The Violist
Salem, Massachusetts
1867
The old farm is smaller now.
Ma cut back on its size ever since
Pa and Thomas never came back from the war.
Her and Andrew do what they can
but it ain’t enough.
I do what I can but I’m only ten.
Brenda’s seventeen, but all she does is music.
Lessons everyday ‘cept Sundays.
Old Mrs. Cuthbert taught her all she can.
Ma wants her to go away to a school
but we ain’t got the money now.
When Pa was alive he always said
it was foolish, this music.
Where did it get him?
So he gave his viola to Brenda
and she took to it right away.
Brenda says when she’s eighteen
she’s gonna go to the city
find work there and find a new teacher.
1868
It’s been hard times lately,
what with the crops failing
and Andrew being sick.
Brenda’s in the city now,
Been there since right after her birthday.
She’s found a job housekeeping for
a music teacher, Mr. Marlowe
and he gives her lessons for free.
Ma feels better that Brenda’s learning
more, but misses her dearly.
Brenda writes letters from time to time
and I read them for Ma.
1869
Ma’s all upset since Andrew
said he was gonna leave
and go work in the shoe mills in Quincy.
We ain’t heard from Brenda
for quite a while now.
Last thing she said was
she was gonna give a performance
in a big hall full of people.
Mr. Marlowe says she is ready
to perform and arranged it all.
Ma wants to go but its too far
and too much money.
1870
What a surprise.
Brenda came by all the way from Boston
and gave Ma a heap of cash, said it was
what she’d earned playing viola for
Mr. Marlowe at his performances
Ma took it and thanked her.
Ma didn’t think Brenda looked all that well.
Brenda said she was fine.
She also said she may not be able
to come by ever again, since she was
going to New York with Mr. Marlowe
and others from his group.
1871
Someone gave Ma a newspaper from Boston
saying Mr. Marlowe and his people
was run out of New York city.
Seems they were a strange lot
playing very different music
and folks felt it was Satanic
whatever that is.
Ma is all worried about Brenda now.
The newspaper said Mr. Marlowe’s
group was, maybe, heading to Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois 2021
CPD Annex - Special Investigations Unit
Lt. John Early’s desk at 10:20 A.M. Tuesday, August 6th
Present - Dets. Art Joyce, Bob Wayland, and Susan Senaker
Case # 4459327 -Suspicious activities at the Marlowe School of Music, 385 Lafayette St.
Lt. Early opens the meeting with a question.
“Okay, what do we know about this?”
Det Joyce answers, “Right Lieutenant, here’s what we’ve got. Seems people go into this place, school, whatever and don’t come out, yet no one’s ever been reported missing.” Joyce then smiles at Susan Senaker and nods. She smiles back, a friendly smile, since as Joyce had soon learned, Susan had no interest in men.
Det. Senaker then adds. “Eh, neighbors called. No one’s ever seen anyone leave that building.
They’ve been there five years. near enough. and no one has ever left that building.”
Lt Early is quizzical, “Are you people serious? They must have some way out. Maybe there’s an underground exit.
Det. Wayland responds, “Sir, we’ve gone over all the Engineering drawings with experts and can find no plan that shows other than the standard entrances and exits.”
Lt Early continues. “O.K. so let’s go have a look at this place. Wayland, Senaker get over there and find out from these people what’s going on. Joyce, get some names of neighbors, you and I will go talk with them.
Bob Wayland’s choice of a partner would never be Susan Senaker, but Lt. Early keeps sending them out together. Bob is a career detective from a long line of police. His Father and Uncle both served on the CPD. Now at 62 years old his thoughts focus on retirement, cruising Lake Michigan, and pulling in some big Chinooks. Susan is new to the Detective Force and at 25 she is too young to be much help. At least Bob thought so.
Susan Senaker was a standout high school gymnast, but a shoulder injury and unsuccessful surgery put an end to her chances of a career. Her marksmanship and athleticism led her to the police academy where she excelled at nearly every aspect of the training program, graduating first in her class. Now, at 25 she’s the youngest detective ever in the CPD.
