A Tale of the Unnatural: 2014

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Chapter Five Part One

“Could it be a Chupacabra?” asked Morrison of his deputy. A hunter that used to trap squirrels and wild rabbits in the forest had come upon a white tailed fawn that had been ripped apart and bled dry. “I don’t think so, so far up north... it could be a cougar or mountain lion... but, yes I know, if it walks like a duck... I’ll drive into the forest early tomorrow and take a look for myself.” the deputy answered.

Morrison put the Pontiac in drive and u-turned back to his office. “Is it a beast or a creature? That is the question!” thought the Keeper. There really was no hurry for him to go anywhere. Things had been quiet, as usual for a small town, “Maybe I should stop for a latte?” he pondered.

Morrison’s deputy decided not to wait until the next day. He walked up the street to the firehouse, borrowed an ATV and headed for the forest. He wanted to be back before nightfall.

(To Be Continued.)

Monday, May 26, 2014

Chapter Four Part Nine

Hunger led Remus to scavenge. He could swiftly snatch a squirrel off a limb, rip off its head, to make peeling the skin easier, and devour the raw flesh. The squirrels were tasty, ok, but made for a skimpy meal and Remus was also very thirsty, a thirst that the small furry animals insignificant amount of blood would not satisfy. The slaughtered game became larger with each kill. The cavern that had opened up in his body could not be filled.

The forest did not offer a large variety of prey. The bears, wolves and mountain lions had been hunted to extinction. Only the occasional herd of deer would trek through foraging on the way to higher ground. There was nothing the white tailed doe could do to save her fawn from Remus. He fell on the fawn knocking it to the ground, pull the neck back until it snapped and ferociously, like some animal, bit deep and hard into the fawn’s neck. Hugging the dead fawn on the forest floor, Remus let the blood drain into his mouth.

The small herd ran off without looking back.

End of Chapter Four

(To Be Continued.)

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Chapter Four Part Eight

They talked of just about everything but the unnatural. Tyrol did most of the talking explaining things modern. “Would you like a TV set?” offered Tyrol. Kalina giggled, “What for?” Tyrol didn’t have to be reminded that Kalina’s gypsies live a very Spartan and old fashioned life. Although a part of both their stories remained hidden during those few hours every other day they could spend together, they’d become used to each other’s company and it brought them closer, physically.

“But you could take me to see yours.” she taunted knowingly. Kalina would hold him tighter when he flustered like that, searching for an answer. “Well, you know..., the guys...” “I know I know...” she’d conclude. They continued their charade until one day, without thought Kalina kissed him lightly on the mouth. Momentarily terrified of what could be his response, Kalina let Tyrol kiss her tenderly on the lips. Holding each other tightly, neither of them knew what to do next.

If anyone had been keeping an eye on the couple, they’d have noticed that the kids never had a drink nor a bite to eat.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Chapter Four Part Seven

Thanks to the voodoo religion the existence of zombies gained credibility. Ironically those aren’t really zombies, at least not the ones that eat people. Creating a zombie, for a voodoo priest, is dispensing punishment for severe misbehavior in the community he safeguards. The transgressor is given a poison that knocks him/her out and dims the wits a little. While unconscious he or she is taken as far away from the community as possible. Actually it’s a more compassionate punishment than the electric chair. More like life in prison.

Zombies have been around for a long time, not forever, but for a very long time. As usual, the very origins are unknown, but if one constructs a timeline from the evidence and references available to us, you will see that their presence is cyclical or in waves. And if you build a similar timeline of catastrophic events, like famines, plagues, wars and things like that, then compare that to the first timeline, you’d have a matching pattern. Death, hunger and zombies seem to go together.

It’s only now that scientist’s are looking into the makeup of a zombie.

(To Be Continued.)

Friday, May 9, 2014

Chapter Four Part Six

Bruël is a large town, large enough to keep the Gypsy Fair going for weeks. But Dante didn’t know if coming to this town was that good of a choice. He had one of those feelings too vague to put a finger on it but for his intuition it’s a very true feeling. He is losing control of something, he thought, but, “I don’t know if I can have control over whatever it is that’s happening?”

