Life after Death

Six.

A gust of wind rustled the strands of hair on Jack's head as he walked down the street. He analyzed the time on his watch and frowned. Every meeting he had with the ancient vampire, Acheron, put him in a bad mood. Acheron was a tired old snob. He didn't believe humans and vampires could co-exist. Jack disagreed.

The whine of a police car nearby caught his attention. He glanced toward the direction of the sound, watching the flashing lights of the vehicle illuminate the streets. A police man talked to a speeding civilian. He sighed. The most reckless citizens always came out a night.

Jack groaned, kneading the flesh between his brows with his fingers. The memory of his talk with Acheron left a sour taste in his mouth. The only reason he entertained the visits were to ensure their support group's safety. Without Acheron's help, other old world vampires would decide to get aggressive with their support group. It wasn't a secret that vampires didn't believe in the charity they provided.

His phone buzzed and vibrated, singing his favorite song of the year. He pushed his beat up flip phone to his ear. He had been gifted a smart phone months ago, but any gift from Acheron was unwanted. The cellular device was stashed somewhere in his desk at the office.

"Yes, Kim? No, I'm fine," he shouted over the sirens. "It is just some idiot being pulled over for speeding. Don't worry, the police would need a reason to arrest me. I'm an upstanding citizen. Wait, I thought you just said everything was okay? Alright, I'll see you when I get back. Just give me a second."

Jack stuffed his phone into his pocket, careful to keep it secured. He increased his walking speed, not from fear, but the need to get back early. Once he arrived, he opened the door and let himself into the lobby. Kim sat on a sofa chair, scanning one of their help pamphlets. She leapt to her feet ready to embrace him. He wrapped his arm around her body, frowning at her tensed muscles.

"Kim, what is happening? I thought you said everything was okay?"

Kim shook his head. "Sorry, I was just worried. I've been watching the news in the cafeteria while you were gone. There was another slayer attack and I just – I knew it wasn't you but still I was worried. You were taking too long."

"Acheron had a lot to say," Jack groaned, dropping onto the chair nearby. "It is funny he hates support but he doesn't mind that I do it. He says it will help me grow as a leader. He wants me to be more of a leader in the vampire community."

"Doesn't that old man know he has no power over vampires in this time period," Kim remarked, lips turned down. "Maybe the old families still look to him, but the new generation could care less. They just want to cause destruction."

Jack chuckled at the thought. He knew Kim was right. Before they could return to the topic of the current conversation, he decided to turn it over to a different topic. Kim rested her head to his shoulder. He curled his arm around her body, knowing the new events have left her exhausted. He was tired too.

"How are the new members doing?"

Kim lifted her gaze to his questioning eyes. "Some are adapting at an alarming rate, well I guess not alarming. I'm glad they are adapting. There are some who are still very ashamed and guilty of their vampire ways. There are some that have yet to open up. Nothing too unusual, except Jerry."

Jack sighed.

"Jerry, was doing so well the last few weeks," Kim shared. "I don't understand why he is acting like this. He is closing off and he only takes a sip each day. He is still eating human food, thank goodness. But ask for his vampire nature, he is neglecting it."

Jack was aware that newly turned individuals could adapt in a month with a few unstable days. Others required a longer span of time to accept their new life. Sometimes new vampires regressed, but they rarely stayed in that position.

"And Jack," Kim remarked. "I'm worried because a few of the members look to him, especially Sam. I caught Sam skipping meals just yesterday."

Jack sighed, massaging his temples with his fingers. Sam was the youngest member in support. A child's transition from human to vampire was one of the hardest events. Due to his age, Sam had to be on a strict feeding schedule. Jack stood up.

"Let's head to our office and have a chat with Jerry," Jack suggested, watching Kim nod.

One of their newer members walked past, and Jack called out to her. She was sixteen years old and had been turned a week ago. He asked her to get Jerry for them and she agreed, disappearing down the hallway. Jack headed into the office. He pulled Jerry's file from the rusty filing cabinet in the room.

"You called?"

Jerry entered the office, arms crossed over his chest, unamused. Jack ignored the expression on the other's face and offered the teen a seat. Jerry took a seat, ignoring Kim's greeting. Jack wanted to call him out on his rudeness, but he held back.

"I've been hearing some disturbing things," Jack said.

Jerry raised a single brow. "And – it has to do with me?"

"Jerry," Kim said. "Is everything alright? Is there something you aren't telling us?"

Jerry froze and then relaxed. Jack narrowed his eyes, filing the odd behavior away for the future. Jerry was hiding something. It was clear. He opened the file on his desk, scanning the notes from over the weeks. He frowned at the decrease in blood intake.

"I'm looking here at your progress and I'm just concerned," Jack said. "I have no idea what is going on, but you aren't eating."

Jerry sat up in his chair. "Yes, I am."

