Harlow was up and moving before the rest, getting Carl and the others ready to grab their things and head out just as the hour peaked. Taking the route of the sewers mostly, Harlow got the three to St. Andrew’s in record time. She made sure they were warm and settled while trying to explain to Rogue and Niridia about where she had been and what needed to happen now. There was no hesitation from her friends, Rogue recruiting Silver to go with them in the cart to pick up the others while Niridia stayed behind to tend to the ones already safe. The Golden Hour passed by the time they rolled up to the east end and they were going to have to stay a bit while they figured out how to safely transport Adrianna back to the church. “She’s on a blanket now. We should just carefully lift her onto this and use it as a gurney; carry her to the cart that way.” Remy held up a piece of the bank counter that sat propped against the wall. “That’s probably the best way to do it. It should fit in the back comfortable enough with space for other people.” Rogue was in favor of his idea. “Her wound looks clean and the sutures are holding well. No signs of turning so she’s out of the woods on that. Let’s just get us all loaded up and ready to go when twilight hits.” Harlow was ready to leave immediately. She probably should have taken Remy with her on the first trip and left him behind because now they had to cram eight people and two goats into the cart, or at least five and let the other three walk on patrol. She just wanted to get everyone back in one piece. The lot had packed up what was salvageable and loaded it into the cart after they had safely transported Adrianna inside. Vanessa and William climbed in with her as well as Silver and Oscar, while Rogue, Remy, and Harlow took the helm. “We’re going to be slower this way in a sense since we can’t hide as easily, but we should be fine. Just keep your eyes peeled for anything that may want to murder us.” Harlow pointed out as she climbed on to the cart with Remy’s help. “We’ve got it handled. Eyes peeled, battle ready.” Rogue grunted, grinding her fist into her palm. “She always like this?” Remy whispered to Harlow as they settled in. Harlow chuckled quietly as she took the reins to the one horse they had, “Only when outside the walls of the church or if she gets really sozzled. It’s the adrenalin.” Harlow snapped the reins and the cart started to pick up speed, rolling down the desolate streets of the east end toward the safety of the church. (*) They were midway into their journey when they came to some trouble on their path. Where once was a clear road, now stood an obstacle that the cart couldn’t get around. Crumbling stone from nearby buildings, burnt out automobiles, and even a bus had been pushed and piled in the middle of the road, cutting off their safest route. There were other roads to take that would lead back to St. Andrews, but it would take much more time to travel them. “We need to make a decision. What do we do?” Rogue spoke quietly as she lit up a cigarette and then passed one to Remy. “What can we do? We can’t get around this with the cart, we can’t walk on foot, and we can’t remove all that by ourselves or even at all. We have to go another route.” Harlow was exasperated by the whole thing. “I was afraid you were going to say that. It’s going to add another hour of travel time and we are already past the gold standard.” Rogue complained. She had started to lose that rush. “I’m not concerned so much about the travel time as I am the fact that this was a deliberate act. Something spotted us; most likely me considering how long it would take to set that up. Also, look at the street. The biggest conjunction before we get to the road the church is on. They knew that we would have to take a longer route which means they know where we live. We could be ambushed.” Harlow expressed her concern. Remy thought for a moment before replying, “Maybe not. Maybe they know roughly where you are based on scent or even just seeing you, but I know you’re like a ghost; the fact that you got all the way out to me and weren’t seen is a feat.” “All part of the trade. But I’m not as good as you thought. We’re leaving the safety of the church too frequently for supplies and I think we’ve been spotted a few times. Let’s get back in the cart and just go. We’re wasting time.” Harlow was well beyond agitated at this point and most of that ire was aimed at herself. She now had to figure out how to safely transport eight people on a road she didn’t know as well all the way to the place they called home, a place that may have now been compromised. They turned the cart around and took the only other route they could. They stopped one more time to check on Adrianna, but Vanessa was doing a perfect job of keeping her stable and warm. Silver switched spots with Rogue for a bit, but Harlow stayed at the helm, stayed focused. The last turn before they came to the road that eventually ran behind the church was finally in sight and Harlow had just sighed with relief when she realized she had taken a breath too soon. On top of the building across the street, she could see them. There were what looked like three, lying in wait for them to cross the road. Harlow carefully slowed the cart to a halt at the crossroads and leaned in to Remy sitting next