THE PERILOUS CHRONICLES OF A DHAMPIRE Vol 1

THE PERILOUS CHRONICLES

OF A D'HAMPIRE

Volume I

 

Timothy C. Allen Jr.

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THE PERILOUS CHRONICLES OF A D'HAMPIRE © 2024 by Timothy C. Allen Jr.

Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Gods don't work for money, have no problem in taking your last dollar, and will shame you for asking for a handout.

“Don’t mock my magic, you’d be a carrot eating motherfucker before ya’ knew it.”

— Dino

“We need you to help us set up the special effects faster, Dino — the faster we do this… the fas…wait hold up,

did you just threaten to turn Auther into a fuckin’ rabbit?”

— Libby

Chapter 1

Mothman

Sunbaked asphalt cools on a winding mountain road somewhere in Alaska near Canada. It's an Indian summer on an October evening, the last hot week of the autumn season. The warm breeze swirls through the short black hair of a small skater girl with pretty almond eyes on her longboard.

She swiftly coasts downhill, carving the tight curves and accelerating down the winding mountain road. Her front foot is on the deck, with her back foot up on its toes. Her arms are close behind her, her knees bent low, and her buns are out, and while she's tucking like a professional with great form a rush of satisfying adrenaline sets in. Here comes that thrill she’s been chasing as she

gains enough speed to eventually surpass a small motorcade.

A crew of wretched teenage boys on dirt bikes are not very far ahead of her.

Following her way too closely was a straggler of that biker gang.

They were known in the town of Ravenscroft as the Wolfpack. This straggler had fallen behind on purpose and for what? To enjoy the view of her nice ass of course.

Perhaps, if the biker had not been so distracted, he probably would have seen the huge white truck approaching in the passing lane.

The wind wisps past her ears as she accelerates downhill. Feeling the need for speed her heart races with thrilling exuberance the faster she goes.

Eventually, the straggler, having had enough of staring at the skater-girl's butt, decides to make an effort to catch up with his crew.

At the same time, the massive  unmarked white truck uses its turning signals and sounds the big horn to pass.

Snapping out his trance, the straggler reacts belatedly. The truck's horn had rattled the biker into a panic.

Another tight turn comes up and the biker is filled with so much adrenaline he takes a bone headed risk, shifts gears, and accelerates to overtake the little longboarder who’s coasting in front of him. However, he’s missed his moment to pass. The next few things that are about to happen will kick off a chain of events that will change Ravenscroft forever.

The skater girl, needing to meet a sharp curve, takes the passing lane, she cuts in front of the biker who was attempting to merge. To avoid killing the skater-girl the biker squeezes his brakes sliding his bike.

At this moment time seems to slow down to a crawl, these few seconds were just long enough for the truck driver to realize imminent danger of the situation and try to get his seat belt on with one hand. “Where did this little girl come from?”

The skater girl had tucked so well that she vanished ahead of the biker and was too small for the trucker to notice. That tiny little thing must have been coasting in front of the biker since he’d been in view. The dipshit had been following way too close.

“Sheesh, Did ya’ enjoy the view buddy?” The trucker thought.

Out of time, The trucker sees the next turn approaching fast, he pleads with the Lord, for what’s about to happen. Words of man a who sees death

The driver yells in panic laying on his big horn but it's too late, before the Truck driver could change gears and break he rear-ends the motorist knocking him off his bike and into the air.

"Kiss your ass goodbye,  fuckin’guy!" The trucker shouts out loud in a crazed panic.

That’s it, cash in your chips, hasta luego, and goodnight.

“Not my fault, Not my fault,  No, No,No! That fucker on his dirtbike had it coming.”

The skater-girl quickly avoids the speeding truck merging out of the passing lane. She nearly misses the curve. She hears the heavy engine, the smack of the collision, and the loud crunch of the bike being smashed behind her.

The downed motorcycle spins rapidly on the road at the front end of the truck.

There's a huge “crunch!” as the full weight of all 7 tons smashes the bike to pieces.

A tooth quivering metallic screech, the sound of steel over the twisted metal. Followed by the crunch of what was a honda dirtbike and the sound of rapid scraping noises, as the truck pushed its debris scattering broken bits all over the road.

The trucker turns into the face of the mountain to avoid hitting the tiny skater girl who he swears didn't exist till a moment ago. He flips his truck on its side, and

sparks fly as the steel payload of the truck screeches terribly to a halt. The skater girl reaches down carefully with her road gloves and skids further down the road gradually slowing herself to a stop in a grassy pitstop a few flights down the mountain. Before turning around at the sound of the crash she had heard, there was an abrupt, loud bang! The sound of the explosion made her flench. She turned to look and saw a fiery plume of black smoke in the blood-orange sky a few fights back up the mountain. Her pretty almond eyes widened and her mouth dropped in shock. “Dayaum!” she shouted. Feeling like someone…was in big trouble.

She runs up the roadside back up the mountain to take a look. She had a dreadful feeling about that mean fireball she just witnessed, and now she was blaming herself for being on the road. Many worrisome thoughts overpowered her natural street sense to just leave before the cops showed up.

"Did I cause that? I can't just leave… what if someone’s dying?"

She says to herself.

Then she gets the feeling of something else entirely as she makes her way back up the mountain. An ominous feeling, the kind of feeling she gets when she’s being watched, it's getting dark fast and she's scared to death of bears and big cats. That ominous feeling was making her queasy or was it that sickly bitter sweet smell in the air?

And for some reason it was way too quiet all of sudden. All she heard was the wind. “A moment to ponder the happening…. “

What?  ponder the happening? Why was she thinking that way? She knew those words but she never used them.

Those words didn't feel like her own; they felt kinda …intrusive.

The situation right now was so serious she had to let it go.

Yea i gotta let it go.  But letting Go made her feel like leaving.

She just wanted to leave and she just wanted to Go, home, but the size of that fireball made her feel… Guilty.

Figuring this was her fault or at least partly, was enough reason to go back.  Leaving people to die in a fiery car accident just wasn't cool.

Headstrong despite her fears of wild animals she presses on up the roadside and advances a few more flights. Whoever is up there I'm on my way to help, she thought.

The black puffs of smoke disappeared behind the mountain cliff face but the smell of the smoke was getting stronger.

She loved the smell of burning campfires and even cigars but she really underestimated just how foul this smoke was going to be. The closer she got downwind of the eye watering miasma the more she inhaled the stuff it was souring her mouth and scratching her throat bad enough to make her groan, and she thought “This is making wanna gag, but I can't turn back,” She runs with her head up then she sees the smoke again. In the distance further up passed the blind spot at the tight curve, she could see a truck on its side in flames. “Oh my god, is the driver alive?” she thought

“Trapped” “Alive but not for long.” Just hang on whoever you are.”

She advanced farther up the mountain. Another curve takes the truck out of view and she stops the smoke forcing her to turn away, she tries to catch her breath. “So hard to breathe…and…Oh my god it's so far uphill.” she thinks.

Steady and determined she runs on, a few more clicks up the mountain now darkened against the blood orange crimson sky in the Indian summer twilight.

She goes on at good pace when all of a sudden

The sight of a most curious thing made her slow down.  A bright reddish glow of something way up at the top of the cliff face of the dark mountain catches her eye. She focuses to better look at the, not quite red, glow, then she notices there are actually two of them, and wait… those look like, no not taillights the color isn't right, they were something else. She freezes in absolute terror at the realization that these things were observing her.

After a moment of squinting, the startling image came into focus. What she saw gazing directly at her from atop the stoney black cliff-face was a  shadowy entity as tall as a tree!

Looking at her with glowing reddish eyes! This monster demon thing had what looked like huge black moth wings… with portions of those wings exposed in the Indian summer and Pao could see l the intense pattern of more eyes.

She wanted to run but she couldn't. She was always taught to have a healthy amount of caution for wild animals, but this was a down right eldritch horror. It was even creepier than the grays and she also hated seeing those things on TV, she believed those Aliens really existed. Nah, this thing had to be like their scarier giant black cousin with wings. She wished it would stop looking at her with those creepy big red eyes.

No matter how many times she blinked and it was still there, staring at her. What did it want?

Pao grabbed her head covering her ears  there was a noise, no… more like a screeching reverb only this noise wasn't coming from anywhere

It's saying something but its too loud

It was saying something in her head.

almost too loud to understand

What was it? What did it want to do?

Words so loud she could see them

She heard image of “Do” word echoed Do…the word went on and on forever

and something else. No, “Don’t do”…

…”Don't do?”

…”Go?”

More words, it knows I can't understand so. Now, a little smaller, maybe a little softer. Yes, try harder to focus.

This thing was ordering her now. The reddish glow of its eyes had a threatening aura and worse it was a clear signal to stop. She couldn't move her legs and she wouldn't be able to run from this thing. There would be “No Escape” I can't tell which words are mine anymore. These words hurt, but they're still so loud.

“No”

“Escape”

“No”

“Do”

“Go”

Those big red eyes gave her the feeling that if she didn't ‘Do” or “Go”or whatever it was trying to tell her… she was going to die.

Ok alright, I understand the orders but which one?

…Go on?

What does it mean? You have to let me go first.

Go on… Go on…

…Don’t do?

…Go?

I can't move my legs…

Oh I think it stopped talking for now. Good, I can think a little.

What was she supposed to do? She thought.

“Go on? Don’t? Do?”

Oh my god! this thing has really long arms and legs, holy crap! It's so nightmarish and I'm about to jump out of my skin if it moves at me." She thinks

And it…. It was in her mind again, spelling words that made more loud crazy voices…

I can’t stand it.

It's trying to tell me…something…But look at it… na-uh, it's way too scary. And way too loud, how can I know what it wants right now?

The Truck?

What about the trucker? Is he trapped?

The creature lifts his wings; the pattern is eerie and somehow oddly familiar.  “Don't stay now?”

Was it leaving? she thought

“Need to go?”

Well that made sense

Good riddance dude, just get out of my head and…let me go. Yea, You… Go… Now, dude!

Ha! I think we both want that, it’s gonna let me leave!

“Go

Now”

The creature fluttered its ghastly dark patterned wings like two persian rugs from hell.

It tumbled in the air, bumbled around and seemed to float in such a way that imitates flying how a moth would. The mothman seemed to defy the wind. There was an eerie grace to its movements.

“It's so unreal,” she thought.

A few unnerving moments later the moth demon was over the road and for a bowel loosening instant it looked like it was coming for her, before she had time to unload in her big baggy boy shorts the mothman had flown over her head and beyond the trees.

Man, it's so huge, how can something so big and scary exist? The government should know about this and warn the people.

The large mothman flutters into the night in pursuit of the dirt bike motorcade.

Yes! Dude go mess with those jerks.

You go that way and I'll go…

She wanted to Go home

But she was gonna go back up the mountain which all of a sudden felt like the wrong way

But the creature went down the mountain. What if it wants me not to go back up there? Yea right!

Really? Was that what it was saying?

She gasped

Ooh oh my gawd dude!

Don't Go? Oh right Don't Go… but what if the trucker needs help?

I feel like he's trapped.

She couldn't shake that feeling

Screw it, hang in there dude I'm coming to help!

“Go On”

“Go”

Heading back up the mountain which oddly felt like the wrong way, she ran on with goosebumps all over her body still haunted by what she saw.

The accident seemed so far away

Just a few more clicks she thinks.

She passed the aftermath of the bike that stalked her now reduced to scattered debris speckled up and down the road like party confetti glistening in the eerie glow of the dying evening twilight.

“Go On”

“Go”

Perhaps only a few moments too late, by the time she makes it to the burning truck, the driver is dead.

The sight of the driver's corpse had shocked her and she turned away with shrink at barely a moment's glance.

she looks around in disbelief then pauses to cringe and straighten her back from a chill.

After counting to three in her mind she turned again for an unenthusiastic double take.

Peering into the driver's seat of the truck taken aback by the twisted mosaic of a blood spattered windshield the top half of the driver was hanging outside of the glass evidently the trucker had cracked his head and flown through it.

She had hoped the smoke in the cab didn't suffocate him, the smoke made it hard to see and she couldn't tell if had been trapped or not.

A harsh puff of smoke seeped into her nostrils stinging as she got a big whiff of the fumes, She choked a coughing fit when the toxic haze got into her lungs.

Dazed and nauseous, her eyes watered and a trail of slimy mucus clung to her arm as she wiped her nose. Time to leave. The smoke was giving her a splitting headache. There was a nasty taste in her mouth and she spat on the ground.

Gotta get outta here no sign of the biker either. and it's getting really dark…

The mothman's words now a persistent echo in her mind.

“Go Now,”

“Go On”

“Go”

yea I feel yea.

really fast. She got on her longboard

Gotta bounce before the troopers arrive.

Damn dude, real bummer that driver probably died because of me. Was she too late?

That giant scary moth thing held me back. Like, what the hell was that?

I can't tell the Troopers they'd think I'm losing my mind or lying for sure, or like probably just shaken up from the trauma.

What if I am? Is this what it means to be crazy?

I don't know how I feel about what I saw. It doesn't make any sense.

Was it, like trying to save me?

Go

Go on.

It wanted me to leave but why?

All she could do was wonder. Her headache was getting worse and all she wanted to do was get a glass of water, rinse that nasty taste out of her mouth and hide under the blanket. That thing made her think about aliens.

Chapter 2

Bright

The Bright family

A timeless couple. Quiet and well reserved Madonna's the Chancellor of a local Community College but mostly stays home crafting things, making life size dolls, and hunting and foraging for wild botanicals in the forest after midnight.

Donna, as Alexander affectionately calls her, is head of the house amongst the two of them, inconspicuous

Tycoons, a close study of the bright family would reveal they were wealthy and they've established themselves in virtually every industry. Capitalists with a fortune and they had become extremely self-sufficient and whimsically mysterious.

Donna and Alexander usually produce everything they own themselves. Alexander owned a number of various manufacturing plants, his pride and joy facilities that produced both analog and digital silicon based technologies. Rarely seen or noticed in Ravenscroft, seemingly reclusive with tendencies of an autodidact didn't value much aside from his and his love for Donna. Sure they had money bu

A family of two, Donna and Alexander live a rich life aged in antiquity they

scrupulously care for most of their possessions. The couple share a complicated relationship. Alexander began as Donna’s Neophyte, a term that has fallen out of fashion with the times but was a rare luxury in its heyday, and one of the most prestigious titles a lady of her stature could bestow. By doing so, she effectively elevated Alexander's status by giving her wealthy family name to the negro boy and declaring his right to inherit her fortune. A miracle in Georgia when black people had limited rights long before the American Civil Rights movement. Donna is a woman born of both Native American and vaguely European ancestry in the early colonies of America.

Donna cared for Alexander, and in return, he served her by playing his role in her larger machinations of otherworldly ambitions. To live for an eternity, a person must have a reason to live eternally. Donna had given Alexander eternal life and taught him how to live in the face of infinite time.

Alexander gets tasked by Donna to mentor and console a girl named Paozhang who's the estranged niece of a syndicated Chinese mob boss named Mr.Wen, a man infamous for well-organized racketeering, who seemingly couldn't afford the time to raise his dead brother's abandoned daughter.

Mr.Wen already had 5 daughters, 4 sons, and something like 45 nieces and nephews in China, Paozhang was just another pile-on.

He preferred to simply mind his business and pay her tuition fees to save face in his family.

she can focus on studying at the community college and get an office job somewhere…at the local bank perhaps. Mr.Wen thought.

Besides it's not his fault her mother didn't want her own daughter. Such was the mystical ways of life in Korea, Paozhang’s mother, a widowed Korean woman would save face in her society by giving her newborn daughter away and remarrying into a Korean man’s family. This was Korean culture, not China’s way.

Mr.Wen didn't have time for his brother’s screw-ups, plenty of beautiful Chinese women and his brother who at this point Mr.Wen had begun to question should have married a xian qi liang mu!

And what was Mr.Wen to do? Adopt Paozhang putting her at risk of the dangers of his business? Raising a child of the state would have the American government too close to his business affairs. Too many questions would be asked.

In reality, Mr.Wen’s underworld mattered more to him than anything else in life, all he wanted was to mind his business.

Her name was Paozhang most of her friends called her Pao but her girlfriends she grew up with in foster care Kiki and Winkerbell, call her Paowao.

Pao lives in the slums of the creekside park projects on the northwest part of town not far from the 711.

Pao and her girlfriends occupy unit 203 of a small rundown apartment building with 3 tiny units.

Living in a raggedy bachelorette apartment is the pits. There's no bedroom so she slept with her girlfriends in the living room. Well, it's cozy if you have enough blankets, and at least the bathroom was clean.

The building is pale limestone concrete lightly tagged with graffiti decorated with tiles. There is a teal Neon sign on the building that reads "Dive"

This tiny marooned building is spaced away from the other apartments in a complex of vacant lots, an old road that snowed over in the winter and was slowly being retaken by forest. Most of Ravenscroft outside of town square was quite unremarkable.

But beyond the empty lots with lonely buildings in them, the land was sparsely forested with veins of babbling icewater brooks and frozen creeks. Ravenscroft was also a coastal town at the foot of an Alaskan mountain range. The town that might have existed by another name and another location in another world.

If one were a mystic and could read the stars that shined well above of this small town at night, that mystic might find that Ravenscroft was now passing through a dark nexus and going through a phase of wonders and that the constellations were spelling out strange omens in this part of the world.

To the average joe town's shortcomings had made it rather charming.

The zone of creekside park projects used to be Little China just over a decade ago. It was flattened by a greedy conglomerate that was systematically building supermalls all over America and bought the land from underneath the residents of Little China. This had happened in the 90s. Paozhang was probably ten or eleven years old at the time picketing with the rest of the townsfolk.

Most of the buildings had been demolished to build a supermall.

To the town folks' credit, they fought the huge conglomerate till the bitter end. Despite their best efforts and protests the supermall construction project had killed a lot of the local businesses before the demolition of Little China could even be completed. What was the point? Ravenscroft already had the West End mini mall and had already accounted for half the town's economy so what for? How was building a bigger and better all new, all different, supermall complex on top of Little China gonna improve this town? This was more than a little excessive, it was down right stupid.

of e What was the purpose of building another mall

Not everyone shared the same recollection of why Chinatown disappeared but if you asked Paozhang a little bowlegged tomboy this is what she would have told you.

One night there was a miracle.

The protesting townsfolk all witnessed large spinning pillar flames wreaking a blazing havoc, the chanting had ceased as the protesters were taken back in shock and awe. The brilliant fires engulfed the construction zone nobody could explain how, but everyone saw a fire tornado had spontaneously ignited.  It had seemed like the lord had answered the people's prayers. Paozhang was amazed and the gasps quickly turned to cheers. The flames didn’t turn wild but it burned the walls down to the foundations. Many people took it as a sign from God and the construction project abruptly came to a halt. During investigation for possible arson townspeople were questioned by the community organizer knowing the law had prepared for vandalism and destruction of property. This may be our first revolution what she told them but we're in this together and we look after our own. If there's a fire we all admit to arson including the sheriff, that's what happened of course and no one was charged. All further construction of the project was put to an end.

A few buildings that had survived the demolition of Little China. were never condemned and most of them including the town theater remained sturdy enough for remodeling and some of them were converted to cheap residential units now owned by a few small community real-estate families.

Pao's apartment amongst the few that did came with cheap rent and a slumlord that didn't give a damn if anything broke. Before Pao got this apartment she slept together with Winkerbell and Kiki in their white Subaru hatchback.

During the cold months, the heater often breaks, and wouldn't you know it the girls found themselves sleeping in the car with the engine on anyway to keep warm at night. Winkerbell and Kiki were her best friends since they were brownie scouts. There's not a whole lot they wouldn't do for each other. Winkerbell had been scarred for life in a cabin fire that burned her hair to the scalp, the right side of her forehead, and her right eye. Pao caused that fire when she lit fireworks in her bunk. They were just children and to Pao's credit she helped pull Winkerbell out of the inferno.

Having regretted what she had done at age 7. Pao was complexed with guilt wrapped along with her insecurities of being an orphan and spun into the fearful qualities of being abandoned again or being just another burden. Although she was scorned for arson, Pao's young mind never really reconciled the danger of fire which partly defines her name sake. Paozhang, the only thing her father had given her before he died. He had named her after those packs of magic that sparkled when you lit them.

These thoughts led to her having developed a phobia of being unwanted and left aside again by everyone she knew.

Just as her mother had done to her when she gave her up for adoption in Soul.

She thought about giving up on more than one occasion but didn't happen, because she bonded with Winkerbell who was otherwise  nearly completely ignored and shunned for her gruesome burns.

Growing up and caring for Winkerbell had made them closer. She wouldn't be too shy to tell anyone that Winkerbell understood her the most about what it felt like to be abandoned.

Bell, having been ignored for her hideous scars had grown close

to Pao for being labeled an arsonist and Kiki for being a black child in a racist part of Alaska.

Being orphaned and overlooked or down right shunned was prime reasoning for their bond and the fact that neither of the girls got adopted and grew up in the same state home. Racist people didn't bother Kiki so much. Racist people weren't always dumb they were well trained to hate purposefully. It wasn't anything you could just dismiss as a misunderstanding. There was a whole lot of pride and tradition in being a racist Kiki knew, ignorance was as bliss as celebrating the birth of white Jesus on Christmas day.

So they were raised by the state and aged out of foster care together. They were supposed to graduate together from the Community College. Next year, Kiki had already made up her mind to join the Navy to finish her medical degree.

Paowao thought it tragic that Winkerbell had come to terms with the fact she was always going to be slighted to live as a Morlock and had expected to live in the same apartment of the creekside park projects for the rest of her life. The idea simply settled in her mind that things would always be this way. This little town was where her roots would remain, never going off to Japan or Paris to Egypt or Ireland. Forever remaining in the slums of Ravenscroft.

Paowao and Kiki were all she had at this point in her life. If only people could look past her burns and accept her like Paowao and Kiki did.

Winkerbell, who had gotten the nickname from her classmates, a few cruel children who made fun of her eye that was scorched by fire and scared shut giving her a wink.

Her real name had been Bell. But Bell embraced the nickname Winkerbell, not letting the bullies bring her down. Paowao and Kiki help disarm the bullies by calling her Winkerbell affectionately all the time. This took the sting of the blow when bullies tried to tease her with a name she had learned to like.

counselor Phoebe had taken Pao by the hand and walked with her to the Citgo for snacks. It would be a long interview with the fire marshal. She opened the door for Pao and the sweet smell of the gas station convenience store filled her nose, a welcome change to the charged burning smell that lingered wherever she went. Pao didn't need to be told not to touch anything on the racks. Phoebe microwaved a honeybun and pizza pocket she then opened a bag of cheese crackers, here eat something, it will take some of that stress away.

She fed Pao one of the bright orange biscuits, a deliciously pleasant surprise that made her eyes widen with amazement the instant her tongue tasted the spicy sharp cheddar.

First time you've had cheese crackers I see. Phoebe said smiling

Everything tastes better to little children. Phoebe thought.

You're gonna love this one

Phoebe grabbed a large paper cup next she poured a carton of milk then she took a yellow bottle with a blue and white cartoon jackrabbit on it and squeezed what Pao thought looked like bright pink juice into the cup of milk. .

Pao titled her head up with wonder watching closely as Phoebe quickly stirred the cup. After about a minute or two Phoebe took a sip, smacked her lips and gave the cup to Pao.

Try some, she said. Pao held the cup and looked inside the milk was pink. and Paozhang was pleasantly astonished. Eagerly with both hands she began to drink. Pretty good right? Phoebe asks.

She could see Pao's eyes had dilated and knew she was feeling a rush.

It was good,

Pao talks inside the cup her tiny voice echoing

“Mhm, tank You”

After they both finished enjoying the citgo banquet of triangular cheese crackers, a warm bearclaw, half a pizza puff and a large cup of ice cold strawberry milk. The scout leader paid at the counter and left the store with Paozhang holding her hand. With the little girl following so close, from down the street, someone could have thought the young spry woman crossing the road from the gas station was a four legged animal.

Chapter 3

The Wolves

Alexander rode to the Seven eleven on his custom Honda, the steel pony with a black finish turned heads even at night. That bike had a different coat of black and the shine was so crazy it looked like it was dripping wetland oozed darkness.

He pulled into the storefront parking lot, his bike growling like a shadow cat.

Alexander gets off his bike and sits beside his dark steel pony on the curb. Ignoring riff-raff, the gang of 5 smoking, and drinking beers. He spots three girls, two were breakdancing. the other he can barely see around the corner one of the gangsters

seemed to be offering her beer and begging for something.

