Leaving the Light By: Christine Schnell

 Chapter 49



	"Yo!  Fixer, how was the vaca?"  Kenneth popped in behind me.  

	I almost threw my cards in the air for all to see.  "Huh?"

	"You're time on the outside?"  It had been several weeks since
I last saw Bram.  Since then, I had been to Phoenix twice just
arriving back that morning.  Nothing exciting had happened,
unless you consider buying electrical components exciting.  I
was able to have limited human interaction which was nice.

	"You know about that huh?"  Amazing, it took me quite some time
to learn about people's excursions.

	"Yeah, Lacey told me.  Oh and thank you.  Kama and I are tight
again.  You know what I'm saying?"

	There were snickers around the table.

	"What I do?"

	"What didn't you do?"  Gary asked under his breath.

	"Well, I just took some time to think about what you said.  So
I went to her to ask her forgiveness and you know what?"

	"What?"

	"She asked for mine."

	"No way."  The world around me stopped.  Kama asked
forgiveness? 

	"Way!  And she said she had you to thank too.  She wouldn't
tell me why.  Just said you showed her the errors of her ways."

	"I'm in shock."

	Gary scoffed.  "So am I, you are holding up the game."

	"Yeah, it's great isn't it."  Kenneth just kept right on going.
 I wouldn't get rid of those cards."  He stopped me from pulling
out an 8 and 4 that were ruining my straight flush.  "Oh and you
were right about the sex!  Man, it just keeps getting better. 
You know.  When she bit me I literally saw fireworks."

	"That's great Kenneth."  Somehow I didn't feel the enthusiasm I
tried to put into the words.  I got rid of the cards anyway.

	"Yeah, well, I just wanted to say thanks before you went to
bed.  She wanted me to get her some real food, so I gotta get
back."  He stood and kissed me on the forehead then bounced away
like a happy jackalope.  I was dealt two more 8s.

	Then I pondered his words.  Fixer?  "LACEY!"

	"What?  It's not even my turn yet."  Lacey, across the table
from me, cowered.

	Trying to diffuse the situation Chuck bantered about Kenneth. 
"Kama's got him pussy whipped."

	"Really?  I thought it was the other way around.  You know she
hasn't seen one other servant since they got together."  Nate
said.  It was great to see everyone in a good mood.  Things were
looking up around here again.  Which could only mean hard times
were around the corner.  For now, the banter was jolly.  It was
still subdued but only to the point that a librarian would have
noticed.

	In the meantime my turn had come and gone as I tossed all my
card into the pile.  "What's this about him calling me Fixer?"

	Lacey's face paled in shock and horror.  "Nothing."

	"Nothing is telling people I will fix all of their problems?" 
I crossed my arms.  "Where did you get a lame idea like that?"

	"You are always fixing things."  Nate tried to help again.

	"Yeah, electronics."

	"I've got a straight."  Nate said as it came time to show cards.

	"No, you help people with their problems."  Lacey said.

	"Full house."  Raquel grinned and reached in-between Lacy and
me so that I had to sit up to face her.

	"What?  I can't even fix my own problems.  What makes you think
I could

help him?"

	"You like fixed me up with Wen."  Gwen said happily.

	"Yeah but-"  

	Raquel asked her as Chuck started to deal the cards.  "How's
that going?"

	"Seven card stud, suicide kings are wild."  Chuck could hardly
be heard over Gwen.

	"Like oh my God!"  Gwen squealed.  "It's like totally wicked. 
He is like so shy but like great in bed and totally trying to
please me."

	I rolled my eyes.  "Glad I could help."  I peeked at my cards,
nope, no kings.

	"He goes out and like buys me some of the most spiffy things." 
She hugged herself and I realized that was a new cashmere
sweater she wore.

	"Hey, Toni, you helped get us some of the luxuries around
here?"  Nate pointed out.

	"Yes, who got me the jukebox so I could listen to country
music?"  Lacey asked.

	"Not me!  Bram had it brought in."

