The Graveyard Shift

For Nicole Collins returning to Collinsport was something her guardian had requested of her in the letter that had been left for her — to be read upon the death of Dr. Julia Hoffman. The request had come with an indication that here in Collinsport, Nicole would find answers to many of her questions — about the deep mysteries in her life. Only, she has found that here in the small town on the Maine coast there are even more questions and fewer answers. Tonight is such a night as yet another mystery awaits NIkki Collins and her small circle of firends

In Rhyaad’s large automobile, Nikki rode back with the night wind in her hair. They had concluded their interview with Ina Finch of the Collinsport Star and owing to the night and the convertible, with the top down, (Niiki’s suggestion) even though it would be far too cold for the average person to ride back they did not feel the chill, only the exhilaration of the wind, the night air, the vista of the stars overhead and the moon. And of course the rumble of the large engine as the black convertible made it’s way around the town square and pulled up in front of the office of Collins
Investigations. Owing to the thrill of the ride they had not talked about the case until they got out of the car and heading into the offices.

“In reading about the Snows there is some mention of them being involved in worship of something call Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep.” Nikki says opening the door and entering. She could see perfectly well, but still reached for and flicked on the lights. In fact she had to allow her vision a moment to adjust as she sauntered past Ester’s desk and made her way to her own office.

Rhyaad followed, his attention drawn to the rifle on the rack, where there should have been no rifle,, owing to it’s destruction last night by the hot-head fire ball, Frankie from the Interfaith.

Nikk went straight to the lower desk drawer and removed a cut crystal decanter and two crystal flutes and placed them on the desk. She poured two drinks, the thick red liquid slowly filling the flutes. She had filled the decanter only hours earlier when she had first arrived at the offices from a donated bag of blood provided to her from her visit to the Interfaith.

Rhyaad enters and nods as the takes the offered glass, sipping. “Still AB?”

Nikki nods.

He sits back. “I’ve only recently become aware of these cult beliefs. Since meeting Dr. Artemis and the Miskatonic people. But it seems like Vera Endicott’ may have been involved with these cults, and murdered by them. Perhaps she broke their rules in some way?”

“Which might shed light on the wooden sign that was hung about her neck when she was found, Apostate, written in blood. ‘ Nikki said as she settled back in her chair – she looked over at him, “I guess you noticed Esther’s rifle.”

Rhyaad nodded. “Yes. I consoled her over it.”

Nikki smiles, motioning with her head toward the outer offices, “It’s back on the rack.”

“Well, I don’t think a replacement right now is the correct thing to do, Nikki.”

‘It’s not a replacement, it’s her father’s gun.” She says with a add smile.

He looked at her.

She shook her head, “ No, St. Clair brought it.” Holdng her flute with the tips of the slender fingers of both hands, she looks over the rim at him, “ What do you know about that woman?”

“Not much.” He admitted. “Only met her recently in the Conrad affair. She is very connected, though. A member of several secret government agencies. And for some reason she takes an interest in me, in us.”

“She arrived – at dusk. I had just arrived, and she opened the door, came in, and place the rifle on the rack. “ Nikki said, “She looked at me and said, tell Esther to check, there are markings she will recognize. It’s her father’s rifle.”

Nikki say the look on his face, ‘I know, I asked, the same thing, how is that possible?” She winked and said, “I have a friend with a clock. A very strange, strange woman, and she doesn’t even know me – that I know of? She just showed up the day after Nastasa Snow came in, placed some files desk and said look these over.”

Rhyaad raised his eyebrow sharply. “Gregory?”

“I have no idea –” Nikki said, she took a sip of blood. “The woman is cryptic. She said, tell Esther there are certain things in this world when you meet them, you run. I hope she learned that last night.”

“I know St. Clair was in that secret code-green-something agency. And she went to the Miskatonic University in Arkham – the capital of all things weird – but I didn’t know she knew time traveling men with clocks. And things to run from? The bird women might fit that description.” Rhyaad said and took a drink.

” I don’t know, it’s like she knows all kinds of things and only choses what to tell you.” Nikki sat back again thoughtfully, “Secret agency—do you think—Finch said something about a hush-hush agency in the 20’s. You think it could be the same agency?”

“I don’t know . . . I suppose that is possible. If they existed then. And she does seem to have taken a liking to me. She also thinks we are both in grave danger, from being close to all of these secret agencies and forces and beings. She’s probably right.”

“Oh, that — I didn’t tell you about my meeting with the Interfaith.” She wiped a bit of blood from the corner of her mouth.

