1.03 -- Run

Cressida Willis hated playing lackey, but as a relative newborn, what choice did she have? She wasn’t as strong as The Mistress. So, when The Mistress snapped her perfectly-polished fingers and demanded her minion go out and bring her some food, Cressida went. Who cared that she hadn’t eaten in hours and could use some food herself? Thankfully she saw a boy who would make a tasty snack.

Since when did food bring their own swords?

 

Franklin: Prepare to die, vile creature of the night!

Cressida: Great. Let me guess, vampire slayer?

Franklin: I am a righteous servant in the war against your kind!

Cressida: Let’s just get this over with. 

 

He fought well, better than she imagined he would. His kicks were sharp, his punches fluid. Whoever had trained him trained him exceptionally. And, unfortunately for Cressida – and her hungry mistress – he wielded his sword like a pro.

The blade made a swooshing noise as it sliced through the air – and Cressida’s neck.

Franklin watched as her head and body separated and collapsed at his feet. The vampire’s remains burst into flames and Franklin was proud. His seventh in four weeks. He wasn’t anywhere near Oliver’s record, but he was working on it.

Little did Franklin know those green orbs glowing in the distance had caused some concern for Gabriel Wellington, or that his trusted advisor, Miss Novak, watched him from a distance.

Eve Wellington was up with the sun. She went for her morning run, three miles around the affluent neighborhood the Wellingtons resided in. Running was how she kept in shape but was becoming quite the release for her. With Isobel shutting herself off to the world, Eve’s anxiety was at an all time high. All she wanted was to help her friend.

The morning was almost over when she made it home. She ran around the house a few more laps, then went inside, where she found her mother, Cecily, waiting for her. Cecily wasn’t all that was waiting for her, either.

Eve: Ooh, someone got flowers. Is Daddy in the doghouse again?  

Cecily: All for you.  

Eve: Great.

Cecily: I presume you know who they’re from?

Eve: It’s this guy named Will. I don’t know why he won’t leave me alone. It’s like he’s determined to woo me.

Cecily: Have you done something to lead this Will person on?

Eve: No. I mean, I may have made out with him, but I told him beforehand it was an act of desperation and I didn’t like him. Some people have such selective hearing. Besides, I found out he did something with Isobel that’s got her so upset she’s not speaking to anyone and that is the last kind of guy I want to involve myself with. Hurting my Isobel is a deal breaker.

Cecily: I thought you’ve seemed stressed. You’ve been running a lot.

Eve: Score one for attentive parent!

Cecily: And, I’m about to be favor-asking parent. Do you have plans today?

Eve: Actually, yeah. Since Mayor Stanley got killed I agreed to do a write-up for the school paper on the candidates for the emergency mayoral election.

Cecily: Do you think you could run an errand for me?

Eve: Sure.

Cecily: Dad is going on a business trip and he forgot his overnight bag.

Eve: I swear, the man would forget his own head if it wasn’t screwed onto his shoulders. Sure, I’ll drop it off for him on my way to have lunch with Dr. Scott.

The emergency mayoral election wasn’t only on Eve’s mind. In her apartment, Isobel watched the news coverage.

Reporter: …Mayor Alan Stanley was found savagely murdered four days ago. Elections are scheduled to be held in two weeks. Leading the public opinion poll posted on our website is Dr. Lucien Scott.

Isobel’s father came in and she shut off the television.

Alistair: Do you want to tell me why I just got a credit card bill for three thousand dollars?

Isobel: I made a necessary purchase.

Alistair: New windows?

Isobel: I broke one and they couldn’t match it with the others and I know how anal you are about things matching, so I had them redo all the windows.

A lie. She’d found an online forum for vampires. The moderator suggested tempered glass treated to block the sun’s UV rays. All the perks of sunlight, none of the pesky catching on fire. Isobel was particularly fond of not catching on fire.

Alistair: Isobel, I don’t know what’s going on with you. You haven’t been going to school, your friends call concerned and you won’t talk to them – is it drugs?

Isobel: No, Dad. I’m just going through something.

Alistair: Well, you need to fix it. You’re going to school on Monday. Am I clear?

