Black Pearl

Note to self, never be alone. It was like everytime he was alone, something strange happened. The first time was when he met Alima. He was alone. When Freddy was seduced and drowned by Cassandra, he was alone. And not to mention the current event, his vampiric Uncle Matthew flies him away to Paris to have a talk right on the top of the Eiffel Tower. He was also ALONE.

Matthew sighed blissfully as he leaned against the gates of that barricaded the top level of the tower. “What a perfect place for a discussion.” And he was right. The high view from the top of the tower was absolutely breathtaking. It was day-time in Paris. Light shined upon the city and its ant-sized people. The trees below danced with the wind. The gentle breeze hit Freddy’s face. It would’ve been perfect if Freddy was truly alone.

“Yeah…” He had no idea what to even say. He was here, alone with his vampiric uncle, who also happened to be Alima’s ex/ dead boyfriend. Not to mention that the guy looked a lot like Freddy himself. They were like twins except their fashion styles were far different. Freddy the classic teenage uniform: blue jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes. Matthew looked like he’d just time traveled from the 1960’s. He wore: black slacks, a brown leather belt, a white dress shirt with a long collar, the classic salmon tie, a grey newsboy hat, and freshly polished black shoes. It was like staring back at himself in the mirror.

“Awww, you’re making your poor uncle feel bad. C’mon. There must be some way to make normal conversation.” Matthew turned his head back at him.

Freddy scoffed. “Normal? Nothing about this is NORMAL! You’re an undead vampire! You’ve killed eleven agents and not to mention you’d just whisked me away without even asking me and only left me enough time to scratch down a crappy note.” Freddy wanted to face-palm himself. He didn’t even write down where he was at. Now how could the girls find him?

“Calm down.” Matthew said simply and opened his arms wide as if gesturing to the entire city. “We’re in Paris. We could grab a croissant if that’ll ease your nerves.”

“I don’t want a croissant.” Freddy mumbled. “I want to go back.”

“Am I really that unpleasant to be around?” Matthew asked. “Or are you just afraid of me? Freddy...I’m not going to hurt you.”

Freddy shook his head without saying a word. He wasn’t willing to trust anyone after his incident with Cassandra. After this mission was over, he hoped he would never have to face a supernatural being ever again.

“Fine.” Matthew said, his voice wavering with hurt. “I’ll...I’ll just stand as far away from you. I really do just want to talk, Freddy. I really do.” Matthew’s body subtly lifted off the ground about two to three inches and he flew to the opposite side of the tower.

Freddy grunted. He felt guilty; he hated that. He felt a pang of guilt but he wasn’t ready to trust Matthew yet. From what Alima and his grandmom had said, Matthew was a great guy. Still, this was the guy who killed eleven agents in cold blood and impaled them with wooden stakes.

“Talk about what?” Freddy said. “What do you want to talk about? What is soooo important that you had to personally drag me to Paris for?”

“I want to know you a little bit.” Matthew said and awkwardly smiled. “You’re my nephew.”

“And of all the days or years you could’ve chosen for this talk, you’ve chosen today?”

“Yes.”

Freddy sighed and a said everything in one go. “My name is Freddy Smith. I’m nineteen, a fisherman, also your nephew. I weigh 155 pounds, I’m 5’9, and I’m a Sagittarius. And you, sir?”

Matthew laughed and went along. “I’m Matthew Smith, a vampire, over 250 years old, and I love lemon bars.”

“Good.” Freddy nodded and looked around uncomfortably. Matthew did the same. After a while of looking observing the wonderful scenery, Freddy said, “Look, let’s just cut to the chase. What do you really want?”

“Please look after Alima for me?” Freddy heard this and laughed.

“I’m pretty sure a tough siren like her could look out after herself.”

“Please, Freddy.” Matthew’s voice dropped lower and his face became more serious. “Alima...she’s really needs a friend. I know you don’t understand since you’re so much younger than she and I but…” Matthew lost his place and stared off into vacant space. “The older you get, the more vulnerable you are. She’s lonely and lost__”

“She sure isn’t showing it.” Freddy interrupted. “Alima doesn’t need me. She has her mermaid buddies.”

