Behind the Veil....

The moon glimmered against the gray background of the sky as masses of dark clouds gathered around it. Pinpoints of stars winked every moment and became brighter. The night had turned everything colorless. The weather was hot and sticky; it would rain after while. The dark grey trees dared not move their branches. Everything was still and silent, except for the rustling sound of dried leaves as a dark cloaked figure glided through the leafy floor of the dense woods.

Inside this cloaked figure, a pale handsome face prevailed. His sharp bloodthirsty fangs hid between his red lips. He was Juan, Juan Venth, the only vampire present in a city where vampires were illegal. Some genetical disorders in humans had been giving rise to a different race called vampires in the present times.

Few countries had already accepted vampires and had given them some rights, whereas some countries did not give any rights to vampires, declared them as dangerous or a threat to human race and ultimately hanged them to death or burned them. Juan was born to a family living in a country like this.

Most law officials failed to understand that it was a law of nature. Just as lions will eat deer, vampires will also drink human blood. Many people had much misconception about this matter. Drinking blood from humans would neither kill them nor turn them into vampires. It depended on the will of the vampire whether he wanted to hurt his prey or not.

Vampires drank very little blood to remain alive; at least it wouldn’t cause great deficiency of blood in humans. So what was the harm of vampires living on Earth? The government would never understand.

Humans showed vampirical signs when they were adults. Juan was nineteen and had just discovered he was not normal like the others. Now he was trying his best to escape from the clutches of the government and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a vampire hunter living in their city to protect the people from vampires. She was one of the best in the world and traveled from one country to another hunting, or rather killing vampires. She was an expert in this field and never failed to kill any vampire. All the vampires shuddered when they heard her name.

Elizabeth used to be Juan’s role model when he was young, when he wasn’t aware of what he really was. He always dreamt to be like her—one who protects humans from those fanged beasts. But little did he know then, that he would be a fanged beast and that Elizabeth would hunt him down some day or the other.

Juan had already made it possible to escape from the prison once, now he had to leave the country and go to Bovilia, where vampires were given rights in that country. Young vampires like Juan did not possess much power. Maybe they just had the strength of twelve strong men or the gift of immortality. But the real superhuman powers of the vampire came when he was a hundred years old. Then any vampire could spellbind people, move at superhuman speed and use other psychic powers to seduce the prey.

Juan was young and now he was very weak for defending himself because he hadn’t fed for one week. If he had to fight the police or Elizabeth he would surely die in the attempt. He hurried away towards his path of eternal freedom, as fast as he could.

Juan walked slowly through the woods. After the woods, he had to cross a bridge and get past the country border safely and he would reach Bolivia. Still a long way waited for him and Elizabeth was already after his life, though he didn’t actually know where she was. He glared in all four directions of the woods; no one was there.

Juan walked on. Just then, he heard the muffled sound of footsteps in the forest! He instantly looked around…no one was seen…but he was sure somebody was there…he could smell the presence of humans…but who could be there? Did the cops know his whereabouts? He looked in all directions…still he could see no one.

Instinctively he looked up…and saw a pair of legs dangling from the trees! The possessor of the legs had a gun pointed at Juan’s direction! Juan stood paralyzed for a second. Now he could clearly see four other cops pointing their gun at him.

Juan smiled victoriously showing his fangs. Mere bullets couldn’t kill him; he was immortal. Elizabeth had clever ways of killing vampires though. He had read in news articles that she would slice them into pieces with silver knives dipped in limewater. And when the vampire was weak due to the effect of limewater and silver, she would put a wooden stake right into the vampire’s heart. A vampire whose heart was damaged wasn’t immortal anymore. Then she burnt them to ashes in any cemetery of Bolivia. That was her style.

She had good knowledge about vampires. But the cops didn’t. They took vampires for granted; they thought they could squeeze out vampires like leeches. The reason was that a veil of mystery was always kept between normal humans and law officials or vampire hunters about vampires. Normal humans knew nothing of vampires, even the dead bodies and photos of the vampires who were killed in the hands of Elizabeth was not shown on TV or newspapers. Juan could have proudly stood there with no fear of the gun, but he started running, fearing that Elizabeth might come anytime. Bullets started raining all around him…but he kept on running. One or two bullets even hacked into his shoulders and legs, but it had no effect on him.

Suddenly a knife hit his left thigh…a knife with lemon rubbed. Elizabeth’s arrival! Juan thought. The lemon burnt his flesh. The strike of a simple knife couldn’t have harmed him. But lemon water was corrosive to the skin of vampires. Juan shrieked with pain…it felt like his life had ended…he tried to move but could barely do it, he was very weak. He looked back to see whether it was really Elizabeth. To his relief, it wasn’t. It was just another police. So they had also known the weaknesses of vampires. Juan felt another knife slicing his ankle…sharp pain pierced him…he was limp in both legs…he could not run any longer…

In a split of a second, when Juan was not in his senses they tied him up with thick ropes. Lucky for the cops that Juan had not fed for a week or he would have torn the rope as well as these men to pieces. Juan was so much drained that he could not tear the ropes.

