Page 32

A soft scraping noise came from one of the trunks.

“What is that?” I whispered.

“I think there are rats in those chests. I hear that noise every once in awhile. ” May clung to me, her frail body shivering.

I stared at the trunks, my fear resurfacing, then growing steadily. Determinedly, I stood. I moved to the closest one.

“There are three trunks,” I murmured.

“Please, Glynis, the rat might bite you! It’s so dark in here I cannot even see you!”

I looked sharply at May. I could see her clearly. The room was dark, but not so that I could not see everything around me. Then I realized that no light radiated from a candle or lamp. Barely a sliver of light seeped under the door.

“Please, Glynis. Come back. Don’t stir up the rat. It may come after us. ”

“Please, May, be quiet,” I said a little too sharply. My hands were shaking. “You might wake them. ”

“Who, Glynis? The rats?”

I grabbed hold of the edge of the lid of the trunk I was standing next to and took a deep breath. With all my strength, I slowly lifted it upwards. A cool breeze brushed against my face, and a faint, very sweet fragrance drifted up to me. Peering into the darkness within, I saw what secrets the trunks held.

“Is it a rat?”

I could see quite clearly that it was not. Instead, I was gazing upon the blond vampire. Her sapphire eyes were closed in slumber, her face smooth and serene. The dark red lips were slightly parted, the sharp teeth barely showing. Long slender hands were folded over her breasts, a ruby ring, identical to the one I had thrown away, sparkled in the darkness. The thick, rich golden curls filled the coffin, flowing over the voluptuous body and swirling around waist. I let go of the lid, and it slammed shut.

“Glynis? Glynis, what is it?”

Turning sharply, my body screaming in pain, I said, “We must be free of this place now. ”

“Glynis, what is in the trunk?” May's voice rose in pitch.

Stumbling across the floor, I looked about me desperate for anything I could use to pry open the door.

“Glynis, please answer me! I am so afraid,” May insisted, her voice trembling. “Please. ”

“Get close to the door, May,” I ordered.

“You are scaring me!”

“May, please, get close to the door!”

I struggled to move, my body protesting, but I was determined. I found some rubbish in the corner and sorted through the rags. Slowly, I realized it was not rags, but clothing. Rotting clothing that reeked of dried blood. I tossed them away from me and hurried back to the door. Grabbing hold of the handle, I attempted to shake it open. I felt May's arms go about my waist as she clung to me.

“Glynis, I am so frightened. Why will you not tell me what is in the chests?”

I released the door, turning toward her. Her hair was mussed and it fell across her tear streaked face. I smoothed her hair back and kissed her brow gently. “I dare not. Just know that we must be free of this place. Help me with the door. ”

Her hands joined mine and we strained, trying to somehow jar the door free of its hinges. It did not move.

“Stay here,” I whispered to May, moving on trembling legs to search the room.

It was quite small and empty save for the three chests. I returned to the chest where the fair haired vampire lay and rested my hand on the cover. I wondered if I could manage to wrench off the lid and use it somehow.

“Glynis, I cannot see you. Please come back to the door,” May called out softly.

I turned to see her clutching the door latch, straining to open it.

“I will in a moment. I think I have a plan,” I answered her.