Royalspartan E-books: MCM Comic Con Belfast Weekend!

Royalspartan E-books: MCM Comic Con Belfast Weekend!: I was at the MCM Comic Con Belfast on Saturday and Sunday. It was great and the amount of people that turned out for the weekend was stagger...

MCM Comic Con Belfast Weekend!

I was at the MCM Comic Con Belfast on Saturday and Sunday. It was great and the amount of people that turned out for the weekend was staggering and mind blowing all at the same time. The star guest-list was as follows:

Robert Llewellyn & Hattie Hayridge Sat & Sun Chris Berrie Sun only - of Red Dwarf fame.
They were great to listen to not to mention the funny stories they had from on and off the set of the comedy sitcom.

Raphael Sbarge - of Once Upon a time fame.
Sat & Sun
He seemed a little overwhelmed and found it hard engage with the audience, though he did say that he was jet-lagged, so I'll put it down to that.

Hannah Spearitt - S Club 7 & Primeval fame.
Sat & Sun
I have to admit that I missed her panel on Saturday and was sorry for that. I did see her signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans. And as every other guest there were charging for any autographs Hannah's promo card ones were free. I tried to snap a sneaky pic of her, but as I press the button on the camera her eyes looked right over at me. It kind of creep'd me out so I left lol

D.C. Douglas & Courtenay Taylor - Voice Actors and Actors.
Sat - Sun
D.C. was the the first guest that I met while he was at the MYM booth signing stills of his Resident Evil 5 character. The guy next to him said that if I bought an MYM magazine for £3 I would get his autograph free, and that's what I did. I didn't see D.C. and Courtnay's panel on Saturday, but caught the one they did on Sunday though. They were great and charming and funny with a little adult humour too.

Jessica Parker Kennedy - Black Sails fame.
Sun only
Jessica was a delight to see and hear. And like everyone else seemed very happy to be there. I asked her an embarrassing question and she took it in her stride and answered gracefully. The question was: "Your character Max has some very explicit scenes in the show, did you have any problems with that personally?" As I said she countered it very well, though I can't for the life of me remember all of what she said :(

Richard Herd - has acted in a lot tv and movies over the years.
Sat & Sun
This guy was a real showman and talked of the shows, movies and the people he worked with. It was a real pleasure to see him and hear his stories.

James Cosmo - Braveheart & Game of Thrones fame.
Sat Only
I could have listened to this man all day. He was great and I really enjoyed his panel and would love to see him again :D

Ian McNeice - Doc Martin & Doctor Who fame.
Ian was flamboyant and happy and seemed to enjoy the panel at first. Then he seemed to get a little annoyed at some of the repetitive questions. Though I can't say that I blame him, I would have too.

Those were just the tv and movie actors. There were comic writer's and illustrators too. But to many to mention on here.

All in all it was an amazing weekend and I hope that the expo returns to Belfast again bigger and better next year.

Here is where you can find the pix that I took while there. I hope you like looking at them as much as I did taking them.

https://www.facebook.com/Royalspartan125/media_set?set=a.768068113233746.1073741827.100000916929322&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/Royalspartan125/media_set?set=a.768821313158426.1073741828.100000916929322&type=3

Second Post on Rock Industry Magazine

Hello everyone, I have written my second news article for the online rock magazine that I am working for. It's about the glam rock band Kiss finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

There are other acts getting as well. If you'd like to know who else, just take a peek at the article @: http://www.rockindustry.co.uk/

Let me know what you think.

My first article for Rock Industry Magazine

I've posted my first news article on the Rock Industry website. Check it out, but it's very short.

It is my first attempt after all. Hoping to do better next time though. Let me know what you think anyway.

You can find it here: http://www.rockindustry.co.uk/weezer-working-new-album/

My volunteer job at, Rock Industry Magazine

Hi peeps, I'm all excited about my new volunteer position at the Rock Industry Magazine. What is it, you ask? Well it's an online site, which gives rock fans the latest news of whats happening in the rock industry (hence the title of the mag). They deal with the mainstream rock artists as well as the up and comers and any brand new talent that pops up too.

I have been given an account with their site and have been told that I can write my articles about anything rock related, which is happening at the moment. Also if there is a gig on of which I wish to go, they will try to organize a press pass for me to go :D

It all sounds to good to be true, but it is. I haven't started with an article yet, and as I'm new to the whole thing, I'm going to contact them after I have something to eat and they'll give me an idea for my first article for their site.

I really can't wait to get started, so I'm going to munch on my lunch and then email them. Wish me luck!


Update

Okay, forgot to add this link to the Rock Industry Magazine eariler, so here it is now: http://www.rockindustry.co.uk/

Becoming a Publisher (sort of)

Okay, I've been thinking about this long and hard. (no jokes about long and hard, please. Thank you.) haha Couldn't help myself.

Where was I? Oh yeah, I've decided that soon (I hope), I will be offering to publish the work of other author's on Smashwords, as Royalspartan-Publications. This service will include proofreading, editing and formatting of manuscripts and eBook covers (if you have them that is) for a fee. Keep in mind that at the moment I am on my own and will only be able to take so many applicants.

Thought I would give everyone early notice. Lets hope that this will be more successful than the submissions page, lol which will be taking on a whole new meaning.

Will post on the submissions page when I'm ready to begin.

The first ever comment on one of my posts!!

Yeeeeessssss! Someone has finally commented on one of my posts. It feels good to see it, so I hope others will post soon too. And if you have the time you might want to join my blog too :) Go on go nuts!

My Short Story Adaption

Alright, yesterday I posted the first pages of my screenplay, "Suffering The Dragon". Well last night, while hankering out the rest of the story for said the screenplay, I decided to adapt it into a short story first. I believe that this will allow me to delve into the story and characters more intently. When finished I will be publishing it on Smashwords, which means it will be available to buy on the cheap on a lot of other sites and devices. For a list of the sites take a look at the page marked, "Where to find, buy and review my book".

By the way, I'm still waiting on comments for any of my posts. I know your shy, but I don't bite, though I should probably warn you, I have been known to nibble :p haha

Start of my new Screenplay

Okay, you are all being stingy and playing hard to get when it comes to the comments. And make no mistake I know you're reading of at least looking at my posts, because this website is telling me so. hahaha

So, I'll tell you what. I'm going to post the second draft of my new 2+ page screen play, which I call "Suffering the Dragon". If you read it, tell me what you think. Go on. Even if it's to say that it sucks donkey butt. It probably does too, as this is the first time I've even tired to write a screen play. And like I said above I'm only 2+ pages in.

Go ahead. Go nuts and tell what you think. Be mean people, I DARE YOU!! There you go I said it. You made me do it and there it is. Oh yeah, I said be mean, but please keep it clean, which means no swear words. Not even the ones you don't think are swear words, because they probably are, so don't use 'em.

Here it is:

Suffering the Dragon

Episode one

Suffering

Written by, R. Alan Ferguson

Based on a story by, R. Alan Ferguson

FADE IN

INT. ROYAL PALACE OF KING LUTHERT – NIGHT

The queen is in labour and ready to birth her child.

FLASH

The child is born and has been taken to be checked, the queen continues to have contractions. The second son is born and this one is a deformed creature, infected with the decease known as The Dragon.

BEGIN OPENING CREDITS

INT. THE SMALL TOWN OF CAMUYAT, LOCAL TAVERN, THE LAME MARE - EVENING

A man enters the tavern, where the patrons give him no more than a side glance, as the stranger moves to the bar where the tavern owner is wiping his dirty ale mugs.

Devot

(Weary)

I need a room for the night. Do you know of anywhere nearby I could go?

Tavern Owner

The only inn round these parts is Oreton's. It's a quarter mile down the road to the left as you go out my door. I could always put you up here, if the money were right, that is.I have to warn you though, the room will be small.

Devot

That doesn’t bother me. I won’t be here that long. What time do you serve food here?

Tavern Owner

Breakfast is at six, lunch between noon and two. Dinner is served around now, if you want it?

Devot

That's fine. I'll have it now.

The tavern owner hands Devot a small worn menu. Devot takes it and sits at a table with his back to the wall.

INT. COMMIN ROOM, THE LAME MARE – DAYBREAK

Devot is finishing his breakfast. One man sits in a direct line of sight with Devot and stares at him. Devot gets up and takes hold of his belongings, of which includes a rilfe, then steps to the door. The staring man and some others stand. The staring man speaks.

Hamet

(to Devot)

My name is Hamet. And this is the welcoming committee of our town Camuyat.

(more)

Laughter and jeering comes from the small group of men around Hamet.

Hamet

(cont.)

You see there's a tax for Strangers in this 'ere town an I fer one think it's time fer you to pay it.

Hamet spits on the floor.

Devot

(to Hamet)

I'm just passing through. I'll be gone very soon. Besides there was no mention of a tax, when I got here last night.

Hamet

(Angry)

I'm tellin' ya' now. So pay up.

Devot moves to the door to leave. Hamet rushes and grabs Devot's arm, the two stand glaring at one another.

EXT. THE LAME MARE - MORNING

The door of the tavern closes behind (bg. Men lay unconscious on the floor of the Lame Mare) Devot, as he walks to the stable yard, gets his horse and leaves the town behind.

EXT. tHE MAIN ROAD - DAY

Devot travels along the road. The trees are creaking around him and there are no other sounds, not one.

Suddenly there's a scream coming from Devot's left, he looks into the woodland, but can see nothing but trees. He jumps from his horse and ties it to the nearest tree, then moves into the woods with his rifle ready in his hands.

EXT. THE WOODS OFF THE MAIN ROAD - DAY

Devot stalks his way through the trees, looking for the source of the scream. As he stands on a rise looking down, a teenage girl shoots out of the trees and passes by where Devot now kneels.

Hot on the girl's heels is a man infected with The Dragon. The creature, that was once a man ran on all fours like on animal. It's claws digging into the ground to give to it momentum as it runs down it's pray. (sounds of rifle being loaded and a scream as the girl falls o.s.) Devot lifts his rifle and aims it at the thing about to strike the girl, who lies sprawled after her fall.

Bang! The bullet from the rifle hits the creature on the side of the head, while in midair. The monster lands a meter away from where the girl is picking herself off the the leaves.

Auronia

(panting)

Thank you. Thank you.

Tears streaming down her she stares at the creature lying dead.

Devot walks over to her. Puts his hand on her head to turn her gaze away. The girl pulls him close and sobs on to his chest.

