Varga: Peri the Vampire Slayer
A short story by Keith Redhead

First Varga Story
Part of the Sixth Doctor Fiction collection

Gargril crept into the old family crypt. There had been scurrilous rumours against his family's name these last few days and he intended to put a stop to them once and for all. The old oak door was heavy and rusted at the hinges but it opened enough to allow access.
The inside was as to be expected. Rows of sealed coffins stacked neatly with due reverence. He sighed a breath of relief and turned to leave.

Blocking his way were a group of people who appeared to be old ancestors. Their portraits hung on many of the walls in the older parts of the castle.

Gargril screamed as the night horde descended on him.

***

Peri liked this part of ... Rumania? All the rare plant species were valuable additions to her collection. "What was the name of this place again? Lusitania?"

"You know Peri you really need your hearing checked. This ..." The Doctor swung his arm in a theatrical gesture. "This is Transylvania. Home of dark legends and folklore."

"Oh great; you bring me to creep central where any moment now I can expect some amorous vampire lord to bite my neck."

"You've been watching far too many movies for your own good. You should get out more, take in the clear forest air."

"You're a fine one to talk. You sit around the TARDIS all day moping and eating hotdogs."

"I do not eat 'hot dogs'. On occasion, very rare occasions at that, I may lower my standards to sample the garishness of a beef burger. Never a hotdog though, not after that time in New York."

"Yes we had to run pretty fast from that irate taxi driver."

"Yes, well my digestive system rejects all poisonous foodstuffs."

"Hey look at this." Peri held up a bluey green plant. "I've never seen a plant like this before."

"It's not a native."

"It was brought in for elsewhere? I wish people were more aware of the damage that causes to the eco system."

"I mean it's not native to the Earth. This Peri is an alien life form."

"Not a Krynoid is it?"

"No this is just a harmless plant. But how would a seed get here? Of course it was brought here on a ship by accident or design ..."

***

Gargril lurched through the ruins of the castle. There was only the hunger driving him on. He needed to stop the hunger but it never lasted, the hunger was eternal. He saw two people, victims he thought. The male was strong and powerful. Take him out first and leave the female for later.

***

The Doctor turned around in time to see a rag clothed man jump at him. They wrestled but the Doctor was overcome.

Peri picked up a fallen branch and tried hitting the attacker but her blows were ineffective.

The Doctor stared into the fanged mouth of the stranger and gagged on his breath. He searched his pockets. He had just the thing somewhere.

Peri resumed her attacks but she still couldn't cause any damage. She would throw stones but she might hit the Doctor. In fact the first four stones did. "Sorry."

Inside a pocket the Doctor found the clove of garlic. He managed to stuff it into the vampire's mouth and it began to scream.

Peri struck the vampire in the back with the broken end of the branch. She was shocked when it sank into its body.

Gargril looked down to see the pointed end of a branch burst through his rib cage. The hunger died inside him. "Free! Free!"

Peri and the Doctor dived for cover as the vampire exploded in a mess of blood and bone.

***

Once back at the TARDIS Peri stored her samples and went to have a three hour bath only to find the Doctor had beaten her to it. "Hey don't use up all the hot water."

