Fan Fiction ❯ Vampire With a Cross ❯ chapter one ( Prologue )

He sighed and lent back in his chair as he lit up a cigarette and switched on the television. He gave a grunt of distaste as he discovered another over imaginative movie about vampires and the un-dead. As if the famous `Dracula' wasn't enough, they had to bring out even more of these stupid films! "Oh well, always good for Halloween." He muttered as he turned the television back off and began to close his eyes. Suddenly there was a loud knock at his door; quickly he snatched the nicotine stick from his mouth, dabbing the burning end and then throwing it in the bin. With a quick spray of air freshener he straightened himself in his chair and cleared his throat. "Come in!" He beckoned.

In walked a tall and slender woman, with a low-cut ruby red top and dark blue jeans. Her long blond hair curled round her shoulders and swayed side to side with each step, a few lose strands dangled in front of her icy blue eyes that were framed with pink-tinted glasses. With well-manicured, pink polished nails she tapped along his desk after she had made her way towards him. "You've been smoking." It was a statement, not a question. Her voice was hard and threatening though he just smiled.

"Oh its only you Tamarah. I thought you were another nun, or a kid. Is it that noticeable? Because I've just been preaching how bad it is to smoke in a sermon this evening."

"I know, I was there. And no, the mortals won't notice it with their weak nostrils." She angled her rear and gracefully sat herself onto his oak desk, pushing off some papers in the process.

"Hey!" He shot from his chair and began collecting the papers that had fallen. "These are important papers, they're for potential parents!" He gathered and placed them on the far side of the desk - away from her.

"Geez! Take off that dog-collar will ya'? You should be more worried about looking after Michell then these other brats. They can always find another lackey to do your job Jamblur, they don't need you like we do."

"These `brats' are just as important to me as the mute, just because Old Jay aint interested in these other mortals doesn't mean they're any less important." He almost growled. "Besides what do you want anyway?"

"Aren't you a little touchy today? What's rubbed you up the wrong way?" She asked, leaning closer, her eyes sparkling and curiously blinked. He sighed and rubbed his eyes as if in a jester of being tired.

"A kid has just been admitted today. His parents the father mostly, God back me on this, but let the pair of them rot in hell was eternity for what they did to that child."

"Why do you speak of God and Hell when you know there is not either?" She yawned.

"Habit." He shrugged. "The point is that those bastards deserves to be visited. I don't suppose you'd do the honours? I got the names of the location of them both if you'd be so kind my wonderfully talented Tamarah." Now his eyes sparkled. She laughed fondly at him, then lent over and planted a kiss on his forehead. "Thanks."

"I do love you, y'know that?" She smiled; her white fangs shone seemed illuminated against her full and ruby red lips. He laughed and brushed his hand against her cheek.

"You love me because after a few centauries I have that affect on people." She shuddered and closed her eyes in horror.

"Don't. That makes me feel so old." She declared.

"You are old." He showed his amusement at the look of hatred on her face. "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful." He winked at her, but this just seemed to get her more upset as she puffed her cheeks into a pout. "Oh come on, don't be such a child. Anyway no matter how delightful I am to have your company at four O'clock in the morning I'm pretty sure you didn't come here to pout."

"I came to tell you that there are a couple interested in Michell. They should come to talk to you in a later in the mortal's morning, I just thought you should be prepared. The government has no reason to keep her here so it hard for us to come up with an excuse that can be proven should the wannabe parents want to investigate."

"You still got those creeps watching over her and checking up on everything like spies?" He made a sour face, more than once he had shown his distrust for the fellows that followed the mute or her `potential parents' wherever she should wonder. But Tamarah just shrugged, she couldn't care less, just as long as the girl was safe. "I don't suppose you have any ideas besides lumbering it on me and walking away?"

"That was pretty much the plan. Come on, you figure this one out and I'll deal with those parents you mentioned. Deal?" She wormed her fingers into his hair and began to teasingly tug on his hoped earring. He sighed and annoyed he pushed her hand away.

"Aint it always?" He saw the slight look of hurt on her face as he had pushed her hand away. "I'm sorry. I'm tired and it is late. I didn't expect being up this late with paperwork."

"It's a shame this job don't permit you from doing the normal thing and let you sleep in the day. Its so much easier."

"There's more to do in the day. Besides mortals will get suspicious if their priest started sleeping in the day and appearing at night with fangs and pointy ears wouldn't they? Probably call me Dracula and try to poke me with a wooden splinter."

"I always like that movie, very entertaining." She sighed and hopped off the desk and slowly began to make her way to he doorway. "You should get some sleep. Text me the names of those people, I'll sort it out tomorrow night. It's too late to go wondering round town right now."

"Alright. Oh and thanks for the warning Tamarah, I'll see you tomorrow." She just smiled and winked before closing the door behind her. Jamblur could see her silhouetted shape through the blue stained glass grow smaller as she walked down the corridor.

