Mohammad was right, it took Mrs. Costas two days to fully recover from the vampire's spell. During those two days, Jenner managed to patch the ceiling and board up the broken window, but she completely forgot what she'd done and when she reverted back to herself she was quite curious about the state she was in. Jenner told her she'd fallen down the stairs and he had been taking care of her; he could tell she didn't quite believe him but she seemed eager to accept his story as the truth.

He spoke to Mohammad about going home, and he was hesitant about the idea. He said they still hadn't cleared Matilda and Duchess as suspects yet and that it wouldn't be a good idea to expose himself to them, there was no telling what might happen. So, Jenner told his mother he was staying for her benefit, that he was worried about her well being. She was so excited about having company she didn't even try to protest but Jenner felt bad for lying to her.

One evening, as Jenner was sitting down after dinner to watch the news with his mother, an interesting story came on. "And the search for Jasmine Lamont has come to a sad conclusion with the discovery of her body at Point Pleasant Park this morning. Police say that the state of Ms. Lamont's body was similar to another body discovered in a back alley in the North End of town, though they are hesitant to suggest this may be a pattern."

Only moments after the story aired, Jenner got a text message from Duchess.

"Where rrrr u? I miss u, and the pigz were sniffin around 4 u."

"Why?" Jenner responded.

"Cuz u haven't been home in dayz! I should be able to c u all the time!"

"No, not 'why do you miss me,' 'why were the cops looking for me.'"

"O, somethin about a body in the park."

Jenner gulped, he couldn't imagine how anyone would know he was there, having sex right beside the dead girl. He told Duchess that he was coming over to discuss what the police wanted, then told his mother he was going out and she smiled up at him.

"It's about time Carlos, I love that you've been here with me but you haven't left the house in days! I'll be fine don't worry."

It took Jenner an hour to get home by bus, the whole time he tried telling himself that it would be okay, Mohammad would understand...but would he? He decided not to think about it.

"Duchess?" Jenner called out when he got into his apartment, moving so quickly he forgot to lock the door. "Duchess are you home?"

"Jenner!" Duchess grinned and threw herself into his arms. "I can't believe you left me home alone for this long!"

"You weren't alone, you had Matilda."

"Don't fucking get me started on that pathetic bitch! I think she missed you more than I did, every damn day she just sat around whining about how you weren't home. I think she has a crush on you."

"Someone could probably say the same thing about you Duch."

"Not anybody who knows anything about me, I clearly have better taste than that."

"Not that there's been any proof of that lately." Jenner forced Duchess out of his arms and tried not to make eye contact with her.

"Well actually, since you've been away I met someone."

"What's he like?" Jenner asked as he started packing a bag.

"Actually...it's a she." Duchess smiled and Jenner stared back at her.

"Excuse me? Since when are you into chicks?"

"I'm not...I don't think, this one just seemed special is all." Duchess smiled and clasped her chest as she day dreamed about her lady friend. "She's so little and sassy, and her hair is gorgeous!"

Jenner's jaw dropped and he grabbed hold of Duchess' hands. "Duch, is she blond?"

"Yeah, big blond curls like I've never seen before." Duchess' eyes gleamed with excitement and Jenner whipped out his phone. "She's coming over tonight if you want to meet her."

"What? Gloria's coming here!?"

"Hey...how did you know her name?"

"God Duchess, what are you doing? I can't believe this!" Jenner quickly dialled Mohammad's number as Duchess stared wide eyed at him.

"What do you mean? What's going on?" The doorbell rang and Duchess squealed. "That's her!"

"Duchess don't let her in!" Jenner pulled his friend close and she struggled against his grip.

"Jenner, what's up with you? Let me go!"

"Duchess! Gloria is a vampire!"

Duchess laughed as Jenner called Mohammad and the doorbell rang again. "Jen, let me go! I need to let Gloria in"

"You are NOT letting that blood sucking vampire into our house."

"Jenner, there is no such thing as vampires, don't be ridiculous."

"Hello?" Mohammad's voice came over the line and Jenner tried hard to contain his panic.

