Every nightmare, I see her.
And it's always the same.
I will see her eyes locked onto mine. Keeping them fixed so that I am unharmed while she takes a selfish bullet for me.
A bullet that was not intended for anyone.
The way her steel blue eyes would cry the message: "I'm sorry" right before the bullet impacted her abdomen.
A cry of pain fills the air as I can only watch, helplessly, that my girl, Mara, is sacrificing herself.
For me.
She loved me that much, that she was prepared to die for me.
Me. The first guy she'd only ever had eyes for out of a class of many in our High School days.
And within the blink of an eye. It's over.
I'm kneeling at her lifelessly body after she'd hold my cheek in her hand. She smiles up at me knowing that I'm safe and slowly slips away. She didn't need to say anything. Her eyes told me that she loved me and was thankful that I was alive.
I pound my fists into the paving stones on the ground symbolically angry that it wasn't me that had been taken from this world, instead of Mara.
As I cry out of pain and sorrow, I awake gasping for air. Almost in a similar vein to how you'd come up for air from the water.
Apparently my panting in attempt to calm myself didn't go unnoticed as I could hear a knock at my door.
Abby: *from behind the door* MJ? Are you ok?
I steadied my breathing knowing I didn't want her to see me like this.
Abby: MJ? I could hear you crying. Is everything alright?
This leaves me in a very vulnerable position. I cannot appear weak to this girl I have taken into shelter and from her previous ways of feeding herself.
MJ: I'm ok. *sighs* just had a bad night, that's all.
There was a pause as she must have been concerned.
Abby: Can I come in?
I wasn't sure if this was a good idea. But against what I would normally do, I opted yes. After what I endured for the umpteenth time, I could use a friendly face.
I quickly put a blue t-shirt and jeans on as I had to make myself look, presentable.
MJ: sure.
The handle turned and the frail framed girl walked in with a very concerned feature on her face.
Abby: Were you having a nightmare?
I chose not to answer as I drank a bottle of water.
Abby: I'll take that as a, yes, then?
I looked up to her angelic face and her face of fright told me she wanted to help.
MJ: I lost someone very special to me, once, Abby. And it's been haunting me ever since that fateful day.
Unbeknownst to me, she already knew what was tormenting me. But she chose to hide that.
Abby: was it someone really close?
MJ: it was my girlfriend. Her name was, Mara. Mara Hayfield.
Abby: what happened?
MJ: *head low* she was murdered. Right in front of me.
A sad face appeared on her contours. She'd felt that sense of loss before and knew all too well what that felt like.
She offered a hand on my shoulder as a means of comforting me as she didn't want to see anyone in pain.
Abby: I'm sorry.
Gratefully, I placed my hand on hers, appreciating the gesture.
MJ: don't be. You weren't to know.
What happened next surprised me when she placed her hand on my cheek and she closed her eyes.
MJ: what are you doing?
She appeared to be concentrating on something. On what, I was none too sure.
Abby: I have a way of seeing peoples' pain as if I'm there. Just let me do this.
As she sat there her body slowly started to tremble. Like an unforeseen pain was trembling her.
When her head was vibrating it was like watching someone endure a nightmare through a physical manifestation. She pulled away screaming when she had seen enough.
Did she actually see my nightmare?
After a few moments to regain her composure, she looked to me with sad eyes and replaced her hand on my cheek.
Abby: *in tears* you poor child.
I think she only said that in reference to the fact that she was centuries older than I was.
Abby: and you relive this every night?
This was the first time in weeks that this painful dream had resurfaced. I would always enjoy the nights and weeks where it faded away allowing me to actually sleep properly for a time.
MJ: Not every night. I will get some periods where it will recur for a week. Then retreats for a few weeks. Then the cycle starts over.
Tears streamed from her eyes like she had felt the pain, herself.
Abby: Oh, MJ. *sobbing head lowered*
I placed my hand on her shoulder so that she would look at me.
