Succulent Dark

Copyright © D.J. Manly 2013. All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Totally Bound Publishing. Twenty-four hours later, crisp Yukon air filled Teak’s lungs as he walked down the streets of Whitehorse, the largest city in the Northwest Territories. Mathew was at his side. The smell of spruce sap and tundra earth almost overwhelmed him as he was greeted by the distant howls of excited husky sled dogs. “It’s known as the Wilderness City, with a population of about twenty-five thousand people, nestled on the banks of the famous Yukon River,” Mathew announced. He was carrying a medium-sized suitcase. “What are you, a tourist brochure?” “No, just thought you’d like to know. Look at those mountains, and there are many lakes.” “It’s not exactly London. I’m happy about the lakes, though.” “Really?” “Mm-hmm, bloody easy to drown oneself in.” “Yes, but only after they begin to unfreeze.” “Don’t worry, you wanker. I’ll cut a hole in it first.” Mathew laughed. In fact, he’d done little else but laugh since their arrival at the ends of the earth. Punishment. And it sure was that, all right. Dellen had certainly outdone himself this time. “Where are the clubs?” Teak glanced around in despair. “There are taverns,” Mathew told him. “Those places are for old men and gun slingers. Where are the hot guys, naked, dancing around poles, lying at my feet, begging to feed and amuse me?” Mathew chuckled. “It’s beautiful here, though.” “It’s…dead.” “So are you,” Mathew pointed out, giving him a look. “I’m not that dead. No one is that dead, chum.” “Look on the bright side…” Mathew suggested. “What bright side?” Teak tried to find something positive about being sent out to this godforsaken place. “The cold, for one. And the fact that winter makes the days really short. That’s a plus. There’s not a lot of sunlight.” “I can stand a little sunlight.” Although he didn’t like it that much—made his eyes sting if he was out too long. “And you have your memories, lots and lots of memories…like the Bishop. So what was he like?” “Tight, very tight and…very vocal. I fucked him for hours.” “Well, that’s good because it will have to sustain you for two years.” Mathew smiled. Teak scowled at him. Mathew laughed as they walked through the main street, clearly enjoying himself. “Will you just leave me to wallow in my misery already?” Teak snapped. Mathew stopped, pointed to the brightly-colored building in front of him. “You will live up there. Your office is right beside the drug store.” “The building is like florescent pink. It’s pretty hard to miss. They sell anything at that chemist to kill off vamps?” “No,” Mathew shook his head. “And they call it a drug store, not a chemist.” “Whatever.” “You know, I suppose they use light colors here to cheery the place up during the dark days.” “Right,” Teak muttered. “I’m sure it will be very merry indeed.” “Here.” Mathew handed over the suitcase he’d been lugging. Teak held it up in the air. “What’s this?” “Some things you’ll need. And you can’t meet the landlord without luggage.” “Where am I supposed to…? What’s my story?” “Make it up as you go along.” “But damn it, Mathew, I haven’t practiced since the Great Depression. I wouldn’t know where to start. Why can’t I just hibernate here for a while then go back to England?” “You are to integrate and behave yourself. You’ve got nothing else to do so read up on the latest medical inventions. Scan the internet. You’ll get caught up in a few hours. And as good as you look in leather, Teak”—he ran his gaze over him—”I’d start dressing like the locals or they’re going to figure something’s up.” Teak glanced at the people walking by dressed in big bulky parkas and knee high boots, mittens, plaid hats with—oh my God—pom poms…. “Can I change my mind and go into the ground for a hundred years?” “No.” Mathew laughed. “I have to leave now, but I’ll be back.” “You’re my babysitter. Matt…” Teak clutched his arm. “Don’t leave m