Kane

Ten Years Ago

His eyes were blurred. He couldn’t see where he was. Wherever it was, it was dark. It was also cold. Very cold. It had never really bothered him, the cold, but he had a heightened awareness for it now. What bothered him right here, right now, was the fact that he had no idea where in hell he was. Or how in the hell he had gotten there. Kane tried to move. Something was restraining him. Grunting, he looked down. Fuck.

He was tied to a chair. If he could remember why, there would probably be someone to blame, but it was a blur. For the time being, there was no one to blame but himself. Flashes came back to him, he remembered people. Covered from head to toe, dark military dress. Like high-tech ninjas. Or superheroes. He didn’t know why he was so bothered by the thought. They’d run him off the road, taken him and … and Frank. Jesus, where was Frank? There had to be someone who could answer his question. These people were organized, there had to be a leader.

The door creaked open. Two of the soldiers stepped inside, standing on each side of the door. In synch, they pulled off their masks. He could see even in the low light that they were vampires. Surprised he didn’t smell it. Of course. What would humans want with a man like him? Who cared about him other than vampires that wanted him dead? The room was dark, yes, but their red eyes burned hot as coals.

“Hi,” one of them said, dryly, catching Kane staring.

Kane said nothing. Did they think they could break him? He’d killed too many of their kind to be afraid of them, no matter the circumstances. Kill enough, they all become the same. There’s no difference. They all make the same sound when they die.

“That’s very rude,” the other vampire put in. “Not acknowledging us. Our friendly greeting. I mean, you are our guest, I would expect a little fucking courtesy. What do you say?”

Kane pondered the thought. “I think I say fuck you.”

The two vampires stared for a second and then locked eyes with each other, both breaking a small smile. One stepped forward, bearing his fangs as if to appear threatening. He struck his had our, clawing off a piece of Kane’s cheek. Still, Kane said nothing.

The beast rolled its eyes.  “Listen to me, bitch. You’re in our home. We brought you here for a reason. We don’t want to hurt you…” he paused. “Okay, that’s a lie. I really want to hurt you, but the boss doesn’t. She doesn’t want you dead. So here’s the deal, you can cut the shit. I’ll cut the shit. And then we can be friends.”

“Why?” Kane asked.

The vampire put its boot in his face. “Damn it, don’t fucking ask questions. Just be cool. Answeres come to people who shut the fuck up.”