Occultation - The Disappeared
After separating from Eph, Jacqueline and Abraham decided to head on to the next person's house. They made their way to the back of the house hoping to draw less attention to themselves if they entered in the back.
Abraham put his hand on the back doors knob, he turned the knob and opened the door.
"Unlocked, not a good sign," Jacqueline said
The two walked in and looked around the house. Food was out as if someone was eating but were interrupted.
"There's a lot here," Jacqueline said
"Where?" Abraham asked
Jacqueline looked around and then stopped in front of a door leading to the basement.
"Here," Jacqueline said
Jacqueline slowly opens the door and makes her way downstairs followed by Abraham. As they get downstairs they could hear the faint sound of growling. Jacqueline puts her hand up signaling to her grandfather to stop. She pulled out her rapier and walked around a wall, seeing a group of strigoi huddled together nesting. She slowly approached the huddled group and one of them caught sight of her. As it got up and walked towards her another one appeared around from the side.
She cut the head off of the first one, but had to back bend to avoid the stinger of the second one.
She heard more growls from behind her and looked back to see another one had appeared from a laundry room in the basement. Her grandfather went to deal with it but stopped and grabbed his heart.
"Bunic!" Jacqueline said, she dodged the stinger again and swung up cutting it off. The strigoi let out a shriek catching the attention of the other ones, "Rahat," Jacqueline cursed.
Abraham was able to cut off the head of the strigoi before it struck but he was still clutching his heart. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a bottle of pills. His hands were shaking as he tried to take the pills but a strigoi shot a stinger at him making him drop his pills.
Jacqueline pulled back and put her arm around her grandfather steadying him. As she steadied him Abraham shot at the strigoi with his nail gun. Jacqueline manages to get Abraham back up the stairs and but the strigoi follow.
Lucky for them the sunlight peeked through a window and shined right at the entrance of the door, burning the strigoi as they tried to leave the basement. Jacqueline kicked the door close as she helped Abraham to the kitchen table.
"Where's your medicine?" Jacqueline asked
"I dropped it all," Abraham said
"Shit," Jacqueline said putting a hand on her forehead, "We gotta get you back to the shop, you need that medicine."
"We must finish this," Abraham said
Jacqueline lets out an exasperated sigh. Sometimes her grandfather was so aggravating when it came to his slay the vampire obsession.
Thinking quickly Jacqueline runs around the house locating various candles. She gives the to her grandfather who lights them and puts them around the stove.
Jacqueline also gathers up various scraps of paper and puts them into the kitchen sink. Abraham turns on the gas oven and quickly heads to the front door. Jacqueline lights a match and throws it in the sink with the paper. She runs out of the house just as the kitchen catches fire.
She runs out seeing her grandfather trying to hail a cab but having some trouble.
"TAXI!" Jacqueline yelled
After several of the cabs went by and none stopped Jacqueline was getting annoyed, she needed to get her grandfather back to the shop. As another taxi came down the street, Jacqueline stepped out into the middle of the road. The Taxi cab's brakes screeched and blew its horn as it stopped a few inches in front of Jacqueline. She opened the cab door and helped Abraham in.
"Thank you for stopping," Jacqueline said to the cab driver.
Abraham sat next to his granddaughter clearly in pain.
"Hey. Don't die in my cab," The Cab driver said
"Thank you for your concern," Abraham said with sarcasm.
"Harlem is a long fare. You got money?" The Cab driver asked
"We have money plenty of money," Jacqueline pulled out a folded stack of money, "See this here. The cab fare plus a little something for you if you can get us back before the eclipse."
The cab driver smiled and sped up, "This eclipse is making everyone nuts. The plane thing and cell phones aren't working. The whole city's losing their minds, it's like judgment day out there."
"You wanna help fix this? You wanna help us stop all of this?" Abraham asked
"You can't fix crazy, man. You can't.," The Cab driver said
As Jacqueline helped Abraham to the shop they were greeted by a familiar face. Nora was standing in front of the pawn shop with an older woman. She had a scared look on her face as the older woman clung to her.
"Well then by that look it seems like you need our help," Jacqueline said
"Please," Nora said
Jacqueline let out a sigh and opened the front gate to the shop.
"Well come on in hurry, the eclipse will be starting soon," Jacqueline said
After getting her grandfather his medication and getting Nora and mother settled Jacqueline set quick to work getting more weapons prepared.
Jacqueline smiled as she looks at her latest creation. She had spent so much time making bullets and restoring her gauntlet that she was able to finish her work, but now after a lot of hard work and a lot of silver she finally had a finished project.
Jacqueline held up an arrow with a silver broad arrowhead on it. She lightly touched the tip of the arrowhead.
"Perfectly sharp," Jacqueline said
Guns weren't really her thing, now arrows that was more her speed. They could be used for short range and long range and the ammo was reusable, which is good since everything has to be made of freakin silver.
*BANG BANG BANG*
Jacqueline looked up and put down the arrow when she heard a loud bang come from upstairs. She walked upstairs to see her grandfather letting Eph in.
"I'm ready to talk," Eph said
"Follow me," Abraham said
He led Eph into the apartment part of the shop where he was greeted by Nora.
"You're here," Eph said
"You're both ready. Good. I have a new plan," Abraham said
Abraham and Jacqueline brought everyone downstairs to the workshop.
"Silver bullets?" Nora questioned
"They are susceptible to silver," Abraham said
"It burns the shit out of them," Jacqueline said
"Jacqueline and I cast these bullets ourselves," Abraham said
"OK," Eph said
"I learned the legend of this creature from my Bubbeh, my grandmother, when I was 8 years old. She's the one who told me silver could harm them. I have since verified this many times," Abraham said
"Silver is known to interfere with sulfur bonds in bacteria," Nora said
"I suggest you fill up a gun. There's plenty of bullets I made sure of that," Jacqueline said
"Look, before we do any more killing, and especially because I think it's clear we can't stop this thing one by one, I've got a better idea. We've got video. We've got ample proof to show people. Let's get this in front of the public, let' s get it in front of everybody," Eph said
"That will not work. Whoever is behind this has eliminated that option with much calculation and to great expense," Abraham said
"Oh, but your theory that you pitched yesterday, that we kill the leader of these vampires, that's far more logical," Eph said
"It's far more likely to work. We kill the Master, and its spawn will die. I promise you," Abraham said
"OK, for convenience sake and strictly as a semantic term, we'll refer to him as "the Master". You're saying we kill the master and that's somehow gonna stop this plague," Eph said
"Yeah," Abraham said
"That makes no biological sense! You destroy one creature, and somehow all the other ones die? How does that work?" Eph said
Abraham pointed over at some books, "I have verified the observations of these authors with my own experience. Those that are inaccurate, I have discarded. That is your scientific method, no? If you wish to defeat this evil, you must trust me."
"I understand this!" Eph said
"You do not!" Abraham bit back, "At every turn, everything I have said has proven to be correct. Is that not true?"
