“I can’t live like this.”
He nodded. Aisling’s soul was too pure to live as a monster. That was one of the things that had always kept him from revealing his true nature to her. It was one of the things that he loved about her. But it would kill her—and she knew it.
“What do you want to do?” he asked.
“How much longer?” Aisling asked, snuggling deeper into Hayden’s lap.
Hayden freed his arm from the woolen blanket they were wrapped in to look at his watch.
“Less than ten minutes?”
Aisling nodded and laid her head on his chest.
“You don’t have to do this,” she told him for the dozenth time, knowing his answer would be exactly what it had been the first.
“Yes, I do.”
“Hey,” he said, waiting until she looked up at him to continue. “You are my life. Without you, there is no life for me.”
Aisling smiled up at Hayden but it was a sad smile. He returned it with a sad smile of his own. Their lips met in a lingering kiss. They passed the rest of the night that way: limbs twinned together under an old blanket that Aisling’s grandmother had made, sharing one breath. The kiss didn’t end, not even when the first rays of dawn struck their nest on the roof of Aisling’s dorm.
END OF STORY
“What Aisling didn’t realize in her frenzy was that her roommate had walked in on her feasting on her little sister. She had forgotten to take her laundry home with her for the weekend, and returned to retrieve it. She has told several people, but only two believe her. Your assignment is to assess the girl and her two friends for termination. Good luck, Agent Burnäs.”
Ted got in the car. Jorda appeared in the passenger seat. They exchanged pleasantries. “This will be my first vampire case,” Ted said enthusiastically. “Who commits suicide after being gifted with something like that?”
“There are many kinds of vampires; this kind is certainly not the original,” Jorda replied. “Humans were not meant to become vampires; that was the spawn of the ones we oppose. They are insane, and often the humans that become vampires also go insane.”
“This was in the training, but there was a lot of lore in the training. Remind me about the ones we oppose,” Ted said.
“I believe we need to improve our training methods, this is a big part of why we do what we do,” Jorda sighed. “Okay, the Ancient Ones created their opposites as their children. There were six of them. The Ancient Ones are Chaos, their opposites are Order and insanity.”
“How can Order be insanity?” Ted asked.
“You humans have everything confused, so forget everything you think you know. Order is crazy. Look at how the world is splitting right now. The human race has never been so clearly divided. The PC movement goes hand in hand with the globalist movement. Think about what Order actually is. Order is homogeneity, everything the same, everything equal. That’s why we’re seeing socialism vs. capitalism, government control vs. freedom, social justice/political correctness vs. dialogue and free speech…All of these things are Order vs. Chaos. The later in each case is Chaos, the former is Order. As above, so below; the fight between the two sides is mirrored in this realm and it’s coming to a final battle,” Jorda said.
“Chaos is freedom?” Ted asked.
“Of course, think about it, what is more chaotic than a diverse group of people with the freedoms that are given in America? Government control is the ultimate social order,” Jorda replied.
“I guess that’s true, I didn’t think of it that way,” Ted said. “Okay then, let’s go find us a frightened co-ed.” A few seconds later, they were in the parking lot in front of Aisling’s dorm.
“The roommate’s name is Cecily Drainer. Question her about her roommate and what she saw. I’ll try to convince her she saw something else,” Jorda said as he disappeared. “I have just looked into the minds of the other two, we don’t even need to question them. I have already convinced them that the shock of seeing Aisling and Nikki dead played tricks on Cecily’s mind. I will try to convince Cecily the same.”
The two men got out of the car, though everybody that saw them only saw one person get out of the car and walk to the girls’ dorm. Cecily had changed rooms, of course, since the incident, and she had a new roommate. To their surprise, and concern, they were able to walk right up to Cecily’s room. Ted knocked on the door.
“Yes?” Came a little female voice.
