Authors Notes:
I dedicate this chapter to my friend whose feeling very down with the stress of life, may this chapter put a smile back on his optimistic face.
No new comments but that doesn't matter, I see people like my story as few as it is. Enough glum attitude and let's get down to business. Just for those of you wandering, the art is from Tumblr by the artist X-Nibiru, not sure if they made it but it's a nice picture and actually inspired the appearance for Draco. The default male Ventrue is dirty blonde and almost green in complexion. The clothes Draco wears is based from the image and Ventrue Heavy Leather Armor. Other than that, Draco's got dark long hair tied into a ponytail and is the classic vampire handsome. You can fill in the blanks, chiselled marble features and all.
I Don't Own Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines.
VMVMVMVMVMVMVMVMVMVM
Chapter 3: Peace and Punishment
Draco POV
I stared off at the wolf on the cliff, seemed like he was watching us. Wolves aren't native to these parts let alone so deep in a human populated area near a beach.
The wolf howled and took off, but I wasn't done with whatever it was…
Like at the chop shop; my vision zoned in on the spot the wolf stood not a moment ago and like the wind was best friend, I moved without moving and landed on the spot I was focusing on.
I felt off balance but I steadied myself quickly and looked around from my new vantage point.
No sign of the wolf, not a paw print or tuff of fur…
My standards for strange are very different compared to when I was human and I was still getting used to it, this could be normal for all I know.
I looked down to the beach to find E, Lily and the rest of their bunch heading back to town. Sun's rising; so I better head back to my Haven.
What better time to experiment with this instant motion ability…
I focused to the parking lot roof and in an instant I was upon the spot I wanted to be.
Being a creature of the night must come with the ability to move to any spot within my range of sight, useful for a quick escape and moving unnoticed.
I 'Jumped' back through town on the roofs of the buildings back to my Haven.
No mail in my post, newspaper talks about some horrible murder on the pier; man ripped to pieces, must be what the cops were talking about. I walked into my apartment to find it just as horrible as I left it.
I put the blood packs I got from the blood bank in the fridge and took a Blue Blood pack as dinner or breakfast. I checked my emails, nothing special; just stupid ads only morons would buy into.
I checked my coat to find all the guns, bullets and a knife I picked up this night alone, low on cash so I should I find a place to sell this stuff. Preferably a place that ain't picky on the origins of the merchandise.
I checked the time on my laptop to find it was morning already, suns up and even though I'm dead or undead, I feel tired. It must be a nocturnal thing.
So I decided to call it a day and retire.
Laying on the uncomfortable mattress and trying rest, I crossed my arms behind my head for support seeing as the bed lacked any pillows, sheets, etc.
I finally found rest. Unlike before, I was not greeted by a vision of my proclaimed sire, Lilith; instead I was greeted with vivid memory dreams of all I had accomplished so far.
From how I helped that begging man, to showing restraint and compassion for Mercurio. How I blackmailed the sinful doctor and nurse and the beach house massacre. Then to the finale of me helping the Thin-Bloods, saving Lily and reuniting her with E.
All my recent accomplishments were noteworthy; considering my circumstances.
Then my mind turned to the girl I saved and maybe even damned by saving her. For some reason that is lost to me; I couldn't shake the image of her face out of my head. Something about her eyes spoke to me and I don't know what.
I can only hope that she finds peace in this life after being given a second chance at life. What I currently have is not a second chance but a twisted turn of fate or destiny; I don't know. My undeath is no reprieve but it's given me a chance to do something with the aimless life I had prior.
I lost track of my swarming thoughts and I actually believe I fell asleep.
When I awoke from my slumber, I yawned out of habit and stretched. I checked the time, it was 9 PM.
Damn! I overslept!
I've got work to do!
I sprung out of bed and flew out the front door of the apartment complex.
I ran to the hospital and passed reception. Visiting hours were long since over, but Mercurio was unofficially here so unofficial visits were authorized and the nurse didn't look all too keen at seeing my face again. Considering I had the both nurse and doctor under my thumb; I could come and go as I pleased.
I found Mercurio by his scent, his scent was much stronger than last time; meaning he was doing much better.
I walked into his room with the grace of a phantom while he looked out the window; maybe counting his lucky stars.
He spun around when the door shut behind me and he almost jumped out of the bed when he saw me.
"What the hell!?... Jesus kid…" He calmed down when he realised it was only me and not some other Kindred looking for him.
"Sorry I'm late, overslept." I informed my associate.
"Can it kill you to knock next time?" Mercurio asked trying to calm his racing heart.
"Knowing you would probably load your gun and be ready to shoot at the slightest sneeze?" I questioned the jumpy ghoul with a raised brow.
"Point taken." Mercurio laid back into sitting position in the hospital bed.
"If you're worried about anyone finding out, relax. Officially, you are not here, completely off the books and the only people who know will keep their traps shut, I assure." Mercurio nodded at the explanation.
"Saw the news, someone went and wasted those shits' at the beach house. Your handiwork, I assume. Means you got the Astrolite?" I nodded and threw Mercurio his money.
"And I think that belongs to you." Mercurio grabbed the stack and counted it.
"It's all here. Thanks, kid. You're a real lifesaver in more ways than one and a vamp to boot." I smiled at the complement.
"So, what's the story with this Astrolite?" Down to business and the reason I came to Santa Monica in the first place.
"Stuffs twice as powerful as TNT. Instant demolition. Be on the other side of the world when you press the detonator. You need to make a warehouse; of Sabbat interest, disappear." Mercurio certainly has a way with words.
"How do I find this place?" Need to know the location before I can take it off the map.
"Well, there's a guy called Tung, Bertram Tung. Bit of a legend in these parts, one of o' types. If there's anyone who can get you in, it's him. But Tung's hiding out." Mercurio explained to me as the job just got more complicated.
