Uninvited Guests

There is a world around us that seldom one sees. This world takes place in the shadows of the one we know. Ancient and powerful beings live in this world and take great lengths to see that their secrets are kept safe. The world of the Immortals or vampires as they are commonly known seems to have little boundaries. In every vast city there are Immortals who stalk the mortal population for sustenance and servitude and we humans know little or nothing about this. In the great cities of the world reside houses that make up the Immortal world and one house will sit at the head of power for each city answering to another that sits above them. In the great city of New York one such house is House Du’Pree and it calls the entire city its domain. From there is rules over the continent of North America and all other houses answer to them who reside there. Mortals know nothing of this and even less about whom they serve. The immortals go about their lives and we go about ours, as short as they are. But sometimes those very worlds collide and this story is only one of many about such a time…

~

Hard rain poured down onto the cold concrete sidewalks of Manhattan and outside the nightclub known as The Factory. But there stood a single person in the driving rain, David Kingston, watching and waiting. This was the hottest club here in New York City and David made his living as a paparazzi photographer, and there was no place better in the entire city to snap a few choice photos. Celebrities came and went all night long and the owners of this club were A-list celebrities in the city as well. New York papers paid top dollar these days for photos of the Du’Pree family and even more for any dirt that could be found on them. Since their return to the city from England they were the hottest gossip around and everyone was trying to get what they could about them. David had been thrown out the club three times now and the last time was not in a very dignified way. He was always thrown out the back door of the club and into the alleyway by Francine Du’Pree’s younger sister Samantha who was known for hurting photographers, some severely. Francine was a great person to shadow and take pictures of because she was not only a known little party girl but the promoter of both The Factory and their sister club in England known as Sinful. Some rumors said she even owned Sinful and was close to being named as an owner of The Factory as well soon. So she was always up to something, but she was also constantly shadowed by her younger sister all the time.

But Samantha was different entirely. She liked to stay out of the papers and liked it even less when she was mentioned in one. Samantha was a brut and had no issues with destroying film and entire cameras while assaulting photographers and journalists who didn’t make appointments to see her sisters. Last time Francine had him removed, Samantha had not only smashed David’s new digital camera with a panoptic lens but punched him in the gut for his troubles too. Lawsuits didn’t help at all either, because everyone knew better to bring one against the Du’Pree’s in New York. They almost all got thrown out of court and no one was ever successful. The last time one of David’s associates tried he was laughed at by the judge who promptly threw out the suit and then him out of his courtroom. So now here David stood in the pouring rain soaked to the skin, hoping and waiting to get a shot tonight that would help pay his rent and few other bills tonight. Things looked bleak until someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind and he turned around to see Maggie Crest looking right at him.

She smiled widely while shaking her head at the same time. “You know Dave, you could get better shots inside right?” She asked in a very condescending tone.

David looked back briefly and then frowned, “Thanks for the hot tip Maggie, but I got thrown out again last night and lost my new camera to boot. I really don’t feel like getting beat up by that she-brut again, thanks”, he answered back turning towards his camera again.

She only grinned back at him and then laughed, “Well next time don’t shove a camera in Francine Du’Pree’s face and you won’t have that happen you know?”

David just laughed back at her sarcastically not looking back with. He liked Maggie but she could get on peoples nerves pretty easily these days. She was a journalist for the New York Post and for their entertainment division of the newspaper. She had thrown him a few assignments here and there, when she needed a photographer. Still she was paid by the week where David was paid by the shot and that sometimes made him angry. All he ever wanted was to be photographer but he could never find steady work and only an assignment here and there. David looked back towards the doors and waited while occasionally looking over at Maggie under her umbrella now and then.

“So is this a social call Maggie, or something else?” He asked looking away for a moment and shot her a snide look. “Time is money to me because unlike you I got paid when I work not when a gawk and bullshit.”

Maggie laughed back at his sarcastic comment. “You know Dave, you wouldn’t be busting on me if I told you why I was here.”

David looked over at her again and then listened to her instead of looking at the front doors of the club, “What do you want then before I miss a shot”, he asked her quickly?

Maggie smiled again snidely this time and then let it go, “What if I told you I need a photographer for an assignment? I need someone to take pictures while I interview the one and only Michelle Du’Pree.”

David stared back at her stunned just then, “Stop lying Maggie, you’re just not good at it and she almost never does interviews anymore, not after the Daily News torched her so bad. She went ballistic and almost sued the paper for slander. They had to print a retraction and then almost literally kiss her ass in public to make her drop that suit. I’m surprised she didn’t end up owning that paper when it was over. How could you ever get an interview with her?”

But Maggie nodded back to him and then grinned widely, “That is quite true Dave. But unlike you, I asked and then offered to make sure it was not only a very informal interview and nothing would be taken out of context either. She accepted after I signed a non-disclosure waiver and then set up a date when the club isn’t open. She’s giving me the grand tour, speaking for the first time to the press again, and even letting me take pictures which is almost never allowed at The Factory. I need a photographer for tomorrow night, you available? This is going to be a huge exclusive for the Post and I need to make sure it’s great, so you in?”

David nearly fell over because of his luck, but then he had to ask, “Maggie this is a paying gig right? Not some we’ll see how it goes first and if it’s printed, then we pay”, he shot back at her with frown.

Maggie smiled back and nearly laughed again, “Yes it’s all legit, and yes it’s going to be printed too. I’ve already got the ok from the editor and chief at the Post. So yes, you will get paid this time, and who knows if we work great together again you may get a permanent position down at the Post.”

David had heard that story before but a definite paying job was better than sitting in the rain and waiting on luck. He looked over at her then, “Do I meet you here or at the office.”

Maggie smiled and just handed him a folder, “Office, and I knew you’d say yes too Dave, see you tomorrow night at six and don’t be late”.

David took then folder from her and slid it into his camera bag, and when Maggie had left he went back to his car to dry off and go home. No need to sit in the rain with a paying job right in front of him now.

Meanwhile back at The Factory, Michelle Du’Pree sat alone in her office for a stolen moment of sanity. She was going over everything in her mind that had been going on in the last year and how her life was getting to the point of sheer frustration. Since spending almost fifty years in England in the large townhouse their family owned, she felt getting back to the city that she loved so much would help to calm her down. Michelle never liked London. It was dark, cold, and it rained all the time, not to mention she was French. She had lived with her Mistress Anneke, her beloved prodigy Zack, her two sisters Francine and Samantha and her own creator Elijah in that house for far too long. Immortals enjoyed their own kind mostly when it came to companionship, but that got out of hand sometimes. While not living in New York and under the watchful eyes of the ruling family of London and they were guests in another’s domain. So they had to keep themselves somewhat reserved. Even opening up the sister club to The Factory called Sinful had only done so much to relive the stress. When she got back to Manhattan and Anneke returned to her Long Island estate quickly things seemed to settle down a bit. Michelle was then left to watch over the city with her two sisters and her lover at her side she felt things were just beginning to take on the ways of old. How wrong could she have been?

In the first two months after their return home Michelle had granted an interview with the Daily News for a promotional piece for the club. She felt the interview went well, but when it hit the paper it was a scandal. Michelle nearly went down to their offices and killed them all but had her lawyers do the dirty work instead. She had so many lawsuits hovering over them in New York that she was going to end up owning that paper when it was over. In the end they printed a retraction, which almost never happens in a New York papaer, made a public apology to her and her family, and they had to apologize to her at the club personally. The reporter who wrote the article was fired, and then to Michelle’s delight, Zack her beloved companion made him disappear all on his own. Anneke was so mad that she forbidden any of them from speaking to the New York press anymore. Then she put Samantha in charge of security here, and finally told her any pictures that were used to hurt any of their images were her responsibility. So Samantha had been terrorizing the press and the photographers of late, much to the dismay of Francine who loved to get into the papers. She took every opportunity to have her picture taken which in turn irritated the already sullen and sometime nasty Samantha. To make matters worse with the media blackout on the family, the paparazzi had been having a campout in front of The Factory harassing them. In turn Samantha who provided security to almost all who visited the city on her extensive list of celebrity clients had been on a rampage lately terrorizing them. Now Anneke had given permission for Michelle to speak again to the press with hopes of stopping this media storm for the most prominent family in all of New York’s return. Michelle hoped this went well soon enough. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Michelle looked up as Zack entered and she smiled. He was the only source of relaxation she seemed to have anymore because he never seemed to do anything to add to her already stressful nights. She got up and wrapped her arms around her lover and smiled. The club was closing soon, and it would soon be time to go home and sleep in his arms once more.

The next evening David met Maggie out front of the downtown offices of the New York Post ready to go to work. He had his camera bag and was dressed decently to meet with the elusive Michelle Gloria Du’Pree one of Manhattan’s most reclusive celebrities as of late. Everyone who ever tried to get pictures of the raven haired bombshell always met with disappointment since she was never where anyone said she would be? Recently David himself had paid a little over seven hundred dollars trying to get club employees to tip him off to her whereabouts. Every time he thought he had a solid lead she was nowhere to be found. So after a long month of setbacks and wasted attempts to bribe club employees trying to photograph her he just gave up, which is why as of late he had turned his attention to Francine. She was easy to follow, all one had to do was just either tail her white Bentley or follow her limousine, a stretched pink Cadillac Escalade from their upper eastside apartment building on 5^th Avenue. She was a moving party and always had an entourage in tow so it was easy to locate her at a moment’s notice. Francine was the perfect Du’Pree to photograph and she even posed for the camera and sometimes blew kisses due to her demeanor or the level of alcohol in her blood. She was never far from a bottle of Kristal lately and even flaunted herself to the camera. The pictures were easy to get, but keeping them was a different story altogether because then Samantha would inevitably show up. The next thing that happened was usually the pictures taken away, threats, and then the occasional beating. Francine was never the problem. It was always her tall bitchy blond haired younger sister who was her personal security guard as of late.

