The Vampire Council: Case File:1

by Steve Cunningham

  ‘Evening Katie. Don’t be alarmed, we’re not here to harm you.’ One of the men speaks as they step out of the dark and into the light shining from the dining room.

  CHAPTER 22:

  NEW FACE OF EVIL

  The following morning.

  Jacqueline rushes down a busy street filled with people heading to work in both directions. Her heels cracking into the paving stones. She checks her watch momentarily and realises she has little time to be wasting enjoying the morning sunshine that douses the streets. The secret meeting of higher council members begins in twenty minutes and she herself is at least thirty minutes away walking distance. Despite her high heels and tight skirt she picks up her pace hoping to make it in time. She rustles folders from each hand to the other, then under one arm to another. These folders contain all the valuable information she has collected over the past weeks in relation to why Leofric had appeared and the state of the council. Whilst collating all this information she herself had come up with a few theories which she has intended to announce to the council once the meeting gets underway.

  The meeting is being held in a secret board room hidden underneath the city’s museum, which is completely secure from mortals due to it being run just like the Ruby. Jacqueline stops abruptly at a crossing. She pulls a small handheld mirror from her purse strapped across her left shoulder and quickly checks to see whether she had smudged her makeup due to the rush in which she applied it earlier that morning. Her makeup was fine. As the traffic light turned red and the green walking man appeared she quickly put her mirror back into her purse and proceeded to cross the road. Thoughts of how she will present her theories and findings begin to cross her mind as she gets closer to the museum. Hitting them hard with the actual facts first would be the best plan, and then move on to my theories. Or should I start with my theories and try and back it up with facts? Think Jacqueline. She pauses in thought and motion momentarily as people push past her in the morning rush, smacking into her shoulders, almost pushing her to the ground. She holds herself up. Quickly she remembers she’s only got a few minutes and proceeds to walk and think once more. Who am I kidding? I can’t explain anything. Leofric appears out of nowhere, attacking and almost killing a new recruit, tracking down and killing a family member of one and there’s no evidence to suggest how this happened. The only evidence I have is that he did attack. Right, fuck what happened, think of the theories, which sounds more logical. Vampire hunters somehow have access to our computer files. Sounds like a reasonable theory, I think I shall lead with that. The other. Someone is committing an act of treason and giving hunters this information. Maybe I shouldn’t even suggest this, not after last time. Jacqueline begins to recall the previous incident in which Dirk was trialled for treason. No. He would be my only option but I don’t think he would be stupid enough to try it again. She turns left around the final corner.

  Just ahead of her is a huge building complete with stain glass windows and huge pillars holding up an elaborate arch way entrance to the museum. She enters the double wooden doors and steps into a lavish entrance hall complete with marble pillars, old paintings on stone walls. Her heels make a racket on the spotless freshly waxed wooden flooring. She heads past the front desk giving the male desk attendant a nod as he recognises who she is. Jacqueline checks her watch once more as she walks down a narrow hallway ending with a door with a no entry sign hanging from a hook on it. The door has a keypad located where a handle would be on a normal door. 6923. She taps into the keypad before finishing by holding her thumb on the 0 key. A green light flashes on the keypad indicating her thumb print had been recognised as the door opens slightly. Pulling it open reveals stairs leading down to another corridor. Jacqueline closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before she begins to descend. The door slams shut behind her. As she walks further down through the corridor, lights automatically switch on every five meters or so revealing a multitude of doors on either side surrounded by clinical white walls. Each door is marked with the words ‘Meeting room: (and then a number)’ She was looking for number twelve. Just as she passes room number eleven on her right hand side. Door number twelve suddenly swings open knocking her off her feet and to the ground. Dirk appears from behind the opened door.

  ‘Oh Jacqueline I am terribly sorry.’ He says as he grabs her hand and helps her up to her feet.

  ‘No don’t worry about it, it was an accident. My fault for being late I suppose.’ She states with a slight chuckle hoping her lateness is something they could laugh about and quickly forget.

