Drowning in Crimson

Hello once more! Wow I’m so glad this story has been well received so far! Makes me so happy. I’ve been working on this chapter as much as I could to try and get it finished and for it to be good. But before we get to that I shall reply to some reviews. Yay reviews!

Anon: Woot, I’m glad I do and I hope I keep it.

Kiki: Thank you very much and Julian hopes for that too.

Kiix: Wow you read the old one? Glad I got you back then ^-^. Weee I love Dr. Muraki, he’s so delicious and beautiful. I was kinda reminded of him too when I made Julian, but that wasn’t my intention. I’m really glad that you like this story better though. Makes me know I did good. Hope you keep enjoying it.

Ana: Yes for catching attention! I’ll try and keep it and here is the update.

Thank you all for reviewing and for all those that have read the story. Now go and enjoy the chapter my naughty little monkies!

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The sun rose slowly into the sky, casting its light over the waking city. The sunlight seeped through a dirty window and stretched throughout the room. It traveled up the side of a couch and touched a head of white hair, highlighting every strand. The light slowly made its way down the face of a man and kissed his closed eyes.

The white haired man tossed his head and his body shifted. Groans rose from his throat and his face scrunched as if he was in pain. Suddenly the man bolted upright with a gasp.

He was breathing heavily and his eyes were wide, as if frightened. After looking around the room the man growled in irritation and swung his legs over the side of the couch, his feet stepping on a blanket that had fallen to the floor.

“Fuck,” Julian cursed as he rubbed his face with his hands. The man then grunted in disgust and wiped away the sweat that covered his face.

“Stupid, God damn nightmares,” Julian grumbled, running his fingers through his hair and finding the tresses also drenched in sweat. He shook his hand and watched the droplets fly and land on the shaggy carpet.

“One night is all I want, just one night without any nightmares. Is that so much to ask?” Julian questioned as he grabbed and threw his pillow across the room grumpily. The pillow hit a worn, peeling wall and fell to the floor with a soft thump.

Every night was the same for Julian, or anytime he could get the luxury of sleep. Haunting images writhered and clawed under his eyelids, destroying any peace he tried to salvage.

Julian’s latest one wasn’t so new to him. A torrent of swirling darkness, a girl calling out his name over and over, a glimpse of glossy blonde hair accompanied by laughter. Then finally a gunshot that sounded like it was right against his ear. That was when he always woke up in a sweat and Julian hated it.

The man ruffled his hair then shook his head to wake himself up. He then leaned back against the couch and laid his head against the cushion.

“I live to see another morning and yet a part of me hates that sun to the fiery pits of hell,” he muttered as his eyes studied the ceiling. That led him to look around the rest of his surroundings.

“Maybe it’s because this place looks even crappier in the light,” Julian concluded.

Since he moved around a lot Julian always picked very cheap places to stay at and his current one was as cheap as it was ugly. It was a rundown apartment building that was practically falling to pieces. It was grimy and dirty beyond imagination and infested with vermin and pests.

There was one bedroom, one bathroom, a living room, and a very small kitchen. The bathroom was only tolerable and Julian was surprised that the whole building didn’t explode every time he turned on the oven. He slept on the couch because a family of cockroaches inhabited the mattress in the bedroom and Julian didn’t want to get to know them. All in all, the place was a perfect hellhole.

“Guess its perfect for a guy like me,” Julian said with a grin. He scratched his chest, careful to avoid his bandages. Ricky had got him good last night and Julian had to struggle to wrap his chest and shoulder on his own. He wasn’t about to botch up his work to relieve an itch.

Julian stood up and stretched his sore body, hearing a few cracks and pops as he did. He pulled up his boxers before heading for the kitchen. The man opened the refrigerator door to reveal two racks filled with beer.

Julian grabbed one and closed the door with a snap. He pulled the cap off with his teeth and spit it out in a random direction. He took a nice long drink and sighed happily as felt the liquor rush into his stomach.

“Nothing like a drink in the morning to start the day,” Julian said with a grin. The floor creaked and groaned as he walked back to the couch. He set the bottle down on the coffee table and picked up his bloodied trench coat that he had draped over the top of the couch.

Julian looked through it and pulled out his pack of cigarettes and lighter. He laid his coat back down and looked at it.

“I’m going to have to get rid of it. There’s no hope in saving it,” Julian muttered as he scratched at the dried blood. He looked at the flakes that attached themselves to his finger then flicked them off.

Julian picked his beer back up and strolled over to the filthy window. He undid the lock and opened it, having to kick it the rest of the way up when it stuck. After the window was fully opened Julian set the beer on the sill and pulled a cigarette out of his pack and put it in his mouth.

“Damn it, I’m almost out,” he grumbled when he saw one lone stick was left. The pack then flew threw the air as Julian tossed it to the coffee table. Once his bottle was in hand again he sat on the window sill himself, sitting sideways and resting one foot in the crook of the bottom and side of the frame. Julian was pleased that the window was big enough to fit him since one of his morning rituals was to sit in one and look out, it was about the only peace he got.