Remus, heir to the tribal crown, has vanished. There was occasional evidence of his presence at both the camp and with the horses but he hadn’t been seen by anyone. Dante didn’t want to make an issue of it but he is concerned. Then his niece, Kalina, heiress to the profound magical and mystical powers of Madame Ajándék, scampers off, dressed like a gadjo, to do what? He thought. “And now, we have some kind of police person prowling around... Why?”

“What is supposed to be is no longer.” Dante added. It’s part of an incantation his deceased wife Arissia liked to repeat.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Chapter Four Part Five

Tyrol got home early. He had to stop himself from skipping his way home. It’s embarrassing for a vampire or just about any teenager to do that. Tyrol felt light hearted, light headed, or something like that. Silence pulled Tyrol into the grand room. It was empty of vampires. The TV set was free to use! He picked up the remote, sat on the floor and searched for his favorite shows; the ones he liked when mortal that is.

Delighted that the reruns of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ were endlessly back to back, he leaned on a cushion to watch. Tyrol couldn’t concentrate on the program. His mind kept traveling back to the precious minutes he had spent with her. There was nothing about her that he didn’t like. He even found endearing her evasive answer about some gypsy rule that forbad her from going out at night.

The nest was coming about, so Tyrol switched off the TV and readied himself to join his ‘roommates’ and go out to feed. The notion made him reflect. “It’s the first time, since turned...; I didn’t feel any lust for her blood...; at all!”

“Could that be love?” thought Tyrol.

(To Be Continued.)

Friday, May 2, 2014

Chapter Four Part Four

Harieen had mixed up the amulets and potions. She liked them better like that organized by size and color. Kalina couldn’t understand why that way was better but she really didn’t care. At least not now. Kalina’s smile led the way out to the encampment. She searched for her regular clothes, switched outfits, and sat on a small bench under a bright orange and lavender sheet. Leaning against a wagon, she let her mind replay the afternoon.

“He was shy, he was tender. He was funny... specially the story about living in an old house with roommates. He understood love..., the way he spoke about his mother...,” reliving the brief encounter. Tyrol wasn’t too inquisitive, taking Kalina’s stories on face value. She felt terrible having to leave him. Tyrol didn’t insist too much she stay and she was glad for that.

As gently as night floated down from the sky, so Kalina’s skin turned rough and colorless. In time, in the darkness, blisters of rottenness would pop open decorating her vanished beauty with a spattering of slimy green puss.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Chapter Four Part Three

Oscar’s curiosity teased him with the idea of taking up the free reading Dante had offered. “Could the Tarot deck actually call me out?” Oscar speculated. “The palm reading, with the physical contact, though...?” He knows psychics are for real. He also knows he can’t take that kind of risk. It would endanger him and possibly the other Keepers. Kalina’s arrival at the fair surprised him.

For Oscar, Kalina’s wardrobe was kind of quirky and not very gypsy. But it’s Kalina’s indiscrete smile that keeps his eyes on her. He wondered where she’d been; to do what? “Whatever is was she did, she sure is glad she did it.” Oscar smiled to himself. He got back to his car and turned to leave the fairgrounds.

“It’s just too normal, all too normal. They have to eat sometime... something?” thought the suspicious cop.

(To Be Continued.)

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Chapter Four Part Two

There he was, leaning against a tree with his hands in his jacket’s pockets. “He is so handsome! Almost beautiful!” thought Kalina. Tyrol had the same thoughts about her, “Beautiful; beautiful; beautiful!” A smile opened on his face that almost exposed his fangs. “She can’t know I’m a vampire. That’ll scare her away!” he thought. He closed his mouth into a thin smile and walked to meet her.

Kalina had her own secret to keep. She turned the timid handshake into a kiss on each cheek. Tyrol was a bit colder than she imagined. Kalina couldn’t understand how someone who lived on fresh warm blood could be cold. But, so be it.

A lady walking her dog was the only company they had. Even if she had paid them any attention she would have only seen a couple of kids walking, talking and sometimes sitting.

It was the dog who wouldn’t let her get anywhere near those teens.

(To Be Continued.)

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Chapter Four Part One

Most towns have a special place where young couples go looking for some kind of privacy. A lover’s lane usually has a view and is about a twenty minute drive outside of town. But Tyrol didn’t have a car. “What am I going to do with a girl?” he thought to himself as he dressed for the date. “I’m a fucking vampire! How stupid can you get?” Tyrol is as insecure as any teenager on a first date. He buttoned the long sleeves and put on a neutral color jacket with a broad collar Tyrol could pull up and cover his face a little. Not that he had that many choices. “I should have just said...” repeated in his mind all of the things he should have said but didn’t.

