FicWad

-4-

"Did you kill him?" Dimitri asked, peering into the backseat. Carmen smirked, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her thigh. Dimitri hung his wrist over the wheel, slouching in his seat. The digital clock flashed six. The sky was a white gray and a thick fog hung low over the roads.

"Where are we going now?" A muffled voice asked from the backseat. Carmen gasped and jumped slightly, turning in her seat. Peter's arms were behind his head and he was breathing steadily. His eyes were squeezed shut, but he was awake. "Heh, you know, I had the most amazing time. I started getting really naughty with this hot girl on the dance floor, and she took me to a room in the back." He subconsciously smirked. "But, the weird thing was..."

Suddenly remembering what happened, Peter sat up. He looked around frantically and then looked between the front seats. Carmen watched him with tear filled eyes as his face turned red. She hated that she had to turn him. Curse him, just like the rest of the vampires in the world.

"Carmen..." He trailed off and looked over at her, confusion prominent in his features. "What's going on?" Dimitri glared over his shoulder.

"You're with us now."

"You bastard! What'd you do to my friends?" Peter grabbed Dimitri's neck from the backseat, tightening his fingers around the older man's throat. "You're one of them aren't you?" Peter was referring to the thugs that attacked him two days ago.

"Peter - "

"No, shut the fuck up! You can't trick me again, Carmen, if that's your name." His fingers pressed into the Adam's apple. He could feel the man trying to swallow. "Stop the car." Peter said through gritted teeth. His strength and confidence were at very high levels, which was odd for Peter.

"Peter, just, stop choking him." Carmen said in a hushed tone, resting her fingers on Peter's shoulder. A large hand wrapped around Peter's wrist and started squeezing. Peter felt his bones shift as the grip on his wrist tightened.

"I will break your wrist if you don't let go." Peter instantly released his death grip. "Thank you." The over-muscled brute muttered. Peter slid back in the seat and touched his naked back to the cold leather seat. He was still in his boxers; the two Deadlies didn't have time to fully dress him.

"So," Peter rubbed his eyes, worn out and confused. He felt like he'd just come out of a coma. His skin was crawling and his adrenaline and energy were at the level of three energy drinks back to back. "What did you do with my friends?" He asked, trying not to peeve the driver.

"Nothing." He stated simply from the front seat. "You seem to be very concerned about your friends."

"Of course I am." Peter clenched his fists.

"I wouldn't be, if they lied to me like they lied to you..." He trailed off while looking over at Carmen. She arched her eyebrows and looked in the backseat. "Your friends are vampires." Peter's eyes widened. "And now, so are you. No thanks to them, of course."

Peter slid his hand up to the base of his neck, where Carmen had bitten him before he passed out. The skin was puckered and swollen. He winced as his fingers traced over four indentures. Peter ran his tongue over his teeth, only to feel four sharp fangs, two on each side of his mouth.

"Why didn't they tell me... wait, if they're vampires too, why aren't they with us?" Peter asked, not believing the words coming out of his own mouth.

"Not all vampires can get along, Peter." Carmen clarified, leaning against the door and turning to face both the driver and the confused passenger.

"She's right, there are two legions of vampires in the world, my boy. The Deadlies and The Ninjitsus." Peter tilted his head to the side. "I'll never forget the events that changed the way vampires looked at each other. We've got a long drive home, and I think you should know, Peter." Dimitri squinted his eyes, and began to tell the famous tale of how The Deadlies came to be.

- - - - - - - - - -

"This can't be happening." Andrew frantically paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "We... we never did anything wrong, William. What can we do?" He stopped pacing and watched his friend. William stood and placed his hand on his comrade's shoulder.

"There is nothing that can be done." William seemed calmer than his friend did, but deep down he was panicking. "I need to tell my wife... my children." William stood and cleared his throat.

"Should I tell my brother?" William narrowed his eyes. Andrew's brother, Jasper, and William did not get along. Nothing had happened between the two, but they just didn't seem to click.

"The town of Highgate is very superstitious, Andrew. Ever since immigrants from Romania have been coming over, there has been an uproar of vampire sightings."

"William, you're an educated man, you know as well as I that these mythical creatures do not exist." Andrew said, peering up at his friend over the rim of his glasses.