He lit up his lighter and held the small flame that jumped to life under the end of his cigarette. Once it was lit he let go of the starter on the lighter and the flame was snuffed out.

Julian took a deep breath of the smoke then blew it out, watching the wispy white cloud disappear into the air. He took a few good puffs before taking hold of the cancer stick in his fingers and replacing the stick with the bottle. The cold liquid ran down his throat and Julian closed his eyes when he took the glass away from his lips.

The cigarette was soon back in place and dangled from his mouth, little puffs rising as he smoked it leisurely. Julian opened his eyes and looked out toward the world. Tall buildings met his sight as the sound of cars came from below. The white haired man watched the people that walked along the sidewalks, busy with their own lives. Their normal lives of work, friends, and family.

Julian wondered if any of them knew of the creatures that stalked the night, pretending to be one of them and taking away their lives in the blink of an eye. How many people would be petrified by fear and panic if they knew? He raised his bottle up in a toast to their blissful ignorance.

Julian sat there for a long time, observing the people around him and letting the sun warm his skin. He truly felt at peace. If only for awhile all his cares and worries melted away into the background; he only wished he could share it with Emily. With his tranquil surroundings and thoughts of his sister a soft song began slipping from his lips.

“Standing at the edge, edge of it all. Spitting off the top, watch the day unfurl. Cannot see the view from this place. Clouds are on the rise, the world is out of faith…”

“Whoo! Hey big boy!” A sudden shout brought Julian back to reality and he looked down. He saw a couple of women looking back up at him and one was whistling and waving at him. Her friend looked completely embarrassed by her behavior, but Julian just smirked and gave a small wave back. He could see many people stopping to stare at the woman and a few were looking up at him.

“Are you enjoying the view because I know I’m enjoying mine!” the woman called up to him and her friend shook her head and started pulling her away.

“I swear, I can’t go anywhere with you…” he heard the friend say as the woman laughed. Julian watched them leave and shook his head and chuckled.

“Some people,” he said in amusement, though he must have made a sight to see. A man sitting in a window with nothing on but green and white stripped boxers and wrapped in bandages.

Julian’s attention was suddenly brought to the inside of the room when he heard a ringing. He recognized it as his cell phone and quickly got out of the window. Julian sprinted to the couch and rummaged through his coat once more, pulling out his phone. He flipped it open and pressed the talk button.

“Hello?” Julian said as he held the small phone to his ear.

“Ah, so you finally decide to pick up, huh?” asked a male voice from the other end.

“Nice to talk to you too, Nathan,” Julian said sarcastically, but was happy to hear the voice of a friend. “What do you want?” he asked as he plopped down onto the couch.

“Hey, hey, no need to get huffy. I’m just calling to see if you’re still alive and by the sound of it you are,” Nathan told him.

“No, actually, this is just a recording and I’m in some vampire’s lair being gnawed on,” Julian joked.

“Ha ha, very funny, Julian. I’ve been worried about you, you know? What’s going on with the latest target?” Nathan questioned. Julian took a deep breath of his toxic smoke before leaning over and crushing the cigarette in an ashtray on the coffee table. He then placed the lighter next to the almost empty pack.

“Destroyed in a brilliant blaze of destructive carnage,” he replied, clouds of white escaping his mouth.

“Good to hear, but you aren’t drawing attention to yourself are you? You know you need to keep your killings under the radar,” Nathan reminded him.

“I know, I know…but it was so pretty,” Julian told him and he heard his friend groan.

“I seriously don’t know what I’m going to do with you, Julian. So what happened? Did the vampire have a lead to where they’re keeping Emily?” Nathan asked. Julian sighed and leaned back, resting his beer bottle on his leg and tapping the glass with his fingers.

“Brick wall,” he said simply.

“Again!? Dear Lord, is there no end to this madness!?” Nathan cried out angrily.

“Apparently not until I choose the right vampires to go slaughter,” Julian replied dully.

“That Michael is a sick, sick bastard,” Nathan grumbled. Julian laughed as he lifted his bottle.

“You’re telling me that?” he asked as he took a swig.

“What was that?” his friend asked.

“What was what?”

“…Julian, what are you drinking?” Nathan questioned suspiciously.

“Liquid,” Julian answered innocently.

“Julian, please do not tell me you’re drinking alcohol in the morning!” Nathan exclaimed.

“Okay, I won’t tell you,” Julian said with a grin.

“Gah! What time is it over there?”

“I’d say about eight or nine,” Julian told him as he drained the last of the alcohol from the bottle and stood up.

“And you’re already drinking? Are you trying to marinate yourself for Michael?” Nathan asked in exasperation.

“Nathan, stop being so dramatic,” Julian said as he walked into the kitchen and deposited the empty bottle into a trashcan that was already filled with other bottles. “Plus, it was only my first one for today,” the man defended himself.

“Only your first one…” Nathan repeated in a mutter. “Why do I even try with you anymore?”

“Because you seem to have it in your head that you can sway me from alcohol guzzling, chain smoking ways and, to be clear on this, you can’t,” Julian informed him as he leaned against the kitchen counter. There was a disgruntled grunt from the end that made Julian chuckle.

