Page 34 of Little Fangs

Still nothing.

12. HARLAN

My morning went as most working mornings did, taking a drive to the footpath, a walk, making sure everything was how it was supposed to be. I was the preserver of the woodlands, and I took that seriously. My mind was almost too busy being focused on Micah to do my job, which was easy, if I were being honest with myself.

There wasn’t a lot around to do besides make notes on tree health and whether anyone had been through leaving litter. I also tried my best to spot any illegal hunting. There were certain parts of the land that you couldn’t cross to hunt, and other parts where you needed a permit. I knew all the local permit holders, and there weren’t many of them.

It took me about thirty minutes before I was back in the truck heading into town. I couldn’t get Micah’s situation out of my mind. I wanted him to have his things, and then, I wanted him to make the decision about whether he was going to stay. He’d asked if I’d leave last night, and I wouldn’t—less wouldn’t and more of a couldn’t. This place, this land, while I might not have been born here, it was home. And I knew far too much about the world in this place. I didn’t think it was right for me to pass it off to anyone else—or sell my home. Worst case scenario on that would be some type of forfeiture and I wouldn’t see a cent, since the land and building permit had come through the work I was doing.

In my mind, getting Micah’s teddies and toys back would give him comfort, and hopefully the knowledge that I could protect him. He wouldn’t want to leave or talk about running away after that.

The old manor where he’d lived wasn’t so spooky in the daytime. I knew people in town talked about it as this dingy dilapidated placed where truly awful acts were committed, but I wasn’t going to let town gossip scare me, even if there was a twinge of something in my stomach as I parked outside the iron gates, now ajar, unlocked.

I came equipped with what I needed, in the form of the UV light torch and a crowbar from the back of my truck. I knew it was now or never. In my heavy boots, I tried being as light footed as possible, heading up the gravel path, kicking up small stones.

“First room,” I mumbled, looking ahead at the window Micah had specified.

Through controlled breaths, I tried to keep my heart from beating too loud. I knew they’d sense that and come running.

It was an in-and-out situation. Grab his things and go.

I reached the front door and as I turned the handle, I leaned in, pushing the door open.

A mist dusted my face.

And I was out.

My body was numb to motion.

My thoughts were simple, unable to stretch beyond a word, unable to make a whole concept in my mind behind the darkness of my eyes as I came back to consciousness.

A voice came. Not one I knew; it was squeaky.

“They’re going to kill him.”

“I best go dig another hole out back.”

A giggle came in that same squeaky tone. “The flowers will be delighted.”

It was at that moment, with my eyes open, that I realized I’d been blindfolded and gagged.

Something strained at my mouth, pushing my teeth apart and my jaw tight.

“Don’t try anything, you’ll just hurt yourself” the woman said, as she came into full vision. Dressed in all black, her clothes made her look like she’d stepped from the past.

“Keep watch of him, Sonya, I’ll go wake the Masters.” A rough voice came as a tall man walked right by me. I didn’t catch his face, but I’d seen hers around town, and the more I stared at it, the more I remembered. She’d haggled over cents in the grocery store

The more I moved my head and limbs, the tighter the restraints became. I realized I was lying on a dining table, but I didn’t know where I was in the house. I should’ve waited for Micah to draw a floorplan instead of trying to be a hero for him.

“I’ve heard the more you struggle, the worse the blood tastes,” she snarled, colliding a fist with the table. She was human. No fangs. And no apparent strength, given the way her fist was barely a knock on the wood.

Under the gag in my mouth, I attempted to speak, my words coming out in deep guttural cord strikes. I couldn’t see any part of my body except for my chest when I pushed it out. They must’ve taken everything I’d had on me.

“They’re coming,” the man said, and there he stood. Six foot six. I knew him. That was Leroy. He was always in the hardware store whenever I went in, and one of the few people in town to carry an active permit to hunt in the woodland. I didn’t realize he worked here, considering the grounds weren’t kept well. I didn’t know what he did—except, it was obvious he was the vampires’ daytime enforcer.

Soon I was surrounded by all three of the vampires, now face to face with the other two I’d only seen from a distance. Caleb was at the head of the table—my head. I stared at him but was unable to shout. They were all dressed in navy-blue and black robes and carried the smell of patchouli on them.

“You really shouldn’t have come here,” Caleb said.