Turn the Page [Open]

[Nerissa Clemming]

"Hopefully, but if they do show up I'll be ready for them this time." Ever since the attack at the Quarantine Zone, Nerissa had been training almost nonstop, improving her skills and abilities. She looked over at the woman Aaron mentioned and shrugged. "I suppose. I'm more used to keeping out of people's way than meeting them. If we ever met it would have been in passing." She might know the woman's wallet though. While she was terrible at faces she was really good at remembering the wallets and items she stole from her unsuspecting victims. Pick-pocketing was the best way she had to get money, but it was also interesting to be able to tell what kind of person someone is depending on the type of wallet they own.

When Aaron asked about her she automatically got a bit defensive. She had to remind herself that he wasn't a threat and he was just making conversation. Besides, Rachel liked him so he could be someone she could be comfortable around. "I've been around. Exploring the city, making a bit of cash, getting familiar with the various places here. What about you?"

[Aaron Hunter]

When you ask someone what they’ve been doing lately, they generally give you a few details about recent events, and return the question back to you, either out of genuine interest or simple politeness. This scenario had just played itself out as expected, with the woman with purple streaks in her hair offering up a brief overview of her activities, and knocking the question back to Aaron like a game of catching-up tennis. How strange, then, that when the conversation followed the predicted pattern, the dark-haired musician wasn’t sure what to say. Surely, he should have seen the same question coming back to him like a boomerang?

“I’ve been doing a bit of this,” replied Aaron, “a bit of that, and a bit of the other. Nothing too exciting if I’m honest.”

The punk rocker paused as he tried to sum up the past few weeks, months even, in a couple of sentences. Rather like his counterpart, he had been keeping a pretty low profile lately, concentrating on building up his business, a drumming school for budding musicians, and continuing his training regime. The streets of Harper Rock were dangerous; a labyrinth of twists and turns that could easily lead to a dead end, literally. There always seemed to be someone with a gun in their hand or a dagger hidden up their sleeve. And it wasn’t just the human hunters who were the potential threats, it was fellow vampires too; those with grudges, or those who simply enjoyed inflicting pain to boost their over-inflated egos. He’d witnessed second-hand the damage and suffering that could be inflicted by a group of rampant vampires when his partner had been brutally attacked. It was survival of the fittest out there.

“I think I’ve been a bit like you,” continued Aaron, "you know, keeping myself to myself, trying to steer clear of those human hunters. I guess that’s why I’m always interested in finding out about new people in town.”

Aaron glanced back towards the woman with dreadlocks who was happily drinking her coffee, probably totally oblivious to the fact that she was the topic of conversation between two vampires. Deep down Aaron knew that she was probably no threat at all, and that he should relax, but there was always that irritating doubt in his mind following the incident in the Quarantine Zone, and the assault on his girlfriend.

Swivelling his head back towards the purple girl, Aaron delivered a huge grin.

“So, you’ll be ready to kick some *** if those freaks come back? Remind me not to annoy you!”

Aaron chuckled to himself. He generally wasn’t in the habit of winding people up and irritating them, mainly because he knew how frustrating it was if people did it to him. Do unto others as you’d like them to do to you, or something like that, right? The bottom line was that Aaron didn’t have too many people in Harper Rock that he could genuinely call friends, so pissing off acquaintances was never going to be a great plan. His adoptive vampiric family had seemingly vanished into the shadows, scattering far and wide around the city. Aaron was definitely not alone; he had met a small group of likeminded souls that he was close to, but it was a mishmash of folk, most of whom didn’t actually know each other. Maybe he should start networking a little more?

“Exploring sounds like fun,” said Aaron, referencing the woman’s response. “Have you found anywhere cool?”

Sharing some information with the woman with long dark hair and creative purple highlights seemed like a fine idea. Places to hide out, areas of the city with hidden treasures, or secret lairs belonging to bad guys who needed a damn good kicking could be avenues to adventure.

[Nerissa Clemming]

Nerissa chuckled, "Trust me, it's difficult to get on my bad side!" She listened to Aaron, vaguely thinking that this is one of the few times she just had a casual conversation. Most of the time it was either passing conversations or chats that ended in someone (or somethings) death. It was rather nice actually. She had very few people she could call friends, but maybe Aaron could become one of them.

He asked her if she had found anywhere cool. She thought for a second, going through the areas she had explored. "There are a couple of places deep in the wilderness that I came across before. Plenty of wild animals out there, that's for sure." She thought briefly about the various wolves and bears she killed. Their pelts gave her a nice bit of pocket money. "I also have a new hangout, a place called Station Net Cafe. It's a nice place." She had been wanting to practice her hacking skills, and so far she was pretty much left alone whenever she was on the computer.

"So I have to ask, what brings you this book shop? I wouldn't really peg you as a book worm."

