Something in the air in October? No, Something in the Blood

Halloween once again.  A young girl working  a summer job to earn money for her own car.  A chance encounter not only helps her get a car, but opens a whole new life for her, one she could never have imagined in a million years.  She is enthralled by a group of Goth kids who stop at her job for a soda.  She loves how beautiful the girls look, but most of all, she is smitten by the handsome young man who appears to be the group leader.  Little does she know she is about to embark on the journey of her young life. 

This is a trilogy about not just a young girl falling in love with a guy others see as a killer, but is full of twists and turns and intrigue. 

 Little does she know an assassin is tracking her new friends, one who is bent on killing every single one of them.  Can she help or will she run for cover?

What happens at the very end of book 3?  Well you just have to buy them to find out.  No spoilers here.  All three available on: Amazon, Kindle and at Barnes&Noble.com

Not for the faint of heart, but a trilogy you will be recommending to your friends, young and old.

 

The final installment coming soon

Watching that stinking vampire's body get swallowed up by the water gave me a feeling of satisfaction. A feeling of vengeance beyond compare. I know killing the rest would do the same. I won't rest until the job is done.

I looked around the clearing and saw a coat lying on the ground. That boy must have removed it when he decided he was going to take me on. Fool! He needed to be a much older and much more clever vampire to defeat me.

I looked through the pockets and then, I saw a paper. Reading it I thought, well, well, I don't need to track that female after all. The paper contained an address. I couldn't believe my luck. Idiots, leading me right to their door. How convenient for me.

I would go home, clean myself up and check out this address. I needed to survey the situation, that house and find out who lives there before I proceeded.

Morning, dawn breaking through the horizon. I got in the hot shower, feeling invigorated. I always felt like this after a good kill. I can almost understand how Jenkins must have felt each time he made a kill. 

FREE BOOK give away

     * * *Our Holiday Gift to our readers * * * 

We are always looking for fun ways to thank our fans.  We have decided that a free give away would be a great way to jazz things up a bit and help readers get to know us as authors.  The final installment of Something in the Blood series is around the corner, so to help acquaint readers with this story we want to offer a free gift to the first 10 people who contact us at:

weathers1949@hotmail.com  

We would like to send you the first book in the series of “Something in the Blood” absolutely free......................

  Please let us know in your email if you want it personalized or just signed.  If you want a personal message, please let us know what you would like on the inside cover.  Please put FREE BOOK in the Subject line of your email.. AND MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE YOUR SHIPPING ADDRESS, THIS OFFER IS ONLY OPEN TO U.S.  AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS

We will list the names of the winners on our book blog.

Thank you and Happy Holidays

Steve & Roberta Weathers

What's in YOUR blood?

Cover of the final installment of Something in the Blood

Something in the Blood................

Just another vampire story you say?  Nope, this series is yes, about vampires, about a young girl who falls deeply in love with one, but there's much more to it than that.

Cheryl:  A young girl, living a somewhat sheltered and, what she would sum up, as a boring life.  She feels awkward, gawky and not popular.  To her, popularity is something to be admired, to strive for.  After all, her best friend, Karla, is beautiful, a bit spoiled and, oh yes, very popular.  

Karla:  Cheryl's bff, very pretty, self-assured, everything Cheryl wishes she was.  Karla knows how to get into odd predicaments and often brings Cheryl with her.

Duncan:  The mysterious young man, a new face in town.  Is he part of a cult?  Is he part of something bigger?  This is the man who will change Cheryl's outlook on life forever.  Cheryl has no clue why she is so attracted to Duncan, she just knows she is.

Jenkins: The detective who has been hired by the local police to help solve a series of mysterious murders taking place in the city.  He is an expert, he's pretty sure he knows who is doing the killings, he aims to bring the killer, or killers to justice.

Those are just a few of the interesting characters you will meet in the Something in the Blood series, plus many, many more.  There are plots, and just when you think you have figured it out, there's often a new twist.

I am finishing up the final installment of this three book series.  I hope you will seriously consider these as great gifts for young and old alike.  I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed creating them.  

So come with me, into a land of mystery, romance and intrigue.  I'm sure you won't regret taking this wonderful journey.

Something in the Blood, series, with the other two books I have written.  I hope one day soon, you will enjoy them all.

Resurrection of a blog

I hadn't been writing on this shared blog as much as I could have been.  We breathed new life back into it recently so I'm continuing to write here once again.

I have been steadily making progress on my third Something in the Blood book.  This is the last and final episode of what happens to the heroine, Cheryl.  There are some interesting twists and turns in the final installment and I hope my readers will enjoy them.  If I am lucky, it will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

I want to take a brief moment to thank my good friend, Suzanne, for giving me at least one interesting idea and I am  weaving it into the story line. I get ideas from news feeds, the Internet, on the street, at the mall, my wonderful husband, at the grocery store and from friends. So my followers on Facebook had better watch out, you never know when you might be giving me ideas for a story.   I love keeping alert to anything that will give me a glimmer of something interesting to place in a book.  

This last one has taken me longer to write because between my computer dying to making sure it is the most interesting ending I can write, it has been a rather long journey.  But it is, as always, an interesting and fun journey.  I want this last one to be my best yet.  

Thanks to all my readers who remain loyal and I want you all to enjoy what happens to the band of vampires of Something in the Blood, the Turning. 



Excerpt: Something in the Blood, the Turning
 I stopped packing for a moment to look at the newspaper lying on the bed.

Visiting detective found dead, three area young women missing.

A detective, who had recently been called in to assist the local police, was found this morning, dead in his car. Police said that three area young women have been reported missing as well. Authorities think there may be a connection between the incidents. Police theory says that the visiting detective had been called in to assist with solving a series of strange murders and missing people in our area. They speculate the detective may have tried to rescue the three young women, confronted the killer and was shot for his heroic efforts. That was all the police report had to offer, we hope to keep you updated as the case unfolds.

Hero indeed, I couldn't help but be irritated by that line, but the part about 'three young women reported missing' did make me feel a twinge of sadness. Sadness for my mom and for Karla's mom too. Not ever knowing where your children went or what happened to them is something they'll have to live with the rest of their lives.

Yet, here we are, here I was, packing to take a trip to move to Transylvania. I figure the police will tire of looking for us, especially with few clues to help them and no bodies to ever confirm we were dead.

We are dead, at least by human standards, but not the lie down in your grave, staying dead, kind of dead. Not in the conventional sense as humans understand death anyway.

Something in the Blood Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I woke to my cell phone playing that wretched Madonna song. I picked it up to check and saw it was Karla. Gawd, Karla before coffee.

“Hello?” I knew my voice sounded groggy and I squinted at the clock. It said one in the afternoon, I had slept all morning.

“Hey, Sleepyhead. Did you see the headlines in the paper?” Her voice sounded like she'd just discovered gold or something.

“Yes, I saw it. What about it?” I decided to feign ignorance. No sense fueling her suspicions any more than I had to.

“Well, did you see where that missing guy's car was found?” Before I could even answer, she gushed on. “It was on the same road we were on. Do you realize Duncan probably saved our lives?”

“Well, since you got a gash on your head and the other one grabbed me, I pretty much figured they meant us no good will.” Really, how hard was that? She ignored me and rambled on anyway.

“Duncan is our hero. I'm feeling fortunate he likes us so much.” Likes us? I didn't have the heart to tell her she might not have gotten saved had she not been with me. But then, I might not have been in that situation, had I not been with her either. I just let her ramble on while I tossed in an occasional grunt to acknowledge I heard her.
“Do you think Duncan has anything to do with that guy disappearing? I mean, he took pretty good care of them, from what you said.”

“I really don't know. Duncan said those guys took off. Maybe they pissed someone else off and got done in. They are ex cons after all and up to no good that night. Could have been anyone they made mad.”

“Yeah, I guess you're right. So how did his meeting your family go last night? They like him, he like them?”

“Karla, I have to go. I haven't even had my shower yet. I'll call you later. Byeeeeeee.” I decided I didn't want to deal with her without a cup of coffee first at least. But I couldn't get what she said out of my mind. She was just voicing everything I had been thinking. Could she be right?

