Darkness Fades

Chapter 12

They take me down a hallway and into a large room, keeping close to me like they think I’m going to run or something. Inside the room sits a wooden table with chairs down both sides of it. There are no windows and the only light comes from the candles placed sporadically about, the flames flickering and dancing.

Leaning his weight on his stick, Mathew limps to the end of the table and takes a seat. He motions for me to take a seat next to him as he sets the stick down on the ground. “Please, have a seat.”

I waver, looking around at the empty room while hovering near the door. “I thought you said we were going to meet the others?” I still have the knife, holding it out to the side, and Mathew eyes it with interest.

“You don’t have to worry about it, Kayla. It’s okay to put the knife away; we aren’t going to hurt you.” He smiles at me as he crosses his arms on the table. “I’ve sent for someone to bring your friends here.”

I plaster a fake smile on. “I think I’ll simply hold onto it, just in case.” I select a spot at the table a ways away from him and pull out a chair, sinking down into it. Nichelle goes to the opposite side of the table and takes a seat right next to Mathew. We wait in silence, eyeing each other down; Mathew trying to look comforting while Nichelle looks annoyed.

Finally, the door opens and a man enters with Greyson and Aiden to the side of him. They both look confused, looking around, but show no signs of being harmed. Aiden doesn’t have his hood on and his hands are out, making me wonder if they came from inside the building or if darkness has arrived

“Please, have a seat,” Mathew says, gesturing at the table.

Aiden’s eyes land on me and he rushes over to sit beside me while Greyson walks to the other side of the table and takes a seat opposite of Mathew.

“Where’s Maci?” I ask Aiden.

“They patched her up and she’s resting in a room,” he answers, staring Mathew down with a cold, hard glare. “Who’s the old guy?”

Before I can explain, Mathew clears his throat. “First, I want to apologize to each of you for the way we welcomed you. You need to understand that it was only done to protect the people of this town. We needed to be positive that none of you had been infected by the virus.” He pauses and directs his attention at Aiden. “Or that any of you would be a danger to us.”

“If you thought we would be dangerous, why did you bring us here?” I interrupt, putting my arms on the table, reminding them that I still have the knife.

Mathew’s pale eyes glance at the knife then at me. “I didn’t expect you to arrive with others. It surprised me. Also, when we saw the wounds and blood on Maci, we needed to make sure she wasn’t bitten; that none of you were.”

I place my knife on the table and fold my arms. “I can understand that. We all want to protect those we belong to.”

He nods in agreement. “Exactly.” A bead of sweat drips down from his forehead and he wipes it on his sleeve. I remember that Nichelle told me earlier that Mathew had been bitten. I wonder if he is changing, if he is putting his people at risk right now.

“Nichelle told me you were bitten,” I say. “Yet you haven’t changed. How is that possible?”

“That isn’t the reason I brought you here,” he replies, looking pale and worn out. “When I worked with the doctors at the colony, we were experimenting with our medications on animals. It was difficult to see what kind of results we were getting. So Gabrielle and Monarch began stealing children for our experiments. They rationalized their antics by telling themselves they would only steal children who had been neglected or abused in their homes.”

Aiden’s eyes flicker with rage. “That’s bull. Sylas and I were never neglected or abused by our parents.”

He gives him a sad look. “I’m not sure how come the two of you were chosen, but after they stole you, they had to slow down on the amount of children that they were stealing. Your parents did a massive search trying to find you. Everyone at the colony worried we’d all be found and then locked away.”

Aiden jumps up, toppling his chair over. “Stop lying.”

Nichelle instantly jumps up in front of Mathew, putting herself between Aiden and him. “Watch it. I’m not afraid to take you out.”

Aiden laughs sardonically, throwing his head back. “Like you could.”

She glares at him, her voice dropping low with a warning, “Want to find out?”

Aiden laughs again, but it fizzles out and he lets it go, picking up his chair. “So you knew about everything? You were a part of it?” he asks Mathew. “How can you stand to live with yourself after the torture you put all of us through?” He’s shaking from head to toe and I can tell he’s about to do something based on his anger.

