User blog:Eradose/Chamber of the Succubus: Issue 1

"Huh? What's this?"

''A young man looks puzzled at the light brown envelope included in his mail. The envelope felt like it had a magazine or comic book in it and it has his name and address on it, but there was no return address.''

''He takes the mail back into the house, and puts the remainder of the mail on the table by the door. It was mostly bills and ads anyway. The mysterious envelope is the focus of his attention. Sitting down in his chair, he opens the envelope, and pulls out a comic book.''

''"Chamber of the Succubus?" he says to himself, "Issue #1? What kind of comic is this? Never heard of it before."'' ''

Looking the comic over, the cover had a scantily clad woman dressed in black. The wings and horns she had clearly made her look like the creature the comic's title suggested. And her eyes… They were a fiery red, and were glowing. Well, seemed like they were glowing, or so he hoped. The longer the young man stared at the cover, the more he felt uneasy. It was almost like she was watching him, with a hungry look that…'' ''

"Uh… Maybe I should read it!" the man says to himself, eager to stop looking at the creepy cover. He opens the cover, and the succubus is there again. This time, introducing the story…''

"Welcome, my dear. I am Morgana, and these are my chambers. As a Lilim, or succubi princess if you prefer, I have collected many stories over the ages. Stories I will now share with you in this, the first issue of my comic.

''So let us get started. Make sure to make yourself comfortable as I spin this story called…"''

The Dragon's Lair
An old dusty pick-up truck drives down a stretch of desert road. In the truck bed is a bunch of surveying equipment. Driving the truck is an old man, with a geology student sitting next to him. The student looks at the old man and says, "Thanks again for giving me a ride to the site. When I missed the group that I was going with, I was a little worried I had to bag today's studies."

"Don't thank me just yet." says the old man, taking a moment to spit some chewing tobacco out the window. "There have been some strange things going on out there recently. If you knew what was good for you, you'd pack up and leave town."

"What kind of superstitious nonsense are you talking about?" says the student, "I'm sure there's a logical explanation for whatever you think is going on out there. Maybe I can help explain some of it. Mind telling me what you think is going on?"

"It's a monster I tell yah!" the old man sputters out, "The loud noises from the cave… It must be the growling of some inhuman beast! And the fire that spews out from it… If I didn't give my word to take you out there, I'd never return to that forsaken place.”

The student is silent for a moment. The area was zoned off, so there was no mining work out there. Natural gasses wouldn't ignite on their own. He'd have to ask his professor when he got out there to see if he could come up with something to ease the old man's mind over what was going on. However, that train of thought was pushed from his mind as soon as they got to the site…

"What… What happened here?!"

As the truck comes to a stop, the student sees the equipment of his classmates scattered all over the place, and not a single sign of them, or the professor.

The student leaps out of the truck, and looks around, calling out the names of his classmates. But there was no answer. He then looked at the equipment itself. Other than being dropped on the ground, it was roughly undamaged. It was almost as if they just dropped everything and left…

"Sonny!" the old man calls out, "Get back in the truck! We got to get going before whatever got them gets us too!"

Before the student could reply to the old man's plea, a rumble can be heard from the nearby cave on the ridge, and a large reptilian head can be seen coming from it. It looks at the truck and breaths a jet of fire just a few feet away from it. The student barely is able to get back into the truck as the old man jams his foot on the accelerator, and dives off.

-A few hours later-

"I'm telling yah, it was that fire breathing monster!"

The old man was pleading his case to the sheriff of the town. The student, after finding his classmates, left town with them. The sheriff looked at the old man, and said "Listen, this is the third case this week I've heard about this. Until we have more evidence to suggest what's going on, I can't just send my men out there."

"No, you fool!" the old man says, "We need to get everyone out here, before they become a meal for whatever is out there! We only got lucky last time. But now we…"

"I don't know what it is you saw out there," the sheriff says, "but I don't think it warrants a panic. Now, you just get home, lock your doors, and leave this to us." He then leads the old man out the door of his office. Shortly after the old man leaves, the deputy knocks on the door.

"Come in." the sheriff says.

