Michael was neither one thing or another. He didn’t belong to any side. He was on his own. Unwanted and rejected once again. He was living a half-life in The Grange. Not undead, but a living shadow amongst the walking corpses.
He sat in the rocking chair with the curtains open. He would have to shut them in about three hours. Michael looked out at the snow and rocked and waited. Waited and rocked. He missed the Brass Band.
9 – August
Excerpts from Anne’s Diary.
1st August
I have found my nest, tucked away from prying eyes with a gated drive, stables and trees on all sides. It has lots of rooms upstairs for entertaining and lots of cellar space for entertaining me too! There is a so much work to do in the house before I can move in. Once the stables have been converted into pens, I will be reunited with my babies.
The Special Housing has gone well. It seems that here, there is a dire need for this type of dwelling. Every room is going to be full. It has been such a success that I might actually buy some more if the incentives are right (mmm…more humans!). A big pat on the back there for Anne!!
With that in mind, I have offered to meet members of the local council to see what they can offer me. Usually, most humans can be swayed by promises of money or power or even both. Sometimes when the carrot doesn't work there is always the stick. Norman thinks he may have to move in with me for a while. I am torn now. I love Norman, but he wants his independence too much, so that makes me cross. He can stay here with me if he wants. It’s only Len I have a problem with. Norman’s new house is even more derelict than we thought, so his will take a little more time. We can’t stay in the hotel much longer. Questions are starting to be asked. It isn’t my fault either. I am sure I wasn’t the only one feeding on the dizzy people. Norman will be with me for a while. He is admitting he needs his big sister. We are still young after all and as our parents are gone, we are orphans! Yes, orphans!
10th August
On my own at last. It must be nearly two hundred years since I have had this luxury. It is so refreshing to rise and go about one’s business without having to step over someone else leftovers, or even worse catch sight of someone in the middle of some business they should be ashamed of (again) (Len I am talking about now, of course) Yes, its time to move onwards and upwards before he works out what I am really up to.
The meeting with the council went well. Small-minded bureaucrats with their minds on power, suit me. They are so easily manipulated. None of them have any backbone and would sell their souls to rise a few more rungs up the ladder. Ironic really as that is what they are practically doing – selling their souls I mean. There will be no ladder for them.
I have promised them more housing in return for a few favours and the first of them is giving me access to council workers to finish the work on my animal pens. They even rushed through the permit for me to have my fur babies. Sadly I couldn't do anything about the quarantine regulations, but I am only going to declare five of them for this, the others will be arriving by a different route. What they don't know won't hurt them, as they say - funny how most old wives tales don't always tell the truth.
I have also decided to turn to the oldest profession in the world again. Not that I will be doing anything myself (just the picture of innocence, aren’t I?), but I think it might turn out to be lucrative in this environment. Judging by some of the conversations I am picking up from the council members it seems that a few of them have some interests that would make even my older brother blush. I could make use of this weakness in case I need a stick to beat them with.
29th August.
My babies are back! Apart from the ones I have had to officially put into quarantine, which are not my primary pack. (I would never do that to Sophia) They only have to be in there for thirty-one days anyway. All of my babies made it safely into the country. Their couriers were adequately compensated and now help to feed them - as part of their daily meat intake. Waste not, want not. I have learnt long ago to never leave any loose ends
All is quiet from Norman and Len. Len was last seen dressed in a frock and ostrich feathers somewhere in Manchester, getting in touch with his inner diva. He attends the ‘Proud’ Festival, he tells me. Norman seems to be still set on living in Saddleworth, but has heeded my warnings to respect my personal space and seems to believe that a hill between us should suffice.
My brothel business is booming and like a spiders web, I have caught many a juicy fly. To be exact, I have caught me some naughty Councillors. This has increased my power base significantly. Sadly I had to arrange an accident for one of the Councillor’s, who chose the wrong moment to grow a backbone. When they found his body on the moors without it, I think it ensured that the others kept their jelly ones.
It also started a nice retelling of the old rumour of the beast of the moors. As I officially have no animals on the premises (yet) I take every opportunity to feed the fire, so that when my flock and my pets are feeding, we can refer them back to this moment – when I had no wolves at all! Haha! Anyway, I have mounted the Councillor’s backbone on the wall of my cellar. I like it. I find it quite interesting, but that is no news to anyone that really knows me!
The moors are certainly interesting from my point of view, and such a rich source of material. It seems that the humans use the moors for all kinds of things. One of them is walking alone across bleak, windswept areas. Hidden are small caves, streams and other hazards. Many humans have gone missing in this area. I imagine many more will soon. The moors provide natural little traps for me. With a reduced mobile phone signal there as well, someone could lie there for weeks, with a broken leg. I am stopping the pain for them, they are providing me with a hot bath. It works for both of us!
There is another hobby going on around here too, called dogging. It seems to involve rutting like animals in car parks, with other people watching. Romantic couples grabbing a brief moment of passion before returning to their husbands or wives, and the monotony of their futile existence. This never went on in Switzerland, I am sure! Maybe it was the clean Swiss air. Or the fact, that they consume their own body weight in cheese every week. I don’t know. This place is in the industrial north. Who knows what these fellows are taking in!
