Oneshot chapter

The London morning sky was evidently covered by a chain of grey clouds.

And under them, light rain followed closely behind.

Small and big puddles were formed in paddington station. Some were destroyed by the people’s fast pace while others were left alone to form a distorted image of the life above them.

Numerous workers appeared in the muddy water's reflection. English gentlemen and women walked in and out of the station. Some held umbrellas while looking at their watches to track time. Others grabbed their morning newspaper and held it above their head to not mess up their neatly combed hair, while some simply walked as if the raindrops didn’t deserve their attention.

Because would the train wait for you if it was raining?

"Excuse me."

"Pardon me."

Certainly not.

A young man seemed to have realized that and hastened his pace as he was looking at the big clock at the entrance of the station. He held his long cap and started running towards the railways after finding out his train from looking at the platform posters.

-

"For a moment I thought I was going to depart this train alone and be bored throughout the length of the trip."

"Surely you meant to say that you were glad I made it in time, mister Cooper."

"Ha."

A middle aged man crossed his arms and laughed lightly at that comment. The harshness of his voice was caused by a small pipe that he carried in his left pocket.

He bought it from the borders of Europe, close to the Baltic sea. It depicted a Greek nymph, sitting at the pipe's curve . Carved from bone, her wavy hair and pose almost made her look real.

He lit it up and looked at the man that had just sat in front of him.

"I blame Paris's air for your tardiness." ,he said as he blew the air to his right.

The young gentleman smiled and took off his hat to put it on top of the table.

"I think that Paris did not cause the wheel of my caravan to break halfway of my trip towards here. However-"

“Train separating to Cardiff now!I repeat! train departing to Cardiff 8’ o'clock now !”

His answer was cut short by the station's master voice.

The wagons started moving and the train's funnel released a chain of smoke, which collided with the light rain from above.

Their trip has begun .

"I must say that I was quite carefree while sprinting towards here. Perhaps I have to thank Paris for that calm spirit of mine. You should visit the capital someday mister Cooper." , he continued despite being interrupted.

"Of course I have been there many times. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have rooted my ways of living on England soil and cannot adapt to their lifestyles." , he waved his hand as he was speaking. Just then he turned and looked at the young man to ask.

"Since that town is held dearly in your heart, how come you abandoned it, despite being on vacation?"

The man smirked and grabbed his leather briefcase to put it in the room's storage as he was replying.

"I am sure you know the reason."

Mister Cooper raised his hand as he was answering his own question from before.

"Only a devastating murder mystery, along with a hefty sum of money as a reward , would make the famous detective Francis Lockwood consider returning to this gloomy place."

Francis returned to his seat and looked outside the window.

"It seems I have been found out." , he chuckled.

"Who is the poor murdered soul this time?" , Cooper asked with a curious gaze.

"I am afraid that this is classified information my dear friend.", said Lockwood playfully.

"I promise I won't tell a soul!" , the middle aged man's eyes curved from his cunning smile.

"You cannot fool a detective with that insencere stare of yours mister Cooper."

"HAHAHA" , Cooper's laugh echoed throughout their cabin. "I am guilty, yes yes , I am quite the gossiper."

The trip wouldn't be very long. Mister Cooper would stop at Bristol station while Francis would exit the train at the terminal , Cardiff.

Both men took a light meal at the train's restaurant and continued their conversation there.

"If it weren't for you Mr. Lockwood , I wouldn't be sitting in front of you here, but perhaps behind iron cold bars! I basically owe you my life."

"Please do not feel indebted to me. I just did my job . Nonetheless, you were indeed in a quite tight stop to prove your innocence. You were the prime suspect after all!" , Francis sipped on his tea as he was reading the newspaper given to him.

Mister Cooper was a wealthy man who possessed quite a lot of companies under his name. Legal and illegal as well.

His most successful one was a printing company and the fruit of his success was the newspaper Lockwood was currently holding.

Some months ago, his competitor was killed at night while he was home alone. All evidence led to mister Cooper being the killer . Eager to prove his innocence, Cooper hired Francis to find the actual person behind his competitor's murder.

And who would have thought it would be his own son!

