Cold, Cold Water

[Evangeline Carter]

“Cold cold water surrounds me now
And all I’ve got is your hand.”

At least the rain was accompanied by a warm breeze. The fat, gray droplets splinked across his windshield, scattering in hundreds of glistening gems before the blades of the wipers plowed them away to the edge of the glass.

Squeak.

“Lord, can you hear me now?”

David had a policy not to get himself buzzed on the job, and as he stared past the smears of the wipers -- needed to change them at some point -- he sleepily promised himself that breeches of said police would not be tolerated in the future. For now, though, he took another long pull from his flask, wincing as the burning sensation slithered down his throat and settled in his belly, the heat culminating there.

“Lord can your hear me now?
Lord, can you hear me now?
Or am I lost?”

Damien Rice. The ‘O’ Album. The deep, passionate bass sometimes rattled the dusty speakers of his pickup, but the quality of the music was never lost. The singer’s voice wrapped him in comfortable familiarity as he watched the base of the windshield begin to fog from the heater. The pained undertones spoke volumes. Told a new story, a new plot, a different world than the one he was currently sitting in. The man had no way of knowing how long it would take or how many tracks from the CD would have to pass before he saw what he was waiting for.

They were clustering here, he’d learned. The vampires. The club he was parked outside of was a popular feeding zone. Many of the donations were consensual. It was a growing craze, not surprisingly popular with the bondage crowd. He’d watch for the tell-tale signs of a killer, knowing better than to take one of the so-called peace-abiding bloodsuckers.

At least when he was sober.

If the night stretched on too long, though, and the flask was drained, there was no telling what could end up in his gun-sights.


ooc: This type of role play is what I've dwelt in for the past two years. The vampires I'm used to roleplaying against, however, are different, so please be patient with me.

[Kale Allerion]

Soft rain turned to a thunderstorm, pit-pattering against MariAnne's windowpane as her brushe moved ungracefully across the canvas. The sound of rain falling usually was enough to soothe her spirits, but not today. There was too much tension in the air, and she could not ignore it.

Sighing, she finally set my brush down and walked across the room to where her stereo sat. She switched it on and soon a soft classical piece filled her ears. Closing her eyes, MariAnne focused on the sweet melody and shoved all feelings of dread to the back of her consciousness.

But when she reached the easel again and saw her painting - the image of a small child on a swingset, hair flying and mouth open in laughter - her heart sank. That familiar feeling of dread gripped her soul again.

MariAnne knew vampires were about. She didn't know where or how far away, but probably within a few miles of where she sat.

She gave up. Switched off the stereo and put her art supplies away.

Can't work on something this...personal, MariAnne decided. Not now when the threat is so close by.

_____________


MariAnnesat down in front of her tiny television set and flipped through the channels. She knew she didn't need to be afraid - not with the doors locked and herself awake and alert. She just was going to be stuck inside for a while, until this feeling passed. When the vampires were farther away, she'd know.

Her premonitions were never wrong. She had ignored them once and it cost her dear, precious sister her life.

Or did it? MariAnne wondered for the umpteenth time as the theme music for "The Price Is Right" played from the set. Maybe she's still out there somewhere.

Was she a vampire? She shuddered at the thought and resolved not to think of it anymore. Not now.

MariAnne shut her eyes and whispered the promise she'd already said time and time again, but never fulfilled. "I'll find you someday, sis. I'll find you."

OOC: This is my first time stepping out of Gramma Modor's Storytime Theater, so bear with me! ^_^

[Evangeline Carter]

ooc: Quite alright. We can brave it together. How far is your character's location is from the club, I wonder?

bic:

The crack of thunder drowned the cellist's introduction in 'Volcano', dragging the stormy eyes of the slayer from the entrance to the club as to the ceiling of the truck's cab, vaguely imagining the knot of blackened clouds overhead. Thunder was well and good on a slaying job. It drowned out the sound of gunshots. The blasted creatures were immune to most anything but a healthy dose of sunlight, though, so the most that bullets were good for was subduing them until there were UV rays to be found.

"Don't throw yourself like that
in front of me,"

He shifted as another patron left the place, watching the fall of their steps, judging, calculating.

Nope.

Not a bloodsucker. No grace. The man was too self conscious. A werewolf, maybe, but David wasn't desperate enough for a target. Yet.

[Kyra]

A woman appeared outside the bar. She was dressed in purple leather and sunglasses shaded her eyes. She looked up and down the streets before then tilted her head as if listening for something. Her head whipped to the side towards the alley between the buildings. She walked quickly her feet not making a sound. She disappeared into the alley. Moments later a girl ran crying from the alleyway and lightening flashed in the sky.

[Evangeline Carter]

There.

Finally.

David sat up, the flask sloshing in his hand as he squinted out into the night. Something, at least, if not his preferred prey. The disturbance was reason enough. He switched the motor off, checking the guns at his hip as he made ready to investigate. Six bullets to each. That was chance enough, along with the knives, for getting away unscathed.

