“Looks like it. Here, take the shovel while I open it.” I said as I tossed the shovel up onto the ground beside her.
I reached down and pulled apart the top of the coffin. It was likely the cheapest the family could afford way back when the woman was buried and the wood fell apart in my hands as I pulled at it, revealing to my enhanced senses the bones of a young woman still covered with the ragged remains of her burial garb.
“Does he need the jawbone too?” I asked Beth.
“No idea. He just said the head, so may be worth bringing it.”
“Fine, pass me the bag.”
I heard a rustling as Beth pulled the crumpled up carrier bag from her pocket and dropped it down to me.
“Isn’t it just a bit disrespectful to carry her head in a plastic bag you get from a supermarket?” I asked as I gingerly picked up her skull and placed it in the bag along with her jawbone. I added a few more bones that lay around where her head had been, just in case.
“Beth?” I said as I realised she hadn’t answered me. “You there?”
“Do you think it’s become cold really quickly?” Beth asked quietly from above me.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean it’s suddenly very bloody cold and I have an unpleasant feeling.” Beth said. “Hurry up and let’s go.”
“Sure. Here, catch.” I called as I threw the bag up to her. She caught it with a muttered curse and I grinned as I grabbed hold of the edge of the hole, ready to pull myself up.
“That’s odd...” I said as I stared at slowly spreading frost that seemed to be creeping out from the grave.
“Oh crap, that can’t be good.” Beth said as she stared at the expanding frost as it crawled across the ground towards her. She backed up until she hit the wall of the mausoleum.
I pulled myself out of the ground and winced as my hands seemed to burn where they touched the frost covered dirt.
“Ray, you need to move now.” Beth said and I looked up to see her staring at me with eyes wide.
“What’s up?” I asked as I felt the cold breeze touch the back of my neck. I stood very still before turning my head. “Holy hells” I yelled as I saw the pale form that hovered behind me.
I scampered away from it and ended up beside Beth as we both stared at the apparition. It looked to have been a young woman once, her pale form engulfed in a white dress that floated around her. Her hair was dark and long. It floated loose in the air behind her.
Her eyes were black bottomless pits of pain and despair that I could not tear my gaze from. She raised one hand towards Beth and opened her mouth. The scream that issued forth was unlike anything I had ever heard and all I wanted to do was clutch my hands to block my ears and scream along with her.
In that scream I heard pain and loss and above all else rage. Fury at our desecration of her resting place and I felt an overwhelming urge to replace the bones and beg for forgiveness.
“Run” Beth yelled and turned towards the weed choked path that led back to the car.
As she ran the wraith stopped her screaming and turned to watch her run. With a hiss of anger she vanished only to appear in front of Beth moments later.
With a cry of shock Beth dropped the carrier bag and backpedalled away from the apparition. She banged into the gate that prevented entry to the mausoleum and stood, staring in terror as the wraith slowly approached her. Its arm was stretched out before it and I was sure that its touch would mean death.
At the last moment Beth ducked and the ghosts hand passed above her to strike the iron railings of the gate. A new scream was issued by the wraith as she recoiled in pain. I dashed across to Beth’s side as I realised that we had a chance of survival.
“Move out of the way” I shouted at Beth and gave her an un-gentlemanly shove to shift her away from the rusted chain that held the gate closed. I grabbed the chain with both hands and hoped fervently that the other chain hadn’t been a fluke.
With a sharp crack, the chain snapped and I whispered thanks to whichever deity watched over Vampires, before pulling free the chain. I turned just in time to see the wraith lash out at me. I swung the chain at it and hoped that I was right.
The chain connected with and passed through the ghostly form as though passing through smoke. It let out a shriek and broke apart, fading away.
“Get the bag and let’s get the hell out of here.” I said to Beth as I pulled her to her feet.
She nodded, tongue silenced by fear and ran across to the bag to pick it up and clutch it tightly to her. I saw the ghostly form as it began to coalesce behind her and swung the chain through its body to break it up again.
“May be a good idea to run.” I shouted at her and we both set off running through the darkened graveyard.
Twice more I had to break apart the wraith as it formed and attacked us; both times it came a little closer to touching one of us before we caught it. When the gates of the cemetery appeared before us we pushed our way through the gap and fell gasping against the car.
“Are we safe?” Beth asked.
“I hope so. The iron railings should keep it out.”
“Won’t it be able to just go over them?”
“No idea... but maybe we should leave before it tries.” I suggested.
Beth unlocked the car and we both climbed in. I kept hold of the chain and she put the carrier bag holding the skull and bones of the woman carefully onto the back seat of the car.
“Now would be a good time to go.” I said and pointed towards the pale form that was hovering just beyond the gates.
With wide eyes Beth started the engine before glancing across to me. “Well life has certainly not been dull since you became a Vampire” she said.
I just nodded and kept a wary eye on the wraith as Beth reversed the car away from the gates. My grip on the chain didn’t loosen and I knew that until we passed the remains over to Randall, I wouldn’t put the chain down.
