Charlene

Charlene

Part 1
“Where am I now?” I looked around the room, squinting to see in the darkness. I realized I was tied to a chair.
Katherine, I should have listened to you. I squeezed from my mind the tears on her face as she begged me to stay. I never listen, I’m so stubborn, I only know how to hurt her and make her cry. Suddenly, there is a light from a doorway. I see a dark heavy shadowlike form in front of me.
“So you’re awake, I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.” His voice, so familiar. He leaned in close, and spat as he spoke, in a near whisper he rasped into my ear, “I had hoped you would.”
“Who are you?” My voice echoed in the emptiness of the room.
“Oh Charlie, baby? So soon we forget those we betray!” His hand struck me down. I thought I would loose consciousness again, but, he doused me with water. “Don’t you dare pass out on me!” He screamed.
This must be a pretty deserted place for him to feel comfortable yelling like he is. His voice, I knew it. Why couldn’t I remember him.
“ Charlene, you bitch! Don’t you remember. You took it, all of it! You screwed me you fucking dyke!” He pulled me upright, tearing my shirt. “What did you do with the money!?!”
I know he’s looking at my exposed chest. My head ached, I could feel the blood running down my face. The pervert, even when he’s angry he can’t turn off his fucking hormones. I knew his name. How could I forget.
“Dave…” my throat was dry, but I managed to force his name, “Dave,” I cleared my throat, “you asshole. You still think I stole the money. Open your eyes would I still be running for Tony if I had the fucking money?” He pulled away. “Tony, thinks you took it, when you and your brother never came back. I told him I thought you had died in the gunfight. And your brother where’s he?”
“Right here.” A second form appeared in the doorway. “Very good Charlie, but, still too late.” Gunfire, sparks flying in the darkness, I see the form of Dave go limp before me then fire explodes through my side. I begin to loose consciousness again. In the distance I hear footsteps, more gunfire, silence…

“I remember my mom!” I was sitting with the school counselor. I was crying. I had punched Becky Brightman and made her nose bleed. “She was real nice… I’m not a boy, I had a mom.”
My father raised me alone since I was six. We lived in a small neighborhood near Waiau Elementary in Pearl City, Hawaii. He was a good policeman, my mom died of cancer the year he was promoted to captain. I was such a pain in the ass. Always a tomboy, I ran with the tough guys in high school, doing all the delinquent things your parents tell you not to. It really is good to have a police captain as a father and a straight laced best friend like Sarah…

“Yeah, Sarah I promise I won’t tell anyone.” In the backseat of my fathers sedan, the windows all fogged. I had made love for the first time with my best friend since the sixth grade. “Did you like it though? I mean I didn’t hurt you did I?”
I told my dad I was gay when I was a sophomore in high school. Sarah and I kept our relationship secret ‘till senior year. I was sick of hiding so I kissed her in front of the entire senior class, she never forgave me. My dad, well, he was always supportive. I guess it was good that I moved away to go to college. I was by no means a dummy and had used my talents to score myself a scholarship to a fancy art academy in Frisco…

“Yeah, Dave I’m in.” He had landed some kind of illegal delivery job with his brother Mike for some big boss guy Tony. He asked me to come with him, I really needed the money. “Hey so this is only part-time right?”
My scholarship only covered my tuition, I hadn’t even thought about books or living expenses. I worked part-time in the local eatery. That’s where I met Dave, he was washing dishes I was waiting tables. We hung out a lot after work, he’d always come on to me. He even tried to kiss me once, I knocked him senseless then let him know he wasn‘t my type, you know, male. I lived with an aunt for the first year. When she caught me with a girl from my painting class, well, I kinda had to fend for myself. I moved around, staying with friends, trying not to outstay my welcome, till I met Dave. He got me in the game…
“Tony, me and Dave, we’ll make sure the goods get to the dock on time.” We left and took Mike along for backup. When we reached the dock they were waiting.
Mike did all the talking, “Shit! Split up then we’ll meet at the boat in fifteen, Charlie you got the goods.” he shoved me and I ran.
Five minutes later a gunman shot me in the back. I woke up in the hospital. Tony came to visit me, and I told him what I remembered. He told me Dave and Mike never came back. I mourned their loss.