"Mo, listen, we've got a problem." Just as Jenner began explaining what was going on, he heard the front door swing open.

"Hello?" Gloria's sweet voice rang up the stairs and Jenner clapped his hand over Duchess' mouth.

"I advised you not to go home Mr. Costas, why would you do so against my will?" Mohammad said.

"She's in, you need to get here!" Jenner whispered his address to Mohammad and hung up the phone, silently closing his bedroom door as Gloria came up to the second floor flat.

"Duchess? Where are you?" Gloria called out and Duchess struggled harder. "Hello, is anybody home?"

Jenner listened as Gloria made her way to the kitchen, then Duchess bit into his hand in an attempt to be free. "What is wrong with you Jenner!?" Duchess called out as she was let go and Gloria opened the door.

"Duchess, there you are! And Jenner, hi." Gloria smiled and waved her fingers in his direction.

"How do you two know each other?" Duchess asked, stepping closer to Gloria, arms extended for a hug that Gloria didn't return but Duchess didn't notice.

"We go way back, don't we Jenn?" Gloria smiled while kissing Duchess' neck.

"Sure, kind of..." Jenner noticed the knife sticking out of his desk and inched a little closer to it.

"What have you got there?" Gloria asked and suddenly gripped Duchess tight.

"Gloria, you're hurting me!" Duchess whimpered as Jenner put his hands in the air.

"Look, Gloria, I know who you are."

"Do you really think you could begin to understand who I am Jenner?" Gloria turned Duchess around and held her in place by the hair, a long kitchen knife to her neck.

"Oh my God!" Duchess screamed and started to hyperventilate.

"Shut the fuck up Duchess, you've outlived your purpose anyway." Gloria's tone was heavy with disdain.

"Out lived my purpose?"

"Gloria don't hurt Duchess, I'm right here okay, just take me instead!"

"Did you think I'd leave either one of you alive after tonight?" Gloria licked Duchess' face and neck and she squealed with disgust.

"Oh my God Jenner, save me!"

"Gloria, you don't need to hurt Duchess!" Jenner grabbed the pocket knife and slit deep into his own arm with it. "This is what you want right? Come take it!" The thick red blood gushed over Jenner's forearm and Duchess screamed again.

"Fool!" Gloria tossed Duchess aside, knife clanking to the floor in the process as she lunged for Jenner's bleeding arm. "Give it to me! I will harvest your blood! It will be me!"

Jenner held Gloria away with his uninjured arm and she screamed and struggled against him. She scratched at him and wailed to be closer but he kept her at bay pretty easily until Duchess' nerve returned and she dove for Gloria's own weapon. The knife came soaring down through the air and into Gloria's upper arm, she wailed in pain and Jenner pushed her aside, grabbed hold of Duchess and left the room. As they ran for the stairs the front door opened again and Matilda stared up at them.

"What's going on? Jenner where have you been?" Matilda asked as she came up the stairs.

"Fucking move, bitch!" Duchess called out and Gloria came from the bedroom, the knife was in her hand and her own blood coated her left side.

"You fucking cunt!" Gloria screamed and ran for Duchess, knife in the air.

Matilda screamed as Gloria tackled Duchess. Jenner grabbed hold of her hand and Gloria struggled against him, twisting around so he could see her furious face as he pulled her up off of his friend and she lifted her knee to hit him between the legs. His hands moved quickly to hold himself as Duchess pulled at Gloria's ankle and she fell to the floor.

"You bitch!" Duchess screamed out as she straddled Gloria, pounding the blond woman's face. "You nasty, tiny, filthy slut! You liar! Whore! Bitch!" The string of obscenities continued as Duchess laid into Gloria and Matilda reached out from behind to subdue her.

"Duchess! Stop it! You're going to kill her!" Matilda tried hard to pull her roommate off of Gloria and Duchess' messy hair waved in the air as she struggled to continue her attack. Gloria lay unconscious on the floor, bleeding from her face and arm as Jenner kicked her in the gut.

"Nasty blood sucker!" He spit down at her and Matilda demanded to know what was going on, still trying to hold Duchess back.