Francis uncovered a secret will of the victim, which stated that all of his businesses would go to his first son, while his second got nothing.

Upon learning about the secret will, the second son thought that if that paper remained hidden from the world, he could at least get some of his dead father's assets.

He decided to murder his own father.

And he framed Mr. Cooper for it.

With this shocking discovery, mister Cooper was a free man and thanked Lockwood. Ever since then, they have been exchanging letters in a friendly manner.

"So you prefer southern Europe over the vast north solely because of the weather?" , Mr. Cooper waved his pipe at the man in front of him and frowned.

"Correct." Lockwood replied frankly.

The middle aged man raised his eyebrows.

"Unbelievable. Choosing the land of lunatics and barbarics over our noble soil just because of some sunny days."

"You never know their true value until you have missed it, mister Cooper.", the detective raised his hands as if giving up on convincing the man.

"Oh please, you are talking to a proper Englishman my dear friend. Of course I know the difference between the endless blue and the moody grey above. But! I prefer my steady business booming and my boots getting muddy from the wet roads." , mister Cooper said as he was getting up from his seat to gather his things.

He was approaching his stop, resting his hand on the cabin's doorknob. However, just before exiting the small room, he turned his head and glanced at the man behind him.

"I hope you solve the murder case of Edward Vance, detective Lockwood."

The young man widened his eyes slightly upon hearing him.

"Surely you didn't take a peek inside my briefcase while I went to get a cup of coffee mister Cooper."

"You think I am that type of person? Hahaha, you forgot I am a journalist detective. After all , words spread faster than a train from Paris to London. " , he said laughing as he opened the door and exited the wagon.

Francis was now left alone. A faint sigh escaped from his mouth now that his companion had left. He also stood up to take his leather briefcase. Upon opening it, he grabbed some documents and rested them at the wide table in front of him.

As mister Cooper said, Francis was contacted while he was on vacation, to solve the murder case of a certain man.

And that certain man was unexpectedly Edward Vance, a noble that possessed almost a quarter of Cardiff's coal mines.

During the industrial revolution, the need for coal grew exponentially , thus the Vance family went from rich to richer overnight. A century or so later , they still hold the reins of Cardiff's economy to the core.

So ,who killed one of the most important men in that region?

Was it out of jealousy?

Was it a cunning, long year planned scheme?

Perhaps a successor battle?

A love dispute?

Suicide staged as murder even?

'Everybody's guilty until proven innocent.' , Lockwood said internally as he held the report in his hands.

-

“What a lively town." , Francis said while closing his ears to slightly minimize the volume of people's yells and the train's horns.

Despite his ears slightly ringing, he managed to hear a firm voice coming from behind him.

"Mister Lockwood."

As he turned his head , his gaze fell upon an old man. Dressed in a black suit and wearing a small hat that was hiding his almost bald head, he went closer to our detective.

"I am Harry Ernest, head butler of the Vance family. I have been ordered by madame to bring you to the estate mister Lockwood. We apologize for calling you on such short notice and for disrupting your vacation."

Though his face was wrinkled with age, Harry's stare was sharp as he was looking at Francis.

"No need to apologize, I am sure the murder wasn't planned on the family's calendar!" , Lockwood said jokingly as he followed the butler to get to the car.

Harris remained silent and Lockwood was left with no conversation buddy throughout the short car trip.

-

"Detective Lockwood."

"Madame Vance. My condolences for the death of your son."

They have arrived at the mansion after passing by the city center and endless plains . Lockwood was greeted by three people in front of the estate's door.

Their names were Martha Vance, Edward's mother , Robert Vance, brother to the victim and Emma Vance, wife to the recently deceased man.

Both women wore black and you could clearly see their tear stained faces while Robert wore a grim expression as he shook hands with the detective.

"I hope the trip was not that tiring, detective Lockwood." , said Robert as he was leading the man inside the mansion.

With a quick glance you could quickly estimate the wealth of the Vance family.

And what jealousy would that bring?

With the murder of Edward Vance, I think the answer was evident.

Lockwood wasted no time. He ordered immediately to speak with the physician to examine the corpse up close and also decided to investigate Edward's study in order to find any clues for the murder.

