A Night to Remember

From the perspective of Jeriah Van Dyke.

It was 7:00 P.M. when the funeral service began. The night was young, filled with sadness, as well as joy. The funeral service was held in a vacant parking lot of an abandoned factory. A huge temporary tent was pitched for a large number of Prometheans and guests with lawn chairs aligned in rows. I sat in the first row with Chase, Brandon, Austin, Atropine, Scolopendra, and Evelyn, while Nicole stood behind a podium at the front, wrought with grief, holding back tears, about to give a speech. Everyone inside the tent suddenly hushed.

Nicole began. "My dear friends. Prometheans, visitors, and travelers. I may not know you all. But you all know me by now. I am Nicole. I was--I am--one of the surviving members of the Fatal Six. Two of our Grandmasters died within the last 24 hours as they fought to protect our sovereignty and to protect all of us from the hostility of the Flesheaters. They will remain forever in our hearts and minds. Let us take a moment for us all to remember these two individuals, as well as those Prometheans that died last night as they stood in the path of destruction brought by the Flesheaters."

Nicole paused her speech and following her pause was dead silence in respect of those that died last night.

I thought about Narceus and Wolfbane, though I didn't know them well enough to make any judgments. I thought about what it would have been like, had I known the two of them. Then I thought about all the other Prometheans that died as they stood in the way of the Flesheaters, and I grew bitter as my thoughts shifted toward Orrus. I didn't get to kill him. I wanted to, badly.

I let the thought of revenge go as I then thought about my beloved Elizabeth and what she would have wanted for me. Elizabeth was a doll, an angel in human form. She was a witch, yes, but a good-hearted witch with a heart of gold. Her eyes were like two brilliant circle-cut deep blue sapphires. Her hair was black as night. Her lips were as pink as pink roses. Her rosy cheeks were softer than velvet. Her skin was pale and white as snow. She was thin, a few inches shorter than I was, and she had small hips. She only knew me briefly, but in that brief time frame she had grown to care deeply for me and I had grown to care deeply for her. We were like two peas in a pod, inseparable once we clicked with each other. She was the one to make a move on me, as I was too scared to begin a conversation with her because she was incredibly beautiful and surrounded by half a dozen other men. She came up to me, asked who I was, and I told her: Jeriah Van Dyke. I then told her I was from Kentucky and that I had just become a vampire and that I was thirsty for blood. Elizabeth was hooked instantly. She told me, "Let's go to a more secluded place, so we can talk more."

We left the tent and I followed Elizabeth to her 2031 Dodge Challenger, a gorgeous beast of a car. Once there, she told me to sit in the driver's seat and she sat in the passenger seat. There were a couple of jars of cherry moonshine behind my seat on the floorboard and Elizabeth grabbed one and opened it and offered the jar to me. I couldn't refuse cherry moonshine. Though I was a fledgling, I was definitely able to still eat and drink, just as any human. I quickly became intoxicated as Elizabeth and I got to know one another. Elizabeth was from Chicago, born and raised. She had the windy city accent. Though she was nice and kind, she was a loose cannon, a seductress, and, most of all, a witch that knew how to get what she wanted. I fell for her when we started sharing our likes and dislikes. She liked to drink moonshine, I liked to drink moonshine. She liked to smoke weed, I liked to smoke weed. She liked to cook, I liked to cook. She liked to get naughty, I liked to get naughty.

Elizabeth took a drink of cherry moonshine between every few sentences, as did I. In no time she began to put her hands all over me, petting me as if I was her own personal teddy bear. "Daddy," she said. "Drink my blood, daddy." She offered her blood to me, rolling her head to the side for me to pierce her fragile skin. I couldn't refuse blood. I grabbed Elizabeth and forcibly bound her arms to her side and I sank my fangs into her neck. So fucking sweet. The taste of Elizabeth's blood rushed to my head, sending me into a momentary half-dazed trance. I backed off as I had my fill.

"Dear God," I said. "Your blood is amazing. Thanks. I really needed that. Did I hurt you?"

Elizabeth reached down and grabbed my crotch through my jeans. "No. But this is the way you thank me. Pants. Off. Now." I did as I was told and removed my ripped jeans, as well as my briefs as Elizabeth unclothed herself, leaving only her ankle socks on. I kicked back the driver seat and Elizabeth climbed on top of me, facing me, and began kissing me wildly. We immediately got busy.

The sex was quick, but spectacular.

"Daddy," Elizabeth said. "Why did you have to finish so quickly? I was having so much fun."

Almost passing out from the rush of adrenaline, I replied, "Daddy couldn't stop himself."

