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In the present-day interview, Louis tells the interviewer that the story is essentially finished, although he knows the boy wants to hear about what happened after Paris. Louis continues talking, sharing that despite traveling with Armand to places like Egypt, Greece, and Asia Minor, he remained emotionally numb and felt distant from his humanity. For a long time, he believed that Claudia’s death was the reason for these feelings. But now, as he tells the story, he believes his feelings would have been the same even if Claudia had survived, because nothing could make him feel excited or motivated to live his life.

During their travels, Armand repeatedly asked to visit New Orleans, but Louis always refused his request because he feared confronting his painful past. Eventually, they traveled to New York, and years later, Armand revealed that Lestat had survived the Théâtre des Vampires fire and escaped to New Orleans with the help of two vampires who had the same sire as him. Louis was shocked and deeply affected by the news, especially since he had not thought about Lestat for years. Armand had hoped this reveal wouldn’t affect Louis, but it made him want to return to New Orleans.

After arriving in New Orleans, Louis felt a bittersweet nostalgia walking past familiar streets and houses. One evening, Louis began to follow a young vampire who was walking alone. He watched as the vampire entered a house, killed a woman, then left with her infant. Louis followed him to a decrepit mansion and discovered the young vampire speaking to a frail and trembling Lestat.

Louis revealed himself and entered the foul-smelling house while the infant cried nearby. Lestat took Louis’s hands and sobbed, confessing his joy for Louis’s return and his sorrow for Claudia’s death. When Louis comforted the crying infant, Lestat begged him to stay. Appalled, Louis refused and said he had only come to see Lestat, not to join him. As Louis left, Lestat called out to him but didn’t follow. Louis returned the infant to its home and came to the realization that Lestat might never step outside again.  

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