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The email reply to his came within minutes. He didn’t have to wait that long for a response. Actually the speed of the reply told him a couple of things. First, it told him, she was actively monitoring her email, and second, it was a safe bet that there were more blackmail ‘victims’ than just himself and his spawn. Not only was she blackmailing him for money, but she was willing to go after his lab as well. Except she wasn’t aware that he had shut down the DNA testing department that had been available to the public.

Doc tapped out a reply.

You're adorable Mona. (See what I did there,.. I used the word properly.) Perhaps you haven't noticed, and why should you? My business affairs are hardly high priority to you. But for your edification, Genesis Labs is no longer a business that relies on the public.

And just to be clear, I know who you are as well.

HItting send, he grabbed his car keys, and headed to the police station. Thirty minutes later he was standing in front of the desk sergeant explaining the situation to him.

“I wish to file a complaint.”

The desk sergeant didn’t even look up, “Name?”

“Charles Nilson.”

“Complaint?” Again said without looking up as the sergeant keyed the information.

“Blackmail.”

Now that got the sergeant’s attention, he looked up. “Blackmail?” Well this might be interesting.

Wordlessly, Doc pulled up the blackmail email on his cell phone and showed it the sergeant. The sergeant read it, and slid a inquisitive back to Doc. “Is it true.”

Doc sighed and said in a long-suffering manner, “Do I look like a ******* vampire?” Doc had a healthy complexion and human aura, “The woman is trying extort money out of me and ruin my business.” He pulled up the second email. “See…? She knows full well her ‘information’ is false.. She is threatening my business, hoping I will pay to make her go away. Well **** that ****. That is why I am here.. I nothing to ******* hide.”

“Calm down sir.. No need to get upset.”

“I am ******* calm.”

“It is hard to tell with your liberal use of colorful metaphors, sir.”

Doc counted silently, “Apologies.”

The desk sergeant picked up the phone and spoke to someone. A half an hour later, Doc was seated across from a detective Needlemeyer explaining the situation and showing him the emails. Over the course of the next hour, Doc answered question after question. Did he know the woman? Yes. How? He had a subscription to her newspaper as well as having had purchased ad space in the newspaper. When was the last time you had dealings with her? Haven’t seen her face to face in months, he would have to check with his accounting department to seen when the last payment for ad space was sent, because Doc didn’t know. Are you willing to press charges? Yes. Why else was he here? As the conversation wrapped up the detective looked at him.

“I will look into this. But I will be honest, it may not be easy to prove. She can claim someone hacked her email account or spoofed her email address. It may be easier to prove in civil court than criminal court.”

Doc gave Needlemeyer an assessing look before slowly nodding. “Thank you.. I will pursue that avenue as well.”


Note: Typo’d the detective’s name. Didn’t realize until after.

Another week in the castle had ended. The brobdingnagian killer known as Mordechai was seated once again in the massive leather chair of his office, computers flickering on his desk, as he thoughtlessly controlled them with his mind, going over the last few months of his businesses. He had not taken time out in ages, they ran like a well oiled machine under his trusted managers. The money was coming in steadily, and his work had nothing but rave reviews in the periodicals that truly mattered. His eyes were closed as the big chair swiveled in slow circles the soft thud of his NewRock heels driving it in perpetual motion. The left screen flickered as it closed from https://www.swatmag.com, the article on his latest customs, a series of modified Psylens that used the the specialized 5.7×28mm round created by Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal, for use in their P90 PDW and FiveSeven pistol. The low recoil and high velocity combined with the inherent quality of the Psylen’s created a niche pistol that was selling well. A flicker of the middle screen opened a new tab on his personal email account. As the latest email opened, the chair ground to a stop as his heterogenic eyes snapped open, locked to the screen….. The killer wanted to actually read this… make sure it wasn't the result of a faulty neuron in his gray matter.

