Page 13 of Filipino Vampire

Sherry was downstairs the whole night, whispering into the phone. I didn't like it one bit.

  “I don't like this one bit,” I told Vol. “We have to bust out of here.”

  I put on some clothes and opened a window. Vol shook her head.

  “I'm tired. I hurt all over. Kill me now.”

  A whole mess of cars pulled into our driveway, lights blinding us. Everyone came running out, all their doors closing with loud SHOOMPS. I started dragging Vol across the floor.

  “Let's go! Move! Move!”

  I put Vol on a skateboard and pushed her into the hallway, and then I put on my shoes and ran after her. Five strangers rushed me and picked us up. Vol was screaming like a demon, trying to bite everyone. One of them yelled out “I got it, I got it! Look at this thing, Sam!” It was a woman, and she sounded way too excited.

  They took us downstairs. I tried backwards-headbutting the man carrying me. “Put me down!” I said. “Sherry! Sherry!”

  Mum stood in the living room, watching some lame game show on The Filipino Channel. She got up from the couch and clapped.

  She was was all messed up. Post-cooked.

  “Good job, boys! I shall split the money with you all. This is just a taste of what's to come.”

  I couldn't believe it.

  “Mum! You bitch! Let us go!”

  Mum smiled even more.

  “And I have you to thank the most,” she said. “My daughter. Thank you.”

  I said something back that sounded like thank you, and Mum slapped me.

  Everyone laughed. Vol snarled at Mum, so Mum slapped her, too – slapped her so hard with the back of her hand, Vol was knocked out cold. Sherry walked out from the kitchen and held her hand out. Mum gave her some money.

  Mum slapped her, too. I don't know why. After seeing how Sherry betrayed me, I don't know what's going on any more.

  They hauled us outside and stuffed me into the back of a car. Mum took Vol for herself; and we were off.

  I had a good idea where to.