Chapter 1: it starts…
It's 2010. March 1, 9:50, PM to be more precise. So much has happened in five years since the death of my angel, Mara.
Every few weeks I'll hear and see that gunshot that killed her on that sad day in Chicago. I'd like to have a dream where the outcome isn't the same. But life doesn't always give you what you want.
I thought at the age of 24 I'd find it easier to deal with her loss and be able to function with some semblance as a human being and get on with my work as a Knight with my talking AI car, KITT.
But even the company of a very, savvy, 2002 Trans Am can't lift my spirits much. Even though I give my partner major style points. He only wants to see me happy.
I find it amusing that out of all the people that I come into contact with, KITT, is the only one who knows me as a person. He knows when to say the right subject to try and comfort when I appear to be heading down a familiar mind-set that he knows all too well will have me moping for hours on end with me being as uncommunicative as possible.
But friends do that. We like out for each other when we see that we're pain or despair and just want to pull us out of that dark pit.
Right now, we're driving down to an alley way just off of Main Street in Los Angeles, where someone had reported to the Police of a murder where a teenager, roughly 17-19 years young had been left in said alleyway where his assailant had attacked him from behind and bit his neck.
Part of me wants to believe that it's just someone's idea of a sick-joke and that's it just a prank call. But you can never tell in this Town.
Michael, my mentor, along with KITT's mechanic, Maria Lakeman, are attending a conference in Chicago on extending legal practice's for the Foundation. So for all intents and purposes, we're just going out just to have something to do.
As much as it's fun to just sit around in the lounge back at the Mansion where FLAG has been since Wilton Knight had it based in the 80's when Michael used to drive around in KITT, it just feels better to be out of the place and doing something.
KITT: *concerned* you seem awfully quiet tonight?
I knew he was concerned. Normally, we talk on a variety of subjects for minutes, sometimes, hours. But tonight felt different. I dunno. I guess I just wasn't in a 'talkative' mood.
MJ: *sighs* I'm just hoping that this is not what the caller said, pal. The idea of someone trying to mimic a vampire kill is disturbing.
KITT: The kill alone is disturbing. Never mind the vampire aspect.
MJ: valid point. But…we have to check it out. Remember our basic principle?
KITT: The preservation of human life.
MJ: *pauses* yup. Ok. We're here. *stops in alleyway on Main street* Get your scanners and analysers up to full scope. *looks cautiously* we want to be prepared for anything.
KITT: you sound like the killer could still be here?
It's not a thought I was entirely comfortable with. Mind you that said, I don't think anyone would be confident of walking into a murder scene with the possibility existing of the killer hiding somewhere in the shadows.
MJ: *hesitant* I don't take chances. *gets out cautiously* keep your ears on the Police band. Given that the caller only just made that report out 10 minutes ago we probably don't have much time.
KITT: I'll let you know.
I walked 10 feet away from my partner in my blue jeans, black leather jacket, red sneakers and red t-shirt until I could see what looked like the remains of human life lying in a brutal mess of human flesh and blood scattered across between the buildings.
Normally I have a strong stomach for something brutal in a horror movie. But this was something else. It was the smell of fresh blood and decay coming from the body that was making my gut churn in horror and fright. And I thought I had seen it all when I saw Mara gunned down in front of me in Chicago back in 2005, on her birthday, no less.
Life can sure deal you an unfair hand at times.
I guess this guy would tell me the same thing. If he wasn't dead.
Looking up and down at the fresh corpse matched up with what the female caller described:
the guy was 5"9, roughly 170 lbs, 17-19 and was sporting worn grey jeans, purple sneakers that looked as if they had been purchased yesterday and his throat had been torn wide open with a crimson river flowing from it.
The stench of an acid tang and decay was just overpowering to where I felt like vomiting. I had seen some heinous murders go down in my 2 years on the job with KITT, but they were nowhere near this animalistic and feral.
It was like a rabid animal had preyed on this kid.
MJ: *disgusted* aww! That is just sickening. KITT, *waves* come over here.
The Black Trans Am manoeuvred himself into the alleyway so that I could have him run an analysis on the corpse with his red mounted scanner pulsating back and forth slowly.
MJ: alright, pal. We have little to no time at all on this. Scan as much of this as you can and we'll review en-route back to the Mansion.
KITT: *scanning in-effect* video recording as well?
MJ: Please. Hopefully Maria will be able to analyse this fully back at the Mansion.
KITT: Hopefully she'll have the stomach to do so.
MJ: I doubt it. I'm barely able to look at this poor guy after who, or what, did this to him.