Jamblur straightened his black jacket, positioned his cross that hung round his neck and neatened his sandy coloured hair. He rubbed away the sleep from his multicoloured eyes; he couldn't help but allow a small grin. His eyes, the left one being green and the other being blue, were always a hotspot for conversation when someone first met him. The children thought it was cool and asked him if he had magical powers. Well, of course he did and he told them so but none of them were suppose to believe him and coincidently none of them did. So he rubbed his hands together and left his office to make his way down to the girls' rooms. The corrupted priest, smile as he heard the little girls who should had been sleeping laugh and giggle at games that they played now they believed that the matron were asleep. No doubt she would come soon however to break up whatever fun they are having and force them to go back to sleep. At the very far end was one door decorated blue with silver stars, he grinned as he placed his hand over the doorknob, with one quick look around to make sure no one was watching he twisted it until it opened. Silently he stalked over towards the bedside, closing the door behind him. His hand gently traced over the covers and past the small body that lay underneath. He reached over with his over and just as he was about to make his move a small pale hand grabbed his earring and tugged it. From under the covers appeared an equally pale face, sleepy and annoyed. Her straggly brown hair swamped wilding around her head; her left eye was alive, green and full of rage while the other was white, dead a lifeless. Jamblur laughed openly as he put both his hands up in the air like a caught criminal. "You got me! You're getting good at this Michell, or were you expecting me before I came?" He asked but got no reply but just a pink tongue emerging from the child's lips. "Heh, it seems so long since I've managed to get as far as to scream `boo' in your face I think I'm almost getting withdrawn symptoms." He held out his hand and gave her a piece of chocolate, which he had kept in his pocket. She smiled sheepishly and took it gratefully. "I'm sorry its early, but I need to talk to you. Today you're going to get another visit from those people that kept talking to last week. Do you remember? The man with the funny tie?" She grinned and nodded. "Well they want to adopt you but you know that you can't leave this place because then we'll be separated and Old Jay wont allow that because he's a cranky old toad isn't he?" A silent laugh came from her mouth and he smiled, tempted to laugh himself. "I need you to be a horrid little girl today when they come. You can do whatever you want; even kick them if you think it will help. The matron will probably send you to bed early if she catches wind of it though but if she does, don't worry. I'll be coming tonight to check up on you with lots of goodies either way so you wont be bored. Is that ok with you?" She grinned widely and threw her tiny frail arms round him neck. He embraced her back, then gently pushed her way. "Now you be a bad girl ok? Get some sleep. You got a few hours before breakfast, those people should be arriving shortly afterwards." She nodded eagerly before jumping back under the covers and thrusting them over her head. He laughed and gently took away the cover that lay crumbled over her face an then neatly tucked her in. "Sleep tight…" He then tickled her, and she let out a small giggle. "Don't let the bedbugs bite!" He stood up to leave when he heard a whimpering sound, Michell was pouting, much like Tamarah had done, but she was tapping her cheek. He laughed and nodded his head in understanding, and then bent over to planted a quick peck on the cheek. "Now get some sleep, I'll be back later." He successfully made it to the door but just as he was about to exit he turned round to look at the girl who had soundly fallen back asleep. "Sleep well my little mute." He whispered softly so not to wake her again and then left with a smile on his face.

He was ravenous having not been able to find enough time in the night to get something to eat and now it was too late. The sun had risen and his `feeding abilities' had faded away with the night. He grumbled as he made his way to the canteen, sure he would not taste the food as he chewed it was his blunt teeth, neither would it satisfy him enough to not make him retch but he had to collect his breakfast, even if he was just to throw it away as soon as he reached a bin. He grinned at the howling children who raced and chased around the main play area. As soon as they saw him however they all charged towards him like a stampede of the greatest urgency only to grab and try their best to pull him down to their level of height where they would torture him beyond all rational thought. "No! Get off… don't touch there… that tickles! Ow! Hey! Help me!" He found himself in hysterics as he was tickled mercilessly as half the orphanage decided it would be fun to join in on the obvious fun. He heard the evil little giggles and saw the smiling faces as he tried to roll out of the position they had gotten him in so that he would be able to stand and run. "Just you wait! I have the correct punishment for you lot!" He laughed. His punishment would come this afternoon when the children went into the gardens to play. He knew where the hose would be and he knew how to use it, but only if the sunny weather persisted, he didn't want them catching colds.

A deliberate cough from above cause the children to retreat leaving him a laughing mess on the floor. His hair had be en muffled all out of place and their sticky hands stained the clothes. The cross, which should of hung round the front of his neck dangled at the back. Jamblur look up and smiled sheepishly at the old woman looking down at him. She was in nun's clothing and was the matron of this orphanage. Her look was soured and her face was wrinkled like a prune. He quickly stood up, dusting off his clothes and neatening his hair and collar. "Ahem... I was just teaching the kids to…" He didn't know what to say and under her cold and uncaring gaze he felt helpless.

"Father Jamblur I am grateful that you inspire the children but to cause them to become restless just before breakfast is asking for trouble. I would think that a man of your age and stature would have more sense then the children!" Her voice was steady and did not rise in volume. This sent a shiver up his spine and he smiled goofily. The woman just didn't like him, she had made that obvious the moment he stepped into office, he had even caught her saying that he was too young and immature to hold his place. Immature, yes. Too young? I don't think so! He may appear the age of twenty-three but was much, much older.

"Sorry. It won't happen again." He smiled and then grabbed her hand. He pressed his soft young lips unto its rough and saggy surface. "And may I say you look just stunning today?" He sneered as she snatched her hand away from his grasp, flushed with anger.

"No you may not!" She told him sternly. "If I ever catch you unsettling the children again I'll have you kicked out of here so fast the devil will be amazed!"

"To say such things! I would never displease you in such away." He feigned shock. Unable to think of another thing to say, with a face flushed red with anger and embarrassment she glared at him through thick frames and stormed off. He chuckled slightly and continued on his way.

The parents weren't bad people and probably would had given Michell a good home but Jamblur could not risk angering Old Jay by allowing the adoption to go through. He had told the couple in private that not only was Michell a mute and visually challenged young girl but a paramagnetic with the fascination with blood. The woman had turned pale at this and even though Jamblur wore a sombre face he was laughing on the inside. "You are still welcome to carry out the adoption but they last seven parents that have taken her in missed their homes and pets when she was brought back. She's a lot of work to handle but is quite happy here in the orphanage, she never burns things within the sacred grounds but take her away from here…" He left the rest to their imagination.

"We weren't aware of this, I thank you for telling us this before we started the process." The man said. He had brown, waxed hair and green eyes; he wore a funny cartoon tie that all the children had loved when they saw it.

"Well maybe Kale, our child, would provide her the company she needs not to burn things?" The woman asked hopefully.

"Kale? Oh I am so sorry, I believe I have read the wrong file. I didn't realise you had another child and I am sorry but in this case she is a definite danger to adopt. Michell likes attention, and with another child she get frustrated. That is the main reason why she has her own room while the other children have to share." He lied. The reason why she had her own room was so that he, Tamarah and Old Jay would be able to visit her at night without disturbing the other kids.