"Sheriff Warren," the deputy says, "Those people from that crypto… whatever show are here."

"Again..?" the sheriff says, "Send them in."

As soon as the sheriff says that, three men burst into his office. The one in the back of the group was holding a video camera, with his hat turned backwards. The other man standing next to him was holding a boom mic, and barely fit through the door. The third man was dressed as some Croc Hunter wannabe. He was the one clearly in charge of the trio.

"Sheriff Warren!" the man says, taking a moment to adjust his hat. "Is it true than the 'Desert Dragon' attacked a group of students today?"

"You do realize interfering with an investigation is a crime, correct?" the sheriff says, "And for the last time, I am not going to grant permits for you to film your show there. We're already having enough problems as it is without you three making it worse."

"You can't hide the truth forever!" the man says, "Jack the Monster Hunter will expose the truth to the viewing public!"

"I am going to give you to the count of three to get the hell out of my office," says the Sheriff, getting more and more annoyed by their antics. "Or I will have you three arrested for obstruction of an official investigation, disturbing the peace, and filming without a permit."

"Fine, we'll go." says Jack, "But you cannot keep us away forever. We will find the monster on our own."


 * Meanwhile…*

A car drives down the dusty road and into the small town, stopping outside the sheriff's office. The doors open and out steps a young man in his early 20, and a young woman about the same age. The woman is dressed in green, and has purple hair. The man is dressed in khaki pants and a blue t-shirt.

"Thanks again for the ride, John." the girl says, "But, you didn't really have to."

"Hey," says John, "it's no problem. I was on my way out here to visit my dad anyway."

Of course, that wasn't the only reason John offered the girl a ride out here. Ever since he met her at his college, he always wanted to talk to her. But, she usually didn't hang out with anyone, and didn't really want to talk. Most of the students called her "weird", but he didn't really care. It was something about her that he couldn't get off his mind. When he heard that she was planning to come out to his old home town, he was ecstatic. The timing was just too perfect, and it was an odd coincidence too. It took some time to convince her, but she eventually agreed to join him on a trip out there. Maybe then, he could get to know her better.

Of course, that's what he thought. She really didn't talk much, and spent most of the trip either listening to music, or playing her games.

"So, who are you visiting out here, Ruby?" John asks her, "My dad knows just about everyone, so I can give you a lift."

"No need to concern yourself over it." says Ruby, taking her bag from the car's truck. "I can look out for myself."

Just then, Jake and his crew walk out of the sheriff's office. They notice John, and rush over to him.

"So, you leaving town too after all these monster attacks?" Jake asks John.

"Monster attacks?" says John, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You mean you haven't heard about the 'Desert Dragon' who's been terrorizing the town?" Jake tells him. "A beast that lives in the cave near the town? 10 people have been attacked already!"

When Jake mentions the word "dragon", Ruby's attention turns to them. "A dragon, you say?" she asks them, "Where is this so called 'dragon'?"

"The cave is four miles south of here." says Jake, "If you two value your lives, you may want to get going."

"And what about you?" says John, "You guys don't seem to be in a hurry to get out of here. Of course, the camera and boom mic tells me you're more interested in fame and fortune."

"Well, I am a professional monster hunter." says Jake, "I intend to capture the monster on film and expose it to the public, despite the local law's attempt to cover it up!"

"So I see…" says John, his eyes narrowing at them. "As much as I'd like to keep talking to you, I have other things to attend…"

He turns to the car, and Ruby is nowhere to be seen.

"…To." he finishes. He then let's out a sigh, and says, "She could have at least said good bye before she ran off."

Then again, her actions didn't surprise him. She was pretty adamant to leave on her own, and he already told her to meet him at the sheriff's office in three days to get a ride back. Even at the college, she'd leave at the end of class without saying a word, and was more than capable of taking care of herself. But still, he just wanted for her to let him in.

After getting Jake and his crew to leave him alone, John walks into the office, and knocks on the door.

"Come in." His father tells him.

John walks into the main office, and sees his father sitting in his desk.

"Hey dad." John says, "Been a while, hasn't it?"

"Far too long, son." says Sheriff Warren, "It's nice for you to come visit your old man every once in a while since you and your mom left."

