It was a cold night, Jorge thought as he entered the
club. How anyone wanted to live in this shithole of a town was past his
understanding. He had never been particularly bright, but he felt like a
regular fucking Einstein in this town. “I guess there’s no need to fear for
being left around here”, he said aloud, people looking at him as if he was a
crazy person. No wonder, he still couldn’t rid himself with his old army
clothes, they felt like compensation for his lacking height and muscles. At
first he had thought everything would change after his embrace, but he was
still himself. Everything just seemed easier, less strenuous, but still the
same boring routine. He had found out that skipping weeks of training did not
alter his strength, but his morning workout routine was the only thing he had
to hold on to any longer. Yes, familiar routines. There had been a change, he
never felt safe any longer, like someone was watching him at all times. Of
course, it was nothing like in battle, always feeling like the enemy was just
over the barricades, never sleeping more than 5 minutes at a time, but still
wrong. Enough of that, he was starting to think like those bloody Malkavians.
There were more important matters to see to, he had to stay sharp.
The club was full of low-life human scum. It had taken
him months to be accepted in this community of homosexuals and other outcasts,
and he had finally gotten a chance to cross over to the right side. The right
side… even the Camarilla had some pretty fucked up ideas, but better to dance
on the strings of prettyboys and crooked politicians than running with these
unconcerted, bloodcrazed Sabbaths, at least for now. He had no misconceptions
about the masquerade. It was a vital necessity, and the future leaders would
come from the humans, not from our vampire ranks. Strange that the Camarilla
would allow a Malkavian prince. After all, they were all mental timebombs with
a random trigger. Just take that guy Fame as an example. In just a few weeks he
had made himself more popular than an Iraqi with a Seals tattoo. The prince was
almost ready to fall, Jorge just prayed he was not too late to position
himself. Even in Juares it took time between different reigns, and he had no
intention to wait for the long sleep to get him.
Suddenly there was screaming from the toilets.
“Rapist, somebody help her!”
He reacted without thinking, kicking in the door he
found a man trying to force himself on a young woman. This was not rape, he
assailant retracted his teeth as he whipped his head around.
“Find your own game, soldierboy”, the vampire said.
The girl had fainted, lucky, he thought.
“This is not your hunting ground, filth!”
Jorge grabbed the young vampires arm, kicked his leg
hard enough to hear the bones break. I
might be small, but you’re nothing, Jorge thought. The vampire screamed
bloody murder, it felt good to be in control. He dislocated the shoulder and
lifted the vamp up by his neck, dragging him out of the room and across the
dancefloor.
“You’re one of us, why the hell are you doing this?!”
“Shut your fucking mouth or I’ll tie you up in the
street for the workers to find you in the morning”, Jorge said and looked
around uneasily. He was not a master of subtlety, but the scene had people too
distracted to think clearly. At least anyone who shouldn’t hear.
He dragging him out the back door and threw the vamp
into the opposite wall with a satisfying thud.
“I’ll fucking get you for this, I’ll tell them and
they’ll fucking hunt you down and kill you”, he screamed loud enough to be
heard over the border.
“GOOD! You tell how I treat those who break the
Masquerade. I’ll flay him and leave him hanging to dry, be it lowly pieces of
shit like you, a sheriff, or even Caine himself!” This was getting dangerous,
he was losing his temper.
“Now get the fuck out of here before I break the other
one.”
The would-be rapist looked like he was staring death
in the eyes, but he shook himself and hurried away as fast as he could with his
broken leg. Oh shit, he’d done it again. He still couldn’t control his
abilities when he got angry. He couldn’t go back inside now, enough damage done
already, he had to come back later or let everyone remember his face.
*************
It was a hot night, Fame thought as he closed the door
on his new found haven. He had had trouble sleeping last day, not so much
because of the letter Snow had given him, more because of the people hunting
him. HAH! They thought they’d had him earlier, but his cunning and eye for
detail had saved him. To think that they turn the lock more than he had when he
left, that was not the work done by a professional. Luckily for him he’d been
in worse situations before, and empty havens could be found everywhere. Too bad
the new one already had residents; he had had to sleep in the basement behind
the freezer, it was not… favorable. He would probably have to find somewhere
new, but first he’d have to find something to eat. He was starving, he hadn’t
fed in days, and he had spent too much blood on keeping himself hidden.
