#thelostboys

He flew to the Boardwalk silently and quickly. As far as he could from the boys. He wandered around people, igniting his cigarette. He didn't see people around himself, as he wondered aimlessly, surrounded by loud noises and music. He remembered it was loud that night too.

It was a fair. And he, mortal little boy, who just got out of the family house and got his first job... How proud of himself and how naive he was back then. David remembered music, children's laughter and fair games. He was watching the fun all around, as it became night. That was when he noticed them. Y/N. Beautiful, nocturnal. They came with night, bringing coldness of their skin and their musical voice in his life.

He didn't remember the bite. He remembered pain and then blissfull coolness and numbness that took over his body. David remembered them. Their laughter and eyes, flickering from their usual colour to yellow. He remembered their embraces and kisses. Cold and biting and at the same time irresistable.

Poison torments my soul with a temptation

Y/N was like a dream. They were perfect, they answered all his questions. They were loving and caring, and David almost forgot they turned him forcefully.

"You are just lost. My sweet lost boy." They cooed, embracing David before going to sleep, entangled together in the cave.

He learned how to see and divide people from non-humans pretty quickly. That was how he learned that Max, who he thought was just the man, who started the fair, was a vampire as well. And man wasn't willing to let go of David.

"They forced you into this, David. And now they are just trying to force you to stay with them. Can't you see that?" Max told him, seeing him feed on one of the nights. David didn't believe him. Y/N was sweet. They were kind. They loved him.

But he was right. Y/N loved him and was sweet, but minor inconvinience or something not going in the way they wanted, and sweet and nice facade was breaking down. They immediately tore any enemy or human in pieces, terrifying David, still new to all of it.

I sold my dreams and revelations,

Destiny has my salvation in its hands

He was becoming more mature with every day, with every night, when he had to feed. But constant Max' nagging and constant Y/N's nerves were getting to him. And in the end, quiet, calm and insistent Max won. He promised more calm life, more hidden and not open, dangerous lifestyle.

Eternal Ethereal Stranger

Would be able to save me

David stopped at the railings. He looked at the beach. At people walking there. He saw them. Almost every year he saw them. In the girl, whose laughter sounded like music. In the boy, who got angry and fought someone. In sweet delicate blood he took from his victims. In the lovers he found for the night, and whose embraces were sweet at least for some time. Almost like theirs...

His mind was betraying him, and every time he saw some traits of theirs in other people, his dead heart was flattering in his chest. He remembered them and almost believed it was them every time, as if some madman. That they were alive somehow. And guilt was eating at him alive.

She is devoted to me

And she is betrayed by me

He should have stayed with them. Or rather left with them. But he decided to choose Max. More stable, more calm, promising him family and strength at the same time. David left them and went to Max.

Y/N came for him. They came, trying to reason, sure that Max spoiled his mind with lies. Confident that David needed saving from him. They embraced David, happy, that he was alive, that he was alright. And he staked them.

Their surprised and pained eyes, betrayal and hurt in their face still haunted his nightmares for many years to come. He never forgot how limp and even colder than ever they felt in his arms. He hated himself immediately for that choice.

He couldn't change it. The day of their death was the day of his hate towards himself began. Flourishment of his pain and anguish. David wanted to touch them just once more. Just hold them and know he was safe. But he killed them. Boy lowered his head, closing his eyes. Cigarette burned in his fingers, almost burning his skin. And yet he didn't move.

"It seems to me you are still lost, my sweet boy." He snapped his head, turning around to see their smiling face and oh so familiar silhouette. But once David stepped forward, there was noone before him. He was going crazy, he thought, stepping back and sitting on the deck. They couldn't be alive. It was his mind punishing him for everything that he did. And yet he sensed their smell.

David would see them again, he thought, burning another cigarette. No matter if it would be in his pained mind, a year from that day, on another day of his worst mistake. Or in the other person's traits. Or if they would be alive by some miracle

He would see his eternal ethereal stranger once again.

Dwayne

You had been sitting with your friend for a long time. He was very insistent that you needed to meet up. You agreed with him, so now you sat at some bar, catching up on some news.

But your attention wasn't on him. You looked at some biker in the corner of the bar, who sat with his three friends. Tall brunette with deep dark stare... He was just your type.

"Earth to Y/N, hello!" Will snapped his fingers before your face. You looked up at him again and smiled.

"Sorry, I... Got distracted." You glanced at the biker one last time. You already met him couple of nights ago in the bookstore. But now his eyes were different. Almost darker... Hungrier...

"Oh hell no. Y/N, not another bad choice in the guys. He is the walking red flag! Like the one on his belt" Will groaned, noticing your stare at the bikers.

"Don't worry, I doubt he would consider me seriously. Dwayne is good though, but only as a friend." You noticed, sipping on your drink. You didn't lie to yourself. He was hot, he was dark bad boy. He had way better choices than you. And you could only hope to be a good friend. Or at least an acquaintance.

"Please, don't fall for his charms. The dude is pratically bad news. I heard nothing good about him or his friends. Fights, disappearances and broken hearts following them around." Will said to you, looking at you, fully convinced in his words and trying to convince you of it as well. You knew that he had your best interests in heart, and yet you thought he was overreacting just a tiny bit.

"Will, you are paranoid. If I listened to you, I would be locked up at home and was afraid of every person that lived on the Earth."

"But you would be alive." Your friend scoffed. He put a hand on your hand. "I am just worried. They are bad news. I mean, dude is walking with his bare chest out in the open, he is practically walking girls' magnet."

"Are you jealous that you are less attractive?" You chuckled. Will glanced at the biker and rolled his eyes.

"I would have attracted more girls than him anyway. I am smart and can speak with girls." He scoffed. You nodded, your face expression almost mocking him.

"Right... Because girls can see your wits before they see his tits." You joked. It had to be a coincidence, that Dwayne's company laughed at the table right after your phrase. Will kicked your leg under the table in retort.

You parted your ways late, after the midnight. You waved your goodbye to Will, promising you would get home safely. You lived not so far away from the Boardwalk, so you walked there by foot. You were strolling along the road, when you heard the roar of the motorbike behind you. You glanced around, seeing Dwayne slowing down near you.

It is a pity that you couldn't believe me that day

That your new friend isn't like everybody else

"Hello, Princex." He smirked at you. You smiled in response, not really stopping. "Need a ride?"

"I live not far from here, thank you." You looked at him, meeting with his dark eyes.

"But I can see how tired you are and how pained your legs are." Dwayne said in a low voice. Strangely, you didn't notice it before, but as soon as Dwayne told you that, you felt heaviness on your shoulders and you breathed out heavily.

"Alright, you can give me a ride." You agreed with a slight smile, getting on Dwayne's bike behind him, as he smirked. You explained to him where to ride, as the bike started from the spot. Soon he already parked at your house. You got off his bike, as Dwayne did the same.

"I must ensure that noone would snatch you as you walk to the door." Biker said. You laughed at that, smacking his shoulder.

