Enter Sandman part 6

  “It all started when my wife got sick. Before the treatments, she was a tour de force of vitality. I remember when I first met her a yoga retreat. She must have had a hundred daises in her hair. Her smile lit up my world. I thought that I knew happiness before when I was developing properties, but Meredith was a whole another level. I even got out of the property industry so we could start a family. “He sighed as he lit his cigarette. Despite his shaggy appearance his eyes were clear. “I was called crazy for leaving but I would have done it all over again in an instant. “Looking at him I almost felt enchanted.

“Meredith was everything to me. We tried for years to have children. She was devastated that we were struggling. So, wondering what was going on we went to the doctor. That’s when I discovered that she had cancer. I held her hand through every treatment. I spend endless nights by her side just praying that she might make it through…” he trailed. “I’m sorry.” He shut his eyes tightly then blinked again.

“No, it’s okay. You’re allowed to feel emotional.”

“Yeah, I guess. It’s just a lot.”

“So, what happened to Meredith?”

“The treatments didn’t work. But that’s not the kicker.” He let out a coughing wheeze. “While she was undergoing treatment. I started to get ill. I hadn’t been eating or drinking or even sleeping properly. I blamed it on the stress until I collapsed in the hospital cafeteria. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but I was told they ran panels and found out I had cancer and my organs were starting to fail.”

“I can’t imagine how hard that was,” I said while a newly arrived Jester poured us coffee from a thermos.

“The plus side is that Meredith and I got to have our treatments together. The only difference is that I was getting better. They even gave us a room and put our beds together. The day she died, I climbed in bed with her and held her until she was gone. Despite all the chemicals and the hospital smells, I swear I still smelt daisies in her hair.”     We sat in silence for a moment while he munched on some food. He still looked gaunt and sickly. He lit up another cigarette and sighed.

“The day we finally got to inter her ashes; I was sent home but then I found out there was nothing to go home too. Apparently, the company I worked for was sick of waiting for me to heal and decided to terminate me. They said I had to move from the apartment that they allowed me to staying in but I couldn’t afford to live anywhere. The treatments had drained our bank accounts. I only managed to have enough for final expenses for Meredith.”

“That’s shitty! Why did they think that was okay?”

“Back in the day, I probably would’ve done it too. Hell, maybe I had. Anything for a buck you know?”

“I guess. It’s still pretty heartless.”

“I thought I could make it to the homeless shelter of use one of the assistance programs. But I got the news that I had not gotten better at all. I’m dying.”

“You’re dying? Then why stay here?”

“Yeah, all that trouble and god couldn’t even take us out at the same time.”  He gave a throaty chuckle. I felt a strong of guilt for handing him the pack of cigarettes. “I couldn’t stay in the graveyard with Meredith. So here was the next best thing.”

“How long ago was that?”

“They gave me a month four months ago.” This was the sandman. “I don’t understand why I’m still alive.”

“I think I can answer that.”  Now it was my turn to light a cigarette. “But I don’t think you are going to like the answer.”

Enter Sandman part 5

  

Together Jester and I figured out a probable feeding time. We would go to the alley behind the apartments. I would come up one end and Jester the other. Sure, it was dangerous for us to be alone, but I was in yelling distance of my back up.

The back corridors of the complex had a completely different feel then the soft courtyard. It wasn’t designed to be homey or comforting. It reminded me of Freddy Krueger’s hang out. Steam flared up from various piping, leaving blackened wet spots on the pavement. Walking carefully, I noticed the deafening silence. The air felt long dead. Even in the chill of the evening, nothing shook.

“As my guitar gently weeps…” the song sounded as if I was surrounded in it. I was getting closer. A few lines hung in a softened hum. Jester would be walking toward me if the worst should happen. I had no gear on me to subdue, just my wits and in this spooky situation; I’m pretty sure those would fail me too.

