When I had put together what I wanted, I slipped out of my room quietly. The house was still as dark as it had been when Buddy brought me home. I was anticipating Mrs. Fennel or Marla waiting out by the front door, but neither was there. Marla wasn’t watching television, either. There was, in fact, a heavy silence in the house. Before I reached the front door, I heard a creak on the stairway and turned to look.
Daddy was coming down slowly, gathering shadows around him to thicken the darkness he already carried. He grew taller, wider, his eyes luminous, two circles of red in pools of yellow. His hand on the banister looked the size of two or three hands, the fingers long, with long nails. The sight of him stopped my heart. I could feel the taste of blood in my mouth and realized I had been biting down on my lower lip. Suddenly, to my utter surprise, Ava stepped out of the living room. What was she doing there? Why hadn’t she gone out on a quick hunt?
“Oh, hi, Lorelei,” she said, smiling. “Everything is perfect now. Don’t worry. Daddy understands.”
A terrifying thought exploded in my mind. I shook my head and backed toward the door. “No,” I said.
“Yes,” Ava said.
I heard a car coming up the driveway. Daddy moved faster down the stairway. I opened the door and rushed out to see Buddy returning.
“Oh, no!” I screamed into the bright headlights. He stopped the car and opened the door.
I could feel the wave of icy air hit my back. Daddy was in the doorway. I charged forward as Buddy stepped out.
“Hi,” he said, not realizing anything. “Your sister called and explained, and—”
“Get back in the car! Hurry!” I shouted at him.
He froze in place and then looked past me. I could see the shock in his face. I didn’t have to turn around to know why. I lunged at the passenger door and shouted again for him to get into the car.
He did, but he looked too frightened to do anything more.
“Start the engine. Back out of here. Go!” I shouted, and punched him in the right shoulder hard enough to shake him out of his daze.
He fumbled with the key. The engine started, but as he put the car into reverse, a great shadow rushed over the windshield. It threw us both into complete darkness for a moment.
“Back up and drive out!” I cried.
He did, and when he turned to go down the driveway and away, we heard a piercing scream that sounded as if all of the metal in the car, all of the metal around us, was being peeled away. The car bounced. Buddy nearly missed the turn and sent us off the road, but somehow, he managed to keep the wheels from being caught on the edge. The car felt as if it were being heaved down the remaining portion of the hill. When we reached the end, he couldn’t stop. We shot out into the heavy, fast traffic of Sunset Boulevard. Drivers hit their brakes. One car turned off the road. Another slammed into the rear of the one in front of it. Another hit that one. Horns blared. Buddy spun to his left and accelerated until we were away from the mess. Then he slowed down. He checked his rearview mirror and started to pull to the side of the road.
“No, don’t stop,” I said. “Keep going.”
He looked at me. His throat was probably still too tightly closed for him to speak. He nodded and drove on. Finally, he took some deep breaths and asked me what he had seen.
“Your own horrible death,” I said.
“What?”
“Why did you come back?”
“Your sister called me and told me you were crying hysterically. She asked me why you hadn’t brought me home and what you had told me. I didn’t see any reason not to tell her, so I did. She said you were being too dramatic and that your father had heard you crying and told you that you were ridiculous and you should have brought me to see him. She thought it would be a wonderful surprise if I would just return, so I did.”
“I should have realized she wouldn’t give up.”
“Give up what? What was that, Lorelei? I mean, I thought I saw a gigantic man with arms connected to his hips with… it looked like wings, bat wings, and his eyes… who or what was that?”
“That was my daddy,” I said. “I was supposed to be the one who brought you to him, not Ava. It was my time, my turn to be his best daughter.”
“I don’t understand. Bring me to him for what?”
“Nourishment,” I said.
“Nourishment? What is he, a cannibal?”
“No. He doesn’t want all of you, just your blood, what’s in your blood.”
“What are you saying? Your father is…” He shook his head. “You’re not telling me that your father is a vampire, are you?”
“We’ve never used that word, and I’ve never heard anyone else say it.”
“You were supposed to bring me to him? That’s why you were seeing me now, making love to me?”
“At first. But I couldn’t do it, Buddy.”
“Why not?”
“I do love you, and that’s something we’re not permitted to do.”
“Not permitted… you’re not… I mean, do you drink blood, too?”
“No. I eat strange things that Mrs. Fennel makes for us. I think there’s something in it that you wouldn’t eat or like, but I don’t feed on people.”
“I’m in a nightmare,” he said. “Soon I’ll wake up.”
“I wish that were true.”
“You have a piece of luggage with you,” he said, nodding at my bag. “Where were you going?”
“My first home,” I said.
“Where’s that?”
“It’s an orphanage in Oregon. I want to locate my mother.”
“Your mother?” He thought a moment, looked into his rearview mirror, and jerked his head back as he asked, “That isn’t your real father, is it?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “Ava told me he was her real father. I used to think, to hope, she was saying that only to make me jealous and it wasn’t true for her, either, but she often looks like him, maybe more so now than ever.”
