*video camera rolling*
*focusing*
*focusing*
26 03 96 4:57am
The scene is semi-dark, just before twilight. It appears to be a secluded area; wooded; quiet. Pan the area. Focus on the white sedan. You see a person at the truck of the car. This figure, you determine to be female but you can't see her face because of the hooded jacket she is wearing. It looks like an expensive jacket...
She pops the truck open and reachs inside. You hear her say something but you couldn't make it. The voice, though, confirms female. You watch her lift something big out of the truck. It looks like a body.
The camera moves and shifts.
*focusing*
*focusing*
When the camera comes into focus again, you get a clear view of what is going on. The thing the woman lifted out of the truck is a body. A staked body. The camera zooms in on a close up of the body's face. It is Martin Kohter. A very well known Ventrue in the San Jose area.
The camera zooms out again to take in what is happening. You see the woman moving about, restraining Martin in a spread eagle position. "Martin, why?" The woman speaks clearly enough for you to understand. You hear pain in her voice. She secures him tightly and then moves to kneel near his head. Her back is to the camera
"We had our differences. We didn't always agree. But why did you have to stake me? Why were you going to destroy me?" She shifts a little. "I hope you can hear me. I never wanted to do this."
The camera shifts again as the voice continues to speak. "I tried to protect you from Marcus and the others. I thought you cared about me." Her voice breaks. "But you didn't. You were just using me. Just like Marcus said. Just like they all said."
*focusing*
*focusing*
The camera comes into focus again. You see Martin restrainted and the woman with her head bowed, looking at Martin's face, her red-brown hair falling out from under the hood. "You betrayed me. My loyalty. I could never trust you again." You see her lift her head and glance at the growing light then look back to Martin. In that one glance, you see that the woman is Sarah Novakowski, Martin's child.
"It will be sunrise soon. I wish I didn't have to do this, Martin, but you left me no choice." She looks out into the distance. The camera focus on her face. "Believe it or not, Martin. I was loyal to you." Her eyes close, you see two blood red tears slip down her pale face. "Loyal until you tried to destroy me." She sits there, quiet for a moment. Then she looks straight at the camera. "You are here to record Martin's death. Not to gawk at me!" The camera zooms out again and refocuses on Martin's still frame. "I'm sorry, my S...." you hear her whisper as she caresses his face once. You see her get up and leave the view of the camera which is still focused on Martin's staked and restrainted body.
"Sunrise is soon. I want you to record all that happens. You will bring me his ashes and that tape at first sunset tonight. Do not fail me."
"Yes, ma'am." a male voice responds (presumably, the camera man)
"And Paul, do not make any copies of the tape, do not tell anyone of this and do not be late tonight. You would live to regret it. Believe me."
"Yes ma'am."
You hear a car door slam. The car start up and drive away. And then there is nothing but silence and the view of Martin's staked, restrainted form.
After about 5 minutes. Paul speaks from off-camera. "Well, Mate. I think you really pissed 'er off this time." Brief pause. "Don't worry. 15-20 minutes and you're a goner."
5 more minutes pass. The gray starts to become pink and orange
Paul hums in the background.
10 minutes. "Wow, Mate. This is gonna be a beaut of a sunrise. Too bad you ain't gonna enjoy it." The camera comes into focu
15 minutes now. You see a bulky male form check the restraints. "Don't want you escapin' now, do we? Miss Sarah would have my hide... and I do mean that literally." Paul moves off camera and it's much, much brighter now.
20 minutes. "I think this is it. Yeah, it is a beaut of a sunrise. Amazing what smog will do to light."
The camera is still focused on Martin. As the first rays of the sun hit his body, you see him twisted against the bonds. Then his body arches in pain and you see his mouth open in a silent agonised scream. You see the smoke rise from his body as you hear the sizzling of Kindred flesh. "Holy Shit!" You hear Paul mutter as he watches this.
Soon, it's over. A couple of minutes.... no more. "I better get his ashes in that urn before the wind picks up." You hear Paul mutter to himself.
26 03 96 5:49am
The screen goes dark.
There is no doubt. His body is ash. Martin Kohter is dead.