Page 95 of Sundowners
Vanessa looked at her GPS and started walking. “It’s this way. Stay close together.”
Our backup left in the car when they saw us walking into the woods. The plan was, they would approach from the parking area where Mark and Cross were headed and hang back unless we needed them.
There was a clear path from the church toward where this picnic area was supposed to be. The darkness was smothering, the only light coming from the sliver of moon reflected on the lake and a few buildings on the far shore. We clung to the tree line as we walked for what felt like hours but was probably only twenty minutes. Every minute spent dreading what we were walking into picked away at my courage.
I was terrified of what we would find as I ran through my memories of the last ritual I’d ever participated in.
1971
Cross,myself, Stephen, and one other initiate were led by Leader Bree into a circle in a part of the woods we’d been forbidden to explore. There were markings on the trees and a stone slab in the middle of the circle. The stone had dark stains on its surface, but in the twilight I couldn’t fathom what I was seeing.
Leaders Caleb, Lauren, and Quinn stood around the stone chanting softly, with candles in their hands. A few steps behind each of them stood four Guardians with their hoods pulled low so I couldn’t make out their faces.
Leader Bree directed us to kneel in front of the stone as we waited for The Source. I’d been so excited to finally interact with the Source, as they were always on the periphery and accompanied by Guardians. When they came forward in their crimson robe, my heart fluttered with excitement. I knew my life was about to change, that I was about to witness a miracle, and I was elated. All of my hard work and sacrifice had been worth it.
“I present these learners to you for initiation,” Leader Lauren said as the Source approached.
They nodded and pulled their hood back, finally revealing their true face. So beautiful. So peaceful. Tears filled my eyes from my gratitude. I’d been chosen, deemed worthy by the Leaders, and now I would receive a blessing from The Source.
“Learner Cross,” Leader Lauren said. “Come forward to be received by the Source. After tonight, you will be known as Guardian Cross.”
He stood slowly, as we’d been instructed, and approached the slab. The Leaders took his hands and helped him to lie upon its surface.
“As you have been instructed, the pheromone will not be used for your initiation. You will feel every sensation and be of your own free will and unhindered of mind in order to receive this blessing. Do you agree to follow oath of our kind?”
“Yes, Leader Lauren,” he answered, and then he spoke the words we’d been taught. “Give unto them what they require. Take only what is necessary to survive.”
“Blessed be,” was declared by all present.
The Leaders pulled open the black vestments covering Cross’s chest, and I remembered them saying that not all of the initiation was pleasant, but then The Source gave off such a calming and pleasant energy, I thought, how could that be?”
“One who is called Cross. I take from you and give unto you the essence necessary to fulfill your duties. The Exchange is the most sacred act of healing, and with it, you must always take the greatest care. Do you accept and consent to this Exchange?”
Cross looked up to the sky and nodded. “I consent.”
The Source smiled…but then the energy around us changed. A frigid breeze blew through the trees and Cross fidgeted on the slab. The Source held their hands over Cross’s chest and closed their eyes. Suddenly, I noticed beads of red on Cross’s chest growing darker, and then running down his sides. I gasped as his blood was literally pulled through his skin and into the Source’s hands.
Cross’s face tightened and he grimaced, his breath coming in pants.
“Leaders and Guardians, accept this initiate into our community, as have I.”
And I watched in horror as the pink-robed figures came forward and began to lick and suck from Cross’s chest. He strained against invisible bonds as he squeezed his eyes shut. When they began to bite him, taking more of his blood, he finally cried out.
I looked to The Source, ready to shout for them to stop, that they were going to kill him, they were hurting him. This was not The Way, we didn’t hurt people…
The Source looked upon me with affection—and suddenly I realized that everything I’d been taught, this cause I’d dedicated myself to, was something much darker, more sinister than I could have ever imagined.
There was great power here. And power corrupts.
“Guardian Cross, welcome to the Source.”
The Source opened their palm and blood flowed from a wound into Cross’s mouth. There was so much blood, on his body, on his face…
The Leaders and Guardians finished with Cross and lifted his unconscious body from the slab, laying him on the grass on the other side of the stone. Stephen was taken next, and he withstood the initiation without any cries, without a reaction, while I sat frozen, terrified of what was about to happen. When they took Stephen off the slab, I was compelled to stand and move forward. I say compelled because after what I’d just seen, I couldn’t have made my legs move if I’d even tried.
I lay upon the slab, still questioning myself, wondering how I’d ended up here, when The Source began to speak. Their words were drowned out by a rushing sound in my ears. I know I repeated the oath and gave my consent, but I don’t recall my brain commanding my mouth to say things, and then it wasmyblood, and then they were bitingme, and the blood was inmymouth.
As I lay on the grass, unable to move but capable of witnessing, an explosion rocked the compound. Suddenly screams filled the night sky. The hold on me was released and there was a flurry of activity around me. A group of Learners rushed in out of the darkness and while Stephen and another approached The Source, who was cowering from the fire. The Source was led away while Stephen spoke to them, telling them there had been an accident and they needed to escort The Source to safety. Knowing Stephen’s ability to make others see what he wanted them to, I wasn’t surprised that The Source followed with no argument.