I was stepping closer to a big bustle of steam filled with the smell of fresh linen and sunflowers. I can’t see anything! Panic rose in my throat. “I don’t know WWWWWHHYYYYY….” A face appeared in the steam. I froze and clung to one thing. BAM! My fist flung out with wicked fast accuracy. The face fell into the steam while I gathered myself. A brief wind brushed away some of the steam to reveal a disheveled man groaning in pain. “Why did you do that?!” He said trying to get up.

 

“Do you make a habit of walking around in creepy places?” I said while rubbing my fist. “What are you doing here?”

“I- I sleep here,” he stuttered shamefully. “Its always warm and no comes back here. I can usually hide if people are coming!” He brushed off his clothing. The breeze came up again blowing the steam again to show a tip of a sleeping bag near a stack of boxes.

“What are you doing-“I paused. “I mean, how to you get to be-“

“a bum?”

“No, Homeless.” I realized how that sounded. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.”

“It’s okay, I rarely ever get talked to these days let alone get asked.” He rubbed his face and check his nose to make sure nothing he broken. “You got a hell of a right hook; anyone tell you that?”

“It’s one of my few saving graces.”

“What the hell happened?” Jester arrived just in the nick of time.

“Want a cup of coffee?” I asked. “Or a sandwich?” The man began to ho hum. “Please, let me make this right. Have a cup of coffee with me and we’ll be even.”  He nodded in ascent. “Um, J-man could you…” He was already gone.

“You make a habit of walking around back alleys?”

“Only just recently.” I pulled up a stray crate and sat down. “It’s January, shouldn’t you be in a shelter? Or somewhere a bit warmer?”

“I don’t want to leave this place, it’s the only place I’ve ever known happiness.” I pulled out a cigarette and lit it. “Can I bum a smoke?”

“I will if you tell me your story.”

He eyed me warily. “Tell you what, give me half your pack and you got yourself a deal.”

“Only if you have a cup of coffee with me too, “ I smiled and handed him the pack. “I’m a raging insomniac.”

Enter Sandman part 4

 

“Who’s the musicman?” I asked.

“He’s the man that always sings to us at bedtime. He sings to us every night, but he didn’t sing me to sleep because I was reading a book. I didn’t want to sleep.” The paramedics came in and nearly tore Camilla out of her mother’s arms. Jester and I walked into the courtyard.

 “Who’s the musicman?”I asked Jester.
 “I Ron’t know Raggy,” Jester replied ala scooby doo. “But I think we got us a clue. “I paused to think. Sing to them, sings song.

“Do we have blueprints of the complex at all?”

“I’m not sure we would have to check the dossier. What are you thinking? “We walked over to the swings. I sat down lighting another cigarette.

“What if we are sitting in the wrong spots.”

“What do you mean?” Jester said sitting beside me.

“I want you to look up.”

“Okay.”

“What do you see?”

“Apartments, Jade on the roof and people coming home from wherever.”

“In other words…”

“Traffic, witnesses.”

“This maybe the hunting ground but we aren’t looking in his special spot. Every hunter has one.”

“If we got a blueprint, we could find out where Camilla’s and her brother’s bedroom is. Then we can compare the list of victims to where the bedrooms are. “

“That sounds too easy Trin, no sucker would make their hunting style that easy to track.”

“Then what’s the harm in looking?”

“I don’t want to fail the assignment because of a hunch. We’re supposed to track and locate.”

“You’re worried about failing the assignment?”

“Well, yeah. How are we supposed to become full agents if can’t follow a simple surveillance task? They must be able to trust us. And before you even say, ‘I’ll do it myself’ if one of us fails, we all fail.”

“Then we’ve already failed. Look at the stunt Damon just pulled. After something like that do you really think they’re going to let us all out on assignment again?”

“We could explain.”

“Explain what Jester, that one agent went rogue after his partner went on a potty break?” Jester sighed and mulled over the possibility of being able to catch the vamp. “We’re screwed tonight regardless. Might as well try to get as much done before anyone realizes things have gone tits up.”

