Chapter 5: Distractions

These were familiar grounds to her. Only a week ago this was her domain, but it felt like a century or more had gone by since the knife went into her heart. Like a blanket of mist in the morning after a heavy rain the essence of the Tremere clan was still strong in parts of this town. The Gangrel took over the factory where her chantry once resided. Now it was being turned into a haven for travelers who needed a place to stay during the daylight ours. Sort of a safe house for Gangrel and other refuse of Kindred society.

At first she thought of setting fire to the building. It was a century old and even with some of the new refurbishments required by OSHA the building could easily be destroyed. But doing something that drastic would be overkill, and Zarius would definitely suspect the Tremere. No, a direct attack on any Gangrel would be too obvious, and she needed to be more subtle.

Amanda flew towards the high school where Eric Peterson taught theater arts. It was close to midnight and the grounds were deserted accept for a few janitors working the nightshift. She flew low and landed in the parking lot near the vocational center. She changed to human form and approached a man who was busy salting the walkway into one of the rear entrances. The kill was fast and easy and she drained every last drop of life from his body. She left the body where it fell and took to the air again.

She went to a convenient store on the corner of Main Street and South Stream Road. It was a mom and pop store that had been around since the 1920's. Every family that lived in the town of Bennington for longer than four generations knew this store for its butchers and its produce. The butchers were on the payroll of the Ventrue to provide fresh pig and cow's blood with no questions asked, and in return. Amanda landed behind the building, changing shape and looking around her to make sure no one had seen.

Quickly she broke in through the back. She found the thermostat that controlled the meat locker and smashed it. She did the same with the dairy cooler and the freezer full of ice cream and frozen food in the store. By morning at least a quarter of the store's stock would be spoiled and ruined. She smashed everything breakable, the cash register, the eggs, and anything that came in a glass bottle. She destroyed the bread and spilled the animal blood over all of the fruit and vegetables in one of the open display coolers. Police sirens howled in the distance. Someone heard the commotion, which was good. Lazarus wanted his distraction, and one dead janitor and a vandalized convenient store would definitely distract the Kindred here.

"The store can be easily restocked," Mary said at the conclave meeting. "Salem's has been there for longer than I have. I'm happy that no one was hurt."

"As am I," Zarius replied. "But was this Kindred or human hand that laid destruction to this building? Salem's supplied the Ventrue with blood, did they not?"

"We're still investigating the matter," Andrew answered. "The owners of the store had no enemies here. Friends, family, and even first time customers always loved that store. Then there's the fact that no money was actually stolen."

"Definitely Kindred then," It was Ivan, the newly elected Assamite primogen who spoke. "No human does that kind of damage to a store on principal."

"That would certainly remain consistent with the murder outside the high school last night," Edgar chimed in. His voice was deep and shrill, reminding Andrew of the Crypt Keeper. "Are there any past impressions of the area?"

"Not yet," Andrew replied, knowing that the Tzcimsce wasn't exactly asking him. "Some of the older Gangrel are looking into that now. I'm not powerful enough to see-"

"That's what we get for having a child in the big boy's chair," Peterson muttered.

"Excuse me," Mary said. "That was inappropriate."

"Agreed," Zarius said, warningly. "Andrew, I trust you and the Gangrel are taking every step needed. But we'll need everyone's resources to pull through here. Mary, Christopher, and Bastian, see that the city is secure tonight. Frequent patrols, and protect the homes of the shop owners as well. Eric and Andrew, I want every Gangrel and Toreador protecting the schools and students from harm. I will send word to all princes that Education Passes will be temporarily banned, to prevent their own vassals from harm while they are learning. Christopher, your Lasombra will use whatever contacts you have to discover whether or not this is the work of Sabbat. With Christmas Break I trust most students will be home for the next month, so that should give us plenty of time to bring this under control."

"What about tourists?" Mary asked. "Particularly Prince Julian."

"The Gangrel and Ventrue will remain there protect the resort and its tourists. Also, Ivan, I will ask you and your clan to do the same. I imagine young Dennis will appreciate the chance to spend Christmas with his friend."

