Dirks smile vanishes and is replaced by hatred.
‘So answer me this, do you think I’m innocent? And answer with the truth; don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you.’ Dirk switches his hand to the other inside pocket of his jacket.
‘To tell the truth I believe the accusations.’ The moment those words slipped from the drivers’ mouth he knew he had made a massive mistake. Before he could correct himself Dirk had pulled out a gun and pulled the trigger. A sharp burning sensation began to spread through the drivers’ body. ‘You promised.’
Dirk puts back his gun and grabs the driver by his jacket collar and pulls him till they are face to face.
‘I promised not to hurt you. Didn’t say anything about killing you.’
Before the driver had a chance to fight back and escape Dirk had changed to vampire form and with this strength kicked the drivers’ knee. The driver screamed in agony as his leg snapped in the opposite direction causing him to lose balance and fall to the ground. Dirk grabs his arms and pulls forcing them to pop out of their sockets. The driver screams and screams for help. But as it’s so early in the morning no one is about to witness what is happening. Unknown to the driver the apartment building they are in front of is completely owned by Dirk so it has no residence. Screaming was not going to help him save his life. Unable to move or fight back Dirk lifted the man’s head in position of the door. The driver knew this was the end and decided to stop his screaming and close his eyes. Dirk proceeded to slam the door shut on the man’s head. As the door bounced back Dirk pulled the man out and laid him on his back on the cold pavement.
‘I feel sorry for you. Laying there bleeding to death as your pleads for help got you nothing. Don’t you see? The council are useless; they believe they have their fingers on the pulse of everything that happens in the world of vampires. But truth is they know nothing. You were right to have your assumptions about me. You didn’t see what was coming and neither will the council.’
The driver sheds a tear as he stared up into the barrel of Dirks gun. The trigger was pulled.
Dirk made his way to the main entrance of the apartment building whilst straightening his suit. He presses the buzzer indicating the apartment at the top of the building. The ring barely rings once before the buzz indicating that the door is open begins to fill the street with noise. Dirk opens the door and enters the apartment building and walks to the elevator. After pressing the up button next to the elevator door, Dirk starts to check himself out in the reflection of the doors. He winks to himself and smiles just as the doors begin to open. Inside the elevator in the back left corner there is a table set up with a bottle of whiskey and glasses placed on top. Dirk pours himself a glass then presses the button to the top floor. As the doors close Dirk necks back the entire glass.
On the top floor opposite the elevator stands Max. Max stands at six foot three with a body builder’s physique. Dressed in tight suit trousers and a tight white shirt to accentuate his muscles. His well-oiled face and gelled hair shows that this is a man who looks after himself, maybe a little too much. Behind him is the door to the apartment.
As the elevator pings signalling it’s reached its destination Max pulls out a gun just in case. As the doors open Max puts his gun away as he knows Dirk is alone in the elevator.
‘What’s with the gun?’ Dirk asks as he steps out of the elevator.
‘Just a precaution sir.’ Max replies in a monotone voice.
‘So I take it they’re all here?’
‘Inside sat around the table like you asked.’
‘Right then Max, lets head in, don’t want to keep our guests waiting.’
Max opens the door and allows Dirk to enter before he does. The entire apartment is plain. The walls painted white, no paintings or pictures hanging on the walls. No electronics or essential living products throughout. Situated in the centre of the open living space is a large wooden table. Around the table are sat five people. Dirk and Max take the two empty seats on the left hand side of the table. Next to Max on his left sits a well-groomed male standing out with a flamboyant suit jacket. In front of him sits a name plate with Stanton carved onto it. Continuing around the table next to Stanton sits another male. Again wearing a suit but a plain black one, with a white shirt and salmon pink tie. His name plate states Charles is his name. Next to Charles and directly in front of Dirk sits the first female with dyed blonde hair and a typical female business suit her name plate has Stephanie carved into it. To her left is another female again in a typical female business suit but with long flowing red hair. Her name plate states Jennifer is her name. And finally in between Jennifer and Dirk is sat another male. The male is Chinese wearing an Asian style suit. His name plate reveals his name to be Renu.