“Crap,” He exhaled. “I hate it when you’re right. So, what now?”

“The next shift will be here before we know it. We gotta work fast.”

“How do we know the sucker will strike again tonight?” He had a point there. I sized him up for a moment. I got him on the plank, now how do I get him to jump off? Too it was just a hunch to Jester, there had to be facts.

“Maybe that’s the reason the sentinels haven’t been able to catch him. They’re not thinking about all the possibilities. That’s why they have the trainees on surveillance.”

“You have a hunch, don’t you?” He said rolling his eyes. “Luckily, you caught me in a no fucks given mood.”

“Do you think Jade will rat on us?”  I eyed her post out of the corner of my eye. “She seems cool enough.”

“I mean even if she would, why does it matter now.”

“It would be helpful to have someone to cover for us or stall. Especially when Damon wakes up he’s going to be looking for revenge.” He sucked his teeth.

“Yup, yup… I would be too.”

“But you’d never be that stupid.” Jester’s familiar half smile dripped from his lips. We made our way back to the roof and the apartment complex was once again silent. I walked over to our gear set up and took out the dossier. Jester, being his charming self, convinced Jade to be our alibi.

I flipped through the files. Aside from people sleeping there wasn’t much else connecting them. Different times at night, different demographics, different schedules, and even different times. I flipped further through the files, and I found the blueprints. Jester and jade approached me from behind. I found what we’re looking for.

“I think I might be right.”

“How so,” Jade asked.

“Rupert’s bedroom is on the north side and beside his is Camilla’s.  Both rooms are facing toward another property. I was thinking about something Rupert said about the Musicman, he skipped Rupert because Rupert was reading.”

“Okay, what does that mean?” Jade said.

“Because Rupert was reading, Musicman moved on to Camilla who is east of Rupert. Meaning, if luck is with us-”

“We head west,” Jester said as he leaned over the blueprints. “There’s a chance we can catch him.”

“There’s no way,” Jade shook her head. “It’s too easy. Suckers typically leave their prey.”

“We’re in the field now,” I said sticking the blueprint in my back pocket. “This isn’t an exercise. I think it would be a good idea to check all alternatives. Since Damon has blown our chance at being back in the field anytime soon, let’s see what happens.”

“You’ll be flying blind; I won’t be able to watch you and the courtyard.” Ah, Jade.
Ever the voice of reason.

“Might work better that way. You can have deniability then.”

“I just want to go on record to say this is a bad idea.” Jade crossed her arms and pouted.

“Couldn’t be any worse than Damon’s,” I pointed to the still passed out visage.

Enter Sandman part 3

  Jade ran up to us and asked us what happened. I scolded her for letting Damon go and taking on a vampire. Apparently, she was in the restroom. How could I get mad at that? Well, Damon will get his comeuppance when he wakes up, I chuckled to myself.  I decided to pull Jade and Damon off patrol and had them watching on the roof. Technically, Jade would be doing the watching. But it’s easier to stay on the roof as look out and watch your passed out partner then attempting to do both while moving. I adjusted my ear piece so we could be in communication

Damon has always been the hot headed one though. I would take the courtyard and Jester would take the second floor and third. I really liked this courtyard; it had a fountain and a pool. It even had a playground for the children. Sure, the stucco was cracking, and the railings needed a coat of paint, but it was very homey. I can see why the homeless man didn’t want to leave; it had a good vibe. I sat down on a playground swing and lit a cigarette taking in the night. Like a bell in the night, I heard a raised and panicked voice.

  “Camilla? Camilla!? Wake up Camilla!!!” I heard it coming from the property manager’s suite. “Robert, she’s not waking up!” I got up and made my way to the door. “Jester,” I whispered. “There’s something going on in the courtyard. I’m going in.”