Another gangster approaches Alexander's bike

looks down and says

nice bike, Honda VT600 Shadow custom job too.

Damn, Jack, the paint is so black it almost disappears

.another gangster said

Fuckin right!

Jack said and he turned his head with a smirk

Just as Jack fixed his mouth to say something slick, he found himself unable to look away from Alexander’s stare.  His mind was in the clutches of Alexander's glare which seemed to viciously kill the thought of Jack mugging the runt and riding off with his bike.

Jack's eyes had fallen victim to the gripping focal stare that seemed to be stabbing his thoughts. Jack was unable to look away because he didn't have… permission.

There’s something sharp behind his stare… those eyes. and… they're glowing, no, showing, no, what was that word? reflecting! they are… reflecting… something back at me…

Jack thought

and I don't like the color it’s like red, it's like red but it's madder, red is sweet, red is hot, this isn't red, this red is rage, this red is rape. This red is wrong. This red is blood. This red is stopped. This red is stopped. This red is stop!

the feeling of something cold yanked Jack to the core

The strange lowly sensation caused his stomach to clench and the cold troubling feeling went down deep into his bowels.

Jack felt helpless

But he couldn't look away from the stare it felt like he was in trouble this felt like… evil…the word described this feeling perfectly… he knew it

This kind of stare had forcefully pulled out unmistakable feelings of guilt, shame, and fear all at once this made Jack feel like he was in real trouble like he owed

This boy… boss…no his Boss

He owed Boss his life

Boss felt like the right way to reference such a distinguished person

whom he knew…

Alexander

That's who this boy is

The name came to mind suddenly

Along with a profound sensation like he had known this name his whole life!

Jack mumbles something that makes perfect sense to him

"Alexander sees, and I know

I see

I didn't know

now I see, now Jack knows

Alexander sees, now Jack knows"

These words seemed to mean everything he needed to know about who Alexander was…

and who Jack was in the grand scheme of life

"I" didn't exist anymore "I" was gone there was only Jack now

Jack tried to remember what he was going to tell…

Boss.

What about Boss!? one of the bikers shouted.

Jack stuttered a wimpy jumble of words that sounded like they didn't amount to much

Theguysain’tggonna gi giveyounotroublebboss. Jack said in a shaking voice.

The meek words were really embarrassing but Jack felt the need to explain himself he was on the verge of tears at this point

Wejustlikeyourbike, that's all

Jack now seemed to be pleading with Alexander

Jack broke out into a sweat

Xander didn't say anything only stared intensely with with a reproachful look of something near disdain

Jack felt an apple in his throat, the kind of feeling he got when he brought home a bad report card for the 1st time disappointing his mother in elementary school. That was long before his mother had given up on him and he had gotten big enough to tell her what to do.

What's all this Jack?

What's all this about? And why the hell are you calling him Boss?

The biker stopped and looked Jack up and down. Then turned to Alexander who was now playing Knucklebones.

Did this guy say something to you Jack? Huh??

As the biker bit his lips with anger and approached Alexander

Jack shoved the biker back with so much force he almost fell.

Jack's face now had large beads of sweat trickling down it. His skin was glossy and there was a large sweet spot growing on his shirt. He was suddenly soaked in his own sweat.

The biker started for Alexander again

But Jack hauled off and punched the thug in the face just above his brow.

The blow was so serious Jack's knuckles caused the thug’s teeth to chop with a loud

clack!

The impact knocked the thug's head back like an open Pez dispenser. His forehead began swelling with huge purple lumps from Jack's studded glove.

If Jack had punched him in the jaw it would have been a KO lights out for sure.

"Damn! you alright Houser?"

One of the bikers cried

Alexander now noticed the Jean jackets the boys wore not only had their sleeves torn off but read "wolf pack"

There were 5 wolf heads embroidered on the back of Jack's Jean jacket.

The boy Jack just rocked wore a red ribbon on his arm and above that strapped to his shoulder was a leather pauldron with steel studded long spikes.

All the other boys wore studded leather and belts but only this guy had spikes. The kind of intimidating look that stands out leaving no doubt he's the leader

The Alpha of the pack.

Houser, the guy with spikes recoiled, winced, and retaliated with a swift backhand followed by a kick to Jack's shin then a hard elbow uppercut to his face making a popping sound, the sound of Jack's nose breaking,

The sound of metal on the skull.

Blood spewed from jacks nose painting his neck and shirt giving Jack a red bib

Jack Hollard and fell on his ass,

But the trashing continued

One of the guys from around the corner stopped talking to the girl he was perving

laid down the pack of beer he was holding

then rushed over to start kicking Jack

Another tossed his cigarette to join the trashing, pummeling Jack with his studded gloves knuckles. Jack was overwhelmed as he tried to get up but was knocked back down to the ground

There was no doubt Houser just gave the pecking order on Jack

The 3 girls had gathered watching the brawl with horror and utter shock

Alexander never looked in the direction

He stayed sitting next to his bike playing jacks.

Alexander tossed 3 jacks and bounced the ball

Nabbed 3 jacks

And caught the ball before it hit the ground

"Threesies"

One of the girls screams loud enough for Houser and the boys to ease up off of Jack

Another bounce another successful catch

"Foursies"

Houser kicks Jack down again, Jack rolls to a kneeling stance and tries to stand

Alexander's ball bounces again "thwop" another successful collection

"Fivesies"

Jack rises and Houser with another brutal kick sends Jack sprawling back on the ground

Another bounce

"Sixsies"

Jack gets up again but faster this time

Houser, In a tired fit of vexation, kicks Jack down once again this time Houser's boot hits Jack's elbow

like a cruel rhythm, Alexander's ball Jack bounces back again "thwop"

"Sevensies"

Jack now on his feet looks absolutely busted. He was covered in blood sweat dirt and black oil from the ground.

One of Jack's eyes was swollen shut and there were 4 big limps crowned on his head

Two of them were cut open and leaking thin trails of blood.

Jack stood up with what looked like sheer blazing will and determination at this point

a raging red aura could be seen seething off of him.

Everyone was astonished Jack got back up so fast.

The battered bleeding Jack was crazed and desperate to keep Houser away from "Boss".

Everything went quiet for a moment

Breaking the silence was the sound of Alexander’s ball bouncing again echoing in the lot with a "fop" The ball bounced high and before it landed in Alexander's hand he had collected the remaining knuckle bones.

"Eightsies!"

Alexander yelled in a victorious celebration that had weirdly brightened the mood somehow.

This racket Alexander had made caused the wolf pack to turn their heads away from Jack

And in that instant as soon as the dumb brutes looked away…

Jack went on the attack!

Making two fists Jack clubbed one of the boys in the back of his head knocking him to the ground.

Jack was now foaming at the mouth with adrenal rage and his badly injured body was moving sporadically

Wasting no time, he wrapped his arm tight around Houser's neck locking him into a rear chokehold

Jack ran Houser head forward and leaped, throwing his legs forward driving Houser to the ground.

This aerial slam was flashy like something you'd see at WrestleMania.

Having astonished the wolves again,

Jack had another chance to attack.

The battered and disgraced Jack charged while getting up from Houser and tackled Randy to the ground.

Crying and wailing with rage,

Jack immediately started bashing Randy’s face.

Randy's face was getting hammered bloody by Jack's fists and forearms as they wildly drummed and bashed his skull.

The other two wolves got up and pulled Jack off of Randy. But Jack had worked hard and made Randy's face look worse than his own

Randy was on the ground wheezing and whistling as he exhaled out of the gaps of his missing teeth.

Randy frantically shook off the 2 Wolves and flailed at them violently; they both backed away from his rabid and reckless assault.

They stood in shock watching Jack's crazed uproar; he had lost his mind and the psychotic breakdown was so new and unfamiliar this behavior from their buddy had left them petrified in fear and awe.

One of the wolves picked Randy off the ground and led him to his bike

Houser revved his bike then Hollard,

"Let's go before the petrol gets here.

Jack is dead to me"

Spit flew from Houser's mouth

“If Jack wants to protect the little retard playing that toddler game on the curb.  I don't care"

"You're dead to me Jack! Dead! "

Houser had assumed that Jack knew the boy at this point and maybe they were related.

The other boys were completely stunned.

They all got on their bikes.

The whole scene was really strange.

Nothing happened the way it was supposed to.

“Who knew Jack had a retarded cousin?”

One of the Wolves uttered

“Nah, He don't look nothin’ like Jack

And he’s black, look at that nappy hair, he’s just real pale.”

another said.

“That boy don't seem retarded to me, especially when rode up on his bike.”

look at how he's dressed, that's some old fashioned shit, maybe his grandmother dolls him up before he goes out.”

Houser said

“Yea and I ain't never seen no retard ride.”

Another said revving his bike

“You're retarded

And you ride every day”

Another said kicking his

“I ain't never seen a pale black boy with neat nappy hair cept’ maybe on TV or on a box hair product.”

“Yea I can see his veins, his ears are a little pointy too, he's like a little devil or a Keebler elf.” Houser said

The wolves broke out in laughter whenever Houser told a joke, whether they laughed funny or not.

“He was short like an elf too, the kid must be 5 feet even.”

One of the Wolves shouted.

“His grandmama must really take care of him.”

“Damn, that bike is nice, he has to be rich.”

This is getting stale let's go.

The Wolves had gotten on their bikes and took off. Randy almost hit another car and peeled off to catch up to his gang who had all sped away.

Jack watched them until they were gone.

Chapter 4

Special Dark

One of the girls suddenly shouted out

"So run, little children, pla–ay–ay!”

It was the smallest of the girls.

“I'll leave the light oh–off!”

The black girl chimed in with a melody

“–to turn your mother oh–on!"

The bandaged white girl sings along

The mood was soothing, a cool comforting gale whirled in the parking lot just ahead of chilly nightfall.

Alexander knew the little Asian tomboy had to be Paozhang, Donna had sent Alexander here to meet her and he had seen her before in an eldritch nightmare.

She reached her fist high and raised her middle finger to flip the wolves over the bird before they disappeared down the road.

Alexander put away his jacks and pulled a huge chocolate bar from his coat pocket.

Paozhang, clearly tipsy, stumbled, walked over to grab the pack of beers Randy had left on the ground and sat next to Alexander.

She stared at Alexander curiously chugging one of the beers, never taking her eyes off of him. When she had drunk the last drop of suds, she crushed the can on her forehead and tossed it. Alexander got up

Hey! Where are you going little dude? Come back, I wanna talk to you!

One moment Alexander said

If only she knew how loud her thoughts were to him. He had taken in her next words before she shouted.

With his eyes fixated, he walked over to her litter, picked up the beer can flat as a hockey puck and performed what might have been a slight of hand trick Paozhang didn't know but it looked slick

she blinked and the aluminum puck disappeared.

Paozhang clapped and cried “Cool trick dude!”

Alexander sat back in his spot next to the feisty Tomboy

She spent time staring at Alexander's face well beyond the boundary of anyone's personal space, then she touched him out of curiosity. A most awkward first encounter, as if she had to be sure he was an actual person. She flicked the tips of his ears and ran a finger from his forehead over his nose down his chin.

Something that might have even looked like playful foreplay.

Alexander didn't seem to mind. Oddly spontaneous mutual consent was being expressed without words as a social connection was made that was purely physical. She was asking him who was by touching him, a primitive form of communication that seemed appropriate to her at the moment, encouraged by her intoxication and triggered by something greater than basic instinct. Call it Intuition maybe, Feeling like she needed to be sure her own eyes had not betrayed her. Looking into the face of Alexander was like looking into a 3d hologram. Pseudo realism is what you saw and you knew it wasn't natural even if you couldn't explain why.

Alexander was a little too familiar.

She petted him, ran her fingers through his neatly groomed hair and slapped his face a little like a mob boss to finish him off. An uncouth gesture that was downright impolite, gangster boo, light hearted and motherly all the same time.

Then she regained some semblance of her scruples…

Lord knows If he responded by touching her the same way she would probably kick his ass and make out with him. She felt like doing a little of both at the same damn time but, she was sure that had to be the “do it fluid” coursing in her blood.

After easing off Alexander she glanced at Jack who had his back turned then she held out one of the cold beers and sloshed it around.

"Ya look like you can use one of these dudes!"

Jack didn't respond

"Excuse me Jack…

The nice young lady is offering you a cool drink. Kindly thank her and take the can."

Alexander politely said to Jack

Although polite, Alexander's tone was colder than any of the beers;

and as flat as the last swill in the can Randy had left on the curb around the corner.

Jack turned and rushed over with a look of shame. He got on 1 knee, thanked the tomboy, and took the can.

“Are you Ok dude? You didn't need to treat me like a princess or nothin' it's just a beer!”

The tomboy said

Then she laughed and said while cackling

"You musta' got a concussion bro. Heh heh

They kicked your head too hard. Heheh heh"

Jack didn't say anything, just drank the beer.

The little tomboy named Paozhang stood up again and Alexander noticed she had a rather nice figure.

Her skin was nice, she had nice little legs, a nice butt, small waist, round hips, and she was, well…flat-chested. And, short of being precisely 5 feet tall she might have been teased for being short yet, to Alexander who stood 3 inches more, Paozhang was a real gem.

Alexander did account for many details about Paozhang and while even in boys clothes and thoroughly inebriated she was quite captivating. Alexander wondered, how many people told her she was cute? Had anyone told her she could be a model or an actor?

Was she exhausted from such sentiments?

Nevertheless, he would go ahead and pay her a complement in hopes of flattering her. She had given him the feeling she needed to hear it and wanted to hear something nice particularly from him. Very well, he was willing to abide but not before asking her name. The name she hadn't told him but he had already known.

Paozhang walked over to Jack and put a cold can on one of the lumps on Jack's forehead.

"Jack, you ought’a go to the hospital dude!” she said.

She drew in breath through her teeth and grimaced.

“Dude I'm not even gonna ask if that hurts.

These head wounds have deep gashes, you're bleeding badly bro, you need stitches.

Dude, I'm really surprised you didn't pass out by now."

She said

Then she placed the cold can over Jack's dirty blonde hair to cover one of his blue eyes that was swollen shut.

"Here take this one too and keep it on your face. "

Said the Tomboy

Jack looks at Alexander as if he needed permission

Alexander gave him a quick look of approval and a strange glare that seemed like it meant a whole lot to Jack.

Jack smiled a really pathetic puppy dog smile. and takes the other can to cover his swollen eye.

Blue and red strobe of lights could be seen at a distance and sirens approached from down the road

Alexander snapped off a piece of his chocolate bar and offered it the bigger half to the tomboy.

Alexander: "It's special dark"

He champions casually

She looks at the price of chocolate and then at the pale black boy.

Staring at him with wonder and realizing she's never seen a boy like him but feeling like she had actually known him. His eyes and mind and heart drew different conclusions about him and the mixed messages kept her in a dreamy state of curiosity. On top of that she wanted him like a wild animal or he could take her; it didn't matter how they could take each other.

she reminded herself to hold her liquor.

He looked like someone she knew but that was impossible because he's so… different.

She knows he's Black because the tone of his voice is soulful, and his hair is nappy like Kisha’s and neatly styled with an old-fashioned part.

But his skin was so pale and sallow and that wasn't natural. She had seen light skinned black people before but never this tone it was almost translucent.

she could see green veins under his skin

it was so usual to see a person’s veins in their face and neck.

Did he have a disease? she wondered.

Ugly was not the word that came to mind when looking at him in fact she thought he was oddly attractive but also too familiar for her to call him unique.

He has big brown eyes, like a doll’s eyes.

she thought. But they were super intense, shadowy, and had a mean focus to them.

Oh but he smells really nice. He has a woodsy aroma like pine, leather, and wildflowers.

He talks like an old man, Who’s he callin’ young lady anyways? He can't be any older than 16 and I'm 23 she thought and giggled out loud.

“Girl what are you laughing about?” one of the girls hollered then started giggling as well.

Playing Jacks was a little childish, and what is he wearing? some sorta black navy and wine old-fashioned dress clothes,  A cool P coat, a cape mantel tied with bow with long boots, nice flair.

It looks like a neat little costume on him though. She thought

She sat down next to Alexander again and scooted closer to him.

Not able to help herself, she studied him up close again for a while with her beer goggles, touching his pointy ears and flicking the buttons on his clothes.

The two other girls could be seen giggling girlishly amused by this.

She was drunk and he didn’t overreact by anything she did to him, he would gently push her hands away some times and this had started a friendly game of chicken she tried he tricky but was fast some times he would slow down on purpose she knew it and she would let him cop a feel if tried but he seemed to get the vibe. She was gladdened by the fact that she could play with him so easily and most likely he even liked her touch,

He continued offering her a piece of his chocolate bar.

Then she looked at the candy bar again, realizing she had forgotten he was offering it,

And again at this handsome little devil.

She felt a small tug in her mind and that was weird but it snapped her out of her dreamy world of girl crush. When she looked into Alexander's brown eyes, she thought they flashed a different color like blue or indigo.

It was almost nothing but she suddenly had a sweet tooth, she got a gut feeling and that was strange because she was damn near wasted. Did he just do something to me with his eyes? She thought.

A moment ago she had a good mind to chug the last 2 cans of beer before the cops showed up.

but…now…

She wanted the candy, and she wanted to get to know this boy, and she wanted the beer.

She wanted all three at the same time. Man I must be wasted, she thought

“why not? But just one piece” she said to Alexander

"Only one piece? It's got blackberries and almonds…”

Alexander said, looking at her with his big doll eyes.

dude… I never even heard of a special dark with both berries and nuts that sounds exotic and rich.

She thought amusingly

This pale boy was holding a candy bar as big as a school notebook

and he called it "special dark"

Then she thought

It must be a special edition. It did look good, giant chocolate bars always do.

She took a piece and let the candy melt in her mouth.

Mmmmmm!

Ooh mhm It really is rich, way better than any other chocolate! There was no way this was Hershey's special dark. But also, there's no way this wasn't special dark either.

This tasted like it had to be the real special dark and Hershey's was some cheap knockoff.

Bittersweet, deeply rich, well balanced flavors of exotic wild berries, quality nuts, wonderfully complex with a smooth aftertaste, tasted like it had some floral tones like lotus or maybe roses and vanilla, it was even a little bit spicy too, she could taste cinnamon, cloves, and chilis.

If love was a flavor this would be it.

The chocolate had put her in good mood

"Thanks for the candy"

I'm Paozhang. It's Chinese and people don't know how to say it so they call me Paowao or Pao."

"What's your name?"

She asks.

My name is Alexander… You can call me whatever you want.

So long as you mean no disrespect.

Alexander said this, noticing she would have a habit of calling him “dude or bro”.

"Ok Xander"

"Xander is fine, Paozhang.

I think you're cute by the way”

Paozhang blushed

"Oh you… thanks! You too

I mean–

Like, you said my name right the first time."

Paozhang says in utter shock.

"You speak Chinese?"

"Wo hui shuo yidian putong hua" Xander literally says “I speak a little common tongue” in a Zhengzhou Chinese accent.

I don't even speak Chinese dude. Paozhang said. In a precious moment of embarrassment, she noticed he could see she was impressed to the point of shock.

While she wasn't fluent, she understood Chinese when she heard it. Mostly from old kung fu films, and  from her “dealings” with her uncle a few times in her early childhood back when Mr.Wen had at least pretended to care for her, Everything was always about business with him.

Chapter 5

Pao

Jus-t call me “Pao” she says slurring the “Just”

those are my girlfriends over there Kiki and Winkerbell

She says

"Delighted to meet you all, Pao, Kiki, Winkerbell"

Xander says politely

Kiki and Winkerbell both wave and giggle at Xander

So like,

Where did you get this nice bike? Pao asks

Kiki and Winkerbell were touching the bike with curiosity.

"Oh, You admire my craftsmanship, well thanks.”

Xander bit into his slab of chocolate

The sound of teeth breaking into chocolate made Pao salivate.

"Matter of fact,

I forged the steel and chrome, and built everything including the engine myself."

Xander says with an adorned regal tone.

Pao laughs and says

"No way dude.

You're serious, aren't you?

You really mean you made this bike?"

Xander smiles and nods once again his big doll eyes were starting to really grow on her at this point.

Then Xander says

"I read a Honda technical manual and forged all the parts myself."

"You mean you made a whole motorcycle by yourself?"

"Dude!"

I sure did, only took a little engineering, a little black sorcery, things you know nothing about.

Xander thought smiling and nodding his head

"How old are you? "

Pao asks hypothetically, she had already settled on the idea that he couldn't have been older than 16 at this point.

Xander didn't answer.

"You don't even look like you're old enough to have a teenager’s driver's permit…

Kids don't make motorcycles Dude"

Pao says

Xander nods his head in clear agreement and raises his eyebrows

the kind of gesture that also signals "good point, however in my case…"

I don’t know Paowao, Xander looks like a little man to me, He might really be 16

Kiki says squinting over at Xander for a good hard look at him.

"There's no way you built this bike Xander"

"She says again, losing her patience in frustration."

Winkerbell interjected

"Yo!

I heard Jack say it was a custom job earlier. Paowao the paint on this bike is weird. It's crazy how dark the black this paint is and sometimes I see colors.

I mean like, I don't know, it's really pretty to me but, it doesn't shine like normal ...."

…and I don't think Jack would lie about bikes, he's in love with them, all the boys in the Wolfpack love bikes, Paowao.” Winkerbell says

Jack was staring off nobody really wanted to bother him after witnessing the beating he had taken. Jack was a dick and always had been just like the rest of the wolves, but tonight he was kind of a hero for kicking their asses.

This girl's head was halfway wrapped in bandages that covered her right eye

There are scars peaking from where the bandages didn't lay, and

Xander could tell the scars were badly healed burns.

She wore a pink and yellow Fila jumpsuit that covered her up well for the most part.

All three girls dressed a lot like backup dancers each with their own kind of sexy flair.

Xander bows carefully and introduces himself again this time declaring his family name.

My name is Alexander Bright

When Xander lowered his head to bow, Pao noticed how oddly pointy his ears are again but also she couldn't get over how oddly familiar he looked.

Has she seen him before? She wondered.

Bowing wasn't normal. In fact nothing about this boy was normal.

At least he was classy but he looked like he wasn't really from this world let alone like anyone or anything else in Creekside Park.

That thought had given her chills.

How come Kiki and Bell weren't freaking out about this anyway?

Maybe she was being too judgemental

her friends probably didn't think it was cool to draw these kinds of conclusions just because… around here they were different too…

A lot of people in this part of America are racist, xenophobic, and generally prejudiced but still…. This boy was absurdly different.

He spoke good Chinese and she admired that about him.

“Dude… nobody speaks Chinese here except Chinese people.”

Bell laughed

Kiki rolled her eyes. and added a sassy “mhmm” in agreement.

Sudden admiration for Xander hit Pao all at once like a ton. She was really starting to feel that crush coming on again, a little stronger now.

Pao knew right then that she wanted to go home with Xander. Just to spend more time with him.

Xander looked at her

and Pao looked at him

She didn't want to wait until they met again. She would ride off together with Xander…back to wherever he came from

and she settled on the thought that this was her chance, and if she didn't she would probably never see him again. Because she was sure he wasn't from here and he was going places. He had been far and when he leaves this 711 parking lot he’ll go so far that they'll never meet again.  These thoughts came fast like a manic bolt of lightning and had instantly made her melancholy.

Maan… she was crushin’ real hard. Something about Xander was so rare.

Was it the coy smile Xander had?

A smile was something she didn't think his face was capable of showing. Xander was still so intense with focus yet at the same time, a bit jovial. She couldn't understand how these contradictions could form a balanced expression. Xander was…. stoic with just the right amount of melodramatic and proper tendencies and this had made him mysterious and intense beyond years. Why was she seeing so much in him? Had they met before in another place? In another time?

And he might say to her, “What if tomorrow never comes?” Pao thought,

then she giggled out loud something she couldn't hold back, woah bud-dy she was down bad for real at this point.

Pao just had 3 beers and she was used to how the world got strange when she was this tipsy

so, she was gonna let this ride. (For now)

She looked at Xander and she wondered was he at least feeling what she was feeling? The look of intrigue he had given her made her think yeah, maybe he did.

In truth, Xander was the boy time had left behind. Xander was over a century old and had been groomed by a dhampir sorceress. He was more like a lordling who delighted amongst the plebs and peasantry.

Pao walks over to Xander and whispers in his ear. Let's make like a tree and get out of here… before the cops come.