‘Thank you all for joining me tonight.’ Dirk stands up and addresses his guests. ‘As you possibly all know by now, cracks are beginning to show within the council.’
‘The cracks only began to show after you were let off for treason.’ Stephanie pipes up whilst staring at Dirk.
‘Maybe, but do you have proof of this?’ Dirk replies.
Stephanie looks away as she has none.
‘I didn’t think so. But even if it was it wouldn’t matter. You’re here for the same reason as everyone else. You’re willing to be part of the Ana Programme.’
Charles stands and addresses Dirk. ‘Speaking of the Ana Programme, you’ve been very vague on the details.’ Charles takes his seat.
‘The full plan is on a need to know basis. Meaning me and Max here knows and you don’t need to just yet.’
Jennifer rises from her seat. ‘I don’t feel too comfortable entering into a plan in which I don’t have all information.’
Renu also rises. ‘I agree.’
‘Look. There are a few things I’m hiding from you yes. But it’s for your own good. If this goes south and we all get caught, I want you all to be able to plead some deniability. We’ll be killed; you’ll get off with a warning. Is that Ok with you?’ Dirk starts to get a little annoyed. Jennifer and Renu retake their seats.
‘As you all know the Ana Programme will bring down the inner workings of the council and allow us the power to over throw The One.’
Stephanie quickly shoots up pushing her chair back enough for it to fall backwards. ‘But that’s treason.’ She shouts.
Dirk gets a little taken back by her forcefulness. ‘You act as this is news to you. That’s why we’re all here.’
‘Yes, of course. Excuse me; I lost myself for a moment there.’ Stephanie begins to worry that she had blown her cover and Dirk now knows she’s a spy.
‘Apology accepted, please be seated.’ Dirk gestures to her fallen chair.
As she bends to pick it up her back is now turned to group. Dirk gets to his feet and pulls out his gun, without any hesitation pulls the trigger the moment she turns back to face them. The bullet hit directly between her eyes, blowing blood, brain and shards of skull all over the clean white walls behind her. Her body flies back onto the chair tipping it and her body to the floor. Blood begins to pour out over Dirks crisp clean white carpet. None of the group seems fazed by what had just happened.
‘Let this be an expression of trust. I’m willing to take out whoever and whatever gets in the way of my plans.’ Dirk puts his gun back in his jacket pocket as he retakes his seat.
‘So why don’t we activate the programme now whilst the cracks are there.’ Stanton finally speaks.
‘If we activate now, it could mean disaster. The cracks are there, and after the events of today I can assume they’re only going to get bigger. So leave it to me. I’ll force these cracks to widen and I’ll give you your orders when it’s time to strike.’ Dirk stands. ‘Any questions?’
The group all look at each other and shake their heads.
‘Alright then. It was lovely to see you all and I’ll have Max here show you out.’ Dirk walks through French doors out onto an outside roof decking as Max thanks the guests for coming and shows
them the door. As the last guest exits Max closes the door and joins Dirk out on the decking.
‘Are you sure about all this?’ Max asks.
‘I have never wanted anything more than I want this. The Ana Programme will be the end of this shit life we lead.’ Dirk gazes at the sunrise.
‘I’ve received word our little pet failed on his mission. I thought it would be best to tell you after the meeting.’
‘Doesn’t matter the fact he showed up was good enough. This will shock the council into a state of panic and fear. And this is good for our plan.’
‘Are we all done tonight sir?’
‘Yes you can go. Oh, but first. Phone someone to come clean that mess up.’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Oh and the mess outside our front door too, be quick with that one, the mortals will be out on the streets soon.’
‘Yes sir. I’ll deal with that one now.’ Max leaves Dirk out on the decking and exits the apartment.
Dirk continues to stare at the sunrise as an evil smile appears on his face.
CHAPTER 10:
TIME TO BE ROGUE
Jeff stares out of the hotel room window at the sunrise. Tessa is sat at the end of the bed scraping dirt from beneath her nails with her knife.