Maggie walked with David down the avenue waiting to find a cab with its light on to take them to the Chelsea and their meeting with Michelle. It was a Wednesday night and everyone knew the club was closed, but Michelle was giving an exclusive interview that she had the right to pull the plug on any time she wanted. So for tonight, the club would be empty according to Michelle and Maggie along with David for photographs. They were invited to New York’s most famous and well known night club where photography of any type was strictly forbidden normally inside the club and so were reporters as well. No one was allowed to harass the long list of celebrities that frequented New York’s most famous night club since Studio 54. So as Maggie hailed a cab David went about making sure all his equipment was ready to go. She turned to him as the cab stopped and he opened the door for her.

“Dave, I want you to promise me that you won’t try anything stupid, or take pictures when you are told not to. This interview means everything to me and should help to maybe make me into something more than an entertainment reporter. Michelle has the right to end the interview at anytime, take any film or pictures you’ve shot, and then throw us out of the club. So don’t irritate her please. It took me close to two months to get this interview and I mean for it to be an exclusive, the likes of which no paper has been able to get as of yet. So please leave that sneaky paparazzi shit at the door and act professional.”

David got into the cab and looked over at Maggie as he shut the door, “Look I‘m not going to screw up anything. If this article gets me out of the hole I’m in, and I get paid for photos, then alls fine with me. I need a steady job not a onetime big score then back to looking for that next amazing shot. You point at it and I shoot it agreed”, he said back.

Maggie nodded and had told the cabbie where to go and silently looked out the window as they made their way over to the club. She thumbed through her notes and made some last minute changes to her questions for Michelle. She then looked up at David again with a grin.

“If this interview goes as planned and everything goes smoothly then we both might not be looking for good steady work for very long. Michelle has had a closed door policy to reporters for almost nine months since their return from London and the Daily News debacle. She’s giving the Post the exclusive, and if we both play our cards right we may be doing exclusives for her for a long time too. So let’s just be pros ok and make this work.”

David didn’t answer but looked over his gear again making sure he had everything he needed, letting Maggie go back to her notebook and check her digital voice recorder.

The cab pulled up to a dark an empty night club but the light was on at the front door giving the place an eerie look. This was Manhattans most posh and famous night club and it just seemed so different dark and lifeless. Without the music from the first floor blaring, along with the constant streams of people coming and going and the long lines of those waiting and hoping to get in, it looked ominous and cold. Maggie walked up to the door and was met by Samantha, of all people, and David cringed a little. The last time he had seen her he was being tossed into a pile of garbage cans as a broken camera nearly hit him in the head. As Maggie walked up to her she scowled, and David tried to walk past without her looking at him. But then she grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him to face her. Her grip was like iron as she looked him right in the eyes then scowled and David swore she was going to growl at him any second. Her icy blue eyes opened wide as she flipped her long hair out of her face and leveled her gaze at him. Samantha was tall for a woman and she easily looked at him with a level gaze but as beautiful and shapely as she was she seemed like she was going to tear him apart.

“You, I threw you out of here two nights ago didn’t I, for harassing my sister, didn’t I?” She said loudly and then she shook David a little. Samantha then turned to look at Maggie and the wrath in her eyes was evident. “This interview is over before it started since you brought this slug with you, get them out of here!” She said back scowling at both of them and her long black leather overcoat fluttered in the breeze as she turned.

Maggie turned to say something but was cut off quickly by a cool and calm voice from the blackness of the club’s foyer.

“Samantha, please calm yourself and relax a little. I gave our reporter friends here a chance at an interview. Let us not be so hasty and just end it because you do not like the photographer. Come to think of it you don’t like any photographers or reporters for that matter lately, so please let him in.” The soft voice called out from the swirling blackness inside.

Out of the shadows stepped Michelle Du’Pree in a long black leather coat, with scarlet pants and black high stiletto boots, her hair perfectly kept, and her perfect alabaster skin glowing in the low lights. As she walked towards them her boots made small clicks on the hard marble floors of the foyer and then on the concrete out front of the club. Next out stepped a tall but thin man behind her with his long grayish blond hair along with his perfect skin showing in the moonlight as well and he wore dark wire framed glasses, and a long over coat as well. His pants and shoes were almost visible and his footsteps made not a sound on the floors. Finally out stepped Francine in her normal regalia as of late. Her white blouse, short cut leather jacket, and her tight tan pants, along with open toed shoes making the same sound on the floors as Michelle’s did. Francine wore her curly strawberry blond loose tonight, and the amount of gold and diamonds she donned was astonishing as always. She then looked at David and smiled.

“Ah, it’s my little paparazzi that loves to photograph me, and then get beat up by my sister”, she said in a melodic but sarcastic tone. “Have you come here again to try to sneak a few more photos of me, hmm? As flattering as that is I really have become bored of watching my sister Samantha beat the hell out of you lately, as amusing as it has been”, she said with a laugh but a scowl at the same time.

David only smiled as Francine just flashed him an annoyed look. Michelle walked towards them a little more and fixed her gaze on Maggie then.

“I have granted your request for an interview but do not insult my hospitality or my family at all”. She then began to wave a finger in front of her. “One slip and this is over, and all the tape, photographs, and story becomes mine. I will also call your editor over at the Post and have you fired so make sure this is done legit. I am in no mood tonight at all for games. Wednesdays are quite busy here and we all have a lot of work to do, but we are making time for this. So do not turn it into a waste of time for both of us”. Michelle then looked over at David as Samantha roughly let him go then pointed at him. “That goes double for you and if you violate my trust I will make sure you will be the sorriest you have ever been. Trust me I have ways to make garbage like you suffer”, she said with vicious glare.

With that Michelle turned and walked back into the club and everyone followed her. But David made sure to keep his distance from Samantha who just watched him and looked like she would to kill him for the slightest reason.

Inside the dark nightclub, Michelle started some light music throughout the floors as the doors shut and locked again. She walked with them up to the fifth floor known as “The Lounge” of the newly renovated Factory and had set a place to start the interview. Francine would also be speaking with Maggie about upcoming events and the direction The Factory was taking since she was the promoter. Samantha watched from the distance and Maggie and David found out the lone man that had accompanied Michelle was her brother Zackarais. He stayed right behind the sofa they were sitting on and watched as Maggie sat in a plush chair to begin her interview with them. As an entertainment reporter she started with basic questions and got more complex as they continued. Michelle answered them quickly while sipping at her glass of cognac and Francine had her customary glass of Kristal as well as a bottle on ice in front of her. She had offered a glass to Maggie but she had declined at first but took a small glass as the interview continued. David shot pictures of the fifth floor lounge and then the two sisters who had all but cornered the market on nighttime entrainment in Manhattan. Michelle and Francine were gorgeous as usual and seemed to enjoy posing for the camera for David. Still when he asked that their sister and brother join the photo Michelle shook her head and said no. Samantha’s business in security business for the family wouldn’t permit it and Zack was a silent owner of the club and worked mostly with the exclusive Viper’s Club only. The private club here at The Factory that was a mystery to everyone.

Next, came the grand tour of all the rooms at The Factory while Maggie asked more questions. Francine answered most of them since she knew most of the upcoming events here and the big promotions. When they got to the fourth floor, Michelle turned on the lights to the live venue arena simply called “The Hall”. Here there was enough room to easily have a small concert and the acts were booked by Michelle herself. No small bands played here and the likes of the upcoming ones shocked both Maggie and David. The bands she had named could easily sell out Madison Square Garden for three nights, but they all played one or two shows here due to the modern acoustics and the sound the small arena offered. Next, was the third floor and the most famous room at The Factory, “The Rave Room” was known as the place to be on Saturday nights in the city. Michelle walked in and started the room up for pictures like she did for the fourth floor and Techno blasted out of the speakers. The floor of the room came to life as the beat controlled the laser light show and lit up the floor in an array of colors like a kaleidoscope. Michelle then showed them the all new five million dollar sound system here in the Rave Room, only the top DJ’s in the city performed here.

Next, was the second floor and the bar was new and completely made of glass. The new floor here had a diamond look to it and from the ceiling the lights created a prism like look on the floor. This room was only completed a year ago and the new “Diamond Room” was for VIP’s only, and it was created to give space to the celebrities and the wealthy that could buy their way onto the lists. Live acts could play here as well as DJ’s but the room was mainly used as an upscale party area and could be rented for private affairs as well. That was if you afford the deposit of a half a million dollars to secure it. Finally there was the first floor and the normal club setting called “Crystal Ship” it was so newly renovated it was the most modern club in all of Manhattan. This was the first room of the legendary Factory and it looked brand new and dark carpets, new rose quartz dance floor, and a new black marble bar serving only the finest liquor and drinks. The new brushed steel chairs and tables with frosted glass for tops gave it that ultra modern look. Still the new wall covers with frosted glass and mirrors gave the room a crystal like look making it very inviting. Not to mention every room had a VIP section said for the second floor which was for VIP’s only.

Finally, the foyer had new marble floors, mirrored walls, prism glass, and dark wooden panels that made it look inviting, but the new spiral staircase of glass and marble with the new glass elevator in the middle of the spiral stairs made it look unbelievable. Then there were the stairs in the far corner and the velvet ropes of the legendary Viper’s Club. Maggie walked towards the ropes but Zack stopped her and turned her back towards the foyer.

“I’m sorry Miss Crest but the Viper’s club is off limits even for this interview”, he said quickly showing her away from the velvet ropes.