385 Lafayette St. is a tall 5 story building among several other lesser buildings in this industrial part of town. A rather innocuous location for a music school. Bob and Susan arrive at the Marlowe School of Music at 1:00.PM.. They enter the front entrance and approach a tall, thin and beautiful receptionist at the counter, at least in Susan’s eyes.
“ Chicago P.D. We’d like to speak with someone in charge.” said Det Wayland showing his badge and I.D..
“ I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible. Only teachers and students are here at the moment.” Susan noted that the name-badge she was wearing said “Brenda.”
The detectives hear strange music emanating from what they assume are practice rooms.
“No one here, then?” questions Susan. “Well, perhaps, we can have a look around?”
“Perhaps I can help you,” booms a voice from a staircase as he descends from above.
“Hello, I’m Mr. Marlowe. I saw you arrive. I know why you are here.”
“Well... why don’t you tell us,” carps Det. Wayland.
“Oh, well then, It’s about neighbor complaints, is it not? You see this happens all the time.
Those brutes out there have no idea what is happening here. They will never understand.”
“O.K. So tell us. What is happening here?” asks Susan.
“Music, my dear, music! Can you not hear it? ”Marlowe said with a flourish.
“Is that what that is?” asks Wayland and intends it as an insult.
Marlowe raises an eyebrow and then turns to the receptionist, “Brenda, go tell them to take a break, our guests seem to have no ear for music.”
“Yes, Maestro.”
Susan’s eyes follow Brenda as she leaves. Wayland notices, “Come on Senaker, get a grip.”
He continues addressing Marlowe, “Mr. Marlowe do you mind if we take a look around your place?”
“I most definitely do.” replies Marlowe. “You see this is a very sensitive building when it comes to our creative fervor. We would not want to upset the delicate balances now would we?”
“Frankly, Mr. Marlowe, we don’t give a damn about your fervors. So let us take a poke around?”
“I’m sorry detective, No. Unless you have a warrant?”
That ended the inquiry at the Marlowe School, except that as they were leaving Susan took a look back to see Brenda as she re-entered the lobby.
Once back at CPD Annex the four investigators met up again in Lt. Early’s office. The Lt. asked them what they thought they had learned.
Joyce went first. “We spoke to five or was it six, neighbors and they all said the same thing. None of them had ever seen anyone leave that building. Until today, when you two walked out.” Joyce grinned and then continued, “Some have walked past the building and heard some very weird music coming from it. Otherwise there are no complaints.”
Lt. Early then asked for a report on what Wayland and Senaker learned at Marlowe’s School. Wayland began, “ We saw only two people there, The receptionist and Mr. Marlowe. We heard the strange music that the neighbors mentioned. We were not permitted to search the place. Marlowe insisted on a warrant, which to me raised suspicion of something nefarious going on there. Why else would he not want us to look around?”
Lt. Early then said what they all were thinking, “O.K. well, we have no evidence of a crime and we certainly couldn’t get a warrant on strange music from a music school. We can file this away with one exception. Let’s check out the credentials on the two people you met and also on the School. See if they’re properly registered, paying their taxes, have records, etc. Joyce, you get in touch with records. Wayland check with the tax people, City Hall, Oh, and maybe the Musician’s Union, or however these people get certified. Senaker you’ve asked for a couple days off so let that start today, Tuesday, and end on Friday. Good luck. See you all back here Friday 10:00 A.M.
Det. Sneaker went home early to relax, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the gorgeous receptionist at the Marlowe School. She convinced herself that tomorrow she would return there and talk with Brenda.
When Wednesday arrived Susan Senaker awoke, showered, dressed in civvies, ate breakfast, and headed out the door. She then drove to the Marlowe school. Outside 385 Lafayette St. she sat for a moment pondering if she was doing the right thing. As a police officer she’s not supposed to mix her personal life and feelings with an investigation or with those involved in it. But a strong urge within her heart kept telling her otherwise. The sensations were definitely strong and the music from the school kept ringing in her ears. She finally succumbed, left her car, and entered the lobby. There was Brenda behind the counter as usual, looking more attractive than Susan remembered. Brenda peeked up and smiled broadly.
“I knew you’d come back,” she said to Susan.
“I couldn’t keep myself away,” replied Susan, and Brenda lit up her face in smiles.