"So…" says John, "What's up with those wackos with the camera and boom mic? They were talking about monster attacks or some such nonsense."

"That would be Jake, the self-proclaimed monster hunter." says Sheriff Warren, "Been making things worse for me since the incidents started two weeks ago."

"Incidents?" John says in a puzzled tone.

"That cave has been having weird occurrences lately." says Sheriff Warren, "Strange sound, rumblings, even people saying they've been seeing some fire breathing monster coming out of there. If only Marcus was here…"

Sheriff Warren then looks to a picture on the wall. On it was him, and the former sheriff, Marcus Remington. Marcus moved to the city over 20 some years ago after breaking his leg in the old cave. With those pins in it, he wasn't really fit to resume duty, so he took a desk job for the city's law enforcement, and had Warren take over as Sheriff.

"By the way…" Sheriff Warren says, snapping out of his long past memories. "You said you were bringing someone with you. Where is she?"

"Ran off already." says John, "She seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. I offered her a ride since we were both heading out here, but she doesn't talk much, even during classes. I only know her first name, Ruby."

Sheriff Warren looks at his son suddenly. "Ruby, you say?"

"Yes." says John.

Sheriff Warren sits there for a moment, deep in thought. Then he says, "It's… nothing. Name sounded familiar at first. But I can't place it. Must be getting old."

John knew his father. He remembered everyone in the town, and nothing slipped past him. Then again, given the current situation, he was under a bit of stress, and he sometimes made mistakes under stress. As much as John wanted to pry into the matter, he figured it was better to let his father think it over. Maybe once whatever was going on blows over, it would come back to him.

"I better check in at the inn then." says John, "Good luck on your case then."

"John…" Sheriff Warren says, "Be careful out there. I know you. You're probably thinking of checking that cave yourself to see what all the fuss is about. Promise me that if you see anything, get out of there right away, and get back here and tell me or the deputy about it."

"Alright, dad." says John. His father knew him too well. He had to see for himself.

-Later that night-

John made his way to where the cave is, parking his car a few yards away so that whatever was in there wouldn't be spooked by it. But, as he makes his way to the cave entrance, he feels a hand grab him by the shoulder, and another one cover his mouth to muffle his yell as he's grabbed.

He looks behind him, and sees Ruby.

"What are you doing here?!" she asks in a whispered tone. She then let's go of him.

"I could ask you the same question." says John, also in a whispered tone. "Are you also here to investigate this so called monster?"

"In a way." says Ruby, "Something fishy is going on here, and I want to get to the bottom of this."

"So I take it you don't buy this whole 'monster' thing." says John.

"Not really." says Ruby, "Whatever it is, I intend to put an end to this."

Before John could ask what she meant by that, Ruby runs off into the cave. John runs in after her…

…And comes face to face with the head of a dragon!

John stumbles to the ground, and starts to back away. But, as he looks at it, he notices that it's not moving. Getting up, and looking more closely at it, he notices that the whole "dragon" is just a head and neck attached to a trolley.

The last thing he remembers before blacking out is a sharp blow to the back of his head.

John comes to with a splitting headache. His vision is a bit foggy for a moment, but the first thing he notices is the fact that he is unable to move, as he is tied up with rope. Even though he couldn't make out the faces standing over him, the voice that spoke to him was clear as day.

"Well, look who decided to wake up."

It was Jake.

"Monster hunter?" says John, "More like monster maker. I can't believe you're staging this for fame and glory. That's just low."

"You don't even know the half of it." says Jake, "Sure, we came up here about some nonsense about a dragon, given it hasn't been seen in about 20 years, and we found instead that this cave still has gold in it. Interesting how no one knew about it. Some of those old farts in the town seemed too scared to even come in here, so we decided…"

"To pull the classic Scooby Doo villain tactic, and make it look like there's a dragon in here." says John, "So you can mine in here without people knowing it. Seriously, that's just pathetic."

Jake kicks John in the gut.

"You know something," Jake says, his tone getting more serious, "The difference between this and that cartoon is that I'm more than willing to kill you both to keep you from talking."