"Gladly, my Prince," Ivan said with a nod. "We will give our lives to protect the prince if needs be."

"Let us hope it won't come to that. Dismissed."

Sean met up with Jason the following day. He spent three hours on the phone asking the prince if he was sure he wasn't needed.

"I'm certain Sean," Zarius said. He didn't seem sure whether or not to be annoyed or amused. "The Gangrel are doing fine under Andrews guidance and the matters at hand are minor compared to last week."

"But it sounds like this is something out of his league." Sean protested. "First the body at the high school, then the vandalism at Salem's? Someone's sending us a message and I don't like it."

"Don't worry about that any longer. Enjoy your vacation. If the situation rises I will personally call you back. Consider it my Christmas gift."

Sean smiled. "Thank you, my Prince."

And with nothing else to do, Sean called Jason and took him out to lunch at a diner in Troy, New York.

"What can I order?" Jason asked, looking at the menu.

"Anything you can eat," Sean said. "I'm having the lamb myself. I haven't eaten here in a long time."

The waitress came to take their orders.

"I heard about Trent McCarthy the other day," Jason said.

"Yeah. I was at his funeral," Sean said. "He died from a car crash in Pownal."

"Didn't you used to hang out with him?"

"Quite a bit actually. He was my best friend senior year and we kept in contact during college."

"I haven't gone to college yet." Jason said, with a heavy sigh. He fiddled with the straw in his soda, stirring the soda idly. "It's just not for me yet."

"What are you up to then?"

"I work at MAC molding. Pays 9.50 an hour."

"Not bad. That's the hanger factory isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Gosh, I hear they have a high turnover rate. I could never work there."

"Where do you work?"

"I'm actually a security guard at SVC," Sean said, being half truthful. "I'm doing that to work off my tuition and then I'll probably go on to UVM for my masters' degree."

"What do you have now?"

"Just a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Not much, I know."

"That's cool though. I mean, that's better than just a high school diploma."

Sean took another sip of soda.

"So, how's your mother doing?"

Jason sighed.

"Not too well. She's still working as a substitute teacher, but her health hasn't been that great. Her heart's been giving her problems and she has another foster kid to worry about."

Sean was surprised. Jason was adopted himself, and he was one of six kids who were adopted by his mother Elaine. She never had any biological children of her own. But after thirty years of teaching and raising the children of other families, it didn't surprise Sean that she was beginning to wind down.

"How old is this kid?" He asked.

"She's twelve," Jason answered. "And she doesn't act like it. She clings to my mom all day, she doesn't eat unless you watch her, and she has to be reminded to take a shower and everything. I'm just afraid that my mom's going to keel over suddenly."

"Sounds pretty stressful," Sean said, sympathetically. "Have you been out of the house much lately?"

"Oh yeah, I get out every once in a while. Plus I get a couple weeks of vacation off from the plant."

Sean fiddled with the straw for a few seconds. A thought occurred to him, but he wondered if it was a good idea. It'd be very risky and with problems on the rise all he'd need was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He couldn't help but feel like the problems in Bennington were only the beginning…and after his dream…he'd have to talk to Zarius. But at least there was skiing.

"Do you have any plans for next week?"

"Not really. Just the usual Christmas stuff. Molly's going to her mother's home until after New Years so it'll give my mom a break."

"Do you like to ski?"

"No, but I like to snowboard."

"That works too. I've got a pass at this ski resort, and I can take a friend if I want to. We could stay at the lodge all week and just hang out."

Jason's eyes lit up.

"That'd be sweet. But what about my mother? She'll be all alone."

Sean was hesitant. Jason might not have noticed anything yet, but Elaine would certainly say something if she saw her son's friend, who hadn't aged since high school. But he wanted Jason to have a good time this year. "Well you wouldn't have to spend all week up there. I'd suggest bringing her along, but I only have a room reserved for myself and a friend at the lodge, and this place gets booked solid through winter."

Jason said he'd think about it. But from the look in his eye, Sean knew he was thinking about what to pack.