I gently place my hand on Aiden’s arm. He glances at it as I pull him back down in his chair. “Easy, okay? Let’s hear what he has to say.”

Mathew’s expression is full of remorse as Nichelle sits back down in her seat. “When I found out how bad things were,” he says. “The horrible experiments and torture that were being conducted, I didn’t stay. I left the colony and came here. But it was already too late to stop the cycle of what was going on. All I could do was try to prepare myself, and as many others as possible, for what was going to be inevitable.”

“Cedrix told me that the world is this way because of greed,” I say. “Can you tell us what happened? How the world became this way; how the vampires came into existence?”

He looks surprised. “You know Cedrix?” he asks. I nod. “He’s one of the few doctors that tried to put an end to the madness before it became worse.”

“I knew him,” I tell him. “We all did… but he’s not alive anymore.”

Mathew’s eyes fill with anguish and he lets out a deep sigh as he looks down at his hands. “I’m sad to say that I’m not surprised. Death is more common than life anymore.” He returns his eyes to me and they’re watery, something I don’t understand. “And he was right when he told you that it was greed that started this. He knew exactly how it all started; we all did because we were all part of it. We are all responsible.” He takes a trembling breath. “And the reason the vampires came into existence was all because of one little girl named Kayla.”

My jaw drops. I’m shocked, stunned and a little pissed off, amongst other things. Everyone looks in my direction, waiting for me to say something or hurt them.

I shake my head, my hands starting to tremble. “You’re lying.”

“Kayla, please calm down,” Mathew says. “I’m not saying you’re responsible. The doctors kept trying different injections on all the children. Usually they would end up dying or worse, turn into something that was half-dead, half-alive. However, when the injected you, it was as if your body became stronger and adapted to each serum they tried. Monarch decided to turn you into a perfect soldier. He didn’t allow you to make any connections with children. There was a day in the lab when he thought everything was perfect and he tricked you into biting someone.”

I can remember sinking my teeth into someone very well. “Gabrielle,” I say quietly.

“Yes, and that day started the change,” he explains. “Gabrielle immediately knew that he was changing into something; something stronger and more powerful than he had ever imagined. The rest of the doctors became excited and envious; they wanted to experience the same thing. So they injected themselves with the virus. The shot was called the fountain of youth; it would provide eternal life to those who took it. By this time, I’d left the colony, but from what I understand, the virus was marketed to the elite within the next few weeks. These elite groups of people became known as the Highers.”

“But something went wrong with the virus?” Aiden asks, pushing up the sleeves of his jacket.

Mathew nods, reclining in his chair. “It wasn’t too long before the Highers developed a thirst for blood and started feeding off humans. In addition, there was something about the Highers’ bite that caused people to forget they’d been bit. But the humans could only endure so many bites before they became infected and turned into what we now call vampires. As you know, their bite is deadly and immediately infects their victim, causing the disease to spread as they turn.”

I remember the Highers feeding off the vampires, and so this doesn’t make sense. “But why did I see the Highers feeding on the vampires?”

“Human blood no longer fulfills them. There’s something different with the composition of the vampire blood that allows the Highers to maintain their looks and strength. There’s a rumor going around that the Highers are becoming immune to the effects of the vampires’ blood and they need to come up with a different solution or their race may end.”

It’s all starting to make perfect sense. The bite of Gabrielle. The Highers feeding on the vampires, but why does it feel like something’s missing?

“When I was captured by Monarch and Gabrielle they told me they needed me alive to save their race,” I tell him. “Why?”

“I’m not sure… it would make sense, though, since the vampire’s blood is beginning to lose its effectiveness for them.” He pauses. “They’re probably trying to go back to the original source again. Start over and find another cure.” He clasps his hands together in front of him, contemplating something. “Whatever happens, we must make sure they don’t capture you again. We can’t risk them finding a cure if they are beginning to weaken.”

I note Mathew’s pale eyes again. “You never did explain to me why you look like a Higher,” I point out with wariness.