	"He brought it in for you."  Lacey said.

	"Who broke it?"  I argued.

	"And who fixed it again?"  Lacey countered.

	"I told you I fix electronics.  It was my job."

	"Yeah and was helping Kenneth your job?"

	"No but-"

	Chuck got in on the fun, "Who's going to rid us of the King?" 

	"Don't start that again.  It's never been proved that I'm the
prophecized one."

	Betting rounds had gone by and cards were dealt, they were
promising but nothing that guaranteed me a win.  We were all
quiet for a moment as we pondered each of our own last card.

	"What about Gwen?  You helped her."  Raquel said after she
dropped in a couple blue chips.  I knew then I was finished.

	"And me."  Nate grinned.

	"Were those your jobs too?"  Lacey was on a roll she wasn't
even giving me a chance to speak.  "Toni I didn't label you the
fixer, You did it to yourself."  She called the current bet.

	"Then why can't I fix these cards?"  I threw the most recently
dealt cards down on the table.

	"Don't feel so bad Toni.  The vampires are using it against
you."  Gary said.  

	"Huh?  How?"

	"Like is that man with the sword in his head one of those king
thingies?"  Gwen pointed to a card in Raquel's hand.  Looking at
her up cards I wasn't surprised to see everyone else throw their
cards away.

	"Vampires manipulate us all the time.  It's nothing new."  Nate
said as Gary handed me the next deck to be shuffled.

	"They just want you to become more confident so you'll be more
inclined to do what they want."  Gary tried to explain, but like
normal the answer eluded me.  "Puppets are often more effective
when everyone including the puppet thinks the puppet has no
strings."

	"Soo...  They want me to believe I have freedom so that I'll
act the way they want me to?  Why?"

	"Same game."  Gary started dealing cards, but I didn't pay
attention to them.  "They need you, and the rest of us strong. 
Can't you feel it, something big is stirring." 

	Gwen walked off.  Obviously the turn in the conversation bored
her.

	"Like war on the outside?"  Nate asked.  Apparently word has
gotten around about the terrorist threat.

	"No, I mean among the vampires."  Gary turned to me.  "Have
they said anything to you?"

	"What?  Like 'Toni you'll fulfill the prophecy tomorrow'?" 
This got a few chuckles.  "Nope not a word." 

	"I don't know."  Gary went on.  "It just feels strained."

	"Maybe it's the hunter."  Everyone fell silent as we stared at
Kenneth.  He was passing with a tray of food.  How did he know
about the search for the hunter?  It had been kept fairly quiet
after all.  "Kama mentioned this morning that they thought they
had a lead."

	"THE hunter?  The one that killed Erik?"  Lacey asked.

	"Don't know.  We didn't have a long conversation if you know
what I mean."  Kenneth winked.

	"What if it is?  What if they kill him does that mean no more
trips upstairs?"  Raquel asked.

	"I doubt it.  There were a dozen hunters that day."  Gary said.

	I remembered Brode.  He had seen me and may have told others
that I was working with the vampires.  "I think they might know
now that we lied.  The vampires have a choice, either withdraw
altogether, or put as many of us up there as possible to be
cannon fodder.  I'm hoping for the former myself."  

	"Let's hope so."  Lacey agreed.

	"What about the town?  Are they safe?"  Nate asked.

	Lacey put her cards down and turned pale.  This was the first
time since after my escape attempt that I knew it had been
mentioned around her.  I put a hand on hers.  "The hunters know
the building is where the vampires would be.  I'm sure the town
is safe."

	"But what if they attack the town to try to flush us out?" 
Lacey's voice quivered.

	"Nate."  Kenneth was watching Lacey.  "Come on, you said you'd
show me your tomato plants."

	"Huh?  But Kama's food-?"  Kenneth stood and lifted Nate from
his chair.

	"Yeah, well, she might want some tomatoes."  Kenneth led Nate
away from the table.  He went up a notch on my respect-o-meter.

