My Horny Stepmom Turns Me into Her Vampire Slave

Chapter 169: Epilogue: Crimson Requiem on the road (4)

Washington, Washington D.C.

"So this brochure says that, according to legend, no building can be constructed taller than this obelisk. Do you think that if we knocked it down, they’d be forced to demolish the entire city too?" Dorian asks, in a tone that isn’t entirely joking.

"I imagine that if we destroy the obelisk, the rule would automatically become irrelevant, seeing as there wouldn’t be an obelisk anymore," Lazarus replies with equal seriousness.

"Yeah, that makes sense... Then maybe we should just break most of it and leave a little piece standing. That should work, right?"

"Yeah, I suppose so."

"You two, try acting serious for once. We’ll be meeting the HESPARC U.S. contact that Monster Slayer told us about in Mexico soon. At the very least, try not to make him think you’re complete idiots," Constantine cuts in sharply.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever..." Dorian grumbles. "Anyway, speaking of serious matters, it looks like Lazarus and I won the contest, and Evelyne came in last."

"The fuck are you talking about, asshole?! How am I last when we each killed a hundred homeless people that night in Los Angeles? Can you count or not?!"

"Lazarus and I killed a hundred. You only killed ninety-eight. I counted them, so don’t try to cheat your way out of it."

"Then you need your eyes checked! Mine were a hundred too! O-n-e h-u-n-d-r-e-d!"

At that exact moment, as they walk past the outdoor tables of a café, Dorian’s gaze falls upon the front page of the day’s newspaper lying on one of them.

A satisfied grin spreads across his face.

Without the slightest concern, he pulls the paper out from under the nose of the man who was reading it.

This is the headline printed across the front page:

THE MASSACRE OF THE DEFENSELESS — Slaughter in Skid Row: Authorities Still Have No Suspects in the Killing of 298 Homeless People.

Investigators remain without any concrete leads. Presidential candidate Frank Pyton attacks the current administration: "The United States is no longer a safe place."

LOS ANGELES — Three nights after the massacre that shocked Skid Row, authorities have yet to identify any suspects in the killing of 298 homeless people, found with their throats slit in circumstances investigators have described as ’unprecedented.’

The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that it currently has no concrete leads. No eyewitnesses are believed to have witnessed the murders, and surveillance footage that might have provided crucial evidence has proven unusable.

According to investigators, most of the security cameras in the area were disabled shortly after the killings began, while any footage recorded before the shutdown was erased.

A modus operandi strikingly similar to the one observed ten days ago in the murder of a group of Colombian drug traffickers. Investigators have not ruled out a connection between the two incidents, and concerns are growing that the attacks may not be the work of a lone individual, but rather of a well-organized group.

Among the theories currently being examined is the possibility of an extremist network driven by a supremacist ideology, intent on targeting groups deemed ’unproductive’ or ’undesirable’ within society. If confirmed, such a lead would raise deeply troubling questions regarding national security.

The massacre has inevitably taken on a political dimension. During a campaign rally, presidential candidate Frank Pyton sharply criticized the current administration.

"We are facing a tragedy that leaves us all horrified and frightened. Just a few months ago, there was the New York attack, and now this. It is clear that the current president’s overly permissive policies have failed on every front. We can only conclude, with deep regret, that our great nation is no longer a safe place," Pyton declared.

Addressing voters directly, the candidate then promised a decisive shift in public safety policy.

"Do not be afraid. As I have promised since the very first day of my campaign, the first thing I will do upon entering the White House is strengthen security on every street in every state. No more neighborhoods abandoned to fend for themselves — or worse, left in the hands of criminals. The watchwords will be comprehensive oversight and zero tolerance. Only a firm hand can pull the United States out of the abyss of crime, violence, and insecurity into which it has fallen."

Meanwhile, as the political debate continues to intensify, one question remains unanswered:

Who was responsible for orchestrating one of the bloodiest massacres in recent American history?

Dorian, however, only bothered reading the headline.

"See that, Evelyne? Two hundred and ninety-eight homeless people found dead. Not three hundred. And do you know what that means? You came in last."

She immediately blushes.

"T-Then they must’ve counted wrong too! Or maybe they just haven’t found the other two bodies yet!"

"Or maybe you’re just a cheater..."

"I told you all to shut your damn mouths!" Constantine growls.

He then comes to a stop in front of the entrance to Smith Mutual Insurance.

It is a small insurance company run by the surprisingly young Amelia Smith, personal assistant to Clarissa Felmont.

"Here we are. This is the meeting place," Constantine says, casting a stern warning glance at his companions.

The five of them then enter the large office building.

Waiting for them in the lobby is a young receptionist.

"Do you gentlemen have an appointment?"

Before any of them can answer, one of the doors overlooking the lobby swings open.

Standing in the doorway is a tall, muscular man with a thick beard and a face marked by scars that make him look far older than he actually is.

The man invites them inside and gestures for them to take a seat in five armchairs on the opposite side of his desk.

"Quite an unusual place to meet a Monster Slayer," Constantine remarks, looking around with suspicion.

"That’s precisely why I feel comfortable meeting you here. I hold a fairly important position within HESPARC U.S., and if it became known that I was associating with people like you, I’d risk losing far more than just my job."

The man then extends his hand toward Constantine.

"Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is John Kendrow."

🔶️END OF SHORT STORY 2🔶️