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EPISODE 6 "THE TALISMAN"
Far from Los Angeles
She looked around confused as if she had just awakened from a long sleep ... Then she heard a voice that was so familiar.
“Come on lovely, it was time to wake up.” The gloved hand caressed the beautiful face of the young woman tenderly. “Don´t be afraid, this will end soon, baby.”
She was staring at him with her blue eyes, as deep as the sea, while her weak and pearly hand searched anxiously for the security offered. Then, that face shrouded in shadows approached the beautiful face of the young woman, looking for her warm contact.
She looked around confused as if she had just awakened from a long sleep ... Then she heard a voice that was so familiar.
“Come on lovely, it was time to wake up.” The gloved hand caressed the beautiful face of the young woman tenderly. “Don´t be afraid, this will end soon, baby.”
She was staring at him with her blue eyes, as deep as the sea, while her weak and pearly hand searched anxiously for the security offered. Then, that face shrouded in shadows approached the beautiful face of the young woman, looking for her warm contact.
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BETH: "There is no future that is not fed by the present, or the present other that is a reflection of the past. But sometimes the time or the fear delete all memories, letting it hidden in the oblivion and when it happens, evidence goes unnoticed to our eyes, although we have it in front of us... "
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After recovering from the shock that had led her to that moment of her past that she never wanted to remember and now, the paradoxes of life that she found on every corner, Beth tried to concentrate on the present and in what she had come to look for. She kept seeing something strange in that whole tale and, despite the fear of her own memories, she felt that she had to go on, no matter how painful it would be for her.
B: “You said that her little body was destroyed, so ... how did they identify her?”
S: “She wore the same clothes as the day she disappeared, but the pendant that she had clinched it. Apparently it was a kind of guardian angel engraved with her initials and that was found beside the corpse. Because of that she was identified by her parents ... A shocking story, don´t you think?”
B: “Yes, terrible, really frightening, but it doesn’t fit with what I know. There is something that we’re". Beth began to read the report carefully that appeared on computer screen. She couldn’t stop thinking about what she already knew. Someone was blackmailing Talbot with this story, there had to be something more. Then, she remembered the words "guardian angel" and she had a very strange feeling. “Can you access police files? I need to see the photos of the corpse.”
S: “Difficult but not impossible ... Let me see.” She whispered while pounding away at the keys at full speed. "Of course it will cost you an additional gift. What about a massage at the Beauty Spa?"
B: “Done.”
S: "By the way." She said glancing at her friend. "What happened to your PI friend, that guy was old-fashioned, but he was really good-looking.”
B: "Mick? ... Well it ... he is not, he went away." Beth said in a tone of pretended indifference, while almost unconsciously she began to play with one of her golden curls, trying to hide her anguish as she reviewed some papers.
S: "Oh I’m sorry, the guy was charming." Beth chose not to answer that, the charm Mick had went far beyond what her friend could imagine and that, of course, would be only for herself and her memory. After a period of silence between them, Sam decided to redirect the conversation back to the search that her friend had requested. “Okay, let's see if we get lucky. If the case had some media coverage, maybe we can find something more in the data stored in the police files or maybe some picture from the report.” She tried a few codes and...Eureka! “Here you go ...Oh my goodness, the poor thing, it seems she was attacked by some wild animal or something like that”
Beth stared at the picture intently without blinking. It was really terrible, the body was literally destroyed, but in the picture there was something that caught her attention, it was something shiny that lay near the body of the little girl. The object in question could not be seen clearly, yet it seemed familiar to Beth.
B: “Enlarge the picture, I want to see what that is shining on the ground.”
Sam expanded the area that Beth had indicated. When Beth at the clean and enlarged image, she was petrified.
S: "What’s wrong Beth?" Sam asked taking in the puzzled and worried look, and also by the unexpected reaction of her friend.
B: “You said that her little body was destroyed, so ... how did they identify her?”
S: “She wore the same clothes as the day she disappeared, but the pendant that she had clinched it. Apparently it was a kind of guardian angel engraved with her initials and that was found beside the corpse. Because of that she was identified by her parents ... A shocking story, don´t you think?”
B: “Yes, terrible, really frightening, but it doesn’t fit with what I know. There is something that we’re". Beth began to read the report carefully that appeared on computer screen. She couldn’t stop thinking about what she already knew. Someone was blackmailing Talbot with this story, there had to be something more. Then, she remembered the words "guardian angel" and she had a very strange feeling. “Can you access police files? I need to see the photos of the corpse.”
S: “Difficult but not impossible ... Let me see.” She whispered while pounding away at the keys at full speed. "Of course it will cost you an additional gift. What about a massage at the Beauty Spa?"
B: “Done.”
S: "By the way." She said glancing at her friend. "What happened to your PI friend, that guy was old-fashioned, but he was really good-looking.”
B: "Mick? ... Well it ... he is not, he went away." Beth said in a tone of pretended indifference, while almost unconsciously she began to play with one of her golden curls, trying to hide her anguish as she reviewed some papers.
S: "Oh I’m sorry, the guy was charming." Beth chose not to answer that, the charm Mick had went far beyond what her friend could imagine and that, of course, would be only for herself and her memory. After a period of silence between them, Sam decided to redirect the conversation back to the search that her friend had requested. “Okay, let's see if we get lucky. If the case had some media coverage, maybe we can find something more in the data stored in the police files or maybe some picture from the report.” She tried a few codes and...Eureka! “Here you go ...Oh my goodness, the poor thing, it seems she was attacked by some wild animal or something like that”
Beth stared at the picture intently without blinking. It was really terrible, the body was literally destroyed, but in the picture there was something that caught her attention, it was something shiny that lay near the body of the little girl. The object in question could not be seen clearly, yet it seemed familiar to Beth.
B: “Enlarge the picture, I want to see what that is shining on the ground.”
Sam expanded the area that Beth had indicated. When Beth at the clean and enlarged image, she was petrified.
S: "What’s wrong Beth?" Sam asked taking in the puzzled and worried look, and also by the unexpected reaction of her friend.