Xander could smell the beer on her breath but there was something else too, unmistakable actually and he wondered how much time she had left.

“I'm here for you…actually”

Xander says while looking at her with those big brown doll eyes; eyes which she had practically fallen in love with by now.

What?

“I was sent to meet you Pao. Your uncle sent a letter to the new Chancellor.”

“My uncle did what!?”

Pao suddenly got huffy.

“The letter was about keeping you at the Community College. Donna says you can stay at the community college as long as you need.”

“Did my uncle threaten you?”

“No, Donna just wants to give you time to get your degree. Donna really cares about education, so she sent me to offer you an apprenticeship, the only condition that needs to be met to approve your uncle's request.”

Wah? What does he mean the chancellor wants to give me time? She thought. It seemed ominous when Xander said it. There was plenty of optimism that came along with the statement too.

You keep calling her Donna, You mean Miss Be-right?

Kiki asks

Xander looks at Kiki and says

I'm embarrassed

“My name is Alexander Bright”

Oh! so you're her son!

Kiki says after a gasp

“Dude, You must be adopted because you look nothin’ like her.”

Pao says having calmed down a bit.

“Well, hol’up na’…” Kiki says

“Yall’ both look pale to me, so I guess you do favor her a lil’ bit, except MissBeRight looks like Cher with a beauty mark.

Ya daddy must be black though, caus’ MissBright got long strait hair like Pocahontas and no nappy roots.”

“We call her MissBeRight because she’s one bad mama shut yo mouth.”

Winkerbell said trying her best to speak like Kiki and still sounding like a white girl despite her best effort.

“You got dat’ right. I see men get really nervous and act weird around her. Cause’ she looks like a supermodel. I mean she is really pretty but she looks like she could kill somebody if she had to.”  Kiki said to Winkerbell, giving her some skin for her high five.

Pao chimes in

“ Ya dude, The Chancellor is like a smokin’ hot Brick House, I know I’d hit that!”

Xander smiles… Donna was indeed a Brick House.

Donna, in a real sense, had been a lot like a mother to Xander and he did share her blood. Had she even adopted him? Yes, she did. But, that was a lifetime ago they’ve been married for a lot longer.

Kiki, where are you from? Xander asked out of curiosity

I was born n’ raised by the state of Tennessee but I was transferred to Ravencroft in middle school. I really don't know why. I used to think the board of education or somebody thought I was special back then. But now I just think Tennessee didn't really give a damn about lil’ black girls like me so, I figure dats’ why da feds stepped in and bussed me way up here. The real question is where you from boy?

“I was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia.”

“Georgia boy huh? I believe it, you sound like you went to a proud black school.” Kiki said

Winkerbell, are you from far away too?

“No, I was born here and have been my whole life.” She wanted to say…

…And this is where I’m staying for the rest of my life… she paused, took a breath, and said…

“My parents left me in the hospital when I was a newborn baby.”

“They were really young teenage runaways and just found this town while traveling on the road.”

“My mother gave birth to me at St.Michaels and they didn’t have any money or and they were homeless so they just left me, they ran away. I think that’s all they knew how to do was run.”

“The state took me in and”…she shrugs “…in foster care I met Paowao and later Kiki, we’re BFFs.”

The girls smile together,  Xander could see a loving sisterhood had bonded the girls together.

“I think your friends truly love you and that's really special Winkerbell… like blood sisters…” Xander's doll eyes intensified. “It's a beautiful thing to see.”

“You got that right bro, we love Bell.”

Pao said cheerfully.

Kiki hugged Winkerbell

Pao ran over and hugged Winkerbell too the girls huddle up to have a moment

Then they whisper something to each other and start giggling

Pao turns to Xander and says

“Alright I’ll be your Apprentice, but I don’t think you can handle… all of this!”

Changing the mood abruptly.

Pao shakes her booty like a professional erotic dancer, the girls encourage her and start dancing and shaking their butts as well. Kiki does it best of the three bouncing and dropping it low. Winkerbell isn’t bad at twerking for a white girl. Kiki must have taught her something Xander thinks.

The girls were making an outrageous scene.

Jack paid no attention to any of this and was dead silent.

“We will talk about the mentorship later.”

Xander says shaking his head,

“I'll give you my address”

Pao says

Xander reaches into his coat pocket and hands Pao his smartphone. It's a brandless android and black as the void.

The phone unlocks and goes straight to the new contacts without Pao doing anything. “Just talk into it, there's no need to use the keypad.” Xander told her.

Pao speaks into the mic. “1900 Creekside Parkway Apartment 203 Ravenscroft”

The address is added, next, she adds the landline telephone number.

Then she gives her smartphone number. Next, she passes the phone to the other girls who happily register their numbers as well.

We all live together, Kiki says, handing Xander back his smartphone.

Winkerbell: “You should come by our place.”

Xander: “Thank you… I will, I should check on your living conditions. It's a responsibility of the mentorship program.”

“Actually, can I come-over to your house tonight?”

Pao says slurring her speech.

Pao: “My place is a little cramped.”

The truth was Pao didn't want Xander to go over her house, not just yet… she had some things she wanted to keep between the two of them.

“Sure.” Xander says

“I'll take you to my place.”

At this point, Xander was sure the beers had hit Pao hard and she had decided she was going home with him…

Winkerbell smiles like she knows what Pao is thinking. Kiki dry humps their little white car and the girls laugh hysterically.

Pao whispers in Xander's ear.

“Do you have a girlfriend? Because I don't want her to get jealous when you let me ride on your…… bike tonight."

Xander shakes his head at this point he believes Pao had blacked out for the bold and flirtatious comment. She was something else he thought.

We better bounce, Kiki says.

Pao kisses Winkerbell and tells her good night. Kiki flicks her tongue salaciously and does the freaky dry hump again. “Bye Kiki!”  Pao says losing the battle to hold back the laughing.

Winkerbell found it hilarious and started to crack up.

Pao watches Kiki and Winkerbell drive away in the little white Subaru hatchback. She remembers all three of them had spent so many cold nights huddled together in that little hoopty. Winkerbell had nicknamed it powderpuff because they would wake up and the car would be covered in 19 inches of snow.

Pao got on the back of Xander's bike, Xander saddled up the leftover beers, and got on his bike.

Xander passes Pao the aux cable

Pao jacked the aux into her ipod, and held Xander close.

“Jack! Don't forget to check in at that hospital.

Take the ambulance to the emergency room.

Listen to the doctor and don't check out until you've been treated, fed, showered, rested, and healed. Get clean clothes to put on.

Call your mother, apologize, and tell you love her.”

"Will I see you again boss?"

"Do what I told you."

Xander says and revs the engine again and peels for a bit to warm his tires.

the bike's speakers blair a song, it’s “Audioslave - Show me how to live”

Pao closed her eyes and together like seeds of young love, two of kind rode off together, in a matter of seconds they became a shadow against the dying light of dusk's horizon.

Chapter 6

Bright Manor

Xander and Pao arrive at Bright Manner

It's a big gothic townhouse embellished with stained glass windows and stone gargoyles. The luxurious home is located in the town square, the most expensive place to live in Ravenscroft.

By the time Xander and Pao made it to the door, it had already swung open. A 6-foot-tall beautiful woman looking a lot like Char with a beauty mark stood in the doorway in a black shimmering romper. It's The Chancellor MissBe-right waiting to welcome them.

"Donna knows the sound of my bike," Xander says

Pao greets Donna

Xander reads Donna's sign language for Pao,

She says I've brought home a gorgeous young lady, and she hopes you've brought your appetite.

She's prepared a banquet for us.

Pao laughs and blushes embarrassed,

“Oh thanks”

I haven't been called gorgeous by anyone before…

Pao says blushing

‘You're beautiful Miss Bright” Pao says

Donna puts her arm around Pao welcoming her inside the house as the door closes behind them. They take their shoes off and place them in a cubby. Then slipped into house shoes well organized in the entryway. These were classy people, she thought.

“Wow!” Pao says admiring everything she sees the place was mostly dark but beautiful Ambient lighting came in through the windows. It seems a lot bigger on the inside than the outside like a fancy chapel she thought.

Pao is graced by the sight of shining marbled floors, exotic rugs, a big beautiful crystal chandler simmering in stained glass colored sun beams, a massive oak staircase, and…. dolls illuminated by the enchanting glow from the flickering flames of the candelabras, neatly arranged on the shelves that adorned the walls neatly all around the mansion. But not just any dolls, life-sized models. Pao recognized characters from various books and fairy tales she had read, King Arthur, Morrigan La Fe, Robin Hood, John Henry, Peter and Wendy, the Piccanniny tribe, Tiger Lilly, The Lost Boys, Mulan, Joan of Arc, Beowulf, Merlin, Morrigan Le Fey, Miyamoto Musashi, the list went on….

“Doll making is Donna's pride and joy.”

Xander says

Xander read Donna's sign language

I will show you the bathroom so you can make yourself comfortable. Consider our home your home.

Donna takes Pao's hand and

She leads the very intoxicated little woman to the washroom where Pao is encouraged to shower and change into clean clothes at her leisure.

The bathroom is so nice with the smell of potpourri, well decorated towels folded neatly like a 5 star hotel. Rich wall paper large vase with lush wild flowers toilet with bidet, scented candles around a Clean porcelain tub and shower and the marbled gold flake counter. This place was breathtaking.

Pao takes off her clothes and sends them down the laundry chute. She gets in the shower. The shower head felt amazing and lathered with a very likely all natural artisan homemade bars of soap, shampoos and conditioners, the shampoo and conditioner bars were etched with the word “Hair”, and soap had the word "Body” etched in the bar.

She lathers and rinses well. Just before she gets out of the shower her world suddenly begins to shake oh no she thought, not this again!

A strong word came to mind in big bold awful letters “Ruin” that felt like ruin. The tremors, the scary sense of intense vertigo. Everything seemed to shake as if her world was in a snow globe and it was tumbling down a staircase. Not again, not now! she grabs the towel ring until the violent episode passes…Still tipsy from the beers maybe? No, this has been happening a lot lately. She knew what it was… Ever since the truck fire her condition had gotten more aggressive, but there was no need for self pity.

She applies Donna's floral oils on her skin and in her hair after she dries herself with one of the neatly folded towels on the marble counter top.

The aromatics comforted her and cheered her up. She brushes her teeth, dries her hair, sings in the mirror

and changes into the clean underwear next to the clothes Donna has folded and left neatly for her.

She unfolded the clothes ready to put them on and thought. Wow…these look fancy! she didn't really know if she was putting the clothes on correctly but she managed to get into them.

While looking in the vanity mirror… At first she thought, this is some costume… She inspected the design of the clothes… this weren't what she had expected and yet,

they were a lot better than she could have hoped for… they we're actually fucking sick!

Better than anything she had worn before. It was some sort of cool fancy vintage dress-suit. something out of a history book or a fairy tale.

I can rock this! She smiled thinking the clothes made her look like a really badass.

It felt comfortable, and thank the big-G it wasn't a dress! she thought. They really didn't make clothes like this anymore…and if they did only rich people wore them.  The buttons and trim were gold and really shined against the magenta blouse. The periwinkle trousers were a nice touch. She got into her slippers and went back into the grand hall where Donna was waiting for her…Ah yes, Donna The ideal pinup woman, lean toned athletic build full breasted, tiny waist, round hips, legs for miles, she tonight

Donna was an amazon and that romper showed off her beautiful legs and cleavage.

They both head to the dining room where Xander is dolled up neatly in old fashioned boys dress-uniform. More badass attire that suited him well. She thinks.

The dining room looked small and cozy by candlelight but the room was actually rather large. There was lots of shadow and not much moonlight coming through the stained glass windows. It looked like the inside of an old fashioned tavern.

The long wooden table and tall chairs was a centerpiece that commanded attention in the room; it was high society in a humble zone, she thought.

This room is luxurious and humble at the same time.  There's even a large fireplace with a kettle for hot chocolate and a cast iron pot for fondue. She thought.

On the long dining room table was a large feast full of gamey butchery, mostly venison, bison, mutton, lamb, turkey, pheasant, and duck. The food smells heavenly, the meat was well seasoned with herbs, spices, and floral accents, much of the red meat was peppered in a dark rub of a variety of crushed chilis, salted, smoked, brined, marinated, cured, and cooked over flame, or fried in their own tallow. Plenty of venison steaks, liver, pastrami, large meat pies, meatloafs, mutton chops and leg of lamb, red links and summer sausages, large glass bottles of maple syrup and home made hot-sauce!  Donna cooked the entire meal, there was also craft peach apple cider, spiced ruby wine, mead, and ginger ale.

Plenty of exotic breads too, handmade maize tortillas, buttery cornbread muffins, large loaves of Ezekiel bread, and buckwheat pancakes! There were baskets of fruit and nuts on the table.  Donna had foraged, hunted and cooked the bounty for herself.

They all sat at the table and Xander said grace. It was a simple one he had known for a long time. “God is grace, God is good, let us thank you for our food, bow our heads, we all are fed, give us lord, our daily bread. Amen.”

Pao spotted a large dish of Mac & Cheese. Donna passed her the dish with smiles. As Pao made herself a large bowl of it. She ate and drank until she was satisfied. The food tasted better than it smelled which was already incredibly mouthwatering. Pao drank a lot; it really seemed to numb the pain of her headaches.

She didn't know if the alcohol was strong or if she had suddenly built a tolerance but the queasy sickly feeling she was doing her best to hold suddenly went away when she started drinking the wines and cider.

Her stomach eased she excused herself to the bathroom and when she got it up the room stopped spinning.

She went to use the toilet and came back and noticed the drunken nauseousness had passed. She was high now and didn't have a headache.

Xander looks at her and asks her how she feels.

“I feel, ok nothing to puke about”

She had felt better she didn't need to hold her liquor but she still felt bad from her condition.

“The herbs and spices are carefully blended, cleanse and support your liver. The alcohol poisoning comes out of the stool and doesn't linger in your stomach or your… bowls.” He says, pausing to phrase, the explanation with careful consideration for the dining table. He looked over at Donna in such a way that hinted that she wanted manners from him.

Xander and Donna ate the most, and there was still enough food leftover to feed a platoon.

“You don't need to force yourself to eat to be polite Pao. Anything you can't eat will be shared. We were going to pack meals and deliver food to your friends.

Anything our friends won't take will go to the soup kitchen at St. Gabriel Church if that's alright with you.”

Pao: “It's fine, but like, I want to come back and stay here when we're finished, ok?”

Donna throws her fingers into a showy dance and Xander translates her sign language.

“Donna says… You can stay here anytime you don't need to ask…consider our home, your home.

So welcome home.

We were hoping you would choose to live with us. We offer you our hospitality as part of your apprenticeship and we hope you will come to know us as your family in time.”

“Thank you so much! Pao says joyfully.”

Donna smiles

Xander turns to Pao but he’s not smiling, no that's the look of worry and pity and she recognizes it.

By now Pao understood that look, it's the same look she got from her Doctors at St.Michaels.

Xander: “I would like to ask you something personal if you don't mind.”

Calming down from the high of joy and jubilation to take the question seriously she answers “…sure”

Xander takes a long careful pause…

He looks into Pao's eyes with an expression of genuine concern and sorrow, then gently takes her hand off the table resting it into the palm of his.

Donna’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Pao with caring, precious sympathy…reaching over the table to hold Pao's left hand.

“Are you dying?” Xander finally asks and he with the most sincerely caring tone. He already looked devastated as if he knew the answer.

She looked at Donna whose eyes were swimming with tears, and again at Xander who had been stoic until now she didn't think he could be so tender.

Pao nods her head and says “Yes.”

Donna, with tears now running down her face, looks into Pao's pretty almond eyes that begin to sparkle with tears of her own, nodding her head. Pao nods together with Donna who’s smiling to relieve her pain and lip syncing “it's ok”, “it's going to be ok”.

Donna and Xander were both sharing her burden to answer such a painful truth out loud. Pao got the feeling they already knew the answer to that question. But how could they know? Was it really so obvious to them? Could they smell her cancer?

Pao begins to break down and cry Donna walks over to embrace Pao  holding and rocking her comfortingly. Donna held Pao until the tears dried and all the sobbing was done.

Pao:“How did you know Xander?”

Xander: “Just a feeling”

“I thank you for being honest with us” Pao

“It's cancer you know… and it's getting worse everyday. I stopped going to community college because there's no point in finishing. The doctor told me I don't have much time.”

“Theres nothing left for me to do but try enjoy the time I have left before I go.”

Xander: “That's understandable, I… anyone, would do the same.”

Donna makes a gesture

Xander: “Donna says we should all live like today could be our last day and still celebrate knowing that today is always someone's birthday.”

Pao smiles

“Are you ready to deliver meals with us?”

“I know you care for your friends and we can keep your secret.”

“It might make you feel better to feed the needy.”

Pao nods and says

“Yeah, I wanna show off my outfit.”

Xander and Donna pack the leftovers into meals, wrapping the meats, pies, and breads in wax paper, tying them with butcher's twine and loading them into boxes neatly.

Pao helps Donna carry boxes to the garage and loads them into the trunk of her Amazingly luxurious white Rolls Royce Phantom.

“Sweet Ride!” Pao says out loud

Donna smiles lipsyncs and makes her gestures in sign language

Pao thought she may have meant something like… “She is our baby, we care for her and she takes us where we need to go.”

Xander carries the last few boxes to the garage and loads them into the Phantom.

Donna tapped the rear passenger door and it opened like it understood the assignment.  it made Pao say “Damn”

Pao climbs into the carriage.

And was struck with wonder at how spacious it was on the inside. The first thing she noticed was how great it smelled — that new car smell she loved. The interior had white and dark upholstery, the seats better than any leather she'd ever felt on her skin. Dark mahogany wood polished to an unbelievably shiny finish. The ceiling was some kind of dark crystal mirror speckled with what she thought might be blue LEDs that sparkled like starlights, with a large moonroof and a blue RGB trim under the seats casting a relaxing luminescence across the floor and doors.

Chapter 7

The Phantom

Pao sat in the seat snuggled in the seat comfortably and the door closed on its own after she had buckled herself in.

* * *

Donna walked to the front driver's side and got in the Phantom.

The garage door opened and Xander rode in and parked his bike inside.

Xander got off his bike, got into the Phantom and sat next to Pao then bucked himself in.

Pao never felt the car move but could see they were exiting the garage from the windows. She didn't hear the engine but she could hear the garage closing behind them.

Pao watches Donna turning the wheel as they make their way out of the driveway but she never feels the car move. She closed her eyes to try and feel some sort of inertia: a bump on the curve, the motor running, anything. She felt nothing. Opening her eyes again she was astonished to see they were already on the road. Donna was driving so fast everything was a blur and yet somehow she felt like they weren't moving at all.

She cracked open her window making sure they weren't some kind of fancy OLED display. The rapid cold air that blew in through the window and felt like cold razor blades making a loud whirling whistling nose. Pao quickly closed the window. Yep, they were really going 200 miles an hour without feeling it. She looked over at Xander who was looking just as devilish as ever with those big brown doll eyes and his pointy ears. Suddenly like a dam overflowing, all the little things started to add up to overdue explanations.

Why did Jack act so strangely, and seems so afraid of Xander calling him Boss, and taking on his entire crew like a rabid dog just to protect Xander. The game of Jacks Xander was playing when it all happened. The strange bike, the strange clothes. How Donna and Xander knew she was . Now this ghost car is driving at an impossibly high speed without any feeling of inertia or the sound of an engine.

“Xander, things have gotten strange lately. I saw something on the mountain earlier this week.”

Xander: “You saw something? What do you think it was?”

Pao: “It looked like a moth or a man or both or neither… It was a monster with big red eyes. And I mean those eyes were really big like those Grey alien things on TV. It had big moth wings so it definitely was some kind of monster moth.”

Xander: “That sounds like an eldritch horror. Did it hurt you?”

Pao: “No, It flew away but first it got into my head with those eyes.”

Pausing for a moment to choose his words carefully, Xander didn't want to lie to Pao and so he thought it best to give her one truth at a time.

“Pao there are things in this world that people know about but don't talk about.”

“Me and Donna are not ordinary people

Your apprenticeship is no ordinary pact.”

“Donna was born… special, and I was her apprentice, now you are my apprentice.”

Xander passes Pao a luxurious gold foil chocolate bar from his coat pocket.

She takes the bar, unwraps it and bites into the chocolate bar. It had coconut, and macadamia nuts, and was that a bit of chamomile?

“Donna was born as some may call a Dhampire….”

Pao didn't interrupt, she just kept chewing the coconut bar and listening.

“…and when I became her apprentice I also became… especially, I look this way because of a particularly dark sorcery called vampirism.”

“So you're a vampire?” Pao asks in shock.

Yes, but not the blood sucking kind.  It's a complicated technicality.”

“And you want me to be one too!?”

Pao says

Xander: “Well, if you want to live forever….”

Xander reaches into a compartment underneath his seat and pulls out a pair of shiny new black and white loafers.

“There should be a pair of boots under your seat Pao.”

She reaches under her seat and opens the compartment and sure enough there's a nice pair of brand new of black boots that are just her size.

She holds her chocolate bar in her mouth, takes off her slippers and puts on the boots.

She watches Xander put on his loafers and place his slippers in the compartment.

She places her slippers into the compartment and it closes on its own.

“Wooow… that's service.” Pao says while finishing the last two bites of her chocolate.

“Would you like anything else?

We have sparkling water, espresso and warm matcha tea.”

Pao: “I'm ok. Thank you.”

She kisses him on his cheek.

Pao: “I believe you”

Being together with Xander and Donna felt so comforting, they were so good to her. Despite their hospitality Pao had a feeling Xander had more to tell her, but she believed Xander wouldn't enjoy telling a lie and she trusted her intuition about people. She believed Xander and Donna were people not monsters. People can be monsters. She had met monsters like her uncle who she never really trusted. She was right about Mr.Wen, she believed she was right this time.

Still it was crazy that they could be vampires.

But hey, at least they weren't the bloodsucking kind, what would that make them exactly? ghouls? No ghouls eat humanflesh… They do eat a lot of meat but none of it was raw or even rare…they liked their meat really spicy too, even the wine was spicy, and what did he call Donna? A Dhampire?

Pao: “A Dhampire is half human. I know that from the Blade comics, so that means Donna was born half vampire?”

Xander: “Yes, I believe she was…tragically. But there's more to it. I believe any vampire that retains their humanity is a Dhampire, I like to call us greater fiends. We are different from those creatures in the comics and games Pao.”

“Our… family considers bloodsuckers lesser fiends which are abominations with no humanity. Most vampires are often gluttonous cannibals who indulge in human flesh and not just the blood.

We keep a low profile because slayers will kill us for sport regardless. As you know we've only moved to Ravenscroft recently and we may be leaving soon because slayers are ruthless zealots who will torture and burn, women and children to draw us out, then unlist the men as fodder for a bloodbath.”

Pao: Why would people agree to doing that?

“Slayers will come with their Bibles, inspire the townsfolk with scripture. Then show people white magic calling these acts, miracles.

Typically the method is quite effective.

When the miracles don't convince people, the slayers will employ acts of deception, turning family against relatives, making friends into foes, all the while gaining trusted influence, capitalizing, and exploiting in the hardship and chaos. Eventually slayers will take command of the people when their leaders lose control or simply lose faith in their townsfolk, and that… always works.”

Pao if strange encounters keep occurring like the one you witnessed, slayers will come.”

This is the local enquiry form the small printing press in town. Xander says passing Pao the paper.

“The town tabloids?” Pao says, raising her right brow in skepticism.

“Nobody picks those up but toddlers with grabby hands and crazy right-wingnuts.”

She said

“…and slayers Pao.”

Xander sighs

A glance at the headline reads “Wolfman Abominations Terrorize Hikers In The Woods!” It's a lengthy article with more inside, blood cult sigil found in the park, and some stuff about The Greys of course and in a small section of the lower left of the page was an article taken out by the local P.I. an official police report by the Sheriff with about a dozen eye witness accounts and a rather creepy composite sketch of a bug eyed creature, and Pao couldn't help but notice that somehow the sketch like the ones on unsolved mysteries was always creepier and in this case it downright ghastly compared to the actual entity she had encountered, title of the section reads…

“Have you seen me?

Mothman spotted in the Metro Area.”

Pao drops the paper covering her mouth in shock.

“So these tabloids are real?”

She said and winced

“Slayers believe so.

In any case, we must remain out of that enquire Pao.” Xander says

I can't be sure about the kind of Aliens discussed in pop culture entertainment. There's never any resolution and they are always back by popular demand. The accounts of those entities as you know are dubious at best, Although I have experienced missing time my self

What?

