Charlottesville Police Department
9 PM
N's POV
I usually never get nervous or worried, but at this moment, I am petrified. Never in my time of existence that I peacefully protested before. I watched and did a lot of research about them, but they always end up going bad. That's why I'm so scared right now; I don't want to lose any crucial beings. I already lost my parents, and I don't want to lose anymore.
Thankfully, we're not alone in this. While all of us were resting during sunlight, the two officers spent the entire day spreading the news. Officer Durant shared the videos to all social media websites, and he included trigger warnings before they started playing. Those videos were trending and generated many discussions about racism, police brutality, Commissioner Adams being corrupt, and vampires living on earth.
These videos generated so much attention that several news outlets across the world are talking about them. Celebrities, colleges, politicians, black activists, and many more are having discussions. Some were genuine and helpful, but others were not. I'm surprised that the President of the United States hasn't addressed the issue. Is he too afraid to admit that vampires exist, or is he also worried that he might have to get rid of Commissioner Adams?
Kalisha, Ebele, Shani, Jymia, Mitch, Kelsy, and myself are the main vampires helping to protest. Ebele and I didn't invite anyone since we don't know that many beings, but everyone else did. Kalisha, Shani, and Jymia brought a lot of women and Africans to protest. Mitch and Kelsy invited many Caucasians; I haven't been surrounded by this many white beings before.
Queen Gugu, Grandma Nomusa, and Aunty Chipo could not make it because they still have their businesses to take care of. But they wished us all the best and safety.
Officers Durant and Jordan did so much already for our protest group. Not only they made sure that the word got spread, but they invited so many humans and even managed to get vampires to show up. They created custom Black Vampires Unite T-shirts for everyone who came. They provided food and water, made signs, artworks, and flyers. They even gave us megaphones and body cams. They created a donation for our group and to Ahti's family. Saying that they went above and beyond is a significant understatement.
Now, we're in front of the Charlottesville Police Department. All of the police officers are outside protecting the building. They have body armor, helmets, shields, tasers, batons, tear gas, and guns; looking like they are ready for war. But there are no signs of Commissioner Adams. Where is he? He's the one that started this mess, and the whole world knows how much of a monster he is.
Maybe, he's afraid because he knows that I'm alive. He probably thought I died from the incident and wouldn't have to worry about me anymore. Well, he thought wrong and is in for a rude awakening once he shows his face.
No emotions on these officer's faces, stone-cold stares, and stable postures. We can't predict what they are thinking or what they want to do to us. They expect us to attack first since we're vampires. But we're not going to give any victory to the police department and Commissioner Adams. He got away with too many crimes, and with the way we're chanting, we want him gone.
"Commissioner Adams should step down!" Everyone chanted with all their hearts six times.
"Black Vampires Unite!" We shouted ten times.
Then, Kalisha started to sing the lyrics to "Jailer" by Asa. Beings who knew the song joined in to sing.
I did not know Kalisha could sing; she never told me. But I'm glad that I know because her voice is heavenly and powerful. The lyrics perfectly describe how I feel about Commissioner Adams and this whole situation.
This moment right now made me wonder what I'm going to do if he finally shows up. I already know what he looks like thanks to the Ahti video, which pains me that I recognize the guy who ruined my life. My vampire side wants to kill him on the spot and get it over with. But Kalisha's words and advice are overpowering my urges to attack.
This peaceful protest is going better than I expected. Humans and vampires are getting along with each other. No riots or death happened. The police have stood there without even budging a move. The only cop that moved around the most is the Chief of Police. She looks terrified just like I am; I wonder if she's afraid of a riot happening as well.
Right now, we take a break from yelling at the police to give out testimonies and speeches.
