miss Brice a cursory once over. Certainly that little meet and greet had done her some good but I didn’t give a s**t. She was the key to the treasure trove, nothing more. I needed to get the stash and be done with her - not be the vehicle for her road to self discovery. I made some quick decisions. The bandana she could keep, it was much better than looking at her ugly shaved head, but the rest had to go – the brightness in her eyes, the way she stood a little taller with a smattering of confidence and certainly that little drop of hope, hope that she could do this, that she could live this way. I’d seen it form the moment that stupid b***h server had wrapped her arms around Sally-Anne in a heart felt goodbye.

“Good job in there Sally-Anne.” I said keeping my tone light and a smile on my lips.

“Thanks!” She gushed “I can’t believe I did it, I was so scared I was going to hurt her but you really helped me through. I thought it would be so much harder, especially after I caught her scent. Oh she smelt delicious.” Delighted with herself, Sally-Anne gave me a big smile before taking a swig of her coffee. Truly it was a beautiful smile. I was starting to see the appeal.

“I meant on the cover story.” I gave her a look that I hoped had just the right amount of annoyance and disgust. “Patting yourself on the back for not eating the waitress shouldn’t be something to be happy about because Jo shouldn’t have been on the menu to start with; no matter how delicious she smelt.” I pretty much spat the words before emphasising the word delicious. Her face said it all.

The smile went first, then her shoulders hunched and her eyes lowered to the parking lot tarmac. I decided to push just a little further still.

“Don’t kid yourself, blood will always be top of the list. You’re a monster now parading around in a Sally-Anne skin suit.” She flinched, at my words or at my tone or both. I didn't give a s**t. “Get in the car.” I snapped flicking my glowing cigarette butt into the night. She didn’t move.

“Get. In. The. Car.” I repeated with more vehemence.

“Guy.” She said my name with desperation and need. I liked that. Obviously it was the thirst that had her calling my name but it didn’t stop me imagining. For the briefest moment I fantasised about taking her against the car, her lips uttering my name, a plea to quench a different kind of thirst. Holy s**t I needed to get a grip.

“Hold on Sally-Anne, I gottcha.” I told her calmly while walking to the trunk where the cooler was. The lighting wasn’t great so I had to slide out a couple of bottles before I found a white cap one. It was tempting to be cruel by just giving her the ice cold blood but I'd knocked her pretty hard already. She stood perfectly still, probably battling the instinct to tear into my throat as I approached. I was ready just encase she tried something after - all her teeth and claws were insanely sharp and deadly, just in her current state she lacked the strength to be entirely effective with them.

“Steady Sally-Anne.” I cautioned her, “It’s very cold so I’m going to put some in your coffee.” Jo had refilled it for her pretty much on the way out of the door so it should be plenty warm enough. Eyes on her I lifted the lid and let the blood pour into the cup with a thick glugging noise before pressing it back down and stepping away. She drank it immediately, pulling a face at the taste. Begrudgingly I made some room in my own cup by taking a big mouthful before topping it up with blood and handing it to her. Sally-Anne took it gratefully mouthing her thanks and wincing at each sip. Instead of putting the half empty bottle back in the cooler I slipped it in my jacket so it would warm up for her. Look at me playing nice.

She took a little longer to finish the second cup but not by much. With misery etched on her face she stared into space, arms limp at her sides, the coffee cup hanging tentatively from the tips of her pale fingers.

“Time to go.” I said and she moved quietly to the front passenger door and got in. Making sure the cooler was secure I closed the trunk and got in the driver's seat.

“How about you start on some of those questions that ya got for me?” I tried while putting the key in the ignition.

“Why? It’s stupid to bother, I’ll be dead soon.” She spoke in a monotone voice.

“Ah, naw Sally-Anne, don’t be like that.” Christ this girl was a nightmare, you try to push her one way and instead you end up free falling into the void. “Sorry I was mean, I’m not used to Vamps being well behaved like you.”

“Really?” She whispered.

“Ye, really.” I lied “You’re really brave and very moral, it’s impressive.”

She nodded, not quite believing the words I said. Ah f**k I didn’t want to drive off with this killjoy leaching my happy vibes. I decided on a change of direction. I removed my flask from inside my jacket and took a swig before offering it to Sally-Anne.

“What is it?” She said hesitantly.

“Whisky.” I replied with a grin.

“I’m not old enough to drink alcohol.” She pulled her hand away, setting it in her lap.

I fake coughed, still holding out the flask.

“You’re 50. Plenty old enough.” I retorted with a playful snort.

Sally-Anne looked at me, open mouthed. I struggled to hide my amusement as she opened and closed it, not quite deciding on how to respond.

“49 and a half.” She corrected me, snatching the flask and taking a mouthful. “Ugh, how do you drink that?” Sally-Anne said through a small choking cough. I laughed as she took another tentative sip.

“Give it back then.” I smiled, knowing I’d won, she seemed a little reluctant to hand back the whisky. I put it back in place and started the engine.

“Come on then, still got 3 hours of driving before we gotta stop for the day, ask me some questions, and stop me getting bored.” I manoeuvred out of the parking lot heading for the I-40E on ramp. “Don’t be shy, ask me something.” I coaxed.

“What’s the date?” She asked, once again starting with an innocent and basic question, clever really. I wasn’t sure though if she was trying to ease me in or herself. “I know it’s 1983 and I think it’s summer? Smells like summer.” Sally-Anne leant towards the open car window and sniffed the night air.

“It’s July 30th, Saturday I think. Get a bit lost with which day sometimes what with sleeping during the days and being up all night.” I said giving a little, keeping her trust.

“Why are you up all night?” She asked politely, trying, it seemed, not to monopolise the developing conversation.

“Silly question Sally-Anne, pretty sure you can figure that one out yourself.” My tone a little patronising.

“Ye, because you’re a Hunter, makes sense.” She twisted her hands in her lap.

“Come on spit it out.” I said playfully. “What do you really want to know?”

“Umm.. well when, after, err.” She took a deep breath and centred herself. “When I was poisoned the blood was red but when you cut me it was really dark, like almost black. Why?”

“That is a good question, very observant.” I praised. I actually knew the answer to this one but if I hadn’t I would have made something up; I wanted her to think me infallible in all things Vamp. “The dark blood was your blood but the fresh blood was the blood you had drunk. Your body was trying to get rid of it because of the poison.”