"Yes, but…"
"This is no different. Logic is not the issue here...It's your desire to always be in control," Abraham said, "Alright, alright, if we were to do this, ho...how do we find this Master?" Eph asked
"Well, that is our first problem. His nesting place will be well hidden. We need to locate his human helper," Abraham said
"What about Jim? Those people hired Jim to smuggle the coffin out of the airport," Nora said
"Jim? Who's Jim?" Jacqueline asked
"He's the guy who betrayed me. I'm not going back there," Eph said
"We're running out of other options. Please, Ephrem, trust me," Nora said
"We will prevail," Abraham said
Jacqueline put her arrows in a quiver and put it on her back.
"Let's go pay your friend a visit," Jacqueline said
Eph knocked on the front door of Jim's apartment.
"Jim, it's Eph!" Eph said knocking on the door.
The door opened and a sickly looking woman peeks her head through.
"I thought the FBI had you," Sylvia said
"It did. Let us in," Eph said
"Sylvia, please. Let them, though," Jim said
Once everyone was in they had explained the situation to Jim and his wife, who was not taking it well.
"What don't you understand, Sylvia? Your husband accepted bribes and because of that, an epidemic is now tearing its way through the city," Eph said
"Sylvie...I was involved in a major way. Look…"
"No, you're not actually thinking of doing this. I cannot believe that you are gonna let this self-righteous prick manipulate you with crazy talk about vampires!" Sylvia said angrily.
"No, I...I saw one. It attacked me," Jim said
Sylvia puts her hands up and pulls away from Jim, "I'm not listening to any more of this. You need to decide what you're going to do...and who matters to you."
"I have to help them," Jim said
Sylvia let out a sigh before grabbing her suitcase.
"Where are you going? To call a cab. I'm leaving! You do what you want, I will too!" Sylvia said
"Someone's not happy," Jacqueline said
"Jim, I need you to describe the German," Abraham said
"He was about 45, blond, hair graying, maybe a toupee. Really waxy skin. And his eyes were intense. He was well dressed," Jim said
"Thomas Eichhorst," Abraham said
Jim looked at everyone before he headed for the front door, "Give me a minute."
"Let him talk to her," Nora said
"What's your history with this German? It's long...complicated. He's a strigoi. When I first met him many years ago, he was still human, yet...Just as monstrous," Abraham said
Jacqueline had a thoughtful look on her face, "A man with waxy skin, a toupee, and intense eyes. Could he have been the one I saw a few nights ago?"
Everyone had made their way outside just in time to see Sylvia get into a cab.
"Look, Sylvia, I'm…" Jim tried to say.
"No, don't bother," Sylvia said
"Look, I'm sorry I lied. Alright? I was only trying to protect you," Jim said
"Jesus. Let's go," Sylvia said and with that, the cab drove off.
"Goddammit," Jim said letting out a sigh.
"She'll come around," Nora said
"Will she?" Jim said, "Look, I'm all in with you guys. Let's hope this works and the German guy shows up."
"He has too much hubris. Once challenged, he will show. You'll need this," Abraham said handing Jim a dagger.
"I was sort of hoping for something in the gun family," Jim said taking the dagger.
"Silver is more effective," Abraham said
"Don't worry you've got plenty of backup," Jacqueline said throwing her arm over Jim's shoulder.
The man gave her a nervous smile.
They had gone over the plan multiple times and now the time had finally come for them to act. While Jim stood out in the open of the train station everyone else was strategically hidden throughout the station. Nora and Eph were upstairs while Jacqueline and Abraham hid downstairs where the train terminals were.
Abraham stood at a kiosk holding a newspaper while Jacqueline stood leaning against a wall with the hood of her jacket up. Jacqueline kept her head down as the target came down the stairs. She saw her grandfather follow Eichhorst and then she followed behind them both.
She followed them both until she saw Eichhorst get on a train. Abraham followed behind but Jacqueline stayed put hiding behind a pillar. Just as the train doors were about to close Eichhorst excited. Abraham quickly stuck his cane in the door and forced it open. He followed Eichhorst but the vampire had disappeared.
"A230385, you really thought I would lead you to him?" Eichhorst said appearing.
Abraham swung his sword but Eichhorst easily dodged eat attack. "I warned you to stay in jail. Fitting that we should end our journey where it began...On a train platform," Eichhorst said
"This time, I'm the one with the weapon," Abraham said drawing his sword.
"Sardu's sword, the Master will be pleased to get it back," Eichhorst said
"Then come and take it," Abraham said
Abraham expertly swung his sword in attack but Eichhorst was too fast with his inhuman speed. He knocked the sword out of Abraham's hands and the grasped the old man by his neck lifting him up.
"And once again, you follow a false messiah who will prove as horrific as the last one," Eichhorst said
Eichhorst opens his mouth and his stinger slowly appears.
"Hey!" Jacqueline said coming out from her hiding spot.
Eichhorst turned his head to see Jacqueline.
"Drop him!" Jacqueline said drawing her rapier.
"Besonderes, it's so good to see you again," Eichhorst said with a smile.
Jacqueline eyes widened and she had a flashback to all those years ago.
"You…" Jacqueline said
Her look of surprise quickly turned to anger but before she could move a gunshot went off and Eichhorst dropped Abraham as he grabbed his wound. He hid behind a pillar just as a train was coming by.
"Grrr! I give you another day of life, Jew, for services rendered, and we will be meeting soon besonderes," Eichhorst said
Jacqueline ran forward but was too late as Eichhorst jumped on the moving digging his fingers into the side of the train.
"Are you alright?" Jim asked helping Abraham up.
Abraham just take his sword as he looked down the tunnel where the train left.
Jacqueline has a distressed look on her face as she looks back at her grandfather.
"Are you OK Bunic?" Jacqueline asked walking over to Abraham.
"Am I injured? No, but we have missed our opportunity...And there will be consequences," Abraham said
"How did it move like that?" Jim asked
"He's a freakin vampire that's how," Jacqueline said
"The vampires you've seen before are newly formed, in the earliest stages of maturity," Abraham said
"I shot him in the leg," Eph said
"Had you struck bone, it might have hobbled him," Abraham said
"Are you saying gunshots don't kill them?" Nora questioned
"It's hard to wound them fatally with a gun. Strigoi flesh heals rapidly, but silver burns them. It's been many, many years since Eichhorst tasted such pain. By wounding him, we have sent the Master a message. I do not think we will have to wait long for his reply," Abraham said
"I really, really don't like the sound of that," Jim said as the group started to walk out.
"Tunnels are the perfect ecology for them, aren't they? Dank, dark, devoid of sunlight," Nora said
"We already know vampires don't like sunlight," Jim said
"Not vampires, viruses. The die-off rate for any genome-based pathogen when exposed to direct ultraviolet light is over 90%," Eph said
"That's why the sun desiccates them. And at nighttime, they have free reign," Nora said
"It's nighttime now. New York City is an open buffet," Jim said
Unless...We can find a way to simulate our own sunlight," Eph said
"Looks like the doctor's got himself an idea," Jacqueline said
The group had hailed a cab were quickly dropped off at a medical supply store. Unfortunately, it was not open.
"Shit It's closed," Jim said
"Where's another medical supply store?" Eph asked
"Uvc light? Bushwick," Jim said
Nora walked up to cab driver and handed him some money, "Here. Can you wait a minute?"
