Post by demona on Mar 7, 2010 20:14:40 GMT
Sorry a bit later than said - hope you all enjoy!
dxx
Ep6 – Reflections
WARNING: This fanfic contains one expletive, please do not be offended, it was required given the context.
Dr Reginald Murdoch stood in the centre of the room. He looked around him at the new furniture; the smell of paint and the leather from the sofa’s overwhelming his senses. He heart sank at the blank spaces on the walls, where his prized art collection had been, his antiques from across the globe and spanning the centuries were not so easily replaced after the destruction of the fire. The aging human closed his eyes and relished the few moments of silence he had left before The Mansbridge Academy opened for business once more; and yet the school master smiled as in the distance he heard the slamming of the main doors, and the sound of footsteps and chatter edging their way nearer.
“Home Sweet Home!” Marty declared his arms thrown open wide as he marched from the hall way into the common room.
Murdoch turned to see his students arrive; Marty Strickland dressed in his trench coat and sunglasses, his hair still sticking up all over the place, and a wicked grin on his face, was followed in by his peers. Drew French stood against the wall; the image of the modern day vampire, the dark hair and sullen expression, was completed by the red silk shirt and black trousers. Merrill Young was a picture of eagerness, keen to get back to her studies, grasping a large very old leather clad book, her eyes surveying the new interior of the school. Essie Rachamova breezed into the room with her usual royal flare; her high heeled boots clicking on the newly polished floor, dressed in what Murdoch assumed was the latest fashion, showing off her perfect figure. Karl Todman looked like the average senior high school student, except he had been dead for over two years now; his T-shirt showing off his muscled arms that he used to repeatedly toss a football up in the air; effortlessly catching it each time.
Murdoch smiled at his students, the fruits of his labours, brimming with pride. Yet these five young adults were older than they looked, these weren’t the students that were the public face of the school, they were his vampires. Pioneers in the world of the undead, learning to humanise and live with and amongst humans instead of hunting them. Silently he prayed that the last couple of months without his supervision had not weakened their resolve to change.
“So,” said Marty as he pulled off his sunglasses, his ice blue eyes staring into Murdoch own grey ones, “Miss us?”
***
The beginning of a new chapter in life affords one to take stock of where they are and how they want to proceed, what future goals they which to achieve and how to go about it. It also allows a period of reflection on the past.
***
“So,” Dr Murdoch began, as he sat in the arm chair, a tea cup and saucer poised in his hand full of steaming hot tea, ready for the drinking as he heard what his night schoolers had to say, “How was your time with the Elders?” The teacher sipped his tea, eying the vampires in front of him, testing out the new common room sofas.
“Oh it was a blast.” Drew spoke with a sarcastic tone whilst chewing on the straw that led to his blood allotment.
“It was very enlightening, learning all about vampire history.” Merrill answered, having obviously enjoyed her time at the Elders, Murdoch watched as the other four rolled their eyes in dismay of their book worm friend. “But we are glad to be back, Dr Murdoch,” the brunette affirmed.
“Yeah, how did you get the school put back together so fast?” Karl asked their mentor,
“Well I had a few generous donations from some of the parents, and of course, the Elders provided work teams that could work at night as well as during the day.” Murdoch replied cryptically.
“I think the Elders were more than happy to get us back to school and out of their robes.” Essie commented.
“Oh.” Murdoch enquired.
“I think they got a little tired of certain people banging on about not feeding off humans anymore, it’s one thing to send others onto a programme to control their cravings, quite another to have it forced upon yourself after centuries of killing.” Marty joined in the conversation.
“I was only trying to pass on what we had learnt here.” Merrill here, “I mean isn’t that what we are suppose to be doing when we’ve really changed, help other vamps to change too.”
“So you truly believe you can or have changed?” Murdoch asked.
“Let’s just say that being put back with a load of vamps that haven’t been through the programme highlighted exactly how much we have changed.” Karl added sucking his packet dry.
“Yes, I hear that you took the pledge whilst you were with the Elders, they must have definitely seen a change in you Karl. I am very proud, and you should start my evening tutorial programme along with the others.”
“What really, I get to join in mixing with the day school?” Karl said with a smile.
“Yes Karl you do.” Murdoch said matching his smile.
“Speaking of which, when do the day school start back?” Drew asked,
“They will arrive back tomorrow, so you have the school to yourselves for the entire night.”
***
Essie pulled the cord, sending her clothing rail back into the ceiling above her coffin.
“Right I’m finally unpacked.” She said satisfied. The royal vampire turned to her mirror, and attended her hair and make-up. “So are you and Marty going to check out the school tonight?” Essie asked Merrill, a sly glint in her eye. The blonde watched the brunette squirm a little as she looked up from the book she was reading to address the question.
“What do you mean?” Merrill asked, “why Marty and me? Why not all of us?”
“You know very well what I mean.” Staring at Merrill’s reflection, “There seemed to be an awful lot of nights when the both of you would go off at the same time whilst we were with the Elders.” Essie spun round and addressed Merrill face on, “Are you trying to tell me the two of you weren’t together?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Merrill said shaking her head, obviously lying, “we never spent more time together than we usual do.”
“Have it your way, but I don’t think it would be such a bad thing, makes a change from Drew.” The blonde turned back to mirror, whilst Merrill shut her book, and left the dorm.
***
“Hey.” Marty caught up with Merrill as she walked up the slope to the exit of the basement, “going to check out the new colour scheme? Can I come too?” He asked wrapping his arm round Merrill’s shoulders.
“Marty don’t.” Merrill moved out of his grasp, “I don’t think it’s such a good idea, somebody might see.”
“So?” Marty moved to take Merrill by the hand, “We’re an...”
“Don’t.” Merrill cut him off, taking a step away. Seeing the hurt expression on Marty’s face, Merrill softened, “Look I just don’t think we should make a big deal of it; just keep it quiet for a while longer.”
“So it’s all still about Drew.” Marty crossed his arms in a huff, turning to walk away, Merrill’s soft cry of his name fell on deaf ears.
***
Karl looked out of the window at the large expanse of grass in the moonlight. That would be perfect for a baseball game he thought to himself. He smiled wondering exactly how close he would get to living a human life again.
“Who are you?” The voice behind him interrupted his thoughts. Karl turned to see the pale girl standing in the doorway, her large black bag holding her belongings lay on the floor. Her face stunned Karl into silence. Her black hair hung slightly above her shoulders, her blue eyes focused on him. Karl gulped as he felt something tingle deep inside his core.
