Blood Menace

Part I

PROLOGUE

Kamdyn!

Kamdyn

Kamdyn

Malawak ang ngiti ni Kam habang ini-enjoy ang malakas na sigawan at palakpakan ng kanyang libu-libong fans na dumalo sa kanyang first live concert.

"Thank you so much. I love you all," sigaw niya sa hawak na mikropono kaya mas lumakas pa ang hiyawan ng kanyang mga fans.

Vampires of all kinds, witches of all types, and mortals, everyone was peacefully cheering for her. Ito ang gusto niya kapag may concert siya, palaging zero crime rate ang bayan kung saan siya naroon.

The lights turned off, the music stopped, but the people still screamed their love for the phenomenal celebrity who was not just a great singer and dancer but also a very talented actress.

"That was amazing!" ang laki ng ngiti ni Kam sa backstage habang tinatanggal ng kanyang staff ang mabigat na flamingo costume.

"Paniguradong dudumugin nanaman ng mga fans ang concert mo sa Larie tomorrow night," komento ng kanyang stylist na si Rum. Isa itong dating fashion icon pero medyo nalaos na dahil nagkaedad. Kam saved him at ngayon ay balik na ang sigla nito. Kahit may kulubot pa rin ang balat nito ay mas naging aktibo na.

"Oo nga, Kam. Impressive talaga lahat ng concerts mo. Nakaka-hype," komento ng isa sa mga lalaking backup dancers na si Mik.

"Yeah, yeah! You almost fell out there. Wala kang coordination sa katawan. Ano'ng klaseng dancer ka ba? Sayang ang perang ipinadala namin sa'yo sa dance school."

Natahimik ang lahat na nasa backstage; mga makeup artists, hairstylists, stylists, director, lights and camera men, dancers, backup singers... lahat.

Napatitig ang lahat sa lalaking bagong dating. Nakasuot ito ng itim na suit at mukha itong matapang at ruthless. His hair was gray, his eyes were electric blue. And he looked like he's in his twenties.

"Dad," 'yun lang ang nasabi ni Kam. Sinenyasan niya ang hairstylist na tanggalin ang pink na flamingo headdress at bumagsak ang hanggang balikat niyang malagintong buhok.

"Nakakahiya. My business associates watched the concert with me and they all laughed when you almost fell. Palpak ka talaga kahit na anumang gawin mo. I allowed you to do this because you said you will do better on this one. But your dream doesn't suit you very well. Umuwi ka ng bahay ngayon para mapag-usapan natin ang bago mong position sa kompanya ng pamilya," at hindi na muling lumingon ang lalaki nang lumabas ito.

Tahimik ang buong backstage. Ni walang marinig na konting kaluskos. Lahat nakiramdam. Lahat natakot kahit na sanay na ang mga ito sa ganoong eksena.

Pagod na pagod na si Kam sa pangmamata ng kanyang sariling pamilya sa kahit na anong profession na tahakin n'ya. She loved being a celebrity. Just like how she loved being a Sentry before. This was her way of connecting with people. Minsan nadadala siya sa kanyang saya kaya nagiging clumsy siya sa stage.

"Kam, don't mind him. You were great out there," sa wakas ay nagsalita ang kanyang makeup artist na si Stefano o mas gustong tawagin na Stefie. Linggo-linggo itong nagpapalit ng kulay ng buhok, sa ngayon rainbow ang mohawk na iyun dahil special ang araw na 'yun para sa kanila.

Pilit na ngumiti ang dalaga. "You're right, Stefie. Positive vibes tayo ngayon. At ano ang nagbibigay positive vibes sa atin?"

"Blood party! Blood party!" sigaw ng lahat ng kanyang mga kasama. Their eyes turned red, their fangs extended, their faces cracked.

Isang malademonyong ngiti ang sumilay sa mga labi ni Kam. She was a blood drinker too just like her friends and tonight was going to be fun.

—-
Kam's makeup was smudged all over her face. Mukha siyang clown na raccoon, if there was such a thing.

Nasa kamay niya ang isang pulang high-heeled shoe, kung nasaan ang isa, hindi na siya sigurado.

Last night was kind of a blur.

After her concert, she and her friends went to the afterparty which was also a blood party.

She had wine. Lots and lots of wine imported from Blackbourne, the best wine for vampires like them. Ito lang yata ang wine na nagbibigay ng tama sa kanila.

Then she made out with some of their food before she drank their blood.

And now, umaga na. The sun was too bright at pasuray-suray siyang lumabas ng Hotel Caedis, just one of the hotels her family owns.

"Good morning, Ms. Caedis," bati ng lahat ng staff na nakakasalubong n'ya.

"Hayes. Hayes," pagko-correct n'ya every time na tinatawag siyang Ms. Caedis.

Sumakay siya sa kotseng naghihintay sa kanya sa harap mismo ng main entrance. It was the latest model of the most expensive car brand in the continent of Chilakest.

Kam groaned as she settled herself in the backseat. "To my penthouse, please, Smit."

"Yes, Ms. Hayes," magalang na sagot ng kanyang mortal na driver na siguro ay nasa fifty years old na.

Sumandal siya at pumikit. Inalala niya ang hotel room kung saan siya nagising. Doon din ginanap ang kanilang blood party last night.

Bakit ang linis ng silid nang nagising siya at kanyang mga kaibigan?

Nasaan ang mga mortal nilang mga bisita? They just vanished.

Kahit ang mga kaibigan n'ya, wala silang alam kung saan napunta ang kanilang mga bisitang nagsilbing blood source nila kagabi. The whole suite was painted with blood. Pero maging iyun ay nalinis din habang natutulog silang lahat.

Hangover and stress got into her. Ang sakit ng kanyang ulo sa twenty minutes nilang byahe. Inalalayan na nga lang siya ni Smit na umakyat sa kanyang penthouse.

"May kailangan pa po kayo, Ms. Hayes, bago ako umalis?"

"You can leave now, Smit. Thank you," sagot niya na nakadapa sa kanyang malambot at puting kama.

Nang makaalis ang lalaki ay pinilit ni Kam ang sarili na tumayo. She turned the TV on before stripping out of her skimpy dress. A long warm bath might make her feel better.

"Twenty dead mortals were found dumped into the River Obis this morning. All of them had vampire bite marks all over their bodies."

Napako si Kam sa may pintuan ng kanyang bathroom.

Twenty dead mortals?

River Obis?

Bite marks?

Dahan-dahan ang ginawa niyang paglingon dahil bigla na lang kinain ng takot ang kanyang dibdib.

Please, no.

Please, no.

Then the camera panned to the bodies lined up beside the river.

Kam screamed in total horror. Those were their mortal blood sources last night. They were not supposed to die. Her blood parties had always been free of casualties.

Until now.

***

@immrsbryant