Sharpening (Chapter 1 start)
My life used to be simple. It was up until very recently. School, work, home, and sleep; everyday. Now it’s more like School, work, home, vampires and then back to school. I rarely sleep anymore thanks to the role I was given against my will.
I met Gabe a month ago at school. He was the new kid, you know? So I introduced myself and invited him to hang out with my friends and me after work. He hung out with us for about a week after that.
After about a week, Gabe and I came to be very close friends. Though, to my mother, we were more than friends. Not that I can blame her considering that not only is he a nice guy, but he’s also totally cute.
Then our relationship went to a completely different level (and not in the way my mother would have liked). That second week, he decided to show me (and, thankfully, only me) what he was.
Gabe is a werewolf.
Weird, right? And I’m the only human entrusted with this information; the information that werewolves and vampires really exist.
Oh yeah. I left out the vampire part out.
That’s what Gabe and I have been doing every night for the past three weeks; hunting vampires. No, there aren’t any stakes or holy water involved. Not even silver. What we use is much cooler.
We use Magik. Not like spells and charms, but like soul-ripping auras that extend from our hands and feet at will. Did I mention cool?
Now, I’m not a werewolf or a vampire, but—strangely—I have Magik, too. No one knows why. We even asked the leader of Gabe’s pack his opinion on the matter, but he was just as clueless. That’s why I was given the secret, because I had the power.
Three weeks ago, I was almost hit by a car in the street, but before Gabe could get to me, I threw up a hand in defense and the car exploded. Just like that. Thankfully, it was nighttime, so no one was on the street to witness and everyone in the surrounding buildings were asleep so we had just enough time to escape the scene. When we finally reached the nearest alley, Gabe turned on me with wide eyes, asking, “How’d you do that?” When I said I didn’t know, he took me back to his house and explained the scene to his parents. They, too, looked at me wide-eyed. To this day, no one has a clue.
When the wolves finally determined that I was definitely not a vampire—the blood I was asked to drink made me throw up—I was initiated into the pack. I was okay with this at the time because Gabe was already my friend, plus I was almost numb through this whole experience.
Now, we hunt vampires every night as the pack tradition. Much to my dismay, my main role is bait. I’m serious. They will sit me in an alley for a few hours and wait for a vampire to smell me out. Then they jump out of the shadows at just the right time and use their Magik to kill the vampire. Scary on my part, but it helps that Gabe is always there and the closest one to me. I know he would never let anything happen to me. He’s convinced that, even if I have Magik, I should never have to use it.
“Taxi, would you quit daydreaming and finish your dinner, please?”
It took me a second to return to the present; then I quickly recalled my mother’s request and grabbed my fork. I quickly began eating my roast beef without tasting it (thankfully).
“Honestly, Taxi. You spend more and more time either in your head, or with Gabriel, everyday. It’s not good for you.” Mom’s advertised this speech to me a zillion times in the past few days.
I finished my dinner like I was asked and, silently, headed up to my room and got ready for tonight. Once my mother and siblings fell asleep, I would head back downstairs and wait for Gabe to come and get me.
Perhaps I should use this time for the explanation of my name. My name is Taxi Westford. Gabe just thought that was hilarious when we first met. I scolded him for laughing, but I didn’t blame him. Taxi is a strange name for anyone.
Every time someone calls for a taxi on the streets, I have to jerk my head around to make sure someone isn’t calling for me. It’s so annoying. And what’s worse is that I live in New York City, so, you can assume that happens a lot.
When I got to school the next morning, I decided I didn’t feel well and wanted to go home. Not because we had a Chemistry test, but because Gabe wasn’t at school. Something had to be up because weres don’t get sick like humans do and he wouldn’t just miss school like that.
It didn’t feel right, so I called my mom.
Mom came and picked me up from school, surprisingly buying into my “really bad migraine” story.
When we reached our two-story New York sublet, I rushed in and up to room to “lie down for a while”. Once in my room I plopped down onto my bed, grabbed my phone--I didn’t even have to think about the number—and dialed Gabe’s cell number.
“Hello?” Gabe’s mother answered. It must be bad I thought if Gabe’s mom is answering his cell phone.
“Hey, Mrs. Crest,” I quickly replied. “Is Gabe there?”
“I’m sorry, Tax, but Gabe and the all the other men from our tribe are out dealing with a local vampire coven. We meant to call you and tell you, but the issue just came up this morning and we didn’t want to bother you. Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”
“Uh, yeah, but I got a migraine and came home.” I hoped she didn’t recognize the worry in my tone. I’m tired of people trying to reassure me about everything. I knew I didn’t like that Gabe was away and, seeing how these vampires are, it made me worry whenever I wasn’t there to keep my eye on him. Not that I doubt him or his Magik, but vampires have Magik, too and the slightest whiff of vulnerability could mean instant death.
“Well, I’m sorry that we forgot to call you right away. I’ll tell Gabe to call when he gets back,” she said.
“Okay, Mrs. Crest. Thanks for letting me in on it. Bye.”
After I hung up, I spread out across the bed and wondered what was going on with the vampire coven. I must have fallen asleep because I don’t remember the seven hours between hanging up and my mother tapping on my door telling me it was time for dinner.
Much to my surprise, mom brought me a tray with food on it and two Tylenol. Whether she thought I was having PMS or could plainly see the worry in my eyes, I don’t know, but she silently put the tray down and left.
