The Final Yes: Vampire Consent, Chosen Family & an Irreversible Choice

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In life, change is inevitable. But can the same thing

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be said about death? Is it truly the end? Or

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can there be a lot more to it than that?

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What happens when you're given the choice, when you're asked

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to give a note or yes.

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There's a hill in the air must be fall Join

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me for a tale of fallowe You will experience tales

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of over ghosts. It is not recommended for the weak

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at heart. Join me for a tale of Fallowey. This

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is Weekly Spooky.

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Hello, my spookys, It's Wednesday, and you know what that means.

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It's time for a little spooky in your weekly I'm

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your host and narrator, Enrique Kuto, and you may have

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noticed there's actually some spooky in every day this October,

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so make sure you're subscribed because we're publishing all kinds

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of bonus shows for all thirty one days of October,

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so you have something scary to enjoy as you get

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into the Halloween spirit. And we are absolutely honored to

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be a part of your holiday. Tonight, we're presenting to

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you a very special novella from our good buddy Charles Campbell,

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one that I enjoyed greatly, featuring all the elements that

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bring together a good scary story for Halloween, dark nights,

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mysterious strangers, and the wonder of a child with a

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little blood drinking for good measure. But before we get

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to that, I simply want to say thank you so

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much for joining us and make sure you're subscribed on

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your favorite podcasting app as not to miss all of

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the spooky fun we're bringing about this October. And if

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you love what we're doing a whole hell of a

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lot and you'd like to support us in a very

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direct way, you can go to Weeklyspooky dot com and

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buy merchandise books, or head Toweeklyspooky dot com slash join

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and join our Patreon For as little as one dollar

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a month. You can support the show directly and make

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sure that we keep bringing the spooky on the weekly indefinitely,

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because we don't go anywhere when the season ends. Oh no,

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we continue the celebration every single week and have for

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nearly six years. If you want to see us go further,

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head to Weeklyspooky dot com slash join for as little

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as one dollar a month. You get two shows as

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a thank you each and every month, as well as

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a back catalog of over five years, but now it's

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about time for the story after this, The Final Yes

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by Charles Campbell. I'm two hundred and twenty seven years old,

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relatively young for my kind, but still old enough. Winter

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is my favorite time of year because the nights are

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longer and the air outside suits the coldness of my flesh.

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I've turned a few people in my life. The catch

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is there are rules to turning people to vampire, and

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the first of which is they have to agree to

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be turned. In other words, the tournee has to say yes.

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Let me back up for just a moment before you

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get to the yes. I guess the first thing is

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targeting the next vampire, preferably young and with no immediate

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family to speak of. Although this criterion isn't set in stone,

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there is the occasional notable exception. My notable exception is

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seventy three year old Molly McBride. I can't say that

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I found Molly because the truth of the matter is

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that my progeny led me to her. After learning of

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Molly's story and how I factored into it, I am

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compelled to sit here on her front porch until the

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sun rises. From Mollie, I received my final yes. The

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following chronicles what happened here and what has led me

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to witness my first sunrise in over two centuries, Fall

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twenty twelve, seven point thirty two. AM. Hello, sweetheart, are

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you hungry? Freddie Rogers asked the skinny, bow legged girl

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sitting at the bus stop. Eight year old Lisa Frausto.

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Gave Freddie a cautious look and nodded her head. Yes,

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here you go. Freddie removed a package of cheese crackers

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from his jacket pocket and held it out to Lisa.

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Her gloved hand wavered slightly as she reached out to

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grab the food. Lisa a soft voice began. Who is

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your friend? Molly asked from the screened in porch. Lisa

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turned in her grandmother's direction, with her eyebrows raised, giving

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a clear view of her light brown eyes. She opened

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her mouth to speak when Freddie interjected, I'm sorry, miss,

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don't matter who I am. Mister, what are you doing

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talking to my granddaughter? Molly's own light brown eyes were

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trained on the new stranger. Hey, don't take offense. I

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was just walking by and she looked hungry. Freddie answered,

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I feed her just fine, stranger Molly fired back. I

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asked her if she was hungry, and she said she was,

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didn't you, sweetheart? Freddie turned his gaze back on Lisa.

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Gran I did tell him I was hungry, Lisa said,

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now standing closer to the edge of the sidewalk. The

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bus would be there at any moment. You know what

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I've told you about talking to and worse yet, taking

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things from strangers. Look, miss Freddie started, mister, this ain't

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none of your affair, so shush it. The bus hissed

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to a stop, right beside the little auburn haired girl

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standing in her usual morning spot. We'll discuss this more

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when you get home, young lady. Yes Grahan, Lisa muttered

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as she stepped into the big yellow bus. I'm sorry,

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I'll be on my way, Freddie said as he started

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back down the sidewalk, with the bus pulling away, leaving

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behind a trail of black smoke. The maintenance budget must

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have taken a hit for the new school year. What's

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your name, stranger? Freddie stopped mid step and turned to

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face Molly once again. The name's Freddie Rogers, and who

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are you? My name is Molly McBride. Well, mister Rogers,

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where are you headed. I'm headed to work. I work

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at the finance company downtown. I kind of gathered it

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was some type of office work. By the way you're dressed,

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Mollie noted the neatly pressed dress slacks and button up

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shirt with tie underneath his light blue jacket. I'm sorry

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about that with your granddaughter. No harm meant. I promise.

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I know who you are now, mister Rogers, and I

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know where you work. Molly smiled as Freddy waved back

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at her and continued his trek to the office of

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Frasier Financial. Three point thirty three pm, the screen door

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slammed shut and the sound of little feet filled the hallway.

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Gran Mom, I'm upstairs, Molly yelled through her open bedroom door.

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She was working on ironing that day's wash. Her daughter

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Karen hadn't made it home from work yet. She was

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usually home before Lisa, but not that day. Grand grand

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Lisa took the steps two at a time and sported

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a wide ear to ear grin when she stopped in

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the doorway. What is it, dear? Molly set the iron

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down on the back of the ironing board and moved

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towards Lisa. Where's mom still at work. What's got you

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grinning like that? Gran? I gotta wait on mom. Kay.

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Lisa's freckled face had a small smudge of dirt on

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her right cheek, and the faintest line of sweat had

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formed on her forehead. That's fine, we'll still have to

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discuss what we do when a stranger speaks to you.

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I'm sorry, Gran, I didn't mean to dear. There are

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bad people out there. They can pretend to be good,

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and some of them may even be good. But you

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should never speak to strangers, and you should never ever

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take anything from them. Do you understand, Lisa? Yes, Gran,

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I understand Lisa. Sometimes when little girls or boys talk

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to strangers, they get taken away and they never come home.

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Molly's eyes locked onto Lisa's and they conveyed personal experience

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on this topic. I'm sorry, Gran, I won't talk to strangers.

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Good girl. Let's go wait on your mother. I have

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a roast in the oven. How's that sound? Molly grabbed

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her wide eyed granddaughter by the hand. I smelt it

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when I walked in. I could eat the whole thing. Well,

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according to what you told mister Rogers, I don't feed you.

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Who's mister Rogers. He's the stranger that you talked to

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this morning. I found out who he was. I thought

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you wasn't supposed to talk to him, Lisa said, puzzled.

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That's right. But because he talked to you, I had

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to find out who he was and if he was

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good or bad, Molly said, as they entered the kitchen

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and unclasped hands. Well is he good or bad? Lisa

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asked as she peered through the glass on the oven door.

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I don't know yet, but he seems Okay, reach over

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there and get me the mixer and the big bowl

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over the sink. You can help me mash the potatoes.

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We can use the gravy from the roast. Kay, gran

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it smells so good. They both heard the front door

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close and keys hit the coffee table. Mom, come in

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the kitchen. I gotta tell you something. The sound of

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Karen Frausto's high heels click clacked as she stepped into

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the kitchen, and skinny Lisa sprang into her arms. Tell

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me all about it, sweetie, Karen smiled at her daughter.

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A late night at work had turned into an early

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morning for Freddie Rogers. The end of the month was here,

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and the books had to be reconciled before the division

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manager arrived at eight am later that morning. He was

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on the brink of a mental collapse when he logged

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off his computer. Freddie was the only employee left in

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the office. The other three full timers had left at

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eight pm the previous evening after logging in twelve hours.

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Now I wish I had a car or even a bicycle,

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Freddie mumbled to himself as he grabbed the light blue

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jacket from the coat hanger beside the office entrance. Freddie

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stared at the illuminated keypad for a few seconds, trying

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to remember the correct alarm coat. Before tapping the numbers seven, two,

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nine five, the word armed flashed in bold letters. Freddie

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had twenty eight seconds to let himself out and lock

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the door behind him. Ooh, it's quite nippy, Freddie said

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aloud as he stepped into the colder than average fall night.

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Downtown Langley, South Carolina was empty save for a gimpy

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white and brown cat accompanied by a small black mud

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They were both staring at him, hoping for a handout

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from behind a couple of garbage cans put out in

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front of Langley RX No doubt for an early trash pickup.

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A low lying fog hovered over downtown, covering the street lamps,

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making them look like blurry circles of light hidden inside

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of a cloud. Freddie pulled up the collar of his

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jacket and became began to walk the sidewalk back home.

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His loafers felt heavy, and he kept his eyes trained

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on the sidewalk in front of him. Freddie was just

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beginning to fall into a walking version of highway hypnosis

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when he heard a whisper, Hello over here. Freddie stopped

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his march and stared into the fog for a good

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five seconds before replying, who's there. I'm hungry, mister. The

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whisper returned, Are you the little girl I saw yesterday?

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What are you doing out here at this hour? Freddie

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placed his right hand out in front of his forehead,

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as if he was shielding his vision from the sun.

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He was trying to make out the demure figure standing

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just behind the street lamp. I'm hungry, mister, the whisper repeated.

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Your grandma is going to kick both our tails. Let

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me get you home. Freddie stepped closer to the street

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lamp and the figure receated in darkness, yepep, What the hell?

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The little black mutt was right behind Freddy, nipping at

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the backs of his ankles and pulling on his left

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pant leg. The cat stayed put behind the garbage cans.

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He would win no man's best friend award. Freddie turned

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and knelt to remove the little stray from his ankle.

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He grabbed the dog with both hands by his midsection.

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The little fella growled but didn't relinquish his grip on

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the hem of Freddy's slacks. Come on now, Freddie started,

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right before a sixth sense kicked in. Goose pimples broke

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out on both arms, and the hair on the back

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of his neck stood at attention. I'm hungry, mister. From behind,

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sharpened nails sunk deep through Freddy's jacket, into the meat

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of both arms, and two tiny legs wrapped tightly around

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his middle.

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Yepep.

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The little black dog backed away from Freddy and kept

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barking at the long haired girl attached to Freddie's back.

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Her face buried deep into the nape of his neck.

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Freddie pounded on the top of her head with both

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fists as hard as he could. The sounds of sucking

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and slurping filled the air, along with the constant yep

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of the dog. The cat had seen enough and split

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with each slurp. Freddie weakened, and it wasn't long before

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he was faced down on the sidewalk. The little vampire

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was in a feeding frenzy and couldn't stop even if

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she wanted to. Freddie's final thoughts before he lost consciousness

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for good were never talk to strangers. I hope that

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little girl and her grandma are okay.

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Don't go away weakly, spooky. We'll be right back.

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You look like you're about to burst, sweetheart. Tell me

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what it is, Karen said as she placed her finger

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under Lisa's chin. Lisa wriggled her nose a little and replied, Mom,

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I got a special letter from missus Wilkes today. Where

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is it? What did it say, Molly asked grand Mom.

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It said that I am gifted and talented and they

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want me to be a part of the Gifted and

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Talented program. Lisa pulled a neatly quarter folded piece of

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paper from her back jean pocket and handed it to Karen.

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I don't need a piece of paper to tell me

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you are gifted and talented poodle. I've always known that.

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00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:35.840
With that, Lisa wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.

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Karen winked at her own mother with pride, and Molly

241
00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:43.519
smiled back at her. There were three gifted and talented

242
00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:48.639
women in this household strong too. Karen Fraustow was a

243
00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:51.480
thirty four year old widow, which made her one of

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00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:55.720
two widows in the house. Her father, Milton, had passed

245
00:16:55.759 --> 00:17:00.279
away six years before. Her husband Jeffrey, was killed in

246
00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:03.000
a seven car pile up on I twenty two years

247
00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:06.839
ago when Lisa was just six years old. He was

248
00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:09.160
on his way back from the Atlanta Airport when an

249
00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:13.160
elderly woman driving an older model Thunderbird crossed through the

250
00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:17.079
median just past the Appling Georgia exit and plowed head

251
00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:20.039
on into a silver Jetta, setting off a tragic chain

252
00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:23.799
of misery starting with her husband's seabring plowing into the

253
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back of the already demolished Jetta at over seventy miles

254
00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:31.079
an hour, and so on and so on with the

255
00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:35.480
five vehicles behind him. Fast forward a couple of years,

256
00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:39.920
and Mollie was firmly entrenched as caretaker for her two girls.

257
00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:43.559
Karen had shown no interest in other men. Since Jeffrey

258
00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:49.319
passed away, her focus was on providing for Lisa. Karen's

259
00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:54.200
official title was Advertising Sales Executive, a fancy name for

260
00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:58.200
a salesperson working for the local Fox affiliate, and she

261
00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:01.319
worked late on this particular day closing a deal with

262
00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:05.119
the Ford Auto Group renewing and up selling their current

263
00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:09.160
television package. A nice commission would be coming to Karen

264
00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:13.160
and her family. I'm so proud of you, sweetie. Your

265
00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:17.680
daddy's smiling at you right now. I can feel it. Oh,

266
00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:20.440
I know he is, and your grandfather is right there

267
00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:23.599
with him, Molly said as she moved a chair from

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under the kitchen table, patting the seat, inviting Lisa to

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00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:31.880
PLoP down for supper. Mom that smells so good, Karen

270
00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:35.279
smacked her lips. You sit down right there, and I'll

271
00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:38.480
fix both of my girls a plate. Molly lived to

272
00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:41.119
take care of her girls. If it weren't for them,

273
00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:45.680
she'd probably be pushing up daisies, milkweed or something up

274
00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:49.480
from the ground. The three strong women ate supper and

275
00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:55.359
talked about how gifted and talented little Lisa was. Twelve

276
00:18:55.440 --> 00:19:00.279
o five, am I know you're hungry? Please don't rend

277
00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:03.920
me again. The skinny man with ashy skin and no

278
00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:08.160
hair on his head said to his little companion, I

279
00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:10.680
need to eat. I have to eat.

280
00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:15.599
The dark haired girl with oil black eyes replied. The

281
00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:19.079
fog was beginning to settle in, and they stood outside

282
00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:22.440
of the Frausto residence, under the street lamp at Lisa's

283
00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.039
bus stop.

284
00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:26.720
We beat the others here. You go down that way

285
00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:29.079
and find a dog or cat or something to tide

286
00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:32.920
you over. The bony finger pointed down the sidewalk that

287
00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:36.759
headed into town. I'll move across the way and see

288
00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:39.160
what I can find. I'll meet you back here in

289
00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:43.240
this spot in an hour, you understand. The little vampire

290
00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:46.960
nodded her head. Her long black hair had no shine

291
00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:50.559
and no bounce. It was the hair of the dead.

292
00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:53.799
The hunger pangs knifed into her and put her in

293
00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:58.799
a single mindset. Would she die? No, She was a vampire,

294
00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:01.519
and the hunger would gnaw at her and torture her

295
00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:05.720
for relief. But she would not die. Only the brief

296
00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:08.000
pain of a wooden steak or a burst from the

297
00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:12.000
yellow sun would do that trick. The pain of hunger

298
00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:14.839
was so bad that she wished for either of those options.

299
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:18.799
As she shuffled down the sidewalk, listening for anything she

300
00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:24.079
could grab that would gush blood, giving her relief. The

301
00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:27.880
hungry little vampire walked well past the hour deadline set

302
00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:32.640
by her companion until she heard a yep, yep. There

303
00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:35.279
were two little tender morsels in the forms of a

304
00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:38.759
little black mutt and a white and brown cat parked

305
00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:43.000
behind some garbage cans. Shannon rolled her tongue across her

306
00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:46.839
fangs and took a thirsty gulp as she started out

307
00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:50.880
from under the street lamp. She stopped her approach when

308
00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:54.519
she heard the jingling of keys and eased back into

309
00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:59.039
the shadows. The footsteps moved steadily closer, and she could

310
00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:01.400
make out the man looking across the street at the

311
00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:04.839
yapping dog and the you stay over there, and I'll

312
00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:08.839
stay over here kat. The nails on the little vampire

313
00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:14.480
Shannon's fingers expanded outward into razor sharp points. Her fangs

314
00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:18.880
were dripping with cold, thick saliva. As she called out

315
00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:25.599
hello over here. The man paused, looked in her direction,

316
00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:31.240
and yelled out to her, I'm hungry, mister. Shannon licked

317
00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:41.000
her lips as Freddie took his final steps, Karen escorted

318
00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:43.720
Lisa to the sidewalk in front of their home and

319
00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:47.359
waited with her for the smoky bus to arrive. This

320
00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:50.599
was a rare treat for them both because Karen was

321
00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:53.279
usually up dressed and on her way to the station

322
00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:57.480
by six thirty am most mornings. She figured that she

323
00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:59.880
deserved a morning to make her daughter and mother breck

324
00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:03.759
and see Lisa to the bus stop. She closed a

325
00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:07.359
big upsell the day before, so she deserved this morning

326
00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:12.880
send off. Mom. What was Dad's favorite color? Lisa asked.