It doesn’t change their taste of spa benefits and that is all I am bothered about. The beautiful thing about all these activities is that they usually take place at night, with very few other people knowing the exact location of where they are. I mean would you tell your friends that you are going to spend the evening on all-fours in a car park? Exactly. And for some reason that I haven't found out yet, it seems that mysterious disappearances were going on long before I decided to pluck at the natural resources of my new home. It’s haunted. Oh, I know that. But there are other creatures at large here. Even stuff I wouldn’t tackle. But that is for another time, isn’t it? It’s hard to laugh off – and when I say that, it means a lot. The area even has a name. The locals call it ‘The Melden Triangle’. This triangle does not only encompass Melden, but a village called Moorston and the top part of Friarmere. If I believed in a higher power I would say that it was providence that brought me here.
10 – Camera
Jennifer all of a sudden had an idea. ‘Wait a minute. I have got two security cameras. One on the front of the house and one above my conservatory at the back. Maybe they have picked something up and we can see what is going on in Melden.’
They all thought this was a wonderful idea. Laura wanted to call and check on her Uncle Terry and cousin’s, as she had been very worried about them. She could do this on the way. Our Doris was too poorly to go but Wee Renee, Pat, Brenda, Laura and Sue said they would go over to Jennifer's house. Rose reluctantly said she would go too. But expected to see nothing.
Pat had the idea that even if she did see evidence on Jennifer’s security camera’s, she would even be more miserable than she was now, as she would have been proved wrong. Pat thought I have worked you out, lady.
Th
ey got their hats, coats and boots together and put them on. In fifteen minutes from hearing about Jennifer’s camera’s, they were out on the cold streets again. It was sunny and the sun shone off the snow brilliantly. They walked out of Our Doris’s cul-de-sac and onto the main road. Not one person was out and about. Maybe it was too cold or maybe there was no one else left. Wee Renee kept looking at the other houses windows. She wanted to see another human, or at least a curtain twitching. She was disappointed.
Laura’s Uncle did not live far from Our Doris. They knocked, but no one came to the door. She tried both of her cousin’s houses. No answer again. This wasn’t looking good for them. Laura was quiet and deep in thought for the rest of the journey.
Jennifer did not live too far away, just the other side of the Main Street. They walked into the centre of Melden. The local council had installed the Christmas Lights. Silhouettes of candles, holly and stockings were high on the lamppost’s and strings of white lights joined all the shops together. Sue looked up at them. She wouldn’t get to enjoy these at night. Who was seeing them now, only Anne and her wolves. How sad.
There were a couple of shops open, which had no customers. Gary and a few of the others had decided what they were all having for the evening meal and had given Wee Renee a list of items, which she would pick up on the way back.
Wee Renee was excited to see a haberdashery, but unfortunately it was closed. She had promised to try and darn Pat’s tights and needed special thread.
The roads were still impassible even in the centre, where the gritters last were. The snow had built back up to an equal level across the road. There was no chance of anything coming through the village. They found plenty of footprints, which they could see going in and out of shops. Even though this was lunchtime, the Chinese takeaway and the kebab shop were open, which really was quite heartening to see. It was also very strange. They didn’t usually open for morning or lunch trade. Wee Renee could see that there was still plenty of food in the shops, as they walked past the glass windows. A good indicator was whether they had milk and bread, which were usually the first things to sell out. They did, so even though this must be now a couple of days old and would not last much longer, she thought she would replenish Our Doris's freezer with a few loaves, and buy some cakes, biscuit and toilet rolls.
By the time they got to the other end of the street they had still not seen anyone else in the village. Following Jennifer’s lead, they turned up a small side street and at the end, it stopped becoming a street and became a driveway. This was their destination.
With tall tree’s either side, it took them about ten minutes to walk up it. It curved once to the left and once to the right. At the end, they were rewarded with the view of Jennifer's house. It was surrounded by a high wall, which made it seem very secure. At the centre of the front wall were electric gates and there was indeed a camera over the gate to show anyone that might ring the bell. Jennifer keyed in a pass code and they went through into large grounds.
Sue estimated that this house, which was quite new, had about seven or eight bedrooms. ‘What a lovely house, Jennifer. You must be doing very well for yourself.’ Sue said.
‘It is down to my husband's efforts really. He always works away. There is a price for everything, isn't there?’ She said sadly.
They walked up to the front of the house and Jennifer opened the door. Inside was very plush. Sue could tell that Jennifer employed at least one cleaner to look after this house. It would be a handful for anyone.
Jennifer took them through to the back of the house, through the kitchen and into the conservatory. She pointed upwards to the roof of the conservatory.
‘I will look at that one first.’ They could just about see a camera on the back wall, which was close to the conservatory pointing out to the fields behind. ‘There is a footpath that cuts off a lot of the main road so you can triangulate through Melden and quickly get to the other side. It's very well frequented, and I would be surprised if they hadn’t used it. Especially if she has local people with her. Everyone uses it. You can cut fifteen minutes off your journey.’
