There it was, facing them. The place that rested their fate. Bill and Adam stood shivering in the cold October air, staring straight at the hospital, which had been abandoned for over five years. Every window and door was boarded in oak wood and the entrance gate was padlocked, disallowing squatters. The wind swirled the leaves, while the trees were shaking wildly, forcing branches into the country road. The debris flew in the air and the wind brushed the litter away.

"Let's go," ordered Adam, before crossing the windy country road that led to nowhere.

Bill tailed him. Nothing in sight that night. No passing car or anyone. This country road had always been busy during the day, with passing lorries and coaches, making long-distance journeys. But once nightfall came, this road became empty. The locals, in a nearby town, knew not to wander around the hospital's vicinity. Episodes of strange goings-on had plagued the superstitious minds of the locals, which later became known as ‘rural gossip.'

Once they crossed over -

"Sure this is right?" Bill had second thoughts.

Adam angrily turned, pulling Bill's coat, yelling, "Don't be such a chicken. Your sister's killer is in there, hiding from the authorities."

"Maybe we should go to the police," Bill stammered nervously. "They can deal with this." He had hoped Adam would change his mind.
"And what would they do, nothing." Adam released his grip as they both spoke quietly. The hospital stood like a haunted house in the background, with its Gothic look. "No buts, we are going in and we have a job to do," demanded Adam.

Adam rushed towards the gates, shaking them violently. But the padlock reinforced the chain. Adam took out a sharp pin and attempted to jam the padlock, hoping it would unlock. Adam's done this many times to cars and even keyholes. A seasoned burglar.

"Damn," Adam cursed, as the pin snapped. The padlock was tamper-proof. Adam kept cursing to himself, swearing and later kicking both gates. His aggression could alarm anyone in hiding.

"Hey, don't worry," Bill's whisper had hoped he would quiet down.
"And do what!" Adam continued shouting, as he stared with desperation as well as determination. "We're not going until this is over!"

Wish I never got involved in all this, Bill felt like saying, wishing he had the audacity to head back to the town, where he lived.

"I have an idea," suggested Adam, whose idea could be crazy.

Ten minutes later.

"Come on, move your fat arse," Adam kept nagging, as he waited at the other side of the gates, after climbing over with ease.

Bill struggled to climb to the top with his overweight frame. More name calling descended from Adam's vulgar mouth, which needed lots of washing. Once Bill launched his leg over the top gate, his jeans got ripped. Bill stopped for a moment, feeling more uncomfortable.

"Best if I stay out here," Bill's voice was tired.

"I can't do this on my own, I need you," begged Adam's commanding voice.

Bill remained still for a second, to catch his full breath. There his eyes caught a clear vision of the full moon hanging above our planet, sitting peacefully next to a million stars pinned against the nightsky.

"Come on, it's nearly Christmas." Adam couldn't wait much longer. "Here, I'll give you a hand." Adam reached with both hands, to ensure Bill's safety.

Bill resumed clamouring down the gate, with Adam still waiting. Adam could see the wide hole under his jeans and flashed a discreet smile. Then:

BAM!

Both intruders hit the concrete ground, when Bill fell and landed on Adam. Bill weighed a ton.

Adam was unable to push him off. Bill slowly got up.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Adam, please forgive me," he kept apologising in his soft and polite tone. Bill helped Adam to his feet, as his only way to compensate his effort to help avenge his sister's death.

Adam remained quiet, as he dusted the debris off his parka and loose-fitting jeans. Then he cast a surveying look around the hospital grounds as it looked more sinister inside. Not knowing which way to go -

"I say we go that way," suggested Bill.

The hospital's sprawling buildings had suggested his sister's killer could be anywhere. Or perhaps he or she was watching them from one of the hospital wards. With no torch to guide their journey, they had to rely on the moonlight that illuminated their pathway. Ghoulish graffiti of disembodied skulls, demonic figures and spectral faces, plus a mural of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, covered every available wall of this derelict site with its blackening Victorian brickwork. Also, loops of barbed wire wreathed atop the perimeter walls.

