Chapter 2: New Westminster, BC, November 17th

 Hey, new chapter. Bit later than I hope but it is a lot longer. Chapter Three by Friday hopefully or sooner.




Chapter 2: New Westminster, BC, November 17th


                Joseph knocks on the wooden door, as he stands outside of a small one level house located in New Westminster just a few blocks away from 6th street. The house isn’t in good condition, lawn is poorly kept with patches of dirt instead of grass, blue paint is peeling off the house revealing a rusty orange colour from the paint job before, and the five wooden steps that leads up to the door feels like they’re going to cave in. Still, the house is in better shape than his stomach as it is swirling with anxiousness as he waits for his long-time friend and ex co-worker Cassandra to answer.

“What the…fuck?” His response isn’t the type he expected to give upon seen Cassandra for the first time in two years. Cassandra opened the door dressed in 4 inch black fuck me pumps with black leggings going up into her big puffy gothic style black and blue striped skirt. The biggest shock to Cassandra’s ensemble is the fishnet corset which doesn’t leave much to the imagination with her nipples pressing tightly against the corset outline. Somehow the outfit complemented her toned and tanned body, but big breasts and a corset can do that with any outfit. 

Joseph didn’t even notice Cassandra’s hair still bundled in a wet towel, an obvious look of disbelief displays on Joseph’s face. Cassandra gives a playful smirk. “I know it ain’t dress pants and a sports bra, but you gotta admit I look pretty fucking hot.” She doesn’t give Joseph enough time to hug her before she turns from the door leaving it open for him to follow her inside. Joseph walks in a few seconds later watching her walk away in her outfit. The inside of the house looks better maintained than the outside and the hallway leads into all the important rooms of the house.

“Uh… hi?” He says stammering, unsure what exactly to say. He feels like the situation is a bit awkward, but if Cassandra is thinking the same thing, she has a very good poker face. He takes off his shoes, jacket, and hat, putting them by and on the coat rack. Joseph takes a few more steps into the house; Cassandra has already gone down the hall into her room. “I gotta finish dressing up, make yourself at home.” She hollered across the hallway, Joseph follows the hallway into the living room.

The living room is a moderate size room with enough to fit a television, table and a couch. The TV is left on with the news and they are talking about the attacks in New York earlier in the day. Joseph has only heard a little bit of what happened through the cab’s radio on his way here, but hasn’t had the time to sit down and digest the full story as the cab driver kept trying to bring up conversation. Currently on the news a reporter is interviewing a group of people from outside New York about the attack.

“God sent us this man to tell everyone that gay marriage is a sin. God kills people for their sins.” Joseph reaches for the television remote and turns down the volume on it, he dislikes people who think like that. The group the reporter is talking to is from a small town outside of New York who actively protest funerals of soldiers fighting overseas to three legged puppies. Joseph thought it’s a publicity stunt, surely no one in their right mind would think like that. His thoughts are soon lost as he hears another familiar sound across the room near the entrance of the kitchen.

“Oh. My. God” Katherine says with excitement. She puts down her bowl of ice cream and chocolate chips and runs towards Joseph, literally jumping on him so her legs wrap around his waist and her arms hangs from his head. The force of Katherine’s pounce knocks Joseph off his feet and onto the nearby couch falling back first. Katherine is younger than Cassandra and Joseph by four years at the age of twenty six, she is a bit heavier and a lot more energetic than her older sister, Joseph assumes she means well as he pushes her off him from the couch.

“Wow, happy to see you too Kat. How goes?”  Joseph is a bit surprised by the greeting. He sits on the couch and Kat sits on her knees on the cushion beside him looking like an abandoned puppy left by its owner.

“That bitch didn’t tell me you are in town! And fuck you for not even talking to me after you left, its Facebook so we can stay connected not... not talk to each other.” She says as she smacks his left shoulder with her hands repeatedly until he raises his shoulder and squeals “Ow, ow, ow.”

