I Am April

I stepped into the dark ally, holding my neck, as blood dripped down my fingers. Tonight I did something stupid. My wound was burning so bad that I wanted to scream but could not choke it out. Scared and weak, I stumbled my way to a brick wall alongside the ally and slid my back down until my butt hit the cold cement ground. Closing my eyes, the city noises around me became louder, and the smells of the ally garbage became stronger as the vampire venom was taking over my bloodstream. I could do nothing to stop the transformation unless a vampire was willing to suck the venom out before the change was complete. But kindness like that is unheard of.

My mother, Sofia Kennedy, was a vampire hunter. Unfortunately, she died just moments ago, attacking a nest of vampires here in Toronto. My mother was one of the best hunters in Canada, but this particular nest got the heads up that she was coming, and they were ready for her.

The stupid thing I did was follow my mother tonight. I was curious to see her in action. I just turned 18 today. I wanted to hunt with her tonight to learn her trade, but she claimed I was not ready. So I snuck out and followed her. I watched with pride behind a rusty dumpster as she killed eight vampires outside an abandoned warehouse. Her sword was slicing through their necks and piercing into their hearts, making it a permanent kill. I tried to memorize her every move like a dance. Suddenly I witnessed a female vampire jump my mother from behind, digging her fangs into her neck. I wanted to scream out, but I stood there frozen. It happened so fast I don’t even remember my mother screaming, or maybe I went deff from my moment of paralyzation.

When my mother’s limp body hit the ground, I panicked and started running away. One of the vampires noticed my attempt to escape and chased me down. Unfortunately, my pace was no match for a vampire’s speed. With one swift push against my back, my body fell forward, skidding across the dirt path I was running on. My attacker could have just killed me, but instead, he pinned me down and released his venom into my neck with one quick bite. I closed my eyes tight. His fangs felt like two sharp pins going deep into my skin, and then came the burn. Without a word, my vampire disappeared into the night, laughing. Now, the great Sofia Kenndey’s only child will become the thing she hunted.

I sat there on the cold cement ally floor, wishing my mother was here to tell me what to do. Visions of her body hitting the ground played over and over in my mind. I pulled a gold chain out from under my shirt and grabbed onto my heart-shaped locket, hoping it would give me comfort. The locket was a gift from my mother. She gave it to me after my father died in a car crash a few years back. Inside the locket was a picture of them on each side. It is supposed to be a reminder that my parents will always be in my heart. But at this moment, my own heart was coming to a stop as I became a creature of the night. I stared up into the night sky. The moon is full and bright. “Help” was my last thought before I passed out.

I awoke the following day on a futon in a strange basement. I could see the sun trying to peek through a dirty window on the other side of the room. I could smell jars of jelly and pickles from a wooden shelf alongside the wall to my left. The laundry sat in a pile in front of a washer and dryer. The body odour off the clothes smelt sweet like apples. My body felt weak, and my head was pounding from the noises happening all around me. I could hear everything at once. The tv was on upstairs, someone was playing music next door while talking on the phone, a city bus was coming down the street outside, and a dog was barking somewhere. It was hard to focus on one sound. I sat up and covered my ears with my hands which only helped a tiny bit.

"Good Morning," A male voice greeted.

I did a little jump as I turned towards the voice.

"Do you have a headache?" He asked.

I wanted to respond, but my mouth and throat were so dry. So I swallowed to try and lubricate my throat. At that exact moment, I could smell my mystery man. Sweet like honey and apples. The clothes on the floor must belong to him. My new fangs tingled beneath my gums. I became scared all over again from my newfound hunger for his sweet blood.

How do I get out of here?

"Please step back!" I demanded. "Don't come near me!"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to scare you." He continued. "I found you lying in the ally after my shift last night at Ray's Pizza. You have blood on your shirt and hands. I didn't see any cuts, but I thought you might need some help. I'm Eddy, by the way."

I tried to stand, but my knees went limp as I clasped back on the futon.

"Should I take you to a Hosp-"

"No!" I shouted, cutting Eddy off. "I just need to go."

I covered my ears with my hands again, still figuring out how to drown out the noises. My new life will take time to adjust. Eddy disappeared up the stairs. His sweet smell was still lingering by me. Pain stung my mouth as my new fangs started to puncture through my gums. I did not want to lose control and feed off Eddy.

Mom, What do I do?

The basement door opened, and the strong smell of Eddy pierced my nose once again. The sound of his feet hitting each step was torture in my head.

"Here," Eddy handed me a pair of headphones. "They are noise cancelling. You must have quite the hangover."

You have no idea.

"Thank you," I said, grabbed the headphones, then I froze. I could see and hear Eddy's pulse coming from his wrist. I shuffled back further on the futon, scared.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

"I know," I replied, putting on the headphones. "I don't want to hurt YOU."

Eddy just stood there looking confused.

