Natalia

Chapter 8 - Ramsey

Natalia glances at the familiar building in front of her and sighs heavily. Arika and Ivy chuckle beside her.

"Relax. It's just a school building." Natalia sighs again.

"With a lot of memories, I seem to recalled after looking at this stone building." Ivy smiles. 

"It will be okay. Well, after you kill her." Ivy smiles and patted Natalia's shoulder.

"I'm going to go and meet the principal. Both of you be nice and search for Ramsey." Ivy nods. Natalia, on the other hand, put on her hoodie and cover her face. Arika disappears by the corner and leaves them both in the hallways.

"Come on. I know where she might be... the gym. Show me the way." Ivy said. Before she let Natalia go, she wrapped her arms on Natalia’s.

"Now you can show me the way." Natalia looks at her arms before looking at the vampire's smiling face back and forth.

"Aren't you embarrass to walk with me?" Natalia asks. Ivy shakes her head slowly. She placed a hand on Jac's cheek and caress it lovingly.

"No power in this world will ever make me feel that way," Natalia melts in Ivy's touch.

"Hey! Don't melt now. You still have to search for the gym." Natalia chuckles.

"It's over here." Natalia leads the way towards the hallways filled with students. Natalia finds it weird for them to stroll across the hallways like so. Boys and girls gawking at the sight of Ivy. Boys want to date her and girls want to be her. 

The boys envied the person that Ivy wrapped her arms around and girls just want to know where she got all the things she is wearing. Ivy deliberately pulled Natalia's hoodie and shows everyone who she was. They heard a series of gasps coming from the students and teachers. 

"Isn't that the girl who got killed?!"

"How come she still alive?!"

"There's a memorial service for her right?"

Questions after questions but they still don't know the answers for the mysterious figure that standing in front of them right now. But they all know that the person walking in front of them is real. Natalia keeps a stoic look while saunters past her old teacher. 

"Natalia Ambrose?" The middle-aged woman can’t keep her thoughts any longer. Natalia ignores her and made her way to the gym. They stop in front of the double door before Natalia push it open and instantly eyes were on them.

"Is it okay for us to be in here?" Natalia whispers to Ivy.

"I can handle it," Ivy whispers back. Natalia stroll inside the gym as if they own the place. But from all the series of voices that lingers in the gym only one that brings back some of the most dreadful memories she ever had.

"1 and 2 and 3 and 4! 5, 6, 7, 8!" Natalia turns to the voice and gives Ivy’s side a nudge. 

"That's her?" Natalia gave Ivy a little nod. 

"Hmm. She seems okay for a human. Between me, Arika and her, who has the best figure?" Ivy asks out of curiosity. Natalia turns to the vampire and think.

"You have to think?!" Ivy yells. By now everyone's eyes were on them.

"Shhh. Of course, you and Arika win the first spot. She's hideous!" Ivy smiles.

"Now.. Isn't it easy to say that from the start." Ivy chuckles. Natalia releases a relief sigh when Ivy seems to satisfy with her answer.

Ramsey can't believe her eyes when she turns to the commotion. The person everyone thought was dead is standing in the middle of the gym. The other teachers were baffles as well.

"We did a memorial service for her. And now she's here!?" A teacher said. 

"But she seems to be in perfect health. I remembered what the principal said before. Every part of her body was decapitated." A teacher added. 

"I think she just faking her death. You know. Like most young adults do right now. Debts, loan sharks. They just want to be out of the problems. Sometimes it involves a love crisis as well." 

Ramsey turns to her colleague before turning to Natalia. She remembered how mean she was to her when she confessed her love. She turns her down and not only that, she asked the whole school to bully her. She regrets it the very moment when Natalia identified in the news as a missing person. 

Ramsey gathers all her courage and went to meet Natalia and her mystery friend. Natalia notices she's coming this way. She was about to flee when Ivy pulls her back hard.

"This is the perfect time to face your fear." Ivy whispers.