“Alright, nasty little bugger,” he muttered, pocketing the liquor and pushing the door of the truck open. “Let’s do it.” The man started, cautiously, past the alley way, his eyes searching first to see to it that the girl who’d rushed off neither harmed nor armed; after all, vampires employed all sorts of techniques in attracting their pray.

Let the kings slayers tell you what they wished. David knew better. All vampires were looking to drain a human being. There were nothing but ferals. He cocked one of the guns, having pulled it from its holster, and waited.

[Kyra]

The scene he came upon was odd. The woman was standing infront of what was obviously a vampire. The vampire's eyes glowed red. She didn't appear to be afraid, despite the fact that the vampire could and would kill her. Then the conversation floated to him.
D:"You can not stop us Kyra. You and your Hunters....."
"You have been judged Demetri."
D:"You have no right to judge me."
"You gave into your demon. You broke the most sacred of laws."
D:"Like you're any better. The King snaps his fingers and you come running. You're like a puppet on a string."
"Insulting me will get you nothing. Come Demetri."
The woman wagged a finger at him. Her voice dropped low, sultry....it become seductive.
"Come to me and I will give you the peace you seek. It is why you did not hide from me. Come to me. Let me send you to your eternal rest."
The vampire stepped towards her then growling shook his head.
D:"I am an ancient, Hunter. That would work on a fledgling. When I kill you I will lead a vampire army against the King."
The woman smiled, it was cold and emotionless.
"You will lead nothing. Better ferals before you have tried to kill me Demetri."
She spread her arms.
"Yet I am still here. Come then. Let us see who will be the victor."
The vampire launched at her and the woman laughed.

[Kale Allerion]

OOC: My character lives less than a mile from the club, but she'll be headed your way soon.

BIC: That jerk, MariAnne fumed, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. I cannot believe I'm doing this.

Despite the fact that she still sensed vampires close by, MariAnne was driving in the rain, on her way to pick up her cousin, Hunter, from the high school. He had just gotten back from an away basketball game, and decided to wait until now to call for a ride. His parents were out of town, so she was his second choice.

Not to mention, she continued, stopping at a red light. The school is on the other freaking side of town. This kid owes me bigtime.

MariAnne hated driving at night, especially considering she lived on "the wrong side of town", so to speak. It didn't help that her car was a piece of junk and on the verge of breaking down.

As if on key, the engine made a horrible sound. An awful smell filled the air.

"Aaugh!" she cried as the automobile began slowing to a stop. She put on the hazard lights and pulled over into the shoulder.

______________________

MariAnne sat inside, doors locked as she waited for help. First, she'd called a tow truck and explained the situation. After that she called Hunter, who thanked her for trying but had caught a ride with a friend a few minutes ago.

I hate that kid.

Bored, MariAnne switched on the radio, but heard nothing but static on the classical station. Other stations she liked were working perfectly, but she needed some calm classical music now more than ever. Sighing angrily, she switched the radio off again. Sat in silence, listening to the falling rain.

As the seconds passed, I felt the tension that I'd felt all day tighten its grip around my heart. Frantic, I looked out the window in time to see three people outside a nearby club. One was a woman, standing off to the side watching the other two, who looked like they were going to get into a fight.

I turned away quickly, shaking. At least one of the people in that party was a vampire - I knew it.

I was never wrong in my predictions, but I was also never one to solve the problems they created. I sat in the seat of my car, one watching to see what would happen and the other waiting for the tow truck.

[Cain]

This night was terrible for most. There was the rain and thunder, plus it was cold, especial when light breezes would pick up. However, for Samual, it was perfect. Nights like this were perfect for the hunt. Sure they were lousy and miserable to walk in, but they covered evidence. Evidence was just a nucence to clean up.

He sighed as he trudged down the street, his overcoat rapped around him and held closed with one hand, while his other held the umbrella. One of his sources had given him a tip on the night club and he was going to check it out tonight. With luck it wasn't going to be another wild goose chase and he'd be able to do the world a little good.

[Evangeline Carter]

It hadn’t taken long for David’s lip to curl, disgust writing itself in creases across his pale face. The damned slaying the damned. Nothing was sacred, it seemed. The hunter drew his arm across his brow, wiping the droplets from his eyes and squinting into the alley. From this particular angle, he was in a better position to dispatch the feral. In the aftermath he’d see to the so-called slayer who had cornered the brute in the first place.

The storm was close. Only seconds between the streaks of pale light before the horrific crashes of thunder. David waited for the next flash, counting down until his cover. He drew the male vampire’s head into his gun sights and exhaled a heated breath from his nostrils.

3...2...1...

He squeezed the trigger. The crack of the gunshot was swallowed up as the charged air vibrated and boomed.

[Kale Allerion]

The sound of a gunshot made MariAnne jump. She reached into the glove compartment and pulled out her handgun. Checked the bullets. Held it close, ready to attack if things got too out of hand.