by P. J. Burgy
“I doubt that he’s trying to pick me up. And I’m not looking to be picked up.” She hugged herself and leaned into him when he draped an arm over her shoulder.
“I know. I’m sorry.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m being an asshole. Just grumpy because I work tonight and my head hurts. Thank you for packing me a snack for my shift.”
Her eyes closed. “No problem.”
“I’m headed out. Keys on the hook?”
“Keys on the hook.”
He gave her another squeeze before leaving the room and walking down the steps. She heard him open the closet for his coat. The keys jangled. The front door opened and closed. He didn’t lock it.
Sunday at noon, Lizzie brought the painting Kate had purchased to work with her, a large trash bag thrown over it to protect it from the sleet. She parked, carried it in, and set it down behind the counter as Kate nodded in approval. The store smelled like incense that afternoon, atmospheric music playing quietly on the little boombox sitting atop the filing cabinet in the corner, near the breakroom.
Visible from the front counter, Teddy and Helena trawled through the horror section again, mumbling back and forth.
Kate sipped from a cup of hot tea. “How’d the rest of the night go? That Martin fellow stick around?”
“Not for long. He’s asked me for some paintings though. A paying job. I’m kind of excited about it, I won’t lie.” Lizzie smiled as she leaned on the counter, head turned so she could face Kate. “I expect he’ll call me Tuesday, if he hasn’t emailed back by then.”
She grinned. “Good news all around then. You can kick out the lazy bum and afford the place all by yourself.”
“Ah, well…”
Helena charged up to the counter. “Good news? They found a body! You call that good news?”
Lizzie and Kate both eyed her, silent.
The girl sent her eyes darting back and forth between them for a few long seconds, her mascara thick and lumpy along her eyelashes. “They found a body in Hipswichum, down river from us. Did you see that?”
“No,” Lizzie replied. “What happened?”
Kate sighed. “Oh, from the news this morning…”
Helena nodded. “They found a woman’s body in the river. She was from north of here, you know. Not even missing yet. Do you want to know something else?”
Lizzie grimaced. “Ah, yeah?”
“Her body was completely drained of blood.” The girl leaned forward, both hands on the counter, and lowered her head.
“The newsman didn’t say that,” Kate said.
“No, but Kyle Spendinger’s dad did, and he’s a cop in Hipswichum County. Swear to God. Cross my heart. And you know what else?” Her already large eyes widened.
Kate groaned. “Oh, dear Lord. What else?”
“Her throat was ripped out!”
Lizzie stared at her. “Oh. Um…”
“And her head was barely hanging on by a thread. They’re lucky it didn’t tear off and float away, or they’d never had identified her!”
Kate sipped her tea again. “His dad leaked all that, eh?”
Helena dragged her fingers across her own throat slowly, purposely, and gagged on the air, her eyes rolling back in the sockets. She coughed and wheezed before shifting to a serious, deadly stare once more. “No human did this. No. A monster killed that woman. Something dark. Something… evil! There will be more. More bodies.”
“You read too much horror,” Kate said.
Teddy cleared his throat, not even looking up from the book he was reading. “I’m betting it’s a vampire.”
“Don’t vampires leave little holes in their victim’s neck?” Lizzie shrugged. “Not big gaping wounds?”
“If they’re trying to hide the fact that they’re a vampire, they’ll cover up their bite marks,” Helena explained. “Trust me, we’ve considered all of this.”
“Of course, the vampire would cover his tracks. That’s why he tried to pop her head off, right?” Kate asked.
“Uh, no. It’s to keep her from rising. Duh.” Helena made a face, eyes crossing.
“Oh, that makes sense.” Kate nodded sagely.
“He drained her of her blood, ripped her throat out – nearly decapitating her – and then dropped her body in the river,” Teddy said.
Kate raised her eyebrows. “It’s a boy vampire then?”
“Kyle’s dad said she was nearly naked. And, uh, that she was hot… when she was alive.” Teddy looked up from his book and back down again. “It’s probably a male vampire.”
