Chapter 6

I wasn't afraid of the two men who were running after me. A strange calm came over me and I ran down the alley towards the street. I could hear them running after me. They weren't quiet like me and not as fast, meaning a low ranking vampire. I sprint down the street, feeling my hunger pains return. Using my ability to move quickly drained any energy I had received from the blood I had the night before.

I needed humanity, I needed to get closer to time square. The more the people the less likely they would be to try to grab for me. I knew they would hunt me, but not in the eye of their prey. My speed was lagging, my breathing starting to sharpen in pain as it lanced through my lungs. That's when I see a group of people and slow to a walk. They weren't on phones and weren't inebriated, so I slow to a walk and look behind me. The two shadows still followed, though now further away and at a walk now. I could see their breath from the cold night as I hitch my coat higher and turn away from them. Keeping my pace with the small pack of humans, I look at my watch. It was only one in the morning.

I start to think as the group cross to 2nd street, myself close behind, and the shadows a block away. There was no way for me to go home right now. If I did they would know and be there to confront me. The sun would rise as 6:15am, so I had to wait for sunrise before I could go home.

From the sense I got for these two male low rank vampire, they weren't about to give up the chase. Hunger gnawed at my belly again, the stupidity of using my 'super' speed as I call it. Brushing my hands through my blonde locks, I decide to find a busy 24 hour restaurant and wait these shadows out.

Time Square bustled as I stepped out of the diner. The two shadows had been waiting the whole time as I ate a small meal of eggs and toast to calm the hunger in my belly. The eggs tasted less ash like, but still had that grit quality. I needed my true source of sustainence but knew it would have to wait. I glance back at the shadows and notice their restlessness. Sunrise was minutes away. They were waiting for me to return home, and now worried I wouldn't. They seemed to be debating between themselves whether to turn or catch up.

The sun's first light was showing through the canyon of the skyscrapers. I could feel that familiar tingle and instinct to return to the deep darkness. I turn around and look at them. They had stopped at that first light and I call out, 'Want to play chicken? I can tell you who will win."

The first hint of warmth was hitting my back and I knew the suns first rays were fast approaching. The two vampires look at each other, they were gruff looking, muscle heads. In a second they had made their decision and turn around, fast walking towards to closest subway entrance, a quick refuge to any vampire who lived in New York City.

My shoulders relax as I stand my ground and wait till they have disappeared from view. With that I hail a taxi to get home.

The drive was uneventful and I feel myself relax the further from the danger I was. It have been many years since I have been hunted by another vampire, almost a hundred years. So it left a lot of questions. Had they already figured out who I was? Or did they get information from David? There had always been Warring factions between the Five Pureblood races, especially the Elrics and Dracul, so what was this war David was speaking about?

The taxi stops in front of my apartment highrise, and I get out, nodding to the doorman who smiles and opens the door. The city was starting to get into full swing, the sounds of horns already coming as I get into the elevator and tap my penthouse button and the code to open the elevator door on my floor.

Getting into my purse I pull out my phone and notice a call from an unknown number, as I walk through the sliding doors of the elevator into my apartment, I dial back.

Walking into the kitchen I set my purse on the counter and wait for someone to pick up on the other line as I call out, 'Helga, I'm here. Sorry, took a late night at the company building, hope you have a good cup of coffee...'

I stop in my tracks without finishing that sentence. Because in the middle of my living room floor on a one million dollar rug lays Helga. Letting out a small cry, I run to her side and call out, 'Helga, Helga, answer me!'

That's when I hear a voice on the phone and say quickly, 'Hello, who is this?'

'My name is Detective Chuck Moore, NYPD, you called the number of Dr. Fallon.'

My whole body goes stiff and I say trying to sound calm and nonchalant, 'Oh is Dr. Fallon on a case with you Detective Moore?'

'Who is this?'

There was an edge to the voice, and I know something has happened as I say, 'My name is Nina, I'm a friend of Dr. Fallon's, I'm guessing he called me last night and I was calling him back.'