Maggie then looked back at Michelle as she walked up from behind her visible upset. “Michelle you said all access to The Factory. Why not that room?”

Michelle looked over at her and laughed a little. “You saw the entire club and the Viper’s Club is separate from the club. I am sorry, but Zack is right.”

Maggie looked over at Francine then. “So what’s with the mysterious Viper’s Club that it has to be kept a secret? No one knows how to get a membership, and almost no guest invitations are ever given out anymore? What gives here?”

Francine only laughed at her question. “That is one of the allures of The Factory you see. Everyone comes here with a hope to be invited and then join the after party at a private location. It’s an exclusive club though and we like it that way. It’s Zack’s rule though. Ask him if he’s willing to tell you”. She answered with a sly smile.

Then Maggie turned towards Zack who just gave a small grin as Michelle laughed out loud again. Maggie began to ask a question but Michelle cut her off quickly.

“I have been very forthcoming with you, but the Viper’s Club is off limits and even now we have members down there that would not enjoy the intrusion. Let’s just call it what it is, an exclusive club that has its own set of rules. Sorry, but it is off limits. Now, if you would follow me to the reception room we can conclude the interview and my sister and I will look over the photos and see if we like them. Come, there will be refreshments for all of us.”

Maggie walked away but just looked back at the velvet ropes. She was going to get the dirt on that place one way or another even if she had to join the club itself to do so. Still, she followed all of them to the reception room which was a medium sized room with a coat check and a few places to sit comfortably. Drinks were brought but still Maggie was curious about the exclusive Viper’s Club shroud of mystery.

The interview went quite well and Michelle was more than pleasant, unlike everyone else who had told her at the office about her being an overbearing bitch. Michelle handed them all glasses of champagne and looked over David’s pictures, mostly with approval but asked for a few to be deleted since they showed more than she was willing to share. Still, Maggie’s curiosity was getting the better of her and she just had to ask.

“How does one go about getting a membership to the Viper’s Club may I ask?”

Michelle turned to look but Francine just smiled and spoke first. “Well, well aren’t we the curious one? It’s not that easy it’s more like an invitation from an existing member, then a little bit of a social change, followed by secrecy when it’s all done. You have to be invited, but first you have to find a member who is willing to do just that. Then maybe you can become a member of our private little club”, she said with a wide grin.

Maggie looked to Michelle but she smiled back at her. “What can I say? Francine is very right and that club is off limits unless you find an existing member to invite you first.”

Maggie then looked at all of them grinning. “So you all must be members, so invite me!”

Zack burst out laughing and then Michelle followed suit. Suddenly Francine began to giggle and then even Samantha began to laugh at the absurdity of her remark. But Zack was the first to calm though.

“Miss Crest, I don’t mean to laugh but it’s just not like that. Someone has to invite you. You cannot ask to be invited! Can you see the difference at all?” She looked over at him and frowned as Zack walked over to her. “Invites are rare, and we hardly ever do”, he continued on. “But who knows if you find someone who is willing, then you’re welcome to join but don’t get your hopes up. Besides it is just another room in the club here and nothing special at all. It’s just a group of friends who like their privacy and such.”

Maggie wasn’t too sure and felt like they were hiding something of great interest. Now she was even more determined to find out.

Once Maggie and David had left The Factory and the cab showed up which Zack had called them. She stepped into it silently and David followed her. He was all smiles but Maggie was withdrawn as the cab pulled away.

David then stared back at her with a curious look. “Maggie what gives? You just got one of the toughest interviews in the entire city and you aren’t happy?”

Maggie looked over at him and then frowned. “No, I was promised all access and Michelle never told me the Viper’s Club was off limits. It was to be the cornerstone of my interview and later exposé about The Factory and all of its little mysteries. I just lost out on the best part of this story and now I have to go back and see if I can get this printed without it since my editor is expecting it too. What am I going to do now Dave?” She said with a low sigh and frown. “Go back there and just tell him, ‘oh well’? I’m going to get this story tanked for sure. I know it.”

David looked back at her shocked a little. “C’mon Maggie are you kidding me Michelle hasn’t given an interview for almost a year and you get it. Isn’t that enough for your editor?”

Maggie smirked back at him but shook her head. “Probably, but this is only half the story here. No one has seen the inside of the Viper’s Club outside their little group ever. That was going to be a big part of the story and now I just lost it.”

David looked over at her and grinned again. “How good are the lawyers at the Post? I need to know and I hope better than Daily News.”

Maggie looked back at him curiously then. “Why? What’s going on inside that crazy head of yours Dave?”

He only smiled back as he looked at her and then lowered his tone. “We’ll get the story, but I’ll have to use my sneaky tactics that you loath so much. You tried it your way and got nothing. Let’s try it my way and see what we can get. Meet me at The Factory early before it opens tomorrow and dress very nice. You just became my date and we’ll see what we can get on a hectic night at that club.”

Maggie wasn’t too sure but then she thought about it. But if she broke this story and even if the Post wouldn’t print it there were a few magazines that definitely would. This could take the both of them out of the background of reporting and put them to the forefront in Manhattan. She looked over at him then and grinned then. “I’ll see you then and I just hope the little stunt we are about to pull will not land us in too much trouble?”

David smirked back as the cab pulled up to downtown offices at The New York Post. He helped her out of the car and then smiled. “Ok then, see you tomorrow night and make sure you’re ready. I’ve got a good plan”.

Maggie started to ask but David just got back in the cab and it left. She watched it go and then turned to leave and submit what they had already but suddenly she got a grave cold chill down her spine.

David met Maggie at about an hour before the club opened and to her surprise he was dressed very nice. She walked over to him in her tight little dress and her heels on and looked at him with a sly smile. “So you said you have a plan. Tell me”. She said to him curiously.

He just grinned back to her as he walked with her. “Well as you know I’ve been tossed from this place plenty of times before. So what’s one more right”? He said and then handed Maggie a small camera and told her where to hide it. Next he took out a larger one and put it in her purse and then they began to walk towards the front doors. “We are going in there and I’m going to at some point attempt to get a picture of Francine in the Diamond Room. So when I do head for the Viper’s Club entrance and wait there. Last time I got tossed, Samantha had almost all of the security guards escort me to the back doors. There’s your chance, slip into the Viper’s Club and look around. While you’re there snap a few pictures and then get out of there. There you go and you have your story. But don’t take too long down there or the guard will come back and you’ll lose all you got, not to mention join me in a pile of garbage out back. So, in and out and meet me back where we met up tonight, ok?”

Maggie shook her head and stopped walking for a moment. “It won’t work Dave. What if they think you may have an accomplice? They won’t pull the guard then.”

But David shook his head and began walking again. “Maggie, I’m a paparazzi photographer and we never work together. We’d rather work alone most of the time and not help our colleagues at all. They will never suspect an accomplice at all. Trust me.”

Maggie wasn’t too sure but they were close to the front doors now and almost to the front of the line. They had gotten here early enough and were almost guaranteed to get in. This might be her only chance to get this story. She quickly checked the small camera between her breasts and walked up behind David. He had already slipped the camera out of her purse after the bouncers looked in it. He had done this before and she smiled. But still Maggie couldn’t shake the feeling that this would end badly for both of them.

The night wore on and David and Maggie went about just trying to look like they were nothing more than club patrons while staying away from the Du’Pree’s at all costs. Both of them had just finished a long interview with them and if they were seen it was over before Maggie got her shot. As the night progressed on David walked up to Maggie and whispered in her ear.

“It’s time you know”, he said. “Go to the Viper’s club entrance and stay out of sight. Francine and her little entourage are now living it up in the Diamond Room. I’m going to sneak in there and then snap a few shots. When you see me being escorted down I’ll make a break for it and the security will grab me again. There’s your shot to get into the Viper’s Club and head right down. Just remember, you’ve got five minutes tops before the guard gets back, so be out of there before then.”

Maggie nodded and walked down towards the Viper’s Club as David took out the hidden camera and looked at the doorway to the Diamond Room. He walked toward the doorway and just waited a minute till a large amount of people walked up and showed their VIP cards. David blended into their little group and slipped inside with all of them. Once he was inside he sat down quickly and waited out of sight. The little brat was at it again and now with all of her friends joining her, she nearly controlled the entire room. He felt Maggie should be ready so he swallowed hard and just stood up. He made his way slowly over to where Francine was just lounging with her little entourage. He turned his back, set the camera and exhaled slowly.

“She better get the pictures and the story for the beating I’m about to get”. He thought to himself as he checked the shutter speed. David whirled around as he yelled out loudly then. “Hey Francine, smile”, he called out and aimed his camera.

The flash went off as she not only smiled, but grabbed her breasts in a very provocative manner as well and nearly bent over for him. David began to head for the door but was quickly tackled by a security guard. Then up walked Samantha who grabbed him by the hair and stood him up as she snatched the camera from his hand.

She looked down then scowled like an angry shark, “Well hello again, and didn’t we have a nice chat about this last time”? She asked, then looked at the other three guards rushing in. “Get this sack of shit out of here this instant and out the back doors”, she said loudly.

Everyone in the room applauded as Samantha bowed in response. David was then led out and towards the stairs with Samantha behind him, his camera in her hand. Suddenly, just as he had planned he shook free of the guards and made a break for the front door but two other guards grabbed him in the foyer and tackled him again. Samantha walked down the stairs laughing at him and had him stood up. From the corner of his eye he watched as Maggie darted towards the Viper’s Club and rushed down the stairs. Samantha then grabbed him by the back of the neck and pushed him towards the back of the building. David had gone this way before. It led to the alley right between the club and the next building. He then began to believe this wasn’t going to be pleasant at all but it could be all worth it very soon.