Harieen, Kalina’s cousin, took charge of the stall. Kalina spent most of the morning searching for clothes that did not look gypsy-like. It’s hard to find modern chick clothing in a gypsy camp. So, Kalina ended up with a very un-gypsy-like mismatch of cloths. “What am I worried about? I’m not a gypsy, I’m a zombie!” Once she left the fairgrounds she quickened her pace.

“I can’t get lost! It’s a small park; he said I can’t miss it” says Kalina anxiously.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Chapter Three Part Fourteen

They always ordered the largest size triple shot latte they could buy. They hardly ever drank it all; they just liked how the large warm cup felt in the hand. Cops, whatever size or shape, are the same. They’re suspicious. Oscar joined the meeting a few minutes late. They had already gone over what they called The Week in Review. Fortunately nothing very important had happened.

“Did you find the TV set?” asked Reginald. They all laughed together.

Oscar was a natural born storyteller so the others sat back sipping their coffee and waited. “By the way, the gypsy encampment is nowhere close to the fair.” he started off. He described the wagons, the sheets, even the color of the flames from the bonfire. He may not have found the TV set but he did find everyone asleep. Everyone. “It was all so picture perfect it was unreal, unnatural.” Oscar said. “Since the other day,” looking at Reginald, “I’ve been thinking. How come there’s no food at the Fair?” The Keepers looked at each other.

“I saw no food at the camp either.” he added suspiciously.

End of Chapter Three

(To Be Continued.)

Friday, April 11, 2014

Chapter Three Part Thirteen

A sign that reads ‘The First Three Questions Are Free’ was what brought Tyrol within sight of Kalina. “No wonder Agros belittles the gypsies...” He hadn’t finished the thought when he caught a glimpse of Kalina. The rest was a matter of wandering uncaringly up to the booth where she worked. Kalina could have thought that she reeled him in with her mind.

After a faltering conversation about love potions and good luck amulets, Tyrol cut to the chase. “At what time do you get out of here? Work, I mean.” “Well, um, it’s like, you know, a family thing and...” Kalina fumbled. “Don’t tell me you work all day, all night, seven days?” Tyrol kept at it. “No, no, no... I mean...” Tyrol interrupted, “How about tonight?” “Oh, no... No! Tonight is impossible!” finding herself in a corner Kalina hit back, “Tomorrow, maybe?” “Sure!” he answered instantly.

Dante found the boy talking to Kalina vaguely familiar.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Chapter Three Part Twelve

“Are you hiding from someone?” she teased, smiling at the boy in the hoodie. Tyrol pulled back the hood and cautiously smiled. “That woman owns me!” he thought. She was the most perfectly beautiful female he had ever seen. The eyes, the smile, everything was perfect. Tyrol was as embarrassed and shy as a vampire could be. He sort of hovered a little.

“Self control...” Kalina thought. If she still had one, her heart would have skipped a beat. “It’s the boy, the vampire, from that thing in the forest!” Her mind raced through all of the things she had thought of saying to him. “Great!” was all that came out of her mouth. They looked into each other’s eyes and a silent space where nothing else existed grew around them.

“A love potion, maybe?” Kalina almost giggled.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Chapter Three Part Eleven

Kalina didn’t lie when she swore the amulets where magical. She had always felt that magic was not about the incantations or the rituals; magic is in the mind. “The praying to the four corners of the earth is ok, like drawing the eight point star on the ground, I’m fine with that.” she thought. Its part of a show designed to impress the onlookers but the power is not there. “A focused mind can do anything!” that was something Kalina knew.

Word had spread and more folk stopped by. Every day the visitors from town became younger. The Tarot reading was a success and a second stall had to be set up. Palm readers and crystal balls had their niche. Curiosity, as usual, is the great motivator. Kalina was ready for all comers. She looked around sizing up the arriving groups. A fluorescent yellow hoodie snatched her attention. The hood covered most of the fellow’s face but there was something in the way he moved, something special.

“Now why would that feel familiar?” Kalina mused.

(To Be Continued.)

