Superheroes Kill Vampires by Jeremiah Kleckner

Author:Jeremiah Kleckner [Kleckner, Jeremiah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Hundreds of people gathered on the steps of City Hall to witness the stepping up ceremony. Considering how sudden arrangements needed to be made and the solemn nature of the circumstances surrounding the event, the crowd was uncharacteristically quiet.

It was worse than that, Jeff thought from his position between Detective Costner and Police Commissioner Loch. There was something to the silence. Their eyes watched him. They examined him and, as he looked out over the mass of people, Jeff guessed what they were collectively thinking.

He was not ready. Not yet. Within minutes, Jeff Beal will shed the name Cadet Trainee Alpha, the title given to the hero in training, and he will officially be named Force, the city’s chief protector.

Children, fathers, mothers, business women, cops, and firefighters all huddled at the base of the steps. Many were in tears. Some gazed at him with hope. Others glared in accusation. None of it approached the turmoil he felt inside, however. He couldn’t save her. How was he good enough to replace her?

Jeff pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind. He had to be in the present. He had to pay attention to what the Police Chief and the Mayor had to say about his dead mentor.

“Erica McCreary,” Mayor Joanne Mike said as she repeatedly dabbed at her eyes, “was our Force for almost fifteen years. Our city’s Force for justice, of pride, of commitment. She was a woman of incredible power, ability, and compassion who we all looked up to. A woman who sacrificed her life for the city she loved, that we all love. She worked with the police and myself and all of our citizens in order to create and maintain a community we all could believe in.”

Her eulogy blurred with Police Commissioner Loch’s speech.

“She meant everything to us,” the bearded man added, “for all intents and purposes, Force is this city, representing all that is good and meaningful and enduring about what all of us stand for.”

For an instant, an ominous shade crossed over the faces of the crowd.

Jeff tensed, his heart pounding. Was that the vampire? Was Lavinia here now? No, he decided, it couldn’t be.

He blinked, but when he opened his eyes, he saw her standing among the people. He blinked again and she was in another part of the crowd. Then another. Did vampires have the ability to teleport?

Commissioner Loch’s words cut through these questions, jolting back to reality.

“But now is the time to say goodbye to Erica and welcome our new Force. Like her and those who came before her, Cadet Trainee Alpha will rise to the mantle. Join me in welcoming our city’s new Force.”

Commissioner Loch turned to Jeff and extended a hand, inviting him to approach the podium.

A smattering of quiet clapping washed over the crowd. Jeff stared at them for a breath, then at the councilmen, police, and firefighters. The vampire had disappeared altogether.

Detective Costner nudged him forward.

Jeff walked to the podium and shook the commissioner’s hand. He’d chosen to be Cadet Trainee Alpha, knowing one day he would be Force.

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