Mona McGee wrote:You have been sloppy and careless I will be printing a Edition of the Sun with all known Vampires ... for a 10,000 Donation your name can be removed from the published list make all checks payable to Mona McGee. You have one week before publishing

An odd time to try and blackmail a vampire… if she had any proof at all. He had been nowhere near humans in months, not since those misguided miscreants had tried to attack Prudence and him in the castle, to their untimely demise….. But now? The government was already outing the race. The most she could have on him was some ******** he said/ she said from ages ago when he was a fledgling. There was no proof, of that he was sure. She was probably one of those ******* Paladins that were always trying to cause trouble, and he knew they were constantly passing names of those they thought were vampires…. And stupidly killing humans that wanted to play goth at night. Shaking his head he rolled over the pro’s and con’s of just plain silencing her… the old fashioned way…. No, he would do it the modern way. Closing his eyes once more he sent his mind searching through the web, delicately tracing the nodes and packets as he tried to slip inside the Sun’s databases

Roller's NameOpponent TypeDifficultyTask typeOpponent's NameReason for rollResult
MordechaiOther NPCs/ObjectsModerateIntellectualhack sun database HC threadSucceeded

As the list of suppliers and accounts payable scrolled behind his eyelids, he began to place orders…..

Hmmm….. one thousand reams of high bond copy paper. Twenty- five cases pens, black. Fifteen cases pens, red. Seventeen cases pens, red…. It was obvious that they need more red than black to fix all the errors in their copy. Five Brother Mfc 9120cn Aio P C S F Laser Printer 17’s. Fourteen dry erase boards, size large. One hundred reams 11x17 ninety brightness copy paper. The killer paused, surely they burn the midnight oil at the paper, they must be hungry by now… there we go, Domino’s online ordering, and… ah there it is, Mona McGee’s expense account. Now to pair them together, and… forty large cheese and pepperoni with twelve 2-liters, delivered in thirty minutes. A slow grin grew on his lips, as he scanned the saved workings of Mona on the main server… She definitely picked the wrong vampires to try and out. The woman would be lucky if she did not wake up dead… or a vampire

Dominique: Dominique knew all too well. No amount of time would pass that would see her forgetting what she had been, where she had been. She inhaled deep. It gave her time to think over the situation while the organic buzz started working it’s magic. “But in these times, the here and now, she is pretty much sending out invites to clean her clock, Andy. The attempt at extortion will be seen for what it is. Extortion for not outing what someone has yet to choose to talk about. What will be next? Those who are gay or from some extremist organization? Or...those that drink from her current target?” A gray plume formed above her head as she exhaled slowly. A stretch had her passing back then reclining as much as was possible in the chair beneath her. “The Order isn’t the only thing that failed. Everyone did... or maybe that was destined to be the result all along? People don’t care anymore about limiting themselves to the outside, the first impression, the easy look and stamps of approval. The mass *** whoopings for having a set of fangs or a rosary and a an Order key card into the holy house doesn’t define things anymore. It is coming down to whatever you are is alright as long as you aren’t the world's biggest asshole about it.” She took the drink in hand and held the rim of the glass at her lips. “You know what…” She sipped and held the liquor on her tongue behind her closed lips long enough to appreciate the taste of it that blossomed in her mind. “I think people took their rose colored glasses off and discovered we all are in the same pool. The saints are all gone. No one is going to heaven. There never was such a place. This is as good as it gets.”


Andrew Mc Gee: "You got that right." he took another hit. "If this was Vegas, God shouted 'Bust all you mother fuckers.' "The older man laughed in spite of himself. "Take away the pretty viewpoints and no matter what you are, we are all the same. I actually work for one of them. A vampire. Kindest and sweet little person I could say I ever met. I imagine she can be hellfire and damnation when she gets pissed off, but that's true of anyone I suppose. None of us are perfect. For every person in the Order I thought was okay, I could name two where I had to wonder who let them loose without supervision and meds. Same can be said of the vamps and anyone else. If there is a Heaven, kiddo, it isn't meant for the likes of us. But," he continued after another sip. "That still doesn't explain what flew up Mona's *** to do some skippy **** like this."

