Juliet
Officially sixteen and manifesting for the first time, had brought on today, to where I was at that moment, waiting for our meals to be delivered by truck… My heart raced only thinking about it. I paced the small dining room. I shouldn't be. If I were going to marry Soren, I'd have to get my act together.
My mom sat at the table, making clothes. I really should be helping, but I could finish my chores in an hour. Liam stood at the door, manifested. Carrying the bodies inside required strength. His ears twitched. The heavy engine rumbled far down the street. Nerve-racking to say the least. How would this work? Three random strangers for all of us?
Where was Soren? He said he'd try to make it after their own feeding. I wanted him here at moments like this. I hated the days he didn't come to the house. With a hiss and break plates scraping against one another, the truck came to a swooshing halt. I lifted the curtain! A big ass truck! Eighteen-wheeler with two loads! How many of those did they use every month? Liam opened the door. All the other front doors filled the street with ugly faces. The rules around here didn't make sense.
The soldiers were quick to open the container. Each male carried a tied-up body back to their home, only to come back for more. I covered my mouth with a hand when Liam came in with the first, mumbling—alive—corpse. My mom manifested and caught the old lady mid-air. The two laughed and joked. This was so wrong. Nervously, I rubbed my fingers together; should I run away? The rope ladder was still there… I could make it!
Liam tossed the next body in. Another older woman, crying. "Mom! Did they raid an old-age home?" Cindy shook her head. "I don't know about this." She quickly bit into each of them to make it easier on all of us. I looked away as she paralyzed them. It would probably help. The silence did.
"Think about drinking tonight," Cindy said. I wanted to say it was bad parenting, but I had learnt to keep my mouth shut… Inside thoughts and all. So, I didn't reply. "You've changed a lot, Julie… Does Soren have such a big influence on you?"
"No, I'm that scared… I really don't want to go down there."
My mom sighed softly, "Maybe we should've scared you with the bogey monster too." She held out her arm to call me closer, so I could come and have my meal. I shook my head just as Liam came in with the last body, frowning.
"What's the matter?" Cindy asked.
"Qadir wants to see me."
Neither of us could reply. Of all the men Soren had told me about, he was at the top of my list to never ever meet. Then Lucius. Then Marcus. And a few more idiots. He had yet to point any of them out. How would I even know who's who?
My dad put the body down. The older guy's eyes were huge. Filled with fear at the strange faces. Liam's hand rested on the man's chest, and after he bit him, he opened his shirt and pulled something out. My manifestation popped up out of nowhere. I shriek softly. My mom chuckled and came over. "You're smelling the blood. I guarantee you all you have to do is stand there."
"Okay," I said hesitantly, following her closer. Liam dragged his nail across the guy's neck, and in the other hand, he was reading a sheet of paper. Were these people even my parents?! Urgh. My mom was right. I pushed him out of the way, sunk my teeth in, and groaned. Why did it have to be like this? Gross. Delicious. Aahh, I already feel better. This is what I was missing. A manifestation and blood. What a combo of medicine for my mental illness. I could feel their eyes on me. The two were probably in each other's arms, staring down at their darling daughter going into official adulthood. Gag.
I drank every last bit; the old man was white and looked dead. I chuckled and fell down on the floor in absolute drug heaven. This and drinking tonight. Best day of my life. I could become an alcoholic… Life had been so dull until Soren told me about how things really were. Now look at me. I could do this for five more years. Easy. "How many times will I get fed a month?"
"Every week… If my meeting with Qadir goes as planned."
Yes! Every week. My dad sure changed. From strict to taking me out drinking. Before Soren, there was no elaborate schooling. My books at the store were monitored. I was allowed no attitude. I had to clean, make food, and behave. Sit down for most days doing nothing. Had to get used to it, although not so much as everyone else. I knew that at least. I was allowed to talk. Now, I had freedom, even if it was only a little. And only if I were clever about it would I keep it. "Don't sell me because you can't afford me."
"Julie, I think this is for you."
Still on the floor, I had to lift my head to see. "What?" Yes, they were in each other's arms, lovingly adoring me. He held out the paper he got from the guy's shirt. Simple white with lines on it. Only a few words.
Happy Birthday
Try to keep it together
M.
I laughed. Funny. I flipped the page. Nothing? Just that. "Who?"
"I don't know."
