Unveiling The Vampire's Omega (Bound By Blood, Freed By Love)

Chapter: 5
  **

  JOHN:

  We had been at sea for three days now, and concern gnawed at me for the vampire boy I had left wrapped in a tattered blanket beneath the cabin floor. The dead vampire's condition remained a mystery to me, and above all, I dreaded the possibility of his body starting to decay and emitting a foul odor. If my family discovered my deceit, the repercussions for my disobedience would be severe.

  My father, an authoritarian figure, brooked no disobedience, especially from his own son.

  Sighing heavily for what felt like the hundredth time, I reclined in my seat, allowing the cool breeze and water to soothe my flushed cheeks. I gazed out at the dark horizon, yearning for a swift return to land so I could give the deceased boy a proper burial. The boat lay still, everyone else asleep except for me, stationed by the wheel, struggling to suppress my thoughts. A fleeting notion crossed my mind. Should I risk sneaking to check on the dead boy hidden away? I shook my head. No, it was too risky. None of my family were deep sleepers; the slightest movement would rouse the entire crew.

  Another sigh escaped me as I rested against the steering wheels, briefly closing my eyes as my mind drifted into nothingness. I awoke to the cabin flooded with sunlight and the sight of two familiar faces looming above me. Startled, I scanned my surroundings and spotted my father and uncle standing nearby.

  Evidently, I had drifted off at some point, and they had brought me to rest properly.

  "Are you feeling unwell, lad?" My gruff uncle Bob inquired, his concern evident in his rough tone. "You look pale."

  Swallowing hard, I mustered a weak smile and nodded slowly. "I'm fine, Uncle Bob, just exhausted," I replied in a hoarse voice, forcing another smile.

  My father, though still aloof, seemed less stern than usual. His words carried a hint of warmth that eased the burden in my heart. "I believe we've been at sea long enough... It's time we head back home... I miss my cozy bed," he spoke with a tinge of melancholy.

  Turning to address the rest of the crew, my uncle raised his eyebrows. "What's with the silence, lads? What are you waiting around for? Let's make our way back home."

  "Yes, sir!" The crew chorused, myself included.

  ****

  Anticipation coursed through me as we approached land, a wish on the cusp of realization. My heart raced at the prospect of finding a way to discreetly remove the deceased boy from the boat and conceal him in my secret cave, nestled beneath a magnificent waterfall. I had stumbled upon that breathtaking sight during one of my explorations, following a refreshing swim in the sea, and had since claimed it as my own private refuge.

  As the evening sun began its ascent above the horizon, we finally reached our destination. While I busied myself with packing up the boat, my father and uncle secured the vessel with tight knots to prevent it from drifting away. Together, we began unloading our bounty, a fruitful day of fishing yielding a plentiful haul. Hailing from a lineage of fishermen in our hometown of Pelberg Reef, I often endured teasing from my peers, who jested that I perpetually smelled of fish and seawater.

  Renowned for our catches of cod, turbot, pike, herring, squid, and mussels, my family's fish market was praised as the go-to spot for the finest seafood. Though we weren't lacking in wealth, I found myself devoid of friends, labeled a loner by those around me. As the last of the cargo was removed, I observed my uncle Bob preparing for our evening meal, selecting the fish to be cooked and deftly tossing them into the waiting bowl my mother held. Sensing the need for a diversion, I knew my moment had arrived.