"Why's he hiding?"
"Tung's laying low cuz of Therese, Therese Voerman, you know her?" I shook my head, definitely haven't heard that name, but taking from his tone, she's important.
"Anyway, word is they've been feuding, I don't know the details but it must have gotten ugly. My guess is, Tung thinks his gonna get whacked, so he went underground till Therese calls it off." Just lovely, on top of having to put a warehouse into orbit, now I have to stop a feud between two Kindred. Things could get messy.
"Where can I find her?" I sighed.
"She and her sister, Jeanette, they run The Asylum. Frequent hotspot for freaky customers so I try not to do business there." Here I was hoping to avoid that joint.
"What can you tell me about her?" I needed to know what I was dealing with.
"She's THE woman around here. Power player. Good looking for a dead chick, but, uh, personality like stone." A cold and calculating businesswoman, the Kindred authority in Santa Monica by the sound of it, this will be tough but I've dealt with corporate types before.
"What about the sister?" If their literal sisters, chances are their both Kindred and share power so I might as well know about this Jeanette too.
Mercurio's eyes shifted to the topic. "Therese I don't like, but I can respect her. Jeanette's different. Most likely, like you but she's… a little loose upstairs. And I've heard rumours…" By the way he describes her, the sisters are polar opposites.
"Rumours?" I asked the question of the possible details.
"Jeanette's got a body built for bedrooms. And I got close acquaintances swear they've conquered that territory. I asked the main man, he says you types can't or don't do that kind of 'thing'. Whatever she is, she's a wild girl." Great, so I have to deal with a stone cold executive and her 'wild child' sister.
"What about Tung?"
"Don't know him myself, but I'd like to meet him. He probably knows more about this city then me. He's a crafty, smart guy and I haven't heard anything bad about him." I nodded at the information.
"Before I go, know anywhere I can buy or sell guns?" Need to get rid of the extra weight in my coat.
"You'll want Trip. Runs a pawnshop down the street but his very jumpy about those transactions. Might need a peace offering if you want good prices. I hear his into this stuff that makes you trip." I nodded; being in the hospital helps me with that.
"Thanks a lot, get better Mercurio." I patted his shoulder and was on my way.
Normal POV
Draco made his way upstairs to the prescriptions room; he picked the medicine safe with a little blood boost. Hospitals take their medicine seriously when it comes to keeping them away from patients.
"Hmm, masculine performance enhancers… this should give Trip something to walk funny about." Draco grabbed the box medicine and left, but not before covering his tracks with the cameras… again.
Draco checked the other medicine on the way down stair.
"Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Failure to take… could result in eighteen years of responsibility… Hahaha." Draco chuckled to himself.
The stairs were off limits to patients or anyone without a key, so Draco wasn't looking when he suddenly bumped into.
Taking a step back in surprise, Draco looked to see he walked into a young; brunette woman.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." He paid the stranger no mind after he apologized and carried on down the stairs.
If he had turned back to meet her eyes, he would have met a very unfriendly glare staring where he once stood.
Draco left the hospital and went straight to Trip's pawnshop.
"H-hi, can I help y-you." The man's stuttering and dilated pupils told Draco all he already knew.
Draco gave Trip a knowing smile. "I need to get rid of some extra weight and I hear you're the man to help with that." Trip's hazy eyes began to panic.
"Relax, Mercurio sent me and I brought you this to sweeten the deal." Draco pulled out the box of medication and handed it to Trip through the small box window.
"Thanks a lot, man! Now how can I help you?" Trip's tone changed when he saw the contents of the box and was all too happy to help.
Draco sold almost all the guns, kept one in case he needed it and he kept a one of the knives. He bought bullets for the gun but left disappointed when Trip didn't stock any other guns except a shotgun.
Draco walked down the alley toward Second Street, time he met the big boss around these parts.
'Shotguns are too noisy and attract too much attention. I'm going to need more fire power if I'm going to survive the Sabbat next time. Maybe Fat Larry will have something when I get back to Downtown…' Draco thought to himself, but was pulled from his thought when he was pulled from around the corner and slammed into the cement wall behind him.
"Where is it?!" Draco was surprised for two reasons.
One, he was being held against the wall and his feet couldn't touch the ground.
Two, he was being held and threateningly questioned by a woman.
In the dark alley he met the fierce eyes of the woman he walked into at the hospital.
The woman had both of his hands pinned above his head. She tightened her grip when he took too long to reply.
"Answer me! Where is it?!" Her voice rumbled with a growl and her eyes began to glow yellow.
'Okay, this is new. She's got a heartbeat so she's no vampire…'
"Sorry, you're going to have be more specific." This only aggravated her. She held both hands with one hand and lowered the other one. The nails of the freehand grew into giant claws.
"Don't play stupid, vampire. You stole the werewolf blood from the hospital, hand it over and your final death will be quick." The woman moved her claws over his midsection, ready to gut him.
Draco's eyes went wide as he realized he was being held up by a werewolf. Putting the pieces together he could only assume the blood from the hospital was hers.
"Yes, I stole the blood but I didn't know what it was. You don't need to kill me; I'll give you the blood pack. I meant no harm." The fledgling tried to reason with the temperamental werewolf.
"Save your lies! You'd use my blood to find a weakness in our blood. You un-living bastards are an affront to nature; you drain innocents to sustain your unnatural lives. I'm protecting the world by ending you. Right now!" The woman screamed and drew her claws back, ready to strike.
Draco's eye's widened.
He quickly pulled his right hand free and caught her hand; he held it firmly but not to inflict pain.
The supernatural woman stared in shock at the realization.
"You could've broken out at any time, you could've attacked me. Why didn't you?" She asked in disbelief.
