After The End by Melissa Gibbo Page B

them. They’re
getting one chance to leave in one piece, if not peacefully. If
they’re too stupid to take this opportunity, we’ll call it natural
selection. Let’s go.”
    I kicked some dirt into the coals and plodded
angrily back through the bushes to the entrance of our fort. My
mind raced with thoughts of beating the girl into unconsciousness
for her attempt on Daemon’s life. He was my friend and that dumb
brat nearly ended his existence. For her sake, Maria should have
stayed away.
    Upon entering the fort, I realized both vamps
had positioned themselves at either end of our line; Cal watched
our tail and Daemon walked directly behind me. I was stunned
neither of the vampires had argued about changing their daytime
address. If I hadn’t been fuming over how the evening had gone, I
probably would’ve laughed at the silliness of two such powerful
beings following the commands of my five foot two, meek self.
    Immediately calling the town to a meeting,
the six of us relayed the events. Looking around, I noted several
flinches and wide eyes as I announced the new precautions.
Thankfully, a handful of smiles and agreeable nods were
interspersed among the nervous residents. The mosquitos politely
stayed out of it and went on with their buffet.
    If Cal noticed, he didn’t show any response;
he wore a soldierly posture of indifference and a noble’s bearing.
Daemon was busy playing rock, paper, scissors with the three
children. He only acknowledged the announcement by shooting me a
thumbs-up. Turning back he adopted a befuddled frown and furrowed
his brow; the kids were winning every round.

CHAPTER 11 END OF JUNE/JULY YEAR 1
    It only took six days to complete a small
cabin for Daemon and Cal to live in. Until the construction was
done, they stayed in the main cabin with most of the early members
of our group. It was agreed that the second cabin with the kids
added too much potential for issues.
    Chase and Sunny switched their beds to the
entrance of the room so that the Undead tenants could slumber in
back. Even without windows, opening the door at the wrong time
could pour too much sunlight into the bunkhouse – another reason
not to stay with the children, as they constantly ran inside and
outside.
    This sleeping arrangement revealed something
I hadn’t thought of; vampires don’t just pass out when the sun
rises, they merely have no resistance to sunlight. The first day
the vamps stayed inside the camp’s barriers, I came in from my
guard shift to find Daemon lying on his back and tossing a baseball
in the air next to his snoring mentor. The fledgling signaled me
over, sat up, and brushed his dark hair from his pale face. As soon
as I sat on the cot next to him, he giggled.
    “You look really funny when you make that
face.” Daemon whispered.
    Taken aback, I looked at my watch and then
Cal before responding.
    “How come you’re awake? I thought vampires
slept during the day?”
    He sprouted an ear-to-ear grin.
    “During the day and all day are two very
different things. We can’t go outside, but we don’t fall under some
magic sleep spell at dawn; you heard Cal, we’re natural creatures,
not mystical demonic fiends. No matter what the turistas think.
    Cal likes to crash early and be up by three
or four, but I like staying up and sleeping in. Neither of us
really needs much sleep, but it kills time.”
    I nodded along letting the logic of Daemon’s
words roll over me.
    “That makes sense.”
    I plopped onto my bunk.
    Reclined on my left side, the two of us
talked about nothing and everything until my watch alarm buzzed
loudly. I pressed the snooze and yawned, “Oops, no nap for me
today. Got to get back to work. You should probably catch some Z’s
while you’ve got a chance.”
    We exchanged smiles as I rose and tossed my
unused pillow at the vampire.
    “Yes, Daemon, you should sleep; you two hens
have been clucking all day whilst some of us have been attempting
slumber.” interjected Cal from his