  ‘I’ll get these for you.’ Dirk bends down and picks up Jacqueline’s folders before handing them back to her.

  ‘Thank you so much.’ She smiles very briefly at him.

  Dirk straightens out his slick grey suit and fiddles with his black tie making sure it’s still straight. ‘Don’t worry about being late, you haven’t kept them waiting long, plus they’re all eager to hear what you have to say on the matter of the state of the council.’

  ‘I decided not to talk too much about that and just focus on the Leofric problem as that’s of a much more pressing matter due to the current circumstances.’ She looks sheepishly towards the floor.

  ‘I thought the whole Leofric thing was a one off incident?’ Queries Dirk.

  ‘It’s just gotten a bit more complicated than that. I’ll explain it all in my presentation.’ She rushes past Dirk into the meeting room. He follows and shuts the door behind him.

  ` In the centre of the meeting room lies a huge round wooden table. Around this table are a multitude of throne like seats. Only ten of which are occupied. Jacqueline stops before heading to a seat and looks around a few people she recognises, the majority she doesn’t. She turns and looks at Dirk as he walks beside her. ‘Where’s the rest? And who are some of these?’ She whispers as to not be heard over the council members’ mutterings.

  ‘Well they were the only one’s concerned about a single vampire hunter. And to answer your other question, new replacing the old or dead I presume.’ Dirk replies in a hush tone before heading to an empty chair. He stands behind one. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, our key speaker has finally arrived.’ He announces as he takes his seat.

  Jacqueline pulls out the chair in front of her, places her folders on the table and sits. ‘First of all I would like to say sorry for my lateness. Secondly as I see new faces let me introduce myself. I’m Jacqueline. I’m thankful for those who have shown their faces today as I believe this is a pressing matter that needs a resolution as soon as possible.’ She clears her throat before she begins. ‘Leofric as we all know is a classified A vampire hunter. One of the best in the business. I believe each one of us here in this room know of at least one vampire that has fallen thanks to this man.’ The group of council members all nod in agreement. ‘Due to Leofric’s reputation he is only known to be sent on assassination missions of rank B or higher vampires. But recently his pattern has taken a strange twist without any explanation. I recently received three new recruits. On the eve of their first day, two of the said three recruits were jumped upon by Leofric, one of which nearly lost his life. If it wasn’t for Vaelen, their handler, being at the right place at the right time… Well we all know what the outcome would have been.’ Once again they all nod in agreement. ‘It’s strange enough that someone of Leofric’s standing would attempt to kill rookies but adding to this strange factor, and something of which I cannot get my head around, is why he appeared to kill them on the very same day they were recruited. I’m baffled as to how not only Leofric but any vampire hunter would know who our new recruits are.’ Jacqueline gulps as she lets the council members sink this information in.

  ‘Could it have just been coincidence?’ A male council member asks.

  ‘Possibly. I thought that at first. But. Events of last night suggest to me otherwise. Allow me to explain.’ She takes one more gulp as she quickly arranges what she’s about to say in her head. ‘Last night I received a report of Leofric entering one of my rec
ruits’ homes, once again injuring a rookie with attempt to kill, and also murdering a mortal. My female recruits mother.’ She pauses as silence fills the room.

  ‘But that goes against everything a vampire hunter stands for.’ A female’s voice breaks the silence.

  ‘Precisely, which tells me this was a thought out premeditated attack. Killing her mother but leaving her, a vampire, alive. I believe there is a much bigger picture, which I cannot for the life of me figure out.’ Jacqueline had always been a strong woman but having those words fall from her mouth was like hitting the final nail of the coffin representing her strength. For the first time in many years, she felt helpless.

  The council members begin to mutter amongst themselves at this revelation. When suddenly a cascade of bullets come raining through the ceiling as the light blacks out leaving the room in complete darkness with only the sounds of rapid gunfire, splintering wood and the groans of pain and agony fill the darkness like an orchestral symphony. As quick as it started the gunfire stopped. Moans of the wounded council members slowly dwindle one by one as the sound of cracking skulls can be heard. The light returns.

