A Fright Night Twist

What If Charley Brewster Was A Girl?

Chapter Four

None Believers

Ignoring the strain her nightmare was inflicting upon her, Charley took a bus to the local television station that aired Fright Night. She arrived early, barely slept, and paced about the sidewalk waiting with hopes that Peter Vincent would show himself at some point. As she waited, she ran through her mind what she was going to say to the aged actor. Her nerves were on edge not sure of the outcome. She had to do whatever it took to convince Peter Vincent that her neighbor was a vampire and was threatening her life. After nearly two hours her moment came in the form of a very unhappy looking Peter Vincent stepping out of the studio lugging his wooden vampire killing kit while dressed in a typical cream colored suit, not his signature Peter Vincent attire. She felt that tingle of hope as she marched towards Vincent who walked towards an antique looking car, almost looked foreign. "Mr. Vincent," she called while moving towards him but he seemed not to hear her, "Mr. Vincent." she again called and finally the actor halted then turned to the side with an annoyed expression across his wrinkled eyes.

"Yes," Peter Vincent asked with his English accent sounding through his annoyed tone, "What do you want me to sign?"

Charley paused, heard the definite annoyance in the man's tone, "Um," she mumbled still trying to figure out how to go about asking him for his help, "Well, Mr. Vincent, I was just wondering about all that stuff you said last night on your show."

"Yes," Peter was surely in no mood for chit-chat, "What about it?"

"Well," she again stammered a bit on the words, "Did you really believe what you said?"

Peter scanned the young woman, "What difference does it make?" he saw her as a representation of his failed ratings, "It's apparent that your generation has no tolerance for vampires or vampire killers. All you want are some deranged madmen running around wielding machetes chopping overly sexed teens into pieces." He was tired of dealing with the current generation of blood and gore lusting teenagers. He made a little annoyed huff through his nose then turned around. "I believe in vampires." he heard the teenager announce. He finally smiled after a horrible day then turned around. His head tilted, perhaps felt pity for such a fragile mind. "My dear," he stepped up to the young lady and patted her sweetly on the cheek, "Only if there were more of you out there then just maybe my ratings would have been higher. Now," he stepped back, "If you would excuse me." He turned around and proceeded towards the trunk of his old car.

"Mr. Vincent, wait," Charley followed the actor, "I need your help, please."

Peter opened his trunk and carefully set the movie prop inside the trunk. "Dear, I have no time for any of this nonsense." he proclaimed then slammed the trunk. He stepped forward then literally shoed the young lady with the wave of his and gesturing her to move out of his way. Once the teenager stepped back he made his way to the driver's side door.

"Please, Mr. Vincent," Charley started to plead, her voice sounding desperate, "I have a vampire living next door to me and he's planning on killing me tonight." She just blurted it out, it sounded insane coming out of her mouth but knew it was the truth no matter how unreal it sounded. She watched the actor open his car door then he made a brief pause and grimaced at her. "Please, I'm telling the truth." she couldn't stop the desperation in her voice.

"If this is your idea of a sick joke, I am far from amused, young lady." Peter scolded her, "You should be ashamed of yourself." He got into the car and slammed the door shut.

"Wait, please, you have to believe me." Charley continued with her desperate plea feeling a swell of tears building within her tired eyes. The actor didn't say another word and simply rolled up his window then drove the car away. Her eyes followed the vehicle; watched her one and only hope go speeding down the road. She stood there with her arms hugged over her chest. She looked around as if lost. She was lost, lost in a world of udder darkness and horror. What was she to do? There was no one to turn to? She hadn't ever felt so alone in her life. She felt the tears roll down her cheeks. Her lips pressed tightly together trying to hold back any desperate sobs. Her head dropped as she made a soft sniffle. Defeated, she turned around and prepared to walk home. Walking those streets with dozens of people moving by gave her no relief from the loneliness. They were oblivious to the real darkness that waited for the moment the sun died and the moon lived. All their faces expressing no knowledge of the horrors nightfall brought.

