Angelfall: Parts 1 to 5 (7 page)

“Growing? You’re over 8,000 years old. Not that much growing left,” said Angela.

He released her from his embrace.

“What do you guys have tonight?” he said as he followed her inside.

She took a pen and pad from her blood smeared white apron.

She ushered him to a booth with a reclining couch and a low table. He sat.

“You vampire’s are so picky,” teased Angela.

“It used to be that any old blood would do.”

“You act as if you are not a vampire too,” he said with a chuckle.

“Lombhardi will be with you shortly,” she said. “You want your usual in the mean time?”

Victor nodded.

“But add a twist of lime,” he shouted to her as she walked away. She turned around walking backwards.

“I get off at 11 tonight so make sure you come for me on time. I have a surprise for you,” she said as she smiled.

“Great. Thrill me,” he said.

“Don’t sound so thrilled. I hardly get to see you,” shouted Angela.

Lombhardi sauntered over to Victor.

“Keeping yourself away are we,” said Lombardi.

“No. Not really. I'm coming off an Isle of Man tour. Trust me they really know how to party over there, and the women-”

“Yes. I know,” Lombhardi interrupted Victor.

“I mean the women are so tasty,” said Victor. “I really wanted to stay but you know I can't miss this year’s Day of the Fall celebrations; had to rush back. I hear they’re having an extended carnival session this year.”

“It’s true. Arch Demon Marlon is officiating this year,” Lombhardi said.

“I’m starving. Whatcha got tonight?” said Victor.

“We have Russian-”

“Boring,” interrupted Victor.

“Italian-”

“Even more boring,” said Victor

“Then there’s Chinese-”

“Mandarin or Cantonese?” Victor asked.

“Mandarin,” said Lombhardi.

“Don’t bother,” said Victor. “Villagio’s is not the premiere vampire culinary specialists it used to be.”

“Oh. We do have a special tonight but I didn’t think you would like it so-”

“What is it?” interrupted Victor.

“Jamaican,” said Lombhardi. “It’s on the spicy side.”

“Perfect. I’ll take it.”

Lombhardi scribbled as Angela returned with his Bloody Mary with a twist of lime. She stared into his eyes and grinned as she placed the drink before him.

“Very well. Let me warn you our Jamaican meal is a challenge to devour,” said Lombhardi with a grimace.

“I’ll take my chances,” Victor said as he picked off the lime slice from the chilled glass and squeezed it into his drink. Lombhardi shrugged his shoulder and left for the kitchen.

“I hear The Son of The Morning Star is appearing at this year’s Day of The Fall,” said Angela.

“Yeah. I’m sure,” said Victor.

“You don’t sound so enthusiastic,” she said.

“Don’t get me wrong. I am used to being a vampire. The earthly thing, it’s great and all. But I just think the rebellion could have been done successfully. You know. I just think it’s his fault. You know-”

Angela put her hand over Victor’s mouth. Her hand muffled his voice.

“Ssshhhhh. They’ll hear you. Don’t let them hear you spea-”

Victor took her hand from his mouth and smiled.

“I was saying it’s okay. The truth is the truth,” said Victor. “I would have done a better job.”

“You worry me,” she said.

“I worry me too,” said Victor sipping his Bloody Mary.

A loud shout came from the kitchen.

“Get off me mahn. Raaaasss. Get off me,” said the middle pitched voice with a Jamaican lilt.

Lombhardi and another waiter busted into the dining area with a large brown Jamaican Rastaman with thick locks. The man was bound with his hands behind him and his feet were shackled. The Rastaman could not run away.

“I said get off me mahn,” said the Rastaman as Lombhardi and the other waiter threw him onto the reclining couch where Victor was seated. Lombhardi lost his balance and stumbled a bit.

Lombhardi and Victor looked at each other as Lombhardi got up dusting his apron off.

“There you go, the Jamaican special,” said Lombhardi out of breath. “I told you it was a rough meal.”

“ Look. You people better let my raaas go or else. I told you I’m not into these tings mahn. I’m not into these crying games,” said the Rastaman.

“Live or comatose?” said Lombhardi to Victor as Lombhardi motioned to the Rastaman.

“Live please. The coma injection makes the blood taste funny.”