Elizabeth raised up as I slid out of her. What a mess, I thought. Elizabeth must've thought the same as she grabbed a roll of toilet paper from the back seat and began cleaning up the mess.

I quickly put my clothes back on, as did Elizabeth, so that no one would discover what we had been doing. Then we sat in our seats and talked some more as Elizabeth grabbed a Limp Bizkit CD from inside the console and eased it into her stereo system.

We relaxed for a while, talking about what we wanted to do with our lives. She wanted to be a makeup artist, and I wanted to be an electrical engineer, yet I had zero experience and didn't know where to start. Our conversation grew silent as we had seemingly talked all that we knew to talk about.

Then came two drunk idiots wanting to hang out and listen to music in the car with us. Elizabeth and I were too drunk to care, so we allowed the two drunk idiots to hop in and sit in the back. That's when we all got wild. Elizabeth opened the other jar of cherry moonshine and we all took turns sipping on it while listening to Limp Bizkit. I got so drunk I started doing donuts in the parking lot while the even drunker idiots in the back screamed over one another to discover who was the loudest. I didn't care. I was having fun, wild fun.

I snapped out of a daze when Chase shook me.

"What is it?" I asked, clueless.

"Time to pay our respects."

Our group of four walked over to the two side-by-side unlit funeral pyres that supported the horrifically damaged bodies of Wolfbane and Narceus. I almost threw up, wishing I wasn't present.

When it was my turn to say kind words, I said, "I didn't know you two, but you both seem like you would make great friends. I'm sorry your lives got cut short. I'm sorry you guys didn't get to live long enough to experience a life worth living. We'll all surely miss you two."

I then stepped out of the way for Austin to take his turn. I didn't bother to pay attention though, I could only stare at the asphalt and drown out the noise as I daydreamed of Elizabeth and I together.

Again, I was awakened from my reverie when Chase nudged me, this time a little harder.

"What's with you, Jeriah?" Chase asked in a whisper.

"Tire. And I've been thinking a lot. I had a really rough night yesterday."

"Quit your daydreaming! There's a funeral going on!" Chase shouted in a whisper.

I could only nod in response. I wanted to find a corner to cry in. I never wanted to cry. But I stayed true to myself. I walked away and out of the tent with my two best friends trailing behind wondering where I was going.

"You're leaving the funeral? But it's not finished! Jackass!" Chase complained, but I walked onward, toward the Master Tent. I could care less if I offended anyone. I had to get wasted.

"Chase," Brandon said. "Calm your tits. We have no idea the shit he went through last night."

I raised the flap to the Master Tent and entered with only one goal on my mind. I trudged toward the bar and took a seat next to a row of drunk hooligans. I told the barkeep to fetch me a shot of bourbon with a touch of cream orange soda and said I would pay him when I was done drinking. I downed the drink in a single gulp and ordered another, drank it, then I ordered yet another, and I drank it too. The alcohol went straight to my head. I didn't notice that my two besties both had also taken a seat at my left side. Chase stared at me as if I was some misbehaving zoo animal while Brandon glanced around the tent in wonder.

"What?" I asked.

"Slow down," Chase advised me.

I chuckled heartily, then replied, "I can drink anyone in this tent under the table. I've been drinking since I was fifteen years old. Don't tell me to slow down."

Chase glared at me with contempt. "I think you've had enough."

I glared back at Chase, ready to throw him to the ground and strangle him until he couldn't breathe.

"I think you need to leave, bud. Before I get angry."

"Okay, I'm sorry. I just thought it wouldn't be a good idea for you to get plastered tonight."

I scoffed, "It's a great night as any to get plastered. You just don't know how to have fun."

"You think getting plastered is fun?"

"Yes, yes I do think getting plastered is fun. I have no filter when I'm plastered. I feel like I can take on the world with my bare hands. And, since I'm a vampire now, I can take on the world for real, thanks to you."

I ordered a fourth drink, but as I reached for it, Chase grabbed the drink and downed it just as I had downed my three other drinks.

"Asswipe," I said.

"Fuck you," Chase said bitterly before wiping his mouth.

"Would you guys stop before you two start something you'll both regret?" Brandon pleaded.

I glared at Brandon, then turned my glare toward Chase.

I spoke my mind. "If you don't like the way I act you can always leave. You can go find other vampires to recruit. I rightly don't give a fuck. Milton was my only family. Now he's dead. Brandon was my friend before you ever met him, now you have Brandon following you like a lost puppy. The only good thing you've done for me is make me a vampire."

Chase stood up and kicked my seat out from under me, causing me to fall on my ass.

