Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

some lessons on basics, while I scanned the parking lot.
    He examined the tire and made mention that it was a good thing I asked for his help. The tire was low on air and he directed me to go straight over to the Gas-n-Go the next block over.
    I gave him the sweetest smile I could, promised to get air immediately, got into my car and hit the lock switch. My heart was pounding so fast it made my hands shake. Luckily, the guard didn’t notice.
    I drove out of the parking lot as instructed, firmly grasping the steering wheel so my hands would stop trembling. Unsure of where to drive, I headed towards the highway.
    I could feel Phil was somewhere nearby because the hunger feelings were back, but I wasn’t sure which car was his. In my side-view mirror, I saw the familiar shape of Nicholas’ black Chrysler and watched him pull directly behind me. I felt relieved to know he was nearby.
    The crooked road required all of my attention to traverse, my concern staying in well-populated areas. I felt Phil’s feelings come and go and my nerves responded accordingly. Then I received another text.
    - He’s following you. Go ahead and go home now so you’ll be safe. I’ll deal with him.
    I slammed my phone closed in frustration. Go home? Was he insane?
    Incensed, I reopened my phone and dialed his number.
    “Are you crazy?” I yelled as soon as Nicholas answered.
    “It’s the only way I can get him away from you where you’ll be safe,” he said with a tense voice.
    “I’m not leading him straight to my house!”
    “It won’t matter. I plan to deal with him tonight anyway,” he said, determined.
    “No. Find another way.”
    Nicholas let out a huge sigh. Through the phone, I couldn’t sense anything, so I had to pay attention to his voice inflection to know what he was feeling. I didn’t want to anger him, but I wasn’t going to let him put my family in jeopardy.
    “Why are you being so difficult?”
    “I’m worried about my family!” I barked, irritated he didn’t consider their safety.
    “Fine, let me think.” He exhaled sharply and paused. “Do you know where the tunnel is over off of Ravine?”
    “Yes.”
    “Park in the middle of that tunnel, so he’ll come to you. Just crack your window when he approaches. But stay in your car and leave it running. I’ll only be a minute.”
    “What are you going to do?” I asked, my heart beating faster.
    “I’m going to park above the tunnel and take care of him when he leaves.”
    Take care of him meant killing him and I hadn’t even confirmed he was a vampire yet. I couldn’t let Nicholas murder him arbitrarily.
    “You aren’t going to hurt him, are you?”
    “Julia, he’s a vampire,” he said, his voice laced with annoyance.
    “But he’s my friend.”
    “And wants to suck your blood. I need to take care of him.”
    There was emotional finality in his voice I couldn’t argue with. If I was to stop a needless murder, I needed to come at it from a logical angle.
    “Well, then answer me this, can a vampire choose to be good and not kill humans?”
    Nicholas took longer than I wanted to answer. The silence lingered for ever.
    “Yes, but it’s rare.”
    “Okay, so before you eliminate him, can we see first? Please?”
    Nicholas took a deep breath and I crossed my fingers.
    “I’ll talk to him,” he said reluctantly. “But if he tries to leave, I can’t promise anything.”
    I didn’t have to read his emotions to know I frustrated him to no end but knew we needed to at least try. I was sure, with my encouragement, Phil could be good. Becoming a vampire couldn’t have changed him that much.
    “Okay. How will I know when it’s time to drive away?” I asked, feeling high from the adrenaline surging through my veins.
    “I’ll send you a text message.”
    “Okay,” I said, my breath quickening. “Wait, what type of car is he driving?”
    “He’s not. He’s flying.”
    “Flying?”
    “Yes . . . I’ll explain later, just get to the tunnel and be ready to act.”
    “What if something goes wrong?”
    “Honk your horn, but whatever you do, don’t open the door,” he said, his words giving me courage
    I hung up.
    Nicholas’ Chrysler abruptly turned left, as I continued straight towards the underpass, his car disappearing into the black forest. I figured he’d turned off his headlights to drive stealth again. With white knuckles, I concentrated on the winding mountain road with growing consternation, convinced I’d crash if I