Skillpages Job Update No1

I was on skillpages again last night and I got a reply about an unpaid job that I'd applied for. This person is very interested in having my help (of course) with his six episode web show. I've agreed to this because, well although it's non-profit, I have not worked in film script format before and I'm hoping to learn some things. This ... well employer I suppose is the right word, yes my employer says they'll send me all the stuff I need to review. Then we can get started collaborating on it and I can't wait. I don't know why I'm so excited, as last night I was terrified that wasn't good enough for the job. Well time will tell, I'll keep you updated so stay-tuned.

The three Chapters of, No Mercy for the Dammed.

Okay people I have thought about doing this for a while now, but have finally decided to go through with it. I'm going to post the first three chapters of a story that I've playing around with. Please forgive any mistakes, as it hasn't been edited properly yet. I call it, No Mercy for the Dammed and I personally love the concept of this story, well I would, but that's neither here nor there. I won't tell you anything else about it, as I don't want to spoil it for you, I'll let my mistakes do that. lol

    Now before I post this I want to say that I absolutely want feedback about this, as I need to know if you the public would be interested in reading a novel based around this idea. So feed back if you please and don't be shy as I want the truth whether it's good or bad, let me know. Just don't be nasty, okay peeps and please no swear words. I don't think my heart could take that kind of punishment :)

No Mercy for the Danmed

Written by

R. Alan Ferguson

 Prologue

It had seen them before they had cleared the doorway and watched intently as they made their way to it. The thing was very hungry; it hadn’t been fed in three days. It knew who it was after and knew the consequences of failure. So it stood and waited in the cold night.

    The wind bellowed harshly across the road, slamming into the walls of the tall buildings facing south. In the dark sky above there was full of thick black clouds rolling along at a merry pace. There was a dim out line of the full bright moon trying to break through completely to blanket that part of the world with its beautiful, blue light, as the only two people on that street strode calmly along. They were heading for their car after going to see the latest big thing in the theatre. The man, Alan, with his bum knee, had his arm around his wife’s shoulders. It was her, Karen that insisted he leave his walking stick in the car, which meant that she would help him too and from the theatre.

    Karen wanted to feel him as close as possible and to know that he liked to think that his leg was getting better every time they did this.

    The limping Northern Irishman was looking around over and over, getting the odd feeling that you often get when you are walking down a dimly lit street. However, this street was well lit, with the lampposts having the distance of about five car lengths between them, while introducing strong continuous light onto the ground.

    And yet they were still unaware of the creature, with its hungry red eyes, that had been watching them making their slow progress. Alan and Karen, who were husband and wife for a measly two years, would soon wish that they had stayed at home or at least stayed in the theatre and waited for the after show party to end before going on their way. Either of these might have saved them from the fate that lay only seconds from the safety of their black, cold, stationary vehicle. Though in truth, no matter what they did the creature would have found them, sooner rather than later.

— CHAPTER ONE —

Rebirth

It was a foggy, chilly day out and the high street was full of humans walking around thinking they owned the place.

    Anjanu’il (pronounced Anjan’el) gave a short snort of a laugh as he walked down the street on his way to the bank. “They’re so sure of themselves, so sure that there’s nothing better than them on this earth. Wrong. I’ve tried to help them, but what was the point of it all? Why even try?” These were just a couple of the questions that haunted him day, and night. But still he was out there on the front-line fighting for their lives and their very soul’s and maybe, just maybe his own as well.

    ‘Karen, help me. How can I have fallen so far, hurt and even killed so many?’

    He stopped and looked up from the footpath that his eyes had been scanning all the way from the car park. He had reached his destination. As he looked and saw it again he couldn’t help but think of all the years that had past, all the things that had changed since he and Karen had first walked through those doors. Of course the bank had changed on the outside, though only a little.

    The first time he had seen the building, it was gray, dark and very dreary. The structure stood proud and tall, with a few smaller buildings around it and looked menacing. But now the steel gray walls were painted a light blue, with a large oak door that stood open wide to admit costumers into the hall during business hours. The door was indigo and just a few feet away from it was another smaller door with a silver metal frame, which was centered with a large sheet of thick glass. It looked as though it wouldn’t be easy to smash, if one needed to. Anjanu’il walked to that door, opened it and went inside.

    The interior of the bank was very modern with a large sign displaying the name of the bank in bold blue letters on the wall behind the teller stations. The color of the walls was a slightly darker shade of blue than those outside. There were a number of information desks to the right of the door and just before them was a dark blue metal stand with a square notice board screwed securely on, that only scantily obscured the view of the desks and chairs. This was probably to make their customers feel as though they had a little privacy to deal with their accounts and detail’s.

    As Anjanu’il joined the line to the teller desks, one of the other bank employees came out from the back and said, ‘Anyone just making a lodgment?’

    Almost everyone in the line turned to look, but said nothing.

    ‘Yeah, I am’ said Anjanu’il as he stepped toward her.

    ‘That’s fine’ the teller said. She proceeded in filling out the lodgment slip for him. It was then he noticed that two men in the line looked very agitated. And seemed to be looking round every couple of seconds, as though they were expecting someone to jump out and shout: Freeze scumbag.

    ‘Do you have the money?’ the bank lady asked sweetly.

    ‘Sorry, what?’ was the reply as Anjanu’il’s concentration was broken suddenly.

    ‘The money you wish to lodge. Do you have it?’

    He handed over the sixty dollars and she wrote it down on the slip, than as she was about to put both cash and slip in an envelope, she heard a voice in her head say, “Pretend there’s something wrong with the lodgment.”

    ‘I’m sorry did you say something?’ the cashier asked the vampire.

    ‘No’ he replied, shaking his head. The woman proceeded and was about to seal the envelope when she heard the voice say, “Those two men in the line are going to rob the bank. No, don’t look at them. Look at the reflection in the glass over there.” Her gaze was fixed on Anjanu’il as she recognized his voice. His eyes quickly shifted to his left, her line of sight swiftly followed. At first she didn’t see it, but when she looked at the reflection of the man at the end of the queue more closely, she could just about see a bulge in his jacket pocket. Beads of sweat were running down his face, as he stupidly stood there trying to look normal and failing miserably. Anjanu’il had seen it register on her face. “There’s another at the head of the line too.” She heard his unbelievably calm, voice in her splitting head, yet again. “Now, pretend that you’re going to check something and while you’re there push the silent alarm. Then come back, give me back my card and the lodgment slip, then tell me that I’ll have to rejoin the line. Do it quickly, but calmly.”

    She did as he said and pushed the alarm, then she came back and said, ‘I’m sorry sir, it seems the quick lodgment shoot is full at the moment. You’ll have to rejoin the queue. I’m terribly sorry.’ She held out his card and the lodgment slip.

    ‘That’s fine’ said Anjanu’il. He took his things, and rejoined the queue. The robber in front of him turned to look and the vampire smiled at him. The man leered as he mopped the sweat from his soaked brow.

    ‘You warm?’ asked the vampire.

    ‘Shut up!’ was the reply.

    ‘That’s not very nice, you know.’

    The man let out a low grumble of frustration and turned to burn a hole in the head of the man in front of him, with his furious gaze.

    Just then, one of the tellers said, ‘Next.’ The robber at the head of the line stepped toward her. As he did, he reached for the inside of his coat with his right hand. The man in front of Anjanu’il reached for his left pocket, though he didn’t get to it before the vampire grasped his left arm, and gave it a light squeeze. Anjanu’il felt the bone in the robber’s arm shatter. The man screamed, though before anyone knew what had happened, the vampire swiftly grabbed the man’s right shoulder and pulled it down. In doing so, the robber’s spine snapped like a thin pencil. Where there had once been screams of a hurt man, there was now utter silence, as the vampire snapped the thief’s neck.

    ‘What the Fuck?’ was the puzzled shout that came from the other robber, when the sight of his partner and friend’s bent; broken body came to his eyes. He lifted the berretta he held so tightly in his hands and squeezed off two shots at the thing striding toward him. The bullets hit their mark, though the creature wasn’t even thrown off balance by the force of impact. Instead, in what seemed to the robber as only a moment, the vampire had crushed his gun hand, cruelly grabbed him by the hair and with his long fangs, and ripped into his throat, deeply reveling in his warm blood.

    Anjanu’il had stopped when the man’s veins had run dry. He put his right hand under the man’s chin, and then broke his neck quickly, but cleanly. As he stood up again he could hear sirens. The people in the bank where still shouting and screaming, though he paid no attention to them, then went for the door. He stopped suddenly. The police were almost there, he could feel it. The vampire took one last look at the frightened people, and then he vanished.

    In truth, he was still standing in the same place; it was the people that couldn’t see him. He had put a mental block in they’re minds, which was only one of the great gifts the vampire gods had given him.

    As he stepped to the door, the people looked absolutely gob smacked, at his sudden vanishing act. He opened the door and exited the bank, again the people inside saw none of this at all. The vampire, with his mouth and chin saturated in blood, proceeded to walk down the steps in front of the bank. He saw the police arriving in two patrol cars and a large truck. The police van, undoubtedly held over half a dozen officers ready to shoot the shit out of anything even remotely resembling what they’re idea of a bank robber might be.

    It was at that moment, that he didn’t know whether he should feel sorrier for himself or the people still inside the bank.

    He retraced his way back to the top step in front of the building, as he knew that he wouldn’t make it past the last stone step, before he would be trampled underfoot. There he stood waiting, as the first of the fuzz ran up to him. It was a woman and she, like the others, didn’t see him. He stepped aside and she ran straight past him. Her colleagues did the same, just breezed on by.

    Anjanu’il, who was probably No.1 on the world’s most wanted list by now, took a deep breath, and then calmly and steadily released it. He coolly walked down the steps and down the street. A few of the commuters almost walked into him and one of them accidentally hit him on the head with an empty Coke can, as they tried to throw it into a bin that the invisible vampire was passing at the time.

    As he walked and thought over some things, Anjanu’il realised, and not for the first time, that he felt no guilt for what had happened in the bank. Not because he was a vile vampire. It was because he knew those two men and they knew him too, though they hadn’t seen his face until that very day. They had both signed contracts stating that if they committed any more serious crimes, or put anyone’s life in danger again they belonged to him. He’s done the same thing with all the criminals he has confronted so far. Sure most of them are dumb enough to think that he wouldn’t make good on his promise to kill them if they broke their contract. But vampire law is clear, which means there really is no crime committed on his part. After all vampire laws are the only laws that really count in the grand scheme of things.