Adam's eyes continued searching the grounds. "This is going to take us all night," he hated saying. "Come." Adam walked off, entering what used to be a car park for visitors. "Remember, we stick together."

"Got yer." Bill felt contempt to hear his promise.

They continued strolling. Except for Adam, Bill kept surveying the surroundings, hearing the fallen leaves rustling, the screaming wind and an approaching sound. Bill grabbed Adam's coat. Both froze. But Adam appeared to be less afraid.

"What!" Adam was fed up with Bill's timid behaviour.

They waited, until -

A fox appeared out of the shadows, wandering in search of food for the night. Bill and Adam stared at the poor creature, who was just as scared as they were. Then the fox disappeared into the shadows that led into the neighbouring forest.

"Let's go," Adam said quietly, as the wind got stronger and colder.

The first building they tried was, what used to be, the maternity ward, where both intruders kicked the fortified door wide apart. More breeze from outside burst into the entranceway. Adam and Bill rushed in, with their eyes searching for anything suspicious.

"You search here, while I take upstairs," ordered Adam.

Bill stood watching Adam jog the staircase. Behind him, the smashed door swung, knocking its hinges, caused by the great gales.

First, Bill checked around the reception area. Nothing. Then he tried a few rooms, what used to be wards. Each and every room was empty. Place stank and had a few hungry rats roaming about. Then suddenly, after hearing a noise -

"Is that you, Adam?"

No response. But the rats scrammed. Even they knew what it was.
Bill waited for a brief moment, hoping it was his dear friend. But:

Another noise, only this time it was coming from outside the room; he stood to listen. Bill crept rapidly, hiding beside the open door. His back was pressed against the wall. Now he was instantly thinking what a stupid idea Adam got him involved in. Tender and sharp footsteps filled his hearing. It was getting closer and closer. And the door, beside him, opened fully. Bill braced himself, expecting the killer to come through the doorway. He opened his coat and drew out a sharp wooden stake, where he took aim. Bill's fear reached his limit. His hands were shaky and eyes wide, knowing he was about to kill someone that was supposed to be dead.

Footsteps charged in, knowing there was someone inside. Bill saw who it was.
Adam.

"For crying out loud, what the hell are you doing?" Adam spoke quietly. Maybe he was afraid too.

Bill whispered back, "Thought you were him."

"It's not here," corrected Adam, as it was either male or female, or just a monster of unknown origin.

Four hours had passed and they had now explored the emergency department, trauma centre, burn unit, radiology, cardiology, coronary care unit, intensive care unit and neurology. Result nothing.

Things got quieter between the two of them. Both tired with perspiration. Their leg movements were a lot slower, while ambling outside, treading on dozens of overgrown weeds and crunching leaves.
"Say we go home," Bill uttered tiredly.

"It's got to be here," Adam sounded very disappointed. He didn't want to give up.

"It's nearly one o'clock. It would have showed up by now."

Adam knew he was right. "Ok, ok," Adam was angry.

Just as they turn back -

Adam clutched Bill's arm real tight, pointing with his other arm. "Look," Adam's voice was raised.

A faint view of a young woman, shrouded in a white, silky nightdress that touched the filthy ground, paced with unafraid confidence. Her long, blonde hair reached down her back and her tall, statuesque figure suggested grace and beauty. A victim, perhaps, as she looked as if she was in a trance.

The aspiring slayers stood watching the mysterious lady disappear from their sight, as she hit the corner building. Bill just could not believe what he'd witnessed around this time of night. Thank heavens he took the day off work. The boys ran after her, in a hope she would lead them to the killer's lair. Adam proved to be a faster runner, leaving Bill far behind. The attacking wind got in Bill's way, which would have been his excuse for not keeping up. But it was because he was overweight and unfit.

Adam stood at the corner, watching and waiting for his slow accomplice. Bill finally arrived and paused to catch his breath. When Bill had a look he could no longer see her.

"She's gone in that building," assured Adam, still watching the distant building that was once an admin building, where medical records were always kept. The one of the few places they hadn't looked. Adam headed off there -

"What if there is more than one," suggested Bill, who could be right.

"Then we run like hell," was Adam's only answer.

