As instructed, Diane made herself at home in Nashville. She spent the day reading the books from the fast library in the lush apartment, to watching he scores of undead over fifty stories below and far from where they could harm her. Still watching a swelling of undead that massive wander around the city was in itself mesmerizing. Normally when you laid eyes on a herd of zombies that massive, it usually would mean your doom. Diane watched them throughout the day, and even found their unified murmur lulling, which caused her to nap a bit that afternoon. When Gabriel eventually emerged from his daytime slumber, there was a nice smell in the air as Diane was up and cooking something for supper in the massive kitchen.
"I hope you're hungry," Diane called out as she spotted him.
"I am," Gabriel said, "but not in the way you think."
"You don't eat normal food at all?" Diane asked.
"I don't have to," Gabriel explained, "But I do enjoy trying new things, as I have a very fine pallet."
"Set the table then," Diane ordered, not taking her eyes off her the pan she was cooking on.
"Yes Ma'am," Gabriel said, as he started to set the table. He knew better than to not listen to a woman in the kitchen. Just as he was finishing the setting, Diane arrived with the food and placed it in the middle of the table.
"Looks delicious," Gabriel said, sitting down at the table.
"Thank you," Diane replied, also sitting. "For someone who doesn't eat much, you sure had a good supply here to pick from."
"To be honest," Gabriel retorted, "I have been building my supply up since meeting your sister, just in case. If I didn't need it, I would have just donated to the town at a later time."
"Good plan," Diane said, "I hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will," Gabriel said with a smile, "Who taught you and your sister how to cook so well?"
"My mother," Diane replied, "She taught us in an effort to keep us off the front lines and away from the undead."
"A wise strategy," Gabriel said, "But I'm confused; I could have swore I heard Alyssa say something about her mom dying during childbirth."
"That was her mom," Diane replied, "My mom managed to survive until she died of an infection a five years ago."
"That explains it, half sisters," Gabriel concluded. "I should have guessed."
"In this world, half is better than none," Diane countered.
Gabriel raised a glass, "I'll toast to that."
The rest of the meal was relatively quiet, and Gabriel didn't drink any blood to be respectful to Diane. He would drink a pint after she went to bed. He was washing the dishes when the young girl walked up to the big island in the kitchen and took a stool.
"Pablo said there were other monsters," she informed him, "But he was hesitant to talk about the witches. Why?"
"Witches prefer to stay in New Salem," Gabriel explained, "So if you see one away from the city, odds are that hag was banished from the city and is a extra bad apple from an already sour tree. The witches that wander do not leave a good impression of those still in the city. The odd time I have encountered one, it wasn't a pleasant experience."
"Doesn't seem very fair," Diane started, "For a creature known to consume human blood to survive to generalize other creatures like that."
"Touché," Gabriel said, getting her point. Every creature had their good and bad apples, especially vampires. All he had to do was think of his brother for proof of that.
"I don't mean to generalize," Gabriel continued, "But the ones wandering around have given the rest in the witches a very bad rap. I'm sure there are probably some nice ones out there, but I've yet to meet even one thus far."
"How long have you been living here?" Diane asked.
"Since the city was deserted," Gabriel answered, "I found this place about a year after the outbreak, and the owner was already dead and roaming around in circles. He was even still wearing his cowboy hat, because he was a country singer."
"A what?" Diane asked
"Before your time, I get it." Gabriel said, laughing.
"How old are you?" Diane inquired, unafraid to ask.
"A lot of people want to know, but are afraid to ask." Gabriel noted, "but I'm over two thousand years old. So two millennium, and change."
"Wow, you've been around." She noted.
"I've seen a few things," Gabriel noted, "And back then there were a few times I thought the world might end. The black plague, the Cuban missile crisis, and even the three world wars. But each time mankind managed to shake it off and move forward. So even in this dark time, I'm confident we'll make it through."
"That's a nice way to look at it," Diane admitted, "I've never heard someone speak about our future like that."
"Like what?" Gabriel asked.
"With optimism." Diane answered, "Almost hopeful."
"I think your sister picked up on that too," Gabriel admitted, "but she refused to admit it to anyone."