"Oh, well that is regrettable. Will this demolish our chances of adopting any child?" He sounded disappointed.

"No, I am happy to say that it wont. Most of the children here love the company of others and would be happy to have an old or younger brother." He smiled warmly. At least these people weren't going to go to waste. He had thought after they weren't able to take Michell home they may give up but he was happy to see they were willing to give another child a home.

To say he had gotten a little wet would be an understatement. By the time the hour of play was over they had managed to get the hose from his strong hands and not only hose him until he begged for mercy but also push him into the fountain. But he dragged in a few of the older children with him so he wouldn't get lonely in the shallow waters. Now he squished along the corridor, leaving wet and slippery footprints in his wake. His clothes dripped, his hair dripped and his teeth chattered as he felt the air conditioned halls blow cool air down what should be warm halls but him being in the state he was just seem to get him even more cold. The old hag had broken up the fun again but he had defended himself say that it was a freak gust of wind that pushed him and the other children in. However he could not explain the hose that was under lock and key.

Once he had made his way into his room he stripped off his clothes and began to towel dry his hair. His hard a muscular glistened then dulled as he wiped away the water after he had dried his hair. He looked out the window where the children still played, they had another twenty minutes before hey would have to come in for evening mass. Then someone caught his eye. It was a tall and slender man, with wild black hair tied back in a small ponytail. He wore a lose white shirt and black trousers. With his excellent inhuman vision Jamblur could even determined his grey coloured eyes, but he did not need to look upon his other features to know them. Committed to memory he had been forced to dream about this man since the first day they had met, never in a thousand years did he ever expect to see him again. His breath was taken away as he stumbled towards the window to gaze upon the unearthly beauty that made his way towards the main building. It was as if this stranger to the orphanage walked with heavenly light adorning his bright but serious face. He let out a shuddering sigh as his gaze dreamingly followed the man until he was inside the building and out of sight. With a disappointed grunt Jamblur rushed towards his wardrobe and pulled out a dry uniform which he hastily dressed himself in. He had barely buttoned his shirt before he ran out of his room, slamming the door behind him.

He shot through the corridor making his way as fast as he could without proving his possession of inhuman speed until he finally came to the entrance the man had entered through. A small child was walking past and Jamblur stopped her. She was young, smart child for her age and despite her terrible life before the orphanage she was always willing to help. "Sue? Did you see a man walk through here just now? He's got long black hair…" She nodded.

"Hai. He was looking for you so I told him to go to your office. He told me he would wait for you then and he gave me this!" She held out a lollypop that had recently been popped in her mouth.

"Thanks child. You ready for tonight?" he winked at her and she giggled.

"What if matron finds out? She'll skin us alive!"

"Then blame it on me, I'm not scared of that old witch. Besides today is Michell's birthday, its our duty to throw her a surprise birthday party." He told her heroically. "Now run along and remember we meet in the main hall an hour after lights out." She nodded and giggled before skipping off happily with the sweet candy in her mouth. After she was out of site, Jamblur ran towards his office, he was now excited, like a child on his birthday.

He saw the man waiting at his office and held his breath. After all this time, he has come back to me! Nervously he made his way closer and as soon as the man noticed him he smiled. "Hey Jamblur! Long time no see?"

"Too long Joe, far too long!" He greeted the familiar man. "What happened to you after that night? I thought I'd never see you again."

"Oh… that…" His face suddenly flushed with sorrow he rubbed his cheek. "I think it's better if we talk of such things inside your office. We don't want to be scaring nuns do we?" Jamblur laughed at this.

"I suppose we don't at that." He agreed as he opened his office door and waited for Joe to enter.

Once inside the office Joe had sat down on the chair that parents would normally sit in when talking to Jamblur and so he his usual place perched on the corner of his desk instead of using the actual chair. This way he could be closer to Joe. "So tell me everything I feared you may have been caught. And I know you, never wanting to feign human immortality." He then lent forward, intent of listening to every word Joe was about to speak.

"Well after I killed those men I got shot, well, y'know what bullets are like. Not lethal but bloody painful. So I flipped and earned my place on the news. So in front of all those damn cameras I had to fake my glorious death but because I never had a body for them to find the stubborn jackasses were still careful up with stupid wanted posters." He explained.

"Oh I understand now. At that time I was doing the normal thing and sleeping in the day and with my distaste for television I wouldn't have heard anything about it… Joe I never had a chance to thank you for..."

"No need. You would had done the same should the tables been turned." Joe declined the thanks with a wave of his hand but Jamblur gently took his hand in his own and looked at him.

"I haven't stopped thinking of you, everyday I would go over the events in my head, wondering and hoping that you were alive. If it weren't for you I'd be burnt to a cinder. To you I owe my life." Jamblur's words were soft and full of love. Joe sighed and stroked his cheek.

"I had to stop them, I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. I'm sorry for not keeping in contact these last forty years but Old Jay…"

"Don't tell me he has lumbered you a job too?" A change from his earlier soft voice it now owned an edge of anger to it.

"Yeah looking after this kid, in fact that's the only reason why I've been permitted in seeing you again. His parents died just recently and me being the local `priest' has been told by the authorities to find him either a home or a suitable orphanage. And Old Jay told be that I should send the kid here, wait a few days then apply for a transfer here so that I can still keep my eye on the kid."

"The same job as me then. I was wondering why you wore that dog-collar, I thought I was the only vampire priest." He laughed dryly. Only so much of this predicament was amusing.

"That does sound a little sacrilegious doesn't it? What with vampires being demons of the devil and all, you think people would mind two vampires in the same church?" He laughed too, a full rich laughed and Jamblur loved it.

"Well who's to know? We aint like their vampires what are afraid of the light and can be killed with a stick. Neither do we pray on the innocent with our sharp pointy teeth."

"Well not the innocent, no…" He chuckled. "Though we make no promises for the non-innocent!"

"I agree! Anyway tell me more about your kid you have to look after…wait a second. Is it Michell's twin brother?" Joe nodded. "But I thought he was killed along side the parents in that fire."