It's not much of a story, as I have no memory of what actually happened. Approximately 1,095 moons of my memory I have no recollection of, and then there's Donna, she's from a parallel world. I'm not entirely sure Vampires are even from our world. One day I'd like to…

Wait hold on, Now you're telling me Donna's an Alien?

Yes, Effectively… in either case Donna is at least proof Vampires can come from other worlds.

How could you lose 3 years of your life wouldn't Donna notice if you had gone missing for all that time?

Indeed she would, and upon my investigation I did confide with her my… Amnesia she seemingly had no i indication I wasn't here mentally, because suffice to say by her accounts I had been here physically and socially, although I was often, busy…off doing my work, Donna wasn't alerted as I had always returned home to her as per usual…on occasion however, I would miss dinner but I would be home at least for lunch or breakfast. Apparently I had slipped into trance due to the meaningless lifestyle of the era, and I had been essentially sleep walking for all that time. Nevertheless here physically but gone mentally.

“Woah, dude you couldn't remember anything?”

“I'll tell you this, this haunts me to this day. The story of an abductee resonates with me on a profound level.” said Xander

“So like, Maybe the Aliens zombiefied you.”

Pao said jokingly

Xander shrugged, “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“And isn't it amazing, how facts or lack there of, can shake all reality and completely reform your understanding of what you think you know?”

said Xander

Pao shook her head, looked out the window of phantom awe stricken at the blurring scenery, and said,

“I'm not sure I really know anything anymore, dude.”

I fear the continuous Werewolf counters will eventually draw attention to this town but not before the worst of it.

And you want me to help you stop those things?

Well, Me and Donna can handle……

Count me in!

Pao cries with enthusiasm then she coughs blinks

And instantaneously Xander was passing her a short crystal glass of clear shimmering water, she took a sip. The water is fresh, delicate to the palette, warm and quite soothing.

The swill from the glass washes down easily and clears her throat in seconds.

She exhales in relief

Oh thanks, so much for that,

Some special kind of water?

Pao asks

“Ordinary spring and a prayer…”

Xander says in a half Jape

“Ha, Yea right" She giggles and takes the old fashioned crystal glass.

“….I had a feeling you might want to potentially save some lives aside from your own. Xander says as he retrieves the tabloid from the floor. He puts the paperback book in the magazine rack cleverly tucked far behind the arm rest.”

* * *

The Phantom arrives at Pao's apartment building.

You should take into consideration these things but also your youth.

I will explain more in time, for now let's deliver some meals.

Can I just wait in the car? It's so comfy in here… and, well, Bell has a really strong intuition. I don't wanna explain my condition to her because…

….it's hard, ya know?

“Xander,

I can't exactly tell Bell I'm going to become a Dhampir. Maybe Kiki but not Bell, She's scared of stuff like vampires, and if she finds out you're…Xander I want you to know I really trust you, but I'm afraid she won't.” Pao said

“Would you like me to keep my identity a secret?”

Xander asks compassionately

“Well, I dunno, it's up to you, heh”

Pao giggles nervously

this made Xander feel a little remorseful he was keenly adverse to telling lies and usually avoid situations that would lead to exposing truths that could lead to trouble but at was his human half he was still reborn of the chaotic Neatherdark to be a creature of the night meant because people didn't accept him and no matter his aspirations or his good intent he would always be cursed to be seen as a deviant. Yet, there was always the possibility Bell may never suspect a thing.

“I will go on your behalf Pao.”

Xander said

Thank you! I really really trust you Xander,

and I'm sure Kiki would have let you know if she didn't like you the first time she saw you but, Bell might try to test you to make up her mind about you. She's been hurt by a lot of people so whatever she says to you don't take it personally.

Xander nods

And Xander.

Yes?

Pao loved his sense of patience. Xander had proven himself to be a good listener.

“Thanks again.”

She says

Xander looked at Pao smiling with his big brown doll eyes and a smirk it was the face of admiration but she also read in the look something like “yea, yea, yea take it easy.” Pao thought this would be the perfect time to snap a wholesome photo of him.

Then Xander does a trick he reaches into his coat and removes three rose colored foil wrapped bonbons he does a slight of hand technique displaying amazing dexterity. The bonbons tumbled one by one dancing across his fingers and popping in and out of his palm. This little show was brief and he passes the Chocolates to Pao

Speechless, Pao takes the bonbons

“You're always welcome”

Xander says

Xander steps out of the Phantom

and the door closes behind him.

Donna pops the trunk and Xander grabs a box of meals. The trunk closes on its own as Xander heads towards the apartment and Donna goes back in the car.

As Xander makes his way to the entrance of the mini plex, his ears pick up on the sound of moans. The noises were coming from the playground about a mile away through the woods.

He turns his head and focuses his gaze beyond the trees to the park bench where a strange woman has her legs wide open and is getting her bare naked loins licked thoroughly by a monstrous wolf. Her hands were wrapped around the stiff rods of two other wolves getting them off while two other wolves watched pleasuring themselves. This was witchcraft he thought, she had tamed those Werewolves with chaos magic. Was it her witchcraft that caused them to turn in the first place? Had to be, the biggest wolf, Xander thought right away to be the Alpha, was on its knees serving her with pleasure and neither wolf was penetrating her nor pissing on her. He looked away and sunk the image from the surface of his mind. Carefully storing his discovery to a memory bank deep inside his subconscious where no psychic save for Donna and in time perhaps Pao could get the information.

Xander was no fool. He knew better than to empower a witch with acknowledgment, especially a witch that already had him in her sights.

Witchcraft is the worst blend of thaumaturgy, and sorcery there is.

Words can empower a witch, and these loathsome rituals were the spells that empower the worst hexes of a witch.

The curse of a witch is a very social one,

witches play with reality. To speak of witches could even conjure a convent.

For any foolish fiend who does, are already caught in a perilous web of machinations of the temptress chained and enslaved, a victim of a strange fate.

This Witch wanted to be discovered and she moaned lustfully calling out to him to join in her grotesque orgy…it was a summoning. Xander would ignore her call, By his right as an Archfiend he could only be compelled by the Archangels, or the Almighty.

The whore of hell had known better than to call upon holy guardians and was he not already in service of the Almighty?… Still Xander would tread lightly from now on. Knowing she could only command the lesser fiends.

Something must be done, Perhaps a conspiracy to keep watch? Of course.

Conspiracy, conspiracy,

In that moment Xander’s eyes began blinking rapidly and a daze fell upon him and he had a violent vision, a flickering slideshow of black feathers and talons. Conspi- hundreds of large black beaks, Conspiracy, hundreds of abyssal beady eyes -racy, hundreds of cloaked wings of shadows, Conspiracy. Xander regained his composure and the task had been given every raven in town would now conspire together on the powerlines and in the trees watching the wolves and sending omens to the townsfolk to be more careful and when time was right he would learn all they have seen. For now he would make these deliveries.

Carrying the meals Xander made his way into the building, and as he did so, he plotted the demise of that temptress.

The apartment building was tiny.

Xander carried the box of food up the narrow spiral staircase and knocked on the door to apartment 203.

Winkerbell answers the door. She smiles at Xander

“What's up yo!”

Bells said with a huge smile

“Hi…”

Xander said

As Bell stood in the doorway her pajamas, some warm slippers and a heavy robe. Xander could smell the apartment he caught whiff of a sweet aroma, large amounts of junk food stored away, rice crispy treats, jolly ranchers, honey buns and other snack cakes, along with the scent of Marijuana that had already permeated throughout the hallway. There was also the smell of soapy water and conditioner. Bell must have just taken a shower, he thought.

“We had some food left over and I thought you might enjoy Donna's cooking.”

Xander said

“Oh My god! dude you brought all that food for us?

I'm like, soo grateful yo, it can go right into our fridge cause’ their plenty of room we ain't got nothin’ really in there but some little caesars breadsticks and only thing we got to eat is some leftover hamburger helper stroganoff. We were gonna dig on that again tonight. Shidd, we had made it last for 2 days already by adding oodles and noodles.”

Xander stood in awe at how Bell could tell a whole story in one breath.

“Where's Pao yo?”

Bell asked

“She decided to wait in the car with Donna.”

Xander said

“Oh ok, yo I'm glad you came by

You wanna like… come inside?”

Bell asks

“Yes, If it's fine by you.” Xander says

“Yo, Come in!”

Bell said

Xander takes a moment, pausing mid step in the doorway. Then pants his foot on the planks of the floor as if to make sure he wouldn't fall through.

After clearing all doubt that it was safe to do so, he enters the Apartment.

Xander looks around the apartment. It's clean, well decorated and there's three  large futons on an oriental rug in the living room. The girls had made a comfy mess of giant pillows, sheets, comforters, and quilts. The bedding area is also draped with a fine linen vale.  White, blue, and pink Christmas lights hung festively and the walls were caked with spray paint an elaborate colorful display of tasteful bohemian graffiti art which depicted patterns and  all manner of flora and fauna…

“This is our bed, don't nobody come here really, so it's really nice to have some company yo.”

Bell said

Come on yo, let's put that food in the kitchen. Winkerbell leads Xander to a tiny kitchenette with a small table and 3 chairs, he places the box of meals on the small table. There was a single hanging light bulb to illuminate the kitchenette he stood for a moment to

and stared at the bright bulb surely meant to inspire any poor soul who found themselves in this living condition to think of a way out.

Winkerbell slid the box of meals in the refrigerator, there was plenty of space on the top rack above the large pot of raman stroganoff and Xander couldn't help but notice the wine coolers that lined the door but he was little dismayed at the fact they were actually out of breadsticks, someone had left the empty bag.

Xander also noticed the oven was open for heating the small apartment.

He could hear Kiki singing In the shower

Winkerbell smiled at Xander and just looked at him longingly.

Xander wasn't surprised by this. The allure of a vampire was legendary foretold countless times in romance literature. He usually kept away from mortals for this very reason, Pao had led him to suspect that Winkerbell wouldn't trust him if he revealed himself as a vampire. Right now Bell was making it obvious she had a massive crush on him. This was a troublesome situation not wanting to indulge her but also not meaning to scorn her. The temptress being so close by was the main issue. The small dining space was suddenly wafting pheromones and her arousal began to radiate off of her. Xander contemplated whether or not to compel Bell to have a gush with a satisfyingly rich orgasam right then and there, she would soak her panties and the encounter would end awkwardly but that would be the end of it.

It's just you and me yo, Kiki is in the shower and the girls are in the car…

So like, Do you want a quickie?

Xander was starting to have an erection, he could do her anytime anywhere, but here and now felt like a trap.

He had just been summoned by a temptress only a mile away and now Bell was undressing herself before he could even turn down her proposal.

Recognizing the sinister look of lust was that now on Bell's face was the same look the temptress had at the park. He knew what this was, and he was already in her dominion. Having sensed the charm before he had even stepped inside the apartment.

What could he do? If he had tried to compel her mind it might break in the tug of war that would ensue. But if all she wanted was sex it might not be so dangerous.

He had got the feeling Bell was attracted to him; she had invited him over after practically sharing what was probably the most profound event of her childhood. Remembering how awkward her story of abandonment made him feel as he had just met her. Not understanding how she could trust him with such intimate revelation. He thought maybe it was her way of coping. Pao had told him that Bell wouldn't trust a vampire, and maybe, just maybe that might work.

Look at me Bell, I'm not normal.

Xander said as he backed out of the kitchen.

She was completely naked now and she was boney thin but her breasts were impressive F-cups all natural for sure they looked massive on her narrow frame. He would have never guessed her nipples would be pierced but that was only the second thing Xander noticed. First was what his eyes tried not to stare but he knew he would see, her hideous burns. The scars covered her right arm along her right shoulder stopping at her neck and continuing from her right ear to her right eye that had healed grotesquely to a wink, the burns continued along the right side of her scalp.

“Aww common yo, I'm not a racist you're just black.”

Bell said

She was approaching him now and Xander was out of the kitchen and into the living room.

“I am more, Bell, I am more!

I more than you've bargained for, I am dhampir, a kind of vampire!”

Xander said

“You mean you're a real vampire?”

Bell Asked

“I am more! I am Archfiend!”

Xander said

Realizing Bell didn't seem to care, Xander does something he thought he would never do. A flash of ultraviolet light filled the room with slimming particles of all colors,  Xander had removed his glamor; this was a common ability mostly used by sorcerers so it wasn't unique to vampirism. Any entity was capable of this, even humans.

Glamor was the magic Xander had used to tone down the harshness of his supernatural appearance although Donna was far better at it.

Changing in an instant Xander's big brown eyes turned red, the points of his ears became longer, the black shade around his eyes intensified, his skin tone changed from sallow to a hazy blue, and his sharp upper fangs settled over the corners of his mouth.

Winkerbell shoved Xander further into the living room where he nearly fell upon the massive mattress made comfortable for three bachelorettes.  He was caught off guard and underestimated

Bell. He wanted to be gentile with her and wasn't grounded firmly for an aggressive assault

That doesn't matter to me, Paowao really wants you and so do I. Winkerbell cried

What's hers is mine, and what's mine is hers. Yo, she didn't tell you that? We always share.

If she trusts you, then like, so do I yo.

She jumped on Xander and they both fell unto the bed

Xander knew a hex was a curse that will give you what you want, and then some. She had confided, and she had invited. Whether or not the temptress had been watching in her crystal ball or maybe she had sought temptress out for a charm; likely to do something about those scars.

Maybe she had wanted a boy, maybe she was jealous of Pao's attraction to him. Maybe she was insecure, maybe it was all of these things.

Bell climbs on top of Xander.

Xander needed to be careful not to turn her down. If the temptress had her under a charm she could lose her mind and end her own life. He didnt want have to explain to Pao why her best friend  suicide.

She began licking his face.

Give her what she wants, and be quick about it.  The voice in his head was Donna who had been listening.

Indulge her, that will sedate her and the charm will fade.

She has welcomed you inside; and you agreed to go in, you know we cannot deny the host.

Aside from her burns Bell's body is otherwise fairly attractive and she had taken good care for her skin.

If Xander could open that window to let in some of the midnight air without letting in that dreadfully cold hawk of a wind he might have. A dark aether began seething from cracks in the floorboards

The phantasm was stirring and collecting in a lowly hover like the frigid vail over dry ice. This could only mean the Netherdark was acceding past his capacity to restrain, it would be a pity to break her mind and even more of a pity she wasn't dhampir like he was.

Buying himself some time to conjure a delicate dose of both sorcery and psychic power Xander indulge Bell with four plays caressing her with the back of his hand was enough to reciprocate her fully engaged activity buying him a moment of time this turned out to be all he needed.

The room was filled with the Phantom in a matter of seconds, Inside the mist was a mindscape, something like the deep rippling waters of thought was spiraling and to gaze in its wonder would send Bell into a trance. Bell would soon be off to the world of dreams chasing his ghost guided by sensations of arousal. Tomorrow's rays of dawn would cast its silver light through the fog of the morning on familiar vagaries and he would be there to bear witness to her memories from the distant nether reaches of her mind. She would cry out to him, the song of a broken heart with wounds of yesteryear. A girl now a young woman with hot lust gone cold and years before she was satisfied with the thought of going steady forever with a bow-legged tomboy of the Asian persuasion who had accepted her privately and passionately. They would become lovers first out of harmless curiosity and bittersweet pity, then shameless mutual affection.

Until then, her maidenhood would call out aching with melancholy as her sex would go untouched. One by one the boys she liked turned her down again and again. They had been embarrassed to be seen with her, to even hold her hand or associate with her because of her scars. When seasons passed her flower had flourished and began to reek of ambrosia and her creepy manager would pop her cherry in the projection booth. She would improve her hygiene and remain silent in order to keep her summer job at the theater she worked.

Plunging into that ocean, they were unable to tread water; they began sinking watching the calm surface above them falling into darker depths further and further out of reach.

Losing her sense of time and her sense of self she began to cry out words she might have muttered in her sleep at night at least three thousand moons ago when she had grown into puberty

“Where are you? Have you found me? Why do you go alone? Let's go together, I've been waiting for you. Come along with me. Let's do it together. Don't leave me alone.”

Xander was in her mind feeling her nightmares despite the risk. A light touch was all he needed and if she was under if this was an enchantment it had no real hooks to put apart her mind.

She mounted him unaware he still had his trousers on. She thought of taking him inside of her, then rode him rough and wild with pleasure until she climaxed multiple times, at least five orgasms in quick succession each release more passionate than the other.

His allure was causing her to finish quickly. She was star struck and desperate. She arched her back and discharged a torrent of fluids.

When she was done the bed covers were soggy with small puddles.

That was it, the charm had done its job. All of that discharge and he never even touched her.

He watched Bell as she came to her senses embarrassed by what she had done. And the fog that Bell never seemed to notice had dissipated back through the planks of the dry wooden floorboards and deep to the nether regions of the outer realms from whence it came.

The left leg of Xander's was bulging over his erection and he held her. And she covered her face too late. The tears had already fallen and she weeped in shame. She didn't need to say anything. Not even needing to probe her mind for answers, Alexander read it on her face and he simply understood. What he had given her was a wakeful dream of pure ecstasy, a fantasy conjured from fog of the phantasm.

Xander picks her clothes off the floor, folded them neatly and placed them on the dresser at her bedside.

This made her blush

“I know you need to go…

…just like, come by and see me sometimes.” Bell said in a mousy voice.

I will.

Good! Imma like… tell Kiki to always let you in.

Xander shook his head in comical disbelief

“Things are becoming dangerous

Bell, salt the house for your own safety. You'd best not trust anymore vampires, dhampir are rare, there aren't many like me and Donna. Vampires may not kill for fun like the werewolves, but most are cannibals; they eat people and sometimes each other.

Try to hold out inside, don't go out unless this place catches on fire.” Xander said while looking at the oven that was left open and keeping the place warm.

“Werewolves are within a mile of this area, big and horrific…Werewolves in our town Bell….  Werewolves will ravage your body and eat you alive or worse. If the lowly beasts piss on your wounds you could become a Werewolf yourself.

Warewolves…thier howls will beckon vampires for challenge.

Ravenscroft will suffer more encroachments from dark and gray entities making this place shadowland,

Werewolves! He shouted and startled Bell.

And I don't know how many are in this town, but I can assure you it won't be long before we are overrun. Tonight we stand in a very dangerous nexus.”

“You're going to try and save us aren't you?”

Xander Nods

“Oh yes, we pray Werewolves and other nightly abominations so that humankind can thrive, that is the order of things.

It's going to take some time, so for your sake, do take care of each other."

I'm not leaving just yet, I have some other gifts for you out in the car, give me a moment.”

Winkerbell blinked and Xander was gone, she blinked 4 more times and Xander and he had returned with two rifles, two gunbelts holstered with 4 pistols, a rather large knife, and an axe, along with two canisters of ammunition.

“These guns won't jam; I forged the steel with sorcery. Try not to waste the ammo on anything aside from Warewolves, the rounds are silver.”

The rifles are M4 and the pistols are…

Colt woodsman 22, I know… everyone knows their guns in this part of Alaska.

Xander neatly places the guns, belts and along with Donna's nicely handcrafted axe and tactical knife on the coffee table. Then she stacks the canisters of silver ammo on the floor next to them.

I will have Donna come back and pick both of you up later. You've welcomed me into your home and invite you to stay at my home. Given the circumstances I must insist, you and Kiki will be safer at our place but this will have to do for a few hours.

He walks over to embrace Bell, she kisses him and says, take good care of Paowao out there.

Xander nods

She blinks. The front door closes, and Xander is gone.

He had left something on the door.

It was a list of gun safety rules smeared in blood

Xander gets back inside the phantom, and notices Pao has found the game console.

Winkerbell runs to the kitchen window, squints her eye for a better glimpse at the white Rolls Royce and drives it away quietly as it had come.  She stands bearbreasted in her window watching until the red glow of the tail lights fade in the distance, a true phantom in the October snow.

You took a while Pao says as she plays the game mashing rapidly on the controller. This is so tight bro,

You could have told me you had a vanishing monitor and I thought the PS9 was a myth. I can't believe you actually have it dude!

Well it was a concept, I went ahead and…

I know, I know! you made it yourself I get it dude, you're a genius and a wizard!

Erudite and archfiend …Xander says stretching his legs and getting comfortable in his seat.

Wha?… Pao looks at Xander and her pretty almond eyes widen in shock. She drops the controller in fear.

Woah dude! you look scary, what the hell happened to you? You look like fuckin’ Nightcrawler!

Oh, excuse me…

The carriage fills with a flash of that ultraviolet glow with shimmering particles of dazzling colors, glitter and sparkle for a moment before fading.

Xander's sallow skin tone returns, his big brown doll eyes look at Pao, his ears shortened, and his fangs are gone.

“Let me guess dude, You were on demon time with Kiki.”

Xander looks at Pao and says “…with Winkerbell.”

“Wha- dude!”

“She insisted…”

“I knew- dude, I totally know it, she has a crush on you! You know why? huh? It's because she thinks you were clapping my cheeks dude! You rode into the 711 parking lot all cool, on your badass batbike– and she was totally diggin’ your paint job— and Jack was calling you boss and–

–she was like, you should come over! but like, she really meant, you should cum over me! Then you took me to your place and she thought we were banging! Hahaha! yeah dude

I knew it ! I knew it, I knew it. So like, did you do it?”

“We–”

“Of course you did! Your clothes are a little fish– let me smell you dude.”

Pao sniffs Xander

I knew it! You guys were fu—That's totally Bell's tartar-sauce on you. Dude ew! You're soaked in it, she must have had funnnnnn. Wa–you still have a huge boner! Like, how did you even manage to get that thing tucked in your pants? Wow dude, I'm a little jealous. I'm… a little..bit..jealous.

Xander had nothing to contribute to the discussion and could only look away from Pao; she could see he was holding back his laughter.

Pao laughs hysterically, finding it so funny she slid in her seat and kicked her legs in the air like she was peddling a bicycle, she coughed and laughed, coughing and laughing some more.

“You told me Bell wouldn't trust vampires.”

Xander says, picking up the controller and handing it back to Pao.

Pao calms down, and takes the controller still snickering

“What can I say?” She shrugs “I guess she really trusts you bro.”

“Dhampires are rare, so I told her not to trust anymore vampires.”

“You don't trust vampires?”

“You don't trust cannibals?”

“Good point”

Pao continues to play the game console and Xander reads a book something about Signal Interception, ISR, Jamming, Spoofing, & ECD

She was feeling really happy about Winkerbell and Xander getting along; Bell deserved all the friends she could find.

Xander I'm really glad I met you.

Ya know, I don't have much time…

I can feel it, but

If something goes wrong will you take care of Winkerbell and Kiki for me?

Of course Pao.

Xander says freshening himself up with a handkerchief and a kind elaborate crystal perfume bottle with peach colored water inside. Whatever it was, it didn't really have a scent.

Xander had this intellectual brightness about him that shined and brightened up his cold stoicism.  His eyes…at first Pao thought he looked mean, but now she could see it's really a look of sharp focus and deep concentration.

Seems like he was just trying to keep things together at all times.

“What ya’ got there?”

“It's a deodorant and disinfectant that kills potential mold colonies by helping the fabric dry quickly.”

Ohh…

Pao leans back and smiles at him.

They arrive at St Gabriel’s church

It's a beautiful gothic house of worship but it's small.

Xander helps Pao out of the Phantom

Donna opens the trunk and passes Xander a box of food. She gives Pao the last box to carry as they make their way to the soup kitchen around back.

The lights are in the soup kitchen and shelter

Donna knocks on the door

The door opens and a man in an Apron welcomes them.

Are those boxes donations for tonight?

Pao nods handing him the box

Donna steps behind Xander and Xander passes the box of meals to the man in the Apron who was just turning around after placing the box of meals Pao had passed to him in the kitchen.

God bless you all, we appreciate all of your support.

Donna smiles and claps her hands  clamshell style then turns heading back to Phantom. The authenticity of her performance was dubious based on how quickly dropped her hands and her smile as she turned away.

Xander takes Pao's hand and smiles and they follow Donna back to the Phantom.

Headlights of the Phantom shine and the luxury grill glows

Donna drives away with Pao and Xander. Back on the white roads caked with snowfall that had yet to be plowed.

The man in the Apron was a Werewolf Xander says. Donna sensed it first, and it almost set her off.

What? The dude was working in a soup kitchen.