Chapter 13
Randall didn’t seem overly perturbed to be woken in the early hours of the night. He seemed surprised to see us but he invited us in and didn’t comment on the dirt that we tracked in with us.
“So you succeeded?” He asked as he gestured for us to sit at the kitchen table.
“Yeah though we almost didn’t.” Beth said as she placed the carrier bag on the table.
“Oh? What was the particular threat to you?” he asked.
“You don’t know?”
“I knew only that the grave had some powerful defences laid upon it. I had no idea what form those defences would take.”
“It was a ghost or something.” I said before Beth could say anything else. I could see from the way she sat with her arms crossed over her breast and eyes narrowed that she was pissed and ready to lash out.
“A ghost? Please provide some more details.” Randall said.
I explained what had happened at the cemetery with only the occasional curt correction from Beth. After I finished Randall was nodding.
“Oh yes indeed. It was a wraith. Nasty buggers those.”
“Yeah, it couldn’t follow us through the fence railings around the cemetery though.”
“No doubt they were made of iron. One of the best weapons for a ghost is iron. It breaks them apart.”
“I noticed.” I said.
“Indeed. Speaking of weapons, if you intend to go up against a Werewolf you will need to be prepared.” Randall said thoughtfully as he picked up the carrier bag and looked inside.
“What do you mean?”
“Well you will need something silver to really hurt it. Like your kind, silver is the way to kill them. Anything else will hurt them but leave them alive and with their sense of smell... you don’t want a live and angry Werewolf tracking you.” Randall said.
“Well we can find something I suppose.” I said as he carefully lifted the skull out of the bag.
“Oh this is perfect. I have waited a long time to get my hands on you.” Randall said to the skull.
“So where ca
n we find the wolf?” Beth asked.
“Of course a deal is a deal. He can be found here.” Randall said as he pulled a slip of paper out of his robe pocket and placed it on the table before Beth. “Be warned though, this particular Werewolf is vicious and intelligent. If you go up against him, you had better kill him outright.”
“Yeah, thanks for the advice. Enjoy your skull.” Beth said as she snatched the paper before I could pick it up. I glanced at her and saw the slight smile she had at irritating me and I rolled my eyes.
“Good luck with your task.” Randall said and he looked over at us for just a moment, long enough for me to see the calculating expression on his face. “Do not be afraid of coming back to see me if you need anything else. I am always willing to make a trade.”
“Ok. Thanks.” I said as I rose from the table. “We’ll be off then.”
Randall just nodded absently and we left him standing in his kitchen lost in thought as he stared at the skull.
“The man’s a whacko” Beth said as we left the house and headed back to the car.
“He may well be, but he has given us the location we need.” I said quietly, “I think I should go straight there tonight.”
“Yeah, should have enough time. We need to find a silver knife first.” Beth said.
“No, I need to find a knife. You need to head home.”
“What. Why?” Beth demanded as she stopped walking.
“I told you what the Werewolf did to me the last time I met it. I survived, you wouldn’t.” I pointed out calmly.
She had her arms crossed once again and a stubborn look on her face. “I can look after myself. I don’t need you to protect me.”
“I know that.” I agreed. “I also know that this isn’t a normal thing I need to do. It’s a Werewolf for god’s sake.”
“Tough. It’s my choice and since I know the address and you don’t, you have little choice.” She said stubbornly and then smiled widely. “Besides, it’s my car so without me you’ll be walking.”
“Fine. Whatever. Just don’t come crying to me if you get ripped apart by a Werewolf.” I snapped and turned back to the car.
“I won’t.” She said cheerfully as she skipped to catch up. “I may gurgle and scream but I think that’s about all.”
Her laughter was infectious and I found myself smiling, though I was worried. I determined that I would make sure that the wolf didn’t hurt her.
“Where’re we going to get a silver knife?” I asked.
“I have an idea, though you won’t like it.” Beth said.
“Go on.” I said cautiously.
“Gemma has a set of silver cutlery that her grandparents left her.” She said with a sideways glance as though afraid of my reaction. “Most of it would be useless, forks and spoons and butter knifes. It did have a few other items though. A silver carving knife, bread knife and pie server.”
“So you think she would lend them to us to kill a Werewolf?” I asked keeping my voice carefully neutral.
“I could ask.” Beth said quietly.
“Fine.” I sighed, “Let’s go and ask her. Will she even be awake at this time?” I asked with a glance at my watch. It was two thirty in the morning.
“Yeah. She works on her paintings during the night, sleeps during the day.”
“Let’s go see her then.” I said with a grimace.
It was a thankfully short trip to Gemma’s place of residence, an upscale apartment block in the city centre. She came from a wealthy family who indulged her artistic pretension by paying all of her bills.
Gemma’s apartment building sat beside the river Aire and her apartment had a balcony that overlooked the river. It was likely one of the reasons it cost more per week, than Beth’s cost per month.
It was made of red brick and glass with a gated car park beneath the building. The whole place was just minutes from the city centre and even had an onsite concierge service. It was definitely a far cry from anywhere I had ever lived.