None of my school friends knew anything about what I was doing to make ends meet. I told them I was freelancing my work. I met Katherine in my drawing class. She was real quiet almost sad. I began to focus on cheering her up and I felt less and less miserable.
“So how’s your assignment going?” She looked up at me from her coffee. I thought I would fall to pieces. “Can I sit here?” She nodded then went back to her book.
She was involved with a navy medic. Their relationship was rocky and her lover was gone for months at a time. They were keeping a long distance relationship, but, I became determined to make Katherine mine. I pursued her, however, she was faithful to her relationship. I knew she deserved better, and when her love cheated on her, she broke it off. She was sorta torn by the whole thing and I knew I had to take my time.
“Kat, I know you are not ready, but, when you are, know that I am here for you.” She looked at me through her tears. I stumbled on the words, “I mean, well, just that I hope you will consider me, that is if you like girls like me. Do you?” Her eyes lit up behind the tears.
I made her laugh at least. She asked me later how I had known she was “gay,” I told her I was guessing, after all, she only called her ex her lover or her partner. We soon became more than just friends. And when we began living together I had to tell her what I was doing.
“It’s only ‘till I finish school, I promise.” I spoke the words trying to make the reality less painful for her. She looked into my eyes, I looked away and continued, “I need the money, there’s no other way. You want me to finish school right?”
It still sounded like the sorry excuse it was. She tried hard to get me other alternatives. I shot her down, made excuses as to why it would never work. I wasn’t talented enough, there are so many more people out there how could I compete? At first she just let me go, but, the jobs got more risky, I pulled through and she stayed. I realized that I couldn’t keep putting her through the pain of uncertainty. I told Tony I had to leave, he told me he hated to loose me and he’d like ,as a favor to him, for me to pull one more job. I said ok and that night she cried and begged me not to go, said she had a feeling…

“Charlie, wake the fuck up!!” A voice jolted me to the present. “Don’t worry I’m a close friend of Tony’s.” She was female, I don’t remember Tony ever having any other female runners. She began to untie me and continued saying, “Tony had me follow you, I’m not a runner, I know that’s what you’re thinking. I’m a hit-man, or hit-woman as it seems. I’ve been following you for a while now.”
“What do you mean for a while now?“ I questioned, suspicious of her intent.
“I mean this is not the first job I’ve tailed you on.” she laughed noticing the astonishment on my face. “Did you really think that, after you screwed up that job a year ago, Tony would just let you waltz back in without any suspicion of your actions?” She had me untied , but, the wound in my side drained all my energy. She struggled to pull me to my feet and without concern for an answer stuck out a hand, “ How rude of me! The name’s Jean.”
I took her hand and replied, “Charlie, but, I think you already know that.” just then the world went black. And in the next second I had managed to take us both to the floor. I awoke with a start cradled in the arms of my rescuer, “Sorry, I guess I haven’t the strength left to leave here.” I struggled with the words almost out of breath.
“You will.” There was a dark undertone to her voice as she spoke those words. She tilted my head and I could feel her breath on my neck. There was something strangely erotic about the way she was breathing on my throat. “Don’t worry the pain is brief. I promise I’ll take good care of you.” Her voice was throaty and satin smooth, and her tongue felt like silk on my jaw line.
“Jean, am I going to die? What are you doing?” I felt heady, and I could hear her heartbeat. “Katherine…” The words trailed off and my body went numb. Her teeth cut like a razor and the suction of her lips pulled the pain to the surface of my skin like salt in an open wound. “Stop…It hurts…” the words were like a sick bloody gurgle in the back of my throat. I struggled against my attacker but she held fast like a vise, I was becoming to weak to move.
“I’m so sorry Charlie, this is the only way.” she drew a razor and cut herself at the base of her throat then pushed my face into the bleeding wound. “Drink damn it! I didn’t come all this way to loose you here!” I could taste her blood on my lips, it was not as repugnant as I thought it would be. I latched on to her throat and began pulling the life back from her body into mine. The sound of her heartbeat quickened and my pulse began racing. I fell back to the floor and the world was spinning. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, my heart stopped and the entire world disappeared.
A sudden rush of air into my lungs brought me back. The light in the room was dim and I screamed into the darkness, “Jean, please, where are you? Don’t leave me.” My eyes focused and the room was strangely clear to me. “Jean?” I saw her standing in the corner of the room.
“There will be time for explanation.” Jean stated as she pulled me to my feet. “Quickly now we haven’t much time.” She spoke sharply and she held fast my wrist.
I was scared and then I saw Dave, he was still breathing, ragged hard gasps and gurgles were coming from his lips. “He’s still alive.” I said in almost a whisper. “Jean no!!” I screamed as she pulled a gun from her jacket and fired twice, the white spark of the gun blinding me.
I was being dragged from the house, my feet were barely touching the ground, she was so strong and unnaturally fast. I went in and out of consciousness hearing only the muted sounds of a car as I was thrown onto the leather of it’s black interior…

