OUT FOR BLOOD

Drena Hills

 

'For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies - the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.'

-

Paul

Ephesians 6:12

 

 

            Predators.

 

                In the end that was what Kid Curry would finally refer to them as.  As for his partner, Hannibal Heyes, he tended to brood more on things and never was completely happy with the definition he himself came up with, concentrated evil.

 

                But for Kid the problem was not complicated.  They preyed on the weak and the helpless and so he hunted them as he would any creature feeding off the populace.   As for being afraid, he said once that he'd had all the fear scared out of him one hot August day and never had got around to mustering up the ability again.

 

                And for creatures that needed fear as much as darkness to survive it was a chilling concept.

 

                For he frightened them.

               

                And their fear united them.

 

                And then all Hell broke lose.

 

 

                                                                *******************************

 

 

RED ROCK, TEXAS

1881

 

 

                Hannibal Heyes received the telegram explaining that Kid would be late the same day he was due in.  The message was short and cryptic explaining he had found another job and would be delayed.  Heyes thought nothing of the absence of details knowing Kid would expect Mac to make sure he read it first and therefore had kept his host in the dark on purpose.

 

                As for Heyes he had no problem remaining in the well-furnished comfort of Mac's ranch even if it did mean his host was forever trotting him out to impress friends.  Big Mac McCreedy seemed to enjoy secretly knowing the most wanted outlaw in the world and took great delight introducing Heyes to the most social sensitive and genteel members of his community just to see how they got on.

 

                He later would rail at Heyes and express disappointment at how well Heyes could turn chameleon and take on the necessary colors for any gathering and leave his guests charmed and wanting more.  But secretly the Rancher was delighted at how well he got on and enjoyed watching the outlaw dazzle and mislead the masses.

                It was a day after the telegram and they had retired to the porch with cigars and brandy just after sunset to argue.  It was an unspoken agreement that they would argue about something, it didn't matter what, they both just enjoyed the mental exercise.   They had just begun to settle into a scathing debate on Grant's march to the sea when the rider was announced.

 

                The guard at the gate had noted Armanderez's crest on the saddle and had almost not given entry until such a fuss was raised that McCreedy heard and said let him come on.

 

                Both men glanced at each other as the rider asked for Senor Smith and when Heyes identified himself he was handed over a letter sealed with Armanderez's ring.

 

                'Senor Smith,

                Your friend is badly hurt.

                The Doctor says only you can help him.

                I have provided an armed escort so you may travel at night.

                God's speed.

                Don Ernesto de la Francisco Armanderez'

 

                "Armed escort?" McCreedy exploded.  "The boy's in Brownsville, can't be more than 20 miles and Texas every inch of it.  If you need an armed escort I'll get you good solid Texans…"

 

                Mac stopped and realized he was talking to himself.

 

                Two minutes later Hannibal Heyes flew out the gate and the 'armed escort' did its best to keep up.

 

 

 

                                                                *********************************

 

 

BROWNSVILE, TEXAS

St. Joseph Church

 

 

                "How is he doing Sister Julia?" Armanderez said quietly entering the small room and speaking to the woman seated beside the bed.

 

                "He's still breathing and we did make it through another night," she replied and then stood up frustrated.  "I feel so helpless.  You know he is just toying with us!"

 

                "No, no I believe he hesitates because he is wary, Mr. Jones has shown him his kind cannot just feed at their leisure."

 

                "And look what it cost him?  If his cousin doesn’t get here soon…"

 

                She stopped, as a loud male voice was heard, strange in the convent area and then running footsteps.  The door opened and Heyes burst in.  He was covered in trail dust and looked like, as he had, ridden all night.

 

                "Kid…" he whispered staring at the pale battered figure laying face down on the small bed.  The room was awash in sunlight, every possible orifice unshuttered to allow as much of the golden rays in as possible.  A small table and a chair stood next to the bed, but aside from the large wooden cross hanging on the wall the room was bare.

 

                Heyes let his eyes leave his cousin for a moment and stopped surprised at the woman.

 

                "Sister Julia!" he said recognizing the nun they had helped during a cattle drive some months back.

 

                "Joshua thank goodness you’re here," she said hugging him and the affection frightened him more than if she had berated him for tracking up the convent floor with mud.  "I'll go get the doctor."

 

                She practically ran from the room and Heyes turned his eyes on Armanderez.

 

                "What happened?" his voice was dark and hard and Armanderez nodded his approval at Heyes's reaction.

 

                "He was attacked saving many people, myself included.

 

                "Attacked?" Heyes said confused going over to the bed and gently sitting on it next to the still figure and noting his back was bandaged in strips.

 

                "There is much to tell you, but first the doctor needs to give him a blood transfusion.  He feels your blood might be best."