"Apparently not. Old Jay took the boy and left him on this couple's doorstep. He sent me to work in the village about ten years ago, but before that he had me checking up on the Chosen One's ancestors, to make sure the right people mated."

"That old prune! That's a horrible thing to do, split a pair of twins up. I swear if he wasn't our Master I'd…" Joe placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Settle down Priest Man, he knows what he is doing. The kids are fifteen tonight, old enough to start living out their purposes. It is foretold that the `blinded that can see through unemotional hate' will help us and ensure or road to victory. Now unless we want our kind to be wiped off the face of the planet we must act now. Neither of them needs to know whom the other is, since we've tried hard to keep all emotional contacts a minimum with Michell. Her brother will probably fight against her if we let the other side have him."

"What? Now that's the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard. Michell has got plenty of emotional contacts, she's just a normal child, and she's a very caring girl and loves everyone here. If she don't help us fight things will go on as usual, and in my opinion its better living like this than it is to risk it all."

"Don't argue with me, I'm merely the massager. The point is that the twins may end up fighting against each other so we have to make them both ready. If the boy joins the human side there will be equal amount of resistance from both sides, so we have to be careful."

"Don't refer to the other side as `human' we both know that its not all humans who fight against us. Just a few annoying idiots, that is only about the third of the human population."

"What would you rather me call them?" He asked slightly annoyed.

"The Bastard Side of course." He smirked and Joe just shook his head amused.

"I don't think you fully understand their power. The ones that attacked you then were mere hatchlings, they didn't even know the first thing about killing a vampire. But there are stronger ones, much stronger and they will have no trouble killing us. And with the human child on their side they're even more dangerous."

"But as you said they are just humans. We are immortals, lived through the ages, know knowledge first hand while to them it has to be past down during their frail little lives." He disagreed.

"Do you want another depression?" He demanded as he stood and hit his fist on the table. "Do you remember what it was like? During the first years of your rebirth you lived through a depression. Remember what it was like? Sticking in the shadows, eating from vermin because we were too afraid to be caught feasting on the humans. If that `Bastard Side' wins we're looking at that all over again except now it will last longer. We will be attacked with stronger weapons and should it become common knowledge to the humans we exist then we run risk of them actually finding a way to wipe us out. We don't know of what chemicals are hazardous to us but I'm sure they will find some should the other side give them a reason to hate and fear us." He almost screamed and Jamblur shrank back from his rage. After a few minutes of silence Jamblur finally spoke.

"Whatever. I'm not Old Jay or you, you say I don't understand and I probably don't. I'll take care of Michell and the other children here, and should the time come I will fight. But to protect the children. And if they do kill me so be it, in fact I'm curious to what its like to actually stay dead for a change." He told his friend with an amused voice.

"Oh Jamblur, you are such a fool. Can't you ever take anything seriously?" He asked in desperation.

"If you take life seriously you'll miss the joke." He clasped his hands together. "Right down to business. Tell me about this kid, I'll fill out the documents and we can get him in here for tomorrow. I'll find him his own room as I can imagine the same rules will apply to him as they do to Michell right?"

"Right." He sighed. Joe looked sad; it was because he was worried about Jamblur. With that attitude, he thought, he will be killed.

It was an hour after lights out and tiny feet crept into the hall. They all held presents and food which they eventually placed on the table. With hushed voices they talked about how fun it was to sneak around as they waited for Jamblur to bring in the guest of honour. The lights were dimmed and the hall was amazingly quiet as Jamblur slowly led the little girl into the hall. Both her eyes were blindfolded even though she only had the vision of one, as he walked her to the end of the table. He slowly counted to three in her ear and then removed it. Immediately the lights were turned on and the children jumped from their hiding places. "Surprise!" They all yelled in union. Michell put her hands in front of her mouth in a surprised gasp and grinned so widely that there hardly seem enough room on her face. And so the party began.

Jamblur had kept Matron `occupied' with a few tablets he had accidentally dropped in her coffee. But whether or not she drank the coffee was merely down to his luck, which he hoped would hold out just for the rest of the night. For at this moment he broke just too many rules for this party and really did not want to try and squirm his way out. If Matron caught them it would be the end of his career here at the convent. She would declare him unsafe to the children and God knows there is enough evidence against him. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud smashing sound that stood out from all other sounds. He spun round and look on in horror as he saw one of the statues had fallen over and broke. Virgin Mary was now shattered into at least a hundred pieces on the marble floor. Wearily across his face as he walked over to the smashed the statue. Everyone was deathly quiet as everyone stared at Jamblur waiting for his reaction. The guilty party was a girl called Lizzy and she was on the brink of tears as she held with trembling hands part of the statue she had tried to piece back together. "Well this is just a fine accident isn't it?" She looked at him too afraid to say anything. "But it is an accident so I suppose there is nothing we can do except hope and pry that the old witch don't find out." She smiled very slightly.

"I'm sorry, I just bumped into to it and…and…"

"Its alright child, its not your fault. Its mine, I tripped over my shoelaces and bumped into it didn't I?" He winked at her. She hugged into his legs wiping away the tears on his trousers. He merrily scooped her up and tickled her belly. "Come now, no tears. It was an accident. I got some ice-cream I was saving until later but why don't we all have it now?" He asked the crowd of children. They all jumped and rejoice, happy to have such an understanding priest. They all began to make their way to the kitchen, he was still holding Lizzie but he managed to glance over towards Michell. She was happily skipping with her friends holding each hand one of her hands. He was pleased she was happy; despite her disabilities Michell got on well with the other children and was well liked. Then all of a sudden the entire children population stopped he grumbled a few curses but not loud enough for anyone to hear and looked over towards the doorway.

In the door way stood an angry and threatening woman who looked just about ready to explode. She stalked over to where he stood. "I do not believe you!" Her voice was sharp and stabbed though him like a thousand knives.

"Did we wake you? I'm ever so sorry. You see its Michell's birthday as you know and I thought…"

"You thought you'd interrupt their resting time, make them all tired for the next morning. Not only that you are going into their rations, we don't have food to waste on midnight snacks. Lord give me strength!" She shook her head in disgrace and her gaze just so happen to wonder toward the statue that still lay smashed. She gasped in shock. "Who did that?" She demanded.

