The Long Night

The sky was dark, a full moon shone overhead lighting up the city. A young girl scurried home quickly, it wasn’t safe to be out on a night like this. Perhaps she’d been to visit her father in hospital, perhaps her boyfriend had called with some excuse why he couldn’t meet her, leaving her forced to make her own way back. Whatever the reason she was afraid, everyone was. The creatures which hunted the streets were dangerous, and one of them was also here!

The vampire looked down at his quarry, still unaware she was being hunted. His ultraviolet eyes watched her in the darkness, such beauty, such grace. With the stealth of a cat he moved in pursuit of his prey.

Sophie walked quickly, she wanted to get to her destination as soon as possible. Staying out in the open always made her feel vulnerable. Without a sound the vampire dropped from the roof behind her. Glancing over her shoulder she saw the creature, already in it’s true form.
Sophie ran.

But in the shadows, someone hunted the hunter. Karl watched from the rooftop, the vampire hadn’t seen him. Carefully, he drew his sword. The beautiful blade shimmered in the moonlight, it had been a gift from a collector of fine weapons who Karl had saved from a werewolf, thanking him for his life the man had given him this sword. One day when times were harsh and food was scarce he’d gone to have it appraised. It turned out the man had been extremely grateful for his life, Karl had kept the sword.

Turning the corner Sophie was faced with a brick wall, there was only one way out of the small alley, and the vampire stood between her and it.
“Surprising how many dead ends there are in this city isn’t it” laughed the vampire, he was in control now. He wanted to be able to smell the girl’s fear before he drank her.

Sophie backed against the wall, keeping her eyes on the creature, carefully she felt behind the drainpipe for where she’d hidden her sword. She felt the cold metal and gripped it firmly, the cold steel giving her confidence.

The vampire moved in “Scream for me!” he whispered menacingly
Sophie drew the sword out of the shadows “No, you scream for me!” she smiled.

She lunged, striking out with the sword. The vampire acting on instinct ducked to one side, frantically trying to work out where this attack had come from. Sophie swung low, forcing the creature to take a step backwards, then as she brought the blade up again the vampire caught her arm forcing it up behind her threatening to dislocate her shoulder. Pain shot up her arm and forced Sophie to lose her grip on the blade, it clattered to the floor.
Reaching into the currents of magic Sophie constructed a fire spell, flame erupted from her outstretched palm causing the vampire to let her go, yelping in pain as his own hand blistered.
Turning around to face her foe Sophie threw the fireball, it hit the vampire in the centre of the chest, instantly he ignited, within a moment only ashes remained on the floor. Sophie picked up her blade from the ground and sheathed it in the scabbard on her back. She looked up at her brother perched on the rooftop above her.

Seeing the vampire burst into flames Karl sheathed his own sword, he stood upright and allowed his muscles to relax now his sister was safe. Now it was his turn to be the bait.

The deadly pair continued their dangerous game of cat and mouse until people began appearing on the streets, off to their various jobs. Then once their work was done for the night they headed indoors to prepare for the following evening’s war. A pattern they’d started since soon after the long night began.



The sun shone brightly over head and another team were preparing for their own fight. Mike sat at his desk sharpening a stake, Steve was slouched in a comfy seat deeply absorbed in some book, probably an old diary or obscure slayer training manual. The bell above the door jingled and a young lady walked through it.
She had mid length blonde hair and blue eyes, her red cheeks shone pleasantly and she was smiling broadly.
“Amy” Mike greeted her warmly
“Hi Mike” she smiled at him “Good night last night?” she asked looking at the assortment of weapons still lying on the desk.
“Three” muttered Steve, talking for the first time “One got away”
“Think it’ll be a problem?” Amy asked cautiously
“Nah” said Mike reassuringly “Shouldn’t think so”

“So, what brings you over?” Mike asked putting the knife and the freshly cut stake on the table in front of him
“I was talking to some of the group last night, they think there may be a vamp next somewhere near the King’s Arms” she replied
“What makes them think that?” asked Steve casually
“The usual” said Amy “missing people, several deaths within the last few weeks all with suspicious injuries to the necks. No suspects”.
“We’ll have a look into it” Mike assured her
“Thanks” said Amy her face lightening considerably.


