The Death of Ernie Biggs
This is really turning into an endless saga... Oh hey, have added tags to all the stories so as to mark them out from my regular ramblings... Oh yeah, there's been another redesign. Still not satisfied...

It was midnight, and the restaurant was finally closed. Ernie picked up the chairs slowly and swept the place clean. Around him, other waiters did the same. It had been the usual day, with all the spoiled brats who had nothing to worry about in life coming and spending money without a care in the world.

They had been difficult, as usual. Still, most of the time they left big tips to impress their dates, and so everybody hoped the kids would sit down in their area. Tonight though, they'd been ruder than usual. There'd been a slight delay in getting their food, and they had almost called the manager. That at least didn't happen, but this time there was no tip.

He'd dropped out of college four years ago now, as him money ran out. He'd never been a brilliant student, but he always worked hard. Unfortunately for him, the job and the studies and the constant money problems did not go together and so he had finally dropped out.

Now he'd been stuck in the city for years, working at different restaurants and trying to save up some money, but somehow it just never worked out. Something or the other would always happen, money would be needed, and he'd be back to broke again.

The work done, he said bye to the other people in the restaurant, and left from the backdoor, heading home through the alleys. It was winter, and there was mist rising up from the cobbles, and there was the stink of garbage from the nearby dump.

He walked home hurriedly, his pale, slightly flabby face drawn into a frown. He was dreading going home, because he knew that he would have to see her; his lover, his best friend, his advisor, his little girl, everything yet nothing, she didn't even know his name.

She lived in the house below his, and had to unlock the gate every night to let him in. He'd mumble something silly at her each time he met her, but despite his best efforts, had never managed to be coherent enough in front of her to actually ask her out. Next time, next time, he always told himself.

He was thinking about her again, so intently that he didn't notice that someone was watching him. The man was impressive. He stood straight, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans, and had long black hair. His eyes were also black, and he stared hungrily at Ernie.

He was standing at the entry of an alley that Ernie was passing, and after a moment fell in beside Ernie. After almost five minutes of walking together in silence, Ernie took note of the footsteps, and looked up. He jumped in surprise when he saw the man, then laughed and said, "Sorry, you startled me. Didn't realise there was anyone else here."

The man smiled at Ernie, and continued to walk alongside. His lips parted slightly when he smiled, and his teeth showed partially. He had beautiful white teeth, all perfect and even. There was a paleness to him that seemed unhealthy, but otherwise he seemed completely normal. He had a long, hawklike nose and slightly oriental eyes, and his face was filled with sincerity as he gazed at Ernie. Ernie looked back at him uncomfortably.

The man reached out and laid a hand on Ernie's shoulder, and both men stopped, and stood facing each other. He spoke then, with a slight accent that Ernie couldn't place, and said, "You my friend seem to be a man with problems. I have walked by your side for the last five whole minutes and you haven't even noticed until I was stamping my feet to get your attention. Clearly something is wrong. Why not tell me about it?"

Ernie looked at him as if debating whether to say anything or not, then looked away uncomfortably and said, "No thanks man, I mean, it's nice of you to ask, but it's kinda personal and all, and I don't even know you, you know, I don't even know your name, so thanks anyway."

The man looked at Ernie, and smiled broadly now, showing more teeth. Ernie didn't notice though, because he was pacing forward again, his eyes on his own feet. The stranger called out behind him, and said, "Marcus."

"What?" Ernie said, turning. The stranger said, "Marcus. That's my name. You said you don't know my name. But now you know my name friend. Why not tell me your name if not your worries?"

Ernie was tired and sleepy, and didn't want to talk to this strange man. He though if he just answered his questions then maybe he'd go away. "I'm Ernie, and no, I don't want to talk about what's wrong. And now will you please leave me alone? My house is just there, on the other side of the road. I'm home, you're not. Go away will you!"

While Ernie was talking, Marcus had stepped closer, till he was almost close enough to kiss him, to smell him, if he wanted to. Marcus' nostrils flared as he took in the smells of Ernie, and then he said, "I'm hungry now. Maybe you don't want to go home Ernie my friend. Maybe you stay out here with me a little longer?"

There was something about the way he said it that sounded irresistible to Ernie. Marcus seemed to have no odor about him, a curious absence of all smells, pleasant or unpleasant. Close up, his face looked almost grey, but his lips appeared so full. Something was sticking out on top of his lower lip, and with a shock Ernie realised that it was a tooth. Both of Marcus' canines were peeking out of his mouth, and Ernie was surprised that he hadn't seen it before.

Marcus said, "Yes my friend, aren't they pretty teeth?" His eyes were still fixed on Ernie's and his voice had a high, rhythmic quality that was irresistible, almost hypnotic. It was all Ernie could do to nod, his eyes had never felt so tired.

Marcus tilted his head, and gave Ernie a brief kiss on the lips, then bent a little and started kissing his neck. He slowly massaged Ernie's neck with his tongue, then without warning bit into his throat, hungrily sucking his blood.

The spell was broken and Ernie screamed, then kicked as hard as he could. Marcus' grip was like iron, and he held firm, then Ernie tried to jump. This was too much even for the vampire, and both went tumbling onto the street, Marcus' fangs still locked to Ernie's throat.

Ernie continued struggling while both lay on the road, and after a few more seconds had passed before Marcus stopped, and cursed, then stood up and kicked Ernie. Ernie whimpered, and Marcus stooped to lift him up. Ernie staggered away, and Marcus hissed at him.

Ernie knew that there was no escape for him, and fell back heavily. Marcus laughed, but all of a sudden the area was bathed in light as a taxi rounded the corner, faster than it should have been going. Marcus was thrown over the side and collapsed in a heap.

Ernie didn't know if Marcus was dead or not, but didn't plan on finding out. He staggered up to the cab, and told the driver the address of a friend's house. He couldn't face anyone like this, certainly not her, and that friend was out of town for a week, and had left the keys with Ernie in case there were any emergencies. Ernie felt it was certainly an emergency.

The driver looked at the crumpled man on the road, then at the man standing outside his taxi, blood flowing freely from his throat. He hadn't been in the country long, but he'd seen enough movies. He knew what he was supposed to do at a time like this. He unlocked the door, let the man in, then floored the accelerator.

After a short ride Ernie was in his friend's house. As soon as he locked the door behind him he collapsed on the floor and passed out. He stayed unconcious for the rest of the night, and then the next two days, waking up on the third night around and hour after sunset.

He woke up dazed and confused, trying to understand what had happened, then realised that his canines seemed sharper than normal.

Ok, so that's Ernie's entry into Vampirehood. Don't really know what'll happen next. I could continue the story with Andrew, or do it with the early education of Ernie. C'mon folks, I know that plenty of you are reading this, I've forced enough of you to, so gimme some ideas, leave 'em as comments if you can't talk to me!