Go to the church

"Sir, could you... take us to the church on California Street?" You were breathing heavily and felt the sweat dropping from your forehead.

"Okay." The driver started the engine immediately.

"Hey, James... You don't look good." Fran placed her hand on your forehead, "You're having a fever!"

"Yeah... I'm afraid I don't have much time..." You nearly passed out when the car started.

You arrived at the church at noon. Your condition deteriorated fast in just an hour and you felt so weak that you almost couldn't walk on your own. Fran worriedly carried you to the door and knocked anxiously. Several seconds later, a mid-aged man wearing a black suit answered the door. He seemed to be shocked to see you.

"Hurry! Get him inside!" After the initial hesitation he helped Fran with carrying you. His voice sounds familiar, you thought.

He was explaining the situation to Fran on the way, but you couldn't hear the words clearly now. You were brought in a room and laid on a bed. The heat in your body was spreading so fast that you felt like you're burning. You twitched and slightly groaned in pain. The man left for half a minute and returned with a cup of water - at least you thought it was water - in his hands. He carefully poured the water in your mouth while Fran held you down.

As soon as the cool water flowed through your throat, you felt like there were thousands of knives stabbing you at the same time. You screamed in the **** pain and immediately fell ****.

You slowly opened your eyes. The light was still hurting them but you already felt better. The heat and the pain were gone. Fran, sitting next to the bed, immediately called for the priest and came forward to give you a warm hug.

"Oh God, James..." She was crying, "I thought I've lost you..."

"I'm alright... I'm alright..." You patted her head gently, "Sorry to get you worried."

Fran released you and wiped her tears with a smile.

"Congratulations, Mr. Wilson." The man from before came in the room with a smile, "I didn't think you're going to make it."

"Brandon, right? I recognize your voice. Thank you." You walked towards him and shook hands with him, "Could you please explain what's going on?"

"Just like what I've mentioned to Miss Evans here before, you've drunk vampire blood and you're turning into one." Brandon spoke calmly, "Normally the time required for a victim to turn varies from minutes to hours, a day tops, based on how much they've drunk and how much blood they've lost prior. You lasted for nearly two days. It's a miracle."

"So why am I not one of them now? Is it because of that cup of water you made me drink?"

"Yes. It's holy water. It can cleanse the vampire blood in your body before you turn." Brandon continued to explain and led you outside, "It works only in the church. That's why I must ask you to come here."

"What? How's that possible?" Fran was astonished to hear that, "Are you saying that the holy water loses its blessings outside the church?"

"The blessing expires in 3 minutes outside the church. Since the moment the veil of corruption began to lift, all divine blessings on subjects will diminish quickly outside the holy ground." Brandon helplessly shook his head, "I can perform a ritual to bless the water outside, if necessary, but it takes about 10 minutes and I can't be disturbed."

"The veil of corruption? What is that?" You wondered.

"It's just a myth. We don't know what exactly happened, but after some point of time in the past, all kinds of monsters became real and came to our world. Vampires are just one of them."

"Jesus Christ..." Fran covered her mouth in shock.

"So, Mr. Wilson. I have some questions, too, if you don't mind." Brandon led you to another room where he usually lived, "A vampire sneaked into the city about a week ago. He was responsible for the cases you and the police were investigating. I killed him when he was feeding on a victim, and I'm sure he hasn't turned any fledgling yet. So, where did that vampire who bit you come from?"

"The police found some blood on the last victim." You thought for a second and continued, "It's probably from when you killed the vampire, but we didn't know back then. So I asked Olivia to examine the blood sample. And... Olivia told me that there was a voice in her head telling her to drink it..."

"That... that's impossible..." Brandon was shocked, "A drop of vampire blood couldn't do that..."

"Is there a way to cure the people who are turned into vampires?" Fran interrupted you and asked, "My friends at the bar... and so many others were turned by that Olivia. Priest Brandon, please tell me that you can help."

"I'm sorry, but those completely turned are beyond help. I've contacted Vatican and asked for reinforcement last night. Elite vampire hunters of the United States will be coming tonight and taking over my position." Brandon began to pack his things, "Let the professionals do their work."

"Tonight? It will be too late!" You shouted in disbelief, "There are dozens of them already, and there could be hundreds if not thousands when they come!"

"It's too late already, Mr. Wilson. Vampires are the most terrifying monsters I've fought in my life. Let me tell you something, if you don't know what I mean." Brandon looked at you for awhile and continued, "I tracked down and killed a vampire last night. He was turned by that Olivia, just a few hours ago. He was more than 60 years old as a human, but once he turned, he became strong, fast and ferocious. Before I got to him, two good souls were already lost."

Fran was shivering. She has seen what a monster Tracy had become this morning, and she couldn't imagine what would happen if you weren't there to help her. The situation was dire, but she knew that you wouldn't just easily give up.

"That's only one vampire, and you're talking about dozens of them. So... My suggestions?" Brandon sighed, "Leave the city with your loved ones, while you still can. I'm leaving tonight, you're welcomed to come with me."

"I can't just ignore what's happening and run away. Not when there's still hope." You held your fists tightly. You looked at Fran for a moment, and the supportive smile she gave you was all that you needed to carry on, "I'm going to ask Sergeant Ashton for help. With the police forces, we might still have a chance in defeating them before sunset."

"I'm going with you." Fran nodded with a determined look on her face.

"My offer still stands, Mr. Wilson and Miss Evans." Brandon sighed when he shook his head and left the room, "But hear me out. There is no hope."