Haven (10) “Me?” said the voice. “I’m not going to do anything. I was only sent to see if you had lived. You have nothing to fear from me.” “How is it that you found me if you don’t know who brought me here?” “I’m good at finding humans, you know I have a special attunement to them.” “So, you aren’t human.” It was not a question. “I told you that was none of your concern.” It sighed. “But, I will tell you this: Now that it has been determined that you are still alive, your continued existence is in jeopardy.” “I don’t understand this. If whoever tried to kill me sent you to find me, why are you warning me?” Abby’s head was beginning to ache trying to comprehend a motive behind all of this. “It is my duty to preserve life, not take it. That work is left to others. I was sent here to make sure that things resulting in my actions did not kill you. Your captors, however, may have different plans for you. I must go now.” Before the voice had finished speaking, Abby flung herself onto her back in an attempt to get a look at the speaker. She caught sight of a cap of straw-colored hair and a small body before the person snapped out of existence with a loud smacking of sound. * * * * * * * Angelique checked several times to be sure that she was not being followed. She had even taken the time to wind her route through the city until it appeared that she had no predetermined destination. She had an idea of where Martin might be hiding, and as dire as things were, the thought brought what was very nearly a smile to her face. From the first time she had seen this hiding place of Martin’s the mere thought of it had made her want to laugh. Laugh as she might, to her knowledge no one had ever found him there. The dumpster was located in a part of the city that was often crawling with humans, even at night. So, most vampires did not even go near it. As Angelique hurried down the street she noticed a young girl standing in the middle of the street looking very lost. Though her finding Martin was rather important, she felt compelled to stop and help the girl. She also thought it would be a good test of will against her blood addiction. As she drew closer, the girl’s head had snapped to attention, and she locked her gaze on Angelique. “Do you need some help,” Angelique offered. The girl narrowed her eyes on her through a tangled stream of dark hair. Angelique realized too late that this girl was not human. She should have known better than to think an attractive young girl would be stupid enough to walk the streets of Haven at night. “You’re Angelique, aren’t you?” The girl took a cautious step toward her as if to get a better look at her. “Yes,” Angelique replied. “And you are…?” “My name is Amanda. I wonder if you could help me find Martin. I figure if anyone knew where—“ “I’ll not take part in Sarah’s witch hunt,” Angelique spat with an uncharacteristic fury in her voice. “This has nothing to do with Sarah,” Amanda responded shortly. “I cam to Haven with Martin, and it’s very important that I find him.” “Why didn’t he tell me about you?” She was suddenly very suspicious of this Amanda. “He comes back after thirty-five years, his only companion the young fledgling girl that he created.” Amanda raised an eyebrow and gave Angelique a very sly look. “I can’t imagine why he didn’t tell you,” she said, feigning innocence. “Follow me,” Angelique said through gritted fangs. Angelique led the girl through the streets toward the place that Martin jokingly referred to as his lair. For a long time neither of them spoke. This fledgling had tried to provoke Angelique, probably not aware of what she had become over the decades. Angelique was ashamed of the fact that for a moment she had truly considered introducing the girl to the killer that now dwelt within her. Thankfully, she had fought back the urge for she knew Amanda would otherwise be dead. “Can I ask you a question?” Amanda’s tone was casual, though not friendly. “If you must,” said Angelique, still agitated. “Do you know a vampire in Haven called Mark? Real strange guy, doesn’t seem to know anything about himself.” Angelique stopped in her tracks and turned on Amanda. “No, why?” She tried to sound calm, but she was sure that she did not. “I was only curious.” Amanda started walking. “I met a vampire named Mark tonight and he was quite a strange man.” “It’s a very common name,” Angelique said quietly. “I’m sure there are dozens of them in the city.” Amanda looked back to where Angelique still stood. “Who are you trying to convince?” Angelique did not answer. ACT III December 5th, 2051 A light film of snow had only just begun to cover the city when Dom stepped out of his apartment building. He glanced nervously to his left and right before he started down the steps and into the city. After five minutes of walking in the snow he was wishing that he had worn more than a thin sweater and jeans. Dom pulled the battered ball cap farther down his brow and cast his eyes toward the ground. It was barely an hour past sunset, but already Dom could tell that most of the people he passed were not human. He was not really worried with them, yet. Nor was he in any hurry to provoke any of them. However, he felt the he was protected well