I went to the kitchen to make coffee since no one seemed to be home. I looked at the calendar. Just the weekend and spring break would be over. What would I do in school? I felt like the events of meeting Duncan, nearly being killed and wanting to make love to him, had matured me way beyond my 17 years. I felt like I'd outgrown school and school friends, just over break. I definitely felt like I was outgrowing Karla.

The smell of coffee was so inviting. I figured I may as well shower while I was waiting for the coffee to finish brewing. The wall phone rang, it was Duncan.

“Hey, want to do something today?” He sure sounded bubbly today.
“Sure, what you have in mind?” I really wanted to say, yeah let's sleep together, but I kept my cool.

“There's a great exhibit at the local art museum. Wanna go see it? They're featuring some great street artists.”

“You mean like Banksy? That sounds like fun. Sure, what time will you pick me up?”

“How about you pick me up in the Mustang? Say, around 2:30?”

“Sure, give me the address again? I'm not sure I remember it.”

“Come on, you were here. You said you put it in the GPS, I'm sure it's still there. If not, call me on your cell and I'll guide you.”

“Okay. I'm going to take my shower. I'll be there by 2:30 then.”

I enjoyed the hot water running over me. I wondered if his house was visible today or not. I couldn't see it the other day from the road. Strange, to say the least.

I dried off, got a cup of coffee and it tasted so good when I sipped it. I searched the cupboard and found a do-nut, so I consumed that too.

“Well, Sleeping Beauty, you finally woke up?”

I jumped a foot. “Gee, Rachel, you sneak around much? You nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought no one was home. Where did you come from?”
“I was in my room, working on my laptop. I have a term paper due after break. Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. You have plans for the day?”

“Yeah, Duncan is taking me to the art museum. There's a new exhibit there.”

“He's a fine young man. It's nice to know he's in to culture too. He's good for you. Don't mess it up.”

What in hell did she mean by that? She think I was going to make the same mistakes she did? I instantly felt guilty for thinking that way. I felt my face flush hot.

“Yes, he's a good guy, I agree. I like him a lot.”

I looked at Rachel to see if there was any disapproval on her face. None. Usually she would give me a stern warning about the 'evils of men' if I said I really liked a guy. But this time, nothing. I found that to be quite odd, for her especially.

By one, I was dressed and ready to go pick up Duncan. I decided to wear my jeans and a sweatshirt. I guessed it was good enough for the museum art show. I followed the GPS directions I already had in there and sure enough, there was Duncan's house. On the hill, just as I remembered it in the moonlight. Why could I see it today, but not the day Karla and I drove here? I decided I was going to ask Duncan and wait for a decent answer this time.

I drove up the winding driveway and up to the front door. Duncan came dashing out of the house to the driver side window.

“You want to come in? You can meet the friends I live with here.”

I was hesitant, but I admit I was dying to see what the house looked like inside, so I agreed. I climbed some huge steps leading up to a wrap around porch. The front area of the porch was held up by two massive pillars. The front door swung open and the girl I first met at the ice cream stand was standing there, smiling at me.

“Come in, welcome. Duncan has told us a lot about you.” she reached out and hugged me, her skin felt like Duncan's, cool and soft, like a salamander's. “I'm so happy you decided to come in.”

The inside seemed dark, not completely, but like the outside looks at twilight, just before the sun sets. I had to adjust my eyes. I saw three guys standing there. The same three who were also at the ice cream shop when I first met Duncan.

“Oh, I'm forgetting my manners. I'm Ophelia, this is Blue, that's Drake and that solemn looking young man over there is Blade.”

I smiled and said: “Hi, I'm pleased to meet all of you.” Everyone came over to give me a hug. Everyone that is but Blade. I smiled at him and said I was pleased to meet him too.

He looked at me, lowered his head and said: “Yeah, whatever.” Then he turned and left the room.
“Don't mind him, he's been grumpy for a few days. Off of his feed I suppose or something.” Ophelia chimed in when he left.

“Is he on a special diet or something?”

Duncan laughed out loud. “I guess you could say that.”

“Well I suppose we need to be going. They're serving sandwiches and tea if we are among the first museum visitors. You ready to go?”

“Uh, yes, okay, let's get going. I hope the sandwiches aren't those nasty little cucumber thingies.”

Duncan smiled and placed his hand in the small of my back to guide me to the car. Once inside I decided to ask: “So how come I can see your house now, but the other day it was invisible?” There, I worked up the nerve to ask him.

“I'm not sure what you're implying. It looks fine to me.”

“Duncan, come on, stop acting like I'm a fool or crazy or something. It's pretty insulting you know, when you do that.”

He frowned and reached for my hand. “Come on, Cheryl. Is this really that important?”

“Yes, it is, to me anyway. We aren't leaving until I get a satisfactory answer to my question. I hate feeling like I'm going crazy.”

“Okay. But this is another area you have to promise not to freak out on me. Agreed?”

I shook my head, “Agreed. I promise. But I have to know.”

“The house, mostly in the day time, is invisible to most humans.”

“Humans, what in hell do you mean, humans? What in hell are you then?” I waited for an answer, wanting to know and not wanting to know at the same time. But I had asked, so now I waited for an answer.

“We sleep a lot during the daylight hours. We're most vulnerable when we are asleep. We have to protect ourselves from an assassin who has been hunting us for a very long time now.”

“Assassin? What kind of assassin? Why would this assassin want to kill you? I still don't understand.”

“I'm a vampire, we're all vampires. We share this house because all of our families have been killed by an assassin who has been chasing us for over 300 years now.”

I blinked, looked at him and tried to wrap my mind around everything he was telling me. Vampire? Duncan? Everyone in that house? I didn't know if I should run or just continue to listen. I decided to continue to listen.

“Years ago we lived pretty much in peace, in another country. But there is a family of assassins who have dedicated their lives to killing all of us vampires. The assassin’s families were killed by vampires. Not by us, but that doesn't matter to the assassins. They hate us all. They have vowed to kill us all. Good vampires and bad ones.”

“There are good vampires? So you and your friends are good ones? How can that be, don't you all suck blood from people?”

“Well, yes we do. But we good ones don't just kill in order to kill. We don't kill just anyone. We feed on the bad people, the scums of the earth. Those who really deserve it.”

“You telling me some people deserve to die? How can you just decide that?”

“I'm telling you some people don't deserve to live. Some people, like the two guys who tried to kill you and Karla. Those guys were let out of prison, but they did kill innocent women, for a long time.”

“But if the courts decided they were not supposed to stay in prison, how can you just determine they are guilty, they deserve to die?”

“They were let off easy, for lack of evidence. They had smart lawyers. Courts and juries don't see all of the evidence. They cannot read the heart.”

“But you can?”

“Yes, Cheryl, we can. Remember you asked me and I told you about my ability?”

“Like knowing Rachel's past? Yes, I recall.”

“Those two men had left a string of dead women across 4 states. Most of the bodies have never been found. Those two guys were good at hiding evidence.”

“So you killed them?”

“Well, I killed one of them. The other guy got away. He's still out there someplace. But trust me on this one. Both men are terrible people, nothing but evil on their minds all of the time. They'd have killed both of you and then kept on killing. They had to be stopped.”

All of this was almost too much to absorb. Duncan, my Duncan, a killer. A blood thirsty vampire. No, vampires only exist in horror films and books, not in real life, not in my city. But here he was, sitting next to me, explaining he is one.

“Why haven't they found the guy's body? Won't you just get caught one day?”

“I told you those guys and many like them, are good at hiding evidence, but I'm better at it. So, no, we won't get caught by the police, but the assassin, well, he's entirely another matter. A force to be reckoned with.”

“I think I want to go home now. I don't feel like going to the museum after all. I'm not sure I'm feeling all that well. Is it okay if we just skip the museum and I go home?”

“Cheryl, are you going to be okay? Do you hate me now?”
I wasn't sure what I was feeling, but I said: “No, Duncan, I don't hate you. But maybe it's best we don't see each other for a little while. I have a lot to think about now. I'll call you sometime. Okay?”