"Oh, and they say knights are gone." You joked, walking to your front door, Dwayne following closely behind you. As you opened the door, you stepped inside, contemplating if you should or should not act on your thoughts. You turned to Dwayne, who stood on the porch. "How about some tea? I have no coffee and I don't really drink anything strong."

"Sounds good." Dwayne nodded, but made no move to step inside your house. You looked at him strangely, Will's warning still in the back of your head, before tugging on his hand.

"You already here, don't be shy, come inside." Dwayne immediately gave in and went inside. You closed the door behind him, leading the boy to the kitchen in the empty and quiet house they were alone at.

"You live alone?" He asked, looking around your kitchen, as you took out two cups for the tea. You nodded in response, putting on the kettle.

"Yep."

"Isn't it too dangerous?" He asked, stepping closer to you. You laughed, pouring you both tea.

"Why should living alone be dangerous? I know we live in 'Murder capital of the world' and yet you can't seriously thinking that there are some monsters in our town." You gave him cup, taking yours and smiling at Dwayne, who watched you carefully and without any smirk. Almost too serious.

"You don't believe in monsters." He didn't ask, just stated a fact. You sipped on your tea, shrugging a bit in response. You stepped away from him and turned your back to him, facing the counter again, as he watched you, almost not blinking.

You stayed with him alone, not knowing anything about him

You don't care about the fact

That he is dangerous for everybody

"Monsters are real. Maybe I am one." He said, his voice low and serious. You chuckled, shaking your head.

"You are knight in shining armour, you are not some mon..." You turned to look at him and... His eyes were red. You stepped back, watching in shock and horror as his whole face transformed and morphed into something horrible. Your hands let go of the cup, letting it fall down and shatter, as you stumbled back.

"I thought you said there are no monsters." Dwayne smirked, as you saw fangs in his mouth. You acted before you could realise it, running away from him, as he laughed coldly. You ran to your bedroom, locking the door. You had a phone, maybe you could help someone for help. But as you turned to the table, where the phone was, you bumped into Dwayne's chest. His hands tightly gripped your shoulders.

"No!" You exclaimed, struggling in his grip. He easily grasped your waist with one hand, the cold fingers of another hand gripped your chin, forcing you to look at him.

And you got into real warlock's hands

He ruined more than one like you!

"Look at me, Y/N!" He demanded. You tried to fight him, but he was like a wall, impossible to move or fight. "Look. At. Me!" His voice was almost a growl, as you looked into his red eyes.

Strange weakness overwhelmed you. He was some kind of monster. Someone who would easily kill you, and yet you felt some kind of relief. Some kind of freedom in his hands. As your struggled subsided, his grip on you loosened, as he put both of his hand on yur waist, caressing your sides.

"That is it... Don't worry. It is alright, princex... I promise I won't hurt you much. I will take you with me and everything would be good. You want me to take you with me, right?" He asked, his voice dropping to almost whisper. You nodded.

"Right..." You whimpered, her voice quiet. Your heart was racing in your chest, and yet you were slowly calming down.

"Good... You will be like me. Strong, beautiful, free. You want it." He said, leaning closer to you.

He can control you like a puppet in the night hour now

"I want it." You repeated. Last thing you remembered - Dwayne's grin and his cold laughter, before everything you could feel - pain in your neck, resonating along your body.

Paul

You sat on your bed, rubbing your eyes with a heavy sigh. You couldn't sleep as of late. You felt tired, as sleep hadn't come to you at all at the last nights. Always nightmares and no calmness or relaxation.

Growling, crimson blood everywhere, the closeness of some beast. Always one and the same nightmare. You sighed, lowering your legs on the floor, hiding your face in your hands with a groan. You wanted just a peaceful sleep. Not something like that.

I am here, I came to you

Came despite the destiny

Once again after this dream you felt someone's presence in your room. And yet you knew that if you look around or even turn on the lighting, you wouldn't see anyone. How many times you already tried to find some kind of intruder and how many times you remained just a silly paranoid person, who couldn't find anyone. You sighed, standing up. In the nearest hour you wouldn't fall asleep again, that much you knew.

You turned the light on, going to the kitchen, your bare feet making sounds, as you walked across your flat to your kitchen, that was lit only by the moonlight, shining through the window. You poured yourself some water, sighing. You didn't know what all of that meant, no matter how much you tried to understand or analyse this dream.

What beastly presence was it? Why so much blood? Was there any meaning at all to any of it? Or was it all just a freaking coincidence with how much horror movies you watched and how hard you worked at your job? Perhaps it was just a dream without any meaning. But then, why so repetitive?

Moonlight pours from heaven

I am a Beast, I have no rest

You never saw the figure that chased you. You just... Knew it was some beast. The beast that would eat you whole, that was nothing but death, unmoving, unflinching, unavoidable. And at the same time... It never touched you in the dream. You sighed heavily, leaning onto the counter.

"Why should I see that?! I ask of one night of sleep, is that so hard?" You groaned, closing your eyes, addressing noone in particular.

I sneak in the darkness, like a shadow

Cursing the daytime in my soul

Your head snapped up, as you heard the creak of the floorboards. That wasn't something you made up. That wasn't some 'mysterious presence'. That was a sound. Loud and clear, physical.

You could swear there was someone else in your flat. Now, for real.

You looked around, opening the drawer next to you to take out the knife. At least you should have some kind of weapon to protect yourself with. You carefully and slowly went into the corridor. You looked around, wishing to turn on the light.

But as you were about to turn on the light, someone pushed you to the wall. You groaned, pushing the attacker away and stepping back into the kitchen. You could see the silhouette of some man in your kitchen. He had something in his hand, and you guessed it was a knife.

"If you scream, I will kill you." He warned you in whisper. You pressed your lips together, looking at him warily, squeezing your fingers on the handle of your knife. You would definitely lose the fight, you weren't exactly that much efficiet with the knife, other than chopping some vegetables, but damn if you wouldn't try to protect yourself.

"Dude, I had a terrible day. And even worse sleep. Please, get out and I will forget all about it. And won't even call anyone." You hissed in response. The man groaned and stepped to you. You stepped away and noticed how the itnruder suddenly froze in his tracks.

There is a shadow of the Beast behind you

You are together always and everywhere

"What the hell is that?!" He exclaimed. You didn't have the time to ask what he was talking about, hearing the growl behind you.

You didn't have time to turn around. That something that was growling behind you, immediately pushed you aside with the strength that made you fall to the floor.

Next thing you knew, you heard scream of this guy and shattering of the glass. When you raised your head, all you could see - emptiness in your kitchen and corridor and shards of broken glass from the now broken window. There was no intruder or anyone else for that matter in your flat anymore other than you. Only broken glass on the floor and heavy, almost deadly silence.

Your heart was beating out of your chest, while you tried to process everything. Was it your... "Beast"? Jumping from your spot, you rushed to the window, but there was noone on the ground aside from shards of broken glass. Like nothing had ever happened at all. You stepped back, your shoulders falling in exhaustion. You couldn't wrap your head around what was going on and had just happened. Especially after the lack of sleep. You groaned, looking down at the shuttered glass. You thought it would be better to clean it at once and not delay this.

