3

Confrontations

Marty stormed angrily into Professor Murdoch's office, looking ready to bite someone's head off. He found Merrill, Essie, and Murdoch.

"Who in Satan's black pits gives you the RIGHT to mess with MY MIND!" he yelled angrily, extremely put out by the intrusion.

Merrill looked stricken, but Essie stepped in front of her before she could open her mouth in protest. "I asked her to, Marty. I thought there was something wrong with you. You been off by yourself lately and you've been missing your meals. I was worried," she pleaded softly, knowing Marty could not resist her charm when it was directed towards him. "I got Merrill to help me, because we care about you Marty, and we wanted to find out what was wrong."

Marty frowned, then hissed abruptly in annoyance. He could never stay angry with Essie for long. Merrill was another matter entirely. His blue eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to her. "So what did you see Merrill?" He asked, his silky-smooth voice barely hiding the tremble of rage beneath it.

"Flowers," she answered boldly, encouraged by Essie's support. Dr. Murdoch stood off to one side, ready to step in if the conversation took a turn for the worst. "Lots of flowers. Daisies mostly. And a poppy, and a girl who's face you couldn't see."

Marty's sly face melted into one of frustration and anguish. "You don't have a clue about what's going on with me," he snapped, harsher than he had originally intended.

"But I do," Merrill disagreed. "You see, at the very end of your dream, I could hear your thoughts. You're lonely, and want a female companion. You want someone to love Marty," she stated firmly, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that that was exactly what was wrong with Marty.

"I don't need anyone!" Marty yelled as he strode back to the door. "There's nothing wrong with me." After passing the doorway in the wall, he realized that he hadn't eaten in awhile like Essie had remarked. Feeling parched, he went off in search of his share of food. He found only Drew in the room, already busy tearing a hole in his packet of blood.

"Eating something tonight Marty?" he asked offhandedly.

"Screw you," Marty replied, in no good mood to talk as he ripped a packet open with his teeth, and headed off to some dark corner to enjoy his meal.

Drew looked up in surprise as he left, but figured Marty was just being Marty, and went back to eating.

Finding a hidden corner, Marty settled down for an uninterrupted meal. Try as he might though, Marty could not enjoy his food, although the parched feeling soon faded reluctantly away.

4

Vacation

A few days later, after Dr. Murdoch had decided that Marty had had enough time to cool off, he called his five night students into his office after a lesson.

Karl, Drew, Essie, and Merrill sat down in the chairs in front of his desk while Marty faded into the shadows of a corner.

"So what's up Doc?" Karl asked, pretending to eat a carrot while he said it. Essie giggled.

"Ha ha," Dr. Murdoch replied, not amused. He gave them all a serious look, and began his spiel. "When the Elders had you brought here, they told me you were not to leave until you were civilized." He paused and smirked. "I know some of you have been off school grounds before, but as long as you weren't seen, didn't bring any attention to yourself, and came back before sun up, the Elders have allowed it. But you were never to go off for more than a few hours on your own."

"And this has to do what with us?" Marty interrupted insolently from the shadows.

"I was just coming to that, Marty. I expect Drew and Karl been filled in about Marty's behavior as of late?" He directed to Essie and Merrill. They nodded, along with Drew and Karl.

"What? You told them!?!" Marty cried. "Without my permission?" He snarled, but Dr. Murdoch continued, speaking to the rest of the group.

"Because Marty's strange behavior cannot be controlled by Marty himself, the Elders have granted him leave from Mansbridge Academy for exactly two weeks. No more, no less. They have also decided that one of you should be sent with him."

Marty jumped out of the corner, his expression one of disbelief. "They're letting me outta this place? Glory be!" he stopped. "Who are you sending with me?" he asked cautiously. The other four looked at Dr. Murdoch, each hoping for a chance at some real freedom.

Murdoch smiled. "Karl." Marty groaned. "Karl is going to make sure you don't get out of hand, aren't you Karl?" he asked.

Karl gulped, then nodded.

"You're dismissed, but I want to see Marty and Karl in here exactly one hour before sunup. Then we'll go over your travel plans. The Elders want to send you to a vampire city in California, where you will meet others of your kind, who have been 'civilized' already."

*****

"So where are we going?" Marty asked specifically when he, Karl, and Dr. Murdoch reconvened in the Dr.'s office.

"You are going to Taberinth, a peaceful vampire establishment in California. You'll find other vampires there who have been able to tame their own instincts and live peacefully among one another."

"Sound peachy," Marty retorted.

"Would you rather stay here?" Dr. Murdoch asked dangerously.

Marty smirked, finally ticking the good doctor off. "Two weeks of absolute freedom or two weeks of watching the vampire soap opera developing right under my nose. I think I'll pass on the drama. I'm in," he smiled.

Dr. Murdoch nodded. "Karl?" he asked the unusually silent vampire.

"Whatever," he muttered, unable to believe that his two weeks of freedom would be spent with Marty, of all people. He sighed. "I'm in."

"Good," Murdoch nodded. "Then it's settled.

Taberinth. A place of civilized vampires, or a place of mindless drones? And what of the young vampiress that seems to be appearing in Marty's dreams. And will Karl succumb to the town's lovely young ladies, or is his love for Essie strong enough to withstand temptation?