She found herself at a corner where a phone booth stood. She dug into her pocket and pulled out a dime then slipped into the phone booth. Her hand trembled as she pressed the pad of her finger against the silver buttons. Though she knew he didn't believe her, she needed to hear a familiar voice. She waited and finally someone answered, "Hi, Mrs. Peterson, its Charley." She tried to stop her voice from cracking, "Yeah, thanks." She waited for a moment then Allen's voice came over the line, she smiled. "Hey, could you come pick me up?" she asked praying he wasn't too miffed about her dumping the soda on his crotch, "Yeah, we need to talk. I would like that. Okay, well," she explained her location then hung up the phone then stood outside the booth waiting for Allen to arrive in his mother's car.

Allen arrived as he promised. Though she knew he didn't believe her about the whole vampire situation, Charley couldn't help but smile upon seeing him. Charley got into the car and something inside her prompted her to suddenly grab hold of him and kiss him as if she would never kiss him again which just might be true. Allen was certainly surprised but pleasantly surprised by Charley's sudden burst of affection. The moment their kiss ended, Allen leaned back with a dazed grin, "Wow," he hummed, "I guess you missed me, huh?"

"Yeah," Charley replied though in ways she was more concerned what she was going to miss out on after that night when she was most likely going to meet a ghastly demise.

"I missed you too, babe." Allen chimed then pulled the car away from the curb. "So, what are you doing out this way?" he continued to smile, her powerful kiss lingering across his lips.

"I went to speak to Peter Vincent." she confessed as her eyes stared forward.

"Huh," he glanced over at her, "Really? Why?" He seemed to have forgotten her whole vampire outburst from the other day.

"Because I wanted his help." she said with a droll tone.

"Help with what?" Allen asked as the memory of her vampire outburst started to return which gradually gave him concern.

"Help with killing my neighbor," she continued to explain with a monotone, "Remember, he's a vampire and he wants to kill me."

Allen's eyes slowly widened upon hearing her almost casual confession of what sounded like pure lunacy along with first degree murder. "Charley," he spoke carefully, "Babe, what makes you think that your neighbor wants to kill you?"

"Because," she didn't once look over at Allen, "I know what he is, I know he's a vampire and he's afraid I'll go tell the world but the world won't believe me. He already tried last night but he failed. So, I went to Peter Vincent to ask him to help me but he didn't believe me either. So, my only option is to go home, wait until that creepy guy Billy Cole leaves then go into the vampire's lair and put a stake through his heart."

Allen was beginning to move beyond worried; slightly fearful of Charley's sanity. "Babe," he spoke calmly, "You're talking about murder."

Charley turned her head and looked at Allen with an emotionally drained expression. "Have you forgotten," she spoke with that persistent monotone, "Vampires are already dead so you can't murder something that's already dead."

Allen chewed on his top lip. He really cared about Charley and was horrified by her state of mind. He almost felt guilty that perhaps his constant pressuring her for sex had put a strain on her. There had to be something he could do to help her out of her delusions. His mind trailed for a bit as the car sat at a red light. Maybe, just maybe, if he were to speak more sanely to Peter Vincent the actor might agree to help but not with murder but convincing Charley that her neighbor wasn't some kind of movie monster. "I got it." He quickly said as the light turned green, "I'll take you home." the idea formed as he spoke, "You get some sleep and I'll go pick up Eva and the two of us will go to Peter Vincent."

"Allen, I already tried and it didn't work." Charley shook her head believing it was useless to convince anyone to truly help her.

"Yeah but you haven't let good old Allen Peterson give it a shot." Allen smiled praying he could convince Charley to trust him, "I'm positive Eva and I can get the old guy to help you. In fact we all will help you."

Charley was having a hard time believing a word Allen was saying. "You don't believe me, so why bother?" she sighed and leaned her head to the side against the window.