“Move on, Big Tooth,” said one of the men as he shoved his gun at Juan’s back, directing him to move in their desired direction. The police were heading for the main road. Juan weakly limped on with them, with no more hope to escape.

Juan suddenly sensed someone’s rapid movements among the trees. Who was it? Suddenly two of the cops shrieked! Juan turned around to see that two men had fallen down, dead or maybe unconscious or maybe injured.

“Burke, are you all right?” one cop asked the fallen cop. Burke did not respond.

“Be alert! Something weird is going around here!” one of them commanded and the two others surrounded Juan and held their guns tight. An arrow shot out from the trees and hit one cop’s neck. The only helpless cops left awake also suffered the same fate after few seconds.

Juan, who was stared astonishingly at the policemen. All were lying dead or unconscious around him. He started running away from them in this golden opportunity.

“Stop!” he heard a high-pitched voice, as a slick figure swooped down in front of him from the leafy trees.

She was dressed in a black jeans and jacket, wore a black mask and carried a bag on her back that had all kinds of knives and swords protruding out of it. Only the lady’s blue eyes could be seen.

“Don’t run and don’t panic!” said the cold feminine voice, which Juan recognized at once.

A sudden pang of fear smacked Juan. Goosebumps appeared on his skin, and the hair of his skin began to stand out. His insides churned. He had a hollow feeling inside him and his heartbeat fastened. And heartbeat, when his thoracic cage would be hollow in few seconds. It was Elizabeth, the vampire hunter, standing before him.

Juan knew it was useless now, to have the least hope of living. But he tried to indulge her in a conversation…

He was very much scared but acted cool, “I was sure you would come. But who killed them?” he asked, his finger pointing towards the lifeless policemen.

“Me”, a short answer came from the lady.

Juan took a big gulp. Why would she do it?

“So why did you kill your pals? Wanted to take all the credit yourself by killing me alone, eh?”

“I didn’t kill them… they are just arrows to make them get a good night’s rest! Now if you do not mind, we need to head for Bolivia before the whole police force comes for you. A warning: Do not try to run away as it might cause you more harm. I’ll explain everything on the way and I hope you believe it,” said Elizabeth taking off the mask.

She tied up Juan with strong wires with the strong scent of garlic, which made Juan feel sick. Juan did not hesitate, if he wouldn’t negotiate to get tied up, Elizabeth wouldn’t kill him at that very instance. And Juan could stay alive for a little longer. After all who didn’t love their life? Vampires had a natural dislike towards garlic. Juan felt an unresistable vomiting sensation.

“Get this thing off me! Kill me straight with a wooden stake through me…but don’t make me suffer like this,” moaned Juan.

“I have to make sure you don’t run away and fall in the wrong hands”.

She took out a knife and directed him to move on, “Now advance in that direction please.”

“So, how will you kill me? I mean, will u cut my legs or my hands or my head first? Or will you put a wooden stake through me right away?” Juan asked.

Elizabeth did not reply. She was a middle-aged woman, maybe in her thirties. Her face was serious and expressionless, as if all her feelings had been pumped out of her.

“We’re heading for the bridge. No games there”, she warned.

They moved on quietly, with Juan shaking with fear. Who did not fear death? Especially in a situation when your murderer was right behind you. At last, they reached the bridge, which would take them to the other side of the river.

Finally, Elizabeth spoke out, “You know what, you are the only vampire for whom I had to take such a lot of risk. Wasn’t it obvious that the cops would hide near the forest and try to stop you from getting out of this country? Still you chose this way! Idiot! If the police somehow come to know that I had attacked them, then I’ll be behind bars, you will die…and all my life-long efforts will be ruined.”

Juan raised one eye-brow. This lady was out of her head. “What are you talking about?” asked Juan.

“Do you even know what would happen if the police found that I freed you?” she asked.

“I don’t understand. What are you talking about? You and freeing me? Do you remember I am the vampire here? For Christ’s sake!” exclaimed Juan.

Elizabeth sighed, “Oh ya. You wouldn’t know anything of it. Anyways answer a few questions of mine; my point will be clear to you. Why don’t they show the face of the vampire in the news channels?”

“How should I know? It’s the media’s and government wish”, Juan said casually.

“Well, its one of my wishes and pursuance that no one gets to see them. Another question: Why don’t I let anyone see the dead bodies of vampires?”

“Well, I think the police get to see it. Its only the normal public who don’t and your burn them, to ashes remember?,” he retorted.

“My last question: Why do I take the bodies to Bolivia? There are graveyards in every country where the vampire lives,” Elizabeth blurted.

“That is your style of how you do things. A good way of gaining fame and all, becoming not only a vampire hunter but also a mysterious one. Why are you asking such questions? Are you doing some survey work on what vampires personally feel about you?” asked Juan.

“No, nothing like that. It’s just that I have some explanations to give you. Explainations which I have given to hundreds of vampires before taking them to Bolivia. Let’s keep walking on or we’ll get late”, there was a sudden change in her voice that surprised Juan.

She did care for him even if they were total strangers. She really didn’t sound like that cruel, merciless hunter at all!