“Before I left the colony, I injected myself with one of the viruses that I believed to be a cure from the bite of a vampire. It had no effect on me until I was bitten a few weeks ago.” He spreads his hands out to the side of him. “This is what has happened since then.”

Aiden leans forward in his chair, his leg pushing against mine from under the table. I wonder if he’s doing it on purpose or if he even knows he is. “So, you are trying to tell us that you were bitten by a vampire weeks ago and are still alive? Because I find all of this hard to believe.”

Nichelle shoots Aiden a harsh look, her jaw tightening. “It’s true. We had some vampires break through our barricades. We lost many of our people.” She looks at Mathew with pride. “Mathew tried to defend the town, but was bitten on the leg.”

He returns her grin and she directs her attention back to Aiden, her eyes darkening. “A few weeks have passed and here he stands, not infected at all.”

Mathew looks at her sadly. “I haven’t turned yet, but I can feel it coming. It’s only a matter of time.”

“What do you mean it’s only a matter of time? How can you tell?” Greyson asks curiously. He’s been so quiet through all this, I almost forgot her was there.

Mathew seems uncomfortable with the question and shifts in his chair, moving forward then deciding to lean back again, as though he can’t figure out what to do with himself. “I started hallucinating that my skin was falling off. I’ve actually had to check in the mirror several times to make sure it’s not real.”

Aiden raises his eyebrows at me, bumps my knee from under the table and then whispers, “Do you really believe him?”

I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything anymore.

“Are you sure that you’re not putting anyone at risk; that you’re not changing?” I ask Mathew.

“Mathew wouldn’t put anybody at risk,” Nichelle snaps. “He’s always been the one who tries to help others.”

Mathew puts his hand on Nichelle’s and gives her an affectionate look. “Nichelle’s right. If I think that I’m becoming dangerous to anyone, I’ll make sure the right thing is done.”

Greyson looks at Mathew with disappointment. “So your change has only been delayed. Does that mean that there’s no cure?” He frowns.

Mathew takes a folded piece of paper out of his pocket then he puts it onto the table and smoothes out the wrinkles. There’s something written on it, but since I can’t read. I don’t know what it says.

“Not too long ago a man came in search of me,” he says. “He claimed to be sent here by Monarch, and he told me that Monarch wasn’t sure if I was still alive, but if I was, he was to deliver this paper to me. From what I remember of Monarch’s handwriting, I’m pretty sure the man wasn’t lying and Monarch did write this.” He taps his finger on the paper.

“What does it say?” I ask, glancing at Aiden, wondering if he can read it.

“Apparently, Monarch had a change of heart and wanted to reverse the damage that he caused,” Mathew explains. “He finally discovered a cure and wrote it down. He was afraid that he’d be caught, so he hid the information in his office at the colony.”

I know what papers he’s talking about. The one’s that Sylas and I found earlier. I’m not sure why Monarch would tell Mathew about it when he was so careful to make sure that he removed all my memories and put them into Aiden, so that his plans to save the world would stay hidden.

“Why did he tell you about it?” I ask Mathew with caution.

“He told me about everything in this letter… his plans for an army of Day Takers and how you’re the only Day Walker. He wanted a backup plan to make sure that there was someone else that knew about the cure. I guess, because I wasn’t happy when the virus was created, he assumed that I’d want to make sure a cure was found.”

“So what we need are those papers that are hidden?” Aiden asks, raking his fingers through his hair, leaving it sticking up everywhere. “If they are still even there.”

“They’re there,” I tell them. They all look at me inquisitively, waiting for me to explain further.

“How do you know?” Nichelle asks skeptically, glancing at the knife in front of me.

“Because I’ve already found them,” I tell them, putting my hand over the knife, ready to use it if needed.

“You have them?” Mathew asks, his eyes lighting up.

I shake my head. “I had them. But when Sylas and I were attacked, I dropped them.”

“Do you think that Gabrielle has them?” Aiden asks, frowning.

I bite my lip, deliberating. “I don’t think so. There were other papers scattered all over the room to begin with, so I’m pretty sure that no one even noticed when I dropped them, but then again, I can’t be one-hundred percent sure.” I can’t be one-hundred percent sure of anything.

