The Cure

Chapter 45 -- Otto

Recap:  Eighteen year-old Hector and his vampire guidance counselor Finkelstein have been captured in the horse barn of Rose's boarding school by Dr. Bart Baneful and members of his Satanic Legion. The Legion and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are after the thumb drive holding backup data that could lead to a cure for vampirism. Dr. Baneful has made a secret deal with Major Winkish of DHS that would allow him to give up Rose, her scientist father and the data so that Baneful and his henchman Arthur Bulch could leave the campus untouched. The problem for Baneful is that he doesn't yet have the thumb drive or Rose's father. He believes Rose has the thumb drive and smells her hiding in a stall of the barn. Rose's riding teacher, Miss Pelliger, is also in the barn, but she's been terrorized by the vampires, especially the oversized Otto. 

Chapter 45 - Otto

Make a run for it? Hector glanced at the double doors at either end of the barn. Taking a bullet in the head is better than being beaten and bled day after day.

"Are you thinking of leaving us?" Dr. Baneful's voice cut through the whinnies and stomping made by spooked horses. "Otto, please encourage my bloodboy to stay."

Slinging his AR-15 over his shoulder, the bearded vampire moved behind Hector and clamped a hand on his neck.

"Cabrón!" Hector pivoted and swung at Otto's face, but the vampire caught his arm and twisted it.

"Ouch!" Hector grimaced and stopped struggling.

"Before anyone else acts in haste," said Finkelstein, "I think you ought to take stock of your situation. I didn't come in here without backup."

"Is that right?" Baneful's tone was sarcastic. "So where are the others? I left two Legionnaires outside. They'll call out."

"Never again," said Finkelstein, standing in the cross aisle. His tone was calm, his hands remained at his sides, but there was no mistaking his defiance.

"You're bluffing," said Baneful. "You're good at that in cards, but it won't work here."

"Here I don't bluff. Go out and take a look."

"If Bunny or your friend LittleHawk's there, that would be risky," said Baneful. "But I still think you're bluffing. Otto, use the boy as a shield and take a look out the door."

Otto wrapped an arm around Hector's neck and forced him toward the small door. Arthur Bulch opened it and stepped aside.

"Choking me," croaked Hector. "Ease up."

Otto pushed him forward. The outside barn lights were on but Hector was unable to look around.

From behind Hector's head, Otto peeked out. "Seth?" he called.

"Don't just stand there," said Baneful. "Go look!"

Otto forced Hector two steps forward. "There's a body out here," the vampire called back.

The Legionnaires inside the barn cocked their weapons.

"Didn't I tell you?" said Finkelstein in a loud voice.

Something whizzed by Hector's ear and thunked into Otto. The vampire yelped and grabbed for the arrow protruding from his eye. "I'm hit!" he shrieked. Hector clawed at the arm that remained around his neck. Otto didn't let go of him as they fell back into the barn.

"LittleHawk!" Bulch slammed the door, reached down and yanked Hector up from Otto's grasp. "Shut up!" he told his blubbering comrade.

"The stupid fool's using arrows," said a vampire who looked to be in his teens.