Free They Come by Night by Tinnean Page A

wreck.
    One good thing was my friends were busy with college. Some were scattered across the country, and they wouldn’t expect a farewell phone call. Jimmy Black, my best friend, was still in town, but when he asked where I was going, I was able to offer something vague about going to Disney World and then turned the conversation back to him. Maybe that came across as if he didn’t care about me, but I knew he did, and it just made it easier for me to not have to lie to him.
    Dad had made my favorite meal, and I knew there was a triple chocolate layer cake—chocolate filling, chocolate frosting, chocolate cake—in the fridge with my name on it. I didn’t have much of an appetite when it was time for dinner, though.
    “It’s going to be okay, Ty.”
    I could tell he wanted to hug me, or maybe give me a simple pat on the shoulder, but he wouldn’t, and while that made me sad, there was nothing I could do about it.
    “You know I can’t stand anyone touching me, Dad. How am I going to cope with that?”
    “I have every faith in you, son. I know you’ll manage.”
    “I hope so, Dad.”
    “I wish you could have spoken to your uncle about this. I don’t think you’d feel so nervous, then. Unfortunately, I was just given the bare bones. I tried to talk to your uncle—”
    “What? When?”
    “Last year. His house was empty.”
    I caught myself before I could say “Still?” I’d never told him I had spoken to Uncle Phil, and it only made me more nervous. Especially since what Dad and Uncle Phil had told me were diametrically opposed.
    “Well, it doesn’t seem fair,” I muttered.
    “Life isn’t fair, son.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “Time’s running short.”
    I wished he hadn’t reminded me. I rose and started to clear the table.
    “That isn’t necessary. Why don’t you take a shower and change? I’ve… I’ve laid out your clothes on your bed.”
    “Okay.” I looked into his eyes. We were almost the same height now. “I guess I should have packed earlier.”
    “There’s no need. Everything will be provided for you. I… I….” He cleared his throat and leaned forward to pick up his plate. He hadn’t eaten much, either.
    “Will you be okay, Dad?”
    “I’ll be fine. And if they ever mistreat you, you come right on home.”
    “But will they allow it?”
    “Fuck them. I don’t care what they allow. If any of them hurts you, I’ll hunt them down with holy water.”
    “What about the Jewish ones?” I thought about Uncle Phil pressing a Star of David against my forehead. “Or the Muslims?”
    “Garlic and wooden stakes will work on them just as well.”
    “Thanks, Dad.”
    “Now hurry. You’ll want to make a good impression.”
    I went up the stairs to my bedroom. Lying across the bed were clothes I’d never seen before: a pair of black boxer briefs, black trousers, a silk, blood-red dress shirt, and black silk socks. On the floor was a pair of shiny black slip-ons.
    There was no tie, though. The throat would be open, baring my birthmark.
    I showered, shaved, and dressed, and then went back downstairs. My father stood there, trying to smile.
    “You look good, son.”
    “Thanks, Dad.” I held my arms out from my sides and turned around. “I don’t recognize these.”
    “The clothes are from the vampyr.”
    “How did he know my size?”
    “They have ways of knowing things.”
    I thought of Adam, who’d somehow known I was going to run away that night when Dad had first told me about sabors. I’d often thought of him as the day—night—when I’d be claimed for the first time came closer. He’d hoped to be my first vampyr. Would he? Or would it be a strange vampyr?
    “Ty….” Dad looked so pale I was afraid he was going to pass out. He pulled me into a hug, and I shuddered.
    “It will be fine, Dad.” I fought back tears and let him hold on to me.
    His grip eased, and he kissed my cheek. “He’s… he’s waiting outside.”
    He? I licked my lips. “Are