Coffin Moon: A Novel

In December 1975, Duane Minor, the owner of the Last Call Tavern, is preparing for the day when a call from Joseph Middle School disrupts his routine. The call informs him that his adopted niece, Julia, has been involved in another fight, this time resulting in another student being injured and taken to the hospital. Overwhelmed with sorrow, shame, and anger, Duane heads to the school to pick up Julia and meet with Principal Tony Reed. The principal discusses the incident and potential consequences, emphasizing the severity of Julia's actions. On the way home, Duane and Julia have a tense conversation in the truck, each struggling to find the right words. Back at the bar, Duane helps his mother-in-law, Joanne, before returning home to find Julia crying in her bed, her tears a stark reminder of the burden of her past experiences.

In the middle of a busy week, Duane is working at the Last Call Tavern, a place that has become a second home to him. The bar is packed, and despite the chaos, Duane finds a sense of belonging and purpose in his work. He interacts with regulars, including his friend Bobby Lipinski, who is known for his volatile behavior. However, the evening takes an unexpected turn when two bikers in leather vests and ponytails enter the bar, drawing immediate attention from the patrons and staff.

The bikers, who seem out of place in the laid-back, regulars-only atmosphere, walk straight to Joanne's office and enter without knocking. Duane, feeling a mix of curiosity and concern, checks in on Joanne, who appears visibly uncomfortable and dismisses him quickly. The bikers leave shortly afterward, leaving Duane with a lingering sense of unease.

As the bar winds down, Duane and Bobby share a quiet moment with Ian, Bobby's boyfriend, before they all go home. After closing up, Duane confronts Joanne about the bikers, suspecting they might be connected to a past event he and Joanne dealt with. Joanne reassures him that it's her business, but Duane can't shake the feeling that something is off. He decides to let it go for now, though the tension between him and Joanne remains palpable. Upstairs, Duane tries to push away his worries and find solace with his wife, Heidi.

The next afternoon, Duane relieves Ed behind the bar at the Last Call Tavern. Ed, his father-in-law, has been sick with a persistent cough, migraines, and dizziness, but he's been reluctant to seek medical attention. Duane is concerned about Ed's health and the tension between him and Joanne, especially after the bikers' visit the previous day. The bar starts to pick up around four, and by six, it's hopping. Duane and Andy, the barback, are working well together, but the atmosphere is tense as the same two bikers from the previous night return and head straight for the back room with the pool tables.

The bikers' presence continues to unsettle Duane, and tensions rise when the red-haired biker, who is patched into a chopper club called the Crooked Wheel, starts a confrontation with Bobby. Despite the bikers' threatening demeanor, Duane manages to maintain control of the bar. An old-timer warns Bobby about the bikers' affiliations and their reputation for violence. As the night progresses, Duane notices an increasing number of new faces and a strange, sluggish atmosphere. A regular informs him that the bikers are dealing drugs in the back room, and Duane, realizing the gravity of the situation, confronts the bikers with a fish bat, ordering them to leave. The bikers comply, but the red-haired biker's menacing smile leaves Duane feeling uneasy.

The buzzer at the Last Call Tavern jolts Duane from a deep sleep, a stark contrast to the tension of the previous night's confrontation with the Crooked Wheel bikers. Reluctantly, he gets dressed and descends the stairs to find Joanne, her face etched with distress. She orders him to put on his shoes and join her outside, where she reveals the devastating news: Ed has been diagnosed with cancer that has spread to his brain, and he has only months to live. Joanne is torn between her husband's refusal of chemotherapy and her desperate desire to find a solution.

Joanne confides in Duane that there is someone who can help Ed, but she is vague about the details. She also reveals that the bikers who have been causing trouble at the bar are working for this person. Duane is shocked and angry, pointing out the risks of allowing them to deal drugs in the bar. Joanne, however, is resolute and threatens to expose Duane's past to Heidi and the police if he doesn't comply with her demands. This revelation sends Duane into a state of shock and fear, as he realizes the gravity of the situation and the leverage Joanne now holds over him.

Still reeling from Joanne's revelation about Ed's terminal cancer and the bikers' involvement, Duane and Julia drive to school in the morning. Julia, withdrawn, voices her fears of being sent away, and Duane reassures her that she is safe with them. Despite the heavy topics, they share a moment of connection over donuts, and Duane allows Julia to have coffee, knowing Heidi will be upset but feeling it's a small way to bond.

Later, Duane starts his shift at the Last Call Tavern, on edge and expecting the bikers to return. The evening is relatively quiet, but his anxiety peaks as he anticipates trouble. After closing, the sound of motorcycles confirms his fears. Driven by a potent mix of fear and righteous anger, Duane retrieves his M1911 .45 and heads to the bar, where he confronts the red-haired biker, Bradley, and forces him to lead him to the back room.

In the back room, Duane finds Joanne, the other biker, and a large, menacing man with a casual yet threatening presence. Joanne, visibly upset, expresses her frustration at Duane's actions, indicating that his defiance could have serious consequences. The big man, exuding a calm menace, suggests they 'figure this out,' and the atmosphere becomes intensely tense.

Still reeling from the confrontation with the bikers, Duane finds himself in a tense standoff with John Varley, a man whose calm and unsettling presence is a stark contrast to the chaos he expects. Varley, along with Bradley and Eugene, are deeply involved with the Crooked Wheel Club, and Joanne's willingness to work with them becomes increasingly clear. Duane, holding his .45, demands answers, and Joanne, under pressure, retrieves a Polaroid camera to take their pictures for identification. The room is thick with tension as Duane physically assaults Bradley and threatens the others, forcing them to leave the bar.

Duane and Heidi prepare Julia for her first sleepover, with Heidi reassuring her and Julia showing rare moments of affection. Despite the happiness of the moment, Duane is still reeling from the recent events at the Last Call Tavern and Joanne's threats. He drives Julia to Casey's house, where they have a heart-to-heart conversation about her fears and her gratitude for being taken in by Duane and Heidi.

