Vampire Girlfriend: Epiphania (special preview)

I have always been fascinated by this building I pass by when I go to work. The architecture suggests church, but I have heard through the rumor mill it is anything but a holy place. It’s massive and beautiful, decorated with angels and gargoyles alike. It makes me think, rather than a place of virtue or sin, it is a ground of neutrality.

Through my job as a reporter, I have been able to find information on this place to piece together a half completed jigsaw puzzle on it. Long ago it had once been a church, but the pastor of it changed it around, turning it from sanctuary and safe haven, into a place where rumors flowed. The rumors caused the church to be shut down, but years later, the church was reopened under the guise of apartments. After that, slowly, it began to open its doors as a business, offering massages and various types of therapies. That’s when the rumors started again, claiming the place, now known at the True Love’s Kiss, was harboring demons as a place of debauchery and sin. Still, everyday when my bus passes by it, I am fascinated.

I have been trying now to get my boss to approve my want of an investigation of this place. My thoughts are that I would like to interview individuals of this establishment and hear their individual stories. I want to find out more history, why rumors dog its every incarnation. I want to hear the stories from the mouths of those who love it rather than the ones who judge it. Eventually, I grow exhausted with my boss’ humming and hawing on the matter. She keeps ignoring my requests, giving me tasks that seem like busy work. So, instead of taking my bus all the way home one evening, I get out at the stop just before the True Love’s Kiss.

I have never walked up to the place before, although I have always wanted to ever since my bus first drove by it. I stand before the big, red doors and my hands begin to shake. I grip onto the strap of my bag to keep them steady. As I approach, I see an intercom system set up at the door which instructs me to buzz in before I enter. I press the well worn button and, after a click and a hum, a small TV screen comes on. A young woman sits at the desk, her eyes diverted, probably looking at me through another screen.

“Do you have an appointment?” She asks.

“No.” I say this then instantly regret it. “My name is Theo Finnes. I’m a reporter for the Algonquin Gazette and I was hoping-”

“Reporter?” She clicks her tongue. “No, no, you must have misheard me. I asked if you had an appointment, not a death wish.”

I’m taken aback by her quick wit. “No, I don’t.”

“Then please step away from the door, sir,” she sighs.

I keep my finger on the button so she can’t turn me off. “I want to interview people here. I want to set the record straight on some key topics. I would like to-”

“No means no, sir. If you have a problem with that, take it up with the nice young man who works for security.” As she says that, the door opens and a large minotaur steps out, clad in a tight black shirt and jacket. He glares down at me.

“We gonna have a problem?” He asks.

I shake my head. “No. I was just-” I take a step back and end up tripping down a couple of steps. I fall on my ass just as a young girl walks up.

“You okay?” She stoops down, holding a plastic bag in one hand.

“Come along, Ms. Agatha,” the minotaur beckons. “He’s trying to cause trouble.”

Agatha looks up briefly then back down at me as I try to gather myself. “Just ignore me,” I chuckle. “It’ll make me feel better.”

It’s getting dark out, but the girl is wearing extremely dark sunglasses. They’re so tinted I can’t even see her eyes through them. She looks very young, perhaps fifteen or so. I don’t know if it’s the glasses or not, but she also looks very pale. She looks at me, tilting her head to the side.

“Agatha,” the minotaur calls again.

“Just wait a damn minute!” She barks up at him. “I’m making sure this guy is okay.”