Post by demona on Jan 24, 2010 18:42:14 GMT
VH2 Ep5 – Good will to all vamps
The woman nervously walked into the boardroom. She worn a grey suit, her black hair pulled back into a ponytail, and with high heeled shoes, she hoped she looked professional; she needed this to go well.
Standing quietly she peered through the gloom of the office, despite it being mid-afternoon, the shutters were all closed and only a single lamp lit the room. She saw the outline of the black chair, its back towards her, she knew he was sitting there, and she knew that he knew she was there; she waited for him to turn around to address her, but he did not, he merely spoke from his current position.
“Our research has been fruitful, we have located the item in a very convenient location, allowing you to investigate both the presence of vampiric activity and retrieve the item.”
“Yes, Master.” She answered hoping she sounded confident.
“Don’t fail me on this human, the last scout I sent didn’t return. I am hoping that a human will not arouse suspicions.”
“Yes, Master.” She repeated “I will do as you ask, My Lord Skakari.”
“Do your task well, and you will have your reward.” The woman smiled at the thought, she bowed slightly and turned to leave. “Oh and one more thing,” she paused, “after you have retrieved the item, whether you find evidence of vampires or not, burn Mansbridge to the ground.”
***
Christmas is a time of happiness and merriment, but it is also the time of the year that mortals take stock of their lives. They assess the year gone by, and the connections they’ve made. This time of year helps one to recognise those that are important to us.
***
Malcolm paced the Mansbridge common room nervously. He check his watch again, three minutes to 4pm, she would be here in three minutes.
“Malcolm,” A female voice called out behind him, he turned round flustered.
“Amy, you’re early.” Malcolm exclaimed. Amy Todman looked at the grandfather clock behind Malcolm,
“Only by a couple of minutes, would you like me to leave and come back?”
“No, not at all, welcome to Mansbridge. Here let me take your bag.” Amy smiled at Malcolm’s nervousness as he reached out for her overnight bag; they had grown closer since she had visited Mansbridge last year to investigate the ghost sighting of her brother, Karl.
“Thank you Amy.” Malcolm whispered.
“For what?” she asked, puzzled as you why he was thanking her, when he was the one carrying the overnight bag.
“For being my date for the Christmas party tonight.” He said with a slight flush in his cheeks.
“It’s my pleasure, besides it might be the last time we actually see each other for a while.” Malcolm paused, confused by her statement.
“What do you mean?” He asked, as Amy stared at the floor and began to bite her nails, she looked sad, her long blonde hair fell over her face, hiding the tears that had already started to form in her eyes.
“My Dad got a new job and we are moving away from here, we’re heading to Vancouver.” She muttered, trying to keep her voice from wobbling.
“WHAT?” Karl yelled at the glass. He watched as Malcolm embraced his sister at the news, Karl wished he could hug his sister too, tell her that he wasn’t quite as dead as she and the rest of his family thought he was, but that was impossible. Reluctantly he moved away from the one-way glass and headed back to the basement.
***
“Hey Big Guy!” Karl, lost in thought, was struck by the football that Marty had thrown at him. He looked up at his assailant. “What’s up with you?” Marty asked as he retrieved the ball with his telekinesis, “It Christmas, time for merriment and good cheer!”
“Not now Marty, I’m not in the mood!” Karl walked away to his dorm and his coffin. Marty shrugged and aimed the ball at Drew’s head, bowed as he sat engrossed in his book.
“Don’t even think about it Marty.” He muttered darkly not even looking up from the book he was reading.
“So,” Marty said slowly placing the ball on the table, looking over his shoulder to check Karl was out of ear shot, “any of you going to the day students Christmas party?”
“No.”
“No.”
“No.”
“No?” Marty asked puzzled, staring at his three fellow vampires sat around the central table, “Why not? I was going to go.”
“Because Karl can’t go and it’s not fair on him.” Merrill said walking around Marty to take the football away before he thought about aiming it at anyone else.
“So why is Karl being a scrooge then?”
“I don’t know, why don’t you ask him.” Essie suggested looking up from her magazine.
***
Amy stared at the piece of paper, then back at Malcolm.
“This is a big deal Malcolm, it’s a great opportunity.” She said.
“Yeah, I know, a single semester and I’ve past the first year of college, a year ahead of schedule.” He said.
“Are you not going to do it?” Amy asked, a little hint of sadness in her voice, it would have been nice to know someone in Vancouver.
“I don’t know; I’m not sure I’m ready, I like it here.” He mumbled.
“The closing date for acceptance is tomorrow.” Amy handed Malcolm back the private letter he had shown her, “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.” Amy bit her nail, “I’d better go get ready for the party.” She turned and walked out of Malcolm’s’ dorm. Malcolm stood and re-read the letter for the hundredth time.
***
Dr Murdoch led the way into the common room followed by the catering staff he had hired for the students Christmas party. The Mansbridge common room, now cleared of its normal furniture was a mass of Christmas decorations in every colour, shape and size. A fake snow machine was gently blowing snow on to the dance floor, situated in the centre of the room. A giant 10 foot Christmas tree stood next to the grand piano next to the stair well, its tiny lights, flashing in the early evening winter darkness, completing the party mood.
“Here you go Doc,” Nick yelled, bouncing down the stairs, already in his tux, he handed the mentor his ipod, “That will keep the party going.”
“Erm,” Murdoch looked at the contraption curiously,
“Don’t worry I’ll hook it up to the sound system.” He
said taking back his player and disappearing beyond the tree. Within seconds, music blared through the academy’s speaker system,
“A bit quieter please Nick,” Murdoch yelled as Nick’s head popped around the tree, the blond hair boy nodded, and turned the volume down, slightly. Murdoch chuckled and turned to one of the staff that had approached him, “Teenagers!” He shrugged at the black haired girl.
“Hi, I’m Christina,” The young woman introduced herself, “I’m in charge of the catering team for your party.”
“Ah, welcome to Mansbridge. Is there anything you need me to do for you?”
“Nothing at all, we have already set-up in the kitchen, and we will be ready to start setting out the food in the next hour or so.”
“Excellent, I’ll leave you to it then.”
***
Murdoch left the common room, and headed for his study. Making quite sure the door was closed and locked; he headed for the antique shield on the far wall. The mentor turned the shield to the right, initiating the unlocking of the secret entrance to the wine cellar; the door slid backwards revealing a slope. Murdoch descended in to the gloom.
“Good evening Dr Murdoch.” Merrill said smiling at her teacher as he reached the bottom of the slope.
“Good evening,” Dr Murdoch paused and looked at the
four vampires sitting around the table before him, “I think that perhaps you need to dress up a bit for the party this evening.”
“Oh we’re not going,” Marty said with fake cheerfulness in his voice, “apparently.” He added sullenly.
“Oh,” The human said surprise evident in his voice, but a slight smile on his lips.
“With Karl not being able to go to the party, we thought it unfair to leave him alone, so none of us are going.” Merrill explained. Murdoch smiled fully.
“I am proud that you have made such a decision, this shows that you are truly thinking of yourselves as a community, as a family. It means you are changing.”
“Yeah well, it doesn’t stop Mr Bah humbug from being in a grumpy mood over there.” Marty nodded his head in the direction of the guys dorm.
“What is Karl upset about?” Murdoch asked the group, his response a number of shrugged shoulders and I don’t knows. The school master walked to the dorm, and looked at the closed coffin, he approached slowly, hesitant as to what to do; he didn’t know the etiquette of disturbing a vampire in his coffin. He looked back at the central area, at the other vampire students, looking for a hint. “Should I knock?” He asked.
“Nah, just open the lid.” Essie waved a perfected manicured hand at him. Murdoch unlatched the curtains that separated the dorms from the centre room, and then walked back to the coffin, gently tapping on its lid.
“Karl, its Dr Murdoch, is there anything upsetting you?”
***
The party was in full swing by the time Murdoch exited his study. Four vampires watched intently as the teacher stood and watched the throng of teenagers, eating, drinking, chatting, dancing and generally having a good time.