	"I want to see him."  Lacey said so quietly I could hardly
hear.  "I need to be with my daddy."

	Gary jumped from his seat and lifted Lacey.  She wept softly
into his shoulder.  When I stood he said softly, "It's okay
Toni.  I've got her."  He walked her away and I was left there
staring dumbly at Raquel and Chuck.  I didn't think I could fix
this.

***

	I hate it when I'm ignored.  Bram wasn't around, Kama was busy,
and even Keir was too.  I thought about going straight to the
King but as afraid of being yelled at for sticking my nose where
it didn't belong.  I just wanted to know if the rumors were true
and if it was the reason for Bram's abrupt departure the last
time I was with him.  Okay in a way I wanted to be there when
they caught Erik's killer.  I wanted to look him in the eye then
slap him silly.

	Since I was unsuccessful at getting a hold of anyone I figured
I'd get some rest and ask Mina whom I was to serve that night. 
Of course getting sleep is easier said than done in this place.

	Lacey was still with Gary.  Kenneth surprisingly has taken a
break from Kama and was sleeping quietly.  I thanked God that he
wasn't snoring like usual because I really did want to sleep.

	I had just closed my eyes.  Blissful sleep was about to whisk
me away from this hell of a reality.  Then Kenneth asked; "Toni,
do yo know why we're here?"

	I used to like the subject of philosophy.  I used to love
asking questions right until I began to be punished for asking
them too much.  Though I didn't consider asking if a rumor was
true to fall in the same category.  So I ignored him.

	Darkness crept around the edges of my closed eyelids.  The dim
florescent lights on the other side would soon be a distant
memory.  The whispers around created a wonderful white noise
that lulled me to the brink of unconsciousness.  The tugging on
my shirt sleeve brought me right back.  "Toni?  You can't be
asleep already."

	"Kenneth, if I wasn't so tired, I'd hit you."  I slurred.

	"It's just nobody's around, I thought maybe we could talk a
little."

	I finally opened my eyes.  They burned.  I felt as if I had a
hangover and I didn't even have anything to drink.  He was
right.  There was no one in our immediate vicinity.  That still
didn't guarantee that no one was listening.  "Go to sleep."

	"I can't."

	"Take some of those pills."

	"I tossed 'em."

	I rolled my eyes.  All that fighting was for nothing then?  Oh
well.  I closed my eyes again, hoping he would forget his
question.  "Toni."  He tugged on my sleeve again.

	"What?"  Exasperated, I turned on my side to face him.  He was
hanging half off his cot still in the position to pull on my
sleeve had I ignored him again.  

	He didn't move.  He looked like he was quite comfortable and
could sleep that way.  I had only seen cats act such before. 
"Why are we here?"

	"The meaning of life, the universe and everything is 42."  I
droned as if I had said it a million times.  In fact it had been
years since I read that book and would be many more until I did
again.

	"Huh?"  Obviously he hadn't read it.

	"Nothing."

	"I meant here, with the vampires."

	I had known what he meant.  I was just trying to avoid the
question.  "We're here to feed them."

	"Yeah, I know that.  Don't you think they could get their food
from other places?  Blood banks.  There's plenty of cultists who
are willing to be donors.  Hell they can even take from anybody
on the street and make them forget about it."

	Obviously he now knew about that ability.  He was asking a
perfectly valid question.  One I had asked many times myself. 
"So why do they need us?  Especially if we're unwilling?"  I
finished for him

	"Exactly."

	"I don't know."  I flipped onto my stomach and buried my eyes
in the pillow.

	"That's it?  That's your answer?"

	"It's the only one I have.  I could go on for days as to why I
think they live like they do and why they chose us in
particular.  In the end, I'd be wrong, because I simply don't
know."

	"I think I do."  He was a self proclaimed expert of vampires. 
I had no doubt he believed he knew.  I just didn't think anyone
else would believe his theory.  When he realized I wasn't taking
the bait he continued.  "I think they're afraid.  Afraid of
social judgment.  They just want to be normal and treated like
everyone else but people out there have a preconceived notion
about vampires.  They think they're horrible monsters...