"This place is weird… Are you guys just going to stand there?"
My mom and dad had no difficulty. It was my turn to stare at the two. Usually, I didn't witness this part. Soren had set us all free. Or maybe gave us hope. We made quick work of cleaning up, and Liam had to carry the bodies back to the truck. Once everyone had disposed of their meals, the truck departed, and it was as if nothing had happened. And to stay true to his word, he immediately ushered us to the car. We drove for a while and stopped at a small market in the far corner of the compound. Somewhere I'd never been. A few shops connected to houses. We moved through small alleys in between the buildings and entered a place with no windows to the street. Why were there bars like this? A few tables and booths. And how did he even make money? Who out of everyone would ever only come here?
Liam greeted the patron, and so did my mom. Guessed this was where my parents disappeared to when they thought I was asleep. Soren usually came to my window. I missed him.
"Who do we have here?" the stranger asked.
"My daughter."
"You… have a daughter?" He came around the bar counter. "Liam! You were hiding her."
"She manifested for the first time. Killed someone and needs something to drink."
"Oi, I think your daddy wants to stop something else from surfacing."
Liam cleared his throat, "I think something she'll be able to swallow."
"Ease her in, ey. Very well. Hi, my name is Bert."
I looked at Liam. "You don't have to worry. He's one of the good guys."
"Hi!"
"Well behaved… You know I have a son." I lifted my hand and wriggled my fingers. "Already taken. No wonder. Who is the lucky guy?"
Bert's eyes traveled past our shoulders to the door, and the happiness drained down into his throat. I didn't dare turn, and Liam quickly walked to a very isolated cubicle. My mom slid me into the dark and cornered me from the door as much as possible. The few customers had gone very quiet. How could our one night turn into a nightmare?
"I'm getting married! Drinks for everyone!" A loud voice announced.
There was not much of a response because when the group came into view, they were all dressed in military uniform. I frowned when one of them walked around the counter and greeted Bert with a hug. I was so curious. It didn't look like everyone in the army was psychotic. Oohh, everyone got fed. The army men filled all the tables and created a loud ruckus. Bert brought our drinks and slid in next to Liam. "Should we get the two ladies out of here?"
"How? They will have to walk right past them," Liam answered.
"I could talk to Steven."
"No… Let's wait till they are a little more relaxed."
Bert stayed having a drink and pulled my mother into conversation. The man was a little older than my parents. A lot of grey in between red curly hair. One thing about vamps. Everyone had a lot of hair. I sipped my drink a little too fast. Tasty, diluted with a lot of soda. Unfortunately, my black nails clinked on the glass, and the three adults laughed. I dug my head into the corner against the wall, blushing vigorously. "I'll go get her another. Is it a treat for her?"
"Yes. She refused to kill her meal."
Bert laughed as he left to get us another round and fill everyone else's hands with a drink. This place just got weirder and weirder. He didn't sit down again, handing me something different this time. Whoo—stronger. Not my favorite. Whatever it was. At least my manifestation died away. The army men became louder and rumbunctious. Some of the soldiers were making their rounds to all the tables, talking to the other locals. Something had happened in the barracks, and they were all excited about the future. Liam's attention wasn't really on us, listening intently. My mom and I quietly filled the gap with our usual conversation. His vigilance was rewarded when it was our turn, and two men ended up at our table well in their cups. One's arm was around the other's shoulders. Both stood staring at us for a moment. I couldn't lift my eyes. My mom took my hand and squeezed it, her head bent low. "It's his first time drinking," one man said. His voice was small. A hoarse tint to it. Cindy's grip relaxed a little.
"Hey, hers too," Liam said.
"I… I should've… done this a long time ago," the other man finally said. He sounded sure of him self, albeit slurring a lot.
The other said, "You're very brave bringing your—"
"My wife and daughter."
"You guys can look up," the same quiet tone said.
I was too scared to. My mom did and whispered to me, "Don't be rude; always do as they say."
Hesitantly, I lifted my chin a little, "This is Jessy… I'm Marcus." Wow! Hotness incarnate. Both had to be my next leads in my fantasy novels.
"Tonight, don't think about our clothes… We mean no one harm." Jessy struggled to get his words out. My vision faltered a little, too. My fourth drink was messing with me. Why didn't we drink at home?
"You were supposed to be off the compound," Liam joked.
