Chapter Ten
1
Ivan knocked on the two adjoining doors that were larger than life, as it seemed to him at that moment. He clutched the crucifix that hung around his neck. He instantly thought of the Freddy Krueger song; you know that old one, two, Freddy’s coming for you. The song went through his head one time before Latianna answered the door.
One, two, Freddy’s coming for you.
Three, four, better lock your door.
Five, six, grab your crucifix.
Seven, eight, gonna stay up late.
Nine, ten, never sleep again.
But in this case, Freddy Krueger was vampire parents. And they were not exactly after Ivan, but all the guests for the dinner party. Sure, the guests knew what they were there for, but what they did not know was that they were the dinner.
Ivan slipped the crucifix under his shirt to hide it from all vampires’ meddling eyes and thought about what would become of the town of Riverwolf Pass if everybody at this party turned into vampires. They would all become bloodthirsty beasts. They would kill everybody who was not at this dinner party. Then the entire town of Riverwolf Pass would be vampires. Bloodthirsty vampires! They would go from town to town, making more vampires, and more vampires, and even more vampires! Scary vampires, the kind with fangs and mangled faces and no soul! They would continue to turn humans into vampires until there were no more humans left! That thought made Ivan shutter with fear and he became even more certain of what he had to do that night.
A plan developed in his mind, a plan to keep the townspeople safe and his parents alive. All that was left to do was put it into action.
“Ivan, you really came!” Latianna exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Ivan was taken aback, and yet happy.
“Of course I came. I’m sorry I’m late, but I would not miss this dinner party for all of the world,” Ivan said, with a smile.
“I was beginning to think you figured I was crazy, talking about vampires and everything. I thought you decided you didn’t care about me anymore because you found out I was a half vampire!” Latianna said, and Ivan could tell that she was holding back tears. “Especially with that intense conversation we had earlier,” she referenced.
“That would never happen, Latianna. I would never hate you for what you are. I only want to help,” Ivan said, looking Latianna straight in the eyes, hoping she believed him.
“I have never met anyone as gracious and wonderful as you, Ivan Harvey. You are willing to do what I am incapable of doing, and you want to do it to free me from the dreaded trapped form I am in. You are the best man I have ever known.”
Ivan knew Latianna meant the words she was saying. That made him feel better than he had ever felt before.
“Can’t they hear us?” Ivan asked, meaning her parents. Latianna shook her head.
“They are too busy with the guests, talking, deciding who to take out first. They are too busy to pay any attention to me,” Latianna said, biting her lip.
“I have to kill them… and soon,” Ivan said, wondering how many people would die later that night if he didn't kill her parents soon.
“I can try to buy some more time, but the truth is, we’re going to have our hands full tonight with what we’re planning on doing already, without saving the town,” Latianna declared. A pang of fear crossed her face and it sent Ivan's skin into goose-flesh.
“You don’t need to be afraid, Latianna, I’m prepared,” Ivan said, resting his hand upon her shoulder.
“You don’t know that. You’ve never done this before,” Latianna said, unable to hide her fear from Ivan.
“I want to run away with you,” Ivan said. “You need to be with me, and we can’t be running from vampires that hide behind every corner. I know what I have to do tonight to save my girl and my best friend from a most terrible fate, and I am fully prepared and willing to do it,” Ivan promised, gently kissing Latianna’s perfectly red lips.
“I don’t know what to say, Ivan, if there is anything I can ever do to repay you…”
“Shh,” Ivan said with a wink. “All you have to do is keep your promise to me.” Latianna smiled and reassured Ivan that she would be true to her word. With that, Latianna let Ivan into the house, and the dinner party truly began.
2
Mr. Johnson stood talking to Mrs. Dyebuko as they slowly sipped their wine together.
“So, I hear that you are a member of the town council?” Mrs. Dyebuko asked, wanting to strike up a conversation with this handsome man who could not be older than twenty-eight.
“Why, yes, I am.”
“Tell me, what does one do on the town council?” she asked. “I've always wanted to join one.” Mr. Johnson explained all about the meetings, what they discussed, and every last detail down to Mrs. Cramer’s blueberry biscuits.
“Now remind me again, who all exactly is on the town council?” Mrs. Dyebuko asked, not wanting to get off the subject just yet.
“Well there is Thelma Garder of course, she’s the head of the town council,” Mr. Johnson said very matter of fact like.
“Thelma Garder, she is the uh, forgive me for the way I phrase this, the one who spreads gossip in this town?” Mr. Johnson nodded a yes in reply to Mrs. Dyebuko’s question.
“Oh, she does love to gossip about anything and everything. She’s also the head of the church committee, hosts the annual bake sale, in charge of the county fair when it comes to town, and she knows everything that happens in this town. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if she knew about the invitations to the dinner party before anyone else in the town,” Mr. Johnson said with a laugh.
“I see,” Mrs. Dyebuko said.
“Now tell me, Mr. Johnson, is your wife part of this town council as well?”
“No, just me. My wife is away on a business trip right now. She’s a novelist, she’s trying to get her book published and had to meet with an agent all the way in New York City.”
“Oh, how nice. Well, I certainly do hope that everything goes well while she is there,” Mrs. Dyebuko said sweetly, drinking her wine.
“Yes, and then of course Hiram, I saw him here earlier, he’s the general store owner. He’s part of the town council,” Mr. Johnson said.
“Oh yes, it looks like such a quaint store. I am very much looking forward to shopping there,” Mrs. Dyebuko said.
Throughout their conversation, Mrs. Dyebuko learned of the other members that made up the town council. There was Mrs. Halcyon, the woman who worked and owned one of the two gas stations in Riverwolf Pass. There was Mr. Doug Hanson who was the grocery store clerk. Anna Beth Hanly, she was the Riverwolf Pass bank manager. Mrs. Harvey worked part time, owned the thrift store, and in addition to all that, she was a member of the town council. Mr. Wes Determan, who was the local newspaper’s editor in chief, also belonged to the town council.
“Oh dear, it looks as though we’re both out of wine, Mr. Johnson.”
“Billy,” Mr. Johnson corrected her with a sly smile.
“Billy,” she said smiling, cupping her empty wine glass gently. “Would you like to follow me down into the root cellar and help me choose which bottle of wine to break out next?”
“Oh, most certainly, Mrs. Dyebuko,” Mr. Billy Johnson said with a smile, setting his glass down on the table and following Mrs. Dyebuko down into the root cellar.