A man like Edward surely would spend a big part of his life inside that spacious room.

The faint smell of sandalwood was lingering in the study. Countless papers and envelopes were on top of the desk, the shelves and random places.

"Seems like Edward Vance was not an organized man.." Lockwood grabbed his chin as he sat at the main chair of the room.

The three family members looked at each with perplexed gazes.

"Are you sure this is the right detective?" Emma couldn't help but ask Robert who was next to her upon hearing Lockwood's words.

"He is really well-known, all newspapers praise him for his talent in solving cases such as this.." Robert whispered back as he scratched his head.

Madame Vance simply fanned herself as she was lightly crying, imagining that her son could still be alive , sitting in that chair.

"Have you found anything at all?" Emma went closer to the detective and asked.

"Lady Emma" , Lockwood didn't even raise his eyes to meet hers as he spoke. "I have to remind you that everyone in this mansion is guilty until proven innocent. So if I find a clue, I cannot disclose it to anyone." , he put down some letters and said playfully.

" However, rest assured, when have I ever framed the wrong man in a case?"

'What an odd man..' , they all thought as they were ordered to exit the study.

Minutes passed and endless reports and envelopes were read by Lockwood.

Just when he was about to give up and wait for the doctor, he stumbled upon a certain letter. As he was reading its contents, his eyes widened at what he discovered .

"It seems this study room was Edward's second favorite room. Ha , who would have thought" , he said to himself out loud and put that letter inside his pocket as he was exiting the room to meet the physician.

-

"Doctor, what do you think about this case?" Lockwood was led to a small, cold room, outside the mansion.

Next to him stood the doctor who first examined Edward's Vance corpse.

"It is a peculiar death detective.." , the physician said quietly as he pulled the sheet off of the deceased's upper body.

That's when Lockwood saw a massive cut around the stomach and chest.

There were endless knife stabbings on Edward's body. Most were shallow and slanted.

"Those wounds wouldn't have been enough to kill him. Or at least, he should have struggled." Lockwood couldn't help but exclaim out loud.

The doctor agreed internally as he brought a piece of paper for the detective to see.

"I have also done a toxicology test. Here, look at the results.."

Lockwood's eyes widened upon reading what that little paper contained.

"He was poisoned too?"

"That's what the test is showing. Though he died from the stab wounds, he was first paralysed first from the poison."

If poison was used why wasn't it a deadly dose then?

The answer to that question was what made Lockwood abandon his lovely Parisian life.

"His heart is missing." Francis grabbed some comically long tongs and pried Edward's chest open. Where should have been a heart, laid nothing at all.

Lockwood looked at the doctor and asked with a weird tone in his voice.

“Do you think he didn’t have a heart in the first place?"

-

‘Nobody in this whole mansion has a sense of humor!’

Detective Lockwood was now walking in the spacious garden of the Vance family.

It was almost early summer, with the snow of the nearby mountains melting slowly and forming creaks and lakes around the town.

With crossed arms, he decided to walk alongside the riverbed that circled around the mansion.

The trees have bloomed and numerous flowers painted the endless plain beautifully. Lockwood couldn't help but think that the picturesque landscape he was seeing in front of him should have been a painting, decorating his room.

With both of his hands he made an imaginary canvas to imagine what angle of this place would be the best painted.

And it seems that in that small canvas of his, he had captured a young lady sitting alone at an old bench nearby.

His slow walk startled her. She turned her head quickly to see who was approaching her.

Though she didn't recognize the man in front of her, she stood up from her seat and bowed.

"Greetings good sir." ,her voice was soft and quiet, like a spring's light breeze.

"Greetings to you too, young lady. I am Francis Lockwood." , he returned her bow by taking off his hat and putting it on his chest.

"You are the famous detective Lockwood?", the lady's eyes were a bit shocked.

"You weren't informed that I was coming?"

The lady quickly looked at the ground and didn't speak.

She looked like a delicate flower.

Perhaps too delicate.

"What is your name?" , he asked.

Just then, the young woman realized that she hadn't introduced herself yet to him. She raised her eyes and looked at him.

