Run back to the church with Francesca

"Melissa, I..." You looked at Fran and paused. Deep down you knew that helping Melissa to stop that vampire was vital to save the police station, and eventually the city, but you didn't want to drag Fran into this.

"I can stay and fight, too!" Fran tried to suppress her fear and yelled in a shaking tone. You knew that she wasn't ready for this, that she's was just doing this to make you feel better.

"No. You're civilians. If something happens to you, it's on me." Melissa threw the car key to you, "Now get out of here!"

"But-"

"Don't argue with me, James! I'll go find you when I'm done!" Melissa didn't even hesitate. She grabbed her pistol and ran towards the staircase.

"We're going to the church on California Street!" You shouted at her before she disappeared around the corner.

"Is she... gonna be okay?" Fran was frightened as she looked at with her hands slightly shaking.

"We have to trust her now. Let's go!" You comforted Fran and walked her back to the car.

You took the car and drove Fran back to the church at noon. You didn't talk to each other on the way there as you felt the tension between you two. You didn't know what Fran was thinking about the situation, about you. You're somewhat scared.

"Mr. Wilson, Miss Evans. Please come in." Brandon was surprised to see you both when he answered the door.

You and Fran went inside and sat on a bench. You knew this place was safe from those vampires, but you didn't feel safe. The city was falling apart faster than you thought. A part of you believed that what you have done didn't even make any difference.

"Did you have nightmares last night?" Fran suddenly asked you.

"What? No. I barely slept last night." You shook your head and looked at her. She was scared, but she was still putting up a smile in front of you.

"I dreamed of Tracy, another bartender you just missed yesterday." Fran stared at the ceiling blankly, "She was approaching me, smiling at me. She pinned me down on the floor, and no matter how hard I cried, she wouldn't release me. Her face was twisted, with red eyes and a pair of fangs in her mouth. She... did things to me..."

"It's just a nightmare." You comforted her when you noticed her sobbing.

"You remember I called her last night?" Fran wiped the tears around her eyes and continued, "She was moaning and panting, telling me it was great. I heard growls and screams echoing in the bar, and I was totally scared. Why is this happening, James?"

"I don't know..." You sighed helplessly, "But I won't let that happen to you while I'm still alive."

"Thank you, James..." Fran leaned her head on your shoulder and rested for a while.

Time seemed to be frozen when there were just the two of you sitting next to each other quietly. The gently sunlight came through the windows, illuminating Fran's peaceful face. Your heart swelled with a mix of determination and warmth, vowing that you'd protect her no matter what.

It was around 3 p.m. that someone knocked the front door calmly. You and Fran almost jumped up, but you realized that it was still daytime and you were in a holy ground. Vampires couldn't get in, right? Brandon carefully walked towards the door, and you followed him quietly.

The door was opened. It was Melissa. Her uniform looked like it was soaked in blood and you couldn't see any expression on her face. She quietly walked inside the church and sat on a bench, staring at the floor blankly.

"Melissa...?" You came to her and gently patted her shoulder.

"I couldn't save them, James..." Melissa whispered in a crying tone, "Hugo, Peter, Jessica... Leona... Everyone... The station was lost."

Fran gasped in horror. Brandon made the sign of the cross and prayed for the lost souls. Again, you tried to comfort her, but you didn't know how. All hope seemed to be lost. It was impossible for just the four of you to prevent an outright disaster from happening.

"Could you lend me a weapon, Priest? A stake or something?" Melissa turned to Brandon. She looked dead inside.

"What... What are you gonna do?" You were worried.

"I'm going back to my parents' house, to lay them to rest." Melissa gave you a bitter smile, "In the worst-case scenario, at least I could reunite with them."

"That's suicide!" You exclaimed.

"Officer, please... Don't waste your life." Brandon tried to persuade her, too. But when he saw the despair in her eyes, he knew that it has consumed her. He sighed and handed her a wooden stake that he just sharpened last night.

"It's handy." Melissa accepted it, "I didn't even know your name."

"Brandon." The priest replied respectfully.

"Thank you, Brandon." Melissa nodded to him and got up from the bench.

"Wait, Melissa!" You tried to stop her. You tried to grab her shoulder, but she evaded your hand by quickly stepping back.

"I know what you're thinking, James. You don't have to die with me. I have no one left, you still have Fran." Melissa kept backing to the front door and gently smiled at you and Fran, "You two take care of each other, okay?"

You, Fran and Brandon quietly watched Melissa exit the church.