"No, I'm serious," gulped Bill, who was more than terrified. "Besides, how do you know it's here?"

Adam was quick to answer, "I've watched it come here and leave every night." He stared coldly into Bill's eyes, whom he sensed his malice. "I desperately need your help. I cannot do this alone. I too am scared."

Bill continued to hesitate, thinking about it, before asking, "Why don't we just head back and notify the police?" He was so right.

Adam yelled, "And tell them what, there's a vampire hiding here?!" He continued shouting with sarcasm, "Yeah, they will definitely believe us and have us labelled as a couple of village idiots." Adam inched closer to his face. "Listen, we can do this. For weeks there have been many disappearances and when the bodies are found, they have been drained of blood. That is how your sister was discovered," he explained further. "Now, this thing is alone in that building and we are the only ones who know what it is. Forget news reports of a virus. This shit is real. Now are you with me?" Adam waited for his answer, which was -

Bill nodded his head.

Adam's smile welcomed his final decision with, "Good man," while patting his arm like a good friend. "We can do this," persuaded Adam.

"Let's finish the job," Bill sounded determined.

Both boys set off toward the looming building.
The entrance door swayed to and fro, smacking the hinges, caused by the strong wind. Adam, who led the way, entered silently. The whistling wind masked their approach. Bill followed.

Inside was pitch dark and the boys took their time moving along, each armed with a stake. They were both ready, in case it sprung out of the shadows. The two had always played role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons and Warhammer, but never hunted down a real-life vampire. Bill had always hoped Adam was wrong and instead it was an incurable virus. Then:

BANG!

Both of them twisted their heads violently to notice the entrance door was shut for the rest of the night. Bill ran for the door.

"Bill!" Adam screamed quietly after him.

Bill ignored him and slammed his palm against the door many times, until he realised they were both trapped. Complete darkness now. But where was Adam? All he could hear was -

"Bill, you come right here," ordered Adam, "idiot."

Now Bill had wished he had brought a torch, making it more difficult to see clearly in the dark.

BAM!

A hand appeared and grabbed Bill's collar, pulling aggressively. Bill felt the strength of the person. Then he stopped and saw facing him - Adam.

"What did I say," Adam was angry, for he took this more seriously.

"Sorry," that was the only word he could find.

"Don't leave me. I'm doing this for your sister," his words had moved Bill. "This is what she would have wanted. After this we will be heroes in this town."

Sometimes Bill got the impression that Adam was nothing but a fame-seeking whore, who would do anything to make the front pages. After all, his applications to appear on countless reality TV shows were often turned down. However, this was their chance to prove to their fellow teens that the two nerds could do something that anyone couldn't. Just think of the respect they would gain and the national exposure. TWO HIGH SCHOOL NERDS SLAY VAMPIRE!

They resumed moving, still prepared for the onslaught. They could tell they were still in the corridor, because it was wide and had many twists and turns. Adam never lost his dedication or focus.

Fifteen minutes later, still wandering in the lonely building, instead of searching, Bill knew there was no turning back now. Then they came to a dead end. A door. Adam yanked the door with all his might. The door opened to more darkness. Only this time it was a flight of stairs going down. Adam turned to his partner, checking if he was alright. Bill seemed fine. They began creeping down into what seemed to be a basement.

Their footfalls pounded the solid surface, which could signal their intrusion. Bill crept forward, in an attempt to fight his sound, but it was no good. The spiral steps kept going and going, until -

They reached the basement - large and wide. Lots of empty shelves, which were obviously where doctors and medical staff kept the patients' records. Both hunters continued moving, ready for any sudden attack. Bill was now petrified. Adam stared blankly, head moving about and his eyes scanning the whole place. Bill kept thinking how he wished he shared Adam's brave attitude. Then standing before their eyes was a safe. A huge safe like a bank vault. Adam and Bill's movements ceased before the one place they must look. Bill looked around his surroundings, feeling things in here were not right. If the girl was a victim, then by now, she would have screamed. Or maybe she hadn't met her predator? Bill now turned to their last resort. Adam had already shifted up the handle, making a loud clonk.

