Oct. 9, 2024

The Final Yes - A Haunting Vampire Tale of Choices and Consequences

The Final Yes - A Haunting Vampire Tale of Choices and Consequences
Apple Podcasts podcast player badge
Spotify podcast player badge
Spreaker podcast player badge
Audible podcast player badge
Castro podcast player badge
RSS Feed podcast player badge
Apple Podcasts podcast player iconSpotify podcast player iconSpreaker podcast player iconAudible podcast player iconCastro podcast player iconRSS Feed podcast player icon

Explore the dark world of vampires in 'The Final Yes,' a haunting tale of choices, consequences, and the chilling events that unfold when ancient rules are broken.

The Final Yes by Charles Campbell

Support Us and Get Bonus Shows on Patreon!

Contact Us/Submit a Story
twitter.com/WeeklySpooky
facebook.com/WeeklySpooky
WeeklySpooky@gmail.com

Music by Ray Mattis http://raymattispresents.bandcamp.com

Executive Producers
Rob Fields
Mark Shields
Bobbletopia.com

Produced by Daniel Wilder

This episode is sponsored by 
HenFlix.com

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

🎉 Unlock exclusive bonus episodes and support the show on Patreon!
👉 WeeklySpooky.com/Join

📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!


🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com
WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:06.480
In life, change is inevitable. But can the same thing

2
00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:12.000
be said about death? Is it truly the end? Or

3
00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:14.599
can there be a lot more to it than that?

4
00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:18.879
What happens when you're given the choice, when you're asked

5
00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:21.519
to give a note or yes.

6
00:00:23.399 --> 00:00:30.719
There's a hill in the air must be fall Join

7
00:00:30.920 --> 00:00:41.640
me for a tale of fallowe You will experience tales

8
00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:48.560
of over ghosts. It is not recommended for the weak

9
00:00:48.640 --> 00:01:01.840
at heart. Join me for a tale of Fallowey. This

10
00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:09.680
is Weekly Spooky.

11
00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:19.040
Hello, my spookys, It's Wednesday, and you know what that means.

12
00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:23.959
It's time for a little spooky in your weekly I'm

13
00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:26.879
your host and narrator, Enrique Kuto, and you may have

14
00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:32.000
noticed there's actually some spooky in every day this October,

15
00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:35.799
so make sure you're subscribed because we're publishing all kinds

16
00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:40.439
of bonus shows for all thirty one days of October,

17
00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:44.480
so you have something scary to enjoy as you get

18
00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:49.239
into the Halloween spirit. And we are absolutely honored to

19
00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:53.040
be a part of your holiday. Tonight, we're presenting to

20
00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:57.040
you a very special novella from our good buddy Charles Campbell,

21
00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:02.200
one that I enjoyed greatly, featuring all the elements that

22
00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:07.359
bring together a good scary story for Halloween, dark nights,

23
00:02:07.959 --> 00:02:13.639
mysterious strangers, and the wonder of a child with a

24
00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:17.280
little blood drinking for good measure. But before we get

25
00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:19.400
to that, I simply want to say thank you so

26
00:02:19.639 --> 00:02:23.360
much for joining us and make sure you're subscribed on

27
00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:26.599
your favorite podcasting app as not to miss all of

28
00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:30.800
the spooky fun we're bringing about this October. And if

29
00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:32.960
you love what we're doing a whole hell of a

30
00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:35.360
lot and you'd like to support us in a very

31
00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:39.240
direct way, you can go to Weeklyspooky dot com and

32
00:02:39.319 --> 00:02:44.759
buy merchandise books, or head Toweeklyspooky dot com slash join

33
00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:48.159
and join our Patreon For as little as one dollar

34
00:02:48.240 --> 00:02:50.719
a month. You can support the show directly and make

35
00:02:50.759 --> 00:02:54.960
sure that we keep bringing the spooky on the weekly indefinitely,

36
00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:57.759
because we don't go anywhere when the season ends. Oh no,

37
00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:02.479
we continue the celebration every single week and have for

38
00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:05.599
nearly six years. If you want to see us go further,

39
00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:09.719
head to Weeklyspooky dot com slash join for as little

40
00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:13.120
as one dollar a month. You get two shows as

41
00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:15.919
a thank you each and every month, as well as

42
00:03:15.960 --> 00:03:19.639
a back catalog of over five years, but now it's

43
00:03:19.639 --> 00:03:29.599
about time for the story after this, The Final Yes

44
00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:36.560
by Charles Campbell. I'm two hundred and twenty seven years old,

45
00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:42.400
relatively young for my kind, but still old enough. Winter

46
00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.800
is my favorite time of year because the nights are

47
00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:51.800
longer and the air outside suits the coldness of my flesh.