“Very well. Live it is,” said Lombhardi as he pulled a roll of masking tape from his apron.

Within seconds the Rastaman was gagged at the mouth. His protests and screams were reduced to smothered muffles as Lombhardi smiled.

“Enjoy your meal,” said Lombhardi as he and the waiter left for the kitchen.

Angela looked at the helpless Jamaican bound on Victor’s couch.

“I’ll let you feed,” said Angela as Victor flashed his pearly white fangs. “Starved I’m sure you are.”

The Rastaman wiggled in the couch trying to break free but it was no use.

Within seconds, Victor’s fangs had penetrated the Rastaman’s neck and the locked Jamaican went limp. For a few minutes Victor fed on him careful to not drink too much of the blood.

A vampire never wanted to kill the victim only to drain the blood like the Masai Warriors of Africa skilled in draining a cow for just enough blood to enrich their diet. Victor fed for his life.

Victor as he lifted from the Rastaman’s neck.

The man lay limp on the reclining couch as Victor took the red napkin from his table and wiped the trickles of blood from the corner of his mouth.

“Hey Victor,” came a voice from the couch located behind him.

“Herod. What’s up?”

“Enjoying your Caribbean delight I take it,” said Herod.

“Ah quite tasty but I feel a little high,” said Victor.

“First time?” said Herod.

“Yeah. Whoa,” said Victor as he shook his head. “I don’t feel so good.”

Victor was turning even paler if that was possible.

“Yeah. The Rastas will do that to you. It’s like smoking the ganja yourself. It goes right to their bloodstream you know,” said Herod.

“How long does it last?” said Victor now lying down holding his head.

“Well since it’s your first Rastaman it will probably drain from your system in a day or two.”

Herod motioned for Lombhardi to come. Lombhardi walked over to them and noticed that Victor was sprawled on the couch.

“I’m going to be sick,” said Victor.

“It’s his first time feeding from a Rasta,” said Herod to Lombhardi. Lombhardi chuckled.

“I thought you knew,” said Lombhardi to Victor who was still sprawled on the couch.

“The THC goes straight to their bloodstream. Pure unadulterated ganja high,” Lombhardi said. Victor held his head and continued to moan. Angela rushed over to Victor.

“I'm sorry baby,” she said as she stooped down beside him. She put the back of her hand to his forehead.

“You’re such a baby, darling,” said Angela. “You’ll be okay. It will wear off in a couple of days.”

Angela summoned a waitress over. A young looking brunette vampire beckoned to her call.

“Please get me a gallon bottle of warm water and the peroxide out of the medicine cabinet. The young brunette nodded and rushed off.

“I guess I'm going to have to take off early tonight to take care of you,” said Angela.

“I guess,” moaned Victor.

Lombardi walked to another table to serve a young vampire couple that had just walked in. The young brunette waitress returned with the water and peroxide. Angela carefully measured two bottle caps of peroxide and poured it into the water.

“Sit up and drink this. It will help with your nausea,” said Angela as she helped him to sit up.

She poured a glass of the mixture and gave it to him.

A whirling alarm, which sounded distant at first, shrieked outside the restaurant.

Within minutes Victor was surrounded by members of Vampirol, the vampire police force that patrolled the vampire world.

Angela stood up in front of Victor.

“Victor Saul?” said a bearded Vampirol officer decked in a red uniform with blue stripes draped along his jacket and pants.

“I am Victor Saul. What is this about,” said Victor in a weak voice.

He put down the glass of peroxide mixture on the table.

“Sir, I am Inspector Vladimir Anon,” with Vampirol. “You are hereby placed under arrest.”

“For what,” said Victor suddenly not feeling so sickly.

“I was getting to that if you will allow me,” said Inspector Anon. “Seize him,” said Inspector Annan.

 Eight officers surrounded him. One of them tasered him so that he couldn’t fly.

He immediately screamed in pain as the taser surged through his body.

He fell with a soft blow onto the couch.

“What is this for? Can’t you see he is sick?” said Angela as she tried to push the officers away from him.

“Ma'am. Get out of the way or we’ll arrest you for assaulting a member of the force and obstructing officers carrying out their duties,” said Inspector Anon.

Victor tossed in pain.

