The young couple’s flat had looked over the coliseum for years and tonight was no different. They stood naked watching the constant traffic as it negotiated the endless roundabout.

“Fancy a pizza?”

“I would love one,” she said happily. “Remember to put your clothes on.”

He quickly pulled the top and jeans on, before collecting the cash and heading out to buy the lovely snack. As he reached the bottom stair, a bloke in prison uniform approached.

“Hello.”

The prisoner simply smiled before striking. A well paced blow knocked the young man off his feet and when he hit the floor, his attacker was upon him.

Holding his head in a grip of iron he whispered, “Blood gives me strength.”

His teeth slashed at the artery and he swallowed as much as he could before lurching up the unguarded stairs. The young man was left to bleed to death upon the floor, as he reached the unlocked door.

Noting that it was ajar, he smiled.

“So much these petty pawns don’t realise.”

He pushed the door open and entered the long hall.

“You are back early. Forget something?”

He remained silent as he crept into the warm lounge.

“I can hear you.”

He smiled as he reached the open bedroom where she stood in her birthday suit.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Your salvation miss.”

She tried to scream as he struck. As he throttled her, his bloody teeth sank into the living flesh as he drank greedily.

“Oh this is too good,” he muttered standing up again. “Two in one night is delicious.”

He gazed upon the still corpse and smiled.

“Thanks for the drink. I should be going now. I have a safe resting place.”

He made his way out casually, ignoring the carnage and shattered lives that he had so brutally created.

The squad car had nearly reached the station when the call came through.

“That’s the governor of the prison sir. Some kind of breakout.”

Salini sighed heavily.

“As if tonight has been bad enough. Okay let’s go and see sergeant.

The governor was not a happy chap as he led them to the broken cell. As the detective gazed inside, he shook his head.

“How the hell did he manage that?”

An embarrassed guard picked up the nail file.

“He weathered the stone with this. After that, only a pull was
needed.”

Salini took the object and stared.

“He got out under your very nose man. How incompetent can you get? What was he in for anyway?”

“Trallino is what we call a lifer sir. He was convicted ten years ago for six murders.”

“Did you say six?” the sergeant asked.

“That’s right.”

Salini stared hard at the governor.

“How did he do it?”

The governor thought back.

“Apparently he ripped their throats with his teeth, and drank some of their blood sir.”

“Sounds like a vampire,” the sergeant commented.

“In court he made that claim,” the governor said.

“Now he is out and about,” Salini said angrily. “I should throw the damn book at you!”

The embarrassed official shuffled his feet.

“Come on sergeant. We better catch him before he strikes again.”

When they reached the car, the sergeant issued the APB as the detective sat fuming.

“It is those two who should be behind bars sergeant. How the hell do we catch him?”

“Unfortunately that may have to wait sir. Our patrols will be looking for him now.”

Salini shook his head.

“Take me home eh? I need to clear my head of all this.”

At eight the following morning, the officers found themselves at an apartment block near the Roman amphitheatre. As they entered, they spotted the covered body of the young man.

Salini pulled back the sheet and stared at the awful wound.

“Be careful where you stand sir,” an officer warned. “The blood is pretty thick.”

“Thanks for the tip. Where is the pathologist?”

“Upstairs with the other one sir.”

“We have two victims?” the sergeant asked.

“A young woman sir.”

“Do we know much about them?” Salini asked.

“They moved in two years ago sir. We moved the residents out.”

“Come on Giovani. Let’s see what the doc has to say.”

They found him upstairs examining the second victim.

“Morning Salini. Another bad start I see.”

“Cause of death?”

“Both had their throats torn by a strong individual. There is evidence of sucking too.”

“Sounds just like our man sir.”

“It certainly does. How about prints?”

The forensic officer smiled.

“All over the place.”

“That will keep the court happy then. Our problem though is how to
stop a bloodbath.”

“Catch him,” the doctor suggested.

Salini just sneered.