 “Camilla!” The voice cried again. I know I’m not supposed to interact or draw attention, but I knocked. The door flourished open. “Camilla, baby please wake up!” I saw a woman gripping a little blond girl in her arms rocking back and forth. A tanned brunette linebacker opened the door. He looked shocked and angered for a moment.

“Do you need assistance?” I pushed pink, soft ‘trust me’ energy through him.  He looked confused for a second. “I’m an old family friend from college, remember?” His eyes clouded over for a moment. “You can trust me.

“It’s Camilla. She started coughing and I don’t know…” He trailed off.

“Who’s that?” Whimpered the woman.

“Barbara, this is-“He started to look confused again.

“Christine and Chuck!” Jester boomed from behind me. I felt a flourish of energy. Jester was far better at impressioning people than I was. “From school, remember?”

“It’s Chuck and Christine.” Robert repeated.

“What’s wrong? Can we help at all?  I asked.

“I don’t know what’s wrong,” Barbara started furiously crying. “She won’t wake up!” I took out my cell to call emergency services. Robert stood there blankly shocked. I handed him the phone to explain to 911 what exactly was going on. “Who are you?” She cried still rocking her daughter.

“We’re friends. We heard yelling and we came to see if everything was okay,” I said softly. Red and blue lights flickered through the window. “What happened?”

“I don’t know, I heard her coughing up a storm and I went to check on her. There’s no way she could cough that hard and not wake up. She’s so still… so silent.” I leaned over and touched camillla’s wrist. I breathed a sigh of relief. Her pulse was strong.

“Did anything out of the ordinary happen today?”

“Everything is normal. Played and acted normal as anything,” She paused tearing up. “I can’t think of anything-“ She was cut off by another voice in the room.

“Mommy why is everyone upset?” Barbara tore her gaze away from Camilla.

“Rupert, sissy isn’t well.”

“Does this have anything to do with the music man?” Barbara teared up.

“Who’s the musicman?” I asked.

“He’s the man that always sings to us at bedtime. He sings to us every night but he didn’t sing me to sleep because I was reading a book. I didn’t want to sleep.” The paramedics came in and nearly tore Camilla out of her mother’s arms. Jester and I walked into the courtyard. Who’s the musicman?
 

Enter Sandman part 2

 

“Hey jester, can you make sure that Damon stays passed out?” J ester punched Damon in the head and gave to thumbs up. “May I assist you.” George flashed his fangs in a devilish smile. As we went to work, he turned to me.

“so what is going on with the energy vamp?”

“I’m hoping it’s just coincidence but in short there are a bunch of people getting really sick from someone taking excess energy. Feeding every night for hours at a time and some of them are children.” His face became drawn. It was a big taboo to feed on the unconsenting and absolutely forbidden to feed on children. It’s a akin to sexual assault and was met with much hostility in both of the vampire community. “Have you seen anything unusual lately?”

“Sadly no, I’m in and out at night. How long has this been going on?” He grabbed a second box and opened it with a flourish. Who still had grease paint? “Can you prop him up please?” Jester sat him up and held his face.

“This alone with worth the night shift!” Jester giggled. “ It’s been going on for about six months or so.”

“Ah, I see. That couldn’t have been me. I just moved here two months ago.” We finished up with the work and the master was finished. Jester scooped Damon up in his arms and threw him over his shoulder. I helped Geogre clean up his apartment and exited. The homeless man shambled by and was singing ‘As my guitar gently weeps.’

“What his deal?” I asked.

“Oh that poor soul.” He commented. “He used to run this building until his wife got sick. He sold it to pay for treatments for her but still lived here. He went completely broke only lose his wife. He ended up contracting liver cancer and used his wives money to treat his condition. Shortly after he had been into remission the new owners kicked him out. He comes here at night because he wants to feel closer to her.”

“How tragic.”

“I’ve tried to give him money or even contribute to an apartment but he wants his old one. However it’s already occupied.” I sighed and thanked him for his time.   

