Echoes in my Mind
Chapter 5: Alliance
Though still a bit doubtful about Janssen's claims, he did seem to be our only lead in this case; and so Dawson and I accompanied him to his home in Sussex. I glanced about the study with curiosity, observing the various odds and ends that only added to the mystery of our strange host. Books written in various languages lay open on a desk against the wall, along with documents written in a neat, precise hand. Several bookcases were well stocked with large volumes, ranging from ancient tomes which looked as if they would crumble to dust in your hands should you attempt to read them, to dictionaries and encyclopedias, to medical journals and textbooks. Interestingly, I noticed the stained chemical table that, not unlike my own, was littered with beakers, test tubes, burners, and potions. Strange weapons also lay about the flat, including guns of several makes and models as well as a homemade crossbow mounted on a wall.
"So, in addition to 'vampire hunter,' " I quipped, also eyeing the pile of stakes in one corner, "you're a chemist, scholar, and medical doctor?"
"Couldn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up," Janssen replied with a mischievous smile. "But I am a doctor by profession; the others are more like hobbies."
"Ah." I examined a silver tipped spear propped against a bookcase with interest. "It seems you have a particular fondness for the folklore surrounding the creatures you claim are preying upon the citizens of Mousedom."
"Not only Mousedom, Mr. Basil," Janssen replied solemnly. "Attacks of this nature have been occurring all over the globe for thousands of years. At a time such as this, when the crimes are more prominent, it is usually the work of a newborn."
"What is that?" asked Dawson.
"A newborn," he explained, "is exactly as it sounds: a newly created vampire. When a person is first changed, they have little to no control over their urges. When the thirst overcomes them, it is too great to resist, and they wreak havoc on the nearest population."
"And you think a 'newborn' is the one responsible for the recent killings?"
"Yes. Or, as is more likely, several newborns. You see, most vampires, the ones who aren't nomads, claim a specific amount of territory as their domain. It may be as small as a town or village, or as large as an entire city or province; depends on how old or powerful the vampire is. Then the ruler of the domain will sire many more vampires under them; meaning, they create more vampires and are able to control their every action, using them as servants or minions to carry out their biding. They are basically puppets in the hands of the one who sired them.
"What I believe is happening now is that someone has recently been changed, and they have staked out this territory as their own. And now they, along with their subordinates, are using this city as a means to slake their thirst. But it is apparent that this new head vampire is still only a fledgling, as he does not appear to be too concerned with hiding the crimes. Most vampires do all they can to hide their existence."
"Well, that does explain the murders," Dawson remarked. "But what about the kidnappings?"
"Where do you think the minions came from?" Janssen pointed out quietly. "Either that, or they were kidnapped and taken to the head vampire's lair, where they are kept as a more permanent source of blood should it become too dangerous for the vampires to venture out into the city for victims."
"And you suggest that Miss Amber has now fallen into that category," Dawson said with concern.
"Unfortunately, yes," Janssen answered sadly.
"All this information is very interesting," I spoke up, still a bit skeptical, "however, you have yet to convince me that such creatures even exist. It is more probable that Amber was taken by my arch nemesis as a means of revenge."
"Whatever took her was in fact, a vampire," Janssen insisted. "When I first entered your flat, I could sense that a vampire had been there."
"How?" I demanded, for that was a question that had been lurking in the back of mind, along with countless others.
"Five years experience in dealing with them has made me sensitive to their presence," Janssen replied evenly. "Vampires have a very strong and distinct aura, and it is not difficult to detect if you know how."
"But where is your evidence?" I insisted. "Pardon if I seem rude, but we can't sit here spinning theories while Amber is in jeopardy! I need facts, solid facts. Not conjecture and speculation."
"I understand, Mr. Basil." Janssen's ripped ears perked up and he smiled. "But I do believe someone has arrived that may be able to help me convince you."
At that moment, the door opened and a well dressed mouse- young, early to mid twenties, tan fur, messy black hair, and brilliant sparkling blue-gray eyes- stepped inside. "Doctor, you'll never believe what… oh, my apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Not a problem at all. I actually am in need of your assistance. Would you mind showing these two gentlemen a sample of your abilities?"
The young mouse eyed us with amusement. "Non-believers, eh?"
I crossed my arms sullenly. "Until I see proof- What the..?" To my utter astonishment, the mouse disappeared.
"Wh-where did he go?" Dawson stammered.
"I'm right here," the mouse's voice said right next to our ears. We whirled around, only to find the space empty. I briefly caught sight of a blur as it passed by the desk, scattering papers onto the floor, but the movement was far too fast for the natural eye to follow.