"Then, are you saying that we no longer exist?" William couldn't help but smirk. "Your brother is highly connected to the mayor. The mayor is the most superstitious man I have met."

"My own brother would not report me!" Andrew proclaimed, irritated that William would think such a thing.

"But what about me, Andrew?" The door to the meeting room suddenly opened, and the two men turned their heads.

"What're you two still doing here?" The man asked, his coat was casually draped over his forearm.

"Oh, just discussing some lesson plans, sir."

"I've got a learning establishment to run, Mr. Fulton. You and Mr. Slater can have your meeting somewhere else. In the mean time, I have to close up, so if you'll hurry along, it'll be much appreciated." William bowed slightly and walked out of the meeting room, taking long strides. Andrew was soon behind him, hurrying to catch up.

"So do I tell my brother or not?" He asked for the second time.

"If he puts us in danger, Andrew, you do realize, we will not be kept alive, correct?" Andrew's eyes widened and he sighed. He placed his hand on his friend's back.

"You've got to learn to trust me, my good man."

- - - - - - - - - -

Andrew walked home briskly. He was a teacher at Sir Roger Cholmeley's school for boys. He was a rather secluded educator and spent most of his time at the school, reading and preparing his lessons. He had never been in trouble with the law, or done anything that would make anyone angry with him. Which is why he was so confused about this cursing, this burden that had suddenly been thrust upon him.

He reached into his coat pocket for his house key. After opening his door and hanging up his overcoat, he wandered into the kitchen, only to find his brother reading the paper.

"Mm, another sighting." Jasper clicked his tongue behind his teeth. "It's a shame that the press heightens the fear of all of our townspeople."

"Where was the sighting this time?" Andrew asked, his mouth feeling extremely dry.

"Highgate Cemetery." Jasper closed the paper and poured Andrew a cup of tea. "Sit, dear brother, something seems to be on your mind." Andrew couldn't help but smile. Although Jasper was his younger brother, he still looked after Andrew like he was much older.

"I do have something I must confess, Jasper." Jasper smirked and leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs at the ankles.

"I knew something was bothering you."

"Jasper, what would you say if I told you vampires are not myths...?" Andrew cleared his throat and sipped at his tea, trying to act normal. However, he wasn't sure what normal acted like anymore. Jasper chuckled.

"Don't be silly, Andrew." Andrew tilted his head back slightly and opened his mouth. Jasper leaned forward, bumping the table with his knees, spilling their cups of tea. "I - I can't believe it!"

"William and I were strolling last night in Waterlow Park and these shadowy figures emerged from the Highgate Cemetery. There were two of them and, oh Jasper, they were horrible. They attacked poor William first, and then turned to me." Andrew paused, eyes frantic and glowing with fear.

"Hmm," Jasper rose to his feet and leaned against his chair. "Well, these vampires must be stopped. Are you alright, my brother?" Andrew nodded, watching Jasper silently.

"You won't report us, will you?" Jasper smiled.

"Now, why would I report my own flesh and blood?" However, he neglected to speak up for William's safety.
- - - - - - - - - - - -

William closed the door to his bedroom. He ran his hands through his dark brown hair and sat on the edge of the bed. His wife was soon to follow. She sat on her side of the bed and rubbed her husband's back.

"William, honey, what's wrong?" He let a sigh fall from his lips heavily. He glanced over his shoulder at his beautiful wife. White blonde hair, deer-in-the-headlights blue eyes, lightly tanned skin; he felt like the luckiest man alive.

"Darling, I understand if you want to take the children and leave me..." He trailed off while dropping his eyes to look at the sheets. He had two daughters, Elle and Sadie, and he would feel guilty if his girls had to find out that he was a vampire, a creature that haunted them in their dreams.

"I love you, William Slater, I would never leave you." She kissed his shoulder lovingly. "What is it?" William smiled and closed his eyes.

"Natalie, I love you too." He turned to face her completely. "Andrew and I were walking through Waterlow Park, close to the cemetery. He was babbling about his class, how rude his students were, it was rather humorous. But the mood of the night soon changed as these two beasts emerged from the trees. One had wild eyes, and four fangs, the other creature seemed less feral. They attacked the both of us, like wolves, sinking their teeth into Andrew's neck and mine." William tugged at the collar of his shirt, fully exposing where he'd been bitten.