“So how was group?” asked Steve. He liked to refer to her friends from the magic society as ‘the group’ as if magic was an addiction. It drove Amy crazy!
“We learnt a few new tricks” she said. Suddenly the stake Mike had been carving began to shoot on it’s own towards Steve, Mike reached up and caught it before it got out of reach. He put it back on the desk. Steve didn’t flinch.
“You must’ve struck a nerve if she’s trying to stake you now!” said Mike winking at Amy.
“Nah, she’s always trying to kill me for something!” laughed Steve
“Anyway” said Amy “I’ve got to get going, I’ve got to be at work”
“You know” said Steve, getting to his feet “I think it’s cool that you still have a job”
“Well someone needs to earn money, we can’t all live on the collections!” laughed Amy “Oh, by the way” she added “Andy says he’s got some money for you to pick up next time your in the area”
“Thanks” grinned Mike as Amy let herself out.



Andy was a landlord at one of the more popular pubs in the small city. He was also one of the best collectors around.
Most people walked around in blind ignorance of the war that was raging on around them, others helped out in whatever way they could. Andy was the later, although not a fighter he was as committed to the cause as anyone, him and others liked him regularly took a small percentage of their profits to fund the fighters. This allowed teams like Mike and Steve to fight all night and still be able to afford to eat the next day.
“I don’t know how he does it” muttered Steve as they left with the small roll of notes Andy had given them
“It seems like it was only the other day we were in there last!” he added.
“He’s a generous man and he does what he can. Ready to go to work?” asked Mike. Steve nodded silently as they headed towards the King’s Arms.


A few hours later Amy was woken by a furious knocking on her door. Slowly she slid out of bed, trying to rub the sleep out of her eyes.
She got to the front door and opened it.
Mike stood there, blood dripped from a large cut on his forehead and his shirt was ripped.
“Mike what happened?” she said standing to one side to allow him in.
They had made an unwritten rule that they would never invite each other into their houses merely stand aside, just in case.

Mike staggered past her and collapsed in the sofa,
“It’s Steve. They got him!” he managed to gasp out, he’d clearly been running
“What?” exclaimed Sophie shocked
“We went to the King’s Arms, we found the nest, but there were too many of them. They hit me hard, I saw them drink Steve, then I ran. There was nothing more I could do!” he said, slowly recovering his breath.
“Oh no!” replied Amy numbly, it was all she could think to say.


Steve opened his eyes, his body hurt from head to toe. His hand instinctively went to his neck, it was still wet with blood.
The last thing he remembered was being grabbed from behind by an impossibly strong pair of arms, then an indescribable pain in his neck. Then blackness.

Slowly he got to his feet, he was still in the vampire nest where he and Mike had fought earlier, sunlight was peaking around the corners of the shuttered windows. He must have been out all night!

Turning around he began to make his way to the door, ignoring the thumping pain in his head, he was ravenously thirsty and his muscles felt weak and tired.
“I wouldn’t do that” said a voice behind him
Steve spun on the spot, a female vampire was stood at the other end of the room
“What? You going to stop me? The moment I open that door you can’t get near” he threatened
“The moment you open that door” she said calmly “You’ll be dead”
“What?” he gasped
“You’re one of us now” she explained calmly “try it” she added indicating one of the small shafts of light streaming in from the windows. Slowly Steve walked towards one of them, his mind told him not to worry, but his instincts screamed at him in panic.