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Mean while
MICK: "A vampire does not expect his death of the in the same way in which a mortal would. But that does not mean that he doesn´t fear it or wouldn´t try to avoid it.
A vampire has no natural predators, he's the predator and his victims are the mortals, but sometimes the victim may become an executioner. So, for a vampire it is essential to keep his secret safe. The survival instinct prevails and that becomes even stronger over the decades and centuries.
Josef feared that our secret was getting out by others mistakes and that made him feel cornered. I am also a vampire and yet to me that there was a crucial difference that prevailed over all else, Beth. All that would mean danger for her, it awaked something inside of me, that made it impossible for me to think about anything else but her".
Josef had decided to stay away from Coraline. He’d have to explain to Mick the gravity of the situation without his friend seeing his ex-wife and, for that purpose, his recently restored apartment would be far enough away. Certainly there were many explanations to demand from Coraline, but not now.
Just before the vampires community meeting
Mick paced from one side of the room to the other in Josef’s meeting room like a caged animal. In his eyes the anger and despair could be clearly read. For his part, Josef tried to make Mick understand that they were almost out of time, but when it came to Beth, Josef knew his mission was almost impossible.
MICK: "How can I think about my life, when my only reason for living is in danger? When you know that her life, which is also yours, is at stake whether you love her or let her go? How can I live with the anguish of not having her, not loving her, knowing that it would be my love that could kill her?"
J: “Beth believes that we have gone and it’s better that way. After all it’s only a matter of time, It´s better to leave now and return when there are no risks. I know Lance and I´m sure that…”
M: “Time? NO! We haven´t any time!" Mick roared. "You don´t understand ... there are too many traps and only one way out. Don´t you see? This isn’t just a matter of revenge for the secret cure or a matter of chance. NO!" .He exclaimed. “This is something much more important than all that and it’s clear that they want to have a clear path to get what they came for, without hindrance or explanations.”
J: “Okay, so tell me ... in your opinion, what is it they came for?”
M: “Beth, they want to Beth". Mick answered staring at his puzzled friend.
J: "Of course!" Josef exclaimed. "Could it be that your obsession with this girl makes you see ghosts where there are none? Why in the hell would Lance go to so much trouble just for a mortal? It is absurd! I recognize that the Duvall’s are very picky, especially when it comes to selecting their food, but believe me! I know Lance well enough and if he wanted Beth’s blood, he´ll take it with or without us.”
M: “Maybe she´s something more than a mere mortal to them. Maybe food isn’t exactly what they want from her. Beth has the same blood type as Coraline and Morgan. I know that Coraline was experimenting with Morgan’s for the cure. Do not you see?” He said in a voice broken by despair as he came up alongside Josef. “When Coraline come back to Los Angeles after 23 years, she didn’t only do it for me, she also came for Beth. I know it sounds absurd, but I know it's true, I can smell the danger. You once told me that Lance never goes out of his own territory and that the last time he did it, it was to take back what Coraline had stolen him. If he’s gone to all this trouble this time he must have a strong enough reason to break his own rules. Lance will not let it go, you know him ... SO PLEASE!" Mick cried. "Don´t ask me to stay away, don’t ask me to leave her alone! She would be left alone and in his hands and I can’t. I can’t do it brother!” Mick looked at his friend with absolute determination, while he was holding him firmly by the shoulders.
MICK: "A vampire does not expect his death of the in the same way in which a mortal would. But that does not mean that he doesn´t fear it or wouldn´t try to avoid it.
A vampire has no natural predators, he's the predator and his victims are the mortals, but sometimes the victim may become an executioner. So, for a vampire it is essential to keep his secret safe. The survival instinct prevails and that becomes even stronger over the decades and centuries.
Josef feared that our secret was getting out by others mistakes and that made him feel cornered. I am also a vampire and yet to me that there was a crucial difference that prevailed over all else, Beth. All that would mean danger for her, it awaked something inside of me, that made it impossible for me to think about anything else but her".
Josef had decided to stay away from Coraline. He’d have to explain to Mick the gravity of the situation without his friend seeing his ex-wife and, for that purpose, his recently restored apartment would be far enough away. Certainly there were many explanations to demand from Coraline, but not now.
Just before the vampires community meeting
Mick paced from one side of the room to the other in Josef’s meeting room like a caged animal. In his eyes the anger and despair could be clearly read. For his part, Josef tried to make Mick understand that they were almost out of time, but when it came to Beth, Josef knew his mission was almost impossible.
MICK: "How can I think about my life, when my only reason for living is in danger? When you know that her life, which is also yours, is at stake whether you love her or let her go? How can I live with the anguish of not having her, not loving her, knowing that it would be my love that could kill her?"
J: “Beth believes that we have gone and it’s better that way. After all it’s only a matter of time, It´s better to leave now and return when there are no risks. I know Lance and I´m sure that…”
M: “Time? NO! We haven´t any time!" Mick roared. "You don´t understand ... there are too many traps and only one way out. Don´t you see? This isn’t just a matter of revenge for the secret cure or a matter of chance. NO!" .He exclaimed. “This is something much more important than all that and it’s clear that they want to have a clear path to get what they came for, without hindrance or explanations.”
J: “Okay, so tell me ... in your opinion, what is it they came for?”
M: “Beth, they want to Beth". Mick answered staring at his puzzled friend.
J: "Of course!" Josef exclaimed. "Could it be that your obsession with this girl makes you see ghosts where there are none? Why in the hell would Lance go to so much trouble just for a mortal? It is absurd! I recognize that the Duvall’s are very picky, especially when it comes to selecting their food, but believe me! I know Lance well enough and if he wanted Beth’s blood, he´ll take it with or without us.”