“Sometimes I just wish I could take you off to China for 75 years until all this blows over and people forget us. Oh? Which meeting?”

“Chiyo told he that they were to hold some meeting to discuss Frankie’s decision to have excommunicated or whatever it is they do – before putting me on some watch list.”

“Yes? And did ‘His Infallible Holyness’ change his mind?”

There is a tentative rap on the front door* EXUSE MEEeEEEEE??? NeffretNubti said as she entered.

Neffy she walks in the office* Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse meeeeeeeeeeeeee? I’m looking for Rhyaaad?”

Rhyaad place his glass on the desk and stood. “Shall I get it?”

Nikki looked at him.

“Hrm… I suppose so.” He went to answer the door.

But before he can turn Neffy is at the door of Nikki’s office. ‘Oh, Neffy, please, have a seat. Nikki says as if just recognizing her, although she knew who was coming through the door. Since she had connected with Elizabeth, her sire, she felt the sudden awakening of powers she had either not known she had, or were dormant,

Neffy sits down primly with her energy bouncie

“So you were looking for me, Miss?” Rhyaad asks.

Neffy sit and looks through a rather thick notebook and humming a jaunty tune., before looking up, as if just hearing him, “Oh yes !” She suddenly reaches out to shake his hand” Im NefretNubti. I am hoping you could help me with something Mr. ah.. Rhyaad?”

He shakes her hand. “Rhyaad de’Annar . . . though you seem to know my name already. What would that be?” He has his own notebook, filled with recent scribblings.

The front door of the office opens and a young blonde woman, tall and cool, enters the premises, an owl following her about.

“Mhh, yes! Well, its about Oskar, you see.” Neffy tells him.

“The disturbed young man? Yes?”
I’m his therapist and I really don’t understand some things about him and Chiyo told me you might be able to help,” Neffy exdplains.

Nikki looks up, her hearing detecting the sound of the office door, and what appears to be the flapping of wings and the presence of a woman entering the office.

Neffy continues, “He was a companion? Servant? To a vampires? And as all of you uncovered, he lost his ‘master’ and lover, and I’m afraid I don’t know that much about the Vampire / servant relationship.’

“Ah, well, he is quite the case, isn’t he. Then again, he saw people ripped up. That’s got to do a lot of psychological damage to a young man.” Rhyaad said sitting back and taking a drink.

Nikki arises as she hears the sound of wings and slight footsteps outside her office, “Please excuse me a moment.”

“Well, often vampires take up a so-called-servant to protect them during the day, get things they cannot get, and so forth. Usually though, it’s not entirely a ‘servant’ relationship. Often there is a sexual component.” He looks up as Nikki saunters past.

“To be honest, he has told me quite a few things, watching people get murdered really doesn’t bother him, I think it was more that the ones who killed his coworkers also uhm” Neffy makes a squishy face, “ate his lover. I am wondering what kind of psychological and metaphysical ties there are in the dynamics of that type of relationship.”

“Oh, yes, may I help you?” Nikki asks seeing the tall cool woman with an owl in her outer office.

“Hrm… So he’s not disturbed by murder in general – just of people he knows? And yes, he says that ate his master.” Rhyaad ponders.

“I am Miss Collins.”

“I do know he wasn’t forced into it, and he did receive some blood but – well he never died, I’m not sure why there was an intake of blood to be honest.’ Neffy says balancing the large notebook on her lap, as she looks over her notes, “Well, he has killed for his lover by the time he was 12 and watched Eli, as Oskar refers to him, kill many a time.

The pretty blonde standing in her office spoke to Nikki in an oddly appropriate British accent, “Hello. Danvers is the name. Simone Danvers.”

“Well, the human-vampires of this world have a practice called ghouling. Whereby the human drinks some of the vampire’s blood and thereby becomes subserviently linked to them. Predisposed too obey them.”

“What happens to servants or what ever they are called if their vampire dies?” Neffyy asks

“Hrm… I never considered that question. What would happen to a ghouled human if their ‘master’ died. Do you think that’s why he’s so insane?”

“That sounds a bit .. I don’t know… because Oskar was already protecting Eli on his own – maybe there was another reason.

Nikki smiled, welcoming a familiar accent— “Nice to meet you Simone. Sorry my receptionist is out tonight. How may I be of service?”

Neffy, hen looks at some notes and nods, “Actually I think that is the reason.”

“The graveyard. Someone’s been digging up bodies.” Simone tells Nikki.

