• Pursuit

    The school bell rang.

    Around Nathan, a steady murmur of voices started up, increasing in volume as students realised that another school week was over. Nathan was distant from it all. He mechanically packed his bag, shouldered it, and left with the crush of chattering and shrieking girls and boys. Once outside in the afternoon sun, the students dispersed through the car park at the school’s front. Buses pulled up and drove away with a roar and a hiss.

    The school had been built next to a busy main road in a small town fringed with forests of alpine trees. The town of Glenmore was just one of a few surrounding the capital, and in time many hotels and motels sprang up across the area, followed by houses, apartment blocks and eventually a school. It gave off the feeling of being on the border of industrialisation and a quaint suburban town.

    Nathan did not board any of the buses. Instead, he wove his way fluidly through the throng of students until he reached his car. It was an inexpensive model: small, dark-blue and non-descript. He slid into the driver’s seat and started up the ignition. Reversing his car out of the space took some time. Students were scattered everywhere, and it was a wonder the buses had not been held up. Nathan finally managed to reverse out of the space and join the main road. It was not long, however, until he noticed he was being followed.

    It had to be admitted that Nathan’s shadow was quite inconspicuous. The car was a dirty-white and could have passed for any of the others around Nathan. The driver was careful to always stay at least one car behind. The car had a number plate, but it was sure to be false. Nathan kept an eye on the car as he wove around the streets of Glenmore towards his apartment. No normal driver would have come this far.

    Nathan increased his speed and made a few turns leading away from his usual route until he lost the car. However, he did not let up his speed until he had reached the safety of his apartment block’s underground car park. Nathan climbed out of his car and locked it. There was a lift to the floors above but he forsook it for the stairs, taking the steps two or three at a time. His apartment was five floors up, but Nathan reached it without the slightest hint of breathlessness. Nathan was careful to lock his apartment’s door after him.

    Once safely inside, Nathan leaned against the door and exhaled slowly. He had never had an attempt at being followed before. How had they found him? He glanced at the body-length mirror directly opposite him, placed there in case someone tried to surprise him from behind. He had short, black hair and his irises were a curious mix of deep-red and brown. His skin was pale, and he had a slim athletic body. Every time Nathan looked into a mirror, he was reminded of who he was and his daily school façade. Nathaniel – for that was his true name – stared at his reflection. He took in his black hair, burgundy eyes and pale, cold skin.

    It was the image of a vampire.


    Go to:Prologue, Chapter 2