[Aaron Hunter]

There’s a well-used phrase about not judging a book by its cover. Basically, it means that conclusions shouldn’t be drawn about someone based on their physical appearance and outward persona. There can often be a hidden side to the person, internal features and characteristics that are masked by a confusing exterior. How ironic that Aaron’s rather rugged image, his cover, had seemingly acted as a distraction to the book that was housed inside, and in a bookstore of all places.

Dressed in well-weathered leather jackets, faded jeans, and an array of T-shirts depicting bands, sci-fi movies, or general nerdiness, Aaron’s usual wardrobe did give off a certain aura. Shabby, unkempt hair, and a stubbly, unshaved face added to the whole somewhat scruffy image. It was easy to mistake Aaron for just another punk dude wandering the streets and alleyways of Harper Rock. But there was a little more depth to the creative musician, a few surprises up his sleeve.

“Why am I here in this bookshop?” replied Aaron. “Good question. It’s funny that you mentioned the wilderness because I’ve been reading up on the local area and the history of the place.”

The fan of comic books and fantasy would always take an opportunity to browse through the graphic novel section of the store, and he would undoubtedly spend some time looking inside giant hardback encyclopaedias that were full of ancient history. He’d been looking at old Japanese weaponry only a few minutes ago. Those magnificent katana blades were so impressive! They’d have been perfect for slashing the limbs off pesky zombies and unruly rogue vampires. Someone needed to combine these two disciplines and create a comic book about Harper Rock, obviously with Aaron as the sword-swinging hero! However, what he really wanted today was to find a reference book about the wilderness that surrounded the city. Something historical, or maybe some maps. In particular, the inquisitive punk was keen to gather knowledge about a region to the northeast of town called the Algonquin Caverns.

“I’ve been doing a bit of hunting myself,” added Aaron, “but not for wild animals. These creatures are far more bizarre! I wanted to get some more information about the place that I found.”

The Algonquin Caverns, near the Moss End district, were filled with strange beasts in possession of magical powers, some kind of demifae with a scaly appearance. There were also weird spider-like mutants dwelling in the caves, vicious monsters that looked like they would eat you alive, given half a chance. The sensible thing to do would be to steer well clear of the ghastly place, but there was an incentive to risk life and limb, rewards that made the challenge worth the gamble.

“And on top of that,” continued Aaron enthusiastically, “the beasties up there seem to be surrounded by some lovely, shiny gems!”

Aaron’s face beamed brightly as he finished his sentence, his eyes glistening almost as dazzlingly as the emeralds and sapphires that he’d collected in the foreboding maze of damp tunnels. He suddenly realized that his face had frozen in the pose of the Cheshire Cat, such was the delight conveyed by his wide grin. If he held this position for any longer, then the book lover would surely be classed as a freak by his purple-streaked acquaintance.

“I don’t know if you’ve come across the place?” asked Aaron, his face returning to normal as the huge grin slowly disappeared. “Does the Algonquin Caverns sound familiar?”

The musician scratched his chin, the fine bristles of unshaven whiskers rustling beneath his fingers.

“Oh, and I think I’ve heard of the Station Net Café. Is it any good?”

[Nerissa Clemming]

The Algonquin Caverns? Yeah, I think I ran across it a long time ago. Barely made it through the entrance before nearly dying.." Nerissa could still remember the terror she experienced. After hearing rumors about precious gems still littering the caverns, her greed overruled her common sense and she rushed there. "Perhaps I would fare better these days." Aaron's expression as he described the caverns amused her. It was fun to know that she wasn't the only one that had been captivated by the thought of those gems.

"Station Net isn't too bad. Pretty quiet, which I appreciate. Easy to get in and out unnoticed." Despite having spent a good couple of years at Harper Rock, she just couldn't shake the habit of wanting to stay unnoticed. It had done her well when it came to her thievery and occasional feedings, but when it came to actually interacting with people she tended to get overwhelmed, especially when she didn't plan on doing any socializing. Some call it social anxiety, she just called it an annoyance.

"So are you going to the caverns anytime soon? So do you plan on reading more books about it first?"

[Aaron Hunter]

Aaron wasn’t a particularly materialistic kind of guy. He never craved the latest all singing and dancing phone, and he didn’t have to own the biggest TV. He felt no need to show off to his friends, or to try and keep up with the Joneses. It was a thankless task that was doomed to fail. The rocker’s clothes often looked as though they had been bought from a charity shop (to be fair, some had), and his apartment was filled with rather modest furnishings. Sure, money mattered, as it did for everyone, because at the end of the day there was always the rent to pay, and even though he didn’t need the latest gadget, it was always nice to buy a few treats here and there. There was always one more old punk LP that needed purchasing, or a sci-fi movie to go and watch at the local cinema. But cash wasn’t king in Aaron’s world. As long as he had enough money to get by, he’d be happy.

