I yawn as I stand at my post, having been here for 3 hours and getting sick of the plain standing despite the fact I trained for this. You can tell how worth all my physical training is when I'm standing at the door of a cell in a deep secret basement, can't you? Yeah. Didn't think so. Damn this was boring.
I hear little droplets dripping from the crappy ceiling and a few weird sounds from the other captives down the hall. The place I guard at holds many vampire captives since for some reason they like to venture into our territory despite our warnings and threats. One thing you should know about us wolves is we don't like trespassers. So every time we get a new captive we assign a guard to each and they are supposed to 'keep them in line' even though down here the captives are starved and if they broke through the special restraints there'd be little stopping said starving vampire. Luckily we don't keep all vampires alive but only the ones who are old and have killed many or are too aggressive to care for. Those ones are killed on sight.
I was assigned mine a few days ago because I 'need to pitch in for once'. The chief can be a real ass. The guy I was assigned too looked a little over 10 years old because he was small and had crazy black hair that covered his eyes. At least he wasn't one of the constant whiners that some of the others got assigned to. Most vampires were stuck down here until they starved but really it was up to the guard to decide whether they were well enough that day to be fed but considering most wolves deeply resented vampires ...very few actually cared if it was a good day or not.
My captive was always huddled in the corner and not moving or making a sound no matter the time. During the day guards are able to leave since starved vampires can't go outside during the day anyway, so there were some morning guards that drift around but there's a lot less while the main guards rest. We got about 7 hours of rest and enough time for 1 hour of training before we had to return to just standing there. Talking was aloud but many guards didn't want anything but to watch them deflate into nothingness. It's scary when vampires are brought up in conversation since it immediately makes every wolf in the vicinity defensive. It was scary how quick they can switch.
The cart rolled down the hall where many vampires struggled desperately to reach through the bars because it held supplies of animal blood. The cart stopped at every guard and when each shook or nodded their head (which was very few) the carter either handed the guard a bag or kept moving. I glanced inside to the little boy in the cell I was assigned and noticed he hadn't moved an inch. Not even when the cart rolled down to us and even I could smell the disgusting metallic scent of blood that would normally not be a problem for wolves but my sense of smell was unusually strong, even for one of my kind.
The carter, a middle aged wolf (werewolf) with long brown hair and very tired and impatient eyes, waited for my silent response with a very impatient flick of her tail. A wolf without the ability to hide their tail and ears means they are in less control of their instincts and likely are from a weaker pack. This normally wasn't that much of a difference but it meant if I didn't hurry up and respond she might just get too pissed ...so I hurriedly nod realizing that I had been spacing out into my thoughts again. (Easy to do when you're constantly just standing in mostly silence for hours on end.)
She practically tossed the bag onto the floor and I just managed to catch it before that, almost hitting my side on my wall in the haste to make sure it didn't pop everywhere. I stand up and sigh in relief when I managed to calm my heart that had sped up slightly in all that sudden instinct after 4 hours of doing nothing.
I pull out my key and keep my eyes on the little boy as I unlock the cell. Many vampires think this is the best time to attack but my big enough build practically filled the small cell door as I opened it. Since the little boy's hair covered his eyes I couldn't tell where he was looking but I did pick up on the subtle lift of his head towards my direction and the way his body tensed, his nails digging into his other arm firmly.
It is protocol to feed vampires while in the cell if they were calmer as a way of showing your treated more as a human if you comply I guess. I'm not actually sure why but it was one of the rules, plus they were at their most vulnerable while feeding. That is unless they go into a feeding frenzy but we were given the go ahead if we needed to defend ourselves with our stakes.
I crouch down a few feet from the little boy, my knees cracking with effort to bend. Even though I am only 23….I swear these stupid knees crack every time I bend them. Anyway, I held out the bag a little and put on my 'big bad wolf' voice to try to seem begrudgingly nice since I felt awkward already imprisoning a child. "Hey kid, hurry up and eat. Around here you're allowed only one bag a week, that is, as long as you're good." he only sat there against the wall and what I assumed was that he was staring at me or the bag as if not understanding. Realizing this was going to be a problem I sigh and drop the act, holding it out closer.
"Just take the damn bag and feed before you get too hungry. I really don't feel right leaving a kid with absolutely nothing even if you are one of those blood suckers. Be a good boy and drink while it's an option."
I surprised myself with the softness my voice held but I tried not to show it and keep my eyes on him steadily. I thought for a moment what would make the boy more comfortable when he doesn't move an inch, and got a weird but possibly useful idea. I closed my eyes before I let my fluffy ears emerge from my messy brown hair and my large brown tail escaped through the hole all wolves had in their pants just in case that was only visible if there was a tail emerging from it. It felt weird releasing my wolf stuff but it felt oddly right, like it was more natural this way. Technically it was. It was kinda straining to hold up my masking with them and it was often the thing I only allowed myself when sleeping.