Later, Duane covers for Joanne at the bar because Ed is having a rough night. Things are running smoothly until Julia calls, distressed and wanting to come home. Duane, already worried about Heidi and the recent threats, decides to go upstairs to check on Heidi, who didn't answer the phone. As he ascends, a metallic, familiar scent hits him, and he is overwhelmed by a sense of dread.

Upon entering the apartment, Duane discovers a horrific scene in the bedroom. Heidi has been brutally murdered, her body dismembered and left in pieces around the room. The shock and horror of this discovery freeze Duane in place, his mind struggling to comprehend the nightmare unfolding before him. This moment marks a profound and irreversible shift in his life, plunging him into a darkness he never imagined.

Three hours after the discovery of Heidi's brutal murder, Duane is interrogated by two Portland Police Bureau detectives, Scoggins and Davis, in a small, worn-out room at the downtown precinct. The detectives, maintaining a respectful and mournful tone, probe Duane about the events leading to the murders, particularly focusing on his confrontation with the bikers at the Last Call Tavern. Duane, numb and in shock, repeatedly asserts that he only kicked the bikers out and that John Varley, a non-patched member, was the leader of the group. The detectives question the plausibility of Varley's leadership role, showing Duane Polaroid pictures of the bikers, one of which depicts Varley's head as a fog-like, smoke-filled shape. Feeling the interrogators are not believing his story, Duane requests a lawyer.

Haunted by the faces of his victims, John Varley, the leader of the Crooked Wheel Club, reflects on his turbulent rise to power following the brutal murder of the Portland chapter’s lieutenant, Zips. After assuming control, Varley's temper and violent tendencies led to the deaths of several more members, including Bradley, who had initially stayed loyal. Now, a fugitive, Varley hides in an abandoned outbuilding in the industrial section of Portland, surrounded by the scent of the nearby river and the cold of the winter night. His dreams are plagued by the faces of his victims, and he wakes to the reality of his precarious situation. At dawn, Varley leaves the shed, stealing a blue Chevy Impala with barely any gas. As he drives away from Portland, he hears police sirens, imagining that the bodies he left behind have been discovered. Varley’s internal monologue reflects on his pattern of seeking power and the inevitable destruction caused by his uncontrollable rage. With the snow falling heavily, Varley drives into the night, determined to find a new place where he can start over. He listens to a radio broadcast about end-times, finding a strange fascination in the speaker’s words. Despite his violent past, Varley harbors a desire for a place where he will be treated with respect and given the opportunity to rebuild his life.

Still reeling from the brutal murder of Heidi, Duane and Julia are released from the police station and find themselves in a bleak, cold morning. Duane, numb and in shock, leads Julia to a diner where they both struggle with the reality of their loss. Julia, showing a robotic quality, asks about food and their situation, while Duane struggles to find words to comfort her. The weight of their loss and the uncertainty of their future hang heavily over them.

Duane and Julia move to the Palm Sands motel, where Duane tries to gather supplies and cope with his grief. He visits their old apartment, despite knowing it's a crime scene, to retrieve Heidi's manuscript and some essentials. The sight of the apartment, marked by police tape and fingerprint powder, deepens his sense of loss and anger. Duane's internal struggle with guilt and the urge for vengeance becomes more pronounced, especially as he reflects on his past actions and the events leading to the murders.

Duane meets with Bobby Lipinski, a friend from the Last Call Tavern, to discuss the recent events and the involvement of the Crooked Wheel Club. Bobby provides support and a roll of money collected by the bar patrons for the funerals. Duane also learns more about the bikers' activities at the bar and the role of John Varley. The conversation solidifies Duane's resolve to confront Varley, driven by a mixture of grief and a growing sense of rage.

On Christmas Day, Duane and Julia spend a quiet day at the motel, with Duane buying Julia small gifts. They have dinner at a Chinese restaurant, where a fistfight in the parking lot adds to the day's tension. Duane later contacts Detective Scoggins to arrange the retrieval of the bodies. As the reality of their situation sets in, Duane's descent into alcohol and violence begins, culminating in a fight at Valentine’s Lounge and a long, painful walk back to the motel. Julia, sensing Duane's turmoil, presses him for answers, leading to a confrontational moment where Duane confirms her suspicions about John Varley.

The morning after the intense events, Duane sits alone in the motel room, staring at the Polaroids of the bikers. Detective Scoggins arrives, finding Duane visibly affected by his recent drinking and the trauma of the murders. Scoggins offers Duane a drink and reveals that John Varley, the biker Duane identified, has a criminal history dating back to 1931, when he was arrested for assault and disorderly conduct but managed to escape, leaving a trail of unsolved murders that match the recent killings. Scoggins suggests that the recent murders and those from 1931 are connected and offers Duane police protection, which Duane declines. While Duane is making funeral arrangements for Heidi, Ed, and Joanne, Julia overhears the conversation and confirms her suspicions about John Varley. Later, when Duane leaves to get food, Julia disappears from the motel room, determined to find Varley herself.

Determined to find John Varley herself, Julia leaves the motel in the middle of the night. Her uncle's inaction and descent into alcoholism have left her feeling abandoned and alone, much like she did when her mother was sentenced and when she witnessed her mother shooting Ray Ray. Armed with the description of Varley from Duane and the detective, Julia begins her search, asking strangers if they know him. A teenage girl mentions a woman named Adeline who might know where to find Varley.

John Varley pulls into a service station thirty miles outside the city, his senses heightened by the scent of blood and the power imbalance. A young man with blond hair and a leopard-print coat catches his eye, hunched against the cold. Despite his usual preference for solitude, Varley is intrigued by the boy’s European accent and air of desperation. He invites the boy into the Impala, and the boy, claiming his car broke down, eagerly accepts the ride. As they drive west, the car fills with the boy’s warmth and the scent of his blood, reigniting Varley’s lust and blood-want. Varley reflects on his recent confrontation with the Crooked Wheel members, particularly the brutal murder of Bradley, and how easily he can replace these men. The boy, sensing Varley’s interest, smiles and confirms his readiness. Driven by his desires, Varley puts the Impala on the highway, ready to enact his will upon this new thrall.

