“HERE.”
Nina thrust five wraps of an aluminium foil and five bottles of table water into the cell.
The boys eyed the package warily.
“What is that?” Billy asked.
Mart, who was closest to the gate unwrapped one and found a chicken hamburger.
“Listen, are you boys hungry or not?”
They each collected one, still eyeing her warily until Zach bit into his. They all looked at him like they expected him to die of poison immediately.
“What?” He queried, looking at them back.
When they saw that he did not die, they all munched in unison.
“I need to use the toilet.” Jeff said.
“number one or number two?”
“Wha?”
Nina looked at him. ” Do you want to take the piss or take a shit?”
“The piss.”
“Then do it right there.” She walked away.
“This is a good one…” Zach said with a full mouth. “The hamburger, I mean.”
“Shut up.” Arthur snapped. “That’s food from the enemy.”
“The enemy makes good food.”
“You’re a fool.”
“Don’t call me that!”
“Or what?” Arthur challenged. He stood up now and clenched his fists.
“What is wrong with you? The both of you?” Billy stood up and faced Arthur. “Why is your knickers in a twist?” He faced Zach. “Haven’t you ever eaten Hamburgers in your life?”
Arthur calmed down and sat beside Jeff.
A Vampire came up and banged on the gate. “What’s all the ruckus about?”
“What do you care?” Mart snarled.
“You talk like that to me again and I will come in there and strangle your puny neck.” The vampire banged on the gate again.
“I’d like to see you try.” Mart said again.
The vampire stared at him for a long while, during which everybody kept quiet and was staring at each other. Then walked away.
“Do you want to die?” Billy asked Mart.
When he didn’t answer, Billy grabbed him by the neck and shook him hard. “Don’t do that again. It’s not just your life at risk now. Our lives too. Hear me?”
“I really need to pee.” Jeff said.
“Use this.” Zach tossed his empty water bottle at Jeff, who caught it and went to a corner to do his business.
“That was a new face. Ellie is gone.” Mart said. He was calm now.
“Maybe they’re going to be taking shifts.” Zach suggested.
Jeff walked back to them, screwing on the cover of the bottle. He placed the bottle on the outside of the cell.
“I have an idea.” Arthur said. He took the bottle of urine, opened it, and flung it outside through the small window.
“What was that for?” Jeff asked.
“Hopefully, the scent will attract our alpha. Or any other wolf for that matter.”
“It wouldn’t work.” Billy said forlornly. He slumped and rested back on the wall.
“Why?” Arthur asked, a little aggressive now. He didn’t like when his idea was being disapproved.
“Why do you think we didn’t perceive their scent on the morteaux flower site?”
They had no answer to that.
They hadn’t really thought about it. Werewolves should be able to scent Vampires from 10 miles away.
“They had magic involved. Black magic with the help of witches.”
Realisation dawned on their faces and they understood what Billy was talking of. They slumped back and sighed without hope.
It was still early morning so Vampires were still able to roam about.
“They’re just children, Rad.” They heard Nina’s voice echo down the hall.
Then they heard the footsteps. Two footsteps. Nina came and stood by their gate. “Tsk tsk. You boys better behave yourselves.”
The vampire from before stood beside her, glaring ice daggers at Mart with his eyes.
“Rad here, is not very patient or tolerant as Ellie… or me.”
“Ellie is patient?”
“Quiet boy! Keep quiet!” Rad snarled at Mart who had just spoken.
“Ellie is patient.” Nina said. “Atleast compared to this one here.”
Mart snorted.
“I want that one, Nina.” Rad said, pointing at Mart. “When it’s time for them to die. I want to kill him myself.”
Nina cocked her head and gave Mart a sly look, Then she said, “That you will.”
“So we’re going to die?” Zach asked in his normal timid way.
“We’ll see about that.” Nina said and smiled. But it was not a good smile. It was an evil looking smile. “I don’t give the orders around here.”
With that, she walked away. Rad gave each of them a penetrative glare, stopping and staring longer at Mart. Then he followed her out.
