Vampire World (VAMPIRE WORLD #1)

Part 17 More Secrets

Chapter 16: More Secrets

I searched all over for the masked messenger, but found no one. I wished the freaking coward would show himself; I was so furious I wanted to scream. But I couldn’t. I did not want Mr. FreeCut to know anything about the secrets I was discovering.

In spite of my anger, I was still curious. After returning to my room I opened the letter and read the longer than usual message.

'It’s time to get to business, Janice. You’ve already discovered one major secret. You have two remaining. You’re lucky to have the ability to learn something that’s so important to your well being. The first part of the next secret is located in a very unexpected place. You have to access the private train of a very powerful organization that you know little about. But you’ll discover a lot if you continue your search. There is a tunnel that leads to the train track.  It’s secretly located behind a wall in the second underground floor of the fireball Recreation Center. But to get to the second floor, you have to enter the annual fireball contest. There is a statue of a gargoyle against the left wall. Pull on its right claw three times. Then the left claw twice. After that, yank on the right claw three more times. If the order is correct, the tunnel will open. Then go forth through it.'

I placed the letter in my purse. I really didn’t want to bother with this nonsense any longer. But I was intrigued, all the same.

The next day I woke up ready for work.

When I arrived, I couldn’t wait to get off because Brett was going to treat me to a hot haircut that evening. I was so looking forward to seeing him, and to getting my new hairdo. I’d finally look like a vampire. After that it would be fireball practice with Brett, great friends, and Mr. FreeCut as well if he still wanted to come. Could things have gotten any better?

I ran into Mira. She looked wonderful with her hair twisted in spikes and knots, together with highlighted tips of frosty silver. I wanted to look like her. And I was determined to keep my job and earn enough Carns to do so.

“You’re on your own today,” she said. “But I’ll be nearby. If you need help, just let me know. Please though, don’t scream for help when you’re in the air. It’s rude to customers.”

         I set off down the long aisle, passing through the canyon of women’s clothing towering above me. But the giant shelves did not hide me for long. A family of four soon came over and started asking tons of questions.

“I’m looking for the three dimensional dress with the spikes sticking out of it,” said the mother. “And my twin daughters are both keen to have the brand new 3-D T-shirts with BloodToura the Clown on them.”

“Sure,” I replied, trying my best to hide the obvious fact that I was a novice. Without hesitating, I grabbed one of the retail books and searched through the cumbersome index.

It didn’t take me long to find a picture of the BloodToura T-shirts. With a nifty looking clown face with shrill fangs and prickly hair slapped large across the front, it was hard to miss. Because these were new, they were located on the display shelf 20B, which would be pretty easy to locate.

But the mother’s dress…damn…I didn’t know where the hell that was.

         After several anxious moments, I found the dress I was looking for in the index. It was located on shelf 9-16-E - almost all the way to the top.

         “I’ll be right back,” I said. Oh, I was blowing it big time.

            Up the ladder I trudged, trying to move rapidly because I was already taking too long. As I neared the top, greenish sweat beaded off of my skin and my legs started to hurt. I tried not to look down; I was damn scared. Eventually I saw the dress I needed. I quickly grabbed at it, and…OUCH….blood squirted like a fountain from my fingertip. Those damn 3D spikes!