"Jesus wept!" Monique whispered, as she heard the latest development in the 'Body In The Park' story.  Mark had just informed her that someone else had went to the police, this time a survivor of a similar animal attack.  His name had been Terry 'Tex' Graham.  He'd been attacked three nights ago by what he'd described as a very large and powerful dog.  Wolf, had also been mentioned again. Now, the Editor had granted Mark permission to run the story.

She dashed to her phone and rang Cat straight away.  She cursed under her breath as there was no answer, other than her voicemail.  She decided not to leave a message, and tried her mobile number.  Same again.

She had to make the decision on her own.  Should she?  Yes.  Even though Tex was a piece of crap, she thought it was only right to let Suzi know what was happening down here.  She flipped open her mobile and selected Suzi's number.  It rang just half a dozen times before it was answered.  "Hi, Mony! Suzi chirped.

Straight away, Monique wished she hadn't rang her, she sounded so incredibly happy, and this conversation was bound to unsettle her.  "Hi," she replied a little hesitantly.  As she feared, Suzi's tone changed to alarm.

   "What's the matter? Has something happened to Cat?" Suzi asked.

   "No, Cat's fine.  It's....Tex."  Silence at the end of the line.  "You still there Suzi?"

   "Yes. What's happened?"

   "Did you know he'd been attacked the other night?"  She heard Suzi exhale loudly.

   "So he said anyway, but I'm not sure....."

   "It's true, Suzi.  There was another attack two nights ago but it was fatal.  The body was found in Jura Park, all torn up.  A witness saw what happened."

   "Tex was the witness?"

   "No, but he knew him and when he heard about the body, he went to the police to confirm there was some kind of animal on the loose.  And get this Suzi.  The witness said it changed into a man once the victim stopped moving."

   "What?!"

   "I know it sounds like a horror movie, but he swears it was true. Oh, hold on a mo..."

Mark had come into Monique's office.  "The nationals have got it Mony, and it's on the news, now!"

She turned back to her phone.  "Switch on the news Suzi, you'll see.  They're broadcasting it now."

Domonic was clearing away their breakfast dishes when Suzi called through for the remote for the TV.  Her voice was strange and he went through to see what was wrong.  "Quick, turn on the news," she said.

He did as she asked still wondering what had her so agitated.  Then his attention was drawn to the screen as the newscaster announced the grisly murder of a dealer in the town of Halsworth.

   "The remains of a thirty-four year old man was found in a local park in Halsworth in the early hours of yesterday morning.  The victim, Ian Blake, was last seen in the town centre around ten-thirty on Tuesday evening, walking from Hunters public house towards Jura Park. It is believed he was attacked by a wild animal, possibly a dog.

   "A man has been interviewed by the police, but is not implicated in the crime.  Police are now looking for the animal and have warned locals to be on their guard if walking late at night.  Here's Peter with some more information...."

An man in a grey suit then flashed up on the screen.  But it was one of  the guys next to him that caught both Suzi and Domonic's attention.  Tex.  The reporter started his report.  "I'm standing here with both the witness to the crime and another man who survived a similar attack on Monday night.  Michael,"

   "Mouse," corrected the small, dishevelled man he'd spoken to.

   "Mouse, can you tell me what it was you saw?"

   "Well, I was passing the park entrance when I saw this huge, and I mean huge dog, though it looked more like a wolf to be honest,  jump out on Blakey and knock him to the ground. Blakey fought like hell, oh excuse me for swearing, but the beast just ripped......" The reporter quickly moved the microphone over to Tex.  "And you, Tex?  You say you were also attacked by this animal on Monday night?"

Suzi held her breath.  "Yes," Tex replied.  "Huge thing it was, I don't know how I survived. I fought back but the strength of the thing was unbelievable.  Then, it was as though the creature had second thoughts and disappeared into the night.  I mean look at this...." He lifted his jersey to show the camera the scars on his chest and shoulders, before he moved in for a shot of the wounds on his face.  The camera lingered for a moment before it returned to the reporter.  "So, it would appear we have yet another case of an escaped animal from a zoo or safari park on our hands....."  Mouse then grabbed the mic.  "No! It was a fucking werewolf or something. I saw it change into a man....." The reporter quickly pulled the mic back and very speedily signed off.

The camera was back on the anchorman, who looked slightly embarrassed by the whole report.  Domonic switched the TV off.  He stood, watching Suzi as she put her phone to her ear. "Monique? You still there?"

   "Yes.  I watched it too, in the editorial room.  Oh my god, Suzi.  This is going to cause such a stir here.  There's reporters from hundreds of stations nationwide arriving in town as we speak, and they're all wanting to interview Tex and Mouse. I reckon Tex is going to make a mint from this."

   "Got to go now Monique. Thanks." She closed her phone without waiting for an answer.  Still staring at the blank TV screen, she sat down on the sofa. 

Domonic was silently fuming at being referred to as a 'creature'; his own favourite terminology for describing Tex.  His eyes were bright, too bright, as he looked at Suzi.  Was she now going to run back to Tex?  Did she feel that irrational sense of  loyalty and guilt again, that she had fought so hard to overcome? He wished now, with every ounce of his being, that he had killed the bastard that night. But it was worse, so much worse.  He had been seen.  Though, by all accounts, it didn't seem that the witness had been able to provide a description other than, it was a man.  "What are you going to do now?" he asked, his voice cold.

