Chapter 2: A Real Trip

I shut my eyes tight as we dropped out of the sky. I braced myself, waiting for the inevitable jolt that would come with hitting the ground. It never came. Jack stepped onto the pavement as though off some invisible staircase.

"You can open your eyes now," he said, "we're here."

I smiled sheepishly as he gently set me back on my feet, then let my mouth fall open in awe as his wings disappeared between his shoulder blades. We were standing in front of one of the clubs downtown. People rushed past us in both directions, trendy fashionistas and t-shirted rockers. Remembering I was in my pajamas I hugged my chest and blushed, shifting awkwardly.

"Don't worry, they can't see you."

Now that was a new one. "What do you mean they can't see me?" I waved my hand in front of one of the passerby's faces, but got no reaction.

Smiling rather patronizingly at my little experiment he said, "You're going to have to keep an open mind tonight…trust me."

I gave him a sarcastic look, "No kidding…"

Jack took my hand and led me into the crowded club. I must admit, it was exhilarating, bypassing the line and the angry doorman without a thought. I looked around and it became obvious that I was the youngest person there. No ID and Jack Storm? This night waxed brilliant, everyone here could kiss my ass! My triumph was short lived; soon thereafter I received a wet reminder that I wasn't wearing any shoes. My pride kept my mouth shut.

Still in our own little bubble we stopped towards the back, as far away from the stage as possible.

"Do you know who they are?" Jack asked, pointing at the stage. Despite the music and the crowd I could hear him perfectly clear. He wasn't even shouting.

I couldn't help but scoff, yet before I could rebuke him Jack interrupted me.

"Sorry, stupid question."

Damn straight, I said to myself, feeling slightly vindicated. I may only be eighteen, but I've given myself a more than worthy education in music (in my own mind, anyway).

He turned to me, his expression serious, "They're like me."

"So, they can fly too?"

"We can do much more than that," he nodded with a hint of sarcasm, mystery practically radiating from his eyes.

That was only the first stop on what turned into a dreamscape of locations. It was like the gothic alternative to Dickens' Scrooge. We visited band after band, musician after musician. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I watched my favorite bands parade around as demons, werewolves, incubi, succubi, and more I couldn't even begin to name; all the creatures I'd been raised to find evil. In my short years I'd managed to maintain a healthy curiosity, but still...this was becoming a bit much.

Jack watched my reactions carefully as we visited each club, each house. I was getting tired, and I didn't understand what was happening, why I needed to see this.

"Just one more stop," he picked me up again as I stifled a yawn.

This time he touched down on the roof of a restaurant. I was preoccupied with how high up we were until he pointed to the adjoining alleyway. I looked down and saw someone being mugged. A man in a ski cap was beating him viciously. In horror I leaned so far over the edge I almost toppled right over. Jack grabbed me just in time and put his hand firmly over my mouth as I screamed for him to help.

"Watch," he whispered in my ear.

I couldn't believe he was just standing there – he could stop this! But then I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. Someone was making their way towards them, darting between the shadows. It was one of the demons!

He grabbed the mugger from behind and threw him halfway down the alley. Instinctively I latched on a little tighter to Jack. The mugger came back, but the demon gave him a good right hook to the jaw, sending him flying again. Following him to where he fell, the demon put one clawed foot on his chest and held out his gnarled hand. I couldn't hear the exchange that must have been occurring, but moments later the mugger placed something in the demon's hand. The demon removed his foot and let the mugger take off into the dark alley. Then he returned to the victim, who sat propped up against the concrete wall of the next building. As he walked towards him he shifted back to a human form. I gasped behind Jack's hand. It was Brady Quinn of Ironclad! Brady helped the man up and gave him what must have been his stolen property. He helped the man to the street and waited with him, Jack and me still watching from above. An ambulance came screaming down the street and Brady disappeared back into the alley before it came to a stop.

I was floored, to say the least. Without a word between us Jack took me home. Once I was safely back in my room I had more questions than I knew what to do with. Jack waited, looking through my bookshelf as I gathered my thoughts.

Finally, I was able to start with, "What did I just see?"

Jack continued staring at the rows of books, "You saw what we do."

"So what, you're all…superheroes?

"Not exactly," he laughed, "More like vigilantes."

"Ok…what does that have to do with me?"

"I've come here to ask you to join us."

I looked at him like he was nuts. "Wait…why?"

"I have my reasons," he began, but I cut him off.

"You're going to have to do much better than that."

"Give me a chance!" His eyes belittled his false anger. "We've been watching you for a long time, and we believe you carry all the qualities of a good vigilante."

I was skeptical. "Like what?"

"Well despite the fact that you don't believe in yourself," he poked me in the arm, "you are in fact a pretty decent person."

"Thank you?" I blushed, "But that doesn't answer my question."

"When we watched the man being mugged you almost fell off the roof. You were angry with me for not doing anything – yes, I could feel it. If you had been down there on the ground and saw that happening, what would you have done?"

"I…well…"

"Considering you had the power to help, would you?"

"Well, of course!"

"There you are then."

I sighed. This night had been far too strange. I was so confused.

"What are you thinking?"

"I don't know…none of this makes sense."

"It will if you choose to join us, but it's entirely up to you. I'll give you some time to think about what you've seen, I'll be back for your answer." He turned towards the window, preparing to leave.

"Wait!" I said, "All those people…not human…"

"You want to know what I am?"

I looked down, embarrassed, "I was just wondering, you don't have to…"

Jack looked at me carefully. I lifted my head and stared him straight in the eyes to show I was unafraid. Taking that as his cue he tilted his head back slightly, opening his mouth while still keeping his eyes on me. I watched his face, expecting him to turn red or sprout horns, but nothing happened, not at first. Then I saw it; his teeth, his canines were growing – they were brilliant white and sharp.

Jack was a vampire.