As soon as the money was passed off the cab driver pulled off.
The group yelled after it but it just kept driving.
"Asshole!" Jacqueline said shouting after the cab.
"Well, I guess we're staying here," Eph said
The group walked around to the back of the window.
"That window over there," Eph said pointing at the back window.
"I got this," Ja said taking off her jacket.
"We're breaking in? We're burglars now?" Nora said
"Burglars, vigilantes, vampire killers. Add it to the list," Eph said
Jacqueline wrapped her jacket around her arm, "This place most likely has an alarm so be ready."
"Have you done this before?" Jim questioned
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Jacqueline said
She faces the window and pulls her arm back. She thrust her arm forward and easily punches through the glass, but there's no alarm.
"Must be a silent alarm," Jim said
Jacqueline hops through the window and a few seconds later the back door opens revealing a smiling Jacqueline, "Let's move people."
Everyone rushes in as Jacqueline shakes the glass off her jacket and put it back on.
"Hold up. Wait. You hear something?" Eph said
"I think it was outside," Jim said
"No it was not from outside," Jacqueline thought
"Let's just do this and get out of here," Eph said
They moved through the shelves of the supply store but stopped when they heard the click of a gun.
"Say something, so I know you're not one of them," A thickly accented voice said
"You can put the gun down. We tried the door. Nobody answered. This is a legitimate medical emergency. We broke into requisition supplies," Jim said
"Requisition, huh? You look like a bunch of looters to me," Fet said
"We're from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Who are you?" Eph asked
"I'm a looter," Fet said
"Hahaha." Everyone looked behind Fet to see Jacqueline standing there casually holding her gun, "I like this guy."
Everyone gave except for Abraham gave the young woman an odd look.
"What?" Jacqueline questioned
"How'd you get over there?" Eph questioned
Jacqueline just shrugs her shoulders before putting her gun away.
The group walked around the warehouse and Jim found the UVC lights or where they should be.
"Right here. They were right here. The uvc lights, they were...They're gone!" Jim said
"I guess you've seen those sons of bitches too, huh?" Fet said pushing a cart with the UVC lights on it.
"Hey, what are you gonna do with those lights?" Jim asked
"Same thing as you, I bet. Sunlight fries these big munchers. That means ultraviolet radiation. UVC light is the strongest there is," Fet said
"We need those lamps," Eph said
"You're the airplane doctor. I saw you on TV. Right? Hmm. Aren't you some kind of dangerous criminal or something?" Fet said
"Hey, pal, the police are gonna be here any minute," Jim said
"No, they're not. I took out the phone lines at the junction box. No alarm. Besides, by my guess, the cops have bigger things to worry about by now. Don't you think? Any reward for turning you in?" Fet asked
"No, sorry," Eph said
"Too bad for me. Very good for you," Fet said
"You, uh...encountered these creatures?" Abraham asked
"Sort of...I exterminated a couple," Fet said
"You say "exterminate"?" Abraham questioned
"That's what I do, Pops, I'm a city exterminator. So the government's getting in on the fight, huh?" Fet said
"Not officially," Eph said
"What are you gonna do with 12 lamps?" Nora asked
"I'm not gonna run out for a while," Eph said
"So it's every man for himself already? If so, then this battle is over before it even began," Nora said
"I'll tell you what...I'll give you four," Fet said
"Four?" Nora questioned
"What? Grandpa wants one?" Fet said
"We'll take six. Half," Nora said
Fet thought on it for a second, "I can survive with six. But only six!"
Jacqueline smiled over at Nora, "Now I'm starting to like her too."
Everyone exited out of the supply store and were now across the street from a gas station.
"Why don't we get some phones? Those pay-as-you-go types," Eph said
"Cell phones aren't working, something about the network," Nora said
"Eventually, they'll work and we'll need a way to communicate," Eph said
"We might as well load up on food and drinks while we can," Jim said
"Let's make it quick," Nora said
"Go ahead, I'll be right along," Abraham said
"Me too," Jacqueline said
Fet loaded his equipment in his car as Abraham and Jacqueline stood next to him.
"How did you get here, Pops?" Fet asked
"We traveled by subway and taxi cab," Abraham said
"I wouldn't go back that way if I were you. The subway tunnels, that's where they are. Dozens of them," Fet said
"Oh there's probably a shit ton more by now," Jacqueline said
"Aren't you a little young to be using that language," Fet said with a smirk.
"Trust me I'm old enough," Jacqueline said smirking back.
"These tunnels, you know them well?" Abraham asked
"Very well," Fet said
"How may we get in touch with you? Perhaps we can help each other," Abraham said
"I work alone," Fet said
"Where else have you seen these vampires?" Abraham asked
Jacqueline's nose twitched and she snapped her head to the left. Skulking its way up to the gas station was a strigoi, followed by a few more.
"Vampires? No, no, no, no, no. No. Not like Dracula. No, they don't have any fangs or anything like that. They're more like rat people, you know?" Fet said
"Bunic," Jacqueline said pointing over at the vampire.
Abraham looks over and sees where Jacqueline's is posting, "If you'll excuse us."
Abraham and Jacqueline walked towards the gas station.
One of the vampires pressed itself against the glass of the gas station. It let out a few hisses and growls before Abraham swiftly chopped its head off.
"Hehe, never lose your touch Bunic," Jacqueline said
Another growl turned their attention as another strigoi approached.
Abraham started to approach it talking in his native language.
Jacqueline pulled out her bow and arrow, "I've got him, Bunic," She pulled the bowstring back and launched an arrow right into the middle of if forehead. It dropped to the ground with a heavy thud. Jacqueline just walked over and yanked the arrow out of its head and cleaned it off before putting it back in her quiver.
The two turned around to see another strigoi coming but before it could shoot out its stinger Fet ran up from behind it and struck it in the head with rebar.
"Bow and arrow, huh? Interesting," Fet said
"Raahahhha!"
The three turned around to see the strigoi Fet hit was still alive, but its head was dented in.
"What? You want some more? Huh?" Fet said
He swung his arm out and struck the creature in its leg causing it to collapse.
More strigoi approached and they prepared to attack. Eph, Nora, and a random man came out of the store.
Jacqueline saw the random man head around the store but before she could stop him a Strigoi appeared and struck his stinger right in his neck. Jacqueline winced as she saw the blood being drained from the man. Fet approached behind her and pulled out his gun, as he aimed and tried to shoot the gun jammed.
"It's jammed! That's why I carry rebar," Fet said
"Wait, there's too many. I need your help," Abraham said pulling out his nail gun.
"Here," Jacqueline said getting Fet's attention. She pulls up her skirt lightly and reveals two guns one strapped to each thigh. She takes one out of its holster and tosses it to Fet.
Jacqueline pulls her skirt back down and pulls out her rapier slicing. She takes down one strigoi swiftly cutting off its head. She quickly turns around and is met with a stinger she jumps back to dodge but ends up slipping in a puddle of oil.