The car positioned himself as close as possible without disturbing the body and recorded a 3D video into his databanks so that it could be observed and studied in more detail later.
KITT: You're thinking that someone could be capable of this?
MJ: I wouldn't like to think so, pal. This is far too animalistic and feral in nature for a person to do this. And if it was human that did it; they're sick.
There was a slightly disturbance of the air above us. I couldn't tell if it was the light wind or something had reacted with the roof above us. But I chose to ignore it as my focus was on the poor stiff that had been left to die a very quick and brutal murder.
The air got disturbed again.
For whatever reason, I now had the sensation that we were being watched. Whether this was just my sense of paranoia settling in coupled with my shock of this brutal killing or someone was watching me from afar.
MJ: KITT *alarmed* scan the area. *eyes shift from side to side slowly*I don't think we're alone.
KITT: *scans perimeter* we're not. Get, in.
I hurried into the driver's side and slammed the door shut with authority. If there was one thing to be certain with KITT, as long as he had his shell, he was impossible to break into.
I looked for the window tint function on the second monitor of KITT's dash and deployed it. I like to have an edge over who or what maybe stalking me and at least this way I can see out but they can't see in.
KITT: why are we not leaving? *concerned*
MJ: *tactical tone* I want to see who's seizing us up. Where is it?
The Pontiac surveyed the movements of the stalking figure in question and it was not comfortable with its location whilst I looked through the camera feed on the first screen.
KITT: it's going to land directly in front of us.
MJ: How do you know?
At that exact point, a 6 foot hooded figure wearing a black cloak whose teeth resembling fangs could be only be seen in the light of the night looking so sharp as the street lamps hazy light bounced from it.
KITT: that's how.
MJ: Thanks for the head's up. *unamused frown* let's get outta here!
KITT: My sentiments, exactly!
I fired the engine up and reversed out of the alley like we were being tailed by a tank. Which actually happened about a year ago. But now is not a good time to recount that story.
I 90'd the Trans Am out onto the road and throttled away as fast as his turbines could muster.
The cloaked figure looked in a studying pose as we sped away from it's position before disappearing into the shadows as quickly as it presented itself.
MJ: KITT *realisation* is that new safe-house within the City fully ready?
KITT: do you think that cloaked figure could follow us back to the Mansion?
That was a thought I was very uncomfortable with. While there was a strong chance we would have evaded that figure by now, at the same time I did not want to pose a risk that we could lead it back home and cause problems. Considering the way those teeth lit up in the night light.
MJ: *strategizing* I don't want to run the risk just in case whatever that was, decides to shadow us back home.
KITT: In that case we head for the safe-house. Code name: home from home.
MJ: Plot a course, buddy.
KITT: already ahead of you. *displays route on monitor 1* we're 7 miles from it.
MJ: Good. Alert the Foundation. Tell them that that we may have been compromised and they are to initiate lock-down procedure.
At least I knew that they would be safe. When the steel panels go over the doors and windows of that place, it's next to near impossible to force an entrance in.
KITT: Right away, MJ. *transmits message*
MJ: alright. Before we head over there, let's find a Walmart or a 7-Eleven. We need supplies and I really could use something to drink after witnessing that.
KITT: *modifies route* there's a Walmart and a Starbucks 2 miles from us.
MJ: Good enough for me. I could use a vanilla latte at this time.
After pulling into the Walmart parking Lott, I carefully surveyed our surroundings. It was near 10:30 PM and most of the normal weirdoes we're out wearing their black hoodies and looking depressed like emo songs were going out of style.
I've never been one for that kind of music. I like a little bit of everything. But l like funk, Huey Lewis and most songs by George Michael.
I cautiously exited the car not knowing if that figure was tracking us. Based on what I saw tonight, I'd rather not take any unnecessary risks.
MJ: KITT, *looks from side to side* full, surveillance, mode.
KITT: *scanner comes to life* be, careful, MJ.
MJ: You don't need to tell me twice.
I departed and quickly, yet, cautiously made my way into the store and grabbed a cart and picked up the main essential items: water, toiletries, medical items like medical dressing, pain killers, then basic food like bread, fruit, coffee, vitamins.
Then heading into the Starbucks next door and picking up the vanilla latte that I had been needing since seeing that drained dead body from earlier.
I walked out and the air was very tense, eerie and quiet. Too quiet for this time of the night.
I subtly moved my com-link to my face not liking the way the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. Something was here. What was here, I'd rather not find out.
MJ: *into com-link* KITT,
KITT: yes, MJ?