"Oh, oh, I see… When there are fewer guards because they eat... You actually can."
"You can say that. So this is not a regular thing," Liam asked.
Jessy waved his hand, "We don't care. Celebrating this man's freedom. He'll be going to the auction in a few days."
"Congratulations," Liam said.
Marcus faltered and sat down next to Liam, "You seem happy! I don't know if I'll be happy, but… my father says it's time." He shrugged and downed his drink.
"I'm supposed to meet with your father this week."
Marcus made a fake gagging motion. I couldn't help myself and laughed. The whole table turned to me. I lowered my head post haste. "No, don't be shy now!" Jessy intervened. "No one has ever laughed at Marcus. No one dares. You might be the first. Bert! Another drink for—."
"Juliet."
Jessy squeezed in next to Marcus, pressing my father into the wall. He met my eye, and the twinkle was still there. It wasn't a nine-one-one situation. Yet.
"Liam, may I ask them some questions?"
Liam gestured for them to continue. Jessy drew in a breath to say something, fumbled, and said, "I don't know what to ask a female? Never had a conversation with one before."
"Liar! You and that—"
Jessy put his hand over Marcus's mouth. I laughed again. These two were quite entertaining. Nothing like Soren painted them out to be. Was this really Qadir's son! "He's drunk! Doesn't know what he's talking about."
"Oh, no. Come on. Now, you have to tell us what his type is." I said, resting my head on my hands, my eyes lazily opening and closing.
The two didn't take offence, and Marcus pried Jessy's hand off his mouth, "This guy likes big buts."
I'm glad to say I wasn't the only one in the place who flat-out laughed out loud. It abruptly died down—quickly. Oh no! What now? All the faces went to the door. Another man came toward our table. "Oh, man. You're all so handsome. I wish you weren't all so mean."
Liam jumped to his feet. "You'll have to excuse her and us… She has had enough for tonight."
The other guy pulled Jessy up by the ear. He then did the same with Marcus. Both protested.
"No, we were having fun."
"I want to talk to the blue-eyed girl."
The two were dragged out like children, and the place settled into camaraderie again. But we were leaving nonetheless. "Bye, Bert! Bye, everyone!"
My dad picked me up around the waist and carried me out, "I don't know what possessed me."
"Bye, Juliet! Come again." I waved aimlessly.
***
The next morning, I stretched big and languidly, waking up. Best day of my life so far. I rolled on my side, staring at the wall. Followed by endless boring ones. A knock on the door made me look at the clock. Soren! I jumped up and ran. I flung it open and my arms around his neck. Bewildered, he carried me inside and closed the door. "Julie! What in the world? What if one of the guards were patrolling down here?"
I hugged him even tighter. He relented and closed his arms around me. My father cleared his throat. Soren's arms jumped out in a straight line. "Dad! Come on! Some privacy."
"It's not me, Liam. I swear." Soren said.
"I can see that… Juliet, you'll have to find a way to control your lust."
"How?"
"I might not let Soren come again if you can't." I slowly let my arms fall off his person and pecked his lips. "Juliet!"
Soren smiled brightly down at me, a cocky smile on his lips. "Should we sneak out tonight?" I nodded, staring at his mouth.
"Oh no! Soren, it's time for you to go."
Obediently, he walked backwards holding my eyes. Liam walked out after him and closed the door between us. I pressed my ear against the door.
"Marcus met her last night." Soren didn't say anything. "He's getting married."
Soren whooped and exclaimed some expletive, "Yes… He didn't like her, did he?"
"No, no. Nothing like that. The men were as drunk as she was."
"Man, I regret missing it… I wish I could've been there."
"No worries… I have to go see Qadir to tell him how long we'll wait for her auction."
"Do you have to give a time?"
"I don't know? I've never done this before."
"Well, do you're best, we're counting on you… Liam—"
"No! If you guys get caught, Soren, it's death… You'll have to buckle up for her, or I'll really have to put in restrictions."
"No, no, of course. I was indulging her… What I wanted to say was that if things go south… There is a way we could get out."
"How?"
"Come by the store later. I have to tell you where I've been and what I've been up to."
The two greeted each other, and my friend for the day was gone. My dad opened the door—to me, standing there. "Juliet, really! One night out and you go completely off the rails."
"I know… It's a lot to process. Five more years, Dad!"
"Yes! Five more."