Karl pushed aside the curtain and walked into the main room. He stood abruptly and looked in puzzlement at the presence of his four vampire brethren.
“What are you guys doing here? I thought you’d be at the party.”
“Nah, it’s much more fun watching them.” Marty said, leaning back in his chair to look at Karl upside down. “Pull up a pew; it’s going to be great viewing.”
“Yeah, you just missed Nick pouring vodka into the fruit punch and then stashing the bottle by the Christmas tree.” Essie joined in.
“Blood?” Merrill asked handing Karl one of the blood allotments she was carrying. He stared at the plastic wrapped blood in his hand, wondering whether Murdoch had filled them in on Amy’s news.
“Did Murdoch tell you guys about Amy?” He asked. An array of unconvincing ‘No’s’ was his reply.
“You guys are terrible liars.” He said taking a seat next to Marty. “Right I bet that Malcolm will be the first to get drunk.”
***
Christina stood in the ladies bathroom, she stared at her reflection. She would lose her healthy complexion and become deathly pale, but it would be better than aging, than dying. Better than being mere cattle when the Fury over threw the Elders. She pulled her backpack onto the counter and opened it. She peered into it, seeing the round smooth gem she had brought with her, her guide to location the item that Skakari needed. She allowed her fingers to caress it, feeling its coolness, it glinted at her. The girl abruptly pulled her hand out of her bag at the sound of the opening door.
“Hey,” The sullen looking girl with an unhealthy complexion and fake black hair said to her, Christina smiled weakly at the human and wondered if she knew how close she resembled a vampire. “Taking a break?” Dillon asked the woman, probably ten years her senior, and obviously catering staff from her white shirt, black skirt and apron.
“Something like that.” Christina spoke coldly.
“Your bag is glowing.” Dillon said pointing to the backpack on the counter.
“Bike light.” Christina answered hurriedly grabbing the bag and exiting the bathroom.
***
Merrill looked at Essie in panic, as the royal vampiress stared at the screen in front of her.
“Keep him from seeing this.” The brunette begged, Essie nodded at her friend and moved to the blood store.
“Are you sure Murdoch said we could have much blood as we wanted tonight?” He asked sensing Essie’s presence.
“That’s why he left the store open, look why don’t we grab a load for the others.” Essie said beginning to load him up with blood allotment.”
“Ok,” Karl said confused at her actions, “So what’s happening upstairs any bust-ups or sexual interludes?”
“No, it’s totally boring.”
“Really? Parties were never like that at Wren...” Karl was cut short by the whoop of excitement from Marty, from the central room.
“Geek squad’s gonna get laid!” Marty yelled at the top of his voice. Karl looked at Essie, and in a second heaped the blood allotments into her arms and rejoined the rest of the vampires in their spectator sport.
“What’s happening?” He asked Marty, whose hands were in the air in victorious applause.
“Ahhh,” Marty began realising his mistake, his joyous grin turning sheepish. Karl looked at the TV, eager for the gossip. His smile disappeared in moments, his jaw dropping and his eyes widening at the scene before him. The big vampire stumbled forward into the table as he tried to get closer to the screen, as if getting closer would show the display to be false. Malcolm was under the mistletoe hung in the centre of the dance floor, with Amy, and they were kissing.
“Wh, mal, she.” Karl failed to form words let alone a sentence. The other vampires waited with baited breath for his reaction.
“I’m going to kill him!” Karl yelled, fully vamped out and moving towards the basements exit. Drew quickly decided that he friend was not going to listen to reason and dived on to the angry vampire, holding him as best he could back from the doorway. Marty sat in awe watching Drew with his slender frame try to stop the well-built ex-football high school jock.
“Help him, Marty.” Merrill commanded. Marty looked up at the fragile brunette, so afraid, he sighed rolling his eyes. Brining his eyes back centre he focused on Karl’s frame pulling him backwards towards the far wall away from the exit. Drew stood up thankfully relieved of his duty but looking forlorn at his torn shirt.
“Happy?” Marty asked looking up at Merrill; she shook her head and walked away.
Essie walked as quickly as she dared in her designer heels to Karl, sitting dazed on the floor.
“Listen to me, you need to let Amy move on with her life, and if that’s in Vancouver and with Malcolm, so be it, she’s a big girl now.”
“She’s like seven.” Karl said rubbing his head.
“Seventeen Karl.” Essie corrected him, “and she could do a lot worse, hey she could be dating someone like Marty.” Essie extended her hand to help Karl off the floor.
“Hey,” Marty’s voice sounded like a wounded animal behind her.
“I guess, but she’s still young for sex.” Karl said taking Essie’s hand and pushing himself off the floor, looking Marty up and down.
“Besides,” Essie said, her arm draped around Karl’s waist, as his fang retracted and his eyes were once more their ice blue, “Malcolm wouldn’t know what to do.” The group looked at the screen as Amy and Malcolm finally separated from each other, “probably.” She added giving Karl a little squeeze.
***
The ruby lay dormant, it did not glow, it did not glint. Christina prodded it once more, nothing. Why had it activated in the bathroom and not now? Christina closed the bag, and looked at the dishes awaiting her attention in the kitchen sink.
***
“Come on I want to show you something.”
Merrill giggled as she allowed Marty to playfully drag her into the Mansbridge common room, Nat King Cole’s Christmas song was still playing softly on the hi-fi system, despite the party ending over an hour ago, and the day schoolers retiring to their beds. Marty spun Merrill around on the dance floor, and the pair swayed to the music. Marty’s pace slowed until they were no longer moving, and yet they remained in each other’s arms.
“What’s this all about Marty?” Merrill asked softly trying not to completely destroy the mood they had created.
“Look up.” Marty told her, and she did, a smirk spread across Merrill’s lips.
“I don’t see anything but the ceiling.” She said looking back at him.
“What?” Marty dropped his arms from the embraced and took a step back to look into the air. “Where did it go?” He asked
“Where did what go?” Merrill asked a playful smile on her lips. Marty stood there disgruntled with his hands on his hips.
“Nothing; doesn’t matter.” He said sulkily.
“Oh well, I have something for you anyway.” Merrill produced a small black box tied with a blood red ribbon and held it out for Marty.
“Aren’t we a little old for Christmas presents.” He said bored with the moment now his plan had failed, and folded his arms across his chest.
“Just open it.” Merrill said. Marty unfolded his arms with a sigh and stepped forward towards Merrill to receive his gift. He tore open the box, but paused when he looked inside, the momentarily look of puzzlement spread across his face was immediately replaced by a smile, as he removed his present from the packaging.
“You took it? So does that mean...?”
“Merry Christmas Marty,” Merrill cut him off as she too took a step closer, her face tilted up towards Marty’s, and he lowered his lips on to hers. The box dropped to the floor and Marty let his arms embraced Merrill, but the sprig of mistletoe remained firmly in his grasp.
***
The night school party was in full swing when Merrill and Marty descended into the basement, even Karl looked like he was having a good time. Goblets of blood and Christmas crackers were laid out on the table, and beneath a small artificial Christmas tree five present laid neatly wrapped.
“God Bless Dr Murdoch, and God Bless Everyone.” Marty cried out.
***
The Mansbridge Academy lay in darkness, silence had descended. A shadow moved in the moonlight along the common room walls and towards Murdoch’s office. She removed the small red gem from the back pack and held it out. Slowly she moved it around her, intently watching it. It began to glow bright red, almost throbbing as it detected its prize. She lifted her head, and saw the doorway to Murdoch’s office, she smiled, unsurprised as to where her target lay.
***
“MARTY!” Essie screamed out at the dark haired vampire, “That is starting to get just a tad annoying.” She yelled as she snatched away the noise blower from Marty, and yet her laughter divulged her true feelings on the matter. Christmas wrapping paper and bits of Christmas crackers pulled to pieces lay strew around the table. Goblets of blood lay in various states of fullness. The mood was jovial, and relaxed; even Drew moved aside his serious nature and immersed himself into the Christmas spirit, sporting a purple paper crown, a gift from one of the crackers.