She stared at him. "I'm going to go into your office and do what I came to do."

   "Are you?"  He walked quickly back to the kitchen.  Suzi followed, puzzled by this inexplicable change in him.

   "Yes, I am.  What's eating you?"

Unfortunate turn of phase, he thought, considering how he despatched his victims.  He kept his back to her.  He felt himself starting to change.  He couldn't let her see him like this.  He was battling with feelings of anger, fear and impenetrable sorrow that he may lose her.  All this was making his physique ache with the threat of transformation.  He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the door of the fridge freezer.  His eyes had turned ice-white, his fangs were beginning to stretch his gums as they fought to be released.  This should not be happening, not during the day! And certainly not now with Suzi present. He whirled away from her, facing the morning sun that filtered through his blinds.  He prayed the rays would force back the change.

   "Domonic?" Her voice was hesitant, but tender.  "Tell me, why are you angry?"

He inhaled deeply.  Gradually, the fangs receded and he could feel his eyes relax.  He rested heavily on his hands on the sink top, head lowered.  He sensed she was directly behind him. "I don't want to lose you," he whispered.

She laid a hand on his shoulder.  "Domonic.  Remember me?"  She was telling him in the most beautiful way, that she would always be there for him. Only him.  "Those lyrics, they apply to me too."

For the first time in hundreds of years, he felt the sting of tears.  "Forgive me," he whispered.  He felt he was being deceptive in his plea.  He wanted forgiveness not only for his behaviour just now, but also for all that  he was.

She gently turned him to face her and stretched up to kiss his mouth.  "I'm yours. Only yours." She wrapped her arms around his neck.  " You ask of me to believe you when you say such things.  What do I have to do to make you believe me? Just ask and I'll do it."

It was his cue to tell her the truth.  But he knew in order for her to fully understand, she needed to see what he was, not just hear about it.  She would think him unhinged, unstable if he just blurted it out.  There was an enormous risk involved, both for her mental state of mind when she found out, but most of all, for her heart.  Her precious heart. If he didn't at least give her some kind of answer now, he would never be able to tell her.  "Tonight," he said.  "Tonight, I will show you everything, and then I will ask you."

She was bewildered. "Do it now," she said.

   "I can't.  Literally can't.  You will see why tonight. I promise."

She nodded, unable to hide her disappointment.  What was so hard for him to share with her here and now?  Yet, she felt for him, for she believed him implicity, when he said he just couldn't show her until later.  She was confident however, that no matter what, her love for this man would never be compromised.  She collected her things, and they set off for Charlotte Square.

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In Halsworth, the media were arriving in droves to interview Tex and Mouse.  Sensationalism never failed to grab the public attention.  Words like 'Werewolves', 'Vampires', 'Witchcraft' and all sorts of supernatural tags were being bounced around.  Added to that, were the weirdos that believed in all that kind of stuff.  They were proving to be a bit of a handful for the local police and so some other forces were being drafted in from other counties.

Other reporters were trying to keep everything in perspective, focusing on the sad loss of some man's life in the park, and the grisly details were toned down. 

Tex and Mouse were receiving offers from various papers and magazines for their stories.  This, they realised, was going to be very profitable for them. 

Cat and Monique watched all the commotion from a safe distance in a cafe.  They were soon being ousted though by reporters needing sustenance, and freaks wearing werewolf masks, fake blood and fangs, seeking some refreshments also.

   "Christ, can you believe this?" Cat said to Monique.

   "No. It's bizzarre. Totally over the top."

   "It's like the whole town has come to a standstill.  Everyone wants in on the act.  Fifteen minutes of fame and all. As for Tex!"

   "Look at the positive side here, Cat.  At least he won't be taking all Suzi's cash anymore.  If he's got an ounce of decency, he'll make sure she's OK financially."

   "Like that will happen!"

   "I heard a figure of ten thousand being banded about for one interview!"

Cat tutted in disgust.  "If Suzi's got any sense she'll stick with Mr Gorgeous and ditch that piece of shit over there." She nodded in Tex' direction, where he was being surrounded by an increasing number of reporters from TV and newspapers alike. Cat couldn't stop glaring at him.  "He's gonna become an even bigger monster than he already is.  She's definitely safer where she is."

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Domonic tried to concentrate on work, but found it a pointless task.  His world was threatening to fall apart, unravelling hundreds of years of existence.  He could have sworn that somewhere, deep inside his dead heart there was still a ghost of a beat.  The pain he was feeling could only be associated with a pending broken heart.  And one had to have a living heart to feel that, didn't they? 

He'd flicked on the news now and again, to see what was happening with the other creature in Suzi's life.  Yes, he had admitted that in many ways, he was much, much worse than Tex and more deserving of the derogatory term.  If he truly had a heart, would be not let Suzi go, let her run back into the arms of Tex, the Survivor of the Beast?  He was going to become quite wealthy by the looks of all the media fussing over the story.  Damn it!  And he, Domonic, had inadvertantly been responsible for the man's change in fortune.

