Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 07:31:58 -0800 (PST) From: Author James Subject: Judgments of a Real Dark Knight 41 Disclaimer: This story, though maybe not in this chapter but in subsequent chapters, will have celebrities in it. I have no knowledge of their sexuality and this is not intended to imply their sexuality. This is all from my own mind. Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox. Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros. X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox. The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe created by George Lucas. Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and Lucas Books/Ballantine Books. I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered. I have received many emails from people who have enjoyed it and some from those who do not. I would enjoy hearing from you. Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on. Thanks. authorjames2002@yahoo.com I also have several online messenger services. If you want to chat with me in real time, email me and tell me the services you use and I will tell you my screen name. Other stories in this universe written by other authors: "Tales of a Superhero Band" "Tales of the New Phoenix" "Tales of a Young Mutant" Chapter 41 Weekend with the In-Laws When Friday came around, I finished my morning classes and headed home, where Lance was finishing the packing. He greeted me with a kiss and then we grabbed our things and headed to the airport. A short while later and we were in Laurel, Mississippi, Lance's hometown. We rented a car and arrived at Lance's parents' house where they greeted us with open arms. "We're so glad to see you!" Diane said as she hugged us. "It's good to see you both," Jim replied hugging us as well. "It's nice to see you, too," I said. "Where's Stacey?" Lance asked. "She went shopping. She'll be here for dinner. Speaking of which, you must be famished! Come in and I'll start dinner!" Jim helped us with our bags and we settled in. We sat at the kitchen table while Diane busied herself cooking. "Do you need any help?" I asked. "Eric is a wiz in the kitchen," Lance replied. "Sure!" Diane said as I got up and went over to her. "Don't worry about me getting in the way. I'm good at following the lead of others." Diane chuckled. "Did Lance talk to you about the festival this weekend?" "Festival?" I asked. Diane turned and looked at Lance giving a motherly reproving look. "He must have forgotten. We run a booth for the annual 1700s festival. I had asked if you two would be willing to help and he said you two probably could." "No, he didn't mention it," I replied looking at him with a playfully annoyed look. "Opps," he muttered turning red with embarrassment. Diane and Jim laughed. "I'm sure we could help, though." "That would be wonderful!" "What do you need help with?" "Mostly set up," Jim answered. "We have enough people working it this weekend that we won't need workers. If you wanted to help, though, it wouldn't be turned down." "Jim," Diane exclaimed. "They came to visit, not to spend their entire weekend working!" "I said it was up to them." "It's okay," I said reassuringly to Diane. She sighed and we went back to cooking. When dinner was finished, we sat the food on the table. Stacey came home and greeted us with hugs. "It's great to see you guys! What have you been up to?" "Nothing much," I replied. "Yeah, right," Lance said. "A few weeks ago, one of Eric's old girlfriends showed up. Needless to say she flipped out when she found out Eric's gay." "What about seeing you?" Stacey declared. "I can imagine how any girl would feel about seeing you! I mean, I'm your sister and all, that's how I know. Girls are always asking me about you." "She never heard of me. She and the church she attends do not believe in listening to secular music. I was no different to her than a stranger." "Really?" Diane asked. "There are actual churches that preach you shouldn't listen to any other type of music?" "Honestly, yes," I answered. "I attended one. Looking back, it amazed me how Christian music was considered only to be gospel or country gospel. There are other styles of music out there. How could anyone be so narrow-minded to think only one kind of music is right. It boils down to an individual's taste in music, not what someone preaches from the pulpit." We finished dinner and headed out toward the park where the festival was to take place. Diane, Stacey and I got out and walked around the park while Lance and Jim went to load up the truck. We passed several booths that sold popcorn and fudge, paintings and crafts. Basically it was a market set in the days of George Washington. "How long have you been doing this?" I asked. "Several years. Jim enjoys working these places and seeing the costumes. They have some really nice stuff here. I bought several candles here and they burn great." "Not to mention how nice they smell," Stacey added. I smiled. We reached the booth where they were to sell their wares. There was some last minute checking to do. As I looked around the front, an older gentleman came up to me. "How are you?" he asked. "Good. How about you?" "I'm doing okay. Can't complain, really. So what are you selling here?" "Um...I'm not sure. This is my first time here. The owners are my in-laws." "Oh, really. That's nice." Just then Stacey came around the corner. "Hey, Eric, could