Lucian Fox was not having a good morning. It had started by being woken at three in the morning for a case of arson. This had rapidly changing into a missing persons investigation as the house's occupants were missing. They knew the husband wasn’t home the previous night which meant he was elsewhere, and Lucian had at least, after several hours, tracked him down.

Turns out the bastard had a second family away from his other one. The words disgruntled wife circled his mind as he thought about the burnt house. As he pulled his car up into the driveway of where the husband lived Lucian checked himself over. His short black hair was immaculate and his brown face without blemish. Lucian knew he looked good, but he also looked commanding with his strong jaw and straight posture.

It was useful for intimidation, along with his deep voice, to coax answers out of those involved in investigations. And today he’d use it to the max, and take great glee in scaring this husband. Francis Redgrove, by having two families, had already stained the impression he was to make in Lucian’s mind.

Walking up to the door of the house Lucian made sure his suit was tidy and his wool tweed trench coat was immaculate. He loved the coat, getting the idea from detective classics such as Sherlock Holmes. In a way it allowed him to get into character.

Knocking on the door he stood straight and waited for an answer, alongside an ordinary police officer who was with him, which quickly came.

“Hello?” A short, rounded man answered the door. He was still in his dressing gown and his brown hair was messy and sticking to his forehead.

“Mr. Redgrove?” Lucian asked and was answered with a nod. “Detective Inspector Fox.” He flashed his ID and offered the man his hand, which was quickly shaken. As they retracted their hands, Lucian took the chance to pocket his and wipe it on his clothes. The man felt slimey.

“What can I do for you detective?” Francis asked as he stood more awake and nervous.

“Perhaps we should take this inside?” Lucian asked and was met with a nod as the man stood to the side.

“Of course,” he said allowing the two officers to walk into his home, “Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?”

“No thank you Mr. Redgrove, we have a few questions and then we’ll be on our way.” The three walked into the living room and Francis sat down whilst the regular officer took station at the door. Lucian walked around the room, looking at nothing in particular as he tried to get a feel for the man.

“Mr. Redgrove, are you aware that at eleven thirty last night your home was on fire?” Lucian asked in an even voice, not even paying attention to the man.

“What? What happened? Oh god, what about Sally, Calla?” his words were hurried and his eyes wide with fear. He may not love them like he should, but he still cared for his wife and daughter.

“No bodies were found at the home and your wife’s car is missing.” Lucian responded and he saw the man sag with relief. “Do you know where they are Mr. Redgrove?”

“N-no. I’ve no idea.”

“When did you last speak to your wife and daughter?” his attention firmly on the man before him, Lucian tried to soak up any detail about his actions.

“I spoke to my wife yesterday morning, and my daughter...two days ago.”

“And texts? Messages?”

“I had a couple from my wife last night.” he said as he offered Lucian his phone. Lucian began to flick through and the man was telling the truth. Looking at the history of texts from his wife, the words ‘Bastard’, ‘Cheat’, ‘Whore’ were prevalent. She definitely knew about his extramarital activities.

“And your daughter?” Lucian asked, not overlooking the fact the man hadn’t answered.

“A couple of days?” he offered with a shrug. He wasn’t his daughter’s keeper. The girl knew the score and they got along fine as a result.

“I see...Where were you last night Mr. Redgrove?”

“I was with Sandra.” he spluttered out in fear, he didn’t want to be accused of anything.

“Ah yes, Sandra. The woman who lives here with you?” Francis nodded in response. “Does she know you have a family Mr. Redgrove?”

“Yes. She accepts it is fine with it. We’ve had this relationship for a few years, keeping it a secret from the children on both sides.” Francis said before giving a sad smile. "Not for much longer though, Sandra's pregnant."

“Tell me, did your wife object to your relationship or your new fathership?”

“Several times, yes.”

“And the most recent?”

“Yesterday.” Francis responded with his face in his hands.

“Do you think your wife could of burnt down your house, leaving with your daughter?”

“Err...not really, unless….” he trailed off.

“Unless what Mr. Redgrove?”

“Well, my wife liked to drink. It was what got in the way of our relationship to begin with. She wasn’t that violent but she could be...impulsive.”

“I see.” Lucian’s lips curled in a sneer. “But you and Sandra,” he drawled, “could have been responsible for this. You both have means, motive and opportunity after all.”

“We have an alibi.” Francis spat out in embarrassment.

“Do tell.” Lucian said as the red faced man squirmed under his stone cold eyes.

“We were at the Black Lotus last night.” the man said dejectedly.

“Oh, so you and Sandra are into a bit of kink. May as well save me the time and tell me what your fancy is. BDSM, age play?” Lucian said with undisguised disgust.

“...J-just some light BDSM and sharing. We’re new to the scene and arrived at eightish. We were….tied up for most the night. So there was no way we could of done what you’re implying.” His face looked mortified after admitting that in front of the officers.

“We’ll be checking that of course. Mr. Redgrove, you don’t seem particularly moved that your wife and daughter are missing.”

“Well it’s probably like you implied. Crazy bitch burnt down our house and went away with our daughter.” he said with a snort and a shrug. “I’m sure she’ll make contact soon, she has little money in her bank and will come crawling to me for some. For booze no doubt.”

“I see.” Lucian muttered as he stood up. “Then we won’t be keeping you.” The pair left to follow up on the leads they found and to check the alibis. Lucian also checked in with Sandra, they knew where she lived after all. Turns out she didn’t know about his wife, though his alibi was true. The woman seemed murderous at Francis’ second life and Lucian wondered, with a chuckle, if he’d have a second crime to investigate before day’s end.