“Wait I know you,” the girl said, “I saw you a few months ago, in Murdoch’s study. Who are you?” This was no come-on, but an accusation, a warning.
“K...Karl.” The boy stuttered.
“What are you doing here? Are you a student here?” The girl bombarded him with questions.
“No; Yes; erm not exactly.” Karl fumbled with his words. He paused gathering his thoughts as the girl in front of him crossed her arms against her body and stared at him accusingly.
“I’m joining Dr Murdoch’s evening tutorial group.” He said finally.
“Oh so you know Drew then?”
“Yeah,” Karl said relaxing a little, “and Essie, Marty and Merrill.” He said smiling, Dillon nodded at him; slightly more convinced he was genuine.
“Do all of you work at Skippy’s?” Dillons’ question oozed with sarcasm and was met with silence. “So,” The girl continued, “that night in Murdoch’s study you were...” Dillon asked the leading question.
“Waiting for...my...interview.” Karl said slowly, tension rising within him again.
“An interview? In the dark?” Dillon grew suspicious again.
“I couldn’t find the light switch.” Karl knew his answer sounded ridiculous but he couldn’t think straight. He was close to breaking out into a cold sweat, he was agitated, nervous and he didn’t understand why.
Dillon stared at Karl, but was now silent all her questions asked, her mind had gone blank, she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Her heart was beating rapidly and she fought to control her breath, a strange urge came over her, she thirsted for something, something odd that she couldn’t place.
Karl stood still trying to control himself, the need to unsheathe his fangs, to taste her blood again was becoming too much.
The silence between them had grown from mere seconds to minutes; Dillon struggled to find something to say. She opened her lips, hoping words would form.
Karl looked at Dillon lips, saw them part but he could no longer control himself, with his fangs unsheathing as if they had a life of their own, he covered his mouth with his hand and ran from the room.
***
Dr Murdoch heard his tea cup rattle in its saucer. He looked about him and was unsurprised when he saw nothing, with the doorway to his wine cellar already open, he suspected that his night students were busy inspecting the new school. The school master looked back down at his new journal. The loss of his old one was a mystery, although it was assumed to have been burnt in the fire, no remnants had been found. It was unusual he found himself unable to write but this evening was proving difficult to put thought into word. So lost he was within his own mind that the voice that disturbed him caused him to drop his pen.
“The new school is looking very nice.”
Dr Murdoch lifted his head, as his heart beat heavily in his chest. His eyes cast upon the blonde standing in front of him, in mere seconds his composure restored.
“It’s been awhile. How are you Ms Hackett?”
***
Marianne Hackett of the Biomorphic Predatory Disease Agency sat comfortably in the arm chair; her eyes never moving from Murdoch.
“I see your wine cellar survived the fire.” She said as he poured her a cup of tea.
“Yes, I was fortunate in that. Perhaps you would like to sample some vintage Bordeaux I have been keeping for a special occasion.”
“Is this a special occasion?” She asked.
“Well it has been some months since you have visited. And as last time you promised to leave Mansbridge alone if your vampire detectors failed to locate vampiric activity here, I assume your visit must be for personal reasons.”
“That was before I had compelling new evidence of vampires residing in the vicinity.” She said with a smile.
“Oh?” Murdoch paused, teapot in hand.
“Dillon Vanderson. She is a student here at Mansbridge is she not?”
“Yes.” Murdoch placed the teapot on the table, and sat in the chair opposite his guest.
“I believe she has been of ill health recently; complaints of severe anaemia and suspected photosensitive Porphyria.” Murdoch nodded, acknowledging that Hackett was indeed a professional with access to all sorts of information.
“The doctors are still running tests.” He answered.
“And all this has occurred since she was taken ill with food poisoning just before the summer break?”
“Your point Ms Hackett?”
“I think she has been partially infected with the vampire parasite.” The woman answered as if she knew she was absolutely certain of the fact.
“Really Ms Hackett; this is slightly ridiculous.” The man said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
“No Dr Murdoch what is ridiculous is your failure to accept the fact that vampires exist, I wish to test all your students.”
“Is this test similar to your vampire detectors that detected nothing more than Malcolm?”
“This is far more accurate, and provides the vampire nowhere to hide. This way they cannot channel their energies through a human victim like I suspect they did with Malcolm. I hear that you’ve had him transferred.”
“No, he was selected for the accelerated learning plan in Vancouver and went of his own free will. And as none of my other students are here yet either, I suggest you come back another time to carry out your tests.”
“Well I...” Hackett was cut of mid sentence by the knocking and subsequent opening of Murdoch’s study door.
“Dillon?” Murdoch uttered her name surprised at her presence.
“I came back early.” The girl said as she poked her head around the door, her gaze moving from Murdoch to his visitor. “I didn’t mean to interrupt... anything,” Dillon said with a smile on her face and a suggestive tone.
“Not at all,” Hackett joined the conversation, a smile also on her face, “In fact I would like to talk to you, Ms Vanderson.”
***
Marty shook his head at the screen in front of him, first Merrill, now Hackett turning up; this was not a great first night back at school. He looked at Drew out of the corner of his eye. All of them afraid to speak in case the echo of the basement carried up through the open doorway. Merrill scanned the thoughts of her fellow vampires’ sensing their apprehension.
Karl breathed out as they watched Murdoch lead both Hackett and Dillon out of his study, and close the entrance to the cellar at the same time.
“That was close.” Drew said relaxing his tense position.
“Why is she back here anyway?” Karl asked.
“Murdoch seems to have a handle on things.” Essie shrugged as she sauntered over to Merrill to whisper in her ear.
“So much for checking out the new decor?” She said with a knowing smile on her face, giving Marty’s back a meaningful glance. Satisfied she had made her point; the royal turned on her heel and headed back to her dorm.
“Do you think we could just kill her and blame it on the fact we’ve just spent two months with the Elders?” Marty asked, turning round to face the three remaining vampires behind him. Merrill stared at him disapproving. Marty sighed, disappointed partly because Merrill obviously couldn’t take his joke and partly because he really did want to rip her limb from limb. “Fake chow time?” He asked.
“Yeah.” Drew half-heartedly agreed and moved over towards the blood bank.