I imagine the boys eyes widening slightly because I see his tension eased a little, his grip on his arm easing. I mustered a soft voice I was glad no other guard could hear because I knew they'd give me shit for it.
"It's ok, I know you shouldn't trust wolves and it's good to be cautious but the blood has nothing wrong with it and you'll need it if you wanna stay sane down here."
I saw him flinch at my soft voice too before he cautiously turned his face completely my way and his hand hesitantly left its grip and nervously clasped around the blood bag instead. He brought it back to himself and I dropped my arm. I sigh and stand, containing my tail and ears again and I see him frown when I look back over at him. He seemed more down for some reason but didn't say anything, fidgeting with the blood bag.
"Do you…want me to keep my ears and tail out or something..?"
He flinched again and looked away with what I assume is embarrassment. Having a soft spot for sad children I sigh and release them again, feeling a free feeling wash over me as my instincts feel free again. I glanced over to him again and he was what I took as staring at my wolf features. It made sense since very few living and free vampires saw werewolves, especially younger vampires. It was almost cute, his fascination. I let my guard down and mumbled.
"Maybe if you're good next week I'll let you feel my tail."
I felt him light up, a small smile formed, and he nodded before looking down at the blood bag before sucking through the tube gently. I noticed how his fangs were oddly developed for a child but that's the case for all half-bloods that were turned later in their life and since we didn't have information on him I assumed that's how he became a bloodsucker, so I just ignored that thought.
I was obligated to watch and then take back the bag before walking out so I decided to get comfortable and lean against the wall towards the cell door. He took a while because he was only sucking little by little but I guess the tube was pretty thin. Normally captives would be desperate to feed immediately but since this was his first day in here I guess he wasn't too hungry. Though he definitely will be hungry next week on feeding day, which is Friday.
When he was done I grabbed the blood bag after about 10 minutes of him just suckling, seeming to be thinking about something. When he was done he held out the plastic with his small hand almost hesitantly. When I moved to grab it I could feel him tense slightly and I deemed it was because he doesn't like wolves, or maybe anyone, so close to him after being manhandled by my pack.
In truth every pack that was big enough here had at least one holding place for any trespassing vampires. We all (except for rogues) are fairly good at keeping to our territory without a pass. And of course everyone has their packs way of dealing with trespassers but my pack, the Ativa (at-ee-va) pack is more known for its warning shots. By that I mean we always surround the intruder on the inside but leave a gap to retreat back over the border from where they came. If they try to attack we attack and capture. If they have a pass (scent and name of our leader on them) then we escort them to our leader. With rogues we bring them to our leader to decide what to do with them. Some just like to pass through and don't want trouble but other ones..
I watch him tense up and decide to slow in my approach, kneeling down and taking it gently. He seemed almost nervous…I started to think about all the abnormal things surrounding this childs case. Even though I now held the plastic bag I decided not to stand up again yet. I study his face that hid beneath his hair. I didn't bother to notice how nervous that made him and before I could think a second thought about it I reached forward to lift his hair. Right as I touched the tips of his messy bangs, I heard the rare sound of the door at the end of the hall. The basement doors. That was odd during this time of day and I stand and walk back out, locking the cell door as I peek down the long hall like a few other confused guardians and some of the vampires that also know how abnormal it was.
Down the hall the familiar click of heels sounded and at the sound all of us guards bowed our heads in respect. Down the hall towards my direction our pack leader, along with her usual 2nd in commands trailing at her sides, had entered with their usual professional personas. That was odd. Our leaders had long brown hair and deep blue eyes. She always wore black button ups and pants and heeled boots that always shown bright.
To my surprise she stopped at my post and nodded at me and I quickly remembered to bow my head again. "A-ah….hello Mrs. Frein." (Fr-ai-nn) She looks past me to the little boy huddled In the corner before signaling to him with a flick of her head.
"your captive. I just got word that a group of vampires have crossed into our territory and are supposedly looking for that boy whom they wish to be returned."
I freeze at her words, even more confused.
"This little kid? From his reluctance to feed he's probably just a new turn though? Plus those leeches have never called for another's release, certainly not crossed into our land by desperation."
She nods, eyes locked onto the boy that I glanced at as well to see he was looking back, his face turned to us. She sighs.
"I'm well aware of that. This boy must be important if they're that desperate. Since it took them so long to arrive I believe this boy ran away. He was found alone after all just wandering our forests and didn't fight arrest or speak."
All of us sat in silence for awhile, simply staring at the boy who now had his face nestled in his arms and against his legs. How could such a small quiet child cause such a stir?
Down the hall I hear the metal doors creak then this shut signaling her departure after a hushed order. I was left there with 3 orders. Find out who he is. Don't let him escape. And stay alert at all times. Her tone had sent genuine tingles down my spine…I think she even purposely released a little challenging pheromones in an attempt to further hammer her command in…. scary…