This really was not how the day had been planned. Sure there was rumors floating around that something supernatural was going on, a shadowy figure that people would mention out of the corner of their eye when they were sure they were alone. Runaways, illegal immigrants, and strippers disappearing from the streets with their few points of contact in the shadows having no idea where they'd gone. Sad stories that could happen in any major city though maybe more was happening this year it wasn't significant enough for anyone to connect to one cause with a cursory glance.  It was the stories coming from the morgue though that had attracted this particular person, people found dead, a few of those disappeared people showing up underneath highway overpasses put in a sleeping bag but with no blood inside of them.

 

During the investigation Vampire Hunters had discovered how close the hero was and had decided it best to let the investigation continue with the assurance that a team of their best hunters would protect them should they face something that wasn't used to being handled. The hero had considered calling some of their other allies but would they really help or would they think the hero was on some wild goose chase? The answer seemed obvious with the currently available information.

 

Pale moonlight came though the parted clouds illuminating a portion of the warehouse, and there it stood.  It was nothing like the books or movies that showed the monster as something that looked so much like a man that would woo the hearts of the gentle maidens and lead them to a life of blood and debauchery. Its face resembled a bat with sharp fangs, its arms were too long and muscular, its eyes glowed in the moonlight.  The only sign it wasn't some beast was the tattered pants it was wearing, a testament to its former humanity. The hero, grabbed the radio, "I have eyes on it right now. Its in here with me. Staring at me so if you're going to do something please do it quick. It looks like a monster."

 

"Damn, it must have entered its final stage. We'll be there in a minute. Keep it busy." 

 

 

With a guttural roar, it moved across the room, and the hero readied themself for the attack, to move out of the way of its intended blow and gauge just how strong it was by the damage it would do to the crate they were standing by instead of taking one on the chin and finding they could cave in a skull with a single blow. Always a danger when dealing with the super strong. The plan was foiled however as once the creature moved out of the moonlight it appeared to vanish.  Invisible out of direct light, well that's a complication.  Their was no blow, the creature was gone, leaving the hero alone? Why was it gone?

 

The screams from the rafters that followed shortly after were enough and not wanting to leave them alone to their fates they ran up the stairs to find the creature under a swinging overhead light, the hunters dead, blood everywhere, but its body was covered in burns and bullet holes and leaking a vile black bile from its mouth. Not willing to let the thing have its way, the Hero attempted to use its own abilities on the creature and it cried out in pain but closed the distance between the two of them. The two fought and using their abilities the hero was able to hold their own and even injure the weakening vampire further but nothing was putting it down in one blow. Still knowing it was losing, it snarled and screamed so that the hero wanted to cover their ears and drop to their knees as the glass shattered around them and the light was gone returning the beast to its former invisibility. Without the visual cues, blows began slipping past their guard and it wasn't long before the hero was picked up with an inhuman and vice like grip over the whole chest.  Trying to break that hold and swinging an arm, battering at the vampire the creature went in for a bite.  Wanting to protect themselves they moved their arm in the way and howled as the creature ended up biting into them. Why can't I just beat this thing! Its not human anymore! I need to go all out or I'm going to die!

 

Their ability was called upon and with a monumental effort of will, distracting the monster enough that they didn't notice the real attack. The creature looked down to its side to see one of the hunter's silver spikes driven through the side of the creature's head. Staring dumbly, it released its hold, and its blood and bile entered into the hero's wound. A feeling of nausea filled them even as the beasts grip loosened and they were finally free. With the blood flowing out of them onto the ground they struggled to take some of the newly made rags that weren't already bloodied and made an improvised bandage.