"I apologize for my rudeness, my name is Isabella Vance."

"Vance you say." Lockwood raised one eyebrow when she said that.

"Wife of Robert Vance , mister."

"Ah." , he exclaimed.

"ISABELLA."

A canary, trapped in a cage with thorns and crows.

Lockwood followed the voice that called the lady's name. He saw Robert walking fast towards them.

"What have you said to the man?"

"Nothing.." , she replied, scared.

Lockwood’s presence refrained Robert from speaking more.

"I apologize on her behalf for bothering you."

"We just exchanged names, mister Vance." , Francis said casually.

The couple vanished in the next few minutes and our detective was left alone once again.

Just for a little bit though.

"Are you the famous detective?"

A young girl holding a book followed Lockwood back to the mansion. She was Edward's second daughter, but that child didn’t look sad that her father had died.

Edward Vance was not a good father figure for his child to miss him?

Shocking.

"Why yes I am!" , Francis said while laughing.

"Can you solve any case?"

"As long as that mind of mine lets me"

"What if magic was involved..?"

Lockwood stopped on his tracks to look at the girl.

"You are quite an active book reader."

"Hehe" , the young girl laughed and went inside the house as she bid Lockwood goodbye.

‘ I found my next clue it seems.'

-

Was mother nature grieving a certain death on earth or was it a plain coincidence?

It was raining on Edward's funeral. Days have passed since his murder and Lockwood allowed the family to bury the man.

Holding a black umbrella, the detective looked at the victim's brother, now that the ceremony had ended.

"Is this the private graveyard of the Vance family?"

"Yes, mister Lockwood." , Robert said with a plain voice.

He had just watched his own kin getting buried but there was no sorrow on his face.

"If you have a moment to spare, mister Vance, could you give me a tour of this place? Taking a walk where people sleep eternally is oddly.. relaxing."

The Vance family member, albeit perplexed by the detective’s way of relaxing ,of course couldn't refuse.

They went for an unusual stroll, passing by tombstones and family graves . Lockwood stopped on some instances to read the names or admire the statues that were carved out of respect for the family members.

"Hm? This looks like a really old fancy grave." Lockwood went closer to a certain tomb.

"That is the first Vance ancestor that came in Cardiff detective. His name was Arthur Vance." Robert also stopped on his tracks.

The man adjusted his glasses on his face and went to read the tombstone.

Unfortunately, the weather was awful that day, so .

"Ah."

He had fallen on top of the high tomb.

"Are you alright?" Robert grabbed the detective's arm to give him more balance.

Lockwood grabbed the old stone that covered the coffin under it and noticed that, during his fall, the old cap had slightly shifted to the right, revealing the old buddied dirt under it.

Though it was an old tomb, it opened quite easily.

"A tragedy!" , he couldn't help but throw the umbrella away from the shock , "I wholeheartedly, truly apologize Mister Vance." , he seemed like he was ready to kneel.

"Nothing happened detective." Robert went closer and titled the tomb cap back to its original position. "All is well." , he smiled awkwardly to.. console the detective..?

But where did the detective go?

"Well then, shall we get going now?" Lockwood had already headed towards the gate, not hearing Robert's words.

-

“Stop here. I will get off now."

The rain had stopped moments ago and Lockwood exited the car.

He was now at the center of Cardiff. The change in atmosphere between the Vance family home and the joyful town was like a breath of fresh air to Lockwood.

He started walking.

"Hello."

"Greetings mister."

He stopped by the public library. He had a hunch he would find a clue here. The place was massive and free to the public. However, the majority of most ordinary people couldn't still read and it was still peak working hours, so the place was almost empty.

Lockwood had endless books and newspapers all to himself.

Hours passed by but our young detective hadn't realized that night was approaching. Endless piles of leather books were at his table, all read by him in one day.

Francis playfully raised his arm for his hand to hit the bookshelves. Slightly bored and with half closed eyes, he read the titles of the books as he passed by them.

When suddenly, he stopped the moment his eyes caught on a strange title.

'When laws of logic break.'

His hand picked it up and he started reading it, without sitting down.

His eyes shone with brilliance.

He had found another clue for the case.