“Then we should go get them,” Nichelle says with way too much enthusiasm. “If we hurry, maybe we can make the cure before…” She trails off as she glances over at Mathew.

She’s right. We should go get the papers and bring them back. Mathew is one of the original doctors. He has a better chance of understanding what Monarch wrote down. He may be able to make the cure. Besides, even though I don’t want to think about it, there’s a chance that if I go back, I can find Sylas. I hate that I’m getting my hopes up, though, when deep down I know it’s never going to happen. Sylas is gone.

“You’re right,” I say to Nichelle, collecting my knife from the table. “We do need to go get them, but you need to stay here.”

“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” she says harshly. “Besides, you may need my help.”

“Nichelle, Kayla’s right,” Mathew interrupts, placing his hand over hers again. “You need to stay here. The vampires are becoming more aggressive and it is becoming more difficult to keep them out of town. We need your help here. Kayla and Aiden are more than capable of doing this by themselves. They just need to be careful not to run into any Highers.”

Greyson looks at both Aiden and I. “What about me and Maci?”

“Is it all right if they stay with you?” I ask Mathew, hoping upon hope that I’m not making a mistake. That he’s trustworthy and won’t hurt them

He nods and relief washes over me because, even though I don’t want to say it aloud, I don’t want to have to take them with us. They’ll only slow us down.

“You have to promise me that you’ll let nothing happen to Maci,” I tell Mathew with a warning in my tone.

He nods. “I will make sure nothing happens to her. I promise,” he says truthfully.

I turn to Aiden who is watching me with curiosity. Before I can even open my mouth to ask him if he wants to go, he says, “When are we leaving?”

When he says he’ll go, I almost want to tell him to stay behind, but at the same time, if something happened to me, it’ll be good if he’s there to step in and finish the job; to save the world. It’ll be getting dark and the vampires will be roaming, yet for Aiden and I, that doesn’t matter. So weird.

“Now,” I say, the strangeness of the situation even more evident.

He stands up and waits for me by the door with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

I get to my feet. “Give us two days,” I tell Mathew. “That should give us enough time to get there and back.”

He nods and then I motion for Greyson to come over to me. Nichelle and Mathew give me a strange look, but don’t say anything as he winds around the table and huddles up with me.

“If anything weird happens at all,” I tell him in a low voice, “get Maci out of here.”

He squirms uneasily, scratching at the back of his neck. “Where should I go?”

“To the caves back up on the hill. And hide out there until Aiden or I return.”

He reluctantly nods and then Aiden and I open the door to head out, unsure of how dangerous it is, though certain that there will be dangers. Not with the vampires, but with the abominations; the unknown. Plus, we’re walking into the Highers’ territory.

“Kayla, Aiden, please be careful,” Mathew calls out as I’m shutting the door. “We need you to return; we need those papers.”

I nod and then we leave, walking down a hall, and moments later, we’re outside. The sky is dark, the air chilly, and the vampires’ cries greet us from the distance; however, we don’t have to be afraid.

The town has a wall built around it made from old vehicles and scraps of metal. Guards are posted on top of the barricade with knives, ready to kill anything that threatens to try to break through. Aiden and I climb on top of one of the barricades so we can jump over to the other side. There are two guards posted there, one short and round, the other tall and sturdy. The tall one steps in front of me as I attempt to hoist myself over a smashed-in car and to the other side.

“What do you think you are doing?” He walks up to me, his boots crunching against the dirt and rocks and he almost steps on my fingers. “You can’t leave town now. It’s getting dark.”

“Your rules don’t apply to us,” I tell him as I push myself on top. Rules. I hate rules.

“Leave them alone, Earl,” the other one says, moving his knife to his other hand as he stares out at the opposite direction from us. “They’re part freak. Can’t you tell?” They both laugh at us.

Aiden jumps back over onto the car, heading towards them, fist clenched and raised. I quickly stand up and latch onto his arm, pulling him towards me as I back to the edge of the roof. I keep backing up until we reach the edge then I tug him with me as I hop down to the other side, landing with a soft thud in the dirt.