327
00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:16.400
Her shoulder length auburn hair was pulled into tight braids

328
00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:19.400
on both sides of her head. The same light brown

329
00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:22.400
eyes that belonged to her mom and her Graham were

330
00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:26.359
wide when she asked the question. Lisa remembered her father

331
00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:29.599
for sure, but she was only six when he died,

332
00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:32.160
and she didn't get to know her father very well

333
00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:35.920
in that short span of life. His favorite color the

334
00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:38.759
movies he liked to watch. Was he a football or

335
00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:43.319
a baseball? Dad? Those types of things. His favorite color

336
00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:46.880
was the exact color of your eyes. He stared into

337
00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:49.240
them for hours on end when you were a baby,

338
00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:55.400
Karen replied, trying not to well up. These questions weren't sad,

339
00:22:55.599 --> 00:23:00.799
so she fought through her instinctive reaction to release the tears. Mom,

340
00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:04.480
what color were his eyes in the picture in my room?

341
00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:08.640
They looked sort of green? Were they green? Yes, sweetie,

342
00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:13.559
they were emerald green, and they were beautiful. He adored

343
00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:17.759
you so much. That did it, and a single tear

344
00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:22.200
was released from the bottom corner of Karen's left eye. Oh, Mom,

345
00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:26.519
don't cry, I'm sorry. Lisa dropped her pink tin lunch

346
00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.440
box along with her neon lime book bag on the

347
00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:33.720
sidewalk and gave her mother a tight hug. In mid hug,

348
00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:36.680
the smoky yellow bus stopped right in front of them

349
00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:41.200
with its all too familiar squeal and smoke cloud. You

350
00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:44.400
go on to school now, miss gifted and talented. I

351
00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:48.480
love you. Karen handed Lisa her lunch box and gave

352
00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:50.880
the back of her head a quick stroke as she

353
00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:54.519
turned toward the bus. Bye Mom, I love you too.

354
00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:59.920
Bye Gran. Lisa hollered as Molly watched from the front porch. Bye,

355
00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:03.960
my dear love you. We're having chicken and dumplings for supper.

356
00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:08.440
Karen watched with hands on hips as the bus pulled away.

357
00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:11.920
In a smoky cloud, and then walked back toward the house,

358
00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:15.799
stopping briefly to remove the morning paper from the paper box.

359
00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:20.720
In the age of iPads and smartphones, Mollie still subscribed

360
00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:23.880
to the Achin Standard. She was from the old school

361
00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:29.319
and liked getting newsprints smudged on her fingers every morning. Mom,

362
00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:34.759
I miss him, Karen said, I know you do, Sweetie,

363
00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.680
I know you do.

364
00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:41.400
You're not safe yet, weekly Spooky will be right back.

365
00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:51.839
One, two am, Shannon. The others are here, Victor said,

366
00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:54.519
as he opened the back door to the up until

367
00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:59.039
recently vacant mobile home. It was a double wide that

368
00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:02.079
had seen better day, but it was sturdy enough for

369
00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:05.759
Victor and his progeny to take refuge. They shared the

370
00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:09.519
back bedroom during the daylight hours. The windows were covered

371
00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:14.160
in sun blocking film that Victor kept handy. Oh the

372
00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:19.319
life of a vampire, Victor. It's so good to see

373
00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:24.240
you and you Shannon, my dear, you are more beautiful

374
00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:26.279
every time I set my eyes on you.

375
00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:30.720
Veronica trained her black pools on the little bloodsucker at

376
00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:37.079
Victor's side. Veronica, you are too kind. Tell me where's

377
00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:40.839
Ivan and Sandra? Are they with you? Victor held out

378
00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:45.960
a pasty hand. You mean Neil and Sandra Victor. I

379
00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:48.880
know you do that on purpose. Oh, they are out

380
00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:53.079
hunting for hoboes or some unfortunate kitty cat or stray pooch.

381
00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:57.680
They'll be here soon. Veronica was stunning, the kind of

382
00:25:57.799 --> 00:26:01.680
vampire that is imagined in movies, novels, and the occasional

383
00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:05.759
cable series. She had wist length, cloud white hair that

384
00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:08.759
wisped when there was a breeze and lent itself to

385
00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:13.160
be touched when you got close. Unlike Shannon's black dresses,

386
00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:17.039
Veronica's did seem to have some sort of life. Her

387
00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:21.400
body hugging black dress accentuated her natural curves, and she

388
00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:25.279
had no problems getting food. She drained her last meal

389
00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:29.000
the previous night, right after he came for the last time.

390
00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:34.880
Veronica was the walking, talking embodiment of a beautiful death.

391
00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:39.480
The heavy cranberry lipstick set against her pale face and

392
00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:43.279
flawless skin, along with pearly white fangs, made her one

393
00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:46.920
of the most beautiful creatures on the planet. Veronica was

394
00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:50.880
the queen of this hive, and Langley, South Carolina was

395
00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:55.960
supposed to be a brief stop, only it didn't quite

396
00:26:55.960 --> 00:27:01.039
work out that way downtown.

397
00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:07.400
Yep, yep, yer, Neil over here, I got one. Sandra

398
00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:10.319
held the little black mut out at arm's length as

399
00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:13.200
she kicked and wriggled in the air trying to break free.

400
00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:16.279
Sandra had her claws sunk into both sides of the

401
00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:21.039
struggling dog. Hold him still. I got something too. Neil

402
00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:24.160
stepped from behind the pharmacy building holding the hand of

403
00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:28.720
a skinny, run down crack addict. Simon Fargoni had lost

404
00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:32.400
his soul in Vietnam. What remained was a drug rattled

405
00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:36.759
body that operated on the most primal of levels. Feed

406
00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:39.480
the hunger, check out of this world for a while,

407
00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:43.839
rinse and repeat. His needle ridden arms were all tracked

408
00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:48.039
up on both sides. Sandra shook her head in utter revulsion.

409
00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.880
You eat that and I'll have Fido over here. I

410
00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:54.559
know we're vampires, but I'm afraid i'd catch something if

411
00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:58.559
I drank from that. Sandra turned her eyes back to

412
00:27:58.640 --> 00:28:02.079
the black mud. He had stopped wriggling and was breathing

413
00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:04.680
rapidly with his tongue flopped out the left side of

414
00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:08.200
his mouth. Well, you drink the dog dry and I'll

415
00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:13.279
finish this gross looking thing off. Neil placed the black

416
00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:16.480
nail from his index finger on the backside of Simon's

417
00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:19.920
neck and flicked aside a lice filled mound of hair.

418
00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:26.640
Oh this is fucking disgusting, but I gotta eat. Neil

419
00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:30.319
sank his sharp canines in deep, and Simon didn't make

420
00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:34.359
a move or a sound. His eyes were already rolled

421
00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:36.960
into the back of his head before Neil even opened

422
00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:40.400
his mouth. This would be a sweet release for Simon.

423
00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:44.640
Sweet and oblivious. Wow.

424
00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:49.799
The dog let out a tortured howl when Sandra's fangs

425
00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:53.319
punctured through the black fur and released the flow of blood.

426
00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:57.279
Sandra didn't like the sensation of sucking the blood over

427
00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:59.839
the top of the heavy coat of fur, but she

428
00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:04.480
hated the hunger pangs even more. Neil and Sandra were

429
00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:09.319
very young vampires, turned just over three years ago, both

430
00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:13.119
turned by Veronica on a night after some heavy drinking

431
00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:17.240
and deviancy with the Queen. Neil and Sandra were a

432
00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:21.079
couple that had an insane obsession with vampires and the

433
00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:25.440
romanticized vision of their lifestyle, a vision that was certainly

434
00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:28.960
in question as he watched the lice scurry around in

435
00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:32.079
the head of his current meal, and she gagged on

436
00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:36.680
the matted fur of hers. Neil was close to six

437
00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:39.359
feet tall with a crew cut and light brown hair.

438
00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:43.119
Sandra was almost as tall as Neil's, sporting shoulder length

439
00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:48.480
sandy blonde hair. They both, as all vampires, had black eyes.

440
00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:53.319
Sandra released the drained mud and it sounded like a

441
00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:57.079
wet bath towel hitting cement. Neil was finishing off the

442
00:29:57.160 --> 00:30:01.880
last drops from Simon when Sandra said, Neil, it's time

443
00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:05.720
to go. Veronica will be looking for us soon. Neil

444
00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:08.920
looked up at Sandra with the cold Simon laying on

445
00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:13.319
his side underneath him on the concrete. I'm satiated you.

446
00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:18.039
I'm still a little hungry, but I had enough. Come on,

447
00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:21.640
we must leave now. Sandra was curt in her reply

448
00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:25.160
and turned her back to Neil. He began to walk

449
00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:29.279
down the sidewalk leading out of downtown. The fog was

450
00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:33.599
back and the air held some moisture. I'm coming. Neil

451
00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:37.759
dropped Simon into the RX dumpster and jogged lightly to

452
00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:40.359
catch up with Sandra, holding his hand out to her.

453
00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:44.480
She glanced down at her side quickly, but didn't take

454
00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:48.400
his hand. She continued to walk at a rapid pace

455
00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:54.720
nine minutes later. What took you to so long, Veronica asked,

456
00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:59.480
the approaching pair. Took while to find a vagrant. Neil replied,

457
00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:04.720
and you, Veronica asked, looking in Sandra's direction. I ate

458
00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:07.359
a dog and it was bad, but not as bad

459
00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:11.640
as the man Neil drained. Sandra twirled the ivory bracelet

460
00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:15.799
around her wrist. Was he a little black dog? A

461
00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:20.279
quiet voice asked, just above a whisper Shannon, that you.

462
00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:24.240
Sandra moved toward Victor, who had been silent since they

463
00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:28.720
walked up. Shannon stepped from behind him. Yes, it's me.

464
00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:32.680
Was it a little black dog? She asked again, without

465
00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:38.160
looking up, Yes it was, Sandra answered. Is it a problem?

466
00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:42.279
Neil asked, with aggression in his tone. No, it's not

467
00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:46.200
a problem, Victor interjected as he stepped back in front

468
00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:50.279
of Shannon and kept his full focus on Neil. Let's

469
00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:53.079
all go inside for a talk and we'll figure out

470
00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:57.240
where we're going next. Sound like a plan, Veronica asked,

471
00:31:57.279 --> 00:32:01.720
trying to lighten the tension. Vic may I go for

472
00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:06.160
a walk? Shannon asked. Victor was the only one she trusted.

473
00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:11.400
He turned her, and he cared for the others. Just

474
00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:16.079
frightened her. Victor gave a cursory look to Veronica, and

475
00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:19.680
she gave him a slight head nod. Sure, my dear,

476
00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:23.119
just stay close by and be back in an hour.

477
00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:26.839
I don't want anything to happen to you. Victor ran

478
00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:29.440
the back of his hand down the side of Shannon's cheek.

479
00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:34.519
I will, she answered, and walked away into the night.

480
00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:45.119
Lisa couldn't go back to sleep. She was awakened by

481
00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:48.279
a barking dog, and her body wouldn't let her drift

482
00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:52.359
back to La La Land, so she decided to draw.

483
00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:56.079
Lisa pulled the rolling chair from her art desk and

484
00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:58.880
flipped on the lamp. She opened the front drawer and

485
00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:02.160
removed an assortment of colored pencils and placed them in

486
00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:06.559
a pink plastic cup. Sitting atop her desk. Lisa started

487
00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:09.359
with the top piece of blank paper, beginning with a

488
00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:12.880
light blue pencil for the sky. Lisa was working on

489
00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:15.640
blending in the white paper with the blue pencil to

490
00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:20.559
form a pretty set of clouds when she heard hello. There.

491
00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:25.559
It was barely above a whisper, but it was distinct.

492
00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:29.559
Lisa placed the blue pencil flat on the paper and

493
00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:32.359
it rolled to the edge of the desk, a metal

494
00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:36.240
lip keeping it from hitting the floor. Her first instinct

495
00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:39.240
was to go wake up her mother or gran She

496
00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:45.240
ignored it and listened. Hello there, the quiet voice repeated.

497
00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:49.799
Lisa pushed slowly away from the desk and stood up.

498
00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:52.519
She leaned over the front of the desk and peered

499
00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:56.000
through the window. The fog was back, but she could

500
00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:59.440
make out the street lamp. Just below the street lamp,

501
00:33:59.640 --> 00:34:02.920
right where she awaits the oil belching bus every day,

502
00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:07.359
was a girl with very dark hair. The strange girl

503
00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:11.079
raised her right hand and began a slow moving wave.

504
00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:17.159
Lisa smiled through the window and waved back. She used

505
00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:19.360
both hands to pull on the metal lip on the

506
00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:22.119
front of her desk that kept her pencils from hitting

507
00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:26.199
the floor. With a little effort, the desk moved a

508
00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:29.800
few inches away from the window, just enough for Lisa

509
00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:33.400
to step behind it. She opened the lock on the

510
00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:39.000
window and raised it about a foot. Hi, Lisa said,

511
00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:41.719
in a hoarse voice that was supposed to be a

512
00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:48.199
loud whisper. Hello, Shannon said to the squinting girl. Lisa

513
00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:52.400
was trying to see her clearly through the fog. What's

514
00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:58.639
your name? Lisa? Asked, Shannon. That's a good name. I

515
00:34:58.760 --> 00:35:05.039
like that name. She where's your mom, Lisa continued. She's

516
00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:08.480
not around, Shannon said, as she stepped through the yard

517
00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:12.239
and looked up at the second story window, giving Lisa

518
00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:16.800
a better view. Can I come in? I gotta get

519
00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:20.360
my mom. I can't open the door for strangers. I'll

520
00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:23.800
go get her now. Lisa quickly turned away from the

521
00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:27.639
window and ran toward her bedroom door. She turned the

522
00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:32.920
knob ha Lisa screamed, what is the matter with you,

523
00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:36.719
young lady. It's almost three o'clock in the morning. Mollie

524
00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:38.960
was coming to see what all the yelling was about.

525
00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:43.760
There's a little girl out there, Gran, she's outside and alone.

526
00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:47.760
We need to let her in. Lisa pulled on Molly's

527
00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:51.400
hand to come to the window. Okay, dear, let me

528
00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:54.719
get over there. Molly crossed the room and helped Lisa

529
00:35:54.800 --> 00:35:56.840
pull the desk out a little more so she could

530
00:35:56.920 --> 00:36:01.639
view out the window. I don't see anyone, Gran, she

531
00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:05.440
was right under my window. Her name is Shannon. Shannon,

532
00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:09.760
Lisa hollered through the open window. Shush it, child, you'll

533
00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:13.719
wake the neighborhood. Let's go to the front porch. Lisa

534
00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:17.920
started to dart away. Lisa with me. Molly motioned to

535
00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:22.400
her with her hands. Get back here, yes, Gran. Lisa

536
00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:26.280
followed her grandmother down the stairs, creaking with every step.

537
00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:29.239
Molly flipped the wall switch and the lights in the

538
00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:33.880
living room came to life. You stay right there, Molly

539
00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:37.039
ordered Lisa as she removed the black golf umbrella from

540
00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:40.880
the coat rack beside the door. Her name is Shannon.

541
00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:45.599
She was right under my window. Okay, shush it. Molly

542
00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:48.719
glanced out the window before slowly opening the front door.

543
00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:53.000
She was greeted by a slow, cool breeze and the

544
00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:56.559
haze of fog it cut through the screened in porch.

545
00:36:57.440 --> 00:37:03.599
Hello out there, little girl, Shannon, you out there. Molly

546
00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:06.320
looked around and wished she had bothered to slip on

547
00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:11.079
her bedroom shoes because the concrete was cold. Lisa poked

548
00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:14.880
her head out the door. Gran, Is she out there? Shannon?

549
00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:19.280
You there? Lisa parroted her grandmother, and they were both

550
00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:22.519
met with the sounds of rustling leaves and a brief

551
00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:27.039
whistle of wind. There's nobody out here, at least not now.

552
00:37:27.719 --> 00:37:31.039
Molly pulled the flaps of her housecoat close together and

553
00:37:31.199 --> 00:37:34.320
motioned for Lisa to go back into the house. Lisa

554
00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:37.719
ignored the gesture and moved past her grandmother, opening the

555
00:37:37.719 --> 00:37:41.760
screen door. Lisa, get your butt back in here, Molly

556
00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:46.159
sternly shouted, Shannon, it's okay, it's just my Graham. She'll

557
00:37:46.199 --> 00:37:51.840
help you. Can I come in? The voice whispered where

558
00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:56.960
only Lisa could hear. Yes, you can come in. Lisa replied,

559
00:37:57.519 --> 00:38:01.760
get in here now. Molly had Lisa by her wrist,

560
00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:05.000
pulling her back toward the door. I heard her, Gran,

561
00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:11.719
she's out there. Gran. Molly tugged hard on her granddaughter's wrist. Out, Gran, Okay,

562
00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:16.039
I'm coming. Lisa backed into the house, looking back towards

563
00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:19.960
the street with every step. Lisa, go to bed. The

564
00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:22.360
bust'll be here in a couple of hours. You need

565
00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:25.719
to get some kind of sleep. Molly pointed the tip

566
00:38:25.760 --> 00:38:30.239
of the umbrella toward the stairs. She was there, Gran, Okay,

567
00:38:30.360 --> 00:38:34.320
she was there, but now she's gone, so go to bed.