Friday, March 28, 2014

Chapter Three Part Ten

“It’s a travesty!” Tyrol shouted in his mind. “It was my idea. I made it happen. I put my eternity at risk; Agros could have torn me to pieces! He could have destroyed me!” “And what do I get for it? Jesus!” The sound of that word created a very subtle vibration that mortals could not feel. Tyrol lifted both hands, like in ‘Ok’ or ‘I give up’ and walked up to his space.

In a vampire nest, democracy is not a political question but a matter of practicality. You’d never want the others to gang up on you. They could win just by the numbers. Just like democracy. The search for the TV programs most of the vampires liked always ended up in the same place. History Channel! They would point and shout, “Damn, I was there!” “Yes, I remember!” “That’s when so-and-so...” The laughter was chilling.

Tyrol simply passed on the remote and went back to being bored.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Chapter Three Part Nine

They weren’t really laughing at Reginald; they were making fun of themselves. Dante’s straight forward answer could put an end any conversation, “What use would we have for a television set? We don’t use electricity!” Reginald stumbled a bit, trying to backtrack on what had practically come across like an accusation.

Dante’s’ courteous nature saved the situation. The short tour around the grounds concluded with an invitation to a free Tarot or Palm reading. The Séance couldn’t be free. The spirits that bridged the realms, making contact with the spirit world possible, required a tip for their help. While Dante was all openness the other gypsies kept very much to themselves. The wrinkled skin, aged women who actually did the readings stepped back into the privacy of their cloth enclosures, a very uninviting gesture.

“Maybe a Keeper should take a look around their camp tonight?” suggested Reginald. Oscar agreed to do the job.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Chapter Three Part Eight

The legend tells that the gypsies or Romani, were the children of Remus who fled from the murderous Romulus and for centuries kept away from the Roman Empire. Remus’ namesake was murdered by his own brother; a heinous deed for any gypsy. Family was the only protection they had from the gadje, the outside world. The Roma left behind their wolf ancestry but kept and expanded their knowledge of the spirit world and magic.

Yet, Remus felt that somehow he was betraying his family, his tribe. He was changing, no doubt left about that. He stayed away from the tribe. Remus didn’t want Dante, or any of them, to see him. Even the horses were becoming jittery when he got close. He could still soothe them with his voice but he knew that whatever he was becoming was not the Remus they had known.

His biggest concern, though, was the emptiness he felt inside. Like a hole where his stomach once was. Remus remembered: its hunger!

(To Be Continued.)

Monday, March 17, 2014

Chapter Three Part Seven

Agros’ main artery almost burst, he was so furious. He didn’t bite his lip, he almost chews on it. “I could destroy that artificial window with the back of my hand,” he thought. “It’s the audacity! Hell!” he couldn’t find words to codify his anger. “May he be damned!” The fact that Tyrol was already damned didn’t cross his mind. The problem wasn’t so much Tyrol, he could handle Tyrol; it’s the others. “They liked the freaking window shows!” he almost screamed in his mind. “Little people running around inside a box!” He’d seen those before and was convinced it was the most unreal dumb thing he could ever imagine.

Agros grumbled his way to the dark and let the others fiddle with the thing. If Agros had looked back he would have seen Tyrol leading the effort. A variety of antennas were improvised out of pieces of wire, an old coat hanger, even a knife one of them kept from a previous time. Then as if it were willed by the gods, a cable connector was found jutting out of a wall. The Home Theater was quickly carried next to the wire, the connector screwed on and bingo!

Tyrol sat in the center facing the TV, the others formed an audience right around him. Tyrol started with channel 02.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Chapter Three Part Six

It was a plan only a vampire could be successful with. Window shopping until finding the set he liked. Mesmerizing the apartment’s owners into oblivion and calmly floating out with a 55” HDTV was the plan. It took Tyrol a couple of trips to get the complete Home Theater and all. The female looked scrumptiously tempting but Tyrol was very careful not to leave a drop of evidence. The robbery was not reported until late the next morning when the robbed couple woke out of their stupor.

By the time Reginald got to the apartment, the preliminary search for evidence and interviews of the victim had concluded. His deputies and investigators had nothing. Nothing at all! The victims fell asleep watching TV and when they woke up in the morning it was missing, all of it. No sign of a break and entry. Front and back entrances were still locked from the inside. The crooks left no marks outside any of the windows or doors. Baffling!

“I guess they live up to their reputation,” thought Reginald. “Let’s go see the gypsies!” The deputy he called Oscar left with him.