She heard a cracking sound as she landed but ignored it as the Strigoi shot its stinger angina. She used her gauntlet hand to grab its stinger and the vampire let out a shrill shriek as the silver burned it.
Jacqueline let out a smile and yanked the stinger using the leverage to pull herself up and pull the striogi down. As it hit the ground Ja stabbed it with her rapier.
"AHHHHRAHHHH!"
Jacqueline looked behind her to see Jim with a UV light and was shining it on a strigoi. It screamed as the light burned it.
"I got him!" Jim said
Unfortunately, another one approached him from the side and shot out its stinger knocking him back. Abraham quickly came and shot it with his nail gun as Fet helped Jim up.
"Inside! Now! Here," Abraham said
Everyone ran sides with Eph being the last. He locked the door as more and more Strigoi approached the gas station.
"At least we know the light works," Jim said
"Not through glass, there's a natural UV barrier. Filters out 80 to 90% of UV radiation," Eph said
"Lucky us," Jacqueline said
"Jim, what happened?" Nora said spotting the cut on Jim's face.
"Scraped when she knocked me down," Jim said
"OK. Go to the restroom, wash it out," Eph said
"Go out, all of you! I'll call police!" The store clerk said waving around a gun.
"Go ahead, Apu! Fire it off in there! Go deaf!" Fet said
Eph stood by the door and an older man, who appeared to be a stocker approached him, "Look, I don't want no trouble. I'm just a working man here. You let me go, I'm out of your hair."
"We all want to get out of here," Eph said
"Why did you just lock us in?" The man said
"Hey! Hey! What the hell is going on? What are those things?" A blonde woman asked with a frantically scared tone.
"Strigoi," Abraham said
She just gave him a strange look.
"Vampires," Jacqueline said
"They're kidding, right?" The blonde said
"Does it look like he's kidding?" Fet said walking by.
Fet, Abraham, and Jacqueline made their way to the back of the station and to the garage.
"These glass windows aren't keeping 'em out. What are they waiting for?" Fet questioned
"Reinforcements. We have very little time," Abraham said
"I need the rules. What kills these things, aside from direct sunlight?" Fet asked
"The brainstem must be destroyed or severed from the spinal cord," Abraham said
"So, beheading...or rebar bashing. What about guns?" Fet asked
"Hand me the gun I gave you," Jacqueline said
Fet puts the gun in her hands and she pulls out the magazine. She takes out one bullet and shows it to him.
"Lead rounds can maim them if they strike bone. Flesh wounds heal without pain. Only...silver truly...hurts them. They fear it," Abraham said
"Silver swords, silver bullets, silver arrows. And that nail gun that you have there. Aside from silver nails, uh...What? Standard issue?" Fet said
"From Home Depot," Abraham said
"Vasiliy Fet. It's good to know you two," Fet said
"Abraham Setrakian, pleasure," Abraham said
"Jacqueline Setrakian, charmed," Jacqueline said
The three walked out of the garage and back into the shop part of the gas station.
Eph approached the bullet proof window that the store clerk was still in. He knocked on the glass, "Hey, get out of there. Need your help."
The store clerk held up a notebook, "Extension cords, and food, and hydrogen peroxide. I make list of everything you steal!"
"We're not stealing anything. All right, listen everybody. We need your help. We're doctors from the Center for Disease Control. There's a plague that's spreading through New York City," Eph said
"Is it a plague or is it vampires? Because she said vampires," The blonde said pointing at Jacqueline.
Eph gives Jacqueline a look who just shrugs her shoulders putting her hands up.
"It's a transformative disease that makes people predatory and extremely dangerous, but we have an idea about how to get us all out of here tonight," Eph said
"Sorry, man. Good luck with all that, but I got to…"
"You're not gonna make it. Trust me," Eph said
"Trust you? I don't even know you! How can I trust you?" The man said
"No, sir, please listen to me. If you go out there, you will be killed," Eph said
Suddenly the sound of the door opening catches everyone's attention and they see the brunette woman who was with the blonde run out.
"Hey! What are you doing? Stop! No! No!" Nora said running to the door.
"Nikki, hey, don't! Hey!" The blonde woman said
She ran past the gas pumps dodging each Strigoi, Jacqueline for sure thought she was gonna get eaten, but as she passed the fence they stopped following her.
"Son of a bitch. She made it," Fet said
"Wow, I'm actually surprised," Jacqueline said
"She ditched me. That bitch! You said not to run!" The blonde yelled hitting Eph.
"They're not following her. They're not here for her," Eph said
Everyone looked back at Abraham and then at Jacqueline.
"Hey what the hell are with those looks," Jacqueline said
"They're here for us," Abraham said "
"Us"? Who's "us"? Not us, you!" The blonde woman said pointing at Abraham and Jacqueline.
"We go to my truck. It's right over there," Fet said
"It's too far. We won't all make it," Abraham said
"The bread truck's right over there. Anybody else wants to go now? I got plenty of room in back," The old man said
"Are you kidding? I'm in," The blonde woman said
"This is what they thrive on: Fear, panic, divisiveness. There's strength in numbers. We must make a plan and act together," Abraham said
"I got a plan: It's called beat 'em to the truck! Just you and me then," The old man said turning to the blonde woman, "You're ready?"
The woman nods her head and grabs a window scraper while the man grabs a dolly.
"Oh, come on!" Eph said as they rush out the door.
"They are not gonna make it," Jacqueline said
Everyone watches as they run towards the truck. The old man throws it dolly at one of the strigoi and punches another in the face, but he is quickly surrounded. A stinger latches on his neck, another on his leg, and arm.
The blonde woman stops running horrified and quickly turns around to run back to the store but ends up falling.
Eph runs over to where the UV lights are.
"I said they weren't gonna make it," Jacqueline said casually as she unlocked the door.
As one of the strigoi approached the fallen woman, Jacqueline walks out pulling her other gun from her thigh holster and shooting it in the head. She pulls the woman up just as Eph runs out holding the UV light. He burns an approaching Strigoi before Jacqueline shoots it in the head.
"You go I'll cover you," Jacqueline said
Eph grabs the woman and pulls her inside as Jacqueline walks backwards shooting any strigoi that gets close. All three make it back inside and Nora shuts the door locking it.
"Nobody leaves until we all leave!" Eph screamed out angry.
Jacqueline turns away to go sit down but is stopped by a gasp from Nora.
"Oh my god," Nora said
Jacqueline looks back to see her looking at her, "What?" Jacqueline asked raising an eyebrow.
Nora walks over to Jacqueline and puts her hands on Jacqueline's lower back. Jacqueline looks down to see a large blood stain.
"Shit," Jacqueline said
"You need to sit down. With this much blood your wound could-"
"No," Jacqueline said cutting Nora off I'm fine, "It's not my blood."
"Then whose blood is it?" Eph questioned
"I don't know. Don't dwell on it. I'm fine.," Jacqueline said looking back down at her coat, "Damn and I really like this coat too."
"Are we stuck till morning?" Jim asked
"We won't make it till morning. We won't even last another hour," Abraham said
"We won't?" Jim questioned
"Many more will be coming. Soon, they'll swarm and overrun us," Abraham said
"They can communicate with each other now?" Eph said
"They're connected to the Master who sees through every strigoi eye," Abraham said
"He sees through them?" Eph said
"When will you decide to believe me?!" Abraham said
The growling gets louder and everyone looks outside to see more Strigoi coming.