Duane Minor is consumed by fear and guilt as he desperately searches for Julia, who has gone missing from the motel. Each attempt to leave the motel is driven back by a mix of anger, fear, and a sense of responsibility. His panic reaches a boiling point, and he leaves a note for Julia, vowing to find her. As he drives through the snow-covered streets, the memory of Heidi’s reaction to the news about Julia’s mother, Linda, and the decision to take in Julia resurfaces, highlighting the weight of his guardianship.

Duane’s search is filled with a sense of urgency and dread, his mind replaying the events that led to this moment. He stops to ask people if they have seen Julia, his fear intensifying with each passing moment. The memory of Heidi’s drawn face and the decision to take Julia in as their own fuels his determination. Just as his fear is about to overwhelm him, he spots Julia, her small figure huddled against the cold. Overcome with relief, Duane pulls over and runs to her, both of them breaking down in tears. The moment feels transformative for Duane, a step towards embracing his role as Julia’s guardian.

As they embrace, Duane apologizes repeatedly, and Julia, seeing the genuine concern on his face, begins to cry as well. They share a moment of raw emotion, with Duane promising to do whatever it takes to protect her. Julia, still holding his hand, tells him that she knows how to find John Varley and that they need to see someone named Adeline. Duane, though still shaken, agrees to follow Julia’s lead, realizing that their bond and shared purpose will be their strength moving forward.

John Varley and Johan Claasen continue their drive west on Highway 26, the radio playing disco tunes that Varley finds grating but tolerable. Johan begins to share his story, revealing that he is from Utrecht and was studying art in Seattle before losing his scholarship and visa. He now drifts from city to city, seeking new experiences and a break from his suffocating family. Varley, content for the moment, listens as Johan’s presence reignites his own dark past. Varley’s mind drifts back to the summer of 1903, when he first arrived in Seattle at the age of twenty-three. Hired by Jim Templeton, the owner of the Bloody Bucket saloon, Varley’s role was to enforce Templeton’s will through violence and intimidation. Templeton’s brutal business practices and Varley’s own penchant for violence made them a formidable duo. For nine months, Varley found a sense of purpose and contentment in this role, earning good money and gaining a semblance of stability. However, their peaceful existence was shattered when Templeton and his men were ambushed by Davis Starling, a rival businessman. The encounter left several of Templeton’s men severely injured, including Wendell, who was gruesomely killed. Templeton, enraged and fearing for his business, confronts Varley, asking him to take care of the matter. Despite the risk of exposure for his past crimes, Varley agrees to eliminate Starling and his men, seeing it as an opportunity to prove his loyalty and advance his position within Templeton’s operation.

Julia tells Duane that Adeline, a woman who knows John Varley, can be found at Kenton Park. Despite his skepticism, Duane agrees to drive her there, driven by a mix of fear, responsibility, and the hope of finding Varley. As they arrive, Duane is reminded of happy memories of picnics with Heidi, which makes the current situation even more poignant and unbearable.

Upon entering the park, they encounter a young girl named Adeline and an old man named Frank. Adeline, despite her childlike appearance, exhibits an unsettling maturity and a lack of fear. She confirms that she can help them find the Children’s Museum, a place Varley frequents, but insists that they must pay a life in return. The tension escalates when Julia, driven by her desire for vengeance, lunges at Adeline, only to be swiftly subdued. Adeline reveals her true nature, showing needle-like teeth and a black film over her eyes, before agreeing to take Julia to the Museum, under the condition that Julia sacrifices her life.

Duane, torn between his desire for revenge and his responsibility to protect Julia, refuses to let her go. Adeline offers a mocking ultimatum, but Julia remains resolute. Duane, realizing the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences, finally decides to leave, leading a defeated and crying Julia away from the park.

John Varley and Johan Claasen continue their drive west on Highway 26, the tension between them palpable as Johan shares more about his life and past crimes. Varley, reflecting on his own dangerous nature, considers the possibility of offering Johan a dark, eternal life. The conversation takes a sinister turn when Varley suggests they test Johan’s loyalty by committing a violent act. They stop at a deserted rest stop and enter the restroom, where they encounter an old man. Without hesitation, Johan brutally stabs and kills the old man, demonstrating his willingness to follow Varley’s command.

Julia weeps uncontrollably in the truck as Duane drives them back to the motel, her resolve to find and confront John Varley unwavering. Duane, torn between his protective instincts and Julia’s determination, tries to reason with her, but her comments about his failure to protect Heidi cut deep. Her emotional outburst and unwavering insistence on pursuing Varley highlight the deep-seated trauma and anger driving her.

Back at the motel, Julia retreats to the bathroom, barricading herself in the only private space available. Duane, overwhelmed by the day’s events and his own guilt, turns to alcohol for solace. He drinks heavily, alternating between moments of despair and fleeting thoughts of redemption. His binge drinking culminates in a bout of vomiting and a drunken stupor, from which he wakes with a severe hangover and a sense of dread.

Realizing Julia is missing, Duane’s panic sets in. He checks the bathroom, finding it empty, and the realization that she has left again hits him like a punch. The chapter ends with Duane, still drunk and disoriented, running through the icy streets, driven by a desperate need to find Julia before she reaches the Children’s Museum, where he fears she might meet with Adeline again.