“ Who is that woman?.. You look strung out… Where have you been?”
“Kat, I’m sorry, please forgive me.”
“How could you…I never want to see you again!!!”
“Don’t you walk from me!!
Hungry, so hungry. Delicious red-hot flowing through me. Screaming fighting, don’t fight me. Kat??

“Finally awake I see,” Jean crooned from across the small apartment. “So who is Kat and what did you do to her?”
I didn’t want to answer, but, I was speaking without will, “She’s my lover and I never listen to her, I think I killed her in my dream.” Jean was smiling. “ What?” I spoke with eerily unpleasant curiosity.
“You sure… a dream… you don’t say?” she mouthed the words mocking me, but, I didn’t remember did I? “You look so confused, you mean you don’t remember asking to see her?” She was having a hard time speaking in between choked laughter. “Don’t you remember anything?” She had moved across the room in the blink of an eye and was in my face. “She didn’t want you after she saw you with me and you killed her as she ran. You almost got us both in trouble fool, but, it was exciting wasn’t it?” she was being arrogant and heartless.
The tears welled up inside and I could only feel anger. “I didn’t… mean to… did I…” my voice wavered. “Is she dead?”
“Dead? Honey you tore her to pieces.” Jean purred, reveling in my anguish. “But, don’t worry I got rid of all that nasty evidence…” She said almost to herself.
“What did you do Jean…” I sat up as I spoke, ready to pounce on her at the slightest provocation. “Tell me the truth.” I was angry again.
“I burned the fucking place to the ground, silly.” She seemed proud. She began circling the room almost prancing as she spoke. “Now the question is, what do I do with you?” her voice was introverted, but her eyes were locked on mine. Jean was now straddling a chair, and she dragged it across the floor to where I sat, so she could continue to speak to me, close. “I guess by now you know I was lying about knowing Tony.” She tilted her head and then went on. “Oops then again maybe you didn’t.”
“Who are you?” I hated her cocky undertones and wanted to rip that bloody smile off her face. She took her time with a response. I began to think she wasn’t even listening to me.
“Your not-so-Secret-anymore Admirer.” she cooed into my ear. Her response shocked me. “Don’t look so surprised. If desire were a food, my sweet, you would be caviar.” She licked her lips as she spoke. “I knew that goody-goody wasn’t right for you. You’re a naughty girl and I’m here to give you your long overdue spanking.” She laughed and pinned me to the couch by my throat. She was so strong. She forced my mouth open with her tongue and rammed her hand down my pants. I had never been violated by a female attacker and to my own dismay I found it quite arousing.
“Please…stop!” Were the only two words I could get past her onslaught of heated kisses. My own body was betraying me, and I couldn’t stop it from responding to her touch. I began to go rigid.
Oh Kat, hate me forever. I am a worthless pile… I can’t even resist the advances of the woman that made me into the monster that killed you. I am the lowest most vile creature. I don’t deserve to live.
“Uh, uh, uh, no going there, stay with me.” Jean whispered into my ear. “Forget her, I want you, make love to me.” Her commands stabbed deep coercing my mind, clouding my judgment. I felt her desire as she lay atop me, wanted her, made love to her.
We finished and she drifted to sleep as I lay there numb and distant. I could feel my soul cracking and the tears welled up again pouring though the gaping hole in my guilty heart. But, I lay silent filling myself with the salt and water I could no longer express outside my shell.
I will mourn you, Kat, even if only inside. She won’t find you again. I will preserve your memory and when the world has left me to die I will say your name in my last breath and you will know that I loved only you.