Moments later Samantha told the guards to wait near the back doors and she said she wouldn’t be long. Then she shoved David though the doors and out into the alley. He fell to the wet grimy ground in the alley as he heard the doors close and then footsteps from her boots slowly coming towards him. As he began to get up a camera sailed past his head and smashed into the wall of the alley showering the ground with parts and plastic.

Samantha continued to walk slowly towards him slowly. “David, I must ask, are you out of cameras by now? What is that six I’ve smashed on you so far? Are you ever going to get bored with this anytime soon, because I am getting sick and tired of throwing you out and then doing this?” She said drawing closer to him in almost absolute silence.

Faster than David could react a fist slammed right into his gut and he went down in a heap. He was shocked how hard she had hit him actually. Before he could look up though there was a sharp pain in his hand and he looked over as Samantha’s heel from her boot was grinding into it. She glared down with a wicked smile on her perfect lips.

“Maybe you should find another line of work, like photographing kiddies at the mini mall. You’re just not good at this you know?” She said looking down at him and stepping hard on his hand as she took another step.

Then her other foot slammed into his ribs and he flipped over and landed on his back coughing and wheezing. Samantha reached down then stood him up again and then turned him a little and grinned once more.

“Do yourself a favor, don’t come back here ever.” She said brushing off his coat a little.

Then she spun on her heels, but before he even saw it the heel of her boot slammed into his head and sent him into the trash cans. He looked around a little stunned but then felt a slap as he almost passed out. The last thing he saw was the barrel of a pistol in his face. He tried to speak but was slapped again harder this time.

“Next time I ever see you here I will kill you for stalking my sister, do you understand”? Samantha said to him as her eyes blazed in anger. “As of now you are being reported to the police by my firm as a stalker of my family. It will be in my rights to shoot you if I see you again. Good night and enjoy your stay in the filth you pile of garbage, but remember this little conversation the next time you think about coming here.”

Samantha let him go but slammed his head off the ground and David passed out. The last noise heard was the doors of the club closing and locking in the alleyway.

Back in the club, Maggie walked slowly down to the Viper’s Club and hoped David would be alright with what Samantha was going to do to him. She was genuinely worried about him but she had to try and keep a level head too. She reached in between her breasts and pulled out the mini-camera and came to a partition at the bottom of the stairs. It was carved into the dark wood was an Ankh and a few other symbols that didn’t make sense. There was a t-intersection and everything was so dark here and hardly lit at all. She could see a door at the end of each hall, but from around the partition was where the most noise was coming from. Maggie straightened herself and walked around the partition and into a large room. It was barely lit at all and the walls were a dark earth tone color that helped to keep it that way. In the far corner was a bar and all throughout the room were tables and chairs all looking expensive and very comfortable. Near the far wall were large couches and love seats around low tables and a lot of people were congregated there. On the other side there was a small but loud music set up playing hard rock and Maggie walked in and onto the thick, expensive black carpets. As she walked, people looked at her and then away and Maggie tried not to stare or make any eye contact. As she got closer to the bar, she noticed the noise from her footsteps and looked down to see the floor had changed to black marble. As she made her way to the bar the bartender turned away but then she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned. An average sized woman looked at her and then frowned. She had long brown curly hair and then Maggie noticed her.

She started to speak but her voice trembled, so much. “Oh…oh my god, you’re… you’re… Sophie Trelin… and you’re supposed to be… dead.”

Sophie narrowed her gaze at her and her frown began to fade slowly. “And what pray tell would have given you that idea? I don’t look dead, do I?”

Maggie swallowed hard and then cleared her throat. “It’s because I covered your funeral for the entertainment section of the New York Post. You were the owner of Crimson Records and you’re company is one of the wealthiest in the city!”

Sophie just laughed and then Maggie saw what she thought was long sharp teeth. Suddenly from the other side there was another tap at her shoulder. Maggie began to look but only got grabbed by the throat and looked into Michelle’s deep blue eyes.

“Foolish mortal, you were warned and now you know too much! You should have left it alone, but I knew you never would”, she growled in rage back at her.

Sophie kicked Maggie’s feet out from under her and she fell to the ground in a sitting position as Michelle dragged her to the corner and tossed her to the ground. From around the corner came Francine and she smiled and when she did she hissed low and her teeth grew into long fangs right in front of Maggie eyes. She looked to Michelle but to her horror she watched her fingernails grow into long curved claws and then she wrapped her hand around her throat again. Maggie felt their razor sharp edges and then tried to speak but Michelle only tightened her grip. Francine then walked towards her and put her foot right on Maggie’s chest to keep her pinned down.

“Sister may I please, as you know I enjoy both sexes so much and she seems my type.” Francine said grinning with long fangs where her incisors should have been.

Michelle looked up at Francine but just hissed and then she looked over scowling at Maggie. “She’s a reporter what are we to do if she just disappears here!”

Sophie just frowned too and knelt next to her. “I can fix this if you want Michelle and since it was I that was discovered it is my right to do so.”

Michelle smiled back at her friend and loosened her grip on Maggie. “She’s all yours Sophie, but if she causes any more trouble it is your responsibility too.” She then grabbed Maggie’s hair and turned her head to face her. “Goodbye mortal. You should have left this alone. Now see what you have done?” Michelle gave her a light slap on the cheek and began to laugh as she watched Sophie’s fangs extend and then look at Maggie.

Maggie tried to speak but Francine put more force on her chest. Then from where Sophie was kneeling there was a pinch at her neck and something warm and sticky rolled down her skin. Her eyes rolled as they closed and she let out a small sigh of delight. The last thing Maggie remembered was Michelle had let go of her and someone was grabbing her and forcing her to the floor. She felt darkness close in around her as her body was flooded with waves of pleasure. She felt herself go limp and exhaled slowly as her world went black.

Back in the alleyway behind The Factory; David came to in about a half hour because it had begun to rain again. He rolled out of the garbage piles and shook his head a little. Then he looked around and tried to remember what had happened but as he shook his head again his jaw throbbed as did his cheek. Then he remembered, for the most part. Samantha had beaten the hell out of him and then left him unconscious in the alley. She had even threatened his life at gun point and told him not to come back again or she would shoot him for stalking her family. David looked around and saw what was left of his latest camera and picked up a piece of it. He pried the door open but the memory card was gone. He tossed the camera to the ground and started to get up.

“Fucking bitch could have at least let me have the pictures for the ass kicking I just took”, he said as he groaned again from the pain in his head.

As David got up he looked at his watch and nearly screamed. He had been out for almost thirty minutes since he had last seen Maggie. She had to be waiting for him by now and hopefully she got the pictures. Maybe he could get some pay-back on that rotten bitch for his latest broken camera and the beating. David stood up but as he did his left hand burned in pain, he looked down and saw a welt and then remembered that bitch’s heeled boot on his hand after she had kicked him in the face. But David didn’t care about that right now though and ran out of the alley to find Maggie quickly. If Samantha could be this ruthless then god only knew what the rest of her family was capable of.

Moments later, David ran down the block and across the street to where they had met up before and looked around, but she wasn’t there. He looked down at his watch and it was way past the time they were supposed to meet. He took out his cell phone and breathed a sigh of relief that it still worked. He dialed Maggie’s number but it only rang until it hit voicemail. He hung up and tried again. This time on the fifth ring someone picked up, but the voice on the phone sounded like Francine Du’Pree. He hung up the phone confused and then it came to him. Maggie was caught in the Viper’s Club and Francine must have caught her and answered the phone. But how did she get down there so fast, the elevator went up from the Viper’s club but never went down to it as far as he knew. She would’ve had to have walked down with her sister but he never saw her. David looked at his cell phone again and then checked the number. It was Maggie’s all right but Francine or who he thought was Francine had answered it. He dialed 911 but didn’t hit send. Who would believe him anyway? He was a known paparazzi photographer who would use almost about anything to get a picture, even the cops if he had to. Besides if he showed up and Samantha told the police he was in the club earlier and accosted Francine and was escorted out, he could be arrested. David had to think this out and think it through, besides they couldn’t hold Maggie forever she would have to be let go sooner or later, right?

The next morning David woke up just a little after eleven after he had passed out from exhaustion and pain. He had waited outside the club and had even seen the Du’Pree family limo leaving the club and watched the lights go out. Still there was no sign of Maggie so she was either still trapped in the club or they had let her go before. Maybe they had called the police while he was out in the alley and Maggie was in custody. David knew there was nothing he could do so he walked back to his apartment near midtown and fell asleep with his phone and his cell phone next to him waiting. He was waiting on calls that never came and when he woke up after a little less than four hours of sleep, he had no new messages and not even a new caller ID. David tried Maggie’s cell phone from his home phone but no one answered now. So after his third attempt he gave up. He sat on the edge of his bed and went over the night’s events and how badly they had gone. Worse yet, he had no idea of Maggie’s whereabouts and even worse it was his fault for sending her down there. He should have just let it go. But no, it was a story and a way to get back at Samantha Du’Pree for all the trouble she had caused him lately. David thought it would be so funny to watch her older sister and brother go completely insane over the idea that their little exclusive club was exposed and it was all her fault. Now Maggie was gone and David had no way to contact her. He sat there and began to think when an idea came to him. What if Francine only had her cell phone and not her? What if she had gotten away but lost her phone? She would be at her office? Where else to submit this story to her editor? Besides, he had no other options. He stood up and threw on some fresh clothes and gathered the last camera he owned. This might work out for the best he began to think as he walked down to the ground level of his place and hailed a cab. He had to get to Maggie’s downtown office before she either left for the day or thought he was hurt after his latest run in with Samantha.