  The once pristine meeting room now covered in bullet holes and the blood of council members. Jacqueline took only three bullets, one to her right shoulder, another to her right arm and the last the left side of her hip. Through her pain filled blurred vision she spots a female in a skin tight black leather cat suit showing off a pert buttocks, hugging her body but accentuating her womanly assets. Around her waist lies a utility belt which holds a SMG, presumably the same gun the just turned the meeting into a bloodbath. Her hair shoulder length with an auburn tint was the only colour offsetting the black attire. The female proceeds to stab council members through their skulls with a large hunting knife to make sure her prey were well and truly dead.

  Due to the bullet lodged in her hip bone Jacqueline hobbles towards the door desperately trying to make a quick exit. The mystery female turns her head and spots the injured Jacqueline making her escape. With quick vampire like speed the woman gets to the door first and faces Jacqueline. The woman’s jet black eyes piercing into hers. A vampire? Her last thought before the female kicks Jacqueline’s right kneecap, sending the sound of a loud crack into the air, bending her entire leg in the opposite direction making her immobilized. Letting out a scream of agony she falls backwards smacking her head on the hard ground. What the fuck is happening? The female walks over her. Her cat suit has built in heels which press painfully into Jacqueline’s body. First step pressing down hard into her stomach making her retch with pain, the second was more precise as the heel itself dug into her shoulder bullet wound as the flat part of the foot pressed hard onto her face as a loud crack resonated through her head as the force cracked her cheek bone. Jacqueline turns her head in pain as she watches the female finish off the last remaining council member beside her… Dirk. Jacqueline’s eyelids become heavy as she begins to pass out due to the pain.

  † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †

  Smack! ‘Wake up beautiful!’

  The force of this woman’s hand wakes Jacqueline up in an instant. She begins to struggle which forces her to realise she is tied to one of the chairs in the meeting room. She checks out her surroundings and her throat fills with sadness as she looks around at the dead members of the council, all of which covered in blood, some with their heads removed, others torn open and the rest just bullet and stab wounds, it was these members she felt less sorry for as she thought they got off lucky.

  ‘Why me?’ Jacqueline coughs in pain.

  ‘Why you what?’ The females voice coming from behind her.

  ‘Why am I still alive?’ She tries to turn and see the woman.

  ‘I’m under strict instruction to keep you alive.’ The female suddenly jumps in front of Jacqueline making her jump in fear on her chair. ‘But that’s not to say I’m not allowed a little fun.’ The female smiles and giggles.

  Jacqueline cannot help but be intrigued by this woman. She’s a gorgeous young woman. ‘Who are you?’

  The female puts both hands on the backrest of the chair as she slowly lowers herself in the straddle position onto Jacqueline’s lap and looks her deep into the eyes. Her face edges closer and closer. Her head tilts slightly to the left; she closes her eyes slowly as her soft lips press against Jacqueline’s giving her a gentle kiss lingering for a few seconds before release. She pulls back slowly before moving her mouth close to Jacqueline’s ear. Jacqueline’s eyes squint showing confusion on her face. The female whispers sweetly into her ear, ‘I’m Susie.’ As she finishes she gently and seductively licks Jacqueline’s earlobe before giving it a slight suck as she pulls away to stand on her feet once more.

  ‘I’m 21 years old. Bet you like them young don’t you. Oh who am I kidding I’m the perfect age for everything.’ She gives Jacqueline a wink before taking a seat on the table folding her legs over slowly to show off the length and tone of them.

  ‘Ok. Susie. Nice to meet you.’ She says with a fake grin on her face.

  A frown appears on Susie’s face as she jumps back to her feet and walks slowly over to Jacqueline. ‘I’d advise you not to get me angry now Jacqueline. I’ve been nothing but nice to you so far.’

  ‘You call shooting me, breaking my leg and walking all over me nice? I’d hate to see what would happen if I don’t know, I bought you a puppy or something.’ Jacqueline jokes to convince herself she has the upper hand.