Essie’s shriek of terror paused their feeding momentarily before they made their way casually to the girls’ dorm. They looked at Essie, paler than usual staring into her mirror, hair brush in hand, her jaw hanging loosely down.
“What?” Marty asked impatiently, not seeing anything wrong with the scene before him, Essie doing her make-up and hair, it all looked fine, so where was the problem?
“My reflections gone.” She whispered.
***
Murdoch looked at the small metal box device sitting on the library desk, its multi-coloured lights blinking brightly.
“And what does this do exactly?” He asked looking up at Hackett as she removed a folder from her bag, then sat down opposite Dillon at the next table along.
“Have you ever heard of the myth that the vampire has no soul so therefore does not cast a reflection?”
“I’m afraid I’m not accustomed to vampire folklore.” Murdoch admitted.
“Well let me tell you they do have reflections, and cast shadows. However this is due to a particular energy that they emit, block this frequency and they have no reflection which can easily be detected by the human eye.” Hackett delivered her word perfect lecture.
“How interesting, so what does all this have to do with me.” Dillon interjected her tone petulant “Want me to look in a mirror and prove to you I’m not a vampire?”
“You can not seriously think my student is a vampire Ms Hackett?” Murdoch said coming up behind Dillon, defending his pupil.
“No,” Hackett answered matter-of-factly, “Not yet anyway,” She continued under her breath.
***
Marty starred into the mirror, his face mere inches from where his reflection should be; gently he tapped the glass with his finger.
“I think you broke it Es.” The vampire taunted.
“How the hell could I have broken it like that?” Essie snapped back at him.
“Actually it’s because of Hackett.” Merrill called from the central room, pointing the remote in her hand at the screen she turned the volume higher for the others to hear the conversation occurring in the library between the mortals.
“Please, don’t touch that Dr Murdoch.” The blonde woman instructed. The vampires watched their mentor quickly move his fingers away from the buttons on the side of a metal box.
“I was just wondering how it worked.” The teacher said moving away.
Drew looked into the mirror from afar; the reflecting image that of the wall with lay behind him.
“So we truly are soulless demons cursed for eternity after all,” he muttered.
***
“Now Ms Vanderson, what can you tell me about the food poisoning incident before summer break last year.”
“I ate something dodgy, I got ill.” Dillon said leaning forward in her chair, “case closed.” The girl slumped against the back of the chair.
“What did you eat?” Hackett asked undeterred.
“I don’t have a clue; we were having a pig out before the last exam.” Dillon said folding her arms across her chest, “What does that have to do with vampires?”
“Did you meet any mysterious visitors to the school that night?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?” Something flickered into Dillon’s mind but the memory was lost. “Ms Vanderson?”
“If vampires do exist, why do you have such a problem with them?” Dillon countered the question with her own. Hackett sat back in her own chair, mimicking the stance of her interviewee.
“They are blood-thirsty craven monsters, who think nothing of killing the innocent. They all need to be destroyed.”
“You really have an axe to grind with them don’t you? You sound like someone after revenge.”
“I’ve read your file Ms Vanderson, surely if anyone would understand the need for revenge for the death of a loved one, you would.” Dillon pursed her lips.
“Sometimes sh*t happens, and you just have to deal.”
“You seem to specialise in insolent teenagers Murdoch,” Hackett said addressing the head master but her eyes never left the girl sitting opposite her. “Could you fetch me a mirror please?”
“What would be the use of it, Ms Hackett?”
“I want to conduct an experiment.” Hackett turned to the middle-aged man, “Don’t you want to prove me wrong?” Murdoch nodded his head and exited the library.
“Now Ms Vanderson, perhaps you would like to tell me more about the students that are attending Murdoch evening tutorials?”
***
“Why hasn’t she gone yet?” Essie asked dejectedly as she walked into the boys’ dorm. Drew put down his book and looked at the normally presentable princess, but tonight was a different matter; with no reflection to guide her hand, Essie looked like a Picasso gone wrong. “What?” She snapped at the vampire that sat in front of her.
“Nothing.” Drew said hastily.
“I look like a mess don’t I?” She asked.
“Well, it’s a different look for you.” Drew tried to be polite. Essie sighed and sat down exasperatedly on the arm chair.
“What’s the point of having eternal youth and beauty if you can’t see it?” She moaned.
“Maybe it’s a good thing.” Drew’s statement was met by a look of sheer disbelief. “I mean look at it this way, if we don’t see that we are not changing, not aging, perhaps we won’t take this life for granted anymore, perhaps it will help us to live.”
“Are you going crazy?”
***
Merrill stood and stared at the image of the picture that lay behind her on the wall in the mirror. She let her cool fingers trace the outline of her face. She felt the normally loud conflict within her die down to a whisper. She thought of her reflection of a human girl, but she was no longer human and the hunger within her reminded her of that constantly. Now without the visible picture of her human exterior to remind her of what she wanted to become once more, the reminder that drinking blood was not normal was fading, and Merrill started to feel the hunger she had repressed for most of her vampire life, that and every other bad thought she had ever had.
“It’s kind of freeing isn’t it?” Merrill jumped at the voice,
“Marty, you scared me.” The vampiress uttered, she had been so caught up in her thoughts she hadn’t sensed Marty’s arrival. Her focus once more on the mirror’s reflection, she knew he was behind her, but she could no more see him than herself. Still she knew that he too was looking in the mirrors image.
“It’s amazing what you can feel like doing, when you don’t have to look yourself in the eye.” Marty whispered in her ear. “All that pressure from your worse judge gone, all those memories that haunt you behind the eyes, are just gone. Suddenly what anyone else thinks doesn’t matter. It’s like you can do anything.”
“It’s peaceful.” Merrill agreed as she felt his arms wrap themselves around her from behind. She lent her back on his chest.
“Not worried someone might see?” He whispered. Marty smiled as he felt Merrill shake her head.
***
“So there are four of them in total?” Hackett asked for clarification,
“Well five now I guess, there a new guy starting apparently.” Dillon said.
“That’s interesting. Thank you for being so helpful.” Hackett smiled at the pale girl, waiting for the reason why Dillon had turned tact and was providing her with information, limited to the knowledge that Murdoch tutored four individuals only after dark, which had lived together at some point in their first college year and now needed extra help to pass their courses. None of them it seemed were too particular about details and rarely spoke about themselves.
“I’ve answered your questions, now you have to answer some of mine.” Dillon bartered.