“I think all the blood has gone to Merrill’s head.” Karl commented on the vampire spinning in circles giggling to herself.
“That and the vodka, I put in there.” Marty said with a wink.
***
Christina moved the panel from the wall, revealing a secret compartment. Muffled cheers paused her movements; she looked around but saw no signs of life. She wondered whether the reports were true and the Convocation Elders were in fact hiding their secret weapon here. She shrugged off her thoughts and proceeded with her task, reaching in she found a box, and knew from the glowing red orb that she had found what she came for. With the box and the ruby safely placed in her backpack, she headed for the exit to the office. A large antique book that lay on the master desk caught her eye, and quickly she went over to it and opened it. She saw handwritten scribbles over the pages, a journal of some kind. Just as Christina was about to dismiss it, a word in the ink caught her eye, vampire. The intruder shut the book, surprised but undeterred by its weight, she too placed that into her backpack and headed back to the kitchen to begin the final stage of her mission.
***
“Hey does anyone smell smoke?” Merrill asked.
“I think Marty has just let off one too many party poppers.” Drew answered, whilst they watched Marty dare Karl to down another pint of blood in one go; coloured streamers hanging down their faces.
“No she’s right, I can smell smoke too.” Essie said. Drew paused, concentrating he closed his eyes and allowed himself to ride the astral plane. The girls waited silently, a sense of apprehension growing in the pits of their stomachs. Drew eyes flickered open, alarm evident in the redness of his iris.
“The schools on fire!” He yelled.
“What!” Cried Essie; interrupting Marty and Karl’s game drawing their attention to their alarmed brethren.
“Why haven’t the alarms gone off?” Karl asked.
“Who knows but we have to get out of here, through Murdoch’s office is the only way out.” Marty called back already at the foot of the stairs. The vampires headed for the secret entrance, emerging through it they came to recognise the situation Drew had already seen. Smoke billowed through the open door of Murdoch study, flames lapped at the doorframe.
“What the hell is going on?” Essie screamed, fear evident in her voice.
“The alarms aren’t working, which means everyone is still in here.” Drew yelled over the crackling of the fire attacking the wood.
“AMY!” Karl cried, running through the doorway and into the flames.
“Karl!” Essie screamed out again, panic overwhelming her.
“Essie, calm down!” Drew commanded, “He can handle himself, let him go.”
“Drew we have to get everyone out of here.” Merrill said.
“Right; Merrill you and Marty go find Murdoch, see if he knows how to get the alarms working.” The two vampires followed the route Karl had taken. He turned to Essie, hugging herself, her eyes darting from flame to flame, fully vamped out.
“Essie,” she didn’t respond, “Essie.” Drew yelled at her. She had started to whimper and shake, edging backwards toward their normal sanctuary down in the basement. He approached her, gripping her tightly by the arms. “Essie,” he said softly but urgently, he attained her attention, “Going back down there won’t help. Get out of here, and try and find a phone, call the fire brigade.” She looked at him blankly. “Essie, do you understand you have to get help!” She nodded at him, “Good.” Slowly he edged her back to the door exiting Murdoch’s study and felt her resist. “It’s the only way out.” He assured her. Carefully, he wrapped his arms around the petrified vampire and moved her through the flames to the main door.
***
“Merrill, watch out.” Marty caught Merrill’s arm pulling her into him as part of the ceiling fell on to the spot where she was standing.
“Thanks.” She whispered.
“This is ridiculous, the place is coming down around us; there is no way we are getting the humans out of here alive! I say we just go.”
“We have to try, come on we’re nearly at Dr Murdoch’s room.” She said pulling the reluctant vampire with her.
Marty kicked in the wooden door easily with one boot, a coughing Murdoch emerged; a blanket around his face, to help keep the smoke at bay.
“The alarms,” he choked out,
“We know,” Merrill said, coming to his aid holding him up, “where is the main switch?”
“Under the stairwell,” Murdoch wheezed, the sound of splintering wood preceded the downward movement of the wooden beam. Merrill let out a cry as she crouched to the floor, pulling Murdoch down with her. The beam hovered about a foot above their heads, both teacher and student watched as Marty concentrated on flinging the piece of wood aside.
“Merrill, you get Murdoch out of here, I’ll get the alarms.”
***
Karl let another burst of foam from the fire extinguisher quench the fire growing around him. The fire was immense, burning at a rate the likes of which he had never seen before, making the old building structurally unsafe. The wooden beams above his head were splintering, and crashing down to earth. Reaching the guest dorms his hesitated at the moans he heard behind him. He turned to see Malcolm pinned beneath a fallen beam, he was slowly coming to after obviously being knocked unconscious. Karl turned his back on the mortal trapped, and moved towards the dorm door which housed his sister. His hand on the door knob, he paused and looked back again at the mortal groaning. Deep down he knew he couldn’t save his sister, it would freak her out, and it wasn’t right to leave Malcolm trapped like that, even if he was sleazing on his sister. Karl growled as he moved away from the door, and towards Malcolm. He easily removed the beam pinning the human down. Quickly he knelt down and slapped Malcolm across the face.
“Wake up!” He yelled.
“What?” Malcolm opened his eyes focusing on the guy looking down at him. “Karl Todman?” He stuttered, then in a moment he sat bolt upright, “Karl Todman! You’re dead! Oh my god I’m dead.” Karl quickly gave the babbling boy another quick slap. “Ouch! That hurt! Is that supposed to hurt when you’re a ghost?”
“You’re not dead!” Karl growled at him. He looked at the confusion evident in the humans face. “I’m dead, you’re not, and you need to save my sister, now!” Karl helped Malcolm to his feet, straightening his bent glasses in the hope that he would be able to save his sister. Malcolm limped to the dorm door, his eyes never leaving Karl.
“You’re very solid for a ghost, aren’t you suppose to be translucent?”
“Amy!” Karl shouted at him, making Malcolm hurriedly open the door. The door swung open to reveal Amy sprawled out unconscious on the floor.
“Amy!” Malcolm cried out, bending down on the floor to check the girls breathing.
“She’s alive!” He called out at Karl.
“Then get her out of here.” Karl called impatiently eying the fire around him. He watched as Malcolm tried to pick up his sister, and failed. Karl rolled his eyes, knowing that Malcolm would never be able to carry his sister out of there. Karl moved forward, forcibly pushing the fire extinguisher into Malcolms’ hand and then quickly yet gently scooping his sister into his arms.
“Follow me!”
***
With Essie safely outside and hopefully finding help, Drew turned his attention back inside the burning building, swiftly he let his mind enter the astral plane; moving up the main stairs and into the girls dorms. His mind focused on one room; and one room only. Both Dillon and Mimi were out cold on their bedroom floor near the window, evidently trying to escape the fire and smoke that way. Drew opened his eyes and focused on the burning stairwell before him, exhaling loudly he moved as fast as he could using every bit of his vampire speed.
The door splintered as Drew kicked the door open. He surveyed the room finding both Mimi and Dillon unconscious as they had been moments before. He pulled Mimi over his shoulder, and moved across to where Dillon lay, bending down, he managed to lift the girl onto his other shoulder. Panic rose in him as he turned to the door by which he had entered. The flames had grown in just the few minutes he had been in the room. The flames had followed him into the room, chasing him. There was no way he could retrace his steps. Drew looked back at the window, it was the only way. He concentrated and moved onto the astral plane using a psychic blow to smash the glass. Back in his body, he edged forward to the sill. Two floors up, a human could break their leg or worse jumping from this height. Quickly checking he had both humans firmly in his grasp, Drew stepped on to the sill, and off the edge. He landed two footed firmly on the ground, bending his knees to take the strain. The cool fresh air was bringing the human girls he still held around, as he began to run to the front of the building, he heard the sound of sirens arriving.