enough to handle himself against any of Haven’s creatures in single combat. Streetlights did little in the way of lighting Dom’s path when faced with the large quantities of snow now falling to the streets. He was beginning to feel more insecure as surrounding visibility began to dwindle. Dom was glad that he had almost reached his destination. However, he was not sure what to expect once he arrived. His message from the Organization had arrived a week earlier, surprising him immensely. He had not expected to hear from them so soon after his arrival in Haven. The manila envelope in his mailbox had been unmistakable, though. Upon reading the message within, Dom had found himself quite disappointed. A very formal letter with no heading or signature had informed him that due to circumstances beyond the control of the Organization, matters in Haven had been sped up considerably. Dom had sighed loudly when he had read this message. He had only been in Haven for five months, but it had grown on him. News of that sort usually meant that he would not be around more than a month longer. The greater bulk of the envelope contained instructions for Dom to meet another operative in a diner a few blocks from his building. The Organization had included explicit directions to the diner along with a new report form for Dom to complete and send back. Dom was almost blinded now as he approached the diner that he had been directed to visit. The Organization had not bothered to include a photograph, description, or name of the other operative that he was supposed to meet, so when he arrived at the little building that smelled of burnt grease, he did not know who he was looking for. He walked through the door with the ringing of an overhead bell and a hearty shiver. His question of whom he was there to meet was answered immediately as he entered. A young lady at the far side of the diner stood up, nodded a greeting to Dom, and gestured for him to join her. He removed his cap, revealing a shock of wiry red hair, and moved toward the woman’s booth. She offered him a cold hand and introduced herself. “Grace Trinity, Cleaner, First-Class.” Dom took not of the last name. Like his own, it was fake. “Dominic Erudite, Observer, First-Class,” he responded to her formality as he slid into the booth. He was bothered at Grace’s youth. The girl appeared to be no more than twenty years. Dom knew, though, if she was a First-Class Cleaner, everything about her was deceiving. At least, Dom hoped so. Grace was only a few inches shorter than himself, slight of build, and had shoulder-length silvery hair. “So, where do the two of us stand?” Dom tried not to sound as if he knew nothing of what was going on, which he did not. “I’ve read your reports on Haven, and I found them to be a little lacking, so why don’t we go over some of the major points of interest.” Dom scowled at her hidden derision. He did not like her implication that he had been incompetent. “Usually Observers are stationed for a year or more before Cleaners are sent in. My reports are lacking because I haven’t had—“ “I’m not questioning your efficiency,” she said, cutting him off before he offended her. “You have a reputation as a very effective Observer, and a top-rate Cleaner. I consider it an honor to be working with you.” Dom was taken aback by the tone of honesty in her voice. “I was only asking if there was anything that I should know that was not included in the reports.” Grace smiled warmly at him, removing any doubt about her sincerity. “Well, I’ve got to be honest with you,” Dom started slowly, measuring his words carefully. “I don’t think that it is wise to have the Cleaners in this early. From my observations so far, I don’t even know if this city needs to be cleaned.” “It is my understanding that there are special circumstances surrounding Haven,” Grace said somewhat defensively. “But, why is it that you feel that way?” “I don’t think that the vampires in this city live quite most other places. They’ve even got a system of local government.” Dom had wanted to convince the Organization not to send a Cleaner to Haven, but he had not been given enough time here. “I would like to hear you out on that point, but I don’t have the authority to do anything about it, and I do have orders to follow.” Grace sounded truly apologetic, but Dom knew that as of that moment his opinion made no difference. It was also at that moment that Grace and Dominic took notice of a very confused looking waitress standing at the edge of their table. She had obviously overheard a part of their conversation, and was at that moment probably wondering about their sanity. Dom quickly assured the woman that he and Grace were rehearsing for a play. After setting her at ease, the pair gave their order. Dom watched in mock horror as Grace ordered more food than he would have thought the small woman capable of eating in a week. When the waitress turned her attention toward Dom. He ordered only coffee. “So, how many kinds do we have in Haven?” The waitress had already bounded away, yet Grace was still being vague now that she had once been caught unaware. “Want the truth?” Dom asked. “Of course.” “Just a guess, but I think Haven has almost all the