MJ: I'll be alright. Work keeps me focused.
Abby: Is that why you became a Knight?
I nodded once.
MJ: I failed to stop Mara from dying that night. I could have done, something, Abby. Instead I froze out of fear.
Her expression changed to that of surprise from her sad look.
Abby: Wait? You honestly think that, you, were at fault?
This is something I've thought about continuously in the 5 years since that dark day in Chicago. I am known to blame myself and not anyone else.
I remembered someone saying, "a good player or coach doesn't blame the team. Tonight I simply didn't get the job done" and I take that to heart. If I can't get it done, I hold my hand up and say it was my fault.
MJ: if I had done something, Abby…Mara would still be alive.
She stood up defiantly like she couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth.
Abby: NO! I saw what happened in your memory, MJ. No! It all happened too quickly to comprehend anything.
MJ: I still don't get how you've managed to feel my pain like that.
Abby: I have abilities that some people don't have. MJ. What happened in Chicago was, not, your, fault. You didn't have the training nor the awareness you have today.
I sat quietly. I didn't want to admit that she was right. I'm still disappointed that I didn't do anything.
Abby: MJ,…are you looking for redemption?
I took that question in. Was I seeking that after all this time?
Have I been blinded by my own self-imposed guilt that I've been looking to be saved?
MJ: I never thought about that before.
She looked at me once more with concerned eyes seeing that I was looking for a form of salvation that would allow me to forgive myself for what took place 5 years ago.
Abby: MJ…*sighs* will you let me, save, you?
I had been waiting for years for someone to ask me that very question. Just to be given some hope that I could redeem myself.
MJ: *pause*..yes.
Abby: There's no shame in admitting when you're looking for help, MJ. Or in your case, a lifeline. You came to help me when you learnt I was crying out for help. And you've done more for me in 1 night than any human has done since my boyfriend let me know what it feels like to be human again.
MJ: Is he a vampire as well?
Abby: *nods* I turned him even after I said I wouldn't. But he, begged me. He didn't want to grow any older and be without me. So, I granted his wish.
MJ: where is he now?
Abby: we got separated on our way to LA. For reasons I don't know, we lost each other on the train.
MJ: do you think he's still here?
Abby: I can sense he's still out there. But, where? I don't know.
I looked at my digital watch on my wrist and noted that the time was 8:01 pm. Man, I must have been way out of it. How does someone like Batman deal with the sleep deprivation?
MJ: well, we'll assist him as well when we get into contact with him. Right now, we need to get ready.
Abby: we heading out?
I was heading for the door as I needed to get some dinner before departing for the evening.
MJ: *stops and looks round* it's the only way we'll catch this other figure. I'm hoping it's not your boyfriend. Mind you this other figure was 6 feet tall.
She shook her head noting my guess was wrong.
Abby: Owen's barely 5 foot five. It won't be him.
MJ: well, that's useful. Anyway. I'm gonna grab a sandwich before we head out. Help yourself to some blood in the kitchen.
Abby: you may want to be out of the kitchen when I do. It gets nasty.
MJ: You were ok last night.
Abby: fortunately, I was more in control. Because the other side of me was so hungry I excreted some self-control.
MJ: I think I'll be ok.
Abby: what makes you say that?
MJ: I think if you want to control that part of you badly enough, you'd find a way to override it.
Abby: Do I have to repeat myself?
MJ: let me answer that with a question. You saw and felt the pain I had?
Abby: Sadly.
MJ: and you know some people would have iced themselves if they had lost someone as precious to them as Mara was to me?
Abby: I think I'm beginning to get it.
MJ: then answer me this: why did I not take myself out years ago?
She looked for an answer and found it difficult to produce it.
Abby: *shrugs* I don't know.
MJ: it's because I know she would want me to live, and because it's finding the strength from within. To take, control. In short – will, power.
She nodded understanding the method I was referring to.