(To Be Continued.)

Monday, March 10, 2014

Chapter Three Part Five

Reginald’s description of the gypsy encampment led everyone to call it The Gypsy Fair. People started to trickle in, for the most part retirement age women. They always had some deceased loved one they wanted to speak to or they wanted to know the future. Dante knew Saturday and Sunday would peak. The early clientele would pay for services; magical, mystical or otherwise, but would buy very little. The trinkets moved better with younger generations, specially the kids. They couldn’t sit down for a full Tarot reading but they’d go for the short-cut of a magically powered charm.

Kalina organized her table by usage. All the love amulets were together same as the good luck charms. The assortment included almost every variable of love interests and potential economic success. Kalina would swear that they worked. The peerage lent credibility to her claim even though Kalina was much older than any of them. Dante continued his walk hoping to bump into Remus.

Remus was kind of missing-in-action. He’d be there and then he’d be gone. “Strange,” thought Dante, “but in a wrong way...”

(To Be Continued.)

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Chapter Three Part Four

A spear of sunlight stabbed the darkness of Tyrol’s space. Vampires don’t really sleep, like mortals do, with dreams and the like. A Buddhist would say they became invisible to themselves. But Tyrol couldn’t just lay there for hours. He wanted to live eternity not slumber through it. So, he got up went to the window and pulled the curtain aside. The sun was much too bright. The window wasn’t fit to filter out the ultra violet that hurt his skin. He shut the curtain. “What do we do now, that is the question!” Tyrol paraphrased the Bard.

The TV set popped back into his mind. Like most people that want something they shouldn’t have, Tyrol tried to rationalize his sudden interest in television. “I don’t need cable or Wi-Fi anymore, just a regular TV.” “I can put the antenna outside the window.” “It wouldn’t bother anyone.” “I’ll keep the volume low.” “I don’t think Agros would mind, he wouldn’t have to pay a thing.” “If he doesn’t like it then..., we’ll worry about that, when...” “Damn it!” “I can’t just go to the mall and buy one. I don’t have any money!” “Where can I get money? How?” Tyrol seemed to be stumped.

There are two types of epiphanies, major and minor. Tyrol’s was a minor one: “I know! I’ll just steal it!”

(To Be Continued.)

Friday, February 28, 2014

Chapter Three Part Three

Tyrol returned home early, before the others. His mom had taught him to ‘eat your fill and no more’. “Those guys are just gorging!” Tyrol thought, “Blood is delicious but how much can you drink before the body starts to expel it? Waste of blood.” he concluded. His mother would probably have agreed. She had passed unto death before he was turned immortal. If not for that, he’d probably have her by his side right now.

Tyrol retreated to the upper floor. He liked to see the outside, have a view. “These other guys, they’re just... assholes... maybe that’s what happens after a few decades? We all become assholes...” He put the thought aside, pulled the curtain open and looked out. It was still dark. Nothing to do... No one on the street... Tyrol sensed the others arriving. He closed the curtain and turned to lie on his bedding.

“A TV set would be kind of cool!” he thought.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chapter Three Part Two

Reginald parked by the side of the road and comfortably stepped down from his 4x4. This ‘whatever-it-is’ he stared at was nothing like he expected. The flimsy stalls, roofed in brightly colored sheets, looked more like a County Fair than some gypsy thing. “This is not like in the movies...” he thought.

“I’m the Investigative Magistrate here in Bruël,” Reginald said, extending his hand towards Dante. “I know you don’t need a permit in these parts of town but I like to get acquainted when someone new comes around to visit.” he continued. They shake hands. “I’m glad you’ve come by. Please, take a look around, it may dispel the terrible rumors that follow our gypsy tribes.” Dante leads him to the stalls.

It was busy time for the gypsies, setting up tables, setting up cloth dividers that create private spaces for consultations. Signs were hung on tiny nails that appeared to have rusted in place. “How long do you expect to stay Mr. Dante?” he asked without looking at Dante. “Our clientele is like a wave that peaks very quickly and soon peters out. Sometimes we’re lucky and stay around for a while.” Dante answered. Reginald wasn’t listening. The sign read: Good Luck Amulets and the young lady who stood beneath, is preciously beautiful.