"Excuse me."

"Yes?" The book keeper turned his head to see the man in front of his desk.

"Can I rent this ?" , Lockwood said while showing the book.

"Of course, good sir. May I have your name?"

-

'It seems this case won't be so difficult after all.' , he said as he left the library, holding a small paper bag.

Looking at the now gloomy sky from above, he didn't notice a boy calling to him.

"Are you Francis Lockwood?" , he asked with a semi tough voice.

"And who might you be?" Francis put one finger to his chin while bowing down slightly to meet the kid's eyes.

The young boy made a gesture that Lockwood should follow him and so he did.

-

*cough* *cough*

"Skittish man." , a woman's voice mocked the young detective.

"It's just that the smell of cigars and booze is too strong here." , Francis said between coughs.

The boy led him to a dark alley, and with the sun now setting it looked less unfriendly.

He was told to enter a shabby pub at the end of the road.

Lockwood, for some reason, followed his orders and entered the old building.

It was loud and smelly, with middle aged men drinking and singing to their hearts content. He passed by those people and looked at the end of the pub.

A woman holding a fan was watching him come closer.

"So, I assume you are Madame Laura who read my letter."

Laura smirked and put down the glass of wine she was drinking. She brought her body closer to the detective and leaned her head on one of her hands.

"How much have you uncovered about Edward Vance?"

Edward was.. unexpectedly.. not an upright man. To make his gains bigger, he ran an illegal gambling den along with a brothel.

And he was also cheating on his wife with multiple women.

The woman in front of Lockwood, was responsible for managing the brothel.

During the search in Edward's office, Lockwood managed to uncover the true identity behind the typical letters that he was exchanging with Laura. So, he sent a message to her to get to the bottom of this case.

"All i have to say madam Laura, is that the number of suspects on my list had significantly increased because of mister Vance's infidelity." Lockwood straightened his back and said with a casual tone.

"Hm? Now I am curious why." , her voice was lazy as she said that.

"I am afraid that this is cl-"

"classified information. Yeah yeah" , madame Laura rolled her eyes and drank the wine again from the dirty glass she was holding.

She looked like a seductive woman, with brown hair and amber eyes. She wore a bold shade of red as lipstick and her outfit was a tad bit too revealing.

"So" , her stare locked onto the young detective, "why have you messaged me?"

Lockwood just then raised his hand for the barman to see and ordered a pint.

"I am here only to uncover the murder case of Edward Vance, nothing more. So, I need whatever information you have of this man."

His words were simple. Lockwood wouldn't snitch on neither the gambling den nor the brothel if Laura cooperated.

Her face grew serious.

"Bring me a list of the girls Edward was spending his nights with. I am sure you have kept a record of his preferences." , just then Lockwood spoke.

Their meeting location changed. Laura had no choice but to lead Francis to the suspicious brothel she was managing. On the top floor was her office. She pulled numerous folders from the shelf and gave them to the detective.

Lockwood started reading them one by one, asking Laura questions about each woman.

As time went on, she grew more curious about the strange man in front of her.

He was of average height, wearing a big hat on top of his head, hiding his brown hair. He wore glasses, whose frames were slightly larger than normal.

What a funny looking lad.

"I think we are done here madame Laura." Lockwood closed the final folder and stood up from his seat.

"You know, not once did you look with a lustful gaze at me or the other girls as we entered the building, you are quite an interesting man, mister Lockwood."

She smiled and tilted her head with coyness.

"Perhaps, if you are too tired after working, you could spend the night here."

Most men would yield upon seeing her advancements, eager to agree with her.

However.

"I am afraid you happen to meet me during working hours. So, unfortunately, I have to decline your proposal."

She didn't expect a different answer from him.

She put the cigarette she had previously lit up in the ashtray

.

"Hmph, what a cold hearted person, leaving a lady like me alone at night. Doesn't blood run through your veins?"

"Haha, perhaps another time, madame Laura." Lockwood laughed slightly at her words. He stood up from his chair and bowed at her

.

"Au revoir mon lady."

He exited the brothel and returned to the Vance family when the moon was high up in the sky.

