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| Chapter Three: Ghosts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Richard LeBlanc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back in the present - in his secretive haven. Calloway was tossing in his sleep. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Wake up you murdering bastard!" a voice shouted. Almost instantly he was to his feet. He had his daggers ready to fend off who ever had the misfortune of finding him. He growled in disgust when he realized who it was. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Go to hell!" he muttered as he made his way over to the boarded up window. It was still light out - at least a few hours until sunset. Behind him - perched above the bed he had been sleeping on was the translucent ghost of the Setite he had slain so long ago. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I am in hell - I am in your presence you foul-mouthed viper," he rebutted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If my presence is such a tax to your tolerance - leave," Calloway retorted. It was then that sharp pain from his arm got his attention. He looked down and moved his sleeve up - bite marks from several snakes as well as numerous deep cuts began to bleed. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the wounds - slowly - they healed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No - that would be to easy. You chose your fate when you murdered me. Now - you are stuck with me forever. And I promise you I will go out of my way to make sure that your life is a living hell!" he spat. Calloway shook his head. He had been dealing with that meddlesome spirit for the better part of five decades. At times he was able to just ignore the dead Setite's ranting - other times it required nearly all his willpower just to keep himself from trying to slay him all over again. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Do whatever you want - you usually do. And - surprisingly - my life goes on as normal. So take a break Casper and take off," he muttered rubbing his arm. His mind flashed back to that pivotal day so long ago. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was close to eighty years ago - or some where around then. When time is no longer a bane - it grows more difficult to recall exact dates. I was a private investigator that was hired with several others to protect a greedy treasure hunter. In retrospect - now I have to ponder if that was his true intent - to find treasure. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The hunt led them through a series of tunnels under the city. How they could have existed undetected was nothing if not a mystery to me. Another thing that puzzled him was the sand that seemed to line the tunnel floors. It was sand - the kind that you would find in a desert. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As the expedition pressed further downward - a few people fell prey to venomous snakebites. Some desired to turn back - but - the fearless treasure seeker was unmoved by the tragedy - and the exploration continued. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Further and further down into the torch-lit tunnels. At this point - the walls seemed to be made of stone - a kind that was not indigenous to that area. On them were hieroglyphics. The treasure seeker was thrilled - apparently - this meant we were close to the alleged treasure cave. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was then - that we found the room - the walls were made of solid gold - precious stones and golden coins seemed to spill out from large Egyptian vases. The others hurried in like greedy fools - but something about the place set me off. It sent a chill down my spine as if telling him to flee. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was about to trust that instinct - but the greed got to me. I forced back the voice in my head that all but begged me to run. I like the others - was lured in by the promise of the wealth within. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I watched as the others threw handfuls of coins and jewels in the air - making enough noise to wake the dead. It was then that I got a bad vibe. I slid his hand into a vase - digging beneath the jewels and gold on the surface. My hand touched a liquid. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Slowly I pulled my hand out - it was blood. It was then that a secret panel opened at the end of the room. Almost instantly they had weapons ready to repel whatever horror might appear. It was then that several voluptuous women dressed in exotic silks and bands of gold began to seductively dance into the room. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The way they moved was - beyond hypnotic. Their bodies so perfect that it was almost impossible to look away - yet somehow I managed to do just that. I looked down and heard a hissing noise. A large cobra was coiled behind the vase - poised to strike. Slowly - cautiously I backed away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I looked to the others and saw them being seduced by the dancers. It was then that I noticed something - one of the dancers - had stolen one of their weapons! Instantly my daggers were in my hands. I remembered shouting to them - that it was a trap! I remembered making a break for the exit. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| But fate - did not reward the greedy. A large iron door slammed down barring the way out - the only way out - save the way that the dancers entered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hundreds of snakes began to filter into the room via small panels near to the sand- covered floor. I looked to the others and watched as they were being relentlessly slaughtered by the dancers - no - they weren't dancers - they were vampires! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fear welled deep within me. I had heard stories about vampires - but I believed in them as much as I did the tooth fairy or Santa. I hopped around avoiding the snapping bites of the serpents that seemed to almost hunger for human flesh. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I hopped up onto vase and managed to dislodge a torch. I didn't have any crosses, garlic, holy water or whatever else might be useful against the undead monsters - but something told me that fire might keep them at bay. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The fear turned into nausea as me looked over and saw the vampires feeding off the slain. The entire floor was almost completely covered with slithering snakes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frantically - I looked around - for any means of getting passed the snakes and the undead horrors. I then noticed that the vases - almost completely encircled the room. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| With a torch in one hand a dagger in the other I leaped from the vase I was on to the next. A cobra snapped up to bite me - it was rewarded by having its head cut off. I repeated the process until I was in the corner. I looked to the secret passage where the vampires came from - it was no more than fifty feet away - five more jumps - five - long jumps. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was then that the vampires called to me. their voices so seductive - their eyes golden like that of a serpent. I felt as though his body had been frozen as the vampires slowly stalked their way towards me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By some divine act - a piece of the torch fell - burning my arm mildly. But the pain was enough to break whatever dark hold they had over me. I shook my head and saw the vampires that were only a few feet away. Blood from their last victim dripping from their chins. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I leaped to the next vase - a humanoid snake shot up from the vase and knocked me into the writing pit of snakes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I remember feeling the constricting coils all over me - the sound of hundreds of snakes hissing. The sensations of snakes biting at me. I remember flinging the swarm from me away from me - slashing and burning anything that dared approach.. It was then - that they seemed to stay clear of me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I jerked my head from side to side - seeing the vampires - the snake beasts and the thousands of serpents - none of which were indigenous to that part of the world. I could hear whispers - coming from all directions. Some were in French - some English - others I could only guess. