Bite of Story Thursday

Here's another peek at my current work in progress, NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK CHANGES.

Remember, this is from the rough draft so it does not reflect the final product. Anyway, sit back and enjoy...

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Night Children: Dark Changes
Chapter Sixteen: Slaves

As soon as the slave ship was close enough the vampires leaped aboard.  Roland wished he could shut his ears as his fellow crew members laughed wickedly.  Roland visibly flinched at the mortals’ screams.

Captain Worthing, Ruthless Rach, Blood-Eyed  Bill and Abigail Black were already on the other ship, killing randomly. Roland remained at the railing.  He couldn’t bring himself to join in on the slaughter.

“What’s the matter?  Afraid to leap over?”

It was Paul, the older, fatter pirate that couldn’t keep up with the others.  He stood next to Roland and watched the slaughter with a gleam in his eyes.  Roland watched him for a moment.

Paul continued, “I can’t make the jump.  I’ve never been a good vampire.  Bill would’ve killed me decades ago but the Captain lets me stay on.  He’s a great man.”

Roland nodded.  He didn’t see the sense in challenging the Captain’s authority.  Instead he remained silent as he turned back to the slaughter.  The Captain of the slave ship was fighting off two vampire pirates.  Abigail watched from the side, a smirk on her face.

“I’ve seen you move,” Paul continued.  “Why don’t you just fly over there and finish the mortals off?”

“I... can’t.  Those are people over there.  They’re screaming.  We shouldn’t be doing this.”

Paul placed a hand on Roland’s shoulder.  “Hey, it’s all right.  This is what we do.  The mortals do it too.  I’ve seen a lot of mortal pirates out on the open sea.  Most are just as vicious.”

“But it’s not right.”

“You do realize what that ship is for, right?”

“It’s a slave ship.”

“Can you smell the fear deep inside?  There are probably four hundred slaves below deck.  Those men our crew are slaughtering intend to sell those slaves.  If you think about it, we’re doing those poor mortals below deck a favor and freeing them from a life of shackles and whips.  We’re the heroes here, kid.”

Roland thought about it.  Paul had a point.  At least vampires only killed to eat.  Mortals captured and killed for much nastier purposes.

“You’re right.  Thanks.”  Roland exchanged smiles with the elderly vampire and flew to the other ship.

“Give ‘em Hell, kid.”

Bite of Story Thursday

Here's another peek at my current work in progress, NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK CHANGES.

Remember, this is from the rough draft so it does not reflect the final product. Anyway, sit back and enjoy...

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Night Children: Dark Changes
Chapter Twelve: Isla De Los Vampiros

It took the Bloodfeast three weeks to finally approach its isle home.  During that time, they would feed on the surviving Sea Wing crew members.  Roland didn’t want to be tossed overboard so he ignored the helpless human’s pleas.  He avoided their desperate eyes, even though their cries for help ripped his soul apart.

Roland watched the crew unload the stolen goods onto the dock.  They seemed to gaze at their Captain with a mix of fear and respect as he forcefully shouted commands.  

The sounds of excited people drew him to the shore.  The port looked normal.  He could sense vampires nearby but it was probably the crew.  He wondered what new adventures this place would bring.  An unnaturally strong hand gripped onto his shoulder and spun him around.  Blood-Eyed Bill glared, his dark red eyes skewered him like two hot pokers.

“It was a mistake to bring you,” his voice deep as a powerful drum, “You shouldn’t be a vampire.  You’re too small.  Too young.  One day he won’t be able to protect you.” 

Roland wanted to scratch the fool’s eyes.  Prove his merit.  Instead of causing a fight he might not win, he simply brushed off Bill’s hand with an equally strong push. 

“Touch me again and I’ll make you Black-Eyed Bill,” he snarled.  Bill snarled back.

“Ahem,” Reginald interrupted, “I trust we’re not spoiling our joyous homecoming with acts of stupidity?”

“No sir.”  Bill replied.  Roland just glared at Bill.

“Good.  Bill, finish supervising the unloading.”  Blood-Eyed  Bill moved away and Reginald opened his arms towards the harbor.  “Roland, my boy, welcome to Isla de los Vampiros.  It means Island of the Vampires.  No place on Earth like it.  An island populated, with some exceptions, of our kind.  This is our island.  We can rest, relax and feed at our leisure.” 

“If everyone’s a vampire, what do you feed on?”  Roland’s hopes rose.  Maybe he could actually stop drinking from mortals.  Then maybe the guilt would leave.

“You’ll not be going back to cats and rats.  Sorry to disappoint you,” the smirk on his face showed he clearly wasn’t, “The local tribe willingly provides us plenty of stock to feast upon.”  Roland’s stomach dropped.

“That’s your new home,” Reginald pointed towards the village.  Roland could see many people moving with great speed, darting to and fro.  Some cheered while pouring red liquid into their opened mouths.  Others leaped from the rooftops with screaming islanders trapped in their arms.  Chaos ruled the village, causing Roland to feel homesick for the peaceful woods of Massachusetts.