It seemed that only him and a cricket faraway were awake during this late hour. Though he didn't hold a lamp with him, the ample moonlight from above painted the scenery beautifully with its white color.

It was almost a full moon after all.

Lockwood couldn't sleep. He had a lot to think about the case.

And so, instead of heading inside the house, he took a walk around the garden once again.

"It seems that Edward Vance was quite a womanizer ,with a certain type ,and a gambling addiction...", his steps were slow.

He clicked his tongue a few times and shook his head.

'Shall I honor him by taking a gamble for this case?'

It was quite a peculiar case after all.

-

"It is 9 o'clock, where is detective Lockwood?"

"Didn't he say the previous day that he wanted us all at the main hall at this time?"

"Well where is he?"

"The detective hasn't left his room since this early morning."

"No, just previously he went on a walk, shouldn't he be back by now? It is getting quite late."

Lockwood ordered everyone of the household the previous day to go to the main hall so that he can inform them on the case. A few days had passed since the murder of Edward.

Now the nobles and the head staff stayed inside the grandiose room , waiting for the protagonist of this story to show up.

Has the young man found out who the killer is?

All the people were anxious and curious at the same time.

"Sorry I am late everyone!"

Lockwood yelled as he was entering the living room. His breath was ragged and his looks disheveled.

"What were you doing so late at night detective..?" Lady Emma looked up and down at him.

"Digging up a grave Lady Vance."

The whole room gasped. However, just when they were ready to bombard Lockwood with questions-

"I will get straight to the point now that I have found numerous clues. Do any of you know anything about vampires?"

He spoke.

Their mouths closed at that moment and their brows frowned.

Is he a charlatan?

"Since nobody answers , I shall inform the Vance family about the contents of this book I had found in the public library."

Though most in the room didn't believe in those supernatural foolish ideas, their eyes locked onto the young detective with focus.

Lockwood fixed his glasses before speaking.

"Since I have gathered everyone's attention, there is no need to chit chat. I have discovered the motive behind Edward Vance's murder." , he raised his index finger and opened the book he held.

"The young daughter of the deceased said the previous day about supernatural cases, and frankly ,those words put me in thought. The other day I visited the public library to find out if this town has a book like this. As you can see my dear audience, I am currently holding it ."

He went to a certain page and read it at loud.

"A vampire is a supernatural being, incomprehensible in terms of physics. It was once a human but under certain circumstances , became a monster that feeds on blood and blood only. It is extremely powerful and somewhat immortal. Though vampires almost seem like gods, they have a certain flaw. " , he raised his eyes to look at the people in front of him.

"They cannot survive the sunlight." , his words paused.

What Lockwood said was quite common knowledge for the Vances, or for most people in general. What would follow after though, was unheard of.

"Rumors say that to become a vampire, a vampire has to bite you. But , that's not all. The person has to avenge their master by killing a descendant of the vampire's killer and offering their heart to their master."

The whole room gasped.

"Have we been targeted by vampires?!" Madam Vance was almost ready to faint from Lockwood's words. Her face pale, she was now being fanned by her maid.

Lockwood looked at a certain man before answering.

The butler's gaze rested at the ground. Cold sweat ran through his back.

He took a step forward before speaking.

"The old lord, I mean, the first Vance ancestor that moved to Cardiff had terrible hallucinations at night."

He raised his head and looked at the crowd.

Lockwood had already heard the story a day ago, after asking the staff.

"My grandfather told me a story about his grandfather who served the first lord. It was said that he was troubled by hallucinations and no amount of sleeping pills could put him at ease. He was telling my family member that he was seeing a dark silhouette , staring at him on the quiet night. He was restless up until he died."

Butler Harry went back to his seat after telling everything he knew.

Lockwood decided to speak after him.

"Now, hallucinations could be a total coincidence for this case. However, a coincidence is a mere scenario that hasn't been investigated yet!"

He showed his dirty attire.

"I had to check if that piece of information had a connection with Mister Vance. Though I admit my unethical ways, it had to be done." , he raised his first and exclaimed.

“I dug the first Vance's grave! And I noticed that the tomb had been opened recently! Seems like a certain someone checked if there was a knife buried together with the corpse."

