Bred For Extinction

Wash Your Hands as the Dirt Is Shown

As the door is slammed shut, Michael's fingers frantically search for the heavy bolt lock he knows is there, sliding it quickly across into its holding state. The door is able to be locked from both inside and out...but for now, just the outside lock will serve his purpose. Leaning against the door as a heavy breath escapes his lungs in release, he hopes he never sees the inside lock. He listens quietly for a moment, wondering what horrid fate will befall the one he has lead here, but the door is thick as are the walls and no sounds escape. With his job done, it's time to return upstairs and as footsteps echo thru the hollow halls, fingers search pockets greedily for his own addiction. The small bullet-shaped canister that is finally found rushes up to his nose in haste...what a night, and it wasn't even that late yet. Quick snorts displace the power housed in the container thru the small hole in its surface to his nostrils and eyes blink and water, but relief comes in a quickened heartbeat. A sweaty hand swipes thru his hair, brushing it back into place and he knows a drink is needed.

The bar is just as busy as before and Michael takes his normal seat, glancing around, eyes locking on every long leg and set of pushed-up cleavage that he can find. Then, his eyes catch the clock. Another breath of relief flows from his chest as his timetable has been made with time to spare before Thanas would return. Just enough time for a few drinks, and so he starts to wash away thoughts and feelings with each guzzle from the amber bottles that are brought before him.

One, two, three empty bottles stand empty before him as he stamps the cigarette out in the now filled ashtray, and finally the voice he has waited for sparks to his ear as Thanas slides next to him.

"I hope you are not still here from earlier, Michael?"

"Of course not, I took care of it," Michael's eyes blood-shot from numerous trips to the bathroom and dips into his pocket.

"Yes? Good, then the master will be pleased with you. I think perhaps he will want to thank you personally. Come, let's see how happy he was with his dinner."

"I'm not going down there again tonight, I've had enough for one day."

"Oh Michael, you think I'm just going to take your word? Please...I trust you less than most, your always working an edge. You and me will go downstairs and we will see how satisfactory dinner was...and pray you are not lying to me, because if you are..." slowly a sly smile shows on Thanas' features, "we will both feed on your pulsating veins."

"I've told you, I did what you asked, please I don't want to see what I had a hand in...I'd just as soon forget it all."

A short chuckles breaks from Thanas, "Forget? No, you should remember it all, for if you have done well, you will do it again tomorrow."

"Again...no...why? I don't understand all this...why again?"

Thanas wraps a long arm around Michael's shoulders, "There is slight trouble, shall we say, in the area...an enemy. Surely you know even our kind has enemies, no one is that fortunate. The master simply wishes to take precautions for a few nights. But don't worry; it will not be long before he is again selecting his own meals. He cannot go without the thrill, I am sure of that. And besides, a message has already been sent to those even above my master...or should I say our master now, and the problem will quickly be deleted."

Michael drops his head into his hands, "I can't ...I can't do that again...don't ask me."

Slow pats touch Michael's shoulder before grasping there solidly, "Michael, Michael, Michael...worry about that tomorrow. For now, you should be worried that what you have told me is true as we are about to find out...come."

As their steps lead them back down to where Michael frets to go, Thanas again strikes up the conversation, "So, where did you find the meal?"

Quick thoughts pounce about Michael's head before he speaks, "He was at the bar, alone, looking beat with life. We started talking...I bought a few drinks...you know... learned the story. He said he was recently divorced, real down with everything...maybe I did him a favor...I'm sure I did his ex-wife a favor."

"There you are. Always look for the positive. How did you get him down here?"

"Oh, you know, show him the wine collection...."

"Very good...pray it works again then...ah here we are." The two stand before the heavy door, Thanas' eyes sliding back to Michael sternly now as the hotel owner turns slightly pale and gulps down the growing saliva that waters his mouth. Steady fingers grip the lock, sliding it back to the open position and with a slight heave, Thanas pushes the door inward to reveal only blackness...voice questioning as he whispers into the stillness, "Master?"