“Ok, what’s on your mind.” Hackett had a glint in her eye; she knew that this question had been coming ever since she had first mentioned vampires to this girl.
“If I were infected with this vampire virus thing, what would the symptoms be?” Dillon leaned forward and rested her arms on the table, an eagerness for knowledge in her eye.
“If you were a vampire you would know it, but I doubt that you are. However, I would look out for symptoms along the lines of anaemia, photosensitivity, excessive thirst, craving for meat especially raw. Why, Ms Vanderson? Have you been experiencing such symptoms?”
“Found one!” Murdoch came into the library just at the wrong second. Hackett looked at the girl who was now once again slumped back in her chair, her sullen expression returned.
Murdoch walked over and gave the small mirror to the government agent.
“Care to take a look in the mirror?” Hackett asked holding the mirror out for him to look into, Murdoch walked away.
“No thank you Ms Hackett, I’d rather not see how many grey hairs I’ve accumulated tonight.”
***
Karl watched the screen intently; Dillon seemed so sad, so confused and so curious about vampires. He wondered if she was starting to remember anything about the night he had attacked her.
“Still watching her?” Drew’s voice came quietly from behind.
“Come to give me another big brother lecture?” A tired sound in his voice.
“No. Essie’s a bit of a mess without her reflection.”
“I saw.” Karl said with a smirk. “I don’t need a reflection to see myself.” Drew looked at the younger vampire with interest. “All I need is her.” Drew looked at the video screen.
“Karl...” he began but was cut-off.
“I know what I am because I see what I have done to her, I see the confusion, the fear. I know what I am because I see it in her eyes. She remembers something, but she doesn’t know what and it hurts her.”
“Since when did you get so wise?” Drew said with a smirk.
“I guess we all have to grow-up sometime.” Karl sighed and moved his gaze from the screen to his fellow vampire, “We should tell her about us Drew. She shouldn’t learn about vampire from Hackett.”
“What would we say to her? Hey Dillon vampires aren’t all that bad, I’m one?” Drew tone was full of sarcasm, “I’m sure that would go down well.”
“We should do something. I think she’s starting to remember.” Karl whispered.
***
“Now, Ms Vanderson, if you would be so kind to take a look at your reflection and tell me what you see, I can be on my way.” Hackett said handing the mirror over to her. The agent didn’t need to view the mirrors image for herself, she was confident she could tell what Dillon saw by the expression on her face. Dillon took the mirror gingerly from the woman, for once Dillon didn’t know what to think. Here was a woman who apparently had an explanation for her symptoms, however absurd it may be, but she knew better than to let her guard down, perhaps the truth did lie within her reflection. Dillon looked into the mirror.
“What do you see?” Hackett’s confidence faltered, Dillon’s expression was a wall.
“Oh my god.” The young girl whispered.
“What?” Hackett stood up and leaned over the desk unable to contain her excitement and possibly finding the first vampire victim that wasn’t completely turned.
“I look a wreck, I must get some sleep.” Dillon said tilting the mirror slightly so that Hackett could also see her pale face in the glass. The older woman’s’ jaw dropped.
“So,” Dr Murdoch began as he swiftly removed his finger from the switch on the small metal box at the end of the table, “I think that concludes your business here for tonight.”
***
Drew and Karl turned at the shriek of joy coming from their dorm. Essie had obviously caught her reflection in their own small mirror they shared. They saw the vampiress swiftly walk from their dorm to her own, obviously in a hurry to fix her make-up.
Essie stopped abruptly at the obstacle between her and the mirror,
“Ahem,” She cleared her throat, “If I didn’t know you guys better, I might have thought you looked like the perfect couple.” Marty and Merrill opened their eyes simultaneously viewing their embrace in the mirror. Merrill opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted.
“I need to fix my hair and make-up.” Essie instructed, “You,” she said turning her attention to Marty, “out!”
Marty left the girls dorm, and walked across the central room to his own sleeping space, a grin on his face. Drew and Karl watched their fellow vampire saunter across the floor.
“What’s he so happy about?” Karl asked Drew.
***
Dillon watched as Hackett gathered her papers into the file. Surely this woman was insane she thought, but then one of the photos in her documents caught her eye as it was moved swiftly away out of sight. The image stunned her into silence. As Murdoch led Hackett away into the common room, her eyes followed the pair but were focused on Hacketts’ briefcase, and its now unseen contents.
Murdoch turned at the door and looked at his pupil lost in thought, and slightly paler than normal.
“Dillon?” He called; she looked up her trance broken, “Are you alright?”
“Just beat, I’m going to bed.” She answered. Her mentor nodded at her as he left the room. Dillon too moved towards the door way, clicking out the light on her way. Her mind still reeled with the image she had seen, the photo of a face so familiar to her, but had deceased written across it, the face of the boy she had met recently, the face of Karl.
***
“Your students are lucky to have a mentor like you.” Hackett took a sip of her tea, her gaze focusing on the man sitting opposite her.
“Well, all teenagers need a little guidance and I am proud to be able to help them out through the difficult time of moving into adulthood.” He answered her.
“I think you are a brave man, Murdoch.”
“Oh, why do you say that?”
“You risk your life, doing what you do, in the hopes that you can change them, turn them into moral beings, I hope for your sake you succeed.” Hackett placed her teacup back in its saucer on the table and stood up.
“Are we still talking about teenagers here Ms Hackett?” Murdoch asked her watching her every move, as she put on her black coat.
“No.” She said looking him direct in the eye, Murdoch sat stunned, “I’ll see myself out.”
***
Dillon’s eyes flew open, her nightmare waking her into the cold harsh night of reality. Awake she lay afraid to move, afraid to breathe. Her pale hand clutched at her duvet holding it tightly across her body, covering all of her up to her neck. Dillon lay there, staring out into the darkness. Dillon wanted to be asleep, dreaming. But the petrified girl knew she was awake. She wanted to scream but no sound could be uttered from her lips. Dillon lay wide eyed, focused on the image she could make out in the dullness of the night. Dillon dared not move her eyes from those staring back at her; the eyes glowing red in the darkness; the eyes that belonged to her own reflection in the mirror.
***
It is said that the image you see in a mirror is a reflection of ones’ soul. I believe this is so, it is the face of one’s history, and of ones’ hopes and fears for the future. A reflection can be powerful, it can show you who you truly are. When my vampires look into their mirrors, will their reflection be that of the blood-lusting creature of lore, or will it be something new?