David made it to the downtown offices of the New York Post in a little less than an hour, not to bad for the city near noon but only going twelve blocks on Friday. He walked in and asked to speak to Maggie Crest right away and was a little unnerved when he was sent directly to her editor’s office instead of hers. He sat down as a short man with a very bad toupee sat down and looked right at him. Barry threw a folder on the desk and then slammed his fist on it.

“That was just about to be printed in the Saturday edition and guess what. Now it’s not! You want to know why, you piece of shit?”

David looked down at the folder and it was Maggie’s original story and then looked up at him again with a frown. “Why? I’m asking?”

Barry looked back at him and nearly grinding his teeth. “Why, because I just got my ass chewed off by a lawyer for the Du’Pree family, that’s why! Michelle herself wants the story pulled, everything destroyed, and every photo returned to her in 24 hours! Yes, one fucking day and guess what hot shot? You really want to know the reason for that?” David tried to speak again but he cut him off quickly. “Save it asshole! She wants all of it back because two idiots ruined a big promotion at her club last night in their VIP room and I would bet money that it was you who tried to snap a picture of Francine Du’Pree in there. He said you traumatized her! Then later they had a break-in in one of their rooms and caught a thief. They handed her over to the police, and Maggie Crest your little friend is nowhere to be seen! Do me a favor, take yourself out of my office before I wring your neck! Also, tell Maggie Crest when she gets out of jail she’s fired! I just hope I’m not dealing with a repeat problem like the Daily News had and have to fend off a lawsuit because of you two morons!” David again began to speak but Barry only hit the desk again harder this time. “Out, and don’t come back here ever, looking for money, for photos, or for work! I need either of you like I need a staph infection, get out”, he yelled back nearly seething with rage.

David shut the door and knew something was up. He never saw a cop car and, if they had been called they would have arrested him in the alley too. Why would Samantha have one of them arrested and leave the other in a dirty alley for later. And Francine traumatized by his photos? She had practically posed for them. Something didn’t make sense and David meant to find out what. As he walked past Maggie’s office he watched as her name was scraped off the glass door. He looked up at the janitor doing it.

“Mind if I take a quick look”, he asked? “Maggie had a few things of mine and if she’s gone I want them back.”

The janitor looked at him and then shook his head. “Be quick and get out fast. I’m going to get some coffee.” He said back walking from the door.

David rushed in and looked around the desk and found Maggie’s Personal Data Assistant. He pocketed it and then found a spare ring of keys and took them as well rushing out of her office. Maybe she was home, and with her PDA he had her home address and her number too.

Just to make sure David stopped at Police Plaza which was a complete waste of time. As he walked out of the building in downtown for central processing there had been no record of a Maggie Crest brought in last night or early this morning. Actually there were no units sent to The Factory last night at all. The Desk Sergeant, who happened to be an old friend, said it had been a quiet night over there. He told him a unit a night was sent there usually to remove rowdy drunken patron being thrown of New York’s most popular night club, but none last night. David had asked him a few more questions but had only found out they always had a unit in the area due to the frequency of the calls and the club being owned by the Du’Pree’s so one would have responded quickly. Besides the Du’Pree’s were friends of the Mayor and big contributors of his city beautification program so they always watched over them. So David knew that the Du’Pree’s were lying and only hoped that they had just threatened Maggie and then took her home and she was so scared she never even left. Next stop was Maggie’s place anyway since David had her PDA and her home address. He walked down the Avenue towards the subway station quickly hoping to catch Maggie at home and before she went to her office to get the bad news about her job. He felt completely responsible over her getting fired and had to try to break this to her the easy way.

A little while later David arrived close to midtown in a little less than an hour and walked up to Maggie’s place. He buzzed the door but got no response at all. He tried again but still there was no response from the intercom. He checked the front doors since it was early enough and found them open for a change. His apartment building never left the doors open and he would have had to play a dirty trick on someone to get in if they weren’t. He walked in and quickly made is his way over to the mailboxes. He found Maggie’s name and her apartment number, and then he got an idea. Checking the key ring he had taken, he opened up her mailbox and took out her mail from today realizing she had yet to come down for it. So she may be home right now. To his surprise she had a lot of bills so she wasn’t lying either about needed to find a good job. She seemed to be in trouble too. He slid the mail back into the box and relocked it. No need to show up at Maggie’s front door having to explain why he had her mail. He walked down the hall from the mailboxes and found the elevator that would take him up to the fourth floor where she lived. He stepped out into the hall a few minutes later and looked at the apartment number in front of him and then turned to the left to find 5d. It was the second to last door on the left. He knocked first but there was no response. The paper had been left out front and still in the bag at front of the door. He knocked again and then tried the doorknob but it was locked as he thought it would be. He took out the key ring and tried a few and it opened on the fifth one. Slowly he turned the doorknob and opened the door quietly and walked into a dark apartment. David called out for Maggie but got no response. He felt along the clean walls for a switch. He found one and to his surprise when he flipped on the lights the apartment was empty. Nothing was in here at all. There was no furniture no nothing it was like no one lived here. He walked from room to room opening kitchen cabinets, and looking in closets but nothing was here. The only indication that Maggie Crest lived here was the mail in the box and the newspaper out front. He walked towards the front door and snatched up the paper and took it inside but inside the bag was a notice of finally copy, her subscription was canceled. Even the newspaper wasn’t really supposed to be here, it was the New York Post, of course. David opened it and began to thumb through the paper to see if anything turned up but there was nothing. Maggie had simply disappeared and he began to think of who was responsible and why. Then he realized he was just as responsible as they were since he had talked Maggie into last night’s stupid stunt that had cost her everything. The least he could do was try to find her before something really did happen to her.

David left the empty apartment and walked out of the building. He wanted to question the superintendent but he wasn’t in the building right now so he just left. Probably would be another dead end anyway so he walked down the avenue. It was getting late now a little past five in the evening. It was Friday night and the club would be packed soon. He might be able to slip inside and find Maggie but then he remembered Samantha’s threat. She would kill him if she saw him there again, so he felt he needed do a few things first. He looked down at his Minolta Maxxum 7D. The camera was worth a few grand with the lens attachment he had, but he needed cash right now. He walked into one of the few pawn shops around and was able to hock the camera for three grand even though it was worth close to five. Still he needed the cash. He had to take a little trip uptown and hoped Cameron was still where he always was on a Friday night. As David hailed a cab to take him uptown to the high hundreds, that only meant Harlem at night. He hoped he wasn’t going to end up worse for wear. That part of town wasn’t too friendly and he was taking a big risk going there.

Later David arrived at about 148^th Street a little after seven in the evening and it was already dark outside. He walked up to a large apartment project that looked like it was going to fall down. He was stopped at the door by two huge thugs and was immediately grabbed from behind. No one said a word but then David heard the sound of a switchblade open and the slide of a pistol pulled back as well. He looked over at the one who had originally stopped him and looked him right in the eye like Cameron had taught him long ago. The thug never backed down but David didn’t either.

“Look I don’t want trouble, I’m just a photographer and all I want is a moment of Cameron’s time, that’s all.”

The thug reared back to punch David but then someone yelled out. “Cut that shit out fool! And I know this white boy! Let him go, he’s legit! He helped to get that article about us published and out in the open. He’s got game!” Out of the dark building stepped Cameron and David was let go. “You’re lucky I was down here and not upstairs you asshole, or you may have just got yourself lit up and then dumped”, Cameron said with a grin.

David looked back at Cameron as he walked back inside and he followed him past the thugs. When they got a little further in David glanced over at him and then frowned. “I need a favor Cameron and you said I could ask if I ever needed a few because I helped you out once. You think you can help me out now? It’s not going to cost you anything but a few minutes of your time.”

Cameron stopped and turned to look at him. “I know what I said partner and yeah if you need something just ask, I’ll see what I can do.”

David pulled out a few hundred dollar bills and looked at him. “I need a gun Cameron, something light and easy to use for someone who has hardly ever used one before. I need it tonight and that’s why I came to you I don’t have time to wait.”

Cameron looked down at the cash and then laughed. “Well you came to the right motherfucker but let me ask you son, what the fuck do you need a goddamn gat for anyway”, he asked back still grinning. “Not that I don’t appreciate the business and such since I only sell guns, no drugs, and no hoes, just guns and in this city that business is pretty good but you knew that already didn’t ya?” Cameron said poking him in the chest a few times and started laughing again and not in a jovial way.

David looked back and then shook his head at Cameron’s joke. “I need a gun Cam, and I need it now and ammo too. I got to help a friend who I got into trouble and the cops won’t help at all. You know that scenario far too well, right?”

Cameron stared back at him and then stopped laughing. “You serious aren’t you? Well you have to be one crazy ass white boy, but I gotta know why? Call me curious and looking out for someone who helped me out once, not to mention my business, player.”

David didn’t have the time but then he looked up at him again. “A friend of mine disappeared and I think I know where she is, but I’m going to need a way to defend myself”, he explained to him.

David then told Cameron the entire story of what had happened, and Cameron took off his skull cap and shoved it in his pocket. He then pushed him once and then stared at him seriously. “Are you fucking nuts? You wanna fuck with the Du’Pree’s! Let me tell you something and this is straight up partner, I wouldn’t fuck with them if you gave me a fucking arsenal out of Fort Bragg! You want one gat and think you’re gonna just walk in there and they are gonna see the gun and give you what you want?” He said back staring at him intently. “I’d rather give you the gun and let you shoot it at me, fool!”

David looked at him and then took out more money. “Cameron I need a gun and I need your help too. Please it’s my fault and I got to help her! I’ll pay double, I’ll even give you all the money I got, but I need a gun tonight and you have to help me!”