 

                Heyes turned startled and stared at the man.

 

                "Blood transfusion?"

 

                "It is where some of your blood…"

               

                "I know what it is," Heyes snapped.  "I grew up in the war. But how could he have lost enough blood for that?"

 

                A shadow passed over Armanderez's face and Heyes felt the knot in his stomach tighten. Something was very bad and very wrong here.

 

                "I want to know what happened," he said standing and yelling this time.

 

                "Heyes…"

 

                The small weak voice was the only thing that could have diverted him.  Instantly his attention was turned back to his cousin.

 

                "Hey, its all right I'm here.  Must have been some night on the town huh?" he forced a smile picking up a cloth from the bowl beside the bed and squeezing out the excess water gently bathed his cousin's forehead.

 

                "Heyes you' re not safe…"

 

                "Get some rest I'll be right here," Heyes soothed.

 

                Armanderez shook his head in amazement as somehow the young man on the bed found enough energy to reach out and grab his partner's arm.

 

                "Heyes, he knows, he wants you, please, the night…he comes in the night…"

 

                It was too much; the effort dragged him back into unconsciousness.

 

                Heyes ran his tongue over his dry lips and then bit the bottom one, fighting the anger and fear welling up inside of him.

 

                "I said who did this?" he demanded his eyes never leaving his friend.

 

                "Diablo, Senor Smith. The devil."

 

 

                                                                ****************************

 

 

                The doctor was a large, impressive man with a booming southern accent and quick, clever eyes that took one look at Heyes and frowned.

 

                "You’re his cousin?" he said doubtful.

 

                "Yes sir."

 

                "Because transfusions are funny things, I have a theory about family members having better luck passing their blood on."

 

                "My mother and his father were brother and sister."

 

                "All right then lets give it a try.  I'm gonna need you to lay down and clench your fist like so.  I'm gonna tie this tourniquet around it and then I'm gonna hook up a needle from your arm to his with a tube.  Then I'm gonna need you to pump your fist so we can transfer some of your blood to him."

 

                "This will make him better?" Heyes said rolling up his sleeves eager to do anything to help the lifeless form next to him.

 

                "Mr. Smith at this point I'll settle for him staying alive another hour.  He's lost a tremendous amount of blood."

 

                "How, it, it looks like he was…whipped?"

 

                "He was, badly, but that didn’t cause the tremendous blood lost.  I'm guessing the creatures fed off the back of him en masse until…."

 

                "THE WHAT!"

 

                "Mr. Smith lie down!  You didn't tell him?"  the doctor said turning sharply on Armanderez.

 

                "There has not been chance doctor."

 

                "Fed on him?"

 

                "Mr. Smith first things first, lets get your cousin with one foot securely in the living and then we'll answer all your questions."

 

                And so Heyes had to be content to lie there for the next 15 minutes until finally the doctor nodded and began removing the needles.

 

                "Is that enough?"

 

                "No, but its all you can spare."

 

                "Give him what he needs," Heyes said sitting back down and pulling his sleeve back up.

 

                "If I do that you'll look like him."

 

                "I said do it," Heyes said pulling out his gun his face unreadable.

 

                "Senor Smith your cousin needs you to defend him, you will not be able to do that if you are as weak as him," Armanderez said calmly.  "Now put your weapon away and come eat."

               

                "I'm not hungry."

 

                "Joshua stop acting like a little boy in a sulk!" Sister Julia snapped.  "Thaddeus needs you healthy and strong."

 

                He turned and looked at her suddenly looking so young and lost it made her heart ache.

 

                "All right, but let me eat here with him."

 

                "No, Senor Armanderez needs to talk to you and Thaddeus needs his rest.  Do not give me that look you'll end up yelling and wake him," she suddenly smiled gently.  "I'll stay with him I promise, he's safe while the sun is up.  Please?"

 

                He finally nodded and when he took a last look back it was to see the older woman sink to her knees by his cousin bed and begin to pray.

 

                I have a few words for God myself, Heyes thought angrily, but let Armanderez lead him out.

 

 

 

                                                                **************************

 

 

                "You promised me answers," Heyes said as food was placed before him on a long wooden table.

 

                Armanderez had taken the bench across from him and nodded waving to someone behind them.

 

                "Eat, we will talk as you do."

 

                "We?'

 

                He turned slightly as he sensed another presence and realized it was a man slightly older than he was.

 

He was small and slender with dark hair and eyes and a hook-nose that gave him a sad sort of mournful look even when he smiled.  His clothes were that of a seaman, worn, but clean and when he spoke his English was broken, but understandable.

 

                "This is Gonxha Bojaxhiu, he is an Albanian from Macedonia," Armanderez said with great dignity.