Slowly he raised his hand. Hesitating only for a moment he pushed it into the stream of light, the moment the white light hit his hand he saw his flesh ignite.
“Shit” she shouted quickly withdrawing it quickly, the flames quickly vanished.
“You see?” said the woman
“What have you done to me?” he shouted backing away towards the large double doors again.
“I’ve given you a chance, now you’re strong. If you decide you want it, you’ll live forever!” she said, her voice soft.
“Now you’re thinking about opening those doors and walking outside, end this life before it’s even started” the woman said, getting to her feet and walking towards Steve
“But you won’t” she smiled, standing in front of him
“How do you know?” he asked, his voice shaking slightly
“Because I can show you what you’ve only dreamed of!” she whispered to him
“I’m Layla” she whispered in her seductive voice.


“Are you sure you’re ok to go home?” asked Amy her voice of concern
“I’ll be ok” smiled Mike “Thanks for letting me sleep here” he added
“No problem” she smiled “So what are you going to do now?”
Mike took a deep breath and sat back down on the comfortable sofa where he spent the night.
“Who knows?” he muttered “Steve and I have been hunting vamps since we were at uni together. I can’t even image hunting with anyone else”
“But you can’t go out alone” warned Amy “you’ll get your self killed!”
“I know” he replied with a strained laugh “I’m not going to do anything stupid”
“Oh, you’d never do that!” said teasingly trying to get a genuine smile. Mike faked one for her benefit.
“I need to get back to the office” he muttered
“Thanks again for the sofa” he added as he turning to go
“Not so fast” Amy said catching his arm “I’m coming with you” she smiled.

Mike was bleeding in several fresh places by the time they made it indoors again, they had been attacked four times on the way back. Apparently news of the loss of Steve had travelled fast, other creatures of the night were trying to finish off the wounded team. Arrows, bullets, darts and all other manner of weapons had shot from the shadows as they’d walked. Apparently impatient, no one wanted to wait for nightfall for fear someone else would steal the kill.

“We need help” said Amy, unlocking the door and letting Mike through
“Yeah, from where?” he asked sarcastically
“There may be a way” said Amy slowly “It’s a spell I was reading about”
“Go on” said Mike encouragingly
“Well it’s a reinforcement spell, it summons warriors. The people most like the target of the spell, other people like you” she replied carefully
“You sound nervous” said Mike
“Teleportation is way past anything I’ve tried to do before” said Amy, the worry showing in her voice, she was clearly afraid Mike would ask her to try.
At that moment a bottle smashed through the window, landing on the floor fire erupted, pointing her hands at it Amy extinguished the flames.
“I think it’s worth it” muttered Mike grimly glancing at the sun outside.



Suddenly a flash of light burst from the small pot and threw Amy backwards across the room, she landed with a crash against the bookcase. When Mike’s eyes had recovered he realised there were two new people standing in the room with them.

Alarmed the strange man drew his sword from a scabbard on his back, he was in his early twenties and had black disorganised hair cut short, his fierce brown eyes stared about him picking up all the details of the room.
“Karl, stop” said the girl suddenly, she was about seventeen. Her light brown hair hung loose around her shoulders and she moved slowly with a grace Mike had previously only associated with dancers.
“We don’t mean you any harm” said Amy softly, getting to her feet “We just need your help”
“Sophie?” growled Karl cautiously
“It’s ok” Sophie replied her voice perfectly relaxed “You can put it away” Karl sheathed his weapon.
“When is it?” asked Sophie suddenly
“About two o’clock” replied Mike automatically.
Sophie looked at Mike, her eyes holding still for the first time since her arrival.
“Dad, the date? Why did you bring us here now?” she asked.

“Dad?” questioned Karl and Mike at the same time
“Of course” said Amy realising her mistake “The translation, the term ‘most like’ it isn’t limited to now. Who are the two people most like you in all time? Apparently you’re unborn children!”