48
00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:56.560
I've turned a few people in my life. The catch

49
00:03:56.719 --> 00:04:00.120
is there are rules to turning people to vampire, and

50
00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:03.479
the first of which is they have to agree to

51
00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:08.719
be turned. In other words, the tournee has to say yes.

52
00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:13.479
Let me back up for just a moment before you

53
00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:16.639
get to the yes. I guess the first thing is

54
00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:21.720
targeting the next vampire, preferably young and with no immediate

55
00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:26.279
family to speak of. Although this criterion isn't set in stone,

56
00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:32.040
there is the occasional notable exception. My notable exception is

57
00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:36.439
seventy three year old Molly McBride. I can't say that

58
00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:39.160
I found Molly because the truth of the matter is

59
00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:43.360
that my progeny led me to her. After learning of

60
00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:46.959
Molly's story and how I factored into it, I am

61
00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:50.399
compelled to sit here on her front porch until the

62
00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:58.040
sun rises. From Mollie, I received my final yes. The

63
00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:01.800
following chronicles what happened here and what has led me

64
00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:11.560
to witness my first sunrise in over two centuries, Fall

65
00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:18.040
twenty twelve, seven point thirty two. AM. Hello, sweetheart, are

66
00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:22.160
you hungry? Freddie Rogers asked the skinny, bow legged girl

67
00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:26.000
sitting at the bus stop. Eight year old Lisa Frausto.

68
00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:30.160
Gave Freddie a cautious look and nodded her head. Yes,

69
00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:35.160
here you go. Freddie removed a package of cheese crackers

70
00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:38.120
from his jacket pocket and held it out to Lisa.

71
00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:42.120
Her gloved hand wavered slightly as she reached out to

72
00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:47.680
grab the food. Lisa a soft voice began. Who is

73
00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:52.319
your friend? Molly asked from the screened in porch. Lisa

74
00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:56.160
turned in her grandmother's direction, with her eyebrows raised, giving

75
00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:59.480
a clear view of her light brown eyes. She opened

76
00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:04.399
her mouth to speak when Freddie interjected, I'm sorry, miss,

77
00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:08.439
don't matter who I am. Mister, what are you doing

78
00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:12.319
talking to my granddaughter? Molly's own light brown eyes were

79
00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:16.680
trained on the new stranger. Hey, don't take offense. I

80
00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:20.560
was just walking by and she looked hungry. Freddie answered,

81
00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:26.480
I feed her just fine, stranger Molly fired back. I

82
00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:29.279
asked her if she was hungry, and she said she was,

83
00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:34.079
didn't you, sweetheart? Freddie turned his gaze back on Lisa.

84
00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:38.720
Gran I did tell him I was hungry, Lisa said,

85
00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:42.319
now standing closer to the edge of the sidewalk. The

86
00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:45.879
bus would be there at any moment. You know what

87
00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:49.319
I've told you about talking to and worse yet, taking

88
00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:54.879
things from strangers. Look, miss Freddie started, mister, this ain't

89
00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:58.920
none of your affair, so shush it. The bus hissed

90
00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:02.279
to a stop, right beside the little auburn haired girl

91
00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:06.839
standing in her usual morning spot. We'll discuss this more

92
00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:11.519
when you get home, young lady. Yes Grahan, Lisa muttered

93
00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:15.759
as she stepped into the big yellow bus. I'm sorry,

94
00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:19.279
I'll be on my way, Freddie said as he started

95
00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:22.959
back down the sidewalk, with the bus pulling away, leaving

96
00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:26.920
behind a trail of black smoke. The maintenance budget must

97
00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:30.000
have taken a hit for the new school year. What's

98
00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:34.759
your name, stranger? Freddie stopped mid step and turned to

99
00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:39.480
face Molly once again. The name's Freddie Rogers, and who

100
00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:44.839
are you? My name is Molly McBride. Well, mister Rogers,

101
00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:49.000
where are you headed. I'm headed to work. I work

102
00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:52.959
at the finance company downtown. I kind of gathered it

103
00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.639
was some type of office work. By the way you're dressed,

104
00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:59.879
Mollie noted the neatly pressed dress slacks and button up

105
00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:04.199
shirt with tie underneath his light blue jacket. I'm sorry

106
00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:07.360
about that with your granddaughter. No harm meant. I promise.

107
00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:11.519
I know who you are now, mister Rogers, and I

108
00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:15.160
know where you work. Molly smiled as Freddy waved back

109
00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:18.680
at her and continued his trek to the office of

110
00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:24.319
Frasier Financial. Three point thirty three pm, the screen door

111
00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:27.920
slammed shut and the sound of little feet filled the hallway.