	"So they have to go into hiding, take on slaves to remain
unnoticed and thus become the very monsters they've tried so
hard not to become just to survive.

	"It's like street gangs see.  Out dere on dat street you put
down.  Nobody expects nuttin' o' ya cept dat ya break da law." 
I noticed he slipped into the street dielect pretty easily. 
"You don' do nuttin' but da five-oh still come afta ya, yo. 
Even if you innocent ya run an' hide."  I could imagine him 15
years old running for his life just 'cause he walked into the
wrong part of town.  "So deez regulate peeps.  Dem peeps hang
together an' try ta he'p each other out while sticking it ta da
man.  Afta a while ya start ta think.  If dey expect ya ta act
that way, what da hell.  Ya start act'n that way just fo' fun
an' shit.  Why not as long as nahh one gets capped right?  But
someone do."  He suddenly got serious and all hint of an accent
went away.  "Someone always gets hurt." 

	I started to look at Kenneth in a new light after this.  He was
the only person I ever met who knew the vampires really and
truly.  He knew them better than they could guess and far better
than I ever would.

***

	It started out as such a subdued flight.  The vampires were in
the back making plans while we slaves twitched nervously knowing
we might die in the next few hours.  A couple checked the hand
weapons we were to use.  The rest of us sat quietly.  I kept
looking out the window wondering if I would see a gremlin on the
wing.  My leg shook anxiously.

	A couple of hours previous Mina had no answers for me and
seemed a little surprised when I mentioned the rumor of the
hunter being found.  Not long after Shelly dropped by and asked
if she could "borrow" me.  With Shelly this seemed normal as she
only took a few minutes to feed from me and then let me go back
to what I was doing.  I soon came to realize this wasn't the
case as without a word she led me to the airplane hangar.  There
were still no answers, but I figured I knew what was happening. 
They tracked the hunter down and we were along for the ride to
be used as human shields.  Yet again I questioned the King's
determination to make me a vampire.  Putting me in the line of
fire didn't seem conducive to it.

	Bram was there yet he hadn't spoken more than a few words to
me.  I was happy to catch him looking at me a few times.  I felt
confident with him there that nothing would happen to me.  Still
I was nervous as I had no idea of what to expect once we landed.

	"Hi."  Keir dropped down beside me making me jump.  "Guess who
you're paired with."

	"Bram?"  I asked hopefully.

	"No silly, me."  He patted my leg.  It started bouncing more.

	"Oh, joy."

	"I promise I'll behave myself.  I was hoping since we would be
alone together for quite some time we might become better
aquatinted.  You know, get to know the real me, not the monster
you think I am."

	I tried hard to keep myself from laughing.  How could I ever
believe he wasn't a monster?  "I'll try to be nice too."

	"Good.  You know this sicarius we're after has been difficult
to find.  Do you know how we finally caught up with him?"

	"No, how?"

	"Sex."  He moved his clammy hand up my thigh.  He hadn't yet
proved he wasn't a monster.  "He made the fatal mistake of
visiting a whore house."  He whispered leaning in towards my
ear.  At the same time he brushed some of my hair away from my
ear saying, "I like your hair up.  It really does make you look
beautiful.  Did you know that?  I don't think anyone tells you
that enough."

	I shrank back, not because he was a creep, but because I wasn't
used to being told that.  He knew the right buttons to push,
that was sure.  I knew he was full of bullshit but I would
rather see this softer side of him.  I remembered Kama's words,
no not the ones to befriend him but about manipulation and the
way men secretly wanted to be treated.  "It's not true.  I'm not
pretty and you don't think that."    

	"Now don't start toying with me."

	Me toying with him?  He was right.  "I'm stupid to have thought
I could have gotten any sympathy from you and I'm ashamed I
tried."  I was even sincere about that.  I had failed to stoop
down to his level.