"Hello?" Mohammad's voice came from the bottom of the stairs. "Mr. Costas?"

"Mo!" Jenner said, kicking Gloria again, "We're up here!"

Mohammad slowly came up the stairs, apparently wary of Duchess' continued myriad of slurs and condemnations. "Is...is everything alright?"

"We got her, Mo." Jenner nudged Gloria with his toe and Mohammad stared down at her.

"She isn't dead is she?" Mohammad's voice sounded controlled but Jenner could see anger in his eyes.

"No, but she deserves to be. Stupid vamp attacked Duchess and me, she brainwashed my mom. She's done Mo, I'm going to slit her throat!"

"Don't!" Mohammad's voice was loud and angry, he bent over to feel Gloria's pulse then scowled at Jenner.

"What's up Mo? She's a vampire, she deserves to die."

"Do you not understand a single thing I've told you?" Mohammad huffed and Matilda and Duchess silently watched the two with wide eyes. "If you kill this host the vampire will NOT die! It will simply move on to one of its faithfuls and who knows what that body will be like. Like this the vampire is small and weak, but it could have a huge faithful out there, one that is strong and more powerful than this body."

"What the fuck are you two talking about!?" Duchess demanded, shaking Matilda off of her and putting her hands on her hips.

"Duchess, I told you already, your little gf here is a damn vampire!"

"Vampire?" Matilda asked and stared at Mohammad, who simply stared back.

"And I told you there is no such thing as vampires!" Duchess screamed, unwilling to believe such a wild tale.

"There are more things in this world than one could even hope to understand." Mohammad said, slowly tearing his gaze from Matilda.

"So what do we do with Gloria then? If we can't kill her, what can we do to make sure she won't come after me or the people I care about?" Jenner's hands were gesturing emphatically as he began to pace nervously back and forth.

"We should call the police, let them take her into custody." Mohammad nodded. "She will be behind bars and they will ensure she does not commit suicide."

Jenner called the police as Mohammad tied up Gloria, explaining the situation to Duchess and Matilda as he did. Matilda lost all colour in her face and refused to look at Mohammad while he spoke, and Duchess just kept shaking her head.

"Ms...Duchess." Mohammad scratched his head as he decided how to best address her. "You have not had anything to eat or drink which was prepared by the vampire have you?"

"No...nothing..."

"Good, and Matilda, have you ever come into contact with this woman before?"

Matilda looked down at Gloria, then up to Mohammad. The man's expression implored her to answer but she bit her lip and remained silent. "No," she said in a quiet voice.

"Very well, I'm afraid I should leave before the police arrive. Jenner, I believe your roommates are untainted by the beast and while it is subdued it would probably be okay for you to remain here at home. Please contact me as soon as Gloria has been placed under arrest."

Jenner nodded, and remained silent as Mohammad slowly descended the stairs. "Hey Mo!" He said as the man reached the door. Mohammad stopped and looked up at him while he struggled to speak. "Uh...thanks man...you've been a big help."

Mohammad smiled and nodded up to Jenner. "I live to serve, Mr. Costas, if ever I can advise those less informed I will be there."

When the door bell rang again it was the police, and unfortunately Jenner recognized them both. "Mr. Costas, how nice it is to see you again."

"Sergeant Williams, always a pleasure." Jenner inclined his head as he let them into the apartment.

"You know, we've been looking for you all day."

"Look buddy." Jenner pinched the bridge of his nose. "I told you, I'm just a blogger! I have never hurt anybody!"

"Mr. Costas!" Williams cut Jenner off by raising a strong dark hand. "What I was about to say is that we wanted to warn you. We've been following this young lady for quite some time now, we know about her date with you and as soon as we confirmed her finger prints were on the body of Ms. Lamont, we figured you might be her next victim."

"Really? But the other two victims were female, why would you think she wanted to kill me?"

"From what we could gather, this woman has been following you online for some time, we suspect she was trying to impress you, maybe lure you in for her final kill." Jenner held back a laugh as he considered how accurate the police truly were.