“Hi, I’m Ben...Please leave a message after the tone.”

Episode 12

Ben stood now rather puzzled by his friend’s vanishing act. He was about to head back toward the town centre when a column of mist promptly appeared.

“Where did you go to?”

Trayhas stepped into view as the mist vanished.

“Are you really sure that cop can be trusted?”

“Positive. Now answer the question.”

“I just slinked off so keep your hair on. When you meet him later, I won’t be there.”

“Have it your own way then. So have you managed to locate these two demons?”

Trayhas laughed softly.

“Hardly demons my boy. The acolyte's name is Gemma by the way. Her mind is like an open sewer.”

“So let’s finish this off before someone else is done away with.”

As he walked off, Trayhas held him firmly.

“Not so fast dear friend. I know this damsel remember. A gentle persuasion may just be enough.”

“You want to negotiate with her?”

“Why not? It’s much easier than ramming a piece of wood through her chest.”

“Two people have died,” Ben protested.

“Three actually, if you count the young woman. I don’t think that you are cut out for this.”

“I’m not being left behind.”

“Then follow by all means, but kindly watch h your step. Dreamer could make mince meat out of you.”

Ben was about to reply when the creature transmuted before his eyes.
He watched the large bat fly toward the town proper and shook his head.

“Sometimes you know, being mortal can be a disadvantage.”

The reporter quickly realised that he had no idea where Trayhas was off to, and decided to head for home.

Within the shoebox lounge, Dreamer and Gemma were rather heavily engaged after the thrill of the kill. As they entwined upon the sofa, hands venturing into secret places, a rather large bat swung down from the dark sky.

Landing softly upon the sill, it gazed upon the alluring view. A wing moved against the glass and a soft talon scratched.

“I heard something,” Gemma muttered as a tongue slid over her naval.

Dreamer glanced around and spotted the bat with ease.

“We have company my dear. Excuse me a moment.”

She rolled onto the floor before standing up and wandering over to the closed window.

“When has glass stopped you?”

The bat dissolved and Trayhas appeared at her rear.

“Just being polite my dear. We seriously have to talk.”

Gemma now sat with thighs crossed as he gazed at her.

“See that you have been busy.”

“It is what I do. Whatever brought you to this backwater?”

“I simply wanted the quiet life my dear. Now put your clothes back on.”

Dreamer shrugged her slim shoulders and quickly pulled the heavy coat around her. Gemma however wandered through to the bedroom, much to his disgust.

“Killing that officer was stupid.”

“We needed a drink. Unlike you I prefer humans.”

“The authorities are alive to the nature of the threat. How do you think they will react?”

“I can’t see any angry mobs outside.”

“This is the twenty-first century my dear. These people are far more sophisticated, and therefore more deadly.”

“You have your life and I have mine. I suggest that we keep them separate.”

“I need you two to leave pronto. If only to restore some measure of order.”

Dreamer turned her back and laughed loudly.

“Retreat you mean?”

“That was the general idea.”

“Oh come on Trayhas. When did I ever do such a thing?”

“You had better make this the first time. Otherwise these mortals will hunt you both down.”

She swung around and hissed.

“Then let them come to their deaths.”

He simply could not understand this attitude.

“Don’t you realise that we are both under threat here?”

“Then perhaps you should leave?”

“You know that I can’t. Not with you roaming around the place.”

“Then how about divide and conquer. You take the north whilst I nibble through the south.”

“That is a ridiculous suggestion. Twenty-four hours is all you have.”

Dreamer pushed him aside and wandered toward the bedroom.

“Where are you off too?”

“I have to get something. Stay here a moment.”

He wandered over to the darkened window, trying to work out her game plan. Experience had taught him that Dreamer was a slick operator.

“I spoke to Gemma and we have come to an agreement.”

He swung around, noting that her right hand was fiddling within a pocket.

“I sincerely hope it is the correct one.”

She smiled slyly and sauntered up to him. As a cold arm embraced him, the other slipped a medallion over his head.

Trayhas screamed in agony at once. He crashed to his knees, trying to remove the offending object.

“The talisman won’t allow that old friend. A Russian priest was compelled to give me it, just in case.”

Trayhas collapsed onto his chest and lay perfectly still as Gemma entered the lounge.

“Is he dead now?”

Dreamer shook her head slowly.

“Simply immobilised my love. I rather like it that way.”
She turned to her nude lover and dropped the coat around her slender toes. Tapping the nose she whispered, “Now where were we?”
---

Ben was acutely worried as his door was rapped and the detective entered solemnly.

“That officer was drained completely. Just like the driver.”

“What do your superiors make of it?”

“Some kind of crisis meeting is under way at the mayor’s. I doubt they will come to the correct conclusion though.”

“I’m glad of that Harris.”

“Has this friend of yours located the killer yet?”

Ben shook his head.

“He’s still not back. I’m wondering whether something has happened to him.”

“Like a stake you mean?”

“Perhaps. I just wish that I could find her on my own.”

“So what’s stopping you?”