Abby: I get it.
MJ: awesome. Now, let's eat.
I chewed on a cheese and tomato sub in the kitchen whilst Abby looked intently at her glass of A positive and then giving me a half glare. I guess she didn't fully trust herself just yet.
I held my hands up noting that she wished to be left in private to do this.
As she looked at the glass she could feel her vampire side wanting to get out. Her teeth changed, her eyes became almost pure silver and her skin became discoloured.
Then my words from earlier echoed in her mind "I think if you want to control that part of you badly enough, you'd find a way to override it".
She closed her eyes and focused her energy on repressing her vampire physical features. She managed to get her teeth to regress to near normal size, but her urges kicked in and downed the blood like she hadn't eaten in a week.
Abby: *to herself* must…find…the…will…power.
I was over in the lab looking for more reports from last night. KITT had sent at least 3 more reports since I retreated to bed and they all had the same motif. A random stranger had been left in a lifeless mess with blood and human flesh left at what remains of their existence.
MJ: I guess it's been a nasty night. At least Abby wasn't responsible for these. That I know of. How long til moon rise?
I looked at local weather reports looking for when it would be safe for Abby to emerge from here as I've seen from fiction that sunlight was not exactly a vampire's best friend. It was now 8:16 pm and from I could see from news footage it was dark enough.
Just as I was about to get up from my chair, another police report came in about a child being murdered. And it was the first report to have had a vampire attack done to a child of 8.
I was mortified. It's one thing when an adult loses their life, but it's even more tragic when a child bears the brunt of this. I tapped away at the report and could see that it had been transported to the county morgue. I knew KITT could get me in there by faking some clearance, but the window open for that was limited.
MJ: ABBY *calling out* we're heading out now. You ready?
She came in in her white sweater and black track pants with her black hoodie.
MJ: you may want to put some shoes on.
Abby: why?
MJ: where we're going, it'll cause less suspicion.
This has to mean that we were going to be seen by people as she had told me whilst blindfolded that she only did so for that.
Abby: and where are we going?
MJ: county morgue. Another dead body's been turned up. This time a kid. Just 8 years old.
Abby: that's horrible.
MJ: I'm guessing that was a line you didn't cross.
Abby: No. Taking an adult was one thing. But I would never take a child's life.
MJ: hopefully after all this is done, you'll never have to take another. Blood ok?
Abby: it's good stuff. I still don't know how you got it.
MJ: I'll tell you later. And if we're lucky we can squeeze the guy I got it from for more. That's provided he wants to stay in my good books.
Abby: who is he?
MJ: a local con-artist. But knows how to get specific items such as rare blood types to people underground who are willing to pay top dollar for it. Anyway, let's go.
I grabbed my leather jacket and we made for the door to where KITT was on the other side.
MJ: evening, pal.
The scanner came to life upon my words.
KITT: slept well?
MJ: Morealess.
Abby: MJ, just so you know, I don't have any shoes.
MJ: we'll pick up some up on the way. KITT, if you don't mind? We do have a lady here.
The passenger door opened up as Abby was walking to that side with another surprised look.
Abby: that is going to take some getting used to.
And again when the door closed by itself once she sat down.
MJ: *gets in* it took me a while to adjust. But after a while it became as normal as waking up, eating breakfast. That kinda shtick.
KITT: *door closed* MJ, the mere suggestion of comparing my abilities to the normality of morning food consumption is most concerning.
MJ: just shows how I'm used to you.
Abby: do I need to be blindfolded?
MJ: Nope. I trust you, you trust me. Blindfold, not needed.
I started the car and headed up the tunnel. At the touch of button the steel doors opened up revealing the Los Angeles alleyway and then merging onto the streets.
MJ: Awright. First things first. We get you some shoes and we need to go for a cover story.
She looked at me intrigued.
Abby: cover story?
