Nocturnal

by David Paul

  With that going on, David is stuck spoon-feeding the case and obvious truths of the universe to an attentive, but severely uninformed detective. The vampire knows that his ignorance is not his fault. The Lieutenant lived a mortal life, and his beliefs and thoughts are grounded in the real world. The cop’s artificially fabricated version of his reality is lacking an entire realm of supernatural creatures and the truth about dealings between gods and other deities. Detangelo hasn’t tapped into the deeper regions of his brain and used his magic. It is in all of us, but simply must be harnessed and released. Summoning one’s inner magic for the purposes of either good or evil is easier done by individuals with superior intelligence.

  Those who possess above-average intelligence are more likely to become aware of their capabilities. Conversely, someone of lesser intellect may never notice the power lying dormant within the soul or actually correlate the seemingly coincidental events into a revelation of a higher power within oneself. Every time an ordinary man or woman gets a feeling that something bad is going to happen is an example of tapping into premonitions. Humans are such strange creatures. When they get the feeling, they worry about what the feeling is regarding.

  They should try to complete the premonition in their mind. Doing so would teach them how to overt the potentially harmful or fatal situation. Foolishly, they dilute their thought and focus on less important matter. In real life, when a mother lifts up a car to pull her baby to safety, her boost in strength is accredited to adrenaline. In the true world, the mother channeled her internal power to accomplish a task. Science gives the human mind a safe zone to rest in to explain everything in the world. Science lies about the universe. It simply puts a quantifier on the world by using numbers to comprehend it all. Science doesn’t explain how a man is dead in clinical terms, yet walks the night thirsting for blood. Find a science book to explain that.

  Science doesn’t factor in the metaphysical. The laws of science can only explain a minute portion of the universe, and the rest is clouded in mystery, far from typical human comprehension. The bigger playing field that determines the fate of our world and beyond is the realm of consciousness where angels and devils battle. The majority of the world is blind to this, and most people exist in their own pathetic world that is limited by their own confines. Not everyone is blind, and this leads to both sweet dreams and nightmares. For those who use it for healing and radiating warmth, its effects can be beautiful and worthwhile. Others use it to wreak havoc on the world to feed selfish goals.

  “Look,” the detective said, “I know in the bottom of my heart that you have some kind of involvement with all of this.”

  “Detective, what are you seeking?”

  “I want to capture the people involved in these cult killings,” the cop said.

  “What do you mean killings?” the vampire asked. David genuinely is confused. “So far, there has been only one cult murder.”

  “Not as of 7pm this evening,” Detangelo said. David’s eyes light up for the new puzzle piece in the game. “They found Victoria Channing in another abandoned warehouse, in the same area of the city. Her heart and genitals were removed with surgeon-like precision, and she had similar markings scribed on her body with black ink. The coroner is guessing that the time of death was approximately two days ago. The demonologist compared the writings and found that they are the same as the Coelho woman. He said some kind of invocation spell was most likely performed. The handwriting was also the same. We believe it is the same killer in both cases.”

  “There must be a similarity between the two victims that has yet to be correlated.”

  “They are both hacked up,” the detective snickered sarcastically.

  “I don’t mean an obvious similarity,” David said. “I’m talking about something else. Were they both single? Were they both loners? Are there any signs of a struggle in either case? We need to establish some sort of pattern to lead us closer to the killer or the killers.”

  “Maybe you are right.” The detective agreed.

  “We have to think outside the box in order to figure this case out,” David said. The cop scratches his chin. “The answers aren’t written on the wall, and they won’t be found in the forensics with this. The killer is not choosing the victims randomly. The killer is only going to expend his efforts on victims that have value to his cause. Random sacrifices will not yield the same results as carefully selected subjects would.”

  “You said his efforts.” The cop caught that. “What makes you assume the killer is a male?” Detangelo asked.

  “Detective,” the vampire said, “almost all cases with human sacrifice involve a male sorcerer. The fact that the victims had their genitalia removed also suggests a male killer. The killer took away their lives and their ability to produce life. Besides, a sorceress would most likely choose a male victim for a sacrifice.”

  “Then what would be attractive qualities in a particular woman to make the killer choose her?” The detective asked.

  David ponders Detangelo’s question while he procures two Cohibas for them to enjoy. He lights the detective’s cigar for him.

  “Well,” the vampire said. The cop puffs away on his expensive cigar. “A sorcerer would want to extract power from the subject. The whole basis for Satanism is to rebel against the heavens. God denies most pleasures of the flesh, so sacrificing a virgin would be advantageous to a sorcerer. The fact that the killer took their wombs says so much in itself. It is a direct desecration of life, which is a major selling point to a Satanist.”

  David lights his own cigar and blows a perfect ring into the air. The cop is impressed with the vampire’s assessment.

  “They extract power?” The cop asked.

