Melody no.10
Legrant and the Rebels

The rusty door rang loudly when it opened. The air inside seemed stale and Meryl knew that this century-old building had one day served as a factory. It had been closed for a long time. Meryl observed her surroundings. There were thick columns that no longer seemed very safe, some were broken, and if by chance there was an earthquake. It was one of the places at the top of her list to never enter during an earthquake. No doubt it would collapse.

Meryl heard a murmur that suddenly disappeared along with the little light there was. She started walking blindly on the cold concrete floor until she yelled out when she felt two strong arms around her. Someone covered her eyes and lifted her off the ground without any kind of effort, as if she were a doll.

After a couple of minutes, she could see again, she was surrounded by a large group of people: women, men and some children who watched with undisguised suspicion. They weren’t accustomed to receiving strangers at their meetings.

“It looks like someone has crashed our meeting,” A voice behind her said, “What should we do?”

She turned her head slightly as she was still imprisoned by both arms. She saw beautiful almond-shaped eyes that belonged to a man who looked no older than twenty-five years old. His hair was dark and a little long. With a dark complexion that was highlighted precisely because in that world, there was no sun.

“Very well, miss. You can tell us who you are?” he asked smiling while Meryl was not able to utter a word in her favor.

“I know who she is,” shouted a man in his forties, who lifted an accusing finger at her. “It’s Caleb’s bitch.”

The murmurs filled the room and Meryl’s valor disappeared from one breath to the next. She began to panic. She should think of something quickly or she would end up badly, very badly.

“Is that right?” asked the man releasing her and standing in front of her, “How do you know about us?”

“I…”

“If she is here it means she’s a spy and Caleb knows about us!”

The man intervened once more. “Frank, if you don’t stop talking. We can’t clarify anything.”

“But ...” The man stopped talking when the young man raised his hand indicating that enough was enough.

“Very good, small one. What is your name?”

“Meryl,” she whispered.

“Is it true that you belong to Caleb?” he continued when she nodded. “How did you get here? Understand our position, the danger is great, and honestly. I have seen Caleb with my own eyes. I doubt he treats you badly. In fact, I would say that he is the only one of the vampires that deserve a bit of respect. Well, it’s true that I do not like his character,” he continued talking as if he were alone, “but I have lived in other zones. This is the only one in which there is order and in which we can live fairly well. If you belonged to Epsilon I would kill you without hesitation.”

Meryl felt small, rather minuscule. Surrounded in such a manner and under the watchful eye of the group who seemed to look for the slightest movement to beat her, it terrified her. Although she struggled she mentally repeated again and again that everything would be fine.

“Answer.” The man from before grabbed her shirt.

“That’s enough, Frank. She’s nothing more than a girl.” The dark-skinned young man intervened again grabbing his shoulder to make him let go.

“These kinds of women end up destroying a country, Legrant. Don’t forget my words, because if you trust her. There will come a day that I’ll say. I told you so.”

“Shut up already!” A woman’s voice prevailed before the murmurs. “I think I can clarify some doubts about her.”

Meryl turned her eyes searching for the female figure that spoke. Among the gloom began to emerge a young woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Her features began to take shape in her mind, and although slightly different, Meryl realized she knew her.

“Johana?”