    Suddenly he ducked into an alleyway, wiped the blood from his face, and clicked his fingers, which changed him into his trademark dark trousers, dark thick vest complete with large hood, the thin mask that covered most of his head, but left his hair and the areas around his eyes and mouth exposed. And last but most certainly not least, his long World War II officer’s coat that had belonged to his grandfather. ‘An outfit that would scare the complete shit out of any idiot’ he laughed to himself.

    Then he set out to find the bastard who threw the can.

    Back at the bank the police were finding it hard to get anything useful out of their witnesses. ‘So, you say that this person killed that man there’ the police man pointed to the first robber that Anjanu’il had dealt with, ‘by touching him. Then he killed the other one by drinking his blood.’

    ‘Yeah, that’s right. That’s what I saw’ said the young man.

    ‘Tell me something. Are you on any medication or taking any other drugs, by any chance, sir?’ the officer asked.

    ‘No!’ exclaimed the shocked youth.

    ‘Well that’s fine sir. If you would like to take a seat, the other officer there will take your details. You know, in case we need to get in touch with you.’

    The young man sat and waited. While the policeman who had been taking his statement turned to his partner. ‘Can you believe that crap?’

    ‘Are you kidding? Have you seen the stuff that’s been going on in this city lately?’

    ‘Yeah but still, a vampire? Come on, pull the other one.’

     His partner shook his head, then said, ‘Well, did any of yours get a good look at the guy?’

    ‘No, yours?’

    ‘No. What the fuck is going on? Ten different people in the same room didn’t get a look at the guy? Something weird is going on. Hay what about the cameras?’

    ‘The crime lab guy took the tapes. Said he’ll have a look. But I tell yah, if it’s the same guy, they won’t get squat.’

    ‘Hay, did you catch the bit about the killer doing a disappearing act just before we got here.’

    ‘Yeah, what a load of shit!’

Fifteen years earlier.

There was nothing but darkness and utter silence when he awoke at first. Then the light of the street-lamps blinked into existence again and for a moment he couldn’t even remember his own name. In a painful flash it all came rushing back. ‘It took her, dragged her into the alley.’ That he remembered, though that was all, as he had passed out after that.

    Now here he was lying in the street. He tried to think of what to do next. But all he could think of was Karen’s beautiful fair hair flying in every which way, as the wind caressed and played with it, as they walked to their car moments ago. He saw her gorgeously pale blue eye’s again, which shone with nothing but love for him, as his did for her. The smile, her last smile. Then the only thing he remembered was her warm life’s blood splashing against his face as he stumbled back. And the screaming before the road came up to meet him and smacked the back of his skull.

    Alan closed his hazel brown eyes as tightly as he could. Defying the protest of throbbing pain that came from the back of his head, he opened his eyes again and the street came slowly back into focus. Pallid light shone on his face and the wounded man looked up to his left and saw that the moon was out now, as a small break in the dark clouds had formed, though the bright pale ball in the sky would vanish again soon enough.

    He made a bid to sit up; as he tried his head swam nauseatingly. And again he felt the pain in the back of his head hit him like a relentless football hooligan. Immediately his hand went up in protest and he touched his head where the pain seemed to be. Instead of just feeling his light sandy hair the middle finger of his left hand also made contact with wet humid blood. As pain pricked in the wound he realised that it was a gash. And as though he couldn’t believe it he brought his hand down to see the blood with his own two eyes.

    He swore under his breath as he attempted to hoist himself onto his feet, fighting back tears for his beloved wife, as he knew she was dead by this time. “What the hell was that thing?” he thought, before his bad knee collapsed under his weight. ‘DAMN IT!’ he shouted, as his body hit the asphalt. In his haste and shock he had forgotten all about the uselessness of his left leg. “The car is just ahead. If I can get to it, I’ll be able to get my stick. Then I could look for that bastard.” All of this ran though his mind as he crawled to his small three door car, with his bad leg trailing behind.

    When he finally reached the vehicle he probed his left trouser pocket and found his keys. He put the key in the lock and turned it; he could feel the mechanism move and proceeded to open the door. For a moment the car was dark, and then the overhead light flashed on. He positioned himself so he was sitting on his right leg and with his left straight ahead of him. He tried in vein to push up the small stubby lever on the side of the seat. It was firmly stuck in place and wouldn’t budge for him; in failing that he put his right hand in behind the seat and blindly felt for his walking stick.

    ‘I knew I should have borrowed one of the bigger cars from the lot. Instead I had to bring this piece of crap’ he ranted as he groped around and stole a look every now and then to see if he could catch a glimpse of his prize.

    If the situation hadn’t been so dire, he thought that he would certainly have laughed; the stick was always there when he didn’t want it. Now when he needed it the most he couldn’t find the fucking thing. As he probed behind the driver side seat, there was, for a moment, a sound of slow padding paws on the road and it was not far off. He felt a shudder derive through his entire body. His mind raced with the thought that the creature had finished with its first victim and as it had seen him the first time round, it wasn’t going to let a good meal go to waste. Tears streamed down his face as he found it hard to build up the nerve to turn his head and look. There was an instant when he thought, “Don’t look. If you don’t look maybe it won’t be there.” But of course this was bullshit, he had to look. He had to stare it in the face, at least once.

    ‘Okay, it’s okay.’ This of course was crap too, but he had to calm himself to build up the courage to do what, he thought, had to be done. As he turned his head, strangely enough he was wondering, “Will my entire life flash before my eyes before death?” He hoped it would. Then the last thing that he would see would be her in all her beauty.

    When he looked there was nothing. He closed his eyes and let out a long heaving sigh of relief. Then, still very shaken, he immediately returned to his hunt for the thing that would allow him to track that thing down, and at least maybe die fighting, instead of sitting in the side of the street waiting for it to find him. The last thing that he would do was run or rather hobble away, though every fibre of his being was screaming for him to get the hell out of there, as fast as humanly possible. “I could try to drive the car.” but that idea was cut short with the realisation that, he would never be able to live with the knowledge that he left her dead or alive. “Think of all you can do, you’re a good salesman, a very good mechanic and once you were a great engineer. The one thing that dad didn’t teach you was how to run away.”  A cowardly feeling entered his thoughts, he shook it off.  Then, he replayed the instant that thing came and took her from him and he knew that no matter what he did, it would find him. It was too silent, to fast.

    He could see the stick now, or at least the amber ball that sat at its top. The tip of his middle finger touched it. ‘Just a little further’ he said quietly to himself, ‘… got it.’

    As he pulled the stick out from its hiding place he was ready to shout with triumph, but the victorious shout was suddenly substituted for a yell of surprise and pain. He felt strong sharp teeth bite through the flesh of his ankle. He was viciously hauled away form the car and with his head cracking off of the ground, Alan was mercilessly dragged to the same place, and the same fate as his doomed wife.

    When the creature stopped and released its grip, he saw walls of buildings towering above him, as the realisation dawned on him that he was in a very dark, very deep alleyway. He could hear it stalking to and fro as though taunting him and just as his eyes were adjusting to the darkness he saw it lunging toward him. Before he knew what was happening, he was holding his walking stick up above his chest, with his hands at each side of it, in a defensive gesture. The thing broke through the thin shaft of wood as though it were air and was tearing his neck open in one fluid movement of its immense jaws. A scream formed in Alan’s throat, but failed before it reached his mouth, as he felt his warm blood flow from the huge ragged tear in the side of his throat. Moments, that’s all he had left of his life now, only moments. The thing wrenched back and pointed its nose into the air, arched its back downward and let out a victorious blood girdling howl before it dived at its meal again, for the kill.

    He saw it coming and had managed to make a grab for the top half of his walking stick before it ripped into his chest. The instant before it tore his heart from his body He stabbed it square in the left eye with the broken end of what was left of the cane. He stabbed its eye as hard as his weak arm would allow.

    It yelped, jumped back, then staggered for a few seconds, before it gave a single grunt and fell onto the lifeless body of its victim, its killer.

    The moon was gone and the sun had risen and the sounds of the street beyond the entrance to the alleyway echoed down to the dead end wall and back again.

    He blinked once, twice, three times in all before he sat up and took his first real look at the world with his brand new bloodstained eyes. But there was no longer any humanity in him.

    He could smell the remnants of the dried blood all around him and then he saw it, the body laying only a few metres away from were he sat. With the agility, speed and mind of an animal he leapt for it. He tried to drink what blood he could from the corpse itself, but there was none to be found. Except what the creature had left, on the ground and walls.

    He found the head not far off and again there was nothing.

    When he touched the blood on the ground he found some of it was still moist and at first he took what he could from that. Then it hit him. To him the smell had the same effect of someone being brought out of a hypnotic state. Raising his head he sniffed the air more thoroughly. It was the smell of fresh blood floating down from the entrance. Slowly he tried to stand, finally on his third try he accomplished his goal and was soon on his way. He walked slowly at first, as his body was still ridged from death, that and the limp of his left leg, which with every step seemed to be healing quite rapidly. The sunlight scared him at first and he flinched as the warm rays touched his pale skin. He soon realised that there was nothing to fear and stepped out onto the footpath. A yell filled the air as the sun light burned his eyes at first, though they soon adjusted, if only a little. He tried to use his hands to shield them from the sun and proceeded on his way. Soon screams sounded from terrified onlookers as the sight of this man, with only half a neck and his chest torn open, strolled calmly down the avenue.

    These things, screaming and yelling at him were annoying, though tasty as he had found when a few crossed his path.

    Then there were those other large things, as he saw them. They were shiny and had flashy things on top, complete with deafening noises. He hated those most of all. In the end as his muscles had loosened and his limp was almost completely gone. He managed to escape to the safety of a red brick building, by climbing the walls like a spider. Quickly he made his way, seemingly unnoticed by the tasty things below him. Following the scent of blood he finally found a building that by now was almost recognisable. His mind was slowly coming back to him and by now he thought he knew what the tasty and shiny things were, though he wasn’t completely sure. He did know however, that he should stay out of sight and try to find what he was looking for and needed the most.

    He made his way to the hospital very quickly and gained access through an open window on the first floor. The room was vacant and was a typical hospital room. The bed was freshly made, and all the usual instruments and implements were there. He noticed the door to the hall was closed and silently made his way to open it. The smell of blood was getting stronger, and stronger. It was as though it were just beyond the door. He licked his lips as he reached for the small silver door handle. It turned easily in his hand and opened without a sound.

    You can imagine his surprise to see that it was another smaller room. It suddenly dawned on him that it was an in room bathroom.

    He turned to the wall on his left as he heard voices coming from the other side of the door only two metres away. The handle on the door started to move and the door opened a little before he swiftly dived into the bathroom and closed its door over. He left it open just a crack so he could see what was going on.