ones we know about. It definitely has all the major breeds.” Grace made no response to his answer. What could she have said? The Organization had always theorized that no more than two species of the supernatural could co-exist with the same area. Even then, one should have wiped out the other within a century. Dom knew for certain that at least four species of preternatural creatures dwelt within Haven. “Looks like we have our work cut out for us, then.” Dominic did not like her tone. The Cleaner should have only been concerned with the blood-based undead. He knew very well that the Organization was not equipped to fight back any of these creatures of Haven but for the vampires, and possibly the shadows and raksasha. “Speaking of our work,” started Dom. “You never told me exactly what we are supposed to be doing.” Grace help up a finger as the waitress approached their table again. The woman offered them a weak smile as she placed their drinks on the table. A moment later the woman had gone away again to tend to her other customers, and Grace pulled another manila envelope from within her coat. She laid the package on the table and slid it toward Dom. As the waitress returned with her arms laden with Grace’s meal, Dom flipped through several photographs with attached biographies of their intended targets. Some of the names he recognized, but the Organization had been thorough, and they had included last names and aliases. Dominic was most impressed with the research that the bios must have required. Many of them had supplied ages, locations of transformation, and some even included an exact telling of how they were changed. “Info was never this detailed when I was a Cleaner,” Dom said as the waitress was walking away. Grace cast him a mischievous grin, silently saying that Dom’s days as a Cleaner must have seemed like ancient history to her. Currently, she said, “Those top six are our first target.” Dom regarded the six pictures silently. “Some kind of group called the High Ones. All of them are pretty old.” “I know,” said Dom. “They are the leaders of the governmental system I was telling you about.” He laid Stephanie’s picture on the table and grimaced. “You know, she’s the oldest one in Haven, and one of the oldest ones we know about?” She nodded. “Yeah. Do you know where we might find her?” Grace had not seemed to notice the sentimentality in his voice. “Yeah,” Dom said lethargically. “We’ll find all six of them in a warehouse on the east side of the city.” After Dom had said this, it took him only an instant to do the math involved. “Arms?” he asked her. “A pretty weak armament,” she answered somewhat nervously. “I’m really hoping that you are as good a Cleaner as they say.” “Well, give me a rundown of what we’ve got, and I’ll let you know our chances.” It only took the girl a moment to rattle off the meager supplies that the Organization had sent her in with. Her list had consisted mainly of edged weaponry, weak projectiles, and the chemical that the Organization referred to as Render. None of the lower level officers such as Cleaners and Observers knew much about Render except that it slowed or stopped vampire regeneration making it possible to destroy them if enough of it was used. “Think that’ll do?” she asked. Dom noted that her voice was shaky, and her hands had become that way as well. “Just to get a full picture here…” Dom let the sentence die trying to find a way to broach the subject. Grace grew more uneasy by the second, and a thin film of sweat had broken out across her face. “You’ve never done this before.” It was not a question. “No,” she said weakly, shaking her head. Dom lowered his eyes to the photograph of Stephanie that still lay on the table. “But, I can do it,” she insisted. “”That’s not the issue here,” he answered flatly. Dom could not believe that they had sent a rookie Cleaner to Haven. Haven! “Someone obviously hasn’t been reading my reports.” Grace frowned. She took his words to be a personal attack on her abilities. “This is not a training ground for initiates,” he said angrily. “I’m not an in—“ “Don’t worry,” he cut her off. “I’m not sending you back.” This seemed to relieve Grace a great deal. “Just be careful, all right?” She nodded. “One more thing before we go, though,’ she said, drawing another package from her coat. She passed it to Dom and waited as he opened and examined its contents. Again, pictures and biographies. Martin Azarius and Amanda McDade were both very young vampires that seemed hardly worth bothering with killing. “Who are they?” Dom asked. “Martin is a former prisoner,” she answered. “The Organization got their hands on him a few years ago. He was the one that tipped us off about Haven. It took a lot of pain to get him to talk too. Somehow he escaped before he was terminated. Since then, he’s sired Amanda and the two of them have interrupted several of our operations. We have reason to believe that they are on their way here.” Grace spoke as though she were reciting. It unnerved Dom. He got the distinct impression that she was lying to him. “I suppose they are to be terminated on sight?” “Exactly. The Organization doesn’t like loose ends.”
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