Cameron laughed again and then shoved him once more. “Listen, let it go and walk away before you end up on a milk carton fool. You fuck with the Du’Pree’s and more than likely you aren’t gonna see your next birthday player. Let me tell you just this. Those motherfuckers got enough muscle in this city to take someone like me and make me disappear! I’m giving you this as advice. No bitch is worth your life son, and that’s my word.”

David looked back at him and peeled off a few more hundreds. “A thousand bucks for one gun and a few clips and I’m out of here. I swear to you Cameron I’ll never tell anyone where I got the gun. Just help me out and consider all the favors you promised me paid up.”

Cameron looked at the money and then up at David and thought for a moment. “Give me five hundred for the gat, and another hundred for six clips and you got a deal. Consider it the ghetto special and I no got doubts you aren’t gonna tell no one because when you use that gun on the Du’Pree’s you’re a dead man anyway. I’m telling you though, this isn’t worth it! You’re gonna end up dead before the end of the night. Forget what they look like on the outside. That family is bad news and even up here no one fucks with em.”

David didn’t listen and took the Glock 9mm and the six clips and walked out of the building without another word. He walked towards the subway station and as he did Cameron watched him go.

“Good luck Player and peace”, he whispered quietly to himself.

Cameron knew this was the last time he was going see David again if he went through with his crazy plan.

Later, David made his way back to Chelsea but it was late, almost just about midnight when he arrived. The crowds were dying down and he watched on, and then made a decision that tomorrow night would be better for this but he had a plan. He snuck over to the alleyway and then climbed on one of the dumpster and checked a low vent and saw it was loose. He had a way in tomorrow night and one that didn’t involve the front door. He could slip in here and then out into the club. But he would need a change of clothes so he didn’t stand out. He checked the vent one more time making sure it looked tight and then jumped down off the dumpster and looked around. He made his way back to his apartment and needed to prepare a few more things before tomorrow. David found some decent clothes and slid them into a backpack and a few other things. Next he loaded the Glock and checked the other clips. When he was satisfied he was all set, he took a shower and then some Valium he had on hand and while he waited for it to take effect he took out a pen and paper. He wrote down what had happened and who he was, and what he was doing about it and slid it into a drawer of his desk. At least if he did end up dead, someone would know what happened and why he died. He felt himself begin to relax and got into bed and closed his eyes. Tomorrow night would be here quick and he just hoped Maggie could hold on for one more night.

The next evening; David opened his eyes and looked at the clock in his bedroom and it was just after dusk and it was the first decent sleep he had had in two days. He looked at the back pack and picked it up and threw on jeans and a t-shirt along with his jacket. From listening in at The Factory last night it was going to be a hectic night. He walked down the stairs and out into the street and continued to think. The Rave room was always packed on Saturdays and there was a live concert on the fourth floor as well. So there would be plenty of people to blend into easily. As a photographer for the Paparazzi, David had learned to blend in pretty well these days and a few other tricks along the way. They helped when he was trying to get a tough shot. Tonight he needed to watch the Du’Pree’s and wait for the right moment to get them to bring him to Maggie. It’s the only plan he could come up with besides watching them and hopefully they just led him to her.

When David got to The Factory he found the vent shaft again and climbed up to it. He checked around and then pulled it off the wall and placed it on the ground in front of the dumpster to make it look like it had just fallen off. Then he shoved the backpack in and pulled himself up and into the vent. It was dirty and dusty in there but he pushed his backpack and crawled along until he found an opening that had no noise coming from it and was dark. David pushed hard on the vent until the cover popped free and he pulled it back inside then looked out to see he was in a store room. He tossed the backpack in and then slid out feet first and falling to the floor. Looking around he determined he must be on the first floor from the faintness of the music now and the contents of the store room. There were bottles of champagne, cases of liquor, and beer, along with a few other things. David opened the back pack and took out his clothes first, and then a few other things he had packed. He ran a brush through his hair, and used some deodorant and body spray to freshen himself up. He put on his nice slacks, a nice shirt, and made sure he took out the Glock last and put the clips in his pocket. He stepped out of the store room and walked past some of the bouncers easily and like an expert thief he snatched a VIP card from the front desks and put it in his pocket. Then he walked up the stairs to find one of the Du’Pree’s and watch them for awhile to see if they led him to Maggie.

A few hours later, David was on the third floor in The Rave Room and watching Francine. The little bitch was going about her night as normal. Techno blasted from the speakers along with the laser lights going on in the floor and the room was packed. This was a good room in which to watch her in because it was dark and blending in was easy due to the amount of people. Suddenly Francine got up and shouted something as a song started up like enthralled teenager. She tossed her jacket to the couch and strode out to the dance floor past her younger sister Samantha, who followed her. She waded onto the floor and the crowds parted. To David’s surprise Samantha joined her and she could really dance. They dance together and then the crowd parted once again and in walked the queen bitch herself. Michelle walked in and looked right at her sisters and suddenly she smiled and joined them on the floor. All of them danced and as people got closer, David just watched from a distance not taking his eyes off of any of them. Michelle moved just like her sisters and her body flowed with the music. All three of them moved with such grace and ease to the beat. The faster it got the three of them adjusted to the beat without a problem. They bumped and grinded with each other and others on the floor, and they all looked to be having a good time. The laser lights began to intensify and David watched all three of them now dancing close to everyone in a big crowd. Then things got strange suddenly. David has gotten closer so he didn’t lose them his mind started to haze as he just watched all three of them and he virtually couldn’t take his eyes off of them. He wanted to walk out to the floor and join them for some reason. Something called to him as he stared and watched. They seemed so inviting, so beautiful, and so sexy that he wanted to go to them and get closer. He shook his head once as he remembered Maggie and his mind cleared a little but went hazy again quickly. He simply couldn’t take his eyes off them and as he tried to look away but he bit his tongue hard. Finally he was able to snap out of it. The music sped up and everyone converged on them. All three were swallowed up by the crowd just then. David looked around in a panic but spotted Francine soon enough. She and her sisters walked off the floor with an entourage of men following them. David followed as the music died down but still he felt strange, but following anyway. He didn’t drink anything here but it felt like he had just been drugged by something just by watching them. He watched as they left the third floor and made their way to the stairs, up to the fifth floor with almost ten other people walking along silently. Everyone with them seemed smitten and in a slight haze like he just was before.

David followed all them to the fifth floor slowly and watched from a distance as they walked inside. He waited a few moments and then made his way closer to the doorway. The room was empty besides them due to the Rave Room in full swing tonight. He watched as they made their way to the far corner and then he slipped inside closer to the side near the doorway as they all sat on the couches. The music played a gothic rock slow beat and then the party began as Michelle flopped into the couch next to her sisters after. Suddenly David didn’t know what he was watching at all. All three sisters got very involved with their little group of people quite quickly. At first David thought it was nothing but when Francine had her blouse pulled down and she spilled out in front of them giggling, he couldn’t believe his eyes. The Du’Pree sisters were having an orgy in the top level of the club and with a bunch of strangers? Even the normally bitchy Samantha was involved and Michelle had just mounted one of the men and began to kiss him passionately. Two others were caressing her as she tilted one of their heads to the side and she kissed him on the neck. He cried out quickly and David couldn’t believe his eyes wishing for his camera instead of the gun he had. Michelle was having sex with three perfect strangers like it was nothing. He was moaning as she kissed him and he slumped down on the couch as she turned her attention towards another one. Francine had one guy on top of her and she was kissing him too. Another was groping at her and looked on waiting his turn. Samantha had already fallen to the floor with another one. She was out of sight but from the noise David had a good idea what was going on. This was unbelievable. Three sisters having casual group sex up in the lounge of the hottest night club in Manhattan? David turned and left quietly, he had seen enough. But if he had watched for a moment longer he would have seen Michelle’s head rise again as her eyes burned cool blue and blood dripped down her chin. She looked over at Francine and smiled as she tossed her latest meal to the ground and took the other one forcefully. Samantha got up on her knees and grabbed another as she hauled him to the floor and bit deeply into his neck with her already bloody fangs. All three of them feeding and enjoying it, but Michelle was the very first to finish blotting her lips and chin with the red handkerchief she kept with her. She then tossed it to Francine who caught it mid air and began to clean her lips too, as they watched Samantha finish her last, enjoying and taking her time like she enjoyed doing.

Meanwhile David watched from the doorway, out of sight, for about a half an hour and then out came all three of them, laughing and joking like sisters would. He never even bothered to look inside The Lounge because if he had he would have seen all nine men passed out. He walked behind them at a distance and followed them to the fourth floor. They walked into The Hall, but he had a problem at the moment. The concert was by ticket only and he didn’t have one. He watched the door for a while but there were too many bouncers and they checked every ticket. Then David watched as one of the guys who had been with Francine was being helped down to the first level. He was so drunk he could hardly walk and he dropped is jacket to the floor. David walked over and picked it up for him. In the pocket as he went though it fast was two tickets for tonight’s concert. Again he slipped one like an expert thief into his pocket from the jacket and caught up to him quickly. He handed the jacket back to him and the guy hardly said a word as he was led down the stairs. How a guy could get so drunk, so quick, after getting laid was beyond him. But at least he had a way into the fourth floor now. He walked over and flashed his VIP card to the bouncers and then handed him the ticket and he walked in without an incident. Good thing he did have a ticket because the stub was checked right after he got in. He walked into the bar area and watched from a distance as Michele and her sisters sat down in the VIP area waiting for the show to start. All David could do was watch from a distance and wait, but from what he now knew about the three sisters thus far, they wouldn’t stay seated for very long.