You can’t eat
now, you have things to prepare.
He was back!
What do you
mean, what do I have to prepare?
Lady Snow is
one of them, you’ll have to be extra careful not to rouse her suspicion.
HAH! She’s no
match for me, I have her on video, and the traces left from the murder all
point to Henry, not me.
Be not so
sure, you don’t want this to end up like another Berlin.
Fame ignored the voice; Berlin had been… a nuisance.
How long did he have to put on this charade; playing the anarchist and fighting
against the corporations? True, Snow did give him some useful information at
times, but she slowed his plans too much. Oh such plans. The priest would be
the first to go. Filthy Christian vermin, he’d show him his rightful place; in
a dungeon, trapped forever to be Fame’s personal feedbag. He’d have to wait though,
first priority was Snow and her sect. If not for that dog-brained Gangrel with
more muscles than wits he could have had her heart by now. He wondered whether
anyone else had seen through her plot. Playing the good-guy Tremere asskisser,
you’d have to be daft to believe that image. The nossie probably knew, ugly
people tend to be smarter than you look. Fame laughed mirthlessly to himself.
Playing shadowgames with cameras, he was not good enough for this game, Fame
would have to switch him out for somebody else, somebody better.
More to the point, today he’d reveal Snow for who she
was, there was no coming back for her after this. She probably knew, hence the
letter warning him about keeping a low profile. Of course, they all wanted him
to keep a low profile, easier to trap him and keep him down that way. He made
his way in the shadows, a neat trick he’d picked up from the nossie. He
wondered whether he could learn from the others as well, improving at this rate
was unheard of, just more proof that he was meant for greater things. Oh how he
wished he could mask his teeth like the others, the disguises did not help much
on this major flaw he had. Maybe if he ate Henry… NO! They’ll notice, it’s too early for this! He suddenly realized
he had arrived, and the others were with him. You must concentrate, this is a vital moment! He could barely keep
from snarling at Snow, she eyed him wearily. Oh the horrors he would show her,
once he came to power.
Someone was talking to him, it had to be a primogen,
to address him like that with no worry. They
want me to keep a low profile? I
didn’t even enter the hospital, they must be part of Snow’s gang. He just
nodded acceptance, best not to say anything, lest he let something slip. It
seemed everyone else had gotten their tasks assigned, they were going out
again. Suddenly he was talking with Snow, they were in a car headed south.
WHAT IS
HAPPENING?! Am I hallucinating, why am I having these blackouts, is she playing
mind-tricks with me?
You have to
kill her!
NO I CAN’T!
She’s got that muscle with her.
He’s on your
side, remember?
I can’t take
the chance, he’s too strong. I’ve seen what he can do.
The voice continued while he talked to Snow.
S: “You need to be more subtle, you are attracting far
too much attention, and you’ve sunken further in status than I ever have, and
in such a short time”.
F: “I think you have it wrong. Why should we, the
superior being, bend under for the wants of these filthy people? These degos
won’t be missed, they’re no use to anyone in the modern world.”
S: “Let me ask you this, Fame. What are you most
afraid of?”
Did she know about his secret? Of course not, he had
not told anyone of it. Though, the voice knew.
F: “I’m afraid of being bored. This long existence
without anything to do would be worse for me than you could imagine.”
S: “Don’t you fear losing the human part of you? I
remember the thing I feared most when I turned was the way I felt more and more
like the beast as time passed. We all had that fear implanted in us while we
were human, fear of death, fear because of the fact that we all die at some
point. When we were embraced that fear disappeared, and humanity started to
wane with it.”
F: “I don’t understand what you’re talking about, I
told you I fear boredom.”
S: “I think it’s time for you to start doing something
good. Pedros, stop the car in front of that woman”, her eyes didn’t leave him
for a second. “I want you to go out and
help her, Fame.”
Snow had a dangerous look in her eye, he didn’t like
this. The car halted to a stop, there was a pregnant woman, clearly stoned,
sitting by the road. Oh, he had fed on junkies before, it was better than sex
had used to be. Wait a minute, didn’t she just command him to do something? Oh
yes, helping that stoner. Had Pedros just followed her instructions? Why was
everyone looking at him? He couldn’t think straight, he needed blood. Should he
feed on Snow? Too risky, Pedros could rip his throat out, and who knows where
the nossie stood.
