Tomorrow's Dead: The Julia Poe Vampire Chronicles, page 8
“Not only do we need to compile our stories, we need to bring back the free press because we’re a democracy. We have the Los Angeles Times building several blocks away, so we should get back in there and get those printing presses rolling.
“T-Doc needs psychologists and other physicians. We have few professionals who can teach counseling classes. His massage therapy seems to be a great hit, and so is the talking kind. I’m sure many of you have some sort of skill to share.
“We need garden projects because growing new things is vital and soothing according to a Martha Stewart Magazine article I came across when I was a kid. The farmers are willing to take farm helpers if people want to get away from the city.
“Churches for some of that old time religion or simply a hall to commune with your friends might be a good idea.
“Movie theater revivals. We have tons of theaters on Broadway and folks sure love to watch movies. I personally watch all sorts of films, so I’m looking forward to that project.
“Very important. We ought to monitor vampire creation. We don’t want angry vampires on the loose no matter how righteous they think they are.” Poe’s words hushed the crowd as they stared where the Tunics sat. Poe eyed Sally then Perla who looked away.
“Clothes drives for children and adults. This means shopping in Santee Alley and the garment district. If you look good you feel good. Seamstresses and tailors out there, teach classes.
“We need to limit our alcohol consumption because it leads to stupidity and violence in our depressed state of mind. Right, Roger?” The crowd laughed. Roger was a known lush who drank at vampire and human watering holes from morning to closing. “You can’t turn into Rambo and take on the world with a crossbow. Besides, there’s nothing worse than an alcoholic. My uncle was one, and he was punchable.”
“We need to mix different folks up. We need a place of entertainment where everyone can enjoy a show. I want to introduce you to Shandra. Where are you?” A redhead dead with a tiny waist and breasts double the size of Jane Mansfield’s stood up in her tight leather alligator mini-skirt. The hollering and wolf whistle from both humans and vampires created a ruckus. Shandra had been Trench’s favorite stripper, and Poe had been fascinated by her. “Alright, folks, that’s enough. Shandra’s starting a club where men, women, and vamps can show off their dancing prowess.”
Poe hung her head low. “I know I’m forgetting something. Oh well. In any case I believe we should have a council of nine representing the different factions out there. This is how we’ll deal with problems and approve measures. Basic line is: we’re gonna need to work together because we’re a community. I’m just an ignorant girl with no schooling, so don’t be too hard on me. Okay. I’m done.” Poe ignored the clapping and concentrated on getting down the platform.
Poe received a hug from Morales and shook hands with attendees who shoved themselves in her face. She sat between Maclemar and Percy who was minding Chops and Penny in the seventh row. Penny parked herself next to Poe’s leg and was lovingly massaged about the neck. Poe slid her free cold hand in Maclemar’s which he squeezed to show support. “I love you, Julia Poe,” he whispered in her ear.
The vampire eradicator stared into his jewel eyes and smiled at him.
The girl could barely contain her yawning. Politics bored her. When the different factions stated their points, Poe fought to keep awake. More than once had Maclemar nudged her to life. The only time she perked up was when Sally took the stage once more, taking over Perla’s turn.
Poe sat up straight and Penny growled.
“Let me continue my speech,” she said. “Whereas Julia Poe would want us to have an entertainment center starring the lewd vampire Shandra as a platform, I’d like to recast your attention to leeches. It’s time for them to die!” The Tunics led boisterous shouting.
From behind the curtains, thrown to the stage were six bodies – five emaciated leeches and Syrus, the vampire butcher. Sturdy rope bound the humans’ wrists and ankles while the vampire was handcuffed. The sound of shock from the assembly filled the room. Perla along with three other Tunics flanked Sally in support of the measure.
“Sainvire, you have no more say in this matter,” Sally hissed. The blonde, grungy vampire’s wrath was nearly palpable. “They have no use in our new society. These worms will die tonight.”
Poe looked around for Sainvire who leaned against the wall nearest the Tunics. He looked relaxed. Too relaxed. She reached down to pat Penny on the head but felt nothing but air. The dog had disappeared. “Penny?”
