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Jake’s seniors had warned that they came in threes but he knew better than to rely on urban myths. He preferred to deal with facts. So he spruced up and set off into the part of town where vamps were supposed to hang out. Two blocks down from the crowded night scene he caught sight of them. Skin pale as a jar of cold cream – lips navy blue. One spotted his attention and narrowed her eyes, drawing him in. The other two picked up her thoughts and moved aside: locking him into their triangle.
Amidst the music and banter of the city’s nightlife Jake felt his senses heighten. Also he could feel that the vamp in his main focus was tapping into his mood, her eyes were reading his body; like she could see the blood surging through his veins, hear it gushing to the surface. Boy – did she hunger – but so did he.
As his training commanded, he increased his aura, willing her into distraction albeit momentarily. Her eyes were picking up the scene behind him. He zoomed in to monitor what they reflected and what they didn’t. Moving along the street were cars crawling along the curbs but her companion to his left wasn’t there. So – the legend was true after all. No mirror image. He rolled his tongue, slightly wetting his lips with the tip and felt her interest in him increase. When he understood what this simple action had caused, his broad mouth stretched into a lusty grin.
He turned his head – gave the one on his left a leisurely taste of his roaming eyes, she parted her blue lips careful to show him only a thin line of dark pink but not enough to reveal her teeth. His smile lingered as he slowly turned to the third of the trio.
Jake’s training was tested to the full when he looked into her eyes. This was the one he’d been ordered to seek out. ‘There will be novices.’ The Master had warned. ‘Take care with them – they can be too eager – too keen to impress their mentors. If they detect your purpose, the mission must be aborted.’
He didn’t have to ask why. He’d lost too many good men to novices but this one appeared to be different. Whilst his eyes travelled the interesting parts of her physique, his senses were tuning into the growing nearness of the other two. Out of his peripheral vision, he felt the other two’s hunger become urgent and, although he knew they would never dare to touch him on the main street, he took his eyes off the novice to confront them: and that was a terrible mistake.
(c) 2024 Pat Barnett.
“Vamps” is a chilling short story that follows Jake, a trained operative, as he encounters a trio of vampires in the nightlife district. The narrative masterfully builds tension as Jake spots three pale-skinned creatures with navy blue lips, using his training to analyse and engage with them. His tactical approach reveals his experience, yet the story takes a dark turn when he makes the fatal mistake of taking his eyes off a novice vampire.
The tale brilliantly weaves classic vampire mythology with modern elements, focusing on Jake’s professional training and strategic thinking. His careful observation of the vampires’ reflections and his calculated interactions demonstrate a contemporary approach to vampire hunting, while maintaining the timeless elements of seduction and danger that define vampire lore. The story’s climax hinges on a moment of overconfidence, showing how even the most experienced hunters can fall prey to these creatures.
“Creatures” is a captivating collection by Pat Barnett, who crafts her stories from her tranquil retreat in North Yorkshire. Drawing from her rich life experiences, including time spent in Manchester, Australia, and Yorkshire, Pat weaves tales that explore the darker aspects of human nature while incorporating local legends and supernatural elements. Her writing style brings a fresh perspective to classic horror themes, making familiar creatures feel new and dangerous again.