He had a disappointed look on his face. “Sure, Cheryl, you do what you feel is best for you. I've lost a few wonderful friends, who were human over the years, once they found out. I understand.”

I felt like a total creep, but I just left once he was out of the car. I could hardly see to drive. I started to cry and I cried all the way home. I had to have some space between us. Space and time to sort out all he said to me just now. I parked the car and went straight to my room. I suddenly decided that the remaining two days of spring break would be spent in my room, in bed, sleeping. I didn't care to think about what Duncan had told me. I just felt confused and depressed and I wanted to sleep.

The weekend seemed to creep by slowly, too slowly it felt like, until it was Monday, time to return to school. Dragging around, getting ready for school, made me realize the weekend had gone too fast, not too slow. I looked in the mirror, I just didn't care how I looked.

At my locker, Karla found me, as always, and tried to start up a conversation. She told me I had dark circles under my eyes and I looked like hell. I didn't care, I couldn't find any interest in her teenage prattle anymore. My first class, science, held about the same interest as Karla's incessant talking.

By lunch, Karla was getting fed up, losing patience with me and so, of course, she said so. I must have not shown much interest in that fact, she said I seemed different, and she also said something about giving up on me.

Different? Did she say, different? I wanted to yell at her how she didn't know from different. I just found out my boyfriend, maybe the guy I loved, is a killer, a vampire who sucks blood from people. Yeah, yeah, granted from only bad people, but he still is what he is. I was glad when the school day was over. I couldn't have taken much more of it.

My life went on pretty much like this for two weeks. I was getting skinnier and Karla asked me if I was Anna or MIA because I was getting too damned skinny. I told her neither one, which was true. I was getting skinny simply from worry.

One evening, at about eleven at night, my cell rang. I picked it up, it was Duncan.

“You still mad at me? You hate me now? I miss you so much, please, please let's talk.”

Texting back: “I don't hate you, honestly. Do you want to get together sometime soon?”

Duncan: “Soon? How soon? What about, now?”

I heard tapping on my bedroom window, I pulled back the curtain, it was Duncan. I opened the window. “What in hell are you doing here? How did you get here so fast?”

“I was just outside anyway, hoping you'd say you want to see me.”
Seeing him made all the fears and doubts of the past two weeks melt away. I ran into his arms, hugging him as if we'd been apart for months. What in hell had I been thinking? I did love him and I needed to stop fighting my feelings for him.

“You want to do something tonight?”

I looked at him and I smiled. “Yes I do. You know what it is I want to do?”

He said: “Here?” I laughed a small little laugh, not wanting to wake anyone in the house.

“Can we go someplace else? Maybe someplace more romantic, a place where we won't be interrupted?”

“We can go to my house. Everyone else is gone for two days. They have some business to take care of, we'll be alone in the house, just the two of us.”

I reached for the car keys. “No, not the car. You might wake everyone up when you start the engine.”

“You got a better idea? You have the hearse down the street?”

Holding out his arms for me to climb on; “Here, I didn't use the hearse. Come fly with me.” He was smiling and out the window we went. We sailed far above the city, kissing each other along the way. The night breeze was blowing in my hair and softly across my skin. I felt like I could do anything at that moment.

I could see the rooftop of his house. We landed, gently, on the veranda outside a bedroom window. “This is my room. Come on in.”

He opened the double glass windows, we walked inside and I gasped. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw his room.

“What is it? Are you okay? You seem frightened.”

“I'm not frightened. On the contrary, I feel like I've come home. I know this room.”

“You do, how?”

“I saw it in my dreams. You were making love to me, in my dreams, in this very room.

There it was, the four poster bed, the satin sheets and velvet blankets. This room is exactly as it looked in my dreams when we were making love. I couldn't believe it.

Duncan took me in his arms. We kissed, that long, sexy, electrifying kiss just like the night he kissed me in the car. I kissed back, remembering the last two weeks of hell without him.

“Do you want to take a swim? We have a heated pool on the rooftop. It's very pretty in the moonlight and very relaxing.”

“I have no suit, nothing to wear but my underwear.”

“We can swim nude. You have a beautiful body, just take off our clothes and swim.”
So we did. He led me to the rooftop pool and I stripped off my clothes, so did he. Strangely enough I didn't feel the least bit embarrassed to be naked in front of Duncan. When I mentioned that, he laughed. “It's because we're really soul mates you know. You and I. It's why you knew what the bedroom looked like even before you set foot inside of it. We were meant to be together.”

I floated on the warm water, lying back looking at the stars in the black sky. They shone brilliantly and I had never felt so alive in all of my life. I could get used to living like this, with Duncan, being his soul mate forever and ever.

After a long swim, Duncan climbed from the pool. He held out a soft looking purple, velvet robe. It was exquisite looking, with a lovely white sable collar and cuffs. I climbed out of the pool and he wrapped my body in the robe. He placed his arms around me and held me for a while, kissing me with so much passion I thought I'd faint.

“Shall we? Are you sure you're ready for this?” Duncan's liquid voice, reassuring, soothing.

“Yes, I'm ready. I've been ready for a long time now.” I meant that too. I'd been dreaming about this for a long, long time. I was not only ready, I was eager.

He picked me up as if I weighed nothing at all and carried me to the big bed. “It's not too late to change your mind. I will understand, you know.”

I answered his remark with a kiss, a very passionate kiss, letting him know I had no intentions of changing my mind.

“Are you going to bite me? Will I become one of you now, when it's all over?”

“Is that what you want? To become as us? To live forever as we do?”

“I don't know, no, maybe, I'm not sure.”

“Shhhhhh. Don't worry about that. I know how to be careful.”

I closed my eyes, letting this moment, the feelings, wash over me. Duncan kissed my neck and then a small sting and then a feeling I'd never felt before. I felt like I was floating, floating above the earth, seeing things I'd never seen before. They say your first time hurts and isn't that pleasant. But with Duncan, no pain, only pleasure. Pure, unadulterated pleasure like I had never imagined. Afterward, I felt weak, I fell asleep and was glad my first time was with Duncan. It was like I'd been saving myself for him all these years.

When I woke up, I smelled bacon, and coffee. I sat up in bed, taking in all the aromas. Duncan came through the door, pushing a cart covered with a white linen tablecloth. On the table was a silver cover and a wine glass, some juices, and a beautiful black rose in what looked like a crystal vase. I was impressed.

“Your breakfast awaits, my beautiful one.” Duncan approached the bed, offering me a hand. I grasped his hand and he led me to a Victorian-looking table by the window overlooking the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. Duncan seated me, bent down for a kiss and removed the silver lid from the platter. On the platter was bacon, eggs and sweet rolls galore. I looked at him and smiled.

“You never eat, so why do you have food?” I was curious.

“I took the liberty of shopping for some food. Yes, I was hoping you would come with me last night, here, to spend the night with me. I admit it was a bold move on my part. Are you upset with me?”

How could I ever be upset with Duncan? He was treating me like a queen. Treating me like I'd never been treated before. “No, I'm really very flattered. No one has ever called me beautiful before. No one has ever treated me like this.”

He took a seat across from me and watched me eat. “So, now, am I like you are?” I remembered him gently biting my neck and I recalled the feelings I'd experienced. Recalling those feelings actually made me blush.

He smiled. “Do you really want to be like us? Truly?”

“I, I don't know. So much has happened. I just know I've fallen in love with you and want to be with only you, forever and ever.”

“No, you aren't like us. I would not want you to be anything but absolutely certain. Do you realize all you would be giving up to become like us, like me?”

“But you bit my neck, those feelings, I assumed that well, maybe.”

“Let me explain about vampires. What you don't know would fill a book. What you don't know is a lot. Yes, I bit your neck, but gently, a love bite, not enough to turn you into someone you aren't ready for yet. It's tricky biting someone enough to turn them. Too long and the person is dead, not a vampire. Do you understand? Explaining this to a human isn't easy you know.”

“I think I understand. So last night's biting was just affection, vampire style?”

He laughed that wonderful laugh again. “Yes you could say that. Just enough to make your experience enjoyable, not to hurt you, not to turn you into anything but my love slave.”