It's at that moment John notices that Ruby is tied up behind him. She was still unconscious.

"Let me tell you." Jake continues, "That bitch put up one hell of a fight. If you didn't show up, we might not have gotten the drop on her. She kept going on about how we were trespassing, and this cave belonged to her mom, or some shit like that. Well, like it really matters now." He then looks over to his crew. "Guys! Bring in the dragon head!"

Jake's two crew members wheel over the fake dragon's head. As they do, John notices the two propane tanks in it.

They were going to be burned alive…

"Now then," Jake says, and he walks over to the fake dragon's head, "by the time they find both of your bodies, we'll be long gone with the gold, and the both of you will be written off and the first casualty of a rampaging monster."

"Listen!" says John, "Think about what you're doing! I'm the sheriff's son. You kill me, and your chances of getting away are going to…"

Jake kicks him again.

"All the better." says Jake, "Bastard wasn't willing to play ball with us anyway. If he just gave us our permits, we would have an easier time doing this. If people saw us out here, we could say 'We're filming a show', and no questions asked."

"I'm giving you one last chance." says Ruby, just regaining conciseness, "Leave my mother's cave, or pay the price."

"I don't think you're in any position to demand anything, missy." says Jake.

"Your call." says Ruby.

John barely notices the ropes snapping. All he was fixated on was the look of shock and terror on the faces of Jake and his crew. Everything was a blur at that moment. He sees one of them try to aim the fake dragon head at something quite large behind him, only to see it explode in fire. Closing his eyes, he could hear them yelling, and a roar of some kind. He then feels something pick him up, and putting him down.

Once silence reaches his ears, he opens his eyes. He was placed outside the cave, and a bright fire can be seen from inside. It takes him a moment to gather his thoughts…

"RUBY!" he calls out, running back into the cave. His thoughts were of her. He prayed that she was alright.

He managed to make his way to where the fake head once was. The fire that consumed it were smoldering out. The three men that tried to kill him were lying on the ground, mildly burned, but still breathing. But, Ruby was nowhere to be seen.

It was at that moment he notices a lizard like tail near the wall. He looked at it for a moment before it zipped around the corner. Chasing after it, he found Ruby…

At least, it looked like Ruby. Of course, he didn't recall her having wings, horns, a tail, claws and talons, and scales.

"Ruby…" he says, "Is that… you?"

"Go away." she says, "I don't wish for you to see me like this."

"Ruby…" says John, "You're a dragon. A real dragon, aren't you."

"Dragon mamono." Ruby says, hiding her face with her claws, "Or Monster Girl as you humans call us. Please. Go away. I can't bear the thought of anyone knowing what I am."

"That's why you distance yourself from people, isn't it?" says John, "You're afraid someone will see the real you."

John walks up to Ruby, and places his hand on her shoulder. "Well, you don't have to hide anymore." he continues, "Let me in. All I want to do is get to know you. The real you."

Ruby brings her claw up to John's hand. She wanted to push it away, to push him away. But, she stopped herself. She felt something in her heart wanting to keep him there. To keep him with her. She looked at him, a slight blush on her face.

"Could you…" she says, trying to find the words, "Could you love something like me? Love a dragon?"

John was silent for a moment. The words formed so easily in his head, but his mouth had trouble speaking them. So, if he could not speak, his actions would have to for him…

John grabs her by the waist, pulls her close, looks into her eyes, gently puts his hands on her face, brushing her hair back, slowly leans in, and kisses her.

Ruby is surprised for a moment. But, it soon all melted away. She was with him, and he was with her. That's all that mattered for that moment.

-A little while later-

John and Ruby are sitting outside the cave as the local law enforcement haul Jake and his crew away. With their scam exposed, and a charge of attempted murder, Jake was going to jail for a long time. Sheriff Warren walks up to John and Ruby, and says "Now I remember you, Ruby. You were just a baby last I saw you. How's your dad these days?"

"He feels the pins when it rains." says Ruby, "Just like that day he broke his leg."

At that moment, it hits John that Ruby is Marcus Remington's daughter. He tries to say something to his dad, but Sheriff Warren stops him.

