Denn die Todten reiten Schnell

[Verne]

February 16.

Some ***** tried to bite me while I was waiting on the train at the station today. What a freak…

February 21.

Woke up this morning on a park bench. Can’t remember how I got there. My wallet is missing and I have four numbers written on my arm. Next time Shannon asks me to go to a frat-party with him I’m refusing.

March 02.

I met a girl today. Yoda. She won’t tell me her real name. She sounds foreign. She has mad skills with a pen, hoping she’ll design me some ink.

March 7.

Her name is Willow, though after last night I think I prefer Yoda.

March 11.

Handed in an assignment late. Yoda slept over again. Starting to wonder if she has a place of her own. Seems like the type to take each day as it comes. Hope she isn’t getting too comfortable.

March 14.

We hit the clubs last night. Yoda told me she is going home in a couple of days… Said she wanted to show me something before she left. Meeting her at the park tonight.

March 15.

My head is killing me. Yoda tattooed me last night. Her work is seriously impressive; something foreign, reminds me of the church, not that I’ve ever been a religious man. I had the most fucked up dream last night. Yoda and I ventured through the city water works and discovered zombies. I don’t know what was in that weed but I want some more!

March 17.

Another late assignment. Grade average has slipped to a C. C’s get degrees. Not the best attitude I realise, but I don’t have the time to do much more than I have been. I think there is something wrong with a guy in my class… Never talks to nobody and while I was watching him today, he didn’t blink once… That **** is just unnatural.

March 18.

Dropped Yoda off at the airport tonight. She cried. I think I am going to miss that quirky little bird. Told her I won’t be keeping in touch. Don’t see the point.

March 19.

Pretty sure the tattoo is infected; I’ve been feeling really strange today.

March 20.

Jumped online tonight. Saw some guy going on about people with markings to come forward… The picture in the ad looked remarkably similar to the design Yoda made for me… Have sent him an email.

March 21.

He replied to my email. We are meeting tomorrow in the woods.

March 22.

… FML

[Verne]

March 24. I

Tonight I have discovered something while reading Irene’s manuscript. She speaks of a ‘rift’. I believe this rift allows Vampires to return from the dead. I must speak with Ezequiel to find out what he knows.

March 25.

He knew nothing about the rift and I believe he intends to hunt as a result and test my theory.

March 26.

Irene was not impressed that I had spoken to Ezequiel about the rift. I fear I may have put her in danger. I asked her not to publish the book, for all the world would know their secrets and she told me to get out. I left, but before I went I got a glimpse of her publisher’s name. I intend to stop the book from being published.

I am flying to New York tonight.

March 27.

Ran into Irene in New York, she plans to cancel the publication of the book. To say the least I am relieved. Heading home first thing this morning.

March 29.

I kissed her. What was I thinking?

March 30.

I did a bit of research at the library today and discovered some interesting things about our history. Some girl named Dominique tried to steal my car. I have plans for her…

March 31.

Met a girl called Leona at the gym today; she is like me, a Paladin, very strong. I have arranged to meet her tomorrow night to discuss things.

April 01.

On my way to meet Leona tonight I was attacked by a mad woman who revealed herself to be a Vampire. Her blade left a nasty gash on my left shoulder and she also managed to put a bullet in my foot. My arm remains lifeless for the time being. A follower of Ezequiel named Guillaume helped patch me up and taught me an ancient healing chant. I had to leave to find Irene.

April 04.

I haven’t managed to find Irene yet. I hope she is not mad about the kiss… The Order met tonight on Ezequiels command. They spoke of their ideas to close the rift. I offered then some information on the Blood Hunt that crazy Vampire informed me about, which seems to be the reason behind all the bodies in the sewers. They sicken me, all of them… Vampires… Paladins.

April 05.

Ezequiel Valentin is dead…

[Verne]

June 08.

Where are you…

June 10.

We have decided to take over an old abandoned building in the city. Looks like Vampires used to live here…

June 15.

First meeting of The Order was held today. Lots to think about. We need to start bringing in money by setting up businesses. We need more members.

June 18.

Three more people have joined The Order this week; hopefully my idea for the party will get us a few more.

June 19.

Posted the party online, looks like we have a few people willing to attend; should be fun.

Got my costume sorted!

Dom is going as Batgirl. She rocks.

[Verne]

July 01

Irene is back… Didn’t realise how much I missed her. I wish I could show her more of my world, but she seems hell bent on making me the bad guy. I don’t know what to do.

July 06

Plants are doing pretty well. Finished all of the rituals, no one recognises me anymore except Dominique. I was thinking of asking Katie Mae on a date, but she really doesn’t seem my type.

July 12

Meeting was interrupted by a Vampire named Killian tonight. Things are starting to get dangerous. Dom has been so reliable with her jobs, I hope she won’t mind taking over when I go on vacation in two weeks’ time. I think she’ll be ready.

[Verne]

You use your vampire hunter instincts and track a known vampire to Apt. CF 7003.

[Verne]

Verne slew the vampire. Verne also took an item (Vampire Ashes)

He was alone outside River station near the forest. I think he was following me, I didn't want to lead him home, now my hands are dirty with his ashes.

[Verne]

You use your vampire hunter instincts and track a known vampire to Catacombs S.

No ****. This place is crawling with them. They stink...

[Verne]

You use your vampire hunter instincts and track a known vampire to Station Net Cafe 2F.

Scary to think they're out at this time of day, in public. I'm going to try and draw some links between the areas I am finding them most commonly.