Isobel: Yes, Daddy.

But, Isobel knew she couldn’t be in school on Monday, and with Aidan threatening to kill her, she knew Bridgeport wasn’t going to be an option for long, either. She had to leave as soon as the sun set and she could go outside.

 

Aidan Gallagher called a studio above the train station home. Good thing for him trains were a calming noise and the shaking of the apartment at all hours of the night didn’t bother him. Then again, Aidan Gallagher had no use for sleep.

He did, however, have use for working out, which he was doing until an old friend decided to let himself in. 

Michael: Hello, Aidan.

Aidan: I must be in trouble if you’re making a personal visit.

Michael: We need to discuss the girl.

Aidan: She has a name. Christine.

Michael: Your job was to protect her.

Aidan: Which I’m doing.

 

Michael: You’re breaking the rules. Watch her from afar, intervene only when necessary. Those were your orders. Not date her.

Aidan: You don’t understand.

Michael: I do understand. You’re heading down the same garden path Gabriel took. Is that what you want? To wind up like him?

Aidan: I could never be like Gabriel.

Michael: Then prove it. End your relationship with the girl immediately.

Gabriel Wellington sat at his desk, composing a report on the incident with the vampires they’d captured yesterday. Two of the guards had been eaten, another maimed because one had improperly secured a cell door. The paperwork was such a bitch with this job.

There was a knock at the door. He told whoever it was to come in and Miss Novak entered.

Gabriel: Miss Novak, did you find out what those strange green orbs were at the cemetery last night?

Natalia: No, I’m afraid I was distracted, sir.

Gabriel: By what?

Natalia: A young man…slaying Cressida Willis.

Gabriel: Do you know who it was?

Natalia: I snapped a picture of him with my cell phone and ran it through our database. His name is Franklin Winters, nephew of Stavros Cristea, father of –

Gabriel: Oliver Cristea. Interesting. Bring him in. Our research on slayers is limited.

Natalia: With all due respect, sir, I don’t think that would be a good idea. Slayers, we’ve learned, have increased human strength, but they are still human, as evidenced by
what happened to Oliver Cristea when we brought him in.

Gabriel: You’re turning into quite the bleeding heart, Miss Novak.

Natalia: I’m sorry, sir.

Gabriel: Don’t be. I trust your judgment. Is there anything else I can help you with?

Natalia: I just wanted you to know that I won’t be joining you on your trip to Sunset Valley tonight.

Gabriel: That’s disappointing.

Natalia: I just think one of us should be available. Our guest on Level 7 has been problematic lately.

Gabriel: That’s alright, I understand. If there’s anything you need –

Natalia: Thank you, Mr. Wellington.

Miss Novak turned to leave, but Gabriel grabbed her hand and pulled her to him.

Gabriel: Natalia, there’s no sense in keeping up pretenses behind closed doors.

Natalia: I’m scared, Gabriel.

Gabriel: I promised I would protect you. I’ve done that, haven’t I?

Natalia: I’m someone else outside these walls. I’d like to continue being her. Them finding me isn’t the only thing I have to fear. What if the people I love find out about the awful things I do?

Gabriel: I know how you feel. That’s why what we do at Wellington has to remain a secret. Our families wouldn’t understand that our evils are done for necessity. They’ll only see our evils.

Speaking of family, Gabriel’s picked the wrong time to show up. Eve walked through the door only to see her father embracing – his secretary?

Eve: What’s going on here?

Gabriel: Miss Novak was just leaving.

Natalia: Yes, I was just going to go take lunch, if that’s alright?

Gabriel: Of course. Take as long as you need.

Natalia: Thank you, Mr. Wellington.

Eve: Thank you, Mr. Wellington? Whore.

Gabriel: Evelyn…

Eve: Don’t Evelyn me. I’m a girl, I recognize the soft, flirty way she said that. She so wants you. I hope you remind her constantly that you’re married and that you know what happens when you screw up and that you’re not going to screw up again, right, Daddy?

Gabriel: Trust me, you misunderstand the nature of my relationship with Miss Novak. I love your mother. You and your mother are the two most important women in my life.