  “There is power in many things,” the vampire said. Detangelo realizes that solving this case is going to require David’s help. The demonologist can only offer his knowledge from the books. David seems to have a firmer grasp on the inner workings of how cults operated. “All God’s children have power inside of them. Violating a beautiful woman and taking away her dignity is a form of gaining power. I need to see the case files of each victim, and I may be of some assistance to you. Taking wild guesses about what may have happened is not as effective as looking at what actually happened.”

  “I have the case files in my car,” the detective said, “but you have to swear to me that you will not sell information to the press. I would lose my job.” He urged for David’s confidentiality.

  “Jack, I don’t want to sound like an asshole, but do you really think I need the money that badly?”

  Detangelo takes a brief, yet informative look at the room he is in. A genuine Picasso framed in gold hangs out in the open on an adjacent wall. The picture is worth more than everything the policeman owns and could ever own on his salary. “I’ll take that as you will remain silent about the case,” the detective said.

  The detective let’s out a genuine chuckle.

  Detangelo makes his way out to his cruiser without David’s help and trots in quickly. The cop has a healthy stack of paperwork. David peruses each case file rapidly, yet retains every single word and picture with an almost computerized precision. David starts to ramble off several facts that he observed about the cases.

  “They are both very beautiful women,” the vampire said, “but from completely different ethnic backgrounds. Their work histories are not similar. They have different blood types and body structures. Coelho was very muscular and most likely ran to stay in shape. Channing was more voluptuous, but not as openly athletic as Coelho. The two have different hair colors and eye colors. They both went to different colleges. Coelho was Portuguese and a native Rhode Islander. Channing was the stereotypical Jewish trust-fund baby from Long Island.”

  The vampire pauses briefly.

  “What?” The cop asked. “Did you find something?” The detective waits impatiently for David to say something profound.

  David notices that both women have a long history of depression, and no
ne of them have any family at all in this area. He also notices that they are both Gemini’s. The medical histories for depression could possibly tie into the psychotherapist that David needs to investigate, and he is reluctant to share this information with the detective.

  Also, the fact that each victim was a Gemini is possibly an important fact to this case. In astrology, the Gemini sign of the zodiac is one of duality. In terms of a human sacrifice, duality of the soul is a beneficial quality to the sorcerer. The sorcerer would be able to extract additional power from the victim. In a cosmic sense, the sorcerer would almost get two souls for the price of one.

  The whole purpose of these rituals is to make an offering in the form of the soul and the body, in return for power. Both the ambitious sorcerer and the hungry demon get what they desire. David keeps these facts to himself. He doesn’t want to help Detangelo find the murderer, but he wants the detective to believe that he is being helpful. In truth, David wants information from Detangelo, and having the actual police case files for review is priceless.

  “Jack,” the vampire said, “I was just thinking about the cases.” The eager detective is at the end of his chair. “I do not have anything major to offer yet.”

  The cop seems let down. At this point, David is unsure if these sacrifices are trivial acts of devil-worship or if they are major movements toward shifting the balances of good and evil. The precision of both rituals pointed toward the latter. This isn’t some confused teenage kid listening to Danzig or Cradle of Filth killing bunny rabbits in a haphazard attempt at completing a satanic ritual. This looks more like the workings of a brilliant psychopath with a distinct purpose.

  “You had me excited for a moment,” the cop said. “I thought you pieced something together.”

  “I’m just trying to think about what is not in the case files,” David said. The vampire ponders more.

  David is really thinking about how he can get a quick appointment with Dr. Carver. Detangelo is suspicious of David in a weird sense. The cop senses that David is somehow involved. Jack doesn’t really think that David is the murderer, but he is questioning his behavior. The detective suspects that David’s wealth is making him feel above the law. Detangelo lied about the bodily description of the murderer, but he was telling the truth about the witnesses claiming to see a black Mercedes and the manner in which the dealers were killed.

  Detangelo was trying to rattle David with that information. David never rattles. He knew that Jack was lying because he would have been brought in as a suspect if there were a real witness. This is how detectives get suspects to crack under pressure and make mistakes. David’s calmness confuses the detective, and he cannot get a good read on him. Detangelo is totally perplexed. In reality, the witnesses said very little, and the police have nothing but two dead dealers and an expired lowlife.

  Even in the ritualistic murders, the police have nothing but two mutilated corpses to even prove a murder took place. Witnesses in the projects, especially drug dealers, barely cooperate with the police, even if one of their own gets killed. They would rather handle justice by themselves. David seriously wonders what the detective is really trying to prove by showing up at his house. At the same time, he is getting the type of information he needs to find the killers.

  “Detective, why are you here?”

  “I told you,” the cop said. Detangelo sips the whiskey. “I have witnesses that gave your description at the scene of a murder.”

  “If you had a legitimate witness in regards to the murder case,” the vampire said, “then I’d be in custody right now.” David ashes his cigar and looks the detective square in the face. “We wouldn’t be smoking Cohibas and chatting.”

  “Even though I hate to admit it, you are right, David.”

  “Then what’s with all of these unannounced visits?” The vampire asked.

  “The truth is that you know more than you are letting on in regards to all of this. You are the mystery man that I’ve never seen or heard of, until the day you show up following my prime murder suspect. That is very odd, Mr. Marciano.”