“However can I get you to understand?” Matthew looked down from the towers to the cities.

“I do understand!” Freddy shouted. He didn’t mean to but all of a sudden, he felt angry. “But I don’t want to be a siren babysitter.”

“Freddy…” Matthew said. He seemed greatly concerned. “Are you alright?”

Freddy didn’t notice that he was shaking and sweating. “It’s not okay!” His voice broke. “I almost died today by some stupid mermaid!”

“That sucks. Sorry.” Matthew said and flew close to him so he could pat him on the back. “I hated dying too.” Matthew flew over to a table and pulled out a chair for Freddy to sit. Freddy sat and Matthew sat across him.

“Just forget what I asked you.” Matthew said. “It wasn’t fair of me to ask you that. You need to take care of yourself first.”

“Oh, thanks.” Freddy said. He was feeling better now. It’s just that drowning reminded him how vulnerable life was and how easily it could be taken away. “And about Alima…” Alima was his friend. Somewhere along this journey they created a bond. But she was still a mystery and Freddy hated that. “I’ll...I’ll protect her in anyway I can.”

“You mean that?” Matthew asked.

“Yeah.” Freddy said. “She’s alright. “

“She’s alright?” Matthew said and raised a brow. “Alima’s amazing. I wish I could talk to her in person.” Matthew’s cheerful expression became gloomy.

“Why don’t you?’ Freddy said.

“It won’t work out.” Matthew said. “I’m a vampire. I’m immortal unless someone kills me. Eventually, Alima will die.”

“Actually…” Freddy raised a finger. “She’s immortal too.”

Matthew’s eyes widened with excitement. “What?”

“She’s a queen siren. Alima never told you that? Apparently, the royals live forever.”

Matthew jumped with joy. He flew in the air and did a little somersault. Freddy couldn’t help but feel happy for him. He did a couple more twirls in the air until Freddy heard swift WHOOSH. Matthew shouted in pain. His body went limp and collapsed onto the table. The table cracked and Matthew’s body rolled onto the floor.

“Matthew!” Freddy rushed to his side. A wooden stake protruded from the right side of his chest. Matthew groaned.

“Freddy,” Matthew whispered. “Tell Alima I love her.”

Freddy shook his head wildly and said, “No, no, no! Don’t die. You’re not going to die! Matthew!” Freddy’s tears dripped onto Matthew’s cheek. But despite Freddy’s protests, Matthew’s skin began to grey. Webs of cracks grew on his face. And when his last breath escaped his lungs, his entire body crumbled into ash. There was nothing left of him.

A voice came from behind Freddy. “Are you a vampire too?” A girl stepped out from the shadows. Her blonde hair was streaked with rainbow colors, glossy lips accompanied her brown eyes, tan skin of the California sun. She seemed like a regular teenager until Freddy’s eyes dropped down to the blue crossbow in her hand. A quiver of wooden stakes was strapped to her back. And her clothes were sleek and form fitting. Freddy couldn’t believe that this was his uncle’s killer.

“Y-You killed him.” Freddy said, his tears could not stop. His eyes burned. “He was my uncle!”

“He was a vampire.” The girl corrected. She walked towards him. Her black heels echoed as they impacted the floor with each step. As she came towards him, her hand slipped into her pocket and grabbed a clear bottle. Freddy guessed it was holy water. “Are you a vampire?” The girl asked again, this time firmer.

“No.” Freddy said and slowly stood up. Matthew’s ashes were gradually swept up by the wind. Freddy could feel the ashes flying past him. “I’m human.”

“Good.” The girl said. She looked around as if she was checking for any more vampires that might be lurking about. “So, I’m guessing you’re Freddy?”

Freddy screamed at her in outrage. “How could you just kill my uncle and speak to me as if nothing happened?”

“I’m a spy.” The girl said with a stone cold face. “I also hunt monsters on the side.”

“Monster?” Freddy’s voice broke. “How was he a monster? Matthew’s a good man!”