The investigation went on through the day but leads came up dry and when they found the car it was abandoned by the forest. The following day Lucian would order a search of the woods but when nightfall came, Calla was already on the move.

She moved swiftly, testing her quietness and the limits she could push herself to. She was still on a high from the previous night and the whispers told her she’d be fine for a few days. Despite the forest being more than twelve miles from one side to the other, Calla passed through in under an hour, even with all the obstructions.

She had never felt freer in her own body than she had right now. Making games out of small openings in trees and twisting herself to slide through as she ran. A couple of times she’d gotten her duffle caught and nearly snapped the straps but was able to pull herself to a stop quickly enough. Despite enhanced speed and strength it was her reflexes that improved the most.

Once she’d reach the other side, she found herself a top a hill overlooking a small town in the distance. It was large enough that she could disappear for a while, and have a few meals, before people started to catch on. If she were lucky she might even find herself a vampire, it was the main game she was looking for despite the foul taste.

Throughout the previous day Calla went over her mistakes. Forgetting electronic devices which would be helpful to giving her direction and connections, no money or means to acquire it. These were what she regretted most as without them her journey was that much harder. Her end goal was to reach a city, alive, where she could hide out and feed on vampires and humans alike.

Sneaking into town she was attacked by hundreds of different scents. All delicious and hers for the taking. Her mind began to be consumed before the whispers calmed it. Feeding wasn’t a frenzy for her, it would be clean and concise. None would know she’d done it.

She popped her hood up as she walked through the town and kept her eyes away from the flashiness of the lights. With her enhanced sight they were blinding, so she got by on her hearing. A couple of people staggered into her but she seamlessly slipped around them and continued on, her nose searching. Eventually she caught what she was looking for… the unmistakable rancid smell of a vampire.

Her eyes looked up in that direction and she saw a young man staring back at her from a window with a cover over his mouth and nose. She waved at him and he waved back as red eyes met. He waved towards himself and Calla took it as an indication to walk in that direction. She held her hand up with five fingers spread, to indicate five minutes, and he nodded back.

She’d found a vampire and he’d even invited her in, could it go any smoother? She smirked as she quickly headed into a nearby supermarket. The aisles were bare and she threw cautious glances around as she headed to the home goods row and plucked out a couple of packs of knives. She pocketed them without anyone seeing. Her expression was completely unchanging as she walked out the supermarket.

On her way back to the vampire’s building she tore open the plastic packaging and took out the knives and put them into her hoodie pouch, one in either hand. The building he resided in was rather seedy, but she calmly walked up the stairs passed the leering eyes and reached the third floor door, where his scent was.

She knocked thrice before walking in and was greeted by a nerdy looking man in his mid forties, wearing glasses with short hair and a face mask.

“Hello.” she said as she walked in with raised hands to show she meant no harm.

“Welcome. I haven’t seen you here before.” his voice came out with a nervous sounding high pitch. His body language was guarded and tense.

“I’m...new.” she answered slowly.

“A traveller? How old are you?”

“Yes and I’m twenty three.” she answered, seeing no reason to hide it.

“I mean your vampire age dear.” he said with a chuckle.

“Ah...I am twenty three...I became a vampire a couple of nights ago.” His eyes shot open with astonishment at the young lady before him. She didn’t seem to be nervous or thirsting, if her words were true then she had sublime self control.

“Are you not hungry? With all the smells and the kind blood donors who are walking just outside.” he smiled as he spoke. He became more relaxed, a newborn posed little threat to Childe vampires like himself.

“No.” she replied with a shake of the head. “I ate yesterday. I think I’m able to control myself because I feel that I’ll be caught or worse if I go about hunting haphazardly.” ‘The whispers tell me so.’ she thought, but the whispers advised her not to mention them.

“You have a good survival instinct.” he said with a smirk. Calla felt waves of authority rolling off him and the whispers told her to submit….for now. Until the time was right. She lowered her eyes away from his and slightly bowed to him. Looking back up, her eyes were dazed.

“Very good.” he mumbled. He was ecstatic that he had found a newborn who he could bend to his will and use to make his life more comfortable. He always regretted becoming a vampire, the only times he didn’t was when he was consuming blood. “What’s your name?”

“I am called Calla, sir.” She made sure to speak respectfully, as the whispers said she should. The man was a danger whilst he was focused on her. She needed to worm her way through his defences and then strike.

“Tell me Calla.” his voice said holding compulsion. “Would you like to work for me?” It was more a demand than a request.

“Of course sir.” she said with a slightly dazed and happy look. The compulsion affect could be seen by others. “What would you like me to do?”

“I need to feed and I want you to bring me a meal.” he said with a wide grin filled with self satisfaction.

“What type of meal would you like sir?” she asked robotically and the man licked his lips.

“Something virgin, male or female, I’m not picky.”

“Is age a factor sir?” She didn’t want to upset him if he had limits.

“No younger than seven.” he said with a sigh. “Now get out and bring it to me by the end of nightfall tomorrow.” he snapped.

“Yes sir.” she answered dutifully and left the building, leaving her duffle bag. Once she rounded a couple of corners and crossed through streets she took a deep breath and shook her head.

‘He’s strong. The compelling feeling...I’d have lost to it without the whispers, or died trying to fight him off. Bastard didn’t even tell me his name. I’m sure I’ll have the chance to find out tomorrow, with enough preparation.’ She giggled to herself and muffled it with her hand, there was only a couple of hours left tonight and not much time to plan.

She walked to the nearest fast food outlet and lay in wait. Depositing herself in a deep hedge and making sure she was completely covered over. She stood there, hidden and unseen and out of sunlight for the next day, watching humans come and go to get their fix of fatty foods.