568
00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:38.000
Molly had grown tired of this argument and all her

569
00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:43.719
patience was gone. Lisa sensed this and finally gave in Okay, Gran,

570
00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:48.320
good night, and thank you for looking. I love you.

571
00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:53.320
I love you too, sweetheart. Molly replied and walked toward

572
00:38:53.400 --> 00:38:56.440
the kitchen to get a glass of water. Lisa marched

573
00:38:56.519 --> 00:39:01.039
up the steps, wondering where the mystery girl disappeared. She

574
00:39:01.119 --> 00:39:04.599
walked through her open bedroom door and quickly closed it

575
00:39:04.679 --> 00:39:07.800
as soon as she got inside. She didn't want anyone

576
00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:11.519
to hear. Vampire Shannon was sitting in the corner of

577
00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:16.000
Lisa's bed, with her legs crossed and her hair covering

578
00:39:16.039 --> 00:39:20.280
her black eyes. Index finger held to her lips to

579
00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:25.400
indicate silence. Once the door was closed, she lowered her

580
00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:31.199
hand and said, Lisa, pleased to meet you. How did

581
00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:31.880
you get in here?

582
00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:39.079
If you thought that was scary? Just you wait, weekly spooky,

583
00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:40.280
We'll be right back.

584
00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:46.280
Victor stood in the center of the what passed for

585
00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:49.360
a living room in the double wide, with a hand

586
00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:53.639
on each temple, nails protruding digging into his cold flesh,

587
00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:56.480
producing a small trickle of blood on each side of

588
00:39:56.480 --> 00:40:02.679
his face. Veronica and her brood watched as Victim whispered quietly, Shannon,

589
00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:07.559
it's time to return. Your creator commands you to come back.

590
00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:12.320
Victor relaxed his hands and waited by the trailer door.

591
00:40:13.280 --> 00:40:16.119
The first signs of an orange hue were beginning at

592
00:40:16.119 --> 00:40:20.119
the base of the skyline. Dawn was upon them, and

593
00:40:20.159 --> 00:40:24.719
for the first time ever, Shannon didn't respond to Victor.

594
00:40:25.880 --> 00:40:29.760
Veronica leaned close to Victor, stuck out her pink tongue,

595
00:40:30.280 --> 00:40:32.599
and licked a line straight up the right side of

596
00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:36.199
his blood trailed cheek, stopping at his ear with a

597
00:40:36.239 --> 00:40:42.800
frosty smile, and whispered, I guess Shannon found something better.

598
00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:47.480
Victor turned his head to meet her gaze, their noses

599
00:40:47.519 --> 00:40:52.679
almost touching. Dawn is here, Veronica, we must sleep back here.

600
00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:56.119
He led the three of them to the sun blocked bedroom.

601
00:40:56.960 --> 00:41:00.719
Veronica immediately took the bed and invited Victy to lie

602
00:41:00.760 --> 00:41:04.320
beside her. He took his position on the floor while

603
00:41:04.400 --> 00:41:09.360
Sandra and Neil joined their queen. She'll be back tonight, Victor.

604
00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:15.440
Don't worry, Veronica reassured. Or maybe she won't, or maybe

605
00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:19.239
she's really dead now, who knows, said Neil as he

606
00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:23.079
looked down on the floor at the older vampire. Stop it, Neil.

607
00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:26.840
Sandra grabbed Neil from behind by both shoulders and pulled

608
00:41:26.880 --> 00:41:29.599
him out of Victor's sight, which was just as well.

609
00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:33.960
Neil was one more comment away from becoming goo on

610
00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:44.199
the mattress Lisa's bedroom three hours earlier through the window.

611
00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:48.119
You left it open and I jumped up, Shannon replied,

612
00:41:49.199 --> 00:41:52.199
you can't jump that high. How did you really get in?

613
00:41:52.519 --> 00:41:55.840
Did Graham leave the back door unlocked? She does that sometimes,

614
00:41:56.280 --> 00:41:59.840
said Lisa. The only light in the room was from

615
00:41:59.840 --> 00:42:03.199
the desk lamp, and Shannon's hair sheltered her face just

616
00:42:03.400 --> 00:42:08.960
enough to conceal her eyes. Lisa, I like you, and

617
00:42:09.280 --> 00:42:11.599
I'm a little hungry, but I promise I won't hurt you.

618
00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:15.679
I can get you something to eat. We have plenty downstairs.

619
00:42:16.079 --> 00:42:18.119
I just have to be careful not to wake no.

620
00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:22.320
Shannon cut her off mid sentence. I don't eat what's

621
00:42:22.320 --> 00:42:26.199
in your kitchen. I eat a different kind of food.

622
00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:31.480
What do you eat, Lisa asked, curiously, still not getting

623
00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:35.719
a clear view of Shannon's eyes. Let's talk about that later.

624
00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:39.280
Tell me more about you, Lisa. I want to be

625
00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:43.079
your friend. You're much nicer than the company I usually keep,

626
00:42:43.760 --> 00:42:49.079
Shannon said, purposely, keeping her eyes obstructed. Well, I live

627
00:42:49.159 --> 00:42:51.039
with gran and I know you saw her just a

628
00:42:51.039 --> 00:42:55.119
little while ago. And my mom, her name's Karen. My

629
00:42:55.239 --> 00:42:57.840
dad got killed a couple years ago in a car wreck.

630
00:42:58.440 --> 00:43:02.119
I remember him, but I don't. If you can understand that,

631
00:43:02.679 --> 00:43:04.800
Lisa twirled her hair as she tried to get a

632
00:43:04.800 --> 00:43:09.840
closer look at Shannon's face. I can understand that I

633
00:43:09.880 --> 00:43:14.119
remember my daddy, but I don't remember him too. Your

634
00:43:14.199 --> 00:43:17.639
dad's gone too. Lisa crossed the room from her rolling

635
00:43:17.719 --> 00:43:20.639
chair to the edge of the bed. Shannon just stared

636
00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:25.800
down between her crossed legs. Yes, Lisa, my daddy's gone too.

637
00:43:26.599 --> 00:43:30.119
It was so long ago, but sometimes it doesn't seem

638
00:43:30.119 --> 00:43:35.119
that long ago. Shannon lifted her head to meet Lisa's gaze.

639
00:43:35.840 --> 00:43:39.719
Lisa reached forward with both hands and parted the hair

640
00:43:39.920 --> 00:43:45.239
from Shannon's eyes. Oh my, Lisa reacted first to the

641
00:43:45.280 --> 00:43:49.800
frigid white skin, then what looked like two black marbles

642
00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:54.719
set against the whites of her eyes. It's okay, Please

643
00:43:54.760 --> 00:43:58.400
don't scream. I just need a friend. I don't want

644
00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:03.079
to go back right now, Shannon said, her face remained expressionless.

645
00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:09.079
I won't, Lisa started, Are you a vampire? I've seen

646
00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:13.800
pictures in books? Are you like the ones on TV? Yes?

647
00:44:14.599 --> 00:44:17.960
I am a vampire, Lisa, and no, I'm not anything

648
00:44:18.119 --> 00:44:20.559
like the pictures in your books or the ones on TV.

649
00:44:21.280 --> 00:44:24.079
I don't want to be a vampire anymore. I just

650
00:44:24.119 --> 00:44:26.400
want to go back to my time and live a

651
00:44:26.440 --> 00:44:31.519
normal life your time, Lisa asked, positioning herself on the

652
00:44:31.519 --> 00:44:34.880
bed right in front of Shannon. They both sat Indian

653
00:44:34.920 --> 00:44:39.199
style facing each other. I was born in nineteen thirty nine.

654
00:44:40.079 --> 00:44:43.360
Have you ever watched The Wizard of Oz, Shannon asked.

655
00:44:43.800 --> 00:44:49.280
Lisa nodded her head yes, and Shannon continued, Well, that

656
00:44:49.480 --> 00:44:52.320
was the year that movie came out. I remember my

657
00:44:52.400 --> 00:44:55.159
mother talking about it over and over as a child,

658
00:44:55.599 --> 00:44:57.159
and one day I got to see it with her

659
00:44:57.159 --> 00:45:00.599
at the Nickel Movie on Broad Street. It was glorious.

660
00:45:01.159 --> 00:45:04.000
The world was black and white, Dorothy was taken to

661
00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:09.440
a far away land, and the world burst into full color. Well, Lisa,

662
00:45:10.559 --> 00:45:15.079
my journey has been quite the opposite. I lived in

663
00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:18.440
a world vibrant and full of color until I became

664
00:45:18.480 --> 00:45:21.679
what I am today. Now I'm living in a world

665
00:45:21.719 --> 00:45:28.400
devoid of color, devoid of life. What happened to you, Shannon?

666
00:45:28.880 --> 00:45:33.320
I want to know in mere minutes. Lisa's best friend

667
00:45:33.480 --> 00:45:39.519
was a vampire named Shannon, and vice versa. My daddy

668
00:45:39.639 --> 00:45:42.719
was a laborer. He worked jobs as they came, and

669
00:45:42.760 --> 00:45:46.280
he worked hard. I was an only child, which was

670
00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:50.039
a blessing because of the hard times back then. Daddy

671
00:45:50.079 --> 00:45:52.360
had taken a shot to his privates by a mule

672
00:45:52.440 --> 00:45:54.800
one day. He was hired to help one of the

673
00:45:54.840 --> 00:45:58.239
farmers finish plowing for the season, and Daddy wasn't well

674
00:45:58.320 --> 00:46:02.000
versed in the finer arts of plow a field from

675
00:46:02.000 --> 00:46:04.440
what I remember Mom telling me. When I asked why

676
00:46:04.480 --> 00:46:06.920
I was the only one, she said that he was

677
00:46:06.960 --> 00:46:10.159
inflicting some kind of punishment on the poor beast, and

678
00:46:10.239 --> 00:46:15.039
the beast exacted immediate and baby killing revenge. That was

679
00:46:15.079 --> 00:46:19.360
it for brothers and sisters. I was eleven years old

680
00:46:19.360 --> 00:46:23.360
when my mom gave her permission to come inside. That

681
00:46:23.519 --> 00:46:27.280
was the day my parents died and I was turned

682
00:46:30.360 --> 00:46:37.079
November third, nineteen fifty ten, forty two pm, there was

683
00:46:37.119 --> 00:46:40.960
a loud pounding on the front door, and Jelia Crayton

684
00:46:41.079 --> 00:46:44.320
sat straight up in her bed. Shannon was standing in

685
00:46:44.360 --> 00:46:48.000
the doorway to her bedroom, casting a giant shadow against

686
00:46:48.039 --> 00:46:53.599
the wall. Mom, I'm afraid someone's about to knock the

687
00:46:53.639 --> 00:46:57.559
door down. Shannon was trembling in her bare feet and nightgown,

688
00:46:58.119 --> 00:47:02.559
but it wasn't from the cold air. Geez Louise, Shannon,

689
00:47:03.079 --> 00:47:06.920
it's your father. Three sheets to the wind again. Angelia

690
00:47:07.000 --> 00:47:10.320
removed her robe from the bedpost and slipped her arms

691
00:47:10.320 --> 00:47:14.559
into the sleeves, leaving the front loose. His keys are

692
00:47:14.599 --> 00:47:18.880
probably in his pocket. Come on. Shannon followed her mother

693
00:47:18.960 --> 00:47:21.559
out of the bedroom and down the hallway. As the

694
00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:26.320
banging continued. Angelia turned on the front porch light and

695
00:47:26.440 --> 00:47:30.400
peeked out the window. Gerald was there, all right. He

696
00:47:30.519 --> 00:47:33.519
was hunched over with his white T shirt untucked from

697
00:47:33.519 --> 00:47:36.880
his unbuckled work pants. His left arm was draped over

698
00:47:36.920 --> 00:47:40.159
the neck of a white haired woman. She was rapping

699
00:47:40.199 --> 00:47:43.159
on the door with her left hand, her right firmly

700
00:47:43.239 --> 00:47:48.800
around Gerald's hip. Hello, he says he lives here. The

701
00:47:48.840 --> 00:47:50.960
woman from the other side of the front door yelled,

702
00:47:51.519 --> 00:47:53.800
and Jelia stood in front of the door with her

703
00:47:53.840 --> 00:47:57.679
hand on the brass knob. Don't open it, mom, something's

704
00:47:57.719 --> 00:48:01.199
not right. Shannon stayed just in the shadow of the hallway.

705
00:48:02.119 --> 00:48:05.639
It's okay, dear, it's your father. He's passed out. Go

706
00:48:05.679 --> 00:48:09.000
on back to bed, and Jelia smiled at her daughter

707
00:48:09.559 --> 00:48:13.719
and noded her head. Miss. He says he lives here.

708
00:48:14.079 --> 00:48:16.400
He was lying on the road. Are you going to

709
00:48:16.440 --> 00:48:21.400
open the door, and Jelia did just that. Jerald's head

710
00:48:21.480 --> 00:48:23.920
was flopped straight down, so all she could see at

711
00:48:23.920 --> 00:48:27.679
first glance was the top of his head. Can I

712
00:48:27.719 --> 00:48:33.159
bring him in, miss? Why? Of course, Angela answered. Veronica

713
00:48:33.199 --> 00:48:36.480
immediately snapped her head up, holding Gerald up only by

714
00:48:36.480 --> 00:48:38.960
her right arm. She grabbed the top of his hair

715
00:48:39.039 --> 00:48:41.880
sprayed mop and pulled his face and the front of

716
00:48:41.920 --> 00:48:44.840
his blood soaked t shirt into view. The gash in

717
00:48:44.920 --> 00:48:47.079
the front of his neck looked like a black hole,

718
00:48:47.320 --> 00:48:50.679
and his face was devoid of color, devoid of life.

719
00:48:51.280 --> 00:48:54.079
He crumpled to the ground, and Veronica pushed through the door,

720
00:48:54.280 --> 00:48:57.280
throwing Angelia on the hardwood. The back of her head

721
00:48:57.280 --> 00:49:01.199
bounced off the maple, and Jelia was gurg trying to

722
00:49:01.239 --> 00:49:04.400
call Shannon's name. Blood was welling up in her eyes

723
00:49:04.679 --> 00:49:07.960
and she felt the tickle of white hair brush against

724
00:49:07.960 --> 00:49:11.960
her nose, and Jelia blinked rapidly as she felt the

725
00:49:12.000 --> 00:49:14.679
pull on the back of her dark brown hair and

726
00:49:14.719 --> 00:49:17.400
the arch in her neck as it was pushed up,

727
00:49:18.000 --> 00:49:21.159
and Jelia coughed up a little blood and she could

728
00:49:21.159 --> 00:49:24.079
feel it running down the corner of her mouth, immediately

729
00:49:24.159 --> 00:49:28.079
followed by an ice cold sensation, trailing it back up

730
00:49:28.119 --> 00:49:32.400
to her lips. Veronica's tongue lapped the blood back up

731
00:49:32.400 --> 00:49:37.840
to Angelia's mouth and gave her a final cold kiss.

732
00:49:38.400 --> 00:49:41.599
And Jelia was on the edge of consciousness and she

733
00:49:41.679 --> 00:49:45.320
could make out little Shannon's feet standing at the corner

734
00:49:45.360 --> 00:49:48.639
of the hallway, just ten feet from the front door.

735
00:49:49.559 --> 00:49:54.280
She was frozen in fear. Shannon couldn't look away, speak,

736
00:49:54.480 --> 00:49:58.480
or scream as Veronica drained her mother right in front

737
00:49:58.480 --> 00:50:01.880
of her. When she it was done, she turned to

738
00:50:01.920 --> 00:50:07.719
the trembling girl. Hey, sweetie. Veronica's cranberry lips parted in

739
00:50:07.760 --> 00:50:12.639
a wide grin, revealing her crimson covered fangs. You don't

740
00:50:12.679 --> 00:50:16.159
want to be next, do you. Shannon shook her head

741
00:50:16.239 --> 00:50:20.960
quickly from side to side. Good. I got a proposition

742
00:50:21.039 --> 00:50:23.599
for you. I got somebody I want you to meet.

743
00:50:24.400 --> 00:50:27.519
He's a nice guy. You'll like him. He used to

744
00:50:27.559 --> 00:50:32.000
have a daughter about your age. You interested. Out of fear,

745
00:50:32.599 --> 00:50:43.000
Shannon nodded her head up and down. Lisa Victor's calling me,

746
00:50:43.719 --> 00:50:47.320
I must go now. Shannon rose from the bed and

747
00:50:47.480 --> 00:50:52.079
started to the window. No, don't go, it's almost daylight.

748
00:50:52.760 --> 00:50:55.880
You won't make it in time. You can stay here

749
00:50:55.960 --> 00:50:59.440
until I get home. Lisa grabbed Shannon by the hand

750
00:50:59.760 --> 00:51:02.880
and pulled her to the walking closet. There's a big

751
00:51:02.920 --> 00:51:06.920
blanket right there on the top shelf. Lisa shoved shoes

752
00:51:06.960 --> 00:51:10.639
and boxes from the closet floor, making room for her guest.

753
00:51:11.800 --> 00:51:15.039
I have to go. No, Shannon, you don't have time.

754
00:51:15.760 --> 00:51:19.320
You can go tonight. Just stay in here and be quiet.