to her. She tried to make it look like she was giving him a kiss, covering her face with her hair as she whispered as softly as she could. “Three on top of the building perpendicular to us. I’m going to get out and go around to warn the others. Keep an eye on them, don’t speak.” Harlow immediately got out of the cart, miming that she had to relieve herself as she ran round the cart and cracked the door just enough to whisper in to Rogue what she had seen before she returned to the helm. She took the reins with one hand and reached down with the other to brush Remy’s leg before she tapped his gun. He understood, his hands sliding to position, ready to fire when he had to. Harlow didn’t really have a plan. There wasn’t time and she couldn’t talk due to the inhuman hearing of the three vampires on top of the building and there were possibly more. All she knew is that when she took that turn and crossed that building, they were going to attack her party and at least three were unable to fight. She just hoped everyone could follow her cues. The reins snapped on the horse again and they turned right, just passing the first building before three shadowy figures landed in the road in front of them, scaring the horse and causing it to rear back. It was so quick. Remy just stood with the rifle in his hands, cocked the bolt, and fired. The bullet whizzed through the air and caught the vampire on the left directly in the heart. They watched as a white hot fire spread from the entry point and engulfed the vampire till it was nothing but ash. This surprise attack caused confusion amongst the other two and they panicked before racing in opposite directions to the alleys. “They’re not done. Eyes on the darkest parts of the landscape, weapons ready.” Harlow instructed, getting down from the cart. Rogue and Oscar exited the cart in formation while Silver and Remy each took a side and Harlow stood to defend the horse. “I know you’re still out there! You wanted a fight, come fight me!” Harlow’s anger took over and she snarled into the frozen air. “Don’t antagonize them, Harlow!” Rogue’s voice hollered from behind the cart. “Not antagonizing, just impatient.” Harlow muttered to herself, whipping her chain from her pocket. “I recognize that voice.” Someone called from an alley down. Harlow recognized theirs too. “Yeah, yeah. It’s the cunt from the bus depot. What are the odds?” Another voice responded to the first. “Shit.” Harlow cursed, looping the chain in one hand to free up the other for her dagger. “Friends of yours, Harley?” Rogue called around the side of the cart; amused, yet disappointed. “Not now.” Harlow hissed at her friend, “And you two wankers need to sod off!” She screamed into the street. “Not a chance, princess. There’s no one here to save you this time and you brought a full—” The voice paused to sniff the air, “Eight course meal. It’s serendipity and I knew I recognized that smell. You got one of us, but we’re going to get you.” “Everyone in the back of the cart! Go now! Now!” Harlow barked, jerking her thumb towards the cart behind her. “You’re nuts if you think I’m leaving you out here to fight two of them!” Rogue ran around the cart to grab Harlow by the arm. “No. I’ve already kicked their arses once, I can do it again. This time I’m going to kill them.” Harlow snarled, pushing Rogue towards the back of the cart. “Harlow—” “Get in the cart!” Harlow didn’t let Rogue argue with her. She pushed everyone in a panicked rush, forcing them all to cram awkwardly into the back of the cart. Rogue was still yelling at her, but she ignored her angry pleas and shoved a wooden stake through the handles of the cart door. “All ready boys; let’s fucking fight.” Harlow walked to the middle of the road, arms outstretched. In a smoky blur, two figures were now standing mere meters in front of her. They looked just as they did when she saw them nights before, except…they showed signs of illness. “What’s wrong with you two? You look positively dreadful.” Harlow remarked. One snorted, “We haven’t eaten in days, you bitch. We’re fucking starving and went through great lengths to catch you and your friends like a spider in a web.” “Simon, was it? Well, Simon…you’re going to continue to starve because you’re not eating a one of us. Also, starving won’t matter when you’re dead.” Harlow grinned m enacingly, whipping the chain out over her head. She went to strike, rushing forward to loop the two vampires around the neck with her silver chain when she met a cold body, stopping her dead in her tracks. “I told you to stay home, little one. Yet here you are and I have to intervene.” The body spoke down at her. “You. I couldn’t stay home. I have people to take care of.” Harlow was defensive. “And saving those people could have killed you.” Grimm inhaled through his nose, “Alright Simon, Vlad. We’re not eating this lot. You got Cutler killed with your nonsense. Leave this woman and her friends be.” Grimm raised his voice, stepping away from Harlow. “Fuck off, you ancient piece of shit. Don’t gotta babysit us, grandpa; we’re good. Dinner is served, Vlad.” Simon cackled, nudging Vlad with his elbow. “Seriously. These younger ones are complete idiots sometimes.” Grimm shook his head at Harlow, so close that she could see how reddened the whites of his eyes were. “You’re starving too, aren’t