It was the same sensation before. A very dark presence was analysing my movement. Like a wild animal hunting.
MJ: *worried* scan the area. I don't know why. But something doesn't feel right.
The legendary super-car surveyed the whole area and he got the same realisation that the area was being stalked. But by whom or what, was something that unsettling him as much as his human partner.
KITT: *alarmed* stay where you are.
The car engaged his automatic mode and made his way to the Starbuck's entrance where I was standing.
MJ: you can feel it as well, can't you?
I uttered quietly to him as he pulled up and placed the supplies on the back seat.
KITT: This is a feeling I, don't, want. Now, get in. *demanding tone*
I casually, yet quickly, made my way to the driver's side and made sure the door was closed tight.
At least I knew I was safe in the car.
MJ: you thinking it's the same figure?
KITT: it's hard to say, MJ. Whoever is stalking us is making a very good point of keeping, whatever they are, concealed.
This is something that reminds me of settings from horror movies. It's what you can't see nor hear that scares you more. The fear of the unknown. No idea of what you're upset against, nor the means of how you would deal with the situation.
MJ: that's, what worries me. *alarmed* we're being trailed and we have no idea of what is stalking us.
KITT: a very accurate and unsettling description.
Why did he have to go and say that? Like I needed anymore unnerving words?
MJ: And this is one time, I'd like to be, inaccurate.
KITT: For once, I agree.
MJ: *smiles* How far is to Home-from-home, from here?
My mind returned to the notion of heading for the safe-house. As sitting here discussing it was not going to get us any further from our intended safe destination.
KITT: *calculates* 4.5 miles east. We can be there in 10 minutes.
MJ: let's make it in 5. F-P-M, KITT.
My finger reached for the fourth red button underneath the monitors and the car's spoiler raised an extra 3 inches up with air-foils extending out from in front of the rear wheel arches.
This was a concept that Maria built into KITT after his transfer from his 82 body was totalled 6 after months I began working with him.
It was agreed that a much more recent Trans Am body would be more suitable given that the availability of 82 models were far and few between at this point.
It had been reviewed that Super Pursuit Mode was unnecessary and that only a more subtle speed upgrade would actually benefit KITT more. Hence why only the air-foils and spoiler rise was incorporated into the transfer to the 2002 model.
Before we could vacate the area, a blood curdling scream echoed from the direction behind us. Cries of help.
MJ:*startled* Did you hear that?
KITT: I'd rather not hear it.
MJ: Let's go check it out.
KITT: Of course.
I fired the engine up and 180'd in the direction of the screams echoing in front of us.
As we edged closer I could see the source of the screaming come from a woman who was being pursued from what looked like a barefoot 12 year old girl in a black hoodie and skirt.
MJ: you seeing this? *puzzled*
KITT: why would a fully grown woman be running from a child like that?
The pursuer then jumped 9 feet in height over her prey and landed in front of her and glared at her like a hunter to prey.
MJ: *nonchalant tone* that's why.
KITT: I didn't think humans could do that.
MJ: they can't. Whatever that, thing, is – it's beyond human.
I pressed the horn loudly to distract the hooded assailant and then turned with an angered stare and possibly the most serrated set of teeth anyone could have.
MJ: those teeth…?
KITT: those eyes?
They looked exactly like the teeth we saw from the cloaked figure from before. Only that person was much taller than this female attacker. And what was up with that skin complexion? It was like the worst case of acne mixed in with monster features.
The figure was unamused that it was being distracted from a potential kill and returned its focus on pursuing the petrified woman behind her.
I saw the distance between us and the woman it was chasing and chose to do something. KITT was aware that I had some kind of idea as I edged closer to the pursued woman.
KITT: MJ, I understand that you wish to intervene, but I don't know what you're trying to do.
I carefully seized up the distance.
MJ: are we clear?
KITT: *realisation* aw no. You're not?
He knew what was coming.
I reached for Turbo Boost and we catapulted through the area landing 5 feet from the pursued woman.
MJ: open the door, KITT. *passenger door opens* GET IN!
The frightened woman leapt into the car without hesitation closing the door sharply before I floored the accelerator, hard.
The speedometer raised from 56- 120 mph as we sped away from the now traumatised woman's potential assailant.
Woman: *crying* WHOEVER YOU ARE, THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE.
MJ: No problem. Any idea why that girl was following you?
Woman: *panic tone*she was asking for help due to being left in a heap on the floor and before I could offer her a hand her eyes…..SILVER! LIKE SOME MONSTER. WITH SHARP TEETH.