Part 2
“There is no reason that I can see to punish him Leo.” Liam carelessly jested. “Arthur, already explained that his business is reputable and the police have even checked his records.” the council fell silent.
“You must be blind your grace, if I may be so bold.” Leo exclaimed, holding back his anger. “Everyone in the council knows that Arthur has ties to the police. He could have easily…”
Prince Liam glared angrily not waiting for Leo to end his comment, “I said the matter is closed. You have no right to complain when your illegal business ventures put your whole clan in danger. You should feel privileged that Arthur has not used his so called Police ties to send you to prison.” The Prince was set in his verdict.
Leo knew there was nothing he could say. “Thank you my lord.” Leo muttered under his breath as he roughly grabbed Jean and bowed. “I take my leave.” Jean bowed and Leo pulled her out of the chamber. They walked fast from the mansion and in the car Leo raged, “Jean, do you see how he undermines me.” Jean was silent and he continued, “I will have his seat and the Brujah clan will rise to power. We have to be quiet and careful. I am counting on you to handle our little situation.” Jean knew what he meant and smiled.

Arthur was a corporate mogul and owned a large shipping company. He had inherited it after his former lover Chad Cassey had mysteriously died in a car crash. His ties to the law came from years working as a Commisioner in SFPD.
Leo ran a large chain of successful restaurants, but, most of his money was earned through embezzling exotic and illegal goods. Jean met Leo a year ago in her travels and earned his trust as a powerful ally, there was no question that she was to be the next in line to head the clan. She had spied on the Prince many times and knew of his corrupt favoritism.
“You promise that a portion of your earnings will be deposited in my private account.” Liam contorted as he waited for a response. “Fine the deal is done, I will announce you my new Seneschal at the next meeting… And don’t worry about Leo, I can handle him.” but, the person on the line clicked the phone before his last statement.
Jean carefully crept out of the mansion using the power she had learned to hide in plain view. She knew what had to be done. There was no other alternative. “I will take the sneaky fucker out.” she whispered to herself as she hopped into her car and drove off.

The nights seem so long. Jean is my only company. She has taught me the way of the Brujah clan. I am bound to her by a bond so strong that even my contempt for her is impossible to express. She has taught me well. I know how to control my power and harness my inner beast.
I live with Jean in a studio in an unknown place in town. Not even Leo the boss knows where we live. Jean likes it that way. This is the seventh place we’ve lived in and never stayed anywhere for more than a few months. I’ve often roamed the streets at night frequenting “lush” havens. I never liked killing my meals and preferred to use the power of suggestion to make them forget. Jean always told me killing is what makes us alive. I never did pay attention.