"But she's my worst nightmare!" Natalia whispers back again. 

But it was too late. Ramsey is in front of them and smiling.

"Natalia Ambrose? Is that you?" Natalia nods. Ramsey suddenly hugs her right there right now. Ivy smiles because their trap seems to work. Natalia on the other hand, confused by what is happening. 

"I miss you! I'm sorry for everything that I had done to you. I know it's all my fault." Natalia shoves her lightly.

"Why would you miss someone you bullied so much?" Natalia ask. Ramsey was about to answers her when a male teacher interrupts them. 

"Care to introduce us, Ramsey?" Ramsey looks up to her colleague. Natalia and Ivy look at each other. 

"Andy.. this is NataliaAmbrose." Andy's eyes widen.

"The girl who was kidnapped and killed?! How are you still alive?!" Natalia smile.

"Probably God loves me too much," Ivy chuckles.

"More like the devil," Ivy said under her breath. 

"I think we have to prepare the gym for the pep rally. Why don't you stay and relive the golden years of being the school joke," Andy said. That triggers Ivy's anger but Natalia pulls her back hard.

"Sure." She drags Ivy towards the bench area to calm her down.

"We have to wait for Arika to be here remember." Ivy takes a couple of deep breaths before she finally smiles.

 "Let's just relax and just enjoy with this pep rally," Natalia said and sat down on the bench. Ivy tries to sit but it seems like her dress was to short for it.

"I don't think I can sit." Natalia was confused.

"My dress forbid me to sit. If I do, everyone will see your happy place." Natalia chuckles and took off her jacket. She gave Ivy the jacket and helps her to sit down. Students and teachers that coming into the gym act as if they are seeing a ghost when they turn to Jac's direction. 

"This will be a fun day for us." Ivy chuckles as she places the jacket to cover her thigh. 

***

"This is rather a surprise for me. A General of the army coming to see me, in my humble office." The professor said when General Chandler enters with one of his officers.

"Hello, Frederick. This is Arthur, my first officer," Frederick laughs and shakes hands with his old friend. 

"I need help regarding recent events that happened to my soldier. It's rather, weird and weird is in your job description." Chandler said as he sat down on the chair. Arthur places a series of pictures in front of Frederick to see. 

"Woo.. this is too much for our very first meeting after several years Chandler." The general smiles.

"I'm handling this case right now. See the marking, this is truly the perfect crime." Chandler pointed to a specific picture. 

"This young woman was beheaded inside her own office, in the heavily guarded State Capital a few nights ago. We don't know the culprit is yet but I assume you might give us some information regarding this picture." Chandler pointed at the two bite marks on Liana's fiancée neck. 

"Oh my.. this look so familiar to me," Frederick said gaining both of the soldier's attention.

"It does doesn't it." Chandler smiles. Frederick took off his glasses and leans back to his chair.

"Oh, Chandler. Are you f*****g kidding me." Chandler shakes his head.

"No Fred. This is real. It exists. And it's coming back," Frederick abruptly stood up and went to the bookshelves.

"I can't believe we are alive when you found a living vampire!" He said excitedly. Arthur giving his general the look. Chandler stood up and went to Frederick's side.

"Better believe it, Fred. What are you looking for?" Frederick grabs a book and faces the General.

"My years and years of research." He went back to his table and place the book on the table. Arthur was curious about the book and leans in.

"Years of research? On what?" Arthur ask.

"Vampires!" Frederick excitedly said. Arthur turns to the General. 

"Frederick Bolt, the head of the Mythology Department in this university. Being labeled as the crazy professor, but he was recognized as the world's leading expert of myths and legends." The general explained to his officer. 

"Vampires..." Frederick said and looks up.

"Magnificent creature that only exists in legends. Or is it?" Frederick scanned the book and turn the pages. 