"You really like her, don't you?" Diane then asked.
"Wow," Gabriel said, as he stopped the dishes for a second. "You really don't beat around the bush, do you?"
"Whatever that means," Diane said, "You didn't answer the question."
"Yes, she's nice." Gabriel said, "I like her company. I haven't been around someone like that in a while."
"Define a while," Diane asked.
"A few hundred years," Gabriel added, "But we're just friends right now. I'm not really in that much of a hurry to make it anything else. I like having new friends."
"You're also immortal," Diane noted, "You can afford to be patient."
"That too," Gabriel agreed, "We are know for our patience, but not all of us have it. My brother would be a prime example of that exception to the rule."
"You have a brother?" Diane asked, "How old is he?"
"He's double my age," Gabriel said, "And like you and your sister, we have different mothers, which is why he's far more powerful than I am."
"Why does that make a difference?" Diane asked.
"Bloodlines," Gabriel answered, "The purer your bloodline is, the stronger you are as a result. Cornelius was born when lines were at their strongest. I was born in a century when things were messy and chaotic. I'm strong and have the same powers, but he's just at an insane level. Some would argue he's the strongest vampire in the entire world."
"Wow, that is intense." Diane said, thinking about it. "How powerful is he?"
"He can cross the ocean without ever needing to land," Gabriel told her. "I can't last half that long in the air, and he's faster too. He can clear that distance in less than a few hours."
"That's almost as fast as the concord," Diane said, thinking about it.
"That would explain the pointy nose," Gabriel said, laughing.
Later in the night, Gabriel flew Diane back to her town. As they landed softly on the roof, there was someone waiting for them. Alyssa was standing here, arms folded with a look that reminded Diane of her mom.
"Hey guys," Alyssa said, giving a half smile, "Have fun out there?"
"Yeah, we did." Gabriel said, smiling back. "You okay?"
"I'm alright," Alyssa replied, "Pablo told me what you guys were up to."
"It was so neat," Diane said, hugging her sister. "There were so many undeads below. They were like a chorus off murmurs. So creepy and yet so lulling."
"Well it's getting late," Alyssa informed her sister, "Get ready for bed."
"Alright," Diane replied before turning to face Gabriel, "Thanks for the ride."
"It was fun," Gabriel concurred, "Good night."
They watched Diane disappear back into the building, and he looked back at Alyssa with an innocent smile.
"You're not upset, are you?" he asked.
"No," Alyssa answered, "I trust you."
"This put her at ease," Gabriel explained, "And she's comfy with Nashville just in case we ever have to move you guys there. I thought it was a good exercise to get her comfortable with my secret."
"You don't have to sell it," Alyssa said, "I'm just happy that you and Pablo have appeared to have gotten her back out of her shell. I appreciate that."
"Happy to help," Gabriel said, relieved to not be in the dog house.
"We do need to get back to work," Alyssa reminded him, "The mayor expects us to get back out there and get supplies."
"We can do that," Gabriel replied, "We can fly out to one of the cities on the east coast, and trade over there. We should be safe enough to venture out again."
"Sounds good," Alyssa said, "I think Pablo wants to speak to you as well."
"Alright," Gabriel said as he followed her inside.
Across the street, checking out the roof from her window was an old woman. She was knitting something and listening in on what was happening across from her. Her senses were profound and made her able to hear in on words not meant for anyone else. As she was knitting, a black cat pranced over and sat down in the chair beside her and purred a bit before making a few sounds.
"You're far too paranoid," the old woman replied, "We have no proof they're hunting for us. They could be just trying to get by like we are."
The cat made another sound, one that emphasized his frustration.
"Your objection is noted," she said, "And overruled."
The cat leapt off he chair and pranced away, unhappy with how the conversation was going. The old woman laughed and continued to knit, content with her decision and stance concerning the vampire across the street.