Still reeling from the previous night’s events, Julia, driven by a mix of fear and determination, retraces her steps to the Children’s Museum, a derelict Victorian house that serves as a sinister nest for Adeline and her thralls. Despite the biting cold and her own terror, she feels a sense of inevitability, pushing forward with the resolve to confront Adeline and find a way to face John Varley. The Children’s Museum is a crumbling, dark place, with plywood-covered windows and an eerie, abandoned atmosphere. Julia's heart pounds as she knocks on the massive oaken door, which opens to reveal a ghostly child with a skeletal face, setting off a chorus of mocking voices from the other children.

Inside, Frank, Adeline’s thrall, guides Julia through the house, using a spoon to keep the malformed children at bay. The deeper they go, the more Julia senses the malevolent presence of the house. Adeline, sitting on a bed in a dank, candle-lit basement, listens to Julia’s plea. Julia offers herself in exchange for Adeline’s help, but Adeline reveals a more complex demand: she wants a companion. Adeline shares her loneliness and the burden of her eternal life, explaining that the children she has turned are now starving and twisted, unable to be killed or released. She sees potential in Julia’s determination and cunning, believing she might be the one to understand and appreciate this dark life.

Despite the ominous warnings, Julia promises to return to Adeline after confronting Varley. She understands the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences, but her resolve to avenge her family and end Varley’s reign of terror overrides her fear. Adeline, seeing the determination in Julia, agrees to help her, setting the stage for a dangerous and fateful confrontation.

Duane, still disoriented from his drunken stupor, staggers through the icy streets of the town, driven by a desperate need to find Julia. He narrowly avoids being hit by a car while crossing an intersection, his heart pounding with panic and fear. His chest burns, and his legs feel weak as he sprints toward Kenton Park, the trees seeming to enclose the area, adding to the oppressive atmosphere. Finally, he spots Julia on the swing set, her coat missing and her arms crossed in front of her chest. Her eyes are distant and cold when she looks up at him.

Duane approaches her cautiously, his mind racing with concern. Julia reveals that she went inside the Children’s Museum, a derelict Victorian house that serves as a sinister nest for Adeline and her thralls. She describes the house as a complex, interconnected structure that is difficult to look at, with all the windows black. Duane, still struggling with the aftereffects of his drinking and the shock of Julia’s actions, asks if she was hurt. Julia denies it, but her demeanor is unsettling. She admits to making a deal with Adeline, a revelation that sends a wave of terror through Duane.

The sounds of fireworks in the distance remind him that it is midnight on New Year’s Eve, a new year beginning. As he gently lifts the collar of the coat he placed on Julia’s shoulders, he discovers the half-moon puncture wounds on her throat, still seeping blood, confirming his worst fears.

Eighteen months after the events at the Children’s Museum, Duane Minor is found digging a grave behind a cabin at three a.m. The soil is hard and studded with stones, and his hands are raw and blistered from the labor. The body, wrapped in a floral comforter, is what’s left of an old man who unexpectedly visited the cabin, leading to a violent confrontation. Duane, exhausted and emotionally drained, asks Julia to leave him to finish the task alone, despite her offer to help.

Julia, who has cleaned her face and changed her clothes, returns to the grave site as dawn approaches. She crouches by the half-filled grave, and despite her earlier offer, Duane insists he can handle it. After a brief exchange, she finally returns to the cabin. Duane finishes filling the grave by six a.m., and as the sun rises, he contemplates the ugliness of the churned-up earth, fearing it will be obvious to any investigating officer. He locks the cabin doors and examines the room, still heavy with the scent of bleach and the aftermath of the old man’s murder.

Lying on the couch, Duane reflects on the changes in his life over the past eighteen months. The nightmares that once haunted him from his time in Vietnam and at the Last Call have disappeared, replaced by the waking nightmare of his current existence. He holds a revolver and a shotgun, ready for any threat, and drifts into a restless sleep. Upon waking, he performs his daily ritual, remembering three good things about Ed, Joanne, and Heidi, anchoring himself to the memories of those he has lost.

In the attic, Julia sleeps while Duane prepares a syringe and rubber tubing, hinting at a deeper, more troubling aspect of their lives. The chapter ends with Duane’s quiet determination to continue his hunt for John Varley and his ongoing struggle to protect Julia, despite the increasingly dangerous and morally gray path they are on.

Julia's mind wanders through the three distinct phases of her life: the turbulent years before the hunt for John Varley, her brief respite in Portland with her aunt and uncle, and her earlier life in Transom, New York. She vividly recalls the night her mother, Linda, shot and killed Ray Ray, her abusive stepfather, during a violent outburst. Despite her initial impulse to help dispose of the body, her mother decided to call the police, leading to her conviction and imprisonment. The state then placed Julia with her aunt Heidi and uncle Duane in Portland, where she found a new sense of belonging and support, despite her ongoing anger and trauma.

Eighteen months after the events at the Children’s Museum, Julia and Duane are parked at the end of a rural county road, preparing to confront a man known as Cobweb Jim. Driven by her determination to find Varley, Julia offers Jim a vial of Duane’s blood in exchange for information about a silversmith in Fargo who could make silver bullets. Despite Duane’s reservations, they proceed, with Julia venturing to the dilapidated farmstead. Cobweb Jim, a vampire suffering from a silver-inflicted wound, eagerly accepts the blood and reveals that the silversmith, Travis, operates out of Fargo, not far from their current location.

Following the encounter with Cobweb Jim, Julia and Duane drive to a bar in Fargo called Lester’s. Duane, still troubled by the recent events and his own actions, prepares to enter the bar to find Travis. Julia, left in the truck, reflects on her growing hunger and the thrill she feels in the moments before she feeds. The chapter ends with Duane crossing the street, determined to secure the silver bullets they need to confront Varley.

Duane enters Lester’s bar, a familiar yet unsettling environment, and approaches the bartender, a tough old man with a brawler’s build. After ordering a soda, Duane inquires about the silversmith, but the bartender’s response is met with suspicion, and he pulls out a .45, frisking Duane before allowing him to proceed. Duane, left without his revolver, pays the fifty-dollar fee to see the silversmith.