Everyone's spirits were pretty low by now and they were loitering around the store trying to decide what to do next.
Jacqueline was leaning against a freezer eating a popsicle.
"Give me 25 Powerball Quick Picks, Apu," Fet said to the clerk.
"I am Hassan," Hassan said
"Hassan, 25 Powerball Quick Picks. Make of them a winner," Fet said
"Lottery machine is down. Credit card machine down. 9-1-1 down," Hassan said
"50 dollars' worth of scratch tickets then. Yeah? My luck, uh...Can only get better," Fet said
Jacqueline lets out a snort like giggle hearing Fet.
Abraham looked outside observing the Strigoi as Eph, Nora, and Jim huddled around discussing what to do.
Jacqueline saw the blonde woman sitting on the ground with her knees pulled up to her chest. She walks over to the woman and sits next to her.
"Wanna popsicle?" Jacqueline asked offering the woman a popsicle
The woman just looks at her unmoving.
"Come on, it's cheerrrryyy flavor," Jacqueline waving it in front of the woman.
The woman lets out a small smile before taking the popsicle from Jacqueline. Jacqueline smiled and stood back up walking over to the main part of the group.
"Maybe in a tight cordon with the UVC lamps and the weapons, we can make a break for it," Eph suggested
"How about the other cars in the garage?" Nora questioned One's got no engine, and one's got no wheels," Fet said
Jim walks over and hands Eph a bottle of milk who just raises his eyebrow at the man.
"I stuck around to help. Let me know if there's anything else I can do," Jim said before walking away.
"Jim, what is that?" Nora questioned grabbing the man's arm.
"What?" Jim questioned
"Come here," Nora said pulling him to the side.
"What? I don't like that look," Jim said
Nora grabs a UV light and puts it close to Jim's face.
"Hey, careful, that will burn," Jim said
"Close your eyes," Nora said holding the light up close to his face.
"Fuck," Jacqueline said under her breath.
"Alright, guys, come on. Talk to me," Jim said sounding worried.
"Your cheek…" Eph said
"Yeah, got cut," Jim said
"I think you got nicked," Eph said
"It's just a scrape," Jim said
"Jim...It's a worm. I need, uh, tweezers, a lighter. And where's that hydrogen peroxide?" Eph said
"Doctor, a word please," Abraham said
Eph ignores him, "I need, uh...paper towels, gloves, and, uh, a knife."
"What?!" Jim said
"I'm gonna cut it out of you," Eph said
Nora and Eph star gathering the supplies and rush Jim to the back room.
"Bunic…" Jacqueline said
"I know darling….I know," Abraham said patting her shoulder.
Everyone went to the office within the gas station. Nora was throwing everything off the desk preparing an operating table for Jim.
"What are you gonna do with that box cutter?" Jim asked with a scared tone.
Nora walks over to Fet and takes the vodka out of his hands "Here. Drink this," Nora said handing the alcohol to Jim.
Jim immediately starts downing the drink before Eph lays him on the table.
"The stinger must have grazed you. Maybe that's all it takes to transmit the parasite," Nora said
"Do you feel it anywhere?" Eph asked
"Anywhere? I can feel it everywhere now. Am I gonna end up like the airline pilot?" Jim asked really scared now.
"Not if we get it before," Eph said
"Before what?" Jim asked
"Before it reproduces!" Eph said
Suddenly a pounding could be heard above the.
"Well that not a good sound," Jacqueline said
"They're on the roof. At the back door. Come on," Fet said
"I'll go see what they're doing in the front," Jacqueline said
She quickly runs to the front of the store and sees more strigoi.
"God they're like roaches," Jacqueline said
She walks up to the door and as she does so several striogi presses themselves closer to the door, and watch her. She stares back into their eyes a glare present on her face.
"You can see me, can't you. I don't know what you want, but I promise you I won't let you get it," Ja said
She continues to stare at the creatures blank eyes but then starts to hear a faint whispering. She continues to stare as the whispering turns into nothing but jumbled noise. She gives the strigoi the finger before looking away. She stands in the middle of the store but can hear the screaming of Jim coming from the back.
"Jacqueline!" Abraham called out.
Jacqueline makes her way back to the garage where her grandfather had called to her.
"Yes, Bunic?" Jacqueline questioned
"How fast can you change a tire?" Fet asked
Ja smiles, "Hand me a tire iron."
Within a few minutes, both Fet and Jacqueline had removed the tires from the car with no engine and were putting it on the other car.
"Almost there," Fet said
"You better hurry up. They're up to something," The blonde woman said
"Hey! Oh, God! Someone, come quick!" Hassan's screamed out.
Eph, Nora, and Abraham run to the front as they hear glass shattering of glass.
"Turn away! No, no! You can't come in here! Get him out!" Hassan cried out.
A strigoi had picked up the dolly and used it to smash the glass door. Eph quickly ran forward and picked up the UV light burning the monster. Ab shoots it and it falls down dead.
"They're using tools now," Eph said
"Not just tools, but distraction," Abraham said before walking out the door.
"What are you doing? Wait for us," Eph said grabbing two lights.
Nora follows with two UV lights.
"You're gonna tell me what we're doing out here?" Eph asked
One of the vampires was climbing up the light pole towards the transponder.
"It's cutting off power!" Abraham said, he starts shooting at the creature. He ends up hitting it but it doesn't stop trying to take out the power.
"That didn't stop him," Eph said
"I didn't hit him in the head! Don't distract me," Abraham said
After a few more shots he finally hits the vampire in the head but as he did so it managed to break the transponder.
In the back of the garage, Fet and Jacqueline weren't having as much luck either. The two were still trying to change the tires and they were almost done where the back windows were shattered open.
"Damnit!" Jacqueline said pulling out her rapier.
Fet drops his tire iron and pulls out his rebar and starts attacking the strigoi with Jacqueline.
"Someone help us!" The blonde woman screamed out.
"The car! were almost done! Somebody, block the door!" Fet said
"Fall back! Fall back!" Abraham said
They all run to the front of the store. Blocking the garage door.
"Getting 'em on all sides now! Can't wait any longer," Fet said
"How much more time do we have left in those lamp batteries?" Eph asked
"If we get 20 minutes out of these things, I'll be amazed," Fet said
"That means we have...20 more minutes of life, if that. The bread truck is our only hope," Abraham said
"OK. That didn't work out so well for the actual bread truck driver who still has the keys by the way," Jim said
"And once you get outside with those things, that truck is a lot farther away than it seems," The blonde said
"Fine. We'll put it to a vote. Who wants to stay and die?" Abraham asked, everyone looks around with scared looks on their faces as the sounds of growling and banging get louder, "The longer we allow ourselves to be distracted from our only goal, survival, the more likely we are to pull short of achieving it! Mr. Fet, you spent your life engaging vermin in this city. Perhaps, you have some suggestions for...getting us from here to there."
Fet nods his head.