The musician ran a drumming academy called Skin Trade. He earned enough to keep things ticking over, but he was never going to become a millionaire teaching kids how to bang a few drums and clash the odd cymbal or two. The chance to make a few extra bucks, to give a little bit of financial security in a changing world, would usually appeal to Aaron. As laid back as he was, the affable drummer was also a diligent worker. He didn’t want hand-outs, he wanted to earn his keep. An occasional trip to the Algonquin Caverns offered the explorer an opportunity to plunder treasure, like some kind of modern day urban pirate.

“I’ll be heading over to the Caverns soon enough,” said Aaron. “Those gems kind of draw me in like a magnet. Maybe you’d want to come along one time, see if you can grab a few shiny things?”

Generally, Aaron would head to the Caverns - which were located to the east of the city - on his own. Not only did he enjoy testing out his fighting skills on the weird and wonderful beasts that inhabited the network of caves and tunnels, and of course coming home with some loot, but Aaron also liked the solitude. Although Aaron was a very sociable kind of guy, he frequently felt the urge to escape for a while, to gather his thoughts somewhere away from the crowds. The psychiatrists and psychologists would probably explain Aaron’s behaviour on the fact that he grew up with a violent and abusive father, and that the musician needed to have a safe place, a sanctuary to hide away from the turbulent world. Certainly, there would be a large amount of truth in the theories of the experts, but, in plain and simple terms, Aaron sometimes just wanted to enjoy his own company, daydream, maybe even come up a new tune or two for his band.

A few of the young woman’s words regarding the Station Net Café struck a chord with Aaron. It was the way that she mentioned getting in and out of the place “unnoticed”. Perhaps Aaron wasn’t the only person in the bookstore who enjoyed slipping away without being seen; perhaps his acquaintance was also fond of anonymity and solitude? Either that, or she was some kind of thief, sneaking around like a crafty ninja!

“So, Miss Purple, you like a bit of peace and quiet?” added Aaron. “You like to be able to blend in with the crowd, and go about your business without any hassle? I can relate to that.”

As the conversation developed, it appeared that this chance encounter was possibly turning out to be pretty fruitful.

[Nerissa Clemming]

Nerissa thought about Aaron's offer. Logically it made sense to go to the caverns with another person; the chances of survival would drastically increase. The only thing stopping her was the fact that there would be another person. Despite the years she spent in Harper Rock she still couldn't get used to the idea of being comfortable around other people, except for a chosen few. Yet here she was chatting with a near stranger as though they were old friends. Once again she entertained the thought of possibly becoming friends with this man. "Maybe if we happen to cross paths again I could tag along," she answered him. It was a safe answer, one that didn't commit her to too much. Who knows when she would see this guy again?

His next comment caused her to smirk a bit, "Oh can you? Blending into the crowd is much more comfortable for me. I've spent too much time alone to like being the center of attention." It's much easier to steal wallets that way too, she added to herself. She sub-consciously readjusted the bag on her shoulder and continued talking, "You don't strike me as the type you likes to remain unseen."

[Aaron Hunter]

“Excuse me, please,” said a middle-aged man, “may I squeeze passed you both?”

Aaron shuffled backwards towards a bookshelf to allow a new customer to wander along the aisle. The man, with a slightly receding hairline, and wearing a beige overcoat that covered a somewhat rotund body within, continued his journey through the bookstore until he arrived at his reading destination. Aaron watched as the shopper browsed through a selection of self-help books, his chubby fingers flicking through the pages of a sizable hardback that he had just pulled from the shelf.

“I kind of forgot that we were in a shop,” said Aaron, returning his focus to his friend.

Friend: was that what the woman with purple streaks in her hair actually was now, or was she just another casual acquaintance? Harper Rock could be a cold, hard city, with dangers and pitfalls lurking around every corner. True friendships were difficult to come by, often more rare than unicorns at the local zoo. Trusting anyone in this cutthroat world of the vampire, deciding who was genuine and who was yet another faker, making that jump from strangers to friends, was a gamble that even the most adept poker players or psychologists would find challenging. Aaron found it interesting that the woman mentioned her tendency of finding herself alone. Was that by choice, did she enjoy the freedom of solitude, or was that her default setting because she didn’t really know anyone in town? There was still so much that Aaron didn’t know about the shy vampire.

Conversation with the woman, Miss Purple as she would be known as from now on, seemed fairly easy, allowing Aaron to momentarily forget that the pair were still in a bookstore. His dark hazel eyes flicked across to the seated area where coffee was served, noticing that the girl with dreadlocks appeared to have vanished, leaving behind an empty cup as evidence of her visit. Was she just another face that would be lost in the crowd, or would she show up again? So many people simply went about their daily business, almost oblivious to the existence of anyone who was outside of their tiny friendship circles. It was good to chat. There was always something new to learn.