In the silversmith’s office, a room that eerily resembles Joanne’s, Duane negotiates the purchase of silver bullets for his .38 revolver. The price is exorbitant, but Duane, desperate and nearly broke, hands over the cash. The silversmith counts the money and provides the bullets, which Duane tucks into his jacket pocket. Feeling the weight of the bullets, Duane is reminded of the high stakes and the moral compromises he has made.

Outside the office, Duane uses the pay phone to call Bobby in Portland. Bobby informs him about the changes in town, including the transformation of the Last Call into a cowboy-themed bar and the persistent pressure from Detective Scoggins, who is investigating Duane for kidnapping and possibly the murders. Duane, realizing the gravity of the situation, thanks Bobby for the information and reflects on the toll his absence has taken on his former life and the people he left behind.

In the shadows of an abandoned barn in South Dakota, Varley and Johan, high on cocaine and tension, debate their next move. Johan, agitated and eager for confrontation, insists on dealing with Doug McCoy, whom they suspect is an undercover officer. Varley, trying to maintain control, is reluctant to turn Johan into a vampire, a topic that has caused friction between them. As they wait, a dark blue sedan pulls up, and McCoy approaches. Varley and Johan, prepared for a trap, confirm their suspicions when Varley detects McCoy’s fear and the presence of a microphone. The situation escalates rapidly, and Johan, without hesitation, fires a shotgun at McCoy, blowing his head and shoulders apart. Varley, now covered in blood, quickly takes control, ripping the microphone from McCoy’s shirt and realizing they are surrounded by police. With the police closing in, Varley starts the van, and they speed away, Johan laughing and firing the shotgun to keep the cops at bay. Despite the chaos, Varley remains calm, directing Johan to dump the cocaine and focus on their escape. They navigate through the darkness, planning to get a new vehicle and leave the state, driven by their determination to survive and continue their journey to Alaska. The chapter ends with Varley and Johan narrowly escaping the police, the van fishtailing through the dirt roads as they head towards the safety of forgotten, abandoned spaces. The tension between them is unresolved, but their bond and mutual reliance are evident as they face the immediate threat together.

Duane stands outside their motel room in Fargo, North Dakota, the weight of his past pressing down on him. His mind drifts back to his time in Vietnam, where the shock of receiving his draft letter, the grueling basic training, and the harrowing experiences in the infantry, including the deaths of his comrades Lyle and McFarland, shaped him. Despite the horrors, he clung to Heidi’s love and the hope of returning home. However, his return was marked by nightmares, alcoholism, and a growing distance from Heidi, culminating in a violent encounter with burglars at the Last Call, which Joanne helped him cover up.

In the present, Duane makes a phone call to his father, a brief and awkward conversation that highlights the strain of his obligations and the distance he feels from his old life. He then calls Detective Scoggins, who updates him on the ongoing search for John Varley, revealing that Varley has been linked to several violent incidents and is becoming a legendary figure. Scoggins attempts to persuade Duane to turn Julia over to the police, but Duane, torn by his duty to protect her, refuses. The chapter ends with Duane hanging up, feeling the weight of his choices and the uncertainty of their future.

Julia awakens in the motel room in Fargo, North Dakota, her sleep fragmented and filled with fear. The events at the Children’s Museum still haunt her, and she is constantly worried that Duane might abandon her. She listens for signs of his presence, finding comfort in the sound of his breathing or the click of his lighter. Tonight, she detects the familiar smell of Duane’s cigarettes and decides to follow their nightly ritual of sharing 'three good things.'

As they sit together, Julia and Duane share their memories. Julia recounts a fond moment with Heidi, when they baked cookies together. Duane shares a story about his father, Ed, who warned him about the lasting psychological impacts of war. Julia then speaks of her grandmother, who made her feel close to her mother by pointing out their similarities. Duane, moved by the moment, begins to open up about his darker past, a rare and vulnerable act.

Duane reveals his struggles with alcoholism and violent outbursts after returning from Vietnam. He describes a night when he caught two men robbing the bar and brutally attacked them, nearly killing them. Overwhelmed with guilt, he enlisted Joanne’s help to dispose of the men and cover up the incident. Joanne’s ultimatum to stay sober or face the consequences has kept him on the straight and narrow, but the guilt and fear of his actions still haunt him.

Julia, understanding the weight of his confession, listens intently. Duane admits that he struggles with the violence Julia asks him to embrace, fearing that it will consume him. He expresses his deep concern for her safety and their future, emphasizing his commitment to protecting her. The chapter ends with a poignant moment of mutual understanding and the unspoken complexities of their relationship.

In a flashback to 1903, Seattle, John Varley, under the employ of Jim Templeton, enters Davis Starling’s still-unfinished tavern with a loaded Browning pistol. The atmosphere is tense as he confronts the men inside, who are working on the bar's construction. Varley, calm and resolute, quickly dispatches two of the men and scares off the others, his actions driven by a sense of duty and the promise of Templeton’s approval. As he explores the tavern, Varley discovers Davis Starling’s mutilated body and the creature that killed him, setting the stage for his own transformation.

Duane and Julia arrive in Brandon, a small town, under the oppressive heat of midnight. Duane enters a bar, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of John Varley. He approaches a man with a blood-starved appearance and offers him vials of blood in exchange for information. The man, initially hostile, accepts the vials and confirms that he has heard about Varley's recent violent activities in Sioux Falls, where he killed a group of drug dealers.

Leaving the bar, Duane and Julia head to Sioux Falls, hoping to find Varley. However, their search in the local bars yields no results. Julia, who has been unusually quiet since Duane's confession about the bar incident, suggests that Varley has likely moved on. She points out that Varley’s pattern involves a violent spree followed by a quick escape, and they agree to leave Sioux Falls and try to predict his next move.