Allen reached and grabbed Charley's hand, "Charley, I love you." He never once thought he would say those words but in that moment it seemed appropriate.

Charley shifted her eyes and saw his sincere smile. Maybe he did love her but he sure didn't believe her.

"Will you let me take the lead with Peter Vincent?" Allen asked keeping his smile cheery.

"Whatever." Charley caved in then closed her eyes.

"Great," Allen chimed, "Just promise you won't do anything until you hear from us." He glanced over at Charley and watched her nod while keeping her eyes closed, "Good." He squeezed her hand.

Allen managed to convince Charley to stay put in her bedroom then took on the tedious task of convincing Eva Thompson to help out. The moment he mentioned Peter Vincent Eva was out the door before he was. They found Peter's address in the local phone book and headed straight to the aging actor's apartment.

Peter Vincent moped around his horror memorabilia cluttered apartment. His small apartment had become a museum of every single horror film he acted in and then some. He sat dressed in his old satin robe at his two person kitchen table staring down at what was an eviction notice. His life hadn't exactly gone the way he had hoped, his years of portraying the infamous Great Vampire Killer seemed gone as was his cable show Fright Night. Years he continued performing as Peter Vincent on the small time local cable network reliving his past while his past played on the small screen. His career seemed at a tragic end now that the cable show was cancelled because of poor ratings. He made a soft sniffle and allowed the notice to fall from his hand then his shoulders slumped in defeat. Then a knock sounded on his apartment door. He made a sigh and reluctantly got up from the chair. Was he about to get a final eviction notice delivered by the local police department?

He sluggishly made his way to the door as the knocking continued. He undid the chain lock then opened the door. To his relief he discovered two teenagers standing in the hallway in front of his door. He wasn't in a mood to entertain the mass murderer generation. "Now is not a good time." He quickly said and went to the close the door but the young man quickly slapped his hand against the door. He frowned finding the behavior rude.

"Mr. Vincent," Allen was determined to do whatever it took to save his girlfriend's sanity, "I'm Allen Peterson…"

"Eva Thompson," Eva excitedly interrupted Allen who simply flashed a glare at her.

"Yeah," Allen shook his head keeping his hand firmly planted on the door, "Mr. Vincent, can we speak to you, please."

Peter took a moment to think; perhaps they were his only fans in town. He decided to pull out the dusty red carpet for possible fans. "Wait one moment," he stepped and straightened his robe feeling somewhat dabber then poised himself. He swung the door open flashing as huge smile, "Please, come in." He stepped back and allowed the typical clean cut young man inside along with the vampire looking young woman. He closed the door then looked to the two young individuals with high hopes. "So," he sang with his English accent then strolled passed them having remembered leaving the eviction notice on the kitchen table. "So, what can I do for you two?" he asked slinking his way across the floor then snatching up the paper shoving it into his robe pocket, "Perhaps an autograph or an interview for your high school paper?" He turned around with a big smile. Allen stood perfectly still and silent as the black clad Eva was in awe of all the horror collectables. His eyes frowned finding the young lady strange.

"No, Mr. Vincent," Allen said then swung his arm behind him snatching Eva by the sleeve and tugged back behind him, "We're here because of something much more serious and important."

Peter frowned again, "More important than my autograph?" He tucked his hands into the robe's pocket, confused.

"Yes," Allen nodded, "It's sort of a matter of life or death."

"Oh, well," Peter smiled though he was still confused, "I see how that is more important but what could I possibly do to help?"

"Well," Allen went to speak but again was interrupted by Eva.

"You remember a chick named Charley Brewster?" Eva blurted and the actor shook his head obviously not recognizing the name, "She said she came to see you."

"Wait," Allen glared at Eva who simply grimaced back at him, "She's the girl who believes a vampire is living next door to her."

Peter finally knew who they were talking about, "Oh, dear, yes, I remember. She is positively insane." He immediately noticed the awkwardness about Allen's expression even though the Gothic girl beside the boy tried not to snicker. "Oh, my boy, I do hope she's no friend of yours."