…and in a church no less… I get it, but Pao

I know Donna better than I know my own mother. It took an amazing amount of restraint for Donna to keep herself from slaughtering that werewolf. I could feel it.

Dhampires are natural born predators to Werewolves and other lesser fiends.

What? I thought she was your mother dude.

Donna was my mother for a long time. I had outlived my birthmother who died at the age of 60, Donna gave me her family name and made me her Apprentice. She's more than a mother to me, and she has been my loving wife for a long time.

What dude! Donna's your wife!

Back in those days it was common for young men to marry at a young age.

Oh I see, Donna groomed you

You could say that

These Werewolves are enchanted Werewolves don't typically populate towns in large numbers.

Xander pauses

I can't explain it right now because of how things are unfolding.

Xander reaches inside of his coat pocket and Pao holds out her hand. “You gotta pay the chocolate tax bro.”

Xander pulls out his smartphone and

with his other hand he retrieves a large chocolate bar from his coat. He hands the candy over to Pao.

Xander speaks into the phone

He list his latitude and longitude, and his ETA followed by some codes

The current time and puts away his phone.

What was that all about dude? Are we going home? Next just yet, we're leaving Ravenscroft

I want to show you something, I know you want to make haste however this is something I must do.

This shouldn't take long, maybe an hour if we're quick about it.

Pao looked out the window nothing but  blurs of white snowfall and lights. She didn't know how Donna could be driving this fast. There had to be at least 3 inches of snow and ice on the road. It seemed like everything they did was magical.

Pao unbuckles herself, I'm going to do some yoga If you don't mind Xander.

The carriage was certainly large enough on the inside practically the size of a limousine.

Suddenly Pao has a coughing fit.

Xander gives her a clean Handkerchief

and opens a bottle of soft water for her.

I'll make you some warm citrus honey, herbal tea. drink this for now.

Pao covers her mouth with the towel still coughing. She stops and notices there's blood in the towel. Her nose is bleeding.

She cleans blood with the handkerchief and drinks the water Xander was holding for her.

He makes her some tea with honey, a freshly squeezed lemon and places a slice of lemon into the teacup carefully, handing the cup to Pao.

Taking a sip of the hot tea Pao thinks to herself, this is the best I ever had.

Everything Xander gave her always tasted better. This was a lifestyle most people dream about, she thought.

If loving you is wrong I don't wanna be right, she thought. Baby let's get hitched tonight. Change me.

“Do you feel better?”

“Hell yea” she said smiling

Thank the bees bro.

That honey really hit the spot.”

“That is rare black honey, special. I thought you might appreciate it. There's also ginger royal jelly and floral nectar.”

“I'm no Apothecary but I've read some books on natural remedies.”

So like where are we going?

You'll see

* * *

The Phantom drives far out of state, taking several hidden roads leading to a runway in the middle of nowhere.

Chapter 8

The Blood Pact

There's nothing here but runway lights Pao thinks.

This must Area 52 Pao thinks Xander and Donna in cahoots with the Aliens

Xander looks over at Pao and says

I know you aren't feeling well Pao

You're welcome to join me or you can wait in the car with Donna.

Pao thinks… she really didn't want Xander to go anywhere without her again. She couldn't understand why but she only wanted to be with him.

Let's go dude.

Wait here a moment I have something for you

Xander goes to the trunk and brings back a brown fur coat, a scarf, mittens and a pair of snow goggles.

A snow storm is kicking up and I don't want you to freeze in the whiteout.

Pao smiles and puts on the winter gear.

Xander helps Pao out of the Phantom and, takes her by the hand

Outside the wind is raging, kicking up large clouds of snow powder.

He yells

“Follow me, and don't let go!”

Xander marches Pao across the runway through the snow to a small post that wasn't even visible from the phantom. Inside the post is a counter, a phone and a pen and a logbook.

Xander takes the pen and writes an entry. He places the pen back in its cup and closes the logbook

He picks up the phone rings automatically to speak a series of phrases and hangs up the phone.

Outside there's an audible click, some buzzing or humming.

Xander takes Pao's hand again

Let's go

Xander leads Pao to a small marked area on the runway

It's a square with reflective tape barely noticeable in the snow.

Xander steps on top of the zone and pulls Pao close to him hugging her

The zone begins to lower its hidden elevator lift. “007 kickass, dude” Pao thinks as they descend. The sound of the hydrologic system reams and Paos gets excited.

Elevator takes them down into showcasing a large facility. The lowers further into a small room with a door.

Xander leads Pao and says come on not much further now. A blue light indicator changes green the door opens and Xander leads Pao inside a short but wide white pristine room illuminated white light a filled with retro computer consoles it and little  space age chairs at every desk the place looked looked like mission control for people not much taller than her or Xander and she understood why Donna waited in the car. The ceiling was probably only 6 feet tall enough to cause Donna some discomfort.

Xander led Pao to the center of this office that had an outlook. And through the glass she could see a large hanger bay, and inside of this hanger bay was what looked to be a sleek triangle aircraft or submarine, maybe both floating in the water canal. It was black with fins like a black hawk but since it was floating in the water it looks like the only way out of this hanger was through a canal and that would mean it needed to dive.

Where are we? She asks Xander

It's an old base I outfitted and garrisoned now it's my base.

And what's that black thing in the water?

It's an amphibious nuclear stealth

shuttle or “Ans” for short

Why are we here what's going on dude?

At this moment, I am broadcasting a rather unique transmission to those who watch, on the only line the best of minds are willing to respond to.

You mean you came all this way to make a phone call? Who are you calling dude? The Zetans?

No, Pao these are not aliens, many of these people are just… inhuman.

Xander stood at the central command consoles. Pushing a few buttons and typing in some code. She did recognize some of the languages as it displayed on the tiny crt monitor

It was Assembly but part of It was probably Ada, a really old low level coding used by the military that a grey hat would know how to use.

The tech in here was so well maintained it just looked fresh and clean like, like brand new but it was really retro old computers from the early 1940s to the 1990s all cutting-edge for their time and all the computers were a custom white or clear coat, she didn't need to ask, she could figure out Xander had read books and built these machines himself.

still far too advanced for the average person to understand.

Is anyone else here dude?

Just us…

Xander says

Not another soul in this entire facility thought… everything was automated. His computers had unlocked the door for him. It became clear to her that

Xander had built this place for himself. He had no intention actually of bringing anyone here. That's why the ceiling was so short and made everything his size.

Pao understood this was his man cave. She laughed considering the fact she was actually four or five inches shorter than he was. Looking at him and this architectural marvel made her think, He couldn't just build a treehouse like all the other boys?

Then she smiled and thought

This could be our special place now. That made her  a little. “Our cave is just like the dwarves.”

A strange alarm is sounded startling Pao, blue lights flash. Inside the room and white lights strobe inside the cavernous hanger bay.

I'm really glad you came with me Pao. If you were outside right now you would hear a terrible global adhoc and probably think a nuke was headed for the US

It's a false alarm of course, and the world leaders will be nervous, but the ones who watch will know it's me calling or… whoever is smart enough triangulates on our location. Of course satellite imagery can't spot us when we leave because the whiteout is too thick.

“Wait, who are the ones who watch?  They know about you and this batcave?” Pao asked

Most likely,

Logically speaking, many entities observe us. I don't think a lot of those watching are particularly interested although the ones that do will likely respond.

By sending coordinates on a band frequency that's partially inaccessible.

Someone with an incredible mind can meet us back in Ravenscroft. These kinds of people may not respond in person and I don't know who's going to show up.

Wow, like, you are really serious about this aren't you? Who do you expect to show up? The illuminati?

Xander nods

“Possibly, some are representatives of the political action committee, or loosely affiliated anyways.”

This illuminati isn't actually an organization, if it was it could be bought and corrupted with greed. Rest assured, great minds tend to think alike. Smart people typically avoid the kind of corruption that has been well documented in the books they have read and also witnessed first hand through observations.

Despite its impractical nature… the moniker does exist as a brand, brands are what the lesser minds of our society understand best.

Let me get this straight, you're saying if illuminati ever organized

It would mean their downfall? So it's just a popular name brand?

Evidently yes.

We could stay here a while longer if you like Pao, but it is probably for the best if we go now.

Nah, Let's blow this joint dude. I wanna come back again though.

Granted Xander said

He takes her by the hand, they exit the facility and make it back to the Phantom. Xander helps Pao inside the car. Donna has been waiting patiently behind the wheel. Xander gets in the Phantom behind Pao and they both buckle up. The door closes behind them, quieting the winds of a snow storm. Pao hugs Xander in the warm carriage.

It's been a long night Xander says and you look weary. If I were you, I would try and get some rest.

Pao nods, unbuckles her seatbelt and lays her head in Xander's lap, closing her eyes. The phantom drives away from the deserted landing strip, taking the hidden roads back to the main highway at a ghastly rate of speed never disturbing Pao's sleep.

Donna drives back to Pao's apartment

* * *

Xander runs to apartment 203 and knocks, Kiki comes to the door.

Who is it

Kiki says looking through the peep hole

I’m just kiddin’ boy com-on in.

Kiki swings the door open

Xander and Winkerbell runs to the door grabbing him

She's shaking

I was so scared

We heard them damn Werewolves outside so we let the neighbor lady down stairs come to our place.

Who is it?

Xander looked at the lady in the recliner, staring into her eyes, the lady stared back.

Xander steps in the apartment, his arm carefully guiding Kiki and Bell behind him.

The lady sitting in the recliner next to the bed in the living room begins to transform

In the blink of an eye Xander grabs a Colt holstered on Kiki’s hip and fires the pistol shooting the lady between her eyes. The gun was back inside of Kiki's holster before she could react to her ears ringing at the sound of the shot.

Bell screamed and held Kiki

The gunshot was so loud I echoed outside in the lot

The half woman half beast thing began to twist and contort falling out of the recliner to the floor spazzing clenching and riving at its own flesh making horrible sounds agony out of its malformed snout.

Xander collects the rifles and canisters of ammunition

Get to the car now,

In the blink of an eye Xander Is gone

The girls run outside to the Phantom Xander places the canisters and rifles and closes the trunk of the Phantom.

Xander opens the phantom door for Bell and Kiki and they climb Inside behind them. Xander closes the door and Donna drives away.

Hold up! Before we talk about what just happened let me just say this.

boy you are ballin’ okay! Alexander is this a mothafuckin’ Rolls Royce? Because it looks like a limousine inside of here, this can't be real. I must be dreaming to look at all this space! Your car was not this big before we got in here.

It's breathtaking and so beautiful, Yo! Look at the moonroof. Winkerbell said.

girl I know oh my g— look at this whip!

Kiki said gleefully.

Kiki looked out the window. How can we be going this fast? Everything looks like a blur

but I don't feel nothin’ I thought we were still parked.

You sure? let me see–

Kiki cracks the window

A whoosh of whistling cold air blasts inside the carriage Kiki closes the window, slicing the current and ending the fierce draft.

Damn it's not a joke. Donna is driving  fast as hell.

You're safe now but I worry for the town Xander says caressing Pao's hair who was resting in his lap again.

“Everyone you know won't be safe until we do something. We could kill them all. I'm sure Donna would like that. To her credit many of the Werewolves are beyond saving. I've seen Werewolves live in shame because it had taken so many lives, and taken so long to muster enough willpower to tame the beast.”

Xander says

What is happening now? Winkerbell told me about you and Donna, and the Werewolves

We just heard that scary alert broadcast and it didn't sound like no test. That noise scared us real good, caus’ we thought North Korea had launched— hell we thought everybody launched their nukes at us!

People will stay inside their homes for a couple of hours at least. That will give us time to rid this town of the Werewolves at least.

This car makes me want to pop some champagne and celebrate the end of the world while all this crazy stuff is going on. At least we are still alive, thanks to you Alexander. That creepy lady was a wolf the whole damn time! I’m so glad we didn't fall asleep with her in that house!

Xander hits a button on the compartment next to the arm rest.

The upper arm rest opens to reveal two bottles of Cristal champagne along with several crystal champagne glasses.

Whaaat hell naw, I was just joking boy! Man look at you, we really got some Cris ya’ll!

I know this can't be real!

Xander taps the bottle and turns it, he then unwraps the gold foil to unwind the muselet, he pops the cork and hands Kiki the Cristal next he gives Winkerbell and Kiki each a champagne  glass.

Let's toast ya’ll this might be da-last time we get to caus’ this this shit is crazy!

Kiki says while pouring the golden bubbly elixir into the sparkling crystal champagne glasses.

“Lawd-hammersey”

Bell said in her best ebonic imitation.

This made everyone laugh save for Paozhang who was completely knocked out resting tranquilly in Xander's lap.

Kiki sat down next to Bell crossed her long track star legs and raised her glass to toast

Thank you Alexander for saving our lives for real.

They cling the glasses for the toast, and the crystals hummed a musical pitch. The vibration was magical.

We was just talking bout’ who's gon’ go to sleep first but I was like naw. We gotta wait caus’ dat emergency alert was telling people to stand by for further instructions.

Damn, that was real close. Bell had just got done telling me what you told her about the Werewolves and how they transform. Shiid I was wildin’ out about, you know what I mean? That sick pissing ritual they do after they maul and rape people. Then I was like nu’uh they ain't gon’ catch me slippin’ like that.

Then you know who came knocking at the door. Kiki laughs wait wai–wait hahahaa–

Man you musta’ piped Bell down real good while i was in the shower caus’ Bell ran to the door like a fool thinking you had came back! Ahhh–hahaa!

Bell’s face turned red and the girls had a brief spat that ended with a sisterly giggling then Kiki continued.

–So anyway we both thought that lady smelled kinda like piss it was real, weird, not like normal piss and it was strong as hell. I'll never forget that smell.

Bell chimed in

I knew you said something about piss Xander,  but she didn't look hurt…. she just looked so sad and you could just tell she was scared. Ya know?

Kiki knocks back her glass of champagne and downs her swill in one swallow she then says

Uh-huh well, she told us her shower head had broke. Truth is, I didn't really want her to come in my house but like Winkerbell say, she was lookin’ real sad, and real scared. So we told her to gon-head’ an’ come in.

Poured another glass of Cris for herself and Bell

Listen I know you all feel scared Xander said but I didn't save your lives to see you both killed by the wolves trying to save people in town. I want you to enjoy my hospitality like it's the end of the world and don't worry about the town or the wolves you those wolves to me and Donna.

Bell told me you're going to try and save the town. And I believe you.

I'll save as many as I can. I don't want to kill all the wolves if I don't have to.

things are going to get worse for the people of Ravenscroft before things get better.

Xander retrieves a gold foiled chocolate bar from his coat pocket.

Special dark, anyone? He says looking Kiki in her eyes.

“I want both of you to hang on to hope.”

Xander says.

“Preciate’ ya”

Kiki says smiling as she takes the candy bar from Xander's grasp and hands him back her empty glass.

“You got another one for me?” Bell says

He passes Bell a gold foiled bar of fine magical chocolate.

She smiles hands him her empty glass and says “you know what I meant”

She then eats the chocolate.

Boy! This candy is too good! What kind of chocolate is this? What's this green stuff on the inside?

“The chocolate is seventy percent mocha dark, and macadamia. The greenstuff is…matcha, mallow, and marijuana.”

Kiki's eyes darted at Winkerbell whose face was becoming flushed. The girls grinned pausing at each other for a moment, then both the girls began giggling hysterically.

Kiki hands Xander the bottle of Cristal, he places the bottle inside of the Ice bucket. He also puts away the girls' empty glasses into the champagne compartment, closing it with the press of a button.

Kiki laughs and jokes with Bell

Xander gives the girls a large comforting quilt with pillows. The girls laugh and giggle gossiping and fall asleep next to each other in the luxurious carriage watching the stars from the moonroof.

* * *

Loud lewd moans startled Pao from her sleep in the middle of the night. The kooky kinky sounds were coming from the room next door. Donna's room Pao thought.

Donna was whaling and they were exciting orgasms at that. the walls were shaking with wild her screams of pleasure

Is that what Donna actually sounded like? Wow she's loud for a mute, I didn't even know mutes could make sounds

She's singing the good gospel tongues in there!

Who the hell was railing her like that?

She thought she heard Xander's muffled voice and was it Xander? Had to be, she thought, they were the only two people who lived here.

Pao puts her head back on the pillow

Sheesh I'll have what she's having Pao thinks. She couldn't believe what she was hearing it was Xander and Donna fucking like crazy. Well she thought crazy was best way to fuck. Donna sounded like she was having a really good time. She was a little embarrassed at how wrong she was guessing that Donna was Xander's mother. It sure didn't sound like he was behaving like a son in there.  Donna was having her way with him. Xander was having his way with her. What about my way? Well this is Fawkward, She thought starting to feel frisky now.

Pao was listening to Donna and Xander going at it for over an hour

Pao was so turned on by the sounds she started to masturbate,

They aroused her and it was all she could do. The sounds were too loud for rest. Pao pulls off her fresh underwear and pleasures herself to the sounds. Pao was on the verge of another orgasm. She thought maybe they were being loud on purpose, and so, meh, the hell? I’ll go ahead and moan too.

She throws her legs up and works her girl pocket till the moment she felt like screaming, and at her climax she does.

* * *

Pao wakes up inside the rolls royce her head is resting Xander's lap

She had vomited all over him in her sleep.

I came into your room to check on you.

You had blacked out so I held your head up to prevent you from drowning in your regurgitation. Donna's taking us to the ER.

Kiki and Bell are asleep at the mansion and the girls will be safe there. Donna will return and look after them. But first we need to get you some treatment.

It's almost time isn't it?

Xander nods

* * *

Pao arrives at the ER Xander checks her in and helps medical staff get her on a Gurney. They check her vitals and perform the necessary Triage

Xander waits for the medical staff to pull her records

He compelled them to get her a room

And goes with her to the bedside handoff for monitoring

The nurse on duty removes Pao's clothes clean her off and get her into a gown she attaches an IV and monitoring equipment

Go now

The medical staff leave the room, closing the door.

Pao says

Xander warns Pao that by making the blood pact she will be forging an eternal trinity bound by magic and Xander will be become Grand Master

We are dealing with real magic Pao.

Even though some call us vampires, we are sorcerers and we're more human than any bloodsucker.

"By making this pact with me you have my promise that vampirism will bring you back to life. You must be warned this kind of power will be nothing like you've felt before."

When you return.

This will feel different

I will be your Father, your Husband, your Brother, and your Son.

In this world there is no real name for our relationship although I'll consider you my queen that I must also raise."

"So you won't allow me to choose who I love?"

"I would never forbid you from loving anyone. That choice will be forever yours to make."

“Donna will share this bond with us and she will love you as I do.”

"So you're like me, I'm polyamorous dude."

"Well I suppose you're right in a sense"

“Yea, I don't really like to tell people because it sounds like a type of dinosaur.”

"Donna actually wants a daughter and a sister. I accepted you as my apprentice the moment I saw you."

Xander says

"Do you really want to join our family Pao?”

"I do, but like…If I become a Dhampir do I still go to heaven?"

Pao asks, but winces, a little afraid of the answer.

Before Xander replies he takes a moment of deliberate consideration, and does his best to speak hypothetically.

"Say you are a virgin, I assume you are, yes?”

"Well like, yea, but I've never, like…had sex, with a boy… but you know Bell's my girlfriend and we like, do it."

“Then by my accounts of scriptures and gospels, heaven has a place of eternal virgins so–”

“—Yea but like we really do it…like, hawt lezbo buttsecs, dude. You know what i'm talking about right? it's when she licks your starfish and then she takes her whole hand and shov—”

"—I don't think any kind of vampire counts as a virgin, Pao…

“Relax dude it's not like we take it to the elbow.”

….If magic has shown me anything it's that

where there's a will there's usually a way."

Xander says this mostly to give Pao hope for the afterlife.”

"Do you believe in heaven?"

Pao asks feeling a little better about this question than the one before.

"I don't know. Xander says

Then he realized that neither of them would settle for how harsh that truth sounded in the moment then he continued to clarify

“I believe people would take a place like heaven for granted.”

Xander said

No, in fact he knew people would all but corrupt heaven to condemnable ruin by indulging in the sins that made them happy. Simply put, people would bring hell with them.

“People wouldn't let themselves have heaven even if eternal paradise were already here on earth.”

Xander continued to say.

To Xander the question felt the same as asking,

Do you feel like this place is worth staying? Or should I just go-ahead and check out of here?

Xander really tried to give Pao a new way to consider what heaven was supposed to be.

How could she know if this wasn't heaven?

What if this was heaven and we were just messing things up bigtime?

This made her think of the fire she had started and the truck she had caused to explode.

and why couldn't this be heaven?

hasn't the almighty been here with us on earth in our hearts the whole time?

She thinks

"What is heaven if not eternal life in peace and harmony?"

He asks

Pao didn't answer she seemed to be enjoying the rhetorical melodrama

"I don't believe it's truly possible to defy the will of The Almighty, it contradicts the idea of the All Mighty." Xander goes on saying

“Maybe we’ll never understand.” Pao said

"A Dhampire prefers things to be accounted for. Our place in the world is one thing we should all understand, and I don't believe any us would be here if the Almighty had not willed us into existence."

"We all serve the All"

He says

"So, like we should all be Dhampires and get along?"

Pao asks

Xander smiles at the Jest with a small snicker through his teeth that sounded like a hiss

"That would come at great cost."

He said

"Dhampir should know our place in service to the All

and allow humanity to inherit the earth as the Almighty intended Pao."

He continues

"We should recognize our shared humanity at the least and care for each other. "

I won't lie to you. Pao

There's a cure for your cancer

Humanity already found it, but the people who have it won't give it away so easily. Because it would heal the only world they know how to thrive in."

"Who has the cure?

The illuminati?

Xander nods

"Everybody knows that already. Duh"

Pao says

"I have a better question dude.

Like, "Why do your eyes glow?"

She asked

"You are seeing the shine and color of your dark aura when you look into my eyes, it is Netherdark reflection"

"Wah?"She says

She was gazing into his eyes now, they’re like gems she thought.

"A Dhampire's eyes won't reflect much light."

Xander says

"oOoh"

She says, not really knowing how that could be possible his eyes didn’t lack for luster and Xander was flattering too much now, she couldn’t believe she could be glowing this kind of blue.

"This is a curse and make no mistake it will change you

I Promise you’ve never felt anything like this

—Takes longer to rest, you know, a Dhampire's sleep isn't quality so you need a lot of sleep to rejuvenate otherwise get used to feeling restless while on the clock.

To make the restlessness bearable we go into to a kind of deep meditation but a good rest is more like hibernation

We can actually sleep for years. Try

waking from 9 hours sleep like the mortals and you’ll wake dead tired, that kind of rest is forever lost."

"No duh, it's because the undead are restless.

You think you know restless Pao? No, this is delirium you lose your mind. Meloncolly, romantic lunacy and orderly compulsion are the rested side effects; the primary unrested side effect is mania and spirals into the descent of wicked madness from there.

Yea yea yea, vampires are always wired… so What?" Pao said.

Xander was amused. He thought Pao's sassy attitude was entertaining, he enjoyed her company a lot and he hoped she wouldn't change overtime or at the very least he hoped they both wouldn't get tired of each other.

"Dhampir don't burst into flames in sunlight either so you may as well forget everything you think you know about vampirism Pao.

Even the need to drink blood is mostly a rumor, it most likely comes from the blood ritual ceremonies done to perform blood magic, a particularly evil kind of witchcraft. Started back when cults were trying to achieve vampirism for power and eternal life."

Pao sighs to give Xander the impression she wasn't in the mood to discuss Vampire lore.

"Dude I need a beer, could you pour some in my IV?" Pao asked

"Then there's your own personal vices which are made worse if you have an addiction or any affinity it will become your curse… your true nature, the essence of what you are magnified."

Xander said

Then he paused, looked into Pao's glazed eyes and went on to say.

"If you enjoy it you must have it. Your habits become your religion. You must remain faithful or you will go mad. Once you go mad, you will be lost forever, truly a soulless demon."

"So like, can I lose my soul if I don't do things I like?" Pao asked

Xander never taking his intense gaze from Pao's eyes begins reaching into his coat.

"Well now I need some chocolate."

Pao says

Xander nods

He gets a golden bar from his coat,  unwrapps the luxurious foil, broke it and fed Pao half the chocolate bar.

He held the candy for her as she ate until

She finished

Pao ate slowly in small nibbles savoring his TLC as he looked into her eyes.

"Would you like another piece?"

He asked

Pao shakes her head

"no thanks"

Xander eats the other half.