    There was, as far as he could see, two male doctors and a female nurse. One of the doctors was older and obviously senior to the other in the ways of their work. He had a greying head of hair, and crow’s feet forming beside his eyes, though his hands were that of a younger man’s. He looked to be in his early forties.

    The other looked as though he hadn’t even reached his thirtieth year, though short of that by only a few. His hair was strawberry blonde and brushed to one side. His eyes were big and blue and eager to learn all he could from his mentor.

    ‘So, what do you think?’ asked the red haired doctor after they had finished the girl positioning all the various machines needed to preserve the girls life.

    ‘There’s not much else we can do for her’ said the other. ‘Nurse, Anders, how are the girl’s parents?’

    ‘The mother was D.O.A. and the father died shortly after they were brought in’ said the woman. She was in her early to mid-twenties at least, that was plain to see.

    Her black hair was straight, and long enough to be tied back.

    ‘Have you been able to contact anyone for the girl?’

    ‘No Doctor. I’ve checked. But so far there’s no one.’

    ‘It’s a pity. The child should have some one with her before the end’ said the elder doctor. ‘And we can’t spare anyone with all the injured still coming in after that pileup on the highway.’

    The nurse stared at the greying haired man, then said, ‘I could —’

    ‘No’ said the senior doctor. ‘We need everyone. We’ll just have to check in on her from time to time. I’m afraid that’s best we can do at the moment, nurse.’

    ‘Poor girl’ said the younger doctor, as he stroked the girl’s hand gently before they left the room.

    The nurse protested, though with no avail.

    ‘Poor girl indeed’ Alan said to himself. ‘Yes. Alan William Shaw, that’s my name. I remember now.’ He could remember most of what had happened. The pretty woman and the creature, but a lot of it was still distorted and muddled. He rose form were he sat and saw himself for the first time since his death. Who was staring back at him? It wasn’t the man he remembered, certainly not him. He wanted to smash the mirror, but he swiftly decided against it and turned away from it, opened the door wide and entered the room where the dying girl lay.

     As he approached her bedside and saw the child for the first time, pity coursed through what was left of his tattered body and tired soul.

    She looked to him to be between nine and twelve. Her hair was a light crisp brown and her complexion appeared very pale and wasted.

    He lent in closer to her and he could see the veins in her neck throbbing and it was as though they were taunting him. His hand flew behind her head before he could stop himself and he moved closer to her neck. His fang’s ripped through her flesh with ease. As a trickle of blood ran onto his tongue he went into a type of feeding frenzy and didn’t stop until almost every drop of blood was drained from the girl’s helpless form.

    He had no idea how long he had sat in the corner of the room weeping into his hands and frankly he didn’t care. His wife was dead. Now that his memories, in all their horrific detail, had come flooding back, he knew she was his wife. ‘She’s gone’ he said. ‘What the fuck was that thing?’ He replayed it all in his mind again. Everything was there. He could remember it all with such charity, but he still had no idea of what the creature was. Most importantly of all, he had no idea of what it had done to him, at least not yet. He sat wondering what to do, now that the girl was dead.

    Then unexpectedly he heard what sounded like a gasp for air, which was closely followed by a low shriek that seemed to come from the bed in front of him. Alan quickly got to his feet and saw the girl moving. He walked swiftly to her and looked to see hungry eyes staring back, those same eyes were the last things he saw before he died. They were also the same eyes that he saw staring out at him from the reflection in the bathroom mirror. It scared him a little to see them again, though he knew what he had to do. He leaned in closer to her. She sprang up and he grabbed her arms as they reached for him. He head butted her and her head snapped back and she moaned with pain. His right hand quickly went around her neck and he held her down.

    The girl threw a fit, squealing, kicking and thrashing around wildly.

    ‘Listen! I’m going to feed you, if you’ll just stop fighting me’ Alan suddenly said to her. The next moment he saw in her the first sign of human recognition, as she stopped her fit instantaneously.

    Alan loosened his grip on her neck and bit into his own wrist.

    The girl sat up speedily and practically leapt on the limb as a steady trickle of blood rolled slowly down the palm of his hand.

    ‘I guess all those vampire movies I used to watch came in handy after all’ he said. It was quite obvious to him that that’s what they were.  The child showed no sign that she had even heard his words, she just drank.

    ‘Don’t take to much’ he said in a whisper. ‘We’ll both need our strength if were going to get out of here.’

    Just as he finished the sentence, he felt the tension on his wrist subside and the pain die a little as she released his arm. As Alan looked down at the wound on his wrist, he remembered that when he woke up after the attack in the alleyway, his lesser wounds had healed very quickly. He realized suddenly that the more he thought about it, the less pain he felt, until the wound had healed almost immediately.

    ‘Who are you?’ the girl asked the tall man in front of her.

    ‘My name is Alan. What’s yours?’

    ‘Katie.’

    ‘It’s nice to meet you Katie.’

    The child just sat staring at him.

    “She’s probably scared. After all I am a stranger to her.” he thought. But Katie wasn’t afraid of him at all. On the contrary, she felt close to him, maybe even connected in some fashion.

    ‘Where’s my mom and dad?’ she asked.

    This was the question he hoped he wouldn’t have to answer. Alan sat on the end of the bed and said as softly as he could, which was hard, as his throat felt as though somebody had shoved a piece of sandpaper down it. ‘Do you know about life and death?’ he asked her.

    The girl looked puzzled for a moment.

    ‘You know that everything that lives eventually dies, right?’

    She gave a small nod. It was barely a nod and tears soon followed, as though she had already guessed what he was about to tell her.

   ‘I don’t think it’s good to sugar-coat something like this. I’m sorry if you don’t see it that way. Sweetie... the truth is, your mum and dad where killed in the car crash that almost killed you.’

    The girl’s eyes seemed to glaze over and more tears ran down her face, it looked like an endless stream. Her hands came up and her face fell into them. She sat there sobbing and shaking in total shock and grief. Alan got up slowly and proceeded to put his arms around her. She leaned into him and they sat crying together for their lost love ones.

    It wasn’t long before Alan had broken away from the girl and started to go over the story he was going to tell the hospital staff, not to mention the police. It didn’t take him long to figure it all out. Soon he was ready to try it.

    It was incredible how clearly he was thinking, after all that had happened to him.

    ‘Where are you going?’ Katie asked him, as he moved toward the door.

    ‘I have to go and do something.’

    ‘Where am I going to go after this?’ tears formed in her eyes again as she thought of the places she might be sent.

    ‘Well, I guess that now you’re like me, you’ll have to come and live with me, if you’d like that?’

    ‘Yes’ she squeaked, which made him smile.

    “Of course the girl will have to come and live with me” he thought, “or I’ll have to — no not that. How could I even think that? After all that’s happened. How could I... kill?” As this thought ran its course, he was for the first time, since he had woke-up in the alley, afraid. Not for himself, or even the girl. He was afraid of himself and what he was turning into. Though he knew exactly what he and Katie were now. They really were vampires. ‘Holy shit!’

    Alan also knew that if it came down to it, he couldn’t let the girl go and mix with humans. She’d be feeding off of them left, right, and centre. “If I can’t adopt her I’ll have to do the unthinkable. No matter what I think, or even how much it pains me to do it. I, Alan William Shaw, if that’s who I still am, will have to kill her!”

    Alan was about to leave the room when it momentarily occurred to him that it might be a better idea to recreate a few of the wounds he had, just to make his lie more believable. He didn’t have to cut himself, or even hurt himself in any way. All that was needed was a little concentration. It wasn’t long before Alan realised that this whole vampire thing wasn’t so bad after all, as claw marks started to materialise on his face, arms and body. The strangest thing about these wounds was, they didn’t hurt at all, not in the slightest.

    Alan also knew that he couldn’t just turn up at the front desk with his two good legs and tell them his altered version of events which had happened. It would be too suspicious when they looked up his medical history and saw that he was supposed to have had an operation, in which he had to have a bullet torn muscle removed from his leg. So he opened the door, which led to the hall, he saw that there was no one in the hallway. Quickly he jumped up and crawled along the ceiling to the room opposite, to avoid any security cameras that be watching.

    There were no crutches, or walking sticks, which meant he had to move on to the next room and the next and then the next. It was in the last that he found a basic walking stick. ‘Perfect’ he said as he spied it in the corner of the room.

    ‘Hello’ said a voice from behind the curtain in front of him. ‘Is there someone there?’ The foolishly curious person behind the curtains pulled them back with his crutch. It was a man, who looked to be around forty. His hair was greying around the sides, though on top it was mostly jet black, with grey running though it here and there. His face was thin and shaven. He looked quite fit and strong.

    ‘Who are you?’ the man asked. Though when he saw Alan’s blood red eye’s staring back at him, not to mention his long fang’s and blood stained shirt. He asked, ‘What are you?’

    Alan thought for a second then said, ‘You can call me Jack.’ Even with that he could see the absolute fear in the man’s eyes, he liked it. It excited him.

    This man said, ‘Leave now, or I’ll … I’ll call for help’ Alan instantly saw that the man had started shaking and was reaching for the call button beside his bed.

     ‘I’m not going to hurt you’ said the vampire in a very calm controlled voice, though he really wanted to hurt him. He wanted to watch him bleed and beg. “No, I can’t think like that” he thought, when he realised what was flowing though his mind. He did his best to put it out of his head and concentrate on what he was going to say. ‘Tell me, why are you here? I mean, what’s wrong with you that you had to come here?’ his American accent wasn’t very good, but he used it anyway. “Better safe then sorry” he thought.

    The stranger said nothing. But looked as though he were processing what the vampire had said.

    ‘What if I told you that I might be able to help you? What if I told you that I could maybe cure your illness?’

    ‘What do you mean?’

    ‘I mean, that depending on what’s wrong with you, I might be able to cure you.’

    ‘I broke my leg’ said the man, but the doc says it’s on the mend.’

    ‘I’m going to move closer to you. Is that ok?’

    ‘You won’t hurt me?’

    ‘No, I swear I won’t.’

    ‘Tell me why I should trust you?’

    ‘That’s simple. You see if I wanted to harm you, I could have done it long before now. All I want is to make you a deal, that’s all.’

    ‘Fine, come closer. But tell me why you’re willing to help me?’ the man was sounding more then a little nervous. ‘You don’t want my soul or anything like that, do you?’

    Alan laughed (something he thought he would never do again). ‘No, nothing like that. All I want from you is that you leave here as soon as I’ve fixed you’re leg and never tell anyone that you ever saw me.’