“Follow me Giovani. We need to see a man about a stake.”

The surprised officer dashed after his boss as the detective dashed out.

“Did you say stake sir?”

“I certainly did sergeant. He thinks that he is a vampire so we should treat him as one.”

When they reached the car, the detective thought quickly.

“I seem to remember an old film prop store somewhere.”

The sergeant smiled.

“I know where it is sir. Just hang on.”

The squad car took off and around twenty minutes later, drew up outside the squalid little shop front.

“Shall we take a look?” the detective suggested.

As they entered, a gent who was dressed in grey monk clothes smiled.

“Can I help by any chance?”

The detective showed his card and his face fell.

“I was hoping for customers.”

As the detective glanced around, he spotted the crosses and
sharpened stakes.

“Sell many of those?”

“Only a few. Diehard fans love them.”

“So you know lots about vampires then,” the sergeant commented.

Their host raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve waited all my life to hear a cop ask me that.”

“It’s your lucky day then mate,” Salini said. “Tell us what you know.”

“Well, most come from Romania, named after us by the way. I’ve traced them all the way back to ancient Israel you know. They tend to feed on virgins mainly.”

“Why virgins?” the sergeant asked.

“It’s to do with corrupting purity you see.”

“They abhor Christian symbols I understand,” Salini muttered.

“That’s right sir. You looking for one then?”

The sergeant remained silent. After a moment the detective said, “As a matter of fact we are. Where would one be found?”

Their host cheered up.

“In an old cemetery man. They sleep by day in their coffins only rising to feed at sunset.”

The detective thought this over.

“I’ll take a cross and stake. Giovani will pay you.”

When they reached the car, Giovani stared at the equipment.

“What are we really doing sir?”

“Just get inside and I’ll explain.”

Once they were seated, Salini unburdened himself.

“If he truly believes that he is a vampire, that cross will push him away. Then we can nab him.”

“How about the stake?”

“Call it a last resort shall we?”

He paused as his agile mind whirred.

“There is an old cemetery off the south ring road. Let’s try there.”

When they stepped out at the gate, a field of smashed stones met their gaze.

“He won’t be in here sir.”

Salini smiled.

“It looks a perfect location to me sergeant. Here, give me that stake.”

Carrying the weapon, Salini went first as his officer followed with the small wooden cross.

“Keep a look out for any smashed tombs,” Salini suggested.
As they picked their way through the stones and rubble, Giovani spotted a ruined family enclosure.

“How about there sir?”

“Let’s take a look and be on your guard.”

The detective drew out his handgun and crept slowly forward.
The great stone tomb was indeed badly damaged, and a large hole defaced the north wall. As the detective peered inside, he hissed and pointed.

“The damn sarcophagus is open sergeant.”

“You think that he’s inside there?”

“I would bet your life on it mate. It’s certainly time to nab him.”

As they crept forward however, the sergeant’s boot struck a small stone. As it skated across the floor, a figure rose from the grave and glared.

“How dare you enter and disturb my rest.”

“Just stay where you are,” Salini demanded. “Cover him with the cross sergeant.”

Giovani raised the emblem and the suspect leered.

“As if that will protect you now!”

With these words, he leapt upon the startled sergeant. As teeth zeroed in, the cross was swiped across his evil face.

The killer rolled as the detective pumped four bullets into him at point blank range.

“Are you alright?”

I think so sir. Sometimes I wish your hunches would fail.”

A sudden groan took their attention.

“The sod’s still alive!” Salini gasped.

They watched as he stood and turned toward them. Fresh blood smeared his full red lips.

“You really think that bullets can stop me?”

He threw himself at Salini who went down upon his back. Giovani saw the stake tip suddenly appear from the killer’s back, as he groaned and went limp.

Salini turned him over and scrambled up.

“He ruddy well did that himself.”

They gazed down at the bloody stake now rammed through his evil dark heart.

Judith, the final story has been posted....