Eve: Good. Okay, so here’s your overnight bag.

Gabriel: Ah, thank you.

She hugged her father and left.

When his daughter was gone, Gabriel went to the bookshelf. He tugged on a copy of Call of the Wild, and the book case opened up, revealing a door behind it.

Gabriel went inside and called the secret elevator.

When he was on board, the door and bookcase closed behind him, as if nothing had been out of place at all.

 

Aidan was making lunch for himself when Christine showed up.

Christine: You’re cooking? I thought we had plans for a picnic in the park?

Aidan: We need to talk.

Christine: That’s never good.

Aidan: I’m leaving.

Christine: I don’t understand. I thought you came here for a new start after your emancipation?

Aidan: I did, but – look, I can’t explain, but I have to leave. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.

Christine: Did I do something wrong?

Aidan: No, no. I – I’ve just made a mistake in coming here. I thought I could live like I am, but I can’t. Oh, but, Christine, I need you to know that I have enjoyed every second I’ve spent with you and if it were up to me, I would stay here with you. But, I can’t. I’m sorry.

Aidan started to kiss her. He wanted so badly to feel her lips against his just once. But, he knew just once was all it'd take and if he kissed her, he'd never be able to say goodbye.  So, he pulled away before their lips met.

Christine: Will I ever see you again, Aidan?

Aidan couldn’t answer that. Instead, he hugged her and hoped someday the rules would change, that he could be with her – or at least be honest with her. He wasn’t human, but his heart shattered in his chest every time he thought about never being near her again.

Eve was early showing up at Dr. Scott’s building.

She boarded the elevator and took it up to Dr. Scott’s apartment.

Vernon: Why hello there.

Eve: Dr. Scott?

Vernon: In the flesh. What’s left of it. Please, come inside.

 
Eve: I’m going to go out on a limb and say you aren’t Dr. Lucien Scott?

Vernon: Afraid not. I thought you might be looking for my son, the other Dr. Scott. Young women don’t call requesting lunch dates with me too often anymore.

Eve: I’m with the Bridgeport High newspaper. I was supposed to be interviewing the candidates for the emergency mayoral election.

Vernon: My son is doing a summit at Bridgeport University all day today.

Eve: I see.









Eve sensed that the old man was lonely, probably didn’t get out much. She wasn’t one for goodwill, but even she couldn’t bear to see an old man disappointed.

Eve: Well, would you be interested in having lunch with me anyway, Dr. Scott?

Vernon: Oh, why, yes. If you don’t have better things to do.

Eve: Of course not. Eugi’s okay with you?

Vernon: I’ll get my coat.

They walked three blocks to Eugi’s and got a table in the corner. There was no band during the daytime, but that didn’t bother Eve much. She put Toad the Wet Sprocket on the jukebox and waited for her food with Vernon.

Vernon: So, Eve Wellington, huh? You wouldn’t be related to Cecily Wellington by chance, would you?

Eve: She’s my mom.

Vernon: I was her OB/GYN when she was pregnant with Charles.

Eve: Then, I guess you were her doctor with me, too.

Vernon: No, no I’d remember if I cared for her during another pregnancy.

Eve: Charlie and I are twins. We were born at the same time.

Vernon: I must be mistaken. At my advanced age, I forget all kinds of things. I’m just glad she got to have a daughter. Poor thing didn’t think she could have anymore children after –

He stopped, unsure if Eve knew about her mother’s past.

Eve: It’s okay. I know my mom was married before my dad and that they had a baby that was stillborn.

Vernon: Yes. And, there were many miscarriages before Charles … and you. Charles and you. I’m glad she has the children she wants.

Eve: She’s always wanted a whole houseful, but stopped trying after Charlie and me. Personally I don’t blame her for giving up after Charlie came out. I mean, I’d probably be hesitant to procreate again, too, if I gave birth to something like my brother.

Cecily Wellington had just finished calling in a pizza for dinner when her husband came home.

Cecily: Gabriel? I wasn’t expecting to see you until tomorrow.

Gabriel: I forgot my socks.