    ‘That’s it?’

    ‘That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.’

    ‘What happens if I don’t take it?’

    Alan’s eyes blazed as he said, ‘Do you really want to know?’

    The man took another look at those terrifying red eyes and those menacingly sharp fangs and quickly said in a whimper, ‘No, not really.’

    ‘So you wish to take the deal then.’

    ‘Yes... yes I do. Can I ask you something?’ the stranger asked all of a sudden.

    ‘You just did.’ The vampire smiled again, the terrified man didn’t.

    ‘No, I mean something else?’

    ‘That depends’ said Alan.

    ‘Well, I was wondering. Why did you come into this room?’

    ‘If you must know, I need that.’ Alan pointed to the walking stick.

    ‘May I ask why?’

    ‘No you may not!’ the vampire spat. ‘It’s time to do this, it’s now or never.’ Alan was getting more then a little impatient.

    He soon returned to the Katie’s room with his prize.

    He made his way over to the same open window he had used to gain entry into that very room.

    ‘Where are you going now?’ the girl asked.

    Alan could see fresh wet streaks on her cheeks and knew she’d been crying.

His heart sink another notch. ‘I have to do something very important’ he said.

‘Promise me you’ll stay in this room. And if anyone else comes in, you’ll have to pretend you’re sleeping, okay.’

    She nodded.

    ‘I’ll try and get back as soon as I can. I promise.’

    Katie said nothing to this; she just turned over and silently wept onto her pillow.

    Alan soon turned his attention to the window again. And when he was sure that all was clear below, he jumped and landed gently and safely on the footpath. As he hobbled for the hospital entrance, most of the people he saw moved to avoid him, but it was an ambulance driver that saw the blood and wounds he had all over and stopped him. ‘Are you alright sir?’ the man asked.

    ‘IT KILLED HER!’ Alan screamed as he took hold of the man’s shirt and tears streaked down his bloody face. ‘IT TOOK HER AND FUCKING KILLED HER!’

    It wasn’t long before what was left of Karen’s body was recovered from the alley and brought to the hospital.

    The place was swarming with doctors, nurses and police officers.

    ‘So tell me what happened again’ one of the detectives asked Alan as he sat with a cup of coffee in his hand, which was quickly going cold. He took another very small sip of his so called coffee, “at least that’s what the nurse called it” he thought, though it was very watery and tasted nothing like he was used to.

    ‘I’ve told you twice already’ Alan said. ‘We were attacked by an animal of some kind.’

    ‘Can you remember what the animal looked like?’ The officer’s unsympathetic and unwavering tone came at him once more.

    ‘No, not really. It was big and had a very wide mouth, with very large fangs. That’s all I remember’ Alan lied.

    ‘You were so close to it that it was able to do that to you’ the detective pointed to his now bandaged wounds, ‘and that’s all you can tell me about it.’

    The vampire looked at the man with the most infuriated and appalled look he could muster and loudly and very sharply said, ‘You’ll have to excuse the fact that, when I was fighting for my life, I didn’t stop to take a look at the thing that had ripped my wife apart and was trying to do the same to me. And I know that it’s rude and against the law to say this to you, but I’m going to say it anyway. FUCK OFF YOU WANKER!’

    The detective abruptly stood up and calmly said, ‘I understand that you have been through a terrible ordeal and that you have suffered a great loss in the passing of your wife. So I’m going to walk away and forget that you said that. Then when I get things sorted out, I’m sure that you can go home to sort out your own things.’ The officer turned and walked on down the hall, where he stopped to talk to one of the doctors.

    Alan couldn’t just sit there any longer. He really wanted to see if Katie had had any visitors since he had left her. So he stood and started toward the nearest lift.

    As he walked, he heard the harsh American voice of the detective he had insulted only a minute before.

    ‘Mr Shaw, where are you going?’

    Alan turned; ‘I don’t know’ he lied again. He was beginning to feel that this was becoming a habit, one that he might need through-out the years to come. ‘I don’t feel well; I’m just going for a walk if that’s alright?’

    ‘Fine, just don’t go too far.’

    ‘‘Yeah, as if I were actually asking for your permission, arsehole!’’ Alan thought, as he walked on down the never-ending hallway. (At least it seemed to him, as though it would go on forever.) He found a lift, jumped in pushed the button for the first floor. There was a sudden sharp ping as the doors closed, which ended just as it began. The lift gave a slight jolt as it began it’s ascent. Another ping a few seconds later told him that the doors were about to open, and they did just as that thought touched his mind. He wasn’t at all surprised at the fact that the lift opened into a hallway, which looked not unlike the other he had just come from. With the walls donning same the white paint and the floors with the same grey laminate floor, which gleamed with a fresh coat of floor polish. Alan was afraid to step out onto the clean floor in case his shoes dirtied it in some way. He smiled and a laugh entered his throat, but he suppressed it before it managed it’s escape. ‘‘All of the things that have happened to me today and I’m worried about a fucking floor.’’ The smile grew spreading across his face. It didn’t last long though, as he heard someone, a woman, shout out, ‘IT’S A MIRACLE! IT’S A MIRACLE!’ These exclamations and others like them continued, until he gently pushed Katie’s room door open. He entered slowly and turned his head to the right to see the girl sitting upright in bed with Nurse Anders standing next to the bed examining her. The woman’s back was facing him.

    He quickly and ever so silently closed the door behind him and took a step toward the nurse. His new heart was pounding wildly in his chest. It was as though he could smell her blood flowing through the vein’s under her skin, which caused him to feel an almost uncontrollable urge to feed.

— CHAPTER TWO —

Blood Signing

The day had come and almost everyone who knew Karen Elizabeth Shaw had come to say his or her final farewell.

    It had gone according to plan. The coroner had finally released his wife’s remains to be buried and the girl Katie was, as of the day before, officially his daughter. It was true that it had only been two weeks from the day they had met in the hospital. But it was because of Alan’s father’s who was a diplomat at the British Embassy that made the adoption move more swiftly. His old man had called in a few favours that made it possible for Katie to stay with him until the adoption became final. It had to be that way, he couldn’t let the girl go off and accidentally hurt some poor sod or worse, kill some poorer sod.

    ‘‘I have no idea how I’m going to pay him back’’ Alan thought, as he stood at the door shaking hands with all those now leaving for home, or wherever it was they were headed. He didn’t know and frankly he didn’t really care either.

    ‘Are you okay?’ asked a female voice, her sweet American accent drilling into his thoughts.

    He looked into her eyes, ‘Yeah, Casey, I’m fine.’

    ‘Rick and I are here for you anytime, okay.’ She took his hands and held them in a light grasp, as though she thought they would brake if she squeezed too tightly.

    Alan stole a look at Rick the dick, as he liked to call him. The man was about the same height as him. His dark thick head of hair was freshly cut and brushed back. He was wearing a blue shirt and a pair of black corduroy jeans, on his feet were what looked like very pricey brown shoes that were so clean and shiny you could almost see your reflection in them. As Alan scanned his face, the man looked bored beyond all reason.

    He remembered the time Karen told him Rick had made a pass at her and how she had told him to fuck off or she would tell Casey. She told Casey anyway, which made it harder for Rick the dick to play the field.

    Alan smiled as he reminisced. It was at that point that Rick stepped forward and had tried to whisper into his wife’s ear, ‘Can we go now?’

    Alan heard every word and his tranquil expression changed to one of total distaste. The man’s wife saw this and threw her husband a dangerous look.

    The vampire wanted to hit him and knock his head off. He was about to, when Katie stepped out from his side and said to Casey, ‘It was nice to meet you.’ She held out her hand as she said it in the most elegant way she knew how.

    Alan was torn from his aggressive train of thought.

    ‘It was very nice meeting you too’ said the woman taking the girl’s hand and shaking lightly.

    ‘I’ll go and wait for you at the car’ said Rick, not liking the dark malicious glint in his host’s eyes, as he stared into them.

    ‘Yes, you do that’ Casey said standing upright again. She didn’t look back; she just stared at Alan and made an apology when her husband was out of earshot.

    ‘You don’t have to apologise’ he said.

    ‘Yeah, I do. Karen was my best friend. I am sorry Alan. If you ever need anything, don’t be afraid to ask’ She shifted her gaze back to Katie. ‘It was nice to meet you sweetie.’ She turned to walk out the door, and then spun on her heel and their eyes met again, her blue to his brown and she said, ‘Alan, I think Karen would love the fact that you’ve taken Katie in. And I’m sure that wherever she is, she’s smiling down on both of you.’

    ‘Thank you Casey thanks for all your help today. I don’t know what I would have done without you.’

    She nodded, smiled and leaned into him and planted a dry kiss on his cheek. ‘The best to both of you.’ she said. Then she turned and walked to her car, where Rick the Dick, was impatiently waiting for her. He checked his watch for the time and shook his head with unadulterated annoyance.

    As Casey walked she turned to face the door way where Alan and Katie stood and waved at them for the last time. He watched her go as the sunlight shone on her with her dark business like suit and russet, red streaked hair. He smiled. He had always liked her more then the rest of Karen’s friends. She wasn’t afraid to tell you what she thought or if you over stepped your boundaries. She was genuine, good fun and a great friend. ‘‘If only she’d wise up to that dickhead she’s married to’’ he thought. He turned on his heel and met Karen’s parents as they walked up to him.

    ‘Thank you’ said his mother-in-law. ‘It was a beautiful ceremony, Alan.’

    Alan merely nodded, then said, ‘You can both come round anytime Sophie, remember that.’ The woman threw her arms around him and stayed there for a few seconds and then made way for her husband who stepped forward with his right hand extended to his son-in-law. His hands were massive next the vampire’s who always thought that he had woman’s hands. The man’s grip had always been tight though this time it was Alan’s that made his father-in-law wince as the force was applied.

    ‘Sorry James’ said Alan when he saw the man’s reaction.

    ‘Been working out?’ James replied. And although it sounded humorous the expression on his face remained a portrait of anguish.

    ‘I wish’ said the vampire.

    ‘Well time to go’ said James.

    All but Alan’s parents were gone and it was only then that Nathan his father approached him.

    ‘So what’s so important that you just had to wait til now, dad?’ Alan asked.

    ‘I want to give you something’ his father replied. As he said this he picked up a long, square, white box from the table. It was the type of box that would hold an article of clothing.

    Alan stepped forward and took the box from his father’s out stretched arms. He lifted the top of the box off and set it on the table. Inside was an old World War II officer’s coat.