I looked up. “Really?” I must have had an astonished look on my face, because that question made Duncan laugh out loud.

“No, that love slave part, I just threw in for good measure. To see your reaction. I like how you assign me powers I really don't possess, yet find it hard to accept those I do. I find it refreshing and very cute.”

I have to admit he had a good point. I had been catapulted into a world I knew nothing about. A world I never knew existed, except in fairy-tales and horror stories. But here I was, smack dab in the middle, up to my neck in this strange new world. Odd as it seems, I wasn't frightened, not with Duncan as my guide to it all.

I ate breakfast and Duncan suggested I should probably get back home. I knew I couldn't just walk in the front door, since my family, specifically, Rachel, would probably be up by now. So Duncan delivered me to my bedroom window, as mysteriously and quietly as I had left it.

Something in the Blood; Chapter 5

Chapter 5

At eight o'clock, the doorbell rang and I knew it was Duncan. Rachel told me to answer it and she and Mom were watching Wheel of Fortune on TV when I let Duncan in.

Mom turned the TV off and stood up and introduced herself then Rachel introduced herself as well.

“Duncan, where are you from? Were you born around here?” I figured Rachel would be the first to be nosy, so that didn't surprise me one bit.

“No, actually, I moved here a few years ago, after my family was killed.”

“Your family was killed? I'm so sorry to hear that.” Rachel moved closer to Duncan on the sofa, acting like she couldn't get close enough to him. For a minute I thought she might attempt to sit on his lap or something. Duncan didn't notice, or if he did, he didn't seem to mind. He simply smiled and thanked Rachel for being so kind.

“How did your family die? Are all of them gone?”

“Well it was more like a hereditary disease. Yes, all of my immediate family are gone.”

“Was it a fire or something? A car accident?”

“More like a tragic disease, a mutant gene. It tends to wreak havoc on my family sometimes. I guess you would say it's something in the blood.”

I looked up. I didn't like hearing that some disease might kill Duncan too. I wasn't in love with him, but for some reason, I felt sad to think he might not be around one day. He noticed me look up at his last remark.

“Well, I have been tested, many times and so far so good. If I keep one step ahead of this scourge, I have no doubt I can maybe beat it one day. The testing can get complicated, each time it occurs, but I find it can be a challenge. If I live right I can conquer it.”

He looked straight at me now. “So I need not worry if I continue to pass the tests. I plan to be around for a long time. If the fates allow.” Was he smiling right at me now? It seemed so.

“That's good to know you keep passing the tests then. I hope you are around a very long time. My sister seems to have grown fond of you.” Rachel smiled at him like she had grown fond of him, more so than me, in just one meeting. I tried to ignore it, but there it was. I had never seen her act so Mooney over anyone, especially some guy. I hardly knew what to make of it. Mom also seemed enthralled with Duncan as well. I guess I should have been glad, this meant they would not be making a stink over my seeing him. But as glad as it made me, it also made me feel uneasy in some weird sort of way. But that's the kind of appeal Duncan seems to have on people, especially women.

I was growing tired of this conversation so I looked at Duncan. “Aren't we supposed to go see that hockey game you've been looking forward to all week?”

At first he looked surprised at what I just said, but he caught on quickly.

“Yes, we do have tickets and all, I'd hate to lose the money spent. I guess we should be going.”

We both stood up and Rachel held out her hand. “Very nice meeting you, Duncan. Thank you for coming over.”

Shaking her hand he smiled: “Thank you for inviting me. Cheryl has a lovely family.” When he touched Rachel's hand, they both flinched a bit, like some kind of electrical spark had been generated, but just for a second then it left. Like a flash in the pan.

We said our good nights and went to the hearse. “So, I think that went rather well, don't you think?” He was smiling at me and fiddling with the CD player, turning on some soft music in the background.

“I guess, if you say so.”

“Why? You didn't think so? Your sister and mother seemed to like me.”

“Yes, that's the problem. They seemed to like you too well. It was sort of creepy and embarrassing at the same time. Hell, Rachel doesn't even like guys. She hates men, really.”

“No, she doesn't hate men. She likes men just fine. She's just given up on them for now anyway. She doesn't trust them.”

“How in hell do you know? You just met her. I live with her. She constantly harps at me how men are out for only one thing. She never dates and she tries to squelch any fun I want to have.”

“She is probably just trying to keep you safe. From what I noticed last night, on that dark road, you just might need looking after. You shouldn't allow Karla to talk you into things you really don't want to do, like wild parties and dressing you up like a hooker.”

“Hey, who's side are you on anyway?”

“I didn't know I was choosing sides. But if I must, then I'm on your side. I'm fond of you too, in case you hadn't noticed and I want you to stay safe. It's a big rough world out there sometimes and you need to be aware of it.”
“Well anyway, how do you know Rachel doesn't hate guys and I didn't know that? You got some psychic powers or voodoo or something I should know about?”

“Well don't get freaked about it, but yes, I do have an ability. I don't think I'd call it voodoo or anything, but an ability.”

“Shit, now you really are creeping me out. So tell me more, did you sense anything else about Rachel. While we're on the subject.”

“For one thing, nice young ladies shouldn't swear so much. For another thing, you're sister has always liked men. In fact, now really don't freak out here, she had an abortion two years ago, so I'd say she liked a man that well anyway.”

I was stunned, I was also kind of pissed. How did he know that? Was he making that up? “How in hell do you know if she had an abortion and why in hell don't I know this?”

He looked at me through narrow eyes. “When I shook hands with your sister, I got flashes of her life. I get those when I touch people, most of the time anyway. That's how I know. It's a gift and a curse all at the same time.”

“Hell you say. Do you know all about me then, since we've hugged and all. You know everything about my past now?”

“Well, frankly, no, not so much with you. I've never run across anyone that it didn't always work on, that is, until I met you. I can't get a reading on you like I can others.”

Now this whole thing was really getting creepy. “You're telling me you shook her hand and got all that?” Creepy as it was, I did remember both he and Rachel reeling back for a moment, like a charge passed between the. I knew he was right, something had passed between them. But Rachel, having an abortion? I figured she hated men.

“She probably didn't want you to know. Maybe she felt you were too young, maybe she was ashamed, or maybe she didn't want to tarnish her big sister image you have of her. Whatever the reasons, I'm sure she was hurting emotionally, going through that all alone. So try to not be so hard on her, she means well. She loves you very much you know.”

I thought of all the times I snapped at her and suddenly felt ashamed. Should I tell her I know, maybe make her feel less alone? But if I did, how would I explain how I knew? Duncan had put me on the spot, in an awkward position with this bomb. I hated it.

“How do you have this ability? You some kind of Martian?” I looked right at him now. I almost hated him for knowing something so personal about Rachel. Hated the fact that he knew, but me, her flesh and blood sister, didn't know.

“I assure you I'm no Martian. This is an ability that has been handed down through generations in my family. My bloodline, so to speak.”

“So, Mr. Smarty Pants, you know what those guys last night intended to do then?” I asked in a kind of accusing voice, but I did want to know.

“Frankly, yes I do know. But I'm not sure you really want to know.”

“Yes, I do really want to know. You don't think I can handle it?”

“Okay then, if you can handle it, here it is. They had every intention of raping you both, and killing you. That's why you need to be much more wary and careful than you usually are.”

“Maybe you're just trying to scare me?”

“Look, Cheryl, I'm trying to keep you safe. It would almost kill me if anything ever happened to you. I'm quite fond of you.”

As creepy as all of this new information was, it strangely made me feel safe when I was with Duncan. I also felt like I was quite fond of him too. Could I be falling in love with him? It sure felt like I might be.

Duncan pulled into the park by the lake. There was a bright, full moon and it shone on the water, making it sparkle. The stars were out in full force and it was beautiful. He turned the hearse off and turned to me, scooping me up in his arms. “I really, really do like you, very much. I just want you to know that.”