“We’ve got to get out of here.” Billy said.
His companions nodded. Even as they knew the chances were slim and almost probable to zero.
THE BREAKFAST ROOM was a very large and spaced out hall with a great long table down the middle. There were many floor to ceiling windows in the room and the early morning sun shone through. On the other side of the room was a wide side board om which many breakfast delicacies were piled on. On the sideboard coffee maker was brewing out coffee, steamed egg, fried eggs, boiled eggs, bacon, large soft warm bread, some other food I had never set eyes on before were available. On the table, Jugs of warm water for tea, tea leaves and small cups were sited there.
There were people all over. The room was bustling with activities. They didn’t look like much last night when we got here, now they look more in numbers. And this table would contain them all and free seats would be left.
“Here. It’s a serve yourself.” Elsa said, handing me and Jake plates and knives.
I walked over to the side board and stared. Indecision swelled in my guts.
I was caught between showing modesty and gluttony. But I was so damn hungry.
Apparently, Jake was not having any of that.
“What are those?” I heard him ask Elsa. He was pointing at some yellow objects in a deep tray.
“Sliced mangoes.” She replied.
He stuffed 3 pieces in his mouth and proceeded to pack on a full plate of fried, steamed and poached eggs with bacon.
“Won’t you eat anything?”
I nearly jumped on the board at the sound of the husky voice behind me. I turned and stared into deep hazel eyes that pulled me into depth unknown.
“Luna Gabriella.” I bowed.
“You slept well?” She asked and side stepped me. She picked a plate and placed a couple of fried eggs and bacon on it. Then she handed the plate to me and nodded me towards the table.
I collected the plate of food and shuffled towards the table. I couldn’t find neither Elsa nor Jake.
Alpha Andrés sat at the head, silently chewing his food and watching me with black eyes. His eyes were warm as I approached to greet him.
“Good morning alpha Andrés.” I bowed.
“How are you, chico?” He beamed at me.
“Just fine.” I turned to find where Jake was sitting but Alpha Andrés said, “Sit with me, chico. Aquí.” He patted the seat on his left side.
I reluctantly sat down there and placed my food in front of me and picked at it, sullenly.
I wondered how so many people were in a room together bit the place want rowdy, except for the occasional giggle or chuckle from some little kids. A group of teenage girls, about Elsa’s age passed by my back, with a flirty laugh. A brown haired one winked at me. I blushed furiously and attacked my food.
I stared at her retreating back and long hair. The hair extended past her waist.
“A beauty, huh?” Alpha Andrés said to me. He had been watching me watch the girls. I nodded my head. He continued, “Brazilian girls are some of the most beautiful girls in the world.”
I chewed on the eggs thoughtfully. “Their hair is so long.” I muttered.
“Ah yes. Maria in particular. Her hair never stays short even since when she was just a kid.”
Luna came back to the table. She sat on the right side of the Alpha and asked me, “Where’s your cousin?”
I glanced around trying to find Jake. The new faces were too much; occasionally, I would make eye contact with some children staring at me. I couldn’t find Jake. I shook my head at Gabriella’s question. “Last I saw him, he was talking about food with Elsa.” I said.
They didn’t answer to that. I was feeling awkward with the constant, “Good morning, Alpha” that people greeted as they passed by. I crammed the rest of my food and swallowed in one gulp.
“Thank you Alpha and you too, Luna.” I picked up my plate.
“Are you sure you’re filled?” Gabriella asked me
“Yes ma. I really don’t eat much.”
“Don’t forget to wash it down with tea or fruit juice.” Andrés told me as I walked away. As an afterthought he added, “Or wine.”
“Andrés! No le digas a un niño pequeño qué beba vino tan tan temprano en la mañana.*” Gabriella chided her husband.
“El niño que ha estado mirando a las chicas desde que llegó aquí.**” Andrés laughed.
*: You can’t tell a child to drink wine in the early morning.
**: That child has been starting at girls since he came here.