On the stage was Penny, baring her fangs at Sally.
“What the hell!” Sally cursed when Penny took a nip at her thick ankle. “Goddamn dog!” She kicked Penny like a football, and Sainvire from the other side of the room whizzed in a blur to catch her.
Poe’s ears were on fire, and her eyes teared. Before she knew it, she was standing in the middle aisle and glaring at Sally.
“Oops. Was that your dog?” asked Sally and everyone on the stage, except for Perla, laughed.
Poe tried to still her voice and her shaking hands. “No one kicks my dog,” she said crossly. “No one!”
“Well I just did,” said Sally smugly. “What are you going to do, shoot me? I heard you can’t shoot worth shit! And—”
Before the woman could finish her thought, the twin Colt .45 guns were out of the holsters and Poe had fired and caught Sally right between the eyes. The surprised audience and shocked Tunics shrieked in fright. The Tunics took to the air, and Poe smiled bitterly. Her left hand shot knee caps while the right aimed for the stomach because the ripped organ hurt vampires like a son of a bitch. Perla’s people landed on the stage, screaming in pain from burning garlic-dipped bullets.
Poe ran to the stage and scaled it. She stood face to face with Perla. She’d blotted out the noise in the hall and concentrated on her old friend.
Maple yelled from one of the side benches. “Poe, don’t! Leave her be!”
Poe’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I’m not going to harm her, Maple. She was good to me once.” Then she turned to Perla. “Isn’t that something? She’s still trying to protect you after the shitty way you’ve treated her.”
Perla looked away. Poe sheathed one of her guns and picked up the microphone.
“Don’t look away, Perla. You’re gonna get what you wished for. You’re all gonna get what you’ve come for. Poe walked to the first leech and pointed her gun at his head. The audience in the auditorium screamed. “Hush up! Have any of you really killed before? It’s not romantic. It’s not like Chuck Norris on a pleasure cruise to some dank tropical country. I wonder if any of you would have the brass to do this.” Poe pulled the trigger, and the leech’s brain splattered on the curtains. The other leeches tried to scamper away, but they couldn’t. They cried and begged Poe for mercy.
“How’s that, Perla?” She met the woman’s eyes. “Do you feel better?” She located Michelle on the first row with a look of revulsion on her face. “What about you, Michelle? An eye for an eye? Well here’s one dedicated to you.” Poe fired without looking at the second leech in line. The bullet destroyed his face, leaving a pool of blood.
“That’s enough, Poe!” ordered Sainvire who appeared on the stage.
“Leave me alone, Sainvire. You see, I’m not like some people who think you ought to retire and let creatures like the Tunics take over. I think without you, life in this city would be chaotic and brimming with vengeance. What if the San Diego crew comes over like they did this morning as they tried to kill me? You’re gonna beg for Sainvire to save your asses, right?”
The vampire crept closer, and Poe dropped him with kneecap shots. He cursed painfully. Poe had shot him in a similar manner four years ago. The girl had a thing about popping knee caps. Sainvire had the gift of quick healing, but he would be down for a few minutes. “Sorry, vampire with the heart of a revolutionary, but I’m not done yet. Poe fired at two heads and watched them drop dead on the stage. The fear in the air translated into another crashing wave of screams.
“Satisfied yet? Two more and your wish will come true. After this, you Tunics can pick on the ODs, then after that vampires in general. Then after that, the humans will cap your asses for being vampires and their unwanted executioners.”
Since there was nobody left to get in her way, Poe blasted the human’s face and shot the reactionary vampire in the head and heart. “And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you judge, destroy, and execute the evil in this world from this day forth.” Poe stared with fire at Perla who still stood nursing her shock. As she walked down the steps to take Penny from Percy’s arms, she looked Michelle over with contempt. She climbed the steps once more to go backstage, passing the anguished and fearful faces of her friends.