Kill her, rip
her head off!
What, now?
YES, NOW! Do
it before she runs away!
He stepped into the shadows behind the car. Did he
just black out again? No matter, the prey was his! He grabbed the head of his
victim, ready to tear into her.
Suddenly the Gangrel rammed him headfirst, knocking
them both off balance. A growl started in the back of Fame’s throat. This had
been her plan all along, how blind he had been! He had to take them down now,
he just needed some blood and he could kill all of them.
TAKE HER
LIFE, NOW! The voice ringed in his head like church bells at
high noon.
YOU WILL NOT
COMMAND ME ANY LONGER, IT’S MY MIND, GET OUT OF THERE.
He could smell the blood from her, see the veins
throbbing in her neck, and hear the beat of her heart. He roared in frustration.
In a flash the nossie was out of the car and pinned him down, the foul nossie
was incredibly strong, he couldn’t do anything. Snow took his prey away, cackling
like the mad bitch she was, throwing victorious grins back at him. He had to
break free, to talk his way out of this, show them how she was manipulating
them, to run away, but it was too late. He cried out to let him go, but there
was nothing but feral screams in his throat. It was too late, the beast had
control now and his thoughts where just white noise in the back of his mind.
BLOOD, FEED!
*********************
Jorge had done
laps for an hour before he went back to meet Toni, he felt restless after that
little event earlier. Juarez had turned out to be a fucking rathole; filled
with Sabbath scum and filthy drunks. He just hoped Tori was good for her word,
there had to be something sensible on the Camarilla side or he’d go crazy.
People eyed him wearily as he entered the revenue, but they soon turned back to
their drink and dancing, or what passed for dancing in here. It was more like
soft porn than dancing. Not that he complained, he enjoyed a nice face and a
tight body as much as the other guy, and here they came in pairs. He smiled to
himself as he made his way to Toni.
J: “Toni! Have I ever told you you’re too pretty to do
carpet service?”
T: “Jorge, charming as never. You’re late, and after
that spectacle earlier I’m starting to wonder whether I should pass you off.
Dealing with the other side is hard enough with a good reputation.”
J: “Oh give over, Toni. You know better than that. If
I hadn’t tossed that shithead out you’d have one less regular, and the mess
he’d make would turn this place into a warzone if word got out. The way I see
it you owe me one.”
She raised an eyebrow and pouted her lips, cupping his
face with her hand as she moved closer.
T: “You’re just so cute when you try to act
protective. We ought to find a nice, elder man to take care of you.”
J: “Cut the shit Toni, I’m no fonder of guys than you
are.”
He slapped her ass as she turned for her desk, she
whipped her head around, if looks could kill he would hit torpor like a brick.
Sex might not be as fun as it used to, but he’d take her for a spin any time.
T: “You sit your ass down and wait. They’ll be here
momentarily”, she told him with a glare.
He dumped into the chair in the corner, lounging like
he didn’t have a care in the world. She rubbed her arms, shivering. Maybe he
had some effects on her after all?
***********************
Marcus: “You’ll have to go inside, I can’t show myself
here without people noticing.”
Snow: “Fine, what am I looking for?”
Marcus: “Just go inside and ask for Toni, everyone
knows here in there.”
What was he up to, trying to order her around? He
could damn well meld into shadows, no one would see him lest he fell over a
table. She had to try and keep her temper, it had almost gone all nine sorts of
hell after Fame lost it, and Marcus had become decidedly more commanding in
just a short while. There should be no way he could know, but she had been
surprised by the Nosferatus before. Better to go along for now, but she
couldn’t let him take control, not when so much was in jeopardy. The place was
almost filled with people, maybe he would have a problem getting past that many
unnoticed. She headed for the bar and asked for Toni, told the barkeep she was
expected. She was led towards a room in the back, she took a quick look over
the people before going with him; no vampires around, and the barkeep seemed
legit. She followed two steps behind, he would be her shield if there was an
ambush.
