"Nick, I have a question for you." Darius leaned forward in his chair and slid his hands around his coffee cup. "My class was discussing modern myths the other day and we got onto a discussion about Vampires."
Nick, Natalie, and Tracy all started and glanced at one another. Well, rather, Tracy looked at Natalie but steadfastly avoided even looking at Nick.
Darius hesitated when he noticed the interaction but once they all centered their gaze back on him, he continued.
"Well, we were discussing their basis in fact and some of the students pointed out that there are people today who at least believe that they need to ...drink....certain quantities of blood to survive. But, I really didn't pay much attention to that but what I did find fascinating was that one student pointed out that life for a vampire must be incredibly sad."
Natalie moved her hand ever so slightly to touch Nick's. She could feel his tension through their link. But there was no way to turn the conversation without drawing attention. Tracy noticed Nick's tension about the particular topic but through more normal means. Nick never was any good at hiding his emotions.
Darius continued, oblivious.
"It struck me as interesting because most people associate vampires with seduction. The freedom of immortality and draw of power. Very little is ever said about the consequences. Personally I think that if one is willing to become a vampire, even with the knowledge that their very existence will relay on the death of countless others, then they are not the type of people who would feel the pain of a mortal friends passing or anything."
"Well, my friend. That is an interesting topic you have chosen." Nick smiled sadly.
Natalie put her hand more firmly over his and Tracy began to feel some of her anger dissipate at the look of lost hope on Nick's face.
Nick continued. "I believe that the pull of the seduction and the dark power of being a Vampire often blind one to any of the consequences. You enter into it blinded by the dark beauty of the thing you will become. Only after, when the deed is done does the full impact of what you are really hit you. Not until after the first taste of rich, hot blood, the ultimate feeling of control when you take the very spark of life from an innocent to feed your immortal hunger do you truly understand. But, then it is too late to turn back. Too late. It is then that the vampire faces two paths. One, the most common, they stop caring. They free themselves from the mortal coils of fear and guilt and live to fill their hunger. The second, and by far the least common, they hold onto their pain, their guilt, and they keep it with them for all eternity. Instead of reveling in their nature they fight it, they ignore their needs and deny what they are. This path always leads to disaster. Sooner or later they have to face the Beast they have become and those around them will pay the price."
Nick looked at Tracy. He had apologized, explained, no he needed to know if she understood. Tracy dipped her head in response to his quiet plea. She would forgive him. Natalie saw their exchange and smiled weakly. The strong emotions from Nick were exhausting, Natalie got up and filled three dark coffee mugs, two for her and Nick, one for Tracy. Natalie came back and handed out the "coffee." Both Tracy and Nick nodded their thanks. Darius on the other hand was staring blankly at Nick. He barely even noticed when Natalie got up and came back.
"Wow, you should right that down or make it into a television show or something. You know, a good vampire who is trying to deny what he is, and then it ends tragically." Darius added absently. "Do you read a lot about vampires or fantasy?"
Nick laughed softly. "No. Something's you just know."
Nick walked out into the early morning air and flushed out his dormant lungs. Leaning back on the wall Nick let out a sigh. It had been a long night. The weight of the day seemed to settle down on his shoulders and the ancient vampire felt suddenly tired. So much had happened so quickly. His former partner had not only come back from the dead but also married his best friend and taken up residence in the same city as himself. Nothing was that coincidental.
All around him, the world was starting to wake and for the first time he did not feel sorrow because he couldn't join them. Everyone has his place in the world and after eight hundred years of confusion and searching, Nick had finally contented himself with his. But, the turmoil in his mind shattered his new found happiness. There were so many questions!
Nick shrugged and pushed away from the wall. No point in ruining his chance to satisfy his curiosity by bursting into flames. As Nick turned to head back into N&N's he stopped to take one more deep breath of the crisp morning air. A familiar scent caught Nick's attention and he sniffed again. It was strange; he couldn't place it but that particular scent reminded him of something, of someone. The threatening rays of the sun began to peek menacing out from behind the buildings and Nick struggled to place that particular smell before he retreated inside...
Smells like..... Souvlaki and...Garlic?
Then it hit him. Only one person in the world, or at least in the western hemisphere, smelled like that on a perpetual basis.
But that's impossible! He died in Toronto!
Nick spun around to see if he could trace the source of the scent and a familiar voice greeted his ears.
"......Between you me and the lamppost, this has got to be the worst hot dog I have ever......"
Nick didn't catch the rest. He was off like a shot, following his senses to where ever that voice was coming from. The sun's rays started to rake down onto the street but Nick forced himself to ignore his instinct to find cover. He had to find out! He had to.
Sticking to the rapidly shrinking shadows Nick managed to make it close to where he estimated the voice had come from. Only the corner of a building stood in the way. All Nick had to do was glance around that small barrier of stone and he would find out if what he was hearing was imagination or not.
Cautiously Nick snaked his around the corner. He kept his body close to the wall so he could see around but no one on the other side could easily see him.
And reality shifted just a little more.
Nick nearly fainted in surprise. There he was. The familiar profile of a person he had thought was long dead. Even though the formerly round frame was diminished there was no mistaking Don Schanke. Every little thing about his former partner came rushing back as Nick watched Schanke argue with the hotdog vendor. Even the hand gestures were uniquely Schanke.