“So, you think I’m the kind of guy who’d like to be in the spotlight,” asked Aaron, in response to the woman’s words, “someone who likes to take centre stage?”

Although it was true that Aaron did indeed love to be on stage with his band, feeling the energy of the crowd as the music flowed, his position at the back of the group behind his faithful drums suited him. The punk was able to soak in the atmosphere like a sonic sponge, but still scan his receptive eyes across the faces of the audience from the defensive safety of his kit. Aaron smiled, looking downwards at his faded leather jacket and jeans, a fairly monochrome outfit.

“I’ve always considered myself as more of a crow than a peacock!”

The smile grew into a beaming grin.

“A crow that loves to collect gems!”

In a flash, the conversation had returned to the topic of treasures and trinkets that could be plundered from the Algonquin Caverns. It raised an interesting question: would the pair cross paths again?

“You should definitely tag along next time I go exploring,” added Aaron, “It’ll be fun, especially if we grab a load of sparkly stuff on the way!”

[Nerissa Clemming]

Nerissa jumped at the man's voice and instinctively stepped back. She was so wrapped up in the conversation she didn't even notice him coming, and now the low noises in the rest of the bookstore returned to her senses, and yet she wasn't all that nervous. Perhaps it was because of Aaron's company? She wasn't sure. "Yeah, kind of weird how that happens," she responded, her hand on her bag surprisingly loose. One wrong move and her exploits from tonight would be revealed, and yet she had no fear of that happening. How strange.

At his crow comment she smirked, "Shiny gems can be quite irresistible, can't they? Especially the more valuable ones." Perhaps exploring the caverns with this guy wouldn't be too bad. Despite her protests, Nerissa knew that fighting in a group was always more useful, and safer, than alone. She just never had anyone to be with, but now it seemed that she did. "Well, if we ever do cross paths again, I wouldn't protest to a little spelunking. More hands means more jewels after all!" For the first time in a very long time, she smiled a genuine smile at her new... friend? Yes, friend. How very strange to use that word again after so long. "I'm always wandering town, so I wouldn't be surprised if we meet up again soon!"

[Aaron Hunter]

When he was a young child back in New York, Aaron loved to dress up as a pirate. The energetic pretender had a black eyepatch that was held in place by a piece of elasticated string, a plastic cutlass that he would slash back and forth through the air, killing imaginary enemies, a faux velvet tricorne hat with a skull and crossbones motif stuck to the front, and to complete the outfit, Captain Hunter even had a cuddly-looking toy parrot. The make-believe buccaneer would search for buried treasure around the house, plundering apples and candy rather than diamonds and pearls.

In many ways, a trip to the Algonquin Caverns was just another swashbuckling adventure, only played out with real, deadly swords, and genuine gems. Maybe Aaron needed to let his stubble grow into a full-length beard so that he looked the part? Having said that, wasn’t there already a Blackbeard?

“The more the merrier!” replied Aaron. “It’s always useful to have a buddy watching your back while your eyes are focussed on finding those gems.”

Two heads were often better than one, and four hands wielding guns and knives to take down the beasts that lurked within the Caverns would always be better than just two. A successful pirate captain needed a crew to sail the ship, right? Steering the frigate while trying to hoist the sails, and fire the cannons, was definitely a hard task to achieve.

“A treasure hunt would be awesome,” continued Aaron. “Do you have a phone number so that I can get hold of you, or are you one of those telepathic dudes who jumps into someone’s head?”

Aaron wasn’t a huge fan of vampires who were in possession of mind tricks, mainly because he was worried what they may uncover if they rummaged around inside his mind. There were some dark secrets buried deeper in his brain than any pirate’s stash on a deserted tropical island. Some things needed to remain hidden away. There was no “X” to mark the spot in Aaron’s thoughts.

“Excuse me again, Sir,” said the middle-aged customer as he brushed passed Aaron with a couple of books tucked under his arm. “Time for me to pay.”

The happy shopper wandered by with a huge grin sprawled across his slightly chubby face, clearly having found the titles that he was looking for. Aaron smiled softly as he watched the man walk towards the checkout till. Wouldn’t life be so easy if it were one huge bookstore; a place where everything was laid out on shelves in an orderly fashion, and you could simply chose what you wanted. Today, I’ll be a top chef, or an intellectual philosopher, or a relationship guru, or perhaps a comic book hero. Tomorrow, I’ll be a sporting legend, a spy in a secretive underworld, a religious historian, or maybe even a deadly vampire in a city of horrors. The last option made Aaron chuckle to himself as the thought drifted through his mind.

The vampire’s attention returned to his purple-haired friend. Raising an eyebrow, Aaron added a final sentence.

“Maybe we should ask that guy to tag along too!”