Sticky Valves Chapter 11

Dark Pennine Tales

The first stage is done. It has been very successful, said the master. It has worked on some. The rest will be turned. Then we will take out the remainder of the band. Those that resist, we kill. Yes, master, said Kate. So I just thought I would just show you a preview of further attractions, the master said. They were outside the primary school, looking through the window at the lines of children, children practising for the Christmas concert. A huge school choir singing a Latin Christmas carol. Look at all those lovely children. I'm so looking forward to it, whispered Kate. The master watched the light shining in her dead eyes and chuckled. He took her in his arms and waltzed her around the school playground as the children sang.

Maurice was out on one of his nightly walks, a regular mission to the shop so that he could buy his liver. It was cold but he was enjoying being outside for once and was taking his time. As he was walking along he saw a picture, an A4 photocopy of a missing dog pinned to a tree. A few steps further and he saw another on the lamppost. He stared at this, taking it in. He was there quite a while thinking about what he should do about it, or if he should do anything about it at all. The street was so quiet, apart from an owl hooting every so often, it gave him plenty of space to think. The picture had a phone number and an address, and he knew precisely where this was. After walking along slowly, looking down at the pavement and his feet walking on it, he decided he would make a visit after he had been to the shops. He needed to give someone a little bit of advice. The owl hooted in agreement.

Bob was on the telephone again to Adam. He was discussing the recent absences from band. That is really creepy, said Adam. And, yeah, I think it is suspicious too. Why do you think it is vampires? Have you seen any punctures? Well, no, replied Bob. They could be kidnapped, Adam offered. They aren't being kidnapped because no one has asked for any ransom. And their families aren't rich either, Bob said. Are you sure you aren't paranoid? Anyway, don't you have to be a virgin? Adam asked. I don't know, I don't think so. Not if this is really happening, because some of these people are definitely not virgins, but I really think that some are vampires, and some are on the brink of becoming vampires. I've just got a really weird feeling about it, Adam. Bob admitted. Do you think we watch too much horror, mate? Adam asked. No, not enough, and I want you to find out as much as you can about vampires and how you kill them. Bob said.

Janet had let the phone ring about twenty times before Liz had picked it up. Hi Liz, it's Janet. How are you? Janet asked. I'm not well at all, Liz grumbled. Still got it then, sorry to hear that. How's Andy? Janet asked. He's fine, Liz replied tiredly. Doesn't sound like it's catching. At least that's something. I want to talk to you about Peter. Janet said. Yes, how is Woody? Liz asked. He's not well. He hides away most of the day. I don't know how he feels really. He won't talk to me or tell me about it. In fact, he is nasty to me and aggressive. He won't let me help him. I don't know what to do. Janet admitted. That is not Woody. What about getting him to the doctors? Liz said. Any mention of it and he goes berserk. But I thought I should just tell you, you know. A trouble shared is a trouble halved, Janet said. Let us know if we can do anything, and try and keep cheerful, Janet, Liz said. I am trying, believe me. Bye, Janet muttered. Bye, Janet, Liz said sadly.

Keith sat in his basement. At the side of him, on the cold cement floor, he had a sizeable Hessian shopping bag. In it were three cats that he had caught one by one. They were pretty hard to catch, even for him. When he had caught them, he had broken their necks. Then he had placed each one in the bag. For the moment, this would have to be enough, he thought. He did not want his friends or colleagues investigating a whole lot of murders. The master had spoken to him quite forcefully, and left him in no doubt about how far he could go. Keith had lost control twice now and the master had to bring those two into the fold before their time. Enough was going on with the missing people at band and those that were ill. If anyone checked the infected and how their symptoms presented themselves it wouldn't take much for some people to put two and two together. He had to make sure there was nothing else suspicious going on. The master was right. His survival depended on it too. Everyone would know soon enough.

Woody was not ready to take the next step. Lying in bed again, analysing how powerful he felt, just like when he was a teenager, perhaps even better, and that was enjoyable. The best thing to do was to try and seek out some of the others and find out what he should do, he thought. Staying locked in his bedroom forever was not an option. How many times could he say to Janet, when she came to bed at night, that he would sleep on the sofa and watch his video collection, as he couldn't sleep. If he stayed in the bedroom all night he would harm her. He was making the choice when she was asleep to go out and feed on animals but this would have to end soon. Colin wanted to bite his wife too. He did not know how he was going to stop this. It was an overwhelming compulsion. He had always been a small and gentle man and loved his wife dearly. Why had this happened to him? He decided when he did it and it would be when then he would make it as painless as possible for her.