    “Stay still!” Joseph orders Kat, which she does eventually. According to Cassandra, Kat has always had a crush on Joseph since she was a teenager. “I’m only here for a few nights, going to a night club called Blacker than Black, I personally didn’t know people go clubbing on Sundays.” Joseph mentions, looking at Kat’s eyes which just lit up.

“Blacker than Black? Are you shitting me? Oh. My. God. Can I please come with you? Pretty please… I promise I won’t ruin your date.” Joseph’s face turns sour at the sound of the “D” word, he shakes his head.

“Can’t, it’s a work thing.” Joseph replies. “Sister invited me out for a stakeout on the club. Apparently she is having troubles with the last few times she tried, so of course she asks the best.” A small smirk appears on his lips, he is teasing of course about being the best in the field, he isn’t usually cocky when it came to his line of work.

“Oh a work thing.” Kat’s voice drops in disappointment, but she knows the type of work her sister and Joseph is in. “Wait, Blacker than Black? Are you looking for that Vampire?” Almost in no time Kat went from being sad after getting rejected to being excited. “There are vampires isn’t there? That’s what people are saying about these killings lately!” She sounds a bit too happy about this news. The case Cassandra is working on revolved around girls turning up all over the city with their blood drained from their bodies and bite marks on their necks. While the media hasn’t caught on to the serial killings, locals especially in the Goth scene are calling them Vampire killings since all of the girls frequent the night club Blacker than Black.

“Vampires don’t exist.”.

“But you believe in the devil.” Kat retorts.

“Not funny.” Joseph replies. The last official case he worked on for the RCMP Task Force “X” involved a cult sacrificing children to the devil. The next day after the case closed Joseph requested for a transfer to Quebec to become a standard officer. Three days later he moved to Montreal. The only reason why he’s helping Cassandra with this case is because she practically begged him for his help, since she is getting nowhere with her current partner.

Kat knew after seeing Joseph’s face that she must’ve struck a chord with him. They stay silent for a few seconds before Kat speaks again. “You know you’re under and over dressed for this club right? Something which I didn’t think is possible.” Kat moves off the couch grabbing Joseph’s hand, and drags him into her room in which she yells to her sister, “TAKING YOUR BOYFRIEND INTO MY ROOM FOR A MAKEOVER, HE LOOKS LIKE A COP.” Joseph didn’t hear Cassandra’s response to Kat, all he heard was the “B” word in terms of Cassandra, and this is another touchy subject for Joseph. When he left, they tried the long distance relationship thing but after three months and an awkward visit from Cassandra, it didn’t work out. They still talk a lot, mostly about her work though, never personal stuff. 

Kat pushes Joseph onto her bed. Kat’s room looks different than what one might expect from her personality. Black with neon purple and green glow in the dark paint splashed along her room wall with a television, computer, and a few video game console all located conveniently from her bed and desk. Kat is already digging through her closet looking for stuff throwing out Gothish looking items like choke collars, fishnets, and spiked bracelets; it is obvious where Katherine got her clothing.

“What? Why do you have these clothes Kat? What happened to the young woman you used to be?” Kat turns to look at Joseph from kneeling over her closet, stopping her scrimmage through the pile of clothes.

“Would you believe Halloween was a few weeks ago and these are all costume stuff?” Kat shrugs, with a mischievous grin on her face. She stands up from the closet after finding some scissors and clips them in the air as she speaks teasingly, “You ready for Goth makeover French Canadian version?”

The transformation of Joseph Pierre undercover detective to Goth heartthrob isn’t easy. First his black dress shirt is unbuttoned by three so it reveals his chest. His sleeves have been torn off so he looks more edgy. His dress pants and shoes remain untouched, but he was given a belt with spikes to put on along with a matching choke collar guys used to wear in the 90’s. Joseph looks at himself in the mirror, he’s tall at about six feet and lanky, no real muscle definition nor sign of manliness like hair on his chest. He can pull off a suit very good, but this? He wasn’t sure what this look is supposed to be. “Thanks… I think…” He says to Kat after he is done looking at himself in the mirror.

