The Revenge: The Fellow Undead

The previous installment of Chloe Bradshaw’s tale can be found here.

That morning, I asked Luke what our plan was.

“I know people who will give us a ship for free,” he answered mysteriously as we headed towards Land’s End.

“And I have money for food,” Jay announced.

“You two go on and buy some food for the journey whilst I get us that ship, I won’t be long meet me back at the port, ” Luke told us when we reached Land’s End.

Jay and I walked into a shop and bought some salted beef, salted pork, limes, biscuits, and rum, all of that came to about eighteen guineas. After that we headed back towards the port, where Luke told us to meet him.

We saw Luke standing proud at the docks, pointing to a ship behind him. I was amazed at how he got it, considering that he didn’t pay for it.

“I told you I could get you a ship for free!” He shouted with joy.

“How did you manage it?” I asked.

“Old friends,” he winked.

“At least we have enough food this time,” I joked. I looked at the ship, it was small, but the wood was beautifully carved and the masts looked strong and sturdy. We all took a small dinghy over to the ship.

On board, I gazed into the sky at the clouds that passed by, without a care in the world. Jay stood next to me, watching the clouds like I.

“Shall we get a move on?” Luke asked, shattering the silence.

We hoisted the anchor. The ship soon set sail. I had a good feeling about going out of port this time, with a ship manageable enough for three people, and with no other crew members to worry about.

“Do we have any extra weapons?” I asked.

“No,” Jay told me, I looked over at Luke who shook his head.

“Fine, we shall stop at the next port to stock up on weaponry. Where is the closest port?”

“It’s where we will be going, Falmouth.” Luke told me.

“Right then, next stop Falmouth.”

The sea was not as bad that day, however it was still pretty rough. Come to think of it, the sea was never still round there and it still isn’t to this day.

The ship tossed and turned, but luckily it was sturdier then the last one, and held well.

“How long do you think it will take to get to get to Falmouth?” I shouted over the wind to Luke.

“About a day and a half.”

“Do you know where to find the pirate?” Jay asked.

“I know roughly where he is. When we get to Falmouth, I will see an old friend who knows where most people are.”

“Who is this ‘old friend’?” I asked.

“You will have to wait and see.”

I wasn’t too sure of the reply. He gave the impression that he was hiding something. He was very secretive. I gazed at the blue sea and the white of the waves. Seagulls flew in the cloudless sky. Jay and I carried the bags of food down the bottom of the ship.

“Shall we have a look at the cabins?” Jay said.

We walked up the hall, the floorboards creaking as Jay stepped on them. The cabins were small. At the back of each cabin was a hammock; at the side of the hammock was a small table with a gas lamp on it. The layout was basically the same as the first ship we were on. Jay chose a room opposite mine and we went back up to deck.

On deck, I kept picturing the scene with my father lying dead on the floor, blood streaming out of his stomach. I felt the hate flaring through my body again.

“What are you thinking about?” Jay asked.

“Father,” I croaked. I felt Jay’s arm wrap round my shoulder.

The day went slow. I realized was depressed. I hated the fact that I would have to stay as a ghost forever, never being able to taste anything, never feeling wind through my hair or the warmth of the sun on my skin. If I was emotionally dead it wouldn’t be as bad.

Soon, we were pulled into port at Falmouth.

I went to my cabin and Jay went to his. I lay on my hammock and I closed my eyes.

“Jace?” I heard my name being called and my shoulder was nudged. “Jace, are you awake?” I recognised the voice as Luke’s. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and opened them to fine Luke standing over me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“You know how I said that I have an old friend in Falmouth, and that they will definitely know where your pirate is?”

“Yes,” I said, trying to wrap my mind around all the words he produced in just a few seconds.

“Well, I would like you to meet them. Come.”

I followed him out of the room. I quietly checked in Jay’s room, but Jay had not been disturbed. I was about to say something when Luke caught my arm and put a finger on his lips.

“My friend will not be too kind on young Jay,” Luke said.

“Who is your ‘friend’? What is their name?”

“Her name is Morwena and you will have to wait and see who she is.” I walked on with Luke, wondering who this mystery person was.

At Falmouth, we strolled along in the dark until we came to a large house. The house had a heavy-looking wooden door with black metal running along it, and a black metal handle. I turned to carry on, but Luke grabbed my arm.

“This is where she lives.” He told me.

“We have to go in there?” I asked, not liking the idea of going into this dark house.

“Yes,” Luke said, voice stern. I gulped. Luke rapped loudly upon the door. It opened with a loud creak. Luke walked in first and I second. I saw a woman sitting at a table with a glass of red liquid in her hand. Candles were lit on the table, forming an eerie glow. The woman had pale skin and long black nails.

“Why, hello Luke. Long time no see,” she said in a weightless voice. “How long has it been? Fifty years?” She certainly didn’t look that old.

“Yes, about that,” Luke answered.

“I thought you said that you didn’t know any more of our kind,” I told Luke pointedly.

“Aye, you’re right. I don’t know any more of our kind. You are the only one I have ever seen.”

“Then?” I left the question hanging.

“I am a vampire.” Morwena cut in casually. I tried to say something, however no words came out. I tried again after a while, and I had finally found my voice.

“If you are a vampire how come you are not drinking my blood right at this moment?”

“I cannot drink blood from an immortal.”

“Besides,” she held up her goblet grimly, “I have blood here.”

“How did you meet Luke?” I asked.

“I tried to drink his blood, but nothing came out.”

“Well, you have it easier than us,” Luke said.

“And how do you work that out?” Morwena snapped, injecting venom into the sentence.

“You can taste and your sense of touch has not abandoned you completely,” he answered.

“Aye, you are correct,” she admitted, looking into the dark red of her drink. “However I would give my taste and feeling to go out into the sunlight and feel the warmth on my tanless skin and not be turned into ash, and not to have to drink blood from mortals to stay alive. Nobility and pride are in my bloodline so I cannot face committing suicide.” She looked at him sadly with her dark eyes, then looked at me, “I envy you both.”

She threw her head back and drank the last of the blood.

“What have you come to me for?” She asked.

To be continued…