The popping sound the chocolate made as Xander's teeth snapped chocolate made Pao salivate.

"Another most important trait about vampirism is the need to survive.

Out of all the lore surrounding the nature of our kind….

…this one may explain the misconception people have about us who drink blood and eat human flesh"

"During times of war many of my kind died fighting for various countries

The world wars killed most of us. "

"However during times of famine and scarcity, or starvation in captivity our kind is willing to do whatever it takes to survive.

Many of us were born into religion and

dogma and after we turn our faith becomes unbridled zeal a stigmatized curse that torments what's left of the soul with unfathomable shame"

“When faced with cannibalism or starvation the vampire always chooses flesh, blood and bone."

"So like, you're really scared of dying? Are you scared of, like, going to H.E. Double hockeystick or something?"

I think so…I was raised in times of great dogma.

" We can be slain If we are Butchered, beheaded, disemboweled, beaten, crushed, eaten alive, slain by the blade, the arrow, the bullet"

"We may survive falls from great heights…

We may not drown…

We may not freeze to death in earth's natural element…

We may not get sick…

…But can still suffocate, starve,

and in some unique circumstances we can burn."

"So we can survive falls too. Does that mean you can fly?"

"Yes"

"How?"

"It's a gift and I only use it when I must…

to do so requires…

…an eldritch change…"

"So you like, you transform into something scary with wings like a bat?"

"Yes"

Xander dropped his head not overly dramatic but he looked like lost the fight not to give that simple answer.

"Sweet! just like in the movies yea?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that."

"Well like, that's magic dude I get it."

Xander was ashamed at how obscured Pao made this sound.

"There's no guarantee you'll become "like a bat"… you can be…"

Xander shrugs and shakes his head at a loss for better words.

"You can be anything."

"Some of us have been told that our whole life.

Too many people die never knowing what that really means."

"And you say we may not drown, So like… does that mean we can breathe underwater or something?"

"I have Gils, behind my ears"

"Xander folds his ear exposing two slits"

"What about the cold? Are we always warm?"

"It's sorcery Pao, and I don't have all the answers."

"Donna knows more a about our…biology than I do. But,

I never feel too cold.

For me the less heat the better and I don't get frostbite even if I swim naked in an icy winter lake."

"That's no big deal The Polar Bears do that." Pao said

"Why don't you just make everyone a vampire?"

"Are we really so different from Humans?"

Pao, laughs with a whooping cough

"Xander gently grabs her hand and his skin isn't cold. It's really warm she thinks"

"Pao, I promise I will bring you back."

"Aren't you worried?…ehem—.

She pauses to have another caughing fit.

" —worried…someone might tell the news about the girl who was brought back to life?"

"No"

"No?"

"The ones who watch, people you know as the illuminati have been covering up the existence of our kind

long before even Donna was born.

Donna's never told me her age, I surmise she has to be at least a century older than me."

"Wa… "Pao with another whooping cough

"Wow, dude she's more than 100 years older? Talk about robbing the cradle. "

"She looks Amazing for her age, maybe she really is Char's twin sister"

“Some people actually look forward to dying someday.” Xander says

Listen I just wanna say life was hard but I had a lot of fun you know? And really I'm just glad I don't hate anybody.

We were all just babies raising babies and there were really no rules the whole time. People just made the law to give us all a place where people can try to enjoy life in a cruel world filled with things that will eat us as babies before we even get a chance to fight back. When things got sick we tried to help the animals, the trees, and the ocean too. we suck we know it and that's probably why all gotta die someday. Winning and losing is a part of life and when it's our time we can't take anything with us, so while we are here we try an love as much as we can and its ok to be picky because the world we live in seems a little picky sometimes so long as we love something and try not be so hard on ourselves and have some fun.

"Eternal life starts to feel unnatural when everyone you know dies over and over again.”

Pao coughs attempting to laugh

“I bet,  it kinda feels li- lik– like hm-ph everyone is graduating but you huh?”

"Donna has adopted many sons and daughters and she's outlived them all."

"But,Vampires can change the…world mhmmm"

Pao fights another cough.

"We have tried Pao, and mortals always rebel. Imagine dying in wars for the right to age and die. The irony is lost on them."

Xander holds Pao's hands as she drifts unconscious

Xander tells Pao she's going to be ok, he's here.

Pao's cold grip weakens then slip from Xander's grasp and on the coldest night of October

Paozhang Zhou, an Asian American Immigrant who had never known her parents died at the tender age of 23.

Xander gets a syringe and draws blood from the fattest vein in his arm

He injects his blood into Pao's IV

Xander is seen praying and grieving

tears fall from his eyes onto her face

He uses his handkerchief to dry her face.

Donna

I need your help

Donna responds. We must wait, this is the will of the Almighty. She has our blood. Give her soul time to decide to stay. Love will bring her back. She loves you and as I do.

We also need clothes and some weapons

Can you meet us at the Diner?

Of course I can,

That's a powerful witch Alexander

But I know you have a plan or else you wouldn't meddle.

She's watching all of us, but I am always listening.

When you get done with your game you need to blood ward that hospital. Do not allow anyone to leave but you. The building has been surrounded by werewolves since you arrived.

You may need to get your hands dirty Alexander, and maybe kill some Werewolves.

I'll get the supplies and have the car ready when you finish warding the hospital…

Xander set the table for chess and moved his pawn

In a few moves

he was able to move his pawn to the zone and changed its class to queen with two queens on the board

He had set up a checkmate called the staircase in chess.

Xander stands up holds his hand out and the game of chess moves back into the box

The box slams shut and moves into Xanders hand, he grips the box and returns it to his coat pocket. This won't take long. He kisses her forehead then her lips and runs at an unseen speed.

Dashing through the hospital wing he checked each hallway, room, fire and escape.  Xander could sense the Wolves in the hospital. He marked the ones he found. A lot of them were staff, some were addicts.

All these Werewolves and no other  vampires. If that Temptress were here he could end this blight. He thought

After checking the lower floors, parking garage and back to roof. He takes a scalpel from an operating room and makes another high-speed lap. This time he uses the scalpel to cut the Achilles tendon of every wolf in human skin. Before the accursed fools even realized it they were on the floor crippled in agony. The medical staff will be busy helping them, while I salt the building.

I'll need to bribe the janitors, nurses and "the help" or they will clean the blood ward off the windows.  He would compel all of them if he could… but he was no elderbrain. Best case they were mostly christians and already believed demons existed. The fanatics would understand not to clean the blood and salt.

He takes the scalpel and cuts the palms of his hands then smears his blood on the windows of the entry ways.

They are lucky he thought

I don't feel so savage as Dracula or even Donna else their heads would be decorating this building.

Xander runs to the parking lot and sees two big black monstrous figures in the wooded area beyond the lot. Stricken with indignation and calls out to them.

Stop lurking now, do not dwell here.

Go now before I harvest your souls

I won't say it again!

The Werewolves approach the lot on two legs

Twisted lowly abominations, part men

part beast.

Xander levitates and suddenly the sound of screeching tires entering the parking lot catches his attention, the roar of the engine draws near.

Headlights approach at high speed, someone is going to run Xander over!

The bat out of hell with blinding headlights powerslides in the lot around Xander and the tires screech to a halt in front of him.

It's Donna's Phantom Rolls Royce when the driver's side door swings open and what Xander sees is a delightful terror. The luxurious vehicle is being driven by two of Donna's Dolls. The Phantom was packed with Donna's handcrafted life sized model dolls.

Wendy is at the wheel. Donna had outfitted her in a lacy gown she wore a broach with large brilliant sapphire and glossy dress shoes. Her legs were propped on the back of Peter who was under her seat and helping by operating the pedals.

This was clumsy work, hilarious, clever and terrifying at the same time. The way they moved their heads to look at Xander, he imagined they had strings at first glance.

They were covered with that dark ultraviolet aura but their jeweled eyes shined brightly with this glow.

Donna was puppeteering them with her sorcerery from wherever she was.

Xander could hear the Wolves approach them from the woods

All the doors of the Phantom opened and Xander smelled the sweet waft of Donna's perfume, new car leather, and mahogany.

a gang of 5 life sized model dolls exited the vehicle, it was the lost boys!

The boys slam the doors and Peter floors the gas. Wendy drives away in the Phantom. The boys were dressed in that timeless classical fashion from the early 1900s; it was Donna's handmade clothing.

The boys brought weapons, hunting rifles, throwing knives and a crossbow for Xander.

Xander wasn't the best fighter, he was better at the strategic approach. And Donna knows everything he knows about strategy. All he had to do was to give the boys plays to run. 6 vs 2

No these are Wolves there are always more than 2 in packs.

I'll find the others…

But if they are smart, they will keep their distance away from the hospital.

We have the high ground and they have the cover but they are on the approach so we should spread out.

Donna had The boys spread out into a delta formation

Xander takes the crossbow and shoots both of the Wolves approaching from the forest.

The bolts penetrated their legs crippling the knees of the beats but no killshot

Alexander was sparing them, Why?

Donna thought

She would kill these monsters without a second thought and Alexander had killed before. She had taken him hunting all over North America.

Then Donna thought he must be weary of death. Still mourning the passing of Paozhang.

Donna spots 2 more Wolves approaching from the Xander's left, She sighted in, shot the hunting rifle and missed the shot.

Donna has Curly take aim

She draws, waits until the feeling is right then fires the silver bullet. The 9mm sterling ball strikes the Werewolf obliterating its nose, shooting it off completely spewing blood and ruby red beads of blood on the frosty white forest clearing. The Wolfman falls to the ground in a crazed agony yelping long bellows of hateful whines.

Werewolves were fast and strong but they rely on their nose for far too much.

You take their sense of smell and you cripple them.

Xander took this moment and dashed over to the Wolfman's feet. He used the medical scalpel to slash a long precise stroke severing the leg tendons of the beast.

Xander levitated into the air again the other Werewolf had fled into the woods

Recalled by the Witch no doubt. Something important must be happening and she wants to see how things play out. Xander thinks.

Donna brings the phantom and picks up the boys I'm going back inside to check on Pao. I can't leave her.

Alexander, you have fallen in love with her

And I have too, so do not let Paozhang die for long.

Xander levitates to the roof and watches the phantom swing back to pick up the boys.

The Rolls Royce peels out once more leaving the hospital lot and roaring down the road.

Xander enters the building and heads to the east wing to return to the room where a now deceased Pao lays in her deathbed.

Xander goes to her side, he caresses her face with the back of his hand and kisses her. and in that moment Pao’s eyes open and Xander's world goes dark.

Pao gasps and takes in her first breath returning from the dead

Xander! Pao cries out

She grabs his head and she kisses face everywhere

Then she sat up and hugged Xander so tight he needed to clinch his muscles to stop her from crushing him and he thought she would never let go.

She noticed his breathing became abnormal so she released him.

“You're a lot stronger now Pao, be  gentle with my body.”

“Oh really? Oh, I’m so sorry.” Pao says

She really felt strong! Gawd, I could crush everything in the room and it feels so powerful! she thought.

Welcome back Xander says

Dude, were you crying for me?

Of course I did.

Pao giggled Aww

Well I'm yours now .

She did feel like she belonged to him. This was different from before. She had loved him yes but, this time the feeling felt more natural like she was made for him. This felt like being starstruck and it was hard for her to deny the fact that she was desperate for him. He seemed like a Rockstar.

The feeling will pass and you will go get over it.

When the student surpasses the master, it means the master has learned from life well enough to teach their apprentice to live better.

And you know what I'm feeling! You're so Hot. wow feels like I'm meeting you for the first time!

Xander reaches into his pocket, Pao fully expecting another chocolate bar, instead he retrieves and opens a compact mirror for Pao to look into.

Have a look in the mirror you've changed a bit Pao

She looked in the mirror and she was taken aghast at her new look. Dhampir Vampire, little devil, keebler elf, names didn't matter.

She was now whatever kind of creature Xander was for sure.

She was looking gnarly…

Her skin had gone pale, she could see her blue veins. Her ears were pointy now, not the same as Xander's but she thought they suited her. But her eyes were both creepy and captivating all at once they were black as the void now not red like Xander's but her irises were glowing, two spectacular rings of indigo.

My eyes are showing me the color of my aura she thought. Remembering Xander had told her a dhampir's eyes reflect aura not light.

And what's this? Only one left vampire fang? Pao grins to inspect her teeth noticing she still had one normal sized right canine but the left upper fang had grown…

Xander, can you teach me how to use that glamor trick?

She looks at Xander who was feeling around for something.

Pao closes the compact mirror.

with a clack!

“Did you lose something dude?”

“No…” Xander finds the chair and sits down in it.

Bringing you back had a cost Pao,

“I’m blind now.”

“What?!”

It's ok, I knew there would be a price to bring you back Pao.

Donna lost her voice after she changed me. Vampirism is a costly sorcery every gift is its own curse.

Our Bloodline stigma, it's Bittersweet.

I was lucky, losing sight isn't so bad for us.

So you lost your sight just to bring me back to life? How can I…? Dude…do you know how much I like, appreciate you?

Pao you must know I regret nothing… I would go blind again for you.

Pao's was filled with love, delight and appreciation for him. Xander could feel her emotions acutely now. She was fiercely passionate.

Thank you so much!…Master!

Pao cried feistily

The word rolled off her tongue before she knew what she was saying.

Ah… call me whatever you feel at your leisure Pao.

“I've neglected to properly inform you your soul would be bound to me. Your soul took time to deliberate before making its choice to return. Although I tried my best to explain how the bond would feel.”

“Listen well”

“By the right bestowed unto me by the Almighty and our queen Madonna it is my declaration as archfiend that henceforth your soul be liberated from thralldom.”

The room begins to swirl with a ghastly tempest making drapery, loose papers, and the bedsheets flap as Xander's voice begins to shake the room.

“Recognize your natural born right to act upon this world willfully on your own accord. Accept your rightful place at my side as archfiend, blood of my blood, love of my life, queen of the night and always take great care to know that no one is above the will of the Almighty.”

The room settled back to a peaceful still.

Pao suddenly felt relieved and refreshed like she was thirsty and had just drank cool water, like a tight collar was removed from her neck.

What the hell was that dude? A spell?

Slightly… you can think of it as more of a clever benediction to amend the– Xander swirls his hand in a matter of fact sort of way

—conditions of our union…however, since we are sorcerers you would be more correct in calling it a hex.

Pao began to murmur with teary eyes.

“I almost —I was gonna– I coulda’ been— I was your slave.”

“Surely you must know the vampire's bride isn't far from it.—

Nevertheless, it sounds to me like the hex did its job and I'm very happy for you.”

Xander says

This brings us back to the matter of teaching you how to use glamour.

Xander removes a luxurious wooden box from his coat

He opens the box, and to Pao’s amazement the box contained a small chess and checkers set.

He arranges the board for a game of chess.

“How can you play while you're blind?”

Pao asked

“Oh I won't be moving the pieces…

But he will.”

Xander says

“Who?” Pao asks, looking around the room in bewilderment.

“Can you not see him?”

Xander say

In that instant Pao saw something that made her throw her head back in astonishment. Sitting in the other chair across from Xander and the game of chess on the corner table was the doppelganger of Xander. No, he appeared to be the normal version of Xander. He had no pointy ears, just a normal black boy with a natural afro and lively bright brown skin that practically glowed or what black people called “high yella”.

This boy still has Xanders big brown doll eyes and if Xander didn't have deviant traits he would totally be Xander's identical twin. Wow, a normal looking Xander Pao thought.

Pao froze in shock. Had this boy been sitting there the whole time?

She didn't see —no…the honest answer was really creepy. She simply wasn't looking for him, but how could this be? Somehow, she remembered he was always there. Flashbacks of Xander playing Jacks on the curb in front of the 711 and how he seemed so childish he behaved a lot like this boy. Was that him?  When did they switch?  Did they change often?

But her eyes never showed another Xander in the room until just now. This had frustrated Pao nearly to tears; she felt betrayed by her mind and her eyes. She hated when things didn't add up. It always felt like the world itself was cheating her by blatantly breaking its own rules and insulting her by not trying to hide it… what else could she not be seeing? The thought made her blink a few times just to be sure she wasn't hallucinating.

“…and here I was thinking I was blind.”

Xander says

“Don't play with me BOY!” Pao shouted at Xander

“His name is Alex not Boy.”

Xander says calmly.

Pao started to say I was talking to you Xander! but instead found herself at a loss for words realizing she was technically shouting at both of them.

Things were getting too uncanny so Pao did what she always does when she's spooked. She either gets huffy or makes light of the situation. This time she did both.

Oh hey there, Alex. Pao said, waving at Xander’s twin shadow.

Alex responded to Pao in the most peculiar way; he cocked his head all the way back like a ragdoll, and put on a jejune smile that appeared upside down as his chin was pointed at the ceiling. Two words to describe Alex was looney and adorable, he was bubbly and glowing as if he was Xander's happy half. Strange thing is he didn't make any sound, a ghost? Pao thought. Alex more than a ghost he was more  like a reflection come to life moving on his own. Was he only partially in our world? If so, she wondered what else could be dipping its toes in our world?

Incredible…

Yet, there he was…the spitting image of Xander.

“Where the hell did you come from dude?”She said, still waving at him.

He waves back at her his head still thrown back and cocked to the side sporting an energetic smile as if he had a juvenile case of attention deficit disorder. Then Alex turns back to the game of chess. He leans back in the chair and docks his chin in the web of his thumb and index finger. Posing thoughtfully to ponder his move.

“How can he be so cute? He looks exactly like you only, human ya know.”

Pao says

“The spell that brought him into this world is called innerchild. It's my own variation of a spell I attempted to learn but alas, failed to get right. He's a bit childish I know, but he's simple and he means well.”

Xander said.

“I have so many questions dude.”

Pao said

“Yes I know, but I can't resist a good game first. It's one of my vices. A dark gift that nurtures my soul but also enhances my endeavors with… serendipity.” Xander said

“Yea dude, I think we all could use some good luck.”

Pao said

“Game on or die forever! But like I, what about the wolves?

Pao asked

“The wolves may actually be the least of our troubles. I don't know, but we are apt to find out.”

Xander says

“Let me get this straight, So you're saying you're compelled to play, to feed your soul?” Pao said

“Yes indeed, I am bound by the habits of my mortal life and I suspect you are too.”

Xander said

"So that means…Oh I see now, you thought if you turned me I would need to drink beers or I could lose my soul?"

Pao said

"Living with the curse of alcoholism… hardly ever leaving the pub, It's no way to spend an eternity."

Xander says

“Are you ready to learn that glamor now?”Pao asked

“Yea but…

You're going to teach me while you like, play chess with my own twin?”

Pao asked

“You could but why stop at only a twin? Pao this is sorcery, why not play polo with your octuplets, In the court of your own crystal castle in the sky?”

Xander asked

“Ha–That's cool I guess…”

Pao says

“Pao, try and focus your mind now.

It's time “ he said

“The basis of any kind of magic is powered by the will.

So first you need to learn to harness your will. Will power comes from the Almighty and it is infinite meaning there is no limit.

Will is the white hot flame of your soul that can manifest anything and never burns out.” Xander said.

Will bring your soul into flesh so by understanding this you can focus your will on changing your appearance as you see fit. Spells help your mind focus on what you will. It is important to understand Pao.

You cannot bluff your own Will.

the only way for glamor or any spell  to work is for you to be certain about what you really want and truly mean it with all of your soul.

Now

Concentrate on how you want to look

Focus on how you expect to look

Show everyone how you should look.

You could be anything but worrying yourself over details your soul knows what you want, and most importantly, who you're supposed to be.

“When you're ready, go ahead and speak these words.”

“To feel, to be, beyond the norm, with all my will I take this form.”

Pao recites the enchantment

“Good Pao! Keep saying it a little more seriously each time, let go of all doubt and don't stop until you feel the change!” Xander cried

Pao continues to recite the spell

an ultraviolet light flashed in the room and glittering particles of light fluttered filling the air with a dazzling array of colors before fading.

Pao opened the mirror

Of course her cute face is back to looking more human. She wasn't going to have it any other way.

Pao's pretty brown almond eyes were back, but they still reflected the glow of her Indigo aura. Maybe this wasn't a vampiric trait that could be hidden with glamor. She thought. She wondered if Xander thought she was beautiful when he first saw her deep blue shine.

Her vampire fang was still there hanging on full display at the corner of her mouth. She needed to do something about this snaggletooth although cute, also threatening. She smiled then puckered her lips to conceal all her teeth. Holding the expression gave her kind of a pug an appearance at some angles but, well this'll have to do, she thought

Her ears had a slight point to them but that was nothing a longer hairdo couldn't cover up if she wanted… She decided she didn't care much, they were cute and a trekkie would probably think she was half Romulan or something, no biggie.

her skin was glowing a ghastly pale and that was unnatural she wondered if it was just the new precision her vampire eyes could see, maybe the glamor was still hot. In either case she hoped that maybe these details could be overlooked, unlike Xander at least her veins didn’t show.

How do you look Pao?

He asked

“Like my pretty self, thank you very much”, she said, bouncing her short black hair in the mirror.

“How do you feel?” he replied

“Like I could maybe use another makeover.”

She says puckering her tiny plump cherry pink lips.

“Where there's a will… but it's best to consult Donna, after all she's the supermodel.

You’d want her teach you how to pull off an ideal makeover as you can see I'm not the best with glamor.” said Xander

“Don't be so hard on yourself Xander… You look kinda sick dude!”

IPao said

“Oh then I guess at the right place then I should consult a doctor and find out if ugly is treatable.”

Xander said

“ I mean, not like a hospital patient but like, Awesome sick…”

Argh! You know what I mean dude!”

Pao replied, smacking her lips.

Beyond her reflection Pao spotted Alex holding his mouth and shaking his head.

She put down her mirror and looked over at Xander, squinted, smirked and rolled her eyes, "Listen, Count Chocula! You're attractive to me, and Donna loves you, that's what matters.” Pao said

“Well if I was ugly, I might have had an alibi before you closed the case with that testimony.” Xander says

Alex’s eyes were watering and he appeared to be snickering at this point.

“And what are you laughing at Booboo Bear?” Pao said looking at Alex

This had made Alex cover his mouth with both hands, a comically futile attempt to mask his chuckles.

“Gimme a break dude!” Pao said

“Court adjourned.”

Xander replied

To which Alex's face exploded in a burst of silent laughter. He held his stomach, rolling and kicking his feet. His body went limp as he slid down his chair, an outrageous performance that might have convinced anybody he had just died of laughter.

“Oh, Ha Ha Ha. Very funny Alex!”

Pao says

“He's acting a fool isn't he?”

Xander says

“I think he's broken.”

Pao says

Alex’s mimicry had caused Pao to chuckle briefly she a had nearly succeeded in regaining her composure but Alex jerked out of his limp body posture and sprung back to life in his chair this encouraged more laughter from

Pao, she couldn't stand the face Alex was making. He gave her a ridiculously silly look by throwing his head back and forth with looney head ticks. The entire act had made Pao have an immediate outburst. Pao laughed so hard she kicked her legs scissoring them, tossing the bedsheets up and down. The pounding noise her short legs were making on the mattress was something like a drum roll.

"The first drink after dark resurrection and you'll know. "

"Can you show me how you also do that other thing?

you know…the candy trick"

Pao said

"you mean, this?"

Xander reaches inside his coat pockets and removes two fistfuls of chocolate each hand. The candies were beautiful of various shapes and designs mostly dark but some were white, and strawberry pink hearts.

"Dude you always have candy in your coat. So, it's real magic huh?"

She asked

"It's one of many dark gifts of mine."

He said

Gift?

From the Neatherdark, it is a void filled with primeval mana of spatial pocket of accessible by our bloodline.

"You try,

reach inside my pocket"

"Ok but like, that sounded hella creepy…so never say that again ok?"

"Next you'll be asking me to get inside of your van."

Pao reaches inside Xander's coat pocket and what she pulls out is a handful of cherry bombs.

"Damnnn"

"Fireworks dude! this is like a dream come true!"

She smiled then sniffed the hand full of explosives taking in a deep breath before exhaling with satisfaction.”

“I see you enjoy fireworks”

"I love em'

My uncle told me that my father named me Paozhang because fireworks went off when I was born. It was also a Chinese new year celebration.

I always wanted to go there one day so I could celebrate New years Valentines and my birthday all at once Jackpot!"

"Paozhang means firecracker in Chinese." Xander says

"Yea, you got it dude."

"If you focus can receive your gift from any pocket, trunk, bag or closet"

Reaching in dark spaces is a requisite.