"You son of a bitch," I said to Chase. "I'd like you to try that when I'm sober."

"I don't need a reason to do that when you're sober. What you said is bullshit. I've done more good for you than you think."

I struggled to stand on my own, but I managed, though I was a bit wobbly.

"I may not have a crazy cool power like Brandon, but I'll make you hurt. Just keep talking like you know everything."

"You're part of this group whether you like it or not. I made you a vampire. You are my responsibility."

"You don't have to mother me. And you don't have to mother Brandon."

"You're right," Chase admitted. "I don't have to mother either of you. But I'll damn sure make the rules for the three of us and anyone else that joins our group."

I barked, "You don't even have a name for our group! We're just a bunch of wandering vampires!"

Chase nodded, as if an idea sparked in his head. "That's it. That'll be our group name. The Wandering Vampires."

"That's brilliant," Brandon said. "That's exactly what we are."

I agreed with a nod. "I may be half drunk, but even I can agree with Brandon. The name sticks. It works for us."

Chase grinned. "Then it's settled. We'll be known as The Wandering Vampires. On a mission to recruit more vampires to fight back against the Vampyr Empire. And, since I'm the recruiter, it makes perfect sense for me to be the leader."

"Fine," I said. "You can be the leader. Just let me drink as much as I want whenever we're not on duty, and we'll have no issues."

"Agreed," Chase concurred, and we both shook hands on agreement.

"How about we all get a round of drinks?" I suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Brandon replied.

"Yeah, sure, but where did you get the money for drinks?" Chase asked.

I explained. "I met a girl yesterday after I stayed to get buzzed here in this tent. The girl took me to her car. We both got drunk. We had sex. She gave me a pouch full of emeralds before she… died."

Chase was silent for a moment, then he responded, "I see. I'm sorry. I should have just backed away. Okay then. How about those drinks? I'll have what you're having."

"Me too," Brandon said.

The three of us sat back down and I ordered the three of us each a round of bourbon with a touch of orange cream soda. All the drinks were drunk swiftly. Then we all talked about our new group name and we talked about where we should go next. Then another round of drinks were ordered, and all those drinks were drunk swiftly, too.

"I think--" Brandon began, "I think we should follow those guys we met yesterday. Or was it the day before? You know, those guys back at the Tower of Blood. Yeah, those guys. We should follow them to Chicago. That was where they mentioned they were going, right?"

Chase nodded. "Yeah, they were definitely going to Chicago. I guess Chicago wouldn't be a bad place to visit. What do you think, Jeriah?"

I offered my opinion. "I think Chicago would be a wonderful city to visit. Why not? There's so much to see there. And did I mention it's a damn huge city with almost limitless things to do?"

Brandon replied, "Except horseback riding. And mountain climbing. And deer hunting. Things like that."

"You jest," I said to Brandon. "I said almost limitless. Of course you wouldn't be able to do those things in a city. But, still. I think we could all do some good with a week in the windy city. I can just imagine all the fun we could have."

"Think of all the hookers!" Brandon moaned.

Chase grinned, then shouted, "More drinks!"

I grinned as well, raising my hand to grab the bartender's attention. "Bartender! One last round of drinks! Please!"

The bartender, shaking his head, was reluctant to pour us all another round, but, when he saw me pour out all my emeralds on the bar, his eyes widened, and he scooped up all the emeralds, then he hurriedly went to work making us each one last orange cream soda and bourbon. We each downed our drink in a flash.

I began to notice the world around me sway back and forth, the floor beneath me flowing like a river.

"Shit. I'm afraid I've hit my limit," I informed my friends. "Everything is moving without me."

My friends laughed at me. Then we all laughed together, got up from our seats, and began wandering the fairgrounds with no known destination. We discussed the strangest of topics, like why Orrus had no hair on his body, and we discussed things like why people had to wear clothes and how spiders knew how to build nearly flawless webs.

"I'm gonna throw up!" Brandon suddenly shouted, halting in his tracks to double over. Brandon tried to hold it back, but he succumbed to his rumbling belly and vomited all the alcohol he had drank, including bits of unidentifiable food. "Ughhh," Brandon moaned like a ghost in distress. "I drank too much."

Chase began to laugh before he suddenly vomited in response. "Ughhh. Me too."

"Amateurs," I joked.

Then, suddenly, an idea struck me. "Hey, guys. How about we pay Chad a visit?"

Chase and Brandon both hesitated, but both sighed then agreed to go with me.

