Vampire Residence

XXXV

New York, 1969.

A large crowd of people fills the muddy fields outside the designated Woodstock festival grounds. The sun has set and the music has stopped, but a sense of excitement and communal energy remains. A small group of people gathered around a tall, seemingly charismatic man with a shaggy mop of dark hair and glasses. That man was none other than William Anderson.

Will stood in the center of the group, his arms spread wide as he listened to the people gathered around him. Occasionally, he spoke quietly to one or two of them, his words seeming to soothe the people who were gathered.

Unfortunately, he was just high out of his mind and rambling about everything and nothing with confidence that could only be achieved through the intake of an insane amount of drugs.

The crowd was a mix of hippies and regular festival-goers. A few of the people in the crowd were vampires who recognized what William was, but for the most part, they were just regular people who saw a tall, disheveled man who looked a little bit like a modern-day Jesus with glasses and decided to see what he had to say.

William continued to ramble on, his speech taking on a guiding tone. "Friends," he said, his voice gravelly and deep, "the world is changing. We are at a crossroads."

All the while he was just draining these humans of their energy, and getting just as high off of it as they all had gotten from being on the grounds all day.

The vampire closest to him- who was as always, in fact, Daci- that had been quietly searching the crowd for the perfect victim to feed from, was almost completely unaffected by his draining ramblings. And he'd certainly noticed.

As Will continued to ramble, he spotted Daci in the crowd. He turned to face her, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Ah, you there," he said, swaying a bit on his feet. "Come closer, my friend."

Daci only shook her head.

William chuckled at Daci's response, but his smile faded slightly. "Why do you keep your distance, friend? I promise I won't bite."

"Maybe you should learn to. It is much more effective." was all she said as she turned and walked off, making a display of how little she was affected by his power.

Will watched Daci as she walked away, his smile faltering completely. He was not used to people brushing off his charisma so easily. A part of him was fascinated by her seeming immune to his power.

He decided to follow her. He pushed his way through the crowd of people until he was walking directly behind her. "You know, it's rude to walk away from someone mid-conversation."

She said nothing, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head.

Will chuckled at her silence. He stepped around her until he was standing in front of her, forcing her to stop. "You're a vampire, aren't you? A strong one."

Daci's eyes narrowed as he said this, her only sign that he was right. She lifted her chin, tilting her head to the side and exposing her neck just slightly- and most definitely on purpose- before she resumed her walk.

Will chuckled again at her subtle display. He followed her, easily catching up to her stride, and walked alongside her. "You're not very friendly, are you?"

Still, no answer.

Will's grin widened. He was used to people being immediately drawn to him, hanging on his every word like their life depended on it. But Daci was a challenge.

He continued to walk beside her in silence for a few moments, before speaking again. "Mind if I ask you something, friend?"

"Yes, I do mind." was all she mumbled as she turned a corner, taking on the form of a bat and unceremoniously flying away from him before he had the chance to get another word out.

Will let out a bark of startled laughter as she transformed, completely taken off guard. "Fair enough," he yelled after her.

Unfortunately for Daci, he was determined. When she reached the house, he was already there on the step, waiting.

"How did you know-"

"Don't worry about it," Will said, waving a dismissive hand. "May I come in?"

"No."

"You can't leave me out here on the porch like a stray puppy. What if I get attacked by a vicious raccoon?"

"I hope that you do."

Will feigned hurt, putting a hand to his chest in mock offense. "You wound me, friend. Here I am, just trying to offer you some friendly company, and you want me mauled by a raccoon."

Despite herself, Daci almost laughed at that. To avoid it, she turned away and headed further into the house, gesturing for him to follow. "You have five minutes."

Will flashed a charming smile at Daci, following her further into the house. "Well, I'll try to make the most of my five minutes, then," he said, taking in his surroundings.

Five minutes somehow turned into five hours, and then into five days... and he simply never left.

And that is all there is to know about how the vampires acquired William Anderson.