Eva belted out a short cackle, "Oh yea he does," she reached and pinched Allen's cheek, "He's got it bad for the chick." Allen quickly knocked her hand away forcing her to cackle again.

"Shut up." Allen grumbled under his breath then placed himself in front of Eva, "Mr. Vincent, she really does believe the guy is a vampire and she says she's gonna kill him."

Eva quickly leaned to the side looking around Allen, "Yeah, apparently with the traditional stake through the heart bit!" She was quickly elbowed in the tit by Allen, "Allen!" She groaned cupping her hand over her left breast.

"Oh, my dear boy," Peter chimed and strolled passed the two teenagers moving for where a simple twin sized bed, "You're friend or girlfriend needs a therapist not a vampire killer." He bent down pulling an old suitcase out from under the bed then placed atop the bed flipping it open to begin packing. "See, I have no time for this nonsense." He began tossing some clothing into the suitcase, "As of today I quit Fright Night because I have been offered a starring role in a major motion picture and, so, you see Hollywood beckons and I must accept the call." He proceeded to lie to himself as well as the youths.

Allen was desperate and the only other option he knew was a bribe, money always talked. "If you help us, Mr. Vincent," he spoke up loud and clear, "I'll give you all that I have in my savings account."

Peter quickly froze mid packing upon hearing dollar signs. He looked to the young man, "How much?"

"I have nearly a thousand dollars." Allen announced then nudged Eva.

"Huh?" Eva blinked then grimaced followed by rolling her eyes, she dug into her leather jacket pocket then presented the ten dollar bill she earned from Charley, "I got ten bucks."

"I'll take it!" Peter smiled excitedly, no more eviction. He marched up to the teenagers, quickly snatched the ten dollar bill from Eva's hand stuffing it into his pocket. He sighed then guided the teens turned around and rested his hands on their shoulders. "So, my friends, how shall we cure your little friend of her delusion?" he asked leading the two into his tiny living room overran by memorabilia.

Once in the living room an idea struck Eva like a brick to the head. "I know!" she shouted excitedly and focused her attention on Peter Vincent, "Well, you remember your movie Orgy of the damned?"

"Yes," Peter nodded, of course he did, it was one of his favorite roles, "Of course, it was my favorite role."

"Well, remember when you looked into the mirror and the vampire didn't cast a reflection?" Eva explained more and watched Peter nod, "Well, that's we do. We bring Charley over to the neighbor's and you perform some kinda vampire test."

Peter smiled at the genius idea, "My dear, an excellent idea." He rushed up to a small fireplace mantel and snatched a silver cigarette case. He turned and stepped up to Eva, "And this is the actual prop that was used." He carefully opened the case exposing the mirror inside with a row of cigarettes. The two teens gathered closely.

Clocks of all sizes and styles chimed, coo-cooed, and clanged loudly upon the clock striking the sixth hour. Within the fading sounds of the clocks mingled the ring of a telephone. Billy Cole marched passed the wall of clocks to the small table where the telephone persistently rang. He snatched up the phone, put it to his ear and heard a young woman's voice ask for Jerry Dandridge. His eyes lifted looking up the nearby staircase where Jerry Dandridge strolled down in the process of yawning. "It's for you," he announced snatching an orange from the fruit bowl beside the telephone then tossed it to Dandridge the moment the vampire reached the bottom of the stairs. He handed the phone over to Dandridge.

Dandridge frowned a little not sure who would be calling him. He tucked the phone propped between his head and shoulder as he began peeling the orange. "Yes," he spoke into the phone, again his eyes frowned listening to the young woman's voice, "Oh, yes, I would be interested in helping out a young person." He smiled at Billy who smiled back. His brows furrowed as he listened to an elaborate scheme. "Well, that would be a problem because I've been recently reborn."

Eva brought the phone down against her chest and looked up at Allen and Peter. "He won't do crosses." She announced, "He's a recently reborn Christian and believes crosses are sacrilegious."