***
Karl laid his sister on the cool ground covered in a thin layer of snow. He tenderly moved her hair out of her face, and smiled upon her sleeping form.
“I don’t understand. Why would you appear to me over a year ago and not to your own sister?” Malcolm asked the ‘ghost’. Karl remained his focus on his sister, noting the furrowed brow as she came too in the fresh air. He stood up and turned to face Malcolm.
“Take care of her.” The ghost said to Malcolm, before disappearing before his very eyes. Malcolm stood in awe of his experience, and thought how cool his life was. The coughing brought him to the moment, and he moved to crouch next to Amy, fully conscious and coughing from smoke inhalation.
“Did I just see Karl? Did I die?” She asked.
“No, he came back to protect you, and I think I know why he revealed himself to me last year, he wants someone else to look after you now that he can’t. Looks like we are both moving to Vancouver.” Malcolm said confidently.
***
Marty looked at the wiring in front of him, his hands on his hips. Sabotage. The wires had all been cut, it had been hasty, with no care over which wires had been severed. He smelt the scent of a human, and wondered which side in their great war had done this; the Convocation Elders, the Fury, or the BPDA or some other vampire hunters. Marty didn’t trust any of them; he had taken his place here as a way to get out of the firing line, but the endless vampire war had found its way here. He walked out of the cupboard under the stairwell and out into the common room; it was filled with smoke, the flames lapping at anything that would burn. Yet Marty did not run out of the building, he stood firmly where he was. A strange sense of calm came over him, he was fed up of this war, fed up of his part in it, and now it could all be over. Marty closed his eyes and waited.
***
Merrill stumbled into the clean crisp night air, her teachers arms draped round her neck. An ambulance crew greeted her, as fire fighters ran past her into the building. She breathed heavily, watching the men rushing to her aid moving in slow motion, their calls to her sounding distant. Essie ran up to her as a face mask blowing oxygen was placed across her face. She embraced her, and then their teacher. Merrill removed her face mask as Essie reassured the ambulance crew and she was fine, and they turned their efforts to the older man.
“Where are the others?” Essie asked, pulling Merrill to one side.
“I don’t know.” Merrill said weakly, looking back at the building which was now being drenched by water from fire hoses. The snow that had begun to fall did little to quench the flames. The two vampires clung to each other looking for any signs of their brethren to appear.
“There.” Merrill pointed over Essie’s shoulder, as a drained Drew was helping load Mimi and Dillon into the back of an ambulance. Ignoring the fuss of the paramedics, he jogged over to Essie and Merrill where he was greeted with hugs. Their mentor and protector approached them; looking 20 years senior to his actual age and with tears in his eyes, he stumbled along the wet grass in his slippers, a blanket draped around him.
“Where are the others?” he asked, Drew shook his head in answer. Murdoch turned with his three vampire students to see the fire fighters, pulling out the remainders of his students. Merrill read the indecision in the teachers mind, how he wanted to be with both sets of students at this time to reassure them, comfort them.
“Go,” she said to him. Murdoch turned to her, “we’ll be alright, the day students need you; we can take care of ourselves.” Drew and Essie nodded at him. Murdoch looked at the gathering group of student around the triad of ambulances, he sighed, and then gave his night students one last look. A smile spread across his face,
“I know you will,” he said with a nod towards the wood behind them. The three vampires turned to see Karl edging his way out of the shadows of the tree line, trying not to be seen by the humans.
***
“Where is he?” Merrill cried out, she hugged herself, but whether it was to keep warm or in fear she didn’t know. The four vampires stood hidden behind the trees and bushes.
“I’m sure Marty is just messing with us in his typical sick way.” Essie tried to comfort her, but to no avail.
“I shouldn’t have left him; I have to go back for him.” Merrill said to the others, panic in her voice.
“He’ll be ok Merrill,” Drew said holding onto her by the arms. Merrill wrestled with her captor. A scream went up from the crowd meters away as part of the school building collapsed, the vampires hiding in the wood equally cried out in dismay.
“Marty!” Merrill sobbed, her legs giving way as she sank to the ground, unable and unwanting to stop the tears flowing freely down her face. Essie too fought back the tears, as Drew sighed. Karl paced the grass becoming agitated.
“Are you gonna tell me we’re just going to stand here and do nothing? Yes Marty is the biggest pain in the neck ever, but he’s one of us.” Drew closed his eyes and concentrated.
***
Marty opened his eyes at the sound of crashing. The part of the building where the kitchens were had collapsed. Smoke and debris billowed into the main corridor and into the common room. Marty’s keen vampire senses saw Drew riding the astral plane, looking for him, Marty sighed thinking of the other vampires and knew he had perhaps found true companions to spend the centuries with, or at least a year or so. Marty felt Merrill’s mind stretch itself, trying to find him, read his mind, his location. Marty’s thoughts turned to Merrill, her smile, her eyes, her very being and knew he had reason to live.
***
Drew’s eyes flicked open, a smile on his face.
“The solarium door.” He said already beginning to move in the direction, using his vampire speed. The four vampires arrived only moments later to see the glass panels covered in soot. They stood watching for any sign of their classmate. A pane cracking with the heat of the inferno drew the vampire’s attention. The glass splintered further and blew out; causing the vampires to move back shielding their eyes, but it wasn’t the fire that had caused the glass door to explode. Looking up, Merrill saw the shadow sauntering forward, through the broken glass door. Casually Marty walked out of the building, as if he was walking out the furnace as if he was a super hero, confident and cool, untouchable. Merrill obligingly played the part of the relieved love interest running up to him and grabbing in a full hug. Marty readily swept Merrill into his arms and continued to walk on to the others.
“Well I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve certainly been to wilder Christmas parties than that!”
***
The vampire sat in his chair, his prized item in his hands. The amulet was bigger than he remembered. He ran his cold fingers over the metal eye, and smiled.
Christina waited patiently at the back of the room, watching the back of the leather chair that housed her master. The silence was overwhelming, she noted the ticking of the clock that time was passing her by; she was getting older, whilst her master had all the time in the world. She knew she had done well, and trusted the vampire to keep in his word.
“You have done well, human.” Skakari spoke from the chair.
“Thank you my Lord,” Christina said a rising anticipation in her chest.
“You may go.” His words stung her.
“My Lord,” The human girl stuttered, gathering her courage she asserted herself, “you said if I served you well, you would reward me.”
“Ah yes.” The chair turned, and Christina’s eye fell upon her master. He was beautiful, not more than 30 years old in looks, but his eyes had seen many centuries go by. He approached her slowly. “Are you ready, my child?” He whispered to her, she nodded in response and lifted her head, giving him access to her neck. The vampire smiled baring his fangs; he bent his head and kissed her neck. Christina closed her eyes, and awaited the initial sting of the bite.
The bite was rougher than she imagined it to be, he did not hold her gently in his arms, but merely held her up, grabbing her arms, bruising them with his strength. The pain gave way to a light headed feeling, and she felt like falling, her body becoming heavy. She was almost there, almost immortal, never to age, but be young and beautiful forever. Christina felt herself get weaker, and confusion edged its way into her dream-like state. The feeling of pleasure gave way to pain and panic. She knew the ritual of becoming a vampire inside and out, he should be stopping right about now; he should be making her a vampire. Skakari did not stop, he continued to feed. Tears seeped out of Christina’s closed lids as the pain of betrayal replaced the physical pain of having her life drained away. She became too weak to stand anymore, and felt her heart racing as it tried in vain to pump non-existent blood to the rest of her body.
Skakari pulled away just before the last beat of her heart. A bloody satisfied smile across his face, he dropped the body on the floor. Stepping over it, he made his way back to the conference table and opened the journal his pet had brought him as an extra gift, his plan would soon come to fruition and the convocation Elders, and their plan to hide amongst the humans would be destroyed.
***
Some believe that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps the disaster at the school has shown how far my vampires have come, not only did they look after each other they also helped preserve human life, a break-through that exceeded my expectations. Whether this is just a one off occurrence or whether my vampires have learnt to value human life as their own, only time will tell.