  The cop isn’t that stupid. His sixth sense is screaming foul play.

  “I can understand where you are coming from,” David said, “but it is painfully obvious that I am not part of whatever is going on, and it is not against the law to be concerned.”

  “Will you contact me if you come across anything useful in this case?” The detective asked.

  “Sure, Detangelo.”

  “Sorry to inconvenience you,” the cops said, “but the investigation is really going nowhere, and we are all feeling pressure from the brass to wrap up this case before it gets even further out of hand.”

  “If I find out anything else,” David said, “I will call you directly. I’m just as stumped as the investigating team.” He lied to Detangelo. David feels like his lead with Dr. Carver is going to bring some results, but he isn’t about to share that with Detangelo. He knows that the cops will only screw up everything in one way or another.

  “David,” the cop said, “thanks again for the drink and the cigar.” Detangelo docks out the remainder of his Cohiba and stands up to leave. “Let me get going.” David walks him out of his house, and the detective takes off into the night.

  Fiona is asleep and cuddled up comfortably in bed. David creeps into bed ever so gently to not wake her. He keeps replaying the case files over and over inside his mind looking to discover something new to add to his own investigation. Suddenly, David gets out of bed, grabs his laptop, and looks up Dr. Carver.

  Carver’s office is located in the city of Cranston, and David decides to make a late-night visit. The doctor’s office is not in a plaza. It is located in a grand Victorian house in the west end of the city. David has enough police attention on him, so he decides to travel without his car. The vampire leaves a brief note on the pillow next to Fiona to alert her that he has left the house.

  Chapter Eleven: Doctor Carver

  David exits his house as a fine mist via an upstairs window and rides the wind swiftly to the doctor’s office. The vampire glides effortlessly on the soft breeze. He sees the aftermath of a car accident on the freeway. Without even investigating, he knows that death is present, and a life has been lost. The smell of death is in the air, and the paramedics rushing to the scene will be useless. For a brief moment, he ponders about the how fragile a human life is and how it can be over in a blink of an eye.

  The natural cycle of being born and dying has been completed for the unfortunate driver that just hit a retaining wall. The car is all but disintegrated, and thousands of shattered pieces litter the highway. David can smell the alcohol on the expired driver’s body from high above the ground. The vampire can smell the spilled blood even stronger, and it plays with his mind briefly. He feels no emotion for the foolish driver and continues to his destination. The vampire passes unnoticed above the freeway and makes his way to Dr. Carver’s office.

  The facility is beautiful and peaceful, and he can see why Carver may have chosen this location for healing his patients. A cozy inviting feeling is given off by the property, which is usually atypical of mental health facilities. A small pond in the back of the property can be admired from a hand-laid stone patio. Several chairs, a small table, and a comfortable outdoor couch appear to be set-up for outdoor sessions. The intoxicating smell of fresh flowers offers a soothing aroma to the outdoor therapy area.

  From the appearance of Dr. Carver’s facility, he runs a thoughtful and competent practice from this location. David floats underneath the main entrance door, and thick fog bellows out from under the door. David appears in human form in a dark corner. There are no internal surveillance cameras present in the main foyer, and the only alarm system is wired for forced entry. This isn’t the first time that the vampire has illegally entered a building. Ironically, the rule about a vampire needing to be invited inside only works for a person’s abode.

  David slipped inside the office without setting off any security
devices. Several comfortable chairs are positioned in an orderly fashion to form a waiting area. The paint on the walls is a soothing light blue pastel. Live houseplants complete the tranquil, yet functional interior. The spa-like setting lends itself to spiritual and emotional healing. A neat workstation that appears to be the receptionist’s desk is centered in the main foyer, and an appointment book sits atop the blotter. David looks at a picture that the receptionist has on her desk briefly.

  The stealthy vampire thumbs through the appointment book and notices that the Dr. Carver takes appointments until 6:30 in the evening. David is looking for an opening in the schedule that he can enter an alias into. He wants to see the doctor on an appointment to analyze his behaviors. The smooth operating monster conveniently pencils in an appointment for tomorrow at 6pm. Several large locked filing cabinets are situated at arms length from the receptionist’s workstation. David takes a paper clip from the desk and picks the locks in minutes.

  He scours the files and comes upon an interesting discovery. Both Coelho and Channing were patients of Dr. Carver, and their last appointments were the week prior to finding them slain. The bitter smell of foul play has David’s brilliant mind racing. Upon further inspection of the office, he finds the initial, patient care paperwork, which he fills out and creates his own profile as a new patient. David quickly makes up several mental and emotional issues that he needs help for. Severe depression and childhood physical abuse issues make his profile look legitimate.

  After reviewing the actual patient files, he is able to create a counterfeit medical file complete with office labels and the perfectly forged signatures of the receptionist. David files the paperwork under David Morgano. He made sure that his birth date is that of a Gemini, and he also noted that all of his relatives are dead which amplifies his feelings of loneliness and emptiness. David is trying to set the perfect trap for Carver to fall into.