Dominique: “Mona will be better off trying to sell golden tickets to the promised land and be the tour guide. Soon this place will be the new .. People will be begging for it, Andy. It will likely be the desperate ones who have nothing left to give them hope who will migrate from all of the farthest reaches to get here. Those that are losing the battle to cancer, to a blood virus that offers at the very most a couple more decades at best under the strict regimen that only the privileged or elite can afford to maintain. Those who will be unable to stop the progression to their bodies they are trapped in. Nearly everyone wants to live and some will beg and worship to get the cure. Those who truly want to die will still choose the tops of high buildings or a bullet because they weren’t invested in the long term plan to begin with. Weakness will cull its own.”

Andrew McGee: "Oh yes, I already expect to see Mulder and Scully or the guys from Supernatural walking the streets soon enough." It was a poor attempt at humor. "But everyone wants a 'magic bullet' to cure all their woes. Problem is no one wants to consider the price of such a thing. Let me ask you this. You even worked for a vampire for a time yourself. Did they ever act like they didn't have a care in the world? They had all the answers and life was totally perfect? If they were real people at heart, the answer is no. The people with the fangs are just like the people in the Order. You trading in one set of problems for a brand new set of them." He had often wondered about the few vampires he had gotten to know to a degree. On the surface they were all slick and perfect, but still Andy wondered how messed up they were in other ways. "The idea of a pain free, eternal life sounds great at first, but what do you trade to get that? Me? I got some of my youth and vigor back when I was trained for the Order. I don't need my glasses anymore, I heal quicker. Not bad for a old **** nearly in his 70's. But there is a downside to that as well and you lived it with me, darlin'." Dominique was right. Harper Rock was going to become the new Rosewell soon enough. Every freak for or against the undead was gonna flood this place searching for their answers but what was going to happen when the freaks did not get the answers they hoped for? Take vampires hostages and demand they turn them or mass shoot outs in public places trying to kill one of them? We got front row seats to the Circus of the Damned now. Mini butt, and yes- Mona is trying to sell tickets to it all."

Dominique: Dominique eyed Andy. “Mona wanted ten thousand sent to her in return for erasing my name from a list labeling me for what I am.” The glass in her hand was set down on the table beneath it and she leaned forward. His honesty was something she never had to question. “I don’t pay extortionists. I also don’t hide what I am. I embrace it.” She unfolded her legs and stood up. Her eyes glanced to Skippy who was still in front of the television. “You know where this is heading if you don’t see where her head is at.” She pulled the dug out from her pocket and looked at it. “My boss is proof that not all of us are looking to suck the life out of you, own you and wear you like skin suits.” She dropped dug out on the table and HOPE flicked it towards him. “I killed people, Andy.” There was no expression of remorse on her face, no tears. “I held a couple hearts in my hands and dropped them in a jar and gave them as a gift and as a reminder. I enjoyed it. Does that make me a monster?” She shrugged. “Before you judge think back to every body your hands and your bullets went into while you were in the wars you fought. I know I will kill again. So will you. I won’t pretend when I do it was something noble or for the best interests of the world around me. Once I quit lying to myself I found I slept a lot better during the day. It is the beauty of the truth when you own it.”

Andrew McGee: "I'm not judging anyone," Andy said. "All I will ever say is if that idiots will be idiots, no matter how you dress them up or what extras they have to work with. Killing is sadly a way of life most of the time. A necessity at times. But just to do it for the sake of doing it? For fun?" he shook his head no. "That's the ego of a seriously deranged person at work. Again, you don't have to have fangs to manage that one." He picked up the dug and looked it over. "My point is, a lot of people, with or without fangs, are gonna get caught in the crossfire of all this nonsense."