Soon the concert was in full swing as gothic rock poured out of the speakers and the lights went low. The sisters had split up quickly after the show started. Francine had walked in one direction while Samantha was somewhere else entirely and Michelle had simply just vanished. David decided to find Francine since she was the easiest to spot. He walked in the general direction from where she had gone. He had to watch his back though, because Francine almost always had Samantha near her on the weekends. To his surprise he found her quickly, and the little brat was with another entourage of people, but this time mostly girls. She seemed to be having a few drinks and chatting. Suddenly and without warning Francine kissed one of them but when she opened her mouth and started kiss her passionately, David looked on in shock. She was kissing another girl with tongue in front of all her friends who just laughed and looked on. The other girl seemed to enjoy it and even put her hand on Francine’s breast and she seemed to approve of. David looked away and left. Francine was involved and she didn’t have Maggie with her either. She also looked like she was staying for awhile because of her company. So the rumors were true, Francine Du’Pree was very bi-sexual enjoying both men and women alike. There were always rumors of her being very promiscuous and bi-sexual but no one had ever had the guts to print it let alone even hint at it. But David had seen it firsthand now, and he was amazed she had never been found out before the way she flaunted it.

From the other side of the room David saw Samantha and he ducked into the crowds of people to watch her walk past and sit down at a table with a few men. He fully expected something sexual to happen but nothing did, but when the lights flashed a little he saw the man’s face. It was Ivan Demonostrav and he was a known Russian mobster. Samantha chatted with him like they were old friends and she was even laughing with him from time to time. Suddenly she palmed something to him and he looked in his hand and nodded to one of his associates and handing something as well. They talked a little more, had a drink together and then Samantha departed with a light kiss to his cheek and then walking back from where she had come. David followed her, and just before the VIP section she met with a few people and began to laugh. She handed a small bag to a man there and then she hugged him and he left. As he walked past, David noticed who it was. It was Christopher Catlin a famous musician just between bands right now. Samantha had just delivered an eight ball of cocaine to him through Ivan Demonostrav the son of a well known Russian mobster? Samantha had gotten drugs for one of the upscale clients of her security business and had ties to organized crime. Who knew her little business that was so clean on the outside did celebrity dirty work. She was helping to fuel a destructive behavior because Chris had just gotten out of rehab for substance abuse and Samantha just got him going again. She was supposed to be looking out for him, not helping him get high again. She then went back to her mobster friends and continued their little chat. David felt she was a dead end too now when it came to finding Maggie. Still, he wished he had a camera instead of a gun tonight because he would be a very rich man by now if had gotten all these shots.

He walked over to the VIP sections and looked for the only person he felt would be of any help right now, Michelle. Only she would know where Maggie was and since she was the eldest sister she seemed to run the show here. He looked in the VIP sections and in the back something moved but the area was so dark so David had to get closer. As he neared he heard two people quietly talking and moving a little and then looked over and saw Michelle alright. She was there in the dark with her brother and they were kissing and touching each other passionately. She and Zack were so involved with each other they never even noticed him. David watched for a moment or two and then had to leave. Michelle was repulsive to him! She had just had group sex with a bunch of strangers and now was looking to top that by having sex with her brother? David left and he would have to wait for the right moment to confront all of them. With the amount of dirt he had and the gun they would easily give him Maggie back to buy his silence. If this night’s activities got out to the papers their family would look horrible in the New York media’s eyes. He could see the headline now, “Prominent Family Falls from Grace!” They would also have no way of knowing if he had a camera or not tonight and David had no intentions of telling them he didn’t have one either.

As Zack made his way out of The Hall and walked out towards the stairs on the fourth floor. David watched and waited as the band finished their last set. He had already found an excellent hiding place in a secluded alcove and he was only waiting until most of the crowd had left. He watched now as Michelle and her sisters socialized with the band and a few others and David just waited. He had to time this right, because if he didn’t they may be able to call for help. As the band began to pack up and leave for the back stage area, he saw his chance. He watched as all three of the sisters walking towards the elevator to go down to the first level. David stepped out of the small alcove he was hiding in.

“Good evening you three and I really have something I want to discuss with you all”, he said loud enough for all three of them to hear him.

Samantha whirled around almost too fast and went for her gun, but David already had his out. He leveled it all three of them and scowled back.

“Lose it bitch, or you’re the first one to get shot”, he said back quickly.

Samantha looked at him and then took the gun out slowly the rest of the way and dropped it to the floor. She flashed a wicked glare but David continued to scowl at her.

“Kick it over to the VIP sections and put your backs on the elevator doors, all of you.”

Michelle looked at him and glared back at him in anger. “You are a fucking dead man do you know that?” She said back viciously.

David got closer to her and frowned back. “Who’s got the gun you sick fucking bitch?”

Francine suddenly moved but David looked at her. “Wall, freak and I mean it or you’re going to get some new jewelry to wear and it’s going to be lead!”

Francine moved towards the wall and then looked at him. “I thought you took your shots with a camera David, not a gun”, she said back with a sullen expression.

He then stared at all of them intently waiting for the elevator. “Get in the elevator. We’re going to take a little trip, one that will produce my friend you’ve had here for two nights.”

Michelle looked at him and her demeanor changed instantly. “What do you mean David, your little reporter friend? We turned her over to the police.”

David leveled the gun at her again. “Don’t lie! I was already at Police Plaza and she was never brought in. Her apartment is bare, and you had her fired too! Besides I’ve seen all your little sick activities tonight!”

Michelle’s face was in total shock then she stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

David looked over at Francine first but kept the gun trained on all of them. “Well your lovely little sister there is not only a sex fiend but also bi-sexual freak.” Then he glanced over at Samantha quickly. “Your next sister over there has very nice connections to the Russian mob and loves to make drug deals for her upscale clients, and finally you, Michelle”. He said fixing his gaze on her. “Do you like fucking your brother may I ask? Not to mention that little orgy on the fifth floor earlier was quite eye opening. Let’s see almost three men a piece and then Francine over there shifted her interest to girls. And Michelle you decided to add a fourth man in the form of your own brother? I wonder how the headlines are going to look when I blow this story wide open.” He said with a wide grin.

Michelle looked at him in disbelief as did Samantha and Francine. After a moment of silence Michelle was the first to speak as the elevator reached the fourth floor. She looked right at him and scowled back. “What do you want David? To keep you quiet and forget what you saw”, she asked him softly.

David finally smiled smugly as the doors opened. “I want Maggie. Let her go and you can have any pictures you want and no one will ever know.”

Michelle looked back at him and then smiled evilly. “Agreed, but how do I know you’ll keep your word? I mean where my proof that you will remain silent that is?”

But he said nothing but motioned them towards the elevator, and got in with them. “When I have Maggie then we can talk but not before.”

All of them got in the elevator and to David’s surprise he watched Francine hit the one and five button together and the doors closed. It began to proceed down and to David’s surprise they were headed to the Viper’s Club. That’s how Francine got down so fast without anyone knowing. The elevator went both ways if you knew how to use it. Meanwhile, Michelle and Francine listened intently to Samantha as she spoke to their minds through one of her extraordinary gifts. She told them not to press the issue until she was certain that David’s gun was not loaded with Glazer Rounds or Phosphoric bullets. At this close of a range one decently placed shot could kill one of them. He knew too much, and no one knew how much he really did know maybe even their true natures. Using their abilities in a glass elevator with mortals around could be a disaster. Once they got him in the Viper’s Club they could deal with him and besides, Zack was down there and could help disarm and subdue him too. Michelle only nodded and so did Francine and they would have to wait and look for a good opportunity to take out this brash and smart mortal.

The doors opened and all four stepped out into an almost empty Viper’s Club with David getting out last. Michelle started to walk one direction while Francine went another, but David poked the gun in Samantha’s back hard. “The two of you get back over here or so help me you’re going to have one less sister.”

Michelle stopped dead and so did Francine and waited for David and Samantha to catch up to them. “Now where is Maggie and don’t lie to me”, he said gruffly.

Michelle began to laugh and so did Francine. “We need to discuss terms first before we let go of our insurance policy”. Michelle answered back coldly.

Francine turned and then smiled warmly instead. “Why yes, how do we know that once you have what you want. We will get what we want, our pictures and your word about your silence, not to mention not getting shot either? You’re a very angry man David”, she said coldly.

David shoved Samantha hard in the back and she stumbled over to them as she looked back and nearly spat at him. He then had them all sit and then he looked over at the rest of the room. “Clear the room, Michelle and have a seat. Then we can talk. Everyone’s hands on the tables too.”

Michelle waved her hand and the remaining people began to depart but then Zack walked around the partition and looked directly at David surprised. Zack watched as he leveled the gun and he dove to the side. David heard a gun slide drawn back from where he was. Zack didn’t move and David looked over at where he was. “Come out of there you or so help me”, David said back loudly.

But he didn’t budge and then David walked over to Francine and grabbed her hair and pushed her head down on the table. “Zack, come out of there or you’re going to have one less sister! I’ve got nothing to lose here, but you do! Her nice curly hair is going to look ugly with brains in it!”

Zack stood up slowly and dropped the gun to the floor and stared at David with a look that could have cracked stone. He motioned to Zack to come closer and away from the gun and he walked slowly towards all of them. David grabbed him and forced him to his knees then.

“Well Michelle which is it going to be? My friend or do I start with shooting your brother and lover here first?”

Michelle glanced over at Zack who had a shocked expression on his face and then she looked at David. She had to stall long enough to make sure one of them could get that gun away from him.

The conversation went on for a good twenty minutes as David got noticeably irritated by Michelle’s vagueness. Zack was still on his knees as Michelle got more and more brash and arrogant with David. She was trying to wear him down and make him slip, so Zack could get the gun from him. David was starting to get annoyed too.