“Well, I am giving the answers to those questions first. Firstly, I am the one who requested the government not to show the vampire’s face or put up any “wanted” posters. There were many good reasons which I made up to keep this hidden. You need not know the details. Secondly, I don’t show the vampire’s dead body to anyone telling everyone it’s a hell lot of bloody mess and they wouldn’t like to see it. Personally, I am not able to show them because I don’t kill them at all…”

David let out a shrill laughter, “Are you kidding me or our “great vampire hunter” has become a crackpot all of a sudden? After killing so many of them… you are saying you don’t kill vampires!”

“I know you won’t believe me. But you have to listen to me. I never killed any vampire in my life. I fool the whole world and save vampire’s lives. It’s like a rule that I burn the vampires in Bolivia. People feel it is my style. But I do it so that I can easily cross the border without much questioning and take the vampires to Bolivia, where they can start leading normal lives again. Bolivia has made vampires legal…u must know that already. And as nobody has seen their faces on television so I don’t get into trouble even if they roam about freely in Bolivia. Now it’s time for you to think Juan… doesn’t it all add up?” she asked.

“But why would you just disguise yourself as a vampire hunter?” asked Juan.

“Well, like killing vampires is legal in this country… saving vampires can almost be called illegal here. Saving vampires publicly would make too many dangerous enemies in the government. And working secretly would just be too risky. By disguising myself as a friend of the government, I can save vampires right under the nose of the government. Because they will have trust on me,” shrugged Elizabeth, “This is the reason I am the first one to run to the place where vampires attacks prevail. Because I don’t want the police to catch them and kill them.”

David became speechless. It did make sense and all this explanation fitted like jigsaw puzzles. He could not decide what to comment “Clever” or “Cool”. He just stared at her. He still could not believe his ears. But he had to believe, she sounded so assuring.

“There’s my van. Now we can finally cross the border”, said Elizabeth.

Juan had not realized that they had just crossed the bridge.

“Get in the van”, ordered Elizabeth. Juan nodded slightly and did what was told.

“But why did you tie me up?” asked Juan.

“I feared you would try to escape…Vampires are damn scared of me. Ya, the time has come that I untie you.” The car stopped at a distance from where armed men could be seen. Elizabeth opened the wires and the rope.

“Now take off the cloak and get in the back of the caravan. Do not smile when the man checks the caravan for enquiry. Do not speak. Just sit there in the one corner of this place,” instructed Elizabeth.

“Alright,” Juan said, though he did not know why exactly he had to do so.

“And don’t mind the corpse inside the sack…comes in handy sometimes,” said Elizabeth.

Juan shivered a bit but then he remembered he was no more than a corpse himself. Juan was still tensed. They had to cross the border still. The caravan started and after travelling quite a distance, stopped.

A man dressed like a military, armed with a gun came forward.

“Elizabeth McCauley,” Elizabeth told the guard.

“Hey Liza!” the man exclaimed at once, “So another success. Who was it this time?”

“Some Juan bloke,” shrugged Elizabeth.

“Yeah but you know, we have to inspect as a part of the rule,” said the man.

Juan froze in fear. What would Elizabeth say to this man? What if this man already saw his photo? Then he’d be caught! The doors of the caravan opened.

“And who do we have hear?” enquired the man. Juan stared blankly at him.

“Another unlucky victim. Needs treatment. He was a tourist from Bolivia. Juan had attacked him. Luckily, I came at the right time. And there lies Juan inside the stinky sack”, said Elizabeth.

The man gave it a brief look. “Alright ma’am. You can go”, declared the man. The gate that would lead them to Bolivia opened up for them to pass.

After travelling quite a long distance, Juan was relieved. He was safe.

“For a moment, I thought the man would recognize me,” said Juan.

“Like I said, not many people get to see the vampire’s face except me and the police force. But the police force has many criminals to catch so they eventually forget the vampire’s faces. They don’t recognize the vampires if they ever go to Bolivia,” explained Elizabeth and laughed.

“I was thinking there are also other vampire hunters in this world. Do they also do the same thing like you?” asked Juan.

“Unfortunately not,” declared Elizabeth, “But my spies in other continents try their best to save those vampires.”

“And one last bit of curiosity… Why do you save vampires? I mean, what’s the reason that you are so concerned about vampire’s safety, when everybody thinks they are fanged leeches?”

Elizabeth made a peculiar expression, a smile that hid away some strong feelings of sympathy. Juan could feel her deep remorse in his skin.

“Well, that’s a story for another day,” she said softly.

It was clear she didn’t want to speak about it. Juan saw her eyes glisten. Finally the car stopped.

“Here,” she said handing him a card, “this is the address of the Master Vampire of the city. Go to his house for accommodation tonight and he will get you a house and a job here in a week. There are plenty of vampires in Bolivia who will guide you to his house. Best of luck for your new life…Do remember to change your name Juan,” she smiled and then drove away, leaving Juan alone on the dark street.

He just stood there for a while looking at the car that drove away to another street.

Juan was pleased...not because he was alive but because Elizabeth was still his role model.