"I don't kill the innocent; I especially won't strike a woman who's only trying to protect her child." Draco's voice was calm but his words drained the colour from the woman's face.
"I can hear the heartbeat, it's small but it's strong." Draco held eye contact to show he was being honest.
"My names Draco, may I ask yours?" Draco tried to ease the situation.
The young woman took a few breaths before answering.
"Celia."
Smiling at her response, Draco released her clawed hand and took her hand in his and shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you." Said the Kindred as he was suspended and pinned against the wall as he shook hands with a werewolf.
At Draco's Haven
The door open and Draco walked in, Celia stood in the hallway awkwardly.
"Come inside, sorry my accommodations aren't the best. The guys who sent me to Santa Monica gave it to me, but the bastards wouldn't get me a decent place." Draco complained.
Celia entered the Kindred's Haven; she looked around like a lost child.
Draco opened the fridge and shuffled around looking for the blood pack. "If you don't mind me asking, how did they get a blood sample?"
Celia contemplated whether to tell him or not. "I went to confirm a pregnancy test, they wanted to run blood tests, and I let them take some blood not to arouse suspicion. I intended to break in and steal it back before they tested the blood." Celia explained in a nervous tone.
"And when you ran into me at the hospital, you figured that I stole it. Who else would steal werewolf blood?" Draco finished the thought, Celia nodded in response.
"Here you go." Draco held the blood pack towards her. She eyed it still not believing her eyes; a vampire was actually helping her.
She tentatively grabbed the pack; she could smell that it was her blood. "I-I'm s-sorry for attacking you." Celia couldn't look him in the eyes.
Draco looked at her with understanding eyes. "Don't mention it, you acted on instinct. I know from my short tenure as Kindred, that those instincts can save your life." Draco leaned against the wall; he didn't want to invade her space as she was still coming to terms that he wasn't trying anything.
The 'ding' sound that came from the laptop told Draco that he had mail.
"I honestly didn't know anything about werewolves or that there was bad blood between us. I haven't been Kindred for four days now." Draco shared as he sat down to check who messaged him.
"Really?! Now I'm really sorry! If I'd known you were new…" Celia gasped in shock at discovering that the Kindred she nearly gutted was newly minted. She stopped when she realized she would not have known what to do even if she knew.
"You probably would have killed me without doing or saying anything to be merciful; you didn't know my intentions and most likely would not have taken the chance of me living." Draco hypothesized.
"It's just… Vampires used to kill Lupine cubs to control the population… we instinctively hate cities and technology… but I don't have that so I'm able to get things we normally couldn't but I need to be twice as careful since I walk around alone…" Celia explained feeling horrible for trying to kill the kind man before her just because he was a vampire; though he didn't act anything like the ones she had heard of.
"LaCroix…" Draco's growl caught the Lupine's attention.
"Who's that?" Celia asked but she could swear she heard the name before.
"The bastard, he's the Kindred in charge of LA at the moment, had my sire killed for not asking permission to create me. He knows about the blood…" Celia's blood ran cold.
She took a step back like Draco was a lion ready to pounce. Vampires obey elder vampires obediently, despite what they want. Now Celia was worried Draco may just turn on her despite his nature.
Draco saw her reaction and bore no expression on his face.
He turned back to the laptop and began typing away, after a minute he clicked send and stood up.
"That's done. This should shake them off your scent." Draco said simply.
"What…?" Celia didn't know what was going on.
"I just reported to LaCroix, that the blood was human blood with a high concentration of wolf blood. Some guy injected himself; trying to turn himself into a werewolf. Hospital needed to give him a blood transfusion but they took blood to test for any disease that might have been in the blood." Celia was dumbstruck.
Before Draco could react, he was tackled with a hug by the young Lupine. He could make out sobs as she clung to him. "T-t-Tha-Thank y-you!" Celia screamed in teary joy.
Draco returned the hug with a smile. "I'm Kindred but I'm not going to become a monster that disregards life. My mother married a monster like that and he broke her heart." Draco tried to calm the pregnant woman; stress wasn't good for the unborn child.
"Is it safe to assume we can be friends?" Draco's question was casual but it held the weight of centuries of conflict between the two supernatural species.
Celia raised her head, eyes still puffy and red. She smiled and gave Draco a cheerful nod.
Later at The Asylum
Draco parted ways with Celia after exchanging numbers so she could call him if she needed to reach him.
The Asylum was wild; the dance floor was lit up and packed like the liquor store and party Saturday.
Then before anything could be said and done, Draco was approached but a woman dressed like a sexy high school girl with Goth/circus makeup. Leather boots with white thigh high stockings, the tiny skirt barely did its job; you could make out G-string straps at the edges. Shirt sleeves rolled up to the shoulders almost, not buttoned but tied into a knot so her cleavage and bra was on clear display.
Nothing short of vexingly sexy, the red leather chocker made that clear. Her face was powdered white with messy mascara that made it seem she was crying, she wore crimson lipstick to complement draw attention to her lips and you could spy her fangs through her smile. Blonde hair pulled into pigtails completed the appearance of the wild child persona.
"What do we have here? Another young plaything straight out of life and into my club?" The woman leaned into Draco and inhaled as if trying to breathe him in.
"Hmm… You smell new." The blonde moaned.
Draco composed himself, he was unsure how to approach this situation but he had to remain calm.
"I'm not frightening you, am I, duckling?" The woman asked with a purred with a smug grin.
Her heterochromia eyes bore into Draco's undead soul. Icy blue and lively green pierced the darkness of the club.
"Frightening isn't the word I'd use, your beauty proceeds your reputation, Jeannette Voerman." Draco decided two could play at this game, so he appealed to her desire for attention.