The walk was only about half a mile. The three of us waltzed right up to Chad's House of Jewels and Spells. I stepped up to the front door and peered inside. There was a flashing colorful "OPEN" neon sign on the window to the right, so I naturally opened the front door and walked inside without a second thought. There stood Chad behind the counter with a neutral face, but once he saw us, his face lit up with excitement.

"Boys! How good it is to see you three again!"

"Hello, Chad," I responded. "How's it going?"

"Great, great. Business has been great," Chad replied, though I knew by the tone of his voice, and by his fading smile, he was lying.

"C'mon, Chad. You can't lie to me. No one can lie to me. How has business really been going?"

Chase and Brandon walked together, wandering about the store.

"Eh," Chad began, "Not so good, I'm afraid. Today I have only seen five customers, including you three. I'm not sure if I can keep business going here. I'm thinking of moving my shop elsewhere."

"Damn, I'm sorry about that. If you have to move your shop, where will you go?" I asked.

Chad heaved a deep sigh. "I'm not so sure. I hear businesses such as mine are doing great in New York. Seattle is another option. Las Vegas. I hear, is booming. I just can't keep business going here. Too few customers and not enough money. Getting paid in emeralds is great, but I don't earn enough emeralds and I can barely keep afloat. The Prometheans have a crazy high property tax rate. The only good thing about Promethean Territory is their parties and the protection against outsiders."

I pondered for a minute. "Well, Chad, maybe you oughta go out west. By west, I mean you oughta move shop to Las Vegas. You can't go wrong with Las Vegas. People pour in there from all over. Just imagine all the business you will get."

Chad nodded in agreement. "I agree, Las Vegas would be the best option. You've got humans, wizards, dwarves, elves, vampires, werewolves, even fairies… I could have dozens if not hundreds of customers each and every day. I could expand my business, and I could own the house of my dreams... Did I mention I have a twin brother who lives in Chicago?"

My ears perked. "You have a twin brother that lives in Chicago? Strange. We're heading to Chicago sometime this week. Perhaps we will stumble upon your twin brother? What's his name?"

"My brother's name is Darkeem. He owns a candy and soda shop called Sweets n' Drinks."

"I will definitely have to pay your brother a visit."

"Yes, well, when you see him, tell him I'm moving my shop to Las Vegas. Also… tell him I love him, and come visit me sometime."

"I will do that."

"Thank you, Jeriah." Chad graced me with a warm smile.

"Mhmm," I replied.

Brandon and Chase crept up behind me. I turned to see what they were doing. They seemed to be completely amazed with everything in the shop, more so than they were during our last visit. Maybe it was the alcohol that was responsible for their amazement. Alcohol does have a way of making everything even more awesome.

"Hey, Jeriah," Brandon greeted. I almost rolled my eyes.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Isn't this place just magical?"

I nodded. "Yeah, totally."

I glanced up at the digital clock on the wall. The time read 8:12 PM.

"Eh. It's getting a bit late. Maybe we should call it a night," I said. "After what we went through yesterday. We really need time to rest."

Brandon replied, "Hell no, I ain't going to bed yet. And besides, I'm a vampire. We're vampires. Vampires don't need sleep."

Chad could only cackle. "Oh, dear boy, you are funny. You are only half correct. I'm not a vampire myself, but, as I have plenty of vampire friends, I do know this: The older a vampire gets, the less sleep they need. Fledglings, on the other hand, retain enough humanity that they still need to occasionally sleep. So, for many vampires, they do need sleep, just as humans."

"I'm. Not. Tired. I'm gonna take a good long walk. Chase, Jeriah. See you two in the morning. Chad, goodnight. I got a feeling it's gonna be quite a while before we cross paths again. Take care, buddy."

Before I could get a word out, Brandon was out the door, making his way to God knows where. Chase and I stood there, dumbfounded.

"Okay then," Chase said. "Well, I'm gonna check out what's happening at the post-funeral service. Later, Chad. Jeriah, you gonna find some place to lay your head?"

I nodded. "Yup. I have no idea where all these Prometheans sleep, but I'll find my own spot. Goodnight. See you tomorrow."

Chase walked out the door.

I turned toward Chad. "I do hope you make it to Las Vegas. And I hope you find more success there than you did here. I don't know what we're gonna do in Chicago, or where we're going after Chicago. But, if the trend continues, we're gonna keep heading west. Maybe we'll make it to Las Vegas, eventually."

Chad dimly smiled. "Sounds like a wonderful plan. I hope your journey goes well. Goodnight, Jeriah. May we see each other again."

"Later."

I walked out the shop, and I searched Promethean Territory for a place to sleep and ponder my destiny. The night air was unusually frigid, I thought, but then I thought nothing of it.