Vampire Hunter: Corey Crowgarden's guide to killing vampires for fun and profit.

Lesson 4 Part 5

Corey looked petty nervous as they pulled into the driveway. He saw the lights of his father in laws old house and thought of all the good times and promises he had made there. Some of the promises were just to himself.
"This is going to break their hearts,"  Corey said to Bobby as he pulled in to the garage.
"If you don't want to tell them, I can," Bobby replied, killing the engine and closing the garage door behind them.
"No," Corey said, opening the car door, "it should come from me. I'm the one that failed them, again. Thanks Bobby, I appreciate it."
"I kind of meant it as a threat," Bobby admitted stepping around the car.
"I know you did," Corey said. "Well let's get in there, I've got some 'splaining to do."
Bobby went to unlock the door when it burst open, Carrie standing in the doorway.
"We've got good news!" she said. "We heard from Tim! He's on his way here!"
"Finally some good news!" Bobby said.
"I've got some less exciting news..." Corey started, then suddenly his daughter threw her arms around him.
"Daddy!" Carrie yelled and hugged him close, Crystal threw her arms around him too and the held each other for a few moments.
A tear wet Corey's eye.
He kissed his girls on the cheek and forehead, "Girls, let's go sit down. I've got something to tell you and it isn't going to be pleasant."   
They moved into the dining room. Corey removed his boots and his coat. He poured himself a glass of water, warm water, since he had been converted in China; only cold water on the hottest of days.
"Okay, there is no good way to say this," Corey sat at the end of the table where their grandfather had traditionally sat, farthest from the kitchen door. "Your mother is a vampire and has been for a while. I failed her. They found me out but couldn't catch me, so they did something worse, they turned your mother into one of them."
"Why did you even get involved in this... crusade!" Crystal yelled. "Like you could make a difference! Like you could possibly win! We could have been a normal family!"
Corey shrugged, "I did what I thought was right. No excuses, plenty of regrets, but no excuses."
"What can we do?" Carrie asked. "Are we going to have to..."
"Kill her?!" Crystal yelled, "Our own mother? The woman you were supposed to 'love, honour and cherish'?"
"So long as we both shall live," Corey replied. "There wasn't exactly a clause in the contract for this."
He paused for a moment and Crystal stood as if to leave.
"Sit down Crystal," Carrie said.
"Why? So we can hear more of his bullshit?"
"Fucked up and oddball as we are," Carrie said, "we are still a family. We are all each other has. Has Dad fucked up?...Ya."
"And daddy's girl is ready to forgive him," Crystal said.
"You're my daughter too," Corey said. "I love you both and I did what I could to protect you. I've seen other families children go into those blood factories and never come out. I didn't want that to happen to you and I tried to prevent it the only way I knew how."
"Tell the rest," Bobby added as he craned his neck into the room.
"Since they finally caught me, Lord Whats it has given me 89 days to kill whatever creature is plaguing the city and not conforming with it's rules."
"What do you expect us to do?" Crystal asked.
"You're adults now. I don't want to do her dirty work, but you're involved so you should have a say."
"What are the options?" Carrie asked.
"Near as I can figure we can, try and trap and dispatch the creature that's causing the problem..." Corey suggested. "Or..."
"What's wrong with that plan?" Carrie said.
"Lots!" Crystal said and Corey nodded in agreement.
"I agree," Corey said," we don't know what we are up against. We don't have any info at all. We don't know if it will honour its deal, and we'll be helping that creature out. Which I'm against just on principal."
"What else can we do?" Carrie asked.
"We can go on the offensive, clear the haven. Get a hand from Harry."
"What's the downside to that?" Crystal said.
"Well, it's what they would expect," Corey said, "So they're probably setting an ambush. They're likely to have moved their base regardless. There are a number of havens. Also, I'm compromised so I don't know if the rest of the hunt would help."
"Any other options?" Crystal asked.
"We can turn into the wind and hide," Corey said. "It's not exactly my favourite option, but it's there."
They were silent for a moment, sitting around the table.
Crystal broke the silence sitting back down. "What happens to mum?"
"I don't know," Corey replied. "I asked Tim to look into it."
"We should wait for him before we decide," Crystal said.
"I agree," said Corey, "he's part of the family. As far as I'm concerned, so are you Bobby."
Bobby looked surprised. "Thanks, Mr. Crowgarden," he said, glancing at Carrie, trying to figure out her feelings on this.
"No more 'Mr.Crowgarden', Bobby, just Corey. You are family now. I think there is only one more thing to say," Corey said, looking around the table.
"Anything to eat around here?"