Nick watched, frozen, as Schanke argued with the vendor. After a few minutes the man finally relented and dug into his pocket to produce a greasy five dollar bill. His held it out to Schanke and Nick watched breathlessly as Schanke snatched the money with a muffled... "Well thanks for nothing!"
This was too much. This was way too much.
This could not be happening.
This should not be happening
This isn't happening.
Nick was sure the image of Schanke would shatter when he touched the vendor's hand and this fantasy would turn out to be just that, a dream. But, the figure of Schanke remained. Solid and as real as ever.
Nick's reminiscing broke off as Schanke turned to head right towards him. Quickly he pulled himself back from the corner and flattened himself in the shadows along the side of the building. It seemed funny to hide from a ghost. Schanke walked lazily by rubbing his hands together and whistling tunelessly. Nick almost reached out but his hands felt leaden. He could hardly bear to breathe. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. Never. Nick stared open-mouthed at Schanke's retreating back. Then before he could think on it any longer he moved slightly away from his protective veil of shadows and called out in his best Nick Knight voice.
"Schanke!"
Schanke whirled around and stared open mouthed at Nick. Nick took a step to go up and touch this apparition but ran out of shadow after the first step and had to draw back, hissing.
"Nick? Man oh man! Is that you?"
"I think so. How did you..... ?"
"What? Get here? I drove. No more planes for me!"
The shadow shrunk another inch.
"Where are you staying?"
"Don't know yet, just got in actually. I just felt like I needed to get to New York as quickly as possible."
"Why don't you stay here with me and Natalie? We would love to catch up with what you have been up too."
Nick couldn't believe it. He was actually talking to Schanke again. And he invited him over! Man oh man was right. What exactly do you say to a ghost?
The shadow shrunk another inch and Nick's shoe was in the sun.
"Look, Schank, I would love to chat all day but I really do need to get back. Remember how me and sunlight don't mix."
"Sure Nicky boy. Lead on, I can't wait to see you and Natalie. Jeez, that is such a coincidence. You and me and Natalie all here in the big Apple. It's a small world after all! Huh!"
Somehow, he never quite remembered, Nick managed to make it back with burns only on one side of his body.
Things were looking up.
Yeah,
right.
The appearance of Schanke tipped the scales. Nothing like this was supposed to happen in the real world. Dead mortals do not come back to life and congregate in New York just because they feel like it. (Pun intended)
Nick and Natalie stayed up into late in the day discussing it. Schanke had gone out to shop and let them sleep earlier. They hadn't been able to get him to tell the how he managed to survive the bomb. He had always side stepped the issue. But this was too much.
Way too much.
Something was happening. For some reason they were all being gathered. That much Nick and Nat had decided. Before they turned in for the day they finally decided to share with their group. They needed to get everyone together and get questions answered.
Darius sat in Nick's black leather chair. Schanke was leaning against the mantel, trying to be inconspicuous, Natalie was in the kitchen busy setting the table and preparing a meal. But everyone's full attention was on the pair verbally dueling in the middle of the room.
"You should have told me!"
"You know the code stopped me from telling you! I was trying to save your life!"
"Well I nearly died anyways! Vachon never worried about the Code."
"That's because I told him he was to protect you from the Enforcers or I would kill him myself."
"I can't believe you! I trusted you with my life."
"I know and I am truly sorry. Code or no, I should have told you." Nick turned to Schanke, "and you."
Nick looked back at Tracy and after some telepathic nudging from Natalie, Nick bowed his head and took Tracy's hand in his own.
"I was wrong. I was different then. Can you please forgive me for my ignorance?"
All the fire seemed to leave Tracy's eyes. Nick was still the same, no matter what he said. There was no way she could resist that puppy dog look.
"Fine, fine." Tracy laughed tiredly. "I am tired or being moody all the time anyway. Besides, I think there are bigger things happening here."
"Wait" Darius and Schanke both yelled at the same time. Then Schanke continued, "Am I the only one here who has been lost since they came through the door? I think we need to be filled in on a few important points here."
Darius mumbled his agreement.
Nick sighed. Oh this was too much. Pinching the bridge of his nose he glanced at Tracy and Nat. They both nodded encouragingly so Nick began. Without his french accent.
"Natalie and I, are not what you would classify as human. Actually, we are umm....well. We are Vampires." Darius and Schanke both looked at one another and burst out laughing.
"You're kidding right?"
"No, I assure you I am not kidding."
Darius piped in, "So could you guys show us your fangs or something?"
"No," Nick grimaced and glanced at Natalie she chuckled and shrugged. Why did they always want to see the fangs? "That's so clichéd and rather crass showmanship so I am told."
"Believe us or not, but the truth remains that we are vampires." Natalie concluded
from the kitchen.
Both Darius and Schanke fell silent and glanced nervously around.
"Tracy, you don't seem to find this hard to believe." Darius squeaked.
"Dear, there are some things you just have to accept. Believe me when I say that they are being absolutely serious."
And then it hit him. Nick never ate or drank anything when they went out after classes. He only worked the night even though there would have been more demand for day classes in French, and he was so pale.....
Darius gasped and laid back in his chair, stunned.
As Darius was connecting his experiences so was Schanke. That strange quest he had so long ago came back to him.
"LaCroix lied! He said you weren't a....a... vampire!"
"He never lied Schank. He only asked you what you really thought and you dismissed the idea on your own."
Schanke walked over and flopped into a chair.
"Man oh man."
"You said it," added Darius.
"Dinner's ready" chimed Natalie from the kitchen.