 

                The two men were a study in contrast, but their respect for one another was so genuine he accepted it at face value, curious though as to what could unite two men from such different stations in life.

 

                "Mr. Smith it is an honor to meet you.  Your cousin is a great and brave man who saved my life and my son's."

 

                For the first time Heyes realized there was a young boy beside him.

 

                "This is Nikolle, my son.  Nikolle go and see if Sister Julia needs anything, I must talk with Mr. Smith."

 

                Everyone waited until the boy had gone and then Heyes felt the last of his patience slip away.

 

                "What happened?"

 

                It was a demand no wise man would have ignored.  And if Armanderez was insulted at being spoken to in such a way he did not show it, in fact he seemed to approve of his anger.

 

                "Your cousin arrived in Brownsville delivering the package for Mr. McCreedy.  I know of this because I have a summer home in Monterey and was here seeing a friend off to Spain."

 

                "Who attacked him?"

 

                "Senor Smith," Armanderez said wearily.  "The story will not make sense unless you let me tell you all of it!  Thank you.  As I said I was here just for the night and so I took the opportunity to stop in at the church and drop off a package from my sister.  It was here I met Sister Julia and she confided the problem to me.  I immediately went to the sheriff, but he refused to listen.  He is dead now."

 

                "It was at the jail I met Senor Armanderez," Gonxha said quietly.  "What killed the sheriff and attacked your friend Mr. Smith I followed here from my homeland.  It killed Nikolle's mother and my sister and I have sworn revenge on it."

 

                "It?" Heyes said spoon in mid air.

 

                "Vampires Mr. Smith."

 

 

                                                                                ***************************

 

 

                "Of all the cock eyed fairy tales," Heyes yelled slamming the door and grabbing Kid's saddle bags as he stormed over to his cousin's bed.  "All I ask is simple explanation and they give me children's stories."

 

                He was yanking open drawers now and stuffing Kid's belongings in them.

 

                "We are getting out of here," he told the unconscious man.  "I'll get you somewhere sane people can look after you…  Vampires, what do I look like!?"

 

                "Heyes."

 

                He stopped and turned to see his cousin's blue eyes were open and this time clear of everything but pain.

 

                "I know why you never became a doctor, do you ever not yell when people are sleeping?"

 

                Heyes felt a wonderful silly smile break across his face as he sank down in the seat next to his friend and Kid gave him a small one back not letting his cousin know what the effort of joking with him was costing him.

 

                "You look a lot better, its that superior Heyes blood," Heyes said happily.  "Do you want anything?  What can I get you?"

 

                "Water is good," Kid said grateful and Heyes quickly filled a cup with the cool liquid and helped him sit up enough to take some.

 

                "You look like hell," Heyes said finally, but was relieved some color had returned to his cheeks.

 

                "What time is it?"

 

                "About noon."

 

                "Not much time, where's my gun."

 

                "Under the bed, how did you get Sister Julia not to confiscate it?" he laughed.

 

                "I need to clean and reload it, its empty," was all Kid said and seemed to relax just having the weapon once more back in his hands.

 

                "Kid what happened," Heyes said sinking into the chair beside him lost.  "Everyone is acting so strange and the things they are telling me…"

 

                "Heyes I don't know, it all seems kind of unreal and crazy now.  I found her when I was riding into town, just after dawn.  One of the novices, Heyes it was horrible, she was so pale and the marks on her neck…"

               

                "Kid, vampires are just a story Grandpa Curry used to tell us. Wild tales of his saving Grandma Curry from one.  But they were just stories like the ones about the little people and mermaids, a story!"

 

                "Heyes I've seen them.  So has Armanderez and Gonxha, you met him?"

               

                "Yea, strange little fella."

 

                "Brave, a good man.  Anyway they managed to kill one and it brought the whole nest down on them.  They were holed up in the church when I got there."

 

                "I saw what's left," Heyes said remembering the battered building next to the convent.

 

                "Normal bullets don't work on them, but fire does.  Must have been 15 in all.  I soon realized I didn't have a chance shooting them so I used my gun to shoot down the candle wheel over the alter, killed four that way and gave Armanderez a chance to get the sisters out."

 

                "They grabbed me after that.  Barricaded themselves in, seems they can't go out when the sun is up. Sunlight kills them."

 

                "I remember the stories," Heyes said incredulously.

 

                "Well I thought I was done for.  The main one, the leader?  Name is Glatz, guess one of the things I killed he was fond of cause he sure was mad at me.  Strung me up and did the whipping himself, said that way everyone could drink…" he stopped the memory and his failing strength catching up and closing his eyes he just breathed for a moment.

 

                "It's all right, you just rest," Heyes ordered.

 

                "Heyes you don't understand, I have to tell you, you have to know, he wants you, he learned about you from me, I don't know how, he just seemed to guess what I was thinking.  Pain got pretty bad, I guess I yelled out for you."