“Jealous? Jealous of what?”
“We all want Daddy’s love, Buddy. We all compete for it.”
“Do you know your real mother’s name?”
“No, but I have what might be her picture,” I said, and took it out to show him.
“Well, we should just go to the police now, okay?”
“No,” I said. “That would be stupid.”
“Why?”
“They won’t believe you, and Daddy will charm them to death. You’ll look like a fool.”
“But you’ll testify now, won’t you?”
“No, I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because as hard as I try, I can’t stop loving him,” I said.
21
Escape
“Do you think he’ll come after us?” Buddy asked. “I mean, is he still interested in me?”
“No. Daddy doesn’t go out to feed. His daughters have always brought what he needs to him.”
“Daughters? How many daughters does he have?”
“I don’t know, Buddy. I know only my older sisters, Brianna and Ava, and my younger sister, Marla.”
“And they’re all supposed to do this?”
“Yes.”
“Have you done this?”
“Tonight was to be my first, my beginning.”
“Hurray for me.”
“I tried to keep you away.”
“Yes, you did. Where did you say this orphanage was?”
“It’s in Oregon, not far from Portland. I have the address. Take me to the airport. I’ll get the earliest flight I can to Portland.”
“What are you going to do if you can’t get any information or you find out your mother is dead or something?”
“I don’t know,” I said.
He was quiet a moment, and then he said, “I’m going with you.”
“No. You had better stay away from all this now. I know it’s probably impossible to do, but you should just try to forget it, forget me.”
“You s
aved me tonight. I can do this for you, Lorelei. I want to very much.”
“But you’ll miss more college, and your family will wonder what’s going on.”
“I’ll take care of that. Don’t you worry about me. Oregon’s not far. The whole thing won’t take more than a day or so.”
“Yes, but—”
“Look, you just said you love me. To me, that’s enough reason. I meant all the things I said to you. I admit, this is all very weird and something I’d rather forget, but you’re in trouble now. Maybe there’s some scientific explanation for what I saw and what’s happening, and maybe there isn’t, but afterward, we can try to get some help and stop it. Okay?”
“I’d rather you not come, Buddy.”
“I knew you’d agree,” he said, ignoring me and smiling.
I was too tired to argue any more, and I did want to get started as soon as possible. We drove to Los Angeles Airport and parked the car in short-term parking. We had to wait only an hour before the next flight. Even after we had our tickets, I asked him again if he really wanted to come along.
“More than you can imagine,” he said.
It wasn’t until we boarded and sat together that I accepted the fact that he was really going with me. There was no turning back now. I watched him close his eyes and sit back. The emotional shock of what he had seen and what had almost happened to him had finally settled in. He was exhausted. We both were. Moments after takeoff, I leaned against his shoulder, and he rested his head against mine. Despite the noise, the captain’s little speeches, and the flight attendants passing out drinks and snacks, we both fell asleep quickly, neither waking up until the announcement of our impending landing.
We spent a longer time on the tarmac than expected. The anticipation tired us out even more. It was still dark by the time we deplaned, so I suggested we should check ourselves into the closest motel. I saw how he was dragging himself along, and I was feeling sapped of energy, too.
“We can get a rental car after we get some rest,” I said.
He agreed. We chose the motel and made the call for a pickup.
“You haven’t called anyone yet, Buddy. Shouldn’t you?” I asked.
“It’s all right,” he said. “No one will miss me for a day or so.”
The desk clerk at the motel asked if we wanted a room with separate beds. I quickly said no. If there was anything I wanted now, it was to fall asleep in Buddy’s arms. He smiled. I think he wanted the same thing, to have me fall asleep beside him, to enjoy the comfort and the companionship we both needed to get through this horrible experience.
But despite our exhaustion, we both found it difficult to fall asleep quickly. For a while, we just lay there in each other’s arms, lost in our own thoughts. It wasn’t until now, now that I had stopped running, that I gave thought to Daddy and his reaction to what I had done. I could easily imagine him sitting there listening to Ava as she described my relationship with Buddy, how she had tried to stop it, and finally how she had hoped I would come to my senses and stop it myself with what was to be my first delivery.
I could almost hear Mrs. Fennel agreeing with every accusation Ava made about me, saying she had sensed the same weaknesses in me and blamed herself for letting it get this far. But it would be Daddy who would accept all the blame, telling them he had been blinded by the love he had for me and I had for him.
“In every way, she seemed so perfect,” he would say.
Of course, by now, Ava would have found a substitute for Buddy. She would luxuriate in Daddy’s praise and gratitude. Now she would surely be crowned his best daughter ever, for she had saved him in a crisis. Ironically, despite all that had happened, I still felt a pang of envy. I could easily envision Daddy’s grateful expression, the flow of love and affection that came from his eyes, and the wonderful kiss of gratitude and love that came from his lips. I still wished it had all been directed at me.
