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Louis pauses his story, and the interviewer lights a cigarette and has a drink. Louis reflects on his detachment from his French identity and how he had felt more connected to New Orleans and his Creole identity. When the story shifts to the past again, he and Claudia have decided to go to Europe to learn more about their vampire origins. Before they left, Louis had to tie up a loose end: the young musician whom Lestat had kept around for so long. Louis gave the musician money, and instead of telling him the truth, he lied and said that Lestat had gone away on business but wanted the musician to keep pursuing music. However, Louis noticed that he was very pale and had bite marks on his neck, and suspected that Lestat had finally fed on him and turned him. 

Louis and Claudia walked through the city one last time. Passing through familiar streets, Louis reflected on how the sights and smells reminded him of Lestat. He also thought of his brother’s body and the feeling of being haunted by the past. Claudia walked with Louis back toward the city, picking flowers and repeating the phrase “Let the flesh instruct the mind” to him in an effort to calm him down. 

Eventually, Claudia separated from Louis, and he made his way toward Madame LeClair’s house, where he heard violins playing and people laughing. Walking down the alleyway, he found the door to the kitchen and saw a woman cooking meat for the party. Louis was overwhelmed by the smells, the warmth of the kitchen, and the presence of the woman. Eerily, he told her he was looking specifically for her. 

The next day, Louis finalized arrangements for their journey and waited for Claudia to return home. When she arrived, she ran to him in a panic, convinced she was being followed by the musician. Suddenly, Louis saw him in the windows across the street, staring directly back at them; he had clearly transformed into a vampire. Then came the familiar sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, and to their horror, Lestat appeared. Claudia froze as Louis grabbed a lamp and kerosene. A zombie-like Lestat burst into the room, and Louis set the room on fire. In the chaos, they fought off Lestat together and let his body burn while they escaped.

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