"Did you... Kill someone last night?" Eddy asked, changing his facial expression from confused to scared.

"No," I answered calmly. The noise-cancelling headphones were working. Finally, I was able to focus on what Eddy was saying. "I do need to go. Can I borrow these headphones for a day or two? Promise I'll bring them back."

"Sure," Eddy replied with a smile.

"Can I bug you for one more thing?" I asked.

"Anything."

"Do you also have a pair of sunglasses I could borrow as well?"

Eddy nodded and went back upstairs. I tried to stand up again. This time successful. Knowing about vampires, I knew I needed blood to get stronger. I walked over to the stairs and grabbed the railing. I was taking a few steps up when Eddy reappeared at the top. He started to come down.

"Stop!" I instructed, "Leave the glasses on the floor and back away."

Eddy went backwards up the first few steps, just compassionately starring at me. Then, finally, he placed the glasses and a shirt on the top stair and back away.

"I grabbed a t-shirt for you too," Eddy said. "I don't think you should be walking around with a bloody shirt."

I wanted to hug Eddy for everything he was doing for me. But I didn't want to lose control and make that a deadly hug. So, I gave him an appreciative smile. Eddy smiled back.

I reached the top of the stairs and grabbed my new borrowed presents. I noticed an exit door off the kitchen and walked towards it. I put on the sunglasses and held the door handle. Turning slightly, I said, "I am April and Thank you" to Eddy and opened the door. I stepped onto a wooden deck that thankfully had a canopy. Sunlight will not kill me, but it will be sweltering. I took off my bloody shirt and put on Eddy's clean shirt. Looking down, I saw AC/DC logo on the front. I giggled because it seemed fitting. I was now on a highway to hell after all.

I was about to step off the deck when I noticed a towel and an umbrella lay on top of a lawn chair to my left. Perfect, I thought as I grabbed the items. I threw the towel around my shoulders and opened the umbrella. Stepping off the deck, I was finally homeward bound.

I took my cell out of my back jeans pocket and typed my address into my map app. I had no clue where I was, so I needed instructions on the quickest way home. To my surprise, I wasn't that far. Only ten blocks away from mom and I's apartment, or I guess just mine now. That thought made all the sad emotions of watching my mom die last night come rushing back. If vampires could cry, I'd be in full waterworks right now.

The journey home was the hardest. I could smell blood in every direction. Whenever I passed someone, my fangs would cut through my gums. I still did not know what I was going to do for blood, but all I wanted to do at the moment was get off the streets before I tear into an innocent civilian.

When I got to my apartment building, I punched in a security code to unlock the front entrance. I sprinted up the stairs to my door, opened it and locked it again. The craving for blood was so consuming at this point. I went to the fridge and opened it. Inside was expired milk, cheese, leftover lasagna, and hamburger meat I was unthawing for supper last night. I grabbed the meat and then the juicer out from a bottom cupboard.

I sure hope this works.

I plugged in the juicer and tossed the meat inside. Pressing the On button, I watched the juicer do its thing. I was disappointed when all the blood that squeezed out was not even half a cup. I shot back the blood in one gulp.

Now what?

I still had the headphones on, but I could hear the neighbour's dog barking on their balcony. For just that moment, I wanted to take its life. Drain that pooch dry, but my humanity kicked in, letting me know that I could not. I started to wonder how long my human soul would be with me before I become rouge and evil. If that even will happen.

My thoughts cut short as I noticed a small animal bouncing around my balcony. It was a squirrel. Walking towards the sliding doors, I opened one side slowly. Reaching my hand out, I grabbed the squirrel mid-jump. My reflexes were outstanding. The little guy was squealing and trying to break free of my grip. My vampire hunger finally got the better of me, and my fangs bit into its furry belly. The blood touched my tongue and flowed down my throat. I was instantly filled with satisfaction. I could feel my body become more substantial. I needed more. I felt that my prayers were answered as another squirrel hopped onto my balcony. I grabbed that furball so fast and bit my fangs into his belly. Once again, so satisfying. I tossed their little bodies into my trash can and sat on the couch, licking my lips. Now that I ate, my mind has become more focused. I needed to figure an actual meal plan and what I would do with my new life as a vampire.

I noticed my mom's journal sitting on the coffee table. I grabbed it and started to flip through the pages. There were still so many vampire nests in Toronto that needed to be wiped out. I knew that other hunters were on the streets taking care of it, but I want my family's legacy to continue. After all, I was a Kennedy. I come from a great line of hunters. That is when the idea hit me. I was now a vampire. I would be able to get into places no human could ever go, and I could befriend these creatures then take them out one nest at a time. I stood up from the couch, walked across the room, and pushed aside the tv mounted on the wall. There before me hung all my mom's weapons—various sizes of knives, guns, and a single bow. I now knew what I was going to do. I had to become April Kennedy, Double O Vampire hunter.

To be continued...