112
00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:34.440
Gran Mom, I'm upstairs, Molly yelled through her open bedroom door.

113
00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:39.080
She was working on ironing that day's wash. Her daughter

114
00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:42.679
Karen hadn't made it home from work yet. She was

115
00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:47.519
usually home before Lisa, but not that day. Grand grand

116
00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:51.080
Lisa took the steps two at a time and sported

117
00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:53.679
a wide ear to ear grin when she stopped in

118
00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:57.720
the doorway. What is it, dear? Molly set the iron

119
00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:59.720
down on the back of the ironing board and moved

120
00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:04.480
towards Lisa. Where's mom still at work. What's got you

121
00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:08.120
grinning like that? Gran? I gotta wait on mom. Kay.

122
00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:11.639
Lisa's freckled face had a small smudge of dirt on

123
00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:14.720
her right cheek, and the faintest line of sweat had

124
00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:18.399
formed on her forehead. That's fine, we'll still have to

125
00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:20.759
discuss what we do when a stranger speaks to you.

126
00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:26.039
I'm sorry, Gran, I didn't mean to dear. There are

127
00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:29.360
bad people out there. They can pretend to be good,

128
00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:33.240
and some of them may even be good. But you

129
00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:36.399
should never speak to strangers, and you should never ever

130
00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:41.480
take anything from them. Do you understand, Lisa? Yes, Gran,

131
00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:46.720
I understand Lisa. Sometimes when little girls or boys talk

132
00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:51.320
to strangers, they get taken away and they never come home.

133
00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:56.720
Molly's eyes locked onto Lisa's and they conveyed personal experience

134
00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:02.039
on this topic. I'm sorry, Gran, I won't talk to strangers.

135
00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:05.440
Good girl. Let's go wait on your mother. I have

136
00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:09.120
a roast in the oven. How's that sound? Molly grabbed

137
00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:12.440
her wide eyed granddaughter by the hand. I smelt it

138
00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:16.279
when I walked in. I could eat the whole thing. Well,

139
00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:19.480
according to what you told mister Rogers, I don't feed you.

140
00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:23.919
Who's mister Rogers. He's the stranger that you talked to

141
00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:28.000
this morning. I found out who he was. I thought

142
00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:31.440
you wasn't supposed to talk to him, Lisa said, puzzled.

143
00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:34.600
That's right. But because he talked to you, I had

144
00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:36.879
to find out who he was and if he was

145
00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:40.240
good or bad, Molly said, as they entered the kitchen

146
00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:45.879
and unclasped hands. Well is he good or bad? Lisa

147
00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:48.720
asked as she peered through the glass on the oven door.

148
00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:53.279
I don't know yet, but he seems Okay, reach over

149
00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:55.279
there and get me the mixer and the big bowl

150
00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:58.440
over the sink. You can help me mash the potatoes.

151
00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:01.960
We can use the gravy from the roast. Kay, gran

152
00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:06.320
it smells so good. They both heard the front door

153
00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:09.960
close and keys hit the coffee table. Mom, come in

154
00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:13.080
the kitchen. I gotta tell you something. The sound of

155
00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:16.639
Karen Frausto's high heels click clacked as she stepped into

156
00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:20.960
the kitchen, and skinny Lisa sprang into her arms. Tell

157
00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:24.200
me all about it, sweetie, Karen smiled at her daughter.

158
00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:32.279
A late night at work had turned into an early

159
00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:35.759
morning for Freddie Rogers. The end of the month was here,

160
00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:38.639
and the books had to be reconciled before the division

161
00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:42.320
manager arrived at eight am later that morning. He was

162
00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.799
on the brink of a mental collapse when he logged

163
00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:48.279
off his computer. Freddie was the only employee left in

164
00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:51.399
the office. The other three full timers had left at

165
00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:54.960
eight pm the previous evening after logging in twelve hours.

166
00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:58.679
Now I wish I had a car or even a bicycle,

167
00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:01.840
Freddie mumbled to himself as he grabbed the light blue

168
00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:06.080
jacket from the coat hanger beside the office entrance. Freddie

169
00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:09.440
stared at the illuminated keypad for a few seconds, trying

170
00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:14.120
to remember the correct alarm coat. Before tapping the numbers seven, two,

171
00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:19.240
nine five, the word armed flashed in bold letters. Freddie

172
00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:22.120
had twenty eight seconds to let himself out and lock

173
00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:26.240
the door behind him. Ooh, it's quite nippy, Freddie said

174
00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.120
aloud as he stepped into the colder than average fall night.

