Snow White and the 7 Vampire Hunters
Kat Halstead
© 2011 Kat Halstead
Smashwords Edition
Her name was Snow. She lived with my step-mother, Livvie Queen. She’s the kind of woman that spends a lot of time out looking for a new husband. The sort of woman who could care less about the child she was left to raise. Snow’s mother died when she was young, she had no memory of her, nothing of hers to hold on to. Her father Roy passed a few years ago. He had loved Livvie; at least Snow thought he had. The way he looked at her was the way she would hope a man would look at her someday.
Now however Livvie spends the majority of her time hanging out with her gay friend Glen who is always trying to tell her she hasn’t lost her looks. Though she’s getting older, she’s not a Hollywood star who looks better with age. She’s not bad really, she actually looks pretty good. However, she thinks she should still look like the twenty-four year old self like when Roy found her and married her. Sometimes late at night, Snow would sit outside her room while they would talk. One night though, Glen was joking around and told her that Snow was starting to catch up to her. She didn’t like that, and he quickly took it back.
When Snow heard Glen say that though it really helped her self-esteem. She was sixteen at the time and was pudgy, frumpy, so it was really sort of silly for her to get so upset. She wasn’t trying to be pretty. She wasn’t trying at anything other than her schooling. She wanted to get good grades, do well with my extracurricular that she would get into a good school on scholarship and then Livvie would never have to deal with her again. This was the turning point for her though; it was after this she started to give just a little bit of my focus on my appearance.
It was Snow’s graduation night when it all really pulled together. Her dark hair was pitch black, with the sort of sheen only seen in shampoo or hair coloring commercials. It also made her pale skin appear as white as snow; she had a bright red lipstick on, wanting to stand out. Honestly she was dressed a bit Goth like in her dark clothes she wore for the occasion. Glen looked pleased when he saw her; like she was something he put together himself at his salon. Livvie looked a bit jealous but that was never Snow’s intention. Her new boyfriend Artie, who looked at her almost the same way her father had before him, gave Snow a second look when most other times he barely gave her a glance. He was a nice enough guy, she was kind of happy to know that she would be taken care of once Snow was gone off to college and long out of her life.
The ceremony went on; they had a simple dinner out. That was when things started to get fuzzy in Snow’s memory. Everything was crystal clear until that night. She remembered going home, lying in her bedroom, thinking about college, thinking about the guy from school named PC she never had the courage to talk to. Downstairs Glen, Livvie and Artie were drinking, partying, she really doesn’t know. She heard Glen tell Livvie she had to watch out for me, or Snow would steal away her guy. Artie laughed, hearty and strong. Snow remembered the sound of glass breaking; her only guess is Livvie throwing it against the wall.
Her door was thrown open soon after; Artie was in her room, throwing Snow’s clothing into a bag, “Get up Snow! It’s time to go. You can’t stay with Livvie anymore.”
She was groggy as he helped her pack, and she swore he carried her in his arms out of the house. This seems ridiculous, but part of her also felt as though she was being sacrificed. That if she left, Livvie would be able to believe it if Glen told her she was the fairest lady around.
In the morning, Artie told her that Livvie was drunk, angry and he thought she might do something to her if he didn’t get her out of there. It was based in jealousy he told her and Snow was surprised that it could come to this, after all this time. As she thought about it, eating the pop tart, sitting on his kitchen counter it sort of made sense. “Thank you.” Was really all she could think to say to him.
Artie kissed her forehead, “I’ll keep you safe. Just stay away from Livvie. You’re 18 now; you don’t have to stay with her.”
“Where will I go though? I still have a few months before I start college, and even then I haven’t found a place to live just yet.” Snow was on my own now; things were going to have to change.
Artie watched her as he drank his coffee, “Come work for me.”
“Doing what?”
“Cleaning houses, it’s not glamorous, but it will get you some money. In fact I think I might have just the place for you. They just need someone to come in during the day and clean up. Its seven guys living in this huge house.” Artie watched her thinking about it as he gave her the details.
“I’ll do it.” She smiled as she went to take a shower, thinking about how her life was about to start. She would escape her past, and start fresh. She would live her life for herself and no one else.
Artie brought her over to the house that she could already tell from the outside would probably take all summer long to get it live able and manageable. For the first few weeks Snow never saw the clients. They would be gone all day long, and whatever mess she had cleaned up would be waiting in a new form in the morning.
