../images/Emo29.gif חלק 6
“Nearly there, not long now.” Bob said over his shoulder, pulling me along faster so that I had to jog to keep up with his long strides. “Yes, just-” he pulled me round a bend in the path and we emerged onto the flat, grassy top of the cliff. “Here.” He said, stopping us. The cliff top was a wide expanse, full of jutting rock ridges and overgrown brushes and bordered on all sides by rooted skeletal trees, the spindly branches black against the indigo sky. A thick mist still lingered here, drifting just above the cold ground and twirling in indistinguishable patterns. Bob gripped my hand tight, turning his head this way and that as four dark figures emerged from the mist, their faces pale and ghostly in the half light. “You brought her, then,” said the soft purr of what I recognised to be Gerard’s voice. “Yes.” Bob said, “As you said.” “Bring her to me.” Gerard said lightly. “I wish to see her.” Bob took a step into the circle of figures, releasing my hand and letting me stand in the centre. The moon broke through the clouds, shining down on all of us and lighting up my surroundings. Gerard stood directly before me, his smirk playing gently over his handsome face, his black fringe curling round his chin. On my right stood Mikey, his pale skin glowing ethereally through the dark, his glasses glinting. I watched him lick his lips hungrily. I shuddered from the memory of his touch, praying it would never be repeated. Standing on my left was Frank, his soft eyes bathing me with curious affection, his pink mouth pouting a fraction. He nodded at me slightly, his messy hair ruffling in the wind. He raised a hand to his lips, kissed it and blew out delicately. I felt the kiss brush my cheek and closed my eyes, revelling in it’s sincerity. Ray was positioned parallel to me, his curls evident even in the dark. He grinned at me, as though to say I told you so. I knew it was time to find out the mystery of this confusing evening. Bob touched my shoulder reassuringly, before stepping back into the circle and leaving me standing alone. “My friends,” Gerard hissed, his voice dripping with ceremony. “She is here.” There was a rustle of words from them all, in common agreement. “Have you all done as told?” Gerard asked, a deeper undertone of control seeping into his words. “Mikey?” “Yes,” Mikey nodded, “I induced the fear we needed. I touched her like I knew she wouldn’t want me to and I felt her curves as instructed.” I blinked. What was going on? “Frank?” Gerard said, turning to look at my epitome of emo. “Yes,” Frank muttered, bitterness in his words. “I took her as you wished. I violated the body of the girl.” The girl? I had a name… “Ray?” Gerard raised an eyebrow at Ray across the circle. “Yes,” Ray blushed, “I kissed her with the practised tongue you desired.” Practised? How many times had these people done this? “And Bob,” Gerard smiled warmly at Bob who nodded. “You have brought her here, so I know you succeeded.” “Yes, Gerard.” Bob said quietly. Gerard grinned. It was then I noticed. His teeth, they weren’t as they had been. Gerard had fangs. “Yes,” Gerard said, seemingly amused as he watched the comprehension dawn on my face. “We are vampires. The Damned. The Forsaken. The Dead. Blood lust, pale necks, dark eyes, black souls. We are the things that go bump in the night and we’ve been watching you, waiting in the shadows. We’ve waited for this night, for this moment, and now…” he took in a deep, almost excitable breath. “We’re going to resolve the madness. We’ve touched, held, caressed, loved, adored and abused your body, all that remains is the marks upon your throat and you shall be one of us.” “One of us.” Repeated the others eerily, “One of us.” I stared round at them all and my eyes widened with panic as I saw their glittering fangs, white and dazzling in the sharp light. They all began to walk towards me and I froze, unable to resist. I understood now. I was to join the ranks of the dead, to become a daemonicial corpse. Gerard moved to stand behind me, his body heat radiating at my back. Bob did the same, his body heat mingling with Gerard’s. Mikey took my right arm and Ray took my left. They rolled up the sleeves on my sweater, raising my arms up to shoulder height so that my pale skin glowed in the moonlight. Frank stood before me, his hands on my waist and his smile easy and comforting. “I’ll help the pain.” He whispered lovingly. “I promise.” “Now, my brethren, brothers of blood.” Gerard hissed to his fellows. “Take what supplement you have earned. Complete this task. Let her become our sister.” I gazed up into Frank’s kind face, enjoying the feel of his hands stroking my side. He nodded at me encouragingly as I felt two sets of breath on either side of my neck. I flinched as their teeth pierced me, my body clenching as the warm sting of pain embedded itself in my neck. Gerard and Bob began to suck my blood, slowly, sensuously, drawing it out like a blade. Tears swamped my eyes, but I wouldn’t cry, I wouldn’t show how hurtful this was. Mikey and Ray bent their heads low, mouths engulfing my wrists, teeth penetrating my flesh. I whimpered a little, feeling the life giving liquid leave me. “It’s okay.” Frank murmured, his hands holding my middle tighter as I began to cry against my will. I panted, my chest heaving as the 4 immortal fiends drained my veins. “It’s nearly over now.” Frank hushed, “It’s all right, Ana, it’ll be fine.” I wanted to believe him so much, but the pain was killing me. My vision was going dark, cloudy and I grew fearful. Frank saw the terror in my eyes as Gerard’s hands snaked upon my shoulders. He nodded at me, as though to say it needed to be done. The vice like grip of Gerard’s mouth broke away, a low sucking sound ringing in my ear as he stepped back. The other three reluctantly followed his lead, fangs retreating from my flesh.