CHAPTER 6
ONLY T-DOC WAS ALLOWED in her room. Penny needed medical attention. Poe watched in silence as he bandaged Penny’s ribs with care. She was trying hard not to lose it. The full realization of what she’d done sickened her. She was an immoral sociopath, and everyone found out that night. Morales pounded Aspirin into powder and applied it to the dog’s tongue. The man was still wearing his snazzy suit, and there she was, sitting on the carpet with her clothes splayed in all directions.
“Two ribs are broken and a few more bruised. Penny’s lucky Sainvire caught her or she would’ve been more severely injured. Give her more smashed up pain relievers every four hours. It’s better to let her sleep on the floor. That way there will be less jostling around. I brought a bag of food from Habib, so you can stay here if you don’t feel like going downstairs.”
“I shouldn’t have been asked to come here. Sainvire should’ve left me alone,” she said, her voice breaking.
Morales sat by Poe on the edge of the bed and embraced her. “Darling, what you’ve done tonight you will feel guilty about for the rest of your life. But set that aside for a moment. You’ve changed a lot of minds. What you did will prod Downtown in the right direction.”
“What the hell have I done but murder five people and a vampire, execution-style? Sure I was mad about Penny, but Sally got on my nerves. I listened to my impulse to kill just to prove a point. I haven’t killed all that much lately, Sam. I feel sick.”
“I know. I feel for you, but you must see this as something positive. When you left the meeting, your proposed council of nine was voted on and so was the release of leeches in jail. They are to be indentured to ex-cattle for ten years. When their time is up they can be given their own home and a chance for a new life. Michelle came up with that one, actually.”
“You guys continued the meeting after I left? That’s kinda sick. And I shot Sainvire, too!”
“The bodies on stage represented the anger out there. Knowing they were executed to tone down vengeance for blood and opened people’s eyes. No more theatrics. Who could actually do what you’ve done without throwing up their dinner? Your words about unstoppable hatred skipping to a new group made sense. As for shooting Sainvire, it only proves that you aren’t his puppet. You’re independent from Downtown politics. And what you said about San Diego shits trying to assassinate you scared the rocks out of a lot of people. Everyone, including ODs, is on board to be battle ready. Though they might not admit it, most creatures prefer this new society over any other in our little world.”
“You don’t hate me, right?” asked Poe in a small voice. “Even though I’m a monster.”
“You’re my little Poe. Of course I don’t hate you. Without you on this earth, life would be awfully boring. Besides, you need to spend more time with your goddaughter.”
“I’m thinking about leaving tomorrow.”
“You promised you’d stay for two months. Just my opinion, but you should keep your word.” Morales’ wise gaze made her nod.
After Morales left, Poe organized her room and ate Tupperware food. She flossed, brushed her teeth, and showered. She needed to wash away her repugnant failings and clean her mind. The look of fear from those leeches tore at her brain no matter what she did. Instead of being stuck in Sainvire’s hotel, she wished she was in Catalina watching bison munching on grass. She didn’t dare leave her room because she expected blame in people’s eyes.
“I’m sorry. Forgive me,” she said to the ceiling. She’d killed a lot of different creatures before, but this incident was undoubtedly the worst.
She woke up in a pool of sweat after dreaming about shooting majestic bison in the head. Drinking a glass of water and placing medicine in Penny’s mouth, the killer decided she needed to see Maclemar. He lived three doors down on the same floor. Sainvire was a machinating S.O.B.
The hallway smelled of sulfur and old carpet, and the odor made her nose itch. Tip-toeing to Maclemar’s door, Poe knocked loudly because her friend was a heavy sleeper. She pounded on the door for over a minute, reddening in the half-lit hallway in fear of being discovered by a disgruntled neighbor. When she was about to give up, Maclemar opened the door with just his boxers and heavy-lidded eyes.
“Poe!” he said with surprise. At once he was awake. “Come in, sharren. Come in.”
Without hesitation, Poe stepped inside. The girl was wearing a plain black t-shirt and faded pajama pants. Wordlessly she slid into Maclemar’s queen-size bed and covered herself with blankets. Maclemar sighed and followed Poe to bed. He embraced her shivering body while she burrowed her face into his chest.