755
00:51:19.519 --> 00:51:23.400
Don't let Graham hear you get under here. Lisa held

756
00:51:23.440 --> 00:51:26.760
up the peach color flower pattern full size blanket and

757
00:51:26.840 --> 00:51:30.960
Shannon reluctantly curled up on the floor. Lisa gently placed

758
00:51:30.960 --> 00:51:35.079
the flower pattern blanket on top of her friend. Shannon

759
00:51:35.119 --> 00:51:43.039
whispered thank you. Lisa closed the door. Lisa, you awaken there,

760
00:51:43.880 --> 00:51:46.719
Molly swung the door open. Lisa was sitting on the

761
00:51:46.800 --> 00:51:49.360
edge of her bed, fully dressed in blue jeans, a

762
00:51:49.440 --> 00:51:52.320
light blue T shirt, and a pair of light pink nikes.

763
00:51:52.880 --> 00:51:55.360
Her hair was combed out and her light brown eyes

764
00:51:55.400 --> 00:51:58.599
were fresh. You look all bright eyed and bushy tailed

765
00:51:58.599 --> 00:52:01.480
this morning. Consider how late you were up last night.

766
00:52:01.760 --> 00:52:04.679
Did you get up and drink a pot of coffee? No, Gran,

767
00:52:05.599 --> 00:52:08.840
I don't know. I'm just not tired, Lisa answered, with

768
00:52:08.880 --> 00:52:12.639
a quick glance at her closet door. It didn't go unnoticed,

769
00:52:13.159 --> 00:52:16.119
but Molly didn't let on. Well, come on, now, your

770
00:52:16.119 --> 00:52:18.760
mother's already downstairs and she's about done with her toast.

771
00:52:19.199 --> 00:52:22.239
Come on so you can tell her by Lisa couldn't

772
00:52:22.239 --> 00:52:25.360
help herself. She took one more glance at the closet

773
00:52:25.360 --> 00:52:29.000
door before following her grandmother out of the room, and

774
00:52:29.079 --> 00:52:34.159
again it didn't go unnoticed. Love you, mom. Lisa stepped

775
00:52:34.159 --> 00:52:37.320
in front of Karen as she exited the kitchen, laptop

776
00:52:37.400 --> 00:52:41.880
bag in hand. Hey, poodle, you're up early. Karen leaned

777
00:52:41.920 --> 00:52:44.119
in and gave Lisa a quick smooch on the cheek.

778
00:52:44.960 --> 00:52:48.559
I'll see you after work, Miss gifted and talented that

779
00:52:48.679 --> 00:52:52.440
guy Karen a kiss on the cheek in return. Come on, Lisa,

780
00:52:52.519 --> 00:52:55.199
your eggs are done and you don't eat cold scrambled eggs.

781
00:52:55.679 --> 00:52:59.079
Mollie scraped the fluffy yellow goodness onto a plate. In

782
00:52:59.159 --> 00:53:03.199
the background, News Channel six was beginning their early morning broadcast.

783
00:53:03.440 --> 00:53:06.480
In early news, the body of a local homeless man

784
00:53:06.639 --> 00:53:09.679
was found in downtown Langley this morning by the Langley

785
00:53:09.760 --> 00:53:13.960
Landfill Service. Identification is pending notification of the next of kin.

786
00:53:14.639 --> 00:53:17.239
An early report from a confidential source in the police

787
00:53:17.239 --> 00:53:20.639
department states the death is of a bizarre nature. News

788
00:53:20.679 --> 00:53:24.039
Channel six will provide updates as more information becomes available

789
00:53:24.079 --> 00:53:27.519
on this breaking story. Now on to today's weather. I'll

790
00:53:27.519 --> 00:53:31.639
bet that's Simon, Molly said, you mean that old guy

791
00:53:31.679 --> 00:53:35.239
that rides his rusty bike on the sidewalk. Lisa asked,

792
00:53:35.280 --> 00:53:39.199
wondering if her new friend knew anything about Simon's demise.

793
00:53:40.119 --> 00:53:44.519
The answer would be yes, she knew what Neil had done.

794
00:53:44.559 --> 00:53:48.719
Shannon was much more discreet in her victim's disposal. Nobody

795
00:53:48.760 --> 00:53:52.280
ever found a trace of poor Freddie. His would go

796
00:53:52.360 --> 00:53:54.880
down as an unsolved missing person's case.

797
00:53:56.159 --> 00:54:00.639
If you're not afraid, then you're already dead. Weekly spooky,

798
00:54:00.719 --> 00:54:01.639
We'll be right back.

799
00:54:05.119 --> 00:54:07.559
Karen was at work and Lisa was on her way

800
00:54:07.599 --> 00:54:10.960
to school. Molly was in Lisa's room with one hand

801
00:54:10.960 --> 00:54:14.519
on the knob of the closet door. Something inside of

802
00:54:14.559 --> 00:54:18.480
her said, Mollie, don't turn that knob. Just go back

803
00:54:18.519 --> 00:54:21.440
downstairs and get the breakfast dishes washed up. Then go

804
00:54:21.519 --> 00:54:26.119
watch Judge Judy. Don't turn the knob. It's nothing, It's

805
00:54:26.159 --> 00:54:30.400
really nothing, Molly said to herself. She released the doorknob

806
00:54:30.719 --> 00:54:34.480
and did an about face to make Lisa's bed. Molly

807
00:54:34.599 --> 00:54:38.400
started at the base, tugging on the sunshine patterned bedspread

808
00:54:38.880 --> 00:54:41.119
so that she could get to the bed sheets underneath.

809
00:54:41.639 --> 00:54:44.199
There was a large spot in the center of the bedspread.

810
00:54:44.719 --> 00:54:47.760
It was dark and faded, like something had pulled the

811
00:54:47.800 --> 00:54:50.559
color out of it just by sitting on it. It

812
00:54:50.679 --> 00:54:54.000
certainly wasn't the work of the washing machine, and there

813
00:54:54.079 --> 00:54:57.360
was an odor. Molly leaned in close with her nose

814
00:54:57.920 --> 00:55:02.480
and it was a sweet smell with something rotten just underneath.

815
00:55:03.519 --> 00:55:08.440
It was pleasant and sickening at the same time. My God,

816
00:55:08.800 --> 00:55:12.320
what is that smell? Molly asked out loud as she

817
00:55:12.400 --> 00:55:15.559
tugged at the bedspread with both hands until it lay

818
00:55:15.599 --> 00:55:18.159
in a clump at the foot of the bed. Molly

819
00:55:18.280 --> 00:55:20.840
pushed her hair up off her forehead with the palm

820
00:55:20.920 --> 00:55:23.840
of her hand and stepped back to the closet door.

821
00:55:25.559 --> 00:55:27.519
Need a new blanket, so I got to open it,

822
00:55:27.920 --> 00:55:30.599
she reasoned with the inner voice that had just talked

823
00:55:30.599 --> 00:55:34.159
her out of turning the knob moments before. This time

824
00:55:34.280 --> 00:55:38.119
she turned the knob, she immediately saw the peach colored

825
00:55:38.159 --> 00:55:42.519
blanket covering something on the closet floor. Don't pick up

826
00:55:42.519 --> 00:55:45.440
that blanket. Molly, girl, you ain't gonna like what you see.

827
00:55:46.000 --> 00:55:49.800
The inner voice returned. Molly ignored it and lifted the

828
00:55:49.800 --> 00:55:53.199
blanket from the floor. Shannon was lying there with her

829
00:55:53.239 --> 00:55:58.320
eyes closed, dreaming the same dream as always. Molly released

830
00:55:58.360 --> 00:56:01.320
the blanket as she gazed at upon the sweet smell

831
00:56:01.960 --> 00:56:07.840
of death. I know what you are, Molly whispered, and

832
00:56:07.960 --> 00:56:13.440
closed the closet door. Shannon turned over, her nails extended

833
00:56:13.440 --> 00:56:19.239
in her sleep. This was her dream, this was her past.

834
00:56:20.280 --> 00:56:24.000
I have someone to introduce you to. Veronica stepped into

835
00:56:24.039 --> 00:56:29.440
the master bedroom holding Shannon's hand. Veronica, please don't tell

836
00:56:29.440 --> 00:56:33.519
me you killed that little girl's family. Please, please don't

837
00:56:33.519 --> 00:56:36.559
tell me that's what you did. Victor looked at Shannon

838
00:56:36.599 --> 00:56:40.920
with a heartbroken gaze. Okay, Victor, I won't tell you

839
00:56:40.960 --> 00:56:44.440
that I killed her family. I just found her outside.

840
00:56:44.679 --> 00:56:48.480
Isn't that right, sweetie. Shannon was still firmly in fierce

841
00:56:48.559 --> 00:56:51.519
grip and would have shaken her head yes if Veronica

842
00:56:51.519 --> 00:56:54.199
had asked her if elephants were lavender or if the

843
00:56:54.280 --> 00:56:59.199
moon was really a big rubber ball. Veronica. Victor slammed

844
00:56:59.199 --> 00:57:02.719
both hands on the oak dresser, sending splinters of wood

845
00:57:02.760 --> 00:57:08.480
flying as it buckled in the center. Why vagrants, vagabonds,

846
00:57:08.480 --> 00:57:12.639
and animals, that was what you agreed to. Victor wanted

847
00:57:12.639 --> 00:57:14.760
to fly across the room and rip her throat out,

848
00:57:15.119 --> 00:57:17.559
but logic quickly set in before he could act on

849
00:57:17.599 --> 00:57:21.800
that urge. Victor was old and strong, but Veronica was

850
00:57:21.840 --> 00:57:27.639
older and stronger, and she was the queen you call

851
00:57:27.800 --> 00:57:30.719
for your little girl in your sleep, Victor. I thought

852
00:57:30.760 --> 00:57:33.599
you'd be happy I got you a new one. You

853
00:57:33.679 --> 00:57:38.639
are one ungrateful beast, Victor. I'm still up for a snack.

854
00:57:39.239 --> 00:57:43.519
Guess I'll empty her too. That registered with Shannon, and

855
00:57:43.599 --> 00:57:46.639
she tried to pull her hand from Veronica's icy grip.

856
00:57:47.360 --> 00:57:50.119
Veronica reached with her other hand and pulled hard on

857
00:57:50.159 --> 00:57:55.199
the back of Shannon's long hair. No please, Shannon screamed

858
00:57:55.239 --> 00:57:59.280
as she finally found her voice. Victor sprang across the room,

859
00:57:59.320 --> 00:58:02.559
grabbing Varaconica by the top of her white hair, pulling

860
00:58:02.559 --> 00:58:07.880
her face back away from the screaming prey. Victor. Now

861
00:58:07.920 --> 00:58:12.599
we're getting somewhere, Veronica smiled. The faint trails of dried

862
00:58:12.639 --> 00:58:15.639
blood looked as if they were painted down the corners

863
00:58:15.679 --> 00:58:20.199
of her lips. Veronica released her grip on Shannon. There

864
00:58:20.239 --> 00:58:23.599
was no escape from the room, absolutely no way she

865
00:58:23.639 --> 00:58:27.599
could make it to the door. Shannon's survival instinct kicked in,

866
00:58:27.800 --> 00:58:30.639
and she scrambled on her hands and knees until she

867
00:58:30.719 --> 00:58:34.079
was under the bigger than king sized bed. The bed

868
00:58:34.119 --> 00:58:37.679
was enormous and had almost three feet of clearance underneath

869
00:58:38.960 --> 00:58:43.480
well Victor Veronica started as she peeled Victor's hand from

870
00:58:43.480 --> 00:58:46.599
around her neck. Should I go under there and get her?

871
00:58:47.119 --> 00:58:50.039
Or are you all three of us know she's not

872
00:58:50.199 --> 00:58:54.800
leaving this room alive. I hate you, Veronica. I hate

873
00:58:54.840 --> 00:58:57.400
you for doing this to me and to her. What

874
00:58:57.519 --> 00:59:02.320
did she do to deserve this? Asked, knowing the unfair choice,

875
00:59:02.360 --> 00:59:06.599
he was going to present the frightened child. Blame her

876
00:59:06.679 --> 00:59:10.000
drunken daddy. He was the one that could barely walk home.

877
00:59:10.360 --> 00:59:13.360
He presented the easy meal and showed me where he

878
00:59:13.440 --> 00:59:16.480
lived to boot. I didn't even know he had a child.

879
00:59:16.960 --> 00:59:20.039
She was a bonus. Oh, and I know you don't

880
00:59:20.079 --> 00:59:24.840
hate me, Victor. Veronica moved toward the bed. Just stop,

881
00:59:25.280 --> 00:59:28.079
You've done enough. Leave the room. You know I can't

882
00:59:28.119 --> 00:59:33.000
let her just walk out, so please leave. Victor rubbed

883
00:59:33.039 --> 00:59:35.880
the top of his bald head. He was dressed in

884
00:59:35.920 --> 00:59:38.880
an elegant black suit with black leather shoes that were

885
00:59:38.920 --> 00:59:44.119
surprisingly quiet when he stepped. As you wish, Victor, just

886
00:59:44.239 --> 00:59:48.079
call out if you need my help, Veronica power walked

887
00:59:48.079 --> 00:59:50.320
out of the room with both hands on her hips

888
00:59:50.639 --> 00:59:54.400
and glanced back over at Victor before she closed the door.

889
00:59:55.519 --> 00:59:58.280
Victor knelt down with his hands draped over his knees.

890
01:00:00.000 --> 01:00:00.199
Oh.

891
01:00:01.440 --> 01:00:04.639
First thing I want to say is I'm so sorry

892
01:00:04.679 --> 01:00:07.639
about your mom and dad. I know you're a very

893
01:00:07.679 --> 01:00:11.559
frightened child, and I wish I could truthfully say that

894
01:00:11.639 --> 01:00:15.760
I'm not going to hurt you. But I can't say that.

895
01:00:17.360 --> 01:00:20.920
I know you heard Veronica say it, but I am Victor.

896
01:00:22.000 --> 01:00:26.920
What's your name, dear Shannon? A whisper came from under

897
01:00:26.920 --> 01:00:32.000
the bed. Shannon, I must ask you a question, but

898
01:00:32.480 --> 01:00:36.480
you must understand that either way, you will not leave

899
01:00:36.559 --> 01:00:43.079
this room alive. Victor lightly tapped the floor with his nails. Mister,

900
01:00:44.559 --> 01:00:48.719
I don't want to die, Please don't kill me. Shannon's

901
01:00:48.760 --> 01:00:52.880
voice was breaking and she cried as she spoke. Victor

902
01:00:52.920 --> 01:00:55.599
looked down at the floor, so ashamed of what Veronica

903
01:00:55.639 --> 01:00:58.480
had done and of what he would have to do,

904
01:00:59.320 --> 01:01:02.360
but he was going to let Shannon decide which way

905
01:01:02.400 --> 01:01:08.119
it was going to be. Shannon, either way, you are

906
01:01:08.159 --> 01:01:11.000
going to die tonight. But you can rise up and

907
01:01:11.039 --> 01:01:15.320
become a vampire like myself and Veronica, or you can

908
01:01:15.360 --> 01:01:18.400
be put in the ground. I know this isn't an

909
01:01:18.440 --> 01:01:22.400
easy choice. If you decide to rise again, you will

910
01:01:22.400 --> 01:01:26.440
have my protection. If not, you may or may not

911
01:01:26.519 --> 01:01:29.360
go to a better place, maybe a place you heard

912
01:01:29.360 --> 01:01:32.639
about sitting in your church on Sunday, but you won't

913
01:01:32.679 --> 01:01:36.039
be of this world. You have to tell me now

914
01:01:36.440 --> 01:01:40.199
before Veronica comes back. If Veronica comes back, she'll make

915
01:01:40.239 --> 01:01:43.440
the decision for you, and she's not as compassionate as

916
01:01:43.480 --> 01:01:47.880
I am. But you know that already, don't you. Shannon

917
01:01:48.000 --> 01:01:51.519
slowly crawled from her hiding place with tears streaming down

918
01:01:51.559 --> 01:01:54.760
her face. The tops of her knees were skinned up

919
01:01:54.760 --> 01:01:57.800
from the floor, and her nightgown had pulled free from

920
01:01:57.840 --> 01:02:03.840
her right shoulder. Eleven year old Shannon spoke, I don't

921
01:02:03.880 --> 01:02:07.280
want to be put in the ground. I'll stay with you,

922
01:02:09.119 --> 01:02:12.599
so I'll ask you, Shannon, do you want to be

923
01:02:12.679 --> 01:02:20.440
turned to vampire? Victor locked eyes onto her, yes, Shannon replied.

924
01:02:21.800 --> 01:02:26.039
Shannon spent the next fifty plus years regretting this decision.

925
01:02:26.800 --> 01:02:29.239
If it were hers to make again, she would have

926
01:02:29.280 --> 01:02:33.679
a headstone right beside her mother and father, and she

927
01:02:34.840 --> 01:02:36.039
would be in the ground.

928
01:02:38.119 --> 01:02:42.519
There's more scares where that came from. Weekly, Spooky will

929
01:02:42.559 --> 01:02:43.400
be right back.

930
01:02:47.079 --> 01:02:49.840
It was almost time for the bus and Karen had

931
01:02:49.880 --> 01:02:53.119
just pulled into the driveway. Mollie was sitting on the

932
01:02:53.119 --> 01:02:57.119
front porch waiting for her daughter. Karen stepped out of

933
01:02:57.119 --> 01:03:01.480
her old but paid for Burgundy Ford to chorus. Her

934
01:03:01.559 --> 01:03:04.719
dark brownish red hair was a little tussled and out

935
01:03:04.760 --> 01:03:08.400
of sorts. She had her laptop bag under one arm

936
01:03:08.960 --> 01:03:12.599
and a huge stack of papers under the other. Mollie

937
01:03:12.599 --> 01:03:17.320
propped open the screen door and held out a hand. Here, Karen,

938
01:03:17.719 --> 01:03:22.559
give me that bag. Mollie grabbed the laptop. Oh, thank you, mom.