Dr R Murdoch
The woman nervously walked into the boardroom. She worn a grey suit, her black hair pulled back into a ponytail, and with high heeled shoes, she hoped she looked professional; she needed this to go well.
Standing quietly she peered through the gloom of the office, despite it being mid-afternoon, the shutters were all closed and only a single lamp lit the room. She saw the outline of the black chair, its back towards her, she knew he was sitting there, and she knew that he knew she was there; she waited for him to turn around to address her, but he did not, he merely spoke from his current position.
“Our research has been fruitful, we have located the item in a very convenient location, allowing you to investigate both the presence of vampiric activity and retrieve the item.”
“Yes, Master.” She answered hoping she sounded confident.
“Don’t fail me on this human, the last scout I sent didn’t return. I am hoping that a human will not arouse suspicions.”
“Yes, Master.” She repeated “I will do as you ask, My Lord Skakari.”
“Do your task well, and you will have your reward.” The woman smiled at the thought, she bowed slightly and turned to leave. “Oh and one more thing,” she paused, “after you have retrieved the item, whether you find evidence of vampires or not, burn Mansbridge to the ground.”
***
Christmas is a time of happiness and merriment, but it is also the time of the year that mortals take stock of their lives. They assess the year gone by, and the connections they’ve made. This time of year helps one to recognise those that are important to us.
***
Malcolm paced the Mansbridge common room nervously. He check his watch again, three minutes to 4pm, she would be here in three minutes.
“Malcolm,” A female voice called out behind him, he turned round flustered.
“Amy, you’re early.” Malcolm exclaimed. Amy Todman looked at the grandfather clock behind Malcolm,
“Only by a couple of minutes, would you like me to leave and come back?”
“No, not at all, welcome to Mansbridge. Here let me take your bag.” Amy smiled at Malcolm’s nervousness as he reached out for her overnight bag; they had grown closer since she had visited Mansbridge last year to investigate the ghost sighting of her brother, Karl.
“Thank you Amy.” Malcolm whispered.
“For what?” she asked, puzzled as you why he was thanking her, when he was the one carrying the overnight bag.
“For being my date for the Christmas party tonight.” He said with a slight flush in his cheeks.
“It’s my pleasure, besides it might be the last time we actually see each other for a while.” Malcolm paused, confused by her statement.
“What do you mean?” He asked, as Amy stared at the floor and began to bite her nails, she looked sad, her long blonde hair fell over her face, hiding the tears that had already started to form in her eyes.
“My Dad got a new job and we are moving away from here, we’re heading to Vancouver.” She muttered, trying to keep her voice from wobbling.
“WHAT?” Karl yelled at the glass. He watched as Malcolm embraced his sister at the news, Karl wished he could hug his sister too, tell her that he wasn’t quite as dead as she and the rest of his family thought he was, but that was impossible. Reluctantly he moved away from the one-way glass and headed back to the basement.
***
“Hey Big Guy!” Karl, lost in thought, was struck by the football that Marty had thrown at him. He looked up at his assailant. “What’s up with you?” Marty asked as he retrieved the ball with his telekinesis, “It Christmas, time for merriment and good cheer!”
“Not now Marty, I’m not in the mood!” Karl walked away to his dorm and his coffin. Marty shrugged and aimed the ball at Drew’s head, bowed as he sat engrossed in his book.
“Don’t even think about it Marty.” He muttered darkly not even looking up from the book he was reading.
“So,” Marty said slowly placing the ball on the table, looking over his shoulder to check Karl was out of ear shot, “any of you going to the day students Christmas party?”
“No.”
“No.”
“No.”
“No?” Marty asked puzzled, staring at his three fellow vampires sat around the central table, “Why not? I was going to go.”
“Because Karl can’t go and it’s not fair on him.” Merrill said walking around Marty to take the football away before he thought about aiming it at anyone else.
“So why is Karl being a scrooge then?”
“I don’t know, why don’t you ask him.” Essie suggested looking up from her magazine.
***
Amy stared at the piece of paper, then back at Malcolm.
“This is a big deal Malcolm, it’s a great opportunity.” She said.
“Yeah, I know, a single semester and I’ve past the first year of college, a year ahead of schedule.” He said.
“Are you not going to do it?” Amy asked, a little hint of sadness in her voice, it would have been nice to know someone in Vancouver.
“I don’t know; I’m not sure I’m ready, I like it here.” He mumbled.
“The closing date for acceptance is tomorrow.” Amy handed Malcolm back the private letter he had shown her, “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.” Amy bit her nail, “I’d better go get ready for the party.” She turned and walked out of Malcolm’s’ dorm. Malcolm stood and re-read the letter for the hundredth time.
***
Dr Murdoch led the way into the common room followed by the catering staff he had hired for the students Christmas party. The Mansbridge common room, now cleared of its normal furniture was a mass of Christmas decorations in every colour, shape and size. A fake snow machine was gently blowing snow on to the dance floor, situated in the centre of the room. A giant 10 foot Christmas tree stood next to the grand piano next to the stair well, its tiny lights, flashing in the early evening winter darkness, completing the party mood.
“Here you go Doc,” Nick yelled, bouncing down the stairs, already in his tux, he handed the mentor his ipod, “That will keep the party going.”
“Erm,” Murdoch looked at the contraption curiously,
“Don’t worry I’ll hook it up to the sound system.” He
said taking back his player and disappearing beyond the tree. Within seconds, music blared through the academy’s speaker system,
“A bit quieter please Nick,” Murdoch yelled as Nick’s head popped around the tree, the blond hair boy nodded, and turned the volume down, slightly. Murdoch chuckled and turned to one of the staff that had approached him, “Teenagers!” He shrugged at the black haired girl.
“Hi, I’m Christina,” The young woman introduced herself, “I’m in charge of the catering team for your party.”
“Ah, welcome to Mansbridge. Is there anything you need me to do for you?”
“Nothing at all, we have already set-up in the kitchen, and we will be ready to start setting out the food in the next hour or so.”
“Excellent, I’ll leave you to it then.”
***
Murdoch left the common room, and headed for his study. Making quite sure the door was closed and locked; he headed for the antique shield on the far wall. The mentor turned the shield to the right, initiating the unlocking of the secret entrance to the wine cellar; the door slid backwards revealing a slope. Murdoch descended in to the gloom.
“Good evening Dr Murdoch.” Merrill said smiling at her teacher as he reached the bottom of the slope.
“Good evening,” Dr Murdoch paused and looked at the
four vampires sitting around the table before him, “I think that perhaps you need to dress up a bit for the party this evening.”
“Oh we’re not going,” Marty said with fake cheerfulness in his voice, “apparently.” He added sullenly.
“Oh,” The human said surprise evident in his voice, but a slight smile on his lips.
“With Karl not being able to go to the party, we thought it unfair to leave him alone, so none of us are going.” Merrill explained. Murdoch smiled fully.
“I am proud that you have made such a decision, this shows that you are truly thinking of yourselves as a community, as a family. It means you are changing.”
“Yeah well, it doesn’t stop Mr Bah humbug from being in a grumpy mood over there.” Marty nodded his head in the direction of the guys dorm.
“What is Karl upset about?” Murdoch asked the group, his response a number of shrugged shoulders and I don’t knows. The school master walked to the dorm, and looked at the closed coffin, he approached slowly, hesitant as to what to do; he didn’t know the etiquette of disturbing a vampire in his coffin. He looked back at the central area, at the other vampire students, looking for a hint. “Should I knock?” He asked.
“Nah, just open the lid.” Essie waved a perfected manicured hand at him. Murdoch unlatched the curtains that separated the dorms from the centre room, and then walked back to the coffin, gently tapping on its lid.
“Karl, its Dr Murdoch, is there anything upsetting you?”
***
The party was in full swing by the time Murdoch exited his study. Four vampires watched intently as the teacher stood and watched the throng of teenagers, eating, drinking, chatting, dancing and generally having a good time.