"Oh that… It was an accident; I fell over my shoelaces and knocked it over. I'll pay out of my personal savings for it. Not to worry." He smiled goofily.

"Not to worry? Not to worry! That is a sacred statue of Virgin Mary and you don't even show remorse for smashing it into a thousand pieces!" She angrily ripped the dog collar from his neck. " You have no right to wear this!" She chucked it on the ground. Jamblur, who head had been bowed recently, lifted it to meet her steady gaze. She gasped, as did some of the children when they saw an ugly jagged scar across his neck. Self-consciously he covered it with his hand and turned to the children.

"I think you lot should go back to bed now." The children didn't hesitate to go to their rooms to prevent further trouble and so rushed off. Just as they were leaving Jamblur bent over picked up the dog collar. "And you, reverend Mother, have no right to do that in front of the children. We can settle our differences in private there is no need to let them see." His voice was cold and emotionless. The Matron hadn't realised until now that he had never used that tone of voice on her before.

"I am sorry, I didn't know you were hiding something behind there." She replied sincerely.

"I do not hide anything, if you wanted to see my scars so badly then you should had asked. Now if you don't mind, it's late and I'm suddenly very tired." He didn't mean tired so much as hungry. He would probably go and get a bite to eat now; a nice walk in the dark would probably allow him to cool down slightly.

He turned to leave, the remaining children were still tottering out of the main hall when suddenly the window smashed and in jumped a team of five men, each holding rifles. Instinctively Jamblur ran towards the children telling to run and hide. He probably would had gone with them to make sure they were safe if not for that voice screaming something or other about this being abomination. He sighed angrily and turned round to get the old hag but found that two of the men were pointing guns at him. So he slowly walked towards her instead of running there and not giving them a reason to shoot. "Shut up grandma and you won't get hurt!" Snarled one black masked man. He looked like the leader, standing slightly more in front of the others.

"So what pleasure do I owe this call gentlemen?" Jamblur cheekily asked them, slowly inching his way closer and closer to the Matron.

"Shut up Priest man!" Demanded he same man. "We're on business, now do as we say and you or your girlfriend wont get hurt!"

"What? That's disgusting! Ewe! She is not my girlfriend! She's about an hundred years old, yuck!" Jamblur screwed his face up in contempt.

"What is the meaning of this? What do you want in a holy place such as this?" The matron had obviously gotten fed up with being insulted by both sides and decided to voice her thoughts.

"I told you to shut the fuck up!" Screamed that same annoying man again while the others kept quiet. A quick movement caught Jamblur's eye, his superb senses caught wind of the trigger being pulled, the gun being aimed. With inhuman speed he grabbed hold of the Matron and shielded her with his back.

He gasped and gritted his teeth in pain as the first bullet hit his spinal cord, the second had caught into his shoulder blade. The Matron screamed as she could only watched the young man who clung to her protectively; tears were streaming down her face. The sound of gunfire and smoke faded and the Matron was surprise to see that Jamblur was still standing over her despite being shot seven times in the back. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he looked down at her. "Get…get o-out of here…ca-call the cops. I'll cover you." He whispered almost silently.

"I can't just leave you! No I wont!" She told him stubbornly.

"Oui! You dead yet Priest Man?" That bastard who had shot him shouted over. Jamblur merely looked pleadingly at the Matron then turned round despite the immense pain in his back and chuckled slightly.

"Well done boys. Next time aim for the fatal areas if you wish to kill someone." He managed to mock through the mind crippling pain. Mentally he counted to three and then grabbed the Matron again but this time he started to run towards the door, placing himself between her and the bullets. This time every man aimed and fired and because of this Jamblur nearly tripped over but he managed to make it towards the door keeping the Matron safe. He pushed her through the door. "Go! Now!" He staggered to his knees and she rushed to help him but he angrily pushed her away again. "After you've phoned the cops check on the children…" He let out a sharp hiss of pain. "Get them out of here!"

"I can't leave you! You're wounded-" They started firing again and Jamblur was forced to yell out in pain. Damn stubborn bitch, I can't fight with her here! He mentally sighed. There's no other way, damn! This is always so annoying! He cursed himself for being so careless and let the new bullets imbed into his flesh. He fell forward his head and shoulders landing through the doorway.

"G…go!" He let out one last shuddering breath and his eyes rolled back, now dead and lifeless. She screamed as she tried to shake him awake but they had started firing again. Fearing for not only her life but also the life of the children now she took one last look at the priest who lay dead and then ran as fast as she could. First she'll get the children out of here and then ring the police.

He heard her footsteps as she ran off down the corridor and then another group walking up behind them. He was in shear agony but none of the wounds were actually fatal despite being shot forty-eight (he had counted) times in the back. So rather than move unnecessarily he'll wait for them to come closer to him before jumping up and showing them what a bad idea it was to shoot him. "Is he dead?" One of the idiot men asked.

"Well of course he's fucking dead!" The leader snapped back. That was another thing, this man used bad language and should be taught a lesson for that. "We shot him over thirty times in the back for God's sake!"

"Actually it was forty-eight…" Jamblur mumbled as he rolled onto his back and looked up at them. "And it bloody kills y'know?" He slowly began to make his way to his feet, swaying slightly. The five men looked on in horror, how could he still be alive?

"But… but… You're dead!" One of the men stammered.

"Well not really, just a little tired." He rubbed his back with his left hand and then looked at it. "Look at what you have done! You got my shirt all bloody, and that was clean on today. Not to mention the forty-eight holes that I'll have to sew!" Too afraid to do anything the men just stood there, silently gawking at him. Well at least I don't have to chase them. I'll just regain a little strength and then…"What do you want here anyway? I'm pretty sure its not to test out my immortality or to test out your mortality." With a quick snatch of a hand he grabbed one of the guns from the men before they even had time to blink. He pointed it at the leader's head and smirked. "I suggest you tell me before I get angry. I'm already a little moody after being shot, I wouldn't aggravate me further is I was you."