939
01:03:23.159 --> 01:03:26.599
Karen brushed by Mollie and the screen door clang shut

940
01:03:26.639 --> 01:03:31.920
behind them both. How was your day, dear, Molly asked, Oh,

941
01:03:31.960 --> 01:03:34.719
it was fair to Midland. I had double booked a

942
01:03:34.760 --> 01:03:36.880
meeting with two clients this morning and had to move

943
01:03:36.880 --> 01:03:39.360
one to the afternoon, and had another in the middle

944
01:03:39.400 --> 01:03:40.800
of the day, so I didn't get to eat the

945
01:03:40.880 --> 01:03:44.599
lunch you packed, so I am starving Karen said with

946
01:03:44.639 --> 01:03:48.079
a big smile. The grin took Molly back to when

947
01:03:48.119 --> 01:03:51.079
her daughter was a little girl, back when she smiled

948
01:03:51.119 --> 01:03:53.440
at her that way, with her pretty brown eyes all

949
01:03:53.480 --> 01:03:57.559
lit up. The simple thing still excite her, like the

950
01:03:57.599 --> 01:04:01.760
prospect of mom's cooking. Well, dear, you are in all

951
01:04:01.920 --> 01:04:04.519
kinds of luck today, because there's a fresh pot of

952
01:04:04.599 --> 01:04:07.480
chili simmerin' in the crockpot and an entire package of

953
01:04:07.519 --> 01:04:10.519
Oscar Meyer hot dogs in the refrigerator, just waiting to

954
01:04:10.559 --> 01:04:14.679
be thrown on the griddle, Mollie said. Karen kissed her

955
01:04:14.679 --> 01:04:17.599
on the cheek in delight. I think I'll have the

956
01:04:17.719 --> 01:04:22.800
chili minus the dogs. Do we have any saltines? Karen asked.

957
01:04:23.119 --> 01:04:26.599
Her method of choice for consuming homemade chili was to

958
01:04:26.639 --> 01:04:29.639
have crumbled up saltine crackers in the bottom of the

959
01:04:29.679 --> 01:04:33.119
bowl before drowning them in the slightly sweet and moderately

960
01:04:33.199 --> 01:04:37.519
spicy chili. The secret to the sweetness was that Mollie

961
01:04:37.599 --> 01:04:40.039
used baked beans for the base of the hot chili

962
01:04:40.440 --> 01:04:45.119
instead of your standard gray chili beans. Yes, Karen, they're

963
01:04:45.159 --> 01:04:48.079
in the top left cabinet above the stove. Why don't

964
01:04:48.079 --> 01:04:50.199
you go ahead and get your shower before Lisa gets

965
01:04:50.199 --> 01:04:52.440
home and we can all sit down together for supper.

966
01:04:53.400 --> 01:04:56.760
But I'm so hungry, Karen whined like she did when

967
01:04:56.800 --> 01:04:59.119
she was a little girl, trying to get Milton to

968
01:04:59.159 --> 01:05:02.400
convince Mollie to let her have an early taste. Molly

969
01:05:02.480 --> 01:05:05.280
dipped into the pot with a tablespoon and rounded her

970
01:05:05.320 --> 01:05:07.920
lips as she blew onto the spoonful of hot chili

971
01:05:08.400 --> 01:05:11.840
before shoveling it into Karen's mouth. They both heard the

972
01:05:11.920 --> 01:05:15.079
hiss and squeal of the bus. Now go on and

973
01:05:15.119 --> 01:05:18.599
get your shower. We'll eat directly. Molly made a showing

974
01:05:18.639 --> 01:05:22.519
motion with her hand. Yes, ma'am, Karen said. As she

975
01:05:22.599 --> 01:05:25.360
turned toward the stairs. There was the noise of the

976
01:05:25.400 --> 01:05:28.519
screen door, a book bag hitting the floor, and the

977
01:05:28.559 --> 01:05:32.599
familiar footsteps running by the kitchen for the stairs. Lisa,

978
01:05:32.719 --> 01:05:35.960
wait a minute, young lady, Molly yelled out to her granddaughter.

979
01:05:36.639 --> 01:05:40.079
Dang it, Lisa mumbled under her breath as she turned

980
01:05:40.079 --> 01:05:44.159
around and stepped into the kitchen. We have something to discuss,

981
01:05:44.199 --> 01:05:46.800
and we need to talk about it quickly. Your mother's

982
01:05:46.840 --> 01:05:49.039
upstairs and I'd rather not get her involved if we

983
01:05:49.079 --> 01:05:52.039
don't have to. You know what, I'm referring to don't you.

984
01:05:52.960 --> 01:05:56.480
Molly's brown eyes were looking directly into Lisa's. There was

985
01:05:56.559 --> 01:05:59.519
no point in trying to feign ignorance. The jig was

986
01:05:59.599 --> 01:06:05.079
up and Lisa knew it. Yes, ma'am, that's Shannon, the

987
01:06:05.159 --> 01:06:08.599
Shannon we were looking for last night. She just needed

988
01:06:08.599 --> 01:06:12.239
a friend. Gran. Lisa finally broke the staring contest with

989
01:06:12.320 --> 01:06:15.800
her grandmother. I know what she is, Lisa, and I

990
01:06:15.840 --> 01:06:18.000
know there are others like her that'll be looking for her.

991
01:06:18.599 --> 01:06:21.119
I've had a run in with their kind before. As

992
01:06:21.159 --> 01:06:22.920
soon as it turns dark, I want her out of

993
01:06:22.960 --> 01:06:27.079
this house. Do we understand each other? I understand Gran,

994
01:06:27.639 --> 01:06:31.519
but the people she's with aren't nice. They're not people,

995
01:06:31.880 --> 01:06:34.480
and I'm not nice either, Dear not when it comes

996
01:06:34.480 --> 01:06:37.159
to protecting you and your mother. I'll put a piece

997
01:06:37.199 --> 01:06:40.599
of woodener right now. Is that what you want? No, Gran,

998
01:06:40.960 --> 01:06:43.679
please don't do that. She'll leave when the sun goes down.

999
01:06:43.719 --> 01:06:46.719
I promise she will. Lisa's voice had a twinge of

1000
01:06:46.800 --> 01:06:49.800
panic in it. She could hear her mother walking down

1001
01:06:49.840 --> 01:06:52.920
the stairs. The taste of the chili induced a three

1002
01:06:52.960 --> 01:06:56.960
minute shower. Okay, then not a word, dear mother, and

1003
01:06:57.079 --> 01:07:08.199
let's be done with it six eighteen pm sunset. You

1004
01:07:08.320 --> 01:07:11.719
gonna give it another go, Victor, old boy, Neil asked,

1005
01:07:11.760 --> 01:07:15.840
with a hint of perverse delight. You would be best

1006
01:07:15.880 --> 01:07:18.880
served not to speak with me until I find Shannon.

1007
01:07:19.480 --> 01:07:23.599
Your mere presence is an irritant, Victor said, calmly as

1008
01:07:23.639 --> 01:07:26.840
he once again planted his nails into both sides of

1009
01:07:26.880 --> 01:07:31.800
his head. Neil, you better let it be, Veronica started.

1010
01:07:32.599 --> 01:07:35.480
I've seen him ripped throats out of vampires before, and

1011
01:07:35.559 --> 01:07:38.800
on a couple of occasions it was almost me. Oh,

1012
01:07:38.920 --> 01:07:41.679
you'll heal eventually, but you won't be able to eat

1013
01:07:41.760 --> 01:07:45.079
until you do, and you know there's nothing like that

1014
01:07:45.239 --> 01:07:49.800
pain of hunger, so I'd advise you as politely as

1015
01:07:49.800 --> 01:07:53.840
I can to shut the fuck up. Sandra slapped Neil

1016
01:07:53.880 --> 01:07:56.920
on his ass and grabbed him by the hand. Let's

1017
01:07:56.920 --> 01:07:58.840
get out of here before you start something that's going

1018
01:07:58.880 --> 01:08:01.840
to hurt us both. Neil tried to give Victor an

1019
01:08:01.840 --> 01:08:04.599
intimidating stare as he was led out of the room,

1020
01:08:05.360 --> 01:08:09.440
and Veronica let out a giggle. Just go, you, young fool,

1021
01:08:10.320 --> 01:08:13.679
Veronica said, and perched back on the bed as she

1022
01:08:13.760 --> 01:08:17.840
watched Victor go through his incantations. If Shannon were near,

1023
01:08:18.319 --> 01:08:21.199
she would not be able to resist these commands. She

1024
01:08:21.239 --> 01:08:26.920
would have to come just outside the mobile home. Sandra,

1025
01:08:27.439 --> 01:08:29.439
I'm going to stake him one of these days. I

1026
01:08:29.520 --> 01:08:32.640
hate that guy. Neil pulled the fresh t shirt over

1027
01:08:32.640 --> 01:08:38.319
his head. Just don't antagonize him. Okay, Veronica can kick

1028
01:08:38.319 --> 01:08:41.720
his ass, but if Veronica is not around, he can

1029
01:08:41.800 --> 01:08:44.840
hurt us pretty bad. He might hurt us bad even

1030
01:08:44.840 --> 01:08:49.399
if Veronica is there. Sandra said calmly, I'm not scared

1031
01:08:49.399 --> 01:08:55.000
of him. Neil defiantly replied, you should be. You really

1032
01:08:55.439 --> 01:09:03.079
should be. Sandra returned Lisa's Shannon, it's time for you

1033
01:09:03.159 --> 01:09:06.520
to go. Lisa was teary eyed as she gazed into

1034
01:09:06.560 --> 01:09:10.359
the lifeless black eyes of her new friend. I know

1035
01:09:11.319 --> 01:09:14.560
Victor's calling me right now, and it's taking all of

1036
01:09:14.600 --> 01:09:18.720
my focus to stay here for even another minute. Shannon

1037
01:09:18.760 --> 01:09:22.239
held out her hand and Lisa grabbed it. It was

1038
01:09:22.279 --> 01:09:26.079
a cold sensation, and her black nails were sharply tipped

1039
01:09:26.399 --> 01:09:31.159
but retracted. Will you come back? You're always welcome as

1040
01:09:31.159 --> 01:09:35.359
long as Graha doesn't see you. Lisa gave a little wink. No,

1041
01:09:36.319 --> 01:09:39.279
I don't think I shall return, Lisa. I want to

1042
01:09:39.279 --> 01:09:42.600
thank you for listening. It's been a while since I've

1043
01:09:42.600 --> 01:09:47.399
talked to someone like you like that. Shannon relinquished the

1044
01:09:47.439 --> 01:09:50.560
hold on Lisa's hand and pushed up the window sill

1045
01:09:50.760 --> 01:09:53.920
that she entered the night before. She pounced up onto

1046
01:09:53.960 --> 01:09:57.199
the sill like a sneaky cat. Her maroon T shirt

1047
01:09:57.239 --> 01:10:01.199
fluttered a little in the cold breeze. It's freezing, Shannon,

1048
01:10:01.600 --> 01:10:05.039
do you need a cup? Lisa stopped herself. I guess

1049
01:10:05.119 --> 01:10:10.359
you don't. No, I guess I don't, Shannon replied with

1050
01:10:10.399 --> 01:10:14.520
a smile, a real smile at a real girl, A

1051
01:10:14.560 --> 01:10:17.840
real smile that was all hers to cherish. It was

1052
01:10:17.880 --> 01:10:20.960
a memory and a mind overflowing with them, but a

1053
01:10:20.960 --> 01:10:25.039
good memory none the less. The bad memories still had

1054
01:10:25.079 --> 01:10:28.319
the most weight, but this good one was now locked in,

1055
01:10:29.000 --> 01:10:32.680
and it helped, if only for a moment, Shannon remember

1056
01:10:32.800 --> 01:10:38.640
who she used to be before she became this monster. Goodbye, Lisa.

1057
01:10:39.279 --> 01:10:42.560
Shannon flipped backward out of the window, her shirt fluttering

1058
01:10:42.600 --> 01:10:45.119
in the wind and jeans rubbing together as she brought

1059
01:10:45.119 --> 01:10:48.720
her legs above and around her head in a backward somersault,

1060
01:10:48.920 --> 01:10:52.239
with her white sneakers crunching the leaves underneath her as

1061
01:10:52.279 --> 01:11:00.479
she landed goodbye, Shannon, Lisa's eyes released the tears. Shannon

1062
01:11:00.600 --> 01:11:03.319
was at the edge of the Frausto's lawn when she

1063
01:11:03.439 --> 01:11:07.479
heard a voice that she had rather not encountered. Shannon,

1064
01:11:07.800 --> 01:11:11.199
where you've been, you little vamp? Your butthole creator is

1065
01:11:11.279 --> 01:11:15.119
looking for you, Neil said, smiling with fangs on display.

1066
01:11:16.239 --> 01:11:19.920
I'm going to him now. Shannon glanced at Neil and

1067
01:11:20.000 --> 01:11:24.079
then back at her feet. Were you in that house?

1068
01:11:24.960 --> 01:11:29.039
Someone whispered from behind into her ear. Shannon turned and

1069
01:11:29.119 --> 01:11:34.399
Sandra was there with an evil, threatening grin. No, Shannon lied,

1070
01:11:35.279 --> 01:11:40.039
so Sandra started looking over at Neil for approval. You

1071
01:11:40.119 --> 01:11:42.840
mean I didn't see you do a nice three sixty

1072
01:11:42.840 --> 01:11:46.279
out that window? You know the window that little girl

1073
01:11:46.359 --> 01:11:47.760
is staring out of right now?

1074
01:11:48.920 --> 01:11:52.840
You leave her alone, Shannon screamed. I'll tell Victor and

1075
01:11:52.920 --> 01:11:55.239
he'll rip both of your heads off. I swear he will.

1076
01:11:56.359 --> 01:11:59.920
Easy. Now. Neil held out his right hand extending an

1077
01:12:00.079 --> 01:12:04.319
attracting his nails. We're not gonna hurt her. Who else

1078
01:12:04.399 --> 01:12:07.479
is in there? Victor is calling and I have to

1079
01:12:07.520 --> 01:12:10.680
go to him now. Shannon started her march back to

1080
01:12:10.720 --> 01:12:15.000
the trailer. Neil and Sandra followed close behind, the echo

1081
01:12:15.039 --> 01:12:18.560
of their steps rang in Shannon's ears, and their conversation

1082
01:12:18.800 --> 01:12:23.279
tormented her. So do you think we can turn the

1083
01:12:23.359 --> 01:12:27.079
girl and have her join our little perverted Adam's family,

1084
01:12:27.560 --> 01:12:32.159
Neil started, I don't know. Maybe I'm wondering what sort

1085
01:12:32.199 --> 01:12:37.760
of groceries are living with the young lass. Sandra answered, Oh,

1086
01:12:37.840 --> 01:12:41.439
I don't know. Neil kept going. They were both almost

1087
01:12:41.439 --> 01:12:45.600
brushing against Shannon as they followed so close behind. I

1088
01:12:45.640 --> 01:12:48.239
think we need to go back and case it out.

1089
01:12:48.520 --> 01:12:51.479
Shannon came to a hard stop, her nails on both

1090
01:12:51.520 --> 01:12:55.479
hands fully extended, pivoted around quickly on her left foot

1091
01:12:55.640 --> 01:12:58.600
as if she were doing an about face. A very

1092
01:12:58.640 --> 01:13:02.439
important detail that both Sandra and Neil forgot was that

1093
01:13:02.520 --> 01:13:06.560
Shannon was older and stronger than both of them combined.

1094
01:13:07.319 --> 01:13:10.479
They mistook her size and her tendency to hide behind

1095
01:13:10.560 --> 01:13:15.720
Victor for frailty and weakness. Shannon's fangs dripped as she

1096
01:13:15.840 --> 01:13:19.079
ripped across both of their bellies in a crisscross pattern.

1097
01:13:19.640 --> 01:13:27.039
Neil immediately howled in blinding pain. A Sandra's fangs dug

1098
01:13:27.119 --> 01:13:29.439
into her lower lip as she placed her hand over

1099
01:13:29.479 --> 01:13:32.800
the hole that Shannon had just made. She stared in

1100
01:13:32.840 --> 01:13:38.000
amazement as Shannon turned around and continued her walk to Victor,

1101
01:13:39.239 --> 01:13:41.520
you leave them alone, or I'll kill both of you.

1102
01:13:42.600 --> 01:13:47.239
Shannon disappeared down the sidewalk. When Neil was certain she

1103
01:13:47.279 --> 01:13:52.000
was out of earshot, he chirped out an unenthusiastic fuck you.