“Char, pay attention.” Jean’s voice was stern. “If you fuck this hit up I will kill you myself.” She gives directions, like I’m some rank amateur.
“I know… You don’t need to treat me like a child.” I cringe a little at my last remark. “What I meant to say is I won’t fuck up.” Like that sounded any better. “So the Primogen of the Ventrue clan is embezzling goods and stealing our business.” Cocky bastard, always taking advantage of the prince’s good graces. How’s a hollow point to the chest feel? I take aim careful to hit only him blowing his heart straight out onto the face and fur coat of his slut Toreador girlfriend.
“Nice fucking shot. I think you really are a prize pony, Char.” Jean was being a bitch, but, I couldn’t help but love her. “Quickly now, before they come looking for us.” She whispered, as she dashed like the wind down the fire escape. I had to follow she was all I knew and all I lived for. I felt a sense of fire and excitement when we ran hits together.

“That job was fucking amazing!! BAM!! Right through his fucking smug little face, and did you see the look on that slut Sheila!!” Jean boasted as she over-exaggerated every imitated expression. She glanced over at me, “What?! Can’t I find the work of my progeny exciting?!” her voice wavering, mildly annoyed, but, I wasn‘t amused. “Fine,” she exclaimed indignantly, “It’s not like you’re anything special.” She glanced over her shoulder at me expectant.
“We are lucky they never found us.” I calmly stated. “What if Prince Liam finds out we were responsible.” She knew what the consequence was just as well as I did. She frowned slightly and turned away. I watched her slowly circle the room, then decidedly take a seat. Jean sat on her favorite ivory chaise, she stretched out like a cat turning her head to expose her bare neck.
“Come to me,” she purred as she beckoned me with her finger. “You truly are special to me, and I am your reward.” She wetted her lips and continued, “Char, don’t disobey me. Come here and fuck me before I change my mind.”
She looked like a lioness, and even though I despised her for her careless and reckless treatment of life, I wanted her. “Jean…Why can’t I resist you?” I spoke mostly to myself. She looked as astonished as I did. “I… I… didn’t mean to sound.” I couldn’t come up with the words.
“Shut up and Fuck me!!” she was angry. I came to embrace her and she forced me down to my knees. “No!! You will pleasure me like a blood bag first to earn a taste of my blood.” She was heady with the power she had over me and was already drenching through her lace thong. She smacked my hands away as I reached to pull them down. “With your mouth Childe.” she rasped through ragged breath as I peeled it away with my teeth.
Jean forced my face into her hot wet crotch and I pleasured her with my tongue. I rammed it hard into her velvet hole and swirled her swollen clit. She was bucking her hips under my face and held me to her cunt hard. She rode me for what seemed like hours then suddenly went stiff and screamed as she drenched the front of my chest in her cum. “I fucking hate you.” I sobbed as she jerked my head away , both her hands tangled in my hair.
She looked at me, her eyes glazed over, forcing out the words, “No you don’t my sweet.” Jean grinned pinching my face in her hand, “You fucking love me.” She laughed as she pushed me to the floor again. “And you are mine to do with whatever I please.” She opened a nearby drawer and pulled out a huge life-like strap-on. Then turned and wickedly cooed, “Now be a good bitch and show me your pussy.”
I must be fucking crazy?! I am so horny for her. I hate her and yet I want to do anything to please her. I have no will I can’t resist her, she’s right I do love her and I don’t know why? I pull my pants down and bend over the chaise. I speak in almost a whimper, “Jean, please…F..” She places a finger over my mouth and circles the chaise.
“Don’t worry baby, I know how you like it.” she’s laughing as she speaks. “I want you to tell me when you are going to cum.” her cruelty is eminent, her power unquestionable as she rams the cock into my dripping passage, and I let out a hard moan. She pulls it out slow and rams it in hard and fast, over and over, till my head is buoyant and I am on the verge of fainting. Then she starts rolling her hips and riding my ass, cock deep inside, her crotch pressed to my backside. Jean slowly leans forward, “I want you to cum hard for me!” she barks into my ear, as she flips me up in a straddle position on the chaise lifting my legs off the floor.
I always forget how strong she is. God she is so beautiful and cold. I am facing her upright as she lays relaxed on the chaise. Her hands are on my hips lifting me up and bouncing me on her false hard-on. “I…I…I’m gonna cum. Jean my Sire… for you I’m cumming!!” I scream, my body jerking, uncontrollably lunging forward. I continue to jerk my head in the cradle of her neck, “Please..” I mumble into her flesh.
Jean whispers her command, “Drink my Childe and renew your bond with me.” and I obey.