 

                "Kid…"

 

                "But they got cocky, they left me with my gun strapped on and when they cut me down I drew.  They all laughed knowing the bullets couldn't hurt them and began to close in to finish me and then I fired.  Whole round…into the wooden door."

 

                Heyes stared at him in awe.  "The light from outside…"

 

                "Came streaming in, hit them directly and sliced through them like a warm knife in butter.  Killed four more right out.  Managed to reload and get off another round.  I was able to crawl as far as the window and then Armanderez and his men showed up and pulled me out.  I don't remember much after that.  I think they got all of them, but Glatz.  Heyes he's gonna come back, he wants revenge on me and he's gonna do it by getting you."

 

                "I'm planning on a little revenge myself," Heyes said.

 

                "You don't believe me."

 

                "I don't know what to believe, but I do know I'm getting you out of here.  I'll get a wagon, first you eat…"

               

                "We can't escape him Heyes, we have to kill him."

 

                "Let's get some food in you," Heyes said brushing aside the words and rising.

 

                Kid nodded, he understood.  "All right Heyes, but one favor, that cross on the wall?  Hand it to me and give me my knife out of my boot."

 

                Frowning Heyes obeyed.

 

                "I'll be right back."

 

                "I'm just gonna rest a little," Kid said all his energy spent, but clutching the objects tighter than his gun, he drifted off to sleep.

 

                               

 

                                                                *********************************

 

 

                By twilight Heyes felt certain he had wandered into some strange and unmanageable dream.  As the daylight slipped away he slowly saw everyone in the building grow more and more uneasy until a fevered pitch of hysteria seemed to grip the group.

 

                Kid awoke, this time hungry, and then demanded to be helped into a sitting position where he proceeded to attack the cross with his knife and a grim determination that sent one of the nuns into fits.

 

                "Mother Superior!" the little woman had cried.  "It is a relic from the holy land!  Father Cistine brought it back from Jerusalem…"

 

                "Does Mr. Jones know this?" Sister Julia asked.

 

                "Yes ma'am!  In fact he seemed almost delighted when I told him!"

 

                Sister Julia smiled, "Sister Magdalene, Mr. Jones is a very cunning and resourceful man, if he feels this is necessary I think we best leave him to it.

 

                "But it is blasphemy!"

 

                "The cross was a working tool used by the good Lord to save us, I do not think he would object to Mr. Jones using it the same way," Sister Julia said calmly.

 

                Heyes stood there a long time having overheard and then temper finally snapping charged into his cousin's room.

 

                "There are no such things as vampires!"

 

                "Here you'll need this," Kid said quietly holding out his hand.  "I only had time to make two, one for you one for me."

               

                Heyes stared at the small wooden object placed in his hand.  "What is this…Kid this looks like a bullet…made of wood?"

 

                "It will work, but not well, I tried making them when we were at the home since getting bullets to practice with was so iffy.  They are too light to be effective or very accurate unless you compensate, but this is a heavier wood than I used so it will help.  Problem is wood doesn't deform at the base like copper or lead does and the bore doesn't seal around the bullet and the bullet gets burned as it travels down the barrel…"

 

                "Will you shut up!  Kid there are no such things as vampires!"

 

                "Heyes maybe your right, but all I know is my bullets didn't even slow them and Grandpa Curry said a wooden stake through the heart could."

 

                "All right!  All right!  We got vampire, this is a church, I thought Satan's 'minions' couldn't enter a holy place?"

 

                "They can enter any place they are invited into and the church is open to everyone, Sister Julia says that's one of God's rules."

 

                "Oh God, yes lets not forget about Him, doing a fine job looking after the faithful isn't He?  Just like he did our mothers!"

 

                "Shut up Heyes!"

 

                "I just want you to know if you're counting on Him I'd make sure it's not His day off!"

 

                "Heyes!"

 

                But the door had slammed shut.  Exhausted Kid sank back against his pillows as the final rays of sunlight left the room.

 

 

                                                                *********************

 

                "Sister, where does anyone have any idea where this man may be holed up?" Heyes smiled pleasantly at the young nun setting the table for evening meal.

 

                The girl crossed herself and seemed frightened to even be speaking of the matter.

 

                She seemed about to flee, but Heyes caught her arm and gave her his best smile, "I didn't mean to frighten you its just that I want to make sure I avoid that area when I take my friend away to safety."

 

                His charm was not lost on her and his concern for his cousin made her relax, "Senor Armanderez believes the caves near the gash."

 

                Heyes nodded, he knew the spot, high deep caves next to a rip in the earth on the cliffs overlooking the sea.  It was treacherous landscape and almost impossible to sneak up on.