M: “Maybe she´s something more than a mere mortal to them. Maybe food isn’t exactly what they want from her. Beth has the same blood type as Coraline and Morgan. I know that Coraline was experimenting with Morgan’s for the cure. Do not you see?” He said in a voice broken by despair as he came up alongside Josef. “When Coraline come back to Los Angeles after 23 years, she didn’t only do it for me, she also came for Beth. I know it sounds absurd, but I know it's true, I can smell the danger. You once told me that Lance never goes out of his own territory and that the last time he did it, it was to take back what Coraline had stolen him. If he’s gone to all this trouble this time he must have a strong enough reason to break his own rules. Lance will not let it go, you know him ... SO PLEASE!" Mick cried. "Don´t ask me to stay away, don’t ask me to leave her alone! She would be left alone and in his hands and I can’t. I can’t do it brother!” Mick looked at his friend with absolute determination, while he was holding him firmly by the shoulders.
Josef could read the desperation in Mick’s eyes and knew he should explain to him the real reason. No doubt the powerful vampire knew more than he could tell his friend, at least for now. But now there was another urgent matter. SURVIVAL!
J: “Okay, suppose for just a moment that you're right and that his final goal is Beth. Then ... why in the hell would they have waited 23 years to return for her?”
M: “You would have to ask Coraline that. She must have answers to all this, don´t you think?”
J: "And it’s also possible that in your state of mind." Josef emphasized the last three words with irony. "Is making you hallucinate? Come on Mick! it's clear you've lost all perspective here ... I know that Talbot is following your ... our steps. And even though Beth is keeping the situation under control, the truth is that they have Logan and William, and they have also killed three vampires. The entire community is threatened. Our secret is in danger. Are you telling me that while our existence hangs by a thread, all you can think about Beth? Damn! You’ve got to think more clearly!” Josef shouted angrily as he smacked the forehead of his friend with his palm. "We can’t do anything now, you saw what happened with Mottola and the other two…it would be a massacre. They got rid of them in broad daylight using that damn cure without a trace, and believe me if Lance puts us in his sights, nothing will stop him. The Duvall’s have too many influences, too much power. They are not enemies that we can overcome alone. In addition, we cannot share that theory with the community, it would be a double edged sword for you and Coraline, not to mention how dangerous this could be for Beth.”
J: “Okay, suppose for just a moment that you're right and that his final goal is Beth. Then ... why in the hell would they have waited 23 years to return for her?”
M: “You would have to ask Coraline that. She must have answers to all this, don´t you think?”
J: "And it’s also possible that in your state of mind." Josef emphasized the last three words with irony. "Is making you hallucinate? Come on Mick! it's clear you've lost all perspective here ... I know that Talbot is following your ... our steps. And even though Beth is keeping the situation under control, the truth is that they have Logan and William, and they have also killed three vampires. The entire community is threatened. Our secret is in danger. Are you telling me that while our existence hangs by a thread, all you can think about Beth? Damn! You’ve got to think more clearly!” Josef shouted angrily as he smacked the forehead of his friend with his palm. "We can’t do anything now, you saw what happened with Mottola and the other two…it would be a massacre. They got rid of them in broad daylight using that damn cure without a trace, and believe me if Lance puts us in his sights, nothing will stop him. The Duvall’s have too many influences, too much power. They are not enemies that we can overcome alone. In addition, we cannot share that theory with the community, it would be a double edged sword for you and Coraline, not to mention how dangerous this could be for Beth.”
MICK: "That's unfortunately true. I have no proof to offer to the community. Not them displaying Beth as a trophy that the Duvall´s would charge any price for, or that she had anything to do with the cure. It could make her a coveted prize or something worse. I can’t take the chance of exposing her."
J: “Nobody in the vampire community would lift a finger to protect an outsider when the survival and security of the community is at stake. Sorry Mick, but you know that is true.”
MICK: “Outsider is a word that hurts me so much, because it reminds me of a reality that I had tried to forget. She was my wife, my partner, my life but she just was an outsider to them and that was my fault. She’s my strength, my light, and without her, the darkness hurts me as much as the sun.”
J: “Nobody in the vampire community would lift a finger to protect an outsider when the survival and security of the community is at stake. Sorry Mick, but you know that is true.”
MICK: “Outsider is a word that hurts me so much, because it reminds me of a reality that I had tried to forget. She was my wife, my partner, my life but she just was an outsider to them and that was my fault. She’s my strength, my light, and without her, the darkness hurts me as much as the sun.”
J: "Damn it!!!Listen to me Mick!!" Josef screamed. “All I ask is that you trust me, let me do this my way. Okay? We won’t let anything happen to Beth, but we can’t protect her if we’re dead. Do you understand? There are too many things to cover, our enemies are too powerful and we will need help! Help that maybe we won’t find here.”
Mick had turned his back to Josef and rested his hands on the back of one of the elegant sofas, while he kept a somber and full of bitterness expression. Then, Mick turned back to his friend and in a calm voice asked him. “Tell me something Josef. If it was about Sara, if you knew that she could be in danger, could you leave her alone?”
Mick had turned his back to Josef and rested his hands on the back of one of the elegant sofas, while he kept a somber and full of bitterness expression. Then, Mick turned back to his friend and in a calm voice asked him. “Tell me something Josef. If it was about Sara, if you knew that she could be in danger, could you leave her alone?”
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Beth left Buzzwire totally confused. She and the girl had too many strange things in common. The pendant, and kidnapping. She’s also noticed from the photo Talbot had that there was also an undeniable resemblance between them, not to mention the fact that if Anne were alive, they would now they would be the same age.
BETH: Sam said the pendant was old, and it probably has a meaning, but what? All I remember about it is that it was a gift from my father's family, which had passed from generation to generation. But then why did Anne have one too? Then there was the horrible discovery of her body. Who could have done something so horrible? Could it be that the same vampires had kidnapped little Anne? And if it was, why had they killed her like that? Why did they not warn the cleaners? Why did they leave behind evidence that was so obvious? Maybe the killer wanted the corpse to be found by someone. But who and why? What if that body was not really that of Anne Talbot? What if it were just a decoy?
Too many unanswered questions ran through her mind and she felt as if her head would explode. Suddenly, looking up, she realized she was in front of the building where Mick’s penthouse was. "It's strange that whenever I feel I’m in danger I turn to you my love."