Now believe me

This beast is Me

You had to clean it up and have some sleep. At least some of it. You and your close friend Paul was going to meet tomorrow, you couldn't be sleepy, when you two hang out. He didn't like it.

Paul agreed with your decision to go to sleep, licking his tainted bloody fingers, as he watched you through the window, floating above your flat.

Marko

You wandered around the Boardwalk, trying to distract yourself from your everyday problems. From problems at home with parents, from problems at your summer job, from petty drama and problems with your friends. You wanted to applicate for the college, and yet you were still doubting everything, plus lack of money didn't help.

In your thoughts you wandered to the beach away from the main crowds. You glanced back at the Boardwalk. Nothing could happen. Like, surely, Santa-Carla was "Murder capital of the world" and all other things, but you didn't think it was that bad. Or perhaps you just got used to it.

You walked around, listening to the ocean and night silence, when... You heard some scream. So horrible and bloodcurdling, that you froze on your spot. You glanced in the direction of the scream.

I have a dream, that creatures with glowing eyes

Tore into my wings high in the sky

You shivered, stepping closer to the source of scream at first. But rational part of your brain won. "Idiot, what are you doing? If there is someone screaming so loudly and desperately, what makes you think you wouldn't scream next?" You stepped away at once. The screams stopped and silence that followed was deafening.

You stepped away again. Once, twice. Before you just turned around and started running. You ran across the beach, your feet sinking into soft sand, but you tried your best to be quiet.

Once you heard cold cruel laughter high above your head, you understood that you failed in being quiet.

You were suddenly swapped in someone's hands. You screamed, fighting someone's strong grip. You felt coldness and wind as you... Flew? You struggled in his (you only guessed it was he) grip, trying to free yourself.

"Little birdie wants to fly?" Sinister chuckle sounded right in your ear. You smack the creature in the face, making him drop you. You fell down quickly, hearing... Screams and argument?

I fell down awkwardly, like I am fallen angel

I don't remember the fall, I only remember

Dull thud on the cold stones

You woke up hours later. Your whole body was aching. You looked up at the still dark sky, not understanding what had happened. You couldn't remember what had happened.

Slowly you sat up on the ground, groaning. Every movement made you feel awful and nauseous. You pressed your hands into your face, only now noticing that... Your sleeves were tore up. Some of your clothes was bloodied. You furrowed your brows.

Air. Fall. Laughter and screams.

You slowly were remembering. Those creatures... You jumped to your feet and instantly regretted it. You bent over, closing your eyes, as your chest and stomach responded with pain and spasm. After several seconds you slowly opened your eyes again.

It had to be a dream. Should some creatures attack you and drop you from the height, you would have been dead, right? You had to think logically. You leaned onto the tree... How did you get from the beach in the forest was another question, one of myriad swirling in your head. You carefully and slowly stepped down the path. It had to be a dream. And you just got drunk and didn't remember it. It had to be

Straight down, to the place where we hungrily looked up

At the blue sky

You followed stars that you could see up high. They were blinking and shining so bright... You never thought the night could be so bright, that your eyes hurt from the mere look at it.

You were slow in your movements, clutching your middle and leaning onto the trees for support. With every step of your way you felt yourself a little bit better. Your body slowly stopped feeling sore and painful. And yet it changed into burning.

You burned from inside out, like it was your blood that burned your body. The burning was especially strong in your throat. You put a hand on your neck, rubbing it, as if it could help it. In your discomfort you didn't notice the steep cliff you went closer and closer to. You stumbled down, falling right off of it, into the opening, the night sky high above you.

"Hey!" You suddenly heard someone's voice that was extremely loud for you for some reason. You slowly turned your head to see the boy with curly blonde hair in colourful jacket. "You good? Need any help?"

Straight down, to the place where we come out from

With hope for a new life

"I think so..." You answered in a whisper, but the boy heard you. He grinned, you could see it in the night light perfectly for some reason. He gave you his hand, helping you stand up on your feet.

"You look... Rough. Don't worry though. I am Marko. I will help you." The boy promised you, as you finally let yourself fall asleep once again, falling right into his hands.

Michael

Michael sat in the kitchen. The coffee had already cooled down, and now sat in his mug almost sadly. He looked down at it, memories of the days long gone swirling in his mind.

Boys were gone. Well, at least he thought so. Mother was peacefully living her old age somewhere on the beach, Sam disappeared after his graduation. And Michael and Star lived together in some house in Florida. They started a family and were still... Not very good in it.

"Michael?" Star appeared in the door of the kitchen, turning up the light. He squinted his eyes, blinking several times and getting used to the light. "Why are you up?"

"Couldn't sleep." He shook his head, forcing a smile out of himself. Star sighed, stepping closer.

If you wanted to say something to me for a long time

Just say it

"I wanted to speak with you actually. You are... Not like yourself lately." Star said, going to the table and sitting near Michael. Man sighed.

"What did you want to say?"

"That you are not yourself now, Michael." Star said with a sigh. "You sleep little, you are silent almost all the time. What is wrong? Tell me, please."

"I just... Think a lot about the past and everything." He tried to explain. Star sighed, putting her hand on top of his.

"Michael, it is in the past. How long will you remember Santa-Carla for? They are all gone. David, Paul, Dwayne, Marko, Y/N, they are dead. They can't touch us anymore. How can you still think of them?" She looked at him slightly frustrated and annoyed, as she spoke with Michael.

"You don't understand." Michael sighed, taking his hand away. How could he explain all of the things that was in his head, in his heart? No, she couldn't understand what was between him and Y/N, between him and the boys. She just wanted to get away from them. To forget all about it and never mention it again, to forget it like some simple nightmare dream.

"You always say that, but never explain." Star groaned. She leaned back. "Michael, please..."

"No, it is of no use." He shook his head, standing up and going away. He couldn't explain this to Star. She wouldn't understand. She didn't understand it back then and wouldn't understand now. Michael locked himself in his bedroom. Not long ago he and Star stopped sharing one room. Perhaps it was all in his mind...

Any sound is deceptive

"Michael..."

He turned around. It was as if he had heard your voice. You were the only spot in the whole story with the boys that remained light and warm. Michael breathed out. How many times he imagined taking you with him? Saving you?

He went to the bed, taking the box from under it. There were little things, reminding him of the past. T-shirt from mom. Jacket from Sam, who disappeared recently. Old things from grandpa's house and... Your letter.

Several simple lines. With how you can't wait to hang out with him again. Something about the shenanigans of the boys, apology for something Paul did... It all seemed so far away.

But he silence is so much more scarier

Michael moved his fingers, almost caressing old paper. Line, where you wrote a number. Phone number. Shop, that you were frequent at. Where he could call and ask for you. Oh, how you spoke for hours, at nights when he stayed at home. He smiled sadly and lowered his head.