Beth found somewhere to park and we sat in the car for a few minutes in silence as the engine slowly cooled. She sat in the driver’s seat and tapped her fingers against her leg as she watched the apartment building.
“I think you should wait here.” Beth said quietly.
“Why?”
“You hate her and I really don’t want to get caught up in an argument right now.”
“I don’t hate her. I hate what she does to you.” I said with as even a tone as I could manage.
A deep sigh was the only response I received before Beth finally said, “Ok, let’s get it over with.”
We crossed the main road that passed by the apartment building and descended the steps that led to the main entranceway.
One of the benefits of paying so much money each month was that the building was open and staffed even in the early hours of the morning. The concierge acted as the gatekeeper to keep undesirables away in the dead of night.
As we pushed open the front door and stepped inside the well lit and tastefully decorated foyer, the concierge looked up from the magazine he was reading as he lounged behind his desk and frowned at us.
“Can I help you?” He asked in a tone that implied that he really didn’t want to.
“Yeah, I’m here to visit apartment 4b” Beth said.
“Please take a seat while I check if Miss Harrison is available.” The stuffy man said.
“Yeah, you do that.” Beth said with an eye roll before she flounced across the foyer and dropped into a deep seated chair.
I followed her slowly as I watched the concierge tap gently on the keyboard set before him. His white shirt and dark blue blazer were immaculately pressed and his dark hair was combed neatly. An overlarge nose and squinty eyes that seemed to glitter with distrust. His whole demeanour seemed to shout out his irritation at having to deal with people.
“Did you use to have to go through this every time you visited?” I asked Beth curiously.
“Yeah, all the occupants have to list whether they are available for visitors after nine o’clock. It should be fine though, Gemma is always listed as available.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked gently.
“No, but it’s our best option isn’t it.” Beth said and looked away as she lapsed into silence.
I was not looking forward to seeing Gemma. It didn’t help that she was gay with a deep seated dislike for men and couldn’t understand why Beth was even friends with me, let alone best friends.
We had clashed whenever we met and it often ended in screaming at each other while Beth tried to referee no matter how much I would tell myself that I wouldn’t argue with her, it always ended the same. It was a cause for deep upset for Beth while they were dating.
My dislike of Gemma had turned to hate after they broke up. The way she had acted and the things she had done to my friend could still make my blood boil. No, I certainly was not looking forward to seeing her again.
“You can go up.” The concierge said before going back to his magazine.
I looked at Beth who gazed back with a seemingly calm demeanour. She shook her head and muttered a few words that I doubt she expected me to hear before rising and crossing the foyer to the set of lifts that were opposite the front doors.
The trip up to the fourth floor was made in silence and all too soon we were stood outside Gemma’s door. With a noticeable pause Beth reached up and pressed the button to ring the bell. We waited impatiently for a response from within.
Gemma opened the door wide and stood framed in the light from within the apartment. She was a stunningly beautiful woman. Her straight blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun and she wore black leggings and an oversized shirt covered in splotches of paint.
Her lips curled up in a smile when she saw Beth and it seemed that even my presence couldn’t dislodge that.
“Beth darling, it is such a delight to see you.” Her predatory gaze ran over Beth who stood with arms folded before her.
“Hi Gem.”
“What can I do for you at this time in the morning?” she asked and I detected the faintest scent of alcohol whenever she opened her mouth.
“We need a favour.” Beth said.
“You do or he does?” Gemma asked with a quick nod of the head towards me. Her eyes never left Beth.
“We both do. It’s important.” Beth said, “Please.” It sounded way too much like pleading to my ears. To Beth’s too by the way she hunched her shoulders and seemed to shrink into herself.
“I suppose you must come in then.” She said with a widening smile, “Make sure he wipes his feet.”
A quick glance from Beth warned me to bite my tongue and I did, though it was a struggle.
I followed Beth and Gemma into the apartment and listened silently as they made some meaningless small talk. The usual nonsense and inane questions you ask an ex when you bump into them.
The apartment was a two bedroom affair with laminated flooring and expensive rugs. Oil paintings hung on the walls and sturdy wooden shelves were filled with framed photos of Gemma in all manner of exotic locations as she smiled smugly.
Gemma invited us to sit on one of the blue couches that were covered in some incredibly soft fabric and were entirely too spongy for my comfort.
“What is this favour you want?” She asked Beth with one eyebrow raised.
“We need to borrow your silver cutlery set.” Beth replied almost nervously and I couldn’t help but notice that she seemed to be looking everywhere except at Gemma.
“Why on earth would you need to borrow that?”
“I can’t really tell you.”
“Is it money you need? Has he run out of his own belongings to pawn?” She asked with a sneer.
“It’s nothing like that. We don’t need to sell it.” Beth said.
“Oh come now darling. You don’t need to lie to me.”
“She isn’t lying” I snapped at her, “Are you going to let us borrow it or not?”
“Beth darling, tell your...friend to keep quiet.” She said with a quiet distaste.
“Gemma stop it.” Beth said, “I don’t know why you do this all the time.”
“Do what?”
“Start an argument with Ray.”
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