“Miss Drainer, my name is Agent Ted Burnäs. I need to ask you a few questions about your former roommate,” Ted pulled out his badge that he showed nervous people when questioning them. It put them more at ease. This was a teenage girl. He didn’t want to frighten her. “If you’ll crack your door open just a little, I’ll show you my badge.”
The door cracked open, and Ted held his badge in front of it. The door opened all the way, the young girl looking very nervous. “I’m not sure what I can tell you that is any different from what I told the cops. I wasn’t even supposed to be here,” she said with her voice cracking with emotion.
“I’m sorry, this won’t take very long. I know this must be very difficult for you,” Ted said.
“Okay, come on in,” she said softly.
Jorda silently went to work on her immediately. “I know you came into your room and saw something gruesome. I just want to clarify what it is you saw,” Ted said. He was trying to help Jorda convince her she saw two bodies and was just confused. Ted was also wandering around the room, looking for anything that might need removal. He found a journal with “Aisling” written in sparkly pen with some stickers on it. Ted grabbed it and stuck it under his coat.
“Like I told the cops, I saw Nikki, Aisling’s little sister, in a pool of blood and…” she broke down crying.
Ted tried to comfort her. “I’m sure it was very distressing; these were your friends. These were your friends, to see their bodies in such a gruesome way must have been insane.”
“Bodies?” she asked.
“Yes, Nikki’s and Aisling’s bodies,” he said.
Cecily got very quiet and thoughtful. Eventually and slowly, she said, “Y-yes, Nikki and Aisling lying in a pool of blood. I was terrified.”
“I’m sure, and you probably don’t even remember what you saw,” Ted said. “When such horrible things are seen, our emotions make it difficult to recall everything exactly. Sometimes our minds are sort of drugged by emotion and it lies to us because our minds can’t handle what we’re seeing.”
Cecily was nodding her head. She burst into tears, and said, “Aisling!”
Ted put his arm around her and tried to comfort her. “She’s convinced,” Jorda said in his head.
Just then there was a knock at the door. A boy’s voice said, “Cecily, are you alright?”
“Justin” she whispered. She quickly wiped her eyes, “Yes, just one second.” She ran to get a mirror and fix her make-up. Then she opened the door and let him in.
“What’s going on?” Justin asked.
“I was just about to leave. Ms. Drainer, thank you for your time and I’m so sorry for your loss. Have a great day, kids,” Ted said.
Ted walked back to the car, and Jorda reappeared. “That was great teamwork! We managed to save that girl’s life and save the veil!”
“That was great! I really didn’t want to have to have that little girl killed,” Ted said.
“Me either,” Jorda said, “but sometimes we have no choice.”
“I know,” Ted said. “I would have done it to protect the veil, but I’m glad it turned out so well.”
They were back in the garage. “Me too,” said Jorda, “I do have to tell the vampires about the brother. He must be taken out. It was a pleasure working with you, my friend.”
“The pleasure was mine, Jorda. I hope we get do work together again soon,” Ted said.
“Me too,” Jorda said as he disappeared. It was rare that everything turned out so well.
Ted then remembered the journal. He leafed t
hrough it, finding ordinary girl stuff until he came to the last page. It was a poem hastily scribbled onto the page:
Evil
In those whom we perceive innocent
I look you in the face
Slightly shaken by your charm
Beauty housed a beast
Consumed by passion
Vulnerable by grief
My soul left open
I choke upon fear
Sicken by rage
Cursed thyself for the condemned
Horror crept inside me
Nestled beneath bone
Slumbered between decay
Destruction runs fiercely
Flows amongst thy rotten corpse
Buried near the shore
Eroded by the sea
Haunted hillsides call to me
Water contaminated
I soon drank to quench thy thirst
Forbidden judgment sliver
I crawl before you
Beaten
I force myself to stand
Soon darkness approaches
My mind fades
Perhaps you will kill me
Play me for a fool
Tactics isolated to disclose
Freely I slip into reality
Stare at life
Break from agony
Ted closed the journal, feeling sad for the two lost vampires. He headed back into the building and passed Sam and Aiden on their way out. They exchanged pleasantries as Sam and Aiden made their way to a car.