He leaned down and kissed me, a kiss like I'd never felt in my life. The kiss made me feel weak and I was glad we were sitting down because my legs felt like jelly. I responded in kind, kissing him with a passion I never knew I possessed. It was wonderful and exciting and scary all at the same time. When people talk about sky rockets and fireworks, I never believed them before, but I did now because that's exactly how it felt, kissing him like this.

I found myself wanting more than kisses and I started to unbutton his shirt. He suddenly let up his embrace and sat back, looking at me.

“What's wrong? Don't you feel it too?” Suddenly I worried maybe he didn't feel like I did and I felt embarrassed at being so bold.

“No, that's not it. I do feel the same way, but.” His voice trailed off.

“But what then?”

“Cheryl, have you ever been with a guy before? I mean, have you ever made love to a guy?”

Now I really felt embarrassed. I thought about lying, but figured he'd see right through that too. “No, but I do want to make love with you. Don't you want me too?” I was almost afraid of the answer.

“I do, but with you, I want it to be special. To have some meaning, especially for you, your first time. It has to be right and I think you should get to know me better. Know more about me, then make your decision. I don't want you to regret it later is all.”

Duncan, dear, sweet, Duncan. I think at this moment I really knew I was falling in love with him. Looking out for me was becoming a way of life now for me. I was beginning to like it, a lot.

“Okay, I'll wait then, but it won't be easy. I'll wait until I get to know you better then. But I'm sure I'll still feel the same way.”

“There's so much about me you just don't know yet. I hope you mean that and will still feel the same way once you know me better. No one is perfect you know, not even me.”

“I think it's time I took you home now. It's been a big day and we'll see each other tomorrow. I'll call you.”

I really didn't want to go home, to leave him. I'd have been thoroughly content to have spent the entire night here, in the moon light and in his arms. But I reluctantly agreed to let him take me home.

We pulled up in front of my house and he reached over and kissed me again. Not the long, passionate kiss like by the lake, just a quick peck on the cheek, but it still was electric.

“I'll call you tomorrow and we'll do something together. Good night Cheryl. Sleep tight.”

I waved as he pulled away from the curb and went inside. The house was dark so everyone must have already been in bed. I decided I was thirsty and grabbed a juice from the fridge. I sat down at the table and noticed the newspaper. The headlines read: Another ex con on parole, has come up missing. Bubba Hicks's car was found along side the road, but no body has been found. Bubba's sister reported him missing when he failed to return home last night. She thinks he might have been in the company of another parolee, Clement Baxter, but that has not been verified as Clement has no relatives in the area. Police are beginning to wonder if someone is taking out parolees in the area since several have come up missing in the past few months. Police say they are looking into it and have considered bringing in an outside detective, an expert in this sort of thing, but that also has not been confirmed. Police would like anyone who might know anything about this, to call them.

The new report placed this Bubba guy in the same area where Karla and I were attacked. In fact, they found his car on the exact same road we were on. I wondered if Duncan had anything to do with Bubba's disappearing. But Duncan had said those guys took off, not wanting to tangle with him anymore. But still, I couldn't help but wonder if he was telling me the truth. I refused to think of dear, sweet, Duncan, my Duncan, as possibly having anything to do with that guy's disappearance. Even if those guys were ex cons and probably scum who wanted to kill Karla and I. Duncan had saved our lives.

I put it out of my mind, at least for now. I was tired and needed sleep. Once I laid down I had dreams, dreams of making love to Duncan and they felt so very real. I dreamed I was in his mansion on the hill, in a big bed with red velvet blankets and red satin sheets feeling cool against my bare skin.

Something in the Blood; Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I sat in the waiting room of the ER and Karla's mom came rushing in. “Where is she? Is she alright?”

I pointed to the nurse's station, not knowing what else to do. She talked to the nurse, who got the doctor and I saw her face change from worry to relief.

“They said she just has a cut on her forehead and needed only four stitches. She's going to be fine. But how on earth did this happen?”

Before I could answer, the nurses said we could go in and see Karla, and her mom could take her home. They warned she should stay awake at least for a few hours even though the scan indicated no concussion or anything. I was grateful for that, knowing it could have been much worse.

Karla was sitting on the edge of the gurney when we walked in, Her knee had a brush burn and her head was bandaged. Her mom ran over and hugged her, tightly. “What are you doing here, Ma?” Karla looked at me, I just shrugged.

“Someone had to sign the papers for your treatment. I got here late, but I also had to show my insurance. Are you OK, Sweetie? I was so worried. What on earth happened?”

“I had too much to drink at the party and I stumbled and conked my head is all.”

“Young girls drinking and Cheryl drove in her condition?” Her mother gave me a withering look and I felt embarrassed.

“Look, Ma, don't be blaming Cheryl. If it wasn't for her I could have been hurt worse, she helped me. Cheryl doesn't drink, if she can help it. She isn't drunk so she drove just fine. You should be thanking her, not blaming her.”

Her mom looked at me and she smiled. “Thank you Cheryl for looking out for her. I'm sorry, but I was upset when the hospital called me.”

“That's OK, I know you were upset. I'm just glad Karla is fine though.”

“Well we need to get you home now.” Her mother was helping Karla to stand up, but Karla pulled back when her mom offered her an arm.

“No, I'm going to Cheryl's like I planned. The doctors said I'm fine, I just need to stay awake for a few hours. I go home, I'll be bored and fall asleep. You gotta work tomorrow, you gonna keep me awake?”

Her mom hesitated but agreed to let Karla go home with me. “Stay inside and stay out of trouble. If you feel the least bit sick, you had better call me to come get you. Understand?” We both nodded indicating we understood very well.

I think Karla didn't want to face her mom's boyfriend because he thinks Karla is a slut, so she figured he'd blame her and probably rant and rave half the night too.

Karla's mom stopped at the nurse's station and picked up the pills for pain for her and handed them to me. “Here, since you're obviously the more responsible one, you keep an eye on these for Karla.” I could see Karla rolling her eyes, but I knew she loved her mom.

Her mom hugged Karla as we stopped at the car and we got in the hearse to head home. I was wondering where Duncan was, he said he'd meet us here, but I saw no sign of him. As soon as Karla's mom left though, I saw someone walking out of the shadows behind us.

“Duncan!” I was so grateful to see him. I jumped from the hearse, ran over and gave him a big hug. His skin felt like a salamander's, sort of smooth and sort of cool and rubbery at the same time.

“Is Karla OK? Are you OK?” He gently pushed me back and looked me up and down, like he was looking for scratches or something.

“We're fine. I'm fine.” He seemed convinced after he gave me the once over with his eyes. “Karla was the one who was nearly raped. Oh my gawd, Duncan, if you hadn't come along just then, I don't know what would have happened.”

“Well I'm not certain what those two guys were up to but I can assure it wasn't anything that would have benefited either one of you ladies.”

“How on earth did you find us anyway? My cell phone wasn't picking up any signals way out there.”

“The GPS system in the Mustang. It has a tracking device in it. When I saw the address, way out there in the country, I decided to come check it out. I couldn't imagine what you two would be doing way out there. I got curious.”

“Well, I'm, we're glad you did. We might have been killed or worse.”

Duncan laughed. “Worse? What could have been worse than being killed?”

“Being raped would have been worse than death.” Karla answered, sticking her head out the window. Duncan just laughed at that one.

“But how could the GPS system get a signal, my cell didn't even work.” I was a bit curious as to how he'd answer.

“GPS systems have a much more powerful signal. There was no problem picking it up.”

I figured maybe he was right, since I knew nil about electronic things. I'm the girl who just wants my computer to start and not give me problems, so I accepted his answer.

“The two guys, did they attack you again?” I remembered one of them moaning and trying to get out of the ditch.

“Nope, they took off and I suppose they decided they didn't want to tangle with me again.”

“How did you do that? How did you just toss those big guys around like they were light?”

“I work out a lot?” He was smiling, that little wry smile he gets when he's teasing me.

“Uh, care to try again?” Anyone can see he's not muscular so I wasn't buying that answer.

“Look, I took Karate for like a hundred years. I was top in my class, so I can handle myself just fine. It's all in the leverage anyway. It makes no difference how big anyone is. If you plan to attend these parties often, breaking down in East Boondoggle, maybe I better teach you a few moves.” He was grinning and looking at me, waiting for an answer.

