A Vampire’s Lament
Chapter 11: The War

"We watched them all go down and the families, now useless bodies…
They lay still black and blue, a gift from us to you." -Angels & Airwaves

From far away, we could see the Black Parade members marching like obedient soldiers. I was actually afraid that there would be a whole army of them but they were just a small enough group each of us could take on individually thankfully.

As much as I wanted to believe that Spencer’s family and friends were still alive, those body bags floating above the float didn’t convince me otherwise. In her eyes, she could see the truth but her heart begged to believe that there was still hope left for them.

I only wanted the best for Spencer but because of this war, I really couldn’t see past the negativity that hung in the air all around us.

"How did they know that we were here in this exact spot? And what the hell is the Black Parade?" Odette asked, grabbing both Kyla and Judith so she could be comforted by them. I stood perfectly silent, observing and memorizing their movements as they were all indeed just a pack of wild, untamed animals.

There was one particular figure who walked gracefully unlike the rest and he was sporting all black with the exception of his white top hat and cane. He reminded me of the mad hatter from Alice in Wonderland yet he displayed no signs of over the top friendliness or madness.

I wasn’t paying attention on what was being said behind me since I couldn’t take my eyes off the man walking towards us. He was quite lengthy and thin and underneath the top hat, all you could see was a crooked yet dashing grin.

"Ashley, are you listening to what I’m saying at all?" Evana asks me from behind. I turn my attention away from the Black Parade and find grave looking women staring at me. I shake my head shamefully and force myself to focus on what she and Arial had to say.

"The Black Parade was recently formed by the so-called hybrid, or so that’s what I’ve heard. The group consists of members who are runaways, homeless men and women, rabid animals and other things that no mortal has ever discovered." Evana continued, her face beginning to turn colorless due to the future confrontation getting nearer and nearer each second.