1104
01:13:53.479 --> 01:13:56.600
Oh aren't you the brave one? Sandra said as she

1105
01:13:56.680 --> 01:14:00.159
helped him to his feet. Oh, I'm not dye and

1106
01:14:00.239 --> 01:14:04.840
yet Neil smiled and turned back toward the Frausto home

1107
01:14:10.960 --> 01:14:15.640
the trailer. Victor was standing there with fists clenched at

1108
01:14:15.640 --> 01:14:19.479
his side, his fangs piercing his lower gums inside of

1109
01:14:19.520 --> 01:14:23.359
his lips. His black dry fit shirt clung to his

1110
01:14:23.439 --> 01:14:28.039
cold skin. It had the look of lycra Veronica's white

1111
01:14:28.079 --> 01:14:31.399
hair whisked in the light breeze. She was dressed in

1112
01:14:31.439 --> 01:14:35.199
her classic, hip hugging black mini, wearing the same crimson

1113
01:14:35.279 --> 01:14:39.119
lip color that she always did. They were both transfixed

1114
01:14:39.119 --> 01:14:43.079
on Shannon's steady march toward them. Something was different in

1115
01:14:43.119 --> 01:14:48.720
her walk. There was anger, Shannon. I take it you

1116
01:14:48.720 --> 01:14:53.000
have a good explanation, Victor began. She stopped right in

1117
01:14:53.000 --> 01:14:56.520
front of him, slowly raising her stare to meet his eyes.

1118
01:14:57.359 --> 01:15:01.520
Veronica snickered behind him, and shannon eyes darted to her.

1119
01:15:02.640 --> 01:15:07.239
What's wrong, sweetie, kat got your tongue? Veronica licked her

1120
01:15:07.279 --> 01:15:11.720
lips and continued. You didn't see my fruit bats out there?

1121
01:15:11.760 --> 01:15:16.840
Did you? I saw them? Shannon answered, what is wrong

1122
01:15:16.880 --> 01:15:20.840
with you? Shannon? Did something happen? Victor placed both of

1123
01:15:20.880 --> 01:15:26.399
his hands on her shoulders. Yes, something happened, Shannon said,

1124
01:15:26.399 --> 01:15:31.199
with her eyes still trained on Veronica. Well, I'm having

1125
01:15:31.239 --> 01:15:34.159
all sorts of fun guessing, but why don't you just

1126
01:15:34.239 --> 01:15:38.920
go ahead and spit it out? Veronica's smile disappeared and

1127
01:15:39.039 --> 01:15:43.720
turned just like that into a wicked sneer, an all

1128
01:15:43.760 --> 01:15:47.600
too familiar sneer that used to scare Shannon and probably

1129
01:15:47.640 --> 01:15:51.479
still should. I left them back there. I hurt them,

1130
01:15:51.520 --> 01:15:54.920
but not too bad. Shannon moved her eyes back to Victor,

1131
01:15:55.399 --> 01:16:00.000
and she hesitated slightly before she continued, it didn't really

1132
01:16:00.199 --> 01:16:03.359
matter because Sandra and Neil certainly weren't going to keep

1133
01:16:03.399 --> 01:16:06.159
their traps shut when they got back to the Queen Bee.

1134
01:16:07.239 --> 01:16:10.560
I met a little girl last night. That's where I was, Victor.

1135
01:16:11.359 --> 01:16:15.840
We talked all night and I felt human. Ha ha,

1136
01:16:17.119 --> 01:16:21.960
you felt what did you say? Human? Really? With your

1137
01:16:22.000 --> 01:16:25.439
fangs all out and dripping all over the place. Please,

1138
01:16:26.199 --> 01:16:31.399
Veronica burst into laughter. Shut up, Veronica. Victor raised a

1139
01:16:31.439 --> 01:16:35.399
hand over his head with a clenched fist. You heard

1140
01:16:35.399 --> 01:16:41.359
me call you, Victor asked, I did. Shannon returned, don't

1141
01:16:41.359 --> 01:16:47.199
do that again, said Victor. I won't. Shannon replied, enough

1142
01:16:47.239 --> 01:16:51.359
of this shit. Why did you hurt my babies? Veronica

1143
01:16:51.439 --> 01:16:54.359
stormed through Victor, shoving him to the ground, and dug

1144
01:16:54.399 --> 01:16:58.760
her claws into Shannon's shoulders. Shannon didn't flinch as Veronica

1145
01:16:58.800 --> 01:17:02.119
locked eyes with her. They threatened to kill her, and

1146
01:17:02.199 --> 01:17:04.399
I hurt them. I told them if they hurt her

1147
01:17:04.520 --> 01:17:07.319
or her kin, I'd kill them. And I meant what

1148
01:17:07.399 --> 01:17:13.720
I said. Veronica felt a twinge of was it pride? Well,

1149
01:17:13.880 --> 01:17:17.760
my little Shannon? A fresh grin spread across Veronica's face

1150
01:17:17.960 --> 01:17:21.680
as she retracted her claws and rubbed Shannon's arms, painting

1151
01:17:21.720 --> 01:17:24.760
them in blood. I've never seen this sight of you.

1152
01:17:25.640 --> 01:17:29.319
I like it. Shannon stepped around the white haired vamp

1153
01:17:29.680 --> 01:17:34.239
and assisted Victor back to his feet. A Veronica blindside

1154
01:17:34.279 --> 01:17:37.279
wasn't easy to get up from quickly. Victor had been

1155
01:17:37.319 --> 01:17:41.479
the victim of his share. Well, you said you didn't

1156
01:17:41.520 --> 01:17:45.359
hurt them all that bad, So where are they? Veronica

1157
01:17:45.439 --> 01:17:49.119
started down the sidewalk. If Shannon's heart had a beat,

1158
01:17:49.600 --> 01:17:51.920
it would have went into high gear with that question.

1159
01:17:52.760 --> 01:17:55.800
She had turned her back on them. She should never

1160
01:17:56.319 --> 01:17:59.119
have turned her back on them.

1161
01:17:59.239 --> 01:18:01.720
Did you hear that? Better check the locks on your

1162
01:18:01.760 --> 01:18:05.279
doors weekly, Spooky, We'll be right back.

1163
01:18:08.640 --> 01:18:12.279
Mollie was watching through the slightly cracked bedroom door when

1164
01:18:12.319 --> 01:18:15.640
the little black haired vampire back flipped out of Lisa's window.

1165
01:18:16.399 --> 01:18:21.359
Lisa was sobbing as soon as she stepped inside. Sit down, Lisa,

1166
01:18:21.880 --> 01:18:25.239
I gotta share something with you. She grabbed her granddaughter

1167
01:18:25.279 --> 01:18:27.640
by the hand and led her to the bed, where

1168
01:18:27.680 --> 01:18:30.760
they both took a seat. Molly kept a hold of

1169
01:18:30.760 --> 01:18:34.039
her hand as she continued. I know you liked that

1170
01:18:34.119 --> 01:18:38.039
little girl, and I'm sure she liked you, but she's

1171
01:18:38.079 --> 01:18:43.159
not human. I know, Gran, she told me things. I

1172
01:18:43.199 --> 01:18:45.800
know she did, But I need to tell you things now.

1173
01:18:46.560 --> 01:18:49.479
Your mother's lying down. The late hours are catching up

1174
01:18:49.479 --> 01:18:51.479
to her, so it's just you and me right now.

1175
01:18:51.920 --> 01:18:54.720
There's something that your mother doesn't know. And because you

1176
01:18:54.720 --> 01:18:57.119
met up with this girl, I think you need to

1177
01:18:57.159 --> 01:19:02.279
hear this. You're scaring me, Gran, good. That's what it's

1178
01:19:02.319 --> 01:19:07.199
meant to do, and Molly began her crystal clear recollection

1179
01:19:08.159 --> 01:19:12.479
of death. I was thirty nine years old when we

1180
01:19:12.479 --> 01:19:15.520
were blessed with the birth of your mother. Back then,

1181
01:19:15.640 --> 01:19:18.399
that was considered very old to have a child, not

1182
01:19:18.560 --> 01:19:21.600
like today. Missus Baker had little Gerald last year and

1183
01:19:21.680 --> 01:19:25.520
she was forty two. There's something that your mother never knew,

1184
01:19:26.159 --> 01:19:28.920
and its knowledge that died with both Milton and my

1185
01:19:29.079 --> 01:19:33.920
parents years before your mother was born. You see, I

1186
01:19:33.960 --> 01:19:37.199
got pregnant shortly after Milton and I got married. I

1187
01:19:37.279 --> 01:19:40.600
was barely seventeen and we lived two towns over. Your

1188
01:19:40.640 --> 01:19:44.319
grandfather was a traveling salesman when we got married, not

1189
01:19:44.439 --> 01:19:47.479
the bank manager that you knew him as he traveled

1190
01:19:47.560 --> 01:19:51.239
up and down the southeast, selling anything from newfangled electronic

1191
01:19:51.279 --> 01:19:55.399
toothbrushes to Hoover vacuum cleaners. He had a catalog he

1192
01:19:55.479 --> 01:19:59.159
sold from, and his car was always loaded with demonstration models.

1193
01:19:59.720 --> 01:20:01.640
It was hard work and it kept him from home

1194
01:20:01.680 --> 01:20:05.319
a lot in the beginning of our marriage. Jason Fitzgerald

1195
01:20:05.399 --> 01:20:08.039
McBride was born in the summer of nineteen hundred and

1196
01:20:08.079 --> 01:20:10.960
fifty seven, and by the end of winter in nineteen

1197
01:20:11.039 --> 01:20:15.600
hundred and fifty seven, My baby was gone. It was

1198
01:20:15.680 --> 01:20:18.319
dead of night, and I remember the wind howling like

1199
01:20:18.359 --> 01:20:21.840
wolves at the moon, and it was very cold, oh

1200
01:20:21.920 --> 01:20:25.319
so cold. I kept the woodburning stove going, so Jason

1201
01:20:25.319 --> 01:20:27.680
and I made residence in the living area close to

1202
01:20:27.720 --> 01:20:30.920
the warmth of the fire. I recall everything about that

1203
01:20:31.119 --> 01:20:34.319
night except the time. I don't know what time it

1204
01:20:34.439 --> 01:20:38.199
was when the scratching started. Little Jason was wrapped securely

1205
01:20:38.239 --> 01:20:41.079
in his basket, right beside the sofa I was sleeping on,

1206
01:20:41.560 --> 01:20:43.760
and we were about five or six feet away from

1207
01:20:43.800 --> 01:20:46.880
the stove. I remember that I had my hand draped

1208
01:20:46.880 --> 01:20:49.960
over the side, and his little pink fingers were coiled

1209
01:20:49.960 --> 01:20:54.880
around my index finger. The noises woke me. It came

1210
01:20:54.920 --> 01:20:58.600
from the tall window in the living room, the sound

1211
01:20:58.600 --> 01:21:02.199
of nails on glass. It was a god awful noise

1212
01:21:02.239 --> 01:21:05.359
that I'll never forget. I pulled my finger from Jason's

1213
01:21:05.359 --> 01:21:09.119
tiny grip and stepped across the ice cold floor. The

1214
01:21:09.159 --> 01:21:11.840
scratching got louder as I approached the curtains, and I

1215
01:21:11.880 --> 01:21:13.800
could make out the figure of a woman before I

1216
01:21:13.880 --> 01:21:17.199
reached up to pull the curtains apart. She was standing

1217
01:21:17.199 --> 01:21:20.880
there with her dark eyes scratching at my window, smiling

1218
01:21:20.960 --> 01:21:23.439
with just her red lips, not showing as much as

1219
01:21:23.479 --> 01:21:28.079
one tooth. I thought she was lost and disoriented. She

1220
01:21:28.239 --> 01:21:30.840
was wearing a tight black dress and a matching choker

1221
01:21:31.159 --> 01:21:34.000
with some sort of circled symbol hanging from its center.

1222
01:21:35.039 --> 01:21:37.399
Jason started to whimper a little as I stared at

1223
01:21:37.399 --> 01:21:42.119
the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. I ignored him now.

1224
01:21:42.560 --> 01:21:44.279
I think he was trying to warn me not to

1225
01:21:44.319 --> 01:21:47.359
open the door. There was nobody around her, and she

1226
01:21:47.399 --> 01:21:51.159
looked as young as I was, maybe younger. I couldn't

1227
01:21:51.199 --> 01:21:53.119
leave her out there, and I opened the front door.

1228
01:21:53.760 --> 01:21:57.199
She was standing there, just staring at me, just a

1229
01:21:57.199 --> 01:21:59.680
couple of feet right in front of me, and I

1230
01:21:59.680 --> 01:22:02.119
held out out my hand to her and asked her

1231
01:22:02.119 --> 01:22:06.640
to come in from the cold. Then, dear Lisa, my

1232
01:22:06.800 --> 01:22:12.279
world went dark. When I awoke, the front door was

1233
01:22:12.319 --> 01:22:14.720
wide open, and I could see the vapor from the

1234
01:22:14.760 --> 01:22:17.520
air I was breathing. I was face down on the

1235
01:22:17.520 --> 01:22:21.800
cold floor, staring up at the baby basket. Then there

1236
01:22:21.840 --> 01:22:24.880
was the blood trail that started a few feet away

1237
01:22:24.920 --> 01:22:27.880
from the basket. There was some on the back of

1238
01:22:27.920 --> 01:22:31.720
my night shirt. The vampire bitch had stepped over me

1239
01:22:32.239 --> 01:22:35.479
as she fed on little Jason, leaving a trail behind

1240
01:22:35.479 --> 01:22:38.840
her as she walked out. To this day, I don't

1241
01:22:38.840 --> 01:22:41.520
know why she spared me and only took my baby.

1242
01:22:42.319 --> 01:22:45.079
She had to know Milton wasn't at home. She must

1243
01:22:45.079 --> 01:22:47.319
have been watching me for days leading up to killing

1244
01:22:47.399 --> 01:22:51.800
my baby. Of course, I reported it to the authorities,

1245
01:22:52.119 --> 01:22:53.800
and with all of the blood, it went from a

1246
01:22:53.800 --> 01:22:56.520
missing person's case to a murder case, to an unsolved

1247
01:22:56.520 --> 01:22:59.600
cold case, and a police file somewhere collecting dust in

1248
01:22:59.600 --> 01:23:05.000
her recordard's room. Milton and I grieved, We buried our child,

1249
01:23:05.000 --> 01:23:07.199
and it took until I was thirty eight years old

1250
01:23:07.399 --> 01:23:11.800
to gain the courage to have another. I'll never forget

1251
01:23:11.800 --> 01:23:16.880
the face of that beautiful, white haired woman. Now, Lisa,

1252
01:23:17.279 --> 01:23:20.960
you know something that nobody else knows, not even your mother.

1253
01:23:22.199 --> 01:23:26.079
It's our secret. My first instinct was to kill that

1254
01:23:26.119 --> 01:23:29.439
little creature in your closet, and I probably should have.

1255
01:23:30.560 --> 01:23:33.359
If she comes back, there is no doubt that I will.

1256
01:23:34.560 --> 01:23:40.119
I hope you now understand why. Gran I'm so sorry.

1257
01:23:40.159 --> 01:23:44.039
I'm so sorry. Lisa hugged Molly tightly around her neck,

1258
01:23:44.359 --> 01:23:48.720
hot tears rolling down her cheeks. You should tell Mom

1259
01:23:48.760 --> 01:23:52.680
she had a brother. I can't tell her, Lisa, I

1260
01:23:52.720 --> 01:23:55.600
only told you because of the visitor you had, But

1261
01:23:55.680 --> 01:23:58.680
I can't tell her after all this time. You can

1262
01:23:58.720 --> 01:24:02.800
tell her after I'm gone. Molly stroked Lisa's auburn hair.

1263
01:24:04.079 --> 01:24:06.319
I don't want you to go, Gran, I love you

1264
01:24:06.359 --> 01:24:10.600
more than anything. Lisa released her hug and kissed Molly

1265
01:24:10.680 --> 01:24:14.600
on the cheek. We all have to go sometime, dear,

1266
01:24:15.279 --> 01:24:20.560
Molly replied. The door to Lisa's room creaked open. Well

1267
01:24:21.199 --> 01:24:24.680
isn't that precious, Neil asked, while pulling Karen by the

1268
01:24:24.680 --> 01:24:26.720
back of her hair and pushing her in front of

1269
01:24:26.760 --> 01:24:32.039
him into the bedroom. Mom Lisa shouted, it's so precious, Neil.

1270
01:24:32.760 --> 01:24:35.800
Sandra replied and held up her right hand to give

1271
01:24:35.840 --> 01:24:40.079
an extended claw finger wave to Lisa. Let her go,

1272
01:24:41.079 --> 01:24:45.920
said Molly, Oh no, not yet, old lady. Playtime has

1273
01:24:46.159 --> 01:24:54.560
just started, Neil replied, with his fangs on display. With

1274
01:24:54.720 --> 01:24:58.439
blinding speed, Shannon passed Veronica on the street, just off

1275
01:24:58.479 --> 01:25:01.680
the left edge of the sidewalk. The stars were out

1276
01:25:01.920 --> 01:25:04.760
and the moon was full. There would be no fog

1277
01:25:04.880 --> 01:25:09.239
on this night. I'm right behind you, sweetie, Veronica said,

1278
01:25:09.239 --> 01:25:13.600
as she picked up her pace. Victor followed closely behind them.

1279
01:25:13.960 --> 01:25:17.520
Shannon had one purpose. She didn't care about Veronica or

1280
01:25:17.640 --> 01:25:21.000
Victor in that moment. All she cared about was getting

1281
01:25:21.039 --> 01:25:24.560
back to Lisa. Her listless hair lay flat down the

1282
01:25:24.600 --> 01:25:27.399
back of her neck as she pushed hard to get there,

1283
01:25:27.840 --> 01:25:30.840
to get to that lawn and back into that house,

1284
01:25:32.560 --> 01:25:38.439
inside the frausto home. I said, let her go, Molly

1285
01:25:38.560 --> 01:25:43.399
calmly repeated herself, and I said, no, you old bat.