Karl pushed aside the curtain and walked into the main room. He stood abruptly and looked in puzzlement at the presence of his four vampire brethren.
“What are you guys doing here? I thought you’d be at the party.”
“Nah, it’s much more fun watching them.” Marty said, leaning back in his chair to look at Karl upside down. “Pull up a pew; it’s going to be great viewing.”
“Yeah, you just missed Nick pouring vodka into the fruit punch and then stashing the bottle by the Christmas tree.” Essie joined in.
“Blood?” Merrill asked handing Karl one of the blood allotments she was carrying. He stared at the plastic wrapped blood in his hand, wondering whether Murdoch had filled them in on Amy’s news.
“Did Murdoch tell you guys about Amy?” He asked. An array of unconvincing ‘No’s’ was his reply.
“You guys are terrible liars.” He said taking a seat next to Marty. “Right I bet that Malcolm will be the first to get drunk.”
***
Christina stood in the ladies bathroom, she stared at her reflection. She would lose her healthy complexion and become deathly pale, but it would be better than aging, than dying. Better than being mere cattle when the Fury over threw the Elders. She pulled her backpack onto the counter and opened it. She peered into it, seeing the round smooth gem she had brought with her, her guide to location the item that Skakari needed. She allowed her fingers to caress it, feeling its coolness, it glinted at her. The girl abruptly pulled her hand out of her bag at the sound of the opening door.
“Hey,” The sullen looking girl with an unhealthy complexion and fake black hair said to her, Christina smiled weakly at the human and wondered if she knew how close she resembled a vampire. “Taking a break?” Dillon asked the woman, probably ten years her senior, and obviously catering staff from her white shirt, black skirt and apron.
“Something like that.” Christina spoke coldly.
“Your bag is glowing.” Dillon said pointing to the backpack on the counter.
“Bike light.” Christina answered hurriedly grabbing the bag and exiting the bathroom.
***
Merrill looked at Essie in panic, as the royal vampiress stared at the screen in front of her.
“Keep him from seeing this.” The brunette begged, Essie nodded at her friend and moved to the blood store.
“Are you sure Murdoch said we could have much blood as we wanted tonight?” He asked sensing Essie’s presence.
“That’s why he left the store open, look why don’t we grab a load for the others.” Essie said beginning to load him up with blood allotment.”
“Ok,” Karl said confused at her actions, “So what’s happening upstairs any bust-ups or sexual interludes?”
“No, it’s totally boring.”
“Really? Parties were never like that at Wren...” Karl was cut short by the whoop of excitement from Marty, from the central room.
“Geek squad’s gonna get laid!” Marty yelled at the top of his voice. Karl looked at Essie, and in a second heaped the blood allotments into her arms and rejoined the rest of the vampires in their spectator sport.
“What’s happening?” He asked Marty, whose hands were in the air in victorious applause.
“Ahhh,” Marty began realising his mistake, his joyous grin turning sheepish. Karl looked at the TV, eager for the gossip. His smile disappeared in moments, his jaw dropping and his eyes widening at the scene before him. The big vampire stumbled forward into the table as he tried to get closer to the screen, as if getting closer would show the display to be false. Malcolm was under the mistletoe hung in the centre of the dance floor, with Amy, and they were kissing.
“Wh, mal, she.” Karl failed to form words let alone a sentence. The other vampires waited with baited breath for his reaction.
“I’m going to kill him!” Karl yelled, fully vamped out and moving towards the basements exit. Drew quickly decided that he friend was not going to listen to reason and dived on to the angry vampire, holding him as best he could back from the doorway. Marty sat in awe watching Drew with his slender frame try to stop the well-built ex-football high school jock.
“Help him, Marty.” Merrill commanded. Marty looked up at the fragile brunette, so afraid, he sighed rolling his eyes. Brining his eyes back centre he focused on Karl’s frame pulling him backwards towards the far wall away from the exit. Drew stood up thankfully relieved of his duty but looking forlorn at his torn shirt.
“Happy?” Marty asked looking up at Merrill; she shook her head and walked away.
Essie walked as quickly as she dared in her designer heels to Karl, sitting dazed on the floor.
“Listen to me, you need to let Amy move on with her life, and if that’s in Vancouver and with Malcolm, so be it, she’s a big girl now.”
“She’s like seven.” Karl said rubbing his head.
“Seventeen Karl.” Essie corrected him, “and she could do a lot worse, hey she could be dating someone like Marty.” Essie extended her hand to help Karl off the floor.
“Hey,” Marty’s voice sounded like a wounded animal behind her.
“I guess, but she’s still young for sex.” Karl said taking Essie’s hand and pushing himself off the floor, looking Marty up and down.
“Besides,” Essie said, her arm draped around Karl’s waist, as his fang retracted and his eyes were once more their ice blue, “Malcolm wouldn’t know what to do.” The group looked at the screen as Amy and Malcolm finally separated from each other, “probably.” She added giving Karl a little squeeze.
***
The ruby lay dormant, it did not glow, it did not glint. Christina prodded it once more, nothing. Why had it activated in the bathroom and not now? Christina closed the bag, and looked at the dishes awaiting her attention in the kitchen sink.
***
“Come on I want to show you something.”
Merrill giggled as she allowed Marty to playfully drag her into the Mansbridge common room, Nat King Cole’s Christmas song was still playing softly on the hi-fi system, despite the party ending over an hour ago, and the day schoolers retiring to their beds. Marty spun Merrill around on the dance floor, and the pair swayed to the music. Marty’s pace slowed until they were no longer moving, and yet they remained in each other’s arms.
“What’s this all about Marty?” Merrill asked softly trying not to completely destroy the mood they had created.
“Look up.” Marty told her, and she did, a smirk spread across Merrill’s lips.
“I don’t see anything but the ceiling.” She said looking back at him.
“What?” Marty dropped his arms from the embraced and took a step back to look into the air. “Where did it go?” He asked
“Where did what go?” Merrill asked a playful smile on her lips. Marty stood there disgruntled with his hands on his hips.
“Nothing; doesn’t matter.” He said sulkily.
“Oh well, I have something for you anyway.” Merrill produced a small black box tied with a blood red ribbon and held it out for Marty.
“Aren’t we a little old for Christmas presents.” He said bored with the moment now his plan had failed, and folded his arms across his chest.
“Just open it.” Merrill said. Marty unfolded his arms with a sigh and stepped forward towards Merrill to receive his gift. He tore open the box, but paused when he looked inside, the momentarily look of puzzlement spread across his face was immediately replaced by a smile, as he removed his present from the packaging.
“You took it? So does that mean...?”
“Merry Christmas Marty,” Merrill cut him off as she too took a step closer, her face tilted up towards Marty’s, and he lowered his lips on to hers. The box dropped to the floor and Marty let his arms embraced Merrill, but the sprig of mistletoe remained firmly in his grasp.
***
The night school party was in full swing when Merrill and Marty descended into the basement, even Karl looked like he was having a good time. Goblets of blood and Christmas crackers were laid out on the table, and beneath a small artificial Christmas tree five present laid neatly wrapped.
“God Bless Dr Murdoch, and God Bless Everyone.” Marty cried out.
***
The Mansbridge Academy lay in darkness, silence had descended. A shadow moved in the moonlight along the common room walls and towards Murdoch’s office. She removed the small red gem from the back pack and held it out. Slowly she moved it around her, intently watching it. It began to glow bright red, almost throbbing as it detected its prize. She lifted her head, and saw the doorway to Murdoch’s office, she smiled, unsurprised as to where her target lay.
***
“MARTY!” Essie screamed out at the dark haired vampire, “That is starting to get just a tad annoying.” She yelled as she snatched away the noise blower from Marty, and yet her laughter divulged her true feelings on the matter. Christmas wrapping paper and bits of Christmas crackers pulled to pieces lay strew around the table. Goblets of blood lay in various states of fullness. The mood was jovial, and relaxed; even Drew moved aside his serious nature and immersed himself into the Christmas spirit, sporting a purple paper crown, a gift from one of the crackers.