“These are” Mike stopped, apparently lost for words. He looked at the pair who had materialised in his office.
Karl looked every bit a fighter, strong and catlike. Several days worth of stubble showed on his chin and there was an old cut which was still healing above his left eye.
Sophie was a good few inches shorter, petite and slim her features were softer. Her hazel eyes radiated inner strength and looked out at the world around her with amazement.
“It’s still light outside” she murmured, a strange tone in her voice
“Yeah, it won’t be getting dark for another few hours yet” replied Amy
“I can’t remember the last time I saw the sun” she whispered.

“So what, this must be twenty five years ago?” asked Karl, picking up the newspaper lying on Mike’s desk “Twenty eight” he muttered.


Mike had collapsed into the sofa, Karl was leaning against the wall still uneasy. Sophie had been unable to focus on the conversation, clearly amazed by the sunlight, eventually Amy had volunteered to take her outside and show her the city, unable to contain her excitement Sophie had practically run out of the door. Amy followed as quickly as she could. Apparently the arrival of their new guests had not gone unnoticed as nothing else had been thrown through the windows.


“What did she mean about the sun?” asked Mike
“Gone” growled Karl
“What?” Mike gasped
“A lot can change in a few years” he muttered “the vampires found a way to block the sun’s rays before they got to earth”
“What?” repeated Mike, dumbfounded
“No one was safe, suddenly they were out hunting twenty four, seven. Numbers began to increase, it doesn’t matter how many you kill they just keep coming. People running to work, no one trusts anyone and the vamps feeding off the fear. Then around the full moon the werewolves come out, most people don’t leave their houses, just lock themselves in and pray they get to see the next one.”
“Wow” muttered Mike, more to himself than to Karl.

“So is there anyone special? A girlfriend?” Mike asked his mind fluttering, he couldn’t quite believe it, this was his son he was talking to, he wanted to know everything he could.
Karl shook his head, he hesitated then spoke, the pain clear in his voice “When I finished school we had a leaver’s ball, my date for the night, Fiona. We were ambushed before we got there, a pair of vampires. They stabbed me through the heart and ripped her throat out. If Sophie hadn’t found me I’d be dead. Anyone I care about gets hurt so I don’t let anyone get close. So you see, there is no one else, only me and Sophie.”
“But how could I leave you?” asked Mike
“You sure you want to know?” Karl asked cautiously, Mike nodded “Well, you didn’t have much choice in the matter I’m afraid. A vamp when I was seven. Amy fought it off and got mum, Sophie and I away. When we grew up Sophie and I went hunting, this place was still in your name so we took it over. Mum is safe, but we don’t see her much”.


“It’s hardly the future I’d planned for you” Mike said sadly
Karl laughed “Hardly anyone has that future now, but you must realise you and Amy are the only reason we’re still alive”
“You taught us to be strong” interrupted Sophie leading Amy through the door and continuing the conversation without any hesitation “without either of your training we’d have been killed a thousand times by now”
“I helped train you?” asked Amy surprised
“Of course” said Sophie surprised “You taught us how to use magic, how to keep ourselves alive”
“You can use magic?” asked Mike startled
“Amy tried to teach me” Karl explained glancing across at her “But I wasn’t a very good pupil. Basic premonitions, guiding spells that’s about my limit, if you want to see some real magic look at your daughter.”
Sophie blushed “I use it a little, I’m not nearly as powerful as you mind” she said looking up at Amy
“Me?” said Amy stunned
“Of course, in our time you’re one of the most powerful witches in the country!” replied Sophie “Give it time” she added seeing Amy’s astonishment.

“So you see the future?” asked Mike
“Not all the time” explained Sophie “I can see threads, things which might happen, things which have happened. But they’re always changing. Sometimes you can see things you want to see, other times you can’t”

“So tell us more about this spell they used to stop the sunlight?” asked Amy, apparently Sophie had been filling her in.
“Well, they’ve been trying to do it for years. It’s quite a common goal as you can expect, the thing is no one could ever think of anything powerful enough to fuel the spell for any length of time or over any great area.”
Mike looked confused
“Magic works just like science” Sophie continued “For any spell you need power, it can come from any number of sources: the witch herself, the stars produce quite a lot, lunar power obviously, the elements if properly balanced can do it. But they could never find anything with enough power to maintain a darkness spell for any length of time”
“Lucky for us” interrupted Mike
“That is until they thought of using blood” Sophie finished.

