🍷The Recruitment

A BUREAU Of BARBARITY Letter

The BUREAU OF BARBARITY Kelly Xan is a monster hunting collaborative project. If you would like to join: The BoB. Charlemagne awaits. In the meantime enjoy these letters, I have intercepted from Professor Masterson.

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

Charlemagne,

I am sorry to hear of Ms. Lukos’ disappearance.

Apollo Masterson, a faithful member of your particular organization, was my grandfather. Unfortunately I regret to inform you of his passing last winter. Don’t despair; it was not an attack. He went to sleep, and ceased to wake. I admit I am unsure how to proceed; you see I did not follow in Apollo’s footsteps.

Nevertheless as stipulated in your invitation: Let me formally introduce myself. I was born in the city of Chicago 1990 to Harriet Masterson and William Allred. Despite what you might think, they were married. My mother had an unusual pride in her surname (I didn’t discover her reasoning until later.) thus when I was born, stamped on my certificate was the name: Apollo Kirk Masterson.

I spent most of my childhood unaware of the supernatural as anything but providing inspiration for movie scripts and comic books at least until the age of ten. Upon reflection it was unwise of me to be near the Federal Plaza when I was so young. Especially in the evening But times were different then, children could run amok; fearless, unscathed, free. Or so I thought.

I did not see the vampire.

I am blessed (or cursed) with a vivid memory, yet the events of the attack are distorted. I remember the pain but not the face of my attacker. From what my mother told me. I was face down in the street. Two puncture wounds in my neck. The creature must have already fed well that night for it did not drain me. You are probably familiar with the old saying in literature that you are what you read? Well, perhaps the same applies to monsters; you become that which you are bitten by. In my case ( a mystery my grandfather nor I ever solved) I did not join the undead but I still bear two scars from the encounter.

After “the incident” my mother booked three one way tickets to Salem, Massachusetts where we lived with Apollo. Throughout my teenage years in Salem, he shared many tales of “The Glory Days”. Although I loved Apollo dearly, I believe he saw himself as Prometheus and I his pupil of clay to shape in the likeness of himself.

My early education consisted of various ways to take care of the recent supernatural. But I found myself drawn to history and literature; particularly the accounts of those mortal men whom survived their meetings with monsters. I believe many answers we seek today live within the pages of history. It is why I teach at Woods College Of Advanced Studies In Boston.

I realize it may not be the set of skills you hoped for, but if you will give me a chance to prove myself in the investigation, I ask one favor in return. Prior to leaving the Bureau in the 60’s Apollo left an account of his journals in your possession. I feel as they will be an invaluable asset to our partnership moving forward.

I confess that a response by email would have been more efficient than a handwritten letter by post then again, one never knows who might be watching

Your servant.

—A.K.M