The Vampire's Apprentice

"Mmm, I'd bring him along," Norville said, putting his stuff on the far bed. "He might not like staying here and bark, then we'll get complaints from the other guests."
 
Norville nodded, already moving for the door. Sam insisted on checking out the room and all its smells before trotting out the door. He went to the car and waited expectantly. Time for another ride?
 
She opened the door for Sam to hop in again. He was such a good dog. Despite his occasional... blank-mindedness, he definitely understood things.
 
Sam hopped in and settled himself in his nest that he'd arranged in his blanket. Good spot! Then he turned and looked out the window with great interest.
Norville grinned. "I think he likes car rides. I just hope he doesn't think we live in the car now."
 
"I would hope not as well." She nodded, hopping into the driver's side of the car. "That would be interesting to explain."
 
Norville mimicked Clancy's voice as he buckled up. "Miss Kitty Cat, why does your dog insist on getting in the car and scratches at the door when he can't get in?"
 
Kitty snickered, trying to hold in her giggles, but it was for naught; laughter ensued. "Well, now, why don't you ask Sam, yourself?" She replied in-character.
 
"Because Sam is a dog, even if he does have a human name, and I shan't be caught alive speaking with a doggy," Norville sniffed in as haughty a tone as he could manage.
 
She grinned, "You're pretty good at that, you know. I'd hire you as a Clancy impersonator if ever the day came I needed one."
 
"I'll be here whenever the call comes in!" Norville grinned. "As long as he doesn't find out about it. I don't think he'd find it as funny as we do."
 
"Sure!" Norville took the map and checked the marked spot. "Okay, I can handle this. This is maybe... ten minutes away."
 
"Don't worry, I g-" Norville let out a yelp and jumped when Sam let out a loud bark and glared out the window. Apparently, he didn't like the way the dog in the other car was looking at him. "Right. Anyway, take the next left."
 
A large, curling, wrought iron gate was the entry from the brick sidewalk. There was always something with historical buildings and brick paths; this museum was no acceptation. Leading inwards, to what appeared like a small park, was another brick path. There was a path that led straight, and another that went right, around the squares containing ferns, shady trees planted at the corners. Keeping with the park theme, the courtyard had benches on the path going straight. Kitty's fingertips brushed over their wooden armrests, a wistful smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

She turned around to look at Norville, almost as if to say something, but her thought was deferred at the sight of the concrete barrier that separated the planter from the walkway, shaded by the large brick building behind it. There were plaques there. Little, rectangular, metal ones, and they had names inscribed. A larger plaque in the center told what they were for: Christ Church Memorial Garden.

"Well," she said, her gaze returning to her companion, "here we are. Independence National Historical Park. What do you think; shall we look around, some?"
 
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Norville stood in awe, clearly intimidated by the sheer weight and amount of everything around them. "Um... okay," he agreed timidly, glancing around. "Wow. The liberty bell... declaration... wow... Where to even start?"
 
"Probably at the beginning," Kitty smiled, nudging her head in the direction of the tour entrance. A little further down the path and to the left, hidden behind a tree, were two glass doors leading into the brick building, wooden doors in front of them open wide. With a small bounce in her step, she went towards them, pushing one open and holding it for Norville.

Inside was not as she had expected; it was the sanctuary of a church. Two rows of pews were before them, lined up neatly, though there were too many to count. The place, though eerily old, seemed to have been used somewhat recently, likely the Sunday prior. Only a few people lingered inside, most going about their own business, and Kitty's smile wavered with only a touch of confusion.
 
"Um, Kitty?" Norville whispered. "Why are we in a church? And, um, I don't think Sam should be in here. In a church, that is."
Sam stood next to Kitty looking around with calm interest.
 
"That's..." Kitty glanced around. "That's a good question. Perhaps we... made... a wrong turn somewhere?" She chuckled slightly, the sound of her small laugh echoing quietly against the interior. "We should check the map again."
 
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