“Can’t rule out a lamia though,” Helena whispered. “A lesbian lamia. Could be one of those too.”
“We decided on classic vampire, Hel.” Teddy grunted.
“Or a bigfoot,” Kate added.
Helena started upright. “Bigfoot would never!”
“Sorry. I’d never want to disgrace the name of Bigfoot now, would I?” Kate put her teacup down.
“So, there’s a vampire in Hipswichum?” Lizzie asked.
“No, somewhere north of there.” Helene narrowed her eyes. “She’d been in the river for a day, in moving water. Got caught on a log. Found by fishermen. Dead for less than twelve hours. He dumped her around here.”
“What if he’s just passing through?” Kate asked, shrugging and extended a hand. “Got himself a snack and went on his way?”
“Vampires have a range, Kate!” the girl declared. “They need a place to rest during the day. Yeah, they can travel long distances at night, but they’ll always hunt close to home. Close to their coffins.”
Kate nodded, corrected. “Ah, all right.”
“I can’t believe you don’t know this stuff! It’s the basics!” Helena cried out in exasperation.
“Have you been pounding espressos from Delani’s again?” Lizzie asked, stifling a soft laugh.
“Yes, but that’s not the problem. The problem is that there’s a blood sucking vampire somewhere in or near Puhtipstie, and you’re just grinning like jokers. People are going to keep dying, Lizzie!”
“The idea of a killer scares me, okay? I doubt it’s anything supernatural, Helena,” Lizzie said.
Teddy set down the book he’d been eyeing. “And that’s how they get you. Through your ignorance. They’re counting on you not believing in them.”
“Maybe it’s our new friend Martin,” Kate suggested. “He just moved in. The murder happened around that time, right? Lizzie, maybe your new client is a vampire.”
“Jeez… Don’t encourage them, Kate…”
She continued, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “He’s wealthy and handsome. Lives in a big, old house on a hill. If anyone’s a vampire, he is. Count Martin. Has a certain ring to it if you ask me.”
“Martin the vampire…” Helena whispered, brows knit.
“No. Stop.” Lizzie held up her hands.
Teddy scoffed. “Sounds eerily familiar.”
Kate hummed to herself and shook her head. “Seems like a good time for me to leave for the evening.” She picked up her teacup and strolled around the counter to the breakroom to set it in the sink, then came back out again to slide the bagged painting under her arm. “Be careful closing up tonight, Lizzie. There’s a foul creature out there hunting for pretty young ladies.”
Lizzie sighed loudly. “Sure.”
“We should hang some crucifixes around the store,” Helena said as she watched Kate leave. The little bell tinkled as the shop owner let the door close behind her. Invigorated by the concept, the girl stiffened and pointed a finger at Lizzie. “And some garlic. Definitely garlic.”
“Are you two buying anything today?” Lizzie asked, tone flat as she crossed her arms across her chest.
Teddy jogged over and threw a book down onto the counter. A large tome, the cover worn down over time. It read ‘Things in the Night; A Guide’. His expression had turned deadly serious. “No, but you should read this.”
“I’ve seen it.”
“Read it. Read abou
t vampires. It could save your life.” The young man grimaced as he spoke, brows furrowed deeply. “I own a copy at home. It’s in… better condition, of course, but… you have it here. Look.”
Unable to maintain a straight face, Lizzie smirked again. “Ah, okay, Teddy.”
“No, look…” He flipped through the pages until he reached the section about vampire. He pointed at a crude drawing of a man – or a creature that appeared quite like a man – with fangs. The creature held up an arm to shield itself from a crucifix. Under that picture was another: the same creature standing next to a framed, empty mirror with ‘no reflection’ as a note beside it. “I suggest you put some mirrors in the store. If it comes in, you’ll know.”
“Guys…”
Helena chimed in again. “And then you can throw all those marbles and little stones from the display table on the floor. He’ll have to pick them all up! You can run while he’s distracted.”
“Good idea!” Teddy exclaimed.