"Don't just stand there," Adam's voice was weak, as he struggled with the door on his own.

Bill rushed to help him pull the door open.

By now they were in another room.

How many rooms had they been in tonight?

This time they entered a small room, where there only rested one item. A coffin. Still there was no sign of the lady. They moved towards the coffin. Both eyes focused and were totally unaware of their dark surroundings, just in case the vampire was waiting in the shadows. When they got nearer, they saw the huge coffin.

Perhaps the vampire's already sucking her blood inside, was the first thing that came to Bill's mind.

Adam's hand grabbed the coffin's lid.

"Wait," it was Bill's turn to order him. "It could be a trap," Bill whispered. "It could be waiting for us."

Adam looked at him, letting him feel he could be right. "Good point," he whispered back. He too had his stake ready.

"Let me do it," said Bill with every reason for wanting this.

Adam turned to him. "Are you sure about this." He knew how timid Bill had been tonight.

"I must," determined Bill. "It's for my sister."

Adam thought about it for a second, then he said, "Just remember, make it fast." He didn't want any mistakes.

He stood up, allowing Bill to take this perilous task.

"Good luck," said Adam. He bent down over the coffin with his hand over the lid. "Brace yourself."

Bill did. He aimed the stake over his head, waiting for Adam to lift the lid.

"Ready?" asked Adam, who was now more nervous because of what was about to happen.

Bill nodded silently. Then he heard -

"One, two, three." Adam violently lifted the lid, allowing Bill to make the kill. But:

Bill froze. Stake still poised.

The beautiful lady was in the coffin sleeping comfortably, unaware of what was about to happen.

"Do it!" ordered Adam.

But Bill couldn't. Instead, he stared mesmerised, admiringly her beauty. No monster could be that beautiful, for he had expected to see a tall, dark and handsome man instead. This woman looked as young as 20, while they were in their mid-teens.

Adam had now noticed Bill's possessed look and moved away. He could only stare at Bill, knowing there was nothing he could do to prevent his strange response.

The beautiful lady, who could pass as ‘sleeping beauty', was full of innocence. Bill dropped his stake and inched closer and closer to her, as he was beginning to fall in love with her. Any minute her eyes would open and their plan would be a complete failure. Or was she just a victim, like his sister?

Maybe the vampire wasn't here, thought Bill.

Then Bill finally saw what she really was, when her lips moved, exposing her vampiric teeth, where every tooth was filed like their wooden stakes. This displayed her uglier side, which snapped him back to reality. He snatched the stake to make the kill, but:

A stake slammed straight into Bill's neck, letting out masses of spraying blood.

Looming beside him stood Adam, who glared with hate at his new victim. Bill only had a minute to live, now that he had finally seen his sister's killer, who had set him up tonight.

Bill's face hit the ground, pronounced dead!

Her slave stood staring proudly at her latest blood donor. He looked straight at the coffin, which was now empty.

"Adam," she had a high-pitched voice that was seductive and could turn any man, "you have done well," she continued, as she waltzed towards him.

Adam gazed into her hazel coloured eyes and dropped to his knees. "I love you," said his desperate voice.

She stopped before him and scowled into his obeying eyes, for she always had the need to drink anyone's blood to survive the next day.

She leaned over to Bill's body and yanked off his neck, with her powerful strength. She looked at his dead face, thinking he was more handsome than Adam, before digging her sharp teeth into his neck.

He watched her sucking his supposed best friend's neck until his face had become pale. Then she tossed it away and was about to suck more off his body.

"Wait," called Adam who jumped to his feet and ran to her. "You almost forgot something, after I get your supplies." He waited desperately, shaking impatiently like he was demanding a fix.

The vampire smiled, brandishing her brilliant white teeth. "You are a very impatient man." She was relaxed and not tense like her own Renfield.

Adam looked at her, knowing what she was about to do to him. Then:

They kissed passionately like two lovers. That was his reward for tonight's work.

The End

Jason D. Brawn lives in London, England and his short stories have appeared in Horror Zine, WeirdYear and more stories forthcoming in The Third BHF Book of Horror and Estronomicon.