“Oh, love. I’m so sorry,” he said quietly in his Welsh accent. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. I feel responsible.”
Poe sniffed. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks onto Maclemar’s chest. “Don’t blame yourself, James. It was me. I’m a bad seed. I killed those poor leeches to prove a point. A stupid point I forgot already. And then there’s Penny. I keep thinking she’s going to die anytime and leave me alone. When Sally kicked her I thought she killed my dog.”
“Morales said Penny’s alright. Don’t fret now.” He kissed her forehead.
“Penny’s the only one who’d really die for me and stay at my side no matter what.”
Maclemar tightened his embrace. “You’re wrong about that, my girl. I’d die for you and stay at your side forever if you ask me to.”
Poe wept, sobbing into the arms of a friend who’d proven his loyalty to her over and over again. Perhaps she was a needy person now that Penny was old and weak, but the thought of spending her life with Maclemar didn’t seem bad. He was a decent man with many skills and a heart as immense as the London Eye.
She wiped her face and blew her nose with tissue Maclemar handed her when her eyes couldn’t eek out any more tears. Hoarsely she asked him, “Can I stay with you for two weeks until I leave this place for the last time?”
Maclemar kissed her small nose. “It would be my pleasure. I promise not to take advantage either.” Poe clung to the man she used to refer to as Caveman, sometimes running her hands on his body to feel the scars vampires had given him. We’re similar in so many ways, she thought. My body is bullet-ridden and scarred like a 90-year-old Muay Thai warrior.
“Would you leave Downtown for me?” she asked timidly, sounding unsure.
“I would if I could live on your island with you.”
“What about your students?”
“There are plenty of ex-cattle who can take my place,” he sighed. “Listen, Poe. I like these people, but I can live without them. But you. I’d do anything for you.”
Poe kissed him tentatively on the mouth. “We can live together, but I won’t be able to sleep with you for a long while. Trench has broken me in a lot of ways.”
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to explain. I’ll wait until you’re ready. And if it never happens, then I’ll be a happy man living with you just the same.”
She woke up the next morning in the warm embrace of James Maclemar. He’d been studying her face like a Rembrandt painting. “You’re staring at my scar, aren’t you?” she accused.
“Nope. I’m imagining living the rest of my life with you, and it makes me want to hum the tune from The Bridge Over the River Kwai.”
“Hey. That’s a good movie. William Holden was a looker,” she said, smiling up at Maclemar. “I have a big collection of movies in my old underground bunker. Maybe we could take those and a few DVD players with us.”
“Whatever you want, my sweet. I’ll haul them for you to Mars. No problem.”
Poe’s eyes narrowed. Sainvire would never think to put her at the top of his agenda. The vampire used her like a cheap politician sporting around his movie star hand wavers to pander to wide-eyed voters. She wasn’t going to allow Kaleb Sainvire to use her again. She was done with vampire politics. She was ready for happiness with James Maclemar and to ensure the rest of Penny’s days were loving.
***
Poe spent the next few days avoiding Kaleb Sainvire, and she kept her distance from just about everyone else. Percy had amassed a closet full of skateboards, and the girl had let her borrow a Vision Skateboards model. She needed wheels to do some investigating, and a skateboard would do. Her brother had been a champion skater, and Poe had dabbled in riding a board when she lived in West L.A. and Catalina Island.
Downtown had imprisoned her most of her life and had been a source of pain and suffering, but downhilling and flying over dazzling urban architecture sobered her hate. The city had potential, and she was willing to do what she could until her two weeks were up. She was going to make her own choices, however, and to hell with Sainvire’s maneuvering.
Since her attack at the park, Poe had been trying to figure out where the vampires had materialized from. Their arrival just didn’t make sense. Poe hopped off the deck in front of a red corrugated metal structure in the heart of the warehouse district. The district used to be the most perilous part of town where human trafficking, murder, and blood gambling occurred, not to mention the plump rats that had multiplied exponentially. In recent months Sainvire brought in a citywide vector control to exterminate vermin, and he’d succeeded in eradicating a good number of the rat population.