It had been weeks since the big fire and the attack on their town, and things were relatively quiet since then. While that made some people like the mayor rather nervous and expecting something worse to come along, others like Pablo and Gabriel were more confident things would get better and they were making progress. There were few debates or disagreements, but even the coolest of heads would occasionally but, but it never led to much afterwards. Gabriel was in the mess hall with Alyssa, as they had time before first light. He was pretending to eat a plain piece of toast when the mayor came to their table and took a corner without even asking. He put on the show some mornings before he slept to prevent anyone from suspecting something, and to boost the rumor of his relations with Alyssa. They trusted her, and he thought it would be easier for them to trust him if she did too. A strategy that worked all to well as the Mayor was one of the first to apply that standard.
"I need something important," Max requested as he sat down at their table.
"Unlike some others," Gabriel started, "I actually appreciate the direct approach. What can I do for you, Max?"
"Here," Max said as he slipped him a small piece of paper. "We are running dangerously low on this one and it would be a miracle to get more."
"I can get it," Gabriel answered, "But we can't make the trip till the end of the week. My supplier has rules and superstitions."
"Superstitions?" Max repeated, "Really?"
"He's reliable," Gabriel added, "So much that I tolerate his weird quirks. His quality will be worth it. Ration what you have left until Friday."
"Alright, I think we can handle that," Max said as he stood up, "But let me know about these rules so we can avoid this from happening again."
"What rules?" Alyssa said once Max was gone.
"Full moon this week," Gabriel reminded her. "We couldn't enter the city even if we wanted to. I could try to go somewhere else, but the wolves are far more reliable and worth the wait."
"I'm still getting used to that," Alyssa said, sitting back, "Sorry."
"I've known about them long before the undead were here," Gabriel informed her, "I've had time to get used to it. You'll be okay after while."
When they were finished breakfast, Gabriel made it back to Pablo's apartment and went to sleep for the day just before light broke. There was an office like room in Pablo's apartment with no windows, which was perfect for Gabe to use to rest. When he didn't have time to fly back to Nashville, he would rest in that windowless room, confident Pablo wouldn't let anyone disturb him. Alyssa had spent most of her day cleaning up around her place and prepping for dinner with Diane and Pablo. She went for a walk to fetch some herbs from one of the gardens, when one of the old ladies working the garden walked up to her.
"Excuse me, young lady." The older woman started.
"Alyssa," she reminded her, "How are you today, Mrs. Goldman?"
"Yes, that's right. Alyssa." Mrs. Goldman said as she smiled back. "I'm fine, dear. Did you need anything else from the gardens, today?"
"No, thank you." Alyssa replied, "These are wonderful."
"What about that young man," Mrs. Goldman asked. "Are you sure he can he be trusted since he's not from around here?"
"He can be trusted," Alyssa told her. "He's different, but considering that there isn't many of us left... we really cannot afford to be picky about who our friends and allies are, right?"
"I suppose not," the old woman replied, "So he's with us?"
"He's with me," Alyssa corrected her, "And as long as I'm with the town, then so is he."
"I see," Mrs. Goldman said, "That does simplify things for us. Thank you for putting up with this nosey old woman."
"It's alright Mrs. Goldman," Alyssa said, cheerfully. "We need to do whatever we can to fight the boredom, so I understand."
"Speaking of passing the time," Mrs. Goldman added, "One of my cats is going to have a litter very soon, within a few days I believe. I thought Diane might want to have a kitty of her own, if that's alright with you of course."
Alyssa was surprised to hear the news and beamed with excitement. "That sounds wonderful! But what do we feed it?"
"Well, I make my own cat food from the town's leftovers." Mrs. Goldman explained, "But I heard that your new boyfriend has contacts on the east coast. I was thinking he might be able to procure some dry food in bulk for us."
"That's a good idea," Alyssa agreed, but she declined to respond to the boyfriend comment. "I'll talk to him about it. I also think Diane would love to have a cat of her own. Would you mind holding onto the cat for a week or so? Diane has a birthday coming up and I think that would be the prefect gift."
"That's a wonderful idea." Mrs. Goldman said, "I usually keep them a while to litter train them so an extra week or so won't make a difference."