“I think I know why you are here. You want me to let you look around the school, but I can’t.”
“ No Brenda, that’s not why I’m here. I came to see you. I want you and I to be friends, more than friends, maybe even date sometime soon.”
“That’s not possible. Not as you describe it, but we can be more than friends, only... not out there. If you are truly interested, come back tonight, say 9 o’clock, and we can get acquainted.”
Susan was stunned, what did Brenda mean by ‘not out there’ and why can’t she look around?
“9 o\'clock it is” she replied to Brenda. “How should I dress?”
Brenda smiled and said, “It won’t matter, whatever you like will be fine.”
Susan then left the building for the second time.
Meanwhile Det Joyce had found no history of crimes committed by anyone known to be associated with the Marlowe school. Wayland, on the other hand, found that the school filed tax losses for the last five years. Mr. Marlowe also filed returns based on financial losses. City Hall said that the property taxes had been paid promptly. Wayland also checked with Utilities and all bills are paid. The Musician’s Union never heard of the Marlowe School.
Susan went home and spent her day relaxing and dreaming of what might occur this evening at 9:00 P.M.. Her policing instincts told her that there was something not quite right about the Marlowe School, but what? She had no idea. When the time arrived Susan was five minutes early. The lobby doors were open and Susan entered to find no Brenda, no one. She went to the counter and there was an envelope with her name on it. Inside a card read, “Left corridor - Room 7.” Susan followed what she supposed were instructions and found Room 7. From inside she heard enticing music. She opened the door and saw Brenda playing her viola, but she was totally naked. Susan’s heart began to pound. Brenda said nothing. She kept playing and Susan found a seat and sat down. In the room there was also a bed, a strange adjunct to a practice room. The music became intoxicating and Susan began to feel stimulated. Her desire was to undress and be naked like Brenda. She began to unbutton her blouse and Brenda nodded in the affirmative. When completely nude, standing, and listening as Brenda played, she was drawn to her. Slowly she moved closer, until close enough to smell Brenda’s perfume. Brenda placed her viola in its case, but the music continued. Brenda wrapped herself around Susan. Breast to breast, they entwined as Brenda led them to the bed. All the while the music followed their instincts building tempo as the passion rose. Eventually lying on the bed, Brenda above Susan, and drifting downward, Susan was moaning, and twisting in ecstasy. As she neared fruition and was ready to scream, Brenda suddenly rose with great strength and pinned Susan’s head to the bed, twisting it to expose her neck. Her sharp fangs penetrated Susan’s artery. Susan winced, but then collapsed in total surrender. Brenda remained attached to Susan’s neck for several minutes, until Marlowe appeared from nowhere.
He commanded Brenda to “Save some for me! Back away!”
When finished Marlowe said, “Take her to recovery. Tell the Nurse to repair her and feed her when she wakes.”
Brenda easily lifted the unconscious Susan from the bed and carried her up two flights of stairs through a door labeled as “Recovery.”
Susan awoke to find herself in a hospital style bed. Across the room seemed to be a voluptuous nurse sitting in a chair watching her. She was, albeit middle-aged, beautiful in a way.
“Good afternoon, Susan. Don’t be alarmed. You will be fine.” she said.
Susan asked, “Where am I?”
The nurse replied, ”Don’t you remember? You’re at the Marlowe School.”
Susan began to bring back the remembrance, “Where’s Brenda?”
The nurse explained, “She’s downstairs tending to her duties. You’ll be able to see her again, just as soon as you are well enough.”
”When will that be?” asked Susan.
“Depends on you, but you look like a strong one, so one day, maybe two.”
Susan then asked, “ I’m thirsty, can I have a drink, maybe water?”
The nurse blurted, “No water for you, little one, here try this,” and she handed Susan a goblet.
“What is it?” Susan asked.
“Wine,” answered the nurse.
Susan tasted it and spit it out, “That’s not wine. What is it?”
The nurse answered, “Well it’s mostly wine, but with some other things.”
Then she moved across the room and threw a switch. Music began playing and after a few minutes Susan said she was dry and needed a drink. The nurse waited a few moments and then unbuttoned her uniform and exposed a breast. Susan had become delirious and accepted the nipple into her mouth and suckled ravenously.