"I mean blood, Jerry," Jack said. "You aren't drinking. Care to tell us why?"

Kim rested a hand upon Jerry's shoulder. He understood the necessity of a comforting hand. Jerry was isolating himself. It was a warning sign for any recently turned vampires.

"I'm not Brody, you know?" Jerry remarked, face turned away from them. "No need to breathe down my neck. There are many new vampires around here. Shouldn't you be talking to them?"

"How do you know about Brody?" Jack questioned.

Jerry snorted, reclining in the chair. He looked between them both before he continued. "Look, everyone who has been coming here for years knows about the vampire that went off with the rogues. It isn't a secret. I would never follow any rouges because I hate vampires."

Jack turned his chair to face the window. A few critters darted upon the discolored grass as the black night sky grew darker. He chewed on the inside of his lip as he thought. A vampire that hated vampires was a sign of trouble. He turned his chair back around. He looked to Kim who frowned.

"I'm not supposed to be one and I can't be one," Jerry said.

"And what will you do?" Kim asked.

"Nothing I can do I guess," he shared, removing her hand from his shoulder. "If you excuse me, I'm heading out for the night."

"Now? Jerry it is nearly eleven," Kim remarked. "You've been leaving later and later. Why not leave earlier like all the others? The later you leave the more dangerous it'll be. With the slayers –"

"I don't have to worry about them," Jerry commented.

"Even someone with your fighting level can get into trouble," Jack promised. "You aren't even close to our level of expertise. You are just starting in comparison to us or even Rudy. A couple of sessions with us at the dojo here isn't enough."

"Look, I don't need all this," Jerry gestured with his arms. "Maybe talk to Sam. He is the one you should worry about."

Jerry got up from the chair, bidding them both a farewell. "I'll see you tomorrow."

The door shut behind him. Jack looked at the door, mouth open. He turned his gaze toward Kim. Kim frowned. Jack shook his head as he analyzed the file. He jotted a few notes from their impromptu meeting and stored the file back in the cabinet.

"I don't like what he said," Kim remarked. "He is a vampire. He knows he is a vampire. How can he hate something that is a part of him?"

"It is very easy."

Kim looked at him, frowning.

"I'm fine Kim," he said. "I got over my self-hatred centuries ago."

Kim nodded. "Me too."

He nodded, arising from his chair. "Come on, let's go find Sam. We should have another chat with him. We will get back to Jerry next time. He isn't off the hook with us yet."

Kim shook her head. "We should really consider having Rudy talk to Jerry. He would knock some sense into him."

Jack rested his head to the wall behind him, ignoring the shrieks inside the room. He often pretended he wasn't bothered by what he heard, but the transition sounded too painful to dismiss. He leant against the wall by the closed door as Constance worked. He tapped his fingers to the wall on either side of him. The newest member was a young female, age twelve. He sighed. She was the only survivor and just like Sam she had been out with her family.

"They seem to be getting younger and younger, right?"

Jack looked up and met the concerned eyes of Rudy.

"Yes."

"I've heard Jerry has been slipping through the cracks," Rudy stated.

"He maybe, but we aren't going to let him disappear," Jack remarked. "Besides, something else is going on. I'm not sure what, but we'll find out and he'll be back on the right path."

"The curfew and new restrictions seem to be going fairly well," Rudy said.

"I'm surprised there was no opposition."

"Everyone can see the slayers are stirring up more trouble," Rudy pointed out. "It would be foolish not to listen to precautions for their safety."

"I just wish Jerry thought the same," Jack commented. "I just want to know where he goes off to. He said he has a home, but he has no family. He is mysterious, Rudy. Kim is worried too."

"I've talked to him myself."

Jack turned to him, surprised.

"I know, teens and children aren't under my jurisdiction, but I've heard too much from you both. I wanted to do my own assessment," he commented. "You are right. He is regressing and it is noticeable that he is hiding something."

Jack sighed relived as the screaming stopped. The door opened to their right. Constance poked her head out. She gestured for the men to enter in her place. She told them she'd get Kim. They knew the little girl would be frightened beyond belief.

Jack couldn't stop thinking about the stake they found. Memories of their large meeting drifted through his mind. Their new rules worked so far and he hoped there would be no problems in the future. As long as they took the curfew seriously, their members would be fine.

Jerry refused to listen to reason. Jack frowned, running his fingers through his hair. He looked toward the ceiling, the quiet snores of the other occupants lulled him to sleep. He would have to think about everything more tomorrow. He turned over onto his side and closed his eyes.

Hey everyone! Here is another chapter for you all! Hope you enjoyed it.

Special thanks to reviewer:

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Well, the next chapter is 10% (estimated) of the way done. I'm so excited for the next chapter! It is truly one of the big ones, so stay tuned!

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Until Next Chapter,

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