After visiting the library, Jack and Joseph returned to the Himalayas, flying back to the city of Silverfork. As the helicopter landed, Joseph turned to Jack with a thoughtful expression.
"I can't stay long, I've got to get back to work," Joseph said.
He laughed. "Look at us. We both studied financial accounting, and somehow, one of us is a cop, and the other is a mayor."
Jack chuckled. "Yeah, I know, right? Crazy how things turned out. But hey, our parents wanted educated kids, and they got them."
"Just don't do anything reckless, Jack," Joseph warned, his tone serious. "Find the girls, make them sign the contracts. You heard the book keeper, these vampires have abilities. Well, only two of them, but you get the point."
"Yeah, yeah, I won't," Jack replied.
"Here," Joseph said, handing him a 12-gauge shotgun and boxes of shells. "I don't know if it'll kill them, but it'll definitely hurt."
Jack examined the weapon with a nod. "Speaking of killing them—what really kills a vampire?"
"We should've asked the book keeper. He clearly knew a lot about this stuff," Joseph answered. "Maybe silver, a wooden stake to the heart, or sunlight. That's what the movies say. Speaking of silver take this too."
He handed Jack a small silver pocketknife.
"It's pure silver. A friend gave it to me years ago. I've always kept it for protection, but I think you'll need it more than I do."
"Gee, thanks, man," Jack said, accepting the knife.
"But again, don't do anything reckless. This is just for your protection. Don't go starting a fight with those creatures."
"Sure thing. I'm not dumb. I'm guessing you'd know that from all the time we spent together in China during school."
"Yeah, well, sometimes you think like a chicken," Joseph teased.
"Ouch," Jack winced with a smile.
As the Helicopter landed and dropped Jack off, Joseph began his farewells.
I should get back to Chicago and continue with work. If anything happens, call me."
The helicopter lifted off, and Jack watched it disappear into the night sky. Without wasting time, he got to work. He needed to find the girls.
Finding them wasn't difficult. Silverfork had grown into a large, complex city divided into upper, middle, and lower classes. That very day, Jack recruited five women: Anna, Rachel, Divorah, Indovah, and Jane. He brought them to his home and explained the terms of the contract, omitting the detail that vampires were behind it. He told them it was a sacrifice required to keep the city running.
None of them objected. They all signed.
When the week ended, and night fell, Quinn arrived to collect the contracts. Jack handed them over.
"Ah, a good boy you are," Quinn said with a pleased smile. "
That's everything you need, right?" Jack asked
"Yeah, for now," Quinn responded.
"Keep a close eye on the girls. Some of them tend to get emotional," Quinn said casually.
Jack frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just keep a close eye on them," Quinn repeated.
---
Eleven months passed.
The babies were born, and each woman was in the second month of her contract. According to the deal, once the third month ended, they were to sacrifice their newborns to the gods of the Himalayas.
With the money and luxury surrounding them, the women felt their lives were transforming. Each had been given a house, fully furnished, with food, water, electricity, and marble flooring. On top of that, they received generous monthly funds. They could live in any house they chose and enjoy their new lives.
Tonight, they gathered at Indovah's house.
"Phew! I never thought I'd stop being a hooker," Indovah exclaimed.
"Cheers to that, girl!" Jane said, pouring her a glass of wine.
Most of the women Jack found were desperate and struggling. Indovah had lived on the streets, constantly chased by police. Jane had lost everything after investing in a fraudulent company. Rachel and Anna had been raised together by a con artist after being found in a garbage bin as infants. Divorah's father died, leaving behind enormous debts, and the court stripped their family of everything. After being abused by her aunt, Divorah ran away at twelve and lived on the streets for another twelve years.
Jack knew exactly who he was choosing. These women needed change, and they signed without hesitation. Once they did, they received the keys to their first-class homes and lives that felt like dreams.
Tonight, they were celebrating the nearing end of their obligation. Some even considered renewing their contracts.
"Are you serious?" Rachel asked, alarmed. "You want to go through this again? Have another baby?"
"Girl, just take the three million and go. We've already got fancy houses and everything."
"I know," Divorah said. "But if I renew and have another baby, that's another three million, plus the monthly cash plus three more months of that?"
Rachel was dumbfounded.
"Don't mind her, Rachel," Indovah interrupted. "Some people can never get satisfied. You and I, we make our money and leave. She can renew if she wants."
As the women celebrated, Anna remained quiet.
She had something on her mind.
Ever since her son was born, she'd grown deeply attached to him. She named him David. The other women hadn't even bothered to name their babies, but Anna did—and it changed her. She couldn't imagine losing him, she told no one about this,not even Rachel.
When she got home, David was asleep in his small bed. Anna stared at him as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"What have I done?" she whispered. "Giving up my baby for riches. I'm a monster."
She made up her mind.
She had to run.
That night, she packed a few essential items, wrapped David in warm blankets, and called a taxi. When it arrived, she instructed the driver to take her to Silverfork Airport.
As they neared the airport, a sleek black car overtook them and signaled for the taxi to stop. The driver obeyed.
Jack stepped out.
Anna's heart pounded as he approached.
"Good evening, sir," Jack said.
"Evening, Mr. Mayor. How can I help you?" the driver asked.
"Just curious, where are you heading at this hour?"
"Miss here said she's going to the airport."
Jack nodded. "Is that so?"
He handed the driver a wad of cash.
"Thank you. I'll take it from here."
The driver accepted the money and left. Now it was just Jack, Anna, and David.
"What the hell are you doing?" Jack asked, his tone firm.
"I want to terminate my contract," Anna said.
"You know that's impossible."
"Find another baby. Leave mine alone."
"Anna, please. Don't make this difficult. Come with me. We'll talk."
As Jack approached, Anna suddenly kicked him in the groin. Jack collapsed from the pain, and Anna took the opportunity to run, disappearing into the forest.
As soon as the pain passed, Jack got up and ran after her.
"Anna, wait! Please!" he shouted.
"Leave me alone!" she cried back.
She pushed through the trees, heart racing, until she reached a cliff edge. One step further meant certain death.
Jack caught up, panting. "Anna, don't."
"Don't come any closer, or I'll jump with the baby!"
"We can come to an understanding," Jack said gently, stepping forward.
Anna stepped back.
Suddenly, a strong wind tore past Jack, knocking him to the ground. When he looked up, Quinn was there holding Anna by the neck and David in the other hand.
"Quinn?! What...what are you doing here?" Jack stammered.
"I saw things getting out of hand. Decided to intervene," Quinn said calmly. "Remember what I told you? Keep a close eye on them. They tend to get emotional. Now you understand."
David began crying loudly.
"Shhh, shhh. Be quiet," Quinn hushed the baby.
"My baby, please!" Anna begged, reaching out.
Quinn's grip tightened. He smiled, revealing sharp vampire canines.
"Oh, Anna," he said with mock sweetness. "If I were you, I wouldn't worry about the baby."
Then, with blinding speed, he pulled her close and sank his fangs into her neck. Anna tried to fight, but Quinn's grip was unbreakable.
Blood gushed down onto David's face as his mother's life drained away.
Jack stood frozen, unable to look away.
When Quinn was finished, he dropped Anna's lifeless body off the cliff. Then he raised the baby in both hands.
"Now for the appetizer," he said with a twisted grin.
He bit down. David cried out in agony—but it was over in seconds.
Jack collapsed to his knees in horror.
Quinn turned to him, blood dripping from his face, hands, and shirt. His eyes glowed green, and his nails were now six times longer.
He looked at Jack and smiled.
"Oh, come on, Jack. You're acting like you've never seen someone enjoy dinner and dessert at the same time."