Chapter 3

Fears Realized

Juniper didn’t possess many advantages in life. He did not measure up to the size and strength of his father and brothers. They were impressively built, whereas he was small and slight of frame. However, his size allowed him to excel in one area that the other men of the household couldn’t match. He was quick.

In the moment that followed the words spoken by a deep, powerful voice, a vampire’s voice, Juniper revealed just how quick he could be. He was up and swiftly running to the house on nimble feet that seemed to glide across the ground. The lack of sight did nothing to impede his way, for he knew the layout by heart.

He ran straight to the hidden hatch located in the floor of the closet under the stairs. His blank mind didn’t think that he might have given away his hiding place to a vampire that was surely following him.

Except, he wasn’t followed. Jun made it all the way down the ladder and under the covers of his bed when he realized this. Squeezing the blanket tightly around his body, he began to tremble uncontrollably. The hollowness of his mind filled with thoughts—devastatingly frightful thoughts.

A vampire saw him, one with a deep voice that rumbled lazily like the thunder in the distance, resonating straight to his bones. Juniper was so distracted by that thunder and his own singing that he’d failed to perceive the man coming right up to him. It shook him to be caught completely unaware.

What was going to happen now? Why didn’t the vampire follow him? Will they be killed? Jun’s mind spun with questions he didn’t want the answers to.

Juniper couldn’t tell if he’d been cowering under his covers for hours or merely minutes when he heard noises upstairs. His breath caught in his throat until he recognized the heavenly sound of his mother’s voice.  

“Juniper! Are you in the house somewhere?” She sounded anxious but not terrified. They didn’t yet know what had happened.

The hatch door opened. Both his mother and sister climbed down the ladder into his cellar room.

“Thank goodness you’re down here,” Mother said with relief. Jun stayed within his blanket cocoon as she continued. “They were all supposed to be away, but we saw some cars on the road. Willow and I came to check on you.”

She walked over to sit on the foot of the bed and gently placed her hand on his blanket-covered leg.

“Jun, you’re shaking…” Her worry spiked. “What’s wrong? Why are you still under the covers?”

Full fear began to set in. She reached up and slowly pulled the covers from her son’s face. She froze.

Juniper was trembling, and tears streamed down his face, white with panic. Before he uttered a word, she knew.

He spoke softly, barely above a whisper, but they heard it very clearly. “A vampire saw me.”

It had finally happened. After nineteen years, the secret had been uncovered. A heavy silence filled the dark cellar room. For the first time, Mother didn’t know what to say or do. She sat there, stunned. This was the culmination of her worst fear now realized.

“Mother, go get Father.” Willow’s clear voice snapped her out of her stupor.

“Right.” She got up and made her way to the ladder. Her mind slowly lifted out of its fog with focus and purpose. “You stay here with your brother. I’ll be back quickly.”

Willow quietly walked to Jun’s bed. She climbed in and settled against her brother, wrapping her arms around his quaking form.

“I’m here, Juni,” she spoke softly.

She knew he was a hugger. This was the best she could offer to help him calm down. Jun had always craved touch. He naturally leaned into her warmth, but he still couldn’t settle. Willow’s sudden maturity was commendable in this dire situation. She was being so brave for them, but it wasn’t enough for him. Because of him, his sweet little sister was going to be killed.

Jun sobbed. “It’s my fault. It’s my fault. It’s my fault…” 

The frantic words poured out of his mouth over and over again. Holding her hysterical brother was all Willow could do.

By the time they heard the rest of the family arrive home above them, Jun’s sobs had reduced to incessant sorrys on repeat.

The old ladder creaked and groaned under the weight of each remaining family member making their way down the rungs. They were all there, resolved to face this moment together.

Mother gently pulled Juniper upright on the bed and enveloped him in her arms. Willow leaned into him on his other side. The men came closer, and the family focused on radiating as much love and care as they could toward their beloved Juniper.

The tension gradually left Jun’s body as he relaxed into his mother’s hold. Finally, he could breathe for a moment. When they confirmed that Jun had calmed, at least a little, Father began to speak and take charge of the situation.

“Cypress and Ash, go upstairs and keep watch.”

Like dutiful soldiers, the brothers made their way back up the stairs after giving Jun reassuring squeezes on his shoulder. Willow got up from the bed, and Father replaced her position next to his son. As the steadfast rock of this little family, Jun needed his strength.

“Please explain what happened, if you can, Jun,” Father asked in a firm but encouraging tone.

Juniper took a deep breath, relying on his father’s stability, and began to explain what had happened.

“I was outside, by my t-tree. I could f-feel the thunder. I wanted to… to sing.” He wavered but pressed on.

“I couldn’t feel or hear him coming. He was just… r-right above me.” A shiver ran up his spine at the memory. “He spoke to me… said my song was lovely.”

Father tensed at his son’s words.

“Then I… I just ran here as fast as I could. He didn’t follow me. Why didn’t he follow me?”

Juniper’s voice faded away. He’d spent what little strength he had on revisiting the most terrifying moment of his life.

Father got up from the bed, Willow quickly reclaimed the spot, and he began to pace the small, dark room. It wasn’t a nervous action but one that allowed the man to think and organize his thoughts.

He didn’t blame Juniper for what had happened, and he spoke up quickly to reassure his sensitive son.

“It’s not your fault, Jun. Vampires are supernatural. If they choose, they can be undetectable. Your singing is not to blame. We didn’t think the vampires were supposed to be here today.” 

Jun nodded, though his father was sure he wasn’t taking the words to heart. The boy tended to take on the burden of guilt for the family’s precarious life, no matter how often they told him it wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t help being born the way he was.

No one ever blamed him, but that didn’t stop him from feeling like a burden. In reality, they all treasured Juniper’s presence. He made their hardworking lives more bearable by simply being himself.

Father resumed his pacing, deep in thought.

“We knew that our secret might be discovered one day, but we expected to be taken into custody immediately. This vampire let Jun go and didn’t follow him. I’m sure he noticed that Jun wasn’t wearing a collar…”  

Father’s gaze traveled to his son—his beautiful and delicate son, with breathtaking eyes. It unsettled him to think about how a lecherous vampire would see the youth…

He wouldn’t say it out loud, as it wasn’t a comforting solution, but there was a chance Jun could be saved. It was painful to think about what it would mean for his son’s future, but Father was a pragmatist—it was either that or death.

Thank goodness Juniper had reached at least eighteen years of age, so his blood could be tested. Father knew the hedonistic vampires would find him enticing. Jun hadn’t been wearing his cloth sash; the vampire would have seen his face in its entirety. He may not have even realized the boy was blind.

If they tested his blood, and it resulted in at least average quality, Jun might have a chance at survival.

What would be a preferable fate for the hapless boy—to be a vampire’s plaything or death? Father couldn’t help but be bitter at what had befallen his sweet and gentle son.

“We know that we can’t run. Jun can’t leave on his own, and our trackers wouldn’t allow us to get far if we attempted it. For now, Jun will stay here in the cellar. The vampire will return. He won’t forget what he has seen. After nineteen years, we must now face the consequences. Perhaps they will be lenient. Maybe they will see that Jun can be useful…”

It hurt the man’s heart at the implications of his words. He was sure the innocent Jun and Willow hadn’t caught on, but the pained look in their mother’s eyes gave away her understanding.

Juniper was oddly at peace now. He should still be terrified. After all, they would just sit and wait for the vampire to come. What a strange relief that, after nearly two decades of abiding worry, they could let it all go: the anxiety, fear, guilt, and painstaking effort. Their fate was now in someone else’s hands, a vampire’s hands.