Run

Chapter 3 - The Meeting

I was surprised as I stepped through the doors.  No one was in sight.  It was simply a dark room.  I surveyed the room trying to discern shapes among the shadows that clung to the corners.  The room was simple brick with only one light hanging in the center.  A small table sat off to one side with two bar stools.  I stepped further into the room.

Just as I was about to leave.  The bartender stepped into the room.  

"Please sit." He gestured to one of the bar stools.  

"Are you the one who sent that e-mail?" I crossed my arms, continuing to stand.  

"Yes." He simply replied and walked over to the table.  "Do you want anymore wine?" He questioned with a slight raise of one eyebrow.  

I had had enough.  "Now look here buddy, while I appreciate your attempt at hospitality give me the facts.  Why do you want to hire me?  Why the heck did you want me here?" 

A small smile appeared on his lips with a deep chuckle.  "What was I doing expecting a dog to have patience."  

Any thought of a retort died on my lips as I heard the word 'dog.'  He knew.  How did he know.  He took in my expression and laughed again.  

"Oh my how interesting. You thought you were that good at hiding, did you?"  He strolled over to the table and sat down leaning his muscular arms on his legs, appraising me.  He reached over next to him to grab a wine bottle of the nearest rack.  A glass simply seemed to appear and he poured himself a glass.  Swirling around the wine, he watched me with predatory eyes over the rim of the glass.  "I will give you a bit of a hint, this close to the full moon you don't fool anyone."  He smiled again and took a sip.  

I continued to stand in the center of the room dumbstruck by what had just occurred.  He knew what I was.  How did he know? Did that mean he was one of them?

Still not sitting, I took a step back away from him.  "Are are you one of them?" I stuttered out, fear beginning to climb in my throat.  I scanned the room for any additional exits.  He paused at this.  Noticing my distress, he put a hand out.  

"Please sit. It looks like we have a longer conversation to be had than I originally thought."  Wearily I sat in the outstretched chair.  

Silence ensued as he seemed to be thinking.  "How long ago were you turned?" He questioned, continuing to slowly sip his wine.  

"Three years ago."  I didn't know why I told him anything.  However, he was the first person that I had met that seemed to have any idea of what I had become.  Maybe, he could tell me how to cure it.  

"Your maker is not doing a very good job, teaching you Ms. Franklin."  

"My maker?"

"Oh my." He tsked.  "Bitten and abandoned were we."  He rose from his chair walking across the room.  I watched him with wary eyes.

"What do you know?!" I questioned with more force.  "What am I!?  What are you?!"

He paused.  "Let's start over shall we?" He smiled his eyes glowing silver in the shadows.  He outstretched a hand towards me.  "My name is Javier Castille, and I am a vampire."  I was stunned shocked at the revelation.

"There are vampires too?!" I squeaked at him, stunned.  

"Yes. Yes there are Ms. Franklin. I must admit I am surprised at how long you have been able to lay low until now. It seems though that the reports are correct and you really don't know who or what you are, do you?"  

"Reports?" I questioned.  

"Ah yes." He began returning to his seat.  "I have answers for you Ms. Franklin.  Really, I do.  However, I think first we should begin why I brought you here tonight."  He sipped at his glass again seeming to be trying to determine his words.  "I am the mayor of this district of supernaturals.  I run this bar here, and also work to maintain order and secrecy of our section of the underworld.  It seems that you have begun to draw a bit of attention with your little PI business.  Rumors have spread of a golden eyed beauty for hire.  Of course, you can continue your little PI business, but it really is rude to not consult the mayor first."  He paused.  "However, considering your unique confusion perhaps my original plan of death isn't the tactic to take."  

I was stunned.  "You were going to kill me?!" I blurted out.  He chortled a deep rich laugh.

"Why of course Ms. Franklin.  That is the custom.  You work a business without the authorities knowing and by revealing the underworld, death is the customary solution.  However, considering your naivety I think that you could be a useful asset." He continued to appraise her and sip his wine.  He rose from where he had been seated and walked towards one of the walls encased in shadows.  Looking back at her over his shoulder he said, "now do you want some answers?"  He raised his hand and waved it over an area of the wall.  A door slid open in the shadows into which he disappeared leaving Lucy with a choice to make.  Lucy took a breath to still her racing heart and looked into the shadows.

Knock it off Lucy.  She thought to herself. Even you are more terrifying than a spooky hallway and some creapo dead guy. Preparing herself she walked into the darkness after Javier, hoping for some answers at last.

Aaaand, that's chapter 3!  Hope you all enjoyed it and are ready for some answers.  Let me know what you all thought!  

-Saphireswan