The nurse moaned , “ Oh, yes, feed on me my little one. Take all you need.”
Hours passed as Susan slept again. When she awoke Brenda was there, “Darling, you will be alright. This is just part of your transition. We are paired now, and you will always be mine.” “You must be hungry, shall we eat together?” Brenda called the nurse and asked for two meals to be brought. The nurse brought two bowls of raw meat. Susan was appalled.
Brenda said, “It’s what we do together. Here let me play for you, and she began to stroke her viola. Susan remained conscious and listened to the beautiful music of Brenda’s viola, and began to crave raw meat. She thought to herself, “What magic is this music?”
Brenda put her viola in its case. but again the music continued. Brenda chose a large piece of meat and placed it between her lips and Susan’s. They began to chew into it until eventually their lips met. Once again Susan felt the passion of the night before and began to undress.
“Stop,” said Brenda, “Not until you have fully recovered. You must remember that.`` She grabbed another piece of meat and her and Susan shared it until once again they kissed.
“Drink this,” said Brenda and handed Susan another goblet. Brenda picked up her viola and began to play. The music was soothing, such that Susan readily drank everything in the goblet. When finished Susan was tired again. Brenda said, “Here let me play you a lullaby?”
When Susan woke again the nurse was there. “Are you thirsty?\" she asked, more like a plea, as she started to unbutton.
“No, thank you. I’ll have some wine.” was Susan’s request.
“Oh all right, bloody wine it is,” and Susan realized what it was that she’d been drinking.
Susan sat up, and then began to stand.
When the nurse came back with her wine she saw Susan and said, “Oh look at you. Be careful you don’t fall. Try sitting in a chair and walking as well.”
“I think I’m going to be O.K. Do you know what day it is?”
“Yeah, it’s Friday...why?”
“ I have to be somewhere.”
“ I’m sorry, little one, but you can’t go out there, without dying.”
“ What, what do you mean?”
“ What I said. If you go into the sunlight, you will die. So stay here until your transformation is complete”
Susan then remembered Brenda’s warning about “out there.” “What the hell am I?!” Susan screamed as loud as she could.
The nurse switched the music on to calm her down. To soothe the savage beast, as they say.
“Nurse, can I see Brenda now?” the subdued Susan asked.
It took several minutes before Brenda arrived. “Sweetheart are you OK?” she asked. “I thought you were getting well?”
“I am, but I have questions. Will I ever be my old self again?’ she asked and stared at Brenda for an answer. “I’ll take your silence as a no.”
“No, my darling, the human in you is nearly gone. Perhaps three more days before complete transformation. Then you and I can be together again.”
“Brenda, my love..\"
“Stop, we never use that word here, never. We are paired, that’s it.”
“OK Brenda, my darling, we will be together soon, and then forever.”
At 10:00 A.M. Lt. Early was wondering where’s Susan. “Where the hell is she? I’ve tried calling and there is no answer, not even on her cell. She won’t answer texts, nothing.”
“Should I go to her place and see what I can find out?” asked Det. Joyce.
Wayland added, “Maybe she’s with one of her girlfriends.”
Joyce blurted, “Shut the fuck up Wayland.”
Lt. Early broke in, “OK. Everybody just relax. Joyce, go ahead, see what you can find out.
Let’s get back together right after lunch.” Joyce and Wayland glared at one another on the way out.
1:30 P.M. in Lt. Early’s office with Dets. Joyce and Wayland.
“Joyce, any luck at her place?”
“No Lt. No one\'s seen her come or go for a couple of days. And her car’s missing from her garage spot.”
“That’s not good. Let’s get our boys looking for her car, Wayland, you handle that.” Bob Wayland left the office.
Lt Early addressed Det. Joyce, “This is not like her. She’s always been a straight shooter. I have to ask you, since you know her best. Is there anything in her past history to warrant this behavior?”
“None Lt ... .to the best of my knowledge. We all know she’s gay, but that has no bearing on this.”
“O.K. I wasn’t implying anything, but I had to ask.”
``It\'s alright Lt. I understand.” and at that point Bob Wayland returned.
APB issued. All cars are on the lookout. I gave them a description. 2018 red Rav 4 and the plate number. If it’s out there, they will find it.”
