Our Dearly Departed

A Partner in Crime

Part 7 A Partner in Crime

Frank

When I opened my eyes, I nearly forgot where I was. It all came back as I stared at the ceiling. Gerard. His girlfriend-but-not-girlfriend, vampires...they were ready and willing to accept me as one of them. How the hell did this happen? Oh yeah, I was blatantly rejected by my only human friends. That might push a guy to completely turn his life upside down and join the undead. I could hear them kissing. They were cute together.

"Hey guys, I'm still here, you know. I didn't run away in fear."

"Hi, Frank," Gerard said, leaning over the side of the bed to smile down at me, "Wanna get off the floor?"

"Yeah my back is killing me."

"Don't say I didn't offer!" she said, scooting over to make room for me next to her so she was between Gerard and me.

I sat up against the headboard, "I need a cigarette and coffee."

Gerard sighed, "I need blood. In the mess of things yesterday, I kind of forgot to feed myself."

"What happens if you don't get any blood?"

"No energy. It's really sunny out today, and it's only two in the afternoon...that doesn't help."

"The sun drains your energy, and if you don't have enough blood, you just collapse. The moon gives you energy, not as much as blood, though. It's like a temporary generator," she explained.

"Got it."

"I'm gonna need something in my system if I'm going to turn you," Gerard sighed.

"I'll go get you something," she smiled, "I did pretty good last night!"

"I'll help!" I chimed in on instinct. I wanted to do this.

"No, Frank. You're still human."

"C'mon, don't I have a right to see what I'm getting in to? Plus then I can help. And I can get coffee on the way back. Besides, I want a peek at those coffins in the parking lot."

Gerard rolled his eyes, but his girl was all for it.

"It's my errand, and I say Frank comes with me."

Gerard waved us away in a gesture of surrender. In all fairness, he did look too tired to argue. I took a shower while she got dressed and ready to go out. I also learned that vampires don't need toilets and are perpetually clean, so no need for bathing. When we were ready to go, we stopped outside in the parking lot. She opened the back of the trailer, making sure no one was around. Inside were to glossy caskets. No shit.

"Wow..."

"The black one is mine, the silver one is his."

"Cool."

"We'll have to steal you one later."

She locked up the trailer and we made our way downtown. We stopped at a convenience store so I could get a coffee and a smoke.

"I wish I could quit," I said to her, trying not to blow the smoke in her face.

"You will. You won't want it after..."

"Really? Awesome! This just keeps getting better and better!"

She looked around the main street, trying to eye up the selection. Here eyes fell on an alley across the street where two guys were standing. She smiled.