When Dr. Danna was alone with Dane, he made him a job offer. Charity Hospital in New Orleans could use a skilled doctor like Dane. The offer was only for Dane not Sister Bridget. The doctor planned to leave the Base Hospital on the morning train. Dr. Danna commented about the way Bridget looked at Dane. He said it was controlling, narcissistic and not normal. To diffuse these comments Dane explained,

“Sister Bridget saved my life. During the initial skirmishes of the war, I was wounded. She found me. I was dying and Sister Bridget nursed me back to health. I am eternally grateful for her intervention. She knows my soul.”

Later that evening, Sister Bridget was assisting the local priest with the holy sacrament of ’Last Rites’ for another victim of her thirst. Dane scavenged a piece of wood from the farm house. He meticulously sharpen one end. As he shaped the razor like tip of stake his anger grew. He placed the hand made stake under his side of the bed. He removed his clothes, without putting on his nightshirt, he laid there waiting for Bridget.

The fire light of the hearth revealed Dane’s clothes draped over a chair. Bridget was aroused at the thought of her flesh against Dane’s flesh. She quickly removed her habit and slid into bed. Her hands traced his chest and arms. She nuzzled Dane’s neck with her nose and mouth. Dane now pretended to be fully awake and questioned her.

“Do you love me?”

She sweetly replied, “Yes.”

He wanted confirmation. “Am I your lover?”

Again she replied, “Yes.”

Dane grabbed her by the neck with one hand. His fingers squeezed her throat so she could not reply. Four of his fingers pressed down on the right side of her neck and his thumb pressed down on the left side of her neck. This acute pressure on her vagus nerves was strong enough to confuse and immobilize her. Her caramel colored eyes fumed black.

“The only way you can die is by a wooden stake to the heart by the hand of your lover?”

Tears poured out of Bridget’s eyes. Dane’s other hand grabbed the wooden stake from the underside of the bed and jammed it into her chest. He missed in his attempt to killed the German soldier. This time he met his mark. Flames shot out of the hole in her chest. Her body disintegrated leaving a veil of smoldering smoke that surrounded him.

Dane packed his few personal items in a leather bag. In the morning he planned to go to Base 102 Hospital and leave with Dr. Danna. He was free to have his own life. Sunrise greeted Morgenstern as he set out for his next adventure. There was no sign of Dr. Danna at Base 102 Hospital.

Dane asked one of the nurses about Dr. Danna. She informed him that Dr. Danna left last night on an unscheduled evening train. Without Bridget or Dr. Danna his life was empty. After several days of agonizing over his fate Dane returned to Paris to finish his medical studies at Universite de Montpellier.

Blood devoured Anthony’s camo uniform. He was bleeding from his leg. Chad frantically moved him and applied a tourniquet to his upper femur. Rory bounced up and headed to the road. He saw that same truck off in the distance.

“Doc do you got a gun?”

Dane showed Rory his side arm he but was distracted by Anthony’s mortal destiny and Chad’s despair. Chad had torn the pant leg and started to debris the wounds and applied quick clot gauze. It was not effective. Anthony realized he was bleeding out.

“Chad, tell Carol I love her so much. Hold my hand.”

Dane touched Chad’s shoulder and received a download on his life. Chad would become an accomplished physician helping many people. If Anthony died on his watch, he would not achieve this because of post traumatic stress and a deep sense of failure. Anthony needed to survive so Chad could thrive.

The vampire compared himself to the young Army Medic. They shared the same life’s purpose. This simple human was a living reflection of Dane. Chad Blackrain was the healer that he could been. The insanity of war cut his mortal life short. Chad, as a human, was acknowledged for his good deeds. Their differences provoked feelings of jealousy. Dane’s humanity and kindness was never known by the world. He felt the love that Chad Blackrain received from his family and friends. Dane’s family was long gone and his friends were few because he had to concealed his secret.

Anthony lost consciousness as he went into shock.

“Anthony, buddy, stay with me.”

Tears blinded Chad’s eyes. Dane grabbed a pocket knife from his medical bag. He opened it and sliced his wrist. The vampire’s blood poured over Anthony’s leg which instantly healed. The miracle fluid splashed onto Chad’s arm.

Chad wiped his eyes to see Anthony alert and healed. Chad looked at Dane. Anthony acknowledged Dane. Time was fractured. Before Chad could ask what happened, Rory’s booming voice reported the approach of hostiles.

“You better get your sweet asses out here we have a situation to handle!”

Anthony was reborn! Chad’s gratitude showed in a broad grin.

“They got a machine gun!”

Anthony moved to the smoldering carcass of the MRAPS. Rapid pops rattled the air. Chad and Dane followed Anthony. Chad shouted, “Aim for the gas tank!” Rory urged him to wait. “Shoot! Now!”

Pow! Kaboom!