“Pick him up,” said the inspector. They pushed Angela out of the way.

“Mr. Saul. You are under arrest for threatening treason against the kingdom of darkness,” said the inspector.

“Cuff him,” he said. The officers cuffed him and dragged his weak body out of Villagio's with Angela screaming.

The patrons resumed their bloody meals.

Inspector Anon and the officers flew into the air with Victor dangling by his shoulders.

Within moments they flew him to an exceeding high mountain cave with a large entrance.

They took him deep within the cave to an area with a cell lockup.

They threw him in and slammed the specially made bars shut. No vampire known to their world could break it.

Normally a vampires spit had special enzymes that melted metal but this cell was impervious to its effects. Victor slid flat on the floor.

Who said something? That was a private conversation between me and Angela thought Victor. It had to be a customer at Villagio’s. I saw a few on their phones, continued Victor in thought.

The taser’s effect was wearing off. A voice came from inside the cell.

“Hey brother. Sit up. Don’t let them see you defeated. That is what they want,” said a young black vampire with cool brown skin and long braided here.

Victor sat up on the floor with his back to the wall. He still felt a little dizzy.

“I'm okay,” said Victor. They were silent for a moment. Victor broke the silence.

“What's going to happen to me?”

“Well, first of all you need a lawyer. I suggest Valentino Miller. But he's as expensive as they get. He looks like 20,000 years old but he’s in good with most judges. You'll probably get bail using him,” said the black vampire. “I'm Cyril by the way.”

“I am Victor,” he said. Victor glanced to the corner of the wall and saw an old white vampire curled up on the floor.

“Who’s he,” said Victor.

“Oh that's Johnson. He's been in here for over a year, so I heard. I came last month and found him here. I think all of his vampire family is gone; Stakes through their hearts or something like that. I think it was a vampire mob hit. He must have killed a couple of mobsters,” said Cyril. ‘I think.”

A loud clanging noise interrupted them.

A Vampirol prison guard pushed a large metal tray cart on wheels. It was the kind that airline hostess’ served from.

As he pushed it along, the wheels flickered to and fro beneath the metal weight.

He whistled as he pushed the cart towards Victor and Cyril's cell.

“She'll be comin’ ‘round the mount’n when she comes. She'll be comin’ ‘round the mount’n when she come. She'll be comin’ ‘round the mount’n–

“Will you stop that silly noise Seabert,” interrupted the cell guard on duty near the entrance to the cell area.

“They say whistle while you work,” shouted back young Seabert. “It makes di’ hours go fast’r. Besides yer’ way too grumpy thar’ pardner.”

Seabert turned his attention to the inmates.

“All right you varmins. We’s got your delectable grub for all yuz right here. Don't y'all gravel it up all at once,” said Seabert as he opened the latch to the cart and flipped open the top.

He pulled out a long slender metal box with tiny holes in it. They heard squeaking inside of it.

“Don't suck them too long,” Cyril said. “They are as old as eternity.” Seabert grinned flashing his vampire teeth.

He stared at them as he tossed the metal box through the cell bars. It dropped with a clankity clank. Victor's face lost all expression. Siebert grinned.

“What did you think you would get? Eye-talian or Chinese takeout?” said Seabert as he patted his overalls for a key. He reached into his green overall breast pocket but came up with nothing in his hand.

“Where da hell did I put that damn key?” muttered Seabert to himself.

“Get the agony over with already,” shouted Johnson from his fetal position.

“Shut up you old bloodsucker,” said Seabert. Cyril's jaw dropped. This was the first time he heard Johnson speak since Cyril had been in there.

“Found it,” said Seabert pulling a key from his overall’s back pocket. His face lit up as he hoisted the key to the metal box in the air. Seabert tossed the key into the cell. It bounced off the metal box with a clank and landed in the middle of the cell.

“You varmins don't eat yer grub all at once now,” said Seabert with a giggle. He giggled as he walked down the corridor to an inner area.

Cyril clamored for the key on the floor. His vampire talons scraped on the concrete as he grabbed up the key and opened the metal box. He flipped open the box and picked up a live rat. He bit the rat’s neck one after another in rapid fire. He didn't even inhale or take a breath.