Then in a desperate urge, she dialed his telephone number, she needed talk to him, she needed the detective, but especially she needed the man and also the vampire. The phone rang in a monotone, almost endless, until the call abruptly ended one more time. She knew it was useless, he would be too far away and both Josef and Coraline would have taken security measures to erase all traces, the only thing that remained was the penthouse and maybe even it had disappeared. Beth entered the building and stared at the spacious lobby. Looking at it she hoped that there was still something that would remind her of him. He wouldn’t be up there, and there probably wouldn’t be anything left of his and yet she decided to go up to his home anyway.
She opened the door with the key card he had given her, thankful that it still worked. Everything was absolutely spotless, obviously the cleaners had been there and there was no sign of the fight in which Mick had been injured. However, in the midst of that desolate silence and that devastating loneliness, Beth could still feel his presence in every inch of the house and she thanked God for it. Each object, each piece held a memory of their love, something that was born suddenly only to be terminated, separating them and causing fear for them both. Their love was different, deep and strong but also honest, beyond space and time. It was a love marked by destiny.
She suddenly felt cold and an icy breeze brushed her back. She turned around halfway between fear and hope to find him to find him standing there, but there was nothing, no one. Disappointed, she curled up on the soft couch where they’d recently made love. "I need you, Mick, I need you so much.". She buried her head in the couch, breathing deeply, searching for his scent, his shelter, his protection, eager to hear his soft, velvety and irresistible voice that whispered to her with that melodic cadence that so often silenced her fears and made her feel calm, and completely safe. "My guardian angel."
BETH: Sam said the pendant was old, and it probably has a meaning, but what? All I remember about it is that it was a gift from my father's family, which had passed from generation to generation. But then why did Anne have one too? Then there was the horrible discovery of her body. Who could have done something so horrible? Could it be that the same vampires had kidnapped little Anne? And if it was, why had they killed her like that? Why did they not warn the cleaners? Why did they leave behind evidence that was so obvious? Maybe the killer wanted the corpse to be found by someone. But who and why? What if that body was not really that of Anne Talbot? What if it were just a decoy?
Too many unanswered questions ran through her mind and she felt as if her head would explode. Suddenly, looking up, she realized she was in front of the building where Mick’s penthouse was. "It's strange that whenever I feel I’m in danger I turn to you my love."
Then in a desperate urge, she dialed his telephone number, she needed talk to him, she needed the detective, but especially she needed the man and also the vampire. The phone rang in a monotone, almost endless, until the call abruptly ended one more time. She knew it was useless, he would be too far away and both Josef and Coraline would have taken security measures to erase all traces, the only thing that remained was the penthouse and maybe even it had disappeared. Beth entered the building and stared at the spacious lobby. Looking at it she hoped that there was still something that would remind her of him. He wouldn’t be up there, and there probably wouldn’t be anything left of his and yet she decided to go up to his home anyway.
She opened the door with the key card he had given her, thankful that it still worked. Everything was absolutely spotless, obviously the cleaners had been there and there was no sign of the fight in which Mick had been injured. However, in the midst of that desolate silence and that devastating loneliness, Beth could still feel his presence in every inch of the house and she thanked God for it. Each object, each piece held a memory of their love, something that was born suddenly only to be terminated, separating them and causing fear for them both. Their love was different, deep and strong but also honest, beyond space and time. It was a love marked by destiny.
She suddenly felt cold and an icy breeze brushed her back. She turned around halfway between fear and hope to find him to find him standing there, but there was nothing, no one. Disappointed, she curled up on the soft couch where they’d recently made love. "I need you, Mick, I need you so much.". She buried her head in the couch, breathing deeply, searching for his scent, his shelter, his protection, eager to hear his soft, velvety and irresistible voice that whispered to her with that melodic cadence that so often silenced her fears and made her feel calm, and completely safe. "My guardian angel."
Yes, she needed her angel, but she also needed the man and the vampire who loved her. And her body, now orphan without him, cried for the feeling of his soft touch, so cold and warm, loving her with that exciting mix of anxiety and calm, the urge, the desire and the tenderness when they melted into one. Her skin was hungry for his touch, and she was dying to feel the force of his hands around her body, drawing on her infinite paths of pleasure, driving her moans of passion uncontrollable with every touch, and pressed his face on her soft cushions, eager to absorb every particle of his scent while she felt she could not breathe anymore. The void of his absence hurt her too much and even her lungs seemed unable to fulfill its mission. Now more than ever she needed his fresh breath on her mouth. Only he made her feel alive with each kiss. "Miiiick, where are you my love? I miss you so much baby." She expelled a trembling sigh as she remembered him, while a voice from nowhere answered her.
"I´ll come back for you, you are my life."
And while she was falling asleep with that promise sounding in her ears, one flash of her past reappeared in the shadow of her memory, threatening to invade her dreams.
"I´ll come back for you, you are my life."
And while she was falling asleep with that promise sounding in her ears, one flash of her past reappeared in the shadow of her memory, threatening to invade her dreams.
..........::*&*::.............
That strange silvered pendant was frightening her, for several nights. Its scent caused her strange nightmares where the monsters came to her in dreams and wanted to kidnap her. So that night, after her mother kissed her and left the room, Beth decided to remove the pendant off her neck and store in the drawer where she could not see it, where she could not smell its odor. It was a smell that was becoming so over powering it made her feel dizzy. It was not just a metal smell it was ...was like the smell of fresh blood dripping from a wound. Maybe that smell was what attracted the monsters to her dreams. Little Beth thought that if she hid it inside the bag of fragrant herbs, the monsters could not smell it and finally they would leave her alone.
That night she fell asleep right away, she was sure that the monsters wouldn’t wake up her up. Then, something icy covered her mouth, it was a biting cold that took her breath. She opened her eyes scared, to see a beautiful woman with eyes dark as night looking at her. She was covering her mouth with one cold hand while she was making a gesture of silence with the other hand.
Beth was convulsing involuntarily remembering all that, but she did not wake up, her dream was too deep.