[Verne]

You use your vampire hunter instincts and track a known vampire to Vita Bella F4.

How odd, she was lying right next to me but usually my powers search further than that. I tried again and no luck, perhaps because she is on my mind even as she is sleeping. Third time lucky, I also managed to track one down to Trailer 14 which is a bit scary because my brother lives in my old trailer just across the park. I will go and visit him tonight and make sure he is okay.

[Verne]

Verne: Verne knocked on the door of his old trailer. It felt strange having to knock on a door that belonged to him, but he respected his little brother’s space and knowing there were Vampires in the neighbourhood, he wasn't about to barge on in just in case. It had just gone four o’clock in the afternoon, so most of the dangerous types were still tucked up in their beds, out of the light and waiting for first dark when they were able to stalk the stress again. There were, however, an exceptional few who didn't need the cover of darkness to get around, and Verne was always on high-alert; privy to that knowledge.

Vlad came to the door, his hands were dirty with soot and oil and he smelt the same as the time Verne’s car had decided to give up the ghost half way to town. “Rough day?”

Vladimir: Arseny heard the familiar knock and went straight to the door. It had been a while since he had seen his older brother, but the man’s knock was very distinctive, assured, yet clumsy. He wasn't surprised then to see that Verne looked as if he hadn't had a haircut in six months, and smelt of some cheap and nasty beer Arseny hadn't had the pleasure of drinking. “Not too rough, just been working on the Barracuda while school is out for a few weeks over summer.”

Verne: The tall male stepped back and looked across the driveway at the 1966 lime-green Barracuda that Arseny had up on bricks and smiled. “Ever going to get that thing running, Bro? Or is she just for show?”

Vladimir: Arseny laughed, Verne could talk; he had been driving around his piece of **** Firebird Pontiac for the last two years and breaking down all over the show. “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Verne: “But it doesn’t get your **** wet does it,” Verne smirked.

Vladimir: Arseny grimaced. “What brings you round? How was Russia?” The man waved his older brother in.

Verne: He stepped inside the trailer as Arseny waved him in. He sat down in his old armchair, which Arseny had refurbished himself by the feel of it before covering it in plastic; the guy was such a neat-freak. “Bad, good work wise, but bad… I did some stupid **** I’d rather not talk about.”

Vladimir: He wasn't surprised; Verne was always doing stupid ****, “What did you catch this time?”

Verne: “**** you,” he laughed. “Trust you to jump to conclusions, I haven’t caught anything.” He punched his little brother in the arm as Arseny moved to make himself comfortable on the couch, which was also covered, not in plastic but with a grey sheet.

Vladimir: Arseny laughed and rubbed his arm. “Well excuse me for knowing better.”

Verne: “Excused.”

Vladimir: “How is Dominique doing? When do I get to meet her? Why is she still putting up with you?” Arseny asked, and truly, he was surprised Verne had managed to hold down a relationship this long… Maybe he was lying, maybe there was no Dominique and Verne just liked to make him think there was.

Verne: “She’s good; we just got back from Vegas, what a trip.”

Vladimir: Arseny rolled his eyes, trust Verne to take the first potential he had ever at actually having a future with someone and take her somewhere like that. “Vegas… Really, she needed to see you folded over, off your face and high twenty-four-sever?”

Verne: “What can I say, she loves me.”

Vladimir: Arseny smiled, now he was sure this Dominique was made up, because any girl crazy enough to love Verne for everything he wasn’t could only be the kind of girl that was made of dreams. “What brings you round?”

Verne: “Why the twenty questions?” Verne asked in their native tongue and Arseny looked as if he had to think each word through; perhaps he had been away from home too long. “I just wanted to see how you were doing, is that such a crime?”

Vladimir: Arseny shook his head. “No… Want a beer?”

Verne: The scruffy blonde nodded.

Vladimir: Arseny got up and went to the fridge; he took the screw caps off of two bottles and gave one of the bottles to Verne before sitting back down. It seemed strange to call his brother by his real name as everyone knew him as Verne, even at the university, but he did it anyway. “Yavok how is mum?”

Verne: “You couldn’t let me enjoy my beer could you?” Verne teased and then looked a little more serious. “She isn't doing too well, the last time I saw her I had this feeling, you know? Like… like she wasn't going to make it into the care village. I think the move will kill her, you know how much she loves that shitty little house we called home.”

Vladimir: Arseny nodded. “Do you think…”

Verne: Verne cut his younger brother off, he didn't like the look of guilt he had just seen manipulating the man’s features. “No, it’s not worth going all the way back to see her… She barely remembers me, thinks I’m nine months old and sleeping in the back room most of the time, she’s lost it, Bro.”

Vladimir: His eyes watered up, but not before he managed to look away, he hated anyone seeing him when he was upset.

Verne: Verne didn’t say anything, he knew his brother had always been a big softy; he had also been a lot closer to their months and suffered her belts of insanity for a few more years than Yavok had. “I’ll give you the money for a ticket if you want to go…”

Vladimir: “No, I just… I feel like we've abandoned her.”

Verne: Verne finished his beer in one swift tip of his head then stood up. It seemed Arseny was doing just fine, his neck was clear of bites and the trailer didn't smell as if any Vampires had stumbled in lately. He cared about his brother but he didn't do guilt trips, and Arseny was a master. “Come round for dinner sometime this week and meet Dom, I’m sure you’ll like her.”

He didn’t look back to see if Arseny had acknowledged him, just went straight to the door after putting the empty bottle down and left. Arseny had his number; he could cool if he was free for dinner.