After the transformation Kat leads Joseph back into the living room. Sitting on the couch waiting for them is Cassandra with straight blue, black, and purple hair down to her shoulders with white makeup on her face to make her look pale and black lipstick. She looks at Joseph, his curly brown hair is untouched by her sister’s makeover. Joseph shook his head at Cassandra. “Ready Frankenstein?”

Cassandra stands up from the couch grabbing the car keys from the coffee table. “Frankenstein isn’t the monster by the way.” She says as she heads for the door, preparing to fill Joseph in on the details of their adventure on the drive over.

Blacker than Black is the premier Goth club in Vancouver. The first floor of the club is standard club fare with a huge dance floor, small stage, and tables scattered around the bar area. The staircase leads to the club’s second floor which is for VIPs with a private bar and booths overlooking the dance floor from the balcony. The club is dark, with blue, purple, and green strobe lights rotating around the club. The club is bursting with industrial and EBM music. Joseph Pierre and Cassandra Harris encountered no issues getting into the club as the sting operation has been brought to the attention of the club owner by Task Force X representatives within the RCMP.  The plan for this operation is the Vampire killer picks up Cassandra and Joseph follows them until the guy tries to do something. It’s a silly and dangerous plan, but when Cassandra told Joseph about a Copycat killer has appeared, it’s best if they catch the killer before it spreads.

The first thing they both notice is how pack the club is on a Sunday night. People crowded together dancing in unison to a song that just sounds like a loud mess to Joseph’s ears. Small miracles for being careless he thought, as he is sure having a mic and earpiece would’ve been more than annoying in this situation than helpful. Their plan is to communicate by texting, silent and normal for a club scene.

“I guess hot topic isn’t the best place to look for fashion advice.” Cassandra comments to Joseph as she looks around a bit more at the patrons of the club. Most of them are dressed in black clothing with band shirts and glow in the dark bracelets. “Oh well, more bees with honey.” She says, adjusting her corset one more time before making her way to the bar, Joseph wishes her good luck and made his way up the stairs to the VIP lounge where he would watch Cassandra from the balcony.

The VIP area isn’t as full as downstairs; a few select people sit upstairs. Most of them are long time club goers, others are just rich enough to afford the pricey cover that lets them have their own private booth along with a bar with more selection than the one downstairs. It is a sign of elitism in a subculture that implores people to be themselves. Joseph didn’t bother saying hi to any of the people in the room and instead sits down at a table overlooking the balcony so he’ll be able to see Cassandra without any issue. He is here purely for business, and he is sure Cassandra is to, no matter how slutty she looks in her outfit.

An hour into the operation and a few text messages exchanges, it doesn’t look like tonight will be their night. The texts talk about Cassandra’s choice of clothing and of the few men who’ve bought her drinks but haven’t approached her yet. There doesn’t seem to be any luck into their Vampire killer, but the club night is young. Unlike Cassandra, Joseph didn’t partake in any drinks, as he doesn’t have to play a part like she does. Yet he is surprised when a small glass of scotch is placed in front of him and a woman sits across from him. “You look bored, and I assume you’re a scotch type who likes to brood by himself with a good book. Am I right?” The Mysterious woman says with a smirk on her face.

The woman joins him, she is a tall, slender woman who is naturally pale and wears a long red dress that barely hangs onto her shoulders. She is older, in her late 30’s which is different than the young twenty-somethings and over thirty men who prowl the scene for young drunk girls. Her red lipstick is bright and her black spikey hair gives her an edgy look despite the formal wear. She puts her red wine on the table and raises her white gloved hand to shake with Joseph, he did so out of a reaction, meeting the woman’s green and blue eyes. Her left eye is the blue one, and it is the first one that catches Joseph’s attention as it is the brightest blue eye he’s ever seen. The right green eye is a simmer green, not as bright but almost non-humanlike.

