Kenneth Crichton dreamed of pools of blood, as deep and wide as the eye could see. He swam through the life-giving fluid, losing himself in the feel of it... the scent of it... the taste of it. He opened his mouth and let it wash down his throat, emitting a low groan of appreciation. It was heaven, sheer heaven.

"I always pictured paradise a bit more... lush."

Kenneth's head jerked around and his eyes opened wide. There, floating towards him on a small raft, was Joey Chapman. Beautiful, wonderful Joey. Kenneth's best friend. 

Kenneth's dead best friend.

"You shouldn't be here," he whispered.

Joey grinned, that cocksure smile that had made girls swoon and their boyfriends curse. "Neither should you." He reached down to a sketch pad at his side and held it up. Kenneth saw a stunning portrait of Romany Wisdom on its surface. "What do you think? Be honest."

"It's lovely," Kenneth whispered, still in shock. He reached out with a hand and grasped his friend's hand in his own. "God, I've missed you. If this is a dream, I hope I don't wake up...."

Joey laughed, his green eyes sparkling. "I missed you, too. But I've been with you the whole time, you know...."

Kenneth tilted his head to the side, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

"You can't tell me you haven't felt it... When you're wearing the mask, I'm there."

"How....?"

Joey looked away, his own face darkening. "If I knew, I'd tell you. When Jaspers destroyed me, I expected to go on to Avalon... Instead, I'm here. The only time I can see into the outside world is when you're in the mask."

Kenneth flushed with embarrassment. "You've seen me feed, then. You know what I am."

"I knew what you were before, you silly bugger." Joey's easy grin returned. "It's not your fault you were turned into a vampire." He leaned closer, his eyes locking on those of his friend. "But I need you do three things for me."

"Anything...."

"Find out from the Lady of the Lake what's happened to me."

"I will."

"Find out how Jackie's doing. I guess you know about us, right?"

"Yes," Kenneth said, frowning slightly. "It was quite a shock, you know. I mean, you and my mother... Anyway, I'm not sure I'm ready to face her."

"She's raising your son."

"I know...."

"Well, the least you can do is follow through on this request, mate? Wake up."

"What?"

"You heard me. You need to wake up right now... before it all goes to Hell." Kenneth felt his consciousness being pulled away form this place of blood, away from his oldest and dearest friend. He tried to reach out and grab Joey, but the other man pulled away from him. "Wake up, Kenneth. You have to."

Union Jack woke up with a gasp, straining against the bonds that held him in place. He looked around quickly, sizing up his current situation... he was still at the theatre, but had been moved into a basement of some kind. Lord Pumpkin and his minions were there with him, standing before a large portal of some kind, shaped out of human bones.

Lord Pumpkin turned to face him, a leer on his pumpkin-head. "Well, Well. You're awake just in time... You're about to bear witness to the return of my new sponsor. You won't like him, I'm afraid..." The villain moved towards Union Jack, walking with an exaggerated gait. "You see, he requires a sacrifice when he first arrives and I was loathe to lose another goon. So now you can take their place. It all works out, doesn't it?"

Union Jack looked past the villain at the swirling lights beginning to coalesce in the center of the bone structure. "What the hell are you doing?"

A figure began to emerge, wearing heavy armor and displaying a face lacking in flesh. He looked like some demon out of myth, come to claim the world in his hungry embrace.

Lord Pumpkin's voice purred in Union Jack's ear. "Let me introduce you to Necromon*."

(*Last seen in the Hulk UK comic # 63)

TO BE CONTINUED

Next Issue: "Pump" continues