She had a strange feeling and felt an intense cold grip her body, paralyzing each of her muscles and suddenly she was lying in a strange place where everything was dark. She could hardly see anything but shadowy blurs as an unexpected light rose amid the darkness as Mick suddenly appeared. He was running over to her, and he had something in his hand, something that she could not see. Then a strong impact broke the silence and seconds later Mick collapsed to the ground. Behind him, a horrifying man watched him with an evil expression. She screamed and desperately tried to run to Mick but she could not move, could not do anything. Then something fell from the lifeless hand of her vampire, it was the scented sachet in which she hid her pendant that very night.
After that terrible vision everything faded, and she turned to see the face of the beautiful woman, feeling her cold touch on her face while she whispered. “If you want him alive, if you really love him, stay away, otherwise, your destiny will lead him to his death.”
That night she fell asleep right away, she was sure that the monsters wouldn’t wake up her up. Then, something icy covered her mouth, it was a biting cold that took her breath. She opened her eyes scared, to see a beautiful woman with eyes dark as night looking at her. She was covering her mouth with one cold hand while she was making a gesture of silence with the other hand.
Beth was convulsing involuntarily remembering all that, but she did not wake up, her dream was too deep.
She had a strange feeling and felt an intense cold grip her body, paralyzing each of her muscles and suddenly she was lying in a strange place where everything was dark. She could hardly see anything but shadowy blurs as an unexpected light rose amid the darkness as Mick suddenly appeared. He was running over to her, and he had something in his hand, something that she could not see. Then a strong impact broke the silence and seconds later Mick collapsed to the ground. Behind him, a horrifying man watched him with an evil expression. She screamed and desperately tried to run to Mick but she could not move, could not do anything. Then something fell from the lifeless hand of her vampire, it was the scented sachet in which she hid her pendant that very night.
After that terrible vision everything faded, and she turned to see the face of the beautiful woman, feeling her cold touch on her face while she whispered. “If you want him alive, if you really love him, stay away, otherwise, your destiny will lead him to his death.”
"Coraline!!" Beth cried, terrified. She woke up shivering in the middle of a cold sweat . "Mick!"
Beth was terrified by that vision and closed her eyes and covered her face with her trembling hands, trying to erase everything from your mind. What in the hell did that dream mean? Was Mick in danger? No! It was just a trick of the subconscious, one irrational mix of everything that had happened! Mick was safe, Josef had promised. However, she could not stop thinking of the vision of Mick. He had that pendant, which she had hidden the night of her kidnapping. Yes, that was true! She took it off that night and never saw it again. But why did Mick have it in her dream? And if that voice was right, she could not risk Mick’s life. Maybe her fate was tied to that pendant the same as it was to Talbot's sister. So, she had to find it and quickly. She stood up, took her purse and one second later she left the Penthouse.
Just a few feet away, a silhouette illuminated by a strange silvery sheen was waiting crouched in a corner, watching from the shadows as the apartment door closed behind Beth.
Beth was terrified by that vision and closed her eyes and covered her face with her trembling hands, trying to erase everything from your mind. What in the hell did that dream mean? Was Mick in danger? No! It was just a trick of the subconscious, one irrational mix of everything that had happened! Mick was safe, Josef had promised. However, she could not stop thinking of the vision of Mick. He had that pendant, which she had hidden the night of her kidnapping. Yes, that was true! She took it off that night and never saw it again. But why did Mick have it in her dream? And if that voice was right, she could not risk Mick’s life. Maybe her fate was tied to that pendant the same as it was to Talbot's sister. So, she had to find it and quickly. She stood up, took her purse and one second later she left the Penthouse.
Just a few feet away, a silhouette illuminated by a strange silvery sheen was waiting crouched in a corner, watching from the shadows as the apartment door closed behind Beth.
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In the apartment´s Josef
M: “Tell me. Would you leave her!?”
Josef reacted trying to avoid his persistent gaze, a gaze that bothered him more than he thought. “This ... this has nothing to do with feelings Mick… it's just a matter of survival. Do you understand?”
M: "Would you leave Sara just to survive?" Mick screamed seeking the eyes of his friend insistently. "I couldn’t. I could not live without her! Don’t you understand? All I want and all I need, is to be with her, knowing she is safe even if it means ..."
J: "No, you listen to me!" Josef interrupted Mick taking him by the shoulders. "I don’t know what Lance intends to do with us, but I know that if you stay with Beth or if you take her with you now, you will be signing her death sentence, along with yours and ours. Mick, Lance is not alone, they are powerful and we cannot take risks, we need to join forces and to be prepared. This is only a prelude of things to come later and if what you say is true, Beth will be the key to tilt the balance. We will protect her, I promise." Josef said that vehemently as he stared Mick, as if he wanted his friend could to read his mind at that moment. "But believe me, for now, is better that Lance believes that his threat has been effective, If they trust their strength, they will lower their defenses and then they will show their hand, and that will give us time to organize ourselves.”
M: “And what about her? What will happen with Beth?”
J: She'll be fine as long as he thinks that he controls the situation. Anyway if Lance had wanted to attack her, he would have done it, he had 23 years to do so.”
M: “Maybe the moment is now, in fact Lance has given us until dawn. God!" He cried. "If only I could see her again, to know she´s okay.”
J: “Well, maybe I can answer your questions. I´m closely following Talbot as you know, and after the list we must be careful, and it’s because of that surveillance I know that Beth was having lunch with him today.”
M: “TALBOT!” Mick roared with a fury. “What in the hell does that rat want with my Beth!?”
J: Hey!" Josef exclaimed, surprised at the sudden and violent reaction of his friend. "Can you calm down, please? It was just a lunch, after all he is still her boss remember? Beth said she was going to find out everything she could about him, what he knows and what steps he intends to take. She believes that he´s being blackmailed with something related to your past and maybe that will help us find out what it is.”
M: “I don’t care anything about that guy!". Mick roared again. "I just want him far away from Beth, we don’t need to know how much he’s involved with them.Damn! I knew I´d regret having saved his ass that day!”