Late at night, they stop at a roadside motel outside the city. As they prepare to rest, Duane notices police activity nearby, but they decide to stay and get some sleep. Julia climbs into the truck bed, and Duane secures a room at the motel, feeling a mix of exhaustion and determination as they continue their hunt for Varley.

Varley, now a powerful vampire, contemplates the new abilities his transformation has granted him, such as the blood-calling ritual. He and Johan are holed up in a dilapidated barn north of Sioux Falls, preparing to rest as dawn approaches. Haunted by the relentless pursuit of Duane Minor and the young vampire girl, Varley decides to take drastic action to eliminate this threat. He explains to Johan that he will perform a blood-calling, a ritual that will summon other vampires to hunt down and kill Duane and the girl. Despite Johan's fear and confusion, Varley proceeds with the ritual, cutting his palm and letting his blood drip onto the barn floor. The act leaves him weak and vulnerable, and he instructs Johan to cover him with blankets and fallen timber to protect him from the rising sun. As the sky lightens, Varley's wound begins to heal, and he orders Johan to bring him a meal to regain his strength. He draws a parallel to the actions of human gangsters, putting out a hit on Duane, and Johan, though frightened, agrees to help. Varley drifts into a painful sleep, hidden from the dawn.

Julia stands over Duane's bed, visibly shaken by a disturbing dream that commanded her to kill him. She explains that the voice in her head also mentioned a dark-haired girl with the target, which aligns with Duane's own fears. Before Duane can fully process this, a man, later identified as Ronald, bursts into their motel room, attacking both Duane and Julia. Duane manages to subdue the intruder and ties him to a chair, using a silver bullet to interrogate him. Ronald reveals that a blood-calling has been put out on Duane and Julia by John Varley, compelling vampires to hunt and kill the targets. Duane presses the silver bullet into Ronald's ear, causing him immense pain, and learns that Varley has been involved in drug trafficking, particularly in Sioux Falls. Ronald describes Varley's thrall as a blond man in a leopard-print coat, who is as dangerous as Varley himself. Despite his fear and reluctance, Ronald confirms that Varley has a vast network of vampires at his disposal. Driven by a mix of anger and a desperate need for answers, Duane pushes the silver bullet deeper into Ronald's ear, causing the vampire's head to blacken and smoke. Ronald's body convulses, and he eventually dies, his head caving in. Duane, feeling nothing but emptiness, realizes the toll this hunt is taking on him. Julia, on the other hand, is visibly upset and weeps, prompting Duane to suggest they leave immediately. As they prepare to depart, Duane notices a man in a leopard-print coat approaching the bar, fitting the description of Varley's thrall.

Duane enters a crowded bar, his eyes scanning the room for the blond man in the leopard-print coat. After a tense conversation, Johan confirms that John Varley has put out a blood-calling on Duane and Julia. Despite his initial resistance, Johan agrees to lead Duane to Varley. As they leave the bar, a group of men harass them, and Duane, quick to react, brandishes his gun, causing the men to retreat. Johan attempts to flee but is stopped by Julia, who forces him back into the van.

As they drive to a remote barn, the sound of approaching police sirens heightens the tension. Johan, driven by fear, reveals that Varley is indeed hiding in the barn. When they arrive, Varley steps out, his appearance gaunt and skeletal. He taunts Duane and Julia, mocking their efforts to find him. The confrontation escalates quickly when Duane, in a moment of desperation, shoots Johan. Julia lunges at Varley, but he easily throws her into the barn wall, and the two engage in a brutal fight. Duane, armed with his revolver, manages to shoot Varley in the gut but is left with an empty gun when the next shot fails to fire.

Varley, enraged by Johan's death, attacks Duane with relentless force. Despite his injuries, Duane holds his ground, but Varley's strength is overwhelming. As Varley prepares to deliver a fatal blow, Duane's vision blurs, and he is filled with a sense of impending doom, thinking of his loved ones and the failures of his quest.

Following the intense confrontation at the barn, Varley lies in the dooryard, severely wounded and coughing blood. The silver bullet Duane shot into him causes unprecedented pain, and the scent of Johan's blood finally stirs him to action. He mourns the loss of his lover with a guttural cry of sorrow, then feeds on Johan's remaining blood, finding it bitter and off but providing a slow revitalization. Varley conceals Johan's body under debris in the barn, ensuring it will be difficult to find. Despite the bullet still lodged in his gut, Varley feels a surge of renewed strength and determination, driven by a deep-seated need for vengeance. He leaves the barn, his body heavier with Johan's blood, and hitches a ride from a passing vehicle. When a pickup truck driver panics and drives off, Varley continues his journey. He eventually encounters a police car and, in a brutal display of his vampire strength, overpowers the officer, slamming his head against the cruiser until the man is dead. Varley then turns his attention to a handcuffed man in the back of the cruiser, who is screaming in terror at the sight of the gore-covered vampire.

Julia's hands tremble as she fishtails the van along the gravel road, her mind racing with guilt and fear. Uncle Duane, severely injured from the confrontation with Varley, is a silent, bloodied figure beside her. Recalling how her momma taught her to drive during Ray Ray’s benders, Julia sobs uncontrollably, her vision blurring with tears. She swerves the van into a culvert, nearly losing control, before regaining her composure and continuing down the road.

As they drive past fields and a manufacturing plant, Julia’s desperation grows. She pulls over, runs around to Duane’s side, and pulls him out of the van onto the hardpacked road. Bugs beat against the headlights, and a distant dog barks, but Julia’s focus is solely on Duane. She checks his pulse, finding it weak but present, and her heart aches with the realization that he is dying. Memories of her momma, Little Kev, Heidi, and her grandparents flood her mind, each a loss that adds to the weight of death around her.

In a moment of clarity, Julia recognizes that Duane is all she has left. She has sacrificed everything to avenge her family, and Duane has done the same. She cannot bear to lose him. Her resolve strengthens, and she makes a decision. With a sense of purpose, she positions Duane so that his throat is exposed. Her teeth, catching the moonlight, slowly rise as she bends over him, ready to save him by any means necessary.

