The night was cold, and crisp in the Colorado mountains. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, but the thick trees made the stars barely visible. The small and friendly town of Brooksfield sat right in the middle. The town had the essentials. It had electricity, a grocery store, a sheriff's department, a bar, and cabins where the citizens live. There was only one road that let people enter and leave the town. The streets were completely deserted, the only lights coming from lamp posts, or windows of the late nighters watching the last of their shows, or reading. The sounds of nature filled the night... and the sound of glass breaking. Harry's Storage, the local grocery store, seemed normal, except that the window was shattered. In the pitch darkness were sounds of gnawing, and grunts of relief and pleasure. Deep in the darkness was a man in the meat aisle, empty trays of what used to hold raw meat, and in the corner was the figure of a young man wearing a flannel, and jeans, feasting on the meat. The creature laughed a bit, loving the taste of the blood and raw steak, but then stopped, then snapping his head to see behind him. Standing at the end of the aisle was a tall, strong shouldered man wearing a leather trench coat, boots, jeans, and an old cowboy hat. In his hand was an axe, "Evenin', sir.... I believe the sign said that this place is closed for tonight.... and you have to pay before eating the merchandise." The man in the hat said, completely calm. The other man's face was covered in blood, with dark pits for eyes, and his response was a soul shivering screech, his whole face turning white, long, and fangs that would cut diamonds. He then inhaled and snarled. "You reek of the death of my kind.... You must be a Ford..." The used-to-be man said. The man known as Benjamin Ford gave a nod. "You can either come quietly, or we can settle this the not so easy way." Benjamin Ford said simply, staring down the creature. The vampire laughed. "You are old... Almost near the age of your curse. I am stronger, faster, and immortal! You cannot defeat me!" It laughed. This man was clearly a new comer. The vampire leaped up and charged at Ben faster than a person could blink, but Ben just as quickly side stepped, and moved his axe, a large howl came from the creature of darkness as he crashed in to an aisle the monster was clearly shocked, touching the spot where thick, black blood came out of a large cut across its chest. It screeched again, and charged. Benjamin was expecting that. He pulled a small object out of his pocket, and struck it against a shelf. The object was a flare that when struck against any dry surface, produced a blinding light, much brighter than the sun itself. Ben looked away, closing his eyes. The vampire screamed in agony, crashing in to another aisle, clawing at its eyes. The light soon died out, and Ben walked over to the body that was still screaming in pain. The vampire looked up at Ben with the little sight he had, with a face of complete terror. Benjamin raised his axe, and the vampire screamed one last time. --------------------------------------------- "Take the body out near the cemetery, and tell Harry that a mountain lion wandered in, hungry from all the hunters taking their prey." Benjamin said to a fellow Protector, the town's vampire hunters. The origin of their town became more of a legend, fiction more than fact... And it was best that the people didn't know the truth. "Yes, Sheriff." The woman said, walking off with two others. The red and blue lights shone. Benjamin Ford wasn't only the leader of the Protectors, but also the County's Sheriff. Jason Hunt walked up to Ben, staring at the scene. "Sorry I'm late... How bad's the damage?" Jason asked, putting his hand in his deputy coat pockets, shivering a bit from the cold. "ah, a few cartons of meat, bent aisle shelves, and crushed goods, nothing too serious... I'll stop by and give him some money tomorrow.... and you can ask if you can help clean up tomorrow." Ford said with a smile, and Jason sighed. "You got it, Sheriff... You should get some sleep. You look exhausted. We can take it from here" Ben was about to protest, but Jason held up his hand. "You have first shift tomorrow morning anyway. Plus you're supposed to meet Constance tomorrow for breakfast. You two haven't spent time with each other for a while." Benjamin sighed. He loved his daughter more than anything. Ever since she decided to stay with him when her mother left, he made sure that nothing bad would ever happen to her... but her being a Ford Ben has always had a feeling she's been up to something. "I'll make sure everything is going in order first, then I'll head home..." Ford said, patting Jason on the back.