“I think he was drawn here because of the concentration of vampires.” Neffy adds.

“It sounds like he had him under his spell though, as it were, without a blood bond. There’s another possibility.”

“And here’s the fun part. They stuck each body with what looks like a needle.” The owl flutters above her as Simone looks for Nikki’s reaction.

“It’s also possible to… ahem… extend human life with vampire blood. Retard the aging process.”

“It does, but hmmm when I peeked in (I’m a bit psychic) their bond at the time was just one of friendship.” Neffy says sitting back to relax in what was normally Esther’s chair. “Now that makes sense considering Eli looked like a 12 year old girl.”

Nikki frowns, “Like a Voodoo doll? Using a body that type of purpose?”

Neffy smiled, “I suppose, lovers with very interesting benefits perhaps?”

“It’s possible Oskar drank the blood to slow his aging process.”

“Or more like a wooden stake?” Nikki asks with a deeper frown.

“How old is the man, really?” Rhyaad asks feeling the warm glow of the blood as he took another drink.

“I’m sure the intake of blood creates an interesting bond, “ Neffy taps her notebook thoughtfully.

Simone shook her head, “More like… a syringe of comically huge proportions. Only nobody’s laughing.”

Neffy checks her notes again, “uhmm he was 12 in 1980 something.”

“My security firm has been getting calls from some justifiably upset families.” Simone added.

“With some it does. In their case though it seems he loved her truly, without the need for coercion.”

“He really isn’t that old, only 27 or so.”

Nikki stands in thought, huge syringes.

“With all the trouble, I thought it would be safe to outsource the investigation.” Simone continues.

“And you firm is?” Nikki asks.

“So he should be in his early 30’s now? Hrmm… Not old enough to be wanting us for our blood.”

“oh definitely so – its quite beautiful in fact, I think … its the absence.”

Nikki steps forward and motions to the chairs in front of Esther’s desk aware of Rhyaad and Neffy’s conversation, “Oh, please let’s have a seat out here.”

“Well you know, sometimes when a person looses a close companion they look for another one.” Neefy suggests.

Simone sat and crossed her legs as Nikki sat down. “I don’t know if you watch the news, but that dead Mayfly security guard who ended up on the Monday morning news last week was ours.”

“And he doesn’t want blood so much as the familiarity,” Neffy tells Rhyaad, “He doesn’t really mention the blood at all.

“I saw it in the paper, but was unaware.” Nikki admits as she runs her fingers back through her hair.

Neffy taps her notebook again, “It could be like a psychological addiction…..”

Rhyaad nodded. “It’s obvious he cared for … her? You keep referring to the vampire as a ‘she.’ Hrm.. You think he has some fixation on vampires? He wants to be around us because we are?”

Simone looks Nikki over as she determines if she is the right person she would be outsourcing to, “Yes. His stomach was gouged out by what the examiner said was a “rather large drill-like device”.”

“Oh no, I don’t mean to, its just when Oskar met Eli, he thought Eli was a girl – it was only later that Oskar found out otherwise, by that time … he was already quite attached.”

“Which might be the needle device being used, you think?” Nikki asked.

“Elis is short for Elias.” Neffy explains.

“No. The only bodies needled seem to be those who were in coffins.” Simone replies.

“Elias was over… 200 or so.”

“Well, I don’t know their history. Elias… all right. I’m afraid I can’t help you much with the subject of blood bonds though; I don’t make them.”

“How long has this been going on?” Nikki asks now leaning forward.

Neffy sighs, “I don’t suppose you know anyone who does?”

Simone seems very calm and assure, Nikki thinks, as Simone answers, “About two weeks. I’ve lost a lot of guards. And money.”

I came to you because the vampires that are affiliated with us don’t do those either.’

“Hrrrmm… Well… If you don’t mind talking to the evil and nefarious kine…”

Nikki ran a lazy hand along her leg as she crossed her legs, “And you would like me to look into the matter for you?”

“Uhm well, I am a purifier,” Neffy explains, “the problem being is they usually run away….”

“It seems the more personnel I dedicate to guarding the yard, the more bodies show up the next morning.” Simone Danvers looks up to see her owl coming to rest on the barrel of Esther’s rifle.

“True. Most…. shall we say, ‘reputable’ vampires don’t engage in such behavior.” Rhyaad agreed.

‘Simone turned back to look at Nikki, “I don’t want to put any of you in harm’s way, if this goes on, my firm won’t have anybody left on it’s payroll.”

‘Is there any particular time this activity is most likely to occur?”