“Let me go.” He jerks his arm away from me and starts back towards the wall where the guards look down at us, still laughing under their breath.

“It’s not worth it, Aiden.” I grab the collar of his jacket and drag him backward then I take his hand and start to walk away out into the hills and desert.

“Yes, it is.” He grins as he looks down at our hands that are clasped together.

I shake my head, wanting to smack him. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

I try to let go of his hand, but he tightens his grip. “Can’t we just enjoy it for a second?” he asks as I wind downward into a group of towering rocks.

I resist the urge to pull my hand away and try to find the enjoyment he suggests, wondering if I can get there, but I can’t. Honestly, I don’t really feel anything at all, except the slight chilliness of his skin. My mind wanders back to Sylas and the kiss we shared before Gabrielle captured us. A spark of sadness hits me as I think of what he has turned into. How he no longer exists and has become a monster, that he might have been one of those things running around on the street.

“You look sad… what are you thinking about?” Aiden asks, his eyes sweeping the path in front of us—the rocks, the bushes—his body tensing with every vampire cry, as if he’s still not used to being able to walk with them.

“Nothing important,” I mutter. “I just hope we’re not too late to find the papers,” I lie. My thoughts are still firmly planted on Sylas and the kiss. I can almost visualize him changing into some unknown horror of a monster and I simply left him. What the hell? Why did I do that? Why am I so worried about it now? Why do I feel so… so guilty?

“You know we don’t need to go back to the colony; we don’t have to get the papers and take them back,” he says, tugging on my arm and moving me to the side as a snake slithers across the ground in front of us.

I gape at him, slamming to a stop. “Are you being serious right now? Because getting those papers is pretty much the only hope for humanity.”

“Who says humanity is worth saving? Maybe this,” he points at himself and me, “is what is really supposed to happen to the world. Maybe we are perfection,” he says smugly and starts walking again, pulling me with him.

I jerk my hand from his. “What the hell’s happened to you? You’ve changed and I don’t think I like it.”

He shrugs, stepping to the side, putting distance between us. “I’ve changed into something better.” I glare at him and he smiles. “Look at us, Kayla, the vampires won’t bite us. I haven’t seen you drink any blood and I know that I don’t have the thirst for it. We’re strong. Fast. Basically invincible. Isn’t this better than being a weak human and having to worry about surviving every day? It’s as if we’re perfect.”

I’m about to tell him that he’s lost his mind and sounds just like the Highers when we’re interrupted by a hoard of vampires blocking the trail in front of us. They’re lined up in a row across the path and between the rocks as they viciously snap their teeth at us and snarl; some stepping forward and some moving back like a rippling wave.

Aiden smirks at them and then at me, giving me the most arrogant look, before he takes off and charges headfirst towards the group, bringing his knife out as he charges. He jumps into the air right before he reaches the line of them and kicks his feet out in front of him, knocking down the front ones before he lands in a crouch. Quickly springing up, he slashes flesh and stabs them in the heart, moving at a speed my eyes can barely detect; I almost start to worry that he’s faster than me. The vampires explode into dust one by one while any that are left take a whiff of the air and start to retreat back into the shadows and down into the flat area of the land, letting out shriek after shriek.

Aiden strolls towards me with a gloating look on his face. “See what I mean.” He tucks his knife into his pocket and brushes dust off his hands. “This is much better. We kill them instead of them killing us. We’re the only ones that can control them.”

He seems like a completely different person than he was before he changed. When I changed, I felt better, stronger, but I didn’t lose my sense of compassion for the human race. Not like Aiden seems to have done.

He’s right. We’re the only ones that can control them, but it still doesn’t mean that this is what the world comes to. That we’re the future of humanity. There’s still so much we can do. We can still save the world.

Flashing me a grin, Aiden turns and strides off towards the hill like he’s proving he’s faster than me. I watch him as he makes his way up the hill while I trudge behind him, wondering if he’s lost all of the humanity inside of him.

If the Aiden I first met is completely gone, then it’s completely up to me to bring those papers back.