Dr R Murdoch
dxx
Ep6 – Reflections
WARNING: This fanfic contains one expletive, please do not be offended, it was required given the context.
Dr Reginald Murdoch stood in the centre of the room. He looked around him at the new furniture; the smell of paint and the leather from the sofa’s overwhelming his senses. He heart sank at the blank spaces on the walls, where his prized art collection had been, his antiques from across the globe and spanning the centuries were not so easily replaced after the destruction of the fire. The aging human closed his eyes and relished the few moments of silence he had left before The Mansbridge Academy opened for business once more; and yet the school master smiled as in the distance he heard the slamming of the main doors, and the sound of footsteps and chatter edging their way nearer.
“Home Sweet Home!” Marty declared his arms thrown open wide as he marched from the hall way into the common room.
Murdoch turned to see his students arrive; Marty Strickland dressed in his trench coat and sunglasses, his hair still sticking up all over the place, and a wicked grin on his face, was followed in by his peers. Drew French stood against the wall; the image of the modern day vampire, the dark hair and sullen expression, was completed by the red silk shirt and black trousers. Merrill Young was a picture of eagerness, keen to get back to her studies, grasping a large very old leather clad book, her eyes surveying the new interior of the school. Essie Rachamova breezed into the room with her usual royal flare; her high heeled boots clicking on the newly polished floor, dressed in what Murdoch assumed was the latest fashion, showing off her perfect figure. Karl Todman looked like the average senior high school student, except he had been dead for over two years now; his T-shirt showing off his muscled arms that he used to repeatedly toss a football up in the air; effortlessly catching it each time.
Murdoch smiled at his students, the fruits of his labours, brimming with pride. Yet these five young adults were older than they looked, these weren’t the students that were the public face of the school, they were his vampires. Pioneers in the world of the undead, learning to humanise and live with and amongst humans instead of hunting them. Silently he prayed that the last couple of months without his supervision had not weakened their resolve to change.
“So,” said Marty as he pulled off his sunglasses, his ice blue eyes staring into Murdoch own grey ones, “Miss us?”
***
The beginning of a new chapter in life affords one to take stock of where they are and how they want to proceed, what future goals they which to achieve and how to go about it. It also allows a period of reflection on the past.
***
“So,” Dr Murdoch began, as he sat in the arm chair, a tea cup and saucer poised in his hand full of steaming hot tea, ready for the drinking as he heard what his night schoolers had to say, “How was your time with the Elders?” The teacher sipped his tea, eying the vampires in front of him, testing out the new common room sofas.
“Oh it was a blast.” Drew spoke with a sarcastic tone whilst chewing on the straw that led to his blood allotment.
“It was very enlightening, learning all about vampire history.” Merrill answered, having obviously enjoyed her time at the Elders, Murdoch watched as the other four rolled their eyes in dismay of their book worm friend. “But we are glad to be back, Dr Murdoch,” the brunette affirmed.
“Yeah, how did you get the school put back together so fast?” Karl asked their mentor,
“Well I had a few generous donations from some of the parents, and of course, the Elders provided work teams that could work at night as well as during the day.” Murdoch replied cryptically.
“I think the Elders were more than happy to get us back to school and out of their robes.” Essie commented.
“Oh.” Murdoch enquired.
“I think they got a little tired of certain people banging on about not feeding off humans anymore, it’s one thing to send others onto a programme to control their cravings, quite another to have it forced upon yourself after centuries of killing.” Marty joined in the conversation.
“I was only trying to pass on what we had learnt here.” Merrill here, “I mean isn’t that what we are suppose to be doing when we’ve really changed, help other vamps to change too.”
“So you truly believe you can or have changed?” Murdoch asked.
“Let’s just say that being put back with a load of vamps that haven’t been through the programme highlighted exactly how much we have changed.” Karl added sucking his packet dry.
“Yes, I hear that you took the pledge whilst you were with the Elders, they must have definitely seen a change in you Karl. I am very proud, and you should start my evening tutorial programme along with the others.”
“What really, I get to join in mixing with the day school?” Karl said with a smile.
“Yes Karl you do.” Murdoch said matching his smile.
“Speaking of which, when do the day school start back?” Drew asked,
“They will arrive back tomorrow, so you have the school to yourselves for the entire night.”
***
Essie pulled the cord, sending her clothing rail back into the ceiling above her coffin.
“Right I’m finally unpacked.” She said satisfied. The royal vampire turned to her mirror, and attended her hair and make-up. “So are you and Marty going to check out the school tonight?” Essie asked Merrill, a sly glint in her eye. The blonde watched the brunette squirm a little as she looked up from the book she was reading to address the question.
“What do you mean?” Merrill asked, “why Marty and me? Why not all of us?”
“You know very well what I mean.” Staring at Merrill’s reflection, “There seemed to be an awful lot of nights when the both of you would go off at the same time whilst we were with the Elders.” Essie spun round and addressed Merrill face on, “Are you trying to tell me the two of you weren’t together?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Merrill said shaking her head, obviously lying, “we never spent more time together than we usual do.”
“Have it your way, but I don’t think it would be such a bad thing, makes a change from Drew.” The blonde turned back to mirror, whilst Merrill shut her book, and left the dorm.
***
“Hey.” Marty caught up with Merrill as she walked up the slope to the exit of the basement, “going to check out the new colour scheme? Can I come too?” He asked wrapping his arm round Merrill’s shoulders.
“Marty don’t.” Merrill moved out of his grasp, “I don’t think it’s such a good idea, somebody might see.”
“So?” Marty moved to take Merrill by the hand, “We’re an...”
“Don’t.” Merrill cut him off, taking a step away. Seeing the hurt expression on Marty’s face, Merrill softened, “Look I just don’t think we should make a big deal of it; just keep it quiet for a while longer.”
“So it’s all still about Drew.” Marty crossed his arms in a huff, turning to walk away, Merrill’s soft cry of his name fell on deaf ears.
***
Karl looked out of the window at the large expanse of grass in the moonlight. That would be perfect for a baseball game he thought to himself. He smiled wondering exactly how close he would get to living a human life again.
“Who are you?” The voice behind him interrupted his thoughts. Karl turned to see the pale girl standing in the doorway, her large black bag holding her belongings lay on the floor. Her face stunned Karl into silence. Her black hair hung slightly above her shoulders, her blue eyes focused on him. Karl gulped as he felt something tingle deep inside his core.