That description sounded like something of that from a horror movie.
MJ: Silver eyes, you say? Alright. I'm gonna drop you off at the nearest Police station where you'll be safe.
Woman: THANK YOU, THANK YOU. *crying fearfully*
We dropped her off at the nearest Police station which happened to be 6 blocks from us. I explained the situation to the female officer at the desk and advised her to lock down the station before returning to KITT and back-tracking to where that encounter with her attacker took place.
I stopped the car dead in the middle of the road where we rescued the lady from and looked around cautiously waiting to see if the figure would re-emerge.
Part of me wondered why I would even backtrack to this spot so quick given what I had witnessed here. But that was just it. I didn't understand what had taken place and it was something that my mind just couldn't process.
Whether it was a good idea to come back here or not remained to be seen. But I had I to know.
MJ: are you picking anything up?
The car's detection system scanned the area thoroughly knowing that he wanted it to be safe for me to exit the car.
KITT: it's all clear. But I advise, caution!
After what I saw earlier, I'm all for caution.
MJ: understood.
I stepped out carefully not knowing if that hooded figure would return and cause us more problems.
The area was far too quiet. Not even the sound of pedestrians nor cars in the distance could be heard.
MJ: I don't like this, KITT. It's normally busy for this time of night with people going to clubs and whatnot. It's too lifeless.
KITT: Must you use those choice of words?
MJ: I'm calling it like I see it.
Before KITT could make a response, I was jumped from behind and pinned to the floor by a figure with the strength of 2 men.
KITT: *shocked* MJ!
The figure was growling and snarling at me like a rabid dog. It was the same female cloaked figure from before.
MJ: WHAT ARE YOU?
She said nothing and continued to pin me to the floor and then trying to go for my neck like an actual vampire.
This night just keeps getting better….
MJ: KITT! XENON!
The super car's extra bright lights pierced the darkness catching my attacker off-guard and blinding her giving me the opening to push her off of me with my feet hard.
I rolled over out of the glare of the xenon head lamps and darted into the open driver door. KITT knew my plan and slammed the door shut.
MJ: *calming down* shut it off, buddy. Scan me for injuries.
The Trans Am scoped me from head-to-toe looking for even the most minor laceration.
KITT: all fine, MJ. Nothing to worry about.
What was wrong with that girl? Just as well KITT gave me that clean bill of health as there's no telling what that kid is carrying.
The blind-me-by-the-light-white reduced to a regular bright setting for the car and the figure was reiving around trying to get the blindness out of her eyes.
KITT: shall we go?
Ordinarily I would obey my better instincts and bail from the area like Krispy Kreme's were having a sale on all week. But something urged me to stay.
Whether this would actually be a "smart idea" would remain to be seen.
And the amount of times I've gone against my better judgement? I've honestly lost count.
MJ: no. I wanna see what she'll do, first.
I was intrigued that a supposed pre-teen could have this kind of strength and speed. If of course, she was even human. Normally, I would dismiss something like this to just seeing things.
But after what I've seen this evening, I'm open to the idea of the impossible.
The figure looked sternly at me enraged it had lost the opportunity from earlier. The silver menacing eyes pierced the darkness along with what looked like discoloured skin and extra-large veins on her face. Either those were extremely good contacts, or there was something seriously wrong.
She slammed her fist down hard on KITT's hood and then seemed surprised when she failed to leave a mark. She looked at her fist puzzled then back to the hood that had no marking on it.
Girl: *to herself* what is this?
She then made her way to the driver window and glared with the intensely terrifying eyes and it was creeping me out beyond normal tolerance levels.
MJ: KITT, I'm kinda creeped out here.
KITT: "you're" creeped out?
MJ: hey, this is a first time for me as well, alright?
I guess he wasn't too fond of what was standing outside, either.
Girl: get, out.
Even the tone of voice didn't sound human. At least not for someone her size. It was like 2 voices that were blending together.
MJ: *intercom button* and give me one good reason why I should? So you can do to me what you tried to do that woman, earlier? *shook head* I don't think so.
Girl: YOU COST ME MY FEED FOR THE EVENING! AND ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, I WILL GET MY FILL!
Wow! I'm definitely dealing with something else tonight.
KITT: MJ, I don't think this creature is going to listen.
The girl stopped and startled by the fact that another voice spoke.
Girl: who said that?
KITT: I did. And if you don't me saying so, you are less than human for what you tried to do, young lady.
Girl: the car is talking?
The voice now sounding more human along with her silver eyes turning to a more healthy hazel.