“As much fun as this is, talking in a cold parking lot, watching you shiver, maybe you'd best get Karla home and warm for the rest of the night.”

I had neglected poor Karla so I agreed, hugged Duncan once more and headed for the Mustang. Karla had already slid into the passenger side. “I like this car better anyway. That hearse gives me the creeps.”

“That creepy hearse is what gave you a ride here to get you looked at. So don't knock it too much.” I smiled as I started the Mustang to get us home.

When we got inside, it was quiet and dark. I was glad Mom was at work and Rachel was probably in bed. I didn't want to have to explain Karla's bandages on her head, at least not until I had a good night's sleep.

I asked Karla if she wanted a soda or juice, she said no, so we quickly went to my room to try and keep her awake for a while. We started to talk about the evening's events.

“Did you see how Duncan tossed those two guys around like that? I've never seen anything like it before. He isn't all that big. Who would have figured him to be that strong?”

“He says he's taken Karate for a lot of years. He actually said, 100 years, but I know he was exaggerating. He told me he was the top in his class and it's all in the leverage, not the size of a person.”

“You believe him?”

“Of course I do. I've seen small guys who know martial arts, take on much bigger ones before.”

Karla seemed satisfied at that answer and settled down a bit. I guess the pain killer had finally kicked in. We watched a movie, actually two of them, then I allowed her to fall asleep, feeling good that she'd been up a few hours and now she could safely sleep.

I didn't fall asleep for a while though. I couldn't get the events of the night out of my head. I wondered how did he decide to check on us, GPS system or not. I had a lot of questions for him. Finally, I too grew tired and fell asleep.

I smelled coffee as the sunshine was streaming in my bedroom window. I looked over at Karla and saw she was gone. I bolted out of bed worried that she was sitting at the kitchen table, coffee in hand, spilling her guts to Rachel about last night. Karla had such a big mouth at times.

Sure enough, there was Karla and Rachel, at the table laughing and talking. “Sounds like you had a wild night last night, according to Karla.”

My eyes narrowed, and I was annoyed she probably spilled it all. How in hell was I ever going to explain this one? “Oh?” I said under my breath a bit, but Rachel heard it.

“Well she told me how some kid left their skateboard on the steps and she didn't see it in the dark, so she took a tumble. She's lucky she didn't break her fool neck”

“Oh that. Yeah, that was quite a scare. I thought Karla had broken her head though.”

“She told me you saved her from more harm. It's lucky you were there to grab her arm and break her fall. She might have gotten hurt much worse. Good job, little sister.” Rachel offered me her hand and gave me a high five.

So that was the story Karla had concocted? I felt a relief, that for once, Karla hadn't felt the urge to tell the truth. But when I think of it, Karla hardly ever tells the truth, at least not to responsible adults anyway. I poured myself a cup of coffee and joined them at the table.

“So is Duncan coming over to meet us tonight then?” As soon as Rachel said that, Karla looked up. “Duncan is supposed to come over tonight. Cheryl invited him to come and meet us.”

“I'm staying then.” Karla's eyes lit up when she said that. She had an uncanny excitement to her voice.

“No, you need to go home, sleep in your own bed and get some real rest.” I wasn't about to have Karla here, fawning all over Duncan. Meeting my own family, with no one else around, was quite enough. I certainly didn't need Karla gumming up the works, at least not until I saw how he liked Rachel and Mom.

Karla gave that fake little pout again, but agreed she probably should go home after a while. She figured her mom would be worried about her well being, so she reluctantly agreed. I offered to give her a ride and she got up to go gather her bag.

When we got in the car, Karla started to whine a bit. “How come you don't want me here when Duncan meets your family?”

“I didn't say that. I just think you need to go home for a while. Your mom would like to be sure you're fine, I'm sure.”

“Yeah, whatever. You can just say you don't want me at your house when Duncan is there.”

“I never said any such thing. But now that you mention it, meeting my family is a big deal. So please try to understand.”

“Yeah, I do understand. I just thought I'd like to see their reactions is all.”
“Karla, please.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it, so stop worrying.”

“I never said I was worried. I'll stop worrying if you stop your whining then. Deal?”

“Yeah, okay, it's a deal. But you will call me or text me later. Right?” I agreed I could at least do that much.

We pulled into the trailer park and I let her out at her trailer. “I'll talk to you later then. Take care of that cut.” Karla turned and smiled and waved and went inside.

Something in the Blood; Chapter 3

Chapter 3

As I pulled up in front of our house, I saw no lights which, hopefully mean, no one was home or at least not still up. Mom would be at work and I was hoping Rachel was not here either. When it came to be nosy and interrogation techniques, Rachel has Mom beat by a mile. I didn't want to tangle with her tonight. I was tired and happy and I knew an altercation with Rachel would quickly ruin my happy buzz. That's it, I thought. Being with Duncan was like a drug, producing a euphoric high that was hard to explain. I just knew that afterward I had a kind of high and it lasted for hours.

I turned my key in the lock and let myself in.

“Where have you been?” I heard Rachel's voice coming from the kitchen table. She was sitting in the dark, in order to spy on me? I guess so because there she was, in the dark, the only light coming in the window from a street light.

“I went to dinner with a friend.” I answered, probably with some surprise in my voice. “Gee-sh, Rachel, sneak around much? You scared the hell out of me. What are you doing sitting in the dark?”

“Don't try to change the subject. I asked you a question. What's that you're driving and where did you get it?”

“I told you I went to dinner with a friend and I'm just borrowing the friend's car is all. It's not mine, I didn't steal it or anything, if that's what you're thinking.”

“This friend wouldn't happen to be a guy would it?”

I shifted from one foot to the other. “Why do you ask that?”

“I just wondered who you had to sleep with to get that nice car is all.”

“Rachel! That's pretty unfair, even for you.” I immediately felt guilty when I said it, but what she just said stung pretty deep too.

I know I wasn't studious like Rachel and I also knew I probably wasn't as compliant as her. In fact, I was probably a bad daughter and sister in a lot of ways. I just wanted to live my life, enjoy my youth. Was that so bad?

“So you weren’t out with a guy then?” Gee, she was being persistent.


“Well, yes I was. But we're just friends. I didn't have to sleep with anyone to get the car. What are you, Mom now?”

“Cheryl, I'm not trying to be mean or anything. I'm just trying to save you some heartache. I don't want you to make the same mistakes some girls make. Some mistakes you pay for the rest of your life. I'm not trying to be a hard ass.”

The way she said some girls made it sound almost personal or something. Maybe she has a friend at school who was having problems, but I brushed that thought out of my head. I had bigger fish to fry, like explaining about this damned car. I felt my elation over the car waning now.

“You ashamed to bring this guy home to meet Mom and I?” She had an accusing tone to her voice when she asked that.

“No, it's just that he's not my boyfriend or anything. We're just friends and he's letting me borrow his car. I didn't see any reason to bring him home is all.”

“We've met Karla, she spends a lot of time here. You usually bring all your friend home for us to meet. You know, most guys are out for one thing in this world.”

“Yeah, yeah, so you always say. Maybe some aren't. Maybe some guys can just be friends with girls is all. Ever think of that, Miss Know it All?” I know I was the one who sounded sarcastic now, but Rachel was beginning to work on my nerves.

“I'll bring him around to meet your approval, if that's what you want.”

“Look, Cheryl, I'm simply looking out for you is all. You're still pretty young and in many ways, pretty naive yet. I'm not trying to piss you off.”

“I can call him on the cell and find out if he could come over tomorrow night when Mom has a night off then.”

I sat down at the kitchen table and hoped he was still up, it was after midnight. He picked up the phone on the second ring.

“Hi, it's me, Cheryl. I hope I didn't wake you up or anything. But I want to ask you something.”

“No, I was up, I told you I'm a night person. What can I do for you? I hope the car isn't giving you any trouble already.”

“Oh no, the car is wonderful. Ran like a top all the way home. I was wondering if you'd like to come meet my mom and my sister, Rachel?”

