A/N: So, I started typing this and ended up going waaaaaay farther than I meant to. So, if it seems to cut off a bit suddenly, I'm sorry.

The door of Conrad Achenleck's apartment slams open and, through the closed door to the bathroom, the vampire can hear a careless teenage voice yelling, "I'm home, Fagula."

Conrad is leaning over the sink, eyes closed as he faces the mirror. He know that, when he opens them, he will see something horrific in the glass: nothing at all. His hair is still wet from the shower he has just stepped out of, droplets dripping and sliding down his face, and the only thing covering him is a towel wrapped around his abdomen.
Hesitantly, he opens his small, red eyes. And even with his horrible vision, he can see that his fears are confirmed: there is nothing of him in the mirror, except for the towel that peeks up over the edge of the sink.
It is truly unnerving, but also fascinating in a way; he stares at the place where his face should be for what feels like hours until he is jerked back into the real world by a fist pounding against the door. "The hell're you doing in there? Hurry up, I gotta piss."
Conrad just sighs at the lack of tact that his roommate has before taking his glasses, putting them on, and, without looking at the mirror, opening the bathroom door.

Veser rolls his large green eyes when the vampire finally emerges, keeping his eyes locked to the wall until Conrad nearly disappears into his room. "Strange-ass."
Conrad ignores this, closing the door to his bedroom behind him. He supposes that the first thing he really should have done was tell Veser about Hanna's phone call, but that can wait until he's appropriately dressed, anyway. He slips on some simple boxer-briefs, navy blue trousers, and a nice beige button-up shirt before grabbing an Argyle sweater-vest from his closet.
He's pulling the sweater-vest over his head as he exits his room and makes his way to the living room. Veser's lime green shoes squeak on the title in the bathroom when he comes out of the bathroom, running a hand through his gray-brown hair as he asks, "Did Hanna call you, too? Somethin' about going to an office?"
"Yes, we're supposed to meet him at a...n aquaintance's office." God forbid Conrad calls that man a friend.
"Ahuh. Whatever." Veser pauses, then grins like a predator. "We get to take your car?"
The vampire sighs, adjusting his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. "...yes. Do NOT touch anything," he snaps automatically, which earns only a laugh.

Veser actually pays attention and doesn't cause too much trouble in the car, although he does have a little episode when he actually sees it; a dark blue, white-striped 2008 Ford Shelby, in nearly perfect condition. "Damn. How much did this set you back?" he asks over the music on the radio, arm propped against the door as they pull out of the driveway.
Conrad shrugs, a bit sheepishly. "It didn't cost that much."
"You kiddin'? I've seen Porsches that weren't as nice as this."
"Maybe in the slums," Conrad denies, although he does give a little smile as he hits the turn signal.

When they reach and enter Worth's office, Hanna and his zombie partner (Conrad still hasn't gotten into the pattern of calling him by whatever name comes to mind) are already there, and Toni is leaning against the cleanest wall visible. She smiles and waves to the pair, and Hanna beams at them. "Hey! We were just waiting on you and Worth."
As if summoned, the doctor storms out of the back room with a blood bag, which he absently flings at Conrad, and throws himself into his chair, which groans unhealthily as it slides across the floor. "Alright, here's the deal."
Veser raises an eyebrow as Conrad catches the bag without any fuss.
"We've got a problem, and a big one. Somethin' bad's coming around." Worth lights a cigarette, rubbing his shoulder. "Y've all heard 'bout the kidnappings?"
"Is that what this is about?" Toni asks, cocking her head.
Worth holds up a finger to hush her. "There's a reason f'r this. Hanna?"

Hanna looks up, and Conrad is stunned when he sees that the redhead, who is usually peppy and cheerful enough to give someone diabetes, looks almost terrified. "Well... alright. About five years ago... something bad came around. And... it looks like It's back."
"Something bad?" Veser echoes, narrowing his eyes.
"Well, we don't really know what It is. But It's some kind of shapeshifter." Hanna bites his lip, eyes focusing on the floor. "It... kills kids as their worst fears. Eats them."
"Oh my God!" Toni says, eyes widening and a hand coming up to her mouth.
"It came after me, but we managed to fight It off. We thought we killed It, but... apparently not."