Neffy sits back and begins, “There was the time where a red eyed demon was terrorizing a town – and I went to go meet him to see if I couldn’t talk some sense into him, but he ran away… and I even brought him flowers.’

“But I am sure such twisted kindred as Count Goronak of Sucorsa could provide you with a wealth of information about evil blood practices.” Rhyaad told Neffy as he took another drink.

“T.O.D is always determined to be around 45 minutes before sunrise.” Simone answered.

Neffy made a face, “Even the name sounds like a regurgitation…no thank you!

“Hrm… Eyes of Bast, mam?” Rhyaad asks.

“As in Lady Bast the kemteic Ntr? Oh no, just a demon with glowing red eyes.” Neffy said.

Rhyaad shook his head, “I was referring to your eyes, Miss, that the demon should flee from you.”

Neffy giggles, “Oooooooooooh I’m so sorry, I’m rather sheltered and haven’t left the Complex since I arrived there,

“The SAIM, I presume?”

“Hmmm I dunno, its something that happens frequently our training for exorcists is quite… intense,” Neffy replies.

“Well, Ms Danvers — I have a few cases at the moment, but I will be happy to look into this for you. My fee is commiserate with the case, if that is alright with you.” Nikki told her deep in thought.

“Hmm well to be honest S.A.I.M. is an organization of a plethora of spiritual/religious people who join together to improve the welfare of the human condition.” Neffy explains closing her notebook.

“Well, according to what I heard, Bast and Anubus were gods who lived in the duat, and gave their powers to their children. In Bast’s case, cats, I thought. And evil creatures cannot stand their eyes.”

“I’m a Neturian priest from the House of Set, which is one of the denominations who answer to the Nesubity Hemet Sobekenefru.” Neffy told him, “Uhm not exactly, you see, what most people know is what the greeks uhmm,” she snears a bit, “fabricated.”

“Ordinarily I’d be wary about spending too much on something like this, but the police are utterly useless, and my firm’s employees and reputation are both on the line.” Simone is trying to calculate what Nikki’s fee might be.

“Oh? Did the Greeks keep cats about to drive away evil sprits also?”

Yiwnp / Anpu greek name of Anubis is the patron of mummification, a record keeper during the ritual of maat and a protector and companion, he doesn’t really go into the duat,” Neffy says, “Oh I don’t, really… pay attention to Greek and Roman things, Its hard enough to keep up with all the lessons we have,”

“I guess different twists for different times and peoples.”

Nikki continued to lazily rub her leg, “And sometimes based on the case, I rescind the fee entirely. So, let me take a look . . .”

“Now, Lady Bast with many of the Female Ntr including Auset and Sekhmet did travel on the barque of RA during its travel through the duat, and they acted as his protector and defeated apep.”

“We don’t need to have any more loss of life –” Nikki told Simone.

“I thought that was Set, defending Ra as his barge made the nightly journey through the underworld.”

“But I did find out that Tibetan monks have a training regiment very close to ours.” Neefy;s eyes are shining merrily as she talks, “There are three versions of the travels through the duat, depending on the time period.

“Do you have a card with a number that you can be reached?” Nikki asks?”

I, Set, am the strongest, I stand at the head of the Barque of RA and Slay Apep, which No other god dare do, “when she says this there is a tremendous amount of energy flowing through her.

Rhyaad nods. “And many versions of Set as well. He was vilified and demonized for political reasons in the latter times, I think.”

Neffy leans forward looking so very thrilled to have an audience, “We found the original temple of Set, the one that was buried in Kom Ombo!

“Original? That would be an amazing find!”

“The cult of Heru had banned together with the cult of Wst and took control over the nom of Auset, then they attacked the temple, but they didn’t get to keep it, as a huge sandstorm covered it, however many people escaped.”

Simone opens her purse and reaches inside to find a business card, which he hands over to Nikki. Nikk looks at the card: Simone Danvers, CEO, Mayfly Security Company, and marked with a office number.

“That is the origin of our denomination of faith, the survivors, but because of the ‘war’ Set was giving a very bad reputation>’

Nikki palms the card and smiles, “Now these people that have been vandalizing the graves — is there any description of them?”

“Heru? And the original version of Set is of interest to these ancient astronaut believer people.” He peers at her. “Our denomination? Do you mean your particular branch, or the SAIM as a whole?”

‘My branch, S.A.I.M. is a charity populated with all the different faiths of the world” Neffy says and then suddenly remembers, “oh sorry ! Heru’s greek name is Horus.”