It was a small room, a simple desk with an office
chair, and a pretty girl beside it. She suddenly realized they were not alone,
there was a man slacking in a chair in the corner. No, not a man, a vampire! He
was calm, with flashes of lust. Was he copulating with these humans? No, Tori
was angry, but she calmed as she turned to face Snow.
T: “Who are you, you’re not who I was expecting.”
S: “My name is Lady Snow, I come on behalf of our
mutual friend, Marcus, who cannot enter here without raising suspicion.”
T: “We have a back door, bring him around back and
I’ll open up for you.”
She knew this would happen, looking like Marcus’
marionette. She should put Toni in her place, but she didn’t want to be alone
with this unknown vampire, this side crawled with diablerist Sabbath trash and
it’s like. She stalked out of the room as she went to get Marcus and the
others.
S: “Marcus, back door, now. You too Pedros”, she added
as an afterthought. Safe bet to say that stranger was Brujah, he practically
smelled violence, and the best way to stop an unstoppable object was to hit it
with a bigger one. Snow entered first, with the others trailing close behind.
Marcus seemed excited, he really shouldn’t try to smile.
M: “Toni, how nice to finally meet you, I’m Marcus.”
So that was the reason for his eagerness, they hadn’t
actually met before. This scene was going to be fucking great!
T: “Marcus….?”
Toni’s eyes glistened, she started to sob loudly. So
much for the entertainment.
S: “Get a hold of yourself, we’re here to help.”
M: “We’re here to find the guy who’s spreading his…
illness, you told me you had information about him.”
Marcus was definitely not eager anymore, he seemed
shamed, and betrayed? Wasn’t this a gay bar?
T: “Yes, yes, he’s here in Juarez, frequenting all the
local pubs. He even comes in here sometimes, forcing himself on some of the
girls.” She was sniveling like a child, Snow slapping her to her senses.
M: “You should have told me sooner, I would have come
at once. Do you have any information on where he might be?”
T: “I don’t really have track on him at the moment.
His victims doesn’t want to talk about the episodes, or they don’t remember
much. They just get sick after a while, and culture being what it is around
here they’ve usually spread it themselves.” She wiped her eyes dry and visually
pulled herself together. “I have a request for you. This is one of my friends,
Jorge, he’s been helping out here lately and is looking for a way to the right
side, as he calls it. He’s way tougher than his looks, he’s ridden this place
of several unsavory persona. He could be of use when you go hunting.”
J: “Fuck you Toni”, he said casually. “I’m the
forementioned Jorge and I’d ask for help to get out if this Sabbath infested
shithole. As she said I’ll be more than useful if you’re going out hunting for
trash. Actually I was planning to hunt down this asshole before she told me you
were coming, but I seem to have fallen out of favor with the local brood lately
so answers are hard to come by.”
The vampire had a powerful presence that made the room
feel even more cramped than it already was.
S: “We already have muscle, I don’t see why we would
have a need for you.”
J: “You have muscle, but all brawns and power won’t
help you track down people. I’ve served many years in battle, guerilla work was
my specialty. I can track down people, and I have contacts that can go wherever
they want. Besides, when it comes to muscle I’d be more than a match for either
of your friends.”
S: “If your contacts have so much influence, why can’t
you use them to get over the bridge?”
J: “I never said they had influence, I said they could
go wherever they want. Besides, they’re not the kind that need acceptance from
your elders to cross over, they’re still hot on the inside.”
Snow eyed him thoughtfully. Brujahs weren’t known to
be particularly stable, but he seemed a lot more resourceful than Pedros, and
they certainly could use someone with a contact network. Especially a contact
network that didn’t relate to hers.
S: “I can’t promise anything. You can come with us
now, and if you prove useful I’ll get you an audience with Bell, but I, we,
won’t guarantee for you.”
J: “Fair enough. What do you need me to do?”
S: “Just come along for now, we’ll fill you in in the
car.”
J: “Can I drive?”
S: “Don’t push it.”
Pedros didn’t like this situation, Snow was acting
more rashly than before, and they didn’t need more heat now. He expected she
was in as much shit as he was, if not even more. This guy, Jorge, han an eerie
presence about him, and Pedros was not one to be impressed by tough speeches.
Like a fucking glove, Jorge thought to himself. Like a
fucking glove.