"Oh, I can tell you and I are going to get along, just like fire hoses." Jeanette laughed.
"As intriguing as that sounds, I am afraid I need to decline. I am here on business for the Camarilla and I need to meet your sister about the feud with Tung." Draco whispered and Jeanette's mood shifted like the wild wind. She looked upset and ready to kill or cry, maybe both.
"Look, I'll be honest. You are a very attractive girl and you seem fun at any party, but I'm not into flings. My dad screwed around and didn't bother to hide it from mom; I'd rather not embrace that nature." Jeanette's eyes shifted again, this time with a glint of understanding.
"Tell you what, if I can talk my sister into hearing you out, you owe me a favour, sound fair?" Jeanette offered while swaying her hips.
"More than fair; thanks Jeanette." Draco thanked the Kindred.
"I'll try to talk some sense into my sister, could take a while. Make yourself comfortable, the bartender will let you know when you can come up." Jeanette left, leaving a trail of lustful stares in her wake.
One Hour Later
Draco ran into Knox and found out that he was Tung's ghoul. Helped the guy out with issue involving an Asian vampire. Tracked Knox's stalker from a cadaver at the morgue and found him in Foxy Boxes, kinky name but nothing of the sort.
The vampire was kind enough to bow to Draco before trying to take his head off. The Vampire had been spying on Knox and reporting back to someone about him and the Kindred in Santa Monica.
It seems like there's someone else trying to make a play for LA. The vampire was arrogant, thought us Kindred weak compared to his strain of vampire. Fast Kung-Fu moves, a crossbow, and a lot of jumping was not that impressive to the young Kindred when he let his instincts guide his claws to the heart of 'hidden tiger'.
Got a crossbow and lovely katana, should be affective on other Kindred.
"Yo, chief. Jeanette just called, said you can head on up." The bartender informed Draco, just as he finished speaking to Knox.
Draco's elevator ride was short but before he opened the door; he heard muffled voices.
"Your city? Last time I checked it was called 'Santa Monica', not 'Stuck-Up Bitch'." Sounded like Jeanette was speaking her mind.
"So vulgar! I can't even look at you sometimes, you Jezebel!" The second voice was similar but the tone was cold and unforgiving.
They exchanged heated words until Jeanette slammed a door.
Draco opened the door and was greeted by a woman who shared a lot of Jeanette's appearance but she looked like modern day professional accountant.
"Please, come in. I do apologize for my sister's crassness if it made you uncomfortable. Her nature is a necessary evil in the club business." Therese welcomed Draco but he saw what Mercurio meant when he said a 'personality like stone'.
"Where is she?" Draco questioned the lack of her presence.
"She locked herself in the bathroom. I was the family favourite and I am the successful one, you may have noticed she's jealously starved of attention." She gloated; her words were cruel and harsh.
"I need Tung; can you please call the feud off?" Draco asked nicely.
"Tung's exile is self-imposed. Since you asked nicely, I'll consider calling the feud off, if you can help me with a problem I've been having." Therese smiled; the deal broker has arrived.
"What can I help you with?" Draco sighed.
"A spirit has been haunting a property I'm looking to invest in. It's been hindering construction and making the business a nightmare. I need to excise it, but rumour has it that I'll need a personal item of the spirit to do that. I don't put much stock into rumors but it's my last option. This key will unlock the gate, only way to get there at this time is though the sewers." Therese handed the young Kindred the key.
"Go to the Ocean House hotel, find an item of the spirit's and bring it back." She made it sound simple, which means it won't be so simple.
Ocean House Hotel
Draco POV
I made my way through the sewers and made it to the hotel. It looks like it's been abandoned for decades.
Construction keeps property keys on site so I decided to check the container office.
I grabbed the key and was one step closer to my goal.
BAMMM!
Suddenly the entire room shook violently and threw me off balance from the shock.
I regained my footing and came outside to find that the miniature bulldozer had rammed the container with me in it.
No keys in the ignition but the engine was still running, no scents anywhere so this isn't a human prank.
I approached the hotel, when I reached for the door; a porch light bulb blew out.
I narrowed my eyes at the clear warning signs I was getting.
The bulldozer and now the light, but I have a job to do.
I entered the reception area and I immediately felt uneasy. The place was old and in disrepair.
CRAACKKK!
A flash of lightning lit up the area through windows, the thunder shook the ground and my ears.
In one of the flashes I saw a man standing a few paces away, staring at me.
On instinct, I grabbed my gun and fired a shot the man.
In another flash the man was gone and I had hit nothing but the wall.
I approached the spot I saw the man. There was no scent and no foot prints in the dusty carpet. Its official, I'm dealing with a ghost. I checked the pictures on the wall, I tried to see closer that I almost didn't notice the frames begin to shake.
RATTLE…
I stepped back and then the frames flew at me and struck me hard in various places, most aimed for my head.
I stepped back at what just happened; whatever it was didn't like visitors.
SWIFF…
A rolling sound caught my attention; I looked to my right to see a steel drum roll forward.
Strange, I could have sworn it was standing up… now I'm forgetting this place is haunted.
I walked down the right path and found that all doors were boarded shut. I made my way back to the reception area and decided to look into the left side of hallway.
Scream…
Then I heard panicked gasping and screaming; I turned to see a woman in a white dress running for her life. I took off to run after her…
CRASH!
But stopped short when I heard something crash just behind my heels. I turned to find the chandelier had fallen and nearly booked me. I breathed a sigh of relief until I remembered the woman I saw.
I turned around to find there to be no trace of her. The room she ran to was locked tight and the path she ran from means she ran out of thin air.
There was more than one ghost here. I looked back to the chandelier, and it looks like one is stepping up his game.
I walked back to the reception desk to check for keys and found none.