Amy thought for a minute “That’s genius, fuel the spell off spilled human blood. Some sacrifices to get it started, it gets dark. The vampires come out and start killing, more and more blood is spilled making the spell spread over a bigger area and as it does it becomes even more powerful”.

As they were talking Karl felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, suddenly Amy jumped to her feet Sophie’s eyes went wide eyed.
“What was that!” gasped Amy
“What?” asked Mike, the only one in the room apparently unaffected by whatever had just happened. Sophie had her eyes closed, she was deep in concentration.
“I don’t know” muttered Karl “But something majorly mystical just happened. If I feel it it’s never good!”
Sophie opened her eyes “A demon” she muttered, her face growing paler
“What?” asked Mike, completely confused
“Everything’s changing” said Sophie, she was now sheet white with terror
“Just relax” said Karl taking her hands “Tell us what you can see”.
“The darkness!” she gasped.



Steve stalked in the cool night air. The thirst still burned in his throat, his muscles felt weak and cold. He entered the King’s Arms.

As he looked around he could smell the blood pounding in the other patrons, he could feel their warmth, hear their heartbeats. Shaking off his bloodlust, he went to the bar and ordered a pint.

He sat alone in the corner, looking at the neck of each passing customer, seeing the pulse make the artery jump. He would not kill, he would find another way. The beer finished, he stood up and put on his coat.
“Steve?” asked a voice behind him.


“The threads are changing” said Sophie sitting with a glass of water in her hand
“Something’s happened, the long night is moving closer, it’s going to happen, tomorrow!” she murmured in fear
“How is that possible?” asked Mike
“Isn’t it obvious?” replied Karl angrily “The conversation we just had, the demon, that’s what driving all this. We brought back the knowledge of how to make the spell work and now they have it!”
Mike sat beside his daughter silently “What can we do?” he asked
“The spell grows stronger the longer it’s in effect, we need to stop it. Now!” replied Sophie firmly.
“How do we know where it will be cast?” asked Amy
“That won’t be a problem” replied Karl, glancing at his sister.


“Steve, how have you been?” asked Karla
“Not bad” replied Steve still a little surprised at seeing her
“Are you heading home?” she asked “Mind if I join you for the walk?”
Steve was about to protest, he didn’t want anyone he knew near him at the moment, but before he had the chance she slipped her arm into his
“Don’t be silly” she laughed.
Karla was one of Steve’s friends from school, they had seen each other occasionally since and always been on friendly terms. In fact Steve had always suspected Karla had wanted something more, although he certainly found her attractive Steve had always been hesitant to start any relationship. His line of work was hardly the safest, it would have been wrong to get anyone involved in that.
As they walked along the dark road together Karla was chatting about old times, what friends they had known were doing, none of it mattered to Steve. He could feel the pulse in her wrist, her heartbeat pounding in his ears was driving him crazy, the warmth of her body was intoxicating. The thirst was agonising!

“So what about you?” she asked “You’ve not told me anything about you yet?”
Steve could feel the thirst turning into a pain in his stomach, he had to drink soon. He had to survive, then he would have time to find his alternative. He couldn’t take it anymore, he had to drink.
“You know, same old Steve” he said looking at her.
He changed, he felt his fangs growing, his night vision improving, his muscles felt less exhausted.
Karla screams were cut off as Steve sunk his fangs into her neck, the blood poured into his mouth filling him with strength, revitalising him.
Karla’s body hit the floor as Steve licked his lips, reverting back to human form.