He wanted to hear your voice just once more. Just one word, and he would be calm. And nightmares would stop. But... You were dead. You were gone with the boys... It was impossible dream.

As if in the dream, he took the phone. Michael looked at the phonesilently for some time. He didn't say anything, as he dialed the number. He still looked at the phone, as the beeps were heard from the phone.

And there are still only beeps in the phone

Even after all these years

He put the phone to his ear, almost scared to hear something else. What was he doing anyway? The number could have been terminated after all those years. Or it could have been given to another business rather than this little shop. And even if it was still this shop... What was he going to say? You were dead, it had been years.

"Chen's Corner, good night." He heard a woman's voice on the other side. Still the same place. Almost the same voice. Michael felt like a teenager once again. "Hello?"

"Hi, I... Um..." He was dumbfounded, feeling himself stupid. Why would he call a chinese restaurant across the country from him? What would he even say? "I... I am Michael. Michael Emerson and..."

"Oh! Just a minute." He furrowed his brows, hearing the sound as if the phone was placed down on the counter. What was going on, Michael wondered, almost forgetting about his worries and depressing thoughts. In a minute there was another sound, as if the phone was taken from the counter.

"Michael?" Came the voice, and Michael felt his blood running cold. It couldn't be real. It couldn't be... "I know you think you went crazy, but..."

"Y/N... You... You are dead..." He mumbled, looking at the wall before him, not even realising what he was saying or thinking anymore.

"I am not. Otherwise, you would be in the madhouse." You chuckled on the other side of the line. Michael instinctively smiled in response. "It is a long story. If you want to, you can come back. And I will tell you everything. Or... You can just hang up and never return or talk to me again. After all it had been years..."

"Y/N, I... Wait for me, alright? Even if you are a vision and I am going crazy, wait for me, please." He pleaded quietly, holding the phone in his hand tightly. You only chuckled on the other side of the phone.

"Then you should hurry probably. I can already tell you are giddy, just from the voice alone. I will wait for you, Mikey..." She mused with a giggle, before hanging up.

It was madness. He was married. He lived several states away from California now. He grew up from being a teenager. He had a family. He had a life. And yet the mere sound of your voice. The only thought and possibility that he could see you again was enough for him to return to that old 'Mikey' boy.

And someone will slam the door somewhere

And the wires will tremble

He was gathering his things almost as if he was in some dreamy fog. Simple one bag with necessities. Sleepy, angry and frustrated and worried Star, trying to stop him and screaming at him to stop. Yet Michael still slammed the door behind him, as he strided to his old bike. A bit rusty, but still in riding condition.

Road was long, exhausting. Crazy for one person to go through alone. And yet he rode and rode, with rare stops for sleep and for more fuel, ignoring calls from Star on his simple cellphone. When he passed familiar sign of 'Welcome to Santa-Carla', his heart was beating out of his chest as loud as possible.

It was as if the time and progress walked past Santa-Carla. Same old shops, fairs, attractions... Only people wore slightly different things now and some of them had cellphones. But mostly town remained the same.

Michael spent the rest of the day on the beach, his bike laying near him, as he just sat and watched the ocean, full of thoughts, feelings, emotions, regrets, doubts and fears mixed in with the hope. He almost crossed the country just to get here because he heard slightly familiar voice on the phone... What the hell was he thinking?

Hello! We will be happy together now

And forever

"Never thought that several years can change you so much." He froze, hearing this voice. You. Alive. He didn't even notice when day changed into night. And yet here he was. Sitting on nightly beach, with a vampire, who was supposed to be dead, but was somehow alive, behind his back. "If you intend to leave, I will go away before it become too painful for us."

"No." He hated how his voice sounded so pleadingly. "I am here now. And forever." He whispered, too afraid to turn around in case it was his madness and there was noone. But hand on his shoulder felt real.

And so Michael turned to face the only person he should have never left.

Star

She danced with ease. In the crowd of drunken rowdy people Star moved effortlessly, to the rhythm that current musicians on the scene chose. She was light and mingled with everyone else, and yet you saw only her out of many on the beach, even sitting aside from it on the warm sand.

Who showed you the stars in the morning sky

Who taught you to see in nighttime

Who is not me

You could never stop admiring her. She was perfect. Dancing, laughing, even when pouting and being angry. Star was perfect in your eyes. From stargazing, to late night walks, to ruling down the boys, to everything else.

You had been with the boys for significantly longer time than her. Little sibling, less rowdy, but still as fitting into their chaotic dynamic, as everyone in their little coven. You clicked instantly, and you protected her from the boys and Max, as she protected you. It felt like you two were meant for each other from the start.

Me? I will always be with you

Me? I will always be on your side

No, I will not let you go

And lately, with Emersons in the town and Michael shenanigans and Max' obsession with their mother, everything became more tense tenfolds. You tried to keep your cool and keep everything under control, including your so-called brothers and your bond with Star.

But that boy. That damned Emerson boy. That Michael and his puppy eyes, focused on Star. Like she was his sun. It irritated you. It angered you. Every smile she sent his way, every wave of hand, every glance in his direction made you feel almost threatened. As if she was your territory, and he was daring to step too close.

"You look like you want to tear through the crowd." Star fell down on the sand next to you, her skirt jumping with the move and riding higher to her knees. Your eyes slided up her ankles and bare feet right to her face. You watched her silently, thoughtfully, making her chuckle and smile in such manner that eased your mind even if you didn't want to ease up and strived to hold onto this grudge for some more time.

You spent time without her. You lived without her, before her. But now, knowing her, feeling her warmth, her light, her smile, hearing her laughter... You couldn't imagine living without her again. Let alone an eternity without her. Or witnessing her being with someone else.

How much time has passed

How many more will pass

"Now you and your silence are scaring me." Star noted, tilting her head, her unruly wild curls falling o one of her shoulders, as she leaned into you, grasping your hand almost unceremoniously. "Talk to me."

"Do you like him?" You asked her, causing her to furrow her brows, not understanding what you meant at first. " Michael. I know Max... Almost ordered us to take him. But you seem so... Fond of him."

"Wait... You are jealous?" Star asked you in sudden understanding. You hated this feeling. When she could see right through you and your facade you put up to not show your real feelings. You leaned away from her touching, furrowing your brows.

It is hard for me to be without you

Let's just be friends

Friends with kisses

"You like him!" You almost accused her, even if it was desperation in your voice and not some real accusation. "You like him and you don't even hide it! I..." You turned away from her and stood up, walking away from the dancing crowd, so you wouldn't take it all out on someone else. By the hurried shuffle of the skirts, it seemed that she followed right after you. "We can be friends, I know, if you like him more than me, I can... I can live with it, just don't leave me and..." She interrupted you with a strong tug on your wrist, turning you around and kissing you desperately and passionately right on the lips.

"Silly vampire... You are the only one for me. Michael is cute, I can't argue with that. But he isn't you." She murmured, cupping your face. "I rather go mad and act up against Max and attack him than leave you." You shivered at comparison of almost deadly act and leaving you. You embraced her, leaning into her.