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was then that I got the disturbing feeling - that something - far more dangerous than anything he had witnessed yet - had arrived. Slowly - I turned around and saw a man dressed in gold and silk with Egyptian markings on it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He - smiled at me - and it sent a shiver down my spine. He walked through the snakes as though they weren't even there and made his way over to one of the vampires I had managed to cut. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He said he was very impressed at me - and how I was able to last as long as I had. He boasted that lesser men and women perished within minutes of entering his sacred temple. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I wanted to run - but a power compelled me to stay. The whispers - grew louder. It got so hard to think. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He commended me on my ability to keep so many of his most loyal at bay when injured so badly. My vision began to swim. I looked down and saw numerous bites on my arm - wet venom dripping from the wounds. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He took a step closer - I waved the torch at him. He backed away - he really didn't like fire. I heard - laughter. My head was pounding. I looked up at the person who was extending his hand to me. I tried to move away - but my legs - they buckled. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I remember - a strong hand removing the torch and weapons from me - then darkness. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How long I was out - completely at their mercy I couldn't say - but slowly I began to wake. I was on a golden table - the vampires were around me! I rolled aside and grabbed the nearest thing I could use as a weapon. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Again - there was laughter. I looked over and saw - him - again. He beseeched me to lower the weapon that - we were all the same now. That I was now one of them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I denied it at first - but then - I could feel it - a hunger - but it wasn't for food or drink - it was for blood! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He extended to me a chalice - it was swimming with a red thick liquid. Without hesitation - to my disgust - I downed it. Again - the laughter. I looked over at the reflective surface of the golden wall and saw fangs in my mouth. I knew then - my life - had ended. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He explained to me - who and what I was now - a Follower of Set - the God made Kindred. He spoke of his quest - or what he needed me to know of it. He spoke of a war that that was brewing - how the sires of the sires of other kindred will one day awaken and need to sate their hunger in an ocean of Kindred blood. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Only Set in his wisdom guided him and others of their clan - their line - to prepare. On that day when their lord god awakens - he will need an army to strike at the traitors that felled Set's sire. Such was my purpose now - to fight in that war! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calloway's mind flashed. He was back in his haven - looking at his troubled arm. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Still playing in the past butcher?" the Setite ghost mocked. Calloway growled. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Be silent or be gone," he spat. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Still troubled?" a feminine voice asked. Calloway instantly had his daggers up. a woman dressed as those dressed from that temple stepped out from the shadows. "I am honored to be in your presence Calloway," she added - bowing politely. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why are you here?" he asked - weapon's still up. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Maybe she is here to kill you like you did me?" the ghost piped in. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I bring you a message from the High Priest - Snake," she replied. Calloway sighed and sheathed his weapons. The ghost of the fallen Setite walked around and checked out the messenger. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "She has a cute ass," he remarked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What is the message?" he asked - doing his best to ignore the specter. The fellow Follower of Set reached into a pouch and took out a scroll. She handed it to him and watched as he opened it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Calloway - you are requested to seek out a Malkavian that has gone into hiding. He goes by the alias Doctor Jest. I have sent others but none have returned. This leach is a crafty one. Beware - he does not take kindly to those trespassing and has taken exquisite pleasure in toying with his prey," he read out loud. He looked for more - but that seemed to be the extent of the message. "That's it?" he asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That was all the master gave me," she replied - unaware of the specter that was trying to cop a feel of her breasts. Calloway closed his eyes and shook his head. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Are there any leads? Clues? Is he here in Eco or somewhere nearby?" he asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "He was a Primogen in Chamberlan - a city north of here. But rumor has it that he did pull a prank here that changed the social ladder here in Eco. Truth be told - no pun intended - he could be anywhere," she replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hey - she isn't wearing any underwear," the ghost remarked - looking up from the floor between her legs. Calloway smiled as he resisted the urge to scream. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What kind of timeline am I dealing with?" he asked seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "He didn't say. He did say though - that he wants an issue with that Mook resolved - fast. So if you have the option - opt for sooner than later," she suggested as she walked over and looked at his arm. "Is that the one?" she asked - tracing her fingers over where several wounds had healed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "She wants to ride you," the ghost remarked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Shut up!" Calloway screamed at the ghost that was standing behind her. She frowned at him and backed away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Fine. I was just being friendly," she rebutted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Not you - never mind! When I find him - then what? Does he want him dead or something else?" he asked - trying to control his temper. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I heard you had issues - but voices - I never would have imagined that his prize Viper," she began - but before she could finish she had a dagger to her throat. "Apologies," she added. He held the dagger there for a moment before lowering it. "I honestly don't know. Near as I can guess - finding him is the issue," she said calmly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'll have my people in the streets ask around. Hopefully one of them will find a lead," he reassured. He looked over his shoulder - the ghost was gone. "When you return - ask him if there is anyway to - unburden myself of the spirit that is vexing me," he requested quietly. She walked up behind him and slid her hands up his arms to his shoulders. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I will do what I can. Good luck in your hunt Viper. Finding a Malkavian that does not wish to be found can often be an exercise in futility," she pointed out as she slipped back into the shadows and vanished. He looked to the darkness of his haven and could sense no sign of the messenger. It always unnerved him how they could always find him. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Okay Doctor - ready or not - here I come," he said to himself as he exited his haven to begin his hunt. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To Be Continued... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||