	"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself.  It's not as if you mean it
anyway.  You know as well as anyone you're not completely
stupid."

	It was as close to a genuine compliment that I would ever get
from him.

	"Keir, mind coming here to help us plan the capture of this
sicarius?"

	I was saved!  I had a feeling this as why Bram had spoken
aloud, oh everyone knew he was protecting me.  I felt warm
inside knowing he would do anything for me.  

	His words made me curious however why capture and not kill? 
Hadn't the King said he wanted this hunter dead?  Maybe they
figured they'd get some info out of the guy first. 

***

	In contrast to flying into Miami there was no security here. 
Hell there was no one here.  I figured this time instead of not
drawing attention by going the normal route they were not
drawing attention by going the least traveled route.  The
airstrip looked abandoned.  The runway was in serious need of
repair and the single hangar looked like a good strong wind
might knock it down.

	The hatch opened and it became very cold.  I shivered and just
now realized there were patches of white on the ground.  I hate
snow.  It's cold and wet and white and so not California.  I
rubbed my forearms as I stood.  Bram held out a jacket for me
and I slid it on.  He took that opportunity to wrap his arms
around me.  I did not fight him.  I could really use his warmth
and support right then.  He let me go when people started to
depart the plane.  He took my hand and lead me down the stairs.

	I had no clue where we were.  Somewhere in the Midwest no doubt
from all the grassland around us.  "Where are we?"  I asked.

	"Middle of nowhere."  Douglas said from behind us as he dawned
a thick leather jacket.

	"It doesn't matter.  We will not be here long."  Keir pushed
past us. 

	Shelly said, "There seems to be a couple of cars missing."

	Several nondescript sedans were waiting for us.  Obviously
someone had flown ahead and driven them here.  There was no one
here now so perhaps they were still retrieving cars.

	"Our destination is closest so why don't I and Gary wait while
the rest of you go on."  Bram suggested.  The vampires had
learned that the hunter was somewhere in this area.  The King is
sending our teams to several towns where other vampires are
known to reside in hopes of finding the hunter tracking one of
them down.

	Keir took my arm and started pulling me along.  I looked
longingly back towards Bram.  I so didn't want to be separated
from him and certainly not in this manner.  He gave me a smile
that said he knew I would be fine.  I didn't believe him.

	I opened the car door and a gush of warm air greeted me.  I got
in quickly and closed the door.  I turned the heat all the way
up when the engine turned over.  I missed Arizona already.  Keir
entered the car and I drove off.  Like normal, I had no idea
where we were going.  No GPS showed me the way so I assumed Keir
would.  He pointed in a general direction and I took the road
that led that way.  

	I drove for quite some time.  Keir held the silence that
combined with the light snowfall outside made it a very serene
drive.

	"Will you please stop you're giving me a headache."  Keir said
out of the blue.

	"Huh?"  What was I doing?

	"That noise you keep looping in your head.  It's annoying."

	I hadn't even realized it until he mentioned it.  "Ode to the
Dragon Knight" was stuck in my head.  "What are you doing in my
head?"  I asked coyly with no intention of stopping.

	"I'm not, you're projecting it."  Perhaps it was this short
exchange, or perhaps it was just to get my mind on something
else.  Keir kept talking, "You can go faster you know."

	"I'm already going fifteen miles over the speed limit, you want
me to get a ticket?"

	He laughed, "Out here?"

	"Well what if I hit a patch of ice?  Or a cow?"

	"I could force you."  

	There was something about his tone of voice that was playful so
I played back.  "Not against my will.  You can't force me to do
anything." 

	"I've forced you to sleep with me."

	"That's only because you're physically stronger than me. 
Besides you're not very good in bed, that's why you have to
force me."

	"You're lying.  I know you enjoy it, that's why you were so
jealous of Bram and ran.  You couldn't stand to see him in my
arms."

	"What?"  I laughed.  "That's ridiculous."  I knew he was
goading me.  I couldn't fall into his trap.  "I ran because I
was scared you'd take off your clothes."