"Promise?" You whispered, way more relaxed now, as you let her press her forehead against yours.

"I swear... Who else can be your personal star?" She smiled, making you smile as well. Of course you trusted her. How could you not believe in your personal star.

Poly

You were used to being alone. Even being a vampire, you preferred more harmless way. Donor blood from the hospitals or animals. You didn't like hunting humans, you thought it... Inhumane and too cruel for your liking. You always tried to keep your stash of blood with you and search for different ways of feeding once in the new place. However this town proved to be more hard to find something of sort you ate. Santa-Carla had a lot of humans, in and out of town. But there were little number of animals around and there were small amount of blood banks. You didn't want to take the last stashes of blood from them.

You started the night

And everything anyone could afford

At least you found yourself some company. Boys, or rather, five boys and a girl - David, Paul, Michael, Marko, Dwayne and Star - were as wild, free and cool as they were beautiful, hot and alluring at the same time. Your being acquainted quickly turned into friendship and then... Potentially into something more. You didn't notice how smoke breaks with David at some polite distance turned into smoke breaks with David with his hands around you. How discussions with Dwayne about books turned into talks or even silent sessions of braiding his hair or just chilling together with Dwayne. How mindless fun with Paul turned into him constantly throwing his arm around your shoulders and clinging to you at the first possible moment. How attraction rides and adrenaline rushes with Marko turned into practically the whole nights of spending time together. How Michael teaching her things about motorcycle and nerding out about it turned into long and adventurous rides together. How chatting from time to time with Star turned into girl nights, away from the boys, giggling, gossipping about everything else.

Your ties to all of them somehow became stronger than friendship and even without formally discussing your relationship together. You just were together. You were theirs and they were yours. It was as simple and as complicated as this.

You tore off the masks aside

Kept the soul imprisoned

Of course you noticed something was off with them. But never really got into thinking about it. And you tried to be as secretive about your own being as possible at the same time. Hiding blood, trying to eat way before you met up with them to hide any potential smell or slip up. Seemingly they didn't notice anything, but you were still wary about everything. And you did notice some things about them as well.

They had no worries about money or clothes or gas for their bikes. They had no arguments about you meeting up with them only at night. They rarely insisted on going somewhere to eat, despite spending hours doing something active or not. It was not normal. And slowly, as first wave of infatuation and flirt fell off of you, you started noticing those things more and more.

David's sharp eyes and how he noticed little things about other people. Dwayne's strength. Paul's out of control wilderness. Marko's insatiability. Michael's impulsiveness and Star's aloofness to the other people. Or how sometimes they didn't even need words to communicate with each other. It was inhumane... Almost as if they were vampires.

Even if there is blood on your cheek

You would say it is just a lipstick

"We have a gig in the mechanical shop, what, you think we steal money and gas?" Michael scoffed at your question about how they sustain themselves, glancing at David.

"We just spend so much time together, we don't need words sometimes, princex." Dwayne reassured you at another time, when you wondered aloud how they communicated silently.

"Blood? No, babe, it's... Star tried new red lipstick, that's it." Paul nervously explained, before Marko tugged you away from him, distracting your attention from the red spot on his cheek.

Something was off. You knew that. They knew that you knew. And it was only a matter of time before you all found out truth about each other.

We are not the angels, mate

No, we are no angels

You stood in shock, watching from distance the horrible picture that unraveled before you. Your boys. Your beloved boys and Star whom you already thought to be your partners. Attacking and ripping through some teens, who were partying around the bonfire. Feeding, breaking, killing and then burning bodies in the same bonfire. You stepped back in shock, your eyes wide, flickering between your natural colour and that yellow of your wild vampiric side.

Shuffling of your feet attracted attention. Star raised her head, noticing you, and you, even in darkness, shuddered from how twisted her usually calm and friendly face looked, morphed into vampiric traits, with smeared blood all over it. You stepped back again and again, almost darting into the air, but in your shock and drastic change between how you usually saw them and how they were now didn't notice how quickly they moved themselves.

Before you could leave, you crashed into someone's hard chest. You turned around, seeing Dwayne, his face morphed and tainted in blood as well. Before you could step away from him, he grasped your shoulder, his face gradually morphing into human-like.

"Stop it... You are like us. Why do you look so..."

"Scared?" David finished for him, walking to you, along with Michael. The brunette boy and Star, perhaps, looked the most worried. Blonde duo continued with wrecking chaos near the bonfire, and David looked almost irritated. "It is part of us. Of you."

"I am not like this." You argued. "I have never done this." You motioned for the dead bodies scattered across the sand. "This is wrong. You can't just... Kill people left and right!" You exclaimed.

We are the dark monsters

And all of our boundaries are gone

"We are vampires. Don't tell me you are one of those pacifists. It is stupid, how would you survive without killing?" David rolled his eyes.

"Animals. Donors. Anything. Not this... Massacre!" You breathed out, hearing Dwayne's scoff.

"You are a bit dramatic, princex. You kill animals. People kill animals. We kill people. It is part of the foodchain." He mused quietly, sighing and rubbing your shoulder, almost trying to be reassuring. "Stop it... Don't run away from me. From us. We can just talk it out..."

"No!" You freed your arm from his grip, glancing around and then stepped away from them, more and more.

"Y/N..." Michael stepped after you, looking at you worriedly, almost twisted image considering blood on his face.

"Don't. Let them go." David stopped him, watching as you scrambled away from them over the sand and getting into the air. "They will come back... Sooner or later."

You have been sleeping for so long

Way too long for a monster

It had been couple of days already. Or rather, nights. You didn't go out, staying in your room you were renting, feeding on the rest of your stash... You should have moved on. Away from Santa-Carla. To some big city, where there could be some blood banks or to some foresty location, where animals were at large. But...

The thought of leaving quietly, without saying goodbye was heartwrenching. To never see Paul with his stupid jokes. To never braid Star's hair. Never play another arcade game with Marko. To never argue with David and Dwayne about some book or stupid movie. To never ride with Michael through the night... They felt like part of you already. Even if they were vampires who never argued with the bestial part of themselves, like you did. Who never went against their nature and who harmed people, going against every rule you yourself tried to follow.

You should have talked with them, like Dwayne asked, you thought, pacing your room. Should have talked, discussed, perhaps argued and screamed, but still talked it out...

Maybe you should come down from the sky

To the place where you can breathe with your whole body

You stopped near the window, looking at the night street. You wanted it all to go back to how things used to be between all of you. It was simpler. To not think of how they murdered those teens. How horribly they looked with the blood on their faces and hands and even neck and chest (good God, Paul, how did he manage to get that dirty?). To the time where you worried most about not letting them guess anything bad about you and not that they knew the truth all along and were, honestly more free with this part of their nature than you were.