There was silence for a moment until the detective says slowly, 'If you are a friend of Dr. Fallon would you need to ask who had called previously?'

He was trying to catch me off guard, I don't back paddle, but says softly, 'David must have gotten a new number, so I didn't recognize it. Is David alright?'

'He's dead.'

As this conversation was happening I turned Helga over and checked for a pulse. As I do, I notice the slick of blood on my finger and finally smell it, mingled with the smell I knew well. Turning her head, I see the jagged tear of a vicious vampiric bite mark. Jumping to my feet, my senses go sharp, hearing no heartbeat from Helga, I say in shock to keep the detective from noticing my sudden real fear, 'What?! David's dead! I-I can't believe it. How?! No I'm sorry I know I shouldn't ask. Oh God, have you told his ex-wife Jessa! Oh his son, oh my goodness.'

I move through my house slowly, opening every window as I go and swinging closets open in case of ambush.

Now the detective seemed disarmed and said, 'Its being taken care of, but if you will, please wait if you should decide to see Jessa. If you should have time could you come to the station later today. It seems you were the last person he called, so just so we can add you to the report.'

'Of course, my name is Nina Schultz, if you'd like I can give you my information, I'll be there as soon as I can, which station.'

'Station one, again my name is Detective Chuck Moore, ask for me at the front desk.'

'Alright, thank you.'

With that I end the call as I open the last closet in the house. I hadn't told him my real last name, but knew he would eventually, if he found my card on David, so time was precious. I return to the living room and fall to my knees beside Helga. Slowly I pull her into my lap and whisper to the now cooling body of my favored housekeeper, 'I'm so, so sorry Helga, I'm...

I feel myself start to cry but clamp down on what is left of my human side. Brushing the hair from her face, I can tell she had no idea what happened to her. Taking up my phone, I call her daughter. It rang only once, unusual for her daughter who was busy with four kids, and a man with a gruff voice answers, 'Detective Coleson, NYPD, who is this?'

A cold feeling in the pit of my stomach hit me and I slam down on the end button, cracking the screen of my iPhone in my haste. Looking down at Helga's calm face and whisper, 'Who is doing this?'

My phone goes off and I jerk, looking at the number. It was Helga's daughters number and I let it go to voicemail. My heart was pounding as I look at the sunrise burning into my large living space and I whisper as I put Helga's head back down on the ground, giving her forehead a kiss, 'I'm sorry to do this to you Helga, you were a wonderful woman but I have to go.'

Speeding to my room, I shuck my clothes and pull on a pair of jeans and long sleeve, my favored coat and leave the apartment. As I go down the elevator, I call the only other person I know who might stoll be alive, Jerry.

On the second ring I hear his voice, 'You are so cold! Why didn't you tell me that you had already taken over Berkawitz's company! You said it would be a year before it was fully integrated into the company.'

'It will be, never lied, but Jerry there is something of more importance than that. I'm texting you a code to a caymen island account, and a Swiss account. I want you to take the money and run.'

For a second there was silence, then I hear him chuckle and say, 'Nice try boss, but I'm not falling for that...'

I don't give him a chance to finish it and yell at him, 'Jerry you have to run right NOW! There will be instructions at each place to help you disappear, but you have to do it now. Very dangerous people are after me and will be after you soon. So if you value your life, run now.'

'Is Berkawitz have something to do...'

Again I interrupt and growl, 'There are people much more dangerous than a potbelly bully like that, now stop talking, get a cab, and get to an ATM, transfer enough to get a flight to Miami, make a cash withdrawal at Bank of America to get a ticket to Switzerland from the caymen account and stay hidden, do you understand?!

'Yes boss.'

With that I close my phone and crush it in my hand, take one last look at my own deceased housekeeper, possibly her daughter, and Dr. Fallon, whispered one more, 'I'm sorry' and left everything behind.