This story is by Natalie Shannon and was part of our 2017 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the Summer Writing Contest stories here.
Jeannette Tanner used her key to open her Father’s basement apartment. Her dad, David Tanner, did not expect her. She is supposed to be at college. She came home because she wanted answers about her mother’s murder. A year ago, her mother was brutally murdered at a New York City nightclub. There have been a lot of murders in nightclubs since then. Jeannette knew they were all connected. She has been paying close attention to all the media attention. Even the rumors online; which claimed vampires were involved. Jeannette was skeptical at first, but then she spoke to the police officers who were at the murder scene. Every officer told the same details about the marks on her mother’s body. How her father made them cover up the details.
The officers in her father’s precinct also told her strange things about her father. He never went out in daylight. He always worked the late shift. How they never see him eat or drink anything. That her father was obsessed with every nightclub murder. The officers talked about the strange new friend her father hung out with. A man named Malcolm Stirling.
As Jeannette walked towards the kitchen; she noticed the windows had dark curtains and had cardboard on them. She saw on the table that her father’s keys, wallet, and badge were there. Hmm, she thought, he must be here. Jeannette spotted a hallway and walked into in. She noticed aw a closed door in the middle of the hallway. She made a move towards it when it banged open. Her father leaped out yelling, “Who is here?” and he tackled her. Jeannette yelled, “Dad, it’s me.” Her father jumped up into a crouch and stared at her. He stood up and grinned. “Honey, what are you doing here? Your summer break does not start for another two weeks.”
Jeannette jumped back and put a hand to her mouth. Her father had lost a lot of weight and was so pale she could see his veins. “Dad, you look like shit! What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing is wrong. I am tired. I have been working long hours. The precinct made me head detective; in charge of the nightclub murders.” David said.
“You mean the murders that are connected to mom? The murders which, rumor has it, involve vampires? Jeannette asked.
“I see you visit the darker parts of internet chat rooms. You know you can’t believe everything you read?’ David said.
“What about what I hear? Especially from your fellow officers? They told me about the marks on mom’s neck. How she was bled dry. That you covered up the details.” Jeannette said.
“I am upset you went behind my back. If you want to know about your mom’s murder, ask me!” David said.
“That is why I came here, to get answers! I want to know everything about mom’s murder. I want to know about how you plan to avenge her death. How far you are willing to go.” Jeannette said.
Far enough to turn into a vampire. Don’t look so surprised. You obviously been in the vampire chat rooms. No doubt doing your own research. You grew up in New York and have heard all the rumors about vampires since you were a child.”
David said. “I know vampires have always intrigued you.”
“When did you turn into a vampire? How did it happen?” Jeannette asked.
“It was three months ago. I was at a murder scene when I got attacked. Two vampires tried to drain me of blood. A vampire named Malcolm killed them. He offered to make me a vampire. He said he could use my connections to the police department. I could get the department to cover up vampire murders. Malcolm and I have common enemies. The vampires that killed your mom, killed his mate.” David said. “Your mother tried to help his mate. She saw Claudette get attacked and tried to help. She probably thought it was an attempted rape or murder of a pure human. The vampires then attacked her.”
“Mom was always brave. I know she was a cop before I was born.” Jeannette said. “Shame she got killed by vamp filth. I’d do anything to kill them.”
David hugged his daughter. “I don’t want you involved. What you need to do is go back to college. Let me handle this.”
Jeannette shoved her father. “I want to avenge my mother’s death. I refuse to let her killers run free. I don’t’ care what they are! I will go to any length to get them. Even it means becoming a vampire, like you!”
“I was dying when Malcolm turned me! That is the only time a person can be turned. Don’t’ try to get a vampire to turn you! They will kill you if you ask!” David said.
“Why don’t you turn me?” Jeannette asked.
“I can’t, new vampires are not strong enough.” David said.
“What about Malcolm?”
“He would never, his coven are the ones who made the rule about vampire turning. That rule is a big reason for the vampire wars”
“Then I will find a vampire who will turn me!”
“Please tell me you won’t’ go after random vampires. You’re smarter than that.” David said.
Jeannette turned and walked away from her father. “I told you, I will stop at nothing to avenge mom’s death.”
David leaped and grabbed his daughter. He pinched a nerve on her throat. Jeannette fell to the ground, unconscious. “I’m sorry but this is for your own good.” He pulled out his phone. He dialed a number. “Hello, Judge Harris,I’m sorry to be bother you but I need a committal order for my daughter right away. She’s having a major breakdown. She’s suicidal and delusional. Poor Jeannette needs to be hospitalized for a long time. The stress of her mother’s death has caught up to her.”
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