The Vampire Who Loved Me

Chapter 6: Meeting an old friend

Whilst I stared hopelessly at the name tag, Luke strolled over to join me. He stepped back a little and almost flinched at the name. I raised an eyebrow, what about seeing this name made him do that? Did he know Michael? Was Michael well known here?

"Recognise the name?"

"I think I do yeah. Heard about it in the local villages I guess. You?"

"He's well known around these parts yes."

"Ah. So is there any chance of possible meeting him? It'd add a new edge to my article. Just the big shot I need."

"I'm afraid that's breaching our policies. You've already experienced our utmost hospitality so you really would be pushing your luck with this."

"Hm, I see. It was worth a try though ha."

"It was indeed. Now let me show you the grounds, too much time down here won't be good for your lungs." I nodded looking back once more to the cell and jotting down which one it was.

Once out of the cell block I breathed in deeply. Even as a vampire oxygen was still needed and especially around humans. I had to seem as natural as possible.

I pulled out my cigarettes. "May I?"

"Sure but over here out of the way of the buildings." I nodded and followed him to the quad where inmates were occasionally exercised.

I grabbed my lighter. I offered Luke one which he instantly shook his head at. I smiled and lit my own. Putting the packet and the lighter back in my pocket I exhaled deeply.

"It's dark in there. I don't mean light wise either."

"Yeah it does have a sort of gloom hanging over it. You shouldn't smoke you know. So bad for you."

"I've always wanted to and work has been stressful so I thought why not. It really helps me."

He sighed. "I know it won't harm you anyway."

I froze. "What did you say?"

"It's alright. I know your secret." I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"But..."

"The humans, they can't tell, no they are too blind and too stupid to realise. They also would never expect someone like you to just walk in the front door. But I know."

I took a deep drag and exhaled upwards and watched the smoke. "How is it you know then?"

"Because he got me first."

I almost dropped my cigarette.

"Yes, you heard me. Michael. I knew him, he got to me. That's why I went missing. He made me like him and set me to work in here as a spy. It's been quite good but very dangerous each day. I never thought I'd see you again and I never thought he'd get to you." He looked sad.

"So. He's like a leader, turning people and then setting them to do his dirty work?" I was shocked.

"Yes in a way. He's been turning people for years. Quite successfully too but then he got you and they traced him."

"How?"

"Well from me they found out about you and were watching you. They knew you went missing and knew exactly why. He'd been getting to the employees families so naturally you were under surveillance. That's why they didn't take you."

"But I'm like him now and that makes me dangerous right?"

"Yes and no. You are fresh, new to this. They knew that if they took your life support, Michael, that you would not survive long. That they would be able to lure you and take you too. However when they saw you. You were sleeping and new vampires look like dead humans when they sleep. They believed you hadn't survived so they left you."