175
00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:33.559
Downtown Langley, South Carolina was empty save for a gimpy

176
00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:36.799
white and brown cat accompanied by a small black mud

177
00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:40.720
They were both staring at him, hoping for a handout

178
00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:43.480
from behind a couple of garbage cans put out in

179
00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:47.519
front of Langley RX No doubt for an early trash pickup.

180
00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:51.960
A low lying fog hovered over downtown, covering the street lamps,

181
00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:55.840
making them look like blurry circles of light hidden inside

182
00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:58.720
of a cloud. Freddie pulled up the collar of his

183
00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:02.000
jacket and became began to walk the sidewalk back home.

184
00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.039
His loafers felt heavy, and he kept his eyes trained

185
00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.919
on the sidewalk in front of him. Freddie was just

186
00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:12.840
beginning to fall into a walking version of highway hypnosis

187
00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:19.399
when he heard a whisper, Hello over here. Freddie stopped

188
00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:22.039
his march and stared into the fog for a good

189
00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:29.480
five seconds before replying, who's there. I'm hungry, mister. The

190
00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:33.320
whisper returned, Are you the little girl I saw yesterday?

191
00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:36.639
What are you doing out here at this hour? Freddie

192
00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:39.039
placed his right hand out in front of his forehead,

193
00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:41.679
as if he was shielding his vision from the sun.

194
00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:45.799
He was trying to make out the demure figure standing

195
00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:51.399
just behind the street lamp. I'm hungry, mister, the whisper repeated.

196
00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:55.000
Your grandma is going to kick both our tails. Let

197
00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:57.960
me get you home. Freddie stepped closer to the street

198
00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:03.399
lamp and the figure receated in darkness, yepep, What the hell?

199
00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:06.879
The little black mutt was right behind Freddy, nipping at

200
00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.519
the backs of his ankles and pulling on his left

201
00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:13.360
pant leg. The cat stayed put behind the garbage cans.

202
00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:17.600
He would win no man's best friend award. Freddie turned

203
00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:20.080
and knelt to remove the little stray from his ankle.

204
00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:23.360
He grabbed the dog with both hands by his midsection.

205
00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:27.039
The little fella growled but didn't relinquish his grip on

206
00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:31.360
the hem of Freddy's slacks. Come on now, Freddie started,

207
00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:35.399
right before a sixth sense kicked in. Goose pimples broke

208
00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:37.879
out on both arms, and the hair on the back

209
00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:43.559
of his neck stood at attention. I'm hungry, mister. From behind,

210
00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:47.600
sharpened nails sunk deep through Freddy's jacket, into the meat

211
00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:51.559
of both arms, and two tiny legs wrapped tightly around

212
00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:52.120
his middle.

213
00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.360
Yepep.

214
00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:57.120
The little black dog backed away from Freddy and kept

215
00:14:57.159 --> 00:15:00.399
barking at the long haired girl attached to Freddie's back.

216
00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:03.840
Her face buried deep into the nape of his neck.

217
00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:07.120
Freddie pounded on the top of her head with both

218
00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:10.559
fists as hard as he could. The sounds of sucking

219
00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:13.919
and slurping filled the air, along with the constant yep

220
00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:17.399
of the dog. The cat had seen enough and split

221
00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:21.879
with each slurp. Freddie weakened, and it wasn't long before

222
00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:25.200
he was faced down on the sidewalk. The little vampire

223
00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:28.279
was in a feeding frenzy and couldn't stop even if

224
00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:33.320
she wanted to. Freddie's final thoughts before he lost consciousness

225
00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:38.519
for good were never talk to strangers. I hope that

226
00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:40.279
little girl and her grandma are okay.

227
00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:45.639
Don't go away weakly, spooky. We'll be right back.

228
00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:54.480
You look like you're about to burst, sweetheart. Tell me

229
00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:57.600
what it is, Karen said as she placed her finger

230
00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:03.519
under Lisa's chin. Lisa wriggled her nose a little and replied, Mom,

231
00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:07.639
I got a special letter from missus Wilkes today. Where

232
00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:12.279
is it? What did it say, Molly asked grand Mom.

233
00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:15.360
It said that I am gifted and talented and they

234
00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.919
want me to be a part of the Gifted and

235
00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:21.559
Talented program. Lisa pulled a neatly quarter folded piece of

236
00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:25.159
paper from her back jean pocket and handed it to Karen.

237
00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.240
I don't need a piece of paper to tell me

238
00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:32.000
you are gifted and talented poodle. I've always known that.

239
00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:35.840
With that, Lisa wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.

240
00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:39.519
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

244
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
00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:27.279
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

268
00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:26.880
under the kitchen table, patting the seat, inviting Lisa to

269
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,