Garlic Is For Vampires (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 13: Stakes and Garlic Spray

I woke up a few hours later to Brendon's snoring. He wasn't someone who snores but with everything going on his body was giving the calls. So there he was, wrapped around my pillow with his lips parted and soft snoring noises coming from his mouth. It wasn't enough to wake up the average person, but it sure was to me. I got off the bed and used the bathroom, rubbing my eyes tiredly. It was still incredibly early and I had a shift to attend to.

As I was brushing my teeth my eyes feel upon the bandage on my neck, and the gauze around my arm. Both were soiled, so I had to change them. I did so quietly, not spending much time to stare at either injury. Then I opened the bathroom door and noticed Brendon stirring. He'd wake up soon.

I made a quick breakfast of oatmeal and toast, slowly chewing while reading the latest tabloids involving Dylan. News had quickly spread, and I barely realized people had been following Dylan and I ever since we started dating. Oh, God. I buried my face into my palms. There was a knock on my door. My head snapped up and I grabbed a kitchen knife from beside me. I got off the stool I was sitting on and slowly approached the door.

Whoever was on the other side of it knocked again, this time more urgently. I checked the peephole. Nobody was standing outside in the hall. Odd. Was this some sort of prank by Dylan? Or another vampire? I unlocked the door and swung it open. The hallway was empty. I poked my head out and checked both directions. Nobody here. But I looked down and found a square box staring back up at me, wrapped in brown paper. I picked it up and found two names written on top of the box. Bree and Brendon.

The letter attached to the box was addressed to Brendon. I closed the door and immediately locked it before stomping off to my room to find Brendon. He was still out cold and I sat down next to him on the bed. Then I shook him awake, calling his name as well. "Brendon, teriyaki!"

He jerked awake and looked around, searching for teriyaki which was his favorite food. But he only found me sitting in front of him with a box in my hand. I handed him the letter. "This came for you."

He frowned and sat up. "A letter? You don't get much of those these days." He tore open the brown envelope and pulled out a sheet of brown paper. Geez, this person was obsessed with brown everything. He unfolded the letter and began to read. First his expression was confused but then it slowly transformed into anger until it finally settled on surprise. He cleared his throat and began to read aloud.

"'Brendon Stark, I would like to excuse my interruption in your life with this letter that will keep you informed as to why I've delivered a box to you and Bree Hawk, the girl who was attacked by Dylan Shaw, the vampire lord of The Fanged Demon Society, late last night. Whatever make believe you've heard about vampires is all true. They walk among us at night, and New York, being the city that never sleeps, allows them to feed on human beings nightly. But I know who you are, detective, and I know the case you are dealing with. You do not have any leads to capture a killer because there are multiple killers. They all work for Dylan, who I've been keeping tabs on.

He plans on something big with the vampire clan in New York, and then he hopes to reach out to all other vampires all over the world. I cannot say what, but I'm sure it involves Bree, the girl who is the only one who has ever been close to Dylan. So I would like to aid you help in stopping this demonic madman and protect Bree, who is your dearest friend. In the box you will find stakes, which will be used to pierce the vampires heart to get it beating again.

Once the heart is beating, within the next few seconds, they will wither and age the number of years they've denied, and then they will die. The garlic spray burns them, so use it. This is only to protect the both of you, and if you wish for my help, go to the White Falcon, an underground club that will only allow you in if you have been Influenced by a vampire, which is why you'll need Bree to get in. She has been bitten by a vampire. I will leave instructions soon.