Ding…Ding…Ding…
When I heard the bell ring I quickly docked in time to dodge the bell and see it smash itself to pieces on against the wall.
I checked the central reception for anything, only an old newspaper dated 1958.
Newspaper reads: 'Grand Opening! Santa Monica Celebrates The New Ocean House Hotel.'
RATTLE…
A rattling sound grabs my attention and I notice the vases around me begin to shake.
One flies for my head but I draw my katana to smash the vase before its meet me, I dodged the next one and smashed the rest. The room was quite for a moment, and then I heard the chime of a grandfather clock from upstairs. The path was clear.
Creak…creak…creak.
I climbed the creaking stairs toward the second floor…
Creak… SNAP! SMASH!
One step gave way and I found myself falling through the floor into the abyss.
I landed on hard ground in a dark and damp room, must be the basement. I looked up to find hole I fell through. Jesus, this place is giving me the creeps.
I checked around the corner where I landed to find an elevator, of course it didn't work, no power.
I checked back where I landed and saw a path forward…
Gasp Huff Gasp!
Again, I heard the panicked running gasps of a woman…
Screams!
She ran across the passage in front of me and sounded like she continued to run.
I ran after and turned the corner to find she had vanished again…
Feels like she's leading me to something…
I follow the path I saw her run and found a lit room filled with paint cans and handheld radio playing music.
Pop!
The light bulb blew!
Slam!
The door slammed shut behind me!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Approaching footsteps from every direction!
BANGING!
Sounded like someone was trying to kick a door down with a hammer!
My senses were so overloaded by all the sounds and movements I couldn't keep up.
Humm, Hummmm, HUMMMM!
I spun around to see the paint cans begin to levitate, glowing blue and shaking violently to the humming…
The cans shot at me, I raised my arm to defend myself but it prove to be in vain as the cans knocked me back harder and harder.
I could feel hatred in every strike, powerful negative emotions was fuelling these paranormal attacks.
When it finally stopped; it felt like someone had used me for baseball pitching target practice.
I looked to the far wall and saw cracks and a missing brick; I could make out faint light behind the brick wall which meant there was another room behind the wall.
I tried the door I entered through but it was jammed shut.
Damn it!
I quickly kicked through the damaged wall; into the next room.
Another storage room with another door and…
Another old newspaper article…
This one's title made my blood freeze over.
'Hotel Hell! Child's Severed Head Found in Hotel Laundry Room!'
This place just got a lot creepier…
Something terrible happened in this hotel, that much was clear now and I'm going to find out what.
Whatever happened here is probably why this place is haunted, if I find out what happened; I can find the item that holds the curse that binds the ghosts here.
Creak…
As if answering my thoughts, the door creaked open. Someone or something was leading my path.
I exited the room and found myself where I landed when the stairs gave away. Maybe I should check where the ghost ran from…
Thuds…
The sound was constant and I followed the sound, till I found another room and my stomach sank.
It was the laundry room…
Where I stood now matched where the photo from the newspaper was taken from.
I felt like I was walking into the past…
I felt compelled to touch one of the washing machines; in an instant I felt a literal flash from the past.
I felt the fear from that moment, fear and pain… and…
Scream
I heard the scream of a small child, of a small boy from the lingering memory.
I felt his fear for his life, but the pain was that of …heartbreak?
I felt a shiver run down my spine. This is odd since I'm dead, I shouldn't get cold chills anymore.
Creak
I turned to see the door of the center washing machine open like the door from the room with the newspaper.
I slowly stepped closer to the washing machine; I felt a slight terror to see what it holds.
The child's head? Another memory? Or worse?
I opened the door and reached inside.
I felt something small with jagged teeth; I grabbed the item to reveal a key with the tag labelled: Boiler Room.
Now I'm convinced a ghost or more than one are trying to help me, the victims who were killed here?
Gasp Huff Gasp!
Yet again I heard the voice of the woman I saw in reception and who lead me to the newspaper. I turned to catch a glance of her running by the other door of the laundry room, down a different passage.
I followed her.
I didn't catch her; not that I expected to catch her anymore, she's been leading my way, helping me. And she led me straight to the boiler room. Only the emergency lights shone, but my night vision allowed me to make my way through the dark bowls of the hotels basement.
I followed the stairs down to the boiler room, as expected; I found massive boilers…
Ha ha ah hmmm…
I looked passed the boiler through the smaller pipes and saw a man, the same man I saw at reception.
Despite my night vision, I couldn't make out any of his features; it's like his face was blank. All I could make out was a cruel smile that dripped with madness.
He wore a Fedora hat with the wifebeater shirt, but what stuck out was the fire axe he held with both hands. The shirt he wore, his hands and the axe were sprayed with what looked like blood.
The figure took slow steps in my direction, too late to hide…
He turned to walk around the boiler in his path to me and readied my sword to meet him halfway…
I heard his breathing just around the boiler…
I sprung around the boiler and swung my katana at my target and cut through some pipes connected to the boilers around me.
But he wasn't there…?
Another damn ghost!
I felt a warm draft by my ear and I swung around while swinging my sword in a similar fashion to strike… nothing… Again!
Hahaha HAHAHA!
I heard that laugh again, but it sounded like it was right in front of me.
Then all was quiet.
I kept my katana ready for anything else he wanted to throw at me.
It's clear his the spirit that's been hindering me all the time I've been here…and…
The blood and the fire axe, it's possible if not confirmed at this point that he killed the child.
What else can take a humans head off?
I passed the boilers through the snake maze they created with their positioning. I came to the end of the room to find a chain-link fence cage with a gate.
Against the wall in the cage was electrical fusebox! I can turn the power on and possibly get the elevator working; it's worth a try if the spirit led me here.
I flipped all the major switches, the lights and elevator for now, no need to overload the old electrical grid.