Duane Minor drifts in and out of consciousness, his body wracked with pain and a sense of untethered confusion. Memories and hallucinations mingle with his present reality: Heidi laughing, Lyle’s severed jaw, the sniper shot, and the red ruin of the Last Call. The rough fabric beneath him, the acrid stench of gasoline and old blood, and the steel walls of a car trunk confirm his dire situation. In a moment of clarity, he finds himself in the backseat of a car, illuminated by the white, lunar light of the night. He sees Julia in a brutal fight with a man in a black T-shirt, who is trying to strangle her. Driven by a surge of protective instinct, Duane tries to intervene but collapses back into darkness. When he wakes again, he is back in the trunk, more aware now, and his panic intensifies as he realizes the nature of his confinement. His hands find the puncture marks on his throat, confirming his worst fears. He begins to scream and pound against the trunk, his body convulsing with a mixture of pain, fear, and the realization that he has been turned into a vampire. His screams echo in the dark, a raw expression of his despair and rage at his new, horrifying condition.

Varley, still reeling from the effects of the silver bullet and the loss of Johan, drives the police cruiser with Emmett handcuffed in the backseat. He cleans the blood and debris from the cruiser, loads a shotgun, and turns off the trouble lights, all while Emmett remains terrified but quiet. Varley reflects on his transformation into a vampire by his Maker, a powerful and ancient entity he encountered in Davis Starling’s office. The Maker, after Varley attempted to shoot it, bit him and offered him a new, dark life. This memory fuels his determination to carry on, even in his weakened state. Varley engages Emmett in conversation, learning that the young man was arrested for stealing a six-pack of beer and some cigarettes. Despite his initial truculence, Emmett becomes more cooperative, even asking Varley to turn up the heater. Varley, seeing the boy’s potential usefulness, decides to enlist Emmett’s help in his quest for revenge. He reveals his sorrow and anger over Johan’s death, and Emmett, now more terrified, agrees to assist him. Driven by a plan forming in his mind, Varley turns the cruiser down a dirt road, searching for a secluded place to carry out his next steps. He touches the scrap of Julia’s shirt in his pocket, a tangible reminder of his primary target. The pain from the silver bullet intensifies, but his resolve does not waver.

Still reeling from the trauma of his transformation, Duane Minor sits in the backseat of a 1973 Chrysler Newport, driven by Julia. The landscape outside is dark and desolate, with power lines stretching into the distance. Duane, in shock and confusion, repeatedly asks Julia why she turned him into a vampire. He wipes blood from his forehead, realizing he is sweating blood, a symptom he remembers from Julia’s early days as a vampire. Julia explains that she had no choice, as Varley had broken all of Duane’s bones and his back, and he would have died otherwise.

Duane expresses deep resentment and sorrow, feeling that Julia has taken away his humanity. He cries, his vision blurring, and accuses Julia of not asking for his consent, especially given his role as her protector and the trauma she has already endured. Julia, emotional and defensive, insists that she couldn’t let him die, emphasizing that Duane is all she has left. Duane, desperate, asks for the gun, but Julia refuses to give it to him, hiding it in the trunk.

After a tense moment, Duane takes over the driving, insisting on heading west. He asks Julia about the gun in the trunk and whether it hurts her to be close to it. Julia reveals that she survived during the day by burrowing under the car on a tarp. Duane is horrified by the lengths she has gone to, and they discuss the futility of their attempts to kill Varley. Duane, exhausted and defeated, expresses his desire to go home and see Heidi, despite the ongoing threat from Varley.

Julia, still determined to finish what they started, argues that they haven’t succeeded in killing Varley and that they must continue. Duane, however, is resolute in his decision to return home, emphasizing his weariness and the need to be with Heidi. He wipes the blood from his face and turns on the radio, only to turn it off again. Julia, understanding his decision, remains silent, and Duane continues driving, his resolve to leave the hunt behind clear.

Driven by his need for vengeance, Varley takes Emmett to a deserted service station. He forces Emmett to open a beer while he searches for tools, ultimately deciding to use a hammer and nails to immobilize the boy. Varley nails Emmett to a wooden column, silencing him by cutting his vocal cords with a hacksaw, and then performs a summoning ritual to call forth his Maker. The Maker, now a skeletal, sun-damaged creature, emerges and feeds on Emmett’s remains. Disappointed by his Maker’s weakened state, Varley pleads for help in finding and avenging Johan’s death. The Maker mocks Varley for his affection towards Johan and refuses to assist him. In a fit of rage, Varley attacks and kills his Maker, absorbing its powers and abilities. Empowered by his Maker’s blood, Varley feels a newfound strength and a bond to Julia. He calls Detective Scoggins, using his new abilities to manipulate the detective into revealing information about Julia, including her name, her connection to Duane, and her possible whereabouts. Varley then takes a car from the motor court, killing the proprietor and a bystander, and sets off towards Portland, determined to find Julia.

Duane and Julia are driving west, outside of Billings, Montana, when Duane asks Julia about her ability to compartmentalize the violence and the necessity of drinking blood. Julia reflects on her past, recounting how her mother saved her and her brother from their abusive father, Ray Ray. She justifies her actions as necessary for survival, much like her mother did. Duane, deeply moved by her words, expresses his inability to participate in the killing of people for blood.

Finding a motel, Duane pays the clerk in dimes. Julia climbs into the trunk, and Duane secures the room, placing their gun in the glovebox. He holds Heidi’s manuscript, feeling a profound connection to her through the pages. As he drifts into a deep, blood-soaked sleep, a red outline of his body stains the bed.

Continuing their journey west, Duane and Julia seek shelter in a maintenance shed during the day. Duane worries about the heat and the possibility of being discovered, but Julia reassures him. They discuss the changes in their physical conditions, such as Julia’s reduced sensitivity to sunlight. Duane realizes he is hungry, a realization that terrifies him.