“At least tell me you have something in your fridge besides beer,” Nathan pleaded. Julian walked over to said refrigerator and opened it.

“Well, let’s see. Beer, beer, beer…is that a cockroach? Beer, beer, hey there’s some leftover Chinese food. I thought I already ate all that,” Julian said curiously as he grabbed a container and looked at the contents while a groan of despair came from the phone.

“That’s final! You are the worst drunkard that I have ever met!” Nathan cried out.

“You obviously have never met my father,” Julian grumbled as he put the food container back and shut the door with his foot.

“Don’t you throw that at me, Julian,” Nathan said warningly. “Please, promise me that you’ll go out today and buy some real food,” he then begged. Julian sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Okay, okay I will. Now will you please dislodge yourself from my back?” he asked.

“For now,” Nathan told him, sounding much more cheerful. “So back to business. What are you going to do now about Michael and Emily?”

“What can I do?” Julian asked as he wandered back into the living room. “His letter basically said ‘screw you, game over, wait till I contact you again.’ I have no way of finding him or his pesky fledglings and even if I did find the latter those bastards never know anything,” he said.

“I don’t understand how they do it. When they decide to play with me they’re all over the place, making my life a living hell and when they’re done it’s like they drop off the face of the earth!” Julian cried out as he fell backwards onto the couch so he was lying down. “I’m just as helpless as Emily is when Michael doesn’t want to be found,” he grumbled as he rubbed his face with his hand. “Unless you’ve found anything new,” Julian then said hopefully.

“Sorry, Julian, I’m useless to you in that department,” Nathan told him regretfully. “Every time I narrow down where Michael might be located more red flags explode onto the map, making me go back to square one,” he explained. Julian sighed as he stared up at the ceiling.

“I just don’t know what to do anymore,” he mumbled softly. There was a pause from the other end.

“I do have a suggestion to give you, not mine, mind you,” Nathan told him. Julian raised an eyebrow curiously.

“And what would that be and from who?” he asked. He heard his friend sigh before he spoke.

“Dad wants you to come home. He thinks you’re wasting your time running after Michael like this,” Nathan told him. Julian chuckled as he lifted himself up onto his elbows.

“No offense to David, and none to you either, but he can go fuck himself,” the man told his friend.

“Julian!!!” Nathan cried out and Julian pulled the phone away from his to save his hearing.

“I said no offense,” he remarked when he thought it was safe to talk again.

“Please refrain from saying such things about my father,” Nathan huffed.

“Sorry, sorry, but really, I’m not going to stop until I get Emily back,” Julian told him firmly.

“But, Julian…I kinda have to agree with him, what is the point of this? You aren’t getting any closer to Michael since this all began. He’s making you play this ‘game’ of his just to torment you and take away what little sanity you have left!” Nathan exclaimed.

“Wow, I thought I was all out of sanity,” Julian chuckled as he sat up fully.

“That’s why I said little. Maybe an ounce left, but you still have it.” Nathan then sighed again. “Julian, I know you won’t want to hear this-”

“Then why say it?” Julian asked, picking at a piece of gauze on his shoulder that was coming loose.

“Because it has to be said,” Nathan told him. “It’s been almost an entire year since this started. Isn’t there a possibility that Emily is-”

“I am going to stop you right there, Nathan. You even think of finishing that sentence and I promise you an ass whooping next time I see you,” Julian threatened.

“But, Julia-”

“No, no buts. Listen, Nathan, don’t think that I’m ungrateful for all that you and David have done for me and Emily for the last five years, because I’m not,” Julian said as he turned and placed his feet on the floor. “David has been the father that I never had and you’re practically my brother. But Emily is the last thing that I have in this world. She is the single reason that I live and breathe right now, no, not now, at all,” Julian explained, revealing raw feelings most people didn’t think he was capable of.

“Julian-”

“Don’t interrupt me, Nathan,” Julian cut him off then continued when his friend fell silent. “I am going to do everything I can to get Emily back and if it means being the star of this circus then I’ll perform with a smile on my face,” the white haired man told Nathan before leaning back against the back of the couch. “Besides, that’s how I know she’s safe.”

“What do you mean?” Nathan asked in confusion.

“What I mean is Emily is actually safer than you or me. She’s in less danger by that psycho’s side then if she were back at home. You see, Michael’s focus is on me not her, she’s just the bait. In playing this game, and doing what he wants, I’m entertaining him and keeping him happy. If I refused him that then he’d have to get his fun from somewhere else,” Julian explained.

“Namely Emily,” Nathan concluded.

“Correct, who knows what he’d do to her to get his twisted delight? That’s why I can’t fulfill David’s wish of me coming back. If I quit and go home then Emily’s situation really will become dangerous and I won’t let that happen,” Julian said with firm determination in his voice.

“I have to hand it to you, Julian. You may be a drunken, smoking, foul mouthed punk, but you sure have your priorities straight and a good heart. I don’t know anyone else that would willingly be a vampire’s puppet to keep someone else safe,” Nathan told him, making Julian laugh.

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.”