Cecily: You never remember to pack socks.

Gabriel: Where are the kids?

 

Cecily: Charlie is upstairs playing a video game and Eve is on her way home from lunch with Dr. Scott. She called a few minutes ago. Apparently, she made a date with the wrong Dr. Scott. She got Vernon Scott, my old OB/GYN.

Gabriel: What?

Cecily watched her husband’s expression fall. Did this make him angry? Cecily didn’t understand.

Cecily: Is something wrong?

Gabriel: No. No, I’m fine. It’s fine. I’m sorry.

Cecily: You should get going if you’re going to make your train.

Gabriel: I love you.

Cecily: I love you, too.

When Vernon Scott was settled in from his lunch with the beautiful Eve Wellington, he went to his room and dug up all his journals from his time in practice. He found the journal he kept during the year he treated Cecily Wellington.

There it was, in black and white. Cecily Wellington only gave birth to one child, a boy she called Charles.

Gabriel: Hello, Dr. Scott.

Vernon: How did you get in here?

Gabriel: You should remember to lock your doors. Gentlemen of advanced age have trouble defending themselves against intruders with bad intentions.

Vernon: Why does that girl think she’s Charles’ sister?

Gabriel: Because she is.

Vernon: No, she isn’t. Cecily Wellington gave birth to one child,
a boy. This girl seems to be under the impression she’s his twin.

Gabriel: I’m going to ask you this once and I want you to be honest with me, am I understood, Dr. Scott?

Vernon: Y-yes.

Gabriel: How much does Eve know?

Vernon: Nothing. I mean, she’s suspicious, but I told her I was mistaken.

Gabriel: It’s very important my daughter not ask questions. I know when she gets suspicious about something, she doesn’t rest until she’s uncovered every possible detail, it’s why she enjoys her work
as a reporter for the school paper so much. Unfortunately, I know this means eventually she’ll return to you.

Vernon: I won’t say anything, I swear.

Gabriel: I know you won’t.

With a jerk of his hands, Gabriel snapped Vernon’s neck. He’d never say anything to anyone ever again, least of all Eve.

Gabriel took the body over to the stairs and positioned it. He was about to leave when Aidan popped in.

Aidan: What did you do to him?

Gabriel: Me? Nothing. Old guy stumbled at the top of the stairs, fell and broke his neck. Tragic.

Aidan: He’s one of mine. I sensed he was in danger.

Gabriel: Were you as friendly with him as Christine?

Aidan: What happened to you, Gabriel?

Gabriel: Save the righteous indignation. I made the choices I had to make. Looks like you’ve made some of your own, breaking the code and making contact with your charge.

Aidan: I’m nothing like you. That’s why I’ve ended things with Christine before they went too far, because I don’t want to become the abomination you’ve become.

Gabriel: If that’s all, I have a train to catch.

Gabriel left, but Aidan followed him out.

Aidan: One more thing – was it worth it?

Gabriel: Sometimes, I wonder. But, then I hold my wife or laugh with my son or look in my daughter’s eyes and know everything I do, no matter how damning it is to my soul, is worth it. Good night, Mr. Gallagher.

Gabriel’s words stayed with Aidan when he went home. He would never become what Gabriel became, no matter how much he loved Christine. He’d sooner die than become the heartless monster Gabriel was.

Speaking of heartless monsters, he found one sitting on his couch when he stepped off the elevator.

Will: You know, you’d think these creature features would get us vampires right.We're people, too. We deserve accurate representation in the media.

Aidan: How did you get in here?

Will: Now, now, Aidan. You know the rules as well as I do. Invitation only protection only works on human residences and since you aren’t human…

Aidan: What do you want?

Will: Samantha Parker’s spell book.

Aidan: You think I’d be stupid enough to keep it here?

Will: I think you’re pretty stupid.

Aidan: It isn’t here.

Will: Look, here’s how this is going to go – you’re going to say, ‘No, Will, I’ll never let you have the spell book,’ and I’m going to say, ‘Grr, but I’m evil and I need it to do my evil bidding,’ and you’ll follow
up with something along the lines of, ‘But, it’s wrong and bad and
stuff,’ which leads me to this – Give me the book or I drain your little witch girlfriend dry.