MJ: KITT, pull up the child attack. *report on monitor 1* it says from preliminary reports that the child was a girl named Melina Hall, went to LA 2nd Elementary school. I've had KITT put a false profile temporarily into the school system listing you as a classmate.
Abby: you want me to see if I can identify that a vampire did this?
She catches on quick.
MJ: Got it in one.
Abby: so what's the false name?
MJ: your name's, Abby Grace.
Abby: why Grace?
MJ: because you have the face of an Angel.
She took that compliment in for a moment processing what I had meant by it and she nodded slightly appreciating it.
Abby: Thank you.
MJ: *smiles* you're welcome. And you'll be posing as my niece.
Abby: making it look more plausible rather than someone who is a complete stranger escort a pre-teen in to see a dead body?
Wow!
KITT: MJ, if I didn't know any better, I'd say she has the same deductive skills as you.
MJ: I have to agree. You're very intelligent.
We pulled into a local Walmart and made way over to the girls' shoe section. Abby made the point of saying that she didn't care for anything popular nor fancy, as long as it looked as inconspicuous as possible for what we needed them for.
She wasn't too comfortable about the idea of me carrying her in, but I emphasised the point of how it would look even more awkward if she was walking around barefoot, and she took the hint and just grinned and bared being carried around.
In the end she just settled for a simple of pair of black and white Adidas sneakers that only came to $40.
Back out on the road, we made for the LA County morgue.
Abby: MJ? How many vampires have you encountered?
MJ: counting you and that creepy figure back on Main Street? That's it.
Abby: and yet you want to put a stop to this problem, without knowing what to do?
MJ: At the moment, I don't know how to stop them. But I will.
Abby: what makes you so sure?
MJ: I just don't want to see people suffer. Especially that guy last night. He'd only been dead 15 minutes by the time we got to him.
Abby: Maybe if I saw what this other supposed vampire looked like, I might be able to help you more.
MJ: Maybe you can. KITT, pull up the recordings from last night and the image of that cloaked figured that landed in front of us.
KITT: *loading* coming right up.
She looked at the images on the first monitor and gave a disappointed look that her kind could ruin lives just to stay alive.
Then came the cloaked figured was seen landing by the body.
Abby: stop!
MJ: You saw something?
She looked in, examining the posture and shape of the figure.
Abby: Can you slow it down at all?
MJ: KITT, replay it at half speed.
The video played back in slower motion and her eyes narrowed at what she was seeing, analysing, looking for what she recognised.
Abby: MJ, this was definitely a vampire. Without being in its presence I can't tell how powerful nor how old. But I can tell you one thing…
MJ: *listening* that is?
Abby: This one's hungry.
MJ: how, hungry?
Abby: VERY, hungry. Just by its body language, its movement and the fact that it landed from a strong height. A human could not land from a height like that.
KITT: a sound point.
I saw the signs for the County Morgue and pulled into the Parking Lott.
MJ: Ok, KITT, feed in the false papers that'll give us access to the room where Melina's body is being held.
KITT: Just so you know, MJ, you will have to be, quick, with this. *feeds in information*
MJ: I know. The last few times we've snuck into to identify victims from armed robberies didn't take too kindly when they found out those clearance details were only added last minute.
We exited KITT and headed to the reception area where a guy in his early 40's with brown hair sat at the desk.
Guy: good evening, and what can I do for you?
MJ: I know this may sound highly irregular, but my niece, Abby, only just found out that her friend, Melina Hall, got….you know?
Guy: and you are?
MJ: I'm MJ Knight. I'm with the Foundation for Law & Government.
Guy: while I understand the loss your niece maybe going through, Mr. Knight, this really isn't appropriate to bring a child here.
In a moment of brilliance, Abby turned on the waterworks with her eyes.
Abby: I just wanted to see her, one last time. *sobbing*
I motioned 'c'mon' with my hands and appealed to the receptionist. Not that I would need to since KITT would grant us that timely window.