Within seconds everyone was given a task and the running around the store doing what they could to prepare.
"Hey, uh, what shall I do?" The blonde asked
"Take those bottles over there and empty 'em in the bathroom," Eph said
A bang was heard from above making Eph look up.
"Trying to rip off the HVAC unit and get into the venting. They're getting more lucid, aren't they?" Eph said
"In one month, they will be fully mature," Abraham said
"Like Eichhorst?" Eph questioned
"No, not like him. There are a few to whom the Master grants greater power. They retain parts of their former selves. Eichhorst is one of the chosen. Even among the strigoi, there is a caste system," Abraham explained
"No offense, but every time I talk to you, I come away feeling worse," Eph said
"Yeah, you'll get used to it," Jacqueline said walking by.
"Hassan, it's time to come out of there, OK? Alright? You're coming with us," Fet said
"It is safe here," Hassan said
"Don't be a fool. You want to die inside a cigarette box?" Fet said
"I stay! I wait for police! And who pays for this?!" Hassan said
Fet hands Hassan a ticket, "It's a 250$ win, alright? Keep the change, you earned it."
"Jacqueline my dear come here," Abraham said
Jacqueline immediately walks over to Abraham.
"Even with this plan, it will be very difficult to break through the strigoi defenses. You know what must be done," Abraham said
"Yes I do," Jacqueline said
"Did both of your vials break?" Abraham asked
"No, just one," Jacqueline said
"One shall be enough," Abraham said
Jacqueline nods her head. Abraham puts a hand on her shoulder and gives her a reassuring squeeze.
After the talk, Jacqueline helps Eph fill some bottles up with flammable liquid.
"Bit crazy, right? For you to save my life in here only to get stung out there," Jim said
"I think Setrakian's right, we just need to stay together," Eph said
"It was inside of my face. Eph, what you did...was incredible," Jim said
"We can talk about it later, let's just focus on getting out of here," Eph said
"So sorry. I knew what I was doing was wrong; I just didn't know how wrong. What to do now is just try to go forward," Jim said
"I got it and I appreciate it," Eph said looking up. As he did so he saw a worm crawl under the skin of Jim's forehead. His stunned look doesn't go unnoticed by Jim.
"What?" Jim questioned, Eph slowly approaches him "Are you kidding?" As Eph gets closer Jim starts to freak out, "Whatever. Everything's fine. I don't feel anything. I can't feel anything, it's fine."
"Shhhhh," Eph said grabbing Jim's face. He looks at his neck and then turns Jim around before lifting up the back of his shirt. Nora brings out a UV light and shines it on Jim's back to reveal hundreds of worms.
Jacqueline looks away saddened knowing that this was going to be the end result.
Oh, shit! Oh, shit! I'm done for, aren't I?" Jim said
"We're gonna take you to the hospital. We're going to give you antiparasitics. We'll try chemo. We have a lot of tools at our disposal," Eph said
"You couldn't save Captain Redfern! Oh, shit. You have to kill me," Jim said
"We're not killing you," Eph said
"We don't have time for this debate. We have to go. Now!" Abraham said
"You have to, uh...Release me. It's the expression, right?" Jim said
"That's not a solution," Eph said
"You killed the others! It was a solution for them!" Jim said
"It was different," Eph said
"I want to know the truth. Once I turn, I'm gonna go after them, right?" Jim asked approaching Abraham.
"The ones you love, yes. Cruelest feature of this dark curse is that the bond that joins you in life, human love, is corrupted into the need to...consume those closest to you," Abraham said
"Sylvia. My parents," Jim said sadly.
"Don't listen to him, Jim. We can fight this. We just need to get you out of here first," Eph said
"You cannot save him! We don't have time for this nonsense," Abraham said
"This is my friend!" Eph said
"Exactly. So the humane thing…"
"The humane thing is to treat him!" Eph yelled
"He comes with us! We don't have to decide this now," Nora said
"Nora...I'd rather be dead than turn into one of them," Jim said
"Your impulse is always to save, I know. Save your friend's soul. Release him. Do it now before he turns!" Abraham said
"Don't listen to him, Jimmy. You know modern technology…" Eph said
"No, stop!" Jim said
"We can help you," Eph said
"It's too late," Abraham said reaching for his sword.
"No! No!" Eph yelled running forward and grabbing the hilt.
Fet runs up from behind and takes the gun out of Eph's pocket and shoots Jim in the face.
"Aah!" Nora screamed
Fet shot Jim several more times in the head.
"Okay, that's enough!" Jacqueline said pushing Fet's arm down.
"What did you do?! Why did you do that?!" Eph yelled pushing Fet up against a wall.
"Because you couldn't," Fet said
"What gave you the right?!" Eph yelled in Fet's face.
"He wanted to die, and you were arguing when we need to be moving! I did your friend a favor," Fet said
"It was not your decision to make!" Nora yelled knocking a shelf over.
Abraham starts saying a prayer over Jim's body.
"Jim, I'm so sorry," Nora said
More thumping and growling could be heard as the strigoi are almost in the store. Everyone runs in the front of the store.
"Here they come," Abraham said he turns to Jacqueline, "Jacqueline!"
"Right!" Jacqueline said
Everyone looks at the young woman as she pulls out a vial of blood.
"Is that blood?!" Nora said
"What is she doing?!" Eph said
"What she must for us to survive," Abraham said
"What does that mean? Dutch asked
Jacqueline twist off the cap to the vial and downs the blood surprising everyone.
"What the hell is she doing?!" Fet yelled
Jacqueline hunches over breathing heavily shaking.
"Get out of her way!" Abraham yelled putting his arms up and blocking everyone from Jacqueline.
Jacqueline looks over at the group and everyone but Abraham gasp. The iris of her eyes were now a deep scarlet red and the canines of her teeth were sharp like fangs.
Nora and Dutch gasp covering their mouths as Fet and Eph look with open mouths.
Jacqueline lets out a thunderous growl before running out the door rapier swinging.
"What….the hell...was that?" Dutch said
As soon as she said that the back door burst open and the ceiling caves in flooding with strigoi.
"No time let's move!" Eph said
As they run outside Jacqueline is running around with incredible speed taking out strigoi right and left.
"What happened to her?" Nora asked
"That is the true nature of Jacqueline," Abraham said
The group huddled together making a circle using the UV lights as shields.
"If you get stung, I won't hesitate to return the favor," Eph said
"That's the spirit, Doc. That's the spirit," Fet said
Fet pulls out a bottle that had been converted into a molotov cocktail. He lights the rag and starts throwing them cutting off the path of most of the strigoi.
Jacqueline lets out another roar clearing away more strigoi. The group makes it to the gas pump.
"I need a credit card!" Fet said
"You don't have a credit card?" Nora asked
"I'm currently in dispute over my credit limit," Fet said
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Eph said
Nora reached into Eph's pocket and got out his credit card handing it to Fet.
"What's your code?" Fet asked
"1, 1, 2, 1, 5," Eph said
A few moments go by as the strigoi get closer.