“I think all the blood has gone to Merrill’s head.” Karl commented on the vampire spinning in circles giggling to herself.
“That and the vodka, I put in there.” Marty said with a wink.
***
Christina moved the panel from the wall, revealing a secret compartment. Muffled cheers paused her movements; she looked around but saw no signs of life. She wondered whether the reports were true and the Convocation Elders were in fact hiding their secret weapon here. She shrugged off her thoughts and proceeded with her task, reaching in she found a box, and knew from the glowing red orb that she had found what she came for. With the box and the ruby safely placed in her backpack, she headed for the exit to the office. A large antique book that lay on the master desk caught her eye, and quickly she went over to it and opened it. She saw handwritten scribbles over the pages, a journal of some kind. Just as Christina was about to dismiss it, a word in the ink caught her eye, vampire. The intruder shut the book, surprised but undeterred by its weight, she too placed that into her backpack and headed back to the kitchen to begin the final stage of her mission.
***
“Hey does anyone smell smoke?” Merrill asked.
“I think Marty has just let off one too many party poppers.” Drew answered, whilst they watched Marty dare Karl to down another pint of blood in one go; coloured streamers hanging down their faces.
“No she’s right, I can smell smoke too.” Essie said. Drew paused, concentrating he closed his eyes and allowed himself to ride the astral plane. The girls waited silently, a sense of apprehension growing in the pits of their stomachs. Drew eyes flickered open, alarm evident in the redness of his iris.
“The schools on fire!” He yelled.
“What!” Cried Essie; interrupting Marty and Karl’s game drawing their attention to their alarmed brethren.
“Why haven’t the alarms gone off?” Karl asked.
“Who knows but we have to get out of here, through Murdoch’s office is the only way out.” Marty called back already at the foot of the stairs. The vampires headed for the secret entrance, emerging through it they came to recognise the situation Drew had already seen. Smoke billowed through the open door of Murdoch study, flames lapped at the doorframe.
“What the hell is going on?” Essie screamed, fear evident in her voice.
“The alarms aren’t working, which means everyone is still in here.” Drew yelled over the crackling of the fire attacking the wood.
“AMY!” Karl cried, running through the doorway and into the flames.
“Karl!” Essie screamed out again, panic overwhelming her.
“Essie, calm down!” Drew commanded, “He can handle himself, let him go.”
“Drew we have to get everyone out of here.” Merrill said.
“Right; Merrill you and Marty go find Murdoch, see if he knows how to get the alarms working.” The two vampires followed the route Karl had taken. He turned to Essie, hugging herself, her eyes darting from flame to flame, fully vamped out.
“Essie,” she didn’t respond, “Essie.” Drew yelled at her. She had started to whimper and shake, edging backwards toward their normal sanctuary down in the basement. He approached her, gripping her tightly by the arms. “Essie,” he said softly but urgently, he attained her attention, “Going back down there won’t help. Get out of here, and try and find a phone, call the fire brigade.” She looked at him blankly. “Essie, do you understand you have to get help!” She nodded at him, “Good.” Slowly he edged her back to the door exiting Murdoch’s study and felt her resist. “It’s the only way out.” He assured her. Carefully, he wrapped his arms around the petrified vampire and moved her through the flames to the main door.
***
“Merrill, watch out.” Marty caught Merrill’s arm pulling her into him as part of the ceiling fell on to the spot where she was standing.
“Thanks.” She whispered.
“This is ridiculous, the place is coming down around us; there is no way we are getting the humans out of here alive! I say we just go.”
“We have to try, come on we’re nearly at Dr Murdoch’s room.” She said pulling the reluctant vampire with her.
Marty kicked in the wooden door easily with one boot, a coughing Murdoch emerged; a blanket around his face, to help keep the smoke at bay.
“The alarms,” he choked out,
“We know,” Merrill said, coming to his aid holding him up, “where is the main switch?”
“Under the stairwell,” Murdoch wheezed, the sound of splintering wood preceded the downward movement of the wooden beam. Merrill let out a cry as she crouched to the floor, pulling Murdoch down with her. The beam hovered about a foot above their heads, both teacher and student watched as Marty concentrated on flinging the piece of wood aside.
“Merrill, you get Murdoch out of here, I’ll get the alarms.”
***
Karl let another burst of foam from the fire extinguisher quench the fire growing around him. The fire was immense, burning at a rate the likes of which he had never seen before, making the old building structurally unsafe. The wooden beams above his head were splintering, and crashing down to earth. Reaching the guest dorms his hesitated at the moans he heard behind him. He turned to see Malcolm pinned beneath a fallen beam, he was slowly coming to after obviously being knocked unconscious. Karl turned his back on the mortal trapped, and moved towards the dorm door which housed his sister. His hand on the door knob, he paused and looked back again at the mortal groaning. Deep down he knew he couldn’t save his sister, it would freak her out, and it wasn’t right to leave Malcolm trapped like that, even if he was sleazing on his sister. Karl growled as he moved away from the door, and towards Malcolm. He easily removed the beam pinning the human down. Quickly he knelt down and slapped Malcolm across the face.
“Wake up!” He yelled.
“What?” Malcolm opened his eyes focusing on the guy looking down at him. “Karl Todman?” He stuttered, then in a moment he sat bolt upright, “Karl Todman! You’re dead! Oh my god I’m dead.” Karl quickly gave the babbling boy another quick slap. “Ouch! That hurt! Is that supposed to hurt when you’re a ghost?”
“You’re not dead!” Karl growled at him. He looked at the confusion evident in the humans face. “I’m dead, you’re not, and you need to save my sister, now!” Karl helped Malcolm to his feet, straightening his bent glasses in the hope that he would be able to save his sister. Malcolm limped to the dorm door, his eyes never leaving Karl.
“You’re very solid for a ghost, aren’t you suppose to be translucent?”
“Amy!” Karl shouted at him, making Malcolm hurriedly open the door. The door swung open to reveal Amy sprawled out unconscious on the floor.
“Amy!” Malcolm cried out, bending down on the floor to check the girls breathing.
“She’s alive!” He called out at Karl.
“Then get her out of here.” Karl called impatiently eying the fire around him. He watched as Malcolm tried to pick up his sister, and failed. Karl rolled his eyes, knowing that Malcolm would never be able to carry his sister out of there. Karl moved forward, forcibly pushing the fire extinguisher into Malcolms’ hand and then quickly yet gently scooping his sister into his arms.
“Follow me!”
***
With Essie safely outside and hopefully finding help, Drew turned his attention back inside the burning building, swiftly he let his mind enter the astral plane; moving up the main stairs and into the girls dorms. His mind focused on one room; and one room only. Both Dillon and Mimi were out cold on their bedroom floor near the window, evidently trying to escape the fire and smoke that way. Drew opened his eyes and focused on the burning stairwell before him, exhaling loudly he moved as fast as he could using every bit of his vampire speed.
The door splintered as Drew kicked the door open. He surveyed the room finding both Mimi and Dillon unconscious as they had been moments before. He pulled Mimi over his shoulder, and moved across to where Dillon lay, bending down, he managed to lift the girl onto his other shoulder. Panic rose in him as he turned to the door by which he had entered. The flames had grown in just the few minutes he had been in the room. The flames had followed him into the room, chasing him. There was no way he could retrace his steps. Drew looked back at the window, it was the only way. He concentrated and moved onto the astral plane using a psychic blow to smash the glass. Back in his body, he edged forward to the sill. Two floors up, a human could break their leg or worse jumping from this height. Quickly checking he had both humans firmly in his grasp, Drew stepped on to the sill, and off the edge. He landed two footed firmly on the ground, bending his knees to take the strain. The cool fresh air was bringing the human girls he still held around, as he began to run to the front of the building, he heard the sound of sirens arriving.
***
Karl laid his sister on the cool ground covered in a thin layer of snow. He tenderly moved her hair out of her face, and smiled upon her sleeping form.