	"Oh please.  I heard you yelling at Bram because he wouldn't
let you have a turn with me."

	"Yeah, with a sword."  

	"You aren't thinking of helping the sicarius are you?"

	I have to admit the thought had crossed my mind.  However, this
man had killed Erik who was as innocent as any human.  That and
I already had enough blood on my hands.  I still think about
Mackenzie from time to time.  He wasn't the best vampire yet did
he deserve death?  What about Brode?  Was his death necessary. 
Sure he was a hunter but-

	"Turn right at the next intersection."  Keir interrupted my
train of thought.

	"Where are we going?"  I asked.

	"Does it matter?"

	"I suppose not.  I just don't expect to find the hunter in a
small town."

	"Why not?  Sicari came to our small town."

	"Yeah, but you don't really live there."  I thought of the
Sheriff and Lacey's breakdown.  I didn't think Keir would do
anything for her so I didn't even try asking.  "You guys keep us
slaves to drink from.  Do these vampires also keep slaves?"

	"I don't know them personally.  My guess is they do not."

	"Why would they stay some place where food is so limited?"  I
thought of Kenneth's theory.  "Is it just an antisocial thing?"

	"Vampires have lived in towns with less than a thousand people
through history.  It has not been detrimental to our numbers."

	"Doesn't it make it easier for hunters to find you?"

	"Sicari mostly stay within the large cities for the reason
you're thinking.  There is higher concentration of vampires
there.  There is no law that states they can not hunt outside
their territory."  While Keir was being nicer than usual, his
voice still had a disdainful tone to it.

	So I changed the subject slightly.  "Do these vampires know
we're coming."

	"If they did, the sicarius might learn about it from them. 
Which is one of the reasons we've split up, to keep the element
of surprise."

	"You're not afraid that he could overwhelm us?"

	Keir laughed heatedly.  "I've killed more vampires trying to
prove their superiority over me than these humans who think they
can defeat more than the weakest of us.  I do not fear them."

	"Then why only capture and not kill this one?"

	"Because the king has ordered it."  

	So even the vampires must do as they're told.  "Kenneth has a
theory that you guys have become monsters because society
expects it of you and because of your isolation.  Is that true
or is it ingrained in the blood?

	"You know you'll find out eventually." 

	I reached around to my back and felt one of the scars from the
lashing.  They were a constant reminder of my fate.  "I know."  

	"You know, I was human too."

	"Really?  Is that possible?"

	"Ha, ha.  I'm serious.  I know what you've gone through, to be
whipped and treated like an inferior being."

	"Don't go giving me some sob story about you being a slave and
being treated poorly by your master."

	"You can take down your defenses.  I'm just trying to tell you
I can sympathize."  

	"Hmph."  I bristled and built them up a bit.

	"We're not so different you and I.  While I was human I the
Romans forced me to fight for them.  I was not happy and wished
to return to my quiet village growing wheat and raising a
family.  I deserted.  I was not smart at the time.  They found
me a couple of days later.  The punishment was harsh.  Yes, I
was whipped and beaten.  I was lucky I they didn't throw me into
the gladiatorial ring.  They needed soldiers and so I was
dropped back into the infantry.  I fought for them like the
repressed dog I was."

	"Lemme guess, that's when the vampires found you and you were
saved from any civil service."

	"No, I was forced to serve for two more years.  I killed many
men, women and children in that time.  Many were my own race.  I
was not a proud man when they finally released me from my
contract.  I roamed the desert for a time until I found me a
woman.  We mated and had children.  Then the Romans found our
village and saw that we did not adhere to roman laws.  They took
my wife from me.  They raped her and sent her with the rest of
the people they were taking as slaves.  I fought them with every
once of strength I had left until their captain bit me..."

	He trailed off.  I think he had told me more than he had
intended too.  I was intrigued and didn't want to be left
hanging.  "What happened then?"

