Mark's lament By Phoenix Rafael prafael@myprivacy.ca November, 2008 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Canada License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-sa/2.5/ca/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA. Disclaimer: If it is illegal to read this where you are, then don't read it. This story is completely fictional. Any similarities to any persons or events, past or present are purely coincidental. Stories get posted to my Yahoo! Group a week before I submit them to Nifty. Visit my website at www.phoenix-writing.com Chapter Four Mark and Christian played footsie while Mark ate dinner with his parents. They already suspected Christian was interested in Mark, and it was confirmed when the two of them told Alex and Eva. “So Christian, you certainly seem to be... wealthy. What is it you do for a living?” Mark's mom, Eva asked. Christian smiled to her. “I'm a vampire, Mrs. Yonge. That said, I come from old money, so it's all in a safe place.” “Call me Mom, it's okay with me.” Eva smiled at her son and Christian. Mark thought it was creepy that his Mom was being this nice to the two of them. When dinner was over, hand in hand Christian and Mark went for a walk along the Rideau Canal, the longest skating rink in the world. In the winter, anyway. Mark couldn't wait until skating season started again. “Did you ever find more information on the monster that has been after me?” Mark asked Christian. Christian paused for a moment. He was hoping Mark would never ask, and the issue would go away. Now it seems, Mark wanted to know. “Yes” was the one word answer offered to his boyfriend. “And?” Mark asked, a little annoyed that he had to drag it out of him. 1
“It's a demon possessing a human.” Christian answered hesitantly. “Who is it possessing?” Mark asked for clarification. “That bully at your school, Tommy.” Christian replied. Mark's face looked like all the blood had left it, as he stood on shock. Christian put his arm around Mark's waist. “Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll protect you.”
****** At school the next day, Mark avoided Tommy and his crew like the plague. Christian had said they could try to get rid of the demon from Tommy, but it may not succeed. Mark ate his lunch quietly. Lisa, Stan and Drew were all there as usual. They all thought it was 'cool' and 'hip' for Mark to be dating a vampire. Mark didn't see it that way. He saw it as a bit of a burden. He could only see Christian at night, and since he still had to go to school, that means the time they share is limited. “So how are things going with you and your boyfriend, Mark?” Stan asked with honesty and compassion. “They're going ok. Every time I see him, he reminds me of his love for me, and seals it with a kiss.” Mark said a little dreamily. Drew hmmed a little. “Do you think you'll ever let him turn you?” Mark shook his head. “No, I don't want that. While I like him and want to be with him, I don't want to spend my days asleep. I think I'd miss the sunrises I have yet to see. He makes a lot of sacrifices to be immortal.” His friends all just nodded on the quiet side. The conversation actually went quiet for a few minutes as everyone ate their food slowly. “So what are you guys doing this weekend?” Mark finally asked. Lisa perked up at the question. “Oh! Stan and I are going to see Zack And Miri Make A Porno. You guys wanna come?” Mark just groaned at the title of the film, and Drew rolled his eyes a little. “Lisa, if it were a gay porno, I'd totally be there. But since it isn't, I'll probably be out clubbing somewhere in the by- ward market” Drew said. “Yeah... you know Lisa, I'm usually in the mood for a good movie, but... it doesn't sound that good. Besides, I have my own walking movie.” Mark winked. The others just groaned at the comment. 2
****** “So how exactly do you plan to exorcise this demon again?” Mark asked of Christian. They were driving towards the Christ Church Cathedral. “We're going to lure Tommy to the church, and then have the Priest perform an exorcism.” Christian explained. “But first I'm dropping you off at home. I don't want you in harm's way, sweetheart.” Mark just groaned a little and rolled his eyes. “Besides, you have homework. I'll call you when everything is over.” Christian tried to assure Mark. “Fine. But you better call me no matter the time! I'll leave my cell phone on.” Mark said. Christian stopped in Mark's driveway, and leaned over to kiss Mark. Mark returned the kiss with as much passion as that first night. Christian finally broke the kiss. “I promise. I love you.” Mark got out of the car, “I love you too.” He closed the door, and headed into the house, starting on his algebra homework. A few hours later, around 1 am, Mark saw his cell phone ring. “Hello?” “Mark, it's Christian. We got the demon out of Tommy.” Christian said over the phone. “That's good news, right?” Mark replied excitedly. “It is and it is not. We think there is a higher demon who was controlling Tommy. The Priest and I are going to see what we can come up with. It may be quite a few hours. So go to bed if you need to, I can call you tomorrow night.” Christian said. Mark let out a little sigh. “If you must. I will expect your call then.” Christian smiled, “You will, sweetheart. I'll talk to you later, bye.” “Bye” Mark said, ending the call.