“I don’t understand. Why would you appear to me over a year ago and not to your own sister?” Malcolm asked the ‘ghost’. Karl remained his focus on his sister, noting the furrowed brow as she came too in the fresh air. He stood up and turned to face Malcolm.
“Take care of her.” The ghost said to Malcolm, before disappearing before his very eyes. Malcolm stood in awe of his experience, and thought how cool his life was. The coughing brought him to the moment, and he moved to crouch next to Amy, fully conscious and coughing from smoke inhalation.
“Did I just see Karl? Did I die?” She asked.
“No, he came back to protect you, and I think I know why he revealed himself to me last year, he wants someone else to look after you now that he can’t. Looks like we are both moving to Vancouver.” Malcolm said confidently.
***
Marty looked at the wiring in front of him, his hands on his hips. Sabotage. The wires had all been cut, it had been hasty, with no care over which wires had been severed. He smelt the scent of a human, and wondered which side in their great war had done this; the Convocation Elders, the Fury, or the BPDA or some other vampire hunters. Marty didn’t trust any of them; he had taken his place here as a way to get out of the firing line, but the endless vampire war had found its way here. He walked out of the cupboard under the stairwell and out into the common room; it was filled with smoke, the flames lapping at anything that would burn. Yet Marty did not run out of the building, he stood firmly where he was. A strange sense of calm came over him, he was fed up of this war, fed up of his part in it, and now it could all be over. Marty closed his eyes and waited.
***
Merrill stumbled into the clean crisp night air, her teachers arms draped round her neck. An ambulance crew greeted her, as fire fighters ran past her into the building. She breathed heavily, watching the men rushing to her aid moving in slow motion, their calls to her sounding distant. Essie ran up to her as a face mask blowing oxygen was placed across her face. She embraced her, and then their teacher. Merrill removed her face mask as Essie reassured the ambulance crew and she was fine, and they turned their efforts to the older man.
“Where are the others?” Essie asked, pulling Merrill to one side.
“I don’t know.” Merrill said weakly, looking back at the building which was now being drenched by water from fire hoses. The snow that had begun to fall did little to quench the flames. The two vampires clung to each other looking for any signs of their brethren to appear.
“There.” Merrill pointed over Essie’s shoulder, as a drained Drew was helping load Mimi and Dillon into the back of an ambulance. Ignoring the fuss of the paramedics, he jogged over to Essie and Merrill where he was greeted with hugs. Their mentor and protector approached them; looking 20 years senior to his actual age and with tears in his eyes, he stumbled along the wet grass in his slippers, a blanket draped around him.
“Where are the others?” he asked, Drew shook his head in answer. Murdoch turned with his three vampire students to see the fire fighters, pulling out the remainders of his students. Merrill read the indecision in the teachers mind, how he wanted to be with both sets of students at this time to reassure them, comfort them.
“Go,” she said to him. Murdoch turned to her, “we’ll be alright, the day students need you; we can take care of ourselves.” Drew and Essie nodded at him. Murdoch looked at the gathering group of student around the triad of ambulances, he sighed, and then gave his night students one last look. A smile spread across his face,
“I know you will,” he said with a nod towards the wood behind them. The three vampires turned to see Karl edging his way out of the shadows of the tree line, trying not to be seen by the humans.
***
“Where is he?” Merrill cried out, she hugged herself, but whether it was to keep warm or in fear she didn’t know. The four vampires stood hidden behind the trees and bushes.
“I’m sure Marty is just messing with us in his typical sick way.” Essie tried to comfort her, but to no avail.
“I shouldn’t have left him; I have to go back for him.” Merrill said to the others, panic in her voice.
“He’ll be ok Merrill,” Drew said holding onto her by the arms. Merrill wrestled with her captor. A scream went up from the crowd meters away as part of the school building collapsed, the vampires hiding in the wood equally cried out in dismay.
“Marty!” Merrill sobbed, her legs giving way as she sank to the ground, unable and unwanting to stop the tears flowing freely down her face. Essie too fought back the tears, as Drew sighed. Karl paced the grass becoming agitated.
“Are you gonna tell me we’re just going to stand here and do nothing? Yes Marty is the biggest pain in the neck ever, but he’s one of us.” Drew closed his eyes and concentrated.
***
Marty opened his eyes at the sound of crashing. The part of the building where the kitchens were had collapsed. Smoke and debris billowed into the main corridor and into the common room. Marty’s keen vampire senses saw Drew riding the astral plane, looking for him, Marty sighed thinking of the other vampires and knew he had perhaps found true companions to spend the centuries with, or at least a year or so. Marty felt Merrill’s mind stretch itself, trying to find him, read his mind, his location. Marty’s thoughts turned to Merrill, her smile, her eyes, her very being and knew he had reason to live.
***
Drew’s eyes flicked open, a smile on his face.
“The solarium door.” He said already beginning to move in the direction, using his vampire speed. The four vampires arrived only moments later to see the glass panels covered in soot. They stood watching for any sign of their classmate. A pane cracking with the heat of the inferno drew the vampire’s attention. The glass splintered further and blew out; causing the vampires to move back shielding their eyes, but it wasn’t the fire that had caused the glass door to explode. Looking up, Merrill saw the shadow sauntering forward, through the broken glass door. Casually Marty walked out of the building, as if he was walking out the furnace as if he was a super hero, confident and cool, untouchable. Merrill obligingly played the part of the relieved love interest running up to him and grabbing in a full hug. Marty readily swept Merrill into his arms and continued to walk on to the others.
“Well I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve certainly been to wilder Christmas parties than that!”
***
The vampire sat in his chair, his prized item in his hands. The amulet was bigger than he remembered. He ran his cold fingers over the metal eye, and smiled.
Christina waited patiently at the back of the room, watching the back of the leather chair that housed her master. The silence was overwhelming, she noted the ticking of the clock that time was passing her by; she was getting older, whilst her master had all the time in the world. She knew she had done well, and trusted the vampire to keep in his word.
“You have done well, human.” Skakari spoke from the chair.
“Thank you my Lord,” Christina said a rising anticipation in her chest.
“You may go.” His words stung her.
“My Lord,” The human girl stuttered, gathering her courage she asserted herself, “you said if I served you well, you would reward me.”
“Ah yes.” The chair turned, and Christina’s eye fell upon her master. He was beautiful, not more than 30 years old in looks, but his eyes had seen many centuries go by. He approached her slowly. “Are you ready, my child?” He whispered to her, she nodded in response and lifted her head, giving him access to her neck. The vampire smiled baring his fangs; he bent his head and kissed her neck. Christina closed her eyes, and awaited the initial sting of the bite.
The bite was rougher than she imagined it to be, he did not hold her gently in his arms, but merely held her up, grabbing her arms, bruising them with his strength. The pain gave way to a light headed feeling, and she felt like falling, her body becoming heavy. She was almost there, almost immortal, never to age, but be young and beautiful forever. Christina felt herself get weaker, and confusion edged its way into her dream-like state. The feeling of pleasure gave way to pain and panic. She knew the ritual of becoming a vampire inside and out, he should be stopping right about now; he should be making her a vampire. Skakari did not stop, he continued to feed. Tears seeped out of Christina’s closed lids as the pain of betrayal replaced the physical pain of having her life drained away. She became too weak to stand anymore, and felt her heart racing as it tried in vain to pump non-existent blood to the rest of her body.
Skakari pulled away just before the last beat of her heart. A bloody satisfied smile across his face, he dropped the body on the floor. Stepping over it, he made his way back to the conference table and opened the journal his pet had brought him as an extra gift, his plan would soon come to fruition and the convocation Elders, and their plan to hide amongst the humans would be destroyed.
***
Some believe that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps the disaster at the school has shown how far my vampires have come, not only did they look after each other they also helped preserve human life, a break-through that exceeded my expectations. Whether this is just a one off occurrence or whether my vampires have learnt to value human life as their own, only time will tell.
Dr R Murdoch