“How about a little bit of both?” his friend suggested. “Well, that’s a convincing enough reason for me for you to keep it up, so I’ll explain it to Dad, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“And it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t because there’s nothing he can do about it,” Julian pointed out with a grin.

“Yes, what with your stubbornness and all,” Nathan agreed with a sigh. “I’ll try my best to get a location on Michael. I might have come across a new system that could nail him, if only for a moment.”

“Anything is better than nothing,” Julian assured him.

“Right, so is there anything that you need. Money, supplies?” Nathan then asked. The man tapped on his leg as he thought.

“I guess just the usual. Money, ammo, knives, silver, holy water, crosses, anything of the sort will do,” Julian told him.

“Okay, got it,” Nathan said and Julian could hear a scratching noise in the background, probably a pencil writing down the list.

“Oh, and before I forget, could you send more of my pills too? I think I’m low,” he added quickly. The scratching sound stopped and there was a long pause. “Um, Nathan?” Julian said uncertainly, guessing what was coming next.

“You think you’re low?” his friend asked in disbelief. *Here we go,* Julian thought as he held the phone away from his ear.

“Are you insane!?!? You know how important it is to keep track of that, Julian!!!” Nathan practically screamed at him.

“Yeah, well my hearing is kind of important too, ya know?” Julian told him, holding the cell phone at arms length.

“This is not a joke, damn it! You know what will happen if you run out!”

“Well, actually none of us know what will happen exactly,” Julian pointed out.

“You know what I mean!” Nathan yelled in frustration.

“I know, I know, just calm down, buddy. Deep breaths in and out. It’s just I’m so busy running around and fighting all the time that it’s hard to remember to watch that,” Julian explained and he heard Nathan groan.

“But that’s the one thing you definitely need to watch,” he grumbled and Julian thought it was safe enough to put the phone back against his ear.

“Look, just send me more and I’ll promise to check the amount a hundred times a day,” Julian swore, holding up his free hand even though his friend couldn’t see it.

“You better, I’ll make sure to send you double the amount I usually send,” Nathan said, the scratching sound starting up again.

“All right, do what you want,” Julian told him, putting it in his friends capable hands.

“I swear the stress you put me through…” Nathan grumbled as Julian heard a tearing sound.

“But you know you love me and I’m pretty proud of myself, it’s not everyday I can piss you off enough to say damn it,” the man said in amusement.

“It just proves that you’re a bad influence on me. So anything else you can think of?” Nathan asked.

“Nope, that’s about it,” Julian replied.

“All right, I should be able to get you your stuff in a couple of days. Still at the same place?” was the next question.

“Unfortunately,” Julian mumbled, looking around the room.

“Okay, well I should go. You be careful out there, Julian,” Nathan told him.

“Aren’t I always? Say hi to David for me.”

“I will, bye.”

“See ya,” Julian said before hitting the end button. “Man, I really do miss bugging him though,” he chuckled as he snapped the cell phone closed. He placed it on the coffee table as he stood up.

“Well, I guess I should go fulfill at least one of his wishes so I don’t get another earful next time. I’ll have to clean up first.” Julian made his way to a door and opened it, revealing a bathroom. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

Julian went to the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. He saw bags under his green eyes and he looked very tired and worn, thanks to his staying up almost all night. The man ran his fingers through his white locks and noticed that some of the strands were clumped together from dried sweat and most likely mixed with dried blood.

“Shower first then,” he mumbled. Julian then took hold of an end to his bandages and began to unwrap himself. When he was done he dumped it, and the used gauze, in the small trashcan next to the sink.

Julian inspected himself carefully. He touched his chest where Ricky had given him deep scratches, but they were already healed and gone. There were pale marks on Julian’s shoulder where the vampire had sunk his teeth in and had tried to tear it up. The man guessed that the light scarring would be gone by the end of the day.

“I suppose I have at least one thing to thank that bastard for,” Julian muttered as he rubbed his shoulder. “Not that I’d ever say it to his face.” The man turned away from the mirror and went to the shower.

He bent down enough to turn the hot and cold knobs to start it up. The shower head shook and there was a deep rumble and whine from somewhere in the building before water gushed out. Julian made sure it was a good enough temperature before slipping off his boxers and stepping into the tub.

He closed the curtain around him before going fully under the spray of warm water. A pleasant groan came from the man as the water soaked him from head to foot and the warmth relaxed his muscles greatly.

One of Julian’s greatest loves was hot showers. He could stay in one for hours as long as the warm water didn’t run out. What with all the stress he went through daily, it was nice to unwind and be lost in the heated steam and falling droplets.

Julian stood there for several minutes, just letting the water run down his naked body. After awhile he decided to start cleaning himself up and grabbed a shampoo bottle that was sitting on a small rack attached to the wall. He poured some of the substance in his hand and set the bottle back down.

He ran the shampoo through his hair before starting to scratch it into his scalp. When Julian thought he got it in well enough he put his head under the running water. He watched as the foam was washed away, ran down his body, and then was sucked down the drain.

