Chapter 0 - Allen Holman

Sherry Wong. The name sounded familiar to Allen as he scrolled through his news feed. His custom was to have the Hong Kong Economist Times updates on screen when he woke each night, but there was always a section dedicated to local events and happenings. Assault and battery certainly warranted that kind of coverage, and journalistic spin in the article hinted at a possible link with at least two previously similar incidents. Still, there was little to surprise a creature of the night such as himself in matters of violence.

The voicemail blinking surprised him more. Who would've called instead of simply leaving a direct message? The missed number was Mei's. That Allen had a string of trysts over the years was nothing untoward. That as the women came and went, some continued seeing him, with benefits, consensually even, was something Allen didn't particularly think too much about either. There were one or two he had developed a more serious long-term relationship with, and Yang Mei was one of them, even if they had moved on thereafter. This call was out of the blue.

The playback began with unsteady breathing and a distress whimper before Mei's voice came on:

"I… Just had the scariest thing happen to me in my entire life. After work, I always take my bike to the basement, you know? But after I parked it, the light went out, and I had to pick up some laundry from the basement too, so I went over to turn the light back on. When I reached for it, I swear to fucking god, someone’s hand was already on it."

The voice went quiet for a moment, as if mustering strength to proceed. "There was this guy there. He was standing right at the entrance. He said he knew you, that… that he knew everything about what you do, and he would let the whole world know if I didn’t do what he said. He… he threatened me. And I didn’t do anything. I couldn’t. I froze up. He said he would come back in a day and finish what he started and as long as I didn’t tell anyone, he wouldn’t hurt you. Then he punched me in the face to make his point, and left! Oh my God, it really hurts. I’m such a mess."

Allen gritted his teeth as emotions swirled in his undead brain. Involuntarily he surged with the blush of life as warm vitae flowed through his stiff body. This was bad news, and he had to look into this. Whoever came to know about him specifically targeted Mei. This one knew him, knew his secret and weakness. The only question was whether this person was another kindred or . . . a mortal.

It was time to pay Mei a visit. She definitely needed assurance after such a traumatic encounter.

Mei lived in North Point on Hong Kong island, a traditional district still close enough to the city centre. The older high-rise apartment was one of those along both the tram and MTR lines, and Allen would've contemplated taking either of those were it day time, on account of the infamous gridlock of Hong Kong's central district. But it was night, hopping into his car would get him there quicker.

The pedestrian thoroughfare of Chun Yeung street, where the entrance of the apartment stood, was still alive with activity from the various shops and eateries that lined the walkway, punctuated with the regular rumble of the tram at intervals. The temptation was ever present, warm-blooded persons going about their business, walking in close proximity to Allen as he made his way to ground floor intercom, a standard security feature to enter apartment buildings. Was it time to feed? Or could he restrain himself? The thought almost distracted him from considering how an intruder might have entered the building.

It occurred to himself before he keyed in her unit number on the intercom keypad that Mei was the type to go to bed early, but he was sure the trauma would've kept her up. Perhaps he should've called first to see if she was in, in case she found it too scary to stay home, or if she was still up.

Allen considered the thought for a moment, but it was true that she would probably stay awake or be outside. Still, it was worth checking whether she was in from the intercom. For a brief moment he considered asking the security, but he dismissed it immediately. It would involve unnecessary suspicion, which he was actively trying to avoid. The stalker, or whoever it was, claimed that he knew everything about him. Who could have kept tabs on him? Was his haven compromised? Or was it some other kindred? Pondering over it, he dialed the intercom, waiting to hear Mei's voice.

Allen buzzed once and waited. No answer. He buzzed again. Seconds. Then a minute. No answer. He was sure Mei had to be home. After she was assaulted in the laundry room in the basement, surely she must have returned to her apartment unit to call him. Did she return to her apartment? Was her assailant still around and about? Was the situation as banal as a malfunctioning intercom?

When the intercom failed to answer even after repeated buzzing, Allen got worried. If his dead, still heart was beating, it would have been drumming his ears now. He turned to move towards the security desk and thought of asking the security about whether she was back or not. In the meantime all negative and fearful thoughts started crawling back in his mind. Whoever did this surely knew about his relationship with Mei. It was not going to be an easy evening.