Aidan: How do you think Eve would feel? You’ve already killed one of her friends.

Will: She’s not too Team Christine right now. I think she’d forgive me.

Aidan: You know I’d kill you before I’d let you touch a hair on Christine’s head, right?

 

Will: I know you’d try. I’m going to get the Orb of Oxala one way or another, with or without the spell book. And, when I do hell will rain down on this damnable city.

Aidan: Good luck with that.

Eve went for another run after dinner, both to get rid of the extra pizza calories and to clear her head. Dr. Scott’s words at lunch had confused her. He claimed he was mistaken, and yet he’d seemed so certain…

As she jogged past the train station entrance, she saw Isobel sleeping on a bench.

Eve: Isobel?

Isobel: Eve? Um, hi. Bye.

Eve: Hey, wait, what’s wrong?

Isobel: Nothing. I, um, just don’t want you to see me.

Eve: Why? Because you’re so pale? You’ve been holed up in your apartment for days, I wouldn’t expect you to be tan. What are you doing here?

Isobel: Running away.

Eve: Is it because of that Will guy?

Isobel: Um, Eve you really, really super need to leave.

Eve: Why?

Isobel: Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re really hot and you smell good and I want to eat you.

Eve: Eat me?

Isobel: Not like that.

Eve: Okay, honey, what’s going on with you? Just talk to me.

Isobel: Please? Please, please, please leave.

Eve: I’m not leaving.

Isobel: I don’t want to hurt you.

Eve: You couldn’t.

Isobel: Yes I can. I –

Isobel couldn’t resist anymore. She could hear the thudding of Eve’s heart, the blood and adrenaline rushing through her body. She turned around and sunk her fangs into Eve’s throat.

Her blood tasted like pure electricity, different than Mayor Stanley’s had. Isobel didn’t understand why it was different, just that it was intoxicating. She drained her until Eve went slack in her arms, and when she was done, Eve’s body fell motionless on the ground.

Isobel: Evie? Evie please say something. Oh, no. What have I done?

Fearing she’d killed her best friend, Isobel was overwhelmed with grief. She was worse than a monster. All Eve ever did was love her and want to help her and now she’d destroyed her like she destroyed everything. She ran away.

A moment later, the elevator doors opened and Will walked out, frustrated that his meeting with Aidan was so unproductive. Not that he’d expected it to be productive. Still, he’d had to try.

He found Eve lying on the ground. He saw the fang marks on her neck, her deathly pallor and reached down to check her pulse. It was there, but faint.

He knew what he had to do. Will took her into his arms and disappeared into the night.

Gabriel returned to the Wellington Office Complex. His trip was suddenly quite unimportant. There was only one thing on his mind right now – his guest on Level 7.

Natalia: Gabriel, what are you doing back here?

Gabriel: I decided to cancel my trip. I ran into some difficulty with the elder Dr. Scott. He’s been talking to Eve.

Natalia: How much does she know?

Gabriel: Nothing, yet. But, you know how my daughter can be. Speaking of Eve, how is our guest this evening?

Natalia: Calm. I put a sedative in its food. I didn’t want it causing too much trouble for the guards on nightshift.

Gabriel: You should go on home.

Natalia: Are you sure you want to be alone with –

Gabriel: It can’t bother me from inside its cage. I’ll be fine.

Natalia: Alright. Goodnight, Gabriel.

Natalia boarded the elevator. This was not going to end well. Level 7 was where they held the most dangerous species they’d capture. Yes, this one was only a vampire, but it was the most evil thing they’d ever encountered – and after all the tests they’d run on it, it had to be hungry for Gabriel’s blood.

Gabriel went to the cell that held his guest. He tapped on the glass, drawing its attention.

Gabriel: We need to have a talk about my daughter.

 

Christine called Isobel and left the umpteenth message before she got ready for bed. She said goodnight to her father, read another chapter in the Nora Roberts book she’d borrowed from the library two days ago and turned off to bed. She had no idea that as she fell asleep…

…there was an angel watching over her.