"Oh, William are you alright?" Natalie asked, concern brimming in her blue eyes.

"What does that matter? I'm a vampire now, and there is nothing that can be done to change that. I'm concerned for the safety of our children, and of you, my dear."

"Why? No one will find out. You are a respected man, William."

"Andrew is going to tell his brother, Jasper. I know he will report me." Natalie sighed.

"Well, I'm certainly not leaving my husband simply because he is a vampire." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. They held the kiss for a few minutes and William wrapped his arms around his wife. "I love you, William." She whispered against his chest.

"I love you too, Natalie. I love you too."

- - - - - - - - - -

Highgate was known for its pubs. The Angel was very popular on Friday nights. Natalie and her friends met there every Friday to spend time with one another and time away from their children. Jasper liked to go there too, with his buddies from work. They sat at the bar and drank their beer.

"Let's go play billiards, you blokes. I'm sick of sittin' around on my ass." Jasper's friend suggested, downing the last of his frothy beer. Jasper stood and approached the billiards table. It was then that he saw her. He slyly walked over to her table and sat down beside her.

"Well hello pretty lady." He said, arching his eyebrows and placing one of his hands between her shoulder blades. "How's about you let a chap like me buy you a drink?"

"Oh, no thank you." She declined him with a nod. "I'm married."
"To who?" Jasper stood, but kept his hand between her shoulders. She squirmed,

"William Slater." He dropped his hand and smirked.

"The vampire?" Natalie's eyes widened.

"You're drunk." She said, disgusted with his confidence. He simply sneered and grabbed a pool stick, chalking the tip and breaking up the cue balls. Jasper felt himself swell up with jealousy. William Slater had it all: two children, a gorgeous wife, wealth, education, and Andrew, his brother. William had stolen his brother. Being the younger of the two, Jasper always looked up to Andrew, but it always seemed that he was with William.

But now, William was a vampire, which meant he definitely didn't deserve any of this. And Jasper was going to make sure of it. He stayed in the bar for the entire time Natalie was there. And when she got up to leave, he followed her.

Jasper knew that William would be working late that night. He also knew that the children would be asleep. He hid in the shadows, watching Natalie unlock the door to her house. He watched when she walked into the bedroom. He watched when she undressed. He watched her with hungry eyes, growing more and more jealous of William.

"Natalie." He stepped into her bedroom and she jumped, spinning around. His big hands were wrapped around her tiny wrists in no time. "If you let me fuck you, I won't tell anyone about your husband." He kissed her sloppily, and she could taste the beer on his lips.

"No, I'll always stay faithful to my husband." Jasper bit her lower lip, enraged at her loyalty. He threw her onto the bed and was on top of her in no time. His fingers pressed into her throat as he clumsily unbuttoned his pants. She was just in a nightgown; he had watched her change clothes, so he knew there wouldn't be anything keeping him from entering her.

His intentions of having sex with William's wife played out quickly. He was inside of her, raping her roughly. His hunger and jealousy fed his passion rather than the confidence that she loved him, which, she did not. But he didn't need love; he needed what William had. He wanted it, he craved it, and he raped it. Raped her.

He didn't hear William's youngest daughter come into the bedroom. He didn't hear her gasp when he forced her mother to consume his lust. He didn't sense her tears fall to the carpet and soak into the fibers as he pulled his sinful member out from between her mother's legs.

Jasper held his arm up for a brief second then backhanded Natalie, hard enough to knock her out. He pulled his pants back up and zipped up the fly. Jasper climbed off of the bed and turned, only to find the youngest daughter, Elle, standing in the doorway. Tears soaked her cheeks and filled her young eyes as Jasper approached her, and knelt down to be eye level with her.

"Your father is an evil man. He is a vampire!" Jasper gripped the girl's shoulders tightly. "And I was just checking to see if your mother had been poisoned by him yet."

"Has... has she?" Jasper made the saddest face he could muster and nodded.

"It's too late." He stood and walked out of the house, smirking to himself.