M: “Tell me. Would you leave her!?”
Josef reacted trying to avoid his persistent gaze, a gaze that bothered him more than he thought. “This ... this has nothing to do with feelings Mick… it's just a matter of survival. Do you understand?”
M: "Would you leave Sara just to survive?" Mick screamed seeking the eyes of his friend insistently. "I couldn’t. I could not live without her! Don’t you understand? All I want and all I need, is to be with her, knowing she is safe even if it means ..."
J: "No, you listen to me!" Josef interrupted Mick taking him by the shoulders. "I don’t know what Lance intends to do with us, but I know that if you stay with Beth or if you take her with you now, you will be signing her death sentence, along with yours and ours. Mick, Lance is not alone, they are powerful and we cannot take risks, we need to join forces and to be prepared. This is only a prelude of things to come later and if what you say is true, Beth will be the key to tilt the balance. We will protect her, I promise." Josef said that vehemently as he stared Mick, as if he wanted his friend could to read his mind at that moment. "But believe me, for now, is better that Lance believes that his threat has been effective, If they trust their strength, they will lower their defenses and then they will show their hand, and that will give us time to organize ourselves.”
M: “And what about her? What will happen with Beth?”
J: She'll be fine as long as he thinks that he controls the situation. Anyway if Lance had wanted to attack her, he would have done it, he had 23 years to do so.”
M: “Maybe the moment is now, in fact Lance has given us until dawn. God!" He cried. "If only I could see her again, to know she´s okay.”
J: “Well, maybe I can answer your questions. I´m closely following Talbot as you know, and after the list we must be careful, and it’s because of that surveillance I know that Beth was having lunch with him today.”
M: “TALBOT!” Mick roared with a fury. “What in the hell does that rat want with my Beth!?”
J: Hey!" Josef exclaimed, surprised at the sudden and violent reaction of his friend. "Can you calm down, please? It was just a lunch, after all he is still her boss remember? Beth said she was going to find out everything she could about him, what he knows and what steps he intends to take. She believes that he´s being blackmailed with something related to your past and maybe that will help us find out what it is.”
M: “I don’t care anything about that guy!". Mick roared again. "I just want him far away from Beth, we don’t need to know how much he’s involved with them.Damn! I knew I´d regret having saved his ass that day!”
J: "Wow, my friend!! I never thought you were the jealous type, but it seems that the vampire who lives inside you is ready to come out demanding blood. I like it!" Josef said showing a wicked grin. "I bet that this time you agree with me about the tar pit thing...isn’t that true?" Mick stared at him with clenched jaws. But ... let me tell you, your precious blond wouldn’t like it.” He said shaking his index finger mockingly and after adjusting his impeccable black jacket he sat down and continued. "For some strange reason Beth trusts him, she believes that Talbot is just another victim in all this.”
M: “Beth does not know what kind of snake he is, what kind of people has as friends. Beth doesn’t know that she is the prey that they want to hunt. If Talbot dares touch or hurt her, I promise, he´ll pay for it with his blood!" Mick growled showing his razor sharp fangs.
J: “Of course my friend, and I'll find you the best pit for him, you know I'm an expert on these things". Josef said as he winked. Then, leaving sarcasm aside, he added. “Mick ... you know, I never regretted the collateral damage, but in this case, Beth may be right. Talbot may be more useful to us alive than dead.” Josef stood up and smoothed his Armani jacket. "But now we have to think about the meeting with the community and how were going to find Logan and William. I fear the sword of Damocles is hanging over their heads right now and we bare have time to ...” A beep sounded at that moment...
M: “Okay, don’t worry. If Logan has had time to fulfill his promise, we will find them without any problem.” Mick said as he hurried to put his coat on. I have to make some inquires, but I need my phone and you know, I left it in my...”
Josef could not avoid a look of surprise after reading the message appearing in his inbox, "The girl just left Mick St. John’s apartment."
M: “What happened? And don’t look at me like that! I'm trying to help you control all fronts. Okay? I promise to arrive on time to the meeting and to bring a solution. As for returning to my apartment, don´t worry, with Coraline under control, it will be fine.”
J: “No, you're wrong, at this moment it´s you I have to control. Be careful please, don´t do anything stupid, and you know what I mean, at least not for now anyway. I'm going to wait for you at the shelter, I’ll see you in forty minutes, that’s enough time for a vampire.”
M: “But ... I thought the meeting would be here?”
J: "I'm afraid that's what Lance is thinking, but I´ll not make it that easy for him. You know, the devil is in the details." And he looked back pointing to the large windows that faced the avenue
Mick went over to a window and saw a couple of surly-looking men standing on both sides of the street. “Oh yeah.. I see that…we have company." He turned and headed toward the door and added: "Don’t worry, I´ll be careful and I´ll meet you as soon as I can.”
Josef saw the door close behind Mick and then he dropped into one of the sofas. The meeting was about to take place and he didn’t even know what he was going to tell the other members. "Come on Lance, show me your cards, give me a reason... "
M: “Beth does not know what kind of snake he is, what kind of people has as friends. Beth doesn’t know that she is the prey that they want to hunt. If Talbot dares touch or hurt her, I promise, he´ll pay for it with his blood!" Mick growled showing his razor sharp fangs.
J: “Of course my friend, and I'll find you the best pit for him, you know I'm an expert on these things". Josef said as he winked. Then, leaving sarcasm aside, he added. “Mick ... you know, I never regretted the collateral damage, but in this case, Beth may be right. Talbot may be more useful to us alive than dead.” Josef stood up and smoothed his Armani jacket. "But now we have to think about the meeting with the community and how were going to find Logan and William. I fear the sword of Damocles is hanging over their heads right now and we bare have time to ...” A beep sounded at that moment...
M: “Okay, don’t worry. If Logan has had time to fulfill his promise, we will find them without any problem.” Mick said as he hurried to put his coat on. I have to make some inquires, but I need my phone and you know, I left it in my...”
Josef could not avoid a look of surprise after reading the message appearing in his inbox, "The girl just left Mick St. John’s apartment."