	"I became what I am."

	"I know.  Did you stay with him and the Romans?"

	"No.  He wanted me to stay.  He saw I was a good warrior.  I
had had enough of war and wanted my wife."

	"And then?"

	"We are approaching the city."

	"So, you can still talk."

	"Why are you so interested?  Do you think you will learn
something about me that you can use against me?"	

	"No, it's just an interesting story.  So sue me."

	Keir sighed.  Then continued, "He told me my life would be hard
without him.  I didn't believe him.  I was proud.  I took my
three children and left to follow those who had taken my wife. 
We weren't in the desert for more than three days when my hunger
began to eat at me.  My children didn't understand why we could
only travel at night and why I buried myself in the ground
during the day.  They were loyal and looked over me.  My oldest
was strong and a good hunter.  He found us food and water.  It
wasn't enough.  Besides my sire's blood I had none since
subortus.  We had not come upon any villages as we traveled and
I feared the hunger would only get worse.  The fourth night as
we traveled I could not stop myself.  I bit my youngest son.  My
eldest, Juba, saw this and attacked me.  He was like a fly and I
swatted him away as easily.  Within a minute Duka was dead.

	"I saw the fear in Juba's and Femi's eyes.  I knew then I could
not remain with them.  I ran.  More than a week later, nearly
dead, I managed to find a village.  My wife had not been through
there.  However, I wasn't sure I wanted to keep looking for her
after what I had done to my children.  I kept looking, for it
was all I had to live for."

	He fell silent and while I saw lights up ahead I wanted to hear
the rest of the story.  "Did you ever find her?"

	"No.  The roman had been right.  Life was hard.  After years of
searching, I knew what I needed more was my own kind.  So I
sought my sire.  I didn't even know his name.  While searching,
another found me.  He told me of this clan and brought me to the
King.  They welcomed me in and I have been a part of it ever
since."

	"That's so sad.  Do you miss your family?"

	"It was a long time ago.  I do not think on them much."  He was
sad though.  I felt it.  He didn't cry.  I wondered if he would
if he were alone.  That would be weird, to see Keir shedding a
tear for anyone.  "Slow down now we are approaching our
destination."  His voice didn't quiver.  Maybe he was incapable
of crying?

	We drove slowly through the dead main street.  I guess no one
was up and about at 3am in this town.  Keir peered intently at
each of the buildings.  They reminded me very much of the ones
back in the town where the vampires lived.  They were just about
all two story buildings butted up against each other.  Most were
brick and all looked to be at least 100 years old.  I peered
through the darkness at the row of buildings.  There were no
bars on the windows nor graffiti on the walls.  While it seemed
to be one of the closest thing to a city we've passed through
all night, it was anything but a big city.

	Even at this slow speed the main drag passed quickly.  We had
entered what appeared to be a small industrial area.  

	Keir made me stop near the middle of an intersection and stared
at a dilapidated three story building that had boarded up
windows.  Unlike the rest of the buildings on main street it was
set apart from the buildings around it.  It was large but not
imposing.  Yet the meager street lights did nothing to penetrate
the darkness around it.  I couldn't help thinking that this
place looked very foreboding.  

	Keir examined an old brick building.  "An abandoned building
like this is the ideal hiding place for a sicarous."	

	"Where's the entrance?"  I looked up and down the length of the
building but there was no apparent door.  There were probably
big rolling doors on the back where trucks could load and unload
their cargo.  	

	I pulled along side the building and Keir exited the car.  He
leaned back into the window and ordered, "Out."

	I took a deep breath.  This was it.  There was no tricking this
hunter into thinking I was here for peaceful reasons.  No reason
to think that danger wouldn't come to me sitting here in the
car.  Besides, who's to say that he's even anywhere in this
town?  I blew out the breath and opened the door.  