CHAPTER 4: THE UNDERGROUND BAR
“I am not entirely sure how I’m going to react to seeing your end of the business, Sam,” Aiden said as they got in Sam’s car.
“All you’ve got to do is keep quiet and stay in the car until it’s over, I’ll handle the rest,” she said as they appeared on a rooftop near the asylum where Ray Spangler was an inmate.
The doctor was down the street and headed their way. Atum had put a picture in Sam’s head of the fugitive, and he was walking toward the doctor. “I love when everything works out in my favor,” Sam said to no one in particular.
Her job wasn’t easy; she lined up the shot as much as she could from the position of the fugitive. He suddenly raised his gun, as he was supposed to, and two shots went out. One from the fugitive and one from Sam, no chances could be taken. They shot at the same time and the fugitive missed the doctor in his confusion; after all, killing her wasn’t really his idea though he wasn’t opposed to it either. Sam’s shot hit right between the eyes. The doctor couldn’t recover from that shot.
Once the commotion started in the streets, and Sam saw the fugitive run off, she got back in the car and told the car to take them to a special bar just for IVAs, FBI, other government workers, and non-humans to socialize. Last thing they wanted was some drunk IVA spilling secrets to average people in a drunken stupor. That would work against them. The bar was, of course, called Reality. It was located underground and had a secret entrance.
Sam and Aiden walked up to the bar to order their drinks. “I will have a Bushmills straight,” Sam said to the bartender.
“I’ll have a Labatt Blue,” Aiden said.
“Godsdamn Canadians, give us two shots of Blanco Tequila, please,” Sam said.
The bartender set the two shots in front of them, and walked away. Sam and Aiden picked up the shots, clinked the glasses together, and threw back the shots.
A man came up behind Sam and sat in the stool beside her. He ordered a glass of Absolute and turned to Aiden, “You’re part of the Interdimensional and Veil Affairs,” he said looking at Aiden’s iconic attire and hat
“Yes, yes, I am,” Aiden said. “I’m Agent Aiden Banner.” He held his hand out toward the man.
“Good to meet you, agent, I’m Agent James Schroder, FBI,” he said as he shook Aiden’s hand.
“Pleasure is mine,” Aiden said, “this is my co-worker and friend Samantha Strongbow.”
Schroder and Sam shook hands. “Are you IVA, too?” Schroder asked.
“Well, I work with them, but I’m actually General Strongbow, Army,” Sam replied.
“Oh, yeah, I guess the Army would work with the IVAs. I thought your uniform looked military,” Schroder said.
“FBI,” Aiden said, “that sounds nice and normal.”
“Well, I work for a special unit. I’ve seen some crazy shit, and not just from non-humans,” Schroder said. “What is it that makes the IVAs different from the FBI special units? I never did understand that.”
“Purpose,” Sam said. “FBI is sworn to protect the public. IVAs and those that assist them are sworn to protect the veil.”
“The veil?” Schroder asked.
“Ah, you don’t know,” Aiden said. “The veil keeps the dimensions separate. The more humans that know about reality, the more the veil breaks.”
“Oh…damn, that must be tough,” Schroder said.
“Very,” Aiden said, “though I think it’s Sam that has the toughest job.”
“Nah, I just go and shoot who I’m told, I don’t make any decisions,” Sam said.
“You have to kill the innocent?” Schroder said.
“Nobody’s really innocent. If I couldn’t do my job, all existence would be wiped out,” Sam said. “That’s one hell of an incentive. Yes, my job is tough, but one life isn’t worth all existence coming to an end. I do what has to be done.”
“Oh, without a doubt, Sam, I’m not saying your job isn’t needed.” Aiden said, “I’m saying we’re lucky that you’re strong enough to do it, not many of us could do what you do.”