And as if Edison himself said it, the lights in the room lit up and I heard some machines powering up with it.
RUMBLE
The ground beneath my very feet began to shake and the noise grew louder!
The boilers began to shake and I could see steam escaping though the bolts…
The metal began to crack under the pressure and I ran!
As I ran as fast as I could around the winding path through the steam bombs, the bolts began to shoot from the boilers like bullets and fill me with holes.
The pain was worse than any gunshot I've felt thus far, the bolts were basically fat finger sized bullets being shot from pressurized cannons.
I saw the door passed the last boiler, not wanting to pass another volley of bolt bullets, I 'Arced' through the pipes and landed by the door as steam began pouring out of every vent and the valve dials began shattering.
(Side note, I'm calling Draco's teleportation/super speed technique, is called Arc. An Arc or to Arc is to move with a curving trajectory, it's what electricity or lightening does when it passes between points. Like in the game Vampyr, Draco can use this technique to move and reach places that are normally out of reach as long as it's in his peripheral vision. When he Arces, his molecules are moving so fast that his able to move passed thing he would normally needed to dislocate a few joints to squeeze into. Though he is limited by size of the hole or space, he needs a collective space the size of a microwave to pass through cracks and hole.)
I ran through the door way and made it up the stairs before anything else could catch me.
When I reached the top of the stairs, I stopped to catch my breath, after two huffs; I realized I didn't need to do that anymore. I swear if I could still blush I be blushing in embarrassment right now.
The lights were all on and they lit up the dark basement. I could only hope the elevator still worked.
I walked past the laundry room; down to where I landed from the stair collapse.
Ping…
I heard the melody of the elevator arriving and I turned the corner to find the doors open waiting for me.
I boarded the elevator and before I could press a button to set my destination or even turn around…
Hahaha HAHAHA!
The doors slammed shut behind me and I heard the maniacal laughter again as the elevator began moving on its own, taking me god knows where.
The ride was short and the button panel floor two told me I was on the second floor.
I took one step out the elevator when…
Whack!
Another portrait hit me in the head! This guy is really starting to piss me off.
I looked around for anything else this ghost might try to throw at me next, I looked passed the stairs to the opposite side of the second floor, and there she was…
Floating limply as if she were suspended in water, paler then any Kindred I've met thus far, the only colour on her was the red blood that stained her hands and torso. I'd only caught glimpses of her but I was certain this was the spirit who was helping me.
I was frozen in place, then her head tilted in my direction, I saw her eyes through her messy hair and all I saw was pain. Pain from years of suffering, pain from being lost in a place she no longer belonged and I thought I saw a glimpse of pain I'd seen before. Might be my imagination, but she reached forward the coffee table in front of her.
She's obviously trying to show me something, so I began my approach.
Riiing, Riiing, Riiing!
The telephone began ringing and though I'm sure it for me, I feel inclined to decline.
This time I caught the flying object with one and threw it aside without a second thought.
The spectre awaited me patiently and when I reached the table she vanished into thin air. I looked down to find another newspaper article, just like how she led me to the first one downstairs.
This one was just like the last one, disturbing and horrifying for who could commit such acts; is beyond me despite me being beyond human.
"Another Body…Police Says Second Child Was 'Chopped Up Like Firewood', awfully graphic for what the 1950's public was used too." I spoke aloud since the silence was becoming unbearable; I'm obviously not alone but the spirits were not being conversation.
Creak
I put the newspaper aside as I heard another door open further down the second floor balcony.
I saw the doors slowly part as if inviting me in, though it could be a trap; I'm too polite to refuse.
I walked in expecting another horror but what I found was comforting…
The lit room was filled with little children toys, a dollhouse, a wooden animal with wheels and two tricycles.
I decided to give the vision thing I had in the laundry room a try, see if I can control it.
I touched the dollhouse and was immediately met with flashes of children laughter; I felt joy and innocence of the moment in which two children once played here.
While admiring the room I saw something that seemed a little out of place, on top of a pile of colouring books and story books; was a pace with dark edges. It was burned and upon closer inspection, my shock was only outmatched by my burning rage.
It was a child's drawing, a drawing of a family…
Starting from the right; was a girl in a pink dress, holding hands with a boy who was clearly her brother, he held his mother's hand. The mother wore a green dress and her smile was done with a red crayon; meaning she wore lipstick, but the next person in the handholding chain was the one who held all my current attention.
It was clearly a man, drawn with black like with charcoal, thicker arms and legs then the rest, spikey hair, an angry face with sharp teeth and frowning red eyes. What was most telling was the fire drawn around him and on his arms; his section of the page was shaded darker while the other three were in sunlight. Even his section of the page was more burnt.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it's true in this case. I couldn't feel anything from the picture but the message was pretty damn clear. Now I have a few choice words of my own for my dear axe-wielding host.
I took the picture; Therese wants to repurpose this place, might as well save this at least.
I left the room to check the one next out…
I walked into the room and found an ordinary room.
SLAM!
CRASH!
The door slammed shut and thunder roared, but I was not shaken or surprised.
Till now; I was only here to do business by helping someone out, but now, it's personal.
"You killed your own family." I said plainly.
"Butchered your own children, chopped them up like firewood." I surmised and the room went dark.
"You murdered your wife and now you hold their spirits captive here." The objects around me began to glow.
"Mark my words, you will pay." I declared as I was sure 'he' was listening.
The vases and picture frames shot at me all at once from different directions. I replied by drawing my katana and spinning a 360 to smash all of the decors before the made contact.
The lights returned and I turned to see; scratched into the wall by what looks like the blade of an axe, the words: "GET OUT".
I smiled at the display; it means I hit a nerve and now his pissed.
