Chapter 7
AN: Ok, this chapter was written at 2 in the morning so if it isn't well written that's why!
Kathy and Marissa stopped in their tracks when they saw it. They were used to this kind of thing but they were so tired and wondering if all this was a dream. Kathy being herself with no sense asked Jack to give her a stick that was next to his foot. Jack picked it up with a curious expression.
Kathy tried to slide the stick under the head of the body but her heavy eyelids had other plans and her body wasn't cooperating.
"Screw it! I'll poke it!" Kathy said as she poked the body on the leg.
Jack and the Doctor glanced at Marissa.
"She's tired; what can I say? Just get her to bed, Jack. Doctor and I will be up shortly," Marissa said taking control of the situation.
The Doctor (usually being the one to take over) was surprised at her suggestion.
"Alright, Kat, let's get you to bed," Jack said picking up Kathy and walking to the inn.
Kathy fell asleep as soon as her head hit his shoulders and she was snug in Jack's arms.
"Why did you do that?" the Doctor asked glowering at Marissa.
"The woman didn't die from natural causes nor from the plague," Marissa said looking at the body.
"How do you know? You haven't properly examined the body yet."
Working in a hospital, Marissa carried rubber gloves in her pocket. She quickly pulled them on her hands out of habit. Doctor stared at her with an odd expression.
"I'll show you," Marissa said motioning for him to follow her.
She pointed to the bite wound on the neck of the dead woman.
"Look at the bite mark here. Two teeth are obviously larger than the others but all are just as sharp. Notice how it's a clean bite and no blood even though it is so deep?"
"Yeah," Doctor said waiting patiently for her point.
"Either she had fun the night she died or we're dealing with a vampire. And since I just found out what I really am that wouldn't surprise me."
Doctor got closer to the neck and examined the bite while he replied to her suggestion, "No, it's a vampire."
The Doctor sighed then stood up. He pursed his lips showing that he was contemplating a plan.
"So…there are vampires?" Marissa asked.
"Yes," Doctor said bluntly.
Marissa cringed at the thought.
"We need to rest before we go further. Come on," he said walking to the inn.
He had seen Jack through a window and had a good idea which room they were in.
'I swear, if there aren't separate beds I'm sleeping on he floor!' Marissa thought to herself.
When Marissa and the Doctor were up in the room she noticed that there were two beds but Jack and Kathy already occupied the other one. Kathy was sound asleep under the medieval fabric and Jack was awake with his arm around her watching her sleep.
"Jack, can I talk to you for a minute?" Doctor asked.
"Doctor, if he moves now she'll wake up. Just let it be now and I'll talk to him in the morning," Marissa inclined.
Jack looked at her and smiled his appreciation for her stepping in.
Doctor realized he'd lose this fight and said, "Fine!"
Marissa looked around the room for a chair and found one nestled in the corner. She checked it out to see how comfortable it was. It was like sitting on air. She got up and headed to the door.
"Where are you going?" Doctor asked.
"To get another blanket so I won't freeze. Don't worry I'll be fine!" with her final word she headed out the door.
She walked down the hall and found the lobby with ease.
"Excuse me, miss. Could I have an extra blanket, please?" she asked the receptionist.
"Of course, my dear," she said handing Marissa a blanket with the same fabric as the ones on the beds.
Marissa started to head upstairs when she noticed a child sitting in the corner of the room.
"Um, Miss? Is that boy alright?" Marissa asked.
"That's Anthony. He stays every night in that corner. We allow it because he never is trouble and doesn't ask for anything. He'll be fine."
Marissa walked over to the boy and said, "Hello, Anthony. My name is Marissa. I hope you don't mind talking for a bit?"
Anthony shook his head no.
"Oh, good. Um…where are your parents?" she asked.
"Dead."
"Oh, dear!" not knowing quite what to do Marissa asked a simple question, "Are you cold?"
"I'm always cold but I can't feel it," he answered bleakly.
Marissa touched his forehead and he was cold as stone. She placed the blanket over him and smiled lightly. Anthony smiled showing his teeth. They were sharp and two were larger than the others. She noticed this and quickly said, "Well, I'd better go back to my room. My friends will be wondering where I got to," then headed back down the hall.
She walked in to find all three of them asleep. She shut the door quietly and locked it quickly then checked the window. She then sat in her chair and fell asleep even though she was cold.
The next morning Kathy awoke first. Once she was aware of her surroundings she realized Jack was sleeping with his arm over her. Her face turned bright red at this knowledge. She laid there happily waiting for someone else to wake.
She didn't have to wait long, Marissa was up soon after. Since Marissa wasn't in Kathy's current situation she got up and headed towards the washing basin. She splashed her face with the cool water and dried it off. When she turned Marissa noticed Kathy was awake.
"Good morning, Kat! Did you sleep well?" Marissa asked in a whisper.
"I slept great! Did he fall asleep like this?" Kathy replied.
"Yes, I believe Captain Jack has grown very fond of you, Kathy."
"Marissa, I feel the same way! I mean I know we just met but I just feel strangely connected to him. Is that so wrong?"
"No, but let's not talk about this now. Wait 'til we're alone," Marissa said looking at the Doctor.
Jack was now awake. He hadn't heard what Kathy had said before Marissa's final remark but he was confident on the subject. He stretched and in so doing getting both girls' attention.
"Morning, Jack!" Kathy said smoothly.
"Good morning. I hope my closeness didn't bother you!" Jack said putting his face closer to Kathy's.
"Not at all," Kathy said almost whispering.
"Excuse me, but can you guys do that when I'm not around? It's oddly depressing," Marissa said jokingly but with a little truth.
"Sorry, Marissa," Kathy apologized halfheartedly.
"No you're not!" Marissa said knowingly.
"You are right as always! I'm not," Kathy ever so slightly leaned in closer to Jack's face when she heard the Doctor shifting his position.
"Thank God, you're up!" Marissa said.
"Don't worry! We don't know each other that well!" Jack protested.
"It didn't look like that was stopping you!" Marissa's voice was a little cold at the comment.
"What were they doing, Marissa?" Doctor asked.
"Take one guess."
The Doctor sighed and got up out of bed. Jack and Kathy regrettably sat up as well. Marissa sat back down in her chair relieved that she wasn't going to have to watch her best friend make out.
The Doctor noticed that Marissa didn't have a blanket, since she had left the room for that reason he got curious.
"Why don't you have a blanket?" Doctor asked.
Marissa's eyes widened at the remembrance of the young boy vampire and she cringed at the memory of his sinister smile.