	Keir pointed around the corner.  "The entrance is on that
side."  Apparently this wasn't the front of the building.  I
glanced around the corner.  Still as expected, the short side of
the building was all boarded up.  "Go around and see if you can
get in, if not check the opposite side.  If you find a way in,
do not enter.  Understand?"  I nodded.  "Call me and I will go
in.  I will be looking for an alternative way in."

	We moved off in opposite directions.  As much as I don't like
Keir I hated leaving his presence.  This lonely city was
creeping me out.  There were no sounds but the blistering wind
rustling the few trees on the street.  I slid my hands in my
jacket pocket and felt the comforting weight of the gun.  I
never thought I'd be happy to hold one.

	Several heavy and thick plywood boards covered the door.  I had
a feeling even Keir wouldn't be able to smash them.  I moved on
and stopped at the corner of the building.  It was pitch black. 
I wasn't about to go in there alone.  I ran back to the car. 
Keir of course wasn't in sight.  "Keir?"  I didn't want to yell
in case the hunter was around.  I ran again, this time towards
the other end of the building in the direction Keir had headed. 
I was out of breath by the time I got to that alley way.  It was
better lit as there was a streetlight nearby, but it was still
dark.  I cursed myself for not thinking to bring along a
flashlight.  "Keir?"  My voice trembled.  

	I took a few tentative steps forward.  There was movement ahead
and I relaxed slightly.  "Keir?"  I walked towards him.  Only
there were two people there.  I stiffened again and prepared to
run.  I didn't because a thought crossed my mind that maybe Keir
had found the hunter and might need my help.

	Unfortunately, I was wrong.  "Well look wha' we have 'ere mate.
 A stray lost in a back alley."  A gravely voice came from the
darkness.

	"Eh, little girlie, what are you doing here all alone, don't
you know it's dangerous to be wandering the streets all alone?" 
The second hoodlum said.

	"Keir!!!!!!"  I yelled in my mind and lungs while I fumbled to
grab the gun from my pocket.

	"Oh, 'olleren won't do you no good."  Said the first.

	"And that gun will be useless against us."  The second started
to reach for me.  I still couldn't see anything of them other
than their shapes.

	"Help!"  I ran for the alley exit.  Somehow I knew it was no
good, that I was doomed.  His remark that guns were useless was
a hint and their speed confirmed what they were.  They headed me
off before I went five feet.

	"Now, now.  You behave and we won't hurt you."  The second said.

	"Much."  The first giggled.

	I looked around me for something, anything I could use to
defend myself.  There was nothing.  I wish they would have given
me a sword or knife or anything other than a gun!  Where was
Keir?  He should have been here by now.  I started to really
panic now, where I couldn't think.

	That's when they grabbed me.  I hit the ground hard and was
nearly knocked out.  My world was a bit fuzzy and I couldn't
concentrate to connect a punch.  I fought as much as possible
but really it was pathetic against the two.  I tried to scream
but as anticipated it caught in my throat.

	I didn't realize what was happening until there was a sharp
pain in my thigh.  If I had any doubts as to why Keir had left
me alone during this menstruation cycle they were gone now.  He
had brought me here for others to feed on me.  I closed my eyes
tight as I felt the cold sharpness of one of the monster's teeth
on my privates.  I tried to kick and wiggle away but they held
me tight.

	Just as I thought the one finished with me, I was not shocked
to feel him enter me.  As he proceeded to rape me the one who
held my arms bent down, felt my breasts, then to my horror
sliced my chest just above my heart.  My lungs filled with the
scream that couldn't get past my throat.  As one pounded into
me, the second drank freely from the blood gushing out of my
chest.

	Through teary eyes I saw a figure at the entrance to the alley.
 No doubt Keir was watching the dirty work these two were doing
for him.  I stretched my fingers towards him and mouthed what my
mind pleaded to him, "Help me, please."  He didn't move.

	It might have been my mind going fuzzy, or it might really have
happened.  I thought Keir's mind touched mine and said, "I'm not
helping a sicarious."  I couldn't confirm it as there was a
bright light a loud noise like a m80 firework and then pain and
heat.  I passed out.