    ‘That coat’s been in our family for ages, it belonged to your great grandfather.’

    ‘Nice. You should keep it.’

    ‘No, it’s yours.’

    ‘You’re sure?’

    Nathan nodded, then said, ‘We have to go now son.’

    Alan’s mother went to him embraced him and kissed his cheek. ‘See you soon’ she said to him.

    ‘See yah mum’ Alan replied. ‘And thanks again dad, for helping with the adoption.’

    ‘Don’t worry about it. Look after that coat’ said his father.

    ‘But most of all, look after our granddaughter’ his mother smartly added.

    Both parents said their goodbyes to their son and granddaughter and left them in peace.

    The day passed on and night soon replaced it. This meant that it was time for Alan to start his new work. He had thought long and hard about what to do with his new strength and power and the other gifts that came with them. Alan had decided that there was way too much crime in the city. So he thought that if he were to go out and stop the criminals and somehow make it so they would be to scared to commit any crime again. He knew that beating them wasn’t good enough on its own. Then it hit him, if he made them promise never to commit any serious crime again and threatened them with death if they broke their deal. And of course he would bind them to their promise by making them sign a contract to that fact.

    It felt right to him to do it that way. Why? He didn’t know and didn’t really care. Alan knew that the offenders would need proof that he was willing to go through with his own promise of death. He had decided to fulfil his deal with a girl he met recently and start with the biggest crime lord in the city and work his way down the food chain. Once he dealt with him his reputation would soar overnight and make the others believe him.

    He had finally reached the home of Mr Arnold Wander. The place was more like a diplomatic building than a building protected by a crime syndicate. There were bars covering the first floor windows and probably the ground floor ones too, he couldn’t see due to the eight foot high wall, which had brigade of cameras on it watching everything, he could hear guards speaking into their radios as they patrolled the grounds within. He could also hear the very faint but very distinct sound of dogs panting and barking. He had no idea how many there were, but it didn’t matter. Alan knew that he could make it past them with almost no effort at all. With that in mind he advanced toward the wall and cleared it in one jump. He landed with ease and without a sound, and then quickly and still quietly he made his way to the house.

    The noise seemed to come from the study, though he wasn’t really sure. Arnold paused and wandered whether he should call for security to be safe. But a voice in his head said, “No, don’t bother. What’s the worst that could happen?” Arnold still felt compelled to call for support. Just then without any warning, his hand reached for the door knob and turned it.

    The room was dark and although he was strongly compelled to reach for the light switch, his arms wouldn’t move at all. He stared into the darkness. At first there was nothing, though as his eye’s adjusted he could see the outlines of the things he had bought and placed in the room. But there was something else, something sitting in his chair behind his desk.

    ‘Who… who’s there’ to his surprise his voice was husky and had a stroke of fear through it. Arnold wasn’t afraid of anything, but for some unknown reason he was afraid now. ‘Who is that?’ the man asked trying to sound brave, but failing completely.

   ‘Me’ the thing in the chair said in a mocking tone.

   Arnold’s hands started to shake as he caught a glimpse of the thing’s eyes, which were light blue mixed with blood red. He felt an overwhelming urge to cry out for help. Foolishly he managed to suppress it and begged the question. ‘What do you want?’

    The thing grinned widely and said simply, ‘You!’

    Arnold knew that he had to get away from this nutcase and find someone to help him. He started to back away out of the room.

    The thing which was now standing brought its hand up and the man stopped. Arnold suddenly felt his right leg take a step forward and then his left. The man now panic stricken, was overcome with yet another urge to cry out and this time he wasn’t going fight it, he tried calling out but his mouth wouldn’t move and there was no sound coming from his throat. He was completely helpless.

    Arnold had a good long look at the thing in front of him. It was in the shape of a man, though he knew it wasn’t a man. His mother had told him stories of demons and spirits who could come and steal your soul in the night.

    ‘Who are you? What are you?’ the man asked at once, as he realised that he was once again able to move and speak at will.

    ‘My name is…’ Alan had to think about the name he would give. Then it jumped into his head in a woman’s voice, “Anjanu’il. Your name is Anjanu’il”

    The vampire repeated the name, ‘My name is Anjanu’il. And as for what I am, you wouldn’t understand, Arnold.’

    ‘Please don’t take my soul’ the man groaned pitifully.

    ‘I’m not here for that, I assure you.’

    ‘You’re not a demon?’

    ‘I didn’t say that.’ Anjanu’il smiled again, which made the man grimace. ‘I’ll make you a deal. But first sit at your desk.’ Before the man could protest, he was walking again. He sat in his big back leather chair. As soon as he was seated Anjanu’il reached into the left side of his coat and pulled out what looked like a sheet of paper, rolled up and tied with a dark red ribbon.

    ‘What is that?’ enquired the man.

    ‘My, we do have a lot of questions to ask, don’t we. This Arnold is your lifeline.’ The vampire explained, as he dangled the rolled up paper between his finger and thumb.

    ‘What do you mean life line?’

    ‘Well I did say that I would make you a deal. You didn’t think that I would just take you at your word did you. It’s not going to be that easy, Arnold.

    The man was like a deer in the headlights of a 4X4 going 100 mph down a steep hill, and for the first time in his life he was terrified.

    Anjanu’il saw his wide eyed expression and said, ‘It’s simple really. You sign this contract and I leave you in piece.’

    ‘That’s it. That’s all I have to do. Just sign that and you’re gone.’

    ‘That’s all. Though I really do think you should read before you sign, Mr Wander.’ And there was that horrid smile again.

    The man shook with total dread as he leaned forward to take the contract. He hesitated. ‘Don’t worry Arnold. I don’t bite … to hard.’ The vampire laughed at the momentary fearful look on the man’s face. Arnold grabbed the contract untied the ribbon and read the words on the paper.

I here by swear that I shall refrain from committing any serious crime from this day forward.

I shall not cause harm to a person male or female, accept in self-defence.

I shall in no way order or make others cause harm to any person or persons.

 However, if I chose to brake my word then this document shall be void and my life shall belong to he who wrote it.

By signing this document, I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . state that I understand and agree to the terms and conditions there in.

    ‘This is bullshit’ said Wander. ‘I won’t sign it. I … I won’t’

    ‘Oh, but you will sign it’ said the vampire.

    ‘No I …..’

    The man was cut off by an uppercut to his chin. It sent him flying and he hit the bookshelf that stood between the two large windows behind his chair. Anjanu’il stepped toward Wander, grabbed him by his shirt and threw him to the far wall at the other side of the room. This continued until Wander finally had had enough.

    ‘Alright I’ll sign. I’ll sign!’ the man said, as the vampire was about to kick him in the ribs again.

    ‘You see. That wasn’t so hard now was it?’

    ‘I’ll sign. Please don’t hit me again’ said Arnold, in a low voice, that was almost a whisper.

    ‘Don’t worry Arnold. I won’t hit you if you sign the contract.’ Anjanu’il held the document over his head, swinging it lightly from side to side, then he dropped it and it fell beside the groaning Wander.

    ‘I don’t have a pen’ the man stated.

    ‘Don’t worry, you don’t need one. You’re going to sign it in your own blood.’

    Arnold Wander was shaking his head, as tears streaked his face, and his eyes followed the vampire’s hand as he drew a knife form his belt. Anjanu’il bent down and ran the blade down the man’s left cheek. Wander whimpered as the cold stainless steal blade sliced through his skin. Anjanu’il licked the blade and savoured the small amount of fresh blood. The crime boss was staring at him mortified at the gruesome scene in front of his eyes.

    ‘Now, Arnold, sign the contract.’

    The man hesitated. ‘Sign it or die now.’

    Wander reached up with the index finger of his right hand and touched the wound that was dripping with fresh warm blood. He touched his finger to the page of the contract and crudely signed his name on the dotted line.

    The vampire smiled down on him as a father would smile down at his son who had just done something that merited some approval. ‘There now, was that so hard, Arnold?’

    The man said nothing and did less then that. He was frozen to the spot of the floor he was kneeling on, as he looked up and saw the Hungary look in the vampire’s eyes.

‘What… what are you going to do now?’ The question was irrelevant as Anjanu’il moved closer to him. He knew what was coming, though he just couldn’t bear to think about it.

    Anjanu’il reached down, took a fist full of the man’s shirt and lifted him up to face him.

    ‘All I’m going to do is make sure you know I mean business.’ The vampire stared into his quivering eyes, quickly took hold of the man’s hair with his other hand and pulled his head to the left exposing the right side of his neck. Wander cried out as Anjanu’il tore into his neck and drank.

— CHAPTER THREE —

A God is Born

‘NO PLEASE! I WON’T DO IT AGAIN!’ the dark haired man pleaded. His white face getting paler as every second ticked on.

    ‘I know you won’t’ said the vampire mockingly. ‘You see Titch; you signed a contract that clearly states that you can no longer commit any serious crime again. And since you broke that contract, your life belongs to me.’

    The man started to cry, as the realisation of what that meant passed over his thoughts. He had heard the stories, as a lot of others had too. ‘NO PLEHEHEHEHEZE!’ the doomed man’s sobs clashed with his last word. The last word that would ever pass his lips, as Anjanu’il’s fist connected with the side of the rapist’s head. The loud crack of the man’s neck snapping was almost deafening in the silence of the dimly lit alley. It was then in the moment after the vampire heard the sobs of the woman who was almost Titch’s last victim. He had been concentrating so much on his own victim that he had forgotten all about her. He stepped and the woman screamed. He stopped and bent closer to the ground. ‘I don’t intend to hurt you Josie.’ She was about to let out yet another ear shattering scream, when she realised that the stranger wearing the hood had said her name. ‘Do…do I know you?’ she asked the vampire.

    ‘No, you don’t know me. And I hope that you never get to know me Josie. As most of the people who get to know me end up like him.’ He jerked his head to the side to indicate Titch’s lifeless body. The woman shivered and he knew it had nothing to do with the cool night air.

    ‘Then how do you know my name?’

    ‘I just know.’

    ‘Have you been spying on me?’ She screwed up her nose with a disgusted look, which give him no doubt that she found this idea utterly detestable.

    ‘No’ he said, as he felt his patients leaving him. ‘Would you like me to keep an eye on you to make sure you get home safely?’ he asked, before she could say anything else.

She kept the disgusted look on her face as she felt every fibre of her being screaming at her to say no and telling her to get up and run, but there was another unknown part that wanted to say yes. She didn’t know why, but she had this almost overwhelming feeling that she could trust him.