“Wait I know you,” the girl said, “I saw you a few months ago, in Murdoch’s study. Who are you?” This was no come-on, but an accusation, a warning.
“K...Karl.” The boy stuttered.
“What are you doing here? Are you a student here?” The girl bombarded him with questions.
“No; Yes; erm not exactly.” Karl fumbled with his words. He paused gathering his thoughts as the girl in front of him crossed her arms against her body and stared at him accusingly.
“I’m joining Dr Murdoch’s evening tutorial group.” He said finally.
“Oh so you know Drew then?”
“Yeah,” Karl said relaxing a little, “and Essie, Marty and Merrill.” He said smiling, Dillon nodded at him; slightly more convinced he was genuine.
“Do all of you work at Skippy’s?” Dillons’ question oozed with sarcasm and was met with silence. “So,” The girl continued, “that night in Murdoch’s study you were...” Dillon asked the leading question.
“Waiting for...my...interview.” Karl said slowly, tension rising within him again.
“An interview? In the dark?” Dillon grew suspicious again.
“I couldn’t find the light switch.” Karl knew his answer sounded ridiculous but he couldn’t think straight. He was close to breaking out into a cold sweat, he was agitated, nervous and he didn’t understand why.
Dillon stared at Karl, but was now silent all her questions asked, her mind had gone blank, she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Her heart was beating rapidly and she fought to control her breath, a strange urge came over her, she thirsted for something, something odd that she couldn’t place.
Karl stood still trying to control himself, the need to unsheathe his fangs, to taste her blood again was becoming too much.
The silence between them had grown from mere seconds to minutes; Dillon struggled to find something to say. She opened her lips, hoping words would form.
Karl looked at Dillon lips, saw them part but he could no longer control himself, with his fangs unsheathing as if they had a life of their own, he covered his mouth with his hand and ran from the room.
***
Dr Murdoch heard his tea cup rattle in its saucer. He looked about him and was unsurprised when he saw nothing, with the doorway to his wine cellar already open, he suspected that his night students were busy inspecting the new school. The school master looked back down at his new journal. The loss of his old one was a mystery, although it was assumed to have been burnt in the fire, no remnants had been found. It was unusual he found himself unable to write but this evening was proving difficult to put thought into word. So lost he was within his own mind that the voice that disturbed him caused him to drop his pen.
“The new school is looking very nice.”
Dr Murdoch lifted his head, as his heart beat heavily in his chest. His eyes cast upon the blonde standing in front of him, in mere seconds his composure restored.
“It’s been awhile. How are you Ms Hackett?”
***
Marianne Hackett of the Biomorphic Predatory Disease Agency sat comfortably in the arm chair; her eyes never moving from Murdoch.
“I see your wine cellar survived the fire.” She said as he poured her a cup of tea.
“Yes, I was fortunate in that. Perhaps you would like to sample some vintage Bordeaux I have been keeping for a special occasion.”
“Is this a special occasion?” She asked.
“Well it has been some months since you have visited. And as last time you promised to leave Mansbridge alone if your vampire detectors failed to locate vampiric activity here, I assume your visit must be for personal reasons.”
“That was before I had compelling new evidence of vampires residing in the vicinity.” She said with a smile.
“Oh?” Murdoch paused, teapot in hand.
“Dillon Vanderson. She is a student here at Mansbridge is she not?”
“Yes.” Murdoch placed the teapot on the table, and sat in the chair opposite his guest.
“I believe she has been of ill health recently; complaints of severe anaemia and suspected photosensitive Porphyria.” Murdoch nodded, acknowledging that Hackett was indeed a professional with access to all sorts of information.
“The doctors are still running tests.” He answered.
“And all this has occurred since she was taken ill with food poisoning just before the summer break?”
“Your point Ms Hackett?”
“I think she has been partially infected with the vampire parasite.” The woman answered as if she knew she was absolutely certain of the fact.
“Really Ms Hackett; this is slightly ridiculous.” The man said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
“No Dr Murdoch what is ridiculous is your failure to accept the fact that vampires exist, I wish to test all your students.”
“Is this test similar to your vampire detectors that detected nothing more than Malcolm?”
“This is far more accurate, and provides the vampire nowhere to hide. This way they cannot channel their energies through a human victim like I suspect they did with Malcolm. I hear that you’ve had him transferred.”
“No, he was selected for the accelerated learning plan in Vancouver and went of his own free will. And as none of my other students are here yet either, I suggest you come back another time to carry out your tests.”
“Well I...” Hackett was cut of mid sentence by the knocking and subsequent opening of Murdoch’s study door.
“Dillon?” Murdoch uttered her name surprised at her presence.
“I came back early.” The girl said as she poked her head around the door, her gaze moving from Murdoch to his visitor. “I didn’t mean to interrupt... anything,” Dillon said with a smile on her face and a suggestive tone.
“Not at all,” Hackett joined the conversation, a smile also on her face, “In fact I would like to talk to you, Ms Vanderson.”
***
Marty shook his head at the screen in front of him, first Merrill, now Hackett turning up; this was not a great first night back at school. He looked at Drew out of the corner of his eye. All of them afraid to speak in case the echo of the basement carried up through the open doorway. Merrill scanned the thoughts of her fellow vampires’ sensing their apprehension.
Karl breathed out as they watched Murdoch lead both Hackett and Dillon out of his study, and close the entrance to the cellar at the same time.
“That was close.” Drew said relaxing his tense position.
“Why is she back here anyway?” Karl asked.
“Murdoch seems to have a handle on things.” Essie shrugged as she sauntered over to Merrill to whisper in her ear.
“So much for checking out the new decor?” She said with a knowing smile on her face, giving Marty’s back a meaningful glance. Satisfied she had made her point; the royal turned on her heel and headed back to her dorm.
“Do you think we could just kill her and blame it on the fact we’ve just spent two months with the Elders?” Marty asked, turning round to face the three remaining vampires behind him. Merrill stared at him disapproving. Marty sighed, disappointed partly because Merrill obviously couldn’t take his joke and partly because he really did want to rip her limb from limb. “Fake chow time?” He asked.
“Yeah.” Drew half-heartedly agreed and moved over towards the blood bank.
Essie’s shriek of terror paused their feeding momentarily before they made their way casually to the girls’ dorm. They looked at Essie, paler than usual staring into her mirror, hair brush in hand, her jaw hanging loosely down.