It was 5:15 P.M. when the report came in. Her car was spotted parked outside 385 Lafayette St.
Lt Early and Det Joyce raced as fast as possible to her car. Friday traffic slowed them a bit, but they arrived at 5:40 P.M. Joyce ran to the front doors and both were locked with no one in the lobby.
“Damn it! I should have thought about this place first off. We’re going to need a warrant and a Tac Team.” said Det. Joyce.
“O.K. I\'ll send Wayland to the court to get the warrant. You call Tactical Ops and tell them to be ready for my call. Both were on their phones and agitated. “What the hell do you mean, No!” Early shouted at Bob Wayland and then paused… O.K. Bob but get your ass in gear and hurry.” Then he asked Art Joyce, “Tactical, all set up?”
“Right Lt. waiting for your call.”
“Check that door again, will you Art?”
Det Joyce tried both doors, the revolving and the standard one. “Nothing new, Lt., still locked.”
Time dragged slowly, it was 8:15 P.M. before Bob Wayland called to say he had the warrant and was bringing it over. That would take another 15-20 minutes, so Lt. Early called the Tac Team and told them to get over to 385 Lafayette.
The evacuation alarm sounded at 6:05 P.M. Susan was feeling much better and went to find Brenda. Susan had no idea what was happening and wanted the comfort of her knowledgeable partner. When Susan showed up at Room 7 Brenda was there to get her viola. “What are you doing here?” Brenda said in a panicked voice.
‘I came to find you.” Susan said.
We both need to get to the fifth floor immediately. What time is it?” Brenda asked.
“Nearly seven.” replied Susan.
“O.K. Sunset’s at 8:20, we have a few minutes, but there’s a couple of cops out there and they’ll be busting in soon. So let’s get up to 5.”
At the fifth floor, just inside the rooftop exit, 10-12 naked people had gathered including Mr. Marlowe, the nurse, and others Susan had never seen. Brenda and Susan disrobed as well. Mr. Marlowe spoke. “Alright children, Brenda is here now and will play for us, but first in case we separate, our new home will be in the city of Henderson, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. The school is a building at 2475 Atlantis Ave. We should be able to get there well before Sunrise. And now Brenda if you please.”
Brenda began playing and played for over an hour. Everyone calmed down and began talking about their future new home in Henderson. As the clock neared 8:20 the crowd grew nervous again. They huddled closer to the exit. At precisely 8:20 Mr. Marlowe unlocked the rooftop door and the crowd flooded out onto the roof. One by one they transformed into a bat and followed Mr. Marlowe westward. Brenda and Susan remained behind. Susan was having trouble transforming. It was her first attempt. Brenda told her to just imagine herself changing and it would happen. Several attempts were unsuccessful. Susan became extremely tense and disturbed. Brenda then returned inside to find her viola, but it was on the floor and a string was broken. She grabbed it nonetheless. and went outside to the roof.
“Susan come here,” said Brenda. “No closer. Let me whisper in your ear.” Susan leaned in to hear what Brenda wanted to say.
“I love you,” Brenda whispered and then began to play with just three strings. It was something Susan recognized from their first encounter in Room 7.
Outside, the Tac Team had arrived and opened the front door. Lt. Early led the way followed by Dets. Joyce and Wayland. They saw nothing except a disheveled counter and articles strewn about the lobby. As they filtered through the corridors, checking each room as they went, it was a while before they got to the second floor, where they found offices and an eating area. As they entered the third floor labeled “Recovery,” they were surprised how much it resembled a hospital ward. Then Joyce asked for quiet and the melody from Brenda’s viola was heard.
“Upstairs,” shouted Lt. Early. and they ran up to the fourth floor and then to the fifth.
On the rooftop Susan was still not transformed, but she was calm and trying. Brenda laid down her viola and embraced Susan. “Kiss me” she said, and Susan responded and began to change. Brenda watched until Susan was completely transformed and then changed herself. The inhuman but paired lovers flew westward.
When the police rushed onto the rooftop, they saw nothing, but found the instrument with a broken string. “What the hell is this?” asked Lt Early. There was a pause, and Wayland said softly,” I think they call that...a viola.”