03 March 2018

[STORIES] Chiaroscuro: Chapter 1 (LORCAN)

“You’re joining the Consortio? You? A Santana?!” The disbelief and the rage in the Capa’s voice were almost palpable. 


Afraid that I was, I held my grandmother’s stare and my ground. She and the rest of the family would never understand. The psychiatrists were never the answer nor the expensive vacation to Granite Falls and Selvadorada. But joining a noble cause would give me some sort of relief…relief at the thought that I’m doing something for Lucia and Roy.  Even remembering their names gives me an agonizing jolt. 

“Yes, Grandmother. And since I will be undergoing a Consortio training, I will also be leaving Uni as soon as possible,” I explained in a whisper.  I didn’t plan on telling her about Uni today but dragging the issue until next week would only aggravate the problem.  I have tried negotiating with the Consortio agents about my training schedule so I could still get my degree but the only reply that I got was: ‘The end of the world is coming and the demons will kill any thing in their path, degree holders or not.’


If Grandmother’s looks could only kill, I would’ve been dead a few seconds ago. 

“Joining the Consortio and leaving University? Have you gone mad, child? Your Papa is counting on you. Your Mama is counting on you. We are all counting on you. And what about the business and the Cosa Nostra?” 

I winced when Grandma banged her fists on the opulent table. Had I been a mere crew, I would have fled from the room as fast as possible.  But I am a Santana and all my life, I have been trained as the Capo’s heir as my mother before me, her father before her… 


I wanted to kneel and ask for her forgiveness but Capos don’t apologize so I shrugged. “I have my own life, Grandma. Besides, Lobella is more than capable—“

“Capable?!” Grandma snapped, her eyes bulging. “I love your sister as much as I love you but she is weak. The Cosa Nostra will consume her and leave nothing… not even her bones for us to bury,” she said in a matter-of-factly voice. 


“Because you never gave her a chance… you coddled her like a princess,” I almost retorted but stopped myself. My conflict with my sister is mine to settle alone. “Training registration will start tomorrow so I’ll be heading for Brindleton Bay tonight,”  I told her instead.

Her eyes widened. “You…You…How dare you…? Get out! Get out! Shame on you…Our ancestors would’ve never…After all the things that we have… Get out!”


So I left even with my knees shaking, my breathing ragged.I want to go back and apologize…


I want to call Mama for guidance…or ask Papa for consideration but they would not understand. They would not understand that I no longer sleep at night for fear of seeing Lucia and Roy in my dreams… 


That I’m driving the prices of garlic in the market to sky high since I have refused to eat anything else other than the spice… 


That I have spent every waking moment studying Vampire Lore… 


That I’ve gone crazy experimenting about the best methods of trapping sunlight so one day, I’ll be able to put a hole on those stone cold, unbeating hearts.  


So I went straight for my room and started packing.

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