‘I still don’t understand.’ Jeff turns to face Tessa and lets out a sigh at the sight of her cleaning her nails in such a barbaric way. Tessa slips her knife back into her boot before releasing a sigh that triumphed Jeff’s.
‘It’s quite simple. But I’ll explain it again for you.’ Tessa leans back supporting her weight with her arms. Jeff turns back to the window at the sight of Tessa’s calmness. ‘I’m what’s known as a rogue. I’m not connected to the council in anyway.’
A spark flickers in Jeff’s brain at the idea of leaving the council. So you can leave? A feeling of happiness shoots through his body at such an idea. He focuses his attention back on Tessa.
‘So it is possible to leave? I can leave and this nightmare can be over?’ Jeff can’t hold back the smile appearing on his face.
‘Don’t be flashing about that cheeky smile, you could make a girl just drop her panties.’ Tessa stares with a cheeky grin at Jeff whilst raising an eyebrow and biting her bottom lip. Jeff’s smile fades as a frown appears.
‘Stop with the joking. I want to know. So it is possible to leave the council?’
Tessa shakes her head to get rid of her cheeky grin which is replaced by a look of seriousness as she rolls her eyes at the stupidity Jeff owns.
‘You can leave the council. But you can’t leave the lifestyle.’
Jeff’s heart begins to sink. ‘What do you mean?’
‘The moment you decide to drop out of the council that’s it really. It’s the end. You’re now a rogue.’ Tessa begins to fiddle with her fingers. She can see in Jeff’s body language that he is not too keen on what he is being told.
‘Surely that can’t be any worse than working for the council. You have freedom being rogue surely?’ Jeff tries his hardest to cling onto hope.
‘Being a part of the council you only have to worry about being hunted by one group of people, and because there’s not that many vampire hunters compared to vampires it’s very rare you come across them especially for rookies.’
‘So who else is hunting you?’ Jeff spots a flinch from Tessa, he knows he has hit a nerve but he wants to know.
Tessa looks up into Jeff’s eyes, ‘You.’
Confusion fills Jeff. Me, what is she on about? He could tell by the stern tone of her voice that she didn’t want to discuss it anymore. But with his background of being a lawyer he couldn’t stop himself from asking her more questions to get answers. ‘What do you mean me?’
‘I didn’t mean just you. I meant you in general.’
Jeff thinks for a moment as he processes this new information.
‘You’re quite slow aren’t you?’ Tessa slips Jeff a smile. ‘The council dear. Once you become rogue, you’re now an enemy to The One. The one doesn’t take kindly to his followers leaving the council. And since this is so you become expendable.’
This perfect idea of an escape had quickly turned sour. The idea of never being rid of this filled Jeff with rage. He slams his fist on the window ledge and screams. ‘They fucking make us kill you?’
‘Indeed. I was trying to hint towards maybe you not thinking about becoming rogue. It’s no walk in the park. Especially if you end up on the wrong path.’
Jeff’s ears prick up as his eyes dart to face Tessa. ‘What do you mean wrong path?’
Tessa sits herself back up on the edge of the bed and rubs her nose before answering. ‘Well there’s two ways you can go. There’s the way that involves getting into the wrong crowds, killing mortals for food and sport, drug rings. And most stupid of all being hired by traitors to attack the council. There’s nothing more stupid than trying to fight for the thrown as it were.’ Tessa’s blood boils at the very thought of it.
Jeff leans on the window as he continues to soak in all this new information. Again he wants more. ‘So I take it that’s not the path you’ve chosen?’
‘No. Me and a few others and joined together to collect information on a special programme being formed.’
Jeff pushes himself away from the window and stands directly in front of Tessa. ‘Is this the programme you and Dirk were talking about in the ally way?’
Tessa slowly raises her eyesight to Jeff’s eyes and lets loose a slight giggle and a smile. ‘As much as I like the sight of your, how shall I say, great man package you have,’ Tessa lowers her eyes indicating Jeff’s crotch which is a metre away from her face, ‘but I was wondering if you could make me a cup of tea?’