"I know already, John." he says, "Her mother was the original owner of the cave. We kept the whole thing from the town. Me, Marcus, and Alisia. To be honest, you've grown up to be as lovely as your mother, Ruby."

"Th… thanks." says Ruby, a little embarrassed finding out that the guy she just kissed a few moments ago was the son of her dad's best friend.

"I figured Alisia would be back for her hoard one day." says Sheriff Warren, "Didn't expect her daughter would be coming for it. Well, once I clear out the men, you guys can start getting it out. But, looks like you got something more precious that gems and gold on this trip, didn't you?"

John and Ruby turn bright red.

Two days later, with Alisia's hoard loaded in the car, John and Ruby head back home. Sure, Ruby had her mother's hoard, but she and John had found something more special…

…They found each other.

End

"Wasn't that romantic? YUCK! Too sappy for my taste. If I was writing that story, I'd end with them screwing like rabbits. After all, that is what we mamono do. Then again, dragons are the slightly Tsundere ones, aren't they? Oh well, having a human/mamono relationship is a fair trade for a good ending. Now then, turn the page, will you? I promise the next story will be more frightening and sexy."

''"I kind of liked it." The young man thought to himself. "Although I didn't expect the girl to turn out to be the actual dragon. So, they call themselves 'Mamono' then? I guess it sounds cooler than just 'monster girl'." He then turned the page of the comic, and once again the Lilim is there to greet him for the next story…''

"I knew you couldn't keep away for long. I can feel that you want to touch my bare skin, and sample the delights I can give you. But, we have more important matters to attend to. Business before pleasure after all.

''And speaking of business, that is the theme for our next story. You might want to lock your doors if you're in business with this man. Then again that may not save you from…"''

The Kiss of Poison
A man is sitting in his office, going over the reports of the day. As he is doing so, a younger man opens the door to his office, and peeks in.

"Mr. Jamison?" he says, "You wanted to see me?"

"Mr. Dorian." Jamison says, "I've been expecting you. Please have a seat." He motions to one of the chairs in front of his desk, and Dorian dose as he was instructed.

"Mr. Dorian," Jamison continues, "I've been going over your current business reports. You've been falling behind a bit on sales. You failed to meet quotas for the past three weeks already."

"I'm sorry, sir." Dorian says, "It's been quite a slow market recently. I can't really get anyone to sign up for new insurance policies."

"Be that as it may," says Jamison, "your area was once a hotspot for people willing to sign up for life insurance, being a retirement community and all. Are you telling me that there's no one left to sell to?"

"Not exactly." says Dorian, "A few people are a bit stubborn, either holding on to their old policies, or thinking they don't need life insurance. I'll wear them down eventually, but it may take some time."

"Okay then." says Jamison, "I'll check in with you again next week. If you still can't make a sale, I'll have to move you to a new area that may generate more sales."

"Thank you, sir." says Dorian.

"By the way…" says Jamison, "I'm going to be going over all your current policies holders tomorrow, to see if we need to make any changes to their policies to fit them better."

Dorian feels a chill up his spine. "S... sir?" he says, "Is that really necessary? I mean, I recently checked in with them and the policies and up to date."

"This is just a mere formality." says Jamison, "Nothing to be worried about. You are dismissed."

"Th… thank you, sir." says Dorian, getting up from his seat. He then makes his way out of the office, and back to his own. As he does, his thoughts turn to his policies.

"Dammit!" he thinks to himself, "The old fart is going to find out why my reports don't list any new sales. Sure, I sold new policies recently, but I've been keeping the payments for myself. If it wasn't for the fact I need to have them listed for billing, I wouldn't be in this mess. I got to find a way to keep him from…"

Dorian wracks his brain for a while. But, it dawns on him that there may be an easier solution to his problem.

"If the old man dies, I'm next in line for his chair in the company. And with him out of the way, I can keep those unofficial policies, and no one would be the wiser. I just need to take care of him. And I may know just the way…"

-The next day-

Dorian walks into Jamison's office with his coffee cup. He looks at him and says "I got your coffee, sir. Two sugars, no cream, right?"