“I know I couldn’t, even with all of existence at stake.” Schroder said, “He’s right, we’re lucky to have you.”
“The strangers aren’t the hardest part. Yesterday I had a rookie that had been a good soldier. He was a good man. I took him out on his first job, and he couldn’t do it. He caved. I had to take him out in the middle of nowhere and blow his brains out. THAT was hard,” Sam said with a sigh.
“WOW!” both men said in unison.
“Bartender! Three more Blanco shots please!” Sam said.
“So, James, what was your worst case?” Aiden asked
“Ah,” Schroder said, I have a story for you. I like to call it…:”
“REACH”
“Unfortunately, there is no mistake,” she said, closing the file. “Given the shipments we’ve been tracking, the behavior we’ve noted, the crimes local to her area; and the resources she’s using; it all leads to one inescapable conclusion: We’ve got a ‘Victoria Frankenstein’ on our hands,” the older woman said with a sigh, setting the file down, leaning back in her chair, and closing her eyes.
“So, wait,” the man sitting on the other side of her desk said, “You mean to say this isn’t the first time you’ve seen something like this?” he asked. “This is a pattern you’re actually familiar with?”
The woman opened her eyes and looked at the man. “I’ve been working for the Bureau a long time, Schroder,” she said. “In 1977 I interviewed a werewolf sheriff in Western Washington, then enlisted the help of his pack to find the vampire who’d been poaching humans. In 1982, I spoke with a coven of witches in California that were trading spells with extraterrestrials on green cards. Both sides were being stolen from and hunted by a rogue researcher at UC Berkley who was trying to contact elder creatures from outside our dimension. In 1989 I caught a silver dragon red-handed as she operated the west coast branch of a slave trade. She broke down in tears and explained that her phoenix lover was being kept as a pile of ash in a mason jar, on the desk of a very high-powered New York businessman. She later turned state’s evidence against that businessman, and her partner chose to accompany her in a mission to pay restitution to all the families she harmed. In 1999, I traced the ecstasy being funneled into the ‘rave scene’ back to a junkie being influenced by a Greek god of debauchery. Then I had the pleasure of watching as the courts let the pusher go because stopping him from distributing was consid
ered ‘religious persecution.’”
“Wow.” Schroder said. “I didn’t realize—”
“Before your promotion, you weren’t meant to realize. The cases I’ve mentioned so far are open to your clearance level now, but it’s understandable that you haven’t had time to go through any files yet,” she said, working a ring slowly around on her finger as she thought.
Then she leaned forward. “Look Schroder, as the years have passed, I’ve heard every sob story about small time necromancers and flesh-scientists who just wanted to bring back a loved one; met every greedy alchemist turning charcoal into gold, met every power mad dick misusing genies’ wishes; and stumbled across every ‘misunderstood’ abuser who learned just enough mesmerism to keep his punching bag around. I’ve seen the depths of human and inhuman cruelty, Schroder, and I have learned to tell the difference between the varying types of human monsters. This ‘Morrison’ has been killing, animating corpses, violating gravesites, ordering high quality technological components and chemicals… But only when she’s not stealing from hospitals, tech firms, and medical research facilities. We suspect her list of crimes is much longer, though we’ve lost two agents so far researching those tenuous leads.”
“The question is: To what end?” Schroder asked. “What is the end goal to all of this? And why?”
The woman behind the desk was already shaking her head. “Our job isn’t to figure out ‘why,’ Schroder, leave that for your personal time. Our job is to figure out ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘how,’ possibly ‘when,’ and most importantly, ‘the fastest way to make it stop with the least amount of damage to the community.’ Those are the questions you should be most focused on. Hmm,” she said, “Unless you’re going to become a profiler. If you want to climb inside these peoples’ heads to figure out where they’re going next, what they’re going to do once they get there, and how much time the public has before the whack job strikes next; then that’s fine with me. But get the official training first, and the change in job title.”
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