Cyril held out a live rat to Victor. Victor shook his head.

“You better eat now. You won't get anything again for three days,” said Cyril as he bit the rat he had offered to Victor.

I can't believe I have come to this, thought Victor. He remembered The Day of the Fall, when they fell from heaven and his rude awakening to the vampiric way of life. He had devoured so many rats that day trying to get enough of that coagulate red platelet soup; the soup that he now craved, that he now needed.

“Johnson. You better eat too,” said Cyril as he took two rats from the metal box and walked over to Johnson.

Johnson propped himself on one elbow and took the rats. He bit into it. It gave a shriek and went limp.

As Johnson was about to feed from the second rat, Warden Pitter shouted into the cell area.

“Victor Saul? Victor Saul?”

“Yes,” shouted Victor.

“You have a visitor,” said the Warden as he walked to the cell accompanied by another vampire.

Everyone looked up to see a tall gray-haired handsome vampire dressed in a black cut-to-fit suit, a white shirt, a white-collar that the lawyers in old England wore and a flowing black robe.

He held a soft well oiled black leather attaché case in his right hand.

“Valentino,” said Cyril with a smile. Victor walked to the front of the cell.

Warden Pitter stayed next to the attorney.

“Mr. Saul?” said Valentino.

“Yes sir.”

“Your girlfriend Angela contacted my chambers and retained me to come and see you,” said Valentino.

Victor cracked his first smile since he had been locked up.

“Thank you,” said Victor.

Valentino held up his hand to silence Victor as he shot a stern glance at the Warden Pitter who was still standing over Valentino’s shoulder.

“Warden. Do you mind? I'm trying to speak to my client in private.”

“Now Mr. Miller, you know I have to stay here and watch this meetings.”

“Warden, need I remind you that according to the Vampiric Code Annotated Section 53 subsection 4, an attorney and client are privileged to have a private consultation in relation to a criminal case.”

The attorney did not take his eyes off of Warden Pitter.

“Now, now, counsel, all right. I'll be standing right over there watching,” said the warden.

“In fact warden, please take him out of the cell so that we can confer in private in a quiet room.”

“All right counsel, all right,” said the warden as he took the special key out of his side pocket.

“Turnaround at the cell door and put your hands behind you,” said the warden to Victor.

Victor complied and the warden slapped a pair of special chrome enforced handcuffs, which were impenetrable to a vampire's strength, unto Victor.

“Step away from the cell door,” said the warden to Victor.

As the warden opened the cell door, Victor walked out.

The warden escorted him with Valentino close behind. They went down the narrow corridor to a side room dug out in the caves.

“I'll be right out here,” said the warden.

“Please take his cuffs off,” said Valentino.

“Now counsel, I don't think that will be happening,” said the warden.

“But he is entitled to-”

“Counsel. That will not be happening. Period,” said the warden as he brought Victor into the room and sat him down on a chair inside.

Valentino grimaced as he walked inside the room.

“Very well, said Valentino as the warden exited the room.

Warden Pitter stood guard at the door. Valentino closed the door and sat in the other chair.

Mr. Miller, I've never been in trouble-”

Valentino held up his hand to cut him off.

“Please. Let's focus on the problem,” said Valentino.

“What happened?” Valentino asked.

Victor recounted his horrific ordeal in detail. Twenty minutes zoomed by when Victor finally said, “so what happens now?”

The warden popped his head inside the door.

“Counsel, it's almost sunset. Court is about to begin. Please wrap this up,” said the warden.

“Very well,” said Valentino. The warden closed the door.

“Well, that's what happens next. I'll do a bail application in court to try to get you out while the case for treason trudges on. You are facing serious charges. Someone in the restaurant is to blame. The question is who. Of course we will soon find out the identity of the informant once we go to trial,” said Valentino.

“It just had to be Herod,” said Victor. I'm sure it’s him. He was sitting right behind me. That rat.”

“Look. I better get to the courtroom. I'll see you shortly,” said Valentino as popped out of his chair and walked out the door.

“I'm finished,” said Valentino to the warden.

“All right counsel,” said the warden as he opened the door and dragged Victor out by the hands.