With that done Julian grabbed a bar of soap from the rack and began washing his body with it. As he washed his wounded shoulder he felt an odd pulling sensation. He rubbed it with his hand and grasped something that felt very thin. Julian peeled it off and washed the soap away to reveal a piece of skin.

He let the water clear away the suds on his shoulder to see that one of the pale scars that had been there before was gone.

“As helpful as that is it’s still extremely creepy,” Julian said as he let the strip of skin be taken away by the running water. “You think I would be used to it by now…” he mumbled. Julian then continued to wash himself as if nothing had happened.

He washed his body thoroughly to get rid of all the grim and any dried blood he had missed last night. As he washed his stomach he suddenly stiffened and his eyes widened.

“Ah! Fuck!” Julian cried out as his warm water suddenly turned to freezing cold. He dropped the bar of soap and quickly scrambled to turn off the water. When the spray stopped he stood still as cold drops dripped from his body. His upper lip curled into a snarl and his eye twitched.

“Damn it, I hate this fucking place!!!” he bellowed angrily. Julian continued to grumble as he started wiping away the soap suds that the water hadn’t been able to get.

“No warning, no nothing. This shitty place needs to be burned down to the ground,” Julian muttered under his breath. Once he was soap free he pulled open the curtain and carefully stepped out.

He grabbed a towel from the nearby towel rack and shook it vigorously to make sure no bugs had crawled into it. He then started the process of drying his body. Once Julian did a once over on his skin he towel dried his hair until it was only slightly damp.

Julian walked out of the bathroom with the towel around his waist and his boxers in his hand. When he reached the couch he kneeled down and reached under the piece of furniture. Once he had hold of something he pulled it out to reveal a brown suitcase.

Julian placed it on top of the couch and worked on getting it open. When all the buckles were undone and it was unzipped he opened it. Some clothes were haphazardly folded into the case and beside that was an array of handheld guns, ammo and knives. Julian shook his head and laughed in amusement as he looked into the suitcase.

“If anyone ever found this I’d be screwed,” he said to himself. “Good thing I never have to use public airplanes.” Julian pulled out a pair of white pants, a black shirt, socks and an undamaged white trench coat.

“Damn, I should have told Nathan to send me more of these too,” he realized with a pout. “Guess I’ll have to be extra careful then.” Before Julian closed the suitcase he pulled out a small plastic tube container from a pocket. Once the luggage was closed he placed the items on top of it.

Julian quickly got dressed in the boxers he was wearing previously and the new shirt, pants and pulled the socks onto his feet. He grabbed a belt that he had tossed across the back of the couch last night and fastened that around his waist. It was a simple black belt, but he had altered it so that it also served as a gun holster.

“Now for these stupid things,” Julian grumbled as he picked up the tube and his towel then walked into the kitchen. He tossed the towel onto the counter and opened the refrigerator and looked through it.

“Come on, I know I have at least one in here,” he muttered as he moved the beer bottles aside. “There you are,” Julian said in victory as he pulled out a bottle of water. He may have been brave enough to wash with the water in the building, but there was no way he was going to drink it.

Julian placed the water on the counter and unscrewed the cap from the tube. He shook it until two pills fell into his palm. They were about the size of his pinky nail and a light blue color. Julian looked into the tube to see how many were left.

“I’d say I have about a week’s worth,” he confirmed. He then put down the container and unscrewed the cap to the water bottle before picking it up.

“Down the hatch,” he said and toasted himself before popping the pills into his mouth and drained half of the water to wash them down. “There, another thing Nathan won’t be able to yell at me for.” Julian replaced the cap to the water and to the tube. He put the bottle back in the fridge and walked back into the living room.

Julian lifted the top of the suitcase just enough to toss the container into it. After closing it securely he put the case back under the couch. He then began to hum as he sat down and pulled a pair of black shoes out from under the coffee table. Julian slipped his feet into them and tied the laces tightly.

“Took another pill, to find my way. Hope that you’ll be there ‘cause this is my way out of it tonight,” the man began to sing as he stood up and walked over to the kitchen counter. “And this is my last chance to ease the fire. And this is my way out of it tonight. How about you? How about you?” The lyrics left his lips as he picked up the gun that he had used last night.

Julian had been far too tired to put it in a safe place so he left it on the kitchen counter next to his wallet. He made sure the gun was loaded before slipping it into the holster attached to his belt. Julian felt naked if he didn’t have the feel of a gun pressed against his hip. He then snatched up the wallet and put it in his pants pocket.

“Guess I’m all set,” he said than looked toward the open window. “Better go close that.” Julian went to it and pushed the reluctant window back down and locked it. He then strolled back to the couch and picked up his new trench coat. Julian looked at the old one that was still on the couch. “I’ll get rid of it later,” he decided. He took the lighter and cigarette pack from the surface of the coffee table and pulled out the last cigarette.

“At least I’ll be able to get more while I’m out,” Julian said as he crushed the empty pack after putting the cancer stick in his mouth. He let the pack fall and started walking toward the door.

He opened it and made sure it was locked before stepping out into the dark, grungy hallway. Once the door was shut and secured Julian lifted his lighter and lit his cigarette. White smoke floated upward as the man put his lighter in his pocket.

