Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 
      
The Guiding Darkness
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Part 1
by Elise
Archive this sucker!

 
     LaCroix was amazed at the variety of items he found as he wandered the 
labyrinthine aisles.  He had only wished to purchase one item - tooth 
whitener - but now he found his cart loaded with an enormous selection.  
     He grimaced (scaring two teenagers) as he thought of the original reason 
for his trip to Wal-Mart.  Over the last two hundred and fifty years or so he 
had noticed some unsightly stains on his fangs, no doubt the result of 
imbibing the blood of those wretched smokers.  Too late, he had discovered 
the addictive properties of nicotine and the equally addictive chemical 
traces it left for the vampire who would consume the tobacco addict's blood.
      Ah, but just because it was a fact that the Marlboro man had succumbed
to death, it did not follow that he would as well.  No, he would live.  He
had already beaten Death numerous times, as well as a nicotine addiction with
the help of those little patches.  Now he needed only to remove the ugly, 
yellow build-up on his fangs.
      The personal items were around the next corner, and LaCroix cheerfully 
expected to make his selection and leave.  No one need know of his purposeful 
journey among the mortals.  He would, in time, explain to Nicholas of his 
recent problem with addiction.  Once his son realized that his father's 
recent moodiness could be directly attributable to a two hundred and fifty 
year nicotine fit, he would surely forgive him and that would settle matters 
between them. He hoped.
     Choosing the most expensive tooth whitener, LaCroix looked up and froze 
in his tracks for there stood Dr. Natalie Lambert.  She was selecting several 
feminine hygiene products. 
    It was too late to attempt an escape.  Both of their eyes met, wavered to 
note what exact products the other held, and met again.  The doctor's face 
turned a unflattering shade of near purple, and her heart rate increase to a 
thundering rhythm.
     LaCroix muttered an inaudible prayer of thanks to whatever gods may 
still listen to him that he was incapable of blushing.
 
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