Within minutes Warden Pitter led Victor down along winding, dark, descending corridor that emptied into a large chamber in the depths of the mountain cave. Victor winced his eyes in the brightness of the torches that donned the sides of the chamber and the gigantic candle chandeliers that hung from the ceiling.

This chamber courthouse was magnificent to behold. All upper corridors emptied into it. At the front of the courtroom was the judge’s seat embellished in a red velvet cushions. The judge’s bench was made of dark mahogany wood. The witness box was to the left of the judge’s bench and the jury box was to the right.

In front of the judge’s bench was the attorney’s bar benches similar to a relic design from Old England.

Valentino sat at the attorney’s bench conversing with the prosecutor Kirk Madison.

A couple of junior defense attorneys were also sitting at the attorney’s bar.

The prisoner’s dock was located behind the attorney’s bar and the gallery was beyond that point.

Several prisoners from different jails were sitting in the front row of benches behind the dock. Vampirol guarded them.

No spectators were in the gallery. As Warden Pitter escorted Victor to the prisoner’s bench, the judge walked in and stood at his bench.

Everyone stood. The courtroom bailiff spoke. 

“All rise. This Dishonorable Court of the Dishonorable Dark Lord Justice Ronald Morbid now in session. May the Son of The Morning Star protect us and preserve the Kingdom of Darkness. Please be seated.”

Justice Morbid sat down. Everyone waited for the judge to take his seat. They bowed to the judge and sat down.

Justice Morbid was dressed in a long red frock with white trimmings and he wore a powdered wig that reached his shoulders.

In one hand was an embroidered handkerchief that he used to wipe the sweat from his brow.

His vampire teeth were yellow probably from too much talking and his skin was paler than a corpse long dead.

Valentino was the most senior attorney at the attorney’s bench so he went first. He rose to mention his matter.

“May it please you my Dark Lord. Might I mention the matter of The Kingdom of Darkness versus Victor Saul? I believe it appears on your Dark Lordship’s new list.

“I don't see it on my list. What's he charged with?” said the judge.

Valentino sat down deferring to Prosecutor Kirk Madison.

The prosecutor popped up from his seat.

“My Dark Lord, may it so please you. Victor Saul is charged with treason. It appears that Vampirol brought him in this evening. The paperwork was late-

“Fine, just list it already. This isn't rocket science,” said the judge.

“Very well my Dark Lord,” said the prosecutor as the judge handed the bailiff the court list.

Valentino stood up.

“My Dark Lord, Mr. Saul is in custody,” said Valentino as he motioned for Warden Pitter to put Victor in the dock. Victor slowly entered the dock.

“You people are hell-bent on keeping me here all night. But I have news for you, I have a Hawaiian meal waiting for me at Villagio and I'm not going to be late,” said the judge. “Let's get on with it Mr. Miller.”

“Very well my Dark Lord,” said Valentino gearing up for his special brand of abracadabra.

“My Dark Lord the defense would like to make an application that Mr. Saul be admitted to bail. Perhaps the Kingdom could recite the allegations for your Dark Lordship.”

“Very well,” said the judge. “Please Mr. Madison state the allegations for the court.”

For the first time, Victor became afraid. His heart sank as the prosecutor began.

“My Dark Lord,” said the prosecutor. “Victor Saul earlier today committed treason of the highest order by stating and I quote, ‘I am used to being a vampire and the earthly thing; it’s great. But I just think the rebellion could have been done successfully. You know. I just think it’s his fault. You know. I was saying it is okay. The truth is the truth. I would have done a better job.’”

Valentino jumped up.

“Lies, all lies. Vicious-”

“Mr. Miller. Get a hold of yourself. What's wrong with you,” said the judge wrapping his gavel until it flew out of his hand.

The prosecutor, who kept on his feet, smirked.

“My Dark Lord-”

“Sit down Mr. Miller,” interrupted the judge. “Sit down.” Valentino took his seat.

The junior attorney sitting next to Valentino leaned over and whispered in his ear.

“Mr. Miller. You're not supposed to do that.”

“Trial tactics, my boy, trial tactics. You have to throw them off at all costs whether you're right or wrong. Remember what you learned in first year at Transylvania School of Law, It’s better to be loud and wrong rather than soft and right,” whispered Valentino. “Watch this.”