Jeff pushes Tessa by her shoulders and climbs on top of her holding his body up with his arms. He stares with anger into her eyes. ‘Enough with your joking and flirting and be serious about this.’
Tessa bites her bottom lip and raises her eyebrows as she grabs hold of Jeff’s waist. ‘I don’t usually rush into things with a man but if you insist.’
Jeff punches the duvet next to Tessa’s head. ‘I would never cheat on my wife.’
At this moment the hotel room door slowly opens. Both Tessa and Jeff turn their heads towards the door.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you this early in the morning but I thought…’ Rita slowly enters the room whilst looking around into the corridor to make sure no one could see what she was up to. She stops whispering as she turns her head into the room and spots Jeff lying on top of a female with her hands around his waist. ‘Oh I’m so sorry.’ Rita becomes flustered and embarrassed and leaves the room.
‘No Rita it’s not what it looks like.’ Jeff fights Tessa’s grip as he quickly gets himself to his feet to stop Rita before she closes the door behind her. Tessa sits herself back up on the edge of the bed.
‘No it’s fine, I shouldn’t have disturbed you.’ Rita closes the door behind her. Jeff stops just before the door and lets out a big sigh as he runs his hands up his face and through his hair.
‘Why so stressed?’ Tessa continues to display a smile on her face.
‘Just shut up Tessa.’ Jeff’s patience is wearing thin with Tessa.
‘So you and little miss are an item? Doesn’t surprise me though, you look her type. But what happened about the whole loyalty thing towards your wife?’ Tessa gets a slight joy out of annoying Jeff as he takes the bait easily.
In anger Jeff turns to face Tessa and scrunches up his face as he begins to shout. ‘For your information I’m not seeing Rita. I feel sorry for her, she got punished.’
‘Well that’s nothing new; lower ranked vampires always get punished for doing the slightest thing wrong. Get a little cut somewhere on their bodies so they feel a bit of pain and then they’re allowed to get back to work.’
‘I get that, but it’s the fact she was brutally savaged by our little friend from earlier.’ Jeff had just wiped the smile from Tessa’s face. She stands up and walks in front of Jeff.
‘And let me guess you now want to punish Dirk. Believe me you’re not the only one.’ Tessa turns away and walks over to the window.
‘What’s the history between you two anyway?’ Jeff snaps back into lawyer mode.
‘He’s a traitor. Me and Vaelen had found out that Dirk was planning to destroy the council from the inside. We managed to get a heavy following of council members to help see Dirk get a guilty verdict in court and be sent to death for high treason. But there was a slight problem of lack of evidence. Over time more and more council members began to back him including Vaelen. So all the charges were dropped and he went about his business.’ Tessa hates reminding herself of the past. And Jeff notices this.
‘And it’s because of that you decided to leave the council and follow him on your own as you knew the council was flawed.’
Tessa smiles again. ‘I under estimated you Jeff. You’re quite smart. We could use a guy like you on our team.’
Jeff walks over to Tessa. They stand face to face in front of the window.
‘You saying I should leave the council?’ Asks Jeff.
‘I was thinking more along the lines of you being our man on the inside. Since we have to lay low we could use someone feeding us information about the council. Maybe help us get a step closer to figuring out what Dirk is up to.’
‘And if I do this for you, you promise we’ll take Dirk down.’ Anger fills Jeff’s face.
‘Trust me if we get the evidence we’re after Dirk will sent to death within minutes.’
Jeff looks into Tessa’s eyes and knows she is deeply dedicated to making sure Dirk pays for his crimes. ‘Ok. I’m in.’ Jeff and Tessa shake hands at their agreement.
‘Oh what strong hands you have.’ Tessa again bites her lip and smiles at Jeff.
Jeff pulls his hand away. ‘Stop that or I won’t help you.’
Tessa begins to laugh as she opens the window. ‘Don’t worry I’m joking. I’m not into kids.’
Jeff thinks for a moment. ‘I’m thirty-one.’
‘I’m three hundred and ninety. I like older men anyway.’ Tessa laughs as changes into vampire form and leaps out of the window.
The Vampire Council: Case File:1 Page 5