M: “What happened? And don’t look at me like that! I'm trying to help you control all fronts. Okay? I promise to arrive on time to the meeting and to bring a solution. As for returning to my apartment, don´t worry, with Coraline under control, it will be fine.”
J: “No, you're wrong, at this moment it´s you I have to control. Be careful please, don´t do anything stupid, and you know what I mean, at least not for now anyway. I'm going to wait for you at the shelter, I’ll see you in forty minutes, that’s enough time for a vampire.”
M: “But ... I thought the meeting would be here?”
J: "I'm afraid that's what Lance is thinking, but I´ll not make it that easy for him. You know, the devil is in the details." And he looked back pointing to the large windows that faced the avenue
Mick went over to a window and saw a couple of surly-looking men standing on both sides of the street. “Oh yeah.. I see that…we have company." He turned and headed toward the door and added: "Don’t worry, I´ll be careful and I´ll meet you as soon as I can.”
Josef saw the door close behind Mick and then he dropped into one of the sofas. The meeting was about to take place and he didn’t even know what he was going to tell the other members. "Come on Lance, show me your cards, give me a reason... "
...........................................................................................................
Beth tried to reach her boss in the office but to no avail. The young prosecutor had not been there all afternoon. That was really strange for the workaholic that he was. He had several pending messages, including three from Lt Carl, who sounded increasingly nervous requesting an urgent meeting. Finally, she chose the last possible alternative...
..........::*&*::.............
BETH: I wasn’t sure why he was there, but it was the only clue I had and had to take the risk. So, I took a deep breath and started to knock on the door. It was enough pressure by putting her knuckles on it for the door to open. Talbot's apartment was austere, cold and functional, but it breathed a great loneliness. It looked more like an office than a house. There were shelves everywhere full of books placed in a meticulous order.
Talbot was partially lying on one of the sofas and he had a bottle of whiskey in his hand, about to empty the remaining contents. On the table there was a glass with the remains of drink and a photograph dotted with alcohol. The picture was very similar to what Sam had shown her at BuzzWire. On the picture there was something written in red and when Beth got closer she could see what it said. "The past always comes back." At that moment, Ben realized the presence of the woman and lifting the bottle in a toast gesture and said. "Come on in! Welcome! You're a smart girl, I guess that's one reason why I like you so much. Oops, I shouldn’t have said that! I hope you forgive, you know, I'm not used to drinking, but this helps". And he took another drink. "Aagg…Oh come in, come in! I guess I also have secrets to tell you like your friend Saint John. Though I don’t know if you’ll find it soooooooo... interesting? No, I suppose not." He said in a tone unusually bitter as he took another sip. "No, I think that you will despise me like I despise myself.” And he took another drink.
Beth looked at him surprised, it was as if she didn’t know him, was that the real Benjamin Talbot? It was impossible. The man she had known was so cerebral, so pragmatic, self-confident, unable to show feelings. But the man she saw before her was a troubled and devastated man. “What are you talking about? What happened, Ben? Why are you so upset?”
T: "The past!" Talbot cried. "But the past has been always present in my life". He said hitting the photo that was on the table. "It’s been with me ever since that night." Then he threw his hands over his head angrily and shouted. “It was my fault, I killed her, I killed her!”
B: “Oh my God! What are you talking about, Ben? You mean your sister? Anne? This is about her?”
T: "Anne ..." His gaze was lost at one point, looking at something that only he could see. "She was a small miracle like my parents called her. They had never been able to have children, when the hope was lost, they adopted me and I became a cure for their frustration yet, they never gave up. “Two years after my adoption, a foreign doctor took their case and offered them an alternative that was risky at that time. My parents agreed and shortly after that my mother was pregnant." Talbot made a toast to the photo, while keeping the other hand firmly closed.
When she arrived she was so perfect, so beautiful, and so sweet. She was their hope, it was alive in her beautiful blue eyes and I was relegated to the background. I was just a child and I couldn’t help my jealousy...Yeah... I was jealous! I felt anger, but I never wanted her to die!”
Talbot was partially lying on one of the sofas and he had a bottle of whiskey in his hand, about to empty the remaining contents. On the table there was a glass with the remains of drink and a photograph dotted with alcohol. The picture was very similar to what Sam had shown her at BuzzWire. On the picture there was something written in red and when Beth got closer she could see what it said. "The past always comes back." At that moment, Ben realized the presence of the woman and lifting the bottle in a toast gesture and said. "Come on in! Welcome! You're a smart girl, I guess that's one reason why I like you so much. Oops, I shouldn’t have said that! I hope you forgive, you know, I'm not used to drinking, but this helps". And he took another drink. "Aagg…Oh come in, come in! I guess I also have secrets to tell you like your friend Saint John. Though I don’t know if you’ll find it soooooooo... interesting? No, I suppose not." He said in a tone unusually bitter as he took another sip. "No, I think that you will despise me like I despise myself.” And he took another drink.
Beth looked at him surprised, it was as if she didn’t know him, was that the real Benjamin Talbot? It was impossible. The man she had known was so cerebral, so pragmatic, self-confident, unable to show feelings. But the man she saw before her was a troubled and devastated man. “What are you talking about? What happened, Ben? Why are you so upset?”
T: "The past!" Talbot cried. "But the past has been always present in my life". He said hitting the photo that was on the table. "It’s been with me ever since that night." Then he threw his hands over his head angrily and shouted. “It was my fault, I killed her, I killed her!”
B: “Oh my God! What are you talking about, Ben? You mean your sister? Anne? This is about her?”
T: "Anne ..." His gaze was lost at one point, looking at something that only he could see. "She was a small miracle like my parents called her. They had never been able to have children, when the hope was lost, they adopted me and I became a cure for their frustration yet, they never gave up. “Two years after my adoption, a foreign doctor took their case and offered them an alternative that was risky at that time. My parents agreed and shortly after that my mother was pregnant." Talbot made a toast to the photo, while keeping the other hand firmly closed.