“I am not a fully fledged blood drinker. He only gave me enough to
repair the damage. He can scan minds you know. As well as change shape.”

“Have you tried conventional means?”

“I did wonder around but it was pretty hopeless.”

“There could be other ways of finding her.”

“Like what for instance. Some kind of vampire data base?”

“Before coming here I checked the net out of curiosity you understand.”

“Find anything useful?”

“One report suggests that those who drink vampiric blood develop a loose connection with the master. We could use that.”

“I told you already detective. It failed.”

“Allow me to be the judge of that. I’ll tour you around in my car.
That’s bound to help.”

Despite his doubts, Ben took up the offer and was soon ensconced in the vehicle. As they patrolled the town, the reporter closed his eyes and tried to concentrate.

At present he only met a wall of impenetrable darkness, until that is the car entered a half moon square. As it did so, the wall collapsed and Ben suddenly yelped.

“He’s on the floor with some medal around his neck.”

“Anything else?”

“It’s a high rise.”

Ben opened his eyes and gazed around the square. Sadly however, these were all low level wooden fronted bungalows.

“It must be nearby.”

Harris swung the wheel and drove onto the main road. As they reached a junction, the block came into view.

“That is where he is!”

The car halted sharply and they were soon climbing the stairs to the upper floor. As they reached it, Ben was beaming.

“This is the one.”

“You better stand clear then mate.”

Harris drew his weapon, and was just about to kick the door down when it opened of its own accord...”

The detective leapt inside but no one was in view.

“It’s safe enough.”

Ben followed him into the lounge and spotted the vampire upon the floor. He knelt and carefully removed the offending amulet.

Trayhas groaned and rolled onto his back as the detective returned from the rear room.

“No one here Ben. How is the eh...”

“I’m fine Harris. Dreamer tricked me.”

“Where has she gone?” Ben asked.

Trayhas sighed deeply and whispered softly, “Gemma’s mind indicates Muscle Street.”

“That’s near the picture house,” Harris commented.

“Anything else?” Ben asked.

“I got a name. Only part of it mind you. Fren something.”

Ben felt a shock tear through his system at the familiar name.

“She’s going after Frenier and thankfully I know the way.”

“I’ll give you two a lift then.”

Trayhas shook his head wearily.

“I’m in no state to go anywhere mate. You two get off and try to remember this amulet.”

Ben placed it safely inside his pocket and followed Harris out of the door.

Trayhas sat panting as the terrible effects continued to manifest themselves.

“That is one trick she won’t use again.”

Frenier had been sitting upon the carpet doing breathing exercises when she heard something hard land elsewhere.

“What could that have been?”

She stood before wandering into the short hall. Two figures stepped from the bedroom, the nude one glaring at her.

“You look rather podgy.”

The startled woman backed away as Dreamer shook her finger.

“Now that is no way to treat honoured guests, now is it?”

The woman turned toward the exit but Dreamer was instantly upon her.

Grabbing her shoulders in a vice like grip, she hissed into her ear, “Being obese is a capital offence in our book. You stuff yourself whilst kids starve in Africa!”

The terrified woman struggled in vain before her surroundings suddenly changed.
---

When the officer pulled up outside one of the bright yellow doors,
Ben winced with the memory of the wine.

“You can stay here if you wish.”

The reporter shook his head and followed him towards it.

“You know that handgun is hopeless.”

Harris stared at him and smiled.

“It may keep her occupied as you do the honours.”

“If we even get that chance mate,” Ben replied.

Harris kicked the door open and found the short hall peaceful. He ran into the empty lounge as Ben checked the bedroom.

“We seem to be too late!”

“Just calm down,” Harris said as the reporter paced the floor.

“Now we may never find her.”

“There can’t be many places they could hide surely.”

“They have a whole town Harris. They can dematerialise at will. Frenier could well be dead by the time we find her.”

Harris returned his weapon into the leather holster and scratched his head.

“Why take her?”

Ben knew the answer to that one.

“Perhaps they want her as a wine press? How the hell do I know?”

The officer searched his fertile mind for a location but came up blank.

“I’ll have to radio this in.”

“I’ll wait outside. I just hope that Trayhas recovers in time.”

He had only just walked outside when the darkly cloaked figure stepped from behind the car.

“Feeling better now?”

“Still a little rough Ben. Has the bird flown?”

“You bet she has. They took her.”

“Which means they have gone to ground,” the vampire added.

“I’m open to suggestions.”

Harris stepped out and was relieved to see the new friend.

“We need you to track her down right now!”

“I’ll need another hour for that. My head is still fuzzy.”

“That’s acceptable. The cavalry are en-route, so make yourselves scarce.”

The two friends walked away quickly, as Harris awaited the arrival of his colleagues.

“Back to my place?” Ben asked.

“That will do for now. She certainly won’t return to that flat.”

“Nice cool night.”

Unlike his mortal friend, Trayhas could detect the coming of dawn.
Now two hours distant.

“The quicker I recover the better.”

“I agree with you. Without you, my friend is doomed.”

Trayhas glanced at him sadly.

“She may be dead already.”