John Anderson

By A.D Murphye

What if vampires were the solution to saving humanity? I was quiet drinking a coffee in Brooklyn when I found myself buried under tons of rubble. How? A patient launched an attack that decimated three quarters of humans on the planet. Survivors? Yes, very few humans, a majority of zoanthropes and a few vampires of which I belong. We survive in a world destroyed and become dangerous... Finally, eternity is far away from being easy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aurore Denier
• Release date: Jul 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667460222

Book preview

Chapter 1

I finally get out of my grave, I must have been digging for hours since the explosion and the impact of the blast which buried me under tons of rubble.

I take a deep breath even though I don't have to and I look around me. The vision around me is apocalyptic. Only gutted buildings, smashed windows, cars overturned and lined up along facades of buildings may be seen in the avenue, and an unusual dead silence  reigns in this good old New York city. The light is ghostly, a haze of dust and debris blurs the sun’s rays. I was at the Starbuck near my apartment in Brooklyn, there was nothing left of the cafe, nor the surrounding building. I scream asking if anyone was there, but a dead silence responds. I don't see anyone around me. So I decide to go to Manhattan to see if there are any survivors.

I didn't introduce myself: John Anderson, born on February 20th, 1839 in Charleston, North Carolina. Today, June 16th 2076, I find myself in the ruins of New York blown away by a blast. I may be eternal, I keep wondering about the mind of self-destruction of human species. Indeed, I am 25 since 237 years, for it is simple, I am a vampire!

Illuminating with its rays a destruction scenery, the sun starts penetrating through the fog of the damages and disjointed buildings. The smell of the blood widespread becomes unpleasant, it is tarnished by excessive dust.

But you are surely telling yourself, that I am an oblivious vampire who strolls under sun’s rays and will end up in a barbecue!

I want to remove the ridiculous ideas relayed by television series from your head: Yes, I can stroll both day and night, the sun doesn’t have any effect, and my skin doesn't shine like rhinestones. Yes, I can eat like humans on a very rare meat-rich diet, but this is still insufficient. The blood stays the best of vitamins. No, I don’t turn into a bat. And for the rest, I am immortal, very rapid, and very strong, with an apparent devastating charm.

I advance slowly, and I am very attentive to the lesser sign of life, because to be sincere, an immortal life is sometimes very annoying, but staying alone on earth is unthinkable.

I arrive at the Brooklyn Bridge, which is no longer there. Besides, I look at to the north and I am not more seeing any bridge upright.

A ferry is always to dock, it is my chance, and I will use it to cross the East River. On the boat, it's a bunch of bodies that I discover, they’re intact, but the power of the explosion imploded their organs, as evidenced by the blood flowing from their orifices.

I make my way to the cockpit. I start and go right to the harbor near Wall Street.

Chapter 2

Disembarking to Wall Street, I notice the scenery is the same: collapsed and gutted buildings, dislocated bodies everywhere. I am still attentive, but I don't hear any song, I don’t smell anything alive, and I don’t feel any vibration.

I see an accessible metro entrance, I try my luck. My vampire nature enables me to see both day and night, it is very practical, because the light is no longer there obviously, so I think no more electricity as well. My path stops quickly as the subway tunnels are obstructed on each side by the collapse of the ceilings. Indeed as I thought, there is no living soul in the station.

What is the cause of such a hecatomb? Some people should have survive at least!

I lean towards the body of a woman, stretched out like a puppet on the dock. She doesn’t have visible injuries, instead victims on surface, neither her nostrils nor her ears are bleeding.

I kneel down and sniffles her skin. Nothing particular. A mixture of dust and perfume, I recognize the fragrances of Dior. I reach out to close her eyelids, and suddenly step back when I see her body turning into dust. It is horrible! I understand why there is no survivor, a chemical agent was in the bomb that swept New York.

I should get out of this nightmare, hoping the whole country is not affected, I decide to head west of the city. In front of me, at the subway exit, I notice a motorbike near a fountain; I gently push with my foot his passenger who goes in dust, and I turn the key in the ignition. Alleluia! It starts, I am relieved. I rush through the cars and debris which litter the road to the Bronx from where I will then go to Connecticut. I go along Central Park when I suddenly hear a cry for help; I abruptly stop. I change my direction and rush through the park going through the groves of flowers  when I’m brusquely thrown from the motorbike by a big   feline.

Shit! That must be one of these zoo animals which fortunately for them, didn’t have the same fate as the residents. I get up and look for the animal around me. It comes down, in front of me, the slope of a grove of roses, straight on its back paws and the chops rolled up. I’m dreaming! Doesn’t a panther walk on its four paws?

I prepare to defend myself, because it seems ready to jump. I don't really want to be gutted by this beast, I don't risk to die, but regeneration is always painful. So, I decide to run away, I run much faster than a cheetah, it won't be able to catch me. I position, ready to run away when I see it falling, twisting of pain, growling and screaming simultaneously.

I come nearer and notice that the animal is shrinking, and that its hairs are disappearing. A few minutes later, it's no longer an unconscious snow leopard in front of me but a small girl of about eight years.

Chapter 3

She is tiny, with long brown hairs. She looks so fragile! I can’t believe it! Thirty seconds ago, she was a furious panther ready to devour me. I suddenly hear animals’ screams, I don’t think anymore, I don't want to have to fight a bear or a puma. I prefer running away, because I don't know the animals living in the zoo since I never visited it before. I carry the young girl in my arms and run at high speed towards a building of West Central Park. At the entrance, the butler is lying inert, blocking the opening of the doors. His body crumbles to dust, when I push him. I turn the girl's head to spare her this vision, because I don't know whether she's awake or not. We walk into the hall and I climb the stairs four by four. I only stop at the 18th stage when I realize that it is useless to climb so high, I laid the child and stoned a door by chance. The apartment is empty. I lay the child down on the sofa which suddenly shudders and opens its eyes. She's terrified, she attempts to hide her nudity, I see a blanket on the armchair next to me and hands it to her. Once bundled up, she bursts into tears.

I don't know what to do, I don't know anything about children. I sit down in front of her, and I wait. A few minutes later, she wipes her tears and asks me:

—  Who are you? Where are my parents? Where are we?

—  My name is John. What about yours?

—  Abigail Taylor. For what reason aren’t we at the zoo anymore?

—  What do you remember Abigail?

—  Today was a day off for dad, and he took us to the zoo. My younger brother was eating an ice cream in his stroller, mum was talking to me, showing me the panther. We were laughing, because she was doing acrobatics on a branch. Then came a powerful light from very far, and we heard a terrible noise. A more and more though thunder sound which approaching. Then I don't remember anything. Where are my parents?

—  Can’t you remember anything else after the thunder?

I look at her concentrating, she frowns kneading her hands.

—  Of course I saw you. I did really want to eat you. Then I fainted.

—  Ok... So let me get this straight: there was an explosion, many people passed away, and we have to leave the city.

—  What about my parents? And my little brother? They are probably still alive, I don't