 

                "Thank you sister, if my cousin asks for me, tell him I'm in the service of the Lord."

 

                "Very wise Mr. Smith."

 

 

                                                                ***********************************

 

 

                It sensed him even before he came into sight.  He had rested since the church and arose now hungry and burning with wrath.  That a son of man could defeat his kind was unheard of and he found himself for the first time nervous at what the night might bring.

 

                He had been wrong about the new world.  Its people had forgotten their place and refused to accept their role in his needs.  They were proud and arrogant and too stupid to be afraid.

 

                Curry, he knew the name, he had heard it before and looked forward to drinking every last drop of his blood in vengeance for what he had done to him and his kind.

 

                But first he would toy with him and make him beg, but that would only happen if he had the right incentive.  What had the man's name been?  Ah yes, Hannibal Heyes.

 

 

                                                                ***********************************

 

                "He said what!"

 

                "Sir please don't get so excited," the young nun said startled as Kid yelled at her answer to the question of where his partner was.

 

                "When did he leave?"

 

                "A few minutes ago…"

               

                "Get me my clothes."

 

                "Sir you are too weak to…"

 

                "Honey you either get me my clothes or I get out of this bed and leave naked understand?"

 

                She blushed furiously and scurrying to the cupboard retrieved his pants, shirt and boots and fearfully put them on the end of the bed and fled to find the Mother Superior.

 

                Kid was gone before she reached the end of the corridor.

 

 

                                                                *******************************

               

            "So this is the cunning Mr. Heyes I have heard so much about," said a voice from the shadows of the cave and Heyes stopped his gun leaping into his hands.  "I must confess to hardly being impressed.  The way your cousin and the others think of you I rather expected a giant or at least a warrior."

 

                "Show yourself," Heyes said quietly.

 

                Stepping out of the shadows the figure let a smile cross his pale complexion.  He was dark, swarthy and his clothes similar to Armanderez's upper crust cut and feel.

 

                "Ahhhh I see you are not terribly impressed either, no never mind, there is time to change your mind, but first your cousin.  He has vexed me terribly."

 

                He moved to take a step forward, but Heyes clicked back his gun.

 

                "One more step and its your last," Heyes said calmly.

 

                "And you would do it, Americans, I begin to question whether this new world was such a good choice, the annoyance factor you understand."

 

                He moved towards the outlaw and Heyes fired, his bullet hitting the stranger mid section and not even slowing him.  Surprised Heyes fired twice more before he was slung to the ground with such force he slumped dazed for a moment at the power that had landed him there.

 

                "And still he rises, I am impressed," the vampire laughed leaning against the cave mouth, arms crossed, expression amused.

 

                "Who are you?"

 

                "Glatz, if you need the name of your master," he yawned and flinging out his hand slapped Heyes to the ground again from where he stood.

 

                "I have no master," Heyes said taking his time rising this time and using the cover of the movement to pull Kid's wooden bullet from his pocket.

 

                "Not even God? Tsk, tsk sir, such blasphemy.  Oh you believe in God, in fact your faith in His existence is the strongest I've seen so far.  You cannot be angry with something you don't believe in Mr. Heyes."

 

                "What are you?"

 

                "Me?"  the creature smiled and Heyes knew he had guessed right.  Vain, he could use that to buy time.

 

                "Well there are a slew of names associated with us, but I believe demon is the truest.  We all rather mutated with that nasty fall from heaven incident.  Had to find different ways to continue to exist and feed.  This is mine.  Now I think that's enough talk, I want to see if your blood is as filling and sweet as your cousin's.  Oh don't be afraid I won't kill you, I just want you damaged a bit so I can annoy him when he arrives.  He is coming by the way, you don't think he'd let you face me alone do you?  Poor boy, trip will probably kill him, but these things can't be helped."

 

                Suddenly Glatz rose up and with a mighty scream of a hunter about to strike at its prey dived at Heyes. 

 

                The outlaw was ready and raising his gun found himself praying as he took aim and fired.

 

                Kid was right.  The bullet did not have the same force of a proper bullet, but all the same the creature shrunk and fell back in horror and amazement clutching his chest.

 

                Staring at Heyes he reached down and ripping open his shirt stared down at the hole made by the wooden bullet at the center of his heart.

 

                "Not quite all the way in Mr. Heyes!" sneered the creature, but his steps were wobbly and getting up Heyes knew he had at least slowed the thing.

 

                "Let me feed and then I will have you remove this tiresome attempt!"

 

                The creature leapt and the two went down in a tussle that found Heyes in shock at how strong the hands were that grasped to pin him down.

 

                "Lay down and die Mr. Heyes!" the creature screamed pounding him against the ground.

 

                Heyes was beginning to lose consciousness; suddenly a hand slipped free and reaching up he slammed his palm hard against the entry hole of the bullet.