1286
01:25:44.039 --> 01:25:48.119
Wait a minute, I said, Bat, get it.

1287
01:25:48.319 --> 01:25:51.319
I said, you old bat, Neil said, as he looked

1288
01:25:51.319 --> 01:25:52.920
down into Karen's brown eyes.

1289
01:25:53.840 --> 01:25:57.520
Look just take me. Karen rasped out the words. The

1290
01:25:57.560 --> 01:26:00.399
sharp pain of Neil's claws had now turned into a

1291
01:26:00.439 --> 01:26:04.880
throbbing numbness. Just moments before, while Molly and Lisa were

1292
01:26:04.920 --> 01:26:08.039
having their special talk, Karen was in the kitchen getting

1293
01:26:08.039 --> 01:26:10.960
a glass of water when she saw the injured kid

1294
01:26:11.039 --> 01:26:13.479
hunched over on the steps of the screened in porch.

1295
01:26:14.039 --> 01:26:16.840
His shirt was ripped in the center and soaked dark red.

1296
01:26:17.439 --> 01:26:20.640
Without hesitation, she let the kid and his girlfriend into

1297
01:26:20.680 --> 01:26:24.319
the house. As soon as she did, black claws were

1298
01:26:24.359 --> 01:26:27.520
pushing into the front of her throat enough to draw blood.

1299
01:26:28.119 --> 01:26:31.119
Karen's head was snapped back and she was led upstairs

1300
01:26:31.159 --> 01:26:35.000
by another set of claws, digging into her back. On

1301
01:26:35.039 --> 01:26:37.600
the front of her nightgown, a black trail formed from

1302
01:26:37.600 --> 01:26:40.560
the blood running down her neck, and under the fabric,

1303
01:26:41.319 --> 01:26:43.880
there was another black trail that soaked her lower back,

1304
01:26:44.399 --> 01:26:46.479
some of it finding its way through the back of

1305
01:26:46.520 --> 01:26:51.159
her panties. Let's just go, okay, I'll go wherever you want.

1306
01:26:51.239 --> 01:26:54.880
I won't scream. Just leave them alone. Karen tried her

1307
01:26:54.880 --> 01:26:58.960
best to negotiate, but she had nothing to barter with. No,

1308
01:26:59.680 --> 01:27:02.800
said Molly, without a hint of fear. You're not taking

1309
01:27:02.800 --> 01:27:07.439
another one from me, another one. She's got that old

1310
01:27:07.479 --> 01:27:13.279
timer's disease. She doesn't know what she's saying. Sandra giggled

1311
01:27:13.279 --> 01:27:18.000
like a psychodemon. Oh fuck this. Neil jerked hard on

1312
01:27:18.119 --> 01:27:21.159
Karen's neck, and his stomach turning crack filled the air.

1313
01:27:21.880 --> 01:27:25.000
He sunk his fangs into the front of her neckline. No,

1314
01:27:26.279 --> 01:27:29.000
Molly's seventy three year old body moved like a woman

1315
01:27:29.079 --> 01:27:32.159
half her age. She released Lisa's hand and sprang like

1316
01:27:32.199 --> 01:27:34.760
a coiled rattlesnake from the edge of the bed, plowing

1317
01:27:34.800 --> 01:27:37.199
herself into the front of her daughter, knocking her and

1318
01:27:37.279 --> 01:27:40.239
kneel to the ground. Karen was limp when she hit

1319
01:27:40.279 --> 01:27:44.079
the floor, blood spurting from her carotid artery in rhythm

1320
01:27:44.119 --> 01:27:47.479
with the beat of her slowing heart. A disturbing gurgling

1321
01:27:47.520 --> 01:27:52.479
noise emanating from her slashed throat. Blood filled her mouth.

1322
01:27:53.359 --> 01:27:58.039
Mom Oh my god, mom, No. Lisa scrambled on her

1323
01:27:58.079 --> 01:28:00.439
hands and knees, grabbing a shirt she had on the

1324
01:28:00.439 --> 01:28:03.800
floor not more than an hour before. Lisa pressed the

1325
01:28:03.800 --> 01:28:06.960
shirt on top of the blood fountain. Karen was speaking

1326
01:28:06.960 --> 01:28:10.760
to Lisa with her eyes because her mouth no longer worked.

1327
01:28:11.159 --> 01:28:15.479
They said, it's okay, sweetie. We'll all be with your

1328
01:28:15.560 --> 01:28:19.880
daddy soon. We'll see Grandpa and Grann'll be there. We'll

1329
01:28:19.920 --> 01:28:25.560
all be together again. It'll all be okay. No, Mom,

1330
01:28:26.079 --> 01:28:30.119
please don't. Lisa didn't get the last word out before

1331
01:28:30.159 --> 01:28:33.159
she was sent flying through the air. Her back slammed

1332
01:28:33.199 --> 01:28:36.479
hard against the closet door, splintering the top, caving it

1333
01:28:36.520 --> 01:28:39.960
in slightly. Lisa hit the floor with almost as much force.

1334
01:28:40.560 --> 01:28:44.760
Sandra planted her fangs into Karen, finalizing her trip to darkness.

1335
01:28:45.439 --> 01:28:48.479
Molly was pushing herself off of Neil, trying to reach

1336
01:28:48.520 --> 01:28:54.079
her daughter. No, Karen, my baby, Karen, not like your brother.

1337
01:28:54.800 --> 01:28:57.640
Blood covered Molly's face and the top half of her

1338
01:28:57.640 --> 01:29:00.640
favorite night shirt. It was a gift from Lee on

1339
01:29:00.760 --> 01:29:05.239
Molly's last birthday. It was her favorite color, pastel green.

1340
01:29:06.279 --> 01:29:08.359
Neil was slow to get up because of the still

1341
01:29:08.399 --> 01:29:12.640
fresh gash in his mid section. Courtesy of Shannon. Sandra's

1342
01:29:12.720 --> 01:29:15.680
right hand covered her own stomach as her face buried

1343
01:29:15.680 --> 01:29:19.000
in Karen's neck. Molly was on her feet and the

1344
01:29:19.079 --> 01:29:22.000
right one was surely broken. She could feel the pain

1345
01:29:22.039 --> 01:29:25.600
of a million needles, and her ankle was swelling very rapidly,

1346
01:29:26.159 --> 01:29:29.239
but she walked on it. Mollie grimaced as she held

1347
01:29:29.279 --> 01:29:31.760
out her blood soaked hands, reaching for the back of

1348
01:29:31.800 --> 01:29:35.560
Sandra's sandy blonde hair with the clothes of a fist.

1349
01:29:35.640 --> 01:29:38.960
She had clenched one handful of hair, but Sandra kept going.

1350
01:29:39.520 --> 01:29:43.000
She was lost in her appetite. Neil struggled to his feet.

1351
01:29:43.319 --> 01:29:45.720
As he rose, he slipped on the large pool of

1352
01:29:45.760 --> 01:29:50.399
blood and stumbled clumsily forward, grabbing Molly, sending them both

1353
01:29:50.520 --> 01:29:54.119
crashing back to the floor. Mollie ripped out a chunk

1354
01:29:54.159 --> 01:29:57.039
of hair on her way down, but Sandra didn't flinch

1355
01:29:57.359 --> 01:30:01.239
as she was ravenously devouring the rest of Karen's lifeblood.

1356
01:30:02.079 --> 01:30:05.199
Molly was face down and Neil clawed up on and

1357
01:30:05.279 --> 01:30:09.479
straddled her back. Mollie was in excruciating pain when Neil

1358
01:30:09.560 --> 01:30:12.800
leaned in close to her right ear, I'm gonna turn

1359
01:30:12.880 --> 01:30:16.720
your granddaughter, you old bitch, She's gonna be one of us.

1360
01:30:17.840 --> 01:30:21.560
Then he sank his fangs deep into the back of

1361
01:30:21.600 --> 01:30:22.079
her neck.

1362
01:30:24.079 --> 01:30:28.560
If you're not afraid, then you're already dead. Weekly spooky,

1363
01:30:28.640 --> 01:30:29.640
We'll be right back.

1364
01:30:33.119 --> 01:30:35.479
Shannon was the first to the home, and she barreled

1365
01:30:35.520 --> 01:30:38.560
through the screen door and flung the front door wide open.

1366
01:30:39.159 --> 01:30:42.279
Her invitation was standing so she could enter without delay.

1367
01:30:43.039 --> 01:30:45.640
She moved with the speed of a cobra, tearing up

1368
01:30:45.720 --> 01:30:48.920
the stairs, hesitating for just a millisecond in front of

1369
01:30:48.960 --> 01:30:52.359
Lisa's door before sending it flying back into the little

1370
01:30:52.439 --> 01:30:55.640
girl's room. Lisa was lying still on the floor in

1371
01:30:55.640 --> 01:30:58.560
front of the closet, and Sandra and Neil were both

1372
01:30:58.600 --> 01:31:03.439
furiously feeding. Shannon moved with a deadly elegance. It was

1373
01:31:03.520 --> 01:31:06.560
so fast, but to her it was all in slow motion.

1374
01:31:07.479 --> 01:31:09.840
She almost glided to the right side of the room.

1375
01:31:10.479 --> 01:31:12.760
The pink cup was still sitting right there on the

1376
01:31:12.760 --> 01:31:16.800
top of Lisa's desk, with freshly sharpened, wooden colored pencils

1377
01:31:17.039 --> 01:31:20.560
poking out of the top. Shannon's mouth was wide open

1378
01:31:20.800 --> 01:31:24.159
as she moved, and the thick, cold saliva dripped heavy

1379
01:31:24.600 --> 01:31:27.800
like a leaky faucet. She was getting worked up into

1380
01:31:27.800 --> 01:31:30.720
her own frenzy as she pulled four sharpened pencils from

1381
01:31:30.720 --> 01:31:34.680
the cup, a red one, a blue one, a black one,

1382
01:31:35.079 --> 01:31:38.600
and a green one. Shannon gripped two in each hand

1383
01:31:38.880 --> 01:31:42.159
and leaped high into the air. As Sandra dropped Karen's cold,

1384
01:31:42.600 --> 01:31:45.640
dead body on to the floor, it was too late

1385
01:31:45.680 --> 01:31:49.000
for her. When she turned toward the determined little vampire.

1386
01:31:49.720 --> 01:31:52.920
Shannon let out a cry as she came down hard. Now,

1387
01:31:54.199 --> 01:31:57.119
the sharpened tips of the red and blue pencils pierced

1388
01:31:57.279 --> 01:32:00.560
just below Sandra's left breast, and with the speed of

1389
01:32:00.600 --> 01:32:03.840
a bullet, Shannon pressed them all the way in with

1390
01:32:03.920 --> 01:32:09.640
her right palm. Oh no were Sandra's last words. She

1391
01:32:09.760 --> 01:32:13.000
began to shake violently. Her body was trembling all over,

1392
01:32:13.159 --> 01:32:16.079
and blood filled her eyes before they burst, sending a

1393
01:32:16.079 --> 01:32:20.279
crimson spray all over the walls. Sandra's chest sunk in

1394
01:32:20.600 --> 01:32:23.840
and the skin on her body started to boil. After

1395
01:32:23.920 --> 01:32:26.279
a few seconds, it settled and there was nothing but

1396
01:32:26.359 --> 01:32:30.680
a pile of Sandra's clothes and an ivory bracelet lying

1397
01:32:30.720 --> 01:32:34.159
in a nasty black soup on the floor. Shannon was

1398
01:32:34.199 --> 01:32:37.279
focused and didn't spend another thought on the dead vampire.

1399
01:32:37.840 --> 01:32:40.319
Sandra had barely gotten the words oh no out when

1400
01:32:40.319 --> 01:32:43.520
Shannon hit Neil with the black and green sharpened pencils

1401
01:32:43.760 --> 01:32:46.880
just under his left shoulder blade. Neil pulled up from

1402
01:32:46.960 --> 01:32:49.880
Molly and arched his back in pain as he screamed

1403
01:32:49.880 --> 01:32:55.960
to the sky, ah, no, you can't. Neil collapsed and

1404
01:32:56.039 --> 01:32:59.359
flailed about for a couple of seconds before he was

1405
01:32:59.399 --> 01:33:04.880
boiled away. The scream came from outside Shannon, I know

1406
01:33:05.000 --> 01:33:09.520
what you did. You killed my babies. Veronica was furious.

1407
01:33:10.159 --> 01:33:13.279
Victor was standing just behind her, but neither one of

1408
01:33:13.279 --> 01:33:17.520
them could come in because they weren't invited. Lisa still

1409
01:33:17.600 --> 01:33:23.479
wasn't moving and Molly was bleeding out. Mollie whispered, they

1410
01:33:23.520 --> 01:33:29.000
can come in, they can come in, No, Shannon began,

1411
01:33:29.680 --> 01:33:32.800
but it was too late. Veronica was immediately in the

1412
01:33:32.880 --> 01:33:36.199
room with Victor right behind. Shannon was already in front

1413
01:33:36.199 --> 01:33:40.520
of Lisa, standing over her. Oh, you little blood sucking bitch.

1414
01:33:40.640 --> 01:33:43.319
I'm going to kill that little girl. You don't know

1415
01:33:43.399 --> 01:33:47.680
what you did. Veronica's claws were completely extended and she

1416
01:33:47.800 --> 01:33:51.960
started towards Shannon. The bulrush wasn't going to work because

1417
01:33:52.000 --> 01:33:56.520
Shannon was planted and prepared stop at Veronica right now.

1418
01:33:57.119 --> 01:33:59.640
Victor grabbed Veronica by the back of her left hand.

1419
01:34:00.159 --> 01:34:03.279
Veronica came back across with her right and left four

1420
01:34:03.399 --> 01:34:07.119
razor sharp lines across his right cheek. She followed that

1421
01:34:07.239 --> 01:34:09.560
up with a hard kick to the groin that doubled

1422
01:34:09.600 --> 01:34:14.039
him over. Shannon reacted while Veronica was occupied and dropped

1423
01:34:14.079 --> 01:34:16.680
to her knees and raked her own claws across the

1424
01:34:16.720 --> 01:34:21.960
back of Veronica's left calf ah. Veronica screamed out, and

1425
01:34:22.000 --> 01:34:25.039
with quickness faster than Shannon or Victor had ever witnessed,

1426
01:34:25.439 --> 01:34:29.279
Veronica had her talons buried into the front of Shannon's throat.

1427
01:34:29.920 --> 01:34:32.439
She rose Shannon up off her feet and into the

1428
01:34:32.479 --> 01:34:35.520
air with her hands flailing and clawing. Her feet were

1429
01:34:35.600 --> 01:34:39.880
kicking violently. Veronica quickly pulled Shannon nose to nose and

1430
01:34:39.960 --> 01:34:44.960
said nighty night, before launching her back across the room

1431
01:34:45.199 --> 01:34:47.279
through the window that she had flipped out of earlier

1432
01:34:47.279 --> 01:34:50.560
that evening. There was the splintering of wood and the

1433
01:34:50.600 --> 01:34:53.640
shattering of glass, followed by a flood of cold air

1434
01:34:53.800 --> 01:34:57.640
entering the room. Victor was still writhing on the floor,

1435
01:34:57.760 --> 01:35:00.680
only beginning to recover when Veronica I was on top

1436
01:35:00.720 --> 01:35:04.720
of the little unconscious Lisa. Veronica was briefly taken with

1437
01:35:04.800 --> 01:35:10.840
her auburn colored hair and fair skin. You I know you.

1438
01:35:11.840 --> 01:35:14.840
Mollie was standing. Blood was pouring out of the back

1439
01:35:14.880 --> 01:35:18.159
of her neck, and her legs were shaking severely, threatening

1440
01:35:18.199 --> 01:35:22.640
to buckle at any moment, but she was standing. Veronica

1441
01:35:22.720 --> 01:35:26.800
slowly turned, gazed back at Molly and replied, I know

1442
01:35:26.920 --> 01:35:31.079
you too. Your appearance has changed quite a bit, but

1443
01:35:31.159 --> 01:35:35.079
I remember you. I watched you in that tender morsel

1444
01:35:35.199 --> 01:35:38.039
for a good week before I scratched at your window.

1445
01:35:38.760 --> 01:35:42.079
Veronica's attention was turned from little Lisa to the old

1446
01:35:42.159 --> 01:35:47.279
lady staring her down. His name was Jason, my baby

1447
01:35:47.279 --> 01:35:52.520
that you killed. His name was Jason. Molly began to cry.

1448
01:35:52.840 --> 01:35:55.880
Her legs continued to tremble, but her hands were steady

1449
01:35:55.880 --> 01:35:58.399
behind her back as she held the black and green

1450
01:35:58.439 --> 01:36:03.039
pencils she lifted from the floor Veronica stood up, now

1451
01:36:03.079 --> 01:36:06.520
fully engaged with the weakening Molly. She took a brief

1452
01:36:06.560 --> 01:36:08.720
glance out of the crater in the wall that used

1453
01:36:08.760 --> 01:36:12.199
to be a window and saw Shannon lying crumpled in

1454
01:36:12.239 --> 01:36:14.319
a heap under the street light of the bus stop.