you..." She stopped talking to me when she saw the older gentleman. "Can I help you with something?" "Yeah, I was just asking your husband what you were selling." Stacey and I both smiled. "He's not my husband. He's my brother-in-law." "Oh," he replied. Just then, the truck pulled up with Lance and Jim. I went around and started to help. "Then who is that guy married to?" the gentleman asked Stacey. "My brother," she replied pointing to Lance. The man had a puzzled look on his face. Then reality set in and his eyes widened. "Oh. I'm...oh, okay." I couldn't help but chuckle. It was funny seeing the reactions people had when they found out I was married to another guy. At the same time, it bothered me that the world still thought marriage only in terms of one man and one woman. In time, though, I hoped things would change, as do most gay men and lesbians. We lugged boxes in and stocked the back. Once the back looked ready to go, Lance and I took a walk around to explore the booths that were scattered throughout the park. "When I was younger, my church youth singing group would come out here and perform," Lance told me. "We had a blast. Everyone would get free ice cream afterwards. It was the exhibitors' way of saying thanks for entertaining us." "Can you imagine if you got paid in ice cream now?" We chuckled. "There wouldn't be enough room in our house," Lance replied. As we crossed a bridge, I heard some movement underneath. "Is there anything under there?" "Besides the little stream of water, no." Without warning, someone jumped over the side and pushed us against the railing, growling. We both recognized what it was. I grabbed the vampire's wrist and pulled its hand off me. Lance punched it in the nose as hard as he could. Then I hit it in the chest, palm open, and it stumbled back against the railing. "This is not good," I replied. We looked at each other and, at the same time faced each other and kicked sideways. Both our feet impacted the vampire and sent it over the bridge railing. "Get back to your family and make sure they're okay. I'll take care of this and find out if there are any more." Lance nodded and took off running toward the booth. I leapt the railing and landed on the vampire, who had landed on a sapling. The wood went through its chest, but did not pierce its heart. "Are you the only one here?" I asked. "Fuck off," the vampire side. I reached over for a solid stick but it was out of reach. The vampire smiled as it pushed me off. I flew up to the bridge and hit my back on the planks. The vampire pulled itself off the sapling and jumped at me. I grabbed the bottom of the bridge and swung my legs outwards, kicking the demon in the chest. It fell backwards onto the sapling again, and cried out in pain. I dropped from the bottom of the bridge and picked up a stick as I went over to the demon. "I'm not going to ask you again. How many are you in this park?" "My pack will hunt you down." "So there's a nest here. Okay. I'll have to look around for it. Thanks for being so cooperative." I ran the stick into the demon's heart and it turned to dust, leaving no trace of what was once there. Climbing out of the stream, I headed back to the booth hoping to find everyone safe and sound. "Is everything okay?" Lance asked me. "There are more," I replied. "He said his pack would come after us." "Pack?" Jim repeated. "Don't they usually call themselves a gang or posse or something?" "Each gang is different, dad," Lance answered. "Depending on their name, they will call themselves whatever." "Shouldn't we call the police?" Diane asked. "No, it shouldn't be too bad. I think they are a bunch of kids just being stupid. Lance, why don't you make some crosses and give to everyone. I think this gang has a religious affiliation. The crosses might scare them off." Lance nodded knowing well that the vampires would not go near a place full of crosses. "There's a booth that sells them," Stacey said. Perhaps we should get some and give them out." "I'll take care of it," Lance said to me. "Just find them." I nodded and headed back out into the park. Knowing that the vampires would need a place well away from the sunlight during the day, there had to be a cave of some sort, or a hole that would hold all of them. Of course they wouldn't be there now. The sun was down. They were out looking to feed, which meant that they were as scattered throughout the park as the booths were. I would have to find some way of identifying them before they had the chance to feed. And if they were in human form, that could be most difficult indeed. I had wandered around checking on booths and exhibitors hoping that all was well while at the same time hoping I would run into a vampire. The sooner I found and slayed them, the sooner I could stop worrying. It was tricky explaining to the people what was going on, while also being sure they were safe. I had to explain that there was a "religious gang" running around and they were fearful of religious objects. Being in a Southern town, most had crosses on their person. Those who didn't, I knew would get a cross from Stacey and Lance. I just hoped the vampires didn't get brave and attempt to bypass the cross. People frightened easily of the unknown. I didn't want any casualties during my trip to visit with Lance's parents. That was the last thing I would want them to have as a memory of our visit. To Be Continued...