He started walking down the hallway toward a staircase. Even though it was daytime the hallway was poorly lit since the windows at each end of it was caked in filth and light could hardly get in. Julian kicked a crumbled piece of paper as he walked, the floor was covered in all sorts of litter.

“Someone really needs to clean this up, it’s disgusting,” Julian said with a shake of his head. He jumped when a door he was walking by suddenly opened.

“If you don’t like it get out!” yelled a gravely voice. Julian clenched his hand, successfully repressing the reflex to grab his gun.

“Oi, Mr. Beaulant, don’t do that!” he snapped at the man that stepped toward him.

Mr. Beaulant was one person Julian did not want to see. For one he always managed to piss Julian off and two he was not pleasant to look at. Mr. Beaulant’s skin looked like it was made of sandpaper and he had thin grey hair that was falling out in random places. He had one bulging eye that really creeped Julian out and the man had lots of missing teeth and with the ones he still had they were yellow and decayed. Julian sometimes wondered if Mr. Beaulant was the inspiration for some of the latest zombie movies.

“I’m the landlord, I can do what I want,” Mr. Beaulant stated, crossing his arms.

“So that means its okay to hide behind your door and scare the shit out of people?” Julian asked.

“If I so feel like it,” Mr. Beaulant told him. He then set a vicious glare on Julian. “Where’s your rent?” he questioned. Julian raised an eyebrow.

“What are you talking about? I paid you last week,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

“Yes, but you only paid me enough for this week. If you’re going to stay here you need to pay again,” Mr. Beaulant told him matter-of-factly and held out a bony hand. Julian stared at him before grunting and pulling out his wallet.

“Whatever,” he grumbled and filed through his money and shoved a hundred dollar bill in the man’s hand. “That oughta get you off my back for the rest of the month,” he grumbled. Mr. Beaulant’s eyes widened when he looked at the money.

“Well, I suppose it shall,” he said and grinned, revealing his repulsive teeth. Julian shook his head and inhaled deeply from his cigarette before blowing a cloud of smoke into Mr. Beaulant’s face.

“Have a nice day,” he growled before walking away, leaving the man coughing. But to his annoyance the landlord followed him.

“I don’t even know why I let you stay here,” Mr. Beaulant told him and Julian rolled his eyes.

“Because I actually pay you the outrages amount of rent you ask for, if not more,” he replied. Mr. Beaulant glared at him as they walked.

“Even so, I don’t trust you. You think you’re so high and mighty, strutting around here like you own the place,” he said and Julian shook his head. *I’d blow my brains out before even thinking of owning this place,* he thought. “Then you’re always sneaking around at night, don’t think I don’t hear you,” Mr. Beaulant continued, coming to a stop at the top of the staircase as Julian began walking down them. “Plus you’re always contaminating the air with your filthy cigarette’s!” he called down to him.

“Pfft I’m filthy? I’m practically the cleanest thing in here, especially compared to your nasty ass teeth,” Julian mumbled.

“What’d you say?” Mr. Beaulant asked with a scowl.

“Nothing old man! Go back to your room already!” Julian turned and yelled up at him. He then continued on his way and Mr. Beaulant heard him sing as he went.

“Borrowed from a dream that I use to know. All my friends were there, we watched the world explode. Took another drink to find my way…”

“And always with the singing! You sound like a deranged alley cat yowling at the moon!” he shouted before turning to go back to his room. Right as he took a step he was hit in the back of the head and a crushed can landed on the floor next to him. “Ow!” The landlord turned to yell at Julian, but he was already gone. “Damn punk,” he cursed as he rubbed his head. He then headed back to his apartment, grumbling along the way.

A thin cloud of smoke followed Julian as he walked down the sidewalk. He had to squint his eyes from the sunlight until he got used to it.

“Damn old man, always hassling me. I’ll be glad once Michael makes his move so I can get out of here,” he mumbled under his breath. He took many deep inhales of his cigarette to calm down.

As Julian walked toward a local grocery store he knew of he passed by a newsstand. Something caught his eye and he stopped. He walked up to the small stand and pulled out his wallet once more then took out a dollar and put it on the counter.

“Keep the change,” Julian told the man behind it as he grabbed a newspaper. He unfolded it and smack dab on the front page was a picture of a familiar fire. At the top in big bold letters it read “FIERY MURDER?” *Well, well, Ricky made the front page,* Julian thought with a silent chuckle. The owner of the newsstand looked over at Julian after he had put away the money.

“Crazy, isn’t it?” he asked. Julian glanced at him then nodded.

“Yeah, not something you read in the papers everyday. But why did they put a question mark? Are they not sure it was murder?” he asked, deciding to get as much info of what people were thinking as he could. The man shrugged as leaned on the counter.

“Well, they think a person was killed, but there wasn’t really a body to confirm it,” he told Julian. The white haired man tilted his head and pretended to look confused.

“What do you mean?”