"So, what does this have to do with us?" Conrad asks after a few seconds of pause.
Worth sighs, as thought the reason should be obvious. "It came after Hanna last time It was out. We're thinkin' It might try'n finish wot It started."
"But you said it only kills... kids," Toni says hesitantly, swallowing at the thought of children dying at the hands of their nightmares.
"We kinda pissed It off, though," Hanna replies, scratching the back of his head. "So who knows?"
"We're jus' preparin'," says Worth as he stands up, the chair groaning as if relieved. "B'sides, it could be considered community service. Might get paid."
Toni just stares at him. "Is it all about money? What about those kids?"
A shrug of bony shoulders. "Not my problem. Y' can't save everyone."
"I'm with Toni," Hanna pipes in, eyes scanning the room. "Sure, money's good, but if anything, I don't want any more people dying."

A silence overtakes the small room, but only for a second. As Hanna opens his mouth to say something, the door suddenly opens, and Lamont Toucey comes in backwards, balancing boxes through the narrow doorway. "Hey guys," he says, a casual but worried smile on his face as he turns around and sets the boxes down by the door before nudging it closed with his foot. "Sorry, had to make a delivery."
Hanna gives him a grateful smile; he's realized that everything tends to be easier with Lamont around, for some reason. "No problem." The smile fades, and the redhead clears his throat. "Anyways... I, uh, did some research the last time this came around. And I think I know what It is."

Worth perks slightly. "Wot? You knew wot It was 'n di'in't tell us?"
"Ehehe. Well, uh, it kinda slipped my mind. I just remembered it a little while ago." Conrad rolls his eyes, as if not surprised, but lets Hanna continue. "Well, anyways. I looked up all the different characteristics, and everything pretty much points to a Taelus."
Toni raises an eyebrow. "Never heard of that before."
"They're really really rare. Like, only one has ever been recorded outside of Stephen King using them for the main villain guy in It."
"Is that why we're calling this thing that?" Veser asks, the first words that he's spoken in quite some time.
"Er, yeah. I never said I was original. I see that smile, Ringo, that's three. But, basically, they're telepathic shapeshifters that feed off of pretty much anything they can get, but they prefer kids. They're really kind of interesting, actually, 'cause they're only active for a few months before they hibernate. Their hibernation varies between each kind, though."
"So, we're looking at a killer that comes out every five years or so," Lamont says, leaning against Worth's desk. Surprisingly, the doctor doesn't kick him away like usual, but instead just gives him a warning glare.
"Well, no. The last time it attacked - er, besides right now - it only slept for about three years. I, uh, probably should've mentioned that."
Worth crosses over to smack Hanna upside the head. "Ye! Ye, y' should have!"
"Ow!"

Hanna's whine is joined by a echoing laugh that takes everyone by surprise. "The fuck is that?" Veser yells, pushing away from the wall to take a defensive posture.
"Came from the surgery room," Worth mutters in reply, ignoring everyone's strange looks towards him to nod at Lamont. "You go in first. S'alright if somethin' eats you."
"Ha ha, very funny." Lamont rolls his eyes, but still approaches the door hesitantly. Everyone starts to flock around him, waiting to see if there was any cause for concern. After a deep breath, Lamont swings the door open -

To an empty room, save for a dirty gurney and a shelf of various medical supplies.

Hanna, unaware that he is holding his breath, sighs in relief, but then tenses again as he steps the threshold into the room. Ringo follows dutifully, as always, but Hanna barely notices as his eyes travel to the drain on the floor. "It came from down there," he whispers.
"How do you know?" Ringo asks, protectively placing a hand on a frail but broad shoulder.
Hanna didn't answer, but something else did.