“Congratulations” said a familiar voice behind him. Steve looked down at Karla’s fallen corpse, oddly he felt nothing, no regret or guilt. He felt her warm blood running through him, filling him with energy, making his senses tingle.
“Still hungry?” asked Layla, her eyes blazing
“Yes” Steve managed to murmur
“Follow me” she said, leading him back towards the pub. Steve drank a lot more before closing time.


The next morning the four of them were assembled outside an abandoned building,
“You think this is the place?” asked Mike
“This is near that nest we attacked the other night” he added
“Sounds about right to me” muttered Karl
“It’s a pretty good bet they’re inside” said Amy looking up at the sun which was steadily climbing in the sky, it seemed to be faint, dark. The spell had begun.
Sophie addressed the group “Amy, wait here, make sure nothing gets out, use fire spells. Dad, Karl, stay behind me as we go in. I’ll take any magic which comes our way, you two take any vamps. Understood?”
All three nodded, Mike thought it seemed strange to be taking orders from his daughter but he’d been watching the power build in her eyes since last night as she prepared herself for the fight. Right now she was a walking thunderstorm and there was no way he wanted to get in her way. Karl unsheathed his sword.


Steve was shocked as he saw the necromancer finish his spell.
“It’s done” he muttered
Layla stood up “Good work” she said
“The spell needs blood to fuel it” said the necromancer “So you’d better get out there and start killing something!”
“It’d be my pleasure” she said indicating for everyone to follow her.
Suddenly the doors crashed and three people entered. The vampires nearest the door were instantly torn down by Sophie’s powerful spell, leaving three piles of ash on the floor.

Sophie, Karl and Mike advanced, a vampire jumped out but was instantly ignited by another ball of flame from Sophie. Steve hung to the shadows. The necromancer began to chant an eerie spell.

Suddenly the corpses around them began to get to their feet, zombies. Sophie hit two of them with a spell but there were plenty more, Karl and his father ran into the fray. Sophie drew her blade.


Steve saw as Layla came face to face with the man fighting alongside Mike, although he did not know him he did seem very familiar.
Layla was fast, she punched at the man and sent him spinning. Shaken, he got to his feet and swung his sword, which she ducked and knocked out of his hand.

Karl saw the woman come at him again, his sword lay useless a few feet away, forgetting it he hit out hard, the woman swung to one side but he was ready. Spinning round his other elbow connected with her face knocking her to the ground. Now he had the upper hand, she leapt to her feet trying to connect a roundhouse kick with Karl’s skull, blocking it with one arm he reached for his stake with the other. A few moments later she was dust on the floor. Steve stepped forward to join the fight.


Sophie turned to the necromancer he was midway through casting another spell, effortlessly she unmade it. Turning towards her, his anger was clear
“You’ve got guts little girl” he snarled, raising his hands to form an evil curse.
Sophie leant casually to one side as the whip of energy crackled past her shoulder, slicing through where her heart had been an instant before. It struck a zombie behind her, tearing it in two.
Almost spitting in fury the necromancer sent another spell hurtling towards Sophie but before it could connect she sent a wave of power back at him, disbanding the spell and sending the dark wizard reeling backwards against the wall. His guard lowered he could do nothing as a blast of blinding light burnt him to the bone, ashes fell to the floor.

Mike gasped at the apparent ease with which his daughter had dispatched a man twice her age. But there was no time for thought, as the zombie which the necromancer had been controlling fell, a vampire appeared behind it. Mike clutched his blade tightly.



The hairs on the back of Karl’s neck began to stand on end again, a sure sign that some serious magic was being gathered for something, he glanced across at Sophie, looking for her reaction. She was standing motionless in the middle of the fighting, her eyes closed, sensing for clues about the disturbance.

Sophie watched in her mind’s eye as the demon moved through the void growing closer to manifesting itself in this world. She could sense it’s power as it grew closer and it’s distain for the world it was about to enter.