“Guys…”
“If he follows you home, don’t invite him in!” Helena shook her head back and forth theatrically.
“Wait, do you own the home, or are you and Tommy both on the mortgage? It matters!” Teddy cried. “Tommy could let him in if he’s been glamoured!”
“Oh no, don’t let him make eye contact with you!”
“And don’t listen to him talk!”
“Guys!”
Teddy and Helena stared at her, silenced.
Lizzie took in a slow breath. “Guys, I appreciate the concern, but there’s no such thing as vampires. I love your imaginations, I really do, but let it go. A woman died, and that’s, ah, it’s tragic, right? But you should be more worried about a serial killer in Puhtipstie than… than a vampire, okay? So, calm down, please.”
While Teddy appeared to deflate, Helena only puffed up more and she turned away in frustration.
“Hmmph! When the dead begin to rise, don’t come to me asking for forgiveness. I won’t tell you ‘I told you so’…” the girl said, frowning deeply.
“If it’s a vampire, I’ll owe you an apology. But until then, let’s just drop it.” Lizzie walked around the counter.
The bell tinkled and a couple of Margo’s tan friends strolled into the store, wiping their feet on the mat inside.
“Oh, hello. From the gallery? Lizzie?” a tan brunette asked. The mole on her lip had a ‘Marilyn’ vibe to it, her long sweater and legging combo somehow casual and classy at the same time.
“Hello. Yes.”
The woman’s companion, a tan, blonde fellow in a cardigan, waved weakly, obviously not there by choice. “Hi again.”
“Figured we’d sightsee before we leave. Your little town is so quaint. Adorable!” the woman stated.
“Adorable,” the man echoed.
Helena spun on her heel and scowled at them. “Not with a vampire in our midst.”
“A what?” the man asked.
“Helena, Teddy… why don’t you kids skedaddle, huh?” Lizzie sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “Please.”
Teddy nodded slowly, patting the open book he’d left before her on the counter. He backed away, looked around the store, and glared at Lizzie. “Be ever watchful. They can be as beautiful as they are frightening. They can take the form of a bat or a wolf. Maybe even a black mist if they want to. They can fly, and-”
“Please.” Lizzie glared right back at him.
“Fine.” Teddy gestured toward Helena. The two left the store together, the bell tinkling again as the door swung open and shut. The quiet, atmospheric music droned on in their absence and they passed the window outside.
It became easier to breathe. Lizzie smiled. “Sorry about that. Were you looking for anything in particular?”
“As I said, just looking around,” the woman replied. “Not a lot of little shops where we’re from.”
“Ah, where are you from?”
The man sniffed, nose crinkled. He scanned the store with obvious disappointment. “Glen Hills, New Jersey.”
“That’s a long drive,” Lizzie said.
“You’re telling me. Can we go now?” He eyed his companion anxiously.
“Relax, Frank. I want to look around. It’s cute. Maybe I’ll get some of this jewelry!” The woman scampered over to the table and spun the small rack of earrings and necklaces. “Oh, they’re all so kitschy, I could die!”
“Sure,” he said, defeated, and hung out near the door.
Lizzie waited at the counter until, eventually, the woman picked out and paid for a leather cord necklace with a jade bird pendant. A card was presented and swiped. She signed for the purchase and immediately put it on.
“I love it!” she cried, taking a few selfies with her phone in the store. “Tagging your store! How adorable!”
“Reception isn’t so great up this way. Not for data like that,” Lizzie said. “But thank you. I’m sure it’ll mean a lot to the owner if you share us.”
“No problem!” Her big green eyes lit up. Her black makeup had a Cleopatra-esque flare to the eyeshadow at the corners, long and pointed upward. “I guess we’ll be leaving now. Any good places to eat around here?”
“The Blue Room on Fifth Street. But they open at five. You’re better off getting some sandwiches at the deli across the street,” Lizzie replied. “Danno’s.”
“Danno’s Sandwich Hut?” the man asked, clearly disgusted. “Is that it?”