You turned away from the window, looking at the fridge, where you held your stash of blood. Only one last bag remained. It would last you couple days. Four, if you will not do much and waste much energy. You spent days, thinking over everything, and now you had practically no choice. Either leave them to find another blood bank or hunting grounds with animals. Or stay with them. Learn from them. Let them be with you, like they pleaded you to in your every dream and waking moment. They were 'giving you space', as David told them to. However you could still feel them nearby your building, where you rented the room. Lingering, whispering, showing how willing they were to accept you in their arms, to accept you into their coven without any second thought or doubt...

Drop your clear sheet

Monsters don't wear white

When you came to the Boardwalk on the next night, you could see how relieved Marko, Paul and Michael were. How supportive Star and Dwayne's eyes were. How arrogant smirk of David changed into calm expression. He outstretched his arm to you, welcoming you to take it. And you finally accepted the invitation to join them once and forever.

I sat curled into the corner of one of the old couches that lay in the cave, my eyes trained to the romance novel that I had recently picked up.

The sound of wings from the pigeons flapping in the distance is the only thing to be heard, as silence fills the remaining space. The boys had went for their daily hunt and I had decided to stay back much to David's disliking.

It took a small amount of begging and promising of having me all to himself later that night when they returned was all it took for him to stare back at me with a slight nod and a firm "do not leave." Before heading towards the stares and out of the cave.

That had been a couple hours ago, after they left, I went to my section of the cave and grabbed the new romance novel from my bag and made my way to the old furniture where I've been ever since.

I am so entranced by the novel that I don't take note of the sound of rowdy male voices cheering and yelling amongst themselves. My eyes stayed trained to the pages, following the trail of black ink as I follow the characters through their story.

"What are you reading?" I am broken from my trance by the whisper of a voice coming from behind me. Without taking my eyes from the page, I respond.

"A romance novel."

"Mm." I can hear the smirk in his tone as leans back down to whisper back into my ear. "A spicy one as you would call it, it seems." This time I lift my eyes and turn my head slightly to come face to face with his piercing blue ones.

"How do you..." I trail off when it registers how he would know.

"Perks of being a vampire, my love. Now, I distinctly remember you promising that I could have you all to myself when I returned if I let you stay back." The smirk, now evident across his lips grows wider as I place my bookmark in between the pages and close the book.

"I suppose, I did." Standing up, I kept eye contact with him as I took ahold of his gloved hand and pulled him to follow me towards my nest.

The sound of woof whistles and the others cheering could be heard as we reached my space, David turned and reached up, letting the blackened curtains fall and covering the remainder of the cave before turning back towards me.

Making his way over to me slowly, he reached up and pressed one of his leather clothed hands against my cheek, I leaned into it staring back at him with a look that resembled comfort and longing.

"Mine." Was all that could be heard as he closed up the rest of the space by pressing his lips to mine. In mere moments, the kiss turned from sweet and passionate to rough and unforgiving as our tongues battled for dominance. Reaching up, I pushed at the jacket that covered his shoulders until he slid it off and bent down to grasp the back of my thighs leading my legs to entangle around his waist.

Moving his lips from mine, he began trailing his lips down my jaw line to my neck where he began nipping and kissing.

"My, my, my, is that the book that has you dripping or is it me?" He questioned into my neck, biting down harder on the space between my shoulder and neck causing me to moan out.

"Fuck... Y-you David." A small chuckle left his lips as he dropped me down onto the plush mattress.

"It better be." Placing his hands on either side of me, he began to lean towards me, his eyes trained on mine. "Because the way you smell right now, is fucking Devine." Reaching out he grabbed ahold of my ankle and pulled me towards him until we were flush against one another and I could feel his hard-on pressing against my jean covered clit.

Before we could make another move, the sound of Dwayne just outside had us breaking apart.

"Uh... David. You're gonna want to come out here." I could see the predator gaze flash across his eyes as he spoke.

"I'm in the middle of something." David snapped back, sharply.

"It's Max. He's here."

Breaking apart, David stood up straight and walked over to the curtain, ripping it open to reveal Dwayne standing there and further in the distance was Max standing at the base of the stairs with Paul and Marko standing nearby.

Without another look back at me, David began to make his way out of my nest and back into the main area of the cave. I sat up on the bed, adjusting myself as Dwayne came over and outstretched his hand to help me up.

"What do you want?" The sound of annoyance laced David's tone as he made his way across from Max. I stood and followed Dwayne out, making sure to linger behind him out of view of the head vampire.

"Is that anyway to speak to your father?" Max asked walking closer. David didn't respond, just a look of frustration displayed across his features. "Well, there is another coven of vampires here in Santa Clara, just flew in actually." He let out a breathy chuckle at his own pun that nobody else laughed at. Looking around, he shrugged his shoulders and continued. "I know the leader and he happened to stop into my shop tonight, we got to talking about old times..." Max was cut off my David's sharp remark.

"What does that have to do with us?" Max stared back at David, a hint of anger and annoyance flashed across his eyes.

"Well, I invited him and his pack here tomorrow night to introduce you all and potentially, oh I don't know, maybe join together. You know the old saying the more the merrier." The boys looked around at one another, I kept my hand on Dwayne's arm, squeezing ever so gently.

"Yeah, well we're good." David responded simply. Within a flash, Max revealed his vampire-estce features and lunged towards David grasping ahold of his shoulders. This caused the other boys to vamp out and put themselves in a protective stance, ready to pounce if Max tried anything.

"Listen here, I have given you everything and let you run amuck, causing chaos. The least you can do is meet with them." Max sneered at David who showed no emotion or fear to him. Silence filled the cave, as David thought for a moment.

"Fine. We'll meet with them but that's it. I am not promising to join with anyone I don't need too." Max features shifted back to his normal ones as he released David.

"Deal." With that he turned and made his way towards the entrance before stopping and glancing over his shoulder. "Oh, I should mention. You should either have her turned or removed for the night. I cannot promise she won't become their next meal." And with that he made his way upstairs and out of the entrance.

The boys shifted back, silence once again filling the room. My heart raced at the thought of changing or becoming this random pack of vampires next meal. David must have sensed my fear because he turned and looked at me as he spoke.

"Do not worry, (Y/N). We won't change you until you're ready and we sure as hell won't let you become anyone's fucking meal." I offered a small smile at his words but the churning in my stomach didn't settle at the thought of what tomorrow might bring.

The next day

The sun had just begun to set, I sat out on the cliffs edge watching as it made it's way below the horizon. A warm breeze blew past me, as I sat and stared. The sinking feeling in my stomach never fully went away after Max had left last night, causing me not to be able to fully rest. I awoke early and attempted to keep myself busy until the sun set and the boys awoke.

Eventually after cleaning up the cave, and attempting to take my mind off things by reading, I decided to come outside for some fresh air in an attempt to clear my head.

The sun pushed it's way below the horizon, signalling that it had fully set. I let out a small sigh know what was to come.

"Penny for your thoughts." I glanced over my shoulder to see Dwayne standing beside me. I glanced back over at the water as it moved in waves.

"Just worried, is all. I don't want to put you guys in danger." Dwayne chuckled as he slid down beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"You have nothing to fear, the guys and I will not let anything happen to you. Max is just trying to scare us into turning you before your ready is all." I smiled at his attempts to offer comfort. I leaned into his shoulder, my eyes staying glued to the horizon.