    Josie looked into his cold bright blue eyes (against all of her primal instincts) and nodded as the word failed to come to her lips.

    He nodded in return and could since her fear. ‘Don’t be afraid, Josie. I’m not going to harm you’ he said to try and settle her nerves. Though he knew it was in vein.

    Anjanu’il helped her to her feet, led her out of the alleyway and continued to watch her as she made her way home.

    He was glad to see that she didn’t live to far away. And he was surprised as she waved goodnight before shutting and locking the door behind her.

    The vampire turned to leave, though as he did he felt something come over him. It was Wander; he had finally broken his contract. Anjanu’il had to admit that he was impressed, as most only lasted a few days at the most. And he smiled as he knew that it was time to teach that scumbag a lesson. And he was ready to start building his reputation. He knew that Arnold wasn’t the only one that broke his contract. A few of his closest friends had helped him, and he would deal with them soon enough, however, at that moment he only had eyes for one man.

    Anjanu’il knew that Wander would be expecting him. The vampire hoped that was the case. After all it would make a bigger impression, and would scare the shit out of anyone who crossed him again.

    Wander’s House was in sight now and Anjanu’il was getting more excited by every glorious passing moment.

    He could see that Arnold had indeed increased his security. There were more cameras constantly watching every inch of his property, along with three times as many guards in and out of the house. The vampire could feel the crime boss’s intentions and could see that some of the armed guards were for him and his family.

    When Anjanu’il thought of that he felt a surge of anger. Wander actually believed that he was going to hurt his family. He had told him that he would only deal with him and him alone. “Well now the gloves are off Arnold” he thought, and smiled as he heard a yell come from the house and saw all the guards running for the front door to  see what had happened.

   The thought had reached its target and certainly had the desired affect.

    He would have him, but not yet. There was no rush after all. Wander would stew in his own fear first, in anticipation of what would come next.

    Anjanu’il knew what was going to happen. He could see it all unravel in his head, it excited him even more.

    He left him for an hour and a half, in which time he had taken care of two other people who where giving him grieve. And let’s just say they won’t be doing that again. He had also gone and got something to eat and drink.

    He was sure that Wander would be walking the walls by now and thought of all the things that were about to happen and all the people who where about to die, in their futile attempts to save one man. Anjanu’il felt no pity for those stupid people. After all it was his right to defend himself, his duty to take out the shit that was clogging the streets.

    In an instant he was over the wall and on the wet sodden grass on the other side. He bolted into the shadow of the house and peered in through the windows. He was there in his study, waiting for death to claim him. Arnold didn’t know this of course, as he had done all in his power to save his own pathetic life. The vampire could since his thoughts. Yes, he was scared completely out of what brains he had left. And he was screaming orders at a couple of his man, pointing this way and that, telling them what he wanted done.

    Soon the guards had left the room and Wander was on his lonesome.

    “Maybe this will be easier then I thought” Anjanu’il said to himself. Though it seemed he spoke to soon as he heard someone coming in his direction. The man was coming slowly down the curvy path. The vampire could hear him breathing and his heart pumping the blood around his veins. Anjanu’il poised to strike, though as he waited there he could sense a strange feeling creeping over him. As though time itself had stopped. There was something else too, a tiny voice in his head, telling him, “There’s no need to kill him. You should be concentrating on your goal.”

    The vampire hated the thought that something might be in his mind, influencing him. Though it seemed that the distant voice had done exactly that, he had seen sense and he decided not to do the guard any serious harm.

    Time kicked back into action and as the big guard rounded the corner the vampire pounced and in less than a second Anjanu’il had the man in a choke hold. It took roughly ten seconds for the man to pass out and the vampire released him. The guard flopped to the ground and Anjanu’il bent down to feel his pulse. The man was out cold. “When he wakens, it will all be done and he would be looking for another job.”

    The vampire made his way to the patio that was situated just two metres away from were the unconscious man lay. He stepped forward cautiously. The two large windows were gone, replaced with double doors that opened onto the patio, they were closed and most likely locked. Anjanu’il smiled, “I like a challenge.” He peeked in and could clearly see his prey standing at one of the large bookshelves, where he seemed to be examining a few of the books, most likely trying to find something to make him forget about the monster that might be dropping in for a visit.

    When he was sure that there was no one else around. The vampire stepped out and faced the double doors and peered into the study, willing Wander to turn and stare back. But he didn’t, instead he stood in the same spot without moving. Then the man’s hands began to tremble and without warning he slowly pivoted to face his judge, jury and executioner. Hardly a moment passed before there was a harrowing yell from Wander. He shouted to his people for help. He had forgotten that the study had been made soundproof, so he could have quiet while he read.

    Anjanu’il had to act fast if he was going to pull this off. He looked around and found a small but sturdy wooden post sticking out of the grass. The vampire grabbed it, pulled his arm back to throw the wood. It was hard to aim, and made harder by the fact that Wander was running for the door. Anjanu’il took the best aim that he possibly could and let the wood spear fly.

    One of the small windows in the right door shattered as the projectile passed through it. Someone was bound to have heard that and if they hadn’t, there was always Wander’s hollering.

    When the vampire stared into the room and saw that his piece of wood had hit the bull’s-eye, he couldn’t help the smile that leapt onto his face, before he bolted into the darkness.

    It was all over the news on television, the radio and the papers, this brutal killing that had struck fear into the heart of organized crime. It was as though reporters loved telling everyone the terrible blood curdling news of the crime lord who was found impaled on a short piece of wood protruding from were his groin used to be. And that wasn’t the only detail that the news community enjoyed informing the public on. There was also the fact that he had been bent over, with his upper body resting on the wooden spike, in front of a stuffed bear that stood on its hind legs, with its groin area also run through.  In truth this had become a joke to the public at large. That had added to the fear of the other crime lords, which made Anjanu’il very happy indeed.

     It had now been two months since the death of Arnold Wander and Anjanu’il had had many dreams of criminals committing their crimes. Only three he had taken him seriously. Three out of thirty three.

    Now this new dream about the caretaker of a local church had him riled up, as this one was one he couldn’t wait to get his hands on. This man was abusing young boys within church grounds.

    Anjanu’il was ready to go, as was his new car. He had been working on it even before his wife’s death. A few of his of his ideas had been changed since then and the car itself was a master piece. It had been a Trans Am firebird in its former life. He had gutted it, took the frame and body, rebuilt it, stripped off the paint and repainted it, and supped it up. It was glorious to look at and he loved the idea of driving around the city in it.

    It was time for a test drive, and as he was already going to find the caretaker and take care of him. He thought it was a good idea to drive the Trans Am to air it out. The vampire jumped into the driver’s seat and fired up the engine. He was about to push the button that would open the garage door, when he heard the door behind him open then close. Anjanu’il turned to see his young daughter looking at him. He felt shame and a self loathing rise up from his very core. He had promised to take her to see that new film that had just been released in the cinema. He turned the ignition off and pulled the key out, opened the driver’s door and got out of the car.

    ‘Where are you going?’ the girl asked him.

    ‘We’re going to see that movie you’re always talking about.’

    ‘You’re really taking me!’ She sounded surprised. But Anjanu’il wasn’t, as he knew he had been neglecting her most nights, though she never complained.

    ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been around most nights recently Kate’ Anjanu’il said.

    She shrugged. ‘It’s okay. What you’re doing is important.’

    ‘True, but you’re more important then anything to me’ he said.

    Katie smiled at him, ‘When are we going?’ she asked.

    ‘Well we’ll have to look up the next start time.’

    They went into the house and Anjanu’il turned on the computer and went to the web site of their closest cinema and looked up the times. That done he made sure the doors and windows were locked, and then they made for the coat rack. As Anjanu’il lifted their coats there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find Nikki Anders, (the young niece of the nurse who had found out their secret. The sixteen year-old had been brought into the fold after her aunt was killed in a botched mugging. Both Anjanu’il and Katie were at the funeral and seeing the grief the girl felt, the vampire had made a deal with her. He would tell her what her aunt knew and track down the killer and she would help him by minding Katie when possible. But she had agreed to it only under the condition that Anjanu’il pay Arnold Wander a visit. The vampire  inquired into the reason she wanted Wander to be the first one to sign up and she told him that Wander’s thugs were the ones who had killed her aunt, because she wouldn’t sell her house to the crime lord. Anjanu’il looked her in the eye and searched her mind and found that she was telling the truth. He didn’t ask how she knew, he just agreed to the terms and they shook on it as he didn’t think she needed a contract.)

    ‘So you’re going out tonight’ said Nikki. It wasn’t a question.

    ‘Dad’s taking me to the cinema’ stated Katie.

    ‘That’s great sweetheart’ she turned on Anjanu’il. ‘Thanks for letting me know.’

    ‘Sorry, but it was a spare of the moment thing.’

    The girl shrugged then smiled at him. ‘That’s okay’ she said. Anjanu’il knew the school girl liked him a little more then she should, though put it down to her age, as he remembered what it was like to have crush on someone older. He had decided to keep his distance unless she was babysitting.

    ‘Do you want to come with us Nikki?’ Katie asked out of the blue.

    Anjanu’il looked at Katie and could have throttled her. When he looked at Nikki again he saw the disappointment in her face, and it was obvious he had given the game away. He felt sorry for teenager and angry with himself then asked, ‘Would you like to come with us?’ In an instant the disappointment had disappeared, and she said (in that quirky American way). ‘Sure. I’d love to.’

    ‘Maybe you should ring home and let your folks know where you’re going.’

    The girl smiled, ‘Yeah, that’s a great idea. I’ll call them up and say. Hi mum don’t worry I’m going to the cinema with a vampire and his eleven year-old daughter. Don’t wait up.’ She laughed out loud at the look on Anjanu’il’s face. ‘They don’t care where I go or what I do anymore.’ Anjanu’il looked into the girl’s eyes again and saw that again she was telling the truth.

    ‘Fine’ he said, ‘let’s go then.’

    They had all had a good time at the cinema, and as it was the weekend Nikki had even offered to mind Katie afterward. Anjanu’il was grateful for that. He would pay her back sometime, though for now there was something else that needed his undivided attention.

    They arrived back at the house and Anjanu’il opened the front door to let the girl’s into the house. Katie immediately ran in to turn on the lights. Nikki turned to face the older vampire, ‘Anjanu’il you know I love you, don’t you?’

    He was shocked but said, ‘Yes I know. And you should call me Alan.’ And it was then she leaned forward and kissed him, to his own surprise he kissed her back.

