Chapter Eleven

As the clock chimed on the wall signaling for them to move into the interview room, Elsa moved swiftly through the sliding doors that led into the studio while Vlad followed behind her.

They took their seats opposite each other before the camera, set up a good composure, and waited on the director's order. In three seconds, the headlight from the camera flashed before their faces. They'd gone live.

"Good morning, Washington DC, and indeed everyone watching me around the world," Elsa Winthrop began with a cheerful smile.

'You're welcome to the broadcast with The Century where we're committed to giving you meaningful and purposeful information right at your doorstep," Another smile followed. "Today, we have in our studio a very distinguished personality who has come to share a few things about himself with us. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mr. Vlad Kedderick."

The camera turned to him and zoomed into his face.

"Thank you for having me," Mr. Kedderick said, beaming.

"So, Mr. Kedderick," Elsa Winthrop began, turning to face him. "It is common knowledge that you're a vampire and despite who you are, you're one of the advocates for the one-world theory where everyone lives in peace and harmony. And to some people, I understand that this doesn't sit right with them. Can you throw more light on your stance regarding the topic?"

The camera flipped to his face.

"Thank you for the question, Elsa," Mr. Kedderick said carefully. "You know, my kind of lifestyle and what I stand for does not sit well with everybody, not even my kind. But that is not a problem. You see, I believe that the Earth belongs to everyone and that no group has the right to claim it for themselves. That is what I believe in and what I will always stand for."

Elsa nodded with a smile still plastered on her face. His response had been short and concise.

"Pardon me, Mr. Kedderick. But based on this philosophy you have just given right now, does it mean that you do not mind employing staffs from people who are not your kind and doing business with them. That doesn't matter at all to you, does it?"

He watched as he shifted slowly on his seat. He knitted his brows when he began to speak again.

"Yes, that is true," He agreed. "In fact, to show my unbiasedness, I do not ask my staffs to mention what group they belong to when I'm recruiting people for jobs. I just employ whoever suits my requirements in my establishment."

"I see," Elsa agreed. "Well, that is an inspiration to many people out there who have the strong belief that humans are still being hunted by those who are not their kind. Thank you, Mr. Kedderick."

He gave her a small nod.

"Do you have any closing words to say before we end the interview?"

This was the moment.

She watched as he reposition led himself on his seat.

"Once again, thank you for the honor you've done me by inviting me here. I do not take it for granted. I just want to take this moment to congratulate every living person in the world today. We have survived through plagues and wars and have become a very advanced people. This is the future the olden days' scientists once spoke about and I am glad to be a part of it."

Mr. Kedderick paused to catch his breath and continued.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to give the best years of my life into serving the people. There is no better way to pay you back for accommodating my kind and every other specie of people in the world than to serve you," He paused again and cleared his baritone voice.

Elsa was about to chirp in when he made the long-awaited announcement that rocked her to the core.

"That is why I am running for mayor of the state."

*****

The rest of the interview was a blur. Elsa fidgeted and broke into a sweat all through the endearing speech Mr. Kedderick made but in her mind, she knew that this was the beginning of a war that would have no end.

Vlad Kedderick had just succeeded in awakening a long-forgotten war and now, the drums had been rolled out and had started beating already. They all had to dance to the tune of the song.

Jake Hamilton jumped to his feet at once as the door rattled open. It took just one look at Elsa's face for him to know that all was not well. Of course. He'd watched the live broadcast from his office and had been as shaken as Elsa had been when Vlad made the announcement.

Now, he had no idea what to do or say. The Federation would surely object to this kind of arrangement. But Vlad was known to be strong-headed. He would not pay any attention to the decision of The Federation. This was not good.

"Are you going to sit there and sulk all day long?" Jake finally asked, breaking the silence that was building up between them.

Elsa lifted her eyes and for the first time, he saw how reddened they looked. Whatever thoughts were going through her mind, they weren't good.

"I have a very bad feeling about this, Jake. And to think that Vlad fooled all of us into giving him a chance to ridicule us this way is just despicable. I can't believe I just fell for one of his tricks."

The room suddenly felt too cold and even Jake could feel it. He took the remote control of the air conditioning system wordlessly and proceeded to turn it up a notch higher. Then, he settled down on the edge of the table facing Elsa directly.

"I must admit, he outsmarted us this time. By evening, the entire town will be abuzz with news about his big announcement today, and guess what will be discussed in vampire taverns tonight. Vlad!"

Elsa stared unseeingly into the space before her, then slowly, they riveted back to Jake, her eyes probing him silently.

"Maybe we should take this before The Federation. They're the only ones who can stop Vlad from this insane race."

Jake considered what she said for a moment. "It is no use, Elsa. What are we? Speakers in The House of The Federation?" A soft sigh escaped from his lips. "Come on, we're just members of the press. We have no voice in The House of The Federation. Let us hope that someone else with enough power to stop Vlad picks interest in what he said on the television and moves to stop him. Otherwise, we're doomed."