A pinpoint of light expanded suddenly and with it came a creature, eight feet tall it was black with a beetle like shell, it’s head had no apparent eyes and it’s long arms looked strong and powerful.
“Everyone back” shouted Sophie in warning, this was the demon that had been in the office, this was the demon behind everything and perhaps most frightening of all, she was all that was stood in it’s way!


“You’re out of place” it said looking directly at Sophie, ignoring everything else,
“Never mind” it added throwing a blast of shear destructive power towards her.
Sophie staggered, catching the blast and managing to protect herself from it,
“You’ve got some skills” it commented sending another spell hurtling at her which Sophie dived to the floor to avoid
“And foresight” it said apparently impressed, as Sophie jumped to her feet.
Seeing the demon drop it’s guard Sophie attacked with her own spell, it struck home causing the monster to sway as if hit by a gust of strong wind.
“My my” the it hissed at her “The girl has teeth” The beast hesitated, as if thinking
“Would you like some real ones it asked?” it asked
“Real ones?” Sophie replied slightly unsure
“Come now, you can see the future. In fact, I see now, that’s where you’re from isn’t it? You know what’s coming. This is your last chance to switch sides” it said in it’s snakelike voice
“No thank you” replied Sophie calmly, without breaking eye contact
“Never mind” shrugged the demon, raising it’s arm and sending the spell crashing towards Sophie.

Even with her skills of premonition Sophie barely caught the blast in time, there was no time for finesse, only instinct saved her from being ripped apart by the wave of mystical energy thrown at her. Opening her eyes she realised her peril, the demon’s spell had stopped with inches to spare. Emerald green light emanated from the palms of her hands, sparks crackled at the barrier between the two spells. Ozone filled her nostrils.
She saw the demon’s face tense with the effort, trying to overpower what was left of her defences, her hands were forced back towards her chest. The air grew hot as the spell grew closer, threatening to burn her alive. He’d been toying with her, this was evil unleashed!

Karl leant to the left avoiding a vampire’s attack, he swung out with his sword arm, the grip reversed in an effort to connect but the creature leant backwards a fraction, casually avoiding the singing blade, without hesitation Karl swung round on his back foot and drove his elbow hard into the vampire’s face swapping hands with his sword he turned again severing his opponent’s head. An instant later the monster turned to dust.

In the centre of the melee Steve and Mike stood face to face, each squaring off against their former friend.
“You’re a vampire” gasped Mike “What…”
“Come on Mike!” interrupted Steve “You think suddenly I’ve become some evil being with a dark and lost soul do you? I’m not, I’m the same man I always was”
“Wrong” Mike retorted “You would have died before taking an innocent’s life!”
“Changed perspectives, vampires kill to live, just like any creature, I see that now. The only difference is that we’re the top of the food chain!” Steve reasoned
“So what next?” asked Mike “You’ve already killed and that doesn’t seem to worry you. You’re trying to block out the sunlight so you can go outside all day, what’s the next step Steve?” he shouted
“What are you talking about? There is no next step, this is only about being able to go outside, just like I always did, without having to check if I’ll burst into flames first” Steve replied angrily
“Really, so you once you’re out, you and all your vampire friends, what happens to us mere humans? All the people you used to protect who now get killed because suddenly they’re not safe during the day?” argued Mike “Listen to me, everyone who history judges evil thought they were doing the right thing at the time. Don’t let that be you! So perspectives change but you must realise that what you’re trying to do is the complete antithesis of what you used to believe. Surely there is enough of you left in there to see that?”
Steve hesitated for a moment “Maybe. But that doesn’t change the fact that now I’m on the other side, I can’t go back even if I wanted to. The situation has changed my friend” he said.
Mike watched in horror as Steve’s face began to transform, his skin turned the vampiric grey, his canines lengthened into fangs and his blue eyes transformed into the eerie ultraviolet colour Mike had seen too many times before.
“I’m with the other team now” he murmured. He threw himself at Mike, his fangs searching for his carotid artery.