I looked down to the nightstand to see the only picture that didn't launch at me. It was a wedding picture, the couple was young but I could see the resemblances in the woman from the spirit who led thus far through this hotel. I checked the nightstand and found a room key; maybe I should check the rooms on the other side.
I left the room and as I passed the children's play room; I felt something gently hit my foot.
Ting, Ting.
I looked down to see a small wooden dog on wheels with a small bell.
I smiled when I realized that it touched my foot as if a child had on purposely pushed it to get my attention. I kneeled down and picked the toy up.
"I promise to make things right." I said softly.
Ting, Ting.
The toy rang in response to my promise and I felt warm inside. I turned the toy over to see a name carved into the bottom, Ed Jr.
"Is this yours, Ed Jr?" I asked as if someone was there but I knew someone was.
Ting, Ting.
I smiled.
I carefully put the toy into my pocket; for safe keeping.
I saw the spirit of the woman who died here again.
She was floating on the other side of the room, passed the elevator that I used earlier. She was as pale and covered in her own blood; possibly how she looked after her husband had hacked at her but just before he killed her.
I made my way passed the staircase.
Chime, Chime…
The grandfather clock chimed again, it was starting to annoy me but I have more important thing to do.
I had the spirit in my sights; she seemed to be fading in and out because it seemed she became brighter and faded with the lightning. I approached her and she lifted her left arm to point at the room door right beside her. I nodded in response and she vanished.
I unlocked the door to find was burnt to cinders, the furniture was pitch black and showed signs of cracking, the wallpaper was non-existent. On the floor I saw a wooden panel, I saw light from below.
I kicked through the panel, to reveal the burn hole in the floor that went to the ground floor.
I jumped down and landed in a dim-lit room with the strong smell of liquor. I landed in the resident hotel bar.
I found another newspaper on the bar counter, at this point these will only add to my already boiling rage to things I should kill this bastard again for.
'Murder Suicide! Ocean House Killer Possibly Responsible For Inferno!' I knew it was going to piss me off; I noted the can and shot glasses on the counter.
"Liquid courage." I said aloud to see if he was listening.
Nothing happened, maybe his ignoring me or in denial.
I'd help myself to the scotch if I wasn't limited to one 'fine wine', that and I have an overdue meeting with the bastard haunting these halls.
I spotted a dumbwaiter and seeing as there's nowhere else to go, I might as well follow the path before me.
I opened the latch; the space was just big enough to fit me inside. I crawled into the tight squeeze and pressed the button.
The latch shut and the small elevator descended.
Before I knew it; I stopped and a latch opened to my right and I fell right out without warning.
I looked around to find I literally fell into the kitchen.
I stood up and patted my clothes down to get the dust off.
Clang
I look toward the noise to find a pan 'just fell'. I look where it fell from and I see a diary, a bit burned but intact.
I flip it open and the tale begins to reveal itself.
The diary itself is partly damaged, but still mostly readable.
'Property of Martha …..' I could make out a first name at least, now I had something to call her by.
"May 30, 1958: The hotel's grand opening, a family of four checked into room 310. They were a happy family." I surmise to myself aloud.
"May 31, 1958: First two days were almost perfect, the husband, Ed, kept asking about the locket her mother gave her. He was clearly jealous that she was having an affair." Now I have a name for this bastard as well.
"June 1, 1958: Ed seems to have grown from jealousy to delusional in the span of a day, accusing Martha of having a new boyfriend." As the story unfolds, I feel my emotion cause my sight to go red.
"June 3, 1958: Martha and the children enjoyed a 'grand picnic' sponsored by the hotel. Ed mood shows signs of dementia, except… when he spoke to the grounds keeper? 'Boys and their toys'. My god." Since I know how the story ends, seeing the clear sign is starting unnerve me.
"June 4, 1958: Ed wouldn't speak to Martha or the children; he kept staring at the locket like it was made of blood diamonds. He kept ignoring his family, Martha hoped he would be better by the next day, but that's not the first time she's written that hope." I turn the page and I find the final entry.
"June 5, 1958: Ed left early, they couldn't find him. Ed Jr went… down to the basement…" I stop for a second.
"Martha sent Tiffany to find him went he didn't come back…" I bent the hardcover of the diary in rage.
"There was a knock on the door… Ed burst in covered in blood, he killed the children and Martha was next. She locked herself in the bathroom, Ed kept shouting that they would be together forever, and he clearly lost it. Martha's last words were scrawled in her diary, as she prayed for someone to help her." The writing trailed off the page as she attempted to write 'help'. I slam the diary shut and try to calm myself.
I took a few moments, and then I felt something…
Help me!
I heard the desperate plea of a woman, whom I was certain, was Martha.
"I wasn't there to help you then, but I'm here now."
He's coming!
Humm, Hummmm, HUMMMM!
I heard the humming sound again, I turned to see the knife, pots and everything else begin to glow and shake violently.
I dove behind the counter to avoid the assault.
Pots and pans flew everywhere.
I saw the door out, so I made a run for it!
The stove on the counter burst into flames behind me as I leapt for the door. A moment later and I'd get the chance to test what Jack told me about fire out.
I grabbed the door handle, but the door wouldn't budge!
I turned to see if anything else was coming my way…
Just my luck, the microwave began to shake…
I ducked down to avoid losing my head!
The damn microwave took the door out on the way through.
I rolled back into the room and moved out of view of the doorway as the knives began embedding themselves in the wall.
I looked for a way out and spotted a vent on the wall. I ripped the vent cover off and made my way into the ventilation system. The vent only went one way before I reached the end at another vent.
Before I could touch the cover, I heard her again.
Be careful!
I nodded in response before breaking through the metal grid vent cover and dropping into the elevator shaft.
Spark, Spark, SPARK!