you? When was the last time you ate?” Harlow found herself concerned for the blood drinker in front of her. “Shut. Up. I’m trying to save your life. I told you stay at home and not gallivant around, but here you are! And now I have to save your arse!” Grimm hissed through his teeth. “Sure. Save my arse,” Harlow scoffed at Grimm before she addressed the other two, “Come on, Simon! Vlad! You really want to dance again? I have somewhere to be so let’s get this over with.” Grimm didn’t move a muscle, but the other two appeared to flank him from behind, strolling closer to stand shoulder to shoulder. “You helping us, mate? You let her go before…here’s your opportunity to correct that.” Simon jeered, checking Grimm with his shoulder. Grimm’s eyes connected with Harlow’s, begging her to turn around and leave, to let him handle the two idiots, but she didn’t trust him. “He can join the slaughter if he so desires, but I’m here to clear you from the road so we can get home.” Harlow retorted, but she didn’t attack; she was stalling. “Time for you to go home, friend. This isn’t going to be pretty.” Harlow spoke almost inaudibly, but Grimm caught it. He backed out of the way and dissolved into the darkness without a word. “Shall we go first?” Simon turned to Vlad, ready to strike. But their conversation was going to be cut short. The whole time that Harlow had been talking with Grimm in the middle of the road, she had been drawing a sigil in the snow with her boot. She had memorized some, including this one, and knew it would come in handy eventually. The last thing she had to do was activate it. Harlow slipped her hand in her pocket and pierced her finger on her book marker before she squeezed the blood out on to the snow. She took a few jogging steps back before the street lit up like someone had flipped a switch and turned the sun on right in the middle of the road. Vlad and Simon screamed and hissed from inside the bubble of light and Harlow swore she saw two smoky shadows shoot from the light and back into the night. The light would only last so long and Harlow needed to get everyone out of there, so she hopped on the front of the cart and snapped the reins harshly, willing the horse to move forward, but it wouldn’t budge. It reared back and neighed in frustration, not wanting to go towards the blinding light. “Come on, come on! We don’t have much time.” Harlow begged the horse, trying to get it to move again, but it was planted firmly in the snow. Two shadows danced from the alley and were atop a nearby building now, out of the way of the light; they hadn’t run away entirely like she hoped. Eventually, the light would die out and they would be left in the open again for the two vampires to attack. She needed to get this horse to move. Harlow went to try again and it was as if she blinked, and he was there. A streak of black smoke sped up through the light and right up to the horse; eyes bulging and blood red, mouth agape with rows of sharp teeth bared for killing. The horse saw this terrifying display, reared back one last time, and then took off into the sphere of light blindly, luckily coming out the other side unscathed as Harlow steered the cart down the street. At that rate of speed it didn’t take them long to arrive at the church and she hoped that no one had gotten injured in the back. Harlow parked the cart behind the priest’s quarters before she hopped out and opened the back of the cart. “Everyone ok? I’m sorry about the bumpy ride.” “Oscar and Silver were able to hold Adrianna steady and she seems ok, but what the fuck just happened?” Rogue’s eyes were wide and she was breathing heavily. “Talk later. Silver, take the horse to the shed and then come back here. I’m going to need you, Oscar, and Remy to help get Adrianna into the sanctuary. Rogue, you take the others inside and have Niridia figure out a place for Adrianna in the infirmary. I'm going to cover the cart and try to hide it as best I can.” Harlow didn’t have time to explain everything. Rogue didn’t question it and rounded everyone up who could walk on their own and started guiding them to the back door of the church. Silver unhitched the horse and took it to the shed while Oscar and Remy waited with Harlow. “Are you ok, mon cher? You’re shaking.” Remy asked, placing his hand on hers. She hadn’t even noticed; she was still on auto-pilot from the escape. “I’ll be fine once I know everyone is inside and safe.” Harlow replied, patting Remy’s hand with her free one as Silver jogged back from the shed. “Just be very careful with her and mind her head.” Harlow guided them as they slid Adrianna out of the back of the cart and hoisted her up, Oscar and Silver easily able to carry the makeshift gurney comfortably. Silver led them to the door and Harlow quickly covered the cart as best she could with a canvas cloth and went out to check the road where they had come in for any sight of vampires. No sign of anything and the now falling snow was covering up the cart and horse tracks beautifully. Harlow felt that all was well and she could return to the church, locking the back door with her key. They had dodged a bullet…for now.
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E.M. MoonStories from the World Wide Weird Archives
December 2021
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