"Well, how about holy water." Peter suggested, desperate to earn the ten bucks in his pocket and a possible thousand dollars.

Eva quickly brought the phone back to her ear and asked. She shook her head, "Won't do either."

Peter huffed then it came to him. "Well, it's only tap water not real holy water." He explained with a firm tone.

Dandridge nodded, "Awe, yes, I see." His mouth continued to grin while finishing peeling the orange. "Yes, of course, that will be fine but don't bring her over until after six tomorrow, I'll be out until then." He hung up the phone and gave an amused chuckle. He drove his thumb into the center of the orange separating a wedge. "Looks like we don't have to go out tonight after all." He explained with another chuckle, "They're bringing her over tomorrow night to prove," he took a moment to suck the orange juices from his thumb, "to her that I'm not a vampire." He coyly grinned then tucked the orange wedge into his mouth. Billy laughed while shaking his head. He chewed the piece of fruit imagining how interesting tomorrow night was going to be. He turned away from the phone with Billy following.

Allen had dropped Eva off at home but instead of going home he decided to personally give Charley the good news. He arrived to the Brewster home and parked at the curb across the street. He got out of the car and marched across the street just as Mrs. Brewster stepped out onto the front porch. "Hey, Mrs. B." he greeted her and she turned to him with a pleased smile.

"Well, hello, Allen." Judy greeted the young man, "It's so nice to see you again but I can't stand and chit-chat, I start the night shift tonight."

"Oh, okay," Allen nodded knowing how the woman loved giving out every detail of information.

"Okay," Judy sang then moved down the steps not locking the front door, "Go on in. Charley's in her room." She walked down the sidewalk with a somewhat sexy sway about her scrub covered hips. She waved back at Allen just as her ride pulled up to the sidewalk.

Allen flashed his girlfriend's mother a smile and a little wave. He turned to the door and rolled his eyes. He opened the door but something caught the corner of his eye. His head turned to the left peering across the yard at the closely neighboring house where Charley's so called vampire lived. His eyes squinted trying to see into the dark shadows of the large house's front porch; there was an odd feeling as if someone was watching. He quickly shook the feeling, perhaps Charley's entire crazy vampire babbling got to him. He entered the house closing the door behind him.

Allen's feeling was correct; someone was keeping a close eye on the Brewster house. In the cover of the thick shadows draped over the neighboring house's porch, Dandridge stood. He stood in the shadows leaned sideways against the paint peeling wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes practically glowed after they had taken in the image of the young man who he knew was Charley's boyfriend. He saw the young man was fairy attractive and clean cut which oddly didn't set well with him. He found the young man's appearance typical; the boy had a youthful baby face clean shaven and sandy blonde hair neatly cut and styled with a typical outfit made up of faded denim jeans, quite clean sneakers, and an argyle sweater dully mixed with shades of blue. He stood back from the wall and reentered his dwelling.

Allen hurried up the stairs and marched down the hallway to Charley's bedroom door. He gave a soft knock while grabbing the handle. Upon twisting the handle he discovered it was locked. He knocked a bit louder then called through the door, "Charley, it's okay, it's me Allen." He waited and within a minute or so he listened to the door unlock then it crept open. He smiled upon seeing Charley's face. "Hey," he held his smile though her face suggested more for concern; she looked exhausted with darkening under her eyes, "I got good news." He watched her force a smile then step back and turning around. He stepped into the room as Charley made her way to the bed. He tucked his hands into pants pockets and approached the bed as Charley climbed to the head of the bed pulling a heavy quilt over her then hugged her arms tightly around a teddy bear. He stood near the side of the bed. "Peter Vincent agreed to help us." He announced hoping he would see some kind of light return.

Charley heard his announcement but she was doubtful about any of them even believing her unbelievable story. She leaned down against the stacked pillows pressing the side of her face against Mister Cuddle-ton's. "That's good." She said with her tone sounding drained, "So, what's gonna happen."