I heard sparks go off the ominous sound of something very heavy descending very quickly!
I didn't even bother looking before I jumped onto the access ladder and began climbing up as fast as I could!
The elevator fell passed me and met the ground with a loud…
SLAMMMM!
I saw the doors to the third floor higher up; I began to climb but was halted by Martha's disembodied voice.
Keep looking!
I looked around but didn't see anything until I looked down toward the latest attempt to kill me.
I let go and dropped down to the elevator; right before my feet was object of prolicide and matricide.
The fire axe lay before me on the roof of the elevator, I could smell old dry blood from it; all familial blood.
I knelt down to pick it up, this is what Martha wanted me to find.
The moment I touched the murder weapon, I got another flash of emotion and memory and then I knew how to break the curse.
I took the axe and began my climb to the third floor, the doors were shut but after slamming the axe into the door and pulling the doors apart, I made my jump.
I landed on the third floor and my attention was grabbed by the sound of a soft and gentle melody.
I checked the room to my immediate right and found a music box playing; it closed when I approached it. I picked the musical device up, and like with the wooden dog toy; I got another sensation of the memory behind this object.
"Tiffany." I said.
The music box opened up and began playing again in response. I smiled at the gesture; I put the box in my pocket with the wooden toy and diary.
Pop!
The bulb of the light next to me blew out when I walked out the room. I heard footsteps from the passage to my right.
I turned the corner to catch a glimpse of Martha running left around the corner, I almost didn't see the vase that flew at me, but missed me entirely.
"You missed me!" I provoked the homicidal ghost that was desperately trying to halt my progress now.
I ran after Martha dodging and ducking vases and lamps as made I followed the path she wanted me to follow. I turned a few corner before finding more rooms.
Spark! Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, Smash!
All the lights blew out and one of the room door exploding into pieces, I must be really pissing him off now.
I checked all the rooms then found one's ceiling had collapsed and led to the top floor. I climbed the rubble to reach the badly burned room.
I was losing my patients with this guy. "Show yourself, Ed!"
In response, the room caught a blaze with blue fire, I felt no heat but I wasn't looking to test if it could burn.
I ran out the room, furniture and the walls of the halls caught fire all around me as I passed.
I leapt over a hole in the ground.
Rumble….
The ground began to shake beneath my feet!
Bang! Bang!
Steam pipes exploded and burst out the wall, spewing dangerously scolding vapour in my path.
I jumped and slid under the pipe openings to avoid the steam and finally made my stop.
"310." I read the number of the room.
I opened the door to find it to be the most damaged of all the rooms I've seen thus far.
The room was half collapsed into the room below, but it was still quite large.
I felt the sensation I felt in the basement again.
Hahaha HAHAHA!
The spectre that haunts these walls, who murdered his family in life, manifested before me. I still couldn't make out any features, not that it mattered anymore, all I could see was his smug and sick grin.
"Time to finish this Ed." I stated as he simply laughed again, fire ignited around us as slowly closed in.
I reached back to grab the handle of my weapon of choice and charged.
Ed's smug grin never left his face until I revealed the axe he murdered his family with as my weapon of choice.
I could sense genuine shock and fear from the spirit, the locket in the diary might have caused this mess but it is Ed's jealous hatred that is the strength of the curse. The locket was the cause; so it would serve as a medium to exorcize the curse, but I'd rather take the curse out at its source.
Any normal weapon has no effect, like my shot at him earlier proved, but the weapon he used to murder his family would bear an emotional scar that has supernatural properties. Stands to reason that with my undead power flowing through it will send this bastard to Hell!
I readied the attack and struck a slash to the spectre, his body became torn like cloth and the fires grew weaker with him.
I stuck again and again, hacking away the pieces of his being; I fuelled the axe with my rage at his crime while the dried blood of his family began to glow on the blade.
I held the axe over my head for the final strike and vertically split him down the middle.
NOOOOO!
The spectre's body disintegrated and dissipated into smoke then vanished entirely. The fires around me died the moment the blade connected and severed his hold to the living world.
I through the axe aside, no longer needing it, I saw something shiny on the other side of the room on the end table.
Before I could Arc to the other side, the whole room began to change and then I saw light.
Suddenly I was in the room but I looked around and saw no sign of fire or any kinds of damage.
Sunlight shone through the windows but did nothing to me, I felt warm inside.
It's like I stepped into the past, I took a reluctant step forward for there was no floor further than the point where I stood, yet I felt solid ground beneath my feet.
I walked further till I reached the table to find a locket, the locket that drove Ed to killing his own family.
Giggle
I turned around to find the woman who led me to this point, Martha; and unlike before she actually looked alive and bore a tearful smile. Alongside her were her son and daughter, Ed Jr and Tiffany.
The children ran to me and hugged me? I could feel the contact; I was so shocked I couldn't reply.
"Thank you, mister." Tiffany whispered.
"You're our hero!" Ed Jr exclaimed.
I remembered the things I found; I reached into my pocket and revealed the wooden toy and music box. "I believe these belong to you." I handed the items to the respective child.
They walked back to their mother who had yet to say a word.
"Thank you, so much. You saved me and my babies from… him." Martha spoke with a reluctant tone when she mentioned her murderer; even the children seemed scared at the mention of their father.
"Now we may rest in peace, you have a good heart; even if it doesn't beat." Martha smiled.
The light became more intense that my vision was blinded for a moment, when the light faded; I was back in the destroyed hotel room, next to the end table. I felt my pockets to see the wooden dog and music box gone, only the diary remained.
"Rest in peace." I bowed my head in respect for the departed.
VMVMVMVMVMVMVMVMVMVM
Authors Notes:
This chapter went much longer than I thought it would; hope it isn't too dragged out.
Till next time…Fare Thee Well…