"We were sent for a child, a mute kid… please don't kill us!" The man begged for his life. Jamblur would had laughed was it not for his sudden worry for Michell.

"You just tried to kill me and probably would had succeeded if I was a mere mortal!" He growled and then shot the man in the head. He spun round before the others could run and snapped two necks with one kick. The forth one was also shot, but this time through the heart. The last remaining one he feasted on. It had been two days since he last ate and so he dug his fangs deep into the man's neck and drank. He felt the body shudder and go limp, the warmth of the blood going through his veins as he wiped his mouth and let the now dead corpse fall to the ground. Still feeling a little stiff having been shot but refreshed by the nourishment he ran in the direction that the children had ran. He had to find Michell. He had to get her away from this place.

He could smell the fear as he finally caught up with the children. The Matron was leading them into the orchard where she probably planned to hide them all until the police came. He silently followed them, staying unnoticed in the shadows. After all he was a skilled hunter, and his prey never discovered him. Finally they stopped near the far end of the field where they all crouched down in some bushes. The Matron hugged onto as many children as she could and the all hung to her in fear. One of the children she clung onto was Michell. Wow! This is great, how am I meant to get her away without popping up and collecting her with that bitch thinking I'm dead. He regretted it almost as soon as he thought it; the Matron wasn't a bad person and did not deserve being called a bitch. She had stayed with him until the end; she had refused to leave him in his wounded state despite people firing guns. He smiled half to himself, it was sad circumstances but he was glad that they figured out that they actually did like each other. It was a shame they'd never have a chance of an actual friendship. He leaned in closer, listening intently with his sharp ears. As soon as the chance came to snatch the kid he'll take it. "Matron! Where's Father Jamblur?" Jess, the one who had smashed the statue sobbed. His heart wrenched with pity and guilt, he didn't want to upset these kids but he as far as the Matron knew he was dead, and he would have to stay that way. Damn! This sucks!

"Father…Father Jamblur has left us…" She managed to say after a few moments of silence.

"Where?" Another kid asked.

"He's gone to be with God my child." Matron told them all quietly. The older ones, who knew what that meant began to cry even harder while the younger ones looked up at her expectantly.

"When will he be back?" A few whined at the same time.

"He's not coming back, he's left this world to go to a special place now." If not so wrapped up in the emotions of the children Father Jamblur would have laughed, it was a corny way to explain one's death. The younger ones understood fully now and Jamblur feared their cries would be heard. He had to get them to be quiet; the five men that had rudely smashed through the window were… with God now. But if someone was after Michell he was sure there would be more. Then he caught a fresh tear run down the nun's face, he pitied her more than anyone. She had seen his `death' and would remember it forever. Be tortured in her dreams just because she was unfortunate enough to get mixed up in this mess and see a man `die' in front of her. No one should ever have to see that, but if they had shot and `killed' him, they would have done it to her. And of course he couldn't allow that. They an idea came to him, not a very good one but an idea nonetheless. He picked up a small (ok, it was about the size of his fist) stone and chucked it with extreme accuracy at the tree closest to the Matron, since he had chucked it pretty hard and it was a fairly big stone it chipped the bark and made quite a loud noise. Immediately the children quietened, fearing that it was a bullet or something that hit the tree. The Matron spun round and slowly pushed the children who clung to her away. "Shhh children. Let me go and look at what that was, don't worry I sure it was nothing." The Matron shook with fear despite trying to compose herself so that the children did not see her fear. But Jamblur could not think about that right now for as soon as her back was turned he shot towards Michell and grabbed her.

For one of the few times in his lifetime he was glad the girl was a mute as she did not scream as whisked away by a being so fast in his speed, though unable to make a sound enough to be heard she gave a muffled moan of fear as she bit into Jamblur's arm, as she kicked and waved her arms. Jamblur laughed half to himself, he was probably moving too fast for her to recognise him, or maybe her one eye was so clouded in fear and the illusion that he was dead she didn't even to think it was him. There was an abandoned cottage deep within the forest across the main from the orphanage. It would had taken a normal human at least twenty minutes to make this journey even at their fastest speed but thanks to Jamblur's inhuman capabilities they reached the dismantled and rotten wooded hut. Jamblur put the tearful child on her feet and knelt down beside her while gently holding her shoulders. She opened her eye, which had been closed in fear but now widened in shock and happiness. It took her a few minutes to fling her arms round him and cling onto him tightly. "Its alright Michell, everything will be fine." Her tried to comfort her with his gently words and she pulled away from him slightly and looked into his eyes. Jamblur had never confirmed the suspicion but he was sure that the girl could see right through into his soul with that one clear green eye. She then looked at her hands, which had been tainted with blood during the embrace and then looked at him, now showing fear for him. "Its ok, you know I don't get hurt like other people do. I'm not hurt but just a little messy." Michell curiously began to try and peek through his top to see the damage on his back. He sighed and smiled as he began to remove his jacket so his back was exposed. Into his flesh tiny of holes drove into his back, each had stopped bleeding and was now left as crusted scabs to heal. "Now it looks a lot worse than it is, so don't you worry your pretty little head about it. By the morning all this will nothing much than a paper cut." He scuffled her hair with his hand and her lower lip began to quiver as her eyes filled with tears. She had mixed feelings; unable to express them with words she was forced to cry. Jamblur was aware of this, she was probably confused, worried and most of all afraid. He cursed Old Jay for putting such an innocent child through this kind of torture; this oncoming battled should be fought against each other, not involving those who are not concerned. Vampires were strong; they did not need a child to win this senseless battle, why couldn't everyone just leave the kid alone? "Tamarah is going to visit us here and she might need to talk to you. So try and get as much sleep as you can before she arrives." She nodded her head and smiled as Jamblur put his already removed Jacket and wrapped it around the small child, she took it willingly t shelter her from the night's cold air and huddled into a corner where she quickly fell to sleep.

