The Unlikely Protagonist, Chapter Three
Jane felt sluggish when she woke up. Am I going to feel more dead as time goes by?
She heard a knock at the door. She opened it a little and peered out. Smiling face of Jack greeted her. She swung the door open and invited him in.
“Hello, kiddo. They sure took care of you.”
Jane smiled ironically.
Jack chuckled. “Rough night?”
“Kinda.” Rough awakening is more like it.
“Thought so. Didn’t give you any earth, did they?”
“What?”
“Your clan, they need to sleep with earth of the place of birth or another important one close by. Figured home would do. Here,” he said and tossed a box at her. She opened and there, indeed, was a lump of earth.
“But why?”
“Everyone’s got a weakness. The prince? He’s a picky eater. He’d probably be one anyway, but if he eats what doesn’t suit him, he vomits all over his designer suit. But he gets to boss people around. All Malks are crazy, but see things others can’t. Kinda like crazy prophets. All Nossies are ugly as fuck, but are practically invisible and know everything that goes on. And so on. You get some, you lose some.”
“Right. Quid pro quo.”
“Whoa kiddo. What’s up with that?”
“I was a Latin major.”
“Seriously?”
“Well, I figured it this way: it wasn’t popular, so I wouldn’t have to deal with preps. I can deal with fanatics - they usually focus on their own studies and leave other people alone alone. Plus it’s a dead language, so it takes away one of most difficult parts of learning one - speaking. Learn the works that remain and you’re good.”
Jack whistled. “Sounds like you thought it out.”
“Yeah, I thought so too. And then declensions came.” She shuddered.
Jack laughed. “Well, don’t let the Prince hear ya or he might want to bring you into the inner circle.”
Jane mock-shivered. “Heaven forfend.”
“Anyway, kiddo, gotta run. You’d better not be doing much tonight weakened like that. Try to grab a bite - there’s a hobo loitering near the front door. Or a pack, if they bothered to leave you one. Sweet dreams.” He waved goodbye and let himself out.
I wonder what First Anarchs would’ve thought of this one. A bit wimpy, but she’s just started. Give her time. Anyway, she’ll serve the purpose, even if she’s a failure as Kindred.
She started the computer and used the password left by Mercurio. There was some spam, mail from Mercurio telling where to find him - Why not leave that in the note? - and a mysterious message from “a friend” that felt like playing correspondence chess. Sadly, there was no board and Jane was never much of a player anyway. She figured getting to Mercurio shouldn’t be difficult. She picked up cash Mercurio placed in the desk drawer and a few odd things lying around the apartment in hopes to maybe pawn them off. She opened the fridge and was surprised to see three blood packs. A positive. Probably the easiest to get. Well, at least I might not be endangering some poor bastard’s life by taking it instead. She downed the pack. She was ready to fight nausea, but it tasted wonderful. It was still salty and metallic, but somehow it felt like triple chocolate fudge. Damn. No more of that.
She stepped outside. She spotted the bum Jack mentioned, but she doubted drinking from him would help her weakness much. When she exited to the main street, she saw a bloodied man struggling to get inside his house. Everybody around seemed to ignore him. As she started to run towards him, he managed to get himself inside. She followed the trail of blood to an apartment.
The man groaned as she entered his apartment. “Those mothers...ripped me off...I'm dyin' here!"
Jane gasped. "Oh my god...just hold on, I'll call the ambulance!"
"No! Got a record back East...you call it, I'm busted."
Jane nodded. Not like mafia, huh, Jack? What am I supposed to do with him?
"What the hell is this lump? Is it my rib?"
"Er, no. It's just a broken bottle. Is there a first-aid kit?"
"Yeah, but it won't do anything. I just need a painkiller and wait out until the vamp blood does what it does."
Jane furrowed her brow. "Vamp blood?"
"You the new kid, right?
“Er…yes.”
"Straight off the bus, right? Once a month, I get fed vamp blood. It makes me stronger, lets me heal faster. Don't age. I'm actually sixty.”
“You're...Mercurio, then.”
"Yeah. Sorry for shitty welcome."
Jane smiled ruefully. "No prob."
Mercurio smirked in response. "Not off to a good start, huh? And it's gonna get worse. I needed Astrolite. Good stuff. I found a guy. I set up a drop. They took my money and beat me up.”
“So...er...can’t call police...what do we do?”
“You go and get it back.”
“ME?!?”
“You know, now you’re as strong as I ever was, even though you don’t look much.”
Okay, I’ll…look into it,” said Jane nervously. She didn’t dare refuse LaCroix’s man directly.
“Look, kid, I understand you’re dizzy and need a few. Just don’t take too long or we’re both busted.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Do you need anything?”
“The blood will mend me, but I could use some painkillers.”
“Okay. Wait. What’s this about the blood? I thought you weren’t…”
Mercurio began to chuckle, but broke off with a gasp. “Yeah, you’re a newbie. I’m a ghoul. Basically, I get fed a little bit of boss’ blood, I live longer and age slower, and in exchange I get jobs done where he can’t reach directly.”
“Right. I’ll see about getting those painkillers”
“Thanks, kid. Stay safe.”
Jane exited Mercurio’s house and decided to go back home for now. She really wanted to get those painkillers soon, but Jack’s warning rang in her head.
As she walked back, she saw that the pawnshop under her apartment was still open. She walked in and bartered for a couple of trinkets she managed to pick up at her apartment. A knife on sale caught her eye. Won’t do much, but at least I won’t shoot myself in a foot.
Then, she remembered.
“Uh, where could a gal find some clothes at this time of night?”
“That’s a bit difficult. But I know a gal who runs a thrift store at other side. I can call her if she’s still awake.”
“Right.”
She walked tot he thrift store. SHe apologised profusely. The woman shook her head. “I’m not asking for details, love. Just money.” Jane added extra twenty - she felt really abd about waking her up. She knew she had limited budget - but she figured she’d stay on their good side in case she needs something else.
She returned home and dumped her clothes.
She decided to try and practice focusing. Remembering yoga classes Sam used to drag her to, she assumed lotus position and tried to clear her mind. Then, she tried Seeing. It worked, but it left her dizzy soon. Next, she decided to try growing her nail, but failed. I have no more energy. Then she glared at her pinkie, wishing it would bend…and it did. Huh? Maybe it doesn’t work on nails? This drained the last of her energy and she barely managed to drag herself to the tub. Then she scrambled out, remembering the dust moments before the sunrise.