Chapter 23 - Bar

Rank among Vampires:

1. Noble Blood vampire

2. Noble-hybrid vampire

3. Hybrid vampire

4. Human Hybrid vampires

Noble Vampires are naturally born with Noble parents while others are made. Those turned by Noble becomes Noble-hybrid. Likewise, those turned by Noble-hybrid becomes hybrid and go on. The stronger they are, the easier it becomes to control the weaker one and even hypnotize/compell.

※※※

He ran through doors, same doors that touched the ceiling to the ground in the Noble palace. Then there was the different one, emitting bright light among others . He reached the light and slowly walked through it. Inside the door stood a figure of young man in vast green field that expanded upto the sky. Ariel became close enough to that man, who turned around in his white and red noble attire with golden embroidery and black cloak. The man smiled and he was the king, Ariel's father. Beside him was a beautiful young lady who had matched outfit and white cloak flowing from her back with her long hair. She hold a baby in her arms with thin white hair and big silver eyes same as them. The baby was Ariel who seemed happy in there embrace. He looked back at his parents shifting gaze from his child-self only to see their bodies slowly turning black and disappearing with their sad smile.

~~~

Ariel gasped and sat straight on his bed. His whole body was covered in sweat as the room was quiet and dark. It was dream of his beloved once, the dreams that would feel so real, it always took him sometime to adjust to reality. It was like a reminder to never forget his purpose. He never wanted anything but to search for the reason and bring justice to his parents. He had a reason to be alive and that was to seek revenge for them.

It took him sometime to get off from the bed and he quickly looked at his phone placed below the lamp on the side drawer, beside his bed. It was three in the morning. He took the black shirt hooked at the door in his hand and walked out from the bedroom. His apartment was same as before, lights always tuned off by him before going to bed.

It didn't matter if the place was dark or bright, he would see anyway. The first thing he did was take a shower. After getting out from bathroom wrapped in only towel, he reached the fridge drinking an animal blood from bottle placed beside three human blood bags. It was almost full a week ago and he hadn't heard from August since.

Ariel changed in shirt pant walking with bare foot towards the balcony and jumped to the roof quietly. The place was cold and windy but he couldn't feel either of them. He stood there at the edge of such a tall building to get everything off of his shoulder. The city same as always, beautiful and lively as ever.

A bottle of blood was on his right hand which he drank slowly forgetting everything and drowning on his thoughts. He was awake but he felt so lonely.

~~~

[one week earlier]

The phone went off in August's pocket. He answered the call,

"Hey Matthew, what's up ?"

"Hey, Where were you? I know you took a week off from work but you should've called, you know".

"I know. I am sorry"

"You alone there ? I need to tell you something"

"Wait". He walked to the balcony and closed the door. "What happened?"

"Nothing serious but I saw the video and I knew it was you. I haven't told anyone, man. And the blood bank was robbed. We don't know who did it but I thought you need to know."

"...."

"Hello?"

"I will stop by"

"WHAT ? now?"

"Yea, why? I shouldn't?"

"No no, I will be here till ten. Make it before then , bye"

~beep~

[Call ended]

He took a deep breath and leaned against the concrete edge of balcony supporting with his palms. He gazed outside and stood for some time doing nothing.

[After a while]

He walked inside the apartment shoving his phone down the pocket in his pants.

"Um, I have to go for now. I mean, if you are letting me stay here then I gotta pack my stuff there". He smiled at Ariel who turned around from sofa with his pursued lips. August again smiled little at him and grabbed his bag. Ariel nodded.

~tut-tut~

[door closed]

He walked out from the apartment towards an elevator with prominent lines forming between his eyebrows. He was wearing same outfit, grey sweatshirt and black pant with his Nike black shoes.

"With Ariel's expression, maybe he wasn't happy about me leaving?" he thought, shaking his head instantly.

~ting~

He saw a delivery guy in his red cap and uniform standing with box beside him.

"August ?" August gestured raising his index finger at delivery guy.

He quietly stood processing then smiled after realizing. "Oh, yes it's it the name of August" he moved out from an elevator sliding the box out, which was little heavier for him by the look. He opened his bag pulling from his backside and took out a paper and pen at August.

~ting~

[Door closed]

"Shit" the delivery guy cursed turning behind at closed door of an elevator before realizing August, who stood in front of him and gave a quick smile right after. "I am sorry" he apologized quickly regretting his action.

"It's fine. Is it heavy ? Let me help you" August picked up the huge box like a piece of paper. The delivery guy's mouth went half open "wow" he blurted.

"Sir, you you need to sign here first" he said again moving paper and pen forward.