A small smile still hung on her lips as she slept, peacefully breathing softly. He sighed sadly and then dialled the familiar number on his cellar phone, and waited for an answer. After about seven rings he got one, but not a pleasant one. "Where the fuck are you?" She almost screamed.

"Tamarah, before you have a go at me this isn't my fault. Those bastards literally jumped through the window and started shooting me! With forty-eight bullets in my back I couldn't really go with the matron and the children, there would had been too many questions when I didn't die, so I had to get out of there." He tried to explain the best he could.

"And the girl?" Her voice tried to be calm but had an edge of worry to it.

"She's safe and with me, we're in that old-"

"Don't tell me over the phone baka! They may have the phone bugged, gimme a clue, something that I'd know."

"Oh that's easy, gin and cigarettes." He laughed and so did she, it was a private joke. A private place.

"I'll be there in a matters of minutes. Oh and Jamblur, be careful." And with those words she hung up. Jamblur grinned at the phone before putting it back into his trousers' pocket. She would know where to come, and the best bit was even Old Jay himself wouldn't understand that clue!

She finally graved them with her appearance half an hour after the phone call, her way was flushed with anger and fear as she snuck into the cottage. "What's wrong?" Jamblur asked almost as soon as he saw the expression on her face.

"Damnit Jamblur, why did you let them shoot you huh? Old Jay is going ape! We needed Michell and her brother to be together in the same place."

"I never asked to get shot!" He growled back.

"You didn't have to die either, you could had stayed and waited for an ambulance to find you as a `survivor' and then you could had went back in there to carry on as normal!" She groaned.

"For one I was shot too many times in the back to survive, and they know where Michell is now so what would be the point of keeping her in a place they know?"

"You mean they were after Michell personally? Old Jay said that was probably what they were after, but I was kinda hoping he was wrong."

"Baka! Why else would a bunch of thugs break into a church huh? I hardly doubts it for the collection plate." He groaned. "Hey Tam, I don't suppose you can take these bullets out could ya'?"

"Sure, but Old Jay wants you back there. So I should leave some in." Tamara told him and he growled slightly. "Don't look at me like that, you know that place is protecting headquarters. Another reason Old Jay wanted Joe there was so that he'd have two worthy vampires to protect the place." The mention of Joe suddenly distracted him from any further thought and Tamara saw the expression on his face and sighed. "Joe was worried about you, but he had to stay with the kid. Come, I'll get some of these bullets on ya, then we'll strap on a bullet proof vest and leave two bullets in…"

"I hate going to hospital, isn't there some way I can avoid that?" He grumbled. He knew what would have to happen, he'll go back pretending to be unconscious and the police will find him, the two bullets that would be left in his flesh would force him to pretend as though the bullets actually did harm.

"Nope I'm sorry, it would had been so much easier if you never got shot in front of that old woman. I've got a vest with forty-six bullets in it, there are two areas unprotected that would prove un-fatal should you be a mortal who got shot there. And of course with your brilliant recovery skills you should be out before the week's out. Now lay down and let me get these tiresome things out."

"Old Jay got this all work out hasn't he?" He lay down on the fall and Tamara knelt down beside him.

"Pretty much. Both of you and Joe are guardians; he needs you both in that holy place, and it's the bet cover up for us vampires. They obviously didn't know you were a vampire if they shot you like they did, so I think is safe to say it's working so far. You just need to be extra careful this time. We've got extra vampires coming in too, so you two aren't on your own." She plucked out some bullets and he winced. "Sorry."

"What about you? Will you consider being a nun for the convent again?" He laughed, for he already knew her answer.

"Feh! No thank you! I'll just carry on being that mysterious ghost that wonders around at night." He laughed even more at this and so he angrily and painfully pulled out another five bullets.

"Ouch!" Now it was her turn to laugh. Their much merriment had resulted in waking Michell up who sleepy-eyed walked over to them. Tamara smiled and lifted the girl in her arms; she had finished pulling out the bullets from her friend's back.

"Hello Michell, now we need a big, big favour to ask of you." The mute nodded her head willingly. "We're going to tell some little white lies, and I was you to play along otherwise we cant go back and those bad people might get you. Is that ok?" Michell looked as though she thought about it before she nodded her head once more. Jamblur smiled as he began to dress in that bulletproof vest Tamara had given him; this was going to be a long night. Michell saw what he was doing and so collected the jacket he had given her to sleep with passed it to him.

"Thank you very much." He shook her hand. "You're very useful to have around." He joked. Then he clasped his hands together. "Right on with the show?"

It was easy for the Jamblur to get past the police and he wasn't surprised to find that where he had fallen in front of the Matron, a trail of blood led to his office where he was suppose to be found. Also the men were arranged in such a way that it looked as though they killed each other, except for the one which Jamblur had feasted on. He wasn't there. Also there were the valuables of the church either by their person or in a `loot bag'. Jamblur smiled grimly as he covered the girl's eyes when they walked past their scene. When he reached his office he laid on the floor and then before closing his eyes he turned to Michell. "You remember what we told you to do?" He asked, she nodded eagerly and started rubbing her eyes. "Good girl." He then closed his, for what would be the last time for at least two days.

The police walked into the office, the trail of blood had led them there, they had expected to see the missing man (for their had been five men with guns in the nun's description) but as soon as they saw the priest there and the missing girl they quickly called for medical help upon discovery that the man was alive. The small child was cry and shaking the priest and they too almost wept at the scene. A police lady gently pulled her away as the paramedics rushed in. Jamblur risked slightly opening one eye so he could see who had taken Michell away, but when he saw Tamara there hidden in the shadows he felt she was safe and so carried on with his act. "He's wearing a vest…" One of the paramedics said to the other. "I wonder what a priest was doing wearing…"

"This is the time or the place, he was still shot in the back. We need to get him out of here, ask questions later." The woman paramedic who seemed very organised snapped as she placed a breathing device on the vampire's mouth and nose.