  ‘Now you’re just starting to piss me off.’ Susie picks up a shard of sharp wood off one of the broken chairs up off the floor by her feet.

  ‘And what do you plan to do with that?’ Worry suddenly fills Jacqueline’s eyes.

  ‘I was thinking maybe something like this you fucking whore!’ Susie suddenly rams the sharp piece of broken wood down through Jacqueline’s left breast as it pokes out from the underside dripping with blood. She screams in agony. ‘Stop screaming; don’t act like you’ve never had foreplay before.’ Susie giggles.

  ‘Help.’ A female’s voice is heard from across the room. Susie pauses and smiles as she double takes between Jacqueline and the direction of the voice.

  ‘Oh would you look at that, I forgot to properly finish one off. Lucky me!’ Chuckles Susie as a wide smile appears on her face. ‘Hey sweetie, I’m here to help, what’s your name?’ Susie’s smile never leaves her face.

  ‘It’s Mollie.’ Mollie answers through coughs.

  ‘Ok Mollie, I’m just coming to get you.’ Susie pushes her breasts up making sure they look perky before heading over to Mollie. Jacqueline doesn’t speak as she knows Mollie will be dead if she says something or not, so why scare her even more moments before her demise. Plus she wants to assess what lengths this Susie is willing to go to. She sits quietly and watches.

  Susie helps Mollie, a young looking female, dressed in tight black suit trousers, a baby yellow blouse covered in blood and a black suit jacket. Her long brown hair messy and half covering her bloodied face and broken framed glasses with a missing lens. ‘That’s it Mollie, just take small steps, wouldn’t want you to get hurt even more than you already have.’ Susie smirks. ‘Whoops’ Susie suddenly lets go of Mollie clumsily fumbling her as she falls bent over the table. Susie’s hand lands on Mollie’s right butt cheek. ‘Oh sorry about that, just a little accident.’ She pulls her hand away as she gives Jacqueline a sly wink and a smile. Mollie’s back is riddled with bullet holes. ‘Mollie your back looks like it hurts a lot.’ She says with a soft nurturing tone to her voice, that of which a mother would give to their injured child.

  ‘Please don’t kill me.’ Mollie cries out softly as tears stream down her face onto the table forming a puddle around her face.

  ‘Mollie, what makes you think I’m going to kill you? I’m here to help you. I want to clean up those wounds. But firstly I need to get your tops off.’ Susie easily but gently pulls off Mollie’s suit jacket revealing the blood red soaked back portion of her blouse. ‘T
his does look painful. Tell me Mollie, can you move on your own?’

  ‘I think a bullet shattered my spine.’ She cries softly.

  ‘I’ll take that as a no then… Perfect.’ Susie smiles.

  Jacqueline watches as Susie pulls out her hunting knife from her utility belt and gently begins to slice the blouse open from the collar down. What on earth is this girl’s deal? A quick inhale of air through shock fills Jacqueline’s lungs as her eyes widen. Mollie begins to scream in a high pitched tone. Just pure terror and agony. Susie’s knife digs deeper into Mollie’s back as it moves further down her spine until she reaches Mollie’s trouser waistline when she removes the knife and seductively licks the blood from it. Mollie’s screams become a whimper as Susie lifts her head and turns it to face Jacqueline. Jacqueline stares into Mollies teary eyes as she blinks slowly. ‘Oh Mollie, this just isn’t your day is it? Now look into Jacqueline’s eyes. It’s all her fault. Shout at that bitch! Tell her it’s her fault this is happening!’ Susie screams menacingly. A tear roles down Jacqueline’s cheek as she begins to feel quilt for putting the young girl in this situation. Suddenly Mollie whelps for the last time as Susie rips open her back like a crisp packet as blood splashes up all over her face, showering her as she smiles, loving the blood slowly pouring down her face, down her neck and into her cleavage. She heads back towards Jacqueline. She bends over and their eyes meet.