“Apparently, when the firemen got there and put out the blaze there were only chunks of what they believe to be a person there. But they’re not sure because they were so burned, the people couldn’t really get anything from them,” the man explained and shook his head. “If that was a person, someone really messed him up.” Julian nodded in agreement as he looked down at the paper.

“Yikes, I can’t believe someone could be capable of something like that. Do they have any suspects?” he then inquired and the man shook his head.

“Not that I know of, but they think that whoever did it might have killed someone else too.” Now Julian really was surprised.

“Really?” he asked. The owner nodded and leaned over to look at the paper.

“Yeah, see down here? When the police were looking around the area they found a body in a dumpster a few blocks away,” he said and pointed at a picture near the bottom. Julian looked to see a picture of a man lying in a dumpster and blood all around his neck. *Now they cannot blame that one on me,* he thought.

“Whoever killed that one sliced his neck from one side clean to the other,” the man said, sliding his finger over his neck as an example. Julian made a face then folded up the paper.

“The things people do to each other, it’s all rather sickening if you ask me,” he said, trying hard not to laugh out loud at his own words.

“Amen to that,” the newsstand owner agreed.

“Well, I’ll be heading off, thanks for the paper,” Julian said as he started to walk away.

“No problem. Take care of yourself,” the man called after him.

When Julian was far enough away he finally gave into the urge to laugh. He took his cigarette out so he didn’t accidentally swallow it.

“Ah man, I can’t believe some of the stuff I say sometimes,” he said to himself as he chuckled. “Me caring about people killing each other, that’s a riot right there.” Julian put his cancer stick back in his mouth and suddenly looked thoughtful.

“I wonder who killed that other poor bastard. All I know is I better not get any cops in my face for that one,” he muttered around the cigarette as his destination came into sight. “Whatever, not my problem,” he said as he entered the store.

**********

“Home, disgusting home,” Julian said as he walked into his small place and kicked the door closed. He went over to the kitchen and deposited two grocery bags onto the counter.

“There, now Nathan can’t say anything,” he said, looking at the bags. Julian walked over to the couch and took off his trench coat, laying it over the back of the piece of furniture.

He then went back to the kitchen and began unloading the contents. He took out a carton of eggs, loaf of bread, a couple jars of different spices, instant noodles, hotdogs, milk, bottles of water, the newspaper he had bought earlier and last, but not least, a carton of cigarettes.

“There I should be set for awhile,” Julian told himself as he began to put stuff away. He stopped when his stomach suddenly growled loudly. “Right, haven’t eaten yet,” he reminded himself.

Julian looked over his options and was tempted to go with the hotdogs. But he was then hit with the urge to make something he hadn’t in awhile.

“Well, it’s not exactly morning anymore, but what the hell? French toast it is,” he said. He put everything he wouldn’t need away then put the towel that was still on the counter back in the bathroom. When Julian came back to the kitchen he took out all the dishes he’d need.

“Okay, first let’s heat up the pan.” Julian said and faced the stove. “I hate using this thing,” he muttered. He stood as far away as he could and crouched down. Julian then reached up and turned the dial to start up one of the top burners. He winced when it made a high pitched hissing noise then flames suddenly jumped a few feet before dwindling down to smaller flames.

Julian sighed in relief as he stood up. The first time he had ever used the stove his eyebrows had almost been burned off. Mr. Beaulant got an earful from him about that one. He set the pan on the burner then searched through the cabinets until he pulled out some cooking spray.

Once the pan was set up Julian went over to the counter and began preparing the mixture for the bread. In a bowl he put in all the necessary ingredients and mixed it with the fork until it was well blended.

“There, easy enough,” Julian told himself as he went back to the cabinet and took out a plate for his finished product. He set it down on the counter then began the process of dipping the bread into the egg mixture and placing it in the heated greased pan. Julian remembered that he needed a spatula and quickly got it out.

“Yes, going to flip it with my fingers,” he muttered sarcastically as he made sure the item was clean. The man stood idly by as he watched his food cook. The egg mixture sizzled and popped as the pan heated it.

As Julian stared at it something started nagging at his brain, he wasn’t sure what it was until he remembered something similar. A memory from a long time ago surfaced in his mind, drawing him back to the past.

“Julian, what are you cooking?” asked a little girl’s voice.

“Food,” was the simple reply from a younger sounding Julian.

“Awe, tell me, big brother, tell me!” the girl whined. The sound of Julian’s laughter rang in the air.

“Can’t you smell it, Em?” he asked her.

“Yes, and it smells good, but what is it?” she asked again, sounding frustrated.

“Poor little Emily is too short to see the top of the stove,” Julian teased and his sister cried out angrily.

“Don’t be such a meanie!”

“Okay, okay, I’m making your favorite, French toast,” he finally told her.

“Yay! Frenchy toast!” Emily squealed in delight and there was the sound of feet as she danced around the room. “Thank you, big brother! I love Frenchy toast!” she cried out happily. “But I love you more because you’re the best brother ever!”

Julian suddenly snapped out of it and hit his forehead repeatedly with his palm.