 

                Glatz screamed in agony and Heyes kicked him off and rolled free stopping just at the edge of the gash, startled at how close he was in the darkness.

 

                "You will die a slow and horrible death for such insolence!" Glatz spat rising and diving once more for the outlaw.

 

                An idea forming, Heyes rolled aside leaving the creature where he had been at the edge of the deep, bottomless crevice.  If he could hit him just right he could topple him over into it.  He would have to push him down and it would take them both over, but there was no choice and he was dead either way.

 

                "Heyes!"

 

                He turned as he prepared to run at the creature.

 

                "Better late then never Mr. Curry, I rather like the idea of the wooden bullets, such creativity, but as you see it didn't work!" Glatz snarled.

 

                "Heyes, you shoot him?" Kid asked.

 

                "Yes, didn't go all the way in though," Heyes gasped for breath.

 

                "Thought it might take two," Kid said quietly.

 

                The vampire looked up suddenly afraid and with a scream moved to grab Heyes.  "You will not destroy me," Glatz venomously hissed.  "I will feed on your children and your children's children!"

 

                And Kid fired.

 

                The bullet hit the first driving it deeper into the heart and the night exploded with a scream that pulled Heyes forward towards the creature like a vortex until he felt the ground slip away from him.

 

                "Heyes!"

 

                Kid had only the energy to knock him down and fall on him, but it was enough.  Hell's siren call was broken and it was only them and the night.

 

                "Thank you," Heyes said not bothering to try and get up just enjoying how the wet grass felt under him.

 

                "Don't mention it," Kid gasped back from where he was sprawled across his legs.

 

                "Kid?" Heyes said after a long spell of just breathing.

 

                "Yea?"

 

                "You think this means all those stories Grandpa Curry told us were true?"

 

                "I hope so," Kid said trying to sit up and then deciding that was a bad idea.

 

                "What!"  Heyes scrambled up to stare at his cousin's weary, soot streaked face in the moonlight.

 

                "I always fancied meeting a mermaid," Kid grinned.

 

                Heyes stared at him incredulous.  All they had been through, the horror, the evil and there he was grinning mischievously as if all it had cost him was a few nights sleep.

 

                And then Heyes understood, to do anything else would let it win.

 

                "Mermaids huh?" Heyes said resting back on his elbows, considering this.  "Might have a point there."

 

                He smiled and Kid grinned back and then laughing with relief and joy at being alive and together they helped each other to their feet and stumbled into the dawn.

 

 

 

                                                                ************************************

 

 

SKOPJE, MACEDONIA (Yugoslavia)

August, 1910

 

 

                The old man glanced around the small church and tried to find peace in its tranquil setting.  In front of him on the altar his third grandchild was being baptized under the watchful eye of his son and daughter in law.

 

                His life had gone well.  He had seen his children grow up safe and happy and he nodded grateful to heaven, satisfied at the path his life had taken.

 

                Nikolle had grown up into a successful businessman and politician.  Bilingual and well traveled; he had done well for himself and his family.  Unfortunately with the new century and new ideas the old ways were forgotten and the reasons why the superstitions had survived.

 

                All around him his neighbors and friends sat unaware, unconcerned, none of them sensing what he did in the ever-increasing shadows of the small mountain town.

 

                He had returned.

 

                At first he had ignored the reports of farm animals drained of blood, but when the first body was found, a foolish drunk venturing out after dark, he knew for certain.  He also knew it had been a calling card meant for him and him alone.   For only he understood why the man had a wooden bullet clasped in his hand.

 

                And this time he was alone.  Oh he had attempted to rally old friends, the Priest at the church, his son, but most wanted nothing of the past and chose instead to ignore him and put his warnings down as the ramblings of an old man.

 

                He had argued long and hard against the evening baptism, despite tradition.  It was better done in the day and the child returned safely home before night fell, but his worries were brushed aside.  What harm could come to a child in God's church?

 

                It was then he saw him.  He stepped out of the shadows and looked directly at him and Gonxha felt his heart freeze in his chest.  Then with a smile both evil and amused, the creature turned and looked directly at the baby being offered up to the Priest and licked his lips with exaggerated emphasis.

 

                His meaning was clear; he had come to feed on his children's children.

 

 

 

 

                                                                **************************

 

 

                Glatz breathed in deeply savoring the mixture of incense and humanity.  It had taken little effort to enter the church, they had long since stopped guarding their gates from his kind and he smiled amused as he watched his brothers slip into the shadows awaiting his signal.

 

                How long had he waited for this moment.  How long had he laid broken and paralyzed on that ledge unable to speak or move or feed?  Decades had gone by before they let down their guard and let a weak mind close enough for him to contact and manipulate.

