* * * *
Timothy didn’t know where Nigel’s newfound confidence came from, but it was going to cause problems for his plan. It was obvious that a power shift had occurred and his plans were in jeopardy. He wasn’t surprised when he was given the job of collecting all the data points and plotting them. It was monkey work but he was a possible threat. This was possible good news.
After the entire site was processed and the data collected, it was time to leave. Nigel called Timothy over to talk. “I want to make one thing painfully clear, Timothy. I don’t trust you. People I don’t trust disappear. This is your one and only warning. You are either an asset on MY team or you won’t exist on this plain anymore.” His voice was calm and even, with just a touch of malice. Timothy knew he needed a new plan.
Timothy lingered at the site to give Nigel time to leave before going to his own car. He even took the long way around the building. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a whispered, “Help me!” Looking around, he found a barely recognizable Francis lying on the ground, limp, with a stake just touching his check. There was no time to get him to his car. His only hope was to get him into one of the building’s inner rooms. Quickly, he grabbed Francis’ shoulders and dragged him inside. Still, Francis received several kisses of the sun’s rays, not nearly enough to kill him but enough to cause some pain. Francis thanked him adamantly for saving him. Timothy had to wonder if Francis got his job by kissing a lot of ass.
“Now get over here and give me a drink,” Francis said.
“Where is your supply, sir?”
“You don’t understand, Timothy. I want your blood. I need fresh blood to heal from this injury.”
“I don’t trust you to not kill me.” There was real concern on his face. He wanted to be turned but couldn’t trust Francis to not get lost in his needs for blood.
“I have a solution that is safe for both of us. In my car is an I.V. kit. Use that and there is no chance of infection and you control the supply.”
It didn’t take but a few seconds. “I have one condition,” said Timothy. “I want a favor from you. I also reserve the right to take it at a later date.”
“Done, now start the I.V.”
Timothy cut him off after a few minutes when he started to feel dizzy. Nothing more was said as Timothy prepared to leave. Francis already had some feeling returning to his lower body.
Timothy called for a cab because he didn’t feel safe driving. His next call was to the office: to let them know he wasn’t feeling good and wouldn’t be coming in.