"Thank you, Mr. Dorian." Jamison says as he takes the cup from Dorian. He then sips the coffee, and says "I was just about to start looking over your policies, if you don't mind taking a seat."

Dorian takes his seat as Jamison brings up his files. Sipping his coffee as he does so, Jamison suddenly stops scrolling over the list.

"Mr. Dorian." says Jamison, "I'm noticing several policies here that aren't listed in our main systems."

"Uh…" says Dorian, "Maybe it's a glitch?"

"Then tell me," says Jamison, "why is it that they are listed as being started in the past three weeks? As a matter of fact, they're stated as being paid, but we have no record of receiving payment from any of them. And their payment was sent to…"

Jamison gives Dorian a serious stare. Dorian's expression said it all…

"Mr. Dorian," says Jamison, "this is quite a serious charge. I will overlook this slight weakness in your character if you get these policies filed officially, and pay them off with the money you have embezzled from your clients. Do this right away and I won't ask you to pack up and leave."

"I don't think that will be necessary." says Dorian.

As soon as Dorian said those words, Jamison started to feel weak. His strength was drained in moments, and his heart felt like it was beating out of his chest.

"What…" Jamison stammers, "What did… you… do to… me?"

"You know Jamison," says Dorian, "there are quite a few poisons out there that can make it seem like the person had a heart attack. A few, much like the one you just drank with your coffee which is derived from centipede poison, can be quite untraceable. Sort of a little plan I had fixing a few policies to name me as benefactor in case of untimely death. But, that wouldn't work too well, would it? I mean, almost no one names their agent in their will."

Jamison starts to convulse.

"But then, I came up with the idea of pocketing payments for the policies myself." Dorian continues, "In two months, I would have enough money to quit this job. But, then you had to come along and ruin it for me. Well, with you out of the way, it won't be a problem for much longer."

Jamison then falls from his chair onto the floor, dead. Dorian, making quick work, takes the coffee cup, and shuts off Jamison's computer. He wasn't called to Jamison's office today, with his visit being more of a "social call", and the secretary had the day off, so no one would know he was even there today. Hair and fingerprints can be easily explained from yesterday. And most everyone in the building saw him head to his own office. It was an airtight alibi.

A few hours later, after disposing of the coffee cup and poison during his lunch break, Dorian returns to the building to find that the paramedics were already there, taking Jamison away in a body bag. Dorian put on a good show, showing concern over what happened to Jamison. Everyone there bought it. They even bought his story of needing to get away from the office to "greave". After the whole thing blows over in a week, he will take the company over, and no one would be the wiser.

Dorian felt it was best to take a scenic hike around the mountains in the Zipangu region. Not only did he always want to go out there, but the so called "calm scenery" makes his cover story fit better. However, during the second day of his vacation, looking around the mountain pass, he stumbled and fell into a hole in the ground.

The hole led into a dark cavern. The only light coming from the hole he fell in, too high up for him to reach and no walls nearby to climb up on. Dorian was a little panicked. He needed to find a way out of the cavern. Taking his flashlight, he went deeper into the cavern, hoping to find a way out.

It doesn't take long for him to feel like he was being watched…

Of course, how could he? After all, there wasn't anyone in there… right? Dorian needed to focus. He needed to find the exit. But, the deeper he went in; he starts to think he hears something skittering about. Like some large incest or something.

After what seems like forever, Dorian finally sees light near the end of the cavern. Immediately, he runs for the light, the glow growing brighter and brighter as he gets closer. He could feel the breeze coming from outside. Freedom was so close.

And as several insect like legs grab him, that freedom was taken away. As he's thrown to the ground, he looks at the one who grabbed him. She looked like a dark beauty, but her lower body was that of a centipede!

He tried to get up, tried to get away. But his strength was fading. It was at that moment he realized that she poisoned him. He couldn't get away.

The Oomukade had her man. And her poison kiss will make sure he belonged to her forever.

End

"I wonder how Dorian felt when she bit him. Was it truly love at first bite? After all, he used poison to get what he wanted, and she was only doing the same. Not to mention that poison may sap a man's strength, but it does make him feel good, if you know what I mean."