“No, no, no, no, don’t do that, Julian,” he told himself, forcing the memory to go away. “Don’t think about that stuff, you can’t,” he said. He felt a great swelling in his chest at the sweet memories of his sister and he fought it down. Julian couldn’t break down, not now. He promised himself that he could once Emily was safely with him once more.

A burning smell brought Julian from his struggle and he jumped when he saw smoke starting to come from his food.

“Ah! God damn it!” he cursed as he quickly pried it up with the spatula and flipped the pieces of bread. “Good going there, Julian,” he scolded himself. He stared at the burned bread solemnly as the other side cooked.

“I promise I’ll get you back, Emily, and then I’ll make you all the French toast you can eat,” he vowed.

Once everything was made and done Julian ate his food in silence. He had to eat it dry since he didn’t think to buy syrup, but he didn’t mind. French toast and another bottle of beer were perfectly fine with him.

Soon Julian finished and put the dishes in the sink and put all the food that he had usedf in the fridge. He walked into the living room with bottle in hand and he yawned, suddenly feeling very tired.

“Well, I don’t have anything to do, might as well sleep,” Julian said, deciding that was a good idea. He retrieved his pillow from where he had thrown it then walked over to the couch. The pillow was dropped to one end and he picked up the blanket that had fallen to the floor.

Julian lay down on the couch and covered himself with the blanket and he made himself as comfortable as he could on the lumpy cushions. Soon he was curled up and he looked out the window. The sunlight was still pouring in through the window and it relaxed him to see it for some reason. Maybe because he knew the things that went bump in the night were sleeping too. Julian became drowsy and he shut his eyes, allowing the darkness of his mind to draw him into its turbulent depths.

***************

A cry rang out through the apartment as Julian quickly sat up. His chest heaved as he struggled for breath and he shook uncontrollably. When he came to himself he groaned and fell back.

“I need to start strapping myself down or something,” he growled. Julian looked around at the room; it was almost completely dark except for the lights down from the street coming in through the window.

“Aaaaand it’s night, wonderful,” he said sarcastically as he sat up. Julian kicked off the blanket and stood up. He yawned and stretched as he walked over to the front door and turned on the light switch. The room was filled with light and Julian closed his eyes against it.

“Shit, I have seen the light…and it burns!” he cried out dramatically. He waited to get used to it before walking to the bathroom. Julian turned on the light and went to the sink. He yawned as he turned on the water and cupped it in his hands before splashing his face with it. The cold water made him shiver and woke him up properly.

“Dear Lord that’s freezing,” Julian said as he shook his head to get the water off. He wiped away the remaining water before straightening up.

“Again with the gross sweat. Every time, I’m surprised I don’t live in the shower,” he grumbled as he peeled off his soaked shirt. Julian would be fine with the constant nightmares if he didn’t wake up in a cold sweat each time.

Julian narrowed his eyes at the mirror as he saw something peculiar and rubbed his shoulder with his hand. He looked down at it and turned his hand to look at his palm. What he held were more strips of dead skin like the one from before. He looked at the mirror once again to see that the skin on his shoulder was perfectly smooth and undamaged.

“About time,” Julian said as he put the peeled skin into the trashcan. Julian then relieved his bladder before leaving the bathroom and heading to the kitchen, tossing the sweaty shirt to the couch on his way. He grabbed the carton of cigarettes and tore off the wrapper from it. When he had one of the packs in his hand and unwrapped that he opened it and pulled out one of the many white sticks.

“Can’t get enough of these,” he said as he put it in his mouth and set the pack down on the counter. He walked to the couch and leaned on the back of it as he pulled out his lighter and lit the cigarette. After inhaling deeply and slowly blowing out the smoke he leaned his head back and sighed.

“Good stuff, good stuff,” Julian muttered happily. “Well, now that I’m rested, awake, and satisfied.” Julian suddenly grabbed his gun that was still in the holster and pointed it at the corner of the room near the front door. “Who are you and what the fuck are you doing in here?” he demanded.

There was silence as Julian held the gun pointed at the bare wall when laughter suddenly filled the room. A mass of shadows appeared in the corner and a man wearing a blue jacket, white shirt and black pants stepped out from it. He chuckled as he tossed his ponytail over his shoulder.

“I’m impressed, you were able to figure out I was here,” he said to Julian and the other man just scoffed.

“Oh please, I knew you were here the second I woke up. So, again, who’re you and what are you doing in here?” Julian asked. Green eyes stared into blue and the stranger smiled softly.

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to harm you,” the man told him.

“All right, that partly answers the second question, now answer the first. Who the fuck are you?” Julian questioned. The man chuckled in amusement.

“Fair enough.” He suddenly bowed in greeting. “My name is Lucas and I’m a friend.”

===================Ch. 2 End
Bum bum buuum. The man has met the vampire. How will they interact with each other? You’ll just have to see. And now you’ve all seen just how bad Julian is. Smoking, drinking and cussing so much, shame on him, but I still love him. More songs from David Usher as performed by Julian. This one was called “My Way Out” and still there is a reason he likes to sing these songs. Also you got a glimpse of his relationship with his sister. Sweet, isn’t it? Poor guy. Well, I hope you enjoyed it so please rate and review!