“Tonight?” He laughed.

“No, not tonight, Silly. But would tomorrow night be good for you? My mom has tomorrow night off. I mean, if it's too short of a notice, we can make it another time.” Rachel kicked me under the table when I said that.

“Sure, tomorrow night will be good. What time?”

“I guess around eight in the evening, if that's good.”

“That's a great time. Should I bring anything?”

“No, just bring yourself is all. Oh, and thanks Duncan for being so understanding.”

“Hey, I'm looking forward to it. Till then. Night, Cheryl.”

“Night Duncan, and thanks again.”

I hung up the phone and thought how when Duncan answered the phone, he sounded kind of breathless or something. Not like he was out of breath, but like he'd been running and was panting just a slight bit. I decided to brush it off and looked at Rachel.

“That wasn't so bad, was it?” She wasn't exactly smiling, but her facial expression had softened a bit, like she was relieved or something.

“I'm going to bed now. It's been a long day and I'm tired.”

“Goodnight, Cheryl. Thanks for being so good about us meeting Duncan and all.”

I smiled as I rose from the table and headed to the stairs. I really was very tired. My phone was vibrating as I laid down, I looked to see if it was Duncan, but it was Karla. I wasn't in any mood to answer her questions, so I turned off my phone. I know I'd been neglecting her a lot lately so I figured I'd call her in the morning. Boy, was she going to be envious of that Mustang. I fell asleep with that smug thought in my mind.

I got up the next morning and headed for the shower. After feeling clean and renewed, I grabbed a cup of coffee and a bagel and sat at the table. Mom was asleep and Rachel must have gone out because the house was quiet.

I decided to check my messages on my cell. One from Duncan: Sleep well and enjoy the car. I'll call you tomorrow.

Four from Karla: Come on, call me, text me, do something at least, I'm dying to know it all. You know me, Love ya, Karla.

Karla: Hey remember me? I'm supposed to be your BFF but you keep ignoring me.

Karla: Text me soon or I'll have to come over tomorrow and see you in person.

Just as I read that one, a knock at the door. Imagine that, so I went to open it.

“Where in hell you been all night? Don't you ever answer your tests or cell phone calls anymore? Who's car is that outside? Inquiring minds, mine, need to know this shit Girl!”

“With Duncan. Yes I answer my texts and cell, usually, but I was busy. The car is mine, as long as I care to use it. Gawd! Anyone ever tell you how nosy you are?”

Rummaging through the cupboard and fridge: “What you got to eat here? What's that you have? A bagel? Come on, give me a ride in that hot car of yours and let's go get something from the dollar menu. Maybe some of our girls will be there. Come on.”

Grabbing the keys, we headed to the Mustang and downtown to get some breakfast from the dollar menu. Karla was right, there were some of our friends there. They came running over, gushing over the car and I think I actually saw some drooling. I was surprised at Karla though. It takes a lot to get her jealous, but this car and my seeing Duncan seemed to do the trick. I have to admit, I loved it. Karla jealous over me for a change, instead of the other way around.

Once back in the car: “So where does this mystery man live anyway?” Karla was looking at the radio as she talked.

“Out of town, on a back road. I was there last night, that's how I got the car.”

“So let's drive by Duncan's house. I want to see it. Is it cool and is he rich or what?”

“It's a big old mansion, Victorian looking place. I suppose his family is well off. He has a fleet of cool cars in his garage.”

“OOOOOOOOH. Let's get going, I gotta see this.”

“I'm not sure I could find it on my own. I was only there once and it was dark outside.”

Karla fiddled with a small box on the windshield. “Hey, this is a GPS system, maybe it's programmed in here.” She turned it on and told me to put in his address. I did and sure enough, the voice repeated the address.

“Let's go. GPS Lady here will tell us how to get there.”

I started the car and off we went. Lots of twists and turns once we got out of the city on our way there. One really winding road and the GPS Lady said: “You have reached your destination.”

“I don't see shit, Girl.” Karla was blinking her eyes. “All I see is a big long drive leading to nowhere. Maybe the GPS is broken.”

“No, this is the address and last night, at the end of the driveway, there was a Victorian house. I was in the underground garage.”

“Well, it's not here now.” Karla had a doubtful tone to her voice. “I, I don't know, it sure seemed like this is the right address.”

“That's OK, maybe you just put in the wrong numbers. You know if you put just one wrong number in there, it'll screw it all up.”

“Yeah, maybe I did.” I wasn't believing it myself though. I was certain I put the right address into the system.

“Who cares? Let's go cruising and maybe to the lake for the day. I'd love to go to the beach, especially now you don't have to work and all.”

“Oh, shoot, work!” I remembered I didn't tell my boss I wouldn't be back. I also needed to pick up the money he owed me. I told Karla we needed to swing by there, right now.

“Where in heck you been? You were supposed to start work a half hour ago. Well, never mind, get your cap and apron on, no harm done.” Mr Clark was cleaning the floor as we walked in.

“About that, Mr. Clark. I'm here to let you know I won't be working here anymore. As you see, I have a car.” I made a sweeping hand gesture towards the Mustang.

“Wow, you rob a bank or something?”

My face turned red. “No, I just was able to score a car is all. I don't suppose I could get my last paycheck while I'm here?”

“Heck, I'm sorry to hear this. You’re a great worker. You might need this job to pay for gas and insurance you know.”

“No, I really don't. That's all taken care of too. About that check.”

“I don't have a check yet, but I can give you cash. Let me check your hours. I'll be right back.”

Karla and I sat at a table until Mr. Clark came out with cash in his hand. “Here ya go, I owe you $100 for last week. Sure I can't talk you into changing your mind?”

“No, but if I know of anyone else who needs a job, I'll let them know. Thanks Mr. Clark. Bye, bye.”

“Let's go out tonight, how about it? We can use our fake ID's to get into that hip new club that just opened.”

“No thanks, I'm probably going to see Duncan tonight.”

“Come on, you can miss seeing him for one damned night. Can't you? Please, pretty please?”

She looked so darn pathetic I told her I'd call him. After all, he was coming over to meet my family tomorrow night.

I dialed his number. He picked up on the second ring as usual. “Hello?”

“It's me, Cheryl.”

“Hi Cheryl, what can I do for you?”
How did he know he could do anything for me? But I loved it when asked that question.

“Did you plan for us to do anything tonight?”

“No, not really, why?”

“Well Karla wants me to go out with her tonight so I just wanted to check first. Before I made plans with her.”

“Sure, she's probably thinking I've been hogging all your time anyway. It's cool. I'll be over to your place tomorrow anyway.”

“Oh and Duncan?”

“Yes?”

“Karla and I drove by your house today and we couldn't see it from the road. Don't you find that odd?”

“No, not at all. It sets way behind those big trees and all, maybe you just couldn't see it from there.”

“Yeah, that must be it.” But I knew better, I knew those trees weren't covering it up. I decided to let it drop, at least until we were alone and I could inquire more, without Karla, Miss Nosy, listening in.

“OK then, I'll see you tomorrow night. Thanks, Duncan.”

“Hey, no problem. You ladies have a great time. Bye.”

I told Karla we could go out, but I also told her I really didn't want to use our fake ID's to try and get into some club either. She stuck her lip out in a fake pout.

“Well then, I know of a great party. One of the kids from school is throwing it. It's a ways out in the country, but there will be booze, live music and loads of food. Wanna go there instead?”

I really didn't but I agreed that a party was better than trying to sneak into a club and possibly getting in trouble, or tossed by a bouncer.

“Cool then. Let's go to your place and hang out and we can get dressed there. We can stop by my house and get my clothes and makeup. Lord knows you could use my expertise with your makeup and hair.”

I hated it when she said things like that. But we swung by her house to get her stuff. Her dad was home, in his t-shirt, beer and cigarette in hand. Karla lives in a trailer, her mom works and her dad drinks. Sometimes I think that's why she's kind of brash, she doesn't exactly have a great home life. Actually he's her stepfather, her mom's boyfriend to be exact. They just live together and aren't married. Karla once told me he can't work because he's a felon or something. I know she's kind of scared of him and she said her mom wants to break up with him but he's threatened to kill her if she did. I just know he gives me the creeps. He looks at me like I'm naked or something.