"Vampires were undead beings that often visited their loved ones and caused mischief or deaths in the neighborhoods they inhabited when they were alive. They wore shrouds and were often described as bloated and of ruddy or dark countenance."Arthur was intrigued. 

"But those legends were not true. Vampires nowadays are modern. As they wore designer clothes and expensive jewelry. They often label as the most beautiful creatures among all. Another lowly peasant listens to them including humans. Plus, they do not revisit their loved ones after death, they took advantage of the immortality to be the person they fail to be when they were normal humans." The general added. 

"Designer clothing?" Arthur chuckles.

"That's absurd. They are creatures of the night. Why would they need to dress in designer clothing?" Arthur continues to laugh. When he noticed the general didn't, he stops.

"Normal vampires burn to death. But not royalty. They can walk freely under the sun." 

Frederick turns the book so the general and his first officer could see a picture.

"One of the finest and strong vampires known to history is King Videric." Arthur looks at the man in the painting. With his armor and sword. 

"Looks like someone from the movies." 

"That's Videric. The son of a devil they titled him. But he's not the only royalty we know. There are others. A lot more powerful than him. A ruler of a kingdom if you may add." Frederick turns the pages again and pointed at a picture of two queens.

"The Akeldama. Now, these creatures you need to avoid." Arthur stood up and stops everyone from talking. 

"I’m sorry. I just need to digest this properly. Two most influential man I know is talking about fairytale and told me to be careful of a creature that only exists in books and folklore!" The General clears his throat.

"You sound like the chief police, Arthur. Sit down!" Arthur saluted and follows what the general said. 

"You need to remember that we’re not the only living being on this earth. Sometimes the purpose of having this kind of legends and folklore is to remind us that we’re not alone." The general said before went to his friend. 

"Do these creatures have any ritual or any needs for human blood and head, except for surviving?" Chandler asks his friend. Frederick sat back down and think.

"Nothing that I'm aware of. This kind of kill, it only means one thing. Revenge." 

"Revenge? This young lady is one of the most respected women in the capital. And her fiancée is one of the bravest soldiers I ever met." Frederick looks up to him.

"Past mission? His enemy perhaps. Seeking revenge for his work for the nation? That's another perspective to look at." He turns to the picture.

"These bite marks, probably just someone who has the fetish for vampirism. And for the beheading. Maybe she has an enemy? But we can't rule out vampirism just yet. We need proof. I need to examine the bodies." Chandler looks at the time. 

"I can arrange that. If you get ready now we can go to the hospital and get on with it." Chandler said and waited for Frederick to grabs his stuff.

"Arthur, tell the chief that we're coming with Frederick. If he wants to be there and watch, let him be." Arthur nods and did as told. 

"Sir, why do we need him to be there?" He asks.

"Because we're investigating this matter with his team. I don't want to argue with him about extra information." Chandler pulls his friend out of the office and shows him the way to the car. 

"No need to bring everything, Fred. The hospital has all the medical things for you to use." Frederick gave him a dry laugh and follows the general. 

***

Arika follows the principal to the gym as requested.

"I will introduce you to the whole school in our pep rally. You have perfect timing coming here today." Arika just smiles at the principal.

"Yes. Perfect timing indeed." 

The students stop whatever they were doing and turn their attention to the vampire princess as she walks past them.

"It seems like my students are at awe of beauty such as yourself. I must say, you've one of the most beautiful women I have ever met myself." Arika noticed the principal trying to flirt with her. 

"Thank you for that compliment sir," Arika smiles and the principal opens the gym door for her. She scanned the gym for her beloved. Ivy waves for her.

"Miss, you'll be sitting with us, teachers." Arika politely refuses.

"I'll be sitting with my wives." The principal was stunned. 

"Wives? You're gay?" 

"The correct term would be a lesbian. Yes, I am." Arika made her way towards Natalia and Ivy.

"How it goes?" Ivy ask. Arika gave them a knowing look.