Dominique: Dominique sighed. Andy was right. She had been around long enough to agree. "This is why I am here. I don't want to see Mona going into something without thinking it through. Especially when some of the consequences can backfire. She is not invincible and she is playing a dangerous game." Skippy was still glued to the television set and after a few seconds Dominique looked back to Andy. "I hope you catch up with Mona before this goes beyond what it already is. Either way she will need you."

Andrew McGee: "I can try. It's not like I have been the father always around to advise her on things. All I can do is ask her what does she think she is doing and has she thought it through." Andy shrugged as he finished off his drink. "Would not hurt for you to put in an appearance as well. You two were close to a degree once." He had no idea how much had changed between Dominique and Mona since Mini had been turned, His own view? McGee was ready to declare a one man war on the Order when they discovered Mini was vampire. Once loyal allies was ready to carve her up like a turkey. "I will try to find her."

Dominique: “If you need me let me know. And for what it is worth I do give a **** what happens to her even if she has lost her damn mind.” She reached for the doorknob and turned it. HOPE held it tight as she remembered something. “Last time I checked she wasn’t a fan of strawberry ice cream. Find out what she prefers these days so I have some ready to bring along to the hospital if she keeps this up.” Without another word she left. Andy would be looking for his daughter and she had some shopping to do.

Andrew McGee: He said nothing as Mini made her sudden exit. That was normal for the course. Their lives worked that way. Chatty as hell one moment, then silence. He stood up and looked at the TV. Skippy had fallen asleep watching. He left her alone as he went back to his craft room. Andy began picking out what weapons to carry before he started out to find Mona. "Everything probably an insane mess out there now," he reasoned as his hands lifted his sword cane. "So much for a lazy weekend." he fumed.

It had been a long night. The email notifications on her computer kept coming in very frequently. Mona took a long drag off of her cigarette smoke curling from red lips up past the ebony hair that surrounded bloodshot eyes. She would have to go to bed soon but not now. Now she was seeing what all Vampires had up their wicked little sleeves.

She stubbed out the smoke and fingers wrapped around the scotch she had been nursing most of the evening. Her eyes focused on the first email she opened it after the virus scan was complete. She had already heard from the good Dr. ... he was none too pleased and here was another this one practically screamed at her ... Wtf was the shadow realm?. her eyes read on as she thought to herself. Must be some sort of limbo these fucks were sent to when they died because they weren't happy about getting a damn email there in their "rest" as they put it.

Mona closed it out and went to the next one Jesus how could one expect to blackmail anyone when they refused to read their emails for another few months her eyebrows furrowed as her fingers moved the mouse to the delete button.

::AUTOMATED EMAIL MESSAGE::

Thank you for your message. Unfortunately, I'm out of the country and not checking emails at the moment due to sporadic internet access.

If you have the email address of my assistant Michael, please feel free to forward this message on to him and he will be happy to help you while I'm overseas. I will be responding to emails immediately prior to Christmas of this year.

Regards,

Pi dArtois.

The message soon vanished and on to the next one. Mona read threats ... Mona read just plain out incredulous responses and then she realized that someone had actually paid up . She jotted down the name.

From: xxxxxxx Subject: Blackmailing xxxxxxx Message:

Now dear Miss Mona, we have known each other quite fondly for some years now with the xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx.. Now I hear you are blackmailing a friend, a child of mine you could say, to keep her name out of the paper. I trust the monetary compensation enclosed is enough to keep her name out of the paper, now and always. Plus my own. If you decide to print our names out there I know we will not end up on such good terms in the future, and I would much prefer to keep our relationship a happy one, wouldn`t you? No more blackmailing of dearly beloved fiends of mine, huh.. Sincerely, xxxxx xxxxxxxx

Mona paused and her fingers started to move over the keyboard .... Dear xxxxxx I'm sorry this involved your childe. I have no way of telling who are the dicks and who are the nice guys at the moment this little experiment is telling me a whole lot. If it helps any all of the monetary gains are going to help the needy and homeless of the city. They are the ones that most forget about and are the easiest targets for all the assholes that do not get or care about humanity the place where they were spawned from. So it is sort of my way of making a few reparations for vampire kind. I do hope you understand . I know there are good people out there even if they are a vampire. She hit the send button and fished another Marlboro out of the red and white pack with a flick of her finger a cherry glow appeared and she exhaled . It didn't take her friend long to respond .