Darkness gives, and there's hardly any limits

or at least none of the finite kind. Real magic is infinite.

However, there are some boundaries, circumstantial requirements must be met to conjure the magic of dark sorcery but if one's will is strong enough we can overcome any boundary.

"Wait… You didn't say any of that!

Your lips aren't moving."

This is telepathy, mortals have this ability but many common folk aren't taught how to use it others simply lack the willful capacity for extrasensory.

People tend to stumble on telepathy out of necessity.

Your mind has a decent sized vocabulary at its disposal. Why not incorporate better words in your speech? I wonder.

“I don't know dude, maybe because it's just like, not my style.”

She said

Then she shouted in her mind.

Now that I know you're in my head Xander it's really creepy!.

“Can you like to turn away or something? maybe try being less ... .spooky.”

Then she said

Pao you're going to need to overcome your fears. I don't want you to lose your sanity, fears lead to madness.

Another thing the blood magic exacerbates and enhances various aspects of human nature if a dhampir is a monster just know it's mainly because that's how that person lives their mortal life.

Cannibals Pao said

All vampires are telepaths; it's how we compel, command, and communicate long distances. It's the next best sensory or survival after sight. Trick is like another other skill the mind must manage

The more you use telepathy, the better you will be at using the ability.

The Indigo aura imitating from Pao shined so well Xander’s face was bathing in the mystic glow and although he was blind even he could feel her diffraction.

Something had known to be true in heart had surfaced something she believed would be crazy if uttered out loud

he was hardly held back

Ah

Queen

"Why me? Why did you choose me."

Because I'm like, special Dude? Me, really me? That's not fair! I never got picked up at the orphanage. I'm definitely not special.

She wasn't being fair to herself

Why wait so long to tell me I'm special?

She was special and she kept it a secret so people wouldn't think something was wrong with her.

Where were you when I was alone? The moment I saw you felt like I already knew you ya-know.

When we first met

I thought you were like 16 when you got off that motorcycle.

but I just kinda knew even back then you're more like 116.

truthfully you forgot your age and I had that feeling too.

Pao began to settle into a focus in to a mellow trance

When I think harder about you I realize you stopped counting your birthdays maybe after more than sentry

Like… you think turned when you were 16 but like, I think maybe 15 is a better guess

Donna took you in her and before you knew it you were reborn.

She really wanted you and you wanted her badly. She satisfies you but she wants you to have more. Because you would give her the moon if you could and she would give you the love of every woman born of venus.”

This reminded Pao of a movie she saw once at the Dragon Dynasty theater in the mostly vacant Little China square. The glorious theater, huge and nicely themed to look like an elaborate Chinese palace was and still is an anomalous well maintained relic of red gold and jade on the outskirts of a small town in America. The pride of Little China's glory days and remains to this day a landmark in Ravenscroft and the 7th wonder of the world if you ask the locals and that's what she would tell the folks when she was old enough to get a summer job there a few years later in high-school.

She remembered that movie well because the film's theatrical run was a whopping 3 hours and 20 minutes! long enough for her to sneak out the screening about halfway through the movie and to catch the last showing of Spawn! The film she really wanted to see. So she bought a ticket to see a black and white pulp sci-fi flick called Wo and it was an indie film made with love and a shoestring budget based on a novella by Tim Allen Jr. The film was not yet rated and the ticketmaster didn't like to turn away children on weekends although rated R wasn't legally sold, not yet rated was a fair gray area and she would get a pass.

After all, the theater had good security and it was a typical safe zone for children without parents. Children would run there and sneak into multiple showings all day to escape gangs after softball games and on weekends it was either the Red Dragon or the Library after the skatepark closed.

Pao sat in the theater with a bucket of almond caramel corn, a pizza puff and a strawberry slushie.

The opening sequence would have scared the sin out a good christian. A shot of Lilith completely dominating Adam, he was moaning and not in a good way. Her childhood mind thought he sounded like he had a really bad tummy ache. Now she thinks he sounded more like a wounded animal fighting hard to stay alive while slipping in and out of consciousness. What Lilith was actually doing to Adam was mostly left to the imagination of the audience. On the big screen Pao could see a woman with a beautiful face presumably Lilith being sprayed with what might have been blood. She bore a grin that gave her face a crazed look of abominable lust. Then the movie had a time jump to the 60s.

She remembered how the set pieces of the city were too clean and maybe this wasn't a mistake. Perhaps the viewer was supposed to have the impression that they were in movieland where dreams came to life and realism wasn't a requisite for enjoying the show. Quite frankly the clean look was part of the magic, the stylistic tone was a fitting setting for the story and gave most things a quaint generic look including the actors. Everything was always neat and tidy, their clothes had given them the appearance of children's dolls in a world of plastic. A crisp effervescent story communicated with toys.

The movie turned out to be aliens of course. In the movie the illuminati was the liaison for a private society of elves who lived on the moon and called themselves Lunarians. The actors who played the Lunarians were little boys and girls in neat white wigs, silvery circlets, and sparkly little foil capes. They also wore comfy looking white space suits, Pao thought they looked really cute.

The Lunarians were the children of Adam and Lilith and they announced themselves as emissaries to humankind. After intercepting transmission from venus to earth by the Wo the third a-sexual gender of the human species was announcing their soon arrival. The Lunarians fearing for the children of Adam broadcasted a spooky radio transmission from the moon to earth to warn mankind that an ancient intelligent extraterrestrial empire on planet Venus is coming if met with hostility or disrespect has enough terrible power to enslave all mankind on planet earth.

When people dismissed the transmission as a rather hilarious hoax inspired by some raunchy romance novel the FCC refuses to reassure anyone that it is not for entertainment

The lunarians who loved and pitied the ignorant leaders of earth are forced to take drastic measures.

Knowing humanity didn't respect wise woman of power and so the Lunarians thought it best to send male emissaries to earth. So they asked thier most caring boy wizards should go to earth one amongst them did protest for he could see that humanity wasn't mature enough spiritually to appreciate the wise council of the ambassadors from the moon. He ultimately disbanded for answers where scolded by his peers who had decided their mission was a noble thereby worthy for at least some of mankind is deserving of another chance at salvation. The lone wizard stayed insisting their efforts would be folly. “Kindhearted foots” He said with eyes filled to the brim with tears. When the actor looked in the camera and said this line while crying Pao didn't think the actor's tears were fake.

They went to earth with kindness in their hearts and the poor wizards were ultimately crucified by the ruling strong men.

The strong men dictators of the world were jealous of the boy wizards because they were like rockstars with real magic who conducted a whole host of miracles called “light work” helping the downtrodden disrupt the balance of power in the process. People even stopped believing in the power of money. The world was not ready for enlightenment.

The Lunarians were acting out of caring desperation and dress rehearsing the people of earth for their inevitable encounter with their dangerous cousins from outer space.

Trouble was brewing the Lunarians knew the Wo wouldn't appreciate the sin of greed that mankind relished and thrived in. Greed was an evil the Wo were not willing to tolerate. The Wo understood greed to be an existential threat to their own society along with mankind proper. When the Wo arrived they would answer greed with atrocious wrath.

Pao understood the Lunarians were trying to prepare humanity to face their stronger cousins.

What they were doing was ending centuries of deliberate oppression in a longshot bid to unite mankind and they might have succeeded. America almost got a woman for president, a woman leading men of the most powerful nation. Ideas of a utopian world order spread as a cult of their followers began a joint effort to  improve and uplift impoverished communities.

These cults couldn't be bought or bribed and only valued things people made themselves.

Needless to say, it didn't work out. The movie ends with a deadly invasion by the Wo, strong bronze skinned Amazons from Venus with space magic just as the boy wizards from the moon had warned humanity about.

The Wo had no interest in sharing their power with strong men who they didn't view as their equals and immediately scorched the earth with a whole new kind of flame that burned all the women, maidens' mothers along with every cow, sow and witch.

leaving the men to a horrible fate being passed around as slaves, humiliated publicly and impregnated by creatures that looked like females and maybe they were but they implanted their fertilized eggs inside of the men. The movie went off the rails fast. Strong men weren't allowed to wear pants and were impregnated in public. The men

who didn't get pregnant, aborted, or forced a miscarriage were fed to a giant monster that the Wo had brought with them. The monster looked like a giant grub worm and it would swallow the men whole where they would be assimilated slowly along with other men who were eaten. There were shots of men inside the tubular esophagus of the monster. A chuck e cheese fun tube of terror, the men were calling for help and trying to console each other.

Vain like tentacles slithered from tubular membrane and squirmed so rapidly they burrowed under the men’s skin as the creature was keeping them alive intravenously by pumping its bile into their bodies which slowly turned them into sad looking jellies and would meld into the flesh of the creature.

Apparently the smells inside the monstrous grub was so bad it made the men desperate for escape, many of the men tried scratching and biting their way out of the creature the membrane was tough and if one managed to break the flesh of the tube to constricted crushing the men.

A panic was rising like fever

screams of the other men trapped inside were deafening. Pao laughed out loud as some of the screams were funny to her.

“Oh gawd, we're all gonna die!”

Some guy shouted

“I just wanna go home.”

Shouted another

“They're crawling inside of me!”

Some dude screamed

“I can't find the way out!”

Some one cried

“I want my mommy!”

Some poor soul cried

“Everybody hold on!”

A hero shouted

“I'm ready mommy!”

Shouted some asshole

“Someone found a way out?”

Someone replied

“It smells like booboo in here!”

A newcomer announced

Those who were rejected from the assimilation process after ripping out too many veins tried crawling to safety. These scenes were written to give the audience false hope as the pipeline was a maze of uncertainty. The fleshy tubes somehow always led the would-be heroic survivor deeper into the stinking bowels of the creature's digestive tract where they splashed into the creature’s extremely corrosive acid baths that stripped the meat off their bones on contact. People left the theater with a whole new understanding of claustrophobia

An ending that was scarier than any scene from Alien

“Donna wants a bigger family but we can’t have children.

you think she wants a daughter.”

“If you have another bride her line will continue but slowly it takes about a century to train a new apprentice in the ways of sorcery and how to live with the curse of power.”

“And then like, there's the stigma, you went blind for me but you could have lost any one of your senses.

You did so because I remind you of love

“You got that feeling again when you saw me, and you really could love us equally.”

“Xander…. you think everybody is equal to you as long as they are good.”

Pao: “You really think vampires are the same as humans. You think the Big.G probably feels the same.”

Pao don't tread so to deeply into my mind  if you have questions I will answer them you know I’m telling you the truth, because you know I hate to lie.

“Oh I know, I read your mind. It hurts your pride and condemns your intelligence to resort to lying. You think lying must be what castrating yourself feels like. You would rather just remain silent and allow people to draw their own conclusions.

I still can't believe you really forgot how old you were, did you forget your birthday too?

Xander: “I only need 1 birthday, October 15 1924 our anniversary”

Oh! Dude no way, I was born October 15 1985 we can celebrate by birthday on your anniversary,

Xander: “Pao, you were reborn tonight and it's October 15th. This was no coincidence; this was part of Donna’s plot. October 15th will be the Family's Anniversary.”

Pao: “So you've been Donna's apprentice for 100 years tonight?

"Couldn't you just end world hunger with time you spend alive and in your prime?"

"Humanity already did

We could kill the people who use starvation as tool to maintain political power

And then

we would be hunted until we were slain by the very same people we've fed"

"Why would people do that?"

"The orders would come from people of power, the people far at the top of governments who are influenced by the low-men."

"You mean the secret society?"

No, the illuminati is the logical opposition to the low-men. Neither can be eliminated that would cause a power vacuum and greater corruption leading to perpetual war and society would degrade back to the dark ages. After a global holocaust.

Most people aren't educated enough to rebuild a broken society ravaged by war especially after the schools and libraries are bombed to the ground.

"Our kind would find a way to survive, we always do but,

…we would be ending the only world people know how to thrive in."

Some of us have lived long enough to watch the illuminati rewrite history over and over again to mold society.

We've had everything we needed to end world hunger long before any of us could remember

Sadly,

famine and other scarcities are fabricated as leverage for power

The most persistent famine in this world isn't food or water, it's knowledge.

I made a promise, don't you remember?

Remember

Remember

Oh

Wow

Ooo I remember everything you remember

I remember everything

I know everything

you know

Prime numbers, Polynomials, Pythagorean theorem, Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's Law, Assembly Binary, Hex, Octal, ASCII, Tsiolkovsky rocket equation…

Relax

Too much, too fast, all at once

The room suddenly starts spinning and she feels like she's falling through the mattress into darkness…into an Abyss

She falls, and falls, she tries to stop and tumbles somewhere way down

Out of the vertigo

into another room, into another bed

No, it's more like… she feels around

She feels closed in… a box?

Claustrophobia instantly sets in and she panics and rolls out of the cramped space

and onto a floor landing on her shoulder now!

She looks where she fell, a tiny nook?

The left side of the bunk was open, covered partly with only a small modesty curtain.

She got up slowly feeling little chunky

She took a moment and patted herself down to check herself

Her nails were done neatly and she was wearing something sexy. Where was she? She looked around and was at a loss for words! Everything was very chic technical analog and lof fi charming like the Nostromo the ship from that movie Alien.

Still patting herself she felt her chest and blushed looking down at two nice size boobs she cupped them jiggling them around and bouncing the jugs in her hands. Hello there! Where did you two come from? She squeezed her nipples, a sensation that sent bolts of arousal to her loins like never before and a wet patch began to spread from under her blouse. Oh hey now I can't be doing that wow you guys really came with milk! Was this even her body? She thought

She patted herself more, slapping her ass to verify she still had her buns. She sure did.

she never wore girls clothes

And she never even saw this style before. The materials and design were both super stylish. And really comfortable even though it hardly covered her legs in some areas. She had on some kind of high fashion. A tech jacket, some kind of mult-faceted compression uni-tard, leg stockings with foot pads.

At least she wasn't passed out in that hospital gown.

she needed to find out where she was. She needed to find Xander.

She looked around

She was on some kind of ship,

on Xander's submarine? The capsule bunk had a window on the right side. She opened it to look outside

what she saw was  darkness speckled with breathtaking twinkling stars

She's in space?!? But how? there's gravity

She looked closer out the window mostly to make sure it wasn't a high definition OLED screen or something as she got closer to the peer out the window she saw why there was gravity. Looking down below from the window she would see the curvature of a strange periwinkle horizon.

She was flying above a moon or maybe a planetoid like in the comics. It sure was pretty but it didn't look like earth.

Then the thought dawned on her and it sent chills down her spine. What if Xander was an Alien?

What if she had just been abducted!

She's on their mothership now… and here they like to experiment with all kinds of black holes.

She giggled to perish the thought.

She pulled herself out of the nook that  smelled really nice aromatherapy for sure it looked really cool and to her pleasant surprise it was even decorated with one of her favorite nicknacks. A chinese flower in a teapot, a handheld neogeo, a stack of comic books, an issue of Spawn,  The Uncanny X-Men both laid under her pillow. Her Alien captors had nice taste at least.

She took a moment, taking in her new environment looking at the familiar things around her. The stuff in her bed nook this had to be her stuff, these are things she likes. She thought.

She turned around and looked for a door out of this living quarters there were multiple bunks so there were other people

She just had to find them and ask how she got here amongst other things

In the corner of the room was a circular hatchway with Japanese writing on it.

She recognized the katakana and could somehow read it. It says ブロックBから後甲板への出口 "exit block B to Quarterdeck"

She got close and it opened on it own

To her amazement and delight she was rewarded with the sight of a very cool sci-fi corridor.

she felt like she was in a Ridley Scott film the passageway was hexagonal shaped, partially lit, there were also panels and that made wonderful computerized analog transmission sounds with glowing leds that blinked in binary like the ones in the living quarters and narrow windows stretched in between the port side of the bulkheads, cosmic light shined brightly through them projecting the corridor with a beautiful bluish violet ambient glow.

As she made her way down the dazzling corridor she couldn't believe this was real!

A bit further down this wonderfully serene passage was a hatchway. More Japanese than she thought, the hatch was branded with a Digital display that read "Quarterdeck".

The hatch opened and she was completely amazed. She stepped into a wide open space that looked like a minimall or an airport terminal.

There were crowds of people, women and children mostly huddled and they seemed to be camped in this place.

A waft of delicious aromas that reminded her of a foodcourt, the smell of pretzels, asian fusion, those giant cookies and strangely enough, a bit like the school breakfasts she grew up eating.

People were being fed at food carts quite cozyly, she thought.

Some were serving hand pies and what looked like tea

Some were serving bowls of noodle soup. It was probably pho by the look of the stuff. these people looked like refugees they mostly wore strange cloaked clothes something futuristic stylish but not as "classy" as the clothes she wore

thank God they didn't turn out to be Aliens after all. They were more like mallrats.

Strange thing is a lot of them looked identical. At first, Pao thought there were twins…then triplets…then quintuplets…

She had seen enough scifi movies to know these could be…No, These had to be clones! They couldn't be androids; there were children who were also identical.

If she was dealing with Aliens maybe this was the best they could do to disguise their true forms.

Nah, Aliens from the abductee stories usually started with the aliens showing their true forms first it was always the little doctors and then the creepy tall ones.

She settled on the idea of clones.

These refugees were just the same Two or three people copied again and again. Only a few of them were males… one type was a mulatto with blonde hair and hazel eyes

the other type was asian with nappy ginger hair and purple eyes

There was this beeping…

She looked down and turned her wrist

and there was a small magenta colored ladies casino watch beeping and projecting a holographic display of random encyclopedic science facts.

Woah man, this is so pretty dude.

She touched the holopage that was projecting in mid air above her wrist….the page and it moved and zoomed the words scrolled.

—Amaranthus is a cosmopolitan group of more than 50 species which make up the genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants collectively known as amaranths. Better known by the name "love lies bleeding". Some amaranth species are cultivated as leaf vegetables, pseudocereals, and ornamental plants. Catkin-like cymes of densely-packed flowers grow in summer or fall. Amaranth varies in flower, leaf, and stem color with a range of striking pigments from the spectrum of maroon to crimson and can grow longitudinally from 1 to 2.5 metres tall with a cylindrical, succulent, fibrous stem that is hollow with grooves and bracteoles when mature. There are approximately 75 species in the genus, 10 of which are dioecious and native to North America, and the remaining 65 are monoecious—

Pao inspected the watch closer to get a better look at the tiny optical lens projecting these light particles

Printed on the watch just below the brand Casio was “Beeper — 2.5 nano-pixel dot photon vector array”.

A little boy ran to her and asked to see her beeper

Pao was amused and bewildered by his accent. Which was a strange clumsy mix of familiar

a lil’ Atlanta, a bit of London, a touch of Dublin it came out something like

"Hei missay canna-see' ya beepa?"

Pao turns her wrist towards the purple eyed nappy headed ginger boy "ant'cha got no games on it, missay?"

The boy couldn't have been much older than 5 and the poor little dude was already a gamer.

Pao couldn't help but laugh out loud. The boy smiled and laughed a trifling chuckle along with her in honest confusion.

A woman calls out to the boy

"Sinbad! leave'er be!"

"Key ma"

"Sory gottago, niceta meetcha!"

The boy's purple eyes welled with tears. He dropped his head, pouted, turned his back to wipe his tears, and walked back to his mothers tent sobbing.

Pao felt so bad for the little dude named Sinbad.

Then she remembered— the Neo-geo.

She ran back to her bunk and got the handheld, some batteries that read rechargeable solar/thermal like… whatever the hell that's supposed to mean, along with the box of game cartridges it stood on top of, for the boy.

A brisk jog back to the quarterdeck liking the new sensation of her tits bouncing on her chest as she made her way to Sinbad’s tent.

Here you go

I also found some batteries that might work.

His mother made him say thank you

"Say thankya boy"

"I say thankya Missay"

Sinbad had already loaded a cartridge with a huge giddy grin as the handheld’s modified LCD screen illuminated his face.

Pao Smiles at them.

She leaves the cozy little tent.

She felt like running around and exploring a bit so takes a look around the quarterdeck. Just following her nose and taking in the sights this Ship was awesome.

She took the escalators to the upper decks there were about bout 3 more

It kind of reminded her of Tokyo but it was so space age like something from a Ridley Scott film. Whoever she had made this ship had taste she had seen these angular designs before.

Paozhang was born in 89’ and a lot of the 80s stuff had stuck around throughout the 90s.  She recognized this style was very 80s, Ron Cobb’s designs was everywhere back then and his work in a lot of movies, shows, and car designs. But this ship also had lot of other influences especially Japanese.

Echoing in the distance far down the halls she could hear faint singing.

Karaoke? She thought

She ran past the public restrooms and lockers, past a few signs that said authorized crew only in English and Japanese.

Following the sound and smells running briskly down sprawling passageways that turned and stretched far behind the shops. Drawing closer following the voices of the maiden's songs.

Round every corner of the halls echoed the ladies on karaoke broadway soundsystems, eventually leading Pao to dark nookish corridors. The narrow and otherwise pitch black alleyway or crawlspace is partly lit with cyan, yellow and magenta from the hologram banners and lanterns. The ceiling was low with large bundles of cables hanging from them. So this was the magical place the janitors and staff would escape to, she thought jokingly.

The crawlspace reminded Pao of Xander’s man cave. This was made for little people and she couldn't help but feel like it was indeed made for her. It wasn't easy to find on its own. No signs or reason to think anything would be back here if not for the faint sounds of karaoke and flickering lights.

Squeezing into the entryway would be tough or damn near impossible for a tall and heavy set of people. No big fatties and no muscle bound giants allowed beyond this point she thought.

The crawlspace was rather long and one could get stuck if they went too far. This was risky in case of a fire she thought.

Well here goes nothing.

She shimmied through the dark hole in the wall, she could hear the ladies singing closer now and the enticing of smell food, perfume, and that rank pheromonal smell of coochie made funky from a fucked up ph balence. Someone definitely made the mistake of washing their kitty with soapy water. The typical charming welcome of different after hour adult establishments.

She had found the seedy part of the amusement in these tight spaces. tucked away nicely, the back far out of sight. Of course her nose and ears would lead her here.

It's like her body had a compass to find this place for pleasure. This was her comfort zone. Somehow it felt right being here. Eventually she squeezed through the and crawl space widened a bit the further in she went soon she was able to walk normally into the Alley.

She took a moment and marveled, the beautiful sight of the lights, the glow of the windows, taking in the sounds and smells.

Elated with curiosity, Pao peeked her head in a few of the shops. Many were karaoke bars and the kind of restaurants the Japanese people called izakaya, but some were erotic shows and what looked like ladies only speakeasies or girls date bars.

The people inside spoke Japanese and looked Japanese but not completely… there was something slightly inorganic about them unusually good-looking but it was a manufactured look like the refugees but neater and more far out.

They didn't have natural hair colors like the refugees.

The men had either dark blue or milky white hair. The women had dark purple or pale sakura hair

There were men

Girls dressed in hanbok and kimonos and waved with enthusiasm to welcome to Pao. like they had known who she was.

We're good friends? Maybe, but she was definitely a known customer.

She blushed, smiled and kept moving.

Making her way through the cavernous corridors of carnal pleasures she found the mall area again.

This place was nice and clean even for a minimall. She recognized some of the name brand stores like Coca-Cola novelty gifts and apparel. But there were lots of brands she had never seen before like, what the heck was Parcels Pie co.? A fast food pie company? A gift shop?

Eventually she finds a map at one of the kiosks

Finding the you are here legend she traces the map to a hatchway that says Quarterdeck to Upper Decks to Bridge

Pao finds the Hatchway on her level deck.

Following the signs she stops suddenly when she sees a tall

elf-eared highfashioned woman with a stylish short blond hair and blueish-green eyes

She didn't look like a refugee or one of the moonlighters she was wearing a similar multifaceted high tech wear. Must be a uniform because. The tech jacket she wore was similar to her own. Pao got the feeling this was like getting caught red handed, butterflies in the tum-tum like she's about to go on stage, the troublesome feeling of seeing your crush. Butterflies blowing bubblegum in your stomach.

Oh yea she was highly attracted to this woman.

The High-Elf salutes Pao and says

"Captian on deck!"

There was no one around so it felt kind of like a joke. Did she just call me Captain?

Who, me?

The fabulously stunning girl drops her salute and walks over to Pao, her long bare legs rocking her his hips.

She was coming on to Pao and got in her personal zone. Pao blushed looking away

The Elf Picks her up to embrace her

Strangely made her feel like a child

She holds Pao and kisses her like a lover.