"Mo fẹ dupẹ lọwọ gbogbo awọn arabinrin ati arakunrin mi ni Afirika fun didapọ ninu ikede yii. Mo fẹ lati dupẹ lọwọ gbogbo eniyan miiran ti o lo akoko wọn lati ṣe atilẹyin fun wa. Ko ti rọrun fun wa ni awọn ọjọ meji ti o kọja. Ọpọlọpọ ere, awọn ija, awọn ariyanjiyan, ati awọn ajalu ṣẹlẹ. Nigbagbogbo, Emi ni ọkan to lagbara julọ ninu ẹbi mi nitori Emi ko jẹ ki ohunkohun tabi ẹnikẹni ba ẹmi mi jẹ. Ṣugbọn emi ko le sẹ pe inu mi bajẹ nipa ri awọn ọmọ ẹbi ati awọn ọrẹ ti o ni ipalara nipasẹ ikorira. Eyi nilo lati da duro, ati pe Emi ko fẹ lati padanu mọ." Shani testified, and ending off crying, Kalisha hugs her.
All the vampires and humans who understand Yoruba cheered and said, "amen." Kalisha translated Shani's testimony to everyone else.
"I want to thank all my African sisters and brothers for joining in this protest. I want to give thanks to everyone else who took their time to support us. It hasn't been easy for us in the past couple of days. A lot of drama, fights, arguments, and tragedies occurred. Usually, I'm the strongest one in my family as I don't let anything or anyone ruin my spirit. But I can't deny that I felt heartbroken seeing family members and friends getting hurt by hate. This needs to stop, and I don't want to lose anymore." Kalisha translated, everyone else cheered.
"I've been holding this for a long time, but I hate how my race has treated African Americans with so much pain. They were put into this world for a reason, and there's no need to treat them like some aliens. I may be white, and I don't fully understand the struggles they face on the daily, but I make sure I respect and treat them fairly." Mitch testified.
"I know we're landlords, and you probably think we're leaching money from a rich Nigerian family. But we do care about Queen Gugu and everyone associated with them. It breaks my heart that one of their own got murdered by the heinous crimes Commissioner Adams committed. He isn't a real man. If he was, then he wouldn't be hiding and turn himself in. To everyone with the same white skin color as me, respect everyone, and stop racism." Kelsy testified everyone cheered.
"I usually don't speak much as I'm not as vocal as my best friend, Kalisha. I'm not as strong as Shani. I'm a woman that is desperate for any satisfaction in my life, and I was chasing the wrong guy that didn't give me the time of day. I got, to be honest, this whole situation left me speechless. I didn't like Ahti as he made Dadi treat me poorly, and he drank way too much. But seeing him die in the most horrific way haunted me. I would never wish that on anyone." Jymia broke down into tears, Kalisha and Shani hugged her.
"It hasn't been a full day yet, but Njau and everyone in Kalisha's family treated me better than anyone in my life. They accepted me, regardless if I'm non-binary or not. Whether you encountered Commissioner Adams or not, he hurt all of this in one way or another. When he hurts one of us, the whole world is hurting. His crimes shouldn't go unnoticed, and slapping him on the wrist is unacceptable." Ebele said.
All these testimonies that they are sharing are hitting hard for me. I want to know how my love feels about all this. Even though I tell her how I think about racism, she rarely gives her thoughts on it. I'm curious to know how she feels. She sighs before speaking, and Jymia stops hugging her.
"First things first, rest in peace to Ahti. I'm not going to beat around the bush; he was the best being when he was alive. He was an alcoholic, sexaholic, sexist, and a bad influence. But he's still one of us, and it's so fucked up that he had to die at the hands of the police. The police are meant to protect, not kill. Anyone who was involved in his murder should be cast out of society forever. I send my condolences to his family and friends. I even send my condolences to his best friend, David. A moment of silence for Ahti." She said.
Everyone stays silent; all I hear are sniffles, whimpers, and prayers from the crowds of people. I take a glance at the police; they still look like they are ready for battle. The Chief of Police looks sadden and yet no signs of Commissioner Adams. One minute pass and the silence ends. Kalisha has more to testify, and she pulls me closer this time.
"For those who don't know, this is my boyfriend, Njau. Most of you saw him in the video where he got shot down by those police officers. Well, do you know that wasn't the first time he encountered racism in this state? Commissioner Adams did this to him..." She said and pauses, whispering to me to open my mouth and show everyone my deformed tongue.