"Try here," the voice said, tapping me on the shoulder. I whirled around, but again, it was gone. No matter how hard I tried, it moved too quickly to follow. Suddenly, I felt something grab me, pinning my hands behind my back and jerking my head backward. I was horrified as the mouse barred his teeth and hissed… and out of the corner of my eye I could see razor sharp canines poised just above my throat. Of course I attempted to struggle, but his grip was so tight, it was as if he had the strength of twenty mice. It all happened so quickly that Dawson didn't even have time to react and come to my aid.
"Convincing enough for you?" he chuckled, releasing me so suddenly that I almost fell backward onto the floor.
"Y-Yes," I breathed when I was finally able to find my voice. "Y-You… You're one of them?"
"Don't worry, I'm on your side," he laughed, holding up his hands in defense. "Unfortunately, it's the criminal types what give us all a bad name."
"Indeed," Janssen chuckled. "Gentlemen, may I introduce Mr. Damien Talbot, my assistant and most trusted companion. I met him several years ago during my travels, and he has become my eyes and ears into the vampire world, traveling in places where I cannot and collecting information that has become invaluable to me. Damien, Mr. Basil of Baker Street and his colleague Dr. Dawson."
"So you're the famed great mouse detective and his chronicler?" Damien asked, his eyes widening in awe. "I always enjoy reading about your latest adventures, such a pleasure to me you both. I do hope you'll forgive me for my earlier antics," he added, his dark eyes twinkling mischievously.
"No trouble at all," Dawson laughed, shaking the young mouse's hand warmly.
"Speak for yourself," I mumbled under my breath.
"Now Damien," Janssen said, getting back to business. "What was it that you were saying when you first arrived?"
"Oh yes!" Damien exclaimed. "I have discovered something that just might lead you to your villain that took Miss Maria."
"Go on," Janssen prodded excitedly.
"You were correct about the newborn," Damien continued. "He was changed only recently, but has already grown exceedingly powerful. I wasn't able to learn his name, but I did find out that he is holding a ball for all the prestigious vampires in the area to celebrate his new reign of power. Luckily, with my connections, I am one of the ones invited," he added with a smug grin.
"Excellent work, m'boy!" Janssen exclaimed, clapping Damien on the back, who smiled at a job well done. "Where is this ball to be held?"
Damien walked to the other side of the room and indicated a map hanging on the wall. "Unfortunately, I'm not sure of the exact location," he said. "But it is in this area here."
I instantly froze, staring at the map in horror as a flood of memories assaulted my mind.
"Is… Isn't that where we found you and Miss Amber?" Dawson asked me in shock.
I could only nod in response. I heard Dawson explaining to our hosts the events that occurred several months ago, but his voice sounded distant and faded as the wheels in my brain spun out of control.
"We searched for days," Dawson said, his story coming to an end. "But could never find Ratigan's lair again."
"It's in there," I stated, touching the area on the map. "Amber is there… she has to be."
"B-But Basil," Dawson remarked concernedly. "That means… Ratigan is the… the…"
"No," I whispered. "It's impossible…"
I felt Janssen's hand on my shoulder. "Mr. Basil, I realize it is a difficult concept to think of… but it is a possibility that you must consider. Now, was there any change, anything at all, about the Professor that was different from the time you saw him during the Flaversham case and the time you saw him last?"
"No," I answered. "I mean, nothing that would indicate…"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure!"
"It could have happened in these six months since then…" Damien remarked pointedly.
"The clues add up…" Dawson admitted, shaking his head incredibly.
"No!" I exclaimed. "Th-this is insane! To think that Ratigan is now a… a… Th-The vampires could be working for him. He is the Napoleon of Crime after all."
"No vampire takes orders from a mortal," Damien said.
"Now, now…" Janssen said, holding up his hands, "let's not get ahead of ourselves. We do not know for certain that this ball is being held in the same castle, though it is very probable. It is also possible that the vampires could have overthrown Ratigan and are now using his castle for their own purposes. We can sit here and form theories all night; or, we can get a hold of ourselves and form a plan. Either way, at least we now have an objective. We must find some way to infiltrate this ball and see if we can find Miss Amber."
"I think I may be able to help with that," Damien replied, exposing those long sharp teeth in another mischievous grin…
Author's Note: Just to point out, my version of a vampire will be more of a mixture of what already exists in folklore and movies and such. Mostly elements from Dracula and the Vampire Diaries (TVD), since those are the two kinds that I'm most familiar with. Plus I'll add my own little twists ^_^
So here we have a new OC, Damien Talbot. I know, Damien is such a typical vampire name, but I like it. (He is partially based on Damon Salvator from TVD, but he probably won't be quite so devious) He's very mischievous though, as you can tell from his actions towards Basil XD
At least now we're getting an idea as to what's happening in Mousedom now. We'll learn more about that as the story progresses ;-)