The street was dark and deserted as he turned the corner. Just ahead lay the now empty pram and beside that, the corpse of the butchered mother.

When Jerrix reached her, he quickly knelt and examined the gaping throat wound.

“This was done with fingers. No damn teeth marks. They seem to have taken the child with them.”

He stood once more and glanced around rapidly.

“If I was a blood drinker where would I go?”

He thought this over for a moment before smiling to himself.

“Obviously somewhere dark and safe. That may be harder to find than I think.”

Jerrix pricked up his fluffy ears and listened intently, until he heard something deadly sinister.

“I just hope that’s what I’m looking for, and not some masquerade ball gone mad!”

He marched off towards that sinister sound, as the two dark creatures played with their latest meal.

Richard had been playing with his ball until sunset, and decided to visit the local swing park for a bit of a change.

A rather smart twelve year old, he had always sought out new pleasures but never imagined the terror of tonight. Not even in his wildest nightmares.

As he sat upon the rocking horse, a dark couple slowly drifted towards him.

“Hello young man,” Trayhas said politely. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Richard smiled back, even as the weird woman knelt beside him.

“Who might you be?”

“I’m Hollandia and this gent is my partner, Trayhas.”

“Those are strange names.”

Hollandia turned her head and asked, “What do you want to do with him?”

Trayhas thought it over for a moment before reversing the question.

“What would you like to do?”

The evil ***** simply smiled and took Richard by the hand.

“Would you like me to show you something?”

“Depends what that is.”

She lifted him off and put him down gently.

“It’s a really interesting surprise.”

Richard put his finger to his lips and replied, “Then I‘m definitely interested.”

Hollandia smiled and patted his auburn hair gently. She was about to turn vicious when a strange voice halted this train of thought.

“Let the kid go now!”

She gazed around and saw an impossible apparition staring at her from the edge of the play area.

“Who the hell are you?”

“You can call me anything you like madam!”

Trayhas moved to protect his dark partner as Jerrix strutted forward.

“Run for it kid!”

Richard needed no second urging and ran toward the nearest exit as the moggy stood his ground.

Trayhas gazed upon him out of curiosity and said calmly, “You seem to be a long way from home.”

“More than you two know.”

Hollandia hated interruptions and decided to take positive action. She suddenly moved forward and had the cat by the throat before he knew what had hit him.

Lifting him clear of the ground she hissed, “I’ve never f....d a frigging cat before.”

Jerrix stared coldly and managed to retort, “Don’t get your hopes up. My dick stays firmly concealed.”

Hollandia laughed and dropped him at once, leaving Jerrix to pant upon the ground.

“Let that be a lesson to you,” Trayhas advised. “Don’t interfere in things you can’t understand.”

The moggy staggered to his feet and pulled out the fork shaped device.

“What have you got there?” the woman asked casually.

“Something that will sort you two out in an instant.”

The cat set the device to laser cut and hit the switch. The beam lashed out without warning, slicing the two creatures neatly in half before they realised what was happening.

When it cut off, the moggy stood and smiled with satisfaction.

“Serves you bast...s right! Now I can get on with my life thank you very much.”

He swung around only to see a tall woman blocking his path. She stood with folded arms and a wry smile upon her cold features.

“Bravo my cuddly friend.”

Jerrix bowed toward Dyan and waited.

“Glad you approve.”

“If I had not, your arrival would have been prevented.”

Jerrix placed the device inside his deep pocket as she continued.

“Stepping from your timeline can be incredibly dangerous you know.”

“Not as dangerous as completing it.”

She laughed in her melodic voice and waived her arm formally. The soft green glow of the ship appeared and she stepped aside.

“You may leave but remember this my friend. Even the future has ghosts...”

She faded from view as the cat scratched his furry ear.

“Now what could she have meant by that?”

Still thinking it over, he stepped inside the light and promptly vanished.