Jennifer said they were to all go into the sitting room and take a seat. Her laptop was in her office, but they should all sit on the sofa, as she wouldn’t be a minute. Rose said she would put the kettle on for everyone whilst Jennifer did that and off she went. The others got the idea that she did not want to spend any time with them on her own without her sister, Jennifer as a backup. Brenda went to help her.
Jennifer had a similar large picture to Our Doris’s, over her fireplace. Her husband looked like Cary Grant. Suave, tanned and with swept back hair.
‘Two for one, do you think Rene?’ Pat smirked gesturing at the picture.
‘Aye, I bet neither Jennifer or Our Doris need BOGOF’s, Pat,’ Wee Renee chuckled.
‘He looks like a ladies man, he does,’ Pat commented. The others murmured in agreement. ‘You can tell a mile off. Sexy pig!’ Sue heard creaking footsteps on the wood flooring and nudged them in case they said anything else they might be embarrassed about later.
Jennifer appeared and put the laptop on the coffee table in front of them. Clicked a few icons on the screen and connected it to the CCTV feed. A list of dates came up and she clicked the top one. Brenda and Rose returned with the drinks and sat down beside them.
‘We will check last nights, first,’ Jennifer said. ‘What do you think? Start at five pm?’
They all agreed, and she moved a bar across the screen to five pm. The footage appeared on the screen. It was in black and white and it was split screen.
‘We will scan through pretty quick and if we notice anything we can have a look at that screen in particular and blow it up to full screen. Keep your eyes peeled.’
They started watching the speckled dark screen and at seven thirty two, on the clock below, they could see figures in the distance on the screen from the conservatory feed. Out of the black grainy picture they came like ghosts. Spectres with flashing coins at their eyes. At first, one person became clearer and more visible and then there came another and another. Four figures. Bright dots were shining low beside them and after a moment this was clear that they were the eyes of five wolves. They got closer and then the picture became very clear. There was Anne, large as life with her vampires beside her and surrounded by her wolves. Laura’s uncle and cousins were not amongst them.
The general movement of the vampires seemed to be quite jerky, but maybe this was because the camera only took so many frames per minute. It was apparent though that they were sniffing the air. The three ladies from Friarmere had not seen the vampires do that at the Christmas concert. It was as if these infected creatures were on some kind of illegal drug. They seemed to not be able to stand still. They stopped in a circle for a moment and Anne seemed to address them and they all replied in unison. What a pity there was no sound.
‘We are witnessing a wee gathering. How marvelous.’ Wee Renee said in awe.
‘Look!’ Brenda said pointing to a particular person on the screen. ‘I know her, she is in her sixty’s. She doesn't look like a normal woman at all. Look at the way she moves. She could be eighteen years old. It doesn't sync with the look of her body, does it?’
‘Well you've seen it now,’ said Pat. ‘What do you think Rose?’ Pat really had to try hard to not finish it off with I told you so.
Rose did not seem very happy at all and said she didn't want to think about it and it still might not be what they thought. She had murmured her reply, with her head turned away. Rose was obviously embarrassed and too proud to admit she was wrong.
‘Come on,’ said Brenda, ‘of course it is what it looks like.’
‘We've all seen it now, it should be crystal clear to you,’ Sue said.
‘If you don’t believe us, you must believe your own eyes,’ said Wee Renee.
They waited for one, but Rose didn’t reply. It started to feel like they were ganging up on her a bit, so they all shut up.
; ‘Do you see them again throughout the night, Jennifer?’ Sue asked.
‘I will have a scan through.’ Jennifer picked the laptop up again and placed it on her knee. Within a minute she was nodding.
‘They are here again, coming the other way.’ She turned the laptop towards them. Following their Mistress, Anne, one of the vampires was dragging a dog behind them and another one held what looked like two wild rabbits. Rose’s complexion took on the pallor of a grey rainy day. Sue asked Jennifer to check again. Jennifer checked over and over again and showed them each time. The vampires were observed on the back camera, six times.
On checking the front gate feed, Jennifer jumped back as she found more footage. For one alarming minute, Anne stared at the camera, as if to challenge the occupants. She was shouting something into it, not knowing that there was no sound recording. After each unheard sentence, she gave a quick cruel smile, which did not reach her eyes. This terrified Jennifer, as she had been in the house alone at the time.
‘The villagers know the only house behind that wall is mine. That was to me alone. Well, I am convinced.’ Jennifer said with a sigh. ‘No question about it. I believe you.’
They had seen various animals taken by the vampire’s throughout the recordings. Another dog, three cats and what Wee Renee thought was a young fox.
‘I think I might need another cup of tea, if you don’t mind Jennifer, just to get me back home.’ Pat said.
‘I’ll make it.’ Rose muttered and got up, taking the empty, teapot and cups out with her. Jennifer looked at them all, before saying.
‘I am sorry about Rose, she is a little closed-minded, and you have to admit this is quite hard to believe. She will come round. Don't worry I will have a chat with her later.’
Silver Banned: Book 2 of the Saddleworth Vampire Series Page 6