Could he possibly just not tell her?  Go on as though he was a normal guy? No, for that would mean the seasons would roll and with them, she would eventually fade from his life, as did Emily.  And how would Suzi feel, seeing him, never aging a day?  No, he had to tell her.  One way or another, it had to end.  He truly doubted she would want him when she knew the truth.  But, he could not blame her.  He was indeed a creature, a beast....a monster.

He'd watched from a distance, as she worked her way through the offices, training his staff.  She would laugh and share a joke with them from time to time.  Her laughter was like music to his ears.  Even Eddy, the dour young catalogue keeper, who Suzi had thought a bit creepy the day before, was suddenly a happier looking individual when she was near.  She had that effect on everyone. 

What a fool Tex was.  He had had the most amazing woman in his life, and he threw everything away through drink and gambling.  Somehow, Domonic knew, that the vast amounts of money coming Tex' way would make no difference to how he treated Suzi.  So, Domonic's intervention in her life had a further cruel twist.  It threatened to leave her very much alone.

He couldn't bring himself to take her to lunch and so asked Hilary to take her out, making the excuse that he had to go to an auction.  He hated lying to her.  He should have enjoyed what was probably the last time he would be with her, but he just couldn't.  Such was his sorrow at what he had to reveal to her.

As the day drew to a close, he observed his staff as they all made their way home to their loved ones.  He felt a touch of envy, as well as overwhelming sadness.  Never had he seen life with such clarity.  His 'kind' should simply not be. 

Opening his office door, he was greeted by Suzi and her endearing smile as she turned at the sound of his approach.  Her hair was worn down today, that vibrant mane of hazel silk.  Her skin seemed to glow and her eyes were bright and oh, so inviting.  Her smile faltered slightly as he neared her.  The pain of what was to come, made him unable to go to her with open arms.  He wanted to sweep her off her feet and kiss her deeply, but his inner battle prevented him from doing so.  He did however, kiss her lightly on the cheek and take her hand as he led her, silently to his car.

He could feel her eyes upon him as they drove to his home.  How he hated himself right now.  What must she be thinking?  He had been all over her like a rash the past few days, and now he was cold as ice.  Like his skin.  She never once blanched at the touch of him, nor questioned the oddity.  One comment only had passed her lips, when they had spent the afternoon at Cleo's, then she'd said she didn't mind. 

He parked, opened her door, and took her hand again as he led her into the house.  He felt his body tensing.  The time for confession was upon him.  His angel followed him through to the living room and she sat down quietly.  Unspoken questions hung heavily in the air.  His muscles started to ache.  Thankfully, he had fed well enough the night he took out the dealer in Jura Park, so he would not need to feed for a few days yet.  That was one thing at least, she would be safe from his dark hunger.

   "I'm not stupid," she said quite suddenly.  "I know you have been avoiding me all day.  What is it Domonic? Truly!  If I hadn't said I loved you, would be here like this now, or would you be waltzing me round some dance floor somewhere instead?" Her voice was breaking, choking back unshed tears.

   "God no!" He realised with horror that she had borne the day incredibly bravely, but with a heavy heart.  "Oh Suzi! You mean everything to me, more in fact than you can possibly understand."

She looked steadily at him.  Was she trying to deduce if he was being honest?  He thought so.  "Then what is this terrible secret you could not tell me this morning."

He sat down beside her and took her hand.  There was no easy way to do this.  No way of easing in to the subject.  He placed her hand over his heart.  "What do you feel here, Suzi?"

She blinked at him, a lack of comprehension in her eyes.  "Beneath this ribcage, Suzi.  Do you feel a heart beating, as yours does?"

   "Of course there's a ......" she paused. Gently, she pressed her hand a little harder on his chest.  Her eyes widened.  "That's not...not possible."

    "This skin, does it provide warmth for you?" He opened his shirt and moved her hand to the bare flesh.  He could see her mind trying to comprehend what he was trying to tell her.  Her hand trembled and she pulled away. 

   "I don't understand, Domonic.  How can this be? What kind of trick is this?"

   "It is no trick, Suzi, I swear.  It is my curse." He recited the words of his maker.   "I am justice. I am God and Satan rolled into one. The giver and the taker of life. I am vampire."

She continued to stare.  A frown appeared on her brow.  "No! Why are you telling me this? If you want me to go, just say, but don't play these....these childish games."

He stood and moved into the centre of the room.  "You need to see."  His muscles burned, stretched as his body started to crouch.  His spine cracked, limbs lengthened and a viscous vapour surrounded him completely, then slowly dissipated as amber fire looked at the woman sitting petrified, clinging to the arm of the sofa.  Her mouth opened in a silent scream.  In seconds he had transformed back, but with eyes of ice-white and fangs, extended over his bottom lip. He dared not move for fear of her bolting out into the night.  She seemed unable to move.

Slowly, he watched as she seemed to gradually calm.  He was mistaken.  She was not becoming calm, she was passing out.  Quickly, he reached her before she collided with the table.