"What's the holdup?!" Eph yelled
"I'm awaiting authorization!" Fet said
"I, uh, I don't know how to tell you guys this, but…" Dutch said
"Approved!" Fet said he pushes a button getting the gas pump started.
"Give me the buckets," Nora said
"Gasoline doesn't want to be a liquid; it wants to be a vapor, so go fast, OK?" Fet said
"OK," Nora said
"Nora!" Fet said giving her a bucket.
"Hold them back!" Fet said
"Hurry!" Dutch said
A strigoi gets close to Dutch and shoots out its stinger making the woman scream but it never hits as its head rolls on the ground.
"I've got you," Jacqueline said with a fanged smirk putting her rapier over her shoulder.
Dutch just looks at the girl wide-eyed, "You can talk."
"What the hell. Of course, I can talk, I could before," Jacqueline said
Dutch was about to say something but she screams again as a strigoi from behind shoot out its stinger as Jacqueline. Without even looking Jacqueline easily dodges the stinger and then disappears to reappear behind the strigoi, she grabs its head and easily snapped its neck with one swift motion.
"Let's go! Go! Go! Go, go, go, go!" Fet said as Nora poured the buckets on the ground.
"My light! My light went out!" Nora said
"I got you!" Dutch running over and giving Nora another light. As this was happening Jacqueline stood in front of two women killing any vampire that got close.
"Go, go, go! Go! Come on! Go! Come on! Go! Go! Go, come on, go!" Fet yelled
Everyone but Fet and Jacqueline run to the bread truck. Fet lights one more cocktail and throws, as soon as it hits the ground it ignites the gasoline scrying the strigoi.
"Go!" Jacqueline said pushing Fet towards the truck.
Fet looks back at the girl.
"Just go get the truck going. I'll be fine!" Jacqueline said
Fet runs and hops in the truck starting it as Jacqueline stood behind it protecting. The truck roars to life and starts to drive off. Jacqueline lets out a growl at the last standing strigoi and then runs after the truck. She easily latches onto the back of the truck and pulls herself up onto the roof as it drives off.
Jacqueline just lets out some heavy pants and then falls back onto the truck's roof spread eagle.
After about 10 minutes Jacqueline finally sits up and crawls to the edge of the van's roof. She reaches down and knocks on the back door. It swings open and Jacqueline easily swings herself inside. She takes a seat in the corner, as everyone just stares at her.
After the truck drives, a couple of miles Jacqueline can't handle the intense staring.
"Are you guys gonna ask questions or just look at me?" Jacqueline snapped annoyed
"What are you?" Dutch asked
"I'm a vampire. Well more like ⅓ a vampire," Jacqueline said
"⅓? How are you ⅓?" Eph asked
"Well, my father was half vampire and my mother was human, simple as that. Actually, it's way more complicated but I really don't feel like going into that long explanation now," Jacqueline said
"I've seen you out in sunlight, and you touch silver all the time," Eph said
"I guess you could say I'm the upgraded model of a vampire. Sunlight doesn't hurt me at all, and silver only burns if it pierces my skin. Enhanced smell, sight, taste, and hearing. I've got no stinger and I keep all of my human characteristics," Jacqueline said but then she remembered her fangs and red eyes, "Well most of my human characteristics."
"My granddaughter is a force to be reckoned with," Abraham said
"So you like drink blood?" Dutch asked
"You don't have to look so scared of me, it's not like I'm gonna start drinking your blood. I don't need it to survive. I still have most of my human organs so I can sustain myself on human food. Blood only makes me stronger and enhances my abilities," Jacqueline said
Nora, Eph, and Dutch, just stare at the girl with uncertain looks.
"You know what!" Jacqueline said standing up, "If you guys have an issue I'll leave!" She said walking over to the back door.
"No need girly! You're staying right here!" Fet yelled from the front.
"We're all a little shaken and surprised but you helped us, saved us. I think it would be best if you stayed," Nora said
Eph looks a little apprehensive but nodded his head along with Dutch.
Jacqueline steps back from the door and sits down.
"Besides if I wanted to drink your guy's blood I would have done it already," Jacqueline joked
She gets no laughs, "Too soon?"
"Yeah maybe," Eph said
The truck pulled up to a suburban house.
"That's my place right there," Eph said
Eph gets out from the front seat and walks to the back of the van.
"For your protection. Just in case," Abraham said handing Eph a gun.
"You OK?" Eph questioned Nora.
"I don't know," Nora said
"Be right back," Eph said leaving.
The rest of the group sat in the truck waiting.
"How long are you going to stare?" Jacqueline asked in an exasperated tone.
"How sharp are those things?" Dutch asked gesturing to her teeth.
"Let's just say as a child the expression of bite your tongue had a literal meaning," Jacqueline said
"How long are you gonna stay like that?" Fet asked
"I only had a small amount of blood so maybe an hour tops," Jacqueline said
She suddenly stands up sniffing the air, "Shit."
"What?" Nora asked
Suddenly a loud shriek comes from the house along with Ephs yell.
"Hurry!" Nora said running out the van.
They all run into the house just in time to see Eph behead a strigoi.
"Who was that?" Abraham asked
"My ex-wife's boyfriend," Eph said
"Not anymore," Fet said
Jacqueline puts a hand behind her hand trying to hold in her laugh.
"We should search the house," Abraham said
"OK," Eph said
"Is there a basement?" Abraham asked
"If my wife is down there, nothing happens when my son's here. Understand?" Eph said
"Fair enough. I'll search upstairs," Fet said said
"Did you hear me?" Eph said to Fet.
"Loud and clear," Fet said
"Hey. Where would I find some booze?" Dutch asked
"I don't live here anymore," Eph said
"I'll find it," Jacqueline said
She sniffs around the kitchen and then stops in front of a cabinet. She opens it and reveals several bottles of liquor.
"Now that's impressive," Dutch said pulling out a bottle.
"Just one of my many party tricks," Jacqueline said, "It's good to know that all I need to calm you down is good bottle whiskey."
Dutch just winks at the girl before drinking from the bottle.
"The house is empty," Abraham said, Eph walks over to him along with Fet, "You understand that if the worst has happened your wife will return for her son. We should take him from here, quickly."
"Yep," Eph said
"And you must get rid of that body," Abraham said
"How?" Fet asked
"We burn it," Eph said
Eph had taken Zach upstairs to pack. Right now Fet was searching through the fridge.
"You want some?" Fet asked offering Dutch a slice of meat.
"I had some bread," Dutch said
He turns to Jacqueline to ask if she wanted anything but she was already making herself a sandwich.
"Can I get you something?" Fet asked Nora, She just looks at him, "You know, if we had handled your friend the way you wanted to, we'd all be dead."
"There is no hope for those who are infected. You must understand this," Abraham said
"You don't know everything. I mean look at her," Nora said gesturing to Jacqueline, who paused in mid bite of her sandwich, "If she can still be herself why not Jim."
"Jacqueline is a rare case. She was born that way, and you still do not know the pain she faces each day," Abraham said
"I did what needed to be done," Fet said
"He's right," Dutch said
"Nobody's asking you," Nora said
"No need to be so hostile she's right ya know," Jacqueline said
Nora shoots the girl a glare. Jacqueline just looks away before eating her sandwich.