“Wake up!!” Jean’s voice wavered in the darkness. “They found us.” her tone was stern. I began to move. “Quiet!” she whispered angrily. “Get your fuckin’ ass out the window.” I realized that we were in the bathroom. Jean had dragged me in asleep and I was lying in the shower. I hurried to the window and deftly removed it crawling out onto the ledge.
“Jean c’mon.” I urged trying not to be too loud. To my surprise she replaced the window screen. “No Jean what are you doing? You have to come with me.”
She pressed her face to the screen and commanded, “You get the fuck out of here and let Leo know what happened.” I could see the desperation in her eyes. “Hurry, I’m counting on you.” she kissed me through the screen then fell back into the shower. I slid down the water pipe and as I was running off into the night heard gunshots in the distance.
I wanted to go back and see, “I hope you are ok.” I muttered to myself, a reassurance. I picked up speed and the night became a blur. I have to be unseen. Go places where no one can see me. I was unleashing my power moving faster than the mind can fathom. I had to hurry Jean’s life may count on it, it could already be too late.

“I have to see Leo.” I blurted out to the guard at the gate of Leo’s manse. “Hurry up!! It’s important.” He rang into the house and I could hear Leo asking who it was. “Tell him it’s Charlie asshole and let me in.” I yelled out to the guard shack. The gate opened.
“Charlie what is so important that you ran all the way here?” Leo queried.
I stuttered, “Jean was, I mean she and I we… well I think we fucked up…”
“Whoa wait a minute where’s Jean and how did you fuck up?” He seemed a little upset and I was afraid.
“Jean may be dead.” I could hardly say it. “We were ambushed at home… I think it’s cause we killed Arthur.” I spilled my guts, “She sent me to warn you.”
His hand connected with my face and I flew across the room. “You stupid bitch. The Prince will be here any moment and is going to think this was my fucking idea.”
I was angry now, “Well wasn’t it?!” He grabbed me by the throat and lifted me from the floor. I could see the door opening from the corner of my eye.
“Leo, put her down.” the prince was commanding, “She will have a trial. It is not your decision to end her life.” Leo dropped me to the floor. “Better, now.” he paused then continued, “With Arthur gone and your proven loyalty tonight I will make you my new Seneschal.”
Leo looked surprised, “But, your grace, I haven’t…”
“Leo I heard everything and I know you had nothing to do with the murder of Arthur.” Liam turned to the man that had followed him in. “Take her away.”
I was full of rage and spoke in spite, “Are you fucking stupid. He is obviously lying.” Liam turned me a blind eye as I continued. “He will betray you.”
“Silence her.” he stated not even glancing in my direction. The prince was irate. “Now!” he commanded. The man that was with him locked me in a gaze and cowed me into submission.
I desperately wanted to convey my distaste with my eyes. Asshole!!!