The receptionist's monitor flashed with a highlighted appointment for me.
Guy: against my better practice, Mr. Knight, you are actually given clearance to see the victim. Room 16. There's someone waiting for you there.
I lifted Abby up and she just buried her head in my shoulder as we proceeded down the hallway.
MJ: Thanks. *to Abby in whisper* keep going, you're playing like a true champ.
She patted my shoulder as a means of gratitude for her theatrics.
Once we got to room 16, the orderly showed us in and I asked him to give us a few moments so that Abby could have some time with her. The orderly exited.
MJ: *com-link* KITT, how much time we got?
KITT: I can give you only 5 minutes before they find something wrong with your clearance, MJ.
MJ: did you hear that, Abby?
Abby: I won't need 5 minutes.
She pulled the vale back from the dead girl and her face was in complete ruins. Even with a strong stomach I chose to look away. What's that old saying, "death is least funny when it happens to a child"?
She took a moment to enhail the air and her eyes shot open upon a realisation.
Abby: We've got a problem.
MJ: ok. That's not good.
Abby: this girl isn't dead.
MJ: you mean, she's turning?
Abby: it doesn't take long for us to turn humans after we've bitten them.
MJ: ok, what are our options?
She paused for a moment calculating how long we had before this girl became a problem.
Abby: look away. You won't like what I'm about to do.
I did as instructed. And the next thing I heard was a neck being grotesquely twisted as she broke the girl's neck, preventing her from turning.
MJ: that sounded, nasty.
Abby: it's one guaranteed way of stopping them from turning vamp if we've bitten them.
MJ: is that from experience?
Abby: sadly, yes.
MJ: alright. Let's bail. KITT, we're coming back.
KITT: I'll be waiting.
We made the point of leaving as we entered with her faking her tears and sobs as we made it back out to KITT.
KITT: 2 minutes to spare. That's a personal best for you, MJ.
MJ: I believe there was a compliment somewhere.
Abby: do you normally get out that quick?
MJ: depends on the urgency. Which reminds me. *turns the key* let's get gone.
The Trans Am quickly, yet casually left the County Morgue and back onto the main road.
MJ: now, Abby. Can you tell me what vampire attacked that kid?
She analysed what she had seen with the victim.
Abby: This one was powerful. The girl never saw the attack coming. It was over within a matter of moments.
KITT: and I thought human murderers were despicable?
MJ: I know what you mean, KITT.
A sensation came over the girl.
Abby: we're being followed.
MJ: a vampire?
Abby: Yes.
MJ: Where?
Abby: *turns to face the rear* it's following us in that blue car.
Said blue car was an old Volvo station wagon and the driver seemed very intent on looking at Abby.
MJ: Scan that car.
The super car did as instructed.
KITT: Abby's right. And from what I can tell, it matches the description of that figure we saw last night.
MJ: Has he been tracking us all this time?
Abby: we sometimes keep an eye on certain humans that are looking to find out where people go missing and we look to eliminate those loose ends.
MJ: Makes sense. No bread crumbs, no trail to follow.
Abby: Very apt. And this one thinks you can stop him. Which is probably why he's following us now.
I wasn't about to play tired games like this.
MJ: I don't think so. Belt up. *seat belts fastened*
Abby: what are you going to do?
MJ: time to play, pickle, with this wise-guy. Alright, pal. Let's hit it.
I pushed Pursuit on the dash and KITT accelerated from 40-100 MPH in 10 seconds.
KITT: MJ, we have a problem. The road ahead.
There was an accident zone where 2 cars had crashed into another 400 yards ahead of us.
MJ: are we clear?
KITT: affirmative.
Abby: clear for what?
MJ: This! TURBO! *hits turbo boost*
The Trans Am leapt 20 feet over the crash and landed with authority.
Abby: *rubs neck after impact* even being a vampire, this hurts.
MJ: yeah. Sorry about that. Can't risk that other one stopping us.