"How would you have handled it, hm? Teach me something," Fet said
"If someone was going to help him die, it should have been one of us. Someone who loved him," Nora said
"Oh. But you weren't ready to do it," Fet said before putting food in his mouth.
"I can't teach you how to be a human being. Eat your bologna," Nora said before walking out the room.
"Well if we're about done here, I'd love a ride home," Dutch said
"We're done. I'll drop you," Fet said
"Then we go to my shop. I have things there...To plan for our next battle," Abraham said
Eph comes downstairs with Zach.
"Zach is going back with you. I'll meet you in an hour. I'm trusting you with him. Please...take good care of him," Eph said
"Of course," Abraham said
"I'm trusting you," Eph said
"Yes, I know. My hearing is excellent," Abraham said
"I'm staying, too. We'll get it done faster," Nora said
"Hey, I'm Fet," Fet said introducing himself to Zach.
"Zach," The boy replied back.
Zach looks up at Jacqueline and lets out a small gasp taking a step back into his father.
"Don't worry about her. She's much nicer than she looks," Eph said
"Thank you for that," Jacqueline said sarcastically. She bends down to get at Zach's level, "Nice to meet you, Zach, I'm Jacqueline." She said sticking her hand out.
Zach slowly grabs her hand and shakes it "A-are those real?" he asked gesturing to her fangs.
"Yeah. The help me fend off bad guys. I could also probably lift your dad with one hand," Jacqueline said with a smirk.
"Cool," Zach said with a smile.
"Maybe it's weird to say, but...it hurt me, too. Seeing that happen to your friend. Even if it was the only way. Sorry," Dutch said before walking out the house.
"Hey," Eph said
He looks at his son and then wraps him in a large hug.
"Don't let the cops get you again," Zach said
"The cops are very busy, they don't have time for me," Eph said putting his son down.
"When Mom comes back, tell her I'm mad and Diane is mad, too," Zach said before walking out the house.
Jacqueline pats Eph on the back, "I promise I'll keep him safe but you've got stay safe for him too. I know what's it like to grow up without a father."
She walks out of the house just as the truck pulls off, the back door is open so she just runs and jumps in.
"Was that really necessary?" Jacqueline asked Fet.
"Nah, but it was fun to watch," Fet said chuckling.
The truck pulls up to an apartment building and Dutch stands up.
"Thanks for the lift! It's been a real blast," Dutch said
"I'm coming up with you, to make sure it's safe," Fet said getting out of the driver seat.
"Fine. I'm not making out with you, though," Dutch said
"Guess that means I'm on watch," Jacqueline said going outside and standing next to the truck.
Even though Jacqueline was outside the truck she could easily hear what was going on inside.
"Come up here, son," Abraham said
After a moment Jacqueline hears shuffling.
"What's the matter?" Abraham asked
"My mother's going to be upset about her boyfriend, Matt, being dead," Zach said
"I...I know you'll find this hard to believe, but Matt came after you because he loved you," Abraham said
"Why did you call him a vampire?" Zach asked
"Because that's...what he turned into," Abraham said
"My dad didn't use that word," Zach said
"He will. Trust me. There's power in naming things," Abraham said
"He was so mad at me," Zach said
"No, no, no. He...he was hungry. Like a rabid animal. No different. Beloved dogs turn on you after they've been bitten by a fox or...a bat or any infected animal. Think of it as rabies being passed from human to human. Mourn Matt's passing, then move on. Life will insist. You mustn't...fail life," Abraham said
"You boys okay in there?" Jacqueline asked sticking her head in the door.
"Are you a vampire too?" Zach asked Jacqueline.
"Sort off. You don't have to worry I won't bite you. But if anyone messes with just let me know and I'll bite them for you, " Jacqueline said with a wink earning a smile from Zach.
Fet came back to the truck along with Dutch who had a bag with her.
"We've been waiting we would have gone if you'd left the keys," Abraham said
"Which is why I didn't," Fet said
"Don't worry I wouldn't have let him leave you," Jacqueline said
"It wasn't good in there," Fet said
"Were there vampires?" Zach asked
"Yeah," Dutch said
"Well, then we best get moving. I assume she's coming with us," Abraham said
"She's coming with us," Fet said
"Right then, well then. Since you've decided, let's go!" Abraham said
The group quickly made it back to the pawn shop but were not greeted with a warm welcome. Standing behind the counter was an angry Mrs. Martinez.
"You think this is funny?! Leaving me here! Who are these people? I'm not cooking for them!" Mrs. Martinez said before angrily putting out her cigarette.
"Nora's mother," Abraham said
"Obviously," Fet said
"Come," Abraham said leading the group to the unground workshop, "Close the door."
"Whoa!" Zach said
"My God, it's like the Batcave," Dutch said
Abraham puts a book in front of Zach, "Read and learn. It will, uh...It will help you."
"Here this what I used to read when I was your age," Jacqueline said pulling out a book for Zach.
"You saw this coming, huh?" Fet asked Abraham.
"I hoped it wouldn't. There must be humans helping this cause," Abraham said
"Do you know who they are?" Fet asked
"No, but I can speculate. Those who are seduced by the promise of...power and who...yearn to leave a mark that will somehow elevate them. They inadvertently hurt many people, but inadvertent or not, the damage is done,' Abraham said
"May I?" Fet said picking up a gun.
"Sure. We can get the Master, the one responsible for all this but I need your help. You're...unsentimental. Precise. Not ruled by your emotions," Abraham said
"I have feelings," Fet said
"Leave the feeling to others. He's nesting. Somewhere in the city. You know New York. We could find him if we work together," Abraham said
"I'm going home to get a few things. I'll be back," Fet said walking out the door.
"Guess I should get dinner started," Jacqueline said
As she went to walk out the out the room she grabbed her head and shook it.
"You okay there?" Dutch asked
Jacqueline turned around to show that her fangs were gone, "Yeah. Just having my features revert back to human is like having a hangover."
"Sounds like it suck," Dutch said
"It does," Jacqueline said
Jacqueline had set up the table as Nora and Eph arrived.
"Ah, good," Abraham said seeing Eph.
"You're back," Zach said
"I'm back. Did Mr. Setrakian take good care of you?" Eph asked
"Yeah. Did you burn Matt's body?" Zach asked
"Yes, I did," Eph said
"Did you hear anything from Mom?" Zach asked
"No. Um...Diane came by the house. Couldn't tell her about Matt," Eph said
"She must be mad," Zach said
"She wasn't happy. She's not my biggest fan," Eph said
'She makes Mom laugh," Zach said
"That's good," Eph said
"Hey come on everyone! I made dinner y'all are gonna eat it!" Jacqueline called
Everyone but Zach and Eph made their way to the kitchen.
"So... Mom?" Zach questioned
"First thing tomorrow," Eph said
"Maybe I can help, too?" Zach asked
"Of course. We're a team," Eph said
"Hey!" Jacqueline said poking her head into the living room, "I said dinners ready, that means your butts in a chair at the table."
Eph smile and pats Zach's head before the two join everyone else in the kitchen.