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That night Keegan’s sleep was troubled. He could hear sounds from the distance and none of them made sense. Screaming and hollering as though it were midday. A loud roar that was neither man nor beast. The heavy fog of sleep was long in releasing him and when he finally opened his eyes, the distant screams began to make sense.
His room was clouded in smoke and when he rushed to his tiny window to get air, he saw the flames that spilled out of so many windows. Struggling to get his window open, he squinted and coughed, eager to get fresh air into his lungs.
When it refused to budge he ran to the door and threw it open. The flames in the hall were quick to push him back into the room. Reaching to the high ceiling the inferno engulfed the corridor, leaving no escape route.
Panic gripped him and he wanted to call out for his mother, but he reached for his bed sheet, wrapped it about him and slid under the bed. With his eyes shut tight to keep the charring smoke from burning and his fingers plugged soundly into his ears to keep the ungodly sounds from haunting him, he curled up and waited.
On the threshold of consciousness, Keegan said a prayer.
“Keegan.”
For a moment Keegan remained motionless. Had God responded so soon?
A claw-like hand reached under the bed and gripped Keegan’s nightshirt. “Get out from under there.”
Barely able to see through the thick cloud of smoke, Keegan made out the unusual features of Dr. Franz.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
Keegan blacked out before they reached the threshold of the door and awoke in the cool early morning air. His face was in the grass, dew licking away the soot that clung to his lips and nostrils. His lungs still ached, but every breath left him stronger. He focused his eyes on the dark shadow sitting beside him.
“Father?”
Dr. Franz turned to him. “I’m sorry, but I was unable to save your parents.”
Tears sprang to Keegan’s eyes, rinsing away remnants of burning smoke, but also carrying so much pain. How could something like this have happened? Anger quickly replaced the pain and he wanted to retaliate. The manor was modern and meant to house the rich. It should have had the means of controlling such an inferno.
“What happened? How could this have happened?”
“Vampires stormed the manor late last night. They attacked and killed many residents, including your parents. They then set the manor ablaze.”
The news was too much of a shock. The thought of his parents dying in a fire was something he could wrap his head around. But to think they’d been attacked by vampires, left him filled with rage.
“I understand your anger, Keegan. To lose someone you love to these retched creatures is unbearable, certainly for someone so young.”
Keegan sat up and took in his surroundings. High on a cliff that overlooked the ocean, the remnants of smoke could barely be seen in the distance. How had the doctor been able to save him? Had he dragged him this far? These questions tickled his brain, but there was only one question he truly needed an answer to. “What will become of me now?”
Dr. Franz ruffled Keegan’s hair. “I was fond of you from our very first meeting. I felt an instant kinship to you. In light of what has happened, that kinship has only intensified.”
Through the weight of the pain that clung to his heart, Keegan felt a wave of relief sweep over him. The thought of an orphanage scared him beyond reason, and though the kind doctor seemed a tad odd, Keegan felt safe in his presence.
“Have you heard of Blood and Bones?” Dr. Franz asked after a long and thoughtful silence.
Keegan shook his head and looked expectantly at the doctor.
“They are a sect of vampire hunters. Their mission is to kill all vampires. With what has happened, I’m sure you can understand why.”
“I’d like to help.”
Dr. Franz cocked a brow as a crooked grin warped his lips. “I thought you might.”