"Why are you wearing Nat's jacket?" Ivy shows her wife how short her dress was. She chuckles and turns her attention to the student and teachers inside the gym. 

"I remember my school year in the Akeldama Academy. It was horrible," Natalia was curious.

"Horrible? Why would it be horrible for a princess?" She asks. Arika turns to Natalia.

"Constant harassment from the opposite s*x for dating and mating. Just because I'm Videric's only daughter." Natalia nods her head. 

"How about you? How was your school day?" Natalia asks ivy. Ivy chuckles.

"My parents can’t afford to send me to school. But there was a noblewoman who lets us received free education." 

"So it was horrible?" Ivy shakes her head. 

"We have a dance and stuff. Experimenting with boys and girls. It's just when I grew up I was killed by a drunkard man." Natalia regrets the moment she asks Ivy. The principal clears his throat in front of the mic and greeted his student. 

He mentions about Arika donated to the school before he asks Arika to say a couple of words in front of all the student body. Arika refuses at first but he insisted. Arika was walking down the stairs when she witnesses a group of students keep on harassing their classmates. 

She shakes her head and went to the podium in the middle of the gym. 

"Hello. I am Arika. It is an honor to be here today and I have no idea what to say. But I do am curious about one thing." She turns to the group of teenagers at the corner.

"You there. Yes, you. The group of delinquents." The other student's chuckles. 

"Why do you keep harassing your classmates? What did he ever do to you that you wish? What do you achieve by doing so?" Arika ask. 

The group of teens avoided eye contact when the others realizing whats happening. 

"Since I'm here. Let's talk about this current situation in today's education hierarchy. Yes, you're rich, famous in the school, your parents have all the money to spend on you. But do you ever think of the person who you torment?" Arika asks everyone in the gym. 

"This question is not for the students only. It’s for the teachers as well." She turns to the principal who listens tentatively.

"Remember. You probably bullying the future president or even a doctor. Or the future law enforcers. What if they grow up with hatred in their hearts and when they all grown up, you'll be the first victim they kill if they turn out to be criminals in the future?" The principal stood up but Arika stops him from doing anything. Not just yet.

"For some, they don’t have a good life. They were in constant pain even after their high school life was over. All I'm saying, just remember that whatever you're doing to that very person now, in the future, karma will get you." Arika smiles at everyone and went to her seat. 

Everyone was speechless even the principal. They continue with the day’s event like nothing had happened. Halfway through, Arika and the others decided to go back to the house. They were worried that the sirens might do something horrible. 

When they arrive home, they were surprised to see the house was still intact and the sirens were making dinner. Arika looks at each of their faces and wonders what just happen. They were trying to tell Arika something but none of them spoke. 

It was when Arika turns he saw her father walks down the stairs with his face smiling like an i***t.

"What are you doing here?!" Arika ask. Natalia and Ivy were surprised too.

"Is that how you greet your father, Arika?" Arika sighs. 

"I’m here to see what are you capable of doing." Videric turns to Natalia.

"I want to witness you kill your second victim with my own eyes. I want to hear her scream for her life when you decided to take it away from her." Videric smiles. 

"What's the purpose for you to do so?" Ivy asks. 

"I just want to witness it. That's all. Besides, I'm meeting someone later tonight. I'm just simply killing two birds with one stone." Videric went to sit on the dining table where the sirens were serving the food. 

"I hope it's raw," Videric said and put on the napkin.

"Father, who are you meeting?" Arika asks when she takes a seat at the table.

"An old friend. A very old one indeed. Denize Andromache." 

"Why are you meeting her?" Arika ask. But Videric just smiles and eats his raw meat. Arika shakes her head.

"Tomorrow will be the day Ramsey will be dead. We can't stay long in one place. I know the last kill we did gain a lot of attention." She turns her gaze to Natalia who's playing with her food.

"Are you ready to kill your ex-crush?" 

"I'm ready to do anything to the person who crushed me," Arika was satisfied with her response.