“What?” Marty asked impatiently, not seeing anything wrong with the scene before him, Essie doing her make-up and hair, it all looked fine, so where was the problem?
“My reflections gone.” She whispered.
***
Murdoch looked at the small metal box device sitting on the library desk, its multi-coloured lights blinking brightly.
“And what does this do exactly?” He asked looking up at Hackett as she removed a folder from her bag, then sat down opposite Dillon at the next table along.
“Have you ever heard of the myth that the vampire has no soul so therefore does not cast a reflection?”
“I’m afraid I’m not accustomed to vampire folklore.” Murdoch admitted.
“Well let me tell you they do have reflections, and cast shadows. However this is due to a particular energy that they emit, block this frequency and they have no reflection which can easily be detected by the human eye.” Hackett delivered her word perfect lecture.
“How interesting, so what does all this have to do with me.” Dillon interjected her tone petulant “Want me to look in a mirror and prove to you I’m not a vampire?”
“You can not seriously think my student is a vampire Ms Hackett?” Murdoch said coming up behind Dillon, defending his pupil.
“No,” Hackett answered matter-of-factly, “Not yet anyway,” She continued under her breath.
***
Marty starred into the mirror, his face mere inches from where his reflection should be; gently he tapped the glass with his finger.
“I think you broke it Es.” The vampire taunted.
“How the hell could I have broken it like that?” Essie snapped back at him.
“Actually it’s because of Hackett.” Merrill called from the central room, pointing the remote in her hand at the screen she turned the volume higher for the others to hear the conversation occurring in the library between the mortals.
“Please, don’t touch that Dr Murdoch.” The blonde woman instructed. The vampires watched their mentor quickly move his fingers away from the buttons on the side of a metal box.
“I was just wondering how it worked.” The teacher said moving away.
Drew looked into the mirror from afar; the reflecting image that of the wall with lay behind him.
“So we truly are soulless demons cursed for eternity after all,” he muttered.
***
“Now Ms Vanderson, what can you tell me about the food poisoning incident before summer break last year.”
“I ate something dodgy, I got ill.” Dillon said leaning forward in her chair, “case closed.” The girl slumped against the back of the chair.
“What did you eat?” Hackett asked undeterred.
“I don’t have a clue; we were having a pig out before the last exam.” Dillon said folding her arms across her chest, “What does that have to do with vampires?”
“Did you meet any mysterious visitors to the school that night?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?” Something flickered into Dillon’s mind but the memory was lost. “Ms Vanderson?”
“If vampires do exist, why do you have such a problem with them?” Dillon countered the question with her own. Hackett sat back in her own chair, mimicking the stance of her interviewee.
“They are blood-thirsty craven monsters, who think nothing of killing the innocent. They all need to be destroyed.”
“You really have an axe to grind with them don’t you? You sound like someone after revenge.”
“I’ve read your file Ms Vanderson, surely if anyone would understand the need for revenge for the death of a loved one, you would.” Dillon pursed her lips.
“Sometimes sh*t happens, and you just have to deal.”
“You seem to specialise in insolent teenagers Murdoch,” Hackett said addressing the head master but her eyes never left the girl sitting opposite her. “Could you fetch me a mirror please?”
“What would be the use of it, Ms Hackett?”
“I want to conduct an experiment.” Hackett turned to the middle-aged man, “Don’t you want to prove me wrong?” Murdoch nodded his head and exited the library.
“Now Ms Vanderson, perhaps you would like to tell me more about the students that are attending Murdoch evening tutorials?”
***
“Why hasn’t she gone yet?” Essie asked dejectedly as she walked into the boys’ dorm. Drew put down his book and looked at the normally presentable princess, but tonight was a different matter; with no reflection to guide her hand, Essie looked like a Picasso gone wrong. “What?” She snapped at the vampire that sat in front of her.
“Nothing.” Drew said hastily.
“I look like a mess don’t I?” She asked.
“Well, it’s a different look for you.” Drew tried to be polite. Essie sighed and sat down exasperatedly on the arm chair.
“What’s the point of having eternal youth and beauty if you can’t see it?” She moaned.
“Maybe it’s a good thing.” Drew’s statement was met by a look of sheer disbelief. “I mean look at it this way, if we don’t see that we are not changing, not aging, perhaps we won’t take this life for granted anymore, perhaps it will help us to live.”
“Are you going crazy?”
***
Merrill stood and stared at the image of the picture that lay behind her on the wall in the mirror. She let her cool fingers trace the outline of her face. She felt the normally loud conflict within her die down to a whisper. She thought of her reflection of a human girl, but she was no longer human and the hunger within her reminded her of that constantly. Now without the visible picture of her human exterior to remind her of what she wanted to become once more, the reminder that drinking blood was not normal was fading, and Merrill started to feel the hunger she had repressed for most of her vampire life, that and every other bad thought she had ever had.
“It’s kind of freeing isn’t it?” Merrill jumped at the voice,
“Marty, you scared me.” The vampiress uttered, she had been so caught up in her thoughts she hadn’t sensed Marty’s arrival. Her focus once more on the mirror’s reflection, she knew he was behind her, but she could no more see him than herself. Still she knew that he too was looking in the mirrors image.
“It’s amazing what you can feel like doing, when you don’t have to look yourself in the eye.” Marty whispered in her ear. “All that pressure from your worse judge gone, all those memories that haunt you behind the eyes, are just gone. Suddenly what anyone else thinks doesn’t matter. It’s like you can do anything.”
“It’s peaceful.” Merrill agreed as she felt his arms wrap themselves around her from behind. She lent her back on his chest.
“Not worried someone might see?” He whispered. Marty smiled as he felt Merrill shake her head.
***
“So there are four of them in total?” Hackett asked for clarification,
“Well five now I guess, there a new guy starting apparently.” Dillon said.
“That’s interesting. Thank you for being so helpful.” Hackett smiled at the pale girl, waiting for the reason why Dillon had turned tact and was providing her with information, limited to the knowledge that Murdoch tutored four individuals only after dark, which had lived together at some point in their first college year and now needed extra help to pass their courses. None of them it seemed were too particular about details and rarely spoke about themselves.
“I’ve answered your questions, now you have to answer some of mine.” Dillon bartered.
“Ok, what’s on your mind.” Hackett had a glint in her eye; she knew that this question had been coming ever since she had first mentioned vampires to this girl.