1455
01:36:14.920 --> 01:36:18.119
She could hear Victor shuffling on the floor, but didn't

1456
01:36:18.159 --> 01:36:23.359
look back. Okay, Jason, Mason, No girl's he'll be chasin

1457
01:36:23.640 --> 01:36:27.680
Who gives a fuck? Veronica walked through Sandra's puddled mess

1458
01:36:28.079 --> 01:36:31.119
and stopped in front of Molly. Victor was up and

1459
01:36:31.199 --> 01:36:34.239
slowly walking toward the women. He made it just around

1460
01:36:34.279 --> 01:36:36.279
the corner of the bed when he bent down and

1461
01:36:36.319 --> 01:36:40.560
scraped something from the floor. What are you doing back there, Victor,

1462
01:36:41.119 --> 01:36:45.359
Veronica asked, keeping her eyes fixed on Molly. I'm getting

1463
01:36:45.399 --> 01:36:49.359
the girl, Victor said. Molly saw what was happening behind

1464
01:36:49.439 --> 01:36:53.720
Veronica and whispered, please just finish it, make it quick

1465
01:36:53.760 --> 01:36:57.600
for me and my granddaughter. Victor slowly stepped toward them.

1466
01:36:58.039 --> 01:37:01.199
Molly leaned in and Veronica pulled her close around her waist.

1467
01:37:01.760 --> 01:37:04.920
They were locked in a deadly embrace, and Veronica opened

1468
01:37:05.000 --> 01:37:07.600
up two new holes. These were in the front of

1469
01:37:07.640 --> 01:37:11.479
Molly's neck and she had hit the main pipeline. Molly

1470
01:37:11.560 --> 01:37:15.119
returned the embrace with the blue and black pencils gripped

1471
01:37:15.119 --> 01:37:18.319
in her right hand. Veronica was in her frenzy and

1472
01:37:18.439 --> 01:37:21.760
Victor was right behind her. The life was leaving Molly's

1473
01:37:21.800 --> 01:37:25.399
eyes and both of her hands began to tremble. She

1474
01:37:25.520 --> 01:37:28.199
let go of the pencils and they hit the floor,

1475
01:37:28.920 --> 01:37:33.720
stuck in the blood. Veronica's eyes widened and Molly's eyes closed.

1476
01:37:34.079 --> 01:37:37.760
When Veronica felt the quick, sharp pain pushed through the

1477
01:37:37.760 --> 01:37:41.119
back of her skin tight black dress, they both fell

1478
01:37:41.159 --> 01:37:44.840
to the floor together. Victor was holding one end of

1479
01:37:44.880 --> 01:37:48.359
the broken corner of the window sill. The other, sharp,

1480
01:37:48.520 --> 01:37:54.159
jagged end was buried deeply into Veronica. He felt the

1481
01:37:54.199 --> 01:37:57.159
slightest twinge of guilt as he let go of the

1482
01:37:57.199 --> 01:38:00.640
other end. Veronica slumped to the floor on her back,

1483
01:38:01.039 --> 01:38:06.960
with her face up, looking at Victor. You killed me, Victor,

1484
01:38:08.159 --> 01:38:13.479
Now you're getting somewhere. Veronica smiled one last time as

1485
01:38:13.479 --> 01:38:17.359
her skin began to boil, and just like Neil and Sandra,

1486
01:38:18.119 --> 01:38:25.439
she was a pile of black goo. Goodbye, Veronica. Victor

1487
01:38:25.520 --> 01:38:28.880
quickly turned his attention to Molly. She was just hanging

1488
01:38:28.920 --> 01:38:32.359
on to consciousness. Victor was on his knees and he

1489
01:38:32.399 --> 01:38:36.439
looked into Molly's eyes. I'm very sorry for what happened here.

1490
01:38:37.319 --> 01:38:39.239
Do you want me to end this for you right now?

1491
01:38:40.279 --> 01:38:45.960
Molly shook her head and gave a tired whisper. No, Lisa,

1492
01:38:46.920 --> 01:38:50.920
I can't leave Lisa. Victor felt her eyes upon him.

1493
01:38:51.399 --> 01:38:55.399
Lisa was now standing and watching Victor hover over her grandmother.

1494
01:38:56.840 --> 01:39:00.880
I can turn her and I can protect her. Victor offered, No,

1495
01:39:02.359 --> 01:39:06.800
you can turn me and I can protect her. Molly returned.

1496
01:39:07.279 --> 01:39:10.319
Her vision was coming and going soon. It was going

1497
01:39:10.319 --> 01:39:13.600
to be like turning off an old picture tube. Everything

1498
01:39:13.680 --> 01:39:15.920
was turning black, and she was almost to the point

1499
01:39:15.920 --> 01:39:19.239
where the tiny little light was going to finally go black,

1500
01:39:19.720 --> 01:39:23.640
the way they did in old televisions. I don't know.

1501
01:39:24.159 --> 01:39:28.479
I think it's too late, said Victor. Shannon's voice answered,

1502
01:39:29.319 --> 01:39:33.279
it's not too late. Turn her, Victor. Lisa's mother is dead.

1503
01:39:33.359 --> 01:39:37.319
Turn her now. Victor turned his sight upon the black

1504
01:39:37.319 --> 01:39:41.359
haired death angel, and if he was capable, he would

1505
01:39:41.359 --> 01:39:46.680
have cried. Leave the room, said Victor. Shannon grabbed Lisa

1506
01:39:46.720 --> 01:39:51.159
by the hand and they walked out together. Your name

1507
01:39:51.239 --> 01:39:55.680
is Molly mc bride, my creator Veronica killed both of

1508
01:39:55.720 --> 01:40:00.720
your children, and in turn I killed her. Molly, is

1509
01:40:00.720 --> 01:40:04.399
it your desire to be turned? Victor stroked her gray

1510
01:40:04.439 --> 01:40:10.439
hair as he asked the question. Yes, then keep your

1511
01:40:10.479 --> 01:40:14.600
eyes closed. He will die and will rise again at nightfall.

1512
01:40:15.560 --> 01:40:19.199
I will not be here. Take care of both of them. Molly,

1513
01:40:20.199 --> 01:40:22.239
you have lost so much, and I shoulder a good

1514
01:40:22.239 --> 01:40:26.760
share of that blame. Victor gashed his own wrist and

1515
01:40:26.880 --> 01:40:31.079
dripped his blood into Molly's mouth. She accepted his gift,

1516
01:40:31.960 --> 01:40:39.600
and Victor turned her. Victor had cleaned up the mess

1517
01:40:39.640 --> 01:40:43.000
on the front lawn, secured a king sized blanket over

1518
01:40:43.039 --> 01:40:46.199
the enormous hole in the wall in Lisa's bedroom, throwing

1519
01:40:46.199 --> 01:40:49.239
the splintered wood and glass out onto the lawn. Before

1520
01:40:49.279 --> 01:40:52.760
doing so, Lisa sat in the kitchen staring at the

1521
01:40:52.800 --> 01:40:56.600
clock on the oven. It flashed four o eight A. M.

1522
01:40:57.720 --> 01:41:01.119
Shannon helped Victor clean. They were experts in the art

1523
01:41:01.119 --> 01:41:04.880
of cleaning up crime scenes, although none were quite this large.

1524
01:41:05.600 --> 01:41:09.239
The rooms were spotless, organized and smelled of pine cleaner.

1525
01:41:10.039 --> 01:41:13.319
Karen was cleaned and wrapped in a bedspread. There couldn't

1526
01:41:13.359 --> 01:41:16.279
be questions. When Victor was no longer there. He had

1527
01:41:16.319 --> 01:41:18.439
to tie up the loose ends as best he could.

1528
01:41:19.159 --> 01:41:24.239
He stepped into the kitchen, cradling Karen's lifeless body. Child.

1529
01:41:24.479 --> 01:41:27.439
Lisa turned her head, her light brown eyes filled with

1530
01:41:27.520 --> 01:41:31.880
anger and sorrow. Your grandmother is going to rise tonight,

1531
01:41:32.600 --> 01:41:36.399
and when she does, you'll need to help her. If

1532
01:41:36.439 --> 01:41:39.920
those in authority come around asking questions that you can't answer,

1533
01:41:40.319 --> 01:41:43.720
she can and will be taken away. Do you understand.

1534
01:41:44.720 --> 01:41:47.520
Shannon held out her hand and Lisa took it as

1535
01:41:47.560 --> 01:41:50.720
she answered, Victor, I understand.

1536
01:41:51.680 --> 01:41:54.800
That I hate you. I hate you, I hate you.

1537
01:41:55.479 --> 01:41:59.159
Put my mom down, put her down, put hurt down.

1538
01:42:00.159 --> 01:42:04.359
Lisa sobbed uncontrollably. Shannon pulled her close and motioned for

1539
01:42:04.439 --> 01:42:07.840
Victor to leave the room. Victor walked out of the

1540
01:42:07.880 --> 01:42:11.720
front door, still holding Karen. He walked and walked, with

1541
01:42:11.760 --> 01:42:15.279
the moon shining so bright. He walked until he was

1542
01:42:15.319 --> 01:42:18.760
deep in a wooded area just outside the edge of town.

1543
01:42:19.800 --> 01:42:22.600
There was a line of flat planks nailed together, lying

1544
01:42:22.640 --> 01:42:27.239
atop the soft soil leaves that almost covered the top entirely.

1545
01:42:28.479 --> 01:42:32.079
Victor carefully lay Karen on the ground and lifted the

1546
01:42:32.119 --> 01:42:35.720
corner of the planks. He pushed them along about seven

1547
01:42:35.800 --> 01:42:38.680
or eight feet before he rested them back on the ground.

1548
01:42:39.279 --> 01:42:41.319
He tapped his foot on the top of the mound

1549
01:42:41.359 --> 01:42:45.840
of soft dirt, and with his hands he dug. Victor

1550
01:42:45.920 --> 01:42:49.239
dug quickly until he finally felt a hand, then a

1551
01:42:49.319 --> 01:42:53.159
torso and legs. He widened out the area around Freddie

1552
01:42:53.199 --> 01:42:58.279
Roger's corpse and returned to Karen. He gingerly lifted her

1553
01:42:58.319 --> 01:43:02.920
body and eased her in position beside Freddie. He draped

1554
01:43:02.960 --> 01:43:08.520
Karen's still limber arm around Freddie's stiff waist. They were strangers,

1555
01:43:08.560 --> 01:43:12.720
buried together in a spoon position. Karen and Freddie's final

1556
01:43:12.760 --> 01:43:17.760
thoughts were in essence the same, both thinking of Lisa

1557
01:43:17.800 --> 01:43:22.640
and Molly's well being. Karen would first be a missing person, then,

1558
01:43:22.840 --> 01:43:30.760
like Freddie, another cold case file in a records room somewhere.

1559
01:43:33.199 --> 01:43:37.680
Shannon was on the porch awaiting him when he returned, Victor,

1560
01:43:38.560 --> 01:43:43.159
she's upstairs with her grandma. I made her understand. She

1561
01:43:43.359 --> 01:43:47.800
has to stay with us now, No, Shannon, not us.

1562
01:43:48.880 --> 01:43:52.680
You have to stay with them. Victor eased himself into

1563
01:43:52.680 --> 01:43:57.359
the rocking chair. Victor, you can't leave me. I have

1564
01:43:57.439 --> 01:44:00.920
to follow you. You you made me. Shannon was in

1565
01:44:00.960 --> 01:44:03.880
a panic. Oh it's true that I turned you into

1566
01:44:03.920 --> 01:44:07.880
what you are now, but I didn't make you. Somewhere

1567
01:44:07.880 --> 01:44:12.520
in you, you maintained your humanity. To night I found

1568
01:44:12.560 --> 01:44:17.439
mine again. I'm going to sit right here and see

1569
01:44:17.479 --> 01:44:21.520
the first sunrise I've seen in over two hundred years.

1570
01:44:21.920 --> 01:44:26.279
Victor smiled and rocked steadily in the chair. But Victor,

1571
01:44:27.399 --> 01:44:33.600
I can't, Shannon began, Oh you can, Shannon, my dear child,

1572
01:44:34.439 --> 01:44:37.600
You can, and you will. You have to show them

1573
01:44:38.399 --> 01:44:41.520
you're the oldest. Molly will certainly sit on this porch

1574
01:44:41.560 --> 01:44:44.359
one day and do what I'm doing. She's doing this

1575
01:44:44.439 --> 01:44:47.520
out of the love of her grandchild. There is an

1576
01:44:47.640 --> 01:44:53.640
education in Lisa's future, a marriage children. Once Molly is

1577
01:44:53.680 --> 01:44:57.399
finished raising her, she'll be right here in this chair,

1578
01:44:58.439 --> 01:45:02.079
and who knows, you may be sitting right beside her,

1579
01:45:02.600 --> 01:45:08.680
holding her hand, watching the sunrise. I've never told you this, Shannon,

1580
01:45:10.239 --> 01:45:13.640
but I love you. I love you as I've loved

1581
01:45:13.640 --> 01:45:18.199
my own daughter. You've made this old vampire very proud.

1582
01:45:19.600 --> 01:45:26.880
Now go upstairs and tend to them. Without saying another word,

1583
01:45:27.520 --> 01:45:31.760
Shannon put her arms around Victor's neck and hugged him tightly.

1584
01:45:33.760 --> 01:45:39.880
The screen door closed behind her. Victor rocked until Dawn.

1585
01:45:42.920 --> 01:45:46.079
Well, my spookies, I hope you enjoyed that story as

1586
01:45:46.119 --> 01:45:50.119
much as I did, a story about endings and beginnings

1587
01:45:50.479 --> 01:45:54.560
and how sometimes it's hard to tell them apart. Thank

1588
01:45:54.600 --> 01:45:57.119
you to Charles Campbell for the wonderful novella we got

1589
01:45:57.119 --> 01:45:59.439
to share tonight, and make sure to check out his

1590
01:45:59.560 --> 01:46:04.239
podcast Horror for twenty one for interviews with all kinds

1591
01:46:04.279 --> 01:46:08.840
of people in the horror business, directors, writers, authors, and

1592
01:46:08.960 --> 01:46:13.319
of course, yours truly was even included Horror for twenty

1593
01:46:13.399 --> 01:46:17.159
one on your favorite podcasting app. Well, my friends, it

1594
01:46:17.199 --> 01:46:20.920
has been an incredible October already we're starting the second

1595
01:46:20.960 --> 01:46:24.920
week and today is already the ninth episode we've published.

1596
01:46:25.520 --> 01:46:27.039
I hope you've all been enjoying what.

1597
01:46:27.000 --> 01:46:28.960
We've put out so far, and there is so much

1598
01:46:29.000 --> 01:46:32.119
more to come. In fact, tomorrow you'll be treated to

1599
01:46:32.159 --> 01:46:35.199
a very special Strickfield story. I made you wait a

1600
01:46:35.239 --> 01:46:37.720
little bit, but of course Strickfield will have a major,

1601
01:46:38.199 --> 01:46:41.640
major role in this October. In fact, we have two

1602
01:46:41.720 --> 01:46:45.720
novellas coming, so don't you worry. You'll be visiting Strickfield plenty,

1603
01:46:46.000 --> 01:46:48.039
I assure you, and I want to remind you to

1604
01:46:48.039 --> 01:46:51.479
give us your support at Weeklyspooky dot Com slash Join.

1605
01:46:51.720 --> 01:46:53.600
If you love what we're doing. For as little as

1606
01:46:53.600 --> 01:46:55.920
one dollar a month, you can help keep the show

1607
01:46:55.920 --> 01:46:59.039
going and get lots of bonus content. And speaking of

1608
01:46:59.079 --> 01:47:01.039
I want to say an extra special thank you to

1609
01:47:01.079 --> 01:47:04.239
our Patreon podcast boosters, folks who pay just a little

1610
01:47:04.239 --> 01:47:06.479
bit more to hear their names at the end of

1611
01:47:06.479 --> 01:47:10.000
the show. And they are Johnny Nick's, Jenny Green, Amber Hansford,

1612
01:47:10.000 --> 01:47:13.439
Brent McCullough, Karen we Met, Jack Kerr, and Craig Cohen.

1613
01:47:13.479 --> 01:47:15.279
Thank you guys so much. And if you want to

1614
01:47:15.279 --> 01:47:16.880
hear your name at the end of the show and

1615
01:47:17.039 --> 01:47:20.479
get all the other bonus material included at Patreon.

1616
01:47:20.479 --> 01:47:24.239
Just go to Weeklyspooky dot Com slash join, sign up

1617
01:47:24.279 --> 01:47:27.039
at the fifteen dollars or hire a month tier and

1618
01:47:27.119 --> 01:47:31.239
you'll get all the goodies and of course my undying gratitude.

1619
01:47:31.560 --> 01:47:33.159
But now it's time for me to get out of here.

1620
01:47:33.159 --> 01:47:35.720
We have so much more to bring you, including a

1621
01:47:35.800 --> 01:47:38.119
very special Halloween compilation this Friday.

1622
01:47:38.159 --> 01:47:38.720
Don't miss it.

1623
01:47:38.840 --> 01:47:41.680
Make sure you're subscribed for myself, for my executive producers

1624
01:47:41.720 --> 01:47:45.039
Rob Fieldsmarkshields and babbletopia dot Com, my producer Dan Wilder

1625
01:47:45.039 --> 01:47:46.239
and my composer Ray Mattis.

1626
01:47:46.680 --> 01:47:48.840
I will talk at you tomorrow.

1627
01:47:49.159 --> 01:47:52.840
Thank you for listening. Make sure to find your way

1628
01:47:52.920 --> 01:48:00.159
back next week. But for now you are safe. Trust me,