Alyssa said good bye and went off about her business, even speaking to some of the other ladies in the garden before walking back to her own place. She used the fresh herbs to mix in with the meal she was preparing and then tidied up a bit before walking to the school to pick up Diane. She had a surprise waiting for her at the school as someone was already amongst the parents waiting for class to dismiss. She walked up and greeted Pablo with a smile.
"You didn't tell me you were coming to get Diane." She said.
"I just needed a bit of air," Pablo replied, "To be honest, that's one thing I like about this place. We are able to roam around a bit, and not be cooped up in the house all day like I used to be."
"I had a feeling you might," She admitted to him, "I like that about it too."
"I like that you have a school here," Pablo added, "Something I haven't seen in a while as well. I know there are some in the big cities, but not out here in the middle of nowhere. It's different, that's for sure."
"I don't mind the company," Alyssa said, looking around to make sure she wasn't missing any activity. "Reminds me of when my Dad used to come here with me."
"I know you miss the guy and he can never be replaced," Pablo said, "But I'm here and I've got your back. So does Gabe, and he's older than us both combined."
"And times ten," Alyssa added.
"He's been around," Pablo said with a chuckle.
"And what about cats?" Alyssa asked.
"Cats?" Pablo repeated, cocking up an eyebrow. "What about them?"
"Well, I was recently offered one." Alyssa informed him, "One of our townspeople has a cat that's about to give birth. I thought it would make a great birthday gift for Diane. Do vampires have allergies?"
"No, they don't, and neither do I." Pablo replied, "I'm just not used to seeing cats that much around here. Not outside the cities, and they've gotten a really bad rap lately, mostly because of New Salem."
"You mean the witches?" Alyssa said, thinking about it. "Are they really connected to cats like the stories about them say?"
"Those hags are connected to nature in general," Pablo replied, "And that means all animals, not just cats."
"Wow, that is interesting." Alyssa said, thinking about it.
"I try to not think about it." Pablo continued, cringing at the thought. "Gabe says witches can communicate with animals, as if they're magically able to translate their sounds into actual words. While it sounds ridiculous, imagine the strategic advantages. Every bird flying around could be a potential spy, or scout."
"That's really scary," Alyssa admitted, unaware of all this. "I'll have to speak to Gabriel about it when he gets back."
"I wouldn't worry too much," Pablo continued, "Witches rarely leave New Salem, mostly for the same reason you guys don't wander out much: the undead roaming about and such. But it's also because of their rep, which is far from kind in the other cities. New Lycan is especially hard on them, as they've had no official talks in almost a decade. They do not like one another. Not one bit."
"What happened there?" Alyssa asked. "That kind of hate doesn't just appear out of nowhere, does it?"
"Probably not, but I have no idea." Pablo said, "If Gabe knows anything about it, he's not saying. I'd also keep this chatter on the down low for now as well, as we don't need to add more to Diane's plate at the moment."
"Fair enough," Alyssa said, nodding in agreement. "Mum's the word."
Pablo also agreed to remain silent about the cat, and said nothing when Diane came out to greet them. They walked back to the apartment and had dinner, and the day was going along just fine. Pablo was helping Diane with her homework and Alyssa was working on some dishes, when there was a loud sound coming from across the hall. Pablo stood up and waved back at Alyssa.
"Lock the door when I leave," he said as he quickly ran out of the apartment. He crossed the hall into his own apartment, to make sure Gabriel was alright. Gabriel had been the source of the sound as he had tripped over something while rying to abruptly leave the den where he was sleeping.
"What the hell are you doing up?" Pablo called out as he came over to help Gabe up and move him to the couch. He then walked over to the windows and shut all the curtains. "The sun isn't down yet. I realize it's not fatal, but I know that still hurts. What's going on."
"I can hear them." Gabriel said, "They're so loud that they woke me up."
"Ah Shit," Pablo said, as he knew exactly what the meant. Vampires could hear things very far away, and if there were a lot of undead in the area, Gabe would know about it.
"That's pretty accurate," Gabriel said, rubbing his temples.
"How many are we talking about," Pablo asked, "and how far out are they?"
"Can't be any more than fifty miles," Gabriel said, rubbing his head. "But there's a lot of them. To be that loud, there has to be tens of thousands... and they're heading this way."
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