From: xxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: RE: Blackmailing xxxxxxxx Message:
I am so happy we can come to this understanding. There are many of dicks out there but watch yourself, those said dicks would love nothing more then to dispose of any kind of nuisance caused to them, and we wouldn`t want anything to happen to anyone. I am well aware of the feedings going on, I myself prefer blood bags and have for quite some time now, one a day and hopefully the homeless or desolate college student donating the blood were well compensated, seeing as I have spent upward of thousands on feeding. I will let you in on a little secret, seeing as most secrets are being made public. Some of us are far too busy or lazy to bother hunting. From an unknown source if you bother to quote that. One day, I will explain more but know this darling, not all are unfriendly.. and some you have known for long periods of time. Even before the veil was lifted, I didn`t hide all that well so I know it comes as no shock now. Much love darling xxxxxxxxxx

Mona smiled and clicked the button to view the next Email in line. When a knock came at the door . She stubbed the freshly lit smoke out and her hand curled around the cool steel of her pistol. She moved from the desk and called out "Who is it ?"as she approached the door not quite standing in front of it . "Dominos mam we are here with your pizzas aye " came a young sounding voice from the other side . Pizza what the **** she thought .

She cracked the door open cautiously and a pimply faced kid was standing there with a dolly full of bags . "This is the Sun righty aye? Ive got the 40 pizzas you ordered and the pops. You must be having some sort of big party ?"

He shoved the ticket at her. Mona snatched it and read forty large cheese and pepperoni
with twelve 2-liters, Total $ 560.45. It had already been paid for on her card it had seemed . So it had really begun she thought "Ok man listen you got the address wrong you were supposed to deliver these to the soup kitchen down on 5th and main ... There are a lot of hungry people down there that are needing something to eat can you take them down there for me please before they get cold " She fished in her pocket and dug out a $ 50. Here take this for your trouble man. He started to stutter 'Ohhh ohh I'm so sorry Yes yes we will get them there asap and no need for the tip . It was our mistake "



Mona wouldn't take no for a answer on the tip and watched as he rolled the pizzas away. "Damit' she went back to her computer and opened up The Suns business section and then went to her expensed account . Fuucccckkk .




One thousand reams of high bond copy paper. $6000,00
Twenty- five cases pens, black. $1875
Fifteen cases pens, red. Seventeen cases pens, red $1875.00
Five Brother Mfc 9120cn Aio P C S F Laser Printer 17’s. $8306.25
Fourteen dry erase boards, size large. $2519.30
One hundred reams 11x17 ninety brightness copy paper. $2594.00



She started to try and cancel the orders or at least change them but the people she ordered from were very proficient . They had boxed and shipped the orders right away The girl on the phone sounded very apologetic. Mona looked at the list Pens what the **** was she going to do with that many pens ... then a smile came on her face . "Can I add another order ?" The voice on the other end sounded shocked "You really want another order after all of that?" Mona smiled "Yes I'm very sure " Give me 1000 Red pens with red ink I want logos on them that say 'The Sun Vampires are Real' and Give me another 1000 that say ' The Sun Hug a Vampire they are People too ' . The girl paused " Um you sure about that mam " . Mona smile Yes I'm dead sure "Okay Miss McGee each 1000 pen case is $840 each so that is a grand total of 1680.00 and shipping is free on that order . You will get your pens within 2 business days and thank you so much for your Orders ."



Mona smiled then she called the bank and had her card reported lost and all of her automatic transfers canceled any money that got pulled out would have to come the old fashioned way. She didn't mind walking to the bank she had all day to do it . Tomorrow she would be Finding homes for the office supplies with Local charities and institutions that helped the needy of the city. These people thought they were hindering her when they were really making all sorts of amends for their bad behavior . Mona smiled this called for a little celebration as she noticed that another deposit had been made to her charity fund .