“That’s my grand niece on my wife’s side, Kalina.” Dante explained.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Chapter Three Part One

Bruël is a large town. It could soon become a city; it has schools, churches, sport stadium, a mayor, a magistrate and low taxes. All that was needed to grow. One of the best things about Bruël is also its best kept secret. A vampire nest lived right in their midst. You see, if the vampires kept to the Code, it was the safest of towns. Reginald, Morrison’s counterpart in Bruël, is one of the very, very few who knew about the nest. Once in a while he’d run into a vampire or two taking a walk, mostly at night. They didn’t know him as a Keeper but he kept an eye on their whereabouts and comings and goings. Reginald never felt he could truly trust a vampire.

Today, something new, gypsies! Reginald drove his fully loaded Ford Expedition to the outskirts of town, down by the wooded area that later became forest. That’s where he was told the gypsies had set up a tent. He had to take a look. Crime always went up when gypsies were around. At least that’s what’s always said.

(To Be Continued.)

Friday, January 31, 2014

Chapter Two Part Thirteen

It was a recitation. The Keepers went on and on in that growling deep voice. Most of what they said no one cared about and some of it just couldn’t be figured out. When the recitation changed wolf, close attention was required again. Reconciliation was the word repeated and understood by most.

Kalina couldn’t keep her eyes off the young vampire. He looked alive. She was thankful he never looked towards her. She wouldn’t want him to see her like that with such putrid skin. Kalina had been taken beyond death as a teenager. Her heart and mind were still there. She never made much of her ancestry, witchcraft and all that; it kind of didn’t matter anymore. Maybe when she got older, they’d say... But she won’t get older, ever.

Agros is very comfortable by now, so he cockily hopped on the largest rock on his side of the glade and sat with his legs crossed. Remus, who had stayed in the shadows until now, appeared to feel the need to show off; especially in front of Argos. So he also skipped and hopped agile onto the opposing rock.

The Keepers, the zombies and the vampires all turned their heads. Remus, with a strange smile on his face, also sat crossing his legs. Zombies can’t be able to do that. Remus was so full of himself that he didn’t notice a thing.

And all that were looking noticed that Remus’ skin was not rotten anymore.

End of Chapter Two

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Chapter Two Part Twelve

Actually very few creatures have ever been to a Consiglio. Only the parties concerned are invited. Anyone could attend but no one ever knew when or where it would happen. There is no need for a fire, all of the creatures could see perfectly well in the dark. In a way, a fire only made everything outside it darker.

The vampires arrive. The assembly is complete. The wolves sat like sphinxes on the slightly higher ground. The zombies kept to their side of the woods and the vampires took what was left. The Keepers could speak but their voice is very much like a growl. It took a few beats to become accustomed to the tone and be able to understand the words. It also became very boring for Tyrol. “Mumbo jumbo.” he thought to himself.

After a couple of minutes it became obvious that nothing bad was going to happen there. The gypsies are the first to relax and look for a spot to sit. The vampires follow. Tyrol simply wanders along the edges of the glade, bored. It seemed that the full moon willfully followed him around.

At least it seemed that way to Kalina, Madame Ajándék’s great granddaughter and Dante’s niece.

(To Be Continued.)

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Chapter Two Part Eleven

Tyrol was the first to see and pick up the strange parchment. After a brief examination of the script he quickly took it to Agros. It kept well in the darkness. On the appointed evening the nest gathered to leave. Agros would always exit by the front door. The other vampires followed. Tyrol stayed behind a little. He wasn’t too sure if it was because he was embarrassed by Agros’ strut and his continued use of the vampire gear, cape and all, or maybe he just wanted to take it all in. Tyrol left his yellow hoodie behind. He was well aware that Agros hated it.

Morrison and his deputies walked into the forest together. They loved the forest. As they got deeper into the wilderness they slowly transformed into the wolves they also were. Morrison became Maxus in full daylight. The Keepers had learned to shift their shape by willing it. They kept alive the myth about the full moon and such because they preferred maintaining the other creatures in the dark about it. They also hid their human identity. That knowledge could make them vulnerable to a treacherous attack.

Agros and his nest were the last to get to the glade.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Chapter Two Part Ten

Surrounded by oaks on one side and a grove of ancient pine on the other, the glade is perfect for a Consiglio. The clearing formed a semi circle. The flat side was slightly elevated and the circular part had stones arranged like an amphitheater, following the outline made by the trees. The very center was flat and spacious. The exponents and its audience each had its place. A few of the stones are large enough to hide behind or sit on top and be sort of above it all.