“Let's go get my stuff in my room.”

Her stepfather looked up: “Hi there Cheryl.” He had been drinking probably all morning because he slurred his words when he said my name. I thought it was pretty early in the morning to be drinking already but I guess he does that instead of coffee.

“Hello.” I said as we walked past him to Karla's bedroom.

“I gotta say he gives me the creeps.” It's not like that was the first time I'd said that to her.

“Welcome to the club. He gives everybody the creeps. Including me. Imagine having to live here.”

I couldn't imagine that. I didn't even want to imagine that. As far as I was concerned, she couldn't get her things fast enough. I decided to help her so we could leave quicker.

“You going someplace?” Roy, her stepfather asked as we went past him.

“I'm going to Cheryl's for the night. That's all.”

“Well don't go whoring around with any guys, if ya know what I mean.” He had a nasty smirk on his face. I had an urge to reach out and slap him. He made my skin get goose bumps.

“Let's go, Cheryl.” Karla was trying to ignore him but I could tell she was embarrassed by the way he acted.

We drove to my place and listened to music, played on the computer and called some of the kids to see what time the party was starting. We had a burger for dinner, I fried two up and made french fries for us.
“Let's go fix your hair and makeup.” Karla helped me load the dishwasher and we headed for my room. I let her fix me up, but I didn't like it much. She dressed me in her sexiest outfit, actually all her outfits were sexier than anything I owned. I also let her fix my hair and makeup. I looked in the mirror thinking I looked like a hooker. But Karla smiled and said I looked wonderful.

Soon it was time to go so we headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Shoot, it was Rachel and I hated her seeing me in this outfit. “You going to a costume party?”

“Yes, we are. Some kids are giving a costume party. We're pretending to look like Lady Gaga. You like? Karla twirled for Rachel. Rachel just laughed.

“Well have fun and try to be back before one in the morning.”

The party was further outside the city than I realized, or more to the point, than Karla realized. It felt like we drove for hours but it was actually only one hour but it seemed much longer. Finally we found the place, a cabin on the lake, and by the looks of all the cars, a lot of people had already arrived.

We got out, me feeling totally uncomfortable in this sexy outfit, but Karla, as usual, was the social butterfly of the party. Someone tried to shove a beer in my hand but I refused, saying I'm the designated driver, so just a Coke would be fine. I sipped my Coke watching Karla down drinks and then participate in a drinking game. She was looking tipsy after only an hour and I thought she'd better not lose her stomach in my nice car or I'd have to resort to killing her. Not literally, of course, but I sure would kill her verbally and make her clean it up too.

After a while I was getting tired of just sitting around watching everyone get drunk and I urged Karla to get going. I convinced her we should head home now because it was a long drive. She was reluctant, but too drunk to give me much of an argument, so we left.

Out on the open road I realized I didn't know the exact way back to the city. I couldn't rely on asking Karla because she was so drunk I'm not sure she'd know her own name if I asked her, much less remember directions.

After driving for about twenty minutes, the road was dark and I knew I'd taken a wrong turn somewhere. I opened my cell and it wasn't detecting any service way out here. Suddenly I felt a thump and it got louder as we continued down the road. When the car started to steer violently to the left, I knew it was a flat tire. I'd never changed a tire in my life and I wasn't even sure if there was a jack in the back or even a spare, I had never checked.

I had no choice but to pull over to the side of the road. I decided I'd better get out and check for a spare and a jack and do my best to try and change the flat tire. How hard could it be? I opened the trunk and felt around for something, anything I could use.

I saw car lights in the distance. I was hoping maybe somebody could assist us with changing the tire. Maybe a kind elderly couple or something, I was hoping. The car pulled up beside us and my heart sank, two burly looking guys and the driver had an evil smile on his face.

“Hey, Baby, need some help?”

“That's OK, I think I can handle this by myself. But thanks anyway.” I was hoping by sounding sweet they'd just take off. I didn't want my tone to piss them off.

“Come on, Baby. I can help you out, don't play hard to get.”

I didn't like the tone of his voice at all. I backed up as the driver got out of the car and came towards me. The more I stepped back, the closer he tried to come.

The passenger was shinning a flashlight in the front seat of the Mustang. “Well look what we have here, another little cutie. We could have us a party.”

I was beginning to get scared now. I knew they weren't up to any good and I seriously doubted they were here to help us.

“You guys can go, thanks anyway, we'll be fine.” I hoped I could brush them off.

The flashlight guy opened the door where Karla was sitting. He reached in and grabbed her. I started towards her when the other guy grabbed me from behind.

“Relax, your friend will be just fine. We just plan on having a little fun is all. Don't get excited.”

I was crying and pleading to leave us alone when he placed his hand over my mouth. I could see Karla was fully awake now, on the ground where the other guy was trying to unbutton her shirt.

I thought to myself, this is it. We're in real trouble now. Why oh why did I let Karla talk me into going to that stupid party.

I closed my eyes so as not to see what would happen next when I heard another car approaching. Thank God I thought to myself.

“We better get out of here. Come on.” Flashlight guy was heading for the car.

Suddenly I heard a familiar voice say: “What's the hurry boys? No need to leave on my account.”

It was Duncan and he was looking different than I'd ever seen him before. Flashlight guy swung at him and Duncan grabbed him and tossed him into the ditch like a rag doll. The second guy was heading for the car when Duncan, moving faster than light, stood between him and the car, cutting off his access to the door.

That guy also swung and Duncan grabbed him, tossing him over the roof of his car. He hit the road with a sickening thud.

“What in hell are you girls doing out here this time of night?” Duncan was kneeling by Karla, she was bleeding from her forehead and I saw Duncan turn pale and reel back for a moment. I figured the sight of so much blood must make him woozy.

“We were coming home from a party and had a flat. I was so scared, I'm so glad you came along. How did you know where we were?” He scooped Karla up and ran to the hearse, placing her on the front seat.

“Never mind that. Take the keys to the hearse, Karla has a bad cut on her forehead. Take her to the ER and I'll fix this flat and meet you both there.”

“But what if those two guys come after you again?” I was genuinely scared for Duncan, even though, by the way he tossed those guys around, he obviously could take care of himself.

I heard the guy in the ditch groan. “Go on now, don't dawdle. Get going. I'll be just fine.” Tossing me the keys he turned around to look at the ditch guy. “Go on now.”

I caught the keys and I started the vehicle and gunned it. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I looked in the rear view mirror as I sped off but it was so dark I couldn't see anything.

Interview with Duncan, from Something in the Blood

Interviewer:  Tell us what it's like to be a vampire.

Duncan:  Smiling here at this question.  I can't explain that anymore than you could probably tell me what it's like to be human, I suppose.  It's just something you are, that's all.

Interviewer:   But you say you were human once.  Right?

Duncan:  Yes, but that was 350 years ago, you know, I've been a vampire so long now, it's hard to remember my human origins.

Interviewer:  Okay then, what's it like to love a human?  Can you tell us that one?

Duncan:  Sure, but this is not the first human I've ever loved.  The others didn't turn, so I outlived them, in time.  One of the perils of being immortal I suppose.  But we vampires are capable of love, even though many humans doubt that.

Interviewer:  Well, what do you say to nonbelievers?  

Duncan:  I say believe what you will.  To some we are as real as you are sitting in front of me.  To others, well, they should read the book, maybe they'll change their minds, even if it's just a little.  

Interviewer:  Is the path of true love running smooth?  

Duncan:  Hardly, there is a nemesis,  and I suppose everyone has one and I'm no different.  He's an assassin and has been pursuing my friends and I for a long, long time.  He is a force we will have to deal with, in time.

Interviewer:  Can you tell us how?

Duncan:  I'm afraid I've said too much already.  You will have to read the book.  But remember, when you invite a vampire into your home, anything can happen.  Just be aware of that.

Interviewer:  Okay, well I'm reading the book because I want see what happens.  Thanks for the interview. 

Duncan:  Anytime.