We sat like that for what felt like an entering before David appeared behind us, telling us it was time to prepare for Max and the others.

A cold shiver ran down my spine and the lingering feeling of danger remained in the pit of my stomach as I followed the others down the steps.

Without a glance to my mates, I made my way to my section of the cave to prepare for the encounter. I moved around the room, gingerly, picking through my clothes to find something to wear when I felt the heat of eyes watching me from behind. Glancing over my shoulder, I locked eyes with a pair of blue eyes. Turning back, I picked up my shawl and wrapped it around my shoulders in an attempt to shield myself from his menacing eyes.

"(Y/N)." My name slipped off his lips in firm but concerning tone.

"Maybe I should go out while you and have the others over, I don't want to be in the way or cause any tension or..." I was cut off by David coming over to me and placing his gloved hands on either side of my face, cradling me. My eyes shifted to the side, unable to look at him.

"(Y/N), look at me." I shifted my eyes to meet with his. "You're not going anywhere, you're our mate and we want you by our side."

"But Max said..."

"To hell what Max said. He doesn't know shit, he just wants to expand his coven but I don't. I have all that I need here, with the boys... With you." His eyes moved from mine to my lips, before leaning down, he pressed a kiss to my lips. Kissing him back, his lips became more forceful and passionate causing me to gasp in response and giving him the access he needed to slip his tongue in.

Before we could get any further, Marko appeared at the entrance informing us that they were here. With a sigh, David pressed his forehead to mine.

"I swear, I'll get you alone soon." I giggled at him as he turned and made his way to the entrance, holding his hand out behind him for me to take. Reaching out, I took ahold of his fingers and made our way to the main area of the cave.

"Ah there, he is. David this is Theo, Theo this is David." Walking out, I took note of Paul and Marko sitting on the fountain ledge, while Dwayne took up a spot on the couch. In the middle of the cave stood Max, four men and one woman.

"Nice to meet you, David. We've heard nothing but good things." Rather than responding, David reached into his coat and pulled out his pack of cigarettes and placed one between his lips and lit it. "These are my sons, Miles, Will, and Asher. And of course, my beautiful daughter Mia." Nodding his head in response, he observed each individual vampire with a blank look across his face. Silence filled the space before Theo spoke again. "And who might this be?" He questioned, referring to me.

The first man, by the name of Theo as Max had introduced him as stood tall beside Max, although he was shorter, he still had significant height. His head was shaven, and a slim but muscular build. His green eyes, shifted between David and I, sensing the difference between myself and the rest of them.

Miles was the tallest out of the three boys, his hair was a dirty blonde that fell just above his shoulders, his green eyes and tan skin. His eyes shifted around the cave, taking in the layout of the cave and the boys who lived there.

Will stood beside them, he was a tad bit shorter but not by much, his hair was dark brown and cut short, his sharp jawline matched the sharpness that his stare left. His eyes, dark brown stared back into mine as if he could devour me in just one bite.

Asher stood a bit further back from the rest, he had black hair that was slicked back, his eyes, a pale blue also stared back into mine but unlike the previous man, he stared at me with wonder and curiosity. As if I was a phenomenon that he was trying to pick apart.

Finally it was Mia, a petite woman. Her flowed down her back in tight blonde curls, she wore a mini-skirt and tube top that accentuated her figure and brought attention to her. Unlike the others, her eyes never once found mine, no rather they were staring at the man who stood in front of me with a look of wonder and seduction. I couldn't deny the feeling of jealousy that over threw the feeling of danger in the pit of my stomach.

David tensed as did the rest of the boys as I remained behind him before any of them could respond, Max spoke up.

"Ah yes, this is (Y/N)." He began stepping forward. "Come out my dear, we don't bite... Well not usually." Max laughed as Theo gave him a small smile. Stepping out beside David, I kept my hand inside of his and remained close by. "As you may have noticed by now, (Y/N) is still human much to my disagreement..."

"We'll change her when she's ready." David finally broke his silence, staring across the cave at Max with a fire burning in his eyes."

Looking annoyed, he shook it off and offered the same cherry smile from before. "Yes, yes of course. (Y/N) is the boys mates and lives here in the cave with them." Theo nodded along, looking me up and down. I could sense the boys anger rising from his lingering stare. "Well, Theo and I have some catching up to do, you all play nice now." And with that the two head vampires turned and made their way out of the cave, leaving a lingering silence behind them.

Everyone stayed in a locked silence, glancing at one another every so often before Will spoke up with a smirk.

"Well boys, what's there to do for fun around here?" Paul and Marko smirk to one another, while Dwayne kept a straight face. David stood from his chair, with a smile.

"Why don't we show you?" He questioned, gesturing towards the entrance of the cave. "After you." The other vampires smirk to each other before nodding and making their way out of the cave, while Paul, Marko and Dwayne followed closely behind.

Mia lingered behind, staring at David with a shy smile but I could see the lustful gaze that her eyes held. Turning, she swayed her hips and made her way up the stairs slowly in attempt to capture his attention. Turning back to me, David held out his gloved hand.

"I have a bad feeling about them." I said, slipping my hand into his. His eyes stared into mine, before he smiled. "Don't worry my love. I won't let nothing happen to you." I returned the smile before nodding and following him up the stairs and out of the cave. The feeling of danger lingering in my stomach, sinking a little further with each step.

As we reached the others, everyone was already seated on their bikes waiting for us. Glancing over, I happened to see Mia sitting on the back of David's. A small sneer tugged at the corner of my lips, causing her to smirk back at me before changing her expression to one of innocence. "Do you mind if I ride with you? I would feel safer with you leading us." David glanced back at me, his eyebrow raised. The sinking feeling growing stronger when I noticed him asking me for permission rather then just kicking her off and making her ride with her own. I stared back, attempting to portray an expression of annoyance but rather having it come out as sadness.

Coming towards me, he took ahold of my face and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "It's just one ride." Pressing a kiss to my lips he made his way to his bike and swung his leg over.

"You can ride with me." Looking up, Asher held out his hand. Usually I would never disobey the boys and I would always stick with them but seeing her wrap her arms around David's waist sent a sick feeling up my throat. Swallowing it down, I made my way over to Asher and took ahold of his hand as I climbed onto his bike, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Hold on tight." He said over his shoulder with a smirk.

Looking over at David, I sent his a smirk causing him to clench his jaw and jealously to flash across his eyes. The rest of the boys looked between David and I.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go." Will said as they all kicked up their kickstands and started their bikes. David broke his gaze from mine, following the rest by starting his bike and taking off, leading the way to the boardwalk.

Once we arrived at the boardwalk, backing the bikes in, they killed the engines and dropped their kickstands. Glancing over his shoulder, Asher shot me a half smile. I returned the look before turning to look over at David whose eyes were not on mine but rather the petite blonde who was bent over his handle bars, a small spread across his lips.