****** Mark went to school as usual the next day. He hadn't heard back from Christian, but probably figured he was sound asleep. He made a note to call him tonight. While walking the halls, he saw that Tommy was noticeably absent. 3
He made his way to lunch, sitting with his friends in the cafeteria. “Have any of you noticed something strange about Scott?” Drew asked of his friends. The rest just shook their heads and ate their food. “He's been... nice all morning.” Drew said. “He's in one of my morning classes. He even put his hand up to answer a question!” Lisa, Stan and Mark all had expressions of shock on their faces. “Shut up! He was cooperative? Who knew Tommy's absence could make such a difference.” Mark said, forgetting where he was. Lisa looked to Mark. “What happened to Tommy, anyway?” Mark leaned in and quietly whispered, “Christian said he was possessed by a demon, and he was the one attacking me. Last night they went to exorcise it. I haven't heard from Christian or Tommy since then.” The others just ahhed. Mark noticed Scott walk by their table, and tried to flag him down. “Hey! Scott. Wanna join us?” Scott looked over at heir table. Drew just wanted to crawl under the table and die. “Sure man.” He walked over, sitting next to Drew. “Dude, I have to ask. Why the change in attitude? Usually you're a hard ass, and like to pick on me.” Mark exclaimed. “Tommy.... bullies a lot of people, Mark. People think he's cool, but he just threatens people until they do as he wants. I was that way. I'm... I'm sorry for hurting you. I... I know it was wrong.” Scott had to take a deep breath, tears starting to form. Mark just offered Scott a smile. “As long as you are truly sorry, then I forgive you Scott.” He then turned his attention on Drew. “Hey, Drew aren't you going to see The Haunting Of Molly Hartley tonight?” “Uhhh... yeah” Drew said nervously. Mark smiled still. “Scott, I can't go with Drew. I have an essay due tomorrow morning. Would you mind going with Drew in my absence?” Lisa and Stan just hid their shock at this sudden turn of events. “You're not trying to set me up, are you Mark?” Scott offered him a smile. Mark grinned. “Am I that transparent? Yes, I'm trying to set you up.” Scott thought for a few minutes while Drew just fidgeted. “I suppose I could see that particular movie. I happen to enjoy a good horror movie, and my friends don't want to see it. Well, the 4
friends I trust.” Drew, he just wanted to die. Right where he was. Lisa and Stan were visibly looking shocked now. The fact that Mark had the guts to do that, and the fact that Scott said yes. Lisa looked over at Mark with a mock expression of worry. “Mark, are you feeling ok? You're never that confident.” “I've been learning taekwondo from our favourite... night owl. It helped to build my confidence too.” Mark said proudly. Lisa just sort of looked Mark up and down, saying. “Either that or you've completely lost your mind.” Mark knocked on his head. “No, still there.” After school Mark found himself walking home again. It wasn't too late, but it was dark out. He grumbled a bit, Christian still hadn't called him. So he took out his cell phone, and dialed Christian's number. The phone rang, but no answer came. Mark started to worry. He quickly ran to the bus stop, getting on the bus to head to the church, hoping they might have some information.
****** “You know, vampire. I just have to leave you secured outside to achieve my ends!” The demon bellowed. “Then you will fry like the sun, and not interfere with my plans.” Christian just watched the Master demon with fear in his eyes. Usually he was the hunter, and humans his prey, but last night when he had gone to the priest, he got more than he bargained for. “How can you call yourself a priest, and be a demon?” The demon smiled. “It's the perfect cover. Well, I hope you enjoy sunlight.” The demon set off to do what he wanted to every day. Try to take over the world. 5