Everyone is petrified and is disgusted seeing my tongue. There were some humans vomiting and praying for mercy.
"Commissioner Adams murdered his parents and cut his tongue in half when he was eight-years-old. Let me repeat, eight-years-old! This tongue represents everything wrong with Commissioner Adams, Charlottesville Police Department, police brutality, and racism. African Americans shouldn't be treated like this, and it must be stopped. If the president sees this, get rid of Commissioner Adams. He is no longer qualified to run the police, and his actions are inexcusable. If the Commissioner or the president can hide forever, we're going to be here until justice is served." She testified.
Everyone cheered and applauded her. I close my mouth and hug her.
"You did exceptional, my love," I said, kissing her on her forehead.
"Thank you, baby. Aren't you going to say something? We still got a lot of time left." She insisted.
"I would love to, but I don't know if I can top any of these testimonies. You and everyone else did phenomenally. Plus, I'm waiting patiently for Commissioner Adams to show his face." I tell her.
"Alright, baby. Just remember what I told you; once Commissioner Adams shows up, don't attack him. Every one of those police officers are ready to attack, kill, and arrest anybody that overstep their boundaries. Show them that vampires are not the monsters they paint us to be." She reminds me.
"It's hard fighting my urges to kill every police officer here. Then, find the Commissioner and attack him. I want to do that right now, but this peaceful protest is going better than I expected." I tell her.
"It's not easy for any of us. Being surrounded by this many humans, I'm surprised not one vampire wanted to feast. Plus, I want to rip out the throat of Commissioner Adams as much as you do. But we need self-control and get our message across to the world." She said.
"Alright," I replied and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
After the kiss, the front door of the police department open. Everyone is trying to figure out who it is. Once this person got closer, I immediately knew who it was.
"FUCK YOU, COMMISSIONER ADAMS!" A random guy in the crowd shouted.
I tried getting a good look at him, but many were being marched roughly towards the police, and I am getting bunched up with strangers. The police officers are shielding themselves from the angry mob.
I am afraid that a riot is about to start, but then everyone stopped once he opened his mouth using the megaphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please calm down. I understand that you all are mad at me, bu.." Commissioner Adams gets interrupted.
"Mad at you? We want you to step down as Commissioner!" Officer Durant blurts out.
"Officer Durant, Officer Jordan, is that you guys? I was wondering where you guys were. Why are you both helping them and not doing your jobs as officers?" He questions them.
"We're tired of seeing you treating every African American unfairly. There are only so many times you bring up the fact that I'm from the ghetto. So what if I'm from the ghetto? I'm still a human being. The vampires next to me are more human than you'll ever be. We quit working for you. We'll survive, and we don't need you anymore." He explodes on him without any fear.
Looking at Commissioner Adams in a clear view, he looks worse in real life. He is old, like his skin is about to peel off. He has the most punchable face, and the smirk is not making it better. His hair is gray but looks like dust bunnies are covering his entire scallop. He's flexing his muscles, trying to look intimidating, but he knows he's going to lose this battle.
The anger I have right now, seeing his face makes me want to rip him up in shreds right now. I tried to stop listening to Kalisha's words and go full force into attacking him. But then, I see him trying to say something. I grab the megaphone from Kalisha. I made sure I turn on my speaking device to share what's on my mind before he spouts out more bullshit.
"Hey, Commissioner Adams. Do you remember me?" I ask; he looks at me and is confused about who I am.
"If you don't remember my face, you will remember this," I said, showing my deformed tongue to him.
The shock that is in his face tells me that he remembers me and is guilty.
"Now, you remember me. You're the officer that slaughtered my parents and cut off half of my tongue. You thought by cutting my tongue that you were going to silence me, well, you're wrong. The whole world knows how much of a racist guy you are. Are you going to cut off their tongues next? Do you got anything to say for yourself, or are you going to hide like a coward you are?" I finally speak my hatred I have for him. I would say that I feel better, but he's still alive.
He walks up to one of the police officers and whispered something to his ear. He stops and steps back with a devilish smile. Then, gunshots started going off, and everyone screamed.