Chapter 6A Steep Challenge

We left the house as it was grating on my nerves slowly. Feeling the house so empty was very disconcerting. I just followed Khuna as we walked out of the back garden and into the streets. Moving like shadows, it seemed. For as strange and monstrous as I felt, no one paid any attention to us whatsoever. Just two girls walking.

Thoughts were still shooting through my head chaotically. I had no idea where my parents were, but they 'appeared' safe enough for now. Also I had no idea where or how to sleep. I tried to remember what I knew of vampires. Sunlight hurts, fire hurts. Most books agreed on that. Crosses and garlic? No idea.

"Khuna?" She looked around and nodded.

"I need to know what I've become." Even as I said it, I knew it sounded wrong, but I had no better way to put it. 'Can you tell me what will hurt me?' would probably sound too weird and "What are my weaknesses?" just felt way too cheesy to me.

It took a moment before she responded. "I'm sorry, I can't tell much now. You'll get to learn a lot soon. Unfortunately, the streets are not the place to share such things."

I guess I kind of understood that. So I just followed her in silence. From the suburbs into the center of town with its skyscrapers and stores. Even at this hour there was much to be seen and done. To be honest, I'd never been outside this late before. Never really went out to the discos or anything.

Flashing signs, loud thumping music and sharp, lively smells were running amok in my senses. People everywhere. In a rush, talking, flirting or simply standing around. I saw them as never before. No longer a part of them I felt both disconnected and privileged to be able to witness them.

It was kind of fun to move through the streets and the crowds like this. It felt wrong, like breaking the rules. Part of the nightlife that I never joined before. I took it all in as we went past. We didn't move as fast as before, but I didn't mind. I guess we didn't want to attract more attention than needed.

We moved further into town, the industrial area with factories and some offices. I was still wondering where we were, when Khuna stopped quite suddenly, me almost walking into her. I looked around where we were, a none too busy street, well lighted by lampposts and a small alley with no exits.

"We have to climb up here." She pointed to the back wall in the alley.

I looked. It was an almost sheer climb! Here and there perhaps some stones broken enough for some grip... She couldn't be serious!

"I've only climbed trees." I spoke, perhaps a bit loud out of apprehension.

"Try."

It was a simple word that basically said all it had to. I wasn't one to back away from something to try. And she wouldn't ask it if it wasn't possible. I hoped...

Walking up to the wall I tried to take it in as much as I could. It was quite visible, despite being only lit by a streetlight, and the closer I got the more possible it looked. I nodded to myself. I can do this.

I reached up with my left hand and tried to get some grip. A small cleft was enough to give me a noticeable amount of grip. Reaching up with my right hand I found some grip there as well. I pulled myself up and was surprised at how easy that was. My body felt as light as a feather compared to the tree climbing I was used to.

A bit more sure of myself now, I pulled myself higher, found support for my feet and moved up and up. The further I got, the more fun it was. Almost as easy as walking!

I slipped with my right hand as I was reaching up, momentarily out of balance, I almost fell backwards! I moved around furiously, trying to get some grip with my fingertips, my eyes trying to find any cleft I could use. I managed it barely, the tips of my fingers on my right hand grabbing hold just before I fell.

Definitely leaning backwards now, I felt the adrenaline rushing through my body while I recovered for a moment. It was ironic, I guess. Falling just when you thought everything was going well. I regained my composure, hanging several floors above the ground, I noticed with a downward glance. Glad I didn't have a fear of heights. I mentally shook myself into action and continued to move up.

A few grips more and I stood on the roof. I liked it here. Despite the pollution of light and smoke, the sky seemed very close. And standing above the sounds of the city had a certain charm that I would remember and seek out at many later times.

"Well done." Khuna stood only just a bit further on the roof, as if she'd been there all along. "Come."

I grimly nodded, my pride hurt for just a moment before I realized she had given me a compliment. The roof was a lot bigger than I'd expected. And a door leading into another building was quite unexpected.

It seemed heavy. Even though it looked normal, just a normal metal door, it also looked very heavy and strong. Stronger than the wall surrounding it. Khuna opened it, apparently having to push a fair bit, and invited me in.

She closed the door behind us, not locking it, I thought. Well, I didn't see a lock anyway. We continued through a corridor until we reached a normal door on the left.

I felt excited, even though I really didn't know why. Perhaps just the feeling we had finally arrived.

Khuna smiled. "It's time to meet the rest."