  

Enter Sandman (part 1)

 

It was a cold January night when we went to patrol. Phipps had us monitoring a sandman situation.  A sandman is an energy vampire that feeds on the chemical energy released from the brain during a sleep cycle. The Sandman had been feeding on several people in an apartment complex in central Mendosa. Several people had been sent to the hospital due to exhaustion over the last six months. Our orders were to observe and capture. My binoculars stayed focused on the community balconies that connected each floor.

Jester, Damon, Jade and I had the 10:00 pm- 3:00 am shift. Jester and I had been stationed on the roof that had the view over the entire building. Thus far nothing out of the ordinary had really happened.  A homeless man shambling down each corridor as people came and went about their day. There was the occasional person who hassled him off the bottom floors. I felt a pang for this poor man. He was only looking for somewhere warm to rest.

 Damon and Jade were doing rounds in the courtyard. Phipps had given us a file that said they suspected that the person of interest had long black hair, medium build green eyes, olive complexion and was dressed all in leather. His name George.  I had no choice but to laugh. It seemed too easy. Of course, the bad guy had to look like he fell out of the Matrix movies. Things had been quiet until a quarter to midnight.

That is when we saw him, but the document did no good to show how attractive he really was. His face had a canvas of an 18^th century Julian Sands. His hair was like floating black feathers that framed his face making his eyes look like absinthe tinted broken mirrors.  His shoulders slightly stooped as he moved easily. He stopped at one door and jiggled the handle. After a few tries, he moved to the window. Gazing around to see if anyone was looking. He opened the window and slid inside.

“I’m going after him,” Damon growled.

“Damon wait!” but it was too last. I watched Damon rush across the courtyard and slip through the window. “Jester, we gotta go!” I whispered. We made record time getting down. Jester and I got close to the window and there was silence. I slid in barely ruffling the curtains. Something slammed into me knocking me into a lamp smashing it.

“Crap! I loved that lamp.” I pushed the lump off of me and turned on the light. Damon was on the floor where I had just gotten up from. The man we had been watching stood in an attack stance with a blood bag dangling out of his mouth with a large fluffy pink dress in one hand. One the floor were the remnants of a sewing kit. I stopped and looked at the man.

 “Sir are you ok?” Damon, you idiot. This is a blood vampire, I thought to myself. The man takes another step toward me and growls. “No, I’m serious sir are you ok?”  He looked confused. “I’m so sorry we thought you were someone else.” He took the bag out of his mouth and laid aside a dress.

“What is going on here?” He straightened himself up.

“We’ve had some complaints about a sucker seriously injuring people in the apartment complex.”

“Oh sure,” he said sarcastically. “And it just has be the blood drinking tailor!”

“I know this looks bad,” I said while holding my hands up. “You match the description of the only person around while the attacks where going on.”

“I haven’t feed on a human being in 400 years! And how old are you anyway, twelve!?” He gathered his supplies up off the floor. “I forgot my key and had to use the window! The next thing I know I get tackled by that foul mouthed little shit! “ He pointed to Damon on the floor. “I run The Vibe down the street, and I came to get one of our performers dresses.”  I helped him gather the needles and threads.

“I’m so sorry sir. We should’ve approached you like proper people. Is there anything I can do?” He finishes putting things back into his kit and sighs. “No, but I can’t help that I come and go at night. It’s the only time I can work. Although,” He considered. “It would be nice to teach that friend of you’re a lesson.” A knock sounded at the door. The door opened and a tiny white flag appeared through the crack.

“I come in peace!” It was Jester.

“That’s my partner can he come in? He can help me get Damon out of your hair.” I said to George, and he nodded. “It’s all good. Damon’s an idiot.” Jester came in and took one look around the room.

“What a freaking clown.” George smiled darkly.

“You know as a matter of fact there is something you can do to help me.” He came close to me and whispered what he wanted incase Damon woke up. Oh my… that was good. I stifled a laugh and kept nodded.