Chapter 14: The Milk of Human Kindness

As she wandered aimlessly along, Janet realised that the people around her were acting normally and ignoring her. Whatever the power was that she once wielded, it had gone. She mourned its loss and desperately wanted it back. Pausing, she raised the small but heavy velvet encased object and inspected it carefully. 'Maybe this?' She thought. Her fingers twitched addict-like at the silken binding. The moment passed and she thought better of it. She slipped the object back into her handbag.

Janet looked up and took in her surroundings. Her heart sank. She was lost. None of this looked familiar. She called out to a passing stranger.

"Excuse me, where am I?"

"Baldwin Street, love, in the Old City..."

Before she could glean anything else, he had melted away into the darkening evening. 'Baldwin Street? Was that near to the hotel?' She wondered and then panic really kicked in. Janet realised she had no idea of the name of the street the hotel was in. Her mind raced desperately as she tried to remember the hotel's name. 'West... something, Westbrooke?' tears welled up. Janet had never felt so alone, she was in a strange city and at nightfall, room-less. If she could only find her way back to the Academy, then maybe, just maybe, she could retrace her steps.

She wandered on a little further looking for locals to ask, but it was that time of day, rush hour had broken. Those people who didn't think she was canvassing or begging just ignored her and continued on their headlong dash home. Finally she spied a pub and decided to have a drink and ask the way back from there.

Janet made herself comfortable at the bar, and waited for the staff to finish serving others.

"Hi welcome to Fusion, I'm Lynne, what can I get you?"

"Vodka and lemonade please, and make it a large one," replied Janet.

"Rough day then? Still you are at Fusion now, time to kick back and relax," Lynne smiled.

Janet sighed, she did calm down, the pub was conducive to relaxation.

"Well, you don't sound too happy?" the question floated down the bar.

Looking up, Janet's eyes followed the words; finally meeting a steady pair of dark brown one's that sparkled with intelligence.

"I'm lost, and even if I can get back, I will still be lost," said Janet.

"Hmm, do you always speak in riddles? I don't understand what you are saying, but I do recognise pain when I see it."

"Umm, pain yes, but so much pleasure, more than I need," Janet replied.

"Oh, well maybe I could help you share some of that," the woman laughed, "I'm Bobbi, and I am a good listener."

Janet nodded and smiled; Bobbie moved along the bar and sat down beside her. Within minutes they were chatting like old friends, and Janet even laughed once or twice. Bobbi ordered another round of drinks and wrapped a protective arm around Janet's shoulders. A younger girl walked up to the bar.

"Oh hi, Bobbi. Have we found another stray? Watch out girl, you will be supping from the furry cup before you know it!"

"Furry cup?" queried Janet, looking at Bobbie.

"Take no notice; this is a gay bar, Janet. But this is not a come on, you are quite safe."

"It's not my safety I am concerned about," said Janet.

"More riddles, come on let's drink up, the night is young."

Meanwhile, back at the Academy, Anna approached Mika cautiously. The Wampyr sat gazing into a brightly lit mirror. Lesley lay coiled at her feet, snoozing, and yet still gently caressing Mika's calf muscles. The other consort was deeply engaged in abusing her body; Rochelle sat cross legged on the floor, lurching to and fro as her fist pummelled in and out of her elastic duct. Mika spoke first.

"Fifteen long years, and still I can't get used to my appearance."

"But you are perfect, beautiful," said Anna.

"Quite, but let's just say that I am not all I once was..." a single tear ran down Mika's cheek, "you have news?"

"Yes, I have passed on the fragment, your will is done."

"Good, soon we can dispense with our disguise and concentrate on Erzsébet's task. Soon we shall have an army of sisters to hide among," Mika paused as her face brightened, "to train."

Anna's attention was stolen by a loud groan from Rochelle. The seated girl had forced her second fist deep into her anus. She rocked backwards and forwards, in a cruel parody of desire. Anna's eyes widened, her forehead crinkled.

"How can she do that, without splitting herself open?"

"Oh, Rochelle can do many tricks, I have modified her. The changes are more, subtle, shall we say than Lesley's," Mika grinned. "Why does it interest you?"

"It's just gross really."

"I could always make a few little improvements to you," Mika purred, "even with your petite frame, I could make you very, accommodating."

"No, I am just fine, thank you for your interest in me, Mika. I am flattered."

Anna turned on her heel, and dashed from the dressing room.

Mika's cruel laughter and Rochelle's mounting cries followed her, taunting her and whispering wickedly of terrifying pleasures to come.

Janet made herself comfortable in the small flat.

"This really is very nice of you, Bobbi," Janet called out towards the kitchenette.

"Sorry, I missed that..." Bobbi said, before popping her head around the edge of the door frame.

"I was thanking you for putting me up overnight; you really are a star."

"Think nothing of it; I am just sorry the place isn't cleaner. I don't often have guests."

Janet smiled as she snuggled down into the soft settee. Her hand delved into her handbag and pulled out the small weighty package. Janet spun it lightly between her fingers, examining every tactile detail. She frowned slightly as she tried to decipher the odd shape.

"What's that?" asked Bobbi, as she passed Janet a large vodka and lemonade.

"Hmmm? Oh sorry I don't know, and it's probably better that I don't," sighed Janet as she went to drop the object back in her handbag.

Bobbi caught her wrist softly.

"Oh no, not more riddles! let me see," demanded Bobbi.

Janet released the package into Bobbi's other hand; immediately she regretted it.

"No! Give it back. Bobbi, it is too dangerous!" Janet pleaded.

Heedless to Janet's cry, Bobbi proceeded to unwrap the object from its soft bindings. In seconds, a fragment of an ancient artefact emerged. She walked towards the centre of the room to inspect it under the light.

"Well, no mystery here, Janet. I mean it looks old, but it's just a fragment of a mirror frame. Ouch! Shit, it's still sharp though."

Bobbi dropped the fragment and thrust her bloodied finger into her mouth, sucking it vigorously. In a second, Janet was at her side; gently she plucked at Bobbi's hand and extracted the injured digit. She inspected it closely, frowning at the jagged cut.

"We need to clean that up, come on," ordered Janet.

Commandingly, Janet ushered Bobbi into the kitchenette and over to the cluttered sink. She turned the tap on to give a steady cold stream of water and plunged Bobbi's finger into the icy flow.