“If I were infected with this vampire virus thing, what would the symptoms be?” Dillon leaned forward and rested her arms on the table, an eagerness for knowledge in her eye.
“If you were a vampire you would know it, but I doubt that you are. However, I would look out for symptoms along the lines of anaemia, photosensitivity, excessive thirst, craving for meat especially raw. Why, Ms Vanderson? Have you been experiencing such symptoms?”
“Found one!” Murdoch came into the library just at the wrong second. Hackett looked at the girl who was now once again slumped back in her chair, her sullen expression returned.
Murdoch walked over and gave the small mirror to the government agent.
“Care to take a look in the mirror?” Hackett asked holding the mirror out for him to look into, Murdoch walked away.
“No thank you Ms Hackett, I’d rather not see how many grey hairs I’ve accumulated tonight.”
***
Karl watched the screen intently; Dillon seemed so sad, so confused and so curious about vampires. He wondered if she was starting to remember anything about the night he had attacked her.
“Still watching her?” Drew’s voice came quietly from behind.
“Come to give me another big brother lecture?” A tired sound in his voice.
“No. Essie’s a bit of a mess without her reflection.”
“I saw.” Karl said with a smirk. “I don’t need a reflection to see myself.” Drew looked at the younger vampire with interest. “All I need is her.” Drew looked at the video screen.
“Karl...” he began but was cut-off.
“I know what I am because I see what I have done to her, I see the confusion, the fear. I know what I am because I see it in her eyes. She remembers something, but she doesn’t know what and it hurts her.”
“Since when did you get so wise?” Drew said with a smirk.
“I guess we all have to grow-up sometime.” Karl sighed and moved his gaze from the screen to his fellow vampire, “We should tell her about us Drew. She shouldn’t learn about vampire from Hackett.”
“What would we say to her? Hey Dillon vampires aren’t all that bad, I’m one?” Drew tone was full of sarcasm, “I’m sure that would go down well.”
“We should do something. I think she’s starting to remember.” Karl whispered.
***
“Now, Ms Vanderson, if you would be so kind to take a look at your reflection and tell me what you see, I can be on my way.” Hackett said handing the mirror over to her. The agent didn’t need to view the mirrors image for herself, she was confident she could tell what Dillon saw by the expression on her face. Dillon took the mirror gingerly from the woman, for once Dillon didn’t know what to think. Here was a woman who apparently had an explanation for her symptoms, however absurd it may be, but she knew better than to let her guard down, perhaps the truth did lie within her reflection. Dillon looked into the mirror.
“What do you see?” Hackett’s confidence faltered, Dillon’s expression was a wall.
“Oh my god.” The young girl whispered.
“What?” Hackett stood up and leaned over the desk unable to contain her excitement and possibly finding the first vampire victim that wasn’t completely turned.
“I look a wreck, I must get some sleep.” Dillon said tilting the mirror slightly so that Hackett could also see her pale face in the glass. The older woman’s’ jaw dropped.
“So,” Dr Murdoch began as he swiftly removed his finger from the switch on the small metal box at the end of the table, “I think that concludes your business here for tonight.”
***
Drew and Karl turned at the shriek of joy coming from their dorm. Essie had obviously caught her reflection in their own small mirror they shared. They saw the vampiress swiftly walk from their dorm to her own, obviously in a hurry to fix her make-up.
Essie stopped abruptly at the obstacle between her and the mirror,
“Ahem,” She cleared her throat, “If I didn’t know you guys better, I might have thought you looked like the perfect couple.” Marty and Merrill opened their eyes simultaneously viewing their embrace in the mirror. Merrill opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted.
“I need to fix my hair and make-up.” Essie instructed, “You,” she said turning her attention to Marty, “out!”
Marty left the girls dorm, and walked across the central room to his own sleeping space, a grin on his face. Drew and Karl watched their fellow vampire saunter across the floor.
“What’s he so happy about?” Karl asked Drew.
***
Dillon watched as Hackett gathered her papers into the file. Surely this woman was insane she thought, but then one of the photos in her documents caught her eye as it was moved swiftly away out of sight. The image stunned her into silence. As Murdoch led Hackett away into the common room, her eyes followed the pair but were focused on Hacketts’ briefcase, and its now unseen contents.
Murdoch turned at the door and looked at his pupil lost in thought, and slightly paler than normal.
“Dillon?” He called; she looked up her trance broken, “Are you alright?”
“Just beat, I’m going to bed.” She answered. Her mentor nodded at her as he left the room. Dillon too moved towards the door way, clicking out the light on her way. Her mind still reeled with the image she had seen, the photo of a face so familiar to her, but had deceased written across it, the face of the boy she had met recently, the face of Karl.
***
“Your students are lucky to have a mentor like you.” Hackett took a sip of her tea, her gaze focusing on the man sitting opposite her.
“Well, all teenagers need a little guidance and I am proud to be able to help them out through the difficult time of moving into adulthood.” He answered her.
“I think you are a brave man, Murdoch.”
“Oh, why do you say that?”
“You risk your life, doing what you do, in the hopes that you can change them, turn them into moral beings, I hope for your sake you succeed.” Hackett placed her teacup back in its saucer on the table and stood up.
“Are we still talking about teenagers here Ms Hackett?” Murdoch asked her watching her every move, as she put on her black coat.
“No.” She said looking him direct in the eye, Murdoch sat stunned, “I’ll see myself out.”
***
Dillon’s eyes flew open, her nightmare waking her into the cold harsh night of reality. Awake she lay afraid to move, afraid to breathe. Her pale hand clutched at her duvet holding it tightly across her body, covering all of her up to her neck. Dillon lay there, staring out into the darkness. Dillon wanted to be asleep, dreaming. But the petrified girl knew she was awake. She wanted to scream but no sound could be uttered from her lips. Dillon lay wide eyed, focused on the image she could make out in the dullness of the night. Dillon dared not move her eyes from those staring back at her; the eyes glowing red in the darkness; the eyes that belonged to her own reflection in the mirror.
***
It is said that the image you see in a mirror is a reflection of ones’ soul. I believe this is so, it is the face of one’s history, and of ones’ hopes and fears for the future. A reflection can be powerful, it can show you who you truly are. When my vampires look into their mirrors, will their reflection be that of the blood-lusting creature of lore, or will it be something new?
Dr R Murdoch