Sophie was pinned against the demon’s spell as it grew nearer, her strength was failing, she was about to lose this battle.
Never before had she encountered a foe that was truly her match, and apparently she wouldn’t again. Closing her eyes she opened her mind, sensing, searching against hope for a last chance, all she needed was one opportunity and she might be able to prevent the long night. Suddenly her mind saw it, and it was growing clearer, and closer.
The demon switched spells, attempting to confuse Sophie but it was all the opening she’d needed. At the precise moment she used the last of her strength and pushed, forcing the contact point between the two spells away from her and back to the equilibrium point.

“Impressive” said the demon “You have some strength in you girl. But you know you can’t beat me!”
“I’m not here to beat you” Sophie replied calmly her face grimacing under the effort of holding the equilibrium in check
“No” it answered “You’re here to stop the spell. To save the world. How heroic of you” it laughed.
“But look at all the good it’s doing” it hissed glancing at the destruction going on around them.


Sophie saw the chance, with the demon’s attention change she disrupted both spells, momentarily freed from having to defend herself she seized her moment and turned her back on the demon focusing on the epicentre of the spell, concentrating she began to unravel it. Blood flowed freely out from the walls and ran down onto the floor, with the power source escaping instantly the sky began to brighten.
But with her back turned Sophie was an easy target, sending a simple curse the demon extinguished her life force, she fell in a crumpled heap on the floor, dead.

Seeing the sunlight growing stronger behind the blacked out windows Karl threw a stake through the glass, instantly the room filled with light, screams erupted as vampires began to ignite. Steve barely had time to register sounds around him before the flames began to consume him, fire burst from his chest, then nothingness, releasing Mike from his grip as he disintegrated. Shrieking in pain the demon vanished, fleeing into the void between dimension in order to avoid it’s own death.

With the room suddenly empty of enemies Karl ran to his sister’s fallen form. Sunlight streamed in from the windows lighting up the side of her face. She was dead. Carefully, Karl lifted her lifeless form, his eyes red, burning with as yet unbroken tears. Without a word he carried her out of the room.


High overhead a full moon shone, lighting up the streets far below. Up above the world on one of the old factories of the city, Karl stood, looking over the sea of lights. Five stories below people walked without ever looking up, he’d noticed that years before, people never look up. Turning, his tear stained eyes fell on Sophie’s lifeless form which still lay stretched out on the roof next to him. Carefully he outstretched his arms, feeling into the currents he identified the element he wanted.

A small flame ignited, a little at first then the spell grew until Sophie’s entire body was burning with a brilliant fire. Without blinking Karl watched until the final remains of his sister vanished into the night sky. Then he turned and walked away.


Sitting around a table sat a family were sharing a Sunday dinner. Mike was thrilled, it was his birthday and the whole family had sat down together. The old book which had been his gift lay on the old chair in the living room, temporarily forgotten while they sat down to eat.
“Soph” said her mother “Can you pass the gravy?” Slowly gravy began to rise into the air and float towards her
“Sophie!” warned her mother “What have I told you?”
“No magic at the table” muttered Sophie grabbing the floating jug and passing it the rest of the way, secretly receiving a wink from her dad as she did so.
“So Karl” said Mike turning to his young son his eyes twinkling “How’s Fiona?”
Karl’s cheeks turned a bright red “She’s fine”
“Really” said Sophie her voice teasing “I heard Suzie say…”
Mike stopped listening, he smiled to himself. He was perfectly contented, surrounded by his happy, joking family.

Outside in the shadows another figure watched, this Karl was a good few years older now and carried several extra scars. He would have a family in time, but for now there was still work to do. He still liked to check in on them every so often, it seemed odd, watching himself and his sister grow up again. Thanks to Sophie though they wouldn’t have to face what they did, thanks to her no one would. Turning he ran off, back towards the city.