Suburban Vampire: Book of Origins

JACK, Part Two

Texas was not safe for Jack Turner. Everywhere he turned, he saw his face on wanted posters – at times, he considered turning himself in for the reward money, but he didn't have a good plan for claiming that money afterward, and besides, you couldn't use that money anyway when you're dangling from a length of hemp. Jack tried going north to Indian Territory, but he never made it, as it seemed the law was waiting for him. He then went south with the intent of heading to the port of Galveston, but then was pursued into the woods of Southeast Texas. For a while, he hid out in a bayou along the Sabine river, then crossed over into Louisiana. Since Galveston was now out of the question, he decided he'd make for the nearest major port city, that being New Orleans. New Orleans was a large, cosmopolitan city with a diverse population. As a major port, ships from all over the world would dock there. The large population would give Jack needed anonymity, and he would have his choice of possible destinations where his past would not catch up with him.

It was the Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday – and Jack was doing what Jack liked to do. That is to say, he spent his time in the company of a young Creole woman and he got drunk. As they stumbled their way around the French Quarter, Jack was overwhelmed by sights, things he took as visions. It would be simple to dismiss these visions as either delusions brought on by liquor, causing Jack to misinterpret the masked krewes as something darker or more sinister. If that were so, then why did he see the specter of his dead father? George Turner appeared before Jack on Basin street, then on Rampart street, and in every tavern and brothel in the Quarter. It was as though George Turner were pursuing him, made worse by the fact that he started seeing his brother, Pete. Oddly, Pete seemed to be aware of George's presence. But worse than that, Pete was wearing a silver star on his coat. Jack tried to run, but Pete grabbed him by the lapels.

"Some brother you are," Pete said, "murdering your own father. How could you?"

"Yes," said George Turner, as he appeared alongside Pete, "I gave you everything, Jack. I tried to raise you right, but it wasn't easy. And this is how you thank me?" George pointed to a hole in his stomach. The hole started oozing blood.

"You did that to him," Pete said.

"No," Jack stammered, "it was an accident! I didn't mean it! I swear!"

"You always hated me, boy," George said. "And then you killed me."

"You killed our father," Pete said. "Patricide!"

"No!" Jack cried.

The beautiful young Creole woman was confused. "What is wrong, Jack?" She asked. "Who are you talking to?"

"Th... them!" Jack coughed. "Don't you see them?"

"No, I don't."

"They're right in front of you!"

"Oh, poor little brother," Pete said, "now he is going mad."

George started cackling. "Yes, he is. It's a mere foretaste of what awaits him in Hell!"

Pete joined his father in laughter. Their laughter was deafening to Jack's ears, yet no one else could hear it. Jack covered his ears to block their laughter. It didn't work.

"What is wrong with you?" The Creole girl asked. "Are you mad?"

Jack did not answer her. He pulled away from the girl and started running. But every time he stopped, he saw his father and his brother pursuing him, so he ran some more. He ran until he came upon a graveyard. This was not like any graveyard Jack had ever seen, as all the graves were above ground, in vaults. He entered the graveyard and just as he stepped over its border, the visions of his brother and father vanished. Something else drew him deep within the eerie city of the dead. He did not know what it was, though. What was it that fascinated him about this place?