(ooc: part of the cardinal played by Docmun)

Mona: Mona walked up the church steps her normal dress was forgone for a much more conservative look She crossed herself before entering. She entered the Sanctuary it was quite beautiful the stained glass shown brightly against the more subdued areas of the church . Approaching the alter she knelt and crossed herself once again bowing her head then walked back down the aisle and lit a candle for her mother. Her mission was the rectory and the offices that were there . She entered and The frosty stare that the Nun had on her face as she looked Mona up and down had Mona adjusting the dress she wore even though nothing was askew. "Hello I’m Mona McGee i have a appointment with his Excellency " The nun looked at Mona down the length of her bespectacled nose . "He is Expecting you Miss McGee. wont you please go in ."

Cardinal Callins: Cardinal Thomas Christopher Callins sat behind his opulent and heavily carved mahogany desk. He steepled his pudgy fingers together as he awaited his next appointment. The press. His face held a smug and arrogant look, as he was sure to have the press eating out of his hand in no time. The press. Such simple minded people they were. So easily led to believe what you wanted. And if they failed to comply, they would be labeled heretics and their reputation ruined. Cardinal Callins had a good idea what this 'reporter' wanted to talk about. Yes another defrocked priest caught plunging his manhood into a child. He was ready.

Mona: Mona’s Mother had been old school catholic after she had went straight after Mona’s birth she had delved into the church with a fervor one that had not totally been wasted on Mona. Though she did not have her mothers zeal for the church she did share a great respect and belief in God . She entered the office and approached the Cardinal and knelled before him .

Cardinal Callins:The Cardinal was somewhat mollified, as the girl knelt before him, languidly he held his beringed fingers toward her, giving the barest hint that he might actually allow her to touch him, when flicked his hand is a gesture born of being far too self important. "Rise." Hos voice seemed as though he barely held back the air of impatience that he felt. He took a moistened towelette and wiped his hand, as though his hand coming into contact with the air about her, had contaminated him. "What can the Church do for you?"

Mona: Monas lips brushed the cool metal of the ring and she rose taking the leather chair opposite of the desk. "Your Excellency Im Mona McGee from The Harper Rock Sun and she pulled up her sleeve The sword of St James was visible even through the ink of the other tattoos that disguised it. Mona had found that she could not ever hide what she was in Gods eyes shortly after she had become a Paladin every time she was in a church the tattoos that proclaimed what she was would show clear no matter how they were disguised . "I am very glad that you agreed to this interview "

Cardinal Callins: As his eyes took in the mark of Saint James, any affable feelings he had toward her, clearly shut down. He tossed a hateful glare at the nun that hovered by the door and waved her out impatient. "This is highly irregular. You should be aware your order has been disbanded." He hissed in a barely audible voice. "By order of the new Pope." Any thoughts about an expose about a pedophile priest were summarily forgotten, as he was faced a member of the St. James. This could not be good. And Pope Francis was adamant in his decision to shut them down.

Mona: "The Order has long struggled in Harper Rock we have had crushing defeats and even tried banding with blood thieves in a desperate attempt to even ourselves up against the vampires . To be honest i haven’t given up but my views have been altered somewhat even though my faith is still strong and i still believe that there is true evil in vampire kind, Even though it may not be all of these people . So i am working with my paper to Sort out the public’s stance on The Vampires. The churches influence is great and i would like to know How the church Views the Public outing of Vampires ?"

Cardinal Callins: Cardinal Callins sucked in breath, and released it in an haughty huff, that showed clear disdain for her and he question. Without saying a word, he opened a drawer to the right of him, flicked through a few file tabs before, sliding out a single sheet of paper. It was on Vatican letterhead. It was an edict from Pope Francis. It was brief, dated April 28, 2015. The edict read, "It is our duty as Christians to be charitable toward these unfortunate individuals, following the example of our Lord. A vampire is not to be harmed unless it can be shown he or she presents a direct threat to the community. They are to be treated with kindness and encouraged to surrender to the love of Jesus." Wordlessly he held the paper up for her to read, but not to touch. He would not relinquish document to her hand. If she reached for it, he would pull it away.