Pao who's face grow hot blushing blurts frantically

Wa? Woah… oh hah ha…hey uh Where exactly am I? And where's Xander?

The high elf puts Pao down and eases back curiously, she kneels eye level while gently running fingers through Pao's hair.

What's going on Pao?

Did you hit your head and get amnesia?

You're on your way to the bridge right?

And our Alexander hasn't woken up yet he's in Cryostasis

What do you mean our Alexander?

You mean you forgot?

Pao wanted to see her master that's who he was to her, but more like that brand new partner you can't be too far for too long

and she was already starting to miss him like crazy.

I just need to find Xander.

Aye Skipper, I'll take ya to him.

The high elf said with a smile

She gently grabs Pao by the hand and leads Pao down a series of corridors past vast the wonders of a low-fi ship.

The ambiance was breathtaking. This ship was beautiful and it felt like home.

The high elf led Pao to a medical room a lady in a white smock and an e-pad is sitting in a really cool chair next to the typical scifi tank and in this neon liquid stasis pod floating fully naked was Xander's body, his hair was different though it wasn't nappy it was long and strait. But there he was… his naked teenage boy floating with eyes closed. He looked so tranquil…was he dreaming?

Pao peers in the medical room before going in and thank christ he's not on a table surrounded by aliens

or supermodels. It's just a normal little old black woman in a white smock that was well worn and had faded blood stains from probably from years of washing. And on her smock was name tag  "Kisha M. Nella MD"

Kiki? Is that you?

This Alerted had the woman

Dr. Kisha looked shocked with an expression of concern.

Her eyes darted looking Pao up and down, evidently taken aback by the Question.

She gasps and says "Oh lord, what's going on now?"

Kisha drops the e-pad she was holding

reaches into her smock and grabs her penlamp.

Kiki reaches for Pao and gently holds the side of Pao's head she strobes the beam of her pen light studying Pao's eye movements

"Paowao how are you feeling?

have you forgotten where you are?"

It was Kiki she's so old now Pao thought

Kiki you tell me what's going on

What year is it?

"Paowao, it's the theoretical year of 2087"

"What Theoretical?”

"Paowao, Let me ask you again, do you know where you are?"

Wow, Doctor Kiki she had to be like 100 years old by now

No Kiki was 19, so now she was approximately 94

She didn't need to ask, she calculated this

Everything added up at this point

She had gone 75 years in the future

She was a time traveler, a chrononaut!

Kiki, I'm not stupid

evidently this is my ship and I'm the captain, duh.

One more question Paowao

"What's the name of this ship?"

Pao didn't know, she had forgotten.  It was on the tip of my tongue and a lot of names came to mind, but none of them felt right.

She was tired of bullshitting herself and there was no need to pretend to save face, especially not in front of one of her besties. She was lost and confused and none of this made sense.

Kiki looked exhausted with concern

"Paowao I'm worried about you and it's my job. I'm the leading medical personal on this ship, this is your vessel. You appointed me after all."

Pao looks away and a tear falls from one of her glossy eyes she nods to Kiki and takes in a breath preparing herself it was time to fess up.

"I don't know how I got here Kiki."

"Last thing I remember it was the year 2012 and I was in the hospital, the one back home, St. Michael's."

"I was with Xander

I was dying Kiki

I had cancer

I got really sick after a truck exploded. I cause the accident but I ran away."

I got depressed, I dropped out community college,

my head was hurting real bad so I started drinking a lot and taking drugs

Anything to stop the pain

I knew I was going to die

and I didn't tell anybody but Xander

I think he already knew somehow like maybe because he's a vampire he could sense it.

I'm real sorry

Like, I was ashamed to tell you and I was really hoping I would get better.

But Kiki I died,

and Xander, he promised I could comeback

he did something, he brought me back

and we fell in love again

I was thinking, and suddenly know whole lot about everything

I think lost my mind

And I fell into darkness, I just kept falling and falling

And I landed here.

I know that doesn't make sense

But for me this place is like a dream within a dream.

All of this feels like waking from one dream into a new dream.

I want to go back

I know this doesn't make sense but that's what I remember

Well I'm upset you had cancer and didn't tell me, and Winkerbell she would have been torn up, you would have broken her heart.

But I'm really proud of you Paowao you don't know how great you really are. Many people respect you and Alexander.

the real Alexander gave more than anyone he's a true legend and you never let anyone forget it

We all know you loved him. You've done a lot to bring Alexander back.

What do you mean the real Alexander?

There's more? Like those poor clones living on the quarterdeck?

No, Paowao

just… No

Kiki paused closed her eyes and gently rubbed her temples with her aged boney fingers

It's far more complicated than that

You helped those people. They wouldn't have survived without you. They were born in a wholesale industry that uses them and tosses them away.

She pauses, sits down, and brings her hands together to form a thoughtful diamond to focus.

Me and you, We come from a time when people were born with inalienable rights as individuals.

That really was the American dream.

But we took it for granted.

Times have changed a lot since 2012. We won the space race for all of humanity.

But life in deep space is a new wild frontier. We no longer live in the land of the free.

Believe me when I tell you, nobody appreciates the American dream more than us. We the people who remember the dream and watch the corporations leave it behind on earth. Humans can be real monsters. We use, we take, we abuse, we waste, and we want perfection when we've done all the wrong things proving we don't deserve it.

Paowao you were adopted just like me

You told us your mother abandoned you in South Korea.

Well, guess what?

You didn't appreciate how people abandoned the American dream. So, you adopted the American dream yourself and it lives with us on this arc.

It might not be perfect but here those people have human rights, you are right they are clones they generally called copies as a simple technical term.

They are orphans like us Paowao. They've never known their parents so they name themselves and adopt their younger models.

here they have dignity and the right to live in peace because that's what it means to be an American.

If I explained everything that happened the last half century it would boggle your mind and who knows maybe you would time travel again.

We do the best we can with what we have. All you do is to try and save people from an uncaring world. You believed that's why Alexander built this Arc Paowao.

Pao suddenly know where she was

She was on the Ans!

Xander had planned to save people

the forsaken people she thought.

Will they stay here forever?

I wouldn't want to live camped in a minimall forever. I mean it's nice but…

Kiki chuckles

Pao snickers, wiping her tears

"Yea… but hey"

"They are free colonists and we transport them to freeworlds in our protected sectors. We also supply them with what they need to settle wherever, whenever they want. They are free to choose for themselves. "

A voice says from behind

It was the high elf

"What about Xander? If this is a copy what happened to the real Xander?"

"I'll keep things as simple as possible because it really is complicated"

The real Alexander offered his body for experimentation to the smartest high society on earth. You know already know one mean I don't need to say it

the illuminati?

Duh,

and for the record you never trusted them.

Well, anyways…Alexander trusted them for whatever reason…I think he did it for you.

They had some things you wanted, things that were really important for everybody.

“Like the cure for cancer?” Pao asks

Kiki nodded

“All you wanted to do was help people. You didn’t want to lose Alexander, but he was willing to pay the price anyway.

He let them take his blood, plasma, bone marrow, tissue samples… and eventually… it seemed like they just kept taking everything from him

until Alexander had nothing left, one day they had taken so much they actually killed him…and they still weren't done.

They cloned him over and over dissecting and harvesting each copy to study his vampirism or whatever it is that makes him so special.

They found out a lot about the nature of immortality and whatever dark stuff vampires are made of. But they just kept wanting more and more. It just seemed like they found the motherlode and maybe the answer to everything. I don't know for sure about the motherlode part.

It's mostly just the rumors within the medical community that leaked from way up top in my early career as a doctor. Their thirst for knowledge is unconscionable; they simply can never have enough.

Well one of Alexander’s copies had freed himself

He found out his wife Madonna had been harvested and copied in a similar program and went completely insane.

he waged a relentless bloody war on the entire organization

It didn't take him long to figure out the illuminati was the eye of the face of humanity itself.

He is not your Alexander,  he is pure logic, whatever soul he had was probably harvested away several hundred copies ago. But losing his wife and mother broke his heart and it broke your's too.

The difference is he's like a vengeance incarnate, no sense of pity or regret, only cold calculated wrath.

We avoid him.

You hated what they did to him.

And you did your best to salvage what was left of Alexander. You made this copy with his DNA and Madonna's. This copy's brainwaves are stable and we really hope he's bonevelvet, diagnostic patterns indicate he's sane but we don't know yet. All of his copies are powerful and waking him is… risky."

"You've tried to stop the other Alexander.

He killed you without remorse, and you still love him.

you're a copy Paowao and aside from your new fashion sense by every metric known to science you're a perfect replication. I look in your eyes and know you have your soul. That's something to thank the big G for."

"A copy you saved years ago helped me collect your remains and piece you back together.

She's standing behind you now

You gave her a name when she didn't have one. Can you remember her name?"

Pao thought for a moment

Everything made sense, she was just trying to bring her family back together.

and she said the first name that came mind

Pao:"Bell…"

Kiki: …"Duh"

Pao turned and looked at the high elf.

She could see a resemblance to Bell,  She could imagine what Winkerbell would look like if she didn't have those hideous burn scars.

Pao remembered Winkerbell always chose a high elf when they played D&D.

“Can I touch your ears?” Pao says with wonder.

Bell bows to lower her head

Sliding her fingers on the skin folds of long pointed membrane and cartilage

Pao asks “are they sensitive?”

Bell: “Like normal ears but longer”

Pao: “Woah, that's awesome! and I thought Xander had a nice pear of elf ears”

Bell: “Oh, I got these body modifications for you, you taught me how to play D&D its a proud pastime on board the USS Bright-hope”

"Where's Donna? Did I at least try to bring her back?"

"You did, and we are still trying but, Madonna's genetic data indicated that she was only 2% human. Our efforts to replicate Madonna's other genetic make up has yealded…. inconclusive results… However,

Madonna's human genetics are highly stable and versatile.  The rogue scientific community had actually made many breakthroughs in genetic research using Madonna's DNA. In a practical sense she is like the mother of all copies." Bell said

"You have her genes as well Captain Bright"

"That might be because she was born a Dhampire; she's a Sorceress born from dark magic."

"Donna's genes explain how I get these boobs and the fashion sense. Too bad I'm still a runt and didn't get her height."

"MissBeRight always dressed high fashion and I told your copy you never dressed like that."

Kiki said laughing

"Bell, You're hot by the way"

"Oo Thanks Captain"

Kiki: "Get a room you two"

Pao: "I can't believe we aren't like, on a pet name basis."

Kiki: "Bell is your 1st mate and second in command. Paowao"

Pao: “So like, Does than mean the people on the Quarter deck were also Saved-By The-Bell?”

Kiki almost falls out of her chair laughing.

Paowao! Girl Good Night! Girl, I'm done with you!

Kiki says laughing spinning her chair around

Kiki: “Wow, you just removed all doubt with that one! It’s really you girl. It's really you! Kiki laughs tears of joy. Waoooow that was Bad! But I needed that good laugh.”

Bell shrugs smiling and grinning

She has no fucking clue what just happened

But Winkerbell would have been laughing right along with Kiki, she thought.

Kiki calms down, drops her head and says, "I need a moment to take this all in."

Pao hears a voice from far away

she doesn't know if its from"

Pao: Shhh

Pao: Did you do something?

Pao: Did you hear that?

Pao: Oh there it is again

Madonna and Kiki both shake their heads

No

She pauses and listens carefully

Her eyes dart across the room

A voice she can barely hear from far away speaks again she can't be sure if it's in her head or not

There's another sound, it's the sound of Alexander moving in his tank

Pao moves to his tank and put her ear on the glass

main in the moment

*ocus*

*Fo-cus*

The room spins

Pao begins to falling upward as is gravity turned upside-down she falls through the ceiling

She falls once again in the Abyss

Falling

And falling

Heart heart pounding

As she gains speed

She tries to stop herself

Her eyes snap shut the darkness is somehow blinding

She stops just as she did before

She opens her eyes…

and Pao is back in hospital room she looks to the right

Xander is standing at her bedside

Xander shakes her bed gently

Xander: Pao can you hear me?  come back… focus on the now.

Xander: Focus on the now

Xander: Focus

Xander: Remain in the moment

Pao sits up slaps him

Then she grabs him pulling him almost completely in her bed

She kisses his him

And they kiss passionately a half an hour, it felt like forever

By the time she releases Xander, his less have fallen asleep he tries to stand upright but his legs can barely keep him up.

“Wow”

Neither spoke a word, but they shared that thought.

She had given him the ol’ first time kiss for sure.

She had lots of practice tongue kissing with Winkerbell, they were girlfriends after all.

She's been spending more time with Xander than Winkerbell lately since they met. Truthfully she had been avoiding Winkerbell who would have figured out she was dying for sure.

Winkerbell's intuition made her nearly impossible to lie to. She would have figured out the bad news and it would have broken both their hearts.

Xander changed that. He saved Winkerbell from the heartbreak of losing her bestfriend, sister, and lover.

And now… now she would have to tell Winkerbell she had fallen in love.

Only she wouldn't… Winkerbell would just know.

But this was her 1st time kissing a man

That kiss felt like they were swapping souls

Xander was speechless, and they were both high on passion.

"Quite the mood"

They savored the moment in silent reflection

Do you still want that beer?

"I don't really want one"

"I have, special dark if you'd like one"

He looks in her eyes and reaches in his coat pocket.

"Maybe, just one"

You said I'd be an alcoholic!

Wait

you compelled me not to be an alcoholic

…by offering me candles!?

Memory flashbacks play vividly in Pao's mind.

Each time she thinks about a beer Xander offers her a piece of candy from his coat pocket

before she can refuse, he looks in her eyes.

He asks nicely

please, just take one

Only, he didn't say it outloud

he transmitted the offering to her mind when he looked in her eyes.

She feels a gentile gripping force….

and all of a sudden…

He has what she craves.

She responds "well maybe just one"

Another time…

Xander offers her one beer, but she declines.

"Sure you don't want one?"

But there's no tug….no craving…

"Nah I'm fine."

Xander pulls a candy bar from his coat pocket and he breaks her a piece.

A small tug on her senses activates and she salivates.

Xander: *One for you*

Pao: *Ok just one*

He offers her a beer

Xander: “Want one?”

The pull isn't there

Pao: “Nah, I don't really drink the beer for the flavor.”

Xander: "You sure? It's cold"

Xander waves the can a little, shushing the cold suds.

Pao feels no pull…

Pao: "Eh…nah, I'm ok… but, another piece of special dark…

…would be nice.”

She didn't want to have to beg.

“So like, you changed my beer cravings into candy cravings dude?”

“Duh” Xander says

Xander: “We must go…”

Xander: “You’ll never be able to get any rest in that bed.”

Xander: *We need to meet someone soon,

We have an issue*

Xander: *This town is being haunted by a blight*

Pao: *What is it?*

*it's the Witch isn't it?*

* She's watching us, you know.*

* I won't talk about her out loud, I know you have a plan.*

Xander: *You've become better at reading thoughts. Try not to do it so often, you could actually flay someone's mind.*

Xander: *Also my mind is my personal dominion…

So ask permission or only do it when absolutely necessary ok?*

Pao:*Unless it's about the Witch*

*Duh*

Pao: * I need you to know you something*

Xander: “I know,

You time traveled…it's really fascinating you're the best telepath I've ever encountered.

I have premonitions from the Netherdark from time to time but they are always vague visions of things that may or may not happen exactly as I see them and only in case of a crisis. Like when the truck exploded. I was there Pao. I Am the Mothman, I saw you and tried to scare you away from the fumes before you made it to the hill.”

Pao *Should the Witch know about this?*

*the glass would have shown her too.*

Xander: "You're brave but you're stubborn when it comes to helping people Pao."

Pao: "But like, You were…"

Xander: " –an eldritch horror I know, but that's the function of my precognition. The Netherdark can transform us into various entities not of this world.

It's how and when I manifest future sight.

But Pao, I've never taken a complete tour of the future or interacted with the people there. My sight is more like remembering something that's about to happen. I can't actually change it and when I try, it always happens anyway.

You see in this way my visions of the future are more prophetic, inevitable events seemingly tied with fate.

You different Pao calling you an Oracle would be a massive understatement…

Witnessing your power shakes my grasp of reality.

You could easily be the Queen of a Hive mind.

Even powerful psions like Elderbrains who are master hiveminds aren't known for timetravel,

that's another reason we need to talk to someone."

Pao "Yea, yea yea… cool your jets dude, I just wanted to say I —"

Xander: "– love you too Pao, and I always will. No matter what happens."

Pao smiles and blushes

*Don't brag about me so much dude, I can't handle flattery.*

Xander feels around for the window and opens it.

This is our exit, we leave this room from here.

“It's a 5 story building, you know. If we jump, will we die?”

Xander: "Depends on how we land…we will need to fly."

Pao: "Shouldn't we just, like, call Madonna to give us a ride in the phantom?"

Xander: "I already called her, she's going to meet us there."

Xander: "We're gonna need clothes when we change back and she's going to bring them to us."

Pao: "How can you fly if you're blind?"

"I'll have better eyes, better everything."

Xander takes off Pao's medical gown

And says

"Your fears are scared to death of your courage. "

He undresses himself and folds his clothes neatly in a pile. Pao looks at Xander's pale small skinny body trying not to stare at his private parts.

Xander:"It's OK,"

Xander:"You can look at me as both adults. We can handle nudity…"

Comforted by the strange truth

Pao looks at him head to toe.

She thinks to herself, this sorcery is incredible. Can could go on looking this young forever. It's really hard to believe he's over a century old with the body of a young teenage boy.

No loose flesh, or wrinkles, no flabby lug handles.

He's well groomed and his pubs aren't even full yet. Xander had mostly peach fuzz with no scars, just a fit slim teenage body.

He's no line backer, and he would struggle to make the featherweight. She thought he stood to gain some more weight before she could call him a hunk.

But his shape didn't disgust or offend Pao.

To put it blunt he had the body of the typical underweight 90-pound teenage boy who stood only 5 inches over her. Yet here he was, old enough to be her great-grandfather and vampirism had kept them physically 7 years apart. This was nuts, it's kinda funny they both wound up robbing each other's cradle, sorcery was some loopy stuff.

Pao: “ Gee, you look great for your age grandpa, what's your secret?”

Xander: “I eat lots of chocolate.”

They both kiss again and Xander steps back and takes a breath.

Xander's mouth begins to bleed. he spits and handful of of teeth into his palm and drops them and as his fangs fall to the floor in a puddle of blood and drool

he begins to grow. Pao backs away in shock. She watched it terror as

his skin changed from pale yellow to rubey red as it stretched and grew tighter. Around his muscles his physic doubled in size as his muscle fibers tore and remade themselves bigger he was expanding, his bones grew longer with exquisite form.

As his body grows, puffs of his neatly parted afro glide to the floor and as his hair falls out a new grade of long straight black hair follicles grew from his scalp. Suddenly an electric black aura shrouds Xander, he begins to kneel and shine an eerie glow of ultraviolet light making him a ghastly morphing silhouette.

Pao stood back to the farthest the corner of the room

Hoping he wouldn't be the creature she saw on the mountain with big red glowing eyes

The figure now with a new shape rose from the kneeling position and couldn't stand up completely; it was too tall for the hospital room.

The black aura faded and the eerie ultraviolet glow dimmed to a faint luminescence under his skin from deep within his body tissue. giving his tone a reddish violet color, revealing an

angel or a devil hunched to the ceiling.

Xander had gone from almost 5feet nothing to at least 10 feet tall with the body of a chiseled god. All lean muscle now, she thought, so well cut he looked like a sculpture if he remained  posed.

His wings draped to the floor, otherworldly sheets of blood red veiny membrane, like the giant wings of a hellish bat.

Pao couldn't see the eyes of this dark angel, long black hair fell in front of his face and halfway to the floor. Piercing through the black stand curtains of his long locks she could see his ears had grown longer to a point.

He had black hair on his chest, forearms and his crouch.

In between his well toned legs was biggest the meanest vainly man stick

Pao had ever overseen and covered in fur behind a meaty rod was a great big pair of swinging balls.

Pao was suddenly flushed

She looked away feeling a lot like a tiny snack for this giant devil.

Xander turned away and jumped out of the window and into the night air

Stretching in the wind and spreading his entire body, his massive wings catching the breeze without a flutter.  Pao sees his wings looked a lot like  batman's cape only made of his flesh.

This dark angel hovered in front of the hospital window, the wind caught his hair and Pao could see his face.

His eyes had changed; they were all red.  His irises were thin black rings dots around black dots for pupils. But his face was gentle and solemn. Xander usually looked intense and kinda mean.

To Pao this was like looking at the true face of Xander based on his personality.

if he had aged past his teens.

this was the face of the man Xander could have become. Menacing but handsome she thought.

maybe this who Xander truly is in the flesh.

Xander spoke and it was him but, also it sounded like a couple other strange creatures. It wasn't very harmonious and together the voices were jarring and spooky.

"Be brave now. find your fear where it hides and kill it, burn it with your flames, eat it with your fangs"

Pao covered her ears but she could still hear his words.

The monstrous voice rattled her body, and why the hell did it continue to echo so horribly? Her own thoughts barely surfaced from under deep waves of simple agony.

Pao held her head as the voices tumbled in her mind, tormenting her relentlessly. She felt like busting her head open on something to get voices out.

“Oooh!” she cried miserably.

The voices reverberated inside her mind echoing over and over, no escaping them, it was maddening.

She felt her sanity slipping, twisting, spiraling, warping.

Her world darkened to black and in her heat she saw flashes of colorful lights push and pop in and out of existence.

Pao was on fire with passion. All she wanted to do was fuck, fight, and feast! To rage on burning like an infernal maelstrom. Her tongue rummaged around in her mouth feeling her teeth loosen as they all began to fall out of her gums. Soon a mouth full of rattling teeth is what she had and it was a pleasure to spit them on the floor in a pool of bloody saliva. Fangs grew from the bleeding canals of her gums and she ran her tongue behind them.

The reverb intensified in Pao's mind, the voices were getting louder somehow and visceral agony having hugged beyond comprehension was redefining itself as crazed carnal pleasure.

The nose began to feel energizing, it was making her needy.

Feeling the vibration jangled her bones stimulating her so much it made her cum. She wanted to stretch. It would feel so good to stretch herself out!  The night got darker, the lights flickered and the power went out.

She stretched more and her body burned hotter, she felt stronger, more powerful, still she lusted for more! She wanted to come out of her skin! She felt her muscles ripping their her fleshy fibers tightening as the swelled with new mass, her breast swelled and grew larger. Her back cracked and split open giving her the precarious feeling of growing another pair of arms, to her pleasure, she had!

Her new arms cupped her large new bare breasts, her fingers first flicking then covering her exposed nipples. Her body was aroused, she needed to stretch more, this room was getting too small!

Crawling on her hands and knees to the window and having a look at her own reflection, not really recognizing the blue goddess with four slashes of monolid peepers .

Then in a proud boast she turned and leaped out the window having no wings she remained fearless and allowed the cool air to caress her hot naked body. She spread her legs, swells as her four arms, igniting into a ball of black flames and launching herself into the night sky, a high speed blazing hot dark star, a streaking queen of fiends!

Xander had flown far ahead of Pao before she could finish her transformation. He could feel the form she had taken. She was unbridled passion and heat.

Feeling and knowing she was lusting for him, he didn't wait for her to catch up; he didn't have time to indulge her basic instincts now.

No, Xander needed her to follow. We have work to do and in her new form she wouldn't need his protection. The Wolves would be butchered

and the Witch would be smart enough to keep away lest she be burned alive in black hell fire.

Thinking in this form was easy, logical without distraction, deliberate consideration without inhibitions, the precipice of focus, simple, cold calculation.

Donna's waiting for us both at the Diner. She's delivered us things we can use. Donna is a powerful Sorceress and an even more powerful archfiend.

We will need her at the right moment to defeat whatever chaotic demon this Witch has summoned to bargain for power

Donna hasn't shown the Witch who's always watching in her glass ball what she's capable of. Donna may serve me as mother and bride but she's no pawn or mind slave like Jack.

Pao may be 23 years old but she was born again yesterday. Her eldritch power is infantile in a cosmic sense, she doesn't really know to control it and she won't revert back while she's in heat. She's gone wild with hot lust and unwieldy Neatherdark.

She won't stop until she gets what she wants.

Xander adjusted his cape like wings folding them back, his body sparked with black electric current forestry whizzed behind him as he gained speed to mach levels.

I'll need to keep my distance until I'm ready for her to change back. I can't wait too long. I want her too, and I'd best not scorn her in this state, I'm playing with fire.

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