Finally one day, she met all seven of them. They were young men, attractive all in that brooding, bad boy type of way. They all wore their hair hanging over their eyes, knit caps and dressed in dark colors. Any time she tried to speak to them, they just grunted in a way that almost sounded like they were saying hi-ho.
Frustration finally caused Snow to blow one morning, when she had left the night before the entire first floor had been spotless, and now the floors were caked in mud. The men were still home, and she took a bucket filled with cold water as she went into the giant room which they all shared. She started at one end, moving to the other throwing cups of water in their faces. “WAKE UP!” She cried, tears running down her pale face.
The first one looked at her, confused for a moment. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” Exasperation filled her voice, “What’s wrong is that I practically kill myself trying to get this house clean every single day and yet no matter how clean I get it, in the morning you fools have trashed it again. I am fed up!”
“Don’t cry.” The shortest, most innocent looking one was next to her, his arms wrapping her up in a hug. “We don’t mean to be messy.”
Snow shoved them off, “You don’t mean to be messy? Do you boys not realize how run down this house is?”
In their half asleep views the seven young men looked around the bedroom they all shared, the blinds were falling down, paint chipping from the walls and peeling on the trim work. Their clothes were all in one pile, if not for the single letter on each garment no one would know whose clothes belonged to who.
“What the hell is it you men do that makes you so filthy?” She stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her gray eyes drilling into each and every single one of the boys one by one.
They looked at each other, afraid to look at her, afraid they would tell her the truth. Wondering if perhaps they should, otherwise they could get woken up in possible worse ways another morning.
Finally one of them spoke up, “We spend our days hunting vampires.”
Snow threw her hands in the air, “Great, I work for crazy people.”
“We’re not crazy.” A young man with a letter D on his hat insisted. “We’re serious. We search the woods, the fields, places they would go to hide while the sun is out to catch them.”
“Have you ever caught any?”
Another man with the letter S on his shirt kept his eyes on the ground, “Once, this Vampire named Charm. We had him in our hands, but then we lost him when his sister showed up. A stupid vampire named Livvie.”
“I’m sorry what?” Snow felt herself laughing, Livvie might have been a bitch but she wasn’t a vampire. “I know Livvie, she’s not a Vampire.”
“But she is.” D insisted grabbing Snow’s hand as he looked into her gray eyes. “Vampires are not what you think they are.”
Snow pulled her hand away, realizing that these young men really believed that what they were trying to tell her. “Okay then, please explain.”
“Vampires don’t suck the blood of their victims, they steal an essence.” S explained as he made up a bed and motioned for her to sit down. “They prey on people who fall madly in love with them, and after lovemaking as their lover lays sleeping, they put their fingers to their temples and absorb part of that person's essence. The thing that makes them special, once you lose it, once it’s gone, you become a shell of yourself and your will to live quickly vanishes, and before long you’re dead.”
“If that’s what a vampire is, they why does everyone think they suck blood?” She sat on the bed watching them all. Wondering if they really had an answer or if they were just a bunch of silly boys caught up in some weird role playing game that they had taken too far.
D smiled as though this was his favorite part of the explanation, “They suck the blood only from their true love. Doing that makes their true love a vampire, but with limited powers, and it only works if that person loves them as well.”
She looked at each of them, sighing. "Just stop being such pigs."
They knew she might not believe them, they also knew now they had to watch her. They had to protect her before she ended up as a victim of Livvie and Charm. She would be the perfect target.
Snow returned to her work, scrubbing the floors, doing the laundry, trying to make their house look presentable. As the day ended, and the sun sank in the horizon she started walking, not yet ready to return home after such an odd morning and the information from the boys she never would be able to believe.
She stopped at the Green Apple, a bar that never checked id's unless you looked to be about twelve. She found a table towards the back, and pulled out a paperback book from her purse as she sat a alone. She ordered an Appletini, enjoying the flavor as she sipped it and tried to immerse herself in the cheesy romance she was reading. Wondering what it would be like to meet the love of her life, and have that insanely romantic moment that would haunt her forever.
"Snow." His voice was smooth, and always made her think of chocolate and strawberries. "May I join you."
She nodded at PC, thinking about how she had never been able to speak to him in high school, stuffing the book in her bag, "How are you?"
"I'm good, better now that I see you." His eyes were that bright blue that always seems so impossible against his dark hair. His skin was fair, almost as much as hers but it had this glow about it that beckoned her.