“Oh! Sandwiches! I love sandwiches!” the woman cried, excited. She grabbed the man’s arm. “Let’s go get some authentic local cuisine, sweetie! Please!”
“Sandwiches…”
Lizzie fought off a smirk. “Or there’s a coffee place. They have a bakery.”
“A bakery!” she cooed.
“If there’s time…”
“There’s time. I want to go to the place on Fifth Street after five! We’ve got to stick around town for dinner. Please!” She pressed her hands together. “Frannnnnk.”
“Dear…”
“Just for dinner and dessert.”
“Sure…”
The woman beamed. “Hurray!”
“You two have fun now,” Lizzie said.
“You’ve been very helpful. Let’s go.” He pulled the woman along with him and they left the store. Outside on the sidewalk, she pointed and danced as he dragged her away and back to wherever they had parked.
The time was five til’ six when Lizzie rolled her shoulders and began to count the register. She broke it down, locked up the money in the safe underneath, and took her empty teacup to the breakroom.
She washed out her cup as well as Kate’s and set them both in the small drying rack to the right. Drying off her hands, she set the towel back down. As she left the breakroom, she flicked off the lights.
Lizzie stopped in her tracks when she saw Martin at the counter. He was dressed nice, same as before, but in black and blue.
When he saw her, he smiled. “Nice store.”
She stiffened. “Hello, Martin.”
“Sorry, I know it’s almost closing time.”
“It’s okay. Just came to look?”
He eyed her. “Actually, I came to ask about your book.”
“Oh. In person? Hah… Must be some question.” She stepped behind the counter and felt herself relax once she’d put a barrier between them.
“I deemed a visit necessary,” he said, his gaze unrelenting. “I need to know what happens next.”
“Ah, what do you mean? In the book?”
“I read it. The end implies a sequel. Is there one?”
“That was quick.”
“I liked it a lot. Couldn’t put it down. So, is there?”
Lizzie licked her lips. “I’m working on one. I’m a few chapters in.”
“May I see them?” He stepped close to the counter and bent slightly, his blue eyes clear and intense.
“You want to see the chapters?”
“Yes, please.”
She blinked quickly and sh
rugged. “I suppose I could email them over to you if you want.”
“Grand!”
“There’s only three so far, and they need editing and formatting, but, sure. Yeah.” Sweat beaded on her top lip and she wiped at her face. “I do need to close up though. I have to get home and make dinner.”
“Understandable. It’s dinner time,” he said. “I’m sorry if my coming here without any warning startled you. That was rude of me. Allow me to make it up to you with a down payment on your future work.”
“That won’t, ah, be necessary…”
“Please.” He touched his chest, brows knit. “I’m honestly embarrassed now. It will make me feel better.”
“If it will make you feel better…”
“Ah good, yes,” he took out his wallet and rifled through it. “What sounds good to you?”
“You could transfer me money, you know. Cash is nice, but it’s, um, it’s quicker to send it directly… to me.” Lizzie rubbed at her upper arm, melting in his smoldering gaze. She averted her eyes. “Ah, I mean…”
“You prefer banks? A check?”
“Just transfer. You know.”
“On the computer?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh. That’s fine. I’m actually pretty good with technology, but it’s not my default. I assume that most people still like to deal in cash. Not a problem though.” He shrugged, abruptly lifting his stare to glance at the darkened window. “If it’ll please you, I’ll do it that way.”
“Cool, yeah.” She nodded. “So, ah…”
“I’ll be going. I’ll call, okay?” He mimicked holding a phone to his ear, grinning widely, then left her store, the bell tinkling as the door swung open.
Lizzie listened as the bell tinkled again, the door closed. She ran to it and locked it, looking outside. He must have walked away pretty fast because he was gone already.
It occurred to her later, while lying in bed, that she’d never heard the bell announce his arrival.
Chapter 5
Lizzie worked her normal Monday shift, four to eight, and drove home so Tommy could take the car to the hardware store for his late shift of stocking.