The whole room was speechless.

Lady Vance couldn't take it anymore and fainted.

Francis went back to his book.

"The person who wants to become a vampire has to offer the deceased's heart to the vampire. And that heart has to be carved by the weapon the first vampire was killed by! "

He took a step forward.

"Why was Edward Vance stabbed when he was already poisoned?"

He answered his own question.

"The weapon that stole his heart was probably old and rusty, thus poison had to be used to paralyse him! The first Vance was buried with that knife and the killer dug it up to kill mister Edward with it!"

His eyes shone and returned to the book's pages.

Lockwood took a deep breath before saying the last piece.

"Last but most important, the person who would be the sacrifice for the vampirification had to love its killer!"

All eyes then fell on Edward's wife, Emma. Her heart sunk and she stopped breathing.

Seems like the cultrip was right amongst them.

Or so they thought.

"Now now, we shall not point the blame point with our fingers at lady Emma."

"How could we not! She is the killer!" Robert's shout echoed through the room.

"Because we all know in this room that mister Edward was an unfaithful man."

You could only hear the grand clock ticking slowly, reminding the people that time had not stopped since the moment they entered the room.

"I say this case is not yet resolved, as I have to investigate multiple ladies in and out of Cardiff. Unfortunately, I do not have much time." Lockwood wore a saddened expression.

"Why detective?" , some curious soul asked.

Lockwood smiled lightly and went closer to the window.

"Because in two days , there will be a full moon. And the book might not say it but it is essential for the vampirification."

The people wore strange expressions upon hearing him.

"I am quite knowledgeable in all subjects.." , he scratched his nose out of embarrassment.

"That's all it for now." , he bowed like he had put on a performance and left the room shortly after.

What a night for the Vances huh?

-

'That cricket sure is persistent.. and loud.'

Lockwood was once again outside the spacious garden , taking his nightly walk. He looked at the sky above and a full moon shone back at him with its full glory.

Two days have passed and the Vances were more anxious than they had ever been.

He strolled slowly alongside the garden with the colorful roses. He smelled their fragrances and after a bit of thinking, a red rose from a bush was cut by him.

Just then, he heard light steps from far away .

Looking at the direction of the person running ,he followed closely behind them.

-

"You were followed ,my dear."

"How? I made sure it was late at night and everybody was in their rooms.."

Two people stood inside a spacious hall of an old house up on a hill.

Just then, they heard steps coming towards them.

"It is you, detective."

"Who else would it be?" Lockwood smiled upon seeing a familiar face.

"Lady Isabella" , he spoke slowly.

Isabella, Robert's wife , clutched a small wooden box in her frail hands.

But do not be fooled.

Those frail hands managed to kill Edward Vance.

And in that small wood his heart lay inside.

A tall man stood in front of the woman, protecting her.

Lockwood chuckled.

"You couldn't even kill the man that murdered you, what makes you believe you have the courage to take my life?"

The man's cold hand rested on Isabella's shoulder.

"I have now found someone I want to protect." ,he said with a deep voice.

Lockwood wasn't afraid . He strolled forward and came closer to the couple.

"A gift" , he said smiling.

Isabella took the rose from Lockwood's hand.

The thorns of the stem had been removed.

She raised her eyes and saw that the detective was leaving.

She took a last glance at the fleeting figure.

"Thank you mister Lockwood!" , she shouted.

The young detective turned to look at her.

"But why..?" Isabella couldn't help but ask softly.

Why did he tell her that she had to wait for a full moon to be a vampire? Even she nor her lover knew.

"You are free of human restraints my lady. Live your moonlight nights to the fullest!"

Lockwood waved and exited the old house.

-

His steps were light and his eyes locked at the shiny circle from above.

He chuckled.

"What's a hundred thousand moons compared to the sun?"

'foolish humans, or should I say vampires..'

Give it a few centuries and then they will realize their mistake.

Lockwood took off his glasses and hat and brushed his hair back.

But then it would be too late.

He could see the Vance family home from afar now.

A strange smile emerged from his pale face.

'I shall keep being a detective for a century or two.'

It is quite fun.