“Antigone, love. How are you this evening?” She says in an alluring voice. She smiles after she speaks and postures upright. Joseph moves the glass of Scotch to the side with his backhand, “Joseph, and I’m well. Just waiting for a friend of mine.” He says, exchanging a fake smile to the woman, which she is easily able to read.

“Oh well, their lost if they keep a pretty boy like you waiting. Besides I want some company.” She says, crossing her legs on the chair pulling out a pack of cigarettes from her cleavage, taking one out.

“Don’t think they allow smoking in night clubs here.” Joseph says, reaching for her cigarette. She pulls her hand away, putting the stick to her lips and holds it in place as she leans down on the table lighting it with the candle, giving him a full view of her chest as she does so.

“Oh? And what are you going to do? Arrest me? I’ll like to see you try.” She says teasingly, blowing a puff of smoke from her lips.

“For some strange reason I think you would enjoy that.” He comments, he doesn’t mind that she is smoking since he is seen to have a smoke once or twice or five times a day depending on his stress. She gives a small giggle. Joseph quickly checks up on Cassandra and turns his head when she speaks again.

“I think you’re not from around here Monsieur Joseph?” She says with a smile, noticing his French Canadian accent. Joseph gives a genuine smile.

“Oui, je suis de Montréal. Mais j'ai été élevé ici.” Joseph speaks in his native tongue. He told her he may be born in Montreal but he is from Vancouver. Antigone smiles at the sound of his French voice.

“Belle, je parle la langue du pays d'origine.” She says, Joseph has little trouble understanding. “Or perhaps you prefer if we stick to English?

“I would prefer English, I have a hard time with the real French dialect.” Joseph admits to the woman. The woman nods.

“No worries.” She says. The conversation had gotten quiet and Antigone notices Joseph’s looks down the balcony to Cassandra at the bar.

“Does something else catch your eye?” Antigone turns her head looking as Cassandra and chuckles a bit. “Cute. Tries too hard, but cute. What do you think?”

“I think she’s pretty.” Joseph replies. Antigone looks at him and smiles. 

“Just pretty? She’s hot, look at her breasts they want to pop out of that corset and smother someone. No, I think there is something more than just pretty. No man would just say pretty to that body and the way it’s presenting begging to be touched.” She sounds like she is scorning him, Joseph visibly looks flustered from her comment, unsure how to hand it.

“Eh, she’s not my type. I’m not into the trashy one night stands such as her.” Joseph says, Antigone shakes her head in disbelieve.

“Never met an honest Frenchmen before.” She says, standing up from her chair. “But if you are telling the truth, such a shame. I love those trashy one night stands.” She walks over to Joseph’s chair, leaning down so her lips are at ear level to him. He shifts nervously in his char.

“So, how about you come with me and I can show you what you’ve been missing out.” Joseph  turns to look at her, but his phone lit up and on the screen says Cassandra Harris. Antigone shook her hair, and moved back. “Get rid of this Cassandra Harris, come find me later. Better not see you leave without me.” She spoke, moving away from the table, leaving her full drink at the table as she walks down the stairs back to the main floor of the club. Joseph takes the phone, it’s been ringing for nearly fifteen seconds.

“Hello?” Joseph answers the Android phone. Placing it tightly to his ear so he can hear Cassandra on the other end, he spoke loudly but no one else is sitting near him, everyone is either by the bar or inside booths.

“Bout time you answered, fuck. My drink is spiked.” Cassandra didn’t sound too alarmed, she tried to keep it cool as she didn’t want to let anyone at the bar know. “…and I may’ve drank some before I noticed.” Cassandra sounded disappointed when she spoke. She had a straw that changed colour if the drink is spiked, she must’ve failed to notice.

“You want to abort?” Is Joseph’s only reply, standing up from the table.

“No. I’m fine. Hopefully they’ll…” She sounds like the drink is already affecting her. Her phone sounds like it has fallen onto the bar top as he hears background noise from the music in the club.  Joseph stayed on the line just in case she manages to pick up, but after a few seconds he got worried and got up from his table.