Keith picked up Yvonne from the train station. It was rainy, and after she got in, the car windows started steaming up, which made him angry. She has been visiting her sister, and as soon as she put on her seatbelt, she was yakking on about this and that. What her sister had, and how lovely her brother-in-law was, and their new car. He was already annoyed as the train was late, so he took the route through the moors. As he drove, he made a plan in his head of how all this would go down. It wasn't supposed to happen tonight, but he realised that this was his ideal opportunity, and he was going to go for it. Pulling the car up at a gravelled area at the side of the moors, he switched off the engine. It was bleak and insanely dark. He had left streetlights behind about three miles ago, and was relieved that the night wouldn't unveil any telltale signs that he had changed. The rain still came down out of the dense, suppressing clouds. He knew just how to push Yvonne's buttons. What have you stopped for, Yvonne asked. What have you stopped for, Keith mimicked in a woman's high voice. If you shut up for one minute, you will find out, he shouted. Don't you dare shout at me like that, she said. You rude bloody man. My sister never gets spoken to like that. Shut up. I have stopped the car to tell you, you are not allowed to go to your sister's again, Keith said with a smirk. How dare you. Who do you think you are? Just because you can tell people off at work, it doesn't mean you can tell me what to do. I'll go to my sister's even more now. I was happy there, you pig, Yvonne shouted. Keith smacked her across the face. Now you've done it, she screamed at him, while she fiddled frantically with the seatbelt and picked up her handbag before getting out. She briskly started walking down the road away from the car. That was just perfect, thought Keith, Keith. Attacking her on the moors would ensure minimum clean-up and maximum fun. No one would hear her scream. Keith got out of his car and turned his face up to the rain and smiled. It didn't matter how much of a head start he gave her because he would still catch her. This would have the added bonus of her being weak and less likely to scratch him up. If she thought she could hide, he had a surprise too. His eyesight was even better in the dark. This was just so perfect. I'm coming, dear, he shouted. I'm coming to get you. He laughed madly and raced towards her. A chill ran down Yvonne's back and she started to run.

Ernie had called every band member in the afternoon, but had only managed to reach about ten of them. He had made thirty phone calls. Two-thirds of his band couldn't be ill or indisposed. Generally, he had a ninety percent success rate. Lynn came into his office with a cup of tea and two chocolate digestives. She could tell by his face that all wasn't well. Not had much luck, Earn, she asked. No, only managed to reach ten, Ernie replied gravely. What do you think they are up to? Lynn asked. I don't know, but they can't all be having a bit of afternoon delight, he smiled. Oh, Ernie, she laughed. He laughed loudly, and she walked out of the room and shut the door. He soon stopped laughing and looked out the window. What the hell is going on? I've just been having a quick look about vampires on the internet, Adam said to Bob. Okay, said Bob. Has there been any interaction with blood or any sharing of it, Adam asked. Bob thought hard and chewed his chewing gum very loud. Adam knew this helped Bob to think, and let him chew down the phone as loud as he wanted to. Not as I know of, said Bob, but there might have been. All right. Have you seen any of them react negatively to garlic? Adam asked. Well, I told you about the old guy Maurice. He is back at band, but he certainly didn't like smelling garlic when Danny had bolognese the other day. He couldn't get out of the room quick enough, but neither did anyone else, so that could mean anything, Bob said. Any shying away from crosses? Adam asked. Again, can't verify that. My mum wears one, but it is usually under her polo neck, Bob told him. Well, she's not one then, said Adam. I think I knew that. Oh, my dad, Bob said. Have you noticed pointy teeth on the suspects or marks on their neck? Adam asked. No, but I wasn't looking that close. I will from now on, Bob said. Hmm, fascinating, said Adam, while rubbing his chin.

Having little else to do that night. Ernie systematically drove past each band member's house that had not answered his call that day. Some looked like they were out, fair enough. Others had the lights off, with the car in, and the curtains closed. He rang them too. Still no answer. He wrote all this down, and would ponder on it later. Maurice knocked on the door of Diane's house, half expecting to get no reply. He was just about to walk off when Sophie answered the door. Maurice was quite surprised and delighted that she was apparently still uninfected and human, especially when he knew what she was living with. Can I see your mum? Maurice asked. It is imperative or I wouldn't have come. You see, I have what she has got, but I'm as right as ninepence now. I've bought her some medicine. and he shook one of the carrier bags at Sophie. You'd better come in, she said. Maurice followed her into the hall. She's upstairs in her room. I will ask if she can see you, Sophie said. Yes, please, if you don't mind, Maurice replied. Sophie disappeared upstairs and he could hear a brief dialogue through the floorboards. He then heard footsteps on the first couple of stairs. You can come up, Sophie shouted down. He looked up the stairs and she was standing on the top step. I'm going out, so I have to get ready, Sophie said and walked off back into one of the rooms. Maurice got to the top of the stairs. There were three doors. One was open and he could see that it was the bathroom. Sophie was looking through her wardrobe for something in another room, so it must be the shut door. He knocked lightly and entered. The lights were off, but from the brightness of the landing light, he could just make out the form of someone lying on the bed. He entered and shut the door behind him, and as his vampire's eyes got used to the darkness, he could see everything very plainly. It is all right, Diane, Morrie said quietly, so Sophie wouldn't hear. I know what you are, I am the same as you, whatever that may be. Thank you. Are you really? Diane asked, hoping it was true. Yes, I am. I have come to see you to help you, to give you a bit of friendly advice, Maurice said. What about? Diane asked. What do you mean? I happen to notice that your next door's dog has disappeared. Now I don't think it's much of a stretch of the imagination to imagine what has happened, Maurice said quietly. What do you mean? Diane asked, defensively. You know what I mean. Just be truthful with me, Maurice said. Well, yes, okay. I do know what happened to it, Diane said. I knew you did. That is enough of that, Diane. I have been coping now for a while, and I am here to give you advice, Maurice said. He dropped one of his carrier bags onto the bed. What's that? she asked. Liver. I feel great on it. I eat it raw. You'll be absolutely fine if you live on that, and you won't have to resort, in desperation, to eating everyone's pets. Try to keep as much of yourself as you can. If you succumb to these feelings, you will never come back, and Sophie will be in great danger, Maurice said. Okay, Diane nodded. Anything else? I find it is even nicer with a bit of salt and pepper, Maurice said, and keep away from garlic.