Mona: Mona grimaced "So it is official the church is going to be forgiving of those that commit Evil on a regular basis. Not all of these beings kill or drink from humans .... But some of them are right out monsters they deserve no mercy " she looked at the Cardinal steadily she could feel his contempt quite clearly " Thank you your Excellency . Is there anything you would like to add to your parishioners in our Parish ?"

Cardinal Callins:"Read your bible Ms. Mcgee. Read your bible." He gave her a haughty glare, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.." He paused, let it sink in, "John 8:7. The words of our lord."

Mona: Mona stood to leave and just as she got to the door she turned and looked at the man "Perhaps you are right your Excellency To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. Deuteronomy 32:35. Maybe all they need is a bit of kindness ... Maybe they should have the entire world showing them kindness Maybe the entire worlds eyes should be on them." Mona smiled at the man " Thank you again Your Excellency " She walked out the door .

Cardinal Callins: The Cardinal pressed his lips together and silently fumed. He waited until she had left the office. The Nun poked her head into his office, as he flung a finger pointing at her accusingly and mouthed "Get out!" He picked up the receiver of the phone. He rarely used the phone. It was an archaic tool. But in this case, he knew it was clean. He dialed a number. He waited for an answer ont he other end. "Abbiamo un problema. La setta è nato di nuovo. Quali sono i tuoi ordini?"

The issue hit her desk and Mona thumbed through it with a smile on her face . The web edition came out as well and the hard copies would be on the streets tonight. (( http://www.mooncalfstudios.com/pathofth ... 30&t=28048))

She sat in her home relaxing after a long evening of planning and working. Batting ideas back and forth between her 2 surviving ‘childers’ on the subject of what to do now. The cat was out of the bag now and it was a whole lot bigger than the Maine Coon that sat curled up in her lap.

She tossed the tabloid trash into the fireplace and watched it burn as she considered. Signs and flyers had already been ordered and her businesses were gearing up to capitalize on the idea that vampires ‘existed’ in Harper Rock. Zodiac had taken a break from designing some ad ideas to be ran in the local papers and went through her mail when she discovered the issue of the Sun tucked in with the other junk. ’Apparently I did not cancel my subscription soon enough,’ she laughed till she read.

So, this McGee ***** made good on her threat. It was not a major surprise. Anyone stupid enough to try and blackmail such a volatile collection of people might as well go for broke and sign their suicide note with a bit of flourish.

That was the last thing any of them needed to do. Crazy lady screams vampires then suddenly missing or found dead? Might as well put up a big neon sign that screams WE ARE HERE! No, nobody needed to lay a hand on this cow.

At least for now.

Her emotions were divided and she could not help that a big part of her inner feelings was focused on herself for once. Normally the caring, giving soul, all she could think about was her own situation. Her thoughts played out like a broken record. How many times had the girl gone over this in her mind. She didn’t ask for any of this. Turned against her will, left to sink or swim in this nest of vipers. ”Scorpia, wherever you are I hope you are in a lot of pain, *****!” her thoughts snarled. Zodiac’s paranoia was running rapid in her mind now. How fitting she considered the odds of her surviving such a situation to be low. In ways she was a mental giant power wise, but one good mind block and she’d be at the mercy of who or whatever came breaking down her door to be dragged off and be dissected, studied, processed, and killed.

In that order.

She could only hope the idea she had come up with would buy her some time. Every instinct she had was screaming leave. Pack the van, grab her cat, and just run, but she could not do that. The few in this place she actually cared for would need her. She could not just abandon them so easily.

Even if it meant her own end.

As an afterthought, she added the Sun to her list of papers the new ads would go to.