Blood. So much blood. It splattered across the white kitchen counter, and my stomach heaved. My eyes bounced back and forth from the cutting board and the TV screen. The frantic staccato of my heart roared across my eardrums drowning out the newscaster’s shaky voice. I’d finally torn my eyes away from the screen, but it had been too late. In my distracted state, I’d nearly chopped off my thumb.
I wasn’t sure what was more ghastly—my finger or the scene flashing before me in full HD.
“Uh, Mom…” I inhaled a deep breath to keep from passing out. The edges of my vision grew blurry, and I clutched onto the counter as my legs wobbled.
How had the world gone topsy-turvy in a matter of seconds? Just a few minutes ago Dad had been watching the Giants game, shouting at the ref and sipping a beer. Mom was making her famous stew, the delicious scents filling the air. And me? I was chopping up carrots… Then the emergency bulletin flashed across the screen, and everything went to hell. Literally.
Mom screamed as she finally turned to me, and her wide eyes settled on the tip of finger hanging by a thread. “Michael!” She shrieked for my dad who was still glued to the television. “Liv’s hurt.” She examined my finger from a safe distance, her face pale. “She’s going to need to go to the hospital. Now.”
Duke leapt up from his spot on the couch and my dad finally stood, his hazel gaze vacant and glassy, like he couldn’t quite process my mom’s words. I didn’t blame him. It wasn’t everyday you found out vampires were real.
Not only were they real, they were responsible for the greatest attack on U.S. soil in all of history. In New York City—just a few hours from our home.
Dad finally moved to the counter where I stood frozen. Grimacing at the sight of my finger, the dense fog over his eyes lifted. “Oh God, Liv. Does it hurt bad?” He grabbed a dishtowel and wrapped it around my thumb.
“I can’t really feel it,” I stuttered. I must’ve been in shock, which could have been caused by either of the calamities developing before me.
Duke, our German shepherd, stood next to me and cocking his head to the side, whined. His dark chocolate eyes almost looked worried. He licked my good hand, and a shadow of a smile tugged at my lips.
My dad dragged me out of the kitchen, and all I remembered thinking was I hoped I hadn’t left a piece of my finger with the carrots.
Mom tried to follow us out to the truck, but Dad stopped her at the door. “You have to stay here and keep an eye on the news.” He ticked his head toward the TV screen and scowled. “Text me with updates. It’ll take us at least a half hour to get to the hospital in Fallsbrooke.”
My mom nodded slowly. “Okay. Be safe.” She gave me a squeeze and kissed the top of my head.
As I trailed behind my dad to the truck, I hazarded a quick glance back. Duke barked, wagging his tail, furious to be left behind. Silly dog didn’t realize where we were going was not where he’d want to be. Mom stood under the porch light with her hands clasped over her heart. A tear rolled down her cheek, glistening under the lantern, but she quickly brushed it away.
My chest tightened. In my sixteen years, I’d never seen my mom cry—not once. This was bad.
I settled into the worn, cloth passenger seat as Dad flipped through the radio stations. Tugging on the seatbelt, I attempted to buckle up but with one bum hand, it was impossible.
Dad noticed my struggle and stopped his frantic search for news, no doubt. He latched my seatbelt and threw the truck into drive as a million thoughts swirled through my mind.
“Dad, what in the world is going on?”
His brows furrowed, but he kept his gaze intent on the dark road ahead. The truck bounced along the dirt road, and I gritted my teeth as the dips and bumps jostled my hand.
“I don’t know, Liv. I wish I had an answer for you…”
Static crackled through the speakers, interrupting the old Guns ‘N’ Roses song, then a long sharp beep rung out. I clapped my good hand over one ear, but it was no use. The earsplitting sound was like a death knell.
“We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you an emergency report.” The newscaster’s voice came in quick shaky spurts. “We’ve received various accounts of vampire attacks in New York City.” He paused, and a nervous chuckle filtered across the speakers. “Yes, that’s right, ladies and gentlemen. You heard me right—vampires. Hundreds of them appeared just a few hours ago and have laid siege to Manhattan. According to the mayor, the official death toll is already climbing into the hundreds.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. This can’t be real. There was no such thing as vampires. “Dad…”
He squeezed my shoulder and offered a weak smile. “I know, baby. It doesn’t make sense.”
The remaining thirty-minute drive passed like a horrible nightmare as we listened to the ghastly accounts. Entire apartment buildings had been ravaged by the blood-sucking monsters. Frantic crowds spilled out into the streets to escape only leading to more mayhem. People were trampled under the hysterical herds. According to the reports, the NYPD didn’t stand a chance against the invaders—their weapons were useless against the immortals.
Didn’t you need a wooden stake to kill a vampire? Or holy water, maybe? Or was all of that just in the movies?
We pulled into the Fallsbrooke Hospital emergency entrance right beside an ambulance. The blue and red flashing lights reflected off the pristine white building as we walked up. The sharp sirens mimicked the sound we’d just heard on the radio, increasing my heart rate. As the back doors of the emergency vehicle opened, I half-expected to see a stretcher roll out carrying a person with a bitten, bloodied neck.
I shook the grisly thought from my mind and walked through the automatic doors. Dad led me to the check-in counter and spoke agitatedly to the nurse behind the desk.
She leaned over the counter and eyed my hand. Deep red splotches marked the green and white dishtowel, the blood seeping through the thin material. “Go ahead and have a seat, honey. We’ll be right with you.” She handed my dad a clipboard with a stack of papers, and we moved to the waiting area.