    The vampire had tried to reach the caretaker before he left his apartment, but was too late. So now he was on his way to the church where the man worked, of all places. Anjanu’il pulled up to the curb and took a good long look at the church in question. He had no idea if god was real and frankly he didn’t care either. As far as he was concerned after what had happened to him and his wife, he owed that bastard nothing.

    He opened the driver’s door of the firebird and started to walk toward the chapel, as he reached the steps, he could see the light sneaking out of the door, which had been left open a crack. It was as though someone were expecting him, he smiled at the thought that there might be some lazy arse higher being, waiting for him to come and do its dirty work.

    The door opened easily, without a sound. Anjanu’il could see a man that looked very like the man he was after, though he had to be absolutely sure it was him. ‘Hey you’ he shouted, just a little too loudly he realised, as the echoes bounced back at him, he lowered his voice, ‘Abuse any young boys lately.’

    The man ahead froze and then turned to see who it was that yelled it him. In that instant the creature staring at him grinned. To Anjanu’il it felt like a natural reaction, though to the caretaker it was ghastly, and bloody terrifying.

    ‘Wh… who or wh… what are you?’ the caretaker stammered.

    ‘I know what you are.’

    ‘What do you want?’ the man asked the creature.

    ‘JUSTICE!’ the vampire yelled.

    The man, who was completely petrified by this point, ran up the isle to the altar, though tripped on the last step and fell flat on his face.

    ‘What’s going on out here?’ inquired a man’s voice. A moment later a priest came from a door behind the altar. The holy man stared down at the other man and then at the vampire. ‘What is the meaning of this?’ he asked.

    ‘This is none of your business.’ Anjanu’il informed him.

    ‘If it happens within this, the lord’s house, it has everything to do with me.’

    The vampire started to walk up the isle and had reached the steps; he heard another voice in his head. It was not the same as the one he had heard before. This was the voice of a man, who said, “Not here friend!”

    Anjanu’il stopped and waited as though expecting more, but he heard no more, in his head or other wise. He put his foot on the first step and there came a great sound of thunder. Then in an instant lightening exploded through the roof, which left a large hole above the big cross that hung above the altar table, were the stone, wood, and tile once sat.

    The two men were taking refuge behind the altar. And Anjanu’il put his other foot on the second step. More lightening flashed down through the hole and struck the large cross. It began to pulse with the natural energy. Ever so suddenly a lightening bolt shot out of the middle of the cross, and although the vampire was quick, he was not fast enough to avoid it.

    The next thing he knew, he felt a floating sensation. Then there was a blinding light and he was standing on something very soft. Anjanu’il looked around, everything was white, and when he tried to focus on something, he couldn’t make anything out, everything was too bright.

    ‘Welcome, Anjanu’il’ said the voice he recognised as the one that was in his head outside Wander’s house.

    ‘Who are you?’ he asked it.

    ‘I am Vanntre, (pronounced Venntra) one of the vampire gods of the Nustrevol tribe.’

    ‘Where am I?’ was the next question that sprang to his mind and out of his mouth before he could curb his vocal cords.

    ‘You’re in paradise’ said the voice, ‘and no, you’re not dead.’

    There was a five second pause, which the vampire used to try and glare at whatever was in front of him. He was unsuccessful and only became more frustrated with the situation at hand.

    ‘I’m so very sorry for not presenting myself visually’ said the voice, ‘how rude of me.’

    Suddenly, everything in front of the vampire got brighter and brighter still, until he had to close his eyes. When he opened them again, there was an attractive woman standing facing him. She stood tall and quite proud, and had beautiful red hair. Her eyes were a wonderful shade of bright green and her complication was perfect. The robes she wore looked light and were blue with thin strands of gold running through them in ripples.

    ‘You have a difficult choice ahead’ said the god. ‘The entity wishes to make you a demigod.’

    Anjanu’il said nothing. He stood waiting to see what she would do next.

    ‘You didn’t ask the question.’

    ‘What question?’ he asked.

    ‘What exactly is a demigod?’

    ‘I figured you were going to tell me, so I didn’t see the point in wasting time asking stupid questions.’

    Vanntre smiled, ‘I think the entity was right about you, when it said you would be a hand full.’

    ‘What is the entity?’

    ‘In truth, the only one who knows the answer to that is the entity and it’s not sharing.’

    Anjanu’il nodded solemnly as though he were contemplating something on a grand scale. Finally he said, ‘What is a demigod?’

    ‘Good question.’

    The vampire smiled at the god and she did the same back, before saying, ‘A demigod is a being who sits at the feet of a fully fledged god. A being who has some of the abilities of a god, and will one day be a god themselves, how long that is depends on how long it takes them to prove they are worthy enough to do the job.

    ‘So what do you say? Are you interested?’

    ‘Yes, very.’

    ‘Good. Now all you have to do is wake up.’

    He opened his eyes and realised that he was lying in the street. When he looked he saw that the door of the chapel was only being held on by one hinge.

 The demigod got to his feet and started toward the building again.

    As he entered the priest ran forward shouting something about his immortal soul.

    The vampire looked at the holy man and he stopped half way.

    “Don’t fear me” Anjanu’il’s thoughts rang in the man’s head. “I’m a demigod, who only wants justice.”

    “There is only one god” the priest answered before crossing himself.

    “For you, that is true. But there are far more then you could comprehend. If you still have doubts, then know the truth.”

    As far as the caretaker was concerned nothing had transpired, though to the priest the most amazing thing had happened. He had met and talked with his god.

    ‘Now do you believe’ said the demigod, when the man had returned to his body.

    The man’s eyes were wide with surprise, and he turned to the caretaker and said,

‘Tell me, it isn’t true, Thomas. Tell me you didn’t do the things our lord says you’ve done.’

    “It’s all true” said the vampire’s voice in the priests head again.

    ‘The children, Tom, how could you do those things to them?’

    The man at the altar said nothing, though lay there shaking with fear.

     ‘I have to make a deal with him’ Anjanu’il said, this time with his voice rather then his mind.

    ‘Why are you waiting? You are a god after all.’ the holy man asked him.

    ‘I’m a demigod. And must ask you’re permission before a take justice within your lord’s house.’

    The priest looked at the caretaker again, then his head dropped and he said, ‘You have it, but promise me you won’t kill him.’

    ‘I will give him a contract to sign, then take him outside and beat him within an inch of his life. Though if he commits any serious crime again, I’ll gut him like a fish. And that’s something I can do without your permission.’

    The priest grimaced, and then stood aside to let Anjanu’il past.

    As the vampire started closer, the caretaker shouted, ‘PLEASE FATHER, PLEASE TELL HIM TO STOP!’

    The priest shook his head. ‘I can’t tell him to do anything Tom. He’s a god’ said the holy man.

    ‘YOU CAN’T LET HIM HURT ME FATHER! PREY TO OUR LORD FOR HELP, LIKE BEFORE!’ the pervert pleaded.

    ‘The lord God will not help you Tom. He’s shown me your crimes and told me not intervene.’

    The caretaker looked at the priest, though said nothing, his eyes said it all loud and clear.

    ‘Do not fear him the priest said, as Anjanu’il approached. He is not without mercy. The god Anjanu’il will give you a second chance at life.’

    ‘That’s enough!’ said the vampire. He approached the quaking mass of flesh and bone. There was only debris between them now. Tile and wood lay scattered everywhere. There was a large section of a wooden beam that sat two feet away from the pervert. The demigod kicked this out of the way and it missed the man by only inches. The vampire grabbed the caretaker by the neck of his jumper, and dragged him out of the church. As the man screamed kicked and yelled all the while.

    Anjanu’il pushed the door and the warm night air hit them. It seemed different than it felt in the chapel, as if someone had turned the temperature gauge down a couple of notches. He stopped at the curb close to his car. There was a faint rumble of thunder in the clouds still. The demigod looked skyward. ‘If you have a problem with the way I conduct my business, then I suggest you take care of your own people in future.’ The vampire felt that ever familiar feeling of someone in his head.

    “Now, Anjanu’il, don’t be rude to your brother.”

    “Tell me something Vanntre. Why am I doing the dirty work of the other gods?” Anjanu’il asked, politely. He could feel the vampire god’s amusement growing by the second.

    “That’s easy” answered the voice. “As I have already explained to you dear brother. You are a demigod; you must earn the status of a full god, by showing the entity that you are capable of handling the responsibility, and that means you help where you are needed.”

    Anjanu’il nodded to himself, and looked down at his prey as though only realising that he was there. The vampire grabbed the man again, pulled him up until they were almost nose to nose, smiled and said, ‘I’ll make you a deal, Tom.’ The vampire let the man fall, pulled a rolled up sheet of paper out of the inside pocket of his coat, unfurled it and handed it to the caretaker to read. The man read the document, and like all others, he shook his head, as though he thought there was another choice.

    ‘I will not sign this’ said the caretaker.

    ‘I don’t think you’ve quite grasped the reality of the situation.’ The vampire flashed him his hideous smile, which made him flinch. Most of them did. ‘Let me spell it out for you. You see. If you decide not to sign this contract, of which I have very generously given you, I will be forced to kill you.’

    The caretaker started to cry.

    ‘Now Tom, none of that, it’s going to be okay. You’ll like it when it’s all done. Isn’t that what you say to them when they complain?’

    The man looked at Anjanu’il, as more tears filled his eyes, ready to replace the ones that were running down his face, and said, ‘I didn’t mean it. I didn’t want to hurt them. I—’

    ‘BUT YOU DID, TOM!’ the vampire bellowed at him.

    The caretaker began to blubber and whimper.

    ‘Sign it, and get a second chance, or die a horrible death. It’s your choice. Personally I hope you choose the latter.’

    ‘All right I’ll sign.’

    ‘They all do. Though most of them can’t keep to the contract, and we all know what happens then, don’t we Tom.’

    The pervert whimpered again at the thought of it all, then took the document.

    The vampire took a small knife and pricked the man’s finger. ‘Now sign it’ he said. ‘Oh, and there’s one more thing you will do.’ Anjanu’il leaned in closer. ‘Turn yourself over to the police or the deals off.’

    The caretaker did as he was told and made an X mark with his blood on the dotted line. The X began to change shape and turned into the man’s own signature.

    Anjanu’il laughed at the look on the man’s face. ‘It was a nice try, Tom.’ He took the contract back and rolled it up again. The demigod then grabbed the caretaker by the hair and lifted him off of the ground. ‘I can smell your fear, Tom, or is that something else?’ He laughed his horrid laugh and Tom the caretaker cried all the more, for the man knew what was coming next.

So, tell me what do you think of it below.