Raven's Blood Page 5

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  Six months later

  Charles smiled as he watched the latest news reports. He still couldn’t believe he’d been so worried just a few months ago. Things hadn’t gone the way he’d planned, but once his new plans had started moving forward, he’d known everything would work out. Soon, he would be able to announce the vaccine for the Moon virus, and the nation would be grateful to him. He couldn’t announce it too soon or it would look suspicious.

  Even better, the Supreme Court had ruled exactly as he’d hoped they would. The key had been acting quickly while fear still ruled the minds of most people. Even the liberals were so afraid of the new vampires that they weren’t worrying about vampire rights. The ruling was about to be announced to the world. Then he’d be free to make use of the poor who’d survived with their minds intact. His mind raced with plans for experiments and workers who didn’t have to be paid.

  “Officials are still warning citizens to beware of bands of crazed vampires. While most have fled to wooded areas and abandoned suburban communities where it is easier to hide, many still plague the larger cities. Graham Pharmaceuticals has announced they are making great headway toward developing a vaccine for the mysterious vampire virus, which has been named the Moon virus, after the recently deceased Dr. Harold Moon, whose research prior to his death is playing a key role in the development of the vaccine.

  “After two weeks of deliberation, the Supreme Court has ruled that vampires are not human and do not retain their constitutional rights. This has been a difficult debate that was sparked by the argument about what to do with the vampires that are not crazed. Many have argued they should be destroyed, but several activists have rallied against this course of action. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, there is still no clear plan of action. Vampire rights activists at UC Berkeley are calling this decision a terrible blow to human rights, claiming this decision will lead to unchecked abuse of the Moon virus survivors.”