A feeling of jealousy sank in my heart, as I watched the two interact. I could feel the eyes of the other boys on me but I couldn't dare to break my stare from him until a voice tore me from my thoughts.

"Hey, why don't you give me a little tour seeing as blondie's busy getting to know Mia." I turned to look back at Asher who was now standing up beside me with his hand outstretched towards me. I looked between his hand and his eyes before taking ahold of him and swinging my leg over the bike.

Standing up, I looked back over at Paul, Dwayne, and Marko. "I'm gonna show Asher around for a bit but I'll meet you guys back here in an hour." The boys each shared a look before turning to David whose jaw was clenched in anger.

Standing from his bike, he made his way to stand in front of Asher until they were chest too chest. His eyes shifted to mine and then back to his. "Sure. No problem, have her back in an hour." I couldn't help but let my jaw fall agape a little at his reaction.

Lifting his arm, Asher placed it around my shoulder and tucked me into his side. "You got it, I'll try to not keep you waiting." And with that he turned us and started heading towards the lights on the boardwalk. Looking over my shoulder, I watched David staring back before Mia made her way over and looped her arm into his, shooting me a devious smirk.

~~~

It had been nearly an hour of showing Asher the sights of the boardwalk and the different shops that aligned it. We were making our way back to the others when I took noticed of a certain blonde mullet leaning against the railing. I smiled to myself as we made our way towards him until I noticed Mia standing in front of him, her hands placed on either side of him on the railing.

I stopped walking and observed the situation as everything around me began to fade into the distance. I watched as she stood on her tippy toes and leaned in towards him, her eyes shifting from his to his lips and back again. My heart beat a bit faster when I took note of the small smile tracing his lips.

She began to lean closer and closer until her lips pressed against his. I didn't continue to watch, tears welling up into my eyes, I turned and ran towards the stairs of the boardwalk, making my way down and continuing to run until I couldn't anymore.

My chest screamed from the pain of watching the two of them. I slowed my footing, when the sounds of the boardwalk sounded miles away. Wrapping my arms around my middle, I let the first tear slip, and then another and another, until they streamed down my face.

"Hey..." A voice spoke from behind me. "Are you okay?" I turned to see Asher standing behind me, a concerned look displayed across his features. Unable to form a sentence without a sob coming out instead, I just shook my head no.

With a frown, he reached out and pulled me into him. Wrapping his arms around me while I continued to sob into his chest. "I saw what happened, he doesn't deserve you."

Rather than answering, I focused on my breathing in an attempt to calm myself. Pulling away, I looked back up at him. Reaching out, he brushed a tear from my face. "Thank you." I said with a small smile.

Asher continued to stare, his eyes flicked between my eyes and my lips. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to mine. Reaching up I pushed at his chest, pushing him away from me. "What the fuck are you doing?" I questioned, stumbling away from his grasp.

Wiping at his lips, he smirked and chuckled at my reaction. "I mean come on, (Y/N)." I began backing away from him as he slowly made his way towards me. "Do you really think that they'd want some human as their mate? Face it, you're just a blood bad for them to feed on when they see fit."

"No." I stumbled a little but continued backing away from him.

"Oh yes, now why don't you just come here and let me end all your pain for you. I'll make it quick and painless." Without a response, I turned and attempted to make a run for it.

The next thing I knew, Asher was standing in front of me. Reaching out he took ahold of my throat, gripping it tight in his grasp causing me to gasp. "You do remember I am a vampire, right?" His eyes changed from a pale blue to a golden yellow, his fangs peaking through the sneer in his lips. "Now, I am not one to play with my food but you look to delicious not too."

A tear slipped my eye as I gasped for air, clawing at his hand in the process. "P-please..."

"Pathetic, begging. No wonder your little boyfriend wanted an upgrade." Before I could respond a voice spoke from behind me.

"You mean the dumb blonde bimbo that clung to me tonight, I would hardly call that an upgrade. Besides (Y/N), is far more superior than her, human or not. Clearly you thought so before she rejected your ass." It was David, appearing behind Asher stood Paul and Marko. Standing on either side of me was Dwayne and David. "Now how about you let her go and we can forget this whole thing ever happened?" The other boys began to make their way alongside him, he glanced at the boys before his eyes shifted back to my widened ones.

"I don't know about that. Max seems to think she's a distraction and that would be better for all of you if I were too... I don't know, drain her of blood." He sneers, his grip getting tighter around my throat.

Spots began to appear in my vision as I gasped for air, in the distance I could see the glow of Paul and Marko's eyes, their faces morphing into a predator. I felt myself begin to slip in and out of consciousness from the lack of air. The last thing I saw before I blacked out completely was Asher's yellow eyes coming to light.

~~~

The sounds of the boys in the distance was the first thing I heard when I came too, fluttering my lashes, I grimaced as a sharp pain shot through my head.

"What the..." I whispered to myself sitting up to see that I was back into my space in the cave, my curtains drawn cutting me off from seeing the remainder of the cave.

I sat further up until I was fully upright, I rubbed my hands over my eyes in a pitiful attempt to ease the ache that throbbed from behind my eyes.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty." I turned to see Dwayne standing in the entrance way, holding the curtain open.

"What happened?" Letting go of the curtain, he walked fully into the room and stood near the edge of my bed. Reaching out, he brushed a piece of fallen hair from my face.

"You were almost a goner, we thought we might've lost you. Turns out Theo's crowd had other intentions rather than just expanding their pack. I furrowed my brows, confused at what he meant as he continued. "They did like the fact that we had a human mate so they attempted to turn us from you and when our guard was down, make you their next meal. If it wasn't for David, we would've lost you."

"What do you mean?" I questioned in wonder.

"Well, Marko, Paul, and I took the others for a tour of the boardwalk and Mia wouldn't leave David's side so he took her. Turns out she was just trying to dig her claws into the "leader" of the group but he wasn't interested. He was entertaining her antics until he heard your plea for help. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have gotten there in time." I sat for a moment and thought about how I reacted to him and her, believing that he would easily replace me because she was a vampire and I wasn't but I was wrong.

"So what happened to the others?" I processed the memory of the boys vamping out in an attempt to get Asher to release his grip on my throat before I blacked out.

"We took care of them and Max. Nothing you need to worry about, they won't be coming back to Santa Clara anytime soon." I offered a half smile, curious to what they had done but not enough to inquire further. "You should get some rest, you need it." Leaning down he pressed a small peck to my lips before making his way out of my alcove.

Leaning back against the headboard, I let myself rest for a moment. I closed my eyes, listening to the boys in the distance when a the feel of a leather clad hand brushed across my cheek. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see David standing by my bedside, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face.

"David..." I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I know." Was all he said. Sliding over in bed, I made room for him. He stood there for a brief moment before sliding in alongside me, resting his back against the headboard. Lifting his arm, I curled into his side, my head resting on his chest. "I told you, I would always come if you called."

I smiled to myself, letting rest crawl upon me and take me under. It wasn't until I was about to fall into a deep sleep that I heard him whisper out.