The gypsies were the first to arrive. With enough time before night fall they set about finding a place, not too close by, to corral the wagons, and another place to tie and feed the horses, still farther away. The horses had no problem during the day when the zombies look human. It’s at night when they transform into the monsters they really are, that the horses panic. So horses were kept at a safe distance until morning.

Had Madame Ajándék not given up her life for the sake of all, the tribe eventually would have self destructed. “She was the greatest of witches,” remembered Dante, “the grandest of them all! The power she had!” he marveled.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Chapter Two Part Nine

Werewolves have always felt comfortable in the city of Rome, obviously, because the city was founded by werewolves. It may not be the official version but why would the brothers be thought to be demigods? Why else would the She-wolf care and feed the twins? They were one of a kind, well almost. Of course, the werewolves like the demigods were mortal. It was that mortality that the original Keepers embraced.

Their defense of the human population of ancient Rome from the vampires was what gave base to the myth that vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies. Yes, they were forced to destroy a few of the more cocky ones, then, but for the most part it was convincing them to go on to other pastures or be preyed upon right there. The werewolves are enormous beasts and could destroy most anything but they were also creatures of the night. They knew the unnatural was as real as the world mortals are aware of. But the wolf-men also knew what dying meant. They felt that all creatures mortal or undead had the right to exist. That right had to be protected.

It was their mortality that made them think that way.

(To Be Continued.)

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Chapter Two Part Eight

Dante received the message. An enormously beautiful Great Dane carrying a leather pouch had brought the parchment. It sat patiently at Dante’s feet waiting for a response. From a slight arching of an eyebrow it knew Dante had understood the message. The beast turned on its hind legs and was gone the same way he came. The gypsy left in Dante was spooked by the dog. It felt like the animal was channeling some other mind. He wondered, “If I followed that dog..., where would it lead me?”

He looked at the message again. The script was quickly fading in the sunlight. But he had a good idea of where the glade was. It was about mid distance to a town he wanted to visit for some time.

The paper was the greater mystery for Dante. He had never seen parchement like that before. In a few more moments it granulated into a bluish dust. He called the tribe to a brief counsel.

“The issue with the demons will find resolution when the moon fills. The place to meet is a three day ride from here. We should collect all our things. After the arranged gathering we’ll continue on to Bruël and tent there for a while.” he said loudly.

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Chapter Two Part Seven

Turning into a vampire isn’t going to make you any smarter. That was the conclusion that ended the meeting. Agros was plain stupid, as stupid as he was when a mortal. He didn’t really break any rules. The gypsies were zombies, not human. And they had camped just far enough away from the vampire nest to be game.

Morrison and his two deputies stood up from the triangular conference table. They had decided to hold a conclave at the clearing by the oak grove on the next full moon. It’s easy to find. All parties would be invited to make peace. They’d go over the rules and why the vampires would not be sanctioned. Maybe have each side make some kind of peace offering, but nothing more than a well meaning get-together.

Morrison’s only concerns were the zombies. They didn’t act like zombies. Their brains didn’t seem to be addled like is usual. During the fight they acted individually, not the mindless throng they had always been finding. But Morrison didn’t share his thoughts with the others.

“Who needs zombies? Damn! Like if vampires weren’t enough.”

(To Be Continued.)

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Chapter Two Part Six

For a while it became fashionable in ancient Rome to drink blood. The custom started as a sign of respect for the animal being slaughtered. It promptly became entertainment. The animals were bled as a spectacle for the dinner guests and the blood became an appetizer. Depending on the size of the party, three or more different animals could be killed. It became a matter of refinement to be able to recognize the source of the blood only from the taste.

After a while, it really was too messy, the bleeding and slaughtering was removed to another room and only the fresh blood was served. It was only a skip and a step away for someone to come up with the idea of bleeding a Christian, they were relatively inexpensive, and serve up a uniquely flavored blood. Determining the origin of the blood became a guessing game. Lamb! Goat! Pig! Lion! But human blood has a special sweetness to its taste. I guess it’s because it tastes like ourselves.

The Romans couldn’t have been more successful attracting vampires had they put out a want-ad for them. The werewolves had no choice but to step up their game.

(To Be Continued.)