Explore with the Girl with Leather Pants

You look around and announce. “I’m going exploring.”

The girl with the leather pants looks at you and in English with a French accent says. “Mind if I tag along?”

“Not at all. C’mon.”

The door that leads downstairs seems almost to pull you. You head that direction.

You look at the girl in the leather pants. “I’m Gena. What’s your name?”

“I’m Emma.”

“So why were you on the tour?”

She laughs. “My bosses said I needed to improve my English. You?”

“Looking for lost family. Our family oral history says one of my ancestors slew a vampire. If you believe in such things.”

She you over. “Really?”

“Yes. My mom’s maiden name was Helse, short for Helsing.”

“How, interesting. I think perhaps we have something in common.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am something of a hunter of supernatural things. My employer sends me to check out the unnatural.”

“Really? How does one become a hunter of the supernatural?”

“Perhaps, I’ll put you in contact with them, after we’re rescued.”

“I’d...”

You are distracted by something that almost seems to tug at you. You enter into the family mausoleum. The big black coffin in the center commands your attention. You imagine the lord of this castle as strong, powerful, and handsome. You walk toward the coffin.

Inside you see a skeleton. An oak stake protrudes from his chest. You wonder if this was the vampire your ancestor staked. You move to pull out the stake.

“Gena! Stop!”

You stop your hands still grasping the wooden stake.

“That vampire was not destroyed properly. It is possible he may even have cursed your line. Let go of the stake!”

Slowly you release the stake. Part of you desperately wants to see what this lord looked like.

“This is more than some simple vampire. He was vastly powerful. We need to lock this coffin and see to it no one awakens him.”

You nod.

You help Emma push the coffin to side and close it. She licks it by placing a cross in the latch.

“There, That should hold until my employer can send in a more permanent solution. Let’s head back.”

As you walk back, you look back wistfully.

In front of you there is a shadowy figure.