"Note to self…" the man says to himself, "Never go into a cave ever again. I'd rather not end up some centipede woman's boy toy."

"Aw… Oomukade not your thing? Well, to each their own, I guess. After all, I'd rather have you myself. Regardless, we still have one more story to go. So turn the page, if you think yourself brave enough."

The young man starts to turn the page, but then looks back at the final panel. He could have sworn that Morgana's text was aimed at was he just said. But, it was only a comic book. It's not like it can hear him. Turning the page, Morgana was there once again to introduce the next story…

"Finally, you turned the page. I was worried you were getting too scared to finish. Then again, we don't want to finish too soon. I like to see things last a while, especially in bed as you may find out.

''Of course some guys are more than willing to take an easy way out. Get a quickie in and leave. Especially this guy, who's get rich quick scheme will have him…"''

Pay the Dead Their Due
It was a dark night. The rain was just starting as a man walks up to the gates of the graveyard. A spade slung over his shoulder and the obituary page from that day's paper in his pocket. Since the graveyard was far outside the city limits, no one would see him as he scaled the gate, and landed on the other side. This man was on a mission. One he did many times before…

Paul Reaver lacked any sort of ambition in his life. He was content living off his great aunt's wealth, and enjoying the lifestyle it provided. Of course, that all changed when she died. His great aunt, disappointed he never amounted to anything, had her will made out so that her entire fortune was transferred to jewelry so it could be buried with her, leaving Paul with only enough money to get by on until he found a job.

Paul wasn't going to take that lying down. He never worked a day in his life, and his great aunt isn't about to make him change that, dead or alive. Taking the spade from the gardener's shed, he went out to the graveyard the night after the funeral, intent on getting what was supposed to be his.

That first night was tricky. He didn't expect that the gate would be locked at night. At first, he tried to break the lock, but realized that not only would he break the spade doing so, but a broken lock would mean something was up. He didn't want anyone to suspect someone broke in, and it would draw unwanted attention.

He then worked on climbing the gate itself. It was difficult, almost falling off the first few tries, and almost getting stuck at the top. But, he managed to get over the gate, and into the graveyard.

It wasn't hard finding his great aunt's grave. After all, he was just there during the day, and made a mental note of where it was. It was also the only fresh grave in the graveyard that night, meaning it would be easy to dig up, and cover again without any trace of it being tampered with. Of course, taking spade to earth was a more tiresome task than he originally thought. But, after what seemed like an eternity, he struck the coffin with the spade.

In the coffin was his great aunt. Her fingers covered in rings, a large extravagant necklace hung around her neck, earrings with huge gemstones, and a tiara for good measure, a good million dollars' worth of gold, silver, and gems. Taking the sack he brought with him, he took all the jewelry, and loaded it into the sack. Once he made sure he had everything, he climbed out of the hole, and buried the coffin again. He just barely made it over the gate as the sun was coming up.

The city had a pawn shop, sure. But, since his aunt got the jewelry there in the first place, he figured he was better off going out of the city to a pawn shop two towns over to sell the jewelry. Saying he got the jewelry from his great aunt who passed away wasn't really a lie, he just didn't mention he dug her up to get them. Paul left the pawn shop with the fortune he so desperately wanted.

Of course, given his lifestyle, the money didn't last forever. It was running out, when he noticed in the paper that another rich old woman was being buried in the same way. It was at this time he found what he felt was his calling. Anytime someone was buried, he'd sneak in the night after the funeral, dig the body up, and take any jewelry he could find. Then, fence the jewelry at a different pawn shop, and have more money in the bank. It was the perfect plan. After all, the dead wouldn't mind, being they're dead and all.

As time went on, he perfected his abilities, finding ways to climb the gate quickly and quietly, mapping out the whole graveyard so he could plan out the shortest route to the new graves, and, just in case, he had plenty of planned escape routes so he wouldn't get caught. For the past three years, he kept up his morbid racket, and tonight wasn't going to be much different.

The obituary said that a young lady was recently buried by her parents with a fortune in jewelry. Shame too, as she was quite the looker, being in her mid-20s. Apparently her fiancee poisoned her for her money, but got caught. Paul laughed a little. What an idiot that guy must have been. After all, stealing from the living is hard. Taking it from the dead is all too easy.

