Barb Hendee - Hunting Memories

The transparent fist passed through the vampire, but he still flinched and ducked, as anyone would, and Wade used the only weapon he had left… Forming an image of Philip running toward them down the aisles, he drove this picture directly into the vampire's mind.

He's coming now , Wade projected. It's safe outside in the dark. Jump. Jump out the door and you'll be safe. Or he'll take your head and turn you to dust.

The vampire's eyes widened in terror, and he looked down the stairwell to the open door and the world rushing past.

Hurry! He's coming. He's almost here! He'll take your head. You have to jump.

The vampire moved past Wade, to the top of the stairs, lost in the vision Wade kept pressing on him.

And then to Wade's despair, he felt something pushing back, and he heard hazy thoughts.

No… no, he can't be there yet .

This creature was pushing him out, fighting his suggestions.

Yes! Wade projected. He's almost to the door .

The vampire's expression altered, and fear turned to rage. He half turned, raising the sword, snarling and aiming at Wade.

An explosion sounded, echoing off the metal walls.

Black blood sprayed from the vampire's chest, and he stumbled down three steps, choking in shock. Another explosion rocked the car, and blood sprayed from his forehead as he fell back through the outer door and vanished from sight.

Wade rushed down the steps and hung out the doorway. He could still see the body lying on the ground, growing smaller and smaller until the train passed him.

The vampire never even moved.

Panting from what felt like emotional exhaustion, Wade looked up into the car. Rose was standing in the middle, holding his gun with both hands. Seamus was still beside her.

"Philip should be back soon," she said calmly. "We'll get off at the next stop."

Still looking at his gun, Wade had no response.

Maybe Rose's wisdom could adapt to any situation.

Julian walked the dark street outside the Salem Amtrak station. The express train was due any moment. He was worried Eleisha might talk Robert into waiting inside the station and calling for a taxi.

But he was also counting on Robert's instinct for complete independence in a dangerous situation. Angelo had known Robert very well-and now so did Julian.

He was walking the shortest route to a Hertz rental car office, and down a side street, he spotted a deep black doorway with a balcony up above it, creating darker shadows.

"How do you know they'll get off?" Mary asked, floating beside him. She was fidgeting, as if anxious about something.

He was too distracted to even find her annoying. "He is a soldier, from a long line of soldiers. He'll get off."

She shrugged, looking down the street. "Shouldn't I get back to Jasper? He's all alone, and that Philip guy seems pretty mean."

"Hmm?" Julian turned from the doorway. "No, leave him. I need you here." He paused, running possibilities through his mind. "All right, this is what we're going to do."

Mary tilted her head, but thankfully, she just listened.

Coming out of Robert's memories for a second time was even harder, and Eleisha had more trouble separating her emotions from his.

She could still taste Jessenia in her mouth.

Somehow, she managed to pull out right after Jessenia's death-before Robert drained the gardener. She would have stopped sooner, but he had such a tight hold.

Once she was able to separate her thoughts and drives from his, she found him leaning forward on the floor, holding himself up by his forearms.

Maybe she should have refused to do this for him? He'd just wanted it so much.

He touched his head to the floor.

"Rob… ert," she tried to say, her own voice sounding foreign. "Get up."

He raised his head.

"The train is pulling into Salem," she told him. "We have to get ready."

Without a word, he climbed to his feet. They didn't speak for a little while. What else could they possibly say after reliving all that again?

Eleisha got his coat and buttoned it over his bloody shirt. The coat's shoulder was still ripped, but it looked better.

The cut on her hand had almost closed, and she washed off the dried blood. Her side still hurt.

The tense, angry look he so often wore began returning to his face, and he picked up the long shoulder bag with his sword. Good. Maybe watching Jessenia die again might actually help. As long as he didn't get careless.

"You make sure he misses," she said. The train slowed to a stop. As they moved out into the hall, she said, "What makes you so certain he'll be here?"

"He'll be here. This is how he hunts."

They moved down the hall and through the long aisles to an exit, stepping off into the loud train station. People hurried all around them, and no one even glanced their way.

"Excuse me," Robert said to a young baggage attendant pulling a cart. "Where is the nearest rental car office?"

"There's a Hertz about three blocks away," the attendant answered. "I think it's open until one a.m. Just go out the main doors, turn left, walk two streets down, and then take another left on Baker."

"Thank you."

They walked away, looking around.

"Over there," Robert said, pointing to large glass doors across the station floor.

She followed him outside into the darkness, and he turned left. But now anxiety was beginning to build inside her. If Robert was correct-and he probably was-Julian could be anywhere. The thought made her sick, and she hadn't expected that, or at least not to this degree.

"Wait," she said.

He turned around.

"Give me a second."

His brow wrinkled when he saw her face. "Can you do this?"

She looked down the dark street, and all she could see were shadowy awnings and blackened doorways and the entrances to alleys. But she'd seen the sword coming back in the train yard, and she hadn't been expecting it. Now both she and Robert would be watching.

"Yes," she answered. "Just don't walk so fast."

"Stay right behind me. You know what to do." But he didn't move away yet, hesitating, and then he said, "No matter what happens, I'm glad you and Rose started all this. I'm glad she found me. I'm glad I came." His voice held no inflexion or emotion, but she believed him.

"Let's get this done," she said. "We'll be home tonight."

They were far enough from the station crowds now that he unzipped his bag and took out his sword, gripping the hilt.

The sight of it gave her a jolt. Although she never would have admitted it anyone, even Wade, she was experiencing an unfamiliar scratching at the back of her mind every time she pictured herself helping Robert to kill Julian-as if some part of her rebelled against destroying her own maker.

But she wouldn't let this stop her.

Julian had killed his maker. So could she.

They walked two blocks down, keeping an eye on all the doorways, and turned on Baker Street, which was dark and empty at this hour.

Robert paused only briefly before beginning this final stretch.

Up ahead, she saw a deep blackened doorway with a balcony above it, and Robert's voice flashed into her mind.

There. Get ready .

He didn't break stride or show any sign of having noticed a thing.

She tensed, ready for Julian's swing… when Robert would swerve and she would need to get hold of Julian's mind in the same instant.

Shaking inside, she cursed herself. She had not expected to be this frightened.

She focused her thoughts, gathering a command to make Julian freeze, and Robert walked past the black doorway.

Eleisha looked for the glint.

And then someone screamed from the doorway. A brightly colored form blurred out from the darkness, screaming, and Robert stumbled back in shock.