Allen took initiative and sat down against the edge of the bed. "Well, we're going to your neighbor's tomorrow night." He announced, not sure how she was going to respond to the plan, "Peter Vincent is coming with us and he's going to perform a type of test on your neighbor."

"A test?" Charley questioned, they didn't believe her.

"Yeah, to prove if Mr. Dandridge is a vampire or not." He explained as his eyes watched her response; she gave no expression while her eyes were closed.

"He's a vampire." Charley said with a sleepy tone.

"Yeah but we have to have proof first before we go ahead with anything." Allen continued his deception.

"He won't agree to any test." She said with her tone sounding sleepier.

"Well, that's where you're wrong." He corrected her, "We already spoke to Mr. Dandridge and he agreed to a test."

Charley's lips perked a suspicious smile then sounded a lazy laugh.

"See when he fails the test we'll have Peter Vincent there to protect us." Allen calmly said but inside he was nervous; what if what they do doesn't cure Charley of her insane notions?

"Okay," Charley was too exhausted to argue the fact that no one believed her. She snuggled more with Mister Cuddle-ton.

"Well," Allen stood up then bent down pressing a kiss against Charley's forehead, "You get some sleep." He rose up feeling concerned about his girlfriend. "I love you, Charley." He said with a soft tone.

"I love you," Charley said with her voice barely audible.

Allen nodded then turned. He turned out the bedroom then quietly closed the door behind him.

Charley drew her legs up keeping herself buried beneath the comfort of the heavy quilt. Her arms loosened their embrace around Mister Cuddle-ton. Her body completely relaxed as exhaustion brought her into a deep sleep. Her room was dark with exception to the light that pushed through the drawn thin curtains. A shadow moved blocking out the light. The window's lock slowly moved to an unlocked position then inch by inch the window rose up. A light push of wind moved through the open window pushing the curtains to billow forward. Upward one curtain panel drifted and behind it a shadow formed then slowly it drifted downward unveiling Dandridge.

Dandridge wasn't there to do as he threatened the night before. He was going to go along with the scheme conjured by Charley's unbelieving peers. In a way he felt pity for the poor young thing that was seen by everyone around her as some kind of lunatic when in fact she was possibly saner than the rest of them. He moved with smooth ease across the floor approaching the foot of the bed. His eyes focused on the sleeping bundle curled up at the head the bed. She looked like a child curled up under the quilt and hugging a childhood teddy bear. He crossed his arms over his chest as he stood silently before the bed. There was more involved in his black eyes. He had been determined to separate business from pleasure. The business at hand was the fact young Charley knew his secret and having such knowledge meant only one thing for the girl. Yet, the pleasure side was the real conflict. Surely he got pleasure out of tormenting the pretty young thing; typical of his nature. But there was a whole other side to the pleasure that was ignited when he made the small slip up of actually looking at her face. He tried so hard not to look at her face. He was taken aback the first time he had seen the little spy downstairs in the living room and that single moment started a frustrating struggle inside him. And now looking down at her that struggle between business and pleasure brewed further behind his black eyes.

He loomed there for a while as if frozen in the shadows of the bedroom. His eyes not once blinked while they continued to stare down at Charley. That conflict, that struggle brewed and brewed wanting to boil over into an all out war of interests. His thoughts tossed around multiple images. That moment when he was almost successful in removing Charley from his eternal equation retraced through his mind. That simple plea, a simple please, forced him to do what he avoided that entire situation and the moment he looked at her face that's when the conflict of interests started. He felt almost confused. He never got confused; he was Jerry Dandridge for Christ's sake, a vampire that knew exactly what he wanted and always got what he wanted. He typically was a focused creature and knew what true focus he needed which was illuminating problems which that teenager represented but, damn him, he was now confused. He had to refocus; had to get back on the right frame of mind to protect his true identity. He turned his back on the cause to his frustrations then faded out the way he had come.