Jamblur had only caught sight of few which were many of the vampires who came in to tamper with the hospital equipment. Such as the heart monitor, which now showed a regular human heartbeat compared to the slow one of the vampire. Tamara had `visited' him a few times, passing herself of as his sister, and she had told him that he wasn't aloud to `wake' until tomorrow, he wanted to argue and complain about their master but he just kept still and didn't say a word fore he could tell that even with his eyes closed a nurse was near by. "You seem to get yourself more hurt that you do safe, I swear you have more scars then skin." Tamara joked, she was enjoying this, she could say anything she wanted and he couldn't do a thing to stop her. She started to say something else when she stopped and turned round.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't realise he already had visitors." It was the Matron's voice. Jamblur mentally groaned, he didn't really want to upset the old bag any more then she probably was.

"Its alright, I was just about to leave now. I got to go and pick up my kid from school." Tamara replied. Bitch! He thought, don't leave along with her!

"Oh alright then… May I ask what you are to Father Jamblur?" Her voice was soft, unusual than her harsh and disapproving voice she used when talking to or about him.

"Oh, I'm his sister. It was a shock to find out what happened but I'm so happy he's alive. I told him wearing that vest would be a good idea." She managed to fake a worried laugh.

"So that's why he was wearing one, may I be so bold to ask why you felt the need for him to wear one? Not that I'm thankful that he has had such good fortune…"

"I understand. Well no doubt you've seen that scar on his neck Reverent Mother by now, though he hid it behind his dog collar its plainly visible now. Well it's the result of our unfortunate childhoods back in when we lived in Japan. He survived that, thanks to the mercy of God. That's why he became what he has, and even though that was a long time ago and those people are no longer here I'm still a little paranoid. I wear one as well, and to keep me happy he promised he'd wear one too. I'm so happy he kept that promise to me or he wouldn't be here right now…" She allowed herself to shed tears and Jamblur found himself trying desperately not to laugh. She's a good actress; I'll give her that he mentally laughed to himself.

"Oh, I didn't know. I'm sorry to hear about your misfortunes Mrs.…" She left it hanging indicating that she needed her name.

"Tamara. Well it's been a pleasure meeting with you, my brother, he speaks highly of you. But I simply must dash, the children are waiting." She made a move to leave the ward.

"God's speed and farewell." She smiled, and so Tamara waved and left.

The Matron smiled and put the flowers she had brought in a vase and sat in the seat, which Tamara had recently been. "The children miss you dearly Father Jamblur, they keep asking when you're going to be back." She smiled and held his hand. "I'm so sorry I left you, but I thought you died… the children needed me. I had to go to them, I hope you understand." Of course she had no answer, nor did she really expect to get one. "I am sorry for the argument before… well you know… and I… I want to thank you for your bravery. You saved my life, even after I was so cruel to you. I'm so sorry, so sorry." She began to cry. Jamblur could smell the salty tears running down her face. He felt her grip on his hand grow tighter, and he began to feel guilty. Perhaps more guilty than any other time in his life. He couldn't help himself as he tightened his own grip on her hand, wanting to comfort her but knowing he was unable to do more than that until tomorrow. She let out a small gasp as she felt his cold fingers curl around her. "You can hear can't you? I was afraid that you couldn't hear me; the doctor says that it's hard to tell. The children miss you deeply, they're all asking for you back home. Please be all right, I don't know what would happen if you're not. Everyone loves you Father Jamblur, the kids need you." Her voice was evidently quivering with sadness. Just then someone else walked into he room, and Jamblur's whole body tensed, the Matron didn't' notice this however and turned to meet the newcomer.

"Uh… Sorry I hadn't realized you were here. Is it ok with you if I leave these with you?" Joe spoke. But the voice he spoke verbally and the one Jamblur had hear was completely different. "Wake up as soon as I leave. We need you back by Thursday the latest. I'll come back later tonight to feel you in on the details."

"I'll leave now if you want." The matron kindly offered. But declined with a wave of his hand.

"I haven't got much time here, I must be off back to the orphanage. I simply wanted to drop these flowers off." He smiled and left. Jamblur sighed; though not audible to Matron she turned round to face him.

It was hard for him to figure out the right way to `wake' as he had never done this in front of an audience before, and he suddenly regretted not watching television, as he probably could had picked up a few tips from that annoying box. So he slowly opened his eyes, the light flooding into his blurry eyesight. He reached one hand with as much speed as a snail to his face, rubbing his eyes as he groaned in discomfort. Light wasn't really a vampire's best friend, and after having his eyes closed for the past two days it wasn't a welcome feeling to have the light burning his eyes. He heard the Matron gasped and he moved his head to face her. "What…what happened?" He asked in a tired voice.

"Father Jamblur! Thank merciful Jesus that you are awake!" She blabbered and he managed a small chuckle.

"That wasn't my question." He chided.

"Oh I'm sorry, you were shot. Can't you remember? You're in the hospital now." She quickly explained.

"Oh that…" He grumbled. He knew everything that had happened, he knew even more than she did but he had to play his role accordingly. "What about the children? Are they all safe? Michell came back to me, I tried to stay awake o keep her safe-"

"Everyone is fine." She interrupted with a smile. "You were the only casualty."

"Good." He sighed in relief. Then he raised an eyebrow and looked at her strangely. "Aren't you going to shout at me?"

"Why in heaven's name would I do that?" She asked, shocked.

"That's how you normally wake me up back at the orphanage." He took in a deep breath just before realizing that he was wearing one of those breathing masks things. Annoyed that it got in the way and made his mouth feel all clammy when he talked he removed it. As he did so he followed the Matron's gaze. She was staring at the scar on his neck. He reached his hand up to it in some vain attempt to cover the telltale scar. "Uh… do you know where my collar is?" He asked meekly. The Matron frowned at herself as she realized that she had been staring.

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to stare." She quickly apologized. "I was just thinking who terrible it must had been to receive hat scar." She said meekly after a few moments of silence.

"It is a reminder of the past, just as these bullet scars soon will be." He laughed slightly which was shortly turned into a cough. "Heh, after all these things I'm being to feel nothing short of immortal."

"God is truly with you Father Jamblur, there must be a great purpose for you to fulfill for you to survive so many attacks upon your life."