“None, although some of the locals say they have heard a child singing in the graveyard during the night. A little girl, or so they say.” Simone tells her.

“Oh yes, “ Neffy crinkles her nose, “we find that whole the original ntr were aliens story quite offensive and insulting.”

“Ah. Heru means something else to me. And All faiths? Really? Even for example Judiasm?”

Nikki sits forward, “A little girl. Have any of your security people seen this little girl?”

“Oh yes, we have several denominations of Christians and Catholics and Judaism and Islam, not to mention the Easter spectrum and the American Natives.’

“Maybe. But due to their collectively being dead, I can’t exactly ask.” Simone tells her bluntly.

“It all sounds very confusing. What’s a n-ter?” Rhyaad asks.

“The shortest way to explain it is people who caer more about ‘true salvation’ than political doctrine.” Neffy tells him, “Ntr is a pretty big 3 layer concept, as is the word Kami – you could say it means god if you are pressed for time.”

Nikki nods, and taps the card against her palm, “Well I will certainly look into this matter for you. So, please, don’t send any more of your guards out until you hear from me.”

“Devine principle, universal order those things, the force that is greater than man that constantly creates the universe and world down to our life there is nothing seperate from it … well in our belief anyway.” Neffy smiles.

“Syringes. Drills.” Nikki says to herself. “Odd, very odd.”

Rhyaad nods, “Hrm… Sounds like an interesting belief. I’ve seen no actual gods in this world though. Some pretty powerful beings and some who would think of themselves as gods, but nothing really divine.”

“Maybe, the divine, is different than you think?”

“I think the divine is right here, all around us. We just don’t always see or recognize it. And many beings pass themselves off as gods when they are no more ‘divine’ than others.”

Neffy smiles warmly, “I do too. Sometimes its really subtle – others, its like Frankie.”

“Well, if by Frankie you mean the flaming man the other night – no, there’s not much subtle about him.”

Neffy laughs good naturedly, “oh you should have seen him a few days ago – this man hit one of our students and Frankie chased the man to the police station, but of course, you know he had to throw fire balls while doing it . . . as uncomfortable as that can be . . . he didn’t set a single thing on fire, he just has a big mouth and way about him.”

“I must say, this is an singular case, Ms Danvers. I can not find of a good reason anyone would be using syringes on corpses . . . ”

Neffy overhears Nikki and looks at Rhyaad, “Iewie.”

“Nor can I. “ Simone Danvers concurred.

Nikki arises and motions for Simone to follow as she returns to her office and looks over at Rhyaad and then at Neffy, and smiles, “Well Rhyaad it sounds like we have yet another case to solve — ”
“I think it would be best if I didn’t discuss the man. He thinks he has good intentions, perhaps. And he does a lot of good. But he does not even try to understand people, at least in my experience. But who knows. Perhaps he’s change his mind about this affair with Nikki. We shall see.”

“Ms Danvers, this is very close associate of mine, Mr. de’Annar. Rhyaad, this is Ms Simone Danvers, CEO, Mayfly Security Company.”

“Syringes on corpses? What’s this? A macabre tale?” he asks of Ms Danvers.

Neffy nods, “Oh it sounds like it.”

“A security company…. not your usual client.” Rhyaad looks to Nikki.

I would say, Frankie is a bit…ABRASIVE and rather defensive laugh out loud he does take getting used to.”

Rhyaad looking up to see the owl flying above him, “Is she a Harry Potter fan?”

“She is losing resources, good men, they are being killed — as well as money.” Nikki explains.

“Oh that is horrible. Neffy says, “I mean the people getting killed of course.”

“Apparently her guards around the cemetery are being attacked by some large ‘drill-like instrument’.” Nikki explains as she returns her desk and lifts her glass to take a sip.

“Drill like instrument?” He keeps glancing at the owl nervously. “Is that thing house trained?”

“He’s an OWL.” The CEO of Mayfly Security says, “Don’t worry. He won’t crap on your floors.”

Nikki in thought continues to sip, “I am thinking I may ask moth- Elizabeth to accompany us on this case.” She looks up at the owl, a beautiful creature. Noticing that Neffy was sitting where Esther normally does, she said, “I do wish I knew where Esther was. I received word that the police officer was filing an resisting arrest charge on her from last night also.”

“I don’t understand that whole affair”, he said, still keeping an eye on the incessantly flapping bird. “But that Arkham cop has no jurisdiction here.”

Cue Music End of Episode.