 

                Once his servants had known of his plight they had rushed to rescue him.  The bullets had been difficult to remove, but once this was done he was free to rest and recover and regain his strength.

 

                Home had called to him and sharpened his hunger for revenge.  But soon, soon he would return to the new world and make them pay.

 

                It was only his hatred for those two that had kept him, no willed him to hang on.  Even now the thought of them gave him a flutter of fear, an emotion so foreign to him and repulsive that he growled out loud.

 

                First Gonxha, the peasant and then those Americans!  He would drink long and deep from their blood….he froze swallowing.

 

                The back door had opened and two familiar figures stopped in the doorway studying the room.  They were older, it had been thirty years, but oddly even with his dark immortality they seemed to have weathered the time far better than he had.  Their athletic stance, their straight, hard bodies hinted that the dangerous edge that had defeated him once still remained.

 

                He had not expected this.  He had not thought the bond forged by those men so long ago would bring them to the old world to answer the call.

 

                And he realized their nobility and honor was as dangerous as their cunning.

 

                But this time he would disappoint them.

 

                This time he was ready for them.

 

 

 

                                                                ***********************************

                                                               

 

                "Tell me again how this is a good plan?  I mean the part about barging in on them, just the two of us," Kid Curry had said earlier as he pulled out his gun and carefully loaded it.

 

                "You would think after all this time you'd come to trust me," Hannibal Heyes said checking the bullets one last time before handing them to his cousin.

 

                "You'd think after all this time I'd have enough sense to say no," Kid grumbled.  "You know at our age we should be sitting back with a good cigar and telling lies about the good old days."

 

                "When this is over I'll buy you that cigar and you can lie till your hearts content."

 

                "Heyes it doesn't count if the good old days were yesterday."

 

                "I just hope you're still faster than those things."

 

                "I'm faster."

 

                "You are older."

 

                "I'm faster," Kid said simply and standing pulled his old holster from the case and slowly began strapping it on.

 

                Heyes watched him, a thrill running through him at the memories it brought back and he watched as he tied it down as he had a 1000 times before and felt the adrenaline surge through his veins.

 

                "If you aren't as fast were going to be in serious trouble."

 

                "You just make sure those bullets work."

 

                "They'll work," Heyes said confidently and then paused.  "Least I think they will."

 

                "Thanks Heyes it's that kind of assurance that has kept me going all these years."

 

 

                                                                *****************************

 

 

                "Two to the left," Kid said softly.

 

                "Got them, that makes 8, including Glatz, how you wanna play this?"

 

                "Depends how upset do you think they are going to get if we burn down their church?"

 

                Heyes looked at him, "I ever mention I really like the way you approach a problem."

 

                "Taught me everything I know Heyes," Kid said taking off his glove and flashing his partner a smile that made him look no more than 20.  "And I'm still fast enough."

 

                His partner grinned pulling out his gun, "I know, I just like to keep you humble.  On three?"

 

                "On three."

 

 

                                                                ******************************

 

 

                The vampires were taken off guard.  Americans, they simply did not have any sense of occasion or etiquette, Glatz swore as the two ex-outlaws entered the room and Heyes fired a shot into the air.

 

                "Excuse me can I have your attention," Heyes smiled. "Hello Gonxha, that's all the Albanian I know so if you could translate I'd be grateful."

 

                "Heyes!  Kid!"  Gonxha said his face breaking into a smile that brought courage to his heart and eyes.  "You came."

 

                "Yup, now you wanna tell these folks to move real quickly over behind the alter," Kid said as around them the hissing of the vampires stepping out of the shadows echoed in the silent church.

 

                "Not this time Mr. Curry!"  Glatz said and suddenly he was at the altar next to the priest.   "I made Mr. Bojaxhiu a vow and I will quench my hunger on his son's child first."

 

                Desperately the priest passed the baby to its mother and turned to defend them, but he was an old man and a sweep of the vampire's hand sent him crumbled next to the font where he lay still.

 

                "Gonxha get her away from him," Heyes yelled.

 

                "Or what you will shoot me with your wooden bullets!" Laughing the creature pulled open his shirt to reveal a metal breastplate.  "Not this time!"

 

                "That's kinda what my partner figured," Kid said and suddenly his gun was in his hand and he fired.  As he did the creatures leapt at them and screaming, people began diving for cover under the pews.

 

                Kid had no time to think, merely react.  Hitting Glatz he merely moved to the next closest attacker and took him down whirling to help his cousin by taking out two more.

 

                From the altar Glatz laughed at the metal bullet that had entered him, penetrating the breastplate.  Then slowly an expression of confusion and terror emerged across his face as from the hole where the bullet had pierced flames began to emerge.  The bullet had exploded inside him.  He was on fire from within.