“He killed eleven agents in cold blood.”

“Because he was trying to protect the girl he loved!” Freddy argued back.

“You see me as the villain. I’m not.” The girl shook her head. “I only hunt supernatural creatures when they get out of line like your uncle here. I’m a mermaid. I understand.”

“You could have at least talked to him?” Freddy was hysterical. Never before had he had someone die in front of his eyes.

“No. Once they feed, they can’t stop. They really are monsters.”

“Fine,” Freddy snarled at her. “Believe what you want. But today, you have killed a good man.”

“He was dead from the start,” the girl added in.

“Live in ignorance.”

“I am protecting mankind!” The girl shouted.

“Just leave.” Freddy said. His rage and anger was bubbling by the minute. “You’ve already finished your deed. Go!”

“My name is Katie Holmes of California and citizen of the Pacific ocean. I’m also the sixth mermaid sent by the Queen of the Atlantic and your last ally.” The girl held out her hand for Freddy to shake it but he backed away.

“I don’t want to go anywhere with you.”

Katie crossed her arms and shrugged. “You’ll have to get back to your friends somehow.”

“No!” Freddy said. “I don’t want to have anything to do with you. And when the Alima and the others find out that you killed Matthew, they’ll never let you join their team. And maybe,” Freddy’s voice dropped lower and he spoke more gravely. “they’ll take out the rage on you.”

Kate swiftly pulled a knife from under her shirt and held it close under Freddy’s neck. “Move and you die.”

“You wouldn’t.” Freddy said. Today was the first time he’d felt the bravest. It was all or nothing.

“I would.” Katie said and thrusted the knife harder under his neck. He gagged. His skin felt a sharp pain. Blood trickled onto his hands. But at this point, Freddy didn’t care. Freddy was tired. He was tired of the drama, the danger, he just wanted to go home. A frightening thought crossed his mind, maybe dying wouldn’t be so bad. After all, he almost died once. But right after he thought about it, he shuddered. He had to live. He had to live for Ally.

And with that in mind, he used his leg to kick Katie in the crotch. Of course she wasn’t a guy but it must’ve hurt a bit. Then, he spun around and punched her in the face. Katie fought back. She squated down for a low kick but Freddy jumped, he grabbed her by the waist and hooked his arms under hers to lift her above the metal gates of the Eiffel Tower. Half of Katie’s body hung over the edge.

“If I let go, you’ll fall to your death.” Freddy said and stared into her frightened wide eyes.

Katie gulped and dared to say, “D-D-Do it. Let go.”

But contrary to what she believed, Freddy pulled her back to tower’s floor. “But I’m not like you. I’m not ruthless. I will never kill an innocent person. And that includes you.”

Freddy enjoyed the stunned look on Katie’s face. He cleared his throat and said, “So, how are we going to get back to our allies?”

“I...I don’t get it.” Katie said. “You’re not mad anymore?”

Freddy laughed so loudly it was ridiculous. “Uh, I’m still mad. But I need to get back to my friends A.S.A.P.” Freddy didn’t mention that he was secretly hoping for the revenge Alima was going to carry out on her after she finds out that Katie killed her lover, right before they both could have their happily ever after.

“I have just the thing.” Katie pulled out her cell-phone from her pocket and texted. Her thumbs raced up and down the keyboard and before he knew it, a loud choppy noise was coming towards them. A little black dot in the sky grew bigger and bigger.

“You have a helicopter?” Freddy said in awe. Lucky spy kid, he thought.

“It’s my dad’s. I’m following in his footsteps.” Katie said. They watched the helicopter come closer. They had to crane their necks to see it. The helicopter let down a long ladder and they climbed aboard. Katie was a natural climber. She reached the helicopter before Freddy and hopped on in. Freddy, unlike her, was slow, and terrified. It felt like gravity was pulling Freddy down. With his shaky legs and clammy hands, it took him a full ten minutes get to the helicopter. When he went in, he took a seat and strapped himself in.

“You suck.” Katie said with a smirk.

“Shut up.” Freddy said and shut the helicopter door. And they took off.