I'm looking forward to her spirit coming over to me.
I feel tempted to bring her over to see,
just what it's like to be hanging on the other side.
I feel so lonely.
It's a long time since I died—

"Twilight Zone"—Iron Maiden

Seuche in Deutschland

Chapter VII

"Oh God, this is so boring," Alcander mumbled, while he watched from the shadows.

There were very few lights in the ghetto, but that was for the best. Alcander did not want anyone to notice him.

From the distance, however, Alcander could see the lights from the festivities that took place in other parts of Berlin.

"What's the matter with these people? Don't they like to party too?"

But within a moment after Alcander finished his thought more lights were displayed in the ghetto, and people began to leave their homes.

Alcander retreated further into the shadows, but he did his best to hear what the citizens mumbled to each other.

Most of their conversation consisted of a special 'Shabbat'—or 'Sabbath'—at the synagogue in thanksgiving of 1823, and with the hope that the Children of Israel would have a better year in 1824. And, after the special Shabbat, New Years Eve celebrations would begin on the street.

"Damn! And I can't take part, because everyone'll know that I'm not Jewish. It's weird, but I guess this is how the Jews feel most of the time in the predominately Christian world."

The entire community began to depart from their homes to visit the synagogue, with the exception of the Sherwins.

"It's good that they decided to say in. Even though my brother and I wore out our welcome, at least they took some of our advice and placed a Star of David outside her bedroom window."

But as the night continued on, the streets remained still.

"Dear God, this is so boring! I could really enjoy a drink right now. I'm sure that not everybody went to the synagogue. Maybe I could grab one of those skullcaps, visit the tavern, and make some excuse about why I don't have a beard?"

And while Alcander pondered his thought, he noticed a man dressed in a long black coat approach the Sherwin residence. The man did not wear a skullcap; and from Alcander's vantage point, he did not appear to have a beard either.

"Something tells me he's not Jewish."

Alcander watched the man's movements. For a few minutes he stared at the Sherwin residence, before he raised his eyes to Rachel's window.

When he did so, he noticed the Star of David. The man let out a snarl and walked away.

"Did that snarl've to do with Star of David, or that possibly he doesn't like the Sherwins?"

Alcander entered stealth mode, and began to follow the man. But near the edge of the ghetto, the man stopped.

"I know that you're following me," the man began, while he turned around. "So why don't you show yourself?"

"Damn," Alcander said, as he stepped under a streetlight.

"All right, you can see me now; so why don't you step forward?"

The man did as Alcander requested. He was moderately tall—in his early twenties, with brown hair and eyes; and unlike the men of the ghetto, he was without a beard.

"Probably not Jewish," replied Alcander.

"Just who the hell're you!" the man asked.

"That's insignificant. Why were you staring at the Sherwin residence, particularly the girl's window?"

"That's none of your damn business, stranger…"

"'Stranger?' Yes, I'm a stranger to these parts, but you don't look very Jewish yourself."

"Let me state this very clearly. It'd be in your best interest to move on."

"I'll be happy to move on, as soon as you answer one more question."

The man sighed. "Fine, ask."

"Why did you snarl when you saw the Star of David?"

"…Because I hate Jews."

"Really? Well, I've a few other symbols you might want to snarl at…Care to see them?"

In response to Alcander's question the man flashed a pair of fangs, but Alcander countered with a crucifix.

The vampire recoiled, and attempted to escape. But Alcander would not let him, as he stamped the crucifix against the back of his head. The vampire fell, with Alcander standing over him.

"I've a few more questions to ask," Alcander began, while he unsheathed his sword; and continued to use his crucifix to keep the vampire at bay. "Are there more of your kind in this city?"

The vampire chuckled, almost defiant of his possible fate. "We're legion…that's all I'll tell you!"

"Oh?" Alcander said with a smirk.

The vampire continued to chuckle. "Even if you tortured me…I wouldn't tell you anymore…Tepes!"

"What! How do you know that name!"

"I know…exactly…who you…are…Alcander."

Alcander gasped.

"Yes…I didn't say anything before…But I know who you were…It doesn't matter if you kill me…Our plan'll still carry on."

"…Our?"

"…Legion…it can't be stopped."

"Well, I think it can."

The vampire chuckled again. "Don't become so cocky…only because you defeated…Vlad the Impaler…Vlad was great…but he was foolish…The same mistake won't happen…with us."

And in response, Alcander thrust his sword into the vampire's heart and decapitated its head, before he departed the scene of what some might consider 'a crime.'