When she arrived she was so perfect, so beautiful, and so sweet. She was their hope, it was alive in her beautiful blue eyes and I was relegated to the background. I was just a child and I couldn’t help my jealousy...Yeah... I was jealous! I felt anger, but I never wanted her to die!”
B: “What happened?”
T: "Everything about Anne was a mystery from the beginning, there were things that I could not understand ." He mumbled while running his fingers through his hair. “Like the strange woman who visited my mother a few days after Anne’s birth. She gave my mother a pendant. It was for Anne. That woman made her promise that the baby would always wear it. Then those noises began in the night, the strange voices and shadows ... and then she got sick. She looked so fragile and delicate, like a porcelain doll that might crack at any moment. And, one night, he took her away, but I ... I stood still and did nothing. Damn it! It was my fault. He took her away and it was my fault!”
B: “He? Who was he, Ben? Who kidnapped her?”
T: "I do not know, I do not know!" He sobbed helplessly, covering his face with his hands.
B: “Okay, calm ... What happened after that?”
T: “My parents ... They were devastated ... Time passed and the police found nothing. Then they tried to contact a private detective". He smiled with bitter irony. "But he was very busy and never answered.” He said as he looked at Beth out the corner of his eye. “When they finally found him, it was too late.”
B: “They found her dead ... “ The girl said almost in a whisper.
T: "No, she wasn´t!" He shouted angrily. "Anne is not dead!"
B: “But, they found her body and her pendant.”
T: "That body was not Anne’s, because when she was taken away, she was not wearing any pendant. I know that for sure because ....", and he opened his fist and let fall a jewel on the picture that was on the table and look at it and said. “Because I took it off her!"
Beth stared at the silver angel, unable to look away from him, and suddenly she felt like she had stepped back in time, 23 years ago.
T: I guess I thought that it was something strange and magical and if I´d put it on, I´d be the center of attention again. Then I heard those noises again. This time I decided to go and see what it was. I saw someone with her, he was like a devil. He told me something, I was scared, I ran and I hid myself. The next day I woke up as if it had been a nightmare, until I heard the screams of my mother.”
I blamed myself the grief over the death of Anne that ended up destroying my family. My mother couldn’t bear it, she fell ill and died shortly afterwards. My father ended up taking his own life and I was the only one to blame. I took her talisman off and maybe that's why she eventually disappeared, my family was devastated and an innocent was murdered.” Finally he looked up at Beth as if he was praying for her forgiveness. “I've spent my life searching her, trying to find every criminal that might know something, always seeking the truth, that truth which the coward in me prevented me to say then. But now ... I do not know if I´ll be able to pay the price imposed for finding it.”
T: "Everything about Anne was a mystery from the beginning, there were things that I could not understand ." He mumbled while running his fingers through his hair. “Like the strange woman who visited my mother a few days after Anne’s birth. She gave my mother a pendant. It was for Anne. That woman made her promise that the baby would always wear it. Then those noises began in the night, the strange voices and shadows ... and then she got sick. She looked so fragile and delicate, like a porcelain doll that might crack at any moment. And, one night, he took her away, but I ... I stood still and did nothing. Damn it! It was my fault. He took her away and it was my fault!”
B: “He? Who was he, Ben? Who kidnapped her?”
T: "I do not know, I do not know!" He sobbed helplessly, covering his face with his hands.
B: “Okay, calm ... What happened after that?”
T: “My parents ... They were devastated ... Time passed and the police found nothing. Then they tried to contact a private detective". He smiled with bitter irony. "But he was very busy and never answered.” He said as he looked at Beth out the corner of his eye. “When they finally found him, it was too late.”
B: “They found her dead ... “ The girl said almost in a whisper.
T: "No, she wasn´t!" He shouted angrily. "Anne is not dead!"
B: “But, they found her body and her pendant.”
T: "That body was not Anne’s, because when she was taken away, she was not wearing any pendant. I know that for sure because ....", and he opened his fist and let fall a jewel on the picture that was on the table and look at it and said. “Because I took it off her!"
Beth stared at the silver angel, unable to look away from him, and suddenly she felt like she had stepped back in time, 23 years ago.
T: I guess I thought that it was something strange and magical and if I´d put it on, I´d be the center of attention again. Then I heard those noises again. This time I decided to go and see what it was. I saw someone with her, he was like a devil. He told me something, I was scared, I ran and I hid myself. The next day I woke up as if it had been a nightmare, until I heard the screams of my mother.”
I blamed myself the grief over the death of Anne that ended up destroying my family. My mother couldn’t bear it, she fell ill and died shortly afterwards. My father ended up taking his own life and I was the only one to blame. I took her talisman off and maybe that's why she eventually disappeared, my family was devastated and an innocent was murdered.” Finally he looked up at Beth as if he was praying for her forgiveness. “I've spent my life searching her, trying to find every criminal that might know something, always seeking the truth, that truth which the coward in me prevented me to say then. But now ... I do not know if I´ll be able to pay the price imposed for finding it.”
I´LL SEE YOU ON THE NEXT MOONLIGHT
EP.7 "ANGELS OR DEMONS"
EP.7 "ANGELS OR DEMONS"
2 comentarios:
This was a complicated chapter. Josef should not be afraid of Lance since Josef is older and also has allies, but we don't know what Lance wants to do. Mick doesn't want to let go of Beth and doesn't understand the threat. Would Lance expose the Los Angeles community? What good would it do him or is it only a threat to get Beth? Who is William? I must read more asap.
Penina
t is true that Josef is older than Lance, but it is also true that Lance has certain powers that Josef does not have, since he belongs to a special lineage. In fact the lineage of the Duvall knew the mortal cure and Josef did not know it in the original series. In fact, when Mick talks to Josef about Lance in "The mortal cure" Josef says to Mick that Lance is dangerous. I have relied on this fact to write this virtual season.
Lance want to take Beth and he sets a trap to the community, It´s a kind of blackmail because he wants Mick to get away from Beth, you'll find out the reason on the next episodes.
William is Guillermo, Mick's friend in the Morgue, we knew him in the original show.
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