He took the gun away from Zack’s temple and pointed it at Michelle, “Tell me where she is damn you, or I’m going to shoot you first, bitch!”

Michelle saw his mistake and decided to get cute, because Zack was now able to get the gun. All he needed was a split second anyway when it came to his amazing speed. Michelle looked right at him and then held her middle finger up at him and smiled. Then, just as Zack began to move David squeezed the trigger three times and three bullets slammed into Michelle as she flew off the chair and slammed hard into the wall! She shook violently and then stopped as blood poured out of her. Blood sprayed everywhere and Zack moved so fast that David couldn’t hope to react fast enough. Zack grabbed the gun and then kicked him hard in the chest, sending David across the room in a heap. Francine got up quickly and dived to the side as Samantha looked over at Michelle and screamed out.

“Zack, they may have been Glazer Rounds!” She screamed out!

Faster than Samantha could even see, Zack scooped up Michelle’s lifeless body and saw all the blood Michelle wasn’t moving at all. He looked at the gun and then at Michelle, as bloody tears streamed down his face. Then he laid her down on the table and let out a primal scream as he looked over at where David had landed. Samantha watched as Zack’s eyes changed. He stood up and walked with an angry step and quickly closed the gap between them. Samantha looked at Michelle bleeding and not moving, but then she looked over at Zack. What she saw next was almost too frightening for her…

Zack closed the distance to face David as he started to get up holding his chest. He walked close to the cement wall and he smashed the gun against it shattering it from the force of the blow. David went to throw a punch, but Zack was too fast and he sidestepped it. He hit David in the face and then grabbed him by the throat with ease. Zack forced him to knees and glared directly into his eyes.

“She was all I had! She was my life, my love, and my heart and soul! Now you’ve taken her from me, you fucking bastard! I’m going to rip you apart myself!” He creamed in rage.

Then he picked him up by his throat and Zack threw David across the room like a sack of garbage. People started to come back down to the Viper’s Club and watched as Zack let out a guttural growl and let his fangs snap into place. Then his claws extended as he moved with such speed it nearly shook the room around him. The force of his speed sent chairs and tables toppling over as he moved with unearthly speed towards his quarry. He grabbed David and tossed him into the air as he slashed him hard across the chest. Blood sprayed from the wounds and splattered to the walls and carpets. Zack jumped into a shadow on the wall and came at David from the floor. He hit him with a hard uppercut and then went through another shadow and came at him from the ceiling hitting him so hard he bounced off the floor. At once he stepped back out of the shadows he rushed him again, using a wicked backhand punch that sent David flying again as he crashed hard into the wall. He landed close to Samantha, who grabbed him and flung him back towards Zack with a punch of her own. David tried to get up, but he was grabbed again. Zack twisted one of his arms hard as the bones exploded. David screamed out in pain but was hit in the back of the head for his troubles. He felt himself begin to fall to the floor. But Zack grabbed him again and then drilled his claws into David’s shoulders close to his neck severing a few tendons rendering his arms useless. Blood sprayed again and from behind just as David went to shriek out in pain, in came Zack’s knee as his spine snapped and blood poured from his mouth. Zack dragged him to his feet, spun him around then punched him hard again and sent him spiraling towards the side of the room. As David landed he was sent into the air again from a kick to his side from Francine. The force of her blow sent him hurtling through the air. But Zack met him quickly in the air as he dove at him. The two of them smashed into the wall and the paneling broke from the force. Then Zack began to flail away now punching and slashing with his fists and claws, spraying blood everywhere. His sisters looked on and so did the rest of the Viper’s Club now back in the room cheering him on. Just then Michelle stirred a little as she looked over at Samantha’s back and she heard all the cheering. Her senses came back to her and the bullets were expelled from her chest slowly. What she saw next would have turned her ghostly white if she still could. There at the far wall was he beloved Zack, ripping and tearing a man apart with an evil look on his face. Blood was everywhere, club patrons cheering him on, and there was no sign that Zack’s brutal assault would be ending anytime soon. If she didn’t stop him he would soon kill him if he hadn’t already now that he had given in to darker half’s rage fully.

Michelle rolled off the table and to her knees but no one heard her. She got up and stumbled across the room blood still dripping from her wounds. She tried to close the distance between herself and Zack quickly but she just couldn’t. When she got there she watched as Zack’s claws raked David’s upper body again and more blood sprayed out into the crowds who cheered in response. Michelle looked up and then fell to her knees behind Zack.

“STOP”, she screamed out as loud as she could! “Stop it Zack this instant!”

She grabbed Zack’s legs and with all the strength she could muster pulling him to the floor as he growled and hissed in anger. She crawled on top of him and then looked him in the eyes as she held his wrists.

“No! You are not going to kill this man through blind rage, my love! It will haunt you forever that your rage was the cause of a brutal death. Come back to me, my love, and let your rage go. Look I am just fine, sugar.”

Zack growled back in protest and tried to get up, but Michelle pinned him quickly again.

“Look at me Zack! Look. It’s me and not anyone else. It’s me, your Michelle and I am fine. Let go and let it pass. Do not give into your rage, not like this!”

He finaly looked at her and then he calmed a little as he took Michelle in his arms and hugged her. She got off him just as David had finished falling to his knees and then fell to the floor with a splat. He looked up at her and Michelle flashed him a look as her fangs sprang from her upper jaw and she hissed loudly at him. David couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak, and he knew he was dying, but his eyes still worked. When he looked around the room he knew what he saw. Every last one of them, they were Vampires, all that were in this room and they all looked at him with hatred in their eyes.

As David wheezed and labored to draw breath as Michelle got to her feet and grabbed him by the throat. He felt her long sharp claws on what was left of his neck and she dragged him towards the bar. With one hand, she tossed him onto it and looked him in the eyes. Her eyes burned a cold blue as she stared back at him.

“You insolent little fucking mortal slime, you dare to threaten us, touch me or my family, and then hurt me! I am over two hundred and fifty years old and never have I been so insulted by the likes of you!” She hissed again and then flashed her fangs at him making sure he saw them. “How dare you touch me, what gives you the fucking right? I’m not even your fucking species, how dare you try to blackmail and then judge me or my sisters?” Michelle then slapped him hard as more blood sprayed across the room from her wicked claws. She then turned and looked at the crowd with a vicious grin. “As everyone knows when we get an uninvited guest here in the Viper’s Club, the wet bar is open and drinks are on the house until it goes dry, enjoy”, she called out to the crowd.

Michelle walked towards Zack still on his knees trying to get his bearings, and she helped him to his feet. David watched as all of them converged on him but then a brunette woman stopped them all and looked over at David.

“Not yet! All of you know who I am, and I ask you all to wait until I am through with him since this is partially my fault!” Then she turned to look at David again. “I know you can’t speak or move, so I will make this quick. My name is Sophie Trelin and I am like all of us here, immortal. I know you too, David and someone has told me a great deal about you. But I never expect you’d go this far. You asked for something vital to be returned to you and I just wanted you to have it before you died.”

Sophie then waved to someone and out of the crowd stepped Maggie. She looked at him and she looked as vibrant as ever, her skin perfect, her eyes flawless, her hair shining, and even her body looked slimmer and shapely. She walked over and Sophie whispered something to her before walking back out into the crowd.

Maggie got close and then looked him the eyes. “David why”, she asked him with a forlorn face. “Why didn’t you do what you always did and let it be. I never wanted you to go this far and now look at you, dying in a bloody heap on a bar. David, I’m one of them now, an immortal. I got my wish. I’m going to be more than just some rinky dink entertainment reporter. Sophie promised me and she is my mistress now, and I serve her. I owe her my new life and existence. I thought you would just walk away but you just couldn’t, could you? Now I must do what I must and I’m sorry, but I will make the last moment’s pleasant ones. Sophie asked me to make it quick so I will. Forgive me.”

David watched as Maggie let her fangs extend slowly and then she bit him gently on the neck as his body was numbed and bliss surged through him. Maggie drank slowly and then with one quick move she grabbed his hair and snapped his neck clean. She looked down and kissed him on his smiling lips and said goodbye with a single blood tear running down her now perfect cheek. As she walked past, the rest of them made sure the still warm blood didn’t go to waste.

David Kingston disappeared and was never seen nor heard from again. It was as if he just vanished. When his colleges reported him missing, all they ever found was an empty apartment and some unpaid bills. It was as if David has just fallen off the face of the earth there was no body, and no sign of foul play. After a few months his case was considered one of New York’s many “Cold Cases” and with no leads detectives thought they would never find him or anything about his whereabouts. The Viper’s Club was ready for the following night and Michelle and the rest of her family had no idea what happened to David after the incident, nor did they want to. As far as they were concerned, all was well with their world and no one would ever know the truth about that night except themselves and how they were all discovered by one mortal. Maggie Crest in about two months became the new Publicity and Advertising Executive of Crimson records. She was to run the company after the supposed untimely death of Sophie Trelin and she was to do so until Sophie’s young daughter could take the head of the company her mother had worked so hard to build. She was still too young by all indications to be ready to do so, but in her mother’s honor she bears her name.

Still this was all a rouse that Sophie and Michelle had worked out for her to reinvent her life. Her death was faked, the birth announcement years earlier was all a lie, all going though the motions to look mortal. Sooner or later they would all have to do this to keep up appearances but it was normal. Sooner or later Sophie Maxim Trelin would be ready to take over the family empire and run it as her mother had done before. Still Maggie had to wonder how long could these games go on and to what end too. Still, she had her dream job and she was in charge of a powerful entertainment company as she took directions from her mistress. In the end though, she realized quickly that she had been part of the cause of her friend’s death. But that’s what happens sometimes in her new dark world, when you get… uninvited guests.

~Fin~