Joseph has no idea how long she’s been like this, nor how bad it is. He walks down the stairs entering the main floor of the club which has gotten more people since they’ve first arrived. Sweaty bodies danced on the floor as Joseph makes his way towards the bar. It was hard just trying to get around to the corner by the bar, people wouldn’t move and are content on just standing around not doing anything. By the time he spots the bar, Cassandra is already gone. Her phone is left at the bar still on the line.

“FUCK” He shouted, the barmen turned around to look at him. “Girl who is sitting just here, know who took her home?” The Barmen dressed in a black shirt like Joseph’s without the sleeve torn off and with a red tie shrugs.

“I think she went home with an older fellow a few minutes ago.” He replies. There is a sound of guilt in the man’s voice like he may’ve done something that he is going to regret later.

Joseph takes the phone from the bar and begins running out of club shoving people out of the way. On his way towards the door he passes Antigone who attempts to grab his arm to dance, but he ignores her shoving her hand away so he can make it outside. Antigone isn’t pleased, curling her lips watching him leave the club.

Joseph ran onto the street dialing the local RCMP for support. They would be faster to answer than the Task Force X line who should’ve been here at the first sign of Cassandra’s vitals going haywire, unless of course Cassandra didn’t bother clearing the stakeout with head office. After checking the street for any cars speeding off, he runs up the street looking into parked cars. After about five minutes and a reassurance for backup from the RCMP he finds a Volkswagen shaking, a quick look through the window revealed a bald, three hundred plus man in his late 30’s on top of Cassandra. Joseph didn’t know what the man is doing but opened the passenger door which is unlocked and pulled the man out.

As he pulls the man out bits of Cassandra’s flesh rips from her neck causing her to bleed as she lies passed out in the backseat. Joseph throws the man on the ground, and realizes bits of Cassandra’s flesh from her neck are stuck in the man’s metal fang like grills. The man got up when he realizes he’s been made, and runs down the street away from the club. Joseph looks into the car checking up on Cassandra, her neck is bleed profusely and staining the backseat of the car. It looks bad, but Joseph didn’t give it a second thought. He chases after the runner and the Vampire Killer. He knew in his mind which choice Cassandra would’ve wanted him to make, and that is the one he made.

It didn’t take long before Joseph caught up with the man. He tackles him into a nearby alley which causes both of them to tumble to the hard dirty ground. Joseph is the first to get up and kicks the bigger man as he attempts to stand. The kick sends he man to the ground again and Joseph jumps on him delivering an elbow to the man’s face. Joseph became relentless delivering punches and elbows to the man’s face after about the fifth and sixth strike, the man stopped moving giving Joseph more time to ruin’s the man’s face. Blood spilled from the nose as he breaks it, the left eye becomes detaches from the amount of punches to the orbital, and several teeth including the customized fang grills falls out of his mouth. Joseph didn’t stop until the man’s jaw became dislocated. After realizing the suspect is almost dead by the way of pounding his head into oblivion, he rolls off of him and stares at the night Vancouver sky breathing deeply.

Now early Monday morning Joseph Pierre is sitting in Vancouver General hospital inside Cassandra’s room waiting for her to wake up. While the drugs will be out of her system within time, the scar and stiches on her her neck will be a bit more noticeable. Joseph’s own hands are wrapped in medical tape bruised by the amount of punches he delivered to the man’s thick skull. The suspect the RCMP arrested needed emergency work to save his detached eye. Joseph couldn’t wait for Kat to show up and yell at him for not protecting her sister better, the Doctor just informed him that the sister is on her way and she doesn’t sound to please. When his phone rings he thought it was Kat already yelling at him for what happened, but it came from a long distance number.

“Hello?” He answers, an old Irish voice on the other end of the line responds belonging to Paul O’Healy.

 “Hey, is this Joseph Pierre? It’s Paul O’Healy. Calling in that favour now.”