Everyone who was well enough had their eyes glued to the TV screen. The reporter stood at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in front of a line of cement barricades and yellow police tape. Patrol vehicles were positioned across the roadway, the flickering blue and red lights illuminating the dark night. The newscaster pointed behind him, directing our attention to the hunter green Army tanks rolling across the bridge.
“As you can see, Manhattan is on lockdown. No one is allowed in or out as NYPD tries to contain the situation. It looks like the military has been called to assist in their efforts. I spoke a moment ago to Captain Murray from the 86th precinct and he gave me a first hand account.” The reporter paused, and his lips twisted. “It’s not pretty folks. Those of you who are sensitive to graphic images should leave the room now. What I’m about to show you is not for children.”
Dad spun to me, his expression grave.
I threw my good hand up. “I’m not a child so don’t even think about it. I need to know what’s going on out there.”
The correspondent continued after a brief pause. “We’ve managed to secure some live video from a residence in midtown. Again, due to the graphic nature of this video, viewer discretion is advised.” His face was replaced by a shaky video. It was dark and whoever held the camera was panting as they raced down what appeared to be a murky stairwell. From the muffled voices, it sounded like the camera guy was with two other men.
“Go! Go! Go!” A terrified voice rang out. “They’re coming!” the man shouted. A slew of curses filled the air, and a moment later the camera crashed to the floor. I followed the odd angle, cocking my head to the side just as a shower of deep crimson splattered across the screen.
I gasped as did a few of the others in the waiting room.
More screaming and a second later, a body slumped to the ground beside the still-rolling camera. A dark figure zipped across the lens, its movements much too fast to be human.
I clutched my father’s hand, which had somehow appeared entwined with mine as a trickle of sweat slid down my back. What in the hell had I just seen?
The screen went black, and the reporter’s face filled the display once again. He was as white as I imagined I was. He swallowed thickly and cleared his throat. “That’s all for now. Matt Greenly from Channel Five News signing off.”
The reporter disappeared, along with all the grisly images and the scene flashed back to the newsroom. The woman at the news desk dabbed a tissue under her eye and focused back in on the camera. “It’s just awful,” she muttered.
“Liv Graciene.” A nurse in light green scrubs appeared with a clipboard, scanning the room. “Liv Graciene, you’re up.”
Tearing my eyes away from the TV, I ran my hand through my disheveled dark hair and pushed myself to a stand. My legs felt like mush, like I’d just run a marathon, but I forced them to move toward her. Dad’s arm came around my shoulders and steered me toward the woman.
I followed her through the gleaming white hallway to a curtained-off section in the corner of a large sterile space. The thick scent of disinfectant swirled in the air, making my nose twitch. She pointed at the pristine hospital bed. “Have a seat and tell me what happened.”
As I recounted the fairly short story, she unwrapped the dishtowel from my thumb. She scrutinized the wound, her face a mask of calmness. How could she be going about her work like nothing was going on out there?
“I was watching the news about the vampires when it happened.”
“Mmhmm.” She didn’t even bat an eye. “Looks like you’re going to need stitches.”
My stomach roiled. Luckily, I hadn’t actually gotten to eat dinner or I may have puked.
She must have seen the panic on my face because she gave me a tight smile. “No need to worry, Ms. Graciene. We’ll inject you with a local anesthetic, and you won’t feel a thing.”
I nodded slowly with my lips pressed together, forcing air in and out of my lungs. I hated needles.
“Be right back.” The nurse walked away, and I let out a sharp breath.
Dad sat at the edge of the hospital bed and squeezed my shoulder. “They’ll have your thumb good as new in no time.” Though he smiled, it didn’t quite reach his hazel eyes. Neither of us were really worried about my finger.
“Yup.” It was all I could manage.
“I better call your mom to give her an update. I’ll be right back so don’t even think about sneaking out the rear exit.” With a wry grin, he stood and walked back toward the waiting room.
Glancing around the white-curtained space, I couldn’t help but wonder what the hospitals in the city looked like right now. Were they filled with wounded patients? Or did the vampires just kill everyone, not leaving any survivors?
The ping of my cellphone distracted me from my somber thoughts. Tugging my phone from my jeans’ pocket, I scanned the screen. Asher.
- Are you okay? Your mom told me what happened.
I clumsily typed out a response to my best friend.
- Yeah. Getting stitches now.
- Nice. You think you’ll have a badass scar?
- Not funny, Ash.
I paused, staring at the little bubble of dots flickering on the screen. Had he seen the news? He must have unless he’d been living under a rock for the past hour. Finally, his message came through.
- Pretty crazy about the vampires, huh?
- Yeah. Beyond crazy.
The nurse approached, pushing a cart with a silver tray and scary looking medical equipment. I quickly typed out a goodbye to Asher and tucked the phone back in my pocket.
“You ready?” she asked as she withdrew a nasty-looking needle from a plastic wrapper.
Dad reappeared just in time. He took my hand, and I attempted to steady my nerves. “Okay, I’m ready.”
The nurse pulled back the plunger, and the syringe filled with a clear liquid. My head spun as she positioned it near my bloodied thumb. I hadn’t really looked at it until that moment.
Bad idea. Darkness flooded my vision, seeping in from every corner as dancing stars flickered like Christmas lights. My stomach plummeted, and it was as if I were on the sharp descent of a runaway roller coaster.
My dad’s voice sounded far away, like I was underwater, the undertow dragging me down further in its frigid depths. My lids drooped, and I happily succumbed to the darkness.