"You are?" She wasn't sure if she should believe what he was saying. If they were still in school she would believe that he wanted her to help with a paper, but they were out of school.
"Yes, I am." He reached out, his fingers testing to see how much he could touch her. "I have always wanted to know more about you Snow. I've wanted to get to know you better for as long as I can remember. I've always been scared though?"
"Really?" She thought for a moment, and realized perhaps she dressed a bit more harsh than she ever intended. "Well appearances, are a bit deceiving."
"We only show what we know to show." His hand held her as his blue eyes drilled into her gray ones. "The way we present ourselves to the world is the message we present. You have confidence, but fear."
She felt a blush on her cheeks, "The fear is my own."
"Walk with me." He smiled, the brightness of his teeth always stunned her, it was almost that unnatural white but not.
She nodded, "That would be nice." Gathering her bag, she scooted out of the booth and followed him, their fingers entwined as they went out, the air had the chill that announced fall was close. "Are you starting school soon?"
"No, I have other things I need to do before I can start school."
They walked down to the river, the air was filled with fog, the street lights glowed reflecting light. Snow tried to keep her mind focused, but right now with PC things felt real, and romantic. She knew it was silly to think. She knew it was silly to even fathom. He would vanish tomorrow she was sure of it, and she wouldn't see him again. But she would have this night to hold on to, to believe in, to dream about at night as she slept on the fold out couch in Artie's spare room.
They sat on a bench, the soft sounds of the water flowing broke the lull in the conversation. PC had held her hand for most of the walk, and he looked at her as though she was the only woman in the world. “Snow, you are more amazing than I thought.”
“I’m not amazing. I’m just a girl.” She felt butterflies in her stomach, just before PC kissed her. It was a kiss that took her breath away.
He was smiling at her; she felt a chill wash over her. “I should go. I have to work in the morning.”
“I’ll walk you.”
“I’ll be fine. Not like Vampires are roaming about.”
“Of course,” He let her go, as she walked off into the mist, wondering what would make her say that.
Snow was happy she was only a few blocks away from Artie’s apartment. She was ready to curl up under the quilt and fall asleep. As she got close to the building, stopping when she saw Livvie waiting, she hadn’t expected to see her, she was shocked actually.
“Snow, we need to talk.” Her words were crisp, clear as she stood her ground.
“I’m eighteen, I can move out.” Snow held her keys in her hand.
Livvie nodded, “I know that. I just wanted to bring you these.” She held up the recycle bag sack that was filled with apples, “The tree your father planted, I know you love these apples.”
“Thank you. That was very nice.” Snow accepted the bag, “Good night Livvie.”
“Night,” Livvie watched her, a smile on her face before she walked off, wondering how long it would be until Snow ate one of the apples.
It was a late afternoon as Snow sat on the front porch of the Vampire Hunters house. The yard now looked nice enough to keep the neighbors from complaining. She opened her bag and took out one of the apples Livvie had given her a few weeks ago. She rubbed it against her jeans before admiring its deep red color.
Her life was not what she had expected it would be it was not what she had planned for. Her plans never called for her to be cleaning the house daily for a band of vampire hunters, who she was convinced were just a bunch of delusional boys who had played far too many video games. Her mornings were full of classes at the local college, her afternoons to early evening cleaning, night time she would spend with PC. They would sit on a bench, watching the river flow; he would whisper romantic lines of famous poetry to her. She would recite fairy tales she had memorized long ago. When they were sick of the water they would go to PC’s apartment, grateful he didn’t have a roommate so they could spend the nights making love. She never felt as alive as when they were together. PC would touch her in ways she had never thought possible. He unleashed something in her that Snow hadn’t realized existed.
One night as they lay entwined with the moonlight bathing the room she told PC about her clients. How messy they were and how they believed in Vampires.
PC kissed her forehead, “The fad will be over soon. They will move on.”
Snow sighed, “I hope so. That or I’ll be onto a new adventure by then.”
“I’ll figure out something for us.” His voice was soft against her ear, even in her memory.
She looked at the apple once more, it was the last one from her father’s apple tree, it was also the biggest. The first bite cracked, and the juice ran down her chin. It was the juiciest one she could remember eating. She took another bite, enjoying the flavor that seemed more intense than any other apple she had ever eaten.
She began to cough as she tried to chew, she felt herself start to choke. No one was around, the street was empty. She felt the last breath of her body as she fell on the grass, her arms and legs stretched out in an awkward position, the apple rolling under a bush.