However, as soon as he reached the grave, something was wrong. It was already dug up! Did the fiancee break out of jail and beat him to it?! He opened the coffin, and was relieved when he saw that the jewelry was still then.

Still… It didn't explain why it was already dug up. But, not like it mattered anyway. The jewelry was his now, and he was going to take it.

He started with the earrings first, putting them into the bag after taking them off, then the rings. But, when he took off the necklace, he noticed something that sent a chill up his spine…

She has a bite mark on her shoulder, and it was fresh.

What the hell was going on? Who would do such a thing? Worse still, there was someone else in the graveyard with him. Picking up his spade, he walked over to the trees. "Is someone there?" he says, but there was no answer. Only silence…

Paul was more and more uneasy. He felt like he was in a bad horror movie. After all, the far edge of the graveyard he was in had almost a small forest, with plenty of places to hide. He knew all too well, since this was one of his emergency escape routes.

The darkness around him made it feel like the forest was closing in on him. He raised his spade, ready to strike at anything that tried to attack him. All of a sudden, he heard a twig snap behind him. He swings his spade with all his might…

And gets the damn thing stuck in a tree. The end of the spade was buried into the tree's trunk a good five inches. Paul tried to pull it out, but it was good and stuck in there. It was at that time he heard a light moan nearby. He puts his foot up against the tree, and pulls on the spade as hard as he could, only to fall backward onto the ground.

After gaining his senses back from the fall, he saw a woman walk up to him. She was covered in rags, and looks at him with a hungry look in her eyes. She then reached down for him, licking her lips.

Paul jumped up, and runs from the woman, with her close behind. He darts between the trees, and jumped over some of the raised roots in a desperate attempt to lose her. For a moment, he stops hearing her footsteps, and turns to see that he lost her. Slowing down his pace, he darts his eyes around, hoping to catch a glance of her trying to pounce on him. Fortunately for Paul, the woman was nowhere to be seen.

Paul then headed out back into the main graveyard. He got what he came for, and didn't need to stay any longer. Given the bite marks on the corpse, the theft could be chalked up to the ghoul, and left at that.

The bite marks...

Just then, a sense of dread fell on Paul. He ran up to the grave, and looked in at the empty coffin.

Before he could process what was going on, someone grabbed him from behind, and throws him to the ground. Looking at his attacker, he saw those same hungry eyes as before, but this time on the girl who was just in the grave moments ago, now a newly turned ghoul!

The girl grabbed his legs, and starts to unbuckle his belt. And, before her mouth was on his member, the familiar hands of the ghoul he was running from moments ago were on him.

The caretaker was awakened by screams coming from the graveyard. By the time he made his way to the grave, day was already breaking. He found Paul, lying on the ground, passed out, drained and dehydrated, with his entire body coated in ghoul saliva.

"I thought I had Melba locked up tonight." the caretaker said to himself, "looks like she made a new friend, and had a snack with her too. I really need to work on better locks."

End

"And interesting side note to that story. Not only did Paul give up on stealing from the dead after than night, but he also gained a ghoulfriend too. After all, that girl he was planning to rob was quite taken with him, wasn't she? In fact, every night since then, she's always there to lick him until she gets to his creamy center.

''Well, I hope you enjoyed my stories from my first issue, and don't worry. We'll be seeing each other again sooner than you think. Until then, sweet wet dreams."''

''"That was a bit disturbing." the young man says to himself. "Then again, I guess he got what was coming to him. Now then, where did I put my cell phone? I'm in the mood for pizza."''

The man closes the comic, only to look in horror at the cover. The cover now shows him reading the comic, and Morgana standing right behind him. As he starts to turn his head, a hand grabs him on the shoulder.

"A little hungry, are we?" says Morgana, who is standing right behind the young man. "Well, so am I. So, what do you say we write out own story, and get to know each other better?"

The young man barely was able to say a word before Morgana got him into the bedroom, striped him naked, and was screwing his brains out.

"Don't… you just… love… happy… OH YES!!!"

The end..?