Arriving in Portland around three a.m., Duane drives by his old haunts, feeling like a ghost revisiting his past. He sees the changes in the city, including the Last Call now called Lucky’s, and wonders about the fate of his and Heidi’s belongings. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Duane cries, and Julia looks at him, concerned. He visits Ed and Joanne’s house and Bobby’s apartment, feeling a deep longing and guilt. Finally, they stop at Lone Fir Cemetery, where Duane’s family is buried. He asks Julia to give him some time alone to visit Heidi’s grave.

Duane visits Lone Fir Cemetery to see Heidi’s grave, wandering through the gravestones and reflecting on the past. The cemetery is a mix of old and new graves, with the scents of summer making him ache for what he has lost. After finding the graves of Ed, Joanne, and Heidi, he is about to speak when he hears a metallic click and recognizes Detective Scoggins’s voice ordering him to put his hands up.

Scoggins cuffs Duane and questions him about his return to town and Julia’s whereabouts. Duane lies, saying Julia is on her own trip, and resists being taken to the station. Scoggins, noting that Duane is bleeding, asks what is happening, and Duane reveals that he is sick, implying it is a condition from which there is no return. Scoggins, seemingly understanding, starts to Mirandize Duane.

Just as Scoggins is reading Duane his rights, John Varley appears, having silently approached them. Varley kills Scoggins by slashing his throat and then grins at Duane, stating his intention to ensure Duane’s death this time. Duane, terrified and trying to break free from the handcuffs, trips over Heidi’s headstone as Varley advances on him.

Varley reflects on his centuries-long existence as a vampire, marked by the constant threat of sunlight and the inability to truly live or rest. Memories of Johan, the only person who ever made him feel alive, bring a bittersweet ache. His reflection is interrupted by the sight of Duane Minor, who has fallen to the grass after being arrested by Detective Scoggins, now dead at Varley’s hands. Varley taunts Duane, reveling in his newfound power and the scent of the blood that Julia turned him into. He physically assaults Duane, throwing him around the cemetery and mocking him for his transformation. Just as Varley prepares to deliver a fatal blow, Julia appears, her hand ablaze, and shoots Varley, severely wounding him. Varley, now in agony and fear, flees the cemetery, abandoning his car and hiding in an alley. His injuries make him vulnerable and weak. In a fit of rage and desperation, Varley attacks a homeless man, but the silver in the man’s blood only worsens his condition, causing him to flee deeper into the darkness, his body wracked with pain and his mind consumed by terror.

Duane Minor steps into a dimly lit, makeshift shelter where a man lies wounded and bleeding on a cardboard bed. The place is a grim reflection of the future Duane foresees for himself, marked by darkness and isolation. He contemplates the transformation he has undergone, feeling a profound distance from his former self and the life he once knew with Heidi. From behind a tarp, Varley emerges, his injuries from the silver bullet evident, but his healing abilities still active, though severely weakened.

In a weakened state, Varley reflects on his long life as a vampire and the pain of losing Johan. He taunts Duane, recounting the gruesome details of Heidi’s death and the moments leading up to it. Duane, though shaken, remains resolute, recognizing Varley’s attempts to manipulate and unnerve him. The conversation turns to the inevitability of Duane’s transformation and the choices he will face as a vampire, with Varley emphasizing the relentless hunger and the moral compromises it demands.

Julia arrives, her hand blackened and charred, carrying a revolver. Her presence is a stark contrast to the desolate shelter, her appearance reflecting the toll of recent events. She approaches Varley, who, in a last desperate attempt, tries to convince her to join him in ruling the world. Julia, silent and determined, places the gun to Varley’s forehead and pulls the trigger. The impact is violent, and Varley’s body is reduced to a bloody mess. Julia, before leaving, bites the wounded man on the cardboard bed, ensuring his transformation into a vampire.

Duane, left alone with the aftermath, contemplates Julia’s actions and the finality of their new existence. Julia’s parting words about the last bullet and her act of biting the man on the cardboard bed underscore the irreversible nature of their transformation and the complex moral landscape they now inhabit.

Duane drives through the industrial section of town, passing warehouses and loading docks bustling with activity. A growing hunger, like an animal taking up residence within him, grows larger. At a stoplight, he flexes his hand, hearing the bones pop, and contemplates the revolver in the trunk with its one remaining bullet, a stark reminder of the choices he must make.

After a brief encounter at an all-night diner, Duane's mind drifts to his conversation with Julia, which left him with a sense of finality and purpose. He wonders about the man on the cardboard bed, the injured stranger, and the moral implications of his transformation. Unable to succumb to his hunger, he decides to leave the man alone and instead calls 911 to report the death of Detective Scoggins at Lone Fir Cemetery.

Duane drives to the Last Call, now renamed Lucky’s, and retrieves Heidi’s manuscript and the revolver. Breaking into the bar, he sets the manuscript and the revolver on the bar top. Surrounded by the ghosts of his past, he pours himself a beer, feeling the hunger and the weight of his choices. He examines the Polaroids and Heidi’s bloodstained manuscript, each page a testament to the paths before him.

In the silence of the bar, Duane whispers to himself about the choices he must make. He can end his life with the bullet, find Adeline, or seek Julia again. As he reads the first page of Heidi’s final story, the reality of his transformation and the decisions that lie ahead become all too clear.

Julia sits at the kitchen table, her mind wandering back to a memory of counting Duane’s tips with Heidi. Heidi’s reassuring presence eases Julia’s worries about her mother’s absence, emphasizing that the pain and trauma are not Julia’s fault. Heidi takes some responsibility for not intervening with her sister earlier, a weight she carries with her. The memory captures the warmth and support of their relationship, despite the underlying sorrow and guilt. Julia reaffirms her determination to face her future and the debts she owes, drawing strength from the bond they shared.