Part3

“Psst… hey kid!” a voice through the wall. “So what did you do?” it was male definitely.
“What is it to you?” I was trying hard now to sound like I didn’t care.
“Cause I could definitely help you to escape if you helped me.” he was asking. “I know you don’t believe that I could possibly have a plan of escape, but, I do. This isn’t my first visit here. I’ve escaped before.” he waited to see if I would respond. “So you want in?” he sounded certain I couldn’t refuse.
“Then why do you need me?” I answered his question with a question just to spite his arrogance.
“Cause the cell I was in is yours and I got the knowledge to escape from there.” He sounded nervous. “This cell is different from that one and the bar design isn’t the same. I need someone to free me and soon.” I could feel his breath through the crack he was whispering through. He sighed and then continued. “Besides you’re the first person that has been in that cell since me.”
“So then what did YOU do to get put in here?” I asked knowing now that he had to say or risk losing my interest.
“I broke a law of the Masquerade.” He was fighting to keep himself from a total breakdown. He took a breath and in almost a squeak said. “She was my lover and I couldn’t continue to hide myself from her.” I could almost feel his nostalgia as he choked on. “I begged my sire and primogen and I even asked the prince. But, their answers were all the same. Our clan had too many new progeny as it was and I could not turn another.” He was quiet and I could hear him sobbing a little.
I decided to break the silence. “So you turned her without their permission?”
“No, I would never defy the word of my elders.” he spat out the words filled with anger. “I was careless…” his words drifted off and there was a long pause before he continued in a mumble. “I tried so hard… and they took her away from me. I never meant for her to find out.” He was almost talking to himself. Then he snapped back and rambled on. “She discovered the monster I was. I never brought my johns home…” His words trailed off again.
“Look are you going to tell the story or ramble off in your own crazy memories,” I was a little annoyed. “I can’t read minds, I wasn’t blessed with that gift in my embrace.”
He continued reluctantly. “She came home early that night. I was a mess I had fresh blood on my face and I couldn’t hide the after-glow in my eyes.” His voice wavered as the pain of the memory threatened to steal the last shred of his composure. “I grabbed her, and she was screaming hysterically ‘Monster, monster, monster!!!’” He stopped and I could hear his hands beating his brow. “Stupid me, I shouldn’t have let her leave.” he was bringing his voice to an apex. “They hunt her down and murdered her, afraid she would spread our little secret.” he was nearly hysterical, I was almost sorry I had asked. “I wasn’t even allowed to see her in her final moments I couldn’t even tell her how I felt, her last impression of me was that of a psychotic killer.”
Boo-hoo buddy, at least you didn’t kill your lover in a blood frenzy. I could care less about your sad-sordid past. I have a sire that might be dead, and the Prince believes that that double crossing, silver-tongued bastard, Leo had nothing to do with it. Ooooh! I would slit that bastard’s throat myself if I could. God!! He was sobbing like a little girl. “Enough,” I interjected almost losing my cool. “So how’s about that escape route?”
We climbed out of the manhole, out into the dark night. He managed to keep pace with me which was a shocker. I kept looking over at him surprised to see him still there at my side. He was a middle aged man, nothing to look at really, with a pasty white face, a salt and pepper mustache, beady deep set eyes, and thinning hair. I couldn’t even imagine what his love, his sweet mistress, could have possibly seen in him. Whatever, they say love is blind, and in his case they certainly were right. I had to say something. “Where you headed?” I huffed in a loud whisper. He didn’t answer so I went on, “Are you just going to follow me?”
“Yeah.” he shot the answer quickly without even thinking about my feelings on the situation.
We came to a stop just a block from where I had last seen Jean. “Look, where I’m going could get you killed.” he leaned over heavy grasping his knees. I looked down at him almost stooping to his level to peer at his face. “I don’t even know your name…”
“Garver, John Garver,” he peered back into my eyes, squinting as he still struggled to catch his breath. “I’m dead already, anyway.” was he making a joke? He straightened himself and continued. “I have nothing left in this world, so, I thought I might help someone else get what’s important to them back if it’s not too late.”