 

                Staring he watched as his army screamed and erupted into flames as the special bullets did their work and set the creatures on fire.

 

                "Get them out Gonxha!"  Heyes yelled grabbing a small child just in time as one of the creatures collapsed on the wooden pews sending fire rippling down the wooden structure.

 

                Panic was reigning on both sides now and the smoke had made it impossible to see.

 

                Kid's gun seemed to be going off again and again and Heyes lost track of where he was a dozen times, as he helped people from the inferno now building around them.

 

                Pausing for one last glance back he saw Glatz standing on the altar.  He had not moved even as the flames licked his body, he simply could not accept what was happening.

 

                "Let's go," Kid said reaching the door and running past grabbed his partner and pulled him along.

 

                "He's just standing there.  He can't believe he's lost.  That arrogant bastard didn't think he could lose!"

 

                "Don't hold that against him Heyes, you two have at least that in common," Kid grinned.

 

                His partner turned on him not amused, but the grin that greeted him made a smile suddenly replace his scowl and together they pulled back to watch execution.

 

                "Never the easy way with you Americans," Gonxha said with a sigh.

 

                Both men turned and hands were offered in gratitude, welcome and assurance that time had not weakened the bond between them.

 

                "Still don't believe in vampires Heyes?"

 

                "No, but they didn't believe in us so I think its only fair."

 

 

 

                                                *******************************

 

 

                "Had a devil of a time finding you," Heyes laughed the next morning as the three stood staring at the smoldering church a strangely hopeful symbol against the sunrise.  "Fortunately your family is fairly well known so despite our poor translations we were directed here."

 

                "I was afraid I would fight this last fight alone," the Albanian said quietly.  "How did you know?"

 

                "We received word the body was recovered and shipped back here.  Armanderez kept it well guarded, but he died last year and then the vigil slacked off," Heyes explained his face unreadable.

 

                "I am sorry to hear of his death, he was a good man.  But I feared something like this would happen eventually.  The hate in Glatz was too strong.  I am just grateful I lived long enough to see him destroyed finally."

 

                "Yea at least we can…what is it?" Heyes said staring at his partner who suddenly had his gun in his hand.

 

                "Look…" Kid said his voice a whisper.

 

                There in the ruined ashes a form slowly began to rise up, like a man sitting up in bed.  Blackened and lifeless Glatz slowly opened hollow dead eyes.

 

                "You have won, but merely the battle.  I existed before time and I will exist after.  I have fed on your kind since Eden and will continue to feed until Armageddon."

               

                "The hell you will," Kid said clicking back his gun.

 

                "This land will feed me now, the blood that will be spilt shall be in sacrifice to me and will run through its black soil and I shall feast on the innocents once more!"

 

                Kid fired again and again and again until finally the gun just clicked back on the empty chamber until Heyes placed a hand on his arm.

 

                "He's gone."

 

                "He has cursed this land," Gonxha said sinking to his knees looking very old and very frail.

 

                "Come on lets get you home," Heyes said helping the man up. 

 

 

 

                                                                **********************

 

 

                The meal was a somber one, they were tired and the victory felt tainted now.

 

                "My daughter in law wishes to know if you had enough to eat?" Gonxha asked as the pretty young woman smiled at them and whispered something to him.

 

                "Yes, thank you, it was very good," Heyes said realizing he had barely touched his food.

 

                The young woman whispered something to her father in law that made him smile and a moment later she returned carrying a tiny bundle that squirmed as it was placed in Gonxha's hands.

 

                "My grand daughter gentlemen," Gonxha smiled pulling back the blanket.  "Drana has reminded me God does provide a weapon against curses."

 

                Heyes looked at him confused.

 

                "It is a saying here," Gonxha smiled.  "A child is the weapon of hope."

 

                The three men considered this as their minds ran back over all the violence and terror they had witnessed over a full life time…and all the hope.

 

                "To hope," Kid said finally and raised his glass.

 

                "And the children who supply it," Heyes agreed and the glasses clicked as a signal that evil had not yet had its day, and as long as heroes lived, never would.

 

               

 

Historical Note:

 

Gonxha's homeland of Macedonia is now modern day Yugoslavia.  It was the starting point of World War I and the home of atrocities and massacres under Nazi rule during World War II.

 

With 'President' Tito, communism was embraced and death squads continued the murder of the innocents.  Currently Bosnia, Kosovo and Belgrade are brand names for terror and genocide as 'ethnic' cleansing continues the slaughter.

 

But despite all the horror that has come from this region, Gonxha was correct when he said children were the only true weapons of hope.  His third granddaughter, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was indeed born August 26, 1910 and in a strike for the down trodden and poorest of the poor she became their defender, eventually to be known under the 'alias' of…Mother Teresa.