"Press the door for me. I'll be back" August walked carrying box at the corner end door, unlocking and shoving it inside.

~ting~

The elevator door opeaned and delivery guy stood blocking the door before August came and joined him. They both stood looking at floor number at the door changing as it went down.

"Thankyou for the help sir. I am Hue". He raised his hand putting his bag under his left arm.

"Oh sure, I am August". August shaked his hand. " That was my friend's apartment". He added.

"I get that" he smiled nodding at the same time to August and again looking at the changing floor number.

[silent]

"Hue, huh?"

"What? I mean what did you say sir?" His ocean blue eyes turned towards August confused.

"Nothing you have a nice name unlike mine" August said in a small voice knitting his eyebrows turning the other way.

"Actually, I don't know what you are going through and why you are making excuse with your name but I think it's cool" he turned towards the door, adjusting his red cap.

~ting~

[Door opened]

Hue walked out. August's eyes widened at his words ."Wait" he matched his speed walking beside him "upto gate" he cleared himself.

"So.....you work at night ?" August questioned trying to know more.

"No, actually it was my last one". Hue said with his professional smile.

"Sure. I work too... but in the bar". August said like he was adjusting his head at something and ofcourse making fun of himself for being pathetic somewhere deep inside.

Hue gave a quick eyebrow at August who walked with him.

"I am already eighteen so.... I am a bartender".

"OH!!! and I turned nineteen a week ago" Hue responded. They both laughed at the same time.

After reaching the main entrance, Hue walked to delivery van waiting for him with the driver inside. Before entering, he stopped shouting. "Nice meeting you August".

"You too" August shouted back from little far, walking towards the road and grabbed a cab for himself.

He already was back to reality with Matt's phone call and Hue had such a resemblance with his friend Paul, who lost his life at Vulture making huge mistake.

~~~

The bar he entered was almost full with customers and faint music filled the space. There were busy waiters serving foods on the table. Some of them waved as soon as they recognized him, going back to work.

"One Mojito" he ordered leaning against the desk.

"Right away sir" a high pitched voice said turning around. "HEY, what's with you ? you know it will take forever to make that". She said giving a quick hug with her wide smile.

"How you doing Sophie ?"

"Good August SIR. Still two days left for your duty huh ?Well, I was about to head out. Matt's in the store if you are looking for him". She started to clean the place when another customer ordered and she went being busy again, giving quick look at him.

August walked through the back door of the bar. Matt was inside store with clipboard and pen maintaining the bottles and other inventory.

"Hey Matt"

Matt turned around with a smirk and did a bro shake giving a quick hug. "That was fast" he returned the clipboard on his right hand.

"Half an hour" he scoffed. "What's going on Matt ? You don't look good."

"Nothing. Just little tension going around you know. Close that door" he pointed with his clipboard towards back of August. He nodded.

"Listen. I am sorry I called before your quote "little vacation ended". But everything's out of place in the city lately. We both know there are vampires in the city killing innocents secretly. But robbery in Blood Bank ? It's unsual bro. I think there's something huge out there. Maybe they are trying to hide from someone or making themselves invisible for the time being".

"Isn't it good thing that they will stop killing ?"

Matt rolled his eyes and sat at the box used for reaching upper shelves. "YEA !!! But for a short period. WTH man ?, they are revealing themselves to humans and what's going on with Vulture ?"

"I don't know what they're really upto. They are trying to hide themselves for now. Like preparing for war or something. I just can't get over with Paul. He was beheaded in front of my eyes. You don't know about them, they don't value life. I am just scared with what's gonna happen next" his eyes became moist with half- hearted smile.

"Hey, hey, look at me" August looked at Matt's black eyes. "We have each other. Just... don't think It was your fault. Let's help each other out. You know, he would have wanted the same. Paul was a great friend and we now know what mistake took his life. Make it as learning a lesson and never repeating that mistake in front of Vulture." August frowned his eyebrows with disbelief at Matt.

"Come on, I didn't mean that way. He was my friend before yours so please. He might have been your friend but he was like a brother to me. You know he made a huge mistake killing police officers. You do".

Matt poked August shoulder with clipboard on his hand.

"Okey"

"And what happened today? You have seen the video on internet right? Everyone's trying to find who punched the guy name Gunner admitted in the hospital. You should have known first man. He is from Golden Skull Gang. If they finds out WE ARE DONE. These humans aren't as easy as we think".

"Maybe you are forgetting who is in front of you" August scoffed.

"Pftt.. OFCOURSE HACKER, let's get out of here. I have to replace Sophie, she got a date tonight. And carry this out with you" he pointed at huge box filled with alcohol bottles. And they both walked out.