Buddy’s eyes closed, and he finally fell asleep. I did, too, but only a few hours later, I had the feeling someone was nudging me awake, and I opened my eyes. Buddy was still asleep, and there was no one else in the room, but I didn’t feel we were alone. I rose and went to the windows. The curtains were closed as tightly as we could close them to keep out the daylight. Slowly, I pulled one aside so I could peer out at the motel parking lot. It was nearly empty, with only two vehicles in sight, and there was no one walking about. Traffic rushed by on the street facing the motel, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling.
In fact, I realized my body was as tight and as hard as stone. What I was feeling reminded me of the times Daddy would stop what he was doing and suddenly become very quiet, listening hard. We’d all hold our breath until he relaxed again.
“What is it?” Buddy asked, waking and seeing me at the window.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” He sat up. “Is there someone out there?”
“I don’t see anyone.”
He rose and stepped beside me to look out. “Seems pretty quiet out there.”
“There’s something,” I whispered.
“Okay. I’ll call for the car now, and we’ll get started. You want to shower or something?”
“No, you go on,” I said.
I remained by the window while he called for our car and then went to shower.
“How about something to eat?” he asked, coming out of the bathroom.
“After we get started,” I said, and went in to throw some cold water on my face and brush my hair. I got dressed while he did the paperwork for the rental car, and then we left the motel.
“You still feel spooked?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said. “I wish you hadn’t come along.”
“Well, I did, so stop saying it. I’m going to see you through this,” he said firmly. “We’d better eat something.” He turned into a roadside restaurant.
I could feel his eyes on me as I looked at everyone closely.
“Hey, you think they’ve put the word out on you? Are your father’s kind everywhere?”
The waitress came over for our order. Nothing interested me, but I ordered a rare hamburger. Buddy ordered one, too, but medium, with French fries and a salad.
“How about some lemonade? They claim it’s freshly made.”
“I’ve never had lemonade,” I said.
“Never?”
He ordered it for us and then reached across the table to take my hands. I was still looking out the window at the people coming to the restaurant.
“So, are your father’s kind everywhere?”
“I don’t know, Buddy. Sometimes it seems that way. He has contacts everywhere he goes in the world,” I said. “And even if he doesn’t, Daddy often knows things no one else could possibly know, and so does Mrs. Fennel.”
“Who is this Mrs. Fennel, anyway?”
“She’s my father’s sister.”
“Yeah, you mentioned you were living with your father’s sister, but how come you never called her your aunt?”
“I didn’t know she was my aunt until recently.”
“Huh?”
“Our lives are twisted in secrets, tied up like a ball of string, Buddy.”
“I can imagine.”
“No, you can’t,” I insisted. “That’s why I wish you hadn’t come along.”
“Look,” he said, still holding my hands. “You didn’t do what you were supposed to do last night. You cared about me. You took a great risk. I have to believe it was not just for me but for yourself as well. It was for us. You’re different from whatever lives in that house. I couldn’t love you if you weren’t.”
I said nothing. His words were comforting and beautiful to me, but they didn’t change how I felt. My body was still tight. My heart was still thumping with anticipation, and I was still drawn to watch everything that moved around me. He continued to ask me questions, to keep me talking, expecting it would relax me or maybe to relax himself. I gave him as many answers as I could, hoping that he would final
ly realize that he was possibly in even greater danger than he had been last night if he continued to accompany me. If he had simply gone home, he would surely have been safe. Neither Ava nor Mrs. Fennel, and especially not Daddy, would have pursued him and given credence to the stories he might have told. They would have simply left, and it would have been forgotten. But not now. Now he was here, still part of who and what I was.
Our food came. The danger and the flight made him ravenous, whereas I barely picked at my hamburger and didn’t touch the bun.
“How can you not be hungry? Don’t you like hamburgers?”
“I’ve had this so rarely,” I said. “Meat was always the only thing we enjoyed outside of what Mrs. Fennel fed us.”
“What did she feed you?”
“I couldn’t tell you what it was, exactly. She used herbs in combinations only she knew. You would probably spit out the first bite.”
He ate and nodded and looked at me oddly.
“What?” I asked.
“You’ll think I’ve just gone crazy after all that’s happened, but you look older to me. I don’t mean aged or anything. You just look older.”
“I feel older,” I said. “It’s like whatever was childish in me died.”
“Well, I can understand that. I think the same thing happened to me last night.”
He finished eating. We paid our bill and got back into the car. Buddy had asked the rental attendant for a map of the state when the car was delivered, and we both studied it for a few moments to make sure to choose the best route.
“Not that I know much about Oregon,” Buddy said, “but from the looks of it on the map, this town isn’t much.” He sat back. “Come to think of it, I remember when we first met, your sister asked me if I was from a small town.”
“She was trying to find out if you were possibly a renegade,” I said.
“Renegade? What’s that?”
“People like my father who don’t follow our rules. They endanger us all. They’re actually our worst enemy, because they invade our territory and try to take control.”