How the hell did he know that? Bastard? I began to carefully choose my words. “I know it’s rude to ask, but, given the circumstances we’re in, Clan?” he was quiet. “C’mon, I know that it’s not that hard of a question.” he didn’t look offended and I couldn’t let it go. “Look, if you take too long then I’ll just suspect you of lying.”
“Toreador…” he flashed me a grin and said. “So what about you?” I was a little shocked by the smile. I think my mouth was open and in defense he blurted, a little annoyed. “What, was it the Toreador, or the wanting to know your Clan that brought forth that reaction?” He turned away from me, either disbelieving I would answer, or thinking about his next few words.
“I didn’t mean to offend…”
“SO who was she?” he cut me off, and again I was speechless trying to gain my composure. “You keep saying her name in your mind and your aura is leading me to think she is already dead.”
How the hell was he getting all that? Was I so transparent? I was a little angry now. “Aren’t Toreador beautiful, you must be the ugly duckling in that family.” His face remained stoic, unflinching, as if my last comment fell on deaf ears. “And to answer the rest of your second question I could care less if you knew what clan I am!” I said the last bit through clenched teeth trying not to shout. “Oh, and promise to stop peeking in on my thoughts and my aura, or I will tear out your throat myself.” He hesitated, a bit frightened, perhaps? Then changed the subject, non-chalant.
“I have more than just a pretty face, ‘Brujah!’” he shot me a superior look, and continued, “I just happen to be an artist, painter to be exact, last childe before the time of vanity within our clan.” he sighed and was pacing, impatient, he kept glancing in the direction we had come.
I was over his sarcastic story-time, I turned my attention to the building in front of us. I would climb the fire-escape and shimmy myself into the apartment below ours I could climb through the ventilation and then, “Shit!” I said, mostly under my breath. What am I going to do with John, ‘the artist,’ Garver. He looked over in my direction.
“What? Something wrong?” He queried. I wasn’t sure if he was lying. I was sure he better have turned off that know all power of his or I’d have to turn on the ‘tear your fucking face off’ power of mine. I wasn’t about to tell him anything.
“Shhhush,” I wasn’t about to waste any more time. “You wait here and keep an eye out, if we were followed, run. After all there’s no sense in both of us getting caught.” Better for me if I don’t have a spare tire to worry about. Without waiting for a consent or argument I took off like a shot. I was up an in, no sweat, there was no need to creep through any crawlspaces, the room was vacant. I looked around the place. The familiar chaise, Jean’s favorite, was overturned but otherwise in perfect condition. There was no blood anywhere… a good sign if there were any to be had in this situation. Oh, Jean I hope you are alive. I don’t know what I would do without you. I have no-one left in this world. Suddenly, there was movement in the room. I peered over to the corner that Jean’s full sized mirror stood. Was it my imagination or did the shadow move. Like a jump from one object to another, from the mirror in the corner to the small end table pulled away from the chaise. The shadow began to elongate, coming up off the floor and peeling away from the walls. I backed away slowly, knees bent, ready to spring into action. The shadow moved away from the table separating and then… “Jean?” I was completely baffled. “Is that really you?”
“Childe, what are you doing here?” she looked angry and reached out to grab me as she continued. “They were speaking of you, they said you were going to be staked out in the sunlight. Clan Ventrue was calling for your blood in retribution to your heinous crime.”
“I’m sorry Jean, but, whom are you speaking of?” I was puzzled and querried, “how did you come from that shadow?”
“It’s a secret I learned from a turn-coat Sabbat. Before he was destroyed for being a traitor.” She chuckled to herself. “and the ‘whom’ would be the ventrue that came to kill you and I, when I first sent you away.” She was deep in thought now. And looked hard into my face as she spoke the next few lines. “It seems Leo gave out a certain tip to the Prince prior to our little fiasco with Arthur. Arthur knew we were going to kill him and sent thugs to look for us. Pity they were too late to save Arthur.”
“We should go,” I suggested trying to gently push her towards the door.
“Not so soon my childe,” she cooed as she held me with one arm and righted the chaise with the other. “I haven’t seen you for three nights,” she released me and sat suggestively on the edge of the chaise, licking her lips. “How’s about a quikie?”