- - - - - - -

William wondered why a crowd was gathering in the center of the town. People were shouting and forming a tight circle around whatever was going on. He was walking with Andrew, coming home from a long Monday at work.

"Any clue what's going on?" He asked his faithful friend, trying to see over the sea of people.

"No, unless they're doing another burning at the steak." William's eyes widened. He suddenly felt uneasy, as if it were him that the crowd was after. He pushed through the people, some of them responded with violence.

"Hey, why didn't you tell us?" One of the men shouted at William. His voice instantly gave away that he was not from around London. He held his hands up threateningly.

"Tell you what?"

"You mean you don't know?" He dropped his hands to his sides. William couldn't answer; he just shook his head, dumbfounded. "Your wife, she never told you?" William instantly pushed past the man, and the ever-growing crowd of people. He found himself at the front of the mass of bodies, who were all staring at his wife, bound to a wooden stake.

"He didn't know."

"Why wouldn't she tell her own husband?" William heard people all around him, whispering amongst themselves. Natalie lifted her head briefly and locked eyes with her confused husband. Tears filled his eyes and he had to break the gaze. Over near the wooden stake were his two daughters, Jasper, and the mayor.

William pushed back through the crowd, back to his friend and the other man that he had conversed with before abruptly shoving through.

"What do you know about this?" William asked the stranger. "And, who are you? You don't sound like you're from around here."

"My name is Kraig Serrano. I am from Romania. And your wife has been accused of being a vampire. Your children have been taken into the custody the mayor until he can find someone willing to house them."

"Natalie, accused of being a vampire? What about you, you're from the country that inhabits these creatures, why haven't they accused you?"

"No one here knows that I am from Romania. And besides, you're a vampire, Mr. Slater. I wouldn't be hypocritical if I were you." Kraig smirked and flashed four fangs, just like William's. He held up his hand when William tried to grab him.

"Who did this? Who reported her?"

"Jasper, he was jealous of what you had. He envied your wife, your children, and your reputation. So, he broke into your home and raped your wife. Your youngest daughter witnessed this crime, so Jasper told her that you were an evil vampire and had turned her mother into one as well." Kraig's eyes narrowed. "If I were you, I'd seek vengeance on his soul."

- - - - - - -

William was not a man of violence; in fact, he was completely against it. But this man, his own best friend's brother, completely changed his perspective. William had loved Natalie and his two children with all of his being. They gave him reason to wake up to go to work each day, they kept his drinking in check, and they made him happy. And now, they were gone. Natalie, to a better place, and his two daughters, into the custody of someone he did not know or trust.

It was this that drove William over the edge. It was this that cost Jasper his life as a human twisting it into the life as a vampire.

William's eyes narrowed. The darkness usually made it tough for him to see, but with his new found curse, he could see with perfect vision. Jasper had been asleep for four hours. Just enough time for William to lock all the doors from the outside and practice his newfound teleportation abilities.

It disgusted William that this murderer could sleep so well after what he'd done. Jasper lay on his side, snoring softly and unaware of the danger about to occur. At exactly three fifteen in the morning, William hopped onto the bed, straddling Jasper's hips.

Jasper cried out loudly, his eyelids opening quickly. He reached blindly into the darkness, trying to hit his attacker. William reached down, wrapping his slender fingers around Jasper's throat.

"How does it feel to have the power to burn the innocent?" Jasper instantly knew what was happening. William's fangs gleamed in the moonlight streaming through the window.

"You, you're a vampire!" He shouted. William smirked confidently, tightening his grip.

"You already knew that." Jasper struggled to break loose of William's clutch on his throat. "Envy isn't an attractive sin, dear boy. You despised me because I had something you wanted. And now I'm about to give you something that you don't want."

William leaned in close to Jasper's face. He smiled wryly and then sank his fangs into Jasper's neck. The victim's screams pierced the cold night air and then his eyes closed.

"You are a puppet. Beautifully designed but attached by strings. An optical illusion, you wear the most masks. Slowly turning into whomever you mimic. Always jealous of others, when you shouldn't want to be them. Professional cloner, you lost yourself in the falsehood. Now you're just a sin, and you prey. You will now be called Envy."

Jasper's eyes opened and were now a glowing green color.

"Yes master."