He was born without a name. He was born without a mother or a father. He did have a creator who was originally pleased when he first stirred to life but his creator’s feelings soon turned to revulsion. His creator, his God, decided that he was an abomination and tried to destroy him. The name he chose for himself was Adam. His creator had briefly considered this name before calling him a demon, or monster.
His home was a long-abandoned barn in a desolate area of Northern England that couldn’t even support a herd of sheep. The isolation was necessary because although he was made of human parts his unnatural appearance terrified most people and they would either run away or attack him. He understood that these reactions were motivated by fear that was admittedly justified but it still hurt him. His life was lonely and dominated by silence and hunger.
Adam stood up from the rock he had sat upon to watch the sunset. He would be going to bed hungry again tonight. He had resorted to stealing food from some of the closest farms but felt guilty stealing from people who were also struggling to survive. His eight feet of height and shambling walk also made him a terrible thief. He was incredibly strong and durable but stealth and quickness were not among his attributes.
The broken down barn was a black silhouette against a grey sky as he walked toward the pile of old musty hay that was his bed. It was almost pitch dark now and the silence was complete. He couldn’t remember the last time he heard human speech.
His solitude was interrupted by a heavily accented voice that emerged from the barn in front of him. “You really are a big fellow, aren’t you?”
Adam halted and peered into the shadows of the barn. The accent had been so strong that he barely understood the words. He had no idea what type of accent it was but he had precious little experience conversing with other people. The confident tone was also new to him. Even his creator had always sounded like he was frightened of him.
A darkly dressed man materialized out of the darkness and doffed his old fashioned top hat in greeting to Adam. “I apologize for intruding on your home but you are a hard man to find and I have been searching for you for some time now.”
Adam wasn’t sure how to react. He had never met someone who wasn’t frightened or revolted by his patchwork appearance. He had also never met anyone that frightened him because something told him this dapper, foreign gentleman was a very dangerous individual. The intruder was a slim five foot and six inches tall with aquiline features and a prominent, hawkish nose but his presence was so strong it felt like he stood above the enormous Adam.
He hadn’t spoken in over a year and had to swallow a couple of times to moisten his throat. “Who are you and why are you looking for me?”
His visitor appeared surprised by Adam’s high-pitched, quavering voice. “My name? I feel that we should be on a first name basis, with your permission of course. We have much in common and not many peers. Please call me Vladimir. What name have you chosen for yourself?”
Adam noticed the emphasis on the word ‘chosen.’ This man seemed to know exactly who and what he was but Adam didn’t know anything about this stranger. He was at a disadvantage and cornered in his own home. It made him feel hunted and anxious.
“I call myself Adam. Why are you here?”
“Adam? Of course, a very appropriate name. I wish to discuss a proposal with you that I think you will find very beneficial.”
“The answer is no. Leave me alone.”
The intruder’s expression quickly turned to anger. Adam got the impression it had been a long time since anyone had openly defied him. “How dare you speak to me in such a loutish manner when I am here to help you. I should teach you some manners.”
“Leave me alone!” Adam was only ten years old and been abandoned shortly after he had been created to raise himself. He struck out at the stranger like an immature child.
Vladimir was startled at the sudden violence but was able to lean away and avoid the massive fist. “Stop that! Don’t force me to hurt you.”
He was too busy talking and didn’t notice the backswing until it hit him on the side and sent him tumbling. “Futu-i!” Vlad clutched his side and slid away from Adam. This was the first time in centuries he had been hurt by something that wasn’t consecrated. He was shocked but Vlad Tepes was a warrior and when someone attacked him it was a reflex for him to respond with immediate violence.
He moved so quickly that Adam didn’t understand how he materialized in front of him again. Vladimir reached up high and slapped Adam hard across the face. It sounded like the cracking of a whip and an echo travelled along the barren hillsides.
They both looked at each other in surprise. Vladimir had expected Adam to be decapitated or at least unconscious. For Adam this was the first time he’d been hit hard enough for him to be hurt and he was hurt badly. He had barely avoided getting knocked out but his head was buzzing painfully and his jaw felt like it had been dislocated and was already starting to swell up.
Adam recovered and grabbed for Vladimir with both of his enormous hands. His adversary faded into the shadows and re-emerged in the form of a gigantic bat that flew toward a large tree beside the barn.
He looked into the branches of the tree and heard the stranger’s low chuckle. “I haven’t sat in the branches of a tree since I was a little boy playing with my brothers. The years have been long. I’m glad I still have a few human memories that make me happy.”
“You can fly?”
“When I turn into a bat, yes. But I don’t like turning into beasts. It is hard enough to cling to what little humanity I have left.”
Adam could see the silhouette of Vladimir dangling his legs over the side of a large branch. He did seem to be enjoying himself.
“That’s enough fighting Adam. I keep forgetting that you’re only ten years old. I suppose I should act like the adult since I’m your senior by over 400 years.”
Adam rubbed the side of his aching jaw and sat down on the ground with his back against the side of the barn. “All right, what’s this proposal of yours?”
“I work as an agent for Queen Victoria, a remarkable woman. I think you should as well. We will find you a proper home and make sure that you can live in peace, aside from your duties of course.”
He remained silent and tried to make sense of this unexpected proposal. He barely understood who Queen Victoria was and what this proposal meant for him but he knew what his priorities were.
“Will they feed me?”
“Feed you? Of course they will. I hadn’t even thought of how hungry you must be in this isolation. Hunger means something very different to me now.”
“Why did you agree to work for her? It doesn’t seem like you need anybody.”
Vladimir sighed as he contemplated an answer. “The humans write stories about monsters like us Adam. You would think we live adventurous, exciting lives based upon their lurid descriptions. They never mention the loneliness, the lack of purpose and frankly the boredom.”
Adam lacked Vladimir’s experience but he knew what the vampire was talking about and silently agreed.
“There are negative aspects Adam. I want your eyes to be fully open. Some of the people you will work with are unsavoury. Moriarty is ruthless but admittedly effective and brilliant. Hyde is a foul mouthed lout. I think Griffin is a deviant snake but his invisibility is useful for espionage.”
“I need help.” Adam blurted out and then flushed with embarrassment before continuing. Frankenstein abandoned me before I was two weeks old and called me a demon. I don’t understand the world. I can’t read or write and I can barely talk.”
“Your experience is unique Adam but if anyone can understand you it is me. I had heard rumours of your existence and I asked for help in tracking you down.” Vlad stood up on the branch and showed how agile and comfortable he was with heights as he scaled higher up in the tree.
“Your situation reminds me of myself when I first became Vampyr four hundred years ago and I feel compelled to help you. I have influence with the crown and I will ensure that you will be well educated and properly taken care of. I will be your mentor.” It didn’t occur to him to ask for Adam’s agreement. He had been crown prince of Wallachia for too long to consider that other people might have a different point of view.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
Vladimir’s silhouette grew wings and he flew down to the ground. “Because Adam.” He smiled briefly in the darkness and moonlight reflected off a glimpse of his fangs. “We creatures of the night must look out for each other.”
Avengers ala DePlume.
So good. I love how Adam is so huge at 10 years old, and Vlad is another interesting character. Netflix needs your stories. I was smiling a lot, too, so thats good.