Hours passed, neighborhood children ignored her, the busy body woman who lived across the street came by and pushed her with a stick. Finally the young men returned. D saw her on the ground and knew immediately that she was gone. He checked her pulse, knowing that he shouldn’t expect anything. He wondered what would’ve taken her, as he rolled her over, he could smell the faint scent of apple on her face.
S found the large apple under the bush, with just a few bites taken out of it. “She’s been poisoned.”
D held Snow’s lifeless body in his arms as the others looked on. He was silent for a moment, the sun was setting, its light blinding in its small rays that would break through the trees. “The Vampire will want her.”
“What should we do?” S looked at the others, worried about what was about to be suggested.
“We'll lay her out; put a glass case over her. Charm will come for her, he will want her. We can catch him, we can kill him, we can destroy the Vampires!” D had lifted Snow's body. “Prepare the alter out back.”
“I don’t think we should D, if Charm shows up he’ll turn her. Then where will we be?”
“He won’t turn her. I won’t let him.”
S knew that trouble was brewing, that this would not turn out the way D had planned and in the end they would fail and be the worst Vampire hunters ever.
It didn’t take the seven men long to build the altar. They had a glass top they placed over her body, hoping it would keep Charm away long enough for them to get rid of him. Flowers were wrapped around the platform and glass. The moonlight shone down washing her body in pale light.
As the sky grew dark, the stars started to come out of hiding, an owl off in a tree cried out every so often. The seven men waited, clutching their large Silver rods, and wooden stakes. Time seemed to move so slowly they wondered if it moved at all. Never before had they had such a real, honest chance at catching and killing a Vampire. The tragedy of Snow’s death, would give them a chance to rid the world of this evil being.
A twig snapped, and leaves crunched with each step that moved forward, towards Snow’s dead, lifeless body. A figure looked over it. His body was cloaked in darkness, his pale skin however glowing in the moonlight. His hands rested on the glass top, “What are you doing here? How did this happen? Who could do this to you Snow?”
“Step away from her.” D announced both arms raised, ready to attack with each of his weapons.
“Who are you?” PC looked at the band of seven men, realizing these were the young men that Snow worked for, the same young men that had been trying to kill him for far too long.
“I knew you would come for her.” D took a slow step forward.
“Of course I would, I love her.” He looked at Snow’s glass encased body once more, “I have since that first night at the Green Apple. I knew I should fall in love with her, the first time I saw her in the hallways of the school.”
“You’re a vampire!” D swung his silver rod, tearing the sleeve of PC’s T-shirt.
PC screamed in pain, slamming his fist on the top of the glass case, shattering it.
“Don’t turn her, please.” S pleaded his eyes sad with worry.
PC looked down at Snow's lifeless body. He lifted her head gently, studying her body for a moment. He ran his thumb over her lips, their natural red color almost gone to blue. He kissed her once, for the last time in her current form. He had to bring her back, he needed her with him. He couldn’t spend the rest of his time on Earth without her.
He cradled her in his arms; warm, salty tears running across his cheeks as he moved down to her neck. He opened his mouth wide, preparing to bring her back.
His teeth broke her flesh, he could taste her essence. He could feel her as he drank her in. He pulled back and waited, as she began to cough, a piece of apple flying across the yard.
Weakly she reached up to touch her neck, feeling the blood on her fingertips. She looked at PC, and then at her hands. “What did you do to me?”
“We can be together Snow, always, you and me.” He held her close to him.
“They were right?” She tried to push him off of her, “PC how could you do this to me?”
“I saved you Snow! I saved you so we could live happily ever after.” His eyes searched hers for understanding.
She tried to move away, but was still too weak, “You think this will be happily ever after?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, before letting out a scream as the wooden stake broke through his body from behind.
Snow screeched before she felt the burning sensation from silver rods against her flesh and the final piercing of a jagged piece of wood through her heart.
The seven young men were sweaty and breathing heavily as they looked at the two lifeless bodies before them. Silently, without direction they built a bonfire. Once it grew big and bold to their liking they tossed the bodies of PC and Snow onto it. The smell of their bodies burning mixed with the wood filled the air. The fire died down as the sun came up; all that was left of Snow were a few ashes that blew away in the wind.
The seven young men would have to live with what they did, but they knew it would be happily ever after for them as long as they never had to hunt another vampire again.
About the Author
Kat Halstead is a recovering retail manager who is spending her endless free time writing and crafting. She currently lives in Minnesota, trying